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HANDBOUND 
AT  THE 


UNIVERSITY  OF 
TORONTO  PRESS 


*<f) 


& hct  Jjtourans  of  jart^irag, 

or  of  % usipcn. 


EDINBURGH  :         T.  G.  STEVENSON,  22,  SOUTH  FREDERICK  STREET. 
GLASGOW:  OGLE  &  CO.,  1,  ROYAL  EXCHANGE  SQUARE. 

BERLIN  :  ASHER  &  CO.,  UNTER  DEN  LINDEN,  20. 

NEW  YORK :  C.  SCRIBNER  &  CO. 

PHILADELPHL\ :  J.  B.  LIPPLNCOTT  &  CO. 
BOSTON:  DUTTON  &  CO. 


a  be 


1 


Unmuts  0f  |aiiteimirt 


€i|  of  JTu.'iifincn : 


OTIIERWHK    KN'OWN"    AS 


(§lti|  3Mc  4  Jltelmmtif: 


Translated  from  the  French  of  La    Covdrette 
(about   1500—1520  A.D.). 


EDITED  FROM  A  UNIQUE  MANUSCRIPT  IN  THE  LIP.RARY 
OF  TRINITY  COLLEGE,  CAMBRIDGE, 


WITH    AN 


?mttotmttion,  pies,  anb  (Tutorial  lite, 


REV.  WALTER  W.  SKEAT,  M.A., 

HI!     l  I  I. LOW  OK  CHRIST'S  COLLEGE,  CAMBRIDGE,  EDITOB  OF  LANCELOT  OF  THE  LAIK,   &C. 


LOXDOX : 

PUBLISHED    FOR   THE   EARLY   ENGLISH   TEXT    SOCIETY, 
BY  N.  TRUBNER  &  CO.,  GO,  PATERNOSTER  ROW. 


IfDCCCLXVI. 


PR 


22 

JOHN   CHILD*   AND   SON,   PBIKTEKS. 


PREFACE. 


I.     DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    MSS.,  &C. 

Trie  MS.  from  which  tlie  present  poem  has  now  for  the  first  time 
been  copied  and  edited,  is  one  belonging  to  Trinity  College,  Cam- 
bridge (where  its  class-mark  is  E.  3.  17),  and  which  is  believed  to 
be  unique.  It  is  written  (on  paper)  in  a  clear  but  somewhat  Loose 
handwriting  of  the  beginning  of  the  sixteenth  century,  or  possibly 
of  the  latter  part  of  the  fifteenth.  I  am  inclined  to  guess  that  it  may 
appear  to  be  of  a  somewhat  later  date  than  it  really  is,  from  the  pos- 
sibility of  its  not  having  been  written  by  a  professional  scribe;  that 
is  t<>  say,  if  we  are  to  take  literally  the  lines  near  the  conclusion, 

Sin  at  your  request  and  commaundement 

Tin's  warke  on  me  toke,  it  to  fourge  and  make  ; 

And  so  haue  I  don  after  myne  entent 

With  litterall  carectes  for  your  sake, 

Tham  conueying  in  sable  lines  blake,  &c, 
which  seem  to  imply  that  the  maker  of  the  translation  wrote  it  out 
with  his  own  hand.  This,  however,  of  course  involves  two  other 
assumptions;  viz.  that  this  particular  copy  is  the  original  (perhaps 
the  only)  one,  and  that  the  translator  was  one  who  did  not  employ 
a  scribe.  The  MS.  is  nearly  perfect,  but  two  leaves  are  wanting, 
viz.  fol.  1  and  fol.  88.  The  sense  of  the  latter  has  been  easily  sup- 
plied from  a  French  MS.  which  will  be  described  shortly,  but  foL  1 
contained  original  matter  which  might  have  told  us  more  about  the 
translator  himself.  As  each  page  contains  exactly  four  stanzas  of 
seven  lines  each,  we  have  thus  lost  56  lines  at  most ;  but  the  precise 


11  PREFACE. 

number  being  uncertain,  the  lines  of  the  Prologue  have  been  num- 
bered separately.  Had  the  MS.  been  perfect,  tlie  whole  number  of 
folios  would  have  been  124. 

On  the  margins  of  some  of  the  leaves  side-notes  have  been  made 
in  a  much  later  hand.  As  these  relate  to  the  story,  they  have  all 
been  copied,  and  will  be  found  in  the  foot-notes.  On  a  vellum  fly- 
leaf at  the  beginning  are  the  marks  of  ownership — 

"Liber  Eicardi  St  Georg  ) 

-vr  t,     .  [    fero  et  spero " — 

JNorroy  Kegis  armor  um     )  '■ 

and  below  this — 

"  Beaupre  Bell,  de  Beanpre  Hall  in  Com.  Norf.  API2TEYEIN." 

By  the  latter  of  these  it  was  presented  to  Trinity  College. 

On  the  front  of  this  fly-leaf  there  is  written,  in  a  very  scrawly 

handwriting  which  it  is  very  difficult  to  read,  the  following  short 

poem,  which  seems  worth  transcription. 

"  masteres  anne, 

1  ame  your  man, 

as  you  may  well  espye  ; 

if  you  will  be 

content  with  me, 

I  am  merrie,  [say  1.]  ' 

but  if  you  will 

kepe  company  still 

with  every  knaue  yat  comes  by  ; 

what  boteth  [be] 

faythefull  to  [me,]  2 

I  am,  &c. 

but  if  you  fayne, 

I  tell  you  playne, 

if  1  slmlde  presently  die, 

I  will  none  suche 

1  The  word  "irrrrie"  is  hardly  legible,  and  the  line  is  incomplete. 
*  "  he  "  and  "  me"  have  been  cut  off  in  the  binding  ;    there  are  also  two  other 
readings  of  these  two  lines,  through  which  the  pen  has  been  drawn,  viz. 

"  then  shall  you  be — forsaken  of  me," 
and, 

"  then  kepe  you  still— to  werkc  your  will." 


PREFACE.  Ill 

as  loues  to  muche, 
I  am,  &c. 

For  if  you  can 
lone  euery  man 
yat  can  flatter  &  lie, 
then  are  not  ye 
no  mache  for  me, 
I  am,  &c. 

For  I  will  not  take 

no  suche  kinde  of  mak[e,] 

as  you  shall  full  well  it  trie, 

yat  of  wil  me  cast 

at  euery  blast ; 

I  am  merrie,  &c." 
The  present  text  is  as  close  a  fac-simile  of  the  MS.  as  printing 
allows  of,  all  its  peculiarities  being  preserved  as  far  as  possible,  such 
as,  e.g.  the  use  of  the  long  s  (f),  and  the  occasional  occurrence  of  a 
small  letter  at  the  beginning  of  a  line.  Every  stanza  begins  with  a 
large  red  capital,  indicated  by  the  large  printed  letter.  The  expan- 
sions of  the  various  contractions,  which  occur  but  seldom,  are  indi- 
cated by  italics.  A  hyphen  within  a  word,  such  as  in  "vn-to" 
(Prol.  1.  63),  means  that  the  syllables  are  written  with  a  space 
between  them.  Letters  or  words  between  square  brackets — such  as 
in  columb[e]re,  1.  125 — do  not  exist  in  the  MS.,  but  have  been 
supplied  because  they  are  necessary.  To  ensure  accuracy,  the  proof- 
sheets  have  been  twice  compared  with  the  MS.  throughout  the  poem. 
I  am  of  course  responsible  for  the  punctuation,  marks  of  paren- 
thesis and  quotation,  side-notes,  &c. 

The  peculiarities  of  the  MS.  that  have  not  been  observed  are 
these  : — full  points  occurring  at  the  ends  of  lines  '  ;  the  strokes 
through  the  upper  part  of  the  letter  h  when  it  follows  c,  g,  or  t; 
slight  tags  to /,  g,  t,  and  //,  which  (in  this  MS.  at  least)  mean  no- 
thing ;  and  the  fine  downstrokes  Avhich  are  introduced  as  metrical 
marks.  These  are  often  left  out,  and  were  merely  intended  to  shew 

1  When  one  occurs  in  the  middle  of  a  line  it  has  been  inserted  between  marks  of 
parenthesis,  as  at  1.  95. 

a2 


IV  PREFACE. 

•where  a  pause  might  he  best  made  in  the  middle  of  a  line  when  re- 
cited aloud.  Such  strokes  occur  of tenest  after  the  fifth  syllable,  often 
after  the  fourth,  rarely  after  the  sixth.  In  the  first  stanza  of  the 
Poem,  p.  8,  one  occurs  three  times,  as  thus  : — 

Hit  is  fo  in  trouth  /  in  time  aunc?'on, 
After  the  time  /  that  OctauiAn  was,  .... 
And  A  man  ful  ripe  /  in  other  clerigie. 

The  lines  most  frequently  consist  of  ten  syllables,  which  require 
a  slow  and  measured  pronunciation  to  make  them  melodious.  The 
— e  and  - — es  at  the  end  of  words   must  often  be  fully  pronounced. 

The  construction  of  the  sentences,  owing  to  some  peculiarities  of 
grammar,  is  not  unfrequently  obscure,  and  the  question  of  punctua- 
tion in  particular  often  presented  difficulties,  but  nearly  all  doubts 
of  this  kind  have  been  completely  removed  by  a  very  fortunate 
circumstance,  which,  as  I  believe,  has  nearly  doubled  the  value  of 
the  present  edition.  A  MS.  (marked  LI.  2.  5)  belonging  to  the 
Cambridge  University  Library  was  kindly  pointed  out  to  me  by  Mr 
Lradshaw,  of  King's  College,  which  contains,  in  French,  the  whole 
of  the  very  romance  of  which  the  present  edition  is  a  translation. 
The  copy  which  our  translator  used  must  have  resembled  this,  very 
closely  indeed,  though  a  few  differences  of  reading  can  be  traced  ; 
and,  as  a  consequence,  this  French  MS.  has  proved  of  the  utmost 
service,  and  a  constant  reference  to  it  has  explained  many  a  sentence, 
phrase,  and  word,  which  would  else  have  proved  puzzling ;  whilst  a 
comparison  of  the  two  throughout  has  well  decided  the  punctuation. 
Tlic  French  MS.  is  in  all  respects  superior  to  the  English  one;  it  is 
older,  clearer,  and  better  written,  and  the  language  is  easier  and 
more  poetical.  It  is  of  the  fifteenth  century,  on  paper,  and  contains 
165  written  leaves,  followed  by  a  few  blank  ones.  Of  these,  the 
firsi  148  are  occupied  by  the  "Romance  of  Melusine,"  and  the  rest 
chiefly  by  a  Chronicle  of  events  in  French  history,  arranged  in  short 
paragraphs  under  their  proper  years,  the  last  entry  referring  to  the 
year  1454.  Xumerous  extracts  from  it,  illustrative  of  doubtful  points, 
will  be  found  in  the  notes,  and  the  whole  of  the  Prologue  to  the 
poem,  carefully  copied  from  it,  will  be  found  at  p.  229. 

Besides  these  two,  there  is  also  a  copy  of  the  Romance  in  prose 


FKEFACE.  V 

in  tlie  British  Museum  (BibL  Keg.  18.  B.  ii)  consisting  of  219  folios, 
and  entitled — in  a  later  hand — "A  Chronicle  of  Melusine  in  olde 
English,  compiled  by  Ikon  of  Arras,  and  dedicated  to  the  Duke  of 
Berry  and  Auuergne,  and  translated  (as  yt  skoulde  seeme)  ont  of 
Frenche  into  Engkske."  But  tins,  as  will  be  more  fully  explained 
presently,  gives  a  different  version  of  tke  story,  and  I  kave  not 
made  much  use  of  it.  Still,  a  few  extracts  from  it  will  be  found  in 
tke  notes,  and  one  of  some  length  on  a  later  page  of  this  preface. 

There  is  also,  among  tke  Additional  MSS.  in  tke  British 
Museum,  a  short  abstract  of  the  Poem  in  Icelandic,  entitled 
"Melucinse  og  Bemunds  Saga."  It  is,  however,  of  late  date  and 
little  value.  It  contains  seven  short  chapters,  and  begins  on  fol. 
62b  of  MS.  4670. 

Several  quotations  will  be  found  in  the  notes  from  a  book  of 
which  the  title  is — "  Histoire  des  dues  de  Bourbon  et  des  comtes  do 
Forez  :  par  Jean-Marie  de  la  Mure  " — printed  at  Paris  in  18G0  from 
a  MS.  bearing  the  date  1675.  The  author  accepts  a  large  portion  of 
the  romance  as  genuine  history,  and  works  out  genealogies  and 
titles  witk  tke  most  laborious  minuteness.  Several  of  kis  state- 
ments are  certainly  open  to  question,  but  the  book  is  interesting 
as  illustrating  tke  romance ;  see  particularly  book  ii.  chapters 
77—81. 

II.    SOME    ACCOUNT   OF    THE    ROMANCE. 

Tke  first  mention  of  the  Romance  is  in  connection  with  Jean 
d  Anas :  of  whom  some  account  is  given  in  tke  "  Biographie 
Universelle,"  He  was  secretary  to  the  Due  de  Berri,  who  was 
brother  to  Charles  V.,  king  of  France,  and  uncle  to  Ckarles  VI., 
and  also  notorious  for  exercising  great  severity  as  governor  of  Lan- 
guedoc  In  tke  year  1387,  tke  duke  bade  Jean  d'Anas  to  write 
tins  romance  for  tke  amusement  of  kis  (tke  duke's)  sister,  tke 
Duckesse  de  Bar.  Tke  famous  deeds  of  tke  fairy  Melusine  had 
been  long  before  this  recorded  in  some  documents  that  had  been 
eaivfullv  preserved  in  the  castle  of  Lusignan.  To  these  Jean 
trusted  for  the  main  portion  of  his  work,  but  added  much  of  his 
own.     It  seems  probable  that  it  was  at  first  written  in  Latin,  as  we 


VI  PREFACE. 

find  in  the  Catalogue  of  MSS.  of  Gaul,  Switzerland,  &c,  by  D.  G. 
Hsenel,  the  following  entry  : — "  187.   Roman  de  Melusine ;  traduc- 
tion en  vers  du  latin  de  Jean  d'Arras."1     But  it  is  prohahle  that  it 
was  not  long  before  there  was  also  a  French  prose  translation  in 
existence,  which  may  have   been  made  by  Jean   d'Arras   himself. 
This  seems  to  agree  with  the  statement  in  the  Cambridge  MS., 
"Deux  beaulx  liures  furent  trouuez 
En  latin,  et  tous  approimtez, 
Quon  list  translator  en  franco  is  (see  p.  231) ; 
or  as  our  English  translator  puts  it, 

"  Within  the  toure  of  noble  mabregon 
To  faire  bolus  were  fonden  ther-on 
In  latin,  And  all  preuyd  at  deuife, 
That  men  made  tranllat  in  moft  frenfheft  wyfe." 
It  is  this  version  of  the  story  which  is  given  by  the  British  Museum 
prose  romance,  which  begins  by  invoking   the    "  Creatour  of    alle 
Creatines,"  and  continues  thus.     "  And  to  the  plaisire  of  my  Right 
high,  mighti,  and  doubtid  lord  Johan,  sone  to  the  kyng  of  Fraiuice,2 
due  of  Berry  &  of  Auuergne.     The  whiche  hystory  I  haue  bygon^e 
after  the  veray  &  true  Cronykles  wliich  I  haue  had  of  hym  and  of 
the  Erie  of  Salesbmy  3  hi  England,  &  many  other  bokes  that  I  haue 
sought  &  ouerredde  for  to  acomplysshe  hit.     And  bycause  that  his 
noble  suster  Mary,  doughtir  to  the  kyng  John  of  Fraunee,  duchesse 
of  Bar,  had  Requyred  my  said  lord  for  to  haue  the  said  historye; 
the  whiche  in  fauour  of  her  [he]  hath  doon  as  moche  to  his  power 
as  he  might,  to  serche  the  very  trouth  &  true  historye ;  and  hath 
conmaunded  me  for   to    do    drawe   alle    alonge    thistorye  whiche 
heraftur  foloweth.     And  I,  as  of  herte  diligent,  of  my  poueye  witt  & 
connyng,  [d<>]  us  nygh  as   I  can  the  pure  trouth  of  hys  gracyo^s 

conmiandement Whiche  this  present  hystorye  I  byganne  the 

Wensday,  Baynt  Clementis  day,4  in  wynter,  the  yer  of  our  lord 
mccclxxxvii. ;  beseching  alle  them  that  shalle  rede  or  here  it  Redde 

1  So  also  Brunet,  in  his  "  Manuel  de  Libraire,"  speaks  of  this  romance  as  "tire 
du  lulii)  de  Jean  d'Arras." 

'-'  Jean  1 1.,  mentioned  a  few  lines  below.  3  See  note  to  Prol.  1.  178. 

4  Nov.  23.  But,  in  1387,  Nov.  23  was  a  Saturday;  the  letters  vii  probably 
mean  iiii,  mistaken  for  uii ;  for  1381  brings  it  right. 


PREFACE.  Vll 

that  they  wil  pardonne  me  my  fawte  yf  their  be  eny.  For  certaynly 
I  haue  composed  it  the  moost  lustly  that  I  coude  or  haue  mowe, 
aftir  the  Cronykles  whiche  I  suppose  certaynly  to  be  trew." 

The  earliest  printed  edition  of  this  Romance  is  thus  described  by 
Brunet  (Manuel  du  Libraire,  ed.  18G2,  iii.  519).  "Jean  d' Arras. 
La  Melusine.  '  Cy  finist  le  liure  de  Melusine  en  francoys,  imprime 
par  maistre  Adam  Steinschaber,  natif  de  Suinfurt,  en  la  noble  cite  de 
Geneue '.  1478.  in-fol.  goth.  fig.  en  bois."  It  was  one  of  the  very 
first  books  printed  at  Geneva.  Since  then,  editions  have  been  very 
numerous,1  as  well  in  Spanish  and  German  as  in  French  ;  and  the 
story  is  altogether  very  familiarly  and  very  widely  known  upon  the 
continent. 

We  now  come  to  the  second  and  later  form  in  which  the 
Romance  commonly  appears. 

In  the  Catalogue  of  the  Library  of  the  due  de  la  Valliere, 
(Paris  :  1783),  vol.  iiv  p.  260,  there  is  an  account  of  a  fine  MS.  on 
vellum  of  "Le  Roman  de  Melusine,  ou  de  Partenay,  ou  de  Lusignan." 
The  romance  is  followed  by  a  chronicle  in  prose  of  events  in  French 
history  from  the  year  1403  to  1454. 

There  is  little  doubt  but  that  the  Cambridge  MS.,  already 
described,  altogether  agrees  with  this,  but  is  not  so  fine  a  copy. 
This  version  is  in  octosyllabic  metre,  and  was  undertaken  by  one 
named  La  Coudrette,  a  Poitevin,  at  the  request  of  William,  lord  of 
Parthenay,  and  continued  after  this  William's  death  (in  1401),  at 
the  request  of  his  son,  John  of  Parthenay,  of  whom  there  are  profuse 
praises  towards  the  close  of  the  poem.  La  Coudrette  tells  us,  in  his 
prologue,2  that  he  had  three  books  to  refer  to,  and  he  professes  to 
have  done  little  more  than  re-arrange  his  materials.  When  these 
failed,  he  broke  off  the  narrative,3  not  venturing  to  continue  it  with- 
out due  authority.  He  is  also  careful  to  tell  us  4  that  his  was  not 
the  first  attempt  at  versifying  the  story,  and  he  therefore  deprecates 
all  credit  for  his  performance.  The  reader  will  observe  that  the  one 
version  only  preceded  the  other  by  a   period  which  is  less  than 

1  See  Brunet ;  also  the  La  Valliere  catalogue,  vol.  ii.?  p.  642  ;  and  the  Conversa- 
tions-Lexicon, s.v.  Melusine. 

2  Pro!.  11.  154-189.  3  See  11.  6398,  6399.  4  Prol.  1.  159—161. 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

fourteen  years.  I  may  add  here  that  there  is  an  excellent  modern 
version  of  the  story  in  German  to  he  found  in  Tieck,  which  I  have 
often  found  of  service.  It  is  written  partly  in  prose  and  partly  in 
verse,  hut  it  is  clear  that  in  the  prose  portion  Tieck  has  often 
adopted  the  very  words  of  La  Coudrette's  version,  so  that  a  close 
comparison  of  them  often  explains  minor  difficulties.  So  common 
indeed  is  the  story  in  Germany  that  an  abstract  of  it  can  he  had  in 
the  form  of  a  "  Volkshuch  "  for  a  couple  of  groschen,  in  which  the 
principal  circumstances  of  the  legend  are  very  well  and  clearly  told. 

III.    THE    LEGEND. 

The  subject  of  the  legend  may  be  most  briefly  shewn  by  an  ex- 
tract from  a  well-known  work,  which  also  discusses  the  name  of  the 
heroine.1  "  Melisenda  is,  in  Spanish  ballad  lore,  the  wife  of  Don 
Gayferos,  and,  being  taken  captive  by  the  Moors,  was  the  occasion 
of  the  feats  that  were  represented  by  the  puppet-show  in  which 
Don  Quixote  took  an  unfortunate  lively  interest.2  Melisende  again 
was  the  princess  who  carried  the  uneasy  crown  of  Jerusalem  to  the 
house  of  Anjou ;  and,  perhaps,  from  the  Provencal  connection  of 
the  English  court,  Lady  Melisent  Stafford  bore  the  name  in  the  time 
of  Henry  the  Second,  whence  Melicent  has  become  known  in 
England,  and  never  quite  disused,  though  often  confounded  with 
Melissa,  ;i  bee,  and  sometimes  spelt  Milhcent. 

Melusinb  was  a  nymph  who  became  the  wife  of  the  Lord  de 
Luzignan,  or  Lusignan,3  on  condition  that  he  should  never  intrude 
upon  her  on  a  Saturday  ;  of  course,  after  a  long  time,  his  curiosity 
Mas  excited,  ami  stealing  a  glance  at  his  lady  in  her  solitude,  he 
beheld  her  a  serpent  from  the  waist  downward!  With  a  terrible 
shriek  she  was  lost  to  him  for  ever;  but  she  left  three  [ten]  sons, 
all  bearing  some  deformity,  of  whom  Geoffroi  mi  grant  dent  was  the 

1  Miss  STonge:  on  Christian  Names,  vol.  i.,  p  2~>7. 

-  In  the  original  Spanish,  it  is  spilt  Melisendra  — "  Melisendra  libertada  por  el 
famoso  1>.  Gaiferos."     Don  Quijote  :  parte  ii.  cap.  xxv. 

"  Pr&s  de  la  villi-  de  Montbrison,  il  y  a  une  paroisse  qui  porte  encore  [a.d. 
1675]  le  propre  nom  de  Lezigniacum  ou  Leziniacum,  qui  est  le  vnii  nom  latin  de 
la  Maison  de  Lusignan  ainsi  communement  nomme,  quoiqu'  elle  dut  etre  appelee 
Lezignem."  De  i.\  More:  Histoire  des  dues  de  Bourbons,  &c,  p.  495.  The 
"  Conversations- Lexicon  "  makes  Lusineem  an  anagram  of  Mulusine,  but  this  is 
clearh  a  wrong  form  of  the  word. 


PREFACE.  IX 

most  remarkable.  Prose  makes  this  gentleman  the  son  of  Eustachie 
( Jhabot,  heiress  of  Vouvant,  but  the.  Melusine  tradition  lingers  round 
his  castle  of  Lusignan,  near  Poictiers  ;  and  to  this  day,  at  the  fairs 
of  that  city,  gingerbread  cakes  are  sold,  with  human  head  and 
serpent  tail,  and  called  melusines.  A  cri  de  Melusine  is,  likewise,  a 
proverbial  expression  for  a  sudden  scream,  recalling  that  with  which 
the  unfortunate  fairy  discovered  the  indiscretion  of  her  lord. 

The  story  is  a  frequent  one ;  it  occurs  in  Brittany,  where  the 
spell  was  broken  by  the  husband  speaking  the  word  death  before 
his  fairy  Avife ;  and  in  Wales,  where  the  lady  is  called  a  "pellen." 

We  may  recall,  too,  Keats' s  "Lamia;"  and  how  she  disappeared 
as  Apollonius  uttered  the  word  "  serpent"  for  the  second  time — 
"A  serpent  !"  echoed  he  ;  no  sooner  said, 
Than  with  a  frightful  scream  she  vanished — 
a  story  which,  as  Burton  tells  us,  is  to  be  found  in  Philostratus,  in 
his  fourth  book  de  vita  Apollonii.1 

To  come  somewhat  more  to  particulars,  I  may  first  observe  that 
the  prose  version  is  much  longer  and  contains  many  more  details 
than  the  rimed  one  ; 2  and  that  the  story  resolves  itself  into  these 
several  parts.  (1)  The  story  of  king  Hehnas  and  the  enchanted 
mountain ;  (this  part  of  the  story  is  inserted  in  the  rimed  version 
near  the  end,  but  the  prose  version  puts  it  in  its  proper  place  at  the 
beginning  ;)  (2)  Raymond  and  Melusine  ;  (3)  the  deeds  of  their  sons  ; 
(-4)  the  legend  of  Sparrow-hawk  Castle;  and  (5)  Palestine's  treasure 
in  Arragon.  I  now  give  a  very  brief  abstract  of  these,  referring  the 
reader  for  further  details  to  the  "Index  of  Names"  at  the  end  of 
this  volume. 

I.  King  Helmas.  Helmas  was  king  of  Albany,  who  married  a  fairy 

1  "L'histoire  de  Melusine  est  une  vielle  fable  dont  le  cadre,  nettement  trace, 
existoit  deja  au  xiie  siecle  ;  du  reste,  cette  tradition  de  la  femrae-serpent  doit  etre 
beaucoup  plus  ancieune  et  n'est  peut-etre  pas  sans  quelque  rapport  avec  le  Dracon- 
calopedes,  et  memo  avec  la  deesse  Dcrceto  des  Syriens."  De  la  Mure  :  Sistoin  , 
«fec. :  note  by  the  editor. 

2  It  records  more  of  the  valiant  deeds  of  Raymond  and  others,  and  especially  of 
Geoffrey ;  and  it  mentions  many  minor  details  which  the  later  version  altogether 
omits.  For  example,  when  Uriens  and  Guy  depart  on  their  adventures,  the  prose 
romance  tells  us  how  their  mother  Melusine  gave  them  two  magic  rings  as  amulets  ; 
and  in  like  manner  she  gives  two  similar  rings  to  Raymond  just  before  her  disap- 
pearance, to  protect  him  from  barm  and  misfortune.     (Seefol.  65  and/o/.  188.) 

a3 


X  PREFACE. 

named  Presine,  to  whom  he  swore  a  vow,  that  he  would  never  go  to 
see  her  at  the  time  of  child-birth.  Presine  had  three  daughters  at  a 
birth,  whom  she  named  Melusine,  Melior,  and  Palestine.  Helmas 
then  broke  his  promise,  and  the  three  children  in  revenge,  being 
themselves  endued  with  fairy  power,  shut  him  up  in  an  enchanted 
mountain  till  his  death  (pp.  152 — 101).  Presine,  angry  at  this,, pun- 
ishes each  of  them  with  different  evil  destinies.  Melusine  was  partly 
to  turn  into  a  serpent  every  Saturday  ;  Melior  was  to  be  banished  for 
ever  to  Sparrow-hawk  Castle  in  Armenia;  and  Palestine  to  keep 
unceasing  watch  over  king  Helmas'  treasure,  which  was  deposited  on 
a  mountain-top  in  Arragon. 

II.  Count  Raymond.  A  rich  earl  of  Poitiers,  named  Amery, 
adopted  Raymond,  the  youngest  son  of  the  earl  of  Forest.  In  a 
boar-hunt,  Raymond  accidentally  slays  his  benefactor;  and  soon 
after,  whilst  riiling  aimlessly  about  absorbed  in  grief,is  surprised  by 
the  sudden  sight  of  three  beautiful  damsels  (Melusine,  Melior,  and 
Palestine).  The  eldest,  Melusine,  promises  him  all  earthly  prosperity 
if  he  will  marry  her;  but  he  is  to  swear  that  lie  will  never  inquire 
whither  she  repairs  on  a  Saturday.  After  some  years,  he  secretly 
watches  her  on  that  day,  and  perceives  her  with  her  serpent's  tail. 
He  is  deeply  grieved,  and  being  very  penitent,  is  forgiven  for  the 
present.  But  afterwards, in  a  moment  of  rage  at  hearing  of  the  death 
of  his  son  Fromount,  he  calls  her  a  "serpent!"  she  swoons  with 
horror,  and  after  an  expostulatory  farewell  glides  out  at  the  window 
in  a  serpent's  form,  passing  round  the  castle  three  times, at  each  time 
uttering  a  terrible  and  mournful  cry.  Raymond  is  afterwards 
abs  tlved  by  the  p  ipe,  and  becom  s  a  hermit  at  M  mtserrat  in  Arra- 
gon,  where  he  dies  at  a  gn  al  age. 

III.  Their  Sons.  Raymond  and  Melusine  had  ten  sons,  all 
marked  (excepl  the  two  youngest)  with  some  blemish,  and 
nearly  all  remarkable  for  their  great  valour  and  extraordinary  suc- 
cess. Of  these,  [Jriens  becomes  king  of  Cyprus;  Oede  was  lord  of 
the  marches  of  Poitiers  ;  Guy  was  king  of  Armenia. ;  Anthony,  duke 
of  Luxemburg;  Raynold,king  of  Bohemia;  whilst  Geoffrey  with  the 
great  tenth,  who  succeeded  his  father  as  lord  of  Part  benay,  performed 
many   prodigies  of  valour,  slaying  the  giant  Guedon  in  Guerrande, 


PREFACE.  XI 

the  giant  G-rimold  in  Northumberland,  and  discovering  all  the  wonders 
of  the  enchanted  mountain.  But  the  seventh  son,  Fromount,  dis- 
graced the  family  by  becoming  a  monk,  for  which  act  his  l)rother 
Geoffrey  burnt  him  alive  with  all  his  fellow-monks,  abbey  and  all. 
The  next,  Horrible,  was  put  to  death  by  Melusine's  order,  for  fear  of 
the  wickedness  he  would  else  commit.  The  two- last  were  horn  some 
time  after  the  rest,  and  were  named  Raymond  and  Thierry  ;  Ray- 
mond '  became  earl  of  Forest,  and  Thierry  succeeded  Geoffrey  as  lord 
of  Parthenay. 

IV.  Sparrow-hawk  Castle.  In  this  castle,  which  was  in  Ar- 
menia, the  lady  Melior  was  to  abide  for  the  rest  of  her  days,  as 
above  told.  Presine  had  given  her  the  power  of  granting  a  boon 
to  any  knight  who  watched  the  deathless  sparrow-hawk  which 
was  within  the  castle,  for  three  days  and  nights  without  sleeping. 
He  was  to  have  whatever  he  liked,  except  Melior  herself  as  wife. 
The  story  tells  how  a  king  of  Armenia  dared  to  ask  this,  and  how  he 
was  punished. 

V.  Palestine's  treasure.  Palestine  guarded  her  father's  treasure 
at  the  top  of  a  mountain  in  Arragon,  which  is  variously  spelt  Courgo, 
Coinqs,  Quonig,  &c.  In  this  she  was  assisted  by  a  huge  serpent  witli 
a  huge  eye,  and  by  a  great  bear  and  innumerable  snakes  that  infested 
tlic  lower  part  ^l'  the  mountain.  The  story  tells  how  an  English 
knight  slew  the  bear,  ami  passed  by  all  the  snakes,  but  was 
swallowed  bodily  by  the  great  serpent,  in  whose  mouth  he  appeared 
no  bigger  than  a  pasty  does  in  an  oven. 

The  rimed  romance  concludes  with  many  praises  of  John  of  Par- 
thenay, with  a  lament  for  his  father's  death,  and,  at  the  end.  a  solemn 
litany  for  the  preservation  of  the  family  and  lineage  of  Parthenay.  La 
Coudrette  discusses  the  proper  name  to  be  given  to  the  romance,  and 
decides  that  it  ought  to  be  named  either  the  "Romans  of  Partenay," 
or  the  "Romans  of  Lusignen"  ;  to  which  decision  I  have  therefore 
adhered.51 

The  translator  appends  a  short  epilogue  of  his  own,  as  he  had 
previously  prefixed  a  few  lines  to  the  old  French  prologue. 

The  story  of  Melusine  is  alluded  to  by  several  historical  writers. 

1  See  Index  of  Xamcs;   s.v.  Raymond  (2).  2  See  U.  6116—6421. 


Xll  PREFACE. 

Thuanus  '  speaks  of  the  excellent  situation  of  the  castle  of  Lusignan, 
strongly  fortified  as  it  was  by  a  wide  fosse  and  two  large  towers,  and 
conspicuous  for  its  "  Melusine's  tower,"  and  "  Geoffrey's  gateway  ; " 
the  latter  being  so  called,  according  to  Brantome,  from  the  colossal 
statue  of  Geoffrey  au  grant  dent  which  surmounted  it,  Thuanus  also 
mentions  the  famous  fountain  (for  the  marvellous  origin  of  which 
see  p.  32  of  the  present  volume)  in  the  words — "  in  ima  turre  fons 
Melusinae  a  poetis  nostratibus  decantatse  fabidis  famosus  scatet." 
Both  Mezeray2  and  Brantome3  record  the  sad  fate  of  this  famous 
,  which  was  razed  to  the  ground  by  the  Due  de  Montpensier 
in  1574,  because  it  had  been  determined  to  pidl  down  all  the  for- 
tresses wherein  the  Huguenots  had  been  accustomed  to  take  refuge. 
Mezeray's  words  with  regard  to  Melusine  are  remarkable.  "  The 
greal  acts  of  Melusine,"  he  says,  "her  riches,  her  extraordinary 
knowledge,  which  she  derived  either  from  communication  with 
higher  intelligences,  or  rather  perhaps  from  the  cabala  of  the  Rabbins 
who  were  then  very  numerous  in  France,  have  procured  her  immortal 
renown  in  the  mouth  of  posterity;  who,  not  knowing  her  real 
history,  have  invented  marvellous  tales  concerning  her.  These  I 
leave  fco  amuse  old  woraen  and  children.  But  I  am  enabled  to 
report,  on  the  credit  of  many  persons  of  honour,  and  who  are  not 
generally  thought  credulous,  that  it  has  been  observed  that  whenever 
one  of  her  descendants,  or  a  king  of  France,  was  about  to  die,  she 
appeared  on  the  great  tower  in  a  widow's  4  habit,  and  uttered  long 
and  terrible  cries;  thai  she  was  thus  seen  before  the  siege  of 
nan  ;  and  that,  when  her  castle  was  about  to  be  demolished, 
-lie'  was  seen  longer  than  ever  before,  shrieking  aloud  in  so  lament- 
able a  voice  that  she  cleft  all  hearts  with  pity;  but  that  she  has 
since  never  been  seen  or  heard  save  very  rarely.  Si  cela  est  ainsi  (I 
here  give  his  own  words)  les  Theologiens  en  rechercheront  la  cause, 
t  nous  enseigneroni  si  nous  devons  croire  que  des  pareilles  choses 
proviennent,  ou  de  la  malice  des  demons,  qui  se  plaisent  a  mettre 

1  Thuanus :  lib.  lix.  §  xi. 

Mezeray  ;   Histoire  de  la  France,  tome  iii.  p.  359  (fol.  1685). 
3  Brantome  ;  Capitaines  Francoises  ;  tome  iii.  p.  369. 

1  Brantome  also  expressly  calls  her  "  veufve,"  so  that  the  historical  account  is 
that  •<!) c  outlived  Raymond,  instead  of  disappearing  so  suddenly  as  iu  the  romance. 


PREFACE.  1111 

les  homines  en  peine  par  ces  illusions  ;  on  de  la  bonte  de  Dieu,  qui 
pour  monstrer  dux  incredules  Vimmortalite  de  Vame,  et  les  merveilles 
de  l'autre  monde,  veut  permettre  aux  esprits  heroiques  de  paroitre 
quelquefois  en  celuy-cy  dans  les  lieux  qu'ils  ont  ainiez  durant  leur 
vie." 

Brantome  also  testifies,  but  less  strongly,  to  these  miraculous 
reappearances ;'  and  especially  laments  the  destruction  of  the  fine 
castle,  for  which  many  spoke  of  the  Due  de  Montpensier  in  terms  of 
bitter  execration.  The  ruins  of  the  castle  can  now  scarcely  be  traced. 
Miss  Costello  has  recorded  her  extreme  disappointment  when  visit- 
ing the  site  of  them.2 

With  regard  to  the  question  just  above  raised  by  Mezeray  as  to 
the  existence  of  fairies,  the  following  extract  from  the  prose  romance 
is  very  interesting,  and  may  serve  also  as  a  specimen  of  it. 

"  AVe  baue  thenne  herd  sey  and  telle  of  our  auncyents,  that  hi 
manye  partes  of  the  sayd  land  of  Poytow  haue  ben  shewed  vnto 
many  oon  Eight  famylerly  many  manyeres  of  thinges  the  which  som 
called  Gobelyns,  the  other  Fayrees,  and  the  other  bonnes  dames  or 
good  ladyes;  and  they  goo  by  nyght  tynie  and  entre  within  the 
houses  without  opnyng  or  brekyng  of  ony  doore  and  take  &  here 
somtyme  with  them  the  children  out  of  their  cradell&s,  and  somtyme 
the}'  turne  them  out  of  theyre  wit,  and  somtyme  they  brenne  &  Eoste 
them  before  be  fyre,  and  whan  they  departe  fro  them  they  leue  them 
as  hoole  as  they  were  before,  and  som  gyue  grette  happe  &  Fortune 
in  this  world.  And  yet  haue  I  herd  say  of  oon  Geruase,  a  man  wor- 
shipfull  &  of  credence,  that  som  other  fauntasyes  appyeren  by  nyght 
tyme  vnto  many  oon  in  dyuerse  places  in  lyknes  of  wymen  with  old 
face,  of  low  and  lytil  stature  or  body,  whiche  dide  scoure  pannes  and 
potts  and  dide  suche  thinges  as  a  mayde  or  sernaunt  oughte  to  doo, 
lyberaly  &  without  dooyng  of  any  harme.  And  also  he  saith  for 
certayn  that  in  his  tyme  he  had  a  frend  that  was  auncyent  &  old, 

1  Cf.  note  to  1.  3711. 

2  Miss  L.  S.  Costello;  Beam  and  the  Pyrenees,  vol.  i..  p.  140.  She  gives  a 
sketch  of  the  legend,  and  adds  that  Bouchet,  in  his  chronicles,  says  he  cannot  find 
that  any  duke  or  count  of  Poitou  was  ever  called  Bertrand  or  Aymery  ;  whence  he 
concludes  that  the  whole  story  is  one  of  those  which  it  is  impossible  to  believe,  but 
which  are  at  the  same  time  dclictalle  to  read. 


XIV  PREFACE. 

which  Recounted  for  troutli  that  in  hys  dayes  he  hadd  seen  many 
tymes  such  thinges."  (fol.  2  b.) 

Jean  d' Arras  then  goes  on  to  give  several  instances  of  men  who  had 
married  fairies,  always  under  certain  conditions,  and  specially  mentions 
one  whom  "  Geruase"  well  knew,  viz.,  Sir  Kobert  du  Chastel  Eoussel 
of  the  province  of  Asy,  who  found  a  fairy  in  a  meadow,  and  married 
her  on  the  understanding  that  he  was  never  to  behold  her  stripped  ; 
but  happening  one  day  to  see  her  in  this  condition,  she  immediately 
"  putte  her  heed  into  a  watre,  &  was  tourned  into  a  serpent."  (fol.  3.) 
With  regard  to  Melusine's  re-appearance  before  calamities,  and  to 
her  tending  her  youngest  son,  Thierry,  as  described  at  p.  140,  the 
reader  may  compare  the  following.  "  In  German  tradition  the  name 
of  Berchta  is  given  to  the  so-called  White  Lady,  who  appears  in 
many  houses  when  a  member  of  the  family  is  about  to  die,  and,  as 
we  have  seen,  is  thought  to  be  the  ancestress  of  the  race.  She  is 
sometimes  seen  at  night  tending  and  nursing  the  children,  in  which 
character  she  resembles  the  Keltic  fairy.  In  other  and  more  wide- 
spread traditions,  the  White  Lady  is  an  enchanted  or  spell-boimd 
damsel,  who  usually  every  seventh  year  appears  near  some  mountain 
or  castle,  points  out  treasures,  and  awaits  her  release.1  Sometimes 
she  is  seen  combing  her  long  locks  or  drying  flax-knots.  Some  pre- 
tend that,  like  Huldra,  she  is  disfigured  by  a  tail."2  The  story 
entitled  "How  Count  Baldwin  of  Flanders  married  a  devil"3  lias 
several  points  of  resemblance  to  that  of  Melusine  ;  but  Melusine  is 
always  represented  as  most  loving  and  beneficent. 

IV.     THE    LANGUAGE    OF   THE   POEM. 

Judging  by  the  occasional  occurrence,  of  plural  verb-endings  in 
— en,  the  dialect  would  appear  to  be  Midland ;  but  the  lateness  of 
the  MS.  renders  such  speculation  doubtful  I  may  remark,  how- 
ever, thai  1  have  observed  that  many  of  the  words  used  occur  in 
the  Promptorium  Parvulorum, with  the  same  peculiarities  of  spelling. 
The  chief  points  to  he  noted  are  these. 

We  find  plural  verb-endings  of  the  indicative  present  in  — en; 

1  This  clearly  applies  to  the  legends  of  Melior  and  Palestine. 
2  B.  Thorpe  ;  Northern  Mythology,  vol.  i.,  p.  279.         3  Ditto,  vol.  hi.,  p.  283. 


PREFACE.  XV 

as,  (filial,  shinen;  and  also  of  tlio  past  tense,  as  weren.  Tlio  past 
tense  of  weak  verbs  ends  in  — ed,  and  the  past  participles  end  in 
— ed  or  — i/d,  The  past  participles  of  strong  verbs  end  in  — en, 
— yn,  and  even  — ing  or  — yng  ;  as  founden,  forsaiden  (1290), 
wroughten,  throwen,  coruen,  yeuyn  (18G0),  talcing  (4921),  tdkyng 
(1754),  yeung  (1799).  Even  the  infinitive  mood  sometimes  ends  in 
— ing  or  — yng}  as  enlesing  (5625),  yeuyng  (1528).  Present  parti- 
ciples end  in  — ing,  — yng,  — and,  — ant.  Examples  of  the  latter 
forms  are  trenchand  (3045),  distrussand  (4082),  Ioynant  (4513).  But 
the  most  characteristic  marks  of  the  poem  are  these ;  (1)  the  con- 
tinual omission  of  inflexions,  so  that  we  meet  with  reste  =  rested, 
yilde= yielded,  gi/=  given,  whilst  diffend  (1468)  is  to  be  compared 
with  deffendyd  (2105);  so  too  goo  =  gone,  Z>e  =  been,  mysdo  = 
misdone  ;  (2)  an  extraordinary  partiality  on  the  part  of  the  writer  for 
the  present  participle,  which  he  continually  compels  to  serve  both 
for  the  present  and  past  tenses  of  the  indicative;  see  musing  — 
mused  (363) ;  and  (3)  a  continual  omission  of  the  personal  pronouns 
— see  note  to  Prol.,  1.  4— and  even  of  the  verb  to  be,  which  gives 
many  sentences  an  awkward  look,  and  obscures  the  meaning.  As  a 
genitive  case-ending,  — is  twice  occurs  written  apart  from  the  word, 
as  sone  is  =  son's  (28),  and  Tristram  is  =  Tristram's  (5750).  By 
comparing  Tristram-is  with  Tristram  his  (6008),  we  have  a  good 
example  of  the  unhappy  substitution  of  his  for  the  genitive  case- 
ending;  a  change  to  which  proper  names  were  very  liable.  It  is  further 
remarkable  that  this  case-ending  is  constantly  neglected  altogether, 
as  cast/11  strength,  Italy  lore,  medee  auise,  fadir  deth,  for  castle's 
strength,  lady's  lore,  Medea's  advice,  father's  death.  The  following 
past  tenses  are  noticeable :  fly  (flew),  blent,  glint,  rought  (recked), 
sly  (slew),  dine  (clove),  grint  (ground),  lepe,  emulate  (conducted). 
Some  of  the  past  participles  have  prefixes  ;  as,  I-graunted,  I-thought, 
A-congueste  (2492),  A-stoned,  generally  spelt  stoned.  Also  to-stoniste, 
to-chapped,  to-rent  occur,  from  the  verbs  to-stonish,  to-cha/i,  to-rend. 
Owing  to  the  frequent  occurrence  of  y  auoir  in  the  Erench,  the 
translator  constantly  uses  had  or  was  had  in  place  of  was,  and  laid 
or  were  had  for  were.  Similarly,  the  occurrence  of  tho  French  elle 
induces  him  to  use  she  in  place  of  it  more  than  once.     The  accusa- 


XVI  PREFACE. 

tivo  case  me  is  curiously  used,  as  me  moste  goo  —  I  must  go, 
speke  me  shall  =  I  shall  speak.  Me  is  also  found,  as  commonly 
elsewhere,  in  the  sense  of  the  Fr.  on.  The  plural  bretherin  occurs 
twice. 

Of  adjectives,  we  find  many  double  comparatives,  as,  more  leuer, 
more  fairer;  and  superlatives,  as  moste  hieste,  moste  gretteste.  The 
forms  bryghty,  moist  y,  occurring  for  bright,  moist,  are  very  significant 
as  pointing  to  the  full  pronunciation  of  the  final  — e  in  old  authors, 
being  no  doubt  corruptions  of  brighte,  moiste.  So  too  pitty  is  written 
instead  of  pitte  =  pit.  The  forms  breueloker  =  brieflier,  and  good- 
lokest  =  goodliest,  are  worth  remark,  as  instances  of  forms  common 
in  older  MSS.  The  adverbs  fro-hens,  fro-thens,  wher-hens,  ther-hens, 
ther-thens,  occur  often.  The  adverb  xcell  is  generally  spelt  icill,  which. 
is  at  first  sometimes  perplexing.  Sonly  occurs  instead  of  soon  in 
1.  4078.     In  and  inly  mean  very,  extremely. 

The  conjunctions  yut  (yet)  and  os  (as)  are  strong  provincial  forms. 
The  preposition  toward  admits  of  separation,  as  to-Brehaigne-ward 
(2117,  2151).  Double  negatives  are  common.  The  forms  not-for- 
\>at  (nevertheless)  and  neuer-for-neuer  (never  at  any  time)  are  curious. 

A  few  words  as  to  spelling.  Th  seems  to  have  often  had  the 
sound  of  t ;  as  we  find  thought,  thovme,  tliaken.  thouchyng,  thyme, 
meaning  taught,  town,  taken,  touching,  time.  Compare  whyth,  with, 
and  whent,  went.  Such  words  as  crying,  rejoying,  noying,  are  spelt 
cryng,  reioyng,  noyng.  We  find,  too,  piteuous,  shameuous,  beauteuous, 
hi<l a* m*,  fin'  piteous,  &c.  World  is  .spelt  both  worle  and  icordle,  and 
for  worldly  we  find  worly  and  wordly.  But  one  of  the  most  curious 
freaks  is  that  two  letters  are  often  transposed  ;  continually  is  for 
written  when  fro  is  meant;  and  traying,  presone,  beded,  presight, 
aduersite,  berres,  ther,  secerly,  perdestinat,  portared,  sogren,  all 
noticed  in  the  foot-notes,  are  simply  errors  for  tarying,  persone, 
bedde,  perjight,  aduertise,  fo'eres,  thre,  secrely,  predestinat,  portraed, 
sogern,  respectively.  It  is  curious  that  r  is  the  letter  shifted,  in  nine 
instances  out  of  eleven.  We  are  thus  left  somewhat  uncertain  as  to 
whether  the  spellings  refershing,  crossing  are  intentional,  or  whether 
they  should  he  altered  to  refreshing,  classing.  Cf.  the  O.E.  kerse, 
brid,  for  cress,  bird. 


PREFACE.  XV11 

It  only  remains  for  me  to  explain  why  my  name  appears  alone 
on  the  title-page,  instead  of  jointly  'with  that  of  the  Rev.  J.  Rawson 
Lnmby,  as  at  first  advertised.  Mr  Lnmby  had  done  his  full  share 
of  the  transcription,  viz.  the  latter  half  of  the  poem,  from  1.  3151  to 
the  end,  and  had  begun  to  add  side-notes,  when  he  was  compelled 
by  stress  of  work  to  relinquish  the  task.  He  has  nevertheless  been 
ever  ready  with  suggestions  and  advice,  and  to  him  therefore  are 
my  thanks  especially  due ;  as  also  to  Mr  Bradshaw  (as  before 
mentioned),  and  to  the  authorities  of  Trinity  College,  who  Lave 
allowed  me  the  unrestrained  use  of  their  manuscript. 


CORRECTIONS,  ETC. 


P.  9,  1.  28.  For  "fone  is"  read  "fone-is,"  to  show  that  is  is  the 
genitive  case-ending ;  see  preface,  p.  xv. 

P.  19,  1.  347.     For  "  fakq  "  read  "  faluz." 

P.  22,  1.  443.  The  reading  "ne"  is  certainly  right.  See  the 
note. 

P.  2G,  1.  554.  I  am  not  sure  that  I  am  right  in  displacing  the 
MS.  reading  "os,"  and  substituting  "as";  for  though  "as"  is  the 
usual  form,  still  "os"  occurs  no  less  than  four  times,  viz.  in  11.  554, 
2076,  3372,  and  G424.  Os  =  a,8,  occurs  in  Piers  Plowman;  Harl. 
MS.  875;  Passus  III;  and  in  other  MSS. 

P.  45,  1.  1095.     Insert  a  hyphen  in  "  ther-thens." 

P.  G4,  1.  1723.  The  MS.  has  "ftafte."  But  I  propose  to  read 
"ftafte."     See  Glossary. 

P.  82,  1.  22G9.     For  "Anly  "  read  "  And." 

P.  85,  1.  2339.     The  MS.  reading  "will "  should  he  retained. 

P.  100,  1.  2792.  The  MS.  has  "fhifte;"  but  I  propose  "  f hifte." 
See  ( rlossary. 

P.  139,  1.  39G4.     Add  a  comma  at  the  end  of  the  line. 

P.  150,  foot-note.     For  "  3492  "  read  "  3942." 

P.  181,  foot-note.  For  "  by  mistake  "  read  "  intentionally."  I 
have  since  noticed  that  wherever  the  word  "pope"  occurs,  it  has  a 
line  (a  very  thin  one)  drawn  through  it. 

P.  188,  1.  545G.     For  «  yift  "  read  "  yift." 

P.  20G,  1.  5992.     For  "  displaide  "  read  "  difplaide."  . 

P.  215,  1.  G297.     For  «  parfight  "  read  "  parfight." 


CORRECTIONS,    ETC.  XIX 

Notes.  Lino  975.  St.  Jougon  is  probably  St.  Jouin,  in  the  arron- 
dissement  of  Partbenay,  celebrated  for  good  white  wine.  Penny 
Gycl 

Line  980.     Probably  ris  means  Buys,  near  Rennes. 

Line  5414.  The  eve  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  was  an  appropriate 
time  for  the  adventure.  In  Thorpe's  Northern  Mythology  (vol.  iii., 
p.  140),  we  read  that  "treasures  burn  especially  on  St.  John's  night, 
and  those  who  know  how  can  [then]  raise  them." 

Line  6210.  This  feast  is  not  called  St.  Louis'  day  ;  for  that  is 
Aug.  25,  the  day  of  his  death. 


©Ijc  Ilomans  of  IJartemtg, 
or  of  f  unpen. 


[Fol.  1  is  wanting.] 


yp  ^F  ^F  -tF  *t*  tt  ^f 

FOr  full  fayne  I  wold  do  that  myght  you  pleafe, 
yff  connyng  I  had  in  it  to  procede ; 
To  me  wold  it  he  grete  plefauuce  and  eafe, 


[Fol.  2.] 
I  would  gladly, 
had  I  the  cun- 
ning, forge  some- 
thing here  to 

4  yff  aught  here  might  fourge  to  youre  wyl  in  dede ;  my  soul  is  barren, 


But  harayne  is  my  foule,1  fauting  connynghede, 
Xatheles  in  it  wil  I  make  progreffe, 
Euermore  truftyng  to  youre  gentilneffe. 


and  lacks  skill. 


8  T  not  aqueynted  of  "birth  naturall 

J-  With  fice[»]fhe  his  verray  trew  parfightneffe, 
Nor  enpreyntyd  is  in  mynde  cordiall ; 
0  word  For  other  myght  take  hy  lacheffe, 
12  Or  perauenture  hy  vnconnyngneffe  ; 
For  frenfhe  rimed  or  metred  alway 
Ful  oft  is  ftraunge  in  englifhe  to  difplay. 

As  nighe  as  metre  will  conclude  fentence, 
Folew  I  wil  here  my  prefident, 
Byght  as  the  frenfhe  wil  yiff  me  euidence, 
Cereatly  after  my?*  entent ; 
Al-be-hit  I  am  vnfufficient, 
20  Ne  can  noght  peynt  my  hoke  as  other  he, 
Vrider  youre  fupporte  yut  aunter  wyl  me. 

1  MS.  "  foule." 
1 


I  am  not  ac- 
quainted by  birth 
with  the  perfec- 
tion of  French, 
and  may  mistake 
one  word  for 
another;  for 
rhymed  French  is 
difficult  to  be  dis- 
played in  English. 


As  nigh  as  the 
metre  will  permit, 
1  will  follow  my 
text,  in  due  or- 
der ;  albeit  I  can- 
not paint  my  book 
as  most  books  are 
painted. 


I    WILL    NOT    INVOKE    FALSE    DEITIES, 


In  ancient  times, 
men  invoked 
deities ;  thus  Va- 
lerius Maximus 
invoked  Tiberius, 


In  aunc/on  tyme  of  antiquite 
Men  called  goddis  to  theire  helpe  and  ayd, 
24  With  deuoute  prayers  to  theire  deite, 

Their  werkys  to  fourge  eche  houred  brayd,1 
Their  celles  of  memoir  to  refrefhe  prayd ; 
As  Valerius  maximus  gan  do, 
28  Tiberius  Cefar  called  helpe  vnto, 


[Fol.  2  b.] 
and  explained  in 
the  proem  of  his 
notable  book, 
how  the  gods  were 
.  rented. 


In  the  proheim  off  hys  notabile  boke, 
Wher  all  thes  goddis  apertly  may  fee, 
(ho-fo  luft  out  it  to  behold  or  loke), 
32  hou  thay  were  creat  eche  in  their  degre  ; 
Som  luft  their  faders  honoured  fhold  be, 
Som  for  their  ftrenght  or  for  thing  in  holde, 
Som  for  wifdome  or  fomwhat  vnfold. 


Midas,  the  rich 
king  of  Phrygia, 
besought  Bacchus 
that  all  he  touched 
might  become 
gold ;  which  the 
god  granted,  even 
with  respect  to 
his  meat  and 
drink. . 


Some  gods  owed 
their  origin  to 
poets'  fancy ; 
others  were 
malign  spirits, 
giving  oracular 
responses. 


36 


To  call  to  my  aid 
gods  such  as  these, 
who  are  of  no 


0 


ff  roial  frige  Midas  the  riche  king 
Bachus  god  of  wyne  ther  befoght  he, 


That  al  gold  myght  be  what  he  were  touching, 
For  he  was  of  hys  confraternite  ; 
40  hys  defyre  graunted  that  gold  fine  fhold  be, 
"Ne  had  thys  god  relefed  hym  at  large 
Off  hys  mete  and  drinke,  \er  fhold  he  had  dif- 
charge. 

To  declare  how  they  were  deyfied, 
large  tyme,  longe  fpace  wold  it  ocupie  ; 
Poetes  whilom  fom  fantefied  ; 
Som  maligne  goftes,  ful  of  tyrannye, 
yeuyng  anfweres  to  peple  fondrye  ; 
48  For  to  tell  or  fay  their  generacion 
yn  vayn,  ryght  noght  then  fundacion. 


T 


o  callen  in  ayde  tho  of  no  valoure, 
Which  want  myght  and  ftrenght,  vertu  none 
kiuyng, 


1   MS.  "  houredbrayd." 


BUT    ONLY    THE    TRUE   GOD. 


52  That  mifcreantes  whilom  gan  honoure, 
As  for  their  goddis  thaim  deyfiyng, 
As  power  had,  where  non  wer  hauyng, 
Poetes  faynyd  in  their  poetrie, 

56  Theim-felfen  the  more  for  to  magnifie  ; 


value,  and  were 
only  imagined  by 
poets, 


Suche  fayned  goddys  noght  is  to  cal  on, 
Tiling  Agayne  our  feith l  And  but  fantifie  ; 
No  help  ne  focour  to  cal  thaim  vppon ; 
60  I  lay  theim  Apart  And  fully  denye, 
Requiring  that  lord  whych  is  Almightye 
That  of  hys  highneffe  he  be  my  trew  gide, 
The  weyes  of  trouth  me  vn-to  prouide  ; 


64 


rPhat  in  thys  mater  my  penne  conueid  be 


As  plefaunce  may  be  vn-to  the  highneffe 
Off  our  facred  lord,  fitting  in  trinite  ; 
Now  be  he  myn  ayde  in  thys  befineffe ; 
68  To  hyrn  only  I  truft  in  thys  forth  progreffe, 
That  throgh  his  mercy  he  me  fend2  fuch  grace, 
For3  frenfh  tyll  englif h  that  it  may  purchace. 

"II /Ti  labor  wil  don  After  my  hmpleneffe 
72  ^-"-L  hit  for  to  conuey  As  I  can  or  may, 

Befeching  hertly  of  your  highneffe 

My  defautes  for  to  pardon  alway ; 

Truftyng  to  your  grace  now  euer  and  ay, 
76  The  prohemy  and  prologe  of  frenfh  here  begyn, 

After  my  fampler  palling  forth  ther-in. 


[Fol.  3.] 
would  be  against 
our  Christian 
faith.     I  deny 
them,  and  call 
rather  upon 
Almighty  God, 


to  guide  my  pen 
as  may  please  the 
Trinity,  that  I 
may  translate  the 
French  into 
English. 


I  will  do  my  best, 
asking  pardon  for 
defects,  and  will 
now  begin  to 
translate  the  pro- 
logue prefixed  to 
the  French  text. 


The  philifopher  ful  wyfe  was  And  fage 
Which  declarid  in  hys  firft  pagent, 
80  hys  methephifike  off  noble  corage, 
Werto  plieth  hmnayn  entendement, 
Naturally  conceyung  the  entent 


1  MS.  "  feith." 


2  MS.  "  fend. 

1   * 


3  Fro  (?) 


The  philosopher 
was  full  wise,  who 
declared  in  the 
first  page  of  his 
"Metaphysics," 
that  the  human 
intellect  naturally 
endeavours  to 
learn  and  know 
things ;  for  all  a 
man's  endeavour 


SCIENCE    IS    A    WORTHY    THING. 


To  lerne  And  know  ;  thing  faid  wel  and  wifly  ; 
84  For  all  humavn  entendement  fully 


[Fol.  3  6.] 
is  to  know  that 
which  he  hefore 
knew  not,  espe- 
cially in  matters 
that  concern  him 
closely.    Old 
things,  when  re- 
hearsed, are  good 
and  fair;  as  when 
we  speak  of 
Arthur, 


and  c  if  his  nohle 
knights  and  wor- 
thy people ;  or  of 
Lancelot.  Perci- 
val,  or  Gawain. 


Whoever  inquires 
of  their  marvel- 
lous adventures 
by  sea  and  land, 
will  find  it  an  ex- 
cellent thing  to 
know  them. 


Science  is  a  most 
Worthy  thing  : 
and  ever;  one 
should  Btudv 
more 
especially  if  he 
be  of  high  degree. 


[Fol.  4] 
8u<  ii  a  man  ought 
to  know  his  pedi- 


DEfireth  come  to  know  that  he  knowith  noght, 
"Whether  of  loue  or  of  reproche  it  he, 
And  fpecially  if  it  touche  hym  anght. 
88  Thinges  of  long  time  paffyd  in  contre, 
AVhen  reherfid  is,  pleafith  hertes  fre ; 
Aunc/on  thinges  wich  hen  good  and  fayre, 
As  to  fpeke  of  king  arthure  dehonayr, 


92 


How  he  wold  prene  his  vertu  and  manhede 
With  nohle  knightes  and  peple  worthi ; 
Many  of  hym  fpekith  at  thys  hour  in-dede  ; 
And  fo  thai  don  of  Lancelot  fureli, 
96  Wher  fid  good  loos  had  ryght  ful  preyfmgly  ; 
Of  perceuale  alfo,  And  of  Gawayn, 
Which  lo  !  at  no  time  had  hertes  in  uayn 

As  for  to  adquire  grete  honour  and  prife  ; 
Ful  wel  lernid  were  in  knightly  coniectures. 
Who  wyl  know  and  enquere  in  what  maner  wyfe, 
By  fe  and  land  meruelous  auentures 
Which  came  unto  fondry  creatures, 
104  For  to  conne  it  is  an  excellent  thyng, 
And  caufe  of  many  mannys  pref erring. 


As 


s  rofe  is  ahoue  al  fioures  moft  fine, 
So  is  fcience  moft  digne  of  worthyneffe  ; 
108  ho  noght  ne  can,  noght  worth  is  to  deuine ; 
hit  Avel  helongeth  to  tho  of  goodneffe 
Strongly  to  enquere  hiftories  expreife, 
Which  that  of  longe  tyme  makith  memorie  ; 
112  Moch  more  is  if  he  he  of  degre  hye  ; 


H 


E  fhold  ferche,  fro  degre  into  degre, 
vn-to  know  wherhens  he  defcendyd  is, 


A    LORD    OF    POITIERS    BADE    ME    WRITE    A    BOOK, 


Duke,  Erie,  or  Baron,  or  markois  if  he  be, 
116  So  pat  long  mynde  therof  fhulcl  be  ywis ; 
Al  thes  lorcles  gret  fo  fbold  do  in  thys, 
Ther-ofF  fcriptivre  make  as  an  hiftorie, 
To  ende  that  ay  ther-of  be  memorie. 


gree,  and  cause  it 
to  be  duly  re- 
corded. 


120 


TT^or-ib-moche  I  fay  that  an  high  grete  lord, 
-*-     Whilom  of  peiters,  (whom  god  yf  honour), 


lord  of  partenay  named  of  record, 
To  whom  I  fhal  be  redy  at  ech  hour, 
124  Me  commaivnded,  noght  gretly,  to  labour 
Of  hys  proper  fentement  and  feling  ; 
Hys  commaundme??t  wern  fhal  I  no-thing. 


Thus  it  was  that 
a  gTeat  lord  of 
Poitiers  and  Par- 
tenay commanded 
me  to  labour  after 
this  manner ; 


128 


TT^Or  euery  knawith  and  full  wel  May  fee 

-*-     That  to  lordes  here  men  obbey,  lo  !  fhold  ; 


ho  can  it  noght  do,  wife  ne  fage  is  he ; 
In  hys  fwete  langage  ther  he  me  vnfold 
That  I  ther  take  the  exampleir  wold 
132  Off  a  boke'  of  his  which  that  he  had  made  ; 
He  it  ther  me  toke,  to  fourge  it  me  bade. 


and  men  should 
always  obey  great 
lords.    His  bid- 
ding was,  that  I 
should  make  a 
(rhymed)  copy  of  a 
book  of  his ; 
which  book  he 
gave  me, 


T 


o  know  in  fertayn  ho  fourged  and  wrought 
Eoial  lefigne[?i],  the  noble  caftell, 


so  that  men 
might  know  who 
made  the  castle 
and  town  of 

1 36  Als  ho  made  the  town,  vnto  mynde  it  brought :   Lusignan. 

I  promised  ac- 

A  meruelous  ftrenght  is  in  for  to  dwel.  cordingiytodoso. 

Then  I  anfwerd  greing  to  hym  well, 
"  My  lorde,"  faid,  "  vnto  your  wil  and  plelire ; " 
1 40  Then  faid  he,  "  do  it  at  your  owne  lefire  ; 


P 


lor  all  the  labour  and  iomay  is  your  ; 
Thys  caftell  was  made  with  on  of  faire, 
(As  ouer  all  reherfed  is  eche  hour), 
144  Of  the  winch  I  am  draw  en  lynyally, 
I  and  all  the  lyne  chfcendyd  fully 
Of  partenay,  it  is  ryght  no  doute  at  all ; 
The  fair  meluiigne  men  gan  lure  to  call, 


[Fol.  4.  b.] 
He  then  told  me 
that  this  castle 
was  built  by  a 
fairy,  from  whom 
he  was  himself 
lineally  descended, 
and  whose  name 
was  Melusine ; 


1  MS.  "  abokc." 


WHICH    I    AGREED    TO    DO. 


whose  arms,  in- 
deed, he  still  bore ; 
and  he  bade  me 
rewrite  the  whole 
history  of  it  in 
rhyme,  because 
then  people  would 
the  sooner  recite 
or  hear  it. 


I  replied,  I  would 
gladly  undertake 
it,  but  desired  to 
receive  no  praise, 
for  that  it  had 
been  put  into 
rhyme  once  be- 
fore already. 


148  rFhis  fairie  womman  J?at  you  namyd  haue, 
-■-    Of  whom  the  armys  here  now  here  wee, 
The  which  ofte  were  home ;  and  daly  it  craue, 
And  to  end  of  it  there-of  memoir  he, 

152  ye  fhall  put  in  ryme  thys  hiftorie  fre  : 
I  will  that  it  he  rimed  hole  entire, 
The  fonner  peple  wyll  it  fay  or  hire." 

Then  fayd,  "  my  lord,  I  grant  your  entent ; 
Alwais  yom  will  and  plefire  wil  doo, 
My  power  alfo  ;  hut  lofe  wil  none  hent, 
For  in  other  tyme  in  frenf  h  put  alfo, 
And  rymed,  As  men  me  haue  told  vnto  ; 
160  Wherefor  vnto  me  fhold  it  he  gret  fhame, 
Of  thys  dede  me  auaunt  and  of  it  haue  name, 


Still  I  would  try 
and  put  it  into 
another  shape, 
which  would 
please  him  better ; 


SJ 


I  yn  Another  time  hath  fourged  he  and  made. 
But  to  my  power  what  I  can  wil  doo ; 
164  fo  god  he  plefyd,  my  witte  fhal  put  to  fade 
In-to  other  fourme,  if  leyfer  haue,  lo  ! 
Which  letter1  fhal  you  come  plefaunce  vnto, 
Syn  that  the  other  ye  haunt  ne  vse  noght ; 
168  And,  that  you  plefith,  put  to  wall  I  my  thought 


[Fol.  5] 
and  would  con- 
sult two  books 
that  bad  been 
found  in  the  tower 
hi  Blabregon, 
originally  written 
in  Latin,  but 
which  had  been 
afterwards  trans- 
lated into  French ; 


The  contents  of 
which  books  had 
been  subsequently 
confirmed  by 

Anthony,  earl  of 
Salz  and  Barry, 
in  another  book. 


A< 


fter  tho  hokes  which  of  it  men  fynde, 
Wher  this  hiftorie  preuyd  manion  ; 
And  to  ende  that  we  may  bring  vn-to  mynde, 
172  Within  the  toure  of  nohle  mahregon 
To  fake  holds  were  fonden  ther-on 
In  latin,  And  all  preuyd  at  deuife, 
That  men  made  tranflat  in  moft  frenfheft  wyfe. 

176     A  nd  fyn,  after  monthes  fife  or  fixe,  lo  ! 
-^*-  This  historic  confermyd  anthonye, 
The  erle  of  falz  and  of  Barry  alfo, 
In  a  hoke  whych  had  of  this  caftel  hie, 
1  Sic  in  MS.    Read  "better."     The  French  has  mkulx. 


I    WILL    NOW    BEGIN    MY    STORY.  I 

1 80  Whiche  that  was  fo  faire,  ful  ftrong  and  myghtie ; 
But  al-wais  fpake  in  his  worcles  al 
Yn-to  thes  bokes  Aboue-faid  egall : 

Off  bokes  thre  that  boke  drawen  oute,  which,  they  say, 

was  compiled 
(Eyght  fo  fayii1  men  reherfyng  the  chaunce),  from  three  others: 

_  and  I  do  not 

And  that  wherby  it  was  loiow  no  doute,  doubt  it,  as  i  have 

seen  the  sub- 

"VVhich  other  tymes  haue  fayne  the  fubftaunce  ;    stance  of  it. 
here-to  fhal  I  put  all  my  hole  pufaunce, 
188  In  ordinat  ride  fhal  it  fett  furelye, 
As  plefire  may  be  vnto  our  lord  bye." 


T1 


men  toke  I  my  leue  As  of  my  good  lord,  Thereupon,  i  took 

my  leave,  and  will 

(Yn-to  whom  god  yeff  ioy,  grace,  and  honour),  now  endeavour  to 

write  the  history 

192  As  to  pe  caftell  ftrength  here  to  recorde  of  the  castle  of 

Of  pe  faid  lefignen,  whiche  was  fair  pat  hour,  Gods  assistance, 
here  fhall  ye  here  thys  liiftorie  labour ; 
So  pat  it  may  plefe  the  kyng  of  glorie, 

196  Which  to  me  yeff  Felyng  ther-of  fidlie, 

Withowt  whom  a  man2  here  may  do  no  thyng,       [Foi.  5  6.] 

.     .  i«i  without  whom 

Be  it  in  franl  h  tonge  other  m  ebrew  ;  one  can  write 

*  n   p  •  ,,       i.,1     ,         it     i  nothing,  whether 

All  lcience  cometn  ol  that  noble  kyng,  in  French  or  in 

200  Wich  is  the  clere  wele  or  the  pilour  trew,  comethgoodues"!1 


The  maker  of  all  whom  liff  doth  enfew  ; 
Of  hym  cometh  goodneffe,  wite,  and  fence ; 
~Non,  but  by  our  lord,  herite  in  fcience. 


wit,  and  sense. 


204  TXTith  hole  hert  entire  here  I  hym  require  1  pray  mm,  with 

''To  thys  nede  me  ayde  ;  and  hys  moder  fwet  ^aki  mee:  and' 

Mi  mater  conduce  to  the  ende  entire,  mother  wuicon- 

Thys  werke  vnto  me  here  fhewyd  and  gett,  £fen^  w,,lk  to 

208  To  the  hie  plefaunce  of  my  good  lord  grete, 

To  whom  god  yeff  ioy,  worfhip,  and  honour ; 

Bight  thus  the  prologe  Endeth  at  this  hour. 

[End  of  the  prologue^ 
1  fayu  (?)  2  MS.  "aman." 


Thus  endeth  the 
prologue 


A    CERTAIN    EARL,    NAMED    AMERY, 


[THE  ROMANS  OF  PAKTENAYJ 


In  ancient  times, 
after  the  time  of 
Octavianus,  lived 
in  Poitiers  a  cer- 
tain earl  named 
Amery,  well- 
skilled  in  astrology 
and  other  sciences, 


Hit  is  fo  in  trouth  in  time  aunc/on, 
After  the  time  that  OctauiAn  was, 
In  peyters  a  erle  had  of  grete  renonn, 
4  Off  whom  gret  talkyng  men  held  hie  and  bas  ;l 
lonid  of  all,  cherifhed  in  eche  place, 
Callid  Anierys  ;  wel  cowde  aftronemie, 
And  A  man  ful  ripe  in  other  clerigie 


as  well  as  in  canon 
and  civil  law. 
Never  was  there  a 
better  astrologer, 
or  one  more 
learned  in  the 
science, 


8  /~\ff  the  right  Canoun  and  Ciuile  alfo  ; 

^  Wel  nye  al  by  hert  thes  fcience  coude  he, 
Als  wordly  witte  I-now  had  ther-to  ; 
ynt  hys  dedes  neuertheleflfe  to  fe, 
1 2  Neuer  better  aftronomian  might  be, 
Founde  was  nener  man  being  christian  ; 
He  cowde  moche  more  than  any  other  man, 


[Fol.  6] 
excepting  only 
Him,  who  gave 
stars  their  names. 
lie  was  also  great 
and  rich,  and  very 
fond  of  hunting. 


But  only  he  which  fterres  gan  to  name, 
Then  all  other,  with  ther  names  all. 
A  gret  man  this  was  And  of  noble  fame, 
And  wel  at  eafe  of  goodes  mondiall ; 
Difport  of  houndes  loued  moche  with-all, 
20  Full  ofte  chaced  he  hertes,  bores  grete  ; 
Thys  erle  of  peyters  huge  nobles  gan  gete. 


He  had  a  fair  son 
and  a  fair  daugh- 
ter, whose  names 
were  Bertram 
and  Blanche. 


A  Fair  fone  had  by  hys  gentill  wiffe, 
Fidl  moche  loued  hir,  chirfly  can  hir  hold, 
24  And  A  doughter  fair,  ful  fwete  As  fare  liff, 
Streight  nofe,  fair  mouth,  wel  fetured,  me  told, 
Gret  bcute  f he  had  wonderly  vnfolde ; 
1  MS.  "ha^,"  which  is  wrone. 


HAD    A    COUSIN,    THE   EARL   OF    FOREST. 

Which  men  callyd  Blanche,  fhe  was  inly  fair ; 
28  And  the  fone  is  name  Bertram  debonaire. 


Thys  Erie  thes  children  ful  moche  loued  tho  ; 
yut  was  noght  founded,  neither  like  to  be, 
Bochel  ne  machon,  neither  of  them  to  ; 
32  Thorugh  al  peyters  foyfon  of  wode  plente, 
A  ful  gret  foreft  with  many  A  ftreight  tre, 
And  in  the  wild  foreft  As  of  columhere, 
Which  is  noght  full  ferre  fro  peiters  there. 


Neither  Ro- 
chelle  nor  Macon 
were  yet  founded; 
and  there  was, 
throughout  Poi- 
tiers, abundance 
of  trees,  and  espe- 
cially a  large 
forest  called  that 
of  Coulombiers. 


36 


F 


Or  tho  ther  was  A  Erie  in  the  foreft,  Now  there  was  an 

-rrn  •   i       iy    i  -i  i  i      i    a    i  t_  earl  in  tlle  forest, 

\v  inch  oi  children  had  A  huge  nomnbre  gret;  Wh0  had  a  huge 

great  number  of 
children,  not  very 
rich,  but  who 
lived  sagely,  and 
spent  warily, 


In  riches  herite  was  not  in  J>e  beft, 
But  of  good  lyuyng  was  in-dede  and  fet, 
40  Sagely  And  wifely  good  gouernaunce  get ; 
After  that  had,  warly  gan  difpende  ; 
And  for  hys  good  gouernaunce,  at  ende, 


11 


T  oued  and  cherifhed  was  of  peple  all. 


Cofyn  he  was  to  Erie  amerye  fre, 
Which  thes  nouels  hurd  at  that  entreual, 
That  his  cofyn  had  of  children  plente  ; 
Then  came  hym  in  Avil  and  in  volente 
48  Off  fuch  greuous  charge  hym  to  dif charge  tho  ; 
Without  traying, '  therfor,  gan  he  do, 


[Fol.  6  b.] 
and  was  beloved 
by  all.    He  was 
cousin  to  Amery; 
who,  hearing  of 
his  great  number 
of  children, 
thought  to  assist 
him. 


A  t  peiters  made  A  roial  gret  fefte, 
-^*-  A  more  worfhipful  neuer  fayn  with  eye  ; 

52  After  tho  he  fend  the  Erie  of  foreft, 

Of  poiters  The  erle  commaunded  fo  fullie, 
And  other  Barons  lyke-wyfe  verilye, 
Which  of  hys  feignorie  landes  gan  hold 

56  Of  this  noble  erle  A-forne  fpoke  and  told. 


He  made  there- 
fore a  great  feast 
at  Poitiers,  and 
invited  the  earl 
of  the  forest  and 
his  feudal  barons. 


T 


ho  wer  after  fende,  to  hym  came  gladlye  ;         They  came  gladly 

a  n      j.1  tit  i         •  upon  the  day  ap" 

Ail  otner  cam,  non  lakke,  vnto  that  lournay  pointed;  and  the 
1  tarying  (?)     See  note. 


10 


AMERY    ADOPTS    HIS    COUSIN  S    SON, 


earl  of  the  forest 
brought  with  him 
three  of  his  sons. 


That  thys  fayd  Erie  commaunded  hertlye. 
60  The  Erie  of  Forest  brought  hym,  thay  fay, 
Thre  of  his  fones  vnto  court  that  day, 
For  to  do  to  hys  cofyn  gret  plefaunce ; 
And  he  cam  vnto  full  fair  ordinaunce. 


The  earl  of 
Poitiers  was  glad 
to  see  them,  and 
regarded  the 
three  sons  closely, 
especially  the 
youngest,  and 
said, 


64  nnhe  Erie  of  poiters  had  gret  ioy  to  fight 
-■-    Of  hys  good  cofyn,  And  hym  fefted  fo, 
And  hym  cherifhed  in  al  that  he  myght ; 
Hys  children  feruently  gan  he  behold  tho, 

68  To  on  of  them  thre  hys  behold  gan  go, 
The  left  gan  hym  plefe  in  hert  brennynglie, 
To  hys  cofyn  fayd  thes  worcles  fwetly. 


[Fol.  7.] 
"My  fair  sweet 
cousin,  I  beg  you 
to  give  me  one  of 
these  children; 
he  shall  be  well 
taught. 


"  TTnderftandeth  me,  my  fair  fwete  cofm, 
72    ^    I  haue   vnderftande   And  by   neighbours 
knowe 
That  largely  ye  haue  children  good  and  fin, 
Full  good  is  that  ye  ther-of  difcharge  yowe  ; 
here  I  you  require,  yeff  me  on  to  owe  ; 
76  he  fhall  be  wel  taught  in  curtefie  and  fpeche, 
For  fuche  doctrine  fchal  hym  lere  and  teche ; 


and  I  will  make 
him  a  rich  man." 
"  My  lord,"  said 
the  earl,   "  do 
your  pleasure  as 
regards  the  e 
three:   I  will  not 
refuse  you. 


And  for  euermore  ryche  man  fhal  hym  make." 
"  My  lord,"  fayd  thys  Erie  of  the  foreft  hie, 
80  "  Of  thes  thre  on  your  plefire  do  and  take, 

And  you  ther-of  I  thanke  whyth  hert  fid  humly, 
Eefon  is  ne  right  that  you  werne  f hold  y ; 
Se  ye  here  now  thre  in  your  hie  prefence, 
84  Do  as  liketh  your  noble  reuerence. 


Take  whichever 

of  them  you  like 

best." 

"  Then  give  me 

the  youngest," 

quoth  the  earl  of 

Poitiers ; 


rPAke  here  vnto  you  which  you  beft  do  plefe, 
-*-    ~No  man  fhall  ther-of  you  werne  ne  with- 

fay;"- 

"  Then  yeff  me  the  left  to  my  hertes  efe, 
For  I  haue  to  hym  my  loue  yeff  thys  day," 


WHO    WAS    CALLED    RAYMOND.  11 

The  Erie  of  poiters  this  to  hym  gan  fay. 
"  Sir,  I  wyll  gladly  do  your  will  and  heft," 
So  hym  Anfwerd  the  Erie  of  foreft, l 

92  "  Clyn  he  you  plefith,  ye  fhall  hym  haue  trulie ;  ^*^^  S° 
^  My  lord,  fe  hyni  here,  you  here  take  fone  "My  lord>  his 

•>  J  '  "  name  is  Ray- 

myn  ; " —  mond-" 

"  My  fair  cofyn,  I  thanke  you  ful  hertlye  ; 
Declare  me  hys  name  (.)  gentil  good  cofyn." 
96  "  My  lord,  men  hym  cal  Kayraound  good  &  fyn, 
The  fair,  the  fwet,  the  gentill,  the  curtoys, 
Off  all  thre  heft  thaught,  ftill,  not  moche  of  uoys." 


^TThen  thys  roiall  Ferft  was  endyd  and  done,         [Foi.  7  &.] 

VV      -r^       i       n  •     p  „  n         ,         -,    1  The  third  day 

100     "  T     Eyght  fo  As  it  fell  yppon  the  thyrd  day,  after  the  feast. 

The  Erie  of  forefte  toke  hys  leue  to  gone ;  forest  departed. 

The  three 

Tho  thes  hrethen  thre  to-geders  kyffyd  thay,  brethren 

-n    ,  ,  i,n  mutually  com- 

Entercominaundyng  to  god  other  ay,  mended  each 

104  At  ther  departfon  had  thay  gret  dolour ;  Raymond  re-  am 


Thys  Eaymound  Ahode  with  hys  lord  that  houre. 


mained  behind. 


P 


ud  wele  he  hym  feruyd  vnto  his  powrere,  Raymond  served 

.  pti  -l  ear'  Amery  faith- 

Off  trouth  he  it  knew  ful  wrel  verilye,  fuiiy,  and  was 

rm  pnii  in  •         i  much  beloved  in 

108  Thys  full  nohle  erle,  fix  Amene,  there,  return. 

Which  moche  hym  louyd  And  cherif  lied2  hertly, 

As  for  that  fo  wel  hym  feruyd  daily, 

And  furely  wold  do  that  to  hyni  wrold  fay, 
112  Neuer  feruitour  louid  fo  no  day ; 


A 


nd3  Alfo  he  was  his  faythfull  cofyn.  But  after  this  did 

Eaymound  after  thys,  gaynwylhymganfly;  S'Haft  S,e- 

Standed  caft  to  ground,  to  deth  moft  incline  tolathmusT"1' 

116  By  fortune  fals  glotenous  cruelte,  uSffiSft.. 

Which  no-thyng  dredith  ne  doughteth  to  he,  JfutfSe  CrUe"y 

1  MS.  "foreft."  2  MS.  "  f  berif  hed."    Seel.  121. 

3  MS.  "AAnd." 


12 


AMERY   AND    RAYMOND    GO   A-HUNTING. 


The  earl  Amery 
went  often  to 
hunt  in  the  afore- 
said forest,  during 
five  or  six  years; 


[Fol.  8] 
and  he  went  to 
hunt  one  day 
with  a  large 
number  of 
knights,  with 
Raymond  on  a 
high  courser 
beside  him.  bear- 
ing his  sword. 


120 


But  cauiith  ofte  meraelles  for  to  come, 
So  As  ye  may  hire  fondry  tymes  lome. 

i  t  noble  poiters  the  erle  Amerie, 


Which  fo  was  louyd  and  cherif hed  tho, 
Als  of  hys  men  holden  fid  cherifhlye 
Both  of  ryche  And  pour  in  like  wyfe  alfo, 
124  To  wodes  he  went  fid  ofte  to  hunt,  lo  ! 
Into  the  forefte  of  fayd  columh[e]re  ; 
So  fyffe  or  fexe  jere  regned  m  powere. 

Hit  cam  on  A  day,  for  to  hunt  he  went, 
With  hym  gret  fufion  of  knyghtes  many, 
Of  tho  which  he  mofte  louyd  ther  hent, 
Whith  hym  to  difport  brought  he  forth  furelye. 
Befidis  hym  rode  Baymounde  gentdlye, 
132  vppon  A  courfere  he,  beryng  ful  wel 
(As  thys  hyftorie  doth  declare  and  tell) 


The  chase  began . 
the  beast  ran 
before  the 
hounds,  closely 
followed  by  tin  in 
and  by  the  earl, 


mi 


Ihe  fwerd  of  thys  noble  Erie  and  man. 
Tho  began  the  chace  ftrong  and  myghtly ; 
1 36  The  beft  for  noyfe  A-forn  the  hundys  ran, 
The  houndes  fewing  after  fid  ftrongly ; 
The  Erie  thaim  fewed  and  fpored  lyghtly, 
Of  whom  anon  fhal  you  declare  and  fay 
140  Where  hym  cam  tho  gret  mifchef  and  afray ; 


who  never  re- 
turned again 
home.    Raymond 
followed  him  as 
closely  as  he 
could;  and,  as 
the  moon  rose, 
the  boar  was  still 
slaying  the  dogs. 


F( 


^Or  neuer  after  he  ne  cam  againe, 
Bayrnounde  hym  fewed  As  moche  As  he  my ght, 
As  for  to  leue  hym  ne  wold  he  certayn ; 
144  Of  thaim  to  it  fil  As  ye  fall  know  ryght. 

In  the  foreft  fought  thys  fwyne  euery  wyght, 

Which  in  columbere  bred  and  fed  trulye  ; 

The  mone  ther  rofe  ;  the  fwyne  ther  houndes  flye, 


The  earl's  people 
knew  not  where 
he  was,  having 


148 


Ther  decl  to  ground  thaim  caft  myghtilye. 
his  peple  wyft  noght  where  that  he  became, 


THEY    LOSE    THEIR    WAY    IN    THE    WOOD. 


13 


Novmbred  were  thay  ther  mo  then  twentye 
Which  full  feruently  rode  after  thys  game  ; 


ridden  away  after 
the  boar.    "  Come 
hither,  Ray- 
mond ! "  said  the 

152  "Come  heder,"  faid,  "Kaymound,  lord,  in  goddys  earl, 


name  ! 
Our  houndes,  our  peple  lost  now  haue  we, 
In  what  part  thay  ben  vnknow  is  to  me ; 


156 


A 


[Fol.  8  b.] 
'  and  tell  me 


nd  now  is  it  noght  to  retorne,  parde  1 
Thought  wTe   cerche  Aboute  we  fhal  not  What  you  advise.' 

"  Let  ns  find 
some  retreat," 
said  Raymond, 
"  where  we  may 
tarry  awhile." 


thaini  find. 
What  fay  ye  now  ?  what  do  now  fhal  wre  ? " — 
Eaymounde  fayd,  "  go  forth,  tary  wre  not  behynd, 
Ynto  fom  receit  nye  the  wodes  lynde, 
1G0  Wher  we  mow  thys  tym  receyued  to  be." 
The  Erie  anfwered,  "ful  wel  now  fay  ye ; 


Ryght  fo  fhal  it  be  As  to  me  faid, 
Sithen  the  mone  is  rifen  vp  an  hie, 
164  The  euening  is  fair  and  clere  difplaid, 
The  fterres  fhinen  fair  I-now  truly 
That  all  the  wordle  enhvmyneth  goodHe." 
Then  vnto  ther  way  went  thay  fid  nere, 
168  For  the  mone  gan  fhine  inly  fair  and  clere. 


"So  shall  it  be," 
said  the  earl,  "  for 
the  moon  and 
stars  shine 
clearly." 


mi 


morught  the  wodes  went,  athirt  trauerfing, 
Where  thay  found  places  diuers  and  fondrye, 
Then  a  fidl  fair  way  to  thaym  apperyng 
172  Wheron  a  ftronge  pas  rode  thay  hastily. 

The  Erie  faid,   "Eaymound,  thys  path  wyl  vs 

bryng  nye, 
As  me  femeth,  to  peyters  the  ryght  way ; 
What  fey  ye  1  is  it  noght  fo,  now  me  fay  1 " 


Traversing 
athwart  the 
wood,  they  found 
at  last  an  easy 
path,  which  the 
earl  thought 
would  lead  them 
to  Poitiers. 


176 


RAymouncle  faid,  "  I  trow  it  fo  be  trulye  ; 
Now  ride  we  then,  in  goddis  name,  apace, 


Raymond 
thought  the  same, 
and  advised  that 
they  should  ride 
on  fast,  and 


14 


THE   EARL,    BY   OBSERVING    THE    STARS, 


inquire  their  way 
of  some  one 

whom  they  might 
meet. 


We  fhall  come  ful  late  thought  we  ful  faft  hye, 
That  into  the  town  to  entre  haue  no  fpace ; 
180  yut  perauenture  we  may  fynd  fom  grace 

To  mete  your  peple  whiche  that  knowith  the 

way :  "— 
"  Go  we,"  fayd  the  Erie,  "  I  graunt,  al  that  we 
may." 


[Fol.  9.] 
The  earl,  as  he 
rode,  began  to 
behold  the  stars, 
being  (as  was 
told)  a  skilful 
astrologer. 


Then  thay  toke  ther  way  wonder  fpedfullye. 
Thys  noble  Erie  be-gan  to  behold 
Thes  fair  fterres  fhinyng  ful  bryghtly, 
So  that  the  fkye  enlumyned  manyfold  ; 
Of  aftronemye  wyfe  was  As  is  told, 
188  So  moche  ther-of  knew  he  the  maiftrie. 
As  he  a  fterre  beheld  in  the  fkye  an  hie, 


Thereupon  he 
perceived,  by  a 
certain  star,  that 
a  strange  ad- 
venture was  at 
hand,  and  wrung 
his  hands,  and 
cried  out, 


T1 


uier  he  faw  a  meruelous  auenture 
Which  ful  fharpe  and  hard  after  to  hym  was. 
192  The  profite  of  other  touched  he  ther  fure, 
But  of  hys  owne  ille  perceyued  no  cas. 
Ther  wonderful  fyghtes '  gan  to  purchas, 
hys  handys  gan  wryng  and  to  draw  faft, 
196  "0  lord  god  !"  faid,  "that  angelles  formed  haft, 


"0  Lord  God! 
why  doth  fortune 
make  a  man 
prosper  by  ill- 
doing?    For  I 
perceive  that 
prosperity  will 
thus  happen. 


mi 


mat  thes  merueles  fo  ftrange  bene  fothlefe 
Fortune  is  fid  ftrong  any  ma?i  to  know  ; 
0  varray  god  !  for  why  made  flie  encreffe 
200  Only  a  man,2  for  doing  ille,  to  grow? 
She  is  ful  glad  of  duyng  ille,  I  trow, 
Now  is  it  ryght  thus,  I  fe  wel  now  expreffe 
That,  for  ille  doing,  comyth  gret  gooclneffe  ! 


Raymond !  behold 
these  stars,  and 
know  that  if,  in 
this  hour,  a  111:111 


204:  Tn  thes  fterres  fe,  Kaymounde,  vnderftand  ! 
J-  For  I  here  perceyue  fid  gret  auenture." 
he  hym  anfwerd,  "  what  is  that  fayand  1 " 
1  fyghes(?)  2  MS.  "  aman." 


FORETELS    SOME    STRANGE    ADVENTURE. 


15 


Thys  Erie  hym  faid,  "the  fhal  declare  fure, 
208  Without  any  douhte  know  thys  of  trouth  pure, 
And  no-thyng  no  doubte,  but  be  in  certayn, 
If  a  man l  gan  fie  hys  lord  fouerayn, 


were  to  slay  his 
sovereign  lord, 


As  in  thys  hour,  he  f  huld  gretter  lorde  be  ; 
More  pufaunt,  ful  myghtly,  and  ryght  gret 
Then  any  of  hys  kynred  in  contre  ;2 
In  al  places  fhal  fructefie  and  get, 
loue  of  all  fhal  haue  wher  he  entermet, 
216  More  gretter  loue  haue  then  his  neyboures  all ; 
know  thys,  fayr  cofin,  this  is  trouth,  &  fhall ! " 


[Fol.  9  &.] 
he  woiild  become 
himself  a  greater 
lord,  and  more 
puissant  than  any 
in  the  country, 
and  be  more 
beloved  than  his 
neighbours." 


R 


Aymounde  noght  o  word  yaf  hyni  to  anfwere,  Raymond  an- 
swered not,  but 
alighted,  and 
found  a  little  fire 
kindled  in  a  heap 
of  wood.    The 
earl  also  alighted 
to  warm  himself. 


Al  penfif  a  foote  difcended  adon  ; 
220  An  hepe  of  wode  a[t]  that  tyme  founde  there, 
That  herdes  had  lefte,  gret  and  final,  theron  ; 
A  lytyll  fire  found  ther,  the  wode  brend  anon. 
Certes  ouer  warme  at  that  tyme  was  noght ; 
224  The  Erie  ther  lyght  doune,  fomwhat  hym  chaufe 
thought. 


T 


her  thai  hurd  a  noyfe,  for  to  fpeke  f hortlye  ;    Then.  heard  they 


The  wod  breke  and  rent  fid  heuily  tho ; 


a  noise. 

wood  brake,  and 

they  beheld  a 

Then  Raymound  his  fwerd  gan  to  gripe  ferfly,      huge  boar,  in 

marvellous  wrath, 

228  And  the  Erie  his  m  that  other  party  to. 


leuing  the  fyre  which  ful  clere  brend,  lo  ! 
Then  aforn  them  faw  ny  to  them  comyng 
An  huge  bore  of  meruelous  wreth  beyng, 


232  TTTith  tufkes  tho  whettyng  fid  ftrongly,  and  whetting  his 

WW  .  m  tusks.    Raymond 

T  T    And  with  malice  yre  comyng,  faft  fmy tyng ;  begs  his  lord  to 

ivr  in         i  climb  wightly 

My  lord,  faue  yoiu-  lyf  and  ward  yow  quiklye,  into  a  tree,  who 

boldly  refuses 

here  vppon  a  tre  wyghtly  be  clemmyng ; " — 
236  With  hie  hautyng  voice  the  erle  anfweryng, 
1  MS.  "auian."  2  MS.  "  incontre." 


16 


A    WILD    BOAR    SLAYS    EARL    AMERY. 


[Fol.  10.] 
to  flee  from  a  pig 
of  a  foul  sow. 
The  earl  advances 
to  pierce  the  boar, 
when  his  sword 
glances;  for,  as 
the  boar  came 
fast  towards  him, 


his  sword  would  - 
not  pierce  the 
boar's  hide;  so 
that,  missing 
his  stroke,  he 
falls  from  his 
horse  upon  the 
boar's  tusks. 
Raymond  runs  up 
to  aid  him, 


but  his  sword 
also  turns  aside. 
A  second  stroke, 
however,  is 
successful,  and 
he  cleaves  open 
the  boar  with 
his  steel  sword. 


He  finds  his 
lord  dead,  and 
bis  s.ml  com- 
mended  to  God. 
For  he  was  aa 
valiant  a  man 
as  any  on  this 
side  of  Rome. 


"  I  neuer  was  repreued  at  no  ftound, 

Ne  here  fhal  not  be  neuer  fliuch  wife  founde. 

WEre  it  plefaunce  to  god  I  fliold  hens  fie 
As  beforn  A  pigge  of  A  fowle  fowe,  lo  1 " 
TWardes  the  fwine  hys  fwerd  faft  flioke  he ; 
Raymound  vnderftode  his  worde  hym  noyed  tho. 
Thys  fayd  Erie  tho  went  to  launce  hym  vnto, 
244  And  when  it  cam  fo,  the  fwerd  went  adon  ; 
Thys  fwyne  to  the  Erie  forth  fafte  ran  anon ; 


B5 


>y  mifchef  ther  thys  noble  Erie  gan  die  ; 
The  Erie  hym  ne  myght  no  lenger  ther  hym 
hold. 
248  By  myfchef  th}rs  fwyne  fmot  hym  feruentlye  ; 
But  hys  fwerd  in  hym  entre  ther  ne  wold, 
There  he  mofte  of  horfe  fal  to  hys  tuf kes  bold. 
Raymound  fast  gan  ren  thys  fayd  fwyne  agayne, 
252  Trowyng  hym  to  finite  thorugh  the  body  playne  ; 


R 


Kit  hys  fwerde  glente,  non  hurt  had  he  tho, 
For  vppon  the  bakke  was  the  ftroke  to  fe ; 
Againe  Raymounde  fmote,   thorught   the  bely 
gan  go, 
256  With  the  ftilen  fwerde  there  tho  made  entre ; 
The  blade  fourged  good,  rafour  kene  was  he, 
All  the  bowelles  cutte,  all  fil  out  anon  ; 
Hys  good  fwerd  withdrew,  the  bore  ther  fil  don, 


260  TT}o  mortail  deth  to  grounde  fallen  tho. 

-L   Thens  vnto  hys  lord  went  he  forth  anon, 

Neuer  gan  to  reft  til  hym  cam  vnto, 

Al  dede  ther  hym  founde  And  the  foul  gon  ; 

264  Commaunded  was  fhe  to  goddis  hie  renon, 
For  A  worthy  man  and  vaillant  he  was 
As  Any  A-thif-llde1  Rome  to  purchas. 
1  MS.  "  A  tbiffide." 


RAYMOND    LAMENTS    DESPAIRINGLY. 


17 


RAymounde  hym  tuke  fast  tlier  to  wepyng, 
hym-felfen  gan  bete  and  liyni  fore  torment- 
"ha  !  alas  !  thou  fals  fortune,"  ther  fayng, 
"  To  me  haft  thou  he  felonefly  bent ! 
Goode  to  tho  wykyd  thou  graunteft  and  lent ; 
272  he  is  A  more  foole  then  Any  mute  heft 
That  truftith  on  the,  or  in  thy  heheft ! 


[Fol.  10  b.] 
Raymond  ex- 
claims against 
Fortune,  saying 
that  a  man  who 
trusts  her  is  a 
greater  fool  than 
any  mute  beast; 


T 


uiou  art  no  gudfader  ne  Godmodere  ! 
To  on  art  thou  fwet,  Another  hitter  to  ; 
276  Non  may  on  the  truft,  ne  in  thy  fals  gere ; 
Off  A  fmal  man  thou  makeft  a  kyng,  lo  ! 
And  of  tho  ful  rych  right  pour  men  alfo. 
In  the  no  wyl  ftreine  to  helpe  mofte  or  left ; 
280  Thou  on  ay  deft,  Another  deftroeft ! 


that  she  is  no 
godfather  nor 
godmother;  that 
she  makes  a  king 
of  a  small  man  ; 


A1 


las  for  forow  !  thys  in  me  to  fynde  ! 
Thou  here  me  haft  deftroed  entierlie, 
And  perdurabelly  dampned  to  mynde, 
284  But  ilie.su  crift,  the  cheritahle  god  hye, 
The  trew,  the  fwete,  the  piteful,  of  mercy 
Of  my  wery  foule  luft  to  haue  pyte  ! " 
And  vrith  that  Raymound  zownyng  don  gan  fle, 


that  she  has 
perdurably  con- 
demned him, 
unless  Christ  will 
have  pity  on  him. 
Hereupon  he 
swoons, 


A1 


to  himself  again 
for  an  hour. 
Again  regarding 
his  lord,  he  in- 
vokes death. 


288     A  nd  wel  nye  an  hour  iyght  fo  gan  hym  hold     and  does  not  come 
Without  fpech  or  loke ;  after  cam  agayne, 
Ther  hegynnyng  his  forowes  manyfold. 
When  he  rewardyd  hys  lord  fouerayne, 
292  Wliiche  ther  dede-cold  lay,  fore  hym  gan  com- 
playne, 
Rewfully  fa3Tig  with  fcrychyng  vois  hie, 
"  Come,  deth  !  tarye  noght,  anon  let  me  dye  ! 


Comyng  me  to  take,  for  time  now  it  is  ;  [Foi.  ii] 

for  that  his  lord 
For  lofte  haue  I  here  hoth  foide  and  hodye ;  is  slain  by  his 

My  foueravne  lorde  that  dede  here  lith  thys, 
2 


misdeed.    He 
would  commit 


18 


HE    COMES    TO    A   FAIRY    FOUNTAIN. 


suicide,  but  that 
it  is  against 
providence. 


God  would  not 
that  any  should 
despair;  yet  it 
had  been  better 
for  him  to  have 
been  bora  dead. 


Leaping  again 
into  his  saddle, 
he  leaves  the 
body,  and  rides 
away  from  the 
spot. 


leaving  the 
bridle-reins  loose. 
Thus  rode  he 
along  lamentably, 
till  he  approached 
suddenly 


[Fol.  11  !).] 
the  fountain  of 
Thirsty  Gladness, 
said  to  be  of 
fairy  origin. 
The  horse  chooses 
his  path  at  will, 


By  my  grete  myfdede  here  hym  flayn  haue  I. 
Deth,  come  to  me  !  feafon  is  trulye  ; 
300  Come  forth  here  anon,  or  I  fhal  me  fie  ; 
But  god  fhold  me  fie,  I  fhold  noght  fo  me. 


Gc 


od  wold  noght,  which  is  our  chef  fader  hye, 
That  any  criftyn  in  difpeir  be  fhold ; 
304  But  the  hour  courfed  that  born  was  worly, 
Or  that  wreched  lyf  fo  long  leuyng  hold. 
Better  had  me  be  dede-born  here  vnfold, 
For  then  had  I  noght  dampned  ne  loft  be. 
308  Alas  !  my  lord  coufyn,  gentile  and  fre, 


L] 


Effe  worth  am  I  then  any  faryfyne, 
"VVhiche  is  in  beleue  of  fory  mahound  ! " 
Ther  leping  vp  into  hys  fadel  fine, 
312  More  lenger  ne  reft  he  ther  that  ftound, 
The  body  of  hys  lord  reft l  in  that  ground, 
A  fory  man  was  thorught  the  wode  gan  ride, 
With  wofull  malice  deftruffed  that  tyde  ; 

316  rphe  brydell-rayne  lefte,  at  large  let  it  go ; 
-L    hym-felfe2  tormented  and  curfid  ful  fore, 
Vnnethes  for-bare  hym-felfe  to  fie  tho, 
Ful  ofte  hys  colour  changing  euermore, 

320  he  had  non  end  of  his  dolorous  (.)  ftore. 
In  thys  eftate  rode  lamentabillye, 
Tyll  he  Approched,  certes,  fodenlye 

The  fontayn  and  well  of  thurfty  gladneffe, 
(As  faid  is,  it  came3  of  the  fayrie) ; 
Thys  wofull  man  apas  ftreight  ther-to  gan  dreffe, 
hys  horfe  chef  a  path  conueying  wightly, 
Ouer  all  thys  hors  fo  went  wylfully, 
328  here  and  there  ouer  all  where  at  hys  luft  wold, 
For  that  he  had  lefte  the  rayne  for  to  hold. 
1  loft  (?)  2  MS.  "  feffe."  3  MS.  "  canne." 


HE   SEES   THREE    BEAUTIFUL    LADIES. 


19 


A' 


t  thys  faid  fontayn  hys  coiirfer  hym  brought    and  thus  brings 

him  to  the 

So  forth  paffing  by  ther  tho  apertlye ;  fountain.  The 

rider  is  so 

332  Neuer  ne  refte,  but  was  in  other  thought ;  distressed  that  he 

{•  i  ij.1  cannot  look 

hys  courfere  hyme  bare  forth  fait  and  wygntiy ;   about  him. 
For  difcomforted  was  he  moche  truly, 
That  hys  mynde  was  gone  fro  hym-felf  full  ferre, 
336  So  that  he  ne  faw  Abowt,  ferre  ne  nerre. 


Uppon  thys  fontayn  ther  had  verilie,  Beside  the 
fountain  were 

"Which  Avas  right  holfome,  ful  clere  as  creftal,  three  ladies  of 

Thre  fair  laydes  of  gret  feignorie.  sees  none  of 

340  In  hys  forth-pafTyng  faw  non  of  thaim  all,  most  good-iook- 

r,  it  i  ii  ingand  "jolliest" 

Such  dolorous  thoughtes  to  hyin  gan  can.  exclaims, 
Then  fpak  the  mofte  gentilleft  of  thaim  thre, 
The  moft  goodlokeft  And  iolyeft  to  fe ; 


344  Ol  Ayng,  "neuer  faw,  dais  of  my  lyfe,  "I  never- a11 

[^  _  _        the  days  of  life, 

^  "V\Hiere  it  were  gajm  night  or  at  morne  erhe,  saw  a  gentleman 

pass  ladies  with- 

Gentil  man  to  pall  but  had  refpectif  out  salutation." 

She  then  seizes 

Aforn  ladies  without  falu}  hye,  ins  rein, 

348  I  wyll  goo  And  fpeke  with  hjm.  verilie." 
She  vn-to  him  cam,  taking  by  the  rayn, 
After  openly  to  hym  faid  certayn — 


"  "C^Or  goddis  fake,  man,  fhew  the  noght  foo, 
352       -L     Which  be  defcended  of  noble  linage, 

Sin  Aforn  vs  thre  ye  apperen,  lo  ! 

And  without  worde  fay  for  to  make  palfage, 

It  is  noght  the  dede  of  gentil  corage." 
356  he,  whiche  dolour  hurt  tho  ful  feruentlye, 

vpp  fodenly  lepte,  perceyued  thys  ladye  ; 


[Fol.  12.] 
and  tells  him 
that  to  go  by 
without  a  word 
is  not  the  deed 
of  a  gentle  heart. 
Raymond 
suddenly  per- 
ceives her, 


rpher  he  trowed  that  fantefle  it  were, 


and  thinks  it  is 

Where  he  ilepte  or  wakyd  wel  knew   he  £^E02 

and  knows  not 
whether  he  is 


noght ; 

360  A  dede  mannys  colour  that  tyme  had  he  there,     awake  or  asIeep 
2  * 


20 


ONE   OF   THEM   STAYS    HIS   HORSE, 


He  returns  her 
no  answer. 


To  hir  lion  anfwere  at  that  feafon  brought, 
JSToght  intended  here  for  forow  in  thought, 
But  muling  ful  faft  and  was  ryght  penffife 
364  As  euer  was  man  which  that  here  bare  life. 


She  asks  him 
why  he  will  not 
speak,  and 
wishes  to  know 
who  taught  him 
such  behaviour ; 


mi 


mys  fayr  layde  toke  her  tho  to  fpeke, 
Anon  ful  hiely  fayd  fhe  hym  vnto, 
"how,   Eaymound,   is   thys,   ye  luft   no  word 
breke  1 
368  ho  hath  you  taught  that  to  a  mayden  fo, 
Or  to  A  lady  when  ye  fe  thaim,  lo  ! 
That  no  word  haue  ne  luft  to  fay  onlye  ? 
Of  it  cometh  repref  and  vilanye. 


for  that  it  is  a 
dishonour  to  him 
that  he  thus 
forces  his  heart 
to  be  unnatural. 
Raymond  is 
many  times 
astonied. 


372 


TIST  you  all  fwetneffe  And  good  curtefie 


Shold  byde  and  dwel  with  al  honour  fure ; 
here-on  ye  be  dif honoured  gretly 
Which  comyn  be  of  fo  noble  nature, 
376  That  your  gentil  hert  put  to  difnature." 

Raymounde  vnderftode,  ther  hir  gan  behold, 
Sore  aftoned  was  times  inanyfold, 


[Fol.  12  6.] 
and,  perceiving 
the  human  body 
of  this  fair  lady, 
his  heaviness  of 
heart  troubles 
him  yet  more. 
Knowing  not 
whether  he  is 
alive  or  dead,  he 
alights  hastily, 


When  that  he  faw  fhe  hym  held  by  rayne — 
But  when  perceyued  the  humayn  bodye 
Of  thys  fair  lady  hym  fo  to  reftrayne, 
In  whom  gret  beute  was  preynted  frefhlye, 
Moche  the  more  troubled  his  noyfance  heuye, 
384  That  he  wifte  not  where  he  were  quicke  or  dede ; 
Fro  hors  fill  down  vppon  the  graffe  in-dede. 


and  says,  "  Most 
gracious  image, 
pardon  me, 
sweet  thing ! 
My  heart  is  heavy 
with  misfortune; 


A' 


fter  hys1  fayd,  "mofte  gracyous  ymage, 
Soueran  layde  of  gret  beute  hye, 
388  With  whome  to  compare  non  hath  A  vantage, 
Pardon  me,  fwet  thyng,  for  goddys  mercye  ; 
With  forowes  I  haue  the  hert  ful  heuye 
1  thys  (?) 


AND    ADDRESSES    HIM    BY    NAME. 


21 


By  ouermoche  meruelous  auenture  ; 
392  By  my  faith,  lady,  I  will  you  enfure 


mi 


lhat  in  fuch  aftate  wher-on  that  I  was, 
I  reruemhred  noght  what  I  owght  to  do ; 
So  moche  forow  and  care  me  doth  enbras, 
396  Tndy  more  than  man  can  fay  you  vn-to. 

For-foth  I  noght  you  perceyued  no  wyfe,  lo  ! 
But,  nohle  lady,  you  befeche  and  pray 
Me  vnto  perdon  fo  it  pleafe  you  may." 

400  fTmer  thys  lady  fpake,  "  Eaymound  ! "  anfwer- 


I  remembered 
not  what  I  ought 
to  do.    I  per- 
ceived you  not; 
pray,  pardon  me." 


T 


y^ 


"  I  am  ful  forye  of  your  gret  noyfance." 
When  Baymou?2de  knew  fche  hym  ther  namyng, 
A  litell  began  to  niufe  that  inftance. 
404  "lady,  of  my  name  ye  haue  conyfance, 
Where-of  I  am  Ameruelled  gretlye  ; 
By  my  feith,  I  know  noght  your  name  redilye.1 

You  named  but 
Wher  that  perceyue  fo  full  huge  beute, 
hyt  caufeth  me  to  beleue  verilie 
That  I  fchidd  by  you  wel  allured  be, 
And  that  I  fhal  yut  wel  recouer2  me, 
412  By  you  to  acquire  fom  good  recomfort 
Off  my  huge  forow  is  my  dyfcomfort. 


F 


\ov  of  fo  fair  A  fwete  creature 
Approcheth  non  ille,  but  ay  al  goodneffe ; 
416  Fro  you  may  noght  come  but  good  auenture, 
I  beleue  noght  that  terrene  boody  fothleife 
Of  lufty  beute  may  haue  fuch  richeffe, 
So  moche  of  fwetneffe,  fo  moche  of  connyng 
420  As  in  your  gentil  body  is  beryng." 

1  Here  follows  the  catch-word — "  you  named  hut."     See  note. 
2  MS.  "  yecouer,"  the  tail  of  the  y  being  partly  erased. 


She  addresses 
him  by  name:  at 
which  he  is  much 
astonished ; 


[Fol.  13.] 
but,  reassured  by 
her  beauty,  he 
trusts  that  he  will 
soon  recover 
himself; 


since  only  good- 
ness can  come 
from  so  sweet  a 
creature.    He 
cannot  believe 
that  an  earthly 
body  can  have  so 
much  sweetness. 


22 


SHE  FORETELLS  HIS  GOOD  FORTUNE, 


She  then  recounts 
to  hiin  all  he  has 
been  doing, 
explaining  that 
she  is  well 
acquainted  with 
all  that  has 
happened. 


" T) aymounde,  I  perceyue  how  it  goth  now;" 

J-i  She  declared  hym  ther  all  hys  doyng, 
Ther  hym  gan  rehers  euerydele  how, 
424  As  Aboue  is  faid  al  hym  declaring. 
Then  Raymounde  feruently  reioyng, 
How-be-hyt  he  moche  aftoned  tho  was 
How  hys  name  myght  know ;  ftrange  to  hym  but 


She  then  declares 
that  all  the  good 
fortune  which 
his  lord  pre- 
dicted for  him 
will  he  brought 
about  if  he  will 
attend  to  what 
she  says. 


[FoL  13  &.] 
Yet  more  assured, 
he  gladly 
promises  to  do  all 
her  command- 
ments. 


Yet  he  wishes 
to  know  how" 
she  knows  his 
name  and  cir- 
cumstances. 


"  Raymond,"  she 

said.  "  1  niunsel 
you  not  to  be 
astonished.    You 


428  fTmen  thys  lady  faid  of  gentil  bodye, 

-*-  ' '  Raymonnde,  my  good  lone,  vnderftandeth  me, 
Al  that  whiche  your  lord  faid  youe  varilye 
By  wordes  myn  fulfillyd  f hal  be, 

432  Truly  and  forfoth,  yf  fo  do  wil  ye 

Ryght  As  I  fhal  here  vnto  you  rehers, 
Thinges  to  non  hurt,  fondry  and  diuers, 

Unto  the  plehre  of  our  lorde  an  hie, 
And  of  his  glorius  moder  alfo." 
"When  Raymounde  vnderftode  fhe  fpake  trulye, 
Stedfaftly  hym  toke  the  more  furer  to, 
Ther  bir  faing,  "  fwete  gentill  lady  tho, 
440  I  fchall  put  my  hert  And  my  holy '  entent 
To  your  plefour  do  your  commaundemewt. 


B' 


lut  certes,  lady,  I  may  no  wyfe  tarie 
That  you   me2  demaunde  the  trouth   and 
verite, 
444  how  ye  myght  my  name  knowen  verilie, 
And  how  thys  dede  know  any  wyfe  may  ye 
That  by  my  fortune  and  mifchef  fil  to  me, 
As  wherthorugh  I  haue  deferued  deth  full  wel, 
448  "Wherfor  that  I  haue  defired  deth  cruell  1 " 

"T)  Aymounde,  you  councel,  Aftoned  be  noght," 
-L*-'  Afaid  thys  lady,  "for  god  fhal  you  ayd  ; 

1  hole  (?)     Sec  1.  482.  -  ne  (?) 


AND    DECLARES    HERSELF    A    GOOD    CHRISTIAN. 


23 


yf  ve  will,  rnoche  more  to  you  fhall  be  brought    shall  be  yet  more 

successful  than 

Of  wordly  goodes  then  your  lorde  you  faid,  your  dead  lord 

predicted. 

Whiche  in  the  foreft  dede-colde  light  this  braid. 

I  wyll  in  no  wyfe  you  to  difcomfort, 

I  ihall  you  focour,  helpe,  ayd,  and  comfort. 


456  T7"  Am,  after  god,  your  nexft  frende  trulye, 
J-    "Wordly  catell  I-now  fhall  be  brought. 
But  loke  ye  me  trufte  And  beleue  verilie, 
And  dubte  ye  no-thing  of  goddys  part  am  noght,  ^t  i 

460  I  noght  beleue  in  hys  vertues  wrought ; 
yut  I  you  promife  that  I  do  beleue 
Eyght  As  holy  Catholike  feith  doth  yeue. 


I  am,  after  God, 
your  best  friend; 
but  you  must 
trust  to  me 
entirely.  Do  not 
doubtingly  think 
that  I  am  : 
God's  side; 


Euery  Article  beleue  I  and  hold 
Of  the  holy  feith  catholike  named, 
That  god,  vs  to  faue,  of  the  virgyn  unfold 
"Was  born  without  wemme  in  hir  attamed  ; 
Dethe  endured ;  third  day  rofe  vnfhanied  ; 
468  After  afcended  vnto  heuenys  hie, 

Ther  verray  man  And  varray  god  trulye ; 


[Fol.  14.] 
for  I  hold  every 
article  of  the 
Catholic  faith  ; 
viz.,  that  God  was 
born  of  a  spotless 
virgin,  endured 
death,  rose  the 
third  day,  and 
ascended  into 
heaven, 


A1 


nd  is  in  ryght  fyde  of  hys  fader  hie. 
Raymound,  vnderftand  here  now  me  vnto, 
472  Firmely  all  beleue  without  doubte  anye. 
Kow  ye  here  beleue  that  fagely  ye  do, 
And  ye  fhall  rife  vp,  to  fuch  honour  go, 
That  more  fhal  ye  be  As  of  hie  parage 
476  Then  any  man,  lo  !  As  of  your  linAge." 


and  is  at  the 
right  hand  of  the 
Father.    Trust 
me  entirely,  and 
you  shall  attain 
to  great  honour." 


Then  Raymound  mufyd  and  gan  aduertife  Raymond,  much 

amended  of  his 
The  wordes  ther  faid,  and  hertly  ioyed  tho  ;  care  and  sorrow, 

.  promises  to  do 

A  ktel  his  colour  cam,  vnto  deuife, 


480  And  moche  amendyd  of  forow  and  care  to, 
When  he  anfwerd,  "  lady,  I  fhal  do 
With  all  my  hole  hert,  without  withfaing, 
Al  that  which  ye  wyll  be  me  commaunding." 


what  she  com- 
mands without 
gainsaying. 


24 


SHE    ASKS    HIM    TO    MARRY    HER. 


"  Swear  then 
to  me,"  she  said, 
"at  this  time,  that 
you  will  marry 
me,  and  that  you 
will  never  inquire 
as  to  where  I  go 
on  a  Saturday;    . 


[Fol.  14  b.] 
and  I  promise,  in 
return,  to  go  to 
no  ill  place,  but 
always  to  labour 
that  day  on  your 
behalf." 


Raymond  swears, 
but  was,  in  the 
sequel,  forsworn, 
to  his  great  mis- 
fort  une. 


She  tells  him  that 
if  he  breaks  the 
compact,  he  will 
lose  her ;   and 
that  himself  and 
his  heirs  will  lose 
their  lands. 


484  "T)Ayniounde,"fhe  faid  tho,  "this  is  ful  wel 
-ft     faid; 
Now  vnderftandeth  me  without  gayn-fayng, 
To  god  and  his  fayntes  me  fwere  now  thys  "braid, 
That  in  mariage  me  wil  he  taking,1 

488  And  that  neuer  dais  of  your  leuing, 

For  no  worde  that  man  wyl  vnto  you  fay, 
ye  fhall  not  enquere  of  me  the  faturday, 

F)  after  me  cerehe  hi  no  wife  ye  do, 
Neither  to  what  part  drawith  my  hody, 
Ne  what  I  will  do,  ne  to  what  place  go ; 
Als  I  fchall  you  fwere  For  trouth  uerilie, 
To  non  ille  place  go  ne  will  certaynlie, 
496  But  alwais  to  lahour  that  iournay, 

Puttyng  my  hole  hert,   ftrength,   mynde,    and 
thought  (.)  ay 


T 


]o  your  honour,  hawfe,  and  encrefe  alfo  ; 
Neuer  fhal  ye  fe  me  forfworn  no  day." 
500  Baymounde   wolde   fwere   and   ther   hys   othe 
gan  do, 
But  att  end  forfworn  was  he,  is  no  nay ; 
To  ful  gret  myfchef  it  cam  hym  alway, 
For  that  hire  couenaunt  hrake  and  noght  gan 
hold. 
504  "  Baymounde,"  fche    fayd,    "  underftande   tliis 
told; 


r 


ff  thys  poyntement  hold  noght  in  thys  deuife, 
ye  fhall  me  lefe,  be  therof  certane, 
Without  fight  of  me  any  maner  wife  ; 
508  After  that,  ye  and  al  your  hoires  playn 
Shal  begin  to  fall,  and  thaim-felfe  diftayn 
Off  landes,  honoures,  and  heritages ; 
Then  doloures  fhall  be  in  their  corage[s]." 
1  MS.  "  betaking." 


SHE    TELLS    RAYMOND    WHAT    TO    DO. 


25 


512  T)aymonde  fwere  agayn  fecundarilie, 

■*-*>  That  neuer  no  day  forfwome  wolde  he  be. 
(Alas  !  thys  dolent  man  faid  not  foth  tndie, 
For  gret  heuineffe  After  fuffred  he, 

516  Hys  cherefull  lady  loft  of  nicete  !) 

At  thys  prefent  time  of  it  fpeke  no  more, 
Vnto  my  purpos  torn  fhall  I  therfore. 


Raymond  swears 
a  second  time; 
but  alas  !  this 
miserable  man 
spake  not  the 
truth. 


"Tj  Ayniounde,"  fhe  faid,  "ye  nioft  to  court  go, 
520      -*-»■'  And  me  this  not  werne  here  in  no  cas, 
To  peyters  boldly  go  ye  now  vnto, 
Say  wel  and  playnly  when  ye  come  aplas, 
If  any  you  demaunde,  hie  other  bas,1 
524  Of  your  faid  lord  ne  fay  ye  no  thyng 

But  that  in  the  wode  ye  loft  hym  huntyng ; 


[Fol.  15.] 
"  Raymond,"  said 
she,  "you  must 
go  to  Poitiers, 
and  give  out  that 
you  lost  your  lord 
in  the  wood  while 
hunting. 


A' 


nd  that  longe  ye  gan  After  hym  Abyde, 
Cerching,  enquering  in  wodes  ramage, 
528  A  wilde  fwine  chafing  at  that  houred  (.)  tyde. 
Many  other  to  court  fhall  do  make  paffage, 
"VVhiche  equipollent  fchall  fay  of  corage, 
After  fhall  your  lord  truly  fhall2  ther  be  founde, 
532  And  to  peyters  brought  openly  that  ftounde. 


and  that  you 
sought  for  him  a 
long  while  unsuc- 
cessfully. At  last 
he  will  be  found, 
and  brought  to 
Poitiers. 


T 


Ihen  gret  heuineffe  ther  fhall  fone  Awake, 
With  euery  man  huge  forow  fhall  arife'; 
Full  dolorous  wo  this  lady  will  take, 
536  And  with  hir  other  gentil  wemmen  of  price ; 
his  cliildren  lamenting  in  wofull  wife. 
Thaim  aid  and  councell  ryght  auyfilye 
yn  that  belongeth  to  hys  obfequye. 


when  his  wife  and 
children  will 
lament  in  woful 
wise.    You  must 
counsel  them 
concerning  his 
burial, 


Lf 


540  T  oke  ye  thaim  councell  hie  and  lowe  that  hour,  and  wear  black  as 

_  others  do;  and 

lor  a  man3  fhold  do  A  grete  lorde  vnto         when  at  last  the 

time  shall  come 

his  iunerall  obfequye  with  gret  honour, 
1  MS.  "has."      2  This  word  is  redundant.      3  MS.  "  aman." 


26 


HE   IS   TO   ASK   FOR   A    GRANT   OF   AS   MUCH   LAND 


[Fol.  15  b.J 
for  his  heir  to 
receive  the  earl- 
dom, demand  of 
him  a  gift  ere  ye 
go,  as  payment 
for  your  services 
to  the  late  earl ; 


beg  him  to  give 
you  so  much  land 
as  may  be  en- 
closed by  a  hart's 
skin,  and  cause 
deeds  of  the  gift 
to  be  duly  exe- 
cuted ; 


and,  when  you 
have  the  deeds 
ready,  depart; 
and  go  on  till  you 
see  a  man  carry- 
ing a  large  hart's 
skin,  which  buy 
at  his  own  prico. 


Next  cut  the  skin 
into  small  thongs, 
very  narrow,  and 
tie  them  up  into 
a  bundle, 


Cloth  you  ther  in  blakke  As  other  ther  doo. 
544  When  that  paffyd  is  ther  dolour  and  wo, 
By  proceffe  of  tyme  at  leyfer  and  fpace, 
When  weping  dais  an  end  do  purchace, 


And 


nd  that  the  enheritour  ther  f  hall  be 

548  -XX.  The  erldoin  of  peyters  refceyued  to, 

And  hys  homage  take  of  men  of  contre, 

Of  thys  lord  demaunde  A  yefte  or  ye  go 

For  your  guerdon  of  feruife  ye  haue  doo 

552  To  the  Erie  laft  paft  in  the  fame  place ; 

Wher  jje  prefent  be,  fo  myght  pleafe  his  grace, 


Sc 


I  o  moche  as1  A  hert-fkyn  myght  aboute  enclofe, 
In  feueral  to  fhitte  wodes  and  contre. 
556  hit  will  not  you  wern  but  graunt,  I  fuppofe ; 
Dedes  therof  mak  the  caufe  ther-on  be, 
Off  the  lordes  yifte  the  enchefon  may  fe, 
Wher-for  he  it  yaf,  And  for  wat  reafon ; 
560  After  fette  day  of  lyuerey  and  feafon, 


T1 


lhat  men  deliuer  you  poueffion  ; 
And  when  your  letters  ye  haue  all  redy, 
Thens  ye  depart,  a  litell2  way  fhal  gon, 
564  ye  fhal  fe  A  man  come  gayn  you  haftilie, 
The  hertis  f  kyn  bring  gret  and  large  to  eye. 
By  ye  that  fkyn,  I  you  gyf  in  charge, 
What-fomeuere  coft,  fpare  not,  yif  ye  large. 


568 


A  fter  cutte  that  pece  into  thwanges  final, 


lete  it  not  be  brode,  but  narow  As  may  be, 
Enuiron  the  fkyn  rounde  Aboute  cut  all 
As  narew  as  may  perceyue  it  to  fe, 
572  As  long  As  the  fkyn  endure  fee  may  ye ; 
After  ther-of  A  fardell  do  ye  make, 
And  afterwarde  to  your  repair  you  take, 
i  MS.  "  os."  2  MS.  "  alitell." 


AS    A    IIARTS    SKIN    WILL    ENCLOSE. 


27 


576 


ANd  leto  it  noght  be  lefte '  to  do,  certain, 
But  men  deliuere  to  yow  your  lande  fad 
Aboute  tbis  clere  well  and  fid  fail'  fontain. 


[Fol.  16.] 
and  make  men 
deliver  you  up  the 
land  which  you 
can  enclose  with 
them  around 

Now  complainetb  nogbt  of  your  buge  pain  bad,  this  fair  fountain. 


For  ye  fhal  finde2  tbis  place  fourged  and  made 
580  In  al  places  rygbt  As  it  Hketb  me, 

Where  that  your  lande  appere  fhall  to  fe. 


1 


f  tbe  tbanges  be  more  lenger  certain  But  if  the  thongs 

. ,  . ,  i       ry>  i  i  •   l      n     .  wiH  enclose  more 

then   tbe  rowndnelie   made  which   tnat  ye  than  such  a 

£     j     .ri.ii  circuit,  draw 

nnae  lnail,  them  down  along 

the  valley. 


584  Again  tbe  ualey  do  it  to  remayn 

Tbe  rennyng  of  tbys  fantain  clere  witb-all, 
"Where  ye  fhall  take  the  dwellyng  to  fall 
The  thwanges  lengbt  after  to  ende  bad. 

588  Do  tbys  hardily,  be  no-thyng  Adrad, 


A1 


Nd  wrhen  that  ye  be  Affuryd  of  all, 
As  at  peiters  when  ye  come  only, 
Take  your  leue  and  return  that  enterual, 
592  For  in  thys  faid  place  fhal  ye  verily, 

At  wat  tym  ye  come,  fynde  me  certainly, 
hike  ye  me  hold  trew  perfecte  couenaunt." 
"  lady,"  faid  Baymound  at  that  inftaunt, 


596 


I"  fliall  plainly  do  your  commaundement, 


What-fonieuer  coft  it  for  to  cheue, 
Sin  it  pleaflith  yow  me  it  commaunde  to  hent." 
Fro  hir  depertyd,  taking  fair  hys  leue, 
600  Tbis  thing  takith  on  ioyufly  in  breue, 
To  peyters  be  cam  in  the  morow  tyde  ; 
Many  demaunded  wher  tber  lord  gan  bide. 


When  assured  at 
Poitiers  of  all 
your  possessions, 
return  hither, 
and  you  shall 
find  me  here." 


Raymond  pro- 
mises to  ohey  at 
whatever  cost ; 
and,  greatly 
rejoiced,  returns 
to  Poitiers, 


RAymounde  Anfward, 


;  yufterday  hym  loft 


[Fol.  16  6.] 
where  he  gives 

hys    courfere3   wdiich    bare    hyin  out  that  he  had 

lost  his  lord,  and 

fwyftly ; 


vppon 


1  MS.  "lefte." 


1  MS.  "  finde. 


3  MS.  "courfere." 


28 


THE  MOURNING  FOR  EARL  AMERY. 


knew  not  what 
had  become  of 
him. 


That  I  was  baffhed,  wift  noglit  to  what  coft 
he  went,  I  cowde  not  mete  with  him  truly ; 
After  I  fewed  As  I  myght  full  ny, 
608  I  hym  loft  when  in-to  woode  gan  draw, 
Neuer  after  perceiued  hym  ne  faw." 


Thus  Raymond 
excused  himself, 
and  accused  not 
the  soul  of  the 
homicide  (him- 
self) ;  and  none 
ever  thought  of 
accusing  him. 


RJ 


lyght  thus  Raymounde  hym  excufid  tho, 
the  foule  of  the  dede-doer  accufyd  noght ; 
612  For  neuer  man  ne  had  in  hym  beleue,  lo  ! 
That  be  dede  was  by  hym  done  and  wrought, 
Though  that  moch  he  were  diftrained  in  thought, 
And  that  for  the  dede  fighed  full  ofte  there. 
616  But  it  behouith  to  yonge  baculere1 


Many  now  return 
from  hunting, 
both  high  and 
low.    There  were 
none  but  were 
sorely  annoyed 


8' 


luch  A  ftrange  dede  to  couere  fecretly, 
Wich  vnto  hym  cam  at  that  huntyng-chace. 
Vnto  his  manoir  comyn  were  many, 
620  Which  fro  hunting  were  drawing  to  pat  place, 
As  wel  of  gret  As  fmal,  both  hye  and  bace, 
Ni  to  Eamound  drawing  euermore. 
Ther  had  was  non  but  noyed  wonder  fore 


at  not  knowing 
the  truth,  as  to 
where  the  earl 
was  that  night 
aliiiling.     At   last 
his  sorrowing 
wife  and  children 
saw  two  men 
approach,  bearing 
the  body, 


mhat  thay  myght  noght  the  trouth  perceiue 


[Fol.  17.1 
which  they  had 
found  in  the 
woods,  with  the 
dead  boar  lying 
beside  him. 


T 


and  know, 

Wher  he  that  nyght2  gan  byd  and  remain. 
Fid  dolorous  was  his  fair  wyfe  pat  throw, 
All  wette  with  teres  in  hir  vifage  plaine, 
628  And  ther  children  to  fid  harde  gan  complain ; 
Tho  A  ferrom  faw  to  worthi  men  comyng, 
"Which  the  dede  body  forily  gan  bring 

TTThich  in  the  wodes  barainly  ther  founde, 
632     '  "     Thys  notable  Erie  whilom  off  renon ; 

And  thys  foule  fwine  befides  hym  that  ftounde. 
Ther  wepte  burgefies  And  fquiers  manyon, 
1  MS.  "  baiulcre."  2  MS.  "  myght." 


THE   EARL    IS    BURIED    WITH    GREAT    POMP.  29 

Ther  wepte  ladies  And  knightes  echon,  ah  bewailed  his 

1  -        °  death. 

636  Tlier  wepte  old,  ther  Avepte  yong  peple  all, 
Thay  wepte  the  deth  of  thys  Erie  roialL 


w 


len  that  the  Counteffe  of  him  had  the  fight,  His  Countess 

.  wrang  her  hands, 

!  111  dolorOUS  WO  hir  hert  gan  attain,  and  tare  her  hair. 

640  Here  liandes  wrang,  hir  heere  tare  pis  woful  in  the  general 


mourning 


wyght, 

\Y/t/>  wepyng  teeres  foroly  gan  complain  ; 
Ther  wepte  the  fone,  the  doughter,  both  twain  ; 
Ther  wepte  the  gentile  that  Raymonde  me?!  call, 
644  Ther  wep[t]e  preftes,  ther  wepete  Chanones  all. 

rphrough  Peiters  Euery  ma,n  forow  lad,  Every  one  be- 

J-    Both  tho  gret  and  final  ful  fore  were  weping,  throughout  the  ' 

rm  j  liiy-ii-ii-jy  i        town;  and  buried 

Ihys  day  can  noght  be  laad  the  hemnelle  mad,    him  with  an 
648  Noght  halfe  the  wofulnelfe  the  cite  hailing. 
Tho  that  this  dede  Erie  were  \er  beholdyng, 
Euery  bewepte  hys  deth  niornyngly, 
Thys  Erie  beried  ryght  ful  folempnely  ; 

652  THul  nobley  wele  the  almes  yef  and  do  ;  distributing  aims. 

-T    Aboute  hym  gret  wexe,  fair  ftore,  and  gret  ™^771^ 

Hcrrif  "^ne  cursec^  Doar 

o  was  cast  into  a 

Forfoth  the  burgeffes  of  the  cite  tho  fire  and  burnt  up" 

Cast  thys  curfid  fwyne  in  A  huge  fire  bright ; 
656  The  Barons  of  contre  there  had  ech  wyght. 
A  mar*  fhold  fhortly  the  dole  ouerpas, 
When  remedy  non  may  be  in  the  cas. 

T)  Aymounde  Fid  wel  aqueinted  hym  that  hour,       [Foi.  17  h.\ 
660  -*-^-  Ther  many  A  perfone  of  hjnn  fa  id,  "a  !  he  manyrema^km'g 

FeHth  fore  in  hert  anguifh  and  dolour  !  grief,  which  was 

Of  hys  fouerain  lord  had  he  fuch  pite."  indeed  real- 

So  he  gan  do  in  trouth  and  uerite, 
664  As  for  to  fee  hym  gret  pite  it  was, 

His  mornyng,  his  wailyng,  his  loking  has. 


30 


RAYMOND  GETS  HIS  GRANT  OP  LAND. 


After  the  burial, 
the  barons  busily 
went  to  do 
homage  to  the 
new  earl ;  and 
Raymond  ap- 
proached to  prefer 
his  request. 


A£ 


fter  when  that  the  ohfequie  was  don, 
The  Barons  fafte  went  ful  befelye, 
668  To  the  nonel  Erie  homage  hyrn  do  echon, 
After  the  feafon  and l  ufage  cuftoinlye. 
Then  Raymound  drew  hyrn  forth  to  thys  lorde 

hye, 
his  requeft  to  make  after  hys  lady  lore, 
672  As  fhe  hym  warned  long  tynie  ther  before, 


He  asks  for  asi 
much  land,  lying 
near  the  fountain, 
as  a  hart's  skin 
would  enclose ; 


T 


uie  lady  of  whom  he  had  take  leue  to  go. 
"Honourous  lord,"  he  faid,  "bef[e]ch  you 
yif  me, 
Ni  to  the  Fontain  of  thurfty  gladneffe,  lo  ! 
676  Off  wode,  Roche,  or  ualey  in  that  contree, 
Be  it  medewes  or  arable  (.)  to  fee, 
So  moche  as  an  hertis  fkin  of  grounde  ftrech 

wold ; 
For  noght  wyll  demaunde,  ne  in  thys  place  f  hold, 


and  requires  no 
other  payment. 
The  young  earl 
accedes,  if  it  will 
content  his 
barons. 


680  rPhing  which  that  fhold  yon  be  in  coft  gretly  ; 

J-    I  require  of  you  non  other  paiment 

For  my  feruice  done  continually 

Of  your  Fader,  whos  foule  god  haue  and  hent." 
684  Thys  yong  Erie  faid,  "  I  graunt  all  your  entent, 

So  that  it  may  pleafe  to  my  Baronage." 

Then  the  Berons  faid  with  full  fair  langage, 


[Fol.  18.] 
The  barons  think 
Raymond  well 
deserves  it,  and 
the  earl  com- 
mands the  deeds 
of  gift  to  be  duly 
executed  and 
sealed. 


"T)  Aymounde  may  full  wel  thys  faid  yifte  to 
J-^       haue, 
688  (For  he  hath  full  wel  deferuyd  it  fertain, 
His  lord  fo  feruyd),  As  hym  luft  to  craue." 
"  Then  fhal  he  it  haue,"  Afaid  thys  Erie,  plain  ; 
"  hys  dedes  lete  make  his  graunt  to  contain." 
692  Deuifed  thay  were  paffyng  fotdly, 
After  the  writyng  fealled  ful  truly 
1  MS.  "  .-md  and." 


HE    PRODUCES    IIIS    HART  3   SKIN. 


31 


its  becoming  of 
force. 


With  the  gret  feal '  of  thys  Erie  nouel,  it  was  sealed  both 

"Which  curious  was,  fair,  and  ruoche  of  told  ;  the  barons,  and 

the  day  fixed  for 

696  The  hye  barons  put  to  al-io  well 

There  gret  fealles  to  the  dedys  unfold ; 

The  fcripture  deuifyd  full  Avel  to  he-hold, 

Fourged  and  made  of  good  ordinaunce, 
700  The  day  perfixft  of  the  deliueraunce. 


T 


he  morn  a  man  cartainly  he  found  in  the  morning,  a 

Which  A  hertis  f  kin  hroght  hym  there  he-  brings  iiim  the 

skin,  and  the  earl 

fore, 


A  fid  curtois  man  hym  it  toke  that  ftounde. 
704  The  fkyn  fid  narew  kerue  thay  euermore ; 
His  gyfte  required  after  hys  lady  lore  ; 
The  Erie  faid,  men  him  deliuer  it  fhold, 
Fro  peiters  partyd  wttA  gret  raundon  told, 


bids  men  to  de- 
liver him  up  his 
possession. 


708  nHo  Eaymound  hys  ghyfte  deHuerd  this  wyfe ; 
J-    The  Erie  fend  peple  to  delyuer  plain, 
Fulfillyng  that  which  he  gan  promife. 
By  that  were  comyn  vnto  the  fantain, 


As  soon  as  they 
come  to  the 
fountain,  Ray- 
mond produced 
the  skin,  to  their 
great  wonder, 
when  they  see 
how  narrowly  it 

712  Streith  Eaymound  thaim  lad  to  Jjat  place  fertain,  is  cut. 


Raymound  drew  hys  fkin  ther  forth  vnto  fight ; 
Of  pat  merueled  ftrongly  mawy  A  wight, 


When  fo  narow  corue  thai  gan  it  to  fe  ; 
.  .  Two  men  then 


[Fol.  18  5.] 


716     " "     Vnknowin   was   thaim   what   that 
fhold  do. 
To  men  comyn  were  ther  to  that  contre, 
Takyng  ther  thys  fkin  coruen  ful  final  tho, 
Anon  on  A  hand  put  thay  it  vnto, 

720  A  gret  truffe  ther-of  making  vp  that  ftound. 
On  ende  to  a  pain  thai  had  ther  y-hound, 


thai    approach,  who 
make  the  thongs 
up  into  a  bundle, 
and  bind  one  end 
to  a  stake ; 


MS.  "  feal." 


32 


HE  ENCLOSES  A  LARGE  TRACT  OF  LAND. 


and  enclose  the 
whole  rock  with 
a  part  of  the  skin. 
They  again  bind 
an  end  to  a  stake, 
and  carry  it  down 
the  valley.    A 
stream  suddenly 
wells  ui>, 


Al  the  Eoclie  thay  had  enuironed, 
But  yut  of  the  f  kyn  ful  gretly  ahode. 
724  To  A  pane  on  ende  ftrongly  thai  tied, 

That  other  ende  bare  againe  the  ualey  brode, 
Ful  litill  it  held  As  thay  forth  glode. 
A-ferre  fro  thens  A  ftrerne  gan  to  rife, 
728  Wher-of  ftoned  were  ftrongly  to  deuife  ; 


which  had  never 
been  seen  before. 
All  wondered 
when  they  saw 
the  immense  tract 
enclosed. 


F 


^or  neuer  body  had  that  water  fain. 
And  when  thay  had  all  prouided  thys  place, 
Which  the  hertis  fkin  coinpaffed  fertain, 
732  Seing  the  contre  that  comprehended  was, 
That  fuppofyd  noght  that  it  wold  purchas 
Neither  to  enclofe  ther-of  the  moite, 
Gret  wonder  and  meruail  had  thay  tho,  perde, 


Raymond  re- 
ceives all  the 
neighbouring 
country,  and 
news  of  it  is 
carried  to  the 
earl, 


736  Qo  large  contre  the  fkyn  gan  comprehende. 
■^  Forfoth  al  the  procincte  ther  gan  hyni  take 
Eyght  As  for  that  where  charged  and  owte  fend, 
As  ther  dedes  mencion  gan  make. 

740  To  poiters  toke  way,  And  ther  told  and  fpake, 
Thys  faid  Erie  vnto,  al  the  gret  meruail, 
Whych  neuer  ne  faw  fuch  like  apparaill. 


[Fol.  19.] 
that  the  circuit 
enclosed  is  two 
miles  about.    He 
also  hears  of  the 
two  men,  and  of 
the  new  stream. 


FOr  thys  hertis  fkyn  in  circute  gan  hold, 
To  miles  aboute  gan  it  comprehende ; 
And  of  tho  men  which  it  gan  clofe  hym  told, 
Alfo  of  the  ftrerne  that  thai  faw  at  ende, 
Eyfing  ther  vp,  again  the  ualey  wende. 
748  "  I  beleue  it  was  thing  of  the  fairy," 

As  faid  thys  Erie,  "  fo  god  me  faue  only  ! 


The  earl  is  aware 
of  the  marvels 

connected  wii  li 
the  fountain,  and 


F( 


\Or  thys  Eaymound  hath  founden  in  J?e  way. 
Ful  ofte  hath  bene  faid  that  at  that  fontain, 
752  Many  merueles  have  fain  ben  A  day, 


RAYMOND    RETURNS    TO    THE    LADY. 


33 


Wliiche  men  fodenly  and  ofte  there  hane  fain  :     rejoices  at  Ray- 

"  mond  a  luck. 

And  fo  to  Eaymounde  myght  it  come  certain, 
For  of  it  wold  [I]  merily  reioy." 
756  And  raymounde  tho  fpake  that  he  had  gret  ioy, 


F 


Or  he  was  comyn  hym  to  thanke  hertly, 


Of  hys  notable  gyfte  ther  hym  thanking  ; 
And  he  Anfwerd  to  hym,  "graunt  mercy  ! 
760  Of  your  goodneffe  ye  luft  fo  be  fayng. 
I  wout  nere  what  to  me  fhal  be  comyng, 
But,  if  your  lord  wyll,  good  may  com  to  me." 
So  forth  palfyd  till  mornday-lyght  to  fe  ; 


Raymond  thanks 
the  earl,  declaring 
that  he  hardly 
knows  what  is 
coming  to  him. 


764  T)Aynioimde  tho  lepte  vp  hys  courfere  vppon,    Raymond  rides 

f\       "  away  to  the 

■*~v  To  the  fantain  and  wel  of  thruft  gan  to  go,  fountain,  and 

finds  there  the 

Wher  that  hys  lady  founde  beyng  aion,  lady,  who  wei- 

.  ,  ■.  comes  him. 

"Which  hym  laid,  "  my  lone,  welcome  me  vnto  ! 
768  hike  ye  be  wife,  redy,  wel  thought,  lo  ! 

And  ye  fhall  now  haue  for  your  good  labour 
yut  here-after  gret  worfliip  and  honour  !  " 


A 


Non  into  A  f chap  el  made  entre,  [Foi.  io  &.] 

772  -^-  "Which  thaim  ny  vnto  ful  redy  ther  found,  chapel,  and  find 

knightes,  ladies,  And  gentile  wemmen  fre, 

Clerkys,  prelates,  Squiers  at  that  ground, 

Clothed,  apparailled  nobylly  that  ftound  ; 
776  Eaymounde  meruelyd  of  it  wonderly, 

Of  that  peple  which  ther  faw  plainly. 


ladies,  clerks, 
prelates,  and 
squires,  all  nobly 
apparelled. 


u 


Nhethes  he  myght  hym-felfen  withold  He  cannot  refrain 

That  he  demaunded  noght  thys  gentile  body  ;  about  them,  she 
780  Thys  lady  had  tho  many  in  houfold,  ne.<i  not  marvel, 

t  i  n  n  -i  i  for  they  are  all 

1-now  nym  iemyng  lor  to  haue  truly.  his. 

"  Neuer  bafh  herof,"  faid  this  faire  lady, 

"  Thay  ben  al  yoiures,"  ther  commaundyng  al 

784  hym  for  to  refceiue  for  lorde  principal]  ; 
3 


34 


THEY    ARE    TO    BE    MARRIED    ON    THE    MONDAY. 


They  humbly  do 
him  reverence. 
Raymond  muses 
within  himself, 
and  hopes  the  end 
may  be  as  good  as 
the  beginning. 


Alio  gan  thai  do  ryght  As  thai  f  hold, 
Ful  humbly  thay  gan  do  hym  reuerence  ; 
But  raymounde  in  hert  mufid  manyfold, 
788  In  hym-felfe  faid  deiniuiy  in  audience, 
"  Se  here  a  noble  gynnyng  in  prefence  ! 
God  yif  that  the  ende  therof  be  ful  good  ! " 
Thys  lady  hym  refoned  there  he  ftood, 


The  lady  tells  him 
he  must  take  her 
in  marriage. 
Raymond  declares 
himself  ready  at 
once ;  but  she 
tells  him  that  all 
is  not  yet  ready. 


792   Q  Ayng,  "  ye  Raymounde,  what  willen  ye  to  do  1 
^  Til  that  ye  haue  me  had  in  mariage, 
ye  may  noght  the  eftat  fe  ne  know,  lo  ! 
Wherefor  you  councel,  puruey  As  the  fage." 

796  Eaymounde  faid,  "  I  am  redy  to  that  paffage." 
Thys  lady  hym  faid,  "we  faute  that  we  fliold 

haue, 
Raymond,  all  other  wyfe  we  mofte  do  craue, 


[Fol.  20.] 
He  must  bring  a 
number  of  wit- 
nesses to  the 
marriage  with 
him,  and  come 
again  on  the 
Monday. 


Tff  we  f  hall  do  to  plefaunce  honeftly  ; 
800  ■*-  you  behouith  to  trauel  and  haue  pain 

So  that  peple  ye  mofte  bryng  redy, 

Which  of  thys  acte  may  haue  conifaunce  plain. 

haue  no  point  of  doubt,  but  therof  be  fain, 
804  I-now  of  all  good  here  fchal  fynd  by  grace, 

But  warde  that  ye  be  a  monday  in  thys  place." 


Raymond  returns 
to  Poitiers,  and 
cornea  Into  the 
presence  of  tho 
earl. 


R 


i  Aymounde  anfwerd  to  hir  curtoif ly, 
-t  "Forfoth  I  fhal  do  your  commaundement." 
808  Fro  thens  deperted  Raymounde  haftily, 
Vppon  hys  courfer  retorned  and  went, 
To  poiters  he  cam,  ther  difcending,  hent 
And  anon  forth  went,  taried  ne  bode, 
812  Toward  the  erle  of  peiters  where  he  ftode. 


He  salutes  the 
carl,  and  says  he 
feels  that  he 
ought  not  to  hide 
anything  from 


RAymound  wel  cowde  falute  fuch  eftat, 
"Without  colour  changing  or  muable, 
To  hym  humbled  formally  that  dat, 


RAYMOND    ASKS    THE    EARL    TO    THE    WEDDING. 


35 


816  There  declarid  his  lord  honourable,  him,  but  to  de- 

"My  lord,"  faid  BajTnouttd  wiik  contenaunce  things.  ' 

ftahle, 
"  I  ought  ue  fhold  my  dede  be  couering, 
To  you  al  declare  And  certefying ; 


820  T  flial  noght  you  lye  for  no  mane;-1  wight, 
J-  Maryed  fhal  I  be  vppon  monday ; 
To  a  gret  lady  that  day  be  trought  plight, 
Byght  at  the  fontain  of  thurftes  gladneffe  ay  ; 

824  Nothyng  fo  loue  ne  likyng  to  my  pay. 
humbly  you  befeke  at  that  day  to  be, 
And  to  bryng  with  you  your  peple  and  mayne ; 


He  therefore  con- 
fesses that  he  is 
to  he  married  on 
Monday  to  a  great 
lady,  and  be- 
seeches him  to 
come  to  the 
wedding. 


Ryght  gracyous  lorde,  to  me  honour  do, 
And  your  gud  moder  wife  and  debonair, 
My  ryght  doubted  and  fhereful  lady  to, 
"Which  is  proclamed  fo  noble  lady  fair." 
The  Erie  fayd,  "  I  fhal  to  that  place  repair, 
832  But  afoure  Avill  you  thys  demaunde  make, 
What  is  that  lady  which  that  ye  fhal  take  ? 


[Fol.  20  b.) 
He  also  hopes 
that  the  earl's 
mother  will  be 
present.    The  earl 
is  willing  to 
come,  but  wishes 
to  know  the 
lady's  name. 


w 


A.rde  you  And  beware  ye  tAke  noght  amis,  am\  warns  him 

against  marrying 
one  of  whom  ho 
knows  nothing. 
Raymond  asks 
him  not  to  inquire 
further, 


knowith  wdiens  f  he  is  and  of  wat  linage  ; 

836  Say  me,  fair  cofm,  now  what  fho  is, 
Thys  day  am  redy  to  your  mariage." 
"  Sir,  it  may  noght  be  for  non  auantage  ; 
More  may  noght  encpiere  As  of  hir  beyng, 

840  For  ye  may  no  more2  of  hir  be  knowyng  ; 


You  it  fuffifith  I-now  hyr  to  fe."  for  that  it  win 

The  Erie  to  hym  faid,  "thys  is  gret  meruell  aftewimarveta 
That  ye  take  A  wif  vnknow  what  is  fche, 


844  Neither  haue  kneAvlich  of  hir  gouernail, 

Ne  of  hir  kinrede  ;  ftrange  is  without  fail  ! 

1  MS.  "  nomaiw."  -  MS.  "  nomorc." 

3  * 


conduct ;  but 
Raymond  says 


36 


THE    EARL    COMES    TO    COULOMBIERS. 


she  is  like  a  king's 
daughter ; 


and  that  a  fairer 
lady  was  never 
seen.    The  earl 
promises  to  come, 
with  his  mother 
and  all  his  barons. 


[Fol.  21.] 
On  the  Monday, 
the  earl  and  his 
mother,  with 
many  attendants, 
set  out,  wonder- 
ing where  they 
will  be  lodged 
and  entertained, 


though  they  need 
not  have  won- 
dered, as  all  was 
ready.    Riding 
on,  they  at  last 
a  1 1]  ■roach  the 
rock. 


There  they  found 
pavilions  pitched 
beside  a  valley, 
where  flowed  the 
new  stream. 


"Sir,"  faid,  "I  hir  faw  in  fo  noble  ray 

As  lunges  cloughter  where  frefh  is  and  gay ; 

848     A     More  fairer  neuer  fain  with  ey ; 

-*-*-  Off  hir  linage  enquered  I  no-thing  ; 
Where  fhe  he  of1  dnk  or  of  markois  hy, 
Forfoth  I  wyll  hyr  haue,  fhe  is  me  pleafyng." 
852  Thys  Erie  faid,   "Raymounde,  to  yon  fhal  be 
cornywg, 
My  moder  alfo  with  all  our  barony." 
Humbly  Raymounde  fayd,    "my  lord,   graunt 
mercy ! " 

THe  nionday  cam  men  apparailled  faft ; 
Thys  Erie  Awakyd,  rofe  vp  ful  erly, 
Hys  moder  -with  hym  brought,  frefhly  on  hyr 

caft 
Eidl  ryche  Atire,  befain  fid  womanly ; 
Sondry  ladies  with  knightes  many  ; 
860  But  moche  on  thaim  toke  to  ful  gret  meruail, 
How  thay  fhold  there  loge,  by  what  gouernail, 

When  thay  approched  ny  to  thys  fantain. 
But  therof  certes  nedid  noght  haue  doute, 
864  All  redy  was  made  A  place  fid  folain. 

The  wayes  And  pathes  fo  rode  thay  aboute 
That  thay  approched  Columbere  toiw  al-oute, 
And  oucr  that  went  ryding  the  contre, 
868  Hilles,  wodes  paifyd,  the  roche  might  fe ; 


T 


VEntes  And  pauilons  ftreght  and  pight  frefhly 
Befyde  a  ualey, 2  enmyddes  a  plain  ; 
The  ftreme  befydes,  the  fontain  ful  ny, 
872  Which  nouelly  was  vp-rifcn  and  fain  ; 
Euery  man  meruellyd  of  it  certain, 
Ful  wel  fchay  lad  knew  it  the  fayry  Avas. 
Into  the  medewes  thay  beheld  apafe 
1  MS.  "fo."     Sec  note.  -  MS.  "  aualey." 


MELUS1NE    DECLARES    HER    NAME. 


:\7 


876  nnEntes,  panilons  frefhly  wrought  and  good, 
-•     Poucet  fonges  hurde  of  briddes  enuiron, 
Whych  meryly  chirmed  in  the  grene  wod  ; 
Vppon  the  ryn  faw  A  wykl  wood  anon, 

880  Where  gret  peple  were  to-geders  manyon  ; 

And  in  there  kechins  fay  thay  gret  fmoke  to; 
As  tliam  femyd,  Avas  A  ful  huge  hooft  thoo. 


They  heard  sweet, 
songs  of  birds; 
and  s;iw  a  wild 
wood  with  many 
people;  also 
several  kitchens, 
with  much  smoke. 


884 


AXd  thay  faw  comyng  toward  thaim  anon 
Ther  nomhred  ahoute  knightis  ful  fexty, 
yong,  ftrong,  lufti,  fers,  and  fid  lyght  echon, 
I-horfed  fid  wel,  armed  nohilly  ; 
(hyt  nedith  not  demaunde  of  it  truly)  ; 
The  noble  Erie  demaunde  of  peiters, 
And  thay  hem  fhewed  fondry  and  dyuers, 


[Fol.  21  &.] 

Next  they  saw 
coming  about  GO 
knights,  well 
horsed  and  armed, 
who  asked  for  the 
earl,  whom  many 
pointed  out  to 
them. 


0' 


kff  whom  demaunded  had  the  trouth  to  know. 
Raymounde  thai  anon  gan  fe  and  behold 
81)2   In  the  faid  Erles  company  fo  grow, 

Which  ther  fid  iocunde  tales  gan  unfold. 
humbly  to  the  Erie  cam  thes  knightes  bold, 
And  hym  ther  falute  ful  debonerly. 
896  The  Erie  ther  faluz  yilding  ryght  goodly 


The  knights  ride 
up  to  the  earl, 
and  salute  him 
humbly.    The  earl 
returns  their 
salute. 


IP 


~Nto  euery  man.  without  other  abode, 
After  that  to  hym  it  fhold  appartain 
For  that  place  whens  that  he  cam  and  rode, 
900  Both  to  gret  and  fmal  menal  perfones  fain, 
Ful  wel  knew  to  echo  ther  faluz  yild  plain  ; 
And  thay  which  ue  wold  haue  no  point  of  blame, 
To  hym  cam  and  laid  worfhipfully  the  fame  : — 


yielding  to  every 
man  the  respect 
due  to  him,  ac- 
cording to  the 

place  whence  each 
came.     The 
knights  say  to 
him 


904   "mhal  feii  Meluiine  hym  thanked  hertly 


T 


that  the  fair 
Of  that  [(leafed   hym  tO  COm  to  ther  fefte  ;    him  heartily,  ami 


And  that  fhe  had  charged  thaim  verily, 
you  wel  for  to  loge  yaf  in  charge  and  heft." 


33 


ALL    REPAIR    TO    THE    CHAPEL. 


that  due  lodging 
was  provided  for 
his  retinue 


908  Tliys  Erie  thaim  faid,  to  pleiire  in  the  befte, 
"  For  here  I  perceiue  ful  fayre  ordinaunce." 
Nobley  thay  loged  thys  Erie  that  inftaunce. 


[Fol.  22  ] 
The  coursers  were 
well  lodged,  and 
provided  with 
rack  and  manger. 
The  Countess  was 
received  in  a 
golden  chamber, 


A  * 

.2  -£L  T 


Fill  fair  pauilon  thay  hym  gan  take, 
912  -^-*-  Ther  couriers  loged  paffrng  iidy  wel, 

Both  rekke  and  manger  at  their  eafe  gan  make, 

Infyde  tentes  ful  fair  eueridel. 

Gret  ther  labour  was  wherfor  atimed  wel. 
916  The  Counteffe  refceiued  in  that  houfold 

In-to  a  chambre  frefhly  bete  with  gold, 


where  many 
ladies  welcomed 
her.     All  mar- 
velled at  so  rich  a 
sight. 


The  chapel  was 
well  apparelled, 
high  and  low,  and 
stuffed  with  rich 
jewels.     The  earl 
and  countess  de- 
mand the  bride. 


'hich  men  pight  And  ftreight  vppon  the 
fontain ; 
Many  ladyes,  ful  of  gret  beute, 
920  Went  to  a  company  with  the  Counteffe  plain, 
Ech  welcomyng  hir  after  ther  degre. 
Al  meruelyd  there  thys  ryche  fight  to  fe, 
Als  of  the  noblenelfe  that  ey  myght  purches, 
924  Neuer  trowed  fe  fo  fair  in  no  place. 

RAymounde  with  the  Erie  that  tyme  logid  was. 
Of  ther  fair  chapel  doubt  therof  had  non, 
"Wel  apparailled  was  it,  hie  and  bas, 
928  With  riche  iewelles  ftuffed  manyon  ; 

What  wold  ye  fhold  fay  1  frefh  was  enuiron. 
The  ful  noble  Erie  And  thys  fair  counteffe 
The  efpoufe  demaundyd  thay  expreife. 


Melnsine  enters 
the  chapel,  freshly 
attired,  and  look- 
ing, not  human, 
but  angelic. 


932  rTmer  men  anon  forth  aplace  hir  brought, 
-*-    Fair  melufine,  enmyddes  the  chapel ; 
Thys  mayden  ful  fair  As  cowde  bene  I-thought, 
Frefhly  atired  rychely  and  ful  wel, 

936  That  al  hir  faw  preifed  thys  damycel, 

Sayng,  "it  was  noght  no  humayn  body  lyke, 
But  move  better  femed  a  thyng  angell-lyke." 


THE    WEDDING-FEAST. 


39 


THen  thys  faid  Erie  applied  vnto 
Thys  fair  meluline  to  refceiue  fothleffe, 
And  of  that  fid  wel  his  deuoir  gan  do, 
And  fid  wel  or  better  the  noble  coimteffe ; 
Al  tho  bothe  that  hour  weren  at  that  meffe. 
944  In  that  place  was  had  ful  gret  mynftracy  ; 
Both  hye  and  bas  inftrumentes  fondry ; 


A; 


Nd  fro l  that  conftantinople  vnto, 
In  no  place  was  fo  noble  a  fefte  made  ; 
948  Al  the  wodes  range  merdy  founding  tho, 
ther  was  no  perfone2  that  prefent  tynie  hade, 
But  that  "  merueles,"  faid,  "  I  fe  ful  fad  ; 
Neuer  lnunain  ey  faw  to  it  egal ! " 
952  With  great  ioy  made  thys  matrimonial. 


A£ 


fter  thys  meffe  don,  taken  haue  the  way ; 
The  Erie  the  efpoufe  courtoifly  forth  lad ; 
In  that  other  part,  A  prince  of  contray 
956  In-to  the  chef  hal  thys  fair  mayden  had, 
Which  noble  peple  held  that  day  ful  glad ; 
Ther  mete  al  redy,  vnto  waf  h  thay  went ; 
After  fette  As  was  moft  conuenient. 


[Fol.  22  b.] 
The  earl  and 
countess  duly 
receive  her. 
Minstrelsy  is 
heard,  both  of 
high  and  bass 
instruments. 


Never  was  so 
noble  a  feast. 
The  woods  rang 
merrily,  and  all 
agreed  that  hu- 
man eye  had 
never  seen  the 
like  of  it. 


The  mass  done, 
the  earl  led  forth 
the  bride,  and  a 
prince  conduct"  1 
her  to  the  chief 
hall. 


9G0  T) Elides  thys  maiden  thys  noble  Erie  fate, 
■U  The  gentile  coimteffe  next  fette  hym  vnto, 
After  A  gret  lord  of  contre  that  date, 
Which  for  gret  honour  worf hipped  was  fo. 

9G4  Raymounde  tho  fate  with  other  knightes  mo. 
The  courfe  tho  brouth3  in  with  fquiers  many, 
Gret  plente  there  had  of  deyntees  fondry, 


9G8 


w 


Hich  that  apperid  As  thing  infinite  f 


The  earl- sat  be- 
side the  bride, 
and  the  countess 
next  him.    The 
courses  were 
brought  in  by 
squires,  including 
great  plenty  of 
dainties. 


[Fol.  23.] 
There  was  wine  of 


With  wine  of  Angoy,  And  als  of  rochel  tho  Anjou,  and  of 

Rochelle ;  of 

Which  wold  efchawfe  the  braines  appetite  ; 

i  MS.  "for."  s  MS.  "prefonc." 

3  brought  (?)  4  MS.  "  infinite." 


40 


THE  TOURNAMENTS  AND  DANCING. 


Tonraine  and 
Beaune ;  also 
Clarre  Romain 
ami  Ypocras. 


Wine,  morever,  of 
Tours  and  Dijon, 
of  Auxerre  and 
Saint  Jougon ;  of 
St  Jean  d'Angely, 
and  others. 


Every  one  had 
abundance,  as 
much  as  he  asked 
for,  whether  of 
wine  or  meat. 


Wine  of  Tourain,  And  of  Bewnie  alfo, 
Which  iawne  colour  applied  noght  vnto  ; 
972  Clarre  Romain,  with  doucet  ypocras, 

Thorught  al  the  hal  rynnyng  hye  and  bas. 

Wine  of  Tourimz,  and  alfo  of  digon, 
Wyne  of  Aucerre,  of  feint  Jougon  alfo  ; 
976  Wyne  of  Seint  Johan  of  Angely  good  won, 
Of  it  fid  many  ther  fpake  and  tolde  tho  ; 
Wine  of  eftables,  of  mart '  alfo  ; 
After  thaim  cam  the  wyne  bafterd  good, 
980  Wine  of  feint  purfain,  and  of  ris  hys  brood. 


0' 


|Uer  all  thes  wines  ther  had  the  prife 
The  nouel  ofey  of  Dingenon, 
Off  all  the  wynes  named  to  deuife. 
984  Ther  all  peple  preuilage  had  echon, 
Euery  in  hys  loge  plente  and  fufon, 
Euery  of  that  which  thai  wold  demaund 
Off  wynes  and  of  uitaillouns  viand. 


After  this  lietran 
the  jousting, 
where  Ra.\  mond 
jousted  mightily. 
Next  they  unit  i«, 
vespers,  and  then 
to  supper. 


After  i 
Be-: 


988     4  fter  thys  diner,  men  to  iouftes  wrent ; 

fyde  the  fontain  ful  fair  iouftes  had  ; 
But  Eaymoimd  ioufted  ftrongly  and  feruent, 
Certainly  myghty  iouftes2  ther  he  made. 

992  Thys  Jouftes  dwred  tdl  fonne  went  to  glad. 
After  to  euefibng  went  euery  wyght, 
Ami  lin  to  Coper  fet  were  and  dyght. 


[Fol.  23  &.] 
After  Buppi  r  i  ame 
the  dancing.    At 

last  the  ),i  ide 
retired  into  a 

costly  pavilion, 


99G 


"ITThen  fopyd  fchay  had  at  ther  owuie  deuife, 

*  "     Strongly  thay  daunced,  ioying  merily 
Ful  long  that  night  in  righl  gladfom  wife. 
Ami  when  that  men  faw  time  approched  ny 
Vnto  go  to  bedde,  Ami  deperted  fully, 
1000   Men  made  the  efpoufe  to  depart  fair. 
Into  A  pauilon  made  fhe  A  retrair, 


1  MS.  "mart."      :  MS.  "ioufted,"  roughly  altered  to  "iouftes.1 


A    BISHOP    BLESSES    TIIEM. 


41 


0' 


tffwhom  moch  coft  the  foraging  And  makyng;  portrayed  with 

00  ^     °      painteil  birds. 

treid  it  was  with  briddes  frefhly,  '*'•><'» laW  *w 

the  beil,  and 

1004  Thys  fair  pauilon  rich  was  in  feing  ;  made  it  ready. 

Forth  Anon  the  hede  ftreight  And  made  redy, 
Which  with  flonre-delife  conerid  was  to  ey. 
Quicly  cam  Raymound,  in  the  hedde1  him  laide 

1008  By  fair  melnline,  the  fnete  doucet  made. 


F 


forfoth  A  Biffhop  which  that  tyme  tlier  was 
Signed  and  bliffid  the  bedde2  holyly; 
"  In  nomine  dei  "  fo  faid  in  that  place  ; 
1012  After  fro  thens  departed  haftily, 

For  the  ceafon  late  le[w]ger  to  tary. 
The  Erie  hym  withdrew  to  hys  pauilon  ; 
And  hys  good  moder,  time  was  and  ceafon, 


A  bishop  gave  his 
benediction,  "  in 

nomine  dei."    The 
earl  and  his  mo- 
ther also  retired 
to  their  tents. 


1016 


TNto  hir  chambre  goodly  went  to  bed. 
J-  Euery  man  went  to  hys  erbigage, 


But  fom  all  night  dyfported  And  folas  led, 
Singing,  dauncing,  difporting  -with  longage  ; 
1020  Many  fayr  fongis  fonge  that  compernage. 

( >1F  thys  noble  fefte  no  more3  you  will  breke, 
Off  gentile  Rayniound  fliall  I  to  you  fpeke, 


All  went  to  their 
allotted  chambers, 

but  sonic  spent 
the  whole  night 
in  singing  and 
dancing. 


1024 


w 

24     TT 


rich4  with  melnfme  lyght  ful  meryly,  [i'oi.  24.] 

Melnsine  ad- 

lo  whome  ful  fuetly  outred  Hie  and  fayd,  dresses  Raymond, 
"Xow  vnderftandilh,  fayre  I'wet  loue,  hertly,        his  good  fortune, 


The  Auentur  eomvn  vnto  vs  thys  braide 
That  we  togeders  by  grace  here  bene  laid, 
1028  Ryght  As  mAn  And  wyffe  after  entent, 
And  I  Am  her  at  your  commaundement ; 


B 


ut  that  othmoft  hold  which  Ihft  daymemade.  andofhisoath 

T  ,  nil         1  i  lately  made  to 

l  know  lull  wele,  when  ye  cam  to  pray  her.  sheteiis 


1  MS.  "beded."  2  "body;"  French  text.  Le  lit. 

3  MS.  "nomoic."  <  MS.  "Whiebt." 


42 


MELUSINE    CAUTIONS    RAYMOND. 


him  she  is  aware 
.  how  the  earl  in- 
quired concerning 
her  lineage ; 


she  proceeds  to 
tell  him  that  his 
good  fortune  will 
hist  as  long  as  he 
holds  to  his 
covenant : 


hut  that  if  he 
breaks  it,  he  will 
suffer  huge  harm- 
ful pains,  and  he 
disinherited  of  all. 


1032  The  Erie  of  peiters  And  knightes  that  he  had 
To  come  and  to  do  you  honour  that  day 
That  I  fhuld  he  maried  to  your  pay, 
Be l  you  enquered  full  moch  wat  it  was, 

1036  And  of  linage  ye  gan  me  purchas." 

HE  anfwered  hym  to  the  point  ful  wel, 
"Myn   owne   verray  loue,  now  douht 
ryght  noght." 
"  ye  fall  be  mofte  heft  fortuned  to  tell, 
1040  So  ye  couenaunt  hold  As  of  refon  ought, 
As  euer  was  Any  of  your  linage  brought, 
Hou-fomeuer  fortune  that  thay  haue  had, 
So  the  contrary  by  you  be  noght  made. 


ye 


1044 


Tff  it  be,  ye  f  hall  haue  gretly  to  doo 


huge  noifaunt  pannes  with  aduerfite, 
And  defherite  be  wrechedly  alfo 
Of  tennementes,  landes,  the  befte  to  fe  ; 
1048  It  wyl  be  fo  And  fertanly  fchal  be." 

"  Fayre  fwet  lade,"  faid,  "  I  you  plegg[e  t]routh 

myne, 
Whyle  I  leue  f  hal  be,  be  it  non  m[align]e,2 


[Fol.  25  &.]' 
He  again  swears 
to  be  faithful, 
giving  her  his 
hand  in  pledge  of 
his  sincerity. 


Melusine  cautions 
him  yel  on<  e 

more,  declaring 


1052 


FAlfhed  fhall  noght  be  our  faid  couenaunt, 
Of  which  here  beforne  made  haue  I  promeile  ; 
And  yut  I  wil  you  promit  the  fame  grant ;" 
hys  hand  vnto  heres  put  in  ge»till  Avyfe, 
Makyng  A  gret  oth  As  hert  cowde  deuife, 
105G  That  he  Avoid  it  hold  euer  entirely. 
Meluline  hym  hanlwered  fwetly, 

"  1VTow'  my  ^we^  i°ue>  i  ^xy  y°u  feitLfuiiy, 

-L*    If  ye  be  ftcdfafte  and  couenaunt  hold,4 

i  "  He  "  (?) 

2  A  piece  near  the  corner  of  the  page  is  here  torn  away. 

3  See  Note  to  1.  1050.  i  MS.  "bold." 


MELUSINE    GIVES   THE    COUNTESS    A    JEWEL. 


43 


10C0  In  good  hour  ye  bo  here  borne  treuely  ; 
kepe  it  truly,  befech  you  manyfold  ; 
For  in  my  part  fail  f hal  I  for  no  gold, 
Off  me  haue  ye  had  ful  tru  Affuraunce 

10G4  Which  I  fhall  hold;  no  more  fay  thys  inftaunce." 


that  she  will 
never  fail  in  her 
part  of  the  cove- 
nant. 


With  clipping,  kiffyng,  that  nyght  gan  do  fo,  Their  eldest  son 

That  an  fair1  fone  ther  engendred  was  ;  u'rien,  whose 

-,-r   .  n      i      i    ,  i      i  j_t  famous  deeds  will 

\  nen  callya  at  tliat  tyme  tlio. 


10G8  Dedis  and  warkis  fuch  gan  he  purchas 
As  in  tyme  fhal  hire  the  mater  and  cas. 
Thys  fefte  endured  dais  fid  fiftene  ; 
At  ende  to  lordis  yiftes  gaf  meluiine, 


be  told  of  here- 
after.   The  feast 
concluded, 


io; 


A 


iSTd  to  lades  which  that  men  brought 
With  thys  roial  and  noble  Counteffe. 


Melusine  gives 
very  rich  presents 
to  all,  who  won- 

Al  faid   ther,    "  lord   god !  what  wyfe  is  this  and  uberaiity. 


wrought, 
Which  that  we  fe  here  prefent  of  rycheffe  1 
1076  Maried  is  he  vnto  gret  kineffe  !" 

Raymounde  of  all  moch  ther  preifed  was, 
No  worldly  man  myght  better  in  no  cas. 


A  fter  when  it  cam  vnto  departfon, 
1080  -£*-  Faire  melufine  went  fafte  ther  openyng 

A  forcelet2  wrought  frefh  of  yuor3  bon  ; 

A  formelet, 4  of  gret  ualure  beyng, 

With  preiious  ftonis  gerneffhed  that  thyng, 
108-4  With  vertues  perles  ful  ma«y, 

To  the  counteffe  gaf  it  verra  hertly, 


w 


rhich  of  that  iewel  fhe  ful  gret  ioy  had 
Thens  deperted  the  Erie  and  hys  maine, 
1088  Which  were  ful  noble  peple,  good  and  fad, 

1  MS.  "  an  m  fair."  2  "forccrct"  (?) 

a  MS.  "  your."  *j<  fermelet "  (?) 


[Fol.  26.] 
She  opens  an  ivory 
casket,  and  draws 
from  it  a  clasp 
garnished  with 
precious  stones, 
which  she  gives  to 
the  countess. 


The  earl  and  las 
people  depart, 


u 


THE    EARL    AND    HIS    PEOPLE    DEPART. 


Melusine  taking 
her  leave  of  thetu. 


The  fair  meliifme  liir  leue  take  hath,  fhe 
Of  thys  faid  counteffe  of  fid  hy  degre 
By-fom  al  peple  honourabylly, 
1092  And  of  thys  fayd  Erie  ryght  femblabdly, 


Leaping  up  to 
their  saddles, 
they  ride  away. 
Raymond  accom- 
panies them  to 
the  edge  of  the 
forest. 


Off  lades  And  of  maydens  all. 
Thai  leaping  vp  ther  fadelles  unto, 
Openly  ther  thens  went  that  enterual ; 
1096  But  gentill  Raymound  conueied  tham  fo, 
With  peple  of  eftat  Acompanied  tho, 
With  hyin  wold  not  haue  creature  Afoote, 
ISToght  paffyng  Columberes  woodes  foote. 


At  leave-taking, 
the  earl  would 
fain  have  asked 
Raymond  who 
Melusine  is,  but 
durst  not.    Ray- 
mond, seated  on  a 
courser, 


1100  T)Ayrnounde  of  thys  Erie  ther  hys  leue  gan 
-ti     take, 

But  the  Erie  draft  noght,  And  fid  fayn  wold, 
Ryght  gladly  hym  A  demaimde  to  make, 
Off  fair  nielufine,  what  fhe  was,  tel  fhold  ; 

1104  Fid  moch  he  thought,  but  yut  hys  pes  gan  hold  ; 
Fere  of  difplefaunce  of  Raymound  any  wyfe. 
On  A  courfere  fate  fid  fair  to  deuyfe, 


[Fol.  20  &.] 
takes  his  leave  of 
the  earl,  and  re- 
turns to  Melusine, 
u  ho  receives  him 
joyously     At  the 
end  of  eight  days, 
all  the  trees  in 
the  wood  were 
uprooted 


1108 


nil' 


Off  thys  Erie  toke  leue ;  after  gan  retorne 
Streight  vnto  hys  wyf  kyffyng  hir  fwetly, 
And  thought  in  hert  ther  vnto  fogorn, 
Which  hym  refceiued  ryght  ml  ioyoufly. 
Er  that  eight  dais  were  ended  fully, 
Al  the  wodys  were  roted  up  and  gon ; 
<  If  laborers  had  plente  and  fufon, 


h_v  labourers  of  an 
unknown  nation. 
They  made 
uideouslj    leep 
ditches,  and  were 


NO  man  knew  whens  was,  ne  of  what  nacion ; 
Ful  gret  diches  made,  ryght  huge  and  pro- 
founde, 
111G  Fid  hiduous  was  to  behold  adon ; 

No  caufe  had  thai  ditmaing  thaim  no  ftound, 
Neither  no  deffautc  i»  jx-  paraewt  found, 


THE    BUILDING    OF   LUSIGNAN. 


45 


Euery  day  had  ther  money  and  argent, 
1120  The  laborers  were  the  more  diligent. 


diligent,  finding 
themselves  well 
paid. 


T 


Ihe  fundementes  made  thai  right  profounde, 
(Ful  wel  know  may  he  if  y  myffay,  lo  !) 
Fair  melufme  was  deuifer  of  that  ground, 
1124  And  of  werke  alfo  lyke  as  it  was  do. 

Yppon  the  quicke  Eoehe  thay  it  fett  tho  ; 
The  fyrfte  ftones  to  put  thay,  and  made 
In  litell  of  tyme  ;  Mafons  I-now  had. 


They  made  deep 
foundations, 
building  a  castle 
upon  the  live  rock 
according  to 
Melusine's  plan. 


1128  rTlhe  walles  hye  deuifed  fhe  echon, 

-*-    Wei  founded  was  vppon  the  faid  uayley ; 
Too  ftrong  toures  made  with  a  huge  dongim, 
And  Enuiron  an  hy  with  wardes  ftrong  that  day. 

1132  Of  it  meruelyd  ftrongly  the  contray, 

hou  ful  fone  men  made  this  faid  ftrong  repair. 
And  when  thys  caftell  was  haf tiled  fair,1 


There  were  two 
strong  towers 
with  a  huge  dun- 
geon; insomuch 
that  all  the  coun- 
try marvelled. 


Ihys  fwete  melufme  faw  it  fidl  fair  tho, 
1136    -■-    After  hir  ryght  name  gan  it  fhe  Baptife ; 

Off  hir  name  fhe  hath  taken  a  part,  lo  ! 

lufignen  to  name  yaf  after  hir  deuife, 

yut  is  oueral  named  in  that  wife ; 
1 1 40  Many  hare  that  name,  it  ahoute  gan  cry, 

And  yut  is  ryght  and  cried  was  fuerly ; 


[FoL  27.] 
Melusine  bap- 
tized the  castle 
after  the  latter 
part  of  her  own 
name,  calling  it 
Lusignen. 


N( 


"Oght-withftandyng  the  good  kyng  Ciprian 
hit  cried  lufignen  euer  in  his  cry, 
1144  As  the  hiftory  feith  to  euery  man 

Off  whom  after  f hal  do  make  memory. 
Melufigne  is  As  moche  to  fay  truly, 
Ryght  As  ho  feith,  merueles  fauti[t]h  non  ; 
1148  She  was  A  woman  A-per-fe,  alon. 

1  At  the  bottom  of  the  page  is  the  catchword— This  fwet  melu- 
fme faw. 


The  meaning  of 
Melusine  is,  "no 
marvels  are  lack- 
ing," she  being  a 
woman  A-per-se. 


46 


THE    BIRTH    OF    URIEN. 


When  this  castle 
was  built,  high 
walls  anil  all, 
people  won- 
dered how  it  had 
been  finished 
so  soon. 


YE  may  fe  here  A  comfort  meruelous, 
Moclie  more  then  other  ftrange  auenture. 
Wei  was  A-cheuecl  this  caftel  beuteuous, 
1152  Al  A-boute  reifed  wonder  hy  wallnre. 

Euery  man  faid  it  was  A  huge  dede  lure, 
That  thys  faid  caftel  was  fo  fone  made ; 
The  peple  wondred  and  gret  meruel  had. 


Melnsine  bare  a 
son,  named  Urien, 
whose  visage  was 
very  short  and 
broad,  and  who 
had  one  eye  red, 
the  other  gray ; 


1156  nnhys  fair  melufme  here  in  hir  tyme  bare  ; 

J-    At  nyne  monthes  ende  childed  fhe  A  fone, 

vrien  named,  the  foth  to  declare,1 

Which  that  after  was  of  ful  gret  renone  ; 
1160  But  hys  uifage  was  ftrange  to  uiiion, 

For  it  was  full  f hort  And  large  in  trailers ; 

On  ey  was  rede,  Another  grey  dyuers. 


[Fol.  27  6.] 
also  a  huge  mouth 
and  great  nostrils; 
yet  well  made-  ;is 
regarded  his  legs, 
arms,  and  feet. 


"IjWery  man  myght  fe  it  openly, 
1164  -^  Huge  mouth  And  large  gret  noftrelles  alfo  ; 

neuer  man  fain  non  to  hym  egally  ; 

But  of  body  was  inly  wele  made  tho, 

Off  legges,  of  Amies,  of  feete  therto, 
1168  In  it  not  failled  thing  thouchyng  nature, 

And  at  the  ful  made  vnto  hvs  ftature. 


After  that  she 
made  a  city,  with 
high  walls  and 
towns,  well  pro- 
vided with  loop- 
holes. 


A  fter  that  tyme  made  fhe  fid  huge  honoures, 
■■£*-  Fourged  the  brought  in  moirnt  of  bew-re- 
pair, 
1172  The  walles  bild  hye,  and  als  tours, 

The  goinges  and  comynges  wroughten  fair, 
All  couered  and  made,  non  might  ben  gair  : 
At  louers,  lowpes,  Archers  had  plento, 
1176  To  cAft,  draw,  and  fhete,  the  diffence  to  be, 


ITmat  non  wordly  man  myght  no  wyfe  it  take  ; 
-*-    So  ftrong  with  peple  Acompanyed  was, 
i  (i  yrycn  "  is  here  scrawled  in  the  margin  in  a  later  hand. 


THE    BIRTH    OF    CEDE. 


47 


Saracen  trumpet- 
ers. 


That  ffcrenght  ful  ftrong  with  peple  gan  make,     The  .niches  were 

°  °  x  of  great  breadth, 

1180  The  cliches  profunde  large  brede  gan  purchas,       and  the  gates 

large  and  long. 

With  this  toure  couerid  hye  and  bas, 
The  yates  Iiunelles,  mighty  and  ftrong, 
To  fain  the  trouth,  fid  large  were  and  long. 

1184     A  twixft  the  borough  and  thys  ftrenght  myghtly  Between  the  town 

f\  and  the  fort  was 

-*--*-  A  place  ther  fourged  merueloufly  ftrong,       made  a  strong 

tower,  called 

The  toure  trompe  fom  callyd  it  daily,  "Troinpe;" 

for  it  was  gar- 

In  lulignen  town  fo  named  tham  among  ;  risoned  with 

1188  For  Sariiins  trompers  tho  were  put  ful  long, 

To  ende  this  faid  toure  thay  fold  kepe  and  ward, 
And  al  enuiron  aboute  to  rewarde 


That  peple  noght  approch  neither  to  com  ny,  [p0i.  28.] 

But   tho  of  that  ftrenght  fhold    it  know  MduslnTbarTa 

-.    r,  son  named  Oede, 

and  le.  wno  had  a  face 

That  yere  childed  fhe  the  fecunde  fonne  truly,     splendent  with 
Oede1  named  ;  a  fair  femblant  had  he, 
As  fhinyng  fire  his  uifage  femynge  be, 
1196  With  wonder  redneffe  fo  refplendifing  ; 
his  membres  fid  fair  formid  in  niakyng ; 


r 


"X  that  fame  yere  made  that  lady  fair  That  year  she 

The  caftel  and  brought  which  men  callen  mel,  and  town  named 
1200   Vauuant  and  meruant  made  lhe,  non  gair,  others,  including 


The  tour  of  feint  Meffent  after  made  ful  wel ; 
The  Borugh  fourged,  the  abbey  gan  echclel, 
Where  ]?rtt  our  lady  is  ferued  alway ; 
1204  And  After  the  town  of  noble  partenay. 


Parthenay. 


A1 


Nd  Als  the  caftel  fourged  fhe  roial,  She  also  made  tho 

With  good  lime  and  ftone  fref  lily  vnto  fight,  nay  with  good 
Toures,  torettes,  pinacles,  and  harde  wall ;  towers,  turrets', 

1208  The  craftifmen  wrought  As  tho  perfight.  wall 


Oede  is  also  in  the  margin,  written  in  the  later  hand. 


48 


THE    BIRTH    OF    GUY,    AND    OF    ANTONY. 


Her  third  son 
was  named  Guy, 
who  was  of  great 
beauty,  saving 
that  he  had  one 
eye  a  little  lower 
than  the  other. 


By  that,  Baymound  was  doubted  of  ecli  wight, 
Into  gret  honour  rifen  is  A-hy, 
And  worfhipped  is  in  ech  company. 

1212     A  ffcer  fhe  had  the  third  fon  fair  withall ; 
-£*-  A  more  fairer  neuer  fay[«]  with  ey, 
Off  beute  ynow  vnto  him  gan  fal, 
hit  cowde  noght  ben  withfaid  certainly  ; 

1216  Sauyng  b«t  on  ey  had  he  more  bafly 
Then  bat  other  a  litel l  ther  feniyng, 
Men  callyd  hym  Guy,  which  doubted  no-thyng.5 


[Fol.  28  b.] 
The  same  year 
was  founded 
Rochelle;  and 
soon  after  she 
built  a  great 
bridge,  for  which 
she  received 
great  praise. 


1220 


T 


hen  that  faid  fame  yere  founded  was  Rochell, 
In  peito,  by  fair  melufine  this  lady. 


After  taried  noght,  but  litel  gan  dwel, 
That  A  fid  faire  brigge  made  fhe  vnto  ey, 
(As  ther  cornicles3  fhewith  openly), 
1224  And  in  talmondois  fourged  was  to  fe, 

Of  which  werke  gret  loos  ther  refceiued  fhe. 


Her  fourth  son 

w.i-  \iithouy, 
who  had  on  his 
jaw  a  mark  like  a 
imii  made  by  a 
lion. 


All  the?e  things 
are  true.  And 
when  it  pleased 
our  Sovereign 
Lord,  this  lady 
had  the  fifth  son, 


A 


Xon  after  had  fhe  born  in  certain 
The  fourth  fone,  callyd  and  named  Antony,4 
1228  But  in  hys  iaw  bare  A  hurt  ful  of  pain 

Off  A  lyon,  which  al  hys  life  bare  ful  fighty  ; 
To  hym  A  gret  ftonyng  was  it  verdy, 
To  moche  fkin  grow,  A  long  feme  cutting ; 
1232  But  hardy  man  was,  noght  drad  ne  fering. 

All  Is  trouth  that  I  outre  you  or  fay, 
Doubt  ye  noght  of  it  that  I  you  do  tel ; 
In  luxenbrough  fair  thyng  made  that  day. 
1236  Thys  lady  norifhed  thes  clnldren  ful  wel 

Till  thay  wer  growyn  ryght  large,  wyfe,  and  fell ; 
And  when  it  pleafed  our  lord  fouerain, 
The  fyfte  child  thys  lady  had  again, 

1  MS.  "alitel."        2  In  the  margin  is  guy  in  the  later  hand. 
3  Sic  in  MS.  '  In  the  margin,  AvBovt. 


TIIE   BIRTH    OP   RAYNOLD,    OF   GEOFFREY,    AND    OF   FROMOXT.       49 


1240  TYThich  in  his  hed  had  on  ey  and  no  mo, 
'  '     Mofte  hiefte  fet,  wonderly  to  fe. 
hys  name  of  Baptime  Raynold  called  tho  ;l 
his  fight  more  clerer  ueryle  then  he 

1 244  AYhiche  to  eyes  had,  for  al  their  plente  ; 
Merueles  gret  gan  do,  after  ye  f hal  hire, 
So  it  may  he  hurde  thys  tale  hole  entire. 


whose  baptismal 
name  was 
Raynold.    He  had 
but  one  eye,  but 
his  sight  was 
clearer  than  that 
of  a  person  who 
has  two  eyes,  for 
all  their  plenty. 


1248 


G 


Affrey  with  gret  toth  Afterwarde  fhe  hare,2  [Foi.  29  ] 

The  next  was 

\\  Inch  growyn  in  mouth  A  wonder  toth  Geoffrey  with  the 

great  tooth,  which 
hade,  issued  from  his 

mouth,  great  and 
square.    It  was 
he  who  slew  the 
black  monks  of 
Maillezais  abbey ; 


Which  without  iflued  pafing  gret  and  fquare  ; 
he  ineruelous  ftrong,  of  nothyng  Adrad, 
Blacke  monkes  he  flay,  to  mortail  deth  lad ; 
1252  Off  mailers  Ahhay  were  thay,  lef  or  loth, 

Which  caufyd  hys  fader  ftrongly  to  he  wroth.3 


Af 


gain  melufine  wrothed  he  fid  fore, 
That  to  hir  fayd  moch  repref  and  velony, 
125G  That  hir  company  loft  for  euer-more  ; 
Which  caufid  a  fal  fro  hys  Aftat  hy 
To  hys  gret  repref,  ryght  to  fhamfully, 
As  after  wyl  make  declaracyon, 
1260  Of  al  ther  warkis  the  conclufyon. 


which  event 
caused  his  father 
to  be  angry  with 
Melusine,  and 
was  the  cause  of 
all  his  mis- 
fortunes. 


T1 


^he  feffe  child  Ffromont  that  time  callyd  was,4  TiieseVenth 
Of  ftature  of  perfone  hie,  gret,  and  long, 
Inly  wel  formed,  pulcrious  of  face, 
12G4  Sage,  fuhtile,  wel  taught,  myghty  and  ftronge ; 
But  vppon  hys  none  fuch  a  tach  had  fong, 
Byght  As  A  wolfes  fkyn  row  was  it  tho, 
Ful  ftrange  vnto  fight  to  fe  hys  nofe  foo. 


son 
was  Fromont, 

who  had  a 
blemish  on  his 
nose.    It  was 

rough  as  a  wolf's 
skin,  so  that  his 
nose  was  a 
sti  auge  sight. 


1  In  the  margin,  Raynold  with'on  ye. 

2  In  the  margin,  geffrcy  withe  gret  tothe. 

3  MS.  "  wroght." 

4  In  the  margin,  Froymonde  tv]_as]  a  monke,  andw[as]  burnd. 


50 


BIRTH    OF    HORRIBLE.       URIENS    AND   GUY   LEAVE   HOME, 


The  eighth  son 
was  Horrible ,  he 
had  three  eyes, 
and  was  of  .a  very 
wicked  disposi- 
tion. 


[Fol.  29  6.] 
We  now  return 
to  Uriens,  who 
was  grown  big, 
mighty,  strong, 
and  light ;  and 
was  fond  of  war. 


He  took  ship  at 
Rochelle  in  a 
barge,  with  Guy 
and  much  people ; 
intending  to  go 
and  acquire  lands. 


They  took  with 
them  much  silver 
and  gold,  ami 
went  to  sea    Boon 
came  they  to 

Cyprus. 


The  king  Of 
Cyprus  was  then 
being  tK 


1268  rTlhen  the  eighteth  fone  "borne  of  Melufm, 
J-   Thre  eyes  hauyng  on  in  front  uifible ; l 
Moclie  peplo  meruellyd  and  wonderd  ther-i», 
Thys  child  named  and  called  horrible  ; 

1272  For  hym  vnto  fe  was  thyng  terrible, 
And  alfo  he  was  of  wycked  doing, 
In  no  goodneffc,  thought  but  to  do  ille  thing. 


1276 


"\Tow  re 
IN    Wli 


retorn  Again  vnto  vriens, 
Which  of  thani  was  the  nioft  aunc/on. 
Eche  fhal  declare  hy  ordres  diligens, 
That  men  may  perceiue  dul  am  not  ther-on. 
vriens  was  A  fair  fquier  of  perfon, 
1280  Growen  M  bygg,  myghtly,  ftronge,  and  lyght, 
AYilling  to  know  where  by  fee  and  lande  ryght. 


At  Eocb 
(And 


t  Eochel  toke  A  f hippe  ful  fair  and  large, 
nd  for 
entire, 


(And  for  fhe  was  long,  wide,  hole,  founde, 


1284  I  founde  in  fcripture  that  it  was  A  barge), 
Sayng  \ai  he  wold  go  land  to  acquire, 
So  god  hym  warde  fro  perel  to  plefur ; 
]\loche  peple  with  hym  had,  the  barge  ful  was ; 

1288  Ther  Guy  with  hym  went  landes  to  purchas. 

IN  many  places  preuid  was  hardly 
Thys  forfaiden  Guy  truly  manyfold. 
And  to  wel  find  ther  peple  only, 
1292  The  fair  melufine  of  filuer  and  gold 

( !  ret  plente  toke,  in  trefour  ftore  to  hold. 
Into  fee  thay  went,  the  fayl  vp  gan  reife, 
To  cipreffe  contre  ther  f  hippes  gan  teife 

1296  Qtreight   to   that    place   wher    fair    auenture 
^        funde. 
Of  Cipreffe  the  kyng  tho  hefeged  was 

1  In  the  margin,  hoiryhle  with  Hi  yes. 


AND    COME    TO    FAMAGOUSTA,    IN    CYPRUS. 


51 


In  A  myghty  towne,  which  owyd  that  i'tound ; 
Named  Famagouce'  that  cite  and  place  ; 
1300  Which,  enfaimling,  Almofte  gan  purchaee 
The  foudan  bigly  the  town  befeging, 
\\  lth  an  hundred  thottfande  men  fightyng. 


Famagou  ita, 
which  the  Sultan 
had  nearly  taken. 


301  " 


ff  it  knew  vriens  the  uerite, 
Off  Famagouce l  the  Cite  roial ; 
land  toke,  referfhing2  hym  and  hys  maine. 
Forth-with  declarid  to  hys  peple  all, 
And  to  thys  Cite  his  peple  gan  cal, 
1308  Wher-vnto  thai  had  An  euyn  ftreight  way ; 
And  beforne  tham  his  baner  gan  difplay, 


[Fol.  30.] 

Uriens  lands, 
and,  calling  his 
men  together, 
displays  his  ban- 
ner. 


w. 


arrayed  against 
tin.'  sultan. 


hych  of  Fine  hike  was  enbrauded  l'refhly.     Both  Saracens 

and  citizens  see 

The  Saraiins  knew  and  faw  ther  comyng ;  them  coming. 

..  Soon  were  they 

1312  All  tho  in  cite  knew  tham  uerily, 

And  ther  oofte  myght  fee  fid  faft  herbiging, 

The  peple  of  Armes  ther  difloging. 

Nye  to  the  foudan  thai  re[n]gid  tho  were  ; 

131G  As  to  the  Cipriens  to  fight  femywg  there, 


T 


lhat  the  Soudan  caft  Away  for  feere  to  flee ; 
That  faid  to  othir,  "we  moft  after  few." 
The  kyng  Armed  was  VfiiJi  fair  Ermynec, 
1320  hys  fwet  doughtcr  fid  maydenly  to  vew, 
hyr  honorous  fader  with  harnois  new  ; 
Ther  hym  conueing  ryght  ful  curtoilly, 
Ynto  hys  conifer  ful  debonairly. 

132-4  rprompes,  clarions,  blew  up  faft  founding, 
J-   The  kynges  baner  lifte,  vp-reifed  by ; 
Ther  full  gret  affray  was  at  ther  mellyng, 
The  paynymes  faw  the  kyng  cam  frefhly, 


The  sultan  medi- 
tated Bight; 
which  the  king 
perceived,  and 
was  at  once  at  med 
by  Ermynee  hia 
daughter,  and 
mounted  his 
horse. " 


Trumps  and 
clarions  sound. 
A  hard  conflict 
ensues,  and  many 
Christians  and 


1  MS.  "  Samagouce." 
MS.  "  referfhing ;  "  the  er  is  blotted. 
4  • 


52 


URIENS    AND    GUY    HELP    THE    KING    OP    CYPRUS. 


Saracens  are 
slain. 


[Fol.  30  6] 
The  king  is  shot 
with  a  poisoned 
dart,  and  the 
surgeons  fear  that 
they  cannot  heal 
him. 


The  Cyprians 
thereupon  retreat, 
closely  followed 
by  the  Saracens 
Great  clamour  in 
the  city. 


Ermynee  bemoans 
her  father,  and 
tears  her  goldish 
hair,  perceiving 

that  he  had  ar- 
rived at  death's 
door. 


Meanwhile 
Uriens  and  Guy 
had  displayed 
their  banners, 


1328  Anon  Affembled  that  full  haftily  ; 

Many  A  criftyn  Approched  deth  in  hafte, 
And  Sarafins  many  to  mortal  detli  cafte. 


1332 


rTuie  fariiins  were  myghty,  fers,  And  ftrong ; 


Tlie   Cipriens   fhewed    ther    ftrenght    and 
myght. 
Tlie  king  withe  a  dart1  toxicat  poifon  fong, 
Such  A  malice  ftroke  his  foes  hym  dight 
That  hi  garifon  hym  wold  take  no  wight. 
133G  Tho  Sourgeons  doubte,  As  thay  gan  report, 
Wherfor  the  peple  were  tho  difcomforth. 


T 


me2  Cipriens  went  for  fere  euermore, 
The  farifmes  after  full  faft  fleing, 
1340  Into  the  thowne  thay  bete  thaim  before, 
Many  ther  ilain  And  many  don  caftyng. 
In  that  towne  was  horrible  crying, 
As  for  tho  wounded  And  Als  tho  ilayn  ; 
1314  And  for  the  kynges  hurt,  ther  fouerain, 


F 


wll  dolorous  wo  ther  enforced  was  ; 
Ermyne  by-ment  hir  good  fader  fore, 
Gret  torment  to  hir  ther  gan  fhe  purchas, 
1 348  hir  goldif h  herre  tering,  breking,  euermore, 
For  hir  fader  and  lord  lying  hir  before, 
Whom  perceiued  riued  at  dethes  port, 
And  that  no  maw3  cowde  yif  theroff  comfort. 


1352 


f\ff  kyng  Ciprian  leue  we  fhal  and  reft, 


Ami  of  vrions  fpeke  and  talke  we  fhall, 
^\'llich  was  wui'tliy,  uaillant,  and  gentilleft, 
Full  femly  to  fee,  lufty  ouer  all ; 
1356  And  of  his  brother,  that  Guy  men  do  cal, 
Of  fader  And  moder  As  beforn  is  faid  ; 
Ther  baneres  were  openly  difplayd, 


1  MS.  "adart." 


»  MS.  "Thy." 


3  MS.  "noma.' 


UBIENS    KILLS    THE   SULTAN. 


53 


13G0 


ANdi 
XX    A  ft 


in  tlier  handes  full  fafte  ean  to  hold. 


[Fill.    31.] 

and  attacked  the 
A  fers  and  hardy  ftoure  thcr  a  man '  fliold  fe,  Saracen 


\Vhen  to-geders  mete  with  fpeiys  manyfold. 
The  petyuins  tham  hare  As  warly  men  fre ; 
For  ther  good  vitail  and  wines  plente 
1364  The  more  ftrenger  were  And  the  more  femly ; 
Affautes  tha[y]  gafe  dyuers  And  fondry. 


The  men  of 
Poitou,  owing  to 
their  Rood  victual 
ami  plentiful 
Wine,  were 
stronger  than 
their  foes. 


T1 


Iher  vriens  fhewed  his  nohle  proweffe, 
Many  he-gan  lie  and  hurt  manyon  ; 
1368  his  brother  Guy  in  lyke  befmeffe, 

Men  hym  doubted  As  thai  wold  A  lion ; 
Paynymes  hym  drad,  fered  hys  perfon  ; 
After  wifte  noght  the  foudan  what  to  do, 
1372  But  with  fpores  priked  hys  courfere  tho. 


Urions  and  Ony 
are  dreaded  by 

the  Saracens ; 
and,  at  last,  the 
Sultan  presses 
forward  at  full 
speed, 


ff 


Ts  forbefhed  fwerd  of  ftele  fafte  holding, 
To  A  peiteuin  wightly  fmote  he  fafte, 
So  that  neuer  myght2  be  purcharTyng, 
1376  With-in.  litel  while  ftanded  was  in  hafte ; 

The  timbre  And  yre  thorugh  hys  body  wrafte. 
hyt  perceiued  tho  gentile  vriens  ; 
Semyng  fro  hym-feMe,  with  gret  uiolens, 


smiting  down  a 

Poitevin  with  his 
furbished  sword, 
so  that  hoth 
wooden  hilt  anil 
iron  blade  pierced 
through  his  In »ly 


r 


1 380  TN  hys  handes  twain  hys  fwerd  faft  gripte  he,    Uriells ^''i13 his 
Such  A  ftroke  ther  yaf  the  Soudan  vnto, 

To  teeth  cliue  liis  hed  for  hys  cruelte, 

WttMn  the  Soudan  entred  his  fwerd  fo ; 
1384  Vnto  mortall  deth  fell  this  paynym  tho, 

The  paynymes  All  abafhed  heuily. 

Such-wife  vriens  wrought  dedes  Army, 


sword  in  both 
hands,  and  cleaves 
the  Sultan  to  the 
teeth,  at  which 
the  Paynims  are 
distressed, 


That  both  paynymes,  turkes,  And  furiens, 
That  As  A  larke  fro  A  haute  doth  fie, 
And  hare  fro  grohund  As  for  ther  diffence, 


1  MS.  "aman." 


2  MS.  "  nyglit." 


[Fol.  31  6] 
so  that  Paynims, 
Turks,  and  Syri- 
ans flee  fast  to 
their  ships,  hard 
pressed  by  Uriens. 


54 


THE    KING    OF    CYPRUS    IS    MORTALLY    WOUNDED. 


Uriens  determines 
to  rest  awhile  in 
the  tents  of  the 
conquered  foes; 
but,  before  long, 
come  a  troop  of 
Cyprians, 


who  beseech  him 
to  visit  the  king, 
as  the  king  cannot 
visit  him,  being  so 
sorely  wounded. 


ITc  answers  that 
he  will  come 
gladly,    r/riena 
and  his  brother 
"light  themselves 
freshly  in  noble 
array,  and  set  off 


[Fol.32.] 
Many  a  ( 

I 

would  conquer  all 

lands  by  his 

appearance. 


So  fieyng  thay  vnto  thar  naue. 
Vriens  which  had  to  tham  enmyte 
1392  As  for  to  dyftroy  the  farifins  all, 

Smote  vppon  thaim  As  vppon  curres  fhal.1 

mer  by'2  vryens  And  curtois  Guy 
"Were  flayn  of  paynymes  the  myghtieft. 
139G  Vriens  in  ther  tentes  thought  long  finely, 
Thens  thought  not  go,  but  ther  take  to  refte, 
Sin  vppon  paynyms  had  he  fuch  conquefte. 
Ther  ne  taryed  he  noght  ouer3  long, 
1400  That  the  Cipriens  cam  befdy  ftrong 

Off  the  hinges  part  to  hym  fend,  and  come, 
Befechyng  tham  com  to  the  cite, 
Off  frendlyhed  the  way  to  hym  nome, 
1 404  For  vnto  tham  come  certes  myght  not  he ; 
For  vnnethes  myght  fpeche  on  hym  be, 
Strayned  with  fekneffe  fuch  wyfe  was  tho, 
Wounded  and  hurt  with  hys  cnemyes  foo. 


1408 


TTThen  vriens  was  thaim  vnderftandyng, 


he  Anfwerd  thaim  ryght  ful  curtoifly, 
That  gladly  wold  he  Approche  that  hy  kyng. 
In  noble  Aray  greithed  thaim  frefhly 
1412  Vryens  And  hys  brother  in  company, 

Towardes  the  kyng  whent  thai  forth  Anon ; 
Moche  went  Cipryan,  beholdyng  the  perfon 


0' 


||ff  vriens,  which  he  faw  moche,  large,  And 
grett, 

1 4 1 G  Ther  feing  he  had  A  fid  ftrange  uifage 
In  horrible  wyfe,  As  he  went  by  ftrett, 
Euery  man  blcffed,  fayng  in  ther  paffage, 
That  neuer  fuch  a  man 4  faw  in  al  ther  age  ; 


1  "final"  (?) 
3  MS.  "oure." 


2  MS.  "  Thcrby." 
1  MS.  "  aman." 


URIEXS    VISITS    III.U    ON    HIS    DEATHBED. 


55 


1420  "By  refon,"  faid,  "lie  fhukl  do  conquere1 
All  landes  vriih  hys  femblant  and  cliere ; 


F 


"On  sliold  to  fight2  hym  attende  nc  hide, 
"Which  fro  hym  may  Any  wyfe  diffende ; 
1124  ho,  lord  god,  ho?  noght  A  geaunt  no  tide  ! 
I  you  enfure,  meruelus  is  to  attende  ! " 
At  the  gret  paleis  gan  thay  to  diffende ; 
On  grice  went  vp,  the  kyng  on  bed  thay  foun.de, 
1428  Hys  nofe,  hys  mouth  holned  gret  that  ftounde, 


fur  that  none 
would  dare  to 
stand  against  him. 
On  arriving,  they 
ascend  the  palace 
steps,  and  find 
the  king's  nose 
and  mouth 
swollen, 


w 


ith  toxicat  uenym  replete  was  certain  ;  and  the  king  rc- 

hym  ther  complaynyng  and  fid  fore  be-  Uriens  salutes 

him  humbly,  who 
llient.  *  returns  his  saluta- 

tion, and  great 

thanks  also. 


humbly  vriens  falute  thys  fouerain, 
1432  Thys  kyng  which  in  body  tliis  poifon  hent ; 
Anon  hys  faluz  yild  forthwith  ther  prefent, 
Sayng,  "  ye  haue  me  feruyd  nobilly, 
And  to  me  ye  haue  done  gret  curtefy  ; 

143G  "VTEuer  in  my  lyf  no  fuch  no  had." 

-*- '    Thes  wordes  outred  the  kyng  of  Cipriens, 
After  deniaundyng  vriens  ful  fad, 
"What  be  ye?    what   is  your  name   bis   pre- 
fentens  ? " 

1440  "  "Wbrfhipful  kyng,  men  cal  me  vriens  ; 
Off  hvfignen  am  naturally  grow, 
I  wyll  that  my  name  to  all  men  ben  know." 


The  king  further 
demands  Uriens' 
name,  who 
answers  that  he 
is  Uriens  of 
Lusignen. 


1444 


TN  faith,"  fayd  the  kyng,  »  of  it  am  I  glad 
■-  That  dreffyd  and  come  ye  be  to  thys  place,  see  him,  but  tells 

him  that  he  feels 


[Fol.  32  h  ] 
The  king  is  glad  to 


And  that  your  wyll  were  truly  to  be  hade 
Swet  frende,  I  fele  mortal  dethe  me  brace, 
Neuer  After  thys  comforth  to  purchace 
1448  Off  furgery-crafte  ne  with  medicine, 
For  ftuffcd  I  am  ful  of  uenyme, 
1  MS.  "  comqucrc."  -   MS.  "fight." 


he  is  Incurably 
wounded,  being 
Btuffed  lull  of 
venom ; 


56 


THE    KING    OF    CYPRUS    TELLS    HIS    BAROXS 


wherefore  he  be- 
sought him  to 
please  to  con- 
descend to  accept 
his  gift,  which 
Uncus  does. 


Whereof  lieltli  neuer  fhal  I  not  conquere, 
But  of  my  days  fhortly  to  make  end ; 
1452  Wherefor  you  bef[e]che  with  me  accorde  here 
That  to  my  gift  you  pleafe  to  condifcend, 
"Whereby  noght  fhal  lefe,  vriens,  gud  frend  ; 
honour  fhal  ye  haue,  worfhip,  and  profite." 
1456  Vriens  graunted  hym  without  refpite, 


Tlif  king  thanks 
him  for  his  assent, 
and  sends  for  his 
barons  and  his 
daughter 
Erniynee. 


That  hys  commaundement  Avoid  he  do  gladly, 
Agre  and  Accorde  hys  fayd  gyft  vnto  ; 
The  kyng  hym  thanked,  And  fayd  full  humbly, 
1460  "Thys  is  Avel  fayd,  and  the  more  gladder,  loo  ! 
I  fhal  mortal  cleth  take  ; "  commaundyng  thoo 
That  Al  the  Barons  After  fend  fhold  he, 
And  hys  fayr  doughter  the  fwet  Ermyne. 


He  tells  his 
barons  he  expects 
not  to  live  longer, 
and  that  he  wills 
to  leave  his  king- 
(1'Hii  to  hU 
daughter, 


1464  TT\o  hys  barons  faid,  "now  ye  vnderftande, 
-*-    More  longer  liff  noght  in  me  attend  ; 
lenger  may  not  liue  here  with  you  in  lande, 
My  noble  BeAvnie  Cipreffe ;  now  fay  you  at  end, 

1468  Wliom,  to  my  power,  haue  warded  and  diffend 
Efro  paynymes  at  point  of  fwerdes  cru[e]lte, 
Now  it  wyll  I  leue  my  doughter  Ermyne, 


[Fol.  33.] 
she  being  the  true 
heir.    The  barons 
thereupon  do 
homage  to  his 
daughter;  and 
the  king  adds, 


IN"  me  noght  had  no  poynt  of  medicin  ; 
For  therof  fhe  is  enheritour  of  ryght." 
Thai  fayng  hym  with  contenance  good  and  fin, 
That  gladly  Avoid  do  hys  plefire  eche  wyght.1 
Ther  homage  made  to  hir  do  in  fight, 
1476  So  takyng  of  Mr  ther  landes  and  fe. 

Then  toke  to  fpeke  tins  noble  kinge  fre ; 


that  his  subjects 
cannot  be  de- 
fended  by  a  simple 
woman  against 


"  rPhe  barons  All  here  me  Amderftande, 
J-   ye  Avarde  And  kepte  tridy  may  noght  be 
1480  By  fimple  woman  gayn  Sarifins  hande  ; 
1  MS.  "  wyight." 


HE    SHALL    LEAVE    HIS    KINGDOM    TO    UIUENS. 


57 


your  neighbours  thay  ben  wonder  ny  to  fe  ; 
Such  fers  ftoures  of  huge  cruelte 
As  off  Armes  bere,  ne  the  fharpe  fhoures  ; 
1484  Here  Auifed  haue  to  you  good  focoures. 


I? 


such  cruel  neigh- 
bours  as  the 
Saracens ; 


"ppon  thys  dede  here  I  haue  deuifed 
That  vriens  is  pufant  and  rn.ygh.ty, 
Off  lufignen  uaillantly  franchifed, 
1488  Which  that  the  Soudan  difconifith  manly, 
And  hys  men  gan  lie  by  dedes  Army, 
By  the  huge  proweffo  off  hys  body  ftrong  ; 
Off  thys  knewlych  non  hath  by  mene  of  tonge ; 


that  TJriens  is 
puissant  and 
mighty,  and  has 
discomfited  the 
sultan,  as  they  all 
saw  for  them- 
selves : 


hat  demaunde  or  afke  here  of  hym  now  and  that  he  there- 
fore asks  them  to 


1492  ^T 

*  »  wold, 

To  pray  hym  I  you  here  befeche  hertly, 
That  he  me  noght  wern,  but  my  requefte  hold." 
Thay  hym  befought  and  prayed  fwetly  ; 
1496  To  ther  requeft  Acorded  he  humbly ; 

To  the  kyng  reportyd  thay  that  he  wold  do 
What-fomeuer  he  wold  hym  demAunde,  lo  ! 


beseech  Uriens  to 
grant  him  all  his 
request;  which 
the  barons  at  once 
accede  to. 


1500 


THeroff  was  the  kyng  Full  ioyous  And  glade, 
To  vriens  faid,  "  me  requeft  hir  ye, 


And  here  perdon  me  of  my  wordes  hade, 
For  nothyng  Avil  ne  of  you  for  to  gyf  me, 
Off  youres  nothing  fall  demaunded  be  ; 
1504:  But  you  wil  I  gif  gentilly,  fire,  of  myne 
Thys  Eewme  with  all  enheritaunce  fyne, 


[Fol.  33  &.] 
The  king  is  glad 
thereof,  and  tells 
Uriens  that  he 
wishes  to  ask 
nothing  of  him, 
hut  to  confer  on 
him  something 
of  his  own, 


w 


ith  my  fair  doughter  in  franke  manage ; 


namely,  his  king- 

For  other  haue  non  difcended  of  my  lyne,  Shto.^The 
1508  you  befech  to  take  here  thys  fair  Image."  ^^d°rthe 

When  the  Barons  knew  to  that  Avoid  iwclyne, 

Strongly  ioyed  all  off  that  difcipline, 

Ther  loue  to  vriens  ftrongly  gan  draw, 
1512  For  the  gret  goodneffe  that  thay  on  hym  faw. 


58 


THE    KING    OP    CYPRUS    DIES, 


Urieiis  thanks 
the  king,  and 
says  he  would  not 
take  the  gift  if  he 
saw  in  the  king 
any  respite  from 
death. 


"Triens  the  king  full  well  underftode, 


u 


A  lytell  mufed,  after  gan  Anfwere  ; 


"  I  thanke  you  hertly,  gracyous  lord  goode, 
1516  Off  that  ye  me  haue  don  fuch  honour  here ; 
But  iff  refpite  of  deth  in  you  faw  were, 
Full  litill  or  noght  wold  I  your  gifte  preife  ; 
But,  lord,  fyn  it  doth  your  hert  fo  to  pleife, 


The  marriage  is 
performed;  and, 

as  the  priest  was 
raising  the  host 
at  the  mass,  the 
king  yielded  up 
his  soul. 


1520 


Qyn  your  will  it  is,  Full  wele  lyketh  me  ; 


Wherfor  fhold  I,  lo  !  longer  it  delay  1 " 
Thys  mariage  don  plefantly  to  fee, 
And  ryght  As  the  prefte  reifed  god  ]>at  day 
1524  Off  the  holy  maffe,  pat  pe  prefte  gan  fay 

Where  thys  like  kyng  lay  in  fuch  maner  wife, 
yild  vpp  hys  good  foule  in-to  paradife, 


[Fol.  34.1 
Their  great  joy  is 
thus  turned  into 
wo.  The  bride's 
heart  is  "locked 
up  "  with  heavi- 
ness. 


1528 


"TTThere  our  lordewill  refceyue  hym  of  hys  grace, 
"  "     And  off  all  hys  fyn  yeuyng  hym  pardon ; 


For  I  witneffe  you  And  fay  in  thys  place, 
That  he  was  A  trew  catholike  perfon. 
Ther  gret  ioy  changed  in-to  wo  Anon, 
1532  full  dolorous  was  tho  the  efpoufe, 

With  heuyneffe  loke  was  hir  good  hert  fre. 


The  king  is  buried 
royally ;  and  there 
were  therefore 
no  plays  or  tour- 
naments at  the 
wedding, 


The  kyng  After  entered  was  goodly  ; 
long  taried  noght  or  put  were  on  graue, 
1536  hys  obfequie  don  ryght  worfhipfully, 

And,  to  fay  the  foth,  As  refon  wold  craue  ; 
For  A  kyng  fhold  roiall  obfeque  haue. 
That  time  noght  had  pleys  ne  tornement, 
1540  For  tho  gret  dolour  whych  for  the  kyng  hent, 


which  was,  never- 
theless, honestly 
done.    No  blame 

attached  to  thoso 


"TTThich  At  mortall  deth  was  ther  prefently. 
"  "     But  not-withftandyng  honeftly  was  don 
The  mariage  And  weddyng  grcabilly  ; 
1544  Blame  ne  reproche  certes  ncdith  non 


AND    URIENS    MARRIES   ERMYNEE. 


59 


Tho  moiled  of  thes  dede  paffed  and  gon  ;  w'»'  were  busy 

-1  about  that  mat- 
So  wyll  was  this  thing  At  poynt  don  b«t  day,  t*r; 

At  which  time  ther  was  full  noble  array 


1548     A  ppertaynyng  wel  to  A  hinges  dede. 

-£*-  At  thys  mariage  was  nobles  ful  many, 
Of  fondry  townes  peple  in  that  ftede, 
knightes,  laydes,  damycelles  worthy, 

1552  yonge  Squiers,  And  maydens  goodly, 

Where-w/tA  thys  faid  fefte  gretly  gan  honour, 
Which  ther  daunced  At  that  tyme  and  hour. 


1556 


"Oyght1  thus  the  peple  merily  ioyng 


As  off  the  good  ride  noyfed  of  thaim  to, 
Of  the  efpoufe  full  noble  gouernyng, 
And  of  the  good  lordes  renomyng  alfo. 
Auon  was  flie  made  vnto  bedde  go, 
15 GO  For  vriens  wold  in  no  wyfe  tary, 

"With  hir  went  to  bedde  As  man  ful  haftly. 


r 


]N"  that  night  Greffon  ther  engendred  was, 
Off  whom  I  fhall  declare,  outre,  and  fay ; 
1564  Which  in  payny  conquered  hye  And  bas, 
Gret  feignories  And  contrees  that  day, 
And  of  Colcis  quitte  the  contre  Alway, 
"Where  playnly  no  man  in  no  wife  palfe  myght. 
1568  ]\lany  merueles  of  trought  cam  ther  ryght, 


E1 


for  many  nobles, 
knights,  ladies, 
damsels,  and 
squires,  honoured 
the  marriage 
feast,  and  danced 
thereat. 


[Fol.  34  6] 
Thus  joyed  the 

] pie  "ii  account 

of  the  good  rule  of 
those  two,  viz.,  of 
the  bride  and 
Uriens. 


Their  firstborn 
was  named 
Greffon,  who 
conquered  many 
countries,  includ- 
ing Colchis, 


Wery  moneth  twenty  And  mo. 
An  He  was  ther  had  full  fair  to  deuife, 
Wlieron  conquered  was  the  flees  tho, 
1572  Which  conquefte  was  made  hj  medee  auife,2 
By  Iafon  Away  it  bering  fuch  wife, 
he  it  conquered  by  the  hy  prudence 
Off  medec  the  fair,  And  by  liir  fcience  ; 

1  In  the  margin,  [Vr]ycn  Tcyny  of  \_Cip~\re  by  ermync  \J>y]s  wyf 
hat  he  a  boy  \cal~\hd  gryffon. 

2  MS.  "  medecauife." 


where  was  an 
isle,  in  which  the 
golden  fleece  was 
pained  by  Jason, 
witli  (lie  aid  of 
Medea. 


60 


DEEDS    OF    GREFFON,    SON    OF    URIEXS. 


It  would  take  up 
too  much  time  to 
tell  all  that  story. 
I  should  then  be 
going  aside  from 
the  matter  iu 
hand. 


1576  TJ^Vll  long  tyme  wold  be  it  to  reliers  here. 


r 


ho  in-to  thys  boke  thys  mater  draw  wold, 


The  meruailles  huge  had  in  that  ille  there, 
A  thoiifand  ther  hau[e]  fall,  come,  and  unfold ; 
1580  A  thoufand  fayn,  A  thoufand  tymes  told, 
As  wele  opin  plain  As  faid  by  ftraitneffe ; 
Out  of  my  mater  iffue  fliold  expreffe. 


TFol.  35.] 
Greffon  was  quick 
and  ready  in  war, 
and  conquered 
many  places.    At 
last  he  came  to 
Tripoli  (?), 


1584 


which  he  assailed 
and  took.    Thus 
he  acquired  laud, 
honour,  and 
praise. 


Off  thys  He  to  fpeke  thys  tynie  f hall  I  refte, 
And  vnto  Greffon  retorn  here  me  fhall. 
Greffon  with  fwerdes  fors  was  redy  and  prefte, 
Off  maree  the  prince,  chef,  And  principall ; 
After  the  porte  yaffe,  conquered  he  all. 
1588  So  Aboute  went  purf chaffing  dayly, 

That  the  uaillant  Cite  of  Triple  cam  by ; 

BI  hys  huge  proweffe  went  it  to  affadl 
In  ryght  werly  wyfe,   For  manly  was  in 
brefte, 
1592  That  both  Ins  penon  And  baner  fanfaill 

Put  within  the  town,  fo  making  conquefte. 
$"euer  At  no  clay  taried  ne  refte, 
That  he  [ne]  went  by  land  And  by  ffee, 
1596  laude,  honour,  preifmg  fo  conquered  he. 

„  .     .  .  /~\ff  hym  we  fhall  refte  And  tary  now, 

Unens  is  crowned  II 

king  of  Cyprus.  \J  ^nd  to  our  pUrpOS  here  retorn  fhall  we 

llis  wife  s  uncle  x       x 

\s  Ung  of  Off  vriens,  kyng  which  is  Ml  know, 

Armenia.  '      "     ° 

1600  And  crounyd  lorde  of  Cipreffe  was  he. 

Vnclc1  to  hys  wif,  the  king  of  hermyne  ; 
"When  liir  Fader  in  lif  was  beins. 


This  king  of 
Armenia  dies,  to 


1G0-4 


Brother  to  hym  was  of  hermyne  the  kyng. 

rpiiys  full  noble  kyng  of  Arminiens 

-*-    In  his  days  was  man  of  grett  goodneffe, 


1  In  the  margin,  kynge  of  hermy[ne]  vnlcull  to  vriens,  brother  to 
her  ja\tlui\\ 


HOW    GUY    BECAME    KIXG    OF    ARMENIA.  Gl 

But  Ay  niyght  not  be  in  liffes  exiftence  ;  the  great  sorrow 

of  his  subjects, 

Tho  feble  and  ftronge  dethe  takytli  expreffe.         many  of  whom 


1 G08  Tlier  ware  hys  peple  full  of  heuyneffe, 
With  that  forow  had  many  mortalite, 
For  whyle  he  regned,  well  rided  the  contre. 


died  of  grief. 


1612  A. 


douthter  he  had  gentde  And  full  fayr,  [Foi  35  &.] 

a  i    i  ,1  ,1         n  His  daughter  was 

A  more  gentelere  was  ther  non  then  the,  his  only  heir; 

\vli6reforo  tlic 

Off  hym  difeended  was  non  other  hayir.  Armenians  send 

A  concell  ther  hold  off  the  hermyns  fre  questing  tMens 

rp-i      ,,-i  u   y       i  j.         •         sr  to  send  them  his 

lnat  thay  wold  lend  to  ciprelle  contre,  brother  Guy, 
1G16  Requiring  the  kyng  that  hys  brother  Guy 
Sol[d]  fend  in-to  ther  region  only, 


A1 


nd *  he  fhold  haue  that  gentile  damycell         who  should  have 
To  hys  wedded  wife,  flourye  the  fair.  Fiourle.'To'wife. 

1G20  Thay  thys  ordhiaunce  Amonge  thaim  held  ful  cometoCyprm 
wele  ; 
To  Cipreffe  cam  thes  meffyngers  debonair, 
Without  tarying  or  Any  retrair 
Vn-to  the  kyng  declaryng  ther  melfage, 
1G24  For  euery  off  thaim  was  full  wyfe  And  fage. 


w 


'ith  full  gret  ioy  refceyued  thaim  the  kynge,  unens  takes 
And  tham  fefted  wonder  nobilly.  K2uI5 

When  thes  nouelles  vriens  knowyng  %3£2S« 

1G28  Off  the  fayr  debonair,  the  gentile  floury,  once- 

Off  hys  barons  toke  concell  haftily. 
Thay  All  accorded2  And  to  hym  thay  faid, 
That  hys  brother  lhold  fend  with  J?am  \ai  braid. 

1G32  nnhat  thys  thyng  were  done  hafted  he  bigly;       Gay  agrees  to  the 
J-    Guye  after  fend,  Accorded  All  ther-to  ship,  and  arrives 

That  which  vriens  commaunded  hym  only. 
Into  ffe  thay  went  with  moche  peple  tho, 

1   MS.  "AAnd."  2  MS.  "  occordcd." 


02 


GUY    MARRIES   FLOURIE   OF   ARMENIA. 


1636  Off  Amies  doubty,  noble,  And  gentile,  lo  ! 
Armed  thai  were  In  hernieny, 
Wher  enherite  f hold  the  full  fair  floury. 


[Fol.  36] 
Disembarking,  he 

soon  meets  .si. me 
lords,  who  receive 
him  gladly ;  and 
marries  Flourie, 


1640 


and  is  king  of  the 
country ;  so  that 
two  brothers  are 
once  more  kings 
of  Armenia  and  of 
Cyprus. 


The  two  kings 
aided  those  who 
wile  descended 
from  them,  and 
the  people  of 
Rhodes  too. 
They  bad  many 
children. 


A  T  erthe  difcended,  fo  thay  forth  going, 
-*-■*-  lordys  of  contre  contring  thahn  Again, 
"With  A  "vvilfull  hert  full  gentilly  refceyuyng, 
And  ioyufly  brought  forth  thys  fouerayn. 
Off  hys  comyng  gret  ioy  had  fertayn, 
1644  All  the  eftates  made  hjin  fidl  gret  fefte  ; 
he  maried  floure  without  other  refte, l 

nniie  king  After  was  of  all  the  contre, 

-*-   Thes  to  Rewmes  put  As  thay  beforn  were. 

1G48  To  brethers  Aforn  of  trouth  had  it  be, 
So  ben  thay  now  in  to  brothers  powerc, 
By  fader  and  nioder,  in  like  manere. 
Thes  kynges  to  regned,  As  it  is  fayd, 

1652  And  ther  tyme  ftrongly  gan  tliay  aid 

To  tho  which  of  thaini  difcended  were  ; 
As  I  underftande,  tho  of  rodes  to, 
That  in  mifchef  ye  know,  And  uiiite  there. 
1656  Full  many  children  had  thes  brethers  tho, 
Which  lcnid  till  thay  were  large  woxen,  lo  ! 
Many  fair  dedes  in  ther  tyme  thay  wrought, 
That  fele  paynymes  to  difconifiture  brought. 


and  ruled  well, 
trampling  under 
foot  those  who 
annoyed  them.    I 
will  now  turn  to 
Raymond  and 

Melusine. 


1660     A  fter  diceffe  of  ther  fader  good, 

-El-  Which  vnto  tham  both  gentill  fader  was, 
Ther  Rewmes  ruled  Avell  while  in  lif  ftood, 
And  ther  noyours  underfote  put  bas. 

1664-  Fro  thaim  to  ther  fader  torn  wyll  by  grace, 
As  vnto  Raymounde  And  fair  melufigne, 
Ther  noble  moder  with  all  honour  dygne. 

1  In  the  margin,  Gicj  maryd Jlon\_re\  Jcgngc  of  hermtf[ne]  dogter, 
%  ys  iy\ng]  hymfelf. 


RAYMOND    AND    MELUSINE    REJOICE. 


C3 


w 


'lion  that  thay  hurde  the  nouelles  And  tiding       [Fol.  30  &.] 

When  these  heard 

1GG8     "  '     Off  tlier  fones  too,  goode,  fair,  and  gentill,  of  the  success  of 

their  two  sons, 

how  conquered  had  to  gret  Eewmcs  hauyng ; 
Wlierefor  thay  fayd  the  fept  pfabulmes  until 
The  kyng  of  glorie,  enpreiling  with  vos  fhill, 
1G72  Ey  whom  thai  haue  had  the  huge  victory, 
And  conquered  ther  foes  many  ; 


they  said  the  7 
Psalms  to  the 
King  of  Glory, 


A] 


K"d  that  in  fo  gret  honoures  put  be 
That  Ayther  of  thaim  claymed  is  A  kyng, 
1G7G  And  of  fogettes  loued  in  eche  degre, 
Then  was  fhe  fette  in  defy[r]ing 
Our  lord  for  to  feruo,  hertly  hym  thankyng. 
Tlvys  noble  lady  called  Meluflne, 
1GS0  As  for  the  helth  of  hir  foule  deuine, 


because  each  of 
them  was  called  a 
king.    Moreover 
Melusine,  for  her 

soul's  health, 


Thys  fail'  Meluhne,  without  tarying, 
Of  our  lady  A  minftre  fourged  fhe 
Which  was  fid  fair,  gladfom  in  feing ; 
1G84  hit  edefied  Melufme  the  fre, 

And  fidl  richely  it  founded  to  fe  ; 
Thorough  All  peiters,  by  hir  owne  deuyfe, 
Many  churches  founded  in  glorious  wyffe. 


built  a  minster  to 
Our  Lady,  and 
founded  also 
many  other 
churches. 


-1G88  fTIO  euery  place  yalf  fhe  gyftes  grett. 

-I-  Affter  Oede  liir  fon  gan  fhe  to  marie 
The  fair  doughter,  of  the  noble  Erie  gett. 
For  foth  Eaynold,  Avhych  had  but  on  eye, 

1G92  Full  gret,  thikke,  And  fers  wax  he  wonderly ; 
Anthonyo  And  he  parted  lufignen  fro, 
For  peple  went  thens  when  dined  had  tho. 


Next  she  married 
her  son  Oede  to 
the  earl's  fair 
daughter. 
Raynold  am! 
Anthony  set  out 
from  Lusignan. 


[Fol.  ::r| 
They  soon  came 


FOr  Anthony  was  ape  and  elclefte, 
Towardes  Erehain  toke  he  the  ftreight  way,  to  Luxemburg, 
Till  that  luxemborugh  Approched  fid  prefte, 
A  famous  town  of  gret  renon  that  day. 


64 


RAYN0LD  AND  ANTHONY  COME  TO  LUXEMBURG. 


which  was  then 
being  besieged  by 
the  king  of  Alsace, 


who  had  nearly 
taken  the  town. 
They  asked  the 
cause  of  the  war, 
and  find  that  it 
was  for  the  duke's 
daughter,  an 
orphan, 


whom  the  king  of 
Alsace  wished  to 
marry  forcibly. 
The  brethren  defy 
the  king  by  a 
herald, 


whereof  the  king 
is  glad,  as  he  is 
fierce  and  cruel. 
From  afar  the 
brel  hren  per- 
ceived the  host, 
armed  with 

knives  and 
halberds. 


[Fol.  37  6.] 
The  Lufiignana 
al  i  m  i>  i  he  foes 
boldly,  so  that  the 


Beforn  whom  many  A  pen  on  gan  difplay, 
1 700  The  king  of  Aufoy  it  hefegied  had, 

Almofte  it  toke,  within  thay  fore  Ached. 

"TTTTien  thes  hrethren  to  in  feld  comyn  were, 
'  '     The  town  vnnethes  gayn  Aufoys  myght 
hold ; 
1704  Ther  Aither  of  tham  had  hurt1  the  manere, 

"Wlierefor  thaim  werred  thys  myghty  kyng  hold  ; 
For  A  mayden  it  was  that  haue  wold, 
That  -within,  the  towne  was  gentil,  curteys,  & 
faire, 
1708  Doughter  of  A  duke,2  Orphelyne  dehonair. 

BI  ftrenght  to  wife  haue  wold  hir  the  kyng, 
Bemeue  wold  he  noght  thys  faid  Cite  fro 
Til  the  dukes  doughter  he  were  hauyng. 
1712  But  Anon  cam  A-place  thes  hretherin  to, 

Which  with  thaim  hrought  A  wonder  huge  hoft 

tho, 
Vnto  thys  faid  kyng  fend  thay  diffiance, 
By  An  heraude  of  theres  that  inftance. 

1716  TTTherof  the  king  was  ioyus  And  glad, 

"  *     For  he  was  lufti,  yonge,  fers,  and  cruell ;  < 
A-ferrome  thay  perceyued  the  ftrenght  had, 
Seing  the  haneres  with  the  wynde  ful  wel, 

1720  Which  hlew  thaim  A-lofte  with  many  A  penfell, 
Of  Army  peple  feing  grett  fivfon, 
With  Cuftiles  And  Gifarmes  manyon  ; 

rpiien  thay  ftafte  thaim,  putt  in-to  ordinance, 
1724   -*-    Goyng  to  fmyte  ther  enemies  uppon, 

huge  noyfe  and  crye  Affembled  that  inftance. 
The  lufignens  went,  fafte  crying  tham  on  ; 


"hurd"  (?) 


•  MS.  "guke," 


TIIK    POITEVINS   DEFEAT   THE   MEN    OF    ALSACE. 


65 


To-geders  dreuing  cam  with  gret  randon, 
1728  And  when  thay  cam  the  Aifemble  to, 

The  erth  made  thay  to  tremble  and  quake  tho. 


T 


mer  entre-femhHng  don  wonder  ferfly  ; 
A  gret  Abafhment  was  it  tho  being ; 
1732  Aufoys  peitynyns  ailailing  bigly, 

Peiteuyns  vppon  Aufoys  fafte  knakking, 
Manyon  ther  ilayn,  mortally  deyng  ; 
Ayen  lufignens  crying1  were  Fid  fafte, 
1736  "  Theffes  Aufoys  !  byde  our  fwerdes  taste, 


F( 


\Ot  efcape  no  wyfe  mow  ne  flial  ye  noght ! " 
Ther  army  dedes  the  peiteuyns  gan  do, 
Fro  fele  bodies  pertid  the  foule  in  brought. 
1740  Then  thes  brethren,  ech  by  thaim-self,  tho, 

So  fid  werrely  wrought,  can  noght  be  faid,  lo  ! 
Off  o  fide  and  other  fo  departed  there, 
That  the  peiteuyns  Aufoys  gan  conquere. 

174-4     A  Xthony  the  kyng  toke  with  handes  to, 
■£*-  In  his  hand  he  femyd  hym  no-thyng, 
hym  wold  he  haue  llayn,  but  he  yilde  hym  tho, 
A-non  hys  fwerd  forth-w/t/*  prefenting. 

1748  "When  Anthony  faw  to  hym  fo  yilding, 

he  hym  refceyued  And  his  fwerd  gan  take ; 
And  tho  the  Aufoys  gret  flight  gan  to  make ; 


earth  trembles  at 
their  encounter. 


The  men  of  Alsace 
assail  the 
Poitevius,  who 
hammer  at  them 
iu  return.    The 
Lusignans  bid 
their  foes  abide 
the  taste  of  their 
swords. 


The  two  brethren, 
each  by  himself, 
behave  in  bo  wav- 
like a  manner, 
that  their  men 
are  the  victors. 


In  Anthony's 
hands  the  kin^ 
"  seemed 
nothing.'' 
Anthony  receives 
his  sword  in  token 
of  submission. 


1752 


But  peyteuyns  Full  ny  gan  thaim  to  few, 
And  Eaynold  ftrongly  full  fafte  gan  to  fight,  >"irsue  the  n,"n  "f 


[Fol.  3S.] 
The  Poitevins 


Many  ther  were  ilayn  And  fele  gan  fubdew, 
The  Aufoys  takyng  all  And  ilayn  don-right. 
Raynold  was  full  fage,  And  wel  taught  perfight, 
1756  In  like  wyfe  was  hys  brother  Anthony, 

Full  gentill  And  connyng  vnto  mannys  eye. 


Alsace  till  tin 
arc  all  taken  and 

slain. 


1  MS.  "eryng,"  e  being  mis-written  for  <-,  and  ;'  omitted. 


GG 


ANTHONY    AND    RAYNOLD    ARE    WELCOMED, 


Anthony  and 
Raynold  take 
their  ease  in  th?ir 
tents,  and  send  six 
knights,  with  the 
captive  kin;,',  to 
the  fair  maiden. 


The  fair  creature 
inquires  who  are 
the  two  noble 
lords  who  have 
thus  come  to  her 
assistance. 


Where  that  day  thay  toke  to  eafe  thaim  finely 
As  for  ther  repare  in  the  tentes  and  place. 
17 GO  In-to  the  town  After  fend  cpiikly 

To  fe  if  thay  were  reioed  in  thys  cace  ; 
knightes  fixe  made  go  vnto  the  good  grace 
Off  thys  fair  mayden,  hire  to  prefent  the  kyng, 
1764  Ther  tliens  departyd,  lenger  noght  byding  ; 

The  kyng  prefented  to  thys  fair  creature, 
vnto  do  with  hym  at  hir  owne  plefance. 
Then  thys  fayr  mayden,  frefh  f happe  of  figure, 
1768  Which  was  full  gentde,  Fair,  fwet  of  femblance, 
And  to  tho  faid  which  had  hir  in  gouernan.ee, 
"  Fro  whens  comith  this  noble  lordes  thys  hour, 
That  me  thys  day  han  don  fo  gret  honour  1 " 


An  aged  knight 
tells  her  they  are 
the  "  sons  of 
Lusignan;  "  and 
that  their  names 
are  Anthony  and 
Raynold. 


1 772  "  II  TA dame,"  faid  on  which  was  an  Aged  knight, 
i'J-  "  With  A  herty  will  ye  fhal  laiow  gladly ; 

Thes  bene  the  fones  of  lufignen  ryght ; 

Men  thaim  fo  name,  certes,  by  ther  cry, 
1776  That  on  of  thaim  is  called  Anthony, 

And  that  other  hath  vnto  name  Raynold, 

To  full  myghty  men,  manly  And  full  bolde." 


[Fol.  38  h] 
She  is  very  grate- 
ful for  their 
services,  ami  ex- 
presses  a  » ish  to 
counsel  with  them 
en'  they  go. 


1780 


rTuiys  Fair  mayden  faid,  "god  off  his  mercy 
J-    Off  ther  focoui'  tham    thanke  for  hys  hy 

pufance, 
For  me  haue  thay  don  dedes  Full  worthy. 
What  fo  I  haue  fhall  be  to  ther  plefance, 
For  ther  con  fell  wrought  and  good  gouernance, 
1784  With  tham  fhall  I  concell,  er  thay  goo, 
(  Ml'  all  thyngis  that  1  haue  to  do." 


She  tells  her 
council  she  shall 
invite  the 
brethren  and 
their  hosl  Into  the 
town. 


Then  fhe  ther  demaunded  hir  concell ; 
After   commaundyng    thes    brethren  come 
hir  to, 
1788  lenger  invent  not  flic  it  withold  well, 


AND    ENTER    LUXEMBURG. 


G7 


And  with  ther  hofte  fhall '  come  loge  alfo, 
In  thys  faid  towne  ther  herbigage  haue  tho, 
And  in  efpeciall  tlie  Barons  mofte  by. 
1792  hyr  peple  faid,  "  it  find  bene  dune  truly." 


TOward  th.es  brethren  went  thay  forth  anon,      The  messengers 
...  ,  find  the  brethren 

\\  itnin  the  tentes  merily  tham  founde,  in  the  king's 

_         .  .ii  -t  pavilion,  where 

in  place  wnere  was  the  kyngys  pauilon  they  had  found 

1796  For  time  that  the  fege  was  hold  in  pat  ground,     andhaddis- 

rrl  p  ,      ,,  T  r.  -,        ,     ,    p,  -,  tributed  it  among 

J  her  lounde  thay  1-now  ot  goodes  pat  ltounde,     the  soldiers. 
But  of  it  thay  Avoid  take  ryght  no-thyng, 
But  to  men  off  amies  All  was  yeuyng. 

1800  TTTnat-fomeuer  thing  in  that  place  was  founde, 
"  "     Fyrfte  gaf  to  tho  gret,  After  fmal  vnto. 

"When  fro  luxemborugh  where  come  pat  ftounde 

Thes  meffengers  Ful  Apertly  tho, 
1804  Ther  meffage  fagely  And  wightly  nan  do 

To  thes  to  brethren  off  fidl  huge  proweffe 

Fro  the  part  off  thys  lady  And  meftreffe.2 

Thes3  brethren  to  refceyued  tham  humbly, 
Ryght  1V»  As  thay  k[n]ew  full  wel  for  to  do. 
When  thes  meffyngers  vnderftod  uerily 
All  thare  Anfwer,  no  lenger  taried  tho, 
That  of  thes  knightes  fife  hundred  and  mo 
1812  Went  thaini  to  loge  there,  were  noght  dangerous, 
knowing  that  ther  was  al  thyng  plenteuous. 


When  the 
messengers  from 
Luxemburg  ha<l 
arrived  at  the 
pavilion,  they 
delivered  their 
message  to  the 
two  brethren, 


[Eol.  39.] 
who  reeeivi  il 
them  humbly. 
The  messengers 
receive  their 
answer,  and  at 
once  500  kni:.-lils 
set  oui  to  lodge 
within  the  l  "»  n, 


T1 


uie  hoftes  marfchall  lefte  thai  pat  ircftance, 
Ther  forigers4  A-forn  gan  to  fend 
181G  For  ther  hoftes  to  make  ordinance, 


The  brethren 
leave  their 
"  marshals " 
With  the  main 
army,  and  send 
their  foragers  on 
before  them. 


1  MS.  "fholl." 

2  At  the  bottom  of  the  p;ige  is  the  catchword— "  Thes  brethren 
to  refceyued." 

3  MS.  "Thycs."  *  MS.  "forigers." 

5  * 


08 


CHRISTIAN    FEASTS    THE    BRETHREN". 


Every  place  and 
cross-way  are 
filled  with  people. 


Tin-  nobles  of  the 
city  convey  the 
brethren  to  the 
castle.    The 
maiden  arrives 
thither;  her 
name  is  Christian. 


She  is  accom- 
panied by  many 
ladies,  both 
married  and 
maiden,  who  re- 
ceive  the  brethren 
nobly. 


[Fol.  30  6.  ] 
A  feast  is  pro- 
vided ;  they  wash 
their  hands,  and 
Bit  in  order;  the 
king  of  Alsace 
highest,  Anthony 
next,  and  Raynold 

and  three  barons 

next. 


A  more  "  honest  " 
feast  was  never 
seen.     After 

dinner  they 

washed  their 
hands;  and,  grace 
being  .--aid, 


_  Of  whome  the  Inftrumeiites  founded,  at  end, 
Off  luxemborught  entre  moche  to  commende  ; 
No  place  ther  had,  neither  carfoukes  non, 
1820  But  peple  fhold  fe  ther  come  many  one, 


T 


\0   the    founde    that    thes  inftrumentes  gan 
make  ; 

The  nobles  and  gentiles  comyng  thaim  agayne. 
Tho  mofte  worthieft  thes  brethren  gan  take, 
1824  Vnto  the  caftel  conueing  thaim  certayn. 
To  thys  affemble  peple  cam  ful  fayn, 
Where  appered  thys  criftin  creature, 
Whiche  criftian  was  named,  be  ye  fure. 


1828 


rpher  Acompanied  was  fhe  noght  ill 


Of  laides  had  ful  gret  company, 
~With  noble  damyfelles  longing  hir  until, 
Als  of  tho  maried  As  of  maidens  many. 
1832  Thai  thes  brethren  refceyued  nobilly, 
And  fid  fagely  ryght  fo  As  thay  fhold, 
Ther  vitail  redy  As  to  plefire  haue  wold, 

With-out  tariyng  to  waf  h  ther  handes  went ; 
After  went  to  fitte  ther  ceriatly. 
Sche  made  thaim  ther  A  ful  fayr  fight  to  bent, 
The  kyng  of  Aufoy  fette  was  he  mofte  hy ; 
After  the  brother  to  Raynold,  Anthony, 
1840  After  thre  gret  barouns  of  the  fame  place, 
Enmyddes  tham  Raynold  ther  fette  wace. 


mher 


her  tho  had  was  An  excellent  fefte, 
more  honefter  neuer  fayn  with  eye, 


1844  Of  vitail  and  als  wines  of  the  beft ; 

The  peiteuyns  were  at  eafe  merily. 

When  dined  thay  had,  ther  handes  wafh  clenly ; 

The  tables  rayfed  After  tho  anon, 
1848  And  graces  faide  with  gret  deuocion, 


THE    KIXG    OF    ALSACE    CLAIMS    HIS    RAXSt  >M. 


G9 


T 


\he  kyng  of  Aufoya  to  thes  "brethren  to 
Said,  "  I  am  your  prefoner  tliys  inftance, 
In  your  handes  take  at  thys  iournay,  lo  ! 
1852  I  you  here  hefech  to  make  ordinance, 
In  fuch  wyfe  I  may  he  put  to  finance." 
Anthony  hym  faid  in  fayr,  "  lord  and  knight, 
Our  prefoner  he  ye  noght  of  right ; 


the  king  Baid  to 
the  two  brethren, 
"  I  am  your 
prisoner,  and  ask 
to  be  i>ut  to 
ransom.'' 


1856  ~|  TEre  haue  we  done  And  fhewid  curteffy, 
■*-*-  Where  to  wrongoufly  uillanous  ye  doo, 
To  thys  nohle  damicel  and  lady. 
Owr  dedes  we  haue  put  now  hir  vnto, 

18G0  your  hody  we  haue  yeuyn  hir  alfo  ; 

Now  hy  hir  mofte  he  all  the  ordinance, 
Other-wyfe  ryght  noght  hut  to  hir  plefance. 


1834 


TX  hir  ftandeth  all  your  deliuerance, 


Or  elles  your  deth  without  doubt  Any  " — - 
( When  the  kyng  it  Kurd,  in  hert  had  noifance)— 
"for  that  ye  haue  hir  noyed  wekkidly." 
Forfoth  tho  anon  fpake  thys  fayr  lady, 
18G8   (Xeuer  conceited  hy  mannys  langage, 

For  f  he  was  well  thaught,  hdy  wife  and  fage), 


Anthony  replies 
that  they  have 
been  as  courteous 
as  he  has  been 
villanous,  and 
thai  they  now 
put  his  hody  in 
the  lady's  power, 


[Fol.  40.  i 
because  he  bad 
annoyed  her 
wickedly.    But 
the  fair  lady  at 
once,  without  any 
prompting. 


ir 


lordes,    fhe  faid,  "  I  thank  you  hertly       returns  thanks  to 

„1  .  the  two  lords,  and 

Of  lioiiourand  lercnce  that  ye  haue  me  do;  saysinretum 

that  she  leaves 
the  king  at  their 
disposal,  as  she 
t(  uld  not 
"guerdon"  them 


1872  But  hy  my  feith  As  to  that  dede  finely 
Off  kyng  Aufoys,  I  wyll  not  ordayn,  lo  ! 
he  is  yours,  I  leue  hym  you  vnto ; 
here  all  that  I  haue  you1  gyf  you  thys  day, 

187G  For  you  to  guerdon2  certes  can  ne  may, 


And  hepes  of  gold  had  in  trefory, 
That  which  ye  haue  yufterday  me  do, 
By  your  gracious  nohle  chiualry. 


if  she  had  heaps  of 

gold.    The  king's 


I  <<!"(?) 


2  MS.  "ffruerdon. 


70 


HE    SUBMITS    HIMSELF    TO    CHRISTIAN. 


life  ami  death  are      1880  In  you  lyth  hys  lif,  And  his  deth  alfo. 

therefore  in  their  ei      i   t    -i      .li 

power.  Is  0  other  tnyng  i  hal  1  do  tner-to  ; 


They  answer,  "  If 
so,  he  shall  have  a 
quit-claim  of  us, 
provided  he  kneel 
down  here 
debonairly,  and 
cry  you  mercy, 


[Fol.  40  6.] 
and  swear  he  will 
never  do  you 
annoyance,  dis- 
turbance, or 
damage.    The  f;ur 
maiden  sweetly 
consents. 


The'king  is  Hill 
glad,  and  cries 
mercy  al  once. 
She  accordingly 
consents  to  his 
freedom. 


The  i  hi"  in",  i 
cries  wi1  h  a  loud 
voice,  t  lull  he 
should  i" 
have  such 
chivalrous  men 
for  neighbours, 


1884 


So  to  your  goodneffe  am  I  bounde  &  hold." 
hir  wordes  lmrde  Antony  and  Raynolde, 

rpiiai  hir  anfwering,  "  fin  ye  wyll  do  fo, 


Of  vs  fhal  he  haue  A  qnite-clayme  fully, 
"VVith-that  he  Amend  that  he  hath  mifdo. 
Then  here  fhall  he  knele  fid  debonerly, 
1888  here  Aforn  vs  al,  criing  you  mercy 

Of  trefpas  and  wronges  he  hath  done  here  ; 
And  vppon  hys  feith  truly  you  to  fwere 

That  neuer  you  il  after  thys  fhal  doo, 
No  noifance,  diftourbance,  neither  demage  ; 
Surete  And  hoftage  fhall  you  take  vnto." 
Thys  fair  maden  faid  with  fidl  fwet  langage, 
"  Kyght  As  ye  haue  faid,  it  pleaiith  my  corage ; 
189G  Vnto  you  I  wyll  Agre  in  all  thyng, 

As  ye  wyll,  fo  wyll  I,  by  contenting." 


T 


}\\e  kyng  was  Ml  glad,  ioyng  merily, 
For  he  trowed  wel  exiled  to  be. 
1 900  To  thys  lady  went,  cryng  hir  mercy, 

lyke-wyfe  As  was  faid  by  Anthony  fre. 
Thys  womanly  thyng  ther  refceyued  fhe, 
Ryght  As  it  pleaiid  ther  thys  brethren  to, 
1904  She  Accordid  in  femble  wyfe  tho. 


w 


"hen  the  kyng  bad  made  hys  othe  &  fwrete, 
Then     ful    lowde    he    fpake    And    fid 
hautaynly, 
And  fayd  the  Barons,  "ful  glad  mow  ye1  be 
1908  yiffuch  a  neighbour  puruely  myght  I 
As  on  of  you  lo  to  haue  uerily, 
Which  bene  fo  chiualrous  in  your  doing, 
And  which  for  fo  do  is  preifable  thyng. 
»  «  myght  I  "  (?) 


ANTHONY    MARRIES    CHRISTIAN. 


71 


1912  QEith  here  now  thys  plefant  debonair 
*J  Gentile  Criftian,  thys  nobyle  ducheflej 
Which  holdeth  eontrees  and  rentes  fair ! 
Anthony,  me'  hire  befech  your  hineffe, 

191G  ye  don  haue  gret  curtefy  and  gentilneffe, 
Hit  is  gret  refori  ye  were  fateiied 
Off  your  ful  good  "will  don  And  Applied. 


and  in  bids 
Anthony  look 
nil  the  pleasanl 
Christian,  lliis 
duchess,  with  fair 
rents,  and  con 
sulci-  that  it  i« 
reasonable  that 
he  should  !><■ 
repaid  for  his 
kindness. 


I 


fay  thys  to  ende  that  it  myght  be  wrought  [FoL  «.] 

Be  thinks  that 

1920  -1-  As  that  we  App[r]oche  that  1  thenke  fully,     christian  might 

be  given  to 

Efcyghl  noble  Barons,  tin  wel  I  haue  thought, ' 
To  my  femyng,  Criftian  might  mary 
As  to  be  yeuen  vnfco  Antoni. 
1924   A  man  no  better  myghl  hit  employ  nay-where, 
For  this  knight  is  A  worthi  baculere."2 


Anthony,  as  he  is 
s.i  worthy  a 
bachelor. 


0 


fl"  luxeml trough  the  Barons  and  eche  lord,        Thebaronsand 

rill  n  p  i  -11  hll'lls  ill"  IjllM'lll 

lliay  favng,      ful  wel  here  hath  laid  the  burgappiaud 

,,  him ;  and  the 

kyng.  marriage-feast  is 

1928  All  Agreable  fete  in  one  Accorde,  for  eight  days. 

To  thys  werke  the  kyng  was  thaim  there  thing. 

The  mariage  had  with  all  the  weddyng,3 

Which  endured  eight  days  plenerly, 
1932  Ther  had  iouftes  and  tornementes  myghty. 


rTlhere  Loufted  tho  ful  nobilly  the  kyng. 
J-    At  eighl  days  ende  tinifhed  the  fefte, 
Then  euery  man  redy  fafte  haftyng 
193G  To  go  And  leue  take  of  tho  femyng  heft. 
Anon  ther  cam,  without  bode  or  refte, 
A  meffenger,  ftreighf  fal't  As  he  myght  goo, 
Which  longing  was  the  kins  of  Brehayne  to. 


The  feast  ended, 

every  man  is 
about  to  take 

leave,  when  a 

messenger  arrives 
from  the  kinj.'  of 
Brehayne, 


1  MS.  "  thoiught."  ■  MS.  "baiulerc." 

3  In  the  margin,  Antony  ys  \duhe\  of  luxenb[ourgh]  by  marry- 
[  ''".'/]  Oryftyne,  ajr  yerqf. 


72 


NEWS    CUMES    THAT    THE    SARACENS 


with  a  letter  to 

t!»-  king  of 
Alsace.    Having 
read  the  letter,  lie 
begins  tn  sigh  and 
weep  tenderly ; 
and,  being  asked 
the  reason. 


1940  TT}0  the  kyng  of  Aufoys  lettres  he  brought. 

-L    Anon  the  gate  opened  hym  Amto, 

¥oith.-with  ]>e  kyng  brake  thes  ftrange  lettres 
wrought. 

As  lone  As  he  had  radde  thes  letters  tho, 
1944  There  gan  he  to  figh  and  fowghid  for  "\vo, 

And  Als  for  to  wepe  ryght  fid  tenderly ; 

Then  thes  brethren  to  demaunded  for  why 


[Fol.  41  &.] 
says  he  has  had 
hard  news;  that 
the  Saracens  have 
besieged  a  town 
in  Brehayne,  and 
that  he  pities  the 
king  his  brother. 


Anthony  listens 
to  his  appeal,  and 
bids  him  not  be 
discomforted  ;  for 
that  he  will  send 
his  brother  aid; 


and  that  Raynold 
should  go  and  slay 

the  Saracens.  The 
king  hereupon 
pledges  his  life 
that  Raynold 
shall  marry  his 
niece; 


That  he  weped  fo,  And  wat  tydinges  he  hade. 
Vnto  tham  he  fayd,  "  refte  wil  noght  to  tell ; 
Full  ill  me  is  come,  hard  nouelles  and  fad ; ' 
Befegyd  haue  the  faryfins  cruell 
In  Brehayne  with  the  tiranny  fell. 
1952  Off  my  brother  kyng  haue  I  gret  pete, 

Which  fore  difpleaflth  and  hurteth  foule  me. 

FOr  your  lordys  fake,  take  therof  pete, 
And  if  it  you  pleafe  to  hys  focour  goo, 
1956  I  thynke  it  deferue  atwixft  you  and  me." 

When  Anthony  underftode  hys  wordes  tho, 
Full  goodly  he  faid  thys  hy  kyng  vnto, 
"  Sir,"  he  fayd,  "  for  thys  be  not  difcomfort ; 
19 GO  My  brother  you  ful  wel  fhal  recomfort. 

TT^Or  certes  Raynold  my  brother  fhal  go, 
-■-     My  good  knightes  with  hym  fhal  he  bring, 
And  your  brother  put  Away  fro  avo, 
19G4  Ther  many  Sarifms  fhal  be  deing." 

"  I  thanke  you  hertly,"  to  hym  fayd  the  kyng  ; 
"I  Afferme  And  plegge  here  vppon  my  life, 
My  brothe[r]s  doughter  fhal  he  haue  to  wyfe ; 


19G8 


T)  aynold  fhal  fo  enploed  be  and  fette, 

-*-*-  Then  in  your  brother  better  may  noght  be  ; 

So  god  me  ayde,  he  fhal  hir  haue  without  lette 


1  MS.  "  fayd." 


AHE    INVADING    BOHEMIA. 


73 


After  my  brother,  kyng  of  hy  degre  ; 
1972  And  lie  fhal  goueme  noble  Brehayne  ; 
For  non  other  hoir  hath  non  my  brother, 
But  only  hir ;  ne  may  haue  non  other." 


1976    " 


hen  Antony  vnderftode  thys  nouell, 
Which  was  ful  fayr  and  inly  gracyous, 
To  the  kyng  he  faid  hautayiily  and  wel, 
"  Go  hens,  ye  noble  king  vertuous, 
yonr  hofte  Affemble  with  peple  plenteuous, 
1980  Al  your  ful  hofte  vnto  pat  place  bryng, 
"Within  thys  Auynfime '  be  ye  retornyng. 


M1 


I  peple  ye  f  hall  finden  al  redy, 
Xoght  ouer  ferre,  but  ny  by  fhall  ye ; 
1984  Eaynold  my  brother  to  you  fhal  come  truly, 
In  propre  perfone  me  ther  fhal  ye  fee." 
The  king  hym  thanked  goodly  As  myght  be, 
Fro  thens  departed  he  fid  haftly  tho, 
1988  hys  peple  to  Aiiemble  faft  gan  to  go. 


A 


Xd  wlaii  Affembled  hys  peple  hade, 


and,  after  Ilia 
brother's  death, 
succeed  as  kins:  of 
Brehayne ;  as  his 
brother  had  no 
heir  hut  this  olio 
daughter. 


[Fol.  42] 
Anthony  bids  the 
kiiifr  fro  and 
assemble  his 
army,  and  return 
agaiu  to  Luxem- 
burg within  a 
fortnight; 


for  there  should 
Kayuold  meet 
him.    He  himself 
also  (Anthony) 
■would  appear 
there.    The  kins 
hastily  departs, 


and  soon  returns 
to  Luxemburg 

lhen  lortli-"\v/t/i  As   lone   As  he   goodly  withaiihis 

people.  He  next 
sends  a  messenger 
to  Anthony 


myght, 
To  luxemborugh  A  retorn  he  made, 
1992  And  then  to   that  place  came  hys  peple  raid 
ryght, 
A  noble  Baronage  hauyng  ther  to  fight ; 
Then  he  made  to  come  A  melfengere 
Fro  king  Aufoys  to  Anthony  there  ; 

1996  TTThich  ther  cam  tho  in  ful  noble  aray, 

»  »     With  A  fhil  vois  faid  to  duke  Anthony, 
"  Sir,  I  pray  your  lord  you  falute  thys  day ; 
The  king  of  Aufoy  And  hys  company 


to  say  thai  he 

Was  all  ready  togo 

to  Brehayne,  and 

that  his  hosts 


1  See  note. 


74 


DUKE    ANTHONY    AND    THE    KING 


were  beneath  the      2000  here  comith  to  £0  to  Brehayne  haftly  ; 

town  iu  the  fields.  °  -  J  ' 

By-neth.es  ar  thai  in  the  fayr  medew, 
With  ful  noble  company  hym  to  few." 


[Fol.  42  &.] 
Duke  Anthony 
says  he  is  wel- 
come; and  tells 
Raynold  that  the 
king  of  Alsace  is 
come,  and  he 
must  lincl  his 
army  tmod 
lodging, 


and  make  them 
take  their  ease. 
Raymond  obeys, 
and  all  is  well 
provided. 


The  kin}.'  departs 
to  Luxemburg  to 
Bee  the  duke. 

A  great  fl  a    I    I  - 

made,  the  par 
ticulars  of  which 
1  need  not 

rehearse. 


Antiioin  makes 
nil  read]  to  go  to 
the  aid  of  the 
kin;:  of  Brehayne. 
The  number  of 
the  two  hosts 
was,  in  all,  30,( 


2004 


T 


he  duke  hym  fayd,  "welcom  fliall  he  be." 
Raynold    forth  he  fend,   mofte  no  lender 
byde. 


Raynold  cam  Agayne,  ther  taried  noght  he  ; 
►Sir  Anthony  fayd,  "  brother,  goth  thys  tyde  ; 
Into  thys  faiie  medew  forth  moft  ye  glyde, 
2008  For  ther  is  comyn  king  Aufoys  roiall, 

Makyng  to  loge  hys  peple  gret  And  fmall, 


ff 


"is  pauilon  piche  vnto  Auantage;1 
To  that  done  was  he  iidy  fage  and  wyiV. 
2012  let  tham  take  ther  cafe  after  ther  corage, 

Then  make  the  kyng  come  of  hys  hye  emprife." 
hys  connnaundement  Raynol[d]  gan  Auife, 
And  it  was  wel  don  to  hertis  plefance, 
2016  The  Aufoys  loged  wel  with  all  circmnftance. 


T 


\\\q  kinge  departed  and  for2  thaim  toke  leue, 
Towardes  luxemborough  thys  faid  duk  went, 
The  town  en  t  red  in,  ther  founde,  in  breue, 
2020  Gret  feft  thaim  Among  was  to  all  entent ; 
After  at  horde  fet  conuenyent. 
Of  ther  diner  and  fayr  leue  here  I  fhal, 
For  hit  nedith  noght  As  to  rehers  All, 


2024 


A  ntlionv  Anon  made  tho  all  redy, 
■*--*-  Such  peple  As  were  ther  in  that  contre, 


he  hauyng  ther  A  noble  company 
As  in  aid  the  kyng  tho  of  Brehaigne ; 
2028   Nombred  thay  were  thirty  thoufande  fro, 
Ther  thes  hoftes  too  full  Aflembled  were, 
And  full  grei  honour  to-^eders  can  here. 


MS.  "  A  uantngc."     Fr.  text,  "  dauawtaige." 


fro"(?; 


OF    ALSACE    SET    OUT    FOR    BOHEMIA. 


75 


"YTOblc  felowfhip  ther  A  man  f hold  fe  ; 
2032  ■*-*    As  moche  peple  the  duke  As  had  the  kyng. 

"When  that  to-geders  thay  made  affemble, 

In  euery  parte  the  grounde  fafte  tremblyng. 

But  er  that  made  fro  thens  departing, 
2036  Thys  fayr  Criftian  called  Anthony, 

Sayng,  "  you  befeche,  fouerayn  lord  hy, 


[FoL  43.] 
Tin'  duke  had  as 
man;  men  as  the 
king.    Ere  the 
duke  departs,  the 
fair  Christian 
calls  him,  and 
beseeches  him 


T 


mat  it  myght  you  pleafe  me  do  fucli  honoure   to  wear  the  coat- 

« °         *  *-  of-arms  of 

That  ye  the  Amies  wold  foucliefafe  to  here    i"™"»i"»-ff.  «* 

"  no  other  blazon. 

2040  Off  lnxemhorugh  ;  noght  put  non  home 
Other  blafon,  you  befeche,  to  were." 
"  My  fair  fwet  lone,"  Anthony  gaii  Anfwere, 
"Accorde  fhal  I  noght  your  wyll  ther-vnto, 

2044  But  Another  thyng  for-fothe  fhall  I  doo. 


Anthony  says  he 
will  not  exactly 
do  that,  but 
proposes 


r 


"N  whatfomeuer  place,  lo  !  that  we  be, 
The  fhild  fhal  I  here  of  A  lyon, 
Vpp<  >n  my  armure,  plenerly  to  fe ; 
2048  That  Armys  wyl  haue  ;  other  wyl  I  non  ; 
For  that  when  I  was  born  thys  wordle  on, 
A  hurt  of  A  lyon  tho  I  gan  to  here, 
Vppon  my  Iawe  ftrongly  appering  there, 


always  to  bear  on 
his  shit'lil  a  lion, 
because  that, 
when  he  was 
horn  into  the 
world,  he  had  on 
his  jaw  a  mark 
like  that  made  by 
a  lion's  claw ; 


2052    \\I here-of  the  peple  Abaffhed  was  fore. 
"  "     Alio  your  plefire  certes  fhal  I  doo, 
And  fultill  your  wyll  days  euer-more." 
She  faid,  "I  you  thanke  full  hertyly,  lo  ! 

2056  Fur  yf  the  Afure  be  put  Away  fro, 
My  hole  Army-  fhal  ye  bere  furely, 
Both  youre  armys  And  thes  fame  only, 


with  this  excep- 
tion, he  will  do 
her  pleasure. 
She  thanks  him, 
and  says  that. 
excepting  the 
azure,  he  can  bear 
both  his  own 
anus  ami  hers, 


2060 


ay"; 


Inch  hen  Amies  ryght  full  Auncion." 


[Fol.  4.1  b] 

*re,  S2i 

accordingly 
assorts  them,  and 
takes  bis  journey 


And  fo  Afforted  thaim  ryght  thys  to  gon. 
Of  this  fair  lady  toke  he  his  leue  there, 


76 


THE    KING    OF    CRACOW  S    INVASION. 


to  Brehayne  at 
full  speed. 


Bavaria  is  passed, 
and  Almaigne ; 
and  Brehayne  is 
soon  reached. 
I  most  nciw  speak 
of  the  evil 
Paynims. 


The  kin?  of 
Cracow  was 
mighty  and 
strong,  and  with 
his  men  made 
great  war  agaiust 
the  Brehaignons. 


One  day  the  king 
of  Brehayne, 

whose  name  was 
Fedris,  armed 
himself  for  a 
sally,  and  hade 
the  gates  he 
thrown  open ; 


fFol.  44.] 
hut  the  Saracens 
beat  these  free 
knights,  over- 
n  helming  them 
with  the  number 

of  their  men. 


Then  fro  ther  logis  tliar1  dreffyd  tlio  Averc, 
2064  ToAvarde  Brehaigne  went  thai  faft  dreuyng  ; 
Euery  Afore  other  Avent  fleing, 

PAffyng  fo  Baueres  And  alfo  Almayn, 
Suche  progreffe  forth  made  ouer  the  contre, 
20  G  8  By  huge  Iournays,  ualey  and  montayn, 

Till  thay  Approched  the  land  of  Brehaigne. 
At  thar  owne  defyre  ther  made  thay  entre, 
'Now  fhal  I  fay  of  paynymes  the  felons, 
2072  Which  werred  dayly  thys  fayd  Brehaignons. 

nnhe  king  of  Craquo2  mighty  And  ftrong  Avas, 
J-    Werryng  ful  higly  the  Brehaignons  thoo, 
Withe  hym  Efclauons  many  had  aplace, 
2076  So  as3  Ave  haue  founde  in  old  fcripture,  lo  ! 
For  of  that  lande  was  lorde  and  fyre  alfo. 
To  Brehaignons  ful  gret  Averre  he  made, 
On  A  day  he  Avent,  to  fearmifh4  with  thaim  fad, 

2080     k  ffome  Brehaigne  Without  hodelneffe. 

-^*-  There  hym  perceyued  the  king  of  Brehaigne, 
And  ther  thought  difplay  his  baner  expreffe, 
Fedris,  which  held  that  BeAvme  And  contre  ; 

2084  Armyng  hym  ryght  fafte,  taking  his  helme  fre, 
When  Av/t/i  his  armure  coueryd  he  Avas, 
Ther  the  gates  made  opon5  And  unhras ; 

FRo  toAvn  iffued  his  peple  And  he  ; 
Off  nohle  peple  had  he  full  many. 
And  the  Sarifins  bete  thes  knightes  fre, 
Many  ther  cafte  done  And  moche  peple  fly, 
But  fuch  ftore  AA'as  of  Efclauons  only, 
2092  That  Ave  can  not  put  tham  As  in  Avriting, 

Off  Avhom  Brehaignons  were  ryght  fore  doubtyng. 


i  "thai"  (?)         2  MS.  "Traquo."  *  MS.  "os." 

*  Sec  Note.  s  Sie  in  MS. 


THE    KING    OP    BOHEMIA    18    SLAIN. 


-  i 


E' 


Ifclauons  Brehaignons  put  fore  Abake, 
And  thani  fore  chafed  A-non  to  the  ende. 
209G  But  of  luxemborught  the  duke  on  gan  take, 
He  puttyng  Away  ther  huge  debate  tende. 
Off  Brehaignons  kyng  to  fyght '  was  bende, 
With  the  Sarifms  faught  he  in  eche  fide, 
2100  Which  his  peple  had  put  Abake  that  tide. 


These  men  drove 
hack  the 

Brehaignons,  ami 
chased  them  into 
the  town.    But 
the  duke  of 
Luxemburg  came 
up,  while  the  king 
of  Brehaigne 


B 


>ut  the  kyng  was  noght  put  Abake  only, 
But  he  had  ynow  hys  life  to  deffende, 
Here  And  there  cafte  doiv»,  fighting  fid  manly, 
2104  On  all  for-fmete,  Another  to  grounde  wende, 
As  A  wyld  boor  deifendyd  hyni  at  ende. 
Eyght  As  at  bay  ftode  thys  manly  good  knight, 
Full  fore  were  thay  hurte  whom  he  Approcho 
myght. 


was  fighting  for 
his  life,  like  a 
wild  hoar  at  hay, 
smiting  and  east- 
ing down  his  foes. 


2108  7)ut  with  A  fhotte  off  A  launcegay  tho 


B 


But  by  a  javelin 
this  noble  knight 

Inys  noble  knygnt2  lmetyn  thorugh  hys  was  smitten 

t       n  through  the  body 

body 


Full  felonefly  And  cruelly  alfo, 
That  to  mortal  deth  fill  down  fodeidy, 
2112  Fro  body  went  the  foide  ful  heuily  ; 

To  our  lord  An  by  commaunded  was  f  he, 
For  A  worthy  maw  certes  was  he. 


and  his  soul  was 
commended  to 
God. 


nnhere  vp  ros  the  cry,  As  feith  the  fcripture, 
2116    -L   The  Brehaignons  wo  fore  wepte  for  pite  ; 

Tho  that  myght,  ther  fled ;  but  farifins  fure 

Thay  fued  ny,  attayning  tho  gan3  fle. 

There  fwerdes  gan  take,  fafte  Aboute  gan  fle, 
2120  Ferfly  on  tham  went  whom  bat  myght  attayn, 

Full  fafte  caft  thay  dou??.,  And  many  ther  llayn. 


[Fol.  44  6] 
The  Brehaignons 
went  sore,  and 
tied ;  but  the 
Saracens  pursued, 
reaching  soon  the 
flying  troop,  and 
slaying  them 
fiercely. 


1  MS.  "  fvo-lit." 


3  MS.  "  kynght." 


MS. 


THE  SARACENS  BURN  THE  DEAD  KING. 


The  few  who 
escaped  came 
sparring  to  the 
town,  and  told 
the  sad  news;  to 
the  great  grief  of 
the  slain  king's 
fair  daughter, 
Eglentine. 


The  people  ran 
fast  hack  into  the 
city  for  fear  of  the 
Saracens,  when 
they  saw  their 
kiiii:  dead.    But 
the  Saracens  are 
overjoyed.; 


W1 


'herof  Brehaignons  braid  and  cried, 
And  tlio  which  might  ther  be  efcapiiu 
2124  Vnto  the  town  come  fpored  And  hied, 
Declaring  thes  nouelles  of  the  kyng  ; 
Wherof  At  hert  had  that  gret  noyng 
The  kynges  doughter,  named  Eglentine, 
2128  Whome  All  good  beute  gan  fair  enlumyne. 


Ef 


■  j  eglentine,  thys  kinges  doughter  fre, 

Off  paynymes  had  gret  fere  And  doubtance. 
The  peple  ran  to  town  And  Cite, 
2132  The  fariiins  moche  doubted  put  inftance, 

When  the  kyng  faw  dede,  whylom  of  pufance ; 
Wheroff  the  farifms  had  gret  ioy  tho, 
Criftyng1  ther  were  had  be  ended  And  doo. 


and,  making  a 
great  tire  with 
bushes  and  wood, 
burnt  the  king's 
body  before  the 
gate.    Those 
within  cry  and 
grind  their  teeth 


2136  rpho  A  Ml  gret  fire  thay  tende  made  And  hade, 
-L    With  bulfhes  And  wod  makyng  it  full  by, 
Ful  ny  to  fie  gate  thys  faid  fire  Jwt  thai  made, 
Byforne  hys  peple  the  kyng  brend  truly. 

2140  Marred  tlierof  ben  tho  w/t/mi  Fully, 

Crying  And  glinting  fore  with  ther  teeth  tho, 
But  no  remedy  cowde  thay  fhap  therto, 


[Fol.  45.] 
But  soon  came 
Anthony,  Ray- 
mild,  and  the  king 
of  Alsace  towards 
Brehaigne,  their 
basnets  glittering 
like  the  bright 
sun. 


The  Brehaignons 

had  great  Deed  '<( 
succour,  and   were 


T^Or  non  other  wyfe  ther  myght  it  noght  be. 
2144  -L     But  tho  cam  Anthony  And  alfo  Baynold, 

Which  to  paynymes  made  fautes  plente, 

And  of  Aufoys  the  noble  kyng  hold. 

To-Brehaigne-ward  cam  thes  thre  told, 
2148  Titer  bufhinentes  fayr  refplendiling, 

As  the  bryghty2  fune  light  and  fayr  fhinyng. 

A     noble  thyng  was  to  behold  and  fe 
-^*-  To-Brehaigne-ward  forth  fafte  were  paffyng 
2152  Which  gret  nede  had  to  focour  and  furete, 


'  Triftyng"  (?) 


2  Sic  in  MS. 


l'KINVKSS    I'.OI.I'.NTINK    LAMENTS. 


70 


For  gretly  thai  Avere  tliaim  ouerpreiling  ;  sore  astonished, 

ami  defended 
The   luvhaignons  went  out  thaim  Fafte  truiling,    themselves  feebly. 

Wheroff  Brehaigne  Avas  Aftoned  fore, 
2156  And  diffendyd  thaim  febly  euermore. 


0' 


|ff  thys  Eglentyne  had  gret  difcomforth, 
She  had  more  leuer  had  mortalite. 
"  Als  !  dede  is,"  faid,  "  my  fader,  my  comfort ; 
2100  Fader  ne  moder  haue  I  noght,  perde  ! 

here  bide  And  dwell  moft,  orpheline  to  fe. 
What  now  willt  thou  don,  woful  Eglentine  1 
To  gret  heuyneffe  off-fors  mofte  thou  incline ; 


Eglentine  would 
rather  have  been 
dead.    She 

laments  her 
father,  and  knows 
not  what  she,  an 
orphan,  will  now 
do; 


F 


TTlor  now  I  fe  here  the  deftruccion 

Off  all  my  regyon  And  Rewme  roial. 
Als  !  caytif  !  what  f  halt  thou  now  don  1 
In  what  nianer  forme  gouerne  the  now  f hall  1 
21G8  Thy  contre  fhalt  fe  put  in  exile  all, 

Diftroed,  robbed,  peled,  and  more  wurfe, 
By  ille  farifms  ;  god  gife  thaim  his  curfe  ! 


for  now  she  sees 
the  destruction  of 
all  her  realm. 
The  country 
would  lie  lobbed, 
pillaged,  and 
worse,  by  evil 
Saracens. 


Iwote  nere  wat  to  do,  neither  what  to  fay, 
Xe  I  may  noght  to  it  fhappe  remedy ; 
Me  mofte  here-After  our  lord  to  renay, 
And  in  fariline  lau  beleue  fully  !" 
Thya  complained  Eglentine  heuily  ; 
217G   For  fariiins  ftrong  Affeilede  fafte  certain 

The  cite  And  town,  And  ftrongly  gan  thaim  payn 


[Fol.  4.r>  h.] 
She  would  have 
to  deny  our  Lord, 
and  believe  in 
Saracen  customs. 
Meanwhile  they 
assailed  the  town 
furiously, 


T« 


\0  haue  it,  and  take  by  afhiute  that  hour. 
Such  trowed  it  to  dreffe,  which  failled  tho  ; 
2180  For  in  lytell  whyle,  thorugh  goddys  labour, 
Er  that  pay[ny]mes  trowid  it  to  do, 
A  meffengere  cam  the  Brehaignons  vnto, 
Entred  brehaigne  Avithout  tarying, 
2184  Ful  coyly  And  preualy  within  entring, 


ami  thought  to 
take  it.    But  soon 
came  a  messenger 
secretly  into  i  he 
town  uuto  the 
Brehaignons, 


80 


THE  PAYNIMS  ARE  IN  TERROR. 


ami  bade  them 
make  another 
sally,  and  look 
out  and  see  the 
king  of  Alsace 
approaching,  with 
Anthony  and 
Rayuold ; 


and  not  to  talk  of 
death,  for  the 
Poitevins  were  at 
hand,  so  well 
nourished  with 
meat  and  wine  aa 
to  astonish  the 
Paynims. 


[Fol.  46.] 
When  the  Barons 

of  Brehaigne 
heard  this,  they 
praise  find. 
Every  man  takes 

g 1  heart,  and 

the  Saracens  begin 
to  quake, 


wondering  what 
news  they  had 
received.    But 
Boon  conies  a 
messenger  to 
them,  saying. 
"  Lords,  leave  off 
your  skirmishing 
and  retreat, 


Then  efcried  he  ryght  full  hautanly, 
"  Now  go  ye  forth,  And  well  fhall  it  appere, 
Which  that  will  diffend  thys  cite  truly. 
2188  Diffend  you  now  well,  fe  your  focour  here, 

Which  comyng  is  you  in  ryght  fwifte  manere. 
Se  ye  noght  her  of  Aufoys  come  the  kyng, 
Anthony  And  Raynold  with  hyni  doth  hryng  t 

2192  "1/Toche  ther  cornyng  is  you  vnto  focour, 

-L'J-  Xe  haue  ye  no  worde  deth  vnto,  fothleffe. 
For  the  nohle  Duke  Anthony  of  honour, 
And  raynold  hys  hrother  to  this  place  thaim 
dreffe ; 

2196  With  thaim  peyteuyns  many  hryng  expreffe, 

Which  norif  hed  hen  with  good  mete  and  wyne, 
Paynyms  thay  will  make  to-ftonifte  incline. 


The: 
Tr 


Ihe  kyng  of  Aufoys  thaim  haue  in  company, 
2200   J-   To  focour  And  aid  tho  Af  Brehaigne." 

When  the  Barons  it  vnderftode  truly, 

Thay  yildyng  thankes  to  god  in  trenite. 

Eche  off  tham  diffended  fcharply  to  fee, 
2204:  Ther  euery  man  good  hert  g'an  to  take, 

The  farifms  it  faw,  ffore  gan  to  quake, 

"jl/Tvfyng  what  nouelles  or  comfort  thay  hade. 

^-'-■-  When  thai  perceiued  tham  to  contune  fo, 
2208  "  Se,"  on  faid,  "  A  meffyngere  comyng  fad  ; " 

Whiche  with  full  fhil  vois  cried  right  loude 
tho, 

"  your  efcarmifh,  lordes,  lete  paffe  And  goo. 

Vn-to  your  loges  make  fair  retrete  Anon, 
2212  Withdraw,  remeue  hens  time  is  that  Ave  done. 


for  behold  the 
Christians  fast 

approaching, 


F 


Or  criftyn  peple  comyng  faft  many  fe, 
To  comforth  tho  within,  famdele1  fered, 


fumdele'"  (?) 


A  MIGHTY  BATTLE  ENSUES. 


81 


Off  Army  peple  Full  many  here  bee, 
2216   (The  feldes  ouerall,  lo  !  hen  couered), 

Which  us  cometh,  by  gret  wreth  ftered." 
Then  thes  paynymes  wretbfully  ther  thens 
Whent,  leuyng  Anon  ther  ftourdy  uiolens. 


2220 


Thens  to  ther  logges  went  thay  retornyng, 
And  not-For-)>at  made  clariners  vp-blow ; 
And  ther  batailles  Anon  ordaynyng.  - 
Off  that  other  part  Anthony  fo  grow 
222-1  Hys  batail  renged,  comyng  to  be  know  ; 
When  entreproched  thys  huge  hoftes  to, 
Sarifms  ftrongly  ther  thaim  doubted  tho. 

The  criftin  peple  tho  ran  thaim  vppon  ; 
Perfed  And  brokyng  f  hildes  were  many ; 
Tho  criftin  went  toward  thaim  enui[r]on, 
The  farifms  went  tham  to  deffend  withly  ;l 
Ther  A  myghty  ftour  men  fhold  fee  to  eye. 
2232  To  off  thaim  hath  ther  caft  don  Eaynold, 
Meruelous  ftrokes  fmote  he  as  man  bold ; 


by  whom  all  the 
fields  are  covered 
over."    The 
Paj  aims  there- 
upon  refreat, 


returning  to  their 
tents.    Prepara- 
tions are  made  for 
liattle  on  both 
sides,  and  the 
Saracens  are 
struck  with 
terror. 


[Fol.  40  b] 
Then  were  many 
shields  pierced 
and  broken ; 
there  might  he 
seen  a  mighty 
battle. 


A 


Nd  ther  Anthony  hys  foes  cafte  don,  Anthony  smite*  a 

Paynim,  whom 

All  peple  hym  dead  And  fore  hym  gan  neither  helm  nor 

harness  guarded 
doilte.  from  the  blow; 

for  the  sword 
clove  his  head  to 
the  teeth. 


223G  A  paynym  to  fmyte  went  he  forth  Anon, 

hym  not  warented  harnes  ne  In-line  Aboute  ; 
For  hys  fwerd  entred  hys  hed  thorugli-oute, 
Which  ther  rent  And  cleffe  d~n  the  theth2  vn-to, 

2240  he  gan  fall  to  erth  with  gapyng  throte  tho. 


T' 


mo  criftin  manly  gan  do  at  that  day, 
Euery  forth  went  w/t/i  ftrokes  fmyting. 
Tho  went  lufignens  ef crying  allway, 
2244  "lordys.  Barons,  Aforn  here  paffyng, 

Vppon  the  paynymes  be  ye  wel  fighting  ! " 


Then  went  tho 
Lusignans,  crj  ing 
out,  "  Lords  and 
barons,  fight 
well!'' 


lightly"  (?) 


See  1.  2260. 
6 


2  Sic  in  MS. 


82 


THE    SARACENS    AUK    ALL    SLAIN, 


The  kin?  of 
Cracow,  in  great 
wrath, 


comes  to  the 
rescue,  and  smites 
down  a  Christian 
to  the  grass;  then 
he  cries  aloud,  "  0 
ye  Christians, 


[Fol.  47] 
you  shall  all  die!" 
But  Raynold 
strained  his  brand 
of  still  fiercely, 
ami  smote  the 
kin?  with  such 
force  1  bat  he  rent 
his  bead  to  the 
teeth. 


Tod  iath  fell  the 
kin?;  ami  the 
Saracens  stayed 
no  longer,  hut 
turned  their 

i  ■■ninl 


and  fled  i 

i  .lit  pur 

!l  the 
Saracens  are  cut 
to  pieces  like  flesh 
cut  upon  t  ii' 

stalls. 


The  kyng  of  Craquo '  fill  wrogth  tho  he  was, 
When  hys  peple  faw  fuch  hnrtes  piirchas, 


2248  fT\0  thaim  focour  hym  efforced  tho, 

-L   With  gret  ftrength  And  myght  his  fwerd 

gan  enhrace, 
hys  fwerd  ferf  lily  f  hone,  And  by  gret  vertu,  lo  ! 
A  criftin  hath  he  cafte  don  vppon  the  grace, 

2252  Al  doth  to  ground  laid  thro  wen  in  the  place. 
After  Craquo1  hily  cried  And  grad, 
"0  ye  criftin,  your  dethe  now  here  had ; 


2256 


All  fhall  ye  dye,  efcape  ye  ne  may, 
Fnrf, 


Forfoth  here  by  nie  of-fors  moft  ye  dy." 
hys  langage  greuyd  moche  Raynold  that  day, 
"With  fpores  fmote  fafte  his  courfe[r]  bigly, 
With  hand  ftrained  hys  brande  of  ftile  ferfly, 
2260  And  wightly  went  to  finite  the  kyng  Craquo,1 
By  fuch  fors  And  ftrenght  bed  rent  teth  vnto. 

T)uftefly  And  rude  the  ftroke  gan  difcend, 

-L'  Eaynold  cafte  hyni  don,  to  deth  the  king 
fall; 
2264  Wherwith  hys  peple  to  dif comfort  wend, 

'No  lenger  fogerned  farifms,  gret  ne  fmall. 

With  ther  courfers  ther  ways  torned  all ; 

When  tliay  perceiued  and  faw  ther  kyng  flayn, 
2268  Thay  thaim  held  tho  All  difcomiite  plain. 

A  Pertly  Anly  Opeidy  torned  to  flight, 
But  peiteuins  tho  purfute  after  made, 
Vppon  farifms  fmote  and  bete  don  ryght, 
2272  Tham  all  to-chapped  And  kerne  in  pecis  fad, 
As  men  don  the  flefh  vppon  the  ftal  had. 
Anthony,  the  full  noble  fouerayn, 
Offpaynyms  hath  ryght  manyon  flain. 

1  MS.  "  Traquo." 


AND    AFTERWARDS    ENTIRELY    BURNT. 


83 


227G  mhc  farilins  thaim  held  for  difcomfight ; 


T 


he  rent  And  tare  don  all  he  gan  attain. 
The  kyng  of  Aufois,  Alfo  A  good  knight, 
He  hym  hare  ful  wel  And  nohilly  certain. 
2280  All  the  paynymes  ther  of  tronth  were  llain  ; 
When  ther  perceiued  the  king  Aufois  hold 
Tho  kyng  of  Craquo '  ftanded  and  all  cold, 

And  of  pain.yin.es  fo  full  gret  fufion, 
Ther  he  comniaunded  hys  peple  unto 
That  unto  on  liepe  put  fhuld  he  echon. 
Ryght  As  he  had  fayd,  fo  ther  was  it  do. 
The  paynyms  hepid  ftrongly  An  hye  tho, 
2288  In  euery  part  put  to  was  the  fire, 

Ther  paynymes  were  hruled  and  hrend  entire. 


Anthony  rent  and 
tare  all  he  could 
attain  to,  ;ui<!  at 
!a>i  all  the  Pay- 
Dims  were  slain. 


[Fol.  47  6.] 
The  king  of 
Alsace  bids  that 
all  the  dead 
bodies  should  be 
laid  upon  a  heap, 
and  burnt ;  and 
thus  was  it  done. 


01 


kff  Sarfons2  A  man  f  hold  venge  hym  ryght  fo,  it  was  in  revenge 

for  the  way  in 

For  of  verray  brought  of  Craquo1  the  kynge  winch  the  king  of 

Cracow  had  burnt 

2292  like  made  hys  brother  to  Afkis  brend  tho. 

Anthony  And  Raynold  ther  were  logging 

In  tentes  reifed  which  thei  were  finding ; 

The  peiteuins  ther  logged  in-ly  well, 
2296  And  fariiins  difloged  eueridelle. 


his  brother's  body. 
The  Poitevins 
lodge  well  in  the 
enemy's  tents. 


T 


me  kyng  Aufois  lefte3  thes  holy  mightes, 
Vnto  the  town  went  he  ther  forth  A-non, 
With  hym  An  hundred  of  noble  knightis, 
2300  Of  moffce  wurthieft  being  enuiron, 

And  mofte  hightieft  goodly  of  perfon, 
Ther  fair  Eglentine  comyng  hym  Agayn, 
What-fo  fhe  gan  do  wel  be-cam  certayn  ; 


2304 


TTVmbly  And  fwctly  falute  fhe  the  kyng, 


For  hir  uncle  was  he  naturally, 
The  kyng  gentilly  hir  ther  enbrafing, 
After  hyr  gan  kyffe  ryght  full  curtoilly 

1  MS.  "Traquo."         a  MS.  "  Garfons."        •"■  MS. 
6* 


lcfte  ! 


Tli'1  king  of 
Alsace  ami  100 
knights  ride  otf  to 
the  town. 
Eglentine  comes 
to  meet  them, 


and  salutes  her 
uncle.    He  assures 

his  niece  that  her 
father's  death  is 
well  avenged; 


8-1 


THE    KING    OF    BOHEMIA*    ASHES 


TFol.  48.] 
and  that  she 
should  ii""'  com- 
fort herself,  since 
her  enemies  were 
fully  repaid  all 
their  wages, 


and  had  failed 
utterly  in  their 
design  ;  so  that 
mi  shame  or 
reproach  now 
attached  to  her. 


She  replies  that 
her  heart  is 
sorrowful  when 
she  thinks  upon 
her  father's  death. 
"  Was  not  he  my 
brother?"  replies 
her  uncle; 


"  we  will  perform 
the  funeral  i  Ites 
ow,  and 
pray  for  his  soul." 
A  thousand 
pounds  nf  wax 
"err  made  lor  the 

i"  ,  ;,    inn. 


2308  "Fair  nece,"  faid  the  kyng,  "  here  I  you  affy 
That  your  fadir  Detli  auenged  is  "well  ; 
Be  ye  noyht  wroth,  difpleafe  you  no  dell. 

"VTE  haue  fayn  hys  deth  uenged  with  gret  fors  ; 
2312    J-    The  king  of  Craquo1  for  hym  is  ther  ded  ; 

Off  your  fader  ne  haue  rnynde  ne  remors, 

Tliys  faid  king  Craquo1  brende  haue  I  in-ded. 

Comfort  your-felf,  that  is  wit  and  womanhed ; 
2316  iff  Any  demage  don  haue  in  contre, 

Off  ther  wages  thay  truly  payed  be. 

"VTO  more  after  this  nedith  noght  to  doute  ; 

■*-*  Thay  trowed  under  fote  put  the  contre, 
2320  Now  haue  thai  failled  of  ther  art  all-oute  ; 

And  of  f  hame  no-thyng  certes  haue  not  ye, 

AVherfor  reproche  or  repref  f  hold  be. 

I  haue  wonnen  that  nedith  you  thys  houre, 
2324  Acquired  haue  ye  worfhip  and  honoure." 

"TTA,  fir,"  fhe  faid,  "good  lord  fouerain. 

-LL  My  gentile  uncle,  and  my  ful  fwet  frend, 
"When  I  me  bethenke  on  my  fader  flayn, 
2328  A-non  my  hert  w/t/an  wepingly  is  tend." 

"  AVas  not  he  my  brother  %  "  faid  the  kyng  at  end ; 
"  hyt  behouith  us  forow  to  lete  paffe, 
Pray  we  god  on  hym  haue  mercy  and  grace. 

2332  1  Tis  funerall  obfeque  to-morn  we  do, 

J--'-  And  for  hys  good  foule  to  our  lord  pray  we." 

Eyght  as  he  fayd,  don  was  al  thyng  tho. 

A  thoufand  pound  of  wax  fourged  and  made  fhe, 

233G  As  for  the  morn  to  don  the  obfeque, 

At  fodayn  warnyng  had  thay  fuch  huge  light, 
Anthony  Ami  Raynolde  both  were  ther  ryght ; 


1  MS.  "Traquo." 


A HK    llO.VOUKABLY    BURIED. 


85 


"Vnlv  will1  was  Jon  that  which  fhokl  he  do.  m  f1'"1  4~ \ ) 

Y        •>  Then  began  the 

2310    -L    Moche  the  Brehaignons  gan  vnto  behold  Brehaignons  to 

o  °  behold  tbese  two 

The  hahilite  of  thes  compaynonns  tho,  ""''Ul-V  brethren; 

1    "  and  none  were 

Thes  faid  wurthy  men,  thes  to  brethren  hold.2  ever  weary  of 

"  Looking  at  tilt-in. 

That  myght  noght  he  wery,  yonge  ne  olde, 
2344  As  thaim  vnto  fee  fo  fette  verily, 

Large,  long,  gret,  ftrong,  ftreight,  wel  thought 
truly. 


T 


{her  Abaffhed  And  ffconde  were  many 
Off  thys  lyons  hurt  that  thai  gan  behold, 
2348  Setten  in  the  fkin  ftrangely,  lo  !  lid  hy 
(  Ml'  hir  Anthony,  hrother  to  Raynold  ; 
For  the  hurt  to  thaim  Appered  ther  unfold, 
Wherof  euery  man  baifhed  was  famfayL 
2352  ( Ml'  gretneffe  of  it  had  thay  gret  meruail. 


Euer  to  hym  faw  non  like  ne  egall,' 
Then  after  faid  tho  of  town  And  cite 
That  raynold  was  habill  man  w/t//-all, 
2356  As  to  difcomfite  well  fhappen  was  he 

A  re  wine  or3  empire  of  full  large  contre  ; 
Saf  hut  that  o  eye  had,  thay  gan  complayn, 
Al  other  membres  commanded  thay  certain. 


L1 


23G0  1     Enger  nedith  noght  to  declare  ne  tell 
his  obfeque  don  without  doubte  Any, 
Worfhippfully  And  honorably  weL 
Then  the  kyng  gan  hold  A  parlemenl  truly, 

23G4  Where  had  tho  was  A  noble  company, 

"Withe  full  wurthy  men  As  of  Brehaigne, 
The  king  faing,  "Barons,  underftande  me, 


23G8 


H 


it  you  behouith  rewarde  and  behold 


Han;  were 
astonished  al  the 
mark  upon 
Anthony's  fair. 
as  it  was  very 
l>lain  to  the  sight 
ami  large. 


They  also  thought 
Raynold  was 
well-shaven  for 
conquering  king- 
doms, and  com- 
mended liim  for 
everything  but. 
bis  la<k  ol  one 
eye. 


The  king  of 

Iirehaigne  being 

honourable 

bui  ied,  the  king 

of  Usa<  e  bo  ds  a 

council, 


[FoL  40.] 
and  advises  them 

ho  fhall  doo  gouerne  And  rule  this  contre,    tu  rl «  Qew 


1  ?«well"  (?)  -  "  bold  "  (?)     See  note. 

MS.  "  of."     See  note. 


86 


THE    PRINCESS    EGLENTINE 


king.    They  reply 
that  it  is  his 
business  entirely, 


And  ho  your  king  f  hold  be  know  now  ye  f hold, 
For  pref  entry  iioav  with-out  king  ye  he." 
Ther  hym  Anfwering,  "good  ryght  is  to  fe, 
2372  But  the  werke  therof  fully  doth  partain 
And  all  the  labour  in  you  hole  and  plain. 


as  he  is  the  next 
heir,  if  Eglentine 
should  die.  It  is 
therefore  for  him 

to  choose  whom 
she  shall  marry. 


The  king  inquires 
whom  they  wish 
her  to  marry. 
They  reply  that 
they  leave  it 
entirely  to  him. 


He  replies  that  in 
that  case  they 
shall  have  for  a 
lord  one  who  is 
a  worthy  and 
famous  knight. 


f: 


Or  gif  Eglentyne  were  ended  And  gon, 
on  to  enherite  f  hold  fall  the  contre ; 
2376  The  purueaunce  therof  lith  you  uppon, 

Auaunce  you  now,  for  hys  loue  in  trinite, 
So  that  thys  contre  well  purueyed  he 
Off  on,  chofen  by  you,  that  Eglentyne 
2380  May1  marie  and  gouerne  us  and  our  line." 

The  kyng  Anfwered,  "to  my  parte  you  fay, 
To  whom  behouith  my  nece  to  mary  1 
Or  for  whom2  wold  ye?  you  befech  All-way, 
2384  That  ye  me  fay  your  Auife  fully." 

"  Sir,  at  your  deuife,"  the  Barons  faid  furely, 
"  Ryght  As  ye  will,  fo  certes  will  we  doo  ; 
No  knight  will  refceiue  but  at  your  pleilre,  lo  ! 

2388     A  1  the  werke  therof  we  put  you  uppon." 

■£*-  "  Then  in  goddis  name,  fires,  lete  me  do  " — 
(This  Anfwered  thys  noble  kyng  Anon)  — 
"  On  fhal  ye  haue  gentile  And  curtois  to, 

2392  A  man  of  goodneffe  and  of  honour  alfo, 

Whom  ye  f hall  refceiue  As  unto  your  lorde, 
Is  hardy  wurthi  knight,  good  of  recorde  ; 


[Fol.  49  6.] 
He  reminds  them 
that  two  brothers, 
both  noble  kings 
knights?),  and 


2396 


"VTOn  other  I  will  certes  to  you  take. 

-^    Then  to  brothers  haue,  noble  kynges  to, 

And  An  bye  Duke,"  to  thaim  thys  the  kyng 

fpake, 
"  In  your  grette  nede  you  aid  hath  alfo  ; 


i  MS.  "Many." 


•  MS.  "  whon." 


IS    MARRIED    TO    RAYNOLD. 


87 


To  thys  place  comyn  ferre  contrees  fro  ; 
2400  Delruerd  hath  your  noble  Cite 

Fro  the  paynimes  And  all  your  contre." 


one  of  them  a 
duke,  have  saved 
their  city. 


R 


Aynold  called  forth  by  the  kyna;  Anon,  He  therefore  calls 

J  ...      Eaynold,  and  tells 

Sayng,  "  vnto  you  will  I  couenaunt  hold.       him  he  will  per- 

.  form  the  promise 

2404  The  kyng  with  uois  hye1  faid,  hurd  manypn,        he  made  him, 

that  lie  would 

"  Come  forth  here  !  Appere  !  come  forth,  Kay-  make  him  a  king. 

nold  ! 
Approche  As  come  nerre,  fwete  frend,  As  man 

hold.2 
here-beforn  I  haue  you  he  promyiing 
2408  That  of  this  contre  make  you  Avoid  A  kyng. 


Y 


will  not  you  lye,  hut  to  it  confent,  BKJ5£  and 

Tor  A  king  ne  fhold  lye3  ne  he  gabbyng  ;     ;lU  t,,c  kingdom- 

My  nece  Eglentine  to  wife  f  hal  ye  hent 
2412  With  all  rewme  And  that  to  it  longing. 

Will  ye  hir  now  take,  the  land  diffending  1 

Off  hyr  And  hyrs  you  lorde  fhall  I  make, 

And  all  longith  hir  ye  As  for  to  take." 


2416  TXTTien  fir  Anthony  All  thys  vnderftode, 
*  '     he  taried  noght  to  Anfwere  redy, 

he  tartly  thankyng  thys  noble  king  good 

That  fair  Eglentine  Kaynolde  fhold  mary. 
2420  "  Off  your  fre  kyndeneffe  And  curtefy 

The  contre  fhall  diffende,  ruling  well  the  lande  ; 

For  werre4  he  can  well,  knightly  is  off  hand." 

When  thes  Barons  thys  Anfwere  had  fong, 
To  our  lorde  thankes  yeldyng  full  hyly, 
And  to  onre  lady  in  thai-  hertes  ftrong, 


Sir  Anthony 
thanks  the  king 
heartily,  and 
promises  that 
Raynold  shall 
defend  the  conn 
try  well. 


[Fol.  ;o.] 
The  barons  praise 

Our  Lord  and  Our 
Lady  when  they 


1  MS.  "  hyr."     Fr.  text,  "en  hault."  •  "  bold  "  (?) 

3  MS.  "  by."     Fr.  text,  "  mentir." 

4  Or  "  werie  ;  "  but  "  wcrre"  is  right. 


88 


THE    MARRIAGE-FEAST. 


perceive  how 
strong  and  large 
a  man  Raynold  is. 


Raynold  and 
Eglentine,  being 
finely  arrayed,  are 
married;  and  the 
marriage-feast 
lasted  16  days. 


Never  were 
fairer  presents 
given  than  were 
then  given  by 
Eglentine.    There 
were  1000  men 
there  from  the 
country,  besides 
the  "towuish" 
people. 


Raynold  gained 
great  honour  in 
the  tournaments, 

and  is  greeted 
willi  loud  acclaim 
mi  all  sides. 


[Vol  60  b.] 
Duke  Anthony 
take  i  hi-  leave. 


Ther  thay  perceueel  hyin  ftrong,  large,  And  hy ; 
The  lande  to  gouerne  thought  wold  pefibilly. 
2428  Thys  kyng  ordayned  his  nece  Eglentine 

All  that  pertain  f  hold  A  queue  of  ray  fine. 

And  Raynold  like-wife  put  hym  in  Aray1 
As  pertained  to  hinges  hye  corage. 
2432  The  rnariage  don  And  finifhed  that  day 
Beforne  the  fyght  of  all  the  Baronage  ; 
Thys  feft  ther  roiall  fourged  by  tho  fage ; 
Hit  days  fiftene  endured  largely, 
2436  Full  noble  gyftes  ther  geuen  frely. 

"VTEuer  was  yeuen  more  fairer  thinges, 
-^  '    Robes,  courfers,  iew[e]lles  forth  prefent. 
Alfo  ther  had  thes  honorous  hinges 
2440  Iouftes,  tornementes  full  excellent 

In  prefence  of  ladies  courtois  And  gent. 
Prefently  ther  had  A  thoufand  of  contre, 
"Without  tho  townifhe  peple,  vnto  fe. 


F 


That  of  Brehaignons  lord  was  tho  prefent  • 
Ther  faing  al  with  O  wis'2  pat  hour, 
"  Lif,  lif  oure  noble  hinge  reuerent  ! 
2448  For  A  man  hym  know  vnto  All  entent  ! 

And  blill'ed  be  he  hym  A-place  gan  bring  ! " 
At  feftene  dais  end  ceffed  the  fefting. 

PEpole  toke  ther  leue  homeward  to  repaire, 
The  ladies  And  dainycelles  All, 
Off  whom  there  was  had  manyon  And  fayre. 
The  1  )uke  Anthony  hys  leue  toke  in  hall, 
I n-1  (i  way  hym  fette  at  that  enteruall, 

1   In  the  margin,  Rnyiiold  tnarr[ies]  Eglcntyne,  §  ys  Jcynge  of 
brjh[ainej. 

2  "  with  O  vois  "  (?)     MS.  "  with  .0.  wis." 


raynold's  successes.  89 

2456  Towarde  luxembrough  he  and  hys  mayne,  and  returns  home 

to  Luxemburg. 

"Which  were  fidl  noble  And  "entile  to  fee. 


A 


nd  in  Brehaigne  gan  to  byde  And  dwell  Raynoid  acquires 

great  honour  as 

-bayiiold   the   hye   kyng,   whome   gan   to  kingofBre- 

,  haigne,  ami  car- 

honome  ries  on  a  great 


2460  All  the  wide  contre  courtoifly  And  well 
And  by  hys  nobleffe  be  fuch  gouernoure, 
Eche  man  his  dedes  preifed  hugely  that  houre. 
In  Frife  made  gret  werre  Eainold  er  he  refte 

2464  At  ortholegne  off  the  grett  conquefte. 


■war  in  Friesland, 


B 


I  hys  ftrength  Denmarke  gan  he  to  acquere  ;  and  also  conquers 

J  °  °  x  '   Denmark.     We 

In  his  tynie  regned  As  man  pnfantly  ;  leave  Mm  now, 

ami  return  to 

Full  goodly  leuid  hys  lif  here  entire ;  Duke  Anthony. 

2468  And  As  that  man  non  here  more  wurthy 
Was  not  A-thys-iide  the  roniayns  truly. 
As  off  hym  here  no  more  declare  att  All, 
Off  the  Duke  Anthony  talke  &  fpeke  me  f hall  ; 

nthony  the  Duke,  And  off  Aufoys  the  kyng,  Anthony  and  the 

king  of  Alsace 


2472     A  nthony 
A-  Whid 


rhicll  Were  COUrtois,  gentile,  COnnyng,  And    arrive  at  Luxem- 
burg, where 

fa^e.  they  part, :  and 

the  king  of  Alsace 

Fro  Brehaigne  tho  enfemble  comyng,  returns  home. 

After  at  luxemborugh  toke  ther  hoftage. 
2476  Ther  on  fro  other  parted  of  viage, 

At  luxemborugh  king  Aufois  not  Avoid  fogoum, 
Al  ftreight  in-to  hys  contre  gan  retourn.1 


an  A 


nthony  with  hys  wife  gan  ynto  remayn,  ,  JF"1  ■'•' -1  . 

J  "  °  "      '  Anthony  remains 

2480  ■£*-  For  litill  while  had  thai  maried  be.  awhile  withhis 

wife,  whom  he 

Ful  moche  hir  louing  with  perfecte  hert  plain,  loved  liraltil.v- 
In  wil  and  dede  hir  loued  hertly  he, 
As  anv  man  eowde  A4his-fi.de  the  fe. 


Here  follows  the  catchword—"  Anthonv  wttA  hys  wyffe." 


90 


BERTRAM    IS    MADE    KING    OF    ALSACE. 


They  had  two 
children,  one 
named  Bertran, 


and  the  other 
Lochier;  who 
freed  the  passes 
of  Ardennes  (?), 
built  Givet  {'!), 
and  made  the 
bridge  of  Me- 
zieres  over  the 
Meuse. 


Anthony  conquers 
the  Earl  of  Fri- 
burg,  and  passes 
through  Austria, 
where  he  con- 
qu  .ts  many  a 
region. 


2484  hys  wyfe  by  lrym  had  to  cheldren  perfight,1 

On  named  Bertran,  which  was  A  good  knight  ;2 


Bertran,  An- 
thony's eldest  son, 
marries  the  king 

(if  Alsace's  daugh- 
ter, and  am  ceeds 
to  his  kingdom. 


[FoL  51  ft.] 

Tim-  lie  and  his 
brother  put 


T 


Ihe  yonger  had  to  name  lochier  the  gud ; 
he  delyuerd  ftraytes  all  and  gyed 
2488  As  of  dardane,  which  plente  had  wood, 
Many  A  good  knight3  ther  fortefied ; 
ywon  all-ther-firft  ther  lie  edified  ; 
Vppon  meufe  the  noble  brigge  made 
2492  Off  meifiere,  after  A-conquefte  had 

MAny  other  places  by  hug  proweffe  ; 
Of  al  gret  nobleffe  thys  faid  man  tho  was. 
Anthony  wered  with  ftrong  befineire 
2496  The  Erie  of  Faborugh,4  conqueft  gate  by  gras  ; 
Pafl'yng  Aritrige,5  many  richefle  made  purchas, 
And  all  put  in-to  hys  fubiecc/on, 
Conqueryng  ther  uiany  A  regyon. 

2500     4  fter,  Bertran  the  eldefte  fon  becam, 

-£-*-  Within  litell  whyile,  fid  gret  And  ryglit 

manly  ; 
To  wyfe  toke  the  doughter  of  Aufoys  kyng  of 

fame  ; 
A  full  good  knight  was,  gentile  And  wurthy, 
2504  Entrepreignant,  coragious,  and  hardy,6 

And  more  often-tymes  then  I  can  you  fay  ; 
kyng  of  Aufoys  was  after  the  kynges  day  ; 

Hys7  doughter  maried,  As  beforn  gan  tell, 
Which  lady  tho  was  of  all  the  contre. 
Bertran  ther  regned  and  gouerned  welle. 


1  MS.  "prcfight." 

2  In  the  margin  f  elder  Bertran,  Anton[g]  sons,  §  if  younger 
lochy\er\. 

3  "  brought "  (?)       *  "Friborugh"  (?)       5  "  Autrige  "  (?) 

6  In  the  margin,  Bertran  kynge  of  Aufoys.     7  MS.  "Ilhys." 


GEOFFREY    HEARS    OF    THE    GIANT    GUEDON. 


91 


Thes  brethren  to  reened  As  men  foe,  underfoot  ail  that 

°  troubled  and  an 

That  by  ftrenght  &  my<dit  put  vnder  fote  in  fe  ""y''1  them.   We 

J  °  JO       i  shall  speak  of 

2512  All  tho  which  thaini  made  trouhle  or  noyfance.  them  no  more. 
Off  thaim  will  I  refte  me  here  this  inftance. 


T< 


10  Melufme  fhall  I  retorn  Again, 
And  my  mater  ayen  taken  fhall  bee, 
25 1G  how  that  Baymound  hyni  gouerned  certain. 
Ther  full  excellently  regned  lie, 
In  places  fele,  in  many  A  contre, 
By  ftrenght  of  fwerd  conquered  of  corage  ; 
2520  For  hys  nobleffe  All  Barons  gan  do  hym  homage. 


We  return  to 
Melnsine.    Ray- 
mond reigned 
excellently,  and 
all  did  him 
homage. 


G  Affray  with  grette  toth  hecam  man  full  grette,  Geoffrey  with  the 
great  tooth  he- 
Byght  myghty,  ftrong,  fers,  whight,  &  full  came  a  full  great 

man ;  and  cou- 


pufaumt ; 

In  werring  A  ftrong  werriour  ryght  fet ; l 
2-") 2 i  Dayly  his  vertu  preuyngly  gan  haunt. 

For  he  conquered  Guedon  the  huge  Geaunt, 
And  by  knightly  ftrenght  hym  ther  difcomtight, 
Which  Geaunt  wafted  the  contre  don  ryght, 


quered  and  dis- 
comfited the 
giant  Guedon, 


2528  TTVery  man  ftrongly  gan  hym  to  redoute, 


E 


for  fear  of  whom 
all  men  were 

To  Rochel  toke  fauegarde,  for  all  hym  drad  :  taking  refuge  in 

°  '  J  Rochelle.    When 

In-  paceyfed2  the  contre  thorugh-oute, 
As  well  in  meddes  As  at  endvs  had. 


2532  "When  Geffray  underftod  thes  nouelles  fprad, 
And  j)"t  hym  called  with  gret  toth  tho, 
He  fwere  hys  oth  Again  hym  wold  he  go ; 


Geoffrey  heard  of 
this,  he  swore  he 

would  go  against 
him 


And  in  hert  thought  well  hym  to  difcomfight, 
To  the  fwete  plefire  of  kyng  of  glory 
Which  ycuith  all  tho  that  wyll  victory  ryght 
His  fader  Baymounde  full  wo  and  fory, 
For  the  Geant  he  doubted  heuily, 


[Fol.  52.] 
and  discomfit 
Imu.  lint  his 
father  Raymond 
was  woful  and 
sony.  and  in  fear 
for  Geoffrey's 
safety. 


1  «fet"(?) 


2  Or,  "patcyfed." 


92 


FROMONT  ASKS  IDS  FATHER 


2540  For  that  he  was  fo  horrible  grete ; 

Off  Geffray  in  mynde  ful  huge  doubte  he  get. 


Geittfrey  anna, 
and  departs  with 
nine  others.  I 
shall  return  now 
to  Melusine,  who 
had  yet  two  more 
sous. 


one  called  Fro- 
mont.  the  other 
Thierry.   Fromont 
was  a  great  clerk, 
and  loved  re- 
ligion,  so  that  he 
wished  to  become, 
a  in" nk 


in  the  abbe;  of 
Maillezais;  and 
tberefore  ran  to 
his  iii  her,  and 
besought  him  to 
consent  to  his 
wearing  the 
monk's  habit. 


GEffray  with  gret  toth  Armed  hym  full  prefte, 
hym-felfenn  the  tenth  went  to  that  parte, 
2544  Paffyng  forth  hys  way  w/t/iout  any  ryfte. l 

Here  fhal  I  hym  leue,  no  more  now  faid  be ; 
Eetorn  Againe  fhall  to  Melufiue  fre, 
The  fwet,  the  courtois,  the  benigne  alfo, 
2548  Which,  after  thys  bare  wurthy  children  to, 

Ryght  As  we  find  A  litterall  feripture, 
On  called  Fromont,  Another  Tierry. 
For-foth  fromont  was  A  good  creature, 
25.32  An  huge  gret  clerk  e  ful  of  clergy, 

The  Abbey  of  malers  louyd  feruently  ; 
Callyng  to  god,  louyng  relygyon, 
So  that  to  hym  cam  of  deuocion 

2556  TN  the  faid  abbey  A  monke  hym  yilding. 
-L  Fro  thens  departed  without  refting  plain, 
Vnto  hys  fader  fafte  he  cam  rennyng, 
A-non  hyrn  ther  made  thys  requefte  certane, 

25G0  Be-fought  the  uefture  of  Malers  myght  attain, 
On  monke  habite  A  monke  hym  to  make. 
WhenEaymound  hurd  thys,  wo  was  for  hir2  fake ; 


[Fol.62  6.] 
Raymond  marvels 
great  Ij  ,  and  liids 
him  regard 
Anthony  and  his 
other  brethren, 

Who  are  all  noble 
knights. 


2564 


TE  merueled  gretly,  to  fromont3  faing, 
J- J-  "  Fair  fone,  how  is  thys  1  A  !  good  lord  hy  ! 


Wil  ye  A  monke  be  nedis  be-comyng  ? 
Eeward  and  behold  your  brother  Anthony, 
And  all  your  bretherin  being  full  knightly, 
2568  Which  ben  fo  noble  knightes  to  fe  ! 

Ynto  be  A  monke  certes  may  noght  be  ; 


Sic  j  for  "lcl'tc." 


«hia"(?) 


MS.  "  formont." 


IP    HE    MAY    TURX    MONK. 


93 


S( 


K)  god  bo  pleafed,  monke  fhall  ye  noght  be. 
Another  ordre  to  you  yiff  I  fhall, 
2572  A  knyght  will  you  mak  of  full  hye  degre 
As  your  brethren  ben  named  ryght  roiall." 
Fromont  Anfwered  to  hys  fader  all 
That  he  neuer  wold  be  in  ordre  of  knight, 
2576  Neither  amies  here,  but  ferue  god  to  ryght, 

"  T)raynS  t°  our  l°rde,  vnto  hys  by  empire, 

-L     For  you,  my  moder,  and  my  bretberin  all ; 
Vnto  be  A  mo[n]ke  I  you  here  require, 
2580  No-thing  fo  moche  coueyte  ne  defire  fhall 
As  in  maillers  Abbay  be  perpetual. 
That  place  or  cite  haue  I  noght  in  hate, 
For  ther  wold  I  ufe  all  my  lifes  fate. 

2584-  T)Efech  you  and  pray,  caufe  me  not  it  refufe  ; 
■*-'  Cherefull  fader  nryne,  in  you  al  the  hold." 
Eaymounde  law  wele  herd  was  it  excufe, 
To  Melufme  fent  A  meffinger  bold 

2588  "Which  As  for  that  tyme  the  befte  gan  unfolde  j 
Then  the  meffynger  gan  declare  and  tel 
All  that  Eaymounde  had  told  hir  eueridell, 


Ilr  out-lit  not  to 
wish  for  the  order 
of  monkhood,  but 
of  knighthood. 
But  Fromont 
says  he  would 
never  take  on 
himself  this 
order. 


and  covets  no- 
thing so  much  as 
to  remain  in  the 
abbey  for  ever, 
and  spend  all  his 
life  there. 


Raymond  sees  it 
is  hard  to  refuse, 
and  therefore 
sends  a  message 
about  it  to 
Melusiue, 


E 


"Ou  Fromont  A  monke  of  maillers  wold  be. 
2592     ;*-*-  Haftily  Eaymound  fent,  for  ioy  of  it  bad 

non, 
To  ende  that  for  Fromont  ordayn  fhold  fhe, 
If  pleafed  wold  be,  A  crowne  his  hed  uppon, 
And  \>at  clauftrall  monke  he  fhold  be  made  on 
2596  In  faire  maillers,  that  miniftre  roiall, 

That  lorde  for  to  ferue  which  is  eternall." 


[Fol.  63.] 

to  the  end  that 
she  should  make 
Fromont  a  claua- 
tral  monk  in  the 
royal  abbey  of 
Maiilezaia 


T 


Ihe  fair  Melufme  Anfwerde  hym  tho ; 
"  Off  my  part  ye  go,  vnto  my  lord  fay, 
2600  At  hys  plefaunce  all  ther-of  will  I  doo, 

Me  fubmitte  vnto  hys  ordinaunce  all-way  ; 


Melusine  sends 
back  an  answer 
that  she  always 


94 


RAYMOND    WOULD    DISSUADE    FROMONT, 


8ul>mits  to  her 
lord's  command, 
and  will  obey 
gladly. 


The  messenger, 
arriving  next 
morning,  finds 
Raymond  ready 
dressed,  and  de- 
livers Melusine's 
message. 


Raymond  tells 
Fromont  that 
Melusine  has  left 
the  whole  matter 
at  his  own  dis- 
posal, and  he  will 
therefore  permit 
him 


[Fol.  63  6.] 
either  to  go  to  the 
abbey  of  Maille- 
zais,  or  to 
"  Merk  "  minster, 
or  to  "Brough- 
dieu ; " 


or,  that  if  he 
wished  to  be  a 
canon,  he  should 
be  canon,  of 
Poitiers  and  also 
of  Tours  in 
Touraine,  and  of 
Saint  Martin's, 


At  hys  plefire  be  I  will,  noglit  fay  nay ; 
For  whatfomeuer  pleaiith  liys  hynes, 
2604  hit  liketh  me  wel,  hou-fo  he  it  dreffe." 

Thens  tlie  meffinger  retorned  anon, 
Ko  lenger  fogorne  in  that  place  ne  wold  ; 
Fro  thens  retornyng  vnto  Eaymonde  gun, 
2008  A- morn  him  found  Al  redy  rayd  to  behold  ; 
Al  hir  anfwere  the  meffinger  hyni  told. 
Ful  gret  ioy  of  hert  in  hym  gan  funnount, 
Anon  Raymounde  called  after  Fromotud. 

2612  1  TE  faide  to  Fromont,  "  thi  fader  vnderftande  ; 
J-J-  Sir,  for  the  haue  fent  thy  good  moder  vnto, 
Iff  it  pleafed  hir  For  to  be  know,  and 
Where  hir  will  were  monke  f  hold  be,  or  no. 

2616  "Where-of  the  charge  lefte  to  me  hath,  lo  ! 
WYt/i  the  cure  and  charge  enfeffed  hath  me. 
"Wherfor,  Fromont,  behold  And  fee  ye, 


2620 


Tff  nedis  ye  will  take  thys  faid  habite 
-*-  In  mailers  Abbay  your  liffes  fpace  ; 


Or  other  miniftre  to  your  appetite, 
As  in  Merkminiftre,  which  is  A  faire  place  ; 
Or  iff  ye  will  at  Brough-d^eu  by  grace  ; 
2624  In  that  ye  deiire  A  monke  for  to  be, 
ye  may  full  well  in  on  of  thes  thre. 

TlOrfoth  if  ye  will  be  A  Chanon, 

J-     Of  peiters  a  Chanon  certes  f  hal  ye  be  ; 

2628  Enherite  ye  fhall  As  moche  As  thre  Anon; 
Toures  in  tourayn,  pofcede  it  fhal  ye, 
Sein^MVfartins 'with  the  Grauut  efglife  in  fe  ; 
All  fhall  be  don  ryght  At  my  deuyfe, 

2632  And  therof  do  make  dedes  in  beft  wife, 


1  MS.  "  Scin"-." 


1U;T    IS    UNSIVCKSSKI'I.. 


95 


A1 


ami  of  Chartres 
also.    Or  he 


nd  of  our  lady  of  Chartres  alfo. 
yif  ye  wyll  of  trouth  fro  parys  noglit  fcape,  Hf'S^*** 
Be  noglit  Abaffhed  in  it  for  to  goo, 
2636  AVith  the  Pope  will  be  quented  for  A  Iape, 
That  nothyng  fhal  be  which  me  fhall  efcape. 
After  A  Biff  hupriche  if  it  luft  to  crane, 
Anot[h]er  Eillhupriche  Als  fhal  ye  haue, 


i  pi 

Afterwards  he 
should  have  a 
bishopric,  or,  if 
he  liked,  two, 


2640 


BE  it  pareys,  Eewuais,  or  Aras." 
Fr< 


romont  faid,  "fhal  I  be  A  Chan  on? 
Nay,  nay,  but  A  nionke,  by  our  lordes  gras, 
Off  Maillers  it  is  myn  entencion. 
2644  Other  will  I  noglit  off  wordly  good  non 
Xeuer  at  no  day,  while  lif  may  endure, 
For  that  place  haue  I  cholin  to  me  fure." 


2648 


Thys  Fromont  outring  hys  Fader  vnto, 


Then  off  goddis  part,"  to  hym  faid  Ray- 
mounde, 
"  Sin  it  plefith  you,  it  fhal  bene  ryght  foo. 
And  loke  that  For  us  your  prayers  in  founte." 
Fromont  Anon  Anfwered  that  ftounde, 
2652  "yff  it  pleafe  our  lord,  my  power  do  fhall." 
longer  parlernent  of  it  nedith  noght  at  all, 


T1 


Ihe  habite  he  toke,  clothed  opinly, 
The  monkes  ther  fhewid  great  gentilneffe  ; 
2656  With  huge  nobley  clothed  was  to  ey 

For  hys  fader  loue,  Eaymounde  fothleffe ; 
And  for  Meluilne  his  moders  nobleffe. 
All  ther  hole  couent  gret  ioy  made  ther  ryght, 
2660  And  him  chered  in  befte  wife  thei  myght. 


T)y  proceffe  therof  ful  ill  affter  came. 
■*-*  Ther-for  wer  thei  all  after  difherite 
By    G  affray    with   gret  toth ;    After   had 
grame, 


whether  of  Paris, 
Beauvais,  or 
Arras.    But 
Fromont  chooses 
to  be  simply  a 
monk  of  Maille- 
zais,  and  nothing 
else. 


[Fol.  54.] 
Raymond  at 
last  accedes,  and 
Fromont  promises 
to  pray  for  him. 


lie  therefore 
takes  the  habit, 
and  is  richly 
clothed,  and 
gladly  welcomed 
by  the  whole 
convent. 


This  was  the 
source  of  all  the 
evils  that  after- 
wards befell  the 
OTet   family     , 


96 


GEOFFREY  BURNS  DOWN  THE  ABBEY. 


ForGeoffrey.inhis     2664  Which  in  hert  was  in  full  dolorous  plite  : 

wrath,  set  the 

abbey  on  fire.  For  therof  he  had  A  full  gret  difpite, 

Without  tarying  to  Mailers  cam  he, 
hit  brende  and  fett  Afire  by  his  cruelte 


and  burnt  there 
100  monks  on  a 
certain  Tuesday, 
the  day  of  Mara 

the  god  of  battle. 


2668  T)Oth  in  the  monkes,  Abbot,  and  Abbay ; 


[Fol .  SI  6.] 
Meanwhile 
Melusine  was  at 
Vouvent  city, 
whither  Ray- 
mond came  to 
Visit  her. 


They  see  two 
messengers  come, 
who  bring  letters 
from  Anthony 
and  Raynold. 
Raymond  reads 
them, 


B' 


A  hundred  monkes  Wit/dn  brende  he  tho. 
Thys  mifchefe  ther  had  in  A  tewifday, 
For  Mars  was  the  god  longing  batadl  to, 
2672  Vail  that  vail  might,  the  monkys  brend  fo. 

That  don,  no  lenger  ther  wold  noght  fogourn, 
Pro  thens  he  comyng,  fafte  gan  to  retorn. 


0ff 

2676  V/  j 


this  here  f  hall  leue,  fpeking  of  meluiine. 
At  vavuant  cite  redily  f  he  was, 
To  fonne  And  winde  puttyng  hir  robys  fine, 
Which  newly  were  come  by  fortunat  cas, 
Neuer  Aforn  bonde  to  fuch  feruice  has. 
2680  Bi  that  Rayniounde  was  comyn  to  J?e  porte, 
And  full  gladly  fette  ther  to  take  difporte, 

Ther  thay  faw  come  forth  meflingers  to, 
Which  fele  letters  brought  with  breffes  many 
2684  Of  Anthony  hys  part,  A  pufant  man  tho, 
And  of  Baynold  the  fuffifant  kyng  hy. 
To  Rayniounde  thai  tuke  thes  letters  haftily, 
he  thaim  refceiued  And  the  wax  gan  breke, 
2688  The  letters  gan  rede  As  humble  man  and  rneke. 


and  laughs  for 
joy,  and  calls 
Melusine,  who 
thanks  him,  and 
rejoices  with  him. 


With  a  feruent  ioy  hys  hert  gan  laugh  tho, 
Meluiine  Anon  forth-w/t/i  gan  to  call. 
She  hid  hir  right  noght,  Anon  cam  hym  to, 
2692  "  Thys  letters  behald,"  faid  he  ouerall. 

"Raymound,  I  you  thank  e,  my  lord  principally  * 
Then  vnto  Raymound  fair  Melufine  faid, 
"  Certes,  this  goth  well  at  thys  houred  braid. 


RAYMOND    AND    MELUSINE    REJOICE. 


97 


269G  T  thorughly  know  all  thes  nouell  tidinges 
■*-  Full  good  and  fair  "ben  vnto  vs  this  hour, 
Wherof  thanke  our  lord  the  king  of  kinges, 
Which  oure  fones  han  put  to  fuch  honour. 

2700  Thre  '  of  thani  hen  thorugh  knightly  laboure 
Kynges  full  myghty,  And  on  A  duke  ful  by  ; 
yut  god  he  thanked,  haue  we  here  full  ny 


and  praises  the 
King  of  kings, 

who  had  raised 
her  sons  to  so 
high  honour. 


On  oft 
AVI 


off  our  fones  monke  in  An  Ahhay, 
2704   ^7   Which  daily  for  vs  befeehith  god  an  by  ; 
At  mailers  bath  hys  byding  thys  day, 
Wher  god  he  praith  to  focour  vs  truly, 
And  that  fo  niyght  pray  to  hys  plefanee  dayly, 
2708  That  neuer  vs  haue  in  obliuion ; 

For  affigned  hath  -will  our  fones  echon. 


[Fol.  550 
She  rejoices  also 
to  think  that  one 
of  her  sons  is  in 
an  abbey,  and 
prays  God  daily 
to  he  mindful  of 
them. 


T 


God  and  our 
Lady  Mary  aid 
them. 


hay  bene  well  taught,  inly  wife  and  fage  :        Four  of  her  sons 

o  o       ;  j  o     >  are  yet  at  home: 

Foure  of  tham  yut  ben  witTi  vs  bore  bydyng,  but  they  will 

j  j    j    oj    want  nothing,  if 

2712  Which  in  thys  houfe  ben  mery  in  corage. 

Oure  lord  of  hys  grace  fo  thaini  he  theching, 

That  liyly  thai  may  in  tyme  be  regning, 

To  that  f hall  thay  noght  faut  no-thyng  truly, 

271 G  So  god  thaim  aide  and  our  lady  mary  !" 

The  nouell  ffcreight  Aboute  enuironee  The  glad  news 

soon  spread 
And  knowen  ouerall  in  ecbe  place  and  cite;  throughout  every 

city  and  a  fifteen- 

Whereof  reioyed  euery  man  to  fe, 
2720  Fiftene  dais  were  ny  in  fnche  delite, 

Making  ryght  gret  ioy,  hiding  the  fame  plite, 
Where-for  ther  frendes  fefte  wold  merily  ; 
In  continuaunce  thought  do  it  hertly. 

272f  CJO  it  cam  and  fill  in  a  fcaturday, 


days'  feast  is  held 
in  celebration 
of  it. 


s 


It  befell  on  the 
Saturday,  that 


That  Eaymounde  lofte  the  fair  melufine,  |lo  .J  Eaymond  lost 

Melusine,  as  he 

As  at  other  days  don  had  alway,  had  often  done 

before  on  that 

But  noght  enipicred  hou  the  dede  gan  goo  ;  day  of  the  week. 


1  M.S.  "There." 


98 


THE    EARL    OP    FOREST    TEMPTS    RAYMOND    TO    FIXD    OUT 


[Fol.  55  6.] 
But  that  day.  hia 
brother,  the  Earl 
of  Forest,  arrived 
at  Vouvant,  tin- 
day  being  without 
wind  and  clear. 


Raymond  received 
him  brotherly; 
and  many  barons 
and  ladies  came  to 
the  i  .    i  which 
was  then  being 
held. 


'I  hen  aid  the  Karl 
to  Raymond,  "Bid 
your  wife  ai  pear." 
But  Raymond 
■  hi  shall  ap- 
icxt  day. 


After  the  feaal  is 

over  for  tl    il  day, 

the  Karl  draws 
Raymond  aside, 


2728  To  what  place  flie  went,  or  qwhat  fhe  wolde  do. 
yn  abfence  but  good  neuer  fhe  ne  thought, 
But  all  that  to  hys  plefaunce  myght  be  wrought. 

mo  it  cam  and  fill  As  in  that  mornyng, 
That  hys  brother,  which  tho  Erie  of  forefte 
was, 
For  ther  Fader  dede  long  biforn  being, 
At  vavuent  that  day  riuage  gan  purehas. 
The  thyme  fair,  without  wynde  hye  or  has, 
2736  The  morni[w]g  ryght  fair  fhuwyng,  inly  clere, 
Raymounde  his  brother  faw  com  drawing  nere  ; 

TTE  him  refceiued  uerray  brotherly  ; 


II 


But  after  it  cam  to  gret  mifchef  prefte. ' 


2740  A'nto  this  fefte  cam  Barons  full  many, 

Which  notable  were  And  ryght  ful  honefte, 
Ther  welcomyng  the  Erie  of  forefte, 
Als  of  lades  cam  grett  fufion, 

2744  Whos  comyng  was  the  feftes  enchefon. 

hen  hym  faid  the  Erie  of  the  wild  forefte, 
"  Raymounde,   fair  brother,   now  me  here 
t'li  tend, 
lete  your  wife  appere  here  at  thys  faid  fefte." 
2748  Raymounde  Anfwerd,  As  not  wold  condiffend, 
"To-morne   fball   bir   fe,    chere    brother    And 

frend;" 
Anon  conueid  to  fitte  alt  the  table, 
Thys  feft  pleneT  And  ryght  delectable. 

2752     A  fter  Anon  As  thai  dined  hade, 

-*- *-  And  fro  the  table  rerfed  up  tho  were, 
The  Erie  of  forefte  Raymound  by  hand  lad, 
A  lilill  drawing  fro  other  apart  there, 

275G  Thys  gan  he  to  fay  ther  in  Has  manere : — 


1  MS.  "prifte." 


WHERE    MELUSINE   G0E3    ON    A    SATURDAY. 


99 


"Ravmounde.  fair  brother,  faid  is  w  good  feith ;  and  tells  him  that 

the  people 

ye  be  enchauwted,  As  the  peple  feith.  u  bewitched, 


I  can  noght  fay  how  ye  may  bere  the  fliame. 
Men  fayn  ouerall,  brother,  I  you  fay, 
ye  not  fo  hardy  (in  wreth  ne  in  game) 
Of  your  wif  enquere,  certes,  at  no  day, 
(Which  vnto  you  is  gret  diffame  Alway), 
27G4  To  what  place  fhe  torn  ne  hoder  wyll  go, 
Or  in  what  manere  hir  gouerneth,  lo  ! 


[Fol  ■'■;  I 
anil  that  he  is 
never  bo  hardy  as 
to  ask  his  wife 
uih*  re  sht 
on  the  Saturday ; 


A 


nd  what  knowen  ye  what  fhe  doth  bat  day?  also  that  it  is  said 

she  is  unfaithful 
to  him  <m  that 


Men  fun  ouerall,  fo  god  my  foule  faue, 
27G8  That  all  difording  is  fhe  All-way  ; 

That  day  hir  body  Anothir  man  fhall  haue, 
To  you  traytereffe,  other  fo  to  craue  ; 
And  fom  other  fayn  fhe  is  off  the  fayry. 
2772   Ho  thys  day,  brother,  And  know  it  veryly  ;' 


day.     lie  there- 
lore  advises  him 
to  know  tl.e 
truth, 


P 


>utteth  payn  to  haue  off  it  knowleching  ; 
To  go  And  enquere  good  is  ye  do  fo  ; 
For  hide  fhold  noght  the  As  fro  you  no-thing 
277G  1  fay  it  vow  now  As  my  brother  vnto, 
}\'n\v  do  As  ye  feme  befte  vnto  be  do; 
I  beleue  fhe  doth  you  fhame  And  outrage." 
Raymound  bluffhed,  changing  his  corage, 


because  she  Ought 
to  hide  nothing 
from  him.    Ray- 
mond blashe   roi 

anger. 


2780 


s 


0  malice  And  wroght,  wifte  noght  what  to  and  sweats  for 

Borrow,    Be   i 

fay ; 


For  wo  And  heuineffe  full  faftc  f watte  lie. 
Anon  went  thens,  hys  fwerd  let  \><d  day  ; 
Full  well  he  knew  where  his  wife  made  entre  ; 
278  [   There  he  fafte  knakked  where  he  had  noght  be  ; 
There  A  dore  tho  perceiued  he  certain 
Off  yre  Aforn  hym  with  hys  eyes  twain. 
7  * 


zes 
Ids  sword,  and 
limii.  -  on  tin  he  ' 
sees  before  hint  a 
door  of  iron. 


100 


RAYMOND    SEES    MELUSIXE    WITH    A    SERPENT'S    TAIL. 


[Fol.  56  6.] 
Drawing  his  sword 
from  the  scabbard, 
lie  drove  the  point 
against  the  iron 
door  till  he  at  last 
pierced  it. 


r 


Looking  through 
the  hole  thus 
made,  he  per- 
ceived Melusine 
bathing, 


her  upper  part 
white  as  snow, 
and  her  fashion 
niusl  fair,  but 
beneath  she  had  a 
serpent's  tail! 


It  was  great  and 
horrible,  barred 
w  ith  blue  and 
silver.    Raymond, 
perceii  tag  tins, 
cried  t'>  God, 


[Fol.  57.] 
though  he  could 
scarcely  utter  a 
word.    In  order 

to  stop  the  hole, 
he  cut  a  little 
piece  of  cloth,  and 


A1 


"N  moche  thyng  thought,  And  after  thought 
Anon, 

2788  That  hys  wife  had  do  fom  mifdede  tho, 
And  towardes  hym  fom  wrong  or  trefon. 
Then  drawing  his  fwerd  the '  fcaberge  fro, 
The  poynt  gayn  the  dore  put  he  ther-vnto, 
2792  So  he  fhiffce  And  fmote  here  And  tlier  fo  fafte, 
That  the  yren  dore  perfed  at  the  lafte. 

lafe  !  full  ill  labored  was  that  day  ! 
At  the  perced  hole  in  beheld  with  eye 
2796  To  know  what  ther  was  befied  fafte  ay  ; 
Certes  ouerfone  know  it  fhal  furely, 
And  then  in  hert  gret  dole  f  hall  haue  truely  ! 
At  the  hole  beheld,  perceyuing  full  welle 
2800  Melufine,  hou  fhe  bathed  euerydell, 

"ISTto  hir  nauell  f heAving  ther  full  white, 
like  As  is  the  fnow  A  fa  ire  branche  vppon, 
The  body  welle  made,  frike  in  ioly  plite, 
2804  The  vifage  pure,  frefh,  clenly  hir  perfon, 
To  properly  fpeke  off  hir  facc/on, 
Neuer  non  fairer  ne  more  reuerent ; 
But  A  taill  had  beneth  of  ferpent ! 

2808   /~^  ret  And  orrible  was  it  verily  ; 

^    With  fduer  And  Afure  the  tail  burlid  was, 
Strongly  the  water  ther  bete,  it  flaffhed  by. 
When  that  I'aymound  perceiued  this  cas, 

2*12  Which  neuer  beforn  to  light  gan  purchas 

In  fucli  A  ffcate  to  bath,  ther  hym  bliffed  fafte, 
Gretly  doubted,  cried  to  god  in  hafte, 


it 


281 G 


But  noght-for-that  fo  moche  of  drede  had, 
That  vnnethes  myght  out  re  wurde  ne  fay. 
But  to  Ende  the  hole  were  ftopped  &  fafte  made, 
A  liteU  cloute  cute  he  with-out  delay. 


1  MS.  "ther;"  Fr.  text,  l5 dufourrel." 


RAYMONDS    RAGE    AGAINST    Ills    BKOT1IKII. 


101 


With  wax  melled,  ftopped  the  hole  Alway, 
2820  That  by  it  myght  noght  man  perceiue  no-thyng. 
Fro  thens  departed  he  tho,  fafte  going. 


fastened  it  in  with 
wax. 


T 


discovered,  and 

where  he  had 
found  her. 


owarde  hys  brother  thought  he  to  repaire,        He  returns  to  his 

-r\i  pi  p  ii         >  brother,  who,  see- 

lJolorous  of  hert,  full  of  wrath  that  itoundc.  tog  him  sad.  asks 
2824  Hys  brother  the  erle  knew  at  hys  retrair 

That  he  better  wo  in  hertte  had  profounde, 
Trowing  uerily  that  his  wif  had  found, 
"your  wife,  had  fhe  don  gain  you  As  men  laid, 
2828  In   fom  diflionefte  place   where    he1   fhold   no 
braid?" 


T 


hen   Raymounde   gan   fpeke  with  vois  full  Raymond  teiis 

\  him  he  lies  in  his 

hautaiu, 


And  hym  faid,  "therof  ye  lye  vntrewly, 
By  your  fals  throte  And  youre  teeth  plain  ! 
2832  In  An  ill  houre  here  ye  entred  in  furely ; 
Fro  my  hous  ye  goo  with  [y]our  felony  ; 
Off  my  lady  no  more2  fpeke  ye  for  fhame, 
Sche  is  pure  And  clene  Als  without  diffame. 


throat  and  in  his 
teeth,  and  hids 
him  depart ;  for 
that  his  lady  is 
pure. 


2836 


A 


more  wurthier  woman  is  ther  non, 


lie  tells  him  that, 

ye  haue  made  me  do  fuch  A  manere  thyng   he  win  slay  him:' 

_,      _  ...     ,  p  and  that  he  ad- 

Torn  contrary  wdl  Again  my  perfon.  viscs  him  to  g0  Bt 

once. 


A-non  part  here  ;  hens,  foule  rebaudc  being. 
2810  For,  by  my  feith,  full  litill  is  failling 
That  presently  here  that  I  you  not  fie ; 
Forth  depart  you  hens,  by  concell  of  me. 


Curfed  be  1 
And  tha 


the  hour  that  euer  heder  came, 
[   ^  And  that  tho  wurdes  faide  were  Any  wife  ! 
Xeuer  toward  me  retorn  noght  for  fhame  !  " 
IJavmoundc  femede  all  witlefe  to  deuife, 
All  merueled  that  gan  it  aduertife,3 


[Fol.  57  b.] 
He  curses  the  hour 
in  which  his 
brother  came,  and 
seems  all  witless. 
The  Earl,  sore 
amazed, 


1  "fhe"  (?)  2  MS.  "nomorc." 

3  MS.  "aduerfite,"  a  curious  inversion. 


102 


Raymond's  excessive  self-reproach. 


2848  That  to  his  brother  fo  fpake  and  faide. 
The  Erie,  Abaffhed  And  foule  difaiaide, 


departs  home, 
cursing  the  hour 
in  which  he  thus 
spoke  out.    He 
laments  bitterly 
that  he  has  made 
Raymond  so 
wroth. 


Afterwards 
Geoffrey  came, 
and  slew  the  Earl, 
and  gave  away 
the  country  he 
thus  gained  to 
one  of  his 
brothers. 


But  to  return  to 
Raymond.    He 
wept  and  wailed, 
and  waxed  pale, 

having  no  end  of 
his  grief. 


here  thens  retournyng  in-to  his  contre, 
Full  often  cruffing1  the  hour  and  the  day 
2852  That  thes  wordes  fcapid  or  mouthed  he. 

hys  brother  perceued  he  haue  fhold  ne  may 
ISTeuer  pees  ne  lufe  for  this  gret  affray  ; 
More  neuer  ne2  was  woer  at  no  ftounde 
2856  Then  off  that  he  hade  wrethed  fo  Eaymounde. 

"E  ftroied  And  made  exile  the  contre  : 
For  when  Gaffray  with  gret  toth  it  knew, 
Eyght  deliueiiy  ther  Ariued  he, 
28G0  Sette  it  Afire,  the  Erie  gan  lie  ther  trew 
Full  vilouily  with  huge  f  hame  to  vew  ; 
After  the  contre  yaffe  of  the  Forefte 
To  on  hys  brother,  fo  gete  by  conquefle  ; 

28G4   Aff  the  forefte  Erie  made  hym  entirely. 

V-J  Off  Gaffray  with  gret  toth  leue  f hall  now 

prefent, 
And  retorn  I  f  hail  to  Eaymounde  fully, 
Which  with  heuineffe  fore  hym  doth  torment. 

2868  He  wepte,  he  wailed,  wofully  lament ; 

Wonder  pale  he  waxe,  wanting  his  colour, 
For  ende  hade  he  none  of  this  grett  dolour?. 


[Fol.68  ] 
"  Alas  !  "  he  cried, 
"  there  is  no 
poorer  man  on 
earth  than  I  am  ! 
:   lusine  .' 
I  have  lost  you  ! 


2872 


"    A  las  !  alas  !  "  thys  ther  faide  Eaymounde, 
-^*-  A  more  purer  man  in  the  wordle  ne  is 
Off  verray  trought  then  I  Am  this  ftounde  ! 
Alas  !  Melufine  !  this  day  haue  don  Amys, 
That  by  my  diffaute  you  haue  I  lofte  this  !" 
2876  (For  forow  therof  fo  quaked  and  fwat), 
"Alas  !  I'll  all  I  you  leue,  loue  delicat, 


1  Sie  in  M  S. 


*  »he"(?) 


BE    BEWAILS    His    CURIOSITY    BITTERLY. 


103 


M 


1  fwel  hert,  my  good',  my  lone,  And  my  life?  Now  shall  I  lose 

•J  my  joyous 


By  the  full  dolorous  fortune 

2880  Now  fhall  I  lefe  my  ioyous  thoughtes  penfifj 
Which  me  haft  made  fuch  As  I  contune. 

I  fhal,  lo  !  cafte  me  in  fom  pitty  liume. 
What  fhal  I  now  doo,  lord  god  glorius  ? 

2881  Xeuer  fhal  I  lagh,1  neither  he  ioyous 

rith  that  fwete  lady  whom  I  loued  fo. 
She  was  my  folas,  my  ioy  in  ech  ftede, 
My  plefaunce,  my  comfort,  my  delite  to  !" 
2888  Ther  hym  difpoilled,  entring  in  his  hed ; 

But  flepe  myght  he  noght  when  that  he  was  led; 

he  fighed,  foghed,  wepte  with  teres  many, 

"  lord,  wat  fhal  I  doo,  lord  1 "  faid,  "  lete  me  dy  ! 


w- 


thoughts,  and  east 

myself  in 

pit-    Ne\  el 

I  laugh  again  !  " 


Concluding  his 

lament,  he  un- 

and  got  s 
to  bed  ;  but  can- 
not sleep.    He 

sighs,  and  cries. 


TA  !  fwet  Meluhne,  yf  I  you  this  lefe, 
fhall  go  vnto  fom  defert  Cite, 
hermite  or  reclufe  hecome,  god  to  plefe, 
yn  fom  forain  place  where  non  enchahite. 2 
2896  ha  !  Melufine,  my  hertes  Appetite, 

Fair  lady,  my  hert,  my  loue,  my  plefaunce, 
That  you  this  f  hold  le:e  by  fuch  ill  mifchaunce !" 


"Ha!  Melusine, 
if  i  lose  thee,  I 

si i all  l-o  to  some 
desert  place. 
Ha!  Melusine  ! 
that  I  should 
thus  lose  you  !  " 


2900 


breast,  aud 
wails.    He  turns 
from  side  to  side 

on  the  bed. 


The  bier  off  his  hecle  tere  of  with  gret  pine,  lF"'  ""'J  . 

°         I  He  tears  the  hair 

With  lift  hisbreft  fmote,  heuily  gan  mourn,  oft' ins  head, 

smites  his 

Full  oftc  wailled,  by-weping  Melufine  ; 
In  his  bede  turny[?i]g,  And  efte  gan  retorn, 
In  on  eftat  ne  myght  he  noght  fogourn  ; 
2901  here  on  bakke  laide,  efte  the  bely  vppon, 
Torning  And  wendyng  euer  enuiron. 

Then  in-to  chambre  Melufine  made  entre  ;  Melusine  then 

When  fhe  was  comyng,  forth-with  Anon       dresses' and  lies 
2908  Swetly  all  naked  hir  difpoilled  fhe,  embraces  him, 

_  ._.  and  finds  his  neck 

Courteilly  the  went  ther  the  bede  vppon,  cold, 


Sic  in  MS. 


"  Sic  in  MS. 


104 


MELUSINE    COMFORTS    RAYMOND. 


as  he  was  all 
uncovered. 
Siiftly  she 
whispers  to  him, 
"Are  you  feeling 
anguish?    Tell 
me  the  truth,  I 
pray. 


Am  I  not  your 
love?  tell  me  all. 

f  you  foul 
any  ill,  and  I  will 
cure  you." 


[Fol.  5!).] 
Hearing  this,  he 
rejoices,  thinking 
she  knows  no- 
thing.     Yd  she 
knew  all,  hut 
would  nut  Bpeak 
of  it,  Beeing  his 
repentance. 


Raymond  says, "  I 
have  felt  great 
In  .'it    and  now  the 
fever  has  changed 
In  a  shivering." 


She  ''lulu  Hi  e  and 
kissrs  him,  .-in!  he 
feels  at  ease.     I 


"With  llaymounde  f  he  lay  in  concluiion ; 
She  ehbrafing  hym,  collyng  amoureuy, 
2912  Fynding  his  nekke  cold  vrith  all  the  hody 

Acaufe  that  he  was  All  uncouered  tho, 
And  that  by  greuous  heting  And  turnyng, 
Full  ill  was  he  raid,  plonged  for  in  wo. 
20 1G  In  bafe  wife  Melufme  ther  hym  fay ng, 
"  Dolour  or  anguif  h  he  ye  ought  feling  1 
An  ouer  pale  colour  haue  ye  to  eye  ; 
Me  fay  ye  the  trough t,  befech  you  hertly. 

2920     A  las  !  Am  I  noght  your  loue  eueridell  ? 

-£-»-  Fro  me  f  hold  ye  noght  hide  no  maner  thing. 

Say  me  how  it  is,  hele  you  fhal  I  welle, 

For  no  wordly  thyng  not  your-felfe  hyndryng. 

2924  Confeffe  ye  me  if  Any  il  be  feling, 
Delyuer  you  f hall  A-non  openly, 
All  hole  f  hall  ye  be  here  now  prefently." 

When  Eaymound  tho  wourdes  with  eres  gan 
here, 
2928  Eeioyed  merely,  thought  no-thyng  fhe  knew 
Off  all  that  dede  which  had  do  entire  ; 
yut  knew  the  it  wel,  thow  noght  faid  of-new, 
For  he  difcouered  noght  (but  kepe  it  trew) 
2932  The  dede  vnto  no  perfon  that  inftannce, 

And  that  therof  he  had  uerray  repentaunce 

A    hundred  tymes  more  then  I  can  fay. 
■£*-  Eaymound  liir  faid,  "  gret  hete  haue  I  had 

2936  In  maner  of  continuaunce  alway. 

Now  is  this  brennyng  whereof  Am  Adred 
Torned  and  changed,  into  coldneffe  lad." 
"helth  fhall  ye  purchas,"  unto  hym  faid  fhe  ; 

2940  "Stoned  no  baffhed  of  no  thyng  be  ye." 

Ohe  embrafed  hym  And  fwetly  gan  khTe, 

^  Where-wttfl  Raymound  approched  gret  eafe. 


GEOFFREY    GOES    TO    FIGHT    THE    GIANT    GUEDON. 


105 


1<  »ng  tyme  lie  regned  in  fueh  ftate  of  bliffe, 
2914:  And  fuch  lif  gan  led,  ech  other  gan  pleafe. 
Off  ther  beyng  here  will  I  leue  and  ceafe, 
To  declare  and  fay  make  me  will  redy, 
As  of  my  famplere  to  procede  plainly. 

2948  fTmen  this  to  my  mater  here  retourne  I. 

J-    Gaffray  with  long  toth  gouerned  hym  fo, 
That  to  Guerrande1  Gaffray  fafte  gan  to  hy, 
Demanndyng  the  way  the  Geant  vnto 

2952  "Where  he  myght  be  founde,  to  fight  with  hym 
Avoid  go  ; 
The  Eoche  perceined  myghty  and  pufant, 
AVherto  repaired  thys  cruel  Geant, 

C Ailed  Guedon,2  that  fo  orgulous  was, 
Gret,  thikke,  longe,  ftronge,  meruelous  to  fe. 
Gaffray  fro  his  hors  difcended  apas, 
Armed  hym  A-non,  lenger  bode  not  he. 
"When  Armed  he  was,  to  hors  lepe  a-ye, 
2960  The  geant  doubted  noght,  A  ftaf  toke  of  ftile, 
Which  at  hys  arfon  made  fafte  for  A-whyle. 


must  now  leave 
them. 


A1 


Geoffrey  goes  to 
Guerrand  I"  seek 

the  giant,  and  at 
last  sees  the  rock 
whereon  his  castle 
is  built. 


[Fol.  59  b] 
Geoffrey  alights, 
arms  himself,  and! 
again  mounts, 
making  fast  to  his 
saddle-bow  a  steel 
ruace. 


nd  fin  After  fend  his  fluid  and  f hoke, 
Which  beiides  it  had  fhildes  many. 
2964-  After  his  fpere  of  fharpe  yren  toke, 

Sauyng  goddys  grace,  gret  thyng  toke  furely. 
hys  men  commaunded  vnto  god  an  hy. 
But  for  thare  mafter  wepte  thay  in  Jjat  place ; 
2968  Thay  trowed  neuer  fe  hym  in  lilies  fpace. 

GEffray  thaim  faid,  "ftil  you,  noght  difmay; 
I  beleue  I  find  this  Geaunt  difcomtight 
By  aid  of  god  And  hys  model  this  day." 
2972  Anon  than  Geffray  parted  fro  thaim  ryght, 

Adieu  tho  thaim  faid,  thens  went  Alone  to  fyght. 

1  MS.  "  GueruandY." 
-  MS.  "Suedou;"  sec  1.  3011. 


He  takes  also  his 
shield  and  his  iron 
spear,  and  Leaves 
his  men,  com- 
mending them  to 
God  on  high. 


He  bids  them 
farewell,  and  de- 
parts alone,  as- 
cending the  mount 
to  reach  the  castle. 


I 


- 


drawbrt  I  - 

- 


-       -   hear- 

■   - 


■     ■  - 

- 
- 

■ 


- 
oat 


L  he,  g 

-     th 


T 


When 

TThieh  in  my 
2980  So  long  »od  I  A- 

TIL  a  1 


0 

.    34  " 


a  A  d     I  '  ■  "  -  "' 

In  j  being 

- 

in  : 

2      I 

.    -  -     Whi  b  _         ls  A  bole  his  ] 

toth  be-] 


II 


gret  was,  A  few 

"her  neuer  bad  he  I 
i      _   Which  his  god     -  that  full  hyni  come 

.  "..   ml    I 
When  a  : 

And      to  hjs  ]       -  to  feke  hy] 
Lightly  hym 


A 


Fauci  to  take. 


r  whet,  1    t  1      lie  was 
--   - 

for  hys  fake, 
'  In  hys  bof om  put  thi    gret  flegges  ^ 

Ful  gret  and  larg 

.  n  in  his  being  muf) 


I  i    -     • 


BUT    ITE    IS    NOT    TERRIFIED. 


I  ; 


3004  Tjliftene  fote  long  this  Geaunt  w 

-*-    And  when  Gaffray  nc-hed  hym  in-dede, 

mgly  merueled  of  his  huge  gretneffe, 
But  yxit  for  all  that  of  hym  noght  gan  d: 

3008  Xeither  fere  had  for  gretneffe,  lenght,  ne  1 
But  that  Anon  diffied  hym  boldly, 
And  towards  thys  Geaunt  drew  hy?. 


•  GeoSrey 
fears  hi:i. 
defies  bim  boldly. 


w* 


faid    Guedon,    "truffe 

hens,"  faid  he. 
3012  Hym  he  anfwered,  "  ffr,"  faid  without  blame, 
"  Gaffray  with  long  toth  fo  men  callyn  me  ; 

hour  neuer  hid  my  name  ; 
Thine '  Led  come  to  haue,  diffende  Je  for  fhame !" 
"  Cay  tiff,"  faid-  Guedon.  '-.-  thou  to  do? 

The  will  fle  3  Anon  w/t/<  o  foule  f iroke  or  to ; 


• 

"Who  art  thou?" 
'. 
am  Geoffrey  with 
the  Ion?  • 

- 
'  I  will 
slay  thee  with  one 
sole  stroke." 


HTfris  ye  now  retorn,  my  fair  fone,"  he  faide, 
u  Off  the  in  my  hert  rem*  I 
3020  your  yongly  perfon  feing  at  this  braide, 
And  that  ye  er  or4  gret  hab:! 
Gaffray.  go  hens  of  frendlyh  id  he. 

hym  Antf  nay  ; 

3024  haw  non  but  of  thi  life  this  day. 


Guedon.  "and 
i.  as  a 

friend,  to  depart." 
:-oy  bids 

him  rat: 

his  own  life, 


F 


Or  with  mt  diffaute  fhe  fhah  which  should  soon 

end.  as  he  cannot 

Fro  kerning  of  mv  fwerd  here  now  di  dMy  escape. 

Geoffrey  advances 
the  ;  to  the  encounter, 


In  mortal!  deth  dye  f  hall  here  thi  perfon  ; 
3   28    E     ipe  maifte  thou  I  in  no  wyfe  fro  me." 

Thys  Geaunt  noght  told  of  hym  in  no  deg 
Gaffray  cam  fafte  centring  the  Geaunt  then, 
As  moche  And  As  fafte  As  hys  courier  myght 
ten, 


1  MS.  !i  Thime."     -  MS.  "  And  '      "  MS.  "The."     J  "  arof"  (?) 


108 


THE    COMBAT    BETWEEN    GEOFFREY 


and  overthrows 
the  giant.    The 
giant,  astonished, 
rises  up,  and  tells 
him  his  stroke 
shall  be  repaid. 


[Fol.  61.] 
Being  wrath  at 
having  been  thus 
struck  down  by  a 
single  blow,  he 
seizes  his  steel 
falchion,  and  cuts 
the  legs  off  Geof- 
frey's horse. 


The  horse  falls, 
Geoffrey  leaps  off, 
and  at  a  blow 
nearly  severs  the 
giant's  left  arm. 


Bui  Guedon,  to 
end  the  fight,  deals 
Geoffrey  a  blow  on 
the  helm  with  bis 
flail,  winch  almost 
fells  him. 


Geoffrey  runs  and 
fetches  his  steel 
mace, 


F 


Thys  cruel  Geant  A  fers  ftroke  yaff  lie  ; 
By  hys  wurthineffe  fo  gan  do  and  bette, 
"W7t7?out  any  demage  he  cafte  don  to  fe. 
3036  All  aftoned  of  that  adueriite, 

Thys  Geaunt  roffe  vp ;  "  haft  thou  noglit,"  he 

faid, 
"  Take  me  fuch  offering,  it  yild  f  hall  he  this 

braide," 


0' 


m  fote  hopte  he  up,  malice  and  wroth  was 
3040   ^  That  don  to  grounde  fo  cafte  in  that  He 

By  A  foule  ftroke  of  knyghtly  manace. 

Then  lie  in  hand  toke  hys  fauchon  of  ftile  ; 

As  Gaffray  wold  torn,  fogernyng  no  whyle, 
3044  The  fauchon  of  ftele,  the  Geant  in  hand, 

Off  Gaffray  curfer  the  legges  trencliand. 


T 


me  courfer  fill  don,  fro  hors  lepte1  Gaffray, 
!N"o-thyng  hym  lette,  Fro  fcaberge  his  fwerd 
drew ; 
3048  To  the  giant  went  with  raundon  gret  that  day, 
The  finiftre  Arme  fmote  he  vppon  trew, 
Byght  As  belonged  to  knightly  uertew. 
hys  fauchon  he  made  to  fall  the  hand  fro, 
3052  That  neuer  After  nod  had  non  ther-to  ; 


F 


^Or  Gaffray  fuch  ftroke  fette,  he  failled  noght ; 
In  the  hanche  four  hurt  greuoufly  he  was, 
But  to  hym  Guedon  Approched  ny,  thought 
3056  So  that  mortall  were  ther  hym  gan  purchas, 
his  flael  thor  toke  myghtly  A-place, 
To  Gafl'ray  tlierof  gaf  on  the  helme  hv, 
All  Aftoned  Almofte  At  ground  truly. 

3060  Tnto  his  fcaberge  the  fwerde  put  Gaffray, 
J-  To  his  conifer  ran,  his  ftaffe  ther  takvng, 
1  MS.  "  lepete  ;  "  but  see  1.  3070. 


AXD    THE    HUGE    GIAXT    GUEDON. 


109 


To  thys  Geant  cafte  A  huge  ftroke  that  day, 
Stager  And  ffcomble  made  with  hys  fore  ftriking  ; 
30G-4  hys  Flael  fro  hand  caufed  ther  fleing. 

On  off  hys  [sjlegges1  Guedon2  toke  in  hafte, 
To  Gaffray  wightly  And  fharply  it  cafte, 

With  the  faid  ftroke  eaft  of  myghty  vertew 
Off  Gaffray  the  ftafe  or  axe  gan  attain, 
Fro  hys  handes  made  to  fie  and  remew. 
This  Giant  lepte  forth,  the  ftafe  toke  certain  ; 
To  Gaffray  noght  had  twixfte  hys  handes  twain, 
3i>72   But  <  taffray  his  fwerd  gan  to  draw  Anon, 
And  vppon  the  Anne  it  fett  of  Guedon  ;3 


anil  with  it 
Btrikea  the  giant 

SO  that  he  slum 

blea  and  drops  the 
flail.    Guedon 
seizes  a  sledge- 
hammer, 


[Fol.  61  6] 
and  with  it  knocks 
Geoffrey's  man' 
out  of  his  hand, 
and  then  picks  it. 
up.    Geoffrey 
draws  his  sword, 


A' 


nd  fo  huge  A  ftroke  geuyng  hym  was  tho, 
That    quite    clene    the    arme    fhare     off 
thro  ughtly. 
307G  Gaffray  full  marally  ther  Auenged  fo 

Off  Guedon2  the  Giant  ftrong  and  myghty, 
Where   Arme,    ftafe,    or   Axe,    done   fill    hym 

ryght  ny. 
Where-thorught  for  wo  the  faide  Geant  fuatte, 

3080  For  Align ii l'h  And  forow  lefte  his  Anne  &  bede.4 

Full  moche  the  Geant  was  Aftoned  tho, 
When  off  hys  Armes  tm  had  lofte  of-new ; 
hatrfed  his  fwerd,  trowing  Gaffray  finitte  to  ; 

3081  But  the  ftroke  uoided  And  fomwat  w/tftdrow, 
A  litell  blenched  enmyddes  the  medew, 
Vppon  his  legge  fmote  with  fwerde  wonderly, 
A  meruelous  ftroke  gaffe,  Ato  carf5  hys  thy. 


and  shears  Gue- 
don's  arm  com- 
pletelyoff    Down 
fall  all  his 
weapons. 


The  .-'nut  Btril  9 
at  Geoffrey  with 

his  sword,  hut  he 

Blips  aside,  and 
with  a  marvellous 
stroke  cuts  his  foe'a 
thigh  right  in 
two. 


The  giant  Tails. 

Geoffrey  cleaves 


3088  fTuiis  Giant  fill,  crying  his  goddis  aide  ; 

J-    Gaffray  A  ftroke  gaffe  tho  his  fculle  vppon,  hisheadtothe 
he  offeryng  fo,  the  helme  rent  And  foulle  raide, 

1  MS.  has  "  Irprgrs,"  a  notable  blunder. 

2  MS.  "Goucdon."  :1  MS.  "  Sucdon." 

*  Indistinct.  3  MS.  "  craf ;  "  but  see  1.  3092. 


110 


GEOFFREY    SHEWS    THE    GIANTS    CORPSE. 


The  lielme  cutte  And  rent  till  the  teth  Adon  ; 


and,  seizing 

his  Saracen  horn, 

blows  it  luudiy.        3092  The  fwerde  fo  cuttyng,  the  hede  carf  Anon. 


After  that  hys  home  fariiin  toke  lie, 
hyly  it  blowyng  times  to  or  thre. 


[Fol.  62.] 
Geoffrey's  men 
come  up,  ami  find 
the  giant  slain,  t 
They  marvel  at 
his  length  and 
breadth. 


Ts  peple  the  founde  full  wel  vnderftode, 
309G  J-J-  To  hym  hied,  tailed  noght  certain  ; 

Enmyddes  the  medew  founde  where  he  ftode, 

Thys  cruell  Geaunt  which  j>at  he  had  (lain. 

When  this  meruelous  Geant  ther  was  fain, 
3100  Off  his  face/on  Aftoned  thay  were, 

hys  lenghtj  his  brede  was  fo  ouermette  there. 


The  lords  compli- 
ment Geoffrey 
highly,  ami  tell 
him  he  has  done 
"  an  inly  good 
deed." 


10  ( !  affray  the  lordes  toke  vnto  fay, 
:  Off  this  Geaunt  huge  niifgouernaunce 
3104  ye  vnto  thys  man  meued  were  thys  day, 

As  hym  to  uenquifh  thought  in  remembraunce, 
Thys  enemy  difcomfite  this  inftaunee  ; 
Truly  ye  haue  don  An  inly  good  ded." 
3108  Gaffray  Anfwered  ther,  "faire  lordes,"  fed, 


Geoffrey  says  he 
has  but  done  his 
duty.  They  enter 
the  castle,  which 
is  well  built  and 
fair. 


it  us  behouid,  were  it  wrong  or  ryght ; 
For  it  putt  abake  I  ne  myght,  parde  ; 
My  lif  to  ditfend  I  f  hold,  yff  I  myght ; 
3]  12  And  fo  haue  I  done,  our  lord  preifed  be, 
hym  conquered  haue  here  As  ye  may  fee." 
Thay  entred  there,  to  caftell  gaii  repare, 
Which  was  well  billed  to  fight,  And  full  faire. 


Huge  joy  is  made 

both  by  small  and 

great  because  the 
giant,  was  discom- 
fited   i  stone- 
dead. 


31 1G  14  |  En  all  this  knew  thorugh  that  region, 

-^-  Eor-why  fhold  we  then  fpeke  therof  more  1 
huge  ioy  and  folas  therof  made  and  don, 
Rothe  tho  gret  and  fmall  gret  ioy  made  therffi  r, 

3120  That  the  Geant  was  by  Gaffray  don  bore, 
So  difcomfite,  ftandede,  And  all  cold; 
hug[e]  ioy  and  gladneffe  in  contre  tho  hold. 


Raymond's  letter  to  geoffrey. 


Ill 


it\'  this  lande  made  lorde  he  by  this  uiage, 
312  L   ^  Wherby  manly  had  ended  the  werre  tho. 

Ther-thens  to  uavuent  A  man  fent  in  meffage, 

Which  full  courtois  was,  inly  wife  alfo  ; 

Thys  laid  meffinger  Raymounde  faid  unto, 
3128  That  by  Gaffray  the  Giant  fers  and  hold 

Was  defcomhte  and  put  to  deth,  he  told. 


[FoL  62  h] 
Geoffrey  is  made 
lord  nf  that 
country.    A  nies- 
senger  tells  the 
news  to  Raymond j 


R 


Melusine  gives  the 
messenger  a  rich 
gift.    He  next 
takes  paper  and 
wax  to  his 
secretary,  and 
dictates  a  letter, 


lAymounde  laughed  tho,  hym  preifing  fafte  £55^ 
there. 
Melufine  without  othir  tarying 
3132  Made  right  good  chore  vntc  the  meffinger; 

When  hym  chered  had  with  all  maner  thyng, 
A   ryche   gifte    hym    gaffe ;    Raymounde    tho 

writyng, 
Paper  And  wexe  toke  to  hys  fecretory, 
31 3G  Amm  A  letter  conceited  haftily, ! 


which  he  a  ials 
and  sends  to  Gcof- 


The  tenure  of  which  was  well  deuyfed  ; 
By  Raymounde  feled  were  thai  in  hit  place  :  fit-v  iu  Guerrand, 

J         •  >        x  telling  In tn  how 

So  forth  fend  by  Raymounde,  fo  auifed,  Fromont  had  be- 

^  "*  come  a  monk  m 

3140  Vnto  Gaffray  which  in  Guerrande  tho  wace,         the  abbey  of 

Maillezais, 

"hou  that  Fromount  his  uefture  gan  purchace 
At  Maillers,  And  ther  refceiued  gan  fay, 
And  thai  A  monke  was  in  that  faide  Abbay; 


3144  TTThere  that  he  wold  ufe  All  his  liffes  fpace, 
'  *     And  for  his  frendes  pray  to  god  An  hy, 
For  that  it  was  an  inly  deuout  place." 
Alas !  thes  Letters  il  hour  wrought  truly, 

3148  For  thai  torned  to  the  contrary. 

lie  therthorugh  lofte  the  fair  Melufine, 
Whom  that  he  loued  with  partite  loue  tine.1 


when'  In'  WOUld 

Bpend  lii:-  lite  in 
prayer  f"i  Mb 
friends      Alas ! 
this  letter  «  i, 
written  in  an  evil 
hour,  for  thereby 
did  Raymond  )"su 
Melusine ! 


"VTOw  fhall  we  leue  at  thys  time  the  lyffe 


|Fol.  C3.] 
I  shall  l<  ave  tin- 

3152  -^    Of  Raymounde  the  fwete  And  courtois  only,  art  of  Raymond 

and  Melusine, 


>  Here  foil  ;v.  chword— "  Now  fhall  we  leue  at  \>is  time." 


112 


THE  MESSAGE  TO  GEOFFREY  FROM  NORTHUMBERLAND. 


and  speak  of 
Geoffrey,  who 
was  now  in 
Guerrand 
country, 


where  he  was 
royally  feasted 
for  killing  the 
giant.    While  he 
was  there,  came  a 
messenger  from 
Norbelande  to 
him,  and  having 
found  him 


and  presented 

his  letters,  he 
proceeds  to  tell 
of  a  giant  who 
had  come  to 
Norheland, 
savage,  cruel, 
and  dangerous. 


and  had  brought 

war  cm  all  the 
country,     lie 
begs  Geoffrey  to 
help  them 
speedily,  as  the 
nobles  of  the  land 
have  great  trust 
iu  his  might, 


[Fol.  63  6.] 
Urging  him  he 
adds  that  all  the 
country  will  be 
given  up  to  him, 
as  he  may  see  from 
the  letters      The 

people  trust 
wholl]  to  him  to 

destroy  the  giant. 


Of  Melufme  als  hys  ful  noble  wyfe, 
Which  at  Jwt  hour  was  A  woman  worthy. 
Of  Gaffray  with  gret  toth  declare  fhal  I ; 
3156  After  thys  I  fhall  you  outre  and  fay ; 
In  Guerrande  contre  tho  was  Gaffray, 

All  the  contre  hym  fefted  roially 
For  thys  Geant  fake  that  he  diftroid  there  : 
31  GO  Gret  ioy  ther  had  of  peple  fid  many. 

"With  that  cam  to  hym  ther  A  meffengere, 
To  gaffray  comyng  in  humble  manere, 
Fro  Norbelande  After  Gaffray  demaunding 
31 64  Where  J>at  he  was  ;  many  hym  f hewing, 

To  Gaffray  prefented  thes  letters  there. 
"  My  lord,"  he  faid,  "  for  goddys  hy  mercy, 
That  it  myght  you  pies  me  vnderftande  here. 
3168  Vnto  Norbeland  is  comyn  truly 

A  man  more  gretter  then  other  Any, 
Which  is  A  Geaunt,  wonder  meruelous, 
Ouerthwart  cruel  and  ryght  perilous  ; 

3172   ]  Te  hath  brought  were  [on]  all  our  contre. 

-LJ-  Wherfor  I  am  come  to  feke  you  thys  hour, 
Here  requeryng  you  for  all  loue  may  be, 
ye  of  Gentilleife  wold  be  ther  focour ; 

3176  Tho  of  contre,  the  lordes  of  honore, 

In  your  perfon  haue  ryght  gret  affiaunce, 
Wilnyng  you  to  come  haftly  thys  inftaunce. 

So  that  ouer-lang  ye  mow  noght  tary  ; 
For  you  will  thai  yild  all  the  hole  contre, 
Ther  landes  to  hold  of  your  eftate  hy. 
For  fothe  your  letters,  if  opened  be, 
ye  may  wel  know  the  trouth  And  ueryte. 
.3181  Thay  haue  cafte  ther  loote  certes  you  vppon, 
(  Ml'  thys  ftrong  Geaunt  cauie  diftrucc/on." 


GEOFFREY    SAYS    HE    WILL    GO    THERE. 


113 


GEffray  tlie  letters  After  breke  and  rayd, 
Fro1  wurde  untowurd,  And  iithen  hymfaid, 
3188  "Meffinger,  troutli  is,  no  ly  on  you  had  ; 
By  the  holy  crone  fwere  I  you  this  braid, 
That  men  cal  Geffray  with  long  toth  difplaid 
hens  wold  noght  rerueue  for  lande  ne  hauour, 
3192  But  for  the  contre  only  to  focour. 


On  reading  the 
letters,  Geoffrey 
an  eai    that  he 
will  go,  but  it  ia 
not  for  lands  or 
possessions,  but 
for  the  sake  of 
helping  the 
people, 


F 


^Or  off  the  peple  haue  I  gret  pitte, 
For  the  good  zele  haue  to  criftine  entyre, 
Wherin  I  haue  grette  affinite  : 
3196  Als  honour  And  worfhip  to  acquire. 

Off  me  the  werre  the  Giaunt  doth  defire, 

Anon  fhall  I  go  hym  Affail  quikly." 

To  tliys  forth-progreffe  Geffray  made  redy. 

3200     A    meffynger  the  men  tyme  gan  difcend 

■£*-  Off  hys  fader  part,  forth-w/t7i  hym  taking 
The  letters,  al  which  that  he  hym  fend. 
Geffray  thaim  rad,  And  when  he  was  knowing 

3204  That  his  brother  was  A  monke  hyin  yilding, 
leuer  had  hym  be  honged  were  As  thef ; 
"Wherof  to  hert  had  dole  of  gret  myfehef : 


on  whom  he  has 
pity,  because  he 
has  great  zeal  for 
Christianity. 
Also  he 
would  win 
honour;  there- 
fore he  prepares 
at  once. 


Meanwhile  a 
messenger  from 
his  father  brings 
him  letters  to  tell 
him  that  his 
brother  has  be- 
come a  monk,  at 
which  he  is  angry 
and  sad. 


3208 


TOu-were-it  that  ioy  of  hys  fader  had, 


[Fol.  C4.] 
lie  was  pleased 
to  have  good 

news  of  his  father 

and  mother,  but 
he  lost  his  wits 
at  the  disgrace  of 


And  of  Melnfine  his  moders  welfaire, 
Thay  were  hole  and  founde,  of  jwt  was  he  glad 
When  of  hys  brother  Fiomont  lmrd  declare, 
That  he  monke  was  f  horn,  dole  had  And  gret  care ;  J™" 
3212  Off  the  difpite  hys  witte  gon  And  lofte, 

Vermail  rede  As  blode,  with  wreth  tende  hys 
gofte ; 


grew  as  red  as 
vermilion. 


0 


ff  malice  And  wreth  had  in  his  body  Fuming  like  a 

In.'  uomed  And  fwatte,  A  fwine  refembling ;  he  made  ail  afraid 

„_,,  .    __  i  i     t     ti  i  w!io  came  near 

3216  ISfeuer  man  non  hym  beheld  ueryly  him. 


But  of  huge  drede  ther  he  were  trembh  ng. 
1  MS.   "  For."     Fr.  text,  "  de  mot  en  mot." 


1U 


GEOFFREY    HEARS    ABOUT    FROMOXT, 


Theu  iu 
his  passion  he 
exclaims,  "These 
vile  monks 


"Ther  tlio  ill,"  lie  fayd,  "thys  lechorus  being, 
Thes  fals  nionkes,  which  full  uicious  he, 
3220  Thay  haue  now,  hy  the  holy  trynite, 


have  surely  en- 
chanted my 
brother,  to 
make  him  turn 
monk  and  have  a 
shaven  crown. 
But  they  shall 
suffer  for  it. 
The  errand  into 
Northumberland 
must  be  put  off  a 
while. 


My  brother  Fromont  haue  enchanted  fure, 
A  monke  haue  hym  made,  certes,  in  ther 
town. 
To  thaim  might  yut  come  fom  mifauenture  : 
3224  hym  haue  thay  f  horn  and  made  to  here  A  crown  ; 
In  f  hall  tham  put  into  gret  mifchef  down. 
Of  this  other  erande  bide  Awhile  will  I ; 
Thys  nionkes  will  fe,  long  er  that  I  dy. 


I  will  go  at  once 
and  burn  up  all 
these  monks 
together."    He 
bids  the  mes- 
sengers from 
Northumberland 
await  his  return, 
when  he  will  go 
with  them  as  he 
promised. 


3228  T^Erre  of  fhall  noght  be  or  to  that  place  go, 
-L    Thaim  fhall  I  brenne  to-geders  in  A  fire.' 
Tho  meffengers  of  norbelande  faid  to  : 
"  you  commaunde  al  abide  me  here  entire, 

3232  For  fhortly  with  you  go  wil  at  defire, 
That  cruell  Geaimt  As  to  difcomfight, 
So  fhall  it  be  don  As  graunted  haue  ryght. 


[Fol.  64  6.] 
They  promise  to 
guard  his  house 
in  his  absence, 
and  to  wait  till 
his  return.    He    ' 
sends  them  away 
without  further 
parley, 


and  summoning 
his  people,  rides 
with  all  speed 
till  he  reaches 
Maillezais 
jUilp.'.v  ou  a 
Tuesday. 


rTuiai,  which  durft  noght  with-fay  hys  hy  renon, 
3236    ■*-    hym  Anfwered  :  "  we  will,  lord  honourous, 

Sin  it  plefith  you,  it  is  good  refon  : 

In  your  abfence,  fchall  warde  and  kepe  pis  hous, 

Without  departing,  to  be  laborous 
3240  Till  the  tyme  approche  A-gane  you  fhal  fe." 

Geffray  anfwered  :  "  wele  faide  here  haue  ye; 

GO  forth,"  faid  he,  "  with-out  fayng-Again." 
To  hys  peple  faid,  "  vnto  hors  ye  goo ; 
3244  I  fhall  nothyng  fpare  ualey  ne  montain, 
Till  that  I  come  Maillers  Abbay  vnto." 
Then  Geffray  hym  put  forth  on  hys  way  tho, 
Thys  fers,  cruell,  hardy,  the  Tewifday, 
3248  So  rode  that  he  ryued  at  the  Abbay. 


AND    SETS    OFF    TO    JIAILLEZAIS    IX    A    RAGE. 


115 


T 


Ihe  monkes  were  in  their  chapitre-hous,  • 
.Vnd  Geflray  Anon  entred  ther  within  : 
When  thes  nionkes  knew  tliys  man  honorous, 

32-")  2  To  ryn  him  Again  Alfafte  gan  begin, 

As  welgret  As  fmall  towar[d]  hym  gan  wyn, 
All  the  hole  couent  ther  hym  fainting, 
Fnll  gret  ioy  thay  had  As  of  hys  comyng. 


He  finds  the 
monks  in  the 
chapter  house. 
They  are  de 
lighted  at  his 
coming. 


3256  nphen  to  the  abbot,  which  that  balled  was, 
J-    hath  Galfray  fpokyn  rude  and  buf telly, 
As  A  man  chaufed  l  w/t/j  yerfull  manace. 
"  Ha  !   dan  Abbot,"  toke  hym  to  fay  an  hy, 

3200  '•  Abbot,  forwhy  haue  ye  made  folyly 

My  brother  A  nionke  in  thys  faid  Abbay 
To  leue  chiualry,  takyng  your  ordre  Ay? 


But  roughly  and 
angrily  he  de- 
mands of  the 
Lord  Abhot  why 
they  have  so 
foolishly  made 
his  brother 
leave  chivalry 
and  turn  monk. 


I 


X  good  feith,  fidl  is  niufed  and  thought, 


[Fol.  63.] 
lie  threatens 

3264  -■-  ±or  your  mortal!  deth  ye  tho  gan  purchace  :    them  an  with 

death,  and 

ye  fchal  dy  for  your  wykkydneffe  wrought,  grinding  his 

Both  ye  And  all  your  couent  in  thys  place."         nuts  tnemlnto 
Then  fore  he  grint  And  ftrayined  his  teeth  apace,  grea 
3268  All  tho  which  were  the  Abbay  within 

Thai  had  gret  drede,  feing  hym  fo  begin. 


T 


hes  monkcs  wepte,  And  fighed  ful  fore  there  They  weep  and 

sigh  for  fear, 
and  the  Lord 


Of  the  fereftd  drede  which  that  time  thai  had 
3272  Then  dan  Abbot  of  the  hous  gan  anfwcre, 

'•  Sir,  by  me  noght  was  it  forth  broght  no  lad  ; 

1  »y  hym-felfen  was  it,  trow  I  f hall  ful  fad  ; 

he  i'o  meued  with  good  deuocion 
3276  As  Entre  into  this  religion. 


Abbot  declares  it 
has  all  been  done 
of  Fromont's 
own  free  will. 


[TEre  Fromont  may  fe  ye,  lo  !  perfonally,  nc  ma,  spP  fto- 

-LL  yff  it  hke  or  pleafe  you  hym  demaunde,  lo  ! "   conSngTo  Ma 
Fromont  thys  hym  faid,  "  brother,  verily 


1  MS.  "  chamfcd."     Fr.  text,  "  cschauiTez." 
8  * 


116 


GEOFFREY  BURXS  THE  ABBEY  OF  MAILLEZAIS, 


out  the  Abbot's 
account,  and  adds 
that  he  will  be 
nothing  but  a 
monk. 


3280  By  non  is  it  wrought,  but  "by  my-felfe  do  : 
A  monke  for  to  be,  Am,  And  f  hall  be  to  ; 
Wlier  wi't/iin  for  you  to  our  lord  fhal  pray, 
To  other  dedes  attende  wil  no  day, 


His  father  and 
mother,  he  says, 
had  consented, 
and  were  glad  that 
he  should  enter  ou 
this  life,  that  they 
all  might  benefit 
by  his  prayers. 


3284  T)ut  only  to  god,  to  whom  I  am  yild. 

-L'   hit  pleafed  my  fader,  to  hym  acceptiff, 
And  to  Melufine,  my  good  moder  milde  : 
Full  gladly  thay  wold  I  f  hold  ufe  my  life 

3288  here  As  for  to  pray  our  lord  celeftif 
For  thaim  and  for  you  in  efpeciall, 
That  in  paradife  he  vs  do  put  all." 


[Fol.  65  &.] 
Geoffrey,  almost 
mad  with  rage, 
replied  to  him 
sadly.    Then 
departing,  shut 
the  doors,  and 
savagely  orders 
fuel  to  be  col- 
lected, 


GEffray  vnderftode  Almofte  in  wode  rage, 
Thaken1  with  A  meruelous  corage  tho, 
Moche  ther  refceiued  to  hym  delefull  langage. 
Fro-thens  deperted,  the  dores  after  drew  to, 
All  tho  within  cloud  and  f  hitte  alfo, 
3296  After  fend  to  fecche,  of  feroiite, 

Straw  And  berres2  wonder  gret  plente. 


which  he  has 
piled  about  the 
Abbey,  and  then 
sets  it  all  on  tire. 


T 


^0  all  ilneffe  do  luffc  had  and  talent, 
Thys  brufehet  made  put  in-to  on  hepe, 
3300  What  caufe  eche  merueled,  in  ther  entent. 
Fire  hath  he  taken  and  put  in  therto ; 
That  in  litell  while  fe  fhcld  not  man,  lo  ! 
For  the  fmoky  fume  fmortherting  fo  was, 
3304  The  Abbay  it  toke,  fore  gan  it  enbras. 


The  Abbey,  the 
Abbot,  and  a 
hundred  monks, 
are  consumed. 


ryihe  fire  fo  kindled  thorugh  all  certainly, 
-L    The  monkes  all  betrapped  and  forfhend, 
That  neuer  on  foule3  fcaped  outwardly. 
3308  The  Abbot  And  A  hunderd  monkes  brend 
On  tewfday,  by  fortune,  fo  ther  end  : 

1  "Taken."     Fr.  text,  "Esprins." 
2  "breres"  (?)  Fr.  "busehe."  3  MS.  "foulc." 


FR0M0NT,  THi:  ABBOT,  AND  ALB  THE  MONKS. 


n: 


All  that  ther  within  wafted  to  huge  grame, 
To  gret  forow  And  wo,  vnto  full  huge  fhame  ; 


3312     A  nd  als  the  mofte  parte  of  thys  faid  ahbay 
-^*-  By  hym  ftroied,  bruled  and  fcorched  tho 
Ther  not  lefte  ne  bode  o  foule  man  that l  day, 


Most  of  the 
building  is  de- 
stroyed, and  not 
one  soul  escaped. 
Geoffrey,  on 
coming  to 

Thomglily  brende  it  Avas  to  gret  f  hame  and  wo.  himself,  laments 

o  o  i  n     -ff-n  what  he  has  done, 

3316   When  better  remembred2  hys  diffaute,  lo  ! 


With  f  hill  voce  cried  bat  time  hautaynly, 
"Alas,  caitife  !"  faide,  "  doii  hafte  folily, 


wt: 


lich  thys  minftre  undo  and  fo  brend." 
3320     '  *     his  brother  ofte  bement  dede  fo,  noght 
in  graue ; 
After  the  Abbot  And  all  the  couent. 
Foltif  h  he  was,  For  tho  thaini  might  not  liaue, 
Neuer  for  golde  ne  for  hauour  craue. 
3324  he  thaini  complained  And  waymentecl  fore, 
Off  pite  fighed,  lamenting  euermore. 


[Fol.  66.] 
the  burning  of  the 
minster,  and  his 
brother  nnburied, 
and  the  Abbot. 
For  there  was  no 
getting  them  back 
again. 


F 


fro-thens  departed,  on  his  courfere  lepte, 
He  right  noght  fparyng  ualey  ne  montayn, 
3328  In  paynfull  wo  was,  muling  thoughtes  kepte, 
Of  his  brother  brende  fore  hym  gan  complain  ; 
So  god3  religious  As  he  was  certain. 
Then  to  hym-felfe  faid  ;  "  fair  god  lord  an  by, 
3332  What  may  me  become  or  what  do  fhall  I? 


Leaving  Mail- 
lezais,  he  rode 
hard,  thinking 
much  of  his  good 
religious  brother; 
and  then  up- 
braids himself, 


N1 


"E  to  what  ende  come,  certes,  know  ne  may 
Neuer  man  born  fro  Adam  to  thys  hour 
Ne  war  fo  well  wurth  to  be  dampned  ay  ! 
333G  Wei  fhewith  I  am  An  ill  fals  traitour, 

I  here  more  wurfe  then  Iudas  the  fynnour. 
JSTeuer  fhall  I  fee,  vifage  to  vifage, 
Off  god  our  Fader  femyng  in  corage. 


that  he  is  more 
worthy  of  damna- 
tion than  any 
man,  even  than 
Judas  Iscariot, 

and  shall  l»-  .-hut 
out  of  God's 
sight. 


1  MS.  "thai." 


MS.  "  rcmenbred." 


:good"(:) 


118 


GEOFFREY    SETS    OFF    FOR    NORTHUMBERLAND. 


He  prays  for 
death.    In  this 
sorry  frame  he 
reaches  Guer- 
rande,  and  finds 
the  messenger 
waiting  for  him. 


[Fol.  68  6.] 
Geoffrey  is  pleased 
to  see  him,  and 
goes  at  once, 
taking  but  ten 
retainers. 


He  was  feasted 
by  the  people 
before  he  went 
on  board.    With 
a  fair  wind  he 
sets  out  at  once 
on  his  voyage. 


The  people  bless 
them  as  they 
start,  and  with  a 
fair  wind  and 
good  ship  they  go 
on  their  way.    I 
shall  now  leave 
Geoffrey  and 
speak  of  Ray- 
mond. 


3340  "1/TOrtall  cleth,  now  corn  bering  me  away  !" 
-LU-  Such  difcomforth  had  Gaffray  in  corage. 
Forfoth  fo  rode  An  eafy  pace  that  day, 
That  to  Gxxerrande  came  forth  fo  in  viage, 

3344  Fidl  malice  And  wrogli[t]  of  thys  huge  damage 
Which  that  tyme  had  don,  And  /ore  gan  com- 
plain. 
The  meflingere  lefte  contred  hym  Again  : 

When  GefTray  hym  fawr,  in  hert  was  full  glade  ; 
Fro-thens  departyd  vnto  vnderftande. 
Of  no  creature  demaund  leue  ne  had. 
he  ther-thens  wende  towarde  norbelande, 
Where-hens  the  meffinger  of  the  faide  lande 
3352  Which  to  Gaffray  cam  requiring  hym  then  : 
And  off  his  maynee  had  he  hut  ten. 


H1 


"E  thought  he  Avoid  noght  ouer  flow  to  he  : 
Anon  As  he  Approched  the  port  there, 
3356  Men  hym  made  gret  fefte  or  fhippe  made  entre  ;l 
And  off  the  contre  the  faid  melfynger, 
Which  condute  this  knight  the  way  and  manere. 
The  faill  reifed  vp,  the  wunde  fofte  gan  blow, 
3360  Anon  difancred  the  fhippe  in  a  throw ; 


mi 


Ihe-  maryner  thaim  put  in-to  the  fe, 
And  at  departfon  thaim  bleffed  all  tho. 
The  winde  was  good,  the  fhippe  welle  failled  fche, 
3364  In  a  litill  while  ferre  paffed  And  goo, 

A  kennyng  thaim  Avas  but  A  Jaj)e  vnto. 
Iiyght  thus  of  Gaffray  f  hall  reft  and  f  till  me, 
And  declare  And  fpeke  of  Raymounde  the  fre. 


He  was  living  3368  T)  AyHiounde  at  vauuent  lad  a  mery2  lif ; 

Vou^nt  with  his  -*-*-  Wher  hym  gan  to  hold,  As  long  As  he 

wife,  Melusine.  t  . 

myght, 


1  MS.  "enthe.' 


2  MS.    "ainery.' 


A    MESSENGER   COMES    TO    RAYMOND.  119 

With  fayre  Melufinc  hys  full  noble  Avyffe.  At  dinner  one 

day  a  great  piece 

Thvs  gent  ill  Eaymonde  was  A  courtois  knvght.  of  m  newa  ta 

"      °                      J                                                              Jb  brought  them. 

3372  At  vauuent  were  both,  as1  refon  was  and  ryght. 
Anon  had  thay  full  dolorous  noyfaunce  ; 
As  at  diner  fate,  at  ther  own  plefaunce, 

Aferrorn  thai  faw  com  A  niefllngere,  [Foi.  or.] 

.  Afar  off  they  saw 

"Which  in  humble  wife  thaim  were  faluting ;  a  messenger  who 

But  hys  colour  changed  fodainly  there,  them;  but  in 

For  thys  caufe  that  he  the  dede  was  doubting  to  give  his 

Of  that  meffage  behofull  hym  doing.  changes  colour. 

3380  And  Rayniound  to  hym  tho  ther  faid  anon  :  him^eicome. 

"  Gentill  meflingere,  welcom  to  vs  echon." 


0' 


iff  noueles  Anon  gan  hym  to  enquere  ;  They  inquire 

his  news.    (Alas ! 

Wliere-hens  he  cam ;  And  fro  what  place  i  must  utter 

strange  news, 
J)«t  day.  for  which  I  am 

3384  (Alas  !  outre  mofte  noueles  in  ftrange  manere,     message  is  right 

Tham  vnto  declare  wo  is  me  alway ; 

For  fuch  tydinges  And  nouels  f  hall  fay 

Which  ben  full  ill,  ryght  noght,  full  of  yre, 
3388  And  ryght  hiduous,  Any  man  to  hyre. 


naught, 


w 


here-thorugh    Eaymounde    fhall  lefe   the  owing  to 

which  Raymond 

company  shall  lose  his 

.  wife's  company.) 

Off  faire  Melnfine,  fro  that  lor  all-wais,  Thenheteiis 


Neuer  after  with  hys  wife  be  truly  : 
3392  Where  fhe  no  point  had  off  diffame  no  dais.) 
Then  the  meffinger  fpake  with-out  delais, 
"Sir,  vnderftande,  my  wordes  and  entent 
To  fay  behouith,  wherof  Am  dolent ; 


them 


3396  f\n  of  youre  children  take  hath  mortall." 

VJ  "Which  is  he?"  faid  Raymounde  :    "fir,  Fremont  i 


that  one  of 
their  children, 


dead,  and  Ray- 

Fromont  it  is."  moad  a--ks  if  lie 

"  hou  is  he  dede  1  good  fir,  fay  me  all. 

i  MS.  "os." 


120 


RAYMONDS    GRIEF    AT    THE    NEWS. 


Is  noght  the  body  bered  of  hys  1 


is  interred  in 
our  Lady's  Abbey 

at  Mamezais.  3400  On  his  foule  mercy  the  lord  do  of  blis  ! 


[Fol.  67  &.] 
But  the  mes- 
senger replies 
that  Froinont 
had  not  beeu 
buried,  but 
burnt  by  Geoffrey 
In  the  Abbey. 


The  abbot  and 
monks  were  all 
scorched  and 
burnt  to  ashes; 
Geoffrey  shut 
them  in  and 
burnt  them,  out 
of  spite  against 
Fromont. 


Raymond,  at  the 
news,  bathes  his 
heart  in  sorrow, 
but  sternly  com- 
mands the 
messenger  to  be 
sure  he  is  not 
lying. 


He  replies  that 
he  saw  it  with 
his  two  eyes. 
Raymond,  in 
great  dolour, 


Entered  in  cburcbe  is  of  our  lady 
In  Abbay  off  Maillers  full  follemply." 

Thys  meffinger  faid  with  f hill  vois  hantain, 
"  That  Miffed  man  neuer  had  fepulture ; 
Wilbelouid  fir,  this  you  fay  fertain, 
Aforn  all  will  declare  the  Auenture, 
hou  Gaffray  hym  put  to  f  hameuous  oppreffure, 
3108  Fired  and  byrnde,  ftroyng  the  Abbay 

Off  Maillers,  for  Fromont  hys  fake  Alway, 


mi 


}he  Abbot  And  monkes  conuentuall, 
That  ther  o  foule  man  efcapid  noght, 
3112  But  fcorched  and  brend  were  to  Afkes  fmall ; 
And  hou  the  doures  made  fafte  As  cowde  be 

thought ; 
For  drede  non  durfte  fie,  to-geders  brende  and 

brought, 
For  the  gret  difpite  which  in  hert  he  had1 
3416  Off  Fromont,  that  in  monkes  wede  was  clacle." 

'hen  Rayniound  it  knew,  bliffed  with  ryght 
hand, 

In  forow  And  wo  hys  hert  bathed  he. 
yut  Another  tyrne  he  gan  to  demand, 
3420  Commaunding  hym  ftraitly  As  myght  be, 
That  he  hym  fay  the  trouth  and  verite. 
"  Se  here,"  he  faid,  "  gret  cruelte  fhewyng, 
Is  it  this  1  ward  the  that  thou  ly  no  thing  ! " 

3424  TTE  hym  anfwerd,  "  fir,  it  is  ryght  this  ■ 
-*-J-  I  dare  wel  fay  this,  fo  god  me  do  aid  ; 

With  my  eyes  to  faw  it,  foo  haue  I  blis  ! " 
"When  Raymounde  it  hurd,  colour  changed  \ai 
braid, 

1  MS.  "hed." 


RAYMOND    VISITS    THE    RUINS    OF    MAILLEZAIS. 


121 


3128  For  ende  had  he  non  in  his  dolour  laid. 
To  hors  lepe  he  tho  w/t/i-out  tarying, 
In  hert  was  ryght  wo  And  fidl  fore  niornyiig. 


3432 


TX  penlif  miifes  hym  fafte  befeyin<: 


He  reft  noght  to  ryde,  fo  to  Maillers  cam. 
Such  A  pace  rode,  yut  ther  the  fray  finding, 
Bayniounde   perceiued   the  gret    lofcjV]1   And 

fhame. 
Ech  man  complayned  on  Garlray  by  name. 
3436  The  Ahhay  faw  brend  And  woxin  defert, 
Which  caufid  gret  wo  hym  to  haue  at  hert. 


leaps  upon  horse- 
back. 


[Fol.  68.] 
and  rides  at 
once  to  Mail- 
lezais.    There  he 
hears  men  com- 
plaining, and 
sees  the  abbey 
reduced  to  a 
ruin. 


H 


E  beheld  Aboute  euery  part  fure,  Much  enraged, 

Seyng  the  Abbot  And  monkes  brend  were  ;  Geoffrey  shall  die 
3440  Als  feing  the  meruelous  auenture,  manner,  if  he 

"  By  god  died  in  crotfe,"  Baymound  gan  fwere,    ^f  Mm.  ge 
That  "  Gaffray  f hold  dye  in  cruell  manere, 
yff  atwixft  his  handis  he  hym  haue  myght, 
3444  He  wold  make  hym  ende,  And  fhameuous  deth 
dight ! " 


There  lepte  vp  Again  hys  courfere  vppon,  Again  he  mounts 

So  inly  malice,  full  of  wrath  and  yre,  no  wish  to  stay 

—      «,  .P  n  j  there,  and  rides 

In  Ihuch  cAs  broght,  wilte  not  wat  lay  ne  don  •  fast  homeward. 


3448  To  fogeril  At  Maillers  more  wold  not  defire. 
Fro-thens  departed,  tornyng  hole  entire 
hamwarde  in  iournay  ryght  full  beiUy. 
Al  day  ther  he  rode  fafte  And  fpedfully, 

3452  Qo  the  myghty  ftrenght  attained  he  was 

U  Of  vauuent  caftell,  entred  in  and  wend  ; 
hys  courfere  As  the  wy nde  forth  went  apace. 
When  within  was,  After  gan  difcend  ; 

3456  lenger  wold  he  noght  bide  ne  attend. 
In-to  the  chambre  entred  he  Anon, 
The  dores  to  hym  drew  And  clofyd  echon. 

1  See  1.  3608.     Fr,  text,  "  perte." 


He  reaches  the 
fort  of  Vouvant, 
and  alights  from 
his  liorse.    He 
enters  his 
chamber,  and 
shuts  the  door. 


122 


RAYMONDS    COMPLAINT   AGAINST    FORTUNE. 


[Fol.  68  b.] 
Then  he  begins  to 
lament  and  wail, 
Baying,  "Ah  ! 
Fortune  !  thy 
dealings  are  too 
manifest,  thou 
art  not  secret 
enough. 


When  I  put  Earl 
Amery  to  death 
by  moonlight, 
thou  wert  the 
cause.    Alas !  he 
was  a  peerless 
man ! 


And  next,  thou 
madest  me 
marry  this  in- 
famous serpent : 
and  one  of  my  ten 
children  by  her, 
a  holy  monk,  is 
dead, 


and  his  brother 
slew  him.    Her 
children  will  do 
no  good.    I  could 
no1  have  believed 
it,  had  I  not  Been 
her  in  the  bath. 


[Fol.  69.] 

I  saw  through 
the  h"Ir  in  the 
door  that  she 


There  began  he  wonder  waymenting  ; 
Coniplaynyng,  Avayling,  And  lamentyng  to 
fee. 
"  Ha  !  "  he  faid,  "  Fortune,  to  riue  art  being  ; 
Ne  hafte  thou  not  be  "with  me  full  preue. 
Aboue  All  other  hafte l  thou  hated  rne  ! 
3461  Alas  !  this  for-whi  haft  thou  me  in  hate  1 
To  tech  me  were  thou  contrary  J?«t  date, 

"hen  thou  me  madeft  that  murther  to  do 
Off  the  noble  Erie  of  peiters  being, 
3468  Amery  the  good  notable  knyght  tho ; 

I  hym  put  to  deth  by  the  mone  f  hynyng. 
By  the,  lady  Fortone,  thou  were  it  caufing  ! 
Alas  !  he  was  man  in  tyme  full  worthy  ! 
3472  Hys  pere  noght  founde  Athiffid  Eome  truly  ! 


A' 


fter  me  made  by  thy  will  and  uolente 
To  take  this  woman  of  the  Fayry, 
This2  here  diffamed  ferpent  vnto  fe  ■ 
3476  I  am  not  wronged3  thow  it  beAvayle  furely. 
Then4  fair  children  haue  I  had  hir  by; 
But  on  is  dede,  whereof  Am  I  penfiffe, 
Which.  Avas  A  monke  leuyng  holy  life. 

3480  richer  now  his  brother  hat[h]  put  hym  deth  to. 
J-    I  trow  thes  children  which  that  fhe  bare 
In  this  worle  ne  fhall  no  maner  good  do. 
The  begynnyng  noght,  of  trouth  to  declare, 

3484  And,  by  the  teres  off  uandofme  hys  fair, 
hit  I  to  beleue  is  but  fantefy, 
Ne  hade  I  hir  fain  in  the  bath  only  ; 


3488 


1  MS. 


1"  not  ferre  fro  thens,  the  trouth  vn-to  tell, 
-*-  By  the  litell  hole  of  the  dore  gan  fe 
Fro  the  hed  adon  vnto  the  nauell 

baste."  2  MS.  "Thes."  s  «  wr0ng  "  (?) 

4  "Ten."     Fr.  text,  "dix." 


MELUSINE    COMES    TO    K.YYMOXD. 


123 


A  full  fair  and  gent  woman  there  was  fhe ; 
But  under  was  A  ferpent  of  verite, 
3492  A  taill  burled  had  of  filuer  and  Afure, 

Ther  bete  that  all  the  water  flaifhed  fure, 


P 


lull  grett  hiduou[s]neffe  to  my  hert  made. 
Neuer  was  ther  man  if  hir  gan  to  fe 
3496  In  the  eftat  that  I  ther  faw  hir  clad, 
But  that  wold  Anon  Away  fro  hir  He  ; 
For  it  was  thing  dredfull  As  myght  be. 
God  me  ward  and  kepe  fro  werk  diabolike, 
3500  And  ftedfafte  me  hold  in  feith  catholike  !  " 


was  a  woman 
from  her  head  to 
her  middle,  but 
beneath  a  serpent, 
with  a  tail  striped 
with  hlue  and 
gold. 


No  man  could 
have  beheld  her 
as  I  did,  and 
not  have  fled 
for  fear.  God 
keep  uie  from 
diabolic  works  !  " 


F 


VAir  Melusine  tho  the  dore  gan  unf  hit, 
"Well  cowde  it  vnloke,  in  gan  fhe  repaire, 
Alfo  to  the  dore  the  key  had  of  it. 
3504  Knygktes,  ladeis,  damicelles  full  faire, 
Squiers,  yongmen,  maydens  debonair, 
With  Melusine  ther  entre  made  pat  ftounde 
Into  the  chambre  where  Rayinound  was  founde. 


Melusine  unlocks 
the  door,  and 
brings  with  her 
into  the  chamber 
a  company  of 
squires  and 
maidens. 


3508  Tn  the  faide  chambre  entred  thai  Anon. 


I 


Raymond  is 
much  vexed  at 

Bavmounde  faw  hvs  wife,  marred  was  he  tho.   the  si"ht  "f  Uer- 

and  begins  to 
lament  anew. 
The  moment  of 
their  parting  wa 
now  nigh  at 
hand. 


Ther  hauing  no !  point  of  colour  hym  vppon, 
There  be-gan  of-neAv  hys  dolorous  woo. 
3512  Off  Raymounde  And  of  hys  fair  loue  alfo 
Ther  ftrange  depa[r]tfon  approched  full  ny, 
Eyglit  As  ye  fhall  hire  declared  fhortly. 


15 1G 


rphen  Melufine  laid  to  Raymound  hir  houfband, 
-*-    "  hauith  riot  your  hert  fo  marred  for  wo, 

For  ]j«t  ye  may  noght  amend  at  no  ftonde. 
Men  fhold  fuch  forow  lightly  lete  flip  and  go. 
yff  Agayn  our  lord  Gaffray  haue  myfdo, 
3520  And  )>«t  he  hath  diftroid  that  fane  place 
Off  Maillers  by  hys  mifdoing,  percas 


[Fol.CO  6.] 
Melusine  says  to 
him,  "Be  not 
vexed.    Even 
though  Geoffrey 
has  thus  sinned, 
and  has  destroyed 
the  abbey,  he 
may  yet,  per- 
chance. 


1  MS.  "to."    Fr.  text,  "  ncust  point  de  coulcur." 


124 


RAYMOND    CALLS    MELUSINE — "  SERPENT 


make  his  peace 
with  God  by 
repentance,  and 
suffer  pain  in  the 
body ;  for  God's 
mercy  is  at  all 
times  ready. 


For  God  willeth 
not  the  death  of 
a  sinner,  but  that 
lie  should  live 
to  repent  and  to 
do  good." 


But  Raymond 
was  spiteful  and 
angry,  and  his 
reason  awhile 
departed. 
Soon  shall  he 
say  a  word 
which  he  shall 
never  retrieve. 


[Fol.  70.] 
With  fierce  look, 
proudly  wroth, 
he  spake  plainly 
his  foolish 
thought,  uttering 
aloud  the  fatal 
word,     "Ha! 
serpent!    Be- 
hold and  see 


what  Geoffrey  thy 
sou  hath  done ! 
He  hath  scorched 
and  burnt  a  hun- 
dred monks,  of 


T 


"lit  may  he  his  pees  Full  "wel  do  to  make 
TWardes  our  lord  by  grete  repentance, 
3524  And  for  his  trefpas  pennaunce  may  he  take, 
Therfor  fuffer  pain  in  bodyly  fubftaunce. 
For  goddis  marce  is x  redy  ech  inf tance, 
So  in  hym  he  haue  good  contrecion, 
3528  And  efter  veray  pure  confemon. 


0' 


^ff  verray  trouth  my  beleue  is  foo 
That  our  lord  god  on  hym  will  haue  mercy, 
For  of  the  fynner  wold  not  deth  f  hold  go, 
3532  But  louith  better  that  lif  fhold  truly, 

To  haue  time  And  fpace,  being  here  wordly, 
To  effecte  And  end  that  he  fhold  repent 
And  to  All  goodneffe  alfo  to  AfTent." 

3536  rTuiys  lady  wifely  And  fagely  gan  to  fpeke, 

-*-    But  Baymounde  maKce  And  full  angry  was  ; 
At  hys  hert  gret  noyfaunce  gan  he  fteke. 
Befon  deperted  tho  fro  hym  apas. 

3540  Such  A  word  fhal  fay,  repent  can  not  purchas  ; 
Neuer  f hall  ne  may,  vnto  bat  he  dy, 
Conquere  that  he  f  hall  And  mofte  leflfe  ther-by. 


3544 


f\&  A  fers  behold,  orgulouily  wrought, 


3548 


Als  with  the  behold  of  his  eyes  twain, 
And  when  that  he  had  A  litell  thought, 
his  foley  thought  fpitfully  fpake  plain, 
And  afore  allfaid  he  with  uois  hautain, 
:  ha  !  ferpent  !  thy  line  in  lif  no  good  f  hall 
doo  ! 
Se  here  now  A  noble  begynnyng,  lo  ! 

"hat  Gaffray  with  long  toth  thy  fon  hath 
don  ! 

A  hundred  monkes  fcroched  2  and  brend  plain, 
3552  And  after  fro-thens  made  he  departfon. 
1  MS.  "  his."  2  Sie  in  MS< 


w 


MELUSIXE   SWOOXS   WITH    SORROW. 


125 


Where-of  on  was  Fromont  thi  fon  certain, 
The  which,  to  cherif  h  euer  was  I  fain ! 
Alas  !  thes  rnonkes  flain  hath  thi  fon  Gaffray. 
3556  But  thay  died  noght  Al  cold,  I  may  fery, l 

luery  of  thaim  fo  gret  An  hed2  had. 
I  haue  ther  he,  I  saw  it  verily, 
Thaim  al  hath  he  hrend,  Gaffray  tlii  fone  made  ! " 
3560  Alas  !  the  forow  don  fo  difordinatly 

Off  that  wurde  which  he  p?'onounced  openly  ! 
For  ther-in  gan  do  gret  ill  and  fin  plain. 
Melufine  Anon  lofte,  neuer  faw  Again. 


E" 


whom  Fromont 
thy  son  v. 
But  they  died  not 
all  cold, 


but  every  one  was 
hot  enough. 
Geoffrey,  thy  mad 
son,  burnt  them  !  " 
Alas  !  the  sorrow 
caused  by  that 
fatal  word,  which 
lost  him  Melu- 
sine  ! 


3564 


hen  Alelufine  hurd  thys  faid  wurde  this  When  Meiuuine 

heard  that  word 

ftounde, 


After  hir  fuftain  forfoth  f  he  ne  myght. 
Zownyngly  f  he  fil  wofully  to  grounde  ; 
The  forow  fo  gret,  the  hert  fro  hym-felf  ryght. 
3568  Well  ny  fo  half  hour  fhe  lay,  this  fwet  wight, 
Proftrat  to  the  erth,  ftoned,  fo  zownyng 
For  that  heuy  word  he  was  ther  outring. 


she  swooned 
away,  and  lay  in 
that  swoon  a 
whole  half-hour, 
prostrate  and 
astonied. 


35 


The  barons  ther  cam,  vp  gan  hir  redrefe 


Goodly,  without  hurt  or  blecere  Any. 
Anon  A  knight  Approched  hir  hineffe, 
hir  vifage  moifted  with  fref  h  water  goodly, 
Trowing  A  fiftene  times  or  twenty. 
3576  By  that  reforted  hir  good  hert  Again, 
Ynto  Baymoimd  faid  foberly  certain, 

Orfoth  to  hym  fpake  full  peteuoufly, 

"  Alas,  alas,  alas,  Bayniounde,  this  day  ! 

3580  111  faw  I  the  euery  times  any  ! 

Ill  faw  I  the  heute  of  the,  I  fay ; 

111  faw  I  thi  ful  gracious  Aray, 

111  faw  I  the  vppo[»]  the  Fontain, 

3584  111  faw  I  thy  vertuous  demenyng  playn,  3 

1  "fay"  (?)  2  "het"  (?)     Fr.  text,  "chault." 

3  MS.  "  playng." 


F 


[Fol.  70  6.] 
The  barons  raised 
her  up,  and  a 
knight  moistened 
her  face  with 
cold  water.    She 
revives,  and  ex- 
claims, 


"Alas.  Raymond  ! 
Ill  for  me  that 
ever  I  saw  thee  ! 
Wo  is  me  that 
ever  I  saw  thy 
beauty,  thy 
array,  thy  \  irtu-    . 
ous  conduct. 


126 


MELUSINE    REPROACHES    RAYMOND. 


Alas  that  ever  I 
saw  thy  precious 
body,  that  ever  I 
loved  thee !  Evil 
was  the  hour  and 
season 


Til  faw  I  thy  werking  amerous, 


wherein  I  first 
saw  thy  treason 
and  falseness ! 
Thine  unmeasure- 
able  language  has 
condemned  me  to 
eternal  pain. 


[Fol.  71.] 
Never  shall  you 
see  my  face 
again,  O  false, 
perjured  traitor, 
murmurer,  liar, 
betrayer,  and 
false  knight. 


Thus  hast  thou 
caused  us  huge 
loss.    Yet  I 
could  forgive 
your  seeing  me  iu 
the  bath,  be- 
cause you  told  it 
to  no  one. 


Your  revealing  it 
lias  brought  mis- 
fortune.   Had 


Ille  law  I  thy  precyous  body, 
Ille  saw  I  thy  iourne  dolorous, 
3588  That  w/t/i  the  was  in  loue  Aniouroufly  ! 
Ille  law  I  thi  fair  contennaunce  truly, 
Ille  faw  I  thy  gracious  body  gent, 
Ille  faw  I  the  hour  And  mene  feafon  prefent 

3592  mhat  the  faw  firft,  thi  trefon,  thi  falfneffe  ! 
*-   Thy  fals  vntrew  fpech,  thy  huge  cruelte, 

Thy  fals  tonges  unmefurahehieffe, 

Me  put  to  paynes  perdurahilite, 
3596  That  frothens  neuer  fhall  I  depart  me, 

But  full  nioche  pain  f hal  I  fuffre  Alway, 

For  pain  fhall  I  haue  vnto  the  lafte  day, 

nnhat  it  like  or  pleaffe  our  lord  foueran 
3600    -*-    To  come  iuge  And  deme  tho  both  cpiikke 
and  dede  ! 
Neuer  fhal  ye  fe  my  clere  uifage  plain, 
Moft  fals  traytour  And  fals  forfworn  in-ded, 
Replet  with  uices,  Ml  of  murmerhed, 
3604  Fals  amerous,  fals  lefmgmonger  ryght, 

Fals  betrayer,  And  in-ded  A  fals  knyght ! 

Full  ill  hafte  thow,  lo  !  my  couenaunt  hold, 
That  thow  me  promyfed  hi  the  begynnyng  ; 
3608  Thou  hafte  made  us  haue  huge  lofce  many-fold, 
yut  myght  I  all  this  Ml  wel  be  fuffryng, 
Off  that  hi  the  bath  me  fo  were  feyng, 
Acaufc  ye  ne  it  faid  no  creature. 
3612  The  fende  knew  it  noglit,  the  mifauenture. 

s  fon  As  made  was  reuelacion  there, 
knawen  was  A-none  For  it  fhalt  miffall ; 
Yf  that  my l  body  to  the  Abode  here, 

1  MS.  "by."     Fr.  text,  "  mon  corps." 


MELUSINE    FORETELLS    RAYMONDS   MISFORTUNES. 


127 


3616  Thow  fh.old.eft  perceiue  ryght  brefly  with-aR 
All  thy  Ml  fals  periuiy  difceiu[e]  ! l 
yf  truly  ye  had  the  couenaunt  hold, 
Vnto  M ortall  cleth  me  to  haue  ye  f  hold, 


3G20 


T)  yght  As  A  woman  horn  here  naturall, 


A  feminine  thyng,  woman  at  al  houres, 
To  end  of  my  days  here  terreftriall. 
By  me2  myghtefte  haue  had  huge  focoures. 
3624  After  the  hy  kyng,  full  off  honoures, 
Wold  haue  horn  Away  the  foule  of  me, 
When  that  Fro  body  departed  were  fhe, 


3628 


A  fter  heried  in  facred  fepulture, 


And  wrt7i  gret  honour  entered  fhold  he. 
Alas  !  my  fortune  now  putt  Away  fure  ! 
In  payn,  hi  wo,  in  tormentes  cruelte 
Till  day  of  iugement  to  fe. 
3632  By  thy-felfen  difceiued  art  in  all, 

Thou  art  fro  hineffe  into  lowneffe  fall. 


you  kept  your 
covenant  truly. 


I  should  have 
been  a  woman  at 
all  hours,  and.  at 
death,  the  King 
of  glory  would 
have  borne  away 
my  soul, 


[Fol.  71  &.] 
and  I  should  have 
been  buried  with 
great  honour. 
Alas  !  I  must  now 
suffer  pain  till 
doomsday. 


K1 


"no with  thys,  to  you  f hall  come  greuous  pine, 
Ne  neuer  goodneffe  fhal  refceiue  certain  ; 
3636  All-way  thy  dedes  fhall  go  to  decline, 

Ke  neuer  fhal  he  wrought  ne  made  again, 
And  thi  land  fhal  lie,  After  thi  difceffe  plain, 
Parted  in  partes  I  heleue  fhal  he, 
3640  Keiier  to-geders  hold  in  feueralte, 

>y  A  foule  man  neuer  maintayned  he  ; 
Many  of  your  men  fhal  fall,  fir  Eaymounde, 
Neuer  it  acquire  As  in  certaintc. 
3644  Som  of  thaim  fhall  lefe  both  ther    land  and 
ground. 
By  fin  fors  of  werre  with  many  A  wound, 
Fro  ther  dweUyng  full  fafte  fhall  thay  fle, 
ISTeuer  fhall  reforte  A-ganc  to  contre. 


B 


Thou  too  shalt 
suffer  pain,  thy 
great  deeds  shall 
decline,  and  thy 
land,  at  thy  death, 
shall  be  divided. 


Some  of  your  ! 
posterity  shall 
lose  both  land 
and  ground,  and 
never  return 
again  home. 


See  note. 


MS.  "  my. 


128 


SHE    BIDS    HIM    SLAY    HORRIBLE. 


Remember  thy 
sous,  for  I  shall 
be  with  thee  no 
more ! "    Then 
she  draws  three 
barons  aside, 
speaking  to  all 
sensibly  in  an 
under-tone. 


[Fob  72.] 
"  Raymond,  it  be- 
hoves thee  to 
beware  of  Hor- 
rible.   If  he  live 
war  shall  never 
cease,  nor  bread 
nor  wine  in- 
crease, 


for  he  shall  lay 
waste  all  the 
country.     He  will 
destroy  all  I  have 
made,  and  bring 
his  brethren  to 
poverty. 


Thy  sorrow  for 
Geoffrey's  deed  is 
needless  ;  it  was  a 
punishment  upon 
the  monks  for 
their  misdeeds. 


It  is  for  that 
reason  they  are 
scorched,  exiled, 
and  destroyed. 


3648  T)Emembre  thy  fones,  the  befeche  And  pray, 
J-  v  For  I  f hal  neuer  hold  the  company, 
To  whome  haue  hert  peteuous  and  tender  ay, 
I  may  no  langer\Abyde  ne  tary  !  " 

3652  Thre  !  of  the  Barons  Apart  drew  haftily 
Off  mofte  grettefte,  fayng  in  wyfe  pefible 
As  woman  full  fage  And  ryght  fenfible  ; 


R 


Aymounde,  imderftande,  horrible  thy  fone 
gete 

3656  Do  hym  for  to  dy,  neuer  be  he  found. 
Off  it  houith  the  to  entremete, 
Thre  eyes  f  hal  bere  he  vppon  the  grottn.de. 
yff  he  life,  werre  neuer  f  hall  faill  noftounde 
3660  In  all  the  contre  off  peiters  to  deuin, 

Shall  neuer  encreffe  neithir  brede  ne  win, 

11  the  contre  he  fhall  wafte,  vnderftand, 
So  that  no-thyng  encreffe  f  hal  ne  may. 
3664  And  all  thes  places  that  I  gan  do  make, 
Diftroy  And  undo,  certes,  is  no  nay  ; 
And  hys  bretherin  to  porete  put  alway, 
All  tham,  of  trought,  and  all  of  the  lyne, 
3668  Wherefor  I  you  pray,  lete  hym  dy  -with  pine. 

me  dole  that  thou  hafte  for  Gaffray  thy  fone, 
That  the  monkes  brende  fo  difordinaitly, 
knowith  thys,  that  it  was  for  punic/on 
3672  Taken  vppon  tho  of  religion  hy, 

For  ther  mifgouernaunce  wroughten  fo  dayly, 
Off  our  lordes  part,  for  b«t  thai  do  wold 
Many  of  thingys  that  they  do  ne  f  hold, 

3676  ]VTE  ought  of  ryght  ne  of  refon  doo. 

-L^    In  that  place  our  lord  example  hath  f  heAved. 
Off  goddis  parte  is  thai  ben  fcorched  fo, 

1  MS.  "  Thcr  ;  "  but  French  text,  "  Trois." 


GEOFFREY    IS    TO    REBUILD    THE    MINSTER. 


129 


All  dede,  exiled,  And  foide  diftroyde. 
3G80  Many  "with  lechery  haue  liyin  fore  noyed ; 
Fals  monkes,  fynners,  holdyng  at  no  day 
Ther  ordre  ne  lif  of  the  faid  Abbay. 

Iff  your  fone  be  dede  with  thaim  orderly, 
haue  ye  no  routhe,  ne  of  thaim  neuer  mo. 
ye  know  what  men  fain  mofte,  lo  !  comynly, 
For  A  fynner  perifh  fhall  An  hundred,  lo  ! 
An  hundered  hath  brend,  nombred  vs  unto, 
3688  Without  the  Abbot  which  nombred  is  noght, 
"Which  maifter  is  of  thaim,  As  of  refon  ought, 


r 


ff  ther  were  caufe,  parcas  he  myght  be. 
Iff  Gaffray  tham  haue  fo  deftroed  all, 
3692  It  may  be  by  hym  reftored,  parde, 

A  more  fairer  miniftre  fourge  1  and  make  fhall 
Then  that  which  he  hath  caufed  fo  to  fall. 
This  faid  Abbay  full  wel  may  he  reftore 
3696  With  many  mo  monkes  then  were  before. 


0' 


They  have  banned 
themselves  with 
lechery. 


[Fol.  72  b.] 
If  your  son  he 
dead  with  them, 
pity  him  not. 
A  hundred  men 
perish  for  one 
sinner's  sake. 
So  here  100  died, 
besides  the  abbot. 


If  Geoffrey  have 
destroyed  them, 
he  may  easily 
rebuild  a  fairer 
minster,  and 
place  in  it  more 
monks  than  be- 
fore. 


^ff  brought  fo  he  will  in  ryght  good  manere, 
Which  then  fhall  be  good  peple  verily, 
Prayng  for  the  line  witJi  myght  and  powere ; 
3700  Which  church  he  fhall  welle  redyfy  ; 

The  place  fhall  be  to  fight  more  plefantly, 

And  more  better  then  euer  was  before  ; 

Thys  Gaffray  fhall  doo  gret  goodneife  euermore, 

3704  "if  Ofte  fpecially  when  he  comyth  to  Age. 
■ILL  But  A  thing  I  fhall  you  declare  truly, 
Ar  I  me  departe  fro  your  compernage, 
To  ende  that  all  therof  haue  memory 

3708  "Which  after  An  hundred  yere  furely 

That  yut  ben  unbore  fhall  hir  fpeke  of  me  ; 
Off  trouth  in  the  air  thai  men  fhall  me  fee 


There  shall  they 
pray  for  our 
lineage,  and  the 
place  shall  be 
fairer  and  better 
than  before. 


But,  ere  I  go,  I 
tell  you  one  thing 
more.    In  order 
that  men  may 
remember  me, 
they  shall  see  me 
in  the  air. 


1   MS. 


;  fourgee." 
9 


130 


MELUSINES    PARTING    WORDS    TO    RAYMOND, 


[Eol.  73.] 
I  shall  be  seen 
whenever  the 
castle  is  about  to 
change  its  master; 
if  not  in  the  air, 
on  the  earth,  or 
by  this  fountain. 


For,  as  the  castle 
was  baptized  after 
my  name,  it  may 
be  considered  as 
my  goddaughter. 


m  Ar: 


Boute  the  caftell  off  liifignen  fo, 
Thre  dais  beforn  in  the  fame  yere  ryght 
That  the  cafftell  f  hall  change  hir  maifter,  lo  ! 
yff  in  the  air  men  not  fe  me  myght, 
And  that  thay  mow  not  perceiue  me  to  fight, 
3716  I  fhall  me  Appere  vppon  the  erth  playn, 
Or  at  the  lefte  befides  this  Fontain. 

Know  thys,  Raymonnde,  for  fo  fhall  it  be, 
Aff  longe  As  thys  faid  caftell  fhall  endure, 
3720  For  with  my  name  baptifed  was  fhe, 
And  fuch  As  it  is  devifed  I  fure, 
My  goddoughter  I  may  calle  '  hir  in  vre. 
Fule  wel  may  it  fay  Aforn  peple  All, 
3724  And,  for  Melufine  men  me  do  to  call, 


Three  days  before 
the  castle  changes 
its  lord,  I  shall 
certaiuly  appear. 


L 


ufignen  named,  to  name  doth  calange. 
yut  "will  I  now  fay  without  tarying, 
"When  that  of  the  lord  fhall  come  j?e  efchange, 
3728  Thre  dais  be-forne  me  fhall  be  feyng; 
Certainly  I  fhall  ther  be  appering. 
But  lofte  is  now  al  my  folas  and  efe, 
Sin  fo  behouith  me  it  leue  and  lefe  : 


Raymond,  when 
first  we  loved,  we 
had  all  joy  and 
solace ;  but  now 
is  our  solace  turn- 
ed into  vexation. 


[Fol.  73  &.] 
Now  is  our  gi  lod 
fortune  tamed  to 
mischance,  and 
our  surety  is  in 
doubt. 


3732  TT^Or  now  may  it  be  in  non  other  wife. 

-*-     Raymounde,  vnto  you  then  at  beginnyng, 
When  ye  and  I  entreloued  in  louers  gife, 
Al  maner  plefance  we  were  finding, 

3736  Joy  And  folas  As  loue  And  louer  hauyng  ; 
Alas  !  contrary  now  fe  thys  inftance, 
Our  folas  torned  into  gret  noyfance, 

And  in  to  forow  tranfport  our  gladneffe, 
Our  huge  uigour  to  febleffe  this  inftance, 
Our  plefire  into  difplefance  expreffe, 
Our  full  good  fortune  into  gret  mifc[h]ance, 
'  MS.  "called." 


AND    MOST    MOURNFUL    LEAVE-TAKING 


131 


Our  vertuous  goodnes  into  curced  cliancc ; 
3744  In  doubte  is  all  our  furete  to  deuife, 
And  our  noble  And  bliffed  franc hifo 


"s  full  ftrangely  changed  into  feruice, 
By  peruers  fortune  labored  and  founde 
3748   Which  on  reihth,  Anothir  don  brife, 


Is  iuu  urangeiy  cnangea  into  leruice,  our  freedom  is 

-r,  i>     i  iTiipi  turned  to  service 

by  perverse  for- 
tune, and  all  ow- 
ing to  the  jangling 

But  noght  gain  our  lorde  J?«t  caufyng  nie  pis  tongoei   a   mK 


ftoimd  ; 
ys  only  by  your  dedes,  fir  Bayinounde, 
Als  by  your  labbyng  tonges  iongling, 
3752  ye  fhall  leffe  your  loue  for  your  large  fpeking. 


F 


"Ow  more  lenger  here  may  I  not  to  dwell, 
Fair  loue,  me  behouith  hens  As  for  to  go. 
your  mifdedis  god  perdon  euerydell, 
3756   \Miereof  Agayne  me  ye'haue  fo  myfdo , 
For  by  you  fhall  fuffer  torment  And  woo, 
Tiito  the  dredfull  day  of  Iugement ; — 
And  by  the  I  was  fro1  forow  ex[e]mpte, 


Now  must  I  go. 
God  pardon  you 
for  being  the  cause 
of  my  suffering 
torment." 


3760     A  nd  into  yoy  entred  ! — Alas  !  wo  I  Am, 
■*-*-  For  now  Am  I  cafte  into  dolorous  woo, 
Fro-whens2  that  I  iffewed  and  came  !" 
Such  ful  fory  dole  Melufme  lad  tlio, 

3764  That  body  off  huniayn  creature,  lo  ! 

"Which  hir  complaint  hurd  with    huge   iighes 

fore, 
Ne  fhold  withold  fro  weping  euermore. 


Such  grief  had 
Melusine  that 
none  that  heard 
her  could  with- 
hold from  weep- 
ing. 


3768 


Raymounde  heuily  wrang  his  handes  twain, 
Suchgreuauncetoketho,  Almofte  gan  he  dy. 
So  was  he  take  with  heuy  wurdes  plain, 


[Fol.  74.] 

Bay] id  was  -<> 

grieved  at  her 

words  that  he 
could  say  no  word 
himself.    The  two 

That  o  foule  wurde  coude  not  bryng  forth  truly,  sadly. 

She  hym  Approched  enbrafmg  fwetly, 

1  MS.  "  for."  2  MS.  "  For  whcns." 

9* 


132 


MELUSINE    GIVES    HER    LAST    INSTRUCTIONS, 


They  both  swoon 
away,  ami  the 
barons  trow  they 
are  both  dead  and 
cold. 


Recovering  from 
the  swoon,  they 
sighed  and  wrang 
their  hands.    All 
the  whole  rout 
who  see  them, 
weep. 


Raymond  entreats 
Melusine  to  par- 
don him,  but  she 
says  that  this  can- 
not be. 


3772  To-geders  kyffing  tlies  to  Amerous 

In  o  torment  ther  were  both  dolorous. 

Fvl  greuous  Anguifli  in  ther  hertes  loke, 
That  for  heuineffe  hoth  gan  fall  to  grounde, 
3776  zowning  ther  full  long  A  maner  dethis  ftroke, 
Without  takyng  hreth  or  wynde  any  ftounde. 
The  Barons  trowing  Meluline  and  Raymou«d 
That  thes  louers  to  were  hoth  dede  and  cold  ; 
3780  For  long  fpace  And  tynie  fuch  wife  gan  thai  hold, 

And  when  fro  zowning  that  thai  came  Agane, 
And  that  thai  myght  hreth,  to  figh  he-gan 
fore, 
To  waile,  to  wepe,  to  forely  complain, 
3784  Ther  handes  wrange  And  f trained  euermore, 
Non  knew  the  forow  by  thaim  lade  and  bore. 
Whereof  all  thay  wepte  ftanding  ther  Aboute 
With  teres  many,  All  the  ful  hole  route. 

3788     A  nd  melufine,  to  whome  was  full  greuous, 
-^*-  Ryght  piteuouf  ly  f  he  releued  tho. 
Raymound  bir  praid,  as  man  generous, 
Ther  knelyng,  that  f  he  hym  pardon  wolde,  lo  ! 

3792  Off  bir  conrtefy,  that  he  hade  myfdo  ; 

Which  by  gret  mifchefe  don  gain  bir  hath  he. 
Thys  lady  hym  faide  that  it  myght  not  bee, 


[Fol.  74  &.] 

She  bids  him  es- 
pecially think  of 
Ins  son  Raynold, 
for  that  he  should 
lit  Earl  of  Forest. 


379  G 


Tit  plcafe  ne  wold  the  king  celeftiall. 
■*-*-  "But,  fairloue!  Iyouherebefccheandpray, 
Thenke  on  your  loue  here  terreftriall, 
your  fone  Fromount  in  obliuy  put  ay, 
And  in  Raynold  loke  ye  thenke  Alway, 
3800  For  of  the  foreste  Erie  f  hall  he  be,  lo  ! 

In  all  goodneffe  thenke,  And  wel  f  hall  ye  doo. 


The  Earl  of  Forest 
would  soon  die. 


T 


ie  Erie  of  forefte  here  long  f  hall  not  byde 
In  this  worlde  here  After  my  departfon, 


AND    LEAPS    UP    TO    THE    WINDOW. 


133 


3804  Alio  will  thenke  for  Thierry  to  prouyde, 
For  yut  f hall  he  l  doo  thynges  manyon. 
At  norif  h  pappes  yut  is  his  peribn  ; 
Fro2  partenay  to  Eochell  the  lande  f hall  iuftice, 

3808  An  inly  good  knight  fhall  he  be  and  wyfe. 


lie  is  also  to  pro- 
vide for  Thierry, 
who  would  after- 
wards rule  the 
land  from  Parte- 
nay to  Kochelle. 


A] 


Nd  all  which  fro  hyin  linially  iffew, 
Shall  be  knightes  good,  hardy,  and  wurthy, 
Full  of  gud  corage  and  of  all  uertew, 
3812  And  his  linage  fhall  longe  endure  truly. 

Fair  loue,  know  thys  well,  that  noble  Thierry 

Wurthy  and  hardy  Alfo  fhall  he  be. 

I  fhall  thenke  on  you,  fwete  loue,  pray  for  me 


Also  Thierry's 
lineage  should  he 
good  knights,  and 
long  endure.  She 
asks  Raymond  to 
pray  for  her, 


381 G 


A  11  dais 

■II.     HAP  -m 


while  lif  in  worle  here  haue  ye. 


for  that  she  would 
aid  him  in  all  his 


Off  me  fhall  ye  haue  both  ayde  and  comfort  needs.  lie  must 

bear  his  adversity 

In  all  your  nedes  of  neceffite. 


Off  aduerfite  en-gree3  take  the  porte. 
3820  Neiier  in  femine  forme  to. you  fhall  reforte, 
Xeuer  fhall  ye  fe  Melufine  truly, 
That  fo  was  wont  to  bold  you  company  ! "  4 


well.    She  now 
must  go. 


3824 


Tnnepee  flic  lepte  the  feneftre  vppon, 


Aboue  beheld  f he  uerdures  flouref filing  ; 
Without  taking  hue  Away  wold  not  gon, 
For  the  Barons,  of  whom  after  fhall  be  fpeking, 
Off  lades,  damycelles,  knightes  beyng, 
3828  Scpiiers,  And  maydens,  off  all  leue  toke  f  he, 
For  whome  euery  man  wepte  of  pette. 


[Fol.  7r,.] 
She  then  leaps 
upon  the  window, 
but  will  not  yet 
depart  before  she 
has  hidden  all 
farewell. 


Af 


fterwarde  fhe  faid,  "  adieu  !  fir  Raymounde,  "Adieu!  SirRay- 
Whom  I  fo  loued  with  hert  Fyn  And  plain,  my  sovereign  joy, 
3832  Neuer  fhall  youe  fe  at  no  day  ne  ftounde. 


Adieu,  my  hert  !  Adieu,  my  loue  certain 


1  MS.  "ye."     Fr.  "  II  fera." 
-  MS.  "  For."  3  MS.  "  engree." 

4  At  the  foot  of  this  page  are  the  catchwords,  "  innepee  f  he  lepte 
the." 


134 


SHE    BIDS    HIM    "ADIEU      MANY    TIMES. 


Adieu !  my  sweet 
nurse,  my  grace, 
and  noblest  de- 
bonair youngling! 


Adieu  !  my  sugar- 
sweet  sovereign 
lord!    To  God 
I  commend  you, 
to  keep  your  sweet 
life. 


[Fol.  75  b] 
Adieu  !  Lusignan ! 
And  adieu,  sweet 
sounds  of  instru- 
ments ! " 


Thus  having  said, 
she  leapt  out  of 
the  window,  and 
so  passed  away. 


She  was  at  once 
changed  wholly 


Adieu,  creature,  my  ioy  fouerain  ! 
Adieu,  myn  entire  loue  mofte  gracious  ! 
3836  Adieu,  my  gentile  Iewell  precious  ! 

A  dieu,  my  fwete  norif  li  And  noriture  ! 
-*--*-  Adieu,  my  plefaunce  And  gladneffe  worly  ! 
Adieu,  full  meruelous  fwete  creature  ! 
3840  Adieu,  my  grace  !  Adieu,  my  ioyes  hy  ! 

Adieu,  what  that  in  worle  loue  mofte  hertly  ! 
Adieu,  the  mofte  good  !  Adieu,  the  mofte  faire  ! 
Adieu,  the  nohleft  yongling  debonair  ! 


3814 


A  dieu,  the  bef te  !  Adieu,  fwettef te  All  Aboue  ! 
-*--*-  Adieu,  my  gracyous  fpouce  of  recorde  ! 


Adieu,  I  fay,  myn  owne  vertuous  loue  ! 
Adieu,  fuete  houf  bonde  by  louis  concord  ! 
3848  Adieu,  my  fugret  fuete  fouerain  lorde  ! 

Adieu  commaunde,  my  ioy  and  boldneffe  ! 
Adieu  commaunde,  your  fuete  lif  to  driffe. 


38 


A  dieu,  my  folas  And  iewell  roiall  ! 
52  -^*-  Adieu  commaunde  all  peple  here,  fothlefe  ! 


Adieu,  lufignen,  fourged  fair  in  all ; 
Adieu,  al  that  which  may  A  lady  plefe  ! 
Adieu,  the  gladneffe,  mirthes  ioy  and  efe  ! 
3856  Adieu,  the  fuete  found  of  ech  Inftrument ! 
Adieu,  I  fay,  difportes  reuerent ! 

A  dieu,  wurthiefte  !  Adieu,  with  all  honour  ! 
-*--*-  Adieu,  my  fuete  loue  prented  in  hert  fad 

3860  Our  lorde  the  aide  And  be  thi  concellour  !" 
Wz't/i-out  more  fpech  A  lepe  ther  f  he  made, 
(Seyng  the  Barons  all  that  ther  were  had), 
Thorught  A  feniftre  fo  paffed  and  wend 

3864  When  of  hyr  wurdes  thys  had  made  an  ende. 


T 


hourgh  the  feniftre  in  fuch  wife  gan  fie 
Melufine  without  tariing  Any. 


SHE    IS    CHANGED    IXTO    A    SEIirENT. 


135 


In-to  A  ferpent  changed  tlio  was  f  he, 
3868  Of  huge  grettneffe  and  taught  was  verily, 
AVherof  all  were  Aftoned  ftrongly  ; 
With  filuer  and  Afure  ther  burled  was, 
Thys  fairy  womara  fuch  tail  gan  purchas, 

3872  TYThich  prefently  was  become  A  ferpent ; 

'  *     Whereof  Eaymound  bement  hir  hugely. 

Thre  tymes  the  caftell  enuironee  went ; 

At  euery  tour  A  ffounde  yaf  f he  hyly, 
3876  Wonder  meruelous  caft  fhe  vp  A  cry 

Full  ftrange  vnto  liire,  And  ryght  piteuous, 

Hyr  cry  full  heuy,  wonder  dolorous. " 


Into  a  serpent, 
striped  with  ar- 
gent ami  azure. 


Three  times  she 
went  round  the 
castle,  uplifting  a 
loud  cry  at  every 
turn. 


w 


lich  I  writte  is  trouth,  therof  ly  no  thyng.        [Foi.  mj 
3880     T  T     She  thens  forth  went,  vnto  the  air  gan  fie.  j^tt?  iiienot. 

Ther  hir  loft  Eaymound,  "Alas!"  lowde  crying,  hista£*ndcu^sea 

Ful  moche  complained  And  ther  wailed  he. 

Hys  heres1  fafte  drew,  fore  hir  bement,  parde, 
3884  Curling  the  houre  that  euer  he  was  born, 

Eaymound,  out  fro  wit  for  wo  almofte  lorn, 


r 


'  Adieu  !"he 


joy. 
my  goods,  and  my 
surety ! 


"n*  hy  fhill  uois  the  Barons  faid  before, 

Adieu,  my  lady,  with  heres  yowlowneffe  !  3  u"stress"niyljn 
3888  Adieu,  all  debonerte  for  euermore  ! 

Adieu,  I  £ay  you,  my  fair  fuete  maiftreffe  ! 
Adieu,  my  ioy,  my  grace,  And  my  richeffe  ! 
Adieu,  my  goodes  and  all  my  furete  ! 
3892  Adieu  commaimde,  all  the  difporte  of  me. 


A1 


dieu,  my  iewell  !  Adieu,  my  folas  ! 
Adieu,  you  fay,  my  lady  precioufe  ! 
Adieu,  the  fair  whilom  the  prife  gan  purchas  ! 
3896  Adieu,  my  wife  !  Adieu,  my  trew  fpoufe  ! 
Adieu,  my  lady  verray  gracioufe  ! 
Adieu,  I  you  fay,  my  full  doucet  floure ! 
Adieu,  my  lady  of  full  gret  valoure  ! 
1  MS.  "heree."        2MS.  "  Iln."         3  MS.  "  vow  lownpfTe.' 


Adieu !  my  jewel, 
my  sweet  flower ! 


13G 


RAYMOND  S  GREAT  LAMENTATION. 


Adieu !  fair  rose, 
fair  violet ! 


Adi< 


3900     A  clieu,  fuete  throte  of  foundes  clereneffe  ! 
Adieu,  fair  Eofe  !  Adieu,  violet l  alfo  ! 

Adieu,  the  tree  of  louers  feithfulneffe  ! 

Adieu,  I  fay  my  gentile  lady  vnto. 
3904  Adieu,  my  glory  !  Adieu,  my  ioy,  lo  ! 

Adieu,  the  fair  that  fo  hath  loued  me  ! 

My  goode  days  gon,  fhall  I  neuer  you  fe." 


[Fol.  76  6] 
What  shall  I  now 
do  ?    Never  had 
man  such  sorrow ! 


T)  yght  this  Eaymounde  bewaled  and  hement 
3908  ■*-*>  his  noble  wife,  for  whom  felt  dolour, 

"Wliich  thorugh  the  Air  hir  flight  tho  hent, 

Wherefor  he  hath  A  fory  hert  ]jat  houre. 

"Alas ! "   Raymound   faid,    "  wat   do   fhall   or 
lahour  1 
3912  For  eertes  I  haue  forow  ynow  at  hert, 

Neuer  man  had  at  the  full  fo  fmert. 


I  myself  made  the 
ditch  wherein  I 
now  fall;  now  am 
I  sadder  than  any 
'ghost'  alive." 


TlOrwh; 


Orwhy  f  hold  I  noght  he  A  plain  man, 
fele  at  hert  noyfaunce  mondiall  1 
3916  Hit  to  declare  good  refon  if  I  can, 

For  the  diche  haue  made  wheron  now  I  fall. 
Now  Am  I  Acurfed,  to  wo  am  made  thrall, 
Now  I  am  dolorous  And  full  penfiffe 
3920  More  then  Any  gofte  felt  in  his  life," 


His  barons  com- 
fort him,  and  bid 
him  bear  his  bur- 
den softly. 


T)ut  ther  had  he  A  noble  company, 
J-J  Wliich  full  gentilly  gan  hym  to  comforth, 
And  many  hym  faid  And  f hewed  hertly, 
3924  That  thay  hym  wold  gladly  recomfort, 
That  foftly  f hold  bere  that  dolorous  port, 
Many  examples  to  hym  exort  faid, 
Caufyng  fumwhat  leffe  hys  forow  \>at  braid. 


A  baron  advises 

him  to  slay  llor- 


3928     A  fter  hym  faid  A  fenfible  Baron", 

-£*-  "  Of  your  fon  horrible  behouith,  lo ! 


1  MS.  "  violent. 


THE    BARONS    STIFLE    HORRIBLE    IN    A    CAVE. 


137 


To  ordain  As  ordained  to  be  don 
Melufine,  when  concell  yon  gaffe  vnto. 
3932  Anon  J>«t  men  fliold  make  hym  to  deth  go, 
Or  perifh  he  wold  the  contre  and  gronnde." 
"My  lordes  prefent,"  ther  tham  faid  Raymounde, 


rible,  as  Melusine 
suggested. 


{( T7~Ou  befeche  And  pray  tary  noght  ne  bide 
3936    -*-    As  therof  do  ye  hir  commaundnient, 
So  he  be  dede,  I  charge  not  how  no  tyde." 
"  To  plefire,  And  will  do  all  your  entent ;  " 
Thay  wold  no  lenger  ther  tary,  but  forth  went. 
3940  Rayniound,  which  ftrongly  wroth  angry  was 
For  thys  forowfull  And  mifcheuous  cas, 


[Fol.  77.] 
Raymond  com- 
mands them  to  do 
so.  and  they  de- 
part to  find  him. 


w 


'ich  that  ceafon  conquered  was  and  gett, 
As  A  fory  man  thens  gan  he  remew, 
3944  Into  A  chambre  ther  made  he  retret, 
hit  unf hit  entring,  the  dore  after  drew, 
Ther  lamentac/on  be-gan  he  of-new 
In  this  faid  chambre  ther,  all  foide,  aloii  ; 
3948  ~No  more  of  Raymound,  but  paffe  forth  andgoii, 


Raymond  retreats 
into  a  chamber 
alone,  and  there 
renews  his  lament- 
ation, 


0' 


|ff  the  Barons  hy  fay  f  hall  of  contre. 
Full  fenfible  were,  inly  wyfe  and  fage, 
Orrible  toke  by  on  Alfent  and  gre, 
3952  In  A  caue  hym  fhitte  w/t/^-out  othir  damage, 
Off  moifty  hay  made  bring  to  thys  uiage, 
The  fire  put  w?'t7*-in,  fo  with  fumy  fmoke 
Was  the  caue  Anon  full  As  myght  be  ftoke. 


The  barons  shut 
Horrible  up  in  a 
cave,  fill  the  en- 
trance with  moist 
hay,  and  set  fire  to 
it, 


3956  rphen  lofte  horrible  both  breth  and  power, 


T 


so  that  he  was 
soon  stifled.   Then 

Stifled  he  was  Anon  with  fmoky  fume  fure.  they  put  him  into 

a  fair  bier,  and 
buried  him  nobly. 


After  thay  hym  put  into  A  faire  here, 
Nobly  beried,  hauing  fepulture. 
3960  The  obfequie '  don  And  complef bed  pure 
1  MS.  "obfequire." 


138 


RAYMOND    AGAIN    LAMENTS    HIS    ILL    FORTUNE. 


After  the  wurdes  And  noble  doctrine, 
As  lored  and  thaught  had  good  Melufme. 


[Fol.  77  6.) 
They  then  com- 
mend him  to  God, 
depart,  and  return 
to  Raymond. 


3964 


"Centered  in  church,  non  for  hym  can  mourn, 
-*--'  After  vnto  god  thay  hym  commaundyng. 


Fro-thens  departed  without  other  fogourri  ; 
Again  to  Baymounde  were  thay  retornyng, 
Which  dolorous  wo  At  hert  was  feling, 
3968  With  eyes  fore  wepte  he  in  mornyng  plite, 
A  man  can  ne  may  hys  fory  dole  write. 


Raymond  again 
laments,  saying, 
"  It  was  all 
through  my 
cousin  that  I  he- 
came  a  forsworn 
man. 


^/["Any  tymes  ofte,  "  my  fwete  loue,"  fayng, 
"  The  haue  difceiued  And  betrayed,  lo  ! 
3972  By  the  exort  of  vntrew  man  makyng, 
Al  this  me  hath  made  my  colin  to  doo. 
I  Am  by  hym  fals  And  als  forfworne  to, 
Ful  of  vice  am  and  of  Iniury  ; 
3976  For  ill  chaunce  me  fell  unfortunatly 


I  was  unfortunate 
at  hrst,  when  I 
slew  my  sovereign 
lord;  and, second- 
ly, when  I  was 
false  to  my  lady. 


A  t  my  firfte  gynnyng  And  commencement, 
-*--*-  "When  in  the  wode  my  fouerain  lord  fly. 
A  gretter  mifchef  neuer  men  gan  hent, 
3980  And  fithen  when  me  fewed  periury 
Off  that  I  had  fworli  to  my  fayr  lady, 
That  fo  loued,  by  whom  good  and  honour  had, 
By  whom  I  was  fufteyned  and  lord  made  ; 


False  fortune's 
erne]  envy  has 
brought  me  to 
this,  whereby  I 
have  lost  all  my 
riches, 


3984  T)y  whom  all  goodnes  me  cam  fuffifantly, 

-^  By  whom,  vnder  god,  lif  had  and  comforth. 

But  the  Fals  fortune,  by  cruel  enuy, 

Me  hath  brought  to  thys  full  fharpe  &  hard  port, 

3988  Wherby  '  loffce  haue  I  all  my  hole  difport, 

Where  like-wife  lofte  my  mirth  and  gladneffe, 
Wherby  Alfo  loft  my  hole  rycheffe  ; 


1  MS.  «  Bherbv. 


MELUSINE    COMES    TO    THIERRY    BY    NIGHT. 


139 


TITherby  lofte  haue  I  yoy  of  eternite  ; 
3992    » »    That  is,  Melufine  the  fair  fuete  wyght , 

"Whom  I  loued  wel,  As  myfelf,  parde, 
She  allwais  loued  me  with  hert  parfight, 
And  the  dede  thereof  f  hewid  fhe  to  ryght. 
3996  In  time  togeders  we  haue  be  enfemhle, 
Where-of  of  pete  my  hert  doth  trimhle  ; 


[Fol.  78.] 
and  eternal  joy. 
Melusine  always 
loved  me ;  ray 
heart  trembles 
with  pity. 


w 


hen  I  bethenke  the  trouth  and  verite, 
Therof  f  hold  I  well  haue  gret  pite, 
4000  And  fo  f  hall  I  haue  all  the  lif  of  me, 

Of  whom  holdeth  he  to  non  end  f  hall  go. 
I  luf  better  to  dy  for  euermo 
Then  for  to  fuffer  fo  greuous  A  pain 
4004  vntill  fo  be  that  ende  fhall  attain. 


I  had  rather  die 
for  evermore  than 
suffer  so  grievous 
pain. 


F 


lull  cruell  pain  I  haue,  but  yut  fhall  not  end,  My  sorrow  win 

i  never  end  till  l 

X e  yut  fhall  not  ende  Al  myn  llle  truly        die. 


Till  I  diffynid  be,  and  fro '  the  worle  wend. 
400S  Time  is  for  I  may  no  lenger  fructefy 
As  in  thys  worle,  neither  edefy 
Thyng  but  that  it  goth  vnto  decline, 
Rather  or  later  to  an  endly  fine. 


4012  T70r  Melufine,  whom  god  do  warde  and  kepe,    ForsoMehurfne 

ri  told  me."    Ray- 

-1-    Me  ther  faid  full  well  at  hir  departfon,  mondissoretor 

.    .  ,i   inented. 

Which  cauiith  my  forow  m  hert  part  and  lepe. 
ParceUy,  As  the  heres  of  eyes  don, 
40 1G  With  teres  makyng  fprancles  many  on, 

Ryght  fo  is  Baymound  tormented  full  fore, 
Sore  wepyng,  teres  making  euermore  ; 


V 

4020  -1- 


Or  Melufine,  the  woman  off  Fary, 
Which  thar-after  cam  full  many  A  nyght 


1  MS.  "for." 


[Fol.  78  h.] 
But  Melusine 
rami'  often  by 
night  into 


140 


THE    NURSES    TELL   RAYMOND    WHAT    THEY    SEE. 


Thierry's  cham- 
ber, and  often 
dressed  and  fed 
him.     She  was 
often  seen  by  the 
nurses, 


who  told  Ray- 
mond of  it,  to  his 
great  joy. 


Into  the  chainbre  right  full  fecrely1 
"VVher  norifhecl  was  Terry  fuetly  to  ryght, 
That  fhe  Full  ofte  hyrn  raid  and  dight, 
4024  Chaufed,  milked,  And  rechaufed  Again. 
Ther  many  tymes  hy  the  norifh  fain, 

But  thay  durfte  noght  in  no  wise  vp-rife, 
Neither  o  foide  wurde  to  outre  or  fay, 
4028  But  vnto  ther  lord  told  the  maner  wife, 

Wherof  Raymond  had  full  huge  ioy  alway. 
In  hys  hert  faid  with  fofte  vois  that  day, 
"  That  yut  Melufine  hope  and  truft  to  haue  ;  " 
4032  Full  ill  in  hys  brefte  fuch  thoughtes  gan  craue. 


Th  ierry  grew  more 
in  one  month  than 
other  babes  in 
four,  but  it  was 
due  to  his  mother's 
nursing. 


TTAnifhede  is  fhe  fro  hys  fyght  for  ay, 

'     Remedy  non,  gold,  llluer,  ne  honour. 
Thierry  cherifhed  Amendid  Alway, 
4036  (Men  merueled  gretly  off  it  that  hour), 
In  a  moneth  more  then  other  in  four. 
Hys  fwet  moder  on  hym  fuch  wyfe  thought, 
Norifhed  witt   hir  milke  And  forth  full  wel 
brought. 


Slie  was  often, 
too,  in  his  father's 
chamber.    I  must 
now  l<-;ive  speak- 
ing of  Raymond, 


[Fol.  70.1 
and  tell  you  about 
Geoffrey.    Re- 
memberthatl  am 


4040  /^\Fte  in  his  fader  chambyr  fhe  was ; 

^  To  norifh  no  pappe  like  moders  neuer-mo, 

As  beforrl  is  faid,  ho  many  it  purchas. 

here  ceffe  I  and  leue  now,  ferther  will  not  goo 
4044  Off  wofull  Raymounde  And  hys  fones  two, 

here  thys  time  not  fay  vnto  your  prefence, 

But  vnto  declare  will  do  my  diligens 

f\ff  Gaffray  with  long  toth  you  outre  And  fay, 
4048  ^  "Where  I  ly  or  no,  god  knowitk  An-hy ; 
I  lerned  it  noght  certes  at  no  day  • 
A  Her  to  be  founde  fhame  were  outerly. 
1  MS.  "  fecerly." 


GEOFFREY    COMES    TO    XORTHUMIIERLAXD. 


HI 


Gaffray  went  noglit  ouer  taryinly, 
4052  Thorugh  the  fe  went,  ouer  pafe  rowing, 
By  fors  of  people  fo  forth  ther  failling. 


not  lying.  Geof- 
frey Bailed  swiftly 
ou. 


H 


E  tho  ariued  And  taried  noght  and  reached 

Northumberland, 

111  norhelande,  fefmg  both  land  and  ground,  where  the  giant 

made  war.    The 

4056  "Where  this  Geant  were  procured  and  wrought,  barons  come  to 

greet  him. 

And  when  Gaffray  difcended  was  Jv/t  ftound, 
The  Barons  bode  noght,  gain  hyrn  went  hole  & 

found, 
Gretteft  and  wurthieft  of  the  faid  contre, 
4060  Comyng  to  hym,  w/t/<-out  excufed  to  be. 


T 


he  gret,  the  meene,  the  litell,  foth  to  tell,        both  great  and 

small.     A  baron 

Approched    And   cam   to   hym,    gret   and  teiishimhow 

their  country  was 
fmall.  enthralled  by  that 

fierce,  huge,  trou- 
blesome, and 
proud  giant. 


A  gret  Baron  then,  witty,  were,  and  fell, 
4064  Ther  hym  reherfing  the  Geant  dedes  All, 
Ther  liberte  lofte,  ther  contre  made  thrall 
With  that  fers  Geant  huge  and  comerous, 
Horrible,  myghty,  ftrong,  And  orgulous. 


4068  TX  A  ioumay,  to  certefy  you  all, 

-*-  An  hundered  knightes  of  tliis  faid  contre 
Diftroed  and  {lain,  put  to  deth  mortall. 
So  orgulous  fette,  full  of  cruelte, 

4072  Gret  uengaunce  gan  do  to  the  comynte  ; 
As  curfedly  fly  A  thoufand  As  on, 
The  ffc[r]engeft  mortal  efchew  wold  hys  perfon. 


In  one  day  he  slew 
a  hundred  knights, 
and  could  as  sunn 
slay  a  thousand  as 
one. 


G Affray  Anfwered,  "  then  is  he  a  Fend,1 
A  dredful  deuill  full  of  cruelte. 
But  noght-for-that  fro  hym  me  will  diffende, 
By  me  fonly  diftroed  fhall  he  be. 
hys  byding  place  f hewith  unto  me, 
1  MS.  "affend." 


[Fol.  7!ih.  i 
Geoffrey  answer- 
ed, "Then  i>  he 

a  li'  ml.  but 

nevertheless  I  will 
soon  destroy  him. 
I  must  find  this 
soldier. 


U2 


GEOFFREY  PROCURES  A  GUIDE 


He  shall  fare  ill 
ere  seven  weeks 
pass.    Provide  me 
a  guide,  that  I 
may  see  him  to 
discomfit  him." 


4080  For  non  othir  caufe  comyn  Am  this  houre, 
But  only  to  fynde  this  faid  foudiour, 

Which  fo  goth  Ahoute,  you  fore  diftruffand. 
This  knoith  uerily,  ill  fhall  he  betide 
4084  Or  wekes  feuyn  hen  paffed  to  comaunde. 
Do  me  vnto  take  here  fom  maner  gide, 
To  this  place  and  ftede  me  conuey  to  ride, 
So  I  may  hym  fe  for  to  difcomfight." 
4088  As  he  defired,  Kke  gan  to  hym  dight, 


Geoffrey  takes  a 
debonair  guide, 
and  commends 
himself  to  God. 


A    gide  hym  taken,  knowing  the  contre, 
■*--*-  With  all  the  places  where-to  gan  repair, 
Where  this  Geant  was  wont  dwellyng  to  he, 
4092  hys  habitac/on  And  manc/on  fair. 

Such  A  gide  hym  toke  which  was  dehonare, 
After  hym  commaunde  to  our  lordes  grace. 
Gaffray  went  thens,  departing  fro  pat  place. 


lie  and  his  guide 
at  last  spy  the 
giant  under  a  tree, 
sitting  on  a  marble 
stone. 


4096  TTE  And  hys  gide  Apace  forth  riding, 

-*--*-  Till  that  on  full  hy  thai  gan  well  Auife, 
Both  of  tham  fafte  ther  courfers  fporing. 
Then  ny  approched,  Aboute  gan  deuife. 

4100  Vnder  A  tre  fate  this  Geant  hi  ftrange  wife; 
On  a  marhre  ftone  at  that  ceafon  fatte  ; 
The  Gide  for  gret  drede  trembled  and  f watte. 


[Fol.  80.] 
The  guide  is 
frightened.    Geof- 
frey laughs  at 
him,  and  says  he 
has  not  been  mis- 
led.   The  guide 
wishes  to  be  off. 


4104 


4108 


TTE  fore  Abaifhed,  changing  his  colour. 
■*--*-  Gaffray  it  faw,  and  gan  to  laugh  fad ; 
After  in  laughter  faide  to  hys  Gidour, 
As  for  ryght  noght  drede  and  fere  he '  hade, 
For  thought   fhould  not  miftrifte   god  to   be 

miflad. 
"  Good  be  in  pees,"  faid  to  Gaffray  the  gide, 
"  Behofull  is  me  to  uoide  and  go  wide. 
1  MS.  "the." 


TO    SHOW    HIM    WHERE    THE    GIANT    LIVES. 


1-43 


F 


Or  all  richeffe  and  gold  worly  being,  as  he  has  shewn 

°  jo?  hjm  Gl.imo](l  tlle 

More  nerre  wold  approche  noght  this  faid  giant;  and  he  as- 

sures  Geoffrey 

mo  n  tain, 


4112  ~Ne  lenger  with  yon  be  here  fogernyng, 
Sin  to  you  haue  I  fhewed  here  certain 
Grimold  the  Geant  moft  meruelous  plain. 
Sir  Gaffray,"  he  faid,  "  here  this  is  no  iape, 

4116  To    god   you  commaunde,  me   will  hens   faft 
fcape." 


that  remaining 
there  is  no  jape. 


Gc 


affray  laughed  fafte,  after  to  hym  faid, 
For  all  loues  defired  and  befought, 
A  litell  wliile  bide  liertly  hym  praid, 
4120  That    he    wold   behold    what   wife  that    thai 
fought. 
"  For  in  litell  fpace  knowlich  fhold  be  wrought 
As  ho  of  us  to  the  better  fhold  haue, 
And  at  this  iournay  ho  hym  beft  can  faue." 


Geoffrey  laughs, 
and  asks  hiin  to  re- 
main and  see  the 
battle,  which  will 
be  soon  decided. 


and  again  begs 
him  to  wait 


4124  This  gide  anfwered,  "  no  charge  of  your  bataill,  The  guide  says  he 

o  °  «  '    does  not  care  to 

vou  "ided  haue  to  point,  lenger  will  noght  bide  ;  feei*-   Geoffrey 

J         °  i  j  o  o  /    laughs  sweetly, 

yff  ye  win,  no  part  wil  ne  to  myn  auaill. 
Fro l  you  will  depart,  Again  wil  I  ride." 
4128  Gaffray  therof  laughed  fuetly  that  tide, 

Then  to  the  gide  said,  "  now  vnderftande  me, 
In  thys  place  abide  vnto  that  ye  fee 


4132 


Ho  bering  hym  beft  and  ho  better  haue  ; 
That  fain  And  don,  torn  my  men  vnto. 


"Without  Any  doubte  yut  may  ye  go  faue, 
Our  Army  dedes  declare,  all  we  doo, 
And  al  my  gouernaunce  telling  Jhaim  alfo." 
4136  Then  Jiym  faid  the  gide,  "  do  fhall  your  entent, 
My  lord,  I  am  at  your  commaundement. 


[Fol.  80  6.] 
till  he  sees  who 
gets  the  best  of  it. 
He  can  then  re- 
turn and  tell  the 
others.  The  guide 
consents, 


1  MS.  "For." 


144 


THE   GREAT    DEEDS    OF    GKIMOLD    THE    GIANT. 


hut  declares  he  is 
in  great  dread, 
and  that  if  Geof- 
frey knew  the 
giant  as  well  as  he 
did,  he  would 
think  twice  ahout 
it. 


T\Eliuerly  to  hym  ye  procede, 

*-*   Allured  am  noght,  ne  haue  hert  non  bold. 

4140  Of  verray  trouth  I  haue  fuch  fere  and  drede 
Of  this  horrible  feude,  Geant  Grimold, 
That  almofte  my  herte  faillith  lif  to  hold, 
And  if  ye  knew  hym  lik-wife  As  I  doo, 

4144  Auifed  wold  ye  be  or  to  hym  wold  goo." 


But  Geoffrey  pro- 
mises that  the 
giant  shall  die. 
Now  our  Lord  aid 
him. 


C\  Affray    anfwerd, 


of    hym    haue    ye    no 
doute  ; 

Grimokl  here  fhal  dy,  no-while  fhall  endure." 
But  yut  Gaffray  fhall  fynd  hym  ftoute, 
4148  Ful  ftrong  was  Grimold  in  werly  fcomfiture. 
Our  lord  Gaffray  gyf  aid  and  '   conforture. 
Nedfull  was  to  hym  at  that  ceafon  ryght 
More  then  euer  had  Any  other  knight, 


Grimold  had, 
sins-'ly,  slain  a 
thousand  or  more 
men.    Never  was 
there  a  worse  man 
seen. 


4152  ^yi 


'hich  fwerd  gan  bere  or  garde  with  Any. 
For2  A  thoufande  or  mo  of  contre 
Grimold  the  Geant  flain  had  he  fowly. 
Where-for  peple  had  wonderly  to  fe 
4156  huge  heuineffe  And  gret  iniquite. 

Xeuer  wurfe  man  fain,  truly  tc  rehers, 
For  meruelous  was  in  dedes  diuers. 


[Fol.  81.] 
Geoffrey  mounts, 
leaves  the  valley, 
and  rides  up  the 
mountain,  leaving 
the  guide  below. 


Grimold,  perceiv- 
ing Geoffrey,  won- 
ders how  one  sole 


Then  Gaffray  hafted,  A  horfebacke  ryding, 
The  montain  gan  take,  leuing  the  ualay, 
"Which  that  vppon  was  A  fantain  walling, 
leuing  the  medew  And  the  playnes  ay. 
Als  the  gide  lefte  ther  in  that  place  alway  ; 
41G4  God  wold  not  \nt  ill  Grimold  fhold  hym  doo, 
"Which  fo  was  to  doubte  in  euery  ftour  tho. 

C\  Affray  on  hym  toke  vp  go  the  montain  ; 
^    Grimold  perceiued  it,  moch  gan  he  meruaill 
1  "  werly  "  is  repeated  after  "  and."  2  MS.  "  Fo." 


GRIMOLD    SEIZES   HIS    GIANTS    STAFF. 


145 


41 G8  That  0  foule  man  greithed  hyra  to  attain, 
As  to  that  place  come  hym  For  to  affaill, 
Sayng  hym  Avoid  hate  without  any  fail! 
But  when  in  muiing  A  litell  had  be, 

4172  he  faid,  "this  worthy  man  cometh  to  me 


man  dare  come  to 
assail  him,  but  he 
thinks  he  must  be 
coming  to  propose 
a  peace. 


HEre,  As  I  beleue,  for  to  trete  A  pees."  Grfmoid  says  he 

shall  soon  go 
The  path  went  he  up  wonder  buftefly.  down  again. 

Then  he  takes  in 

"  Off  fine  fors,"  thought  he,  "  mofte  fpeke,  not  bis  hands  a  huge 
tonge  lefe, 


4176  Such  on  entreth  vp,  don  fhall  haftily." 
A  huge  leuer  toke  in  handes  plainly, 
To  fight  femyng  noght  no  body  humain. 
hym  vrith  for  to  aide,  this  leuer  fhoke  plain 


4180  Tn  fuch  maner  wife  As  man  A  ftaf  wold, 
JL  Or  A  lytell  body  of  fixe  or  fef l  yere  age, 
And  better  then,  I  fay,  feff 2  tymes  fold 
As  a  proper  ftaf  to  walk  in  viage. 

4184  For  the  which  after  his  ftrenght  &  corage, 
Eyght  noght  is  to  fyght  witMay  again, 
But  that  the  ftafe3  was  more  then  Any  fain, 


which  he  uses  as 
a  staff,  or  as  a 
little  child  would 
a  stick.    Without 
gainsaying,  the 
staff  was 
huge, 


Which  lightly  ne  wold  to  bow  ne  aply. 
yut  it  behouith  that  A  ftaf  ply  f  hold 
To  the  pley  of  fuch  at  fom  tyme  truly, 
When  in  his  handes  this  ftafe  gan  to  hold. 
Seing  that  Gaffray  towarde  hym  come  Avoid, 
4192  In  fhill  hautain  uois  toke  hym  loAvde  to  cry, 
"  Iioav  comeft  thou  now  me  As  to  diffy  1 


[Fob  81  6] 
and  could  not 
easily  be  bent. 
Seeing  Geoffrey 
coining,  he  cries 
aloud,  "  How 
comeatthou  here? 


"W 


hat  art  thou,  fay  mc,  what  goft  thou  to  Thou  shait  have 


feke? 

Off  deth  no  waxant  neuer  f  halt  thou  hane." 
4196  Gaffray  anon  An  anfAvere  oute  gan  breke, 

1  MS.  "  of  fef."         -  MS.  "  feff."         aMS.  "  ftafte." 
10 


no  warrant  fn  im 

death."    Geoffrey 

answers,  "Ribald, 


146 


GRIMOLD    THE    GIANT    IS    OVERTHROWN, 


look  that  thou 
save  thyself ;  I 
shall  smite  off  thy 
head." 


Grimold,  hearing 
this,  hegan  to 
laugh,  and  ironi- 
cally asks  Geof- 
frey to  spare  his 
life.   But  Geoffrey 
sternly  replies, 


"  Therof  f  hall   the   werfi ;   Rebaude,    lolce  the 

faue  ; 
For  to  fcomfite  the  fouly  I  the  craue. 
Off  thi  hed  f  hall  finite  ;  dy  f  halt  thou  by  me 
4200  Mortally  Anon,  now  here  diffynde  the, 

The  unto  warawt,  certes,  thou  ne  may. " 
Grymold,  tins  hiring,  to[ke]  '  hym  to  laugh 
tho. 
Ther  hym   faid   Grymold,   "  you   befeche  and 

Pray, 
4204  Fair  fir,  faue  my  life,  lete  me  on-lif  go, 
Taking  this  peple  to  ranfon  alfo  !  " 
Geffray  vnderftode,  "  cherle  ! "  faid  haftily, 
"  Scorneft  thou  with  me  1  certes  thou  f  halt  dy  I 


that  he  trusts  to 
rend  his  head  to 
the  teeth.    Geof- 
frey hraces  on  his ' 
shield,  and  shakes 
his  spear,  being  no 
coward. 


4208  "1  JEre  lo  !  fhalt  thou  dy  ;  I  limite  thi  place, 
-*-*-  ]STeuer  Ranfon  take  f  hall  I  to  thy  charge  ; 
But  don  to  the  teeth  the  f  hall  rent  by  grace." 
Ther  had  was  A  place,  inly  gret  And  large. 

4212  Gaffray  that  tyme,  enbrafmg  fluid  and  targe, 
By  malice  And  wreth  his  fpere  Fafte  he  f  hoke, 
his  courfere  fpored,  no  fentife  on  hym  toke, 


[Fol.  82.] 
Riding  straight  at 
the  giant,  he  deals 
him  such  a  blow 
that  only  his  steel 
hauberk  saved 
him. 


^Or  noble  loos  And  proweffe  to  acquire. 
4216  ■*-     With  the  Forhed  plain  gain  hym  went,  & 
fmote 
Enmyddes  the  breft  under  the  pappe  with  yre. 
Such  A  ftroke  hym  dalt  ther  vppon  bys  cote, 
]SFe  had  the  hauberke  final  mail  be,  god  wote, 
4220  Als  hys  breft  of  ftile,  ille  hym  hade  come  fure  ; 
For  Grimold  ther  was  at  ille  auenture. 


Grimold  fell  on 
the  ground, 


N 


Oght-for-that  yut  vppon  the  hard  ground 
Tombled  Grimold  enmeddes  the  mountain, 
1  Fr.  text,  "  si prcnt  a  rire." 


AND   BEGS    GEOFFREY    TO   TELL    HIM    HIS    NAME. 


117 


4224  hys  legges  reifed  up  au-hy  that  ftound,  throwing  up  his 

M  _  legs.    But  soon  he 

\\  hev-witih  Grimokl  was  ftrongly  greued  plain,     gotupagain,  while 

.  Geoffrey  alights 

i  nil  wightly  tho  releuocl  liym  fertain, 
In  hys  hert  gan  fele  full  dolorous  woo. 
4228  That  Gaffray  this  faw,  ther  difcendcd  tho 


T 


mat  hys  hors  fhold  noght  myfcheuoully  lie, 
As  vnder  hym  to  mortall  deth  noght  caffc. 
Grimold  the  Geant,  lenger  bode  noght  he, 
4232  But  vp  hym  Reifed,  Gaffray  beheld  fafte1 ; 
So  but  litell  faw  hym  don  to  thrafte, 
Als  in  fo  litell  body  fuch  uertew, 
Ther  hym  demaunding,  "  what  art  thou1?  faytrew, 


that  his  horse  may 
not  be  killed  un- 
tlerhim.   Grimold 
looks  at  Geoffrey, 
and  in  wonder 
asks  his  name. 


4236 


That  fuch  a  ftroke  me  toke  1  neuer  felt  fuch  on,  He  says  he  never 
My  lemys  fo  caft  vp  ;  yut  know  I  noght  the 


Wherahens  thou  art,  ne  what  is  thy  perfon. 
But  off  the  me  uenge  f  hamed  f  hall  I  be  ; 
4240  And  yut,  fo  I  am ;  but  yut,  fay  thou  me, 
What  thou  art  me  fay,  I  the  here  require  ; 
No  gent  ill  knyght  art  but  graunt  my  defire." 


threw  his  limbs 
up  like  that  be- 
fore, yet  he  is 
ashamed  to  re- 
venge himself,  aud 
again  asks  his 
name. 


/^  Affray  Anfwerd  to  [t]hys  baculere,- 


[Fol.  82  6.] 


am  Geoffrey  of 
Lusignan,  Melu- 
siue's  son." 


4244    U    «  My   name   wil   not  hide   by  ryght  non  gfSSE^i 
engine, 

Gaffray  witfi  the  gret  toth  named  am  awhere, 

In  many  contres  know  the  name  of  myne  ; 

For  I  Am  Gaffray,  fone  to  Melufme, 
4248  Off  lufignen  borne  of  pat  good  lady, 

And  of  lufignen,  know  thou  wel,  am  I." 


w 


hen  thys  had  fpoken  vnto  hym  Gaffray, 
The  Geant  hym  faid,  "  I  know  the  full  well  j  j*at ' 


The  giant  says 
lat  he  knows 
in  now,  for  that 


4252  Full  moch  haue  I  hurd  fpokyn  of  the  aday, 
And  of  thy  gret  proAveife  eueridell. 


1  MS.  "  fafte." 


MS.  "  baiulere." 


10* 


148 


TERRIBLE    DUEL    BETWEEN    GEOFFREY 


he  had  slain  Gue- 
don  his  cousin,  fur 
which  he  will  now 
pay  him  off. 


The  giant  thought 

he  was  speaking 
truth,  but  he 
was  nearer  lying. 
Geoffrey  tells  him 
that  desire  of  re- 
venge will  increase 
his  hurt. 


The  giant  strikes 
at  Geoffrey  with 
his  lever,  but 
Geoffrey  blenches, 
and  the  lever 
makes  a  great  hole 
in  the  rock. 


Guedon  thou  flyeft,  my  cofyn',  foth  to  tell, 
In  guerrande  lande  ;  thy  guerdon  for  to  haue, 
4256  To  this  place  ert  come  it  to  fpeke  and  craue. 


ff 


it  fhalt  thou  haue  hy  fors  of  myghty  were, 
For   of  that  fhall  I  here  now  take  ven- 
gance." 
he  trowed  fay  trouth,  but  lied  more  nerre. 
42G0  Gaffray  hym  faid,  "  trowyng  tliis  inftance, 

Such  fuppoffe  to  uenge  ther  huge  f  hame  per- 

fchance, 
"Which  ofte  creffith  hurt,  men  may  wel  it  fe, 
In  fondry  places  conceyued  may  be." 

4264  rphys  cruell  Geant  ne  myght  hym  w/t/?.hold 

-*-    When  fo  hym  faw  fcorn,  his  leuer  haufed  hy, 
Gaffray  to  fmite  trowyng  tho  he  f hold. 
Apart  Gaffray  uoided  full  warly, 

4268  Somwhat  blent,  the  ftroke  fo  forth  paffyng  by, 
With  hym  noght  mette;  the  leuer  don  to  ground 
Wit^-in  the  Roche  made  A  grett  depe  trowe  pat 
ftounde  ; 


[Fol.  83.] 
It  tears  the  rock 
a  foot  deep. 
Geoffrey  lends  the 
giant  a  stroke  on 
the  elbow. 


The  grass  round 
about  becomes 
red.    The  giant 
.,',iiii  raises  Ins 
lever. 


4272 


TTlor  it  throwen  was  wonder  buftefly, 
-*-    And  with  fuch  rudeffe  gan  it  to  difcend, 
That  A  plain  fote  large  the  roche  tare  ftrangely. 
Gaffray  hys  fwerd  drew  hym  for  to  diffend, 
On  tlic  elbow  '  the  Geant  fmote  at  end, 
4276  Such  a  ftroke  hym  lent,  to  full  huge  maruell, 
That  of  the  hauberk  brek  many  a  maill  ■ 

TT^vll  litell  fauted,  fouled  had  noght  be. 
-*-     The  vermail  blode  doil  ryn  wonderly, 
4280  The  herbes  Aboute  becam2  red  to  fe. 

This  fers  Geant  tho  to  Gaffray  cam  wightly, 
WitJi  full  malice  yre  And  cruell  enuy 
1  MS.  "  ellow."  -  MS.  "  bccan." 


AND    THE    GREAT    GIANT    GRI.MOLD. 


14  9 


The  gret  leuer  reifed  vp  and  hy  brought ; 
4284  Full  heuy  was,  hut  it  greuyd  hym  noght ; 


G' 


Affray  thought  finite,  hut  he  uoyded  place.       Geoffrey  again 

blenches,  and  tho 

Ther   the  ftroke  fill  don  thro  foote  in-to  stroke  tears  the 

ground  three  feet 
gl'OUUde,  deep,  so  that  the 

giant  rinds  his 

So  in  harde  roehe  fmote  he  thor  apace  ;  ami  stunned  and 

his  lever  broken. 

4288  Whereof  the  Geant  was  full  wroth  that  ftounde. 
With  that  ftroke  his  arme  Aftoned  tho  founde, 
And  thys  faid  leuer  to-rent  thorughly, 
And  Amidward  broken  outerly ; 


4292 


2  W: 


ierof  Gaffray  thankes  to  godd  yilding 


Then  Geoffrey 
shows  his 

Ther  Gaffray  hym  fmot  with  hys  fwerd  strength,  and 

smites  the  giant  a 
full  fafte,  grievous  stroke  on 

Hys  grett  ftrenght  And  tors  ther  manly  f  hewing, 


An-hy  hym  fmoth  vppon  the  fcul  in  hafte, 
4296  The  Geant  with  that  ftroke  Almofte  doii  cafte ; 
To  whome  fat  ftripe  was  greuous  manyfold. 
For  forow  And  wo  An-hy  hys  hand  gan  hold, 


G 


A  Bray  forthwith  fmote  vppon  the  lied  an-hy ;       IF°i- 83  &J 

J  rr  J   '    Next  the  giant 

4300   ^    Off  that  greuous  ftroke  Gaffray  greued  fore,  smites  Geoffrey  on 

°  J  °  tin-  head,  hut 

The  Geant  his  fufte  lete  to  fie  ftrongly  ; 
Gaffray  with  his  fwerd  fmote  hym  euermore, 
To  whom  belonged  fight  in  knightly  lore, 
4304  Vppon  hys  fhuldre  A  ftroke  gaffe  of  meruell 
That  he  rent  and  brak  both  hauberke  &  maill 


Geoffrey  returns 

him  a  marvellous 
stroke  on  the 
shoulder,  which 
rends  both  hau- 
berk and  mail. 


>lain  pawme  of  hande  the  fwerde  made  entre  ;  The  giant>  seVere- 
Tlie  fanguine  blode  don  ran  the  belay, 


4308  Anon  all  made  purpurat  rude  to  fe. 

Thys  Geant,  of  whom  we  declare  and  fay, 
hys  goddys  '  corfed,  hys  goddys  gan  renay, 
Enleffe  thei2  wold  gif  hym  Aid3  or  focour, 

4312  Both  Margot,  polin,  Bernagant  that  houre, 
1  MS.  "  ffoodys."        2  MS.  "  ther."         3  MS.  "  And." 


curses  his  gods 

and  abjures  thi  m, 

both  -Magot, 

Apolin,  and  l\r- 

nagant.* 

[*  Stein  Fr.text.] 


150 


GEOFFREY   AND   THE   GIANT   WRESTLE   TOGETHER. 


But  his  great 
wailing  was  use- 
less.   Geoffrey 
will  conquer  at 
last,  but  will  have 
much  trouble  first. 


Ahounde,  Iupiter,  And  als  other  mo  ; 
hym-felfen  bement  forily  expreffe. 
But  for  ryglit  noght  was  his  gret  waling  tho  ; 
4316  But  Gaffray  at  end  his  wil  fhal  redreffe, 
Noght  only  anon  but  er  ]>at  he  ceffe. 
But  yut  f  hall  he  haue  I-now  anguiffe  grete, 
Er  the  victory  be  conquere[d]  and  gette.1 


The  giant  leaps  at 
Geoffrey,  and 
grips  him  fast  by 
the  reins,  and 
they  wrestle  to- 
gether. 


4320  rphe  Geant  faw  come  towarde  hym  Gaffray, 
-"-   Adrad,  afferd  of  hym  was  gretly. 
Anon  forth  lepte,  enbranng  hym  alway, 
Teryng,  draAvyng  here  and  there  befily, 

4324  As  he  which  was  takyn  curhdly. 

Gaffray  gripte  he  there  fafte  by  the  raynes, 
Ech  of  thaim  both  fuffryng  there  hug  paynes 


[Fol.  84.] 
They  hurtle,  beat, 
and  pull  each 
other  till  they  at' 
last  separate,  and 
then  Geoffrey 
smites  him  on  the 
haunch 


That  thay  almoft  lofte  ther  breth  outerly. 
Strongly  went  Aboute,  fo  faft  hurteling ; 
II  to-geders  went  As  were  egally, 
Such  wyfe  hurteling,  beting,  and  drawyng 
That  fro  other  fondred  efcaping. 
4332  Atwixfte  thaim  yeuen  many  ftrokis  tho, 

And  Gaffray  hym  fmote  vppon  the  handle  fo 


with  a  knife  which 
he  held  in  his 
sleeve,  piercing 
through  bis  coat 

of  mail.    The 
giant  flees  for  his 
life. 


Wyth  A  coftile  which  in  hys  fleffe  gan  hold, 
that  his  Iefferon  failed  and  breke  to, 
43 3G  Thorewly  paffyng  the  coftile-yre  cold  ; 
Ilaftily  the  blode  lepte  out  and  ran  tho. 
The  Geant  bakwarde  lepyng  Gaffray  fro, 
Thcr-thens  fpedfuily  takyng  the  montain. 
4340  Gaffray  liafted  after,  hym  to  attain, 


The  giant  enters 

a  chine  of  the 


TO  take  leue  of  hym,  but  fafte  he  gan  fie; 
In  litell  time  and  fpace  ferre  was  he  thens. 
In  A  chine  of  the  Eoch  made  he  entry, 
1  Sec  line  3192. 


THE   GIANT   FLEES    INTO    THE    CAVE. 


151 


4344  For  gret  doubte  had  of  Gaffrayes  uiolens. 
Gaffray  fory  tliat  uoided  was  ther-hens, 
Thys  cruell  Geant  whom  he  fo  had  lofte, 
To  hys  courfere  cam,  lepte  vp,  made  no  bofte, 


rock,  being  greatly 
afraid.    Geoffrey 
mourns  that  he 
has  lost  him, 


4348  rriO  hys  gide  went,  declaryng  hym  and  told, 


T 


Imt  returns  to  his 
guide,  and  tells 

Fro  worde  to  worde,  All  thar  werke  indede,    him  all  the  story. 

The  guide  man-els 

like  As  thay  had  don  ;  And  how  this  Geant  hold    strongly, 


Thens  into  a  cane '  fled  for  fere  and  drede, 
4352  Within  the  quike  roche  for  all  hys  manlyhed. 
The  gide  vnto  hym  approched  full  ny, 
Which  there  wondred  and  merueled  ftronglv, 


H 


Ow  that  Gaffray  had  fuch  hug  hardineffe.  [Foi.  84  b.] 

beholding  how 

4356  J-L  Hys2  helme  wafted  fore,  rent  And  broken    Geoffreys  helm 

was  broken,  and 
all  how  full  his  hau- 

berk was  of  holes. 
He  compliments 
Geoffrey. 


And  hys  liauberke  difma[i]lled  all  expreffe, 

In  many  places  holes  gret  And  fmall. 

The  gide  faid,    "  fo  god  me  aid  eternall, 

4360  I  perceiue  full  well  And  ryght  certanly, 

That  Gaffray  is  full  of  proweffe  and  hardy." 


c 


tOmyng  thay  faw  of  peple  gret  fufion, 
Many  nobles  with  other  of  contre, 
4364  As  fone  As  the  dede  vnderftode  Anon, 
Demaundyng  fuetly  of  Gaffray  the  fre 
Wat  was  his  name  ?  and  thaim  declared  he. 
And  after  thay  had  demaunded  hys  name, 
4368  Then  whens  he  was,  off  wat  renon  &  fame, 


Many  nobles  ap- 
proach, and  ask 
Geoffrey  his  name, 

and  whence  he 
came. 


A: 


nd  that  to  tham  Avoid  the  verray  trouth  fay,  One  of  the  barons 

addresses  him, 


(For  fain  wold  thay  know,  And  he  all  tham 
told), 
On  of  the  Barons  then  faid,  "  lord,  you  pray, 


1  MS.  "  came,"  altered  to  "  cauee." 


2  MS.  "  Ink" 


152 


STORY   OF    THE   ENCHANTED    MOUNTAIN 


and  tells  him  the 
giant  will  not  re- 
turn to  fight  him 
for  any  worldly 
wealth, 


4372  here  vnderftandeth.  what  you  fhall  vnfold  ; 
Be  ye  in  certain,  for  all  worly  gold 
Tliys  cruel  Geant,  (that  god  hym  confound  !) 
Again  you  will  noght  retorn  at  no  ftound, 


for  that  he  knows 
he  is  predestined 
to  die  by  Geof- 
frey's hand. 
Geoffrey  declares 
he  will  never  de- 
part till  he  finds 
him. 


4376  T\7E1  knowen  is  hym  he  fhuld  nought  efcape 
'  "     Fro  your  handes  twain,  yf  he  were  in  hold ; 
That  his  mortall  deth  labour  wold  and  f  hape, 
For  fo  is  hym  predeftinat '  of  old." 

4380  "  By  the  Trynite,"  faid  Gaifray  the  bold, 
"  Fro  contre  fhall  I  neuer,  lo  !  departe 
Till  that  I  hym  finde  by  fom  maner  art." 


[Fol.  85.] 
One  of  the  barons 
tells  him  that 
the  mountain  is 
enchanted,  and 
that  the  noble 
Helmas,  king  of 
Albany,  was  en- 
closed therein 
with  his  three 
daughters, 


"  II  ly  lorde,"  faid  on  of  thaim,   "  beth  noght 
-^"J-         in  doute; 
4384  This  montain  wheron  this  Geant  is  truly 

Full  of  the  fairy  is  it  all  aboute. 

The  noble  helmas,  king  of  Albany, 

"WVt/j  hys  doughtres  thre  ther  was  verily 
4388  Fnclofed  with-in,  nawhere  myght  iifew, 

By  fuch  werkes  wroughten  incongrew, 


because  he  had 
wilfully  beheld 
their  mother  in 
child-bed,  after 
distinctly  promis- 
ing he  would  not 
do  so. 


FOr  that  there  moder,  the  lady  prefine, 
lying  in  gefian  wilfully  had  fain; 
4392  Which  hym  diffended  that  by  non  engine, 

Vppon  this  diffence  that  f  he  hym  made  plain. 
JSToght-withftandyng  went  to  fe  hir  dedes  folain, 
Which  therof  with  hir  made  had  couenaunt 
4396  Goyng  ne  comyng  to  hir  wold  noght  haunt, 


She  had  at  that 
time  three  fair 
daughters.    This 
fair  lady's  name 
was  Presine,  and 


A  s  toward  hyr  whyle  in  gefian  lay; 
-*-*-  Wher  if  fo  gan  do,  at  end  mifchef  fhold. 
"With  doughtres  fair  in  lay  f  he  that  day, 
4400  Thys  ioly  lady,  prefine,  to  behold, 

Doughtres  thre  had  childed  and  vnfold. 


'MS.  "perdeftinat." 


KING    HELM  AS    AXD    THE    LADY    PRESINE. 


153 


In '1  mas  forfworn,  periured,  and  conierd  to, 
The  couenaunt  hold  with  prefine  made  tho 


Helmas  had  made 
her  the  above  pro- 
mise ; 


4404  TjlOr-foth  he  failled;  wherthorugh  lie  loft 
-*-     Prefme  hys  lady,  As  after  fhall  hyre; 
hyt  declare  And1  tell  fhall  my  werfom  goft. 
With  thes  doughters  thre  he  clofed  entire, 

4408  For  ther  moder  loft,  the  foth  to  acquire. 

In  this  hy  montain  f  hitte  up  were  thay  tho, 
Neuer  was  knowen  to  what  place  were  goo. 


but  he  failed  to 
keep  it,  and  he 
and  his  three 
daughters  were 
enclosed  in  the 
mountain. 


FOr-fothe  hennas  neuer  iflued  oute; 
Ther  were  thay  f  hitte  vp  fro  Jwt  heder-to. 
But  in  this  montain,  w/t/iout  any  doute, 
hath  euer  nth  be  an  hug  Geant,  loo ! 
"Wardain,  with  meruelous  ouercomyng  fo 
4416  That  men  ne  durft  noght  it  to  approche  ny. 
Tyll  your  coniyng  now  no  man  fain  truly, 


[Fol.  85  6.] 
Ever  since  a  huge 
giant  had  been 
their  warden,  and 
(till  Geoffrey's 
coming)  there  had 
never  been  a  man 


B' 


Kit  that  this  Geant  put  to  deth  mortall; 
So  was  he  myghty  and  meruelous  ftronge. 
4420.  This  contre  hath  he  put  to  mifchef  all, 


whom  the  giant 
had  not  slain 
when  they  fought 
together.    All  of 
them  had  been 

Our  kyng  which  we  hild  mofte  chefe  vs  Among    Grimoidthegiant. 


litell  hath  fro  hym  deffended  our  wrong. 
To  grimold  vs  hath  of  Fors  made  yilding, 
4424  Euermore  ilthen  that  helmas  our  king 


r 


"Xto  fuch  felowfhip  was  put  and  cafte. 
Thys  Grymold  is  the  flfte  Geant  found, 
The  fixte,  or  the  fefth  of  thaim  hath  he  last, 
4428  "Wafting  thys  contre  both  the  lande  and  ground, 
To  All  men  making  wcrre  full  habound 
Ynto  the  time  of  your  blefled  comyng, 
The  which  ben  welcome  to  vs  here  beyng." 


Qrimold  was  the 

fifth,  Ilie  sixth,  or 
perhaps  the 
seventh  of  these 
wardens  who  had 
made  war  abound 
to  all  men. 


'MS.  "Ant." 


151 


GEOFFREY    RE-SEEKS    THE    CAVE, 


When  Geoffrey 
heard  the  news, 
lie  took  an  oath 
that  he  would  die 
as  a  recreant  or 
else  discomfit  the 
giant. 


1432  TTThen  that  Gaffray  hurd  tlies  new  nouels  told, 
'  '     Full  good  and  fair  bene  tlies  tydinges  truly. 

Ther  A  gret  oth  made  As  man  inly  bold, 

Aforn  thaim  prefent  to  all  openly, 
4136  That  he  wold  be  dede  ful  recreantly 

Or  difcomfite  wold  this  cruell  Geant; 

He  doubted  no-thyng,  the  man  fo  pufant. 


[Fol.  86.] 
Next  day  Geoffrey 
leapt  on  his 
courser,  and  went 
up  the  mountain 
spurring  him 
nimbly. 


The  night  paffed,  the  fair  day  appering, 
Aforne  thes  Barons  full  twenty  and  mo 
Gaffray  wightly  on  hys  courfere  leping, 
The  Geant  neuer  doubted  for  no  avo. 
leue  toke,  after  went  vp  the  montain  tho ; 
1111  Full  gret  pain  he  had  to  go  vp  andiy; 

Hys  courfere  fporing  that  ceafon  wightly, 


Perceiving  the 
hole  in  the  rock 
where  the  giant 
entered,  he  de- 
scended and  look- 
ed in ; 


That  to  the  Eoche  cam,  fo  fpored  and  fmote. 
Tournyng  enuyron,  the  hole  perceyuinge, 
1118  Auifed  and  knew,  well  gan  it  to  note 

That  thys  huge  Geant  ther  had  made  entring. 
Fro  hys  courfere  don  Ano«  ther  leping, 
A-foote  difcended,  in-warde  gan  behold. 
1152  But  to  fee  wit7an  ne  myght  noght  be1  told  ; 


hut  saw  no  more 
than  he  would  in 
an  oven.    "  I  won- 
der," says  he, 
"  how  he  got  in, 
seeing  he  is  so 
wondrously  '  cor- 
poral,' much 
more  than  I  am. 


NO  thyng  he  faw  more  then  in  a  buen  he. 
Gaffray  tho  faid,  "  Aftoned  am  in  all 
Wherby  the  Geant  now  here  paffed  be, 
1156  Sin  bat  gret  thikko  is,  wonder  corporall, 
Moche  more  then  I  am  fourged  perfonall. 
I  knaw  well  that  here  or  there  entre  made, 
Noght  that  way,  but  this,  ran  he  full  fad. 


See  here  the  cave. 
This  is  the  great 
rock  wherein  the 


1160   QE  here  now  the  place  where  he  made  entre, 
^  Se  here  now  the  cane,  without  Any  doute, 
Where  thys  Geant  entred  in  to  fe; 
1  MS.  "he." 


AND    RESOLUTELY    VENTURES    INSIDE    IT.  105 

Thys  is  the  gret  Roche  openly  all-outc,  ™ve  is  hewn,  and 

it  is  big  enough 

4464  "Where  grene  graffe  hath  noii  growing  there  i^ide. 

Aboute. 
The  caue  was  hewin  w/t/dn  large  and  hrode 
So  As  he  my ght  ren  w/t/nout  any  bode. 


F' 


\Ov  he  was  full  huge,  moche  gretter  then  I       I*"01- 86  M 

Whatever  hap- 
aine.  pens,  I  will  seek 

him  inside."    So 

4468  But,  fo  mem  crift  me  warde  fro  noifaunce,  he  enters  the  cave. 

Whatfomeuer  approch  me  of  grame, 

Me  wil  not  withold  by  no  gouernaunce 

But  hym  here  withm  will  feke  J?is  inftaunce." 
4472  Entre  made  he  tho  ther  in-to  the  grounde, 

For-foth  ther   w/t/dn   thought  feke  hym  that 
ftounde. 


I 


ff  that  he  be  there,  truly  f  hall  hym  fynd.  SRSSif 

The  fpere  lete  don,  ren  the  hed,  be-forn  lete  SSuSfSd 

„      .  follows  it,  clench- 

o°°  t  ing  his  teeth. 

4476  After  ny  fewed,  derkly,  As  man  blynd.  ^botto^!"  *° 

Put  hys  feet  before,  noght  drad,  in  went  tho, 
Shittyng  vp  hys  mouth  with  hys  teeth  alfo. 
Adon  the  fpere  lowe  aualed  he, 

4480  Till  he  cam  vnto  the  botme  and  entre. 

When  at  the  botme  was,  hee  gan  take  hys  ms  spear  being  of 
a  hard  wood,  such 
fpere  ;  as  could  not  be 

broken,  he  seizes 

Off  An  herd  wode  was,  breke '  wold  not  loth-  it  near  the  head, 


leffe; 
Man  better  timbre  neuer  faw  nawhere, 
4484  Tor  broken  wold,  ne  had  be  good  erpreffe  ; 
Inly  good  it  was,  to  no  breche  gan  dreffe. 
Ny  the  hed  the  fpere  gan  he  take  full  preft, 
And  forth  went  apas,  lenger  wold  not  reft. 

i  MS.  "bbreke." 


and  goes  on. 


156 


GEOFFREY    FIXDS    THE   TOMB    OF   KING   HELMAS. 


pushing  it  always 
before  him,  test- 
ing the  way.    At 
last  he  arrives  at  a 
fair  chamber. 


4488     A  fter,  Aferrome  faw  he  hug  clerneffe, 

-*--*-  When  a  litell  while  forth  ther  he  had  go. 
The  fpere  euermore  Aforne  hym  gan  dreffe 
In  taftyng  the  way,  vntill  that  he  tho 

4492  Ariued  and  cam  A  fair  place  vnto, 

Where  A  chamhre  founde  full  fair  wroght  & 

well, 
There  fourp-ed  and  made  was  it  of  nouell.1 


[Fol.  87.] 
It  was  carved  in 
the  rock,  with  no 
place  of  egress, 
and  was  full  of  all 
kinds  of  riches. 


449G 


She  myght  in  no  Avife,  lo  !  more  fairer  he. 
In  ryght  fide  And  lifte  wrought  hy  good 


auife  ; 
Coruen  in  the  roche  full  frefhly  was  fhe  ; 
Hut  o  going  oute  perceiue  myght  no  wife. 
Ryght  fair  it  was  And  gentile  to  deuife, 
4500  The  rycheffe  gret  prife,  hard  to  attain, 

That  in  this  chamhre  had  was  tho  and  fain. 


It  was  adorned 
with  pure  gold 
and  rich  jewels. 
In  the  midst  was 
a  tomb,  supported 
on  six  pillars  of 
fine  gold. 


Qhe2  All  he-tan  was  with  fine  pured  gold 

^  Fidl  of  riche  perrey,  made3  to  gret  maiftry. 

4504  Enmyddes  A  tomhe  of  this  chamhre  told. 
Thys  tombe  fette  vppon  fixe  pilours  hy 
Off  fyne  maffe  gold,  with  perles  many, 
A  man  fhold  not  finde  nawhere  more  fine ; 

4508  Precyous  rich  were,  of  huge  medicine. 


Above  it  was  a 
king,  well  formed 
of  chalcedony,  and 

beside  him  a  fair 
lady  of  alabaster. 


A  hove  was  had  A  knightly  armed  kyng, 
-^*-  Off  caffedony  will  formed  and  made. 
Vppon  this  faid  tomhe  was  he  ther  ligging, 
4512  Eefplendifing  fair  in  this  chamhre  fprad. 
Ioynant  ny  ther-to  A  fair  lady  had, 
Being  in  eftat  (who  beheld  with  ey) 
Off  Alabaftre  was  this  noble  lady. 


1  Ilere  follows  the  catchword — "  fhe  myght  in  no  wife." 
2  MS.  Sfhe."  3  MS.  "perreymade." 


THE  CONTENTS  OF  THE  TABLET  ON  THE  TOMB. 


157 


4516  rTlO  eonftantinoble  fro-thens  is  no  faill, 

J-    Xe  niyght  yinage  finde  with  it  to  compare. 

Off  this  full  ftrange  fight  Gaffray  gan  meruell, 

An  huge  tablet  this  fair  lady  bar 
4520  In  hir  handes  twain  all  this  to  declare, 

Eefembling  to  be  fourged  all  of-new. 

In  this  tablet  wrete  As  here  fhall  enfew. 


Geoffrey  marvels 
at  this,  but  ob- 
serves a  tablet 
which  the  lady 
bare  in  her  hands, 
on  which  was 
written  the  fol- 
lowing : 


Hf 


"er1  light  fir  helmas,  the  full  noble  king, 
4524      U-  Which  me  hath  lofte  by  hys  gret  deray 

Wherof  I  was  And  had  huge  eftonyng. 

Thys  noble  kyng  was  full  Amerous  ay  ; 

Couenaunt  me  had,  er  fpoufed  were  Alway, 
4528  That  neuer  day,  whiles  he  gan  endure, 

The  time  that  I  in  Gefian  ly  fine, 


H] 


"E  fhidd  noght  enquere  by  no  maner  way 
Off  my  dedes,  neither  no  wife  me  fe, 
4532  Towardes  me  noght  come  ne  go  no  day, 
Till  ceafon  And  time  I  reifed  fhold  be. 
Tho  it  fel  and  cam,  of  my  belay  tine 
Full  faire  doughtres  had  in  this  fame  yere, 
4536  "Which  right  gracyous  And  full  hable  were. 


[Fol.  87  b.] 
"  Here  lieth  Sir 
Helmas  the  king, 
who  promised  me 
ere  we  were  wed- 
ded that,  whilst  I 
lay  in  child-bed. 


he  would  never 
inquire  about  me, 
nor  see  me,  till  I 
was  recovered. 
Then  it  befell  that 
I  had  three  fail- 
daughters  at  once. 


H] 


"Elmas  fo  gan  do  that  he  me  gan  fe 
In  fuch  wife  As  I  in  my  childbed  lay. 
Anon  ther  fro  hym  I  uanifhed  me, 
4540  Such  wife  departed  and  thens  fly  my  way  ; 
Keuer  kneAv  what  part  went  I  my  iournay ; 
And  my  doughtres  thre  forth  with  me  lad, 
Al  thaim  norifhed  vnto  gret  age  had, 


and  Helmas  con- 
trived to  see  me ; 
whereupon  I 
vanished  and  took 
my  daughters 
with  me,  and 
brought  them  up. 


4544 


F 


When  they  were 


Yll  well  amended  And  right  well  gan  growe. 
With  my   mylke  tham  fed,  and  milked  all  tohlthemhVwi 
thre ; 
After  thaim  told,  when  fiftene  yercs  gan  owe, 
1  MS.  "Hker." 


158 


OF   THE   LADY   PRESINE  S   THREE  DAUGHTERS, 


had  lost  their 
father.    The 
eldest,  Melusine, 
was  very  vexed 
about  it. 


The  maner  how  I  lofte  ther  fader  fre. 
4548  In1  Auoblon  the  fairy  contre, 

The  eldefte  of  birth,  maried  f he  was, 
Melufine  called  in  euery  plas. 


[Fol.  88  being  lost,  its  place  is 

[With  her  two  sisters,  as  was  right,  "> 

they  talked  over  every  circumstance, 

and  told  me,  who  was  their  mother, 

they  wished  to  avenge  me  on  their 
father. 

The  three  daughters  agreed 

to  bring  a  fate  upon  their  father, 

to  avenge  me  of  the  great  misdeed 

that  he  had  foolishly  done  against  me. 

To  this  they  all  assented, 

and  enclosed  within  the  mountain 

Helmas,  who  was  their  father, 

and  who  had  broken  his  promise. 

When  he  died,  I  buried  him 

beneath  this  tomb,  and  enclosed  him 
there, 

and  caused  this  tomb  to  be  thus  made, 

thus  sculptured  and  painted. 

Thereon  I  caused  my  likeness  to  be  put 

that  there  might  be  remembrance  of  it 

in  him  who  should  read  the  tablet. 

For  never  should  man  enter  here 

except  he  were  of  the  lineage 

(in  Avalon  and  the  fairy-country) 

of  my  three  daughters,  of  whom 

you  may  hear  tell  when  you  will. 

I  bade  the  giants  to  watch, 

from  the  hour  I  set  them  there, 

that  none  should  enter  by  this  passage 

except  he  were  sprung  of  our  line. 

I  provided  gifts  for  my  daughters. 


here  supplied  from  the  French  text,  beginning  on 
Fol.  103  A.] 

[A  fes  deulx  feitrs,  felon  Raifon, 

Compterent  toute  la  chaifon, 

Et  dirent  moy,  que  fuis  leur  mere, 

Me  vouldroient  vengier  de  leur  pere. 

Les  trois  filles  furent  daccort 

De  Iecter  fur  leur  pere  vng  fort, 

Pour  me  vengier  du  grant  meffait 

Que  par  folie  euft  vers  moy  fait. 

A  ce  toutes  fegfentirent,2 

Et  dedens  le  mont  enclouirent 

Helmas,  qui  leur  pere  eftoit, 

Et  qui  menty  fa  foy  auoit. 

Quant  II  fut  mort,  le  lenterray 

Soubz  cefte  tombe,  &  enferray, 

Et  fiz  cefte  tombe  ainn  faire, 

Ainfi  figurer  &  pourtra[i]re  ; 

Deffus  fiz  mectre  ma  femblance, 

Affin  quil  en  fuft  Kamembrarece 

A  cellui  qui  le  tableau  lyroit  ; 

Car  ceans  homme  nentreroit, 

Sil  neftoit  de  la  lignie 

En  avolon  et  en  fairie 

De  mes  trois  filles,  dont  pourrez 

Oyr  parler  quant  vous  vouldrez. 

Les  geans  a  garder  commis, 

De  celle  heure  que  cy  la  mis, 

Que  nul  entraft  en  ce  paffaige 

Sil  neftoit  yffu  du  liguaige. 

Ie  ordonnay  dons  a  mes  filles 


1  In  the  margin,  "  Auoblon  y< '  fayre  cowtreP 


'■  faffentirent  (?) 


MELUSINE    THE    ELDEST,  MELIOR, 


159 


Qui  gentes  furcnt  &  abilles  ; 

A  mellufine  la  maifnee, 

Qui  moult  eftoit  faige  &  fenee, 

le  luy  donne  don  a  fa  vie, 

Depar  lordre  de  faerie, 

Tant  que  le  fiecle  dureroit, 

Le  fempuiedi  ferpent  feroit ; 

Et  qui  la  vouldroit  efpoufer, 

Delle  ne  deuoit  addreffer 

Ce  lour,  mais  foy  garder  moult  bien, 

Quelle  part  quel  fuft,  fur  toute  Rien  ; 

Que  en  cil  eftoit  ne  la  veift, 

Ne  qua  nulluy  ne  le  dift. 

Et  qui  celle  Regie  fuiroit, 

Mellufine  toudis  vinroit 

Ainfi  comme  fennne  mortelle, 

Et  poure  fennne  naturelle  ; 

Euis  mouroit  naturelment, 

Comme  les  autres  proprcmewt. 

Melior,  la  fille  moyenne, 

Qui  tant  fut  belle  creftiem&e, 

Vng  don  ltd  donne  de  faerie, 

Bien  eft  Eaifon  que  le  vous  die. 

En  vng  cbafteau  fort  &  maflis, 

Qui  en  arnienye  eft  affis, 

Voire,  en  grant  la  arrnenye, 

le  luy  ordonnay  que  fa  vie 

Tendroit  leans  vng  efpriuer ;] 

Where  it  f  hall  behoue  nightes  to  wacche  thre        [Foi.  89.] 
Wlioever  wishes 
As  ho  which  off  hir  demaunde  A  yifte  to  ask  a  boon  of 

her  must  watch 
"Wold,  there  three  nitrht.^. 

and  he  shall  have 

And  what  he  defire  I-graunted  fhall  be  ;  it;  but  he  must 

Tii       ,1  i  not  ask  for  he r- 

The    firfte    demaunde    demaundith   ther   naue  sei/. 

fhold. 
But  not  hir  body  dehre  haue  ne  holde  ; 
4612  Off  it  Melior  loke  he  noght  require, 
Neither  by  no  meene  hir  not  defire. 


who  were  beautiful  and  fair  : 

to  Melusine,  the  eldest, 

who  was  very  wise  and  prudent, 

I  give  her  a  gift  for  life 

(according  to  the  order  of  fairies), 

that,  as  long  as  her  life  lasted, 

she  should  be  a  serpent  every  Saturday ; 

and,  whoever  would  marry  her, 

must  not  approach  her 

on  that  day,  but  take  good  heed, 

wherever  he  was,  and  in  every  thing. 

He  must  not  see  what  she  then  was, 

nor  tell  anybody  of  it. 

And,  whoever  followed  this  rule, 

to  him  would  Melusine  always  come 

just  like  a  mortal  woman, 

as  women  naturally  do. 

Then  should  she  die  naturally, 

and  as  others  usually  do. 

To  Melior,  the  second  daughter, 

who  was  so  fair  a  creature, 

I  give  a  fairy-gift, 

and  'tis  well  that  I  should  tell  you  what. 

In  a  castle  strong  and  massive, 

which  is  situate  in  Armenia, 

(in  great  Armenia,  verily,) 

I  bade  her  that,  during  her  life, 

she  should  keep  a  sparrow-hawk  there ; 


160 


AND    PALESTINE    THE    YOUNGEST. 


But  if  he  yield  to 
somnolency,  he 
shall  be  her  pri- 
soner for  ever. 
Such  is  the  gift  I 
give  her. 


NO  knight  wake  ne  ihold  but  of  kye  birth 
were ; 
And  ho-fo  do  flepe  in  tho  nightes  thre 
4616  (Wher  lytell  or  moche)  in  fampnolence  there, 
Alway  perpetual!  there  abide  fhall  he 
In  the  paleis  with  melior  the  fre 
As  prifonere  in  prifon  alway  : 
4620  Such  gifte  I  hir  giffe  As  this  tyme  dyfplay. 


Palestine,  the 
youngest,  shall 
have  this  destiny : 
she  shall  dwell  in 
a  very  high 
mountain,  where 
men's  hearts  fail 
them, 


T)  Alatine '  the  yongefte  fufter  tho  was, 
J-     So  named  and  called  was  at  that  day 
To  whom  I  defteined  to  purchas 
4624  Such  A  maner  gyfte  As  I  you  fhall  fay  : 
That  in  coinqs2  the  hy  montain  ay, 
Where  failled  hert  haue  men  full  many, 
Enfuffering  Ml  ofte  ryglit  gret  mifery, 


and  shall  there 
guard  her  father's 
treasure,  till  a 
knight  of  our 
lineage  comes  and 
takes  it  by  force, 
and  afterwards 
conquers  Pales- 
tine, the  land  of 
promise. 


4628  richer  to  warde  and  kepe  hir  faders  trefoure  ; 
-■-    Enduryng  hir  life,  in  that  place  to  be, 
Till  fom  approche  and  come,  of  linage  our, 
To  that  hy  montain  by  fors  and  ftrenght  he 

4632  To  afcende  an-hye  Aboue  the  hill  to  fee, 

The  trefour  cafte  oute,  and  after  fhall  conquere 
The  lande  of  promimon  by  hys  powere. 


[Fol.  89  6.] 
This  mountain  is 
situated  in  Arra- 
fton. 

Thus  Presiue 
avenged  herself 
on  her  three 
daughters, 


Tho  was  the  nionte  of  whom  we  fpeke  and 
fay 
4636  Sette  in  Arrigon  of  troutli  verily,3 

"Which  that  is  a  thing  knowen  well  be  may. 
This  prefme  to  hyr  doughters  thre  furely, 
\Vhich  were  Ml  liable  and  ryght  faire  to  ey, 
4640  On  thaim  the  moder  auenged  that  brayd, 
By  the  maner  that  Aboue  is  faide, 

1  The  A  being  indistinct,  it  looks  like  "  Prllatine  ;  "  see  1.  5049. 

2  Very  indistinct. 

3  In  the  margin — Palestine  yn  a  cast  ell  yn  aragon. 


GEOFFREY  SEARCHES  FOR  GRIMOLD. 


161 


F 


^Or  ther  fadei'  hclmas  king  of  renon, 
That  thay  enclofyd  by  ther  wrong  derain 
4 '34 4  With-in  the  montain  ther  of  Aualon  ; 
Fur  by  my  faith  I  loued  bat  fouerain, 
how-be-it  b«t  he  mifdede  me  Again  ; 
Off  feith  and  of  tronth  I  loued  hym  hertly 
4648  With  all  the  fprites  of  my  body." 


Because  they  shut 
up  their  father 
Helmas  in  the 
mountain  in  Ava- 
lon.    For  I  (Pre- 
sine)  loved  him 
heartily  though 
he  sinned  against 
me." 


R 


yght  thus  was  And  went  the  fcripture  faing  ;  Such  was  the 

writing  on  the 

And     when    Gaffray,     uaillaut    man    and  tablet.   After 

reading  it  Geoffrey 


wurthy, 
Had  ra  Lie  thys  tablet,  he  moch  meruelling  ; 
4652  But  yut  he  knew  noght  uerray  certainly, 
But  fantred  and  doubted  uerryly 
Wher  on  was  or  no  of  this  faide  linage. 
Fro-thens  went  Gaffray  with  full  fers  corage, 

4656  Tnly  fafte  cerching  als  both  low  and  hy, 


greatly  wondered 
whether  he  was  of 
Presine's  lineage 
or  not. 


I 


Passing  thence  he 
searches  for 

Where   that    Grimold   in   Any   place  finde  Grimoid  every- 
where, and  at  last 
sees  a  fair  field 
with  a  tower  in  it. 

So  thens  departed  paifyng  ouer  lightly. 


myght ; 


Al  the  wais  toke  and  fought  thys  huge  wight, 
4660  Grimold   myght   not   fynde   no   of  hym   haue 

fygbt- 

Streight  Aforn  hym  A  fair  feld  gan  behold, 
Ther  perceyuyng  A  fquare  tour,  A  ftrong  hold. 

rTlhe  gate  faw  open,  the  barreres '  undo ; 
4664    -*-   Into  the  hous  Gaffray  went  Anon, 
. .  Stilly  And  bigly  his  fpere  holdyng  tho. 

In  a  gret  latife  be-held  manyon, 

Al  prifoneres  where  in  warde  thai  echon. 
4668  Of  hym  wondred  And  merueled  ftrongly, 

And  on  of  thaim  faid,  "  go  hens  ful  quikly  ! 


I 


Concell  you,"  faid,  "  depart  hens  Anon 
That  this  huge  Geant  in  no  wife  you  fe ; 


[Fol.  90.] 
The  gate  being 
open  he  enters 
and  sees  a  number 
of  prisoners  be- 
hind a  great  lat- 
tice ;  they  warn 
him  off, 


lest  the  giant 
should  destroy 


i  MS."  barrores." 
11 


162 


GEOFFREY  PERCEIVES  GRIMOLD,  PURSUES  HIM, 


him.    But  he 

laughs,  and  asks 
where  the  giant 
can  be  found. 


4672  Or  in-to  fom  hole  go,  uoyding  his  perfon, 
Or  with  the  Geant  diftroed  fhall  ye  be  ! " 
Gaffray  laughed  ;  after  demaunded  he, 
Which  on  his  necke  bare  A  fpere  full  grete, 

4676  Iff  that  the  Geant  he  niyght  funde  or  gette, 


for  he  is  come  to 
fight  Mm.  One  of 
the  prisoners 
again  warns  him 
to  go,  but  Geoff- 
rey tells  him  not 
to  fear, 


as  he  can  tight  the 
giant  alone.    Just 
then  the  giant 
came  up,  and, 
perceiving  Geoff- 
ley,  fled  into  a 
chamber  hastily, 


[Fol.  80  b.] 
and  drew  the 
door  after  him. 
But  Geoffrey  fol- 
lows, and  bursts 
the  door  open 
with  a  kick,  and 
enters. 


The  giant  smites 
Geoffrey  with  a 
mallet,  and  would 
have  slain  him 


TTfith    hym   thought   to   fight,    hys 
'  '       uerily. 


purpos 


On  of  thaim  hym  faid,  "  fe  hym  fhall  Anon, 
And  I  beleue  ye  will  it  fore  aby 
4680  iff  he  you  fe,  for  ftroug  is  of  perfon  ; 

To  deth  will  you  put  forfothe  er  ye  gon." 
Gaffray   to   hym   faid,    "my   ryght    full   fuete 

frende, 
haue  ye  no  drede  but  of  your  felfe  at  end  ; 

4684     A  lone  fhall  I  here  the  ftrokes  And  dedes, 
-^*-  For  Alone  I  haue  take  this  entreprife." 
yn  the  fame  moment,  places,  and  ftede 
Gaffray  with  long  toth  the  Geant  gan  auife, 

4688  That  iuged  was  to  deth,  wel  gan  aduertife. 
he  ftrongly  ther  fled  As  he  myght  goodly, 
A  chambre  pereeiued,  in  went  rabbifhly, 

rpile  dore  after  drew;  Gaffray  gan  it  ffe, 
4692    -*-   After  fped  Apace,  yroufly  being; 

Smiting  haftyli,  the  dore  gan  vp  fle, 

With  Ipat  ftroke  the  dorn1    Anon  unbarring; 

Withe  the  fole  of  fote  was  he  tho  fmiting. 
4696  Into  chambre  floure  the  doure  made  fle  lightly; 

For  all  barred  was,  entred  he  wightly. 

A     [sjquare  maillet  the  Geant  gan  hold; 

-^*-  Vppon  Gaffray  hed  thev-with  yaf  wightly. 
4700  "With  that  ftroke  he  was  ftoned  manyfold; 

Ne  had  hys  helmet2  be  full  ftrong  and  myglity, 
1  "  dore  "  (?)  -  MS.  "  helyet."  Fr.  text,  heanlme. 


AND  DRIVES   HIS   SWORD    RIGHT   THROUGH   HIM.  163 

Gaffray  had  he  flain,  fo  caufed  to  dy.  but  for  his  helmet 

J  J  Geoffrey  falls,  but 

And  jmt  not-for-that  Gaffray  tombled  there,  rises  again, 

4704  Anon  releuing  in  wighty  manere, 

THen  hym  faide  Gaffray,  "of  the  hane  full  fair,  and  sayg  ,.Ire_ 
But  Anon  I  fhall  yilde  it  unto  the,  SS.^dnowi 

Wttft  my  fwerde  the  teere,  not  will  make  re-  K42R£khe 

trfllT  "  lunges  at  him, 

driving  the  sword 

4708  Gaffray  drew  hys  fwerd,  harde  well  ground  to  fe,    ^Xtiit"' U" 
Withe    the  bakke   went,  fo  harde    the   Geant 

fmote  he, 
Gaffray  Ins  good  fwerd  fo  put  thorugh  hym  tho, 
Thorugh  the  hrefte  the  croffe  was  it  unto ; 


4712  Tjh'o  part  in-to  part  hym  perced  ouer  all.  Then  fell  the 

-*-    The  Geant  to  grounde  our-torned  tho,  often  made  men 

Which  fo  ofte  had  made  many  men  full  thrall,     up  a  marvellous 
No-thyng   was  he  wurth,  right  noght    myght  tower  sounded, 
he  do, 

4716  Where  curfedly  had  don  with  his  maillet  foo. 
A  meruelus  cry  vp  he  caft  ]>at  ftound, 
All  the  toure  founed  when  he  fill  to  ground. 

THys  Geant  tho  fall  to  mortal  deth  colde  [Foi.  mj 

With  that  mighty  ftroke  Gaffray  hym  yeuyng.  drew  ins  sword 
Gaffray  drew  hys  fwerde  ther  oute  fro  Grimold,  and  put  it  in  the 

T     .      ,  „     ,  a        •      i  scabbard.    Then 

Into  hys  fcaberge  Again  hym  puttyng.  he  went  to  the 

Ther  ryght  no  lenger  wold  he  he  hyding, 
4724  To  the  prifoneres  fro-thens  Anon  went, 
And  to  demaunde  thaim  was  full  diligent 


prisoners, 


r 


"F  of  Xorhelande  thei  were  As  was  told,  and  asked  if  they 

....                    . .                   ..            .      ,  .„.        came  from  North- 

And  what  maner  thyng  gam  hym  hade  miiclo,  umheriand,  and 

4728  And  wherfor  in  prefon  he  tham  gan  hold.  in  prison.  They 

a                     n  •  i      it  r>       j                               -jit  said  it  was  because 

Anon  on  laid,      for  trewage  was  it  tho  they  had  not  paid 
That  the  gret  Geant  yeuen  had  vnto  ; 
11* 


164 


GEOFFREY    RELEASES    TWO    HUNDRED    PRISONERS, 


the  giant  the 
tribute  they  owed 


"Rejoice  then," 
said  Geoffrey, 
"  for  ye  are  struck 
out  of  his  papers, 
and  I  have  ac- 
quitted you  of 
your  tribute  by 
killing  him." 


Then  they  were 
glad  and  asked 
Geoffrey  to  let 
them  out.    So 
Geoffrey  searched 
till  he  found  the 
keys,  and  coming 
to  the  200  prison- 
ers, 


The  which,  fir,  is  noght  yut  hym  paid  no  wyfe, 
4732  Wlierfor  this  now  bide  All  his  tirandife." 

G  Affray  Anfwered,  "  ioyous  And  glad  he, 
Now  Full  merily  demene  you  Amonge, 
For  of  his  paupires  ftrike  oute  plain  he  ye ! 
4736  Here  hym  haue  I  flain  And  put  to  dethe  ftronge ; 
Xeuer  f  hall  he  you  At  no  day  do  wrong. 
Of  trouth  mortall  deth  haue  I  put  hym  to, 
your  trewage  haue  I  now  here  aquitte  fo." 

4740  "ITTHen  thes  nouels  hurde,  ioyous  therof  were; 
*  *     Gaffray  thay  bef ought  thaim  deliuer  oute. 
He  Anfwering  faid,   "  do  f  hall  my  powere." 
Tho  eerched,  enquered,  And  went  Ahoute, 

4744  Till  the  keys  Founde  with-out  any  doute. 
And  when  he  thaim  had  reforted  Again, 
"Where  too  hundert  were  And  mo  in  certain, 


[Fol.  01  &.] 
undid  the  lattice, 
and  gave  them 
leave  to  go. 
Geoffrey  leads 
them  to  the 
chamber  where 
lies  the  giant. 


THe  lateis  unfhitte  where-in  prifoned  were, 
Prefently  thaim  al  gaf  he  leue  to  go. 
Fro-thens  iffued  thay  with  gladfom  chere, 
That  nouelles  pleafed  and  greed  well  to 
That  efcape  f  hold  thys  painfull  prifon  fro. 
4752  Into  the  chamhre  Gaffray  tho  thaim  lade 
To  fe  this  Geant  dede  and  cold  ther  had. 


All  wonder  how 
Geoffrey  could 
kill  this  monster, 
of  so  "unfitting" 
a  stature, 


Euery  man  hym  bliffed  of  Gaffray, 
Ther  meruellyng  gretly  of  this  auenture, 
4756  Hym  to  haue  in  fueh  herdineffe  Ahvay 
To  affail  fuch  A  hiduous  creature 
Off  fo  wonderfull  unfittyng  ftature, 
Thys  gret  monftre,  huge,  large,  and  cruell, 
4760  Which  fo  meruelous  was,  felenous  and  fell. 


They  all  said 
they  hail  never 
Been  such  a  man 


E 


uery  man  hliffid,  euery  man  faid 
That  neuer  fuch  a  man  ther  dais  gan  fe. 


AND    GIVES    THEM    THE    GIAXT's   TREASURE.  165 

To  thaim  faioe  Gaffrav,  "  hire  me  now  bis  braide,  in  a"  their  days. 

B  J '  '  Geoffrey  tells 

4764  Here  now  ye  Barons  acquitail  haue  by  me;  them  they  now 

J  x  J  owe  the  giant 

Vnto  this  Geant  no  more  owe  f  hall  ye.  nothing. 

Full  moch  good  hath  w/t/nn  thys  dongon; 
Barons,  you  it  yeue  into  your  bandone, 


4768     A  nd  all  that  is  here  you  it  gyffe  frely,  but  that  they 

■&  Bo 

waee. 

nothing  for  him- 


>oth  gold  and   hauour  here,   all  that  his  authetrl 


may  carry  away 
•easures 
they  can  find,  for 
\\  aee.  )le  would  have 


hit  reioys  and  take,  for  noglit  haue  will  I ;  seif 

here  you  wdl  commaunde  to  our  lordes  grace, 
4772  Take  all  bat  here  is  in  this  tour  and  place. 
To  tary  or  byde  certes  will  noght  here, 
To  labour  will  go  in  place  ellyf where ; 


T  Eager  will  noght  bide,  dwelle,  ne  tary."  [f0i.  92.] 

4776  ***  "your  mercy  and  grace,"  thai  to  hym  gan  greluy.^daak 

%him  how  he  came 
»  there,  where  no 

"  So  it  myght  you  pleafe  off  your  courteffy,  tatS^SuS!" 

Euery  of  us  you  befeke  and  pray 
Wherby  ye  come  in  to  fay  us  your  way, 
4780  Where  for  the  Geant  non  durfte  make  entre, 

That  dede  and  recreant  here  lith  now  may  fee." 


T 


here  G affray  thaim  declared  all  and  told.  Geoffrey  tells 

them,  and  they  all 

When  thay  had  hym  hurde,  on  faid  hym  say  that  no  man 

°  o  '  */         so  hold  ever  issued 

yilto  from  that  roek, 

'  except  the  giant 

'84  "Xeuer  fro  this  Roche  iffued  man  fo  bold  and  hia  anteces- 


Excepte  this  Geant  ligging  ded  here,  lo  ! 
And  his  cruell  anteceffoures  alfo, 
By  whom  to  greuous  torment  put  we  be  ; 
4788  Exiled  and  wafted  haue  thai  our  contre, 


sols, 


B 


Oth  tho  gret   and  fmall  haue  thay    had  in  wi,n  had  slain  4011 

.  knights.     They 

liate  ;  said  too  that  they 


Diftroed  alfo  all  that  thai  finde  might, 


1GG 


GEOFFREY  S    TRIUMPHAL   PROGRESS. 


would  accompany 
him  till  he  found 
his  own  people. 


Then  they  set  the 
giant's  body  up 
upon  a  cart,  to 
which  it  was  fast 
bound  and  attach- 
ed. 


Eoure  houndred   haue  flain,   preuyng  well  Jns 
date. 
4792  Now  our  forow  ye  haue  vnto  an  ende  diglit, 
And  Als  put  to  end  the  fary  work  ryght. 
With  you  fhall  retorn,  going  vppon  way, 
Till  that  your  peple  approche  and  fynde  may." 


4796 


rpilos  Barouns  thaim  made  tho  full  redy 


To  put  this  Geant  ther  a  carte  uppon ; 
An-hy  hym  dreffed  As  for  to  cary, 
Neuer  faw  man  to  fightes  uifion 
4800  So  gret  As  was  this  Geant  enuiron, 
Euery  man  bleffed  that  hym  gan  fe  ; 
Well  bounde  and  tacked  to  that  carte  was  he. 


[Fol.  92  &.] 
Wherever  they 
went  all  men 
marvelled  at  the 
monster,  and 
blessed  the  hour 
when  Geotfrey 
came  there. 


4804 


rTuiorugh  the  contre  went,  hym  carying  ; 
-L    Wherouer  thai  rode  and  pallid  full  fafte. 


Of  this  faid  monftre  al  men  merueling, 
Wherof  the  peple  Abaifhed  and  agaft. 
Forfoth  euery  man  blilfed  thaim  in  hafte 
4808  The  hour  that  Gaffray  ariued  at  Ipat  cofte, 
That  thaim  deliuerd  of  this  curfed  gofte. 


They  would  gladly 
liave  made  Geoff- 
rey their  kin}.',  but 
he  would  in  no 
wise  longer  so- 
journ there. 


Then  he  leapt 
upon  his  courser, 


/"^  Affray  conueed  to  his  peple  that  houre, 


u 


huge  honour  and  gold  hym  ther  presenting  ; 


4812  And  full  humbly  gan  do  hym  ther  honour, 
So  As  for  ther  lorde  thai  hym  holding, 
For  palled  And  dede  was  their  noble  king. 
But  he  Avoid  no  wife  lenger  ther  fogourn, 

481 G  But  to  lufignen  wold  he  tho  retourn. 

Off  ther  huge  honour  wold  he  take  no-thyng, 
Retourn  wold  ther-thens  without  bode  any, 
Gaffray,  which  no  man  l  neuer  was  doubtyng, 
4820  Vppon  his  courfere  anon  lepte  lightly 

As  he  which  was  both  doubty  and  wurthy. 
1  MS.  "  noman." 


GEOFFREY  GOES  TO  SEE  RAYMOND. 


1G7 


"Adieu,"  tho  lie  laid,  "  Adieu  you  commaund, 
ye  noble  Barons  prefent  of  Norbeland, 


and  bade  the 
barons  adieu. 


4824  rTlO  you  leue  the  warde  of  this  contre." 

J-    Fro-thens  deperted,  femyng  ther  to  longe, 
With  hym  his  peple  ridyng  As  fhold  be. 
Ther  rode  A  gret  ftour,  waloping  fid  ftronge, 

4828  Till  to  fe  cam;  A  barge  gan  he  to  fonge, 
Defiryng  to  fe  his  fader  of  blode, 
And  Melufine  his  gentile  moder  goode. 


Then  he  and  his 
people  galloped 
fast  till  they  came 
to  the  sea.     There 
he  took  ship, 
desiring  to  see  his 
father  and 
Melusine. 


H 


E  taried  noght,  failled  And  rowed  foo, 


[Fol.  93.] 
The  wind  was 


4832   -LL  That  he  approched  Guerrand  tho  full  ny  ;    good  and  he  soon 

tip  -li  came  to  p"i't. 

The  winde  was  good,  he  ftrongly  failled  tho, 
That  in  litell  while  to  port  cam  finely. 
And  when  Gaffray  had  hauyn  ueryly, 
4836  Anon  A-land  he  defcended  ryght, 

And  ther  Ariued  certes  pat  fame  night. 


Then  he  disem- 
barked and  arriv- 
ed at  Lusignan 
that  same  night. 


A 


11  the  wordle  anon  wenten  hym  Again,  AU  thte  wor1'1, . 

"  °  came  to  meet  him. 

Men.   wemen,  children,   of  ech  fide  mofte  andKaymomi 

with  the  rest. 
Geoffrey  salutes 
him  humbly,  em- 
braces and  kisses 
him. 


and  lefte ; 

4840  The  Barons  fefted  this  hy  fouerain, 

hys  fader  Baymounde  vnto  hym  cam  prefte. 
Gaffray  hym  falute  As  man  mofte  vmblefte, 
Wightly  Anon  hym  Gaffray  gan  enbrace, 

4844  Neuer  at  more  eafe  of  hert  he  ne  wace; 


IT 


"is  uifage  and  mouth  ther  gan  he  to  kiffe. 
Into  a  chambre  both  thai  made  entre, 
"Wherof  many  thinges  fpake  thai,  I-wiffe, 
4848  Many  tales  told  ther  Gaffray  the  fre, 

And  Bay  mound  to  hym  that  in  mynde  wold  be 
hou  hys  moder  loft  he  had  and  lete. 
With  malicious  wreth  Gaffray  gan  fuete  ; 


Then  they  entered 
a  chamber  and 
talked  together. 
Geoffrey  told  his 
father  many 
tales,  and  next  he 
is  told  how  he 
had  caused  the 
loss  of  his  mother. 


108 


GEOFFREY  RECALLS  HIS  VISIT  TO  AVALON. 


He  knew  it  was 
for  his  sin  in 
burning  the  abbey 
of  Maillezais. 
Then  he  remem- 
bers the  tablet  he 
saw  in  the  mount- 
ain of  Avalon, 


4852  TJTell  Auifed  hym  it  was  for  his  fyne 

' "     That  his  fader  had  wrethed  heuyly  fo, 
By  monkes  he  hade  ftroyed  maillers  yn  ; 
With  flammes  of  fire  thaini  bruled  and  brend  to, 
4856  An  hundred  ther  were  in  that  niinftre  tho. 

Then  on  the  tablet  hys  thought  &  mynde  gan 

draw, 
Which  in  the  montain  of  Aualon  faw, 


[Fol.  93  b.] 
upon  the  tomb  of 
king  Ilelmas. 
Then  he  knew 
tli.it  Melusine 
must  be  Ilelmas' 
daughter. 


P 


}vo  wurde  to  wurde  al  thorughly  in  hert  be1 
rad 
4860  Vppon  the  tombe  of  noble  king  helmas. 

Tho  knew  he  Full  well  where  melufme  was  hade 
Doughter  to  the  kyng  which  lay  in  pat  place, 
And  that  helmas,  this  noble  kyng,  wace 
4864  Fader  to  Melufme  his  moder  good  ; 

Where-vppon  he  thought  long  while  he  ther 
ftoode. 


When  he  knew 
that  Raymond 
had  been  tempted 
by  the  earl  of  For- 
est, he  sware  an 
oath  that  he 
would  go  and  kill 
him. 


Away  he  goes  with 
ten  chosen 
knights,  who 
were  worth  twen- 
ty others,  and  the 
result  was  this : 


TTThen  he  vnderftode,  knowing  it  clerely, 
'  '     hou  that  '2  Raymounde  his  noble  fader  tho 

4868  By  erle  of  forefte  his  brother  naturally 
Toward  Melufme  had  made  diifautte  fo, 
With  An  hautain  uois  Gaffray  faid,  wold  go, 
(Wher-to  lie  fwere  full  faft  his  gret  oth), 

4872  That  fhortly  he  wold  diftroy  hym  for  foth. 

O  0  fro-thens  with  wreth  Gaffray  partid  then, 
^  his  fader  3  his  parte  went  right  heuily, 
W/t//  full  wurthy  noble  knightes  ten, 
4876  Strongc,  liable,  and  light,  men  fad  and  myghty, 
Tho  ten  wurth  well  other  knightes  twenty ; 
here  you  f  hal  declare  by  fortone  hou  gan  fal. 
Gaffray  fo  ftrongly  ther  rode  forth  witA-all, 


1  "  he  "  (?)       »  MS.  "  thai."      3  MS.  " brother ;"  Fr.  text,  pen. 


GEOFFREY    SEEKS    OUT    HIS    UNCLE    FR0M0UNT. 

4880  Q 0  on  way  fafte  fpcd,  fo  fortli  low  and  hy, 


1G9 


That  he  approched  the  erledome  vnto 
Off  the  foreft,  where  was  this  Erie  wurthy, 
"Which  in  a  castell  abiding  1  was  tho. 
4884  Gaffray  to  that  parte  drew  hym  faft  to  goo 
Where  the  Erie  f  hold  haue  ill  hanfell  anon, 
In-to  thys  faid  ftrenght  entred  his  perfon, 


they  rorle  till 
they  came  to  the 
castle  where  the 
earl  was ;  then 
Geoffrey  entered 
that  fort 


Within  he  entred  vnware  fodenly, 
Off  no  creature  perceiued  at  all. 
With  full  yrons  wreth  Gaffray  meued  hy, 
He  falute  non,  ne  fpake  to  gret  ne  fmall, 
But  difcendeddoil  A-fornthe  gret  hall, 
4892  The  grees  Afcended,  many  to  accounte, 

hys  uncle  the  Erie  ther,  named  Fromounte,2 


E 


[Fol.  91] 

suddenly  and  un- 
perceived.  Moved 
with  wrath  he 
neither  saluted 
any  nor  spake,  but 
ascended  the  steps 
of  the  great  hall, 


nmyddes  his  peple  hym  ther  gan  find,  and  found  ins 

uncle  Fromont 

Which  were  full  noble  And  ryght  gentile  to,  there  amongst 

liis  iitoplc 

489G  Wice,  fage,  And  wele  taught  As  any  to  mynde<  Drawing  ins 

.  .  "    sword,  he  declares 

Gaffray  As  wode  man  drawing  his  iwerd  tho,        Mm  a  traitor, 
Ther  crying,  "  traitor,  thy  lif  loft  And  goo  ! 
By  thy  neclygens  my  moder  haue  lofte  !  " 
4900  Thys  Erie  it  hurde,  his  blode  gon  almofte, 


H1 


"Is  mortall  deth  faw  ;  being  in  fuch  fray, 
Gaffray  he  doubted  in  hert  that  inftaunce, 
Knowyng  well  by  hym  tho  wurdes  gan  fay 
4904  Wherof  Gaffray  had  to  hert  fuch  noyfaunce. 
Fro-thens  he  fly  with  huge  comeraunce. 
Keuer-for-neuer  ftode  he  in  fuch  drede, 
The  tour  entred,  the  dore  founde  ope  in  dede, 


and  terrified  his 
uncle,  who  fled 
away  in  great 
trouble.  Never 
had  he  been  so 
frightened;  he 
entered  the  tower 


4908  fTIHe  grees  Afcended  ryght  fo  As  he  myght ; 


and  ascended  the 
,     steps.    ButGeoflF- 

But  fo  gan  noght  do  As  his  hert  tho  wold ;  rey  hastened  after 


1 

For  After  haffced  Gaffray  As  man  wight, 

1  MS.   "obidinp;." 
2  In  the  margin—  gcffre  hyld  hya  r[>/kn!/~\  erle  qfforeste. 


170 


GEOFFREY    CAUSES    HIS    UNCLE'S   DEATH. 


him,  pursuing  him  Which  purfued  hym,  chaufing  to  that  hold, 

BO  fast  that  the  L  J       '  ° 

earl  had  to  flee         4912  Strongly  hym  fewed  And  fharply  manyfold, 
Openly  after  other  gan  to  fle ; 


With  hym  had  the  Erie  non  of  hys  mayne 


[Fol.  94  b.] 
for  all  ran  down 
the  steps  as  if 
they  were  mad ; 
being  greatly 
afraid  of  being 
caught. 


49 


A: 
ic  -cl 


f  man  that  fo  was  gentile  ne  fo  goode 
Which  "with  hym  fro-thens  in  no  wyfe  wold 


The  grees  defcended,  fered  as  were  woode, 
Eche  liym-felfe  to  fane,  in  heft  wife  cowd  tho, 
Ther  liffes  to  fane  G  affray  criing  vnto. 
4920  For  fere  of  taking  full  fafte  thay  fle, 

Thay  fore  doubted  left  taking  fhold  he. 


Thus  the  earl  ran 
up  into  the  tower 
ami  got  to  the  top 
as  soon  as  he 
could.    Geoffrey 
sware  that  he 
would  not  spare 
him. 


G  Affray  fly 
Sweryng 


After  thys  Erie  haftily, 
jryng  that  he  fhold  dy  ther  with  gret 
fliame. 
4924  The  Erie  Afcended  into  this  tour  quickly, 
As  fone  As  he  myght  to  hieft  ftage  came. 
Gaffray  fwere  his  oth,  for  linage  ne  fame, 
Wold  fpare  hym  to  flay,  lif  take  fro  his  goft, 
4928  Syn  his  mxler  good  by  hym  fo  hath  lofte. 


In  extreme  terror 
the  earl  leapt  up 
to  a  window  and, 
missing  his  foot- 
ing, fell  on  his 
head  upon  the 
rock. 


P 


^Or  drede  the  Erie  fwatte  And  fore  trembled 
tho 

When  that  he  faw,  brefly  vnto  fay, 
That  by  no  men  myght  ferther  pafle  ne  go. 
4932  At  A  feneftre  lepte  in  that  affray 

Vppon  the  hedde,  failling  foote  that  day  ; 
Fro  that  place  glint  Jwt  full  hy  tho  was, 
Don  vppon  the  Roch  A  fall  gan  purchas. 


Thus  this  earl  of 
Forest  died  by  his 
own  folly,  and 
Geoffrey  caused 


4936  Tn  that  point  was  he  mif[c]heuofly  dede 

J-  With  dolorous  wo  And  full  heuy  fhame, 
Thys  Erie  of  forefte  in  faid  place  and  ftede. 
Alas  !  by  hys  owne  gret  folay  it  came, 


RAYMOND    DETERMINES    TO    SEEK    THE    TOPE. 


171 


4910  hys  peple  '  hauyng  hug  forow  and  grame. 
The  body  Gaffray  made  vnto  entere  ; 
After  do  made  cryes  in  ech  ftede  awhere, 


his  body  to  be 
buried,  and  pro- 
claimed 


[Fol.  951 
his  own  brother 


4944 


As  vnto  the  Erie  beforn  had  thay  do, 
To    Eaymounde  his   brother   in  like  wife  JXf££* 


homage, 
All  enheritors  of  the  contra  tho. 
And  As  thaim  had  faid  G  affray  the  fage, 
Euery  accorded  vnto  his  langage. 
4948  Ther  Gaffray  wold  noght  lenger  to  fogourn, 
To- ward  lufignen  fafte  gan  he  retourh, 


This  done,  lie 
returned  to  Lusi- 
gnan,  and  soon 


I 


n  fhorte  and  bref  tyme  parted  fro  that  place. 
A  nto  lufignen  entred,  faft  ridyng, 
4952  Where  his  gud  fader  tho  dolorous  was, 
Which  fidl  heuily  was  ther  waymenting 
For  that  noght  unknow,  (full  for  lamenting), 
How  hys  brother  diftroyed  was  Jjat  day ; 
495 G  Eaymound  faid,  "  of  it  gret  dolour  haue  may, 


came  to  his  father 
who  was  sore 
lamenting  the 
earl's  death. 
Raymond  ex- 
claims, 


A1 


n  my  wife  haue  loft,  exile  my  contre, 
By  my  cruell  fin  And  my  wicked  vice ; 
lhesu  crift  my  foull  warde  and  kepe  to  the, 
4960  Fro2  thys  worle  me  will  put  by  good  auice, 
Neuer  feke  no-thyng  to  conquere  franchife. 
To  confeffe  my  fyn  wandre  f  hall  and  goo, 
With  good  hert  fhall  fay  the  hole  Poftell  to 


"All  is  due  to  my 
sin  and  vice :  I 
will  quit  the 
world  and  its 
fame,  and  make  a 
pilgrimage  to  the 
holy  apostle  at 
Rome, 


49G4 


0 


ff  Rome,  that  lyon  men  do  name  and  call, 
After,  fo  god  will,  chefe  fhall  my  dwellyng,  become  a  recluse 


whom  men  rail 
Leo.    I  will  then 


Eeclufe  and  f hit  vp  in  ftrange  contre  fhall, 
In  which  ftede  will  not  be  know  for  no  thyng. 
49G8  In  that  place  fhall  I  my  life  be  ufing 
In  deuoute  prayers  And  in  orifon, 
All  vnto  acquire  my  fauacion." 

'MS,  "pepll."  -'  MS.  "For." 


in  a  strange 
country  ami 
spend  my  life  in 
prayer." 


172 


RAYMOND  S    ADVICE    TO    GEOFFREY. 


[Fol.  95  6  ] 
Geoffrey,  alight- 
ing from  horse- 
back, tarried  not 
at  the  dismount- 
ing stone,  but 
sought  his  father 
and  craved  his 
pardon, 


bitterly  repent- 
ing his  wicked- 
ness.    "  It  needs 
not,"  said  Ray- 
mond, "to  mourn 
longer :  you  can- 
not bring  your 
mother  back 


nor  can  I  restore 
the  dead  to  life. 
You  must  re- 
build the  abbey 
which  you  burnt 
in  your  folly." 


Ceoffrcy  promises 
to  do  so.     Ray- 
mond says,  "  It 
should  be  built  up 
so  as  t<>  be  fairer 
than  before , 


[Fol.  06.] 
but  1  must  leave 
you  now,  for  I  go 


R5 


iyglit  As  Baymouncle  lrym  fore  complayned, 

'  P°  0 
4972  In  plaintes,  wepinges,  lie  bathed  was  ; 

And  when  that  Gaffray  was  defcendid  tho, 

At  the  perron  longe  bode  not  in  Ipat  place, 

At  caftell  finding  hys  fader  by  grace. 

4976  But  hys  nioder  noght  founde,  ne  faw  with  ey, 

Wherefor  to  hys  fader  cried  mercy, 


w 


'ith  hert  fore  contrite  therof  repenting 
Off  that  he  had  don  fo  moche  wiekedneffe. 
4980  On  knees  mercy  ther  hym  fafte  crying, 

Baymoun.de  fore  wepte  with  eyes  bitterneffe  : 
"  Hyt  nedith  noght,"  faid,  "  more  haue  penfif- 

neff'e, 
I  know  well  that  ye  by  no  mene  this  day 
4984  your  moder  recouer  certes  ye  ne  may. 


I 


can  noght,"  he  faid,  "  werke  ne  labour  foo 
As  tho  mortall  ded  ther  lif  to  furrend. 
The  Abbay  and  mynftre  fourge  and  make  moft, 
lo! 
4988  Which  fair  place  ye  haue  diftroid  and  fhend. 
An  hundred  monkes  with-m  alfo  brend 
By  your  meruelous  And  wondre  corage, 
As  by  your  folay  and  fidl  gret  outrage." 

4992  n  Affray  Anfwerd,  "fire,  I  fhall  it  doo 

^    Within  ryglit  bref  tyme,  fo  our  lord  pleafe 

may." 
Then  Baymound  hym  hild  in  hert  content  tho  ; 
"  More  fairer  fhall  be  then  Aforn  was  ay," 

4996  Baymound  hym  faid,  "  appere  will  it  alway 
That  which  ye  will  do  men  full  well  fhall  fe, 
Perceyued  to  ey,  knowen  well  will  bee. 


5000 


HEre  will  you  leue,  to  good  ende  come  may. 
A  litell  way  me  mofte  go  in  pilgrimage, 


RAYMOND    SETS    OUT    FOR    ROME. 


173 


Which  promyfed  haue  god  aforn  this  day, 
Put  tlier-to  haue  both  hert,  wyll,  and  corage, 
My  contre  you  f  hall  leue,  warde  it  as  the  fage. 
500-1  iNTon  other  will  I  of  it  haue  the  garde, 

your  yongeft  hroder  wyll  loke  b«t  ye  warde, 


on  a  pilgrimage. 
You  shall  guard 
the  country  and 
take  care  of  your 
youngest  brother. 


PAitenay  hym  gif  with  thes  caftelles  echon 
Off  vavuent,  Ayglon,  And  also  Meruent, 
5008  He  thahn  to  hold  in  hys  fubieccVon 
In  pees  w/t/?out  contradiccion  bent ; 
Anon  to  Eochel '  my  wife  wold  fo  went. 
For  gretly  of  hym  f  he  gan  fpeke  and  fay, 
5012  That  contre  he  fhold  iuftice  alway. 


Give  him  Parthe- 
nay,  Vouvant, 
Aiglon,  and  Mer- 
Tent,  and  all  the 
country  as  far  as 
Rochelle  ;  for  so 
Melusine  gave 
direction." 


I 


Hym  make  my  proper  enheritour, 
For  yut  fhall  he  be  wurthy  terrenly." 
Gaffray  AniVered,  "I  grant  to  will  your, 
5016  Alway  your  plefur  fhall  I  do  furely, 

Fidl  well  fhall  I  warde  my  brother  Thierry  ; 
In  that  doubte  ye  noght,  in  no  maner  point, 
Sin  ye  me  commaunde,  gree  to  fuch  a  ioynt." 


Geoffrey  pro- 
mises to  do  so, 
and  tells  his 
father  he  need 
not  fear  its  not 
being  done. 


R 


5020  ~T>Aymounde  his  ui[a]ge  Full  fafte  made  redy,    Raymond,  ail 
When  he  redy  Avas,  taried  ne  refte  ; 

Of  uitaill  and  wyn  toke  fufficiantly,2 

Al  hys  peple  commaunded  to  god  preft. 
5024  At  the  departfon  fughed  fore  in  brefte. 

Hys  leue  gan  he  take  with  amyable  loue  fine, 

Towarde  Rome  hys  way  hild  he  ftreight  As  lyne. 


being  made  ready 
for  his  journey, 

sets  off.    He 
takes  leave  of  his 
people  and  goes 
to  Rome. 


5028 


28  ^J 


Affray  and  Thierry  fuettly  on  the  way  [Foi.  or,  6.1 

Geoffrey  and 

long  fpace  and  tyme  thare  fader  conueing  ;   Thierry  go  with 


In  ther  forth-progreffe  told  and  faid  Gaffray, 
hou  that  good  helmas  the  full  noble  kyng 


their  father ;  and, 
on  the  road. 


1  MS.  "  Rachel." 


-  MS.  "  fufficianlily." 


174 


GEOFFREY    TELLS    RAYMOND    ABOUT    KING    HELMAS. 


Geoffrey  relates 
how  he  found 
good  king  Helraas 
within  the  rock. 


Within  the  Eoch  founde,   wher  non  durft  be 
comrayng 
5032  Enleffe  he  were  ftrong,  wurthy,  wyfe,  and  fage, 
And  that  iiiued  oute  of  hys  linage  ; 


and  how  he  had 
seen  Helrnas' 
tomb,  and  Pre- 
sine's  image  in 
alabaster,  and  the 
tablet  which  her 
hand  held. 


rpOlde  where  the  tombe  was  pight  and  fette  truly 
-*-   Vppon  thes  riche  and  gret  pilours  of  gold  ; 

5036  Of  prefine  told  he  alfo  veryly, 

Hou  f  he  portraed  was  in  being,  told  ; 

At  foote  of  helmas  tombe  hir  figure  vnfold 

Of  Alebaftre  compaffed  and  made  ; 

5040  And  of  the  tablet  that  f  he  hild  and  had  j 


Raymond  rejoiced 
to  hear  Melusine 
was  of  such  high 
descent,  and 
seemed  in  his  joy 
a  foot  taller. 
Afterwards  Geof- 
frey tells  about 
Presine's  gifts 


A  ]STd  then  all  that  hurde  Aboue  haue  ye. 
-*--*-  Eaymounde  reioyed  hys  Avife  doughter  was 
Off  fyre  helmas,  king  which  Gaffray  gan  fe, 
5044  And  of  prefine,  the  courtois,  full  of  grace  ; 
For  gladnes  A  foote1  in  liithe  gan  purchace. 
After  declaryng  went  by  witty  engine 
All  the  gyfftes  that  ther  gaf  prefine 


to  Melior.  Melu- 
sine, and  Palatine, 
and  how  Presine 
loved  Helmas 
dearly.    Ray- 
mond again  re- 
joices. 


U1 


5048  "ITnto  Melior  and  to  Melufine, 

And  to  palatine,  wemen  of  fayree  ; 2 
And,  As  men  Affermeth  by  fcripture  fine, 
That  Aboue  all  helmas  louid  hyly 

5052  Prefine,  aboue  wrete  verray  perfectly. 

"When  that  Gaffray  had  All  thes  thynges  faid, 
Eaymounde  hertly  glade  reioyng  that  braide, 


[Foi.  or  i 

Thus  his  two 
sons  brought  him 
on  his  way,  and 
bring  him  at 
night  to  his  lodg- 
ing. 


5056 


nnhat  Gaffray  gan  hire  voluntarily. 
-*-    After  thes  fones  too  hym  conueyng, 
With  hym  vppon  way  went  full  merily. 
At  nyght  when  thai  cam  vnto  ther  loging, 
Hys  fones  of  hym  the  morn  leue  taking, 


1  31 S.  "Afootc." 


3  MS.  "fayrcr." 


SOME    ACCOUNT    OF    THIERRY    OF    PARTHENAY. 


175 


5060  To-geders  killed  at  the  parting  leue, 

And  fo  the  mornyng  departed  in  breue. 


Next  morn  they 
take  their  leave. 


R 


Aymounde  ther  Fader  fped  hym  on  hys  way  ;  and  there  was 

great  weeping  on 

Ther  no  creature  but  watry  teeres  f  had ; 


5064  The  Fader  wepte,  the  fones  Als  that  day, 

Euery  of  thaim  in  mifery  had, 

Raymound  thens  went ;  Gaffray  Terry  with  hym 
lad, 

Thay  retorned  to  Approche  ther  home, 
5068  And  the  Fader  went  ftreight  forth  vnto  Rome. 


both  sides.    Then 
Geoffrey  and 
Thierry  went 
back ;  and  Ray- 
mond went  on  to 
Rome. 


R 


i  yght  thys  departed  ther  wais  thes  thre, 
Ther-thens  to  luiignen  went  Gaffray.1 
To  partenay  went  Terry  that  contre, 
5072  yonge,  lufty,  ioly,  inly  frefh  And  gay, 
Hardy,  niyghty,  fers,  entrepreignant  ay, 
To  ladies  iVete  was  amyable, 
huge  of  body,  wel  formed  As  man  able. 


Geoffrey  went  to 
Lusignan,  and 
Thierry  to 
Partenay.    A 
description  of 
Thierry. 


M 


5076  1  ,f  Any  were  ther  noght  with  hym  to  compare,    The  good  quail 

For  he  Was  An  in  beilteUOUS  fair  knvght  ;     are  here  enumer- 
ated. 

►Strong,  myghty,  wourthy,  And  light  to  declare, 
And  off  All  peplle  douted  was  he  ryght ; 
5080  !NTeuer  put  A-bake,  manly  was  of  myght ; 
A  notable  man  was  he  of  corage, 
A  good  werriour,  fubtile,  wife,  And  fage. 


DOubted  of  all,  wher  by2  fors,  were,  or  wit, 
Euery  man  obbeid  hym  lowly 
In  all  hys  marches,  where  wrong  or  ryght  were  it. 
In  noble  Bretain  gan  he  to  mary,3 
Affyed  and  fured  to  A  gret  lady, 
5088  Which  difcended  was  of  ryght  by  lynage, 
And  als  fhe  hauyng  full  huge  heritage. 

1  In  the  margin — geffrcy  lordoflusygnen  §  terry  lord  of  [partenay .] 

-  MS.  "wherby." 

3  In  the  margin — terre  maryd  a  lady  of  bretoyn. 


[Fol.  or  b  ] 

Thierry  married 
a  lady  of  high 
degree  who  came 
from  Britain,  and 
who  was  very 
wealthy. 


176 


GEOFFREY    REBUILDS    THE    ABBEY    OF    MAILLEZAIS. 


From  Thierry 
descended  the 
line  of  Parthenay, 
a  line  which  is 
still  distinguished 
for  virtue, 


TErry  feignoried  A  full  large  contre, 
Hattyd  of  no  man  ;  of  hym  gan  iffew 
5092  Of  pertenay  the  lyne  of  verite, 
As  in  this  hiftory  doth  to  enfew, 
Which  hyly  regneth  yut  in  huge  vertew  ; 
God  wold  fuch  heires  of  tham  fhold  come 
5096  That  the  line  noght  faill  to  the  day  of  dome  ! 


according  to 
Melusine's  pre- 
diction.   It  were' 
tedious  to  relate 
all  their  great 
deeds. 


Ryght  As  declared  And  fayd  Melufine 
That  the  faid  line  fhold  haue  long  endur- 
ance, 
And  that  thay  fhold  do  good  dedes  and  fine  ; 
5100  And  fo  haue  thay  done  wel  to  rememberaunce 
In  many  placis,  wherof  refte  I  this  inftaunce; 
Ouer  long  wold  be  to  declare  and  tell, 
Ther  wurthy  dedes  vnto  fay  or  fpell. 


Geoffrey  sent 
everywhere  for 
masons,  who 
rebuilt  the  abbey 
of  Maillezais 
which  he  had 
burnt. 


5104  f^i  Affray  tho  made  Aboute  for  to  fende, 


u 


Mafons  of  iche  fid  come  w/t/i-out  delay  ; 


He  rought  noght  what  theron  fhold  difpend, 
For  in  thought  wold  reftore  the  Abbay 
5108  Off  Maillers,  that  was  brend  Ipat  oder  clay. 
Off  euery  part  mafons  ther  comyng, 
Ther  wages  well  paid,  content  Jjaim  holdyng. 


[Fol.  98.] 
It  was  rebuilt  so 
as  to  be  fairer 
than  before :  so 
that  men  marvel- 
led, and  said  that 
Geoffrey  had  be- 
come a  monk  after 
all ! 


51 


»F 


Ourged  and  made  was  in  A  fomer  tide 
More  fairer  then  euer  it  was  before, 
Off  whom  men  fpeken,  talking  large  and  wide, 
Hym  ofte  mocking  And  faing  euermore, 
"  Gaffrey  is  become  A  monke  for  all  hys  lore, 
5116  Neuer  trowed  man  for  to  fe  that  houre 
A  wolfe  to  become  An  herdly  paftour  ! " 


I  return  to  Ray- 
mond, who  con- 
fessed all  his  sins 


T  leue  fball  Gaffray  ;  of  hys  fader  fay, 
J-    Which  to  Borne  to  the  holy  fader  came 
5120  Hys  confeffion  to  declare  alway  ; 


RAYMOND    PROMISES    TO    TURN    HERMIT. 


177 


In  conclufion  fpared  for  no  fhame, 
Neuer  no-thyng  hid,  out  all  gan  proclame. 
The  holy  fader  wondred  on  that  he  told, 
5124  Off  tho  nierueles  that  ther  gan  vnfold.1 


in  full  to  tin1  pope, 
who  wondered  at 
the  strange  things 

he  told  him. 


W1 


,  "herefor  fhold  I  hold  Ion"  tale  this  inftaunce?  and  appointed 

1/1/  Raymond  a 

For  his  fynnes  gaff  penannee  full  f  harpely.  penance,  which  he 
_  promised  to  per- 
il ay  mound  tlier  it  toke  to  right  gret  plefaimce,  form  before  re- 

,  _  •  •     o  it      i    3i  turning  to  Poitiers. 

512b  -Proinittyng  he  Avoid  do  it  lull  gladly 


Or  he  entre  wold  in  peyters  fuerly. 

To  hys  holy  fader  faid  with  all  his  hert, 

And  that  thens  wold  go  in-to  foni  defert, 


5132  n 


0  in  wild  exile  all  hys  lif  ufing  He  undertakes  to 

live  a  hermit's 

For  fair  MeluHne  Lis  loue,  wife,  and  fpoufe,  life  for  Meiusine's 

sake,  saying  that 

In  many  fomers  And  winters  being,  he  would  never 

force  t  licr 

"Which  that  he  hath  loft  "by  dedes  fhameuous, 


5136  And  ferpent  become  wondre  hiduous ; 
Sayng,  neuer  wold  hir  put  in  oblyuy 
Xe  in  that  contre  neuer  entre  furely, 


5140 


NEuer-For-neuer  in  hys  life  no  day, 
"Where  hys  fuete  loue  lofte  by  hys  owne  place  where  he 


[Fol.  98  6.] 
nor  return  to  the 


fpeche  ; 
"Wbich  in  oblyuy  with  hym  be  ne  may. 
This  holy  fader  gan  pray  and  befeche 
That  of  his  illes  he  wold  be  hys  leche. 
5144  The  pope,  that  time  named  and  called  lyon, 
Said  to  hym,  "  where  is  your  deuocion 


lost  her.    He 
craves  the  pope's 
pardon;  and  Pope 
Leo,  accordingly, 


F 


\Ov  to  go  and  do  ioyned  pennaunce  1 " 
Eaymound  Anfwered  as  man  deboner, 
5148  "At  Montfarrant  bide  is  my  hole  plefaunce, 
Ther  become  hermite  w/tA-out  any  retrayr, 
To  goddis  honour  And  feruice  repair. 


'MS. 


■l  vnfuld." 
12 


asks  him  \\  here  1  a 
thinks  of  going  to. 
Raymond 
answers,  "To 
Moutserrat  in 
Arragon,  where 


178 


RAYMOND    BECOMES    A    HERMIT    AT    MONTSERRAT. 


there  is  fair 
sojourning." 


Leo  bids  him  go; 
and  Raymond  sets 
off,  soon  coming  to 
Toulouse, 


For  ellefwhere  can  I  noght  me  hold, 
5152  Full  fair  fogernyng  ther  is,  me  is  tolde. 

There  is  A  deuoute  folitary  place." 
"  Go  l  where  plefe  may  our  f acred  lord  an- 

That  your  fauac/on  ye  may  purchace," 
5156  This  lion  the  pope  laid  to  hym  fuetly. 

In  href  terme  Raymound  parted  thens  truly, 
So  ftrongly  he  rode,  paifyng  forth  the  way, 
That  within  Thouloufe  cam  without  delay. 


where  he  bids 
adieu  to  his  men, 
sending  them  all 
home  except  a 
yeoman  and  a 
chaplain. 


51G0 


Full  moche  peple  Again  hym  tho  went ; 
He 


[e  ther  yeuyng  leue  to  hys  mayne  plain, 
Ech  fatefied  with  goodes  fufficient ; 
With  hym  A  preft  had,  An  honest  chapelain, 
5161  A  yeman  alfo  for  hys  owne  demain. 
More  liad  ne  toke  at  that  entreuall, 
Ther  unto  our  lord  commaunded  hys  rnew  all;2 


[Fol.  99.] 
Next  he  lias  her- 
mit's robes  made, 
and  goes  to 
Arragon,  and  so 
becomes  a  hermit 
at  Montserrat. 


Hi, 


Ermites  Robes  fidl  fafte  lete  doo  make, 
5168  -1-1-  In  Arrygon  toke  hys  logge  and  repair. 
At  the  Mont-farrat  manfon  gan  to  take, 
yilding  hym  hermyte  As  man  debonair, 
God  to  ferue  with  orifons  and3  praiers  fair  \ 
5172  Properly  to  take  for  hys  heritage 

his  by  ding  in  this  wild  montain  fauage. 


Itis  yeoman  and 
chaplain  lived 
with  him  there, 
and  thus  Ray- 
mond foi'sook  the 


~\T7"Ith  hym  hys  yeman  And  full  noble  preft 
"  "     In  this  hermitage  toke  habitacion, 
5176  With  full  greabill  hertis  in  ther  brefte, 
Ther  being  in  fore  huge  affliccnm 
long  time  and  fpace  with  good  deuocyon. 

1  MS.  "  So."     Fr.  text,  Alcz  y  done. 

At  the  bottom  of  the  page  is  the  catchword — "  Hermites  Robes 

full." 

3  MS.  "and  and." 


LA8T  DAYS  OF  COUNT  RAYMOND. 


179 


The  worle  all  forfoke  at  that  houred  ftound, 
5180  And  full  deuoutly  lined  ther  Baymound 


world,  and  lived 
there  devoutly 


rp  111  ende  approched,  to  mortall  deth  went. 
-*-    But  dais  thre  aforn  full  well  perceuyng 
Aboute  lufignen  to  vew  the  ferpent, 
5184  Where  lande  and  rent  Aforii  was  renonfmg ; 
Whom  moch  peple  ofte  haue  be  feing ; 
To  knowliche  nombred  mo  then  twenty 
That  of  Melufme  will  liurde  fay  truly — 


till  his  death. 
Three  days  hefore 
his  death,  the 
serpent  was  seen 
going  round 
Lusignan;  so  that 
more  than  l'0,  who 
had  well  heard 
Melusine  say 


5188  fTme  time  and  ceafon  departing  thaim  fro — 


T 


that  she  would 
thus  appear, know 

That  when  the  caftell  change  ther  lordes  f  hold,  thilt  they  are 

soon  to  have  a 

Aforne  Avoid  f he  appere  to  light,  lo  !  uew  lord. 


Thre  days  aboute  thys  faid  caftell  wold 
5192  Off  fair  lufignen,  full  beuteuous  hold. 

Wherefor  many  fain  in  ther  willd  reuell, 
"  After  appArens,  fhall  haue  A  lord  nouell." 


G  Affray  tho  lorde  of  this  faid  caftell, 
Which  fo  fair  was,  and  lord  of  contre  ; 
That  hy  honour  and  feignory  full  well 
Peubilly  in  pece  it  hold  gan  he. 
Tho  fro  Thouloufe  made  baronage  &  mayne 
5200  That  Baymound  with  hjm  lad  when  to  Borne 
went  ; 
Excepte  yeman  and  prefte  all  home  he  fent. 


[Fol.  99  b.] 
Geoffrey  was  then 
lord  of  the  castle, 
and  held  it  in 
peace.  Then  came 
to  him  the  barons 
whom  Raymond 
had  dismissed, 


rPhai  vnto  Gaffray  declared  and  told, 
-*-    The  trouth  and  verite  faid  thay  outerly, 
5201-  hou  his  fader  an  hermite  was  and  hold, 
And  hou  fro  tham  departed  wilfully, 
And  hou  his  goodes  parted  gentilly. 
Gaffray  vnderftode,  hys  brother  after  fend, 
5208  All  contre  to  hym  gan  he  recommend. 
12* 


and  told  him  how 
his  father  was  now 
a  hermit  and  had 
sent  them  home. 
Geoffrey  sends  for 
his  brother,  and, 
leaving  Lusignan 
in  his  charge. 


180 


GEOFFREY    IS    ASSOILED    BY    THE    POPE. 


departs  for  Rome, 
to  accomplish  all 
he  had  to  do.    It 
were  long  to  tell 
all. 


He  confessed  to 
the  pope,  and  was 
very  penitent  for 
the  wickedness  he 
had  done  in  his 
youth. 


[Fol.  100.] 
The  pope 
assoiled  him,  and 
charged  him  to 
rebuild  the  abbey 
of  Maillezais,  and 
fill  it  with  monks 
to  the  number  of 
120, 


and  so  to  endow 
the  abbey  that 
they  should  never 
lack  bread  or  wine. 
Geoffrey  promises 
to  do  this, 


and  says  it  is  be- 
Kiin  already.    The 


~|7iEo-thens  departed,  with  hyni  peple  few, 
-*-     Gaffray  the  corteis,  gentile  and  connyng.1 
lenger  wold  not  bide,  toke  hys  lene  by  rew, 
5212  hafted  to  coinplefh  his  dedes  doing. 

Mif  tre  ne  nede  non  more  be  declaryng, 
But  to  tary  time  and  long  wold  it  be 
Entry  thyng  to  put  in  hys  certainte. 

5216  "j  Tnto  the  pope  cam,  And  hyin  gan  confeffe 
^    With  gret  repentaunce  full  deuoutly ; 
Off  his  fynny  cr[i]me  lefte2  not  more  ne  leffe, 
Full  dolerus  was  and  repentant  truly 

5220  Off  his  wickedneffe  don  confentyngly, 

And  jxit  he  had  don  in  his  youthnelfe  foo, 
With  fore  hert  contrite  all  confeffed  thoo 

PEoperly  all  that  in  confcience  finde  myght. 
The  pope  aflb[i]led  hym  ther  benyngly, 
When  declared  hade  hys  dedes  vnperfight. 
To  fourge  the  abbey  charged  hym  gretly 
Off  Maillers  without  tarying  any, 
5228  Such  pennaunce  charged  hym  his  fynnes  fore, 
With  monkes  it  f  tuffe,  montance  of  fex  fcore ; 

With  rentes  endowing  to  haue  brede  and  wyne, 
That  lacke  and  faill  non  winter  ne  fomer 
tide 
5232  To  wat  neceffiite  or  nede  to  incline. 

Again  the  abbay  to  forge  loke  prouide, 
That  diftroed  haue  And  dif  herite  wide. 
Gaffray  anfwerd,  "fir,  I  fhall  do  all, 
523G  The  minftre  and  churche  appareill  fhall 

BEtter  then  euer  Appered  to  eye ; 
For  fothe  fhe   hath  A   good   commence- 
ment." 


MS. 


2  MS.  "  lefte."     Fr.  text,  laissa. 


GEOFFREY    GOES    TO    MONTSERRAT. 


181 


"yut  the  churche  ye  haue  ftroed  wickedly; 
5240  Agan  it  to  make  ye  niofte  be  deligent." 

"  Sir,  carpenters,  mafons,  yiftes  f  hall  hent, 
Ther  ftate  f  hall  remitte  to  our  lordes  grace ; 
More  fairer  fhall  be  then  euer  it  wace." 


pope  attain  charges 
him,  and  he 
promises  to  obey. 


5244   "  milys  refon,"  faid  the  holy  fader  at  ende,        The  pope teUs  him 

J  he  is  in  danger  for 

For  your  brother  foule  ye  be  in  danger  his  brothers  soul, 

because  he  burnt 
him  ;  and  that  he 

would  find  his 

When  thys  mynftre  and  fchurch  deftroed  there,  father  »t 

Montserrat. 

5248  And  yf  ye  of  your  fader  lufte  enquere, 


1 


That  ye  crufedly1  bruled  fo  and  brende 


At  mont-farrat  finde  fhall  b«t  man  of  fame, 
Which  noght  long  Agon  toward  vs  he  came, 


TErmite  is  become,  holy  lif  leding." 
5252  *-*■  Gaffray  vnderftode,  with  eyes  wepte  fore; 
Off  pope2  leue  toke,  to  monte-farrat  going, 
Strongly  rode  apace  beidy  euermore, 
Tdl  the  regiat  way  founde  hym  before, 
5256  But  Anon  As  he  app[r]oched  the  montain, 
Vp  went  he  andiy,  finding  Eaymound  plain, 


[Fol.  100  b.] 
Geoffrey  sets  off 
for  Montserrat. 
and  soon  finds  the 
highway  to  it.   He 
then  ascends  the 
mountain. 


ff 


"Is  bliffed  fayder  which  hurde  hym  Anon. 
When  hys  fone  he  faw,  gretly  reioying. 
52G0  After  Raymounde  Avoid  haue  departfon, 
But  gaffray  no  wife  wold  be  departing, 
But  faid,  ther  wold  bide  the  worle  enduryng, 
And  that  go  wold  quite  fro  the  heritage 
52G4  And  fro  All  hys  barons  homage. 


and  finds  Ray- 
mond.   Raymond 
is  glad  to  see  him, 
but  bids  him  go 
home  again. 
Geoffrey  refuses  to 
return, 


G 


Affray  was  ther  foure  or  fiffe  dais  tho, 


and  insists  on 

staying  four  or 

hys  fader  myght   noght  hym   do  torn  no  five  days;  but  at 
wife. 


But  ther  wold  dwell  hys  life  viing  alfo  ; 


Sic  in  MS. 


'  This  word  is  struck  out  by  mistake. 


182 


GEOFFREY    REBUILDS    MAILLEZAIS    ABBEY. 


last  consents  to 
return,  and  takes 
leave  of  his  father. 


5268  But  when  hys  fader  Avill  gan  aduertife,1 
Thens  to  lufignen  drew  by  good  auife 
"When  of  fader  had  leue  take  full  lowly, 
~No  longer  fogern  ther  wold  noght  truly. 


Returning  to 

Lusignau  he  calls 
his  barons  to- 
gether, who 
humbly  do  him 
homage  as  their 
lord. 


5272  TYThen  of  lufignen  the  faire  Cite  hent, 

'  »     After  the  Barons  fend  he  full  wyghtly, 
"Which  cam  Anon  at  hys  comniaundement. 
As  fone  As  thay  thes  wurdes  hurde  truly, 
5276  homage  gan  thay  do  to  hym  full  humbly, 

holdyng    hym   ther   lord    mofte    fouerain   jj«t 

houre 
To  full  huge  ioy  and  ryght  grett  honour. 


[Fol.  101.] 
He  then  rebuilds 
the  abbey  he 
destroyed,  and 
e  itablishes  there 
120  monks,  endow- 
ing the  abbey 
richly. 


rTuien  Maillers  f  [o]urged  and  made  new  again, 

5280  J-   The  faid  Abbay,2  beforn  gan  vndo. 
Ther  fex  fcore  nionkes  aftabled  certain, 
Ennobhng  the  place  ryght  wonderly  tho, 
huge  lande  and  rychelfe  endowing  therto  ; 

5281  Wher  night  and  day  monkes  pray  for  J>ls  lord, 
Tor  Meluline  and  Baymound  of  recorde. 


and  making  rich 
grants  to  it.    In 
course  of  time  he 
visited  Raymond ; 
for,  when  the  time 
of  Raymond's 
death  drew  near. 


Thay  haue  of  ryght  full  grett  enchefon, 
He  mortehng  goodes  fufon  and  plente. 
5288  Within,  proffeffe  uifete  hys  fader  anon, 
And  gentilly  hym  quite  at  J>at  affemble. 
Raymounde  leuyng  longe  ;  when  to  ende  nyhed 

he, 
That  the  foule  mofte  yelde  being  fpirituall, 
5292  (As  well  lordes  gret  as  tho  being  fmall), 


Geoffrey  remained 

al  Inline  no  longer, 
but  came  to  the 


T)  Aymounde  to  our  lorde  his  foule  ther  yilding, 
•*-*'  G  affray  no  lenger  tary  wold  ne  bide. 
For  when  hys  fader  dede  was  ther  faing, 


«MS.  "  aduerfite." 


2  MS.  "Ablay." 


THE  DEEDS  OF  THIERRY,  OEDES,  URIENS,  AND  GUV. 


183 


529 G  Vnto  mont-farrat  made  progreffe  put  tide, 
hys  fadres  fepulture  for  to  prouyde  ; 
Entered  in  Abbay  of  the  monte-Serrat, 
That  place  augmented  paftingly  put  dat, 

5300     i  nd  rentid  gretly  to  the  houfe  encreffe. 
-*--*-  he  was  he,  (you  fay  verray  certainly), 
That  euer  ther  was  mof te  chef  of  goodneffe ; 
hit  is  thing  Jwt  man  may  know  full  lyghtly  ; 

5304  Eyght  well  his  deuor  Gaffray  gan  do  furely. 
That  don,  retorned  the  mont-Serrat  fro, 
le[n]ger  wold  noght  bide,  to  luhgnen  went  tho. 

TErry  was  notable  And  a  full  good  knight, 
A  wurthy  man,  A  iufticere  full  grett, 
And  regned  after  pufantly  of  niyght. 
At  partenay  long  huge  wurf  hip  gett, 
Fair  dedes  gan  doo  in  his  time  full  fett, 
5312  In  pees  hys  contre  haldyng  full  manly, 

lSTon  durfte  hys  hefte  breke,  but  to  hym  apply. 


01 


^Edes  regned  in  the  marches  tho ; 
Sagilly  hym  ruled  to  intelligens ; 
5316  In  hys  tyme  full  grett  goodneffe  gan  he  doo. 
In  Cipres  regned  noble  vriens, 
The  Sarifms  werred  by  huge  uiolens, 
(Ny  neybours  were)  put  thaim  to  diftrucc/on, 
5320  And  off  thaim  made  full  gret  occifioii. 


abbey  of 
Montserrat  to 
provide  for  his 
father's  burial, 


and  made  grants 
to  that  abbey  also* 
Geoffrey  did  his 
duty  at 

Montserrat,  ami 
then  returned  to 
Lusignan. 


[Fol.  101  &.] 
Thierry  reigned 
at  Parthenay  long 
and  justly,  and  did 
fair  deeds.    None 
durst  break  his 
bests,  but  obeyed 
him. 


Oedes  (Eudes) 
reigned  sagely  in 
the  marches. 
Uriens  reigned  in 

Cyprus,  and 
warred  against  the 
Saracens  his 
neighbours. 


G1 


Vy  regned  and  was  king  of  hermeny ; 
Fidl  nobly  ther  lade  both  lande  and  contre ; 
hys  hones  makyng  Averre  times  many 
5324  Vppon  Sarrifins  which,  mifbeleued  be 
Vntill  \>at  thay  were  recreant  to  fee. 
Ther  had  no  farilln  but  full  fore  Jjani  drad,1 
So  theim  chaftifing  ther  will  noght  ne  had. 


Guy  was  king  of 
Armenia.    His 
heirs  warred 
against  the 
Saracens,  who 
sorely  dreaded 
them. 


JMS.  "draw. 


184 


THE  DEEDS  OF  RAYNOLD,  ANTHONY,  AND  RAYMOND. 


Raynold  was  king 
of  Brehaigne 
(Bohemia).     His 
heirs  reigned 
after  him. 
Anthony  was 
duke  of  Luxem- 
burg, 


5328     A  nd  Eaynold  alfo,  off  BreliAigne  kyng, 
-*--*-  hys  leuyng  regned  ryght  full  pufantly. 
After  hys  hoires  femblably  werkyng, 
Eegnyng  after  hyru  As  men  full  myghty, 

5332  And  welle  ther  contre  gouerned  dayly. 
Antliony,  the  Duke  of  lufembrough  tho, 
Many  townes  toke  And  Bourglies  alfo  ; 


[Fol.  102.] 
and  his  heirs  did 
fair  deeds.    Ray- 
mond was  earl  of 
Forest,  and  was 
much  beloved. 


A1 


Nd  tho  which  of  tham  difcended  liniall 
5336  -*"*-  In  ther  tyme  fidl  fair  dedes  gan  to  do, 

As  Avell  tho  grette  As  tho  litell  and  fmall. 

Eaymound  full  cherifly  was  hold  alfo, 

The  full  nobill  Erie  of  the  Eorefte  tho. 
5310  Thes  moche  conquered  of  fondry  regyons, 

And  thay  were  of  gret  poffeffyons. 


Thus  all  these 
brethren  bare 
them  well,  and 
prospered ;  all  ex- 
cept Horrible, 
who  had  been 
smothered,  and 
Fromont,  who 
had  been  burnt. 


0", 


thes  brethren  after  ther  hoires  were 
In  many  places  of  grett  wurthineffe, 
5344  And  all  thes  bretherin  full  well  gan  tham  bere, 
Huge  contre  conqueryng  by  ther  myghtineffe, 
Excepte  horrible,  diftroed  was  expreffe, 
And  Fromont  which  brennyng  gan  purchas, 
5348  Which  welle  wold  haue  do,  but  diftroed  was. 


All  these  were 
descended  from 
Raymond,  and 
bare  his  arms. 
To  this  day  the 
Cyprians  use 
"  Lusignan  "  as  a 
war-cry. 


Off  Eaymounde  iffued  All  tho  Aboue l  faide  ; 
Ther  iffue  cries  make,  and  ther  amies  bere  ; 
And  yut  the  Cipriens  at  ech  houred  braid 
5352  Alwais  crying  "lufignen  !"  awhere, 

And  will  whiles  the  worle  will  endure  here. 
Thay  were  good  knightes,  waillant  &  worthy, 
Entrepreignant  and  affaillyng  many. 


The  earl  of  Pem- 
broke in  England 
was  also  of  this 
line: 


5356  rPhe  full  noble  Erie  of  thaim  gan  difcend, 
-*-    Off  panebourght  in  Englande  enheritour, 
Wliich  gret  contre  and  lande  hym  fende. 
1  MS.  "  Aboute." 


THE   ROMANCE   OF   THE    SPARROW-HAWK    CASTLE.  185 

In  Arrigon,  tho  of  cambrere  bonour  *  as  also  the  lords  of 

5360  Off  the  firfte  Hue  were  difcended  that  houre,  Arragon. 
And  thay  cam  and  iffued  veryly ; 
Off  helmas  lioires  off  Albany 


I 


ffued  thys  line,  Melufme  tham  bare.  „  . 

J  [Fol.  102  b.] 


536-4    J-  Fromount    tber   brother   at   mailers   brend  But  Fremont  w*a 

buried  at  Mail- 
■\yaS  lezais,  where  also 

lies  Geoffrey 

And  ther  beried,  the  trouth  to  declare.  under  a  stone 

tomb.     Here  ends 

Gaffray  the  gentill  lith  in  that  place  this  part  of  the 


In  a  tombe  of  ftone  portraed  the  fpace. 
5368  Off  noble  Gaffray  refte  me  now  here  ihall, 
And  fay  of  hermyne  the  kynge  roiall. 


romance. 


A 


Fair  caftell  is  hade  in  hermyne, 

"Which  tho  off  Fairy  both  fourged  &  made.  romanoToUhe6 

5372  In  hermeny  the  gret  is  it  uerily,  SStetoSS 

Aj.1   •     T  Ti.  j.    l  i    •  l   v.     l  Armenia ;  where 

s  in  this  hiitory  told  is  and  hade.  knights  had  to 

The  Sperhauke  caftell  named  is  and  rad,  5K""*"  *"* 

"Where  it  behonith  to  wacche  nightes  thre 

5376  Without  Any  fompnolent  llepe  to  be. 


A 


nd  ho  accomplesh  in  J?«t  place  it  may, 
A  yifte  may  demaunde  and  it  liaue  he  f  hall  and  whoever  did 

»  "  so  might  ask  a 

Such  As  hym  lufte  to  demaunde  all-way,  boon  of  the  lady 

J  d  Mehor,  provided 

5380  So  demaunde  noght  hir  body  corporall  that  he  did  not 

*  ask  for  her  love. 

Which  dwellith  within,  thys  lady  roiall. 
Auife  hym  ryght  wele  hir  no  wife  defire, 
For  it  Aualith  noght  hyr  for  to  require. 

5384     A  nd  in  fompnolence  be  fo uncle  thyng  any, 

■*-*-  Tlier  finabilly  For  euer  ther  f  hall  dwell,        if  the  watcher 
"With  thys  fair  lady  ther  fortake  ueryly,  became  her 

"Which  gret  loos  and  prys  hath  fhe  foth  to  tell;  ever.^eUorVas 

5388  That  Mehor  was  called  fair  and  welle,  oaSer™6' 

Doughter  to  Prefme  of  the  fairy  lande, 
As  thys  hyf tory  doth  vs  vnderftande. 

1  In  the  margin — erle  of  'penbrok. 


18G 


ADVENTURE    OF    THE    KING    OF    ARMENIA. 


[Fol.  103.] 
There  was  then  a 
mighty  king  in 
Armenia,  a  fair 
knight,  who  un- 
dertook to  watch 
three  nights  at 
.Sparrow-hawk 
Castle, 


TX  hermeny  liade  tho  a  mighty  king, 
5392  -L   A  fair  knight,  long,  ftreight,  lufty  of  colour, 

With  tendre  youth  was  he  hote  being, 

And  als  was  of  full  worf hipfull  ualour. 

he  faid  wacche  wold  he  nightes  thre  or  foure 
5396  At  the  myghty  hold  of  Sperhauke  caftell, 

For  men  had  hyni  told  off  this  ftrenght  nouell. 


intending  after- 
wards to  demand 
a  boon.  So  lie  did, 
but  afterwards 
repented  of  his 
rashness.    He 
therefore 
departed, 


And  As  for  to  wake  ther  behouyd  he 
Which  the  yiff[t] '  conquere  of  uarray  fors 
fhohl, 
5400  Ther  he  faid  A  wold  wacche  full  nightes  thre 
And  after  A  yifte  ther  demaunde  he  wold  ; 
So  gane  2  he  do,  repenting  his  hert  bold. 
Anon  mad  his  way  Full  preft  and  redy, 
5404  Fro-thens  departed  w/t/i-out  reft  Any, 


declaring  that  if 
hi'  found  the  lady 
Melior  fair,  he 
would  ask  for  no- 
thing but  herself. 
Such  was  his 
foolish  resolve. 


SAing  that  he  wold  unto  thys  wacche  goo, 
That  notable  yifte  conquere  if  he  myght. 
So  if  thys  lady  faw  plefaunt,  fair  hym  to, 
5408  jSTore  other  yift  wold  defire  hym  to  dyght. 

But  for  noght  hys  thought,  folay  was  it  ryght, 
For  thys  lady  haue  myght  not  thys  man  fell 
For  fpoufe  ne  for  loue;  what  nedith  more  to  tell? 


Tims  came  he 
thither  on  St 
John's  day,  ami 
having  remember- 
ed to  bring  his 
tent,  pitched  it 
there  in  the 
meadow. 


5412  TN  hert  this  knight  rifen  fo  hafted  and  rood  ; 
-*-  When  ny  approched  and  to  fperhauke  came 
In  feint  John  his  night,  taried  ne  boode, 
To  body  therof  had  grett  ioy  and  game. 

5416  In  obliuy  noght  hys  pauilon  of  fame  ; 

Pight  And  ftreight  was  it  in  the  medew  tho. 
Armyly  parted  all  hys  peple  fro 


[Fol.  103  6.] 
Then  came  he  to 

the  castle-gate, 


rphys  corteys,  gentile,  and  thys  noble  knight, 
-■-    The  porte  and  gate  cam  of  this  caftell, 


5420 

1  Fr.  text,  U  don. 


2 MS.  "gain,"  altered  to  "gane. 


HE    ARRIVES    AT    SPARROW-HAWK  CASTLE. 


187 


In  hys  Land  halding  A  pece  of  flefh  (light,  holding  a  piece  of 

flesh  to  feed  the 

\\  lierw/t/i  the  fperhauke  thought  to  feed   full  Bparrow-hawk. 

There  saw  he  an 
"Wele.  old  man,  clothed 

in  white. 

In  this  caftell  law  on  go,  loth  to  tell, 
5424  A  man  clothed  white,  femyng  of  vifage 

That  he  was  to  light  full  ferre  ron  in  age  ; 


T 


^her  hym   demaunding   wat   thyng    \>ut 
fought. 

he  hym  Anfwered,  "  thys  here  demaunde  T, 
5428  The  couftome  of  this  nohle  place  wrought." 
he  faid,  "  come  ye,  of  goddes  part  an-hy  ! 
In  the  way  of  it  then  f  hall  you  put  furely 
Where  ye  fhall  finde  tliis  folain  auenturc, 
5432  Full  f trans  vnto  fight  of  ech  creature." 


lie    who  asked  him 
what  he  sought, 
and  next  offered 
to  show  him  thu 
way. 


T 


mys  good  man  before,  after  went  this  king, 
Afcending  vp  hy  ther  the  grees  all, 
Fro  tlie  hall  went  more  hyer  in  going. 
5436  Full  moch  merueled  thys  hy  kyng  roiall 
Off  the  grete  richeffe  apperyng  in  hall, 
And  of  the  nobleffe  that  in  f  tedes  founde, 
Gretly  commaundid  the  fightes  Jjat  ftound. 


Then  they  mount- 
ed the  steps  and 
entered  the  hall. 
The  king  marvel- 
led much  at  the 
wealth  he  saw 
there, 


5440  rrihe  Sperhauke  at  perche  to  fight  difplaid,  and  perceived  the 

■*■    Which  beuteuous,  fair, huge,  and  gentile  was.  htaperch.  Then* 

Thys  full  wurtliy  man  Aforn  ther  hym  faid, 

"  kyng,  vnderftand  me  here  a  litel  fpace, 
5444  Without  flepe  ye  moft  here  wak  m  this  place 

Thys  fperhauke  thre  days  &  nyghtes  thre  ; 

And  ye  mow  noght,  Alway  here  byde  niofte  ye 


said  the  old  man, 
"  King,  you  must 
here  watch  this 
sparrow-hawk  tor 

three  days  and 
nights. 


5448 


I 


ff  that  terme  ye  wake  and  J>«t  ye  flepe  noght,       rFol  104 , 
What-fo  ye  demaunde,  of  trouth  haue  fhal  ye,  jj  you  succe 


Off  ertlily  thinges  but  not  celeft  wrought, 
Excepte  the  body  of  thys  lady  fre ; 


nil  may  ask  a 
boon,  demanding 


188 


THE    KING    WATCHES   THE    SPARROW-HAWK. 


For  gold  ne  filuer  hir  liaue  may  not  be." 


any  earthly  thing 
save  lady  Melior's 

body."  5452  The  king  laid,  "  wold  wake    without    iompno- 


lence, 
To  fede  thys  fperhauke  do  my  deHgence." 


T 


he  kyng  toke  to  wrake,  And  faid  auife  wold 
"What  gift  wold  demaunde  After  nisdites  thre. 


The  king  said  lie 

would  watch,  but 

he  took  ill  counsel 

with  himself.  "  _  " 

Then  the  old  man     5456  111  concell  he  toke,  fucli  yift  demaund  fhold, 

departed. 

Whereof  il  Guerdon  therof  haue  f  hal  he. 


Thys  good  man  parted,  the  king  hood  Juparde, 
Wher  tho  his  behold  put  ententifiy 
5460  To  the  riche  nobleffe  that  he  faw  with  ey. 


The  king  watched 
all  that  day  and 
that  night,  feed- 
ing the  sparrow- 
hawk.     Seeing 
also  plenty  of 
food  and  wine, 


That  day  waked  he  And  also  the  night, 
In  gentile  difporte  to  hertys  plefaunce. 
He  ther  flepte  no  flepe,  manly  waked  ryght, 
5464  The  fperhauke  fagely  fede  by  gouernaunce, 
A  repafte  hym  yaf  wel  to  conyfaunce. 
Off  vitaill  and  wines  faw  he  gret  fuiion, 
Which  tho  was  had  in  this  garnyfon. 


he  took  a  repast 
of  fl  hat  pleased 
him.    Next  day, 
he  again  watched 
all  day  and  all 
night ;  and  the 
third  morning 
again  fed  the 
bird.    Seeing  a 
door  open, 


[Fol.  104  b.] 
he  entered 
another  chamber, 

which  was  full  of 
birds,  painted  in 
vermilion.    The 


5468  TTis  refection  gan  refceiue  and  take 

J- J-  Ther  of  by  and  has  at  his  owne  deuife. 
The  morne,  all  day  full  well  gan  to  wake 
And  all  night ;  the  morn  fed  ]>e  hauke  in  heft 
wyfe, 

5472  Hyt  pleafed  and  gladded  l  hertes  franchife. 
A  dore  faw  open  all  behinde  hys  bake, 
Pertly  entred  in  ;  of  nobles  ther  no  lacke. 

HE  neuer  beforne  faw  fo  huge  richeffe, 
W In 'rin  vnto  fight  briddes  were  many, 
Whi[_c]h  uermaill 2  colour  peynted  were  expreffe  ; 
The  chambir  peynted,  portraed  3  fref hly 
Aboute  the  walles  with  fine  gold  to  ey  ; 

1  MS.  "  gladdes."       2  MS.  "  mermaill."     Fr.  text,  vermeillon. 
3  MS.   "portarcd." 


HE    EXAMINES    THE    PAINTED    CHAMBER. 


189 


5480  Figured  kniglitis  were  emiironee, 

With  ther  Amies  peynted  as  thai  fhold  be 


portraits  were 
there  of  many 
knights, 


T 


o  that  refemhling  thes  figures  were.  and  under  each 

was  written  the 

Vnder  ther  names  wrete  w/t/t  letters  blake,  name  of  each, 

with  the  date  of 

5484  Where  the  fcripture  laid  right  in  thys  manere  ;    his  undertaking 

the  adventure,  and 

In  Inch  A  yere.luch  on  here  gan  to  wake,  how  he  failed, 

But  he  flepte  and  in  fompnolence  was  take  ; 
here  of-fors  he  mofte  byding  take  and  dwell 
5488  As  vs  to  honour  and  for  to  ferue  well ; 


W1 


rhere-hens  thay  f  hull  noght  depart  veryly 
Fro  '  thys  vnto  the  day  of  Iugement. 
Tlire  places  ther  were  appering  to  ey 
5492  In  thys  chambre,  had  full  conuenient, 

(Wherto  euery  man  myght  his  fight  hent), 
A  certain  Armes,  And  fuch  A  fcripture 
Vnder  writen  was  firefly,  he  ye  fure, 


and  had  to  remain 
there  till  the  Day 
of  Judgment. 
There  were  also 
three  places  where 
were  seen  three 
coats-of-arms, 


5496 


Where  this  fcripture  faid  full  merueloufly, 
(In  thys  caftell    here    wrete  with   letters  date wheneach of 


(I 

blake), 
In  fuch  yere  fuch  on,  the.  which  his  god  by 
Caufed  and  made  well  plainly  for  to  wake 
5500  Our  noble  Sperhauke  without  fompnolence  take  ; 
Hys  gift  therfor  had  by  full  gret  prudence, 
And  by  hys  good  notable  diligence. 


and  beneath  each 
was  written  the 


the  knights  under- 
took the  ad  venture 
and  succeeded. 


Allfo  thys  chambre  well  depeynted  was 
Ffro  foote  of  wallure  the  ouife  vnto, 
Which  deuided2  nacions  by  and  has 
And  thes  eftrange  regions  all  [-so]. 
Full  uaillant  and  wurthy  were  thys  men  tho, 
5508  Which  noght  ne  went  to  fumpnolent  fleping, 
But  myghtyly  And  pufantly  were  waking, 


[Fol.  m.i.] 
The  walls  of  the 
chamber  were 
painted  from  top 
to  bottom.    These 
three  knights  were 
valiant,  and  did 
not  go  to  sleep. 


i  MS.  "  For." 


-  A  mis-translation  ;  sec  Note. 


190 


THE    LADY    MELIOR    AT    LAST    APPEARS. 


The  king  mused 
on  these  things 
till  lie  almost 
slept;  then  fear- 
ing lest  he  should 
do  so,  retreated. 


The  third  night 
he  also  watched ; 
and  on  the  fourth 
morn  came  the 
lady,  clothed  all 
in  green. 


The  king  salutes 
the  lady,  who 
praises  him  and 
asks  him  what  he 
will  have,  for  she 
will  only  refuse 
him  one  thing, 


[Fol.  105  b.J 
which  she  will  not 
pay.  The  king 
thanks  her,  and 
asks  her  love.  She, 
greatly  angered, 
denies  him  flatly, 


and  bids  him  ask 
something  else. 


A3 


ISTd  the  giftes  all  therof  bare  Away. 
Thys  king  in  mufes  ther  was  full  ftrongly 
5512  In  the  nobleffe  of  this  caftell  alway, 

That  almoft  he  flepte,  hut  not  A-flepe  fully, 
For  Alway  waked  he  full  befily. 
Ther  vnto  deuife  Anon  toke  the  ufe 
5516  hou  he  myghtwell  ouermoche  tomufe  ; 

Uier-thens  departed  he  full  opinly. 
That  night  worthily  wacched  hys  perfon. 
To  hym  aniorn  Appered  full  erly 
5520  Thys  lady  clothed  with  grene  enuiron, 

With  lufty  frefh  colour  after  the  ceafon  ; 
For  rnoft  cheffeft  time  was  of  fomertide 
That  ther  hys  wacche  gan  fo  to  prouide. 

5524  T^ull  fuetly  the  kyng  hir  falute  And  gret, 

-A-  Which  was  hertly  glad  of  hir  good  corny ng. 
She  faid  hym  goodly,  "  non  myght  ther  no  hett, 
you  will  haue  a-quitte  As  in  your  waking. 

5528  rewarde  and  behold  what  gift  will  be  hauyng; 
Vnto  you  with-f&j  neuer  fhall  hire  me, 
Sauyng  And  excepte  only  o  gift  be, 


5532 


Wherof  the  dowte  ;  in  no  wife  fhall  pay. l 
Now  demaunde  and  afke  at   your   owne 
plefaunce." 
"  Graunt  mercy,  lady,"  the  king  hir  gan  fay, 
"  Certes,  fine  fwete  hert,  non  will  this  inftaunce 
But  your  body  ;  "  then  fhe,  Ml  of  noifaunce, 
5536  Hys  gift  plainly  gan  refufe  And  deny, 

Sayng,     "mufarde,    fole,    me  fhall    not    haue 
furely, 


s 


Om  other  yifte  demaunde,  afke,  or  craue ; 2 
For  ye  my  body  certes  haue  ne  may  ; 

1  In  the  margin — to  say  and  vne-say  is  the  propertie  of  a  woman. 
•  In  the  margin — mark  what  is  bc-tivene  truthe  and  vn-truthe. 


melior's  wrathful  rebuke  of  the  king. 


191 


5540  For  gold  ne  filuer  it  fhall  ye  not  haue." 
he  faid,   "  I  will  non  other  gifte  thys  day 
Then  yonr  body,  in  guerdon  to  my  pay. 

I  you  here  promife  if  it  haue  ne  fhall, 

5541  Other  gift  I  will  non  demaunde  at  all." 


But  he  reiterates 
his  request,  and 
will  have  no- 
thing else. 


rnHys  fair  lady  was  full  wroth  and  malice, 
-*-    Hym  ther  anfwered  w/t7?out  tariing, 
"  Certes,  if  ye  more  demaunde  in  fuch  wife 
5548  My  body  to  haue,  your  gift  fhall  be  leilng, 
And  fuch  mifchefe  therof  you  be  comyng 
"Wherof  ye  ne  fhall  neuer  come  to  ende  ; 
So  huge  heuineffe  to  you  fhall  difcende. 


She  is  very  angry, 
and  tells  him  that, 
if  he  persists,  he 
will  find  that 
great  mischief  will 
hefall  him, 


5552  TT^Or  that  roiall  rewme  which  in  hand  hold, 
-L     And  J>«t  ye  gouerne  now,  lo  !  prefently, 
Dif herite  fhall  be  your  hoires  manyfold, 
And  difcomflte  lefte  euerlaftingly." 

5556  He  ther  anfweryng,  "  be  it  witte  or  foly, 

you  will  haue  to  lone,  fin  yifte  me  haue  yif  on, 
I  wrill  no"ht  defire  non  other  guerdon."  ' 


for  that  he  shall 
lose  his  kingdom, 
and  his  heirs  shall 
be  disinherited. 
He  again  says  he 
will  have  nothing 
else. 


FOltifh  muferde,"  faid,  "  of  itt  f halt  thou 
fail], 
5560  Outerly  haft  loft  thy  quarell  to  craue ; 

Other  gift  here  hens  fhall  by  no  gouernaill ; 
Then  grett  mifchaunce  to  purchace  and  haue; 
The  difceiueth  tliy  cautels  in  hert  graue, 
5564  Which  the  fo  meueth  with  Ml  grett  folay; 
Now  leue  thi  defire,  auail  the  ne  may. 


[Fol.  106.] 
"Fool,"  says  she, 
"  thou  hast  lost 
all ;  thy  trickery 
deceives  thee,  and 
moves  thee  to 
folly. 


THy  man  to-auaunce,  by  hys  folay  rage 
Lefmg  liis  lady  in  loue  amerous, 
5568  By  his  gret  folay  and  cruel  outrage, 
For  that  growen  is  fo  coragious; 
Meluline  b«t  Eaymouwd  gan  to  efpous, 

1  In  the  margin  —  truthe,  thouge  yl  teas  vnto  his paync  and 
vnto  /tis  vter  vndoynge. 


Thine  ancestor,  by 
his  folly,  lost  his 
spouse.    His  name 
was  Raymond, 

and  he  espoused 
Melusine.  » 


102 


MELIOR    TELLS    HIM    OF    PRESINE  8    ENCHANTMENT. 


King  Guy,  from 
whom  thou  art 
descended,  was 
my  nephew.     We 
were  three  sisters, 
and  enclosed  our 
father  Helmaa 
within  a  rock, 


because  he  broke 
his  oath  made  to 
our  mother  Pre- 
sine.  And  when 
we  had  done  this, 


[Fol.  IOC  &.] 

our  mother  was 
angry  with  us, 
and  made  me 
watch  tliis  spar- 
row-hawk here, 
without  ever  de- 
parting hence. 


The  ring  on  finger  fettyng  of  recorde, 
5572  Which  fhe  had  fo  made  na where  gretter  lorde. 

THe  kinge  Guy,  of  whom  thou  difcended  ert, 
Was  my  neuew,  vnderftande  thys  cas. 
Suftres  thre  we  he,  y  ly  you  noght  at  hert, 
5576  Which  for  finne  and  crime  of  the  kyng  helmas, 
Our  fader,  Tpat  we  clofed  hy  and  has 
With-in   the  gret  Eoche   which   he   hym-felfe 

made ; 
Oth  to  our  moder  and  pat  hroken  had, 

5580  TTTHych  tho  called  was  the  lady  prefme, 
"  '     In  Gefian1  no  wife  fhold  liir  hehold; 
hir  defire  to  kepe  wold  hy  no  couyne, 
And  ther  he  hir  faw  ryght  as  I  haue  told  ; 

5584  For  that  of  hir  and  vs  loft  hath  the  hold. 
And  when  enclofed  within  was  fully, 
In  the  Eoche,  As  well  As  thought  vs  only, 


0' 


Uur  moder  therfor  was  wroth  and  malice. 
Ther  f  he  me  made,  hy  werkes  of  fairy, 
This  fperhauke  to  kepe  in  tliis  maner  wife, 
And  without  euer  to  uoide  hens  truly. 
But  the  For-takyng  left  to  me  only ; 
5592  That  was  the  gifte  that  fhe  gaf  to  me 
In  hir  malice,  wreth,  and  ill  cruelte.2 


To  Melusine  she 
pave  the  property 
of  becoming  a  ser- 
pent every  Satur- 
day, as  a  punish- 
ment. 


A  nd  after  fhe  gaff  vnto  Melufine, 

-£*-  My  fufter,  Avhich  was  A  madyn  ful  fare, 
5596  A  gift  to  endur,  neuer  determine, 

Whilis  the  worlde  lafte  neuer  make  retrair ; 

The  fetterday  vnto  A  ferpent  repair. 

Off  trouth  it  is  fo,  like  As  I  you  fay  ; 
5600  Eaymound  breke  his  othe  and  loft  hir  for  ay. 

1  MS.  "  Scfian." 
2  In  the  margin — the  losce  off  a  Fayre  lady. 


MELIOR    FORETELLS    THE    KING'S    MISFORTUNES. 


193 


F 


\Ov  hir  fhokl  not  fe  the  fetterday  nowyfe, 
Folily  tho  faw,  loft  lib?  company  ; 
Wlierfor  diftreffed  ftrangely,  to  denife, 
5604  lie  And  hys  line  fille  ;  neuer  creffed  hy  ; 
Thys  toke  thay  a  fall  yut  to  fight  of  ey. 
Paleftine  my  fuftre,  yongeft  to  fnrmitte, 
At  qnonig  montain  in  Arragon  f  hitte 


Her  husband  was 
never  to  see  her 
thai  day,  but  he   . 
broke  iiis  oath. 
Palestine,  my 
youngest  sister,  is 
in  a  mountain  in 
Arragon. 


5608  As  long  As  thys  wordle  hath  endnrannce, 
-£*-  Fro  thys  hy  montain  neuer  put  Away. 
Ther  fhall  warde  and  kepe  the  trefour  m  fub- 

ftaunce 
Off  kyng  helmas,  our  fader  that  day. 

5612  Thys  our  moder  ordained  w/t7iout  delay. 
But  thys  to  conquere  may  non  by  engine, 
But  difcended  be  of  kyng  helmas  line. 


There  she  keeps 
watch  over  King 
Ilelmas'  treasure, 
which  none  but 
one  of  our  lineage 
may  win. 


NOw  knowitk  thys  then,  difcended  ye  be. 
yff  that  my  wurdes  vnderftande  well  do, 
Meue  ne  ftore  l  fhokl  no  fuch  aduerfite 
As  of  my  body  hauyng  wif  you  to. 
That  which  your  is  noght  ye  will  hold  fo, 
5620  By  pat  you  may  come  full  huge  ill  and  pine, 
To  you  and  to  all  youres  of  your  line  ; 


[Fol.  107] 
You  ought  not 
then  to  wish  to 
have  me  to  wife. 
Owing  to  this,  you 
shall  suffer  great 
misfortune, 


I 


doubte  me  ryght  noght  thai  fhall  gett  a  fall,  and  your  suc- 

For  tho  fhall  fuccede,  after  you  command,  their  kingdom. 

5624  holdyng  your  Kewme  by  fors  of  werre,  and  fhall  shall  bear  the 

tt>i/>         j.it-1  11/-.L111  name  of  the  king 

knleling  the  liewme  and  alio  the  lande.  of  beasts. 
And  he  which  lafte  fhall  leue  it,  vnderftand, 
Of  A  befte  the  name  fhall  he  be  bering, 
5628  Which  off  all  other  is  the  brutall  kin£. 


R 


yght  thys  fhall  it  be,  beleue  it  full  well, 
For  certes  off  this  I  ly  you  no-thyng ; 


Thus  shall  it  be. 
But  for  your  folly, 
you  might  have 


1  "ftere."  (?) 
13 


194: 


THE    KING    IS    "  ANOINTED  "    BY    UNSEEN    HANDS. 


had  a  blessing ; 
but  now  shall 
you  receive  a 
curse." 


For,  fir,  ne  had  be  thi  foule  corage  fell, 
5G32  And  thy  grett  folay  -with  thine  outraging, 
your  unthriftineffe  and  curfed  leuyng, 
lo  !  ye  fhold  haue  had  benedicci'on  ; 
And  now  ye  f  hall  [haue]  nialedicc/on. 


Then  Melior 
vanished  away; 
and  great  mis- 
chance happened 
to  this  king. 


5636 


PArt  to  you  here,  where  that  ye  f  hall  haue 
S 


Such  thing  that  ye  percas  fele  now  fhall." 
The  kyng  vnderftode  fuch  happe  niyght  not  faue ; 
But  f  he  uoided  thens  er  that  it  gan  fall, 
5640  And  uanifhed  Away  fro  ther  fightes  all. 
I-now  fhall  he  haue  of  f hamfull  noifaunce, 
Anon  it  happned  to  hym  gret  mifcaunce. 


[Fol.  107  6.] 
He  was  beaten  on 
the  haunches, 
sides,  legs,  arms, 
unil  head,  so  that 
he  came  to  a 
"  hard  fast,"  and 
felt  the  strokes  on 
his  chine. 


Ho  cried  for 
mercy,  and  fled, 
being  well 
anointed,  and 
having  no  sleeve 
or  rag  whole  on 
him. 


THere  fmeten  was  hanches  and  fides  vppon, 
Als  vppon  legges,  amies,  and  hede. 
To  herd  faft  tho  cam  in  conclulion  ; 
his  opinion  !  right  noght  went  in-ded, 
"Well  felt  the  ftrokes  on  the  chineffe  bred. 
5648  All  the  fkyn  tho  was  torn  and  to-rent, 
Many  ftrokes  had  ryght  full  violent. 

"  A  las  !  "  he  faid,  "  for  goddis  loue,  mercy  ! 
-£*-  leue  off  me  now,  or  truly  am  dede  ! " 
5652  Then  thay  put  hym  hout,  the  kyng  Away  fly, 

Which  fo  well  was  Anoyntecl  indede, 

That  no  fleue  ne  pane  had  he  hole  of  hrede. 

The  kyng  went  hys  way,  hym-felfe  auaunfing, 
5656  In  the  fair  inedew  liis  peple  fynding. 


Tlis  people  asked 
him  how  he  had 
sped,  and  if  ho 


Ther  hym  demaunding  hou  Jjat  he  had  do, 
(For  off  his  dedes  ne  knew  thai  no-thing) ; 
Hou  he  had  fped,  And  were  wel  wacched  to 
5660  Without  fompnolence  or  any  flepyng, 


MS.  "  opunion.'^ 


MISFORTUNES    CAME    UPON    HIM    AND    ALL    HIS    RACE. 


195 


Beforne  this  gentill  Sperliaiike  being. 

The  kyng  anfwerd  without  mifded  fine, 

"  For  foth,"  faid  he,  "  to  my  ille  Auenture  !  " 

5664  rriO  diHoge  tham  made  quikly  and  lightly, 
■*-   To  fe  cam  anon,  ryding  A  ftrong  pas. 
Into  A  fair  barge  the  kyng  went  lightly, 
he  and  hys  peple  ;  no  tarying  was. 

5668  To  vnarme  hym  the  kyng  made  in  fat  place. 
Wonderful!  fortune  had  he  in  the  fe, 
But  not-withftandyng  ftrongly  rowede  hee, 


mi 

5672   -*- 


hat  in  f  hort  bref  time  at  port  gan  Ariue 
At  hauyn  of  Crius,  into  hermeny. 
The  kyng  iffued  fro  liis  nauee  bliue. 
long  wold  it  be  Al  to  rehers  only, 
But  unto  decline  went  he  forth  dayly. 
5676  Many  tymes  after  curfed  the  day 
That  in  Melior  had  put  his  loue  ay. 

PErceued  it  was  by  hys  owne  defert, 
Saw  he  and  his  land  fhold  be  difherite, 
5680  Exile  and  deminute  by  his  dedes  fmart. 

"When  fro  the  worlde  cam  in-to  ending  plite, 
A  kyng  after  hym  regned  in  J? at  fite, 
Which  be  half '  was  wurfe  in  hys  gouernaunce, 
5684  And  nyne  hoires  after  like  wife  in  fubftaunce. 


T 


had  kept  good 
watch.    He  re- 
plied that  he  had 
fared  ill. 


Then  rode  they  to 
the  sea,  and  took 
ship,  where  the 
king  took  off  his 
armour.    Then 
rowed  he  strongly, 


[Fol.  108.] 
so  that  he  soon 
arrived  at  a  haven 
of  Armenia. 
From  that  day  his 
fortunes  declined. 


He  was  well  aware 
it  was  all  his  own 
fault.  After  him 
reigned  another 
unfortunate  king, 
and  after  him  nine 
others. 


may  loft  ther  lande  and  all  ther  hauour, 
Inclinyng  and  comyng  vnto  mifchaunce. 
On  of  thes  kynges  cam  to  Fraunce  ]>at  houre, 
5688  So  fro  hermeny  chaced  in-to  Fraunce, 

Full  long  the  kyng  ther  gaf  hym  fuftinance  ; 
At  Parys  died  As  happned  the  cas, 
At  the  celeftines  entered  he  was. 

5692  f\S  hys  dedes  non  enquere  will  take, 

^  hys  men  clothed  white,  (As  of  this  kyng  fre), 

1  IMS.  "behalf."     Fr.  text,  la  moitie. 
13* 


They  at  last  lost 
all.    One  of  them 
came  to  France, 
died  at  Paris,  and 
was  buried  in  the 
Celestiu  convent. 


His  men  wore 
white  at  the 


196 


THE    ROMANCE    OF    THE    LADY    PALESTINE. 


funeral ;  not  black 
as  men  do  in 
France.     This  is 
no  jape,  but  true. 


Which  in  fraunce  were  wont  life  clothes  blake, 
It  is  no  iape,  it  is  trouth  to  fee. 
5696  Clothes  blake  comyn  thing  vfetl  [be], 
As  Avell  an  hundred,  perfones  As  on, 
Ther  clerly  perceiiiecl  may  it  he  Anon. 


[Fol.  108  6.] 
People  wondered, 
not  being  used  to 
ic;  why  they  did 
it  I  know  not.  I 
now  come  to  speak 
of  Palestine. 


At  hys  enterment  for  hym  fo  was  doo, 
Wherof  moche  peple  ther  ahaf  hed  were ; 
For  that  nener  before  fain  was  to  do  fo  ; 
"Wherfor  it  gan  do  certes  wote  I  nere. 
Off  Sperhauke  caftell  the  maner  lene  I  here, 
5704  And  begyn  to  fpeke  of  this  damycell, 
The  fair  Paleftine,  fomwat  of  hyr  fpell. 


She  was  shut  up 
in  a  place  in  Arra- 
gon,  where  she 
wards  her  father's 
treasure ; 


which  none  shall 
win  except  he  be 
of  her  lineage. 
The  chronicle 
treats  this  story 
briefly. 


N' 


"Ow  will  I  declare  of  fair  Paleftine, 
The  fwctte,  the  curteys,  gentile  mayden  fre  ; 
5708  In  Conqs  is  fhitte  by  carfty  l  engine 
"W7t7dn  Arragon,  that  noble  contre, 
Where  that  hir  faders  trefour  wardeth  fhe 
At  hir  moder  heft  and  commaundement. 
5712  ho  it  may  conquere,  take,  other  hent, 

The  lande  of  promiffion  f  hall  conquere. 
But  fat  trefour  conquered  f hall  not  be, 
But  of  hyr  line  difcended  and  borli  were. 
5716  A  liteU  fhall  fay  of  Paleftine2  fre, 

Brefly  and  f hortly  palfe  forth  here  will  me ; 
For  the  Cronike  doth  treteth  3  this  brefly, 
More  ferther  wold  go,  mater  finde  might  I. 


I  only  put  down 
what  it  says,  in- 
venting nothing. 
Now  I  return  to 
Palestine,  who  is 
in  the  high  moun- 
tain. 


5720 


TEre  fay  and  declare  after  Jwt  haue  found e. 


Of  nouel  thinges  to  our  difcipline 
•    No-thing  I  fynd  at  no  tydy  ftounde. 
Petorfl  fhall  Again  to  fair  Paleftine, 
5724  Which  to  that  place  deftened  by  Prenne  ; 
1  Sic  iu  MS.        3  MS.  "  rolcftinc."        »  Sic  in  MS 


ADVENTURE   OP    THE    ENGLISH    KNIGHT. 


197 


Iii  the  hy  montain  Aboue-faid  Ipe  lite, 
Where  many  A  cruell  ferpent  enhabite. 


5728 


28  A 


Man  may  not  into  that  montain  go,  [Foi.  109.] 

Many  men,  both 

That  men  f  hall  not  finde  to  Avhome  for  to  stem  aud  meek, 

went  thither,  but 

fpeke. 


Many  A  knyght  hath  paffed  it  into, 
In  fomer,  winter,  hoth  ftourne  men  &  meke. 
But  non  retourned,  ne  myght  thens  to-hreke, 
5732  Iff  in  that  montain  longe  time  fogerned, 
But  that  he  were  ded  or  foule  deftroed. 


nunc  returned; 
all  were  foully 
destroyed. 


S' 


1 0  As  in  fcripture  I  may  fynden  right, 
Off  worthy  knyghtes  fidl  many  ther  were, 
5736  Myghty,  ftrong,  fers,  And  men  beyng  light, 
Thys  faid  gret  trefour  went  for  to  conquere  ; 
But  no-thyng  myght  thai  no  wife  acquire  there  ; 
In  An  ill  hour  vnto  Jjc/t  place  went, 
5740  For  neuer  after  Again  retourn  hent. 


There  were  many 
men  who  sought 
to  win  that  trea- 
sure, but  could 
get  nothing. 
None  returned. 


r 


"N  Englande  A  knight,  mighty  and  pufant, 
Which   of  knyghtly  were  moche  knew  to  deelsof 
auaill, 
A  gentile  knyght,  was  worthy  and  uaillant, 
5744  Which  in  knightly  werke  neuer  gan  to  faill, 
Army  dedes  gan  do  in  plate  and  maill ; 
A  full  goodly  knyght,  manly,  debonair, 
With  wurthy  knyghtes  taught  was  he  full  faire 


5748 


TIST  the  hy  court  of  noble  king  Arthure, 


Where  knyghtes  were  taught  uertu  perfectly. 
Off  Triftram-is  line  was  hys  engendrure, 
Which  fiat  whilom  had  full  gret  feignory. 
5752  Aboute  Arthure  was  yeres  Ml  thirty, 

Off  that  Am  not  I  untrew  ne  lefingour ; 

He  hurde  fpeke  and  talke  of  this  huge  trefoure. 


There  was  in  Eng- 
land a  mighty 
knight,  who  did 
anus  in 
plate  and  mail ; 
who  was  brought 
up 


in  Arthur's  court, 
and  was  of  the 
lineage  of  Tris- 
tram.  This  knight 
heard  of  this  trea- 
sure. 


198 


DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    SERPENT  IN    ARRAGON. 


[Fol.  109  6.] 
and  said  he  would 
win  it,  and  the 
Land  of  Promise 
afterwards. 


T)romefTe  ther  he  made  to  that  montain  go, 
5756  -*-     Which  by   manly   ftreught   many  thinges 
wold  don  ; 

This  full  riche  trefour  thought  he  conquere  tho. 

After  he  went  into  pat  region, 

And  into  the  lande  of  promiffion  ;  l 
5760  Thought  vnto  conquere  all  the  hole  contre, 

With  ftreught  of  fwerde  therto  apointed  he. 


He  departed 
thence  on  a  Tues- 
day, riding  mer- 
rily to  Arragon. 
He  had  only  one 
page  with  him. 


This  knight  was  full  good,  manly,  and  hardy  ; 
Ther-thens  departed  on  A  tewfday, 
5764  Into  Arragon  riding  merily. 

With  hym  was  but  a  litill  page  on  way, 
No  more  felawfhip  had  hym  to  conuay, 
So  he  went  and  rode  hys  iourne  anon 
5768  That  he  ariued  into  Arragon. 


Within  the  moun- 
tain dwelt  a  ser- 
pent, a  hideous 
monster,  whose 
paunch  was  as  big 
as  a  wine-tun. 


rpile  Monte  demaunded,  men  hym  f hewed  tho, 
-■-   Where  within  had  was  A  monftre  hycluous, 
Merueloufiy  fers  and  orgulous  to, 
5772  Aboue  all  other  wormes  moft  perilous  ; 

hys  panche  As  A  pipe  hug  and  comerous  ; 
Fro  A  caue  noght  meued  by  no  gouernail, 
Off  liir  uninete  hugenelfe  is  "ret  meruaill. 


It  had  but  one 
ear,  and  no  nos- 
trils, and  only  one 
eye,  which  was  a 
yard  long.    Its 
breath  came  out 
at  its  ears. 


5776  T)ut  on  ere  hath  noght  this  monftrous  geft, 
-*-'  ~Ne  noftrelles  non  appering  in  bed. 
Thys  wonderfull  and  meruelous  beft 
Ne  but  on  ey  hath  middes  the  forehed, 

5780  Which   thre   fote   ny  hath,  wat   in  lenght   & 
bred. 
hir  breth  by  the  ere  hath  ther  iffew  oute, 
Wherof  all  the  wordle  2  foumieth  all  Aboute. 

^IS.  "  proniffion." 

2  MS.  "  wordley."    The  translator  was  thinking  of  moncle ;  but 
read  "mount;"  Fr.  text,  numt. 


PALESTINE  S   TREASURE,    HOW    GUARDED. 


190 


ALway  in  ilepe  this  curfed  cruell  fend. 
When  that  he  rowted,  thing  litell  or  grett 
In  this  faid  cane  is  felonefly  tende, 
Wliere  the  ryght  wone  '  was  of  Paleftinc  fett, 
Warding  thys  trefonr  hy  kyng  helmas  get, 
5788  By  Iugement  of  hyr  moder  faid. 2 

The  dore  to  the  cane  myghty  ftrong  was  had, 


[Fol  no.) 
It  always  Blept ; 
and  when  it 
snored  everything 

near  it  was  dis- 
turbed. Here 
dwelt  Palestine. 


w 


'ith  yren  bondes  at  entre  of  Jns  cane, 

Wliere  this  riche  trefonr    fhitte  &  made 
faft  was  • 
5792  Which  nener  was  nnfhitte  entre  to  hane, 

For  the  warde  had  this  monftre  in  Jwt  place. 
To  entre  therby  non  dnrft  for  hir  manace, 
P»nt  iffued  be  of  helmas  linage, 
579G  Which  aforn  haue  faid  in  my  rude  langage. 


T 


Ihys  lady  prefine  ordaned  alfo, 
When  to  hir  doughtres  thes  gyftes  gif  had, 
Thys  caue  enmyddes  thys  faid  montain  tho, 
5800  Wher  moche  peple  were  to  perifhing  lad. 
Of  caues  and  dich.es  vnder  I-now  made, 
Full  of  ferpentes,  inly  perilous, 
And  vrith  other  places  full  meruelous. 


The  monster 
guarded  the  cave's 
door,  where  the 
treasure  was  shut 
in.    None  but  one 
of  Ilelmas'  line 
could  enter. 


Here  many  men 
perished.    The 
ditches  round 
about  were  full 
of  sei  pente,  very 
dangerous. 


5804  fTlhen  ho  wold  it  go,  of-fors  moft  paffe  by. 
-*-   But  neuer  man  J>«t  place  ne  ftede  went 
That  fogeme  wold  ther  for  thyng  any, 
But  fat  men  thaim  faw  anon  to  retorn  bent. 

5808  Thys  mont  had  but  a  fory  path  to  hent, 
ful  litell  and  ftratte  was  it  vnto  fe, 
To  gon  vp  an  by  ther  had  miles  tlire ; 


581 


3w 


No  man  went 
there  but  he  soon 
came  back  again. 
The  path  up  the 
mountain  was 
very  narrow  and 
three  miles  long, 


Hich  behouid  go  withe-out  reft  any,  [Fol.  no  6.  i 

Men  had  to  go  np 

DOT    where   mail    to    lltte    A    place  lhold   without  resting; 


not  fe, 
1  MS.  "lone  ;  "  but  Fr.  text,  la  propre  dem  an  . 


»«fid"(?) 


200 


THE    ENGLISH    KNIGHT     ASCENDS    THE    PERILOUS    PASS. 


for  there  was  no 
place  to  sit  down 
except  one  sat  up- 
on serpents. 


Enleffe  vppon  ferpentes  fate  truly  ! 
And  Infinite  was  of  thaiin  fuche  plente. 
For  dred  of  that  fende  unhabite  be  contre  ; 
5816  Off  thys  ftrange  monftre,  declared  &  faid, 
Thys  hane  it  founde  in  writing  difplaid. 


This  knight  came 
riding  thither,  at- 
tended only  by  a 
page.    When  he 
drew  near  the 
place,  he  met  a 
man, 


"YTOw  f  hall  come  Again  to  bat  wurthy  knight, 
-L  '    Which  ther  cam  ryding  A  courfire  vppon  ; 

5820  Alone  his  uiage,  fauyng  A  page  ryght, 

Thys  good  knight  w/tftout  reproche  of  perfon  ; 
When  thys  montain  approched  ny  to  gon, 
A  good  man  be l  fund  enmeddis  the  way, 

5824  Which  to  this  montain  hym  gan  he  conuay. 


who  led  him  to 
within  a  mile  of 
the  place,  and 
then  left  him  to  go 
on  alone,  showing 
him  the  path 
whence  none  re- 
turned. 


SO  when  that  he  was  A  mile  of  certain, 
Then  vnto  hym  faid,  "  no  nerre  will  I  go ; 
Sir,  be-hold  yande  that  hiduous  montain. 
5828  lefe  will  I  ne  wyn  ;  fre  knyght,  go  ther-to." 
The  path  hym  f  hewed  wherby  moft  go  tho, 
Fro-whens  2  neuer  cam  Again  here  no  wight 
For  foth  at  no  day  vnto  mannys  fight ; 


His  guide  depart- 
ed, and  the  knight 
rode  on.     At  the 
mountain  he  dis- 
mounted ami  gave 
his  page  the  rein, 
and  bade  him 
wait ; 


5832     A  nd  yut  hath  ther  be  men  mo  then  twenty. 
-£*-  hys  gidour  ne  wold  lenger  fogern  3  plain, 
Fro-thens  4  deperted,  retornyng  wightily. 
Thys  knyght  fo  rode,  he  cam  to  that  montain. 

5836  Ffro  courfer  lepte  don,  hys  page  toke  be  rain. 
Firmely  commaunding  hym  f  hold  there  abide, 
Noght  Fro  horfbakke  go  till  he  cam,  no  tide.5 


[Fol.  111.] 
though  he  only 
had  to  wait  in 


"Dut, 

JJ  y 


Kit,  certes,  for  noght  there  Abide  fhold  he, 
5840  ■*-*  Full  well  myght  he  lete  hys  hors  to  pafture  ; 
For  neuer  his  maifter  Again  fhold  fe. 

i  "he"  (?)  2MS.  "For  whens." 

3  MS.  "  fogren."  4  MS.  "  For  thens." 

5  At  the  hottom  of  this  page  is  the  catchword  : — 
"  But  certes  for  noght  there  Abide." 


HE    KILLS    A    SERPENT    AND    FIGHTS    A   BEAR.  201 

This  kniglit  departed  to  this  auenture,  vain.  The  knight 

commendshlmaelf 
lo  god  commaunding,  bliihng  hys  figure  ;  to  God,  and  enters 


5844  Entring  within  this  narew  path  Jwt  ftoimde, 
That  dais  of  lif  neuer  fuch  on  f  [o]und. 


the  path, 


E 


yght  will  armed  was  thys  noble  knight,  being  weu  armed. 

At  j.  i      j?  /»x*i      •      i  •     i         niii  He  soon  seesaser- 

good  iwerd  01  itile  in  ins  nana  lioldyng  ;  ,,eut  comiug  run. 

5848  Thys  mont  toke,  narew  and  ftikell  to  light.  vourhim.'and 

An  horrible  ferpent  faw  he  eomyng,  SEEKS. 

Towardes  this  knight,  vppon  hym  rennyng; 
Trowyng  hym  deuour  that  houred  inl'taunce, 

5852  With  a  yanyng  throte  gain  hym  gan  '  Auaunce. 


T 


hat  fine  good  cnftell  that  in  hand  gan  hold      The  knight  bran 
Brandet 
worthy 


Brandes   the    good   knyglit,    uaillant    and  and  cuts  its  neck 


in  two  at  a  stroke. 
The  serpent  fell 

Hym  to  aftail  the  ferpent  full  bold,  was  10  feet  long. 


5856  He  As  man  fers  Approched  hir  ryght  ny  ; 

With  o  foule  ftroke  the  necke  cute  ato  fwiftly ; 
The  ferpent  fill  don  dede  for  all  hyr  ftrenght, 
Which  worme  was  ny  ryght  ten  hole  feete  of 
lenght. 


58G0  "ITThen  the  feri^ent  faw  ther  ded  mortally,  Upward  again  he 

1/1/  l  J  mounted,  but 

'  '     The  montain  gan  take  :  vpwarde  ftied  there,  soon  sees  a  huge 

bear  coming  apace, 

As  man  quicke  and  wight  with  all  the  body.         which,  however, 

he  encounters 

Gayn  him  eomyng  faw  A-pace  A  huge  bere,  boldly, 

5864  Hym  vnto  aflaill  cam  2  with  all  power ; 

But  of  hym  thought  he  to  faill  in  no  wife, 
With  gret  raundon  cam  to  hym  in  his  gife. 


F' 


o  hys  fhethe  thys  knight  drew  hys  good       [Foi.  in  6.1 

drawing  his  su  ord 

fwerd  hard,  like  a  mighty  man. 


5868        As  A  mighty  man,  wurthy  and  hardy ; 
Shewing  inly  well  he  was  no  coward. 

1  MS.  "gain."  2  MS.  "  can."  Fr.  text,  vint. 


202 


THE    KNIGHT   CUTS   THE   BEARS   SNOUT   OFF. 


The  bear  gripped 
his  shield,  and 
clutched  at  his 
shoulder,  tearing 
his  hauberk ; 


Vppon   the   fhild   hym   grypte   thys  bere  tho 

ferefly, 
On  liys  f  hulder  als  hapned  verily  ; 
5872  Hys  niailled  hauberke  broken  and  to-tore, 
Hys  fhild  vnto  gronnde  drew  hym  before. 


but  he  smote  the 
bear  in  the  groin, 
giving  him  a 
wound  a  foot  long, 
and  cutting  off  his 
snout,  so  that  he 
could  not  bite. 


TO  hys  good  fwerd  tho  had  niifter  and  nede, 
The  beres  gret  groin  tho  fmote  he  vppon  ; 
58 7G  With  hys  fwerd  fo  gripte  of  fine  manly-hede, 
Ther  all  fnowte  and  groin  fmote  he  of  Anon, 
More  then  A  large  fote,  of  recorde  fo  dofl. 
Tho  divrft  he  noght  charge  As  of  his  bityng, 
5880  By  hys  eyes  twain  of  was  it  f  hering. 


The  bear  was  very 
chapfallen  at  this, 

yet  raised  his  paw 
against  him  again; 
but  the  knight 
leaps  lightly  aside. 


With  aback  stroke 
of  his  sword  he 
cuts  off  the  bear's 
paw.  But  it  rear- 
ed up,  and  clutch- 
ed him  with  the 
other  paw.  Both 
fell  together. 


THys  beftly  bere  was  paffyng  old  and  ftrong, 
Natheles  tho  was  heuily  ehermat ; 
But  not-for-that  haufed  hys  pawe  Alonge, 
5884  Trowyng  to  hapne  hym  to  rafe  j>at  dat. 

But  full  wyght  and  light  was  this  knight  algat, 

Ther  tho  made  A  lepe  wyghtly  in  trailers 

Fro  this  bere,  which  was  fers,  bold,  and  diuers. 

5888     A    bakwarde  fmote  he  with  hys  fwerde  of  ftile, 
-^*-  0  paw  of  the  bere  of  was  there  keruyng  ; 
On  hys  hynder  feet  reifed  up  that  while, 
And  to  this  faid  knight  full  ny  approching, 

5892  That  with  that  other  paw  hym  was  cracching. 
All  hys  Armure  he  to-breke  and  tere, 
So  both  on  an  hepe  fill,  both  knyght  and  bere. 


[Fol.  112.] 
Then  the  knight 

with  his  dagger 
cut  the  bear's 

throat,  so  that  it 
quitted  its  hold. 


589G 


But  thys  bere  myght  noght  in  no  wife  bite; 
Then  at  his  gerdell  Anon  toke  tlus  knight 
A  dagger  full  good,  fourged  of  profite, 
Thorugh  hys  throte  yaf  A  ftroke  with  all  his 

myght 
So  that  gretly  hurt  was  this  in  foule  wyght. 


T 


THE    KNIGHT    SEES    THE    SERPENT-MONSTER.  203 

5900  Thev  lefte  the  here  his  pris,  ftoned  fore  was,         Then  the  knight 

.,  cut  off  its  other 

lhat  other  pawe   the   knyght  imote  oi  in   Ipat  paw. 
place ; 

mo  cafte  he  vp  A  full  meruelous  cry.  At  last  the  knight 

Then  this  manly  knyght  without  other  lette  the  beiiy  up  to  the 

,,-,■,  r>  «»pp  i  cross-hilt  of  his 

590-i  Thorugh  Delay  hym  imote  to  croiie  oi  iwerd  ny  ;  sword,  on  went 
Vnto  mortall  deth  [t]he  here  to  grounde  fhette.  serpents." 
Thys   good  englifh  knight  his  fwerd  in  fheth 

fette  ; 
So  vp  went,  doing  huge  diftrucc/on, 

5908  Off  ferpentes  made  grete  occifion, 

And  off  beftes  wilde  many  on  "an  fie,  At  Iast  he  reached 

J  °  the  top,  and  drew 

hou-he-it  that  he  fuffred  full  grett  pain.  near  the  iron  door 

of  the  cave,  which 

So  going  up  hy  till  to  coppe  came  he,  the  monster 

EUctrdcd 

5912  By  fors  and  ftrenght  fo  palling  the  montain, 

So  niyng  to  the  caue  wher  this  monftre  was  plain, 
Which  the  yren  dore  warded  of  the  caue 
"Where  the  trefour  was  that  he  trowed  haue, 

59 1G  "TTThich  Avas  enclofed  hy  werke  of  favrv,  But  he  entered  the 

1/1/  w  v       v    '  mvp  in   an  *»vil 


cave  in  an  evil 


W1 

'  T     In  an  ill  hour  cam,  which  was  gret  folay.    hour;  for  he  soon 

"        perceived  the 

Into  diche  and  caue  entred  vnhaply  :  monster  with  its 

eye  a  yard  broad, 

And  As  fone  As  he  refte  ther  had  alway, 
5920  Perceiuyng  this  monftre  where  pat  fhe  lay, 

Which  had  A  large  eye,  (thre  foote  was  Aboute), 
And  when  that  fhe  hym  perceued  all-oute, 


R. 


Ayfed  was  anon  with  wonderfull  corage,  cFoi.  1126.] 

5924  -Li'  As  A  malice  befte  with  cruelnelfe  fett  ;  teckedMnT^The 

Towarde  thys  good  knight  Auaunced  hir  outrage  ;  come>  ln',t  WOttid 
Thys  monftre  belay  As  pipe  large  and  gret.  determined  wLe 

Thys  knight  faw  hir  come,  w/t/i-draught  wold    ltataUriBk8- 
not  gette, 
5928  But  that  alwais  again  hir  go  wold 

For  what-fomaner  vnto  hym  come  fhold. 


204 


THE    SERPENT    SWALLOWS    THE    KNIGHT    WHOLE. 


Drawing  his  sword 
he  smote  it,  but 
his  strokes  failed 
to  hartn  it.    Nei- 
ther iron,  steel, 
nor  wood  could 
wound  it.    It  bit 
his  sword  in  half, 


TT  Is  fwerd  fro  fheth  drew,   this  monftre  yafe 

-*--*-  ftroke  grete, 

But  no-thyng  was  wurth  tlie  ftroke    hir  gan 
take ; 
5932  Wlier  with  tlie  bake  or  with  fwerd  egge  gette, 

To  this  monftre  might  noght  do  hurt  ne  wrake 

With  yre,  ftile,  ne  tre,  hou-fo  it  gan  make. 

Thys  monftre  -with  teeth  the  fwerd  ther  taking, 
5936  In  moitees  to  Forthwith  it  breking, 


though  it  was  all 
of  steel.    Then 
with  a  yawning 
throat  it  swal- 
lowed the  knight 
down  whole. 


A1 


The  knight  seem- 
ed no  more  in  its 
mouth  than  a 
pasty  in  an  oven. 
Thus  died  he,  and 
it  was  a  great  pity. 


[Fol.  113.] 
Thus  was  this 
good  English 
knight  devoured 
by  this  monster, 
and  it  was  a  great 

pity. 


]S~d  yut  was  f  he  fourged  all  of  ftile ; 
Thys  knight  noght  of  hir  myght  to-tere  ne 
rafe. 
The  fwerd  wel  ground,  no  harder  many  mile, 
5940  The  fharpneffe  ne  hardneffe  no-thing   wurght 
was. 
"With  A  yanyng  throte  thys  knight  gan  manace, 
All  at  a  morfell  fwolewed  knight  furely ; 
(Oft1  thys  here  now  faid  in  no  wife  do  ly)  j 

5944  rphys  knight  fwolewed,  in  throte  noght  pering 
J-    More  then  doth  A  paftay  in  ouen  truly  ! l 
With  full  gret  dolour  in  thys  wife  deing, 
Gret  demage  and  hurt  was  it  uerily. 

5948  For  in  hym  was  had  huge  hardefle  furely, 
For  moche  had  doii  of  manly  dedes  fair, 
But  nomore  fhall  do  thys  knyght  debonair. 

THys  englif  h  good  knight  was  wit7iout  focour, 
Which  this  faid  trefour  trowed  to  eonquere, 
Tbat  whilom  by  days  had  gret  honour ; 
"With  thys  monftre  was  this  deuoured  there  ; 
Gret  damage  it  was  of  thys  baculere,2 
5956  For  in  hym  was  had  full  gret  wurthinefie, 

Socour  wras  ther  non,  but  to  deth  mofte  dreffe. 

1  In  the  margin — deaf  he  of  a  noble  knyglrfe  \ji\at  was  of  sir 
[T~\ristrams 

2  MS.  "baiulere."     Sec  Glossarial  Index. 


HIS  PAGE  RELATES  HIS  SAD  FATE. 


205 


N 


Oght  fo  hv  As  lie  neuer  man  vp  went,  No  one  ever  got 

so  high  up  the 

The  more  in  hym  was  of  hug  wurghtineffe  ;  mountain  as  he 


5 9  GO  Kemembred  ought  be  his  knygktly  entent, 
Stilled  ne  put  fhold  be  in  hodelneffe. 
No  man,  As  feith  this  hiftory  expreffe, 
Neuer  went  fo  ferre  As  to  memory, 

5964  In  that  meruelous  Eoche  being  fo  by, 


did.    His  daring 

should  be  remem- 
bered, not  lost  in 
oblivion.  No  man 
ever  went  higher., 


A5 


s  wilfolly  gan  do  thys  full  good  knight. 
Too  days  hys  page  ther  fogernyng  fure 
At  the  hill  fote  ;  after  retornyng  ryght 
5968  Into  Englande  ftreight ;  wher  thys  auenture 
Declared  to  many  a  creature, 
"Which  caufed  to  write  therof  thys  hiftory, 
To  ende  that  it  fhold  be  now  in  memory. 


His  page  waited 
for  him  two  days, 
and  then  returned 
tu  England,  there 
relating  this  ad- 
venture to  many. 


5972     A  nd  thys  ther  he  knew  by  A  good  deuyfi, 
-£j-   \Vliich  fointyme  was  clerke  Merlyn  vnto, 
Which  ther  dwelled,  to  life  gan  determyn. 
Vnto  thys  faid  clerke  ran  all  the  worle  tho, 

5976  For  ther  neceffite  vnto  hym  gan  go, 

Wherof  he  wold  fay  trouth  and  verite, 
For  entirely  all  ryght  full  well  knew  he, 


A  certain  divine, 
who  had  been 
clerk  to  Merlin, 
dwelt  there  (in 
Arragon),  to  whom 
many  went  tw  hear 
the  story. 


Like  As  hade  be  ther  in  propur  perfon,  [Foi.  ns  b.i 

.  .  .  He  was  a  scholar 

And  had  coniyn  ftreight  Iro  the  iaide  raon-  0f Toulouse, and 

during  twenty 
taiu.  years  gave  true 

™  .      ,  r  i  •   •  replies toany 

Tins  deuyn  was  ot  good  cogmcion,  questions  he  was 

And  a  fcoler  was  of  Tholoufe  certain, 
As  witneffeith  litterall  fcripture  plain. 
5984  Yerily  moche  more  then  yeres  twenty 
Neuer  ther  cam  man  vnto  hym  truly, 


B 


ut  hym  declared  the  trouth  and  uerite 
Off  all   maner  tiling  that  man   demaunde 
wolde. 


The  page,  there- 
fore, went  to  uiin. 


206 


and  learnt  from 
him  all  the  truth 
just  as  I  have  now 
told  it  you. 


A   MESSENGER   COMES    TO    GEOFFREY, 

5988  For  that  the  page  with  hyrn  thought  wolde  be, 
Which  fubtille  and  fage  was  he  manyfold  ; 
All  trouth  and  verite  by  hym  was  vnfold 
Of  that  I  haue  told,  declared,  and  fayd  ; 

5992  By  this  notable  clerke  was  it  displaide. 


There  was  also  a 
man  of  noble  birth 
in  Hungary,  who 
came  to  this 
mountain :  but  he 
was  not  there 
long, 


Ther  was  on  hade  in  lande  of  hungery, 
Which  defcended  was  of  A  noble  line. 
Thys  trefour  to  conquere  thought  he  manly, 
5996  But  by  hym  may  noght  be  it  to  termyne. 

To  this  montain  cam  this  noble  knight  fine, 
The  monte  elymbed  up  ten  or  twenty  pas, 
And  ther  taried  noght  no  whiles  ne  fpace. 


being  very  soon 
devoured  by  ser- 
pents ;  but  he 
went  not  up  so 
high  as  that  other. 
Pity  the  English 
knight  was  not  of 
the  right  lineage. 


6000 


fTmer  with  ferpentes  he  deuoured  was, 


Xawher  ny  went  vp  As  other  gan  doo. 
Many  deuoured  hath  be  in  that  place, 
Nbn  f  hall  that  trefour  conquere  hym  vnto 
6004  But  of  the  lynage  be  difcended  fro. 

Full  heuy  it  was  that  this  goodly  knyght 
Off  Englande  had  noght  be  off  that  line  ryght. 


[Fol.  114.] 
He  was  descended 
from  Tristram, 
and  had  assuredly 
won  the  treasure, 
had  he  been  of  the 
right  lineage. 


TTE  defcended  was  off  full  by  parage, 
6008  -*-*■  Off  Tristram  hys  line  cam  of  natiuite, 

As  the  hiftory  reherfith  hys  linage. 

Forfoth  that  trefour  conquerd  then  had  he, 

So  of  that  linage  aboue-faid  had  be, 
6012  Full  cliiualrous  was  certes  at  J>«t  day, 

Ferre  and  ny  as  any  of  thaim  to  fay. 


Then  came  a  mes- 
senger to  Lusi- 
g.ian,  where  Geof- 
frey was  enjoying 
himself  with  all 
honesty. 


T 


ho  it  cam  and  fill  in  that  ceafon  there, 
That  A  meffinger  paffed  forth  tho  by, 


6016  Wber  G  affray  with  gret  toth  was  in  his  manere 
At  ioyous  difport  ryght  full  merily 
At  lufignen  caftell  with  ftrangers  many  ; 


AND   TELLS   HIM   ABOUT   THE   TREASURE.  207 

To  which  egall  fporte  non  the  yere  f  hold  fee, 
6020  In  gentile  rnaner  with  all  honefte. 


With  hym  ladyes  and  damycelles  fair,  With  him  were 

ladies  and  damsels 
Connyng,  gracyous,  humble,  and  benigne  ;  in  a  fair  arbour. 

.  Geoffrey  tells  the 

Gentile,  womanly,  and  m  debonair,  messenger  he  is 

6024  In  a  fair  herber  to  fport  gan  in-cline. 

A  meffinger  cam ;  faw  well  by  hys  fyne. 
Streith  to  Gaffray  went,  hym  fair  falutinge  ; 
-  "  Sir,  ye  be  welcome,"  Gaffray  hym  fayng. 

6028  rphis  meffinger  connyng  and  gentile  was,  and  asks  him  the 

J-    Off  hys  mouth  iffued  fugred  fwete  langage  ;  SSSinSSSL 
!Nbuels  demaunded  Gaffray  in  pot  place.  have justt^dyoa 

Aforn  lades  and  damicelles  fage. 

6032  He  lryni  fette  and  told  all  the  huge  outrage 
(Like  As  this  boke  reherfith  here  before) 
All  the  dedes  told  off  thys  knyghtes  lore  ; 


A' 


Nd  whereto  thys  fers  nionftre  doth  repayre,        [Foi.  im  b.i 

and  tells  where  the 


6036  l\.  Which  peple  hath  diftroide  fo  many,  monster  was  who 

Myghty,  ftrong,  fers,  bold,  gentile,  debonair,        sureofHeiLa^ 
And  hou  the  trefour  wardeth  myghtyly  great'iy  manvK 

Off  helmas,  which  was  fo  ryche  and  fo  worthy ; 

6040  Neuer  perceiued  non  hke  off  auaill. 

Gaffray  full  moche  therof  gan  meruaill, 


0' 


|ff  thys  faid  nionftre  werof  he  gan  fpeke.  and  says  he  wm 

m  /><  in,  p  •  i  i  ii  E° and  destroy  the 

lhys  monitre  to  deitroy  laid  he  Avoid  go,       monster.  He 
6014  With-all  the  trefour  conquere  and  oute  breke.       sent  to  his  brother 

Hys  men  made  redy  qwikly,  no  refte  made  tho,  and  govern  his 

Forthwith  fend  he  hys  brother  Thierry  vnto 

To  hym  come,  and  cam  ;  after  hym  fayng, 
6048  The  contre  gouerne  to  hys  retornyng. 


realm. 


F 


Or  thys  Gaffray  was  of  fers  harde  corage ;         This  Gcotfrey  was 

-vr  l  i  ill  i  j.  of  a  fierce  courage, 

JN  euer  hys  days  wold  he  noght  mary, 


208 


GEOFFREY    DIES    IN    A   GOOD    OLD    AGE. 


Iii  wife  to  entre  As  in  mariage  ; 


and  would  never 

made  over  his  6052  No  woman  wold  betrouth  neither  affy. 

saying  he  should  Vnto  hys  brother  the  lande  toke  goodly, 

Sayng  he  mofte  go  withoute  any  refte, 


Off  that  riche  trefour  for  to  make  conquefte. 


But  lie  was 
prevented  by 
sickness  and  age. 
Alas !  had  he 
lived,  he  would 
have  had  the  trea- 
sure, 


6056  T)ut  when  that  he  fhold  hane  taken  hys  way, 
J-'  Gret  fikneffe  hym  toke  and  age  gan  repair ; 
On  his  bed  don  layd  w/t7i  full  grett  feknes 
Thys  gentill  knyght,  ftronge,  fers,  &  debonair, 

6060  Which  fo  many  gud  dedys  hath  don. 

Alas  !  the  trefour  of  Comquez  fhold  had, 
So  that  lif  my ght  haue,  (for  of  all  was  drad), 


[Fol.  115.J 
ami  the  Land  of 
Promise,  that 
Holy  Land.    But 
death,  who  spares 
none,  made  war 
ou  Geoffrey;  and 


6064 


6068 


ANd  the  lande  haue  hade  off  promifhon  ; 
Iff  god  wold  haue  fend  hyni  good  liffe  and 
long, 
Conquered  fhold  that  holy  regyon. 
But  deth  fparith  noght  tho  feble  ne  ftronge, 
With  Gaffray  hath  take  were  other  Among, 
And  to  hym  comyng  A  grett  paffe  w/t/i-all, 
Ther  making  hym  were  l  dedly  and  mortall. 


against  death  hath 
no  man  any 
power.    Death 
smote  Geoffrey 
sorely  with  his 
cruel  dart, 


QO  uenquifflied  was  by  dethes  gouernall, 
^  Agayn  hir  noman  hath  fors  ne  pufaunce 

6072  Be  he  not  fo  ftronge  or  of  ryche  auaill, 

Als  well  tho  feble  As  ftrong  in  fubftance  ; 
Non  hath  power  gain  dethis  gouernaunce, 
Be  he  Baron,  Markeis,  Erie,  Duke,  Prince,   or 
kyng; 

6076  With  hys  cruell  dart  Gaffray  fore  fmiting, 


piercing  his  heart. 


Full  ftreight  the  ftroke  went  ther  vnto  hys 
hert, 
"Where-of  ther  was  had  inly  gret  dolor ; 
1  MS.  "  wcry  ;"     Fr.  text,  ffiicrre. 


GEOFFREY    IS    BURIED    IN    MAILLEZAIS    ABBEY. 


209 


For  in  peiters  fhold  haue  be  well  expert, 
6080  I-now  good  dedys  don  wold  by  labor, 
Er  that  yere  paffed  any  tynie  or  hour, 
Churches  make  and  found,  which  deuifed  were ; 
Bothe  landes,  rentes,  thought  he  morteis  there, 


What  Rood  deeds 
he  would  have 
done  in  Poitiers, 
had  he  lived ! 


6084  rPO  found  and  make  noble  churches  gret. 


T 


But,  alas !  these 
things  were  left 

Alas  !  full  dolorous  to  bildyng  f hal  it  bide  !  undone.  His 

death  will  cause 
great  heaviness. 


Neuer  fhall  thay  be  fourged,  made,  and  get, 
"Wliere-of  is  pite  in  many  A  fide  ; 
6088  Gret  heuineife  will  it  caufe  full  wide, 
And  ne  had  the  will  and  the  plefire  be 
Off  our  hy  lorde,  fittyng  in  trenite, 

G  Affray  lith  don  like,  ille  touches  feling, 
Wyn  ne  vitaill  refceiue  may  for  fekneffe  ; 
Anon  After  the  prefte  were  fending, 
Hys  confeffour  come,  hym  gan  to  confeffe, 
And  ther  beforn  hym  made  to  fay  a  meffe. 
6096  After  ordained  making  teftament 
Spiritually,  after  hys  entent, 


w 


"hen  deuifed  hade  hys  lay  thynges  all. 
Then  entered  was  at  Maillers  abbay, 
6100  Where  a  fair  repair  had  he  full  roiall. 
For  of-new  again  made,  it  is  no  nay, 
ryght  As  he  had  diftroed  it  all-way. 
So  by  hym  was  made  and  furged  again 
6104  Off  Maillers  the  church,  w*t7i  frefh  werke  Main. 


[Fol.  115  &.i 
He  can  take  no 
food.    His  con- 
fessor came  and 
said  mass.    Then 
he  made  his  will 
touching  both 
spiritual  and  lay 
matters. 


Then  was  he 
buried  at  Mail- 
lezais  abbey, 
which  he  had  re- 
built after  de- 
stroying it. 


T 


her  ligh[tl,  ther  hys  thombe  put  is  and  fett ;  There  lieth  he, 

°     L  J  and  the  author  of 

The  frenfh  maker  feith  it  faw  he  with  ey 


Hys  teftament  made,  it  myght  be  no  bett, 
6108  And  what  lefte  ouer,  to  pore  made  pay  truly. 
So  after  paffyng  to  goddes  mercy, 
All  were  paid  in  hys  owne  prefence, 
What-fo  hym  femed  As  in  confeiencq. 
14 


the  French  Ro- 
mance there  saw 
his  tomb.    Thus 
he  made  his  will, 


210 


THIERRY  SUCCEEDS  GEOFFREY  AT  PARTHEXAY. 


and  yielded  his 
soul  to  God.    Had 
he  lived  longer,  he 
would  have  done 
more. 


6112  fr\o  god  yild  his  foule,  hyni  do  mercy  and  grace, 
J-    And  of  hys  fynnys  A  generall  perdon, 
For  moch  goodneffe  gan  do  m  many  place 
As  fone  As  in  hym  was  put  refon. 

6116  Iff  lenger  leued,  more  wold  he  haue  dori ; 
He  is  now  dede,  what  fhall  we  then  fay  1 
That  god  hym  pardon  hys  myfdedes  ay. 


iFol.  116.] 
Thierry  was  Geof- 
frey's heir,  and 
governed  both 
Poitiers  and  Par- 
thenay,  being  at 
first  powerful, 


but  afterwards  he 
alienated  much  of 
his  property. 
Yet  the  descend- 
ants of  Thierry 
reign  at  Parthe- 
nay  still, 


THierry  was  tho  A  full  noble  knyght  ; 
Gaffray  ther  hym  made  hys  enheritour 
Off  all  the  contre  which  he  hild  hym  dyght 
And  that  to  hym  pertained  any  hour. 
Thierry  it  hild,  A  noble  gouernour, 
6124  So  he  regned  there,  &  in  pertenay; 
Kegned  and  gouerned  pufantly. 

But  after  thys  by  hys  mariage, 
geuyng  to  on  here,  to  Anoder  there, 
6128  So  Alienyng  part  of  hys  heritage. 

yut  noght-with-ftandyng  god  of  hys  power 
Caufith  the  line  regne  yut  wtt/iout  danger, 
At  noble  pertenay  ther  of  lir  Thierry 
6132  Off  trouth  thai  regne  yut  ryght  worfhipfully, 


as  Melusine  fore- 
told ;  and  may 
they  long  do  so ! 
The  line  endureth 
to  this  day,  and 
contains  many 
noble  knights, 


As  Melufyne  faid,  moder  of  that  line, 
That  long  fchold  endure  the  line  of  per- 
tenay ; 
God  grant  long  endure,  neuer  determine  ! 
6136  Fro-thens  till  now  durith  the  line  alway 
In  chiualrous  knighthode  vnto  thys  day  ; 
Noble  good  knightes,  gentile,  curtes,  fre, 
Among  all  other  hauyng  habilite, 


of  whom  we  shall 
speak  a  little,  and 
then  end.    Espe- 
cially should  be 


6140  /\ff  whom  a  litill  we  fhall  be  declaring, 
v/   After  thys  boke  finifh  fhall  and  end. 
Goddes   knightes  haue  be,    ther   trouth   neuer 
falling 


MEDITATIONS    UPON    DEATH. 


211 


For  king,  Duke,  Erie,  Markeis,  Baron,  or  frend.  mentioned  that 
6  If  4  hit  wil  Appered  by  that  good  knight  hend  who  causedbthis 

That  thys  boke  began,  of  Partenay  lord, 
Grett  honour  had  in  life  of  recorde  ; 


HE  that  this  boke  made  and  gret  parte  gan  do, 
This  knight  died,  in  life  had  gret  honour  ; 
For  noght  man  may  do  gain  mortal  deth,  lo  ! 
The  feble  and  ftrong  takith  f  he  ech  hour  ; 
Xon  hir  efcapith  As  by  no  labour, 
6152  Be  it  king,  or  pope,  or  lordes  of  landes, 
All  moft  nedis  paife  truly  by  hyr  handes, 


[Fol.  116  &.] 
When  it  was 
partly  done,  this 
knight  died ;  for 
who  can  escape 
death? 


THat  is  the  trewage  of  bodies  humayn. 
Al  most  by  that  path  of  fine  fors  to  paife ; 
6156  And  that  way  compaffith  ech  foueran, 

hou  moche  fro  tham  to  hyr  haue,  hy  or  baffe. 
Oner-light  flie  is  euermore,  alaffe  ' 
Alas  !  fhe  comyth  wonderfull  lyghtly, 
6160  Man  feith  not  the  hour  ne  hou  he  fhall  dy. 


w 


'Hen  fhe  oppreffith  any  creature, 
More  fwetter '  fhe  goth  then  arew  any, 
Smitting  man  without  wurdes  faing  fure. 
6164  When  on  hir  thenke,  my  hert  fogheth  heuely, 
And  fo  here  fhold  do  ech  humain  body  ; 
Euery  man  fhold  doubt  hir  cruell  hand, 
For  ouer-gret  ftroke  yeuith  with  hir  wand  ; 


6168 


TMrmely  and  ftedfaftly  redoubted  fhold  be. 


All  must  pass 
along  death's  path. 
Alas  !  it  cometh 
unexpectedly, 
man  sees  not 
when  nor  how. 


Death  is  swifter 
than  an  arrow. 
When  I  think  on 
it,  my  heart  sigh-' 
eth.    Every  man 
should  fear  its 
cruel  hand. 


Ho  well  on  hyr  thenke,  all  difport  will  leue, 

Thenking,  mufmg  hys  foides  fauete, 

As  will  man  as  woman,  to  fay  in  breue ; 

6172  Ho  wel  on  it  thenke,  fro  ill  will  remeue. 

In  fuch  wife  gan  do,  I  troAV  it,  all-way 

Thys  fore-faid  lorde  of  roiall  partenay. 

i  «  fwyftcr."  (?) 
14* 


Whoever  thinks 
on  death,  must 
leave  all  pastime, 
and  muse  on  his 
soul's  safety. 
Whoever  thinks 
on  it  well,  will 
depart  from  sin. 


213 


THE  DATE  OF  A  CERTAIN  LORD  S  DEATH. 


[Fol.  117.1 

One  William  was 
then  Archbishop, 
and  he  well  knew 
how  good  a  man 
this  lord  of  Par- 
thenay  was. 


61 


roO: 


X  "William  was  the  archebiffhope  tho, 
Where  of  the  name  tho  of  Brffhope  was 
wurthy ; 
At  end  knew  full  well  wat  thys  lorde  had  do. 
He  feing  this  lord  good  man  was  and  holy, 
And  well  gouerned  the  lande  here  worly 
6180  Till  to  finall  ende  he  gan  forth  ftrike  ; 

Which  end  was  full  good  and  ryght  autentike. 


He  died  on  the 
Tuesday  before 
Pentecost,  May  17, 
ad.  1407,  and  was 
buried  at  Parthe- 
nay. 

[This  date  is 
wrong;  it  should 
be  1401.] 


He  lies  in  the 
church  of  the 
Holy  Cross.    He 
was  very  solemnly 
and  honourably 
interred,  be  ye 
sure. 


THe  tewifday  paffed  Aforne  penticcft, 
The  yere  A  thoufand  four  hundred  &  feuyn 
wrend ; 
6184  Thys  full  goodly  knyght  yild  tho  vp  his  gofte, 
~No  lenger  ne  might  hym  fro  deth  deffend ; 
To  god  behouid  his  foule  yilde  and  rend 
On  the  xvii  day  of  the  moneth  of  may, 
6188  And  in  erth  lith  at  noble  partenay. 


r 


~N  church   of  faint  croffe  lith  this  courteis 
knight ; 

Ryght  full  wurthyly  made  hys  fepulture, 
And  full  nobly  don  As  it  ought  of  ryght ; 
6192  Sollemply  was  entered,  be  ye  fure, 

And  honourabilly  all  thing  fourged  pure 

As  it  belonged  lord  and  gouernour, 

Both  on  lif  And  dede  fhold  haue  "ret  honour. 


The  day  of  his 
death  was  the  very 
day  on  which  the 
head  of  the  blessed 

Saint  Louis,  king 
of  France,  was 
translated  to 
Paris. 


[Fol.  117  &.] 
I  do  not  mean  that 
mj  lord  died  in 


6196  rPHe  heuy  day  of  his  mortall  paffmg 

-L    Was  the  fame  day,  (to  be  faid  properly), 
That  the  facred  hed  of  the  gloryous  king, 
halowed  feint  lowes,  pWnce  of  fraunce  moft  by, 

6200  That  terreftriall  leued  bleffidly, 

(Which  of  men  is  faid  feint  in  parradis), 
Ther  at  that  day  tranflat  to  Paris. 

But  I  fay  it  noglit  As  it  to  recorde 
That  in  that  proper  day  was  noght  don 


CONCERNING    JOHN,    LORD    OF    PARTHENAY. 


213 


When  to  mortall  detli  went  my  noble  lord ; 
For  made  and  done  was  the  tranflacion 
In  the  yere  of  the  incarnacion 
6208  Off  lied  and  of  the  glorious  body  ; 

And  he  long  fith  dede,  dais  full  many ; 


that  same  year; 
for  the  translation 
of  St  Louis'  head 
took  place  long 
before  that. 


Bl 


>ut  that  day  this  feft  firft  honoured  was, 
Euery  yere  after,  J>e  moneth  of  may ; 
6212  Sith  on  of  tho  dais  deth  gan  he  purchas, 
As  feruant  f  hold  few,  fo  fewed  his  lord  ay, 
Such   lord  gift  myght  deferue   hym    to   ferue 

alway, 
An-hy  in  heuyns  to  his  lord  afcend. 
6216  This  of  my  good  lord  here  now  make  an  end. 


But  I  mean  that 
he  died  on  the 
anniversary  of 
that  event,  fol- 
lowing his  master 
as  a  servant 
should.    Thus  I 
make  an  end  here 
of  my  good  lord. 


0 


ff  his  noble  fone,  Iohan  of  pertenay,  His  noble  son- 

1  _  ""  John  of  Parthe- 

Oif  whome  declare  f  hall,  his  deuer  gan  do.  nay,  performed 

the  funeral  ob- 

By  hym  the  obfequy  well  don  that  day,  Bequies  well,  using 

.  many  wax-lights. 

6220  Enriched  witJi  light  pertayning  ther-to  ; 


All-be-it  had  heuineffe  alfo, 

Wifdom  behouith  to  lete  go  and  paffe 

Which  that  men  mow  no^lit  amend  in  no  cas. 


I 


To  ouermoche  fuffre  forew  and  paine  ; 
"Who  with  dolour  and  wo  the  hert  ouer-preffe, 
JSTaturall  fole  is  fuch  heuineffe  fuftain, 
6228  When  that  he  may  noght  it  reftore  Againe  ; 
Neuer  wepe  ne  cry,  neither  fuch  dole  hold, 
Forfoth  doth  noirht  well  ne  As  the  fage  fhold. 


But  it  is  not  wise 
to  sorrow  over- 
much, when  the 
matter  cannot  bo 
mended.    Those 
who  do  so  are  not 
v  ise. 


As  to  our  purpos  here  will  I  repair, 
Touching  our  nouel  new  enheritour, 
Off  noble  pertenay  Iohan  the  lorde  hair, 
Off  whom  fpokyng  haue  here  in  langage  our. 
A  worthy  man  was  and  of  gret  honour, 


[Fol.  lis.  j 
I  return  to  his 
heir.  John,  lord  of 
Parthenay  and 
seigneur  of  Mate- 
felon,  who  is  no 
cruel  man. 


214 


MERITS    AND    LINEAGE   OF   THE  SAID   JOHN. 


6236  The  fouerain  lord  of  Mathefelon, 

Which,  that  is  not  cruellous  ne  felon, 


but  very  courte- 
ous.   He  is  sweet- 
er than  any  maid ; 
this  he  inherits 
from  his  mother. 


i  ut  curtois,  debonair,  and  vertuous  ; 
Hyt  appered  well  by  hys  workes  eche  braide. 
6240  For  he  was  gentile,  fuete,  and  gracious, 

K"on  ille  wold  he  do,  but  fain  wold  all  aid  ; 
He  is  more  fuetter  then  is  any  niaide. 
Oif  that  he  drawith  after  that  laydy 
6244  Ffro  whom  he  is  difcended  uerily. 


For  she  was  very 
sweet  and  charit- 
able, and  did 
much  good  to  the 
poor; 


and  especially  to 
those  in  great 
need.    Many  she 
raised  to  riches,  of 
her  great  liberal- 
ity. 


A  more  fuetter,  humble,  and  amyable, 
Gentile,  debonair,  fage,  wife,  and  connyng, 
Curtois,  piteuous,  and  charitable, 
6248  Sche  vnto  the  pore  ful  gret  good  doing ; 
So  gentile,  fuete,  fre  in  hert  was  being ; 
For  fhe  was  of  tho  mof te  bleffed  uerily. 
Thai  ben  piteuous  Among  peple  finely 


6252 


A  s  of  tho  which  had  grett  neceffite, 


Both  mifter  and  ned  vnto  fom  goodneffe. 
Full  many  therof  railed  vp  hath  fhe, 
Fro  pouerte  enhaufed  to  rycheffe, 
6256  The  which  proceded  of  full  hug  nobleffe, 
Oif  ryght  gret  franchife  and  hert  piteuous 
To  focour  nedy  and  tho  famylous, 


[Fol.  118  6.] 
Hence  my  lord 
had  a  fair  begin- 
ning, and,  more- 
over, he  is  of  royal 
lineage, 


What-fomeuer  doo,  befemith  hir  goodly. 
Mi  lord  therof  hath  fair  begynnyng  ; 
Alfo  belongith  it,  lo  !  properly 
To  tho  of  roiall  linage  being, 
And  therof  is  he,  I  doubte  me  no-thing ; 
6264  For  of  tho  moft  bliffid  iffued  and  wend 
jSToght  long  Ago,  and  therof  gan  difcend. 


being  cousin  ti> 
the  King  of 
1  i.uii  e,  the 


E  cofyn  vnto  the  by  king  of  fraunce, 
By  tin'  which  branchc  honour  is  hauyng. 


MELU8INES    DESCENDANTS    IN    NORWAY. 


215 


6268  Off  kyngis  is  moft  nobleft  and  pufaunt, 
Off  All  the  Avordle  mofte  fouerain  kyng. 
All  rounde  the  compas  though  man  be  fekyng, 
In  all  the  wordle  fo  noble  king  is  noght 

6272  As  the  kyng  of  Fraunce,  certes,  to  be  thought. 


mightiest  king  in 
the  world.    There 
is  DO  kin;.' so  noble 
as  the  King  of 
France. 


H 


is  cofyn  is,  in  hys  moder  parte,  truly  ; 
And  in  faider  parte  ny  kin,  to  deuyne, 
To  kyng  of  Cipreffe  and  off  hermeny, 
G276  And  by  the  difcent  of  thys  noble  line 
That  beforn  haue  told  of  fair  Melufme. 
Ny  kyn  he  is  to  king  off  norway,1 
For  of  Melufine  difcended  all  thay. 


He  is  cousin  to  the 
king  on  his  mo- 
ther's side;  and, 
through  his  father, 

allied  to  the  King 
of  Cyprus,  and 
also  to  the  King 
of  Norway. 


6280  f\S  tho  knyghtes  ben  yut,  lo  !  in  Norway, 
^  Wurthi  and  doubty,  and  ladies  many  ; 
Within,  this  linage  ccmprifed  be  thay, 
And  knowyn  ouerall  ryght  openly 

6284  That  thay  difcended  be  of  bat  line  hy 
Olf  lufignen,  which  is  notable  grett, 
"Which  fo  iffued,  into  yrlan.de  gett, 


For  knights  of 
Melusine's  line 
still  live  in  Nor- 
way, and  it  is  well 
known  that  they 
belong  to  the 
Lusignau  family. 


ANd  vnto  many  Another  contre, 
As  beforne  is  faid  by  our  gouernaill. 
Neuer  line  of  told  with  thaim  egaU  be, 
Neither  to  bur2  fuch  an  3  hug  meruaill, 
IS'e  hys  dais  fhall  neuer,  without  faill, 
6292  As  ye  haue  hurde  of  lufignen  children,  lo  ! 
Dome  ye  in  no  wife  that  lefmg  fay  you  to ; 


[Fol.  119.] 
No  family  was 
ever  equal  to  this; 
nor  can  any  man 
hear  such  marvels 
elsewhere  as  are 
told  of  Melusine's 
sons. 


T 


lrowe  it  ne  fuppofe  dreme  to  be  any ; 
Off  uerray  trouth  it  is  a  tru  dreme  ryght. 
6296  And  ho  faue  noght  fain  this  faid  hiftory, 
Vnnethes  will  beleue  this  to  be  parfight. 

1  In  the  margin— norway  kynge. 

2  Read  "  hire  "  =  hear ;  Fr.  text,  Ne  oyt  dire  audi  nouvdle. 

3  MS.  "  and." 


Think  not  I 

dream ;  or,  at 

least,  it  is  a  true 

dream. 

hath  not  seen 


216 


MORE    PRAISES    OF    JOHN    OF    PARTHENAY. 


this  history,  will 
scarcely  believe 
the  fact. 


The  seigneur  of 
Matefelon,  who  is 
also  lord  of  Par- 
thenay,  shows 
himself  to  be  a 
sweet  creature, 


For  foth  thys  hiftory  plainly  fhewith  to  fyght 
like  As  I  liaue  declared  you  and  faid, 
6300  lio-fo  luft  it  rede,  may  fe  itt  difplaid. 

f\K  Mathefelon  the  lord  fouerain, 
^J  To  whom  our  lord  gif  gret  ioy  and  honour, 
Which  of  that  manfion  lord  is  certain, 
6304  And  of  partenay,  (refon  is  eche  hour), 
Among  all  other  A  gentile  henheritour  ; 
In  hys  rule  f  hewing  A  fuete  creature, 
"Which  that  is  of  full  nohle  nature, 


for  he  will  not 
leave  unfinished 
the  book  his  good 
father  began.    I 
believe  that  no 
man  hates  him. 


[Fol.  119  6.] 
and,  indeed,  any 
one  who  sought 
to  harm  him 
would  be  a  great 
sinner.    He  never 
refuses  any  deserv- 
ing man. 


He  should  be 
named  Alexander. 
I  would  say  much 
more,  only  men 
would  say  I 
flatter;  because  he 
s  still  living ; 


6308   Qln  he  will  not  leue  the  boke  he  began, 

^  Hys  god  fader,  to  whom  god  gif  pardon  ! 
By  hym  of  it  gret  laud  and  prefiing  wan, 
For  at  this  day,  fo  me  aid  god  our  patron, 

6312  Men  fliall  noght  fynd  nawher  fuchon. 

I  beleue  that  non  this  good  perfon  hate,  lo  ! 
I  pray  to  our  lord  that  he  may  wel  doo, 

TT^Or  he  hath  made  A  good  begynnyng. 
6316  ■*-    And  he  f  hold  be  in  fynne  and  crime  by  ryght, 

Which  that  hym  wold  ille  be  purchalfyng. 

To  cherf h  euery  man  laborith  j?is  knyght ; 

Iff  he  fe  that  he  be  good  man  parfith, 
6320  Ko-thyng  will  hym  wern  Jje/t  he  luft  proclame. 

Hym  haue  I  fo  hurd  renomed  of  fame, 

That  Allexandre  full  wel  name  hym  may  ; 
Off  hym  mouch  more  fpeke  and  fay  wold  I, 
6324  By  my  feith,  ner  I  ffuppofed  All- way 
That  men  wold  perhaps  fay  I  flatery, 
For  that  in  lif  is  he  perfonally, 
And  thenke  men  fhold  not   preiffe   other   in 
p?'efence ; 
6328  For  tham  fhold  preife  l  ther  werkys  diligence 
1  MS.  "  preife  ;  "  Fr.  text,  huenl. 


FRAISES   OP    HIS    CHOICE    OF    A    WIFE. 


217 


T 


hat  thai  liaue  done  in  time  paffid  euer, 
And  fpeking,  relierfing  the  dedes  and  fet 


and  we  ought 
rather  to  praise 
the  dead;  yet  men 

Off  tho  which  ben  gon  that  no  more  may  do  neuer ;  lord  in  time  to 
6332  Certes  men  may  well  of  tham  fpeke  and -tret, 
here  tell  And  declare  all  ther  dedes  gret. 
And  when  god  will,  men  may  of  my  lorde, 
In  time  to  come,  thynges  off  recorde. 

6336  ~V7"ut  I  hire  moche  fpeke  off  hys  roiall  eftate, 
•*•    Off  his  nobleffe,  gentilleffe,  and  off  hys  dede, 
Off  his  contenaunce  and  mayntenaunce  algat, 
The  which  I  hold  of  hug  noblehed. 

6340  And  full  noble  hold  is  off  manlihed  ; 
For  difcended  is  fro  fo  hy  A  place, 
Off  kynges,  Dukes,  Markois  full  of  grace. 

When  conquered  l  haue  and  enferched  well, 
For  foth  is  A  man  of  full  hy  parage, 
hys  engendrure  to  declare  and  tell, 
Comyn  is  he  off  full  noble  linage. 
Among  other  hys  wif  gracious  and  fage, 
6348  humble,  curteis,  gentile,  debonair, 

And  ne  mulith  noght  but  all  good  and  fair. 


I  hear  many  speak 
of  his  gentleness, 
countenance,  and 
demeanour;  for 
he  is  descended 
from  kings,  dukes, 
and  marquises. 


[Fol.  120.] 
He  is  found,  on 
inquiry,  to  be  of 
high  parentage. 
His  wife  also  is 
humble,  courte- 
ous, and  intent  on 
good; 


El 


luery  man  feith,  "  well  (As  femeth  me) 
To-geders  affembled  inly  well  be  thai  ; 
6352  Entrelouing  non  better  may  be. 

In  that  aftat  our  lord  tham  hold  alway." 
Thys  lady  is  of  perregort,  is  no  nay, 
Doughter  to  the  Erie  which  )v<t  is  dede. 
6356  That  mariage  no  mahyme  to  his  kinred, 


F 


^Or  noble  line  is  off  Auncionte, 
Off  long  time  paffed  ferre  fro  memory. 
For  in  charlemain  time  anteceffour  had  f  he  ; 
6360  When  charlemain  had  conquered  truly 
1  Rather  read,  "enquered;  "  Fr.  text,  quis. 


so  that  they  are 
well  met. 
This  lady  is  of 
Perigord,  daugh- 
ter to  the  late 
carl.    His  marri- 
age is  no  disgrace 
to  his  kindred; 


for  she  too  is  of  a 
noble  line.    For 
when  Charle- 
magne  had  con- 
quered all  Guienne 


218 


PRAYERS  FOR   A    CONTINUANCE    OF    MELUSINE  S    LINE. 


and  the  country 
round  it, 


The  liole  erldome  and  contre  by  werre  myghty, 
And  all  Gian,  the  contre  enuiron, 
That  noble  erldome  old  and  auncion, 


he  gave  it  to  one 
of  his  nigh  kins- 
men, one  of  his 
cousins-german, 
who  resided  there 
till  he  died. 


[Fol.  120  6.] 
His  inheritance 
went  to  his  heirs 
male.  There  is  a 
place  called  Peri- 
gord  (Perigueux), 
whence  this  lady 
comes. 


6364:  nnO  on  of  hys  kynnefmen  gaff  itt ; 

-*■    In  hys  roiall  gifte  he  A  fair  gift  had. 

His  ny  kynnefman  was,  myght  not  fro  flit ; 

Hys  cofyn  germayn,  it  beleue  I  fad. 
6368  Full  well  J>at  Erledome  gouerned  and  lad. 

As  men  me  faid,  neuer  after  thens  went l 

To  no  place  here  ne  there  thys  Erie  reuerent, 


03 


,AS 


s  by  wifing  ne  by  mariage  ; 

That  Enheritaunce  to  hoires  male  went. 
A  ftrong  ftrenght  ther  had,  called  piergort  uillage, 
Wher-hens  is  comyn  this  fame  day  J?e  difcent, 
Among  peple  gracious  and  fagely  hent, 
6376  Thys  lady  full  fwete  and  ryght  debonair, 
To  all  other  lades  exemplair, 


She  lacks  nothing 
that  is  lady-like, 
but  is  gentle  and 
sage.    A  very  fair 
marriage  was 
made  between 
themJ 


"Y  J7ell  ftuffed  with  all  maner  of  goodneffe. 
' "      She  noght  fauteth  Ipat  haue  f  hold  A  lady  ; 
6380  What  belongith  to  ladies  hyneffe 

In  thys  hy  lady  comprifed  exprefly ; 

A  connyng  woman,  well  taught  &  wurthy  ; 

She  is  fo  fwete,  gentile,  curteis,  &  fage ; 
6384  Atwexft  thaim  was  had  An  in  fair  mariage. 


I  pray  they  may 
have  good  issue ; 
some  heir  to  main- 
tain the  noble 
line  of  Melusine. 


H1 


"Ere  befech  our  lorde  fuch  line  and  iffew 
Tham  fend,  ]>at  may  without  end  endure, 
Thys  lord  and  lady  of  full  hy  vertu  : 
6388  Off  the  line  of  Fraunce  is  ther  engendrure, 
Gret  heuineffe  were  iff  iffue  faill  fure  ; 
Off  tham  fom  hair  to  maintain  pat  noble  line, 
Which  J>at  iffuede  is  off  fair  Melufme, 


1  MS.  u  wend." 


THE    AUTHOR    THINKS  OF    ENDING. 


219 


6392  f\ff  thys  goodly  hous  Als  of  partenay  ; x 

^     Off  whom  no  more  2  lenger  will  I  fpeke, 

jSTe  off  Melufine  whens  f  lie  cam  all- way, 

!Ne  more  of  hyr  line  lie  will  noglit  out  breke, 

G396  Tlier-off  my  fpeche  cloii  and  my  wurdes  eke, 
Off  that  I  haue  ther-off  found  en  in  fcripture. 
And  of  hyr  lenger  wold  I  haue  fpoke  fure, 


I  speak  no  more 
of  her  nor  of  Par- 
thenay,  for  I  find 
no  more  recorded . 
I  would  have  said 
more, 


Tff  more  of  writyng  therof  founde  myght  be. 
6400  ■*-  But  more  can  not  find  in  litterall  fcripture 

Off  thes  creatures  wrete  of  uerite, 

Off  whom  haue  fpoke  and  told  the  Auenture ; 

!N"o  more  then  haue  put  in  my  tale  fure. 
6404  And  fin  more  ther-of  I  can  noght  propofe, 

Of-fors  mofte  I  here  take  reft  and  repofe. 


[Fol.  121.] 
could  I  have  found 
more.    There  is  uo 
more  than  I  have 
already  told,  so 
that  I  must  now 
perforce  take  rest. 


w 


"Ow  me  behouith  my  f hippe  vnto  reft, 
Sailles,  cordes,  And  bonet  put  don. 
6408  God  be  thanked,  at  port  riued  in  )>e  befte, 
The  fees  dangere  haue  paffed  and  gone, 
The  wawes  of  fee  ouer  ron  echon 
By  my  iom'naes  fo  thorught-out  the  fee ; 
6412  Therof  preife  and  thanke  the  hy  Trinite, 


Now  must  my 
ship  rest.    Thank 
God,  I  have  ar- 
rived at  port,  and 
the  dangers  of  the 
sea  are  past. 


B; 


>y  whom  thys  dite  fourged  haue  and  made. 
Thanking  therof  be  to  our  lorde  again, 
By  whom  Romans  and  boke  is  to  end  lad. 
6416  And  yf  Any  man  demaunde  hou  certain, 
"What  me  fhall  call  thys  Romans  fouerain, 
hit  name  the  Romans  As  of  partenay, 
And  fo  fom  it  call  certes  at  this  day  ; 


64 


20  f\R  the  romans  of  lufignen  j  now  chefe, 
^   By  you  electe  be  which  J»«t  take  ye  will. 
Xame  ye  it  fo  As  it  may  you  plefe, 
Here  Anon  Couldrette  pefe  hym  fhal  &  ftill ; 
1  MS.  "  apartenay."  2  MS.  "  nomore." 


I  thank  God,  by 
whom  tin-  lmuk 
has  been  brought 
to  an  end.    If  any 
one  wants  to  know 
the  name  of  this 
romance,  it  is 
"Thk  Romans  of 
Partes  ay,"  or, 


"The  Romans  of 
LdSIGHEH  ;  " 
choose  which  you 
like.    Here  shall 
Couldrette  hold 


220 


THE   LITANY    FOR   THE   LINE   OF   PARTHENAY. 


his  peace,  saving 
that  he  will  here 
make  his  orison, 


[Fol.  121  6.: 
putting  it  into  the 
form  of  a  litany ; 
and  when  this 
litany  is  done,  the 
book  shall  end, 
and  Couldrette 
shall  hold  his 
peace. 


0  Glorious 
Trinity,  Three 
Persons  in  One, 
One  Essence, 
Sovereign  Ma- 
jesty, that  hast 
made  summer, 
winter,  and 
all  things, 


Thou  knowest  all 
our  thoughts,  and 
the  consciences 
of  men.    Man 
oweth  Thee  due 
obedience,  and 
diligence  in  Thy 
service. 


Here  humbly  I 
pray  thee  to  have 
mercy  and  pity 
on  this  lord  and 
lady ;  and  to  suc- 
cour them  in  ad- 
versity. 


6424  Os  of  this  mater  no  more  fay  you  till, 
Sauyng  for  to  make  here  hys  orifon 
Now  here  prefently,  As  is  good  refon, 

Puttyng  it  forth  in  fourme  of  letany, 
For  all  the  noble  line  of  partenay 
Aforne  named  ;  and  when  f  he  truly 
Shall  be  ended  that  haue  comprised  ay, 
After  thys  prayer  to  take  end  al-way, 
6432  Then  all  the  hole  werke  is  fourged  &  made, 
And  couldrette  then  in  pes  fhal  be  had.1 

Glorious,  celeftious  Trinite, 
Sacred  deid  incomperable, 
6436  Threfold  perfones  knitte  in  vnite, 
And  on  effence  2  etern,  permanable, 
Souerain  magefte  mofte  honourable, 
Which  fomer,  wynter  made  by  hys  excellence, 
6440  All  thatt  is  and  hath  be  by  hys  huge  prudence, 

nnhou  knowift  all  that  hertes  thenke  or  mufe, 
-I-   All  thynges  thou  feeft  in  thy  prefence, 
Off  herttes  knowift  that  thai  daly  vfe, 
6444  Off  verray  trouth  knowift  ther  confcience. 
Man  owith  to  the  dew  obedience, 
Owith  deligent  be  the  to  commende, 
To  thy  feruice  take  As  thaim  to  diffende. 

6448  T)y  good  frendlyhed  of  thy  deite, 

■*-*  here  in  humbly  wife  pray  thy  excellence 
Off  tham  to  haue  mercy,  grace,  and  pite, 
"Without  tham  f  hewing  any  uiolence. 

6452  here  in  my  elite  haue  put  to  thy  prefence. 
In  aduerfite  focur  thaim  alway, 
That  full  noble  feed  of  faide  pertenay. 

1  The  Cambridge  copy  of  the  French  Romance  ends  here. 
-  MS.  "  enffence  ;  "  but  see  1.  6485. 


INVOCATION    OF    MANY    SAINTS. 


221 


GLorius  virgin,  Mayden,  moder  off  god, 
Dougliter  and  Ancelle,  which  milkeftw/t/f-all 
The  fone  of  god  with  thy  hreftes  hrod, 
Wurtkily  hyni  hare  w/t7i-out  werke  carnall ; 
Which  theophillus  conforted  principall  j 
6460  Comfort  this  hne  \>at  nohle  is  all-way, 
Befides  Eochell  As  of  Partenay. 


[Fol.  122] 
Glorious  Virgin, 
mother,  daughter, 
and  hand-maiden 
of  God,  that  didst 
nourish  Thy 
divine  Son,  and 
didst  also  comfort 
Theophilus;  com- 
fort this  line  of 
Parthenay. 


SAynt  Mychaell,  Angell,  and  the  Archangell, 
To  thaim  be  not  ftrange,  I  you  here  require. 
6464  Cafte  thaim  oute  fro  all  fendes  of  hell, 

And  tham  condute  to  the  heuinly  empire. 
Off  god  conueying  maifter  be  entire, 
lyn,  wolle  to  uefture  haue  thay  without  faill. 
6468  The  befech  not  ftrange  be  thaim  to  confaill. 


Saint  Michael, 
archangel,  protect 
them  from  the 
fiends  of  hell ;  and 
let  them  have 
linen  and  woollen 
vesture. 


8 


Aynt  Iohan,  with  finger  f  hewdest  I  beleue        saint  John  the 

rm        i  it  i  •   i  f  11  Baptist,  that  didst 

Ihe  deuyne  lambe  which  was  lull  precyous.  show  men  the 

Lamb,  and  all  ye 
glorious  patri- 
archs, forget  them 
not. 


All  glorius  patriarkes  in  breue, 
6472  Tham  ne  me  for-yete  noght,  ye  glorious. 
Iff  I  thaim  for-gatte  I  were  malerous. 
Now  if  it  you  pleafe,  me  with  thaim  making 
To  Accorde  vnto  the  mofte  fouerain  kyng. 


6476  H  Aynt  Peter,  faynt  Paule,  and  f aynt  Andrew, 
*J  All  poftelles  of  god,  for  your  curtefy, 
In  obliuy  be  noght  this  iffew 
Fro-whens  fuch  nobleffe  cometh  vnto  ey, 

6480  Sparcled  into  landes  and  places  many  ; 
That  conquered  haue  many  a  noble  place 
By  ther  nobleffe  and  chiualrous  purchace. 


St  Peter,  St  Paul, 
St  Andrew,  and 
all  apostles,  let 
not  this  noble  line 
be  forgotten  that 
hath  spread  so  far. 


SAint  Steuin,  feint  Vincent,  feint  Lauerence,         rj<a.  122  &.i 
And   ye,    Saynt   Clement,    w/t/>-all     feint  vincent^st  Law- 

-,-.       .  P  rence,  St  Clement. 

Uenile, 
Which  all  frendes  bene  to  goddes  hy  effence, 
your  bodies  haue  offered  by  grett  auiffe 


222 


DEFEND    US    ALL    FROM    THE    FELL    FIENDS, 


St  Dionysius,  and 
all  ye  holy  mar-, 
tyre. 


To  greuos  torment  with  huge  tirandiffe, 
6488  And  all  martirifed,  like  or  femblable, 

Which  in  lieuyns  regne  in  ioy  perdurable, 


grant  that  we  may 
dwell  for  ever  in 
heaven,  where 
reign  the 
Father,  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy 
Ghost. 


St  Silvester,  St 
Augustine,  St 
Martin,  St  Mau- 
rice, St  Severinus, 
and  all  confessors, 
let  not  this  line  be 
forgotten, 


TX  the  hy  paradife  celeftiall, 


For  your  fair  dedes  and  wurdes  alfo. 

6492  Make  that  we  he  comp riled  eternall 
Finabilly  without  any  ende  me  to,1 
Where  regneth  the  fader  and  the  fone,  lo  ! 
And  the  holy  gost  in  heuyns  full  hy, 

6496  And  f  hall  for  euer  perdurabilly. 

SAynt  Silueftre,  feint  Auguftin,  your  grace  ; 
Saynt  Martin,  feynt  More,  faynt  Seuerine, 
Saynt  Cuthbert,  feynt  Germain,  feint  Xicholas, 
6500  And  all  Gonfeffours  by  rew  to  deuine, 
Befech,  in  obliuy  putt  not  thys  line, 
Off  whome  treted  haue  in  my  tale  and  lay  ; 
But  out  of  bandes,  good  feintes,  alway 


hut  guard  them 
from  the  fiends 
that  come  at  the 
third  hour  or  at 
mid-day :  grant  us 
the  solace  of  the 
celestial  sphere. 


6504  nnhaim  warde,  put,  and  caft  fro  the  fendes  fell, 
■*-  Which  that  comyth  at  thirde  hour  or  midday, 
(And  more  oftener  then  can  fay  or  tell), 
Fro  hynelfe  to  lowneife  us  to  put  alway. 

6508  Make  vs  to  haue  J?at  folas  euer  and  ay 
Off  the  celeftiall  heuynly  fpere, 
After  wrecchyd  lif  worly  beyng  here. 


[Fol.  123.1 
St  Mary  Magdalen, 
I  pray  to  thee. 
St  Agnes,  St 
Edith,  St  Cathar- 
ine, be  pleased  to 
beseech  our  Lord 
to  save  us. 


651 


SEynt  Mary  Magdeline,  humble  and  demure, 
I  you  here  reLpure  with  hautain  uois  fine, 
With  penfiff  mufes  of  hert  clene  And  pure; 
Seint  Agnes,  feint  Edith,  feint  katerine, 
That  it  you  pleafe  to  take  the  paine  &  pine 
6516   To  befeke  our  lord,  vs  conuey  and  bring 
Aboue  unto  the  ioy  euerlafting. 


1  MS.  "  to  me  to." 


AND    BRING    US    TO    LIFE    ETERXAL. 


223 


A: 


11  goddes  frendes  bleffed  and  Holy,  Ail  ye  Mends  of 

Humbly   you  befeke  vrith    ioynt    handes  our  sins  that  we 

feel  not  hell-pain, 
but  dwell  with  i 
the  saints  in  hea- 
ven. 


twain, 

Go 20  That  ye  do  fo  our  fmnes  vndo  fully, 

And  that  acqueint  [vs]  with  our  fouerain, 
So  bat  of  hell  we  haue  no  point  of  pain ; 
But  to  herbourgh  vs  with  his  bliffed  faintes 

G524  In  heuen  where  And  is  no  complaintes. 


1/ 


Ord  fwet  Ihesu,  be  to  vs  debonair ; 
Do  noght  again  thaim  of  whom  I  haue  told 
Tiling  bat  thaim  may  torn  thaim  in  contrair  ; 
6528  Warde  thaim  fro  bande  of  our  aduerfary  bold, 
"Which  many  man  hath  brought  vnto  his  hold. 
For  tin  pufaunce  and  debonair  renoii, 
Do  make  vs  come  to  our  fauac/on. 


Lord  Jesu.  grant 
that  nothing  may 
turn  to  their 
harm.    Guard 
them  from  our 
adversary,  and 
save  us  all. 


6532  Q  Wete  lorde  god,  fwete  fader  cheritable, 
^  Warde  vs  fro  bandes  of  the  cruell  fend  ; 
As  f  hort  wurdes,  vs  hold  in  our  purpofe  ftable, 
That  neuer  we  torne  bake,  ne  the  offende. 

6536  Amiable  and  piteable  be  to  us  at  end, 
That  we  may  haue  the  perdurabilneffe 
Off  ioy  aboue,  And  uerray  reft  vs  dreffe. 

SWet  lorde  Ihesu,  bat  all  thyng  haft  to  iuge, 
I  the  here  befech  with  hole  hert  entire, 
Make  us  the  ryght  path  go  to  our  refuge, 
And  the  way  of  fauacion  to  acquire, 
To  wepe  'and  complain  our  fynne  cruell  yre ; 
6544  So  we  may  the  preife  after  our  laft  day 
Perdurabilly  in  felicite  ay. 

yilde  now  thankes,  after  this  letany, 
To  the  facred  glorious  Trinite, 

1  These  two  words,  here  written  in  the  margin  of  the  MS.,  mark 
the  beginning  of  the  translator's  own  epilogue. 


Sweet  Lord  God, 
our  Father,  guard 
us  from  the  fiend ; 
grant  that  we 
offend  Thee  not, 
but  may  gain  ever- 
lasting bliss. 


[Fol.  123  6.] 
Jesu,  that  shalt 
judge  all,  teach  us 
the  way  of  salva- 
tion, that  we 
may  praise  Thee 
hereafter  for  ever. 


The  tranflact'ore.l 


224 


AN  APPEAL  TO  THE  READER  S  CLEMENCY. 


I  yield  thanks, 
after  this  prayer, 
to  God,  the  Virgin, 
saints,  martyrs, 
and  confessors, 
that  I  have  now 
translated  this. 


6548  To  criftes  moder,  the  Virgin  mary, 

Seint  Mihell,  feint  Iohan,  apoftellis  that  be, 
Martires,  confeffours,  ech  in  ther  deg[r]e, 
Virgins,  feintes  al,  that  this  haue  tranilat 

6552  Fro1  frenfh  till  englifh  at  this  prefent  dat. 


I  have  done  it 
in  order,  as  closely 
as  I  could,  almost 
line  by  line,  saving 
that  I  have  often 
had  to  change  the 
order  of  words, 
as  when  men 
write  Latin  verse. 


As 


s  ny  as  metre  can  conclude  fentence, 
Cereatly  by  rew  in  it  haue  I  go. 
Nerehande  f tafe  by  f  taf ,  by  gret  diligence, 
6556  Sauyng  fiat  I  moft  metre  apply  to  ; 

The  wourdes  meue,  and  fett  here  &  ther  fo, 
like  As  of  latin  ho-fo  will  fourge  uers  ; 
Wourdes  2  moft  he  change  fondry  &  diuerfe. 


Whoever  trans- 
lates in  metre, 
must  do  this, 
whether  in  ballad, 
verse,  rime,  or 
metrical  prose. 


6560  TTThilom  pat  be-fore  put,  And  fette  behynd, 
'  *    And  oft  that  at  end  gretth  3  beft  before  ; 
So  oft  trauerfmg  the  langage  me  f hall  fynd, 
Be  it  latyn,  frenfh,  or  our  tonge  to-bore. 

6564  ho  it  metre  will,  fodo  mofte  euermore, 
Be  it  in  balede,  uers,  Bime,  or  profe, 
He  moft  torn  and  wend,  metrely  to  clofe. 


[Fol.  124.] 
Yet  have  I  pre- 
served, I  trust, 
the  matter  un- 
hurt, without  ex- 
cess or  diminution, 
making  it  intel- 
ligible in  our 
mother  tougue. 


And  f 
Pre 


nd  fo  haue  I  done  after  my  fimpleiTe, 
6568  J-*-  Preferuing,  I  truft,  mater  and  fentence 

Vnwemmed,4  vnhurt,  for  any  exceiTe, 

Or  by  menufmg  don  by  violence. 

Warded  and  kepte  haue  to  i»telligens, 
6572  That  will  vnderftande  And  knowin  may  5  be 

In  our  moder  tonge,  fpoken  in  contre. 


Perchance  i  T)Erhaps  by  lacheffe,  or  by  necligence, 

may  have  made  ^        „    ,  ,  -,  ,  P       -it- 

an  oversight,  but  -*-     Our-fight  myght  caufe  obhuion, 

6576  Or  parauenture  do  caufe  and  offence. 
Gretly  is  it  noght,  hurtyng  no  refon, 

i  MS.  "  For."  *  MS.   "Worudes."  3  "  greeth  "  (?) 

4  MS.  "  Vnwmned."  5  MS.  "many." 


FAITHFULNESS    OF    THE    TRANSLATION. 


225 


By  no  menes  of  imperfecc/on. 
I  truft  to  conferue  mater  and  fubftance 
6580  Greable  vnto  the  reders  plefaunce. 


it  is  no  great  one, 
not  such  as  to  vio- 
late the  sense. 


A1 


Is  the  frenfh  ftaffes  filabled  be 
]\Iore  breueloker  and  fhorter  alfo 
Then  is  the  englifh  lines  vnto  fee, 
6584  That  comperhended  l  in  on  may  lines  to  ; 
And  in  fuch  wife  fondry  times  haue  do  ; 
Or  ellys  man  myght  by  computacion 
In  ther  contrepane  finde  others  refon, 


Also  the  French 
lines  have  fewer 
[eight]  syllables 
than  the  English, 
so  that  two  lines 
may  be  put  into 
one;  and  I  have 
sometimes  done 


6588 


I 


n  frenfh  or  englifh,  whether  A  maw  fhold 
The  mater  to  preue  by  iuf  te  probacion. 


And  fo  As  it  is  truly  fynde,  I  wold 
Both  bokes  difplaide  to  vilion, 
6592  Verefie  I  wold  the  declaraciofi, 

That  on  by  other  knowen  well  fhold  be, 
BefembHno-  well  All  o  ffoule  dite. 


I  would  that  both 
books  could  be 
seen  at  once,  that 
if  any  man  wants 
to  count  the  lines, 
he  might  see  how 
closely  they  are 
alike. 


6596 


A  11  fonrged  and  don,  thys  here  make  an  end, 
■£*-     Befechyng  your  hy  notable  gentilleffe, 


That  to  my  fauor  ye  now  condifcend 
Off  your  hy  wurthy  foueray nneffe, 
In  whom  contained  hugely  is  nobleffe, 
6600  Though  that  diffautes  apperen  in  ufe, 
yut  of  your  mercy  my  hmpleffe  excufe, 


[Fol.  124  bA 
Here  I  make  an 
end ;  and  beseech 
you,  in  whom  is 
all  nobleness,  to 
excuse  all  faults, 


s 


in  at  your  requeft  and  commaundement  since  it  was  at 

This  warke  on  me  toke,  it  to  fourge  and  made  the  transia- 

,  tion,  and  wrote  it 

maKe  \  out  from  end  to 

6604  And  fo  haue  I  don,  after  myne  entent, 


'With  litterall  carectes  for  your  fake  ; 
Thani  conueying  in  fable  lines  blake 


1  sic  in  M  S. 
15 


226 


CONCLUSION. 


Directly  along  tliys  liaue  I  to  end, 
6608  After  my  limpleffe  fo  forth,  paffe  and  wende. 


Now  all  ye  that 
read  this,  remem- 
ber my  simple- 
ness;  though  this 
book  is  not  paint- 
ed (for  I  cannot 
flourish),  yet  ex- 
cuse all  faults 
that  you  may  see. 


w 


"Ow  ye  all  that  f hall  thys  behold  or  rede, 
Remembreth  myn  unconnyng  nmpleffe  ; 
Thought  rethorioufly  peinted  be  not  in-dede, 
6612  As   other  han  don  by  ther  difcretneffe. 

Sin  florif  h  can  noght,  yut,  of  your  gentillene, 
Though  that  cliffautes  appere  huge  to  ey, 
6615  3n.1t  excufith  me,  befech  you  hertly. 


&rplirit. 


NOTES  TO  THE  PROLOGUE. 


Page  1, 1.  1.  The  lines  numbered  1 — 77  are,  apparently,  the 
original  composition  of  the  English  translator.  The  passage  is 
incomplete  at  the  commencement.     (See  Preface.) 

4.  Iff  aught  here  might  fourge,  If  I  might  here  accomplish. 
The  omission  of  the  personal  pronouns  occurs  continually  through- 
out the  poem,  and  the  reader's  attention  is  here  drawn  to  the 
fact,  once  for  all,  that  he  may  readily  perceive  the  construction 
of  other  passages.  Thus,  in  1.  11,  myght  is  written  for  I  myght ; 
and  so  again  in  1.  21,  where  aunter  wyl  me  =  I  will  adventure  my- 
self. 

5.  f anting  connynghede,  lacking  skill. 

8.  Here  we  find  the  omission,  not  of  the  pronoun,  but  of  the 
auxiliary  verb  ;  /  not  aqueynted  of  birth  naturall  =  I  am  not  ac- 
quainted, by  natural  birth. 

9.  MS.  "frefhe,"  an  obvious  error. 

16.  president,  precedent;  i.e.  the  original  French  Pomauce. 

20.  The  only  attempt  at  ornament  in  the  MS.  is  that  the 
initial  letter  of  each  stanza  is  rather  larger  than  others,  and 
painted  red. 

21.  aunter,  shortened  from  aventure,  adventure.  The  still 
more  contracted  form  anterus  (for  adventurous)  occurs  in  Lancelot 
of  the  Laih,  1.  2618. 

P.  2,  1.  25.  eche  houred  brayd,  each  particular  time.  See  the 
Glossary,  under  Houred  and  Brayd. 

31.  In  consulting  the  very  brief  "proem"  to  the  "notable 
book"  of  Valerius  Maximus,  the  reader  will  not  find  what  our 
author  here  says  he  will ;  but  some  such  passage  may  have  been 
added  iu  some  copy  by  a  commentator.  The  only  passage  in 
that  author  which  at  all  agrees  with  the  text  is  the  following, 
addressed  to  Tiberius,  which  is  certainly  "  notable  "  : — "  To 
igitur  huic  coepto,  penes  quern  hominum  deorumque  consensus 

15  * 


228  NOTES   TO   THE   PROLOGUE. 

maris  ac  terras  regimen  esse  uoluit,  certissiina  salus  patria?, 
Caesar,  inuoco,  cuius  cselesti  prouidentia  uirtutes,  de  quibus  dic- 
turus  sum,  benignissime  fouentur,  uitia  seuerissime  uindicantur. 
Nam  si  prisci  oratores  ab  Ioue  optimo  inaximo  bene  orsi  sunt,  si 
excellentissimi  uates  a  numine  aliquo  principia  traxerunt,  mea 
paruitas  eo  iustius  ad  fauorem  tuum  decucurrerit,  quo  cetera 
diuinitas  opinione  colligitur,  tua  prsesenti  fide  paterno  auitoque 
sideri  par  uidetur,  quorum  eximio  fulgore  multum  cserimoniis 
nostris  inclitse  alacritatis  accessit.  Eeliquos  enim  deos  accepi- 
mus,  Ca^sares  dedimus.  Et  quoniam  initium  a  cultu  deorum 
petere  in  animo  est,  de  condicione  eius  summatim  disseram." — 
Valerius  Maximus  ;  ed.  Kempfius,  p.  1. 

The  concluding  words  are  just  such  as  would  tempt  a  com- 
mentator to  add  to  his  author. 

36 — 42.  What  this  stanza  belongs  to  is  not  clear.  It  cer- 
tainly seems  out  of  place. 

45.  fantesied,  fancied,  imagined, 

46.  maligne  gostes,  evil  spirits. 
50.  valoure,  efficacy. 

P.  3,  1.  52.  miscreant es,  unbelievers. 

78.  Here  our  author  ceases  to  be  original,  and  becomes  a 
translator,  11.  78 — 210  being  a  close  rendering  of  the  Prologue  to 
the  French  Romance.  In  order  to  give  the  reader  a  clear  idea 
of  the  manner  in  which  the  translation  is  executed,  the  whole  of 
the  French  "  proem  "  is  given  below.  (See  p.  229.)  The  philo- 
sopher alluded  to  in  1.  78  is  Aristotle,  the  first  sentence 
of  his  "  Metaphysics  "  being — Holvtiq  avdpwiroi  tov  eifiivai  Spiyov- 
rat  (pvcrei.  All  men  by  nature  are  actuated  by  the  desire  of 
knowledge. 

P.  4,  1.  84.  The  sentence,  as  here,  is  often  left  incomplete  at 
the  end  of  a  stanza. 

96.  loos,  praise.     The  French  has  los. 

97.  perceuale  ;  see  Tyrwhitt,  Note  to  v.  13844  of  the  Cant. 
Tales. 

98.  lo  !  The  reader  will  soon  be  accustomed  to  the  continual 
introduction  of  this  and  other  expletive  words  and  phrases. 

P.  5,  1.  118.  scripture,  writing. 

121.  peiters,  Poitiers.  So  too  in  "  Morte  Arthur;  "  ed.  G.  Gr. 
Perry ;  1.  40. 

126.  icern,  refuse  to  do;  Fr.  escondiroie  (=shun). 

135.  lesigne ;  the  final  n  seems  to  be  accidentally  omitted.  It 
is  generally  spelt  lesignen  or  lusignen  in  other  places. 

139.  "  I "  seems  required  before  "  faid,"  to  complete  the  line. 

141.  iornay,  toil ;  lit.  a  day's  work. 

112.  /aire  in  the  MS.  should  hefairie;  see  1.  148. 

P.  6,  1.  157.  lose  veil  non  hent,  I  desire  to  receive  no  praise. 
See  1.  96. 


NOTES   TO    THE   PROLOGUE.  229 

1G2.  "  Since  it  (i.  e.  a  rimed  French  copy)  hath  already  been 
constructed  and  composed." 

1G1.  to  fade,  to  set  in  order,  dispose,  arrange. 

174.  preuyd  at  deuife,  executed  or  fashioned  with  exactness. 
The  Fr.  has  approimtez,  from  the  Lat.  approximatus. 

178.  salz  and  Barry,  a  periphrasis  for  Salisbury.     See  pref. 

P.  7,  1.  181.  "  He  always  spake,  in  all  his  words,  to  the  same 
effect  as  the  above-said  books  relate.  (And  I  say)  that  book  is 
compiled  from  three  others  (so  say  men  who  speak  about  it)  ; 
and,  indeed,  as  to  its  origin  I  know  of  no  doubt,  as  I  have  for- 
merly myself  seen  the  substance  of  it."  Such  seems  to  be  the 
general  meaning  of  this  vague  and  ill-constructed  sentence,  the  like 
of  which  are  only  too  abundant  throughout  the  poem.  Compare  the 
original  French  (given  at  p.  233)  which  seems  more  intelligible- 

191.  "  Here  shall  ye  hear  this  history's  labour ; "  historie  is 
in  the  genitive  case,  the  case  being  merely  marked  by  its  position  ; 
so  also,  in  1.  192,  we  have  castell  strength  =  castle's  strength ; 
ye  here  corresponds  with  the  French  vous  orez. 

200.  "  Clear  well  or  true  pillar ; "  Fr.  la  clere  fontaine  ou 
puise.  Well  answers  to  fontaine,  but  puise  should  have  been  trans- 
lated well  or  spring.  The  translator  was  thinking  of  apui  or  pui, 
a  support. 

201.  We  should  probably  read  The  maker,  of  whom  all  I  iff  doth 
enfetv ;  but,  even  then,  the  translation  is  incorrect. 

201.  Require,  pray. 

The  French  proem  alluded  to  at  p.  228  is  here  subjoined. 


L] 


E  phylofophe  fut  moult  faige,  [Foi.  i.j 

Qui  dit  en  la  premiere  page 

De  fa  noble  methahiique, 
4     Que  humain  entendement  faplicque 

]STaturelement  a  concepuoir, 

Et  a  apprendre,  et  a  fcauoir. 

Ceft  tref  bien  dit  et  faigement ; 
8     Car  tout  humain  entendement 

Defire  venir  a  ce  point 

De  fauoir  ce  quil  ne  fcayt  point, 

Ou  foit  dhonneur  ou  de  Reprouche, 
12     Et  mefmement  quant  II  luy  touche. 

Les  chofes  des  longtemps  paffees 

Plaifent  quant  Ilz  font  Recordees, 

Mais  quilz  foyent  bonnes  et  belles, 
1G     Trop  plus  que  ne  font  les  nouuelles. 

On  parle  moult  du  Roy  artus,  P™- '  *J 

Qui  veult  efprouuer  les  vertus 

Des  cheualiers  nobles  et  gens  ; 
20     Encores  en  parlent  moult  de  gens. 


230  NOTES   TO    THE   PROLOGUE. 

Et  fi  fait  len  de  Lancelots 

Ou  quel  II  y  ot  tant  de  los  ; 

De  partenay, '  et  de  gauuain, 
24     Qui  neurent  oncques  le  cuer  vain 

Pour  acquerir  honneur  et  pris  ; 

Ilz  firent  comme  bien  aprins. 

Qui  vouldroit  fauoir  et  enquerre, 
28     Et  par  la  mer  et  par  la  terre, 

les  merueilleufes  auentures 

Qui  aduiennent  aux  creatures, 

Sauoir  eft  excellente  chose. 
32     Car  tout  ainfi  comnie  la  Eose 

Sur  toutes  fleurs  eft  la  plus  fine, 

Auffi  est  france  2  la  plus  digne  ; 

Qui  Eiens  ne  feet  (.)  II  ne  vault  Eien. 
36     Si  affiert  a  tous  homines  de  bien 

D  enquerre  moult  fort  des  hyftoires, 

Qui  font  de  longtaines  memoires  ; 

Et  tant  eft  plus  de  hault  degre, 
40     Doit  II,  [de]  degre  en  degre, 

Sauoir  dont  II  eft  deifendus. 

Soit  Eoy  (.)  Baron,  Conte,  ou  Dues, 

Sy  que  memoire  longue  en  foit.  [Foi.  2.] 

44     Tout  grant  feigneur  faire  le  doit. 

Et  en  faire  efcripre  hyftoire, 

Affin  quen  telle  foit  memoire. 

Pour  tant  len  dit  que  vug  grant  feignewr 
48     De  poitou,  (a  cui  dieu  croiffe  honneur  !) 

jNTomme  fire  de  partenay, 

Auquel  tout  droit  lay  affenay, 

Me  commanda,  na  pas  granment, 
52     Et  de  fon  propre  affentenient.  3 

Commandement  auoit  II  bien  ; 

Si  ne  lescondiroie  de  Eien  ; 

Car  chafcun  feet  et  peut  veoir, 
56     Quon  doit  a  grant  feigneur  obeyr ; 

Qui  ne  le  fait,  II  neft  pas  faige. 

Sy  me  dit  en  fon  doulx  laugaige, 

Que  le  preniffe  lexemplaire 
GO     Du  lien  liuret  quauoit  fait  faire  ; 

Et,  de  fait,  II  le  me  badla, 

pour  en  fauoir  moult  qui  en  tailla 

Lufignen  le  chafteau  nobile  ; 
64     Auffi  qui  lift  faire  la  ville ; 

1  parceual  (?) 

2  Sic  in  MS.     Mis-written  for  "  fcience." 

3  MS.  afTentcntemcnt. 


NOTES    TO    THE   PROLOGUE.  231 

C  ar  cef t  vng  trefmerueilleux  fort. 

Lors  Kefpondy,  "  Ie  my  accord, 

Monfeigneur,  a  yostre  plaifir." 
68     "  faictes,"  dit  II,  "  tout  a  Mr, 

Car  toute  eft  voftre  La  Iournee.  ffoi.  2  &.j 

Le  chafteau  eft  fait  dune  faee, 

Sycornme  eft  par  tout  Retrait, 
72     De  laquelle  Ie  fuis  extraict, 

Et  moy,  et  toute  ma  lignie 

De  partenay  ;    nen  doubtez  mye. 

Melluline  fut  appellee 
7G     La  faee,  que  vous  ay  nominee  ; 

Dequoy  les  armes  nous  portons, 

Parquoy  fouuent  nous  deportons  ; 

Et  affin  quil  en  foit  memoire, 
80     Vous  mectray  '  en  Eyme  hyftoire  ; 
[A  line  is  here  lost.] 

Car  Ie  vueil  quelle  foit  plus 
Eenom?nee." 

"  Las  dit,  monfeigneuv ;  Ie  loctroye  ; 
84     Toufiours  vostre  plaifir  feroye, 

Se  faifoit  a  ma  voulente  ; 

Ne  la  nul  lour  Ie  ny  fauldray. 

Ie  le  feray  a  mon  pouoir, 
88     Mais  pas  nen  vueil  le  loz  auoir, 

Se  loz  y  a ;  car  autreffoiz 

Elle  a  efte  niife  en  franchois, 

Et  Eymee,  licomme  on  compte  ; 
92     Pourquoy  ce  me  feroit  grant  honte 

De  moy  vanter  de  ceftui  fait. 

Mais  a  mon  pouoir  Ie  feray 

Tant,  fe  dieu  plaift,  que  le  mectray  [FoL  3.] 

96     D  autre  forme,  fe  lay  lour, 

Qui  mieulx  vous  vendra  au  plaifir, 

Quant  lautre  pas  bien  ne  vous  haitie ; 

Et  que  vous  plaift  que  Ie  le  mecte 
100     Selon  les  liures  quon  trouua, 

Dont  liftoire  on  approuua, 

Et  affin  que  on  labregon. 

Dedens  la  tour  de  manbregeon 
104     Deux  beaulx  liures  furent  trouuez, 

En  latin,  et  tous  approimtez, 

Quon  fift  tranflater  en  francois 

Et  puis,  apres  cinq  ou  fix  mois, 
108     Comme  celle  hyftoire  Amery, 

1  meetrez  (?) 


232  NOTES   TO    THE   PROLOGUE. 

Le  Conte  cle  falebry, 

Dun  liure  quauoit  du  chaftel 

Qui  tant  par  eft  et  fort  et  bel  j 
112     Car  II  parloit  en  tous  fes  dis, 

De  tous  les  fais  qtie  le  vous  dis. 

1  De  trouez  fut  voftre  liure  extraict,' 

Ainsi  le  clit  II  et  Eetraict, 
116     '  Et  fe  querez  comme  le  fceu, 

Ceft  par  ce  quautreffoiz  lay  veu.' 

Sy  mectray  toute  ma  puiffance 

De  le  mectre  en  bonne  ordonnance, 
120     Au  plaifir  du  doulx  Ihesucrift."  [Foi.  s&.] 

Monfeigneur  refpont,1  "  ceft  bien  dift." 

Lors  prins  congie  de  monfeigneur, 

A  qui  dieu  doint  Ioye  et  honneur  ! 
124     Et  men  vins  tout  droit  au  cliafteau 

De  lufignen,  qui  tant  eft  beau, 

Dont  vous  orez  briefment  lyftoire, 

Mais  qud  plaife  au  Eoy  de  gloire 
128     De  men  dormer  le  fentement, 

Sans  lequel  on  ne  fait  nyent, 

Soit  en  francois  ou  en  ebreu ; 

Tout  fcience  vient  de  dieu  ; 
1 32     Ceft  la  clere  fontaine  ou  puife, 

Tout  faifeur  le  fait  quil  aduife. 

Se 2  luy  vient  tout  le  bien  quon  pence, 

Nul  na  de  dieu  fi  non  fcience. 
136     Se2  luy  Eequiers  de  ceur  entier 

Qua  cest  befoing  me  vueille  aidier. 

Et  la  t/'efglorieufe  mere 

Vueille  conduire  cefte  matiere, 
140     Affin  que  le  puiffe  acbeuer 

Cefte  euure  que  le  vneil  Eeueler, 

Au  bon  plailir  de  monfeigneur, 

A  cui  dieu  doint  ennuyt  bon  lour, 
144     Et  en  fa  fin  la  Ioye  fine  ! 

Ainfi  nostre  prologue  fine. 

1  MS.  "Itefont,"  with  "refpont"  written  above  it. 
2  De  (?) 


233 


NOTES  TO  THE  POEM. 


P.  8,  1.  4.  Here,  as  in  1.  523,  we  find  in  the  MS.  "  hie  and 
has."  But  other  passages  show  that  it  should  be  "  hie  and  bas," 
i.  e.  high  and  low. 

6.  astronomie  here  answers  to  what  we  now  call  astrology, 
which  is  also  its  meaning  in  Lancelot  of  the  Laik,  1.  432. 

7.  clerigie,  science.     Fr.  clergie. 

8.  right  Canoun,  canon  law;  as  explained  by  the  Fr.  droit 
canon. 

10.  I-now,  enough. 

14.  cowde,  knew. 

P.  9,  1.  31.  machon.     The  Pr.  has  machonnee. 

34.  columbere.     The  Pr.  has  coulombiers,  a  proper  name. 

36.  According  to  De  la  Mure,  this  "  earl  of  Porest "  was 
Guy,  first  of  that  name,  Count  of  Lyon  and  Forez,  who,  by 
marriage  with  Sibille  de  Beaujeu,  had  several  children  (see  1. 
37),  among  whom  were  three  sons;  viz.  his  successor,  Guy  II., 
Guillaume,  who  became  a  monk,  and  Eaymondin.  Bayinondin 
is  the  hero  of  the  present  romance,  and  was  named  after  Ray- 
mond de  Yiennois,  his  grandfather.  De  la  Mure,  p.  489.  For 
a  long  discussion  of  the  names  "  Forez  "  and  "  Beaujeu,"  see  p.  8 
of  the  same  work.  The  arms  of  the  earls  of  Forest  were  gules,  a 
dolphin,  or ;  a  drawing  of  them  is  given  at  p.  152  of  De  la  Mure. 

45.   "Who  heard  this  news  at  that  time  ;  "  lit.  interval. 

49.  That  "  traying  "  is  an  error  for  "  tarying  "  is  proved  by 
the  French,  which  has  "  atargier,"  one  of  the  forms  of  "  atarder." 

51.  sayn,  seen. 

52.  he  send,  he  sent  to. 

P.  10, 1.  77.  "  For  such  learning  I  shall  instruct  him  in  and 
teach." 

80.  on  your  plesire,  at  your  pleasure. 

P.  11,  1.  98.  thaught,  taught ;  Fr.  enseigne.  Probably  mis- 
written.     See  1.  7G. 

114.  "Raymond  after  this,  against  his  (own)  will,  did  slay 
him ;  cast  stone-dead  to  earth,  he  must  incline  to  death."  The 
French  has, 

"  Car  Eaymondin  si  le  tua, 
Et  mort  a  terre  le  Eua." 


234-  NOTES   TO    THE   POEM. 

P.  12, 1.  137.  sewing,  following. 

140.  "  Where  there  came  to  him  then  great  mischief  and 
terror." 

144.  thaim  to,  them  two. 

P.  13,  1.  152.  The  speaker  is  the  earl.  The  French  has,  "  Lors 
dit  a  Raymon,  venez  ca."     See  1.  158. 

1G3.  an  hie,  on  high. 

P.  14, 1.  178.  thought,  though.     So  in  1.  6611. 

189.  an  hie,  on  high  ;  Fr.  en  hault.     See  1.  163. 

192.  profile.  The  Fr.  has  peril ;  but  the  English  gives  the 
better  sense. 

197.  sothlese,  truly.  It  might  seem  that  the  earl  is  express- 
ing a  wish  that  the  "  strange  adventures"  were  "untrue;"  but 
other  passages  go  to  prove  that  the  writer  actually  commits  the 
mistake  of  making  sothlese  mean  truly. 

203.  for  ille  doing,  i.  e.  in  return  for  ill-doing. 

P.  15,  1.  207.  "  I  shall  declare  to  thee." 

217.  and  shall,  and  shall  come  to  pass. 

219.  a  foot e,  on  foot. 

220.  MS.  "  a."  Perhaps  "  at "  should  have  been  written ;  for 
the  spelling  a  may  be  due  to  the  French,  in  which  a  here  occurs. 
See  1.  223. 

228.  in  that  other  party,  on  the  other  side ;  or,  for  his  part. 
Fr.  dautre  part. 

P.  16,  1.  244.  "  And  when  that  came  to  pass,  the  sword  ^went 
adown  ;  "  i.  e.  glanced  aside.     See  1.  249. 

247.  One  of  the  "  hym  "s  is  redundant ;  viz.  the  first. 

251.  The  translator  has  here  made  several  mistakes,  and  con- 
siderably injured  the  story.  He  makes  the  earl  die  by  the  boar's 
tusks,  and  so  all  Raymond's  subsequent  self-reproaches  are  out 
of  place.  The  French  version  is  that  Raymond's  sword  glances 
off  the  boar's  back  and  cuts  Aymery's  body  open,  so  that  11.  255 
— 258  refer  to  Aymery,  not  to  the  boar.  After  this  he  "  with- 
draws his  sword,"  and  again  striking  at  the  boar,  succeeds  in 
killing  it  at  once.  The  German  version  is  much  better.  Accord- 
ing to  this,  Aymery  aims  at  the  boar  with  his  spear  as  it  is  rush- 
ing at  him,  and  slightly  wounds  it,  but  is  himself  thrown  down. 
Raymond,  coming  to  the  rescue,  seizes  the  earl's  spear,  and 
thrusts  at  the  boar ;  but  the  spear,  glancing  aside,  pierces  the 
earl's  body.  Raymond  immediately  withdraws  the  spear,  and 
with  a  second  thrust  kills  the  boar;  and  then,  turning  to  the 
earl,  finds  him  already  dead.  See  Tieck,  Schriften ;  13  ter  band, 
s.  75  ;  and  the  "  Volksbuch  "  version.  * 

Perhaps,  however,  the  English  prose  romance  tells  the  story 
best  of  all,  viz.  as  follows. 

"  [I]jS"  this  part  Recounteth  thy  story  that  whan  Raymondyn 
cam  ayenst  the  said  bore  for  to  kepe  hym  that  he  should  not 


NOTES   TO    THE   POEM.  235 

hurte  his  lord,  the  bore  anoone  hurted  '  to  hym  and  ranne  fast 
toward  the  Erie,  whiche  seeyng  the  wyld  bore  comme,  lefte  his 
swerd  and  toke  a  short  spere  and  strayght  held  it  dounward  be- 
fore hym.  And  the  Erie  that  knew  &  wyst  moche  of  the  chasse 
broched  the  bore  thrughe  the  brest,  but  the  Erie  felle  doun  on 
his  knees.  And  thanne  Eaymondyn  holdyng  hys  swerde  in  his 
hand  came  toward  the  bore,  and  wold  haue  smytte  hym  betwene 
the  foure  legges,  Eor  he  leye  vpsodoun,  the  bely  vpward ;  and 
suche  a  stroke  gaaf  Eaymondyn  to  the  bore  that  the  blade  of  hys 
swerde  brake  so  that  the  poynte  of  it  sprang  ayenst  the  Erlis 
stomak  &  wounded  hym  sore  in  so  inuche  that  he  deyed  ther- 
oV'—fol.  12  b. 

266.  As  any  on  this  side  of  Eome.  The  Er.  text  has  cle  cy  a 
Home,  a  proverbial  phrase  for  everywhere.  Compare  "  hethen  in- 
to grece;"  Allit.  Eoems ;  ed.  Morris;  1.  231  of  "The  Fearl." 

P.  17,  1.  271.  The  Fr.  text  has,  Tu  nas  compere  ne  commere, 
which  is  not  very  clear. 

279.  Apparently  this  means,  "  In  thee  (is)  no  will  (to)  strain 
to  help  greatest  or  least."     The  Erench  simply  says, 

En  toy  na  Eyme  ne  Eaifon. 

291.  rewarded,  regarded. 

P.  18, 1.  301.  The  sense  is,  "  But  cursed  be  the  hour  when  I 
was  born,  or  (the  fact)  that  I,  living,  so  long  keep  (my)  wretched 
life."  Worly  stands  for  ivordly  =  worldly ;  i.  e.  born  into  the 
world. 

323.  Er.  La  fontaine  defoif  Iolye. 

321.  The  MS.  reading  canne  is  an  obvious  blunder  for  came  ; 
Er.  text, 

Quon  dit  qui  vient  de  faerie. 

P.  19,  1.  313.  goodlol-est ;  lit.  goodliest ;  see  Glossary. 
315.  gayn   night,  towards  night ;    Er.   "  au  foir."      Where  = 
whether. 

351.  say,  essay. 

358.  fantesie;  the  Er.  has  "  fantofme." 

359.  where,  whether ;  as  above  ;  so  again  in  1.  381. 
P.  20,  1.  386.  hys  ;  read  thys,  i.  e.  thus,  as  in  1.  297. 
P.  21,  1.  393.  as/ate,  estate.  Fr.  eftat. 

403.  that  instance,  then  ;  an  expletive  expression,  metri  gratia. 

405.  Ameruelled ;  Fr.  efmerueillies. 

407.  The  MS.  has  simply  You  named  but.  The  translator's 
copy  may  have  been  at  fault  here,  and  hence  even  this  half  line 
may  have  been  written  by  guess-work.  The  French  is  clear,  tho 
passage  running  thus, 

1  Sic  in  MS.     "We  should  have  expected  to  find  hasted;  hut  see  heurter,  to  dash, 
in  Cotgrave. 


23G  NOTES   TO    THE   POEM. 

Et,  par  ina  foy,  Ie  ne  congnois  mye 
Yostre  nom,  ne  xostre  philosomye, 
Ou  Iaparcoy  fi  grant  beaulte. 

The  word  "  philosomye,"  in  which  the  I  is  written  over  a  long 
"f"  lying  beneath  it,  is  obviously  intended  for  phisonomye,  i.e. 
physiognomy,  spelt  visnomie  by  Spenser,  and  fisnomie  in  the 
Promptorium  Parvulorum.  I  have  no  doubt  that  1.  407  should 
end  with  this  word,  but  it  is  difficult  to  connect  it  with  You 
named  but. 

411.  recouer ;  Fr.  recouurer. 

P.  22, 1.  425.  reioyng,  rejoyiug,  i.  e.  rejoicing.  There  are  other 
instances  of  similar  strange  spelling  in  the  poem,  and  it  must  not 
be  altered  to  reioiyng. 

427.  How  she  might  know  his  name. 

442.  tarie  is  an  error,  the  Pr.  not  having  iarie,  but  taire.  So 
too,  in  the  next  line,  me  is  an  error  for  ne ;  the  sense  being,  "I 
may  no-wise  keep  silence,  so  as  not  to  ask  you  the  truth." 

Mais  Ie  ne  me  pourroye  taire, 
Que  ne  vous  deinaudaffe  voir. 

449.  you  councel,  I  counsel  you. 

P.  23,  1.  452.  ofwordly  (  =  worldly)  goods;  Fr.  des  biens. 

453.  light,  lieth. 

459.  And  do  not  fear  that  I  am  not  on  God's  part,  (and  that) 
I  believe  not  in  His  miracles. 

472.  /  firmly  believe. 

479.  unto  devise,  a  mere  expletive  phrase.  It  is  not  in  the 
Prench,  yet  is  imitated  from  the  Pr.  a  devise  =  so  to  speak. 

482.  withsaing  ;  cf.  gaynsayng  in  1.  485. 

P.  24,  1.  487.  That  the  MS.  betaking  is  an  error  for  be  talcing 
is  shown  by  the  French, 

Que  me  prendrez  a  mariaige. 

488.  leuing,  life.  Fr.  vie. 
P.  25,  1.  520.  iverne,  refuse. 

522.  aplas,  in  place. 

523.  The  MS.  has  is  a  blunder  for  las;  cf.  1.  510,  "hie  and 
lowe  ;  "  and  1.  2735. 

528.  that  houred  tyde,  that  time ;  a  mere  expletive,  like  that 
slounde  in  1.  532. 

P.  26,  1.  518.  resceyued,  received.  "Wherever  this  word  occurs, 
it  is  written  so  as  to  look  like  "  refteyned,"  owing  to  the  practice 
of  the  scribe  in  making  "  fc  "  resemble  "  ft,"  and  "  u  "  resemble 
"n."  But  the  French  decides  the  word  in  all  cases,  as  it  em- 
ploys the  verb  receuoir. 


NOTES   TO    THE    TOEM.  237 

552.  the  Erie  last  past ;  i.e.  the  late  earl;  Fr.  derrain  tres- 
passez  (sc.  de  la  vie)  =  lately  deceased. 

557.  Make  deeds  thereof,  (and  let)  the  cause  be  thereon, 
(that  men)  may  see  the  reason  of  the  lord's  gift. 

Faictes  que  vous  en  ayez  lectre, 
Et  y  faictes  la  cause  mectre 
Du  don,  et  par  quelle  achoison 
On  le  vous  liure,  et  quel  Eaison. 
Et  mectez  le  lour  quon  vous  liure 
Le  don,  et  quon  le  vous  deliure. 

There  should  have  been  a  comma  after  the  word  mak. 

574.  And  afterward  betake  you  to  your  return ;  a  periphrasis 
for,  afterwards  return  again  ;  cf.  1.  563.     The  French  has, 

Et  puis  vous  mectez  en  Eepaire. 

P.  27,1/579.  MS.  "finde"  is  an  obvious  error  for  "finde." 
Fr.  trouerez. 

584.  do  it  to  remayn ;  here  remayn  is  an  Anglicized  form  of 
the  Fr.  ramener,  and  the  phrase  means,  extend  it,  drag  it  along 
towards  the  valley,  along  the  stream  which  ^issues  from  the 
fountain.     See  1.  725,  note. 

Et  se  le  courgeon  plus  long  porte 
Que  le  Eont  que  fait  trouerez, 
Contre  le  val  le  Eamenez. 

604.  coursere,  Fr.  Roncin. 

P., 28,  1.  611.  .This  apparently  means,  The  soul  (of  the  dead) 
accused  not  the  author  of  its  death.  But  it  is  a  curious  blunder 
arising  from  mistaking  the  sense  of  Ame. 

Ame  du  fort  ne  laccufa, 

i.  e.  No  soul  accused  him  of  the  event,  i.  e.  of  the  deed. 

616.  The  Fr.  text  has  bacheler. 

618.  hym,  like  his  in  the  next  line,  refers  to  the  late  earl. 

625.  lie,  sc.  the  late  earl ;  see  next  line. 

In  the  MS.  rnyght  is  mis-written,  being  copied  from  the  line 
above.     It  should  be  nyght ;  as  the  Fr.  has  la  nuyt. 

P.  29,  1.  665.  has,  downwards. 

P.  30,  1.  671.  lady  lore,  lady's  teaching;  so  again  in  1.  705. 

691.  lete  make,  cause  to  be  made ;  a  common  expression. 

P.  31,  1.  694.  Fr.  seel,  which  justifies  the  correction. 

696.  Compare  the  expression  in  the  Bible,  "hath  set-to  his 
seal,"  Gk.  iatypayiatv.     S.  John  iii.  33. 

720.  The  MS.  has  either  pam,  or  pain  with  the  i  undotted ;  at  1. 


238  NOTES   TO   THE   POEM. 

721  the  word  is  pane.  In  both  cases  a  better  reading  would  be 
pale,  for  the  Fr.  has  in  both  places  pel,  which  =  Lat.  palus,  a  pale, 
a  stake.     Tieck  also  has  "  einen  Pfahl." 

P.  32, 1.  725.     The  English  version  has  missed  the  sense. 

Puis  lont  ernporte  contre  val, 
Car  II  tenoit  trop  au  pal ; 
Tout  du  long  vng  Rousseau  fourdit, 
Dont  chafcun  forment  feibahit. 

Then  they  bare  it  towards  the  valley,  for  it  kept  too  close  to 
the  stake.  All  along  beside  it  a  rill  welled  up,  whereat  every 
one  was  much  astounded. 

728.  stoned,  astonied. 

P.  33,  1.  755.  The  insertion  of  I  seems  necessary  to  the 
metre  and  sense.     Fr.  "  Car  vrayement  Ie  le  vouldroie." 

759.  Raymond  answered  to  the  count ;  thus  the  Pr.  text,  and 
this  explains  11.  761,  762 ;  but  in  1.  760  the  translator  has  forgot- 
ten who  is  speaking. 

762.  if  your  lord  icyll,  if  the  Lord  will ;  Fr.  se  dieu  plaist. 

765.  thrust,  (sic)  thirst. 

768.  toel  thauyht,  well  taught.  Pr.  senez,  which  means  sage, 
prudent. 

778.  The  Pr.  is  less  obscure. 

II  ne  fift  peu 
Quil  nait  demande  au  corps  gent 
De  la  dame,  dont  tant  de  gent 
Comme  il  veoit,  pouoient  venir  ; 
"  la  ne  vous  en  fault  ef  bahir," 
Dil't  la  dame,  "  tous  font  a  vous." 
A  done  leur  commanda  a  tous 
Que  comme  feigneur  le  Recoiuent, 
Et  si  font  Ilz  ainfi  quilz  doiuent. 

784.  Here  again,  as  in  1.  518,  "  refceiue  "  is  written  so  as  to 
resemble  "  refteine." 

P.  31,  1.  788.  demurly  in  audience,  in  a  low  tone.  Pr.  dit  tout 
bas,  bien  coyement. 

701.  resoned,  copied  from  the  Pr. 

A  done  la  dame  la  Iiaifonne. 

796.  Pr.  text, 

Raymon  dit,  "  Ie  fuis  preft  fans  faille." 
La  dame  dit,  "  II  fault  quil  aille, 
Eaymondin  mon  frere,  autrement ; 
Nous  le  ferons  honneftement. 


NOTES    TO    THE   POEM.   '  239 

P.  35,  1.  829.  rggJit  doubted  and  shereful,  much  dreaded  and 
dear  ;  Fr.  Ma  chiere  daine  Bedoubtee. 

P.  36,  1.  850.  The  MS.  has  here  a  curious  mistake,  viz.  "  fo  " 
instead  of  "of;"  Fr.  de  due.  The  word  "of"  has  first  been  in- 
verted so  as  to  become  "  fo,"  and  then  mis-written  "  fo."  Another 
instance  of  similar  inversion  occurs  at  1.  1007,  where  beded  is 
written  for  bedde.  So  again,  1.  946,  for  for  fro ;  1.  949,  presone 
for  persone,  &c.  See  Preface.  Such  errors  might  easily  occur  in 
printing,  but  in  a  MS.  they  are  very  remarkable. 

P.  37,  1.  879.  ryn.  Fr.  Bain  =  Bord  d'un  bois,  extremite 
(Eoquefort). 

881.  And  in  their  kitchens  saw  they  great  smoke  too. 

896.  Pr.  text, 

Le  Conte  leur  salut  Bendit 

A  chffscun,  pas  ny  actendit, 

felon  qua  luy  appartenoit 

Et  du  lieu  de  quoy  II  venoit, 

Aux  grans  plus,  &  aux  petis  moindre, 

Bien  feet  a  chafcun  falut  Eendre. 

Thus  1.  898  means,  according  as  appertained  to  the  man  sa- 
luted, on  account  of  the  place  whence  he  came. 

P.  38, 1.  929.  What  would  ye  that  I  should  say  ?  Pr.  Que 
voulez  vous  que  le  vous  compte  ? 

P.  39,  1.  943.  inesse,  mass. 

946.  for ;  we  should  certainly  read  fro.  See  notes  to  11.  266 
and  850. 

949.  persone,  Pr.  personne ;  the  MS.  error  is  due  to  the  word 
present  following. 

955.  On  the  other  side  of  her,  a  prince  of  the  country,  &c. 
Pr.  Et  vng  prince  de  la  contree. 

965.  brouth,  an  error  for  brought;  Pr.  Les  mes  portent  les 
efcuiers. 

968.  The  French  text  somewhat  varies  here  from  the  trans- 
lation.    It  runs  thus, 

Vings  damyon  &  vings  de  Eocelle, 
Qui  font  efchazdfer1  la  ceruelle  ; 
Vins  de  tornais,  et  vins  de  bea[u]ne 
Qui  nauoit  pas  la  couleur  Iaul'ue, 
Clare  Eommain  et  ypocras 
T  Courut  par  hault  et  par  has  ;2 
Tins  de  fainct  Iehan  dangely, 
On  tenoit  grant  compte  de  luy ; 
Vins  eftables,  vins  de  viart, 

1  read  "  cfchaMiFcr." 

2  The  Cambridge  copy  of  the  Fr.  text  has  here  lost  two  lines,  judging  by  the 
English  version. 


240  NOTES   TO    THE   POEM. 

Vindrent  apres  le  vin  baftart ; 
Vins  de  fainct  pourfain,  vin  de  Bys 
Eiirent  de  vins  claires  le  prys  ;l 
Puis  eurent  vin  de  preuilege, 
[Foi.  24  &.]     Chascun  lien  euft  en  fon  fiege, 

Chascun  a  tout  ce  quil  deinande, 
Tant  de  vin  comme  de  viande. 

Thus,  for  Angoy  (Anjou?)  the  Fr.  has  amyon  (Amiens).  Bewme 
=  Beaune,  near  Dijon  ;  Tov/rvmz=^ Tours  ;  digon  =  Dij\on  ;  Attcerre 
=  Auxerre ;  Seint  Iohan  of  Angel y  =  S.  Jean  d'Angely,  in  Poitou  ; 
estables  may  mean  a  village  of  that  name,  lying  on  the  W.  side  of 
the  Chaine  du  Vivarais.  With  regard  to  the  Qlarre  Romain,  it 
may  be  noticed  that  Romance,  in  Bourgogue,  is  celebrated  for 
its  wine.  Seint  pur  sain  =  St  Pourcain-sur-Allier,  in  the  depart- 
ment Allier. 

"We  should  compare  with  this  the  passage  from  the  "  Squire 
of  low  degree,"  where  a  list  is  given  of  the  amusements  prepared 
for  his  daughter  by  the  king  of  Hungary.  See  Warton ;  Hist, 
of  Eng.  Poetry,  vol.  2.  p.  10. 

P.  40,  1.  992,  ivent  to  glad,  went  to  glade  ?  i.  e.  set  ?    Fr.  text, 

Les  Iouxtes  Iusquau  lour  durerent, 

which  must  mean,  the  justing  lasted  as  long  as  the  day  did ;  for 
they  next  "  went  to  even-song." 

P.  41,  1.  1002,  of  whom,  i.  e.  of  which  ;  this  is  worth  notice. 

1005,  streiqht,  was  laid  straight. 

1006,  bedde;  the  MS.  has  beded ;  cf.  note  on  1.  850. 

1010,  body ;  this  is  certainly  a  blunder  for  bedde,  since  the 
Fr.  text  has  Le  lit ;  besides,  the  custom  was  to  bless  the  bed. 
See  Chaucer ;  Merchant's  Tale. 

1024,  outred,  uttered. 

1030,  But  (you)  must  hold  that  oath  which  (the)  first  day 
(you)  made  (to)  me. 

P.  42,  1.  1035,  Be,  read  He;  in  the  next  line  of  linage  =  of 
what  lineage.  We  might  read,  "  And  of  wat  linage,"  with  im- 
provement both  of  sense  and  metre. 

1045,  pannes,  pains.     So  in  Lancelot  of  the  Laik,  1.  1273, 

Now  leif  we  hir  In-to  hir  newest  pan. 

1050.  Before  the  next  line  Fol.  25  b  is  prefixed,  whereas  the 
last  fol.  was  numbered  Fol.  24.  This  is  because  two  leaves  have 
here  been  pasted  together,  Fol.  24  b  and  Fol.  25  being  thus  hid- 
den. By  holding  the  book  up  to  the  light  many  words  can  be 
seen,  which  prove  clearly  that  on  fol.  24  b  and  fol.  25  is  written 

1  The  Cambridge  copy  of  the  Fr.  text  has  here  again  lost  two  lines,  judging  by 
the  English  version. 


NOTES    TO    THE   POEM.  241 

by  mistake  a  passage  which  should  have  come  later  in  the  poem, 
and  which  is  re-written  in  its  proper  place  on  f'ol.  41  b  and  fol. 
42.  There  is  therefore  nothing  here  lost,  and  the  narrative  is 
continuous,  as  the  Fr.  text  also  proves.  In  attempting  to  se- 
parate these  pages,  some  person  has  slightly  torn  the  corner  of 
fol.  24,  so  as  to  destroy  the  e  in  pleyge  and  the  t  in  trouth  in  1. 
1049,  defacing  also  the  last  word  in  1.  1050 ;  be  it  non  maligne  is 
therefore  suggested,  in  the  sense  "  be  no-wise  ill-disposed  to  me," 
the  word  maligne  having  already  occurred  at  1.  46  of  the  Pro- 
logue.    The  Fr.  text  has, 

Dame,  dit  II,  je  vous  pleuis, 
Que  tant  comme  Ie  feray  vifz, 

JNe  faulileray  le  couuenant. 

1059.  ho hi,  MS.  bold;  hold  is  of  course  the  right  reading,  as 
the  Fr.  has  tenez ;  cf.  also  1.  1056. 

P.  43,  1.  1072.  And  to  (the)  ladies  which  that  men  (had) 
brought,  &c. 

1081.  forcelet ;  this  should  be  spelt  forceret,  the  wrong  spell- 
ing being  due  to  confusion  withformelet  in  the  next  line  ;  forceret 
means  a  casket.  Also  your  in  the  MS.  is  a  mistake  for  yuor, 
ivory  (Fr.  yuoire)  ;  this  is  yet  another  instance  of  the  inversion 
of  letters ;  see  note  to  1.  850. 

1082.  formelet ;  this  again  should  have  been  spelt  fermelet. 
The  Fr.  text  has  fermail,  which  is  also  sometimes  written  fermeil- 
let  or  fer millet.     It  means  a  chain,  agraffe,  or  carcanet. 

P.  44,  1.  1101.  drust,  durst. 

1106.  sate,  he  sat ;  where  he  means  Eaymond — 

Car  II  ne  voult  pas  couroucier 
Eaymon,  qui  ful't  fur  vug  courtier ; 
Congie  prent,  &c. 

1113.  had  =  there  were;  Fr.  y  auoit ;  cf.  1.  1127. 

P.  45,  1.  1122.  Fr.  on  peut  bien  fcauow*  fe  Ie  ment. 

1125.  quiche  Roche,  live  rock  ;  Fr.  viue  Eoche. 

1132.  the  contray,  i.  e.  the  people  of  the  country. 

1139.  She  named  the  castle  Lusignen  after  the  latter  part  of 
her  name ;  in  1.  1199,  we  have  mention  of  the  town  of  Mel,  cor- 
responding to  the  former  part  of  the  name ;  but  see  note  to  1. 
1146. 

1142.  The  Fr.  text  omits  all  mention  of  Ciprian,  and  merely 
says, 

Encore  le  Eoy  a  presen 
Crie  en  fon  cry,  lufignen. 

But  the  statement  is  verified  by  the  Fr.  of  1.  5351. 

1146, 7.  The  vordfautih  in  the  MS.  should  be/«w/iY7i=lacketh 

1G 


242  NOTES  TO    THE   POEM. 

Mellufme  autaut  dire  vault 
Comtne  merueille  qui  la  ue  fault. 

This  seems  to  imply  that  Melusine  is  equivalent  to  rnerveil- 
leuse ;  but  it  is  hard  to  follow  this  etymology.  In  1.  1139  is 
mentioned  Lusignen  as  being  named  from  the  latter  part  of  her 
name,  and  in  1.  1199  is  mentioned  the  town  of  Mel.  Hence  M. 
de  la  Mure  suggests  (p.  489)  that  the  derivation  should  be  re- 
versed, and  that  the  name  was  compounded  from  the  two  chief 
places  which  she  possessed,  viz.  Melle  and  Lusignan.  But  he 
adds  in  a  note ;  "  Cette  etymologie  du  nom  de  Melusine  n'est 
pas  la  seule  que  Ton  ait  imaginee ;  Bullet  n'a  pas  oublie  d'inserer 
dans  les  Memoires  sur  la  langue  celtique,  ce  mot,  qu'il  fait  venir 
de  Me,  moitie,  et  Llisowen,  anguille ;  dautres  auteurs  veulent 
que  Melusine  soit  une  alteration  du  nom  oriental  Melesinde." 
More  probably  it  is  the  same  name  with  Millicent.  The  prose 
romance  says,  "  ye  are  called  Melusyne  of  Albanye,  whiche  name 
in  grek  langage  is  as  moche  for  to  say  as  thing  meruayllous  or 
comwyng  fro  grete  meruej'lle."   (fol.  37.) 

P.  46,  1.  1161.  in  trailers,  across. 

1102.  grey ;  the  Fr.  has  vert.  So  also  it  is  said  of  Lancelot 
in  the  French  prose  romance,  "  ses  yeux  que  ressembloient  deux 
belles  esmerauldes." 

t  1105.  Neuer  man  sain,  never  (had)  man  seen.  Fr.  "  On  ne  vit." 

1171.  brought,  borough  ;  or  rather,  fort.  The  mount  of  Beau 
Bepair  here  mentioned  seems  to  owe  its  existence  to  a  mis- 
translation, as  the  Fr.  text  says, 

Apres  ce  temps  elle  fift  faire 

Le  bourg  ou  a  moult  beau  jRepaire, 

l.  e.  the  fort  where  there  is  a  very  good  place  of  retreat  =  the  fort 
which  is  an  excellent  stronghold. 

1175.  loners,  lowpes,  louvres  and  loopholes.  A  louvre  is 
an  architectural  term  for  a  small  tower  with  open  windows  or 
slits.  It  is  derived  from  the  French  Vouvert ;  so  here  the  Fr. 
text  has, 

Murdrieres  II  a  (.)  a  louuert 
Pour  lancier,  traire,  &  deffendre. 

P.  47,  1.  1186.  toure  trompe,  trumpet-tower. 

1188.  For,  four,  one  at  each  corner;  rewarde,  regard,  look. 

Quatre  trompeurs  farafinois 
La  furent  mis  a  celle  fois, 
Pour  le  fort  et  le  bourg  garder 
Et  pour  tout  entour  Itecjarder,  &c. 

1194.   Ocde,  Fr.  Ocdes,  the  name  generally  spelt  Eudes,  by 


NOTES   TO    THE   POEM.  243 

some  confounded  with  Ungues.  De  la  Mure  ;  Ilistoire,  &c,  p. 
506. 

1200.  Vauuant  and  mcruant,  Vauvant  and  Mervent,  two  towns 
in  Poitou,  the  former  of  which  adjoins  Parthenay.  De  la  Mure  ; 
pp.  500,  501.     Si.  Messent  =  St.  Maixent. 

P.  48,  1.  1220.  peito,  Poitou. 

1223.  cornicles,  mis- written  for  cronicles  ;  Fr.  text,  la  cronique. 

1235.  (She)  made  that  day  in  Luxembourg  (many)  a  lair 
thing ; 

En  Luxembourg  maint  beau  fait  lift. 

P.  49,  1.  1252.  mailers,  Maillezais  in  Poitou.  The  abbey  was 
burnt  by  Geoffrey  in  a.d.  1232, '  for  which  offence  -he  had  to 
pay  to  the  church  the  sum  of  1000  ecus ;  De  la  Mure,  p.  493. 
The  particulars  are  given  at  length  in  a  later  part  of  the  romance. 

1253.  How  Raymond  was  enraged  both  against  Geoffrey  and 
Melusine,  and  how  he  lost  Melusine,  is  all  related  at  length 
hereafter. 

P.  50,  1.  1274.  "We  may  here  collect  the  names  of  the  ten  sons 
of  Raymond  and  Melusine.  They  were,  according  to  the  romance, 
1.  Urien,  who  had  an  ugly  face  and  eyes  of  different  colours,  in 
honour  of  whom  Lusignan  was  built.  2.  Oede  (Eudes),  with  a 
face  like  fire.     3.  Guy,  who  had  one  eye  lower  than  the  other. 

4.  Anthony,  marked  with  a  scar  like  that  made  by  a  lion's  claw. 

5.  Raynold,  with  one  eye.  G.  Gaffrey  (Geoffrey),  with  the  great 
tooth."  7.  Eromont,  with  a  blemish  on  his  nose.  8.  Horrible, 
with  three  eyes.  9.  Raymond.  10.  Thierry.  M.  de  la  Mure 
considers  four  of  these  as  historical,  and  arranges  them  in  this 
order.  1.  Guy,  taken  prisoner  by  Saladin  in  A.  D.  1187  ;  king 
of  Jerusalem,  1185 — 1192;  exchanges  the  kingdom  for  that  of 
Cyprus  in  1192,  buying  it  of  the  knights  templars  for  100,000 
ecus  (For  (!),  they  having  previously  purchased  it  from  Richard 
I.  of  England,  who  had  conquered  it.  He  died  in  Cyprus,  a.  d. 
1196.  2.  Geoffrey,  inherited  Vouvant  and  Mervent  in  Poitou. 
He  burnt  the  abbey  of  Maillezais,  a.  d.  1232, '  and  had  to  pay  for 
the  rebuilding  of  it.  He  was  afterwards  buried  in  this  new 
abbey.  There  is  a  document  extant,  proving  that  in  1216  he 
made  over  a  large  amount  of  land  to  the  monastery  of  Beaulieu 
in  Eoannois.  [This  document  is  given  at  length  by  M.  de  la 
Mure  at  p.  501,  and  is  the  only  authentic  document  (says  fhe 
editor  of  the  book  in  a  foot-note)  on  which  he  rests  his  con- 
jectures concerning  Melusine's  family.]  3.  Odo  or  Eudes,  but 
who  ought  to  have  been  called  Hugues,  who  inherited  the  domain 
of  Lusignan.  4.  Amery,  or  Amaulry,  called  Urien  in  the  ro- 
mance, who  succeeded  Guy  as  king  of  Cyprus,  from  a.  d.  1196 — 
1210. 

1  Dc  la  3Iure  ;  p.  493.    Surely  this  date  is  wrong,  and  should  he  an  earlier  one. 

16  * 


2±1  NOTES    TO   THE    POEM. 

1275.  Xow  /return,  See. ;  cf.  1.  1177.  Z  shall  declare. 

12^1.  to  know  where,  to  know  war;  Fr.  Aler  veult  fcauoir  de 
la  guerre. 

1291.  towel  find  ther  peple,  to  well  find  their  people;  i.e.  to 
pay  them  good  hire.     Fr.  Et  pour  bien  fauldoier  leur  gent. 

129-3.  teise,  draw,  tend. 

P.  51,  1.  1299.  Famagouce ;  such  is  the  true  reading,  the  town 
being  the  modern  Fainagousta.  The  Fr.  test  has  "  i'ainagofle." 
Compare 

u  And  sail  fayr  to  Famagoste 
for  lyes  to  seke, 
And  saill  forth  to  Cipres 
as  the  buk  tellis." 

Miscellaneous  Poems,  in  Lancelot  du  Lak ;  ed.  bv  Mr  J.  Steven- 
son, ls:39:  p.  151. 

1313.  Urien's  men  were  seen  taking  up  their  quarters  in  the 
sultan's  tents,  and  dislodging:  the  sultan's  men.  In  the  prose 
romance  the  sultan  is  called  Brandymont. 

1315.  regid ;  read  rengid,  ranged.  The  Fr.  text  has  Sngies,  a 
mistake  for  Rengies. 

1319.  Armed  wag  with,  was  armed  by, 

P.  52,  1.  1335.  garison,  healing;  none  would  undertake  to 
heal  him. 

Le  Eoy  dun  dart  envelymee, 
Qui  bien  fut  forgie  et  lyme, 
Fut  tellement  feru  a  point 
Quen  lui  de  garifon  na  point. 

133S.  The,  MS.  Thy;  Fr.  text,  Les  Cypriens. 

13i0.  thowne,  town;  so  wheat  for  went,  1.  1113;  ichere  for 
icere  =  war,  1.  1281  ;  then  for  ten,  1.  3177. 

1315.  enforced,  augmented ;  Fr.  text,  enforcies,  from  enforcier, 
to  augment. 

P.  53,  1.  1375.  myght,  MS.  nyght.  The  sense  is,  so  that  there 
might  never  be  recovery  (for  that  man).  Fr.  text,  Oncques 
hom/fle  ne  le  pouoit  guerir. 

13 7n.  perceiued ;  this  in  the  MS.  looks  like  perteined ;  but  the 
French  has,  quant  Vriens  lappercoit.     Cf.  note  to  1.  5 IS. 

1386.  dedes  Army,  deeds  of  arms  ;  "  Tant  fill  darmes  ce  Vriens. 

P.  51,  1.  1391.  Ther  by,  MS.  Therby ;  French,  Par  Guyon  et 
par  Vriens. 

1396.  thought  long,  thought  to  abide  (?).  Cf.  A.S.  Jengian,  to 
dwell.  French  text,  Vriens  es  trefz  fe  losra.  That  he  did  not 
wish  to  remain  there  long  is  shown  by  1.  1399.  But  probably  we 
should  read  "  log."  i.  e.  loge  =  lodge  ;  cf.  hug  for  huge. 

1414.   AToche  went  Cipryan,  many  a  Cyprian  went. 


NOTES   TO    THE    POEM.  245 

P.  55,  1.  1424.  Who,  0  lord  God,  who  (could  withstand  him)  ? 
Not  a  giant,  at  any  time. 

1442.   know,  known. 

P.  56,  1.  1454.  Whereby  (you)  shall  not  lose. 

1462.  send,  sent. 

1468.  "Whom,  as  I  best  could,  (I)  hare  warded  and  defended. 

P.  57,  1.  1483.  The  general  sense  is,  She  cannot  sustain  such 
fierce  conflicts  of  arms,  nor  the  sharp  showers  (of  arrows). 

Femme  ne  peut  les  tiers  eftours 
Darmes  porter,  ne  les  durs  tours. 

1500.  Mr,  here;  spelt  in  next  line  here.  French  text,  "or 
orez,  Yriens,  or  me  pardonnez." 

P.  58,  1.  1517.  If  (I)  saw  (there)  were  any  respite  of  death  in 
you. 

1523.  reised  god,  elevated  the  host.     Fr.  leuoit  dieu. 

1526.  gild,  he  yielded. 

1533.  lolce,  locked  up  ;  Fr.  De  dueil  fut  fon  cueur  enferray. 

P.  59, 1.  1545.  Tho,  those  who ;  Fr.  A  ceulx,  qui  le  meflerent 
du  fait. 

1546.  icyll,  well ;  spelt  ivel  two  lines  below. 

1548.  A  hinges  dede,  Fr.  au  fait  du  Eoy. 

1555.  The  words  scrawled  in  the  margin  in  a  later  hand  have 
been  written  near  the  edge  of  the  page,  and  the  letters  in  brackets 
cut  away  by  the  binder ;  these  marginal  notes  are,  of  course,  of 
little  value. 

1566.   Colcis,  Colchis. 

1572.  onedee  auise,  Medea's  advice.  The  words  are  run  toge- 
ther in  the  MS. 

P.  60,  1.  1578.  Me,  island  ;  should  rather  have  been  spelt  He 
as  in  1.  1570. 

1579.     Compare 

II  en  y  eft  advenu  mille, 

Mille  voire  par  mille  fois, 

Taut  au  plain  com?«e  aux  deftrois. 

1556.  The  Fr.  text  has  merely  "  de  la  contree "  where  the 
English  has  "  maree,"  which  I  guess  to  mean  marshy  land,  of 
which  there  are  20,000  acres  in  the  department  of  Deux  Sevres. 
(Enclycl.  Metr.  s.v.  Sevres.)  "  The  porte  yaffe "  is  not  repre- 
sented in  the  French  copy. 

1595.  The  insertion  of  ne  is  essential  to  the  metre  and  the 
syntax;  Fr.  Quil  nalast.  Even  thus,  the  metre  still  lacks  a 
syllable. 

1599.  full  know,  well  known,  illustrious. 

1601.  The  marginal  note  in  the  MS.  should  state  that  the 
"king  of  hermyne"  was  "  vnkull  to  vriens  wif."     M.  de  la  Mure 


24G  NOTES   TO    THE   POEM. 

remarks  (pp.  509,  524)  that  Urien,  whose  real  name  was  Ainaulry, 
was  a  younger  son  of  Melusine,  and  obtained  the  kingdom  of 
Cyprus  by  succeeding  his  elder  brother  Guy  ;  that  his  first  wife's 
name  was  Cive  or  Eschive  d'Isbelin  or  d'Iblin,  daughter  of  Bau- 
douin,  Count  of  Eama  in  Palestine ;  and  that,  instead  of  his 
wife's  uncle  being  king  of  Armenia,  it  was  his  (Urien's)  daughter 
who  was  married  to  Leo  I.,  first  king  of  Armenia,  created  king 
in  A.  d.  1197  by  Henry  VI.  (or  V.),  emperor  of  the  East.  By 
hermyne  is  meant  Armenia,  the  Er.  text  having  armenye. 

P.  61,  1.  1614.  hermyns,  Armenians ;  Er.  armyniens. 

1630.  MS.  occorded,  but  Er.  Chascun  faccord'a.  See  1.  1633. 

1633.  Guye  after  send,  Guy  (was)  sent  after.  Er.  Guy  fut 
mande. 

P.  62, 1.  1641.  wilfull,  willing. 

1618.  It  had  before  been  two  brothers  (that  were  kings). 

1652.  Compare 

Et  en  leur  temps  forment  ayderent 

A  ceulx  qui  font  deulx  defcendu, 

(Ainfi  comme  lay  entendu), 

Et  ceulx  de  Bodes,  fe  faichies, 

Out  guerroye  Iusques  en  leurs  marchees. 

1663.  noyours,  annoyers ;  Er.  Et  leurs  nuyfans  fuppediterent. 

P.  63, 1.  1670.  Sept  psabulmes,  seven  psalms ;  but  the  Er.  has 
"  les  quinze  pfalmes." 

16)6.  Brehain  ;  the  prose  romance  has  Behayne,  and  there  is 
little  doubt  but  that  Bohemia  is  meaut,  and  Tieck  accordingly 
writes  Btihnen.  Sometimes  the  term  is  restricted  to  a  city,  and 
it  then  means  Prague,  as  in  1.  1951. 

_  P.  64,  1.  1700.  Er.  text,  le  Boy  daufay,  and  Eoquefort  says 
this  means  Alsace  ;  Tieck,  too,  has  JElsass. 

1701.  Eor  hurt,  which  is  in  the  MS.,  read  hurd,  heard. 

Car  chascun  deulx  fauoir  vouloit 
Pourquoy  le  Boy  les  guerreroit ; 
Et  cel'toit  pour  vne  pucelle. 

1708.  Er.  Eille  du  due,  mais  orpheline.  Thus  Orphelyne 
means  that  she  was  an  orphan ;  her  name  was  Christian,  as  told 
in  1.  1S27;  and  the  prose  romance  calls  her  father  Asselyn  • 
fol.  105. 

1718.  A-ferrome,  from  afar;  Er.  de  long. 

1721,  2.  Army  peple,  men-at-arms ;  "  Cuftile  "  is  given  by 
Burguy  as  another  form  of  Coufteau  or  Couteau,  a  knife.  Com- 
pare 

Voient  grant  foifon  de  gens  darmes, 
A  grans  coufteaulx  et  grans  guifarmes. 


NOTES   TO    THE    POEM.  217 

1723.  The  MS.  reading  "ftafte"  should  perhaps  he  "ftafte;  " 
i.  e.  they  ranged  themselves  in  lines,  and  put  themselves  in  battle 
order ;  Fr.  text,  Lors  fe  mifdreut  en  ordonnance.  Staf  means  a 
line  in  11.  6555,  6581. 

P.  65,  1.  1735.  Again  the  Lusignans  cried  out  full  fast. 
De  Bechief  lufignen[s]  efcrient. 
The  MS.  reading  eryng  is  an  evident  blunder  for  cryng,  the 
peculiar  spelling  of  crying  which  the  scribe  or  translator  has 
generally  adopted ;  thus,  in  1.  1761,  he  writes  reioed  for  reioyed, 
ioyng  for  toying,  1.  1S9S  ;  while  in  1.  1900  we  have  the  very  word 
cryng.     In  the  text,  I  have  written  crying  by  mistake. 

1710.  ech  by  thaimseJf,  each  by  himself. 

1751.  talcyng,  taken ;  Fr.  prins  =  modern  Fr.  pris. 

P.  66, 1. 1765.   (They)  presented  the  king  to  this  fair  creature. 

1767.  shappe,  shaped. 

1787.  Afterwards  commanding  these  brethren  to  come  to  her. 

P.  67,  1.  1799.  yeuyng,  given ;  cf.  talcyng  in  1.  1751. 

1802.  where,  were ;  cf.  whent  for  went,  1.  1113. 

1S08.  The  MS.  hew  is  of  course  an  error  for  knew;  Fr. 
fcauoient. 

1815.  forigers,  foragers ;  MS.  forigers  ;  but  Fr.  text,  fouriers. 

P.  68,  1.  1818.  Compare 

A  lentree  de  Luxenbourg 
Lieu  ny  auoit  ne  carrefourg 
Dont  len  neuft  veu  venir  les  gens 
Au  fons  de  ces  doulx  Instrumens. 

1841.  wace,  was  ;  Fr.  affis/w^. 

P.  69,  1.  1851.  at  thys  iournay,  to-day;  Fr.  au  Iourduy. 

1877.  And  had,  if  (I)  had. 

P.  70,  1.  1886.   With-that,  provided  that. 

1892.  demage,  damage ;  Fr.  dommaige. 

1900.  cryng,  crying ;  cf.  note  to  1.  1735. 

1901.  semble  loyse  is  equivalent  to  the  lyke  icyse  of  1.  1901. 
1905.  swrete,  surety. 

1907.  mow  ye,  certainly  a  mistake  for  myght  I;  for  the  Fr. 
text  has, 

Et  dit,  barons,  moult  lies  feroie, 
where  lies  =  Lat.  Icetus. 

1909.  The  first  to  =  two. 

P.  72, 1.  1951.  According  to  Tieck  and  the  Volksbuch,  Bre- 
haigne  means  Prague  in  Bohemia,  as  before  noted. 

1961.  deing.  The  MS.  has  either  deing  or  doing ;  that  deing  is 
right  is  proved  by  the  sense,  and  by  the  Fr.  text,  which  has 
"  mouront." 

1967.  He  shall  have  my  brother's  (king  of  Brehain's)  daugh- 
ter to  wife.     Compare 


248  NOTES   TO    THE   POEM. 

La  fille  mon  faire1  a  inoillier 
Aura  Begnault,  car  emploier 
Ne  la  pourroit  mon  f'rere  rnieulx. 

P.  73,  1.  1971.  After  my  brother,  (lie  shall  be)  king  of  high 
degree.     Fr.  Boy  fera. 

1973.  Jioir,  heir.  Fr.  hoir. 

1981.  Anynsime,  or  Auynsime ;  the  Fr.  text  has — Dedens 
quinze  lours,  within  this  fortnight ;  but  the  etymology  is  not 
clear ;  I  suppose  it  is  ad  vigesimam,  sc.  diem.     See  Glossary. 

P.  71,  1.  2006.  Sir  Anthony  is  certainly  the  speaker,  we  must 
not  read — "  Sir  Anthony,"  (he)  said,  &c.  The  French  has — An- 
thonie  lui  dit,  frere,  alez. 

2101.  done  is  here  the  infinitive,  generally  spelt  don. 

2018.  this  said  duk,  viz.  duke  Anthony;   cf.  11.  1997,  2003. 

Observe  that  the  Euglish  version  is  quite  wrong ;  for  it  states 

that  "  this   said  duke  went  towards  Luxembourg,"  whereas  it 

should  state  that  "  the  kins  went  towards  Luxembourg  to  meet 

•  .  .  .  . 

this  said  duke  ;  "  the  Fr.  text  might  easily  be  mistaken,  as  it  runs, 

En  luxembourg,  vers  le  due,  va. 

P.  75,  1.  2019.  The  spelling  wordle  seems  intentional,  in  order 
to  eke  out  ten  syllables  for  the  line.     It  is  not  uncommon. 

2056.  By  comparing  the  various  statements  in  De  la  Mure 
(pp.  491,  502,  518),  it  appears  that  the  old  shield  of  Lusignan 
was  barry  of  ten  pieces,  argent  and  azure ;  over  all  a  lion  gules 
(not  crowned) ;  and  the  shield  of  modern  Luxembourg  is  argent, 
a  lion  gules,  crowned  or.  If  then,  as  Christian  in  this  line  sug- 
gests, the  bars  of  azure  in  the  Lusignan  shield  be  left  out  of  the 
consideration,  Anthony  would  bear  the  arms  of  Luxembourg 
very  nearly,  as  then  the  whole  field  would  be  argent.  But  De  la 
Mure  points  out  that  such  a  shield  (viz.  argent,  a  lion  gules) 
really  belonged  to  Cyprus,  and  that  it  should  not  be  thus  con- 
founded with  the  Luxembourg  shield,  since  in  this  latter  the  lion 
is  crowned. 

P.  76,  1.  2066.  JBaueres  and  Almayn,  Fr.  oauiere  et  alemaigne, 
Bavaria  and  Germany. 

2073.  Traquo,  Fr.  text,  Craquo  ;  Cracow.  The  prose  romance 
speaks  of  "  Zelodyus,  kyng  of  Craco  ;  "  (fol.  129). 

2075.  Esclauons,  Slavonians  (?).  Fr.  text,  efclauons.  In  1. 
2077,  we  read  that  he  was  lord  and  sire  of  that  land  also,  viz.  of 
JSlavonia  as  well  as  Cracow. 

2079.  In  the  MS.  "  fc  "  is  written  so  as  to  resemble  "  ft ;  " 
thus  "  fcarmifh  "  resembles  "  ftarmifh,"  and  in  1.  2075,  just  above, 
"  Efclauons  "  resembles  "  Eftlauons."  This  practice  is  common 
enough  in  old  MSS. 

2033.  Fedris,  the  name  of  the  king  of  Brehain,  called  in  the 

1  Obvious  error  iov  frere. 


NOTES   TO   THE   POEM.  249 

Fr.  text  Fedoiz,  but  in  the  Volksbueh,  Friedrich.  The  prose  ro- 
mance has  "  the  kynge  Federyk  of  behayne  ;  "  foil.  123. 

P.  77,  1.  2091.  The  Slavonians  beat  the  men  of  Brehain,  and 
chased  them  to  the  end,  i.  e.  as  far  as  they  could,  viz.  back  to  the 
town  again.     Fr.  Iusques  au  bourg. 

2096.  Compare 

Mais  le  bon  due  de  luxembourg 
Tantoft  oftera  le  debat ; 
Le  Roy  brehaignon  fe  combat 
Aux  faulx  farralins  de  tous  lez, 
Qui  fes  gens  out  moult  Recuilliez. 

2103,  4.  Here  and  there  he  cast  them  down,  fighting  full 
manfully,  cut  down  one  man,  and  overturned  another  on  to  the 
ground.     Fr.  Lun  detrenche,  lautre  mort  Rue. 

2113.  she,  viz.  his  soul ;  Fr.  A  dieu  soit  elle  commandee. 

2117.  But  (as  for)  the  Saracens  indeed,  they  followed  close 
(after  them),  catching  up  those  who  fled. 

P.  78,  1.  2126.  noyng  =  noying,  annoyance. 

2132.  "  They  greatly  dreaded  the  Saracens  at  that  time,  when 
they  saw  their  king  dead,  who  was  formerly  of  great  puissance ; 
whereof  the  Saracens  had  then  great  joy,  (because)  there  were 
(many)  Christians  who  had  been  ended  and  finished  (?)  "  But 
this  last  line  is  so  forced  and  absurd,  that  it  is  far  better  to  read 
"  Trifting,"  and  to  interpret  the  line  to  mean — "  trusting  their 
war  had.  been  ended  and  done."  In  support  of  this,  we  may  re- 
mark that  the  scribe  has  already  written  Traquo  for  Craquo,  1. 
2073.     The  line  is  not  in  the  French. 

P.  79,  1.  2154.  To  preserve  the  right  sense,  the  translator 
should  have  said — The  Sari/ins  went  out,  thaim  faft  truffing — i.  e. 
fast  destroying  (or  driving  back)  the  people  of  Brehain  ;  the 
mistake  evidently  arose  from  a  misconception  of  the  Fr.  text, 

Brehaignons  vont  fort  deftruifant, 
where  Brehaicjnons  is  in  the  accusative  case. 

2159.  Ah!  alas!  Cf.  1.  2106  below. 

2161.  most,  I  must. 

2167.  In  what  manner  (of)  form. 

2171.  nere,  neither. 

P.  80, 1.  2208.  This  messenger  is  a  Saracen  scout,  not  the  one 
mentioned  in  1.  2182. 

2213.  For  see  the  many  Christian  people,  fast  coming. 

P.  81,  1.  2221.  not-For-\at,  nevertheless ;  Fr.  non  pourtant. 

2223.  The  construction  is  obscure ;  Fr  text, 

Et  anthonie  dautre  contree 
Venoit  en  bataille  ordonnee. 

2232.  Two  of  .them  there  hath  Eaynold  cast  down. 


250  NOTES   TO    THE   POEM. 

P.  82, 1.  2246.  Here  again,  as  at  1.  2073,  the  Fr.  has  Craquo. 

2251.  grace,  grass ;  so  also  ivace  for  was,  1.  1841. 

2252.  'deth,  dead. 

2253.  cried  and  grad.     Compare 

Le  Poye  de  Craquo  crie  &  hue ; 
which  supplies  us  with  the  origin  of  the  phrase  hue  and  cry. 

P.  83,  1.  2287.  An  luje,  on  high. 

2290.  In  this  line  A  man  has  a  particular  reference  to  the 
king  of  Alsace,  as  the  meaning  is — Thus  should  A  man  avenge 
himself  on  the  Saracens,  because  the  king  of  Cracow  had  in  very 
truth  in  like  manner  caused  his  brother  to  be  burnt  to  ashes  ; 
this  refers  to  1.  2139. 

P.  84,  1.  2309.  your  fadir  Beth,  your  father's  death ;  the  Pr. 
text  employs  the  same  idiom — la  mort  ton  pere. 

P.  85, 1.  2342.  hold;  read  bold,  which  ends  1.  2281  in  a  similar 
sentence;  for  hold  will  not  rime  to  hehold  in  1.  2340.  So  too  in 
1.  4,  has  is  written  for  has. 

2357.  or  is  the  right  reading ;  Pr.  Yng  Eoyaulme  on  vng  em- 
pire. 

2359.  commanded,  commended. 

P.  86,  1.  2380.  May  is  the  right  reading ;  Pr.  Qui  efglentine 
efpousera. 

2381.  Por  my  part,  I  say  to  you. 

P.  87,  1.  2406.  Cf.  1.  2342. 

2415.  And  all  that  belongeth  to  her  you  (shall  have)  to  take 
(for  your  own). 

2420.  Por  your  free  kindness  and  courtesy,  he  shall  defend,  &c. 

2422.  Read  "  werre ;  "  the  meaning  is — Por  he  can  war  well ; 
Pr.  Car  il  feet  assez  de  la  guerre. 

P.  88,  1.  2428.  The  king  prepared  for  his  niece  all  such  fine 
array  as  pertains  to  a  queen. 

2446.  wis,  read  vois ;  Fr.  Et  dient  tous  a  vne  voix. 

P.  89, 1.  2464.  ortholegne ;  the  Fr.  text  has  a  different  reading, 

Pegnault  fift  grant  guerre  en  frife, 
Oeftellere  de  la  conquift ; 
Danemarche  par  force  acquift ; 

but  this  is  hardly  more  intelligible. 

2469.  Was  not  on  this  side  of  the  Romans;  a  proverbial  ex- 
pression which  has  occurred  before,  1.  266. 

2471.  SpeJce  me  shall ;  the  me  is  adopted  from  a  phrase  in  the 
preceding  line  of  the  Fr.  text — le  me  tairay. 

2483.  As  any  man  could  on  this  side  of  the  sea;  Fr.  de  ca  la 
mer  ;  cf.  1.  2469. 

P.  90,  1.  2187.  Compare 

Cellui  deliura  les  def[t]rois 
Dardayne,  ou  auoit  moult  grant  bois, 


NOTES   TO    THE   POEM.  251 

Maint  bon  chaftel  fortiffia ; 
Tuay  premier  edifBa ; 
Sur  meuze  vug  noble  pont  fift 
Do  mefieres,  et  puis  conquii't 
PluGeurs  bon  lieux  par  fa  proueffe. 

Here  Dardayne  =  D'Ardennes,  famous  for  its  forest,  and  it  is 
easy  to  see  how  this  was  changed  into  "dardane."  In  the  next 
line,  knight  is  of  course  wrong;  read  brought,  which  is  used  to 
mean  a  castle  in  11.  1171,  1199.  Yicon  (  =  Fr.  Yvay)  is  probably 
Givet,  a  town  on  the  Meuse,  lower  down  the  river  than  Mezieres. 

2495.  icered,  made  war  upon. 

2196.  Faborugh  ;  probably  Friborugh  =  Friburg  in  Switzer- 
land (?).  The  Fr.  text  has  hribourg.  Aritrige  is  mis- written  for 
Autrige  =  Autriche  or  Austria;  Fr.  text,  autriche. 

P.  91,  1.  2519.  of  corage,  courageously. 

2523.  This  line,  as  it  stands,  means — In  warring,  a  strong 
warrior,  well  set.  But  it  is  a  mistranslation  ;  and  should  express 
that  he  carried  on  war  bravely  in  Guerrande ;  for  the  Fr.  text  has 
— En  guerrande  fort  guerreoya.  Guerrande  is  mentioned  at  1. 
2950,  where  the  story  of  Geoffrey's  combat  with  the  giant  is  re- 
sumed; it  is  situated  on  the  sea-coast  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Loire. 

2528.  Compare 

Jufqua  la  Eochelle  II z  prenoient 
Sauuergarde,  tant  le  craignoient. 
11  prenoit  a  paftiz  partout 
Autant  au  millieu  covame  au  boult. 

According  to  Eoquefort,  pastis  (from  Lat.  pactio)  is  a  forced 
contribution  which  men  agree  to  pay  an  enemy;  so  that  the 
giant,  in  fact,  levied  "  black  mail "  on  the  inhabitants  ;  but  the 
word  paceyfed  (or  pateyfed)  remains  obscure. 

2533.  This  seems  to  imply  that  Geoffrey  heard  that  the  giant 
called  him  a  man  with  a  great  tooth,  but  the  line  is  merely 
parenthetical  in  the  Fr.  text ; 

Quant  Gieffray  la  nouelle  entend, 
(Que  len  appelle  au  grant  dent),  &c. 

P.  92, 1.  2513.  Hym-seJfenn  the  tenth,  i.  e.  He  went  with  nine 
others.     It  is  a  French  idiom  ;  Luy  dixiefme  fen  part  de  la. 

2553.  maters,  Maillieres  in  the  Fr.  text,  Malliers  in  German. 
It  means  Maillezais  in  Poitou ;  De  la  Mure  ;  Histoire,  p.  493. 
The  prose  romance  has  Maillezes,  fol.  112. 

P.  93,  1.  2579.  monJce;  MS.  moke  (!) 

2583.  all  my  lifesfate,  i.  e.  all  my  life ;  Fr.  Car  la  vueil  le  ma 
vie  vl'er. 


252  NOTES   TO    THE   POEM. 

2585.  in  you  (is)  all  the  hold ;  i.  e.  all  depends  upon  you ; 
Fr.  en  vous  tient. 

2586.  herd,  hard. 

2594.  This  apparently  refers  to  the  tonsure. 

P.  94,  1.  2608.  A  mom,  on  the  morrow ;  Fr.  au  matin. 

2622.  MerJcmmistre ;  Fr.  maire  monftier. 

2623.  Broughdieu ;  Fr.  bourg  de  dieu. 

2630.  Fr.  A  fainct  martin,  la  grant  eglise.  "  France  had 
three  (tutelar  saints),  who  had  each  his  sacred  city;  each,  a3  it 
were,  succeeded  to,  without  dispossessing  the  other.  St  Martin 
of  Tours  was  the  older ;  St  Remi,  who  baptized  Clovis  into  the 
Catholic  Church,  had  an  especial  claim  on  all  of  Frankish  descent. 
But,  as  Paris  rose  above  Tours  and  Rheims,  so  rose  St  Denys,  by 
degrees,  to  be  the  leading  saint  of  France."  Dean  Milman; 
Hist,  of  Latin  Christianity ;  vol.  6,  p.  244.  2nd  ed.  At  p.  249  of 
the  same  work  we  read,  "  Tours  and  Poitiers  quarrelled  for  the 
body  of  St  Martin." 

2632.  And  thereof  (I  will)  cause  deeds  to  be  made. 

P.  95,  1.  2633.  Compare 

Ou  de  notre  dame  de  chartres  ; 
Voire,  fe  tu  veulx  de  paris, 
Ne  foiez  done  de  Rien  marris  ; 
Car  bien  suis  acointe  du  pape, 
II  ny  aura  Riens  qui  mefchappe ; 
Et  puis  apres  ferez  euefque, 
Ne  demoura  guerres  apres  que 
Autre  bonne  euefchie  auras, 
Soit  paris,  beauuoir,  ou  arras. 

P.  96, 1.  2650.  Fr.  text,  Et  la  pour  nous  dieu  pryeras.  The 
English  is  obscure. 

2668.  The  word  in  seems  redundant,  as  far  as  the  sense  is 
concerned. 

2672.  Compare — Hz  furent  ars,  vaille  q^e  vaille;  where  ars 
means  burnt. 

2676.  Compare 

Mellufine  fut  a  vouent, 
Et  mectoit  fes  Robes  au  vent, 
Ou  nouuellement  fut  venue, 
Iamais  elle  ne  fen  fut  tenue. 

P.  97,  1.  2700.  Thre;  Fr.  Trois. 

P.  98,  1.  2744.  Whose  coming  was  the  occasion  of  the  feast  ; 
but  the  Fr.  only  says  that  the  ladies  came  there  on  that  occasion — 

Et  de  dames  trefgrant  foifon 
T  vindrent  pour  celle  achoyfon. 


NOTES   TO    THE    POEM.  253 

P.  90, 1.  2761.  Ton  are  not  so  hardy  as  to  enquire  of  your 
"wife,  cither  seriously  or  in  jest,  whither  she  goes. 

2771.  The  right  sense  should  be — And  some  others  say  that 
she  goes  on  this  day  to  Fairy-land ;  compare 

Autres  dient  que  en  faerye 

Va  cellui  lour — faichies  de  voir, 

Frere,  mectes  paine  a  fauoir. 

2784.  There  lie  fade  Jcnakhed ;  hndkJced  (knocked)  is  the 
translator's  blunder ;  it  should  mean,  There  he  fast  hastened 
where  he  had  not  been  (before).  The  mistake  is  easily  traced; 
Ir.  text,  Se  Hapa  ou  oncques  neuft  efte. 

P.  100,  1.  2S09.  Here  is  an  evident  allusion  to  the  coat  of 
arms  of  Lusignan.  The  shield  was  "  burel£  d'argent  et  d'azur  de 
dix  pieces  ;  "  De  la  Mure,  pp.  494,  502  ;  cf.  note  to  1.  2056.  So 
too  Melusine's  tail  was  divided  into  bars  or  stripes  of  argent  and 
azure. 

2812.  to  sight  gan  purchas ;  i.  e.  he  saw. 

2817.  to  Ende,  to  the  end  that ;  Ft.  affin  que. 

2818.  clout,  a  fragment  of  cloth ;  Fr.  drapelet ;  in  next  line, 
melted  is  the  Fr.  mefle  (mele)  smeared,  lit.  mixed ;  and  Alicay  = 
altogether. 

P.  101,  1.  2843.  Cursed  be  the  hour  that  ever  (you)  came 
hither. 

P.  102, 1.  2S57.  There  is  a  line  omitted  before  this ;  compare 

Et  droit  euft  de  ce  courouchiers ; 
Deftruit  en  fut  et  exillies, 
Car,  &c. 

where  courouchiers  should  perhaps  be  courouchier ;  so  that  the 
meaning  should  be,  And  (Kaymond)  was  right  to  be  angry  at 
this ;  (the  earl)  was  destroyed  for  it,  and  (his  people)  exiled. 

2863.  To  on  his  brother,  to  one,  viz.  to  his  brother ;  Fr.  A 
vng,  fien  frere. 

2868.  lament,  lamented. 

2872.  purer,  poorer,  more  wretched. 

P.  103,  1.  28S0.  Fr.  Perdray  ma  pensee  Ioyeuse ;  thus  pcnxif 
=  thoughtful,  and  is  redundant. 

2882.  Fr.  Miraige  letter  en  \ngpuis. 

2889.  led,  laid  down. 

2903.  In  on  estat,  in  one  position. 

P.  104,  1.  2928.  merely,  merrily. 

P.  105, 1.  2950.   Gueruande ;  read  Guerrande,  as  in  the  French. 

2960.  staf,  a  mace  ;  Fr.  machue. 

2963.  A  complete  mistranslation  ;  it  should  be  "  which  had 
cost  many  ecus ;  "  Fr.  Qui  coufte  auoit  mainte  efcu.    The  mistake 


254  NOTES   TO    THE   POEM. 

arose  from  the  double  meaning  of  efcu,  viz.  1.  a  shield ;  2.  a  piece 
of  money. 

2965.  Again  wrong ;  it  should  mean,  May  God  preserve  him  ! 
he  undertakes  a  great  deed !  Fr.  Dieu  le  faulue,  gr«nt  fait  em- 
prent. 

2969.  stil  you,  be  silent ;  Fr.  vous  taifies. 

P.  106,  1.  2980.  So  long  war  hast  had,  or  made. 

2992.  full,  foul  things,  evil ;  unless  it  be  an  error  for  ill.  The 
line  means,  Who  sware  by  his  gods  that  evil  should  come  to 
him ;  the  Fr.  text  however  is  slightly  different — Les  dieux  Iura 
que  mal  y  vint. 

2993.  He  considered  himself  sorely  disgraced,  since  a  single 
man  desired  to  war  against  him  openly. 

P.  107,  1.  3016.  The  translator  probably  meant  this  line  and 
the  next  to  be  said  by  Geoffrey;  but  we  ought  to  alter  And  to 
/aid ;  for  the  Fr.  has, 

Chetif — dit  guedon,  &c. 

3023.  foh/,  is  no  nay,  it  is  folly,  there's  no  denying  it ;  Fr. 
ccft  grant  folye. 

3025.  she,  i.  e.  his  life,  which  is  feminine  in  French  (la  vie). 

3029.  Fr.  text,  Mais  le  geant  compte  nen  tient. 

P.  108,  1.  3032.  sett ;  the  nom.  case  to  the  verb  is  Geoffrey, 
who  set  him  (a  stroke)  there  in  the  breast. 

3035.  to  se  =  in  sight ;  an  expletive  phrase. 

3037.  The  syntax  is  hereabouts  very  wild.  The  line  means, 
Hast  thou  not  given  me  such  an  offering  ?  it  shall  be  restored 
this  moment ;  i.  e.  You  have  bestowed  on  me  a  fair  blow,  and  it 
shall  be  now  returned. 

3039.  This  means — he  was  wrath  that  he  had  just  been  so 
cast  down  to  the  ground  in  that  isle  by  a  single  stroke. 

3013.  This  means — as  Geoffrey  kept  turning  about,  never 
still,  the  giant  (took)  the  steel  falchion  in  hand,  cutting  the  legs 
off  Geoffrey's  courser.  The  omission  of  the  verb  took  is  very 
awkward. 

3051.  This  describes  the  effect  of  a  second  blow  given  by 
Geoffrey ;  the  first  nearly  cut  off  the  giant's  left  arm  (his  right 
was  cut  quite  off  soon  afterwards),  and  the  second  smote  him 
sorely  on  the  haunch. 

3055,  6.  The  sense  is — the  giant  thought  he  must  make  the 
fight  a  mortal  one. 

3058.  thereof  gaf;  imitated  from  the  French  ; 

Son  ffael  prent  et  meet  en  la  place, 
Au  gieffroy  fur  le  heaulme  en  donne. 

P.  109, 1.  3061.  fleing ;  Fr.  text,  voler. 

3065.  The  MS.  actually  has  legges ;  but  the  Fr.  tells  us  that 
— Yng  de  fes  marteaulx  guedon  prent. 


NOTES    TO    THE    POEM.  255 

30G7.  Compare 

Du  coup  Ruer  moult  fefuertue  (sic) 
De  gieft'roy  actaiut  la  macliue ; 
II  la  luy  fift  voler  des  mains. 

3071.  To  Gaffray  noght  had,  Geoffrey  had  nothing ;  this  use  of 
had  is  an  imitation  of  the  Erench  idiom  y  auoit. 

3074;.  genyng,  given. 

3078.  Whether  arm,  staffe,  or  axe,  (they  all)  fell  down  right 
nigh  him.     It  was  his  right  arm,  says  the  prose  romance. 

3080.  The  last  word  in  the  line  is  most  obscurely  written. 
The  Er.  merely  says — Quant  vie  vng  de  les  bras  perdu.  JBede 
does  not  seem  right.  The  word  "  grad  "  (see  1.  2253)  would  fit 
in  better. 

3082.  of-neio,  lately ;  it  often  means  anew,  again ;  but  the 
giant  had  still  one  arm  left  to  raise  his  sword  with. 

3081.  But  (Geoffrey)  avoided  the  stroke. 
3089.  Compare 

Lui  a  donne  vng  tel  merel, 
Et  vne  fi  tresgrande  offerende, 
lleaulme  na  qui  ne  pourfende. 

P.  110,  1.  3093.  hys  home  sarasin,  his  Saracen  horn ;  this  well 
exemplifies  the  variation  between  the  English  text  and  the  Cam- 
bridge Erench  copy ;  for  the  latter  is  here  wrong ;  it  says,  Puis 
prent  fon  corps  farafmois ;  but  corps  must  be  an  error  for  come,  a 
horn. 

3103.  geannt,  giant's. 

3101.  You  moved  war  (i.  e.  fought)  against  this  man,  and 
thought  in  your  mind  to  vanquish  him,  and  have  now  discomfited 
this  enemy. 

3111.  I  shold  =  I  ought ;  i.  e.  it  was  my  duty  to;  Er.  deuoie. 

P.  Ill,  1.  3121.  Whereby  (he)  had  then  manfully  ended  the 
war. 

3110.  icace,  was  ;  as  also  in  1.  1811. 

3117.  Alas!  (he)  wrought  the  letters  (at  an)  ill  hour. 

P.  112,  1.  3163.  Norbelande;  Er.  text,  Northombellande. 

3172.  The  word  on  is  necessary;  Er.  II  maine  a  tout  le  pnys 
guerre. 

P.  113, 1.  3191.  Er.  text,  Pour  lamour  de  chrestiennete.  The 
next  line  is  not  in  the  Erench  at  all. 

3213.  The  word  goste  seems  mtroduced  for  the  sake  of  the 
rime,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  sense ;  the  French  is, 

Dair  fut  vermeil  comme  sangs, 
De  fin  dueil  quil  auoit  au  corps. 

P.  Ill,  1.  321S.  tho  ill,  those  evil  men ;  tJiys,  thus. 


256  NOTES   TO    THE   POEM. 

3230.  messengers,  should  be  messenger;  so  in  1.  3235,  Thai 
should  be  he,  &c. ;  for  there  was  only  one  messenger ;  cf.  1.  3316. 

P.  115,  1.  3256.  bally  d ;  a  mistranslation,  which  looks  like 
guesswork  ;  for  the  Fr.  has  palle,  i.  e.  pale. 

3263.  full,  foully,  evilly  ;  mal  le  pensastes. 

P.  116,  1.  3292.  Thaken,  for  taken  ;  so  too  in  1.  3177,  Then  for 
Ten, 

P.  117,  1.  3339.  semyng  in  corage,  as  it  seems  to  my  thoughts ; 
Fr.  text,  "  Dieu  le  pere,  ee  mest  daduis." 

P.  118,  1.  3358.  eonclute,  conducted;  Pr.  conduisoit. 

3365.  The  Fr.  line  corresponding  to  this  is, 

En  peu  deure  moult  loings  alerent. 

"Way's  note,  in  his  edition  of  the  Promptorium  Parvulorum, 
to  the  word  kennynge  is  so  entirely  to  the  point  that  I  give  it 
here.  "  Will.  Worcester  uses  the  term  kenning  to  denote  a  dis- 
tance at  sea,  pp.  179,  313 ;  and  it  appears  from  Leland  that  20 
miles  was  accounted  as  a  kenning,  probably,  as  the  extreme  dis- 
tance within  ordinary  sight.  '  Scylley  is  a  kennyng,  that  is  to 
say,  about  xx.  miles  from  the  very  Westeste  pointe  of  Corne- 
waulle.'  Itin.  iii.  f.  6.  See  also  f.  13."  Many  readers  will 
probably  recall  the  lines  in  Keats's  Sonnet  "  On  first  looking  into 
Chapman's  Homer," 

"  Then  felt  I  like  some  watcher  of  the  skies 
When  a  new  planet  swims  into  his  ken." 

P.  119,  11.  33S1— 3392.  These  lines  are  parenthetic,  being 
added  by  the  writer  to  prepare  us  for  the  coming  denouement  of 
the  story. 

P.  120,  1.  3399.  lered,  buried;  ofhys,  of  him;  altered  for  the 
sake  of  the  rime.     We  still  say — that  body  of  his. 

3117.  Hissed  with  right  hand,  crossed  himself;  Fr.  si  se  signa. 

3423.  Is  it  this?  is 'it  thus  ?     Fr.  Est  il  ainsi? 

P.  122,  1.  3476.  wronged,  read  wrong.  Fr.  text,  "  Nay  pas  tort 
se  le  me  tourmente." 

3484.  Fr.  text,  "  Et,  pour  la  larme  de  vantosme."  It  seems 
to  be  a  sort  of  proverbial  oath.  The  words  "  hys  fair  "  seem  to 
have  no  meaning,  and  to  be  merely  expletive. 

P.  121,  1.  3551.  scroched,  sic  in  MS. 

P.  125,  1.  3556.  serxj,  we  should  expect  say,  to  rime  with 
G affray ;  yet  sery  may  be  =  Lat.  sero,  in  the  sense  of  say,  utter, 
or  speak,  which  it  sometimes  bears. 

3575.  Trowing  means  as  I  trow  ;  Fr.  "  Bien  quinze  fois,  se  croy 
le,  ou  vint." 

35S4.  Fr.  "  Mal  vey  ton  gracieux  demaine." 

P.  127,  1.  3617.  This  line  seems  imperfect.  The  line  in  the 
MS.  ends  with  "  difceiue,"  in  which  the  e  has  been  smudged  nearly 
out  again.     The  Fr.  has, 


NOTES   TO    THE    POEM.  257 

"  Se  mon  corps  a  toy  demouroit, 
Tu  ta  perceuras  bien  briefmewt 
De  ton  maluais  parluremrat ; 
Se  verite  meussies  tenue, 
[Fol.  S2  b.~\     Jusques  ala  mort  rne  eussies  eue, 

Et  par  raoy  eussies  eu  secours,"  &c. 

3640.  seueralte  can  only  mean  separation;  yet  the  precise 
opposite  is  meant ;  "  Plus  ny  sera  ensemble  tenue." 

P.  128,  1.  3652.  She  draws  the  three  barons  aside,  to  tell  Ray- 
moncl  and  them  ber  special  injunction  about  Horrible;  hence  her 
speaking  in  an  undertone,  and  her  addressing  Raymond  as  before. 

P.  129,  1.  3689.     The  Pr.  has 

Qui  de  tous  eulx  eftoit  le  maiffcre, 
JSil  en  fut  caufe,  bien  en  peut  eftre  ; 

meauing,  I  suppose,  that  if  the  abbot  were  at  the  bottom  of  all,  it 
was  not  to  be  wondered  at. 

P.  130, 1.  3711.  This  story  of  Melusine's  re-appearance  before 
melancholy  events  is  always  carefully  insisted  on  wherever  the 
legend  is  told.  Her  first  manifestation  of  herself  was  just  before 
Raymond's  death,  as  told  further  on,  11.  5182 — 5191.  According 
to  the  prose  romance  (fol.  218)  she  was  seen  by  an  English  cap- 
tain, one  Sersnel,  just  before  he  lost  the  castle  to  the  duke  of 
Berry;  and  she  was  also  seen  several  times  by  one  "godart," 
and  moreover  by  one  "  yuon  of  walles,"  and  by  many  others. 

P.  132,  1.  3802.  How  the  earl  of  Eorest  met  with  his  death 
will  be  duly  told  hereafter.     See  p.  170. 

P.  133,  1.  3809.  This  eulogy  of  the  lords  of  Parthcnay  is  care- 
fully enlarged  upon  at  the  close  of  the  poem,  for  obvious  reasons. 

P.  139,  1.  4011.  Rather  or  later,  Sooner  or  later.  This  is  a 
peculiarly  good  instance  of  the  use  of  rather,  it  being  so  well 
brought  out  by  later  following. 

4015.  The  Ft.  text  has, 

Elle  fait  mon  cuer  cfpartir, 
En  Remectant  comme  la  cire 
fait  le  geant  feu  en  larmes  frire." 
Ainu  fe  tourmente  Raymont. 

She  divides  my  heart,  re-kindling  it  as  the  giant  fire  fries  wax 
into  tears.  Thus  Raymond  torments  himself."  The  translator 
has  quite  missed  this. 

P.  140,  1.  4048.  "  Whether  I  lie  or  no,  God  on  high  knows." 
Such  asseverations  occur  often. 

P.  141,  ].  4055.  norbelande;  why  this  spelling  occurs  is  not 
clear;  for  the  Fr.  text  has  " northombelaude,"  and  the  prose  ro- 
mance "  Northombcrlaud."     Tieck  writes  it  Korheiucn. 

17 


258  NOTES    TO    THE    POEM. 

P.  142, 1.  4101.  That  the  French  copy  from  which  the  trans- 
lator took  the  poem  had  slightly  different  readings  from  the  Cam- 
bridge copy  is  of  course  likely  enough.  Already,  more  instances 
of  deviation  have  been  pointed  out  than  can  be  accounted  for 
by  a  supposition  of  errors  in  translation.  The  mention  of  the 
"  marbre  stone"  on  which  the  giant  sat  is  a  crucial  instance;  for 
the  Cambridge  copy  reads, 

La  guide  voyt  fur  vng  Rochier 
Le  geaut  aflis  fur  vng  arbere  ; 

whereas,  when  we  turn  to  Tieck's  German  version,  the  word 
"  Marmorstein  "  re-appears  ;  so  that  there  was  doubtless  a  special 
mention  of  marble  in  that  French  copy  which  the  translator  used. 

4106.  He  had  no  dread  or  fear  at  all,  for  he  thought  he  need 
not  mistrust  God  that  he  had  been  misled. 

P.  144,  1.  4149.  The  re-appearance  of  the  word  "  werly  "  in 
this  line,  as  indicated  in  the  foot-note,  is  of  course  due  to  its  having 
been  copied  in  from  the  line  above.     It  is  clearly  superfluous. 

P.  145,  1.  4181.  The  Fr.  has,  De  leaige  de  fix  ou  fept  ans. 

P.  147,  1.  4240.  We  ought  rather  to  read  "And  yut,  so  I 
shall;  "  Fr.  text,  Et  fi  feray  le ;  mais  dy  moy,  &c. 

P.  148,  1.  4254.  The  comma  above  the  line  after  "  cofyn  "  is  a 
misprint. 

4278.  It  wanted  but  little  that  he  had  not  been  destroyed. 

P.  149,  1.  4311.  The  reading  "Aid"  is  supported  by  the  Fr. 
text; 

Se  la  ne  luy  donnent  aye 
Magot,  Apolin,  Ternagant. 

P.  150,  1.  4319.  The  reading  "  conquered  "  is  amply  supported 
by  1.  3942  (not  3492,  as  misprinted)  which  runs,  Wich  that  ceafou 
conquered  was  and  gett. 

4336.  The  cold  knife-blade  entirely  passing  through  (his  thigh- 
armour)  . 

4384.  According  to  the  prose  romance,  the  name  of  this 
mountain  of  "  Northomberland  "  was  called  "  Brombelyoys,"  and 
the  story  of  "  Elymas,  kyng  of  Albany,"  is  told  at  much  greater 
length  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  romance,  which  is  its  right 
place.  There  we  find  that  Presine  was  the  king's  second  wife, 
and  that  the  breaking  of  his  oath  was  due  to  his  listening  to  the 
suggestions  of  JNTathas,  his  son  by  his  former  wife ;  with  many 
other  additions. 

P.  153,  1.  4107.  With  tlies  douffhters  Hire  lie  dosed,  he  was  en- 
closed by  his  three  daughters.  Fr.  text,  Car  fes  trois  filles  len- 
clouirent. 

4L26.  Grimold  was  either  the  fifth,  sixth,  or  seventh  of 
them,  and  he  hath  been  the  last. 


NOTES   TO   THE   POEM.  259 

P.  156,  1.  4495.  She,  i.  e.  the  chamber.  The  translator  doubt- 
less employed  she  because  the  Fr.  text  has  Elle ;  just  below  (1. 
4499)  he  uses  it. 

4508.  Fr.  lis  portent  moult  grant  medecines. 

P.  158,  1.  4549.  mariecl ;  perhaps  the  translator  meant  mar- 
ried, but  the  proper  meaning  here  is  vexed,  Fr.  marrye.  The 
French  here  arranges  a  few  lines  in  a  different  order,  but  the 
extract  given  exactly  fits  in  in  place  of  fol.  88.  The  translator 
claims  to  have  made  his  translation  nearly  line  by  line,  and  hero 
57  French  lines  answer  to  56  English  ones.  As  we  are  sure  of 
the  exact  number  of  lines  lost,  we  are  able  to  continue  the  right 
numbering  of  the  lines  by  just  missing  5G. 

4607.  More  about  lady  Melior  and  the  Sparrow-hawk  castlo 
will  be  found  further  on.     See  p.  186. 

P.  160,  1.  4621.  Palatine,  elsewhere  spelt  Palestine,  had  her 
name  assigned  with  evident  reference  to  the  acquirement  by  Guy 
of  Lusignan  of  the  title  of  king  of  Jerusalem  ;  see  1.  4634. 

4625.  coings ;  this  is  spelt  in  several  other  ways,  as  may  be 
seen  in  the  Index  of  ISaines.  The  Fr.  text  has  (elsewhere) 
"  courgo  ;  "  and  the  prose  romance,  "  Guy  go."  The  story  of  Pa- 
lestine's treasure  is  given  more  at  length  further  on.     See  p.  196. 

P.  162,  1.  46S7.  This  means  that  the  giant  perceived  Geoffrey, 
and  perceived  that  he  was  doomed.  Geoffrey  does  not  perceive 
him  till  1.  4691. 

4694.  The  mis-spelling  dorn  is  probably  due  to  the  word  Anon 
following  it. 

P.  164,  1.  4735.  Fr.  text,  De  fon  papier  eftes  plainez. 

P.  167,  1.  4827.  waloping,  galloping.  It  is  curious  that  this 
word  occurs  in  the  Prose  Eomance  also,  at  fol.  169  ;  "whan  the 
saudan  was  departed  fro  the  batayll,  he  waloped  till  he  cam  to 
[the]  sarasyns  oost." 

P.  171,  1.  4964.  The  prose  romance  calls  the  pope  Bencdidus  ; 
hut,  strangely  enough,  there  is  neither  a  Benedict  nor  a  Leo 
among  the  popes  of  the  twelfth  and  thirteenth  centuries. 

P.  173, 1.  5007.  Ayrjlon,  called  Chastaillon  in  the  Camb.  Fr.  text. 

5010.  alludes  to  1.  3807. 

P.  175,  1.  5085.  In  all  the  marches  he  ruled  over,  whether  it 
was  wrong  or  right. 

P.  ISO,  1.  5218.  lefte  is  of  course  the  reading.     Fr.  text, 

De  fes  pechies  Eiens  ne  laiffa. 

P.  183,  11.  5326,  7.  There  is  only  one  Fr.  line  answering  to 
these  two,  but  it  supports  the  reading  "  drad."  It  runs,  "  Sar- 
rafin  neuft  qui  le  craingne." 

P.  184,  1.  5329.  Hys  leinjng,  during  his  lifetime;  Fr.  Son 
viuant. 

5357.  Fr.  text,  Du  picrregort  en  angleterre. 

17* 


2 GO  NOTES    TO    THE    POEM. 

P.  185,  1.  5359.  cambrere,  Er.  text,  En  arragon,  ceulx  de  cam- 
biere. 

P.  186, 1.  5114.  The  prose  romance  says,  (fol.  7  b)  whoever 
"  wil  goo  watche  there  the  day  before  the  euen  and  theuen  also 
of  saint  Iohan  baptiste,  whiche  is  on  the  xx  (21th  ?)  day  of  lung," 
may  achieve  the  aventure.  It  was  thus  in  the  "  most  cheffest 
time  of  somertide,"  (1.  5522)  not  near  midwinter,  when  we  com- 
memorate the  Evangelist. 

P.  189, 1.  5503.  Fr.  text, 

Ainu  la  chambre  painte  eftoit 

Dun  pie  de  mur  Iusques  au  toit, 

Qui  deuifoit  les  nafcions 

Et  les  eftranges  Regions, 

Da  furent  telz  homines  vaillans 

Qui  point  ne  furent  fommeillans,  &c. ; 

where  "  deuifoit "  means  described,  not  "  deuided." 

P.  193,  1.  5619.  This  line  should  mean,  Since  you  do  not  keep 

to  that  which  is  your  own ;  Er.  Mais  puisque  ne  ten  veulx  tenir. 
P.  191, 1.  5615.  Er. 

.Arriue  eft  a  dure  fefte, 

Car  point  ne  voit  qui  le  loppine, 

Mais  maint  coup  euft  fur  l'on  efchine. 

Thus  the  Er.  verb  loppiner,  (lit.  to  cut  into  pieces,  hence  to  beat 
severely),  has  been  twisted  into  "  his  opinion  "  / 

5653.  Eor  remarks  on  "  anointed  "  in  the  depraved  sense  of 
beaten,  see  Notes  and  Quer.  3rd  S.  IX.  359,  522.  The  Er.  text 
has  oinr/t. 

P.  195,  1.  5672.   Crius,  not  mentioned  in  Camb.  Er.  text. 

5683.  Er.  text,  Mais  la  moitie  pis  gouuerna. 

5684.  De  la  Mure  devotes  his  last  chapter  to  the  kings  of 
Armenia,  giving  the  list  as  follows.  Leo  I  (reigned  1197),  Con- 
stant, Ilaiton,  Leo  II,  Theodore,  Leo  III,  Hugues,  John,  Leo 
IV,  Leo  V,  Leo  VI.  This  makes  Leo  I  the  hero  of  the  Sparrow- 
hawk  adventure,  Constant  the  king  mentioned  in  1.  5682,  and  the 
rest  the  "  nine  heirs."  The  name  of  the  last  king  agrees  with 
the  prophecy  in  1.  562S,  and  De  la  Mure  tells  us  (p.  526)  so  much 
of  his  history  as  confirms  the  account  in  the  next  stanza  ;  "  il  se 
refugia  en  France  aupres  du  Roi  Charles  VI,  l'an  1385.  Et 
ayant  dispose  de  scs  droits  au  Poyaume  dArmenio,  en  faveur  de 
la  Maison  de  Chypre,  comme  il  a  ete  vu  ci-devant,  il  mourut  a 
Paris,  l'an  1393,  le  29e  novembre.  II  y  fut  inhume  en  l'eglise 
des  Celestines,  ou  on  voit  sa  representation,"  &c.  I  may  add 
that  La  Coudrette  insinuates  that  he  saw  the  funeral  himself — 
"  Ou  moult  de  gens  le  vey  enfeinble  " — a  line  omitted  in  the  trans- 
lation. 


NOTES    TO    THE    POEM.  261 

P.  190,  1.  5718,  treteth,  read  tretgng ;  where  — yng  marks  the 
infinitive. 

P.  200, 1.  5S23.  Fr.  text, 

Vng  liomme  trouua  en  fa  voye, 
Qui  Iufques  an  mont  le  eonuoie  ; 

which  shows  that  "  be "  should  he  "  he,"  and  suggests  that  1. 
5N21  should  run  thus, 

Which  to  this  niontain  he  gan  hjm  conuay, 

where  "he"  means  high,  as  elsewhere.  For  this  mountain  is  ge- 
nerally called  the  high  mountain  ;  see  11.  4625,  4631,  5725. 

P.  201,  1.  5281.  Brandes  should  no  doubt  be  Brainiest;  Fr. 
text,  Brandift. 

P.  205,  1.  5972.  Fr.  text, 

Qui  fut  Iadis  clerc  de  inellin, 
Et  pres  dillecques  demouroit ; 

whence  it  is  clear  that  mellin  (translated  Merlyn !)  is  the  name  of 
a  place,  probably  Molina  near  the  Sierra  Molina  in  the  extreme  !S. 
of  Arragon. 

5981.  Fr.  text, 

Ce  devin  eftoit  nay  defpenge, 
Et  fut  a  lefcole  a  tolette,  &c. ; 

so  that  "  of  good  cognicion "  should  have  been  horn  in  Spain ; 
and  "  Tholouse  certain  "  really  represents  Toledo. 
P.  208,  1.  6061.  Fr.  text, 

Helas,  II  euft  eu  le  trefoir, 
Et  conquis,  feuft  vefqu  encoir, 
Et  terre  de  promiffion, 
Qui  taut  eft  faincte  Eegion. 

P.  209,  1.  6105,  Fr.  text, 

La  gift,  la  eft  la  tombe  mife 
le  lay  veue  de  mes  deulx  yeulx. 

P.  211,  1.  61G2.  Fr.  text,  Elle  court  plus  fort  qune  fleffe. 

P.  212,  1.  6175.  Who  this  "one  AVilliam"  was  I  tail  to  find, 
there  being  no  archbishop  of  Bourdeaux  of  that  name  at  this 
time,  though  Bourdeaux  would  be  the  see  in  which  was  Parthe- 
nay.  Nor  was  the  archbishop  of  Paris,  nor  of  Tours,  so  named 
at  this  time;  but  it  is  observable  that  "William  Fabri  was  then 
bishop  of  Perigueux,  the  native  place  of  this  lord  of  Parthenay's 
daughter-in-law;  seel.  G373. 

6182.  A  curious  mistake  about  the  date  has  here  crept  into 
the  text;  the  year  should  be  1101.  For  the  Fr.  text  has,  "  En 
lau  mil  vng  et  quatrecens;  and  this  fulfils  the  conditions;  for,  in 


2G2  NOTES    TO    THE   POEM. 

1401,  the  17th  of  May  was  not  only  a  Tuesday,  but  the  Tuesday 
before  Pentecost.  The  false  date,  1407,  is  easily  accounted  for  ; 
for  it  so  happens  that  in  that  year  too  the  17th  of  May  was  on 
a  Tuesday,  but  it  was  the  Tuesday  after  Pentecost,  which  makes 
all  the  difference. 

P.  213, 1.  6206.  Pr.  text, 

Put  faicte  la  translacion 
En  Ian  et  Incarnacion 
Du  chief  du  gracieux  corps  ; 
Car  II  eftoit  la  pieca  mors. 

P.  214, 1.  6266.  The  reigning  king  was  Charles  VI. 

P.  219, 1.  6123.  Both  here  and  below  the  Pr.  text  spells  the 
name  "  coudrette." 

P.  220, 1.  6433.  The  Camb.  copy  of  the  Pr.  text  ends  with  the 
line,  Adoncques  fe  taira  coudrette ;  the  litany  being  missing, 
though  part  of  the  page  is  left  blank. 

P.  223,  1.  6546.  The  translator,  being  deserted  at  this  poiut 
by  Coudrette,  gives  us  an  original  epilogue,  wherein  he  consider- 
ably falls  off,  and,  towards  the  end,  seems  almost  to  give  it  up. 

P.  224,  1.  6553,  repeated  from  Prologue,  1.  15. 

6577.  This  boast  is  hardly  borne  out  by  the  facts. 


GLOSSAEIAL  INDEX. 


[The  French  words  inserted  between  marks  of  parenthesis  after  the  -word  to  be 
glossed  are  the  corresponding  words  in  the  French  text.  Thus  "  Aduertise 
[aduiser)  "  means  that  aduiser  is  the  word  which  the  translator  has  rendered  by 
aduertise ;  but  it  is  not  meant  that  aduiser  occurs  in  all  the  passages  where  adut  rtise 
does,  only  that  they  are  found  to  correspond  once  at  least.  In  very  many  instances, 
the  Fr.  word  greatly  explains  the  English  one,  which  is  the  reason  for  giving  it. 
The  following  abbreviations  have  been  used ; — Pr.  Parv.  =  Promptorium  Parvu- 
lorum  ;  Bur.  =  Burguy,  Glossaire  de  la  langue  d'oil ;  Cotg.  =  Cotgrave's  French 
Dictionary  ;  Roq.  =  Roquefort's  Glossaire  ;  Jam.  =  Jamieson's  Scottish  Dictionary. 
Ch.  appended  to  a  word  means  that  it  is  used  by  Chaucer.  Other  abbreviations,  as 
A.S.  for  Anglo-Saxon,  O.N.  for  Old  Norse,  O.Fr.  for  Old  French,  &c,  will  be 
readily  understood.  The  letter  p  before  a  number  refers  to  the  Prologue.  The 
books  referred  to  in  italics — as  K.  Horn — are  books  published  by  the  E.  E.  T.  S.] 


A,  he,  5400. 

A,  on,  752,  805 ;    A  day,  on  a 

day,  at  times,  75  2. 
Abake,  to  putte  (JRecuillier),   to 

put   aside,    decline,    3110;  to 

defeat,  2094,  2100. 
Abakwarde,  backwards,  5888. 
Abasslied,     amazed,    astounded, 

2052,     2346,     2849,     4806; 

afraid,     2635.        It.    esbahir. 

"  Abaschyd  or  aferde.      Terri- 

tus."  Pr.  Parv. 
Aby,  abide  it,  4679.  Ch. 
Acause,  because,  2913,  3611. 
Aceeptiff,    acceptable,    pleasing, 

3285. 
Accounte,     to     count,     number, 

4892.       "Here    to    account," 

&c.     Spenser,  F.Q.  iii.  6.  30. 
Accpiitail,  acquittal,  4764. 


Aday,  on  various  Jays,  at  various 

times,  often,  4252. 
Adieu  commaunde,   I    commend 

you  to  God,  3849. 
Adquire,  acquire,  p.  99. 
Adrad,  afraid,  588. 
Aduertise  (aduiser),  to  pay  heed 

to,    477;    to  notice,   perceive, 

2847. 
Aferrom,  629,  3375  ; )  afar  off,  at 
Aferrome,  4488,         /  a  distance. 

AS.  feorran,  feorrene. 
Affiaunce,  trust,  3177. 
Affray,  disturbance,  2854.     Ch. 
Any,  to  be  affianced  to,  6052. 
Aforn,   136,  347,   353,-) 

4435,  4891,  4995,      [ before. 
Aforne,  56,  4440,         J 

"  Aforne  (afore,  Aide,  coram? 

Pr.  Parv. 


264 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Afray,  terror,  140.     Ch. 
Again,  2534,  \   acm[nst 
Agayne,  251,  J     ° 
Agast,       were      afraid,       480  G. 

"  Agaste,    supra    in    a-ferde." 

Pr.  Parv. 

A-liy,  on  high,  1210.     SeeArihy. 

Alabastre,  4515,  )      ,  ,     , 
ait      j.       rnon    r   alabaster. 
Alebastre,  5039,  J 

A-land,  on  land,  4836. 
Alfaste,  very  quickly,  3252. 
Alienyng,  alienating,  G128. 
All-oute,    fully,     entirely,     com- 
pletely, 2320,  4463,  5922.     It 

occurs  also  in  Lancelot  of  the 

La  Ik. 
Al-oute,  the  same  as  the  above, 

8G6. 
All-ther-nrst,  first  of  all,    2490. 

So  too  AlSer  best,  best  of  all, 

Gen.  fy  Ex.  Cf.  I  Hi.  allereerst. 
Als,  also,  3440,  41G3,  5089.  Ch. 
Als!    alas!    2159,    2166.       Fr. 

text,  las,  which  see  in  Roq. 
Amended,  4544,  |  grew  stronger, 
Amcndid,  4035,  J  grew  up. 
Ameruelled,  astonished,  405. 
Amidward,  in  the  middle,  4291. 
Allium,  in  the  morning,  on  the 

morrow,  5519. 
An,  written  for  And,  4957. 
Ancelle,  handmaid,  645G.       Lat. 

ancilla. 
And,  if,  5384,  5446,  6S09. 
An-hy,    on    high,    2704,    2966, 

3145,  &c 
Anoynted,  used    jocularly    of  a 

good  beating,  5653.      So  the 

Fr.  text,  Men  oingt. 
Antecessour,  ancestor,  6359.  . 
Antecessoures,  predecessors,  4786. 
A-per-se,  superexcellent,  lit.  A  by 

itself,  1148. 
Apertly,     openly,     />.30,      331. 

Piers  Tl. 
Aplace,  in  her  place,  before  all, 

932. 


Aplas,  in  your  place,  in  his  pre- 
sence, 522.  "  Aplace,  in  place. 
Gower."  Wright's  Pro  v.  Diet. 

Aply,  to  ply,  bend,  4187. 

Apparaill  (la  pareille),  the  like 
of  it  (?)  Apparently  copied  from 
the  Fr.  text ;  742. 

Apparailled  (apparaillie),  adorn- 
ed, 927. 

Appareill,  to  deck,  adorn,  5236. 

Appetite,  desire,  wish,  2621 ; 
desire,  love,  2896. 

Apply,  to  bend  to,  submit  to, 
5313.     See  Aply. 

Arew,  arrow,  6162. 

Argent  (argent),  silver  money, 
1119. 

Armes,  coats-of-arms,  painted 
shields,  5481  ;  a  coat-of-arms 
(sing.),  5494. 

Army  dedes,  deeds  of  arms, 
gallant  acts,  1738,  4134,  5745  j 
dedes  Army,  1386,  1489. 

Army  peple  (gens  darmes),  men 
completely  armed,  2215. 

Armyly  (tout  arme),  completely 
armed,  used  as  an  adv.,  5418. 

Arson  (archon),  saddle-bow, 
2961.     Fr.  argon. 

Asaid,  said,  450. 

Askes,  ashes,  3412. 

Assemble,  encounter,  1728. 

Assembled  (sasserriblerent),  en- 
countered, 1328,  1725. 

Assoled,  prob.  error  for  assoiled, 
5224. 

Astabled  (estaolist),  established, 
5281. 

Astat,  estate,  condition,  393, 
1257.     All.  Poems. 

Astoned,  stunned,  benumbed, 
4289. 

Astronemie,  6,       |  astrology. 

Astronemye,  187,  J  So  in  Lance- 
lot, 1.  432. 

Astronumian,  a  man  learned  in 
astronomy  and  astrology,  12. 


GLOSSAKIAL    INDEX. 


265 


At  end,  at  last,  4683,  5244. 

Athirt,  athwart,  169. 

A-this-side,  266,     \ 

A-thys-side,  2469,   >  on  this  side. 

Athissid,  3472,        ) 

Athissid  Borne,  on  this  side  of 
Rome,  a  proverbial  phrase  for 
anywhere. 

Ato,a-two,  in  twain,  3087,5857. 

Attained,  attainted,  defiled,  466. 
See  (iff i  indre  in  Roq. 

— " that  a  queene  .  .  . 
In  any  wise  should  be  attamed." 

Chaucer's  Dream ;  112S, 
"Athamyd,  as  a  wessel  wyth 
drynke.  Attaminatus." — Pr. 
Parv. 

Attende,  await,  wait  for,  1422; 
expect,  1425,  1465. 

Aualed  (avatte),  let  down,  lowered, 
3001,  4479.     Ch. 

Auaunce,  to  advance  an  opinion, 
propose,  make  provision,  2377. 

Auaunce,  5566.    See  To-auaunce. 

Auaunsing  himselfe,  proceeding 
on  his  way,  5655. 

Auaunt  (moy  muter),  to  boast, 
#.161.     Ch. 

Auenture,  ill  fortune,  391  ;  good 
fortune,  416. 

Auentures,  adventures,  p.102. 

Auise,  sb.  counsel,  5269. 

Auise,  vb.  pay  heed  to,  2014; 
perceive,  espy,  4687 ;  con- 
sider, 5454.  Auise  hym,  let 
him  take  heed,  5382. 

Auised,  he  perceived,  4448. 

Auisse,  good  counsel,  wisdom, 
6486. 

Auncion,  old ;  most  auncion  = 
eldest,  1276;  ancient,  p.22. 

Auncionte,  antiquity,  6357. 

Aunter,  to  adventure  oneself, 
p.  21.     Ch. 

Autentike,  praiseworthy,  ex- 
emplary, 6181.  Cotg.  gives 
under  Authentique,  "approved 
or  allowed  by  authority." 


Auynsime,  a  period  of  twenty 
days;  hence,  speedily  ;  1981. 
The  Pr.  text  has  quinze  lours. 
Wright's  Prov.  Diet,  gives 
"  Avintaine,  speedily."  Auyn- 
sime =  Avintaine,  just  as  O. 
Fr.  oisme  =  huitieme;  and 
vintaine  is  O.Pr.  for  vingtaine, 
a  score. 

Auysilye,  advisedly,  wisely,  538. 

A-where,  everywhere,  4245, 
4952,5352.     A.S.  JSg-hwoer. 

Ay,  ever,  3262,  3650,  4162.   Ch. 

Ay,  each;  in  the  phr.  "other 
ay,"  103.  It  seems  to  be  put 
for  "  ayper."  "  Ay}>er  ojjer  in 
armes  con  felde."  Gawain,  1. 
841. 

Aye,  2959;  Ayen,  1735,  again. 

Ayne  (laisne),  eldest,  1695. 

Bace,  low,  621.     See  Bas. 

Baculere,  bachelor,  a  novice  in 
arms  or  arts.  See  Bacheler  in 
Roq.  616,  1925,  4243,  5955. 
[The  MS.  has  in  all  four  places 
the  reading  "baiulere,"  but  it 
is  hard  to  see  how  this  can  be 
right,  unless  the  i  had  the 
sound  of  j,  and  even  then  it  is 
a  strange  spelling.] 

Bakke,  in  the  phr.  with  the 
bakke  =  backwards,  where 
with  =A.S.  mi,  4709. 

Ballad,  bald,  3256.     Ch. 

Bandone,  disposal,  4767. 

"For    both    wise    folke    and 

unwise 
Were    wholly   to   her  bandon 

brought." 
Ch.    Rom.    of    Rose,     1163; 
where    the    orig.    has    a    son 
bandon. 

Baptime,  baptism,  1242. 

Barge,  a  ship  of  large  size,  1284, 
5666.  The  Fr.  text  says  it 
was  so  called  because  it  was 


266 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


si  large.     Eoq.  says,   "  grande 

barque  qui  portoit  trois  voiles 

et  un  ancre." 
Baronage  (baronnye),  an  assembly 

of  "barons,    685,    5199.      See 

barniez,  Eoq. 
Barony  (baronnye),  the  same  as 

Baronage,  853. 
Barreres  (barriere),  barriers,  bars, 

4663.     [M.S.  Barrore,  but  Pr. 

Parv.  has  Barrere,  q.  v.] 
Bas,  low  ;  gen.  in  phr.  "  hie  and 

bas,"  high  and  low,   4,    523, 

927,    945,    &c;    adv.    down- 
wards, 665. 
Base  ;  in  phr.  base  wise  (en  bas), 

in  a  low  soft  way,  in  a  whisper, 

2916. 
Basly  ;  more  basly  (plus  bas)  = 

lower,  1216. 
Basse,  low,  6157. 
Bash,  be  amazed,  wonder,  782. 

0.  Fr.  esbahir. 
Basshed,    amazed,     605,    2351, 

2940. 
Basterd,  bastard  wine,  979. 
Bastiled    (basti),    fortified,    fur- 
nished   with   defences,    1134. 

"  Bastille,   fortifie     avec    des 

tours  et  des  creneaux."     Eoq. 
Befom,  before,  1357,  4943,  5280. 

See  Aforne. 
Behest,  promise,  273.     Ch. 
Behofull,    behoveful,   necessary, 

3379,  4109. 
Behold,  sb.  a  look,  glance,  3543. 
Belay,  belly,  4307,  4534. 
Bement,  bemoaned,  3320,   3883, 

3907,  &c. 
Bered  (enseuely),  buried,  3399. 
Berres,  an  error  for  Breres,  briars, 

brush-wood,  3297.     See  Brere 

in  Pr.  Pair. 
Besain,  beseen,  seemly,  858. 
Beseying,  busying,  3431. 
Besinesse,    industry,     diligence, 

2495. 


Bete  (bastue),  adorned  with  beaten 
gold  (?)  917.  See  Tyrwhitt, 
note  to  v.  981  of  Cant.  Tales. 

Betan,  the  same  as  Bete,  4502. 

Bethenke,  think  of,  3998. 

Bette,  3034, )  ,    , ,  .  Q   ,  .. 

-o  u.   cmp     l  better.     A.S.  bet. 
Bett,  5526,   j 

Better  (amere),  bitter,  2825. 

Beuteuous,      beauteous,      5077, 

5192,  5441. 
Bild,  1172,     )bdl 
Billed,  3115,)  Dmlt* 
Blecere,  wound,  hurt,  3572.    Fr. 

blessure. 
Blenched,  3085, )  swerved  aside, 
Blent,  4268,        j  shrank   aside. 

See   Blench    in    Wedgwood's 

Etym.  Diet. 
Blissed,  blessed  himself,  crossed 

himself,    2813,    3417,    4807, 

4754.     The  Fr.  text  generally 

has  se  signa. 
Bliue,  quickly,   5673.      Bob.  of 

Gloucest.  1.  50. 
Blode,    in    phr.    of  blode  =  by 

blood,  i.  e.  by  blood  relation- 
ship, 4829. 
Bode,  vb.  tarried,  abode,  waited, 

2958,  4058.     A.S.  Udan. 
Bode,  sb.  abiding,  tarrying,  rest, 

1937,  4466.     Ch. 
Bole  (toneau),  a  large-sized  bowl, 

2988.      Cf.    "His  bolle  of   a 

galun."     K.  Horn,  1123. 
Bolned   (enflez),   swollen,    1428. 

"  Bolnyd.      Tumidus.'1        Pr. 

Parv.    Sw.  bulna.  Dan.  Inline. 
Bonet,   a   small   additional   sail, 

6407.       "Bonet   of    a    seyle. 

Arte  mo,  sin  i  pum."     Pr.  Parv. 

See  Morte  Arthur,  1.  3657. 
Boode,  tarried,  waited,  5414. 
Bmid,  awaited  (vb.  act),  5458. 
But  me,    bottom,     4480.       AS. 

botm. 
Brace,     embrace,     seize,     1446. 

"  bracer,  embrasser,"  Burguy. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


2G7 


Braid,  Braide,  Brayd,  time, 
moment  of  time,  453,  486, 
2828,  &c.  O.N.  brag*,  a  rapid 
movement,  a  twinkling. 

Braid   (braierd),   cried   out,    lit. 

.    brayed,  2122.     0.  Fr.  braire. 

Brandes  (brandisi),  brandishes, 
5854.  -  Unless  it  be  an  error 
for  brandest,  brandished. 

Bred,  broad,  5647. 

Brede,  breadth,  1180,  3008, 
3101.     Ch. 

Brede,  bread,  3661. 

Breffes,  letters,  2683.  0.  Fr. 
and  Ger.  brief. 

Brend,  Brende,  burnt,  229,  2667, 
3412,  &c. 

Brenne,  to  burn,  3229.  O.N. 
brenna.     Ger.  brennen. 

Brennyng,  burning,  5347.  A.S. 
brenning. 

Brennynglie,  fervently,  extreme- 
ly,  69. 

Bretherin,  brethren,  3666,  5344. 

Breueloker,  in  a  briefer  manner, 
6582.     Cf.  Goodlokest. 

Briddes,  birds,  877,  1003,  5476. 
Ch. 

Brigge  (pont),  bridge,  1222.  A.S. 
brig. 

Brise,  breaketh,  3748.  Br.  briser. 

Brought  (bourg),  town,  1171, 
1199. 

Bruled  (brulez),  burnt,  2289, 
3313,  4855,  5246. 

Bruschet,  small  twigs,  brush- 
wood, 3299.  "Broce,  menu 
bois  ;"  Burguy.  "  Brossettes, 
small  heath  wherof  head- 
brushes  are  made ; "  Cotg. 

Bryghty,  bright,  2149. 

Burlid,  striped  ;  only  in  the  phr. 
"burlid  with  siluer  and  Asure," 
2809,  3492,  3870.  "Burelle 
d' argent  etd'azur;  (We  blaze  it 
thus)  he  bears  so  many  clossets 
argent  and  azure  ; "  Cotg.  Cf. 


the  heraldic  term  Barruly. 

Buschineutes  (bachines),  prob.  an 
error  for  Buschinetes  or  Bas- 
chinetes,  basnets,  light  helmets, 
2148.     See  Bassinet  in  Cotg. 

Bustesly  (raydemeni),  boisterous- 
ly, violently,  fiercely,  forcibly, 
2262,  3257,  4171,  4271.  See 
Boystows  in  Pr.  Parv. 

By-ment,  bemoaned,  1346.  See 
Bement. 

Byrnde,  burnt,  3408. 

Caitife,  wretch,  3318. 

Calange,  challenge,  i.  e.  claim, 
3725.  "Calanger,  as  Clial- 
anger."     Cotg. 

Can  (scet),  knows,  p.  108.  A.S. 
cunnan. 

Canoun,  canon ;  right  canoim  = 
canon  law,  8. 

Carectes,  characters,  6605. 

Carfoukes  (carrefourg),  places 
where  four  roads  meet,  1819. 
See  Cartehowse  in  Pr.  Parv. 
[Carfax  is  often  derived  from 
quatre  votes  ;  why  not  from 
carre  fourgs  (quatuor  /area-)  /] 

Carfty,  crafty,  5708. 

Cassedony,  chalcedony,  4510. 
"  And  sujjfie  riche  casse- 
doines ; "  Fl.  &  Blanch.  286. 

Caste,  plannest,  intendest,  30 1  6. 

Catell  (das  biens),  chattels,  goods, 
457. 

Catholike,  462,  3500. 

Cautels  (catddle),  trickery,  cun- 
ning, attempt  at  overreaching, 
5563.     See  Roq. 

Caytif,  2166,  )  h 

Caytiff,  3016,  j  WTCTcn* 

Ceason,  season,  4150,  5521. 

Celest,  celestial,  5419. 

Celestif,  celestial,  3288. 

Cereatly,  p.  18,  6554,  N|  in      due 

Ceriatly,  1836, 
Lat.  seriatim. 


)  in      due 
j  order. 


268 


GLOSSAUIAL    INDEX. 


Cerched,  searched,  4743. 
Cerching,  searching,  4656. 
Certes,  certainly,  3665,  4984. 

Cesse,  cease,  4043. 

Chanon  (chanoine),  a  canon,  644, 
2626. 

Chapitre-hous,  chapter  house, 
3249. 

Charge,  vb.  to  heed,  reck,  care, 
3937. 

Charge,  sb.  regard,  care,  4124. 

Chaufe,  to  chafe,  warm,  224. 

Chaufed,  chafed,  warmed,  4024  ; 
chafed,  angry,  3258. 

Chausing,  chasing,  4911. 

Chere  (chier),  dear,  2749. 

Cherefull  (tres  cJiier),  dear,  2585. 

Cherished,  vb.  neut.  grew  up, 
4035. 

Cherisly,  dearly,  5338. 

Cherishly,  dearly,  122. 

Chermat  (cMere  mate),  chap- 
fallen,  5882.  See  Char  and 
Mat  in  Burguy. 

Chersh,  to  cherish,  6318. 

Ches,  chose,  326. 

Chese,  choose,  4965.     Ch. 

Cheue,  achieve,  597. 

Childed  (mfanta),  hare,  1157, 
1193;  borne,  4401. 

Chine,  chink,  4343.     A.S.  cine. 

Chinesse,  chine,  hack ;  chinesse 
bred  =  broad  back  ;  unless 
chinesse  is  intended  for  a  gen. 
case,  and  then  chinesse  bred= 
back's  breadth  ;  see  brede. 
The  Fr.  has  simply  leschine  : 
5647. 

Chirmed,  made  a  loud  noise, 
chirped  loudly,  878.  Cf. 
"  synnigra  eyrm,  the  uproar  of 
sinners;"  Caedmon,  ed.  Thorpe, 
145,  17.  "With  charm  of 
earliest  birds;"  Milton,  P.  L. 
i\\,  642.     See  Forby. 

Chirsly  (moult  elder),  dearly,  23. 

Clariners,  clarion-players,  trump- 


eters,  2221.      "Claryowre  or 
clarenere,  IAticen."     Pr.  Parv. 

Clarre,  a  clear  wine,  972.  See 
Claret,  in  Pr.  Parv. 

Claustrall,  living  in  a  cloister, 
2595.     Cotg. 

Claymed  (clamez),  proclaimed, 
called,  1675. 

Clemrnyng,  climbing,  235. 

Clergy,  2552, )  knowledge, 

Clerigie,  7,  j  science.  0.  Fr. 
clergie. 

Clerke,  a  scholar,  2552. 

Cliue,  clove,  1382. 

Closed,  enclosed,  5577  ;  was  en- 
closed, 4407. 

Cloute  (drupelet),  a  small  bit  of 
cloth,  2818.  "  Clowte  of  cloth, 
Scrutum."     Pr.  Parv. 

Cognicion,  knowledge,  5981. 

Collyng  (laccola),  taking  round 
the  neck,  embracing,  2911. 

Comeraunce  (freeur),  mental 
trouble,  great  fright,  4905. 
"Comerawnce.  Vexacio."  Pr. 
Parv. 

Comerd,  cumbered  with  grief, 
overwhelmed  with  chagrin, 
4402.  See  Combrer,  Bur.  ; 
and  cf.  Ger.  kummer,  grief. 

Comerous,  cumbrous,  trouble- 
some, 4066.  "  Comerovs, 
Vexatwus."  Pr.  Parv.  Also 
cumbersome,  vast,  5773. 

Comforth,  sb.  comfort,  3985  ; 
vb.  to  comfort,  3922. 

Commaunde,  commend,  3849, 
4771. 

Commaunded,  commended,  264, 
5166,  5439. 

Commaundyng,  commending, 
3964. 

Compernage,  company,  1020, 
3706. 

Complesh,  accomplish,  5212. 

I  '"lnpleshed,  accomplished,  3960. 

Comynly,  commonly,  3685. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


2G9 


Comynte,      community,      4072. 

"  Comownte,        communitas." 

Pr.  Parv. 
Concellour,  counsellor,  3860. 
Conclude,  include,  6553. 
Conduce,  «.206,   )  ,  , 

Condute,  6465,    }  to  COnduct" 
Condute,  conducted,  3358. 
Conforture,    aid,     assistance,    a 

strengthening,  4149. 
Confraternite,  ^>.39. 
Coniectures,  instructions,  lessons, 

£>.100.     Fr.    text,    Ilz    firent 

comme  bien  aprins. 

Conisaunce,  802,  )  ,         ,    , 
n  a  n  i     i  knowledge. 

Conysance,  404,  j  ° 

Conne  (sauoir),  to  know,  p.  104. 

Connyngliede,   skill,  p.5. 

Conquere,  to  acquire,  1450, 
3942,  4319. 

Centred,  encountered,  met,  3346. 
Obs.  It  is  followed  by  again  = 
against  ;  contred  again  = 
met. 

Contring  [followed  by  again,] 
encountering,  meeting,  1640; 
[without  again]  encountering 
in  a  hostile  manner,  3030. 

Contrepane,  comparison,  6587. 
[The  word  here  means  lit.  a 
counterpart,  a  sense  which  it 
has  but  very  seldom  ;  see 
"  Pane,  or  parte  of  a  thynge  ; " 
Pr.  Parv.  "  Counterpaine,  the 
counterpart  of  a  deed  ;  " 
Wright  j  Prov.  Diet.  The 
usual  sense  of  Fr.  contrepan 
is  a  gage,  pledge.] 

Contune,  to  continue  to  be,  to 
remain,  2207,  2881. 

Coppe,  top,  5911.  A.S.  copp. 
W.  cop. 

Corage,  intent,  p.  80  ;  heart, 
mind,  355  ;  thoughts,  feel- 
ings, 1895,  2779;  mind,  will, 
2012  ;  of  corage  =  in  mean- 
ing, 530.     See  Corag&,  Roq. 


Cordial!,  prob.  =  by  heart,  p.  1 0 ; 
unless  it  is  a  mere  expletive. 

Cornicles,  chronicles,  1223. 

Corporall,  large  of  body,  4456. 

Corsed,  cursed,  4310. 

Cost,  side,  quarter,  direction, 
605.     O.Fr.  coste. 

Costile,  a  knife,  dagger,  4334. 
See  Custile. 

Costile-yre,  knife-iron,  knife- 
blade,  4336. 

Coude,  knew,  9. 

Couent,  convent,  2659,  3254, 
3266,  3321.     O.Fr.  covent 

Coursed  (mauldy),  cursed,  304. 
Cf.  Corsed. 

Couyne,  contrivance,  arrange- 
ment, manner,  way,  5582. 
Ch.     See  Convine,  Roq. 

Cowd,  could,  4918. 

( lowde,  knew,  14. 

Coyly  (coyement),  quietly,  secret- 
ly, 2184. 

Cracching,  scratching,  clawing, 
5892.  "  CTawyii  or  cracchyfi." 
Pr.  Parv. 

Great,  created,  p.  32. 

Cressed,  increased,  grew,  5604. 

Cressith,  increaseth,  augmenteth, 
4262. 

Cross,  sword-hilt,  so  named  from 
its  shape,  4711,  5904. 

Crown,  tonsure,  3224. 

Crusedly,  cursedly,  5246. 

Crussing,  cursing,  2851. 

Cure,  care,  charge,  2617.  O.Fr. 
cure.     Roq. 

Curtois,  703, 

Curtoys,  97, 

Custell,  a  dagger,  5853.  «  Fr. 
coideau,  O.Fr.  coustel,  coltel, 
Lat.  cultellus. 

Custiles  (cousteaulx),  daggers, 
large  knives,  1722. 

Dampned  (dampne),  damned, 
283,  307,  3335. 


courteous. 


270 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Damycel,  damsel,  936. 

Dan  =  Lat.     dominus,    a    title 

often   given  to  monks,  3259, 

3272.     Ch. 
Dangerous,    sparing,    niggardly, 

1812.     Ch. 
Debonair,  6525,  com4e0us 

Debonaire,  28,  828,     ccmrteous> 
-^  ,  „,       '     gracious, 

Debonayrjp  91,  gentle.  Cb. 

Deboner,  514/,         '  ° 
Debonerly,  courteously,  895. 
Debonerte,  affability,  sweet  and 

gentle       demeanour,       3888. 

Debonnairete,  Cotg. 
Dede,  deed,  4364. 
Dede,  dead,  263,  297,  &c. 
Dede-cold,  cold  in  death,   292, 

453. 
Defautes,  defects,  failings,  p.  74. 
Deing,  dying,  5946. 
Delefull,  doleful,  3293. 
Deliuerly,  quickly,  2859,   4138. 

Ch. 
Demage,   damage,    1892,    2316, 

3035. 
Demain  (demaine),  service,  use  ; 

[lit.  property,  domain],  5164. 

See  demaigne,  Roq. 
Deme,  to  judge,  3600.     Ch. 
Demenyng    (demaine),    conduct, 

demeanour,    3584.       See    de- 

mainer,  Roq. 
Deminute,  diminished,  5680. 
Demurly,    softly  ;    demur ly    in 

audience,  too  softly  to  be  well 

heard,    788.      Fr.    text,    tout 

has. 
Departson,  departure,  104,  1079, 

3362,  5024,  5260,  &c. 
Depeynted,  painted,  5503.     Ch. 

has  depeint, 
Dcrain,  4643.     See  Deray. 
Deray  (desroy),  foolishness,   lit. 

disorderly     conduct,       4524. 

Contr.      from     Disarray,      as 

O.Fr.  desroy  from  desarroy. 
Desherite,  disinherited,  Kill!. 


Determine,  to   come  to  an  end, 

5596,  5974,  6135. 
Deuer,  duty,  6218.     Ch. 
Deuin,  to  recount ;  to  deuin,  so 

to  speak,  ^.108,  3660.      See 

deviner,  Bur. 
Deuise,   sb.    agreement,   manner 

agreed  on,  505  ;   direction,  ap- 
pointment, 2385. 
Deuise,  vb.  in  the  phr.  to  deuise 

=  to  relate,  to  recount,  479, 

728,  983,  2846,  3744,  5603. 

[A    mere     expletive     phrase, 

always   at  the  end  of  a  line, 

and  introduced  for  the  sake  of 

the  rime.] 
Deuoir,  941,    ]  ,   ,      F     ,      . 
Deuor,  5304,   )  antJ'  *T-(lcimi- 
Diabolike,  diabolic,  3499. 
Diffame,  dispraise,  infamy,  2763, 

2835,  3392. 
Diffamed,  of  ill  fame,  infamous, 

3475. 
Diffaute,  fault,  sin,  2875,  3316, 

4869   ;     without     diffaute  = 

without  fail,  3025. 
Diffautes,  defects,  6600,  6614. 
Diffence,  prohibition,  4393.    Ch. 
Diffended,  forbade,  4392.  Ch. 
Diffy,  to  defy,  4193. 
Diffynid,  deceased,  4007. 
Dight,   to    bring    about,    cause, 

3444  ;  decked,  arrayed,  4023  ; 

prepared,   ready,  5421.     A.S. 

dihtan. 
Digne,  worthy,  «.107. 
Disancred,  weighed  anchor,  3360. 
Disccnded,      dismounted      from 

horseback,  4891. 
Discesse,  decease,  3638. 
Discomficht,  to  discomfit,  subdue, 

2535,  2970,  3233,  4087;  dis- 
comfited, 2526. 
Discomfite,  3121,  )  discomfited, 
Descomfite,  3129,  j  subdued. 
Disherite,     disinherited,     5554  ; 

despoiled,  ruined,  2662,  5234. 


CLOSSAHIAL    INDEX. 


271 


Disma[i]lled    (desmailUes),     de- 
prived   of    its    mail,    hacked 
about,  rent,  4357. 
Disnature,    unnatural     conduct, 

376. 
Disordinatly,  foolishly,    lit.    dis- 
orderly, 3560,  367<>. 
Disording  (desordonnee),  unruly, 
unbridled,  loose  in  behaviour, 
2768. 
Dispend,  spend,  41. 
Displesance,  sorrow,  3741. 
Dispoilled,     undressed  ;     desp. 
hym,  undressed  himself,  2888  ; 
desp.    hir,    undressed    herself, 
2908. 
Distayn,  deprive,  509.     Ch.  [lit. 
to  deprive  of  colour,  cause  to 
fade.] 
Distrained    (destrains),  afflicted, 

vexed,  614.  Ch. 
Distroed,  destroyed,  4673,  4790. 
Distrussand  (destruiant),  destroy- 
ing, 4082. 
Dole  (dueU,  douleur),  grief,  657, 
3206,  3669,  3763,  3969.  Ch. 
Dolent  (dolent),  mournful,  sorry, 

514,  3395. 
Dongun,  1130,  I  donjon  tower, 
Dongon,  4766,  <  tower,  dungeon. 
Donion,  2983,    (  See  Donjon  in 

Burguy. 
Doubtance     (doubtance),    dread, 

2130. 
Doubte,  sb.  fear,  2541  ;  vb.  are 
in  fear,  fear  the  worst,  1336. 
O.Er.  (Joiiicr. 
Doubted,    feared,     1209,    1218, 
1369,      2814,     &c.  ;      rygbt 
doubted      (redoubtee),     much 
feared  or  respected,  829. 
Doubty,    doughty,    1636,    4821, 

6281. 
Doubty ng,  fearing,  4819. 
Doucet  (doidx),  sweet,  877,  972, 

1008,  3898. 
Doughter,  daughter,  5389. 


Doughteth  (doubte),  feareth,  117. 

Doute,  vb.  to  fear,  2318  ;  sb. 
fear,  4383.     See  Doubte. 

Drad,  [miswritten  draic]  dreaded, 
5326.     Ch. 

Dresse,  (1)  vb.  act.  to  direct, 
guide,  2604,  4490;  vb.  reft. 
go,  2195  ;  vs  dresse,  direct 
ourselves  to,  i.  e.  go  to,  attain 
to,  6538  ;  vb.  neut.  to  go,  325, 
5957.  (2)  to  succeed  in  get- 
ting, 2179. 

Dressed,  erected,  lifted,  4798 ; 
see  dresser  in  Burguy.  Also, 
arrived,  come,  1444,  2063. 

Dubte,  to  doubt,  fear,  459. 

Dured  (durerent),  lasted,  992. 
Ch. 

Durith,  lasteth,  6136. 

Dreuyng,  driving,  hurrying, 
1727, 2064.  Cf.  Morte  Arthure, 
1.  761. 

Drust,  durst,  1101. 

Dyght,  to  appoint  for  himself, 
5408.. 

Ebrew,  Hebrew,  p.\$8. 
Edefy,  build  up,  4009. 
Ediiied,  built,  1684,  2490. 
Egal,  Egall,  like,  equal;  ^.182, 

951,  2353. 
Egally,  adj.  like,  equal,  1165. 
Egge,  edge,  5932. 
Ellyswhere,  elsewhere,  4774. 
Emprise,  reputation,  worth,  high 

estimation,  2013.   [This  is  the 

right    sense    in   Lancelot,   11. 

1 29, 269, 3458,  though  Burguy, 

Jam.,  Roq.,  and  Cotg.  give  no 

other  sense  than  enterprise.] 
Enbras,  surround  ;  lit.  embrace, 

395,  3304. 
Enb  rasing,      embracing,      2911, 

3771. 
Enbrauded,   embroidered,    1310. 

Cotg.  gives  "  brode,  imbroyd- 

ed." 


272 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Encheson  (achoison),  occasion, 
reason,  558,  2744,  5286.  0. 
Fr.  aclwise  or  encheison,  Lat. 
occasio.     Ch. 

Endly,  having  an  end,  final, 
4011. 

Enduryng,  dining,  4629. 

Endys,  ends,  2531. 

Enfaimling  (affamee),  starving, 
succumbing  to  hunger,  1300. 

Enfeffed,  intrusted,  2617.  O.Fr. 
fiefer,  to  give  in  fief ;  see 
Burguy,  s.  v.  fieu. 

Engendrure,  parentage,  6345, 
6388. 

En-gree,  in  good  part,  3819.  Fr. 
en  gre. 

Engine,  skill,  5016  ;  craft,  con- 
trivance, 4244,  4392,  5613, 
5708.     Lat.  ingenium. 

Enhaused,  raised,  elevated, 
6255.  O.  Fr.  enhalcer,  erihattr 
cier. 

Enheritour,  heir,  5013,  5357. 

Enlesing,  lose  (inf.  mood),  5625. 

Enmeddis,  amidst,  4223,  5823. 

Enmyddes,  amidst,  870,  933, 
1841,  3085,  3097,  4894,  &c. 

Enpreising,  praising,  1671. 

Enpreynted,  imprinted,  impress- 
ed, p.\0. 

Ensemble,  together,  2474,  3996. 

Ensulfering,  suffering,  4627. 

Entend  (aetendez),  understand, 
heed,  2746. 

Entendement,  imderstanding, 
endeavour,  p.81,  p.8  1.     ( 'b. 

Entent,  intention,  will,  wish,  p. 
18,  p.82,  p.155;  thoughts, 
3300,  3394.     Ch. 

Ententifly,  attentively,  5459. 

Entercommaunding  (sentre-com- 
manderent),  mutually  com- 
mending, 103. 

Entere,  inter,  49  1 1. 

Entered  (enterray),  interred, 
1534,  3101,  3628. 


Entermet,  to  have  dealings  with, 
215.  [O.Fr.  rid  re  metre,  but 
this  gen.  has  the  sense  of 
undertake,  attempt,  like  Entre- 
mete  below.] 

Enterual,  591,  )  ,. 

EnteruaU,  1095,  2455,]        e; 
lit.  interval. 

Entreloued,  loved  mutually, 
3734. 

Entrelouing,  loving  mutually, 
6352. 

Entremete  (entremectre),  to  un- 
dertake, to  take  care  to  do, 
3657. 

Entrepreignant  (entrepreinnant), 
enterprising,  2504,  5073, 
5355. 

Entreproched,  approached  each 
other,  2225. 

Entresembling,  encounter,  1730. 

Entreual,  45,       )  time.     See 

Entreuall,  5165,  j  Enterual. 

Enuiron,  prep,  round  about, 
570  ;  rule,  round  about,  round 
and  round,  877,  2905,  4800, 
5520.     Fr.  environ.     Ch. 

Enuironee,  adv.  round  about, 
5480  ;  prep,  round  about, 
3874. 

Enuyron,  adv.  round,  4447. 

Equipollent  (leguipolerd),  equiva- 
lent, to  the*same  effect,  530. 

Erbigage,  lodging,  tent,  1017. 
O.Fr.  erbegier,  Eoq. 

Ert,  (thou)  art,  4256,  5573. 

Escarmish  V<  scarmuce), skirmish, 
2210. 

Eschange,  change,  3727.     Ch. 

Eschawfe,  warm,  969.  O.Fr. 
eschaufer. 

Eschew,  flee  from,  avoid,  4074. 
Ch. 

Escried,  cried  out,  2185.  O.Fr. 
escrier. 

Esglise,  a  church,  2630.  O.Fr. 
esglise. 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


273 


Espouse,  bride,  931,  954,  1000. 
Estat,  rank,  794,  813;  position, 

2903;  state,  condition,  3496. 

Ch. 
Etern,  eternal,  6437.     Ch. 
Eneridell,    every   whit,  entirely, 

2800,  2920,  4253. 
Euerydele,  entirely,  423.      A.S. 

datl,  a  part. 
Euerydell,     all     over,    entirely, 

2800,  3755. 
Exampleir  (lexemplaire),  a  copy, 

p.  131, 
Exemplair,  a  model,  a  pattern, 

6377.       [Lat.    exemplar    has 

both  the  above  meanings.] 
Exort,  exhortation,  3972. 
Expresse,  exactly,  3004. 

Eaccion  (facon),  fashion,  make, 

3100. 
Fade,  to  dispose,  arrange,  £>.164. 

A.S.  fadian,  to  set  in   order, 

dispose. 
Fader,  father,  683,  4642,  5118. 
Faider,  6274,  )  f   } 
Favder,  5258,  j  ldmer* 
Faders,  father's,  4628. 
Famylons,  hungry,  6258.      Lat. 

famelicus,  O.  Fr.  familleus. 
Fantain, fountain,  323,765,  4161. 
Fantesie,    fancy,    358  ;    a    vain 

thing,  #.58.  Ch. 
Fantesied,     fancied,      imagined, 

pAo. 
Fantesy,  3485,  )  f       r 
Fantisie,  p.  58,  ]         ^' 
Fardell  {fardel),  a  bundle,  573. 

Ch. 
Fauchon    (faulx,    branc),  a  fal- 
chion,   sword,     3042,    3044, 

3051.  Lat. /ttfo. 
Faut,  to  lack,  2175. 
Faute,    to    lack,    797  ;     hence 

fauteth    =    lacketh,       6379  ; 

fautih,  miswritten  for  fautith, 

lack,  1147.    Cf.    8p.    /altar, 


It.  faltare. 

Fauted,  failed,  wanted,  4278. 

Fauting,  lacking,  p.b. 

Fayn,    an   error   for   Sayn,   say, 

p.  184. 
Fe ;  in  the  phr.  in  fe  =  under 

tribute,  2511  ;    also   in   fe  = 

in  fief,  in  fee,   2630.     Moeso- 

Goth,  fa  Hi  n. 
Feblesse,  feebleness,  3740.     Ch. 
Feld,  a  field,  1702,  2216.     Ch. 
Fele,  many,  2518,  2683.     Mceso- 

G.  filu.     Ch. 
Fell,  "fierce,    1237,    4063,  4760, 

5410,5631.     A.S.  ./'<//. 
Felonesly,    cruelly,   evilly,    270, 

5785. 
Felony,    perfidy,   treason,   2833. 

Eoq. 
Femine,  feminine,  3820. 
Fend,  a  fiend,  4075,  4141,  5783. 

Ch. 
Fenestre,  3823,  4932,  ]  a  win- 
Fenistre,  3863,  j  dow. 

Lat.  fenestra. 
Fentise,  cowardice,  4214. 
Feresly,  fiercely,  5870. 
Ferrom,  629,  &c.     See  A-ferrom. 
Fers,  fierce,  4655. 
Fet  (1)  fetched,  2782  ;  (2)  feats, 

acts,  6330. 
Fiffe,  five,  5265. 
Fifte,  fifth,  4426. 
Fill,    fell,    3046,     3088,    4286, 

5894  ;    befel,    fell  out,    446, 

2731. 
Fille,  fell,  5604. 
Fin,  3645.     See  Fine  (1). 
Finabilly   (findblement),  finally, 

5385,  6493. 
Finance  (finance),  ransom,  1853. 

Burguy. 
Find,  in  the  phr.  wel  find  =  to 

pay,  recompense,  1291. 
Fine    (1),  extreme,  very,   4175, 

6155  ;  see  Fin  in  Burguy  ;  (2) 

conclusion,  end,  4011.     Ch, 


13 


274 


GLOBSAIUAL    INDEX. 


Flaelles  (fleaulx),  flails,  2991). 
Lat.  flagellum. 

Floure-delise  (flews  de  Hz), fleurs- 
de-lis,  1006. 

Fly,  flew,  fled  away,  4905,  5652. 

Foley,  foolish,  3546. 

Folily,  foolishly,  5602.     Ch. 

Foltish,  foolish,  3322,  5559. 
"  Folett,  idem  quod  Folte. 
Fatuellus."     Pr.  Parv. 

Folyly,  foolishly,  3260. 

Fonden,  found,  p.  173. 

Fong,  received,  2423  ;  got,  1265  ; 
received,  took  in,  1333. 

Fonge,  to  take,  4828.  Ch.  AS. 
fon. 

Forcelet,  should  rather  be  spelt 
Forceret,  a  casket,  1081. 
"  Forceret,  petil  coffre,  cas- 
sette." Roq.  See  note  to 
"  Foorcere  "  in  Pr.  Parv. 

Forigers,  foragers,  1815. 

Formelet,  should  rather  he  spelt 
Fermelet,  a  brooch,  a  jewelled 
fastening,  1082.  "  Fermal, 
fermail,  ferme'dlct,  Agrafe, 
boucle,  chaine,  crochet,  car- 
can."     Roq. 

Forshend,  utterly  destroyed, 
3306.     A.S.  for  and  scendan. 

Forsmete  (dctrenche),  smote 
down,  2104. 

Fortake,  kept  prisoner,  5386. 

For-takyng  (pourprins),  5591. 
The  Eng.  word  means  a  tak- 
ing of  prisoners,  cf.  Fort  alee  ; 
but  the  true  meaning  of  pour- 
prins is  an  enclosure,  a  domain. 
See  Bur.  and  Roq. 

Forth-progresse,  journey,  3199, 
5029. 

For- why,  wherefore,  why,  3117. 

Forwoxen,  overgrown,  huge, 
2990.     A.S.  forweaxan. 

Fouchesafe,  vouchsafe,  2039. 

Fouled  (afola),  killed,  4278. 
"  Afoler,    maltraiter,    blesser, 


meurtrier,  tuer."     Bur. 

Founte,  2650.  The  words  "  Ray- 
mounde"  and  "stounde"  show 
that  the  word  should  be 
"  founde."  It  should  also 
prob.  be  joined  to  in  preced- 
ing it ;  and  we  get  in-founde 
=  enter  (sc.  heaven),  go  in, 
go  up,  ascend.  It  is  thus  a 
compound  of  the  O.E.  founde, 
to  go  (Morte  Arthure,  1228  ; 
Lancelot,  2612)  AS.  fundian. 
Cf.  A.S.  in-gan,  to  enter. 

Fourge,  to  make,  perform,  pA, 
i>.25,^.133. 

Fourged,  made,  constructed, 
p.  162,  257,579;  built,  pAoi, 
1682,  3853.  O.Fr.  forgier. 
Bur. 

Fourging,  construction,  1002. 

Foyson  (foison),  plenty,  32.  See 
Fuson,  Fusion. 

Franchise,  freedom,  3745  ;  ter- 
ritory (see  Pr.  Parv.),  4961  ; 
hertes  franchise  =  to  heart's 
content,  5472. 

Franchised,  free,  noble,  lit.  ren- 
dered a  free  man,  1487. 

Franke,  free,  1506. 

Fransh,  French,  ^9. 198. 

Fray,  terror,  4901. 

Frendlyhed,  friendliness,  1403, 
6448  ;  of  frendlyhede,  for 
friendship's  sake,  3022. 

Frenshest,  mostFrenchlike,^.l  75. 

Frike  (frigue),  fresh,  delicate, 
2803.  "Fryke,  or  craske,  or 
yn  grete  helthe.  Crassus."  Pr. 
Parv.     Seefriquc,  Roq. 

Fro-thens,  thence,  3294,  3326, 
3449,  &c. 

Fro-whens,  whence,  3762,  5830. 

Full,  in  an  evil  hour,  lit.  foully, 
3263  ;  that  fidl  hym  come  = 
that  he  had  come  to  him  in  an 
evil  hour,  2992 ;  Fr.  text,  que 
vial  u  vint. 


GLOSSAHIAL    INDEX. 


275 


Fume,  smoke,  3957. 

Fumy,  smoky,  3954. 

Fumie,  find,  4G76. 

Fundementes,  foundations,  1121. 

Fusion  (foisori),  plenty,  128, 
4362,  5466;  a  number,  multi- 
tude, 2283,  2743.     Lat.  fusio. 

Fuson,  plenty,  985,  5287  ;  num- 
ber, 1113,  1721. 

Fuste  (jpoing),  fist,  4301. 

Fyn,  faithful,  sincere,  3831. 
"  Fine,  vraie,  sincere,  fidele." 
Roq. 

Garison,  liealing  ;  take  hym  in 
garison  =  undertake  to  heal 
him,  1335.  O.Fr.  garison, 
from  vb.  garir  =  Mceso-G. 
war jan. 

Gain,  against,  2827,  3749,  3793. 

Gane,  did  {aux.  vb.),  5402. 

Garnyson,  stronghold,  castle, 
5467.  See  Garsone  in  Pr. 
Parv.  [The  Fr.  text  has  en 
garnison  =  by  way  of  pro- 
visions, but  the  translator  has 
not  so  taken  it.] 

Gayn,  towards,  345,  564;  against, 
2791,  5863. 

Geant,  giant,  4676,  4687,  &c. 

Geaunt,  3233,  )     •     , 

Giaunt,  3197,  j  giant" 

Gent,  fair,  pretty,  2441,  3490, 
3590. 

Gentile  (gente),  gentle,  noble, 
308  ;  noble  person,  643  ; 
pretty,  1611.  The  comp.  is 
Gentelere,  prettier,  1612;  the 
sup.  is  Gentillest,  prettiest, 
342. 

Gentilesse,  graciousness,  noble- 
ness, 3175.     Roq. 

Gere,  contrivance,  plan;  lit. 
gear,  276. 

Gesian  (gesine),  child-bed,  4391, 
4397,  4529,  5581.  From  O.Fr. 
gesir,  Lat.  jacere. 


Gete,  procure ;  gete  do  hym  for 
to  dy  =  procure  his  death, 
3655  ;  see  Gett. 

Gett,  3942,   )  gotten,    obtained. 

Gette,  4319,  j  In  1.  5932  the 
sense  is,  whether  (the  stroke) 
was  gotten  with  the  back  or 
the  sword-edge. 

Gidour,  guide,  4105,  5833. 

Gif,  given,  5798. 

Gisarmes  (2)1.),  a  weapon  of  which 
the  shape  is  disputed,  perhaps 
a  battle-axe  with  a  spike  at 
the  back ;  see  Bur.,  Roq.,  and 
Way's  note  to  Gyserne  in  Pr. 
Parv.  1722.     Used  by  Ch. 

Gise,  guise,  manner,  way,  5866.  Ch. 

Glente  (glissa),  glanced  aside, 
253.     Ch.  O.Fr.  glinser,  Roq. 

Glinte  (clissa),  slipped,  4934. 

Glode,  glided,  726. 

Goldish,  golden,  1348. 

Goddoughter,  3722. 

Godmodere,  godmother,  274. 

Goodlokest,  goodliest,  fairest, 
343.  [In  the  Piers  PL  MSS. 
are  many  such  forms,  as, 
Lightloker,  Mystiloker,  Sad- 
loker,  Shlokest,  Wikkedlokest, 
Wisloker.] 

Goste,  spirit,  3213,  4927  ; 
creature,  being,  4809,  just  as 
A.S.  goest  =  a  guest,  a  man,  a 
human  being. 

Gostes,  spirits,  ^;.46. 

Gouernail,  behaviour,  844 ;  ar- 
rangement, management,  con- 
trivance, 861,  5561,  5774. 

Gouernall,  control,  might,  6070. 

Gouerneth  hir,  comports  herself, 
2765. 

Grad,  shouted,  2253.  A.S. 
grazdan. 

Grame,  grief,  2663,  3310,  4469, 
4940.     A.S.  grama.     Ch. 

Gre,  agreement,  accord,  3951. 
Fr.  gre. 


18  * 


276 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Greabill,  suitable  to  the  occasion, 
devout,  5176. 

Greabilly,  satisfactorily,  pleasant- 
ly, 1543. 

Greable,  agreeable  to,  6580. 

Gree  ;  see  En-gree,  3819. 

Gree,  I  agree,  5019. 

Grees  (degres),  steps,  4917,  4908, 
5434.     Cf.  grissens  in  Forby. 

Greitbed  tbam,  got  themselves 
ready,  arrayed  themselves, 
1411.  Sc.  graith,  O.K 
greitha. 

Greithed,  made  ready,  4168. 

Gret,  greeted,  5524. 

Gretth,  an  error,  either  for 
Greeth  =  agreeth,  suiteth  ;  or 
else  for  Goeth,  6561. 

Grice,  steps,  1427.     See  Grees. 

Grint,  ground,  3267.     Ch. 

Grinting,  grinding,  2141.     Ch. 

Grohund  (liurier),  a  greyhound, 
1389. 

Grome,  man,  being,  2990. 
Cf.  Gawayn,  1006. 

Gud,  good,  4952. 

Gudfader,  godfather,  274. 

Guerdon,  sb.  a  reAvard,  551  ;  vh. 
to  reward,  1876.  O.H.G. 
widerlon,  changed  in  Low 
Lat.  into  widerdonum,  whence 
It.  guiderdone,  O.Fr.  guerdon. 

Gyed,  ruled  ;  lit.  guided  ;  2487. 

Gynnyng,  a  beginning,  789, 
3977. 

Habilite  Qiabillete),  ability,  dex- 
terity, 2341,  3021,  6139. 

Habill  (hab-Ule),  able,  dexterous, 
mighty,  2355. 

liable,  active,  4536,  4639,  4876. 

Habound,  abound,  4429. 

Had,  was,  5065,  5326  ;  was  had 
=  was,  5770,  5993;  placed, 
set,  5492.     Cf.  Fr.  y  avoir. 

Tlaniwanle,  homeward,  3450. 

Han  =  hath,  2699.      [Prob.    an 


error  due  to  the  pi.  saves  pre- 
ceding.    Fr.  text,  a  mi$.~\ 

Hanclie   (hance),  haunch,  thigh, 
3054,      4333  ;     hanches  = 
thighs,  5643. 

Hansell,  an  earnest,  a  gift 
(ironical),  4885.  O.IST.  and 
Dan.  handsel. 

Hapne,  to  happen  to  do,  to 
succeed  in  doing  a  thing, 
5884 ;  hapned,  happened  on, 
lighted  on,  5871.  [Wrongly 
translated  ;  the  Fr.  has  hopper 
=  clutcb,  seize.] 

Hardesse  (hardiesse),  hardihood, 
5948. 

Hattyd  of,  hated  by,  5091. 

Haunt,  to  use,  ^-167  ;  to  ex- 
ercise, prove,  2524 ;  go,  ap- 
proach (Fr.  text,  yroit),  4396. 
O.Fr.  harder,  Bur. 

Hauour,  possessions,  riches, 
wealth,  3191,  3323,  4769, 
5685.     Fr.  avoir. 

Haused,  raised,  lifted  up,  3083, 
4265,  5883. 

Hautain,  loud,  2829,  3403,  3547, 
4192,  &c.     Ch. 

Hautanly,  loudly,  2185. 

Hautaynly  (haidtement),  loudly, 
1906,  1977,  3317. 

Hautyng,  loud,  236.  See 
Hautain. 

Hawse,  exaltation,  498.  O.  Fr. 
halt,  Lat.  alius,  high. 

He,  high,  132,  4631,  6395. 

Hed,  heat,  3557.  [Prob.  an 
error  for  het  or  hete,  as  in  1. 
2935.]     Fr.  text,  chault. 

Heder,  hither,  152,  2843.     A.S. 

hider. 
Heder-to,  hitherto,  to  this  time, 

4412. 
Hend,  gracious,  courteous,  6144. 

See  All  Poems. 
Hent,  to  take  in  hand,  undertake, 
598  ;    took,  129,  3909  ;    hent 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


277 


and  went  =  took  and  went, 
810;  to  have,  1837;  receive, 
take,  p.157,  683,  2411,5241; 
to  procure,  5740;  to  hent  = 
for  one  to  take,  5808 ;  hys 
sight  hent  =  catch  with  his 
sight,  perceive  (Fr.  text,  per- 
ceuoir),  5493  ;  arrived  at,  got 
to,  5272  ;  received,  had,  5009. 
A.S.  hentan,  to  hunt  for,  catch. 
Ch. 

Herher,  arbour,  G024.     Ch. 

Herbigage,  lodging,  1790. 

Herbiging,  taking  up  their 
quarters,  1313. 

Herbourgh,  to  harbour,  shelter, 
6523.     A.S.  herebergan. 

Herd,  hard,  2586,  4482;  herd 
fast,  5645,  where  Fr.  text  has 
durefeste  —  hard  feast,  said 
ironically. 

Herdly,  tending  a  herd,  shepherd- 
like, 5117.  [An  ill-coined 
word.] 

Herite,  heritage,  acquisition  ;  non 
herite  =  there  is  no  acquiring 
anything,  p.  203  ;  inheritance, 
possession,  38.  O.Fr.  herite, 
contr.  from  Lat.  hereditas. 
Bur. 

Hert,  heart,  3206. 

Hertly,  heartily,  /».73. 

Hest,  behest,  command,  90,  907, 
5313.     Ch. 

Hiduous,  hideous,  5136. 

Hiduou[s]nesse,  horror,  3494. 

Hiest,  highest,  4925. 

Hild,  held,  4994. 

Hire,  to  hear,  3.877,  4763,  5055, 
5529. 

Hiring,  hearing,  4202. 

His,  sign  of  gen.  case,  4874. 

Hit,  it,  3109. 

Hithe,  height,  5045.  Cf.  Heythe 
in  Pr.  Parv. 

Ho,  who,  p.Ui,  i>.136,  23G8; 
which  (of  two),  4122,  4131  ; 


whoso,  5377. 

Ho  many,  how  many,  4042.  [If 
so,  ho  should  be  hou,  as  else- 
where  ;  but  probably  many  is 
an  error  for  may,  as  atl.  6572, 
and  we  should  read  "  ho  may  " 
=  who-ever  may.] 

Hodelnesse,  secrecy,  2080  ;  ob- 
livion, 5961.  Hidellike  = 
secretly,  occurs  in  Gen.  &  Ex. 
1.  2882.  Cf.  Sc.  hode,  to  hide ; 
Jam. 

Hoder,  whither,  2764. 

Hoir  (hair),  an  heir,  1973. 

Hoires,  heirs,  508,  5323,  5554, 
5684. 

Hold,  held  as,  considered  as, 
5204,  5338. 

Hold,  faithful,  friendly,  2146. 
A.S.  hold. 

Holde,  holding,  possession,  p.  3  4. 
Or  else,  in  holde  may  mean 
very  faithful.  See  In. 

Hole,  holy,  4963. 

Honorous,  3251,    )  ,  ,, 

tt  „„,,,      honourable. 

Honourous,  3236,  j 

Hostage,  temporary  abode,  2475. 
See  hoste  in  Bur. 

Houith,  behoveth,  3657. 

Houred,  lit.  divided  in  hours, 
hence  set,  appointed  ;  always 
in  phr.  homed  braid,  houred 
tyde  (or  the  like),  =  set  time, 
particular  moment,  528,  2695. 

Hout,  out,  5652. 

How-were-it,  howbeit,  3207. 

Hug,  huge,  4940,  5959. 

Hume,  damp,  wet,  2882.  Contr. 
from  humid,  of  which  the 
Prov.  forms  are  humid,  humit, 
and  humens.  Raynouard.  [The 
Fr.texthas  merely,'/*  vngpuis.] 

Hurd,  3564,3765/)    ,, 

Hurde,  4783,  5258,  j    ncaiu' 

Hurteling,  knocking  together, 
pushing,  tussling,  4328,  1330. 
Fr.  heurter. 


27J 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Hy.     See  An-hy. 
Hy,  hasten,  2950.     Ch. 
Hyduous,  hideous,  terrible,  5770. 
Hyer,    in     phr.    more    hyer  = 

higher,  5435. 
Hyre,  hear,  3388,  4405. 
Hys,  sign  of  gen.  case,  6007. 

Iape,  a  jest,  2636,  5695.     Ch. 
Iawne  (Iansne),  yellow,  971. 
Iesseron,    coat    of    small    mail, 

4335.       O.Fr.   jazeran,    Bur. 

Roq. 
I-horsed,  mounted  on  horseback, 

provided  with  horses,  886. 

He,  1570,  3040, )     .  ,     .,nA 

Tii     k-q  >     isle,  island. 

Hie,  15(8,  j 

Image,  creature,  1508. 

In,    a   shortened  form  of  Inly, 

very,  exceedingly,  5077,  5899, 

6023. 
IncongreAv,      unfitly,      wrongly, 

4389. 
Iniquite,      misery,     misfortune, 

4156. 
Inly    (lit.    inwardly),    very,    ex- 
tremely 27,  168,  3950,  4656, 

5072,  5869.     Ch. 
Innepee,  suddenly,  on  a  sudden 

(?),  3823.     Apparently  confer. 

from  Fr.  inopine. 
I-now,  enough,  165,  457,    781, 

804,  Ac. 
Instaunce,    time,    1064,     2932, 

3106. 
Into  (en),  in,  875. 
Ioint,    an     arrangement,    lit.    a 

juncture  or  joining  together, 

5019. 
Iolyest,  prettiest,  343. 
Ionglyng,    jangling,    i.e.    garrul- 

ousness,  3751.     "  Iangelynge, 

Garrirfucio."     Pr.  Parv. 
Iornay,  lit.  a  day's  work  ;  hence 

trouble,  labour,  p.  141. 
Iournay,  a  day,  1851,  4068;  a  set 

day,  58  ;  hence  a  day's  conflict, 


a  fighting-bout,  combat,  4123. 
Cf.  the  expression,  "  to  gain 
the  day." 

Ioustes,  joustings,  988,  989.  Ch. 

Ioynant,  adjoining,  4513. 

Ioyned,  enjoined,  5146. 

Is,  used  as  gen.  case-ending, 
28,  5750. 

Itunelles  (iumelles),  strengthened 
with  cross-pieces,  made  doubly 
strong,  1182.  Fr.  jumeler, 
der.  from  Lat.  gemellus. 

Iuparde,  a  doubtful  residt,  pos- 
sible danger,  5458.  Fr.  jeu 
parti. 

Iustice,  vb.  to  rule,  govern,  3807. 

Iusticere,  a  dispenser  of  justice, 
5308. 

I-wisse,  certainly,  4847.  A.S. 
gewis.     Ger.  gewiss. 

Kechins,  kitchens,  881. 

Kennyng,  the  extreme  distance 
at  sea  to  which  the  sight  can 
reach,  3365.  [This  distance 
has  been  much  over-rated,  as 
thus — "  Scylley  is  a  kennyng, 
that  is  to  say,  about  xx.  miles 
from  the  very  Westeste  point 
of  Cornewaulle ; "  Leland, 
Itin.  iii.  f.  6. — "  thre  Jcen- 
nynges  ferre  on  the  see,  that 
is,  one  and  twenty  leghes 
ferre ; "  Prose  Romance  of 
Melusine,  fol.  61.] 

Kepe,  kept,  2931. 

Kernyng,  cutting,  5889. 

Knakked,  liurried(?),  2784.  [The 
Fr.  text  has  Se  Rapa  =  he 
hastened.  "Knock,  to  move 
briskly  about;"  Wright.  But 
see  the  note.] 

Knakking,  knocking,  1733. 

Knewlich,  844,      )  ■,         ,    , 
Jr        t  i     ^  i  o  i     }  knowledge. 
Knowhch,  4121,   )  ° 

Knowlecliing,  knowledge,  2773. 

Kynred,  kindred,  213. 


GLOSSATUAL    INDEX. 


27!) 


Labbyng,  blabbing,  3751.     Du. 
labben.     Ch. 

Lachesse,  negligence,  p.  1 1 ,  6574. 

O.Fr.  lachesse.     Ch. 
Lad,  led,  1251,  2754,  5800  ;  led 

over,     changed,     2938 ;    con- 
ducted, governed,  5322. 
Lade,   passed  through,  endured, 

suffered,  3785  ;  much  as  in  the 

phr.  to  lead  a  life. 
Lateis,    lattice,     grating,     cage, 

4747. 
Latise,     (traille),    the    same   as 

Lateis,  4666. 
Launcegay,  a  javelin,  dart,  2108. 

Compounded  of  Fr.  lance,  and 

zagaye,   a  Moorish   pike,   Sp. 

azagaya.     Ch. 
Leche,  a  physician,  5143.     Ch. 
Led,  laid  down,  2889. 
Lemys,  limbs,  4237.     A.S.  Urn. 
Lenght,  length,  5859. 
Lepete,  leapt,   3046.     [An  error 

for  lepte  ;  see  1.  3070.] 
Lere,  to  teach,  /;.77.  A.S.  Iceran. 

Ch. 
Lese,  to  lose,  506,  1454,  2892, 

3642,  &c.     Ch. 
Lesing,  a  lie,   6293.      A.S.  lea- 
sung.     Ch. 
Lesing,  losing,  5548. 
Lesingmonger,  a  liar,  3604. 
Lesingour,  a  liar,  5753. 
Lesse,  lose,  3542,  3752. 
Lest,  least,  69,  87. 
Lete   doo  make,    caused   to    he 

made,  5167  ;  lete  make,  cause 

to  he  made,  691. 
Lette,  a  hindrance,  5903.      Ch. 
Lette,  prevented,  hindered,  3047. 

A.S.  labtan. 
Leue,  in  the  phr.  parting  leue  = 

leave  taking,  5060. 
Leuer,  liefer,  3205.     Ch. 
Leuer,  (leuier),  a  lever,  a  huge 

mace,  4177,  4265. 
Leuerey,  delivery,  560. 


Leuyng,   hys  =  during  his  life, 

:>:;2U  ;  leuing,  life,  488, 
Lifte,  left  (hand),  4496. 
Ligging,  lying,  4511,  4785.  A.S. 

liggan.     Ch. 
Light,   lieth,    453,    1023,  4523, 

6105. 
Linage,    lineage,     1036,    4630, 

4926,  5033. 
Loge,  tent,  985. 
Logge,  lodging,  abode,  5168. 
Logges  (logies),  tents,  2220. 
Loke    (enserray,    serve),    locked 

up,     constrained,     bound    up, 

1533  ;  was  locked,  was  bound 

up,  3774.     Ch. 
Lome,  frequently,  119. 

"  The  Lion  lete  cri,  as  hit  was 
do, 
For  he  hird  lome  to  tell." 
Pol.  Songs  :  ed.  Wright,  p. 
197.     A.S.  ge-lume. 
Longing,  belonging,  1939,  2671. 
Longith  hir,   which  belongs  to 

her,  2415. 
Loos   (los),    praise,  p>.§(j,    1225, 

4215,5387.     Ch.     "Loos,  or 

fame."     Pr.  Parv. 
Loote,  lot,  3184. 
Lored,  taught,  3962.      See  Lere. 
Lorn   out    fro   wit,  deprived  of 

wit,  3885. 
Losce  (perte),  loss,  3434,  3608. 
Lose   (loz),   praise,  p.157.      See 

Loos. 
Louers,  louvres  (see  note),  1175. 

"  That  no  light  leopen  yn  at 

lover  nc  at  loupe."     Piers  PI. 

ed.  Whit.  p.  354. 
Lowpes,  loop-holes,  1175. 
Lust,  listeth,  wishes,  desires,  p. 

31,    2994;    pleases,    vouche- 

safes,  286  ;  please,    367,  689, 

760;  hym   Luste  =*  it    please 

him,  5379. 
Lust,    sb.    will,    pleasure,    328. 

A.S.  lust.     Ch. 


280 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Lyn,  linen ;    or  rather  perhaps, 

flax.     A.S.  lin,  flax. 
Lynde,  lime-trees ;  wodes  lynde 

=  lime-trees  of  the  wood ;  159. 

A.S.  lind,  pi.  Uncle,  (Coedm.  p. 

197,  1.  4). 
Lyuerey,  delivery,  560. 

Made,  mad,  3559. 

Mahyme   (mehengnie),    disgrace, 

blemish,  6356.      See  mahain 

in   Bur.    and    Eoq.       Cf.  It. 

magagna.       [Mahyne    would 

perhaps  he  a  better  spelling.] 
Maillet,    mallet,     4698,     4716. 

"  Malyet,  hetyl."     Pr.  Parv. 
Maine,  a  suite,  1087,  1305. 
Maistry,    in    the    phr.    to    gret 

maistry  =  with  great  art ;  Pr. 

text,  par  grant  maistris,  4503; 

maistrie,  art,  skill,  188. 
Maker,  poet,  author,  6106. 
Malerous,  evil-disposed,  6473. 
Malice,  adj.  (yrez),  angry,  irate, 

2780,  3039,  3446,  3537,  &c. 
Manhede,  manhood,  jj.92. 
Manion,  many  a  one,  £>.170. 
Manlyhed,  manliness,  4352. 
Manoir,  mansion,  619. 
Manson,  abode,  5169. 
Many  on,  many  a  one,  634. 
Marbre,  marble,  4101. 
Marches     (marches),     frontiers, 

and    hence,    lands,    territory, 

5085  ;  frontier-lands,  5314. 
Maree,  marsh-land,  land  by  the 

sea  (?),   1586.      The  Fr.   text 

has  merely,  de  la  contre.   O.Fr. 

mare,  a  marsh.    Bur.  "  Mares, 

Maret,   lieu  aquatique,  terrein 

marecageux."     Eoq. 
Maried,  vexed,  4549.     [An  error 

for  Marred,  q.  v.] 
Markois,  a  marquis,  p.  115,  850; 

marquises,  6342. 
Marred  (marriz),  vexed,  afflicted, 

2140,  3509,  3516.     Eoq. 


Matrimonial,  sb.  a  wedding,  952. 
Mayne,    or   May  nee,    a  suite,   a 

company  of  followers,  house- 
hold, 826,  2456,  4914,  5199. 

O.Fr.  maisnee.     Bur. 
Me,  men,  people,   used  like  the 

Fr.  on,  6562  ;  K.  Horn,  366. 
Meddes,  the  midst,  2531. 
Meene,  middling,  4061. 
Meene,  4613, ) 
Mene,4983,   }    mean'  Wa^ 
Melled  (riieslerent),  lit.  meddled 

with  ;  hence,  had  to  do  with, 

were  busy  about,  1545;  (mesle), 

lit.    mixed ;    hence,    smeared, 

2819. 
Melling,  an  encounter,  1326. 
Memoir,  memorial,  jj.  151. 
Menal,  menial,  900. 
Menusing,     diminution,      6570. 

Cf.  O.Fr.  menu,  minute. 
Mercy,   in  phr.  graunt  mercy  = 

many  thanks,  5533. 
Messe  (messe),  mass,   943,  953, 

6095.  Ch. 
Methephisike,  £>.80. 
Metrely,  metrically,  6566. 
Meue,  move,  6557. 
Meued,  moved,  3275. 
Meueth,  moveth,  5564. 
Middes,  amidst,  5779. 
Ministre      (inonstier),     minster, 

2596,  2621,  3693. 
Minstre,  minster,  3319,  4856. 
Mis-caimce,     mischance,     harm, 

5642. 
Miscreantes,  misbelievers,  pagans, 

p.52. 
Misded,    misdeed,    sin;    hence, 

untruth,  5662. 
Misdede,  misdid,  sinned,  4646. 
Misfall,  to  have  misfortune,  be 

unlucky,  3614. 
Mister,  need,  5213,  5874,  6253. 

O.Fr.  and  Prov.  mester.  Eoq. 
Mistriste,  mistrust,  4108.  Ch. 
Mo,more,  964, 3696.  A.S.wa.  Ch. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


281 


Moder,  mother,  4850,  Ch ;  adj. 
mother,  native,  6573. 

Moisted,  moistened,  3574. 

Moisty,  moist,  3953. 

Moitees,  halves,  5936. 

Moitie  {mottle),  half,  734. 

Mondiall  (mondain),  worldly,  of 
this  world,  18 ;  earthly, 
human,  3915.     Prov.  mondial. 

Montance,  amount,  quantity, 
number,  5229.     Eoq. 

Morteis,  to  grant  in  mortmain, 
6083.     See  Amortir,  Cotg. 

Mortesing,  granting  in  mort- 
main, 5287. 

Most,  4987,   )         ,      n, 

Moste,  5291,  j  must-     CK 

Mouth,  to  speak,  utter,  2852. 

Mow,  may,  are  able,  5446.     Ch. 

Muable,  changeable,  814.  Fr. 
muable. 

Munnurhed,  murmuring,  com- 
plaint, 3603. 

Musarde  (musart),  one  who  is 
bemused,  a  fool,  5537.     Bur. 

Muserde,  as  Musarde,  5559. 

Muses,  thoughts,  musings,  3431, 
6513. 

Mustred,  fully  exhibited,  shown, 
3003.  O.Fr.  mostrer.  Sp. 
and  Port,  mostrar. 

Mynstracy,  minstrelsy,  944 ; 
Lancelot,  2762. 

Myustre,  a  minster,  4987,  5247. 

Natheles,  nevertheless, ^.6, 5882. 
Nauee,  ship,   5673.     See  Nave, 

Eoq. 
Nawhere,  nowhere,  4388,  4483. 
Nay  ;  in  the  phr.  is  no  nay  =  it 

cannot  be  denied,  501,  3023, 

3665.     Ch. 
Nehed,  approached,  3005.     A.S. 

nehwan,  Moeso-G.  nehwjan. 
Neve,  never,  5702. 
Nerre,  nearer,  4111,  5826.    A.S. 

nearra. 


Neuer-for-neuer,   never    at    any 

time,  4906,  5139. 
Noblehed,  nobleness,  6339. 
Nobles,  renown,   21  ;  splendour, 

5474. 
Noblesse,    grandeur,    splendour, 

5438,  5460  ;    renown,   2658  ; 

see  Noblesce,  Roq. 
Nobley,  fine  apparel,  rich  cloth- 
ing, 2656. 
Noght-for-that    (non    pourtant), 

nevertheless,      2815,      4077, 

4222. 
Noisaunce  (enui),  vexation,  1865, 

1892   ;      displeasure,      3538, 

5535  j     grief,    3373,    3738, 

3915,  5641. 
Nombred,  numbered,  3687. 
Nome,  to  take,  1403.     Moeso-G. 

and  A.S.  nlman. 
Norish,   nurse's,    3806  ;     nurse, 

3837  ;  nurses,  4025. 
Noriture,  nurture,  3837. 
Not-for-that,       notwithstanding, 

4703  ;  nevertheless,  5883. 
Nouell,  novel,  new,  5194,  5397  ; 

news,  2717,  &c. 
Nouels    (nouuelles),     news,    45, 

4432,  4740. 
NoueUes,     news,    1627,     1949, 

2125,  2206,  &c. 
Noyed  (ennoyee),  vexed, annoyed, 

242,      1866   ;      was     vexed, 

grieved,  623. 
Noyng,  sorrow,  grief,  2126. 
Noyours     (nuysans),     annoyers, 

foes,  1663. 
Noysance     (ennui/),    discomfort, 

trouble,  grief,  383,   401  ;  an- 
noyance, offence,  2512. 

O,  one,  a,  3770,  3773.     Ch. 
Obliuy,  3798,  5416,   j 
Oblyuy,  5137,  5141,)  ODimon- 
Occision,  slaughter,  5320,  5908. 
Oder,  other,  5108. 
Of,  off,  5825,  5889,  &c. 


282 


GLOSS.VRIAL    INDEX. 


Offeryng,  dealing  a  blow,  3090. 
Of-fors,    perforce,    5487,    5804, 

6405. 
Of-new,    newly,    lately,    3082 ; 

anew,  again,  3511,  6101. 
On-lif,  alive,  4204.     Gen.  &  Ex., 

2417. 
Ooste,  host,  1313. 
Ope,  open,  4907. 
Or,  ere,  4084. 
Ordained  (fait  ordonner),  made 

provision  for,  2428. 
Ordaynyng,   set    in    order,  draw 

up,  2222. 
Ordinat,   regular,    £>.188.      Lat. 

ordinatus.     Ch. 
Ordinaunce,    appointment,    due 

order,  63,  699. 
Orgulous     (orguielleux),    proud, 

2955,    4067  ;    surly,   furious, 

5771. 
Orgulously,  proudly,  3543. 
Orison,     prayer,     4969,     5171, 

6425. 
Orpheline,  an  orphan,  1708.   Fr. 

orphelin,  fern,  orpheline. 
Os,  as,   554,  2076,  3372,  6424. 

[In  the  first  three  passages  it 

has   been   wrongly  altered  to 

as  ;  it  occurs  in  some  of  the 

Piers  Plowman  MSS.] 
Osey,  the  name  of  a  wine,  982. 
Other  (on),  or,  p.  198. 
Ouermette,   excessive,    immense, 

3101.  A.S.  ofer-moite,  immen- 

sus.     Greiu. 
Ouerthwart,     perversely,     hence 

excessively,    3171.     Cf.    Du. 

overdwars,  athwart. 
Ouise  (toit),  eaves,  upper  edge  of 

the  wall,  5504.     A.S.  efese,  a 

margin,  eaves.    "  Ovis,  eaves." 

Barnes.  Gloss,  of  Dorset  Dia- 
lect. 
Ourtomed,  was  overturned,  4713. 
Outerly,    utterly,    3683,     4050, 

4291,  5203. 


Outre,  utter,  speak,  1233,  1563, 

2816,  3156,  &c. 
Outred,     uttered,    spoke,    1024, 

1437. 
Outring,  uttering,  saying,  2647, 

3570. 
Owe,  to  possess,  own,  have  with 

one,    75  ;    fiftene    yeres    gan 

owe  =  was  fifteen  years  old, 

4546.     A.S.  drjan. 
Owyd  (auoit),  he  had,  possessed, 

held,  1298. 

Paceyfed ;  see  Pateyfed. 

Pagent,  page,  p.  7  9. 

Pain,  721  ;  see  Pane. 

Panche,  paunch,  5773. 

Pane,  a  stake,  724,  the  same  as 
Pain  in  721.  See  Pane  in  Pr. 
Parv. ;  "  Panne  de  bois  is  par- 
ticularly the  piece  of  timber 
that  sustains  a  gutter  between 
the  roofs  of  two  fronts,  or 
houses."  Cotg.  [In  both 
places,  pale  would  have  been 
a  better  word,  as  the  Pr.  text 
has  pel.] 

Pane,  lappet,  flap,  5654.  "  Pan, 
the  skirt  of  a  gown,  the  pane 
of  a  hose,  of  a  cloke."     Cotg. 

Pannes,  pains,  1045.  Lancelot, 
1273. 

Parage  (paraige),  parentage,  birth, 
475,  6007.     Eoq. 

Parcas,  perchance,  3690.  See 
Percas. 

Parcelly,  partially,  4015. 

Parde,  par  Dieu,  155,  3993. 

Parfight,  perfect,  3994. 

Parfightnesse,  perfection,  p.9. 

Parlement,  a  parliament,  2363  ; 
talk,  discourse,  2653. 

Part  here  (partis  dyey),  depart 
hence,  2839  ;  part  to  you 
here  (part  toy  dicy),  depart 
thou  hence,  5636. 

Parted,  departed,  2972,  5157. 


GLOSSAttlAL    IXDEX. 


283 


Party,  side,  228. 

Passe,  pace,  G068. 

Passed,  departed  this  life,  de- 
ceased, 6182. 

Passingly,  surpassingly,  very 
richly,  5299. 

Pastay,  a  pasty,  5945.  "  Pasty, 
or  pye."     Pr.  Parv. 

Pastour  (pastour),  a  shepherd, 
5117. 

Pateyfed  (prenoit  a  pastil),  laid 
under  tribute,  2530.  "Fastis, 
contribution  dont  on  est  con- 
venu,  accord,  convention  ; 
pactio."  Eoq.  [The  word  in 
the  MS.  is  rather  "pateyfed" 
than  "  paceyfed."] 

Pauilon,  tent,  pavilion,  911, 
1001,  2010,  5416. 

Pauilons,  tents,  869,  876. 

Paupires  (papier),  papers,  4735. 

Pawme,  palm  of  the  hand,  4306. 

Pay,  pleasure,  824,  1034,  5542. 
Lat.  pacare. 

Payny  (payennie),  heathendom, 
Pagan  lands,  1564. 

Peled  (pilliez),  pillaged,  2169. 

Peusell,  pennon,  streamer,  1720. 
O.Fr.  pennoncel. 

Pensifnesse,  sorrow,  4982. 

Penticost,  6182. 

Percas,  perhaps,  3521,  5637. 

Perde,  par  Dieu,  735. 

Perdurable,  everlasting,  6489. 

Perdurabelly,  283,    )  everlast- 

Perdurabilly,  6496,  )  ingly. 

Perdurabilite,  3595, 

Perdurabilnesse,  6537, 
lastingness. 

Pere,  peer,  equal,  3472.     Ch. 

Perhxst,  fixed,  700. 

Pering,  appearing,  5944.     Ch. 

Perish,  to  cause  to  perish,  im- 
poverish, destroy,  3933. 

Permanable,  permanent,  6437. 

Perrey  (pierrie),  jewelry,  4503. 
Ch. 


r.) 


ever- 


Perron,  a  stone  placed  to  help 

horsemen  in  mounting  or  dis- 
mounting, 4974.     Gk.  petra. 

Cf.  It.  pietrone.     Bur. 
Pertly,  openly,  straightway, 5474. 

Cf.  Apertly. 
Pesible,    soft,    gentle ;    in    wise 

pesible  =  in    an    undertone, 

3653. 
Pesibilly,  peacefully,  2427,  5198. 
Petyvins,  men  of  Poitou,  1362. 
Pight  (tendus),  pitched,  869,  918, 

6417;  set,  placed,  5034. 
Pilour,  pillar,  5035. 
Pine,  pain,  sorrow,  torment,  grief, 

2899,    3634,    3668;    trouble, 

6515.     A.S.  pin. 
Pipe    (tonneau),   a  large   barrel, 

properlya  half-tun,  5773,5926. 

"  Pype,  vessel,  or  halfe-tunne." 

Pr.  Parv. 
Pitty   (puis),   pit,    2882.      [Cf. 

Moisty  for  Moist,  Bryghty  for 

Bryght.] 
Plain,   openly,    2994 ;    at  once, 

2557.      "  Plain,    clairement." 

Poq.  "  De  plain,  out  of  hand." 

Cotg. 
Playnly  (a  plain),  openly,  1567. 
Plener,  full,  plentiful,  2751. 
Plenerly,    fully,    1931  ;    plainly 

(Fr.  plaines  pour  voir),  2047. 
Plesaunce,    pleasure,  jo.3,  ^.65, 

^.166,^.208,  &c.     Ch. 
Plieth,  bendeth,  tendeth,  p.81. 
Plite,    condition,    2721,    2803 ; 

ending     plite  =  final     state, 

death,  5681. 
Ply,  to  bend,  4188. 
Porete,  poverty,  3666. 
Port,  1350,  i   ,     „       , 

Porte,  2680,  5420,  j  door'  Sate- 
Port,    Porte,    burden,    distress, 
3819,  3925,  3987.    Fr.  porter. 
Portraed,  pourtrayed,  5478. 
Poscede,  possess,  2629. 
Postell,  apostle,  4963. 


284 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Postelles,  apostles,  6477. 
Poyntement    (ce    point),    point 

agreed  on,  agreement,  505. 
Predestinat,  predestined,  4379. 
Preise     (preisse),    prize,     value, 

1518.     O.Fr.preiser.     Bur. 
Prented,  imprinted,  3859. 
Present,  at  this  present,  2865. 
Presentens,  present  time,    1439. 

O.Fr.  tens,  time. 
Presently,     now,    2370,    2841  ; 

immediately,  4748.v 
President,  precedent,  original,  p. 

16. 
Prest,    Preste,   quickly,    readily, 

1697,2542,2739,  4486,5023, 

5403.     Fr.  pret,  O.Fr.  prest. 
Preue,  privy,  secret,  3462. 
Preue,  prove,  ^.92. 
Preuyd,  proved,  £>.  170;  approved, 

p.  174. 
Preuyngly,     with    good    proof, 

2524. 
Preynted,  imprinted,  impressed, 

382.      "Preentyn,    Inprimo." 

Pr.  Parv. 
Preysingly,  laudably,  p. 96. 
Prise    (pris),    high    estimation, 

fame,  js.99  ;  prize,  3895. 
Procincte  (lencliainte), neighbour- 
hood, precincts,  737. 

Proheim,    w.29,   ) 

ti    i  na   \  proem. 

Prohemy,  p.  ( b,  j  x 

Prologe,  prologue,  p.  7 6,  p.  2 1 0. 

Promission;  in  phr.  land  of  pro- 
mission  =  land  of  promise, 
Palestine,  4634,  5713,  5759, 
6063. 

Promittyng,  promising,  5128. 

Prossesse  ;  in  phr.  within  pros- 
sesse  =  in  process  of  time, 
5288. 

Prys  (pris),  honour,  fame,  5387. 

Psabulmes,  psalms,  1670. 

Pulcrious,  fair,  1263.  Lat. 
pulcher. 

Punicion,  punishment,  3671. 


Purchas,  to  get,  acquire,  1300  ; 
attain,  reach,  546 ;  attain  to, 
have,  733,  1347,  1447,  2939; 
that  it  may  purchace  =  that  I 
may  translate  it,  ^9.70  ;  to 
purchas  =  to  be  got,  to  be  had, 
266  ;  purchas  syghes,  heave 
sighs,  194;  made  purchas  = 
acquired,  2497 ;  riuage  gan 
purchas  =  arrived,  2734. 

Purchassyng,  means  of  recovery 
(for  him),  1375;  Fr.  Text, 
Oneques  homme  ne  le  pouoit 
guerir. 

Purer,  poorer,  2872. 

Purueance,  provision,  2376. 

Purueyd,  provided,  2378. 

Pusance,  power,  skill,  j?.  187. 

Pusant,  4438,  )        .  ,  , 

Pusaunt,  212,  j     miSM^ 

Pusantly,  mightily,  2466. 

Quarell    (querelle),    suit,     claim, 

demand,  5560.    "  Querelle,  A 

sute,  action,  or  process  against," 

&c.     Cotg. 
Quented    (acointe),    acquainted, 

2636. 
Quicke,  alive,  384  ;  quicke  roche, 

live  rock,  1125,  4352. 
Quite-clayme,   a  quit-claim,   free 

and   full    pardon,    1885.     Fr. 

text,   II    est    de    nous   quicte 

clamez. 

Rabbishly,  hastily,  speedily, 
4690.  "  Rapyfi  or  hastyil. 
Festino."  Pr.  Parv.  [Ravish- 
ing =  rapid  ;  Ch.  Shak.] 

Radde,  read,  3203,  4651. 

Raid,  arrayed,  drest,  1992,  4023. 
"  Rayd,  omatus."     Pr.  Parv. 

Raid,  in  the  phr.  ill  raid  (tres 
mal  atourne),  =  in  an  evil 
plight ;  lit.  ill  dressed,  but 
Raymond  was  undressed  al- 
ready, 2915. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


285 


Raide,  in  the  plir.  foule  raide  = 

put  into  an  evil  plight,  3090. 

O.Fr.  arroi&r. 
Ramage  (Ramaige),  wild,  uncul- 
tivated, 527.  '  Ch. 
Randon,      impetuosity,      1727. 

O.Fr.  randon. 
Ease,  to  tear,  rend,  5884,  5938. 

Fr.  raser. 
Rather,  sooner,  4011. 
Raundon,     as     Randon,     3048, 

5866  ;  haste,  707. 
Ray,  array,  apparel,  846,  2429. 
Eayd    (1),    dressed,    2608;    (2) 

read,  3186. 
Raynes,  the  reins,  4325. 
Rehaude  (Hbaude),  a  ribald  fel- 
!    low,  a  wretch,  2839,  4197; 
Receit,  retreat,   place  of  shelter, 

159.     O.Fr.  recet,  Eur. 
Rechaufed,  warmed  again,  4024. 
Recluse,  become  a  recluse,  4966. 
Recomfort  (reconfort),    comfort, 

consolation,  412. 
Recommend,  entrust,  5208. 
Recreant     (recreans),     defeated, 

utterly  worsted,  4781,  5325. 
Recreantlv,  disgracefully,  4436. 
Redoubted,  feared,  6168. 
Redoute,  vb.  to  fear,  2528.      Ch. 
Redrese,    to    set    upright    again, 

raise  up,  3571. 
Redyfy,  rebuild,  3700. 
Refection,  repast,  5468. 
Refershing    (se    Reffrechy),    re- 
freshing, recruiting,  1305. 
Regiat   way,    royal   way,   king's 

highway,  principal  road,  5255. 

[Fr.  text,  le  grant  che?nw.~\ 
Regned,  reigned,  5314,  5321. 
Reioy,  rejoice,  755,  2719. 
Reioyed,  rejoiced,  2928,  5042. 
Reioyng,  rejoicing,  425. 
Rekke   (rasceillier),  a  rack  (for 

horses),  913. 
Releued,  lifted  herself  up  again, 

3789  ;     releued    hym,    lifted 


himself  up  again,  4226. 

Releuing,  lifted  himself  up  again, 
4704. 

Remayn,  in  the  phr.  do  it  to  re- 
may  n  =  cause  it  to  be  carried 
or  conducted,  584.  [Fr.  text, 
le  ramenez ;  and  the  Eng. 
word  is  an  awkward  copy  of  it.] 

Remeue,  remove,  move  away, 
3191. 

Remew,  remove,  move  away, 
3069,  3943. 

Remitte,  restore,  5242. 

Renay,  deny,  2173,  4310.  Fr. 
renier. 

Eengecl,  drew  up  in  ranks,  set  in 
array,  2224. 

Eengid,  as  Renged,  1315. 

Eentid  (renta),  endowed  with 
rents,  5300. 

Repair  (repaire),  fort,  fastness, 
1133;  abode,  5168;  to  your 
repair  you  take  =  betake 
yourself  to  your  usual  abode, 
i.  e.  to  Eoitiers,  574. 

Repref,  reproof,  dishonour,  371, 
1255,  1258,  2322. 

Repreued,  reproved,  237. 

Requeryng,  praying,  beseeching, 
3174. 

Require  (requiers),  pray,  p.  204; 
beseech,  entreat,  2579,5612; 
ask  for,  5383. 

Requiring,  praying,  beseeching, 
2)M,  1616,  3352. 

Resoned,  talked  to,  791. 

Resplendising,  shining  brightly, 
1196,  4512. 

Rethoriously,  rhetorically,  with 
flourishes,  6611. 

Retrair,  retreat,  1001,  4707  ;  re- 
turn, 2824  ;  withdrawal  of  a 
thing  given,  5597  ;  without 
retrair  =  without  fail,  1622, 
5149.  "San*  retraire  signiiie 
sans  appel,  sans  y  manquer." 
Eur.  vol.  2.  p.  230. 


286 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Eeuel,  pleasantry,  jesting,  sport, 

5193.     " Revel,  .  .  .  badinage, 

plaisanterie."     Bur.     Ch. 
Eew  ;     in    phr.    by    rew  =  in 

order     (lit.    by    row),    5211, 

6500,  6554.     Ch. 
Eewarde,  look   about,    consider, 

1190,    2367,    5528.        O.Fr. 

rewaurder.     Boq. 
Rewarded,  regarded,  beheld,  291. 
Bewme  (royaulme),  1467,  1505, 

2412,  5552,  &c. 
Eewmes,  kingdoms,  1647,  1662, 

1669. 
Eichesse,  riches,  5437.     Ch. 
Eight  (droit),  law,  8. 
Eiuage,  arrival ;  riuage  gan  pur- 

clias  =  arrived,    2734  ;     Fr. 

text,  arriva. 
Eiue,   open    in    one's    dealings, 

public,  openly  manifest,  3461. 

"  Eyyf,    or     opynly    knowe. 

Manifestus,  publicatus."     Pr. 

Parv. 
Eiued,  arrived,  1350,  6408. 
Eoche,  rock,  4270,  4935,  5031. 
Eomans,  romance,   6415,    6417, 

6418,  6420. 
Eon,  run ;  ron  in  age  =  advanced 

in  years,  5425. 
Eought,  recked,  5106. 
Eoute,  company,  3787.     Ch. 
Eouthe,  ruth,  pity,  3684.     Ch. 
Eow,  rough,   1266.     A.S.   reoh. 

Ger.  roh.     Ch. 
Eowted,  snored,  5784.     Ch. 
Eudesse,    violence,   force,  4272. 

Fr.  rudesse. 
Eychesse,  riches,  5283. 
Eyn,  run,  3252. 
Eyn    (rain),   border,    edge,   rim, 

879.     Ger.  rain.     O.Fr.  rain. 
Eyued,  arrived,  3248.  See  Eiued. 

Saad,  said,  647. 

Sad,  adj.  Arise,  mature,  discreet, 
1088,  4876 ;  set,  determined, 


2079.     W.  sad,  firm,  discreet. 
Cf.  Dan.  sat,  O.N.  settr. 

Sad,  adj.  (=  shad),  separated, 
marked  out,  576 ;  separate, 
2272.  Moeso-G.  skdidan,  A.S. 
scddan. 

Sad,  adv.  firmly,  certainly,  874, 
3274 ;  determinedly,  2208 ; 
discreetly,  quietly,  4104  ;  firm- 
ly, fixedly,  3859  ;  full  sad  = 
very  certainly,  4459.  [The 
word  is  often  a  mere  exple- 
tive.] 

Sagesse,  wisdom,  6224. 

Sagdly,  sagely,  5315. 

Said,  an  error  for  sad  =  discreet, 
5788. 

Sain,  say,  1183,  2760,  2767, 
2771,  5193.     Ch. 

Sain,  seen,  729,  752,  2991, 
3099. 

Saluz,  salutation,  347,  896,  901. 
O.Fr.  Saluz.     Bur. 

Samfayl,  without  fail,  2351. 
[Rather  read  sanfail ;  see  San- 
faill.] 

Sampler,  p.  7  7,    \  original.    Lat. 

Samplere,  2947,  J  exemplar. 

Sampnolence,  somnolency,  slum- 
ber, 4616. 

Sanfaill,  without  fail,  1590. 

Santred,  mused,  wondered,  4653. 
Cf.  Eng.  saunter. 

Satefied,  satisfied,  i.  e.  well  re- 
warded, 1917  ;  satisfied  with 
presents,  5162. 

Sauacion,  salvation,  4970,  5155. 

Sautes,  assaidts,  2145.     Ch. 

Say,  essay,  attempt,  354. 

Sayand,  saying,  206. 

Saying-again,  gainsaying,  3242. 

Sayn,  51,  \ 

Sayne,  ^.186,  \ 

Sayn,  say,  ^.184. 

Scaberge,  scabbard,  2790,  3047, 
3060,  4722. 

Scarmish,  skirmish,  2079. 


seen. 


GLOSS  AM  AL    INDEX. 


287 


Seaturday  (sempmedi),  Saturda  y, 

2724 
Schapel,  chapel,  771. 
Schureh,  church,  3247. 
Scomfite,  to  discomfit,  4198. 
Scomfiture,  discomfiture,  conflict, 

4148. 
Scripture,  writing,  record,  records, 

i?.118,  2076, 2115, 5484,  5494, 

&c. 
Scorched,  scorched,  3551.    [Spelt 

scorched  in  1.  3678.] 
Secundarilie      (secondement),      a 

second  time,  512. 
Set  (sept),  seven,  4181. 
Seff,  seven,  4182. 
Seffe,  seventh,  1261. 
Sefth,  seventh,  4437!" 
Seignorie  (sei'jnourie),   lordship, 

dominion,    55,    5197,    5751  ; 

rank,  high  degree,  339.     Ch. 
Seignoried,   was  lord  of,   ruled, 

5090. 
Semblable,  like,  6488.     Ch. 
Semblahly  (samblablememb),  simi- 
larly, in  like  manner,  5330. 
Semblabilly,  as  Semblahly,  1092. 
Semblance,  appearance,  1768. 
Semblant  (samblant),  appearance, 

1421.     Ch. 
Seinble    wyse,    like    wise,    like 

manner,  1904.     [Cf.  lyke-un/se 

in  1.  1901.] 
Send,  sent,  5273. 
Sentence,  meaning,  sense,  6553, 

6568.     Ch. 
Sentement,  opinion,  p.  125. 
Sept,  seven,  1670. 
Sepulture,  sepulchre,  3627.    Ch. 
Sery,  prob.  an  error  for  "  say," 
3556.     [If  sery  exists,  it  can 
only  mean   assert.       Cf.  Lat. 
sew,  It.  asserire.~\ 
Setterday,  Saturday,  5598,  5601. 
Seueralte,  separate  portions,  3640. 
[The  text  requires  some  word 
expressing  the  exact  opposite 


of  this,  viz.  integrity.] 
Sew,  to  follow,  2002  ;   to  pursue, 

1751.     Ch. 
Sewed,  followed,  138, 142,  3980, 

4476,  &c. 
Sex,  six,  5281.  Lat.  sex. 
Shad,  shed,  5063. 
Shal,   an    error  for  sinal,   small, 

1393. 
Sliameuous,       shameful,      3407, 

3444,  5135. 
Share  (trenche),  shore,  cut,  3075. 
She,   it;     used   of     a   chamber, 

4495,  4502.     Fr.  la  chambre. 
Shend,  despoiled,    ruined,  4988. 

A.S.  scendan. 
Shereful  (chiere),  dear,  829. 
Shete,  to  shoot,  1176. 
Shette    (chat),    shot   down,    i.  e. 

feU      quickly,       5905.       A.S. 

sceotan,  unless  it  be  imitated 

from  Fr.  chut. 
Skill,  shrill,    1997,  2209,  2976, 

3317,     3403.      "Schylle,  and 

sharpe  (schille,lowde),  Acutus, 

sonorus."  Pr.  Parv.  Du.  schel. 
Shiste,  2792.     Prob.  an  error  for 

shifte  =  divided     the     wood, 

sliced  away  at  it.  "  Schyftyii,  or 

part  asundyr  ;  "  "  Scbyften,  or 

partyn,    or   delyfi."    Pr.  Parv. 

Cf.    Du.  schiften,  Dan.  shifte  ; 

Sw.    shifta,    to  divide;    O.N. 

shifa,    to    cleave,  split ;    Ger. 

schiefern,    to    slice   off.      The 

Eng.    skive,  a  slice,    seems   to 

give  the  true  clue  to  the  word. 

The   Fr.   text  has  Tant  boulta 

parcy  et,   par  la,  where  boulta 

=  bouta,  thrust,  smote. 
Shitte,    to    enclose,    555  ;    shut, 

4409,   4412;    shut   in,    3295, 

5791,  &c. 
Sho,  she,  836. 

Sighty,  visible,  1229.  Pr.  Parv. 
Simplesse,     simpleness,    lack     of 

skill,  6567,  6601,  6608,  6610. 


288 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Sin,  since,  3731,  4113,  5557. 

Sinistra,  left,  3049. 

Sith,    since  ;      long    sith  =  long 

since,  6209  ;    euer  sith  =  ever 

since,  4414. 
Sithen,  since,  163,  4424  ;    after- 
wards, 3187,  3980.     A.S.  si%- 

%an. 
Sixte,  sixth,  4427. 
Slay  (occist),  slew,  1251. 
Sle,  to  slay,  210,  1367,  3017. 
Slegges    (marteaulx),  sledge-ham- 
mers,     3000,      3065.       A.S. 

slccfje. 
Sly,  siew,  2090,  3978,  4073;   to 

slay,  114. 
Slye  (tua),  sleAV,  147. 
Slyest,  slewest,  4254. 
Smortherting,  smothering,  3303. 
Soghed,  sighed,  2890. 
Sogheth,  sigheth,  6164. 
Solain,    famous,    excellent,    fair, 

864,    6104.      O.Fr.   solempne. 

Eoq.    [At  1.  864  the  Fr.  text 

has  beaulx.~\ 
Solain,  solitary,  done  in  solitude, 

4394;    lonely,    5431.       O.Fr. 

soltain.  Bur.  See  Pr.  Parv. 
Sollemply,  solemnly,  6192. 
Sompnolence,slumber,5384,5452. 
Sompnolent,  slumberous,  5376. 
Sonly,  soon,  4078. 
Sothlese,    Sothlesse,  truly,  verily, 

197,    417,    940,    2657,    3852. 

[Sothlese  should  mean  untruly, 

but  the  author  insists  that  it 

shall  not.] 
Soudan,     sultan,      1301,     1315, 

1371,  1383.     Ch. 
Soudiour,  soldier,  warrior,  4081. 

See   Pr.    Parv.    [The   Fr.  text 

has      fouldreant  =  one     who 

terrifies.] 
Souerayn,    supreme,     210,     291, 

297,  387,  &c. 
Soule,  sole,  single,  3641,  3770. 
Souly,  solely,  singly,  4198. 


Souned,  sounded,  4718.     Ch. 

Sounneth,  soundeth,  5782. 

Sowghid,  sighed,  1944. 

Sowly,  as  Souly,  4154. 

Sparcled,  scattered,  6480.  "  Splar- 
plynge,  or  scaterynge,  (sparte- 
lynge,  sundrynge,  sparkelyng). 
Dissqxdio:^  Pr.  Parv. 

Spedfully,  speedily,  3451. 

Spell,  to  tell,  relate,  5103,  5705. 
A.S.  spellian. 

Spere,  sphere,  6509.    Lancelot,  6. 

Sperhauke  (espreuier),  sparrow- 
hawk,  5374,  5396,  5440,  5453. 

Sperhauke,  i.  e.  Sparrow-hawk 
castle,  5413. 

Spored,  spurred,  4214. 

Sporing,  spurring,  4098. 

Sprancles,  sprinkles,  tear-drops, 
4016. 

Sprites,  spirits,  feelings,  affec- 
tions, 4648. 

Staf,  a  line,  verse,  6555.  Cf. 
Eng.  stave. 

Staffes,  lines,  6581. 

Stage,  story  of  a  tower,  4925. 

Standede,  Standed,  stone-dead, 
115,  1376,  2282,  3121. 

Staste,  1723.  Doubtless  an  error 
for  Stafte  ;  they  stafte  them  = 
they  ranged  themselves  in  line  ; 
an  idea  repeated  in  the  words 
"  putt  into  ordinance  ;  "  for 
the  Fr.  text  has  merely,  Lors 
se  misdrent  en  ordonnanee.  Cf. 
Staff,  a  line,  supra.  Kilian 
gives  "  Staven,  Figere,  pangere, 
statuere." 

Stede,  place,  4686,  4938,  4942. 

Steke,  to  set,  fix,  3538.  G.  steclcen. 

Stered,  stirred,  excited,  2217.  Ch. 

Stied,  mounted,  climbed,  5861. 
A.S.  stigan. 

Stikell,  steep,  5848.  A.S.  sticele. 

Stile,  steel,  2259,  2960,  3042. 

Stilen,  of  steel,  256. 

Stoke,  stuck,  3955. 


GLOSSABIAL    INDEX. 


289 


S  tonde,  tim  >,  3517.  See  Stotmde. 

Stonde,  astonied,  2346.  See 
Stoned. 

Stoned,  astonied,  amazed,  728, 
2940,  4700  ■  in  a  trance,  3569. 
0.  Fr.  estoner. 

Stonyng  (esbahissement),  abash- 
ment, cause  of  shame,  1230. 

Stouud,    )  , .  •    i   • 

o,         i     >  time  period,  instant, 

Stounde,  >  1 

237,  312,  532,  633,  703,  &c.  ; 
chiefly  in  phr.  that  stounde  = 
at  that  time.  A.S.  stund.  Ger. 
stunde.  In  Du.  stand  =  mo- 
ment, instant. 

Store,  5617.  An  error  for  Stere, 
to  stir,  cause,  bring  about. 

Stour  (estour),  also  Stoure,  con- 
flict, combat,  1360,  2231,4165  ; 
pace,  rate,  4827.      Ch. 

Stourne,  stern,  5730. 

Stratte,  strait,  narrow,  5809.  Lat. 
strictus. 

Strayned  {destraint),  strained, 
tormented,  1406. 

Streight,  stretched,  made  ready, 
869,  918,  1005,  5417.  A.S. 
streecan,  to  stretch ;  p.p.  ges- 
treht. 

Streith,  straightway,  712. 

Strenglit  (fort),  a  fortress,  1179, 
1184,  1192,  3452,  &c. 

Stroied,  destroyed,  2857,  3313, 
4854. 

Stroyng,  destroying,  3408. 

Suatte,  sweated,  3079. 

Suete,  to  sweat,  4851. 

Sunisantly,  sufficiently,  3984. 

Sughed,  sighed,  5024. 

Sugret,  3848,    i  sugared,  sweet. 

Sugred,  6029,  j  Ch. 

Sured,  betrothed,  5087. 

Surmitte,  to  lay  a  charge  on,  im- 
pose a  task  on,  5606.  The  line 
means,  "  To  impose  a  task  on 
Palestine,  my  youngest  sister." 
"Surmettre;  imposer,  charger, 


accuser."  Tioq. 
Surrend,  to  restore,  render  back 

again,  4986. 
Suster,  sister,  5595.  A.S.  suster. 
Sustre,  sister,  5606. 
Sustres,  sisters,  5575. 
Swatte   (tressue),  sweated,  2781, 

2876,  4929. 
Syn,    afterwards,   ^?.  176  ;    since, 

4928.     See  Sin. 
Synny,  sinful,  5218. 

Tach  (tache),  a  blemish,  1265. 
Tacked    (attachierent),  attached, 
4802.     Pr.  Parv. 

Taking,  sb.  capture,  4920 ;  vb. 
taken,  4921. 

Talmondois  (taillemondoiz),  1224. 
Prob.  the  name  of  a  place,  as 
t,t  Me  =  district.     Eoq. 

Targe,  target,  shield,  4212. 

Tasting,  feeling, testing,  449 1 .  Ch. 

Teise,  draw  near  to,  approach, 
1295. 

Tend,  vexed,  grieved,  2328  ;  ir- 
ritated, disquieted,  5785 ;  was 
vexed,  incensed,  3213.  A.S. 
teonan,  to  vex,  irritate,  incense. 

Tende,  kindled  ;  debate  tende  = 
kindled  strife,  2097  ;  kindled, 
lighted  (Fr.  text,  cdumer  font), 
2136.  A.S.  tendon,  to  light, 
kindle. 

Termyne,  to  finish,  bring  to  an 
end,  5996. 

Terrene,  earthly,  417. 

Terrenly,  as  regards  lands; 
wurthy  terrenly  =  a  great 
landholder,  5014.  [The  Fr. 
text  has  sera  grant  terrien, 
where  terrien  =  terrier,  seign- 
eur qui  a  beaucoup  de  terres.] 

Tewisday,  2670,  3247,  )  Tues- 

Tewsday,j  3309,  5763,   )  clay. 

Tha  (ilz),  they,  1365. 

Thaken  (esprins),  taken,  seized, 
3292.  ; 


19 


290 


GLOSS ARIAL    INDEX. 


Thaught,  taught,  98,  768,  3962. 

The,  prosper,  4959.      A.S.  'peon. 

Then,  ten,  3477. 

Thenke,  think,  3801,  3804,  3815. 

Ther-hens,  thence,  4345.  [Per- 
haps an  error  for  Ther-thens.] 

Ther-thens,  thence,  3125,  3350, 
4818,  5070,  5517,  5763. 

Therthorough,  thereby,  31-49. 

This,  thus,  2892,  3424. 

Tho,  those,  1343,  1653,  3176, 
3218,  &c.  ;  A.S.  pa.     Ch. 

Tho,  then,  253,  4534,  5391. 
A.S.  pa.     Ch. 

Thorught,  through,  3863. 

Thought,  though,  6611. 

Thrall,  adj.  subject,  4714. 

Thraste,  to  thrust,  4233. 

Throw,  time  ;  that  throw  =  at 
that  time,  626  ;  in  a  throw,  in  a 
brief  space  of  time,  3360.  See 
Pr.  Parv.     A.S.  prah.     Ch. 

Thwanges,  568, )  thongs.      A.S. 

Thanges,  582,     j      pwang. 

Thyme  (temps),  weather,  2735. 

Thys,  thus,  297,  3218,  3279, 
5069. 

Timbre  (fust),  wooden  hilt,  1377. 

Tirandise,  tyranny,  4732. 

Tirandisse,  tyranny,  6487. 

To,  two,  ^.173,  31,  144,  1648, 
1649,  1651,  &c. 

To-auaunce  (ton  deuancier)  pre- 
ceding (you)  ;  man  to-auaunce 
=  ancestor,  5566. 

To-bore,  native,  6563. 

To-breke,  brake  very  much,  5893. 
A.S.  to-brecan. 

T  (-chapped  (d(  trt  nche),  cut  small, 
2272. 

Togeders,  together,  102,  1027, 
1727,  &a 

Told,  accounted  ;  noght  told  of 
=  thought  nothing  of,  3029. 

To-rent,  rent  severely,  5648 ; 
quite  broken.  4290.  "  Ch. 

Tomorne,  to-morrow,  2749. 


Torn,   turn,   2764,    2838,   2938, 

3043,     6566 ;     return    home, 

5266.     Ch. 
Torned,  turned,  3738. 
Torning,  2905,    j  . 

Tornyng,  3449,  j  tmnmS- 
To-stoniste,    much    astonished, 

2198. 
To-tere,  to  tear  severely,  5938. 
To-tore,  tore  severely,  5872. 
Tour,  a  tower,  4662,'  4772,  4907. 
Tour,  a  turn,  circuit,  3875.      Fr. 

tour. 
Townishe  peple  (celles  de  la  wile), 

people  of  the  town,  2443. 
Toxicat     (envelyme),     poisoned, 

1333,  1429. 
Traiteresse,  traitress,  2770. 
Trauers,  in    the  phr.   in  trailers 

(au    trailers),    across,     1161  ; 

across,  sideways,  5886. 
Trauersing,       changing       about, 

changing  the  place  of  words, 

6562. 
Traying,    for   Tarying,    tarrying, 

49.     See  note. 
Trenchand,  cutting,  3045.    Ch. 
Trewage,    tribute,    4729,    4739, 

6154.  OJ?i.treu,trewge.  Kocp 
Trimble,  tremble,  3997. 
Trought,  truth,  2919,  3697. 
Troiith,  truth,  3710. 
Trowe  (trou),  a  hole,  4270. 
Trowing   (se  croy  Ie),  as  I  sup- 
pose, 3575,  4260  ;  expecting, 

trusting,  4266. 
Trusse,  sb.   a  bundle,   720 ;  (see 

Pr.    Parv.)  ;  pack  off,  begone, 

3011.      O.Pr.    torser,    trusser. 

Pur. 
Trussing    (destruisant),    making 

(them)  pack  off,  routing  (them), 

2154;    perhaps  here  used  in 

the  sense  of  destroying. 
Tydy,    timely;     tydy    stounde, 

timely  moment,  5722.    Cf.  Ger. 

zeitig. 


GLOSSAKIAL    INDEX. 


291 


Vail,  to  avail  ;  but  used  in  phr. 
vail  that  vail  might  =  happen 
what  may  ;  Fr.  text,  vaille  que 
vaitte,  2672. 

Uaillant,  valiant,  4G50. 

Ualay,  valley,  4160'. 

Ualey,  valley,  584,  725,  747,  &c. 

Yaloure,  value,  power,  p.5Q,  3899. 

Uandosme,  3484.  This  is  a  pro- 
per name  (the  modern  Ven- 
dome),  and  the  allusion  to  it 
must  be  a  proverb.  The  line 
means,  "By  the  tears  of  Van- 
dosme's  beauty,"  (or  face,  or 
appearance),  though  "  hys 
fair"  is  merely  expletive.  Fr. 
text,  Et,  pour  la  lurtne  de 
vandbsme. 

Uarray,  very,  5399. 

Uermaill  (venneillon),  vermilion, 
scarlet,  3213,  4279,  5477. 

Uerray,  very,  4652. 

Uiage,  journey,  expedition,  3123, 
5820  ;  purpose,  3953  ;  neces- 
saries for  a  journey  (Lat. 
viaticum),  5020;  of  viage  = 
on  their  journey,  2476.     Ch. 

Uilloincd,  dishonoured,  slighted, 
2993.     O.Fr.  vilainer.     Bur. 

Vilously  (wllainement),  insult- 
ingly, 2861. 

1  "it ail  1,  victuals,  eatables,  5022, 
5466.     Ch. 

Uitaillouns,  987.  An  error 
for  uitaillous,  eatable,  life- 
sustaining. 

Vmbleste,  humblest,  4842. 

Unbore,  unborn,  3709. 

Unconnyng,  unskilful,  6610. 

Vnconnyngnesse,  lack  of  skill,  ;>. 
12. 

Ynfold,  explained,  jj.130  ;  to 
narrate,  relate,  893, 4372,  51 24  ; 
visibly,  openly,  plainly,  697, 
2350,  5038  ;  produced,  given 
birth  to,  4401  ;  unfold  of  = 
brought  forth    by,   465    (cf.  1. 


4401);  narrated,  related,  5990; 

evident,  manifest,  openly  dis- 
played, p. 35,  26. 

Vnhaply,  by  ill  chance,  5918. 

Unknow,  unknown,  843,  4954. 

Unmesurabelnesse,  want  of  moder- 
ation, talkativeness,  3594. 

Unmete,  immense,  measureless, 
5775.     A.S.  unmette. 

Unnethes,  scarcely,  318,  778, 
1405,  1703,  Ac.  A.S.  un-ed*. 
Ch. 

Vnperfight,  imperfect,  sinful, 
5225. 

Vnshit,     )  to  open,  3501  ;  open- 

Vnshitte,  j  ed,  3945,  4747,  5792. 

Vnwemmed,  unblemished,  6569. 
See  Wemme. 

Uoide,  to  depart,  4109,  5590.  ( 'h. 

Uoided,  departed,  5639  ;  avoided, 
3084. 

Uois,  voice,  2404,  3547,  4870. 

Uolente  (voulente),  wish,  desire, 
47,  3473.     Ch. 

Voluntarily  (voulentiers),  gladly, 
5055. 

TJomed,  foamed,  3215. 

Uoyding,  avoiding,  4672. 

Vre,  common  custom,  habitual 
use,  3722.  See  Xares' Glossary. 

Wacche,  watch,  5523  ;  to  watch, 

n:i75,  5395. 
Wacchyd      (veitta),      watched  ; 

wacchyd     his     person  =  took 

heed  to  himself,  kept  himself 

awake,  5518. 
Wace,  was,  4769,  4844,  5243. 
Waillant,  valiant,  5354. 
Wak,    )  to   watch,   5144,    5454. 
Wake,  j  Ch. 
Waked,  watched,  5461. 
Waking,  watching,  5527. 
Walling,  welling  up,  4161.    A.S. 

iceallen.     Ger.  written. 
Wallure     (niurs),     walls,     1152, 

5504. 


19  * 


292 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Waloping, galloping,  4827.  Kilian 
gives  "  Galoppe,  Avaloppe "  in 
Appendix.  See  note  to  the  line. 

Warant,  safeguard,  defence,  4195  ; 
to  guard,  save,  4201. 

Wardain,  warder,  4415.     Ch. 

Warde,  sb.  custody,  4824  ;  vb. 
guard,  5003,  5005  ;  cf.  garde 
in  1.  5004. 

Warde  (gardez),  take  care,  be- 
ware, 805,  834. 

Warented  (pouoit  garir),  de- 
fended, saved,  2237. 

Warly,  warily,  41,  4267  ;  adj. 
warlike,  1362. 

Waymented,  lamented,  3324. 
O.Fr.  waimenter.     Bur. 

Waymenting,  lamenting,  4953  ; 
sb.  a  lament,  3459.     Ch. 

Wemme,  spot,  blemish,  466. 
A.S.  went. 

Wend,  to  turn  about,  6566  ; 
went,  i.  e.  arrived,  3153; 
went,  2264  ;  turned,  over- 
turned, 2104. 

Wendyng,  turning,  2905. 

"Went,  weened,  knew,  5646.  See 
note  to  the  line. 

Wen-  (guerre),  war,  2980,  3056, 
3172,  4056,  etc. 

Were,  whether,  5659.  See  Wher. 

Were,  wary,  4063, 

W^ily,  warlike,  1591,  4148. 

Wern  (escondiroie),  deny,  refuse, 
refuse  to  do,  ^.126,  556,  1494. 
A.s.  wyrnan. 

Wern,  warn,  4197.   A.S.  wernan. 

Werne,  to  deny,  refuse,  82,  86, 
520  ;  See  Wern. 

Werre,  war,  3659,  4429. 

Werred,  warred  on,  5318.  Ch. 
werreie. 

Wenvlv,  in  a  warlike  way,  1741. 

Wersom,  weary,  4406  ;  wersom 
goste  =  tired,  oppressed  spirit. 

Wher,    /    whether,    359,    4048, 

Where,  j    4054,  4657,  5083. 


Where  (guerre),  war,  1281. 
Where-hens,  whence,  p.  114,3351, 

3383,  5489. 
Wherethorugh,     whereby,     447, 

3389,  4404. 
Wlierethorught,  wherefore,  3079. 
Whight  (hardis),  nimble,   vigor- 
ous, 2522.  Suio-G. wig.  Sw.  rig. 
Whilis,  whilst,  5597. 
Wice,  wise,  4896. 
Wight,  nimble,  swift,  4910.    Ch. 
Wightly,  quickly,  326  ;  nimbly, 

2260,      4226   ;     soon,     4697, 

4S43  ;     strongly,     vigorously, 

3066,  4699. 
Wighty,      nimble,      quick,     ( = 

Wight),  4704.      Cf.  Bryghty, 

Pittv,  Moisty. 
Wilfull,  willing,  glad,  1641. 
Will,  adv.  weU,  5527,  6171. 
Wilnyng,  wishing,  3178.     Ch. 
Win,  to  rise,  get  up,  2986.     See 

Jam.  s.  v.  Win — "  to  win  up, 

to  rise." 
With,   used  in  the  sense    of  by, 

4673.     Ch. 
Withdraught,  withdrawal,  5927. 
Withsay,  to  gainsay,  86,   3235  ; 

refuse,  5529.    A.S.  wiZsoeggan. 

Ch. 
Withsaing,  gainsaying,  482.     See 

1.  485. 
Wo,  adj.  sad,  2538,  2562.     Ch. 
Woer,  sadder,  2855. 
Wode,  mad,  3291,  4897.     Ch. 
Womanhed,  womanhood,  2315. 
Wonderly,  wondrously,  26,  5282  ; 

wondrous,  1241. 
Wone  (firm,  nre),  dwelling,  5786. 

Ch.     [The  MS.  has  lone.] 
Wordle,  world,  166,  2049,  4838, 

5782.      "  Al  J>e  welthe  of  J>is 

wordle.     and    J>e    woo    bo]?e." 

Piers  Plow.  ed.  Wbitaker.  1. 10. 
Wordly,    worldly,    457,      2644, 

2923  ;  mortal,  1177  ;  living  in 

this  world,  alive,  3533.  [Lance. 


SLOSSARIAL    [NDBX. 


293 


lot,  3184,   has   ward  =  warld, 
world.      So  werd  =  world  in 
Gen.  4-  Ex.  32,  1315.] 
Worle,  world,  3816,   3841,  4007, 

5179,  5353,  &c. 
W« >rly,  worldly,  3838, 41 10, 4373, 

6510. 
Worm,    a    large    serpent,   5859. 

A.S.  wurm.  O.X.  ormr. 
Wormes,  serpents,  5772. 
Wout,  wot,  know,  761. 
"Woxin,  become,  3436. 
Wrake,  harm,  hurt,  5933.     A. 8. 

wrcec. 
Wraste,    wrested,    i.  e.    pierced, 

1377. 
Wrete,  written,  6401. 
Wreth,s&.  wrath,  231  ;  y&.to  make 

angry,  2856. 
Wrethed,  made  angry,  4853. 
Wroght,  2780,    ) 
Wrought,  3543,  pvlutil- 
Wrothed,  was  angry,  1254. 
Wurght,  adj.  worth,  5940. 
Wurghtinesse,  worthiness,  5959. 
Wyght,  a  wight,  a  creature,  3992. 

A.S.  wiht. 
Wyghtly      (vistement),     nimbly, 

quickly,  235,  333. 
WylfuUy,  at  will,  327. 
Wyn,  to  go,  3253.     See  Win. 

Yaf,  gave,  218,  559. 
Yaffle,  1587.  Here  porte  yaffe  = 
left  harbour,  set  sail. 


Yande,  yonder,  5827. 
Yanyng,  yawning,  5852,  5941. 
Yef  fave,  652. 
Yetf,bgive,  jp.191,  p.l9G,  p.209, 

75  ;  given,  88. 
Yefte,  gift,  550. 
Yeman  (varlet) ,  a  yeoman,  a  squire, 

5164,  5174. 
Yerfull,  ireful,  angry,  3258. 
Yeue,  give,  i.  e.  deliver,  462. 
Yeuyng,  giving  ;  but  used  as  = 
had  given,  4720  ;  giving,^.  47. 
Yif,  given,  5557. 
Yifte,  gift,  558,  687,  5401,  5406. 

Yiftes,  gifts,  1071. 

Yongling,  youngling,  youth,  3843. 

Youthnesse,  youth,  5221. 

Yowlownesse  (crinx  Wows) yellow- 
ness, 3887. 

Yoy,  joy,  3760,  3991. 

Ypocras,    the    name    of   a     com- 
pound wine,  972. 

Yre  (fer),  iron,  1377,  2786,  2999. 

Yrous,  angry,  4889. 

Yrouslv,  angrily,  4692. 

Yut,  yet,  p. 21,  3709,  5351,  &o. 

Ywis,  certainly,  p.116. 

Zowning    (se  pasme),   swooning; 

287,    3569,    3776  ;    a   swoon, 
3781. 
Zownyngly,  swoonin;j,ly,  3566. 

Jere,  years,  126. 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


[In  this  index,  the  references  under  words  in  large  capitals  are  to  the  pages  of 
the  book  ;  otherwise,  the  references  are  to  the  lines.  By  p.  is  meant  page,  and  by 
prol.  the  "Prologue."] 


Albany,  4386,  53G2. 

Allexaundre,  6322. 

Almayn,  2066. 

Ambrys,  Amerie,  or  Amerye, 
earl  of  Poitiers,  j?.8  ;  adopts 
Raymond,  p.  11  ;  goes  out 
hunting,  ^>.12;  is  accident- 
ally slain  by  Raymond,  ^.  1G  ; 
is  buried,  p.  29. 

Angoy  (Anjou  ?),  968. 

Anthonye,  prol.  177. 

Antony,  or  Anthonye,  fourth 
son  of  Raymond  and  Melusine, 
j> AS ;  besieges  Luxembourg, 
j»y.64  ;  marries  Christian,  p.  71  ; 
further  notice  of  him,  p.  184. 

Aras  (Arras),  2640. 

Ardennes.     See  Dardane. 

Aristotle,  quoted ;  prol.78. 

Aritrige  (=  Autrige,  i.  e.  Aus- 
tria), 2497.   Fr.  text.  Autnche. 

Armenia.     See  Hermeny. 

Arminiens,  1604. 

Arragon,  or  Arrigon,  4636,  5168, 
5607,  5709,  5764,  5768. 

Arthur,  prol.91,  5748. 

Aucerre  (Auxerre),  975. 

Auoblon,  or  Aualon,  4548,  4644, 
4858. 


Ausoy  (Alsace),  1700,  &c. 
Ausoys  (Alsacians),  1703,  1733, 

1736,  1743,  1750,  1754. 
Ayglon,  5007. 

Bachus,  prol.  37. 
Barry.     See  Salz. 
Baueres  (Bavaria),  20G6. 
Bernagant,    4312 ;  an   error   for 

Ternagant  ==  Termagaunt. 
Bertram,  son  of  Amerye,  28. 
Bertram,  son  of  Anthony,   and 

grandson  of  Melusine,  becomes 

king  of  Alsace,  p.90, 
Bewme  (Beaune),  970. 
Bew-repair,  1171  ;    Fr.   text,    le 

bourg  ou  a  moult  beau  Repaire. 
Bewuais  (Beauvais),  2640. 
Blanche   (daughter  of  Amerye), 

27. 
Brehaigne  (Bohemia),  1696, 1939, 

1951,  1972,  5328. 
Brehaignons  (Bohemians),  2072, 

2093,  2116,  2154,  2182. 
Bretain,  5086. 
Brough-dieu,  2623. 

Cambrere,  5359. 
Celestines,  5961. 


INDEX    OF    NAMES. 


295 


Charlemain,  6350,  6360. 

Chartres,  2633. 

Cipresse  (Cyprus),  1297,  1467, 
1600,  5317,  6275. 

Ciprian,  king,  1142,  1352,  1437. 

Ciprian,  a  man  of  Cyprus,  1414. 

Cipriens,  men  of  Cyprus,  1316, 
1332,  1338,  1400,  5351. 

( loinqs,  also  spelt  Quonig,  Coriqs, 
and  Comquez,  a  mountain  in 
Arragon,  4607,  4625,  5708, 
6061. 

Columbere  (Coulombiers),  34, 
125,  146,  866,  1099. 

Comquez.     See  Coinqs. 

Constantinoble,  946,  4516. 

Couldrette,  author  of  the  French 
version  of  the  romance,  6423, 
6433. 

Craquo,  king  of,  p.*iQ>;  killed 
by  Eaynold,  p.  8  2  ;  burnt  by 
the  men  of  Alsace,  />.83. 

Cristian,  daughter  of  the  duke 
of  Luxembourg,  ^.64  ;  gives  a 
feast  to  Anthony  and  Eaynold, 
p.§&  ;  pardons  the  king  of 
Alsace,  p.  70  ;  is  married  to 
Anthony,  ^.71  ;  asks  Anthony 
to  wear  the  arms  of  Luxem- 
bourg, p.  75. 
Crius,  5672. 

Dardane,  2488.  An  error  for 
(T Ardennes,  the  place  meant 
being  the  French  department 
named  Ardennes. 

Denmarke,  2465. 

Digon  (Dijon?),  971. 

Dingenon,  982. 

Eglentine,  daughter  of  the  king 
of  Bohemia,  ^>.78  ;  laments  his 
death,  ^>.79  ;  besieged  by  the 
Saracens,  id.  ;  welcomes  the 
king  of  Alsace,  £>.83  ;  is  mar- 
ried to  Eaynold,  p. 87,  88. 

Englande,     5357,    5741,    5968, 


6006. 

English  Knight,  the  ;  his  advent- 
ure in  Arragon,  5741—5971. 

Ermynee,  daughter  of  the  king 
of  Cyprus,  ^;.51 ;  laments  his 
sore  wounds,  p.bl ;  besieged 
by  the  Saracens,  ^.53  ;  made 
heiress  by  her  dying  father, 
p.56  ;  marries  Uriens,  jp.59. 

Esclauons,  2075,  2091,  2094. 

Estables,  978. 

Faborugh,  2496.  An  error  for 
Friburg ;  Fr.  text,  brib&urg. 

Famagouce,  Famagousta  in  Cy- 
prus, 1299,  1304. 

Flourye,  daughter  of  the  king 
of  Armenia,  p.CA  ;  marries 
Guy,  jj.62. 

Forest,  earl  of;  36,  60,  79,  91, 
101. 

Forest,  earl  of.  See  Fromounte. 

Fraunce,  5687,  6388. 

Frige  (Fhrygia),  prol.36. 

Frise  (Friesland),  2463. 

Fromont,  seventh  son  of  Ray- 
mond and  Melusine,  pA9 ; 
asks  his  father  if  he  may  turn 
monk,  ^.92  ;  becomes  a  monk 
at  MaUlezais  Abbey,  p.95  ;  is 
burnt  by  Geoffrey,  p.QG  (of 
which  there  is  a  more  detailed 
account,  p)j).  1 1 3 — 1 1 7). 

Fromounte  (earl  of  Forest), 
tempts  Raymond  to  find  out 
where  Melusine  goes  on  a  Satur- 
day, ^9.98  ;  is  threatened  by 
Raymond,  jjAOI  ;  slain  by 
Geoffrey,  p.  1 02  (of  which  there 
is  a  longer  account,  ^.169, 
170). 

Gaffray  (Geoffrey),  sixth  son 
of  Raymond  and  Melusine, 
J9.49  ;  says  he  will  fight  the 
giant  Guedon,  p.  91  ;  his  fight 
with  Guedon,  7^>.105  — 109; 


29  6 


INDEX   OF    NAMES. 


slays  Guedon,  /).110  ;  says  he 
will  go  to  Northumberland, 
p.  113;  hums  down  Maillezais 
abbey,  pp.lli — 117;  goes  to 
Northumberland,  p.118;  he  is 
to  rebuild  the  abbey,  p.129] 
fights  with  the  giant  Grimold, 
Pl>.  141  — 151  ;  enters  the  en- 
chanted mountain,  pp.155 — ■ 
164;  slays  Grimold,  j).\6'3 ; 
sees  Raymond,  ^>.  167  ;  kills 
his  uncle  Fromounte,  p.170  ; 
rebuilds  the  abbey,  ^>.176  (cf. 
p.  182);  is  assoiled  by  the 
pope,  ^?.180  ;  goes  to  Mont- 
serrat,  ^>.  181  ;  hears  of  Pales- 
tine's treasure,  ^.207  ;  falls  ill, 
jj.208;  dies,  and  is  buried  in 
the  abbey,  ^.209. 

Gawayn,  prol.  97. 

Gian  (Guienne),  6362. 

Greffon,  son  of  Uriens,  1562, 
1584,  1585. 

Grimold  the  giant,  is  sought 
by  Geoffrey,  2^.141 — 144; 
fights  with  Geoffrey  and  flees 
wax,  pp.  145 — 151  ;  found  and 
slain  by<  reoffrey,j>2?.161 — 163. 

GUEDON         THE         GIANT,       wastes* 

Guerrande,  j>.91;  rights  with 
Geoffrey  and  is  slain, pp.  105 — 
110;  was  cousin  to  Grimold, 
p.  148. 

Guerrande,  2950,  3140,  3157, 
3343,  4832. 

Guy,  third  son  of  Raymond  and 
Melusine,  pA8 ;  goes  to  Cy- 
prus, p.5l  ;  aids  the  king  of 
Cyprus,£>.52  ;  marries  Flourye, 
and  is  king  of  Armenia,  pp. 
61,  62  ;  alluded  to,  p.183  and 
i>.192. 

Helmas,  king  of  Albany,  and 
husband  of  Presine,  father  of 
Melusine,  Melior  and  Pales- 
tine,  y.152  ;  enclosed  in  the  en- 


chanted mountain,  p.  153  ;  his 
tomb,  p.156  ;  his  history,  pp. 
157 — 160  ;  alluded  to,  pp.  168, 
173,  193,  199,  and  207. 

Hermeny  (Armenia),  1637,  5321, 
5369,^5372,  5391,5672,  6275. 

Horrible,  eighth  son  of  Raymond 
and  Melusine,  p. 50  ;  Melu- 
sine advises  that  he  be  slain, 
/>.128  ;  he  is  stifled  in  a  cave, 
p.  137;  alluded  to,  ^.184. 

Hungery,  5993. 

Iason,  1573. 

Ihesu,  6525,  6539. 

Iohan  of  Pertenay,  6217,  6233. 

Iudas  Iscariot,  3337. 

Iupiter,  4313. 

King  of  Bohemia  ;  see  "Brehaigne. 
King   of  Craquo   (Cracow)  ;    see 

Craquo. 
King    of   Cyprus ;    see    Ciprian, 
„  king. 

King  of  France,  6265,  6272. 
King    op  Hermyne  (Armenia)  ; 

his  adventure  at  Sparrow-hawk 

Castle,  pp.186 — 195. 

Lancelet,  prol. §5. 

Latin,  6558,  6565. 

Lesignen,  prol.  1 35,  prol.  195.  See 
Lusignen. 

Lochier,  2486. 

Lusignen,  built  and  named,  1138  ; 
name  alluded  to,  3725  ;  used 
as  a  war-cry,  5352 ;  the  ro- 
mance named  from  it,  6420. 
[Mentioned  very  often.] 

Luxembrough,  1235,  1697,  1802, 
2096,  2475,  5333. 

Lyon  (pope  Leo),  4964,  5144, 
*5156. 

Mabregon,  prol.  172, 
Maehon,  31. 
Mahounde,  310,  4313. 


INDEX    OF    NAMES. 


297 


Mailers  Abbey  (now  Maillezais), 
1252,  2553,  2581,  2591,  &c. ; 
burnt  down,  2666,  3291— 
3325  ;  rebuilt,  5104  ;  Geoffrey- 
is  buried  there,  6099. 

Margot,  4312. 

Mars,  2671. 

Mathefelon,  6236,  6301. 

Medee  (Medea),  1572,  1575. 

Meisiere  (Mezieres),  2492. 

Mel  (Melle,  dep.  Deux  Sevres), 
built,  1199. 

Melior,  second  daughter  of  Hel- 
masand  Presine,  ^.159 ;  alluded 
to,  p.  174;  keeper  of  Sparruw- 
hawk  Castle,  p.  185  ;  interview 
with  the  king  of  Armenia,  pp. 
190-194. 

Melusine,  eldest  daughter  of 
Helmas  and  Presine,  ^>.158  ; 
her  doom,  ^>.  159;  meets  with 
Raymond,  pp.  19 — 27  ;  marries 
Raymond,  pp.33 — 44;  builds 
Lusignan,  Mel,  &c.,  ]>/)Ao,  47; 
her  children,  p2)A6 — 50, />.92; 
is  seen  bathing  by  Raymond, 
p.100 ;  comforts  Raymond, 
j>.  104  ;  Raymond  calls  her  ser- 
pent,^. 124  ;  she  reproac  lies  him 
and  bids  him  adieu, pp.125 — 
134  ;  is  changed  into  a  serpent 
and  vanishes,  j>.135  ;  reap- 
pears, p.139 ;  her  name  ex- 
plained, p.  45. 

Merkministre,  2622. 

Merlyn,  5973.     See  note. 

Meruant  (Mervent),  built,  1200  ; 
given  to  Thierry,  5007. 

Meuse  (river),  2491. 

Midas,  prol.36. 

Mont-sarrat  (Monserrat  in  Arra- 
gon),  5148,  5169,  5296,  5305. 

Mychaell,  6462. 

Norl  lelande      (Northumberland), 

3163,  3168,  4055,  4726.4823. 
Norway,  6278,  6280. 


Octauian,  2. 

Oedes  (Eudes),  second  son  of 
Melusine,  ^.47 ;  marries 
daughter  of  the  earl  of  Forest, 
2?.  6  3  ;  alluded  to,  ^.183. 

Ortholegne,  2464. 

Palestine,  youngest  daughter  of 
Helmas  and  Presine,  p.  160; 
mentioned,  p.  1 7  4  andp.  193;  she 
guards  her  father's  treasure  in 
Arragon,  pj<.\96,  197. 

Panehourght  (Pembroke),  5357. 

Partenav  (Parthenav),  prol.122, 
prol.U6;  built,  1204.  [Men- 
tioned very  often  throughout 
the  poem.] 

Partenav,  lord  of,  6145  ;  date  of 
his  death,  6182. 

Partenay,  lohan  of  ;  see  Iohan. 

Pareys  (Paris),  2640,  5690,  6202. 

Pavnv  (pagan  lands),  1564. 

Paynymes,  1328,  1385,  1395, 
1469,  &c. 

Peyters  (Poitiers),  prol.  121,  3, 
21,  32,  174,  521,  &c. 

Peiteuin  (a  Poitevin,  a  man  of 
Poitou),  1374. 

Petvuins  (Poitevins),  1362, 1733, 
1743,  &c. 

Peito  (Poitou),  1220. 

Penticost,  6182. 

Perceuale,  j>/v>7.97. 

Perregort,  6354,  6372. 

Poiters,  53,  64,  89,  &c.  Sec  Pey- 
ters. 

Polin  (Apolin),  4312. 

Pope,  the;  2636,  5144,  5156, 
5216,  5224,  5253. 

Presine,  wife  of  Helmas,  pp.15  7 — 
160;  mentioned,  p.  174. 

Promission,  land  of  (land  of 
Promise,  Palestine),  5713, 
5759,  5786,  6063. 

Quonig,  4607.     See  Coinqs. 


298 


INDEX    OF    NAMES. 


Raymound,  son  of  the  earl  of 
Forest,  adopted  by  EarlAmery, 
p.ll  ;  hunts  with  Winery,  and 
accidentally  kills  him,  pp.  1 2 — 
18 ;  meets  with  Melusine, 
whom  he  marries,  yyp.\9 — 42  ; 
permits  his  son  Fromont  to 
turn  monk,  pp.92 — 95  ;  is 
tempted  to  see  where  Melusine 
goes  on  a  Saturday,  pp.98,  99  ; 
sees  her  bathing,  p.100 ;  his 
rage,  and  self-reproaches, 
^•101 — 104;  hears  how  the 
abbey  of  Maillezais  is  burnt, 
and  visits  the  ruins,  pp.  119 — 
121  ;  his  grief,  and  how  he 
called  Melusine  a  serpent, 
pp.122 — 124  ;  his  adieu  to 
Melusine,  and  lament  at  her 
loss,  pp.135,  136  ;  sets  out 
for  Rome,  p.  173  ;  is  pardoned 
by  the  pope,  p.lll  ;  becomes 
a  hermit,  j^.178,  179;  dies, 
p.  182. 

Raymond,  ninth  son  of  Raymond 
and  Melusine,  ^>.92,  Z.2550 ; 
where  "  Fromont "  is  a  mistake 
for  "Raymond";  becomes 
earl  of  Forest,  jxl84. 

Raynold,  fifth  son  of  Melusine, 
pA9  ;  goes  with  Anthony  to 
Luxembourg,  pp.  63 — 68  ;  goes 
with  him  next  to  Bohemia, 
/7^.74 — 85 ;  marries  Eglentyne, 
77^.86 — 89  ;  mentioned  again, 
^.184. 

Ris,  980. 

Rochel  (Rochelle),  31,  968; 
built,  1219;  also  1282,  2529, 
3807,  5110,  6461. 

Romain  (Romanee?),  972. 

Kmnayns  (Romans),  2469. 

Rome,  266,  4964,  5068,  5119. 

Saints,  invocation  of.  On  pp. 
221,  and  222,  the  following 
■saints  are  invoked  :  SS.  Agnes, 


Andrew,  Augustin,  Clement, 
Cuthbert,  Denise,  Edith,  Ger- 
main (Germanus),  Iohan  the 
baptist,  Katerine,  Lauerence, 
Martin,  Mary,  Magdeline, 
More  (Maurice),  Mychaell, 
Nicholas,  Paul,  Peter,  Seuerine 
(Severinus),  Siluestre,  Steuin 
(Stephen),  Vincent.  Also  at 
^>.224  thanks  are  given  to  S. 
John  the  apostle,  S.  Michael, 
and  the  Virgin  Mary. 

St.  Cross,  church  of,  6189. 

Seint  Johan-cf-Angely  (now  St. 
Jean  d'Angely),  976. 

Seint  Iougon,  975. 

Seint  Lowes  (Louis  IX.),  6199. 

Seint  Martin's,  2630. 

Seint  Messent  (St.  Maixent), 
1200. 

Seint  pursain  (St.  Pourcain-sur- 
Allier),  980. 

Salz  and  Barry  (Salisbury),  prol. 
178. 

Sarasins,  1311,  1330,  1964, 
2089,  2099,  &c;  all  killed 
and  burnt,  2290. 

Sarasyne,  309. 

Saturday,  490,  2724,  5598,5601. 

Soudan  (Sultan),  1317  ;  killed, 
1381. 

Sperhauke  castell,  romance  of; 
5370—5678. 

Suriens,  1387. 

Terry.     See  Thierry. 

Tewsdav,  2670,  3309. 

Theophillus,  6459. 

Thierry,  tenth  and  youngest  son 
of  Melusine,  p.$2 ;  is  to  be 
lord  of  Parthenay,  j;.138  ; 
nursed  by  Melusine  by  night, 
ja  140  ;  goes  with  Geoffrey, 
p.173 ;  governs  Parthenay, 
2>.175. 

Tholouse,  5159,  5199,  5982. 

Tiberius  Cesar,  prol.  28. 


INDEX    OF    NAMES. 


299 


Tourain,  970,  2629. 

Toures,  2629. 

Tourimz  (Tours  1),  974. 

Trinite,  the  ;  6434,  6547. 

Tristram,  5750,  6008. 

Tronipe  (name  of  a  tower),  1186. 

Turkes,  1387. 

Valerius  Maximus,  prol.  27. 

Yandosme,  3484. 

Vauuant  (Vouvent),  built,  1200  ; 

2676,3125,  3368,  3372,  3453, 

5007. 


Uiart,  978. 

Virgin  Mary,  465,  6455,  6548. 

Urien,  or  Uriens,  eldest  son  of 
Melusine,  pAQ  ;  goes  to  Cy- 
prus, ^j».50  ;  kills  the  sultan, 
^>.53  ;  is  made  king  of  Cy- 
prus, p.5 7  ;  marries  Ermynee, 
j>.59  ;  noticed,  /?.183. 

William,  6175. 

Yrlande,  6286. 
Ywon,  2490. 


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