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Cornell University Library 
 PR 2029.L6A67 1861 
 
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THE HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE HOLY GRAAL. 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013114602 
 
t^t dlpal, a\ ®li4 ^ank |lpl. 
 
 THE HISTORY OF THE HOLY GRAAL, 
 
 PARTLY IN ENGLISH VERSE, BY HENRY LONELICH, SKYNNER, 
 
 (TEMP. HEN. VI., A.D. 1422—1461); 
 
 AND WHOLLY IN FRENCH PROSE, BY SIRES ROBIERS DE BORRON, 
 
 .jFrom tl)f ©rigmal iLatm, totttfrn bg Je sus_ <tti)rist totti) ijts otou jl^anii (p. 357) . 
 
 BEING THE ONLY WRITING MADE BY GOD SINCE HIS UPRISING, 
 And they " that otherwise heleven, they lyen ful pleyfl."— p. 359. 
 
 I 
 
 EDITED, FEOM MSS. IN THE LIBEART OF CUEPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, AND THE BRITISH MUSEUM, 
 
 BY FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL, ESQ. M.A. 
 
 TEIN. HALL, CAMBEIDGE, AND WOKEING MEn's COLLEGE, LONDON; CAPTAIN 19tH MIDDLESEX VOLUNTEER RIFLES; 
 ONE OF THE HONOEAEY SECRETARIES OF THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETT, ETC. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 WITH A PREFATORY ESSAY ON THE SAGA OP THE HOLY GRAAL. 
 
 BY SAN MARTE, that is, ALBERT SOHTJLZ, 
 
 Author of " Heben unJj JitcSttn SUaaoKrams bon ^cf)miatf)," " ^Parc'ibatStuIiun," etc. etc. 
 AND AN APPENDIX— A REPRINT OF THE EARLY FRENCH VERSE 
 
 iSotnan? tit V cgtore irou ©laal. 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE 
 
 B.O):bursl)f Club. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 J. B. NICHOLS AND SONS, 25, PARLIAMENT STREET. 
 MDCCCLXL 
 
MDCCCLXI. 
 
 THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH AND QUEENSBERRY, E.G., 
 
 PKESIDENT. 
 
 THE DUKE OF HAMILTON AND BEANDON. 
 
 HIS EXCELLENCY MONSIEUE VAN DE WEYEE. 
 
 MAEQUIS OP LOTHIAN. 
 
 EAEL OF CAENAEVON. 
 
 EAEL OP POWIS, V.P. 
 
 EAEL OF CAWDOE. 
 
 EAEL OF ELLESMEEE. 
 
 LOED VEENON. 
 
 LOED DELAMEEE. 
 
 LOED DUFFEEIN. 
 
 LOED WENSLEYDALE. 
 
 EIGHT HON. SIE DAVID DUNDAS. 
 
 HON. EOBEET CUEZON, JUN. 
 
 SIE STEPHEN EICHAED GLYNNE, BAET. 
 
 SIE EDWAED HULSE, BAET. 
 
 SIE JOHN BENN WALSH, BAET. 
 
 SIE JOHN SIMEON, BAET. 
 
 SIE JAMES SHAW WILLES. 
 
 BEEIAH BOTFIELD ESQ. Treasurer. 
 
 EEV. WILLIAM EDWAED BUCKLEY. 
 
 PAUL BUTLEE, ESQ. 
 
 FEANCIS HENEY DICKINSON, ESQ. 
 
 THOMAS GAISFOED, ESQ. 
 
 EALPH NEVILLE GEENVILLE, ESQ. 
 
 EEV. EDWAED CEAVEN HAWTEEY, D.D. 
 
 EGBERT STAYNEE HOLPOED, ESQ. 
 
 ADEIAN JOHN HOPE, ESQ. 
 
 ALEX. JAMES BEEESFOED HOPE, ESQ. 
 
 EEV JOHN STUAET HIPPISLEY HOENEE, M.A. 
 
 JOHN AETHUE LLOYD, ESQ. 
 
 EVELYN PHILIP SHIELEY, ESQ. 
 
 WILLIAM STIELING, ESQ. 
 
 SIMON WATSON TAYLOE, ESQ. 
 
 GEOEGE TOMLINE, ESQ. 
 
 CHARLES TOWNELEY, ESQ. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 A gentle sound, an awful light 1 
 
 Three angels bear the Holy Grail: 
 With folded feet, in stoles of white, 
 
 On sleeping wings they sail. 
 Ah, blessed vision! Blood of God ! 
 
 My spirit beats her mortal bars. 
 As down dark tides the glory slides, 
 
 And, star-like, mingles with the stars. 
 
 There can be few readers of " The most Ancient and Famovs History of 
 the Renowned Prince Arthvr King of Britaine," who have not been deeply- 
 affected by the legend of Galahad and the Graal. On the dark background 
 of Arthur's incest, Lancelot and Guenevere's, Tristram and Iseult's, guilty 
 loves, the star of Galahad's chastity shines out pure and clear, and draws 
 one to it with the power of fascination. In its centre, the focal light 
 whence its beams of glory flow, is the mystic object of the hero's love and 
 search, the source of his purity, the cause of his strength, — the HoiiY 
 Grail. 
 
 One tries to realize what he thought of it on its first appearance to him 
 after his first jousting in the Meadow beside Camelot : " And then the 
 King and all the estate went home unto Camelot' s minster, and so, after 
 that, they went to supper, and every knight sat in their place as they 
 were beforehand. Then anon they heard cracking and crying of thunder, 
 that they thought the place should all toriue. In the midst of the blast 
 entered a sunbeam more clear by seven times than ever they saw day, and 
 all they were alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost. Then began every 
 knight to behold other; and either saw other, by their seeming, fairer than 
 ever they saw. other. Not for then there was no knight that might speak 
 any word a great while, and so they looked every man on other as they 
 had been dumb. Then there entered into the hall the Holy Grail, covered 
 
 b 
 
li PREFACE. 
 
 with wMte samite ; but there was none that might see it, nor who bare it; 
 and there was all the hall fulfilled with great odours, and every knight 
 had such meat and drink as he best loved ia this world. And when the 
 Holy Grail had been borne through the hall, then the holy vessel departed 
 suddenly, that they wist not where it became. Then had they breath to 
 speak, and then the King yielded thanks unto God of His grace that He 
 had sent them." * 
 
 "Clothed ia white samite, — mystic, wonderful ! " The very name of 
 the vesture even stirred one's imagination. What could the wondrous 
 texture be ? And the Body and Spirit it covered,— what was not that to 
 Galahad ? What might it not be to us if we could but know more about 
 it ? When, therefore, while reading one day for my class at the Working 
 Men's College, I came on the passage in Ellis's Specimens of Early 
 English Romances (p. 75 ; Bohn, 1848), which states that a metrical 
 Romance of the St. Graal, said to consist of forty thousand lines, composed 
 in the reign of Henry VI. by Henry Lonelich, was preserved in MS. in 
 the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and had not been printed, 
 I.could not help exclaiming, " Unprinted ! what a shame ! Please God, I'll 
 get it printed. Why, it's almost as bad as leaving Wycliffe's Bible un- 
 printed so long." — Eorty thousand lines about the San Graal with possibly, 
 nay certainly, untold glories and wonders without end, lying hid in Corpus 
 Library ! The thing was hardly credible ; while all our English world too 
 Avas delightiag in " The Idylls of the King." However, the stubborn fact 
 remaiaed that the MS. had not been printed. So to all the publishers 
 whom I could get at, I dilated on the probable treasures of the Lonelich 
 Romance, and asked whether they would pay for the copying and printing 
 of the MS. if I would edit it gratis. One and all said No ! Eorty thousand 
 lines of Early English by an unknown poet, were too much for any pub- 
 lisher ; they were clearly matter for a Society or Club. Just then, a 
 liberal present of Roxburghe books to the Dictionary Committee of the 
 PhiLological Society from Mr. Botfield, brought me into correspondence 
 with him, and enabled me to repeat to the Club the offer I had made 
 mthout avail to the publishers ; it was at once accepted, and the " Graal " 
 
 * Hist, of Prince Arthur, part iii. chap. xxxv. vol. ii. pp. 215-216; reprint of 1816. 
 
PREFACE. m 
 
 was to be printed after Roberde of Brunne's "Handlyng Synne" (a.d. 1303), 
 which. I had also offered to the Club, but wanted in type first. 
 
 While busy with the sins of our ancestors in the fourteenth century, 
 visions of the Graal would float before me, with its covering of mystic 
 samite — a web not of the earth earthy, but spun with angel hands, divine. 
 In this mood one day I turned over the pages of my friend Mr. Hensleigh 
 Wedgwood's " Etymology of the English Language," and by chance my 
 eye lighted on the word dimity : — 
 
 DIMITY. — Originally a stuff woven with two threads ; from 8ts twice, and fjilros a thread . . . • 
 In the same way, the German name for velvet, sammet, is contracted from exhamita, from having 
 been woven of six threads. 
 
 What ! my samite allied to dimity, — bed-ticking and dusters ! Here 
 was a roll in the mud for all my rose-pink notions ! And a terrible suspicion 
 followed : What if the Lonelich Romance should be dimity too ? Had not 
 Ellis spoken of the dulness of an extract from it ? Was it sure that he did 
 so because the grapes were sour ? Yes, it was sure, and should be. How 
 could a history of the Graal be dull ? So I was reassured, and went up 
 soon after to Corpus, eager to examine my treasure, hoping to gloat over 
 it and handle it for three days. But Archbishop Parker had no notion of 
 his jewels being thus open to the profane gaze and touch of strangers. 
 The presence of two Eellows is necessary all the time that a visitor is in 
 the Library, and in Vacation time one can hardly expect two College 
 Dignitaries, busy with their own work in their own cosy rooms, to come 
 and sit in a fireless Library while one gratifies one's curiosity by inspecting 
 the College books. However, two were kind enough to give me up a 
 couple of hours on the first day of my visit, and the long-wished-for 
 " Romance of the San Graal "* was put into my hands — a stout folio 
 volume bound in vellum, which, when opened, showed paper leaves 
 covered with double columns of verse in a crabbed Henry-the-Sixth 
 hand, pale from damp and age, and awkward at first to read. The MS. 
 
 * Acta qucedam Arthuri regis is the title given it by some old cataloguer or reader. On the fly- 
 leaf is " Oh quantos labores insumpserit hie Author, in rebus non ita probabilibus." 
 
IV PEEFACE. 
 
 was incomplete at the beginning and end, so I started at the beginniag : — 
 
 " And yf thou do, with owten more 
 [Riwarde,] deth schal thow suifren therfore." 
 ["My Lor]de, ^if it be not so as I haue tlie told, 
 Dis-membre thow me, Sire, manifold." 
 
 1. 493-6, p. 106. 
 
 and soon became convinced that the verse, alas ! was dimity unmistakeable. 
 Nevertheless, dimity has its uses ; and so has fifteenth-century verse — 
 however poor it be— for students of English. Moreover, the subject of 
 the Grail would ennoble any covering of words ; and, after another day's 
 work, I still said to Mr. Botfield that the Romance ought to be printed. 
 Accordingly, Mr. Harry Seeley, then of the Working Men's College, Lon- 
 don, now Geological Assistant to Professor Sedgwick, went up to Cam- 
 bridge to copy the MS. as soon as he had finished B^oberde of Brunne's, 
 and William of Waddington's treatises, for the Club. 
 
 The next business was to find the missing commencement of the story. 
 Not being versed in the mysteries of the British-Museum Pritited-Books 
 Catalogues, I could not find that there were any books at all about the San 
 Graal in the Printed Book Department, and I had therefore to turn to the 
 Manuscript Boom, which, through the kindness of its officers, and the quaint 
 tales of the old vellum pages on its shelves, had given me so many pleasant 
 hours before. Here, the late Mr. Holmes's notes referred me to two hand- 
 some folios of the " Histoire du San Graal" &c., which Mr. Bond decided to 
 be of about the date of 1320, from the eyelet ornamentation of the knights' 
 armour in the illustrations ; and after skimming through the first nineteen 
 pages of one of these MSS. I found the point where what is left of Lone- 
 lich's translation begins. These first nineteen pages of the MS., occupying 
 eighty-nine in print, I copied myseK; but as I could not spare further time. 
 Miss Eleanor Dalziel has copied the rest for the Club, and to her and Mr. 
 Seeley I am much indebted for the care and attention they have given to 
 their work. The French MS. I have followed is XIV. E. III. of the King's 
 Library. It is really a royal folio, not only in size and handsomeness, 
 but because it contains the signatures, some sadly faded, of Eichard III., 
 
PREFACE. V 
 
 " Cest liure est A moy Ey chard Eex Anglie" (fol. 2 back), of Elizabeth 
 daughter of Edward IV. {Mysaheth the hyngys Dowther), Viscountess 
 "Welles {Oecyl the pryncys Dowther), and Jane Grey, whose signature is 
 repeated on the last fly-leaf. 
 
 The text is clear and bold, though written by some scribe who did not 
 know French, if one may judge from the divisions of some of his words. 
 The volume contains "L'Histoire du Saint Graal," except the last column 
 or two at fol. 88 back ; " La Quete du Saint Graal," from fol. 89 to fol. 
 139, back ; and part of " La Mort au Eoi Artu," from fol. 140 to the end 
 of the MS. The other MS. was the Additional MS. 10,292 : it contains the 
 " San Graal," and " Merlin," complete, and is the first of three volimies, 
 the second of which (10,293) contains the "Lancelot du Lac ;" and the 
 third (10,294) " La Quete du Saint Graal," ending at fol. 53, and ''La 
 Mort al Eoi Artu," beginning at fol, 53, col. 2. Now, though the scribe 
 who wrote this " Additional " version of the San Graal, evidently knew 
 more Erench than the Royal scribe, yet, as theEoyal MS. was longer than 
 the other,* and corresponded better to Lonelich's paraphrase, (and as, 
 moreover, its author had told us that the revelation of the " History of the 
 Grail" was made in England — hloie bertaigne, p. 3 (post), qui ore a non 
 engleterre, (p. 22) — which the Erenchman, (of course exclaiming 'Perfide 
 Albion ! ') had omitted t — I decided on following the King's MS. 
 
 The next thing was to ascertain the opinion of competent judges on the 
 origin of the legend of the Graal. The foreign writers best known in con- 
 nection with the subject were, in Erance M. le Vicomte Hersart de la 
 Villemarqu6, and in Germany San Marte, or M. Schulz. M. Villemarque 
 had treated of it in his Les Romans de la Table Bonde, (3rd. edit. Paris, 
 I860,) ch. vii. pp. 134-60, but not in a manner that inspired one with 
 confidence. He had decided on the Keltic origin of the Graal. Turning 
 then to Germany, I applied to my friend Professor Huber (the author of 
 
 * The Additional MS. though, contains the history of the physician Hippocras, which Lonelich 
 has, chap, xxxvi.-xxxvii., vol. ii. pp. 19-43 post, while the Eoyal MS. omits it. 
 •f The printed versions, Paris, 1516 and 1523, also do not mention England here. 
 
VI PBEFACB. 
 
 " Sketches from Spain," " The English Universities," " Co-operative Tra- 
 vels in England, Erance, and G-ermany," &c. &c.), and, on his bringing my 
 request before M. Schulz, the latter most kindly furnished me with the 
 Prefatory Essay which adorns this volume, and for the translation of which 
 I am indebted to Mr. Triibner and Professor Goldstiicker. It will be 
 seen that M. Schulz does not believe in the Keltic origin of the Graal. 
 Lastly, Taliesin — whose keen blade of knowledge, wielded by an arm 
 of vigorous common-sense, has pricked so many wind-bags that ignorance 
 and mistaken national vanity had puffed up — showed me that, in England, 
 we had in Mr. D. W. Nash, of Cheltenham, an authority who really knew 
 his subject. Him, though a stranger, I asked for his opinion, and he has 
 been good enough to express it in the words following : — 
 
 " I quite agree with the opinion put forward by M. Schulz, that the 
 legend of the Graal was originally distinct from the histories of Percival 
 and the other Arthur knights, and that it was first woven into them by 
 North Erench poets. One can pretty well see, on reading the old romance 
 of Arthur printed by Caxton in 1485, where the monkish ' trouvere ' took 
 up the old chevaleresque story, and commenced interweaving the Graal- 
 legend,* improving, in a pious sense, the popular romance, but altogether 
 
 * " What I mean about tlie interweaving of the Sangreal romance with the Arthurian is this: — 
 In the first part of the 'Prince Arthur' the knights are all jovial, damsel-loving, hard-fighting 
 heroes, who trouble themselves very little about the mysteries of Christianity. Merlin plays a 
 conspicuous part amongst them. The Sangreal is incidentally mentioned — in C. 36. Merlin pro- 
 phecies that the adventures belonging to it are to commence after his death. In C.C. 38-44 we 
 find it stated that certain adventures are afterwards rehearsed in the ' Book of the Sangreal.' 
 
 " In the third part commences the history of a new generation, Galahad the son of Sir Lancelot, 
 and Sir Bors his nephew ; and now the knights are chaste and religious, and have much to do 
 with monks and hermits, who interpret their dreams or visions. The adventures in quest of the 
 Sangreal accomplished, we get back to the old style of adventure. Sir Lancelot goes back to his 
 adultery with Queen Guenever, with a slight show of compunction, and matters go on as before. 
 King Arthur himself has nothing to do with the quest; and if all relating to the Sangreal were cut 
 out of the story, the history of the Knights of the Round Table would remain sufficiently complete. 
 In connecting the two stories— Arthur and the Graal, — it was necessary to introduce a pure 
 spiritual knight, chaste and pious, and this is done by the union of the best knight, Lancelot, and 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 marring the unity of the original design by the introduction of modes of 
 thought and action altogether inconsistent with those belonging to the 
 genuine characters of the earlier story. 
 
 " The legend of the Graal is clearly not of British origin, that is, there 
 is nothing in the genuine remains of Irish or Welsh ' story ' which can be 
 taken as the germ of the legend. It has no connection with the story of 
 the Cauldron of Brigid, Bran or Oeridwen, and was clearly unknown to the 
 Welsh or British writers of the sera of Geoffrey of Monmouth. The legend 
 was not in the mouths of the Welsh itinerant Bards or Storiawr in the 
 fourteenth century, and copies of the romance were so rare in Wales in the 
 fifteenth century, that only one was known to be in existence. The poem 
 composed by Gutto'r Glyn on the occasion of borrowing this manuscript 
 from its then proprietor, is still extant, and, as he was sent from Denbigh- 
 shire to Glamorgan for this purpose, the importance attached to the pos- 
 session of the MS. is apparent. 
 
 " It is evident from a cursory perusal of the collection of Welsh romances 
 called the Mabinogion, that there are two distinct sets — ^or, as it is the 
 fashion to call them, cycles — of romances, the one of native growth, which 
 may be compared with the Irish romances of Fionn Mac Cumhal and 
 Manannan Mac Lir, in which there is no chivalry, and little, if any, Chris- 
 tianity ; the other, in which the old romance of the Kelt has been mixed up 
 and interwoven with the splendid fiction of the Arthurian chivalry, a fiction 
 which, though of foreign origin, was eagerly seized and appropriated by the 
 Welsh bards, to whom it was recommended as much by its intrinsic merit 
 as by the welcome flattery with which it consoled a vanquished and fallen 
 
 a maiden of the race of Joseph of ArimathaBa, whose issue is Galahad, predestined to accomplish 
 the adventure of the Sangreal." 
 
 This seems to be M. Schultz's view, — Prize essay, p. 54 ; but I do not agree with him that " the 
 point of union is Percival, the Peredur of the Welsh." I am not sufficiently acquainted with the 
 subject to know what was the original of Sir Thomas Malory's legend, but of course he must have 
 found it as he gives it, and in his story Percival occupies only the second place in spiritual value, 
 after Sir Galahad. "We know little Of the genealogy of Percival, but Galahad is distinctly pointed 
 out as the hero of the adventure by his birth." 
 
VIU PREFACE. 
 
 nationality. The subsequent addition of the legend of the San Graal seems 
 never to have taken root in Wales, and never to have been incorporated 
 with the genuine Welsh or mixed Arthurian romances by the native min- 
 strels or storiawr of Wales. It is in fact evident, that the story of Joseph 
 of Arimathsea in the legend of the Holy Graal was known only to the 
 Welsh literati of the fifteenth century from a rare MS. in Welsh, which 
 had clearly been translated from a foreign original." 
 
 The translations of the original Welsh Poems, and the arguments brought 
 forward by Mr. Nash in his Taliesin, fully bear out his opinion given above 
 — that the Graal had not a Keltic origin. Where, then, are we to look for 
 it ? Eirst, as to the Graal or vessel itself : — with the rage for relics in the 
 Middle Ages, such a vessel as the Dish in which Christ eat the Last Supper 
 with his disciples could hardly fail to be sought for, if not to appear, and 
 its renown might well be heightened by making it the receptacle for the 
 gore from the Saviour's side, which must have been removed from the 
 body before it was wrapped in fine linen with the spices. Joseph of Ari- 
 mathsea would naturally be the person to possess it, and his imprisonment, 
 as reported in the Gospel of Nicodemus, would supply the ground for its 
 first miracle. In fact, a hexagonal green vessel said to be made of emerald, 
 but showing by a bleb in it that it was of glass, was found at the capture 
 of Caesarea, and was sent to Genoa in 1101 by Baldwin king of Jerusalem. 
 At Genoa it was, and is, shown as the Sacro Catino. It is now flawed by 
 the joins of its pieces, having been broken on its passage back from Paris, 
 where Napoleon had sent it with the rest of his Italian booty. Bishop 
 Thirlwall tells me that it is figured and described in aU the guide-books to 
 Genoa. As to why the Graal and the quest for it should have been intro- 
 duced into the Arthur legends:— I conceive that any religious poet reading 
 the regular Arthur romances, must have said to himself, ' Is this fighting 
 mainly for fighting' sake, this tourneying and feasting, this high-flown 
 devotion to a lady-love, what a Christian knight, the servant of the Lord 
 and his Blessed Mother, ought to be doing and professing ? Is this court 
 of Arthur (though morality is vindicated by the king himself being killed 
 l3y the son of his incest), with its amours and adulteries, to be the highest 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 object of ambition to a follower of our Holy Paith ?' The answer must 
 have taken form in the incorporation into the Arthur story of the account 
 of a nobler knight, a purer man, and a more exalted reward,* than any 
 which the old legends furnished, — even of Galahad and the Graal ; the 
 history of the latter being probably ready to the poet's hand. With a 
 monkish author, the virginity of his hero was a matter of course, while the 
 Graal, as containing the blood of Christ, made a share in the common 
 possession of the clergy, the most coveted privilege for the one best of the 
 laity, and showed all, that with putting on the priestly garb their lives 
 should end. UntU the appearance of the relic, or after the report that it 
 was in heathen hands, a quest for it might well be proclaimed, and would 
 give opportunity for the adventures that were the indispensable accom- 
 paniment of knightly life. 
 
 In some such way, I think, is the appearance of the Graal-legend in the 
 Arthur story to be accounted for. Judgiag as well from the Arthur ro- 
 mances themselves, as from other sources, — for instance, Roberde of 
 Brunne's account of the evils resulting from tournaments and jousting 
 (Handlyng Synne, p. 145-6,) — the necessity to proclaim to all, " Knights of 
 poor faith and wicked belief, these three things faileth, chastity, abstinence, 
 and truth, therefore ye may not attain that high adventure of the holy 
 Sancgreall," ( Sir T. Maleor's Prince Arthur, part iii. ch. Iviii. vol. iii. 
 p. 139, of the 1815 reprint,) must have been urgent, though there had 
 been no Sancgreall , and I do not believe that any witch's caldron, or 
 head in a platter, was the germ whence the Romance- writer's beautiful 
 conception sprang. The amount of pounding that the head in the 
 platter t must require to enable one to identify it with the Graal and 
 its contents, I cannot conceive. 
 
 * '' But all my heart is drawn above, More bounteous aspects on me beam, 
 
 My knees are bow'd in crypt and shrine ; Me mightier transports move and thriU ; 
 
 I never felt the kiss of love. So keep I fair, thro' faith and prayer, 
 
 Nor maiden's hand in mine. A virgin heart in work and will." 
 
 + Mabinogion, by Lady Charlotte Guest, vol. i. p. 312. ■ " And, when the clamour had a little 
 subsided, behold two maidens' entered with a large salver between them, in which was a man's head 
 surrounded by a profusion of blood." ... (p. 369-70.) " Then behold a yellow-haired youth 
 
 C 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 The order of tlie Arthur Eomances, Sir E. Madden, in his Preface (p. x.) 
 to Syr Gawayne (Abhotsford Club, 1839) makes as follows : 
 
 " 1. The Roman du Saint Oraal, sometimes intitled the Boman de Joseph 
 d'Arimathie, composed by Eobert de Borron. In the printed editions, this 
 is called the first part of the Saint Graal. 
 
 2. The Boman de Merlin, by the same. 
 
 3. The Boman de Lawncelot du Lac, composed by Walter Map. 
 
 4. The Boman du Quete du Saint Graal, by the same. In the printed 
 editions this forms the second part. 
 
 5. The Boman de la Mort Artus, by the same, and originally distinct, 
 but in the printed editions united to the Launcelot. 
 
 6. The first portion of the Boman de Tristan, by Luces, Seigneur de Gast. 
 
 7. The conclusion of Tristan, by Helie de Borron. 
 
 8. The Boman de Gyron le Courtois, by the same. 
 
 Of these, the first six were written in the latter half of the twelfth 
 century, and the remainder in the first half of the 13th. To these must 
 be added the metrical romances composed by Ghrestien de Troyes, between 
 the years 1170 and 1195, as also the later prose compilations of Rusticien 
 de Pise and his followers, in the 13th and 14th centuries." 
 
 An early version of the legend of the Graal was published by M. Michel 
 in 1841. His publishers returned no answer to my application for a 
 sufB.cient number of copies for the members of the Roxburghe Club, or 
 the editor's address that I might ask his leave to reprint his text. Mr. 
 
 came, and bent upon the knee before Peredur, and besought his friendship. ' Lord,' said the 
 youth, ' it was I that . . . came with the bloody head in the salver, . . . and the head was thy 
 cousin's, and he was killed by the sorceresses of Gloucester, who also lamed thine uncle ; and I 
 am thy cousin. And there is a prediction that thou art to avenge these things.' 
 
 " Then Peredur and Gwalchmai took counsel and sent to Arthur and his household to beseech 
 
 them to come against the sorceresses and then Peredur drew his sword and smote the 
 
 sorceress on the helmet, and aU her head armour was split in two parts ; and she set up a cry and 
 desired the other sorceresses to flee, and told them that this was Peredur, the man who had learned 
 Chivalry with them, and by whom they were destined to be slain. Then Arthur and his house- 
 hold fell upon the sorceresses, and slew the sorceresses of Gloucester every one. And thus is it 
 related concerning the Castle of Wonders." 
 
PBEPACE. XI 
 
 Nutt could not get enough copies from Paris, and so I was obliged to have 
 the eariy version printed as an appendix to this volume, adding English 
 sidenotes. As the Graal part of this version occupies only 40 pages, 
 and the later one printed in the present volume is also to take up a second 
 as big, the reader wUl see how the author whom Lonelich translates has 
 expanded the shorter and simpler story.* This he has accomplished 
 by prefixing an account of how the Book of the Graal was revealed 
 from heaven, and then infixiug a long account of Joseph's missionary 
 travels and the adventures of his converts. Joseph reaches Sarras, enables 
 its king Evalach to conquer Tholomes, who has invaded his land (ch. 
 xii.-xiv. p. 91-164), and then leaves the country (ch. xxii. p. 225). The 
 journey of Joseph and his companions across the sea on his shirt, and 
 their adventures in Britain, will be resumed in the second volume. The 
 rest of the first volume is taken up with the adventures of Evalach 
 (whose name Joseph has changed to Mordreins), his brother-in-law 
 Nasciens (by name Seraphe while a heathen), and Nasciens's son 
 Celidoyne. Evalach is miraculously carried away from the bed in which he 
 and Nasciens are lying, to an island which Pompey took from the pirate 
 Eowcairs, and is there tempted (ch. xviii. xx. xxi. to xxiv). Nasciens is 
 imprisoned on suspicion of having kUled Evalach (ch. xix. p. 239); his 
 accuser Oalafer is miraculously kiUed (ch. xxv. p. 313), and he carried to 
 the Yl Torneawnt (an isle compounded of flame from heaven, rust or 
 iron-dross from earth, and the sediment of the sea), which turns upside 
 down once a day. Here he sees Solomon's ship, the making of which is 
 described, and occupies chapters xxix. and xxx. because one must begin 
 at the beginning of things, the Creation, and Eall of Man. Chapter xxxi. 
 gives us Nasciens' s adventures on the Yl, and chapters xxxii. and xxxiii. are 
 taken up by Celidoyne's adventures, he having been miraculously delivered 
 from Calafer when the latter had ordered him to be thrown from the 
 battlements of his castle (p. 327). In the last chapter Mordreins (or 
 Evalach), Nasciens (or Seraphe), and Celidoyne all meet again, to be 
 separated in the second volume. 
 
 * The " Contents " of the Appendix are printed after those of the text, so as to enable the 
 reader to compare them with greater convenience. 
 
 c2 
 
XU PREEACE. 
 
 In this suminary I have not referred to the sorrows of the king's wives 
 in chapters xv. and xxvi. and to divers other matters. If the reader should 
 ohject to the spinning out of the story by the introduction of so many 
 episodes, I can only offer him by way of consolation the author's own 
 explanation, in Lonelich's words : 
 
 For of every thing that is Of dowte 
 
 he it Eeherseth Er he passe Owte, 
 
 and bringeth it to- Clere vndirstondyng 
 
 to Every Mannes wit, bothe Old & jyng (p. 347.) 
 
 And again 
 
 And thowgh this Mater and Ofere longe not to Jiis storye, 
 jit he that this book Made hath put it in memorye 
 Forto Maken A Cler Notysyng, 
 And forto declaren so Everithing 
 More Openly to mannes Mynde, 
 Al the mater the bettere to bryngen to an Ende (p. 477.) 
 
 Eor, as to every such " thing that is of dowte," people 
 
 . . . but there-offen they knewen more vndirstondeng, 
 
 EUes wolden they holden it for A gabbyng ; 
 
 Therefore here turneth this Storye, 
 
 and of Anothir thing Maketh Memorye 
 
 that is ful swete forto here, 
 
 bothe forto lestene & ek to lere (p. 376.) 
 
 Any one who does not find the "thing" "ful swete" can pass it by; 
 enough for me to know that our great Victorian poet has glanced over 
 these pages with interest ; I trust he will accept them as a slight acknow- 
 ledgment of the debt of gratitude all English- reading men now owe him, 
 for the perfect words, and noble and beautiful thoughts, that are the delight 
 of many a working-man in his workshop, as I well know, as well as of the 
 Queen in her palace. 
 
 A word more in conclusion on matters of detail. Mr. Seeley has read 
 the English proof with the Corpus MS. sheet by sheet; my work on it has 
 been only to put together disjointed words, as onne this for onnethis, 
 ' scarcely,' and to arrange and abstract the text. The Erench proof I have 
 read with the MS. myself. In the English MS. the u and n are generally 
 so alike that it has not been found possible to distinguish them, and 
 Evalach's city, which was at first always seemingly written (and was 
 
PREP ACE. XIU 
 
 therefore printed) Orkanz, unexpectedly appeared further on as rhyming 
 with hors (p. 309, 1. 34), shewing that the word was really Orca«<z. So 
 with the word " have." So far as Mr. Seeley could determine, the final 
 letter was u not n, and as hau it has heen printed. Also, the distinction in 
 the Erench MS. between the names of Joseph and his son Josephes is not 
 always preserved in the English MS. ; the Unes of which too do not start 
 uniformly with capital letters, as the copier has made those of the first 
 half of the text do. The Corpus MS. is evidently a copy of an unfinished 
 or mutilated original, as gaps in the narrative, as at 314-17 postea, occur, 
 without any break in the MS., and the history of the Yl Torneawnt is 
 omitted, though the reason for introducing it is given (p. 347). 
 
 My best thanks are due to the courteous and learned officers of the Manu- 
 script Department of the British Museum, to the Librarian and Eellows of 
 Corpus, who have facilitated Mr. Seeley's task of copying their MS., and 
 to Mr. J. M. Ludlow of Lincoln's Inn, and to Mr. Hensleigh Wedgwood, 
 for their kind help whenever I asked it. 
 
 In the Index, and at p. 376, are noted references to the short summaries 
 that Sir T, Maleor, or Mallory, gives of parts of this History, — Joseph and 
 Evalach's shield ; Nasciens on the Isle of Turnance, and his adventure with 
 the Giant ; the History of Solomon, his Ship, &c., and David's sword. 
 On the real history of Arthur, the reader should consult my friend Prof. 
 Pearson's admirable " Early and Middle Ages of England," p. 56-8 ; and 
 for a short abstract of the accounts given of Arthur by the early historians 
 and the later Homance-writers, an article by my late accomplished friend 
 Herbert Coleridge, in a forthcoming number of MacmUlan's Magazine. 
 
 3, Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, 
 September 27, 1861. 
 
 CORRIGENDA. 
 
 p. 3, for (§ 2, p. 9), read p. 5. 
 
 P. 7, side-note 2, after terrors, add see p. 23T, I. 350. 
 
 P. 89 note, for lines 1-492, read '/-22, and 1-492, p. §9-106. 
 
 P. 93, 1. 71, Fr. for soiesr amenbrans, read soies ramenbrans. 
 
 P. 154, read 1. 544 for 444. 
 
 P. 280, 1. 284, for Aerkene read Serkene. 
 
 In two places (reference mislaid) therer is printed for there. 
 
ON THE 
 
 SAGA OF THE HOLY GRAAL, 
 
 BY SAN MARTE, that is, ALBEET SCHULZ. 
 
 The Holy Graal, as a symbol of Christian salvation to the Romantic 
 Poets of the Middle Ages, was, like King Arthur and the Sorcerer Merlin, 
 for nearly five centuries the kernel and central point of an extensive cycle 
 of poems, wherein the knights of old found edification, and in writing on 
 which poets believed they should obtain final bliss. The Graal-cycle dis- 
 tinguishes itself, however, essentially from the cycle of the sagas of the 
 British Arthur, the Prankish saga of Charlemagne, and the German hero- 
 sagas (Heldensage) — Nibelungen, Etzel, Diedrich of Berne, &c. — inas- 
 much as, in its first origin, it has not, like the foregoing, historical persons 
 and events for its foundation ; such, at least, have not up till now, even 
 remotely, been established. Not to recorded facts does the Graal-cycle 
 owe its birth ; but a deep pious thought was the fruitful germ which, from 
 poet to poet, from land to land, and from century to century, transplanted 
 and carefully nursed, finally acquired an outward form and being which 
 the poets endeavoured to transmit to posterity as the developed history of 
 a holy Vessel. This history, however, ever testifies how this Vessel could 
 find its real significance only in the struggles of a piously Christian mind 
 to fathom the inscrutable mysteries of faith, the miracles wrought by 
 Christianity in the world, and the blessed doctrines of the New Covenant ; 
 and to make them manifest in symbols, and connect them with the poetical 
 and historical traditions in the spirit of Christian chivalry. At the same 
 time, it is difficult to discover the first traces of the formation of the saga of 
 the Holy Graal, and of its cuUus, and to give any certain authenticated 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. XV 
 
 foundation to the first history of its development, because the saga of it 
 has not been transmitted to us purely and independently by any written 
 document, but only in close connection with the history of Percival and 
 of the entire cycle of the Arthur-sagas, and because we cannot for this 
 reason any longer clearly discern what influence this connection had on 
 the first original formation of the Graal-legend, and how much it has 
 thereby gained or lost. Erom the circumstance, however, that our first 
 informants coincide in the main in their descriptions of the holy Graal, of 
 its essence, nature, and significance ; and that, on the other hand, the 
 greatest deviations and differences occur in the history of Percival, and the 
 other numerous and extensive adventures of other heroes interwoven with 
 it and with the Graal, this much at least can be clearly seen, that the 
 Graal-saga — or, better, the idea of the Graal, — was originally distinct 
 from the histories of Percival and of the other Arthur-knights, and that it 
 was first woven into them by North Prench poets, namely, in the second 
 half of the twelfth century. 
 
 The oldest narrator of these histories, and who is at the same time 
 known by name, is Chrestiens de Troyes, in his Li Contes del Graal.* He 
 left this MS. in an incomplete state, and the MSS. of his work are men- 
 tioned to us in their order by three continuators of the work — Gautiers 
 de Dinet, Gerbers, and Manestiers. 
 
 Another treatment of the same matter, in the main, by a North 
 Prench poet, probably a contemporary of Chrestien de Troyes, is afforded 
 by the MS. at Berne, entitled Fercheval le Galois, on which Eochat 
 reports in extenso,-\- and where, at pp. 165 and 176, he gives, as his result, 
 that this work, in spite of many coincidences, does not emanate from 
 Chrestiens de Troyes. 
 
 A third version of the Graal- and Percival-sagas was furnished to 
 us Germans by Wolfram von Eschenbach, in his Pa/rcwal (composed from 
 about 1204 to 1210). J In it he followed a Prench poet, Kyot of Provence, 
 
 * About him, consult W. L. Holland, " Chrestiens de Troyes:" Tubingen, Fues. 1854, pp. 195- 
 225; where many books on the subject are mentioned. 
 
 j" A. Eochat. On a hitherto unknown " Percheval li Galois:" Zurich, KiesUng, 1855. , 
 
 I The original text, edited by Lachmann, was published at Berlin by Eeimer, 1833. Translated, 
 
Xvi PKEFATOET ESSAY. 
 
 a Proven5al who, however, wrote in Northern Preneh as it was spoken in 
 Champagne, the only dialect which Wolfram von Eschenbach understood. 
 As Kyot's French poem has unfortunately not hitherto been discovered, it 
 is impossible to determine what measure of liberty WoKram has taken in 
 his version of Kyot's works ; but his Titurel4m^men.is, which stand in the 
 closest connection with the " Parcival," prove that Kyot must have narrated 
 numerous adventures, which WoKram, for the purpose of more completely 
 rounding off the Graal and Parcival stories, omitted from his romance, and 
 which stO aiforded abundant material for a second tale, namely, of the 
 TscUanatulander and Sigune, which Wolfram, however, unfortunately left 
 incomplete, and of which those two so-called TiifwreZ-fragments form only 
 a small part. 
 
 The above-mentioned omitting of many adventures narrated by Kyot, 
 is confirmed by the German Later Titurel,* by a poet of the name of 
 Albrecht, whose composition comes at the end of the 13th century. He 
 also refers to Kyot the Provenjal, but adds the history of the final pilgri- 
 mage of the Graal to the East, into the realm of Prester John.-|~ It is 
 matter of doubt, however, whether he ever saw Kyot's original work ; and 
 the probability is, that he took the subject-matter from other poems 
 based upon Kyot, and which are unknown to us. That such must have 
 existed, is proved by the names of a whole series of persons occurring 
 in the Romance of Hartmann von Aue, Erec and Enide, % composed from 
 1189 to 1204, which do not occur in Ohrestien's Erench E-omance of 
 Erec, and are also not found in the other Erench Arthur-romances that 
 have as yet become known to us, and which Hartmann can only have 
 
 with an Introduction and explanations, by San Marte (A. Schulz) 2nd edition, Leipsic, Brockhaus, 
 1858. Likewise translated by Simrock, Stuttgart and Tubingen; Cotta, new edition, 1858 
 
 * First printed in 1477. Modern edition by K. A. Hahn. Titurel: Quedlinburg and Leipsic, 
 Basse, 1842. See an extensive extract, witk notes, and an " Essay on the Graal-Saga," in San 
 Marte's " Life and Poems of Wolfram von Esckenbacli," vol- ii. p. 86-294, and 361-453. 
 
 I On the ground of the Epistola Johannis Presbyteri missa ad Gubernatorem Gonstantinopolita- 
 num, in Assemanni Bibliotheca Orientalis, torn. iii. pt. ii. p. 490: published Romas, 1728. 
 
 \ Moritz, Haupt. Ereo. Leipsic, Weidmann, 1839. The subject-matter is identical with the 
 Welsh Mabinogi, " Geraint ap Erbin." 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. XVU 
 
 borrowed from Frencli literature, and which play a part in Wolfram's 
 " Parzival," and, consequently, also in the works of his pre-poet Kyot. 
 Prom quite a different point is our saga-cycle affected by the Welsh tale 
 of Peredur,* which, in its chivalrous adventures, frequently shows a re- 
 markable affinity with the Berne MS. of Perchivalli Galois (see Rochat, loc. 
 cit. p. 93-125), but bears, however, so exclusively Welsh a character, and 
 so entirely obliterates the significance of the Graal, which, as a platter or 
 dish wherein lies a bleeding head, is hardly any longer recognisable, that 
 the assumption of Rochat and Simrock, that it is a Welshified abbreviated 
 version of a Prench romance, is hardly credible. Even if the composition 
 of this tale be more recent, its subject-matter probably reaches back 
 beyond the oldest Parcival romance. Quite certain is it, however, that 
 the Welsh, Erench, and English literatures of the time of Geoffry of Mon- 
 mouth (a.d. 1130), and of his Erench bearbeiter (translator and discre- 
 tional editor), Wace (Roman de Brut), about 1150, know nothing as yet of 
 the Holy Graal, while Welsh literature knows something of Peredur. The 
 question whether this Welsh Peredur (called Percival in the Prench 
 romances) originated in the Breton hero of the ninth century, Morvan 
 lez Breis, as Count Theodore de la Villemarque asserts, upon the strength 
 of Breton ballads, and as Rochat and Gervinus believe with him (German 
 National Literature, 3rd edition,) does not concern us on this occasion. 
 But, so long as the Count does not prove the date of the ballads quoted by 
 him, in a better way than he has hitherto done, namely, with proofs drawn 
 from historical criticism, and from the language of the baUads taken from 
 the mouths of the people, I must be permitted to doubt his inferences. 
 Moreover, Wales and Brittany were untU the twelfth century so closely 
 connected in regard to their knowledge of the national legends, that it is 
 hardly worth the trouble to institute a national contest about the pri- 
 mogeniture of the heroes of the sagas. Eor the purposes of criticism, 
 however, it is decisive, that Wales possesses a very ancient literature, 
 while Brittany does not possess one ; that certain proofs exist in Wales, 
 while in Brittany they are only presumed. In my Essay on the Influ- 
 
 * Welsh and English in Lady Charlotte Guest's " Mabinogion from the Lyfr Coch Hergest : " 
 London, Longmans, 1839. 
 
 d 
 
XVm PREFATOBY ESSAY. 
 
 ence of Welsh Tradition upon the Literature of Germany, France, and 
 Scandinavia* (which obtained the prize at the Abergavenny Cymreigyddion 
 Society at the Eisteddvod of 1840), will be found a short sketch of the 
 development of the Arthur and Graal Sagas, which is further augmented 
 in San Marte, "Die Arthur-sage und die Mdrchen des Rothen Buchs 
 von Sergest :" Quedlinburg and Leipsic, Basse, 1842 ; and in the second 
 volume of the above-quoted Life and Poems of Wolfram von Eschen- 
 bach. But, by intimately entering into the theology and history of the 
 dogmas of the twelfth century, we have been led to a deeper understand- 
 ing of the significance of the Holy Graal and its cultus, as they are repre- 
 sented more especially in the Parcival of Wolfram von Eschenbach ; and 
 Wilhelm Wackernagel {" Alt-franzosische Lieder und Leiche :" Basle, 
 1846, p. 191), has completely confirmed my opinion that most probably 
 Wolfram's pre-poet Kyot of Provence is no other than Guiot von Provins, 
 who for twelve years was a Cluniac monk, before that a wandering clerc 
 and minstrel at many great and small courts of Prance and the neighbour- 
 ing countries, and who wrote between 1204 and 1208 his celebrated Bible, 
 and his sharp satirical poem against the Pope, the spiritual and temporal 
 princes, and the sins of the clerical orders. t Although authorities like 
 Gervinus, Bochat, and Simrock contest this point, they will not be able, 
 in my opinion, to refute the proof brought forward. This circumstance 
 Avould explain Wolfram's intimate knowledge of the Bible, though he, 
 according to his own confession, could neither read nor write. % Wolfram 
 and Guiot stand on the same free theological standpoint of ill will, en- 
 
 * Translated from the German of Albert Schulz : Llandovery, W. Eees ; London, Longmans, &c. 
 1841 : unfortunately disfigured by many horrible typographical errors. 
 
 I " Paroival-Studien," Part I. was published in January, 1861. " The Works of Guiot von 
 Provins in old French, with a German metrical translation, an Introduction and notes,'' by 
 Wolfart and San Marte: Halle. 
 
 \ The fact that several of the German medieval poets could neither read nor write, and were yet 
 able to translate, or at least to work out (bearbeiten), into German, the works of French and 
 Latin authors, is proved beyond any doubt. They must have accomplished this by the aid of some 
 clerk learned in those languages, who had to read and translate the original to them, and to whom 
 they dictated their reproduction." However strange this process may seem to our modern ever- 
 
 • See the well-known account in Bede of the herdsman CjiDMON dictating his metrical paraphrase of the portions of 
 Scripture that had been read to him. — F. 
 
PREPATORY ESSAT. XIX 
 
 tertain the same free theological views inimical to the Romish hierarchy, 
 and Wolfram's idea of the Graal reflects clearly and unmistakeably a 
 thorough evangelical, — nay, one might almost say, Protestant — view of 
 matters of faith, and by no means the ultramontane tenets of his times, * 
 
 This point is in so far of importance as, according to the evidence of 
 the later Titurel also, the Prench pre-poet of Wolfram unmistakeably 
 concludes his work with Percival becoming King of the Graal, after 
 having solved the problem of salvation which had been set him, that is to 
 say, after he has solved it in the spirit of the New Covenant — in other 
 words, of the Gospel of Love and Humanity. Those Prench Graal 
 romances which continue to build upon Ohrestiens' continuators, which 
 follow them and endlessly elaborate them, and ultimately end in the personal 
 names which have appeaired in print — "Parcivalli Galois" (Paris,1530), and 
 "Histoire du San Graal" (Paris, 1523) — have hardly a conception of such 
 an idea for the solution of the problem of humanity, the attaining holiness 
 and entering into the kingdom of God ; much less do they contain any 
 development of this idea. Apparitions of angels and devils in abundance, 
 all the mysteries and symbols of the Christian faith, and the visions of the 
 Apocalypse, are certainly dragged into them; but they only serve to 
 obscure the plain light of evangelical faith, and to extinguish it in a sea 
 of far-fetched stories, quite in the fashion of that theological mysticism 
 which, in consequence of the hierarchical reaction after a.d. 1222, and the 
 suppression of the freer scholastic theology of 1200, gained ground more 
 and more among the clergy of Western Christianity, and, simultaneously 
 with the Inquisition, and the persecution of the Bible and of heretics, 
 marched through fields of fire and blood. Grasse, in his Groszen Sagen- 
 kreise des Mittelalters (The Great Saga-cycles of the Middle Ages : Dresden 
 and Leipsic, Arnold, 1842), gives us very completely, and with great 
 
 reading and ever-writing world, it stands to reason that even this very want of artificial helps 
 would augment the natural powers of memory, etc., so as to enable those men to carry out this 
 operation on materials of such vast dimensions, so rich and complicated, as were many of their 
 originals, and still more their German reproductions. 
 
 * " Parcival-Studien," Parts 11. and III. " On the Eeligious Element in the works of Wolfram 
 von Eschenbach, and the significance of the Holy Graal in his Parcival:" Halle. 
 
 d2 
 
XX PREPATOBT ESSAY. 
 
 industry, an account of the books and literature appertaining to this 
 subject. To this category of romances belongs the work published by 
 M. Michel, in 18^3, of which there is in the proof-sheets sent me by my 
 friend Professor Huber from Mr. Furnivall, a metrical old English para- 
 phrase, which is of the highest interest for the English language and 
 poetry, and the publication of which redounds to the great credit and 
 honour of the Roxburghe Club, and by which the Club is sure to gain the 
 greatest thanks of the learned world. So far as I am able to compare it 
 with my short extracts from the above- quoted Sistoire du San Graal, the 
 poem seems in the early parts to coiucide with it, but I forego giving an 
 opinion before I have seen it in its entirety. 
 
 Did I not fear to become too lengthy and importunate, I would 
 venture to state briefly the leading ideas in Wolfram's Parcival relative to 
 the Graal and its dominion or empire, which would lead to the observation 
 — not without importance even for theology — that Guiot of Provence or 
 Provins, as well as Wolfram, belonged no less to the precursors of the 
 Reformation than Huss and Wycliflfe, and, previous to them, the Waldenses 
 and other heretical sects did, until persecution had driven them to 
 extremes. 
 
 According to Wolfram's Farcival, the Holy Graal is a Vessel made of 
 the la])is lierilis, the stone of the Lord, filled with the strength of God 
 the Eather, Son, and Holy Ghost, which in the beginning was with God, 
 and was served by angels (see John i. 1 and 2). After the Eall of Lucifer 
 and of the Angels, it was confided to the safe-keeping of the purest and 
 most faithful of men, in the same manner as God gave the Son and Saviour 
 for the salvation of mankind (2 Tim. ii. 10 ; John i. 16, 17). Those who 
 by God's grace, according to Augustine, were called to guard the holy 
 Vessel, were the Templeisen (Er. Les Templiers), a clerical fraternity 
 forrued after the model of the Order of the Templars, which Order at 
 that time, about 1200, existed in its highest bloom and in untainted purity, 
 as the ideal of the life of a Christian-knight. These Templeisen form the 
 Graal Church. No heathen can see the Graal, for he lacks baptism. But 
 no Christian even can find it or reach it by means of weapons, according 
 to Eom. ix. 11-16, xii. 6 ; 2 Tim. i. 9. But the name of the one whom 
 
PBEFATOUT ESSAY. XXI 
 
 divine grace has called upon, is read in writing on the Graal (Luke x. 20), 
 according to election by divine grace. This election is obtained by killing 
 original sin in ourselves, and the pride which brought Lucifer to his fall, 
 by deep remorse, repentance, penance, and humility ; and this is the way 
 which Parcival is led, until by his own exertion, in and by himself, he 
 becomes ripe for the kingdom of the Graal. 
 
 But the poem comprehends much mord still. The relation of man 
 placed in creation is threefold : 1. The relation of man to God. This is 
 poetically represented in the history of Parcival, and his struggle for the 
 holy Graal by his inwardly conquering his sinfulness. 2. The relation of 
 man to evil, which from without approaches him in the shape of a tempter, 
 and an adversary of God, such as is represented in the stories of Clinschor, 
 the Sehundille, and Orgeluse. 3. The relation of man to the material world 
 and its glory, represented in Arthur and the Round Table,* and its prin- 
 cipal hero Gawain. It should be observed, that all these personages are 
 good devoted Roman Catholic Christians, who hear Mass regularly, &c. &c., 
 but none of them enter the dominion of the Graal. Indeed, it is not even 
 their aspiration to do so, because to them is not given the grace which 
 leads Parcival, through long years of sorrow and despair, at last into glory. 
 
 AU. these three elements are brought into natural contact and conflict 
 in a most spirited manner, so that they form an artistic and finished 
 whole, and so that every apparently irrelevant portion still contributes to 
 the solution of the fundamental idea, as explained in (1) above. We now 
 ask whether an all-pervading idea like this, is traceable with equal clear- 
 ness and distinctness in the other Prench Parcival and Graal Romances ? 
 
 * Tafelrunde, that is, the round of the table, the sitters round Arthur's Table. 
 
CONTET^TS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 PROLOGUE ...... ... 1 
 
 § 1. The Salutation. § 2. The Three Eeasons why the Writer has not told his name at the begin- 
 ning of the book. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. The Revelation of the Book of the Holt Grail to a Monk . 3 
 
 § 1. How in the year 717 a.d. in White Britain (which is England), Christ, as a beautiful man, 
 appears in a vision to a Trinity -doubting monk (p. 4), and promises to clear his doubts ; and 
 (§2, p. 5) gives him a little Book. How in the Book there are four treatises, with these 
 titles (p. 7) : i. Here beginneth thy lineage, ii. Here beginneth the book of the Holy GraU. 
 III. Here begin the terrors [see p. 287]. iv. Here begin the marvels. How a ray as of fire 
 descends from heaven, and great darkness comes, and then sweet odours, and sweet voices 
 singing hymns to God (p. 8). (§ 3, p. 9), How on Good Friday an angel appears to the 
 monk, and takes him up to the third heaven, and reveals the mystery of the Trinity to him. 
 How the monk locks the Book up in a box. (§ 4, p. 11), How on Easter Day the monk says 
 his service, and then finds the Book gone. How he has a vision telling him to go to Norway 
 . and there find it (p. 12). How he goes after the Book, a wonderful beast guiding him ; how 
 he is lodged by a hermit the first night (p. 13); how on the second day he comes to the 
 Pine of Adventures and its miraculous fountain (p. 14), and how a lady's servant feeds him 
 there, and how he is lodged by a knight (p. 15); how on the third day he finds the Book in 
 a little chapel and cures a devil-possessed man with it (p. 17). How food for the man is 
 sent miraculously (p. 18) ; how on the ninth day the monk starts for home with the Book, and 
 the beast reappears (p. 19); how he reaches home. How he is told in a vision to copy out the 
 Book (p. 20). 
 
 THE BOOK, OR HISTORY, OF THE HOLY GRAIL. 
 
 CHAPTER I. Of Joseph of Aeimathea, the Grail, and Vespasian the Leper . 21 
 
 How few believed on Christ at his crucifixion (p. 21). How Joseph of Arimathea was a secret 
 believer (p. 22). How good he was; and of his son Josephes (who comes to White Britain or 
 England over sea, with the front of his shirt for a sail) (p. 22). Joseph goes to the house where 
 Jesus eat the Last Supper, and finds the dish in which He had eaten, and carries it home. 
 Joseph is one of Pilate's knights, and begs a cheap gift of him, Christ's body. How great the 
 gift really was (p. 23). Joseph weeps at the Cross ; takes down the body, and puts it in his 
 
.XXIV CONTENTS. 
 
 sepulchre. Gets the dish, collects Christ's blood in it. Wraps the body in rich cloths ; puts 
 a great stone at the entrance of the sepulchre. The Jews' anger (p. 24). The Jews seize 
 Joseph and carry him off out of Jerusalem, and give him up to two of their set, who put him 
 in prison, and order him to be fed on bread and water. When Christ rises, Caiaphas tells the 
 jailer to let Joseph starve; but Christ brings him the dish with the Grail into the prison 
 (p. 25). Christ comforts Joseph, and assures him he shall live, and carry his name to foreign 
 lands. Joseph's wife and his son Josephes are dismayed ; but she will not marry again, and 
 her son will only marry Holy Church. How Joseph lived 42 years in prison, and how he 
 was delivered out of it. Of the reigns of the Roman Emperors after Christ, How Vespa- 
 sian, the son of Titus, was a leper (p. 26). Titus offers gifts to any one who will cure his 
 son. A knight of Capernaum asks to talk with Vespasian, and tells him how he himself was 
 a leper, and was cured by Jesus, who touched him and made him whole, and that anything 
 that Christ has touched would cure Vespasian. Titus says he will send for something (p. 27). 
 Titus asks the knight to undertake the task. The knight finds Felix governor of Jerusalem, 
 and orders him to have proclamation made for anything Christ has touched. Mary brings 
 the Veronica cloth, and the knight takes it to Eome. Vespasian's dream (p. 28). On seeing 
 the cloth, Vespasian is healed, and declares that he will take revenge for Christ's death. He 
 goes to Jerusalem. Mary names the traitors against Christ, and they are taken. Joseph's 
 wife begs for her husband. The traitors cannot tell where he is, though Caiaphas knows 
 (p. 29). Caiaphas is brought up, and the others are burnt. Caiaphas agrees to show where 
 Joseph was imprisoned, if he is not to be burnt or killed. He takes them to the prison, but 
 refuses to enter it himself. Vespasian goes down into it (p. 80). Vespasian tells Joseph 
 who he is, and that he has come to deliver him. A heavenly voice tells Joseph not to fear. 
 He asks after the Holy Dish : the voice says it will be in his home. Joseph is drawn up 
 out of the prison. He does not know Caiaphas, or his own son (p. 31). Joseph doesn't 
 know his wife, and thinks he has been only one day in prison; but Vespasian tells him 
 he has been there 42 years. Joseph returns to Jerusalem, points out the abettors of Christ's 
 death ; and Vespasian burns them. ' What is to be done with Caiaphas? (p. 32). Have him 
 drowned, for then he'll neither be burnt nor killed.' Joseph asks that he may be spared- 
 Vespasian's answer : he had vowed that he would revenge Christ's death, and had burnt the 
 first set of Jews; but had promised Caiaphas not to burn or kill him, and would therefore send 
 him out to sea in a boat, to live or drown (p. 33). So he is put into a boat, and pushed out to 
 sea. The contrast between the Pagans and Jews (p. 34). 
 
 CHAPTER H. Or Joseph's Mission and Baptism • .... 35 
 
 Christ appears to Joseph in a vision, and says He has chosen him to fill foreign lands with his 
 spiritual seed: Joseph is to be baptized, and go forth without money or anything but the Dish • 
 but all that his people' want they shall have (p. 35). Joseph is baptized by St. PhUip. Ves- 
 pasian is baptized, and all his company; but it is kept secret. Of the destructions of 
 Jerusalem. How Vespasian was reproached by a cleric for warring against Christ (p. 36). 
 
 CHAPTER HI. Joseph leaves Jerusalem and reaches Sarras • ■ • 37 
 
 Joseph preaches to his relatives and friends and converts 75 of them. They leave Jerusalem for 
 
CONTENTS. XXV 
 
 ever, and reach Bethany, where they want to lodge. Joseph tells them the Almighty will 
 provide for them (p. 37). They go on to the Wood of Ambush. God's speech to Joseph. His 
 mercy to the Jews ; their ingratitude to him. Joseph is to tell his people that they'll be mira- 
 culously fed in the wood. He is to make an ark of wood for the Grail, or Dish (p. 38). The 
 people camp in the wood, and are fed miraculously (p. 39). Joseph has the ark made. They 
 start from the wood, and on the 1 1th day get to Sarras, whence the Saracens come ; for they are 
 not called after Sara, Abraham's wife. How Mahomet was sent to save the Saracens, but 
 damned himself and them. Of the objects of worship of the men of Sarras (p. 39), God tells 
 Joseph to baptize the people of Sarras, and He will give him words to speak, and do miracles 
 by his hands, and keep and defend him wherever he is (p. 40). 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Of Joseph and Evalach the King of Sarras . . . 41 
 
 Joseph goes to the temple of the Sun to the seat of Judgment, and finds a great assemblage of Sara- 
 cens and their lord, Evalach the Unknown (p. 41). Of Evalach's prowess. But, as he was 
 old, the Egyptians had taken away most of his land, and beaten his army ; and so he had as- 
 senibled his Council to devise vengeance on his enemy. Joseph is glad that he has come at the 
 time of the king's need. The Counsellors advise that peace be made with the Egyptians, at 
 which the king is dismayed. Joseph promises him victory, and also endless joy (p. 42). 
 Evalach asks who Joseph is. Joseph says that the king's victory will be the gift of the 
 Almighty. Joseph tells Evalach to destroy his images, for they can neither help nor hurt any 
 one, and no man should believe in a bit of wood or stone, but in Him who died on the Cross 
 to save the world. Evalach's doubts (p. 43). How can one who can't save himself save 
 another? Joseph explains. Evalach's further questions and Joseph's answers (p. 44). 
 
 CHAPTER V. Joseph tells Evalach the history of Christ ... 45 
 
 How God sent his angel to the Virgin Mary, who told her she should conceive and bear a child 
 who should be called Jesus Christ. How the Spirit descended into her, and she brought forth 
 a vallet who was called Christ (p. 45). How three kings of the East come to worship Christ, 
 led by a star. How Herod kills 140,000 young children. How the Virgin goes into Egypt, 
 and at Christ's approach all the images in the temples fall down and are broken. How at 
 thirty He is baptized, and works great miracles, till the Jews bribe one of his disciples and 
 cruciiy Him. He goes into Hell and releases his servants, and rises again the third day (p. 46). 
 How Christ appeared after his resurrection, and ascended into heaven, and sent the Holy 
 Spirit to his disciples (p. 47). 
 
 CHAPTER VI. Joseph's answers to Evalach's objections .... 48 
 
 Evalach asks ' Had your God a father and mother ? Then He must have been born of man and 
 woman.' Joseph explains: 'God saw evils increase on earth, and, to rescue men from hell, 
 sent his Son to fiilfil all belonging to man's nature; but He remained God (p. 49). The world 
 could not be redeemed by a sinner, but, as Christ was clean from sin, he could redeem 
 men from eternal death.' Evalach does not see it. Joseph tells him he has agreed to hear his 
 proof. Evalach thinks Joseph hardly learned enough to prove his point. Joseph says he will 
 first explain how Christ had a father (p. 49). God is called Christ's father, for He begat Him 
 before the ages, not carnally but spiritually. For Christ was not made, but begotten of 
 
 e 
 
XXVI CONTENTS. 
 
 spiritual begetting. His birth by his mother was of flesh ; but that by his Father, of spirit, 
 and immortal. Of the Virgin's virginity. But first of the Holy Ghost, who is the Comforter 
 and the Purifier, who made the prophets speak, and who is worshipped like the Father and 
 Son (p. 50). The Father is perfect God, and the Son too, though below the Father as to his 
 manhood; and the Holy Ghost is perfect God; but they are not three Gods, but one God, 
 one in nature, godhead, and power, aU equally great (p. 51.) The three are called the Trinity, 
 and the one Unity. How God said ' Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,' and 
 called the Son to make so high a thing as man to replace the tenth legion of angels. How, 
 when man was cast out of paradise, a hard saying was spoken to him (p. 51). God's curse on 
 Adam and men, and on Eve and women. How really the curse has been fulfilled (p. 52). 
 To rescue men from sorrow, Christ descended on earth, and, when there, entered a strait and 
 narrow prison, the Virgin's womb, and was there nine months, and then came out, but 
 not, as humanity needs, with pain and sorrow and carnal assembly, but by the oversha- 
 dowing of the Holy Ghost, who entered through the Virgin's ear (p. 52). How Christ's birth 
 injured not the virginity of his mother, as a sunbeam hurts not the clear water. Of the three 
 difierences between the conception of Christ and men. 1. it was without sin. 2. without 
 carnal assembling. 8. his mother did not lose her virginity, or sufier Eve's curse, for the 
 birth was painless. How Christ lived 32 years on earth, and at 30 was baptized by St. 
 John the Baptist, and three years after died, and went down into hell (p. 53). How Christ 
 rescued the doers of his works from hell. Joseph sums up his speech (p. 54). 
 
 CHAPTER Vn. Part 1. Of Evalach and Joseph's companions. Part 2. Of Evalach's visions 
 
 OF SYMBOLS OF THE TrINITY AND ChEISt's MiEACDLOUS CONCEPTION . . 55 
 
 I. Evalach thinks Joseph's sayings neither true nor reasonable: he has said what he likes. The 
 learned of the city come, and Joseph confounds them. Evalach asks Why he is named Joseph 
 of Arimathea (p. 55). Evalach promises to house Joseph, and to hear him next day. Joseph 
 tells him he has 75 companions who for the love of Christ have given up all earthly wealth. 
 Evalach desires to see these companions, and asks them why they sufier such hardships. 
 Josephes (Joseph's son) says, ' for the love of Christ, who was crucified between two thieves, 
 for whom we ought to die twice over ' (p. 56). Evalach asks who Josephes is (p. 57.) The 
 king has Joseph and his companions nobly lodged for the night, and the beds are very good. 
 
 II. Evalach in bed is troubled with two thoughts: 1, how to defend his land; 2, of what 
 Joseph had told him, and how the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost were three, yet one- 
 and how the Virgin had borne a child without losing her virginity (p. 57). Evalach's 
 vision. He sees the stock of a tree, whence spring three equal trunks, the middle one 
 having an ugly bark. Under the first trunk are many people; two go to a ditch and 
 jump into it; most of the others foUow them and jump in too; but some run to the ugly- 
 barked tree and chop it all round. A great stream of blood flows out, and leaves the bark 
 but the fruit jumps into the ditch : the tree jumps out of the ditch, dragging much people with 
 it, and gets into its bark again, and becomes bright and shining (p. 58). The king sees some 
 of the people wash their bodies with the blood in the ditch; it changes them: the others cut 
 off branches and leaves from the tree, and burn them. He thinks it must be a dream, but 
 finds he is reaUy awake, and so rouses a trustworthy chamberlain, and shows him the trees 
 
CONTENTS. XXVll 
 
 and tells him not to fear, and takes the candles by his bed to look at the trees. He sees 
 there are three, and that the ugly-barked one springs out of the first, and the third from the 
 other two ; and that on, the first is, ' This creates ;' on the second, *■ This saves ;' on the third, 
 ' This purifies ' (p. 59). The three trees are truly one. The king is confounded. He looks 
 at a secret door of marble in a wall, and sees a little child who has come through it without its 
 opening, and who goes back through it also. The king wonders still more. The chamberlain 
 lies on the ground as if he were dead, but at last speaks to the king (p. 60). The king keeps 
 thinking of the wonder of the child. A voice tells him that it is a type of the Miraculous 
 Conception of Christ. The people in the palace are terrified at the noise of the voice. The 
 king tells them it was a clap of thunder ; he cannot sleep, but desires to tell Joseph his 
 vision (p. 61). 
 
 CHAPTEE VIII. Of Joseph's Peayee foe Counsel, and its Answee ... 62 
 
 Of Joseph. How he cannot sleep, and kneels on the floor and prays for counsel and comfort, for 
 king Evalach and his distracted city (p. 63). How a voice tells him that his prayer is heard, 
 and that Evalach has seen wonders which he shall send for Joseph to explain ; and that 
 Josephes shall be consecrate to Christ, and take charge of His flesh and blood (p. 64). How 
 Joseph is glad, and goes to bed with his wife Helyab, but not with carnal intent (p. 64) ; 
 and how they had no carnal commerce till they begot Galahad their youngest son, and then 
 not for desire of pleasure, but by the command of God (p. 65). And how holy men of White 
 Britain, now called England, descended from Galahad (p. 65). 
 
 CHAPTER IX. Of the Consecbation of Bishop Josephes (Joseph's son) by Christ . 66 
 
 How Joseph and his company worship before the Ark of the Grail in the Palace of the Spirit, 
 when a noise is heard, and the Palace trembles. (How the Palace came to be called The 
 Palace Spiritual, p. 67). How the Holy Ghost descends on them like a ray of fire, and how 
 a sweet wind comes, and how Christ speaks to them, and urges them to love Him (p. 67-8). 
 He tells Josephes to draw near and take charge of His flesh and blood (p. 69). Josephes 
 opens the door of the Ark, and sees a man in a red robe, and five angels clad like Him, with 
 six wings each, and a bloody sword in their left hands, and severally in their rights, a cross, 
 nails, lance, sponge, and scourge, with a roU ' These are the arms by which our Judge 
 destroyed Death ' (p. 69). How the Crucifixion is represented over again before Josephes in 
 the Grail-Ark (p. 70), and how he is stopped from entering it (p. 70). How Joseph looks 
 into the Ark, and sees angels there with the instruments of consecration (p. 71-2), and Jesus 
 clad in sacramental robes (p. 72). How the company of angels go over the house purifying 
 it with holy water, because it used to be the dwelling-place of devils (p. 73). How Christ 
 tells Josephes that he is to receive the Sacrament of His flesh and blood (p. 74). How the 
 proper episcopal garments are brought out of the Ark (p. 74) ; and how the Chair of Con- 
 secration makes a Saracen king's eyes fly out of his head (p. 75). How Josephes is con- 
 secrated (p. 75), and how the angel preserves the holy oil with which all the kings of Britain 
 till Uther Pendragon, Arthur's father, are anointed. How Christ tells Josephes the meaning 
 of the Bishop's vestments, — the shoes (p. 76), the upper and under garments (Chastity and 
 Virginity), the head-covering (Humility), and herein of the Pharisee and the Publican, the 
 
 e2 
 
XXviii CONTENTS. 
 
 green garment (Suffering), that above it (Justice, p. 77), the band on the left arm (Abstinence), 
 the necklet (Obedience), the uppermost (Love, p. 77), the staff (Vengeance and Mercy, p. 78), 
 the ring (Marriage to Holy Church), and the horned hat (Confession, 1. Eepentance, 2. Satis- 
 faction, and what they are, p. 79). And how Christ tells Josephes his duties as a Bishop, 
 and promises him a rich reward if he serves Him loyally (p. 79). 
 
 CHAPTER X. Bishop Josephes administers the Sacrament .... 80 
 
 Josephes goes into the Ark and celebrates the Sacrament. He uses only Christ's words of Conse- 
 cration, and forthwith the bread and wine become flesh and blood (p. 80). Christ makes him 
 divide the bread into three parts, which nevertheless appear, and are eaten by him, as one 
 body, most sweet (p. 81). He receives the wine. The angels take the vessels out of the 
 Ark (p. 81). Christ tells the people He sends them his flesh and blood (p. 82). Joseph and 
 his company receive the body of Christ, like a small child. Christ tells Josephes to celebrate 
 the Sacrament daily, and how to ordain priests, and bishops in every city (p. 82) ; and that 
 Evalach's messengers are coming for him to expound the king's dream, and that he is to be 
 of good courage, as he shall beat the false prophets. How Josephes appoints his cousin- 
 german Leucans to guard the Ark (p. 83). Of the office of Treasurer (p. 83). 
 
 CHAPTER XI. Joseph before Evalach, and in the Heathen Temple . . 84 
 
 The Eang's messengers come. Evalach asks Joseph to prove first how the Trinity can be Unity; 
 2. of the Virgin's virginity; 3. of Christ's conception without carnal assemblage. Joseph 
 repeats his former proof (Chapter VI.). A clerk objects, that, if all three are only one deity, 
 then each cannot be perfect God ; and, if each has entire Godhead, then there are three Gods 
 (p. 84). If the Holy Ghost is perfect God and one, surely the other two are nobodies. And, 
 if the two are nothing, then each cannot be perfect God. Joseph is confounded ; but Josephes 
 addresses Evalach, and tells him that because he has brought his false pleaders against His 
 truth He wiU bring sore disaster on him within three days. And, because he has despised the 
 revelation of God's secrets to him in his dream, God will give his mortal enemy power over 
 him for three days and three nights (p. 85). And, to verify it, Josephes says that Tholomes, 
 King of Babylon, has made ready his forces and will attack Evalach, and pursue him and put 
 him in fear of death. Josephes next tells the objecting heathen clerk, that, as he has blas- 
 phemed God's creed and dishonoured His name, and has been dumb and blind in spiritual know- 
 ledge, God will strike him dumb and blind. The clerk becomes dumb and blind (p. 86). The 
 people are angry and rush at Josephes. Evalach seizes a sword and swears he'll put to death 
 all who lay hands on Josephes. He asks Joseph who Josephes is, and how he took speech and 
 sight from his opponent, and whether it is true that Tholomes shall put him in fear of death, 
 and have power over him three days and three nights. Evalach cannot believe it, but asks if 
 he can escape it. Yes, by receiving the belief of Jesus Christ (p. 87), not only m word, but 
 in heart. The clerk, struck dumb and blind, is taken to the heathen temple, to the image of 
 Apollo. A devil in the image of Mars cries out that a Christian there has bound Apollo, so 
 that he cannot speak. The devil offers to go out, wherever Josephes orders. It goes out, 
 knocks down the image of Apollo, and breaks it in pieces (p. 88). Then the devil hits the 
 
CONTENTS. xxix 
 
 image of Apollo on the nose and breaks it and its right arm; and destroys the other images. 
 The people are dismayed (p. 89). Evalach asks Josephes who has broken the images; 
 Josephes tells him to ask at the altar of Mars. He does, and the devil says Josephes stops him. 
 Josephes gives the devil leave to speak, and it tells Evalach that Josephes has always two angels 
 with him, one bearing a sword, the other a cross, and they have made it break all the images. 
 The king asks the devil whether the man struck dumb and blind will recover,* and whether 
 he shall prevail against the Egyptians (p. 90). The devil confesses he knows nothing about 
 it (p. 90). 
 
 CHAPTER XH. The Invasion by Tholomes of Evalach's Land . . . 91 
 
 The invasion by Tholomes and the Egyptians of Evalach's land; Evalach's summons to his vassals 
 (p. 92); Josephes's counsel to him, — Josephes tells him his history, that he was a cobbler's son 
 at Miaux in France (p. 93), was sent to Rome as part of the hostage demanded by Augustus 
 (p. 94-5), then on to Erl Felis of Svlie, whose son he slew (p. 96), and fled to Tholomes King 
 of Babylon, for whom he conquered all the land of Sarras (p. 96); that therefore he must be 
 humble, and remember God, as he will be three days and three nights in Tholomes's power 
 (p. 97, 100); Evalach asks for the means of victory (p. 98) ; Josephes tacks a cross of red 
 cloth on to his shield, and tells him to look on it in his need, and pray to God, and he shall 
 be saved (p. 99, 100). Evalach marches to Tarabel and Valachin. Valachin described 
 (p. 101-2). His army enters a forest, and sends out a spy, (p. 103); they attack Tholomes, 
 but flee to Castle Comes (p. 104); Tholomes pursues (p. 104), while Evalach's men plunder his 
 tents (p. 105). A spy next day tells Tholomes that Evalach is in Comes with a very few 
 men (p. 105), and so Tholomes marches after him with half his force, leaving the other half 
 with Vabus his steward to watch Castle Valachin (p. 106-7). 
 
 CHAPTER XHI. Of Evalach's preparations, and of the Battle between him and Tholomes 108 
 Evalach sends out a spy to see after Tholomes, and he makes a good report; Evalach is cheered 
 up, and marches (p. 109). He meets the queen's messenger, reads her letter (p. 110,) and 
 asks explanations (p. 110). Josephes has told the queen of his defeat; another man comes 
 and tells Evalach that Tholomes has besieged Comes (p. Ill); Evalach goes towards Sarras; 
 a host meets him (p. 112), that of his brother-in-law Seraphe, who comes and greets him, 
 and says he is come to help him ; Evalach's answer (p. 113); Seraphe's advice to Evalach to 
 go to his city Orhanz (p. 114). Evalach goes to Orhanz, and summons more knights ; he 
 wants to go and fight Tholomes, but is counselled to wait (p. 115); he is besieged by Tho- 
 lomes, and orders a sortie (p. 116); he gives the city in charge to an old knight, and attacks 
 Tholomes successfully, for Tholomes's men had ridden all night (p. 117). Of Seraphe's deeds, 
 and the pursuit of Tholomes's men to a narrow passage by a Rock of stone, from the 
 slaughter called The Bloody Rock (p. 118); Tholomes comes to the rescue, asks his men 
 what is the matter, and encourages them (p. 119-20). Evalach halts his men, and puts 
 them in four divisions: \. Seraphe, 2. the Steward, 3. Archemedes, A. Uvalach. He charges 
 Jeconias to guard the passage (p. 121), and to keep the city too (p, 122). Tholomes 
 ordains eight divisions, two against each one of Evalach's (p. 122). The fight begins. 
 
 * Lonelich's translation begins here (p. 89). 
 
XXT CONTENTS. 
 
 Number of meu on each side (p. 123). Evalach's speech to his knighls (p. 123-4). Seraphe's 
 division fights; Evalach's feelings,— his prayer (p. 125) ; the result of it (p. 126). The dire 
 slaughter (p. 127-8). Seraphe's deeds; his axe; and his appearance (p. 127-8). Tholomes 
 calls up his second division (p. 129); Seraphe's men flee, but he fights on (p. 130); Eva- 
 lach's stevrard goes to his help (p. 131), and sends a message to the King. Evalach's steward 
 breaks Tholomes's line, and throws Tholomes to the ground (p. 132). The steward is struck 
 down by a knight; Evalach's nephew and Evalach go to the rescue (p. 133); Archemedes 
 drives in Tholomes's men (p. 134), but Evalach's steward is cruelly beaten (p. 134), and 
 killed by Tholomes (p. 135). Tholomes and Evalach fight; but Evalach cannot recover 
 his steward's body. Tholomes rallies his men, who shoot poisoned arrows and get the best of 
 the fight (p. 136). 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. The Battle between Evalach and Tholomes, continued . . 137 
 
 Of Seraphe; the valour of him and his men (p. 138); his deeds with his axe (p. 138); how he did 
 not tire, and all fled from him (p. 139); so a messenger tells Tholomes, who sends him to his 
 brother Manarcus with orders for Manarcus to fight Seraphe (p. 140) ; Manarcus comes with 
 55,000 men, and routs Seraphe's 20,000 (p. 141); Seraphe weeps ; cannot rally his men; 
 but he and eleven still fight on (p. 142) ; and he kiUs Manarcus (p. 142) ; whose men make 
 a great cry (p. 142); Seraphe kills on (p. 143); Manarcus's men kill seven of the eleven 
 knights and Seraphe's horse (p. 143) ; and then the other four knights (p. 144) ; Seraphe 
 kills a knight who throws spears (p. 144); Seraphe takes his horse, and kills away (p. 144); 
 Seraphe's second horse is killed, and he ridden over (p. 145). He awakes from his swoon 
 (p. 146) ; mounts again, cuts one knight's left arm ofi" and cleaves another knight in two 
 (p. 146). He rides into the field (p. 147) ; kills a knight, is shot through the shoulder by 
 an arrow and thrown to the ground, his horse being killed under him (p. 147) ; but he 
 mounts again and tries to get to Evalach's cross. There is great slaughter (p. 148). Sixty 
 knights rescue Evalach from 500, and mount him again, but he is surrounded by 2,000 of 
 his enemies (p. 148). Seraphe rides to the rescue (p. 149); but cannot reach him. Evalach 
 is taken prisoner, beaten, and carried to a wood (p. 149) ; he looks on his shield and the 
 cross on it (p. 150), sees Christ crucified, and prays to God (p. 151); a white knight with 
 a cross on his shield comes out of the forest (p. 151); Seraphe fights on, he sees Evalach's 
 standard, and shouts (p. 152). The white knight leads Tholomes to the Rock of Blood (p. 153); 
 charges at him and unhorses him. Evalach's knights take all Tholomes's knights but eleven 
 (p. 154); Tholomes surrenders to Evalach (p. 154); and Jekonias takes him to Orkanz (p. 154). 
 Evalach takes the rest of Tholomes's division. The white knight helps Seraphe (p. 155); 
 Seraphe's danger; the white knight kills two of his opponents (p. 156); Seraphe swoons, and 
 Evalach helps him (p. 156); Evalach unhorses a knight and gives the horse to Seraphe 
 (p. 157); Seraphe mounts and is as fresh as ever; the white knight gives him an axe from 
 God (p. 158); Evalach, on Tholomes's horse, reassembles his men and makes two divisions 
 of them; they renew the fight (p. 159); distress in Tholomes's men for their master (p. 160); 
 they are slain, maimed, and taken (p. 160). How well Evalach, Seraphe, and the white 
 knight fought (p. 160-1). Tholomes's men draw near the Rock, thinking it is not guarded 
 (p. 161); but it is, and Evalach's men pursue and slay them (p. 162); Narbus, Tholomes's 
 
CONTENTS. XXXI 
 
 steward, surrenders to Evalacli, who wants to kill him (p. 162), but Seraphe intercedes for 
 him (p. 163). The end of the day and the battle (p. 163) ; Evalach, &c. go back to Orkanz, 
 where there are so many prisoners, that the king tents outside (p. 164). 
 
 CHAPTER XV. The Histoky of Evalach's Queen, Saeeacynte . . . 165 
 
 Of Evalach's Queen (Sarracynte) in Sarras (p. 166). Sarracynte sends for Joseph, and asks how 
 Evalach got on; Joseph's answer (p. 166); the heathen kings, &c. are to be cast down, and 
 the poor exalted (p. 167). Sarracynte cries; she asks Joseph to pray for Evalach (p. 167-8); 
 and to expound Christianity to her (p. 168). Sarracynte is a Christian, and tells Joseph of 
 her Christian mother, and her father, who was a brute (p. 169); also, how her mother was ill 
 of a bloody flux, and went to a good hermit, and asked help (p. 170); he tells her that Christ 
 alone can cure her (p. 170); she says, ' Ask God for me, I will give you gold' (p. 171). He 
 says, ' Believe in Christ, and he will heal you.' She does, and he prays to God (p. 172) ; and 
 proclaims her whole; she is, thanks God; and is baptized (p. 173). She takes Sarracynte to 
 the hermit (p. 174). Sarracynte cannot worship him on account of his beard, but says she 
 will worship Christ if he is fairer than her brother (p. 174). A glorious man — Christ — 
 appears (p. 175); Sarracynte is christened, and the hermit tells her of Christ (p. 175). Her 
 mother receives the sacrament, and Sarracjmte too (p. 176); both go home, and hear of a 
 great beast (p. 177). Sarracynte's brother goes to hunt it, and is lost in the forest (p. 178). 
 Her mother says the hermit is a true prophet (p. 178). They rejoice in their faith (p. 179). 
 Her mother sends the attendants out, and tells Sarracynte to get a box (p. 179); Christ 
 comes out as bread (p. 180). She charges her daughter to keep the box, and think on Christ 
 (p. 180-1); and go and teU the hermit of her mother's death (p. 181); and get him to put 
 bread in the box, and look at it every day (p. 182). Christ appears over the mother's bed (p. 183). 
 Her mother dies, and Sarracynte goes to the hermit, who gives her Christ (p. 184). She goes 
 away, and meets a man (p. 184), who tells her the hermit is dead, and asks her to ride back 
 to his cell (p. 185); they go back; the man mourns; then digs a grave (p. 186); takes the 
 head of the corpse, and teUs her to take the feet; her excuse (p. 187); they bury the body. 
 He scolds her servants, and then baptizes them; and remains in the cell (p. 188). The end 
 of Sarracynte's answer (p. 189). Josephes says, ' Why don't you worship Christ now?' she 
 answers, ' My husband is so angry; convert him' (p. 189). She asks how her husband has 
 sped in the battle, and Joseph tells her (p. 190). 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. Of the Baptism of Evalach and Seraphe, as Mordeeins and Nasciens 191 
 
 Joseph tells Sarracynte of the White Knight (p. 191), whom Evalach and Seraphe cannot make 
 out (p. 192). Evalach goes to see Tholomes (p. 198), and then returns to Sarras, taking 
 Seraphe with him (p. 193). His queen receives them with great delight, and he at once asks 
 after the Christians (p. 193). Joseph comes (p. 194) ; he tells Seraphe that it was Evalach's 
 prayer that gave him his great strength (p. 194-5). Joseph orders Evalach's shield to be 
 uncovered (p. 195); a crucified man is seen on it (p. 195). A man with a wounded arm is 
 healed by it (p. 196); and then the cross vanishes (p. 196). Seraphe declares that he will 
 turn Christian, and Joseph baptizes him, and changes his name to Nasciens (p. 196); he is 
 
XXXU CONTENTS. 
 
 healed at once, and so preaches to Evalach, that he and the wounded man are baptized too, 
 and Evalach's name changed to Mordraynes or Slow-of-Belief (p. 197-8). The rest of the 
 people are baptized, and Joseph destroys the images, and converts all Sarras (p. 199). He 
 leaves three of his friends there in charge of the Grail- Ark, and goes with the rest to Orcanz 
 (p. 200), where he turns out of an image the devil Aselabas, and makes him explain why he 
 had killed Tholomes (p. 201-2). Mordraynes orders his people to be baptized or leave the 
 country (p. 203); some are killed by the Devil (p. 204), and a spear-head is driven into 
 Joseph's thigh for his neglect, and left there (p. 205). The whole land is converted (p. 206), 
 bishops are ordained (p. 207), and the bodies of the two Hermit-Saints procured for the 
 churches in Sarras and Orbery (p. 208-9). 
 
 CHAPTEK XVII. Or the Geail, and of the Interpretation of Evalach's Visions . 210 
 
 How Joseph shows Mordreins ^Evalach) and Nasciens (Seraphe) the Ark and the holy things in it 
 (p. 210). On seeing the Holy Grail, Nasciens is fiUed with joy (p. 211); tells them how a 
 vision of his youth is now fulfilled (p. 211), and then Hfts up the ' plateyne ' over the dish, for 
 which he is struck blind (p. 212). Mordreins asks Nasciens what he saw, but can only get a 
 vague answer (p. 213). An angel appears with the lance whose head is in Joseph's thigh, 
 and draws out the head by putting the lance to it (p. 214). With the blood from the wound 
 he restores Nasciens's sight (p. 215) ; tells him, that, when the lance drops blood, the secrets of 
 the Sank Byal, or Seint Graal, shall be known (p. 215-16); and predicts that the last of 
 Nasciens's line shall be the only man thereafter wounded by the lance, and who shall see the 
 wonders of the Holy Grail (p. 216). Mordreins asks Joseph to interpret his dream of the 
 Three Trees [Chapter vii. p. 58], and Joseph does so (p. 217-221). The ugly-barked tree is 
 Christ, the other two the Father and the Holy Ghost; the two people that left the others 
 were Adam and Eve ; those who hewed the branches were the Jews who crucified Christ 
 (p. 218). Also of the Descent into Hell, the Ascension, the Trinity (p. 219), and their names, 
 Former, Saviour, Cleanser (p. 220) ; and of the Immaculate Conception and Birth of Christ 
 (p. 221). Joseph orders Mordreins to burn the image of the woman that he has secretly lain 
 with (p. 222). Mordreins shows the hidden chamber where he kept it, and then bums it 
 (p. 223). Joseph departs from Sarras, and 207 Saracens with him (p. 224). His last charge 
 to the king (p. 225). 
 
 CHAPTER XVHI. Mordreins sees new Visions, and is borne away to a distant Isle . 226 
 
 Of Mordreins (or Evalach). How he had a wonderful dream, which sorely troubled him, to the 
 distress of his queen (p. 227): viz. ' that he was holding his Court in Sarras, and as he sat 
 at meat a thunderbolt knocked the first morsel out of his mouth, and his crown off his head 
 (p. 228) ; that a wind carries him away to a place where a lion brings him food, which a 
 lioness carries ofi", till he hits her with his fist (p. 228) ; that he finds his crown, but with 
 splendid stones in it; that an eagle carries his nephew, Nasciens's son, to a strange region, 
 where the people kneel to him (p. 229); and then a river flows out of his belly, and divides 
 into nine streams (p. 229); of which the ninth is troublous and foul at its rise, clear in the 
 middle, and glorious at the end (p. 230); and that a man from heaven washes in a lake, and 
 in three of the streams that separated ffom the ninth' (p. 230). Sarracynte, sad at Mordreins's 
 
CONTENTS. XXXUl 
 
 trouble, goes to her brother Nasciens (or Seraphe), (p. 231), and begs him to ask Mordreins a 
 boon, that he will tell his dream (p. 231); Nasciens goes to the king, and asks him (p. 232), 
 and Mordreins tells him, and says that it came for Mordreins's ingratitude to Nasciens 
 (p. 232-3). To have the dream interpreted, they go to the chufch that Joseph established, 
 and hear service (p. 234-5), but none of the pastors can interpret it (p. 23G). They 
 return to the palace, and feel and hear and see wonderful shakings, noises, and lightnings 
 (p. 236) ; then a horn sounds, and a voice proclaims the beginning of dreade (p. 237). 
 Mordreins and Nasciens fall swooning on their bed, and Mordreins is borne away by the Holy 
 Ghost (p. 238). 
 
 CHAPTEE XIX. Nasciens (or Seraphe) is accused of killing Mokdeeins, and is imprisoned 239 
 
 Nasciens (formerly Seraphe) lies swooning in bed (p. 239); his sister, Queen Sarracynte, going to 
 see a church she is building for the Virgin, finds all the attendants asleep (p. 240) ; coming 
 back to the palace, she sees Nasciens weeping, and asks him why, and where her husband 
 Mordraynes (or Evalach) has gone (p. 240-1). She swoons; he assures her that Mordraynes 
 is safe (p. 242). The barons consult about Mordraynes' absence (p. 243) ; Calafier, a traitor, 
 suggests that Nasciens killed him (p. 243); the others adopt this, go to Nasciens, question 
 him (p. 244), and then cast him into prison (p. 245). The queen is greatly grieved, but 
 cannot help her brother (p. 246) ; who holds to his faith, and will not reproach God, but asks 
 for mercy for his sins (p. 246-7). 
 
 CHAPTEE XX. Op the Isle whither Mordreins is carried, and of Fowcaies and Pompet 248 
 
 The description and history of the island to which King Mordreins was carried; and herein of the 
 Emperor Pompey's daring deeds. How the isle was on the way from Scotland and Ireland to 
 Babylon, and Wales and Spain could be seen from it (p. i49); and how it was all bare rock, 
 and was called The Roche Perilows (p. 250); and on it was formerly a house built by a pirate, 
 Fowcairs, who enticed ships ashore, and destroyed them and their crews (p. 250-1) ; till Pom- 
 pey heard of him, and prepared a ship (p. 251); and attacked him (p. 252). The account of 
 the fight (p. 252-8); — how the pirates let down a quarter of a ship on Pompey's knights 
 (p. 253); and the attack is put off (p. 254). Pompey then determines to light a fire at the 
 foot of the rock and burn them out (p. 255). The pirates try to put it out, but can't, and the 
 knio-hts kill four of them (p. 255); the rest nearly succeed in extinguishing the fire, but 
 Pompey drives them back and kills five of them (p. 256). He is then attacked and swoons, 
 but is rescued. Fowcairs is taken (p. 257); his men are thrown into the sea, and then he 
 too (p. 258). How Pompey did a still more daring deed, stabled his horses in the Temple at 
 Jerusalem (p. 258); and how he was rebuked by Peter for it (p. 259). 
 
 CHAPTEE XXI. Of Mordreins on " The Eock Perilous," and the wonders he saw there 260 
 
 Of Mordreins (Evalach) on " The Eock Perilous," and the wonders he saw there (p. 260-270). 
 How Mordreins is in great sorrow (p. 260), and while he is weeping he sees a silver ship 
 approach, with a fair man on board, who lands and talks to him' (p. 261-2); says he is a 
 crafty man (p. 262); and his name is ' On. & Al. Only.' (p. 263). He comforts the king 
 (p. 263); and tells him that God has not forgotten him, but will give him all he asks for 
 
SXXIV CONTEXTS. 
 
 (p. 263-5). The king is so joyful that he is almost in a trance (p. 265), till the ship and 
 man -vanish (p. 266). Mordreins concludes that the man came from God (p. 266). He then 
 sees another gorgeously covered ship arrive (p. 266), from which a lovely woman lands 
 (p. 267), who talks with him, and asks him to be lord of herself and her lands (p. 268), 
 and tempts him to forsake his new faith, telling him of the danger Seraphe (Nasciens) is in 
 (p. 269), and of the evils that will befal him — Mordreins — if he stops in the island (p. 269-70). 
 
 CHAPTER XXH. Still of the Wondees King Moedeeins saw on the Rock Perilous . 271 
 
 Still of the wonders King Mordreins (or Evalach) saw on the Rock Perilous (p. 271). How he 
 asks the fair woman out of the ship where he is, and how far off from his land (p. 271), but 
 will not go with her, and how she sails away (p. 272). How he sees a great tempest rise, and 
 how he thinks over the woman's prophecy of his misery, and over his former greatness 
 (p. 273). How he looks about for a place to sleep in, finds the cave (p. 274), but, on trying 
 to enter it, is struck down (p. 274). How he sees a great tempest, and then a great darkness 
 comes (p 275), and he lies all night in a swoon (p. 275). In the morning he is awoke by the 
 rays of the sun (p. 275), makes the sign of the cross, recovers his senses, and prays to God 
 (p. 276). He then sees again the first ship; and the good man lands from it, greets him 
 (p. 277), and preaches to him about his want of faith (p. 278). Of how God helps his servants 
 (p. 279-80) ; of the difference between the flesh and the spirit (p. 280) ; and of the members 
 of the soul (p. 281). Mordreins then asks him about the fair woman (p. 281), and he says 
 that she strove to become lord over him, and so he cast her out of his house, for which she 
 tries to enrage him by evil doing (p. 282). [The fall of Lucifer.] The good man exhorts 
 Mordreins to hold to his Saviour, andthen no good thing shall be wanting to him (p. 283). 
 
 CHAPTER XXHI. Still of Mordreins on the Rock Perilous, and his Temptations there 284 
 
 Still of Mordreins (Evalach) on the Rock Perilous, and his Temptations there (p. 284-307). How 
 the good man comforts him, and asks him if he is hungry (p. 284), and takes him to the ship 
 and offers him delicious meats (p. 285), the sight of which so satisfies him that his hunger 
 goes (p. 285). He desires to know about Nasciens, and the Vision of the Streams [Chap. 
 XVIII. p. 229] that he saw (p. 286); but the good man will notteU him yet, and exhorts him 
 not to fear any marvels that he may see (p. 287) ; and teUs him how to know good counsel 
 from bad (p. 288). Mordreins asks how long he is to stop on the rock, — ' till the devil takes 
 him off by the left hand ' (p. 289). He is distressed at hearing this, and the good man disappears 
 (p. 290). Mordreins sees the fair woman's ship coming, and prays to God for grace to resist 
 her (p. 291). She tempts him by telling him that his brother-in-law and queen are dead 
 (p. 292), and by offering him the precious stones, &c. in her ship (p. 293); but he will not 
 yield to her, and will not answer to his devil-name Evalach (p. 294), She reproaches him, 
 but in vain, and then departs (p. 295). A great tempest rages (p. 295) ; a wonderful noise is 
 heard, and a clap of thunder which knocks off the top of the rock (p. 295-6). Mordreins 
 prays to God to comfort him (p. 296); he gets wonderfully sleepy and hungry, and sees a 
 black loaf, which he takes hold of, and is trying to eat (p. 297), when a marvellous bird 
 
 swoops down on him (p. 298), and knocks it out of his hand (p. 302) The description of the 
 
 bird, the Phmnix, a type of Christ (p. 298-301).— The king swoons, and the bird hits him 
 
CONTENTS. XXXV 
 
 with its right wing, and then flies away (p. 302). The king recovers, and thanks God 
 (p. 302-3). The good man and the tempting woman come to him daily, and the good man 
 comforts him (p. 303-4). He sees another ship, sailorless ; a great tempest rages (p. 305) ; 
 then fierce heat comes ; but he will not leave the rock (p. 306). The weather clears, and he 
 ponders over his adventures (p. 307). 
 
 CHAPTER XXIY. Still of Moedeeins ok the Rock Perilous, and how he left it 308 
 
 Still of Mordreins on The Roche Perilows. How he sees a ship approach the Eock with his own 
 and Nasciens's shields on board, and the horse he won from Tholomes at Orcans (p. 309). A 
 knight lands, and tells him that Nasciens is dead (p. 310). He goes on board, sees a corpse 
 like Nasciens's, swoons (p. 311), and on waking finds himself far from the Kock (p. 311); 
 he makes the sign of the Cross, and man, horse, and corpse vanish (p. 311). He prays to 
 God. The good man comes to him again, and tells him that he shall not be delivered till 
 Nasciens comes to him alive (p. 312); and explains that it was the devil who had tempted 
 him as the. knight, the lioness, and the fair woman, who had appeared to him (p. 313). The 
 good man exhorts him to be wiser and warier than he had been, and then vanishes (p. 313). 
 The ship drives on (p. 314); the king sees a man coming on the sea, borne up by two birds 
 under his feet (p. 314), who sprinkles the ship with water, and announces himself as Salustes, 
 in whose honour Mordreins had built the church in Sarras (p. 314). He explains the vision 
 of the lioness (p. 314), and that of the streams flowing out of Mordreins's nephew (p. 314); 
 and then tells him he had sprinkled the ship because it was the devil's and needed purifying 
 (p. 315). He instructs Mordreins how to eject devils by Holy "Water (p. 315), and then goes, 
 leaving the king on the ship (p. 315). 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. Of Nasciens in peison, and his son Celidotne : and of the cuesed Calafiee 316 
 
 Of Nasciens. How, when he was imprisoned, the cursed Calafier had charge of his lands and him 
 (p. 316), and put him in a dark dungeon and bound him hand and foot, and also confined his 
 young son Celidoine, whose name means ' given to heaven,' (p. 316), and at whose birth at 
 mid-day the sun disappeared, and the moon and stars shone clear (p. 317). On the 17th 
 night of their imprisonment, Nasciens dreams that a hand strikes ofi' his chains. He feels that 
 he is free (p. 317). A light shines and a fair white hand lifts him into the air over the castle 
 of Calafier (p. 319), who is stamped on the right cheek with an angel's hand, and on the left 
 with his foot (p. 322). Calafier orders water to be thrown on his right cheek (p. 324), and is 
 then carried up to the battlements of his castle, from which he orders Celidoine to be thrown 
 (p. 326). When Celidoine is in mid-air, nine hands catch him, and bear him oflF (p. 327). 
 Vengeance on Calafier is proclaimed from Heaven (p. 328). A thunderbolt strikes the castle, 
 and Calafier 's body flies in pieces (p. 328). The report of his death, and of Nasciens's deli- 
 verance, get abroad (p. 329) ; the barons go to Queen Sarracynte to ask pardon for imprison- 
 ing her brother (p. 329) ; and she sends five messengers out to seek him (p. 330). 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. Of Nasciens's wife, Flegentyne, and how she sets out to seek him 331 
 
 Of Nasciens's wife, Flegentyne. How beautiful and good she was, and how she loved her husband 
 (p. 331-2). She is dispossessed of her lands, and takes refuge with an old trusty knight, 
 Carsopines, to whom she has been kind (p. 332-3). He puts his goods and life at her dis- 
 
 /2 
 
XXXvi CONTENTS. 
 
 posal (p. 333) ; but she sorrows for her lord and her son. Queen Sarracynte asks her to come 
 to her, that they may comfort one another (p. 334) ; but she refuses, so Sarracynte goes to 
 fetch her (p. 334). Wlien they meet, their grief bm-sts out afresh (p. 334-5); but Sarracynte 
 recovers first, and entreats Flegentyne to return with her (p. 335) ; Flegentyne again refuses, 
 saying she must stop with her old knight (p. 335). She still sorrows (p. 336), till she hears 
 that her lord, Nasciens, and her son, had escaped out of prison (p. 337). She dreams that a 
 voice says they are in the West (p. 337) ; and asks a provost of the church what her dream 
 means (p. 338) ; then she asks the old knight, and he advises that they set out, with his son 
 Helycaors as their yeoman, to seek Nasciens and his son (p. 339-340). Flegentyne agrees; the 
 knight gets money, &c. (p. 341) ; and the three start (p. 342), with four horses, towards 
 Sarras, journeying westwards (p. 343); they come to the river Arecuse, lodge near the Castle 
 of EmeHanz, and enter Calamyne (p. 344). 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. History of the Yl Torneawnt ; and Nasciens's Visions there 346 
 Of Nasciens on the " Yl Torneawnt." How the hand bore Nasciens to a Turning Island, the name 
 and nature of which it is the duty of the History to expound (p. 347). [The exposition 
 accordingly in the French MS. only. At the beginning of all things, when God separated the 
 four elements, he set the heavens above the earth and sea as a covering, as they were contrary 
 to one another, the heavens being hot and light, and earth cold and heavy (p. 348). And, 
 because the foul earth touched heaven and dirtied it, God divided them, making the heavens 
 clear and warm, and the earth cold and heavy. The dross of the elements, the rust of the 
 earth, and the sediment of the sea could not mix with earth and water, nor with the heavens, 
 for they were foul and the heavens pure ; and the flame from heaven could not return to it, as 
 being corrupted. (So little from the air was in the mass, that it need not be noticed.) There- 
 fore, as the mass could not go to any one of its element-sources, fire or heaven, earth or 
 water, it stopped in two, earth and water. For God willed it should be in the sea, and 
 because one part was from heaven it swam lightly, and floated into the Western Sea, between 
 Ovagrive [MS. ou a griue] and Tiger's Harbour, where was great store of adamant or load- 
 stone, which loves iron above all things, and will not leave it when it once gets hold of it, 
 unless it is obliged to. So, when this mass of shakings came to the place of the adamant, it 
 stopt (p. 348). And its heavenly heat made the whole mass light, and the mass remained in 
 the sea, and was called an island (p. 349). But no herb or tree or beast or bird was on it. 
 Also the isle turned every time that the firmament or heaven turned ; and this is why it was 
 called Tl Torneawnt (p. 349).] How, when Nasciens awoke from his swoon, he was much 
 abashed, but stiU stedfast in his belief, like Job (p. 349). How he bore all his troubles as 
 patiently as Job, and thanked God (p. 350). How the Turning Isle was barren and very hot 
 (p. 350), and Nasciens was weary and bruised, and so lay down to sleep, making the sign of 
 the cross (p. 351). He sees in a vision white birds (p. 352), and two come to him, and tell 
 him to fly (p. 352). He perceives that he has wings (p. 352). The birds come again and 
 ask him for his heart to eat. He gives it them, and they rejoice (p. 353), and speak to him 
 (p. 354). On awaking he feels the Isle trembling, and hears a marvellous battle in the sea 
 (p. 354); the Adamant and the Firmament trying which will turn the isle, and the Firmament 
 winning (p. 355). One end of the isle turns down and the other up, though it was eighty 
 
CONTENTS. XXXVll 
 
 miles round and fifty-seven long (p. 355-6) ; which is no lie, for this Holy Story was written 
 by Christ with his own hand (p. 356-7); and He never wrote any thing else but the Law for 
 Moses (p. 357), and the Judgment on the Adulterous Woman (p. 357); which latter is 
 explained (p. 357-8). Then, " what clerk is there so hardye that dar sein openlye that God 
 sethen his uprysinge made ony writinge sauf this blessid storye of Seint Graal ?" (p. 359). If 
 any allege the contrary, " they lyen ful pleyn" (p. 359). 
 
 CHAPTER XXVni. Still of Nasciens on Yl Tobnbawnt ; and of Solomon's Ship, etc. 360 
 
 Still of Nasciens on the Tl Torneawnt. He prays to God for comfort (p. 361). The day dawns, 
 and he sees on the sea a little thing like a swan (p. 362) ; it proves to be a ship, which comes 
 to the island (p. 363) ; he walks to it as fast as, in his disabled state, he can (p. 363) ; and is 
 going on board of it, but sees words warning him not to enter unless he is full of faith 
 (p. 364). He hesitates, but prays to God, makes the sign of the cross, and enters the ship 
 (p. 365-6). He looks about every where, and in the hold sees a white cloth, which he lifts 
 up (p. 367), and finds a bed, vrith a crown of gold at its head, and a sword at his feet 
 (p. 367); a wonderful sword, with two beast's scales in its handle, 1. of the Serpent Papag^oBi, 
 a bone of which will always keep a man warm (p. 368); 2. of the Fish Tortenaus (p. 368), 
 whose bones are so strong, that, if a man holds them, he forgets every thing but the bone, till 
 he lays it down again (p. 368). The handle and scales are covered with a red cloth, and on 
 it is declared that no one shall draw the sword but the one worthiest of all men (p. 369). 
 The letters on the sword-blade say it is only to be drawn by the boldest of men ; any other will be , 
 killed by it (p. 370). Nasciens then looks at the scabbard, which is rose-red, with gold and 
 azure letters on it (p. 370-1) ; and out of it issue a thousand filthy branches (p. 371). The letters 
 say that he who bears the sword, and is girt with the branches, shall ever be safe (p. 371-2). 
 Nasciens turns the sword; the bed quakes (p. 372); the other side of the sword [?] is 
 blood-red, with coal-black letters, saying that he who praises it most here will blame it 
 most in his need (p. 373). Nasciens cannot make out what the scabbard is made of (p. 373), 
 nor does the Story here tell us (p. 374) ; but ' al this schal ben declared sauns delay ' when 
 the right time and place come (p. 375). Now for another mystery : — How, from the bed 
 where the sword and sheath were, three spindles came, joined together (p. 375) ; of which one 
 was white as snow, the second blood-red, and the third emerald-green (p. 375). And, because 
 these things must be explained, therefore the Story proceeds to expound them (p. 375), 
 beginning with Eve and Adam in Paradise, and going on with the Fall, the death of Abel, the 
 building of this ship by carpenters for Solomon and his wife, who look on, and then put the 
 sword, &c. on board of it. {See chapters 29 and 30.) 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. The History of Solomon's Ship, etc. ; and herein of Adam and Eve, etc. 377 
 
 The Episode of Adam and Eve in Paradise, the Tree of Life, the Death of Abel, and the building 
 of a Ship for Solomon and his wife. How Eve the first sinner was tempted by the Devil to 
 eat of the forbidden Tree and pulled ofi' a branch of it (p. 378), and got Adam to eat an apple 
 too (p. 379). How they knew that they were naked, and were ashamed ' each of others' 
 members ' (p. 379). God comes to them and pronounces their doom (p. 379-80), and turns 
 them out of Paradise, Eve carrying the branch of the Forbidden Tree in her hand (p. 380). 
 
XXXVIU CONTENTS. 
 
 She thinks she will always keep the branch in sight, to remind her of her sin (p. 380) ; but, 
 as she has no hutch to put it in, ' for at that tyme was no swich in makyng,' she plants it 
 (p. 381), and by God's grace it takes root (p. 381), and signifies much gladness; for, as by 
 woman Paradise was lost, so by woman (the blessed virgine Maree) it shall be restored to 
 man (p. 381-2). How the branch grew into a great tree, which was wholly white, signifying 
 Virginity (p. 382). Of the difference between maidenhood, purity of body, and virginity, 
 purity of soul and body (p. 382-3). How Eve was a Virgin when she planted the branch of 
 the Tree of Life, and till Adam lay with her at Christ's command (p. 383). They sit grieving 
 under the Tree, and Eve says it is the cause of their grief, and may be called the Tree of 
 Death (p. 383-4). A voice tells them to comfort one another, as life is much nearer them 
 than death (p. 384). They do this, and call the tree The Tree of Life, and plant branches of 
 it (p. 384). One Friday, as they sit under it, a voice commands Adam to know his wife 
 fleshly (p. 385). They are greatly ashamed (p. 385). So Christ pities them, ordains that 
 men shaU restore the Tenth Legion of Angels that were cast into Hell (p. 385-6), and sends 
 Adam and Eve darkness, in which they copulate, and beget Abel the Just (p. 386). The 
 darkness disappears, and, in consequence of the copulation, the white Tree of Life, and all 
 other trees, turn from white to green (p. 387) ; and the Tree of Life, which before was barren, 
 bears flowers and fruit (p. 387) : signifying Abel's good life (p. 387). How Abel gave tithes 
 and his best things to God, but Cain gave his worst (p. 388). And, when they sacrificed, the 
 sweet smoke of Abel's offering went straight to heaven, but the stinking smoke of Cain's 
 spread over the fields (p. 388) ; on which Cain resolves to kill Abel (p. 389). One day Abel 
 goes after his sheep, and lies down and sleeps under the Tree of Life (p. 389). Cain follows 
 him, thinking to kill him unperceived, but Abel sees him and welcomes him (p. 389-90). 
 Cain runs at him with an ' op-courbed knyf,' smites him ' vndir the pappe,' and, — ' vntrewe 
 brother,' — kills him (p. 390), on a Friday, under the tree under which he was begotten 
 (p. 390). How Abel's death signified Christ's, and Cain typified Judas (p. 390-1); ' for it is 
 the condisciown of a cursed man tohaten a good man what that he can' (p. 391). How Christ 
 condemns Cain ' be kyng Davy in the Sawter book' (p. 391). God asks Cain where Abel is 
 (p. 392). Cain covers the body up with leaves and says ' with him have I not for to done' 
 (p. 392). God curses Cain and the earth, but not the Tree of Life, which turned from green 
 to red directly after Abel's death (p. 392-3); and grew very large, but bare no flower or fruit 
 (p. 393). How the tree was held in great reverence by Eve's descendants (p. 393); and how 
 they came to it in times of trouble, and called it the Tree of Counsel and of Comfort (p. 394). 
 How it and its saplings continued beautiful till and after the Deluge, and were called ' Trees 
 of Life ' by all who saw them (p. 394-5). 
 
 CHAPTEE XXX. The Histoey of Solomon's Ship, Ceown, &c., continued . . 396 
 
 The Episode of [the Fall, Abel's death, and] Solomon's buUding the ship, continued. How the 
 Tree of Life continued till the time of Solomon, who was wonderfully wise (p. 397), but was 
 deceived by a woman, and, when much troubled by her, spake his Book of Parables (p. 398), 
 and said that not one good woman could be found in the world (p. 398). One night he 
 declaims against women (p. 399), and a voice reproaches him, and says that a woman of his 
 race shall bring men to greater joy than Eve lost (p. 399-400). Solomon thinks that he was 
 
CONTENTS. XXXIX 
 
 a fool to blame women so, and searches the Scriptures till he knows of the Virgin Mary and 
 her Son (p. 400). A voice tells him that this Son shall come of his line, but of a knight 
 passing all others (p. 401). He is greatly rejoiced, though the Son is not to come for 2,000 
 years (p. 402). His wife asks him to tell her what he has been thinking of (p. 402). He 
 tells her, and on the third night she says she can certify him of the coming knight of his line 
 (p. 403). She says he is to send for all the carpenters in his realm, and order them to make 
 a ship that wiU last for 4,000 years, which she will fit up (p. 403-4). Solomon sends for the 
 carpenters, and orders them to make the ship (p, 404). They say they will do their best, 
 and then they set to work and finish it in half a year (p. 405). Solomon's Queen then tells 
 him that he ought to provide a precious piece of armour for his descendant (p. 405), namely 
 King David's sword (p. 406), to which he is to make a point of precious stones (p. 407), and 
 then a pomel and a sheath ; and she will add the hangings (p. 407). Solomon does as his wife 
 teUs him, and makes the point, handle, and sheath (p. 407-8). He then looks at them, and 
 wishes that no one but the man the sword was made for may draw it without repenting for his 
 deed (p. 408). A voice promises him that it shalLbe so (p. 409). He writes letters on the scab- 
 bard, and makes fine hangings for it; but his wife wiU not have them, and puts foul and weak 
 hangings instead (p 409), which she says a fair maiden (like her who will undo Eve's work) 
 will change into glorious ones (p. 410). A bed is made in the ship, and the sword is put at 
 its foot, and David's crown at its head (p. 410). Solomon's wife takes carpenters to the Tree 
 of Life and its seedlings and orders them to cut off three sprigs, red, white and green, (p. 41 1). 
 They refuse, but at last obey (p. 411-12). Blood springs out of the Tree of Life, and the 
 workmen leave their work, but the Queen makes them finish it (p. 412), and tells Solomon 
 that no one shall see the bed unless he thinks of Abel's death (p. 413). Solomon writes a 
 letter to the knight of his line who is to draw the sword, warning him against the wiles of 
 , women. This he puts into the ship (p. 414). Then he writes an account of the building 
 of the ship, of the bed, spindles, &c. and puts it at the bed's head, under the crown; and then 
 launches the ship (p. 414-15). His wife teUs him to have his pavilions set up on the sea- 
 shore, that they may stay there and see what becomes of the ship (p. 415). This is done, and 
 one night in a dream Solomon sees a man and angels sprinkle the ship with water, and say 
 that it is a type of God's " New House " (p. 416). The man has a warning written to faith- 
 less people not to enter the ship (p. 416-17). Solomon wakes and seeks the man and angels, 
 but cannot speak or go to them (p. 417). A voice tells him that his desire is fulfilled, and 
 this last of his line shall enter the ship and get. the sword (p. 417). The men and angels 
 vanish : Solomon is going on board the ship, but the voice warns him that if he does he shall 
 perish (p. 418). He draws back, and looks at the writing on the ship, charging no man to 
 enter it who has not faith and full belief (p. 418-19). Then he orders his men to put the 
 ship out to sea, and it is soon carried out of their sight (p. 419). 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. Nasciens's account of his Adventures is resumed . . . 420 
 
 Nasciens's account of his Adventures is resumed. How Nasciens could not make out how the 
 Three Spindles were coloured (p. 421); and said that it was by trick (p. 421); whereat the 
 Ship splits in two, and he is nearly drowned. But he reaches the isle of his exile (p. 421), 
 sees the letters on the Ship, and prays to God to forgive him his sin (p. 422) ; then he lies 
 
xl CONTENTS. 
 
 down on the ground and goes to sleep (p. 423). In the morning he wakes, and prays to God 
 to protect him from his enemy (p. 423). He looks to the east, and sees a vessel with an old 
 man in it, which comes within two lance-lengths of the isle, but no nearer (p. 424). The 
 vessel is richly ornamented (p. 425). Nasciens salutes the old man in it, who tells him that 
 Calafer is dead (p. 425-6). He at first doubts this, but, being rebuked (p. 426), believes the 
 man (p. 427), and asks the meaning of the Ship and the writing on it (p. 428). The old man 
 explains that the Ship typifies Holy Church (p. 428), and the Writings forbid men to enter it 
 unless they are cleansed from sin by confession of mouth and repentance of heart (p. 429). 
 Therefore men must found themselves on Christ (p. 429-80); and Holy Church is here for 
 their sustenance, and keeps them from deadly sin, purifying them like gold seven times refined 
 (p. 430). Nest, of the bed; it means the Sacramental Table (p. 430-1), 'the Cros that 
 Crist was on crucified in Ivrie londe,' the place where he liked to rest (p. 431). Further, as to 
 the Spindles (p. 431): the white one means the Virginity of Christ and his mother (p. 432); 
 the red one, the Charity or Love of Christ, in giving the greatest gift, his body, for man's 
 redemption (p. 432). The green spindle means Patience, which ever remains in a man's 
 heart (p. 433). And these three Virtues give victory over all enemies (p. 433); and 
 were present vrith Christ at his death (p. 433). Nasciens now goes to sleep, and dreams 
 that a serpent attacks him, and that a little worm kills it (p. 434). He awakes in wonder 
 (p. 435). 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. Of Celidoyne's Adventures, and his inteepeeting Label's fiest Vision 436 
 
 Celidoyne's adventures. How, when the Nine Hands bore him from Calafer, he was carried to an 
 island, five days' sail from Nasciens's isle (p. 437), and it was very wild, and ' feeble comfort' 
 for him (p. 437). A thunderstorm comes on, and Celidoyne gets into a cave (p. 438). Two 
 ships come to the island, and an old mariner laments the hard fate of their crews (p. 438-9). 
 Another tells him not to fear (p. 439). Cehdoyne approaches them : they are heathen Per- 
 sians, and are going, under their king Label, to fight the Syrians (p. 439). Label described: 
 he hates Christians (p. 439-40). He has his pavilions pitched on the shore (p. 440). Celi- 
 doyne talks to his attendants, and they take him to King Label (p. 440), who treats him 
 kindly and asks who he is (p. 440-1). Celidoyne tells him (p. 441). Label says he knows 
 Evalach, and is sorry to hear that he has changed his faith (p. 441). Celidoyne tells Label 
 how he was delivered from Calafer (p. 442). Label wonders at the boy, and makes him a 
 knight, and lets him lie by him (p. 442-3) ; and tells his Council that he should like to marry 
 Celidoyne to his daughter (p. 443). Label then goes to bed, and has a vision of a Tree from 
 which flowers grow, and of a Fiery Serpent which destroys the tree and flowers (p. 443-4). 
 In the morning the king's guards tell him they have caught a lion (p. 444). They then wake 
 Cehdoyne and take him to the king (p. 444). Label orders his Council to be called, tells 
 them his dream, and asks them to interpret it (p. 444-5). They consult, but cannot (p. 445). 
 Celidoyne then rises, and tells the king that he will explain it to him (p. 446). Celidoyne 
 then tells Label what he saw (p. 446), and declares that the Meadow means the World, which 
 is pleasant to sinners, who think that it will abide with them for ever (p. 446-7) ; but, as the 
 meadow is scorched by the sun, so will mankind be when the soul leaves the body (p. 447). 
 As to the Tree, it signifies man's person, even Label's, which is feeble and poor (p. 447). And 
 
CONTENTS. xli 
 
 of the Flowers, there is an unfading one, the Virgin Mary (p. 447) ; her, Label did not see, 
 but only fading ones, Bounty, Prowess, Courtesy (p. 448), of which and other virtues he has 
 many, but not devoted to the service of God (p. 448). The Heap of Earth signifies the mass 
 of man's sins (p. 449) ; and Label has heaped sin on sin daily since his birth (p. 449). The 
 Serpent signifies the death of the soul, which comes to those who will not turn from the joys 
 of earth (p. 450). Celidoyne then says that he will tell Label of a secret deed done by him 
 (p. 450), and warns him that he will die within four days (p. 451). Celidoyne then tells 
 Label that God commands him to turn Christian, and as a sign tells him that he, Label, had 
 secretly murdered his sister on the 1st of May, for refusing to let him lie with her, and had 
 cast her body into the sea (p. 451). Label says no earthly man could have known this 
 (p. 452). He has his bed made ready; gives Celidoyne in charge to his barons (p. 452); 
 goes to bed (p. 452), and makes long and grievous lamentations (p. 452-6), calling himself a 
 poor caitiff, who shall die like the poorest man (p. 453). And where shall he then go ? What 
 shall he take with him ? (p. 453). He has nothing to meet death with, and none can tell him 
 what he shall be after death (p. 454). Therefore, let him remember his life, and choose now for 
 endless joy or pain, knowing that this world's joy is but sorrow and mourning (p. 454-5). 
 Wretch that he is; yet God has warned him (p. 455). And so he falls asleep (p. 456). 
 
 CHAPTER XXXHL Of King Label's second Vision and its Interpeetation. Of his Death 457 
 
 King Label's Vision in his Sleep, and Celidoyne's Interpretation thereof. Label dreams that he is 
 on a broad highway, where felons take all the passers-by, rob them, and put them in prison 
 (p. 458). A seemly man accompanies him along the road, and suddenly disappears (p. 458-9). 
 He enters on a little path, full of trees and flowers, and hears a voice calling all people to 
 wash and eat meat in the High City above (p 459). Label goes on, and comes to a high 
 mountain, and a fair fountain where the people are washing themselves (p. 460). He does 
 not wash, but goes on to the City, and wants to enter (p. 460), but cannot, because he has not 
 washed in the fountain (p. 460). He looks through a wicket in the door, and sees at the 
 table the sister whom he had murdered (p. 460). She tells him to wash, and then eat with 
 them (p. 461). He goes back to do it, but the thieves lay hold of him, and drag him to a 
 house in a desert valley (p. 461), where foul people are, and which is filthy, black, and full of 
 weeping and crying (p. 462). Label is in such a fright at this dream, that he roars for help, 
 and all his lords rush to him (p. 462). Two of them ask him what ails him (p. 462) ; he 
 says he has seen marvels in a dream, of which he must know the meaning, and orders Celi- 
 doyne to be brought before him (p. 463). The lords wake Celidoyne, and bring him to 
 Label, who asks him to expound what he shall tell him (p. 463). Celidoyne promises to do 
 so, by the help of God (p. 463), and threatens Label with endless darkness if he will not obey 
 him (p. 464). Label kneels to him, and promises to do all he is told to do (p. 464). Celi- 
 doyne then expounds Label's dream to him : The Broad Eoad is the Old Law (p. 464), the 
 Bobbers are the Devil, the Fair Guide is Jesus Christ, who took pity on Label as he had once 
 pitied him (p. 465). Again, as a ship at sea in a storm, without captain or pilot, is driven 
 hither or thither on the broad sea, and can only be helped by God (p. 465-6), so is a man on 
 the broad road of sin in which Label has walked; but God can bring him out of it (p. 466). 
 As to the Green Way, it is the New Law (p. 466); and the Strait Way shows that they who 
 
 9 
 
xlii CONTENTS. 
 
 are in it wish not to leave it, but to obey God's commandments, whicb forbid sin (p. 467). 
 The Green Trees are the Pastors of Holy Church (p. 467). The Voice calling all people to 
 come and eat, is God's Grace (p. 467). The Well in the Mountain is God on his Throne 
 (p. 467), and the Unction of Baptism (p. 468). The City is Paradise. The refusal to admit 
 him, when unwashed, into the City, shows that he (Label) cannot be God's child till he is 
 christened (p. 468). The desert lands are Label's wicked works (p. 469). The dark black 
 house is Hell, to which Label will go unless he amends his life (p. 470). Label promises to 
 do whatever Celidoyne tells him (p. 470). Celidoyne tells him to go to a hermit in a forest 
 close by, and be baptized (p. 470-1). Label says he is willing, but asks his knights what 
 they advise. They declare that they will not forsake their faith (p. 471). Celidoyne then 
 dresses Label in poor clothes, and they go off to the hermit's abode (p. 471-2). They reach 
 it at night, and the hermit is surprised to see them ; but embraces Celidoyne (p. 472), and 
 rejoices to hear the cause of their coming (p. 473). All night he teaches Label what belongs 
 to holiness, and tells of the lives of holy men (p. 473). On the morrow the hermit fills a 
 hollow stone with water, puts the king in it (p. 474), and baptizes him (p. 475). He then 
 asks the king's followers if they will be baptized. They say No (p. 475). Label is clothed 
 in a white robe, and thanks Cehdoyne for saving him (p. 475). He then tells his knights 
 that he forsakes them, and will take to his new life (p. 476). They are cast down at this, but 
 seize Celidoyne and carry him off (p. 476). He tells Label to remain with the hermit, and 
 not to fear for him, as his God will protect him itom all perils (p. 477). On the morrow, 
 Label dies, and goes to the bliss of heaven, and Christ works miracles for him on those who 
 seek him (p. 477). 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. Of the Meeting again of Celidoyne, Nasciens, and Moedeeins . 478 
 
 Of the Meeting again of Celidoyne and Nasciens, and then of Mordreins with them. How Label's 
 host are angry at Celidoyne's having converted Label, and take counsel to put Celidoyne to 
 death (p. 479). A knight proposes to put him into a little boat, with the lion they caught in 
 the island, and nothing else, and send him out to sea (p. 480). They do this. Celidoyne 
 makes the sign of the Cross over the lion, and tells the men that they shall all perish and 
 never reach home (p. 480-1). Celidoyne is blown about the sea with the lion for three days, 
 and on the fourth he sees the fair ship with the royal sword that Nasciens had seen (p. 481). 
 He boards her, and sees the bed, crown, and spindles (p. 481-2). The lion and boat vanish, 
 and Celidoyne lies down to sleep (p. 482). "When he wakes, he finds that he is at an isle, and 
 sees his father Nasciens asleep (p. 483). Nasciens wakes, embraces his son, and they make 
 great rejoicing (p. 483). Celidoyne teUs his father how he escaped from Calafier, and was 
 carried to an isle where King Label was (p. 484) ; and how Label had a vision, and was chris- 
 tened; and the rest of his adventures. Nasciens thanks God, and they leave the island 
 (p. 484). A storm rages for three days, and on the fourth ceases (p. 485-6); they see a ship, 
 and find Mordreins there (p. 487). Nasciens hails him, and Mordreins is so overjoyed that 
 he cannot speak, but jumps on board Nasoiens's ship, kisses him, and entreats him to tell his 
 adventures (p. 487). Nasciens tells how he was imprisoned, and by God's grace brought to 
 a desert isle which turned to and fro every day and every night (p. 488); also, of his going 
 into a ship that split in two, and of another ship, and a sweet-speaking old man ; and all the 
 
CONTENTS. xliii 
 
 rest of his tribulations (p. 489). He tells Mordreins that more wonders shall happen with the 
 sword. Mordreins admires the sword (p. 489), and as he holds the blade in one hand, and 
 the pommel in the other, the two parts join (p. 490). They hear a great noise, and a voice 
 tells them to go out of the ship (p. 490). Mordreins and Celidoyne do so, but Nasciens is late, 
 and a sword cuts him through the left shoulder (p. 490). He swoons ; the others go to raise 
 him, and weep (p. 49 1 ) ; he recovers, and thanks God for thus chastising him as a son (p. 49 1 ). 
 The ship remains becalmed for four days, and the story returns (vol. ii.) to the five messengers 
 whom Sarracynte sent out to find Nasciens (p. 492). 
 
 CONTENTS OF APPENDIX, 
 
 The earlier French Verse Eomanz de l'Estoee dou Geaal. 
 
 Ivet all sinners know, that, before Christ came, prophets foretold his coming and his sufferings. And 
 then, Adam and Eve, and every one, good and bad, went to Hell, and the Devil thought he 
 had them safe. Then Christ came on earth, and was born of the Virgin, who was full of all 
 goodness and beauty, and like the rose-tree, as she bare the sweet rose within her womb. She 
 was daughter and mother of God. Joachin was her father, and Anne her mother (p. 1). 
 When Joachym was in the desert, an angel tells him that his wife Anne shall have a daughter, 
 the Virgin Mary, who shall be sinless. He is to go home and be with his wife. For the 
 people that God made must be brought out of hell. So God redeemed us by the Father, Son, 
 and Holy Ghost, three in one. The son took flesh, showing his humility when he died to save 
 us, and deliver us from the Devil who betrayed us by Eve. How Eve gave Adam an apple, 
 and he eat it, and knew that he and his wife were naked ; then they sewed fig-leaves together 
 and God cast them out of Paradise. Eve bore a child, and all of them were in the power of 
 the Devil till God sent Christ to save them. He took flesh, and was born in Bethlehem, 
 (p. 2). To resume ; Christ was baptized in Jordan, and said that those who believe and are 
 baptized, shall be saved. (And Holy Church has the like power, as St. Peter gives order to 
 all Church ministers.) So the Devil lost his power, and his prisoners for 5000 years were 
 rescued. Christ wills St. Peter to order a second Baptism, Confession. When Christ was on 
 earth, Judea was under Eome, and Pilate governed it. A soldier of Pilate's, with five knights, 
 loves Christ, but dares not show it for fear of the Jews. Jesus has few disciples, one bad. The 
 Jews talk of how they may torture him. Judas, who took tithe, and was senescal over the 
 disciples, grew envious, and the others disliked him. How chamberlains then took a tenth of 
 all gifts to their lords (p. 3). Mary Magdalene comes to Simon's house, kneels at Christ's feet, 
 washes them with her tears, and wipes them with her hair, and anoints them with ointment, 
 and the house is fiUed with its fragrance. Judas is enraged; he has lost thirty pence by it, 
 Christ's enemies are assembled under Caiaphas, and Judas goes to them. (Joseph of Arima- 
 thea is among them.) They suspect Judas at first, thinking him loyal to Christ. Judas asks 
 
 ^2 
 
Xliv CONTENTS OP THE EARLIER HISTORY OP THE GrRAAL. 
 
 why. They ask him where Jesus is. He tells them, and offers to sell Him, if they'll buy. 
 He agrees to betray Christ for thirty pence. A Jew pays them to him, and so he gets his 
 ointment-tithe back. Judas tells them how to take Christ. The priests are not to mistake 
 James for Jesus, but to take the man whom Judas kisses (p. 4). On Thursday Jesus is in 
 Simon's house, at the Last Supper, and tells them that one who eats with him shall betray 
 him. Judas asks who it is. Christ says ' You.' Jesus washes the disciples' feet. St. John 
 asks why He has washed their feet. Christ says, for an example to Peter. That as, though 
 the water was dirtied by the feet first washed, yet it has washed the others' feet as clean as 
 the first, so Peter and the Ministers of the Church, though sinful, can cleanse sinners who wish 
 to obey God, so that nothing can hurt them. While Christ was in Simon's house, Judas takes 
 the Jews there. The disciples are dismayed. Judas kisses Christ. The Jews seize Him. 
 Judas says, ' Hold Him tight, he's very strong.' A Jew takes away the vessel in which Christ 
 performed his Sacrament. Jesus is taken to Pilate, and the Jews accuse Him, but cannot 
 condemn him (p. 5). Pilate finds no cause for death in him. The Jews cry, ' His blood be 
 on us and on our children.' Pilate washes his hands, and says that, as they are clean, so is 
 he clean of the wrong judgment on the just. The Jew who has the vessel gives it to Pilate, 
 who puts it away safely, till he is told that they have killed Jesus. Joseph of (Arimathea) is 
 angry, and goes to Pilate, and says, ' I and my five knights have served you long without pay, 
 but you have promised me a gift. Now give me one.' Pilate says he will. Joseph asks for 
 the body of Jesus. Pilate wonders he has asked for so little, and gives him the body, telling 
 him to take it. Joseph goes to the Cross, and tells the watch that Pilate has given him the 
 body. They will not let him take it, as Christ said he should rise again on the third day. 
 Joseph goes back and complains to Pilate (p. 6). Pilate is angry, and sends Nichodemus with 
 orders to get Joseph the body, and he gives Joseph the vessel (or Graal). Joseph returns to 
 the Cross with Nichodemus, who goes to a smith's, and gets pincers and a hammer. Nicho- 
 demus tells the Jews Pilate has given Joseph Christ's body, and, as it is dead, they ought to 
 let him have it. They say that Christ will rise again, and that they will not give him up. 
 Nichodemus declares that he will have him. They go off to Pilate. Nichodemus and 
 Joseph take Christ down from the Cross, and wash him clean, which makes the blood flow 
 from his wounds. Joseph puts the blood in the Graal. Joseph wraps up the body and puts 
 it in a rock, covering it with a stone, which we call ' tomb' (p. 7). The Jews speak to Pilate, 
 who orders them to watch day and night that Christ's disciples do not steal his body. The 
 Jews set a watch at the sepulchre. Christ goes to Hell and frees his friends. Eve and Adam, 
 and all good people. And then He rises again, and appears to Mary and his apostles. His 
 disciples saw Him, and their other dead friends, who had risen with Him. The Jews consult, 
 as the affair goes badly for them. The guards say the body is not where it was put. As 
 Joseph was the cause of this, and Nichodemus, the Jews resolve to seize Joseph and Nicho- 
 demus. Nichodemus is warned by a friend, and escapes. When the Jews find this, they 
 break into Joseph's house (p. 8), and take him, and ask what he has done with Jesus. He 
 says, he left the body in the tomb to their knights, and went home. They accuse him of 
 taking the body away. He denies it. The Jews put Joseph into a deep dungeon, horrible 
 and dark. Pilate is angry at it. Joseph is badly treated by the world, but God does not 
 forget him. Christ comes into the prison with the Graal, and it lights the dungeon. And 
 
CONTENTS OF THE EAELIEB, HISTORY OF THE GRAAL. xlv 
 
 Joseph is filled with the grace of the Holy Ghost when he sees the vessel. Christ tells him 
 not to fear. Joseph asks Christ who He is. Christ answers, ' I am the Son of God, sent on 
 earth by Him to save sinners from infernal torment. I came to save the work of my Father, 
 which was damned through Adam's eating the apple, for which God drove him from Paradise 
 (p. 9). Eve bare a child, and it and all others the Devil had in his power till I, the Son, was 
 born. By woman was man cursed, and by her restored. This is why I came on earth and 
 shed my blood.' ' What,' said Joseph, ' are you Jesus whom Judas sold for thirty pence, and 
 who was crucified, and buried by me ?' ' Yes. Believe it, and be saved.' Joseph says, 
 ' Have pity on me. I am here for you. I have always loved you, though I was with those 
 who plotted your death.' Christ says that Joseph was his good friend, and He knew he would 
 help him at need, and get His body from Pilate. The good are Christ's, and He theirs. 
 Joseph shall have everlasting life, for none know the love Christ bears him : he loved Christ 
 secretly, and the love shall be shown openly, to the confusion of the evil Jews. And Joseph 
 shall have the Graal (p. 10). Christ shows Joseph the Holy Graal. Joseph recognises it, 
 and wonders, as he had hidden it in his house. He kneels, and thanks Christ for it. Christ 
 gives the Holy Vessel in charge to him, and he is to give it only to three persons, in the name 
 of the Trinity. Joseph takes the Graal which God held, — ^the sinners' salvation. No sacra- 
 ment shall ever be held without remembrance of Joseph. Christ explains the Sacrament of 
 the Altar. The bread and wine are His flesh and blood. His tomb is the Altar. His grave- 
 cloth, the Corporal. The Graal is the Chalice. The tomb-stone, the cup-platten. All who 
 see the Graal shall be Christ's, and have joy eternal; shall be pleasing to God, and shall never 
 be beaten in battle. (This, I, the writer, only know from The Great Book, written by great 
 clerks, where the secrets of the Graal are told) (p. 11). Joseph takes the Vessel Christ tells 
 him that he is to believe in the Blessed Mother of God, and the Holy Spirit will speak with 
 him; for He (Christ) must go, but Joseph is not to fear; his deliverance will be a wonder to 
 aU, and the Holy Ghost will be with him. Joseph is left in prison, and no talk is made of 
 him, tiU a pilgrim — who lived in Judea when Christ was doing miracles, making the blind see, 
 raising three dead men to life, and was then crucified — tiU this pilgrim came to Eome when 
 Vespasian, the Emperor's son, was a leper, and was kept in a tower, having his food put 
 through a little window. The pilgrim's landlord tells him about the Emperor's son, how he 
 was a leper, and asks him whether he had found any thing to cure Vespasian (p. 12). The 
 pilgrim tells him of Christ's cures, how God wrought for Him, healing the sick, giving the 
 blind sight, making rotten men whole. And how the rich Jews hated Him. The landlord 
 asks the healer's name. The pilgrim says, Jesus of Nazareth : and His enemies took Him, 
 stripped Him, beat Him, and crucified Him. But, if He were alive. He could cure Vespasian. 
 Jesus was killed because men hated Him, in Judea, tinder Pilate, a deputy of the Roman 
 Emperor. And all this the pilgrim will tell to the Emperor Cesar. The landlord tells the 
 Emperor the pilgrim's story. He wonders whether it can be true, and sends for the pilgrim, 
 who goes to him (p. 13) The pilgrim tells the Emperor the story (of Christ), and the Em- 
 peror tells it to his Court, who think that Pilate would never have allowed Christ to be cruci- 
 fied. A friend of Pilate's defends him. The Court tell the pilgrim to recount the fair 
 miracles of Jesus He does, and says that he'd lay his head that the Emperor's son could be 
 cured if He were in Judea ; and, if any thing of Christ's could be brought to Eome, Vespasian 
 
xlvl CONTEIS^TS OF THE BARLIBB HISTORY OB THB GRAAL. 
 
 would be cured. The Court do not know how to save Pilate. The pilgrim proposes to be 
 put in guard while they send to Judea and see if his story is not true. If not, let his head be 
 cut off. They put him in guard. The Emperor says, it is well to send, as it would be good 
 to be able to cure his son. Vespasian rejoices at the news (p. 14). Vespasian's pains go. 
 He prays his father to send to Judea and ask if he can be cured, and got out of his vile prison. 
 The Emperor orders all Jews, and specially Filate, to tell his messengers all about Jesus' death 
 and his murderers. The Emperor sends his wisest man to inquire into the matter, and orders 
 that, if Jesus is dead, something of His must be brought back to Rome. He threatens Pilate. 
 The messengers depart, and cross the sea. Pilate's friend teUs him that he has hanged a man 
 without trying him — a great crime to commit — and that the Emperor's messengers have come 
 about it. Pilate collects his men to meet the messengers and receive them with honour. He 
 falls in with them at Arimathea, and one gives him the Emperor's letter, telling the pilgrim's 
 story. Pilate says he knows all that's in it. The messengers think he must clear himself, or 
 be killed. He calls them into a room (p. 16). Pilate closes the room, and tells the messen- 
 gers of Christ's childhood, ' how the Jews hated Him, and called Him a rebel, though He 
 healed the sick ; also how they bought Him of Judas, and took Him at Simon's, brought Him 
 to me (Pilate), and asked me to condemn Him to death. I said I would not. • They got 
 angry, and said they would kill Him. I said, how could I answer to my lord if I did so, and 
 he were to ask about it. On them and their children was Jesus' blood to be, they said. So 
 they took Him, beat and bound Him, and crucified Him. But, that they might know I would 
 be clean from their great sin, I washed my hands before them, and said I was as clean 
 from the death of Jesus as my hands just washed were. A good knight of mine asked for 
 Christ's body — Joseph was his name — and he took Christ down from the cross, and put Him 
 in his own tomb. Since then I've never seen or heard of him : he may be killed, drowned, or 
 in prison.' The messengers think Pilate not so wrong as they expected (p. 16). The mes- 
 sengers think Pilate will clear himself before the Emperor, but they desire that within a 
 month the Jews assemble to meet them. Pilate sends his messengers through all Judea, to 
 call the Jews together to talk with the Emperor's messengers. He also tries to find something 
 that belonged to Christ. The Jews assemble. Pilate asks leave to speak to them first, and 
 tells them that the messengers want to know who Christ was, who made Himself Lord of their 
 Law, and that he (Pilate) had said they had killed Him. The Jews say they did kUl Him 
 because he made Himself their king. And Pilate was wrong enough not to judge Him. So 
 as they would have no king but Caesar, they put Him to death themselves. Pilate says he had 
 no power over them. The messengers ask if Pilate forbade them to kill Christ. The Jews 
 say that they pledged themselves to hold Pilate harmless, or he would not have suffered Christ 
 to die (p. 17)- The messengers think Pilate not greatly to blame, and ask who Christ was. 
 They say He wrought miracles, and was an enchanter. The messengers ask for something of 
 Christ's. One Jew knows a woman who has His Likeness. Her name is Verrine. She is 
 sent for, and comes. Pilate receives her graciously, and asks her'-tb show him the Likeness that 
 she worships. Verrine says she hasn't any likeness of Christ. Then the Emperor's messengers 
 come, and tell Verrine their errand, and promise her rewards if she has any thing to cure 
 Vespasian ; they wish to buy her likeness of Jesus. Verrine sees she cannot conceal her 
 having it, but she will never sell it, though, if they will swear to take nothing from her, she 
 
CONTENTS OF THE EARLIER HISTORY OE THE GRAAL. xlvii 
 
 will go to Rome with the Likeness (p. 18). The messengers say they will swear this, but ask 
 to see the Likeness. Verrine tells the messengers to wait; then she goes home, gets the 
 Likeness, and returns with it. She tells them to sit down, but on seeing the Likeness they 
 aie obliged to get up again. Verrine tells them how Christ's face came on her kerchief. It 
 was on her arm when she met Christ. The Jews asked her to lend it them. She wiped 
 Christ's face with it, as He sweated so. (They beat Him, but He complained not). When 
 she got home, she found the Likeness on the kerchief, and she is willing to take it to Vespasian. 
 The messengers thank her, and take her to Rome. The Emperor asks if the pilgrim told the 
 truth. ' Yes' (p. 19). ' Then, have you brought aught of Christ's ?' ' Yes, one thing,' and 
 the messengers tell their doings. The Emperor praises them, and goes to Verrine, who shows 
 him the Likeness. He bows down three times to it, and takes it to his son's room. Vespasian 
 is cured by the kerchief, and asks what has. cured him. He orders his room to be broken 
 open, and is found healed of his leprosy. The pilgrim is taken out of prison, and enriched, 
 as is Verrine. Vespasian declares that Christ's murderers shall rue His death ; and tells his 
 father that Christ is King over him and all (p. 20). Vespasian asks leave to avenge Christ's 
 death. Titus gives it him. They take the Likeness called Veronica, a precious relic at 
 Eome. Vespasian and Titus go to Judea, and send for Pilate, who puts himself at Vespasian's 
 disposal. Vespasian says he has come to revenge Christ's death. Pilate is much afraid, and, 
 to clear himself, suggests that Vespasian shall put him in prison, and tell the Jews this is 
 for his forbidding Christ's death. It is done. The Jews are called together; Vespasian 
 questions them about Christ. They answer, that Pilate supported Him, but they thought He 
 ought to die (p. 21). Vespasian says he has put Pilate in prison, but he wants to know who 
 was most against Christ, and hated Him most. The Jews rejoice at Pilate's punishment, and 
 tell Vespasian how Jesus made Himself king, and how Judas betrayed Him. They show 
 Vespasian the man who paid the thirty pence, and the men who took Christ, and complain 
 that PUate would not condemn Him, though they took His blood on themselves and their 
 children. Vespasian has them seized and confined. He releases Pilate, and acquits him, but 
 says he'll destroy the Jews. Vespasian ties thirty Jews to horses' tails, and tells the others, 
 that, unless Jesus is restored alive, they shall aU die (p. 22). ' "We gave Him up to Joseph. 
 If you get Joseph, you'll get Christ's body.' Pilate says, they put guards over the body, as 
 Christ said He'd rise on the third day; and they feared lest his disciples should take away the 
 body, and pretend He had risen, and so lead people from their law. Vespasian kills many 
 Jews and burns some. One Jew offers to find Joseph if he and his family's lives are spared. 
 Vespasian agrees, and the Jew takes him to the tower where Joseph is. Vespasian asks why 
 Joseph was put there. ' Because he took away Christ's body ; for which we agreed to take his life, 
 and be quit of Jesus and him.' Vespasian asks if they killed Joseph before putting him in prison 
 (p. 23). ' No ; but he must be dead now.' Vespasian says that Jesus, who cured him, would not 
 have let Joseph die. Vespasian looks into the prison, and calls Joseph ; then asks for a rope, and 
 is let down into Joseph's prison. Vespasian in Joseph's prison sees a light, and goes to it. Joseph 
 welcomes Vespasian by name, to his astonishment, and tells him that he is Joseph of Arima- 
 thea. Vespasian blesses God for it, and asks Joseph who it was that cured him (Vespasian) 
 of his leprosy. Joseph says he will tell him, but he (Vespasian) must believe on Him. 
 (p. 24). The healer was the Holy Ghost who created all things, and archangels and angels ; 
 
xlviii CONTENTS OF THE EAELIEB, HISTORY OF THE GRAAL. 
 
 of whom some were bad, full of pride and hatred and sin. So God cast them out. Three 
 generations fell into Hell ; three on Earth. Those who fell into Hell torment souls there ; and 
 those on Earth torment women and men. The other three generations stayed in the Air, and 
 dart darts at men to turn them from well-doing. These brought on earth evil, strife, and 
 anger. The other angels who remained in Heaven cannot sin. Instead of the bad angels 
 God made man, beauteous as Himself, able to go and come, and speak and see; and meant to 
 fill the lost angels' seats in Paradise. Then God made the man a vpife, and called them Adam 
 and Eve. When the Enemy saw that man would take his place in heaven, he tempted Eve 
 by the apple, and made Adam eat too (p. 25) ; so they lost Paradise, and had to till and sweat. 
 The Devil wanted to have all men ; but God, to save His work, sent his Son — who was born of 
 the Virgin sinlessly, vyrought miracles, and was crucified — to buy us from the pains of Hell. 
 The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are all one person, who has cured Vespasian, and sent him 
 to see if He has kept Joseph safe. Vespasian professes belief in the Triiiity. Joseph tells 
 him to seek Christ's disciples who preserve His words, as He is risen with our flesh glorified 
 to Paradise. Vespasian is converted, and tells his people to destroy the tower, as Joseph is 
 safe. Joseph and Vespasian are drawn up out of the prison (p. 26). The Jews are confounded. 
 Vespasian asks them for Christ. They say they gave Him to Joseph. Joseph tells the Jews 
 that Christ has risen, after going to Hell, and releasing his friends. Vespasian puts the Jew 
 who had shown him Joseph's prison, out to sea. Vespasian asks Joseph how he can be saved. 
 ' By beheving on Christ, that is, the Trinity.' Vespasian offers to sell thirty Jews for a penny. 
 Joseph has a sister Enygeus, whose husband is Hebron or Brons, and they rejoice that he is 
 ahve. Joseph is glad when he sees them, and tells them to serve and love Christ, in whom 
 all should believe. Then he proclaims that he ^viIl rescue from Vespasian all who will believe 
 in Christ. They agree to do all he wishes (p. 27). Joseph tells them to leave their lands and go 
 abroad with him. They agree to do this ; and Joseph gets Vespasian to pardon them. He 
 sets out with them, and dwells in distant lands, teaching them, and all for a time goes well. 
 But afterwards Joseph's followers suffer; all their labour turns to ill, from one sole sin. They 
 complain to Hebron : ' No people ever suffered as we do. Tell Joseph : we and our little ones 
 are dying of hunger.' Hebron pities them. They say they have suffered long; let him ask 
 Joseph if it is for their sins or his. Hebrons tells Joseph of his people's distress, and begs 
 him to pray Christ to teU him the cause. Joseph fears he has offended God, and kneels 
 before the Graal (p. 28). Joseph asks Christ why His followers suffer. The voice from the 
 Holy Ghost tells Joseph that he is not in fault, but that he is to set the Graal before his 
 people ; and is to remember how Christ would not speak of his sufferings before the Last 
 Supper, when Judas departed, whose place Joseph is to fiU. Joseph is to prepare another 
 table, and Bron is to catch a fish, which Joseph is to put on the table, with the Graal in the 
 middle. Joseph is then to call his people together, and the sinners among them will be 
 known (p. 29). Joseph is to sit where Christ sat at the Supper, with Bron on his right. Then 
 Bron shall draw back as from the seat of Judas, which shall not be filled till Enygeus's son 
 by Brons is born, and fills it. This done, Joseph is to call his people to him, and tell them, if 
 they have believed the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and have kept all God's commands and 
 teachings, and the three virtues, and have not broken any, to sit down to the grace of God. 
 Joseph does all he has been told, and calls the people ; part sit down, part do not ; all the 
 
CONTENTS OP THE EAELIER HISTORY OF THE (JRAAL. xlix 
 
 places are filled but one: the sitters are filled with peace, the others not. Petrus asks the 
 others if they feel no good, ' None.' ' Then you are defiled with the vile sin that you made 
 Joseph ask about.' The sinners leave the house : one is sorrowful. Joseph tells them to come 
 back daily. Thus was the Graal first proved. The sinners ask the pure what the Grace 
 does for them (p. 30); 'More than heart can imagine is our joy.' Joseph says it comes 
 from Jesus. The sinners are told that the Graal separates them from the pure, as it 
 loves not the sinner, and makes known who has sinned. The sinners say they will go 
 away, and ask what reason they are to give, for going. ' That we who stay dwell in 
 God and Christ and the Holy Ghost.' The sinners ask the name of the Holy Vessel. 
 The Vessel is called Graal ; and none see it but those to whom it is agreeahle, and their 
 delight in it is like that of a fish escaping out of a man's hand into the water.' This agreeable- 
 ness is the reason of the name Graal. As this book is true, it is called ' The History of the 
 Graal.' One sinner, Moyses, is left behind, a hypocrite (p. 31). Moyses says he will not 
 leave the pure ones, and begs them to intercede with Joseph for him. One day they agree to 
 do so, and ask Joseph to pity Moyses, and teU him of the grief of this one sinner left, and his 
 desire to share their joy. Joseph says it is not his to give, but God's. [_A gap in the MS. 
 in which Moyses has disappeared]- Joseph prays to Christ, that as He died for men,' and 
 saved him (Joseph) in his prison, and gave him the Graal, and promised to come to him when 
 asked, so now He would show him what had become of Moyses. The Holy Ghost answers, 
 that now has come to pass what he said before (p. 29, col. 2), about the place of Judas at the 
 Table, which is not to he filled till the Day of Doom (p; 32). But the vacant place at the 
 Round Table is to be filled by the third heir of Hebruns and Enygeus. Moyses has gone to 
 Hell. His staying behind was only to deceive ; and he has his reward, in the abyss where he 
 is lost. No more of him shall be heard till the filler of the empty seat finds him. Tell this 
 to your disciples. Joseph tells Bron and his fellows all that Christ has told him, and about 
 Moyses. Brons begets twelve sons on Enygeus his wife, and is bothered with them all. So 
 Enygeus tells him to ask Joseph what they're to do with 'em. Brons agrees, and asks Joseph: 
 ' We have twelve big sons, what shall we do with 'em ?' (p 33). ' They wait till Joseph one 
 day before the Graal asks God what is to be done with his nephews. God sends an angel 
 who says that Brons's sons are to serve God : those who want wives are to have them, and 
 serve the bachelors. The unmarried son is to be brought before Joseph. The angel departs, and 
 Joseph tells Brons, that he is to teach his boys to keep God's law ; and that they may marry; 
 but, if one will not marry, he is to stay with Joseph. Brons teUs his wife all this. Brons 
 asks his sons what life they'd like to lead, ' What you command. Sir.' So Brons gets them 
 vsdves, and tells them to be good husbands. Joseph gives them good advice too. So all 
 Brons's sons marry but one (p. 34), and he doesn't want a wife. Brons asks why. The son 
 says he never vrill marry. Brons takes him to Joseph, and gives him to him. Joseph embraces 
 him, and tells him that God has chosen him to exalt His Name, and that he shall be chief, 
 and his brothers serve him. Joseph, before the Graal, asks God how he is to prove his 
 nephew. Christ orders Joseph to tell his nephew Alein of Christ's birth, and how He was 
 bought, sold, beaten, betrayed, bound, and crucified; how He was taken down, and His blood 
 put in the Graal ; how Joseph was put in prison, and how Christ comforted him there, and 
 gave him a gift, and had great love for him and his fellows (p. 35) ; and how Christ will help 
 
 h 
 
CONTEXTS OF THE EARLIEE. HISTORY OP THE GRAAL. 
 
 and defend ttem. Then Joseph is to show his nephew the Graal, and tell him of the Blood in 
 it ; and, if he believes it, his faith shall be strengthened. He is also to be told of the DevU, 
 and to keep himself from anger. This shall deliver him from evil thoughts, and protect him 
 from the snares of the Enemy. He is to keep also from the lust of the flesh. All this he (the 
 nephew) is to tell his friends, and speak of Christ far and near. From him shall issue a male 
 heir. He shall guard the Graal, and take charge of his brothers and sisters, and go to the 
 West, and ever exalt Christ's name. Further, to-morrow a letter wLU come for Petrus, who 
 is to read it, and go out of the land, whither he likes, which will be to the vale of Avaron. 
 There he is to stop till Alein's son comes. He will not die till this son comes to read the 
 letter, tell him who shall have the Graal (p. 86), and what has become of Moyses. Then he 
 shall die in joy. All this Joseph is to tell his nephews. Aleins is full of grace. Joseph tells 
 him all Christ's message. If it were all put here, M. Eobers de Bouron must have made this 
 book one hundred times bigger, but this is enough. Joseph tells Aleins how good he ought to 
 be, and tells his father and mother that he is to rule his brothers and sisters, who are to resort 
 to him for counsel. And Brons and Enygeus are to confer this control on Alein with their 
 own hands. Next day the letter for Petrus comes. Joseph says it is from Jesus, and is 
 always to be about him. They ask Petrus where he means to go. He says, to the ^^est, to 
 the Vale of Avaron; he will wait for the mercy of God (p. 37). And they are to pray God 
 that he may never go against His wiU, and that no enemy may sever him from God. Hebrons 
 tells his other children to obey their brother Alein as their lord, and go to him for counsel, 
 and do nothing against his orders. Hebrons's children willingly obey Alein. Alein takes his 
 brothers to foreign lands, and preaches Christ, as Joseph taught him. But here we must leave 
 Alein, and return to Petrus, who says he must depart, as he has no wish to stay ; but for their 
 sakes he'll stop till next day, Gods sends his angel to Joseph, and says that Petrus has been 
 kept back that he may say truly he has seen the Graal and heard God's message (1. 3386-90) 
 (p. 38). God knows Brons for a good man ; and, as He made him fish for the fish used in the Ser- 
 vice, so He wills that he ( Brons) is to guard the Graal after Joseph, who is to teU him how to keep 
 it, and of God's love, and put him in the right belief, telling how God came to Joseph in the 
 prison, and gave him the Graal, and told him the sweet and precious words called ' The Secret 
 of the Graal.' Then Joseph is to tell him to keep the Vessel, and never misuse it; and he 
 shall be called by a new name. The Rich Fisher, from the fish he fished up when this Grace 
 began. All Joseph's people and Brons are to go to the West, wherever his heart desires, and 
 there Brons is to wait for his son (Alein), and when he comes, the Graal is to be given him ; 
 and then shall the meaning of the Trinity be made known. When the Graal shall be given to 
 
 Brons, then Petrus too is to go — as he can truly say he has seen Hebron and the Graal and 
 
 he is to go o'er sea and land, and God shall guard him (p. 39). And Joseph is to go to per- 
 fect joy, to Life Eternal, he and all his kin; and the relaters of this shall be loved and 
 honoured by all men. Next day Joseph tells them the angel's message, except Christ's words 
 in the prison. This he tells to the Rich Fisher, Brons. He then gives them writings, and 
 shows them secret things, and then leaves them, to their great sorrow. The Graal is given to 
 Brons, with whom Joseph stays three days. Then Brons wishes to depart. Joseph agrees, 
 saying that he shall remain. Brons returns to his native land, and Joseph stays where he 
 was. — Of M. Roberz de Beron's four other histories that ought to be : (1) Of Aleins the son 
 
CONTENTS OP THE EAELIER HISTORY OF THE GKAAL. 11 
 
 of Hebron, where he went, and what heirs he had. (2) Of Petrus, and what became of him. 
 3. Of Moyses, and what became of him. (4) Of the Eich Fisher, and where he went. 
 These four must be got together ; but first the Great True History of the Graal must be 
 told (p. 40). For till I now tell it, my Lord Walter, this Great Graal History has 
 never yet been told by mortal man And, if God gives me health, I'll put these four 
 parts together. But now I must go on with the fifth, the Graal, and leave the four till 
 I have leisure to tell them. [2%e continuation of the Graal, commonly called MERLIN. * ] 
 Of the anger of the Devils at Christ's coming into Hell, and taking His friends out to 
 Paradise. The Devils ask ' "Who is this man, that does just as he likes ? No man born of 
 woman can escape us : how was this man conceived ?' A Devil answers, ' Eemember how the 
 prophets said that the Son of God should come and save sinners. And we tormented the pro- 
 phets, but they said they did not care, and told sinners that One would come and deliver 
 them. This has come to pass (p. 41). Those are out of our power who are washed in the name 
 of God, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, from original sin, until they return to us, and do our deeds. 
 Christ's ministers too will save men, for if they repent of their sins they are quit of them. 
 Much did Christ do for men when He was born of His mother, and never sinned. "We tempted 
 Him, but found only good in him. To save man from us. He died ; and we must work to get 
 man back ; each of us must Strive to deceive Him so that none may succour Him.' The other 
 devils think that all is lost if repentance is allowed. But some say, ' As the prophets were 
 the cause of our loss, and were tormented by us for it, so that Christ had to come sooner to 
 rescue his friends from us, let us now get a man vrith our will and wiles (p. 42) to talk with 
 men on earth and help us to deceive them, by prophesying falsely.' The other Devils think 
 this a good plan. One says he cannot get a child, though he has a woman who'll do whatever 
 he wants. The others say that one of them can have a child by a woman, and that he shall 
 do so, and the child shall do their work among men. (But the Devil is a great fool to think 
 he can take in God). So the Devils are to make a man to deceive God. The Devil chosen 
 goes to a woman over whom he has power, the wife of a rich man, with three daughters and 
 a son. The Devil goes to the fields and kills most of the rich man's beasts. The herdsmen 
 tell their master that their sheep are dead. The rich man is very sad. The Devil goes to his 
 other beasts and ten horses (p. 43), and kills 'em all. The rich man is angry, and teUs the 
 Devil to take the rest of his property. The Devil is glad, and kills the rest of the beasts. To 
 enrage the rich man more, the Devil strangles his only son. He is much enraged, despairs, 
 and loses his faith. The DevU next hangs the rich man's wife, and then the rich man him- 
 self dies. The Devil is delighted, and plots how to deceive the three daughters. The Devil 
 takes a bad youth to the eldest daughter. She resists at first, but at last the youth seduces 
 her. No one knew of it (p. 44), so the Devil makes it known every where. At this time women 
 taken in adultery were abandoned or stoned. The judges assemble to try the eldest daughter, 
 and pity her for the sake of her father who was rich and powerful. They agree to get rid of 
 
 * Lonelich's introduction to the Merlin, " the storye that we elepen prophet Merlynne," is given in the 1st vol. of 
 Warton, pp. 150-1 (ed. 1840, 3 vols, with notes, by Sir F. Madden, &c.) See Sir Frederic's notes, pp. 119, 149. 
 But Lonelich's translation contains none of the Lancelot; it ends in the middle of a battle, about two-fifths through 
 the Merlin. 
 
lii CONTENTS OF THE EARLIER HISTORY OF THE GRAAL. 
 
 her by night and so cover her shame. So they bury her alive. A good man talks to her 
 two sisters, comforts them, and asks the cause of their disasters , ' We are hated by God.' No, 
 says the good man, Christ hates no one. This is the Devil's doing. Do you know what life 
 yotir sister led ? ' No.' ' Then, keep from doing evil : of it come evUs. Doing good brings 
 a good end.' The elder of the two daughters receives the teaching, and learns to pray to and 
 worship Christ, and does what she is told. The good man tells them to consult him (p. 45), 
 and he will help them; and not to be dismayed. His house is near, let them come to him. 
 The elder daughter believes and loves the good man. The Devil thinks he has lost them 
 both, but he sets another bad woman on to the youngest daughter, and she asks her if her 
 elder sister is kind to her. The younger complains of her elder sister's dullness, coming from 
 a good man's having talked to her. The bad woman entices the youngest daughter : ' You'll 
 never have pleasure as you are. If you only knew what pleasure other women have with 
 their men, you'd not stay here. For we are in company that we love. And there's no such 
 delight as of a man and woman together. But you have none of it, as your sister is older 
 than you' (p. 46). [Srarf of the Text, the MS. being imperfect.'] 
 
THE HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE HOLY GRAIL, 
 
 PKOLOGUE. 
 
 § 1. The Salutation. § 2. The Three Eeasons why the Writer has not told his name at 
 
 the beginning of the book. 
 
 (§ 1.) 'Chil ki la hauteche et la signourie de si haute estoire 
 comme est cliele du graal, met enscrit par le commandement du 
 grant maistre : Mande tout premierement salus a tous cheus et a 
 toutes clieles ki out lor creanche en la sainte glorieuse trinite. 
 Oh'est el pere, et el fil, et el saint esperit. El pere, par qui toutes 
 clioses sont establies, et cries, et rechoiuent commencliement de vie. 
 El fil, par qui tout chil et toutes cheles qui en lui ont creanche 
 sont deliure des perdurables dolors, et ramene a le haute ioie ki 
 dura sains fin. El saint esperit, par qui toutes les boines choses 
 sont mondees et saintefiees. (§ 2.) Li nons de chelui qui cheste 
 
 1 As a specimen of the language of Addit. MS. 10,292, Plut. clxxxv. G, and its varia- 
 tions from the MS. Bibl. Eeg. xiv. E m. Plut. ix. H. printed in the text, § 1 of the 
 Prologue of MS. 10,292 is put in the following note. Hardly any of the subsequent 
 variations are given; though 10,292 is much shorter than the Royal MS. 
 
 Chil ki se tient et iuge au plus petit et au plus peceor du monde. Mande salus au 
 commenchement de ceste estoire a tos cheaux ki lor cuers ont et lor creance en la sainte 
 trinite. Che est el peire ce est el fil ce est el saint esperit. El pere par qui toutes coses 
 sont establies et rechoiuent commencement de vie. El fil par qui toutes coses sont 
 deliurees des paines d'infer et ramene a la ioie qui dure sans fin. El saint esperit par qui 
 toutes coses sont hors mises des mains au maligne esperit: et raempUes de ioie par 
 I'enluminement de lui que est vrais enlumineres et vrais confers. 
 
 B 
 
2 THE writer's three REASONS EOR NOT TELLING HIS NAME. 
 
 estoire met en escrit n'est pas nomes ne esclairies en cliest com- 
 menchement. Mais par les paroles qui chi apries seront dites : 
 porra on grant masse apercheuoir et counoistre le non de lui, 
 et sa uie, et son ancMestre.' Mais en chest commencliement 
 ne le vent il descourir. Et si i a. trois raisons par quoi. pre- 
 mierement, pour chou ke se il le nomast, et il desist ke diex 
 eust par lui descouuert si haute estoire com est cele du graal : 
 qui est estoire de toutes les estoires.^ li felon et li enuieus ne li 
 atournaissent a uantanche. ^ L'autre raisons est pour chou: ke ceus 
 peust oir son non qui le couneust, si emprisait mains I'estoire pour 
 chou que par si poure persone eust este mise en escrit. Car il se 
 tient pour la plus poure persone et pour la plus despite ki onques 
 fust formee/ La tierche raisons est pour chou : ke s'il eust en 
 I'estoire aucune chose desauenant, ou par eflfachement, ou par leuice 
 des escriuens* qui apres le translataissent d'un lieu'' en autre : tous 
 li blasmes en fust sour son non. Car il est ore en nos tans plus des 
 bouches qui dient mal ke de cheles ki hien dient. Et plus est vns 
 horns blasmes de faire vn seul mal : ke il n'est loes de faire cent 
 bens. Pour dies .iij. choses : ne ueut ke ses nons soit de tout en 
 tout descouuiers. Car ia soit che ke il le voelle mult couurir et 
 cheler, si sera il plus apercheus qu'il ne uauroit.' Mais il des- 
 couuerra et dira tout en apert comment la haute estoire del saint 
 graal li fu commandee et baillie, et en quel termine, et qui li 
 bailla. * 
 
 1 Et le pais ou il fu nes et vne grant partie de son lignage. 
 
 " estoire comme est cele du saint graal qui est la plus haute estoire qui soit. 
 
 ^ le torneroient en vielte. * Car to formee omitted. 
 
 5 mesauenant ou par visse de mal nais escrivain. ^ liure. 
 
 "> Plus descouers qu'il ne voldroit. ^ commandee a manifestier. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 § 1. How in the year 717 a.d. in White Britain, which is England, Christ, as a beautiful 
 man, appears in a vision to a Trinity-doubting monk, and promises to clear his doubts ; 
 and (§ 2, p, 9) gives him a little Book; and how in the book there are four treatises, 
 with these titles. I. Here beginneth thy lineage. ll. Here beginneth the book of the 
 Holy Grail, in. Here begin the terrors, iv. Here begin the marvels. How a ray 
 as of fire descends from heaven, and great darkness comes, and then sweet odours, 
 and sweet voices, singing hymns to God (p 8). (§ 3, p. 9), — How on Good Friday 
 an angel appears to the monk, and takes him up to the third heaven, and reveals the 
 mystery of the Trinity to him. How the monk locks the Book up in a box, 
 (§ 4, p. 11), How on Easter Day the monk says his service, and then finds the 
 Book gone. How he has a vision telHng him to go to Norway and there find it 
 (p. 12). How he goes after the Book, a wonderful beast guiding him; how he is 
 lodged by a hermit the first night (p. 13) ; how on the second day he comes to the 
 Pine of Adventures and its miraculous fountain (p. 14), and how a lady's servant feeds 
 him there, and how he is lodged by a knight (p. 15) ; how on the third day he finds 
 the Book in a little chapel and cures a devil-possessed man with it (p. 17). How 
 food for the man is sent miraculously (p. 18) ; how on the ninth day the monk starts 
 for home with the Book, and the beast reappears (p. 19); how he reaches home. 
 How he is told in a vision to copy out the Book (p. 20). 
 
 (§ 1.) II auint apres la passion ihesus crist .vij. cens et .xvij. ans ke 
 ie, li plus pechieres des autres pecheours, me gisoie en .j. petit habi- 
 tacle endroit ictele eure ki est apielee la tierche vigile de le nuit. 
 Ichil liens on ion me gisoie en tel maniere, com diens seit ki tons les 
 penses counoist : estoit lontiens et destornes de toutes gens, Et 
 tant en puis ion bien dire ke il estoit en .j. des plus sauuages liens 
 ki fust en toute la bloie bertaigne.^ Mais ne pour quant mult 
 m'estoit delitables et plaisans. Car quant notres sires vent ouurer 
 en son crestien : il la tantost mis en tel corage ke toutes les choses 
 ki li siecles prise li annuient. Ichele nuis ke ie me gisoie en si com 
 
 1 The other MS. says nothing about ' bloie bertaigne,' having only after pecheours, 
 ' estoie en .j. lieu le plus souage que iou ne voel faire counoistre et eslongies de toutes 
 crestiens : Mais itant vous puis ie bien dire que li lieu est mult saluages mais mult estoit 
 delitables et plaisans.' 
 
 b2 
 
4 THE DOCTBINE OF THE TRINITY IS PEOCLAIMED TO THE WRITER. 
 
 On the night 
 before Good 
 Friday 
 
 the writer (a 
 monk) has a 
 vision. 
 
 The doctrine of 
 the Trinity is 
 proclaimed to 
 him. 
 
 Christ appears. 
 
 The monli's 
 doubts on the 
 Trinity. 
 
 He does not 
 know Christ. 
 
 vous aues oi : si fu la nuis M est entre le ioesdi absolut et le vendredi 
 beneoit. Et se notre signour plot ke il recheust en gre. le auoie 
 fait le seruiche des matines ke on apele tenebres. Et lors si me 
 prist mult grans volentes de dormir, si commencbai a soumillier en 
 mon lit ou ion m'estoie a-coutes. Ensi com ioi commencbie a sou- 
 mellier : ne demoutra puis gaires ke ion oi vne vols ki m'apiela .iij. 
 fois par mon non, et si me dist. " esneille toi et si ascoute. De trois 
 coses vne et d'nne cose trois, et autrestant puet I'une comme les 
 trois. Ne les trois naturelment ne sont autre cose ke vne " A chel 
 mot m'esueillai, si esgardai entour moi et ui si grant clarte ke 
 nule si grans ne peust issir de nule terriene lumiere. Apres ui 
 vn bomme ester deuant moi si biel et si delitable ke sa biautes 
 ne porroit estre contee ne descrite par lange de nul bomme mortel. 
 Et quant ie le vi, si fui si esbabis que ie ne seucb sous siel ke 
 dire ne que faire. Et il m'esgarda et si me dist. " As tu entendu 
 ne tant ne quant la parole ke ie t'ai dite : " Et ie li respondi en 
 tranlant. " Sire : ie n'en sui mie encore bien certains." Et il me 
 redist " cbe est la counissancbe de la trinitei que ie t'ai raportee." 
 Et cbe dist il pour cbou que i' auoie este en doutancbe : comment 
 cbe pooit estre ke la trinites auoit trois persones et si n'auoit c'une 
 seule deite et vne seule poissancbe. Ne onques n' auoie en nule riens 
 cose doutee de ma creancbe : que seulement en cbestui point. Apres 
 me dist, " pues tu en-core counoistre ne apercbeuoir ki ie sui." Et 
 ie dis. " Sire, mi oel sont mortel, si n'ont pas pooir d'esgarder 
 entirement la clarte de toutes les autres clartes, ne la boucbe ne 
 puet encore auoir la forcbe de dire cbou dont toutes les pekeresses 
 langues serroient encombrees." Et il s'abaissa vers moi : si me 
 souffla en mi le vis. Et lors me fu auis : que i' oi les iex a cent 
 doubles plus clers ke onques mais n' auoie eus, et ke ie sentoie dedens 
 ma boucbe vne grant meruelle de langues. Et il me redist, " pues 
 tu encore counoistre qui ie sui." Et quant ie ouri la boucbe pour 
 respondre, si vi que vns brandons me saloit bors du cors autresteus 
 com de fu ardant. Si en eucb si grant paour quant ie li vi : que 
 onques n'oi pooir de dire mot. Et quant il me vit si espoente, si me 
 
THE GREAT MASTER. THE LITTLE BOOK, ITS TITLES AND WONDERS 5 
 
 dist. " N'aies mie paour : car la fontaine de toute seurte est chi 
 
 deuant toi. Et bien sachies que ie sui cM ueirns pour toi aprendre 
 
 et ensengier de toute te doutanche. Car ie sui de toutes doutanches 
 
 vrais ensengieres. Ie sui chil par qui toutes les boines scienses sont 
 
 aprises. Car ie sui li grans maistres par qui tout li terrien maistre The Great 
 
 seuent tant de bien com il ont apris. Ne maistre ne sont il mie. himseifr"^^* ^ 
 
 Car maistres ne puet estre ; se chil non qui seit toutes les sciences. 
 
 Ie sui cliil maistres a qui nichomedes dist : ' Maistre nous sauons 
 
 que vous estes venus de dieu.' Ie sui chil de qui I'escriture dist, 
 
 ' Toute sapiense vient de dieu notre signeur,' et si est auoec lui et 
 
 tous iours i a este deuant tous les eages. Et pour chou que ie sui li 
 
 parfais maistres comme chil qui sui fontaine de toute sapiense, pour 
 
 chou sui iou uenus a toi. Car ie voel que tu rechoiues par moi 
 
 enseignement de toutes icheles choses dont tu seras en doutanche. 
 
 Et si te ferai certain et sage d'une cose dont onques nus hom morteus 
 
 ne fu certains. Et par toi sera ele descouuerte et esclairie a tous 
 
 chiaus qui iamais I'orront conter ne deuiser." (§ 2). A chest mot me 
 
 prist par Ie main destre, et si me mist dedens .j. petit liuret qui and gives the 
 
 ,j., 1 . ni 111 ji monk a little 
 
 n estoit pas en nulo maniere plus Ions ne plus les ke est la paume Book. 
 d'un home. Et quant ie ting Ie liuret : si me dist " veus tu sauoir 
 ke ie t'ai bailliet." Et ie dis ke ie Ie sauroie mult volentiers, et il 
 me dist, " Ch'est li liures v quel tu trouueras si grans meruelles 
 que nus cuers morteus nes porroit penser. Ne ia de nule riens ne 
 seras en doutanche dont tu ne soies auoies par chest liuret. Et si i 
 sont mi secre ke ie meismes escris de ma main ke nus hom ne doit 
 veoir se il n'est auant espurges par confession et par ieune de trois 
 iours en pain et en iaue. Et apres che les doit il en tel maniere 
 dire : ki les die de la lange du cuer si ke ia chele de la bouche ni 
 paraut. Car il ni puent estre noume par nule langue mortel, que The elements 
 tout li quatre element n'en soient commeUj car li chieus en plouuera ^heLtheBOTrs 
 et fera autres signes. Li airs en tourbelera apiertement. Li terre ^^^^'^'^^''^ 
 en crolera et li aue en cangera sa couleur. Tout chou auenra par la """''''' 'o"g"«- 
 forche des paroles qui en chest liuret sont escrites. Et si ia autre 
 chose, que ia nus hom n'esgardera souuent en chest liuret ensi 
 
6 THE JOT OF BODY AXD SOUL TO THE HEADERS or THE BOOK. TITLE 1. 
 
 The joy of the 
 body. 
 
 The joy of the 
 soul. 
 
 He hears a 
 voice like a 
 trumpet, and a 
 great crash, 
 
 and falls to the 
 cround: 
 
 and finds the 
 Book in his 
 hand. 
 
 The first title in 
 the Book,* Here 
 is the beginning 
 of thy lineage.' 
 
 comme on i doit regarder, qu'il n'i conquire les .ij. grignours ioies 
 qui soient. Cli'est la ioie de Tame et la ioie du cors. Car il n'est 
 nus horn morteus tant durement courchies se 0. puet dedens veoir 
 ententieument ensi comme veoir i deuera que ia maintenant ne soit 
 les cuers deKures de toutes ires et plains de toutes Ids ioies ke cuers 
 morteus puet auoir, tant sont plaisant et delitable les paroles qui i 
 sont. Ch'est la ioie du cors. Et d' autre part il esprendera si dure- 
 ment petit et petit si durement del esperituel amour : que se il 
 baans est as terrienes coses si sera cbou pour metre et pour despendre 
 en I'ueure et en la besoigne a son creatour. Ne ia par pechie qu' H 
 ait fait en chest siecle ne morra de mort soubite qui chest Huret 
 ara vne fois veu ou tenu. Ch'est la ioie de I'ame." Et quant 
 il ot che dit, si cria vne vols autresi comme vne buisine. Et quant 
 ele ot crie, si vint vns si grans escrois de haut, ke il me fu auis que 
 tons K firmamens feust kens, et ke la terre fust fondue iusk 'en 
 abisme. Et se clartes eut este grans deuant: lors fu graiudre a chent 
 doubles. Car i'en fui si esbahis ke bien en quidai avoir pierdu la 
 veue, et si cai a terre autresi comme pasmes. Et quant vint au chief 
 de grant pieche ke la vanites du chief me fu tres alee, si ouuri les 
 iex. Mais ie ne ui onques as iex nule riens vivant. Xe onques ne 
 me soi a quoi tenir de quan que ie auoie veu : anchois tenoie tout a 
 songe, quant ie trouuai en ma main Ie liuret ensi com li grans 
 maistres Ie mi auoit mis. A tant me leuai mult lies et mult ioieus 
 et ting toutes uoies Ie liuret entre mes .ij. maias. Et si fui si en 
 orisons et en perieres tant ke dieus enuoia Ie iour qui mult dure- 
 ment me tar doit. Et quant li iours fu si clers ke ie peuch la letre 
 counoistre, si comenchai a lire : et si trouuai el commenchement .j. 
 title qui disoit. Chi est li commenchemens de ton linaige. Et 
 quant ie vi chou, si en fui mult Ues. Car il n'estoit nule rien 
 terriene : que ie tant desiraisse a oir comme la counissanche de 
 mon Haaige. Et quant ie oi garde tant ke ia estoit prime passee, si 
 me fui auis ke ie ni auoie rien leu, tant i auoit encore a lire. Car ie 
 i ui tant de lettre ke ie en fui tons esbahis comment si grans plentes 
 de paroles pooit estre amonchelee en si petit liuret qui n'estoit pas 
 
TITLES 2, 3, 4. HOW LIGHTNING AND THUNBER COME. 7 
 
 au mien ensient plus Ions ne plus les en nule guise que est vne 
 paume. Si m'en merueillai tant que ie en mescrisse moi meisme qui 
 le veoie : se cMl ne le m'eust baillie que grant plente de choses puet 
 metre en petit de lieu, et ki grant lieu puet a emplir de peu de 
 choses. Ensi gardai el liuret iusques viers tierche tant que ioi 
 counut grant partie de mon lignage. Si i ui les nons et la vie 
 de tant preudommes, ke a paines osaisse ie ne deusse dire ne cou- 
 noistre que ie fuisse d'aus descendus. Car quant ie veoie lor boine 
 vie et les grans gries k'U auoient souffiert en terre pour lor creatour : 
 si ne pooie pas penser comment ie peusse tant amender ma vie qu 'ele 
 fust digne d'estre amentue aueuc les leur. Ne il ne m'estoit pas auis 
 que ie fuisse born enuiers aus : mais fainture d'omme et reprocbes. 
 En cbe pense demourai mult longement, mais toutes uoies retourna 
 au liure et commencbai a lire tant ke ie oi leu iusk 'en la fin de 
 mon Itnaige. Et lors trouuai vn title qui disoit. ' Obi commencbe Tuie 2. 
 
 Here begins the 
 
 li liures du saint graal.' Et quant ie oi leu tant que miedis fu passes took of the 
 
 . . . Holy Grail. 
 
 et ke il pooit estre bien pres de none, si en trouuai .j. autre qui 
 disoit. ' Obi est H commencbement des paours.' Et quant ie oi cbe Title 3. 
 
 , , -I . . . -, . -I . . Here is the 
 
 title passe, si commencbai a lire, et vi tens cboses qui mult estoient beginning of 
 
 till 6 tfirrors 
 
 peureuses et espoentables a ueoir. Et sacbe diex ke a si grant dou- 
 
 tancbe les veoie. Ne ia en uair ne lo sai se se cbil ne le m'eust [ms. 10,292 
 
 T . 1 j_ j_ i 1 • J . omits the 4th 
 
 commando par qui commandement toutes cboses uiuans sont meues. title.] 
 Et quant ie oi asses veus de coses merueilleuses, si trouuai le quart Title 4. 
 
 Here begin the 
 
 title qui disoit ' Obi commencbent les meruelles. Et lors com- marvels. 
 
 mencbai mult durement a penser. ensi com ie pensoie a cbeste cose 
 
 et vns rais autresteus comme de fu ardant descendi de uers le cbiel 
 
 et vint tres par deuant mes iex autresi bruians comme foudres. Et Lightning and 
 
 1 - p thunder come; 
 
 mult durement sambloit espars de tounoire. fors tant que la clartes 
 endura plus, et fu graindres et plus espoentables. et si descendi par 
 deuant moi si soudainement ke tout li oel m'estincbelerent en la 
 teste cbe me fu a-uis que ie eusse la ceruele espandue si que ie kai a he fails to the 
 terre tous pasmes, Mais ne me dura gaires li estourdissemens. ^™"" ' 
 ancbois me tres ala si comme notre sign our plot. Et lors redrecbai 
 
8 THEUB COME DARKNESS, LIGHT, SWEET ODOURS, AND SONGS. 
 
 A sweet odour 
 comes. 
 
 And a sweet 
 song of praise. 
 
 (Honor and 
 glory and power 
 and dominion 
 be fox' ever to 
 tlie destroyer of 
 death and the 
 restorer of 
 eternal life) 
 
 and sounds as 
 of bells. 
 
 [10,292, vnes 
 champeneles.] 
 
 [witisme.] 
 
 and sounds as 
 of flying birds 
 
 la tieste, si oiiiiri les iex, et ui ke tous li firmamens noircissoit, et 
 ke li solans pierdoit de tout en tout sa clarte si ke il faisoit autresi 
 grans tenebres com il sent faire es espesses nuis d'iuer. Et quant 
 ches tenebres orent dure tant ke on peust bien aaoir ale chent pas : 
 si plot a dieu que eles trespasserent. et lors commencha a esclarchir 
 petit et petit : si ke li solaus reuint tons en sa propre clarte. 
 Et maintenant descend! el lieu ou iou estoie, vne odours si douche et 
 si soues ke se toutes les espices qui sont ou monde fuissent encontre : 
 eles ne rendissent pas la milisme pars de douchour ne de souau- 
 tume si com ie quit. Apres oi entour moi .j. si douch chantjet 
 vne si grant loenge : ke tout li estrument et toutes les melodies que 
 on porroit oir en terre serroient fins niens a escouter : enuers chelui 
 chant ke ie oi. Car tant i auoit vois que nule riens morteus au 
 mien quidier n'en porroit Ie nombre dire. Et si estoient au mien 
 ensiant si pries de moi ke se che fuissent coses veables ie les peusse 
 a touchier a ma main. Mais onques tant esgarder ni soi que 
 onques .j. de tous chieus qui cantoient peusse veoir. Et tant enten- 
 dige bien qu'U looient en lor chant notre seignour. et si disoient tous 
 iours en la fin de lor canchon. " Hounours et gloire et poestes et 
 empires soit par-durablement au destruseour de la mort et au 
 restoreour de la vie pardurable." Icheste loenge entendoie ie bien. 
 Mais de tout I'autre chant ne pooie ie pas entendre que il voloit 
 dire, mais sour toutes riens estoit dous et plaisans a oir. Et quant 
 il auoient chou chante, si sounoient en haut vne grant meruelle, ne 
 sai de ques estrumens, qui resambloient escheletes au souner. Et 
 quant eles laissoient a soner, si recommenchoient a canter les uois. 
 En cheste maniere canterent bieniusk' a .vij. fois. Et quant vint a 
 la sietisme fois, si rompirent lor chant si soudainement qu'il me fu 
 auis que il fussent tout ken en abisme. Et lors ne sambloit que 
 toutes les eles des oisiaus ki sont en Fair s'en uolaissent par deuant 
 moi. Et maintenant que les vois laissierent a canter, si remest la 
 grans odours ke i'auoie si longement sentue qui si durement 
 m' auoit pleu que iamais a nul iour ne quesise estre en autre maniere 
 
AN ANGEL TAKES HIS SPIRIT UP TO THE THIRD HEAVEN. 9 
 
 que ie estoie mais c'au plaisier notre signeur fust. Ensi remes si The end of the 
 
 commenchai mult durement a penser : a cheste merueille que ie 
 
 auoie oie. Et lors vint vne vols d'en haut ki me dist. " Laisse a 
 
 penser, si lieue sus, et si ua rendi:e a dieu die que tu li dois. Car 
 
 bien est huimais tans et eure." (§3) A chest mot meleuai, si sardai on Good Friday 
 
 ^ -^ morning he 
 
 en tour moi et vi que ia estoit nonne passe. Et quant ie vi rfses. 
 
 che, si m'esmeruellai trop du iour qui si tost s'en estoit ales. 
 
 Oar ie quidoie qu'il fust encore matins, tant durement m'auoit 
 
 pleu li lires du liuret. Et quant ie fui leues, si Ie mis en tel 
 
 lieu ke il fu tous iours deuant mes iex. Apres cantai mes He sings his 
 
 hours 
 
 eures ensi com eles font a dire a chel iour. Et quant ie les oi 
 
 dites : si commencliai Ie seruiche si douch et si piteus comme de ^nd begins the 
 
 Sacrament. 
 
 la mort ihesu crist. Car a chel iour fu il uraiement mors. Et pour 
 chou ne sacrefi on mie son cors a chel iour. Oar la ou la uerites 
 vient avant : la figure doit estre ariere mise. Mais a tous les autres 
 iours Ie sacrefie on, en senefianche ke U fu sacrefies pour nous. Et 
 a chel iour ke il fu vraiement sacrefies : ch'est li venredis beneois : 
 ne Ie sacrefie on pas car il ni a mais point de senefianche puis ke li 
 iours est venus que il fu vraiement sacrifies. Et quant ie oich fait 
 Ie seruiche a laie de dieu. lusques la ou li prestres fait les .iij. 
 parties del sacrement, et ie vauch recheuoir mon sauueour, si vint 
 vns angeles deuant moi qui me prist par andeus mes mains et me An angei comes 
 
 1 . n 1 . . to him and 
 
 dist, " Ches .uj. parties te sont deuees a recheuoir : deuant ke le t'ai raises him in 
 
 demoustre apiertement pour quoi tu les as faites d'une seule cose et third heaven, 
 
 ke ie t'arai de toutes tes doutances chertifiiet." A chest mot me 
 
 leua en haut, non mie en cors : mais en esperit. Et si m'enporta el 
 
 plus deUtable lieu : ke onques hom eust ueu a mon "ensient. Car 
 
 nus cuers ne porroit tant penser de ioie : ne langue n'en porroit 
 
 tant dire, ne oreille escouter : ke la n'en eust encore cent mil tans. 
 
 Et se ie disoie ke che fust el tierch chiel : la ou saint paus fu portes 
 
 par le saint esperit : espoir ie diroie uoir. Mais tost seroit tenu 
 
 a uantanche : et a menchoingne. Et ne pour quant tant en diraige, where secrets 
 
 ke la me furent monstre et descouuert li secre dont saint paus dist him. 
 
10 HOW HE SEES EACH PEKSON OF THE TRINITY SEPARATELY. 
 
 The angel takes 
 him to another 
 stage. 
 
 He sees the 
 Father, Son, 
 and Holy Ghost 
 separately. 
 
 And this is not 
 against Saint 
 John's saying, 
 That no man 
 can see the 
 Father ; 
 
 for that meant 
 moi*tal man, 
 and not 
 spiritual 
 
 A clap of 
 thunder is 
 heard. 
 
 que nule langue d'omme mortel ne doit descouurir. Et quant i' oi 
 longement esgarde les meruelles dont ie veoie tant que nule bouche 
 ne porroit center, si ni'apiela li angeles. et me dist, "As tu chi 
 grans merueilles veues." Et ie respondi, ke ie ne pensoie mie : ke 
 nulcs si grans peussent estre. Et il me dist que il me mouster- 
 roit gringnours encore. Lors me prist, et si me mena en yn 
 autre estage qui estoit a client doubles plus clers pue voirres. 
 Et precieusement estoit couloures : si que nus liom certaine- 
 ment ne deuisast la coulour, tant parestoit soutieus et esbais- 
 sans. lUuec me monstra apiertement la forche de la trinite. 
 Car ie i ui deuiseement Ie pere et Ie fil et Ie saint esperit, si 
 que ie peucb connoistre I'une persone et I'autre. Et si vi tout 
 apertement comment cbes .iij. persones repairoient apertement 
 a vne sustanche et vne deitei et a vne poissancbe. Et ne por 
 quant se i'ai dit que i'aie veu les .iij. persones et deuisees I'une de 
 I'autre. la pour cbou ne m'en courent sus li enuieus et li felon : 
 qui ne seruent fors que des autres reprendre et remordre. Ne pour 
 cbou ne dient il mie que i'aie parle centre I'auctorite saint ieban Ie 
 baut euwangeliste. Car il dist que nus bom ne vit onques Ie pere, 
 ne veoir ne Ie puet. Et ie m'acort bien a lui. Ne tout cbil qui 
 I'ont oi ne seuent pas ke il i entendi. Car il vaut dire des homes 
 morteus. Car tant com li ame est el cors, tant est il morteus, ne 
 il ne muert en I'omme ke la cbars. Mais puis qiie li bom est 
 desuestus du cors, puis est il esperitueus. Et des ke il est espe- 
 ritueus : bien puet esperitel cose veoir. Par cbe poes counoistre ke 
 li sains lebans vaut dire des bommes morteus, ke nus ne pooit veoir 
 la maieste del pere. En dementiers ke ie estoie ententieus et curieus 
 de remier cbele grant meruelle, si souna autresi com vns escrois de 
 tounoire, et si trambla cbe me fu auis trestous li firmamens. Et 
 maintenant uint Uluques tant de celestiens virtus ke li nombres n'en 
 porroit estre sens ne dis. Et quant ie me regardai : si se laissierent 
 tout cbaoir souin tout enuiron la maiestei ausi com s'il fuissent cbeu 
 de pamisons. Et quant ie vi cbou, si fui tVop durement esbabis et 
 
HOW HIS VISION ENDS, AND HOW HE LOOKS UP THE BOOK IN A BOX, 11 
 
 peureus. Et li anf^eles me prist et si me remena la on il m'auoit The angei takes 
 
 ^ ^ him back ; 
 
 pris premierement. Mais anchois ke il remesist en men cors 
 I'esperit: me dist. "As tu veu grans merueilles " Et ie dis 
 ke eles estoient si grans ke ki aroit eongiet del dire as gens 
 teriiens. II n'est nus hom si sains ne si bien de dieu qui pas 
 en fust creus. Et ensour ke tout nos cuers morteus ne porroit 
 auoir la forche del retenir ne lange del dire. Et il me redist. 
 " Es tu encore bien certains de che dent tu as tant doute." tears that he's 
 
 convinced about 
 
 Et ie 11 dis ke il n'estoit el siecle nus bom si mescreans se the Trinity, 
 il me voloit deboinairement escouter : ke ie ne li fesisse apierte- 
 ment entendre les poins de la trinite. par cbe ke ie en auoie veu et 
 aprins. Et il me dist lors. " Or te mettrai dont la : ouietepris." 
 Et lors si recbeuras ton sauueour plus certainement ke tu ne fesis 
 deuant. Car tu ne dois pas herbergier oste ke tu ne counoisses. 
 Et se tu as veues grans merueilles, tu en trouueras el liuret de teles : 
 ke tu ne tenras mie a menours. Mais tu ni garderas, mais deuant 
 ke tu aras celebree la surrection ihesu crist." A tant remist mon and then puts 
 esperit dedens Ie cors. Et ie m'esperi autresi com cbil ki a dormi in'tohTs'body. 
 qui s'esueille, si quidai I'angele veoir, mais il s'en etoit ia ales. Et 
 ie esgardai, si ui mon sauueour deuant moi : tout en tel maniere com 
 il i estoit quant li angeles m'enporta. Et ie Ie pris, si Ie recbui, et The monk ends 
 vsai a boine creancbe et a grant deuotion. Et quant li seruicbes fu putsX'^Book 
 fenis, si pris Ie liuret et si I'ostoiai en vne petite casse ou la boiste JocL^^up.^'"^ 
 estoit en lequele corpus domini reposoit. Et quant ie I'oi mis 
 dedens, si frema la casse mult bien a vne clef : Car ie me voloie du 
 perdre garder : Ne ie ne Ie sauoie ou metre plus honestement. 
 Car mult i auoit biel lieu et net. Et quant ie issi de la capiele, si 
 vi ke il estoit ia si basse cure : qu'il anuitoit. Et lors entrai en ma 
 maisonnete : et mangai tel viande ke notres sires m'auoit prestee. 
 (§ 4 ) Ensi passai cbeli iour. et lendemain tant ke uint au iour de la 
 surrection au sauueur. Et quant il Ie plot ke ie oi fait Ie seruiche on Easter day, 
 del iour qui si est baus com de notre sauueour : cbelui meisme qui 
 Ie iour saintefla, entrai a garant que ie couuri ancbois au liure pour 
 
 c2 
 
12 THE BOOK DISAPPEAES. THE ANGEL SENDS HIM TO NORWAY AETEKIT. 
 
 he unlocks his 
 box and finds 
 the Book gone. 
 
 A voice tells 
 him he shall 
 have the Book 
 again when he 
 has suffered for 
 it. 
 
 He is to go on a 
 journey 
 
 to the plains of 
 Walescog (?), 
 
 [MS. 10,292, 
 plains de ual 
 estone.] 
 
 and follow a 
 wonderful beast 
 to Norway, and 
 there find the 
 Book. 
 
 [t. de negne, 
 i. ach. ton 
 oirre.] 
 
 He starts on his 
 journey, 
 
 les saintes paroles veoir que ie ne fesisse a la viande prendre. Tant 
 estoient douclies et plaisans a oir, ke eles me faisoient ou- 
 blier la fin dn cors. Et quant ie ving a la casse ou ie 1' auoie 
 mis, et ie Ie desfrenai : si n'en trouuai point. Et quant ie vi che, 
 si fui si dolans ke ie ne sauoie prendre nul conroi de moi. 
 Anchois quidoie bien que ie ne fuisse iamais lies a nul iour. si com- 
 menchai a penser comment il pooit estre ietes hors de cbel lieu. 
 Car ie I'auoie troue ferme en tel maniere com ie 1' auoie laissie. En- 
 dementieres que ie pensoie a cheste cose : si oi vne yois qui me dist. 
 " Pour quois es tu esbahis, et de quoi te meruelles tu ? T'esmer- 
 uelles tu de che que li liures est ietes hors de son lieu sans desfre- 
 mer ? Tout en tel maniere issi ihesus cris du sepulcre sans la pierre 
 remuer. Mais or te conforte, et si va mangier-ke ancbois te 
 couenra paine souffrir ke tu Ie tienes mais." Et quant ie oi ke ie 
 encore Ie porroie auoir par paine souffrir, si m'en ting a bien paies. 
 Lors alai mangier. Et quant ie oi mangie, si me retournai en la 
 capiele, et priai notre signour ke il par sa pitie me dounast auoie- 
 ment de che que ie tant desiroie. Et maintenant reuint vne vols 
 qui me dist. " Che te mande li grans maistres, quant tu aras Ie 
 matin celebreie la messe, si te desiuneras, et si t'en iras maintenant 
 en sa besoigne la ou ie te dirai. Et quant tu seras issus de chaiens, 
 si enterras el sentier qui va un grant chemin. Ichil chemins te 
 menra tant ke tu venras au pierron de la prise. Et lors lairas Ie 
 chemin, si enterras. en .j. sentier a diestre qui maine au quarre four 
 .de vij. voies es plains de walescog. Et quant tu venras a la 
 fontaine del plour, illuec ou la grans occisions fu iadis. Si trouueras 
 vne beste com quis tele ne ueis. Et si garde ke tu Ie sieues la u 
 ele te menra. Et quant tu I'aras perdue, si enterras en la terre de 
 norweghe, et illuec achieueras de ta queste." A tant laissa la vols a 
 parler. Et quant vint a lendemain. Ie me leuai matin, et quant ie 
 oi la messe cantee, si me desiunai. Et quant ie fui issus hors, si fis 
 Ie signe de Ie crois sour moi et sour mon habitacle. A tant m'en 
 alai ensi com la uois m'auoit noumee la uoie. Et quant i'oi passe 
 
THE monk's journey. THE WONDERFUL BEAST. 13 
 
 le pierron, si alai taut com ie ving. en .j. val ke on apiele le val des y^^^^^^^^ 
 
 mors. Chelui ual deuoie ie bien sauoir : car ie i auoie veu iadis ^ead, 
 
 vne bataille. des ij. milleurs chiualers du monde. Et quant ie fui 
 
 issus du ual, si alai bien encontre demie lieue gales ke tant que ie 
 
 ving de-sous le quarrefour. Si esgardai auant mi, si vi vne crois 
 
 sour la riue de la fontaine, et de sous chele crois se sfisoit la beste ke ^'^ *^° ^^^ 
 
 ' ° Beast, with 
 
 la uois m'auois dit. Et maintenant ke ele me vit, si se leua, si me ^'^'^'^p'^ ^^^ 
 
 and neck, 
 
 commencha a regarder, et ie li. Mais quant plus le resjardoie et white ; dog's 
 
 mams pooie sauoir quele beste c'estoit. Et si sachies k'ele estoit woifs body and 
 
 diuerse en toutes coses. Car ele auoit teste et col de brebis et blanc 
 
 comme noif negie. Et si auoit pies de cbien, et gambes, et quisses, 
 
 ■et tout cbou etoit noir comme carbon. Et si auoit le pis et le cors 
 
 et la crupe de woupil, et la keue de lyon. Et si estoit la beste de 
 
 diuerses semblancbes. Et quant ie I'oi mult esgardee. et ele moi, 
 
 si levai ma main et li fis signe qu'ele alast auant. Et ele s'en ala 
 
 tout droit el quarrefour, si s'en entra en la premiere voie k'ele coisi 
 
 a destre. Et ie alai apres si tost comme ie poi, mais cbe fu len- The monk 
 
 -•• . follows the 
 
 tement. Car uieUeche et flebetes me destourboient. Et quant Beast. 
 nous eumes ale iuske a cure de vespres, si issi la beste hors du 
 chemin et entra en vne mult espesse caurroie. Et tant ala 
 aaant et ie apres, qu'il commencha a anuitier. Et lors issimes hors At even he 
 
 /> 1 1 comes to a 
 
 de la caurroie, et entrames en vne profonde valee plame de mult thick-wooded 
 
 . vale, 
 
 haute forest espesse. Et quant ie fui el fons de la valee, si vi deuant 
 
 moi vne loge, et deuant 1' uis estoit vns vies hom uestus de reube de and sees an oid 
 
 releigion. Et quant ie le vi, si en fui mult lies : et rendi grasces a 
 
 notre signour de che qu'il m'auoit compaignie donnee. Et tantost 
 
 com il me vit, si osta son caperon, et me chai as pies, si me requeroit ^^°^?^^^ ^'^ 
 
 beneichon. Et ie li priai qu'il se leuast, car i'estoie vns hom 
 
 pechieres, si ne deuoie pas beneichon doner, ke vous diroi ie : 
 
 Onques tant ne li soi prrer k'il se vausist leuer, deuant que ie li oi 
 
 beneichon donee, dont mult durement me pesa. Car diex le seit que 
 
 ie n'en fuisse mie dignes. Et quant il fui leues, si me mena par la and takes him 
 
 into his 
 
 main en sa loge. Et quant nous eumes cantees toutes nos eures : si dwelling. 
 
14 THE PINE OF ADVENTUKES AND ITS MARVELLOUS FOUNTAIN. 
 
 chaT ^"^ ^""^ mangames tele viande com diex auoit au saint homme preste. Et 
 quant nous eumes soupe, si m'enquist mult li boins liom de mon 
 estre, et de ma uoie. Et ie Ten respond! au mieus ke ie soi. Tant 
 diex Ie seit ke il quida asses plus bien en moi qu'il ni auoit. Oar il 
 est coustume des boins houmes ke il ne seuent quidier es autres 
 gens se bien non. Pour che ke il lor est auis que cascuns ait lor 
 volente et lor talent. Mult me fist grant ioie et grant compaignie 
 la nuit. Ne onques en ma vie ne vi homme qui grignour samblant 
 eust d'estre durement preudom et boins bom. Sans che que il n'en 
 
 The second day moustroit Ic samblaut : se au mains non ke il pooit. Au matin me 
 
 of the journey. -^ 
 
 pria li sains horn ke ie cantaisse. Et quant nous eumes cantei, si 
 
 pris congie. Et il dist que il me conuoieroit. Et quant nous fumes 
 
 The Beast hors du postis, sl vi la beste qui me conduisoit : et si ne I'auoie mais 
 
 reappears. ■'■ 
 
 ueue des la nuit quant ie trouuai Ie boin homme Ensi me conuoia 
 li boins bom iusc 'au chemin. Et lors departimes, si me pria mult 
 qu'il me membrast de lui en mes oi'isons et en mes biens-fais, que 
 diex en cheste religion li dounast demourer iusc' a la fin. Ichest 
 don otriaumes li vns a I'autre. A tant nous entrebaisames, si Ie 
 commandai a dieu, et il moi. Si errames entre moi et la beste 
 toutela 'tinee tres parmi la forest c' onques n'encontrames ne homme 
 At midday he ne fcmc. Taut qu'il fu bien miedis. Lors si entrames en une mult 
 
 gets to the Pine 
 
 of Adventures vUle laudc. En ml chele lande auoit .j. pin qui auoit non li pins 
 
 and a beautiful 
 
 fountain, whose dcs aueuturcs. Desous chel pin auoit vne fontaine la plus biele 
 
 sand became , , 
 
 blood-red and kc uus pcust ouques vcoir, au mien quidier. Et si auoit vne 
 
 fire-hot, and ,,,,,, 
 
 water ice-cold, coustume que ouqucs autre fontaine not. dont i oisse parler. 
 
 bitter'three Car la grauelc estoit vermelle comme sans : et caude comme 
 
 ay. ^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^ estoit autresi froide comme glache. Et si estoit 
 
 autresi verde comme esmeraude .iij. fois Ie iour, et ausi amere 
 
 comme la mers tant comme la verdeurs duroit. Quant la beste 
 
 vint au pin, si se coucha desous, et fist samblant de reposer. Et 
 
 [.j. uariet]. quaut ic me voil asseoir, si vi venir par mi la lande .j. vallet sour .j. 
 
 horae'back "" cheval tout suant, et si venoit tout droit a moi Et quant il fu 
 
 comes to him, yonus a la foutaiue, si descendi du cheual, et traist de son col vne 
 
A KNIGHT LODGES HIM NOBLY THE SECOND NIGHT. 15 
 
 toTiaile, et s'agenouilla deuant moi, et si me dist. " Sire, ma dame and brings bim 
 vous salue : chele qui li chiualers au chercle d'or rescoust de sa 
 terre perdre : le iour ke la grans merueille fu veue de clielui que 
 vous saues. Et si vous envoie a mangier itel viande com ele a." Lors 
 desuolepa la touaile, si en traist oes et .j. wastel mout blanc, tout '^^^^Jj™"^^''^' 
 eaut. Et si traist auant .j. bareil plain de ceruoise et .j. petit hanap. «' "} ™<^ ''^'"'^ 
 Et ie mangai volentiers. Oar i'estoie tous familleus pour la voie cemoise.] 
 qui m' auoit greue. Et quant i'oie mengie et but, si quelli le 
 remenant, et dis au vallet qu'il en rendist a sa dame les mercbis : 
 et diex Ten rendist le guerdon. A tant s'en ala li valles, et ie m'en He goes on his 
 
 journey. 
 
 aloi mon cbemin entre moi et la beste. Et alames toute iour, 
 tant qu'il commencha a auesprir que onques uissimes bors 
 de bos. Tant que nous uenimes a .]. quarrefour ou il auoit At even he stops 
 
 _ at a cross, 
 
 vne crois de fust. Et lors s'arestut la beste, si commencbai a 
 escouter. Et ie oi maintenant venir : cbeuaus mult grant a I'eure. 
 Tant que ie vi vn cbiualer venir sour vn palefroi et ii. autres auoec and a knight 
 
 comes to him, 
 
 lui. Et tantost com il me vit en reube de relegion : si sailli ius de 
 sou cbeual et li autres apres. Si me dist ke bien fuisse iou venus. 
 Quant ie oi rendu au cbiualer son salu : si me prist par le main et 
 dist qu'il me menroit en sa maison pour berbergier. Et ie li dis 
 que diex li guerredounoist. Et il apiela tout maintenant son escuier, 
 si commenda qu'il en-menast li cbeuaus et que il fesist le plus biel 
 el ostel ke il porroit. Li escuiers s'en tourna et li autres remest 
 auoec nous, qui estoit fiex au signeur et cbiualers. Ensi nous en and takes him 
 
 home, and 
 
 alames tout troi, si ne vi onques grignour bounour : a bome faire treats him 
 que il me fist, et il et sa maisnie que il auoit mult biele. Mais 
 d'une cbose me mescbai plus que ie ne vausisse, que il me connut a 
 .j. saing ke ie auoie sour moi, et dist qu'il m' auoit autre fois veu, et 
 nouma en quel lieu. Mais comment que il m'en-quesist, ie ne 
 li counui onques riens. Et quant il vit qu'il ne me plaisoit mie 
 che qu'il m'en-queroit. Si laissa la chose ester. Mais toutes les 
 ioies et toutes les bonnours ke on porroit faire a cors d'omme, me 
 fist il la nuit. Au matin m'en parti, si les commandai tous a dieu. 
 
16 
 
 THE THIKD NIGHT HE COMES TO A LITTLE CHAPEL. 
 
 The third day's 
 journey, 
 
 he comes to the 
 Queen's Lake 
 
 and a Convent 
 of Nuns, 
 
 who feed him. 
 
 He goes on 
 
 and finds : 
 letter ; 
 
 'At night thou 
 shalt achieve 
 thy quest.' 
 
 Sees a little 
 chapel. 
 
 Et quant ie ving hors de la porte, si retrouai la bieste. Et quant li 
 sires m'eut vne pieclie conuoie. Si li priai qu'il s'en retournast. 
 A tant me conunanda a dieu, et ie lui. si nous en alames toute la 
 forest entre moi et la beste, tant ke il fa pres de tierche. Et lors si 
 retornames vne voie qui menoit hers de la forest, et tant que ie vi 
 .j. mult biel moustier et mult ricbe herbergage selonc vue grant 
 praierie qui estoit sour vue riuiere Chil moustiers estoit sour .j . lac 
 qui a a non li las a la roine. Quant ie ving au moustier, si trouuai 
 .j. conuent de nounains, mult boines dames qui cantoient I'eui'e de 
 tierche mult biel et mout bautement. Et quant eles sorent que 
 i'estoie prestres : si me requisent de canter. Et ie cantai. Et quant 
 nous eumes fait Ie seruiche : si me fisent les dames desiuner. Apres 
 me prierent mult que ie remansise iusc'a lendemain, et ie dis qu'il 
 ne porroit estre. Lors pris congie aux dames, si m'en parti. Si 
 m'en alai, et la beste auant moi, tant que nous rentrames en la 
 forest. Et quant nous fumes ens, si errames au lone du iour c' onques 
 n'encontra mes riens terriene. Et quant il commencha a auesprir, si 
 gardai bors de la voie sour me pierre plate, si vi vnes lettres ploies. Ie 
 tournai cbele part, si les pris. Et quant ie les oi desploies, si trouuai 
 el commencbement escrit. ' Cbe te mande li grans maistres: ke a nuit 
 acbieuras de ta queste.' Et ie regardai ke la bieste faisoit, si n'en vi 
 point, anchois s'en fa ia alee. Et quant ie \i cbe, si regardai es lettres, 
 si i ui ke eles m'ensignoient de quankes ie auoie a faire. A tant 
 m'en tournai toute ma uoie, et quant ie oi grant piecbe ale, si trouai 
 vn sentier bien batu qui aloit a destre parmi la plus biele forest que 
 ie onques eusse ueu, au mien quidier. Et quant ie oi grant piecbe 
 ale par chel sentier, si commencbai a la fores a esclairier. Et ie 
 resgardai. si ui en .j. tiertre sour vne rocbe : vne mult biele capele 
 petite, bien encontre demi Heue loing. Et quant ie commencbai a 
 aprocbier, si oi cbele part .j. cri si bideus que pour noient demande- 
 roit on plus bideus ne plus espoentable. Mais ie ne m'en espoentai 
 onques. Car les lettres m'en auoient bien acointie. Et quant ie 
 ving deuant la capiele, si vi I'uis ouuert. Et en 1' entree del buis 
 
THE DEVIL IS CAST OUT OP A MAN BY THE BOOK. 17 
 
 a-isoit vns horn tous pasmes autresi com se il fust mors. Et quant -*■' 't' entrance 
 
 ■*■ -'■he finds a man 
 
 ie le vi, si courui a a;rant fianche de dieu qui m'auoit ensenffiet ke possessed witii 
 
 ie deuoie faire. Si trouai qu'il auoit tous les iex tournes en la teste. 
 
 si seu bien ke il auoit le dyable ou cors. Si li fls le signe de la 
 
 crois en mi le vis. Et il se drecha en seant, si commencha meruelles 
 
 a dire. Et ie coniurai le dyable de par ihesus crist ke il s'en issist. 
 
 Et il me respondi que par ihesus crist i estoit il entres, et par 
 
 lui s'en istroit. Et ie dis qu'il mi auoit enuoie pour lui metre 
 
 bors. Et il dist qu'il ne veoit pas encore le message par qui il 
 
 s'en issist. Et ie soi bien qu'il disoit voir, si m'en entrai en la 
 
 capiele, et trouuai sour I'autel le liuret que ie queroie. Lors si ^he'sook!'"^ " 
 
 m'agenouUai, et le pris. Et ie ving hors, a tout si n'oistes onques 
 
 rien si crier com li anemis crioit. Et disoit " ne vien plus auant, 
 
 bien voi ke issir me conuient. Ne il n'a rien en terre fors chesti qui 
 
 m'en ietaist." Et quant il s'en vaut issir par la bouche, si ne paut The devii wants 
 
 -,, TT .■.. .p. , -..to come out up- 
 
 pour le signe de la crois ke le auoie fait. Et il recommencna a dire wards through 
 en criant. " Se tu ueus ke ie m'en isse, si me destoupe la voie." mouth, butxhe 
 Et ie li demandai, comment. Et il dist qu'il n'en istroit mie tant °° ' 
 com li liures serroit si pries. Et ie dis qu'il n'en istroit mie par la 
 boucbe anchois com uenroit, qu'il s'en issist par desous. Et quant 
 il oi cbou, si commencha si hideusement a crier ke U me fu auis que 
 on le deust oir par tout le pais. Et tantost vint illuec vne si grans 
 compaignie de dyables que ie ne quidai mie qu'en tout le mont en 
 eust tant. Et quant il virent les paroles du liuret que ie tenoie 
 ouuert. Si ne veistes onques nul estourbillon si tost ne si hideuse- after routing a 
 
 troop of devils, 
 
 ment aler com il s'en alerent. Et le me trois pres del foursene, si li 
 
 mis le liure deuant la bouche, et tantost s'en issi li dyables par d"ves him out 
 
 desous. Si s'en ala faisant si grant tempeste : ke il estoit auis que 
 
 il esrachast tous les bos par la ou il aloit. Et lors remest li horn 
 
 tous autresi comme mors. Et ie le pris entre mes bras, si le portai 
 
 a laie de dieu deuant I'autel, si le gardai toute nuit illuec iusc' au '^^^ ™onk 
 
 watches by the 
 
 iour. Et quant il fu aiourne, si vmg deuant lui et demandai se il ™^° a" n's'^t. 
 mengeroit. Et il me demanda qui iou estoie. Et ie dis ke n'eust 
 
 D 
 
18 THE BEDEVILLED VEaETAKIAN IS MIRACULOUSLY FED. 
 
 [=et iou li de- pas paoiir : car i'estoie venus pour son preu.^ Et il dist qu'il man- 
 
 mandai quel ^ ^ ^ ^ 
 
 viande il fferoit tel viande com il auoit acoustumee. Et il iura sacrefianche 
 
 mangeroit] ^ 
 
 The possessed qu'il auoit xxxiij . ans et demi ke il estoit hermites. et si auoit 
 
 ^TwiiiTO^at passse ix. ans et .iij. mois et demi k'il n' auoit mangiet se herbes 
 
 "'^*'' non et fruit et racMnes. Ne iamais pour tant qu'il auoit a uiure ne 
 
 gousteroit d'autre viande se diex proprement ne li envoioit. A tant 
 
 le laissai gisant tout vain comme chelui qui n' auoit mangiet de nule 
 
 viande puis que li anemis le commenclia premierement a traueiUier. 
 
 Et ie dis mes cures, et puis me reuesti, si cantai la masse. Et 
 
 quant ele fut cantee, et ie suis reuenus au boin bomme : si le trouai 
 
 dormant mult dureinent. Et ie qui onques de toute la nuit n'auoie 
 
 dormi se mult pau non m'acoutai de iouste lui sour .j. escamel, si 
 
 The monk has a commeucbai a soumellier. Et lors me vint en avision qui restoie 
 
 vision, showing • i j i t /> j ■ • 't mt 
 
 him where to au pic du tcrtrc dosous vne lontame, si passoit par liluec vns vies 
 
 eet fruit for the i ' 2. '± j. ' j.ix'j.' 
 
 hermit; hom qui portait en son geron pumes et poires a grant plentei, et si 
 
 les versoit el mien A tant me leuai, si aloi aual le tertre et si trouuai 
 quankes ie auoie veu en ma vision. Et quant U preudom eut mis 
 
 he gets it, le fruit en mon gron : si me dist. " Obascun ior troueras cbi ta 
 viande apparellie par le grant maistre." Lors me retournai, si 
 
 and feeds the trouuai Ic frcrc esuillie, si li baillai du fruit, et il en manga 
 mult uolentiers comme cbil qui auoit iune qu'il ne se sous- 
 tenist sour ses pies pour tout le monde. Tant demourai en sa 
 compaignie que il fu tous garis et respasses. Et chascun iour 
 trouuiens votre viande apparellie a la fontaine ensi comme li 
 
 and starts home saius cspcris Ic uous amcnistrolt. Et quant vint au neuuisme 
 
 on the ninth 
 
 day. iour che fu au ioesdi apres le witaules, si m'en parti. Et quant ie pris 
 
 congie du boin bomme, si commencba a plourer, et dist. ke ore estoit 
 il mult esmaies quant ie m'en aloie. Apres me conta comment 
 whjthedevu c'estoit auenu que li dyables I'auoit ensi trauillie. Et che auoit 
 hemit! ° este par .j. pechie ke il auoit fait. Ne ne se recordoit pas qu'il eust 
 fait pechie dont chars morteus se peust garder, ke seulement chelui 
 puis qu'il auoit recheu abit de relegiou. Et quant il se fu rendus 
 confes, si me requist ke ie priaise notre signour. ke il par sa pitic le 
 
THE MONK'S RETURN HOME WITH THE BOOK. HIS VISION. 19 
 
 gardast de faixe pechie : par quoi il iamais conquesist son mautalent. 
 
 A taut nous entrebaisames, si nous departimes andui a grans plours 
 
 et a grant destreche. Et se on peust iugier home par veoir : le ne 
 
 quit pas qu'un nul homme peust auoir plus de bonte que ie vi en 
 
 lui. Or esgardes com diex est aspres iugieres et larges guerre- P"^ ^"."^ " * ^ 
 
 doneres. Car ki tous iours I'ara serui, se il fenist en vn mesfait, * bounteous 
 
 rewarder. 
 
 tous les seruiches ara pierdus. et en che mesfait sera iugies. Et qui 
 
 tous iours H ara mesfait : s'il se raert en son seruicbe, tuit si mesfait 
 
 sont estaint, et ses seruiches li est a cent doubles guerredounes. 
 
 Ensi dut cil auoir perdue 1' amour de son signour. par .j. mes fait 
 
 qui auoit este en son seruiche le plus de son eage. Et chil le dut 
 
 auoir gaignie. par vne seule oeure : qu'il auoit tous iours fui et 
 
 eskieue. Chiertes : mult boin le fait seruir et manuals courechier. 
 
 A tant pris congier. Et quant il m'eut conuoie iusc' a son peustis, 
 
 si ueismes la beste qui m' auoit amene. Et U demanda ke che pooit The beast re- 
 appears. 
 estre. Et ie li dis ke ie n'auoie eu autre contredit : et k'ele estoit 
 
 de par dieu. Et il dist, ke bien faisoit li sires a seruir qui si bien 
 
 sauoit conduire ses sergans en sa besoinge. Ne onques ne poi aper- 
 
 cheuoir ke nus en toute la voie veise la beste : que il seulement. 
 
 Lors me departi du boin home, si m'en reuing tout autresi com ie The monk 
 
 i'gSig1i6& 0.0 rod 
 
 i estoie ales, tant ke ie uing au samedi au soir a mon hermitage, on Saturday 
 
 Mais le liuret ne laissai ie mie anchois I'en aportai. Car trop *'^''"'"^' 
 
 desiroie le compaignie des saintes paroles qui i estoient. Et quant 
 
 ie I'oi ostoie la u ie I'auoie mis premierement, si lis le seruiche de 
 
 uespres et de compile. Apres mangai che que notre signour plot, 
 
 et si m'alai couchier, car i'estoie mult las. Ichele nuit m'auint His vision. 
 
 vne auisions, ke li grans maistres uenoit deuant moi en autel habit chnst appears, 
 
 " , and commands 
 
 com il auoit fait a I'autre fois. Et si me disoit " au premier iour ou- tim to copy The 
 
 Book into 
 
 uraule de la semaine qui enterra demam, te conuent a commen- another. 
 chier a escrire en autre lieu le liuret que je te baillai, si ke tu I'aies 
 escrit ains I'ascention. Car il ni ert ia veus en terre puis que I'eure 
 uenra que ie montai el chiel a chiel eure meisme. Et toutes les 
 coses qui te conuerront a 1' escrire : trouueras en I'aumaire qui 
 
 d2 
 
20 HE BEGINS TO COPT THE BOOK OP THE HOLY GKAIL. 
 
 est el mur derrier ton autel. Et ne t'esmaie pas de che ke tu 
 ne fesis onques tel mestier. Car imle oeure ne puet estre maufaite 
 qui par moi soit commenchie." A tant s'en parti. Et au matin 
 quant ie fui leues, si alai a I'aumaire pour esprouer se ma 
 visions estoit uraie. Si trouuai toutes les coses qui conuenoient 
 On Monday he g, escriueut.* Et ouaut li dimenclies fu passes, et ie oi au lundi 
 
 begins to copy ^ ■*- 
 
 The Book of the jg, messe chantee, si pris Ie liuret et Ie parchemin, et commencliai a 
 
 Holy Grail. ^ ^ 
 
 escrire tout droit au lundi de la quinsaine de pasques. Et li com- 
 meuchemens de I'escripture si fu pris del crucefiement iesus crist 
 ensi comme vous orres. 
 
 * Au matin me leuai ensi comme il m' auoit roue, et trouai tot ce qu' il oouenoit a 
 escriuain, pene, encre, parcemin, et coutel. (MS. 10,292.) 
 
21 
 
 LI LIVBES DU SAINT GBAAL. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Of Christ on the Cross. Of the character of Joseph of Arimathea (p. 22). How he got 
 the dish out of which Christ eat the Last Supper with his Disciples. How he was 
 one of Pilate's knights, and begged Christ's body from him (p. 23), and put it in his 
 own sepulchre, and then collected the drops of Christ's blood in the dish of the 
 Last Supper (p. 24). How Joseph slept in the sepulchre, and some Jews seized 
 him, and carried him away to a prison of Caiaphas's (p. 25). How he lived forty- 
 two yeai'S in the prison, and how he was delivered out of it on this wise : — 
 Vespasian, Titus's son, was a leper; a knight from Capernaum tells him that a 
 touch from anything Christ has touched will cure him (p. 27); the knight returns 
 to Judea, and gets the Veronica kerchief from Mary the Venetian (p. 28), and cures 
 Vespasian with it (p. 29). Vespasian goes to Jerusalem and seizes all who were 
 concerned in Christ's death. Joseph's wife tells him of her husband (p. 29); 
 Caiaphas takes him to the prison (p. 30); and Vespasian goes down into it (p. 30-1). 
 He releases Joseph, burns the abettors of Christ's death (p. 32), discusses what 
 shall be done with Caiaphas (p. 33), and has him put into a boat by himself, and 
 pushed out to sea (p. 34). 
 
 Au iour qui li sauueres du monde souffri mort par la qui mort [s.mort,fumors 
 
 destruite, et 
 
 notre mors qm a nous estoit coudempnable fu racatee perdurable- notre uie 
 ment : a chel iour estoit encore mult peu de ejent qui creissent en lui. 
 
 . How few 
 
 Ne mais ke la s?lorieuse virare puchiele sa douche mere et ses desciples believed on 
 
 ° -^ . . Christ at his 
 
 qui a ch.el iour estoient apiele si frerev Et s il en i auoit des autres : crucifixion. 
 qui creissent : mult en i auoit a cler. Car I'escripture dist que 
 quant il dist. " Biaus pere, se il puet estre que ie ne sustienge cheste 
 passion." que il n'en estois pas si courrechies pour I'angoisse des 
 cors comme pour chou ke il veoit ke s'amours n' auoit encore nului 
 radiate. Ne il ne veoit nului qui il eust conquis par sa mort, ke 
 seulement le larron qui li cria le merchi en la crois. Et pour cheste 
 cose dist I'escriture. " le suis autresi comme chil qui conkeut I'es- [cueiie lesteuie 
 teule en le maison." Et ch'est a dire qu'il n'auoit encore nului rachate meislonj^ 
 par sa mort : que le larron qui estoit nolens enuers 1' autre gent 
 
22 
 
 OP JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND HIS SON JOSEPHES. 
 
 a secret 
 believer. 
 
 How good he 
 was. 
 
 autresi com li estenle est noiens eriuers le grain. Et ne pour quant 
 
 il estout mout de cheus qui auoient le commenclienient de croire, 
 
 mais il ne I'osoient mie faire apiertement, car il doutoient les juis. 
 
 How Joseph of Mais de de-seure tons les couuiers creans, parole li sainte escriture 
 
 Anmathea was 
 
 du graal du gentU homme d'un chiualer qui estoit a che tans, qui 
 auoit non Joseph de Arimathie. ArimatMe estoit vne chites en la 
 terre de ramathe outre le flun iordain. et si dist la letre que ele fu 
 elchane le pere samuel. De chele cHte fu nes Joseph. Mais il 
 s'en estoit venus en iherusalem. .vij. ans devant que ihesus cris fu mis 
 en la crois. Et mult estoit piteus et dous et de grant relegion, et 
 si auoit recheu la creanche iesus crist. Mais il n'en osoit faire sam- 
 blant ke li iuif ne I'ochesissent. De toutes les bontes Id en homme 
 niortel pooient estre : estoit ioseph gamis. Car il amoit dieu et 
 doutoit. II estoit piteus et deboinaires vers son proisme. II estoit 
 de grant honneur et de grant reuerence vers les plus haus de lui. 
 II estoit paisiules et concordans vers ses parens. II estoit sans 
 damage et sans nuisement as plus has de lui. II estoit de grant 
 misericorde plains vers les souffraiteus. Toutes ches bontes es- 
 toient en lui. Et de lui parole li premiere saume du sautier qui 
 dist. " Li hom est boinereus qui ne s'acorde pas ne consenti : au 
 conseil des felons. Et qui ne vaut aler par la voie as pecheours ! " 
 Ichis ioseph etoit en iherusalem, et sa feme, et vns siens fiex 
 qui ot non iosephes. Et sachies qui che ne fu mie chil iosephes 
 qui r escriture trait si souuent a tesmoing, anchois fu vns autres 
 qui ne fu mie mains letres de chelui. Ichist iosephes passa 
 le lignage ioseph son pere outre mere iusqu'en la bloie ber- 
 sea^wfthfte"'^^'^ taigQC qui ore a non engleterre. Et si les passa sans auiron et 
 fora'^in^^''''^' ^^^^ gouuernal, et onques ni ot uoile : ke le geron de sa chemise, 
 sans plus, ensi com I'estoire le dira cha en auant. Et quant vint au 
 ior ke ihesus fu mis en crois. Joseph qui toute s'amour auoit en lui 
 mise, en eut mult grant duel. Et si se pensa ke toutes les coses qui 
 a lui apartenroient essaucheroit mult volentiers et honerroit. Car 
 il ne I'eust pas ame a la vie se il ne I'amast a la mort. Et pour chou 
 
 His son 
 Josephes 
 
 (who comes to 
 "White Britain 
 
JOSEPH GETS THE DISH OF THE LAST SUPPER, AND CHBIST's BODY. 23 
 
 dist la letre ' que nule auersites ne puet departir loial amour.' Quant 
 ioseph vit chelui en la crois qui il creoit a fil dieu et a sauueour du 
 monde : si ne fu pas esbahis ne mescreans pour chou que il le vit 
 mourir. Anchois atendoit, et creoit certainement sa sainte resur- 
 rection. Et pour cliou qu'il ne le pooit auoir uif, si pensa que il 
 feroit tant qu'U aroit de ches coses a quoi il auoit touchie corporel- 
 ment en sa vie. Lors en vint en la maison ou ihesus auoit tenue sa Joseph goes to 
 chaine, la u il manga I'aigniel de pasques auoec ses desciples. Et jesus eat the 
 quant il vint en la maison, si demanda a ueoir le lieu ou il auoit ^ "''''*'^' 
 mangie. Et on li moustra vn lieu qui estoit establis pour mangier : 
 si estoit li plus haus estages de la maison, lUuec trouua ioseph andsndsthe 
 
 ... ^^^ '" which 
 
 I'escuele en quoi le fiex dieu auoit mangie, soi tresime, deuant He had eaten, 
 
 che qu'il dounast as onse sa char et son sane a vser. Et quant 
 
 il le tint, si en fu mult lies, si I'enporta en sa maison et si I'ostoia a°<i «*"ie8 it 
 
 ^ _ home. 
 
 en multe honeste lieu et en mult biel. Et quant il sent que 
 
 li sauueres du monde estoit mors, et ke cMl I'auoient trouue 
 
 mort qui li voloient brisier les quisses autresi com as autres 
 
 larrons. II ne vaut mie tant atendre ke li felon li desloial 
 
 qui le mescroient le despendissent ne le mesissent ius de la crois a 
 
 lor ordres mains cunchiies. Ancbois vint il a pilate qui chiualers Joseph is one of 
 
 terriens il estoit. Car U auoit este ses saudoiers .vij. ans tons plains. fsoidoieJ's]'^'"'' 
 
 Efc quant il vint deuant lui, si li pria en guerredon de tons les 
 
 seruicbes qui il H auoit fait, li otriast .j. don qui de mult petit couste- and begs acheap 
 
 ment li serroit. Et pilates, qui mult amoit et lui et son seruicbe : ^"° """' 
 
 li respondi ke il 1' aroit Oar il le deuoit bien auoir plus riche qu'il 
 
 n'auoit dit. Et iosepb li demanda le cors ibesu, et pilates li dona Christ's body. 
 
 comme cbU qui ne sauoit ke il li dounoit. Oar il li quidoit douner 
 
 le cors d'un poure pecbeour : et il H dounoit le pardon des pecbeours iiow great the 
 
 , . -ri T • 1 1 1 S'f' really was. 
 
 et le pam de vie. II li quida doner vne poure caronge pour don : 
 et il douna le douneour de tous le grans et le resuscitement de toutes 
 les karoignes qui en forme humaine sont fourmees. Ohe fu li plus 
 riches dons que nus bom morteus donast onques. Mais pour chou 
 que la conscience pilate fu tele ke il ne sauoit qu'il li douna. Pour 
 chou le doit on mieus apieler despit ke don. Oar se il creist la 
 
24 HE BURIES THE BODY, AND COLLECTS ITS BLOOD IN THE DISH. 
 
 grant liautece et la puissanclie dont cliil estoit qui cors il auoit 
 
 done, il n'en presist pas toute la rikeclie et la signourie du monde. 
 
 Et ioseph qui la grant hauteclie du don counissoit bien : en fu mult 
 
 ioians quant il li fu otroies. Et si s'en tint bien apaiet : mult plus 
 
 Joseph weeps que pylates ne s'en tint a bien paiant. Et quant il vint a la crois 
 
 ou il pendoit encore : si commenclia a plourer mult tenrement pour 
 
 les grans dolours ke il veoit qu'il auoit souifertes. Et quant il I'eut 
 
 bo'r" and ° 't ^ despoudu Sb graus souspirs et a grans plours, si le coucba en vn 
 
 it in his sepulcre qu'il auoit fait trencHer en la roebe : ou il- meismes deuoit 
 
 sepulchre. ^ -*- 
 
 estre mis a sa mort. Puis ala querre I'escuele en sa maison.* 
 Gets the dish, j]t quaut 11 vlut au cors si com quelli le degout du sane tant com 
 
 collects Christ s -■- X D 
 
 blood in it. n en puet auoir et si le mist en I'escuele. Puis reporta I'escuele en 
 
 sa maison, par qui diex fist et moustra puis maintes virtus et en 
 
 [promission] tcrre dc permission et en maintes autres terres. Et quant il I'eut 
 
 Wraps the body yj^n el plus net Hcu ke il sauoit, si prist de ses plus ricbes dras, et 
 
 m rich cloths ; -^ ^ '■ 
 
 s'en tourna au sepulcbre, si enseueli le cors de son signour si ricbe- 
 
 ment et a grant bonnour com il pent plus. Et quant il I'eut 
 
 puts a great enseucli, si le coucba el sepulcbre. et si mist a I'entree vne pierre 
 
 stone at the . -*- 
 
 entrance of the mult grant ct mult pcsaut, pour cbou qu'il ne voloit que nus entrast 
 el lieu ou si baute cose gisoit com estoit li cors del fil dieu. Mais 
 
 Mger^"^^ quant li iuif virent ke ioseph auoit despendu de la crois cbelui qui 
 il auoient iugiet a mort et dampne : et qu'il I'auoit si bautement 
 enseueli, si en furent mult courcbie et mult le tinrent a grant 
 orguel. Si prisent consel ensamble, et disent ke bien estoit drois ke 
 iosepb comparast cbe ke il auoit fait, et centre dieu et encontre le 
 
 * Here follows an illustration with a different version of the blood-gathering. The 
 heading is — " Ensi que iosephs recoilli le degout du sane qui issoit des plaiies notre 
 seigneur qui puis fa apeles li saint graalz.'' The illustration figures Joseph sitting under 
 the cross, and collecting the drops of blood from the chest and feet in a basin. Mary 
 wringing her hands stands on Christ's right, and John, pointing to him, on the left. 
 The cross-bars of the thieves' crosses pass under their arms behind their backs, their 
 hands are folded on their bellies in front, and crosses of blood are on their folded hands, 
 as if nails had been driven right through the hands and bellies. In MS. 10,292, an 
 angel is carrying off the child-soul of the repentant thief on the right ; while a devil 
 pounces on that of the unrepentant one on the left. 
 
THE JEWS PUT JOSEPH IN PRISON, AND CHRIST APPEARS TO HIM. 25 
 
 loy. Si pourparlerent ke il le prenderoient la nuit del premier 
 somme : et si 1 en menroient ' en tel lieu ke lamais n oroit on de lui peats, "la nuit 
 enseignies. A che conseil se tinrent tout; si murent la nuit del somme^et^si 
 premier somme et feri I'uns d'aus a I'uis. Et quant il fu ouuers si roknt"] 
 enterrent tuit ens a vne bruie, et prisent ioseph. tout endormi, si The Jews seize 
 
 ■■- ^ Joseph and 
 
 I'enmenerent loing de iherusalem Men .v. lieues en vne fort maison carry him off 
 
 , out of Jeru- 
 
 qui estoit I'eueske chayplias. Icliele maisons estoit en vne mult saiem, 
 
 grant marescliiere. si i auoit ,j. pUer tout crues qui sambloit estre 
 
 massis. Dedens clie piler auoit la plus Hdeuse chartre qui onques 
 
 fust veue, et la plus orde. Ne nus ne s'en aperchust se il ne li fust 
 
 dit auant. tant soutiement estoit ouuree. Quant il orent ioseph mis „"^to two^'rf 
 
 hors de iherusalem, si le liurerent a deus seulement qui auoient iure their set, who 
 
 ■I put him m 
 
 ke ia nus paraus n'en saroit nouueles. Ohil le menerent en la prison, and 
 
 ■■■ order him to be 
 
 chartre, et deffendirent au chartrier ke il n'eust a manger ke vne f^d on bread 
 
 and water. 
 
 pieche de pain le iour et plain hanap di aue. Et maintenant s'en 
 retornerent en iherusalem si qu'U i furent anchois qu'il aiournast. 
 Et lors si oir-ent le tumulte et la grant plainte de ioseph qui pendus 
 est. Et quant pilates le sent, si su fu mult dolens, mais U n'en sent 
 que faire. car il pensoit bien que che auoient fait li iuif par le con- 
 seil des maistres de la loy. si n'en sauoit que faire. Et quant uint 
 au diemenche ke ihesus fu resussites, et les gardes orent dit as iuis W"™ ^i^^t 
 
 rises Caiaphas 
 
 comment il auoient pierdu ihesu : si manda chayphas a son chartrier teiis the jailer 
 
 ... - ... I'll. to let Joseph 
 
 qu il ne li donnast lamais a manger, anchois le loissast morir de faim. starve, 
 Mais li sires pour qui seruiche li iuif pour-cachoient sa mort, ne le 
 vaut pas werpir en sa meschanche. Anchois li guerredouna a chent 
 doubles son seruiche. Oar maintenant ke ses cors fu issus du 
 sepulchre, vint il a lui en la chartre ou il estoit, et si li porta por tut Christ 
 
 i J? 1. 1 • j_ 1 • ■, . brings him the 
 
 compaignie et pour comiort : la samte escuele que ioseph auoit Dish with the 
 ostoie en sa maison a tot le sane qu'il auoit requelli. Et quant prison!" " 
 ioseph le vit, si en fu mult lies : et lors sent il vraiement ke ch'estoit 
 diex : si ne s'en repentoit mie de son seruiche : Anchois auoit tel 
 ioie ke il ne li chaloit de la prison puis qu'il auoit le confort et la 
 compaignie de son signour. Ensi apparut li sauueres du monde a 
 
 E 
 
26 JOSEPH STATS 42 TEARS IN THE PRISON, AND IS THEN DELIVERED. 
 
 Christ comforts ioseph aiichois ke a autrui. Et si la conforta mult, et dist que ' bien 
 
 Joseph, and i ■>■ 
 
 assures him he f^g^ jj sBurs Qu'il 116 morroit. pas en la prison, ains en istroit tous 
 
 shall live, -■■ -^ -■■ 
 
 sains et tout saus, ne ia mal ne doleur ni auroit, et si seroit tous 
 
 iours en sa compaignie. Et quant U en istroit, H tourneroit a 
 
 „. merueille tout le mont qui le uerroit. Et apres serroit ses nons 
 
 and carry His -^ _ '■ 
 
 name to foreign portcs eu cstraiuges Hsus : et par lui et par ses oirs. Mais encore 
 
 ne estoit pas li termes que il en issist, ains demourroit grant pieclie 
 
 tant que tous li siecles quiderait qu'il fust mors. Et quant il Ten 
 
 uerroient issir, si en serroit ses nons glorejBles et loes, et maintes 
 
 gens en kerroient.' Ensi remest ioseph en la prison tant que tous 
 
 Joseph's wife estolt oubUos et ke nus ne tenoit mais parole de lui. Si remest sa 
 
 jo^ephesTre feme mult esgarcB, qui encore estoit iouene feme. Et ses flex 
 
 dismayed. iosepbe qul n'auoit k'an et demi quant ses peres fu mis en prison. 
 
 Si fu la dame maintes fois amonestee de marier. Mais ele dit k'ele 
 
 But she will not n'aroit iamais carnel compaignie deuant k'ele seust certaine nouuele 
 
 marry again, ^^ ^^^ marl. Car cl I'amoit sour toute creature Et quant li enfes 
 
 uint a age de marier, si li en orterent si parent que il se mariast. 
 
 Mais n estoit si espris de I'amour ihesu crist par I'amonestement 
 
 and her son de sa merc, qu'il dist qu'il ne feroit ia mariage de soi que a sainte 
 
 Hoiy°chi^ch!^ eglise seulement. Oar il creoient andoi, et auoient recbeu bap- 
 
 tesme en la maia .s'. lakeme le menor. qui fu eueskes de iberu- 
 
 salem : grant tans puis la mort ibesus crist. Et iosepb fu en la 
 
 How Joseph prison, ensi com vous aues oi : tant qu'il i demoura .xlij. ans, et lors 
 
 in'^pris^o^n.^and ^'^h geta vaspasicus H empereres de rome. Et si orres comment il 
 
 delivered mt dcmoura .xlij. ans. Au iour que ihesus fu crucefies, tenoit tyberius 
 
 °'''- Cesar 1' empire de rome, et apres cbe le tiat il .x. ans. Apres regna 
 
 Thereignsof . . . • i • -pj- 1 j- • 
 
 the Roman Em- gaius SBs uics, qui UB vcsqui KG .J. au. Et aprcs regna claudiens qui 
 
 chri^.'' "'^ tiat I'empire de rome .xiiij. ans. Apres claudien regna noirons, 
 
 sous qui s'. pierres fu crucefies et .s'. paus decoles. Et si ne 
 
 tint I'empire que .xiiij. ans. Apres noiron regna tytus et vas- 
 
 vespasian was pasucns. SBS ficx, qui fu mesiaus. Et au tiercb an que titus recbut 
 
 a leper. .„. i'j_i . -n. i- 
 
 1 empire, lu ioseph letes de prison. E si poes center .xnj. ans del 
 cruchefiement ihesu crist iusc' au deliurement de iosepb. Et si 
 
HOW VESPASIAN, THE SON OF TITUS, WAS A lEPEB. 27 
 
 ores comment il fu deliures. II avint le premier an ke titus fu 
 empereres que ses flex vaspasiiens deuint mesiaus si tres durement Vespasian be. 
 
 ^ ^ ■"■ comes leprous. 
 
 que nus ne le pooit souflPrir. De clieste cose eut titus si grant duel : 
 
 qu'il n'en pooit estre confortes. Et fist sauoir par toutes terres ke Titus offers gifts 
 
 to any one who 
 
 qui porroit son fil garir de la meselerie, il li donroit si riche don wiii cure his 
 com il osoroit dire de bouclie'. Et quant il *eut par tout fait sauoir, 
 si ne trouua home qui 1' en seust garir. Tant qu'U auint cose c'un 
 cMualers de ners capharnaum vint a rome, qui en oi la parole, a knight of 
 
 ■^ ^ _ Capernaum 
 
 Et quant il vint deuant I'emperour, si dist qu'il parleroit uolentiers asks to talk with 
 
 Vespasian, 
 
 a son fil pour son preu. Et il le fist mener a la fenestre d'une 
 
 cambre ou il estoit tous seus, si parloit on a lui par chele fenestre. 
 
 Car on ne peust autrement souffrir le grant puasine qui de lui issoit. 
 
 Et quant il eut son chief mis hors par la fenestre, si le regarda li 
 
 chiualers, et vit qu'il estoit plus mesiaus que nus ne peust penser. 
 
 Et chil H demanda tantost. se il sauoit aucune cose qui li peust auoir and teiis him 
 
 mestier. Et li chivalers li dist. " Sire, certes ie uous j avoie, pour walaiep™!^ 
 
 che ke ie fui ia mesiaus en m'enffanche." "Ha: biaus sire, dist by jIsuI,*'"'^ 
 
 chU, comment en garistes vous donques." " Chertes, dit cil, par .j. 
 
 prophete qui fu en iudee ke li iuif ochisent a grant tort." " Et par 
 
 quoi vous engari il," che dist uaspasiens. " Chertes, dist chil, il ne who touched 
 
 fist ke touchier a moi et tantost fui tous garis." " Coument, dist him whoi"^ * 
 
 il : si estoit de si grant pooir. qu'il garissoit de meselerie :" " Certes, 
 
 sire, dist li chiualers, encore faisait il plus. Car il resuscitoit les 
 
 mors." Et il demanda pour quoi il auoit este ochis. " Certes, sire, 
 
 dist il, por chou k'il prechoit ueritei, et ke il reprennoit les iuis de 
 
 lor felounies. Et ie croi ke se vous tenies cose a quoi il eust anithatany. 
 
 -'- thing that 
 
 touche, que vous gariries maintenant." Quant chil I'oi, si en eut christhas 
 
 touched would 
 
 trop grant leeche, et si fist enuoier quere son pere. Et si li fist ""■■e Vespa- 
 
 ... , sian. 
 
 center la parole, car li ne pooit mais gaires parler. Et titus dist xitus says he 
 qu'U enuoieroit sauoir se on porroit nens trouuer ki a lui eust ^mel;Wng*^°'^ 
 touchie. " Sire, dist uaspasiens, pries ent chest chiualer qui est 
 de la terre. Et si li dounes tant du uotre ke il fache chest 
 message. Car li cuers me dist que ie garirai. Et se g'en puis garir, 
 
 e2 
 
28 
 
 A KNIGHT GETS THE VERONICA KERCHIEr TO CURE VESPASIAN. 
 
 Titus asks the 
 knight to un- 
 dertake the 
 task. 
 
 The knight 
 iinds Felix go- 
 vernor of Jeru- 
 salem, 
 
 and orders him 
 to have procla- 
 mation made 
 for anything 
 Christ has 
 touched. 
 
 Mary brings 
 the Veronica 
 cloth, and the 
 knight takes it 
 to Rome. 
 
 Vespasian's 
 dream. 
 
 ie promecli bien an prophete que ie prendrai uenianclie de la honte 
 ke li iuif li fisent. Tant pria titus Ie cMualer ke il li otria a faire 
 son message. Et il li bailla mult riche harnois, et si li bailla son 
 seel, ke tout cbil a qui cbes letres venroient. fesissent quanque il 
 commanderoit. Lors en uint H cMualers en iudee, si tronua en 
 iherusalem vn romain qui auoit non felis, qui a cbel iour estoit 
 garde de iudee et de sulie ensi, com li romain metoient lor gardes 
 par les terres ke il auoient conquises. A chelui bailla li cMualers Ie 
 seel I'emperour. Et quant cbil ot leu les letres, si dist que il com- 
 mandast son plaisir. et il seroit fais. Et li cMualers dist : ke il fesist 
 crier par toute la terre, ke qui aroit nule cose ke ihesus eust tenue : 
 aportast Ie auant. Et qui encheleroit riens, et il peust etre apercbeu : 
 il n'en porroit eschaper per ke il n'en mourust. Ensi com il Ie 
 commanda, ensi fu crie en iherusalem tout premierement. Mais 
 onques ne vint auant qui riens en reconeust. Eors que vne feme de 
 mult grant aage qui auoit nom marie la uemssiene. Chele vint 
 a felis, et si li porta vne piecbe de toille k'ele auoit garde mult 
 honorement puis Ie cruchefiement de ihesu. Et si Ie dist, " Sire, au 
 jour que li sains propbetes fu menes cruchefiier, si passoie ie deuant 
 lui, si portoie vne pieche de toille uendre. Et il m'apiela, si me 
 pria ke ie li prestaisse cbele toille pour son vis essuer qui li degou- 
 toit tous de suour. Et quant ie Ten oi essue, si I'enuolepai : et 
 I'enporta en maison. Et quant ie Ie desuolepai, si trouuai la figure 
 ibesu autresi parant ke se on I'eust painte en vne paroit. Des la 
 en cha I'ai gardee, si ne fm onques puis si malade, se ie Ie poi veoir 
 ke maintenant ne fuisse toute garie." Et ele desploia la toile, si 
 sambla k'ele fust toute nouelement tissue, et la figure i paroit 
 autresi bien com s'ele i eust este lors emprientee. Chele toille en 
 aporta U cMualers a rome. Et '1 auint deuant che qu'il i uenist, si 
 songoit vespasiiens ke vns hom venoit de uers li chiel, si Ie prenoit 
 as ongles, si I'escorchoit tout. Et quant il estoit escorchies, si gar- 
 doit, en j. miroir s'il se pooit counoistre. Et tous li siecles couroit 
 apres lui et disoient " venes veoir I'omme mort qui est reuescus." 
 
VESPASIAN IS CUREB ; AND SEIZES CHRIST's PERSECUTORS. 29 
 
 Au matin, quant il fu leues, si uint ses peres deuant lui com chil 
 qui I'amoit sour toute riens. Et quant vaspasiens le vit, si li dist. 
 " Sire, faites vous lie, car ie sai de uoir que ie garirai," et lors si li dist 
 son songe. A ch.es paroles vint li chiualers. Et quant vaspasiiens 
 le vit, qui encore estoit a la fenestre, si senti que tout li membre li 
 alegoient. Si commencha a hucMer de si loing com il le vit. 
 " vous soiies li bien venus, cor vous aportes ma sante." Et li chi- 
 ualers desploia tantost la toille sans plus dire. Et maintenant que On seeing the 
 
 . .jTin •nil- ;i cloth, Vespasian 
 
 vaspasuens vit lempriente de la figure : si lu plus biens et plus is healed, 
 sains ke il n'auoit onques este nul iour, Et quant ses peres le vit, 
 et les autres gens, si fu la ioie si grans que nus ne le kerroit qui 
 veue ne I'eust. Et lors prist vaspasiens la visiere, si I'ostoia au plus 
 houneraulement que il pent. Et si dist qu'il ne fineroit iamais ^""^ declares 
 
 ■'■■'■ _ ■■■ that he will 
 
 deuant cbe qu'il eust uengiet la bonte au signeur qui sante li auoit take revenge 
 
 ^ ° . f"^ Christ's 
 
 rendue. Maintenant fist atourner son oirre et mut pour aler en death. 
 iudee, et si enmena le cbiualer auoec lui, et si le fist signeur de toute sa 
 maison. Et quant il fu uenus en iberusalem : si fist venir deuant lui He goes to 
 
 ., .. i-ijiii* J 1. . 1 Jerusalem. 
 
 mane la uenissiene, Et chele li nouma tous cmaus qui encbore ,, 
 
 -•■ Mary names the 
 
 viuoient par qui forcbe et par pui conseil : ibesu crist auoit recbeu t^^'^<"'s ='g^i"st 
 mort. Et vaspasiens les fist tous prendre, et si fist faire .j. grant fu, et are taken. 
 dist que la les ardroit tous. Et quant la feme iosepb oi cbes nouueles : Joseph's wife 
 si vint auant entre li et son fil. Et si se clama de son singneur que husband. ""^ 
 il li auoient tolu, ne onques puis ensenges n'en auoit oies. Et on li 
 demanda pour quoi il auoit ibesu despendu de 1^ crois : et mis en .j. 
 sien sepulcre. Et quant il oi cbou, si iura qu'il les arderoit tous se 
 il ne li enseignoient ou il estoit. Et cbil li respondirent ke ardoir The traitors 
 
 , - , -T 1 • • ( 1 •! ',•,--, cannot tell 
 
 les porroit : car il ne li porroient rendre, ne il ne sauoient qu il where he is, 
 estoit deuenus. Et il disoient uoir. ke il n'en sauoient nule uerite. 
 Ne des .ij. qui le menerent en la prison : ni auoit il mais c'un seul 
 vif. Oar li autres eut la teste caupee dedens la semaine ke il I'orent 
 enprisoune. Et li cartriers chai des fenestres de la tour a terre 
 I'endemain ke il li laissa a douner a manger. Ensi ne remest que li though caia- 
 vns vis, cbe fu chaypbas qui estoit euesques des iuis I'an ke ibesu '"'''" ^"°^^^' 
 
30 CAIAPHAS TAKES VESPASIAN TO JOSEPH'S PKISON. 
 
 cris morut. Et quant il virent ke mourir les couuerroit : si dirent 
 que d'aus porroit il faire sa uolente et son commandement, car il 
 estoit uoirs qu'il avoient pris ioseph. Mais il I'auoient bailliet a 
 deus d'aus, pour chou qu'il ne yoloient pas ke il seussent tuit ou il 
 serroit en prison. De ches .ij. estoit chayphas li vns. Et se cliil 
 n'el sauoit, dont n'en orroit il iamais nouuieles par nule homnie. 
 caiaphas is Lors demaiida chayphas a veoir. Et quant il fu venus deuant lui, si 
 
 brought up, . 
 
 and the others le fist biou gardor : et tous les autres fist ardoir. Et quant il furent 
 
 are burnt. . 
 
 ars, si dist a chayphas ke U feroit de lui la grignour iustiche qui 
 
 Caiaphas agrees ouqucs fust faltc d'omo SO 11 uc H rendoit ioseph. Et chayphas re- 
 
 joseph was spoudoit quc ' dout en pooit il faire la iustice tele com lui plairoit, ke 
 
 hTisToTtobe se tout cMl du moudc I'auoient iure, n'el porroient il rendre vif, se 
 
 diex meismes non. Mais il li enseigneroit le lieu ou il auoit este en 
 
 prison mis. Car de sa uie ne sauvoit il riens. Mais ke che fust par 
 
 tel conuent qu'il ne fust ars ne ochis.' Et vaspasiens respondi que 
 
 tous seurs fust, car il li creantoit loiaument ke il ne le feroit ne 
 
 Hetaiiesthem ardoir uc ocMrrc. Et lors le mena chayphas a sa tour, au piler 
 
 e prison, ^^ ^ estolt. Et si dist, " Sire, en chest pUer fu il mis des que 
 
 ihesus fu cruchefiies que ie n'auoie mie .xxxiij. ans qui ore sui 
 
 si viens con vous poes veoir." Et vaspasiiens li dist, " Ne t'es- 
 
 maie. car chil pour qui il i fu mis : est tous poissans de lui 
 
 garder sain et sauf et tant et plus. Oar moi qui onques serui 
 
 ne I'auoie, a il gari de plus vU mal qui soit." Lors commanda a 
 
 chayphas ke U entrast en la chartre. et se il ne le trouoit vif, 
 
 but refuses to sl cu aportast Ics OS. Et chayphas respondi ke il ni enterroit s'il le 
 
 deuoit tous desmembrer. Et uaspasiens respondi ke il n' auoit pas 
 
 tort, car il n' estoit pas raisons que si desloiaus pechieres entrast en 
 
 lieu ou si preudom fust com chil estoit qui de la crois auoit despendu 
 
 Vespasian goes le sauueour du moude. Lors dist qu'il meismes i enterroit. Si le 
 
 down into it. 
 
 fist aualer ens a cheus ou il plus secreoit. Et quant il vint a ual, si 
 vit entour lui si grant clarte, ke s'U i eust .c. chierges alumes ele 
 ni fust pas si grans. Et il se tint a vne part tous cois : si fu tous 
 esbahis de la grant clarte qu'il ueoit. Et quant il ot este grant 
 
VESPASIAN TAKES JOSEPH OUT OP PRISON. 31 
 
 pieche, si apiela ioseph. et ioseph respondi. " Biaus sire diex, qui 
 
 est che qui m'apiele." " le sui, dist il, uaspasiiens li flex I'empe- Jo^geph'^hote 
 
 reour." Et ioseph s'esmerueilla, car il ne quidoit auoir demoure "' 
 
 en la prison com tant com il auoit du uenredi insc'au dimenclie. Et 
 
 an dimenclie li apparu ihesu cris : si ne quidoit pas ke en si peu de 
 
 tans i eust empereour cangie. Car la clartes ke ihesu cris i aporta 
 
 quant il li apparut : ne estoit onques puis falie, si ne quidoit pas 
 
 qu'il li fust onques puis auuitie. Lors demanda a uaspasiien, qu'il 
 
 uoloit faire de lui. Et uaspasiiens li dist, ke il I'estoit uenus deliurer : and that he has 
 
 i . . T 1J5T -t o •! -nj come to deliver 
 
 et uengier son signour des grans nontes c om ii auoit laites. hi him. 
 quant ioseph I'oi, si en eut mult grant ioie. Lors se fist traire uas- 
 pasiiens a mont tout premierement pour dire la sus la grant meruelle 
 de la ioie qui ert a ual. Endementiers vint vne vols a ioseph qui li a heavenly 
 
 voice tells 
 
 dist. "Ne t'esmaie mie : mais soies tous seurs. car li terriens Joseph not to 
 
 fear. 
 
 vengieres est uenus. Ohil te uengera de tes anemis corporelment. 
 
 Mais I'esperitueus uenianche sera asses plus gries. Et quant tu 
 
 aras veu quel uenianche il en aura prise : si te mousterrai com grans 
 
 paines il te conuenra souffrir pour mon non porter par les estranges 
 
 terras." Et ioseph li respondi : " Sire, vos sergans est apparellies He asks after 
 
 a souffrir toutes les coses ke votre bouche li daignera commander. * ^ ^"'^ °'^'' ' 
 
 mais que ferai je de uo sainte escuele. Car ie vauroie mult qu'ele 
 
 peust estre celee, et ke ia nus ne le veist." Et la vois li respondi, 
 
 " Ne t'esmaie de 1' escuele. Car quant tu uenras en ta maison, tu the voice savs 
 
 le trouueras en cheli Heu ou tu I'auoies mise : quant ie le te aportai ^l^^ ^^ '" '^'^ 
 
 chaiens. Or t'en va, car ie tepren en garde et en conduit vers tous 
 
 homes." A tant s'en teut la vois, et vaspasiiens qui ia estoit en haut, le Joseph is 
 
 refist traire a mont. Et quant chayphas le vit qui estoit illueques, si of^ptLT' 
 
 ne H fa mie auis ke il fust enuiellis ne tant ne quant. Anchois dist qu'il 
 
 ne I'auoit onques veu plus biel qu'il estoit ore, Et ioseph, quant il le ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ 
 
 uit, ne le peust counoistre, tant estoit enuiellies et debrisies. Ne son ^1°^ '^'T: 
 
 ' ■•■ phas, or his 
 
 fil meisme quant il le vint baisier,n'el counut il mie : anchois demanda '""' ^''"■ 
 qui il estoit. Et chil qui entour estoient, li disent qu'il estoit ses fleus : 
 et il n'el crei mie. Apres le courut sa feme a coler et baisier, et il 
 
32 Joseph's return home, vespasian burns Christ's enemies. 
 
 le commenclia a regarder pour che que trop estoit cangie. Et ele li 
 
 dist, " Sire, dont ne me counissies vous. Je sui elyab votre femme, 
 
 Joseph doesn't et cliis est loseplie votre fiex." Et il li dist ke il ne Ten kerra ia, se 
 
 know his wife, i^ -, • i • • 1-1, .. ,.-,. 
 
 ele ne Ten desist uraies ensegnes priuees. Et vaspasuens h dist. 
 
 " ioseph com-bien quidies vous auoir este en cheste prison " Et 
 
 and thinks he ioseph 11 dlst, " Slro, ie i quit auoir demoure des uenredi iuscb'a liui, 
 
 has been only , , ,.,..,,-,, , _,. 
 
 one day in pri- et le quit qu il soit hui diemenches. Et uenredi despendi iou le urai 
 
 son; 
 
 propbete de la crois pour qui ie fui en prison mis." Et quant il 
 eut cbe dit. Si commencbierent a rire tout cbU qui estoient entour 
 lui. Car U quidoient que il fust ensi estourdis. Mais plus s'esmer- 
 uella caypbas de cbe qu'il auoit tant uescu sans boire et sans mangier. 
 but Vespasian Et vaspaslleus U dlst, " Par foi, il me font entendant ke il a .xlij. ans 
 
 tells him he has i j. i? ■ • j. i j. 1 • • 
 
 been there 42 kc 11 propbetes lu uus en crois, et ke vous aues este .xlij . ans en prison. 
 
 ^''''"' Et quant vous fustes enprisounes tyberius cesar estoit empereres de 
 
 rome, et puis en i a eu trois. Ore est mes peres U quars." Quant 
 
 ioseph cbe oi, si s'esmeruella trop. Et uaspasiiens li amena caypbas 
 
 deuant li, si li demanda si il le counissoit. Et il ne le counut mie : 
 
 si demanda qui il estoit. Et U respondi ke il estoit caypbas qui 
 
 I'auoit mis en la prison entre lui et vn autre. Et si li dist, " tes en- 
 
 seignes qui quant il I'orent amene iusc'au pie de la tour, si le lais- 
 
 sierent si durement cbaoir a terre. ke il eut vne plaie sour le sour- 
 
 cbil." Icbas ensegnes conut bien iosepb, si lor moustra la plaie. et 
 
 Joseph returns Quaut 11 vlut eu Iberusalem. si H coururent si ami encontre, et les au- 
 to Jerusalem, 
 
 tres gens ensamble. Mais mult en i eut peu qui il peust counoistre, 
 
 ne des siens ne des estranges. Et vaspasiiens fist prendre tons cbiaus 
 
 que on pent trouuer, si les fist amener deuant iosepb. Et tous 
 
 points out the cbeus ke iosepb dlsolt Qul auoient este en aide et en consentement 
 
 abettors of -^ -^ 
 
 Christ's death; ([q ihesu cruclfiler, sl les fasoit tous ardoir sans raencbon prendre. 
 
 and Vespasian 
 
 burns them. Et quaut 11 cut tout ais cbeus qui estoient vif ke iosepb peust con- 
 noistre : si fu tenus li plais de caypbas. Et uaspasiiens apiela 
 iosepb et cbiaus de sa maison, si lor demanda comment il esploi- 
 
 what is to be teroit sauf son creant. Car il li auoit creante qu'il ne seroit ars ne 
 
 done with ^ ^ i p . 
 
 caiaphas ? ocbls, Sl 1 But dc teus qul iugierent ke il le fesist metre en la 
 
WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH CAIAPHAS ? 33 
 
 prison ou ioseph auoit este, si mourust illuec de faim. Et li 
 autre dirent ke il le pooit bien faire morir sans fanser son creant. Have him 
 
 ^ drowned, tor 
 
 Car U n'el deuoit sarandir que d'ardoir et d'ocMre. Et s'il le then he'ii nei- 
 
 ° ■■■ ... '"®"' ^^ burnt 
 
 faisoit noier, il ne serroit ne ocMs ne ars. Et ioseph li dist. noridiied. 
 
 " Sire, la forche et la signorie est en vous de lui faire morir. 
 
 Mais, pour dieu, nel faites pas ensi. Oar espoir encore amendera "'"^^^'^ ^^'\g 
 
 sa vie, et si kerra en chelui qui si longement m'a garde sain spared. 
 
 et sauf, et iete hors de ses mains et de mes autres anemis. Et par 
 
 auenture encore le fera notre sires tel que il ne vauroit mie que il 
 
 fust mors en chesti point." Et uaspasiiens li respondi. " Des ke vous Vespasian's 
 
 ■*■ ^ ^ answer : 
 
 le loes : il sera grant masse fait par votre conseil. Oar ie ne le ferai 
 
 pas morir. Mais en aucune maniere conuient il ke ie prenge uen- 
 
 ianche de la mort au signeur que il fist crucefiier a tort, et se il 
 
 plaist au signeur ke il viue, il viuera. Mais quant ie mui en cliest 
 
 pais ie crean'^ai au signour que ie ne retourneroie deuant que ie I'eusse 
 
 uengie a mon pooir del tort et de la honte qui en cheste vile li fu he had vowed 
 
 faite. Et ie Ten doi mult bien uengier. Car il me gari de la grig- revenge Christ's 
 
 ... .. , .... . death , 
 
 nour meselerie que onques cors d omme soustenist au mien espoir. 
 
 Mais quant ie fui venus en cbeste vile, et ie fls ardoir les premiers andhadbumt 
 
 - - 1 ■! •! -• -5 .T.. ij' the first set of 
 
 luis par ie conseii mane la venissiene qui m enuoia la visiere dont le jew?; 
 gari : si vint la clamours a moi : des iuis qui vous auoient mis en 
 prison. Et caypbas me dist qu'il m'enseigneroit le lieu ou vous 
 auies este mis. par couuent ke ie li creantaisse loiaument que il ne 
 serroit ars ne ocbis. Et ie, qui vous desirroie a ueoir plus ke nul ^ut had pro- 
 
 .... • 1 • !•• • mised Caiaphas 
 
 bome, li otriai. Car i esperoie bien : que li sires pour qui vous esties npt to bum or 
 en prison : ne vous auoit pas si manuals guerredon rendu que il 
 vous eust laissie morir en 1' ordure de chele cbartre. Et pour cbou 
 qe ie li otriai, conuient il ke ie li tienge son couuent, ne ie ne le 
 ferai pas mourir. Mais pour cbou que i'en doi le baut signour 
 en aucune maniere uengier : vous dirai que i'en ferai. Je le ferai and would 
 metre en mer en .j. batiel. Et quant ie I'arai fait eslongier de terre him^ourto™! 
 as autres nes : si le laissera on aler ensi comme il plaira a dieu que '° " *""■'' ' 
 il aut, Se diex veut que il viue, il viuera. et se il veut que il muire, to iive,or drown. 
 
 p 
 
34 
 
 VESPASIAN HAS CAIAPHAS PUT OTJT ON THE SEA. 
 
 Caiaphas is put 
 into a boat, and 
 pushed out to 
 sea. 
 
 The contrast 
 between the 
 Pagans and 
 Jews. 
 
 il n'en escapera ia. Ensi porrai mon creant sauuer : et s'il plaist au 
 liaut signour ke il miiire en chest tourment ou ie le ferai metre : 
 dont en sera il bien uengies. Et si il li plaist qu'U en escape : il ne 
 sera pas escapes par moi : mais par sa manage." A tant feni li 
 conseus. Et uaspasiiens le fist maintenant metre en .j. batel. et si 
 le fist as marouniers eslonger des riuages. Tant que il le laissierent 
 aler la ou auenture le menroit. 
 
 Ensi vaspasiiens uenga ihesu crist corporelment de ses anemis. 
 et non pas U tant seulement : anchois s'en nenga ihesu cris par lui. 
 Et che fu pour example moustrer de la desloiaute des iuis. Car cMl 
 qui n auoit apiele Mens, clie furent li paiien, ki li fisent plus d' ouneur 
 qui il apieloit ses fiex, che furent li iuif. Oar li iuis I'auoient 
 cruchefiiet, et li paien le vengoient. 
 
35 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 How Joseph was commanded by Christ in a vision to go and preach the Gospel in foreign 
 lands, taking the road to Ephrata, but carrying nothing -with him but the Holy Dish, 
 as God would provide for him. How Joseph is baptised by St. Philip (p. 36) ; and 
 also Vespasian and all his company ; and how Vespasian keeps it secret from his 
 father Titus, till it is known by a clerk's reproaching him at the siege of Jerusalem. 
 
 Apres s'en dut vaspasiiens retourner a rome. Et la nuit deuant 
 qu'il s'en dut repairier, estoit ioseph en son Ut. Si li vint vne Christ appears 
 anisions, que ihesu oris uenoit deuant lui, si li disoit. " Joseph, li '"aion^^ 
 termes est venus que tu t'en iras precliier mon non. Et si te con- 
 uenra laissier pour moi toute la terriene rikeclie. Ne iamais en 
 clieste terre ne retorneras. anchois sera ta semenche espandue en 
 si lontaignes terres ke tu ne le porroies penser ne quidier. Car i'ai and says Hehas 
 esleu a emplir les estranges terres de ta semenche, ne mie de cheli fiu foreign 
 
 ,. /-^ 1 • T 1. UT f J. ■ • lands with his 
 
 ke tu engenras. Car de losepnus ton iii : n istra lamais carneus spiritual seed : 
 fruis. Car il m'a promise pardurable chaaste. Or si garde ke tu te 
 faches demain baptisiier. Et si t'en iras maintenant hors de iheru- J- is to be 
 salem en tel maniere ke iamais ni enterras. Et si t'en iras sans or 
 et sans argent et sans mounoie et sans cauclieure. ne ia ne porteras and go forth 
 de tous auoirs que m'escuele seulement. I tant porteras auoec toi, or anythi^g^but 
 et si recheueras en mainie et en compaignie tous chiaus et toutes ^ '° ' 
 cheles ki te vauront sieuir : et ki vauront baptesme recheuoir. 
 Mais ie ne veul ke nus port peeune en ta compaignie. Car tu et 
 ch.il qui loiaument me seruiront auoec toi: aront toates les coses but aii that they 
 que lor cuer penseront et desirront. Et quant tu t'en vauras aler, w. * ^^ '*'*" 
 si manderas tes parens, et tes amis, et les parens ta feme. Si lor 
 anonche ma c'reanche, et lors si uerras li quel vauroit croire et aler 
 
 r 2 
 
36 JOSEPH AND VESPASIAN ARE BAPTISED. VESP. RETURNS TO ROME. 
 
 apres toi. Et quant tu istras de iherusalem, si t'en iras toute la 
 uoie qui ua a effrate. Et ie t'ensengnerai lors que tu deuras faire, et 
 comment tu deueras aler. 
 Joseph is Au matin bien main se leua ioseph : et rechut crestiente de la 
 
 baptised by St. -. ■■ . i • n i j -j -i •^ ^ -r-ij j. 
 
 Philip. mam samt pnelippe ki dont estoit euesques de inerusalem. Et quant 
 
 vaspasiiens I'oi dire, si I'enuoia querre. et demanda que clie senefioit 
 qu'il auoit fait. Et ioseph li respondi ke cli'estoit li sauuemens 
 ihesu crist. et sans che ne pooit nus hom estre sains. Et quant 
 
 baTi^d" '^ vaspasiiens I'oi : si dist que clieste creanche {)renderoit il, si se fist 
 baptisiier, et si fu iosepb ses maistres parins. Mais il fist iurer tous 
 cbeus de sa maisnie : ke ia ses peres n'en saroit riens par aus. Car 
 il ne voloit pas que ses peres le seust : deuant qu'il eust enquis de 
 lui meismes si li plairoit la creanche a recheuoir ou non. Et ne 
 
 and all his pour quant il fist toute sa compaimie baptisiier auoec lui. Ne 
 
 company; but it j. o x 
 
 is kept secret, ouques uo fu doscouuert ke il fust baptisies deuant ke il vinrent 
 
 Of the destnie- ^ntro lul ct SOU pcre destruire iherusalem de la grant destruction 
 
 lem^ °* Jerusa- ^^j £^ auchois kc H crestiicH s'en fuissent en la terre agippe le 
 
 fil herode agrippe. Car dont fu la grans destructions. Mais a 
 
 cheste destruction que tytus et vaspasiiens firent, ne fu ele pas si 
 
 destruite com a I'autre fois. Car dont fa ele si destruite qu'il ni 
 
 remest pierre sour autre. Ne li contes n'en parole en auant fors 
 
 que tant que tytus et vaspasiiens ses flex orent assis iherusalem ke 
 
 il assirent dedens I'an ke iosep fu mis hors de prison, si amnt cose 
 
 que vaspasiens assaloit mult durement. Car il estoit plains de mult 
 
 grant proueche et de grant hardement. Et uns clers qui auoit este 
 
 How Vespasian g, ^^i baptisior, le counut, si li commencha a crier. ' AM : uaspasiens 
 
 was reproached -*- ■■■ 
 
 by a cleric for desloiaus sarraslus et puis crestiens renoies, pour quoi guerroies tu 
 
 warring against ... i- x o 
 
 Christ. celui qui te gari de la meselerie et qui baptesme tu rechus.' A che 
 
 mot laissa vaspasiens a assalir que il li reprochoit che que li clers 
 auoit dit. et si le cacha hors de son lieu grant pieche. Mais che ne 
 content pas les estoires des emperours. Or repaire li contes la u 
 vaspasiiens se part de ioseph et de iherusalem : ou il a la creanche 
 recheue. 
 
37 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Of Joseph. How he converts his relatives and induces them to go vsrith him. How they 
 come to Bethany, and the Wood of Ambush (p. 38). How he tells them not to care for 
 lodging. How our Lord speaks to him (p. 38). How the people are miraculously 
 fed. How they come to the city of Sarras, whence the Saracens take their name. 
 How those are not to be believed who say that ' Saracen' is derived from Sara, Abra- 
 ham's wife (p. 39). Of the worship of the Saracens. How God commands Joseph 
 to preach to, and baptise, the inhabitants of Sarras (p. 40). 
 
 A tant se taist li contes de vaspasiien, ke il ne parole plus, et si 
 coirumenclie de iosepli. Et dist ke ioseph enuoie querre tous ses Joseph preaches 
 
 J 'J."! 11 1 . I ' ^ ^^s relatives 
 
 parens et ses amis, et si lor anonena ia creancne ensi com notre sires and wends 
 
 I'auoit commande. Si lor priecha taut de ihesus crist qu'il en con- 
 
 uerti .Ix. et xv. dont il i auoit de teus qui estoient baptisie. Mais il „" them™"^' ''^ 
 
 estoient refroidie de la creanche. Et li autre qui baptisie n'auoient 
 
 este : Se fisent maiatenant baptisiier. Lors s'en issi iosepb de la T'^^^ 'r^^ 
 
 ■^ ■■■ Jerusalem for 
 
 ehite entre lui et sa compaignie, si estoit ia nonne passeei Et quant ^''^''' 
 il fu. issus bors de la vile, si tourna la uoie qui aloit a effrate ensi 
 com notre sires I'auoit commande. Et quant il vint a betbanie, si and reach 
 commencba a auesprir. Et lors si li disent les gens. " Biaus sire, " ^"^' 
 ou herbergerons nous, se nous passons cbeste uUe: nous ne trou- wheretheywant 
 uerons humais ou berbergier." Et iosepb lor respond! " Signour *°'°'^se- 
 frere et sorors, or ne vous esmaies mie. Car diex li tous poissans j ij t^ug 
 pour qui amour nous somes issi de natre naite : nous conseillera en ^f^j *® ^■^^^ 
 tel maniere ke il ne nous faudra ne osteus ne viande. Mais gardes p™^'<^«- 
 ke vous ne vous desesperes de sa grant misericorde. Car se vous le 
 voles loiaument seruir comme si crestiien, votre cuer ne penseront 
 rien au matin que vous n'aies ains la nuit, Ne onques ne moustra 
 tant d'amour a nos peres el desert : com il moustra a nous se nous 
 
38 JOSEPH AND HIS COMPANY &ET TO A WOOD NEAR BETHANY. 
 
 They go on to 
 the Wood of 
 Ambush. 
 
 God's speech to 
 Joseph. 
 
 His mercy to 
 the Jews: 
 
 theii' ingrati- 
 tude to liim. 
 
 J . is to tell his 
 people that 
 they'll be mura- 
 culously fed in 
 the wood. 
 
 He is to make an 
 ark of wood for 
 the Grail-Dish. 
 
 le seruons ensi comme peres doit estre seruis de ses enfans. Mais se 
 nous le seruons comme fillastre, ausi comme notre pere le seruirent 
 el desert : il ne nous fera mie comme pere, mais comme parrastres. 
 Car il ne nous aidera pas, anchois nous faura : quant nous arons 
 grignour besoing de s'aide." 
 
 A tant laissa ioseph a parler, sialerent tant ke il vinrent a .j. petit 
 bos : qui estoit a demie lieue de betbanie, si auoit non li bos des 
 agais. Et si estoit apieles par cbel non pour cbou que en clie bos 
 fu agaities herodes thetrarches quant li iuis le liurerent a retlie le 
 roi de damas pour sa fille ke il auoit laissie : quant il prist la feme 
 philippe son frere. Quant il furent venu a che bos. si apiela notres 
 sires ioseph, si li dist. " Joseph, ie sui tes diex, tes sauueres, tes 
 defenderes, cbil qui ieta tes peres de la main pharaon a grant signes 
 et a grant demoustranches. Ie lor passai la mer rouge a secli, et 
 les menai el desert ou lor cuer auoient quan ke il voloient desirer. 
 Illuec me courechierent il en mainte maniere a li aue de contredit 
 et au ueel qu'il jEirent pour anrer. Et ie toutes voies lor aidrai et 
 defendrai viers toutes gens, tant ke ie mis tous lor anemis desous lor 
 pies. Onques pour chou ne se recorderent ke ie lor eusse bien fait, 
 ne plus uolentiers ne m'en seruirent. Anchois me rendirent en la 
 fin si felon loiier que il me dampnerent el fust. Et se li pere m'ont 
 mau serui, pour cbe ne harrai pas les fiex. Oar ie veul penitenclie 
 des pecbies, et si n'ai cure de mort. Et pour chou ke ie ne voel 
 espandre ma misericorde sour les flex as felons peres : pour chou 
 t'ai esleu a porter mon non et ma creanche par les estranges terres. 
 Et si seras guieres de grignour pule ke tu ne quides. et par toi 
 aront il m'amour et m'aide se il me veulent tenir a pere et a signour. 
 Or va a ton pule, et si le fai herbergier en che bos, et il aront toutes 
 les viandes ke il vauront auoir : cascuns en son habitacle. Et an- 
 chois que tu isses de cest bos : feras a m'escuele que tu as vne petite 
 arche de fust en quoi tu le porteras. Et chascun iour feres uos 
 afiiictions de double genoil deuant chele arche, et dires vos orisons 
 pour auoir 1' amour de dieu uotre seignour. Et quant tu vauras a 
 
THET AEBIVE AT SAERAS, THE CITY OF THE SARACENS. 39 
 
 moi parler, si ouuerras I'arche en quel lieu que tu soies : si ke tu 
 seus uoies I'escuele apertement. Mais ie ne voel ke nus touche a 
 I'escuele : ke tu sans plus, et iosephes tes fiex. Or t'en va, si atourne 
 son pule, et si fai ensi comie t'ai commande." 
 
 A tant s'en parti iosepli,et vint a son pule, si le fist herbergier The people 
 
 ^ ' ^ ^ ^ '-' ^ camp in the 
 
 par le bos, es ramees et es fuellies. Et quant il orent lor osteus fais, wood 
 si alerent a orisons. Et quant il reuinrent d' orisons, si trouua 
 
 and are fed 
 
 cbascuns en sa loge : cbou qu'il desiroit a mangier. Tant man- miraculously. 
 gierent et burent com eus plot : et furent si a aise. Au matin fist Joseph has the 
 
 " ... ^''^ made. 
 
 ioseph faire I'arclie. Si com notre sires li auoit commande. et mist 
 
 dedens I'escuele au sauueour. Et quant tons li pules eut este a 
 
 orisons deuant I'arche. Si com notre sires li auoit commande, si 
 
 uint deuant I'escuele au sauueour. Et quant tous li pules eut este They start from 
 
 a orisons deuant I'arche, si s'en partirent du bos, et entrerent en lor on the nth day 
 
 chemin. Si errerent tant par lor iournees ke il vinrent a vne chite ^^ '° 
 
 qui auoit non sarras. Si estoit entre babilone et salauandre. De sarras, 
 
 , . whence the 
 
 chele chite issirent premierement sarrasin. et de sarras furent il saracens come ; 
 
 premier ement sarrasin apiele. Ne ne font pas a croire chil qui ^r they are not 
 
 dient que sarrasin furent apiele de sarra la feme abraham. Oar che gfr^'^Abra 
 
 fu controuuaille ne raisons ne sambleche pas a estre. Ne che n'est ^^™'^ ■"'**■ 
 
 pas chose mescouneue, ke sarra ne fust iuise, et ses fiex ysaac fu 
 
 iuis. et iuis furent chil ki de ysaac descendirent. Oar par la grignour 
 
 partie prent on le tout. Et puis k'U descendirent iuif de sarra, dont 
 
 ne samble il pas raisons : ke li sarrasin presissent lor non de li. 
 
 Mais de chele chite qui avait non sarras furent apiele sarrasin, pour 
 
 che que che fu la premiere chites ou iches gens prisent certainete de 
 
 sauoir ke il aouroient. Et la fu controuuee et establie le secte ke How Mahomet 
 
 sarrasin maiutinrent puis uisc a la uenue de mahoumet qui fu enuoies save the 
 
 -Mr • •! 1 • Saracens, but 
 
 pour aus sauuer. Mais il dampna soi auant, et aus apres, pour sa damned himself 
 glouternie. Oar deuant che ke la secte fust : qui establie fu en ™ 
 sarras : n'auoient ches gens nule certainete d'aourer. Anchois '^^^ °*'J^'='' "' 
 
 _ ■ ^ worship of the 
 
 aourerent toutes les choses qui lor plaisoient, si ke che qu'il aouroient ™^" °^ s^™»- 
 ,j. iour n'auroient il pas a I'autre. Mais lors establirent il a aourer 
 
40 aOB TELLS JOSEPH TO BAPTISE THE SAEACENS. 
 
 le soleil et la liine et les autres planetes. En-cJiele citei vint ioseph 
 et sa compaignie a 1' onsime iour qu'il issi de iherusalem. Et quant 
 il vint a I'entree de la ville : si I'apiela notres sires, et si li dist. 
 God tells " Joseph tu t'en iras en chele cMte. si precheras mon non. Et tons 
 
 feeThepeopre chiaus qui la ereanclie recheueront, si les baptiseras el non del pere 
 otsarras, et del fil et del sajut esporit." Et lors respondi ioseph. " Sire, com- 
 ment sanrai ie si bien preechier : ia ne m'etremis ie onques de tel 
 cose." Et notre sires li dist. " Ne t'esmaies m.ie de che. Car tu 
 and He will ne fcras ke la bouche ouurir, et ie metrai dedens grant plente de 
 
 give him words 
 
 to speak, paroles. Ne ia ne troueras home de si grant scienche plain qui 
 puisse durer as paroles ke ie geterai hors de ta bouche. Et si te 
 
 and do miracles fcrai parell a mes apostles par les miracles et par les uirtus ke ie 
 
 by his hands, fgj^g^j pg^j. ^gg maius. Mais garde ke tu ne refroides de creanche. 
 Car tant com tu serras vrais creans, ne m'oseras tu riens requerre. 
 ke tu n'aies a ton besoing. Ore t'en ua, et si pense de ma besoinge 
 si bien faire ke tu en soiies paies comme loiaus sergans. Ne ia de 
 
 and keep and mauaches quc tu olcs, ne soies peuereus. Car ie te garderai et 
 
 defend him t rv* t • it * li 
 
 wherever he is. deffenderai en quel lieu ke tu soies. 
 
41 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 How Joseph and his seventy-five disciples enter Sarras, and go to the Temple of the 
 Sun, to the seat of judgment, where the wise men and Evalach the Lord of the city 
 were assembled to consult how to revenge themselves on the Egyptians who had 
 overcome them in battle. How Joseph thanks God that he has come at a favourable 
 time (p. 42). How King Evalach's counsellors advise that he cannot oppose the 
 Egyptians, but must make peace with them. How Joseph promises the King victory 
 and everlasting joy, and tells him of the Saviour (p. 43). How the King cannot 
 understand that one who suffered death can save him from death (p. 44). 
 
 A tant s'en parti iosepli, si entra en la cMtei, entre lui et sa com- 
 paignie. Et quant li cytoien les virent uenir tant ensamble. car il 
 estoient .lxxv., et il les virent aler tous nus pies, si se meruellent 
 ques gens che pooient estre. Et ioseph ne fina onques d'aler par la •'°^^^^ so^s to 
 vile entre lui et ses desciples tant que il vint deuant le temple au *« S"" 
 soleil. Et che estoit li plus liaus temples qui fust en la cliite : et si 
 le tenoient li sarrasin en grignour honour et en grignour reuerense 
 ke tous les autres, pour chou qu'il estoit temples qui est li plus haus 
 de tous les planetes. En I'entree de chel temple si auoit vnes loges 
 mult riches et mult bieles qui estoient faites et establies a che ke li 
 per de la chite i tenoient lor plais et lor afaires. Et ches loges es- 
 toient apielees li siege des iugemens. En ches loges entra ioseph. judgment, " 
 et li .Lxxv. ke ie vous ai dit qui estoient en sa compaignie. Et vne 
 mult grant tumulte du pule sarrasinois les sieuoient. pour che que a 
 grant meruelle resambloient bien estrange gent, ne onques mais si 
 diuerse n'auoient veue. Quant ioseph fu entres es loges : si trouua and finds a 
 mult grant assamblee de sarrasins, et le signour de la chite meismes, fiTerfsTr 
 qui estoit apieles eualach li mescouneus. Et si estoit anieles li "«"' ""d their 
 
 ^ ^ lord, Jivalacli 
 
 mescouneus pour chou ke nus horn detoute sa terre ne sauoit de quel ""^ unknown, 
 
42 
 
 KING EVALACH IN COUNCIL. JOSEPH S ADVICE TO HIM. 
 
 Of Evalaoh's 
 prowess. 
 
 But, as he was 
 old, 
 
 the Egyptians 
 had taken away 
 most of his land, 
 and beaten his 
 army; and so he 
 had assembled 
 his Council to 
 devise ven- 
 geance on his 
 enemy. 
 
 Joseph is glad 
 that he has 
 come at the 
 time of the 
 king's need. 
 
 The Counsellors 
 advise that 
 peace be made 
 with the 
 Egyptians, 
 
 at which the 
 king is dis- 
 mayed. 
 
 Joseph promises 
 him victory, and 
 also endless joy. 
 
 terre il estoit nes, ne de quel lieu il estoit venus, ne onques par nului 
 n'en auoient oi enseignes en la terre. Mais il auoit este de si grant 
 proeche ke il auoit par sa cheualerie conquise toute la terre iusk' en 
 I'entree de egypte. Et encore estoit il mult preus et mult corageus, 
 mais il estoit ia si vieus ke ses aages ne pooit mais souffrir qu'il 
 soustenist le trauail de porter armes. Si n'estoit mais tant redoutes, 
 ne tant cremus com il auoit este en sa iouenclie. Anchois le guer- 
 rioient ii egyptiien, si li auoient grant partie tolue de sa terre qui 
 marchissoit a aus. Et il I'auoient desconfit en bataille, et cachie 
 de plache, n' auoit mie encore .vii. iours passes. Et pour cheste cose 
 auoit il mande tous les sages homes et tous les anchiiens qui estoient 
 en son pooir. Car il leur en uoloit demander consel, comment il se 
 porroit vengier de la grant honte ke li egyptiien li auoient faite. 
 
 A dies paroles vint ioseph, si entendi bien et oi ke par laiens 
 tenoient lor paroles de la desconfiture le roi, et de sa mescheanclie. 
 Et quant il oi la uerite de la cose, si en eut mult grant ioie. Car il 
 se pensoit ke ore estoit venue I'eure et li tans ke sa parole porroit 
 estre oie et mise a oeure par le grant besoing ke li rois eualach a de 
 I'aide notre signour. Si en commenclia a rendre grasces a son crea- 
 tour de clie qu'U auoit fait uenir laiens a si boin point. Et quant li 
 rois eut parle a tous ses barons, si ni puet trouer point de conseil. 
 Anchois li estoient fall tot en trauers. Et disoient ke as egyptiens 
 ne assembleroient il mais. Car il auoient trop grignour forche ke 
 il n'auoient. si ne lor porroit se meskeoir non. Et bien i paroit, cbe 
 disoient, qtie vne fois lor en estoit il ia mes-auenu si laidement ke il 
 ne quidoient mie que iamais peust estre amende. Ensi com uous 
 poes oir, li falirent tout, et dirent, ke tel pais com il peust, quesist 
 vers les egyptiiens : car de la guerre ne s'oseroient il mie entre- 
 metre De cbeste chose fu li rois mult esbahis et mult espoentes, 
 tant ke il ne sent que dire ne que faire. Lors vint ioseph deuant 
 lui. et quant il le vit si tristre et si pensieu, si dist. " Hois eualach, 
 ne soies tu pas esbahis. Car se tu veus croire mon conseil, tu aras 
 ioie et uictoire de tous tes anemis. et conquerras auoec chou vne ioie 
 
JOSEPH TELLS EVALACH TO DESTROY HIS IMAGES. 43 
 
 autre : qui iamais ne prendra fin." Quant eualach Toi ensi parler 
 
 si le re^arda mult flerement, et si li dist. " Qui es tu, ua, qui uictoire Evaiach asks 
 
 ■"■ who Joseph is.. 
 
 me porroies douner de mes anemis : et la ioie qui iamais ne me 
 fauroit :" A cliest mot respondi ioseph et si li dist. " Par foi, rois, 
 cliou ne te promet ie mie ke ie te doinse la victoire ne la ioie perdu- 
 rable. Mais tant te disre bien, que se tu uoloies croire mon consel : ^■. '^r 'I'*' '^^ 
 
 ^ ■*• king 3 victory 
 
 tu auroies et la victoire et la ioie sans fin. pour le don et pour le win be the gift 
 
 ^ ^ of the Almighty. 
 
 grasce de chelui qui de toutes coses est poissans." Et eualacb li 
 respondi, " Ie escouterai mult uolontiers ques tes consaus porra 
 estre. Mais se tu me dis consel qui ne facbe a otroiier : li da- 
 mages en retournera sour ton cors." Et ioseph li respondi. " Rois, 
 ohe sera tes consaus qui te sera a hounour de cors et a pour- 
 fit de I'ame. Oar tu en seras boneres a ton viuant, et fame en sera 
 sauuee apres ta mort.^' " Par foi, cbe dist li rois : icbis consaus ne 
 fait mie a refuser. Or pues dont deuiser ques il sera. Car s'il est 
 teus com tu m'as dit : ie n'aurai ia home en ma maison qui ie croie 
 auant toi. anchois seras creus de toutes coses ke tu me vauras 
 consillier." " Rois, che dist ioseph, or enten donques comment tu Joseph teiis 
 
 ' . . Evalaoh to 
 
 seras conseillies. II te conuenra tot premierement destruire et de- destroy ws 
 
 r~i J. T T 1 • • images, for they 
 
 pechier les ymages que tu aoures. Oar tu dis ke che sont ti dieu, et can neither 
 
 SI lor demandes conseil et aie : et eles n ont nul pooir de toi aidier any one, 
 
 ne de nuire a autrui. Et tant saches tu bien de voir : que ti anchi- 
 
 sour en ont tot ete engingnie et decheu. Oar tout chil qui croient que 
 
 ches ymages lor peuissent aidier, sont perdu perdurablement pour 
 
 qu'U i soient pris au iour de la mort. Ne nus horn ne doit en chou and no man 
 
 , 1 I • T ^ r J. 1 • should believe 
 
 metre sa creanche, ke vne pieche de lust ne de pierre ouuree par in a wt of wood 
 main d'ome le puisse garandir de mort ne de mal. Mais celui doit but'n"Himwbo 
 on aourer, qui soufEri angoisse de le mort en la crois de son boin gre Cro3s°t" lave 
 et de sa boine volente, pour sauuer le monde et pour deliurer des ""^ ^'"'^^' 
 perdurables painesd' infer." " Ooument, che dist li rois, me ueus tu Evaiach's 
 dire ke chil est poissans de moi sauuer apres la mort. et de moi 
 douner hounour terriene, qui souifri angoisse de mort ensi com tu 
 meismes li tesmoignes. II ne me samble mie ke chil soit vrais diex ; 
 
 g2 
 
44 
 
 evalach's doubts and Joseph's answers. 
 
 How can one 
 who can't save 
 himself save 
 another ? 
 
 Joseph 
 explains. 
 
 Evalach's 
 further ques- 
 tions and 
 Joseph's 
 answers. 
 
 qui angoisse puet tant iustickier k'ele le maine iusc' a la mort. ne 
 il n'est mie auis qu'il puist estre uoirs, ne raisons, ne sambleche mie. 
 Ne ie iie puis mie veoir comment cMl me garandisse de mort, qui soi 
 meisme n'en puet garandir. Car mauuaisement sauuera autrui, cIllL 
 qui soi ne puet aidier." Lors li respondi ioseph, " Rois, li sauueres 
 du mont souffri si debonairement la mort, ke quant li fans tesmoing 
 des felons iuis I'acusoient deuant pylate : et pylates meismes li 
 demandoit se ch'estoit uoirs ke il disoient, il ne uoloit nul mot 
 respondre encontre clie que U disoient, si que pylates s'en merueilloit 
 mult durement de clie ke il ne li uoloit respondre." A chest mot 
 respondi li rois, et si li dist " Or me di, biaus amis, vieus tu dire a 
 cbertes et a uoir ke il soit diex pour cbe qu'U souffri la mort en cheste 
 maniere :" Et iosepb li respondi. " Naie, dist il, pour che ne di ge 
 mie qu'il fust diex, ne par cbe ne conquist U mie sa deite, ancbois 
 estoit diex deuant tons les orages, et tous iours sera diex que ia ses 
 regnes ne prendra fin." Et li rois respondi. " Coment me veus tu 
 prouer : pour cbou se il morut ke U mondes fust par sa mort sauues." 
 " Che te conterai ie bien, dist iosepb, comme cbU qui bien le sai. 
 Ne ia cbe sacbes tu de voir, ne te ferai riens entendant ke ie ne sacbe 
 uraiement. Mais or escoute, si oras comment il auint." 
 
45 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Joseph tells Evalach the story of Christ's Birth, Life, Death, Descent into Hell, Kesurrec- 
 tion, and Ascension, and his sending the Holy Ghost to his disciples. 
 
 " Av tans auguste chesar le boin empereour de rome qui 
 tint r empire .xlij. ans, et gar da la terre si longement en ferme 
 pais : au chief, de xxvij. ans. apres die qu'il eut este corones, auint 
 que diex enuoia son angele en vne cMte de galylee qui est apielee How God sent 
 nazareth, a vne pucMele qui auoit non marie. Et quant li angeies virgin Mary, 
 vint deuant li, siUdist, " Diex te saut, marie, plaine de grasce, diex 
 soit en ta compaignie. Tu es benoite deseure toutes autres femes, 
 et li fruis de ton uentre est beneois." Quant la puchele oi la 
 parole, si en fu mult esbabie, et commencha a purpenser de quel 
 maniere chis salus pooit estre. Et li angeies li dist. "Marie, ne 
 sois de riens esbahie. Car li sires du chiel t'a regardee et dounee sa 
 grasce. Et si sacbes deuoir, ke tu encbainteras, et si enfanteras .j.fil ^e^shouid^"^ 
 ■ qui sera apieles ibesus crist. Cbil enfes sera de mult grant puis- ^^r^a'chnd'' 
 sancbe. Car U sera fiex dieu." Et la pucbiele respondi. "Biaus who should be 
 
 ■■■ ■'■ called Jesus 
 
 sire, comment porra cbou auenir. la ne conui iou onques borne ^'"'''*- 
 
 carnelment." Et li angeies li dist. " Marie, li sains esperis de- 
 
 scendera en toi : et la virtus dieu le baut en-umbrera dedens ton 
 
 cors." Et la pucbiele respondi al angele. " Diex notre sire facbe son 
 
 plaisir de mi comme de s'ancbiele, car ie sui apparillie a son plaisir 
 
 eta sa volente." Et maintenant k'ele ot cbe dit, si descendi li How the spirit 
 
 . 1 • 1 -n 1 IT 1 /. . descended into 
 
 sams esperis dedens li, et si encbamta. Et quant ele ot le fruit her, and she 
 porteiusc'a son droit terme. si enfanta .j. vallet qui fu apieles ibesu mztewhowas 
 crist, ensi com li angeies I'auoit dit. Cbil enfes fu de si grant bau- 
 
46 JOSEPH TELLS EVALACH OF CHEIST's DEATH AND EBSUEKECTION, 
 
 teche et de si grant pooir ke troi roi d'orient le Adnrent aourer au 
 How 3 kings of tresime iour de sa natiuite. Et si aporta cascuns del plus cMer auoir 
 
 the east come to j. j. . -».t • i • i 
 
 worship Christ, que U puet trouuer en toute sa terre. Ne onques ni orent conduit 
 ne auoiement ke seulement vne estoUe, qui aparut si tost com il fa 
 nes, ne onques mais n'auoit este veue. Et quant herodes qui estoit 
 
 How Herod rol dc iudce seut ke vns tens enfes estoit nes qui serroit rois des iuis, 
 
 young children, si en out paour kc il ne le desiretast, si fist ochire tons les enfans de 
 la terre de bethleem. de .ij. ans et demi en aual. Tant qu'il en 
 i eut ochis .c. mille, et .xl. mile, et en cheste maniere se quida 
 lierodes uengier del enfant. Mais li haus sires qui de tout est 
 poissans sauoit bien son manuals pense. Si garda si sol meisme 
 
 How the Virgin ^jgg maiiis as folous qu'il ne porent auoir de lui bailie. Anchois 
 
 goes into Kgypt, -*- -*- 
 
 I'enporta la vierge puchiele sa mere en egyp, et si i demoura iusc' 
 
 apres la mort herode par I'amonestement d'un angele. Et quant 
 
 rVI h'Si^'h ^^ ^^ portes en egypte. et il commencba a entrer en la terre, si fist si 
 
 images in the grant demoustrancbe de sa venue ke il n'eut temple en toute le 
 
 tempiea fell '-' ■*- 
 
 down and were terro do egypto dont aucune ymage ne cbaist a terre et debrisoient 
 
 toutes de tens en i auoit. Iteus sinefiancbes faisoit li urais dieus en 
 
 How at 30 he is ga petitoche. Et quant il fu raportes de egypte, et il crut tant que 
 
 works great n yijit eu aage de .XXX. ans, si recliut baptesme, et lors commencba 
 
 miracles, ^ 
 
 U a faire les grans miracles en apiert. Car il rendoit as auules lor 
 veue. II garissoit les malades de toutes enfermetes. II faisoit les 
 contrais redrecbier et aler tous sains. II garissoit de si vil enfermete 
 com de meselerie. Ilfasoit les sours oir cler. II faisoit les mors reuenir 
 till the Jews gj^ yjg^ Iteus miracles faisoit li vrais diex en apert, uoiant toutes les 
 
 bribe one of his ^ 
 
 ducipies, gens. Et quant il eut ensi oure en maint liens et par maintes fois : si en 
 
 orent enuie li iuis. Si parlerent a .j. de ses desciples ke il prist d'aus 
 
 and crucify .XXX. donlers, si le vendi. Et cbU le prisent, si le crucefierent el fust. 
 
 He goes into Et quaut I'amc fu issue de son glorious cors, si ala en infer : et si 
 
 releases his ou Icta bors : tous cbiaus qui son seruicbe auoient fait en tore puis 
 
 , j^ commencbement du monde. Et quant vint au tiercb iour apres 
 
 cbe que il eut este mis el sepulcbre : car ion meismes li mis, et le 
 
 the third diy.° dcspeudi de la crois. Siresuscita, et s'en issi del sepulcbre tous en 
 
Christ's ascension, and the gift oe the holy ghost. 47 
 
 cors. et en esperit, Ne onques les gardes qui estqient mises pour lui 
 
 garder, ne le peurent si bien gaitier que il ne s'en issist. et si remest 
 
 li sepuchres autresi fermes com li iuif I'auoieiit laissie quant il 
 
 I'eurent fait garder. Car il I'auoient mis desous vne mult grant 
 
 pierre. et mult grosse : si fu trouuee en tout autrestel maniere com 
 
 ele i auoit este mise. Et quant il fu resuscites, si apparut puis How Christ 
 
 maintes fois a ses amis qui mult estoient dolent et esbahi de la mort Ms^reTurreotTon, 
 
 de lui. Et puis fist il deuant aus plusieurs miracles, par quoi il 
 
 sauoient de uoir ke il estoit vrais diex. Et quant il eut este .xl. 
 
 iours. en terre apres sa resurrection : si monta au quarantisme iour el ^^^ ascended 
 
 chiel, voiant ses disciples. Et quant vint a I'onsime iour apres chou '"'" Heaven, 
 
 ke il i fu montes, si lor enuoia le saint esperit de la destre a son and sent the 
 
 grant pere glorieus, de les qui il siet et sera perdurablement." hiliJi'^ies!° 
 
48 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Evalacli's objections to, and questions on, Christ's story. Joseph answers, explaining why- 
 God sent Christ on earth (pp. 48-9); in what sense he had a father and mother 
 (p. 50) ; how there is also the Holy Ghost (p. 50) ; and how the three persons are 
 yet one God (p. 51). He tells, too, of the creation of men to replace the Tenth 
 Legion of Angels (p. 51), of the Temptation and Fall ; Christ's taking flesh (p. 52), and 
 how he went into and came out of his mother's womb without hurt to her -virginity 
 (p. 53); and how he was baptised and crucified, and went into hell (p. 53); and how 
 he took out of hell aU who had done his works during their lives (p. 54). 
 
 Evaiach asks, A chest mot respondi eualach, et si li dist. " Coment di, ua, tes- 
 
 a fethJr°and " moignes tu doiiques : ke chil diex qui tu tiens a si poissant ke tu 
 
 mother? I'apieles signour de toutes choses, eut pere et mere:" "voirement, 
 
 die dist ioseph, testmoig ion, et di pour voir, ke il eut et I'un et 
 
 'Then he must I'autre." " Et puis ke U eut, che dist eualach, et pere et mere, 
 
 ormanTnd"™ dont TUB nascui il mie sans assamblement d'ome et de feme. Car de 
 
 woman. feme ne puet enfes naistre se il n'est engenres dedens par acom- 
 
 paignement d'ome. Et se enfes estoit en autre maniere conclieus : 
 
 che seroit contre nature et centre acoustumanche." " Rois, dist 
 
 Joseph ioseph, ie te mousterrai apertement et te ferai counoistre comment il 
 
 exp am , ^^ coucheus saQS nulle camel compaignie. Et comment il nascui 
 
 de la puchiele sans le puchelaige maumetre ne empirier." " Cheste 
 
 prouanclie, dist li rois, escouterai iou mult volentiers." " II auint 
 
 increase on chosc, dlst loscph, kc H sauucrcs du monde vit les maus qui monte- 
 
 plioient en terre, et si vit ke li bien et li mal estoient tout vn de guer- 
 
 redon. Car autresi bien aloit chil en infer qui tons iours- auoit fait 
 
 bien. comme chil que tous les maus auoit fais. Et li dous sires se 
 
 pensa ke che n' estoit pas raisons ke li mal fuissent parol as biens. 
 
 and, to rescue uo 11 prcudom. comparast la folie au manuals. Si dist qu'il raiem- 
 
 ™n" Hh^son' ' bcrrolt home de doleurs d'infer. Si prist son fil et si I'enuoia en 
 
JOSEPH EXPLAINS CHRIST's TAKING FLESH AND BEING GOD. 49 
 
 terre pour acomplir toutes les coses qui apartenoient a nature d'ome. to fumi aii be- 
 
 „ n J 1 T longing to man's 
 
 tors que pecniet seulement. Et quant il fu uestus de mortel cnar, nature; 
 
 1 1 . ., . . . .,.,,. 1 but he remained 
 
 pour chou ne laissa il mie a estre diex si com il auoit tous lours este. God. 
 
 Mais il prist chou qu'il n' auoit onques eu, che fu mortalites. Et 
 
 pour chou que li pere uit qu'il ne pooit raiembre. tout le monde par The world could 
 
 . . not be redeemed 
 
 .1. home qui fust samblans as autres : pour chou i enuoia il son fil by a sinner, 
 qui estoit quites et nes des pechies dont tout li autre estoient ente- 
 chiet et maumis. Car il n'estoit pas raisons ne drois ke nus pechieres 
 rachataist les autres pecheours. Ne puis qu'il estoient tout entechie : 
 comment pooit ne deuoit garandir li vns I'autre, ne deliurer. Mais but as Christ 
 pour chou ke li fieus dieu fu nes et mondes de tous pechies. et de sin, he could re- 
 
 i.«-i. t J •11 'T 11 111 deem men from 
 
 toutes uiiemes : pour chou eut il le pooir de racater le perdurable etemai death. 
 
 mort del home par le mort de son precieus cors." " Pour chou, dist Evaiach does 
 
 eualach, ke ie ne te ting pour jure. Oar quant tu m'as vne cose 
 
 recounue et puis si le me nenoies apres. Car encore tesmoignes 
 
 tu de ton dieu, ke il a pere. et si dis ke il ne fu pas engenres 
 
 de carnel compaignie. et che ne puet auenir. ne raisons ne 
 
 verites ne sambleche mie." " Rois, dist ioseph, tu m'as en conuent Joseph teiis him 
 
 . he has agreed to 
 
 ke tu m escouteras a prouer comment u puet naistre de char de feme bear his proof. 
 
 sans asamblement de char d'ome, et sans maumetre le puohelaige de 
 
 sa mere qui tous iours fu puchiele, et apres et deuant, et comment il 
 
 puet auoir pere sans estre engenres carnelment," " Tout chou, dit le 
 
 rois, doi iou escouter sans faille. Et ie I'escouterai uolentiers : Se tu Evaiach thiaks 
 
 le me sauoies faire entendre. Mais tu ne sambles pas horn qui soit si leSd enough 
 
 durement fondes de haute clergie : que tu peusses prouuer cose qui si p"oint!™ 
 
 grant meruelle est a dire : que ele est encontre nature et encontre 
 
 acoustumanche, ne onques mais oie ne fu." " Rois, fait ioseph, ore 
 
 m'esooute, et ie te mousterrai comment n nascui de la puchiele : sans 
 
 carnel compaisrnie, Iche te mouster:f ai, mais tu oras auant comment Joseph says he 
 
 r <=> ' ■willfiretex. 
 
 u eut pere. qui fiexilfu sans carnel engenrure. II est uoirs ke U est piain how Christ 
 
 xin.{i fl- tilt Vi PI* 
 
 vns seus diex : chil qui toutes choses fist de noient. Chil fu tous iours 
 diex. et diex sera tous iours. Car il n'eut onques commenchement, 
 ne fin ne puet auoir a nul tans. Chil est apieles peres, et ensi 
 
 H 
 
50 JOSEPH EXPLAINS HOW CHRIST HAD PATHEB, AND MOTHEB, 
 
 God is called 
 Christ's father 
 
 *^or he begat him 
 before the ages, 
 not carnally 
 but spiritually. 
 
 For Christ was 
 not made, but 
 begotten of 
 spiritual beget- 
 ting. 
 
 His birth by his 
 mother was of 
 flesh ; but that 
 by his Father, of 
 spirit, and im- 
 mortal. 
 
 Of the Virgin's 
 virginity. 
 
 But first of the 
 Holy Ghost, 
 
 who is the Com- 
 forter and thej 
 Purifier, 
 
 who made the 
 prophets speak, 
 
 and who is wor- 
 shipped like the 
 Father and Son. 
 
 Tapielent chil qui sont urai creant. Et nepour quant se il I'apielent 
 pere : pour chou ne sont il urai creant, Se il ne le croient de cuer 
 ensi com la bouche le dist. Car comment que la bouche paraut. 
 del cuer muet la boine creancbe et la mauuaise. Icbil diex si est 
 apiel^s peres, pour chou ke chil de qui ie te parole est ses fieus, car 
 il I'engenra desdeuant le commenchement de tous les aages. Et si 
 ne I'engenra U mie carnelment, mais esperituelment. Ne li peres ne 
 fu onques fais ne cries ne engenres, ne onques ne nascui. Ne li fiex 
 meismes ne fu onques fais ne cries, mais il fu engenres si com vous 
 aues oi ke i'ai dit, de I'esperitel engenrure. Et si fu puis nes de la 
 virgene, Mais chele natiuites ne fu mie selonc la deite : mais selonc 
 I'umanite. Ensi poes entendre, et deues, ke la natiuites de par sa 
 mere fu faite carnelment. mais la natiuites ke il eut de par son 
 pere fu esperitelment. Chele de par la mere fu morteus. Car chele 
 humanites morut ke il prist dedens les flans a le virge marie, de qui 
 il fist sa mere. Mais chele de par le pere fu perdurable. Car chou 
 ke U eut de par le pere ne sou&i onques mort, che est la deites qui 
 ia ne li faura. anchois durra tous iours sans prendre fin. Ore aues 
 oi comment li fiex dieu fu engenres et nes del pere esperitelment, et 
 comment U fu nes carnelment de la mere. Apres oras comment li 
 puchelages de la glorieuse puchele qui fu sa mere remest autresi 
 sain^ apres comme deuant, et autresi entirs sans maumetre et sans 
 entamer. Mais ie vous dirai auant d'une persone qui de ches deus 
 issi et qui est parelle et ingaus as autres deus persones. Che est li 
 sains esperis. IchU sains esperis ne fa onques fais, ne cries, ne 
 engenres par le pere ne par le fil. Mais il est issus et de I'un et de 
 r autre. ChU sains esperis est conforteres, et consillieres, et espurge- 
 mens des cuers et des pensees. Chil sains esperis faisoit as pro- 
 phetes parler che ke il disrent de dieu, et si ne sauoient ke il disoient. 
 nient plus ke li horn forsenes porroit faire estables les paroles qui li 
 uolent hors de la bouche. Toutes ches coses ouuroit li sains esperis 
 en aus. et qui urais creans est : il croit et aoure le saint esperit 
 autresi com le pere et le fil. Li peres est parfais diex par soi. et si 
 
OP THE TRINITY IN UNITY ; AND THE CREATION OF MAN, 51 
 
 a parfaite deite enterine et perdurable sans fin et sans commenche' '^'^''^^j^q^J'^ 
 ment, et de toutes choses est poissans. Li fieus autresi est parfais and the son 
 
 ■*- ^ too, though 
 
 diex et perdurables, et si est paraus au pere, selonc I'umanite est li beiow the 
 
 i- ' r r ' _ Father as to 
 
 plus bas ke li peres. Mais li flex selonc I'unianite est morteus. Li his manhood; 
 sains esperis est parfais diex en soi meisme. et selonc la deite est gh^o^t'^ig perfect 
 tous paraus au pere et au fil. Ensi est U peres diex, et li flex dieus, ^°^ • 
 et li saias esperis diex. Et ne pour quant il ne sont mie troi dieu. tut they are 
 
 not three Gods, 
 
 Oar pour cbou se il sont trois choses en persones, pour chou ne sont 
 
 il pas troi dieu, mais vns tous seus. Car soit cbe que li peres et li but one God, 
 
 flex et li saias esperis soient trois persones, ne pour quant si ne sont 
 
 il ke vne seule chose en nature et en deite et en poissanche. Car ""e in nature, 
 
 . . godhead, and 
 
 autresi poissans est li peres com est li lieus et li sains esperis. Et power, 
 autresi grans est li fleus en deite com est li peres et li sains esperis. ^'i equally 
 Et d'autrestel grandeche est li sains esperis com est li peres et li 
 flex. Ensi uienent ches trois persones d'un seul dieu, et a vn seul 
 dieu repairent ches trois persones. et autrestant puet li une comme 
 les trois, ne les trois ne sont autre chose naturelment ke vne. Ches The three are 
 trois persones apielent li vrai creant, trinite. et le seul dieu apielent Trinity, and 
 il unite, et si aourent les trois persones. Ches trois persones furent ^°"^ ""^' 
 mult bien ramenteus au comm enchement du monde quant li peres How God said 
 
 .,-._-. , ' Let us make 
 
 cria toutes choses, car il dist ' Eaisons home a notre ymage, a notre man in our 
 samblanche.' Cheste parole dist H peres a son chier fil. Car il our likeness,' 
 sauoit bien, comme chil qui toutes choses a deuant ses iex, ke li flex 
 soustenroit encore angoisse de mort pour homme rachater des grans 
 doleurs ou il cairoit par son mesfait. Pour che apiela li peres la per- and caiied 
 sone del fil a faire si haute chose comme li hom deuoit estre. qui il make so high 
 ne voloit fourmer ne establir ke seulement pour restorer la disime to repfa^ Se" 
 legion des angeles qui estoit cheu du chiel par son orguel. Et quant Inglis.^^'"" "' 
 li hom eut trespasse le commandement de son creatour del fruit que ^<"'' ''''«° 
 
 ■*■ man was cast 
 
 il manffa par I'amonestement de la feme qui li dyables dechut, si fu °°' °^ paradise, 
 
 . , , ,. .,.. a hard saying 
 
 maintenant ietes hors de paradis. et si li fu dite vne mult felenesse ^^ ^po^en to, 
 parole. Car ses sires qui I'auoit fait a la samblanche, li reproua la 
 grant aaise ke il auoit perdue par son mesfait. et li nouma le grant 
 
 52 
 
 him. 
 
52 HOW CHKIST CAME ON EARTH, AND WAS BOEN OE THE SPIRIT, 
 
 To rescue men 
 from sorrow, 
 Christ 
 
 descended on 
 earth, 
 
 damaige qu'il en auroit. car il le dist. ' Pour chou ke tu as plus 
 God's curse on obei a ta feme ke ie t'auoie donee, ke a moi qui t'auoie fait, pour 
 
 Adam and men 
 
 chou soufferras tons iours mais tel paine, at tu et ti oir, ke vous man- 
 
 geres votre pain en trauail et en suour.' ' Et tu,' dist il a la feme, 
 
 and on Eve and 'enfantsras ta porteure en tristeche etendoleur.' Cheste promesse a 
 
 women. - i ) j • • /-^ 
 
 How really the mult bisu reudue a tous cneus qui dome sont puis issu. bar nus 
 
 CTirsp h^A heen 
 
 fulfilled. n'enterra ia en chest siecle, tant soit de grant poissanche: qui la soit 
 
 deHures de traual et de paine des icliele eure ke il s'en ist. Ne ia 
 feme ni enfantera a si petit de dolour k'ele n'en soustienge plus ke 
 ses cuers ne porroit penser ne sa lange dire. Et tant durement ont 
 achate le pechiet au premier home, si oir qui de lui sont issu, ke il ni 
 eut onques chelui tant fesist bienfait en sa vie ke I'ame de lui n'en 
 alast en infer si tost comme ele partoit du cors. Tant que li fiex dieu 
 ne vaut plus souifrir cheste grant doleur si descendi en terre pour 
 chou ke il Toloit I'ome metre hors de la grant male auenture que il 
 soustenoit pour son mesfait. Si uit que ore auoit U asses compare 
 son outrage, et ke bien estoit de ore mais tans et eure : ke il le 
 and when there rapelast eupitc ct enmisericorde. Et quant Ufa en terre descendus: il 
 ne le uoloit pas maintenant aler querre en infer, et traire hors a forche, 
 sans raison moustrer. Anchois entra pour lui en vne chartre qui 
 mult estoit escarse et estroite a herbergier si haut home et si riche 
 comme chelui qui estoit sires de toutes choses. Che fu li uentres de 
 la puchele ou il se herberga. Apres quant il eut este en chele 
 chartre .ix. mois en prison : si s'en issi a droite eure de naistre, ensi 
 comme I'umanites le requeroit. Et ne pour quant de tout en tout 
 ne fu il mie concheus ne nes. si com humanites requiert. Huma- 
 nites requiert sans faille : ke hom naisse et ke il soit concheus. et 
 en cheste maniere acompH il humanite, d'estre concheus et de naistre. 
 Mais humanites requiert plus. Ele requiert ke hom naisse en doleur 
 cara'd^mbiy, ct eu tristcche, et ke il soit carnelment concheus d'ome et de feme. 
 but by the over- Eu chcste mauicre n'acompli il mie humanite. Car il ne fu mie 
 theHriy°Ghost, couchcus par assamblcmcnt d'ome et de feme. Mais par la umbre- 
 ^"/the ^ ment del saint esperit qui descendi par I'oreUe de la puchele dedens 
 
 Virgin. 
 
 entered a 
 strait and 
 narrow prison 
 
 the Virgin's 
 womb ; and 
 
 was there nine 
 months, and 
 then came out. 
 
 but not, as 
 humanity needs, 
 with pain and 
 
NOT HTJUTING HIS MOTHER'S VIRGINITY. HIS LIFE AND DEATH. 53 
 
 le glorieus vaissiel de son beneoit uentre- En chelui vaissiel ke li 
 
 sains esperis vint piireflier, se herber^a le fiex dieu. et si nascui si ^ow Christ's 
 
 ■^ ■*■ '-' birth injured 
 
 sagement ke onques li puchelaiges de sa glorieuse mere n'en fu not the virginity 
 maumis ne a I'entrer ne a I'issir, Mais tout autresi com li rais du as a sunbeam 
 
 hurts not the 
 
 soleU luist parmi la clere iaue si qu'il est ueus iusc'au fons. sans clear water. 
 che qu'n ne desoinre mie les ondes de li aue ne ne depart : anchois 
 remaint autresi clere et autresi biele com ele a deuant este. Tout 
 autresi entra li fiex dieu dedens le uentre de la puchiele sans son 
 puchelage maumetre ne empirier. Et en son concheuement si eut The three differ- 
 
 i- a i ences between 
 
 •iii. manieres qui onques mais oies n'auoient este en concheuement the conception 
 
 «< ^ ^ _ . °f Christ and 
 
 d'ome et de feme. Oar U fu tout primierement concheus sans pecbie. men. 
 
 ■'- ^ 1. it was with- 
 
 Che est la premiere maniere. L' autre maniere si est, qu'il fu concbeus out sin. 
 
 . . 2. without ear- 
 
 sans camel compaignie, ne che n'auoit onques este oi. La tierche ma- nai assembling. 
 
 3. his mother 
 
 mere fu de cbou ke sa mere ki pucbiele estoit, ne pierdi onques son pu- did not lose her 
 cbelage, ne au concbeuoir ne au naistre. Ancbois le laissa cbil qui 
 Teslut a estre sa mere autresi saine et autresi enterre com il I'auoit 
 trouee. Et a son naistre fu depicbie la maleicbons qui fu faite a la "'■ ^^^'^ ^™'' 
 
 ■*■ -*■ curse, 
 
 premiere feme quant il li fu dit ' tu enfanteras ta porteure en doleur.' 
 
 Car U nascui si saintement ke onques sa mere n'en eut ne doleur ne for the birth 
 
 T t ' 'n i T n T was painless. 
 
 angoisse. Icbes manieres merueilieuses aporta li fiex dieu, et a son 
 concbeuoir et a son naistre. Et quant il fu nes, pour cbou ne vaut ^°^ ^2 "^rs 
 il mie tantost racbater I'omme ke il estoit uenus querre, ancbois des* °" ^^''^^' 
 moura .xxxij. ans en terre, et conuersa en samblancbe d'ome auoec 
 les autres homes. Et quant vint au chief de xxx. ans. si recbut and at so was 
 
 baptised, 
 
 tous premiers notre sauuement. Che fu baptesme. Oar il se fist 
 
 baptisier a vne home qui il porta tesmoing ke il estoit li plus haut 
 
 vers dieu : qui onques nasquist de feme desflourie. Obe fu sains by st. John the 
 
 Jehans baptistes. Et quant vint au tierch an apres son baptisement, threeyearaafter, 
 
 si soufiri angoisse de mort. Oar il uoloit acomplir toutes les coses '^ ' 
 
 qui apartenoient a humanite, fors seulement pecbie. Et quant il 
 
 eut souffiert si grant angoisse comme de mort pour I'amour de 
 
 , . 1 .„.,. i.j.jj/ -1. and went down 
 
 homme : si en aia en inter li meismes, et si en traist trestous chiaus into heii. 
 
54 
 
 THE END OF JOSEPH'S SPEECH TO EVALACH. 
 
 How Christ 
 rescued the 
 doers of his 
 works from 
 heU. 
 
 Joseph sums 
 up his speech. 
 
 et trestoutes cheles qui ses oeures auoient faites en lor vies. Si 
 grant amour moustra diex a romme : car U ne le vaut onques 
 rachater des doleurs ke il souffroit par autrui mort ke par la soie. 
 Ore poes auoir entendu comment il eut pere sans carnel engenre- 
 ment, et comment il nasqui de feme sans compaignie d'ome, et com^ 
 ment ii nasqui de la pucMele sans son puchelage maumetre ne 
 empirier." 
 
55 
 
 CHAPITER VII. 
 
 Part 1. How Evalact remarks that Joseph has been saying just what he lites and 
 nothing which looked like truth. Joseph answers and, confounds the doctors of the 
 city (p. 55). How Evalach sends for Joseph's Companions, and how Joseph's son 
 tells the king why they go barefooted (p. 56). How Evalach lodges Joseph and his 
 company (p. 57). 
 
 Part 2, p. 57. How Evalach in his bed thinks about the defence of his country, and 
 the Trinity and the Virgin's virginity (p. 57). How he sees a vision of ttree trees, 
 of which the middle one, with an ugly bark, bleeds when cut, and jumps out of its 
 bark, and then into it again (p. 58); and how washing in the blood changes men's 
 forms (p. 58) ; and how some of the tree's roots and leaves are plucked and burnt 
 (p. 59). How Evalach tells his vision to a chamberlain, and they see three writings 
 on the trees ' This creates,' ' This saves,' 'This purifies' (p. 59); how the three 
 trees become one (p. 60). How the king and his chamberlain see a child pass and 
 repass through a locked door in a wall. (p. 60) ; and how a voice tells the king— 
 this is a type of the Miraculous Conception of Christ (p. 61). 
 
 Lors parla eualach et si dist " Tu me fais entendant vnes coses ke Evaiach thinks 
 
 . , J . T . 11. Joseph's savings 
 
 nus ne porroit metre en uoir, ne en nule maniere ne samble raisons. neither true nor 
 
 Car tu dis ke il ne fu pas engenres en la feme dont il nascui. et ke '■^™*^'^! 
 
 ele estoit pucMele, ne onques ses pnchelages n'en empira. Apres me 
 
 dis, ke li peres et li flex et li sains esperis ne sont ke vns sens diex 
 
 et si est chascuns d'ans .iij. diex par soi." "Lors, dist ioseph., tu I'as 
 
 bien recorde ensi com ie le t'ai dit, et ensi le tesmoigne iou Men 
 
 encore." "Par foi, dist li rois, tu tesmoignes chou ke tu ueus. he has said what 
 
 Mais tu ne dis mile cose qui par semblant puisse estre uoire." A 
 
 tant fist H rois enuoier querre tous les clers de la cMte. et quant il The leamed of 
 
 furent tout uenu : si commencha ioseph a parler a aus si durement, and josepTco'n- 
 
 et traioit si auant tous les fors mos des escriptures, ke cbil s'en esba- ™" ^ ^™' 
 
 hissoient tout, et disirent en la fin ke U ne li responderoient mais 
 
 deuant I'endemain. Ensi se departi I'assamblee, et li rois apiela Evaiaohasks 
 
 ioseph, et si li demanda comment il estoit apieles ioseph de arimathie. mmed Joseph of 
 
 Et li rois esgarda les pies qu'il auoit nus, si les vit mult biaus et '*-''™''*''^^- 
 
56 EVALACH's CONVEESB with JOSEPH AND HIS COMPANIONS. 
 
 Evalach pro- 
 mises to house 
 Joseph, and to 
 hear him next 
 day. 
 
 Joseph tells him 
 he has 75 com- 
 panions who for 
 the love of Christ 
 have given up all 
 earthly wealth. 
 
 Evalach desires 
 to see these 
 companions 
 
 and asks them 
 why they suffer 
 such hardships. 
 Josephes (Jo- 
 seph's son) says, 
 ' for the love of 
 Christ, 
 
 who was cruci- 
 fied between 
 two thieves, 
 
 for whom we 
 ought to die 
 twice over.' 
 
 mont blans, si li sambla meruelles bleu horn qui eixst este a grant 
 aoise, et soupechounoit dedens son cuer ke il fust de haute gent nes. 
 si Fan prist mult grant pites. Lors I'apiela, et si li dist. " loseph, ie 
 te ferai herbergier a nuit mais, et si aras pour toi aaisier tout 
 quanke deuiseras de bouche. Et domain parleras a moi. Car ie 
 t'ai a nuit mult volentiers escoute, et plus volentiers t'escouterai 
 iou demain, car ie serai de grignour loisir que ie n'ai liui este." 
 " Sire, che dist iosepb, ie ne sui mie sens en cheste vHe. anchois 
 i a en ma compaignie en-chore .Lxxv. ke hommes ke femes. 
 Et si sacliies de voir, ke il n'en i a vn ne vne qui pour I'amour 
 ihesu crist n'ait laissies toutes les terrienes richoises. Si me 
 vont siewant sans or et sans argent ensi pourement com vous 
 me poes veoir. Mais ne-pourquant se il vont ensi pourement, 
 pour chou ne meurent il mie de faim. ains sont U assase de la 
 rikecbe au glorious signour en qui il croient. ke lor cuer ne desir^ 
 roient nule viande terriene dont il n'aient a lor volente." Lors dist 
 li rois ke il les voloit veoir.' et iosepb. les apiela de hors la ou il 
 estoient a reste, si les fist venir deuant lui. Et quant li rois les vit 
 venir tons nus pies et si pourement vestus, si en eut mult grant pite 
 selonc sa creanche. Si les apiela, et lor demanda pour quoi il souf., 
 f roient si grant penitancbe, d'aler nus pies et d'estre vieument vestu 
 et pourement. Lors li respondi li fiex ioseph qui estoit apieles 
 iosephes, et si li dist. " Rois, nous souffrons cheste petite penitancbe 
 pour I'amour del glorieus fil dieu, qui si grant et si angoisseuse Ie 
 souffri pour nous, ke il en eut tresparchiet Ie cors et les membres si 
 uieument et a si grant honte comme chil qui fu detrachies et mes- 
 ames et cruchefiies en mi lieu de deus larrons. et tout ckou souffri il 
 pour nous de son boin gre et de boine volente. En quel seruiche li 
 porriens nous mieus rendre qui peust che seruiche guerredouner. 
 Se nous nous souflfriemes a crucefiier autresi com il fist soi : ne Tau- 
 riemes nous pas guerredone asses, car il commencha. La bontes 
 commenche du plus haut au plus has. ch'est de dieu a home. II est 
 bien drois k'ele li soit guerredonee a double. Ensi nous conuenroit 
 morir deus fois pour lui se nous li voliens sa bonte guerredouner 
 
and the beds 
 are very good. 
 
 01" KING EVALACh'S THOUGHTS UPON HIS BED. 57 
 
 Chertes, mult seroit de boine eure nes qui cent fois porroit morir, et 
 cent fois morroit. par conuent ke sa mors fust au plaisir et a la 
 uolente del glorieus signour. et ke il tenist sa bonte a bien guerre- 
 donee " Quant li rois oi cbelui si bien parler, si demanda a ioseph Evaiach asks 
 
 ■■■ ^ who Josephus 
 
 qui il estoit, et comment il auoit non. Et ioseph li dist " sire, il est is- 
 
 mes flex, et si est apieles iosephes." Et U demanda se il sauoit de 
 
 letres. Et ioseph. li respondi ke il en sauoit tant que nus clers de 
 
 son eage n'en pooit plus sauoir. et si parloit si bien et si beel com il 
 
 auoit oi. Lors apiela li rois vn sien sergant, et si li commanda que The king has 
 
 ■^ ° ^ J'oseph and his 
 
 il herbergast ioseph el plus aaisie ostel de la uile, et si gardast ke il companions 
 
 O i^ r ' B nobly lodged 
 
 ne li fausist nule riens, ne a lui ne a sa compaignie. Ensi depar- for the night, 
 tirent chelui iour, si en fu menes ioseph et sa compaignie a .i. mult 
 riche ostel et mult aaisie, si orent a chele nuit a grant plente de mult 
 boines viandes, et si orent mult boins lis ke il auoient tant longe- 
 ment desirres. Car U n'auoient geu en lit onques puiske il auoient 
 este meu de lor osteus. 
 
 [ii.] Chi laisserons de ioseph et de sa compaignie. et si vous dirons P'^jo^bied with 
 del roi eualach qui gist en sa cambre mult pensieus : et mult entrepris *,™ *^"2''*^ ■ 
 de deus pensees. Li premiers est, de sa terre defendre encontre les ^^nd his land ; 
 egyptiiens qui mult durement li auoient gastee sa terre, et lui meisme 
 desconfit et cachie de la plache. De chesti pense estoit il si entre- 
 pris que en nule maniere il n'en sauoit ke faire. Anchois auoit 
 mult grant peur ke il ne perdist, et sa terre et toute s'ounour ter- 
 riene : par che ke si baron li estoient tout failH. D'autre part estoit 2. of what 
 
 ^ _ ^ _ _ -^ Joseph had told 
 
 si pensis de che que ioseph li auoit dit, que il le feroit venir au de- bim, 
 
 seure de tons ses anemis. et ke il li feroit gaaignier la grant ioie qui 
 
 ia ne prenderoit fin. se il voloit son consel croire. Mais nule riens, 
 
 tant i pensast durement, ne li pooit faire entendre, comment li peres ^""^ ^°'^ *« 
 
 et li flex et li sains esperis estoient trois persones, et si n' estoit c'une ^"^ soiy Ghost 
 
 ^ were three, and 
 
 seule cose. Et si ne pooit croire ke la virge eust concheu et enfante y^' one ; 
 
 and how the 
 
 sans son puchelage maumetre. Iches deus seules choses ne li pooit Virgin had 
 
 „. ,1 .. -ni J ' 1 •■! • borne a child 
 
 nus faire entendre ne counoistre. Endementiers ke il pensoit a ches without losing 
 deus choses counoistre et apercheuoir, primes a I'une et puis a 1' autre : ^"^ ™^'"' ^' 
 
58 evalach's vision of the three trees. 
 
 Evaiach^ sl li auiiit ¥116 auisions, ke il veoit en mi lieu de sa maison la choke 
 
 vision. He sees ' 
 
 the stock of a d'uii ffi'aiit Rrbre. Mais il ne pooit aperclieuoir ques arbres c'estoit, 
 
 tree, whence ^ x j. ± 
 
 spring three 116 dc Quel naturc. De chele choke naissoient .iii. ieton mult ffrant 
 
 equal trunks, ^ .... 
 
 et mult droit et mult haut. et si estoient tout .iij. d'un grant et d'un 
 the middle one gros et d'uBO manicre. Ne mais itant ke li moiens estoit couuers 
 
 having an ugly 
 
 bark. d'une laide escorche oscure. et li autre doi 1' auoient autresi clere 
 
 Under the QOTTiTne cristaus. Desous le premier ieton a destre : si auoit ffens de 
 
 first trunk ^ ° _ _ 
 
 are many toute mauieres. et de ches srens s'en departoient doi de la compaignie, 
 
 people ; two ^ -"■ . 
 
 go to a ditch si s'eu aloieut iusc'a vne fosse qui estoit vn peu loing Et quant il 
 and jump mto yenoieut a la fosse, si saloient dedens. La fosse estoit si laide et si 
 
 It ; ' 
 
 noire que nus n'en porroit tant dire qu'il. n'en y eust encore plus. 
 most of the Quant chil doi estoient dedens, si convenoit a fine forche que tout li 
 
 others follow 
 
 them and jump autre alaisscut apres, et il i aloient tout et saloient ens, li vns apres 
 
 in too » T , 
 
 1 autre, sans chou ke nus n'en repairoit. Et quant il en i eut tant 
 
 sali ke la menre partie fu remese. Si uinrent li vn de cheus qui 
 
 theuT-\™ked ^Gmes furcut. Si coururent a I'arbre qui auoit la laide escorche, si 
 
 tree and chop jg commenchierent a decauper tout enuiron. et quant il eurent 
 
 it all round. ■*- -^ 
 
 chou fait, il ne s'en vaurent pas a tant souflrir. anchois le per- 
 
 choient a tareles en .iiij. brankes qui i estoient. Et quant il 
 
 I'orent ensi mehaignie ke des plaies ke il li eurent faites enuiron : 
 
 A great stream '^q (jes pai'trus QUB 11 H orcut fait as tareles : si en issi vns si grans 
 
 of blood flows _ _ ^ ^ ... . . 
 
 out, ruissiaus de sane, ke tot chU qui i estoient si peussent baignier. Tant 
 
 ke il pechoia. et quant il fu cheus, si ni remest onques riens 
 
 bark^bufthe^ de lul cu la plachc. fors ke seulement 1' escorche de hors, qui 
 
 fruit jumps into rcmcst illucc tout en .i. monchiel. Mais li fruis dedens qui estoit 
 
 the ditch : '' •■■ 
 
 plus biaus et plus clers ke ie ne vous sauroie center, fist si grant 
 
 saut au kaoir que il se lancha iusques dedens la fosse ou les gens 
 
 the tree jumps estolcut chcucs. Et quaut 11 rols se regarda, si uit I'arbre lan- 
 
 out of the ditch, _ -•- ° 
 
 dragging much cliicr hors dc la fosse, et si entrainoit apres lui mult grant partie 
 
 people with it, . i i o j. 
 
 de la gent qui dedens la fosse estoient. et se tenoient as rains et as 
 
 brankes enuiron. Apres chou reuenoit li arbres en son lieu, et si se 
 
 fubfrk again, rcucstolt dc I'escorche ke il auoit deuant eue, mais ele uiuoit toute, 
 
 toight^Ind^^ et deuenoit si clere et si resplendissans que nus hom qui deuant 
 
 shining. 
 
THE TREE WITH THE UGLY BARK. THE WRITINGS ON THE THREE. 59 
 
 I'eust esgardee ne peust quidier ne croire ke clie fust ele. Apres ^^ "^"fhr^eo- 
 esgarda li rois, si nit ke vne parti des gens qui estoient remes de F'^^^^j'jj^^t^g 
 salir en la fosse : prenoient le sane qui estoit a terre coules, si en ^lood in the 
 
 ■■■ •■■ ditch ; itchanges 
 
 lauoient le cors. Et maintenant qu'il s'en estoient lane, si cangoient them-. 
 
 tout leur samblanclies et lor figures. Et I'autre partie prenoient the others out off 
 
 ^ ^ ^ branches and 
 
 les rains de I'arbre et les fuelles, si en decaupoient vne partie et en leaves from the 
 
 ardoient. Oheste meruelle esgarda li rois mult longement, et de la and bum them, 
 grant meruelle que il en auoit fu si esbahis, que il quidoit tout 
 
 uraiment dormir, et ke che fu stson^es ke il veoit. Et quant il eut ^e thinks it 
 
 ' o •■■ must be a 
 
 mult longement este en chest quidier. si se tourna et retourna, et d^eam, 
 aperchut, et sent uraiement que il ueilloit, et que il ne songoit mie. ^ut finds he is 
 Et lors fu il asses plus esbaMs que il n'auoit deuant este. et plus 
 s'esmerueilla asses quel merueille che pooit estre. Et quant il i eut 
 grant piecbe pense : si esueilla .i. sien camberlenc qui gisoit deuant t^'^gj^^™^'^^ * 
 lui. en qui il se fioit mult. Si se pensa ke a chesti seul mousterroit chamberlain, 
 sa vision, et ke ia autres ne le uerroit que il peust. Et quant il 
 I'eut esuillie mult coiement, que li autre ne I'oissent qui gisoient en- 
 tour, si le traist d'une part, et si le mena iusques pres des arbres. ^^^^^™^ ''™ 
 Et chil, quant il les vit, si durement fu esbabis que il ne pent onques 
 parler d'une mult grant piecbe. Quant li rois eualacb le vit si du- 
 rement esbabis, 'si le prist par le main, et si le commencha mult a *"f ^ fei^™ 
 conforter, et dist ke il n'eust mie paour. car de cbou ne li pooit nus 
 maus uenir. Lors se traist il meismes vers sa couche, et prist les ff^ *^^]f 
 
 ' -■■ the candles 
 
 cbierffes qui ardoient deuant son lit, et si les aporta par deuant les ^y '■'^ ^^^ 
 
 <-'■'■ ' -^ »- to look at the 
 
 .iij. arbres pour esgarder et pour counoistre de quel maniere il t'^es. 
 pooient estre. Mais tant connut il bien que il estoient troi, et que li Heseesthereare 
 moiens, qui auoit eu le laide escorcbe, naissoit del premier. Et li ae ugiy.barked 
 
 -*■ ■'■ one springs out 
 
 tiers si issoit et de Fun et de I'autre. Et li rois esgarda en baut, si of the first, and 
 
 ° the third from 
 
 uit en cascun des arbres, letres escrites, les vnes d'or, et les autres the other two ; 
 
 and that on the 
 
 d'asur. Et si disoient les letres del premier arbe. " Cbist forme " first is, 'This 
 
 • T • i /^i • creates,' on 
 
 Et li arbres secons auoit letres qui disoient " Cbist sauue. Et les the second, 
 letres del tiercb arbre disoient. " Cbist purefie." Et quant li rois on the third, 
 se regarda, si uit que tout li troi arbre uenoient a vne tige, et ke ele 
 
 i2 
 
60 TREE OP THE TRINITY ; CHILD OF THE MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION. 
 
 The three trees 
 are truly one. 
 
 The king 13 con- 
 founded. 
 
 He looks at a 
 secret door of 
 marble. 
 
 and sees a 
 little child who 
 has come 
 through it 
 without its 
 opening. 
 
 and goes back 
 through it 
 also. 
 
 The king 
 wonders still 
 more. 
 
 The chamber- 
 lain lies on the 
 ground as if 
 he were dead, 
 
 but at last 
 speaks to the 
 king. 
 
 estoit si soutieus : que nus n'en peust deuiser le commenclieinent : 
 tant durement i auisast. Et si estoit la tige si haute que nus hom, 
 tant eust clere esgardeure, n'en peust mie la fin veoir pour nule 
 paine qu'U i mesist. Mais tant estoient soutH li enlachement des 
 trois arbres que quant il estoit au roi auis ke il eust deuises tous 
 trois uraiment, et conneu I'un del I'autre. Apres li estoit auis que il 
 ni veoit ke une seule maniere de fuelles, et de fust, et de fruit, et ke 
 li troi arbre que U auoit auant deuises en trois coses n'estoient c'une 
 seule cbose ore en droit. Ensi desdisoit chou qu'il auoit deuant 
 iugie. Si en estoit si esbabis : que il ne se sauoit a quoi tenir. 
 Endementiers que il pensoit a cheste meruelle que il ne pooit con- 
 noistre du tout en tout. Si regarda vers vn mur d'une siewe 
 cambre dont li buis estoit de marbre, seeles dedens le mur si soutieu- 
 ment que a paines peust estre apercheu ke U i eust huis ne entree : 
 tant i seust on esgarder ententieument. Ne il meismes ne quidoit 
 mie ke nus de sa maison le seust ke U tout seulement. Et quant il 
 regarda vers I'uis, si vit ke vns petis enfes estoit dedens, qui mult 
 estoit et biaus et blons. Et si entroit en tel maniere ke li buis 
 n'ouuroit ne tant ne quant. Ancbois remanoit autresi seres et 
 autresi clos com il estoit deuant cbou qu'il i entrast. Et quant il 
 eut vn peu demoure, si reuint bors isnel le pas tout autresi com il 
 i estoit entres sans I'uis ouurir, ne onques ni parut eu nule maniere 
 que il i fust entres ne issus. Et quant li rois vit cbeste ebose : si fu 
 asses plus esbabis de cbeste merueUe que il n'auoit este de toutes les 
 autres. Car il ne quidoit ke diex ne autres peust dedens si fort mur 
 entrer que en aucune maniere ni parust. Lors commencha mult 
 durement a penser H rois, et ses camberlens qui estoit auoec lui 
 estoit si esbabis et si peureus que il n'osoit mot dire de la boucbe, 
 ancbois gisoit tous estendus a terre autresi que se il fust tous mors. 
 Et li rois vint a lui et si le leua par la main destre en baut, et si li 
 dist se il auoit toutes cbes meruelles veues : et ke il I'en estoit auis. 
 Et cbU regarda le roi si com D. pent. Et quant U eut le pooir de 
 parler, si li dist. " A, sire, mercbi, ne me metes plus en parole de 
 
A VOICE SPEAKS TO EVALACH, AND ALARMS HIS SERVANTS. 61 
 
 nule chose, mais menes moi en tel lieu que ie me voie autres teus 
 meruelles comme iou ai veues. Car ie ne porroie viure en nule 
 maniere pour que ie les veisse." Atant Ie prist li rois, si I'enmenoit 
 en vne cambre pour faire coucMer. Et toutes voies aloit pensant a The king keeps 
 
 •^ •^ thinking of the 
 
 la meruelle ke il auoit veue del enfant qui ensi estoit entres en la wonder of the 
 
 Child. 
 
 cambre, et issus. Ensi com U aloit pensant et meruellant dedens 
 
 son cuer comment che pooit estre auenu, si oi vne vois qui dist. a voice teiis 
 
 -nil! . n i. Toj him that it is 
 
 "Euaiach, de quoi te meruelles tu: autresi comme li enies est a type of the 
 
 entres dedens ta cambre uoians tes iex, et com il en est issus conception of 
 ariere sans I'uis ouurir ne depichier : autresi entra li salueres du 
 monde dedens Ie uentre de la uirge sans son puchelage enpirier 
 
 ne maumetre, et autresi s'en issi." Quant li camberlens oi la vois The people in 
 
 the palace are 
 
 parler, lors parent si grant paour que il ne se pent onques sous- terrified at the 
 
 tenir, anchois cbai tons pasmes a terre. et quida bien de uoir que voice. 
 
 tous li palais cbaist sour lui, si grans effrois fist la vois : quant 
 
 ele parla. Et li rois meismes en auoit si grant peour que nus 
 
 n'en porroit dire la maniere. Ne onques en tout Ie palais, ueut 
 
 home ne cheualier ne sergant qui ne s'en esuillast, tel noise et tel 
 
 eflfrois orient par Ie palais. Et quant il eurent demande au roi 
 
 qui il trouuerent leue : quel cose che peust estre. Si respondi li rois The king teiis 
 
 ^ ■*• ■"■ them it was a 
 
 que che auoit este vns effrois de tounoire. Et che dist il, pour chou oiap of thunder; 
 qu'il ne uoloit mie que nus d'aus seust sa vision, se cil non qui il 
 I'auoit moustree. A tant s'en rala couchier li rois, et tout li autre 
 se recouchierent. Mais li rois ni dormi onques del oel, anchois li •>« cannotsieep, 
 
 but desires to 
 
 tardoit mult que li lours fust uenus. Car u parlast mult uolentiers ten Joseph his 
 
 , . . vision. 
 
 a ioseph priueement de chele vision qui li estoit aparue. 
 
62 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Of Joseph. How lie cannot sleep, and kneels on the floor and prays for counsel and 
 comfort, for king Evalach and his distracted city (p. 36). How a voice tells him that 
 his prayer is heard, and that Evalach has seen wonders which he shall send for Joseph 
 to explain ; and that Josephus shall be consecrate to Christ, and take charge of His 
 flesh and blood (p. 64). How Joseph is glad, and goes to bed with his wife Helyab, 
 but not with carnal intent (p. 64) ; and how they had no carnal commerce tiU 
 they begot Galahad their youngest son, and then not for desire of pleasure, but by the 
 command of God (p. 65). And how holy men of White Britain, now called Eng- 
 land, descended from Galahad (p. 65). 
 
 Joseph ues in Or vous laiTons a taut ester del roi. Si yous parlerons de ioseph 
 
 bed, and sor- , , . , . , , - 
 
 rows over king qui 86 gist 611 soii lit mult p6iisis 6t mult angoisseus del roi eualach, 
 comineiit il le porroit tourner a la creanche ihesu crist. Car il se 
 pense ke s'il ore n'est mis el point de croire : il ni sera iamais mis. 
 Car il a ore en droit trop grant mestier et de laie de dieu et del 
 consel as sages gens, pour dhou ke il ne garde I'eure que il ait pierdu 
 on la millour partie de sa terre on toute. par che que tons U mieus 
 de son barnage li est faillis a son grant besoing. De cheste cose 
 estoit ioseph. en si grant quisencon, que il ne pooit dormir del oel, 
 ne ne faisoit se penser non. Et quant il eut geu vne grant pieehe 
 
 Joseph leaps eu tel mauiere ke il ni eut ne dormi ne repose, si sali bors de son lit, 
 
 out of bed, and . 
 
 kneels bare- et Si se coucha a la terre a nus keustes et a nus genous, et corn- 
 floor, mencha mult piteusement a souspirer del cuer et a plorer des iex. 
 
 Et si commencba en ses plours et en ses soupirs vne orison en tel 
 and calls on maiuere com vous porres oir. " Biaus sire diex, tous poissans peres, 
 
 fontaine de confort, babundans de misericorde,qui desis a pule d'israel 
 by his promises par la boucbc moysi ton saint ministre cbeste parole. ' Tsaibel, se tu 
 
 veus faire cbe que ie te commanderai : tu n'establiras mie dieu 
 
 nouiel, ne n' avras dieu estrange. Car ie sui li tiens dieus qui tu dois 
 
Joseph's prater to god por evalach and his city, sarras. 63 
 
 aourer, qui te ieta de la signourie pharaon qui te tenoit en seruage.* 
 Biaus sire, ensi com il est uoirs que il n'est autres diex que tu, et ke 
 on ne doit autrui aourer : ensi uoirement demoustres tu ta grant to show his 
 
 , power and 
 
 poissanclie et ta grant misericorde sour chel roi pecheour, et sour les mercy on 
 autres de cheste cMte. qui si sont desuoiet de la uoie de uerite : ke il the saraoens, 
 ne counoissent lor creatour, anchois aourent les ymages de pierre et who worship 
 
 J n I ' 1 images of wood 
 
 de lust qui ne lor poent aidier. et il i ont mise lor creanclie ke eles and stone. 
 
 les deffendent de lor maus. et eles les mainent a lor perdurable 
 
 mort. Biaus sire, elorieus rois de toutes choses, qui, pour sauuer'le Joseph conjures 
 
 ° J X ' J. GoA, — by His 
 
 mont qui perissoit, daignas angoisse de mort souffrir en la crois ou "i^^* on the 
 iou te vi claufichie. Sire, qui par ta poissanclie me ietas sain et by his deiiver. 
 
 f* 1 1 ' --I -i-* 1 j*-i ance of Joseph 
 
 saui de ia prison ou le demourai .xlu. ans ke onques ne goustai de himself from 
 nule terriene viande. Glorieus sire, plains de toutes pites, qui ^™°"' 
 sauuas le roy dauid ton sergant centre goulias le grant qui tans by His saving 
 
 n ' 1 n' T 111 David from 
 
 maus auoit fait a ton pule. Sire diex perdurables, sans commenche- GoUath, 
 ment et sans fin : qui garandis daniel ton prophete en la fosse ou il JL Dan^ieUn'' 
 fu mis entre les lyons. Qui a la glorieuse pecheresse marie Magda- *^^ '''"'^' ^^"' 
 laine perdounas ses pecMes en la maison symon le liepreus. Sire, qui ness of Mary 
 susanne la feme ioacliim deliuras del faus tesmoing ke li doi viellart by His deii'ver- 
 portoient encontre li. Sire, glorieus peres esperiteus, qui ietas les gu^ganmh 
 fiex ysrael del seruage pharaon. et les passas outre la mer rouge a hy His rescue 
 sech.. et qui les menas el desiert ou tu fesis plus pour aus que il ne of israei from 
 deseruirent vers toi, car tu le raemplisoies de toutes iclies cboses que 
 lor cuer desiroient. et il ne se gardoient mie de toutes lor desloiautes 
 faire uoiant toi. anchois te courchierent pluseur fies, et tu toutes ^y ^^ deiiver- 
 
 ^ mg them from 
 
 voies les deliuras de toutes lor tribulations et mesis tous lor anemis aii troubles and 
 
 putting their 
 
 desous lor pies. Sire, plains de misericorde, ensi com nous creons ke enemies under 
 
 ■^ . -^ . . their feet,— 
 
 tu iches choses fesis, et que il n'est autres diex que tu sens Ensi 
 uoirement enuoies tu hastieu conseil au roi eualach, qui tant est to send counsel 
 
 to King 
 
 desconsUlies pechieres que il ne puet estre ramenes a la uoie de Evaiach. 
 uerite, se tu par ta grant poissanche ne Ten enuoies le corage et la 
 uolente par le raemplissement de ton saint esperit qui est confers et 
 consaus as desconsillies. Sire, ia desis tu a moi qui sui tes sergans 
 
64 
 
 Joseph's peatee, and god's favourable answer. 
 
 ' Hear thy ser- 
 vant's prayer, 
 
 not for himself, 
 but to exalt 
 Thy name, 
 
 and increase 
 Thy church in 
 this fine but 
 misguided city.' 
 
 A voice tells 
 Joseph that 
 
 the king will 
 send for him to 
 explain his 
 dream, 
 
 and that 
 Josephus shall 
 be consecrated 
 to God and 
 take charge of 
 His flesh and 
 blood. 
 
 Joseph arises 
 and goes to bed 
 with his wife 
 Helyab, but not 
 from carnal 
 desire. 
 
 quant ie issi de ma naete par ton commandement, que tu ne m'escon- 
 diroies de rien que ie te requesisse de boin cuer et de boine uolente 
 pour ke ie vausisse seruir loiaument a ton commandement. Orre, 
 enten donques la proiere que tes sergans qui cM est, fait a toi, et si i 
 met consel selonc ta grant misericorde et selonc ta grande poissanche, 
 Ne pour moi, biaus sire diex, ne Ie faches tu mie, mais po\ir ton non 
 essaucMer et aleuer, et pour demoustrer : as gens, ke tu seus i es li 
 tres baus dieus qui as pooir et signourie deseur toutes les creatures. 
 Glorieus sire dies, cbe est drois que tu rendes a sainte eglise che ke 
 tu li as promis. Car tu Ie dois essaucbier et acroistre par tout Ie 
 monde, et il est ore en droit bien tans et lieus ke ele soit essaucbie 
 et acreue, et tes sains nons soit aoures en cbeste biele cbite descon- 
 sillie, qui si grant mestier a de ton consel et de t'aie." Ensi fu 
 iosepb grant piecbe de la nuit en plours et en larmes et en orisons 
 et en proieres, a keustes nus, et a genous. Et quant il eut sa proiere 
 iinee. Si oi yne vols qui li dist. " Iosepb, lieue sus, car tes proieres 
 sont oies et recheues de ton creatour. Et bien sacbies tu de uoir ke 
 li rois mandra toi procbainement. Car il a a nuit veue vne grant 
 partie de mes demoustrancbes et de mes merueilles. Et il t'en- 
 uoiera Ie matin querre, pour espondre et pour deuiser cbe ke il a a 
 nuit veu et oi. Et tu vien Ie matin tantost com I'aube aparistra. et 
 tu et ta compaignie si me rendra orisons et proieres cbascun endroit 
 soi, et si verres .i. nouiel establissement ke ie ne vous ai pas encore 
 done. Car ie sacrerai ton fil iosepbe, et Ie ferai si baut menistre 
 comme prouoire. Car ie li baUerai ma cbar et mon sane en garde et 
 en bailie, tout autrestant com tu en despendis de la crois. quant tu 
 m'enportas el sepulcre entre tes bras. Et cbeste signourie donrai 
 iou a ton fil iosepbe. Et tout cbil qui autrestel ordene aront des ore 
 en auant la recbeueront de lui par toutes les terres ou ie menrai et toi 
 et ta semencbe " A tantlaissala uois a parler, si se teut. et iosepb 
 remest mult lies et mult ioians de cbe que il auoit oi, si s'en rala 
 coucbier quant vint au cbief de piecbe auoec sa feme belyab. Mais 
 il ne gisoient mie ensamble a guise de gent luxurieuse. Mais gens 
 
OF THE BEGETTINa OP GALAHAD, JOSEPH'S LAST SON. 65 
 
 comme pleins de religion. Oar il ne uirent onques tant ensemble How Joseph 
 
 ■'■'-' J- and his wife 
 
 entre aus deus, puis chele eure ke il issirent hors de lor pais par le lived purely 
 oommandement ihesu crist que onques cheles fragilites dont tous li 
 humains lignages est conclieus les escaufast tant ke ele les peust 
 vne fois a chou mener ke il souffrissent les caitis de cors auoir carnel 
 compaignie ensamble : ensi comme nature le requiert di cliele ma- 
 niere. Anchois estoient ambedoi si espris de la souuraine amour au . 
 sauueour : ke de cliele partie ne lor pooit corages venir. Ne lors and had no 
 
 ■*■ i i-i lygf ^hen they 
 
 n'en orent il mie corage quant il engenrerent galaad lor darrain begat Gaiahad, 
 
 ° -^ . . their youngest 
 
 enfant par le commandement notre signour, qui le commanda que il son, 
 
 li appariUast de sa semencbe .i. nouiel fruit de quoi il empliroit en 
 
 auant la terre ou il les uoloit mener. Par le commandement cbe- 
 
 lui fa engenres galaad. Et quant U fu engenres, n' assemblerent il 
 
 mie par couuoitise que il eurent de ntde luxure : mais pour acom- 
 
 plir le commandement de son signour, qui semencbe auoit demande 
 
 a ioseph. De cbestui galaad descendi la haute lignie dont tout 'te ancestor of 
 
 ■'•'--' ^ the holy men 
 
 U plusour furent saint home et religieus en lor vies, et essauchierent ^j^^ honoured 
 le non notre signeur ihesu crist a lor pooirs, et si hounererent la ^hlteBritain 
 terre de la bloie bertaigne qui ore est apielee engleterre : et les autres g"'^,"*"^'^ 
 contrees en uiron, de lors sains cors precieus : qui i reposent ensi 
 com cheste estoire le contera es paroles, qui chi apres vienent. Or 
 parlerons de ioseph, si laisserons a tout de ses oirs iusc' a tant ke il 
 en soit lieus et tans ke on redoie center d'aus. 
 
66 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 How Joseph and his company worship before the Ark of the Grail in the Palace of the 
 Spirit, when a noise is heard, and the Palace trembles. (How the Palace came to 
 be called The Palace Spiritual, p. 67). How the Holy Ghost descends on them like 
 a ray of fire, and how a sweet wind comes, and how Christ speaks to them, and 
 urges them to love him (p. 67-8). He tells Josephes to draw near andtake charge 
 of his flesh and blood (p. 69). Josephes opens the door of the Ark, and sees a man 
 in a red robe, and five angels clad Kke him, with six wings each, and a bloody 
 sword in their left hands, and severally in their rights, a cross, nails, lance, sponge, 
 and scourge, with a roll ' These are the arms by which our Judge destroyed Death ' 
 (p. 69). How the Crucifixion is represented over again before Josephes in the Grail- 
 Ark (p. 70), and how he is stopped from entering it (p. 70). How Joseph looks into the 
 Ark, and sees angels there with the instruments of consecration (p. 71-2), and Jesus 
 clad in sacramental robes (p. 72). How the company of angels go over the house 
 purifying it with holy water, because it used to be the dwelling-place of devils 
 (p. 73). How Christ tells Josephes that he is to receive the Sacrament of His flesh 
 and blood (p. 74). How the proper episcopal garments are brought out of the Ark 
 (p. 74) ; and how the Chair of Consecration makes a Saracen king's eyes fly out of his 
 head (p. 75). How Josephes is consecrated (p. 75), and how the angel preserves 
 the holy oil with which aU the kings of Britain till Uther Pendragon, Arthur's 
 father, are anointed. How Christ tells Josephes the meaning of the Bishop's vest- 
 ments, — the shoes (p. 76), the upper and under garments (Chastity and Virginity), 
 the head-covering (Humility), and herein of the Pharisee and the Publican, the 
 green garment (Suffering), that above it (Justice, p. 77), the band on the left arm 
 (Abstinence), the necklet (Obedience), the uppermost (Love, p. 77), the staff (Ven- 
 geance and Mercy, p. 78), the ring (Marriage to Holy Church), and the horned hat 
 (Confession, 1. Eepentance, 2. Satisfaction, and what they are, p. 79). And how 
 Christ tells Josephes his' duties as a Bishop, and promises him a rich reward if he 
 serves Him loyally (p. 79). 
 
 Joseph and his Au matin si tost com ioseph vit I'aube apparoir, si se leua, il et sa 
 
 company wor- , , . 
 
 ship before the compaigme. Si uinrent tout orer deixant Tarclie. Et quant il 
 fureut tout agenoillie deuant, si oirent vn mout grant escrois qui 
 
CHRIST URGES JOSEPH AND HIS COMPANY TO LOVE HIM. 67 
 
 vint de haut. ^ Et quant il orent oi I'escrois : si sentirent la terre, 
 
 qui trambloit desous aus mult durement. Ichil lieus ou il estoient (How their 
 
 herbergie et ou il ouroient, si estoit yns palais qui estoit apieles li was named The 
 
 palais esperiteus. Et chest non li auoit mis danyel li prophetes spirit, by the 
 
 quant il repairoit de la baUlie nabugodonosor le roi : qui 1' auoit pris ™'' ^ 
 
 entre les autres iuis quant U le mena en babyloine. En che repaire 
 
 passa danyel par chele cMte. Et quant il vit le palais, si escrit en 
 
 la port lettres de carbon en ebrieu, et si disoient les lettres, ke chil 
 
 palais seroit apieles li palais esperiteus, Chis nons fu acoustumes 
 
 a dire ke onques n'en chai, et tant com li palais sera en estant sera 
 
 il apieles esperiteuls. Mais deuant che que ioseph i fust herbergies 
 
 n'auoient oi chil de la vile onques, ne seu, pour quoi il estoit ensi but why, the 
 
 apieles. et lors le sorent il. si ores comment. Quant la terre eut not.) 
 
 tr amble desous les crestiens qui el palais estoient a orisons ensi 
 
 com nous aves oi. Si descendi K sains esperis tantost laiens. et vint The Hoiy 
 
 en samblanche despart vns rais de fu par deuant chascun d'aus. nice a ray of 
 
 Et li uns regardoit I'autre a grant merueille, si veoit li vns que li rais 
 
 du fu entroit a I'autre dedens la bouche, ne ne disoient mot nus into each man's 
 
 d'aus. Anchois quidoient estre tout enfantosme pour le fu qu'il ^ " 
 
 veoient qui lor entroit es cors. Ensi furent vne grant pieche que 
 
 onques nus d'aus ne dit mot de la bouche : tant durement estoient 
 
 esbahi, Tant qu'il vint par laiens autresi comme vns sofflemens a soft sweet 
 
 . . 1 ■ 1 wind comes, 
 
 de vent douch et souwef, qui rendoit si grant odour ke il lor fu auis 
 
 que il fuissent entre toutes les boines espisces du monde, Apres la 
 
 venue de chele boine oudour, si oirent vne vois qui parla a aus ensi and a voice,— 
 
 com vous pores oir, "Escoutes mi nouiel fll, le sui diex notre chnst says that 
 
 , -il • •!'!.•• as he bought 
 
 sires, votre peres esperiteuls, qui vous ai caiengies et gaaignies en- them with his 
 contre tout le monde par ma char que ie souffri a desrompre et a '^^ ^" °° ' 
 perchier pour vous racater : et par mon sane que ie vauch espandre, 
 Et pour che que ie uous ai si grant amour moustree ke ie vous ra- 
 catai de ma char et de mon sane : che ke nus peres terriens ne fesist 
 a son fil. pour chou me deues vous bien samblant moustrer ke vous iovehim''with 
 m'ames de grignour amour ke nus flex terriens n'aime son pere. Or Si^ iqve? 
 
 k2 
 
68 CHRIST EXHORTS JOSEPH AND HIS COMPANY TO OBEDIENCE. 
 
 He has given 
 them his Holy 
 Spirit, 
 
 and put them 
 in greater 
 honour than 
 the Israelites 
 in the Desert ; 
 
 they must not 
 then fall into 
 the Jews' sins, 
 
 TV ho were called 
 to the Marriage- 
 Feast 
 
 and would not 
 come : 
 
 who said He 
 was not their 
 God, 
 
 who took Him 
 like a thief and 
 scourged Him, 
 
 mocked Him, 
 and gave him 
 bitter drink, 
 and then death. 
 
 Beware that ye 
 be not like 
 them ; 
 
 if ye will be 
 my sons, I will 
 he your Father, 
 
 you shall have 
 my Spirit, 
 
 escoutes donqnes que ion, diex, notre sires, uotre peres, vous dirai. 
 Enten cha crestientes, tu qui es nouuiaus pules, au urai cruchefiie, ie 
 tant ame et tenu cliier ke i'ai mis en toi men saint esperit : qui 
 i'ai enuoie en terre pour 1' amour de toi de la sus ou il estoit en la 
 haute gloire de mon cMer pere. Ie t'ai mis en grignour hounour et 
 en grignour signourie. ke ti anchiseur ne furent el desert, ou ie lor 
 dounai .xl. ans tout chou ke lor cuer desiroient. Mais encor Ie tien 
 ion a plus aaise ke il n'estoient. Oar ie t'ai dounei mon saint 
 esperit : dont ie ne lor fis onques don ne baUlie. Ore gardes don- 
 ques ke tu ne retraies a lor felounies. Car ie lor fis tons les biens, 
 et il me fixent tons les maus. Car s'il ne faisoient honour de la 
 bouche : il ne m'amerent onques del cuer. Et si Ie me mou- 
 strerent bien en Ie fin. Car ie les uenoie semonre et apieler a ma 
 haute feste, a ma grant ioie de mes nueches que ie uoloie faire de 
 moi et de sainte eglise. Et il ni daignierent [uenjir, ne onques ne me 
 vaurent connoistre que tous les biens lor auoie fais. Et pour chou 
 que ie ving pourement entr' aus. Si disrent ke lor diex n'estoie iou 
 mie. Et si eurent si grant despit de che que ie osai dire, que ie estoie 
 lor diex, que il me prisent comme laron en repost, si me destrompirent 
 ma char et parchierent mes membrens et mon cors. Et pour les 
 grans honeurs ke ie lor auoie faites, me rendirent il guerredon de 
 scopir et de bufoier. Et pour les dous boire ke ie lor auoie dones el 
 desert, me donerent il en la crois Ie plus tU boire et plus angoisseus 
 ke il peurent trouer. Et apres me dounerent il la mort : qui lor 
 auoie donee la terriene vie, et la perdurable lor prometoie. En-si 
 troua cheus de tout en tout crueus fiUastres : a qui iou auoie tous 
 iours este dous peres. Mais gardes tous mult bien ke vous ne soies 
 samblant a la felenesse lignie. Car bien deues auoir cangie la 
 maniere de cheus de qui vous aues cangie la vie. Se vous vous con- 
 tenes vers moi comme mi loial fil : Ie me conterrai vers vous comme 
 votres deboinaires peres. Et si ferai plus pour uous ke n'ai fait 
 pour mes prophetes qui si m'ont serui cha en ariere de boin cuer et 
 de boiae volente. Car se il orent mon saint esperit auoec aus : au- 
 
JOSEPHES OPENS THE ARK AND SEES CHRIST AND ANGELS, BLOODY. 69 
 
 tresi I'aueres vous. Et si aures en-core autre chose. Car ie morrai and i wiu dweii 
 
 bodily with you, 
 
 corporelment chascun iour en uotre compaignie : tout autresi com iou 
 estoie corporelment en terre. Mais tant i ara de differenche, ke ie 
 
 , . . .11 though you see 
 
 estoie veus en terre : mais ore ne me uerres vous mie en cliele sam- me not. 
 blanche. Vien auant iosephe, li miens sereans, car tu i es dignes come then 
 
 . . . Josephes, my 
 
 d estre mmistres de si haute chose auoir en haillie comme est li chars servant, thou 
 
 If 1, ^ . , . ^ ji*"^ worthy to 
 
 et li sans de ton sauueour. Car le t ai esproue, et conneu plus net et take charge of 
 plus monde de tous natureus pechies ke nule morteus chars ne porroit flesh and biood, 
 penser. Et pour chou ke iou couoite et sai qui tu i es mieus ke tu 
 meismes ne fais. Car ie te sai unit de couoitise, et monde d'enuie, for thou art 
 et quite d'orguel, et net de toute felenie, et sans partie de toute oovetousness 
 luxure, et plain de toute chaeste. pour chou voel iou ke turechoiues andfuiiofaii 
 de la moie main la plus grant hauteche que nus hom morteus puist '^""'^' 
 auoir. Ne nus de tous les autres ne I'auera de ma main ke tu seule- 
 ment, anchois I'aront de toi : chil qui des-ore-mais 1' aront." A tant Josephes draws 
 
 near, trembling, 
 
 se traist losephes auant, mult tramblans et mult peureus, et com- 
 mencha a plourer mult durement, et a rendre grasces a son creatour weeps and 
 
 .,,.,.. , thanks God. 
 
 qui 1 apieloit a si grant honeur, recheuoir de quoi nus hom morteus 
 
 ne pooit estre dignes par deserte qu'il onques eust faite selonc son 
 
 auis, se diex seulement par la sieue grasce ne li otrioit. Et quant il 
 
 fu uenus iusc'a I'arche, ' si ne soies mieesbahis de chouketuuerras.' 
 
 Lors ouuri iosephes I'uis de I'arche a mult grant paour et a mult grant He opens the 
 
 doutanche. Et quant il eut ouuert, si vit vn homme vestu d'une reube and sees a man' 
 
 plus rouge et plus hideuse a cent doubles que n'est foudres ardans. ^ " ' 
 
 Et si piet estoient tout autrestel, et ses mains, et ses viaires. Et en 
 
 tour chel home, si estoient. v. angele tout vestu d'autrestel reube et and five angeis 
 
 d'autrestel samblanche. Et si auoit chascun d'aus ,vi. eles qui sam- ^^^^^ ^■^^^ ^^^ 
 
 bloient ke eles fuissent de fu ardant. Et chascuns d'aus tenoit en la ""'"^^ ^' ""'^ 
 
 _,. ,. . . . and a bloody 
 
 senestre mam vne espee toute sanglente. Et li premiers tenoit en sword in his 
 
 . 1 1 -\r ' T n i ^'^^^ hand, 
 
 la main destre vne grant crois tout sanglente. Mais que chose fust ^^^ ;„ ^-^ ^^-^^^ 
 a counoistre de quel fust la crois estoit. Et li ange les secons tenoit b^oo^y ^^1'* '^ 
 en sa main destre trois claus tou.s sanglens. Si qu'U li estoit auis ke th^/g^b^ood 
 li sans en degoutast en-chore tous vermaus. Et li tiers angeles tenoit °^''^' 
 
70 THE CBUCIPIXION IS ACTED OVER AGAIN BEFORE JOSEPHES, 
 
 Ion 'biold ^^ ^^ main destre vne grant lanche dont li fiers estoit tons sanglens, 
 
 lance, g^ jg^ hanstc estoit toute sanglente ansi iusque par la on li angeles 
 
 Iponge rttined ^^ tenoit empoignie. Et li qnars angeles tenoit par denant le uiaire 
 
 with blood, gj home, vne esponge toute droite, qui restoit antresi tainte de sane 
 
 the fifth a ^Q Y^^ chief iusk' en 1' autre. Et li quins angeles tenoit en sa destre 
 
 bloody scourge, ^ ^ 
 
 main vne maniere de corgie toute sanglente qui sambloit estre faite 
 
 and each had a t j t • n i -r:i j ^ t ^ i 
 
 roll, ' These are dc vBrges torsos loics onsamble. M cnascuns de cues .v. angeles 
 whichTur''' tenoit en vn rolet, escrites letres qui disoient. " Che sont les armes 
 qufr°ed death.' P^'^^ ^P■^^ ^^ lugleres qul chi est. uencui la mort et destruist." Et 
 The writing on qI^^ hom eutour Qul 11 Eugele estoient, si auoit escrit en mi le front 
 
 Christ's fore- J. D ' 
 
 head, eu cbrleu de letres blanches. " En cheste samblanche uenrai iou 
 
 iugier toutes choses au felon iour espoentable." Ensi disoient les 
 ^andrrun"*^ lottres. Et si Gstoit auls ke de ses pies et de ses mains couroit 
 ^'°°'^' sanglete rousee contreual, si que la terre en sambloit estre toute ver- 
 
 How the Ark mello. Et si estoit auis a iosephe ke I'arche estoit bien a quatre 
 
 seemed of 
 
 immense size, doubles plus graus et plus lee k'ele ne soloit estre. Car li hom que 
 il ne veoit estoit dedens. et li .v. angele. si en fu si durement esbahis 
 de la meruelle ke il veoit, ke il ne sauoit ke dire ne que faire. An- 
 chois s'enclina vers terre, si commencha mult durement a penser. 
 
 How josephes Eusl com 11 pousolt tous enclius, et la vols le rapiela. Et il esgarda, 
 
 S66S Vynristi 
 
 nailed to the sl vlt chel home crucefiie en la crois ke li angeles tenoit, et les cleus 
 
 cross, and the 
 
 sponge put to quo 11 auolt vou teulr a 1 autre angele vit es pies et es mains del 
 
 home, et si uit ke I'esponge si estoit apoie au menton, et il sambloit 
 
 , , , mult bien home qui a chele eure fust en angoisse de mort. Apres 
 
 and the lance -*■ a j. 
 
 pierce His side, esEjarda losophes, si vit ke la lanche qu'il auoit veue en la main au 
 
 and a stream ox ± 
 
 of blood and tlcrch augelc estoit fichie tres parmi le coste del home crucefliet. Si 
 
 water pour out; ° 
 
 and the Grail- eu dcgoutolt tout contrcual la hanste vns ruisseles qui n'estoit ne 
 
 Dish under His . i i . 
 
 feet, tons sans ne toute iaue. et nepourquant il sambloit estre de sane 
 
 et di aue. Et desous les pies au cruchefls vit ichele escuele. ke 
 ioseph ses peres auoit fait aporter en I'arche. Si li estoit auis ke li 
 dropping'^in ^aus dcs plcs au crucefiie degoutoit en chele escuele que ele estoit 
 and filling It. ^^^ pj.gg piaine, si sambloit a iosephe ke ele vausist verser. et ke 
 seems as [fHe'd H saus cu deust espandrc. Apres li estoit auis ke li hom voloit 
 
 fall from the 
 
WHAT JOSEPH (the EATHER) SEES IN THE GRAIL-AKE. 7l 
 
 chaoir a terre, et que li doi brach. li estoient ia escape deS cletts si que and Josephes 
 
 H» -j^j ij -1 j-^ •I'll • runs to the 
 
 cors s en uenoit a terre, la teste desous. Quant il vit cnou, si uaut door of the 
 
 courre auaut pour lui redrechier. Et quant il dut meitre le premier him, 
 
 pie dedens I'arche, si vit les .v. angeles a tout lor espees en 1' entree de but three angeis 
 
 15" c*' ± 1 • ± T J. ' !• • 11 i^ T 1?°'^^^ their 
 
 1 uis. oi tendoient u troi encontre lui les pomtes de lor espees, et li swords at him, 
 autre doi leuoient les lor en liaut et faisoient samblant de lui ferir. two raise theirs 
 Et il ne laissa onques pour chou que il ne vausist outre passer, tant ^^ stin^tries to 
 desiroit a redrecMer chelui qui il creoit qui estoit ses diex et ses ®"*®''' 
 sauueres. Et quant il vaut metre 1' autre pie dedens, si ne peut, ^^^ ^^^^^^ 
 anchois li conuint arester. Car on le tenoit si forment deriere par 
 
 ,. 1 •! • • 1 for two angels 
 
 les .ij. bras, ke ilnauoit pooir d aler en auant. et il se regarda, si vit hoidumby 
 que doi angele le tenoient chascuns a vne main, et en 1' autre main one has a'jar, 
 tenoit li vns vne ampule, et li autres .i. enchensier et vne boiste. Et censer and box. 
 iosepb ses peres, quant il le vit esgarder arriere si durement, si 
 s'emeruilla mult de che ke il eut tant longement este al buis de Joseph wonders 
 I'arcbe sans plus faire et dire, et quel cose il pooit tant auoir esgarde. trance!""'^ 
 Lors se leua iosepb de la ou U estoit a orisons, si ala vers son fil. Et 
 quant iosepbe le vit si pres de lui, si mist sa main encontre, et li 
 commencba a crier. " Ha : biaus pere iosepb, ne toucbe pas a moi, Mm n^t^to^"^ 
 ke tu ne me toilles la grant gloire ou ie sui. Car ie sui si ellumines hTifin^e*^ 
 des espiriteus demonstrancbes, que ie ne sui mais en terre." Quant ^p'"'' 
 iosepb oi cbeste parole, si fu si angoisseus et si espris de cbes mer- , , , ' 
 
 J- J- ' ~ ■*- Joseph Kneels 
 
 uelles veoir, ke il ni garda onques deflfense. ancbois se laissa cbaoir ^^^°\^ the Ark, 
 
 ' <^ ^ and looks m, 
 
 deuant I'uis de I'arcbe a genous. Et il esgarda, si vit dedens I'arcbe .i. ^""^ ^"^^ ^" 
 
 " ^ altar covered 
 
 petit autel tout couuert de blans dras, et par de sus tous les blans dras ^'th ""lite 
 
 -■- _ _ cloths, and 
 
 si i auoit .i. mult riche drap, et vermeil et mult biel autrestel comme beneath a red 
 
 one like samite, 
 
 samit. Desour cbe drap esgarda iosepb, si vit qu il auoit .iij. cleus covering 
 
 I. /.Till/ ijTtn three nails and 
 
 tous degoutans de sane, et .i. fer de lancbe tout sanglant a 1 un des a lance-head, 
 cbies de I'autel, et a I'autre cbief estoit I'escuele qu'il auoit aportee. 
 Et en mi lieu del autel si auoit .i. mult ricbe vaissiel d'or en sam- ^'^^' 
 blancbe d'un banap. et .i. couuercle deseure qui estoit d'or autresi. 
 Ne le couuercle ne peut U mie veoir a deliure, ne quanques il auoit 
 desus. Car il estoit couuers d'un blanc drap ke on ne le pooit veoir 
 
 all bloody, 
 and the Grail- 
 
72 
 
 WHAT JOSEPH SEES IN THE AEK OP THE GEAIL. 
 
 and above the 
 altar a hand 
 holding a red 
 cross, 
 
 and before the 
 altar two hands 
 holding candles. 
 
 He hears a door 
 open, and there 
 come out 
 
 two angels 
 with water and 
 a watering-pot, 
 
 two others with 
 two gold basins 
 and two towels. 
 
 three more with 
 three gold 
 censers, 
 
 and boxes full 
 of incense, 
 and most 
 sweet spices. 
 
 Another angel 
 with letters on 
 his forehead, 
 
 carrying the 
 Grail- Dish; 
 
 another carry- 
 ing.a head; 
 
 on the left 
 another angel 
 with a sword. 
 
 Three other 
 angels, with 
 three coloured 
 tapers; then 
 Jesus, 
 
 ke par deuant. Et tout outre I'autel si vit vne main qui tenoit vne 
 crois mult biele, toute vermelle. Mais chelui dont la mains estoit, ne 
 vit il mie. Et si uit deuant I'autel .ij. mains qui tenoient cMerges. 
 Mais U ne vit mie les cors dont les mains estoient. Endementiers 
 ke il gardoit ensi laiens, si escouta, si oi I'uis d'une cambre m[ult 
 dujrement flatir. et il tourne ses iex vers la cambre, si en uit issir 
 .ij. angeles, dont li vns tenoit .i. orcbuel tout plain di aue. et li autres 
 tenoit .i. jetoir en sa main destre. Et apres ches .ij. en uenoientdoi 
 autre qui portoient en lor mains ij. grans vaissiaus d'or autresteus 
 comme .ij. bachias, et a lor caus auoit .ij. touailles qui estoient de si 
 grant biaute comme cheles qui onques bom morteus n'auoit baiUies. 
 Quant cM doi fm'ent bors de la cambre, si en issirent troi autre 
 apres qui portoient .iij. encbensiers d'or, enlumines de si riches 
 pierres precieuses que il sambloit de uoir ke il fuissent tout espris de 
 fu ardant. Et en 1' autre main tenoit cbascuns d' aus vne boiste 
 plaiae d'encbens, et de mierre, et de maintes autres precieuses espises 
 qui rendoient laiens si douche odour et si grant suatume que U estoit 
 tres bien auis ke la maisons en fust toute plaine. Apres en vit issir 
 .j. autre, qui auoit letres el front escrites, et si disoient, 'ie sui 
 apieles forche del tres haut signour.' Ichil portoit soiu" ses .ij, mains 
 .i. drap autresi verdoiant com esmeraude, et sour che drap estoit 
 mise la saiate escuele. En coste de chekii drap. et .i. angele de uers 
 destre en auoit .i. qui portoit vn teste, com ques si riches ne si biaus 
 ne fu veus par iex de nul home terrien se chil meismes ne. Et de 
 uers senestre en i auoit .i. qui portoit vne espee dont li poins estoit 
 d'or, et li heudure d' argent. Et toute I'alumele estoit autresi ver- 
 meUle comme vns rais de fu en brases. Et quant chil troi estoient 
 issu hors, si venoient deuant aus troi autre qui portoient trois 
 chierges de toutes les couleurs que morteus langue porroit noumer. 
 Apres esgardoit ioseph, si ueoit issir hors ihesu crist, en autrestel 
 samblanche com U li apparut en la chartre ou il estoit enprisones, 
 quant il fu issus del sepulcre, et en cors et en esperit, au iour de sa 
 resurrection. En cheste samblanche le vit ioseph venir hors fors 
 
THE ANGELS PURIFY THE PALACE "WITH HOLY WATER. 73 
 
 tant seulement Ice il auoit ore vestus tous les vestemens ke prestres dad in sacra- 
 doit uestir quant il veut faire le sacrement notre signeur. Et li 
 
 angeles primiers qui portoit le ietoir, puchoit en li aue, et si aloit The angei 
 
 ietant par desus les crestiiens qui estoient laiens. Mais nus d'aus p^'piewith^ 
 
 tous ne ueoit chelui qui li aue ietoit : fors que ioseph. seulement et "''''* ^'^' 
 iosephes ses fiex, ichil doi le veoient tout apertement. Lors prist 
 
 ioseph son fll par la main, et si li dist, " biaus fiex, counois tu encore, Joseph asks 
 
 ne aperchois qui cliist horn est. qui si biele maisnie maine en sa knows Christ^ 
 
 compaignie, et va si hounoureement." Et iosephe li dist. '•' par foi, He answers, 
 
 biaus pere, ie sai de uoir ke cli'est chil de qui dauid dist el sautier ^^' 
 en vn.vers ' ke diex commande as angeles que il le gardent par tous 
 les lieus ou il ira.' Ne nus bom ne porroit estre si seruis ne si 
 
 boneres par angeles que il seulement." A tant passa toute la com- The company of 
 
 paignie par deuant aus, si alerent auirounant tout le palais dedens, round the house 
 
 et par tout le u il aloient ietoit li angeles li aue au ietoir. Et quant sprinkling hoiy 
 
 water. 
 
 il venoient deuant 1 arcbe si ni aloit nus d'aus qui n enclmast a 
 ihesu crist auant, et puis apres a I'arcbe. Et quant il orent aui- 
 rounee toute la maison par dedens, si reuinrent tout deuant I'arcbe. 
 Lors apiela notres sires iosephe. Et iosephes li respondi. " Sire, Christ oaiia 
 
 ■*■ i X X Josephes 
 
 vees chi uotre sergant tout apparilliet a votre uolente faire." Et 
 
 notre sires li dist. "Ses tu ke cheste iaue senefle, ke tu as veu andteiisMm 
 
 that the 
 
 espandre par chaiens : Che est netoiemens des lieus ou manuals sprinkling of 
 
 , • 1 1 'x 1 1 *^® water was 
 
 esperis a conuerse. Car cheste maisons a este tous lours habitacles des to purify the 
 dyables. Si doit estre auant mondees et netoies ke mes seruiches i had been the 
 soit fais. Et nepourquant ele est toute mondee et espurgie des ke li devils. 
 sains esperis i descendi qui iou i enuoiai, mais ie I'ai arousee de cheste 
 iaue por che que ie voel que tu faches autresrpar tous les lieus ou mes 
 nons doit estre apieles et mes seruiches fais. Et iosephes li dist. " sire, ■ 
 en quel maniere puet li aue espurgier si ele n'est auant espurgie." 
 "Toutautresteibeneichon, dist notre sires, en li aue del purefiiemcAt ^^^''^„^i''p^*\"', 
 comme en li aue del baptesme. Car tu i feras la signe de la grant p"^^^ 
 raenchon. che est li signes de la crois sainte : et si diras ke che soit el 
 non du pere et du fil et du saint esperit. Et qui aura creanche en- 
 
 L 
 
74 
 
 A bishop's vestments aee brought out of the ark. 
 
 and tells 
 Josephes that 
 he is to receive 
 the Sacrament, 
 
 and be made 
 Sovran Bishop 
 of his new 
 Christendom. 
 
 Christ takes 
 Josephes by 
 the hand and 
 draws him to 
 Him. 
 
 A grey-haired 
 map comes 
 out of the Ark 
 carrying rich 
 garments, 
 
 and a young 
 one with a 
 crook and 
 mitre. 
 
 and they clothe 
 Josephes in a 
 bishop's vest- 
 ments and seat 
 him in a chair 
 
 of great 
 richness 
 
 terine en la forclie de cheste beneichon : ja mauuais esperis n'abitera 
 en lui ou cheste iaue soit espandue. Car tons li peurs et la paine au 
 dyable si est en oir le coniurenient de la sainte trinite, et en ueoir le 
 signe de la sainte crois : par qui sa poestes fu destruite. Des ore niais 
 voel ke tu recboiues la bautecbe ke cbe t'ai promise a doner. Che 
 est li sacremens de ma char et de mon sane, et si le verra tons mes 
 pules apertement. Car ie voel qu'il te soient tesmoing deuant rois 
 et deuant contes, ke il ont veu la sainte enunction ke ie t'ai mise 
 sour toi pour toi establir souurain pasteur apres moi de mes nou- 
 uieles berbis. Ch'est souurain eueske de ma nouuiele crestiente. 
 Et tout autresi com moyses mes loiaus sergans estoit meneres et 
 conduisieres des fiex Israel par la poeste que ie Ten auoie dounee. 
 Tout autresi seras tu garderes de chest mien pule. Car il aprende- 
 ront de la toie bouche comment il me deuront seruir, et comment il 
 tenront la nouiele loy, et garderont la creanche. Lors le prist notres 
 sires par la destre main, si le traist pres de lui. si ke tons li pules 
 des crestiens qui laiens estoient virent apertement la samblanche de 
 lui. Et si ueoient tout comment iosephes estoit en estant deuant 
 lui, et comment il faisoit le signe sour lui de la crois. Et quant il 
 eut este vne pieche deuant lui. a tant es uous que vns horn vint hors 
 de I'arche tons kenus, si aportoit soiir son col les plus riches ueste- 
 mens, et les plus biaus ke nus hom terriens eust onques veus ne 
 baillies. Et apres chelui issi vns autres qui estoit biaus, a meruelle. 
 et de mult biel cage, si portoit en son poing vne croche, et en 1' autre 
 vne mittre toute blanche, et la croche estoit toute blanche ausi, et la 
 hanste toute vermelle. Quant chil doi furent venu hors : si ues- 
 tirent iosephe tous les uestemens. les sandales premierement, et puis 
 les autres choses qui conuienent a eueske. Et quant il fu tous 
 reuestus, si 1' assirent en vne kaiere qui estoit Uluec, toute apparellie 
 par la uolente notre signour : qui de toutes chose le voloit aaisier. 
 Chele kaiere estoit de si grant rikeche ke onques nus hom qui le 
 ueist ne sent a dire certainete de quoi ele peust estre. Et tout cil qui 
 faisoient les riches oeures dont il le uinrent puis veoir maint disoient 
 
JOSEPHES IS ANOINTED "WITH THE HOLT OIL OP BRITAIN. 75 
 
 ke en tout le monde n'auoit maniere de si riche pirre : dont il n'eust 
 
 en la kaiere, Et che dient encore tout chil ki le voient. Car ele ne fu 
 
 onques puis ietee hors de la chite. Anchois fu tous iours tenue pour st>'i ^ept in the 
 
 saintewaire puis ke iosephes en fu partis. Ne onques puis horn ne si 
 
 assist que n'en fust leues tous mors, ou qui ni mehaignast de son cors 
 
 anchois que il fust leues. Et puis en auint il mult biaus miracles quant of the subse- 
 
 1-1. .p . .1 . . ••J1J d~i quent miracle 
 
 la chites lu prise par vn roi des sarrasms qui guerrioit la terre. (Jar, wrought by the 
 quant il eut trouuee la kaiere, et il le vit si riche, si dist ke il li prisoit made'a aacrUe- 
 plus ke toute la chite, et dist qu'il I'emporteroit en egypte dont il estoit I'lng^-g^eyesTy 
 rois, et si serroit ded ens tous les iours ke il porteroit coroune. Et 0"^ of his head. 
 quant il Ten quida porter, sine le pent onques nus hom remuer de son 
 lieu ou ele estoit. Et il dist ke toutes voies serroit il dedens, puis 
 ke il porter ne Ten pooit. Et maintenant ke il si fu assis, si en 
 prist notre sires si grant uenianche que a.mbedoi li oel li uolerent hors 
 de la teste. Ensi demoustra notre sires que che n'estoit pas sieges 
 a home mortel, se a cheli non pour qui il I'auoit apparillie. Et 
 maintes autres uirtus i demoustra il, dont li contes ne parlera mie 
 chi orendroit. Mais quant li lieus venra, et li tans. Quant iosephes How Christ 
 fu assis en la kaiere, si uinrent tout li angele deuant lui, et notre consecrate^ 
 sires I'enoinst et sacra en chele maniere ke on doit euesche sacrer et ■^"^^p''®^- 
 enoindre, si ke tous li pules le vit apertement. Et chele onctions The hoiy oil 
 dont il fu enoins si fu prise en 1' ampule ke li angeles portoit, qui le angei into the 
 prist et traist a soi par I'espaule quant il vaut entrer dedens I'arche 
 si com aues oi cha en arriere. Et de chele onction meisme furent Andaiithe' 
 enoint tout li roi des ke la crestientes vint en engletere iusqu' auter lanftiu uther 
 pandragon, qui fu peres le roi artu, de qui tout chil qui content les AnhurSher, 
 auentures ne seuent mie tres bien pour quoi il fu apieles pandragons wuh 1^°"'*^'^ 
 en son sournon. Car che set on bien, ke il eut a non vters en bap- 
 tesme. Mais I'estoire de chest liure lor dira cha en auant tout 
 esclairiement pour quoi il fu apieles ensi, et comment ichele unctions 
 fu perdue quant il dut premierement estre courones. Quant 
 iosephes fu enoins et sacres ensi com vous aues oi, si li assist notre Christ puts a 
 sires la croche en la main, et sa mitte en la teste, et si li mist el doit sephes's snger. 
 
 l2 
 
76 
 
 OP THE MEANINGS OF A BISHOP S VESTMENTS. 
 
 Christ tells 
 Josephes the 
 meaning of 
 his episcopal 
 ■vestments. 
 
 His shoes to 
 keep his feet 
 from the paths 
 of evil. 
 
 Psalm 1, 1, 2. 
 
 The upper gar- 
 ment means 
 Chastity. 
 
 Th« under 
 means Virginity. 
 
 The head-co- 
 vering means 
 Humihty. 
 
 Priests ought 
 to walk hum- 
 bly, 
 
 not like the 
 Pharisee in the 
 Temple, 
 
 vn anel dont nus horn morteus ne porroit I'euure contrefaire, ne la 
 forche de la pierre deuiser. Et quant il eut de toutes choses ensi 
 atourne com vous aues oi : si I'apiela, et si^ li dist. " Josephe, ie 
 t'ai sacre et enoint a eueske si hautement ke tu as veu, et mes autres 
 pules ke chi est. Or te dirai ke chist vestement senefient ke tu as 
 vestus. Car nus ne les doit porter s'U ne fait chou ke la senefianche 
 requiert. ChiL sauler que tu as caucMes, senefie ke ta doit tes pies 
 tenir si nes ke il ne voisent en nule oeuure de malisse. mais en 
 orison, et en prechement, et en consel douner as desconsUlies. En 
 tel maniere dois tu trauiilier tes pies. Car ie Toel que tu aies part 
 en I'escripture qui dist. ' Li horn est boineureus qui ne vaut estre 
 consenteres del consel as felons, et qui ne uaut porter ses pies en la 
 uoie par ou li pecheour et li desloial aloient : et qui ne sist mie en la 
 kaiere de destruisement. Mais il mist sa uolente et sa poissanche 
 toute a parfaire les commandemens de la loy. notre signour. et en 
 cheste chose furent tout si pense, et par nuit et par iour.' En tel 
 maniere doiuent aler ti pie. Car il de doiuent ia faire nul pas sans 
 pourfit. Apres te dirai des autres uestemens. Chil ke tu as uestu 
 desus ta cote, si senefie chaeste. Car ch'est vne virtus par qui 
 I'ame quant ele depart del cors s'en ua blanche et nete, et si s'acorde 
 a tons les biens ke I'ame, che est, a toutes les virtus. Ensi dois tu 
 premierement chaaste dedens toi auoir, pour faire de li fondement as 
 autres uirtus edefiier. Li autres uestemens desour chelui: est 
 autresi blans, et si senefie virginitei. Et tout autresi com uirginites 
 ne puet estre en nul Men ke caaestes ne soit en sa compaignie. Tout 
 autresi ne puet nus prestres, ne ne doit uestir chelui desus, ke 0. 
 n'ait auant uestu chelui desous. Chil autres uestemens dont li chies 
 est couuers, si senefi6 humelite, qui est contraire a orguel. Car 
 orgieus veut tons iours aler fierement, teste leuee. Mais humilites 
 va douchement, tout souef, Ie chief enclin. Autresi doit aler li 
 prestres a grant hunulite, Ie chief enclin. Non pas autresi com li 
 pharisiiens el temple quant il oroit. qui dist ' biaus sire diex, ie te 
 rench grasces et merchis de che ke ie ne sui mie autresi desloiaus 
 
OF THE MEANINGS OP A BISHOP's VESTMENTS. 77 
 
 com sont mi autre voisin 1' Mais ansi com li publicans qui n'osoit But like the 
 
 mie nis regarder vers le chiel, tel paour auoit U ke diex ne se cou- 
 
 rechast de che qu'il estoit si pechieres. anchois estoit repuns loing 
 
 de I'autel, et batoit son pis de son poing, et disoit, ' Diex, sire, aies 
 
 pitie de chest pecbeour.' En tel maniere se doit contenir, qui veut 
 
 acomplir les oeures d'umiUte. Or te dirai ke ebil apres senefle qui est 
 
 tous vers, et si n'el doit nus prestres vestir, ne lui ne cbel autre desus : 
 
 se n n'est eueskes. Et cbU qui est si uers senefie souffranche, qui ia ne The green gar- 
 
 j.> ji<j* J r>i ment means 
 
 sera vencue, tous lours est verdoians, tour lOurs est en vne lorcne, ne suffering 
 
 nus ne ua encontre qui ele n'pmport le victoire et I'onour. Car nus ne 
 
 puet si bien vaincre son anemi comme par souffrir. OhU autres ueste- The one above 
 
 _ r->i • it means Justice 
 
 mens desus chestui, qui est si blans, senefle droiture. Car tout chil qui or Righteous- 
 uoelent droiture de sainte eglise garder loiaument maintienent droi- 
 ture. Droiture est vne virtus de si grant hauteche ke par li sont The qualities of 
 toutes choses tenues en lor droit point, ne ia nule fois ne se cangera. 
 a cbascun rendra chou qu'il ara deserui. Droiture ne doune a 
 nului pour amour, ne ne taut a nului pour haine. Ensi se doit 
 mener qui ueut maintenir droiture. Chil loiiens qui te pent el [m.s. doiture.] 
 brach senestre, si senefie abstinenche. Car li cors doit estre loiies a The hand 
 abstinenche autresi com li bras est de chel loiien, et che est vne des arm means 
 grans virtus d' estre en abstinenche en grant plente de bien, et cheste 
 uirtus si est. : vns des membres de droiture. Et se tu ueus sauoir 
 pour quoi chU loiens est plus el brach senestre ke el destre. Je le why it is on 
 te dirai. pour ke la destre ne doit seruir se d'espandre non : ne la LVer^thln the 
 senestre se de retenir non. Or t'ai dit delloien del brach. Apres te "^^*' 
 dirai de chelui qui est entour le col. si senefie obedienche. Car autresi The nectiet 
 com li hues porte le gieu au gaignour : autresi deues vous porter le gieu dienoe. 
 de notre signour dame dieu. et deues estre obeissant a son commande- to°beIr the^ * 
 ment. autresi com li hues obeist au gaaignour pa la forche du gieu. ox/ 
 Chil daarrains uestemens qui est desus tous les autres si senefie carite. The uppermost 
 Car ele est tout vermeUe. et qui a carite en soi, il est cans autresi Lo™™Joha-' 
 com li carbons ardans est vermaus, et si est volentieus et curieus de "^' 
 tenir chier chou qu'il doit. Che est, d'amer dieu son signour de The qualities of 
 
 Charity. 
 
78 THE MEANINGS OF A BISHOP's STAFF, EING, AND HOENED HAT. 
 
 tout son cuer et de toute s'ame et de tout son pense. et apres d'amer 
 son proisme autresi com soi meisme. Charites met toutes clioses en 
 vn pris, et aime toutes choses, onniement nule cliose ne tient a 
 estrange : autant aime la cliose a son uoisin comme la sole. Ensi 
 The staffmeans vit, qui garder veut carite. Chil bastons ke tu tiens en ta main 
 
 Veneeance and „.,-. .-ij**! -i ii 
 
 Mercy. seuefic .ij. chosos, venianche et misericorde, veniancne, pour cnou Ke 
 
 il est poignans par de sous, et misericorde, pour chou qu'il est courbes 
 Mercy, as it is par dcseurc. Car li chies deseure doit premierement apieler. Che 
 the Bishop ' est a dire, ke li eueskes doit tout auant apieler le pecheour, et se- 
 use^'lntL' *° monre de confession, et mener tant par douches paroles ke il li ait 
 words fg^^^ gQj^ pechiet regehier a honeur de dieu et a honte del dyable. Et 
 
 quant il a oint de ses douches paroles tant qu'il ait mene a miseri- 
 and then the cordo 1 lors sl Ic doit poindre du chief du baston desous. Che est a 
 Repentance."* dire, ko quaut li prestres a tant adouchie le pecheour ke il li a fait 
 recounoistre son creatour et renoiier le dyable : lors si le doit poindre, 
 car il li doit encargier le fais de la grant penitanche par quoi il soit 
 poins et aguillounes pour espanir en tristeche: chou k'il ara fourfait 
 en ioie. Ensi siert li chies deseure, d' apieler a misericorde, et chil 
 The Ring on his dcsous sert dc prendre venianche. Or te dirai ke senefie li aiaus ke 
 MfreLge?"^ tu as en ton doit. II senefie mariage. Car li eueskes est sacres : 
 is"married'to°^ si ost ioius & salutc eglisc par mariage. Car, quant li eueskes est 
 Holy Church, g^gj-gg . gi ggt ioins a dieu. et des lors en auant la doit il garder saine 
 and must keep ct cnferme comme sa loial espouse. Et la u il rechoit le mariage : 
 g°ood al'd bid' ne le doit il pus werpir, ne en prosperite ne en aduersite. Ch'est a 
 sorrots!^^ ^^'' dire, ne en bien ne en mal. Et se sainte eglise sueffre tribulations 
 re eats ^® mescheauchcs, n en doit estre parchouniers. Car I'ewangile dist. 
 car re. dist.^ ]^q q-\^^ gont boiueure qui soustienent les paines et les anuis pour 
 droiture. En tel maniere se doit contenir qu.i veut estre loiaus espous 
 en sainte eglise. Et qui autrement si contient, il n'est mie loiaus 
 espous, mais auoutres, car il fause son mariage ke il deust loiaument 
 The homed hat gardcr. Aprcs, dois sauoir ke chil chapiaus cornus senefie qui est en 
 sToT' *^°°*^" ton chief. II senefie confession, et pour chou est il blans. car con- 
 fessions est la plus blanche chose qui soit. et la plus nete. Car ia 
 
JOSEPHES'S DUTIES AS BISHOP, AND HIS REWARD, 79 
 
 nus horn ni ert si ors de pecMe, ne si enuenimes, se il a vraie confes- 
 sion veut repairier, ke ele ne le fache tout blanch et tout net. Et 
 ses tu pour quoi il i a .ij. cornes. Pour chou qu'U i a .ij. menbres why there are 
 en confession. Li premiers de cbes .ij. menbres est repentanche. et The first is 
 li autres est satisfasions. B/epentancbe est, quant vns yient au pro- the second ' 
 uoire, et H li regehist son pecMe. et le partist du tout si ke U ni * '^ ^^ '""' 
 repaire plus. IcHl vient a repentanche, mais pour chou n'est il mie 
 
 \rrais confes. Ancbois li conuient faire auant satisfaision. Satisfai- what satisfac- 
 tion is. 
 
 sions est, quant vns pechieres a son pechie reconnu, de faire la peni- 
 
 tanche itele com U prestres li en carche, et de souffrir la paine de 
 
 boin cuer, de boine volente. Ensi pues entendre ke nus ne puet 
 
 estre confes se il n'a confession le chief, et les deus membres. Li The head and 
 
 chies est de son pechie regehir. Li vns des membres est de tenir soi confession. 
 
 de pechie. Li autres est de mener a chief la penitanche en carchie. 
 
 Ne ia nus horn ne sera urais confes pour ke il defaille en quel ke soit 
 
 de ches trois. Et pour chou ke confessions [est] la plus haute chose 
 
 qui soit : comme chele. qui restore a vn caup. tous les damages et 
 
 toutes les piertes, pour chou est ele senefiie par che chapiel qui est 
 
 li plus haus de tous les uestemens. Or i es tu enoins et sacres, et ie Now that 
 
 t'ai doune 1' or dene et la hauteche d'eueske, a mon pule ensegnier et consecrated, 
 
 confermer en ma uiel loy. Et ie voel ke tii soies garde des ames and confirm 
 
 d'aus, et quanque ie i perderai par defaute de toi : ie te demanderai guard thefr"'' ^' 
 
 tout, et a toi m'en prenderai au grant iour espoentable quant ie Icoountabiefor 
 
 uenrai prendre uenianche et iustiche de tous les meffais, quant toutes Awfofoty. 
 
 les respoistailes des cuers seront descouuertes. Et se ie te truis loial ^e'^is'^aloyai'' 
 
 sergant de chest petit pule nouiel dont ie te commant les ames : ie *®''™"'- 
 
 te donrai : a chent doubles grignour baillie, ensi com le ewangile le 
 
 promet : a chiaus ki laissent lor propriete pour amour de moi. Et 
 
 paur chou te commanch iou les ames, et si t'en fai pastour : ke ie ne 
 
 voel ke il soit pourueres et despensiers de ches choses qui as cors 
 
 besoigneront. Or, vien auant, et si feras le sacrement de ma char 
 
 et de mon sane, si ke tu tous mes pules les verra apiertement. 
 
80 
 
 OHAPTEE X. 
 
 Josephes goes into the Ark and celebrates the Sacrament. He uses only Christ's words 
 of Consecration, and forthwith the bread and wine become flesh and blood (p. 80). 
 Christ makes him divide the bread into three parts, which nevertheless appear, and 
 are eaten by him, as one body, most sweet (p. 81). He receives the wine. The 
 angels take the vessels out of the Ark (p. 81). Christ tells the people he sends them 
 his flesh and blood (p. 82). Joseph and his company receive the body of Christ, like 
 a small child. Christ teUs Josephes to celebrate the Sacrament daily, and how to 
 ordain priests, and bishops in every city (p. 82) ; and that Evalach's messengers are 
 coming for him to expound the king's dream, and that he is to be of good courage, 
 as he shall beat the false prophets. How Josephes appoints his cousin-german 
 Leucans to guard the Ark (p. 83). Of the office of Treasurer (p. 83). 
 
 Josephes goes 
 into the Ark, 
 
 ■which grows 
 larger, 
 
 and celebrates 
 the Sacrament, 
 
 using only 
 Christ's words 
 at the Last 
 Supper, 
 
 and forthwith 
 the bread 
 becomes flesh, 
 and the wine 
 blood, as of a 
 child. 
 
 A taut enmena notre sires losephe iusc' a I'arche, si ke tous li 
 pules le uit entrer dedens. Et si uirent tout ke ele crut tant et 
 eslargi, ke il estoient tout largement dedens, et veoient les angeles 
 venir et aler pardeuant I'uis. Laiens fist iosephes le premier sacre- 
 ment qui onques fust fais en chelui pule. Mais il I'ot mult tost 
 acompli. Car il ni dist ke clies paroles seulement ke ihesu oris dist 
 a ses disciples en la chaine. Quant il lor dist " tenes, si mangles, 
 clie est li miens cors qui pour vous et pour maintes gens sera liures 
 a tourment." Et autresi lor dist il du vin, " tenes tout, et si buues : 
 car che est li sans de le nouiele loy. li miens sans meismes qui pour 
 vous sera espandus en remission des pechies." Ches paroles dist 
 iosephes sour le pain ke il trouua tout aparilliet sour la platine du 
 calice : ensi com li contes a dit la u 0. parla del autel qui estoit en 
 Tarche. Et quant il les eut dites sour le pain et sour le vin qui el 
 caUsce estoit. si deuint tantost. U pains chars et li vins sans, et lor 
 vit iosephes tout apiertement ke il tenoit vn enfant, et li sanloit ke 
 cliil sans qui uenoit el calisce : fust cheus del cors a 1' enfant. Et 
 
JOSEPHES RECEIVES THE SACEAMENT OE BREAD AND WINE. 81 
 
 quant il le uit ensi, si en fu mult durement esbaMs, si ke il ne sauoit 
 
 sous chiel ke il peust faire. Anchois se tint tous cois, et commencha 
 
 mult angoisseusement a souspirer du cuer et a plourer des iex : 
 
 pour la grant paour ke il auoit. Lors li dist notre sires. " losephe : ^^™^' *^'J^ wd'Tnto 
 
 il te conuient desmembrer chou ke tu tiens, si ke il i ait trois pieches." "'■'^^ p^'"'^- 
 
 Et iosephe li respondi. " Ha : sire, ales pitie de uotre serf. Car Josephes remonstrates, 
 
 mes cuers ne porroit souffrir a desmenbrer si biele figure." Et notres 
 
 sires li dist " se tu ne fais mes commandemens : tu n'aras point de part 
 
 en mon hyretage." Lors prist iosephes le cors, se mist la teste a vne ''"' ^°^^ ''■ 
 
 part, et desseura del bu tout autresi legierement comme se la chars 
 
 de I'enfant fust toute quite en tel maniere com on quist char ke on 
 
 a oublie sour le fu. Apres chou, fist .ij. parties du remenant a mult 
 
 grant paour comme chil qui mult durement souspiroit et plouroit. 
 
 Ensi com U commencha a faire les parties : Si chairent tout li angele down*°^^'^ ^' """^^^ 
 
 qui laiens estoient deuant I'autel a terre, et furent tout a coutes et a 
 
 genous tant ke notre sires dist a iosephe. " Quel chose atens tu : Christ teiis Josephes 
 
 to receive what is be- 
 
 rechoif chou qui est deuant toi, et si luse, car che est tes sauue- fore Mm: 
 
 mens." Et iosephes se mist a genous, et bati son pis, et cria merchi, 
 
 en plorant de tous ses pechies. Et quant U fu redrechies, si ne yi 
 
 deuant soi sour la platine ke vne pieche a samblanche de pain, et si ^^ ^''''^s the bread, 
 
 le prist, si le leua en haut. Et quant il eut rendu grasces a son 
 
 creatour, si ouuri la bouche et vaut metre dedens. Et il re^arde, si f"*^ ™ Fu"*!'"! '■ '"*° 
 
 ' » ' his mouth iinds it one 
 
 uoit ke che restoit vns cors tous entiers. et quant H le vaut traire ^'"^y> 
 arriere, si ne paut, ains sentoit com li metoit tout dedens la bouche 
 anchois qu'il le peust clore. Et quant il I'eut use, si li fu auis 
 
 -, J , T -, -I ,1 , 1 ., sweeter than can be told 
 
 ke toutes les douchours et les suautumes ke on porroit nomer by tongue of man. 
 
 de langhe li fuissent entrees el cors. Apres rechut vne partie del •^?^p*'«^ receives the 
 
 saint boire sacre qui estoit el calisce. Et quant il eut che fait, [ms. re^e^ts m quant 
 
 si uit ke uns angeles prist la platine et le calisce, si les mist 
 
 ambedeus en la sainte escuele, I'un sour I'autre. Et sour chelepla- Anangeiputsthepiate 
 
 tine, si vit plusours pieches en samblanche de pain. Et quant li pj^^^^P""*"""^^™'- 
 
 angeles eut prise I'escuele, si vint vns autres, si leua la platine en 
 
 haut et che qui estoit sus auoec, si I'enportoit entre ses ij. mains iTof'tL a™ *''^°' 
 
 M 
 
82 
 
 JOSEPH AND HIS COMPANY RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT. 
 
 Christ tells the 
 people that he 
 sends them 
 their salvation, 
 His body and 
 blood, 
 
 and that they 
 ■who receive it 
 ■worthily shall 
 he saved, and 
 they who 
 receive it 
 unworthily, 
 damned. 
 
 Joseph and his 
 company 
 receive the 
 Sacrament. 
 
 Each' thinks a 
 child has gone 
 into his mouth. 
 
 The angels re- 
 place the vessels 
 in the Ark. 
 
 Christ tells 
 Josephes to 
 celebrate theSa- 
 crament daily. 
 
 And directs 
 him how to 
 
 ordain priests, 
 
 and bishops, 
 
 who shall have 
 the apostles' 
 power to bind 
 and looae, 
 
 and tells him 
 to make a 
 bishop in every 
 city, 
 
 and anoint 
 them, and all 
 converted kings, 
 with the holy 
 anointing. 
 
 hors de I'arclie. et li tiers angeles prist le calisce, si le porta apres 
 chelui en autrestel maniere, et chil qtii portoit la saiate escuele : fa 
 tons li daarrains. Et quant il fnrent hors del'arche, tont troi, si ke 
 tout li pules les veoit : si parla vne vois qui dist. " Mes petis pules 
 nouielement tenes de I'espiritel naissenche, ie t'enuoi ton sauue- 
 ment. Che est mes cors qui pour toi souifri corporel nai'ssanclie et 
 corporel mort. Or garde dont ke tu aies vraie creanclie a i si haute 
 chose recheuoir et vser. Car se tn crois parfitement ke che soit 
 tes sauueres : dont le recheueras tu au perdurable sauuement de 
 I'ame. Et se tu ne crois enterinement, tu le recheueras au perdu- 
 rable dampnement del cors et de I'ame. Car qui usera mon cors, et 
 buuera mon sane : et U n'en sera dignes : il mangera son destruise- 
 ment et buuera : ne nus n'en puet estre dignes se il n'est urais 
 creans. Or garde donques ke tu le croies." Lors vint U angeles 
 qui portoit la platiae deuant ioseph. et ioseph s'agenoOla, si rechut, 
 jointes mains, son sauueour : tout isnelement, et chascuns des autres 
 autresi. Et si estoit a cascun auis quant on li metoit en la bouche 
 la pieche en samblanche de paia : ke il veist entrer en sa bouche vn 
 enfant tout en forme. Et quant il eurent tout eu del sacrement, si 
 s'en retournerent li troi angele en I'arche, et misrent sour I'autel 
 les vaissieus ke il portoient. Lors apiela notres sires iosephe, et 
 si li dist, '' Iosephe ensi me seruiras chascun iour des ore en 
 auant, et tu et tout chil ke tu establiras a ordene de prouoire 
 et d'eueske. Et se tu ordenes prouoire, tu H metras ta main sour 
 le chief, et li feras le signe de la crois el non de la trinite. Mais 
 a I'eueske sacrer conuient tout chou que iou ai fait sour toi. 
 Car jcueskes doit etre sour prouoire. Et tout chil qui a cheste 
 hounour sorront establi: aront au si grant pooir de loiier et de 
 desloiier comme mi apostle eurent en terre. Desormais esta- 
 bliras. vn eueske en chascune chite ou mes nons sera recheus 
 par ta parole, et si serra enoias de cheste sainte onction, et tout li 
 roi qui par toi venront a ma creanche. Ore aproche I'eure ke li rois 
 eualach laira le desuoiement des ydoles. et se tournera a la creanche 
 
LEUCANS IS APPOINTED TO GUAUD THE ABK OP THE GRAIL. 83 
 
 de la fflorieuse trinite. Oar li chiualer sont pries qui vienent querre Christ teiis him that 
 
 ° ■ . . Evalach's messengers 
 
 ioseph pour lui chertefiier d'une grant meruelle ke ie li ai a nuit are at hand, 
 movstree en auision. Or oste cest uestemens, si iras a lui entre toi andthatheandjoseph 
 
 ' are to go with them, 
 
 et iosepli, et vous les feres certain de tout les choses que il vvous de- 
 
 mandera. Et si ne soies pas esmaiiet se vous vees venir encontra and notbe afraid of the 
 
 heathen olerlis, as he 
 
 VOUS tous les boins clers de sa loy. car tu les uamteras tous. Si que shaii overcome them, 
 ia a tes paroles ne porront contrester. Et si te donrai si biele fd find grace in Eva- 
 
 J^ ■>• lach 3 eyes. 
 
 grasce es iex le roi eualach : ke tu li diras vne partie de clie qu'il li 
 
 serra a auenir par la forche de mon esperit. Et tout ch.il qui mon And aii who receive the 
 
 ^ , '^ . . Holy Ghost shall be 
 
 esperit ont recheu, ou qui le recheueront. aront pooir de cachier hors able to east out evii 
 
 les mais esperis par tous les lieus ou il venront." A tant s'ala 
 
 ioseph.es desuestir, si laissa tous les uestemens en I'arclie sour I'autel. josephes unrobes, and 
 
 * ..,.• . ...,,, TT .. sets Leucans to watch 
 
 Apres apiela .j. sien cousin germam qui estoit en chele compaignie the Ark night and day. 
 
 si estoit apieles leucans. Chelui establi iosepbes a garder 1' arcbe de 
 
 iour et de nuit. et encore est ore a nos tans cbeste coustume maintenue And this custom stm 
 
 T r\ ^• JXJ.1J. JIT • i. exists in great churches 
 
 es hautes eglises. Car li vns garde tout le tresor del eglise : si est which have a Treasurer. 
 apieles tresoriers. Ne onques a chil tans n'auoit este fait. Mais 
 lors establi iosepbes : cbelui leucan, ensi com vous aues oi de cbelui, 
 ne mie pour cbou ke il fust ses cousins, mais pour chou ke il festenoit 
 plus rebgieus ke niil des autres, 
 
 m2 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Joseph and his son go before the king. Evalaoh's doubts. A heathen clerk's objec- 
 tions to the doctrine of the Trinity (p. 84-5). Josephes answers, — Evalach shall 
 be given up to his enemy for three days and nights (p. 85), and the heathen 
 clerk is struck dumb and blind (p. 86). Evalach asks if he can escape (p. 87). 
 Yes ; by believing in Christ (p. 88). AU go to the heathen temple (p. 88). The 
 devil in the image of Mars smashes all the images (p. 89). Evalach asks the devil 
 vrhy it has done this ( — ^because Joseph's two angels compelled it — ), and whether the 
 clerk struck dumb and blind will recover, and whether he shall prevail against the 
 Egyptians. The devil confesses he knows nothing about it. 
 
 The King's j^ TANT vint 11 messa^es le roi, si dist a ioseph ke 11 rois le man- 
 
 messengers ^ ^ 
 
 come. doit ke U alast a lul parler. Lors en alerent deuant lui entre ioseph 
 
 et son fil, et quant 11 issirent liors du palais si firent sour aus le 
 signe de la crois, et commanderent as autres ke il fulssent en orisons 
 et en prieres pour le roi eualacli, que diex, qui estoit auoiemens des 
 desuoies 11 dounast venlr a la vole de uerite. Et quant 11 furent 
 
 Evalach asks yenu dcuaut le roi : si les commanda li rois a seoir, et si dist a ioseph 
 
 Joseph to prove ^ 
 
 first how the qu'il 11 prouast che ke il auoit ier dit del pere et del fil et del sains 
 
 Trinity can be ■'' -^ ^ 
 
 Unity; esperlt. comment H pooient estre trois persones et vne seule deltes, 
 
 2. of the g^ comment la pucMele auoit enfante sans son puclielaffe malmetre. 
 
 V irgm s vir- J- i o 
 
 |^°''/j,, . , Et comment 11 fiex pooit estre concheus. sans carrtal couuine d'ome 
 
 3. of Christ s « ■■- 
 
 conception et dc fcmo." Quaut 11 rois eut che dit : si se drecha ioseph, et 11 
 
 without carnal ^ -*- 
 
 assemblage. (Jist Ichelo mclsmc raisou que 11 11 auoit dite a 1' autre fois, et en 
 
 Joseph repeats _ ^ 
 
 his former chelc mclsme manieere 11 prouua. Et quant il eut che dit, si se 
 
 proof (Ch. VI.) -^ -^ 
 
 A clerk objects, drccha vns clers. OhU estoit tenus a plus sages et a plus fondes de 
 
 la loy. OhU parla encontre ioseph, et dist ke 11 ne dlsoit riens. 
 
 Lfoniy onV^^ Car sc 11 pcrcs et 11 fiex et 11 sains esperis n'auoient c' une deite : 
 
 '*"'^' dont n'estoit mie cascuns d'aus trois par sol entiers diex ne 
 
 then each can- _ _ ^ 
 
 not be perfect parfals I Et SB 11 vololt dlrc ke 11 peres fust entiers diex et parfais : 
 
 dont ni prendroit noient la persone da fil et du sains esperlt. Et se 
 
 entlre&^hid^ ^^^^ auolcnt ambcdeus cascune sa deite enteriae. dont serroient 
 
 thr^e Grds"^ chou trols deiteSj che ne porroit nus horn contredire raisnablement. 
 
JOSEPHES EEBUKES EVALACH, AND THREATENS HIM. 85 
 
 Car nus liom qui clie contredit, ne porroit apartement prouer ne 
 metre en uoix, ke nule des trois persones m'eust entire deite en lui, 
 ou nule des autres fust amentene. Car la ou on dit ke Ji sains iftheHoiy 
 
 „.,. . T 1 • t 1 t iT'i Ghost is perfect 
 
 espens est parfais dies et entiers, ne U troi n ont c une seule deite : God and one, 
 
 - . 1 1 1 1 / T j_ surely the other 
 
 en iui ou nule des autres, par cnou moustre on que li vns vaut au- two are no- 
 trestant comme li troi. Et se ch'est voirs ke li vns vaille autrestant 
 comme li troi : dont est il voirs que li troi sont noiens en lieu ou li 
 tiers est amenteus. Et puis ke les .ii. persones pierdent ensi lor And if the two 
 
 ■*■ <J J. X are nothing, 
 
 forche par la tierche, dont puet tons li mons veoir et counoistre then each can- 
 
 '■ ■"■ not be perfect 
 
 apiertement ke chascune de les trois n'a mie deite parfaite ne entiere." c^od. 
 Quant ehil eut si durement parle encontre la trinite, si fu ioseph. Joseph is con. 
 mult esbaMs de fauses proeues ke cMl li a auant traites, si ne seut 
 mie maintenant respondre a fauser chou k'il auoit dit. car notre 
 signour ne plot mie. Lors se dreclia iosephes, et si parla haut si ke ^^^ j^^^ ^^^ 
 de tons fu clerement ois, et si dist au roi premierement. " Rois, y^""^^ ^''*" 
 escoute ke ie te dirai. Clie te monde par moi le diex de israel, li 
 crieres de toutes choses, et si dist a toi. Pour chou que tu as andteiishim 
 
 (^-■■-i I 1 -■•• that because he 
 
 amenes tes laus plaideors encontre ma creancne : pour cnou ai lou has brought his 
 establi a prendre si grant venianche de ton cors que tu cherras aglLst^Hir^ 
 ancliois que li tiers iours soit passes en vne si grant mesauenture que bringSre'dL 
 tu ne quideras que nule riens viuans te puisse garandir de perdere ^'thin"thr™ 
 toute terriene hauteche primierement, et ton cors apres. Et si ^^^^• 
 prendra diex cheste iusticlie de toi, pour chou que tu ne veus 
 recheuoir la creanche de son glorieus non. Anchois as despite et And because he 
 
 • tt , 1 Mxjij. -il n has despised the 
 
 mise auers la demonstrancne que li te nst a nuit de ses secres et de revelation 
 ses miracles que il te descouuri eu auision. Pour chou te mande li crets°to Mm in 
 diex des crestiiens par la bouche de son sergant qui parole a toi, que God wiu'give 
 il donra a ton anemi mortel : gloire et honour et essauchement enemy'^ower 
 sour toi trois iours et trois nuis. Car ta forche ne porra contrester, "hree^d^ysand 
 ne tes cors n'osera atendre celui: qui onkes forche ne pent auoir ''^'''^^ "'s'^'^- 
 mais encontre toi. ne mais de cheste fois que U t'a desconfit : par le 
 traison de tes eonsiUeurs qui se sont a lui tourne par les dons. Ensi 
 te mousterra li diex des crestiens ke nule creature ne puet durer 
 qui n'est appariUie a son commandement. Ne ia ne reconueras la 
 
86 JOSEPHES STRIKES THE HEATHEN CLERK DUMB AND BLIND. 
 
 grant liauteclie : ke tu commenclies a perdere : se par I'aide de 
 And to verify it chelui 116 Ib reQuicres. Et se tu de cheste chose me tiens a men- 
 
 Josephes says, ■*■ 
 
 coingeur, tu orras par tans teles nouieles par quoi tu porras sauoir 
 that Thoiomes, q^ie notres sires m'a demoustre aucune chose de tes auentures. Et 
 
 King of Baby- ■*■ , 
 
 Ion, has made gi, sachcs bicn dc uoir, ke thoiomes li luitis, qui est rois de babylomes, 
 
 ready his forces , , , . -ri ■ 
 
 and will attack a tout SOU cffort apparellict : et vient sour toi mult ireement. Et si 
 dist li rois des crestiiens. En la main au felon egyptiien li uerrai 
 iou le roi mescouneu, par chou ke il me fuit et mescounoist. Et chil 
 
 and pursue him qui tous louTs a cstc fuitis, cu cachera chelui qui tous iours I'a cachie, 
 
 fear of death, et sl Ic meiira lusc' a paour de mort. Car ie li voel faire esprouuer 
 ke ie seus sui li rois des rois et la forteche de tous les pules." 
 
 josephes next Aprcs SO touma iosophes vers chelui qui auoit si durement parle 
 
 tells the object- i,..j i.i.-i. -n 
 
 ing heathen eucontrc la trinite, et si li dist. " Escoute tu qui as parle encontre 
 
 la sainte creanche au dieu des crestiiens. Or enten ke il te demande 
 
 par la bouche de ton serf qui a toi parole. Tu, fait il, qui i es ma 
 
 creature, et qui en tous lieus deusses obeir a mon commandement, 
 
 that, as he has tu as ma creauche blasmee et mon non deshonre. Et pour chou ke 
 
 G^'^s creed 16 voel kc tu saches ke tu as parle encontre chelui qui a pooir et sour 
 
 ed'mrnlm" '^01 ^t sour toutcs choses autres : pour chou te ferai iou sentir uns 
 
 desbatemens de ma iustiche terriene. Si ke tu le soufferras, et li 
 
 autre se castieront par toi. Car tu as en tous iours la terriene 
 
 scienche : ne onques I'esperitel ne vausis counoistre, ne goute ni 
 
 and has been poolcs veou" I ct sc tu cu uauslssBS pai'lcr, tu u'cu seus onques dire 
 
 in spiritual uolr. Et pour chou ke tu as este mus et awles en I'espiritel science : 
 
 now 6 ge, ^^^ ^^ deusses cler veoir, et de qui tu deusses tenir touts la parole : 
 
 pour chou te mousterrai iou ke la terriene scienche ne puet riens 
 
 God will strike cncontre I'espiritel. Car ie te taurai voiant tous chiaus qui sont 
 
 htod."™ ^" chaiens la terriene parqle et la veue. Car mes esperis est de tel 
 
 forche: ke il fera les bien-emparles a muir. et les cler-veans 
 
 awlir : si ferg, les mus bien parler, et les awles cler- veoir." Tan- 
 
 The clerk be- tost kc ioscph But cho dit : si perdi chil la parole, et quant il vaut 
 
 comes dumb, pg^^ler, si scnti deuant sa bouche vne main qui li lioit la langhe. 
 
 and blind. Mals 11 nc le pooit veoir. Et il se drecha pour plus efforchier de 
 
 parler. Mais si tost com U fu leues : Si ne vit nule goute des ieux. 
 
EVALACH PROTECTS JOSBPHES. E. ASKS HOW HE CAN ESCAPE. 87 
 
 Et quant il senti chou : si commencha si durement a muir que on 
 I'ooit tout clerement d'ausi loing com on porroit traire vne saiete. 
 Et si estoit auis a tous cMaus qui I'ooient, ke che fust vns toriaus* 
 Et quant li autre virent clieste meruelle : si en furent mult coure- The people are 
 
 angry and rush 
 
 chiet. et coururent tout sus iosephe : si I'eussent tout depechie a lor at Josephes. 
 pooirs. Mais li rois eualach sailli en pies, et prist vne espee toute E^aiaoh seizes 
 
 ■^ ■•- ^ -^ ■*■ a sword and 
 
 nue. si iura la poissanche iouis que il feroit tous chiaus destruire et swears he'ii put 
 
 ■•■ J 1 to death all who 
 
 liurer a mort : qui en lui meteroient la main. Oar dont I'aroit il 'ay hands on 
 
 , . ., . Josephes. 
 
 trai, se il I'auoit mande en sa maison, et il ne le garandissoit. Ensi 
 
 leua le tumulte par la sale, et li rois apiela iosephe, et li demanda ^ho^oge"'^hes?s' 
 
 qui il estoit. Et ioseph si traist auant : si dist que il estoit ses fiex. 
 
 Et li rois respond! ke mult parloit bien. et qu'il estoit voir disans en 
 
 maintes choses. Apres li demanda comment il auoit tolue la parole ^""J ^""^ ^® , 
 
 ■*■ J- took speech and 
 
 et la veue a chelui qui auoit parle encontre lui. Et iosephes res- ^'s''' f™™ ^'^ 
 
 . opponent, 
 
 pondi qu'il ne Ten auoit rien tolu. Mais li diex des crestiens contre 
 qui il auoit parle. Ich.il li auoit tolu et parole et veue. Oar 
 che estoit li diex de qui la parole ne seroit ia fausee pour nului. 
 Ensi com il commandoit, couuenoit toutes choses a estre. " Oou- *°^ whether it 
 
 is true that 
 
 ment, dist eualach, est il dont voirs ke tholomes li fuitis m'enmerra Thoiomes shaii 
 
 put him in fear 
 
 lusc a paour de mort, et ara sour moi pooir et forche .iij. iours et iij. of death, and 
 
 have power 
 
 nuis ?" " Ohertes, dist iosephes, il est uoirs que il n'est nus hom over him three 
 
 viuans par qui il puist estre fauses." Et li rois li demanda comment nights. 
 
 il pooit chou sauoir. " Dont, n'as tu oi, dist iosephes, que li esperis 
 
 au dieu des crestiiens est de si grant forche : ke il fait les mus parler 
 
 et les awles veoir cler. Oh' est a dire, ke chil qui n'ont rien seu de 
 
 clergie counistront toute la forche des escriptures par le grasce de 
 
 son saint esperit." " Par foi, dist li rois, s'il anient ensi com tu as 
 
 chi conte. le vaiiroie asses miex estre mors ke vis. Mais il n'est nule Evaiach cannot 
 
 riens ke iou en peusse croire. Ne pour quant, si ai iou veu vne de ^^''^""^ "' 
 
 tes paroles auenir." " Rois, dist iosephes, quant tu verras qu'il serra 
 
 auenu, dont m'en croi." " Et en .porrai iou, dist il, escaper." c^n Escape it! 
 
 " Ohertes, dist il, oil, par vne seule chose." " Et quelg sera ele," dist Yes, by receiv 
 
 li rois. " le le te dirai, dist iosephes. Se tu rechois la creanche j"e!u]'cLtt*°^ 
 
88 
 
 THE STRICKEN CLEBK IN THE HEATHEN TEMPLE. 
 
 notonlyinword, 
 but in heart. 
 
 The clerk 
 struck dumb 
 and blind is 
 taken to the 
 heathen temple, 
 to the image of 
 Apollo. 
 
 A devil in the 
 image of Mars 
 jjries out that a 
 Christian there 
 has bound 
 Apollo, so that 
 he cannot 
 
 The devil offers 
 to go out, 
 ■wherever 
 Josephes orders. 
 
 It goes out, 
 knocks down 
 the image of 
 ApoUo, and 
 breaks it in 
 pieces; 
 
 ihesu crist, que tu le croies parfitement, de quele eure que tu le 
 rechoiues, tu aras secours et deliuranclie. Mais, bien saches de uoir, 
 que ia pour chose ke la bouche die : se li cuers ni est, ne sera deli- 
 ures. Car diex n'est pas horn que on puisse engingnierne decbeuoir 
 par samblant. Anchois est de si parfaite sapiense que il counoist 
 tous les penses des gens, et uoit parmi les cuers toutes les repostailes 
 qui i sont." Lors li demanda li rois, comment il estoit apieles, et li 
 dist qu'il estoit apieles iosepbes. Et li rois li redist. " Ore me di, 
 iosepbe : de cbelui qui a perdu la parole et la veue, se il recouuerra 
 iamais." " Rois, dist iosepbes. Ore le fai porter deuant tous les 
 diex ke tu aoures : et si orra ke il te responderont et de sa garison 
 et de ta bataille. Lors le fist porter el temple, si i ala il meismes, et 
 iosepbes, et ses peres. Et quant li prouoire de la loy I'eurent offert 
 al autel appolin qui il apielent le dieu de sapiense : si demanderent 
 al ymage qui estoit sour I'autel comment cbil gariroit iamais. Mais 
 onques tant ne seurent demander a cbel ymage ke il onques en 
 peussent parole traire. Et li rois vint auant, si li demanda que il li 
 dist, a quel fin il uenroit de cbeste guerre. Mais il n'en puet onques 
 auoir respons ne ke li autre. Et vns dyables qui estoit en I'ymage 
 martis, ke il claiment le dieu de bataille, commencba a crier. " Eoles 
 gens, ke ales vous atendant, il a en notre compaignie yn crestiien ki 
 a si loie apolin par le coniurement de ibesu crist son dieu : que il 
 n'a nul pooir de vous respondre. Ne ia nus diex en lieu ou il soit 
 n'osera donner respons, ne ne porra, puis ke il ara coniure," et main- 
 tenant que li dyables eut cbe dit, si commencba si durement a crier 
 ke il fu auis a tous cbiaus qui estoient el temple : que il fust en vn 
 fu ardant. Ensi disoit " ba : Iosepbe, eueske ibesu crist, laisse chou 
 ester ke tu dis, car tu me fais ardoir, et ie m'enfuirai de si la u tu 
 commanderas." Ensi crioit li dyables qui estoit en I'yoiage martis 
 par le coniurement que iosepbes li auoit fait. Car il le destraingoit 
 si durement, et tant le iusticba, ke il issi bors de I'ymage, et, uoiant 
 tous cbiaus qui estoient el temple : abati I'ymage a terre, et si le 
 debrisa toute par menues pieches. Et quant il eut cbou fait, si prist 
 
THE DEVIL BREAKS THE HEATHEN IMAGES. 89 
 
 vn aigle d'or mult grant, qm estoit sour I'autel au consel, si en feri [^^a^'Ji^f A^riio'onttie 
 
 si durement I'ymage appolin en mi le vis : ke il li pechoia le nes et "^^iTt'arm'^^In/de^- 
 
 le bracli destre. Apres s'en ala par toutes les ymages del temple, sfoysthe other images. 
 
 si ni remest onques ymage qui il ne ferist de chel aigle tant qu'il 
 
 li pecheoit aucun des membres. De cbeste chose furent les gens '^^^^°^^^ '^^^ ^'^' 
 
 mult espoente qui estoient el temple. Oar il veoient les meruelles 
 
 que ichele aigle faisoit. Mais U ne pooient veoir chelui qui la 
 
 tenoit. Et ch'estoit la chose pour quoi il estoient plus espoente 
 
 et plus esbahi. Lors apiela li rois losephe, et si li demanda l^ho'ht^ broke'L" tife''^* 
 
 que che pooit estre qui ensi depechoit ches ymages. et iosephes ™*se8 
 
 li respondi que H I'alaist demander al autel martis. Et il i ala, at StofotMaJs.^''' 
 
 si vaut sacrefier. mais iosephes ne li laissa. ains dist que s'il 
 
 faisoit tel sacreflsse, il morroit de mort soubite. Et quant li rois eut 
 
 ^ He does, and the devil 
 
 demande respons a I'autel: Si dist li dyables qu'il n'osoit a lui says Josephes stops him. 
 
 parler pour iosephe. Et li rois li demanda s'il auoit si grant pooir 
 
 sour les dieus. Et U dyables li dist que nus diex ne pooit parler 
 
 deuant lui se il ne I'en dounoit congie. Et li rois pria iosephe que 
 
 il li dounoit congie de parler. et iosephes li douna. Et li dyables dist feTve tolpllk '''^ '^^''" 
 
 au roi. " Rois, veus tu sauoir pour quoi il a si grant pooir. II a and /' teiis Evaiach 
 
 ■'•■'■ o 1 thatjosephes has always 
 
 .il. angeles auoec lui qui le conduisent et gardent par tous les lieus two angeis with him,one 
 
 *i ^ A cj i bearing a sword, the 
 
 ou il va, si tient li vns vne espee toute nue, et li autres vne crois. °*i^er a cross, 
 
 Et li doi m'ont tenu en tel destroit par son commandement que il and they have made it 
 
 ,,„.,-, ifi, 1 • J • -KT ■ • break all the images. 
 
 m ont fait depechier toutes ches ymages ensi com tu vois. Ne lamais 
 nus diex n'ara pooir de doner respons ou lieu ou chis horn soit : tel 
 poeste li a done ihesu cris ses diex." Apres li demanda li rois se The king asks the devii 
 
 , ., . .J • 1 1 1 J. 1 • -J. ■ - J whether the man struck 
 
 chil qui auoit pierdu la parole et les lex recouuerroit lamais sante. dumb and blind win 
 Et li dyables li dist " rois, se U garist, che ne sera miepar notre uirtu. ''^°°''^''- 
 
 " Por that power haven not We* Et nous n'en i poons point auoir : 
 
 Him hoi to Maken In non degre, 
 
 But helthe A3en to him Most gon ancliois conuenra ke chil le garisse par qui 
 
 Be him that him it leide vppon ; 4 commandement il a eu le mal, 
 
 * The pages containing the English lines 1—492, are bound at the end of the MS., but there is a pencil 
 foot-note saying that they belong to the commencement. 
 
 N 
 
90 
 
 THE DETIL CONFESSES THAT flE CANNOT FOEETEL THE FUTURE. 
 
 And elles but lie Wele Mm hele sende, 
 
 Be vs get he non In non Ende." 
 
 Thanne Axede him the king Anon the 
 
 ' Howgh A5ens the Egipciens he scholde do ; 
 
 3if with hem he heeld Ony bataille 
 
 In what manere it myhte him Availle.' 
 
 Thanne the devel him Answerid ful sone, 
 
 " J3ere OfFen Answere mown We 3even ]?e none ; 
 
 Tyl that goddis man be Owt past 
 
 Of vs An Answere non thow hast." 
 
 Thanne spak Josephes there Anon Ryht, 
 
 " I Conioure the be the vertxi of God Almyht, 
 
 And be the myht Also Of the Trenite, 
 
 That the sothe here thou schewe to me." 
 
 And the devel him answerid agein 
 
 " That he ne Cowde not In Certein 
 
 Of thing that was to Comej he Oowde not telle 
 
 What Aventure so that him Euere befelle." 
 
 ou se ohe non, il n'en garira iamais."* 
 
 Lors li demanda li rois, 
 
 8 ' a quel fin il uenroit se il se conba- 
 toit as egyptiiens.' 
 
 Et li dyables dist, 
 12 ' que il n'auoit nul pooir d'el dire 
 tant com li horn dieu i serroit.' 
 
 Et iosephes salli auant, et si li dist. 
 IQ " Je te coniur 
 
 de par la forche de la sainte trinite, 
 ke tu li dies uoir." 
 
 Et respondi li dyables, 
 20 ' que il n'en sauoit rien de che qu'il li 
 estoit a auenir. Ne nus ne le puet 
 sauoir, se par ihesu crist non.' 
 
 * The additional MS. 10,292, omits the question as to the recovery of the dumb and blind clerk, having 
 aftjr crois, p. 89, 1. 21, ' que ia n'aurons poeste en lieu ou il soit, tant de pooir li a doune ses diex, lors demanda 
 li rois ' a quele fin il vendroit s'il combatoit as egyptiiens,' et li diables li dist ' qu'il n'auoit pooir de lui dire 
 tant comme li hons fust illuec, et iosephes sailli auant, et li dist. " iou te coniur de pax la sainte trinite que 
 tu dies orendroit ce que tu en seis." et li dyables li dist ' qu'il ne sauoit riens de cose qui estoit a uenir.' 
 
91 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The invasion by Tholomes and the Egyptians of Evalach's land; Evalach's summons to his vassals 
 (p. 92); Josephes's counsel to him, — Josephes tells him his history, that he was a cobler's son at 
 Miaux, in France, (p. 93), was sent to Rome as part of the hostage demanded by Augustus (p. 94-5), 
 then on to Erl Felis of Svlie, whose son he slew (p. 96), and fled to Tholomes King of Babylon, for 
 whom he conquered all the land of Sarras (p. 96), that therefore he must be humble, and remember 
 God, as he will be three days and three nights in Tholomes' power (p. 97, 100); Evalach asks for the 
 means of victory (p. 98); Josephes tacks a cross of red cloth on to his shield, and tells him to look on 
 it in his need, and pray to God, and he shall be saved (p. 99, 100). Evalach marches to Tarabel and 
 Valachin. Valachin described (p. 101 — 2). His army enters a forest, and sends out a spy (p. 103); 
 they attack Tholomes, but flee to Castle Comes (p. 103); Tholomes pursues (p. 104); while Evalach's 
 men plunder his tents (p. 105). A spy next day tells Tholomes that Evalach is in Comes with a 
 very few men (p. 105), and so Tholomes marches after him with half his force, leaving the other half 
 with Vabus his steward to watch Castle Valachin (p. 106 — 7). 
 
 And In the mene while Of this talking 
 Cometh A messenger tho to the king. 
 And knelid to forn him vppon his kne, 
 " Sire king, newe tydinges I bringe to jje 
 That ben bothe Evel & perylous. 
 Of Tholomes king so dispetous ; 
 Into thi lond now Entred he is, 
 And with him gret strengthe With owten Mis ; 
 And Oriable thi Cite they hau take, 
 And Abowtes In virown thei don Wrake, 
 That so the Contre distroied is be him 
 Into the Castel Of valachin. 
 Eor On hors bak with him don Ride 
 Twenty thonsend be his side. 
 And On foote Also there ben 
 Eourti thowsend Men harneysed Clen ; 
 , And 3if that Castel he mown haue, 
 Nothing Of thi lond Wil he saye ; 
 
 N 2 
 
 A ches paroles vint laiens vns mes- 
 sages mult grant aleure, 
 
 si s'agenoUla deuant le roi, et si li dist. 
 
 4 " Rois eualach, ie t'aport nouieles 
 mult males et mult perilleuses. 
 
 Car tholomes li fuitis est entres en ta 
 terre. 
 
 8 a tout son effort, 
 
 et si a ia pris par forche ouagre ta 
 riche chite, et toute la terre enuiron 
 
 12 
 
 16 
 
 iusc' au castiel de eualachin, ke il a 
 
 assis 
 
 a. XXX. mille homes a pie. 
 
 [MS. Add. ,^, chiualers et a .S 
 hommes a pie] 
 
 Et se il puet chelui auoir, il ne re- 
 maura en ta terre ne chastel ne chite 
 qui puisse contre hii. 
 
92 
 
 EVALACH SUMMONS HIS VASSALS TO THE CASTLE OP TARABEL. 
 
 Ne thens wil he non fote gon 
 
 Til they ben 3olden Euerichon ; 20 
 
 [Eor] that Is now the strongest hold 
 
 [Inj thi lond be Manye a fold. 
 
 And 3it his Avow Made he there 
 
 (That Alle his Meyne gan it to here) 24 
 
 That Owt Of that Contre Wold he he not pas 
 
 Tyl he were Crowned king In sarras," — 
 
 Whiche that Was the Chef Cite 
 
 Of king Enalach his lond, I telle the, 28 
 
 And whanne the king herde him thus sein, 
 Sore he him Abaschte In Certein ; 
 And 3it the more Abascht was he pleiali 
 Eor the Wordis that losephes spak OpenU, 32 
 
 ' That thre dayes & thre nyht 
 In his Enenyes daunger to be Owtriht 
 And that to the prikke of deth he schold be browht ;' 
 And this Enere Was in Eualache thowhte ; 36 
 
 But for Jiat he was a man Of so gret prowesse 
 He made non semblaunt Of non distresse, 
 But A3ens herte he made good Chere, 
 [SJeenge Alle tho that there Were, 40 
 
 And swor Anon be his Creaunce 
 ' That what so him Evere happede be chaunce, 
 3if At that sege he myhte Mm fynde 
 He wold don him Remeve be som kynde.' 44 
 
 Anon his sonde he dide to sende 
 Ouer al tho Into Everich ende. 
 To Alle tho that of him took Ony fe, 
 ' Anon with him that thei scholden be, 48 
 
 And On the Morwe to ben Gadering 
 Atte Castel of Tarabe With owten Taryenge,' 
 That twenty Miles from sarras Is, 
 And fro valachim Sistene More ne Mis 52 
 
 Car ch'est la plus forte deffense ke tu 
 aies. 
 
 Et si a fait .i. serement, 
 oiant tout son barnagej 
 
 ke il n'enterra mais en sa terre deuant 
 qu'U ara porta coroune dedens la chite 
 de sarras." 
 
 Quant H rois oi la parole, 
 si fu mult espoentes, 
 et plus, 
 
 pour che que iosephes li auoit dit que 
 il serroit .iij. iours et iij. nuis en la 
 bailie a son anemi. 
 
 et qu'il serroit menes iusc'a paour de 
 morir. 
 
 Mais il auoit este de si grant proueche 
 ke il n'osoit faire samblant de paour. 
 
 Anohois iura 
 
 ke se il pooit trouuer au siege: il 
 vauroit miex morir en la bataille que 
 il ne Ten fesist mult vilainement partir. 
 
 Maintenant fist le rois semonre tout 
 son pooir, et manda* 
 
 a tons chiaus ki riens tenoient de lui : 
 ke si chier com il auoient s'onor et lor 
 cors, ke il fuissent au setisme iour 
 tout apparilliet d'armes a tarabiel 
 
 .j. chastiel qui estoit .ix. lieues de 
 
 sarras. 
 
 et a .xvi. lieues de eualacbin 
 
 * MS. Add; et les fist assambler a carabel, a .j. castel qui estoit a .vj. lieues loins d'Uuec. 
 
JOSEPHES TELLS EVALACH HIS HISTOEY, — HE's A GOBBLER'S SON, 
 
 93 
 
 Where As Tholomes Atte Sage was. 
 
 Thus Abowten sent Eualach Into Everi plas; 
 
 Thus Abowtes be his sel he sente, 
 
 ' That Eche man scholde don his Ente 56 
 
 That Weren Weldy Armes to here 
 
 Ajens here Enemyes to fensen hem there. 
 
 And ho that A3ens his Comandements were, 
 
 What so he be that it doth there, 60 
 
 His lordschepe from him Wil he take, 
 
 And but Ryht A povre Man him Make.' 
 
 And On the Morwe the king gan to re-meve, 
 And losephes to him Cam to taken his leve, 64 
 
 " Sire kyng, hennes thou gynnest to Go, 
 But thow ne West what forto do ; 
 Eor thou ne Art seker to Oomen Agein, 
 But there forto dyen In Certein. 68 
 
 But thus My God sente Onto the 
 Be me his servaunt, As thou myht se, 
 ' That thow scholdest Remembren the Wei 
 Of Whom thow Come Everydel, 72 
 
 And of What maner kynde & of lynage 
 Thow Art I-Come to this high parage ; 
 But thou supposist that no man it knowe ; 
 But I Can the teUen Al be Howe. 76 
 
 Be the grace Of my God Almyht 
 I schal the telle, I the A-plyht, 
 Eor Conceil may Jjere non heled be 
 Erom him that Sit In Maieste. 80 
 
 Thow were born In fraynce lend. 
 As the holi gOst me doth vndirstond. 
 In a Old Cite Of fraunce, As I wene, 
 That Miaux is Called there bedene ; 84 
 
 And there thow Were A pore Mannes sone, 
 That to Maken schon Was thanne his Wone ; 
 
 ^~*' a saint cosme et li sans esperis me demoustre que tu fus nes, 
 
 ou chil tholomes seoit au siege. 
 
 Et si manda par son seel 
 
 ke il ni remansist nus qui fust poissans 
 de soi deiFendre. 
 
 Et qui remauroit, s'il estoit chiualers, 
 il ne tenroit iamis terre de lui, et 
 s'il estoit vilains, il le feroit, voiant 
 tout son lignage, trainer a keues de 
 cheuaus. 
 
 Et quant vint a I'endemain, si vaut li 
 rois mouuoir, 
 
 et iosephes vint a lui, et si li dist. 
 " Eois, tu t'en uas, 
 
 et si ne ses comment. 
 
 Car tu n'es seurs de repairier iamais, 
 ne que tu i es de mourir la. 
 
 Or te dirai comment dont tu feras. 
 Che te mande li diex des crestiens, 
 
 ' ke tu soiesr amenbrans quetu i es, et 
 comment tu venis a si grant hauteche 
 com tu as eue iusc'a chi. 
 
 Tu quides ke nus ne sache qui tu es, 
 et de quel lignage, 
 mais ie le sai bieti 
 
 par la grasce et par uirtu del haut 
 signour 
 
 a qui nule repoistaile ne puet estre 
 chelee. 
 
 Tu fus neSj 
 
 * si com li sains esperis m'a demostre :" 
 
 en vne mout anchiene chite de franche 
 qui est apielee miaus, 
 
 et si fus fiex a .i. poure homme a-fai- 
 teour de vies saulers,* 
 
 * refaitiores de solers. 
 
94 
 
 OF ATJGTTSTTJS'S TAX, AND HOW HE BEQUIBBD HOSTAGES FBOM FKANCE. 
 
 And this Owghtest tliow to knowen ful Wei 
 
 ~Eov thow it hast Sein this Everydel. 88 
 
 For whanne Augustus Cesar Emperour Was 
 
 Of Rome xxxii 3er. In that plas 
 
 He wende king of Alle kinges haue ben, 
 
 And so it him thowhte that it Was sen ; 92 
 
 But Crist of Marie Was born 
 
 In his tyme, that I Rehersed beforn, 
 
 That tho king Of Alle kynges was 
 
 Thorwgh the World In Every plas. 96 
 
 And Whanne here Offen herde Augustus Cesar 
 
 Be hise Clerkis that Weren bothe Wis & War, 
 
 Thanne he gan to Wexen Gretly in dowte 
 
 Lest Of his Empire to putten him Owte, loo 
 
 And that Al the Centre Of Rome Abowte 
 
 To that lord scholden Worschepen & dowte. 
 
 Thanne wiste he Not What forto don 
 
 But Abowtes Al Rome he sente Anon, 104 
 
 Thorwgh Owt Al that Centre 
 
 Anon his Messengeres sente he 
 
 ' That Euery man & Womman Also 
 
 To him A peny scholde 3elden tho 108 
 
 As In manere Of a knowelechinge 
 
 As In weye Of Soiettis to here kynge. 
 
 And, b'encheson that Fraunce was thanne 
 
 Of Anothir Maner kende Of Manne, 112 
 
 To hem he sente In this Manere 
 
 As, Sire, I the schal now tellen here ; 
 
 An hundred knyhtes be trews Aftir he sente. 
 
 And Aftir An hundred knyhtes dowghtren presente 
 
 That Maidenis scholde ben Everichon, — 117 
 
 And thus his Messages Gonne forth to gon, — 
 
 ensi com tu meismes le ses de voir. 
 
 Quant augustus cesar eut tenu I'em- 
 pire de rome .xxvij. ans, 
 
 si sourti vne parole que il naistroit 
 vns rois qui tout le monde metroit 
 desous lui, et il fu voirs que ihesu 
 cris li diex des diex et li rois des rois 
 
 fu nes en chel an. 
 
 *Et quant augustus cesar oi la parole, 
 si com li sage clerc I'auoient espandue. 
 et si ne sauoient a dire qui clie seroit. 
 si douta ke les teres qui estoient de- 
 sous la signourie de rome ne se vau- 
 sissent descorder et lui ieter del em- 
 pire pour la fianclie de cheste nouiele, 
 
 si manda par toutes les terres qui 
 estoient desous rome : 
 
 ke chascune teste d'ome et de feme 
 
 rendist .i. denier 
 
 de connissanclie ke il estoient 
 sougit a I'empire de rome. 
 
 Et pour cliou ke franche estoit plus 
 de fiere gent que les autres terres, 
 
 si manda ke on li enuoiast de toute 
 
 la terre 
 
 •c. cliiualers en treu, 
 
 et .0. puchieles toutes filles de chi- 
 
 ualers, 
 
 * MS. Add. quant li rois I'oi si s'espoenta miilt si enuoia par toutes terres, et manda que chascuns 
 rendist a roume de son chief .j. denier, et en france, pour ce que c'estoient la plus fiere gent du monde, si 
 manda que ou li enuoiast .c. puceles, &c. 
 
HOW BVALACH WAS TAKEN FROM MlAUX IN FBANCB TO ROME. 
 
 95 
 
 And An hundred knave cMldren Al In fere 
 
 Not passeng the Age thanne of fyve 3ere, 120 
 
 But Eathere lasse thanne Ony More ; 
 
 That time this was his Gomaundement thore. 
 
 And Whanne these tydinges Weren Comen Into 
 fraunce, 
 Mochel they merveilled thanne Of this Chaunce, 1 24 
 And thanne Chosen they In Every City 
 Be lot As that time here happe myhte be. 
 So thanne it happed. As I teUe now the, 
 That Owt of Miaux that City 128 
 
 That tweyne Maydenes Chosen Weren for sothe. 
 And that An Erlis dowghtren weren thei bothe 
 Hos Name Was Erl of Siuayn, 
 That lord of Miaux was & of the Contre Certain. 132 
 And Whanne the lot on him f)us gan falle, 
 Thanne mosten thei forth nedis with alia ; 
 And vppon the tho fyl the tother lot 
 Where J>ou myhtest ben Excused not, i36 
 
 Eor thow were At the Age of fyve 3er 
 And Also these maidenis bothe briht & Cler ; 
 That so Wit these Maydenes forth Were ]70u led, 
 As to fore I haue here now to the Seid, i40 
 
 And Whanne that to Bome 36 Weren I-Come 
 The peple Abowtes 30W Cam On a throme 
 And 30W gonnen faste to beholde 
 30 hadden tho of Bewte so manifolde. 144 
 
 And Whanne thow Were comen to twenty 3ere, 
 Thanne bothe Maidenes deyden Ryht there 
 Eor the ton ne lyved After the tothir 
 But thre monthesj It Was non Othir. i48 
 
 Thanne Aftyr, the took Tiberius Sesar 
 That Aftir Augustus Was emperour thar, 
 
 et .c. petis enfans tous marles qui 
 fuissent de I'aage de .v. ans 
 ou de mains. 
 
 Quant li commandemens fu venus en 
 franche, 
 
 si eslurent de chascune cHte selonc 
 che que ele estoit, et chele elections fu 
 faite par soit, si auint cHose 
 
 que de la chite de miaus 
 
 i alerent .ij. puchieles qui estoient 
 
 ambedeus fiUes 
 
 au conte seuain. Ichil seuains estoit 
 quens de miaus et de la contree en- 
 uiron. 
 
 Et des ke la sors chai sour eles, si 
 conuint a forche qu'il fust tenu. 
 
 Et sour toi chai li sors, qui estoies 
 
 de .y. ans de eage. 
 
 Iches ij. puchieles te *menerent auoec 
 eles, et si te tenoient mult ohier. 
 
 et quant tu fas a rome, 
 
 si te regarderent a meruelle, et li vn 
 et li autre. Car il quidoient bien que 
 tu fuisses de plus haut lignage que 
 tout li autre enfant, tant par-estoies 
 biaus. 
 
 Et quant tu fus en I'aage de .xx.f 
 ans si furent les .ij, puchieles mortes. 
 Car I'une ne vesqui apres I'autre ke 
 .ij. mois. 
 
 Et lors te retint tyberius cesar, qui, 
 apres auguste cesar, fu empereres de 
 rome. 
 
 * MS. Bibl. Eeg. remenerent. 
 
 t MS. Add. .xii. 
 
96 
 
 EVALACH'S HISTOET, — HOW HE CAME TO RULE HIS LAND. 
 
 And tlie hadde tho Eylit In gret Cherte, 
 
 And to an Erl the sente for thi bewte — 152 
 
 Eli Pelys he hyghte of Svlie, — 
 
 To him Were thow lad in hie : 
 
 And Whanne that thow to him were browht, 
 
 Ful mochel thow Were Euere In his thowht, i56 
 
 For the ful dere to him he held ; 
 
 And After ful Evele didest thou him 3eld. 
 
 For it befil that yppon a day 
 
 His Eldest sone & thou wenten to play, 16O 
 
 That so In Anger 36 fiUen tho bothe 
 
 That there thow slowe his sone for sothe. 
 
 And Whanne thou haddes thus him slo, 
 
 Thanne to Tholomes gonne thou go 164 
 
 That Of babiloyne thilke time king was. 
 
 And werre he held A3ens Olifernus ; 
 
 For Olifernus king Was riht tho with outen d[owte] 
 
 There As now thow Art Of Al the Contre Abowte. i68 
 
 And Anon As thow to him Were gon, 
 
 There A knyht he made the Anon, 
 
 And so moche love thanne he be-Caste to the 
 
 That amongs Al his Ost he 3af the powste, 172 
 
 And Aboven Alle Othere he 3af the powere 
 
 Ouer Alle his Ost to Gouernen there ; 
 
 For that thow Were Of so gret prowesse 
 
 Of Manhod, & ful Of hardinesse, 176 
 
 So that On his Enemys Avenged he Was 
 
 And hem distroiede In that plas. 
 
 And thanne to the 3af he that lond, 
 
 And there hoUch put it Into thin hond. 18O 
 
 Now myhtest [thou] knowen & vndyrstonde, 
 That I knowe Whennes & Of What londe 
 That thou Were bothen bigeten & born, — 
 Lik as I haue the Rehersed beforn, — 184 
 
 si te mist au conte felis qui il fist 
 conte de surie. 
 
 Chil felis s'en uint pour surie garder, 
 si t'amena ensamble o lui, et mult 
 durement te tint chier, et ama. 
 
 Tant qu'il auint chose .i. iour 
 ke entre toi et .i. sien fil, 
 
 vous courechastes, 
 
 si I'ooiiesis. 
 
 Et quant tu I'eus ochis, 
 
 si ten fuis a tholome cerastre.* 
 
 qui dont estoit rois de babylone. 
 
 Ichil tholomes auoit guerre encontre 
 
 holoferne, qui a chel iour estoit rois 
 
 de chest roiaume ke tu tiens. 
 
 Et quant tu venis a lui, si desis que 
 tu estoies chiualers. et il t'ama mult, 
 et crut, 
 
 et si grant grasce trouas vers lui 
 
 que il se mist de tout en tout sour toi 
 
 de sa guerre 
 
 par la grant proueche qu'il vit en toi. 
 
 Et tu le fesis si bien ke tu li conquisis 
 toute la terre, et son anemi meisme li 
 rendis tout pris, et il I'ochist, 
 et si te. dona toute la terre, et tu en 
 deuenis ses horn. 
 
 Or pues tu bien entendi-e se is soi 
 riens de ton estre. Et pour chou 
 que tu ses bien que tu i es venus 
 de si grant pouerte a si grant 
 
 * tholomes ce iastre. 
 
EVALACH's duty. the invasion by the EGYPTIANS IS FOR HIS IJNBELIEE. 97 
 
 And from so gret provert to hy dignete, 
 
 Remembre the wel what I telle the ; 
 
 And therfore the sente to sein be me, 
 
 The grete God of Al Cristiente, 188 
 
 That Of thi self thow schost hau minde ; 
 
 And thowgh jjat vnder ]?ou hast men of gret kynde, 
 
 And Moche peple In bataille ]?e Abowte, 
 
 In herte scholdest thou not be prowte ; 192 
 
 Por thi lyges they nothing ben 
 
 But As a wardein hem to be sen ; 
 
 And therfore haue thou this in Mende, 
 
 Por but As On Man thow Art of kende, 196 
 
 And As sone deyen thow schal 
 
 As the porest Man doth Ouer al ; 
 
 Therfore scholdest thow be powre & Mek, 
 
 And vppon thi Oreatour beleven Ek 200 
 
 That Into this world Ipe made forth go, 
 
 Eor with-Owten him thow myht not do ; 
 
 And 3if thou like not him for thi kyng to holde, 
 
 Owt of thi regne ]?ou gost Ryht Manifolde, 204 
 
 Eor wel may he be Clepid a kyng 
 
 That Endeles lasteth Euere his Reyneng, — 
 
 This is Crist Goddis sone of heuene 
 
 That Into Ipe Maide Alyhte be th' aungelis sterene. 
 
 Eor alle Mennes hertes he doth knowe, 209 
 
 And Alle here thowghtes vppon A rowe : 
 
 & ]>ai the schal putten Into thin Eenemyes bond, 
 
 And Aftir the deliueren, thou vndirstond; 212 
 
 Eor that ther nys non lord nepev God but he 
 
 To whom Ony honour longeth to be. 
 
 Wherfore, as Only On god & Almyhty 
 
 Thow Owest him to worschepen al only ; 2I6 
 
 Eor bothe this torment & this Noysance 
 
 He the now sendeth, for his Creaunce 
 
 
 
 hauteche, et de si grant vieute a si 
 grant honour : 
 
 pour chou te mande par moi li diex 
 des cristiiens, ke tu soies ramenbrans 
 de toi meisme, et ke tu aies tous iours 
 en ton pense ke de noient es venus a 
 
 auques. 
 
 Et pour chou se tu uois ke tu aies 
 grant plente de terre et de gent en ta 
 bataille, ne te dois tu pas en orguillir. 
 Car ele n'est mie toie lige, 
 
 ne tu n'en i es ke garde, .i. de ches 
 iours le te conuenra laissier. 
 
 Car tu n'es ke vns seus horn. 
 
 et tout ausi tost morris tu : 
 
 com li plus poures hom de ton regne. 
 
 Pour chou dois estre humeles et pi- 
 
 tieus, 
 
 et recounoistre ton creatour, 
 
 sans qui commandement tu ne pues 
 viure. 
 
 Et si ne te dois mie vis tenir pour toi. 
 Car tu ne I'as mie a tous iours le regne 
 ke tu tiens, anchois le guerpiras plus 
 prochainement ke tu ne quides. Mais 
 chil doit estre rois apieles qui tous 
 iours tenra ton regne sans prendre fin. 
 
 Ch'est ihesu oris, 
 
 li fiex de la uirgene. lohel te mande 
 par moi : pour chou ke il veut ke tu 
 saches ke il counoist tous les pensees 
 et toutes les repoistales des cuers : 
 
 ke il te metra entre les mains de ton 
 anemi mortel. 
 
 Et la counisras et apercheuras : 
 
 ke il n'est nus diex que on doiue 
 
 croire ne aurer que lui tant seulement. 
 
 Et si te tnrmentera en cheste maniere : 
 pour chou ke tu 
 
98 
 
 EVAXACH OFFERS TO BELIEVE IN GOD IE HE TTILL HELP HIM. 
 
 Thow hast Eefased, & Ek Ms lore 
 
 That he in AvicioB. hath schoTred before." 220 
 
 Thanne seide king Eualach Anon Agein, 
 " Maister losephes, I preie 'pe telle me pleia 
 What that A-visioun was forto Mene, 
 That thou it voidest declaren me Clene." 224 
 
 " Certes," quod losephes, " nay how so befaUe, 
 Tyl thow haue broken thy mawmettis Alle, 
 And that in theke high lord to hauen ful Creaunce 
 That the May deliuren from Alle Xoysaunce, 228 
 And AHe lyveng thing enstablisched Is 
 "Wheche that ]>e hey est king is of blys." 
 " [B]e my Creaunce, quod Eualach tho, 
 This Bataylle myn herte goth sore vnto, 232 
 
 And bothe 30ure fadyr & Ek 3e 
 Of Riht good Conceyl behygten me, 
 5if that I wolde On 30TV be-leve, 
 36 seiden Ryht wel that I scholde preve 236 
 
 Be wheche yictorie of mynne Enemys to haue 
 And Aftir my deth my sowle to save." 
 " Certein, Sire," quod losephes tho, 
 " That Conceil I the 3af, & 3it mo, 240 
 
 3if tho"w wilt On him beleven stedfastly 
 And him worschepen As Almyhty. 
 And 5if thow wilt not don As I the teche, 
 be war lest god wele taken wreche ; 244 
 
 And but thow him worschepe As me pou seest, 
 In body & sowle distroyed thou beest 
 Of him that Of Alle thinges Is domes man ; 
 The helpen & socoure ful wel he Can." 248 
 
 " Xow Certein," quod this Eualach J^e king, 
 " And 30 wolden 3eYen me swich conseUling 
 That Of Mvn Enemyes victorie to haue, 
 And therto my Hf that he wolde save, — 252 
 
 as refusee sa creanche en sa loy, et 
 despite ta vision ke il te moustra." 
 
 Et quant li rois Tent mult deboinaixe- 
 
 ment escoute, si li dist. 
 
 " Mais tres or me dites 
 
 ques la visions fu, et k'ele senefie."' 
 
 " Chertes, dist iosepies, tu ne le saras 
 deuant ke tu auras depichies les 
 ymages que tu aoures, 
 
 et ke tu seras uenus a la creanche 
 
 del tres haut signour 
 
 par qui commandement toutes choses 
 viuans sont estabHes." 
 
 " Par foi, dist li rois, 
 
 ie dout mult cheste bataille, 
 
 et vous me promesistes, vous et vos 
 
 peres, 
 
 ke vous me donries tel consel, 
 
 se ie le voloie croire : par quoi iou 
 
 aroie victoire de mes anemis, 
 
 et la grant ioie ke ia ne prendra fin.'' 
 
 " Par foi, dist ioseptes, 
 
 chel consel te donroie iou 
 
 se tu voloies croire et metre a oeiu'e. 
 
 Mais se tu ne le vous recheuoir com 
 boins creans et loiaas, et loiaus ou- 
 uriers: 
 
 garde ke tu ne Je prometes mie. 
 
 Car tu en serroies destrais en cors et 
 
 en ame de che ckelui qui de tous sera 
 iugieres, et de toutes." 
 
 " Par foi, dist li rois, 
 
 ie vous creant bien, ke se vous 
 
 me dounes consel par quoi ie voie ke 
 
 i"aie la victoire : 
 
JOSEPHES TACKS A CROSS OF RED CLOTH ON EVALACH's SHIELD. 
 
 99 
 
 On Mm Onliche I wolde beleleve, 
 And Al my Creannce I wele Eepreve." 
 
 Thanne spak Anon losephes to the kyng 
 " Now herkeneth, Sire, to my talkyng. 256 
 
 Do brynge now tM scheld to-fore me 
 And Anotliir maner thing schalt thow se." 
 And whanne this scheld to-fore losephes was, 
 Anon he Comanded In that plas 260 
 
 A lytel pece thanne of cloth so red 
 To-fore him be browht Into that sted ; 
 And the kyng Anon with j^at biddinge 
 A pece of Red SHk he dyde him bringe, 264 
 
 And kutte there offe two peces Anon 
 In the sihte of hem Echon, — 
 Eche pece A Eote of lengthe was, — 
 Wher o|fen A Crois he made In that plas 268 
 
 And takked it vppon the kynges scheld, 
 "Wher-with he Rod thanne Into ]>& feld. 
 And whanne thus he hadde don. 
 To kyng Eualach thanne spak he Anon, 272 
 
 " Syxt thow now this signe that I haue Mad ?" 
 " 3e for sothe," thanne kyng Eualach Said. 
 " Certes," quod losepes, " I telle it the. 
 What Manere Of Man so Evere he be, 276 
 
 And he wele stedfastli belevene on this. 
 Were he neuere in so moche sorwe Ojjer distres, 
 That he ne schal Anon deliured be 
 Of Alle Manere deseisse And Aduersite. 280 
 
 And therfore, honoure thou this, I charge the, 
 In worschepe of him that deyde On tre ; 
 And whanne that thou Art In gret Nede, 
 Loke Of helpe & socour that thow him bede, 284 
 
 And that thow sey In this Manere 
 As I the schal now Rehersen here, 
 
 o2 
 
 ie ne me tenrai plus en cheste que 
 be ie ne tieng, anchois recheurai 
 tout maintenant la uotre." 
 
 " Eois," dist iosephes, 
 
 " or entendes dont ke vous feres. 
 Faites moi aporter uostre escu.'' 
 
 Lors commanda li rois son escu aporter 
 [, et] vne pieche d'vn mult riche drap 
 Vermel de sole, et iosephes prist Ie 
 drap, 
 
 si en trencha, et fist vne crois qui 
 bien eut .i. piet de lone et demi pie 
 de Ie, si Ie mist en I'escu deseure lea 
 enarmes, 
 
 et I'ataka mult bien a cletis menus. 
 
 Et quant il eut mult bien atachie, si 
 dist au roi. 
 
 " Eois eualach, vois tu che signe."' 
 
 " Oil," dist li rois, " mult bien:'' 
 
 " Chertes," dist iosephes ; " qui bien 
 parfaitement kerroit chest signe : 
 II n'est nus terriens parieus: dont 
 il n'en espast* pour que il Ie reclamast 
 de boin cuer. [* from es-passer] 
 
 Et seis tu ke tu feras. Tu Ie con- 
 uerras de toile blanche. 
 
 Et quant tu verras au grant besoing 
 ke tu aras paour de mort, si Ie des^ 
 ceure, et si reclaime de boin cuer 
 chelui pour qui nous Ie tenons chiar 
 et honerons. 
 
 Et toutes les fies ke tu descouerras li 
 signe dieu, si diras. 
 
100 JOSEPHES TELLS EVALACH THAT HE WILL CONQUER IF HE BELIEVES IN GOD. 
 
 ' O thow god that deydest vppon the Crois, 
 
 Of me, Synnere, here thow my vols, 288 
 
 And On the signe Of this thow suffredest ded 
 
 Vppon the tre In thin Manhed, — 
 
 So graunt me Of victorie the grace, 
 
 And to thi beleve therto hauen space, 292 
 
 And that thy man that I Moot be 
 
 Er that this world departe from me.' 
 
 And 3if thow this' fulliche wilt beleve, 
 
 Thanne A trewe man schalt Jjou me preve ; 296 
 
 For thanne In bataille schalt thow not dye, 
 
 But bothe to geten Worschepe & victorie. 
 
 And now that thus I haue the told, 
 
 To gon to bataille thow myht be bold, 300 
 
 For from deth thi waraunt this schal be 
 
 And from AUe presonementis, I telle it the. 
 
 sit not-withstonding, not for than 
 
 That Tholomes this Crwel Man 304 
 
 In distresse schal he putten the 
 
 Thre dayes and thre Niht Sekerle, 
 
 For so be me sente the to seye 
 
 That Myhtful gode & verraye, 308 
 
 And wete thow wel, 3if thow beleve On this, 
 
 Thow schalt neuere thanne don Amys ; 
 
 For to the schal it ben Eedempcioun, 
 
 And to the devel sorwe & distructioun." 312 
 
 Thanne seide he to losephes Agein 
 
 These wordes tho In Certeiu, 
 
 '•' losephes, that thou woldest now preyen for me 
 
 To kyng of Cristene In Eche degre, 31 G 
 
 Me to helpe and Euere me to save ; 
 
 And trewly his Creaunce wil I have, 
 
 3if it be As now thow behotest Me, 
 
 Trewe Cristen Man thanne wil I be, 320 
 
 ' Dies, 
 
 qui en chest signe soufFeris la mort, 
 
 maine moi sain et saiif, et honeure a 
 ta creanche recheuoir.' 
 
 Et saches bien cheitainement, ke se 
 tu reclaimes dieu de boin cuer, 
 
 tu ni morras mie, 
 
 anchois i conquerras victoire et lionetu'. 
 
 Etsi tedirai comment tu porras saiioir 
 et counoistre se chis t'aia victoire donee. 
 II est voirs proues, et si ne puet estre 
 destourne par nul home: 
 que tes anemis, ch'est tholomes li 
 fuitis, n'aait pooir sour toi trois iours 
 et trois nuis. Car chil le t'a mande 
 par moi, qui onques ne menti, ne ia 
 ne mentirai. Or garde donques que 
 tu aras paour de mort. et ke tu ne 
 quideras iamais escaper. Et se tu 
 le desceuures en tel point, et tu es- 
 capes : lors porras tu bien sauoir ke 
 che sera par le signe. Et saches bien 
 de voir, se tu i as boine creanche : tu 
 ne desiras riens que tu ne conquerras 
 par le signe. Car che est li sauue- 
 mens des creans, et li destruisemens 
 au dyable." 
 
 Lors li dist li rois. 
 
 " losephe, prie 
 
 ton signour 
 
 ke il li menbre de moi. 
 Gar, se il me fait chou ke tu m'as 
 promis: chertes ie te creant loiau- 
 ment ke ie recheuerai sa creanche 
 
EVALACH MARCHES TO TAEABEL&VALACHIN— DESCRIPTION OP CASTLE VALACHIN. 101 
 
 Of thyn hond to Resceyven In this plas 
 3if Euere I Come A3eii In to Sarras." 
 
 And thanne An Old Serlannt he gan to Calle, 
 And there him Oomaunded Amongs hem Alle, 
 ' The Cristene to kepen with ful gret honour, 
 With Owten Ony Angwysch Other labour ; 
 And that losephes haue his Oomaundement, 
 Of Alle Manere thinges wit good Eutent. 
 
 Thanne took the Kyng his leve Eyht there 
 Of losephes & Of his Compenie In fere, 
 With Ryht A gret Compenye Of knyhtes 
 And Mochel Other peple tho Anon Ryhtes, 
 And Evene to the Cite of Tarabel 
 They token the E-yht weie Eueridel, 
 And there Abod he fully vi dayes. 
 As the Storie Of this book vs sayes. 
 And be the tyme the Sixe dayes were gon 
 So moche peple Of his Owne hadde he sein non 
 What of So manie knyhtes & barown 
 Hadde he not Sein At Anof In his town ; 
 But be the tyme that heyghte dayes were gon, 
 Mochel peple to him Cam Anon. 
 Thanne Owt Of Tarabel thei gonne Hide 
 To ward valachin At that same Tyde, 
 Where that Tholomes beseged the Castel 
 That kyng Eualach tho lovede ful wel, 
 Eor him Self there Oifen Eoundur he was, 
 And there it let Setten In that plas. 
 Eor it was On of the Strengest pyl 
 That Euere Man Sawgh in Ony Exyl ; 
 Eor it Myhte neuere I-wonne be 
 But Only thorwgh Enfamyne, I telle it the. 
 Where vppon A 3ate on f>at Castel was thore 
 Erom the plein Erthe A stones Cast & More ; 
 
 325 
 
 328 
 
 332 
 
 136. 
 
 340 
 
 344 
 
 348 
 
 352 
 
 de ta main 
 
 tout maintenant ke ie serai reuenus." 
 
 Lors apiela chelui en qui il se fioit 
 plus de tons ses baillieus : et si li 
 comraanda 
 
 ke li crestiien fuissent tenu a honour. 
 
 et ke il eussent quanke iosephes com- 
 manderolt. 
 
 A tant s'en parti li rois 
 
 entre lui et grant compaignie de chi- 
 
 ualers et de sergans : 
 
 et si errerent tant que il vinrent a 
 
 tarabiel. 
 
 Illuec atendi li rois ses os 
 et quant uint au sietisme ior, 
 si eut si grant plente de gent : 
 
 que il n'en auoit onques eu tant a en- 
 samble. Et si ni uint onques nus de 
 ses haus barons. Car il li estoient 
 tout falli, ensi com li liures acon- 
 techa en ariere. 
 
 Au witisme iour 
 
 mut li rois de tarabiel, mult matin, a 
 toutes ses os. et cheuauchierent grant 
 aleure tout droit a eualachin ou tho- 
 lomes seoit. 
 
 Iche chastiel qui auoit non eualachin 
 auoit eualach eu deen son tans, 
 
 et si seoit en la plus fort pieche de terre 
 que nus hom veist onques des iex. 
 
 Car il ne pooit estre pi is en nule ma- 
 niere, qui a forche tainsi&t, se par 
 afamer non. 
 
 Et si i auoit vne porta dont nule os ne 
 pooit tolir ne I'entree ne Tissue a ohiaus 
 dedens. Car ele estoit plus haute ke 
 la plaine de terre : bien le giet d'une 
 menue pierre. 
 
102 
 
 THE DESCRIPTION OE CASTLE VALACHIN. 
 
 And vndir wheclie 3ate Ean there 
 
 Rylit A wondir dyspetous Eyvere, 356 
 
 And that Rever As brod it was 
 
 As the schot Of An Arwe In eche A plas, 
 
 So that 3ate Asailled ne myhte not hen 
 
 Of hem with Owte, As men Myht sen, 360 
 
 But It were Only be an Navye, 
 
 Thane Conde that nenere hem stroye 
 
 Por schot And Oast Owt of that Castel, 
 
 It was devised so wondirly wel, 364 
 
 And no mo 3at[es] weren there vppon 
 
 Where that [Me]n Mihte Owht owt gon, 
 
 But A litel [Gate] In A Corner 
 
 That there vppon was devised ther, 368 
 
 And Of plein Erthe to-form ]?at gate was 
 
 For two Chariettes to Meten On In Jiat plas, 
 
 The whiche but xxx pas was Of lengthe, 
 
 Tor it was A pyl Of ful riht gret strengthe. 372 
 
 But AUe the strengthis Of this to discryve. 
 
 It were to long, be my lyve ; 
 
 Therfore to passen Over In schort Matere 
 
 Of deelareng Of this Castel I wile now here : 376 
 
 And In this place king Eualach this Castel made 
 
 Eor the strengest plot In ]>e world pat he hadde. 
 
 encor estoit la tours plus haut assise a quatre doubles, et si seoit sour vne roche tele que onques si bien 
 seans, ne si desfenseule, ne in veue. De sour cliele roclie seoit la tours marbrine f si tres durement haute : ke 
 on en veoit blanchoier les murs de baudas. et ondoier li aue del vil qui est en egypte.| De telforche estoit li 
 chastiaus, et de tel biaute, ne ia si grant cliaut ne fesist en nul este, ke chil du chastel n'eussent iaue douche 
 et froide d'une fontaine, si couroit li ruissiaus en .i. plain mult biel qui estoit entre les murs del chastiel, et 
 la tour si chaoit en chel plain par .i. tuel de coiure qui cheoit en vne cuue de marbre, en quoi chil du chas- 
 tiel prendoient iaue a lor besoignes. Chil plains en quoi li aue chaoit par le tuel : si estoit li abuuroirs as 
 cheuaus du chaste], si estoit tous panes de marbre, et clos enuiron bien le haut de deus coutes et demi. et 
 desour tout I'autre pauement. Ensi estoit li chastiaus aaisies, et si richement fermes com vous aues oi, tant 
 qu'il ne doutoit nul home viuant par forohe d'assaut. Et pour chou Fauoit ferme li rois eualach que il 
 n'auoit onques si forte pieche de terre veue. Et pour chou li auoit il mis non eualachin : ke il voloit ke 
 tout chil ki iamais le noumeroient i ramenteussent le non de lui en ramembranche de che qu'il i auoit fait. 
 
 * MS. Add. — taut d'entree comme .ij. gens se pooient entrecontrer et entrer et issir ensamble. 
 
 ■f — f ^lS. Add. — si estoit si iiaut com en pooit ueoir I'eue del nil qui si estoit bele et rice, et cele aigue que ie vous di, couroit 
 mult parfont en egypte. 
 
 Et si couroit par desous, 
 vne iaue mult roide et mult bruians, 
 qui auoit bien de le 
 tant comme vns archons porroit ieter 
 ou vne saiete. Chele porte ne pooit 
 estre deffendue par chiaus de hors se 
 il ne desfendissent auant li aue par 
 nauie, et che ne pooit estre, car nule 
 nes ni pooit durer de pres, ki fust en- 
 contre chiaus dedens. Entelmaniere 
 seoit tous li oastiaus qu'il ni auoit se 
 roche non del giet d'une pierre de haut 
 
 ne mais ke ia vne des portes seulemeut. 
 
 A chele porte auoit* bien tant de plaine 
 de terre : com I'encontre de deus 
 karetes puet tenir. 
 
 et chil plains ne duroit mie plus de 
 .XX. pas de lone. 
 
 Si ne peust nus sieges durer illuec. 
 Car trop estoit pries de la porte. et 
 trop petite plache i auoit. 
 Et li chastiaus en haut estoit auirounes 
 de mult riches murs tous quareles de 
 marbre vert et Vermel et bis et blanc. 
 Et se li mur seoient bien et haut, 
 
THE FIRST SIGHT OP THE ENEMY BESIEGING CASTLE VALACHIN. 
 
 103 
 
 Now whanne kyng Eualache thus Eedy was, 
 Porth Took he his lorne In that plas, 380 
 
 And Entrede Into A ful fair Porest ; 
 Thus he Comandede bothe lest & Mest, 
 And Comanded AUe his Men there Anon riht 
 Hem Redy to Armen forto fyht, 384 
 
 Eor he hadde Sent forthe A spye 
 In that Morwening thanne ful Erlye, 
 To Aspien Tholomes & his Ost 
 There that they lien with so gret host. 388 
 
 And whanne the Spie Cam Agein, 
 He told Kyng Eualach thanne In certein 
 ' That In the Ost It was dyneng tyme, 
 Eore it was ny noon, And passed ]?e pryme.' 392 
 Thanne weren this Meyne Al E-edy Anon, 
 And Owt Of that Eorest gonne they gon, 
 And Entrede thanne In to a gret valey. 
 Thanne whanne vppon the hil comen they, 396 
 
 They Syen Alle the Ost of Tholome, 
 How that they leyen In Al Manere degre ; 
 And also Al the Castel Of ralachin 
 Where that his meyne weren with-In. 400 
 
 But whanne this Ost Gan hem Aspye, 
 " Tresown ! tresown !" thei gonnen to Orye ; 
 And Anon to Armes they ronne ful faste. 
 For Of here lyres they weren Agaste ; 404 
 
 But fewe of hem there ne ben 
 That they weren Bydy Armed Olen, 
 Eor Evere they hadden a supposenge 
 That kyng Eualach wolde for Ony thinge 408 
 
 That Sege Remeven 3if he myhte. 
 And that he it wolde don he susposid ful rihte. 
 
 Thanne kyng Eualach his men In that tyde 
 To- ward this Ost Easte gonnen they Ride, — 412 
 
 Quant li rois vint a vne lieue pres du 
 
 chastel. 
 
 si entra en vne mult biele forest que 
 
 il auoit illuec 
 
 et commanda a toutes ses gens 
 a armer. 
 
 Ensi com il s'armoient, a tant es vous 
 vne sieue espie qui il auoit au matin 
 enuoie en Tost : 
 
 si li conta 
 
 qu'il estoient assis au disner : 
 et si estoit mult pries de nonne. 
 
 Tout maintenant ke il furent arme 
 
 si murent, et quant il issirent de lai 
 
 forest, 
 
 si entrerent en .i. grant val, 
 
 et quant il eurent monte le tertre, 
 
 apres si virent tout a deliure, et I'ost 
 
 et le chastiel 
 
 Et quant cil de I'ost le virent, 
 
 si comraenchierent a crier " trahi, 
 trahi." 
 
 et coururent as armes chil qui desarme 
 
 estoient. 
 
 Mais peu en i auoit 
 
 qui ne fuissent garni de lor armes-. 
 Car il soupechounoient bien : 
 
 que eualacli ne soufferroit mie longe- 
 
 ment le siege entour le chastiel, si 
 
 cremoient a estre souspris. 
 
 Etles gens eualachlorlaissierent courre 
 sour les caus, les frains a bandounes, 
 de si grant aleures : com li cheual les 
 
104 EVALACH ATTACKS THOLOMBS, AKD IS WORSTED. THOLOMES LOSES HIS BAG&AGE. 
 
 More vigeryousely nevere Reden Men 
 
 Into non place thanne they diden then, — 
 
 And Tholomes men that on foote were, 
 
 Eualach his men here hors Slowen there ; 416 
 
 So thanne, bothe parties On foote thei he; 
 
 There grete Manslawghtre Men Miht Se, 
 
 How that Eaalache men Tholomes men sloAve, 
 
 Eor tlier was Sorwe & grynteng of teth I-nowe, 
 
 So that of bothe partyes ded there been 421 
 
 Bet than Eiftene thowsend. As men miht seen ; 
 
 And there manye of his men lost Eualach, 
 
 And whanne this he sawgh, he torned his bak ; 
 
 Thanne he & his Meyne that On lyve were 425 
 
 Toward A Castel fledden tho there, 
 
 Wheche Name Of that Castel was, 
 
 I-Cleped was ' Comes ' In Every plas,- — 428 
 
 And thedir fnl faste gonnen they hye. 
 
 He & his Meine ful Sekerlye ; 
 
 That from theke bataille no more it Nas 
 
 But As twey Miles In that plas, 482 
 
 So that Tholomes Chased him so faste 
 
 That it wax nyht thanne Atte laste ; 
 
 Wherthorwgh Manye of hise Men 
 
 Loste this Tholome In the Chas then, 43G 
 
 Eor tho that fiedden knewen ful wel 
 
 The next weye to Comes Castel, 
 
 Wher-thorwgh Eualach his men goten socour sone, 
 
 And Tholome In that Chas lost Manione ; 440 
 
 So that Tholomes b'encheson Of the Nyht 
 
 Erom that chas departidAnon Ryht, 
 
 And to his loggeng hemward he wente. 
 
 And whanne that he cam Ipeve present, — 444 
 
 There Al his harneis beleft ]?er was. 
 It was Clene I-spoilled Owt Of that plas 
 
 porent plus tost porter: que nules gens 
 plus desreement ne vinrent onques. 
 
 Et chil les recuellirent au plus dure- 
 ment que il onques peurent, si lor 
 ochirent chil a pie mult de lorcheuaus 
 si com il uenoient tot desree. Et les 
 gens tholomes les ferirent mult vighe- 
 reusement: si lor ocliirent mult grant 
 partie des gens a pie dont il trou- 
 uerent les pluseurs desarmes. 
 
 La eut si grant mortalites d'omes et 
 de clieuaus que il en i eut bien ochis, 
 ked'une partke d'autre,.xv. milliers.* 
 lUuec perdi li rois eualach mult grant 
 
 partie de sa gent, tant que il ne peut 
 
 plus souffrir la bataille, anchois tourna 
 
 le dos, si I ala fuiant 
 vers .i. sien castiel 
 
 qui auoit non 
 
 laoines, 
 
 [* MS. Add. — .1. hommes. 'j' si se mist a la 
 fuie, et li autre rencachierent au plus qu'il 
 porent.] 
 
 si estoit a mains, de 
 
 .ij. lieues pries d'iluec 
 
 Et quant tholomes Ten vit fuir, si en 
 fu mult lies, si le cacha mult vighe- 
 reusement, 
 
 mais li nuis les departi qui lor courut 
 seure, si pierdi tholomes mult de ses 
 chiualers en la cache. 
 Car chil qui fuioient sauoient bien 
 les destrois du pais et les maupas, si 
 fuioient la ou il sauoient leur garison, 
 et chil cachoient a folie. 
 
 Ensi s'en parti tholomes pour la nuit, 
 
 si s'en retourna as herberges 
 
 ou li harnas estoit remes quant li 
 cacha commencha 
 
EVALACH S MEN IN VALACHIN HAVE SPOILEB THOLOMES S TENTS. 
 
 105 
 
 Be tlie while Of Eualach men 
 
 That In the Castel of valaehin weren then, 
 
 That, whiles the bataille & jje chas dyde laste, 
 
 Eualach his men the harneys browht in faste ; 
 
 Eor they that In Ipe castel were 
 
 With Tholomes men so fowhten ]?ere. 
 
 And put hem Alle to discomfiture, 
 
 That ])ere the harneys [they] kepte Jpat owre. 
 
 And whanne this Tholomes Resorted A3en, 
 
 And Alle his harneys despoilled Clen, 
 
 His tentis And his pavylons to-broke, 
 
 And whanne this Tholome per onne gan loke, 
 
 Eul mochel deseisse he took In herte 
 
 Eor theke dispit. It was so smerte ; 
 
 And thanne A gret 0th swor he there anon, 
 
 ' That he scholde neuere from Jiat Castel gon, 
 
 Thowgh he scholde lesen half his Meyne, 
 
 Tyl that they wyth-inne Enfamyned be.' 
 
 And there Abod he Al that nyht 
 In sweche loggeng As he geten Myht. 
 
 And whanne the spring of day was Comen, 
 To him there Cam A spie Anon 
 That him tolde tho newe tydinge, 
 Al of Kyng Eualache beenge, — 
 " Syre Tholome," seide this Spie tho, 
 " So good tydinges Cam neuere man vnto 
 As now Sire Tholomes Is Comenge to the, 
 But 3if it thorwgh sinne distroied be." 
 " Now sey me, Bewfyl," quod Tholome, 
 "What maner Of tydinges mown tho be." 
 " Sire Tholome," Seyede this spie Anon, 
 " Kyug Eualach Is Into a castel gon 
 But with a fewe Of his Meyne, 
 There schalt thow him hauen. Sire, sekerle, 
 
 * MS. Add. parece. 
 
 P 
 
 Et chil dedens eualachin 
 
 448 
 
 452 
 
 456 
 
 460 
 
 464 
 
 472 
 
 476 
 
 furent tout issu hors : 
 si s'estoient conbatu a chiaus 
 qui gardoient le harnas 
 tout gaaignie. 
 
 Quant tholomes fu reuenus deuant le 
 
 chastiel : 
 
 si trouua son tref tout depechie 
 
 et les tentes et Jes pauillons tout de- 
 
 caupes et abatus, 
 
 si fu si dolens ke par vn pau qu'il 
 
 n'esragoit. 
 
 Lors iura son serement 
 
 qu'il n'en tourneroit iamais de deuant 
 
 le castiel 
 
 qu'il ni laissaist la moitie de sa gent 
 
 iusc'a tant que il les aroit afames. 
 Ensi remest ichele nuit, 
 
 et quant uint au chief de grant pieche 
 468 gi vint a lui vne espie, 
 et si li dist 
 
 " Sire, 
 
 onques mais n'auint si bien a nul 
 
 homme 
 
 com il est auenu a vous, 
 
 se par preche* ne le perdes," 
 " Coument," dist tholome, 
 
 " Parfoi," dist li espie, 
 " li rois eualach est entre en lacoine:| 
 a tant peu de gent com il peut traire 
 de la bataille. 
 
 480 et illuec le poes prendre a mult petit 
 
 t MS, Add. li/cone. 
 
106 
 
 THOLOMES MARCHES AFTER EVALACH, LEAVING VARUS AT TARABBL. 
 
 And thanne, Ended thi battaille it is ; 
 
 That I seye, it is trewe with owten Mis." 
 
 " Sey me," quod Tholomes, " thou belamy, 
 
 How knowest thow this so Certeinly ?" 484 
 
 " For On him Only I hadde A spie 
 
 That sawh him Entren J^e Castel sekerlye ; 
 
 Eor At the 3ates so longe Abod he there 
 
 Er he myht Entren In Oni Manere 488 
 
 The space of Ryht A long Mile 
 
 So abod Jjerowte A gret while." 
 
 Quod Tholomes " In [peine] of thi lif lesinge 
 
 Loke thou bringe me non fals tydinge ;* 492 
 
 And yf thou do, with owten more 
 
 [E,iwarde,t] deth schalt thow suffren therfore." 
 
 [" My Lortjde, 3if it be not so as I haue the told, 
 
 Dis-membre thow me, Sire, Manifold." 496 
 
 Anon Tholomes his knyhtes gan calle, 
 And told hem What Aventure gan be-falle. 
 And how that Eualach In A Castel was 
 But with A litel Meine In that plas ; 500 
 
 Wherfore to besegen that castel he Avolde be-gynne 
 With half his Meyne, nej>er more ne Mynne ; 
 And the tother halvendel schold leven stille 
 At Valachin for the drede of More ille, 504 
 
 That was him left to kepen there 
 A litel bettere thanne they diden Ere. 
 That so this ordenaunce thus he Made 
 Where Offen his Meyne weren ful glade. 508 
 
 Thanne his styward Clepen gan he fonde. 
 That hyghte vabus As I vndirstonde. 
 And Oomaunded him there Anon Ryht, 
 ' As that he was A gentyl knyht, 512 
 
 The Remenaunt of his Men to kepen stille 
 Lest that EUis to hem Miht comen som ille ;' 
 
 d'esfort. Lors, si ares uotre guerre 
 
 achieuee." 
 
 " Coument ses tu cheste chose,'' dist 
 
 tholomes : 
 
 " Je le sai " fait I'espie " si uraiement 
 comme chil qui le vit entrer el chas- 
 tiel, et SB vous I'eussies enchauchie 
 iusc'a la, si I'eussies pris. 
 
 Car il demoura a la porte 
 
 bien I'errure d'une fort lieue, anchois 
 que chil dedens li laissaissent entrer.'' 
 
 " Garde," dist tholomes, '' si chier 
 com tu as ton cors, que tu me dies 
 uerite." 
 
 " Sire :" fait chO, '' s'il n'est ensi com 
 ie faich entendant, si me pendes." 
 
 Maintenant apiela tholomes ses chi^ 
 
 ualers, 
 
 si lor a tout descouuert: 
 
 chou ke li messagers auoit dit. 
 
 et dist qu'il voloit aler asseoir le roi 
 
 eualach 
 
 a la moitie de sa gent, 
 
 et I'autre lairoit 
 
 deuant eualachin, 
 
 ke nus ne s'en issist hors pour des' 
 
 tourner chou qu'U auoient pris du 
 
 sien. 
 
 Ensi le loerent tout si chiualer, 
 et il apiela son senescal 
 qui auoit non naburs. 
 si li commanda 
 
 a reman oir deuant le castel. 
 
 * End of MS. on the sheets misplaced. 
 
 f The characters in ordinary light are quite invisible. U.S. 
 
Half tholomes's force stop before valachin, the rest march to comes. 107 
 
 " So schalt thow kepen there with the 
 Of knyhtes and Seriauntes half my Mene." 
 
 Thanne his Steward vabus Anon 
 His Comaundement was Redy to don. 
 And kept there Stille half his Meyne, 
 As wel Pootmen as Othere there to be ; 
 And Tholomes the Remnaunt with him ladde 
 Into that place As the Spie him badde ; 
 And So Eod he forth Al the Nyhte, 
 Eor he wolde have ben a-forn day lyhte 
 At the Castel that hyht Comes, 
 There he supposid kyng Eualaeh was. 
 
 516 
 
 520 
 
 et retenir toute la moitie, et de chi- 
 ualers et de sergans et de gent a pie. 
 
 Li senescaus le fist 
 
 ensi com tholomes li eut commande, 
 
 si retint la moitie de toutes les gens, 
 
 et tholomes mut a toute I'autre moitie 
 grant pieche 
 
 anchois qu'il fiist iours, 
 524 pour qu'il voloit estre deuant le chas- 
 tel de lacoine a la iournee. 
 
 p2 
 
108 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Evalaoh sends out a spy to see after Tholomes, and he makes a good report; Evalach is cheered up, and 
 marches (p. 109). He meets the queen's messenger, reads her letter (p. 110), and asks explanations (p. 
 110). Josephes has told the queen of his defeat ; another man comes and tells Evalach that Tholomes has 
 besieged Comes (p. Ill); Evalach goes towards Sarras; a host meets him (p. 112), that of his brother- 
 in-law Seraphe, who comes and greets him, and says he is come to help him; Evalach's answer (p. 113); 
 Seraphe's advice to Evalach to go to his city Orhanz (p. 114). Evalach goes to Orkanz, and summons 
 more knights; he wants to go and fight Tholomes, but is counselled to wait (p. 115); he is besieged by 
 Tholomes, and orders a sortie (p. 116); he gives the city in charge to an old knight, and attacks 
 Tholomes successfully, for Tholomes's men had ridden all night (p. 117). Of Seraphe's deeds, and the 
 pursuit of Tholomes's men to a narrow passage by a Rock of stone, from the slaughter called The Bloody 
 Bock (p. 118) ; Tholomes comes to the rescue, asks his men what is the matter, and encourages them 
 (p. 119-20). Evalach halts his men, and puts them in four divisions: 1. Seraphe, 2. the Steward, 
 3. Archemedes, 4. Evalach. He charges Jeconias to guard the passage (p. 121), and to keep the 
 city too (p. 122). Tholomes ordains eight divisions, two against each one of Evalach's (p. 122). 
 The fight begins. Number of men on each side (p. 123). Evalach's speech to his knights (p. 123-4). 
 Seraphe's division fights; Evalach's feelings, — his prayer (p. 125); the result of it (p. 126). The dire 
 slaughter (p. 127-8). Seraphe's deeds; his axe; and his appearance (p. 127-8). Tholomes calls up 
 his second division (p. 129) ; Seraphe's men flee, but he fights on (p. 130) ; Evalach's steward goes 
 to his help (p. 131); and sends a message to the King. Evalach's steward breaks Tholomes's line, 
 and throws Tholomes to the ground (p. 132). The steward is struck down by a knight ; Evalach's 
 nephew and Evalach go to the rescue (p. 133); Archemedes drives in Tholomes's men (p. 134); but 
 Evalach's steward is crueUy beaten (p. 134); and killed by Tholomes (p. 135); Tholomes and Evalach 
 fight; but Evalach cannot recover his steward's body; Tholomes rallies his men, who shoot poisoned 
 arrows, and get the best of the fight (p. 136). 
 
 Now leven we AUe of Tholomes Or vous lairons de tholome, 
 
 And tliat At this tyme of him we ses, 
 And of kyng Eualach let vs now speke 
 That On his Enemyes wold him A-wreke, 
 
 And that Into the Castel of Come was gOn ke quant il fu entres en lacoine 
 
 Hym. for-to SOCOUre from his Eon ; pour soi garandir, 
 
 So that An Olde Seriaunt he Callid Anon, si apiela .j. sien sergant, 
 
 And bad that he Anon Scholde gon 8 et si H commanda a issir 
 
 et si vous conterons del roi eualach. 
 chi dist li contes, 
 
EVALACH MARCHES FROM COMES. A LETTER COMES FROM HIS QTJEEN. 109 
 
 Owt Of that Oastel Riden, for-to Aspie 
 Wlie[the]re that Tholomes were there Nye, 
 Other to Valachin A3en that he was gon 
 With his Meyne thedir Euerichon. 12 
 
 Thanne this Seriaunt the forth gan Ryde, 
 And sewed Tholomes In that tyde 
 Evene to valachin Castel tho. 
 
 There As newe tydinges herde he Mo, 16 
 
 ' That the Meynie of valachyn Castel 
 Hadde born hem ful wondirly wel. 
 That In the tyme of the chas 
 
 Alle Tholomes harneis I-trised was.' 20 
 
 And anon To Eualach he B-etorned Agein 
 And of these tydinges tolde him ful plein, 
 And Of the pray his Men hadden take ; 
 Where of Eualach gret loye gan Make, 24 
 
 And swoor thanne be his Creaunce 
 ' That, what so behapped him in Oni Chaunce, 
 With him bond be bond wolde he fyhte. 
 And vppon him to proven his Myhte ; 28 
 
 That, ryht Anon as his men sembled were, 
 Erom that Sege he scholde him Here, 
 That so hastely neuere Kyng I-Rered was 
 Erom non sege In no manor plas.' 32 
 
 Owt Of that Castel thanne gan he gon 
 Erom thens thre Miles Ryht Anon, 
 And with him seveun hundred knyhtes and seriauns 
 That AUe worthy men weren & vaylauns ; 36 
 
 And On foote Nyne hundred they were 
 Of Hyht bolde men & hardy there ; 
 So that from the castel weren they gon 
 Eyve Miles er that day Cam hem vppon. 40 
 
 And In the Mene while that thei thus gonne gon. 
 On a palfrey Cam prekynge A messengere Anon 
 
 hors du chastiel, et enohierkier 
 
 se tholomes estoit pres d'illuec : 
 ou s'il estoit retournes a eualaohin. 
 
 Et chil eut tant poursui ■ I'ost ke il 
 I'eut veu descendre, 
 
 si le reuint center a eualach, etsi li dist 
 le merueilleus gaiing que chil de eua- 
 lachin auoient fait sour chiaus qui 
 gardoient le harnas tholome. 
 
 Et quant eualach oi cheste nouiele, si 
 
 en fa mult lies, 
 
 et iura son serement 
 
 ' ke se il deuoit estre tous de-caupes 
 
 en la bataille : 
 
 si se conbatra il a lui. 
 
 ne ia si tost ne porra sa gent ressam- 
 bler: 
 
 que il lira si durement leuer du siege 
 
 ke onques nus hom plus fierement 
 
 n'en fii leues 
 
 A tant s'en issi du chastiel 
 
 et si en mena bien iusc'a trois et .vij. 
 
 chens, entre chiualers et sergans a 
 
 cheuaus, 
 
 et bien .x. et ix. chens de gent a piet, 
 
 si eut eslongie le chastiel 
 
 bien ,v. lieues ains qu'il fust iours. 
 
 Et quant il aiou:-noit, et la route aloit 
 
 sen chemin: 
 
 a tant es vous .i. message sor .i. grant 
 
 destrier, poignant : 
 
110 
 
 JOSEPHBS HAS TOLD THE QtJEEN OF EVALACH's MISHAP. 
 
 As SO Swiftly as the hers mylit him here ; 
 
 Kyng Eualach he sowhte Everi Where ; 44 
 
 And thanne with the kyng mette he AnoQ, 
 
 Thanne thus his Arende he gan to don 
 
 " Sire," he seide, " my lady the qweene grteth the 
 
 wel, 
 And thus she sente to seyne Eehe del 48 
 
 As this lettre doth Sresephie, [? certify] 
 Where-with she bad me faste to hye." 
 Anon king Eualach this lettres took, 
 And hem Radde, & not forsook, 52 
 
 And there In his lettre tho he radde 
 ' Tha,t his Qweene on him faste gradde. 
 And as Euere sche his Soiet myhte be 
 Owt of the Oastel of Come ]?at he wolde Te, 56 
 
 Eor Tholomes that Orewl kyng 
 There Abowtes wil leyn his Seieng.' 
 And whanne this lettre thus he hadde rad, 
 To him forto Come the Messenger he bad, 60 
 
 & of these tydinges Abassched 'was he 
 How that this knowlechinge to hire myhte be • 
 And to that Messenger he seide Anon 
 " How wyste sche that I Into Come was gon ?" 64 
 " Sire," quod the Messenger witterly, 
 " I ne Can not 30 w tellen Certeinly ; 
 But an Old Man In Sarras is there 
 That of Certein thinges doth here lere, 68 
 
 That Maister of Cristene Called Is he ; 
 A wondirful Man he semeth to be ; 
 And whanne sche hath with him spoke, 
 Sche wepeth as thow hire herte were broke ; 72 
 
 And thanne Cleped sche me forth Anon, 
 That this Message were sone don, 
 
 si grant aleure com li cheuaus le 
 pooit plus tost porter. 
 
 Et la ou il vit le roi, 
 
 si li dist, 
 
 " Sire, ma dame la roine vous salue 
 
 et si vus enuoie ches letres." 
 Li roi prist les letres, 
 
 et si les lut. Car il sauoit letres asses. 
 
 si vit 
 
 ke la roine sa femme le saluoit, 
 
 et si li mandoit par la foi ke il li de- 
 uoit que il issist tost hors de la coine. 
 Car tholomes 
 le venoit asseoir. 
 
 Quant il eut chou veu es letres, 
 
 si fu meruelles esbahis, et apiela le 
 message, 
 
 et si li dist. 
 
 " Di, ua, comment seut ma dame la 
 
 roine que ie fuisse en lacoine :" 
 
 " Sire," dist li valles, " ele en oi, er 
 
 soir, noueles." 
 
 " Et ses tu," dist eualacli, " qui les 
 
 nouieles Ten dist :'' 
 
 " Parfoi, dist il, ie n'el sai mie cer- 
 
 tainement. Mais ie le vi consiUier a 
 
 .j. home qui on chaime le maistre des 
 
 crestiens. 
 
 Et quant ele eut asses consilliet a lui, 
 si vi k'ele plouroit mult durement. 
 Lors si m'apiela, 
 et me commanda ches letres a aporter 
 
A MESSENGER COMES TO EVALACH FROM HIS MEN IN OASTLE COMES. 
 
 Ill 
 
 And that a palfrey I scholde be-stride 
 
 Also faste As I Myhte preken Other Eyde." 76 
 
 Thanne kyng Eualach clepid his knyhtes Anoun, 
 And there told hem of this Merveil soun, 
 ' That losephes Cowde tellen of his discomfiture 
 The wheche be-fil In that same Oure, 80 
 
 And that he his qweene these tydynges schold 
 
 telle 
 How that thike day it him befelle, 
 And how Into the Castel of Come he was fledde 
 And tholomes Me to besegen In that stede.' 84 
 
 And thus As they gonnen forto talke, 
 Aftyr theke Rowte Cam a seriaunt walke 
 Faste preking vppon a destrere 
 Al so hastely as he myhte Ryden there, 88 
 
 Prekynge with A bowe In his bond, — 
 And thus he seide, as I vndirstond, — 
 " And [they] be me Sente to 30W gretynge 
 That In 30ure Castel of Come ben dwellenge, 92 
 ' That 30 scholden Governe 30W wel & wysly, 
 And Owt of Tholomes weye to kepen 30W pleinly ; 
 For he is now At Comes Castel 
 & hath beseged it now Every del, 96 
 
 For he hopeth 30W with-Inne to take. 
 And there 30W to don bothe tene & wrake ; 
 And there with him Is half his meyne ; 
 Al the Remnaunt at valachin they be." 100 
 
 And whanne king Eualach herd this word, 
 Thus thanne dide he be his Owne Acord, 
 There Cleped he bothe knyhtes & bachelere 
 And told hem of that Merveil there ; ] 04 
 
 ' For there nas non thing Seid ne don 
 That theke losephes ne wiste it Anon, 
 
 si tost com chis cheuaus porroit aler." 
 
 Lors apiela U rois ses cheualiers, 
 et si lor conta la meruelle 
 
 de iosephe, qui auoit conte a la roine 
 
 la desconfiture : 
 
 Si tost com ele auoit este, 
 
 et comment il s'en estoit afuis en 
 
 lacoine, 
 
 et ke tholomes le venoit asseoir. 
 
 Ensi com il disoit chou, 
 
 a tant es vous .j. sergant cheuachant 
 apres la route 
 
 .j. arc en sa main, et si aloit 
 
 si tres tost com li clieuaus porroit 
 
 rendre. 
 
 Et quant il vint au roi, si li dist 
 
 " Sire, uotre chastelains de lacoine 
 vous salue, et si vous mande, que vous 
 penses del esploitier comment vous 
 soies vengies. 
 
 Car tholomes est venus 
 asseoir lacoine, 
 
 si vous quide prendre dedens, 
 
 et si n'a amene ke la moitie de sa 
 
 gent, 
 
 et I'autre est remesedeuant eualachin." 
 
 Quant li rois oi chou, 
 
 si rapiela les chiualers, 
 et si lor dist. 
 
 " Signours chiualers, aues oi del 
 crestien, com est voir disans 
 en toutes choses, car encoi ne 
 
112 EVALACH MEETS HIS WIEE's BROTHER, WHO HAS COME TO HELP HIM. 
 
 Tor ther nas neuere tonge So Certein 
 
 That Of liis dedis Cowde tellen it plein ;' 108 
 
 " And Alle thing As he to me gan telle 
 
 What aventure Me be-Pelle ; 
 
 And now mown 36 knowe the sothe here, 
 
 That Tholomes Come besegeth there, 112 
 
 Lik as my Qwene dide me vndirstonde 
 
 Be A lettre I-wreten of hire honde." 
 
 Thanne kyng Eualach torned his way 
 Streyht to Sarras that like same day; lie 
 
 And whanne he with his Rowte hadde B/iden 
 
 two mile 
 His meyne gan to beholden with Inne a while, 
 They Sawen Comen Isswe Owt of a forest 
 A fair Meyne, and Armed with the best, 120 
 
 What On hors and Of Eootmen 
 Powre thousend weren I-E-ekened then. 
 And whanne this peple that gan Aspie, 
 To here lord they it tolde In hye ; 124 
 
 And whanne he that Meyne loked vppon. 
 His meyne he Comannded to Armes Anon ; 
 And As king Eualach In Ordenaunce was 
 
 there, 
 Owt of ])G o]?er Ost Cam on A destrer, 128 
 
 Also faste as the hors myht Gon 
 Toward kyng Eualach he prekede Anon, 
 And vp his helm there he Caste, 
 And toward him Eualach prekid wel faste ; 132 
 
 And whanne that Eualach this knyht beheld 
 Bothe vndir his helm & vndir his scheld, 
 Thanne was it his Owne wyves brothir 
 That of Men he lovede passing Al Othir, — ■ ise 
 
 " Sire Eualach, it was Certefied to me 
 That Al discomfyt scholdest thou be. 
 
 I'ai iou trouue menclioingeur 
 en nule parole qu'il m'ait fait 
 entendant, 
 
 Ore poes oir 
 
 ke tholomes est au siege 
 
 ensi com il dist a ma dame la roine," 
 
 A tant s'en tourna li rois tout sou 
 
 chemin. 
 
 droit vers sarras. 
 
 Et quant la route eut erre entour .ij. 
 
 petites lieues, 
 
 si gardent uhil de la keue de Tost, 
 si voient issir hors d'une espesse forest : 
 
 vne grant compaignie de gent 
 a cheual et a pie, qui estoient arme, 
 et si i pooit bien auoir quatre mile 
 homes et plus. 
 
 Et quant il les virent, 
 si les moustrerent au roi. 
 
 Et li rois commanda tantost 
 toute sa gent a armer. 
 
 Ensi com il s'armoient. 
 a tant es vous ke vns se depart! de 
 chiaus de la, 
 et si vint 
 
 poignant grant aleure vers I'ost. 
 Si eut le hiaume el chief, et I'escu au 
 col, et tint vne glaiue empoignie par- 
 mi le milieu. 
 
 Et quant li rois le vit venir, qui ia estoit 
 armes, car il n'osoit cbeuauchier sans 
 ses armes : si li alameismes al'encontre. 
 Et quant il se furent entraprochie : si 
 vint ohil de la, si osta son hiaume, et 
 si dist au roi ' ke bien fust il venus.' 
 Et li rois warde, si vit ke che fu vns 
 siens serourges, vns des homes du 
 monde k'il quidoit qui plus le haist, 
 Et chil li dist. " Sire, i'auoie oi dire 
 ke vous esties desconfis, 
 
EVALACH ASKS HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW TO HELP HIM, AND PROMISES REWARDS. 
 
 113 
 
 And that Tholemes, of Babiloyne kyng, 
 
 Abowtes Come hath, there leid Asegeng ; i4o 
 
 Thus me sente to seine my soster ]>g qweene 
 
 That ful mochel sorwe hath, As I wene, 
 
 And preide me, for Alle loves that evere were 
 
 Be-twene soster And brothir dere, 144 
 
 30W to Avengen vppon 30ure foon 
 
 Be alle the power that I myht don. 
 
 And this is now my Comenge, 
 
 I sey 30W, Sire, with-Owten lesynge, 
 
 That So As hastely As I Myhte Bide 
 
 To 30W Am I Comen At this Tide ; 
 
 But it is better thanne I wende it hadde be, 
 
 Por I wende in Come to hau seia the." 152 
 
 Thanne kyng Eualach him thanked sone 
 Of the grete kendenesse that he hadde done, 
 But 3it he him preide ful hertly, 
 ' That he wolde Abyden him by 156 
 
 Eorto Avengen him Of his foon, 
 And til that his lorne were doon ; 
 " Por there may no man fuUy knowe 
 What Prendes he hath in Ony Rowe, I6O 
 
 But Euere At Nede A man May se 
 What men that welen his Prendes be ; 
 But he that doth In this gret nede 
 Me forto helpen hym so to spede, 164 
 
 Me thinketh amongs Al erthly thing 
 It is a trewe brotheris doyng ; 
 Por 30 knowen wel that I haue be 
 I-Chaced from places two Olper thre, I68 
 
 Where-OfPen I preie 30W In my gret nede 
 Me to helpen with wit & dede, 
 And helpe to defenden 30ure sostres lond 
 That I have longe kept In Myn bond, 172 
 
 Q 
 
 et ke tholomes vous auoit assis en 
 lacoine, 
 
 si me manda ma siier la roine a nuit, 
 a mienuit, 
 
 se ie onques I'auoie amee, et se ie ne 
 voloie ke ele fust liuree a lionte : 
 
 ke ie vous secouriusse 
 a tout mon pooir. 
 Et ie vous venoie secourre au plus 
 148 efTorchiement ke ie pooie com en si 
 grant haste. 
 
 Mais il m'est auis que il est mult 
 miex ke ele ne m'auoit mande." 
 
 Et li rois li rendi mult grans merchis 
 de chest seruiehe. et si li dist. 
 
 " Biaus dous gerourges, des ke vous 
 aues ensi I'afaire empris, il conuient 
 ke vous me faiohies aide 
 
 iusc'au chief de fin. 
 
 Car on ne puet tres bien connoistre 
 son ami deuant chou ke li besoins 
 soit venus. 
 
 Car I'angoisse du grant besoing des- 
 cueure Ie uraie amiste, et Ie fait con- 
 noistre. 
 
 Et pour chou ke li miens besoins est 
 si grans et si angoisseus, oomme de 
 chelui ki piert sa terre. 
 
 et qui ia .ij. fois a este cachies de 
 plaohe : 
 
 pour chou vous pri iou, et requier, 
 
 ke vous me soiies aidans 
 
 a deffendre la terre votre serour, 
 
114 
 
 EVELACH RETIRES TO HIS CITY ORKANZ TO COLLECT MORE MEN. 
 
 And Of My schame Avenged to be, 
 
 Xow goode brother I preye to the ; 
 
 And dowble Amendis I schal 30W Make 
 
 Aftyr that the Angwisch that 3e for my sake 176 
 
 Scholen soffren withinne these viii dayes, 
 
 I schal it 30W 3olden be Mani wayes ; 
 
 And 3if Euere I Mowe rekeuere to sarras 
 
 I schal 30-w hyghly qwyten Er that 3e pas, 18O 
 
 And that In 30ure howshold it schal be sene. 
 
 And Amongs AUe 30ure baronage be-dene." 
 
 " 3e, I schal 30W tellen What 36 scholen do, 
 To 30wre Cite of Arkan3 scholen We go, 184 
 
 And there we scholen Abiden a stownde 
 Tyl Mo of 30ure peple to 30W Comen sownde ; 
 Eor it is the beste Cite of 30ure lond, 
 And best vitaUled, As I vndirstond ; 188 
 
 And there 30ure Meine Abyden scholen 30 
 Til that to 30W Alle Comen they be, 
 And Also there scholen we sounere know 
 Alle the tydinges vppon A rowe 192 
 
 Thanne And we weren At Sarras cite, — 
 Sire, this is best, As thinketh to Me." 
 
 Kyng Eualach held wel with this Consaille, 
 And to Orkan3 they Reden with-Owten faille, i96 
 And Alle here Meine with hem wente 
 Into that Cyte there presente ; 
 But it Was for-passed the Noon 
 Er they weren Entred Everichoon, 200 
 
 Thanne kyng Eualach Abowtes gan sende 
 Aftyr his barowns Into Every Ende, 
 ' That ho that howghte him Ony worldly honour 
 Scholde comen to helpen him In that stour.' 204 
 And theMessengeres diden wel here Arende ]5at tyme, 
 For On the Morwe, Er it was pryme, 
 
 et a ma honte vengier. 
 
 Et ie creant comrae rois, que vous 
 
 ares si haute amende de la haine ke 
 
 i'ai eue vers vous : ke ie vous en irai 
 
 faire droit a genous dedens les .viij. 
 
 iours 
 
 que ie serai reuenus a sarras, se i'en 
 
 puis repairier a hounour. 
 
 et si sera en votre barnage " 
 
 " Sire," fait oil, " grans merchis, et ie 
 
 vous dirai Ite nous ferons. 
 
 Nous en irons tout a uotre chite 
 
 d'orcaus. 
 
 Car ch'est li plus plentieue chites qui 
 
 soit en uotre terre, 
 
 si atenderes illuec vos gens 
 
 que vous feres semonre. 
 
 Et si ores plus souuent 
 
 nouieles del host tholome 
 
 ke vous ne feres a sarras, 
 
 Li rois se tint a sen conseil, 
 si s'en tournerent droit a orcaus 
 et menerent toutes lor gens. 
 
 Et quant il vinrent la, 
 
 si fu bien nonne passee. 
 
 Et li rois enuoie tout maintenant sea 
 messages par illuec entour 
 
 ' ke qui jamais vauroit de lui tenir 
 terre ni hounour 
 
 si Ie secourust a chest darrain besoino-.' 
 Et li message esploitierent si bien 
 ke anchois qu'il fust prime, lendemain 
 
evalach's men see tholomes coming to attack orkanz. 
 
 116 
 
 To Orkan3 Comen of the kynges Eetenw 
 
 Pul XVII thowsend, As I telle it 30W, 2O8 
 
 What on hors bak and on foote, 
 
 So' manie ]>ev [were] wel I woote 
 
 "With-Owten tho that Eualach hadde, 211 
 
 And with-owten po that Seraphe with him ladde. 
 
 And whanne that Kyng Eualach this meine hadde, 
 
 Thanne was he bothe loyful and Gladde, 
 
 And thanne to Come he Coveyted Porto gon 
 
 There forto hau Met with Tholome Anon. 216 
 
 Thanne to him Answerid his knyhtes sone, 
 
 " It were non wisdom 3it thedir forto gone 
 
 For to Met en with kyng Tholome, 
 
 Sire, tyl that thow haue here more Meyne ; 220 
 
 But let vs here Abyde thre dayes or fowre. 
 
 And be that tyme Getest thow more socowre. 
 
 And thus tyl thow thi power have 
 
 With him Mihtest Jjounot fyhten, And be save." 224 
 
 And so be the ConseU Of his barouns Certein 
 
 Anon to that Cite he tornede Agein. 
 
 And be the tyme that it was lyht Of day, 
 " Treson ! treson !" thei gonnen Crien in fay. 228 
 Thanne wente the kyng In-to the towr An by, 
 And there sawgh he Tholomes host pleinly ; 
 And anon, " As Arme3 " they gonnen to Crie, 
 That Every man to barneys wente hastelye. 232 
 And whanne he say that ]?e Cite beseged was 
 Oueral Abowtes In Euerich A plas, 
 Mochel was the Mone that there he Made, 
 And Also gret Anger & thowht he hade 236 
 
 Eor his men that to him scholden gon, 
 Lest they were taken there Euerichon 
 Presoneres with hem that weren with-Owte ; 
 And here-Offen Eualach hadde gret dowte. 240 
 
 q2 
 
 eut li rois a la chite d'orcaus. 
 .xvii. mil. hommes, 
 ke a pie, ke a cheual. 
 
 Tout sans chiaus que entre lui 
 et seraphe son serourge auoient 
 amenes. 
 
 Tantost qu'il fut auespri : 
 
 si mut li rois de la chite et cheuaucha, 
 entre lui et sa gent, tout droit vers 
 lacoine. 
 
 Et si chiualers li disent 
 qu'il feroit folie 
 d'assambler a tholome 
 a si pau de gent, com il auoit. 
 
 Mais, atendist encore ses gens qui 
 
 uenroient iusc'a .iij. iours ou. iusch'a 
 
 .iiij. 
 
 Lors si porroit plus seurement com- 
 
 batre, desque il aroit tout son pooir." 
 
 Par le oonsel et par le los de ses barons, 
 retourna li rois en la chite. 
 
 Et quant vint a la iornee : 
 
 si commenchierent a crier par la vile 
 
 '' trai: trai: or as armes." 
 
 Et li rois saut, et li chiualers si monte 
 
 sus les murs de la tour, 
 
 et voit toute Tost tholome qui venoit 
 
 a desroi tout contreual les chans, 
 
 et achaingoit la chite de toutes 
 Quans li rois vit chou, 
 
 si fu mult iries, 
 
 non mie tant pour le siege 
 
 comme pour sa gent. Car il sauoit ke 
 
 ia tant n'en i uenroit :* 
 
 que il ne fuissent tout pris 
 
 par chiaus de hors. 
 
 [* MS. iuneroit] 
 
116 EVALACh's sortie prom OKKANZ, and attack on THOliOMES's FORCE. 
 
 Thanne kyng Eualacli Comanded Anon 
 
 His Men to Armure thanne Euerichon, 
 
 ' And that Owt of that Cite they scholden go 
 
 Also vigorowsly as Evere Men myhten do, 244 
 
 That Neyere so vigerous issw Myhte be 
 
 Nevere Owt Of Oastel ne of Cite.' 
 
 Thanne Clepid he forth An Old knyht there 
 That to him was bothe fal leef & dere, 248 
 
 And 3af him charge with that Cite 
 ' It wisly to kepen In AUe degre, 
 That aftyr whanne he were Owt gon, 
 And with him his Meine Everichon, 252 
 
 That no Man In thedir scholde Entren Agein — 
 Were it Erl, knyht, baroun, Other sweyn, — 
 Eor non kende ne for non Entent, 
 But 3if it be thorwgh myn Comandement.' 256 
 
 And thus thanne Owt gonne they pase 
 Owt of that Cyte a ful wilde Ease, — 
 Eor so wilde Uasyng was neuere lyown 
 As they thanne Isswed owt of that town, — 260 
 
 So that to Eore Owt Of that town "Wente 
 Seraphe and the kyng presente, 
 The wheche the ferst bataille hadde, 
 And on Tholomes men ful lowde thei gradde, 264 
 And vppon hem they gannen so faste to Ride 
 Eor with hem was non abide abyde ; [mc] 
 But with speris faste to-gederis they schoke 
 That scheldes & hawberkis al to-broke, 268 
 
 That they fiUen down In the feld. 
 So wel they Gonne there hem beweld ; 
 And Also here highe hors that here sadeles here, 
 Down on the grownde weren throwe \>ere ; 272 
 
 So that thanne King Tholomes men 
 The wers hadden, Er they Wenten then. 
 
 Lors commanda li rois 
 toute sa gent ariner isnelement. 
 Et quant il furent tout arme : si com- 
 manda que il ississent hors si durement 
 que onques nules gens n'issirent si 
 durement 
 
 hors d'un cbastel ne d'un chite. 
 Apres apielachelui qui la chitei gardoit 
 
 si li commanda ' si chier com il auoit 
 son corps, ke la chites fust fremee 
 tantost com il serroient hors, 
 
 ke ia puis nus horn n'i mesist le pie 
 
 se il meismes ne le commandoit de sa 
 
 bouche.' 
 
 A tant issirent hors, 
 
 si ala auant seraphes li serourges le roi 
 
 qui eut la premiere bataile. 
 Et quant il fu assambles, 
 
 onques puis ni eut resne tenu. anchois 
 laissa tantost courre li rois, et tout 
 li autre ensamble, les escus ioins de- 
 nant le pis, les hanstes roides sour 
 les assieles. 
 
 Et les gens tholome, quant il les virent 
 venir, 
 
OP evalach's and seraphb's deeds in the fight- 
 
 117 
 
 Eor whanne they Oomen Owt of ]?at Cite 
 
 Swich A gret and lusty Meyne, — 276 
 
 For they not wist that be the Eourthe del 
 
 Hadde not there ben, they supposod wel, — 
 
 Where Oflfe Abascht wondir sore they were 
 
 Of that E/Owte that isswede there, 280 
 
 And the surere they wende hau be ful sekerly. 
 
 For twies discomfited him hadden they. 
 
 But there At the Ferste Assemble 
 
 Mochel peple lost this kyng Tholome : 284 
 
 Ful al the Nyht to-Fore I-Eeden they hadde, 
 
 And Non Reste non Of hem Nadde, 
 
 Where [with] aUe distempred they were. 
 
 And that was Sene vppon hem there. 288 
 
 And Eualach Men Alle Reste took. 
 
 For alle Nyht they slepten, & not ne wook ; 
 
 Wherfore On hem It was tho Sene, 
 
 For they weren bothe fers & kene. 292 
 
 Mani Merveilles wrowhten Eualache Men ; 
 But As for On Man, he dyde sweche ten ; 
 For was there neuere Man of his Old Age 
 That half so ful was tho of Corage. 296 
 
 And Also was Sire Seraphe, 
 That A worthi werrour hath Euere be ; 
 For he there bar him so Wel that day. 
 That so moche worschepe he bar Away, 300 
 
 That Of his lyve, In Alle his dayes. 
 So mochel worschepe men Of him sayes ; 
 And Also Aftir whanne he was ded. 
 Of him Men bothe spoken & Bed. 304 
 
 But mochel deseisse suffrede Tholomes Men, — 
 And 3it, A3ens Eualache On Man hadden thei ten, — 
 So that they Tornede here bak Anon, 
 And from hem ward faste gonne to gon ; sos 
 
 si en forent tout esbahi de che que 
 tant en i auoit 
 
 Car il ne quidoient mie ke il eust en 
 la ohite le quarte partie de gent que il 
 en uirrent issir. 
 
 Mais, ne-pour-quant,- il les requel- 
 lierent bien, 
 
 car il estoient mult plus seur, de che 
 ke il auoient ia le roi desconfit .ij. fois, 
 et cachie de plache. 
 
 A chele premiere assamblee 
 
 perdirent mult le gent tholome. 
 
 Car il auoient toute nuit cheuauchie 
 
 sans dormir et sans reposer. 
 
 Si en estoient mult greue. 
 
 Et chil de uers eualach auoient repose 
 et dormi toute nuit. 
 
 si en estoient plus fort et plus legier. 
 Mult le firent bien la gent eualach, 
 Mais il le faisoit si bien 
 
 ke nus hom de son eage n'osast ne ne 
 
 deust 
 
 emprendre chou ke il faisoit. 
 
 Et seraphes ses serourges 
 
 le faisoit si tres durement bien : 
 
 que il i conquist le iour par son bien 
 
 faire 
 
 si grant los et si grant hounour 
 
 que on parla puis a tous les iours de 
 sa vie 
 
 et maint iour apres sa mort. 
 
 et ne-pour-quant mult soufirirent la 
 gent tholome, comme chil qui venoient 
 tot desroute : f ant qu'il ne les porent 
 mais souffrir, anchois s'en tournerent 
 ftiiant. 
 
118 
 
 or " THE EOCK or BLOOD," SO CALLED FROM THE SLAUGHTER THERE. 
 
 Tlianne Sewede faste Euelach. the kyng, 
 And so dyde Seraphe In that Chasing ; 
 And there they sewede hem thanne so faste 
 Into a ful streit passage Atte laste, 
 Whiche was An hy Hoche of ston, 
 The moste perilows J^at man Mihte be gon : — 
 For the Roche In him seK was so hy 
 More than fowre bowschote trewely, 
 And Into the E-yht side it laste Eyene ryht 
 Down to the water of Orkan}, I the plyht, 
 And the lefte partie it Ran Eveun west 
 Into Babyloigne, that Riuere wente ful prest. 
 And [by] AUe that Roche passage was non 
 But On that ful streit was there vppon, 
 A^'hiche was non largere In non wise 
 Thann As ten Men, As I Cowde devise, 
 There Afront niyht passen therby, 
 So streyt was that passage trewly ; — 
 And Into that passage the men Of Eualach 
 Sewed tholomes men that Torned the bak ; 
 And there was sched so mochel blood 
 That On bothe Sydes it Ran Into the flood. 
 And so Mochel blood vppon that Roche lay 
 That 3it the Colour is sene Into this day, 
 And for slawhtre of peple Jjere so manifold 
 ' The Roche Of blood ' Into this day is told ; 
 For At that Entre they fowhten so sore 
 That men weren there slain Mani a score ; 
 And as they Mihte, they biden that stour 
 Til that hem Cam Ony more socour. 
 So that the grettere partie weren forth paste 
 Thorw gret distresse Atte laste ; 
 So that Mochel peple was there slayn 
 Of bothe parties there In certain. 
 
 312 
 
 Et li rois eualach et ses gens 
 
 les encaucUerent mult durement, 
 
 tant qu'il vinrent 
 au destroit 
 
 d'une mult haute roche 
 
 qui estoit li plus perilleus passages de 
 
 la terre. 
 
 Chele roche estoit si haute 
 
 316 com on porroit ieter vne pierre poignal . 
 
 Et si duroit a destre partie: 
 iusc'a vne iaue qui couroit a orcans, 
 qui estoit apielee cordaniste, 
 et a la senestre partie dujoit 
 
 320 iusc'as desers de babiel. 
 
 En touts chele roche n'auoit passage 
 
 ke vn tout seul, qui si estoit estrois 
 
 324 qu'il ni entraissent mie de front .x. 
 home en nule maniere du monde. 
 
 328 
 
 332 
 
 336 
 
 340 
 
 Iusc'a chel passage cachierent les gens 
 
 eualach : 
 
 les gens tholome. 
 
 lUuec eut si grant occision, et tant i 
 
 eut sane d'omes espandu, 
 
 ke enchore i part la coulours en la 
 roche, 
 
 et parra iusk'en la fin du monde. 
 
 A chel passage se deffendirent tant 
 com il porent, en tel maniere que vne 
 partie d'aus maintenoit le tour, et li 
 autre passoient toute voie. 
 
 tant que li plus d'aus furent outre. 
 
 Mais mult i eut mors et ochis 
 et des vns et des autres. 
 
THOLOMES COMBS TO THE RESCUE, AND HEARS OE HIS MBN'S DISASTERS. 119 
 
 And for that bataille J)ere so sore was of distres, 
 
 " The blody Roche " Evere is cleped with-outen les. 
 
 And be5onde this Chas chased thei were 345 
 
 Be-3onde that passage two miles there ; 
 
 Onhorsed weren Manie of tholomes Men tho, 
 
 And faste on Eoote there gonne they to go, 348 
 
 And Enalache men hem Sewede ful faste 
 
 On horsbak whiles that Chas wolde laste. 
 
 Thanne here Eyen vpe they Caste, 
 
 & sien there Tholome Comen Atte laste, 352 
 
 That Comeng was tho to the sege-ward. 
 
 Now he begynneth bataiUe strong and hard ; 
 For he sente his Men there forth to-forn, 
 Weneng to him non of hem to hau lorn, — 356 
 
 Eor he wende that Of Men so gret plente 
 With-Inne the Cite of Orkan3 hadden not be. 
 And Whanne Tholome his mes-men he sawh so fle. 
 And Also Men vn- Armed with him liadde he, 360 
 Anon Comanded he In hye 
 ' The Armure Of the hurt men hastelye 
 Of hem to taken, and hem j^er-with dyhte 
 That they myhten ben Eedy forto fyhte.' 364 
 
 Thanne this Tholomes ferst gan owt Eyde 
 Afore Al the pres At that Tyde, 
 And Axede his men that fled tho were 
 ' What Manere of thing that thei sien there ;' 368 
 And they him Answerid tho sone Anon, 
 And tolde him Al how it gan gon, 
 ' That In Orkan3 they fownden Eualach king. 
 And there with him A gret gadering,' 372 
 
 " That So Manie werrours we wenden not hau be 
 In Al his lond, Sire kyng, Certeinle ; 
 And there At A ryht streit passage 
 On thi men dide he mochel Damage, 376 
 
 Si en fu puis li roohe apielee " la 
 roche del sane '' pour la grant mer- 
 uelle du sane qui espandus i fu. 
 Et quant il furent eachie 
 
 iuskes outre le pas, et il furent bien 
 fui entour demie lieue, 
 
 et les gens eualach les orent tout a 
 dies encauehiea : 
 
 si esgarderent il, 
 
 si virent I'ensenge tholome qui venoit 
 en la keue de I'ost. Car il n'estoit 
 enchore pas uenus au siege. 
 
 ains auoit sa gens enuoie deuant, 
 
 car il ne quidoit mie ke li rois eualach 
 eust si grant gent a oreaus com il auoit. 
 
 Et quant il vit de loins chiaus qui 
 fuioient arriere, 
 
 si eommanda maintenant 
 
 ' ke chil de sa eompaignie 
 
 qui n'estoient arme, 
 
 presissent lor armes.' 
 
 Et il meismes vint tout premiers 
 
 eneontre sa gent qui sieuoient, 
 
 si lor demanda 
 ' qui il auoient eu.' 
 
 Et chil li respondirent 
 
 ' que il auoient troue a oreaus le roi 
 
 eualach 
 
 a tout son pooir: 
 
 SI en auoit 
 
 tout oehis d'aus a .j. maupas 
 
120 
 
 THOLOMBS ENCOUBAGES HIS MEN : AND EVALACH PEEPABES HIS. 
 
 For SO Manie men they ben ded 
 
 That no man kan nombre In ]?at sted." 
 
 " What, how goth this," thanne quod Tholome, 
 
 " Is Eualach isswed owt Of that Cite ?" 380 
 
 " 36 sire," quod they, "be Owre lewte. 
 
 And that Ryht sone scholen 36 se 
 
 Prekyng vppon his destrer, 
 
 And with him Al his power ; 384 
 
 As so faste As he may hye 
 
 Here he foleweth vs faste bye." 
 
 And whanne Tholome herde Al this 
 
 Pol sore abaisched he "Was I-Wys, 388 
 
 And his Meyne Comanded to stondyn stille 
 
 Eor to herkenen what was tho his wille, — 
 
 He preyde hem holy AUe in this degre 
 
 ' That Neuere non of hem ne scholden fle, 392 
 
 What Aventure that henge Ouer here hed, 
 
 Tyl that to-Porn hem they sien him ded.' 
 
 " Sire" quod they "thanne were late to fle 
 
 And thow to-forn vs slayn there be." 396 
 
 '' Lordynges," quod Tholomes, "I schal this day 
 
 30W helpen & Socoure what that I May ; 
 
 Not-withstonding myn hy parage 
 
 And Jierto two & thrytty winter of age, 400 
 
 3it stormes and bataiUes haue I seen. 
 
 As Manye as somme that here now been ; 
 
 And therfore As that 3e loven 30ure bodUy honour 
 
 So beth Of goode herte now In this stoure." 404 
 
 And whanne Eualach this gan to beholde, 
 He him bethowhte In Manifolde 
 What Was the Oawse of the E,estreyneng 
 Of the Meyne Of Tholomes the Kyng. 408 
 
 Thanne thowhte he As A wis werrour 
 That Abyden hadde Mani An haj-d stour, 
 
 ke nus n'en porroit dire le conte.' 
 
 " Coument," dist tholomes, 
 
 " est il dont issus de la chite :" 
 
 " Par foi, font il, 
 
 vous le porres par tant veoir 
 
 qu'il vient apres nous 
 
 quanke li cheual puent rendre. 
 
 et si amaine grant oheualerie et biele." 
 
 Quant tholomes oi cheste parole, 
 
 si fist ses gens estraindre, et commanda 
 abaisier s'ensenge. 
 
 et si dist a tous ses chiualers 
 
 ' Ausi chier com il auoient lor cors, 
 
 et lor honours et la sole, ke ia d'aus 
 
 ne desroutast 
 
 iusc'a tant que il viessent le sien cors 
 
 auant mouuoir.' 
 
 Et il estoit endroit soi auques boins 
 chiualers, et si sauoit mult de guerre 
 comme teus bachelers ke il estoit, car 
 il n'auoit mie plus de .xxxvij. ans. 
 
 Et quant eualach les vit arester, 
 
 si se pensa com chil qui main iteus 
 veus 
 
evajlach's order op battle in pour divisions. 
 
 121 
 
 ' That Sum gret Strengthe Of peple Jjere was 
 A3ens him Comeng Into that plas.' 412 
 
 That King Eualach his barons dide Calle, 
 And hem tolde what Aventurers myht be-falle, 
 ' And how that kyng Tholomes was there ny, 
 With Eyht A strong Meyne J?ere faste by.' 416 
 
 So thanne hoi to gederis thanne wente they tho, 
 Tyl that they ny Tholomes Ost were Comen to,~ 
 [V]nto tweyne bowe drawhtes lengthe, 
 So Fer Assembled Eualach & All his strengthe. 420 
 
 And thanne there Eualach devised Anon 
 His Meyne Into fowre batailles to be don, 
 Of the wheche the ferste bataiUe be-took he 
 To that ful worthy werrour Sire Seraphe 424 
 
 That So worthily hadde him ferst born, 
 Lyk As I haue 30W rehersed here beforn. 
 And his Steward that An hardy man was 
 The seconde bataiUe hadde In that plas ; 428 
 
 And to Anothir Old worthie werrour 
 ]>e thridde bataille he be-took In that strowr, 
 Hos Name was Oleped Archymedes, 
 As I 30W here telle with Owten les ; 432 
 
 And him Self the Eourthe bataille hadde, 
 That In theke tyme so wel koundeed & ladde. 
 
 And whanne thus his batailles diuysed weren AUe, 
 Ah Old knyght to him thanne gan he Calle 436 
 That was bothe ful trewe & hardy, 
 That leconiyas was Cleped trewly. 
 And to him thanne for riht gret trost 
 The passage he be-tok. As nedis he most, 440 
 
 In keping it to deliuere to On Man, 
 So moche Of werre wel Cowde he than, 
 That non Of Tholomes men Jjere paste 
 Ne non Other for non haste. 444 
 
 B, 
 
 ke la plache ou cheles gens estoient 
 
 areste ne pooit pas estre sans grans 
 
 efFors. 
 
 Lors apiela ses chiualers. 
 
 et si lor dist ' ke il alaissent sagement : 
 
 car il apercheuoit bien ke tholomes 
 
 n'estoit mie loins.' 
 
 * 
 Et cliil se serrerent maintenant et ale- 
 rent tout le pas, tant que il furent 
 
 a mains de deus archies pres de lor 
 anemis. 
 
 Lors deuisa eualach 
 
 de sa gent .iiij. batailles. 
 
 Si douna la premiere 
 
 a seraphe son serourge 
 
 qui si bien le fist en la bataille 
 
 com vous orres cha auant. 
 
 Et ses senescaus eut le secunde ba- 
 taille, qui mult estoit hardis et preus 
 
 et vns siens nies, 
 
 quiauoit non archimades,eutla tierche 
 bataille. 
 
 Et il ot la quarte, 
 qui mult bien se sot conduire. 
 Et quant il les eut ensi deuisees, 
 si apiela .j. sien chiualer, 
 mult preu et mult loial, 
 qui estoit apieles geroines des desers. 
 A chelui, eualach commanda 
 que il retournast pour garder le pas- 
 sage de le roche, 
 
 si ke les gens tholome ni peussent 
 
 pasger 
 
 se il i aloient a garapt. 
 
122 
 
 THOLOMES DIVIDES HIS EORCE INTO EIGHT BATTALIONS. 
 
 And Also there Charged him he 
 
 That he scholde taken kepe to that Cite, 
 
 " For there-Inne I lefte but fewe Meyne 
 
 It forto kepen, As I telle the, — 448 
 
 Not passeng Of Men Six score 
 
 Be J)e grete hundred, lasse ne more, — 
 
 And An Old knyht here wardein to be, 
 
 Sire lekonyas, as As I telle it the ; 452 
 
 And therfore that non passe be thin hond 
 
 That Cyte to don Schame 0|jer schond." 
 
 That lekonyas as tho forth him wente 
 
 His lordis Comaundement to don presente. 456 
 
 And whanne Tholome Al this be-held. 
 That Eualach EnbataiUed him In the feeld, 
 Thanne Anon he Ordeyned viii batailles 
 Of his Meyne trith-Owten EaiUes, 460 
 
 Of the wheche tweyn )je ferst Ordeyned were 
 Vppon the steward to Assemblen there ; 
 And the Secund bataille devused be 
 Vppon Eualachs Nevev forto be, — 464 
 
 The wheche hyht Archemedes, 
 A worthy Man In stour & pres, 
 Eor the thridde bataUle hadde he In honde 
 Of Eualach, As I vndirstonde ; — 468 
 
 And I my 3elf In the viithe bataille Wil be 
 Vppon Eualach that Is so fre, 
 And the Rereward schal be the viiithe bataille 
 Vppon Seraphe with Owten Eaille, 
 That worthy Conqwerour Evere he was, 
 Theyfore he dred him In that plas. 
 And 3it kepte Tholome to his AvaUles, 
 In his Befrescheng, twey bataUles, 476 
 
 That vppon Eualach Scholden Come 
 Aftyr that the gret storm were done. 
 
 Et si li commanda 
 
 ' que il eust en sa compagnie 
 
 tous chiaus qui estoient remes en la 
 
 chite, 
 
 ne iamais ke client en i laissast sans 
 plus 
 
 pour la ville deffendre, s'aucuns agais 
 i souruenoit par auenture.' 
 A tant s'en ala gecoines, 
 
 et si le fist ensi com ses sires li auoit- 
 
 commande. 
 
 Et quant tliolomes vit 
 
 que eualach eut ses batailles deuisees, 
 
 si redeuisa les sieues. Et quant il les 
 
 eut deuisees, si en eut iusc'a .viij. 
 
 Et si dist ke les .ij. premieres assam- 
 bleroient a la battaille ke li serourges 
 eualach conduisoit, et les autres deus 
 assambleroient a la bataille le senes- 
 cal. Et les .ij, comanda, ke eles as- 
 saimblaissent au neueu eualach 
 
 qui auoit la tierche bataille. 
 
 Et il dist, que il seroit en la sietisme 
 
 bataille, 
 
 et si assambleroit a eualach, 
 
 a le witisme bataille feroit I'ariere 
 
 472 garde, 
 
 si uenroit sour eus quant U aroient 
 grant pieohe souffiert I'estour. 
 
THE NUMBERS ON EACH SIDE. EVALACH's SPEECH TO HIS KNIGHTS. 123 
 
 And so to gedere Easte they Ronne, 
 And this storm tho they be-gonne, 480 
 
 Vppon Ech of Eualache, hataylles two, 
 And thus to-gedere they gonnen go. 
 Thanne sawgh Tholomes In that plase 
 That more Meyne of his ther was 484 
 
 That In that feld gan there gon, 
 Ten Men Of his A3ens Eualache on. 
 Thus bothe bataiUes devised weren there 
 In Maner As I 30W haue E-eherced Ere 488 
 
 Bothe On the ton Syde An vppon the tothir, 
 So that vnder hem bothe was there fair fothir ; 
 So that Eualach hadde in eche bataille, I wene, 
 Ten thowsend and thre hundred men bedene, 492 
 What on hors and Ek On Eoote, 
 So Manye he hadde I wel woote ; 
 And In Eche of Tholomes bataiUes were 
 Sixtene thowsend, As it Reherseth here ; 496 
 
 And 3it Manie Of his Men weren lost to Eore 
 At theke streite passage, as I tolde 30W Ore. 
 Now Eualach his knyhtes Oalleth 
 Of what manere Aventure that him be-faUith ; 500 
 He Olepeth forth lord, duk, Erl, & bachelere. 
 And all his peple that was there, — 
 " Lo sires," he seide " worthi men 30 be, 
 And Mochel hau knowen of Ohyvalre ; 504 
 
 3onder Tholome hath Ten A3ens Oure On, 
 And [yet] hopen we Hyht wel to don ; 
 & therfore Of good Comfort let vs now be, 
 And thenketh what wrong he doth 30W & me 508 
 Into My lond to Entren with Owten leve. 
 Me thinketh he doth me gret Eepreve ; 
 Therfore, And 30 ben goode men this day, 
 Eul wel his Mede Qwyten me May 512 
 
 2 R 
 
 Si lor couroit si tres durement seure 
 que il eeroient tout accouuete. 
 
 Enei esgarda ke toutes ses bataiUes 
 assembleroient deus et deus. 
 Car il auoit 
 bien plus gens 
 que n'auoit 
 eualach la moitie. 
 
 Ensi furent les bataiUes ordenees 
 
 d'une part et d'autre 
 
 Si eut bien en chascune des bataiUes 
 
 eualach 
 
 .ij. mil et iij. chens, 
 
 que a pie, que a cheual. 
 
 Et a chascune des tholomes en eut 
 
 bien .v. mile, ou plus, 
 
 et si auoit mult de sa gent perdue 
 au tres pas de a la roche dont li contes 
 a parle, si com vous aues oi. 
 
 Lors apiela eualach ses chiualers, et 
 
 si lor dist. 
 
 " Signour chiualers, vous vees hui ke 
 nous auons mestier preudome, 
 
 Car a chascun ke nous somes, sont il 
 de la doi ou troi. 
 
 Mais tant i a qui vous doit conforttr 
 et douner grant hardement, ke nous 
 somes en nos choses, et si sont uenu 
 sour nous, si a grant tort, comma 
 vous saues tout. Et chiertes, bien le 
 sachies de uoir, 
 
 ke se vous voles hui estre preudome et 
 
 vigreus : 
 
124 EVALACH's speech to his knights. op SERAPHE's ' BOYSTOtrSL TOOL ' 
 
 And tlie victorie Of the bataille this day to have. 
 
 And therto More worschepe thanne we conne krave ; 
 
 & ]?erto the Egipcien neuere schal 30W Abyde 
 
 In bataylle, nefier In feld, At non Tyde. 5 16 
 
 And this I preie 30W Enterly, 
 
 That 30 wolden strong & Myhtly 
 
 Tweyne the ferste schowres oipev thre ; 
 
 And be that tyme here haste schal past be, 520 
 
 And thanne fresch scholen 3e be to fyht 
 
 Whanne they hau lost Al here Myht, 
 
 And thus discomfite hem Schole we 
 
 In this Manere as 36 mown se. 524 
 
 Now behold What Worschepe it were 
 
 Hem to discomfite In this Manere. 
 
 And beholdeth now, As 36 Mown se, 
 
 What Meyne that he hath more thanne we. 528 
 
 I not what I schal sein More trewelye ; 
 
 36 knowen bothe worschepe & velonye ; 
 
 And therfore I Conceille 50W Echon 
 
 That for drede Of deth nothing 3e don, 532 
 
 Nethir for presonement In no weye 
 
 That 30W Myht Torne to velonye, 
 
 Ne that Aftir be vs Oure Children reproved be 
 
 Whanne Owt Of this world passed ben we." 536 
 
 And whanne that he thus hadde told his tale, 
 He Sawgh twey batailles comen In A vale 
 That weren Hedy to the Assemblyng ; 
 Anon Seraphe was ware Of ]?at thing, 54o 
 
 And A3ens hem faste gan he to Ryde 
 As so faste As the hors Myht gon ]?at tyde ; 
 And Owt he sprang As fyr OflPe brond, 
 With A boystousl Tool In his bond, 544 
 
 Tyl that Aproched they weren 30 Ner 
 As the Mowntaunce Of a bowe drawht ]?er 
 
 vous enporteres I'onour et la victoire 
 de la bataille, 
 
 si ke iamais li egyptijen ne vous aten- 
 
 deront 
 
 en plache. 
 
 Et saues vous ke vous feres. le vous 
 
 pri et requier 
 
 que vous souffres mult au commenche- 
 
 ment, 
 
 et si vous les poes souifris .ij. caus ou 
 trois : bien sachies vraiement ke ia si 
 tost ne lor courres sus com vous les 
 verres d'autre maniere ke il n'aront 
 este au commencliier. 
 Et nous les poons desconfire 
 
 or esgardes com grant hounour nous 
 i arons. 
 
 Car che veons nous bien et sauons de 
 
 uoir, 
 
 ke il a bien de la les deus pars de 
 
 gent plus ke nous n'auons. 
 
 le ne sai ke ie vous die plus. 
 
 Mais vous deues tout bien sauoir ke 
 
 est honours et ke est bontes. 
 
 Si gardes 
 
 ke vous ne fachies tel chose pour 
 
 paour de prison ne de mort : 
 
 dont vous soies houni a uous tans, 
 ne qui soit reprochiet a uos enfans 
 
 apres vos mors. 
 
 Et quant il eut che dit, si esgarda, 
 
 si uit venir .ij. des batailles de dela, 
 
 toutes aparellies comme pour assam- 
 
 bler. 
 
 Et quant seraphes ses serourges, qui 
 
 auoit la premiere bataille, les eut veus 
 
 mouuoir, 
 
 si cheuaucha encontre tout autresi 
 
 seurement par samblant com s'il les 
 
 deust trouuer tous desarmes. 
 
 Et quant il furent aprochie li vn des 
 
 autres 
 
 tant com on trairoit d'un arch, 
 
SERAPHE LEABS THE ATTACK. EVALACH's PRATER FOR HIS SAFETY. 125 
 
 To gederis Easte tho they Eonne 
 
 And there thoy newe game be-gonne 543 
 
 Eche Other down there threw wel faste 
 
 An Many On bothe sides to therthe were caste ; 
 
 And Eualach kyng he-held Al this 
 
 That In the Eere Warde was I-wis, 552 
 
 And hadde ful gret Eowthe & pyte 
 
 That for him his brother distroied schold be, 
 
 Other be slayn Other taken presoner, 
 
 Eul moche Sorwe In herte hadde he ther, 556 
 
 And with his herte he sighed wel sore, 
 
 And with his Eyen Wepte he thore ; 
 
 Thanne his helm vp he Caste tho 
 
 & bothe scheld & spare gan from him do, 560 
 
 And down he Enelynede Of his destrere 
 
 & In this manere seide As 36 mown here 
 
 "Alas, that I so Cursed a kaytyf 
 
 That for me my broJ>er scholde lesen his lyf ! 564 
 
 Alas, how schold it I qwyten to the, 
 
 Thowh My lyf thy gwerden scholde be, 
 
 Eor this kendenesse that J?oii dost for Me 
 
 I ne hadde neuere good to qwiten it to the, 
 
 Therfore it is seid ful tj:'ewelye 
 
 That In trewe herte was neuere trecherye. 
 
 Now mote the kepen, Seraphe, Every where 
 
 That Lord that I the Signe here Of here, 
 
 And 3if he be rerray god As they tellen me. 
 
 Into his Governaunce holich I betake the. 
 
 Thy body from peryl & schame to kepen 
 
 In Alle places where so 36 ben, 
 
 And ]7at to )?e heyest worschepe 50W bringe 
 
 That Evere hadde Man On Erthe levynge." 
 
 Now behold here and se 
 How ful Of Mercy & of pyte 580 
 
 568 
 
 572 
 
 576 
 
 si s'entre laissent courre tout ensam- 
 ble de si tres grans aleures com li 
 cheual les pooient plus tost porter. 
 
 Et li rois eualach, qui fu ariere, es- 
 
 garde seraplie qui il auoit si grans 
 
 outrages fais mainte fois, et vers qui 
 
 il auoit eu si grant haine a son tort, 
 
 si vit que il aloit si vighereusement 
 
 centre ses anemis, 
 
 et pour s'amour se metoit en si grant 
 
 peril 
 
 comme de mort ou de prison mortel. 
 
 Si en eut si grant pite 
 
 ke il en commencha a souspirer del 
 
 cuer, 
 
 et a plourer des iex mult tenrement. 
 
 Et la ou il Ten uit aler, le hiaume enclin, 
 
 et la grosse hanste d'el glaiue sous 
 
 I'aissiele, 
 
 et I'esou sere au brach, sour le fort 
 
 destrier isniel tout apreste comme del 
 
 bien faire, si dist. 
 
 " Ha: las caitis, com m' a mort et trai 
 qui tel ami m'a tous iours tolu ' Apres 
 dist " biaus dous amis seraphe, ia ne 
 puisse mes cors morir de mort iusc'a 
 tant qu'il vous ait este mult durement 
 guerredoune chou que vous faites plus 
 pour mi ke vous ne deussies faire. 
 Car chertes ie ne I'ai mie deserui en- 
 uers vous. 
 
 Mais toutes voies est il voirs ' que 
 
 frans cuers ne se dementira ia.' 
 
 Or ales en la garde et en la baillie a 
 chelui qui signe ie port. 
 
 Et ke s'il est urais diex, ensi com le 
 
 m'a tesmoigne: 
 
 si gart il anqui 
 
 uotre corps de honte et de peril, 
 
 et vois enuoit si grant hounour 
 com vous poes grignour auoir.'' 
 
 Or esgardes 
 
 com notre sires est deboinaires et 
 piteus. 
 
126 
 
 GOD S ANSWER TO EVALACH S PRAYEK. THE SPEAR-BREAKING. 
 
 That is the blisM king Of hevene, 
 
 How sone he'herde the Synful stevenne ! 
 
 Lo ! for that so hertely he made his preiere, 
 
 How sone that the goode lord gan him here. 584 
 
 And grauntid him Al his hoi Entent ; 
 
 The wheche was ]pere Anon sene verement ; 
 
 Eor Aftir tyme that Eualach hadde thus preid 
 
 As that to Eore 36 hau herd me Seid, 588 
 
 Aftirward dureng that bataUle 
 
 Alle manere Of men that him gonne Asaille 
 
 To grownde wenten thei Euerichon, 
 
 And his enemyes of him hadde power non, 592 
 
 Ne non dedly wownde jjat day Cam him to 
 
 Eor Owht J)at his Enemyes Cowden do ; 
 
 Eor that day gat he So mochel worldly honour 
 
 That Alle Jiat him beheld In that stour 596 
 
 Sien neuere swich Anothir worldly man 
 
 To smyten the strokes that he smot than, 
 
 So that they seide Al In fere 
 
 ' That Eualach were scomfyt 3if he ne were 600 
 
 And bothe his worschepe & his lond 
 
 That day hadde be Rest Owt Of his bond. 
 
 But Go we now to the E-yhte weye 
 And herkene how Seraphes gan to pleye ; — 604 
 
 Whanne the tweye batailles on him were set 
 They wenden hau put him to gret thret, 
 Eor so manye speris broken there was 
 That it semed to Alle ]>o in theke plas 608 
 
 That Al A forest hadde borsten In sunder 
 So hidous was the Noise & so ful of wonder ; 
 And whanne here speris thus to-broken were 
 Here swerdis they pnlden Owt Al in fere 612 
 
 Here knyves & here Ges armes bothe 
 And grete Axes Also forsothe 
 
 qui daigne oir les pecheours, tant que 
 il lor otroie lor requestes quant il les 
 requerent de boin cuer et de boine 
 uolente. 
 
 Car tout maintenant que eualach eut 
 
 priet notre signeur,ensi comvous aues 
 
 oi 
 
 tout maintenant li fu otroiet. 
 
 Car seraphes ne chai onques le iour 
 
 es loijens de ses anemis, 
 
 ne onques plaie mortel ne rechut. 
 
 Anchois i conquist tant de la terriene 
 hounour : 
 
 ke trestout chil qui I'esgarderent le 
 iour en la bataille, 
 
 disoient vraiement 
 
 ke s' il tous seus ne fust, eualach eust 
 le iour pierdu, et son cors, et sa terre, 
 a tous iours, sans recouurier.' 
 
 Mais ore retournerons a droite uoie 
 del conte, 
 
 ki dist, ' ke quant seraphes fu assambles 
 as .ij. batailles, 
 
 si fu si grans li froisseis des lanches 
 
 d'une part et d'autre, ke nus hom, se il 
 
 I'oist sans veoir, qui ne quidast uraie- 
 
 ment 
 
 ke che fust grans plentes de bos qui 
 
 chaist. 
 
 Et quant les lanches furent pechoies, 
 si furent maintenant traites les espees, 
 et li coutiel, et li faussart, 
 et les grans haches trenchans d'achier. 
 
THE PIGHT. THE DEEDS OF SERAPHS AND HIS MEN. 
 
 127 
 
 Aud Other wepenis mani On Mo. 
 
 And thus A3ens Seraphe gonne they to go 616 
 
 There forto preven here Maistrye 
 
 Vp On Seraphe with Owten lye ; 
 
 That so gret Occision Of Men there was 
 
 I-feld to Grounde Annon In that plas 620 
 
 With the hydous wepenis that weren there 
 
 For so wOndirful strokes * were neuer sein Ere 
 
 What vppon helmes & vppon scheldes 
 
 And vppon hawberkes that flowen into feldes 624 
 
 So that it semed there A gret Mownteyn 
 
 Of hors & Men that there weren Slayn 
 
 And Of here wepenis that lyen hem by 
 
 So wonderful sihte it was tho trewly 628 
 
 That no tonge ne myhte it thanne telle 
 
 But Only he that AUe thing gan spelle. 
 
 Of whom that Cometh AUe Oonnenge 
 
 Erom begynneng Into the Endenge. 632 
 
 And now soholen 30 heren More In Eche degre 
 
 How that Aftir it fyl Of this Semble ; 
 
 Eul Wondirfulli Wei diden Seraphes Men 
 
 Whanne Into that Semble they entred then, 636 
 
 But Of the prowesse and the worthi dede 
 
 Of the hardynesse and of the Manhede 
 
 That Seraphe dide with his Owne bond 
 
 It is ful hard to Ony man forto vndirstond, 640 
 
 And of the MerveUles that be him wrowht was 
 
 Weren neuere Of Man Sein In non plas, — 
 
 Eor A gret Ax took he betwenen both his honde 
 
 Where with he wrowghte ful mochel schonde, 644 
 
 Whiche that was trenehaunt Scharpur& Merveillous, 
 
 Riht A merveillous tool & fan hidous, 
 
 And therto him self was A large Man 
 
 With grete thyes as I discryven kan 648 
 
 * strokes twice in the text< t This A is intermediate in size/ 
 
 lUuec fii grants li capleis et la meslee 
 si morteus, 
 
 ke des espees et des haches 
 
 et des autres feremens qui feroient 
 
 sour les hiaumes et sour les escus 
 
 et sour les haubers, estoit auis ke che 
 iust vne grans meruelle de forgeours. 
 La eut tans menbres trenchies, et tant 
 cors partis, 
 
 ke il n'est en chest siecle nule langue 
 
 qui la uerite en peust dire. 
 
 Se chil seulement qui tout set et 
 
 connoist ne I'en faisoit sage et chertain 
 
 par son saint esperit. 
 
 Mult le firent bien les gens au due 
 
 seraphe 
 
 a che commenchement. 
 
 Mais nule proueche ke hom i fesist 
 
 ne se poiet aparijer as proueches 
 
 ke seraphes faisoit de sa main. 
 
 Car il tenoit vne hache en sa main, 
 
 forte et bien trenchant a meruelle. 
 
 Et il estoit grans, et gros, et corsus, 
 
128 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF SEKAPHE, AND HOW HE USED HIS AXE. 
 
 And in the Scboldres bothe strong & large 
 
 Where vppon he scholde beren his targe, 
 
 With grete stepe Eyen In his bed Also, 
 
 And strongliche boned he Was therto, 652 
 
 With smale handes & fyngres longe 
 
 And therto gret strengthe Evere Amonge, 
 
 So that A merveillous siht it was to se 
 
 Him thus On horsbak As thinketh Me, 656 
 
 And a good hors that him bar 
 
 Whanne into that semble he prekid thar, 
 
 So that he Eerde like A man ful of prowesse 
 
 Whanne that his scheld he threw downe in that 
 
 presse, 660 
 
 And his hors bridel he fastened Eul wel, 
 And gan to sterin him with his Ax of Stel, 
 So that theke day ne Eailled he nowht 
 That AUe tho to Grownde ho browht 664 
 
 That to-forn him stoden In his Weye, 
 Wherfore Of him they hadden gret Eye, 
 Somme the bed from the body he smot, 
 Somme the Armes, somme the scboldres, foot hot, 668 
 And somme the legges. And somme ]>e body On 
 
 sondir, 
 And some he so Claf As Strok Of thondir. 
 And Manie hors Slowgh he ded In the feld, 
 And be him Many knyht ded vndir his scheld, 672 
 And Many a footman he slowh that stownde, * 
 And Manie Of here hors he browghte to Grownde, 
 That so Manie merveilles wrowhte he that day 
 That Into this tyme 3it of him speken we May, 676 
 Of his Manhod & his Chevalrye 
 It were I-nowgh An herowde to dristrye. 
 But To him self It was vnkowenge 
 Of his Owne merveillous Werkynge 680 
 
 et larges par les espaules, 
 
 et si eufles bras gros et fourmes par 
 le tour des os ; 
 
 et si eut les poins maigres et quarres, 
 
 et si auoit grant enfourcheure, 
 si seoit a meruelle bien el cheual. 
 
 Et la ou il se tenoit a toute la haste : 
 
 comme chil qui auoit son escu iete en 
 la presse, 
 
 et les regnes del fraim mises sour le 
 brach : 
 
 si estoit durementferus qui il ataignoit. 
 
 Et si ieta le iour maint caup dont nus 
 ne fali 
 
 que il ne caupast 
 
 ou brach, 
 
 ou quisse, ou teste, ou cors, 
 
 ke d'ommes ke de clieuaus. 
 
 II ne faisoit se meruelle non, 
 
 et si n'auoit onques mais este grants 
 
 paroles de sa proueche, si s'esmeruel- 
 
 loient 
 
 mult chil qui les gardoient, 
 
 et il meisme ne s'esmeruelloit mie 
 mains des autres enchore. 
 
THOLOMES CALLS HIS SECOND DIVISION TO HIS HELP. 
 
 129 
 
 For he supposed not with-Inne him selve 
 
 That he hadde the Myht Of ten Men o]?er twelve ; 
 
 For ]?e prowesse that he dyde ne knew he nowht, 
 
 Ne what for him he wrowht that him howht, 684 
 
 And he thowht ful litel that be Eualache preyer 
 
 Was the prowesse that he hadde there, 
 
 The wheche was a man bothe Joyful & Glad, 
 
 And Alle his Knyghtes thanne beholden he bad 688 
 
 The prowesse Of this Seraphe 
 
 And of the Merveilles that did he. 
 
 And of the world he was the worthiest knyht 
 
 As that day the[m] semede be his fyht ; g92 
 
 For Tholomes Men he made to fle, 
 
 And of hem Slowgh ful gret plente, 
 
 And whanne Tholomes beheld this Oas, 
 And how Jjat his Men losten here plas, 696 
 
 Thanne gret sorwe & schame he hadde ; 
 Anon the secund bataille he gon forth badde. 
 And whanne Seraphes Sawgh hem Comen Ny, 
 With hem he thowhte to Meten Sadly ; 700 
 
 Anon he seide to his Knyhtes bolde, 
 'That stedfaste to-Gederis scholde they hem holde, 
 And that a good stert they scholden Abyde 
 And leten hem come vppon hem E-ide.' 704 
 
 So that they Comen in gret haste A-down 
 Abowtes Seraphes Men In virown, 
 And on hem broken they here lawnces faste, 
 And 3it removed not Seraphes Men til At ]?e laste ; 7O8 
 And here scheldes they leiden faste vppon, 
 And 3it stooden they stille as ony ston, 
 And rested hem stille In that place 
 Til they Sien the tyme whanne nede was, 712 
 
 And thanne Atte the laste they torned Again 
 So that Many A man was there slayn, 
 
 s 
 
 Car il ne li estoit mie auis que si 
 
 meruelleuse proueche peust issir de 
 
 tel cors com li siens estoit. 
 Ne il ne pensoit mie que il Feust par 
 chelui qui li auoit donee par le priere 
 le roi eualach. anchois le quidoit 
 auoir par le forclie de ses diex, qui 
 aidier ne li pooient. Mult le fist Ijien, 
 et il et ses gens, tant que il menerent 
 arriere les .ij. batailles ferant iusque 
 en la plache on tholomes estoit, qui si 
 grant duel auoit de che que il veoit 
 les siens reculer, que par vn petit 
 qu'il n'en issoit del sens. Et li rois 
 eualach, qui mult en estoit lies : mous- 
 troit a ses chiualers les meruelles que 
 seraphes faisoit. Et disoitkech'estoit 
 li chiualers de tout le monde la, 
 qui proueche il vauroit miex auoir. 
 
 Quant tholomes uit 
 ses gens qui pierdoient plache, 
 si en eut mult duel et grant honte, 
 si lor envoia les autres .ij. batailles. 
 
 Et quant seraphes les vit venir toutes 
 abriuees : 
 
 si commanda a ses chiualers 
 
 ' qu'il se tenissent tout sere et rengie, 
 et que il souffrissent vne grant pieche 
 lor desroi.' 
 
 Et chil vinrent tout a desroi si tost 
 com li cheual lest pooient tost porter. 
 et tant parestoient angoisseus et uo- 
 lentieu del assambler, que onques en 
 conroi ne se daignierent tenir. 
 Et les gens seraphe ne se murent 
 
 onques, anchois les requellirent tout 
 
 oboi, et souffrirent que chil pechoi- 
 
 erent lor glaiues sour aus, et que il 
 
 lor de-trenchoient lor escus et lor 
 
 hiaumes. et il se reposoient sour les 
 
 caus, et chil tholomes eures se las- 
 
 soieut. 
 
130 
 
 seraphe's men elee, but he eights on. 
 
 Where Off en was gret bretli Of hors men, 
 
 But scars On Of Seraphes A3ens of Tholomes 
 
 ten, 
 
 716 
 
 The wheche that discomfited were 
 
 And in In that feeld lyen stille there. 
 
 But Atte laste 'pe two fresch batailles 
 
 Seraphes Men ful sore Asaylles, 720 
 
 And strokes On hem leide ful sore 
 
 So that they myght suflfren no More, 
 
 But torned here bak & gonnen to fle 
 
 And forsoken the grownd of Seraphe. 724 
 
 And whanne Seraphe gan this beholde, 
 Seraphe gan hem Ascrie Mani folde; 
 3it Seraphe left not for than, 
 
 But Torned A3en As a worthi Man, 728 
 
 And his Ax in his hondys he bar, 
 And Manie Of hem ]>ev with slowg he thar, — 
 He to- Clef bothe habiriown & hawberk. 
 And amongs hem Made a sory werk. 732 
 
 Here helmes he to-Clef A two. 
 Here Scheldis he Alto-schatered Also, 
 Here hedis he Olef Into the teth. 
 Thus hem he seryeth that a3ens him beth, — 736 
 So that non Man his dyntes Myghte Abyde 
 They weren so Merveillous At that tyde. 
 
 And whanne kyng Eualach steward this beheld, 
 That to seraphe were comen two batailles in Ipe 
 
 feeld, 740 
 
 And how freschly they fowhten him Agein, 
 Where Oflfen he was a-drad Oertein — 
 Por non Er sawgli Eualache Steward 
 Ony Nede To gon to him ward, 744 
 
 And Seraphe to socouren In that plas — 
 To him ward Rod he A ful gret pas. 
 
 Mais trop grant fais de gent i anoit 
 
 entre les .ij . batailles qui auoient este 
 
 desconfites et les .ij. qui estoient ore 
 
 uenues. 
 
 Si en furent mult cargie la gent 
 
 seraphe, 
 
 et chil lor commenchierent a tolir 
 
 terre 
 
 Et quant seraphes vit ke ses gens s'en 
 
 aloient vilainement, 
 
 si s'escrie, et il lor laisse courre, 
 
 le hache empoignie, tous affichies es 
 
 estriers, 
 
 si lor commenche a decauper, 
 
 et escus, et hiaumes, et haubiers, 
 
 ke nule arrnure ni pooit auoir duree 
 qui de la hachj fust biea conseue. 
 
 Et quant li senescaus eualach, qui 
 auoit la seoonde bataille, le vit si 
 durement recouurer que il li estoit 
 auis 
 
 qu'il fust uenus tous fres, 
 
 si en fu tous. esmaris. 
 
 Car il n' atendoit ke tant seulemeut 
 
 que il le veist lasser, pour chou qu'il 
 le voloit secourre, Et de la grant 
 meruelle qu'il en eut, 
 
EVALACH S STEWARD RIDES TO SBRAPHE S HELP. 
 
 131 
 
 " Now Certein " quod this Steward, 
 " With Seraphe it stond so hard 748 
 
 That Al the world him helpe ne may, 
 So mochel peple vppon him lay, 
 And 3if I Ony lengere Abyde 
 
 His nis but ded At this Tyde ;" 752 
 
 And Anon with that word there 
 He prekede forth on his destrere, 
 And al his Meyne holyche with him ; 
 There began Anon bataille full Grym, 756 
 
 And to the tweyne batailles Comen they Anon 
 That vppon kyng Eualach scholde haven gon. 
 And whanne they sy J>e steward thus Comenge, 
 A3ens hem tho batailles Comen prekynge 760 
 
 Lik As the tothere diden before 
 To Seraphe, wherer-by thei hau lore 
 Mochel Of Tholomes Meyne 
 
 That be Seraphe Slayn therer be, 764 
 
 " Now " quod Eualach " God for thy Myght 
 So spede Seraphe that Gentyl Knyght." 
 Thanne this Steward to his lordis seid he 
 " Loke]? stedfastly that to-Gederis 30 be 768 
 
 Por 3if we these two batailles mown brake 
 I hope of Tholome kyng to ben A-wreke, 
 Eor I ne thenke neuere Er to blynne 
 Til that I kyng Tholemes battaile be with-Inne, 772 
 And there I thenke hem forto sle 
 E,yht Among Al his Owne Meyne." 
 So wenten thei forth be that Ordenaunce 
 To knowen how that myght ben here chaunce, 776 
 And fulfilden his Comaundement 
 And B.edin forth with riht good Entent. 
 But that showr was As scharpe As A dart, 
 Eor there many Mo weren On Tholomes part 730 
 
 s2 
 
 dist il. " Par foi, chis hom ne serroit ia 
 las se tous li venoit sour le col. 
 
 Et se ie atendoie tant qu'il recreist 
 de conbatre. ie ni ferroie ia caup. Et 
 ie aie de-he. se plus i'atea." 
 A clie mot laisse courre li senesoaus 
 
 et si oompaignon tout droit 
 
 as autres .ij. batailles 
 
 qui estoient deuisees a asambler au 
 
 neueu eualach. 
 
 Et quant chil les virent veiiir, 
 
 si lor coururent sus, tout a desroi, 
 ausi com les autres .ij. batailles 
 auoient fait 
 as gens seraphe. 
 
 Et il apiela ses gens, si lor dist, 
 
 " que il se tenissent tout serre. 
 
 Car se nous les poons, dist il, par- 
 
 chier : 
 
 ie ne finerai ia 
 
 deuant que ie sole ales ferir tholome 
 entre toute sa gent, se il en i auoit 
 enchore autrestant com il en i a." 
 Et il se tinrent tout ensi com il eut 
 commande, et chil de la tinrent tout 
 desree. 
 
 si les ferirent mult durement, 
 
 Car il auoient eut asses grignour 
 forche de gent 
 
132 evaxach's stewaed unhorses tholomes and hopes to slat him. 
 
 Thanne On the Stewardis Serly, 
 
 Therfore was that stour ful Stordy; 
 
 But 3it Comen they neuere so faste vppon 
 
 That the Stewardis Men A3ens hem gonne gon, 784 
 
 Til that to-gederis they weren Met 
 
 The lengthe of a Gleyve with owten let ; 
 
 but Euere the Steward let hem pase 
 
 Tyl that with CCC knyhtes Entred he wase — 788 
 
 And somewhat Mo Of his Meyne — 
 
 ^yith Inne Tholomes battaUle Entred he, 
 
 That Eyve thowsend hadde he with him 
 
 Of noble knyhtes hothe stowte & Grym. 792 
 
 And whanne thus to-Gederis weren they Met, 
 
 Many A sterne strok there was Set 
 
 Be-twenen bothe partyes there, 
 
 So that of Tholomes lost manie per were 796 
 
 As thowh they hadden falle In to the se. 
 
 So mani of Tholomes Men lost there be. 
 
 So that forth prekyd the steward in pat pres 
 Evene Ryht to Tholome ; er woldehe not ses. 800 
 And Amongs his Men him smot he so, 
 That down to the erthe he gan to Go, 
 This kyng Tholome, bothe hors and Man, 
 Thus to th'erthe the steward smot him than ; 804 
 And there he Trosted him forto hau slayn, 
 "Where-Offen the steward was ful fayn. 
 And at the Erthe tho stUle him held, 
 And wend hau slayn him vndir his scheld. 808 
 
 Thanne Cam ]?ere on Of Tholomes Knyhtes 
 That myhtie & strong was In fyhtes. 
 And smot this Steward there he lay 
 Vppon Tholome his lord In fay. 812 
 
 Betwene bothe scholdres he him thorwh smot 
 As he on Tholome lay the foot hot; 
 
 ke chil de cha n'auoient. 
 
 Mais onques si durement ne sorent 
 
 fet uenir que onques les peussent re- 
 
 culer 
 
 tant de terre com la hanste d'une 
 
 glauetient. 
 
 Anchois parcha li senescaus tout 
 outre, et lancha parmi aus tous. 
 Si ala assambler a tout .iij. cens 
 chiualers, sans plus, 
 
 a la bataille tholome, 
 
 ou il pooit bien auoir .v. mile homes, 
 que a pie que a cheual. 
 
 et quant il vint a aus, 
 si se feri 
 
 entr'aus, et il et si compaignon. 
 
 Et chil furent autresi esperdu 
 
 comme se il fuissent cheu en mers. 
 
 Et li senescaus parmi toute la ba- 
 taille 
 
 ala ferir tholome si durement, 
 
 ke il porta et li et son cheual 
 a terre tout en .j. mont. 
 
 Et quant il quida arester sour lui et 
 
 retenir a forche. 
 
 a tant es vous ke vns chiualers 
 
 le fiert par deriere d'une glaue 
 
 entre deus espaules 
 si com il s'estoit abaissies sour tho- 
 lome pour ferir de s'espee, 
 
THE STEWARD IS STRUCK DOWN. EVALACH AND ARCHIMEDES GO TO HIS RESCUE. 133 
 
 820 
 
 824 
 
 So ]?at Anon this steward Torned Agein, 
 And So that knyht smot In Certein 
 And vppon Tholome he made him to falle 
 That Anon tho Creaunt he Gan to Calle ; 
 And that Sawgh the stewardes Meyne, 
 And faste to him there gonne they fle 
 This Tholome to hau kept opev hau Slayn, — 
 This was here purpos thanne In Certeyn. 
 And Tholomes Men that gonnen Aspie, 
 And to here lord they gonne faste hie 
 Him forto deliueren from his Eon 
 Also Paste As they Mihten gon ; 
 
 And whanne King eualach this Melle gan beholde, 
 Ful sone his herte he gan to Colde ; 828 
 
 And whanne that he sawght this Melle 
 In thre diuers places thus thanne to be, 
 How that the peple of Seraphee 
 With fourre bataylles fowghten hee, 
 And of the Meyne of his Stewarde 
 That with tweyne batailles fowhten well harde, 
 And Also for his Stewardis body, — 
 He was ful of Sorwen Sekerly, 
 That A3ens Tholomeres bataUle 
 Which that he began so sore to Asaille ; 
 So Eualach Oomanded his nevew tho 
 The stewardis men Socour forto do, 
 " And I his Body now wele Socoure 
 0]?er with him to deyen In that schowre." 
 Anon bothe these batailles gonnen Owt Glide 
 As Sparkles owt of fyr doth Ony tyde, 844 
 
 And vppon here Enemyes they gonnen to go, 
 Kyng Eualach and Archemedes Also ; 
 Wheche Archemedes tho semblen be gan 
 Eor to Refreschen there the stewardis Men. 848 
 
 816 si le feri li chiualers si durement 
 
 qu'il le porta sour tholome tout es- 
 tender a terre. 
 
 832 
 
 836 
 
 840 
 
 et les gens au senescal 
 assamblent sour aus 
 
 pour tholome retenir ou ochire. 
 
 et les soies gens 
 laissent oourre 
 
 pour lui deliurer. 
 
 Et quant li rois eualach vit la meslee 
 
 en trois lieus 
 
 de la gent seraphe 
 
 oontre les .iiij. premieres batailles, 
 
 et de gens au senescal 
 
 encontre les autres deus batailles, 
 
 et del cors au senescal centre la ba- 
 
 taille tholome: 
 
 si fu mult angoisseus. 
 
 et commanda a sou neueu 
 
 ' ke il secourust les gens au senescal, 
 
 et il iroit secoure son cors,' 
 
 A chest mot laissent courre ambe- 
 deus les battailes a lor anemis. 
 
 Et tantost com archimades assambla 
 
 as .ij. battailles qui estoient mellees 
 as gens au senescal : 
 
134 evalach's stewaed is cruelly beaten, and led beeoke tholomes. 
 
 Thanne wolden )?ese batailles non lengere abyde 
 
 But to here lord Tholome the gonneu thei Glyde 
 
 Por tbey flowen to him tho ful faste, 
 
 So Archymedes Men on hem gonnen thraste ; 852 
 
 So fiedde they to here lord for socour, 
 
 Tor the grete Angwich Of that stour. 
 
 And Eualach — that to Tholome was gone 
 His Steward forto don socour sone, — 856 
 
 He saugh, & stood, & there beheld, 
 How, with as grete Mases As they myht ^\•eld, 
 On his Steward [they] leiden strokes Mani-folde 
 That pite & Rowthe it was to be-holde, 860 
 
 With here Mases Coronaled with Stel, — 
 And Al this beheld Eualach ful wel, — 
 And Thre wowndes On his body were 
 That Tholomes Eoot-men hadde 30ven hem there ; 864 
 Por so with Arwes was he hyrt, 
 Wheche hyrt tho Mihte he not Astyrt. 
 And whanne Evalach* thus Saugh him be-stad, 
 And Amonges hem thanne forth So there lad, 868 
 And therto his Meyne So wownded were, 
 That Sore Agresyd was he there, 
 So that Anon he gan forth to Ryde 
 And AUe his knyhtes be his syde ; 872 
 
 And Er that he to his Steward Myht Wynne, 
 Eowl betrapped so was he hem with-Inne, 
 They him hadde taken as presonere. 
 And with hem forth gonne led en there. 876 
 
 And whanne that he Cam In the plase. 
 There As his Steward so Taken wase. 
 His helm Of taken they hadde. 
 And to-forn Tholomes they him ladde, 880 
 
 And to the Erthe there they hem Caste. 
 And thanne Cam forth Tholomes Atte laste ; 
 
 * The MS. has Tholome, & he stad. 
 
 si ne porent plus souiFrir chil de la, 
 
 anchois s'en tournerent fuiant tout 
 droit a Tholome. 
 
 Et li rois eualach, qui fa assambles a 
 tholome : 
 
 garda, si uit 
 ke on en-menoit 
 son senescal, batant 
 
 de grosses maches de fer cornues, 
 
 et si auoit .iij. plaies el cors 
 
 de saietes, ke chil a pie li aiioieut 
 faites. 
 
 Et quant li rois le vit 
 
 si laidement mener, 
 
 et ses compaignons detrenchier et 
 
 ochirre : 
 
 si en fu si dolens ke par vn petit ke 
 
 il n' issoit du sens. 
 
 Si lor laisse courre com li cheuaus 
 
 pooit porter. 
 
 et tout si chiualer apres. Et les vient 
 
 ataignaut au pendant d'un tertre. Si 
 
 troeuue que il 1' auoient ia abatu 
 
 contre terre. 
 
 et que il li deslachoient son hiaume, 
 
 Et ke tholomes 
 
THOLOMES KILLS THE STEWARD. EVALAOH ATTACKS THOLOMUS; 
 
 135 
 
 884 
 
 888 
 
 892 
 
 896 
 
 Anon lie drowgli his Swerd So Peer 
 
 The Stewardis had to have Smeten Of ther, 
 
 For erthly Man was non leveng In londe 
 
 That so moche he hated, ne wolde schonde. 
 
 And whanne that Tholomes scholde hau smeten Of 
 
 hi shed 
 And he myht hau had leyser In that sted, 
 He Sawgh kyng Eualagh So faste Comenge 
 That he was let Of his purposinge ; 
 And whanne he Sawgh jjat it myht not be so, 
 Thanne Other wise he gan forto do, 
 Vnder his hawberk in-lawnced he 
 Thorwgh the body, And that was pyte. 
 
 And whanne he hadde So I-do, 
 Anon to his hors tho gan he to go ; 
 And A3ens kyng Eualach gan he Hyde, 
 And Eualagh A3ens him with gret pryde ; 
 And so sore there to gederis they Mette, 
 & there so sore strokes Ech on other sette 
 That bothe here scheldes [flew] into >e feld. 
 And Ech of hem bad Other 3eld. 
 And whanne to-broken weren here lawnces, 
 Thanne Aftyr behappid many harde Channces ; 904 
 Thanne on foote gonne they Alyghte, 
 And there began A wondir strong Eyghte ; 
 Thanne gonnen they there A scharp schowr 
 That was Angwyschschows & ful of dolowr, 
 So that Mochel peple was there ded 
 Of Men And Ek hors In that sted. 
 And Evere kyng Eualach enforsed him faste 
 Thorwgh Tholomes pres Eorto hau paste 
 Into the place there that his Steward lay, 
 3if he myhte it Eecovere that day ; 
 But Euere theyputten him of with gret strengthe 
 That entren he ne Myhte In brede ne lenghthe, 910 
 
 900 
 
 908 
 
 912 
 
 tenoit s' espee toute nue 
 
 pour lui cauper la teste. 
 
 Car ch' estoit li chiualers du monde 
 
 ke il plus haoit. 
 
 Et quant 
 
 il vit eualach venir si bruiant, 
 
 si se pensa ke il ue le porroit pas 
 tenir longement, car il li seroit rescous. 
 
 si traist .i. fausart, si li feri 
 dedens le cors par desous. 
 Apres 
 
 sail, en .i cheual, 
 
 si laisse courre centre eualach, vne 
 
 glaiue en sa main : 
 
 et eualach s' adreche a lui, 
 
 si s' entresfierent si durement 
 
 ke 'les pieches volent d'andeus les 
 
 glaues ke il tenoient. Les batailles 
 
 se meslent, li vn se iierent parmi les 
 
 autres, 
 
 et quant les lanches pechoierent, 
 
 si furent sakies les espees. 
 
 La eut mult angoisseus estour, 
 mult grant batailles, 
 
 et abateis d' omes et de cheuaus. 
 et li rois eualach s' esforchoit 
 comment il les peust reculer 
 iusque la u li senescaus gisoit. 
 
 Et chil se deffendoient mult durement 
 si ke il ne pooient parchier outre, 
 ne aus tolir terre. 
 
136 
 
 THOLOMES ENCOUUAGES HIS MEN, AND THEY PREVAIL. 
 
 Tyl bothe bataiHes weren discomfit that tyde 
 
 That Perst Archemedes gan to B/yde. 
 
 And whanne this Battaille discomfit was 
 
 Thorwgh Eualache Meyne In that plas, 920 
 
 And fllowen to here lord Tholome, 
 
 And After of Eualache Meyne grete plente. 
 
 & whanne that Tholome Sawgh thus his Ost 
 Ouer-throwen & Slayn with great host, 924 
 
 And Eualache Men After hem purswen tho, — 
 Ful mochel sorwe In his herte gan to go ; 
 Thanne Tholomes his men gan to Ascrye 
 With a lowd voys, And E-yht An hye, 928 
 
 " On Eualache men torneth 3e A3en, 
 And uppon him proveth that 36 men ben !" 
 And So Torned they the hedes Of here hors 
 Thanne A3ens here Enemyes with gret fors ; 932 
 And they on foote schotten faste 
 "Wit venymed Arwes whiles they wolde laste, 
 So that manye hors there they Slows, 
 And moche Othir peple In that Rowe ; 936 
 
 Eull harde and strong was the Melle, 
 & Mochel peple lost In Eche degre, 
 Of both partyes there Mani On 
 To the deth on bothe sides were they don, 940 
 
 But Only Of Eualache Meyne 
 There was persched gret plente. 
 
 Thanne whanne Tholome gan be-holde 
 That he hadde the better be manifolde, 944 
 
 Anon A Massage tho he Owt sente 
 To bim that the viiithe bataille kepte presente, 
 ' That In non-wise Assemblen scholde he, 
 Tyl that comaundement he hadde of Me,' 948 
 
 Thus to him he sente Anon ful Ryf, 
 Non Other wyse to don, In peyne Of his lif. 
 
 Tant ke les .ij. batailles 
 a qui archimades auoit assamble fu- 
 rentdesconfites,ensi com vous aues oi. 
 si s' en vinrent fuiant iuske a la 
 bataille tholome qui mult durement 
 se conbatoit. Et chil les sieuoient a 
 dies mult ireement, si les cachierent 
 tant: ke il les furent flatir entre les 
 gens tholome et les gens eualach qui 
 estoient feru tout pelle et melle. 
 Et quant tholomes les vist 
 venir fuiant, 
 et ches apres qui les cachoient, 
 
 si escrie s ensenge, 
 
 si laisse courre as gens eualach mult 
 ireement 
 
 Et quant chil qui fuioient 1' oirent, 
 si retournerent les chies des cheuaus 
 encontre lor anemis 
 
 Et chil a pie traioient grant plente 
 
 de saietes enuenimees. 
 
 Si oohirent mult de lor cheuaus 
 
 et naurerent grant partie d' aus. 
 
 Mult fu grans la meslee et li capleis, 
 
 et mult i eut gent perdue 
 
 d' vne part et d' autre, 
 
 mais les eualach 
 
 i firent trop grant pierte a chele fois . 
 
 Et quant tholomes vit 
 
 ke ore en estoit li mieudres siens ; 
 
 Si prent il .i. message, et si 1' enuoie 
 
 a chelui qui gardoit le witisme de ses 
 
 batailles. 
 
 Si li manda, ' si chier com il auoit son 
 
 cors, ke il n' assanlast pour nul besoing 
 
 ke il veist, deuant chou qu'il li eust 
 
 mande.' 
 
137 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Of Seraphe ; the valour of him and his men (p. 138) ; his deeds with his axe (p. 138) ; how he did not tire, 
 and all fled from him (p. 139); so a messenger tells Tholomes, who sends him to his brother Manarcus 
 with orders for Manarcus to fight Seraphe (p. 140 ; Manarcus comes with 55,000 men, and routs Seraphe's 
 20,000 (p. 141); Seraphe weeps ; cannot rally his men ; but he and eleven still fight on (p. 142); and 
 he kills Manarcus (p. 142) ; whose men make a great cry (p. 142) ; Seraphe kills on (p. 143) ; Manar- 
 cus's men kiU seven of the eleven knights and Seraphe's horse (p. 143); and then the other four knights 
 (p. 144); Seraphe kUls a knight who throws spears (p. 144); Seraphe takes his horse, and kills away 
 (p. 144); Seraphe's eecond horse is killed, and he ridden over (p. 145). He awakes from his swoon 
 (p. 146); mounts again, cuts one knight's left arm off and cleaves another knight in two (p. 146). He 
 rides into the field (p. 147) ; kills a knight, is shot through the shoulder by an arrow and thrown to the 
 ground, his horse being killed under him (p. 1,47); but he mounts again and tries to get to Evalach's 
 cross. There is great slaughter (p. 148). Sixty knights rescue Evalach from 500, and mount him 
 again, but he is surrounded by 2,000 of his enemies (p. 148). Seraphe rides to the rescue (p. 149); 
 but cannot reach him. Evalach is taken prisoner, beaten, and carried to a wood (p. 149) ; he looks on 
 his shield and the cross on it (p. 150); sees Christ crucified, and prays to God (p. 151); a white 
 knight with a cross on his shield comes out of the forest (p. 151); Seraphe fights on, he sees Evalach's 
 standard, and shouts (p. 152). The white knight leads Tholomes to the Eock of Blood (p. 153); 
 charges at him and unhorses him. Evalach's knights take all Tholomes's knights but eleven (p. 154); 
 Tholomes surrenders to Evalach (p. 154); and Jekonias takes him to Orkanz (p. 154). Evalach takes 
 the rest of Tholomes's division. The white knight helps Seraphe ; (p. 155) ; Seraphe's danger ; the white 
 knight kills two of his opponents (p. 156); Seraphe swoons, and Evalach helps him (p. 156); Evalach un- 
 horses a knight and gives the horse to Seraphe (p. 157); Seraphe mounts and is as fresh as ever; the 
 white knight gives him an axe from God (p. 158); Evalach, on Tholomes's horse, reassembles his men 
 and makes two divisions of them; they renew the fight (p. 159); distress in Tholomes's men for their 
 master (p. 160) ; they are slain, maimed, and taken (p. 160). How well Evalach, Seraphe, and the white 
 knight fought (p. 160-1). Tholomes's mea draw near the Eock, thinking it is not guarded (p. 161); 
 but it is, and Evalach's men pursue and slay them (p. 162); Narbus, Tholomes's steward, surrenders 
 to Evalach, who wants to kill him (p. 162); but Seraphe intercedes for him (p. 163). The end of 
 the day and the battle (p. 163); Evalach &c. go back to Orkanz, where there are so many prisoners, 
 that the king tents outside (p. 164). 
 
 Now lete VS Speken of Seraphe, Orevous reparlerai 
 
 Of Ms worthinesse, & Of his Meyne de la gent seraphe 
 
 That 3it with fowre hatailleS don fyhte, qui encore est en la place ou ele se 
 
 And kepen here Owun as men of Myhte ; 4 '=°''^^*- ^^ -"'J- l^^t^iUes, 
 
 T 
 
138 THE WONDEUFTJL DEEDS OF SEBAPHE's MEN, AND OP SERAPHE WITH HIS AXE. 
 
 Por As it is put Into Memorye 
 
 For On of the most wondir Storye 
 
 That Euere was Rad In Ony book, 
 
 Owther In Storye, As Men Oowden look, — 8 
 
 For so lytel A peple & so vigerous 
 
 A3ens so Manye & so therto dispetous, 
 
 For they myhte neuere Man hem with-stonde 
 
 Whiles they hadden Ony wepoun On honde, 12 
 
 So that Seraphes Men On hors & Foote 
 
 Heeldon Tholomes Men wondir hote. 
 
 But that storm ne dured neuer hau myhte 
 Ne hadde ben thorgwh Seraphes Fyhte, le 
 
 For So mochel prowesse was neuer In Man 
 As for the Meyne that he hadde than 
 As was In him Seyn that day there, 
 For so they seiden that At the stowr were. 20 
 
 For so worthy A knyht In non plase 
 Ne nere to-forn there sein wase. 
 For his plase wolde he not forgo 
 That he and his Feleschepe hadde taken hem to ; 24 
 AUe Made he here bakkes forto bende. 
 And of here lyves browht hem to Ende 
 That In his weye Gonnen forto stonde ; 
 With his Ax he wrowhte hem mochel schonde, 28 
 For hei-e hedes he smot of Faste, 
 Here scheldis & hawberkes Alto-braste, 
 And leyd hem dede there In the feeld, 
 Many A knyht there vndir his Scheld ; 32 
 
 Helmes, hawberkes, & ventaylles Also, 
 Alle to the Gro-RTide he dyde hem go, 
 Legges & Armes Of smot he there, 
 And thus mochel peple slowgh in diuers Manere, 36 
 That his Ax he bathede in Mennes blood 
 From the point to the hylt, there As he stood ; 
 
 Si dist li contes, 
 
 et deuise ke a meruelle se contient 
 
 vighereusement, 
 
 et ke nule petite gent 
 
 ne se contint onques mais si aduree- 
 
 ment enoontre si grant souruenue. 
 
 Mult le font bien, et ohil a cheual et 
 chil a pie. 
 
 Mais pour nuJe proueche, ne pour nul 
 bien faire, ne se fuissent il tant tenu, 
 se ne fust li bien faire seraphe. 
 Mais chil fait meruelles prouees. 
 Chil fait a ramenteuoir de toutes 
 bouches. 
 
 II ne troeue si hardi chiualer nul se il 
 
 le voit vers lui tourner, qui mult vo- 
 
 lentiers ne li guerpisse la plaohe s'il 
 
 en puet auoir loisir. 
 
 II fait les rens aolairier: 
 
 la ou il puet uenir la hache en la 
 
 main. 
 
 II decaupe les fors escus. 
 
 II detrenche les fors haubers. 
 
 II pourfent hiaumes et uentailles. 
 
 II trenche pies et gambes. et bras, et 
 bus, et testes, et costes. et cuisses. 
 
 H baigne sa hache iusq' ens espoins el 
 sane d'omes et de cheuaus. 
 
HOW SEEAPHE KEPT ALWAYS FRESH AND STRONG. 
 
 139 
 
 And Al this of him Suffired this Meyne 
 
 }?at A3ens him fowhten, & weren with Tholome. 40 
 
 For Ipat day ne myhten they destroyen his 
 powere 
 For non thing that they Cowden don there ; 
 But Al that day heeld him in On degre, 
 And not weryer thanne Semed he 44 
 
 Thanne he was whanne he gan ferst to fyht, 
 Nether no More he lakked his myhte, — 
 Of wheche him self vndirstonding he took, 
 As tellith the storyer Of this book ; — 48 
 
 [For] wery of his Armnre was he not thore 
 No More thanne he was In the morneng before, 
 [And] As fresch he was Evere Forto fyhte 
 As in the morwneng he was, I the plyhte, 52 
 
 And As vigorows he was Onne forto se 
 As thowgh non thing to-forn him hadde be. 
 And there as his Men ful wery they were, 
 Al for-fowghten In that place there, 56 
 
 He hem for-Comforted with Al his Myght, 
 And Of Al that stowr he ne took but lyht, 
 And hem Reqwerd ful vegerously 
 That be him they scholden Abyden by, 60 
 
 For as mochel grace In him was Alone 
 As in AUe here bodyes Every-Chone ; 
 For, ne hadde Only the myht Of him ne be, 
 Clene hadde ben lost Al his Meyne, 64 
 
 For Elles myhten they neuere hau kept ))at 
 
 plase 
 
 For the Multitude of that A3ens him wase ; 
 
 But from Seraphe they fledden Eurichon — 
 
 Alle Tholomes Meyne be On And be On, — 68 
 
 And thus dured Seraphe Al that day 
 
 Til it was past fer noon tho In fay. 
 
 T 2 
 
 II seus soustient si toute la gent qui 
 est encontre lui : ke toute lor crieme 
 est en lui, et lor paours, 
 
 II ne sent nule fois sa virtu a feloier. 
 
 ancliois se tient tout sereement toute 
 iour en vne virtu et en vne forche, 
 
 ke il meismes s'esmeruelle tous. 
 
 ne iamais a nul iour ne quide estre 
 lasses de porter armes. 
 
 Et la ou il uoit le grignour fais de la 
 bataille : la se lanche si tost et si uo- 
 lontiers oomme chil qui autre chose 
 ne bee, 
 
 et se il uoit ses compaignons reculer et 
 weepir plache, il les encarge tous seus ; 
 et receueure autresi vigereusement, 
 com se il eust en ses membres toutes 
 lor forches et tous les pooirs k'il ont 
 entr' aus tous. 
 
 Et se li biens-faires de lui tout 
 seul ne fust: ses gens: ne peussent 
 auoir duree en nule maniere 
 
 a la grant meruelle de gent qui 
 centre aus estoit. anchois s'en fuissent 
 ale tout desconfit et desbarete. 
 
 Ensi dura ses biens faires toute iour 
 tant ke bien fu nonne passee. 
 
140 
 
 THOLOMES ORDERS MANARCITS TO ATTACK SEBAPHE. 
 
 Thanne ganne there A messenger forth to gon Et lors vint vns messages 
 
 To kyng Tholome, there he was Anon, 72 
 
 And Seide to him In this manere, 
 
 " Sire, A wondirful knyht Is now there 
 
 That Al this day hath kept the loryne 
 
 A3ens thy fowre batailles, Sire Tholome, 76 
 
 And 3it discomfit Neuere they been 
 
 In non thing that we Conne seen, 
 
 And Euere A3ens On Of his knyhtes 
 
 There ben tweyne Of Owre Owtryhtes 80 
 
 And Mo Sire, 3if I Scholde Say, 
 
 Thanne I Cowde Certeinly Rekenne parfay ; 
 
 And, Sire Tholome, As I the now seye. 
 
 They ne doren not Oomen In Seraphes Weye." 84 
 
 Whanne Tholome herde here-Offen tho telle, 
 Wei mochel wonder In his herte tho felle. 
 What merveiUous knyht that it scholde be 
 That so mochel hadde Of powste ; 88 
 
 " Go Paste now," quod thanne Tholome, 
 " To Manarcus My brothir so fre. 
 And Seye that I sent him gretyng 
 Him Eorto hyen Ouer AUe thing 92 
 
 With Al the Bataille that is with him, 
 That he Come Adown Also sterne & Grim, 
 And that Of his bataille [he] ne leye not On, 
 But with him briagen thedir Euerichon, 96 
 
 And, as vigorously & with As gret prowesse 
 As Euere Entred men Into Ony presse. 
 That he on that Entren Anon, 
 And As moche distroctioun As he may don, 100 
 
 That he ne spare for non thing 
 But with that knyht to haue Meting." 
 
 And whanne Manarcus here-Offen herde telle 
 That with that werth knyht he scholde Melle, 104 
 
 a tholome, la ou il se combatoit, 
 et si li dist, 
 
 " Sire, parfoi il a. la .i. chiualer qui 
 
 fait meruelles. 
 
 Car il a hui toute iour tenue la mellee 
 
 et le caple encontre .iiij. de nos ba- 
 
 talles, 
 
 et se il tous seus ne fust, ses gens 
 
 fuissent toutes desconfites piecha. 
 
 Car a chascun de lor chiualers 
 
 soumes nous bien doi 
 
 ou plus. 
 
 Et chil seus les soustient si tos ke 
 tout li notre furent auant lui : la u il 
 le uoient uenir." 
 
 Quant Tholomes oi cheste nouele, 
 
 si se meruella mout 
 
 qui chil chiualers pooit estre. 
 
 " Or, ua," dist il au message : a " ma- 
 naquit men frere qui garde chele ba- 
 taille la, et si li pues dire, ke ie li 
 manch 
 
 ke il uoist assambler a aue 
 
 si tres durement 
 
 ke ia vns n'en remaigne en plache, 
 
 chU fist son commandement, et mana- 
 quit 
 
MANARCUS CHARGES SERAPHE'S MEN AND PUTS THEM TO FLIGHT. 
 
 141 
 
 [I]n herte he was bothe glad & blithe, 
 
 And Tholome thanked ful mani A sithe, 
 
 That tyme Anon was Manarcus E-edy 
 
 And Alle his meyne that weren him by, 108 
 
 And so faste they Comen vppon 
 
 With dyvers wepenis manion, 
 
 And there Maden they here Assembling 
 
 Vppon Seraphe that wery was Of Fyhting. 112 
 
 Now began there A mysche-Pnl stour 
 That was Angwisschous And Ful of dolowr ; 
 Eor Seraphe Scars there he hadde 
 Twenty thowsend men that he with him ladde, 116 
 And Manarcus browhte with him 
 Fowrty thowsend bothe Stowte & Grym, 
 And In his Rerewarde thowsendes fiftene 
 Of faire harneissed Men, wel piked & Clene ; 120 
 And Seraphes Meyne, So wery they were, 
 And so for-fowhten to-fore tymes there. 
 That non lengere ne myhten they fyhte, 
 But Torned here bakkes Ipere Anon Ryhte. 124 
 
 And whanne Seraphe that beheeld. 
 His Meyne As-scomfited In the feld, 
 Eul tendirly thanne there wepte he tho, 
 Andmochel Morneng & sorwe he Made ]?erto, — 128 
 " Alas!" quod he, " what is now myn Aventure, 
 Por nedis I most Abyden this schowre, 
 And my Meyne thus from Me go. 
 Now what Is best for me to do ? 132 
 
 For non Other helpe here Nys Certein 
 But be taken, 0]jer ded, vppon this pleyn I" 
 And At that word his Ax he took In honde 
 His Meyne to Hescrye, 3if he myhte fonde ; 136 
 
 But so Fer weren they I-fleed than 
 That tornen A3en wolde they for non Man, 
 
 en fa mult lies, 
 
 qui grant talent auoit d'assambler. 
 
 Si lait courre tout maintenant, 
 
 et il et ses gens tout a desroi, si se 
 
 fierent en aus si durement 
 
 ke il les font bieii flatir arriere le 
 
 lone d'une arbalestee. 
 
 Illuec eut 
 
 angoisseus mechief. 
 
 Car les gens seraphe n'estoient 
 
 mie plus de .viij. mile. 
 
 et li autre estoient 
 
 plus de .XXX. mile. 
 
 Car en la darraine bataille auoit bien 
 .XV. mil. homes et plus. 
 
 si pooient pins souffrir ke nus biens 
 faires ni pooit auoir mestier, 
 a tourner lor conuint les dos. 
 
 Et seraphes, quant il vit 
 
 ke a desconfiture estoient tourne, 
 
 si eut tel duel ke par vn poi qu'il 
 
 n'esragoit. 
 
 Lors commencha mult durement a 
 
 plorer des iex del front, et dist, " ha: 
 
 las, quel dolour quant ie m'en part 
 
 legiers et sains et venous. 
 
 riens nule ne m'ochist ke 
 
 la mors qui tant me demeure." 
 
 A chest mot enpoingne la hache, 
 
 et rescrie s'enseigne pour sa gent ralier 
 
 et rassembler. 
 
 Mais il estoient si tourne en la fuite 
 
 ke nul amonestement ke il lor fesist 
 ne les peut onques faire retourner 
 
142 
 
 SERAPHE CLEAVES MANABCUS IN TWO WITH HIS AXE. 
 
 And so fer wenten they Evene streyht Anon 
 To the passage Of tlie blody E.ocli of ston. 
 
 And whanne Alle this beheld tho Seraphe 
 And that it thanne Myhte non Othir wise be, 
 His hors hed he torned tho Ageyn, 
 And with him but Enlevenne knyhtes Certein. 
 And there As was the thykkest pros, 
 He with his knyhtes Entrede, & wolde not ses. 
 And so it happede, As he gan forth Ryde, 
 He mette Manarkus At that Tyde ; 
 In the Midde weye As he gan go 
 To-Gederes they metten bothe two ; 
 And there left [he] vppe his Ax tho Anon 
 And to this Manarcus he gan to gon ; 
 There his hed he Clef down Ryht 
 Evenne to the Scholdres, I the plyht, 
 That ded he fyl down there Anon 
 That Alle his Meyne It Syen Echon. 
 And Alle that Evere 0am ny his weye, 
 Of hem spared he non tho Certeinlye, 
 But Other to the deth he wownded was 
 Others EUes dismembred In that plas, 
 Eor nethir hors ne man ne scaped him non 
 That Alle to th'erthe they wenten Anon. 
 
 And whanne Manarcus men this beheld, — 
 That ]?ere Cheventein was slayn In the feld, 
 And of here felawes ded Also, — 
 Eul Mochel Morneng thanne Maden they tho. 
 And Setten vp tho An huge Cry 
 That Into Eualache Ost was herd Clerly 
 There As he fawght with Tholome ; 
 Eul wel Al this Cry tho herde he. 
 But 3it ne knew thow not Seraphe, 
 Whom he hadde slayn, ne what was he. 
 
 140 
 
 144 
 
 Tout sont desconfit, si s'en vont fuiant 
 tout droit au destroit de la roche ke 
 lecoines des desers gardoit. 
 Quant seraphes vit qu'il s'en aloient 
 
 sans retourner. 
 
 si tourne le col du cheual, 
 
 et laisse courre la ou 
 
 il vit la grignour presse, entre lui 
 
 et .xi. de ses chiualers sans plus. 
 
 Si auint chose, 
 
 ke il encontra, en mi sa voie mana- 
 
 quit qui la grant bataille conduisoit : 
 
 si le feride la hache a .ij. poins 
 
 si durement ke il le pourfendi 
 tout iusques es espaules. 
 Li cors chiet a terre, 
 
 156 et il s'en passe outre si effreement 
 ke il u'encontre nului en sa voie 
 
 148 
 
 152 
 
 160 
 
 164 
 
 que il n'ochie ou abache ou naure. 
 
 Manaquis gist mors a la terre, et si 
 chiualer ki farent au chaoir 
 
 commenchent a faire si grant duel 
 , ,n que la noise de lor brais et de lor oris 
 estoit clerement oie en la plache ou 
 eualach se oonbatoit. 
 
 172 
 
 Mais seraphes ne sauoit mie 
 
 ke che fust il ke il auoit mort Car 
 
 il ne le counissoit mie. 
 
MANARCUS S MEN KILL SEVEN OF SERAPHB S ELEVEN KNIGHTS. 
 
 143 
 
 And whanne so Mochel sorwe they gan to make, 
 
 Thanne gan his herte tho forto Awake, 
 
 And forth he prekede In to that pres, 
 
 And with him his knyhtes, & wolde not ses ; i76 
 
 And there here grownd he made hem forsake, 
 
 And Manye Of hem Slowgh, & dyde moche wrake. 
 
 And whanne Manarcus bataille say 
 
 That but twelve of hem weren parfay, iso 
 
 For fal sore thanne Aschamed they were 
 
 That they of so fewe scholden hau fere, 
 
 And Anon vppon him E,etorned A3en 
 
 That bothe doel and gret pete it was to sen, i84 
 
 And Ful vegorously on him they sette 
 
 So that with stronge Strokes they Mette 
 
 That his hors vndir him was Slayn 
 
 And therto vii Of his knyhtes in Certayn. i88 
 
 Thanne weren ther left but fowre & he, 
 
 Whiche was gret doel thanne forto se. 
 
 Now is Seraphe In the place On foote Alone, 
 But foure of his knyhtes, him self ]>e fy[ft]he 
 
 persone. 192 
 
 And manye merveilles there wrowhte Seraphe 
 As here-Aftyr me heren teUen schole 36, — 
 He slowgh down Ryht bothe hors & Men, 
 Helmes and hauberkis to-kraked he then, i96 
 
 Bothe knyhtes and bacheleris vppon A rowe 
 In that Eeld he gan hem down throwe, 
 Bothe palettes & scheldes he to-Craked asondir. 
 That Among So moch multitude it was gret wondir 
 That he and his j^owre knyhtes dyden there, 201 
 So that grete hepes Of dede Men there were 
 Of dede hors and wepene that there lay, 
 So mochel moordre Of peple was that day. 204 
 
 And whanne his Fowre knyhtes this beheld 
 That he was so Manful In the feld, 
 
 et quant il vit si grant duel amasser 
 
 sour le cors, 
 
 si retourne il arriere, et se fiert dure- 
 
 ment entr' aus. ke il ni eut onques 
 
 .j. seul qui n'en fust esbahis. 
 
 A forche lor fist la plache werpir a 
 
 si peu de gent com il auoit. 
 
 Et quant cMl virent 
 
 ke il n' estoient que .xij., 
 
 si furent tout honteus de chou 
 qu' il auoient fui pour aus, 
 
 si lor retournerent mult ireement. 
 
 A cliele espainte i fist seraphes grant 
 pierte. 
 
 car il li ochirrent son cheual desous 
 
 lui. 
 
 et .vii. de ses chiualers. 
 
 Ore est seraphes a pie en la plache, soi 
 chincuisme de chiualers, sans plus, 
 et chil le virent sour le cors qui bien 
 estoient doi mile larghement et plus. 
 Illuec fist seraphes meruelles prouees, 
 
 il ochioit chiualers. II abatoit cheuaus, 
 11 detrenche escus et hiaumes, II 
 maintint tant le caple 
 
14i 
 
 SEEAPHE FIGHTS BOLDLY WITH HIS AXE. 
 
 On they leyden & Fowhten ful faste 
 
 Til alle foure weren slayn Atte laste ; 208 
 
 Thanne was there non Other boote 
 
 But that nedvs Seraphe besteren him Mote ; 
 
 And whanne that his felawes he sawgh ded, 
 
 Thanne Cowde he non Other Red 212 
 
 But vppon bothen his feet stood ther, 
 
 And beheld the hepes that Aho-\Tten him were ; 
 
 Ek Also he loked 3it ferthere Abowte, . 
 
 And Al Abowtes him -n-as a fol gret E-owte. 21 6 
 
 Anon his Ax the[n] took he On honde, 
 Hyht forth Into the pres tho gan he fonde, 
 And to A knyht there gan he to glyde 
 That Many speris hadde Cast In that tyde, 220 
 
 But 3it Manie mo hadde he forto Caste, 
 But Seraphe him lette tho Atte last ; 
 Seraphe Anon there Mette him Avith his Ax, 
 But Neuere Aftir that ful Htel he wax, 224 
 
 Eor the Byht arm he smot Of clene 
 Thorwgh hawberk and haberiown, ]jer was it sene, 
 That down to the brest the strok tho wente. 
 And the Arm Into the Peel[de] ]?ere fley presente ; 
 His scheld from him also smot he there ; 229 
 
 As thowgh that the body Asondir were. 
 His herte Owt Of his body ther fyl, 
 And he in the Feeld ded there tyl. 232 
 
 And whanne the Bemnaunt beholden him tho, 
 That sweche ]Merveilles he gan to do, 
 Xon Of hem ne was So hardy 
 
 To Entren his place, ne Comen him Xy ; 236 
 
 And that ded mannes hors he took Anon, 
 And lyhtly Into the sadel he gan to gon, 
 As thowgh him hadde Eylyd non thing 
 Xe non point Of Al his Armeng. 240 
 
 ke on li ochist et decaupa ses .v. com- 
 paignons Toiant ses iex. Et il auoit 
 tant abatu, et homes et cheuaus, ke li 
 monchiaus en estoit si grans entour 
 lui ke nus ne touchoit mais a lui, se 
 en lanchant non. 
 Et quant il vit ses compaignons mors. 
 
 Si ioinst les pies, 
 
 si tressaut 1' abateis qui estoit entour 
 
 lui. 
 
 Si s' en keurt a toute la haclie 
 
 a .i. chiualer 
 
 qui mult li auoit lancbies fausars, 
 et lancbes, et coutiaus. Et quant il 
 le vit uenir si uaut guenchir. et au- 
 guencliir qu' il fist : 
 
 serapbes 
 
 si le fiert la u li senestres bras ioint 
 au cors, 
 
 si durement 
 
 ke li bras li est voles a terre 
 a tout r escu et li cans deschent sour 
 le coste, si li trenohe les costes et le 
 banke tout contreual iuskes sour le 
 braieul. II sake la hache a soi, 
 
 et cbil cbiet mors a la terre. 
 
 Et quant li autre virent chel caup, 
 
 si en furent si espoente qu' il ni eut 
 onques si hardi qui ne li fesist plache, 
 
 et il iete la main au cbeual, 
 
 si saut en la sele autresi legierement 
 
 com s' il fust tous desaimes et venus 
 tous fres. 
 
seeaphe's horse is slain, and he thrown to the ground, swooning. 145 
 
 And whanne On hors that he was set, 
 
 Thanne hadde he gret lust to Pyhten bet, 
 
 And there his body putte In bawndoun 
 
 To the tothere peple ful mochel distroctioun ; 244 
 
 And forth Into the pres he wente ; 
 
 There Nas non that he myhte hente 
 
 That here Armes from the body he smot tho 
 
 Here hedes Oflfe, here lemes Also, 248 
 
 Here helmes, here harberions, he barst On sondir, 
 
 He [re] Scheldes, here speris, that it was wondir, 
 
 So that he drof hem forth In his weye 
 
 Til to the Roch they Come, As this doth seye, 252 
 
 Where As was the streyte passage ; 
 
 Thanne weren there take, bothe bacheler & page. 
 
 And As fele As the keperes wolde have 
 
 Of that Roch and wolde hem save. ij56 
 
 And whanne tho that behinden were 
 
 At the E-och [seye] here felaws slayn there. 
 
 And the Hemnaunt presoners take, 
 
 Thanne Amongs hem was moche wrake. 260 
 
 And whanne they Seyen Al this fare. 
 That Eualach swich knyhtes hadde thare,, 
 Ful Irowsly torned they Into that pres. 
 And for no thing ne wolden they ses 264 
 
 Tyl that to Seraphe the Comen Agayn, 
 And vndir him his hors has Slayn ; 
 & Er that he Myht Relevyn A3en tho, 
 Two hundred hors Ouer him gonnen go, 268 
 
 Ouer his Body there In that plase, — 
 So that Ny ded forsothe he was. 
 So that he lay Stille In swownyng 
 The Spas of tweyne bowe drawhtes schetyng ; 272 
 And thanne wenden they he hadde be ded 
 Eor whom they Moornede In that sted, 
 
 V 
 
 Et il lor guenchist le cheual, 
 
 si met cors a bandon, 
 
 et, si fiert tous seus entre aus, si les 
 akeut a destre et a senestre si uiste- 
 ment ke nus n' el voit demourer en 
 .j. lieu, anchois est auis a chascun ke 
 il est partout. 
 
 A tant retournerent li autre qui orent 
 
 cachie 
 
 iusc' au destroit, 
 
 si en orent tant pris com il vaurent et 
 tant ochis. 
 
 Et quant il virrent cheus qui furent 
 illuec arreste : si quidierent ke chi- 
 ualers i eust asses des eualach. Et 
 il laissent courre tout abrieue si dure- 
 ment ke il menerent la meslee bien 
 le giet d' une pierre loing par la forche 
 de lor venir. 
 
 Illueques fu seraphes abatus a terre, 
 et ses cheuaus ochis desous lui . 
 et anchois qu' il se releuast, 
 li alerent plus de .ij. c. cheual 
 par de seure son cors. 
 Si en uint en pamison 
 si longement 
 
 ke on metteroit a aler vne archie de 
 
 terre. 
 
 Lors quidierent bien qu' il fust mors, 
 
 si en furent mult dolent li boin 
 
 chiualer 
 
146 
 
 SEUAPHE REVIVES, KILLS A KNIGHT, AND MOUNTS HIS HORSE. 
 
 For that he was So worthi A knyht 
 
 And there so wel hadde born him In fyht, 276 
 
 That they ne hadde taken him presonere 
 
 3if that his lif Myht have be saved there. 
 
 Alle this while lay Seraphe in swowneng 
 WhUes these knyhtes Averen thus in talkyng ; 280 
 And whanne Of his Swowneng tho he A-wook, 
 Anon there Into a Sadel he Schook ; 
 His Ax Anon On honde took he, 
 Swich merveilles werkyng ]?at wondir was to se. 284 
 He Mette a knyht Anon hastely there 
 Of whom he ne hadde but lytel fere, 
 "With his Ax he Hewardid him tho 
 That his left Arm Into the feld gan go. 288 
 
 Thanne Anothir there him mette Redily, 
 And Seraphe to him was ful hasty, 
 & there so him hitte vppon the hed 
 That his body he to-claf In that sted, 292 
 
 Evene to his Sadelis Arsown, 
 That he In the Peld fyl ded A-down. 
 Thanne theke hors be the bridel he took, 
 And his ferst hors tho he forsook, 296 
 
 His foot In the sterope Anon he sette, 
 & sprang Into J?e sadel, & not ne lette, 
 3it, As forbrosed As he was. 
 
 He prekyd forth Into that plas. 300 
 
 And whanne tho knyhtes beholden, Echone 
 That beforn tymes for him Made Mone, 
 That he was On horsbak Ageyn, — 
 Thanne Amongs hem gonnen they seyn ; 304 
 
 And Ech Of hem to Othir gan Schewe 
 That wondirful Merville on A rowe, 
 Eor they wenden tho In Certein 
 Owt of that place neuere to recoueren Agein. 308 
 
 qui le iour li auoient veu faire ]es 
 grans meruelles. 
 
 Car il amaissent mult 
 
 ke il eussent retenu vif se il peust 
 
 estre. 
 
 Ensi iut seraplies en pamison. 
 
 et quant il fa de pamison reuenus ; 
 
 si saut sus, 
 
 et prent la hache qui li estoit keue, 
 
 si encontre en sa uoie .i. chiualer, 
 
 et il le fiert si de la hache ke il tint a 
 deus mains 
 
 ke il le trenche la destre cuisse 
 d' outre en outre, 
 
 et 1' archon de la sele deuant iusques 
 es auues. 
 
 Chil chiet, 
 
 et il ahert le cheual par le fraim, 
 
 et met le pie en 1' estrier, 
 si est maintenant sails sus, 
 si lor laisse courre si defoules 
 et si debatus com il estoit. 
 
 Quant li chiualer 
 
 qui ore le plaingnoient, 
 
 le virent monte, 
 
 si le commenchierent 
 
 a moustrer 1' un a 1' autre. 
 
 Car il ne quidoient mie 
 
 qu' il se leuast iamais, de la plache 
 
 ou il gisoit. 
 
THE ENEMY SHOOT ARROWS AND SPEARS AT SERAPHE. 
 
 147 
 
 Anon fortli he gan him dresse 
 To the grettest maister of ]?at presse, 
 And with his Ax to him he Ran, 
 Vppon the helm he smot him than 312 
 
 That he fyl down there In the plas, 
 So Of that strok Astoned he was. 
 
 Thanne Arwes to him gonne they schete, 
 And Manye Speris that weren grete, 316 
 
 So that with An Arwe they him tho smot 
 That Evene thorw the Scholdere it hot, 
 That the schaft thorwgh him gan go 
 Eul halfendel the Schaft & Mo. 320 
 
 [And] whanne he Eelte ]?at so hurt he was, 
 Eul vrsahly he Rod Into that plas 
 And him sterede As he first began, 
 But he was hurt Of Mani A man ; 324 
 
 Bothe with Arwes and with Speris 
 They diden hym ful many gret deris. 
 And to the Erthe there down him threwe. 
 And his hors vndir him they Slewe ; 328 
 
 And whanne that he Sawgh he myht not Abide, 
 Vp in that pres he Becouerid that Tyde 
 And Eelte that he hadde non dedly wounde. 
 Anon vp he Stirte In that Stownde 332 
 
 And anothir hors he sawh where stood. 
 There Anon vp into the Sadel he 30od, — 
 Wheche hors was bothe Ere and kende, — 
 Evene streyht to-ward Eualache pe wey gan wende 
 That him Ofte he bemente ful sore, 337 
 
 In his herte neuere Man leveng More, 
 That so lefte he Neuere with-Owten les 
 Til that he Cam Into the grettest pres 340 
 
 Eualaches Signe there Eorto have sein ; 
 But Aftyr him they gonnen preken Certeiri, 
 
 IJ 2 
 
 Et il s' adreche 
 
 vers les plus espes reus ke il peut veir, 
 
 la hache en poignie. 
 
 et en 1' adrechier ke il fist : 
 si fii ferus d' une saiete 
 parmi la senestre espaule 
 si durement 
 
 ke li fiers 
 
 parut outre bien la moitie. 
 
 Et quant il senti ke il fu blechies : 
 
 si lor ceurt seule ausi vistement 
 
 com il auoit fait au commenchier. 
 
 et il li commenchent a lanohier 
 
 de dars et de saietes arriere. 
 
 tant qu' il le naurerent en pluseurs 
 lie us, 
 
 et lui et son cheual. 
 
 Et il vit ke il ne porroit mie durer a 
 lor lanchier: 
 
 et senti qu'il n'estoit encorpas naures 
 
 a mort. 
 
 Si se lancha liors de la presse 
 
 sour le cheual qui mult estoit re- 
 
 muans et legiers. 
 
 Si s' entourne tout droit a la melle ou 
 
 eualach estoit, 
 
 qui mult souuent se dementoit de M 
 
 plus ke de nule riens viuant. 
 
 Et quant chil 1' en virent aler, si 
 hurtent apres des esporons. Et il ne 
 fine onques iusques tant ke il fiert en 
 la presse ou ilcounut 1' ensenge eualac. 
 
148 SERAPHE CHARGES THE ENEMY. EVALACH IS IN DANaER, BUT IS RESCUED. 
 
 And him. forbarred they the weye there 
 
 That he Eualach Mihte not Comen Nere. 344 
 
 And that Sien tho the Men Of Seraphe ; 
 
 Anon towards him they gonne fast fie ; 
 
 To-wardis Tholomes Ost gonne they gon, 
 
 And there Merveilles they wrowhten Anon ; 348 
 
 And so hardelich they fowhten, & so sure, 
 
 That On bothe sides was gret discomfiture 
 
 Bothe Of Tholomes Men & Eualachs pe kyng ; 
 
 Many weren there dede, bothe Old & 3ing, 352 
 
 But Amongs hem kyng Eualach was lost, 
 
 That they ne wiste Into what Cost ; — 
 
 Eor Tholome kepte him Owte Of that rowte 
 
 More thanne tweyne bowe-schotes with-Owte. 356 
 
 And whanne Seraphe there- Offen herde, 
 Into that gret pres tho forth he Ferde, 
 And there Sawgh he where Eualach lay. 
 And his swerd On honde drawen parfay, — 360 
 
 Eor his hors vndir him was there ded, 
 Whiche was to Eualach A sorweful Red. 
 And Sixty knyhtes hym gonne Reskewe, 
 There A3enst V hundrid they fowhten Al newe, 364 
 So that they kyng Eualach Hescwed Agein 
 With here grete Escryes tho In Certein ; 
 And On horsbak sone was he Set, 
 Thanne there Anon with his Enemyes he Met. 368 
 And whanne they that him to-foren took 
 On him behelden, & Connen to look, 
 Thanne On Eualach they sormownted A3ene 
 Eul Irowsleche there Alle be-dene ; 372 
 
 And Eualach his Ax there took On honde 
 And deperted with hem ]?at Abowtes him gon stonde. 
 So that Anon there he was betrapped 
 Amongs two thowsend As it tho happed, 376 
 
 Si Tjit sa gent qui mult durement s' 
 
 esmaioient et tournoient auques a des- 
 
 coniiture. 
 
 par lor signour doint il ne veoient 
 
 point ; Et il escrie 1' enseigne roial, si 
 
 rasamble sa gent, et ralie, et laisse 
 
 oourre as gens tholome, 
 
 et commenche a faire d'armes si grans 
 meruelles ke tout chil de uers lui en 
 prenoient cuer et liardement. 
 Et pour chou n' estoient il pas tourne 
 a desconfiture, ke il ne fuissent en la 
 plache plus de lor gent ke des tholome : 
 
 mais il auoient perdu eualach, 
 
 si ke il ne sauoient de lui ensenges. 
 
 Et tholomes le tenoit en caple 
 
 loing de sa gent bien demie archie. 
 
 Et seraphes en oi la noise, 
 
 si hurte chele part des esperons. 
 
 et le treue a terre 
 
 r espee en la main. 
 
 car ses cheuaus estoit ochis. 
 
 si vit keilse deffendoit a tout .Ix. chi- 
 ualers sans plus 
 
 encontre plus de .v. Et il lor escrie, 
 si se fiert en aus a toute la bataille 
 qui lor sieuoit d'une part et d' autre. 
 Si r auoit mult durement rescous 
 et monte en .i. cheual : 
 quant chil qui 1' auoient 
 
 cachie i sourvinrent. 
 
 Quant il les vit venir, 
 
 si fu mult iries, et laisse 
 
 eualach, si prent la hache a deus main, 
 
 si lor keui-t seule. Si detrenche et 
 
 ochist chiaus qui il encontre en mi sa 
 
 voie. 
 
 Et guant il quida retourner a eualach : 
 
 si li orent ia fourclos. Si qu'il eut bien 
 
 entr' aus deus, plus de mil homes, 
 
EVALACH IS TAKEN PRISONEK, AND BEATEN. 
 
 149 
 
 That so the syht Of him his Meyne lost there, 
 And ne kowde not weten In what place ne where. 
 
 And whanne Seraphe Saw he myht him flnde, 
 Al his Meyne he lefte him there behinde, 380 
 
 There prekyng forth Into that pres 
 That for non Of hem wolde he not Ses, 
 Por ded Rathere wolde he hau. be 
 Thanne owt of that bataille forto Ele, 384 
 
 Tyl king Enalach hadde he Fownde 
 He nolde neuere parten from that Grownde, 
 For him to lesen In that Manere tho 
 He ne wolde, And Othirwise Myht it go ; 388 
 
 But the strengthe Abowtes him was 
 So Merveillous there In Many A plas, 
 That him Neghen not he ne Myhte, 
 Nethir Of him to hauen non Syhte, 392 
 
 Por the Melle & the peple there was so strong 
 That Enduren Seraphe ne myht not long. 
 And thus As Seraphe was Evere Abowte 
 To hau broken the scheltrom Of that Rowte, 396 
 And Euere they him withstoden than, 
 3it Neueretbeles Slowgh Seraphe Mani A man ; 
 But Eualach was vppon the tothir Syde 
 Betrapped Eul sore In that Tyde, 400 
 
 Eor hvrt he was thorw his body 
 With thre Gleyres Sekerly ; 
 And him presoner hadde taken Tholome, 
 And by the brydel forth him ladde he ; 404 
 
 3it what with strif, & what with Othir, 
 Euere Eualach' s [men] fowghten A gret fothir, 
 So that At the laste this Tholome — 
 With .XV. knyhtes Of his Meyne — 408 
 
 So Eerden they with king Eualach 
 That they to-brosed him bothe body and bak. 
 
 et ke il ne peut. sauoir 
 
 de lui nule nouele. 
 
 et quant il vit que il ne le troueroit. 
 
 si lura ' que 
 
 il vauroit mieus morir 
 
 en la bataille 
 
 ke il le perdist.' 
 
 En chele maniere si se fiert il en la 
 presse a tant de gent com il eut. si 
 quida perchier outre a forche. Mais 
 che ne peut estre. 
 
 cartropiauoitgrantfaisde gens. Illuec 
 fu la mellee si crueus, et li capleis si 
 grans : que meruelles estoit a ueoir. 
 
 Si com seraphes entendoit a la presse 
 
 desrompre et perchier, 
 
 et chiel entendoient au detenir. 
 eualach estoit de I'autre part 
 
 de .iij. glaues parmi le cors. 
 
 Si I'auoit pris tholomes 
 
 par le fraim. Si I'enmenoient entre 
 lui et plus, de .iij'=' 
 chiualers. batant. 
 
 Et si enmenoient aueuques lui 
 .XV. chiualers montes 
 
150 
 
 EVALAOH, IN HIS DISTRESS, LOOKS AT THE CROSS ON HIS SHIELD, 
 
 So wery tliat they weren for fowghte 
 
 That no more defenden hem ne Mowghte ; 412 
 
 And so Eualach tho forth they ladde 
 
 As that kyng Tholome hem badde. 
 
 That so was he forbrosed and forbete 
 
 That of his lif he nowht ne leete. 416 
 
 So that the blood Ran Owt At his Mowth 
 
 & at his Eren, that was Selcowth, 
 
 Por so mochel blood he hadde there loste 
 
 That In what place he was he ne woste ; 420 
 
 His wonndes tho hadden so sore I-bled 
 
 That In that place he was Ny ded. 
 
 And so from his Meyne they him drowe 
 
 Pul fer thens Into a lowe, 424 
 
 And him there ladden Into a woode 
 
 That there besides tho hem Stoode, 
 
 And Ek his felawes him beside 
 
 That with him were taken In that Tyde ; 428 
 
 And to this woode hem ladde Euerichon 
 
 There Forto On-armen hem Alle Anon, — 
 
 For 3it armed waren they Alle 
 
 That So Manye Men they dyden down falle. 432 
 
 And whanne Eualach Sawgh ]?at grete mischef, 
 That he was fallen Into so gret Repref, 
 And Euere with-oute Recouringe to be, — 
 Thanne Moche Sorwe & Mone Made he. 436 
 
 "Whanne Eualach to the Woode aproche be-gan, 
 Thanne wax he a wondir Sory Man, 
 And caste his Eyen vppon his Scheld, 
 And the vigowr Of the Cros ]>ere he beheld 440 
 
 That In his Scheld there was it set, 
 And Enere ]>e holy Signe he beheld bet. 
 
 That so longe there he be-held Si esgardi il, 
 
 Vppon the Rede Crois In his Scheld, 444 
 
 ke estoient si las 
 
 ke il ne se pooient mais deiFendre. 
 
 Ensi enmenoient eualach, 
 
 et si I'auoient ia tant batu 
 
 ke li sans li saloit parmi la bouche, 
 et parmi le nes. 
 
 si auoit tant perdu del sane des plaies 
 ke il auoit, ke il ne ueoit mais 
 nul roi de sa vie. 
 
 et il I'auoient ia eslongie 
 de la bataille bien demie lieue. 
 Car il I'enmenoient a .j. bos 
 qui estoit pres d'illueo 
 
 pour desarmer lui et ses compaignons. 
 Car il estoient encore arme de toutes 
 lor armes, 
 
 et quant il se vit ensi eslongie, 
 
 si se pensa ke or ni auoit mais nul 
 recouurier. et ke il estoit ales, Se il 
 en chel bos le pooient metre. 
 
 Lors esracba la toile de-sour 
 le signe de la sainte crois 
 qui estoit en son escu. 
 
AND SEES CHRIST CRTJCIFIED. HE PRATS. A WHITE KNIGHT HELPS HIM. 151 
 
 So longe beheld he that Crois thanne. 
 
 That In theke Crois he Sawgh Ipe forme of A Manne 
 
 Appon that same Crois Crucified to be, 
 
 Thus In that Crois him thowhte Sawgh he, 448 
 
 And Peet & hondis him thowghte Also 
 
 That vppon A Eed blood Ronne they tho. 
 
 And whanne Eualach this Sawgh In his Scheld, 
 And these MerveiUes there he beheld, 452 
 
 Thanne gan he Porto Syghen wel Sore, 
 And 3it to wepen wel Mochel More ; 
 & bothe with Mowth & herte tho he thowghte, 
 But for febilte myhte he speke nowghte, 456 
 
 " O verray God that Sittest In Maieste, 
 As it is told, — On God & persones thre — 
 Of whiche I here the Signe of his passioun. 
 So, Goode lord, take me to savacioun 460 
 
 That I Moot Resceyven 30wre Creaunce, 
 And In Stedfast beleve Owten variawnce 
 Thin holy name Porto proclame, 
 That thow Art most Sothfast God Of Name 464 
 
 And Most Miht-ful god In AUe degre. 
 And non god ne lord but Only Euere 3e, — 
 So Save me, Goode lord. In this grete schowr 
 From Angwich, deth, and Alle dolowr." 468 
 
 And whanne this woord he hadde I-seyd, 
 Abowtes him he lokede In a breyd ; 
 And he Sawgh Comen Owt of that forest 
 A semly knyht there, araied with the best, 472 
 
 And Clene Armed from Toppe to the too. 
 There thus Hyaly gan he Owt Go, 
 And Abowte his Nekke heng a whyt scheld 
 Whiche that was seyn Ouer Al that Peeld — 476 
 In whiche Scheld was a Crois so Red, 
 In Signe Of him that Suffrede ded ; 
 
 si voit I'ymage d'un home 
 
 qui estoit cruoefiies dedens le signe, 
 
 et sambloit ke 
 
 les mains et li pie 
 
 li degoutassent de cler sane. 
 
 Et quant il le vit, 
 
 si li atenria li cuers, 
 
 et il commencha mult durement a 
 plourer, 
 
 et dist. 
 
 " Ha, biaus sire diex, 
 
 de la qui mort ie port le signe, 
 ramenes moi sain et sauf 
 a uotre creanche recheuoir, 
 
 pour moustrer as autres, par moi, 
 
 ke vous estes vrais diex 
 
 et poissans de toutes choses.'' 
 
 Si tost comme il eut cheste parole 
 
 dite: 
 
 si garde il deuant lui, 
 
 si uoit .i. chiualer 
 
 issir de la forest, 
 
 tout arme, le hiaume en la teste, 
 
 et si eut a son col vn blanc escu 
 a vne uermelle crois : 
 
152 
 
 THE WHITE KNIGHT, INVISIBLE, LEADS THOLOMES TOWARDS OE.CANZ. 
 
 Therto his hors as whit as the Lilye Plowr, 
 
 And he A worthy knyht and of gret valowr ; 480 
 
 In his Scheld a spere Eul Redylich leyd 
 
 "With Alle hem to Meten, As it Is Seyd. 
 
 And whannejje knyht his horswith hisSporeshe took, 
 
 On hym Tholomes Meyne ganne forto look, 484 
 
 And to Tholome kyng he Cam ful sone. 
 
 And him Torned Again there Anone ; 
 
 Toward the Cite of Orkanz tho 
 
 This white knyht ladde Tholome tho, 488 
 
 And towardis tholomes Ost they wente ; 
 
 But Tholome knew not here Entente. 
 
 And Euere Seraphes fawht strong and harde 
 A3ens Tholomes kyng his Rereward, 492 
 
 So |?at AUe that Evere A3ens him fowghte 
 "Wondred that he So duren jjere Mowghte ; 
 And Atte laste Eualachs signe he gan to Ascrye 
 With A wondirful voys & Ryht * An hye, 496 
 
 That bothe Eualach & Tholome it herde 
 Into that plase how that it po Eerde. 
 And Thanne Seide kyng Tholome Anon, 
 " Let vs Ordeyne oure Meyne, & fast hennes gon, 500 
 Eor discryed now alle we been 
 Thorgwh this Chasing, As I kan seen." 
 Thanne destreris with spores gonne they prikke, 
 And Amongis that Chasing Redyn ful thykke, 504 
 And the white knyht Rood anon 
 To Tholome As faste as he Cowde gon ; 
 And this white knyht Tholome be ])e bridel ladde, 
 That non of his Meyne ne powere ne hadde 508 
 
 Hym A3en forto Restreyne. 
 But Evere wende Tholome In Certeine 
 
 et ses cheuaus estoit ausi blans com 
 vne flours. 
 
 Chil chiualers vint grant aleure vers 
 aus et quaat il les eut aprochies : 
 
 si iete les mains, si prent tholome 
 
 par le fraim, et s'en-tourne 
 
 a tout ariere vere la chite tout droit. 
 
 Et quant il vinrent vers la bataille, 
 si oi tholomes les caus de la bataille 
 ausi clerement comme chil qui mult 
 en estoit plus pres ke il ne quidoit. 
 
 Et seraphes se combatoit si durement, 
 
 ke tot chil ki estoit centre hii 
 
 s'esmeruelloient plus d'asses ke deuant. 
 
 Car il estoit auis que il ne fesist se 
 
 esforchier non. 
 
 Lors escria I'ensenge eualach si haute- 
 
 ment 
 
 que eualach I'oi. 
 
 et tholomes dist lors 
 
 " Or pensons del errer, 
 
 car ie quit qu'il nous ont apercheus ; 
 si ont la cache commenchie." 
 
 Lors hurterent tout ensamble des es- 
 perons, 
 
 et li blans chiualers 
 
 menoit touts uoies tholome par le 
 fraim, 
 
 et il li estoit auis 
 
 * and Eyht, repeated in text by mistake. 
 
THE WHITE KNIGHT LEADS THOLOMBS INTO THE FIELD, AND UNHORSES HIM. 153 
 
 That the Forest Al day to-Porn hym was, 
 
 Tyl that to the streyt of the Roch he comen be 
 
 Cas ;— 512 
 
 But there say no man that white knyht, 
 Saufe Only Eualach, In his Syht. — 
 
 And whanne they comen to that Streit passage 
 There As to-Forn was don So Mochel Eage, 516 
 
 Tho that theke time the passage kepte, 
 Pul sore For Eualach hau they wepte ; 
 And whan they him In this Maner si him 
 
 gon. 
 They leten hym thorwgh passe riht Anon. 520 
 
 But it was wondirful In here syht 
 The werkyng Of this white knyht ; 
 And [whan J this passage weren they past. 
 In the Middis Of that Peld Anon In hast 524 
 
 There this white knyht lefte Tholome, 
 That but fewe of his Meine him Miht se, 
 And gan wel fast Alowd To Crye 
 " Goth to now, Goth to. And Jjat In hye." 528 
 
 And whanne this Cry herde Tholome, 
 He gan to baschen, and aU his meyne, 
 And to him he Ban a ful gret Cowrs, 
 & that knyght Tholome gan vn-hors, 532 
 
 And down to th'erthe there him Caste 
 Bothe hors and Man, Er he thens paste. 
 
 Whanne that Eualach tho this beheld, 
 How that Tholome was feld In the feld, 536 
 
 Tho Owt his swerd he drowgh Anon 
 Atd to-ward this Tholome gonne to gon. 
 And whanne they that the passage kepte 
 Syen this, thanne Anon forth they lepte 540 
 
 To king Eualach here Owne Lord, 
 There Alle Anon Bedy At On word, 
 
 X 
 
 ke il veoit tous iours la forest deuant 
 
 lui. 
 
 Tant errerent ke il vinrent au destroit 
 
 de la roche, 
 
 ne BUS horn ne veoit onques le blanc 
 
 chiualer : 
 
 ke li rois eualach sans plus. 
 
 Et il vinrent la, 
 
 si lor fu li passages deliures : des ke 
 cU qui le gardoient 
 
 virent eualach, 
 
 Chil passerent outre, si ke onques ne 
 virent nus de chiaus qui gardoient le 
 pas. 
 
 Et quant il furent tout passe, 
 
 si laisse li blans chiualers le roi tho- 
 lome, et les laisse en mi le camp, 
 
 et commenche a crier 
 
 " feres, feres." 
 
 Quant tholomes et li sien I'oirent, 
 
 si en furent tout esbahi, 
 
 et il laisse courre droit a tholome, le 
 glaue sous I'aissiele, 
 si le fiert si durement en I'escu ke il 
 le porte tout estendu a terre. 
 
 Et quant che uit eualach, 
 
 si traist s'espee, 
 
 si lor keurt sus. 
 
 et chil qui les pas gardoient, 
 
 quant il virent lor signour courre » 
 
 chiaus : 
 
 si salent il apres, 
 
154 
 
 THOLOMES IS TAKEN PRISONER AND SENT TO ORGANS. 
 
 And After with lawnces gonnen they chase 
 
 To tholomes Meu tho In that plase, 444 
 
 And Anon ^yith here Speris down hem Caste 
 
 Tholomes Men in Jjat plase 'peve Atte laste, 
 
 Everichon, Sauf Only Enlevene, — 
 
 Which was the moste wondir vndir Ipe hevenne 548 
 
 How that they In theke feld come 
 
 That To-fortyme Atte forest weren Al some. 
 
 And whanne they seyen thei scholde thus to take, 
 
 Thanne Amongs hem there was mochel wrake ; 552 
 
 Not-withstondyng 3it A3en they fowhte 
 
 Also longe As that they there mowhte, 
 
 But here defens here Angwisch Miht not Slake 
 
 Eor it was Goddis wille they scholden be take. 556 
 
 And Enalach vppon this king Tholome 
 There lay, as AUe his Men Mihte Se, 
 Wheche the white knyht hadde down throwe, 
 Kyng Eualach him kepte tho ful lowe ; 560 
 
 And thereto I-Maymed Manye of his men, 
 And 3it a3ens Eualachs On hadde he ten. 
 Thanne this Tholome heeld yppe his sweerd anon, 
 And to kyng Eualach homage gan he don, 564 
 
 And there he be- Cam his presonere. 
 And therto Al his Meyne In fere. 
 
 Whanne Tholome to Eualach hadde mad fiaunce, 
 Thanne lekonias Clepid he, with-Owten variance, 568 
 That the blody Roche hadde In keping ; 
 And him he Comaunded Ouer AUe thinge 
 ' To taken Anon this kyng Tholome, 
 Hym forto leden to Orkans Cyte,' 572 
 
 " And worschepfully that thow him kepe there 
 As A worthi kyng In Alle Manere." 
 That thus thanne be leconyas 
 Kyng Tholome Into this Cite I-lad he was. 576 
 
 les lanches baissies . 
 
 si les portent il a terre 
 
 fors ke ix. 
 
 Et quant chil virent ke il estoient 
 
 ensi souspris : 
 
 si ne sorent ke faire. 
 
 et ne pour quant il se deffendirent 
 
 tant com il peurent. 
 
 Mais deffense ni eut mestier. 
 
 Car notre signoux plaisoit ke il fuis- 
 
 sent pris. 
 
 Et li rois eualach si fu arrestes sour 
 
 tholome 
 
 la u 
 
 li blans chiualers Fauoit abatu. 
 
 Si I'auoient ia ses gens mult naure. 
 Et quant Eualach i uint, si le prist, 
 et puis si li fist prison fianchier. 
 
 Quant il eut fianchie, 
 
 si apiela eualach 
 Jecoine des desiers, 
 chelui qui la roche gardoit, 
 si li commanda 
 
 a mener 
 
 en la chite, 
 
 et ke il fust honerablement garde 
 
 comme rois. 
 
 Lors le prist iecoines, 
 
 si le mena en la chite, soi chentisme, 
 
EVALACH FINDS SEEAPHE HARDLY BESTED BY SEVEN KNI&HTS. 
 
 155 
 
 And king Eualacli Abod stille In the feld 
 
 Til AUe tholomes gonne hem 3eld ; 
 
 And euere As he took his Meyne, 
 
 He dide hem leden to Orcans Cite. 580 
 
 And whanne that Alle I-taken they were 
 That Of Tholomes Men weren there, 
 He gan to Resorte to that bataylle 
 There Seraphe fawht with-Owten Faille ; 584 
 
 And with him 3it ladde he there Mo 
 Alle that the passage kepte tho, 
 Sawf only an hundred Of his Men 
 That Pul Eresch to Pyhten were they then ; 588 
 And whanne they weren past that passage, 
 Anon the whyte knyht was to-forn here visage, 
 And In his hond that knyht bar a banere 
 Of Eualachs Armes, Evene Hiht there. 592 
 
 And Anon As they sien Sire Seraphe, 
 To that bataille thanne faste prekid he 
 There As Seraphe manie Merveilles wrowhte, 
 That In-possible swiche Merueilles don Mowhte 596 
 That Euere the body Of On Manne 
 Scholde don that he dide thanne. 
 
 Anon this white knyht prekid into Jjat pres, 
 And for non thing ne wolde he Ses 600 
 
 Til that To Seraphe he gan gon, 
 Where as he Sawh sevene knyhtes Anon 
 That Abowtes Seraphe there stoode 
 And On him leyden as they weren wode ; 604 
 
 Tweyne be the brydel hym J^ere heeld, 
 Tweyne be the helm to maken him 3eeld ; 
 And tweyne A3ens the herte leide hym vppon 
 Wit hevy Maces of Irne As hard As ston, 608 
 
 So that his Elesch they Alto-E-ente 
 With here Mases there presente. 
 
 X 2 
 
 et eualach remest el camp 
 tant ke tout li autre furent pris, 
 
 si s'entourna tout droit 
 
 a la bataille ou seraphes estoit. 
 
 Si ennieaa auoec lui 
 
 tous cliiaus ki le pas gardoient. 
 fors seulement client. 
 
 Et quant il fu hors du pas, 
 
 si esgarda il deuant lui : 
 
 si voit le blanc chiualer, 
 
 en sa main portant vne baniere 
 
 de ses armes. 
 
 Et quant eualach le vit, 
 
 si burte apres des esperons, tant ke il 
 
 vinrent a la bataille 
 
 ou seraphes faisoit les grignour meslees 
 
 qui onques fuissent faites 
 
 par le cors d' un seul home. 
 
 A tant se fiert li blans chiaulers en la 
 presse, 
 
 si treue seraphes. 
 
 ke .vij. chiualer tenoient, 
 
 Idoi par le fraim, 
 
 et li doi par le hiaume, tout enbronkie, 
 
 et li doi li feroient centre le cuer et 
 
 parmi les bras 
 
 de grosses maches de fier. 
 
 Si qu' il li auoient ia en maint lieu 
 
 rompue la char parmi le haubert. 
 
156 
 
 SERAPHE IS NEARLY KILLED BY A KNIGHT. 
 
 612 
 
 616 
 
 620 
 
 And whanne the white knyht Jjat beheld, 
 
 Eul sore he prekyde In that Eeeld 
 
 To On Of hem that Seraphe heeld; 
 
 And him thorwgh the body he bar vndir his sheeld 
 
 That ded he was anon ryht thare ; 
 
 And thus sone to Ano]7er gan he fare, 
 
 & with his swerd smot Of his bed 
 
 fiat of it fley, and he lay ded, 
 
 Amyddes the Feld there it lay. 
 
 And thanne to the tothere he went In fay. 
 
 And Made hem to dyeii vppon his poynt. 
 
 And Made here bodyes In Evele loynt, 
 
 So that they forsoken this Seraphe 
 
 That from here lyves gonnen they fle. 
 
 And whanne these Other two jjat him held 
 
 Be his helm there In the Feeld, 
 
 On Of hem drowgh Owt A lite knyf. 
 
 And wolde ban be-Heved Seraphe his lif, 
 
 Porto ban smeten him A-middes the Ease 
 
 Thorwh the Oylettes of his helm In that plase 
 
 But Ouercomen so was tho Seraphe 
 
 That Comfort With him Mybte non be, 
 Por he was Ouercomen so with his blood 
 So it was Merveille that [he] vppe stood, 
 For On hors power hadde he non to sitte, 
 Ne Of that stede there Onys to flytte ; 
 But for febelte that he Inne was 
 Ouer the hors nekke he bowede In that plas. 
 That power vp to Sitte non hadde he, 
 So that Of his purpos Pailled his Eneme. 
 
 And thus gan In Swownenge Seraphe to faUe 
 Amongs his Enemyes both grete & smaUe ; 
 So that they faillede his Enemyes tho 
 Of the harm that they him wolde hau do. 644 
 
 Et quant il vit chou, 
 
 si lor lait il courre, 
 
 et fiert le premier 
 
 si durement que il li met le glaue par 
 
 mi le oors a toute la baniere qui i 
 
 tenoit. 
 
 Apres mist main a 1' espee mult viste- 
 ment, si fiert si 1' autre 
 
 ke il en fait 
 
 en mi le camp voler la teste. 
 
 Puis lait courre as deus qui tenoient 
 
 le fraim, 
 
 si fiert si le premier ke il ataint ke il 
 
 li fist voler le poing, et li autres le 
 
 werpist, 
 
 624 si tourne enfuies. 
 
 Et quant li doi qui le tenoient 
 
 par le hiaume virent les meruelles ke 
 
 chil faisoit, si le laissent, 
 
 628 
 
 632 
 
 636 
 
 640 
 
 et li vns d' aus trait .j. coutiel, 
 
 si le quide ferir en mi le vis 
 par r ouerture del hiaume. 
 Mais il estoit si estourdis 
 
 del sane ke il auoit perdu et des caus 
 que chil li auoient dounes, ke il ne se 
 pooit soustenir. 
 
 car il estoit ia pasmes, 
 
 si ohai outre par desus le col du cheual 
 
 tantost com chil 1' orent laissie. 
 
 Ensi fali chil qui le voloit ferir. 
 
 Si le feri, et li vns 
 
 et li autres en la presse. 
 
THE WHITE KNIGHT HELPS SEBAPHB, AND REHOUSES HIM. 
 
 157 
 
 And Anon As that tMs kyng Eualach 
 
 Sawgli Sire Seraphe In Al this wrak, 
 
 To him ward ful faste he gan to E/ide 
 
 Por to snpporten him at that Tyde ; 648 
 
 For seldr he wende that he ded hadde been, 
 
 And neuere On lyve him forto have seen. 
 
 Thanne wit a sorweful herte he gan to Crye 
 
 Tul Petowsly, and that E-yht hye, 652 
 
 " A wrechche ! to longe now have I be, 
 
 That thus have lost now Sire Seraphe ! " 
 
 And thanne Anon there with this word 
 Prekyd the white knyht be his Owne acord, 656 
 
 And Susteyned Seraphe from fallynge 
 That theke tyme there was In Swownenge. 
 And whanne Of his swownenge that he Awook, 
 Thanne ful mochel Mone to him he took, 660 
 
 For he ne wiste where that he was. 
 In what stede, ne In what plas ; 
 For wende he tho ful Sekerly 
 To hau ben In the hondis Of his Enemy. 664 
 
 And Eualach bar him ful worthily tho, 
 For Into the pres forth gan he to go 
 And Mette there with a worthi knyht 
 Wich that was Scomfit Anon In fyht, 668 
 
 And kyng Eualach to the Erthe him Caste, 
 And hym from his hors Anon he wraste. 
 And Oawht it In his hond there Anon, 
 Therewith to ward Seraphe he gan to gon, 672 
 
 " Haue now here my dere Freend," seide he 
 " This litel present now of Me 
 For thow bowhtest neuere so dere A thing 
 From begynneng In to the Endying." 676 
 
 Whanne that Seraphe this gan beholde, 
 In his herte he Joyede ful Mani folde 
 
 Et quant eualach, qui apres venoit 
 
 poignant, 
 
 vit seraphe chaoir, 
 
 si quida qu' il fust mors. 
 
 Et il s' escrie, 
 
 " Alas, ■ 
 
 tout ai perdu,'' et quant il eut che dit, 
 
 si se pasme. 
 
 Lors i 
 
 courut le blans chiualers, 
 
 si se soustint ke il ne chaist a terre. 
 
 Et quant il fu reuenus de pamisons, 
 si vit seraphe qui estoit ia leues. 
 
 Mais il estoit estordis enchore que il 
 ne sauoit ou il estoit: 
 
 anchois quidoit pour uoir 
 
 ke si anemi 1' eussent pris et retenu. 
 
 Et quant eualach le vit drechie : 
 
 si lait il courre en la presse, 
 
 et fiert. si .i. chiauler desous la goule 
 
 ke il le porte a terre. 
 
 et il iete la main au cheual, 
 
 si la amene maintenant a seraphe, 
 et si li dist. '< Tenes, li miens amis, 
 chest present. 
 
 onques mais n' eustes don qui si 
 chierement fust achates." 
 
 Et quant seraphes le vit, 
 si eut tel ioie 
 
158 
 
 THE WHITE KNIGHT GIVES SERAPHE AN AXE FBOM CHRIST. 
 
 That Alle his Sorwes forgat he there 
 
 Which that his Enemyes dyden him Ere ; 680 
 
 And vp Into the sadel he sprang Anon 
 
 As Eresch & As lusty In ilesch & In hon, — 
 
 And as lusty was there forto fyhte 
 
 And thereto him thowhte As of Strong Mihte, 684 
 
 As that he was Ony tyme be-Eorn ; 
 
 Eut thanne his Ax hadde he lorn. 
 
 Thanneseide he "Certes and I hadde my Ax On honde 
 
 There scholde no man A3ens Me stonde." 688 
 
 Thanne Anon Cam forth the white knyht 
 And seide "here is On, Al Hedy dyht; 
 And lo, Sere, by me it Is the sent 
 Erom that God Lord Omnipotent." 692 
 
 And whanne Seraphe this felt In his hond, 
 Thanne gan he wel Eorto vndirstond 
 That lyhgtere and more hondsom it was 
 Thanne his Owen to-foren In that plas ; 696 
 
 There-by wyst he, whanne he Cam Owt of swone. 
 That theke Ax Eerst was not his Owne. 
 So thanne Ryden they In to that pres 
 And for non Men ne wolden they ses ; 700 
 
 And Eualach On Tholomes hors Rod, 
 So that with him was there non Abod. 
 
 And whanne Al this beheld Tholomes Meyne, 
 Amongs hem was sorwe ful gret plente, 704 
 
 Be Encheson that Eualach ferst they sye 
 With Tholome In warde hem faste bye. 
 And now Eualach on Tholomes hors doth Ryde ; 
 Wherfore they maden sorwe that Tyde ; 708 
 
 And therto Nabure, Tholomes Steward, 
 Kyng Eualach hadde taken In ward. 
 3it More, this Eualach, with-Inne a throwe. 
 With An horn he gan to blowe, 
 
 ke il en oublia toutes ses doulours. 
 
 Si saut el cheual, 
 
 etdist apres. " Chertes, se ore eussp 
 
 la hache, ie ne trouuaisse iamais home 
 
 qui me peust contretenir." 
 
 Et quant il exit che dit, si vit le blano 
 
 chiualer qui li 
 
 aportoit, et si li disoit. " Tien, seraphe ; 
 
 che t' enuoie 
 
 li urais cruchefis." 
 
 Et quant il 1' eut prise, 
 
 si senti 
 
 ke ele estoit asses plus legiere 
 
 de chele ke il auoit touts iour porte, 
 par chou sent il bien 
 
 ke che n' estoit pas la sieue. 
 
 A tant se fiert en la presse, 
 
 et tout li autre apres, 
 
 et eualach sist el cheual ou tholomes 
 
 seoit quant li blans chiualers 1' abati. 
 
 Et quant li home tholome le virent, 
 
 si furent tout esbahi 
 de che ke il auoient veu quant tholo- 
 mes enmenoit eualach tout pris. 
 
 et de chou qu' il uenoient ore qu' il 
 seoit en son cheual. 
 
 Et naburs li senescaus tholomes 
 
 712 prist ,i. cor, si le souna 
 
EVALACH GIVES FRESH ORDERS, AND DISCOURAGES THOLOMES MEN. 
 
 159 
 
 And Made his Meyne to Resemble A3eii ; 
 And tlio that weren left Retornede ful Cleen. 
 Thanne Aftir, whanne Assembled weren they alle, 
 
 His signe he hem schewed as gan befalle, 716 
 
 Whiche was fastenid vppon his scheld — 
 
 To his meyne he it Schewede In that Peeld. 
 
 Thanne his Meyne On two batailles he sette, 
 
 And with Tholomes Meyne sone they Mette ; 720 
 
 And Oomanded and preide tho to Seraph^ 
 
 " That whanne he hym Sawgh in ]>e Moste Mell6, 
 
 That Seraphe In the Rere ward scholde Ealle 
 
 On Tholomes Men, And on hem there Calle, 724 
 
 And with his Bataille to preren his Myht, 
 
 As he was bothe worthi and gentil knyht." 
 
 Thanne Gonnen they to preken here destreris 
 As vaylaunt knyhtes, both worthi & Perss, 728 
 
 And Eyere the white knyht to-forn hem was 
 With the baner On honde In that plas, 
 And his swerd with the tothir bond I-drawe, 
 With wheche Manye A man was slawe. 732 
 
 , Thanne gan kyng Enalach lowde forto Orie 
 " As Armes ! knyht bacheler, & belamye, 
 For now hath kyng Tholome lost his Men Alle, 
 Swich Aventure Is now to him befalle ! 736 
 
 'For Of hem Schal Skapyn not on, 
 Eor Al the Myht that they konne don." 
 And whanne this herden Tholomes Meyne, 
 They niste what to done In non degre, 740 
 
 But hem thowhte hit scholde be trewe, 
 For Enalach hadde Ohongid his hors [ajnewe 
 Eor On Tholomes hors thanne Rod he 
 As Alle his men there Myhte Thanne se ; 744 
 
 Thanne the drede that they hadde 
 Was lest Tholome to presonn hadden be ladde, 
 
 pour sa gent raloier et metre ensanle. 
 
 Et quant eualach les vit serer et 
 
 estraindre, 
 
 si rescrie s' ensenge, et se trait a vne 
 
 part, entre lui et ses gens. 
 
 Et quant il les eut seures, si les depart 
 il en .ij. batailles. 
 
 Si commande a seraphe 
 
 ' ke quant il verroit que il seroit a aus 
 
 a toute la preniere bataille, et il seroit 
 
 durement mesles, 
 
 si lor laissast oourre par deriere a la 
 
 forclose a toute 1' autre bataille. 
 
 A tant hurtent le cheual des esperons , 
 si lor laisse oourre, 
 
 et ea quelconques lieu ke il alast, si 
 saloit tous iours auant li blans chiual- 
 ers, la baniere en la main, 
 
 et r espee sacbie au besoing. 
 
 Et eualacb lor escrie. 
 " Cbertes, tuit 
 estes pris, 
 
 ia n' en escaperes, ke tholome aues 
 vous perdu." 
 
 Quant chil 1' oirent, 
 
 si ne sorent ke faire. 
 
 et che lor sambla bien estre 
 
 par le cheual tholomes uoirs, par le 
 
 cheual tholome 
 
 ke eualach cheuauchoit, 
 
 si n' auoient pas paour, 
 
 tant seulement de la prison tholome, 
 
160 
 
 THOIOMES' MEN ARE ROUTED ANB SLAIN. 
 
 Owther ellis In the Peld there Slayn, — 
 
 Of wheche Of these they weren no Certayn. 748 
 
 Kyng Eualachs Men Amongs hem thraste, 
 
 That of theke pres but fewe there paste 
 
 Whiche that weren kyng Tholomes Men 
 
 0]?er taken Ojjer Slayn Er they wente then ; 752 
 
 And lik As Men that Amased were, 
 
 In that place So Stooden they there. 
 
 And whanne Seraphe beheld this bekering, 
 Non lengere he ne Abod Eor non thing, 756 
 
 And Tholomes Men Closed AI with-Inne 
 So ]?at from hem myhten they not twynne, 
 So that Angwisschously A-scryed they were, 
 And slayn, taken, &Maymed, Many weren there; 760 
 Eor In distresse & Sorewe weren they AUe tho, 
 Eor here lord & Governours weren AUe A-go 
 And they ne wiste whedir to Springe, 
 For In theke Oontre knew they non thinge ; 764 
 And wel Askapen Myht they not there, 
 ~Eov On Eche syde here Enemys were ; — 
 So that it semeth ' there the hed is Gon 
 The Membres Eayllen thanne Eyerichon,' — 768 
 Eor there say neuere Man So fayr A begynneng 
 As hadde kyng Tholome, ne so fowl An Endyng ; 
 Eor VI dowble Meyne hadde kyng Tholome 
 Thanne kyng Eualach In Every degre. 772 
 
 There wondirly wel dyde Sire Seraphe, 
 And so dide king Eualach with his Meyn6, 
 That neure Man that was Of his Age 
 I trowe hadde neure So Mochel Corage ; 776 
 
 And the white knyht there bar him so 
 That Neure Erthly man mo Merveilles myht do, 
 Eor In that Eeeld Scheldes he schatered. 
 And speris & hehnes Alto-Claterid, 780 
 
 mais de sa mort. 
 
 Les gens eualach se fierent mult du- 
 rement entre aus, et chil qui 
 
 iurent mult durement esmaie, le re- 
 quellierent 
 
 comme gens esbabis. 
 
 Et quant seraplies les vit durement 
 
 mesles, 
 
 si lor laisse courre, lui et 1' autre 
 
 bataille, si lor vient par deriere a la 
 
 fourclose, 
 
 si furent mult durement escrie, 
 
 et mult vighereusement feru. 
 
 Illuec eut meruilleuse angoisse. 
 
 Car chil estoient sans signour, 
 
 et en estrange terre 
 
 dont il ne sauoient les chemins ne les 
 
 trespas se a fiiie tournast. Et se il 
 
 vausissent fuir, il ne peussent mie. 
 
 Car lor anemi estoient et deuant et 
 
 deriere, et bien i parut. 
 
 Car li membre falent tout, puis ke li 
 
 chies faut. 
 
 Car onques nules gens qui si biel 
 
 commenchement eussent eu com il 
 
 orent, ne vinrent a si mauuaise fin, 
 
 ne a si laide. 
 
 Car il auoient plus gens que chil de 
 
 cha, bien le quarte partie, ne onques 
 
 puis ne se tinrent ne ne pris en conroi 
 
 d' aus desfendre, se ensi non comme 
 
 chil qui fuir ne pooient. 
 
 lUueques faisoit seraphes meruelles, 
 
 et li rois eualaoh se recombatoit 
 
 si ke onques nus hom de son enge 
 
 ne le fist mieus, 
 
 et li blans chiaulers faisoit 
 
 che ke nus porroit faire d' un seiU 
 
 home. 
 
 II portoit escus de caus. 
 
THOLOMBS'S MEN DRAW TOWARDS THE PASSAGE OF THE ROCK OE BLOOD. 161 
 
 Knyhtes & liors he slowh down riht, 
 
 Hedis, Armes, and legges In that fyht, 
 
 That non man hym there Askapen ne Myhte, 
 
 Se vigerows and fel he was In fyht 784 
 
 That thus be his Chevalrie and knyhthod 
 
 He hem In-gaderede As he Rod, 
 
 And browhte hem to Eualach j^e kyng 
 
 And to-ward the passage, with-Owten lettyng. 
 
 Whanne kyng Tholomes men had Aspied 
 That thus sore they weren Anoyed, 
 To that streit passage gonne they drawe 
 Where-offen that weren ful fawe, 792 
 
 And wenden that non Man hadde ]?ere be 
 The passage to hau kept In non degre, 
 And wenden forto A Hecouered that passage, 
 That Eualach, for Al his Owtrage, 
 Ne scholde not hau past be theke weye ; 
 This was here Entent tho Sekerlye ; 
 Where-thorwgh ]>& Cite he Schold not have, 
 Where tholome & his Meyne weren ful save, — 800 
 Eor An hundred men myht hau kept |?at pas 
 Erom Al the world, so strong it was ; 
 Eor non mo On front myhte Entren ther 
 But ten men At Ones, As I seyde Er ; 804 
 
 Eor they wenden tho ful wel 
 J»at there Eualache keperis hadde left non del ; 
 And so As men that weren wery for fowhte, 
 Vppe to the Roche wenten As they mowhte, 808 
 Eor there Supposed they forto hau Reste. 
 But it fil not hem for the beste, 
 Eor whanne they that kepten the pas 
 Syen to that Roche so manye gonnen tras, 812 
 
 Hem thowhte Mo thanne M* there were, 
 And at )?e Roch but .0. that it kepte there ; 
 
 Y 
 
 II abatoit chiualers et cheuaus. 
 
 I] faisoit testes uoleratoutles hiaumes. 
 II caupoit bus et gambes et bras. 
 Ke vous iroie iou deuisant toutes les 
 cheualeries et les proueches : 
 
 tant les iusticha eualach et les soies 
 gens, ke il les misent entre aus et la 
 788 roche. 
 
 Et quant il les irent mis, si lor cor- 
 urent mult durement sus. 
 
 et chil tournerent en fuie tout droit 
 vers le destroit. 
 
 Car il se pensoient. 
 
 se il pooient le pas gaaignier, 
 796 iamais eualach n'i passeroit. 
 
 Anchois porroient par chou prendre 
 la chite a forche. 
 
 Car .c. home peussent la roche tenir 
 contre tout le monde. 
 
 Ne il n 'i pooit entrer. 
 
 ke seulement .x. home de front. Che 
 dist li contes, 
 et il quidoient bien 
 que eualach n' i eust nule garde mise. 
 Ensi s'en aloient a la roche a garant, 
 et il auesprisoit ia, si lor en estoit 
 mult biel. Car il estoient mult las et 
 trauillie, si quidoient illuec auoir repos 
 et seiour. 
 
 Mais il n' ala pas ensi com il qui- 
 doient. 
 
 Car, si com il uenoient tout abrieue, 
 et li chent qui le pas gardoient les 
 escrient si durement ke il lor fu bien 
 auis ke il fuissent plus de mil. 
 
162 
 
 A GREAT SLAUGHTEK. THOLOMES'S STEWARD, NAEBUS, IS TAKEN. 
 
 And whanne they sien Men kepen the pas, 
 
 Thanne newe sorwe to hem Comen was ; 816 
 
 And A3en ward they wolde hau gon. 
 
 But there- Inne Socour was there non. 
 
 For tho that on hem folwed so faste, 
 
 And they Atte pas schotten Atte laste, 820 
 
 So that they slowen & token Of that E-owte 
 
 As Manie As weren hem Abowte ; 
 
 Thanne was there Mad so gret dolowr 
 
 That neure was sein swich a stowr, 824 
 
 For so moche blood was In that plas 
 
 More thanne Owher Euere seyn was ; 
 
 For Men, hors, & scheldis, that In ]>e blood lye. 
 
 For multitude of blood no man hem sye. 828 
 
 And there was beten On Narbus, 
 pat steward was to king Tholomus, 
 And there to Eualach him 3ald anon, 
 So he him wolden saven body & bon ; 832 
 
 And there his swerd vp gan to zelde 
 To kyng Eualach In that felde. 
 But Eualach him ne wolde not save 
 For non thing that he Cowde Crave ; 836 
 
 But his hors desmembred he anon. 
 And Al so him he wolde hau slon. 
 And he tho knelid Anon |?ere down 
 That he myhte be taken to Raunsown ; 840 
 
 "Nai," quod Eualach, "that schal not be ; 
 Swich Mercy getist thow non of me ; 
 For my steward haven 36 Slayn, 
 & so schal I the here In Oerteyn ; 844 
 
 Therefore the Chonge it is ful hard. 
 For I wele haven steward for steward." 
 And his Armure he dide Of Caste 
 His hed to hau smeten Of atte laste. 848 
 
 Et quant il les oirent, 
 
 si orent tel paour 
 
 ke il se ferirent tout arriere. 
 
 Et chil qui les cachoient, si lor viu- 
 
 rentsour les cols, si en prenoient tant 
 
 com il voloient, et ochioient. 
 
 Et cliil qui gardoient le pas, traioient 
 
 grant fuison de saietes, si lor ociiioient 
 
 lor cheuaus, et d'aus meismes grant 
 
 partie. 
 
 Illuec eut vne si grant dolour ke on- 
 
 ques en si peu de terre: graindre 
 
 dolour ne fu veue. 
 
 Tant en ochirrent qu'il n' i paroit se 
 
 sane non, et si grant ochision i eut 
 
 ke on n'i pooit counoistre ne deuiser le 
 taint des escus ne des amies, tant 
 estoient del sane couuertes. 
 Illuec fu abatus naburs 
 
 li senescaus tbolome, 
 
 et li rois eualach s'arestut sour lui, et 
 chil li tendi s'espee, si dist ke il se ren- 
 doit a lui,sauue sa vie et ses membres. 
 
 Et quant eualach uoloit I'espee re- 
 cheuoir, si li remembra de son senes- 
 cal qui estoit mors en la bataille. 
 
 Si iura ' ke ia sa vie ni seroit sauue.' 
 
 Et chil li chai as pies, 
 
 si li crioit merchi. 
 
 et li rois dist 
 
 qu'il n' i aroit ia autre merchi: 
 
 ne ia autre escange n'en prenderoit 
 
 ke senescal pour senescaL' 
 
 Lors le prist a forche, et le fist desar- 
 
 mer illuec: 
 
 si li caupast il meisraes la teste, 
 
SERAPHE SAVES NARBUS's LIFE. THOLOMES'S MEN ABE ENTIRELY ROUTED. 163 
 
 And thanne Cam fortli Sire Seraphe 
 
 " A, Sir ! what tMnken to done 3e ? 
 
 3if youre steward ded now be, 
 
 Tholome hath lost, Sire, swich thre, 852 
 
 And his Owne brother so dere 
 
 That he loved As mochel there 
 
 As 3e 30wre Steward trewly ; 
 
 Therefore, Sire, On ]7is man haveth Mercy ; 856 
 
 For I him Slowgh with Myn hond. 
 
 Sire, I do 30W to vndirstond ; 
 
 Therfore, sire, I preie to Ipe 
 
 That of this Man thow have pite." 860 
 
 So Jjat there gentU Sire Seraphe 
 
 This man Savede, As 30 mown se. 
 
 !Pul Mochel & gret was the discomfiture 
 As that tyme be-happed be Aventure ; 864 
 
 And the Nyht drowgh On ful faste, 
 For the day it was Ny paste, 
 Whiche was ful deseysy to Eualachs Men, 
 But 3it Atte hardest not for then, 868 
 
 For so Manye thei slowen And token that tyde 
 Atte passage Of the 'Roche of blood ' beside, 
 That of hem ne pasten not J^ere Away 
 Two thousend, what hurt & hoi that day, 872 
 
 That Tholomes men ne distroied Echon 
 So J>ot tyme with Eualach the grace gan gon, 
 Of wheche at the begynneng were 
 Sixty Thowsend wel harneised there. 876 
 
 And thus the Egipcian, be goddes Myht 
 At theke tyme weren distroyed be fyht. 
 
 Thanne to Orcans ward wente Eualach, — 
 AUe the Egipciens to Mochel wrak, — 880 
 
 And with him Alle his Meyne 
 That At theke tyme hadde he, 
 
 Y 2 
 
 quant seraphes se feri entre deus, et si 
 
 li dist: 
 
 " Ha; sire, ke est chou, ke voles vous 
 
 faire: Se vous aues perdu uotre se- 
 
 nescal, 
 
 tholomes i a perdu 
 
 son frere 
 
 ke 11 n'amoit mie mains 
 
 que vous faisies." 
 
 Ensi apaia seraphes le roi : si garan- 
 
 di au senescal la vie. 
 
 Mult fu grans la desconfiture autres- 
 pas de la roohe. et mult i eut homes 
 mors, et mult en i eut de pris. 
 Mais la nuit soruint, 
 
 qui mult fu nuisans as gens eualach. 
 
 et nepourquant 
 
 il en prisent tant et ochirrent: 
 
 ke il n 'en escapa mie 
 
 doi mile, entre naures et sains, 
 
 et si estoient bien Ix. mile au com- 
 menchement de la bataille. 
 
 Ensi furent li egyptien 
 
 desconfit par la virtu ihesu crist, 
 
 si s'en tourna eualach en orcans 
 
 entre lui et sa gent 
 
164 
 
 EYALACH PITCHES HIS TENTS OUTSEDB THE CITT OP 0IIKA>'S. 
 
 For peve nas Xon Man of Non degre 
 
 That thorwgli tlieke bataille holpen was he, — 
 
 Bothe duk, knyht, and bachelere, 
 
 Alle weren Encresid that weren there, 
 
 36, And also bothe 3om.en and page, 
 
 For alle here lyves hadden they Gage. 
 
 And whanne Eualach Into the Cite Entred was. 
 So 3Ianie presoners he fond In that plas, 
 And Of here Maistres that with hem were. 
 That non Spas was to walken In there, 
 Xether On hors, nethir On Foote ; 
 But Owt A3en nedys he moote ; 
 And afom the Cite he let pichchen Anon 
 AUe his pavilouns there thanne Euerichon, 
 In a fair plase that was so pleign 
 To-forn that Cite tho In Certein ; 
 And there al that Xiht herberwed he, 
 And with him al his Mevne. 
 
 gg4 qui taut auoient gaaignie 
 
 888 
 
 892 
 
 896 
 
 900 
 
 qu'il ni auoit si caitif ne si feble qiii 
 ne quidast a tous iours mais estre 
 riches et assases de son gaaig. 
 
 Et quant il vint a la chite : 
 il le trouua si plaine de prisons 
 loies de chiaus qui les gardoient, 
 ke nus n' i pooit son pie tourner. 
 
 Et il reuint hors, 
 
 si fist tendre 
 
 les tres et les pauillons 
 
 parmi lapraerie, qui mult est-oit biele, 
 
 de-hors la chite. 
 
 Uluec se herberga, 
 
 et il et ses gens, 
 
165 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Of Evalach's Queen (Sarracynte) in Sarras (p. 166). Sarracynte sends for Joseph, and asks how Evalaoh 
 got on; Joseph's answer (p. 166); the heathen kings, &c. are to be cast down, and the poor exalted 
 (p. 167). Sarracynte cries ; she asks Joseph to pray for Evalach (p. 167-8) ; and to expound Christianity 
 to her (p. 168). Sarracynte is a Christian, and tells Joseph of her Christian mother, and her father, 
 who was a brute (p. 169); also, how her mother was ill of a bloody flux, and went to a good hermit, 
 and asked help (p. 170), he tells her that Christ alone can cure her (p. 170); she says, ' Ask God for 
 me, I will give you gold (p. 171). He says, ' Believe in Christ, and he will heal you.' She does, and 
 he prays to God (p. 172); and proclaims her whole; she is; thanks God; and is baptized (p. 173) 
 She takes Sarracynte to the hermit (p. 174). Sarracynte cannot worship him on account of his beard, 
 but says she will worship Christ if he is fairer than her brother (p. 174). A glorious man — Christ — 
 appears (p. 175); Sarracynte is christened,and the hermit tells her of Christ (p. 175). Her mother re- 
 ceives the sacrament and Sarracynte too (p. 176); bothgohome,andhear of a great beast (p. 177). Sar- 
 racynte's brother goes to hunt it, and is lost in the forest (p. 178). Her mother says the hermit is a true 
 prophet (p. 178). They rejoice in their faith (p. 179). Her mother sends the attendants out, and tells 
 Sarracynte to get a box (p. 179); Christ comes out as bread (p. 180). She charges her daughter to 
 keep the box, and think on Christ (p. 180-1) ; and go and tell the hermit of her mother's death (p. 181) ; 
 and get him to put bread in the box, and look at it every day (p. 182). Christ appears over the 
 mother's bed (p. 183). Her mother dies, and Sarracynte goes to the hermit, who gives her Christ 
 (p. 184). She goes away, and meets a man (p. 184), who tells her the hermit is dead, and asks her 
 to ride back to his cell (p. 185); they go back; the man mourns ; then digs a grave (p. 186); takes the 
 head of the corpse, and tells her to take the feet ; her excuse (p. 1 87) ; they bury the body. He scolds her 
 servants, and then baptises them; and remains in the cell (p. 188). The end of Sarracynte's answer 
 (p. 189). Josephes says, 'Why don't you worship Christ now;' she answers, ' My husband is so 
 angry ; convert him ' (p. 189). She asks how her husband has sped in the battle, and Joseph tells 
 her (p. 190). 
 
 Now let VS beleven Of kyng Eualach, Or vous lairons a tant del roi eualach 
 
 And Eirtliere Into this Mater now let vs walk, ^ prisons. 
 
 And Of these Cristene Speke we bedene Si parierons des crestiens 
 
 That in Sarras ben, Sixty & Eyftene, 4 qui en la ohite de sarras remesent. 
 
166 DESCRIPTION OP QUEEN SAURACTNTE. SHE ASKS JOSEPH ABOUT HER LORP. 
 
 Lik As vs tellith. the Storye 
 
 Of Eualacli's wif here Sekerlye, 
 
 That A wondir fair womman Sche was 
 
 And ful worschepful In Eyery plas, 8 
 
 And ' Sarracynte ' was that qwenes Name, 
 
 A worschepful lady, and Of Noble Fame. 
 
 And whanne that Eualach with his Ost forth 
 
 wente, 
 So moche Mone Sche Made, sche was Ny Schente 12 
 Eor Eualach, that was Most In hire Mynde 
 Of al Erthly thing, and that was kynde. 
 Therfore sche sente Eor losephes Anon 
 To weten how that the Cause scholde gon, le 
 
 In As mochel As that Er he seide 
 ' That hire lord scholde hau Abreide, [bis'} 
 And ]?erto thre dayes & thre Nyhtes to be 
 Vndir his Enemyes powste, 20 
 
 And that to the Prikke of deth thorwgh Tholome 
 He scholde ben browht,' — thus seyde he — 
 ' And 3if it scholde Ony lengere laste 
 Thanne thre dayes & thre Nyhtes were a paste.' 24 
 And this was the Oawse Certeinle 
 That sche for losephes sente, I telle it the. 
 
 Thanne losephes to-Eore hire Gan gon, 
 And with him, his sone Ryht Anon ; 28 
 
 Thanne she him Axed there In haste 
 " Whether the lorne with hire lord were paste, 
 And how he spedde In the bataille," 
 Hu'e forto teUe sche preyde not Eaille. 32 
 
 Thanne to Sarraciate spak losephes Certeinle 
 " Thus sente the to seine the kyng Of Cristene be 
 
 Me 
 That Of Alle thing knoweth the begynneng 
 And demen schal Atte laste Endyng 36 u iugieres 
 
 Li contes dist et deuise, 
 
 ke la feme eualach 
 
 estoit vne dame mult biele, 
 
 et mult sage, et mult hounerable, 
 
 et si estoit apielee ' sarraquite.' 
 
 Quant eualach fu ales en I'ost, 
 
 si eut la dame mult grant paour 
 de lui: comme 
 
 de la riens el monde ke ele plus amoit. 
 Si manda iosephe deuant li 
 
 pour chou k'il auoit dit eualach 
 
 ' ke il serroit .iij. iours et iij. nuis 
 
 en la signourie tholome, ke il ne dur- 
 roit ia a lui tant com li troi iour et les 
 trois nuis durroient. et ke tholomes le 
 merroit iusch'a paour de mort.' 
 
 Pour cheste chose 
 
 I'enuoia la dame querre, 
 
 et il vint, 
 
 entre lui et ioseph son pere. Et quant 
 
 U fa deuant li, 
 
 si li demanda 
 
 ' ke il li desist uoir, comment ses sires 
 
 le feroit en chele bataiUe.' 
 
 Et iosephes respond!. 
 
 " Sarraquite, che te mande li diex des 
 crestiiens : 
 
 li commenchemens et la fins de toutes 
 choses. 
 
JOSEPH TELLS SARRACTNTE THAT &0D WILL HUMBLE THE KINGS OP THE EARTH. 167 
 
 And of al this v/orld Saviour Is he 
 
 Sekerly As I telle it the, — 
 
 And Por as Mochel as these Erthly kynges 
 
 Ne welen non knowen In here werkynges, 40 
 
 Nethir Eesceyven My Creaunce, 
 
 I schal hem sende ful hard chaunse ; 
 
 For Into bataUle I wele hem do, 
 
 And there here Enemyes scholen hem slo ; 44 
 
 And here londis 3even wile I 
 
 In to the hondes of strawngeris soth-fastly. 
 
 Por I wele that they knowen Me 
 
 As fore here Sonereyn lord god In Al dre, 48 
 
 Nethir of non othir kyng to holde 
 
 But Only Of Me In Manye Eolde ; 
 
 Por bothe to Prowde and Ek to Eelowns, 
 
 I schal hem sende Manie distructiouns ; 52 
 
 Thus be my Spyrit I schal hem sende. 
 
 And In this degre I wele hem schende ; 
 
 And therfore the Grete I wyle down take, 
 
 And ]>e Eeble & powre lordis wil I make ; 56 
 
 More Over kynges flesch 30Yen schal be 
 
 To Eowles of Haveyne, that Abowten fie 
 
 Eorto Einden Sum Careyne, 
 
 Thus schal it ben In Certeine. 60 
 
 And the bodyes that Of pore Men scolen be 
 
 Worthily I-byried In Eche degre, 
 
 Eor the E-yhte weyes alle they knowe, ■ 
 
 And my Comandementis they welen bowe 64 
 
 "Wit good herte And good Entenciowun, 
 
 This Welen they Resceyven with good devociown." 
 
 And whanne losephes this tale hadde told, 
 Sarracinte gan to Wepen Mani fold, 68 
 
 And preyde bothe losephes & his sone 
 Eor Eualach to here god to bydden som bone, 
 
 et li sauueres de toutes. 
 
 pour chou ke li terrien 
 
 ne me daignaissent connoistre 
 
 ne recheuoir. 
 
 pour chou, 
 
 donrai iou lor cors 
 
 en la bataille de lor anemis, 
 
 et si departirai lor terres 
 
 es mains as estranges pules. 
 
 Car ie voel ke il connoissent 
 
 ke ie sui li souurains rois, et li urais 
 
 diex, 
 
 contre qui nus roiaumes ne puet estre 
 
 tenus. 
 
 Car ie ocH les felons et les orguilleus 
 
 par I'esperite de ma bouche. 
 
 Pour che, osterai iou les fors et les 
 poissans des grans hauteclies et des 
 grans signouries, et les febles. et les 
 despis esleuera-et monterai en haut. 
 Les chars des rois serront douches 
 a deuourer as oisiaus qui viuent 
 de proie et de rauine, 
 
 et li cors des febles et des nonpoissans 
 
 seront 
 
 enseueli honerablement, 
 
 pour chou ke il connoissent les droites 
 
 voies, 
 
 et recboiuent les commandemens del 
 
 tres haut signour 
 
 a simple cuer et a boine entension." 
 
 Quant iosephes eut chou dit, si s'asist, 
 et la dame fu mult espoentee, si com- 
 mencha a plourer mult durement: 
 et dist a iosephe 
 
 ' ke s'il prioit tant son dieu 
 
168 
 
 SARRACTNTE ASKS JOSEPH TO PRAT FOR HER HTJSBAND'S STJCCESS. 
 
 'That Evalach with worschepe Myhte retornen 
 
 A3en, 
 That sche with hire Eyen it Myhte Ones Sen, 72 
 And forto he turned to the Ryhtful Creaunce, 
 That the god Of Crystene wolde senden him swich 
 
 chaunse.' 
 " And I hope thanne Tornen wold he 
 Aftir a good Man for Euere to be." 76 
 
 Thanne losephes G-anne hire Answere 
 ' How there-Offen the Oerteyn knew sche there ;' 
 And sche Answerid losephes Agein 
 " Of that Surawunce Am I In certein." 80 
 
 " How there-offen, dame, Sure Mihtest thow be, 
 Whanne thou beleves on ymages of ston & tre ; 
 Eor they mowen nethir meven ne stonde, 
 Ne hem to helpen haven thei nethir leg ne 
 
 honde, 84 
 
 And in lesu Crist he wil not beleve, — 
 How Myhtest thow thanne this preve — 
 That is lord Of AUe Cristiente, 
 As I schal here- After declaren to the." 88 
 
 Thanne Axede sche bim Ryht Anon 
 The pointes of Oristendom forto Ondon. 
 Thanne losephes be-gan Anon forto telle 
 The Oreavnse of ]?e Trenite, and Jjereof gan 
 
 spelle ; 92 
 
 And the qweene behelde him faste, 
 And Axede ' what he hyhte ' Atte laste. 
 Thanne Answerid he ' that he Cristened was 
 And I-clepid losephes In that plas ; 96 
 
 And there-Offen Is there non Man 
 That Me that Name bereven kan.' 
 
 Thanne Comanded the qweene Anon 
 Alle hu-e Owne Meyne from hire to gon. loo 
 
 ke eualach en retournast a hounour : 
 
 ele kerroit en lui, et si feroit tant ke 
 ele meteroit eualach en la creanche.' 
 Et iosephes li demanda 
 ' comment il seroit seurs,' 
 et ele dist 
 
 ' ke ele I'en feroit serement et fianche.' 
 Et iosephes li respond! ' qu'il n'auoit 
 cure del serement de ses ymages. 
 
 car eles ne li pooient ne nuire ne 
 aidier, ne de sa foi n' auoit il cure. 
 
 car ele n'en auoit point, des ke ele 
 ne creoit en la foi : che est en ihesu crist, 
 qui est toute fois et toute creanche.' 
 
 Et ele li demanda 
 
 ' ke che estoit, la crestiene creanche.' 
 
 Et il li commencha a dire 
 
 les poins de la trinite. 
 
 et ele I'esgarda, 
 
 si li demanda ' comment il auoit non,' 
 et il li dist ' qu'il estoit 
 apieles iosephes.' 
 
 " Chertes, dist ele, iosephe, de chou 
 
 n'est il nus 
 
 qui m'en peust entreprendre." 
 
 Lors commanda 
 
 ■' ke tout se traisissent arriere ' 
 
SARRACYNTE TELLS JOSEPH HOW HEB MOTHER AND SHE WERE CONVERTED. 169 
 
 105 
 
 108 
 
 112 
 
 116 
 
 And anon AUe tlie poyntes of the Trenite 
 To losephes sche gan to declaren Certeinly, 
 So that there "Was non Clerk levynge 
 That there-Inne scholdehau schewed morekonnenge; 
 So ferforth that losephes Merveillen be-gan 
 That so moche Wit myht ben In womman, 
 And where sche hadde this konnenge Cawht, 
 0]?er what Maner Of Man that it here tawht. 
 
 Thanne answered this Qweene Agein, 
 " Eul ten 3er My Modir In Certeia 
 FuUiche & hoi was in this Oreaimce, — 
 As I the telle losephes — with-owten variaunce, 
 And 3it My Fadir there-offen Nenere wiste, 
 Ne non of his lyne, thow Mihtest wel Tryste, 
 Sanfe Onliche Mine Owne Modir and I ; 
 I Sey the losephes fal Certeinly. 
 My Modir duchesse Of Orbery was, 
 As in thike tyme happed be Cas, 
 Whiche that good womman was, and trewe. 
 And thereto worschepfal & of good thewe ; 
 My Eadyr was Crwel & dispetows 
 And therto Angry & Hiht Malicious ; 
 And so it behappede with-Owten Mo, 
 That Oner hens sevene & twenti winter ago 
 That In Owre contre An holy man there was 
 In An Ermytage As god 3af him gras 
 That Moche dide for goddis Sake, 
 And God for him Manie MerveHles gan Make, 
 And his Name ' Salnstine ' Gonne they Calle ; 
 In him manie vertwes gonne there falle. 
 So thanne My Modir hadde an Infirmite — 
 Certeinly losephes as I telle the — 
 That theke tyme xix monthes hadde holde, 
 Sche was In sorwe and wo Manie folde 
 
 120 
 
 124 
 
 128 
 
 132 
 
 et ele commencha tout maintenant 
 a deuiser tous les poins de la trinite 
 ausi clerement com fesist li mieudres 
 clers du monde, 
 
 tant ke iosephes se commencha a 
 meruiller. 
 
 et li demanda ' ou ele auoit chou apris.' 
 
 Et ele dist 
 
 " chertes, iosephe. Ma mere fu bien .x. 
 
 ans 
 
 en cheste creanche, et fu crestiene 
 
 sans chou ke mes peres n' en seut 
 
 onques riens : 
 
 ne nus de son lignaige, 
 
 fors iou, 
 
 et si te dirai comment chou auint. 
 
 Ma mere fu ducesse de orberike, 
 
 si fu mult boine dame 
 
 et mult hounerable. 
 
 et mes peres fu mult fiers et mult 
 
 crueus. 
 
 Ore auint chose 
 
 bien a .xxvij. ans 
 
 ke en notre pais auoit .i. boin home 
 en vn hermitage, mult saint home et 
 mult religieus, 
 
 pour qui diex faisoit mult grant 
 miracles, et maintes bieles virtus. 
 Chil boins homestoit apieles 'salustes,' 
 
 et ma mere auoit vne enfermete ke 
 nus ne suefFre se feme non. 
 
 Chilmaus r auoit bien tenue xix.mois. 
 
170 
 
 SARRACTNTE S MOTHER GOES TO THE HERMIT TO BE CURED. 
 
 That hire Colowr & blood was Al ago, 
 
 So ful sche was Of peyne and wo, 136 
 
 And alle hire Membres weren wasted eke. 
 
 And Ipevto sche was ful feble & syke. 
 
 So herde sche tellen of this good Man 
 What MerveiUes that God wrowht In him 
 
 than, 140 
 
 And thowhte with him sche wolde Gon speke 
 And somwhat Of hire herte to him breke, 
 To tellen him Of hire Infirmite, 
 3if Ony Socour there-offen Mihte be ; 144 
 
 Eor sonnere sche hopede to ben ded 
 Thanne to live to-tornen In that sted. 
 
 Whanne jjat to-fore this good man sche gan 
 to gon, 
 Down On hire knees sche Pyl Anon, 148 
 
 And there down sche fil to his feet 
 And preide him of socour al so skeet. 
 Tho this good Man on here there loked faste 
 And Seide, "O womman, womman, Atte laste 152 
 Wherto Of helpe Axest thow Me 
 That hast swich An Inflrmyte ? 
 Certes thou art," quod this good Man, 
 " Dedlich and )jerto sinful womman, 156 
 
 And I dedlich Am Also 
 And therto Sinful withowten Mo ; 
 For seker I non power no have 
 Nethir Man ne womman for to save, leo 
 
 But Onliche it is Crist & God Above 
 That hem doth Save that him welen love." 
 
 Thanne Answerid my modir •' Certeinle, 
 Good sire, so preye thy lord for me 164 
 
 That he wolde taken Me to his grace 
 And helthe to sende me In this place." 
 
 tant ke ele auoit tout perdu la coulour 
 
 et la forche de tous les menbres. 
 
 Et quant ele oi parler 
 
 des miracles ke notre sires faisoit par 
 les mains de chel boin home : 
 
 si se pensa ke ele iroit a lui parler, 
 
 sauoir, se ele i porroit, nul consel de 
 
 s' enfermete, 
 
 qui si estoit grans ke ele en quidoit 
 
 mieus morir 
 
 ke escaper. 
 
 Et quant ele vint deuant le boin home, 
 
 si li chai as pies, et si cria merchi, 
 enplourant ke il eust merchi de la 
 grant angoisse ke ele soustenoit. 
 
 Et il le regarda, 
 
 et si li dist. " Feme, 
 
 ke me demandes tu 
 
 de t' enfermete. 
 
 Chertes tu i es 
 
 morteus feme, et percheresse, 
 
 et ie sui vns hom morteus 
 
 et pechieres. 
 
 Ne ie n' ai pooir 
 
 de douner sante a home ne a feme. 
 
 Mais ihesu cris mes sires, li uraisdiex, 
 
 le doune a chiaus qui lui plaist. 
 
 Et ele li dist emplorant. 
 
 " biaus dous sire, pries votre signour 
 
 ke il me regart en pite. 
 
SHE OFFERS HIM MONET,- &, ON HIS REFUSING IT, AGREES TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST. l7l 
 
 Thus thanne scheide sche in alle thing 
 
 To this goode man ful sore weeping, 168 
 
 " For I hope thi God ne wile not werne pe 
 
 Ony thing that thow axest Certeinle." 
 
 " Dame, til to Morwe this may not be, 
 
 Certeinli I telle it the." 172 
 
 " Sire, thanne schal I Comen Agein 
 
 And tresowr I-nowh to bringen certein, 
 
 3if that he me now helpen wolde, 
 
 Tresowr I-nowh of siluer & golde." 176 
 
 Thanne answerid this good man tho 
 
 " Of thin Tresowr wile he non, Lo, 
 
 But Only of trewe herte Repentance, 
 
 And stedfast beleve & ful Creaunce." i80 
 
 And tho spake sche with good semblawnt 
 To him that was goddis seriawnt, 
 " What thing On Erthe thow bidde me do, 
 I schal it fulflUe for peyne other wo 184 
 
 And he wele me helpen Of this Maledye 
 That doth me now so gret Anoye." 
 Thanne Answerid this goodman agein, 
 " And thow wUt fuUiche beleven certein iss 
 
 In Jesu Crist, that verray lord, 
 I schal behoten the hele at on word ; 
 Er that thow Owt of this plase wende 
 Thow schalt ben helid with-owten Ende." 192 
 
 Thanne to his feet sche knelid A-down 
 And hem kiste with good devociown, 
 " Sire ! 3if that hele he wel me sende, 
 On him wile I beleven with-Owten Ende." 195 
 
 Thanne seide to hire this good Man 
 " 3if stedfastli wilt Jjou beleve," quod he ]?an, 
 " Anon Eiht helyd schalt thow be 
 Of thin maladie Certeinle ; 200 
 
 z2 
 
 et ie sai de uoir k' il ne vous escon- 
 dira mie." 
 
 Et li boins horn li dist. " Dame, on 
 
 ne doit mie venir au mire wide main.. 
 
 quant on demande garison." 
 
 Et ele li dist. " Sire, ie ne sui mie 
 
 wide main venue. 
 
 Car ie aport auoec moi grant tresor, 
 
 ke ie laisserai a uotre dieu 
 
 se il me garist. 
 
 Et il li respondi 
 
 " de tout Ie tresor n' a diex ke faire : 
 
 se il n' a Ie cuer ensamble. Car nus 
 sacrifisoes ne li plaist autant comme 
 fait uraie repentanohe de boin cuer." 
 Et ele li dist 
 
 " Sergans ihesu crist: 
 
 il n' est nule riens en chest monde : se 
 
 vous Ie me commandes, 
 
 ke ie ne fache par couuent ke il 
 
 garisce de cheste grant dolour." 
 
 Et il li respondi 
 
 " Se tu uoloies croire 
 
 en ihesu crist Ie urai dieu. 
 
 Ie te prometeroie 
 
 qu' il te donroit garison anohois que 
 tu te remuasses." 
 
 Et ele li courut au pie, 
 
 si li baisa, et si li dist. 
 
 " Sire, se il sante m' enuoit: 
 uoirement Ie kerroie iou a tous les 
 iours ke ie viueroie." 
 Et li boins horn li dist 
 
 " Par foi, se tu crois ke il soit urais diex, 
 tu gariras orendroit, 
 
172 
 
 THE HERMIT CTJKES SABRACTNTE S MOTHER OF HER ISSUE OF BLOOD. 
 
 208 
 
 212 
 
 For hele Is there non so sone 
 
 As in god beleve, hos wil it done." 
 
 Thanne seide my modir Anon Ageyn, 
 
 " Sire! I beleve it fully In Certein 204 
 
 That Onliclie verray God is he 
 
 That me schal helpen of myn Infirmite." 
 
 And Anon this Goode man took 
 In his hond Anon A litel book, 
 And there-vppon ful faste gan Rede 
 In A Corner al be him Selve, 
 There preide he God and th'aposteUs twelve 
 ' That god wolde sende his mercy and Grase 
 To that Synful womman In that plase, 
 And to Ceveren here of that Maladye 
 That xviii 3er contenwelye 
 Here hadde holden In that degre, — 
 Goode lord ]?at koverid myhte sche now be.' 
 
 And whanne his preyere thus hadde he 
 do, 
 Anon to My Modir he Cam sone tho, 220 
 
 Thus Seyenge to hire, " Aryse vp here 
 Al so hoi As Evere thow Er were. 
 In the Name of the Eadir, Sone, & holigost 
 Wiche that Is of Myhtes Evere Most !" 224 
 
 Thanne felte My Moder there Anon 
 That As hoi sche was In flesch and bon 
 As Evere Ony tyme sche was before 
 Sethen sche was of hu'e Modir I-bore, 228 
 
 And the strengthe of hire Membres Anon 
 Sche hadde A3en there tho Everichon. 
 
 Anon whanne sche felte this riht tho, 
 That helthe A3en was Comen hire to, 232 
 
 " Now May I sen," sche seide, " verrailly, 
 That thi lord Is Strong & ful Myhti 
 
 car nule chose n'est greueuse a chiaus 
 ki bien croient." 
 
 " Sire," dist ele, " ie le croi 
 
 comme urai dieu 
 
 qiii est poissans de moi ieter hors de 
 cheste enfermete." 
 ' Et li boins bom prist 
 
 vn liure, 
 
 si li lut, si com il nous conta puis, 
 I'ewangile illuec endroit ou ibesu oris 
 gari la feme qui 
 
 216 xviij. ans auoit este malade de 
 
 cbele enfermete meisme. 
 
 Et maintenant qu'il Tot leue. 
 
 et il li dist, " beue sus 
 
 el non du pere, et du fil, et du saint 
 esperit." 
 
 Si senti ma dame 
 
 ke ele estoit ausi saine 
 
 com ele auoit 
 
 onques plus este. 
 
 Et si eut tantost recouuree la forche 
 du cors et de tous les menbres. 
 
 Et quant ele se senti 
 
 ensi garie, 
 
 si dist, " Ha, sire, ore uoi iou bien 
 
 ke on ne doit nului croire fors chestui 
 
HE BAPTISES HEE, AND SHE TAKES SABKACYNTE TO HIM. 
 
 173 
 
 That me hath helyd of My gret Maladye. 
 
 For it hath me Cost Certeinlye 236 
 
 More thanne xv thowsend besaun3, 
 
 This Maladie wit-Owten variauii}, 
 
 & 3it neure be non Of hem hele myhte I have ; 
 
 But ]jou, blessed lord, now dost me Save." 240 
 
 Thanne seide to hire this Good man Anon, 
 " Baptesme to Besceiuen Er 30 hens now gon." 
 And thanne sche Axede him ful sone, 
 * What that baptesme Mihte done.' 244 
 
 And hire Answered Sone Agein, 
 " It Is thyn hoi Savacioun In Certein." 
 Thanne Answerid sche with good wille 
 " I wUe it Resceyven bothe Mekly & stille." 248 
 Thanne the Goode Man hire Cristened Anon there 
 In his Name that was of Most powere, 
 Whiche Is Padir and sone And holy gost, 
 On God and thre persones Of Myhtis Most ; 252 
 And thus My Modyr there he- Cristened anon. 
 
 Thanne Owt Of the Ohambre sche com gon 
 There As I Abod with-Owten the dore, 
 And Al Owre Meyne In the More ; 256 
 
 So my Modir took me be the bond, 
 And with hire to gon I myhte not withstond, 
 And thus me to-forn the good man browhte 
 That I ne wiste what I seyn Mowhte ; 260 
 
 " My swete dowghter. Com now hider to Me, 
 Now koverid I am Of Myn Infirmite, 
 perfore swete dowhter I wolde that Jjou wost don 
 As I schal the here Comaunden Anon." 264 
 
 Thanne Answerid I with herte qwakynge 
 " Modir, I wele don AUe 30wre biddinge ;" 
 So that I hadde gret wondir tho 
 What my Modir wolde with me do. ' 268 
 
 dieu qm m'a garie de ma grant angoisse . 
 Car ie ai doune a mires 
 plus de .X. mile besans 
 
 puis ke chis maus me prist. 
 
 ne onques nus d'aus ne peut garison 
 doner. Chestui croi iou, et kerrai tous 
 les iours de ma uie." 
 
 Lors li dist li boins hom 
 ' ke il conuenoit ke ele recheust bap- 
 tesme.' 
 Et ele li demanda 
 
 ' kebaptesmes estoit:' 
 
 et il li dist 
 
 ' ke che estoit li sauuemens de crestiens. 
 
 et ele li dist 
 
 'ke dontle recbeueroit ele uolentiers,' 
 
 et li boins home le baptisa 
 
 el non 
 
 du pere et du fil et du saint esperit. 
 
 Et quant il eut baptisie, si me vint 
 
 ma dame . 
 
 querre de hors la maisonnete ou iou 
 
 I'atendoie, 
 
 et chU qui auoec li estoient venu. 
 
 Si me prist par la main, 
 
 et si me mena deuant Termite. Et 
 
 quant ie fui deuant lui, si me dist ma 
 
 dame. 
 
 " Biele douche fille, 
 
 ie sui toute garie, 
 et ie voel ke tu faches 
 chou ke ie te commanderai." 
 Et ie respoadi tout en tramblant 
 ' ke ie feroie tout son plaisir.' 
 Si m'esmeruillai mult 
 ke ele voloit faire de moi. 
 
174 
 
 SABRACTNTE CAN T BELIEVE IN THE HERMIT BECAUSE OF HIS BEAE.D. 
 
 " Faixe swete dowghter, I wolde that 3e 
 
 Wolde worscliepeii him that myn Infirmite 
 
 Me hoi hath Mad, and taken clene Away ; 
 
 So, swete dowghter, so worschepe Jjat man ]?is day." 
 
 And I wende sche hadde ment that Old Man, 273 
 
 And therfore I ne dorste not sekerly than ; 
 
 And My Modir Axede me " wherfore ?" 
 
 " Por Certein he hath Along herd, and an hore ; 276 
 
 And Euere whanne I lokede vppon his herd, 
 
 Sekir, Modir, I scholde ben A-ferd." 
 
 Thanne Anon lowgh this good Old Man 
 For that I Seyde of him than, 280 
 
 " Nay, faire dowghter, it nam not I 
 That thi Modir Speketh of trewely ; 
 But Ano]?er it Is, that is ful Of Bewte 
 And Of Alle goodnesse In Eche degre." 284 
 
 And I axed him, " where that he was, 
 3if I myht Owht sen him In this plas ; 
 And, 3if he fairere thanne my bro)jer be, 
 Him I wele loven In Alle degre ; 288 
 
 Eor my brothir, so fair he is. 
 That of bewte hath he non pere I-wis." 
 
 And whanne to him thus hadde I told, 
 To speken to Me he was ful bold. 292 
 
 " With-Inne A litel while here schal thou Se 
 Him of whom Jiat I speke to the, 
 Whiche is Eairere thanne thi brothir Is 
 In alle degres, and In More blis 296 
 
 Ojier thanne thy brothir Euere thow sye, 
 Owther Euere thow schalt with thin Eye." 
 And Anon As this word hadde he Seid, 
 A wondir Clerte to-forn me was leyd 300 
 
 Sodeynly there In that Chapel ; 
 Many wondirful swetnesse Aforn me fyl. 
 
 Et ele me dist " biele fille, ie voel ke tu 
 croies chelui qui m'a garie.'' 
 
 Et iou, qui enchore estoit enfes et 
 fole : cuidai ke ele dist del boin home, 
 si dis a ma dame ' ke ie n'oseroie.' 
 
 Et ele me demanda " pour quoi." 
 
 et ie U dis, " pour cliou qu'il auoit trop 
 grant barbe." 
 
 Et H boins hom commencha a rire 
 
 de chou ke i'auoie dit de lui, et si me 
 
 dist. 
 
 " Biele fille, che ne sui iou mie. 
 
 anchois est vns autres qui est plains 
 de toutes biautes. 
 et de toutes ioies.'' 
 
 Et ie li demandai ' ou il estoit, 
 
 et ke il Ie me moustrast. 
 
 et, se il estoit plus biaus de mon frere, 
 ie Ie kerroie.' 
 
 Ichil miens freres, de qui ie dis, estoit 
 
 tant biaus 
 
 ke ie ne quidoie mie ke nule si biele 
 
 figure peust estre faite. 
 
 Et tantost com ie oi che dit, 
 
 si me respondi li hermites. 
 
 " Biele fiUe, par tans verras, ou 
 
 chelui de qui ie t'ai tant dit, 
 
 qui tant est biaus, ou ton frere. 
 
 et Ie quel ke tu uoies auant, 
 
 ia puis I'autre ne verras." 
 
 Et tantost com il eut chou dit. 
 
 si vint vne mult grant clartes 
 
 hors de la capiele. 
 
 Si fu auis ke toutes les boines odeurs 
 
CHRIST APPEARS TO SARRACYNTE, AND SHE IS BAPTISED. 
 
 175 
 
 And the hows So ful there-Offen was, 
 
 And therto swich delicasie In that plas. 304 
 
 Amyddis J>at liht & swetnesse per gan forth gon 
 The fairest Creature Of flesch & bon — 
 The Clerest and the fairest persone 
 That Evere Ony erthly Eye myhte loken vppone. 308 
 This Man gan holden In his Hyht hond 
 The signe Of a red Cros, I vndirstond, 
 And hothe his Eyen Me thowte ferden there 
 Al so cleer hrennenge As Ony fere. 312 
 
 And thus A whille Stood he thore ; 
 Where-Oflfen I was Ahasched wel sore, 
 Of the wondris that I on him gan beholde ; 
 Wherfore myn herte wax wondir Colde, 316 
 
 For on him non More than Mihte I loke 
 So that for drede myn herte qwoke, 
 But to the Erthe I fil plat A-down 
 As thowh I hadde ben In a swon ; 320 
 
 Thanne the Ermyt took me be pe honde 
 And Made me vp be him stonde; 
 Of wheche Sihte hadde I gret merveilleng ; 
 Andsauf my Modirand th'ermit Saw I non thing. 324 
 
 Thanne this good man Seide to Me, 
 "' Now, my faire dowhter, how thinketh the ; " 
 And thanne I Answerid so Ageyn 
 "This Mannes Oreaunce I wele receyven fayn." 328 
 And Anon there he Cristenede Me 
 In the hole Name of the Trenite ; 
 So ]?at Aftir he told vs, but not be-forn, 
 ' How Jjat lesus Crist was Conceyved and born 332 
 Of An holy virgine, Modir & Maide, 
 As be Old tyme the prophetis saide. 
 And how J^at on pe Cros he gan to dye, 
 Man to beien from endles felonye ; 336 
 
 ke on porroit nomer debouche fuissent 
 espandues laiens. 
 
 Apres vint hors de la capiele 
 
 vne figure d'ome, 
 
 si tres biele et si tres clere, 
 
 ke il ne sont en chest monde nul oel 
 
 si agu qui parfitement le peussent es- 
 
 garder. 
 
 Chil horn tenoit en sa main destre 
 
 vne chose ke li hermites apieloit ' crois,' 
 si estoit toute vermelle, et si doi oel 
 ietoient deus rais autresi vermaus com 
 est carbons embrases. 
 
 Et quant il fu venus hors, si s'arestut, 
 
 et ie fui si esbahi 
 
 de la grant meruelle de lui 
 
 ke ie ne peuch plus esgarder vers lui. 
 
 anchois m'enclinai vers terre 
 ausi comme pasmee. 
 
 Et quant ie euch vne grant pieche 
 este ensi, si me prist li hermites par 
 Ie menton, et me drecha en haut, 
 et ie regardai, si ne vi nule chose for^ 
 ke lui et ma mere. 
 
 Et li boins hom me dist, 
 
 " Biele fille, ke vous en samble''. 
 
 Et ie respondi tantost par la volente 
 
 de dieu: 
 
 ' ke de chestui recheueroie iovi uo- 
 
 lentiers la creanche.' 
 
 Et il me baptisa maintenant 
 
 el non de la sainte trinite. 
 
 Apres nous ensigna la creanche, 
 
 comment ihesu oris auoit este con- 
 
 cheus et nes 
 
 de la virge, sans son puchelage en- 
 
 fraindre, 
 
 et comment il auoit souffert mort 
 
 pour le monde rachater des perdura- 
 bles dolours. 
 
176 
 
 THE HERMIT GIVES THE SACRAMENT TO SARRACTNTE AND HER MOTHER. 
 
 And how ]>g thridde day he Ros Ageyne 
 And deliuered his frendis from Endeles peyne, 
 Thanne Aftir with the xlthe day 
 Streyht to hevene he Wente his way ; 
 And the xj day Aftir, with-Owten fantem, 
 He sente to his dissiples, Into lerusalem, 
 His holy gost. Anon there Right, 
 In Hknesse of flawmes of fir so briht ; 
 & told hem Also how that they scholde 
 His bodi sacren to 3ong and Olde, 
 As he hem tawhte At his sene 
 Tho alle his apostelis weren Clene 
 The Niht to-fore he suffirede passiown;' 
 And thus tolde vs th' ermyt al & som. 
 
 Thanne Whanne this to vs hadde he told, 
 To that Awter he wente ful bold. 
 And there made he J^at holy Sacrament 
 "With hy devocioun and good Entent ; 
 And to my Modir there it tho took, 
 And sche it Resceyvede, & not forsook. 
 Thanne After to me he Cam Anon, 
 And In My Mowth he wold hau it don; 
 Thanne thus to me he gan to seyn. 
 ' That I scholde beleven Certein, 
 That theke same body it was 
 The wheche In the virgine took his plas.' 
 Where that thanne I taried Anon Ryht, 
 That to beleven hadde I non Myht ; 
 So thanne thowhte me anon In my siht. 
 That it was theke Selve Faire Wyht 
 Wheche In the Chapel I sawgh to-fore 
 That I was off en Abascht ful sore. 
 Thanne seide I to him Anon there 
 " Sire, I beleve As thow seidest Ere." 
 
 340 
 
 et comment il resuscita au tierch iour, 
 
 et ieta ses amis d'iiifier. 
 
 et comment il monta el chiel, au chief 
 .de .xl. ioxas apres, 
 
 et comment il enuoia, a Tonsime ior 
 
 apres, 
 
 son esperit a ses desciples en ilieru- 
 
 salem. 
 
 et comment il leur ensigna 
 son cors a sacrer, 
 
 348 le iour deuant chou qu'il fust cruce- 
 fiies, la on il mangoit auoec axis. 
 
 3U 
 
 362 
 
 356 
 
 360 
 
 364 
 
 368 
 
 Et quant il nous eut toutes ches 
 choses ensignies. 
 
 Si fist deuant nous ichel saint saore- 
 ment, 
 
 et si en douna a ma mere, 
 
 et puis a moi. 
 
 Et quant il me mist en la bouche, 
 et il me dist 
 
 ' lie ie creisse 
 
 ke che estoit. Icliil cors 
 
 qui en la virge auoit este herbergies.' 
 
 Si en fui en doutanche, si tardai au 
 respondre. 
 
 Et tantost me fii auis 
 
 ke cb' estoit icbele figure 
 
 ke ia auoie veue issir de la capiele, 
 
 si li dis tantost 
 
 ' ke ie le creoie bien comme cbele 
 qui tout apiertement le veoie.' 
 
SAERACTNTE AND HBE MOTHER RETURN TO THEIR CITY, ORBERY. 
 
 177 
 
 So that from him we departed Anon 
 
 Homward In Oure weye forto gon. 373 
 
 Thanne charged he vs In Alle wise 
 
 ' That We scholde don non More Sacrifise, 
 
 To jjese fals ynaages of tre ne ston 
 
 Be no weye Sacrifise Make 3e non.' 376 
 
 And thanne we answerid him Ageyn 
 
 ' That On God wolde we beleven Certeyn, 
 
 And comfort & loye of him to have, 
 
 And that at Oure Endeng he wele vs save.' 380 
 
 In this Maner Perst of lesu Cristes lawe 
 
 Thus lerned we, & there-Oflfen weren fawe. 
 
 And whanne that we werern comen to Orbery, 
 Thanne herden we A wondir Noise, & a gret Cry, 384 
 Of A savage wilde beste 
 That was broken Owt of a foreste ; 
 And al tlie Contre it gan to chase 
 It forto distroyen In som plase ; 388 
 
 Eor it was so dyvers A beste of kynde, 
 That ]?ere hadde non Man wit ne Mynde 
 To tellen what thike beste was 
 That they Chaeed In theke plas ; 392 
 
 Eor that beste was so dispetous, 
 So feers & so Angwischous, 
 That he distroiede theke Contre, 
 An Ete schepe & Children In Eche degre ; 396 
 
 Men and hors he gan to distroye, 
 And to womman with Childe he dyde gret anoye. 
 
 Thesame tyme]?atwe from Jiisgoodmangonnegon, 
 Theke tyme fel this Chawnce Anon, 400 
 
 That the peple Gonnen to gederen faste, 
 And my brothir in that pres forth paste. 
 That so fair and so hardy he was, — 
 With hem he forth wente In that plas, 404 
 
 2 A 
 
 A tant nous en partinies. 
 
 Si nous chastia mult durement 
 
 ' ke nous ne retornissons a la ore- 
 anche des jmages.' Car il ni auoit 
 se destruisement non. Et si nous dist 
 ' ke bien seussons nous ke diex ne nous 
 oblieroit mie. anchois. ne nous ou- 
 blieroit mie. anchois nous enuoie- 
 roit confort prochainement. et si en^ 
 uoierent la haute renoumee de son 
 non par leg lontaignes terres dont il 
 vauroit le pule a traire a sa sainte 
 creanche.' 
 
 Ensi nous enseigna la loy ihesu crist 
 a tenir, si presimes congie de lui. 
 
 Et quant nous fiimes venues a orberike, 
 si oimes mijlt grant oris, et grans hus 
 d'une beste saluage, 
 qui estoit el pais, 
 
 ke_ les gens auoient apparellie a ca- 
 chier. 
 
 Chela beste si estoit si diuerse 
 
 ke nus, tant durement I'auisast, ne 
 
 sauoit a dire de quel maniero ele estoit. 
 
 Mais tant estoit 
 
 fiere et crueuse 
 
 ke ele dewastoit tout le pais. Ele de- 
 
 peoheoit les bles en herbe Ele ochioit 
 
 les homes as carues. Ele pecheoit 
 
 les maisons. Ele traioit les petis 
 
 enfans des biers. 
 
 Ele efFondroit les femes epchaintes 
 
 quant eles les trouuoit seules. 
 
 Ichel iour ke nous repairames del 
 
 boin home, si auint chose 
 
 ke les gens I'eurent acoillie, 
 
 et mes freres, 
 
 qui tant estoit biaus et hardis, 
 
 le cachoit tons premiers 
 
178 sarracynte's bkother is lost while huntixg a savage beast. 
 
 416 
 
 And A good hors there he be-strod, 
 
 And wel Armed he was, & non lengere Abod,— 
 
 As behoved A 30ng knyht Eorto were, 
 
 Eor a litel to-fore knyht was he mad |5ere, — 408 
 
 Eor there dorste non Man that beste Chase, 
 
 But he were Armed In that plase ; 
 
 For the beste was wondirful In that stede, 
 
 For thre homes hadde [he] In his hede 412 
 
 That so trenchaunt An scharpe were, 
 
 Scharpere than swerd, knyf, Olper spere, — 
 
 For they woklen perschen bothe Irne & steel 
 
 Thow it were wrowht neuere so wel, — 
 
 Wheche beste mi brother gan to chase 
 
 Aforn alle the men ])at weren In that plase. 
 
 So that In tweyne plases he it smot 
 
 "With a scharpe swerd that wel hot ; 
 
 And fowre hors he slowgh vndir hym 
 
 The beste, it was so spetous & grym. 
 
 And whanne this beste chased was so sore. 
 
 To the Forest he wente Alle hem before 424 
 
 As it was sekerely thus Me told, — 
 
 For I was not there it to behold, — 
 
 And my brothir Aftir him prekede faste. 
 
 To the Forest he Entrede atte laste : 428 
 
 And sethen that to the Forest he wente. 
 
 And Folewede the beste there presente, 
 
 Sethen was there neuere Man ne womman 
 
 That of him Ony tidinges tellen kan, 432 
 
 Xe Neuere Sethen In to this day 
 
 We ne herden neuere Of him tydinges In fay. 
 
 Thanne seide my Modir Anon to ]\Ie 
 " Behold, dowhter, here now & se 436 
 
 How that ]>e Ermyt, this holy ]Man, 
 That schal befallen, tellen he Can " 
 
 sour .j. mult boin cheual. 
 et si estoit armes de toutes armes 
 comme chil qui nouielement estoit 
 deuenus chiualers. 
 
 Ne nus horn qui armes ne fust: 
 n'osast pas, ne ne peust, la beste 
 enuair. 
 
 Car ele auoit en mi sen front trois 
 
 comes, 
 
 si agues et si trenchans 
 
 ke nule armure, qui bien en fust coi- 
 sie, ne pooit encontre durer. 
 
 Ensi le caclioit mes freres 
 
 deuant tous les autres. 
 
 Si I'auoit ia en deus lieus nauree 
 
 420 d' un espial ke il tenoit. 
 
 et ele li auoit ia ochis .iij. cheuaus 
 desous lui 
 
 ensi com ele li gnencliisoit a le fie. 
 Taut li guenchi 
 
 ensi Com le me dist, — 
 
 car ie ue le vi mie, — 
 
 ke ele ni osa plus demourer, anchois 
 s' en tourna fuiant, tout droit a vne 
 forest qui estoit illuec pres. Et mes 
 freres hurta apres des esperons si tost 
 comme li cheuaus li pent aler, si se 
 feri en la forest apres la beste. 
 
 Ne onques puis ke il eut dedens la 
 forest mis le pie : ne fu ne ons ne feme 
 qui de lui nous seust dire ensenges. 
 ne onques puis ne le veismes ne ne 
 seusmes chertainement ne de sa mort 
 lie de sa vie. 
 
 Ensi apercheusmes entre moi et ma 
 mere ke li hermites estoit sains hom 
 et priues de ihesu crist. quant il auoit 
 fait sage et chertain des choses qui 
 estoient a auenir. 
 
HER MOTHER TELLS HER TO PETCH HER THE SACRAMENTAL BOX. 
 
 179 
 
 So that I held him with Crist preve, 
 
 For that he Seide I scholde neuere se 440 
 
 My brothir, as it fil be Cas, 
 
 So fair as him as in the Chapel was ; 
 
 And therefore ful soth seide he, 
 
 For aftir that day I mihte him neuere se. 444 
 
 And we so with Cristes passioun enspired were, 
 
 That Al his deth forgot en we there 
 
 For the grete joye, and Owre Creawnce 
 
 That we hadde Rescyved to his plesaunce ; 448 
 
 Whiche Creaunce my Modir kepte ful wel, 
 
 And neuere aspied was non del 
 
 Into the day and tyme Of hire deth 
 
 That sche scholde dyen & 3even vppe the breth. 452 
 
 Thanne comaunded sche there Ryht Anon 
 That alle the peple owt of ])e chambre schold gon 
 Sauf Onliche alone Sche and I, — 
 This was hire Comandement trewly. 456 
 
 And whanne they weren al owte I-gon, 
 Sche bad me Schette the dore Anon ; 
 And whanne to hire that I was Comen A.gein, 
 Thanne seide sche to me In Certein 460 
 
 ' That owt of this world that Nyht schold sche go ;' 
 Thus sche me tolde with-Owten Mo, 
 " Now, faire dowhter, go 30 now Into the wones 
 There As lyn Alle myn precious stones, 464 
 
 And Also A whit Booyst and A Hyng, 
 And that loke 30 bringen me Ouer alle thyng." 
 Whanne that this to hire I hadde I-browht, 
 Thanne vppe sche hire dressid as sche Mowht, 468 
 And on hire knees sche dressid hire down 
 To-forn hire bed In Orisown, 
 And there gan sche to wepen ful sore 
 In Sighenges and bunching Onbrestwel more. 472 
 
 2 a2 
 
 Pour chou qu' il m' auoit dit ke se 
 
 ueoie auant cbelui qui m' auoit promis 
 
 a moustrer. le ne verroie ia puis mon 
 
 frere. 
 
 et il dist voir. 
 
 Car onques puis ke il m' eut cheste 
 
 parole dite, ne vi mon frere. 
 
 Et tant nous auoit espiree 1' amours 
 
 ihesu crist entre moi et ma mere. 
 
 ke nous ne fesimes onques duel de lui, 
 
 tant auiemts grant ioie 
 
 de chou que nous auiemes recheu la 
 
 sainte creanche 
 
 En cheste sainte creanche demoura 
 
 ma mere tant com ele fu en vie. ne 
 
 onques puis la grasce dieu ne repaira 
 
 a la roy des mesorans. Et si li douna 
 
 li glorieus fiex dieu si bit-le grasce ke 
 
 ele n' en fii onques apercheue. 
 
 Et quant vint au iour ke ele dut departir 
 de chest siecle, si commanda ' ke tout 
 chil ki estoient en la chambre ou ele 
 gisoit, s' en issisent hors, et toutes clieles 
 qui i estoient, fors moi seulement'. 
 
 Quant tout et toutes furent issu hors, 
 si me commanda 1' uis a fremer. 
 
 Et quant ie fui reuenue deuant li, 
 
 si me dist. 
 
 " Biele fille, ie sai de uoir ke ie de- 
 partirai enchore a nuit du siecle. 
 
 Ore, ales, biele douche fille, a mon 
 
 esorin, 
 
 la u mes pierres precieuses sont, 
 
 et mi aniel, et mi autre ioiel, 
 
 et si m' aportes vne blanche Isoiste ke 
 
 vous i trouueres. 
 
 Je fis ensi com ele me commanda, et 
 
 quant ie 1' oi aportee deuant son lit, 
 
 si se dreoha encontre, ensi com ele pot, 
 
 tant ke ele fu en son lit a genous. 
 
 Et lors si conimencha mult durement 
 a souspirer du cuer, et a plourer des 
 iex de la teste, et batoit son pis de 
 son poing, mult angoisseusement. 
 
180 
 
 sarracyntb's mother receives her last sacramext. 
 
 And whanne in this Contenaunce long hadde 
 
 sclie be, 
 Aftir the boist AnOn Sche Axede Of Me ; 
 Thanne axede sche water to hire bond, 
 Hem to waschen, As I Cowde vndirstonde. 476 
 
 And whanne hire hondis I-waschen were, 
 The boist Anon sche Opened there ; 
 Owt of that boist there Isswed Anon 
 Owr holy Saviour bothe In flesche and bon, 4&0 
 In forme of bred there In hire Syht, — 
 For so was the wil of god Almyht, — 
 And with Manie teres and sore sighenge 
 There Resceived sche that holy thinge. 484 
 
 And whanne that thus hadde sche doon, 
 Thanne seide sche to Me Anon, 
 " Now that I have Resceived my Saviour 
 I am sekir Erom Alle deseises & dolour — 488 
 
 Prom the devel and Alle My Pon — 
 And I am seker to hevenn to gon, 
 Eor I have Hesceived of Alle Sicknesee Ipe boote 
 And helthe of alle Angwiesch bo]?e Crop & Roote. 492 
 Lo ! dowhter, this boist kepen thow schal 
 In a ful preve plas with-al, 
 And that it Come In non Mannes bond 
 But In thin, I do the to vndirstond. 496 
 
 Eor this that I have Resceyved here, 
 Is Oure Saviour here & elles where ; 
 Eor On God In thre persones it is. 
 And thre persones In on God I-wis ; 500 
 
 And loke 30 that this 36 kepen riht wel. 
 And loke 30 |?at 36 wraththen ]?at God neuere 
 
 A del, 
 Loke that 30 taken this holy In E,emembraunse, 
 And thinketh Algate vppon this Chaunse ; 504 
 
 Et quant eut este hien longliement de 
 cheste contenanche, 
 
 si me commanda ]a boiste mettre ius, 
 
 et dist ' ke ie li aportais de li ane 
 
 poui- lauer ses mains.' 
 
 Et quant ele eut laue ses mains, 
 
 si prist la boiste, et si I' ouuri, 
 
 et si en traist 
 
 notre sauueour hors, 
 
 en samblanelie de pain, 
 
 et si le rechut a grant compaignie de 
 souspirs et de larmes. 
 
 Et quant ele 1' eut recheu, 
 
 si dist 
 
 ' ke ore estoit ele toute seure, ne ne 
 
 doutoit mais 
 
 le dyable, ne taut ne quant, 
 
 puis ke ele auoit recheu la saute de 
 
 tons les malages, 
 
 et la defFension de tous les agais et de 
 
 tous les assaus d' anemi.' 
 
 Apres me dist; " bie!e douche fiUe, ie 
 
 vous lais, si vous met en la garde de 
 
 chelui de qui nus ne puet estre de- 
 
 guerpis qui a lui se voelle tenir. 
 
 Biele fille, ch'est ohil de qui vous aues 
 pieoha recheu la sainte loy. Or, si 
 gardes ke vous la maintenes ensi com 
 eles vous fu encarchie. Gardes ke vous 
 ne repairies en F anchiene desloiaute. 
 aoures vn seul dieu. en. iij. persones 
 en .i. seul dieu. Gardes, vous en t(mtes 
 les manieres dont nature se puet 
 soufFrir et consirer de dame dieu 
 courechier. Soies aparillie et aban- 
 donee a ses commandemens acomplir. 
 
SHE CHARGES HER DAUGHTER TO GO TO THE HERMIT. 
 
 181 
 
 Thenke 30 how he Cam Into this word, 
 
 And In Mannes kende here dweld he his owne 
 
 Accord, 
 And alle thing suffrede as dyde Man, — 
 Sauf Only Of synne neuere knewe he ]?an, 508 
 
 Where-offen that he was Evere klene 
 & neuere ]?erwith spottid, with-Owten wene. 
 Loke that 3e have Euere this In Mynde, 
 How good that lord was & how kynde, 512 
 
 That for vs he suffrede ded, 
 Mannes sowle to beren from \)e qwed ; 
 And loke that Al this In Memorie 30 haue 
 In 30wre herte, and 36 will be save, 516 
 
 And that Every day In 30wre compenie be. 
 Now, goode swete dowhter, so thinketh on me, 
 Eor, sethen that I Crestened was, 
 Everiday I him worschepid In this plas, 520 
 
 & Euery day in my Compenie mi saviour I 
 
 hadde, 
 Therwhilles was I of non man A-dradde ; 
 But, swete dowhter, this wot I wel. 
 That here-offen knew 36 nevere a del ; 524 
 
 Eor I it kepte In previte, — 
 The Cawse why I schal telle J?e, — 
 Eor 3if thow haddest deid In -this worldrl 
 Thow schost it hau Hescy ved trewly ; 528 
 
 But sethen I deien schal to Eorn the, 
 I have it Resceyed, as thow myht se 
 
 And therfore. Anon As I am ded. 
 To the holy man ]70u go. Into that sted 532 
 
 "Where we resceyed Oure holy Creaunce, 
 And teileth him of al this chavnce, 
 And preieth that holy blessid Man 
 My sowle In comendacion to haven than, 536 
 
 Tous iours aies en votre ramenbranolie 
 
 comment il daigna naistre de ferae, 
 
 et conuerser entrel' ordure del desloial 
 
 siecle pecheour, 
 
 et comment il vaut esprouer et soustenir 
 
 toutes icheles choses qui a humaine 
 
 nature apartenoient, 
 
 fors ke pechie tant seulement. 
 
 dent il fu tous iours quites et nes 
 
 Et ichele grans deboinaretes nous doit toutes 
 cures estre deuant les iex, 
 ke il fist quant il soufFri la grant angoisse 
 merueilleuse des mains et des pies ke il eut 
 tresparchies par sa propre uolente, 
 pour aquiter et pourieter des paines d' infer 
 chiaus et cheles qui a la sieue sainte partie se 
 vauront tenir. 
 
 Toutes ches choses deues vous amener a 
 memuire dedens uotre cuer, biele tres douche 
 fiUe. Car la si haute ramenbranche vous 
 uenra; Laperderes vous tout corage et toute 
 volente de pechie faire. Des ore-mais voel, 
 et si le vous commant, ke vous seizes toutes 
 cures garnie de votre sauueour, et ke vous 
 r aies tous iours en votre compaignie ; autresi 
 com iou 1* ai eu auoec moi puis ichele cure ke ie 
 recheu sa saint creanche. Car onques puis ke 
 entre moi et vous recheumes le baptesme de 
 ihesu crist par la main du saint home. 
 Ne fu eure ke ie n' eusse en ma compaignie 
 le cors de chelui qui pour nous daigna le sien 
 cors liurer a tourment. Ichelui cors ai iou 
 toutes voles do la en cha. ne onques puis, dieu 
 merehi, ne fu nus iours keie ne T'eusse. la 
 soit che chose ke ie n* en fuisse mie digne. 
 
 Et ne-pour-quant, biele fille, vous n'el 
 seustes onques mais ke ie le gar- 
 daisse. Car ne le vous voloie moustrer 
 pour cliou ke trop i auoit il grant 
 pechie de moi qui le veoie. 
 Et si le gardoie pour chou se voUs 
 trespassissies de chest siecle, anchois 
 ke iou ie le vous baillaisse a vser. 
 Et se ie trespassaisse ains ke vous, ie 
 le recheusse ensi com vous aues veu 
 ke ie 1' ai fait. 
 
 Biele fille chiere, ie vous lais ore, si 
 vous pri et commant 
 ' ke vous ales, tout maintenant ke ie 
 serai morte, au saint home de qui 
 nous recheumes la sainte creanche. 
 et si li dites, 
 
 qu' il soit pourpenses de ramenteuoir 
 en ses prieres 1' ame de cheste peche- 
 resse. 
 
182 
 
 SARRACTNTE IS TO GET THE SACRAMENTAL BREAD FROM THE HERMIT. 
 
 That Only Goddis Seriawnt Is, 
 
 Por me to preyen to the kyng [of] blis. 
 
 And, swete dowhter, thow to him go, 
 
 And for ony thing that thow this do 540 
 
 loke that 36 taken of him 30iire saviour 
 
 That 30W schal saven in Everi stour, 
 
 So that Owt of this world nenere 36 passe 
 
 But 30 him hau to-forn 30wre fase, 544 
 
 To Resceiuen 30ure evere-lasting savement ; 
 
 For I wot wel }?at he wele with good Entent 
 
 30W it taken In this degre. 
 
 And 3e it him Axen for Charite. 548 
 
 And whanne that to 30W he hath it take, 
 Loke 36 that An Onest place ]7erfore 30 make 
 30wre Saviour to kepen Inne deyntele, 
 In a worschepful place & a preve, 552 
 
 So that from alle leveng creature 
 3e mown it kepen bothe saufe & sure ; 
 And this wite hoist take with the, — 
 Eor he him seK 3af it to Me, — 556 
 
 And into this boist thanne putteth anon 
 Swich thing as he wele there-Inne don. 
 And whanne 30 haven it In 30wre keping, 
 Loketh that everi day, Ouer Alle thing, 560 
 
 That to this holy Boyst ]?at 30 go. 
 And 30ure devocions doth therto 
 With weping & with sore syghenge, 
 With bonching on brest, and Hepentinge 564 
 
 Of alle the sinnes that 3e hauen I-do, 
 AYith high Contricionne, dowhter, Euere mo ; 
 And he wolde sende 30W swich grace & povvere, 
 Neuere o]?er God to worschepen here, 568 
 
 But only him that Is 30wre saviour, 
 "Wheche schal 30W kepen In Euery stour." 
 
 Et si li requeres, 
 
 pour la benoite amour del signour qui 
 
 sergans il est, 
 
 ke illacompaignie de chelui vous baut, 
 
 ke vous ne trespasses de cheste do- 
 lente vie 
 
 sans recheuoir uotre perdurable 
 
 sauuement, 
 
 Et ie sai bien ke il le vous baillera 
 
 mult volentiers. 
 
 Et vous gardes bien, ensi com uous 
 aues uotre ame chiere, ke vous ne le 
 metes en lieu 
 
 ou riens ternene ait conuerse. 
 
 Mais chele blanche boiste prenderes, 
 
 car il meismes le me bailla. 
 
 et si meteres dedens 
 
 chou ke li boins liom vous baillera. 
 
 et si le vees chascun iour, 
 
 et li pries 
 
 a souspirs et a lannes, 
 
 ke il, par la sole pitei, vous deffende, 
 ke corages ne vous viegne d' autrui 
 croire ne aourer. Car il n' est autres 
 diex en qui on doiue metre son pense 
 ne sa creanche." 
 
HER MOTHER SEES CHRIST, AND GIVES HER HER LAST BLESSING. 
 
 183 
 
 Lo, Sire, thus My Modir tawhte tho Me 
 How I scholde me governe in eche degre, 572 
 
 Lik as this storie doth me now telle 
 And as 30 me heren to 30W now spelle, — 
 Swich thing as to my sowle profitable scholde be, 
 AUe sweche Mauere things my Modir told me ; 576 
 And alle thing ]7at scholde don me Noysaunce, 
 Hem scholde I flen for Ony Chawunce. 
 
 And whanne these wordis weren spoken Echon, 
 Sche bad me Opene the chambre dore Anon ; 580 
 Thanne Comen In the gentil wommen Alle 
 As to A dwchesse gan to befalle. 
 And thanne Eowned sche In Myn Ere 
 And axed me " whom I sawgh there, 534 
 
 Abowtes hire bed Ony Man stondynge;" 
 Where-offen I Merveylled Ouer alle thinge. 
 Thanne saw I there the same Man 
 That to-forn tynie In the Chapel saw I than ; 588 
 And my Modir he held be the hond, 
 And to-forn hire bed there gan he stond. 
 And whanne the same I sawh there 
 That the Ermyt in pe Chapel schewed me Ere, 592 
 Neuere so sore abasched I was 
 As I was tho In that same plas. 
 And thanne My Modir Axed me tho 
 "What that I sawh to-Eorn me go?" 596 
 
 Thanne I hire tolde it was Owre Saviour ; 
 And sche him dide ful gret honour : 
 More-Ouer sche seide " blessid mot he be 
 That Into this Erthe wil discende to me ; eoo 
 
 Now wot I wel that I schal go 
 With him to bliss for Euere Mo 
 Now, goode swete dowghter, Er that I go, 
 Kysseth me er that we now departen A-two, 604 
 
 En cheste maniere me cbastioit ma 
 mere, et endoctrinoit, 
 
 de toutes icheles choses faire ke ele 
 sauoit ki pourfitebles m' estoient a 
 r ame, 
 
 et de toutes iches eskieuer qui nui- 
 sables me porroient estre. 
 
 Et quant ele eut sa parole finee. 
 
 si me commanda I'uis de la chambre 
 
 a ouurir 
 
 Et quant ie 1' oi ouuert, si vinrent 
 
 auant les dames et les puchieles dont 
 
 il i auoit mult grant plente. 
 
 Et quant eles furent auant venues, si 
 
 m' apiela, et si me dist en 1' oreille, 
 
 ' se ie veoie nullui 
 
 entour son lit.' 
 
 Et ie regardai, si vi .i home 
 que li tendoit sa main, et si estoit tout 
 autresteus comme chil qui ie vi en la 
 uapiele ke li hermites me moustra. 
 
 Et quant ie Ie vi, 
 
 si en oi tel merueille 
 
 ke ie en fui toute esperdue, 
 
 et ele ma demanda 
 
 ' ke ie veoie.' 
 
 et ie li respondi ' ke che estoit notre 
 
 salueres.' 
 
 Et ele me respondi ' ke aoures et 
 
 grades fust il de che 
 
 ke il se daignoit demoustrer a moi. 
 
 Car ore sauoit ele bien 
 
 ke il i uoloit aucune chose ' 
 
 Apres me dist, " biele douche fijle, ie 
 vous commant a dieu. 
 Ore me baisies, 
 
ISl sakeacyxte's mother bies. sarbacynte leaves the hermit's cell. 
 
 608 
 
 612 
 
 620 
 
 For to god I schal Comaunden 30TV here ; 
 
 And therefore, dowhter, loke ]?at In lUle Manere 
 
 That 56 don lik as I have 30W tawht, 
 
 And pleynly that 36 for3eten it nowht ; 
 
 For this lord with him wile leden ]Me 
 
 Into a plase ]pat is ful of prosperite, 
 
 And ]5erto ful of joye and delicasie." 
 Thus told me my Modir Sekerlye ; 
 
 And Avith this word, Sire, certeinly 
 
 Departid the Sperit owt Of hire hody. 
 
 & anon I fulfilled hire Comaundement, 
 
 And to that holy man I wente with good entent ; 616 
 
 There he me tho took My Saviour Anon Riht, 
 
 My God, my Lord, & ]?erto man most Of Miht. 
 
 And whanne he to me hadde longe I-spoke, 
 
 And wel of this "\^'orld to me his herte I-broke, 
 
 Thanne schowed he me Ipe knoweng of pe trenite, 
 
 And how pat In this World I schold Governe Me, 
 
 & Comaunded me to Fadir & Sone & holigost 
 
 Which that Is lord Of Mihtes Most, 
 
 And preide me that I scholde E,etournen tho 
 
 Into the plase A3en that I Cam fro ; 
 
 For non lengere ne speken to Me he Myhte, 
 
 So fehle he was tho as to My Syhte. 
 
 And whanne Owt of his Ermytage I was gon, 
 A wondirful swete Xoise thanne herde I Anon, 
 And my white boyst I held In Myn hond : 
 To heren this Noise ful stille gan I stond ; 
 And Me thowghte tho as in my Syht 
 In that song thre on that Chapel gonnen A-liht 
 And whanne from that Chapel that I Avas gon 
 The spas of half a myle, thanne Mette I anon 
 A man that was Clothed In A Robe of blak, 
 That was bothe Megre & pale with-owten lak ; 
 
 * MS. auoit en. 
 
 624 
 
 628 
 
 632 
 
 636 
 
 chis sires m' en veut mener: 
 
 en la plus delitable maison qui onques 
 
 fust, et si le voi a mes iex." 
 
 Che fu la daarraine parole ke ma 
 
 dame dist. 
 
 Et tout maintenant ke ele 1' eut dite, 
 
 si depart! 1' ame de son cors. 
 
 Et iou, d:eu merchi, le fis ensi com 
 
 ele le me commanda, 
 
 Car ie alai au saint hermite, 
 
 et il me carcha le glorieus cors de 
 
 notre salueour ihesu crist 
 
 Et quant il eut asses parle a moi 
 des fragilites et des perieus qui el 
 caitif siecle auienent : 
 
 et il m' eut amoneste des oeuures et 
 des commandemeus notre signour: 
 si me commanda en la garde du pere 
 et du fil et du saint esperit. 
 
 Si m' en recommenda a repairier. 
 
 Ke il ne pooit gaires parler a moi. 
 
 Car il estoit mult durement cargies 
 
 de mal qui mult F estraignoit. 
 
 Et tant com ie oi a lui pris congie, 
 
 et ke ie fiii issue fors du pourpris, la 
 
 boisteen ma main enquoi mes salueres 
 
 estoit. Si oi le grignour chant, et le 
 
 plus douch, qui onques mais fust ois, 
 
 au mien quidier. 
 
 Et chil chans s' en aloit tres par desus 
 
 la chapiele tout droit vers les nues. 
 
 Et quant nous eumes eslongie la 
 maison a 1' ermite. tant com il puet 
 auoir une* demie lieue de terre, si 
 encontrai en mi ma uoie vn home qui 
 tous estoit vestiis d'une reube noire. 
 Si estoit mult maigres et pales et chenus, 
 
SAREACYNTE IS TOLD BY A HOLY MAN OP THE HERMIT'S DEATH. 
 
 185 
 
 Pul wMt & long was his berd and her 
 
 Of the man that I the mette thanne ther, 640 
 
 & swich Abit me thowhte he hadde 
 
 As the man In Chapel was In Oladde, — 
 
 So sone was torned his Clothing 
 
 That me Merveilled In alle thing ; — 644 
 
 And SO faste and Sore tho gan he to gon 
 
 That he was Al on Swot J^ere Anon. 
 
 And Anon As he loked On Me 
 
 He wepte ful sore with gret pite 648 
 
 And thus he seide Anon to Me thore, 
 
 " A ! Cristene womman, thow hastest Sore, 
 
 For J?ou were nener so sone past from J^at good 
 
 Man 
 That his Sperit Owt of his body wente than." 652 
 
 And whanne that Cristene he gan me to Calle, 
 Anon Of my palfrey I gan down falle, 
 And Mekliche I axede him Anon 
 'Whens he Cam, & whedir he scholde gon.' 656 
 Thanne he me Answerid there Anon Ryht ; 
 Quod he, " I Am the Seriawnt of God Almyht ; 
 For 30W ful sore I desire now to se, 
 For bothe to-gederis A3en scliolen we — 660 
 
 As be the Schewyng of the holy gost — 
 Bothe A3en to-gederis gon we Most ; 
 For Owt of this world his sowle is past ; 
 Therfore thedyr Go we In hast." 664 
 
 And I him Answerid, " Sire, For Certein 
 From him Ryht now Cam I ful pleyn, 
 And On lyve Sire lefte I him there. 
 But ]7at with sicknesse he was Charged sore." 668 
 "How may this ben, faire dowhter," seide he, 
 " "Whanne thow herdest J^at Meiodie and Aungeles 
 thre, 
 
 2b 
 
 et la barbe toute autrestele. 
 
 En tel habit estoit li horn, 
 
 et si se hastoit si durement d'aler 
 
 ke il degoutoit tous de sueur, et si di- 
 soit toute voie ie ne sai quoi entre ses 
 dens. Et tantost com il me vit, 
 
 si commencha mult durement a plourer ^ 
 
 et si me dist, 
 
 " Ha: crestiene, trop i es hastee de re- 
 
 pairier, 
 
 quant tu n'as tant este ensamble notre 
 
 frere saluste : 
 
 ke li esperis se fust partis de son be- 
 
 neoit cors." 
 
 Quant ie oi ke il m' apiela ' crestiene,' 
 
 si sali tantost de mon palefroi : 
 
 et si li demandai mult douchement 
 
 ' quels hom il estoit,' 
 
 et il me respondi en plourant, 
 
 ' ke il estoit sergans ihesu crist, 
 
 et ke il desiroit mult moi a auoir, 
 
 et si estoit venus mult loing par I'amo- 
 nestement du saint esperit 
 
 pour enterrer cliil boin home 
 qui estoit trespasses.' 
 
 Et ie li dis, " Sire, 
 
 ie sui ore-endroit departie de lui, 
 si I'ai enchore laissiet tout vif. 
 
 Mais chertes il estoit mult durement 
 
 cachies de mal." 
 
 " Coumeat," dist il, " biele fille, 
 
 dont n'as tu oi les sains angeles notre 
 signour 
 
186 THET RETURN TO THE HERMITAGE, AND DIG A GRAVE POR THE BODY. 
 
 How In tliat Chapel they gonnen to A-lihte, 
 
 And boren his Sowle to-forn God AlMihte :" 672 
 
 And whanne this he tolde to me, 
 Thanne wepte I ful gret plente. 
 And Cleped I My men to Me Anon, 
 Wheche ]?at with me J^edir gonne gon, — 676 
 
 Por In hem bothe I trosted ful wel, 
 Por of myn Nortnre weren they Eueri- 
 
 del, 
 And therto On of hem My Cosin was. 
 And a Clene Maiden and ful of Gras, — 680 
 
 That so alle thre we Hetorned Agein 
 A3en to th'ermitage tho In Certein. 
 And whanne that thedir we Oomen Agein, 
 The good man was to god past In Certein : 684 
 
 And wanne this goode Man saw him ]?ere lye, 
 Anon he wepte tho ful tendirlie. 
 And vppon that dede body fil a-down, 
 And there lay he ful longe In swown. 688 
 
 Thus whanne there longe hadde he leyn, 
 Vp he Hos thanne In Certein, 
 And behinde the Awter gan he gon, 
 And thens with him browhte he anon 692 
 
 Sweche maner of Instrumens, As thowht me, 
 That A pyt with mad scholde be. 
 Thanne to-fore the Awter gan he stonde, 
 A pit Jiere forto Maken thanne gan he fonde, 696 
 That the ded body there-Inne Moot Reste : 
 Thus this pyt made he with the beste. 
 Whanne this pit thus Ended was. 
 He lift vp his hand Anon In that plas, 700 
 
 And with the signe of the 'pe Cros pe body 
 
 blessed he 
 Er Into the pit It pvt schold be. 
 
 qui orendroit enportent I'arme [sic] de 
 son glorieus cors deuant la fache ihesu 
 Crist." Quant ie oi chou, 
 
 si fui toute esperdue, et commencha 
 mult tenrement a plourer, 
 et apielai .ij. de mes sers 
 
 qui auoec moi estoient uenu, 
 
 en qui ie me fioie mult. 
 
 Car ie les auoie acates petis enfans, et nourria 
 les auoie taut qu'il estoient grant, et sage, et 
 bien conuenable a seruir en vne haute maison. 
 Chil doi estoient en ma compaignie, 
 et vne moie cousine sans plus, qui estoit 
 puchiele, et est encbore. Car ele ne uaut 
 onques signour auoir, ains dist, *ke ele n'aroit 
 ia camel compaignie.'eteucbore est ele cbaiens. 
 
 Ensi nous en retournames tout .iiij., 
 auoec Ie boin home. 
 
 et quant nous venimes a I'ermitages. 
 
 si trouuames ke li sains hermites estoit 
 
 trespasses. 
 
 Et quant li boins iiom uit chou : si se 
 
 laissa chaoir de si liaut com il estoit 
 
 sour Ie mort, et Ie commencha mult 
 
 durement a plaiadre et a regreter. 
 
 Et quant il I'ot asses plaint et ploure, 
 
 si se drecha, 
 
 et si en ala tout droit de uers I'autel. 
 
 Et quant il vint arriere, si vi qu'U en 
 
 aportoit 
 
 iteus hostieus 
 
 com il couuient a .i. cors enterrer. 
 
 Lors ala il meismes, 
 
 si chaua la terre par deuant I'autel 
 
 tant qu'il ot fait tel fosse 
 
 ou li cors d'-ixa houme pooit iesir. 
 
 Et quant il eut che fait, 
 
 si leua sa main, 
 
 et fist sour Ie cors: Ie signe de a 
 sainte crois. 
 
THE CORPSE IS PUT IN THE GRAVE. THE HOLT MAN REPROVES THE SERVANTS. 187 
 
 And that body took [he] be tbe bed Anon 
 
 In to that pit for to have don, 704 
 
 And Me the Eeet be bad taken tbo 
 
 Into tbe pyt for to bave do ; 
 
 " A ! Sire ! " quod I, and to bim Seide, 
 
 " It were not wortbi on bim bond ]?at I leide, 708 
 
 For I am Synful womman, 
 
 And On tbis Craft non tbiag I ne kan, 
 
 Netbir to towcben So boly a body ; 
 
 Trewly, Sire, I nam not worthy." 712 
 
 " A ! leve soster, whi sey 3e so here ? 
 
 A more holy thing with 30W 30 here 
 
 Thanne Evere was tbis holy body 
 
 Tberfor taketh the feet ful softly." 716 
 
 Thanne wiste I wel that he was an holy 
 
 man. 
 That so prevy tbiages Cowde tellen than. 
 Thanne took I tbe body by tbe 'Feet, 
 And be be tbe bed, and down it leet 720 
 
 Into that pyt there thanne Anon, — 
 That holy body bothe iiesch and bon ; — 
 And thanne with Ertbe he keuered it sone, 
 And seid there Ouer what was to done. 724 
 
 Thanne of lesu Crist spak he to me 
 In Mani Maners & In dyvers degre. 
 And Aposed me Of my saviour. 
 And Of my two Seriawnts In J)at stour 728 
 
 Thanne seide he to vs ful wondirfully, 
 [" How dow 3e] ben so bold other hardy 
 Swicb tweyne Seriawntes with 30W to bringe, 
 That with-Inne this holy plase Scbolden haven non 
 
 Entringe ; 732 
 
 For 30 Scbolden not Entren here with-inne 
 That liven In wrechednesse and In synne, 
 
 2 b2 
 
 Et quant il I'eut pris par le chief 
 
 pour metre en la fosse : 
 
 si me fist traire auant, et me com- 
 manda ke ie le presisse par les pies. 
 
 Et ie li dis. " Ha : sire, 
 
 comment oserai ion touchier a lui : 
 
 ie qui vne feme pecheresse sui. 
 
 II n'est mie raisons ke ie touche a si 
 sainte chose, che m'est auis." 
 
 Et il me dist tantost : " trai toi seure- 
 
 ment auant. 
 
 Car, plus sainte chose et plus haute 
 
 portes tu 
 
 ke che n'est" 
 
 Et lors soi iou bien ke il estoit boins 
 horn, quant U disoit ensi les choses cou- 
 uertes. Car il disoit d'el saint cors 
 ihesu crist ke ie enportoie en la boiste. 
 
 Lors alai, si pris le cors par les pies. 
 
 si le mesimes, entre nous deus, 
 
 en la fosse, ke il ne vaut onques ke 
 autres i touchast. 
 
 Et quant il fa tous couuers de la terre, 
 
 et li boins hom eut tout dit che que 
 
 il deuoit dire, 
 
 si commencha a parler a moi de notre 
 
 signeur. 
 
 Apres commencha a regarder mes 
 deus sergans et ma cousine, 
 et si lor dist. 
 " Di ua : et vous 
 
 qui ales querant par les sains lieus 
 
 ihesu crist, qui n'estes digne nis de la 
 
 maison veoir. 
 
 Et vous estes si hardi ke vous entres 
 
 dedens, 
 
 qui estes en I'ordure, 
 
188 
 
 JOSEPH BAPTISES SABRACTNTE S COMPANIONS. 
 
 And worschepen the devel bothe day & NyM, 
 And him j,e Serven, that fowle wyht." 736 
 
 There sweche wordis to vs Spak he anon 
 That to his Eeet we Alien Echon ; 
 Thanne preyde iche him with riht good wills 
 The E-yht Creaunce On hem to fufllle, 740 
 
 And Cristendom that they myhten take 
 In worschepe of that Goode lordis sake, 
 For non longere that they myhten dwelle 
 In Servise Of the devel Of helle. 744 
 
 And whanne that he hem herde fiere speken 
 
 so, 
 E-iht Anon water than sette he tho, 
 And Anon hem Oristeneden with-Owten host 
 In the Name of the fadir & sone & holi gost ; 748 
 And he hem preide ful tentifly 
 That Creaunce to kepe ful worthily, 
 And that ymages so fals Evere to dispise. 
 That So fals ben In Al Manere wise. 752 
 
 And he me preide hem forto kenne 
 That they myhten becomen good Cristenne 
 
 menne ; 
 And there to God he Comanded vs, 
 And we him to swete lesus, 756 
 
 Eor thens owt of |jat plase wolde he neuere go, 
 But there wolde dwellen for Evere Mo. 
 
 And God for him wrowhte In that plase 
 Manie Eaire Miracles In litel spase ; 760 
 
 But I ne Cowde weten 3it what was his Name 
 Of him that was so good Of fame, 
 And 3it God graunted me that faire grase 
 That I at his Owne beryyeng wase 764 
 
 In the same Manor As I at the tothir was Er, 
 Riht so [I] beried him bothe Eaire & Cler ; 
 
 et el pechie du dyable ke vous aoures 
 
 et serues de iour et de nuit." 
 
 Tant lor parla de notre signour et de 
 ses oeures, 
 
 ke il li chairent as pies tout troi, 
 et si li requisent 
 
 ke il les baptisast tout maintenant 
 
 ' Car il ne demourroient iamais plus 
 en la mauuaise creanche ou il auoient 
 tant este.' 
 
 Quant il les oi ensi parler. Si en eut mult 
 grant ioie. si counit il meismes en la maisou- 
 nete, et prist .j. pot, si le pucha tot plain en 
 vne cjsterne ke li sains horn auoit faite qui 
 trespasses estoit. 
 
 Lors vint arriere, si les baptisa tous 
 
 trois el non de la sainte trinite, 
 
 et si lor pria mult, et en-orta, 
 
 de garder la sainte creanche ihesu crist, 
 
 et d' eskieuer les ymages 
 
 qui nepooient aidier,anclioisnuisoient. 
 
 Apres lor moustra les poins de lor 
 
 creanche, 
 
 et si me pria pour dieu, que ie lor apre- 
 
 sisse tant de bien com ie porroie. 
 
 A tant nous commanda a dieu, 
 
 si nous empartimes, 
 et il se remest laiens, et si dist, ' ke il 
 ne s' en remoueroit iamais tant com il 
 viugroit. Car il n' auoit mais gaires 
 despasse de trauiUier sour terre.' 
 Ensi remest, si fist puis iliesu oris par 
 ses mains maintes bieles virtus. 
 
 Mais il ne uesqui puis se mult peu 
 non. et si me douna diex dont si bien 
 ae grasce, 
 ke ie fui a son enterement 
 
 autresi com iou auoie este a 1' autre. 
 
SARRACYNTE ENDS HER HISTORY, AND PRAYS JOSEPH TO SAVE EVALACH. 189 
 
 And from that day 3it hider to 
 
 I have belevid In God 3it Enere Mo." 768 
 
 And losephes Abod Alle hire Answers 
 Evene to the Ende that sche seide ]>exe, 
 And hire Answerid ful sone tho, 
 " Sey me, dame, how myhtest J)OU don so, 772 
 
 A Oristene woman ]?at thow sehost be, 
 And dost not ]?ere aftir In non degre. 
 And that thow him worschepest nowht 
 That so dere In this world the bowht ?" 776 
 
 " Sertes, sire," thanne Answerid sche, 
 "My lord Is so spetows and so Angre 
 That Everi day I moste A-waiten Myn Owr 
 Whanne I May worschepen myn saviowr ; 
 Eor and Ony-thing he Mihte Aspien with me 
 That him scholde misplese In Ony degre, 
 Anon he wolde me Confownde 
 And distroyen me Into the harde grownde ; 
 But now I hope Oure lord wil to him 
 
 se 
 In the Ryht beleve that he mot be ; 
 And I the preie, that Art Goddis Seriawnt, 
 Him from bodUy deth that he wolde grawnt, 788 
 And him hom In worschepe forto bringe. 
 And his Creawnce to Maken his End- 
 
 enge ; 
 & 3if this Ones I Mihte knowe, 
 There nis non Creature, ne]?er hy ne lowe, 792 
 
 In this world schold me disseise. 
 So mochel myn herte it scholde plese ; 
 But Evere, losephes, I drede me sore 
 Of ])e wordis that 3e hau seide before, 796 
 
 That thre dayes & thre Nyht 
 His Enemy Of him scholde hau Myht." 
 
 780 
 
 784 
 
 Et de dont en cha, ai iou tenue la 
 crestiene creanche, si ke onques la, 
 dieu merchi, ne repairai puis a des- 
 loiaute d'aourer les fas ne les pierres. 
 Quant iosephes ot escoutee la parole, 
 de chief en chief, 
 si li dist, 
 
 " Coument, dame, 
 
 puis ke vous auies recheu la creanche 
 ihesu crist,pour quoi nevous contenies 
 vous donques comme sa loiaus cham- 
 beriere. Pour quoi n' aues vous 
 piecha le roi uotre signour iete de 
 cheste grant ordure ou il a tant geu?" 
 " Chertes," dist la dame," ie atendoie 
 tant ke notres sires par sa pite m' en- 
 uoiast le point couuenable de lui metre 
 a raison. Mais ie n' en fui onques ne 
 point. Car mes sires est vns hom mult 
 crueus, si m'eust mult tost ou werpie 
 ou destruite. Se ie le mesisse en parole 
 de chose qui ne li pleust. et par auenture 
 tous iours mais m' en eust soupe- 
 chounee. 
 
 Ore a nostres sires, par son plaisir, amene le 
 point ke il porra estre destournes des mau- 
 uaises uoies. et ramenees a la droite voie qui 
 maine qui onques veut croire a la perdurable 
 vie, che est ihesu crist. 
 
 Et ie te pri, glorieus sergans notre signeur, ke 
 
 tu requieres le vrai cruchefis pour lui; 
 
 ke il par la sole tres grant miaericorde, le 
 
 deffende de mortel peril, 
 
 et le ramaint sain et hounoure a la droite 
 
 creanche de sonsaint non. Car s' il i pooit estre 
 
 amenes, mult i aroit ihesu oris recouure loial 
 
 sergant et uigereus. Car il i aroit gaaigniet 
 
 lui tout premierement, et puis toute sa terre 
 
 apres. 
 
 Et se il le voloit croire, ie seroie tant lie 
 ke il ne serroit nule riens en chest 
 terrien monde qui me peust coure- 
 chier. ne ia puis ne me cauroit de 
 quele cure que ie mouruisse. 
 
 Mais chou m' a mult espoente, 
 
 ke vous li desistes 
 
 ke il serroit .iij. iours et .iij. nuis 
 
 en la baUie de son anemi mortel." 
 
190 
 
 SARRACTNTE PEATS JOSEPH TO TELL HEE NEWS OF HEE LORD. 
 
 " That is ful soth," quod losephe thanne, 
 " For there nys non Erthly Manne 
 That his word ne may with-seye, 
 Ne his Coraandement, In non weye." 
 " Sire ! 3it 50 Mown don this for me, 
 To preien to that God In Maieste 
 That he wolde schewen 30W with-owten faille 
 How my lord hath sped In his hataUle." 
 So longe that lady preide losephes tho, 
 That Everi point he told hire to. 
 And how he hadde I-sped from day to day, 
 There Al the sothe he gan here Say. 
 
 Et iosephes li respond! 'ke il estoit 
 voirs, 
 "0" et ke par nul home viuant 
 n' en pooit estre destournes.' 
 
 Et la dame li dist, 
 
 804 
 
 808 
 
 " losephe: tantseulementmepoesvous 
 bien dire 
 
 se notre sires le vous a demoustre sa- 
 uoir mon 
 
 se il de cheste bataille escapera." 
 Tant li enquist et demanda, et vne fois 
 et autre, ke il li disoit toutes les choses 
 si com eles aiienoient de iour en iour. 
 et la dame le tenoit mult chier, et mult 
 li faisoit grant hounour, et mult volen- 
 tiers r escoutoit a parler et a dire les 
 boins mos ke il traioit auant des es- 
 critures. 
 
191 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Joseph tells Sarracynte of the White Knight (p. 191), whom Evalach and Seraphe cannot make out (p. 192). 
 Evalaoh goes to see Tholomes (p. 193), and then returns to Sarras, taking Seraphe with him (p. 193). 
 His queen receives them with great delight, and he at once asks after the Christians (p, 193). Joseph 
 comes (p. 194); he tells Seraphe that it was Evalach's prayer that gave him his great strength 
 (p. 194-5). Joseph orders Evalach's shield to be uncovered (p. 195); a crucified man is seen on it 
 (p. 195). A man with a wounded arm is healed by it (p. 196); and then the cross vanishes (p. 196)- 
 Seraphe declares that he will turn Christian, and Joseph baptises him, and changes his name to 
 Nasciens (p. 196); he is healed at once, and so preaches to Evalach, that he and the wounded man are 
 baptised too, and Evalach's name changed to Mordraynes or Slow-of-Belief (p. 197-8). The rest of the 
 people are baptised, and Joseph destroys the images, and converts all Sarras (p. 199). He leaves 
 three of his friends there in charge of the Grail-Ark, and goes with the rest to Orcanz (p. 200), 
 where he turns out of an image the devil Aselabas, and makes him explain why he had killed Tholomes 
 (p. 201, 2). Mordraynes orders his people to be baptised or leave the country (p. 203) ; some are killed 
 by the Devil (p. 204), and a spear-head is driven into Joseph's thigh for his neglect, and left there 
 (p. 205). The whole land is converted (p. 206), bishops are ordained (p. 207), and the bodies of the 
 two Hermit-Saints procured for the Churches in Sarras and Orbery (p. 208-9). 
 
 Thus losephe and his Compenies 
 In Sarras weren they Sekerlye 
 Worthily I-served Of that Qweene 
 That Sarracinte was Clepid be-dene ; 
 And As thus In talkinge they were, 
 To Sarracinte goode tydinges tolde he ]pere, 
 ' That to Orcan3 hire lord was Come 
 And with him a ful gret throme ;' 
 And tolde hire of the White Knyht, 
 How graciously he bar him In fyht ; 
 But No man Cowde tellen what he was 
 Of Alle hem that weren In that plas ; 
 And 3it the King wolde hau wist ful fayn 
 What he hadde ben In Certain, 
 And Merveilled Sore Alle that Nyht 
 & lay and thowhte Of that white knyht ; 
 And so dide Also Sire Seraphe, 
 Eor he ne wiste where becomen was he, 
 
 Ensi est iosephes 
 
 en la chite de sassarras, entre lui et 
 
 les autres crestiens, 
 
 mult honores et seruis de la roine 
 
 4 serraquite, et de chiaus de sa maison. 
 
 Ore dist chi li contes, 
 
 ke li rois eualach est a orcans, 
 
 lies et mult ioians, 
 
 mult 
 
 12 
 
 16 
 
 et si fait demander et enquerre nouui- 
 eles du blanc chiualer. qui il puet estre, 
 et de quel terre il est. 
 
 Mais nus horn a qui il en paroleche 
 ne Ten set enseignes dire. 
 
 Mult le fist li rois querre et demander, 
 
 et la nuit ke U vinrent de la bataille 
 et I'endemain. Et quant il vit ke il 
 ne seroit troues. Si en fu mult dolens, 
 
 et mult durement se meruilla de ohe 
 ke il n'en pooit oir noueles. Onques 
 ichele nuit ne manga li rois, anohois 
 
192 WHO IS THE WHITE KNIGHT ? EVALACH GOES TO ORGANS TO SEE THOLOMES. 
 
 And seiden 'that Glad Scliolden thei neuere 
 be, 
 
 Til of him they knewen som Certeinte.' 20 
 
 And thus Al that Niht spoken they two 
 
 Of the White Knyht, and Of no Mo, 
 
 Wheche he lovede Ouer Alle thing. 
 
 And be him gat he Conqwering ; 24 
 
 And thus leften they not Of talkyng 
 
 Til bothe weren Pallen in sleping, 
 
 Por Wery of fyhteng Alle they Were, 
 
 And Al here Compeni Jjat with hem was 
 
 there. 28 
 
 Erly on the Morwe, whanne ]?e kyng Aros, 
 
 Streyht Into Orcan3 thanne he Gos 
 
 Por to speken With tholome the kyng, 
 
 And to knowen & sen of his governyng. 32 
 
 And whanne Tholome Eualach Say Com, 
 
 To his Feet he Pil Anon peve A- down, 
 
 For ful gret drede hadde Tholome 
 
 That kyng Eualach Wolde don him sle ; 36 
 
 Thanne king Eualach took him be the honde 
 
 And made him vp-Hiht forto stonde. 
 
 Be Enchesen that A kyng he was 
 
 And Most Of worschepe In that place ; 40 
 
 Thanne Anon kyng Tholome 
 
 Clepid forth [his] knihtes * & his Meyne, 
 
 And bad hem down fallen to here lord 
 
 And him Worschepen Ayith on Acord. 44 
 
 Whanne they hadden thus Alle I-do, 
 
 Ivvng Eualach from hem gan to go 
 
 And toward Sarras gan forto E.yde, 
 
 He & his Meyne be his Side, 48 
 
 ne finoient, entre lui et seraphe son 
 
 serourge , de parler du blanc chiualer, 
 
 et dist ke iamais a nul iour ne seroit lies 
 
 deuant dont qu'il en saroit uxaies en- 
 
 segnes, 
 
 Ensi tinrent toute iciiele niiit la parole 
 
 de lui, 
 
 et dist H rois ' ke mult le deuoit amer. 
 
 Car ore sauoit il bien, ke par lui 
 
 auoit il hounour recouuree.' 
 
 Mult tint li rois parole chele nuit del 
 
 blanc chiualer et de ses proueches 
 
 tant qu'il s'ala couchier, et il, et se- 
 
 raphes, et li autre. Car il auoient le 
 
 iour tranillie asses, si estoient forment 
 
 las et debatu : pour chou si auoient il 
 
 plus grant mestier de reposer. 
 
 Et quant vint au matin, et li rois fu 
 
 leues, 
 
 si ala 
 
 tbolomes veoir. 
 
 Et quant cHl le vit, 
 
 si cliai as pies, et si li cria merchi 
 
 comme cliil ki mult auoit grant paour 
 
 ke il ne I'ochesist. 
 
 Et li rois le prist par la main, 
 
 et si le leua en kaut, 
 
 pour ckou ke rois estoit. Si ne uoloit 
 mie ke il geust longement deuant lui 
 a terre. 
 
 Apres apiela tliolome 
 des barons eualach, et si lor pria ke il 
 parlaissent de la pais vers lor sig- 
 nour. Et quant il vinrent a eualach, 
 et il li emprierent, si lor respondi qu'il 
 n'en ascouteroit ia parole d'ome ki 
 Ten priast, deuant dont ke il serroit 
 reuenus de sarras. A tant remest la 
 parole, " si en ala li rois 
 a sarras, 
 
 * Jcnihtest it is in the ^IS. The final long s's are often made with a long curl looking just like an I — pro- 
 ducing words hke hoystousl, hataillesl, &c. In this knihtest the curl is crossed, and made a t. 
 
EVALACH AND SEBAPHE EETURN TO SABRAS AND QUEEN SAEEAOYNTE. 193 
 
 And witli hym Sire Seraphe he ladde 
 
 That Manye A gret womide there hadde ; 
 
 And thanne seide Sire Seraphe 
 
 ' That horn Into his Owne Contre wolde he 52 
 
 Where that he Scholde more Esed ben 
 
 Thanne In Sarras As he the Cowde sen.' 
 
 Thanne seide king Eualach to him tho, 
 
 " Sire, with me to Sarras Scholen 30 go, ' 56 
 
 And there grete Merveilles scholen 36 se 
 
 Of the moste wondirful Man that may be 
 
 That tolde me how that it schold be-falle 
 
 Of my bataille, begynneng and Alle." 60 
 
 And thanne Answerid Sire Seraphe 
 
 ' That gladliche theke Man wolde he se.' 
 
 So that bothe Sire Seraphe & ]?e kyng 
 
 To Sarras Oomen with Owten lettyng, 64 
 
 And Alle the tothere Meyne 
 
 Eche tornede to his Contre 
 
 As the king hem 3af license 
 
 Eorto gon from his precense. 68 
 
 And whanne the king to Sarras was Gone 
 With grete Joye ]?e Qweene him Mette Anone, 
 And Also hire dere brother Sire Seraphe 
 Of hym gret loye Made tho sche, 72 
 
 And so dide Al that Cite tho 
 Gret loye Made Of hem two ; 
 Eor they Supposed In Certein 
 To that Cite Neuere to have Comen Ageyn. 75 
 
 And Anon As the kyng On-horsed was, 
 After the Cristenmen he Axede In J>at plas ; 
 And the qwene that wolde not vndirstonde ; 
 But 3it Anon the kyng Sente his sonde 80 
 
 To Seken thanne losephe & his Meyne, 
 " Eor, dame, it Is Al trewe that he tolde me." 
 
 2 c 
 
 et si enmena ensamble o lui son se- 
 
 rourge seraphe 
 
 mult durement naure. 
 
 et seraphes dist 
 
 ' K'il iroit plus volentiers en sa terre, 
 
 car il i seroit plus aaise 
 
 ke il ne seroit aillours. se au roi ne 
 
 deuoit anuier.' 
 
 Et li rois respondi ' qu'il voloit que il 
 
 s'en alast o lui a sarras. 
 
 Car il li mousterroit les grignours mer- 
 
 uelles que nus ne porroit quidier ne 
 
 croire, d'un home 
 
 qui li auoit dit a son mouuoir: toutes 
 les choses qui li estoient auenues en 
 la bataille.' 
 
 Et seraphes dist 
 
 ' ke chelui verroit il volentiers.' 
 
 Ensi s'entournerent 
 
 tout droit a sarras, 
 
 et li autre 
 
 se departirent, et s'en alerent chascuns 
 
 en son pais 
 
 desque li rois lor ot done congie. 
 
 Et quant eualach vint a sarras, 
 mult fu bien la ioie grans ke la roine 
 fist de lui. 
 
 et de seraphe son frere, quant eles les 
 vit cheuauchier ensamble. 
 
 Et toutes les autres gens en orent 
 mult grant ioie. 
 
 Car nus ne quidoit ke il eust iamais 
 pas ni acorde entre aus deus : tant s' 
 estoient longhement entre-hai. 
 Et tout maintenant ke li rois fu de- 
 scendus : si demanda des crestiens, ke 
 il faisoient. Et la roine li demanda ' ke 
 il li estoit auis de lor paroles, s' il i 
 auoit point de verite ne de creanche.' 
 Et li rois respondi, ' ke de toutes les 
 paroles ke iosephes li auoit dites, ni 
 auoit il onques nis une trouuee se 
 uraie non.' 
 
191 JOSEPH COMES AND TELLS SEBAPHE THAT IT WAS GOD WHO SAVED HIM. 
 
 And whanne tlie q-vreene liim herde so sayn, 
 
 Thanne In herte was sche bothe loyful & fayn, 84 
 
 And sente to seken loseplie anon 
 
 Also faste As tliey myhten gon. 
 
 And Anon As Evere the king saw losepe 
 
 Ryht Anon to him he gan forto lepe,* 88 
 
 And seide ' that he was the beste welcomed Man 
 
 Thanne Evere was Oni prophete,' he seide than. 
 
 And be him he made him to sittin A-down, 
 
 And thanne to Seraphe seide he this Resown, 92 
 
 That Sik vppon A Cowche he lay, 
 
 As was hurt vppon the Eormere day, — 
 
 " I sey to 30W now, brother Sire Seraphe, 
 
 That be this Man I have Conqwest & my degre, 96 
 
 Whiche that I wele that 3e knon^e 
 
 And Al my peple vppon A rowe." 
 
 " Nay, sire," quod losephe thanne, 
 
 " It Miht neiiere Comen be Erthly Manne, lOO 
 
 But be him In whom thow hast Creaunce, 
 
 He hath the sent Al this good Chaunce." 
 
 Thanne Axede Sire Seraphe Anon thanne 
 
 " "What Manere of powere hath that Manne 104 
 
 That he is of so gret powste, 
 
 I preie the, Belamy, telle thow me." 
 
 Thanne Answerid tho losephe Ageyn 
 " I Schal ]>e Sein, Seraphe, In Certeyn, 108 
 
 And what he seute the to seyne by me 
 I schal the now tellen. Sire Seraphe. 
 This lord that kyng Of Cristene Is, 
 Be his Mowth he seide to Me I-wis, 112 
 
 That he was the Same Man 
 That from Sevene knyhtes deliuered ]>e than 
 
 De oheste chose fu la roine 
 
 mult lie, 
 
 si enuoia tout maintenant querre io- 
 
 sephe, et il i uint. 
 
 Et tantost com li rois le vit, 
 si se drecha encontre lui, 
 
 et dist, ' que bien fust il venus com li 
 plus voirs disans 
 de tous les autres prophetes.' 
 Lors le fist asseoir d'en coste lui, 
 
 et si dist a seraphe, qui se gisoit en 
 
 vne couche 
 
 com me chil qid naures estoit et de- 
 
 brisies. 
 
 " Seraphe, biaus serourges, tant voel 
 
 ie bien ke tous mes pules sache ke par 
 
 la priere de chest home, et par son 
 
 conseil, et par le vassalage de votre 
 
 cors : ai iou recoure ma terre, et toute 
 
 hounour terriene et victoire gaaignie.'i 
 
 Lors respondi iosephes. " Eois, ne la 
 proiere de moi, ne li vasselages de se- 
 raphe, net'a rescous deta terre pierdre, 
 ne victore^ne uictoire ne te douna. Mais 
 li haus sires de qui tu portoies le signe, 
 et qui tu apielas de boin corage au 
 grant besoing." 
 Lors li demanda seraphes 
 qui sires estoit, qui si auoit grant 
 pooir, et de qui il parloit si seurement. 
 
 Et iosephes li dist. " Seraphe, ore 
 escoute, et ie te dirai 
 
 qui il est, ensi com il meismes le te 
 mande par moi. 
 
 Che dist li diex des crestiens. Ie, qui sui li 
 urais crucefis, te commant, iosephe mes ser- 
 gans, ke tu dies a seraphe quant il enquerra 
 qui ie sui. Iche li dirastu, lie ie sui li eom- 
 menchemens del monde et la fins de toutes 
 choses. Ie sui chil qui te rescous de .vij. 
 chiualers quant tu estoies si conrees que li 
 
 * The marks of contraction over the p of losep and lej} are the same, and, though this losep has been printed. 
 losephe elsewhere in the text — as Joseph occurs in the MS. so often — yet here it is printed /osepe on account 
 of the rhyme . 
 
evalaoh's shield is uncovered, and cheist crucified seen on it. 195 
 
 Whanne atte the prikke of deth ]70u were I-browlit ; 
 
 Seraphe, thorwh thy Myht wos it Nowht. 116 
 
 And 3if thow Supposist that Al thi Ohevalrye 
 
 Come of thy self, — Nay, Oerteinlye. 
 
 And 3if thow beleve now so, 
 
 Al it is Polye Ipat thow dost do ; 120 
 
 But knowe thow wel, Sire, for Certeine, 
 
 That whanne Eualach the saw In sorwe and 
 
 peine. 
 And there he Made his preiere Anon 
 To ]?at lord of whom he bar signe vppon, i24 
 
 " That, as his dere bro]?er, the In bataill scholde 
 
 defende 
 From peril of deth, & to ]?e victorie to sende." 
 And whanne losephes thus tho hadde 
 
 I-seid, 
 Thanne Seraphe, that vppon A Oowche was leid, 128 
 Of his wordis ful sore Abasched he was, 
 Of wheche no man knew tho in that plas, — 
 And Seide thanne Anon king Eualach tho, 
 "Certes, dere brother, It was Ryht So." 132 
 
 Thanne Axede losephes the Signe Anon 
 Of the Oros ]?at he hadde In his scheld doon; 
 And whanne this scheld was vndon. 
 The signe of the Orois they behelden Anon ; 136 
 And there anon it semed there In Al here siht 
 A wondirful Red Cros & Merveillously dyht. 
 And vppon that Crois hem thowhte they sie 
 A man In manere on Jjat crois was Crucifie. i40 
 In the Mene whille ]?at this Sihte was, 
 happed A man to comen Into that plas ; 
 And losephes him Olepide there Anon, 
 Por his Arm Nv from his bodv was eon ; 144 x.. ^ 1. 1 •. . 
 
 '' JO' ^^^ Jit quant seraphes le vit porter son 
 
 poing senestre tout caupe en la destre main : si apiela iosephe et si li dist " losephe, se tes diex a si 
 grant pooir, com tu li tesmoinges, donques le domoustre ore-endroit. Et se il rent a chel home son 
 poing qui trenchies est, si ke il ait autresi I'un comme Fautre. Lors dirai iou pour voir ke il est urais 
 diex. et si te creant que ie le dcquerrai sans plus d'amonestement." 
 
 2 c 2 
 
 sans te saloit par le nes, et par la bouclie, et 
 par lea orelles, et par les iex. lUuec te rescous 
 iou de la mort. 
 
 Et se tu quides auoir fait par ta sainte pois- 
 sanche les raeruelles que tu fesis en la bataille, 
 tu quides mauuaisement. Et si en sera tes- 
 raoins la proueche que tu auoies deuant eue. 
 et tu meismes qui t^esmeruilloies des grans 
 proueches ke tu faisoies, ne ne quidoiespas ne 
 raisons nete sambloit que nus cors peust auoir 
 la forche : de si estrainges proueches faire. 
 Ne de ton cors n 'issirent eles mie les proueches, 
 cbe saches tu. 
 
 mais tantost que tu veins pour ferir en la 
 bataille au commenohement, si dist eua- 
 lach li rois, qui chi est, quant il te vit 
 mouuoir. " He seraphe, biaus dous amis, 
 or en ales en la garde a chelui signour qui 
 signe ie port, ke se il est urais diex si com 
 le m'a tesmoignie : si gart il bui votre cors 
 de honte et de perir, et si vous enuoit si grant 
 hounour com vous poes grignour auoir.'' la te 
 gardai iou de peril par la proiere de chelui 
 qui de boin cuer apieloit mon non et recla- 
 moit. Et de la terriene hounour te dounai iou 
 grant partie. Car onques ne fu autant parle 
 de proueche ke nus horn i fesist comme des 
 toies. Et se il ne remaint en toi enchore, te 
 donrai ie grignour. Car tu aras Tonour du 
 chiel, et la grant ipie qui fin ne puet auoir." 
 Quant iosephes eut ensi parle. si fu seraphes. 
 
 si esbahi de che que il disoit les choses ke il 
 ne quidoit ke nus horn terriens peust sauoir 
 
 Et li rois eualach dist, ' ke uoirement disoit il 
 voir, et ke il fu menes iusc'a la paour de mort 
 quant il descouuri le signe. Et quant il re- 
 clama le signour qui en tel signo auoit este 
 mis, ensi que iosephes li auoit ensignie.' 
 Lors commanda iosephes le signe a 
 ueoir, et li rois fist aporter son escu. 
 
 Et quant il fu descouuers, 
 
 si virent tout apiertement 
 
 vne crois vermeille. 
 
 et dedens 
 
 .i. c]'ucefis, de qui il estoit auis ke il 
 
 fust tot nouuelement cruchefiies. 
 
 Ensi com il I'orent descouuert, et il les 
 
 gardoient, 
 
 si auint chose,ke vns horn entralaiens, 
 
 qui auoit tantost le poing eu caupe en 
 
 vne meslee. 
 
196 A WOUNDED MAN IS HEALED. THE CROSS VANISHES. SERAPHE IS BAPTISED. 
 
 " Certes " quod losephe " this lord is of so gret 
 
 powere, 
 That thin sore putte to him here, 
 As heil & sownd thaime schalt thow be 
 As euer is Oni Man In Oristiente." 148 
 
 And this Man dide Anon As he him bad 
 And Riht Anon there his hele he had. 
 Thanne alle the hurte men J)at weren present 
 Seiden it was don be Enchauntement, 152 
 
 And his Arm be Cam As hoi Anon 
 As was flsch that bar A bon. 
 
 3it a grettere Merveille was in that plas 
 Of the Cros that In the Scheld tho was ; 156 
 
 It vansched Awey there tho sodeinly 
 That neuere man ne wiste whedir ne whi, 
 So that it was nenere More Sein 
 In that Scheld Aftir Certein. 160 
 
 Of this thing Alle Sore abasched they were 
 That in theke plase f)at tyme weren there. 
 
 And whanne Seraphe this gan beholde, 
 Non lengere thanne Abiden he wolde, i64 
 
 But Anon Oristened he wolde be, 
 & On him to beleve In Eche degre 
 That hath so moche strengthe & power 
 Sike Men Eorto keveren there ; 168 
 
 And he him there dressed rppe al so skeet. 
 And fyl adown Anon to losephes Eeet, 
 There Axede he loseph for charite 
 Anon A Cristene man that he Mihte be. 172 
 
 " In the name of ]?e Eadir, sone, & holigost, 
 Whiche that Is lord of Mihtes Most, 
 I the cristene", quod loseph thanne, 
 " And loke ]?at thou be true cristenne Manne." 175 
 In his Cristendom, his Name chonched he. 
 And Clepid him Nasciens, that men myhte se. 
 
 " Chertes, dist iosephes," enchore te 
 dirai iou plus. Pour ch.ou que iou ne 
 voel que tu quides ke iou i fache en- 
 chantement ne fraude : fai venir rome 
 a chest signe qui est en chest escu, et 
 si li fai touchier son brach, et se il ne 
 garist maintenant. Si me fai destruire 
 maintenant sans demeure. 
 
 Lors vint auant li naures, et toucha 
 
 son brach a la crois, 
 
 et tantost com il li ot touchie, 
 
 si eut I'un brach autresi sain comme 
 
 I'autre. 
 
 Et si auint vne autre : 
 
 ke la crois, si comme ele estoit enl'escu, 
 
 se prist au brach, 
 
 ne pnques puis en I'escu ne parut 
 point. 
 
 De cheste chose furent trop durement 
 esbahi: tout chil quil el palais es- 
 toient, plus asses ke du brach qui 
 sanes estoit. 
 Et quant seraphes vit cheste chose: 
 
 Si dist que il n'atenderoit ia plus. 
 
 anchois seroit orendroit crestiens. 
 
 Car chelui doit on bien croire 
 
 qui le poir auoit de si meruilleus ses 
 
 uirtus faire tout apertement. 
 
 Lors se drecha, si malades et si naures 
 
 com il estoit, 
 
 si vint a iosephe, et li chai as pies, 
 
 et dist 
 
 ke il le fesist crestien isnelement. 
 
 Lors le baptiza iosephes el non du pere 
 et du fil et du saint esperit. 
 
 et si fu en baptesme 
 apieles nasciens. 
 
SERAPHE IS GLORIEIED AND HEALED ; AND THEN PREACHES TO EVALACH. 197 
 
 And Anon As lie tho Cristened was, 
 Swich A Olerte On Mm fil In jpat plas, iso 
 
 Seenge to hem that stood Abowte, 
 Of diners meine a ful gret Rowte, 
 And hem besemede ful verrayly 
 That alle his Clothes war en taken Awey ; 184 
 
 Hem thowhtethey sien A brennenge brond offer 
 Into his Mowth how it Entrede ther ; 
 Thanne herden they there A wondir vois anon 
 That thus to hem seide ]?ere Everichon 188 
 
 " The last of jje ferst hath taken Away 
 Alle filthhedis this ilke day. 
 Be his Owne stedfast Creavnce 
 Him is be-happed this ilke Chaunce." 192 
 
 And whanne this vois tho was past, 
 Thanne vppe him Stirte Seraphe In hast ; 
 And Eelt him Self As heyl & qwerte, 
 And as hoi A man In body & herte. 196 
 
 And Anon fulfillid there he was 
 With the holi gost tho In that plas, 
 And thanne be-spak sire Nasciens, 
 " The holi gost is in my presens 200 
 
 That Me Certefyeth Of Myn Creavnce, 
 & how that I schal leven with-owten vari- 
 
 aunce ; 
 That to Owre mete ne gon not we 
 With hondes vnwaschen In non degre, 204 
 
 And him there worschepen scholen we 
 
 thanne 
 That Most Worthy Lord that becam Manne." 
 
 And behold what God Schewed to Eualach tho 
 Eor the grete A£Q.aunce he hadde him vnto, 2O8 
 
 That Tholome theke same Owr 
 Owt of this world was past with dolowr. 
 
 Et tout maintenant ke il fu baptisies, 
 si descend! sour lui vne si grant clartes 
 
 ke il estoit auis a tous chiaus qui laiens 
 estoient, 
 
 ke toute sa ueuture fust esprise de fu 
 
 ardant, 
 
 et si virent apertment vn brandon de fu 
 
 qui li entroit par mi la bouche. 
 
 Apres oirent vne vois, 
 
 qui dist mult haut et mtdt espoen- 
 
 tablement. 
 
 " Li daerrain out as premiers tolu 
 
 Tonour del cors 
 
 par isnelete de creanche'' 
 
 Tantost com la vois eut parle, 
 
 si senti nasciens ke il estoit garis, et 
 
 sanes, 
 
 de toutes plaies et de toutes ses ble- 
 
 cheures. 
 
 Et tantost fu ses cors raemplis 
 
 del saint esperit. 
 
 et commencha a dire asses de choses a 
 
 auenir. et traioit auant les fors mos 
 
 des escriptures tout autresi bien com 
 
 fesist li plus souurains olers du monde, 
 
 et si disoit au roi eualach. "He: 
 
 rois, ke atens tu ke tu ne requiers le 
 
 baptesme. Li sains esperis notre 
 
 signour me demoustre toutes les os- 
 
 cures choses. et si dist li sains esperis. 
 
 Ke ales vous atendant, vous qui vees 
 
 les tables mises, ke vous ne laues vos 
 
 mains et ales asseoir. Che vous mande 
 
 li vrais crucheficis par la moie bouche, 
 
 ke li parecheus ouuriers precheuse- 
 
 ment recheueront lor loiier. 
 
 Et bien sache li rois eualach, pour 
 
 chou qu' il ne me tienge pour fol ne 
 pour derue: 
 
 ke tholomes li fuitis est orendroit 
 
 fenis et trespasses du siecle. 
 
198 EVALACH & THE CURED MAN ABE BAPTISED, & EVALACH NAMED MORDRAYNES. 
 
 And tliiis him Schewed the holy gost 
 
 That Evere Is lord Of Myhtes Most. 212 
 
 So longe thanne there Spak Sire Nasciens 
 
 Of goddis Myht and of his presens, 
 
 That king Eualach Ran Cristened to be, 
 
 And Also that Man In the same degre 216 
 
 Whiche that his Arm was ny Offe go, 
 
 To Cristendom faste Ran he tho ; 
 
 And Anon As that they Cristened were 
 
 Here Names In here Eorehed were wreten J^ere ; 220 
 
 Eualach to ' Mordraynes ' Torned was 
 
 And the hurt Man to ' Olamacides ;' 
 
 Thus bothe here Names I-torned they were 
 
 Be strengthe and vertw Of baptism there, 224 
 
 As banarers Of that hye kyng 
 
 The wheche hem browhte to baptising. 
 
 Thanne seide Sire Mordrains to his qwene 
 ' That sche scholde Comen Cristened to bene ;' 228 
 Thanne Answerid [sche] to hire lord Anon 
 " That it Were Nethir Skele ne Reson 
 Por on body twyes baptised forto be. 
 Sire, it were non Resoun, So thinketh Me." 232 
 Thanne Axede hire the kyng Anon 
 How that this Cause Mihte thus gon. 
 " Sire," sche seide thanne, " Certeinlye 
 xxvij wynter Agon it is fullye 236 
 
 That I Crestened womman haue be, 
 Sire kyng, forsothe As I telle the." 
 And the kyng Axede here how it was. 
 Anon sche him tolde Al the Cas, 240 
 
 Evene As sche to losephe tolde 
 Sche him Rehersid ])Gre Manifolde, 
 And seid the holy man that hire Cristened ]?ere 
 Here Name Nolde chonge In non Manere, 244 
 
 etsi le m' a demoustre li sains esperis 
 
 Tant parla nasciens 
 
 de dieu, et tant lor dist, 
 
 ke li rois eualach se courut baptizier. 
 
 Et chil qui par le signe de la crois 
 
 auoit le brach gari. 
 
 Ettantost com ohascuns estoit baptisies 
 si trouoit en son non esciit en mi le 
 front, tout tel com il le deuoit auoir 
 par baptesme. Et li non ke li rois 
 eualach aporta, si fu apieles li rois 
 mordains. Che est vne parole en 
 caldieu qui vaut autant a dire : comme 
 fait en latin 'tardieus en creanche.' Et 
 li non de chelui qui auoit la crois 
 el brach, si fu apieles climachideus. 
 Che fu autant a dire comme ' gon- 
 fanonniers au glorieus.' 
 
 Apres apiela li rois sarraquite, 
 
 si li commanda ke ele s' alast baptisier. 
 
 Et ele respondi qu' il ne li looit mie 
 
 ke ele recheust baptesme .ii. fois. 
 
 et li rois li demanda ' 
 
 ' comment.' 
 
 Et ele dist 
 
 ke ele estoit crestiene: et auoit este 
 
 bien .xxvij. ans. 
 
 Et sili conta comment ohe estoit auenu : 
 autresi com ele auoit fait a iosephe. 
 
 et si dist, keli boins horn qui le baptisa 
 ne li vaut onques son non remuei-, 
 
JOSEPH BAPTISES THE PEOPLE, DESTROTS THE IMAGES, PURIPIES THE TEMPLE. 19Q 
 
 " But seid to Me In his talkyng 
 
 ' Thy Name ' ful of faith ' Is signefieng.' " 
 
 And whanne that they thus Oristened 
 
 were, 
 AUe the Remnaunt that weren there 248 
 
 Comen Alle ful faste Hennenge 
 Forto Resceyven there baptisenge ; 
 And losephes took A basyn with water Anon 
 And Amongs hem Faste he gan to gon, 252 
 
 There Anon he Made hem Alle knelynge 
 And there 3af he to hem Baptisenge 
 And vppon here hedis water threw he Abowte 
 Vppon that Meyne In theke grete Rowte 256 
 
 Where As was v hundred thpwsend & Mo 
 In that same plase Oristened be tho 
 In the Name of the fadir & Sone & holigost 
 Wheche that Is lord of Myhtes Most. 260 
 
 Thanne On the Morwe Nasciens wolde gon 
 Into Furthere Oontres Anon, 
 And loseph with him wolde he have 
 The Oontre to saunctefle & to save. 264 
 
 But loseph him tho Answerid Anon, 
 " That Owt of Sarras wolde he not gon 
 Til the ymages weren broken Echone, 
 And the temples Sanctified er he ]?ens wold 
 
 gone, 268 
 
 As Oure lord him Comaunded be his mowth 
 
 presente ;" 
 & so he dide Er he thens wente. 
 
 And whanne Alle this peple thus hadde he wonne 
 And- Goddis ful Creaunce there begonne, 272 
 
 Thanne Abowtes In Virown Al that Contre 
 The peple to torne thanne so labowred he. 
 Whanne that Sarras to Cristendom was browht, 
 Eul mochel loye was In his thowht. 276 
 
 ains dist ke bien li auenoit. 
 
 car che estoitautant adire com 'plaine 
 
 de foi.' 
 
 Et quant chil furent ensi baptisie, 
 
 si uenoient li autre si espessment ke il 
 
 n' alaissent mie si tost par samblant 
 
 a .i. grant monchiel de deniers com- 
 
 quellir se il fuissent espandu. Ne il 
 
 ne voloient souffrir que nus les bapti- 
 
 sast se iosephe non. Car ilne quidoient 
 
 mie estre bien baptisie par la main 
 
 d' un autre home. 
 
 Et iosepbes tenoit .i. grant bacliin 
 
 d' argent, 
 
 si versoit a chascun sour la teste el 
 non de la sainte trinite. 
 
 Et tant fist ichelui iour ke il en i ot 
 de baptisies bien largement .v. mile 
 et .iij. cens. 
 
 A r endemain s' en parti nasciens 
 
 del roi et de sa serour. 
 
 Si enmena ensamble o lui ioseph 
 
 pour baptisier le pule par sa terre et 
 
 pour ensengier la loi a tenir, et a 
 
 garder la creanohe. 
 
 Mais iosephes 
 
 si remest en sarras, 
 
 et fist les ymages abatre et depiclier 
 
 les auteus, et refist auteus nouuiaus, 
 
 et purefia les temples. 
 
 ensi com ihesu cris li auoit ensengnics 
 a faire del iaue benoite. 
 
 Et quant il eut tout le pule de sarras 
 recheu en creanche, 
 
 si en ala par toute la terre de mirron, 
 si com li roiaumes contenoit, 
 
200 JOSEPH LEAVES THREE PERSONS WITH THE ARK, AXD GOES TO ORCANZ. 
 
 Thanne ^Ule the gan he with him take 
 That Owt of lerusalem weren his Make, 
 Excei^t Only persones thanne thre 
 That he lefte with the Ai'che forto be, 280 
 
 And that holy disch that was there-Inne 
 It savely to kepen from j\Iore 0>er Mjome ; 
 T^Tiiche On of hem ' Enacore ' gonn.e they Calle, 
 The tother ' Manasses,' As tho gan falle ; 264 
 
 The thridde was clepid Lwcan, 
 TMke same Tyme of Every man, 
 That loseph took the Arch In kepinge 
 To his piu'pos As to A man of best levenge. 288 
 
 And thus these thre leften there 
 To kepen this holy Arch In this llanere ; 
 And AUe the tothere gonnen forth to gon, 
 Cristes Xame to sanctefien Anon, 292 
 
 And the peple to 3even baptiseng, 
 And this was alle here labowreng ; 
 But of hem At theke time was non there 
 But that the holigost in hem spak Every where, 296 
 And Alle Maner of langage thanne dide hem have ; 
 Where thorwh the peple that they myhten save. 
 And with-o"wten losephe and his sone 
 Weren Issij that to-gederis dide wone. 300 
 
 Thanne losephe to Orcanz gan to gon, 
 And there Into the temple he Entred Anon, 
 And In ful gret thowht there was he, 
 But Evere his herte was vppon the Trenite. 304 
 
 And his letherne Gyrdel tho took he anon. 
 And to An ymage there Gan he to gon 
 That stood In the temple vppon the chief Awter, 
 And him Anon Coniowred there. 308 
 
 And the devel there Anon forth Byht 
 Owt of the ymage isswed In Al here siht. 
 
 si .i. fist, aler tous les crestiens 
 
 qui auoec li estoient reuenu de 
 
 iierusalem. 
 
 fors ke seulement Jij. 
 
 qtii remesent pour garder 1' arche 
 
 ou la sainte escuele estoit. 
 
 De ches .iij. fa li vns apieles anacor. 
 Et K autxes manates. 
 Et li tiers leucans. 
 
 Che fa chil qui ioseplie auoit fait 
 
 maistre de garder T arche. 
 
 Si com il conte cha arriere, quant il 
 
 parla de son secre. 
 
 Ensi remesent chil troi, et les femes 
 
 toutes. 
 
 et touteU autre s' enalerent par lepais 
 
 baptisant le pule, et preechant le non 
 au urai cruoefis. 
 
 Mais il ni auoit nul d' aus 
 
 en qui li sains esperis ne fast si aper- 
 
 tement 
 
 ke il parloient tous les langages, et 
 
 prophetisoient tout, 
 
 et H nonbres d' aus si estoit iuscli' a 
 ■XT.TT. sans ioseplie et sans son pere. 
 
 Et quant iosepbes vint a orcaus, 
 
 si encontra tout premierement el 
 maistre temple. Et quant il fix dedens, 
 si commencha mult durement a penser. 
 
 Et quant il eut grant piecbe pense, 
 is se descbainst 
 
 lors si courut tout droi vers .j. des 
 auteus, sa cbainture en sa main, si 
 commencbe a couiarer et a faire le 
 signe de la crois sour vne ymage 
 qui estoit desus le maistre autel. 
 
 Tant que vns djables 
 
 en issi bors, si bideus et si lais ke 
 
 nule plus laide cbose ne peust estre. 
 
JOSEPH DRAGS THE DEVIL ABOUT, AND ASKS WHY HE KILLED KING THOLOMES. 201 
 
 And whanne that Owt of the ymage he was 
 
 gon, 
 loseph thanne took his Girdel Anon 312 
 
 And Ahowte Ms Nekke he Made it fast, 
 And it drowgh to-Pore the king In hast, 
 So In }jat Manere he drow it thorwgh the Cite 
 That Al the peple there him Mihte thanne 
 
 se. 316 
 
 Thanne Axede him Nasciens Anon Eiht there 
 " Whi that so sore lustefyed he were ? " 
 Thanne losephe to him Sone Agein 
 " In time Oomeng thow schalt weten Oertein." 320 
 Thanne Axed losephe of Ipe devel A-forn hem 
 
 AUe ]>ere 
 ' Why he hadde so ferd with kyng Tholomere,' 
 " And whi thow Madist him so to fallen A- down 
 Atte the wyndowe Of f»e towr to his Oonfucioun." 324 
 Thanne spak the devel to loseph tho Certeinle 
 " Goddes Seriawnt, A while that ]jou wost 
 
 lesen Me 
 And I schal to the tellen Anon Ryht 
 Of kyng Tholomer, pat ]?ou clepist A knyht." 328 
 Thanne losephe his Girdil tho gan to vndon 
 From the schreAves Nekke there Anon, 
 And so wente he forth there Al Abowte. 
 And loseph him Comanded Among Al that 
 
 Rowte 332 
 
 ' That Openly the sotlie to tellen there. 
 How it So happed Of kyng Tholomere.' 
 Thanne Answerid that schrewe sone him Ageyn 
 And seide, " loseph, I knowe it wel for Oerteyn 
 What Merveilles that God hath for the wrowht, 
 For In Sarras there God wrowhte fore the. 
 The Man that was Mayned ipere hoi forto be, 340 
 
 2d 
 
 Et iosephes li ieta sa chainture 
 
 entour le col, 
 
 si le trainoit hors du temple,voiarit le roi 
 
 et uoiant tout le pule, qui le sieuoit, 
 
 et il muioit si durement la u iosephes 
 
 le trainoit ke on 1' ooit clerement par 
 
 toute la cMte. 
 
 si ke mult grant partie de la gent i 
 
 coururent. 
 
 Lors li demanda li rois 
 
 pour quoi il le iustichoit si. et ke il li 
 
 auoit fourfait.' 
 
 Et iosephes li respondi 
 
 ' ke che porroit il par tans oir.' 
 Et il li commencha a demander 
 
 pour quoi il auoit fait tholome 
 
 chaoir 
 
 des fenestres de la tour a terre. 
 
 Et il li dist, 
 
 " iosephe, tu i es sergans ihesu crist. 
 Or me laske .i. petit, 
 
 et ie le te dirai." 
 
 Et iosephes li osta toute sa chainture, 
 et si le prist par les chaueus. 
 
 Lors li commenda isnelement. 
 dist [le] dyables, 
 
 Et li 
 
 336 « iosephe, ie veoie 
 
 les meruelles ke diex faisoit pour toi 
 quant tu fesis garir a sarras 
 r ome qui auoit le brach caupe 
 
202 
 
 THE DEVTL EXPLAINS HOW HE DECEIVED AND KILLED THOLOMES. 
 
 Thorwii Signe of the Crois that he towched there 
 
 Anon was he Mad bothe hoi & Tere; 
 
 Also there Cristenedest thow kyng Eualach 
 
 That Alle Onre lawe there gan he Forsak ; 344 
 
 And so I supposed thow wost hau don here, 
 
 To Cristendom hau broyrht kyng Tholomere. 
 
 And for I suppesid that thow wost don so, 
 
 In liknesse of Man I gan to hym go, 348 
 
 And told him there a newe tyding, 
 
 ' That on the Morwe Sire Enalach the kyng 
 
 "Wolde him don bothe hangen & drawe, 
 
 And him to bringe Owt of his Hf dawe.' 352 
 
 Thanne whanne thus I hadde hym told 
 
 Anon his herte gan to wexen ful cold, 
 
 And he me preide him forto helpe. 
 
 There thus Of My Self I gan to 3elpe, 356 
 
 Eor I tolde him ' Certeinle 
 
 I CoTvde him helpe in Al degre, 
 
 And Owt of ]jat Castel Eorto gon 
 
 I him TVolde helpe Hiht Anon.' 360 
 
 Thanne torned I Me In semblaunce of a Grifown 
 
 Owt of that towr him to helpen A-down, 
 
 And uppon my bak I Made him Sitten there 
 
 Til that he Owt of that Cite were ; 364 
 
 And whanne On My bak I-set was he, 
 
 I let him falle & to-breste on pecis thre." 
 
 Thanne loseph A3en took ])at schrewe Anon Riht, 
 And bond him A3en In Alle Mennes Siht, 368 
 
 And him so ladde thorwgh Al the Cite 
 That al the peple him Milite there Se, 
 And seide, " 3e Caytives, know Everichon 
 Here Is 30ure god that 36 beleven 
 
 vppon." 372 
 
 Thanne Axede him loseph In that plas 
 In what Manere that he Clepid was. 
 
 pour toucher au signe de la crois. 
 
 Sivi quetu fesis baptisier seraphe et 
 le roi eualach. 
 
 Si doutoie ke tu ne fesisses 
 
 autrestel de tholome. 
 
 Et pour chou 
 
 li aportai iou les notdeles en san- 
 
 blanche d' un home. 
 
 Sili dis 
 
 ' ke K Tois eualach 
 auoit commande ke il fust Tendemain 
 traienes a keues de cheuaus, et apres 
 fast pendus. 
 
 Et quant ie li oi chou dit 
 
 si fu mult esbahis ke il porroit faire. 
 
 Et ie li dis ' ke se il estoit de grant 
 guerredon vers moi, ie le ieteroie bien 
 de la prison.' Car ie sauoie plus d' en- 
 cantement: ke tout chil du monde. 
 Et il me respondi tantost ' que il ne me 
 prameteroit mie son auoir seulement: 
 mais il deuenoit mes hom a tous les 
 iours du monde: ne iamais ne feroit 
 chose qui me pesast, se iou de laiens 
 le pooie ieter.' Lors me muai tout 
 voiant lui en forme d' un grifon, si le 
 fis mont€r sour moi. 
 
 Et quant ie 1' oi en haut leue: 
 
 si le laissai chaoir si ke il eut le col 
 
 pechoie, et .i. des bras." 
 
 Lors le prist iosephes vne autre fois, 
 
 si li remist sa chainture entour le col 
 
 et si r emenoit par toutes les voies 
 
 si apiertement ke toutes les gens le 
 
 veoient, 
 
 et iosephes disoit au pule 
 
 " Caitiues gens, de poure entension, 
 
 mdes de sens et de creanche: 
 
 vees chi la figure des diex ke vous 
 
 aues aoures tous iours, et par qui vous 
 
 quidies vous viure sour terre." 
 
 Apres demanda au dyable 
 
 ' comment il estoit apieles,' 
 
THE KING ORDERS ALL THE CITIZENS TO BE BAPTISED OR LEAVE THE COUNTRY. 203 
 
 Thanne the sclirewe Answerid him Ageyn, 
 " Aselabas My name is Olepid In Oertein ; 
 And, loseph, I telle the what is Myn Offis, 
 Men thorwgh false tales to bringen In to vis ; 
 And thorwh my fals tydynge 
 Thus bringe I hem to schort Endenge." 
 And whanne the peple herden Al this Ado 
 On him there wondrede Mani-on tho, 
 To Cristeneng AUe ronnen they Riht faste 
 As longe as that It Myhte laste ; 
 And losephe was Evere Hedy Anon 
 And there hem Baptised Evei'ichon, 
 Thanne losephe Coniowred the devel Anon 
 And Owt Of his bondes let him gon, 
 That he Scholde Neuere Noyen Man ne womman 
 That the signe Of the holy Cros hadde vppon. 
 Thanne Anon the kyng let the banes Crye 
 Thorwhe Al his lond ful Certeinlye, 
 That Al his lond Cristendom Scholde take 
 Only Eor lesus Cristes Sake ; 
 And alle tho that wolde not Cristened ben, 
 Anon Owt his lond that Scholde fleen, 
 And neuere thedir Inne to Retornen Agein ; 
 This was this Oomandement Certein. 
 And whanne this cry was thus don 
 To Cristeneng wente there Mani On, 
 But Mochel peple 3it tho there were 
 That Owt of theke Cite fledden there, 
 Eor the ne wolden not Chongen here lay, 
 Mochel of that peple thens wente that day. 
 And whanne loseph beheld al this, 
 Eul mochel mone he Made I-wis. 
 Thanne spak the devel to loseph tho, 
 " Behold what Venyaunce I wil now do, 
 
 2d2 
 
 376 
 
 380 
 
 884 
 
 et li dyables dist 
 
 ' qu' il auoit non aselafac/ 
 
 et si dist ' qu' il auoit baillie 
 
 d' espandre la paour es gens par les 
 noueles males ke il lor aportoit de 
 fausete.' 
 
 Quant les gens oirent ches paroles. 
 
 si s' encourut mult grant partie bap- 
 tisier. Et iosephes entra el palais le 
 roi, si les baptisa illuec: quant il 1' 
 eut purefiiet di aue benoite. 
 
 Apres laissa le dyable aler, et si le 
 coniura ' ke iamais nus qui eust re- 
 cheu le signe de la creanche n'eust par 
 
 lui encombrement. 
 Lors fu cries li bans le roi 
 392 par le chitei : 
 
 * ke il n' i remansist nus ne nule, qui ne venist 
 el palais oir son commandement/ Et quant 
 il furent tout venu el palais oir son commande- 
 ment, et el pourpris, si monta iosephes as 
 fenestres, et lor anoncha la parole ihesu crist. 
 Et quant il lor eut mult longhement preeehiet: 
 Si lor fist commander par la bouehe le roi ke 
 il s'alaissent tout et toutes baptisier. Et qui 
 baptisier ne se uoloit : li rois li donoit boin 
 congie, ke il s'en alast hors de son regne sans 
 reuenir. 
 
 388 
 
 396 
 
 404 
 
 Apres cheste parole 
 
 coururent au baptesme mult grant partie de 
 
 In. D-pnt. 
 
 400 la gent 
 
 Et asses i ot de cheus si com oirent chest 
 commandement qui disrent, ke 
 
 * li voloient miex "widier le regne : ke can- 
 gier tel loy et tel creanche com il auoient tons 
 iours tenue.' Mult i eut grant nombres de 
 cheus et de cheles qui chelui iour reehurent 
 la lo; ihesu crist. 
 
 408 
 
204 
 
 THE TJNBAPTISED PEOPLE AEE KILLED AND HTTBT BY THE DEVIL. 
 
 412 
 
 416 
 
 420 
 
 For tho that Cristened wold not hau had 
 Owt At the 3ates the devel hem lad, 
 Of whom deyden sodeinly Manion 
 As Owt of ]>e 3ates they wolden hau gon ; 
 And somme the devel hurte wondir sore, 
 And Owt of here wittes 3it Mani More. 
 AUe the Remnaunt that Asckapen 
 
 Mihte, 
 E,onnen to loseph there Anon Ryhte, 
 There that the Miscreawntes Cristened be. 
 And whanne this Merveille losephe sawh he, 
 Thedirward faste wente he Anon — 
 Also Faste he hyede As he myht gon. — 
 And aboven the dede bodyes saw he ]>ere Sitte 
 The devel that Owt of ]7e Cite Made hem 
 
 flytte, 
 "A ! thow Cursid gost," quod loseph tho, 
 " Whi hast thow this veniaunce thus do ? 
 And to this ho that Comanded the, 
 Telle me, thow devel, er thow hens fle." 
 Thanne the devel Answerid him Agein, 
 " Be Cristes Comaundement In Certein." 
 " Tho lyest Falsly, quod loseph tho, 
 " His Comaundement was it Nevere so." 
 And loseph to him ward faste gan gon 
 Him. forto han taken & bownden Anon, 
 In his Girdel, as he to-foren was, 
 Forto hau bownden him In that plas. 
 And as loseph loked him tho Abowte, 
 In his herte he hadde gret dowte ; 
 An Aungel to-Forn him Sawh he there 
 With a merveUlews contenaunce In ]?is manere, 
 For his vesage As brenneug Fyr it was 
 To him there semeng, ne]jer more ne las, 440 
 
 Et quant chil s' enpartoient du palais 
 qui reclioiure ne le voloient, 
 ausitost com il auoient passe le daer- 
 raine porte, si chaioient mort. 
 
 de teus i auoit, et de teles, qui issoient du sens, 
 et de teus i auoit qui estoient feru panni le 
 cors si ke on ueoit la plaie, et si ne ueoit 
 on mie chelui qui le faisoit. Et I'autre 
 partie qui teus maus n'auoient: si estoient 
 mehaignie ou de bras, ou de quisses, ou 
 de col pechoie, ne ia li baptisie n'eussent 
 mie de mal. Tant en i eut de mors et de mes- 
 haignies : ke la nouiele en ala a iosephe la 
 ou il baptisoit le pule. 
 
 Et quant il oi chou 
 
 si courut chele part tous esfres. 
 
 Et quant il aprocha pres de la porte, 
 si esgarde deuant ltd, 
 si Toit le dyable ke il auois orains laissie aler, 
 qui tenoit en samainvne espeetoutesanglente, 
 et de si loing com il vit iosepbe, si le com- 
 menoba a huchier. " Or, esgarde iosephe 
 comment ie pren la veniancbe des anemis a 
 ton dieu." 
 
 Et iosephes li demanda ' par qui il 
 faisoit ch.es meruelles, et qui li aitoit 
 commande.' 
 
 Et li dyables respondi: 
 
 ke il le faisoit par le commandement 
 ihesu crist.' 
 
 "Chertes,'' dist iosephe, "cuuers, — che 
 ne vous auoie iou pas commande." 
 
 et lors si courut vers lui 
 
 ^32 po^ir chou ke il le voloit Icier. 
 
 424 
 
 428 
 
 436 
 
 En chel courre ke il fist, 
 
 si garde il deuant lui, si voit .i. angele, 
 
 qui auoit tout le viaire 
 
 autresi Vermel com vn effondre ardant. 
 et si pie estoient austrestel,et ses mains 
 et sa vesteure estoient autresi noire 
 comme poi. 
 
AN ANGEL DRIVES A SPEAR INTO JOSEPH FOB HIS NEGLECT. 
 
 205 
 
 Ful sore abascht was lie Jjer-offen tho, 
 
 That he ne wiste what he myhte do, 
 
 And wondred what it schold signefle, 
 
 Th'aimgel that loked so vegerowslye. 444 
 
 And in this Mene whille of thinJkenge 
 
 Th'atingel with a spere he dide him stinge, 
 
 In tho to the hipe to the harde bon 
 
 This Angel him stang there Anon, 448 
 
 And there lefte he the spere and pe hed 
 
 StiUe In his hype In thast Sted, 
 
 " Lo, losephe, this is to Signefle 
 
 For hem thou leftest Oncristened Sekerlye ; 452 
 
 Therfore this thy mark Schal be 
 
 & it Contenuwe schal with the." 
 
 Thanne th'aungel thens gan to gon, 
 
 And loseph drowgh Onte ]>e spere schaft anon, 456 
 
 But the hed In his hype lefte ]?ere stille, 
 
 For that was only goddis wille, 
 
 But it Greved him but litel thing, 
 
 For it was only Goddis warneng ; 460 
 
 But the blood Cowde he staunchen In non wise 
 
 But every day newe it gan forto Reprise, 
 
 As longe as with-Inne was the hed 
 
 Thus it bledde In Every sted. 464 
 
 But th'aungel bad him non Merveille have, 
 
 ' That God wold hau saved, wile he save, — 
 
 As in tyme Comeng 30 scholen here 
 
 In this same storie, and 30 welen lere.' 468 
 
 Thanne loseph walked forth Anon 
 And his Menie with him Everichon ; 
 And of his wounde hadde he non gret dolowr. 
 But he was in gret drede of Oure saviour. 472 
 
 Thanne here-Oflfen Merveilled gretly the kyng 
 What that this be In to Signefieng. 
 
 Quant iosephes le vit en tel habit, si 
 fu durement esbahis, 
 
 et mult s' esmeruilla ke teus angeles 
 pooit senefiier. Endementiers ke il se 
 meruilloit ensi, 
 
 et li angeles s' aproche de lui, et lait 
 aler vne lanche ke il tenoit, si Ten fiert 
 parmi la destre cuisse si durement ke 
 li fiers hurta en I'os. Et tout main- 
 tenant ke il Ten ot feru, 
 si laissa la lanolie chaoir sans metre 
 hors, et si li dist. 
 
 " Che est li tesmoins de mon pulle, 
 que tu as laissie a baptisier pour 
 rescourre les despiseurs de ma loy. 
 
 Chis reprueches te durra a tous les 
 iours de ton eage, et se tu le comperes 
 ailleurs, si ne t'en meruelle mie.'' 
 A tant s'entourna li angeles, et io- 
 sephes traist hors la lanche tout le- 
 gierement. ne onques a son auis point 
 de mal ne li fist au traire. Et quant il 
 I'eut traite hors, si vitke li fiers estoit 
 remes en la plaie. 
 
 Mais il n'en senti onques mal ne doleur nient 
 plus que se che eust este en songant. Mais 
 de tant s* aperchut il bien, ke li angeles auoit 
 dit voir del reprueche. Car il ne fu onques 
 puis iours. tant com il vesqui, ke il ne clochast 
 de la quisse ou la lanche I'auoit feru. ne 
 onques ne peut la plaie estanchier de sainier. 
 tant com li fiers fu dedens. Et encliore le 
 compara il puis en autre lieu si com li angeles 
 li auoit dit ; ke il ne s'en meruellast mie. Et 
 che contera chi auant li contes, quant de 
 conter sera tans et liens. Mais chi se taist ore 
 li oontes de la plaie et de la lanche. fors ke 
 tant ke il dist que la lanche emporta iosephes 
 el palais. et si fu de maintes gens esgardee. 
 Ne onques hom qui la veist ne seut a dire de 
 quel fust ele peut estre. 
 
 Ensi se remonta iosephes el palais, mult esba- 
 chis et mult espoentes, non mie de sa plaie. 
 Mais de chou ke il se doutoit ke notre sires 
 ne se fust a lui oourechies. Et quant il eut 
 sa plaie bendee : che ne li valut noient. Car 
 pour chou ne laissa ele onques a sainier. 
 
 Si s'esmeruella mult li rois, et les 
 autres gens en furent mult esbahi 
 
206 THE OTHEE PEOPLE AEE BAPTISED, AND THE WHOLE OE THE LAND CONVERTED. 
 
 Tlianne seide loseplie to Mm Anon there, 
 
 " Of this Merveille 36 not In non Manere, 476 
 
 Sire, it is, I telle the now Ryht, 
 
 The peple to bringe Owt of the develes Miht." 
 
 Thanne whanne ]?e peple him so herde speken J^ere, 
 
 Ful loyful they weren that Cristened were ; 480 
 
 And alle that vncristed weren to. 
 
 To Cristendom faste gonne they go. 
 
 Thus Joseph wrowhte at Orcan Cite, 
 
 Sekerlych there baptised he gret Meyne, 484 
 
 And his felawes there weren with hem 
 
 That they browhten owt of lerusalem. 
 
 So that Crist there so faire for him wrowhte 
 
 That alle the peple of Orcans to Cristendom he 
 
 browhte, 488 
 
 And with-Inne thre dayes Everichon. 
 Thus Goddis wille fulfild he Anon, 
 So that left there nethir gret ne smal 
 That to goddis la we weren torned al. 492 
 
 And what be the holy wordis that he there 
 
 spak. 
 And be the holi gost with Owten lak, 
 Mochel peple of the Centre tornede he 
 Goode Men & Cristened Porto be : 496 
 
 And alle the ymages that In the temples were 
 He dide brenne & to-brast Every where : 
 Al thus wrowhte loseph In that Centre 
 In the temples and to the pleiple where-so went 
 
 he ; 500 
 
 And Into the Centre of Nascien 
 He made hem alle tho Cristene Men. 
 
 And thanne A3en to sarras loseph gan to go, 
 And Nasciens with him tho Cam Also ; 504 
 
 Et il lor dist 
 
 ' ke il n' en fuissent ia esbahi. Car 
 che auoit il eu, pour chou ke il uoloit 
 le pule mescreant rescourre des mains 
 au dyable, qui il estoient.' 
 
 Quant les gens oirent cheste nouiele, 
 si furent mult lie chil qui estoient 
 baptisie. 
 
 Et chil qui enchore n*auoieDt baptisme re- 
 cheu : coururent maintenant a iosephe, et li 
 requerroient tout le baptesme pour le paour 
 du dyable qui si malement auoit les autres 
 conrees. Ensi recheuoient espesement la 
 creauche ikesu crist. 
 
 Si fii iosepbes en la chite d' orcaus 
 
 trois iours, soi quart de compaignons, 
 ke entre lui et iosepb son pere orent 
 amene de iherusalem. 
 
 Si fist tant notres sires par lor mains : ke il 
 orent dedens le tierch iour bapetesme tous 
 chiaus et toutes cheles qui en la chite estoient. 
 ne onques ni remest ne petit ne grant: ke il ne 
 traisissent a la loy ihesu crist. 
 
 par les uraies paroles ke il lor disoient_ 
 
 et par les grans virtus ke dieus faisoit 
 poru' aus. Et li autre qui aloient bap- 
 tisant par le pais environ: esploitie- 
 rent tant que toute la terre si com li 
 regnes contenoit : fu amenee. a la sainte 
 nouiele loy. 
 
 et furent arses et depechies les ymages, 
 
 par tous les temples et par tous les 
 lieus ou eles pooient estre trouees. 
 
 Et iosepb refist tant encbois ke il s' 
 
 en departesissent, ke il conuerti a le 
 
 creancbe crestiene toute la terre nas- 
 
 ciien. 
 
 Apres s' en reuint a sarras 
 
JOSEPH ORDAINS BISHOPS IN EVERY CITY, AND GOES TO GET RELICS. 
 
 207 
 
 Per loiful In herte was lie thanne, 
 
 Per he Converted there Manie A manne 
 
 And fulfilled goddis Comandement, 
 
 The wheche was holy his Entent. 508 
 
 Thanne Joseph of his feleschepe fiere ches ful sone, 
 
 And bisschope hem Ordred there Anone, 
 
 And sente hem Abowte Into Eche Centre 
 
 Goddis lawe forto prechen ful openle. 512 
 
 Somme of hem dwelde In Nasciens lond 
 
 And somme In Mordrayns As I vndirstondj 
 
 Whiche was a lord of gret Seignonrie 
 
 And Mochel peple hadde In his baillye ; 5I6 
 
 So that loseph ches Owt thre & thrytty, 
 
 And Sixtene with him left pleynly. 
 
 The wheche xxxiij bischopes gan he to Make 
 
 In forme lik As god him Ordre Gan take ; 520 
 
 And Also the xvj that with him were 
 
 Bisschopes he Made anon E-iht there ; 
 
 And A-1 Abowtes the Contre they wente 
 
 Only to fulflUen goddis Entente. 524 
 
 And whanne AUe the Contre was Cristened 
 
 abowte 
 And in Euery Cite A bisschope with-Owten 
 
 dowte. 
 And deliuered hem from the develis chaunce 
 And hem fullich browhte Into Goddis Creawnce, 528 
 Be supportacion Of these goode Men 
 Kyng Mordrayns And Of Sire Nascien, 
 Thens wente thanne losephe Ryht Anon, 
 And his Meyne with him gan to gon 532 
 
 To seken where these holy Ermytes lyen. 
 And Of here good lyvenge forto Aspien, 
 Where-Oflfen they preiden Oure lord of grace 
 Therto forto haven bothe lif and spase, 536 
 
 mult lies de che qu'il li sambloit 
 
 ke bien auoit faite la beaoigne notre signour, 
 
 et si i uint nasoiiens ensamble o lui. Et quant 
 
 11 furent venu, et iosephesoi lor nouielea, si en 
 
 eut mult grant ioie. 
 
 et si eslut vne partie de ses compaig- 
 
 nons: 
 
 si lor dona 1' ordene et la hauteche 
 
 de prouoire. 
 
 Apres en establi vne partie a enuoier 
 en le terre nascien, et 1' autre remanroit 
 en la terre le roi mordain, si ke il en 
 aroit .j. en chascune chite. 
 
 Ensi les eslut iosephe 
 
 et depart!, tant que il ne remest en sa oom- 
 pagnie ke seulement .xvj . 
 Et xxxiij . en enuoia par lea deus terres. Mais 
 anchois ke il se departisaent de lui : lor dona 
 le don d' eueske, si com notre slrea li auoit 
 done. Si ke il furent xxxiij. eueske. 
 
 et li .xvj. qui auoec lui remesent, re- 
 ohurent tout, ordene de prouoire. 
 
 Et quant la terre fu toute ramenee a 
 la sainte creanche: 
 
 etlipastour furent establi par chascune 
 chite : 
 
 si se pensa iosephe ke U ne laisseroit mie 
 la ricbe chite de sarras sans cor-saint. 
 Lors si vint par- le conael de la boine 
 
 roine sarraquite: 
 
 pour aler querre les cors des deus sains/ 
 
 hermites la u ele li dist ke il gisoient. 
 
 Et quant • il vint la, entre lui et sa 
 
 compagnie, 
 
 si prie notre signour, par la sole mise- 
 
 ricorde. 
 
208 JOSEPH riNDS THE TWO SAINTS' BODIES, WITH BOOKS OF THEIR LIVES. 
 
 And that here Names he Mihte knowe 
 
 Er he thens paste Ony throwe. 
 
 Thanne fonde he there A lytel lyveret 
 
 Where-Inne that these names weren set ; 540 
 
 And the Merite3 that god gan for hem do 
 
 In that litel leveret he fond Eyht tho. 
 
 The Ferste lineret thus gan it sein, 
 
 ' Here lith Salnstes In certein 544 
 
 "Wheche that was Goddis trewe Seriawnt, 
 
 Of whom the lif Of him Make]? semblawnt 
 
 That xxxvi wynter hermyt hadde he be, 
 
 And that neuere worldly viannde sawh he 548 
 
 That Euere was mad with mannis hond.' — 
 
 Thus this liueret doth vs to vndirstond — 
 
 ' But Erbes & Rotes that In Erthe were ; 
 
 Thus lyved he xxxvi ful 3ere.' 552 
 
 And furthermore I-wreten ]?ere was 
 ' Here lith Ermonies In this plas ;' 
 And thus his lif gan for to telle, 
 ' That XXX wynter & viij Monthes snelle 556 
 
 Sethen that ferst Ermyt becam he ' — 
 As In this liueret here mown 3e se — 
 ' That Neuere Othir clothing he hadde 
 But swich as ferst to his Ermitage he ladde, seo 
 Nethir In hosinge, nethir I schon, 
 Ne non Othir thing On him to doon. 
 Othir viaunde hadde he non verament. 
 But Everiday swich As God hitn Sente ;'— 564 
 
 And of Tasse he was born ; 
 The to]?er In bedlem, |jat I Eehersed beforn. 
 
 And whanne losephe gan this to vndirstonde, 
 Vppe hem took he with his honde 568 
 
 And bar hem Into the Cite of Sarras, 
 Where-offen Many a man Glad J?ere was. 
 
 ke il li daignast demoustrer les nons 
 d' aus, et les merites. Et quant il 
 eut faite s' orison, si le desfoui, 
 et si trouua en chascune fosse vn liuret, 
 
 ou la vie del boin home estoit escrite, 
 et li nons de lui el commencliement. 
 
 Et si disoit li premiers liui'es. 
 
 " Clii gist salustes 
 
 li loiaus sergans ihesu crist." 
 
 et sa vie deuisoit 
 
 ke il auoit .xxxvij. ans 
 
 gouste de nule terriene viande 
 
 qui par main de nul mortel home ne 
 
 de nule mortele feme li eust este apor- 
 
 tee. 
 
 ■ Et en I'autre liuret auoit escrit, 
 " Chi gist hermoines," 
 et si disoit sa vie 
 
 ' ke il auoit este xxix. ans et .v. mois 
 en hermitage 
 
 ke onques ne fu descauchies ne des- 
 poiUies. ne puis que si premier soUer 
 li falirent, ne caucha d'autres. Ne il 
 ne vesti puis de reube ke la sole pre- 
 meraine fa vsee. Se ensi non com 
 notre sires li enuoioit. 
 
 et si disoit enchore sa vie. ' ke il es- 
 toit de tarsenes : 
 
 et salustes estoit de la chite de beth- 
 leem. 
 
 Ensi counut iosephes la vie et les 
 nons des beneois cors sains. 
 
 Si les emporta en sarras. Si remest 
 sains salustes en sarras. 
 
NASCIENS GETS ST. HERMOINE'S BODY TOR ORBERIKE. PRIESTS ARE ORDAINED. 209 
 
 Thanne Nascien preide loseph tlio 
 
 That with him to Orbery wolde he Go, 572 
 
 And that On Of hem that he myhte have, — ' 
 
 Holy hermoine th'ermit he gan to Crave, — 
 
 Where that worthily his Body beried he, 
 
 And a E-yal Chirche Mad there be ; 576 
 
 And In Sarras Cite ful Oerteinly 
 
 He let Eeren a Chirche ful solempnely. 
 
 And In eche of these Chirches two 
 
 Twelfe prestes he dide there do, 580 
 
 Eor the bisschope Of nethir plase there 
 
 Mihte not Suf6.sen, so moche peple were. 
 
 The Ermyt At Sarras the Eldest they gonne 
 
 CaUe, 
 And the 3ongest at Orbery thus seiden thei 
 
 Alle. 584 
 
 Thus thanne Joseph worscheped there 
 Bothe Cite3 with holy bodyes in fere, 
 AYhere as they grete Myracles do 
 Everi day dureng 3it hidirto. 588 
 
 et nasciens si pria iosephe 
 
 qu'il li otriast .s'. hermoine. 
 
 Et il li otria : si 1* en fist nasciens porter en 
 orberike. Et quant il fu la ; si fist metre le 
 cors en mult riche uaissiel, et si li fonda riche 
 eglise et honerable. 
 
 Et a saint saluste fu vne eglise establie autresi 
 de mult grant rikeehe et de grant biaute, en 
 la chite de sarras. 
 
 Et si furent establi en chascune de ches deus 
 
 eglises 
 
 .xij. prouoire pour faire le saint seruiohe : et 
 
 pour oonsillier la pule desous I'eueske. 
 
 Car li eueskes ne pooit mie souffire a 
 si grant pule consillier tous seus Car 
 les gens estoient enchore trop noueles. 
 Et li eueskes qui fu establis en sarras 
 si fu apieles ' anatistes.' Et cHl d'or- 
 berike fu apieles ' iuuenaus.' 
 
 Ensi honera iosephes li boins eures 
 les .ij . chites des deus haus cors sains. 
 Car li glorieus fiex dieu. i fait et fera 
 iusk'eu la fin du monde grans virtus 
 et grans miracles pour I'amour d'aus. 
 
 2 E 
 
210 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 How Joseph slioTvs Mordieins (Evalach) and Xasciens (Seraphe) the Ark and the holy things in it (p. 210). 
 On seeing the Holy Grail, Xasciens is filled with joy (p. 211); tells them how a vision of his youth 
 is now fulfilled (p. 211), and then lifts up the ' plateyne' over the dish, for which he is struck blind 
 (p. •212). Mordreins asks Xasciens what he saw, but can only get a vague answer (p. 213). An angel 
 appears with the lance whose head is in Joseph's thigh, and draws out the head by putting the lance to 
 it (p. 214). With the blood from the wound he restores Nasciens's sight (p. 215); tells him that 
 when the lance drops blood, the secrets of the Sank Byal, or Seint Graal, shall be known (pp. 215-16), 
 and predicts that the last of Nasciens's line shall be the only man thereafter wounded by the lance, and 
 who shall see the wonders of the Holy Grail (p. 216). Mordreins asks Joseph to interpret his dream of 
 the Three Trees [Chapter vii. p. 58], and Joseph does so (p. 217-221). The ugly-barked tree is Christ, 
 the other two the Father and the Holy Ghost ; the two people that left the others were Adam and Eve ; 
 those who hewed the branches were the Jews who crucified Christ (p. 218). Also of the Descent into 
 Hell, the Ascension, the Trinity (p. 219), and their names, Former, Saviour, Cleanser (p. 220); and of 
 the Immaculate Conception and Birth of Christ (p. 221). Joseph orders Mordreins to burn the image of 
 the woman that he has secretly lain with (p. 222). Mordreins shows the hidden chamber where he 
 kept it, and then burns it (p. 223). Joseph departs from Sarras, and 207 Saracens with him (p. 224). 
 His last charge to the king (p. 225). 
 
 Thus the Contre Of Sarras & Xascien i* 
 
 "Weren Clene becomen Cristene men. 2* 
 
 Thanne seide the kyng and Xasciens tho 
 ' That -srith loseph thanne wolde they go 
 To seen where that they made here preiere,' 
 Thus seiden the king & jS^ascien there. 4 
 
 Anon thanne loseph with-Owten lettenge 
 To the Arch hem browhte, & made non tarienge, 
 And schewede there to the kyng 
 In the Arch there ful precious thing : 8 
 
 And there the king beheld In that plas 
 The vestements that loseph Sacred with was 
 Bisschop of Cristes Owne hond ; 
 And Also the Chayere he Say there stond, 12 
 
 En tel mardere com vous aues oi, fu 
 li regnesde sarras conquis et gaaignies 
 au seruiche del glorieus ihesu crist. 
 Apres dist li rois a iosephe, entre lui 
 et nascien, 
 
 ' ke il voloient veoir quel saintuaire 
 il portoient, et en quel lieu il faisoient 
 lor orisons.' 
 
 Et iosephes 
 
 les mena a 1' arche: 
 
 et si moustra a eus deus, et a la roine, 
 
 sans plus, 
 
 chou qui dedens estoit. 
 
 Et quant il virent 
 
 les vestemens es quels ihesu cris auoit 
 iosephe sacre, si les prisierent mult, 
 
 et plus asses la kaiere en quoi il auoit 
 
JOSEPH SHOWS THE GRAIL. NASOIENS TELLS THEM HOW HE HAD HEARD OF IT. 
 
 211 
 
 "Whiche Chaier he preisede wondirly faste, 
 
 And there-offen he seide thanne atte last 
 
 ' That It was of Alls the E-yalest Sittyng than 
 
 That Evere Ordeyned was for Erthly man.' 16 
 
 Thanne loseph schewed hem the holy disch Anon 
 Where-Inne that Sank E,yal was I-don ; 
 And whanne that Nasciens loked ther vppon, 
 Ful passeng gret loye hadde [he] Anon, 20 
 
 And seide ' Of Alle the sihtes ]?at Euere 3it he 
 
 say, 
 Liked him neuere non so moche In-to J^at 
 
 day;' 
 Ne nenre so loyful was he of siht 
 As that tyme was Nascien, I the plyht. 24 
 
 Now hadde he holy his Entent ; 
 That he desired to sen, was ]?ere present. 
 " Now wot I wel that fulfild it is in me, 
 Sire, A thing that I now schal tellen the : 28 
 
 Eor whanne I was A 3ong Sqwyer, 
 An gret hert I chasede wilde wher ; 
 "Whanne I hadde lost the Noyse of myn howndes, 
 And Also Alle my men with-Inne fewe stowndes, 32 
 Thanne In gret thowht there I stod ; 
 And there was non man that with me bod, 
 Ne Abowhtes me non Man Saw I tho 
 That Ony word I myhte speken vnto. 36 
 
 And as thus I In this thowht was, 
 To me a vois 0am In that plas, 
 ' Seraphe ! merveille thow not so, 
 Eor 3it thi thowht ne may comen the to 40 
 
 Tyl thow mo Merveilles schalt se with-al. 
 And Also thing that is Clepid seint Graal.' 
 And therefore now wot I ful well 
 That this [is] Seint Graal Everidel ; 44 
 
 2 e2 
 
 et disent 
 
 ke cli' estoit li plus biaus sieges et li 
 
 plus riches : 
 
 dont il eussent onques mais oi parler. 
 
 Mais quant il virent la sainte escuele, 
 si dist nasciens, ' ke tout chou qu' il 
 auoit veu, estoit noiens a veir encontre 
 cliel saint vaissiel. Et quant il eut 
 mult bien esgardee par de-hors, comme 
 chil qui de grignour cuer i gardoit, et 
 de plus parfonde entention ke li autre, 
 si r apielapar .i. non qui onques puis ne 
 li chai. Et si dist au roi et a iosephe, qu' 
 iln' auoit onques mais en sa viveu nule 
 rien terriene : qui en aucune maniere 
 ne li desgraast. Mais ore voit il chou 
 qu' il auoit tons iours desire. Car 
 chou keilveoit, liplaisoitetgraoit sour 
 toutes choses ke il eust onques veues. 
 
 " Ore vol ioubien," distil, " que tout 
 mi pense sunt acompli. 
 
 Car ie cheuauchoie, quant i' estoie es- 
 cuiers, par vne grant forest, 
 
 si auint ke ie oi perdu tous mes com- 
 paignons et mes chiens, apres .i. mult 
 grant chierf ke ie caohoie. Et quant ie 
 oi d' aus tous pie.rdu, et I'oiret leVeoir, 
 si auint chose ke ie chai en .i. mult 
 grant pense. 
 
 Endementiers ke ie pensoie si durement, 
 si oi ie ne sai qui parler. Mais ie ne vi 
 onques nului. Et ne-pour-quant tant 
 entendiiou bien que chele vois me dist. 
 " Seraphe: que vas tu pensant: pour 
 noient i penses. 
 
 Car iamais a nul iour chest pense en 
 quoi tu i es entres, n' acompliras : 
 deuant ichele eure ke les meruelles 
 
 du graal te serront descouertes." 
 
 Et pour chou sai iou bien, 
 ke ch' est li graus. 
 
212 NASCIENS LIFTS UP THE COVER OF THE GKAIL, AND IS STBTJCK BLIND. 
 
 Now know I wel that my pensifhesse 
 Is fulfilled with. Alle Goodnesse." 
 
 3it thowht More Sire Nasciens than, 
 And that tyme wrowhte As non wis man, 
 And there lefte he vp the plateyne Anon 
 That vppon this glorious vessel was don ; 
 And whanne with-Inne he gan to looke. 
 He him withdrowh, & for drede he 
 
 qwooke. 
 And thanne the kyng Axede him Anon, 
 " Sire Nascien, what hau 30 at the Arch don ? " 
 " Sire," quod he there Anon Ryht tho, 
 " He is a fool that don wele as I have do, — 
 To knowen the Secrees of his Saviour, 
 Htm forto Greven In ony Owr." 
 " Why" quod thanne kyng Mordreins tho, 
 " Haven 30 now lesu Crist I-Greved so ? " 
 " Be my feyth, Sire," quod Sire Nasciens, 
 " I knowe wel I have offendid 3it Goddis 
 
 presens, 
 For that I have sein so moche he Owtraye 
 That non Erthly Man ne Owhte to have saye." 
 
 Ttanne Axede the kyng loseph Anon 
 How that this Cawse Mihte Gon ; 
 And thanne Answerid Nasciens Agein, 
 " Come thens loseph now In Certein, 
 Beholde it Not, I preie now to the. 
 That semblawnce that was schewed to Me, 
 ^Vhere-thorwgh that I have now lost my sight 
 Be the Ordenaunce of God Almyht, 
 Wliiche that I schal neuere Eecoveren A3en 
 Til the spere-hed Owt of thin hype be clen, 
 Where-with the Aungel At Orcanz Cite 
 With that Spere there smot the." 
 
 48 
 
 52 
 
 56 
 
 Car tout mi pense 
 
 sont acompli, puis ke ie voi chon qui 
 eutoutes choses me plaist etm' agree." 
 Et quant il eut ensi parle : 
 
 si ne li fu pas asses chou qu' il auoit veu. 
 
 Anchois se traist auant, et sousleua 
 
 vne platine 
 
 dontliglorieus vaissiaus estoit couuers. 
 
 Et quant il eut garde dedens, 
 
 si se traist arriere, et commencha durement a 
 
 tranler, comme se il fust pourpris de fieures 
 
 par tout le cors, si s' asist. Et quant il fu assis, 
 
 si senti ke il ni veoit goute. et lors si fu mult 
 
 durement esbahis. 
 
 Et li rois, quant il le vit asseoir et tranbler, 
 
 si s' esmeruella mult, et li demanda 
 
 ' quel chose che pooit estre qu' il auoit veue. ' 
 
 Lors li respond! nasciens. " Chertes, 
 
 sire, tant vous puis iou bien dire, 
 
 ke chil est mult caitis et faus 
 
 qui tant enclierke les priuetes de son 
 
 signour, 
 
 ke il en eonquere son couroucli et sa haine," 
 
 " Coument," dist li rois : " pour quoi chose 
 
 aues vous chou dit. 
 
 Aues chose veue par quoi vous cremes 
 
 auoirconquise lahaine notre signour." 
 
 " Par foit," dist nasciens, 
 
 " ie sai de uoir, ke il s' est a moi 
 courrechies, 
 
 pour choukei' ai veu par mon outrage: 
 
 chou ke nus horn morteus ne deust 
 
 esgarder." 
 
 Quant li rois oi che, si fu mult esbahis, 
 
 et demanda a iosephe : 
 
 que che pooit estre. 
 
 Et lors dist nasciens : 
 68 " ke est che, iosephe : 
 
 vieus tu garder: tant te di iou bien, 
 ke se tu i gardes, 
 
 tu ni gariras iamais dufierde lalanche 
 qui te remest en la cuisse a orcaus : la 
 
 72 u li angeles noirs te feri. Et pour le 
 grant outrage ke ie ai fait, ai iou la 
 grant clarte des iex perdue, ne iamais 
 ne la recouerrai. luso' a ichele eure 
 ke li fers te sera ostes de la cuisse par 
 chelui meisme qui li embati." 
 
 76 
 
 60 
 
 64 
 
NASCIENS WILIi ONLY TELL MORDREINS VAGUELY WHAT HE HAS SEEN. 
 
 213 
 
 Thanne Joseph tho him heeld ful stille, 
 Al holy to fulfillen tho Goddis wille. 
 
 Thanne Anon Gan kyng Mordreyns 
 There faste Enqweren Of Sire Nasciens 80 
 
 ' "What Manere of thing that he had Seye, 
 Hym it to schewen he preide Openlye. 
 Quod Nasciens, " I haue sein so moche thing 
 That J^ere-Offen to tellen it is non Endyng, 84 
 
 Ne non tonge kan It now discrie, 
 I sey to the. Sire Kyng, Certeinlie. 
 I have sein," quod tho sire Nasciens, 
 " Of Alle Manere of wykkednesse the defens ; 88 
 I have Sein the begynneng, 
 Of Alle wittes the Eowndyng, 
 I have sein the begynneng of Religeown 
 And Of AUe Bowntes, bothe Al & som, 92 
 
 And the poyntes of Alle Gentrye, 
 And a Merveil Of alle MerveUles Certeinlye." 
 
 Aftir this word thanne Anon 
 They weren Abaschet thanne Everichon. 96 
 
 The kyng of him thanne Enqwered there 
 ' How his siht was lost, And In what Manere.' 
 And Sire Nasciens Answerid him Agein, 
 " I wot Neuere, Sire, for Certein lOO 
 
 But for that I lokede on Jjat swete thing 
 That but fewe owhten to don lyvyng. 
 The wheche a merveiUe of alle Merveilles 
 
 is; 
 Sire king, I the Seye with-owten Mys." io4 
 
 Thanne Enqwered [he] Of Nasciens Ageyn 
 What that MerveiUe scholde ben pleyn ; 
 "Sire," quod Nasciens, " thow gest non other 
 
 Of Me, 
 Siker, Sire, An Also In Certeinte, 108 
 
 Lors se tint iosephes tous cois, 
 
 et li rois commencha 
 mult a encherkier, 
 
 ' ke se il li pooit dire nule choae de 
 che ke il auoit veu, 
 ke il li desist.' 
 
 Et nasciens li dist 
 
 ' ke il Ten descouuerroit tant 
 
 com nule morteus langhe I'en pooit 
 descouurir, ne ne deuoit.' 
 
 " I'ai," dist il, " veu 
 
 la commenchaille des grans hardemens, 
 
 L'ocoison des grans proueches. 
 I'enquerrement des grans sauoirs. 
 le fondement des grans felounies. 
 La demoustranche des grans meruelles. 
 La fin des bontes 
 
 et des gentilleclies vraies. 
 
 La meruelle de toutes les autres mer- 
 uelles." 
 
 Apres chest mot 
 
 furent tout esbahi de ches meruelles 
 qu'il ont ensi deuisees, 
 et le rois li demanda 
 ' se il disoit voir ke il eust la clarte 
 des iex pierdue.' 
 Et nasciens respondi 
 
 ' ke il ne vauroit mie qu'il ne I'eust 
 perdue par chel couuent qu'il n'eust 
 ueu cbele grant meruelle et esgardee.' 
 
 Lors li commencha li rois mult dure- 
 
 ment a enquerre derechief 
 
 quele chele meruelle pooit estre. et ke 
 
 il en aucune maniere Ten fesist cher- 
 
 tain, 
 
 Et il li respondi ' ke pour noient I'en- 
 querroit si. Car en nule guise porroit 
 il sauoir autre chertainetei. 
 
214 
 
 THE ANGEL TAKES THE SPEAR-HEAD OUT OF JOSEPH S THIGH. 
 
 Eor Efthly tonge Is there non On lyve 
 That Cowde tho Merveilles wel discryve." 
 
 And whanne thus to-fore the Arch hadde }?ei ben, 
 loseph In gret thowht was, as they myhten sen ; 112 
 And thus sone A vois there gan to Crye 
 That Al the peple it herde Sekerlye, — 
 With in that Arch the vois it was 
 That thus there Sownede In that plas, — 116 
 
 " My grete veniaunce & my gret discipline, 
 With my strengthe to 30W it schal propine." 
 
 And tlius sone as this vois was gon, 
 An Aungel Owt Of the Arch Ipere isswed Anon, 120 
 And Al In wit I-Clothed was he. 
 In A ful fayr Hobe Certeinle ; 
 And In his hond he heeld that lawnce ]?ere 
 Where-with that losep was smeten Er. 124 
 
 That lawnce, In sihte of Kyng and 
 
 qwene, 
 The Awngel to loseph it bar bedene. 
 And there put it Into the same plase 
 There As to Fore tymes I-hurt he wase. 128 
 
 And whanne the Awngel drow owt f>e lawnce 
 
 Agein, 
 The hed thanne folwede In Certein ; 
 And the Awngel took A hoist with Oynement 
 
 Anon, 
 And to that wownde gan he gon, 132 
 
 And it Anoynt ful Softely 
 With that Oynement ful tendirly ; 
 And thanne the hed on the lawnce he putte A3ein, 
 Where-from Ran down blood ful Clen ; 136 
 
 Wheche blood the Awngel In the hoist 
 
 putte. 
 And there-Inne ful worthily he it schytte, 
 
 Fors tant seulement ke il auoi veu 
 
 chou ke par nule mortel langue 
 
 ne porroit estre esclarohie.' 
 
 De cheste chose se meruellierent mult tout 
 
 chil qui I'oirent, 
 
 et iosephes s^estut deuant I'arche, tout pensis, 
 
 sans dire mot, et pensa mult durement. 
 
 Endementiers ke il pensoit ensi : a tant es 
 
 V0U3 ke vne vois s'escria dedens Tarclie mult 
 
 hautement, et si dist, oians tous 
 
 " Apres ma grant venianclie, ma grant 
 medicine; et apres ma foursenerie 
 mon apaiement." 
 
 Et tantost comme chele vois eut ensi 
 
 parle. 
 
 si vint vns angeles hors de I'arohe 
 
 et fa tous vestus de blanche reube, et 
 
 si tint en la senestre main vne blanche 
 
 boiste. 
 
 Et quant il fu hors de I'arche, si prist en sa 
 
 main destre la lanche 
 
 dent iosephes auoit este ferus en la cuisse, ke 
 
 iosephes meismes auoit aportee d'orcaus et si 
 
 I'auoit apoie au mur qui estoitdeuant Tarche. 
 
 Ichele lanche prist li angeles, si ke li rois le 
 
 vit apertement, et la roine, et tout chil qui 
 
 laiens estoient. 
 
 Et quant il I'eut prise, si- virent tout que il 
 
 vint tout droit a iosephe, 
 
 et ke il lo feri de la lanche desferee en ichel 
 
 lieu meisme 
 
 ou il I'auoit feru a I'autre fois quant li fiers 
 
 i remest. 
 
 Et quant il eut traite a lui la lanche, 
 
 si virent tout ke li fiers s'en estoit hors venus 
 auoec la lanche. 
 
 Et li angeles prist la boiste ke il 
 portoit en la senestre main, 
 
 si I'asist a terre, 
 
 et mist desus le fier de la lanche, 
 
 si en commenchierent a kair grosses goutes 
 de sane, 
 
 et si eouloient en la boiste qui estoit desous, 
 tant ke ele en fu toute plaine. Cheste 
 meruelle virent apertement tout chil qui 
 laiens estoient. Si furent ferment esbahi du 
 sane qui couloit ius du fier a grosses goutes. 
 
THE AN&EL TELLS JOSEPH OE THE MARVELS THAT THE LANCE SIGNIFIES. 215 
 
 And with the same blood Anoynted losephs 
 
 wounde 
 And Sire Nasciens Eyen, In that stownde. i4o 
 
 Thus sone as Oleer his Eyen were 
 As Evere Ony tyme weren they Ere. 
 
 Thanne Axede Nasciens to loseph In 
 
 hye 
 ' What that lawnce Mihte Signefye.' i44 
 
 Thanne loseph him Answerid Ageyn, 
 " It signefieth, Nasciens, In Certein 
 Of the grete merveilles that scholen befalle 
 Openly to 30wre Syhtes Alle ; 148 
 
 Eor sweche merveilles as j,e scholen sen, 
 And sweche MerveUles as to 30W schol schewed ben, 
 To Cristes verray knyhtes discouored schal be, 
 Whanne that tyme Cometh this scholen 3e se ; 152 
 Eor Erthly knyhtes hevenly scholen been, 
 That with 30wre Eyen this scholen 3e seen, 
 Of wheche schal Neuere Man tellen pe Cer- 
 
 teinte 
 Tyl it be fallen In Eche degre. 156 
 
 And 3if thow wilt here-Oflfen haven som knowyng, 
 Tak kepe of this lawnce atte begynneng, 
 And whanne this lawnce gynneth to blede 
 Dropes Of Blood In Ony stede, I60 
 
 Thanne Aftir Sone scholen 30 sen there 
 Of the Merveilles that I Hehersed 30we Ere ; 
 And Aftir that Merveille Is Agon, 
 Blood on the lawnce Schol e 36 neuere sen 
 
 non ; 164 
 
 Thanne Scholen 30 sen of diuers Aventure 
 Hiht MerveiUous, I the Ensure, 
 Be the signeficaeioun Of this lawnce, 
 That Al the Contre schal ben In dowtawnce ; 168 
 
 Et li angeles prist la boiste en sa main, et 
 
 vint a iosephe, si laua et oinst toute la plaie 
 
 del sane qui fin la boiste estoit ooules del fler 
 
 de la lanche, 
 
 Apres vint a nascien, et si li laua les iex de 
 
 chelui sane meisme. 
 
 Et si tost com li les eut laues, si vit 
 
 ausi cler com il auoit onques plus cler veu. 
 
 Et li angeles redist a iosephe. "regarde:" 
 
 Et iosephes regarde, si vit ke sa plaie estoit 
 
 toute garie si ke il n' i paroit ke seulement 
 
 li lieus ou ele auoit este. 
 
 Lors ala li angeles auant, si reprist la lanche 
 
 et si dist a iosephe 
 
 " Ses tu ke cheste lanche senefie.'* 
 
 Et iosephes respondi. " Naie, sire." 
 
 ' Che est li commen- 
 
 Et li angeles li dist. 
 chemens 
 
 des mes meruelleuses auentures qui auoient 
 en la terre ou diex a pourpose qu'il te menra. 
 lUuec auenront les grans meruelles, et les 
 grans proueches i seront demoustrees, et lors 
 seront les vraies cheualeries descouuertes. 
 Lors se departiront * li fans de la compaignie 
 as vrais. [* MS. departirent.] 
 
 Car les cheualeries terrienes deuenront 
 chelestiaus. 
 
 Ne nus ne sera ia asenes de ches 
 
 auentures, ne chertains. du termine ou 
 
 eles auenront, 
 
 deuant ichelui terme ke eles deueront 
 
 auenir 
 
 Mais au tans ke eles deueront com- 
 
 menchier, 
 
 auenra que oheste lanche rendra sane 
 tout autresi com tu as veu. ke ele Fa 
 oren droit rendu. 
 
 Ne iamais des-ore-ea-auant 
 
 nule goute de sane n' en kerra, deuant 
 ichele eure que les auentures deueront 
 auenir, ensi com tu as oi. 
 Et lors commencheront a auenir 
 
 les meruelles par toute la terre 
 ou cheste lanche sera. 
 Et seront si grans et si espoentables 
 ke toutes gens en seront esbahies. 
 
216 or THE ONE MAN WHO IS TO SEE THE GRAIL AND BE STRUCK BY THE LANCE. 
 
 And thanne scholen 30 haven know- 
 
 lecliing 
 Of Sank Eyal, & Many An Othir 
 
 thinge. 
 For the Secretis of Seint Graal, 
 That Somme men it Clepin sane Ryal, 
 There may non dedlych Man there Se 
 But I alone, As I telle the ; 
 For so Mochel Of Bownte it is, 
 And there-Inne so mochel worthynes. 
 That it is likyng wondirly wel, 
 And to the world schal ben Every del, 
 As thike that is ful Of Bownte 
 And of prowesses fnl gret plente ; 
 For he moste ben fnl of Charite 
 Of Beligiown & also of Chastite 
 That wit the lawnce Smetyn schal be 
 As thow me here Sye to-Fore the, 
 And that schal there Nenere Man be non 
 But the Kyng, I telle it the Alon ; 
 For he Schal be the laste Man 
 That there-with schal be smeten than, 
 Ryht In A wondir-ful Manere, 
 As Afterward 36 scholen here ; 
 But a Merveillous lawnce it schal be 
 Where- with he schal be smeten, as i telle the. 
 
 For these Merveilles schal no Man se 
 But he be Ful of Alle Bownte, 
 Wheche schal ben the laste man 
 That Evere of this ligne schal be than. 
 And lik as to Nasciens ferst publisched was, 
 So schal he be the laste In Ony plas 
 That the Merveilles of the Sank Rial schal se ; 
 Thus be 'pe Crwcified kyng it is certefied Me, 
 
 172 
 
 176 
 
 180 
 
 184 
 
 192 
 
 196 
 
 Et toutes ches meruelles si n' auenront 
 
 fors ke seulement par la counissanclie 
 d'el saint graal et de chest lanche. Car li 
 diesiriera sera si grans, entreles boinsquiachel 
 tans seront, que 11 en prenderont a soustenir 
 les angoisseus fais des terrienes cheualeries. 
 pour counoistre les meruelles du saint graal et 
 de la lanche. Et lors seroit establies les mer- 
 uelleuses auentures as queles li vrai hardi 
 abandouneront lor cors, et par chou seront 
 conneu chil qui les proueches aront en aus. 
 Ne laraais, che saches tu, les meruelles 
 dedens le graal ne seront veues par nul mortel 
 home, ke par vn tout seul. 
 
 Et chil sera plains de totites icheles 
 bontes ke cors ne cuers d' ome puet 
 auoir, ne ne doit. 
 
 Car il sera bbins a dieu et tres boins 
 au siecle. Au siecle sera tres boins, 
 comme chil ke sera de toutes pro- 
 ueches et de toutes bontes plains, et de 
 tous hardemens. Et apres sera boins 
 a dieu. Car il sera plains de karite, 
 et de grant relegion, et si sera sou- 
 urainnetes de toute chastee. 
 Et de cheste lanche dont tu as esteferus ; 
 
 ne seras iamis ferus ke vns seus hom 
 
 Et chil sera rois, et descendera de ton 
 
 lignaige, _ 
 
 si serra li daerrains des boins 
 
 188 Chil en sera ferus 
 
 parmi les cuisses ambedeus. ne ia 
 n' en garira iusque a tant que les 
 meruelles del graal seront descouuertes 
 a chelui qui sera plains de toutes les 
 bontes ke tu m' as oi nomer. 
 
 Et chil qui de toutes ches bontes sera 
 plains, et qui cheste meruelle uerra, 
 
 si serra li daerrains bom del lignage 
 nascien. 
 
 Et tout ausi com nasciens a este li 
 premiers hom qui les meruelles du 
 graal a veues: autresi sera chil li 
 daerrains qui les verra. 
 
 200 Car che dist li urais cracefis. 
 
THE ANGEIi CONCLUDES. MOUDREINS ASKS JOSEPH ABOUT HIS VISION (CH. vii. P. 58). 217 
 
 ' Therefore bothe begynneng And Endeng 
 
 Of My Merveilles tbey scholen baven know- 
 
 leching, 
 And on bem to my veniaunce sbal I Caste, 
 That they two scholen knowen Me Atte laste, 204 
 And Of My strok Me witnesse to here 
 That I to the herte wasse stonge with A spere, 
 Thorw wheche strok & ojjere f>e fals lewes 
 
 certeinli 
 On the Crois Me Slowen, hangeng On hy.' 208 
 
 & knowe thow wel, loseph, with-owten dowt- 
 
 aunce, 
 That as longe as thow hast born this lawnce, 
 So long scholen the Merveille3 duren to th'ende 
 Into that londe where I schal the sende." 212 
 
 Thanne the Aungel torned A3en Anon ; 
 But Abasched weren they Everichon, 
 Eor they ne hadden not non Cler knowlichenge 
 Sauf Only of Nasciens Certifienge. 
 Thanne loseph Rekened tho riht Anon 
 How longe seth J^e lawnce was In him don, 
 So that it was xii dayes fully 
 That the lawnce hadde he born Certeinly. 
 
 Than Anon wente kyng Mordreyns, 
 And to his paleys ladde all Oristiens, 
 Sauf Only thre that leften Of that hep, 
 The wheche Abyde there with Joseph. 
 
 Thanne clepid the kyng Joseph anon 
 Or Ony Eote Furthere wolde he gon, 
 'That of theke A-visiowns he wolde him 
 
 Schewe 
 That In his chambre he saw Al on Eewe, 
 The Nyht to-Eore 1 wente to Bataille 
 That thing it was that Me Gan so to saille, 
 
 2 F 
 
 216 
 
 220 
 
 'Au premier home du precieus lignaige, 
 
 et au daerrain, 
 
 ai iou deuise a demoustrer mes mer- 
 
 uelles.' Et si dist enchore apres. 
 
 ' Sour le premier et sour le daerrain de mes 
 
 menistres nouuiaus qui sont enoint et sacre a 
 
 mon plaisir, espanderai iou la venianche de 
 
 la lanche auenturcuse. 
 
 pour chou ke ie voel qui il doi me 
 
 soient loial tesmoing 
 
 ke, par le caup de la lanche, 
 
 fu ea la crois m' amours encherkie et 
 esproutiee o les felons juis.' 
 Et si saches tu bien, losephe, ke autrestant 
 de iours com tu as porte le fier de la lauche en 
 ta cuisse : autrestant d'ans durront les meruel- 
 leuses auentures en la terre ou diex te doit 
 mener et conduire,pour ton lignaige ramanoir, 
 Des-ore-mais est il bien tans ke tu t' en allies. 
 Car tu as tant demoure en chest pais ke tu i 
 as fait grant partie de la besoigne et de la 
 volente ton creatour." 
 
 A tant 3' entouma li angeles. 
 
 Et cliil ki ches paroles auoient escoutees 
 furent mult esbahi des meruelles qu' il auoit 
 dites, Et de nascien fu grans la ioie, qui 
 auoit recouuree sa veue. Car il en auoient 
 tout en mult grant paour. 
 
 Et iosephes commencha a center 
 
 combien il auoit portei le fier de la lanche en 
 
 sa cuisse. 
 
 Si trouua par droit nombre ke il auoit porte 
 .xxii. ans entirs. 
 
 A tant se departirent de laiens, 
 
 si enmena li rois en son palais tous les cres- 
 
 tiens ebrieus. 
 
 fors seulement trois 
 
 224 qui remesent pour I'arche garder. 
 
 Et quant il furent el palais : si apiela li rois 
 iosephe, et si li dist, 
 
 ' ke il chiertefiast lui et nasciens de la 
 vision 
 
 228 qu' il auoit veue en son palais 
 
 la nuit deuant che ke il raeust pour 
 aler en I'ost,' 
 
218 JOSEPH TELLS MOBDREINS THE VISION OE THE THEEE TREES THAT HE SATf, 
 
 Neuertheles 3it wot I of som what how it 
 
 ferde, 
 But I wolde that Nascien of 30wre mowth it 
 
 herde.' 
 
 Thanne of these MerveUles Joseph gan telle, 
 Aforn Mordreyns and Nasciens he gan to 
 
 spelle, — 
 " Sire king ! ferst In thi Chombre there pou 
 
 Sye 
 Thre Trees that weren wondirly hye, 
 Alle iij of on gretnesse, And of on lengthe, 
 And of on heythe, & of on strengthe ; 
 And thike that hadde the Towle bark 
 
 vppon, 
 That signefled verray Goddis sone ; 
 The tothere tweyne Signefled, I tellet the, 
 The Padir And the holigost In Trenite ; 
 And the peple that vndir the Tre was, 
 The begynneng of J?e world it was ; 
 The tweyne that partid from hem thanne 
 Was Adam & Eve the ferste Manne, 
 That to helle wenten down Ryht 
 After here deth, I the plyht. 
 And Alle the Eemnawnt Jjat Alien In tho : 
 So dyden they Tyl God on the Cros was do. 
 
 And tho that the brawnches gonnen for to 
 hewe. 
 It weren the Pals lewes vppon A rewe. 
 That persehed bothe his hondes & Feet, 
 And non hoi stiche On him they leet. 
 And whanne the Tre Fyl A-down, 
 Alle the Bark there lefte In virown ; 
 The body that was the Bark with-Inne, 
 In-to ]?e dich it fil, and nold not blynne. 
 
 232 
 
 236 
 
 240 
 
 244 
 
 248 
 
 252 
 
 256 
 
 " Et ne-pourquant iosephe," dist il, 
 " ie sai ke vne partie en senefie. 
 
 mais ie voel ke nasciens le sache par 
 votre bouche meisme." 
 Lors commenclia iosephes a parler, et 
 si dist, 
 
 " rois, tu veis en mi ton palais 
 
 trois arbres, et si fu en cheste plache 
 
 chi endroit, 
 
 chil troi arbre estoient d' un gros, 
 
 et d' un haut, et d' une samblanche, fors 
 
 i-tant seulement ke chil del milieu estoit cou- 
 
 uers d' une esoorche mult laide et mult noire. 
 
 ChU a la noire escorche estoit la sene- 
 
 fianche del fil dieu : ch' est des iiesu 
 
 crist. qui se couuri en terre de laide 
 
 char mortel. 
 
 Et li autre doi senefient 
 
 Ie pere et le saint esperit. 
 
 et les manieres des gens qui estoient desous 
 la pere, si senefient le eommenchement du 
 monde. Car en chel tans n' estoit mie enchore 
 la trinites conneue. Li doi qui se departirent 
 de la compaignie des autres et salirent en la 
 fosse. 
 
 Che fu li premiers hom et la premiere 
 
 feme 
 
 qui alerent en infer 
 
 tantost qu' il furent mort. 
 
 et li autre lea sieuirent tout. Car il ne fu 
 
 onques puis nus, tant eust bien fait en sa 
 
 vie, qui n'en alast en infer tantost que 1' ame 
 
 li departoit du cors: tant ke vint achele eure 
 
 ke li fiex dieu souffri mort. 
 
 Et les gens qui remesent, et qui depe- 
 
 choient 1' arbre, et parchoient en quatre 
 
 lieus en la tige, 
 
 senefie les iuis, qui au fil dieu pierchi- 
 
 erent les pies et les mains des oleus, et 
 
 le coste d'une lanche, par quoi sa mors 
 
 fu apercheue. Si com li angeles me 
 
 disoit Grains oiant vous. 
 
 Apres vint, li arbres si chai : si ke 
 
 toute la laide escorche remest illuec 
 
 en .j. monchiel. 
 
 et chou dedens 
 
 se lancha iuske dedens la fosse 
 
AND EXPLAINS THEM AS TYPES OP THE TRINITY, THE REDEMPTION, ETC. 219 
 
 Where alle the peple fil In be-fore, 
 And Elles hadden Al the peple be lore ; 
 And whanne A while there hadde he been, 
 Owt of that diche he Cam A3en, 
 And Into his bark A3en tornede he sone, 
 Eor wel he wiste what was to done ; 
 And so Cler be-Cam that Tre withal 
 As Evere dyde ony berylle Othir Cristal. 
 
 Of Alle this thing the Signeflawnce 
 I schal 30W declaren with-Owten veriannce ; — 
 "Whanne the holigost from the Body was gon, 
 The Body In the Sepulcre was leid Anon ; 
 As A thing that ded tho was. 
 So lay the Body in that plas; 
 And therwhiles was the Sowle In helle 
 The Eendes host al forto felle ; 
 And his beloved thanne Everichon 
 Owt thens with him he browhte Anon ; 
 And thanne whanne thus hadde he I-do, 
 Into the Sepulcre the spirit gan go, 
 Al so Clere And Al so Bryht 
 As Evere the Godhede was In Syht. 
 
 And the peple that heng vppon the brawnche 
 Signefied the sowles where-offen he wolde not 
 
 stawnche, 
 But hem forth Browhte Euerichon, 
 And Of his welbeloved he left non On ; 
 And the leves of that Tre don Signefie 
 The Membres of God, I sey the Oerteynlye. 
 
 And be these thre trees Vndirstonde thow 
 wel 
 The blessid Trenite Everidel,- — 
 Fadir & Sone & holy gost, 
 iij. persones, & but On god Of Mihtes Most. 
 
 2f 2 
 
 260 
 
 264 
 
 268 
 
 272 
 
 276 
 
 280 
 
 284 
 
 ou tovtes lesgens estoientsaliesdevant. 
 
 Et quant il i eut .j. peu este, 
 
 si se lancha liors. et si en traist mult, 
 grant partie des gens qui estoient dedens. 
 Et apres reuint en son lieu, et reuesti 
 la laide escorche ke il auoit laissie. 
 
 Mais quant il eut uestue, ele ne fu mie autres- 
 
 tele com ele auoit deuant este. Anchois mua 
 
 toute, et fu a ohent doubles plus biele et plus 
 
 clere ke cristaus. 
 
 De cheste chose vous dirai iou bien la 
 
 senefianclie. 
 
 Quant lifiexdieu ot rendue 1' ame en la 
 
 crois, 
 
 si fu li cors mis el sepuchre, 
 
 comme chose qui estoit morteus. Et de cheste 
 
 chose peut bien mes peres porter loial tes- 
 
 moing. car il le coucha el sepulchre a ses. deus 
 
 mains. 
 
 Et quant li cors fu ensi enseuelis : li 
 
 esperis en ala maintenant en infier. 
 
 Et si en traist tons cliiaus et toutes 
 cheles qui son seruiclie auoient fait en 
 terre puis le commencliementdu monde. 
 Et quant il fu reuenus d' infier, 
 
 il reprist son cors . 
 
 Mais il canga. Car il laissa toute mor- 
 
 talite, 
 
 si reuint celestiaus. 
 
 Che ke vous veistes, ke les gens pre- 
 noient les rains d' el arbre, et les 
 fueiles, si en decaupoient, vne partie 
 en ardoient: che senefie les menbres 
 ihesu crist. Che sont li loial ministre : 
 dont li .iiij. sont ochis, li autre ars en 
 fu. liautretue depierres,pourle non de 
 lui essauchier, et acroistre sa creanche. 
 
 Ensi poes entendre par les .iij. arbres, 
 
 288 la trinite, 
 
 les .iij. persones en vne deite. 
 
220 JOSEPH EXPLAINS THE NAMES ON THE TREES IN THE KING's VISION, AND 
 
 But on Godhed & but on deyete 
 
 Signefien tho persones tlire ; 292 
 
 So Is On god I thre porsones, 
 
 A.nd but on deyete In tbo wones ; 
 
 Ne nethir Of bem More tbanne othere Is, 
 
 Netbir strengere ne feblere witb-Owten Mys." 296 
 
 " Josepb," seyde tbanne tbe kyng Anon, 
 " Tbese vndirstonde Icb wel Evericbon ; 
 But now Bibt fain wolde I wete of tbe 
 Wbat Ipe Signifiaunce of tbeke tbre wordis mown 
 
 be." 300 
 
 " Ful gladly Sire," quod Josepb tbo, 
 " Tbeke tbre wordis I scbal tbe undo ; — 
 Tbe Ferste tbat " Pormere " wreten Is tbere 
 Betokenetb tbe Eadir In tbis Manere, 304 
 
 For be Pormed Ferst Alle tbing 
 From begynneng Into tbe Endyng. 
 And, Eor tbe persone of tbe sone Into Ertbe 
 
 Alybte 
 To saven Mankende tborowgb bis Owne Mibte, 308 
 Tbere-fore to ]?e sone belongetb tbe savacion of 
 
 Man, 
 Tbus Hedely is it, As I tbe tellen Can ; 
 And for tbe Cause tbat it is so. 
 He Calletb bim " Saviour " witb-owten Mo. 312 
 And, for tbe boligost discendid Adown 
 At pentecost to tbe disciples In virown, 
 Eor to Clensen, And forto Maken Clene, 
 And bem Eorto Enflawmen Al bedene, — 316 
 
 And, for alle pvrifiments be-longen to J>e boli- 
 gost, 
 Tberfore as " Clensere " it signefiet, As it nedis 
 
 Most. 
 Now tbe lettrure of tbese persones tbre, 
 I baue declared, As 3e Mown se, 320 
 
 et la seuele deite en trois persones, 
 d'un 
 
 grant, et d' une poissanche : 
 
 ne 1' une meaour : ne 1' autre grignour.'' 
 
 " Par foi." dist li rois 
 
 " tout chou ai iou mult bien entendu. 
 
 Mais des letres, me faites chertain, 
 ke les vnes disoient. ' CHst forme,' et 
 les autres disoient. ' Chist purefie.' " 
 
 " Chou," fait iosephes, 
 
 " est asses entendable chose. 
 
 Chil qui forme est li peres. Car che dist 1' es- 
 criptoure, ke li peres cria toutes choses de 
 noient. Et pour chou dist la letre ke li peres 
 fourma toutes choses. Car el commenche- 
 ment del monde n' estoit pas la counissanche 
 del fil venu auant. Ne li premiers pules n'en 
 seut rien, et pour chou apartint la formanche 
 de toutes creatures a la persone du pere. 
 Et poux chou ke la persone du fil vint 
 en terre 
 
 rachater home, 
 
 pour chou apartint li sauuemens d'ome 
 
 a la persone du fil. 
 
 Et pour chou ke li sains esperis vint 
 
 en terre 
 
 au iour de la pentecouste 
 
 pour monder et pour espurgier les 
 
 cuers des desciples. Et non mie tant 
 
 seulemeut ichelui iour. mais a mains 
 
 autres iours, et en mains autres lieus. 
 
 Pour chou apartient lipurefiemens des 
 
 cors et des corages a la persone du 
 
 saint esperit. 
 
 Oreaues oies les proprietes des.iij. per- 
 sones 
 
THE CHILD THAT CAME MIRACULOUSLY THROUGH THE WALL. 
 
 221 
 
 That but On deyete And On pvsaunce 
 Hauen they thre with-Owten variaunce." 
 
 " Now vndirstonde I this Riht wel, 
 From gynneng to Endeng Everidel ; 3:^4 
 
 But of More," quod the kyng, 
 ' Thow most don me vndirstonding ; 
 What that chambre doth signefie 
 That with Min Eyen I saw so verralie, 328 
 
 That I wende Neuere to-forn theke day 
 Into Swich An hows non Man ne entren May." 
 " A ! Sire," quod loseph thanne Anon, 
 " jjat wele I declaren Er I hens gon ; 332 
 
 Eor that I wolde with Al my myht 
 In stedfast beleve to bringen the ryht. 
 Thike Child that In the Chambre was. 
 And fo-forn the Isswede In that plas 336 
 
 With-Owten Ony wal oJ>er dore brekynge. 
 Thus it is to thin & to oure Alther vndirstondinge ; — 
 It signefieth only Goddis Sone 
 That In the Maydeins wombe dide wone, 340 
 
 Where as he In alihte, & Owt he cam 
 Be his Owne Miht as God & Man ; 
 And lik as he owt of ]?at Chambre isswed to 
 
 fore pe, 
 So dide he owt of the virgenite, 344 
 
 And neuere hire Maidenhot was put Away, 
 Neither to-forn ne After, As I the say." 
 " Thanne telle me, loseph," quod the kyng tho, 
 " What was that child that Into Ipe Chambre, 
 
 entred so ?" 348 
 
 " Sire kyng, that Child was the holigost. 
 On God of Mihtes Most, 
 That Into the chambre Entred thanne 
 In the savacioun of AUe kynde of Manne. 352 
 
 There-fore sendeth the to Sein be Me 
 That highe lord God J^at is In Maieste, 
 
 qui n'ont ke vne seule poissanclie et 
 vne seule deite." 
 
 " Mult nous aues bien fais chertains 
 
 de toutes ches choses," 
 
 fait li rois: "se tant auies fait 
 
 ke nous seussiens la verite 
 
 del enfant 
 
 ke ie vi entrer en ma chambre, 
 dont ie ne quidoie 
 
 ke nule riens viuans peust sauoir 
 
 I'entree." 
 
 " Enchore voi ie bien,'' dist iosephes, 
 
 " ke vous n'estes- mie parfais en 
 creanche. Car ch'est vne cliose ke 
 vous deussies sauoir tout par vous, et 
 entendre. Ie Ie vous dirai. 
 
 Chil enfes qui entra en votre chambre, 
 
 et issi hors, 
 
 sans I'uis ouurir ne maumetre, i 
 
 senefie Ie fil dieu, 
 
 qui el cors de la virgene 
 
 entra, et issi, 
 
 sans son puechelage maumetre.'' 
 
 '' Or me dites donques," fait li rois, 
 " qui li enfes fu. Car la senefianche 
 ai iou bien entendue. Et cheste parole 
 meisme me dist vne vols. Apres chou 
 que ie I'oi veu." 
 
 A cheste chose respondre, commenoha io- 
 sephes a penser. et quant il eut vn peu pense, 
 si respondi au roi. " Rois, or enten qui fu 
 chil qui en aamblanche d'enfant entra en la 
 chambre, et issi. Che fu li esperis notre 
 signour, de la qui bouohe cheste parole issi. 
 ' Nule chose n'est couuerte qui ne aoit des- 
 couuerte.' 
 
 Et pour chou ke vous ne tiegnies 
 cheste chose a menchoinge : pour chou 
 vous mande il par moi, 
 
222 JOSEPH TELLS MORDEEINS TO BURN THE IMAGE THAT HE HAS LAIN WITH. 
 
 ' That thow scliost Anon putten Away 
 
 Thike fals simylitude ]?at thow hast kept Mani day, 
 
 And that thow do hem brennen Anon Riht 357 
 
 Openly In Al the peplis siht ; 
 
 That semblawnce that so longe Jjou hast had In 
 
 kepinge, 
 Thow Schalt it don brenne Oner Alle thinge.' 360 
 Where thow hast don fowl dedly Synne, 
 In tho pointes that thow hast Trespaced Inne, 
 The holigost wele J^at it be declared Openly, 
 Thi Falsnesse And thin fowle foly, 364 
 
 That AUe the world it Mowen knowe 
 Of thi meyne, bothe hyghe and lowe." 
 
 This Semblannee that I have spoken of here, 
 Lesteneth to Me, and j,e Mown lere ; 368 
 
 What Manner of semblaunce that worschepe he, 
 36 scholen Mown bothe heren and se. 
 He hadde don him Mad A fair ymage 
 In forme Of a woman of high parage, 372 
 
 And A fairere ymage ne Mihte non ben 
 Of tre ne ston I-Mad, As men Mihten sen, 
 And with hire the king lay Enery oper nyht, 
 And thereto In Ryal Robes sche was diht, 376 
 
 And In al so E-iche & worthi Aray 
 As ony man Cowde devyne oipev say ; 
 And a chambre for hire he let Ordeyne, 
 The most Merveillous that men herd of 
 
 seyne, 38o 
 
 That non Man Cowde knowen the openinge 
 Nethir th'entre ne Owt-Goyng. 
 
 Thanne Anon Clepid he forth Sire 
 Nascien 
 And his qwene to-Foren him to Comen 
 
 then, 384 
 
 And seide ' that he wolde hem Alle Schewe 
 His fals leveng, with-Inne A tlirewe, 
 
 ke tost ales oster 
 
 la desloial samblanche ke vous aues 
 
 toutiouTSgardee el sousterrin de chele 
 
 chambre meisme, 
 
 et se vous ne I'ostes, et vous ne la ietes, 
 
 voians tous et toutes. 
 
 li esperis notre signour me commanda 
 que ie desceuure 
 
 la meruelle grant pour quoi vous li 
 aues tant tenue. 
 
 et lors si porres apercheuoir que nule 
 
 chose n' est si reposte k'ele ne seut 
 
 seue." 
 
 Chele samblanche 
 
 si estoit vne ymage de fust, 
 
 a meruelle de grant biaute, en guise 
 d'une feme. 
 
 Et si estoit vestue de si riches reubes com li 
 rois les pooit trouuer plus riches et plus 
 precieuses. A chele ymage gisoit li rois car- 
 nelment. et de si grant amour I'auoit amee 
 li rois bien .xv. ans ke nus horn ne peust 
 auoir grignour amour a nule feme mortel. 
 Ne nus hom, tant fust priues de lui, n'auoit 
 onques seu chest consel. 
 anchois i auoitfait lirois faire .i. huis, 
 
 si soutil 
 
 ke il ne quidoit mie ke nus hom mor- 
 teus le peust apercheuoir, tant i seust 
 esgarder. 
 
 Et quant iosephes eut ensi parle a lui. 
 Si en fa li rois mult esbahis. et dist 
 ' ke voirement ne pooit nule riens estre 
 couuerte ne chelee en terre a dame 
 dieu.' tout maintenant apiela nasciens 
 son serourge, et la roine, 
 
 et si dist ' qu'il lor mousterroit 
 
 la grant desloiaute 
 
MOBDREINS SHOWS THEM THE CONCEALED CHAMBBB, AND BURNS THE IMAGE. 223 
 
 That SO longe he hadde kept And lad.' 
 
 Anon his Meyne he Comanded, & bad, 
 ' A gret Peer Forto Maken Anon 
 In his'paleySj Amongis hem Echon ;' 
 And whanne ]?at feer was brennenge briht, 
 Anon he Comaunded hem Owt of his Siht 
 And Owt of the Paleys Forto gon, 
 Alle his Meyne Everichon, 
 So that In his Compenye ne left not there 
 But loseph, & Nasciens, & his qweene in J>ere. 
 
 Thanne the kyng ladde hem forth Anon 
 To a sotyl hows was mad of Marbre ston, 
 And Alle of divers Oolowres it was, 
 Ful seteli I-wrowht In that plas, 
 And the Schettynge was Mad so previly 
 That non Man Miht it knowen Apertly, 
 With a sotil barre with-Inne I-wrowht, 
 That non man th'entre ne knewe 
 
 nowht. 
 And whanne the kyng it Opene scholde, 
 A sotyl Ernen keye In his bond gan holde, 
 The wheche the lointours he gan vnschitte, 
 So wel of that For-knew he itte. 
 And thus thei Entreden Everichon 
 There that ymage was Riht Anon, 
 Where that disloyalte & synne he hadde I-do 
 With that ymage J^at In the hows was so. 
 
 And that ymage Took he there Anon 
 Ryht 
 And Into that Fyr he let it to ben dyht. 
 And alle the E-iche Robes Also 
 That vppon thike ymage weren I-do, 
 Evene thus dide he In alle mennes Siht 
 Thike Ymage to don brennen ful briht. 
 
 qu'il auoit si lougement menee.' 
 
 388 Lors commanda 
 
 a faire .i. mult grant fu, 
 
 ens en mi lieu du palais, 
 
 et quant il fu bien espris, 
 
 392 si commanda sa maisnie qu'il alais- 
 sent tout hors, 
 
 39G 
 
 400 
 
 404 
 
 408 
 
 412 
 
 416 
 
 si ke il ne remest en sa compaignie 
 
 ke ioseplie et ioseph et nascien et la 
 
 roine. 
 
 Lors les mena li rois 
 
 a I'uisqui el mur estoit seeles de pierre 
 
 marbrine, 
 
 et tous li mur estoit de diuerses 
 
 coulours tains. 
 
 Chil huis estoit si soutieument fremes, 
 ke, si tost com il clooit, si chaoit par 
 dedens vns engiens de fier en guise de 
 bare, 
 
 par quoi li hius estoit si fermement 
 apoies, ke tous ioursi peust on bouter, 
 ne ia ne se meust. anchoisle couuenist 
 pechoier que on i entrast. 
 Et quant li rois le uoloit ouurir, si 
 auoit vne clauele de fier a meruelles 
 teuene. et si tost com il le boutoit par 
 entreles iointures des coulours par qui 
 r entree de la clauele estoit plus des- 
 aparcheuans : tantost caoitvns engiens 
 de keuure en samblancke d' un mail 
 sour la bare el chief derriere. et tan- 
 tost sousleuoit li chies deuant, et saloit 
 hors du oroket ou la bare tenoit, et 
 en cheste maniere entroit ens li rois 
 quant il uoloit aler a 1' ymage pour 
 faire sa desloiaute et son pechie. 
 Quant il orent moustre la grant sou- 
 tilleche del huis, 
 
 si les mena en la chambre, et quant 
 il vint el sousterrin : si prist il meismes 
 r ymage, 
 
 et si r aporta el fu ardant voiant aus 
 tous. Et quant ele fu toute arse, 
 et la reube ke ele auoit vestue, et li 
 fust dedens. 
 
224 
 
 JOSEPH DEPARTS FROM SARRAS WITH 207 SARACENS. 
 
 " O," quod the kyng, " goode lord God, moclie 
 
 is ]pi Miht, 
 That me Sendest grace nowe In thi Siht 420 
 
 My fals levenge forto Eorsake, 
 And Only to thi servise me take !" 
 And there alle his Synne he forsook, 
 And Onlyche to goddis servise him took. 424 
 
 Thanne merveilled Alle that Meyne 
 What theke semblawnce myht be, 
 For there-offen herden they Neuere speken 
 
 be-fore 
 Of non Man that Evere 3it was I-bore. 428 
 
 Alle this was thorwgh losephe's techinge, 
 Him self and Al his Rem In good lif to bringe 
 Thorwgh the Comandement of Oure lord ; 
 Thus was the semblaunce brend at on word. 432 
 
 And whanne loseph hadde Alle this I-do, 
 And thike ymage dide brenne J?ere Also, 
 And al the land browht In good beleve, — 
 Prom Sarras ward he gan to meve, 436 
 
 And took his leve at kyng and knyht, 
 At Naciens, and Of that qAveene so briht. 
 Thanne the kyng, the qwene, & Sire Nascien, 
 Co\Tndied loseph A gret weye then, 440 
 
 And Alle that weren In his Compenye 
 Eorth vnih. loseph thei gonnen hem Gye, 
 Wheche that A gret Meine it was 
 That to losephe Seiden In thike plas, 444 
 
 ' That 3if loseph wolde In here Compenie go, 
 From him departen they wolde they neuere mo.' 
 
 And loseph Resceived hem Everichon 
 That In his Compenye gonnen to gon, U8 
 
 So As be nombre it was I-Eekened to me 
 T^'o hundred & Sevene of theke Meyne. 
 
 Si dist li rois ' ke mult estoit de grant 
 pooir notre sire, 
 
 qui chest corage li auoit enuoiet. Car 
 il ne quidoit mie ke iamis ses cuers en 
 peust estre ostes par nule paine. 
 
 Apres counut il meismes son pechie, 
 si ke tout r oirent, 
 
 si s' en meruellierent mult durement. 
 
 Car il n' auoient onques mais de tel 
 
 pechie oi parler. 
 
 de la grant mescreanche. 
 
 Ensi destourna iosephes, par le plaisir 
 
 notre signour: le roi et sa terre 
 
 et amena a la sainte ley ihesu crist. 
 
 Et quant vint le iour apres 
 qu' il ot fait ardoir 1' ymage, 
 
 si s' enparti de sarras. 
 et prist congie au roi, 
 
 et a nascien, et a la roine. 
 
 Et il conuoierent mult longhement, et 
 
 lui et sa compaignie. 
 
 Et quant il se departirent, si eut entr' 
 
 aus mult grant angoisse de suspirs, et 
 
 mult grant espandement de larmes. 
 
 Et quant les gens seurent ke il s' en 
 
 aloient ; si s'en alerent apres mult grant 
 
 partie, et disrent 
 
 'ke se iosephes lesvoloitacompaignier, 
 
 il ne partiroient iamais de lui.' 
 
 Et il les retint tons 
 
 tant ke il furent par conte 
 .ij. chens et .vij. 
 
Joseph's leave-taking and last charge to the king. 
 
 225 
 
 And so of the kyng his leve there he took 
 
 And Alle the Compenie that he not forsook, 452 
 
 & Charged ]je kyng ' holi chirche to sosteyne 
 
 And Neuere to his fals levenge to tornen Ageyne, 
 
 More-Oner to kepen Oristes lawes, 
 
 My techeng, And Jjerto Alle my sawes.' 456 
 
 Thus departed the kyng and they tho 
 "With wepinges, syghenges & Manion mo, 
 Por hem thowghte forloren they were 
 Whanne losephe departed from hem there, 460 
 
 As 3e scholen heren here Aftirward 
 What happes & Ohaunses befiUen hem hard. 
 And whanne that loseph forth wente. 
 Into what Contre he ne wiste veramente, 464 
 
 Bnt As be Goddis Oomandement 
 He it FulfiUede tho verayment. 
 
 Si prist congie, 
 
 et lor pria mult de sainte eglise es- 
 sauohier a lor pooirs, 
 
 et de bien tenir la loy ihesu crist. A 
 tant s' enparti d' aiis, et chil retour- 
 nerent 
 
 mult pensieu, et mult ploureus, 
 
 comme chil qui il sambloit ke tout 
 
 eussent perdu 
 
 puis ke iosephes s' en aloit. 
 
 2 G 
 
226 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Of Mordreins (or Evalach). How he had a wonderful dream, which sorely troubled him, to the distress 
 of his queen (p. 227), viz.: 'that he was holding his Court in Sarras, and as he sat at meat a 
 thunderbolt knocked the first morsel out of his mouth, and his crown oiF his head (p. 228) ; that a wind 
 carries him away to a place where a lion brings him food, which a lioness carries off, till he hits her 
 with his fist (p. 228); that he finds his crown, but with splendid stones in it; that an eagle carries his 
 nephew, Nasciens's son, to a strange region, where the people kneel to him (p. 229); and then a river 
 flows out of his belly, and divides into nine streams (p. 229), of which the ninth is troublous and foul 
 at its rise, clear in the middle, and glorious at the end (p. 230) ; and that a man from heaven washes in a 
 lake, and in three of the streams that separated from the ninth' (p. 230). Saracinte, sad at Mordreins's 
 trouble, goes to her brother Nasciens (or Seraphe). (p. 231), and begs him to ask Mordreins a boon, 
 that he will tell his dream (p. 231); Nasciens goes to the king, and asks him (p. 232), and Mordreins 
 tells him, and says that it came for Mordreins's ingratitude to Nasciens (p. 232-3). To have the dream 
 interpreted, they go to the Church that Joseph established, and hear service, (p. 234-5), but none of 
 the pastors can interpret it (p. 236). They return to the palace, and feel and hear and see wonderful 
 shakings, noises, and lightnings (p. 236); then a horn sounds, and a voice proclaims the beginning of 
 dreade (p. 237). Mordreins and Nasciens fall swooning on their bed, and Mordreins is borne away 
 by the Holy Ghost (p. 238). 
 
 Now goth forth loseph & Ms Compenye Ores' en vaiosephes et sa compaignie, 
 
 Be Goddis Comandment Certeinlye, notre'signS' '* ^' ^°^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 But AUe here lornes devisen I ne kan, — ^-i^^-is de toutes lor iournees, ne de 
 
 It were to moche for Ony On Man — 4 ' 
 
 Neithir here herebegage, ne here vyaunde ; ^^ ^^ ohascun lieu ou ilherbergierent, 
 
 „,,,., T / T ^^ parlera pas li contes chi endroit, 
 
 But nothing hem lakked, I vndu"stonde. 
 
 Now from loseph A wllile let VS twynne, anchois tourne la droite voie de 
 
 And of kyng Mordreins we Moste be-gynne, s soS°le roi mordains, 
 
 And of the Compenie that Is in Sarras Cite et sour sa compaignie qui sont remes 
 
 That loseph there lefte of his Meyne. ™ ^'^ '^"*^ ^^ '^"^'- 
 
MOBD reins' S DISTRESS IN BED, AND HIS WONDERFUL DREAM. 
 
 227 
 
 20 
 
 24 
 
 Thus begynnetli this storie forto telle 
 What ATenture king Mordreins Aftir be- 
 
 felle. 12 
 
 In bedde as he lay vppon A Nyht, 
 In his slepe was there wondirly afryht, 
 And there A gret dreme Cam him vppon, 
 As after scholen 36 heren Everichon. 16 
 
 In this wonderful dreme riht longe he lay 
 Til that it was ny liht of the day. 
 And with his Eyen So sore he wepte, 
 And Evere he lay & faste Slepte, 
 In Sighenges and In Storbelings sore, 
 Al Evere thus he ferde More & More ; 
 So that pe qwene, that by him lay. 
 To hire herte it was a ful gret fray ; 
 But Sche myhte not Enqweren for non thing 
 Of him what Amownted this Metyng, 
 Eor sche dorste not A3ens his wille 
 Hym there-Offen freyne for good ne ylle ; 
 Eor he was bothe feers & Crwel, 
 Therfore sche ne dorst him A3en neuere a del. 
 
 Thus Abod the kyng In this trowble Owt 
 riht 
 Til it was passed middes of the nyht ; 32 
 
 And thanne In a softe Slerepe fil he, 
 Eor werinesse of travaille he hadde lime be, — 
 And thus In dremeng thowhte he, 
 ' That he was In Sarras, Jjat faire Cite, 36 
 
 And there-In his Cowrt that was so E-iche 
 And so worthi, that non was liche. 
 To that Cowrt him thowghte comen there 
 Manye lordis & ladyes Of gret powere 40 
 
 That weren Arayed & Rialy dyht, — 
 So Ryal Saw he Neuere In his siht ; 
 
 2g 2 
 
 Chi endroit dist li contes, 
 
 ke la nuitke li rois fti couchies en son 
 
 lit, 
 
 si chai en vne mult grant pensee dont 
 
 ilfutantformentpensis queil n' estoit 
 
 nus ki peuist de lui parole traire. 
 
 En eel pense demoura mult longement, 
 en tel maniere dont vous aues oi. 
 
 et si plouroit des iex, 
 et souspiroit del cuer, 
 
 ke la roine qui de les lui gisoit 
 
 en estoit tout esbahie. 
 
 Mais ele ne li pooit tant enquerre 
 
 ke ill' en vausistnuleriens enseignier. 
 
 Ne ele ne 1' en osoit enforchier centre 
 sa volente. 
 
 Car il li audit este mult fiers et mult 
 
 crueus, 
 
 si doutoit mult son mautalent et son 
 
 courous. 
 
 Ensi fu li rois en dolour et en messaise 
 
 de pense 
 
 tant ke bien pot estre mienuis. 
 
 Et lors si auint chose qu' il s' endormi 
 
 pour le lassete del pense qui li auoit 
 
 greue. 
 
 Et si entra en.i.mult grant perilleus son- 
 
 ge. Car il li estoit auis en son dormant 
 
 ' ke il tenoit en la chite de sarras rne 
 
 court mult riche et mult houneree. 
 
 A chele court venoient 
 
 tout li chiualer et toutes les dames de 
 la contree. et quant il estoit issus hors 
 d' un mult riche monster ke il n' auoit 
 onques mais veu. 
 
228 
 
 MORDREIXS S DREAM. THE LION AND LIOXESS. 
 
 And to Mete Seten they Alle, 
 As to kyng, lordes, & ladyes, don befalle. 
 Him thowlite At Ms mete ]?ere that he sat. 
 His mowht he opened A morsel puttyng In 
 
 J)ere-at, — 
 Him thowghte A thondir blast gan gon, 
 That Morsel owt his hand it smot Anon, 
 An the Crowne that was vppon his hed 
 To the Erthe it Caste In that sted ; 
 And whanne he stowpede the Crowne to take, 
 A boistous wynd there gan to wake ; 
 Hym thowghte he was born Into A straunge 
 
 place 
 A fer wey thennes, & f>ere was a long space. 
 And 3it him thowhte there wel More, 
 That A liown & A lioness to him Comen 
 
 thore, 
 Everi day the lyown mete to hire browghte 
 And the lionesse Awey it Cawhte, 
 Sauf scarsly half his lyvenge 
 That the liown dide him bringe. 
 And Atte laste him thowghte Agein 
 That non lengere he wolde it sofPren in ser- 
 
 tein ; 
 And with his fist smot so the lyonesse 
 That sche dide him no More distresse. 
 
 Thanne him thowghte his Crowne he fond ; 
 And vp he took it J^ere In his bond 
 And set it A3en vppon his hed ; 
 Thus thowghte him there In that sted. 
 But it was Chonged thanne wondirly, 
 The stones of that Crowne Certeinly ; 
 Eor the stones weren so preciowse to his eye, 
 That neuere non So precious stones he sye. 
 
 44 
 
 48 
 
 52 
 
 56 
 
 60 
 
 64 
 
 68 
 
 Si entroit en son palais, et s' aseoit au 
 mangier si richement et si bel 
 com il est drois et coustume de roi. 
 
 Ensi com il estoit a son mangier, 
 
 et il prenoit le premier morsel pour 
 metre en sa bouche: 
 
 si descendoit vns effondres del ciiel, 
 
 et si li faisoit voler son morsel hers 
 
 de sa main 
 
 et sa couroune chaoir ins de son chief 
 
 a la terre. 
 
 Et quant il uoloit releuer sa couroune qui a 
 terre gisoit, et il le voloit remetre en sa teste; 
 si le prenoit vns grans estourbillons 
 de vent, 
 
 et si r enportoit en .i. estrange lieu 
 mult loing. 
 
 En cliellieu demouroitmultlongement, 
 
 che li estoit auis, 
 
 et si uenoit a lui chascun iour vns 
 lions et vns leus. 
 
 Li lions li aportoit toutes les boines 
 viandes et toutes les riches du monde, 
 et li leus 1' en toloit 
 tant ke U ne 1' en remanoit ke seulement 
 sa soustenanclie a mult grant pouerte. 
 
 En la fin, quant il veoit ke chil leus 
 le reuboit en tel maniere. si se pensa 
 ke il ne li soufferroit plus, anchois se 
 conbateroit a lui. 
 
 Tant fist ke il se conbati .i. iour, et 
 ke il le venqui a mult grant paine. 
 Ensi s' enfui li leus c' onques puis 
 point de sa viande ne li toll. 
 Apres li estoit auis 
 ke il tenoit sa couroune, 
 
 et quant il le voloit metre en son chief 
 
 si le trouoit toute cangie. 
 
 ke ele estoit de la plus clere pierre, et 
 de la plus biele 
 72 ke nus horn, au sien quidier, eust 
 onques veue. 
 
THE NINE BIVBRS FLOWING OUT OP CELIDOYNE S BODY. 
 
 229 
 
 And wliaiine on his lied it was set Agein, 
 Thanne Cam his Nevew, Nasciens sone, 
 
 Certein ; 
 Him thowhte that An Egle him ther bar 
 Eyht Per with-Inne the Se thar, 76 
 
 Pul fer Into a stravnge contre 
 His Nevew him thowghte ]jere bar he, 
 And there the Egle lefte him a-down 
 Ryht fer Into a strawnge Regiown. 80 
 
 And whanne he was there set In ]?at plase, 
 The peple that In the Contre wase 
 To him alle they knelid a down 
 In that plase Abowtes In-virown ; 
 And whanne thus alle they hadden don, 
 To him so Enclyned Everichon, 
 And gret loie of him they made, 
 And of him weren they wondir glade. 88 
 
 Thanne thowghte him that veraillye 
 That he Sawgh with his bodilich Eye 
 A gret Elood Owt of his body Gon ; 
 Of wheche flood becomen there Nyne Anon, 92 
 
 Where-Offen the viij Reveres were 
 Of on clernesse, of on depthe & bred him 
 
 Jjowghte fiere ; 
 But the laste flood that there was. 
 Most deppest. Most Trowblest, semed I that 
 
 plas 96 
 
 The water was as fowl As Ony chanel, 
 Riht hydows Therto & ful stordy Ech del. 
 Thus Evene ferd it Atte the begynneng ; 
 But In the Middis was thanne Anothir 
 
 thing, 100 
 
 Eor the water Also Cler was there 
 As ony preciouse stones Owghere, 
 
 Et quant il 1' auoit mise en sa teste 
 
 arriere, 
 
 si veoit il vn sien neueu, qui estoit 
 
 fiex nascien son serourge, 
 
 ke vns grans oisiaus en samblanche 
 d' aigle prenoit, et si 1' enportoit voiant 
 ses iex outre la mer 
 
 en vne mult estrange terre. 
 
 lUuec le metoit 1' aigle ius. 
 
 Et quant il estoit a terre, 
 si venoient toutes les gens du pais, 
 si r enclinoieat, 
 84 et venoient tout et toutes environ lui. 
 Et quant il li auoient tout encline, 
 
 et grant ioie faite. 
 
 Si veoit 
 
 ke vnsgrans lac li saloit hors del uentre- 
 
 et de chil lac si naissoient .ix. flun 
 mult biel et mult grant, 
 dont li .viij. estoient aukes d' un grant 
 et d' une parfondeche. 
 
 Mais chil qui estoit tous daarrains 
 
 estoit de le etde parfont plus grant ke 
 tout li autre ensamble. et si estoit tant 
 roides et tant bruians que il n' estoit 
 nule riens qui le peust soufFrir. 
 
 Chil fluns estoit si tourbles 
 
 el commenchement, et si espes comme 
 
 boe, 
 
 et el milieu 
 
 estoit si clers et si nes 
 comme pierre precieuse. 
 
230 
 
 MOBDKEINS'S DEEAM. A MAN FROM HEAVEN WASHES IN THE RIVERS. 
 
 112 
 
 Not-with-stonding it was boystows & scharpe 
 
 As here to-Foren 36 herden Me Oarpe ; 1 04 
 
 And 3it In the Ende was it in A-nothir Manere, 
 
 5if 36 welen lestene 36 scholen here ; — 
 
 Eor it was More Oleer An hundred fold 
 
 Thanne here to-fore 3e han herd me told, 108 
 
 And More Eairere thanne In the Middes it was, 
 
 And as swete to drinken In ony plas, — 
 
 And so delicious it was to drink e 
 
 That More delicious Cowde non Man thenke ; 
 
 In wheche Ende the Cowrs was so softe 
 
 ]?at there-offen was non Noise on lofte. 
 
 3it more him thowghte l^at he Sawgh tho 
 
 A Eair Man that Erom the heveun gan go. 
 
 And as he lokede, him thowghte. An hy 
 
 In his hondis he Sawgh the verray Orucyfi ; 
 
 And to a lake he Gan to Gon, 
 
 His hondes & Eeet he weesch there-Inne Anon ; 
 
 And thre of the floodis wheche ]pat were 
 
 Departid from the Nynthe there ; 
 
 Into AUe thre he Entrede, wete ]?ou wel, 
 
 Hondes, feet, and body he weesch Eche del." 
 
 This Avicioun & this dremenge 
 Sawgh the kyng In his Slepinge, 
 Wheche that lasted Ny to the day, 
 Lik As this Storye vs now doth say. 
 Thanne A-wook this kyng Anon, 
 And Hemembred him of these viciouns Echon, 
 Where-offen Abasched ful sore he was 
 Of that wonderful A merveUlous Oas. 
 
 And the qweene that beheeld his fare. 
 In hire herte hadde sche ful gret Care 
 How sche Myhte Owght knowen of the lif 
 Why that hire lord was so thanne pensyf. i36 
 
 Et si roides et si bruians com vous 
 aues oi. 
 
 Enohore estoit il en la fin d' autre 
 maniere. 
 
 Car i) estoit a chent doubles plus clers 
 
 et plus biaus ke il n' estoit au milieu. 
 et si dous estoit a boire 
 
 ke nus ne s' en pooit sooler. 
 et enchore estoit il a tout chou si soues courane: 
 ke nule noise ne^n issoit, ne nus escrois,ancliois 
 estoit si soues ses eours et si paisieules ke a chas- 
 cun qui le veist samblast bien quMlnemeust. 
 Apres si gardoit, si veoit 
 
 116 .i. home venir de uers le chiel 
 
 qui portoit le tesmoing del vrai cru- 
 
 cefi. 
 
 et quant il estoit venu au lac : 
 
 si lauoit dedens ses pies et ses mains, 
 
 et en cbasoun des .vui. fluns autresi. 
 Et quant il estoit venus au nuefisme, 
 
 120 
 
 124 
 
 128 
 
 132 
 
 si entroit tous dedens, 
 
 et si lauoit ses pies, et ses mains, et 
 
 tout son cors. 
 
 Clieste songe et cheste auision 
 
 vil li rois en son dormant, 
 
 et tant longement dura ke il fu mult 
 pres du iour. 
 
 A tant s' esuilla li rois, 
 
 miilt esbahis et mult trespenses 
 
 de cbele meruelle ke il auoit veue. 
 Et la roine qui bien 1' auoit veu pen- 
 sieu et courechie toute nuit, 
 si fa mult espoentee. 
 
 et ne sent coument ele peust esploitier 
 
 vers lui 
 
 tant k' ele seust son pense. 
 
SARRACTNTE ASKS NASCIENS TO FIND OUT WHY MOBDBEINS IS SAD. 
 
 231 
 
 Anon As sche myhte parceyven the day, 
 
 Vppe sche Ros, And to hire brother took the way 
 
 Sore wepinge & sore Syghenge, 
 
 With gret sorwe & lawmentinge, — 140 
 
 And so Cam to Nasciens hire brotheris bed, 
 
 And down be him sat In thike sted. 
 
 Anon Ryht vppe this Nasciens Rawghte, 
 
 His Soster there In his armes he Cowghte, 144 
 
 And hire A-Preyned with Al his herte 
 
 ' Why that sche hadde So manye peynes 
 
 smerte.' 
 Thanne tolde sche him of hire lord the kyng 
 That Al Niht hadde ben In sweche Morneng, 148 
 And the Cause for why sche ne wiste, 
 " Therfore, dere brothir, as I the tryste. 
 Lest he myhte falle In som dispeireng. 
 Now, swete dere brothir, for Ony thing 152 
 
 That 30 wolden of him Enqwere 
 Eor what Cawse he hadde Al his fere, 
 And for lesus love hevene kyng, 
 Eor whom we hauen taken Cristeneng, 156 
 
 That 36 wolden streyht to him gon, 
 And a boone Axen Of hym ]>exe Anon, 
 ' That he wolde graunten 30W 30wre Askyng 
 What so Evere it be of AUe thing,' I60 
 
 And whanne ]?at he hath graunted to 30W J^at 
 
 boone 
 Thanne that 30 wolde Axen him ful sone 
 ' Why that he Eerde So that Nyht, 
 & why In his sleepe he was so afryht ;' 164 
 
 Eor I ne desire so sore non thing 
 As there Offen to haven som knoweng." 
 
 Thanne Eos him vppe this Nasciens Anon 
 And to the kynges chambre gan to gon ; 168 
 
 Et tout maintenant que ele peut le ioiir 
 
 aperchevoir : 
 
 si se leua. Et quant ele fu uestue et 
 
 aparillie, 
 
 si ala tantost au lit nascien son frere, 
 mult souspirant et plourant durement. 
 
 Et quant nasciens le vit plourer, si fu 
 
 mult esbahis. Car il 1' amoit mult 
 
 coreument, 
 
 si le prist entre ses bras, 
 
 et si li demanda mult hastieuement 
 
 pour quoi ele plouroit si. 
 
 Et la roine s' asist de iouste lui, et si 
 li conta 1' auenture de son signour, 
 des larmes et des souspirs ke il auoit 
 la nuit ietes. 
 
 " biaus dous frere,'' dist ele, " pour 
 chou criem iou 
 
 qu' il ne soit cheus en mauuais pense. 
 
 Et ie vous pri et requier, 
 
 pour r amor del haut signour 
 
 a la qui creanche vous vous estes 
 
 dounes. 
 
 ke vous ales a lui, 
 
 et si li demandes vn don. 
 
 Et quant il vous creante sour sa 
 creancBe a douner le don. 
 
 Si li demandes 
 
 ke il vous die a quoi il pense a nuit 
 si longhement. 
 
 Car ch' est la riens el monde 
 ke ie plus volentiers sauroie. 
 Lors se leua nasciens 
 si s' en ala tout droit au roi. 
 
232 
 
 NASCIENS ASKS MORDKEINS WHAT TEOTJBLES HIM AT NIGHT. 
 
 And be that tyme lie comen thedir was, 
 The kyng was Resen in that plas ; 
 And Nasciens him grette J^ere Anon riht 
 And seide, "Sire! as thow art bothe kyng 
 
 & knyht, 172 
 
 One bone, sire kyng, ]?at thow grawnte me 
 With-Owten lettynge Owthir Adversite." 
 Thanne Ipe king Answerid him Agein, 
 " Dere brothere, 36 knowen wel In Certein, 176 
 
 That nothing wheche Is In Myn bandown 
 That Al Redy schal been at 30wre peticiown." 
 And whanne Naciens ^oidirstood al this. 
 That be his Creawnse he wolde not Mis, 18O 
 
 But fulfillen his bone Al hoi & pleyn, 
 Thanne to him thus seide he In Certein 
 No more for his boone wolde he Crave, 
 But knowliching of his pensifhesse to have ; 184 
 Why Al that Xyht he ferde tho so. 
 This wolde I wete Er that I go. 
 And whanne the kyng herde him thus seye, 
 Thanne wiste he welhis qweene gan him be-wreye, 188 
 So that Anon Byht to Sire Kasciens 
 He tolde his trowblynge mth-owten Offens, 
 And told him clene his Aviciowun 
 And of his Nevew Al & som ; 192 
 
 " But 3it neuertheles not for than 
 I ne have not 30W told how it began, — 
 Eor of this 3ifte that se hau Axed me, 
 Biht ful vntrewe to 30W have I be ; 196 
 
 Eor I swor to 30W with-Inne pe viij day 
 Whanne 36 token for me that iornay, 
 I scholde 30W so worthily qwiten Ageyn 
 That al 30ure baronage scholde it knowen 200 
 
 Certein. 
 
 Et quant il vint la, 
 
 si estoit ia li rois leues, 
 
 et il le salua, 
 
 et si li demanda et requist 
 ke il li dounast vn don. 
 Et li rois respondi 
 
 ' ke bien soit seurs 
 
 ke nils si grant dons n' estoit el monde 
 pour ke il le peust doner, ke il ne li 
 dounast sans escondire et sans delaiier.' 
 
 Et quant nasciens 1' ot tant mene 
 ke il r en ot iure sa creanclie, 
 
 si li dist, 
 
 ' ke il U demandoit pour son don : 
 
 de quel cliose il auoit 
 
 tote nuit este si pensis, 
 
 ke il li desist. 
 
 Quant li rois oi chou, 
 
 si seut bien tantost ke la roine 1' auoit 
 
 descouuert et encuse. 
 
 Et si dist tantost, 
 
 et recounut a nascien 
 
 toute sa vision, si com il 1' auoit veue 
 
 de soi, 
 
 et de son neueu. 
 
 " Mais encore," dist il, 
 
 ne vous ai iou dite 1' ocoison de che 
 que ie ai este si pensis. 
 Et che est, li dons ke vous me de- 
 mandastes, si feroie ke desloiaus se ie 
 ne vous en disoie le voir, puis ke ie 
 le vous ai creante. 
 
MOHDREINS TELLS NASCIENS HIS TRESPASS AGAINST HIM. 
 
 233 
 
 Where-offen vntrewe to 30W I am, 
 
 And thus this pensifnesse On me it Cam. 
 
 Portheremore, As by my qweene I lay, 
 
 I bethowghte me how Mani A day 204 
 
 That I hadde leyn In fowl sinne. 
 
 The fowlest ]?at Man Myhte leven Inne ; 
 
 And myn Oonsciense me gan to Repreve 
 
 Of myn fals levenge & Of myn beleve. 208 
 
 And as I lay thus, & me be-thowghte 
 
 3if to Ony Man I hadde behyght Owghte ; 
 
 And I ne Cowde not thenken, sauf Only 
 
 to J^e, 
 To whom that I haue so longe vntrewe be ; 212 
 
 And for wheche thing is most myn hevynesse 
 That bringeth myn herte In al this distresse. 
 Por there nis now no man lyvenge 
 That I am so moche bownden to In AUe 
 
 thinge, 216 
 
 Ne that so moche that I haue trespaced vnto, 
 As to 30wre persone now that I have I-do. 
 And what this vntrowthe it is to mene, 
 I schal 30W tellen ful wel & Clene. 220 
 
 It is ful trewe, As 30 don vndirstonde, 
 Whanne I was discomfyt be myn Enemyes 
 
 honde 
 At Tarabel, As 30 wel knowe, 
 
 "Where as 3e Comen with-Inne A throwe 224 
 
 A3ens Myn Enemyes to socowren there, 
 Of whom Jiat I hadde Hiht gret Fere, 
 Whanne to the Castel of Come jjat I was 
 
 gon,— 
 That tyme Oj>er Socour hadde I non ; — 228 
 
 Thanne Comen 30 prekynge with 30wre Meyne 
 In Socowringe, fortheringe, & helpinge of me ; 
 
 2h 
 
 n est voirs ke ie me gisoie de les la 
 
 roine, 
 
 si commenchai a pourpenser en mou 
 
 cuer, 
 
 ke ie auoie cha en arriere asses pechie 
 
 et bien m' en deuoie a tant souffrir. 
 et ma consciencbe me reprenoit 
 que ie gisoie encore en vne desloiaute. 
 
 Mais ie ne pooie en nule maniere 
 
 apercheuoir quele ele pooitestre. Mult 
 
 reuersai et enquis de mon cuer meisme 
 
 sauoir se ie m' en apercheueroie. Ne 
 
 onques ne peuch trouuer ke ie fuisse 
 
 desloiaus enuers nului: ke seulement 
 
 enuers vous. 
 
 Et ch' est la riens du monde dent ie 
 
 sui plus dolens. 
 
 Car vous estes li hom viuans, 
 
 vers quiie deuroie mains mesprendre. 
 
 Et si vous dirai quele cheste desloi 
 autes est. 
 
 II est voirs, 
 
 ke quant ie fui desconfis 
 
 a tarabiel, 
 
 et vous me uenistes 
 
 secourre 
 
 quant ie m' en uenoie de la coine, 
 
 ke nous nous entrepardounames tous 
 courous et tous mautalens. 
 
234 
 
 THE CAUSE OP MORDE.EINS S SOBROW. NASCIENS COMFORTS HIM. 
 
 Thanne behyglite I 30W tlio In Certein 
 
 ' That 5if euere to Sarras I Myhte K-ekeueren 
 
 Agein 
 In worschepe & In prosperite ; 
 With-Innen .viij. dayes aftir Oerteinly, 
 I scholde 30W so worthily Gwerdoun thanne, 
 That bettere gwerdoned nas neuere Manne ;' 
 Where-offen the schame is Fallen On Me 
 Only, Sire, & not vppon the. 
 And for Cawse of this grete,thowht, 
 Into this Avicioun thus was I browght, 
 As I have told 30W, bothe Oroppe & Eoote ; 
 But the signefiawnee how to knowen I ne 
 
 woote ; 
 Now sethen that loseph is hennes gon, 
 Man me to declaren now know I non ; 
 For And he were here now present. 
 He cowde me declaren Al the hole Entent ;" 
 And for this Cause was he in gret thowht, 
 To what Ende this viciown scholde be browht. 
 
 And thanne be-spak the Sire Nasciens 
 That thike tyme was In the kynges presens, 
 " Eor, sire, this viciown May Signefie 
 That 36 scholen In-to Anothir Seignorie, 
 But 30 neten whanne, ne what day, 
 That this sodeynly behappen 30W May. 
 Eor, lik As 30 hau chonged youre lif. 
 So scholen 36 30wre Regne with-owten strif ; 
 Eor Every Evel wil & wikked Oownsaille, 
 Echo man Owghte Eorsaken Sawn faille ; 
 And Ellis diden we Contrariously 
 To Owre newe feith ful Sekerly, 
 Into bos Creaunse we hau vs bownde 
 Bothe body and Sowle In this stownde. 
 
 et iou, ki asses vous auoie fais ou- 
 trages, vous creantai comme rois: sans 
 cliou que vous ne m' en demandies 
 232 rien, 
 
 'ke dedens les .viij. iours ke ie reue- 
 
 nus seroie: 
 
 vous iroie iou fairs droit a votre 
 
 maison voiant mon barnage et voiant 
 
 le votre.' 
 
 De cheste chose ke ie vous creantai. Je 
 
 vous ai maluais conuent tenu. Ne la honte 
 
 n'en repaire mie sour vous, ne sour autre ke 
 
 236 
 
 240 
 
 244 
 
 248 
 
 252 
 
 ■/56 
 
 260 
 
 sour moi. 
 
 Et par r angoisse de cheste pense, 
 
 chai iou eans faille en la vision 
 
 ke vous ai contee. Dont ie fui mult lies en 
 vne partie, et en vne partie mult esbahis, et 
 sui encore, ke ie ne sai en nule maniere com- 
 ment ie puisse connoistre la senefianohe de 
 chest songe, 
 
 des ke iosephes s' en est ales. 
 
 Car s' il fust enchore chi, 
 
 il m' en eust mult tost la verite descou- 
 
 uerte." 
 
 Ensi com il che dist, si commencha 
 
 mult durement a penser, 
 
 et nasciens li dist. 
 
 "Sire, de ckeste chose laissies ester 
 le pense. 
 
 Car nous soumes entre en vne signou- 
 rie ou nous n'estiemes a chelui ior ke 
 vous me fesistes chest couuenenche. 
 
 Et autresi com nous auons cangie la 
 vie ke nous teniemes a dont, autresi 
 doiuent estre li talent cangie. 
 et la maluaise volente, 
 doit chascuns laissier. 
 
 Car autrement serriemes nous con- 
 
 traire 
 
 as commademens de chelui 
 
 en qui garde et en qui signourie nous 
 
 auons mis 
 
 les cors de nous, et les ames. 
 
MOEDBEINS TELLS HIS DREAM TO THE PASTORS OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 235 
 
 Where-fore As of 30iire Aviciown, now semeth 
 
 me. 
 To non Evel may it torne In non degre. 264 
 
 But I rede 50W that 3e now do, — 
 Coimseil Of holy Chirche to Olepen 30W to 
 Wheche that losephe left In his stede 
 Good Connseil there-Offen 30W now to hede. 268 
 Por 30 knowen wel be vndirstondyng, 
 That losephe Comanded 30W Ouer Alle thing 
 ' Holy Ohirche to kepen an Susteyne, 
 And In Every nede to hem scholde 30 Oom- 
 
 pleyne 272 
 
 That Nedy were to sowle oJ)er to body;' 
 Thus Comanded he 30W, 36 weten wel sothly." 
 
 And whanne Nasciens this wordis had seid j?o 
 Anon bothe to-Gederis thanne gonnen they go 276 
 To the paleys Anon Of Spiritwelte — 
 As to-forn Eehersid hau 36 herd Me — 
 That Enstablyscht & Ordeyned weren Echonne, 
 Holy Goddis Servise there-Inne to done ; 280 
 
 So that there herden they goddis Servise, 
 And Afterward that Glorious Sacriflse, 
 As losephe hem Comaunded before 
 In what manor to Swen Cristes lore. 284 
 
 And Every day for the More part Oomowned 
 
 to be 
 Thus Comanded losephe tho Certeynle. 
 And whanne this Servise was Al I-don, 
 To-forn him he Comanded to Comen Anon 288 
 
 Alle the provostis of holy Chirche, 
 And of hem took Counseil how he scholde 
 
 wirche. 
 And told hem Clerly Al his Avicioun 
 How that he dremede, Al and som. 292 
 
 2 H 2 
 
 Mais del songe que vous m'aues conte, 
 vauroie iou mult sauoir ke il senefie. 
 Car selonc m' entension ni puet il 
 auoir ne ne samblanclie nule ne esper- 
 anche de mal. 
 Et ne-pourquant, ie vous lo 
 
 ke vous endemandes consel as pastours 
 
 de sainte eglise 
 
 ke iosephes a laissies en sen lieu 
 
 pour les ames de nous garder et consil- 
 lier. Car vous saues bien 
 ke il nous commanda 
 
 ' ke a tous nos besoins, fust pour le 
 cors, fust pour Fame : tous iours alis- 
 siemes au consel de sainte eglise.' 
 
 Et quant il furent la, 
 
 si oirent tot premierement le glorieus 
 
 seruiche. 
 
 Et apres communierentdel saint sacre- 
 
 ment notre signour, 
 
 ke il communiast chascun iour. 
 
 Quant il eurent communie, et oi la 
 
 messe, 
 
 si apiela li rois 
 
 tous les prouoires de 1' eglise, 
 
 et si lor dist son songe, 
 ensi com il 1' auoit songie. 
 
236 MOBDREINS'S PALACE SHAKEN. EIRE BRANDS SEEN. A HIDEOUS NOISE. 
 
 But Of hem was there not On tho 
 
 That theke Avisiown Cowde him vndo ; 
 
 Eor they Seyden him Certeinly, 
 
 ' That there ne Cowde non Man but God Only 296 
 
 That Ayicion to declaren In Ony place, 
 
 Sawfe, Only God thorgh his grete grace.' 
 
 And whanne the kyng & Nasciens herden of this, 
 
 Anon thens they wenten with Owten Mys. 300 
 
 Thanne wente the kyng & Nasciens forth bothe 
 More hevyere thanne Er they weren forsothe, 
 And [seide] that neuere In Ese they scholde 
 
 bene 
 Tyl here-Offen they hadden vndirstondiag clene ; 
 And thus pensif to the paleys A3en gonne they gone, 
 They two togederis, right AUe alone, 
 And there they Rested hem bothe that stownde 
 Te-Gederis On A Cowche vppon the grownde, 308 
 And non More Eeleschepe but they two. 
 
 Thanne felten they Aaon MerveiUes Mo, — 
 How that Al the paleys Clene Alto-schook, 
 Sawfe J>e Sovereyn vowtis As they Gonne look ; 312 
 And thanne loked they furthermore, 
 Hem thowghte Al to-scheverid it was thore. 
 And In Every Chene hem thowghte they sye 
 Eul of brenneng brondis ful wittirlye. 316 
 
 Thanne so hydows A noise there be-gan, 
 As it was semeng to hem bothe than 
 That the Endeng of Jje world hadde be come. 
 And that it hadde ben the day of dome ; 320 
 
 So that AUe the wyndowes & walles to-brook. 
 So MerveUlously tho this Noise Ontook. 
 Also hem thowghte the paleis schold hau down 
 
 falle. 
 And there Sonken Into the Ottrest walle. 324 
 
 Mais it ni eut onques nus d' aus 
 qui de clie li seust dire chertainete, 
 
 Anctois li responderent tant: 
 
 'ke de teus clioses n' estoit il nus 
 horn morteus 
 qui verite en seust dire. 
 Se diex proprement par la soie grasce 
 ne li demoustroit.' 
 A tant s' en parti li rois, entre lui et 
 
 nascien, 
 
 si ne fu mie mains esbahis, ne mains 
 pensis, ke il auoit deuant este. 
 
 Et dist ' ke iamais ne seroit a aise 
 nul iour, 
 
 deuant il seust de cheste auision s' ele por- 
 roit nule chose estre de verite. et s^ ele de 
 par dieu li estoit apparue.* 
 Ensi s' en reuinrent arriere el palais, pensant. 
 
 Et quant il furent andoi 
 assis en vne couche, 
 sans plus de compaignie. 
 Si s' entinrent, 
 
 ke tous li palais trambloit des le fon- 
 
 dement 
 
 iusc' as souuraines vautes, 
 
 Apres si commencha si tres durement 
 a espartir, 
 
 que il estoit bien auis ke li chieus fist 
 
 pourpris de toutes pars de brandons 
 
 embrases. 
 
 Apres commenchierent a ohaoir si 
 
 grans escrois espoentables, 
 
 ke il quidoient bien ambedui 
 
 ke la fins de toutes choses fust uenue. 
 
 Et a tant cheventoit vns vens, si an-. 
 
 goisseus et si fors, ke toutes les ma- 
 
 sieres del palais en peohoierent, et 
 
 toutes les fremures des huis. 
 
 Et li palais en croissoit si durement 
 
 que il estoit bien auis que il deust 
 
 tous orauenter 
 
 et fondre iusk' en abisme. 
 
DARKNESS. A HORN SOUNDS. THE BEGINNING OE DREAD IS PROCLAIMED. 
 
 237 
 
 340 
 
 And Amongs Alle this Merveillous thing, 
 There Cam On hem the wondrest dirke- 
 
 neng, 
 That hem thowghte here sighte was gon Certein, 
 And that it neuere to Recouerin Ageyn. 328 
 
 And non Men Of that Cite Certeinly 
 Theke Merveilles sien, neper her den, but they 
 That with-Inne the paleis were ; 
 And herden they, ne sien, no more there 332 
 
 But Onliche Of that gret thondringe, 
 Where-Offen they hadden gret Merveillenge. 
 And Othir thinges syen they nowht 
 But As hem semede In here thowht, 
 A fewe sparkelis At the Openynge 
 Of the Paleys wyndowes, they Syen Comenge ; 
 And 3it they Abaschten ful sore of this, 
 What it Myhte Amow[n]ten, with-Owten Mis. 
 
 And As the kyng & Nasciens lien In this 
 
 trawunce. 
 3it herden they A more wondirful Ohawnce. 
 Hem thowghte they herde the Sown of An 
 
 horn 
 
 That neuere they herden there beforn ; 344 
 
 And the sown was so wondirful & so hy, 
 That ouer al the world they supposed trewly 
 The Noise Of that horn myht hauen ben 
 
 herde, 
 So wondirfully that noise tho Jjere Ferde. 348 
 
 Thanne Anon A vois there Gan to Orie 
 " Here is begynneng of drede Certeinlye." 
 And whanne this Nois they herde thus seyn, 
 Evene plat A down they fillen ful pleyn 352 
 
 Lik bothe dede As they hadde J^ere been, 
 Non lif In hem non Mihte Seen. 
 
 Et parmi toutes ches choses, 
 vint laiens vne si grant oscurete 
 
 ke nus ki la veiste ne quidast mie ke 
 il peust iamais veir vne eure de clarte. 
 
 Ne nus hom de toute la chite 
 
 ne veoit ches meruelles 
 
 fors ke chil seulement qui estoient 
 
 dedens la palais. 
 
 Mais oliil n' ooient nule riens du monde. 
 
 ne ne veoient 
 336 fors ke seulement 
 
 la clarte des espars. qui se feroient a 
 
 la fois laiens par I'ouuerture 
 
 des huis et des fenestres. Et se il 
 
 s'en vausissent de laiens issir, il ne 
 
 pooient. Car il ni veoient goute. et se 
 
 il i ueissent ne se meussent il, tant 
 
 estoient esperdu et esbahi des grans 
 
 meruelles ke il veoient. 
 
 En cheste doleur et en clieste an- 
 
 goisse furent vne grant pieche. 
 
 Tant que il oirent ausi com vne 
 busine corner, 
 
 et si rendoit si grant son, 
 ke entre le roi et nascien quidoient, 
 et bien lor estoit auis, ke ele estoit 
 ausi clerement oie par tout le monde 
 com el palais. 
 
 Et [quant] la busine eut come : si 
 
 parla vne vois, et dist. 
 
 ' Chi commenchent les paours.' 
 
 Et quant il oirent la uois ensi parler, 
 
 si chairent tot pasme de paour. 
 
 et iurent el lit tout estourdi, ausi 
 comme mort. 
 
238 
 
 MOEDREINS IS CABRIED OrP BY THE HOLT GHOST. 
 
 Thanne was tlie prophecie fulflld tho 
 That be Olde dayes was knowen to Mo, 356 
 
 Wheche ]?at seith, ' Two scholen liggen In a bed, 
 On be taken, pe to]?er leven stille In that sted.' 
 
 Thus sone the kyng Owt of his bed was bore 
 Seventene lornes, be Goddis Myht thore. 360 
 
 And it was wel the thridde Oure of the day 
 Whanne to the kyng was Al this Affray ; 
 And whanne the holy gost hyra left ful sone 
 It was the hy Owre Of None. 364 
 
 But of him talketh now non lengere this storie; 
 But to the qweene & Nascien Mosten we bye, 
 That bothe weren beleft In sarras, 
 As woful peple In that same plas. 368 
 
 Et lors fu acomplie la parole 
 
 ke li prophetes dist. ' D seront doi en 
 
 .i. lit, li vns en sera leues, et li autres 
 
 sera laissies.' 
 
 Car si tost com la vois eut dit, ' chi commen- 
 
 chent les paours,' tout maintenant fu li rois 
 
 leues du lit. et si l*emporta li esperis notre 
 
 signour loins de sa terre: I'esrure de .xvij. 
 
 iournees. 
 
 Et li estoit bien tierohe de iour. 
 
 al Feure ke il fu el palais : et leues del lit. 
 
 Et quant li sains esperis le mist ius, 
 si peut bien estre nonne. 
 
 Mais de lui ne parlerai ore plus li 
 
 contes : anchois s'en taist a tant. 
 
 et si parole de nascien et de la roine, 
 
 qui estoient remes en sarras. 
 
239 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Nasciens (formerly Seraphe) lies swooning in bed (p. 239); his sister, Queen Sarracynte, going to see a 
 Church she is building for the Virgin, finds all the attendants asleep (p. 240); coming back to the 
 palace, she sees Nasciens weeping, and asks him why, and where her husband Mordraynes (or Evalach) , 
 has gone (p. 240-1). She swoons; he assures her that Mordraynes is safe (p. 242). The barons consult 
 about Mordraynes' absence (p. 243); Calafier, a traitor, suggests that Nasciens killed him (p. 243); 
 the others adopt this, go to Nasciens, question him (p. 244), and then cast him into prison (p. 245). 
 The queen is greatly grieved, but cannot help her brother (p. 246); who holds to his faith, and will 
 not reproach God, but asks for mercy for his sins (p. 246-7). 
 
 Lo tlius tellith this Story now here 
 
 How Nasciens And the kyng, In A bed they 
 
 were, 
 And how that the kyng was born Away, 
 And stille In Swowneng this Nasciens lay ; 
 And swich A Moreyne As In that paleis was 
 "Was Neuere Sein In non plas ; 
 And In the Cite "Was herd no More 
 But the thondir & ]?e sown of the trompe thore. 
 
 Thanne it hapyed In this Mene tyme — 
 The tyde Of J>e day "Was Owr Of pryme — 
 That the qwene gan forto gon 
 A faire Ohirche "Werk to beholden Anon, 
 That In "Worschepe Of Oure lady begonnen 
 
 was there, 
 And that chirche to sen wente sche In this 
 
 Manere. 
 
 12 
 
 Chi endroit dist li contes, et deuise, 
 
 ke quant li rois fu leues del lit de les 
 
 nascien, 
 
 ke nasciens remest tos pasmes : ausi 
 
 com s'il fust mors. 
 
 Et chele grant pestilenche qui el pa- 
 
 lais avint. ne fu onques oie hors del 
 
 palais, ne veue. fors ke tant seulement 
 
 par la chiteoi on bien 1' escrois deltou- 
 
 noire et la son de la busine. Mais les 
 
 auentures autres ni furent onques veues. 
 
 Et lors auiut chose, 
 
 ke la roine venoit 
 
 d'une eglise veoir 
 
 ke ele auoit commenchie en I'ounour 
 de la virge marie. 
 
240 
 
 SARRACTNTE GOES TO THE ROYAL CHAMBER AND EINDS THE KING GONE. 
 
 And whanne tliorwgh. that paleys sclie gan to 
 
 goon, 
 A wondirful Syhte Sawgh sche jjere Anon, — 
 AUe the Seriawntes lyen there plat adown 
 Pul dedlich & pale Al In virown ; 
 And sche wende On Slope f>at alle hadde ben tho, 
 So that Eurthermore sche gan to Go ; 
 Thanne Ponde sche Alle the knyhtes & Sqwiere, 
 In that Same Manere they lyen tho there. 
 Thanne Merveilled the qwene mochel of this 
 What it scholde Amownten with-Owten Mis ; 
 Anon Somme of hem sche gan to Calle, 
 But thei mihten nejjer heren ne sen, so gan 
 
 itfal 
 Por nethir hadden ])ei wit ne Memorye 
 Of non worldly thing thanne Certeynlye. 
 And whanne sche say that not sche Myhte 
 Of hem nethir hayen word ne syhte, 
 Thanne with A gret Cowrs torned sche Anon, 
 And to the kynges Chamhre gan to gon. 
 
 And whanne sche was Inne Atte Chambre dore, 
 There Merveylles Gan sche beholden More ; 
 Sche beheld hire brother sire Nascien 
 Sat In his bed wepinge than, 
 Owt of wheche bed Mordreins the kyng 
 Was vppe lefte with Owten lesing ; 
 And ]?ere Nasciens Made gret sorwe & Mono, 
 As him thowhte nedis he most done 
 Por the Noise and Ipe voys that he herde, 
 That he ne wiste In what manor it Ferde. 
 
 And whanne the qweene ]?is began beholde, 
 Anon hire herte gan wexen Colde ; 
 And sore tremeling & qwakyng than 
 To sire Nasciens bed Anon sche Ran, 
 
 16 
 
 20 
 
 Et quant ele vint en son palais, 
 
 si trouua 
 
 les sergans qui gisoient toute pasme 
 
 a terre, 
 
 et ele quida dormissent, 
 
 si passa outre 
 
 tant k' ele trouua vne grant com- 
 paignie des chiualers le roi qui estoient 
 ausi conree com li autre sergant. 
 
 Et lors s'esmeruilla 
 
 24 ke Che pooit estre, 
 si les fist apeler. 
 
 Mais il auoient si perdu et I'oir et le veir, 
 ke il n 'auoient ne sens ne niemoire de nule 
 chose, anehois estoient si pale et si des- 
 couloure. ke il li estoit auis ke il fuissent 
 releue de mal. Et quant la roine les vit iteus : 
 si fu si esbahie ke par .1. poi k'ele ne chai a 
 terre toute pasmee. 
 
 28 
 
 32 
 
 36 
 
 40 
 
 44 
 
 Et quant la roine vit que 
 
 de ches ne porroit on traire parole : 
 si s' entourna ele tout droit le grant 
 cours vers la maistre chambre qui 
 estoit apielee la chambre roiaus. 
 
 Et quant ele vint a I'uis, 
 
 si vit ele nascien son frere, 
 qui seoit en la oouche 
 dont li rois 
 
 auoit este leues. 
 
 Et nasciens plouroit si durement com il plus 
 pooit, et tenchoit a .i. home qui sambloit estre 
 deuant lui : as paroles ke on ooit qu'il s'entre- 
 disoient. Mais autrement n'en pooit la verite 
 sauoir. Car on n'entendoit ke la vois, ne ne 
 veoitohelui dont la vois issoit, que seulemeut 
 nasciens, qui parloit a lui 
 
 Et la roine, quant ele oi la vois, et ele 
 
 ne vit nului, 
 
 si fu mult espoentee. 
 
SAERACTNTE ASKS ArTER HER HUSBAND, AND SWOONS. 
 
 241 
 
 And wend that som wikked Sperit be 
 
 chawnse 
 Hadd hem put Owt Of here E-yhtful Creaunce ; 
 And to hire brother sche Ran In haste, 
 And him Enbracen sche gan ful faste, 
 & the Cawse of him Axede, why it was 
 That he So wepe there In that plas. 
 
 Thanne gan he wepe wondirly Sore, 
 Eastere and hardere than he dide before ; 
 Thanne ]>e queene gan lowde to Orye 
 "With a lowd Tois fal petowslye, 
 And Swowneng to the Erthe fyl sche there. 
 Thanne Sire Nasciens Gan hire to Chere, 
 And brased hire In his Armes two. 
 And hire there kyste & Cherede tho, 
 " A swete soster," he gan to Say, 
 " What may 30W be to Maken this fray ?" 
 And whanne sche Aros Of hire Swowneng ; 
 Thanne Axede sche of ]?at MerveiUeng ; 
 With Sorewful herte & hevy Chere 
 Sche gan Axen where hire lord were. 
 
 And whanne Nasciens this vndirstood, 
 Eul Clene thanne Nasciens Chonged his mood, 
 That he ne Nihte non word tho speke. 
 So him thowhte his herte wolde breke ; 
 As faste the water Ran from his Eeyen Adown 
 As it hadde ben pored vppon his Crown. 
 
 Whanne the qweene Say him so taken vppon, 
 Sche Axede what he hadde with hire lord doon ; 
 Thanne gan sche forto Swownen ageyn 
 In that place there Certein Certein, 
 And wende Owt of hire wit sche scholde hau 
 
 gon, 
 Swich Sorwe sche Made, & so gret Mon. 
 
 2i 
 
 Car ele cremoit ke auouns mauuais 
 esperis I'eust asali, 
 
 48 qui le vausist ieter hors de la sainte 
 creanche. 
 
 Et ele entra ens, si courut a son frere, 
 et si I'embraclia, 
 
 et li demanda pour quoi 
 
 52 il plouroit si durement. 
 
 Et quant il le vit, si commencha a 
 crier de recMef, et a plourer plus dure- 
 ment ke il n'auoit deuant fait. 
 Et quant la roine vit chou, si ieta .i. 
 
 mult grant cri. Et quant ele eut crie, 
 
 56 
 
 64 
 
 68 
 
 72 
 
 76 
 
 si chai ius a la terre pasmee, 
 
 et il le prist entre ses bras, si le re- 
 drecha contremont, 
 60 et le commencha a baisier en la bouche 
 
 et Fapielot sa douche seur. 
 
 Et quant ele fu reuenue de pamison, 
 si ouuri les iex, et nasciens fu deuant 
 li a genous. si le commencha a apieler. 
 Et ele ieta .i. souspir mult grant, 
 et puis apres si demanda le roi. 
 Et quant nasciens 1' entendi, 
 
 si ne peut respondre 
 
 anchois li oouroit li aue des iex 
 
 ausi espessemmt com se on le versast a 
 hanepes sour son chief. 
 Et quant la roine le vit ensi plourer. 
 ele a demande ke il auoit fait du roi, 
 
 si eut mult grant paour: et ele se 
 repasme tot maintenant. 
 
 et lors orent tout et toutes mult grant 
 paour de li ke ele ne chaist en pierte 
 de son sens et de sa memoire, 
 par r angoisse de la pamison. 
 
242 NASCIENS TELLS SARBACTNTE HOW MOEDREINS WAS CABBIED AWAY. 
 
 Whanne Of Mre Swowneng sclie A-wook, 
 Sche qwaked, sche trembled, sclie wepe, sche 
 
 schook, 80 
 
 And with a deolful vols sche gan to Orye 
 " Swete Brother Nasciens," Certeinlye 
 Evene thus As A wood womman 
 In this Gyse took sche vppon, 84 
 
 And evere Aftir hire lord gan to Crie 
 With deolful vols, & wonderli hye. 
 
 And whanne Nasciens hir tolde Al the verite, 
 Thanne weping & morneng myhten men Jjere 
 
 se, 88 
 
 And how the kyng from him was taken there, 
 And forth born, & In what Manere ; 
 But Into what place ]3at he was I-bore 
 Nasciens ne Oowde not tellen there. 92 
 
 Whanne Nasciens this word hadde I-seyd, 
 Thanne was there manie A deolful breid, 
 And Owthes & Cry was In that halle 
 That bothe Men & wommen In swowneng gonne 
 
 faUe. 96 
 
 And swich Sorewe pe qweene there Made 
 That Erthly thing myhte hire non Glade. 
 
 Thanne Cam Nasciens to hire Agein, 
 And In his Armes he hire embraced ful 
 
 pleyn, loo 
 
 And hire Comforted In this degre, 
 " Now, goode dere Soster, lesteneth to Me ; 
 The kyng he is bothe Sawf & Sownde 
 As we ben here In this Stownde, 104 
 
 And bothen heyl In Sowle and In body 
 I Sey 30W Sostir, now, Certeynly. 
 This knowe I wel be that tydymge 
 That the voys to vs gan bringe." 108 
 
 Et quant ele fu reuemie, 
 
 si commenclia a crier a haute vois : 
 
 " Biau frere nascien." Lors vint 
 
 nasciens deuant li, 
 
 et ele li cria a guise de feme four- 
 
 senee. 
 
 ' ke il desist la verite pour quoi il 
 auoit si laide oilier e faite,' 
 
 et il U dist tantost toute la verite. 
 
 et ke par si faite auenture auoit este 
 li rois de les lui leues 
 et portes, 
 
 ne sauoit en quel lieu. 
 
 A chest mot 
 
 fa la noise grans 
 
 en la sale. La roine se pasme souuent 
 et menu, et les gens le roi si com li 
 chiualer et li sergantcommencliierent 
 a crier. Li diels commenche par le 
 palais, 
 
 la roine fait tel duel et tant souuent 
 se pasme ke ele ne puet a nule rien 
 entendre ke seulement a son duel faire. 
 
 Mais nasciens 
 
 le prent entre ses bras, 
 
 qui mult se paine de li conforter et 
 
 apaisier. 
 
 Et si li dist 'ke bien sache ele de uoir, 
 
 ke li rois est sains et saus la u il est. 
 
 Car chil a qui il tenchoit quant ele 
 vint en la chambre, 1' en auoit dis 
 les uraies nouuieles.' 
 
HOW THE CITRSED CALAPHEE, ACCUSES NASCIBNS OF MUBDEMNG MOKDREINS. 243 
 
 Thanne Axede Sche Nasciens with-Owten lak, 
 
 ' Ho it myhte be that to Mm tho spak ; ' 
 
 Thanne Nasciens hire Answerid Ageyn, 
 
 And seide it was Oristes Messenger Certein. 112 
 
 So gret Sorwe & Mone Made 'pe qweene 
 
 That for non Erthly man Seced myhte bene. 
 
 Thus sone this tydinge Gan forto springe 
 Ouer Al the Contre with-Owten lettynge, lie 
 
 How that the kyng thus was I-lore, 
 And how sodeynly he was A-Wey I-bore. 
 
 Thanne the baronage to-gederis Comen 
 Anon, 
 And of this OonseUleden what they myht 
 
 don, 120 
 
 And how the kyng Awey thus Scholde fare, 
 Where-OfFen they hadde ful gret Care. 
 So Amonges Alle Othere there was On 
 That longe with the kyng hadde Igon, — 
 A malicious knyht In Alle Manere, 
 His name Was clepid Sire Calaphere — 
 For he was so Orwel, & so Pelowns, 
 So fals, so Cvrsid, so wikkd of Condiciouns, 
 That in dedly herte ne Myhte Synke 
 So moche Tretorye forto thenke. 
 As that Cursed Calaphere 
 
 In his herte Imagyned there : 132 
 
 Eor there he seide ful Openlye the 
 ' That be treson Nasciene the king dide slo, 
 For he wolde hauen pe Hem In gouerninge,' — 
 This was Openly his talkynge— 136 
 
 ' For In that place weren there no Mo 
 Sauf Only the kyng & sire Nasciens tho ; 
 How myht it thanne Otherwise be 
 But that Sire Nasciens dide him sle.' 140 
 
 2 i2 
 
 Et ele li demanda 
 
 ' qui chil estoit qui parloit a lui.' 
 
 et il li dist ' ke che ne sauoit il mie. 
 
 Mais ildist ke il estoit messages ihesu 
 
 crist.' 
 
 Mult fist la roine grant duel, 
 
 ne onques par nul home mortel ne 
 pooit estre eslecliie de sa doleur. 
 La nouuiele fu espandue 
 
 par le pais 
 
 del roi qui estoit si pierdus ke nus ne 
 
 sauoit de lui ensenges. 
 
 Li baron se meruellierent tout, 
 
 et demanderent consel li vns a 1' autre 
 
 ' ke che pooit estre, et quel fin li rois 
 pooit auoir faite.' 
 
 . A chel consel iu vns chiualers 
 
 124 qui grant tans auoit este de la maison 
 le roi, 
 
 si estoit apieles calafier, 
 si estoit fel et orueus 
 
 128 et traitres 
 
 outre chou ke morteus cuers porroit 
 penser. 
 
 II se traist auant, et si dist, oiant tous 
 les autres, 
 
 ' ke il auoit encherkie tant del roi, et 
 apris ke nasciens I'auoitmort en traison 
 pour chou ke il voloit auoir le roiaume. 
 
 Car ch'estoit verites prouee : ke el lieu 
 ou il fu pierdus n'auoit 
 fors lui et nasciens sans plus. Ne nas- 
 ciens meismes ne sauoit dire que il 
 pooit estre deuenus.' 
 
244 
 
 THE BAEONS CONSULT, AND AGREE TO PUT NASCIENS IN PRISON. 
 
 Thanne Answerid the baronage A3en, 
 ' That it is ful lyk thus forto ben.' 
 Thanne tooken they here Conseyl Anon, 
 That Into Strong warde he scholde be 
 
 don 144 
 
 Til that they knewen In word & dede tho 
 Whethir the kyng lyvede, ojjer how it myhte go. 
 And to this ConseU thanne Everychon 
 Sworen alle to holden there Anon ; 148 
 
 And thus Of Nasciens denied they there 
 That ]?e kyng hadde Mordred, but |?ei niste 
 
 where. 
 
 And thus to Oowrt they Comen Anon 
 Alle these bar owns Everichon, 152 
 
 And fownden Sire Nasciens & the qweene 
 Makenge gret sorwe Al bedene, 
 That Neuere Man that was lyvenge 
 Herde nevere half so moche weymentinge ; i56 
 
 And this was the thridde day 
 Aftyr the kyng was Ravischt Away. 
 Thanne thus to ])e qweene gonnen they gone, 
 And of this Aventure Enqwerid Anone. 160 
 
 Thanne Anon Nasciens gan forto telle 
 Alle the Mater, how it tho befelle ; 
 Bothe lik as he hadde herd & sein 
 He gan hem tellen In Certeia ; 164 
 
 And Also of the kynges Swevenynge, 
 AYhat he Mette In his dremenge. 
 Thus to Nasciens they weren Enqweringe, 
 & of Al thing he 3af hem Answeringe, 168 
 
 And seide to hem ful Sekerliche tho 
 ' That In the Chambre Neren but they two 
 Whanne this Chaunce there gan to falle,' 
 And thus he tolde Amongs hem Alle. 172 
 
 A die respondirent tout ' ke se ch'estoit 
 
 voirs ke nasciens fust el lieu ou li 
 
 rois auoit este pierdus, et il n'en sa- 
 
 uoit plus a dire: il sambleroit qu'il 
 
 I'eust ouure de felounie. et se il de 
 
 cheste chose estoit atains, 
 
 il seroit drois ke il fust bien gardes 
 
 vne pieche 
 
 tant ke on seuist se nule nouieles 
 
 uraies seroient oies, 
 
 ne de la mort le roi ne de sa vie.' 
 
 A chest consel se tinrent tout, 
 
 et iurerent sour sains ke il n' i aroit ia 
 chelui qui ne mesist main a nascien 
 prendre si tost com il orroit ke on 
 Ten semonroit. 
 
 A tant s'en alerent a la court, 
 
 et trouuerent nascien et la roine : 
 si faisoit si grant duel 
 
 ke nus horn viuans 
 
 ne le pooit apaier. 
 
 Est che fu au tierch iour 
 
 apres chou ke li rois auoit este pierdus. 
 
 Quant il vinrent a la roine, 
 
 s'enquisent la verite de I'auenture ensi 
 comme ele estoit auenue. 
 Et nasciens lor conta 
 
 tout de chief en chief, 
 
 ensi com il auoit vne partie veue. et 
 vne partie oie. 
 
 Apres lor conta le songe 
 
 ke li rois auoit songie la nuit deuant 
 
 ke che ne fust avenu. 
 
 Mult I'encherkierent de toutes choses, 
 
 et il de tout lor respondoit la verite 
 
 tant ke il lor connut, 
 
 ke il n'auoit en la chambre ke au deus 
 
 quant il fu perdus. 
 
OF OALAPHEE, AND HIS COUNSEL TO THE BAEONS. 
 
 245 
 
 184 
 
 188 
 
 Thanne Anon there they him tooke, 
 
 And Grevously On him gonnen to loke. 
 
 And sire Nasciens hem Axede the 
 
 ' Why with him they Per den so.' 
 
 Thanne they Answerede, & forth him ladde, 
 
 ' That suspecion to him Of the kyng they hadde.' 
 
 And thus In preson thanne they him Caste, 
 
 & Sesid Alle his londis Atte laste. 180 
 
 Thanne senten they Abowtes here & there 
 
 To don seken the kyng Every Where. 
 
 Thus Nasciens In preson suffrede mani hard 
 schowr 
 Be conceil of Calapher ]?at fals Tretour. — • 
 This Calafer made good semblance 
 As a man Of good Creawnce, 
 But fals he was In dede & thowght, 
 Eor Cristene man was he nowht ; 
 Por whanne Cristened he schold hau be, 
 Pul faste Awey he gan to fle, 
 Por he ne hateth non Creature 
 So moche As Cristene, I the Enswre ; — 
 So that he Cam to the barouns Agein, 
 And hem thus Conceilled In Certein, 
 ' That Into the tyme that they myhten 
 
 knowe 
 Begynneng And Endeng Vppon A rowe, 
 Nasciens In presown scholde Abyde ;' 
 Swich Conseil 3af that tretour this tyde. 
 And thus be the Counseil Of fals Calaphere, 
 Nasciens In presown kepten thei there, 
 That him & his londis both they hadde 
 In here Award bothe good & badde. 
 
 And whanne ]?e qweene beheeld Al this, 
 3he thowhte In hire herte it wente Amys 204 
 
 192 
 
 196 
 
 200 
 
 A chest mot le saisirent tot de toutes 
 pars. 
 
 Et il demanda 
 
 •■ yg ' pour quoi il le prenoient.' 
 
 Et il li respondirent. ' pour chou ke les gens 
 i'auoient souspechoune de la mort le roi. ne 
 n' en mescreoient se lui non.' Mult s' en es- 
 cusa durement, comme chil qui coupes n' i 
 auoit. et offri a faire tous meschies se il venoit 
 auant ke de la mort le roi le vausist apieler. 
 Tout che ne le pueut auoit mestier. En 
 prison fu mis. 
 
 Sa terre lor offri a baillier en ostages 
 ke il querroit le roi tant ke il leur 
 rendroit le roi se il estoit vis en terre 
 ou pules morteus habitast. Chil pri- 
 sen sa terre en ostage. Et quant il 
 le vaurent metre hers de prison, si en 
 ala encontre kalafier, qui leconsel auoit 
 doune de lui prendre. 
 Chil kalafier li faisoit samblant 
 
 d' estre crestiens, 
 
 mais il ne 1' estoit mie. 
 
 Car quant li autres pules rechut le 
 
 saint baptesme par la terre, 
 
 il ne le vaut onques recheuoir, anchois 
 
 se repunst. 
 
 et si haoit les crestiens sour toute 
 
 creature. 
 
 II vint as barons qui auoient nasoien 
 en prison, 
 
 et si lor dist, ' ke bien seussent il de 
 verite, ke se il le laissoient aler, iamais 
 a nul iour guerre ne lor fauroit. Et 
 bien sachies, dist il, signeurs, ke il ne 
 finera iamais de pourcachier cheual- 
 erie tant que il ait toute la terre 
 arriere. Et lors si seront a destrvc- 
 tion liure: chil ki de cheste chose 
 aront este centre lui.' 
 Par le consel de chelui 
 fu nasciens retenus en prison, 
 
 si ke il furent saisi et del cors de lui 
 
 et de sa terre. 
 
 Quant sarraquite la roine vit 
 
246 
 
 :n'asciexs ix prison does not forsake aoD, Brx peats 
 
 220 
 
 That hire lord thus was Agon, 
 
 And Iperto hire bro)?er In presoun don ; 
 
 It is non nede to tellen the Mone' 
 
 That ]?e q-weene Jjere made ful sone, 208 
 
 For there nas non Erthly thing 
 
 Aftii" hire lord that was the kyng 
 
 That so moche was In hire herte 
 
 As of his brothir his peynes smerte. 212 
 
 Eul fain wolde thanne this gode qwene 
 
 That hire brothir Owt Of preson hadde bene, 
 
 But sche was tho A lone womman. 
 
 And ful litel Reed of this sche kan, 216 
 
 To Stryven A3ens hire Baronye 
 
 Sche ne hadde non strengthe Certeinlie. 
 
 And Evere was ISTasciens In preson strong, 
 And tempted he was viith the devel Among 
 Eorto forsaken there his trewe Creawnse, 
 But he ne wolde for non Maner Of Chawnse 
 Eorsaken his god for non peyne ; 
 But Euere to his God he gan Compleyne, 
 And Cride ]Merci Eor his grete Synne 
 Of 'pe wikkednesse that he hadde lyved Inne, 
 " Eor moche more thanne this deservid I have ; 
 Where-fore, goode lord lesus, thow me save ; 228 
 Eor A gret Eool trewly I "n"as 
 Thy seerees to sen In that holy plas 
 "\Yich that non Man scholde hau seyn there 
 But 3if Clene Of Synne I-clensid he were ; 232 
 
 And so, goode lord, ne was not I ; 
 "\^Tiere-fore, lesus, I crie the Mercy." 
 And in this holy Entenciown 
 
 Stille belefte Xascien In presown 236 
 
 In gret Angwisch & gret Anoye, 
 Thus lyrede Xasciens, As I 30W seye ; 
 
 ke ele eut son signeur pierdu. 
 
 et ke ses freres estoit enprisounes : 
 
 che ne fait pas a demander 
 
 se ele eut grant doleur et grant an- 
 
 goisse a son cuer. 
 
 Car ch' estoit la riens viuans 
 
 ke ele plus auoit chiere apres le roi. 
 
 Mult en fist grant duel par maintes 
 fies, et mult volentiers le deKuraist de 
 la prison se ele en eust le pooir. 
 Mais ele estoit vne dame seule, 
 
 si ne pooit mie forchoier encontretoute 
 sa barounie. 
 
 Ensi fa nasciens en prison. 
 
 Ne onques pour mal ne pour dolour 
 ke il souiFrist: li dyables ne le peut 
 tant mener ke il le mesist en couroucli 
 vers dieu, ne en desesperanclie. 
 
 224 Et tous iours 
 
 crioit a notre signeur merchi de ses 
 pecMes. et disoit " biaus sire dieus, 
 chest annui ke ie seufFre, ne plain iou 
 mie. Car iou 1' ai mult bien deserui 
 
 quant ie fiii si faus ke ie osai ueoir la 
 grant meruelle de vos secres. ke ie, ne 
 autres liom concheus d' umaine fra- 
 gilite, ne porroit degnement veoir ne 
 esgarder, se votre grasce seulement ne 
 le faisoit deuant net et monde." 
 
 En cheste entension 
 souffri nasciens en la prison 
 les grans anuis. 
 
TO HIM FOB PARDON FOB HIS POLLY AND HIS SIN . 
 
 247 
 
 Bothe be nyht and Ek be day 
 
 In tbis Angwiscb thus Nasciens lay ; 240 
 
 And Evere Cried God Of Mercy 
 
 Tbat he hadde leved so Eolily. 
 
 And now tornetb tbis Storie Ageyn 
 To kyng Mordreins now In Oertein, 244 
 
 The wheche lest J)at he ded hadde be ; 
 And thus is he In A Roch with-Inne the se. 
 
 et par iour et par nuit, 
 
 ne onques de cheste uolente ne de 
 chest corage ne peut estre meus. 
 
 Mais a tant se taist chiendroit I'estoire 
 de lui et de ses oeures, et si tourne li 
 contes sour le roi mordains. 
 
 ke on quidoit k' il fust pierdus. 
 
248 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 The description and history of the island to which King Mordreins was carried ; and herein of the Emperor 
 Pompey's daring deeds. How the isle was on the way from Scotland and Ireland to Babylon, and Wales 
 and Spain could be seen from it (p. 249); and how it was all bare rook, and was called The Roche 
 Perilows (p. 250); and on it was formerly a house built by a pirate, Fowcairs, who enticed ships ashore, 
 and destroyed them and their crews (p. 250-1) ; till Pompey heard of him, and prepared a ship (p. 251) ; 
 and attacked him (p. 252). The account of the fight * (p. 252-8) ; — how the pirates let down a quarter of 
 a ship on Pompey's knights (p. 253); and the attack is put off (p. 254). Pompey then determines to 
 light a fire at the foot of the rock and burn them out (p. 255). The pirates try to put it out, but can't, 
 and the knights kill four of them (p. 255) ; the rest nearly succeed in extinguishing the fire, but Pompey 
 drives them back and kills five of them (p. 256). He is then attacked and swoons, but is rescued. Fowcairs 
 is taken (p. 257); his men are thrown into the sea, and then he too (p. 258). How Pompey did a still 
 more daring deed, stabled his horses in the Temple at Jerusalem (p. 258); and how he was rebuked by 
 Peter for it (p. 259).* 
 
 Now here be-gynneth kyng Mordreins Storie 
 that vppon a Hoche In the se is Certeinlye ; 
 that O^rt of his Hegioun xvii. lornees was 
 TVith-Inne the se In A perilous plas. 
 
 Abowtes the Owr of Noon it Avas tho 
 whanne the holigoost In ]?at Roche pixt him tho, 
 And there the holigost S chewed him thanne 
 AI so mochel richesse as ever} Sawgh Manne ; 
 And whanne vppon this Roche he was alyht, 
 In his herte he was wondiiiy Afryght. 
 
 L'estoire conte ohi endroit ke li rois 
 mordains 
 
 fu portes loing de son regne -xvij. 
 iournees. 
 
 Et quant vint en droit eure de nonne, 
 
 ke li rois ot veu desous lui toute la 
 rikeche des terres, si com li sains es- 
 peris li demoustra : si fu mis a terre 
 en iohele eure. 
 
 Et quant U fu a terre, 
 si commencha a esgarder entour lui : 
 comme chil qui mult estoit esbahis et 
 tres pensis. 
 
 The French accounts differ considerably from the English ones, see pages 256-8 and 259. 
 
DESCRIPTION OP THE ISLAND TO WHICH MOEDEEINS WAS CARRIED. 
 
 249 
 
 Whanne Abowtes vppon tlie E-oclie he lokede 
 
 the 
 And beheld how Into A straunge Oontre he 
 
 was I-do, 12 
 
 Where-Oflfen he thowghte tho In his herte 
 Neuere that deseisse forto Asterte ; 
 And there-fore but litel wondir it were 
 Thowgh Sore Abashed were he there, 16 
 
 Por 3it hadde he non ful knoweng 
 That In the paleys'he hadde of his swevenynge ; 
 And Evere he MerveiUed In this thowht 
 How that he thedir was tho browhte, 20 
 
 And In him Self hadde gret Merveillinge 
 Ho that thedir dide him tho bringe. 
 And thus longe he gan to beholde 
 That Al his herte gan wexen Colde, 24 
 
 For Anon thing he ne Sawh bowtes hym 
 But the wilde Se bothe Stowt & Grym, 
 And no more lond there ne was 
 Thanne ]jere the B-oche stood In that spas. 28 
 
 This Roche stent A-Middes the se, 
 Al this Storie now telleth to Me, 
 Evene from Scotlond the Ryhte weye 
 Into Babiloyne, As I the Seye, 32 
 
 And from Erlond the weye Also 
 Streyht to babyloyne it doth go. 
 And So hygh the Boche is there 
 That Ouer the Se I[s] sein Every where, 36 
 
 And to Wales there Mihte he se, 
 And Into Spayne Into that partee, — 
 So hygh is the Boche In that stounde 
 That kyng Mordreins there ha]) I-fownde, 4o 
 
 Eor it is On of the most heyest plase 
 That In Ony Se Evene 3it sein wase ; 
 
 2 K 
 
 Car il se veoit seus en terre estrange 
 
 dont il ne quidoit 
 
 iamais escaper a nul iour. 
 
 Et pour chou n'estoit il mie meruelle 
 se il estoit esbaHs. Car il n'estoit mie 
 pas enchore bien asseures des grans 
 memelles qui li estoient auenues en 
 son palais. Ne il ne li estoit mie 
 auis ke iamais ches meruelles li fausis- 
 sent pour la grant angoisse qu'il en 
 auoit soufferte. 
 
 Et auoec tout chou ne sauoit il pas 
 comment il estoit venus en chel lieu 
 ou il se trouua: 
 ne quel chose li pooit auoir porte. 
 
 Et quant il eut asses esgarde entour lui, 
 
 si fu enchore plus esbahis. 
 
 Car il ne Tit onques se les nues non 
 
 deseur lui, 
 
 et enuiron soi ne vit se la mer non. 
 
 Fors ke tant seulement d'espasse 
 com vne petite rocbe tenoit. Che fu li 
 lieus ou il estoit. 
 
 Chele roche si est assiese en la mer 
 occeane, en ichele partie 
 
 ou li drois trespas est a aler en la 
 terre de babyloine en la terre d'es- 
 coche 
 
 et d'islande : et es autres parties d'oc- 
 cident. En che trespas est chele roche, 
 
 et si est de si tres grant hauteche 
 ke on en peut sourueoir toute la mer 
 d'occident iusc'a iches lieus ou terre 
 peut estre trouuee, et de I'autre part 
 a destre si comme de uers galerneen 
 peut on ueoir la terre de cordres et 
 toute la fin d'espaigne. 
 
 La roche est de tel hauteche com vous 
 aues oi, et si est en tout le plus sau- 
 uage lieu, et el mains hante, qui soit 
 en nul lieu de mer habitable. 
 
250 
 
 OF " THE ROCHE PERILOWS " AND THE PIRATE POWCAIRS, 
 
 56 
 
 And this yl So wastful Is, 
 
 That of non Maner viaunde there-Inne peve 
 
 nys, 44 
 
 Ne non Erthe that is Mevable, 
 But Al Clene Roche hard & stable ; 
 Except ])e space Of A mannes hond 
 In ]?at place Is there non Erable lond, 48 
 
 And Elles Into the harde Se 
 Clene Hoche As it May be. 
 And for that Roche Is so perUows, 
 So hygh, so straunge, & so Merveillous, 
 That " the Roche perilows " is the Name, 
 Eor it is of So perUons A fame. 
 
 Vppon wheche roche snmtyme was diht 
 A Certein habitacle with gret Miht, 
 That A lerrers of the Se hyt Made, 
 And Eowcairs to his name he hade. 
 This lerrers was of so passing Mesure 
 And of so gret strengthe, I the Ensure, 
 That non Man his gretnesse Cowde dis- 
 
 crie 
 Ne his strengthe to haven In Memorie, 
 So that In this Roche for certein 
 His habitacle he made ful pleyn ; 
 That So with Verray strengthe & Myht 
 In that Roche his hows gan he dyht, 
 A large hostel for twenty Men, 
 Thus he gan Areyened than ; 
 But In that Roche lay not he, 
 But In A galeye In the Se, — 
 He, & hise felawes Also, 
 
 Vppon the Se felonie to do, 72 
 
 And 0]?er whiles In Certein 
 Vppon that Roche they wolden ful plein. 
 
 Li lieus est si gastes et si desplaisans 
 
 ke il n' i a ne tant ne quant de nule 
 terriene soustenanclie. 
 
 Ne il n' i a de terre muable tant com 
 
 vns poins porroit enclore, 
 
 anchois est toute fine roche naieue. 
 
 iusques es ondes de la mer. 
 
 Et pour chou ke la roche siet en si 
 -^ sauuaige lieu, et en si perilleus : 
 
 pour che est apielee des paisans de la 
 roche del port peril. 
 
 60 
 
 68 
 
 Et si i eut iadis 
 
 vne maison fremee par mult grant 
 
 orguel. 
 
 et si li frema vns leres de mer. 
 
 qui estoit apieles foucaires. 
 
 Chil lerres de grant cors a desmesure, 
 et de si grant forche 
 ke nus horn ne peust souffiir la virtu 
 de ses menbres. 
 
 En chele roche 
 
 64 fist li leres son habitacle de la roche 
 meisme. 
 
 Car il crousa tant ke il i eut bien 
 maison a .xx. homes osteler. En chel 
 ostel repairoit entre lui et ses com- 
 paignons, dont il auoit a grant plente. 
 
 Mais il ne pooient pas tout iesir de- 
 dens la roche. Car il estoient bien 
 nonante, et a le fois plus de chent. 
 Si gisoient dehors la roche, en lor 
 galies qui lor estoient toutes eures 
 apparillies . 
 
 Et quant il faisoit la nuit bien oscur, 
 si metoient en la roche 
 
HOW rOWCAIRS DESTROYED SHIPS. POMPEY PREPARES TO ATTACK HIM. 251 
 
 A fill gret feer wolden they make ; 
 
 Here pray there-with forte take ; 76 
 
 So that it semede to Ony Marchawnt 
 
 That theke pas dide Owht hawnt, 
 
 That Som Resteng place it hadde be ; 
 
 But here distroction it was, As 36 mown Se, 80 
 
 Por A3eiis that Roch they hurtelid so sore 
 
 That Alle to-borsten weren they thore ; 
 
 Thanne Owt of here galeyes gonne they 
 
 go— 
 These theyis that this falshed hadden do, — 84 
 
 And tooken bothe Jjere Man & good 
 That persched was there In theke flood : 
 And In this Manere distroied this lerrers 
 Mani A Marchannt & Mariners. 88 
 
 Thanne be-fil A wondir Oas, 
 That On, Grete Pompees, that Emperour was 
 Of Romeyns, As happed that day, 
 Of Alle these Merveilles herde he say 92 
 
 As Owt of grece he seilede tho, 
 Teward Gecyle he gan to go. 
 And thus As he seillede Ahowte, 
 And took many Garisonns, bothe strong & stowte, 96 
 That Abowtes be the Se stoode 
 In Ony place be ]?e salt Floode ; 
 Thus Cam he toward babyloyne, 
 And thidirward of this thef herde he seyne. 100 
 
 Thanne seide this pompee with-Owten 
 faille 
 'That theke strong theef 3e scholen asaille.' 
 And thus to his peple gan he Seyn, 
 " "We scholen him Asayen In Oerteyn." 104 
 
 Anon there Redily dide he dyhte 
 A riht strong galeie, & Of gret Myhte, 
 
 2k2 
 
 .i. grant brandon du fu ardant. 
 
 et chil qui la venoient maintes fois, si 
 com marcheant, ou autres gens tres- 
 passans, 
 
 si n'en escapoient mie sans peril. 
 
 Car maintes fies auenoit ke les nes i 
 hurterent en lor venir si durement 
 ke eles depichoient toutes, 
 
 et chil estoient apparillie qui lor 
 
 couuroient sus a lor galies. 
 
 Ensi chaoient chil en deus perieus. 
 Car il noioient d'une part, et si les 
 ochoit on d' autre part, la u il quidoient 
 estre venu a garant. 
 
 Longhement tot en cheste maniere 
 mena li lerres sa dolereuse vie. 
 
 Tant qu'il auint chose, 
 
 ke li grans ponpees, qui a chel iour 
 estoit empereres 
 de roumains, 
 
 sen passa outre la mer de grece, 
 et vint en la terre de sulie. 
 
 Et quant il eut ale par toutes les 
 terres d'orient, 
 
 et prise la garisou des fortereches 
 iusk'en babyloine. 
 
 Si oi la nouiele de chel larron qui 
 ensi oohioit tous les trepassans. Et 
 lors dist il 
 
 ' ke che qu'il auoit fait estoit nolens. 
 Se li de chestui larron ne seuroit la 
 terre.' 
 
 Tout maintenant fist atourner 
 le plus riche nef qu'il peut trouer, 
 
252 
 
 POMPET S SHIP ANCHORS NEAR THE ISLE, AND DESTROYS A GALLEY. 
 
 And put it ful of good vitaille, 
 
 And Of goode knyhtes that thef to Asaille. i08 
 
 Anon whanne this was E-edely dyht, 
 The Se he took Anon there E-iht. 
 And fo^^T:ty goode knyhtes be ordeyned there, 
 And twenty grete grapelis of Erne peve were 112 
 The Galeyes to the Schippe forto holde, — 
 Of yrne weren Mad bothe strong & bolde ; 
 And thus they gonnen to seylen Anon 
 As faste to the Roche as they myhte gon, lie 
 
 Bothe be day & Eke be Nyht, 
 Tyl of a hard roche they hadden a syht. 
 
 And whanne the E-oche they gonne to Aspie, 
 It to Aprochen they Soiled ful Nye ; 120 
 
 And whanne faste by they weren gon, 
 Heren Ancres they Oasten ))ere Anon, 
 Forto Abyden there that Nyht 
 Til of the Eoche they myhte hau better Syht. 124 
 And whanne J>e Nyht was wel Apast, 
 To- ward the E.oche they Comen In hast ; 
 As Ny As man Mihte Casten A ston, 
 Thus Ny to the Roche Gonne they gon. 128 
 
 And whanne these thevis gonnen Aspie, 
 Redeliche they Haped hem, & In hye. 
 But ]}e maister Mariner that was with pompee 
 Of that Boch knew Al the Sotelte ; 132 
 
 And ]?ere As the feer the thevis gonne Make, 
 That partie of the Boche wolde he not take. 
 But be Anothir side they wente, 
 ]jere As they fownden presente 136 
 
 A strong galeye that there lay 
 Be-twene ]>e Booh & hem, Ipe sothe to say ; 
 And they Comen with so gret A wille 
 That there mani men gonnen to spUle, 140 
 
 et le fist garnir de boines viandes, 
 
 et de si hardis ohiualers, et de riclies 
 
 armtues. 
 
 Quant il eut tout son oirre appa- 
 
 rillie, si entra em mer. 
 
 Si eutestabli .xl.des plus fors hommes 
 
 de sa nef. 
 
 a vint cros de fer. 
 
 pour retenir les galies tantost que eles 
 
 tenoient a la nef. 
 
 Tant eirerent 
 
 ke il vinrent pres de la roche 
 
 si ke il le virent si haute et si meruil- 
 leuse com ele estoit, 
 
 et lors si ieterent lor ancre 
 pour atendre la nidt. 
 
 Et quant il fa grant pieche de la nuit 
 
 alee: 
 
 si murent, et alerent tant ke il vinrent 
 
 pres de la roche : 
 
 tant com ou porroit vne pierre ruer 
 
 a le main. 
 
 Et quant chil les oirent venir: 
 
 si entrerent en lor galies et s' sparil- 
 
 lierent comme pour aus assahr. 
 
 Et chil qui conduisoient la nef ponpee 
 
 ne sorent mie bien le destroit de la 
 
 roche, 
 
 si ne vaurent pas de droit cours aler 
 
 la u il veoient le fa. 
 
 anchois alerent d'en coste, 
 
 si ke il entreprisent 
 
 vne des gaUes, 
 
 entre aus et la roche, 
 
 ke ele debrisa toute,et vola en pieches. 
 
 Lors commenchierent a crier chil qui 
 
 estoient dedens, 
 
THE PIGHT, — 30 KNIGHTS LAND. THE PIRATES THROW A BIT OP A SHIP ON THEM. 253 
 
 And flllen down Into ]>e Se 
 Of Men & good ful gret plente. 
 
 Thanne they that In pe toJ)ere galeyes were, 
 Wenden the grete schippe hadde persched 
 
 Jjere ; I44 
 
 So was there tho A ful hard stowr 
 Betwene these Pelowns and the Emperour. 
 And wanne they sien it gan so to go, 
 The Emperour to withstonde non power hadden 
 
 tho, 
 
 148 
 
 Be litel and litel they Gonne to gon 
 Til that Ipe Roche they Entred Anon. 
 
 And whanne pompee gan this to Aspie, 
 Eul lowde he gan hem to discrye, 152 
 
 And swoor that he wolde don his Miht 
 Of tho theves to ben Avenged Ariht. 
 And whanne the thevis vndirstood, 
 Non lengere there they ne Abood, 156 
 
 But to the heithe of the Roche Sekerlye 
 Eul faste these thevis gonnen hem hye ; 
 And After hem xxx knyhtes goode 
 That departed Owt of that floode ; I60 
 
 So with-Owten thritty there were. 
 And with-Inne xix theves In fere ; 
 Eor alle the Remnaunt of J>ese theves tho 
 Weren slayn, And In-to the Se I-do : lei 
 
 And whanne this Sawt began to gynne. 
 These theves wrowhten A corsid gynne, — 
 They Rolled down I that plas 
 
 A qwarter Of a galeye Ipat broken was, les 
 
 That hevy & boistous it was to be-holde ; 
 And down it Cam with strengthe manifolde, 
 And fil Anon down Into the Se, 
 Where-with xi. of the Pompees knyhtes slow he, 172 
 
 et chil des autree galies 
 
 quidierent ke la nef fust pechoie. Si lor laia- 
 sent courre tantost, et les assalent a .v, galies. 
 Et si tost com il vinrent tout abriue pour 
 ferir. et ohil dedens lor ietent les cros, si les 
 tinrent mult vighereusement tant ke 11 autre 
 furent ens sali, les espees traites et les cou- 
 tiaus. Et li noutonier et li sergant alumoient 
 les grans brandons, dont en la nef auoit grant 
 plente. Et quant chil se verent soupris, et ke 
 il ne porroient durer. si se deffendirent mult 
 durement comme gent qui trop estoient au 
 desous. 
 Et quant il virent ke il ne porroient 
 
 garir, si se traisent petit et petit 
 
 vers la roche, et se ferirent dedens 
 
 cHl qui porent. 
 
 Et quant pompees les vit courre laiens 
 
 a garant. 
 
 Si escria les chiualers, 
 
 et iura 
 
 ke mal en esohaperoit nes uns. 
 
 Lors se ferirent apres bien .xxx. de 
 ses mellours chiualers. et li larron 
 orent ia pourpris le haut de la roclie. 
 si se deffendirent si durement ke chil 
 ne porentonkes auoir baillie d'aus. 
 et si estoient chil dehors .xxx. 
 
 et chil dedens n'estoient. ke .xx. 
 
 Car tout li autre 
 
 estoient ke ochis ke iete en mer. 
 
 Mult se deffendirent li larron longe- 
 ment. et quant il commenchierent a 
 lasser, 
 
 si laissierent cheoir vn grant fust qui estoit 
 d' el coste d' une nef qui auoit este pechoie a 
 la roche. Quant chil fust eschapa d' en haut. 
 si s' en vint par chiaus qui assanlbient. 
 Et il fu grans, et gros, et pesans, 
 
 si tua quan qu'il atainst deuant lui, et 
 
 fist chaoir en la mer, 
 
 A chil caup i pierdi pompes .xi. de ses 
 
 chiualers. 
 
254 
 
 pompet's knights advise him to delat the attack. 
 
 AVTiere-offen pompee hadde so gret Care, 
 
 Anon him Self to the Roche gan fare, 
 
 And swoor ' that he had levere to dye 
 
 But avenged he Were there Otterlye, i76 
 
 That there so falsly hadde slain his knyhtes 
 
 At thike same tyme with here fyhtes.' 
 
 Thanne On of his knythes there Anon 
 That say In what peryl that he wolde gon, 180 
 
 And Oonseilled him " forto Abyde 
 Til it were more to the day tyde, 
 And I schal 30W Oertefien Everidel 
 How On these theves to ben Avenged wel, i84 
 
 Thanne scholen 30 non men lese, 
 Ne putten 30wre self Into non gret deseisse." 
 Thanne Pompee Axede him Anon 
 In What Manere that it Mihte gon. 188 
 
 " Sire, of this sawt 30 scholen A while reste, 
 I hope it schal be for 30ure beste." 
 
 But Evere they maden sorwe & wo 
 For hise goode knyhtes weren slayn so. 192 
 
 He forto lesen so mani good knihtes 
 Eor A fewe theves In tho fyhtes, 
 Eul gret schame to him he thowhte it was 
 His knyhtes so to lesen In theke Oas. 696 
 
 And On the Morwe whanne it was day lyht 
 And Pompee of that Boche hadde A syht, 
 So strong A thing say he neuere non 
 As thike Roche that he loked vppon ; 200 
 
 ' And non wondir it hadde ben,' seide he Anon, 
 ' Thowgh his knyhtes hadde ben slayn Echon.' 
 
 Thanne of Itnyhtes he Axede Counsaille 
 3if to that Boche they Cowden Owght Availe ; 204 
 But non Of hem that was there 
 Cowde him Oownseillen In non Manere ; 
 
 si en eut tel duel, que pax vn poi ke 
 
 il n'esragoit tous vis. 
 
 Lors sali il meisme apres ohiaus qui 
 
 assaloient. 
 
 et iura ' que il voloit mieus mourir 
 
 en r assaut: ke il ne reuengast ses 
 
 chiualers ke il auoit pierdus.' 
 
 Et quant vns siens chiualers vit 
 
 keilTen prenoit si a chiertes: si sepensake il 
 se metoit en mult grant peril. Car nus assaus 
 de gent ni pooit auoir master. Et se il estoit 
 ochis en tel maniere. li empires de rome i aroit 
 grant deshounour de cliou ke li larron aroient 
 morfc V empereour. Lors apiele pompee, et si 
 li dist. " Sire, se vous voles croire mon consel : 
 ie voug ensegneroie bien comment vous pren- 
 deries tous chiaus de laiens, 
 et si ni seroit pas votre oors em peril, 
 ne n' i pierderies pas vos chiualers." 
 
 Et pompees, qui mult estoit angoisseus, 
 
 demanda ' comment.' 
 " Sire,' ' dist li chiualers, ** faite humais rema- 
 noir r assaut. Et demain quant il sera clers 
 iours. Si verres miex par quel lieu vous les 
 porres plus legierement assalir et plus dure- 
 ment mehaignier. Tant li loa, et chil et li 
 autre, ke pompees fist remanoir I'assaut. 
 Mais mult les fist courechies et dolans pour ses 
 chiualers ke il auoit pierdus 
 
 Et poitr chou qu' il tenoit a grant 
 hotite: chou qu' il seiournoit illuec 
 pour pendre .i. trope de larrons, 
 Ensiremestli assaus ; iusk'al'endemain 
 ke il fu grans iours et clers. 
 Et lors vit pompees que la roclie estoit 
 si fors ke ele ne pooit douter assaut de 
 nul home viuant. 
 
 anchois dist 'k' encore estoit il grans 
 meruelles que tout si chiualers n' auoi- 
 ent este mort a 1' assalir.' 
 
 Lors apiela tous ses chiualers, et si lor 
 
 demanda consel, comment il porroit la 
 
 roche prendre plus isnelement, et sans 
 
 seiourner. 
 
 Et li ni ot onques nus d'aus 
 
 qui de chele seust consilJier. 
 
POMPET KESOLVES TO SMOKE THE PIRATES OUT, 
 
 255 
 
 For they seiden to him Certeinle 
 
 But 3if be Enfamyne in wolden not be. 208 
 
 Whanne Ipe kyng of hem hadde non Oj^er 
 chore, 
 He be-thowghte him In Another 
 
 Manere, 
 That hem he wolde distroyen Anon 
 Be Angwisch Of fyr ]>ere Auerychon. 212 
 
 Anon A gret fere he let there dyhte 
 Of Olde schepes And Galeyes, ]?at brenden so 
 
 bryhte, 
 That At theke Boche persched hadde been, 
 As all the peple there Myhte it seen ; 2I6 
 
 So that this feer there brende so longe tho 
 That AUe the smolder Into J^at kave gan go ; 
 !Por that feer to stawnchen hadde they non 
 
 miht, 
 But Euere this feer brende ful lyht. 220 
 
 And they benethe gonne hem defende 
 With Arwes & stones that they gonnen vp sonde ; 
 And they Aboven defensed hem thore 
 "With speris & Gleyves wondirly Sore. 224 
 
 And whanne this feer gan brenen so briht, 
 The thevis tooken fresch water Anon riht — 
 Where-Oflfen they hadden Som plente tho — 
 And In-to that Eeer they gonnen it do ; 228 
 
 Thanne AUe the smoke & pe flawme, I ]?e plyht. 
 Into that Cave wente there Anon Byht, 
 And they benethe schetten ful sore, 
 And stones vp threw with Engynes thore, 232 
 
 So that they slowen fowre of the felowns 
 That hadden don sweche distroctiouns. 
 And whanne these thevis Syen this, 
 A3en to pe Cave J)ey wenten with-Owten Mys ; 236 
 
 Car il ne quidoient pas ke ele peust 
 estre prise sans afamer. 
 Et quant il vit ke il ne 1' en saroient nul consel 
 doner, si se pensa un pen, et quant il ot pense, si 
 dist ' ke il en quidoit bien venir a chief.' " Car 
 ie me sui," dist il, " penses ke ie les estain- 
 derai par angoisse de fu, ke ie lor ferai faire 
 al pie de la roche, si ke la flambe ferra en 1* 
 entree de la cauee. et lors si conuenra ke il i 
 muirent. Car il n' i porront Ie fu estaindre 
 ke nous lor deffenderons de cha a ual a saietes 
 et a grosses pierres, et chil ki lassus seront Ie 
 deffen deront a glaues et as espees. Et se nous 
 ensine Ie poons prendre, ie ne voi mie par 
 quel maniere il seront pris sans afamer." 
 A chel consel se tienent tout, et il en- 
 uoie a mont. xl. chiualers, si lor fait 
 alumer Ie ftl des pieches des nes qui 
 auoient este debrisies a la roche, dont 
 il i auoit mult grant plente. 
 
 Et quant li fus fu bien espris, 
 
 si feroit la flamme iusk' en I'entree 
 de la caue ou chil estoient. et la 
 fumee entroit dedans mult grant 
 partie. 
 
 Et quant li larron virent che, 
 si prisent aigue douche 
 
 dont il auoient asses, 
 
 et issirent hors, si verserent li aue 
 
 dedens Ie fu. 
 
 Et lors fu li fus si plains de fumee ke 
 
 par .i. poi ke il n' estaingoient. 
 
 Et chil d' aual lor traioient saietes a 
 
 plente, 
 
 et ietoient pierres. 
 
 si ke il en naurerent .iiij. mult dure- 
 ment. 
 
 Et quant li larron virent ke il les me- 
 
 haignoient si: 
 
 si se referirent arriere en la caue. 
 
256 
 
 POMPET RUSHES TO THE ATTACK, AND KILLS FIVE PIRATES. 
 
 La furent il asses plus a mal aise que deuant 
 
 n' estoient de-hors. 
 
 Car la funiee estoit si espandue par toute la 
 
 caue qu' 11 n'i pooient veir nesune goute. 
 
 Et quant il virent ke il n' i porroient 
 
 durer: 
 
 si issirent tout hors, 
 
 But Jiere weren they not wel at Ese, 
 So Evel this Peer it dide hem plese ; 
 And whanne they seyen it Miht not be, 
 Alle Anon Owt of that kave gonnen they 
 
 fle, 240 
 
 And ^vith Alle here myht And strengthe ther 
 The purposed to stawnchen this feer. 
 And thanne these knyhtes to hem Ronne, 
 And there sore begeriiige they begonne ; 244 
 
 And the Felowns hem defendid sore, 
 As they that Maymed & Greved wore. 
 
 And "whanne this pompee gan this beholde, 
 For deol his herte gan wexen ful Colde, 248 
 
 And to that E,ooch he hentred Anon 
 To-Tvard pe feer As faste As he Cowde Gon. 
 Anon A^en to the Cave they gornien to 
 
 E,onne, 
 Eor non lengere nolden they blynne ; 252 
 
 And Pompe After hem tho Sewede faste — 
 Eor to hem hadde he ful gret haste — 
 Where that he of hem Slow there fy^^e ; 
 Thanne leften there but xiiii On lyre ; 256 
 
 To wheche they benethen schotten ful sore, 
 & Manie of hem horten tore. 
 So that Pompe him-self hiu't with hem was 
 In thre stedis In that Same plas. 260 
 
 traist de coste. Ensi se mist pompees apres aus tout le sentier, et tint a deus poins vne hache, dont il 
 dounoit mult grans caus : a cheus ke il venoit a tangnant. Et chil toute voie ftiiant s' en aloient droit a la 
 caue. Si en i ot asses de nauies en la fuie des saietes ke cliil d' aual lor traioient : et des pierres ke cliil d' aual 
 lor ietoient. Si que pompees meisme i fa naures en -iij. lieus. Et quant li larron viorent fuiant a la caue si 
 ne trouerent mie 1' entree preste a lor volente, ne n'i pooient pas entrer deliurement. Et chil d' aual les empi- 
 roient mult des saietes et des pierres ke il lor lanchoient, et la fumee lor auoit auques empirie la veue. Si 
 ne porent pas si tost estre entre en la caue : ke pompees n' en eust : anchois illuekes a trois caupe les testes, 
 et deus abatus en la mer par les caus ke il lor auoit dones de la hache. Ensi en ochist pompees .v. a 
 chele cache, si ne furent mais que .xiiij. et de cheus estoient si naure .li. vij. ke petit se pooient mais aidier. 
 
 et se misent a bandon tout 
 pour le fii aler estaindre. 
 
 Et li cbiualer lor laissent courre : 
 
 si se combatoient mult durementaaus. 
 
 Et chil se deffendoient mult durementj 
 comme gent qui si auoient este greue et me- 
 haiguie. Grant pieehe dura ia meslee : si 
 furent bien blechie, et d' unepart et d'autre. 
 Et quant pompees vit ke il se contre- 
 tenoient tant. 
 
 si en ot grant duel et grant honte. 
 Et il saut toiit maintenant, au fu ou li 
 larron estoient ia tout descendu pour 
 estaindre, si les encaucba si durement 
 par son cors : ke il ne 1' oserent plus 
 atendre. ancbois s' enfuirent arriere a 
 la caue. et pompees se feri apres aus 
 tout .i. estroit sentier qui estoit en la 
 rocbe trencbies par ou on aloit a la 
 caue. car par autre uoie n' i pooit on aler. 
 Car la caue estoit en si ruiste lieu : 
 ke nus n'i peust monter. se K sentiers 
 ne fust qui estoit trencbies en la 
 rocbe. Et encbore i auoit il de gres 
 de la pierre meisme. Cbele cauen'es' 
 toit mie el plus baut lieu de la rocbe : 
 ains estoit en .j. des costes de cbele 
 part ou ele estoit plus lee. Et si 
 estoit r entree si basse et si estroite, 
 ke il n' i pooit entrer ke vns sens bom 
 ensamble, et si couuenoit qu'il i en- 
 
POWCAIRS ATTACKS POMPEY ; — THEY BOTH PALL. POWCAIRS IS TAKEN. 257 
 
 266 
 
 270 
 
 And whaune that this beheld Pompees knyghtes 
 
 That he was so vegorous In fyhtes, 262 
 
 Vppe to the Roche they gonnen to wynne, [ms. wynee.] 
 
 To sosteine here Lord A3ens hem with-Inne; 
 
 So that pompee ful Sore gan fyhte, 
 
 And drof these Pelouns Into the Cave Anon 
 
 Ryht, 
 And putten hem Alle to Mischef 
 Thike lerrers, that Errawnt thef. 
 
 And whanne this lerrers bethowhte him tho 
 That they xiiij Of On Man dispised weren so, 
 Owt they Oomen Al On Abrest ; 
 And this lerrers On pompees Easte threst, 
 And took pompees be bothe scholdres tho 
 There In that Per him forto hauen do ; 
 But he myhte not AUyng for his knyhtes, 
 But down Pillen they bothe Anon E-yhtes. 
 But Pompee there in Swowneng lay. 
 And bothen Armes of lerrers borsten in fay. 
 Thanne they benethe Gonnen this beholde, 
 And to here Lord Eonne Manifolde, 
 And to the Schip they him gan here 
 And In a Oowche they ley den hem there. 
 
 *Thanne token they thys fals lerrers, 
 And him kepte As A thef So fers. 
 And Alle this whille fowghten the knyhtes 
 Vppon the Boche, and slowgh down Byhtes. 
 
 274 
 
 278 
 
 282 
 
 Quant li chiualer 
 
 virent poompee en telhardement entre : 
 
 si s'arouterent apres lui tout le sentier 
 centre mont, 
 
 et pompes estoit ia a I'entree de la 
 caue apres les larrons qui ia s'estoient 
 tout mis dedens: fors ke li maistre 
 d'aus. 
 
 286 
 
 Et quant chil vit ke pompees estoit 
 tous seus, et ke il vilainement estoient 
 tout entre en la fuie par i. seul home. 
 Si le tint a le grant honte et a grant 
 despit. Et quant il fu tous appa- 
 rillies pour entrer en la caue apres les 
 autres : Si ne vaut, anchois retourna 
 arriere. Et pompees haucha la haclie, 
 si quida ferir a deus poins parmi la 
 teste, mais foucaires guenchi au caup, 
 et la hache feri el costal de la roche 
 si tres durement ke toute la lumiere 
 fu esmie, et ke toute la hanste vola 
 enpieches. A chest caup ieta foucaires 
 les poins, si prist pompee par les es- 
 paules, et les vaut lanchier et fu ki 
 estoit desous aus. Mais li chiualer 
 pompee furent ia si aprochie : ke il 
 premiers feri foucaire d'une glaive ke 
 il tenoit, en mi le pis, si tres durement 
 ke il le fist tout cancheler la u il s'en- 
 tretenoient entre lui et pompee as bras. 
 Au cancheler ke foucaires fist : Si li 
 cauperent andoi le pie du sentier. Et 
 il fu grans, et pesans, et gros, si feri 
 ponpee del pis et de la tieste au 
 cheoir, qu'il fist si durement ke il li 
 fist guerpir la roche. et ke il chairent 
 Li chiualer pompee lieuent le cri. et 
 
 andoi si com il s'entretenoient ens el fu qui desous aus estoit. 
 
 chil des nes salent hors, si vienent poignant au fu, et trouuerent lor signour qui gisoit dedens, tous pasmes 
 autresi com s' il fust mors. Et il Ten traisent mult tost, si li osterent son hiaume, et li habatirent sa uentaille. 
 Et quant il li orent le viaire descouuert. Si le virent ausi pale com se il fust mors, ne ne traioit a lui ne 
 pie ne main. Lors orent mult grant paour de lui, si le misent en son escu etl'enporterenten la nef pour couchier. 
 * Et li autre orent pris foucaire, et si trouuerent ke il auoit le brach destre pechoie au chaoir ke il fist desous 
 pompee. Et si estoit anques blechies et maumis del fu ou il estoit cheus. Si le prisent legierement : car il le 
 trouuerent tot pasme. Lors le prisent, et si le loierent mult forment, tant ke pompees en commandast sa 
 volente. Apres fu li fus alumes de rechief, et si i ot grant plente de buisse moillie, si en issoit si a grant fumee 
 et si angoisseuse : kepar .j. poi ke chil de la caue n'estaignoient. Ne onques pour dolour ne pour angoisse 
 ke il soufi^rirent ne vaurent issir hors, si ke chil de dehors se meruillierent trop durement comment il pooient 
 tant auoir souffiert, 
 
 2l 
 
258 
 
 THE PIRATES AKE CONQUERED, AND THROWN INTO THE SEA. 
 
 And In this mene whille Of fyhgteng 
 Awook Pompee Owt Of Ms swowneng, 
 Where-offen Ms Meyne ful glad they were 
 "Whanne that he was Recouered there. 290 
 
 Thanne Merveilled Pompe wondir sore 
 How that In the Schippe he Cam thore ; 
 Thanne his Meyne gan Mm to telle 
 In what Maner and how ]7at he felle. 294 
 
 Thanne this pompee vp Ros Anon, 
 And A3en to that Roche gan he to gon 
 With a ful good strong Spere In honde, 
 Where- with he wrowhte pe theves schonde, 298 
 
 And to that Cave he Entred Again, 
 And there with-Inne he hath hem Slayn, 
 And there threw hem Into the Se 
 The Tysches Mete Al forto be. 302 
 
 Thanne Cam he to the Schippe Again, 
 Where-Offen his Meyne was ful fayn. 
 Thanne Comanded he to taken this lerrers 
 That was a theef So strong and fers, 306 
 
 To bersten bothen his thyes and Ek his bak, 
 And Into the se Casten him with-Owten lak. 
 Thus deliured thanne Sire pompee 
 That Roche Of felowns, As I telle the. 310 
 
 And to Rome seilled he streyht Agein, 
 As I telle 30W now for certein ; 
 
 Entre ches choses reuint pompes de 
 pamison, si ovuiri les [iex] et vit que 
 il estoit en son lit coucliies. 
 
 si se meruilloit comment il estoit venus 
 illnec qui orendroit estoit a I'assaut. 
 
 Lors sali sus, et demanda sa liache. 
 Et quant sihomeli virent, si en orent 
 mult grant ioie, et disrent keele estoit 
 depechie, et si li conterent comment. 
 Apres li rendirent foucaire, et il de- 
 manda coument il auoiteste pris. Et il 
 li moustrerentle brach destre ke il eut 
 peclioie quant il chai, et ensi com li 
 fus li auoit brusle tout le vis et tout 
 le cors. Lors commandaqueil fust (a) 
 si fist tous les cors ieter en la mer. 
 
 Apres fist a foucaire 
 
 pechoirle bras senestreet les .ij ouisses, 
 si le fiat lanchier en la mer apres ses 
 compaignons. 
 
 Ensi deliura pompees le pais de clies larrons. 
 Et che fu uas des plus hounerables fais lie il 
 onques fesist. Mais de toutes les proueches 
 et de tous les hardemens ke il onques fesist : 
 fu chis li mains amenteus. Et si vous dirai pour 
 quoi che fu. II auint chose, ke quant il s'en 
 repairoit a rome, 
 
 (a) mult bien gardes. Et il courut a .i. espiel, si sali hors de la nef. et demanda a ohiaus qui gardoient le fu. 
 ou li autre larron estoient. Et li conterent la grant meruelle del angoisse ke il auoient soufferte et ke 
 onques puis ne s'estoit nus d'aus tous moustres. Lors commanda pompees ke li fus fust depechies tos. Et 
 quant il fu depechies, si monta pompees en haut, et viut a I'entree de la caue, I'espiel en la main. Et si 
 home li virent aler chele part, si ooururent apres. Car il auoient mult grant paoui- de lui. Et il vint 
 droit a I'entree de la caue. Et quant il eut asses escoute a I'uis, si oi qu'il ne disoient mot. Et lors fist il 
 .i. grant hardement, car il se mist dedens la caue, et feri le premier des larrons de I'espie parmi le cors. Et 
 quant il ot feru, si vit que li autre ne disoient mot, ne ne se mouuoient, si se meruilla trop ke clie ])ooit 
 estre. Lors se traist avant ke il vit bien, et perchut que il estoient tout mort. Et il les prenoit, si les 
 ietoit tout hors, vn a vn, voians ses chiualers qui a mult grant foloie le tenoient. Et il n'auoient mie tort. 
 Car che fu li plus grans hardemens, et la graindre estoutie que il onqrtes eust faite. si en auoit fait asses de 
 (jrans. Et il fii descendus de la roche. 
 
ST. PETER REBUKES POMPEY EOR STABLING HIS HORSES IN THE TEMPLE. 259 
 
 And from Eome to Jerusalem he wente, 
 
 Where that he stablede his hors presente 314 
 
 In the holy temple Of Owre lord. 
 
 Thanne to him Cam seint Petir At On word, 
 And seide to hym In this Manere : 
 " Pompee, thow forsakest thi maneres here, 318 
 
 And dost moche wers thanne dide lerrers, 
 That was a felown hothe strong and fers. 
 Thy stable thus here forto Make 
 The heyest hows, that for goddis Sake 322 
 
 Was mad to don Inne his Servise. 
 Now thow ]?at hows gynnest to dispise, 
 Wherfore I may wel liknen the 
 To Porcaus, that felown sire, perde." 326 
 
 Thanne from Jerusalem ]>is pompe wente. 
 And charged Al his Men wit goode Ente 
 ' They scholden neuere Of this forcaus speke. 
 In what maner On him he was A-wreke, 330 
 
 Por to him hadde it ben gret velonie 
 Vppon A thef to hau set his hoi Navye ; ' 
 Por it was On of the grettest prowesse 
 That Evere dide Ipe Emperour In Ony distresse. 334 
 
 et il vint en ilierusalem, 
 
 si mist ses cheuaus iesir 
 
 el temple notre signeur. 
 Et quant il eut che fait, si en orent li 
 iuis mult grant duel. Et il auoit en 
 la chite i. mult preudome de grant 
 eage, et si estoit mult religieus. Chil 
 fu peres saint symeon : chelui a qui on 
 presenta ihesu crist el temple entre 
 ses bras au iour de la purification a 
 la boineuree virgene marie. Quant il 
 seut la grant desloiaute ke pompees 
 auoit faite de ses cheuaus, ke il auoit 
 es tables en la sainte maison notre 
 signeur. Si dist, ' ke ore auoit il trop 
 vescu : quant il veoit ke li fil estoient 
 boute hors et li chien mangoient as ta- 
 bles. Et quant ses cuerspooitesgarder, 
 ne soufFrir, ke li ort pourchier fai- 
 soient chambre priuee des glorieus (b) 
 Et quant il s'enparti de iherusalem : 
 si desfendi a toute sa maisnie 
 
 ke iamais ne parlaissent de foucaire : 
 
 Car il ne voloit mie ke on li reprouaist 
 
 che ke il auoit toute sa forche et son 
 pooir mis a .j. larron asalir et prendre. 
 Ensi fu teue chele proueche ke ele ne fu mie 
 escrite eutre ses autres fais. Car la ehelee de 
 lui et de sa maianie : en atati le renom. Et si 
 fu chou li graindres biens ke il eust onques 
 fait de quoi il deust estre plus amenteus. 
 
 (J) lieus ke nostre sires auoit saintefiies a son seruiche. Lors en ala tout droit a pompee, et quant il fu deuant 
 lui, si commencha a braire et a crier ausi coms'il fust tous foursenes Apres dist a pompee " bien i pert ke 
 tu t' i es combatus a foucaire. Car tu as retenu tant de ses coustumes ke tu as laissie a estre pompees. Si 
 i es deuenus foucaires. Et nous quidion ke se foucaires eust ochis pompee: et eust cheste chite mise en sa 
 signourie autresi com ele estoit en la toie. 11 n' i eust mie fait grignour desloiaute ke tu as : qui tes cheuaus 
 as estables en la plus haute maison, et en la plushouneree, qui onques fust. Et sestuke tu as deshouneree: 
 chelui qui te deshonera. Ch'est li tout poissans sires qui tout fist, qui tu as sa maison cunchie." Ensi parla 
 li preudom a pompee, mais il tint tout a rage et a forseuerie. Et nepourquant chil ne dist mot chose qui 
 puis mauuenist. Car il auoit tous iours este li plus renoumes chiualers ke on seust, et li plus cheans, ne 
 onques puis ne fu se mescheans non. Ne onques puis n'entra en plache ou il se combatist. ke il ne 
 s'en partesist honteusement. 
 
 2l2 
 
260 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Of Mordreins (Evalacli) on " The Rock Perilous," and the wonders he saw there (p. 260-270). How Jlor- 
 dreins is in great sorrow (p. 260), and while he is weeping he sees a silver ship approach, with a fair 
 man on board, who lands, and talks to him (p. 261-2); says he is a crafty man (p. 262); and his 
 name is ' On. & Al. Only.' (p. 263). He comforts the king (p. 263); and tells him that God has not 
 forgotten him, but will give him all he asks for (p. 263-5). The king is so joyful that he is almost in 
 a trance (p. 265), till the ship and man vanish (p. 266). Mordreins concludes that the man came 
 from God (p. 266). He then sees another gorgeously covered ship arrive (p. 266), from which a lovely 
 woman lands (p. 267), who talks with him, and asks him to be lord of herself and her lands (p. 268), 
 and tempts him to forsake his new faith, telling him of the danger Seraphe (Nasciens) is in (p. 269), 
 and of the evils that will befal him — Mordreins — if he stops in the island (p. 269-70). 
 
 Now Of this Emperour let we now be, 
 And A3en to tliis kyng now torne we 
 That into this Roche Is now I-browht, 
 And In what Maner ne Wot he nowht. 
 And there sit he In pensifnesse & In deseise, 
 & With him non thing ]?at may him plese ; 
 And faste Abowtes he loked him there, 
 But hevene & the se he ne sawh nowhere ; 
 Ne non sustenaunce there ne was, 
 But Al disolat In that same plas ; 
 Also dwelling was there non, 
 But hydows & sterne that Boch of ston ; 
 And On ]?at Bock was there non weye 
 But A path that to ]>& Cave wenten 
 
 sothlye. 
 Thanne loked he vppon the tothir side. 
 He ne sawh non Comfort In that tyde, 
 
 12 
 
 16 
 
 A tant se taist ore li contes de pompee, 
 et si retourne au roi, 
 qui est en la roche 
 
 mult'esbahis : et mult trespenses de che 
 qu' il ne sauoit ou il estoit, ne en quel 
 maniere il i estoit venus. 
 II esgarda entour lui. 
 
 II ne vit nule riens fors mer et chiel : 
 
 dont nule garisons li peust venir, ne 
 
 nule soustenanche. 
 
 La roche fu haute et en saluage lieu. 
 
 Et tant d'abitacle : com il i auoit : 
 
 si estoit lais, et hideus, et oscurs. 
 11 ala en-tour le siege de la roche, tant 
 com il pent trouuer voie. et tant qu' il 
 entra el sentier caupe qui menoit a la 
 caue. Et quant il uint a I'entree, si 
 le trouua si laide et si noire ke il 
 n'entraist dedens pour nule riens. 
 Et quant il vit ke il ne trouueroit nul 
 comfort. 
 
MOEDREINS SEES A SILVEB, SHIP, WITH A EAIK, MAN IN IT. 
 
 261 
 
 But dirkenesse & hard Eoche there. 
 
 Thanne set he him down with hevy Ohere, 
 
 And be-gan to sighen ful sore, 
 
 To wepen & wringen 3it wel more. 20 
 
 Thanne Anon thowghte he In his herte — 
 
 Whiche thowght him myhte not Asterte — 
 
 That Owre lord him hadde forgeten Clene 
 
 That he there so "Was browht In tene. 24 
 
 And thus as he was In this morneng 
 The water Of his Eyen Cam renneng, 
 Him thowghte ]jat the wawes of J>e se 
 A wondirful Noise Maden hee ; 28 
 
 And as he lokede tho him Abowte, 
 He saw Come seiUing A schippe wel stowte ; 
 The wheche schippe was ful of Bewte, 
 And A wondir fair Manne there-Inne to be, 32 
 
 That to-forn In the schippe him thowhte he 
 
 was, 
 Sitteng Al-gate In that same plas ; 
 And toward that Roche he drow ful faste 
 Til that to the Boche he Cam Atte laste. 36 
 
 The schippe Al Of Silver it was, 
 The Naylles Of gold In that plas 
 And In Middis Of that schippe was there 
 A fair Crois In that Manere. 40 
 
 And whanne this schip to Jjc Boche gan 
 Aplye, 
 AUe the swete savours him thowhte sekerly 
 That Evere weren groweng In Oni plas 
 Him thowhte that In theke schip tho was. 44 
 
 And whanne the Orois he gan to Aspie, 
 Anon In his herte he thowhte In hye 
 That non wikked thing ne myhte be 
 In plas J)ere the Cros was Certeinle. 48 
 
 si s' asist, 
 
 et commencha mult durement a sous- 
 
 pirer du cuer: 
 
 et a plourer des iex de la teste. 
 
 Et commenclia a penser en son cuer- 
 ke ore auoit il tout pierdu : Se notre 
 sires 1' auoit mis en oublianche et en 
 nonchaloir en cheste doleur et en 
 cheste angoisse ke il soustenoit. 
 
 Ensi com il pensoit en cheste maniere, 
 
 et plouroit, 
 
 si entr' oi les ondes de la mer 
 
 soner. 
 
 Etillieuelateste, siregardedeuantlui. 
 
 Si voit vne nef venir, 
 
 ke vns hom amenoit qui mult estoit de 
 
 grant biaute. 
 
 En chele nef estoit li biaus hom tons sens, 
 
 et si seoit el chief deuant le viaire 
 toutes eures torne de uers la raohe. 
 
 Chele nef estoit petite et toute d' ar- 
 gent, et si estoit li mas d' or, et li 
 voiles estoit ausi tous viermaus. 
 
 Et quant ele fu arriuee a la roche : 
 
 si fu auis au roi ke toutes les boines 
 odeurs ke on peust deuiser ne sauoir 
 en herbes et en arbres 
 
 fuissent en la nef amasses. 
 
 Et quant il vit el voile le signe de la 
 sainte crois, si fu auques asseures. 
 Car il pensoit bien dedens son cuer : 
 
 ke en compaignie de crois ne pooit 
 mie venir chose dont maus li venist. 
 
262 
 
 THE FAIR MAN OF THE SHIP TALKS WITH MOEDREINS, TELLS HIM 
 
 Owt of the schippe Cam tliis faire man tho, 
 
 And the kyng A3ens him gan go ; 
 
 " Sire," he seide, "welcome 36 be 
 
 Into this plase now Certeiale ;" 52 
 
 And with that he knelid a- down 
 
 " Welcome Sire hider Of Renown." 
 
 Thanne Axede this fair Man Certeinle, 
 
 " Sire Of what Contre now be 36 ;" 56 
 
 Thanne Answerid the kyng & seide tho, 
 
 " A Cristen Man, Sire, I am here lo." 
 
 Thanne Axede him this goode man tho, 
 
 ' In what Maner he gan thedir to go.' 60 
 
 Thanne Answerid the kyng Ageyn 
 
 " Sire, I wot Neuere now In Certein." 
 
 Thanne the king Axede him ful snelle, 
 Whens ]?at he was, he Wold him telle. 64 
 
 Thanne Answerid the goodman him Agein, 
 " Sire, A Crafty Man I am Certeia, 
 That nowher non swich Is in non Contre 
 So sotel A man As 30 here now Se ; 68 
 
 Eor sweche Craftes As I kan do. 
 Of Alle men In Erthe konnen it no mo." 
 Thanne Axede the kyng Of him there 
 ' What Maner thinges tho Craftes were.' 72 
 
 He seide " that Owther fowl man 0]?er fowl womman 
 Into Grete bewte he cowde torne than ; 
 Also A fool A Wis man kan I Make, 
 A pore Man gret Richesse to take, 76 
 
 And a low Man kan I Maken hye, 
 I seie the, Sire, Certeinlie." 
 " Xow Certes, Sire," tho quod the kyng, 
 " This may wel ben A Wondirful werkyng : 80 
 
 Now worthi Sire, And it 30wre plesing wolde be, 
 30wre Name that 36 wolden tellen me." 
 
 Lors issi li biaus horn hors de la nef 
 
 Et li rois, quant il le 7it tors venir : 
 
 si se drecha encontre lui, 
 
 et dist ' ke bien fust il venus,' 
 
 si li enclina. 
 
 Et li biaus horn li commenclia a de- 
 
 mander 
 
 ' qui il estoit.' 
 
 Et li rois respondi 
 
 ' qu' il estoit crestiens.' 
 
 Et cbil li commenclia a enquerre 
 
 ' comment il estoit illueo venus.' 
 Et il li dist ' pour voir. 
 
 ke il ne sauoit comment, ne mais ke 
 
 en itel maniere si estoit troues.' 
 
 Et lors li demanda li rois 
 
 ' qui il estoit,' et ke se lui plaisoit: il 
 
 r en desist la veritei. 
 
 Et li biaus bom respondi 
 
 ' ke il estoit menestreus de tel mestier 
 
 qui ne fu onques mais autresteus ois. 
 
 Et si ne pooit nus hom riens sauoir ne 
 ouurer se par lui non.' 
 
 Lors li demanda li rois 
 
 ' quels mestiers ch' estoit.' 
 
 Et il dist " ke il sauoit bien .j. lait 
 
 homme ou vne laide feme 
 
 cangier en biaute quant lui plaisoit. 
 
 Et si li plaisoit ausi bien des fols faire 
 
 sages, 
 
 et des poures riches, 
 
 et des bas haus, 
 
 quant il li venoit a uolenteiJ' 
 
 " Cbertes, 
 
 cliis mestiers a passes tous cbiaus ke 
 
 nus morteus bom porroit faire par soi. 
 
 Et, se vous plaist, 
 
 ore me dites comment vous estes 
 
 apieles." 
 
HIS NAME, AND COMFORTS HIM. MORDREINS ASKS WHAT HE IS TO DO. 263 
 
 " Sire, Gladly Er I hennes wil gon 
 
 My name to tellen the Anon, — 84 
 
 • On • & • Al • Only • it is Mi Name, 
 
 Sire, I the seie with-owten blame." 
 
 Than quod the king, " sire, Certeinly 
 That is a Pair Name and A ful hy. 88 
 
 Sire, quod the king with mylde vois, 
 Me semeth as be the signe Of ]>& Crois 
 That 36 haven In 30wre Compenie here. 
 That to Jesus Crist AflBawnce 3e here." 92 
 
 " That is soth," quod this good man tho, 
 "Por with-Owten him non goodnesse May be 
 
 do 
 And ho ]?at the signe Of the Crois In his Com- 
 
 peni have, 
 Erom AUe periUes he may ben Save. 96 
 
 Therfore be war, I rede now to the. 
 That what peple so Evere thou se. 
 But 3if the signe of ]?e Cros be hem Among, 
 With hem thow talke, I Rede, not long." lOO 
 
 Eul Mochel spak this goodman tho 
 To the kyng that In the Roche was I-do ; 
 Sweche wordis Of Comfort to him he spak 
 That AUe his hevynesse he gan to forsak ; 104 
 
 Nethir Of Mete ne drinke he ne thowhte 
 In so mochel Joye this good man him browhte. 
 
 Thanne Axede him the kyng tho, 
 ' In what Maner he scholde do, 108 
 
 And whethir he scholde ]?cre long Abyde, 
 Owther thens to Gon with-In schort tyde.' 
 " Ne seist thow," quod this good man Ageyn, 
 " That thow belevest In God Certeyn?" 112 
 
 " 56 forsothe, Sire," quod the Kyng, 
 " And that I do Ouer AUe thing. 
 
 et il li dist 
 
 ■ ke il auoit non tout entour.' 
 
 Et li rois respondi 
 
 'ke mult auoit haut non ethautmestier.' 
 
 Et si dist, " Sire, 
 
 il m' est auis a chel signe de la crois 
 
 ke vous aues en vo compaignie 
 
 ke vous estes de la creanche ihesu 
 
 crist. 
 
 et chil li dist maintenant. " di ua, pour 
 
 chou port iou chest signe auoec moi. 
 
 ke sans lui ne puet on faire nule 
 
 oeure parfitement boine. 
 
 Et tant com tu aras chest signe en 
 ta compaignie: 
 
 tant porras tu estre seurs et certains 
 
 ke nule riens ne te serra nuisans, pour 
 
 ke tu aies parfaite creanche. 
 
 Ne ia nul home 
 
 qui chest signe ne port, 
 
 garde ke tu ne tiegnies compaignie. 
 
 Car chil n'est mie de par dieu qui 
 
 auoec lui ne le porte." 
 
 Mult parla li hom de la nef 
 
 au roi longement. 
 
 et tant li dist paroles de solas et de 
 
 confort 
 
 ke il li fist toutes ses dolours oublier. 
 
 ne de nule terriene viande ne li pren- 
 
 droit faims. 
 
 Et li rois li demanda consel, 
 
 ' comment il le feroit : 
 
 se il remanroit enchore illuec. 
 
 ou se il li looit que il s'en alast.' 
 
 " Coument," dist li hom de la nef, 
 
 " dont ne dis tu ke tu as ta creanche 
 toute en ihesu crist:" 
 Et li rois respondi ' ke voirement 
 creoit il de tout en tout enihesu crist.' 
 
264 THE FAIB MAN ASSURES MOEDREINS THAT GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN HIM, 
 
 Only & Al In Mm I beleve, 
 
 Of wheclie schal non man me Repreve." 116 
 
 " Sethen thanne that thow dost so," 
 Quod the good man A3en to him tho — 
 " Eul Sekir thanne Mihtest ]jou be 
 That he ne wel Not !Por3eten the, 120 
 
 Ne non that In him hath Rememmbraunce, 
 In what degre he be, Other In what stawnse, 
 In sekir, sere king, I telle it to the, 
 That God we wil not for3eten the ; 124 
 
 And therto what thing J^at thow wilt Crave, 
 Sekir to be thow myht it have. 
 Sire, tak thow al this for verite, 
 Al that Euere now I haue told to the ; i28 
 
 Eor who that In God doth pntten his 
 
 Creawnce, 
 Him may not faille with-Owten variance 
 That he ne schal hane At his nede 
 Of AUe thing that he wele him bede ; 132 
 
 Eor man hath he In so gret Cherte, 
 Of non thing so moche, I telle it the. 
 Therefore man On him to taken non thing I 
 
 rede. 
 But swich thing As God him bede ; 136 
 
 And 3if A man In him Self to Moche 
 thenke. 
 
 And with distorbilons Maketh his herte to 
 swenke, 
 
 So myhte he fallen I disperaunce, 
 
 Swich a thing myhte ben his Chaunce." 140 
 
 " Now, good sire," quod the King tho, 
 
 "May I thanne Only to God trosten vnto 
 
 Of alle thing that me nedith to have. 
 
 Other what thing that I wele krave ; 144 
 
 Et il horn de la nef li dist. 
 
 " Or saches tu donques de uoir. 
 
 ke il ae t' a mie mis en oubli. 
 
 Car il n'oubliera ia nului qui a lui 
 s'atende : ne qui I'ait en ramenbranche 
 touts voie 
 
 Et la ou li hom s'esmaie de nule chose 
 
 qui li conuienge: la te di iou pour 
 
 verite ke il est liors de creanche. 
 
 Car puis ke il a mis, et le cors et le 
 cuer, de tout en tout en la creanche 
 dame dieu: 
 
 dont est il bien drois 
 
 ke il s'atende a lui 
 
 de toutes les choses dont il est be- 
 soigneus. 
 
 Car teus est la coustume dame dieu, ke il 
 aimeplus home: etengrignourchierte 
 le tient : ke ne fait li liom meismes. 
 Dont est il bien raisons ke li home ne 
 prenge sour soi nule cure de che ki 
 lui conuenra. Mais a chelui en laist 
 conuenir qui plus I'aime ke il meismes 
 ne se porroit amer ne tenir chier. 
 Et la ou li hom s'entremetra sour 
 dieu, ne de soi ne de sa besoigne : 
 
 la chiet il en desesperanche, tout ausi 
 com s'il disoit a chelui qui I'en blame- 
 roit. 
 
 ' Biaus sire, voles vous ke ie m'atende 
 a dieu de toutes les choses qui me 
 conuenront. Quidies vous ke il ait 
 toute sa pensee a moi: II a asses a 
 penser ailleurs.' lUuec chiet il en 
 desesperanche: ou il dist et pense 
 cheste desloiaute. Car il tient la deite 
 
AND TELLS HIM NOT TO DESPAIR. THE KING IS MUCH KEJOICED. 
 
 265 
 
 And that God wele thenken On Me 
 
 Trowe 56, sere, that this wil be ?" 
 
 " A, sire," quod this good man tho, 
 
 " Lo, now In disperaunce Ipou Art I-do, 148 
 
 That thenkest & seist As thow dost here, 
 
 In-to A fowl disperawnce ])0u fallest there. 
 
 Therefore I rede the Ouer Alle thing 
 
 That Into bettere ConseUle jjin herte f>ou 
 
 bringe, 152 
 
 And Ouer Alle thing I rede the 
 Thin mynde thou sette vppon ]>e Trenite ; 
 And have Minde how Salamon the kyng 
 To his Sone Evere 3af teching, 156 
 
 ' That Evere God to worschepe scholde 
 
 he 
 In what maner place that so Evere he be 
 Thanne dar the dredyn Of non thing,' " — 
 Thus 5af Sampson to his son lerneng. 16O 
 
 In the mene whille that this good Man 
 Of the Schippe to the kyng Spak than. 
 The kyng so loyful Of his worrdis was 
 As he hem herkenid In that plas, 164 
 
 So that he fyl In a gret stodye tho, 
 And Merveilled how this thing myhte go, 
 And whethir It were In A dremenge, 
 Owther where that he was slepinge. 1C8 
 
 And thus A long tyme he him thowhte 
 In what maner that he thedir was browhte. 
 Of wheche he Cowde knowen non Certeinte 
 Of this Mater 3it In non nianere degre. 172 
 
 And whanne Owt of this thowht he gan to gon, 
 To his kende Memorie he Cam Anon, 
 And abowtes him he lokede wel faste. 
 But he ne Cowde weten how he Awey paste, 176 
 
 2 M 
 
 pour mortel la u il dist ' ke il a asses a 
 penser ailleurs.' Et die vaut autres- 
 tant com ce il disoit : ' se diex voloit 
 penser a moi et a toutes les autres 
 gens, et il voloit de tout chou venir 
 a chief. II conuenroit ke tout ses 
 pensers venist a nient. Car il ne por- 
 roit mie de toutes ches choses venir a 
 chief.' Et par che pees sauoir et cou- 
 noistre: ke chil qui est en chest pense 
 n'a de creanche, ne tant ne quant, an- 
 chois est pires ke vns publicans. 
 
 Mais sauoirs que est salemons, qui eut 
 de sapienche outre chou ke nature ne 
 puet douner a nul home mortel : chil 
 en dist a son fil: la u il I'entroduisoit. 
 ' Biaus fiex,' dist salemons, ' se tu veus 
 conseil pourfitable, ie le te donrai : et 
 tu ne le iete mie puer. anchois le tien 
 toutes les cures enclos et seele dedens 
 ton cuer. Garde que tu laisses tons 
 iours dame dieu conuenir de toi et de 
 toutes tes choses ne ia autrement ne 
 t'en entremet. :' " 
 Endementiers ke li honj 
 de la nef disoit ches paroles : 
 si furent au roi si ti'es durement plai- 
 sans ke il s'en troubli a tous en I'es- 
 couter. Ne il ne pensoit ne tant ne 
 quant a soi : ne de nule riens ne li sou- 
 uenoit que seulement de chou qu'il 
 ooit. Et tant li pleut chou qu'il es- 
 coutoit, que il fu vne grant pieche ausi 
 conime chil qui vne visions apart de 
 nuit : qui ne seit chertainement se il I'a 
 veue en dormant: ou envillant: et si 
 quide a le fie qu' il dormoit, et a le fie 
 quide qu'il villoit. Toute en cheste 
 maniere estoit li rois, ke il ne sauoit 
 nule chertainete de lui, ne il ne sauoit 
 se il estoit, ou se il n'estoit mie. 
 
 Et quant il eschapa de chest pense, 
 
 et il fu repairies en sa memoire si 
 
 comme il estoit deuant, 
 
 si commencha a regardgr en-viron lui. 
 
266 THE KIKO THINKS THE EAlU MAN CAME FROM GOD. A BEAUTIFUL SHIP AKRIVES . 
 
 Tor Nethir Of ScMppe ne Man lie Say 
 Whecli that to liim Aperid that day. 
 
 And -sThanne bothe Schippe & man was Agon, 
 Into A gret Morneng he fyl Anon ; 180 
 
 But In his herte he thowghte ful Certeinlye 
 That thike man Erom God kam An hye, 
 For he wiste wel be the Signe of the Crois 
 That it was Only be goddis Yoys, 184 
 
 For And he hadde been A dedly man 
 He Co^yde not hau Spoken As he dide than. 
 And Also he wiste Ful Sekerly 
 He Cowde not haii gon Awey so previly 188 
 
 syf Erthlich Man he hadde I-ben, 
 Other ^s'ise he scholde hau him seen ; 
 Wherfore his herte was moche the more 
 On god In Al his werkis thore. 192 
 
 Ful longe In this thowght Ipe kyng Abod, 
 Other whiles he sat, & Olpev whiles he stood. 
 He gau to loken yppon the lefte partye, 
 And thus Sone he gan to Aspie, 196 
 
 He Sawh where Cam a schip Anon 
 Toward the Eoche Forto gon ; 
 That Schippe was wondirly faire A-dyht, 
 As him thowhte to his Syht ; 200 
 
 And ]>ev nas uon thing Abowte, 
 But Piialv keuered with-Inne & with-Owte, 
 Into the harde wawes Of the Se 
 That Schippe was keuered ful Certeiale ; 204 
 
 But nethir ^Nlan ne womman Cowde he se 
 That Schippe to Governe In non degre. 
 And At the Boche it Aryved Anon 
 Also swithe as it Myhte gon. 208 
 
 And whanne the king gan this beholde, 
 He merueUled J-er-offen Mani folde 
 
 Mais il ne vit onqnes ne la nef ne chelui 
 qui dedens estoit venus. Et il se drecha 
 en son estant, si commenclia a regarder 
 de toutes pars en la mer. 
 Et quant il vit qu' il ne le porroit en 
 nul sens coisir, si se rasist. 
 
 Lors commencha mult dureroent a penser tout 
 de rechief, et mult se meruilloit en son cuer 
 qui chil pooit estre qui tant auoit a lui parle. 
 Car mult li auoit doune grant confort. Et 
 tant s'aparcheuoit il bien, si en auoit mult 
 grant ioie ; ke li honi ne pooit estre se de par 
 dieu non, a qui il auiot parle. 
 Car s'il fust contraires a la creanche 
 dame dieu: ne il ne portaist le signe 
 de la sainte crois en sa compaignie, 
 ne il ne parlast si volentiers de dieu 
 ne de ses commandemens. 
 Et se il fust hom morteus, il ne s'en 
 peust pas estre si tost ales. 
 
 ke il ne I'eust veu en aucune maniere 
 ou entr'oi. 
 
 Mult demoura li rois longement en 
 chest pense: 
 
 tant qu'il esgarda a senestre partie de 
 uers galerne, 
 
 si vit venir vne nef mult riohement 
 encourtinee. 
 
 La nef fa de mult grant atoux, et de 
 mult biel : 
 
 et fu toute couuerte d'un riche drap 
 de sole tot noir. Et li voiles fu tout 
 autresteus. Et li mas estoit tous 
 couuers d'autrestel. 
 et la nef estoit autresi couuerte et de- 
 dens et de-hors : iusk'ens es bors, la u 
 les ondes hurtoient. Ensi ricliement 
 venoit la nef com vous aues oi : 
 et si ne paroit ne hons ue feme 
 qui le conduisist. 
 Entelmanierevinttout di'oit a la roch e . 
 
 Et quant li rois le vit ensi ariuee: 
 si se commenclaa mult durement a 
 meruillier 
 
THE PAIREST WOMAN WHO GOES ON FEET LANDS EEOM THE SHIP. 
 
 267 
 
 What tMke ScMppe Miht signefie 
 
 That to the Roche so faste gan hie, 212 
 
 And what maner of thing it sowhte there 
 
 That thedir Cam In swich Manere ; 
 
 And Evere this Schippe he beheld there, 
 
 And of the Aray AUe the manere. 216 
 
 Thanne sawh he there isswen Anon 
 The fairest womman that of feet myht gon : 
 Thanne the kyng Abaisched he was 
 Of thike Merveille In that plas, 220 
 
 Neuertheles 3it he seide, " Welcome 30 be, 
 Faire womman, Into this Contre." 
 Thanne Answerid sche Agein, 
 
 " And 3e ben welcome, Sire, Oertein, 224 
 
 As man that I most desire to se 
 Of Alle men levenge, I telle it the, 
 Eualach," seide this lady tho, 
 
 " Al my lyve 3it hider-to 228 
 
 So gret lust I haue to speken with the. 
 And now Am I glad I may the se ; 
 And now thow Art in this plase here. 
 With the to speken I schal hane leysere ; 232 
 
 I schal the lede, and thow wilt gon with me. 
 Into \>e fairest place that euer man May se." 
 " Now Certes, dame," quod the kyng, 
 " I merveille me mochel Of myn hider Comeng, 236 
 Por I not ho that hedir me browhte, 
 Ne nethir sen him neuere I ne mowhte, 
 Ne neuere hennes ne wil I go 
 
 That til A3en he me wil Comen to 240 
 
 That me In to this place browhte, 
 0]?er wise cam It not In to My thowhte," 
 " Be my trowthe, sire," quod sche thanne, 
 " 3it spekist thow As A trewe Manne, 244 
 
 2 m2 
 
 ke che pooit estre, et senefiier. 
 
 et quel chose chela nef estoit venue 
 querre. 
 
 Lors se drecha, et commencha la nef 
 a regarder d'une part et d'autre. 
 
 Et quant il se regarda, si vit hors issir 
 
 vne des plus tres bieles femes que il 
 onques eust veue, et des plus avenans. 
 Et quant il la vit, si fu mult esbahis : 
 
 et nepourquant il li dist ' ke bien 
 fust ele venue.' 
 
 Et la dame respondi 
 
 ' ke ele estoit bien venue sans faille, 
 
 puis k'ele atioit trouue romme del 
 TOonde qui ele plus desiroit a veoir.' 
 
 " Kois eualach," dist ele. 
 
 " Je ai tons les iours de ma vie 
 
 eu conuoitise de parler a toi : ne onques 
 mais n'en poi auoir ne lieu ne aaise. 
 
 Mais puis ke tu ies chi uenus, 
 
 or arai ioii bien loisir de parler a toi, 
 
 Et se en toi ne remaint, ie te menrai 
 
 en la plus delitable maison ou tu 
 onques entraisses." 
 
 Et li rois respondi, "chertes, dame, 
 ie sui chi venus ie ne sai comment. 
 Car ie ne vi onques chelui qui m'i 
 porta. Mais ensi me trouuai en 
 cheste roche. 
 
 Ne iamais a nul iour ne quier issir, 
 se chil ne m'en iete 
 
 par quicommandement ie i fui 
 dportes." 
 
 'Par foi," dist ele, "par Ie commande- 
 ment de chelui qui t'i porta t'en istras 
 tu. 
 
268 THE FAIR WOMAN TE]\IPTS MOEDBEIXS TO FOLLOW HER, TELLIXG HIM OF 
 
 256 
 
 Por I the browhte Into this plase, 
 
 To speken with the for I Avokle hau space ; 
 
 And be me hens sehalt thow go, 
 
 And be non Other troste wel therto. 248 
 
 And 3if thow wilt not forsaken my Com- 
 
 penye, 
 I schal the bringen to hygh seignourie, 
 And maken the Lord Ouer Al my lond 
 Which that I holde In Min honde." 
 
 " Dame," quod the Kyng to hire Agayn, 
 " Of this wolde I weten ful fayn, 
 What myht 36 hau forto do 
 A3 now 36 sein me vnto." 
 "Be my feith," quod sche, " Sire," Again, 
 " Of that power I Am Certein, 
 To beren A body Avhere f-at my liking Is, 
 And thens him to fetten with-Owten Mis." 260 
 
 " Dame, I vndirstond thy talkyng. 
 But a man of a more wondirful werkyng ^ 
 Have I herd Sein Certein there is, 
 That kan don moche more than this, 264 
 
 Tor he kan Maken of Towle men faire, 
 Of Eolis, wise men & debonaire, 
 And Pore Men to ben E-iche In Ech degre : 
 This Man A Maister, me thinketh, is he, 268 
 
 And this May non Man don Certeinle 
 But 3if ]>e signe of ]?e holy Cros with him 
 
 be." 
 " A !" quod Eualach this womman thanne, 
 " Thow Art A fool, & non wis Manne, 272 
 
 Thow Art deceiued In thy beleve. 
 And that Anon I wele the preve. 
 Eor As longe As thou boldest this Creaunce 
 Of wheche thow hast Mad variawnce, 276 
 
 Car ie t'i aportai par mon sens, 
 et par cho ke ie voloie auoir lieu et 
 tans d'estre en ta oompaignie, ke ie ai 
 tous iours desiree tant. 
 
 Et se tu ne veus refuser si biele com- 
 paignie com est la moie : 
 
 ie t'en menrai auoec moi, 
 
 et te ferai signour de toute ma terre 
 
 252 dont iou ai mult grant plente.'' 
 
 " Coument, dame,'' dist li rois, 
 
 " estes vous de si grant poissanche ke 
 vous poes ensi porter chiaus ke vous 
 voles par tous les lieus?" 
 
 " Par foi," dist ele, 
 
 " de si grant pooir et de si grant sens 
 
 sui iou, 
 
 ke ie puis prendre tout chiaus ke ie 
 
 voel, et porter la u il me plaist." 
 
 " Dame," dist il, " de grant pooir estes, 
 et de grant sens, ne ie ne quidoie mie 
 ke en tous les homes n'en toutes les 
 femes qui soient, eust autant de sens : 
 com i'ai oi dire hui n vn home et a 
 uous. Mais enchore a chil hom grig- 
 nour pooir ke vous n'aues. 
 Car il puet faire des lais homes biaus. 
 
 et des poures riches, et des fols sages. 
 
 Mais il me dist ke nus ne pooit faire 
 
 oeure parfaite ne durable: 
 
 se il n'auoit en sa compaignie Ie signe 
 
 de la sainte crois." 
 
 Che dist la dame. " Eois eualach, 
 
 tu i es decheus. 
 
 car ie te dirai comment. 
 
 Tu as deguerpie la creanche par quoi 
 
 tu as este tous iours a hounour. 
 
 Ne iamais tant com tu tenras cheste 
 
 loy ne cheste creanche ketu asrecheue, 
 
THE EVILS NASCIENS HAS STJPPERED, AND OF THOSE THAT WILL BEEAL HIM. 269 
 
 In pes ne Reste Scliat thow neuere be 
 
 Whiles that beleve Is In the ; 
 
 For thou knowest not 3it the Endyng 
 
 Of thi Sorewe, nether the begynneng ; 
 
 Por thi Brothir Sire Seraphe 
 
 In thi paleis lith in ful hard degre, 
 
 That it Asckapen neuere schal he 
 
 But 3if it the more wondir be." 
 
 " A ! dame," quod the kyng Anon, 
 
 " How mown 36 knowen swich thing be 
 
 don ?" 
 " For," quod sche, "I knowe this As wel 
 As thi selven Everidel, 
 HoAV thow were lefte Owt of thi bed, 
 & he A-bod stille In that sted." 
 
 Thanne the kyng Abasched him sore 
 For ]>e wordes he herde thore, 
 And was Aferd lest his brother scholde 
 
 die 
 For tokenis that sche seide so Certeinlye. 
 Thanne King Eualach Anon with-AUe 
 Nygh In wanhope hadde I-falle, 
 And wende that God had him forgote, 
 So this womman Made him tho dote. 
 
 Thanne seide this womman to him tho, 
 " Eualach, and thow my wille wilt do, 
 I schal the setten A3en In-to thi lond 
 And Al welthes bringen Into thin hond. 
 For wete thow, Eualach, In Certein, 
 Owt of this plase gost J)OU not heyn, 
 But 3if it be Onlich by me 
 Owt of this plase schalt Ipou neuere fle ; 
 And here schalt thow Enfamyned be. 
 And many mo wondris 3it schalt ]?ou se ; 
 
 n'aras .i. iour d'ounour ne de pais. 
 
 Et le commenchement en uois tu ia 
 Car onques puis ke tu le recheus, 
 
 280 n'eus se doleur non. Si com des mer- 
 uelles qui t'auinrent en ton pais, dent 
 seraphes tes serourges est remes, si 
 mal atournes 
 ke il n'en puet escaper, 
 
 284 se par mal non, et par mort." 
 
 " Ha: dame," dist li rois, 
 
 " comment saues vous chou ke il soit 
 si malades com vous m'aues dit ?" 
 
 " Chertes " dist ele, " ie le saisi ujaie- 
 ment: 
 288 comme chele qui I'ai veu as iex 
 
 puis ke tu fus del lit leues, ou entre 
 vous deus esties assis." 
 
 292 
 
 296 
 
 Lors fu li rois mult esbaBis : 
 
 et creoit bien ke chela li desist voir de 
 son serourge qui se morust, 
 
 par les autres enseignes ke ele li disoit 
 vraies : et ke il bien counissoit. 
 Par cheste nouele fu si durement 
 tourbles en son corage, ke par .i. poi 
 ke il ne cheoit en desesperanche. 
 Et quidoit bien ke notre sires I'eust 
 oublie et mis. en noncaloir. 
 
 Et la dame li redist. 
 
 300 " Kois eualach, se tu me voloies 
 croire, et faire ma volente. 
 Je feroie encore tant 
 ke tu recheueroies toute ta terre. 
 
 Et si saches de voir, 
 
 804 ke tu ne le pues iamais recouurer par 
 home qui vine, ne par fetne, 
 se par moi non. 
 
 Ne de ohi ou tu ies orendroit, n'istras tu 
 iamais: seienet'en get. Anchois t'iconuenra 
 tant longement demourer : ke tu i morras de 
 faim. Car ch'est tous li plus sauuages lieus 
 
 308 1"' ^'^ ^" ""'^ partie de mer. 
 
 Si i uerras asses souuent de tens meruelles 
 auenir. 
 
270 
 
 THE PAIS. WOMAN ASKS MORDBEINS TO GO AWAY WITH HER. 
 
 For 3if thow longe here Abyde, 
 Thy wittes schalt Ipou lesen pis, tyde. 
 And 3if that thou wilt gon with me, 
 A gret lord schal I Maken the ; 
 And 3if thow wilt here lengere dwelle 
 Thow schalt be lost bothe flesch & felle." 
 
 312 
 
 ke tu n' i porras longhement demourer 
 en ton sens ke tu ne le perdes. (a) 
 
 *et ses tu t'en uiens auoec moi, 
 
 ie te ferai plus riche ke tu ne fas on- 
 
 ques, pour ke tu faches mon plaisir." 
 
 (a) Et ses tu qui chil est qui te dist ' ke il sauoit faire des lais homes biaiis : et des poures riches :' Ch'est 
 vns enchanteres. Et si saches de voir ke il maime mult a grant tans. Mais ie ne vauch onques lui amer. 
 Et se tu chi demeures longement : il fera tant : qu'il t'ochirra. pour che qu'il s'aperoheuera bien ke ie t'aim. 
 Et si n'ai cure de lui amer. Or fai le quel que tu mieus ameras. Se tu remains chi, tu i es mors.* 
 
271 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Still of tlie wonders King Mordreins (or Evalach) saw on the Eock Perilous (p. 271). How he aks the 
 fair woman out of the ship where he is, and how far off from his land (p. 271), but will not go with her ; 
 and how she sails away (p. 272). How he sees a great tempest rise, and how he thinks over the 
 woman's prophecy of his misery, and over his former greatness (p. 273). How he looks about for a place 
 to sleep in, finds the cave (p. 274), but, on trying to enter it, is struck down (p. 274). How he 
 sees a great tempest, and then a great darkness comes (p. 275), and he lies all night in a swoon 
 (p. 275). In the morning he is awoke by the rays of the sun (p. 275), makes the sign of the cross, 
 recovers his senses, and prays to God (p. 276). He then sees again the first ship; and the good man 
 lands from it, greets him (p. 277), and preaches to him about his want of faith (p. 278); of how 
 God helps his servants (p. 279-80); of the difference between the flesh and the spirit (p. 280); and 
 of the members of the soul (p. 281). Mordreins then asks him about the fair woman (p. 281), and 
 he says that she strove to become lord over him, and so he cast her out of his house, for which 
 she tries to enrage him by evil doing (p. 282). [The fall of Lucifer.J The good man exhorts 
 Mordreins to hold to his Saviour, and then no good thing shall be wanting to him (p. 283). 
 
 Thanne sat this kyng in gret stodying, 
 And thowMe what to don of al this thing ; 
 Whethir with that lady he scholde go 
 That sche seide so wel him louede thOj 
 And therto so ful of Sapiense, 
 Lyk As sche wede In his presense. 
 
 Thanne Eualach Clepid this worn man tho 
 And Axedo hire ' 3if sche Oowde Owht do 
 To tellen him In what plase ]?at he were ; 
 And how fer from his londis there, 
 " 36," quod this womman tho Anon Riht, 
 " Al this schal I the tellen Astyht. 
 
 12 
 
 A chest mot commencha li rois 
 
 mult durement a penser ke il porroit 
 
 faire : 
 
 ou se il s'en iroit auoec chele dame 
 
 qui li faisoit entendant ke ele tant 
 
 r amoit, et qui de si grant sapienche 
 
 estoit plaine, ke ele li disoit chou qui 
 
 li estoit auenu : et chou qui li deuoit 
 
 enchore auenir. 
 
 Et quant il eut longhement pense. Si 
 
 rapiela la feme, 
 
 et si li dist. " Dame, car me faites sage 
 
 en quel lieu ie sui, 
 
 et combien des passe il puet auoir 
 
 de chi iusk'en ma terre." 
 
 Et chele li respondi. 
 
 " Che te dirai ie bien. 
 
272 THE PAIR WOMAN TELLS MOBDREINS WHERE HE IS, & OErEES TO TAKE HIM AWAY. 
 
 Of port peryl this Roclie bereth the 
 
 name, 
 A perilows Eoch, And Of gret Fame ; 
 And Owt of thi kyngdom Art thow here 
 xvii. dayes lornees, Al In fere ; 16 
 
 For A gret lorne for A schip it were 
 In a Monthe & ix. dayes from thens to ben 
 
 here. 
 So that there schalt thow neuere haue dewel- 
 
 lynge 
 Rut 3if so be that I thedyr ]je bringe." 20- 
 
 Thanne Abasched was he mochel more 
 Thanne he was Ony tym be-fore. 
 That he was so fer from his kingdom 
 I-browht In-to A strannge E^egioAvn : 24 
 
 Thanne In gret thowht sat this kyng, 
 And |?ere made mochel Morneng. 
 
 Thanne seide this womman to him tho, 
 " Sire Enalach, wherto thenken 30 so ? 28 
 
 3if 36 wiLen don Aftir My biddinge, 
 Into a ful delitable plase I sclial the bringe ; 
 And 3if thow wilt not don as I the seye, 
 Many wondir happes schalt ]?ou ban In feye, 32 
 And so Manie Combrawnces scholen Comen 
 
 to ]?e, 
 That mth-Inne ful schort tyme schalt ]?ou se 
 So Jjat Jjou west ben hid in Jje most Caytifes plase 
 That Evere On Ertlie 3if Mad wase." 36 
 
 Than the kyng Abasched him sore 
 That to hir wordis mihte he speke no more. 
 And whanne sche say ]?at it wolde not be, 
 That Answere mihte non Getten sche, 40 
 
 Sche torned hire Schippe, and Gan to go 
 Streyht A3en Into the high se tho. 
 
 Ore saches tout premierement ke tu i 
 es en vne roche qui est apielee la roche 
 de port peril, pour chou ke che est li 
 lieus de mer ou on a plus fait traisons 
 et felounies. Et se tu veus sauoir com- 
 bien tu i es loing de ta terre. Che saches 
 tu bien, ke il a de chi ou tu i es, iusc' au 
 commenchement de ton regne -xvij. 
 iournees grans. 
 
 Car nule nes, tant 1' eust boins vens aouellie : 
 ne porroit estre hors de mer, se ele mouuoit de 
 chi, en mains de .ix. iours, et de V issue de la 
 mer iusc' au commenchement de ton roiaume 
 ne porroit nus alerke il n'i mesist .ix. iournees. 
 Ensi pues veoir, ke entre clii et ta terre a 
 r erure de .xvij. iours. 
 Ne tu n' i pues iamais aler en ton viuant : 
 
 se par moi n' i es menes et conduis.'' 
 
 Quant il oi ke il estoit si eslongies de 
 son regne : si fu asses plus esbahis 
 ke il n' auoit este deuant, 
 
 et lors commencha mult angoisseuse- 
 ment a penser. 
 
 Et la dame li dist : 
 
 " Eois, ke penses tu tant. 
 
 Se tu veus estre menes a sauuete: si 
 t' en vien auoec moi. 
 Et ie te menrai el plus delitable lieu del 
 monde : et en chelui ou tu i es plus desires. 
 Et se tu n' i vieus venir, ie m' en vols. 
 
 Et bien s aches de voir 
 
 ke tu verras tantd' eacombriers et tant 
 d' anuis qui t' auenront: 
 
 que il n' est nus lieus en chest, monde, 
 tant soit poures ne tant caitis: ou tu 
 ne uausisses mieus estre ales ke chi 
 remes." 
 
 Li rois fa si esbahis de penser, et si souspris, 
 ke il ne peut onques respondre a che ke eleli 
 auoit dit. Anchois estoit si tres durement tres- 
 penses : ke il en estoit tons aniuis. 
 Et quant ele vit ke il ne li respondroit mie ; 
 si a' en tourne. Et quant ele ot sa nef des- 
 riuee et mis a la voie: si dist tot souef si 
 basset, ke a paines Ie peut li rois entendre ; 
 " He ;'' dist ele, '* meruelles est ke nus arbres 
 ni ert ia plus plentiaus de chelui qui en sa 
 vielleche comraenche a porter.'' Cheste parole 
 tres oi li rois, 
 
A GREAT TEMPEST BISBS AETER THE EAIR WOMAN. THE KING IS SORROWFUL. 273 
 
 Thanne Anon the king Oast vp his hed 
 
 And saw where sche seillede In that sted 
 
 Per Amyddis the grete throwenge se, 
 
 Where that grete Merveilles Anon say he ; — 
 
 The grettest tempest him thowte was there, 
 
 And the Moste wondirful that was o-where ; 
 
 So that him thowghte ]?at Al the Se 
 
 Ouer Al the world schold han be, 
 
 And In Middis Of that tempest 
 
 There was the Schippe Althermest. 
 
 Thus Sone there 0am A wyndes blast. 
 
 And that Schippe there Ouer Oast. 
 
 And As the kyng On ]>e Hoch there sat. 
 
 With his Eyen he beheld Al that, 
 
 And wondred mochel In his thowht 
 
 What schippe it was that the womman browht. 
 
 Thanne this kyng bethowhte him tho, 
 That Of him self it was Evel I- do 
 That he ne hadde Enqwered what sche hadd 
 
 be, 
 & what hire Name was, & Of what Contre ; 
 Eor he here supposed nevre to se. 
 Therefore here Name haven knowen wolde 
 
 he. 
 Thanne of hire wordes sore he thowghte. 
 How that In Reste he scholde be nowhte 
 As long as he held that Creaunse ; 
 Eul Often he thowghte vppon this Ohaunce ; 
 And Eor sorwe of this tydinge 
 He ne wiste to don non thing. 
 Thanne gan he to Remembren him Anon 
 How worthily he was wont to Gon, 
 Of his Hichesse, & Of his honoure, 
 And On his lordschepis In that stowur ; 
 
 2n 
 
 44 
 
 48 
 
 52 
 
 56 
 
 60 
 
 64 
 
 e,t lors si leua la teste, 
 
 et vit ke ele estoit ia empainte 
 
 grant pieche dedans la mer. 
 
 Et ke vne si grans tempeste 1' i sail- 
 loit: 
 
 qu' il li estoit auis ke toute la mers 
 deust fors issir de son augel : 
 
 Et la nef s' en aloit par le plus espes 
 de la tourmente : 
 
 si tost et si bruiant ke nus soufflemens 
 de vent par samblant ne volast plus 
 tost ke ele couroit. 
 Et li rois fu sour la roche en estant, 
 
 si esgarda chele tempest mult longe- 
 
 ment: 
 
 et si se meruilla asses qui chele feme 
 
 pooit estre qui si laides meruelles et si 
 
 grans aloient sieuant. 
 
 Mult pensa li rois a chele feme, 
 
 et mult fu dolens de che 
 
 que il ne li auoit plus enquis de li ' ke 
 ele estoit. Et comment ele estoit apielee, 
 et de quel terre ele estoit dame.' 
 Mult li vausist auoir enquis tant qu' il 
 en seust la verite. Mais che ne peut 
 estre. Si 1' en poise mult durement. 
 car il ne le quide iamais reueoir. 
 
 Et de chou k' ele H auoit dit 
 ke il n' aroit iamais ne ioie ne pais 
 tant com il tenroit cheste creanche : 
 />o de che fu il si tres pensis 
 
 que il ne sauoit ke faire ne ke dire: 
 
 et lors li commencha a ramenbrer de 
 sa grans rikeche ke il auoit lone tans 
 72 eue, et de la grant aaise ou il auoit 
 tous iours este. 
 
 Et des grans honnours ke on li auoit portees; 
 pour chou qu'il auoit tant est? doutes et tant 
 iproisies. Toutes clies choses amenoit a me- 
 moire. 
 
274 
 
 MOKDEEIXS LOOKS FOR A EESTIKG-PLACB, AND FINDS A CAVE. 
 
 And sethen lie thowlite tlianne A3en 
 In what persecucioun lie hackle ben 
 Setlien Cristen Man that he was, 
 "What he hadde Suffred In diners plas ; 
 And thns In disperawnce he gan to 
 
 falle 
 Tyl A3ens the Niht Sore with Alle. 
 
 Thanne he bethowhte him Anon 
 How that Ony wyse he myhte don, 
 For the Roche was A wastable plase. 
 And non Hesteng there-Inne Nas. 
 Thanne fond the king the grees there riht 
 That to thike Cave wente ful streiht, 
 Whiche was bothe ful dirk & blak, 
 & hidows On to looken with many A lak ; 
 For long tyme was it past be-fore 
 That Evere Ony levyng man was there. 
 And to hym self he gan to seye 
 " Sekerly, with-Owten wile I not lye. 
 But entren I wiele Into this Cave, 
 There-Inne Min herberwe forto have." 
 And the ferste foot that with-Inne he sette. 
 Plat to the Grownd he was smette ; 
 For him thowhte that On with two liondis 
 
 him took 
 And Evene to th'erthe there him schook. 
 And thus lay the king In swowneng In ]pis 
 
 Manere 
 Thorwgh the Fal that he hadde there. 
 And whanne of his swowneng he A-wook, 
 Vppon the Entre Of the Cave he gan to 
 
 look ; 
 And thus As he In this thowlit gan dwelle, 
 A wondirful tempest there befelle 
 
 apres recontoit en son cuer 
 
 76 les paoursetlesanuiskeilaiioitsouffert 
 
 puis k' il auoit recheu le baptisms 
 
 ihesu crist. 
 
 Si en estoit si durement tourbles en 
 
 son cuer 
 
 ke par .i. peu qu'il ne chaoit tous en 
 
 desesperanohe. 
 
 En chest tourblement de cuer de- 
 80 moura iusc' a la nuit. 
 
 Et lors si se oommencha a pourpenser 
 
 comment il porroit esploitier de soi 
 
 meisme. 
 
 II vit la roche gaste el hideuse comme chele 
 
 qui en trop sauuaige lieu estoit : et destourne 
 
 de tous trespas se ensi non com auenture 
 
 i" amenoit auoune nef. 
 
 Lors monta li rois les degres, 
 
 et vint a la caue: 
 
 si le trouua laide et oscure et noire. 
 
 84 
 
 88 
 
 92 
 
 Car maint iour estoient passe : puis 
 
 ke horn viuans n' i auoit entre ne geu. 
 
 Et com il ot este grant pieche a 1' uis : 
 si dist a soi meisme, 
 ' ke de-liors ne giroit il mie a des- 
 couuert.' Lors se baissa pour entrer ens . 
 
 Et quant il vaut metre dedens le pre- 
 mier pie: 
 96 Si cliai arriere tous pasmes. 
 
 Car il senti que on le tenoit par les 
 caueus. Etsi li estoit auis ke .ij. mains 
 i auoit. 
 
 En cheste maniere se pasma. 
 
 100 
 
 Et quant il fu reuenus de pamison, si 
 fu mult estourdis, et vit ke li huis de 
 la caue estoit tous estoupes. 
 
 Etil escoute, si otke vne si grant tem- 
 ■^Q^ peste venoit de la mer vers la roche, 
 
HE PASSES AN UNQUIET NIGHT, AND IS WOKE BY THE SUN's BAYS. 
 
 275 
 
 That him thowghte the wawes of the ])e se 
 
 Into the hevene wolden fle 
 
 And Al to-berste bothe lond & ston, — 
 
 Thus him thowghte there Ryht Anon. i08 
 
 Thanne Cam there so grete A dirknesse 
 That browhte him in moche distresse, 
 That him self he ne myhte not se 
 No more thanne In A pit he hadde be. 112 
 
 And whanne Of alle thinge he hadde lost Ipe 
 
 siht, 
 And ]?at non thing he sen ne myht, 
 More Abasched thanne he tho was, 
 Was neuere Man 3it In non plas, — 11 6 
 
 But Aftir this gret drede Anon 
 Good Comfort to him was sent ful son. — 
 And whanne In this dirknesse he hadde longe 
 
 be, 
 And for drede lost bothe wit & Memore, 120 
 
 He ne wiste for drede what to do, 
 And In this thowht longe Abod he so. 
 And al the nyht lay this kyng 
 As In Maner he hadde ben In Sowneng, 124 
 
 That from him Self he was ful Clene, 
 For On him non Otherwise ne was it sene. 
 
 And whanne that it was goddis wUle 
 The Clernesse Of day there to fulfille, 128 
 
 And the hemes of the sonne Bryht 
 Into* Alle the Erthe it schon ful lyht, — [* ms. into to] 
 The kyng that vppon the Grees lay 
 To-fore the Cave dore. As I the Say, 132 
 
 Vppon his Face the sonne j;ere schon, 
 Where-with he A-wook Uyht Anon, 
 And his Eyen Open he gan to Caste, 
 And Abowtes him he loked ful faste 136 
 
 2n 2 
 
 qu'il li estoit auis ke les ondes 
 
 denssent monter iusc' au cliiel. 
 
 et abatre tout a la terre le firmament. 
 
 Apres chou vint vne si grant oscurte 
 
 qu'il ne pooit nule rien veoir des iex, 
 
 nient plus ke s'il fus descendus en 
 
 abisme. 
 
 Et quant il vit qu' il auoit pierdu le 
 
 veoir de toutes choses : 
 
 si parfu trop espoentes 
 
 que nus ne pooit dire le conte del grant 
 paour ke il eut : 
 
 Se chil non seulement qui apres le 
 grant paour li douna grant confort. 
 
 Et quant il ot longement este en cbes 
 tenebres, 
 
 si ot pierdu si le sens et le memoire 
 
 par le grant paour ke il auoit eu : 
 
 ke il ne sauoit en quel lieu il estoit.' 
 
 Ne de toutes les cboses qui estoient 
 
 auenues ne li souenoit. 
 
 En tel maniere demoura li rois en la 
 
 roohe toute la nuit : 
 
 ke il ne li menbroit de soi ne d'autrui. 
 
 Anohois estoit tout autresi com chil 
 
 qui gist en pamison : qui a pierdu le 
 
 sentir, et le veoir, et Toir. 
 
 Et quant notre signour vint a plaisir, 
 
 ke il espandi la olarte de son iour par 
 
 les terres : 
 
 et li rai du soleil ieterent lor clarte et 
 lor calour par tout: 
 
 li rois, qui enohore se gisoit sour les 
 degres deuantl'uis de la caue,ensi com 
 vous aues oi : 
 
 senti r ardour du soloil dont li rai li 
 feroient sour la fache. 
 
 Et lors ouuri les iex, autresi comme 
 
 chil qui s' esuelle : 
 
 Si commenche a regarder entour lui. 
 
276 
 
 MOKDEEINS S PRAYEE AND THANKS TO GOD. 
 
 And wlianne that the Se he loked vppon, 
 
 And Ek the E,och that he lay There on, 
 
 He lefte vppe his Riht hond An hy, 
 
 And the Signe of the Crois made devoutly. uo 
 
 Thanne Cam he to his Mynde Agein 
 As he to-forn was Al In Certein, 
 And kneling, to God made his preyere 
 In this Maner As 30 scholen here, 144 
 
 " O thow swete lord God Almyhty, 
 That Comfort And Ese dost to Alle Sory, 
 And me hast deliuered of Manie gret dis- 
 
 tresse. 
 Of Mani Aventures, & Of Mani heveynesse, 148 
 
 And Of Mani hevynesses which* weren Co- 
 
 menge [* ms. we] 
 
 Thow me deliveredest, thow Glorious kynge ! 
 O goode lord god, I am thi Creature 
 To whom thow hast heen ful deboneure, 152 
 
 And to me hast Schewed gret Mercy, 
 To Me, lord, that ne Am no thing worthi, — 
 And my Sowle to helle Scholde hau went, 
 Ne hadde ben thy Mercy God lord Omni- 
 potent, 156 
 And thy Mercy from helle it gan to with- 
 
 drawe, 
 And browhtest it Into the Cristene lawe, 
 So goode lord me kepe & defende. 
 And Euere thy Grace that thow me Sende ; 16O 
 
 And that the devel ne tempte not me 
 "Whom I haue forsaken, & Only take me to 
 
 the; 
 Whose werkis & him I have forsake. 
 And to thy mercy Onlich lord I me be- 
 take " 164 
 
 Et quant il vit la mer, 
 
 et la roche sour quoi il se gisoit : 
 
 si leua maintenant sa destre main en 
 
 liaut, 
 
 et fist sour lui le signe de la sainte 
 
 crois. 
 
 Et tantost recoura tout son sens et sa 
 
 memoire 
 
 si com il auoit deuant eu. 
 
 si se mist a keustes et a genous, et 
 
 commenclia sa proiere a ihesu crist 
 
 en ces paroles. 
 
 "Biaus sire diex, 
 
 qui i' es vraies consillieres a descon- 
 
 silHes, et vraies comfors as perillans 
 
 qui de boin cuer et de simple volente 
 
 reclaiment ton saint non glorieus : toi 
 
 aour iou, et ren grasces et merchis: 
 
 de chou que tu m' as garandi et deliuerei 
 
 des grans mesauentures et des grans 
 
 liontes ke il me couuenist soustenir; 
 
 se ta seule deboinairetes ne fust. 
 
 Sire, ie sui ta creature, 
 
 en qui tu as moustre si grant miseri- 
 
 corde : 
 
 et si grant mestier m' as eu a mes be- 
 
 soins 
 
 ke r ame de mi aprochoit a aler en 
 
 infier : 
 
 quant tu, par ta grant doucliour 
 
 et par ta grant pite, Ten traisis arriere, 
 
 et le rapielas a la droite vole de toi counoistre, 
 et cremir, et aorer. Glorieus sire, comment 
 ke ie sole ehi venus : aoures en soies tu, et la 
 moie volente i seroie ie venus par ta grasce et 
 par ton commandement. Car plus legierement 
 en soustenroie Ie paine et le traual. Sire, vees 
 moi ehi a vo commandement et a vo plaisir 
 tout apparillie. Mais de tant me deffendre 
 votre douche pites : 
 
 ke ie ne sole declieus par le tempta- 
 tion du dyable, 
 
 de qui iou ai werpi, et les oeures et 
 les consaus. 
 
THE GOOD MAN OP THE SHIP COMES AGAIN TO MORDRBINS. 
 
 277 
 
 Whanne he thus his preyere hadde I-do, 
 Ful faste Abowte him lokede he the. 
 Owt Of the Est he Saw Comen tliore 
 The fair Schip that he say ]>& day before, 168 
 
 Where-Inne that was the goode man 
 That of so mochel goodnesse to him spak than. 
 And whanne he Saw that it was he, 
 Ful glad and blithe he gan forto be, 172 
 
 And alle his Sorewes for3at he thanne 
 For Joye to speken with this good Manne. 
 Thanne ful faste he gan to Crie 
 Of Alle his trespas there to god Mercye. 176 
 
 And whanne he Say the Schippe to the Roche gon, 
 Evere to the foot of the Roch he Cam Anon, 
 And Into that Schippe he lokede there. 
 And Say there-Inne thinges of diuers Manere, i80 
 Bothe Richesse, Jowelles, & vitaille Also 
 That to Ony lyveng Man belonged to, 
 
 And whanne the Same good man he Say 
 That to him hadde spoken the formere day, i84 
 
 And seide, " Sire, Ryht welcome 3e be 
 Into this Roche ful Certeinle." 
 Thanne this goodman Owt of ]>e schippe wente 
 Vp to the Roche tho, veramente, 188 
 
 And Axed the kyng how he dide fare 
 Sithen pe tyme that he was thare. 
 "Eorsothe, sire," quod the king tho, 
 " I Was neuere so ful of Sorwe & Wo. 192 
 
 As that Goode sire I have I-be 
 Sethen the tyme 36 partid from me." 
 
 Thanne gan he him forto telle 
 What Aventures that him befelle, 196 
 
 And Of that Eairre wommans Comeng, 
 And of mani Anothir Aventures thing. 
 
 A tant se drecha li rozs quant il ot fenie sa 
 proiere. Et quant il se fu drechies, 
 si esgarda loins de la mer 
 
 encontre orient, et si reuit venir 
 
 la biele nef ke il auoit veue le iour 
 
 deuant, 
 
 ou li biaus hom estoit venus 
 
 qui tant auoit a lui parle : 
 
 Et quant il le counut, 
 
 si fu mult durement asseures : por las 
 boines paroles ke il li auoit oi dire, 
 ke toutes ses doleurs li auoient fait 
 oublier. 
 
 Lors se commencha mult durement a 
 
 repentir del corage, qu'il auoit er soir eu 
 
 en son corage, et en crioit a dieu merchi 
 
 mult durenient. 
 
 Et quant il vit la nef aprochie, 
 
 si descendi en haut, et si vint au pie 
 
 de la roche a ual. 
 
 Et il esgarda, 
 
 si vit dedens la nef toute la plente et 
 toute la rikeche ke on porroit deuiser 
 de toutes icheles viandes 
 
 qui a cors d' ome sont conuenables. 
 
 Et quant il vit le signeur de la nef, 
 
 chelui a qui il auoit tant parle a 
 I'autre fois, 
 
 si le salua. Et li dist 'ke bien fust 
 il venus.' 
 
 Lors vint li sires de la nef hors 
 sour la roche, 
 
 et demanda au roi : ' comment il estoit 
 
 puis contenus 
 
 ke il s' estoit de lui partis.' 
 
 Et li rois li dist, "biau sire: 
 
 chertes ie n' oi c'onques puis se doleur 
 non et pesanclie 
 
 ke vous fustes de chi tournes." 
 
 Lors li conta 
 
 toute s' auenture si com ele li estoit 
 
 auenue, 
 
 et de la feme qui vint en la nef, 
 
 et des autres meruelles ke il auoit 
 
 toute nuit souiFertes. 
 
278 
 
 THE GOOD MAN REPROVES MORDREINS EOE WANT OP EAITH, 
 
 Thanne Answerid Mm tlio this good Man 
 
 With a smyleng Chere Anon than, 200 
 
 " thow Man ful litel of heleve, 
 
 Pul litel thing May the Greve. 
 
 And thou stedfast In beleve wost be, 
 
 Jjer nys non thing that myhte Greven the, 204 
 
 ~Eor And thow wost thenken on hem ]?at the bowht, 
 
 Troste thow wel, he forgeteth the nowht ; 
 
 And 3if thow Attenden wilt to his Servise, 
 
 He nele the forgeten In non mse ; 208 
 
 As dauid seith In the Sawter book — 
 
 Hos wele there aftir there-Inne look — 
 
 ' 0-wre lord is Redy In AUe wise 
 
 To hem that hym Clepen In his Servise.' 212 
 
 In this loke thow have stedfast Creaunce, 
 
 And thanne schalt thow with-Owten variaunce 
 
 [Have al] where vppon thin herte wil thenke 
 
 Redy to the, whethir ]?ou wake 0]?er wynke. 216 
 
 And thowgh A whille that here thow be 
 
 Here In preson As thow Miht Se, 
 
 Abasche the not for thy beyng ; 
 
 Ful wel hens he wyl the bringe, 220 
 
 And qwiten the A hundred fold More 
 
 Thanne for him dist thow Owht fore, 
 
 And more Gwerdoun schalt thow have 
 
 Thanne Evere thin herte kan thenken opev krave, 224 
 
 As witnesseth david the prophete 
 
 Where As he Seithe these wordes swete, 
 
 ' God vnbindeth that is I-bownde, 
 
 & of here peynes hem loseth In a stownde ; 228 
 
 For God, the hurte men he keuereth sone, 
 
 And pe wikked to goodnesse torneth Anone, 
 
 Oure God ]?e Uyhtwos loveth Ryht Wel, 
 
 The Orphanees he gouerneth Ech del.' 232 
 
 Et li sires de la nef li respondi 
 
 tout en riant. 
 
 " He : di ua, horn de petite creanclie, 
 peohies de couuoitise et enlachemens 
 de desesperanclie ralie. 
 Tu ne deusses de nule mesaise estre 
 dolens ne repentans de souffrir, 
 
 puis ke tu la souffrisses pour 1' amour 
 de ton sauueour. 
 
 Car ch' est chil qui n' oublie nului qui a son 
 seruiche entende. 
 
 Et cte dist dauis li vrais prophetes, 
 
 la u il parole de la grant deboinairete 
 
 au creatour. 
 
 Notre sires est tous iours apparillies 
 
 a seoourre tous chiaus ki 1' apielent de 
 
 boin cuer eu uerite.' 
 
 Et en chou dois auoir ta fianche. Car 
 
 se tu parfitement le crois: tu aras 
 
 quanke tes cuers pensera sans faille, 
 
 se tu i es Hies et enprisounes : 
 
 de chou ne tu dois tu pas esmaiier. 
 Car se tu te mes du tout en sa manaie, 
 et soiies abandounes a sa volentei : 
 
 tu aras de lui plus biel secours, et plus 
 
 riclie, 
 
 ke tes cuers ne seroit penser. 
 
 Car che dist dauid en chele saume 
 
 ou il semont soi meisme de dieu loer. 
 ' Notre sires,' fait il, ' deske les en- 
 prisounes. Notre sires rent la veue 
 del cuel as awles par les terrienes 
 fragilites. 
 
 Notre sires garist et redreche: les 
 blechies et les maumis, 
 
 Notre sires aime chiaus et tient chers : qui 
 
 sont droiturier 
 
 II soustient et gouuerne les orphenins et les 
 
 veues. 
 
AND SHOWS HOW GOD HELPS HIS SERVANTS. 
 
 279 
 
 " This OwMest thow to have In knowenge, 
 And holych In thy sperit Remembringe, 
 And thow In thyn herte that ]70ti Synne 
 It Cometh on of him self More ne mynne. 236 
 
 But On Of thy flesches frelte, 
 Here-offen Sekyr Myhtest jjou be, 
 Tor the Mesch dedlich it is, 
 
 And so thin herte sekerly It Nis ; 240 
 
 For thin herte it is speritwel. 
 And speritwel thing to don Ech del, 
 For thine herte is thing of speritwelte 
 The goode from Evel to knowen, I telle the. 244 
 And this is Only hise Mesteere, 
 ]?erfore the Sihte of ]>e sowle he is cleped there ; 
 Thus sendeth the goode lord Above 
 Sihte of sowle to hem that him love, 248 
 
 That dedly thinges wile forsake 
 & Only to his Oonseil hem take ; 
 Ful seker of welthe mown they be. 
 And Owt of al Maner Aduersite ; . 252 
 
 For thus witnesseth the profecie 
 Of holy prophetis that don not lye.* 
 [It is ful trewe] with-owten lesing, 
 [He that] In Synne is dwellyng, 256 
 
 In ful strong preson he is I-Caste 
 Whiles that he In Synne doth laste. 
 For thanne he is bownden In strong peine 
 With the develis Combrauns in Certeine. 260 
 
 Or puea entendre qui ki a pierdue la 
 veue du oner : ch' est a dire la con- 
 nissanche de son creatour. II n' a (a) 
 
 Et nepourquant se il auient aucune fie que li 
 
 cuers peohe : 
 
 pour chou ne dois tu mie quidier que che soit 
 
 de la cure de lui. 
 
 Mais che li auient par la grant fra- 
 
 gilitei de la char dont il est cargies. 
 
 Car la char est morteus, si ne pnet na- 
 turelment a nule chose penser qui ne 
 soit morteus. 
 Mais li cuers est esperiteus : 
 
 si doit as esperiteus choses entendre. 
 
 Mais or dois donques sauoir ke est li 
 
 cuers, pour che ke ie te fai entendant 
 
 ke il est esperiteus. 
 
 Li cuers n'est nule autre chose ke la 
 
 connissanche de bien et de mal. 
 
 Et pour chou ke il est connissans de 
 
 I'un et de I'autre, pour chou doit 
 
 il estre apieles la veue de I'ame. Ensi 
 
 rent li tres haus rois 
 
 ja veue du cuer a cheus : 
 
 qui es morteus choses ont awles, 
 
 quant il voelent requerre sa medicine 
 et son consel. Et comment deske il 
 les enprisones dont dauid parole, si 
 com ie t'ai dit. 
 
 II est voirs 
 
 ke quant com li hom gist en pechie : 
 tant est il en prison. 
 
 Car il est liies 
 
 des loiens au dyable. 
 
 (a) mie pour chou son creatour pierdu. Car si tost com il vaura repairier a sa droite connissanche : chil qui 
 nului ne refuse ne escondist est tons apparellies de recheuoir. Et si li rent tantost la clarte de ses com- 
 mandemens entendre. Ch' est la veue du cuer. Et chele des iex est autre. Car il ne sont abandone a nule 
 chose esperitel counoistre mais es terrienes choses est toute lor connissanche. Ensi pues sauoir ke li oel ont 
 la veue de I'esperit. 
 
 * End of a Chapter in the English MS. 
 
280 HOW CHRIST DELIVEBS HIS SERVANTS FROM THE DEVIL, AND HEALS THEM. 
 
 " And 3if Owt Of preson lie wil ben vnbownde, 
 To tlie welle of Cownseil he moste In a 
 
 stownde, 
 The wheche is openly now Confessiown, 
 That is to the devel Riht fowl Confuciown ; 264 
 
 Anon Of presown he is vnbownde 
 Thorwgh Confesciown that ilke stownde ; 
 Thanne the develis Cownseil forsaketh he, 
 And alle pe werkes that to him longen to 
 
 be, 268 
 
 And In this Manere wele oure Saviour 
 His Servauntes bringen owt of dolowr, 
 And Owt of presown thus hem bringe 
 That to-fore the devel hadde In Chalenginge ; 272 
 And thus the Brosed hoi doth he Make 
 That Ony thing wele don for his sake. 
 For Manie Men In this wolrd there be 
 That Maymed In here Membres ben Se- 
 
 kerle, 276 
 
 And so harde here Membres ben hurt Echon 
 That On non foote ne mowen they Gon ; 
 And sweche Men forsothe they be 
 That the Membres of the sowle hau lost Si- 
 
 kerle, 280 
 
 And the Swetnesse of ]?e herte with-drawe, 
 Be worldly lustes they they hau hem slawe ; 
 But Otherwise scholden they do, 
 As I schal the seye, now kerkene me to, 284 
 
 Wliat the swetnesse of the sowle it is, — 
 Ful delitable thing & ful Of blis. 
 
 The membres of the sowle these bene : 
 Swetnesse of herte Is On ful schene, 288 
 
 Good Eeligiows, Avith pyte, 
 Lowliche reuerence to God, & divinite, 
 
 Et tantost com il vient a la fontaine de 
 consel, 
 
 ch'est la voie de confessions, 
 
 tantost a pierdu li dyables clie ke il 
 i a eu, 
 
 et lors est il desloies. Car puis ke il 
 guerpist et renie chou qu' il a tenu du 
 dyable : dont est ses houmages quites. 
 Ne des illuec en aiiant ne pent en lui 
 riens calengier. Ne en ses loiens 
 ne r ara il ia puis. Se il a ses oeures 
 ne retorne. 
 
 Ensi en itel maniere desloie li sauueres 
 cheus qui sent loie des Icnens d' infer : 
 
 Et comment esdreclie il les debrisies 
 et les centrals. 
 
 II sont maint home en chest siecle qui 
 mult Men sont fourme de tons les 
 membres du cors: 
 
 et si sont si durement contrait 
 
 ke il ne puent aler. 
 
 le ne sai noient d' ome plus contrait : 
 
 ke chil 
 
 ki a perdu les membres de 1' ame 
 
 est. 
 
 Che sont les boines tekes del cuer. 
 
 Si comme relegions. pites, 
 reuerenche. concorde. 
 
OP THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUL ; AND THE FAIR WOMAN. 
 
 281 
 
 Innocense, & ful therto of Meroye : 
 
 These ben the Membres of ]?e sawle sekerlye, 292 
 
 !For the sowle sosteined here-bi et is. 
 
 And what sowle that of these Membres don 
 Mis, 
 It may not wel Governed thanne be, 
 Por these ben the hondes & feet sekerle 296 
 
 That to Mannes Sowle belongen Echon, 
 And elles May it nethir Meven ne gon ; 
 For Anon As the sowle ]?ese membres hath 
 
 gete, 
 Thanne to the body it is dressed ful swete ; 300 
 
 Ful wel is that body At E-este & Ese 
 That with the membres of ]>e sowle can him plese. 
 Lo thus E-edesteth God of hevene 
 Hem that him loven woth Milde stevenne." 304 
 
 Sweche wordis & Other Mo 
 The goode Man of ]>e schippe the kyng spak 
 
 vnto, 
 And Comforted the king moche In this Manere 
 With tho wordes Jiat he to him Spak there. 3O8 
 
 Thanne the kyng this good man gan to re- 
 freine. 
 And Axede him of that faire womman Certeine, 
 That with him was the formere day 
 And with hire him wolde hau had Away. 312 
 
 Anon the goode man him Answerid thanne, 
 " Eul wel know I that ilke wommanne 
 That to the Semede so fair and E-iche, 
 And In aUe the world the thowhte non swich ; 316 
 3it, whanne sche was In Myn howshold, 
 Eairere sche was be an hundred fold 
 And bettere At Ese thanne sche now Is, 
 And moche more In welthe with-Owten mis. 320 
 
 2 
 
 Innocense : miserioorde. 
 
 Ches uirtus sont li membre de I'ame. 
 
 Car par eles est I'ame menee, et 
 ftrouee, et soustenue. 
 
 Che euntles mains de 1' ame, et li pie. 
 
 Et 1' ame qui est sans ches uirtus : bien 
 puet sauoir k' ele n' a nul membre. 
 dont est verites ke ele est contraire. 
 Mais si tost com 1' ame puet ches vir- 
 tus recouurer: 
 tautest est redrechie 
 
 Car bien est li cors soustenus : 
 
 la u li membre sont sain et entier. 
 
 Ensi redreche litouspoissans, etgarist, 
 
 chiaus qui par 1' ordure de lor cors 
 sont contrait et mehaignie en ame." 
 Ches paroles, ou autresteus, 
 
 dist asses li sires de la nef au roi 
 
 et. mult le conforta par ses dis et par 
 son conseil. 
 
 Et li rois li demanda 
 
 se il connissoit chele dame 
 qui estoit a lui venue : 
 et ki mener 1' en voloit. 
 
 Et chil li respondi, 
 
 " Tu le veis 
 
 mult biel et mult riohement uestue et 
 atournee. 
 
 Et bien saches de voir, k' ele eut tele 
 cure fu ia biaute et rikeche a chent 
 doubles plus k' ele n' a orendroit. Et 
 en chele grant biaute fu ele en ma 
 maieon si a aise et si dame ke ele ne 
 voloit nule riens qui ni fust faite. 
 
282 
 
 OP THE FAIR WOMAN, OK LUCITEB, AND HOW SHE WAS TURNED OUT 
 
 And whanne sche An-liawnsed so was 
 
 In that ilke delitable plas, 
 
 And wlianne Myn hows thus was I-Mad, 
 
 And sche alle delicasies there- Inne sche had, 324 
 
 Anon In herte took sche gret pryde 
 
 So ful of welthe sche was that tyde — 
 
 And Anon thowhte that sche lady wolde hau 
 
 be. 
 As I was Lord In myn Owne Sovereinte, 
 And that of hire I scholde haven non 
 
 powste. 
 But heyere than I sche thowhte j^er to be ; 
 For so mochel bewte was hire tho vppon, 
 That Erthly man was there neuere non 
 That Into hire face myght haven a siht ; 
 So fair sche was, so Oler, & so briht. 
 
 And whanne that I knew Al hire thowht- 
 As that from me is hid ryht nowht — 
 And that to me sche thowhte swiche felonye, 
 That in thike plase non lengere myht I hire 
 
 drye; 
 But threw hire owt of myn hows Anon 
 Into A wers plase that sche scholde gon, 340 
 
 AVhere that non thing so wel At Ese 
 Sche ne Is not ne nei]?er doth hire plese, 
 Ne so gret bewte hath sche now non 
 As that tyme was hire vppon. 344 
 
 And from that tyme 3it hidixto 
 Alle hire Miht and power hath sche do 
 Me to wraththen what sche May ; 
 The wheche is hire labour bothe i Nyht & 
 
 day. 348 
 
 And for that sche sawh that I Cam to the, 
 The to visite & Comforte In this degre, — 
 
 Mais quant ele vit ke ie 1' oi tant 
 essauchie et houneree 
 
 ke ie oi tout ma maison mise a sa 
 volente : 
 
 si s' en orguilli, 
 
 et si pensa ke a tant ne souffiroit ele 
 mie, anchois feroit tant k' ele seroit 
 ausi dame 
 
 328 com iou estoie, 
 
 et ke n' aroie nule poeste sour li. 
 
 Ensi pensa ke ele Ie feroit. 
 
 332 
 
 336 
 
 Et si toat com ele 1' eut pense, ie Ie soi. 
 
 Car ie sui de tous penses chertains 
 
 counissieres. 
 
 Et quant ie vi ke ele pensit tel felou- 
 
 nie vers moi. 
 
 si ne vauch souffrir ke ele fast plus en 
 
 ma maison ne en ma compaingnie. 
 
 Anchois Ie ietai tantost hors de ma 
 maison par te conuent. 
 
 ke ele n'ot onques puis si grant biaute, 
 ne si grant. 
 
 Et des dont en encha, ne fa onques 
 puis nus qui ele quidast ke iamais k' 
 ele nemesistvolentiers engien et paine : 
 comment ele Ie peust envers moi cou- 
 reohier tant ke il me werpist et lais- 
 sast. 
 
 Et pour cliou ke ie te sui venus 
 viseter, et k' ele voit ke i' ai pite de toi : 
 
OP god's house, and how she labotjks to make men forsake him. 283 
 
 It was the Cawse Of hire Comenge, 
 
 Owt of this plase the forte brenge, 352 
 
 And Al hire wyl thanne to fulfille, — 
 
 Thus ful of wikkednesse sche is, & ille, — 
 
 And to don the forsaken thi Creatour 
 
 That the Supported & holpenln Mani a 
 
 stowr. 356 
 
 Therfore As longe As to thi Saviour thow 
 
 kepist ]?e 
 And from him ne Plechest in non Manere degre, 
 There ne schal non Manere thing the faille 
 That to thi body Or Sowle May Availle, 360 
 
 That to the it schal Anon I-grawntid be 
 Ful Sekerley Sere, As I teUet the," 
 
 pour chou assaie ele sauoir se ele te 
 porroit tant esmouuoir 
 
 ke ele te tournast a sa volente, 
 
 et ke ele te departesist de la compai- 
 gnie a ton creatour par ses mauuais 
 ensengemens. 
 
 Mais puis que tu del tout ti es mis en 
 la garde a ton creatour : si pense tant 
 a lui ke nule pramesse d' aise ne de 
 rikeche ne te puisse flecliier, ne ploier. 
 ke tu ne soies toutes eures abondones 
 a acomplir ses commandements." 
 
 2o2 
 
284 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Still of Mordreins (Evalach) on the Eock Perilous, and his Temptations there (p. 284-307). How the good 
 man comforts him, and asks him if he is hungry (p. 284), and takes him to the ship and offers him 
 delicious meats (p. 285), the sight of which so satisfies him that his hunger goes (p. 285). He desires 
 to know about Nasciens, and the Vision of the Streams [Chap. XVIH. p. 229] that he saw (p. 286) ; but 
 the good man will not tell him yet, and exhorts him not to fear any marvels that he may see (p. 287); 
 and tells him how to know good counsel from bad (p. 288). Mordreins asks how long he is to stop on 
 the rock,- — 'till the devil takes him off by the left hand' (p. 289). He is distressed at hearing this, 
 and the good man disappears (p 290). Mordreins sees the fair woman's ship coming, and prays to God 
 for grace to resist her (p. 291). She tempts him by telling him that his brother-in-law and queen are 
 dead (p. 292), and by offering him the precious stones, etc. in her ship (p. 293); but he will not yield 
 to her, and will not answer to his devil-name Evalach (p. 294). She reproaches him, but in vain, and 
 then departs (p. 295). A great tempest rages (p 295) ; a wonderful noise is heard, and a clap of thunder 
 which knocks off the top of the rock (p. 295-6). Mordreins prays to God to comfort him (p. 296); he 
 gets wonderfully sleepy and hungry, and sees a black loaf, which he takes hold of, and is trying to 
 eat (p. 297), when a marvellous bird swoops down on him (p. 298), and knocks it out of his 
 hand (p. 302). — The description of the bird, the Phoenix, a type of Christ (p. 298-301). — The king 
 swoons, and the bird hits him with its right wing, and then flies away (p. 302). The king recovers, 
 and thanks God (p. 302-3). The good man and the tempting woman come to him daily, and the 
 good man comforts him (p. 303-4). He sees another ship, sailorless; a great tempest rages (p. 305); 
 then fierce heat comes; but he will not leave the rock (p. 306) The weather clears, and he ponders 
 over his adventures (p. 307). 
 
 Thus In this Manere spak this good Manne Ensi parla li hom 
 
 Pul long with the king In ]>e Roche thanne, mult longement au roi. 
 
 Ajld with so Manie WOrdeS SWete Et si U diat toutes les manierea de boines 
 
 paroles 
 Thus taAvhte him the develeS lore to lete. 4 parquoiilpooitestretenusenfermecreanche 
 
 1A1T ^* eslongies dea uoies au dyable. 
 
 And the kyng Alle his tales wel Abod, Et li rois I'escouta mult volentiers 
 
 & ful wel hem likede, & stille he Stod, et mult ententieument, 
 
 For so Wel him liked his Talkyng si li plaisoit mult chou ke il li disoit, 
 
 That it was ful loyful to the kyng. 8 et memelles en estoit a aise. 
 
 Thanne this Goodman took him be the bond, Lors vint auant H sires de la nef: si 
 
 .T1T--NT i-/-n TT t;i Is prist par la destre main. 
 
 And be his Name him Cleped, I Tndirstond, et si le noma par son non 
 
 That he took be his Crestenenge, de batesme. 
 
 Sire Mordreins, that was ferst Eualach Ipe kynge. 12 
 
 Thanne Axede this goode Man there Anon, et puis li demanda 
 
 ( 3if he hadde Ony honger him vppon.' • s'il auoit faim' 
 
THE GOOD MAN OITERS MOBDBEINS DAINTIES TO EAT AND DKINK. 
 
 285 
 
 Thanne the kyng Answerid Anon there 
 
 Witli faire wordes In this Manere, 
 
 " That 3if In his Compenie he wolde Abyde, 
 
 And not from him gon At that tyde, 
 
 Al his hevynesse he Scholde Porgete, 
 
 And hothe hunger & thurst scholde he lete." 
 
 Anon he the hond he gan him lede 
 Down to the Schippe In that stede, 
 And there him schewed AUe Maner Of Richesse 
 Of Mete & Of drink gret pletevousnesse 
 That Ony herte On kowde bethenke 
 In that Schippe was Of mete & drinke. 
 Thanne seide to ]?e king this good man Anon 
 " Lo ! AUe these deintes In thi wil wile I don. 
 To taken there-Offen what Euere thou liste 
 To Eten & to drinken Al Of the beste, 
 And At thi wUle Al this Schal be 
 In this Manere, as I telle it the." 
 And whanue ])e kyng Al this Merveille beheld. 
 With AUe deyntes Anon he was ful fyld 
 That hunger ne thorst ne felte he Non 
 Thanne streyht from his Mete he hadde gon. 
 
 3it More seide the kyng to this good man tho, 
 " Sire, I wele 30 wete that it be So, 
 That with 30wre wordis that ben so swete, 
 & Of ye Sihte of this drinke & Mete 
 Wheche that ben In this present plase. 
 That In this Schippe Schewed ]?ou me has, — 
 That Sithe So fulflUeth Me 
 And maketh me ful Of delicase, 
 That to Eten ne drinken have I non lust ; 
 Eor so Mochel In thy wordis I trust. 
 And sethen 36 sem that 30 knowe 
 AUe Mennes thowhtes vppon A rowe, 
 
 16 
 
 20 
 
 24 
 
 28 
 
 32 
 
 36 
 
 40 
 
 44 
 
 Et li rois respondi, 
 
 qu' il n' estoit nule si grans mesaise ke 
 il n'oubliast se il pooit estre longemeiit 
 en sa compaignie." 
 
 Et oliil le prist, si le mena 
 
 iusk' a la nef: 
 
 et si li moustra la grant rikeche 
 
 des bieles viandes dont il i auoit a mult 
 
 grant plente 
 
 de toutes les manieres dont cuers por- 
 
 roit penser et langue parler. 
 
 Apres li dist 
 
 " de toutes icheles viandes dont tu 
 chaiens pues veoir, te met iou a bandon 
 ke tu en prenges, et de teles com toi 
 plaira." 
 
 Et tantost que li rois eut veu cliele 
 grant meruelle, 
 
 si fu si sooles seulement del veoir 
 ke il ne sentoit mais nul faim, 
 
 nient plus ke sell eust lues droit mengie. 
 
 Et lors si li dist 
 
 " sire, tant voel iou ke vous sachies 
 
 ke ie sui orendroit si refais, et de vos 
 
 boines paroles 
 
 et del veoir de ches bieles viandes 
 
 qui cki sont. 
 
 ke se tous iours me tenoit chis corages 
 
 de mangier ne de boire n'aroie iamais 
 
 talent. 
 
 Mais puis ke tant m' aues conforte : si me 
 
 consellies, s' il vous plaist, ke ie ferai. 
 
 Car puis kevous estesvrais consillieres 
 48 de tous penses : 
 
286 
 
 MOBDHEINS ASKS TO HAVE HIS VISION OP THE STREAMS EXPLAINED. 
 
 Thanne knowen 30 Myn witli-Owten faille ; 
 Wherfore I preye 30W Of good Cownsaille." 
 
 Than Answerid tMs good Man Anon, 
 " Thy thowhtes I knowe Wei Echon ; 52 
 
 Thow thenkest On Nascien thy brother dere 
 That the Wonunan tolde the of here. 
 For him wele I not Eorgete ne]?er vppe ne down ; 
 Thow schalt him Seen In A-visiown 56 
 
 Decende from the hevene Adown ful Rathe, 
 And In the Nynthe Elood he schal him bathe, 
 That largere and deppere it is to Seye, 
 Thanne the to]?ere viij. ben In feye." 60 
 
 And whanne the kyng herd him Sein so, 
 Eul sore Abasched was he thanne tho. 
 And Merveilled mochel what this Man were 
 That swete wordes Spak to him there, 54 
 
 How that he Scholde haven knowenge 
 Of Sweche A Maner Strawnge thinge. 
 There-by he thowhte Certeinly 
 That he was non Man to ben dedly, 68 
 
 But so bold dorste he not thanne ben thore 
 Of him Enqweren there Ony More. 
 
 And whanne he hadde Avised him In this Manere, 
 Anon him preide. And gan to Enqwere, 72 
 
 " That he wolde tellen him Alle & Som 
 The Signefiawnce Of his Avisiown, 
 And that 36 "Wolden for god Almyht 
 It me declaren now Anon Riht ; 76 
 
 Eor I have Eul longe In grete thowht be 
 What signefiaunce it Mihte ben to Me." 
 Thanne Answerid this good Man Agein, 
 " That schalt thow neuere weten In Certein so 
 
 Into the tyme & Into that day 
 That this viande owt Of this plase the bringe away. 
 
 dont connissies vous bien le mien. 
 Et se me denes consillier selonc che 
 ke ie pens. 
 Et chil li respond!. 
 
 " Je sai bien," dist il, " qiies tes penses 
 
 est. 
 
 Tu penses a nascien ton serourge 
 
 qui de lafeme te dist er soir les nouuieles. 
 
 Mais de lui ne soies tu ia esmaies. 
 Car chil ne 1' oubliera mie. 
 qui tu veis en ta vision 
 descendre du chiel, 
 
 et baignier tout son cors el neueuisme 
 flun: 
 
 qui estoit graindres 
 
 ke tout li autre .viij." 
 Quant li rois oi chest chose 
 
 si fu mult esbahis, 
 
 et mult se meruilloit en son cuer qui 
 chist horn pooit estre 
 
 qui il ne Quidoit que nus nus morteus 
 
 horn peust sauoir 
 
 jes choses ke il li disoit. 
 
 Et pour chou se pensoit asses en son cuer 
 
 ke che n'estoit pas horn morteus. 
 
 Mais il n' estoit tant hardis 
 
 ke il en enquesist plus. 
 
 Et quant il eut grant pieche atendu, 
 si li dites toutes voies. 
 
 " Biaus sire, 
 
 de chest auision 
 
 me dites, pour dieu, se vous plaist, 
 
 ke ele puet senefier. 
 
 Car i' en ai este esbahis mult longe- 
 ment." 
 
 Et chil li respondi. 
 
 " Che ne trouueras tu ia qui te die 
 
 deuant a chele eure ke tu aras vainou et cachie 
 ensu8 de toi le leu ki ta boine viande te vaura 
 tolir. Et lors saras tu ohertainement qui chis 
 leua est, et pour quoi il te vauru tolir ta viande. 
 
THE GOOD MAN PUTS HIM OFP, AND TELLS HIM NOT TO FEAE FUTURE MARVELS. 287 
 
 And thanne Sclialt thow knowen [the certeinte] 
 What that thy vicioun doth signefe, 
 Al from begynneng to the Ende 
 Thanne schalt thow knowen how it schal 
 wende. 
 
 And be this I Chastise the wel, 
 But from hens-forward, neuere Adel, 
 What Maner Merveilles that Euere thow se 
 Loke that abasched no more thow be. 
 3it Merveilles here-Aftir schalt thou se, 
 As the vols In thy paleys told to the 
 Whanne Nasciens and thow On bedde were 
 Vppon on Cowche liggeng there. 
 Where that 30 fillen In Swownenge 
 Por gret drede of that Noise herenge ; 
 Where As the vois Seide In this manere 
 ' Of more dredes & Merveilles scholen 3e 
 
 here 
 Thanne Euere 30 diden to-fore this day.' 
 And thus the vois to 30W gan Say. 
 Wheche is the wille of goddis sone 
 That Alle these thinges scholen ben done, 
 And that here- After he wele Schewe 
 Swiche Merveilles vppon A rewe. 
 To hem that him liketh ful wel 
 They scholen hem sen Every del. 
 The wheche AUe Othere Merveille scholen pase 
 That Euere 3it to forn tyme of 30W sein 
 
 wase, 
 And 3if J)Ou wUt In trewe Creaunce the 
 
 holde. 
 And In herte stedfast stable and bolde ; 
 What so euere hens forward that thow se, 
 Eul wel from pe devel |jou myht kepen the. 
 
 84 
 
 88 
 
 Et apres counistras tu 
 ke toute ta visions senefie 
 de chief en chief. 
 
 Mais de tant te castie iou bien, 
 
 ke ia de nule chose ke tu uoies, 
 
 ne soies esmaies ne espoentes. 
 
 Car de grant meruelle veoir par tans 
 
 pues estre tons certeins. 
 
 Et pour chou dist la vois en ton palais : 
 
 quant entre toi et nascien 
 
 vous seies el lit. 
 
 la u vous chaisties de pamison. 
 
 A chele eure dist la vois. 
 
 ' Chi coumenchent les paours.' 
 
 100 Che fii a dire. 
 
 92 
 
 96 
 
 104 
 
 108 
 
 112 
 
 Apres che mousterroit li vrais cruchefis 
 
 tes choses 
 
 a ches qui li plairoit, 
 
 qui passeroient toutes les choses 
 
 qui deuant aroient este de meruelles 
 espoentables. 
 
 Et se tu en boine creanche 
 
 et en estable cuer te veus consentir 
 encontre toutes le choses ke tu verras. 
 
 Itant i aras gaaignie ke ia meruelle 
 ke tu voies ne t' aparra pour ton da- 
 
288 
 
 MOEDRBINS IS TOLD HOW TO KNOW GOOD ADVICE PROM BAD. 
 
 And more Stedfast to be In thi Creaunce, 
 What so befalle the In Ony Chawunce 
 And hens forward 3if Oni Aventure Come to 
 
 the 
 Be man Other womman, what so he be, 116 
 
 That faire Casten the forto deceyre, 
 Loke In AUe weye from hem thow weyve. 
 That nethir for 3iftes ne for beheste, 
 Loke )jou ne troste to leste ne meste ; 120 
 
 Nethu" for fair speche, ne Glosing, 
 Prom thi Creatour Make |jou non parting. 
 And loke that thow have Evere In thy 
 Mynde 
 The dede of Adam l^i form fadir be kynde, 
 How that be the devel deceyved he was. 
 And owt of paradis Cast, l^at blessid plas ; 
 Por he fulfilled the devellis wylle 
 Be Counseil of his wif wheche was ylle. 1 28 
 
 And loke that thow have this In Remem- 
 brawnce 
 What so the behappe In Oni Chaunce, 
 And therby myhtest thow knowen ful wel 
 AUe Manere of Cownseilles Everidel, 
 Whethir it be for good Olpev for ille, 
 0|3er the forto save, Owther forto spiUe. 
 
 And for thow scholdest knowen AUe thing 
 That scholde ben to thi lordes plesing, 
 Therfore schalt thow leven non Cownsaille 
 That to his wiUe scholde dis-AvaiUe ; 
 And thowh they the behoten 3iftes & 
 
 Hichesse, 
 Be war, pntte not jje in distresse 140 
 
 Eorto don A3ens his plesinge, 
 Be war Jjere-offen Ouer AUe thinge 
 
 maige, mais pour plus hair le dyable 
 et eslongier. Et pour toi plus con- 
 forter : et confermer en sainte creanche. 
 
 Et se il auient chose, 
 
 ke aucuns hom ou aucune feme te 
 voelle decheuoir, 
 
 ou par promesse ou par dons : 
 
 pour toi departir de la compaignie a 
 
 ton creatour: 
 
 si garde ke tu aies tous iours en toi 
 
 ramenbranche. 
 
 124 Ensi com adans, li premiers horn 
 fu decheus: 
 
 pour qu' il consenti a I'amonestement 
 
 del dyable 
 
 par le consel de la feme. 
 
 De cheste chose soiies tous iours ra- 
 
 menbrans. 
 
 Et par cheste porras counoistre : 
 132 li quel consel te seront done 
 
 pour sauuement, et Li quel pour peril. 
 Et pour chou ke tu ti es abandounes 
 du tout en tout a la volente de ton 
 signour : 
 
 pour chou ne dois tu nul conseil croire 
 qui soit contraires a sa volente. 
 Et se on te pramet grans dons et grans 
 rikeches 
 
 136 
 
 pour faire chose qui centre son plaisir 
 
 soit, 
 
THE &00D MAN COMPORTS MORDREINS, & SAYS WHEN HE'LL LEAVE THE ISLAND. 289 
 
 And bethenke the Alwey In thy Mynde 
 
 That Erthly 3iftes ben not so kynde 144 
 
 As ben the 3iftes Of hevenly good, 
 
 Hos that it wel vndirstood ; 
 
 Por Erthely 3iftes ben freel & Mevable, 
 
 & heyenely ben stedfast & Euere durable. 148 
 
 And loke thow that now hens-forward, 
 
 Of these 3iftes that thow take good Award, 
 
 And thow take not On 3ifte for Anothir, 
 
 Be war ther-Oflfen for Ony Othir ; 152 
 
 Sethen thow knowest whiche ther be, 
 
 The goode thou take, the Evele thow fle. 
 
 And be this Alle wikked temptaciouns 
 
 Erom the Scholen passen, and trebulaciouns ; 156 
 
 And to Evere lastyng Consail Jjou schalt be 
 
 take. 
 And be browht from wo & wrake." 
 
 And there Ryht thus In this Manere 
 This goode Man of the schippe to hym spak 
 
 there ; 160 
 
 Eul Mochel his wordis liked him tho. 
 And to gret prophit torned hym Also. 
 
 Thanne Atte laste Axede hym the kyng 
 ' How long In that Eoche scholde ben his 
 
 dwellyng.' 164 
 
 Thanye Answerid the good man A-gayn 
 " In this Roche Schalt thow by den Certain 
 Tyl that the devel Owt the take be ]?e left 
 
 bond, 
 And the Roche to forsake, thou it vndir- 
 
 stond ; 168 
 
 Eor Erst Owt Of this Roche shalt Jjou not 
 
 fle; 
 And of Al this, Sekir Mihtest now thow be," 
 
 2 p 
 
 si soies de tant recordant : 
 
 ke li terrien don ne se puent appa- 
 
 rilJier 
 
 as oelestiaus 
 
 Car li terrien sont fraille et decheant : 
 
 Mais li celestien sont enterin et per- 
 durable. 
 Et se tu seis 
 ensi contreprisier 
 
 les vnes choses par les autres ; 
 
 ke tu saches eslire 
 
 et atourner desus toi les pourfitables, 
 
 et refuser les nuisans. 
 
 Par che seront toutes les temptations 
 
 del anemi perdurable caohies ensus de 
 
 toi, et eslongies. 
 
 Et tu en seras aprochies de perdurable 
 
 conseil," 
 
 En cheste maniere 
 
 parla li horn de la nef au roi mult 
 longement. 
 
 Et mult li plaisoient ses paroles, 
 
 et tournerent a grant confort. 
 
 Et en la fin, li redemanda li rois. 
 
 " Sire, car me dites se ie demourrai 
 longement en cheste roche 
 
 Et il li dist. 
 
 " Tu i demourras 
 
 tant ke li dyable t' en ietera par la 
 senestre main. 
 
 Ne ia deuant dont n' en isteras." 
 
 A tant se teut, que plus ne parla. 
 
290 
 
 THE GOOD MAN DISAPPEARS. MOEDBEINS IS SORROWFUL. 
 
 Thanne was the kyng Abasclied ful sore ; 
 
 Of tlie wordis that he thanne spak there ; 172 
 
 That the devel Owt Of the Roche him scholde 
 
 bringe, 
 It was to him tho An hevy tydynge ; 
 Thannece to the Erthe he fil Anon, 
 And ful gret Morneng him fil vppon. 176 
 
 And In this Mene whille tho 
 This good man to the schippe gan go. 
 Anon As he Owt of his thowht Awook. 
 Vp gan he stonde and Abowtes him look, 180 
 
 And jSTethir Man ne Schippe Sawh he 
 As fer As he loked Into the Se ; 
 ~Eov In the same Maner As he to-fore wente, 
 Hiht so dide he tho to his Entente. 184 
 
 Thanne this kyng Merveilled wondir sore 
 What Manere Of Man that this were 
 That so him Certefyed Of Alle thing, 
 As wel Of begynneng As Of the Endyng. iss 
 
 Thanne ful sore him self he gan to blame 
 That he ne hadde Enqwered his Name, 
 And Enserched what he hadde be, 
 Owther Grod Owther Man In Ony degre, 192 
 
 Evere vppon this point ful sore he thowhte, 
 That theke Man to knowen Myhte he 
 
 Nowhte ; 
 3it Anothir thing him Rewede sore tho, 
 Whanne that this good man was Ago, 196 
 
 That he ne hadde Enqwerid of him there 
 ' 3if he scholde ban lyved In that Manere, 
 Tyl that to him he hadde Comen Ageine,' 
 And this of him forgat he to Refreine. 200 
 
 Al thus the kyng longe to him Self spak 
 Til Atte laste he herde A gret Noise with-owten lak, 
 
 et li rois fu mult esbahi et espoentes 
 
 de cheste parole ke il li ot dite 
 
 d' el dyable qui hors de la roche le 
 ieteroit. 
 
 Lors s' enbronka vers terre, 
 
 si commencha mult durement a penser. 
 
 Et el pense ou il estoit entres : 
 
 si entra li sires en la nef arriere. Et se mist 
 en la mer maintenant tout sans plus dire. 
 Et quant ii rois eut tant este en son pense ke 
 il 1' ot mene a fin, 
 
 Si commencha entour lui a regarder. 
 Mais ii ne vit onques ne 1' omme ne la nef. 
 Et il remonta arriere tous les degres iuske a 
 1' uis de la caue. Et esgarda mult loins de- 
 dens la mer. Mais il n' en peut onques point 
 veoir. 
 
 Et il se ramenbra ke en autrestel ma- 
 niere : s' en estoit il ales a 1' autre fie. 
 
 Lors s' asist li rois, et commencha 
 mult durement a penser, 
 qui chil horn pooit estre 
 
 qui si li deuisoit les choses 
 
 ki auenues li estoient, et qui encore li 
 
 deuoient auenir. 
 
 Et mult durement blamoit soi meisme 
 
 de che ke il ne 1' auoit asses plus enquis 
 et encherkie. Et ke il ni li auoit de- 
 mande tout plainement, 
 se il estoit diex ou non. 
 
 Et de tant s' afichoit mult durement 
 en son cuer 
 
 ke il li demanderoit tantost 
 si il iamais pooit tant viure 
 ke il le veist 
 
 Ensi parloit li rois a soi meisme : 
 tant ke il oi 
 
THE FAIE, WOMAN COMES A&AIN TO MORDREINS, WHO PBAYS TO GOD POR GRACE. 291 
 
 Cryeng of wawes Of the se ; 
 
 But ful gretly he Merveilled what it myhte be. 204 
 
 Thanne he gan him to dressen Anone 
 
 Vpward, & Into the Se he loked ful sone, 
 
 And westward him thowhte Cam seilyng J>ere 
 
 The same schippe, & In the selve Manere, 208 
 
 That the faire womman Cam In to-fore, 
 
 Where-Offen Abasched he was ful sore, 
 
 Tor he him dradde sore as he stoode 
 
 That sche ne Cam for nonne Goode. 212 
 
 Thanne to God preyde he ful faste 
 His sowle forto kepen, so was he Agaste, 
 What so Evere become Of his fLesch 
 He ne Rowhte, whej>er hard Ojjer Nesch. 216 
 
 And thus In his preieres was he stedfast 
 Al the while thar It Myht last, 
 That of his goode purpos not left schold he 
 
 be; 
 Thus preide he to God In Maieste. 220 
 
 And whanne his Orisown thus was I-do, 
 Into the Est Anon he torned him tho, 
 And there Anon Made he his devociown — 
 In Minde of lerusalem, that worthy town 224 
 
 Where-Inne thei gonnen Crist Crucifye, 
 That blessid body the Sone Of Marye, — 
 Owt Of his Caytyvite him forto bringe, 
 & deliueraunce of the womman that was 
 
 Comenge. 
 
 228 
 
 With this Cam Ipe Schippe to ]>e Roche Anon 
 Also faste As it Myhte gon ; 
 Also & as Riche As it was Ere, 
 Thus there him thowhte In AUe Manere. 232 
 
 And whanne to the Roche Aryved sche was, 
 Owt of ]>e schippe sche Cometh a ful gret pas ; 
 
 2 p 2 
 
 les ondes de la mer, qui sounoient et 
 demenoient mult grant noise. 
 
 et lors le drecha, 
 
 et esgarda 
 
 vers Occident, si vit venir 
 ichele nef des maintenant 
 
 en quoi il auoit veue Ja dame a 1' autre 
 
 fois. 
 
 Et quant il vit la nef, si fu mult efFrees. 
 
 Car il doutoit 
 
 ke chele feme qui dedens venoit, ne fust de 
 
 mauuaise part, et ke ele ne fust uenue pour 
 
 lui souduire, 
 
 Lors si commanda mult a dieu, 
 
 ' ke il fust garde de s' ame, 
 
 comment ke il auenist du cors. Et 
 que la chars ne fesist oeure 
 
 par quoi il fust desuoies de son boin 
 proposement : ' itel com il 1' auoit em- 
 pris.' 
 
 Com il ot sa proiere finee : 
 si se tourna vers orient. 
 
 etenclina chele part demult boin cuer, 
 
 en r ouneur de la glorieuse chite de 
 iherusalem, en quoi li benois fiex dieu 
 auoit este vrais crucefiies 
 
 pour ses amis ieter hors de la pardu- 
 rable caitiuete. 
 
 A tant vint la nef, 
 
 autresi riche et autresi biele com il 
 1' auoit veue a 1' autre fois. 
 
 Et quant ele fu ariuee, 
 si vint la dame hors, 
 
292 
 
 THE FAIR TTOilAX SATS THAT SEBAPHE AND SAREACYXTE AUE DEADj 
 
 But the king 3af hire ]>exG non Greting, 
 Xe non Word to hire spak At here Conieng. 236 
 And Trhanne sche Sawh ]?at he -nolde not speke, 
 Anon there sche gan to him to hym Reke, 
 
 And gan him Axen ' how he hadde fare 
 
 240 
 
 244 
 
 248 
 
 252 
 
 Sethen the tyme sche was last thare.' 
 Anon he seide ' sche ne hadde not to do 
 Of no thing Viim to Refreinen so ;' 
 And Opev Answere tho hadde sche non, 
 Ches whethir sche wolde Abyden Ojier gon. 
 
 And whanne sche him herde thus Answer, 
 Anon to lawhen be-gan sche there, 
 " Kyng Eualach," sche seide, " I se by the, 
 Thow hast lost bothe mynde & Memore ; 
 For sethen that thou took this CreAunce 
 The hath behapped ful 3iIoehel Xoisaunce, 
 Ful Mochel sorwe and trebulaciown. 
 And 3it Mochel More is the forto Com ; 
 And 3it there-offen 3evest fiou neuere Adel, 
 But, As me Semeth, it liketh the wel 
 As Ony worschepe J^at Evere haddest ]jou. 
 And as moche it were for thy prow. 
 Xeuertheles thanne, I kan the telle 
 Tydinges newe bothe fresch & snelle 
 That I have seia with bothe Myn Eyen, 
 Eor it is ful soth I schal the seyen. 
 Streyht from sarras I Come to the ; 
 That I schal Sein, thow myht leven me ; 
 Eor wete thow wel Eul Certeinle 
 That ded Is thi goode frend Seraphe ; 
 Eor Xeuere schalt thow him se with Eye, 
 Xejjer Saracynte thy qwene Certeialie." 
 
 "Whanne that the k}-ng thus herde here seyn. 
 Anon fowle Astoned was he tho Certein ; 268 
 
 256 
 
 260 
 
 264 
 
 et li rois ne le salua onques, 
 
 ne mot ne li dist. 
 
 et quant ele vit ke il ne li diroit mot, 
 
 si r araisna auant. 
 
 Et apres li demanda ' comment il 1' auoit 
 
 fait 
 
 puis ke ele ne 1' auoit mais veu.' 
 
 Et il li respond! 'keeleen auoit a faire. 
 II ne li deuoit mie respondre, puis ke 
 ele n' estoit de la creanche ihesu crist 
 autresi com il estoit.' 
 
 Quant ele 1' oi, 
 
 si commenclia a rire ausi comme chil 
 
 qui escarnist autrui. 
 
 Et si li dist, " rois enalach, or uoi ion bien 
 
 ke tu as perdu le sens, et de te memoire le 
 grignour partie. 
 
 Car tu ses de noir ke onques puis que tn 
 recheus cheste creanche dont tu paroles : 
 ne t'auint biens ne honeurs. anchois as 
 
 puis en toutes les doleurs et tous les 
 anuis. 
 
 Et pour chou ne te chasties tu, ne tant 
 
 ne quant. 
 
 anchois i es ausi fers 
 
 com se toutes les hounours te fuissent 
 
 por ckou venues, et tout li bien. 
 
 Ore te dirai 
 
 nouueles iteus com ie les sai de uoLr. 
 
 Car ie ne te dirai chose que ie n' aie 
 veue a mes ies. 
 
 II est voirs proues ke ie ring ore en- 
 droit de ton regne, et si ai este a sar- 
 ras puis ke ie parti ier de toi. 
 Et si saches bien de uoir. 
 ke seraphes, tes mieudres amis, est 
 mors. 
 
 ne iamais a nul ior de ta vie ne le verras, 
 ne ta feme serracuite.'' 
 
 Quant li rois 1' oi ensi parler, 
 
 si li fu tous li sans pour la grant 
 
 angoisse qu'il en ot. 
 
AND OFFERS HIM PRECIOUS STONES AND RICH GOODS IP HE WILL DO HER WILL. 293 
 
 But 3it Neuertheles he ne leved it Nowht, 
 
 So Mochel On Jesus Crist was his thowht ; 
 
 But for the grete love ]?at he hadde to his wif 
 
 And to his brothir, with-Owten Strif, 272 
 
 That Cawsed him moche more mone to Make 
 
 !For his Qweene & sire Nasciens Sake. 
 
 But for Owht that sche Oowde sein him to 
 
 Owt that Roche Nolde he not Go. 276 
 
 And whanne sche Saw that with non falsnesse 
 Him Ouercome ne hringen In distresse, 
 Sche bad him " Come sen the E/iche thinge 
 That In that schippe sche dide him bringe." 280 
 Thanne to hire seide the kyng Ageyn 
 ]?at " In tlie Schippe I ne wele not Comen Certein, 
 Ne for non thing that thow kanst do 
 Owt from this Roch I wele nowht go." 284 
 
 Thanne Onkeuered sche the scliippe In haste, 
 And preide him loken Atte laste. 
 Thanne the kyng loked In for the Nones, 
 Where-Inne he sawh many preciows stones 288 
 
 As that him thowhte there to his Eye, 
 And mochel Other B-ichesse Sekerlye. 
 " Lo, kyng Eualach, thow wenest that I be 
 Eor non goodnesse I-comen to the, 292 
 
 But ful wel mystest thow weten & knowe 
 That Al this Richesse ])at here Is On A rowe 
 May Not Comen from non Eyel plase, — 
 Eor ful mochel loie there is there this wase, — 296 
 And 3if thow wilt with me now go, 
 Owther My Cownseil Assentyn vnto, 
 Al this Richesse schalt thow have, 
 And 3it Mochel more 3if ]pow wilt Crave." 300 
 
 Lo Al this Counseil 3af this wommanne 
 To this kyng Eualach there thanne ; 
 
 Et nepourquant il ne creoit mie uraie- 
 ment ches nouieles. 
 
 Mais la grant cHertes ke il auoit vers 
 son serourge et vers sa feme, 
 
 Ten faisoit estre en doutanche, et en sous- 
 
 pechon. Ensi le tourbla la feme, et courecha, 
 
 par ches paroles et par autres ; dont ele li disoit 
 
 asses qui toutes estoient appareillies a son 
 
 courous et a son damage, 
 
 Et nepourquant ele ne peut onques tant faire 
 
 ke ele le mesist en corage d' aler en sa com- 
 
 paignie, ne de la roehe werpir. 
 
 Et quant ele vit ke d' ilueo ne le por- 
 
 roit ieter : 
 
 si li dist ' Ke il venist veoir la biaute 
 
 et la rikeohe 
 
 ke dedens sa nef estoit.' 
 
 Et li rois respondi 
 
 ' Ke en se nef n' enterroit il ia, 
 
 ne pour nule chose qu' il oist, ne veist, 
 
 la roobe ne werpiroit.' 
 
 Et la dame descouuri tantost la nef del drap 
 
 noir dont ele estoit encourtinee toute. 
 
 si dist au roi. " Ore esgarde, eualach." 
 
 Et li rois esgarde dedens, 
 
 si vit ke ele estoit toute plaine de 
 pierres precieuses par samblant, 
 
 et des plus riches dras ke il onques 
 eust veu. 
 
 Et ele li dist "Kois eualach. Tvt quides 
 ke ie ne soie pas de boine part : pour 
 chou ke ie ne croi ta fole creanche. 
 T' est il auis 
 
 ke si grans rikeche et si precieus tresors 
 vienge de manuals lieu. 
 
 Toute cheste rikeche qui est si grans, 
 dont tu ne veis onques mais autrestant, 
 fust toie: Se tu ne vausisses contenir 
 a mon los et a mon consel." 
 
 Ensi amonesta chele dame 
 
 le roi, et par paroles et par promesses. 
 
294 MORDREINS T^'ILL NOT ANSWER TO HIS NAME EVALACH, BUT HOLDS TO GOD. 
 
 But for alle hire wordis & hire faire promyse 
 Thens wold he not Gon In non wyse ; 304 
 
 And 3it ful moche distorbeled he was 
 Por his qweene & Seraphe In that plas, 
 
 And whanne sche beheld him Atte laste 
 That In his Creaunee he was so stedfaste 308 
 
 So whanne that Eualach sche Cald him 
 
 there, 
 ~Eov that Name he wolde not Answere ; 
 For, he seide, the devel he hadde forsake, 
 And Onlych to God be baptem him take ; 312 
 
 Thanne Gan sche to lawghen Eft sone. 
 And seide, " Evalach, litel hast thow to done, 
 Eor be that Name, I the now Say, 
 Worschepe and Oonqwest hast Jjou geten mani 
 
 day ; 316 
 
 But be that whiche now thow hast to Name, 
 Ne Gote thow neuere but thowht sorewe & 
 schame."* 
 
 Ful longe it lasted, this temptacioun 
 Toward this kyng with gret tribulaciown, 320 
 
 That so sche him Reproved of his distresse, 
 Of his Angwisch, & of his porenesse. 
 And Euere Answerid this kyng Agein 
 Onlich Of goddis myht tho In Certein, 324 
 
 And Also of Goddis Rihtful Creaunee, 
 ' "VMiiche that I wil holden with-Owten 
 
 variaunce ; 
 And for Alle the 3iftes & the beheste, 
 Nejier for Alle the Richesse lest ne Meste, 328 
 
 Ne schal me tornen Owt Of my thowht 
 From him that me dere hath bowht." 
 
 Mais onques pour nule chose ke ele li 
 
 desist 
 
 a son voloir ne le peut mener. 
 
 Et nepourquant ele le tourbla mult et 
 
 courecha en son corage, et d' autres 
 
 paroles dont ele I'assaloit mult souuent. 
 
 Mais ele le trouvoit 
 
 si ferin et si eatable es commandemens 
 
 de son creatour. 
 
 Que quant ele 1' apieloit eualach : il li 
 
 disoit 
 
 ke a chest nom ne responderoit il iamais 
 
 Car il r auoit laissiet au dyable, de qui 
 il I'auoit tous iours tenu.' 
 
 Et chele rioit en escarnissant, 
 et disoit, 
 
 ' ke en cheste non de eualach auoit il 
 toutes les hounours conquises, et la 
 grant hauteche ke il auoit eue. 
 
 Mais a chesti nom ke il auoit ore: 
 
 n auoit c'onques se doleur non et pes- 
 anche.' 
 
 Mult durerent les tenchons longement 
 entr' aus deus, 
 
 ke chele li reprouoit les grans aaises 
 ke il auoit tous iours eues, et les grans 
 honours. 
 
 Et il li ietoit encontre 
 
 la grant hauteche precieuse de la sainte 
 creanche au sauueour urai ke il auoit 
 recheue, 
 
 si le priisoit asses plus, 
 
 et mieus la uoloit soulFrir en pouerte 
 terriene : ke auoir les grans rikeches 
 ke li dyables li soloit douner, par quoi 
 il alast en perdurable destruisement." 
 
 * End of a Chapter in the English MS. 
 
THE TEMPTRESS DEPARTS. A TEMPEST RISES. A WONDERFUL SOUND IS HEARD. 295 
 
 Whanne ]?at sclie sawgh that in non degre 
 
 Owt Of that Roche to don him fle, 332 
 
 Nethir for 3iftes ne non qweintise, 
 
 Ne for non thing Ipai sche Cowde devise, 
 
 Thanne Anon to ]>e Schippe sche torned Agein 
 
 As to fore tymes sche dide ful pleyn. 336 
 
 Anon E-iht thanne As sche was Gon. 
 A fowl strong tempest there Eos Anon, 
 E/iht As fowl & hidows it was there 
 As it was the tother day there before. 340 
 
 Thanne here-Offen Merveilled pe kyng Anon 
 How that this womman was so gon, 
 And that Al the Richesse hadde him browht, 
 "Whethir that it were Owht Ojjer nowht, 344 
 
 And that In schort while sche hadde I-be 
 At Sarras, & to him I-comen thedir A3e, — 
 The wheche xvij dayes ionrne scholde be 
 As to forn tymes sche told it to Me. 348 
 
 And whanne this tempest he Sawh thus fare, 
 In his herte he hadde ful Mochel care. 
 And so gret dirknesse fll him vpon. 
 That sihte there myhte he sen non 352 
 
 But 3if it were tyme of Of lyghteneng 
 That to him Cam beforn the thondring ; 
 And Erere this tempest trowbled faste 
 That seker Euere he wende it wold han laste. 356 
 
 And whiles he was In this thenkyng. 
 Him thowhte he herde A wondir sowneng 
 "Wheche that scholde Comen from An hy, 
 As tho him thowhte ful trewely ; 360 
 
 So, what for ferd & that sown, 
 Streiht to the Erthe he fyl Adown, 
 That he ne myht steren foot ne bond, 
 Nethir non lyme where-Onne to stonde, 364 
 
 Et quant chele vit ke ele ne le porroit 
 de son boin proposement ne mouuoir 
 ne fleohir. 
 
 si s' en tourna tot 
 
 autresi irement com ele auoit fait a 
 I'autre fie. 
 Et tantost 
 
 resourdi apres li vne tempeste, 
 
 plus grans asses et plus espoentable 
 ke chele qui auoit este deuant. 
 
 Et li rois fu remes tous pensis 
 
 de chele feme : qui ele pooit estre 
 
 qui si grans rikeches li auoit moustrees 
 et offertes. 
 
 et ki en si peu d' eure estoit venue 
 de son pais. 
 
 Et si tesmoignoit ke il estoit .xvij. 
 iournees Icing de chele roche. 
 
 Et quant il vit la tempeste si grant et 
 
 si hideuse: et si fu si espoentes. 
 
 Et il commencha mult durement a 
 
 touner et a espartir. 
 
 Et li chieus en oscurchi si durement, 
 
 et tous li airs, ke a paines pooit li rois 
 
 goute de clairte veoir, 
 
 ke seulement des espars du tounoire 
 
 et de la luour de la mer. 
 
 Et quant il ot grant pieche toune et 
 esparti : 
 
 si cliai de haut vns escrois. 
 
 Et li rois fu si estourdis, 
 ke il ne se peut soustenir, 
 ne des menbres aidier. ^ 
 
296 A THUNDERCLAP KNOCKS OFF THE TOP OF THE EOCK. MOBDKEINS PEATS. 
 
 But that Onne this with his hondis two 
 To the Greces of the Eoche he Cleved tho. 
 
 And whiles that he lay In this degre, 
 Anon A thondir Clappe Cam there tie 368 
 
 That Al the heyest partye of that Roche Anon 
 Into the se-botme gan forto gon, 
 So that there lefte but a litel s'pase 
 The kyng Onne to Reste ]?at there wase, 372 
 
 And the Remnaunt that was smeten Away 
 "VVas neuere more sein Into this day. 
 Anon the kyng for drede fil there A-down, 
 Eul longe there liggeng In a swown. 376 
 
 Whanne O^vt of his swowneng Awaked was he 
 Thorgwh the Oomforteng Of the Maiestie, 
 Al the tempest was Ouer gon, 
 
 That noise ne thondring herde he non ; 380 
 
 Therto the See In pesible stat it was 
 That to fore tyme was hidows in Ipai plas, 
 So that of tempest herd he neuere A del 
 Wheche to forn times he herde ful wel. 384 
 
 Thanne Abowtes him loked he ful faste, 
 And the Roche he Missede atte laste, 
 Whiche |7at was the heyest partye ; 
 Thanne In his herte hadde he gret Anoye, 388 
 
 And In his Mynde was gretly Abascht 
 How that Roche was so de-dascht. 
 
 Thanne Anon gan he forto Make 
 The signe Of the Crois for Owre lordis sake ; 392 
 Botlie vppon his hed and vppon his body 
 He made the Signe of God Almyghty, 
 And besowhte God, for his special grace, 
 Him to Comforte & kepen In that place 395 
 
 In Riht wit, Mynde, & Memorye ; — 
 Thus this kyng tho to God gan Crye. 
 
 Fors itaiit seulement ke il s' aliert a deus 
 mains si com il peut, tant ke toutes 
 voies se retint as degres de ]a roche. 
 Endementiers ke il se tenoit en tel 
 maniere 
 
 si descendi vns eiFoudres, 
 et feri si durement el plus haut de la 
 rocke, ke il le fendi toute iusc' au fons 
 de la mer. 
 
 Et fu si a droiture fendue par le mi- 
 lieu, ke la moitie reiuest tout en es- 
 tant autresi com ele auoit este deuant. 
 Et sour cheli remest li rois. 
 Et I'autre moitie qui de cheli esquartela : chai 
 el fons de la mer, en tel maniere ke onques 
 puis ne fu vcue par nul home viuant. 
 Et H rois iut tous pasmes ausi com s' 
 il fust mors sour I'autre moitie qui 
 remese estoit, et si fu en pamison mult 
 longement. 
 
 Et quant il reuint de pamison 
 par le plaisir notre signour ■ 
 si fu la tempeste toute passe. 
 
 Et il ouuri les iex, 
 et paisieule, 
 
 SI uit la mer ooie 
 
 ne ne uit nule rien, ne n' oi, de tout 
 chou qu' il auoit deuant oi et veu. 
 
 Et quant il fu bien desestourdis : si se 
 drecha et commencha a regarder tout 
 entour lui. Si vit la roche, ki estoit 
 fendue de la uirtu iusc' au fons de la 
 mer. 
 
 Et lors fu il si durement esbahis. ke 
 par .i. pen. ke il ne ckai en la mer, 
 tous esperdus de paour et de deses- 
 peranche. 
 
 Lors fist 
 
 le signe de la sainte crois 
 
 sour son chief, et sour ses membres, 
 et sour son cors. 
 
 Et pria le glorieus sauueour du monde, 
 'ke il, par la soie misericorde, 
 li dounast si ferin cuer, et si enterin 
 ke il peust estre seurs et vigereus en- 
 contre dies meruelles et ches paours.' 
 
MOBDREINS IS HUNGRY. HE FINDS A BLACK LOAF AND TRIES TO BITE IT. 
 
 297 
 
 And whanne thus his preieres he hadde I-do, 
 A wondirful lust thanne Cam him to 400 
 
 That he moste slepen Nedelye, 
 As here vs telleth this storye ; — 
 So that On the Roche there he slepte 
 Vppon swich A spas As him was lefte ; 404 
 
 And whanne Of his slepe Jjat he A-wook, 
 Swich An hunger there him took, 
 That him thowhte ded forto be 
 But 3if of Mete he hadde plente. 408 
 
 And whanne thus longe he had mad his Mone 
 To him Self there All Alone 
 Of his Misaise and hunger ful strong, 
 So that lyven him thowghte myhte he not 
 
 long : 412 
 
 And as Abowtes him he lokede there. 
 He say, him thowghte, In a qweynt Manere 
 Ligeng vppon A grees Of ston 
 
 A wondir blak lof there Anon ; 416 
 
 And whanne this lof beheld he tho, 
 A wondir strong pas he gan forto go 
 To-ward thike lof [it] for to take, 
 Lik As gret hunger it gan to Make. 420 
 
 And whanne he hadde it In his bond, 
 It forto breken tho gan he fond. 
 But therto hadde he no Miht ; 
 
 But al hoi to his Mowth Anon riht 424 
 
 He it there putte to hau biten vppon. 
 And therto his Mowth he Openede Anon. 
 
 And In the Mene whille him thowghte he 
 herde 
 O wondirful noise, and qweyntely Ferde, 433 
 
 As thowgh AUe the fowles of the Eyr 
 To him ward they gonnen Repeire ; 
 
 2q 
 
 A tant se rasist li rois, 
 si li prist si grans talens 
 de soumellier 
 
 ke par fin est o uoir s'endormi au 
 pie de la roclie 
 
 sour tant peu d' espaisse, com il i auoit. 
 Et quant il fu resuillies, 
 
 si li prist vns si grans fains, et an- 
 
 goisseus, 
 
 ke il quidoit bien vraiement ke il n' en 
 
 escapast ia se parmi la mort non. 
 
 Et quant il se fu mult longement com- 
 plains, et dementes 
 
 de sa mesaise : 
 
 si esgarda derriere lui, 
 
 et vit 
 
 iesir desour i. des degres. 
 
 .i. pain mult durement noir. 
 
 Et quant il le uit, si en eut mult grant 
 
 ioie. 
 
 Et il se leua pour 1' aler prendre, 
 
 comma chil qui li fains destraingoit a 
 
 desmesure. 
 
 Et quant il le tint, 
 
 si ne se vaut pas tant del^ier que il 
 r eust pechoie: 
 
 anchois le mult tout entir a sa bouche 
 pour mordre. 
 
 Et tantost com il ot la bouche ouuerte 
 et li vaut les dens fichier el pain. 
 Si oi de uers le ohiel 
 
 venir .j. si grant bruit; 
 
 ke il li fu auis qu' il auoit les eles de 
 tous les oisiaus de Fair. 
 
298 
 
 THE WONDERFUL BIKD THAT SWOOPED DOWN ON MOEDBEINS. 
 
 Eor wheche gret drede In that Manere 
 
 Anon his hed he lefte vp there ; 432 
 
 And to him there Cam distending Adown 
 
 A merveillous fowl with a wondirful sown ; 
 
 For SO wondirful he was, & so divers, 
 
 That neuere to forne tyme tonge Cowde 
 
 Rehers ;— 436 
 
 The hed of him was as blak As pich, 
 Ne non Othir Colowr was it lich, — 
 And therto bothe his Eyen & his teeth 
 As brenneng Eir forsothe they beth ; 440 
 
 But the schape Of his hed it was 
 Lik An Orible dragon In that plas. 
 And therto two homes In his hed ; 
 It was A wondirful sihte In that sted : 444 
 
 Also A fui long nekke like to a dragown ; 
 A wondirful brid, & of a qweynte faciown ; 
 His brest like a lyown Schapen was there, 
 His feet like an Egle In A qweynte Manere ; 448 
 And from pe Joyntes Of his feet to the 
 
 scholdres vpriht, 
 Wondirful wynges, & swyft to flyht, — 
 As swift they weren In alle thing 
 As to-forn the thondir is the lyhgtenyng — 452 
 
 And therto As hard As Ony steel, 
 As scharpe As A Rasowr bytyng ful wel; 
 Therto his fetheris white weren Also, 
 As scharpe as storm Of hail therto ; 456 
 
 And whanne that scliarply he fyl A-down, 
 This ilke brid made A wondirful sown. 
 
 And therto the bek of his hed that was there, 
 It was as scharpe As Ony spere, 46o 
 
 And Also brennenge vppon forto se 
 As lyghteneng that to-fore the thondir doth fle. 
 
 Et pour le grant paour de que il en 
 
 eut, 
 
 leua il sa teste en haut, 
 
 si esgarda. et vit tout droit a luis des- 
 
 cendre. 
 
 .i. oisel grant, et meruelleus, 
 
 et si diuers 
 
 ke onques mais n'auoit autrestel veu: 
 ne parler n'en auoit oi. 
 
 Chil oisiaus auoit la teste autresi noire 
 comme poi : 
 
 et les iex 
 
 autresi rouges comme fus en brases. 
 Et si dent estoient tout autrestel. Et 
 la teste estoit toute figouree a maniere 
 de sarpent cornu. 
 
 Et si auoit le col tout autrestel comme 
 lions. 
 
 Et si pie estoient ambedoi tout au- 
 trestel de fachon : comme chil d'aigle. 
 Et a la iointoure del pis etdes espaules 
 
 si auoit vnes eles 
 
 autresi brunoians comme vns achiers : 
 et ausi trenchans par deuant com est 
 vns glaiues bien acheres. 
 
 Et deriere parmi les rains, en auoit 
 
 vnes qui estoient ausi blanches comme 
 
 noif: 
 
 et ausi bruians comme tempeste de 
 
 graille quant ele chiet par fort vent en 
 
 grant espesete de brankes. 
 
 Et li chies de sa keue 
 
 estoit ausi agus comme vne espee. 
 
 Et autresi enilames 
 
 comme est vns coins des foudre des- 
 
 cendans. 
 
HOW BIRDS & BEASTS PEAR IT. HOW THREE GO ALWAYS TOGETHER. HOW BORN. 299 
 
 TJppon this Maner lik As 30 here 
 Was this brid On this Manere, 
 As E-ecordeth here the devyn storye 
 That to vs hath put In Memorye, — 
 So that this Bryd ne fieeth be non weye 
 But that alle briddis & bestes of hym haven 
 
 Eye; 
 Be whom ]>e Saviour Of al this world 
 In this brid scheweth, be his Owen Acord, 
 Bothe his miht & Ek his drede, 
 And alle Creatures of hym took hede ; 
 Eor that brid is so dowted, I telle it the, 
 That be what weye that Evere he fle, 
 Bothe brid & beste they don him fle, 
 Lik as be figiure I schal Schewen to ]>e. 
 Behold how J^at derknesse to forn pe sonne 
 
 doth fle, 
 Riht so Alle briddes & bestes, I telle it the. 
 So fleen the sihte Of this brid, lo, 
 That to forn tymes I declared 30W so. 
 
 And of swich kynde this brid it is. 
 That As thre to-gederes with-Owten Mis — ■ 
 As the Scripture Recordith now here — 
 That As thre Overal he flikth In fere, 
 Lik as he that of a womman was born 
 With-Owten compeine of Man, As I have re- 
 
 hersed befern ; 
 And whanne Bedy to ben born they be, — 
 Of A wondirful kynde this storie scheweth 
 
 to me ; 
 Eor so Cold they been In Alle thing there, 
 That non wiht duren it May In non Manere 
 Sawfe Only the modir of the same, — 
 Wihche is a brid of a Merveillous fame ; 
 
 2q2 
 
 de tel maniere com vous aues oi 
 4g4 estoit li oisiaus. 
 
 Et si tesmoigne la deuine auctorites : 
 
 ke il ne vole nule fie 
 
 se pour espoenter non chiaus et cheles 
 
 468 
 
 472 
 
 476 
 
 480 
 
 488 
 
 en qui li sauueres de monde 
 
 vieut sa crieme et son paour espandre. 
 
 et tant est doiites de toute creature, 
 
 ke ia en son voler ne se mousterra 
 nus oisiaus ne nule beste, anchois 
 fuient ausi tout deuant lui 
 
 com les tenebres fuient devant la 
 clarte du soleil. 
 
 Et si est de tel nature 
 
 ke il n' en puet estre. ke .iii. ensam- 
 ble. 
 ^g . Car che dist li verites de I'escripture : 
 
 ' ke il naissent de fumiele sans com- 
 paignie de marie.' 
 
 Et quant il sont apparilliet a naistre, 
 et il doiuent issir hors des oes : 
 
 492 
 
 si sont de si grant froidure plain, 
 
 ke nule riens ne porroit la froidure 
 
 souffrir 
 
 fors ke la mere seulement. 
 
300 HOW THE bird's MOTHER FIXDS A STONE, AND WARMS HERSELE WITH IT. 
 
 Per whanne this long suffrede hath sche, 
 
 And non lengere with that Cold may sche be, 
 
 Hu'e Eyren sche leveth, & taketh hire iiyht 
 
 Into a fer Contre there Anon Ryht, 496 
 
 Where that sche hopeth forto fynde 
 
 A precious ston of MerveiUous kynde, 
 
 Wheche In the vale of Ebron is at alle dayes. 
 
 Of a \Tondirful kynde, as the storye sayes ; 500 
 
 For Of his owne kynde he is so hot, 
 
 That non man therwith him self drar frot 
 
 Til it gynne Chawfe Of his Owne kynde, — 
 
 Thus fareth theke ston So good & hende. 504 
 
 For there as Cold is, it loketh pale. 
 
 As kyn.de telleth vs be Olde tale ; 
 
 And whanne Cold thing A-chawfed is Owht, 
 
 Anon to Red Colowr it is I-browht, 508 
 
 And thus be frotyng Of that ston 
 
 It be-Cometh Red as Ony Blood Anon. 
 
 And whanne this brid this ston hath fownde, 
 Therwith sche hii'e Chafeth In that stownde, 512 
 And litel & litel sche schawfeth hire so, 
 Til that hire Cold be ful nygh Ago. 
 And 3it In hire beek sche taketh it thore 
 And hire self doth chawfe 3it wel more ; 5 16 
 
 And 3it sche thinketh ful litel there 
 For the grete Cold jjat sche soffred Ere ; 
 And whanne that hete sche feleth plente, 
 A3en to hire Eyren thanne doth sche fie. 520 
 
 Whanne that In place sche cometh there 
 As to forn tymes hire Eyren were. 
 So hot sche semeth to been with-Inne, 
 That Al hire body on fyr doth brenne, 524 
 
 That hire Self helpen sche ne May, 
 So hot sche is with-Inne, ]?e sothe to say ; 
 
 Ne la mere meisme ne la puet mie de 
 tout en tout souffrir ke ele ne puet en 
 auant. 
 
 si laisse eles ses oes, et vole 
 
 tant ke ele troeue 
 
 vne maniere de pierre: 
 
 qui est tous iours en la ualee ke on 
 apiele ebron. 
 
 Chele pierre si est de si oaude nature : 
 
 ke ele ne puet a nule chose froiier: 
 
 ke tantost ne se prenge la chose a 
 quoi ele froiera. Mais tous iours le 
 porroit on tenir en sa main: anchois 
 que la mains en escaufast sans froiier. 
 IMais tantost com on la froie a aucune 
 chose : si mue sa ooulour de chele 
 part ou onlefi'oie. Car ele est natu- 
 relment toute blanche. ' Et tantost 
 com ele froie, si deuint toute vermelle 
 comme sans, deuers la froiure. Et 
 lors esprent sans estaindre toute la 
 chose a quoi ele touche. ne ia la flambe 
 n' i parra. 
 
 Ec quant li mere a chiaus oisiaus a 
 trouee chele pierre : 
 si se frote tant a li, 
 
 et hurte de son bee 
 
 ke ele le sent escaufer. 
 
 et lors ne li est mie asses de chele 
 
 calour, car ele li samble estre petite pour 
 
 la tres grande froidure ke ele a tant 
 
 soufferte, si froie plus et plus. 
 
 tant ke ele sent la grant calour, 
 
 et lors si prent sa voice, si en retourue 
 
 arriere a ses oes. 
 
 Et quant ele vient la: 
 
 si I'a li fus si durement arse par dedens 
 le cors : 
 
 ke ele ne se puetaidier. Et pour chou 
 k' ele sent la grant ardeur ke ele a el 
 cors, dont ele ne puet refroidier, 
 
now THE BIRDS EAT THEIR MOTHER'S CINDERS, AND ARE PROUD, AND EIGHT. 301 
 
 And therfore thanne weneth sche 
 
 That hire Eyren Alle I-brend scholde be, 528 
 
 So that sche withdraweth hire there fro, 
 
 And with hire body not neigheth hem tho, 
 
 But l^at A good spas from hire nest, 
 
 As hire self it liketh hire best ; 532 
 
 So ]jat be the hete of hire body so fer fro. 
 
 Hire briddes sche bringeth forth Alle po 
 
 That for Cold scholden Ellis dye ; 
 
 This is here kynde ful Certeinlie. 536 
 
 And thus thorwgh Chawfyng of this ston 
 The Modir to powdir is brend Anon. 
 
 An whanne hire briddes thus browht forth be, 
 Abowtes the Asches of hire Modir gonne they fie, 540 
 And there-Offen taken here sustenawnce 
 That was theke time to here plesauuce, 
 Tyl that they haven bothe lif & membres ; 
 Thus Eten they of here Moder Syndres. 544 
 
 And whanne Alle they ben Eton Eclion, 
 The Syndres Of here Modir, & not ]jeroffen 
 
 left on. 
 Anon So prowde they wexen Alle thre 
 That prowdere briddes ne Mown neuere be ; 548 
 Thanne Comen the tweyne that males be, 
 That neither Other may suffre In non degre ; 
 And whanne here ful strengthe fully they 
 
 have, 
 Eche of hem Of ]?e thridde Maistrie doth Crave 552 
 To hau the femele At his owne wille ; 
 Thus to Othir forseth him vntille, 
 So that Anon thorwgh gret pride 
 The ton the tothir Sleth that tyde. 556 
 
 Scipilions, is Clepid this brid. 
 As thus In this storie it is red. 
 
 si set bien, 
 
 ke ausi arderoient li. oef se ele se met- 
 
 oit deseure. 
 
 Lors se traist .i. peu loing de lui. 
 
 et la grant calours qui de li resourt, 
 
 escaufe si les oes ke li oisiel en es- 
 
 cloeiit 
 
 qui dedens morroient de froit se che 
 
 n' estoit. 
 
 Et quant la mere es toute arse et mise 
 en chendre: 
 
 si se traient li oiselet entour, 
 
 et de chele pourre se soustienent. 
 
 Si en menguent tant qu'il ont .i. peu 
 de forche, et es cors et es menbres. 
 
 Et quant il ont mangie la pourre qui 
 est de lor mere : ia puis d' autre viande 
 ne gousteront a nul iour. 
 
 Lors vienent li doi qui sont marie, 
 
 si sont si orguilleus, et si fier, ke li uns 
 
 ne puet 1' autre souffrir. 
 
 Et quant il sont venii en lor grant forche. 
 
 Si sont de si grant orguel ke chascuns d' aus 
 
 deus 
 
 vent auoir la signourie du tierch oisiel que est 
 
 fumiele. 
 
 Par che monte entr' aus deus la grant 
 
 haine et la grant me.Uee. 
 
 Tant qu'il s' entrecombatent, et ke li 
 
 uns ochist 1' autre. Ensi s'entrochient 
 
 li doi malle, 
 
 si n' en remaint ke la femiele qui est 
 
 apielee ' serpolions.' Et la pierre de 
 
 quoi ele s' art, est apielee ' piratiste.' 
 
302 THE BIBD SCIPILIO^'S HITS IIORDKEIXS. HE SWOOXS ; AND IS HUXGIIT ALL NIGHT. 
 
 Swich. was the brid that decendid Ipeve 
 Down to the kyng In this ]Manere, 5G0 
 
 And smot the lof Owt Of his hond 
 That to his niowth to putten gan he fond, 
 And Into the see he threw it there, 
 Eiht fer In a Merveillows Manere. 564 
 
 And whanne he hadde so I-do, 
 He took his flyht & ileygh him fro ; 
 And Aftirwardis he torned Ageyn, 
 And the kyng to the Erthe was fallen pleyn ; 568 
 And with his Eyht wynge he smot him so 
 That his Clothes & his Skyn he barst vn to, 
 And from the haterel In to the foot, 
 Into the harde flesh that strok it bot ; 572 
 
 And thanne this brid took forth his flyht 
 From that kyng Anon Tho Uyht. 
 
 And pe kyng In swowneng at the Erthe lay 
 Eor drede & sorwe of that grete Afray 576 
 
 Tyl that the day was Xygh Agon, 
 And to the Xyht faste Entrede vppon. 
 
 And whanne he was waked of his swowneng, 
 Eul feint & feble he was In alle thing 580 
 
 That of the grete hunger he hadde to fore, 
 Whiche that him Greved so sore, 
 Thowgh Alle worldly mete thanne had he sein, 
 There-Offen to Ete he ne myhte Certeia. 534 
 
 And thus Abod he Al that Xyht 
 Tyl on the Morwe it was day lyht ; 
 And whanne the day be-gan to dawe, 
 Thanne ]5eroffen was this kyng ful fa we ; 588 
 
 Thanne he bethowghte him In his mynde 
 Of that brid so Mervetllous of kynde. 
 That his lif so hadde Casten Away, 
 Many thankynges to God he 5af that day, 599 
 
 Teus estoit li oisiaus ti descendi 
 an roi sour le degre quant il ot mis a 
 sa bouche le pain ke il auoit troue 
 sour le degre. Et quant il 1' oi 
 Yenir si com il descendoit bruiant : si 
 ot mult grant paour. Et li oisiaus de 
 si grant forcbe com il descendi: feri 
 le pain si tres durement ke il tenoit: 
 qu' il U fist tors des poins voler, 
 et cbaoir en la mer. 
 Et quant il ot eke fait, 
 
 si monta en kaut mult isnelement. 
 
 et puis reuint arrere bruiant. 
 
 Si trouua le roi gisant tout estendu 
 
 a terre. 
 
 Et il lait la destre ele aler deuant, si 
 
 le feri si qu' il H rompi toute la crigne 
 
 res a res du katerel. 
 
 Et H trencka toute sa uesture iusc' a. 
 la ckar. 
 
 A tant s' enparti li oisiaus, si tres dure- 
 ment bruiant ke nus n'en porroit la 
 verite esponre se veu ne 1' auoit. 
 Et li rois se vit a terre pasmes mult 
 longement. onques ne s' en leua, ne 
 ne revint de pamison deuant ke U fu 
 pries de la nuit. Car grant partie du 
 iour estoit ia passee a 1' cure qu' il se 
 pasma. Car ilpooit estre bas uespres, 
 Et quant il fu uenus de pamison. 
 Si fii si Tains et si estourdis : ke il pooit 
 a grant paLue goute veoir. 
 Et se il ot eu grant faim deuant onques 
 ne s' en senti nient plus ke il eust 
 mangiet toutes les viandes ke ses cuers 
 desirast. 
 
 Ensi demoura ckele nuit 
 
 tant ke U ^•int au matin, ke U vit 
 
 aiourner. 
 
 Et quant il vit aiourner 
 
 si fa mult a aise a uers che ke il auoit este 
 toute la unite en paour et en male auenture. 
 Et quant il 1' ot ramene a memoire che qu' il 
 auoit eu si grant faim : 
 et I'oisiel qui le pain li auoit tolu: 
 
 si commencha mult profondement a 
 souspixer del cuer et a plourer des iex, 
 
MOEDBEINS PRAYS TO GOD. THE MAN FROM THE SHIP COMPOETS HIM. 
 
 303 
 
 And seide, " lord God, I-worsclieped thow be 
 That from AUe these sorwes hast deliuered 
 
 me, 
 & wilt that I do bigge my synne 
 Ere than I Owt Of this world twynne ; 596 
 
 Eor swich wordis Of solace 30 hau me 
 
 sent, 
 That Of hunger have I lost myn talent, 
 Sowfe Only hunger Of sowle to susteyne, 
 Therfore lord I me to the Compleyne. 600 
 
 Now knowe I wel that this Maner thing 
 To me hidir Cam for non forthering, 
 But me to deceyven be weye of Eichesse, 
 Be 3iftes, Owther be fayr promesse ; 604 
 
 And Jierfore schal I neure In tyme comenge 
 My Mowth to Opene for non Swich thing, 
 Thowgh the body Scholde suflfren ded 
 Rathere thanne to Eten Ony bred, 608 
 
 But 3if it be, lord, thorwgh thy sonde, 
 Ony to handelyn with Myn honde ; 
 Ne nevere Owt of this Roche wele I gone, 
 But evere here dwellen Alone 612 
 
 Tyl that, lord, thy wille It be 
 Owt of this Roche to taken Me." 
 
 And thus vi dayes beleft the kyng 
 In that Roche, with-Owten lesyng, 616 
 
 And Eche Of these dayes Cam this good 
 
 man 
 And him comforted As he wel can : 
 Thanne swed the womman After Eche day 
 Of him to fonde to geten hire pray. 620 
 
 This Man Euere him tolde wordis Of Com- 
 fort 
 As Often As to him he gan Resort, 
 
 et disoit. " Biaus sire diex urais, ra- 
 chateres qui [de] perdurable destruc- 
 tion m' aues iete. Je vous aour, et 
 rench grasces de che ke i' ai veu 
 qu' il vous apese de mon peohie ke ie 
 voloie faire. 
 
 Car vous m' auies tant enuoie paroles 
 de solas et de oonfort, 
 
 ke bien deusse le faim del cors oublier. 
 pour le faim de 1' ame sooler. 
 
 Ore sai ie bien ke chil par qui chis 
 pains m' auoit este apparellies, 
 ne le faisoit mie pour mon preu. 
 
 Mais pour tel damage comme de moi 
 mener a mort. 
 
 Et pour chou ke si apierte demous- 
 tranche en aues faite : ne goustera ia- 
 mais ma bouche en cheste peril ou ie 
 sui de nule viande, comment que li 
 cors en soit angoisseus. 
 
 se vous par la votre deboinairete ne le 
 m' envoies. 
 
 Ne Jamais hors de cheste roclie ne 
 metrai le pie: 
 
 se vous, par qui volente ie croi ke ie 
 
 i sui venus, 
 
 ne m' en metes hors. 
 
 En cheste maniere demoura li rois en 
 
 la roche .vi. iours. 
 
 Et chascun iour venoit auant a lui li 
 hom de la nef, 
 
 et la dame apres. 
 
 Et si li disoit li hom toutes les paroles 
 qui a lui solagier et conforter pooient 
 auoir mestier. 
 
30i 
 
 THE GOOD MAN TELLS MOEDREINS HIS DELIVERANCE IS AT HAND. 
 
 And Euere spak the womman of Naysannce 
 
 To him, And Euere Of distorbaunce. 624 
 
 And whanne it was Comen to ]?e seventhe 
 
 day, 
 This good man to him Cam with-Owten delay. 
 And thus to him seide there in haste, 
 " Thin Ovvr of deliuerannce Aprocheth faste, 6-28 
 3if thow wilt hennes-forward 
 The kepen from temptaciowns hard 
 Of the devel, whiche he wile Asaye 
 In many weyes the to be-traye." 632 
 
 Thanne Axede him the kyng ' In what 
 Manere 
 Erom him he myhte defenden him there.' 
 Thanne seide A3en this goodman tho, 
 "Wrath the not thy God, what so thow 
 
 do, 636 
 
 And Owt Of this Roch delinred sclialt 
 
 ]?ou be 
 With-Inne schort tyme Oerteinle, 
 But 3it Manye dredes schalt thou se 
 Er that owt of ]?is Hoche taken thow 
 
 be." 640 
 
 Thanne thus partid this good man Away ; 
 The kyng there lefte, sothe to say. 
 Eul glad & Joyful he was In herte, 
 That non thing ne myhte him smerte, 644 
 
 And thowhte, ' thowgh that he schold 
 
 dye, 
 Owt Of that E-oche wolde he not hye, 
 But Rathere ded there he wolde be 
 Thanne Owt of that Boche forto fle.' 648 
 
 Thus longe In this thowht gan he d^elle. 
 That Aftir tyme So it be-felle 
 
 Et la feme li dissit toutes cheles paroles 
 qui pooient estre nuisables a 1' ame et 
 au cors de lui. 
 
 Et quant vint au estisme ioux : 
 
 si reuint a lui li horn de la nef. 
 Et mult le conforta. Et si li dis, 
 
 ' ke ore aproclioit li termes de sa de- 
 liuranche : 
 se il se sauoit 
 
 gaitier encontre les agais 
 du dyable.' 
 
 Et il li demanda ' comment.' 
 
 Et chil li dist 
 
 " se tu te pues hui toute iour garder 
 de ton signour courechier: 
 
 tu seras tantost deliures de tous 
 paours et de tous maus terriens qui 
 auenu te sont: se tu ne le coureches. 
 Se tu te gardes de croire conselqui soit 
 encontre sa Yolente. Si comme d' issir 
 hors de cheste roche: tu aras tres- 
 passe grans doleurs et paours meruil- 
 leus, dont il t' auenra tant se tu ne 
 t' en daignes garder. ke a grant paine 
 t' en venras deliure." 
 A tant s' enparti chil. 
 
 Et li rois remest 
 
 mult lies et mult ioious. 
 
 Et s' afica mult en son ouer ' ke ia 
 pour nule chose qui il veist, de la roche 
 ne se mouueroit.' 
 
 Ensi demoura mult longement: tant 
 ke bien peut estre nonne passee. 
 
A FAIR SHIP COMES TO THE ISLAND, AND A FIERCE TEMPEST RAGES. 
 
 305 
 
 He loked ful fer Into the See, — 
 
 A fair ScMppe Cam l^ere seylleng, thowt 
 
 te, 652 
 
 botlie gret & Riche him thowghte it was ; 
 bote nejjer man ne womman In that plas 
 that Schippe to Governe, nethir to Gje, 
 thus him thowhte ful Certeinlye. 656 
 
 and whanne longe it hadde so go 
 In the hyghe See bothe to & fro, 
 atte laste towardis the Roche he drawgh 
 A ful gret speed & faste I-nowgh. 660 
 
 and thus sone began there In the see 
 wondirful tempestes J^ere Anon to be, 
 So hidous & so Angwischous in eche Manere 
 that so hidows tempest saw he nere neuere. 664 
 
 this tempest this Schippe to the Roche 
 
 browhte, 
 that it scholde Alto-breken him thowghte ; 
 It snew, & haillede, & thondrede faste, 
 So that Jjere was manie A bitter blaste, 668 
 
 So that it Semede that Al the firmament 
 On peces hadden borsten verament ; 
 Por he wende the Ende Of ])e world jjat day 
 
 had be ; 
 thus thowghte the kyng thanne ful sekerle. 672 
 
 And the kyng in |jat Roche had non sted 
 Where that he Myhte hyden In his hed, 
 For the part Of the Cave was blowen Away 
 Into the See, As 36 hau herd me Say. 676 
 
 And this faire Schippe beheld he thanne, 
 but he say nethir Man ne wommanne. 
 and so thikke Abowtes him Cam the thon- 
 
 dring, 
 and Many A wondirful lyghteneng, 680 
 
 2 R 
 
 Et il esgarda mult loing en la mer, 
 si vit venir vne nef 
 
 mult grant et mult riche. 
 
 Mais il n'i vit onques nehome ne feme. 
 
 La nef fu de mult grant biaute,et gar- 
 
 nie de mult riches estages, et de mult 
 
 biaus. 
 
 Et quant ele eut mult longemeat ale 
 
 parmi la mer waukerant : 
 
 si se vint a trainant vers la roche. 
 
 Et maintenant commencha a le.uer 
 vns grans orages parmi la mer. Et la 
 nef toutes voies se traist vers la roche : 
 plus tant ke li orages commencha mult 
 a esforchier. Et fu si grans et si hi- 
 deus ke il n' estoit nule riens viuans : 
 qui n' en deust auoir paour se ele le 
 veist. Et tant ala chele nef auant 
 le vent, vne eure cha, autre eure la ; 
 ke ele s' acosta a la roche. 
 Et que li vens le tenoit si seree contre 
 la roche de chele part dont il venoit: 
 ke ele ne s' en pooit desaherdre. Li 
 tans fu mult angoisseus et fors. il plut 
 et gresla. 11 touna, et esparti. 
 II estoit auis ke tous li firmamens 
 deust cheoir par pitches. 
 Nus ne le uoit qui ne qujdast bien ke 
 la fins de toutes choses fust venue. 
 
 Li rois fu sour la rophe enseant. la 
 
 plueue li feri de toutes pars. II n' ot 
 
 ou mouchier en la roche. 
 
 Car chele partie ou la caue estoit, fu 
 
 cheue en la mer par le caup de 1' ef- 
 
 fondre qui i auoit feru, si com li liures 
 
 r a dpuise cha arriere. 
 
 II esgarda la nef, si grant, et si haute, 
 
 et si riche. et si biele, comme ele estoit. 
 
 II ne vit nului dedens, ne oi : 
 
 Li tans ne fist se esforchier non toute 
 
 voies. II espartoit espessement. Li ef- 
 
 fondre chaioient entour lui si menue- 
 
 ment ke il n' en sauoit le conte. Ne il 
 
306 APTBR THE TEMPEST MORDKEINS's CLOTHES ARE TOKN, AND THE SUN BURNS HIM. 
 
 that Neuere he wende to asckapen theime, 
 so wondirfully 'pe lyghtenyng gan to brenne ; 
 thus Suflfrede the kjnig Al that tempest, 
 whiche After it torned him for for the 
 
 best ; 684 
 
 Al this was disseisse to his herte, 
 for he soffred peynes Many & smerte ; 
 but for alle the peynes he suffrede tho, 
 to the Sehippe from the Eoche wolde he not 
 
 go. 688 
 
 And whanne this tempest hadde longe be, 
 thanne Atte laste gan stillen the See, 
 and the wedir to Cleren faire, 
 
 and the sonne to Schewen vppon the Ayre ; 692 
 
 and whanne he sawgh the wedir thus slake, 
 Pul gret loye he gan tho to Make. 
 
 thanne the Sonne there vppon him Schon, 
 and thanne the kyng lokid vp Anon 696 
 
 and sawh his Clothes Al to -Rent, 
 where-Oflfen he Merveilled verament. 
 
 and thanne so sore the Sonne chawfed him 'peve 
 that he wende Al the Roche hadde ben on fere, 700 
 and that the sonne scholde hau brend Alle thine. 
 Of this world to hau Mad An Endeng. 
 and al was don for this Skele tho, 
 3if ])e kyng Into the Sehippe wolde hau go, 704 
 
 Perst for Cold, and sethen for hete ; 
 but for nethir the kyng ]>e Roch wolde not lete ; 
 for Rathere ded there wolde he hau be 
 thanne his lord to wraththen In Ony degre ; 708 
 0]>ev that from Jje Roche he wolde gon, 
 Rathere the deth to suffren Anon. 
 
 and thus In this Anguisch longe bod he there, 
 and In swowneng fyl In hard manere ; 712 
 
 ne baioit mie a escaper de chest peril, 
 tant le voit grant et meruilleus. an- 
 chois en auoit ius mise toute 1' esper- 
 anclie. Si ke iamais a mil lour, n' en 
 quidoit escaper. 
 
 Ensi souffri li rois V angoisse del dolereus tans 
 en cors et en cuer. Car il souffri la pluie et la 
 gresle et la forche del uent, che fu en cors. 
 Apres souffri les espars et le tounoire et les 
 asaus des effoudres qui cheoient, tout chou 
 souffri de cuer. 
 
 Ne onques pour tous ches mesaises 
 
 ne peut estre a chou menes ke il en- 
 
 trast en la nef, et guerpist la roche. 
 
 Et quant li orages ot mult longement 
 
 dure: 
 
 si commencha 
 
 li chieux a esclaxchir. 
 
 Et la olartes des rais du soleil se res- 
 
 pandi par tout: 
 
 li rois vit le tans cangie, 
 
 si en fu mult lies. 
 
 la calour du soleil se respandi par tout, 
 si feri sour lui. II commencha sa 
 uesture a tordere pour li aue qui de dens 
 estoit remese. Li tans escaufa mult, 
 tost fu sa reube essuee. 
 
 Apres che vintvne si tres grans calours, 
 qu'il li estoit auis ke toute la terre 
 deust ardoir iusk' en abisme. 
 Et ke li solaus descendist a terre pour 
 toutes choses metre en chendre. 
 Li rois senti chele grant ardure Et se 
 il ot este bien a malaise deuant ore li 
 enforcha sa doleurs et sa mesaise a 
 chent doubles. La calours 1' angoissa. 
 II vit deuant lui la nef toute apparel- 
 lie au soleil eskieuwer: se il se vausist 
 metre dedens. 
 
 Mais il doutoit tant le courous de son 
 signour: ke il estoit tous apparellies 
 asouffrir la mort. 
 anchois ke il la roche deguerpist 
 
 Mult souffri ehele dolour de chaut longement, 
 tant ke la virtus du chief li fall. Et fu si vains 
 ke il ne peut plus durer, si se pasma. 
 
HE SWOONS, BUT RECOVERS, AND THINKS IT IS ALL A DREAM. 
 
 307 
 
 and so longe lay lie Stille As A ston, 
 
 That wit sygMe ne Mynde hadde non. 
 
 And whanne that he of swowneng A-wook, 
 
 Por drede & sorewe ful sore he qwook, 716 
 
 and lift vppe his hed, and beheld ful faste 
 
 3if that strong hete 3it dide Owht last. 
 
 and "Whanne he sawh the day ]?at mesurable was, 
 and but Mesurable hete In that plas 720 
 
 As betwenes noon & hevesong scholde be, 
 bothe glad & loyful thanne was he ; 
 thanne Asaied he Anon vppe forto stonde 
 Eor the vanite In his hed that hadde ben longe ; 724 
 And whanne J^at he gan vppe forto dresse. 
 In hed, body, ne Membres, felt he non Siknesse. 
 
 thanne stood he vp On his feet, 
 and there abowtes him loked ful sket, 728 
 
 and Merveilled Of the grete Aventours 
 That he hadde there suflfred Of dolours ; 
 and Of AEe this thanne felt he Ryht nowht, 
 Where-Offen he Merveillede In his thowht ; 732 
 and Otherwhille he thowghte A dremenge to be, 
 and Otherwhilles he thowghte it for Oerteinte, 
 and Otherwhilles he Cowde Remembren him wel 
 Of the Aventures thanne Everidel. 736 
 
 Et quant il se fu pasmes, si chai as dens. 
 
 Et iut a terre grant pieche oomme chil 
 ki anoit pierdul'oir et le sentir et le veoir, 
 Et quant il fu reuenus de pasmison, 
 
 si drecha i. peu la teste pour sauoir 
 
 se li tans se tenoit enchore en tel ardour 
 
 com il auoit veu deuant. 
 
 Et quant il vit le iour tempree, 
 
 et I'air douoli et net, 
 
 si com il deuoit estre entre nonne et uespres ; 
 ke la calours du iour eat onques alee ; 
 
 si fu mult a aise. 
 
 Lors assaia se il se porroit drechier 
 
 pour la vanite del chief. 
 
 Et quant il se vaut leuer, 
 
 si senti ke il n' auoit ne mal ne dolour 
 en la teste, ne en nul des autres menbres . 
 A tant se leua en son estant, 
 
 si se commencha mult a meruillier des 
 
 grans auentures 
 
 qui li estoient auenues, ke eles pooient 
 
 senefiier : 
 
 Car il auoit trop grans doleurs soffertes, che li 
 
 estoit auis : et or ne s' en sentoit. 
 
 si se meruilloit si tres durement 
 
 ke ilquidoit a le fie que il eust songie. 
 
 Et a le fie se ramanbroit bien 
 
 de toutes les auentures si, com eles li 
 estoient aueniies. 
 
 2r2 
 
308 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Still of Mordreins on The Roche Perilows. How lie sees a ship approach the Eock with his own and 
 Nascien's shields on board, and the horse he won from Tholomes at Orcans (p. 309). A knight lands, 
 and tells him that Nasciensis dead (p. 310). He goes on board, sees a corpse like Nasciens's, swoons (p. 311), 
 and on waking finds himself far from the Eock (p. 311); he makes the sign of the Cross, and man, 
 horse, and corpse vanish (p. 311). He prays to God. The good man comes to him again, and tells 
 him that he shall not be delivered till Nasciens comes to him aUve (p. 312); and explains that it was 
 the devil who had tempted him as the knight, the lionness, and the fair woman, who had appeared to 
 him (p. 313). The good man exhorts him to be wiser and warier than he had been, and then 
 vanishes (p. 313). The ship drives on (p. 314) ; the king sees a man coming on the sea, borne up by two 
 birds under his feet (p. 314), who sprinkles the ship mth water, and announces himself as Salustes, in 
 whose honour Mordreins had built the church in Sarras (p. 314). He explains the vision of the 
 honness (p. 314), and that of the streams flowing out of Mordreins's nephew (p. 314); and then tells 
 him he had sprinkled the ship because it was the devil's and needed purifying (p. 315). He instructs 
 Mordreins how to eject devils by Holy Water (p. 315), and then goes, leaving the king on the 
 ship (p. 315). 
 
 Thanne thowghte the kyng al In Ms lierte 
 
 Of Manie trebulacions & of peynes smerte, 
 
 that the day was past, & wax to Eve, 
 
 thanne the kyng fal sore gan him Meve. 4 
 
 Anon thanne lokede he fer Into the See ; 
 A fair schippe fast seillyng Comen sawgh he, 
 therto so Hichely arayed him thowhte it was, 
 but he nyste Of his Comeng what was j^e cas, 8 
 
 for so Riche A schippe, him thowghte, sawgh he 
 
 neuere non 
 To fore tymes On non water neither Seylen ne gon. 
 
 and whanne the Schippe Aproched him ny, 
 Anon Into Jjat Schippe he lokede An hy, 12 
 
 Ensi pensoit en son cuer, et deuisoit. 
 
 Li iours passa toutes voies Tant que 
 il commencha a auesprir, 
 
 Et lors esgarda mult loing en la mer. 
 Si vit uenir vne nef, 
 
 si biele et si riche: ke onques mais 
 nef de si riche afaire ne fu veue. la nef 
 vint mult tost et mult bruiant. 
 
 Et quant ele fa auques aprochie de lui : 
 
MORDBEINS PINDS IN THE SHIP HIS SHIELD AND HORSE, AND NASCIENS's SHIELD. 309 
 
 and Sawgh. where that hengen scheldes two ; 
 
 In ]>e forcastel Of the Schippe they weren I-do, 
 
 Where- Inne was A towr ful Rialy I-dyht, 
 
 As semed Jjat tyme to the kyng In Syht ; 16 
 
 On wheche towr. As I vndirstonde, 
 
 bothe scheldes to-gederis diden they honge ; 
 
 Of wheche the ton scheld was his, 
 
 the tother Nasciens wit-Owten Mys : 20 
 
 thus him thowghte wondirly Sore, 
 
 but Evere he Merveilled how they Comen thore. 
 
 And whiles that he stood In this thowght, 
 to ]>G E,oche this Schippe Anon was browght : 24 
 and as it was to that Roche Comenge, 
 Of An hors he herde A wonderful Neyenge, 
 and so bonchede & ferde with his feet 
 that it thowghte the schippe to bersten In f>at 
 
 fleet. 28 
 
 Anon the kyng gan to herkene this Neyeng, 
 and Merveilled ful Mochel of that thing ; 
 Por that hors he knew there Anon 
 whanne he him herd so taken vppon, 32 
 
 And wiste wel that it was the same hors 
 that from kyng Tholome he gat At Orcaus,* 
 Whiche that In the bataille he wan there ; 
 And the same hors he wende it were, 36 
 
 what be Neyenge and Other fare, 
 The same hors he wende hadde ben thare. 
 And thus wondred he mochel In his thowght 
 how hors & scheldes thedir weren browght. 40 
 
 thanne to the E-oche it Aplyede Anon ; 
 and tho to the schipward the kyng gan gon 
 
 si vit .ij. escus qui pendoient a deus 
 
 deffenses, 
 
 d' un petit chastelet trop biel qui 
 
 estoit ei chief deuant. 
 
 De ches .ij. escus conut, ke li vns 
 estoit li siens. 
 
 et li autres sen serourge nascien. 
 Et quant il les counut, si li fui tous 
 lisans tant durement a penser, [qu'il] 
 fuesbahis. Si commencha si tres dure- 
 ment a penser ke il s' en oublia tres tous. 
 Endementiers ke il estoit en che pense : 
 et la nef aprocha toutes voies. 
 
 Et vns cheuauE commencha si tres 
 durement a lienir en chele nef, 
 et a fronchier et a grater des pies, 
 
 ke il estoit auis ke il deust toute la 
 nef brisier. 
 
 Et li rois escoute le cheual : 
 
 si le conut bien 
 au henir. 
 
 et sent de uoir ke cli' estoit ses cheuaus, 
 
 chil ke il auoit conquis sour tholome 
 
 en la bataille a orcaus. 
 
 Et a cheli estoit auis ke che fust il : ke 
 
 il estoit diuers de tous autres cheuaus, 
 
 et au henir et en autres teches, 
 
 et pour chou le quidoit il bien cou- 
 
 noistre. 
 
 Multsemeruilla du cheual et des escus, 
 
 comment il estoient en si estrange lieu venu, 
 ne quele auenture les i pent auoir amenes. 
 
 Lors vint la nef iusc' a la roche. 
 
 Et li rois se dreche 
 
 * In the English text hitherto this word has been printed Orcans, the doubtful letter looking more like 
 n than u. In the French MS. both Orcans and Orcaus occur frequently, and the text has followed the MS. 
 
310 MOBDREINS'S TEMPTATIONS. A KNIGHT TELLS HIM THAT NASCIENS IS DEAD. 
 
 To beliolden what peple and wliat Meyne 
 In that Schippe that he Cowde se. 44 
 
 and whanne that he gan there-Inne to beholde, 
 he Sawgh Mochel peple, & Mani-folde. 
 
 And Owt Of that schippe there isswed Anon 
 As In Maner Of a knyht, and to him gan gon ; 48 
 and whanne that he gan the kyng to Aprochen Ny, 
 the kyng him beheld ful witterly ; 
 hym thowghte that be his persone & figure 
 an hygh Old knyght of his, I the Ensure, 52 
 
 that Brothir to his steward schold hau be 
 that Slayn was- at Orcaws ful sekerle. 
 
 and whanne this knyht to the kyng gan gon, 
 he him grette with hevy Chere Anon ; 56 
 
 and the kyng Ran to him ful faste, 
 and thanne him Axede atte laste 
 ' Why that so Sore Abasched he was, 
 he scholde him tellen Al the Gas.' 60 
 
 " A, sire," Anon quod this kniht tho, 
 "Eor the hevy tydinges 30W Oomen vnto !" 
 " Sey me," quod the kyng, " what May it be, 
 Belamy, I preie the that thow telle it to me." 64 
 " Certes, Sire," quod this knyht Anon, 
 " th-e beste friend ]?at 36 hadden is now Agon, 
 the wheche is Nasciens 30wre brother dere, 
 that In this Schippe he lith ded here." 68 
 
 and whanne the kyng herde him thus telle, 
 Anon In swowneng to the Erthe he felle ; 
 and Whanne Jjat he of his swowneng a-Wook, 
 Aboutes him faste he gan to look, 72 
 
 and axede his brothir forto Se 
 if that Sekerly he ded there be ; 
 And Evere Criede like a wood man, 
 So for his brother ferde he than. 7g 
 
 pour veoir chiaus dedens, quels gens 
 che pooient estre. 
 
 Ei il esgarde, 
 
 si voit ke il i auoit grant plente de 
 
 mult bieles gens. 
 
 Et uit hors venir .j. home 
 
 qui mult bien sambloit chiualers. 
 Et quant il rois le vit pres de lui : 
 
 si vit ke il auoit le cors et la figure : 
 
 d' un sien ohiualer. 
 
 qui estoit freres a son senescal : 
 
 chelui qui auoit esteochis enlabataille. 
 
 Et quant li chiualers le vit, 
 
 si le salua, mult laide chiere faisant , 
 
 Et li rois le corut tantost acoler. 
 
 et si li demanda 
 
 r ocoison de sa chiere, pour quoi ele 
 estoit si laide et si tristre.' 
 
 Et li chiualers li dist. "Ha, sire, 
 pour chou ke ie vous aport mult laides 
 nouieles,et mult dolereuses, dont vous 
 ares le cuer trop dolent." " Comment," 
 dist li rois, " ke ai iou dont pierdu." 
 
 " Chertes, sire," dist ohil, 
 
 " vous aues pierdu le millour chiualer 
 
 de tons vos amis, 
 
 ch'est nascien vostre serourge, 
 
 qui gist mors en chele nef." 
 
 Et quant li rois 1' oi, 
 
 si se pasme maintenant, et chai a terre 
 
 tous estendus. 
 
 Et quant il fu reuenus, 
 
 si le demanda a veoir. 
 
 Et braioit si durement comme vns 
 hom foursenes fesist. 
 
HE SEES HIS DEAD BODY. IT AND THE SHIP VANISH AT THE SIGN OP THE CROSS. 311 
 
 The knyht to the kyng gan him dresse 
 that him hadde browht In this distresse, 
 and the kyng took Ipere be the left hond 
 to ]?e schipward to leden he gan to fond, 
 So that the kyng Niste what he dede, 
 So ful of sorewe he was In that stede. 
 
 and whanne the kyng ]?e schippe was with- 
 Inne, 
 he Han to the here, & nolde not blynne, 
 and the Cloth anon vp he Caste,— 
 to beholden, that body hadde he gret haste, — 
 There Anon thanne Sawgh he there 
 his brother Nasciens, As that it were, 
 be face, semblawnce, & body Also, 
 as whanne on lyve pat he dide go. 
 thanne Anon fyl he down In swowneng 
 
 there 
 hardere thanne euere to-fore dide he Ere, 
 that Neuere to Asckapen wende ]pan he, 
 but Certein ded forto hau be. 
 
 Whanne he was waked of his Swowneng, 
 Of this hadde he gret Merveilleng, 
 And thowhte to axen of this knyht there 
 how this myhte happen, & In what Manere. 
 and whanne he loked Abowtes him tho ; 
 Ful fer from the K-oche thanne was he tho, 
 thanne for sorwe he fyl down Anon 
 In swowneng ded as Ony ston ; 
 to-fore that here so lay he there 
 ded In swowneng In this Manere. 
 
 and whanne of his swowneng J)at he Wok, 
 Anon vp his Riht hond he took. 
 And the Signe of the Crois he Made Anon, — 
 thanne thus sone AUe weren they Agon, 
 
 80 
 
 84 
 
 96 
 
 100 
 
 104 
 
 Lors le drecha chil 
 
 qui les nouueles li auoit dites. 
 
 Et si le prist par le senestre main. 
 
 et r enmena a la nef. 
 
 si grant duel faisant. ke .i. petit ke 
 il ne s' ochioit. 
 
 Quant li rois fu en la nef entres, 
 
 et il vit la biere : 
 
 si courut chela part tout droit. 
 
 Et si sourleua vn mult riche drap 
 
 dont ele estoit couuerte, 
 
 et vit 
 88 le vis et le samblanche nascien 
 
 tout ausi apertement com il auoit 
 onques mieus veue par samblant. 
 Et tantost com il ot veu: se se re- 
 pasme, 
 
 92 si tres durement : 
 
 ke, ki le veist, il ne quidast mie ke 
 
 il en escapast 
 
 sans estre mors ou mehaignies. 
 
 Et quant il fu releues, 
 
 et il Taut demander au cheualier 
 
 commen che li estoit auenu. 
 
 Et quant il se regarda arriere vers la 
 
 roche : 
 
 et vit ke il en estoit si loing ke a grant 
 
 paine le pooit il mais veoir. 
 
 Et quant il vit che : Si ot si grant duel 
 
 ke il ne pot onques mot dire, anchois 
 
 rechai arriere 
 
 tous pasmes 
 
 deuant la biere. 
 
 Et quant il reuint de pamison : 
 
 si fist sour lui le signe de la sainte 
 orois. 
 108 Et tantost com il 1' ot fait • si 
 
312 THE GOOD MAX COMES TO HOKDREIXS, AND TELLS HIM THAT XASCIENS IS AXIVE. 
 
 that netliix here, liors, ne Man, 
 
 In that schippe cowde he Se than. 
 
 and thanne ganne he to "n-epen ful sore, 
 
 And !Morneng & wringeng he made wel ^lore, 
 
 " A ! Merciful God In Maiestie, 
 
 jS'ott Wot I wel that I have Greved the." 
 
 and TVhanne he hadde thus I-Spoke, 
 Perth Into the See he gan to loke ; 
 there sawgh he to-forn hym Comen Anon 
 the goode man that In the Schippe gan 
 
 gon, 
 wheche that him Comforted Often Sithe, 
 and ^vith his goode wordis Made him blithe, 
 and whaime he sawgh him In that Manere, 
 TVel ful he was Of Sorwe & Eere ; 
 " A, sire ! " quod he, " I am deserved Sekerly 
 Of that 36 boden me to kepen trewly ; 
 Eor ful Certeinly ^e tolden Me Ere 
 that the devel In this Manere 
 Me scholde Owt taken be ]?e left bond, 
 As thow didst me to vndirstond." 
 
 anon gan he for to wepen tho ; 
 And whanne this good man say him do so, 
 he seide, "Sire kyng, wepe thow no More ; 
 he hath the tempted Often tymes sore, 
 but here-Aftir the behoveth Eft-sone 
 To taken good keepe that Is to done." 
 
 Thanne seide the kyng to this good man 
 tho, 
 " Xow, goode sire, telle me what I schal do ; 
 and as thow knowest AUe thing, 
 So wisse me Of begynneng & Endeng, 
 And how that I schal Governen Me ; 
 Eor Goddis love. Sire, this preie I the." 
 
 112 
 
 ne vit en toute la nef ne ne home, ne 
 feme, ne la biere meisme ne vit il mie. 
 
 Et lors commenclia mult durement a 
 
 plourer des iex, et disoit. 
 
 " Ha, biaus sire diex, tant malement 
 
 me sui gaities. Ore puis ie bien sauoir 
 
 ke vous estes a moi coiireoliies. Et ie 
 
 1' ai bien fourfait." 
 
 Et tantost com il ot che dit: 
 
 116 si esgarda, 
 
 et vit el chief de la nef deuant 
 I'omme de la biele nef 
 
 120 
 
 12-4 
 
 128 
 
 132 
 
 136 
 
 qui les boines paroles li auoit dites 
 toute Ie semaine. 
 Quant il Ie Tiit, 
 
 si fu tons espierdus. 
 
 Et dist. " Ha, sire: com m' a decheu 
 
 chil de qui yous me commandastes a 
 
 garder, 
 
 voirement me desistes vous voir 
 
 ke U dyables 
 
 me ieteroit de la roche par Ie senestre 
 main," 
 
 lors recommencha a plourer : et a faire 
 mult grant duel: 
 Et H horn 
 
 li dist. "Ne pleure mie tant. 
 
 Tais toi, et si te garde de faire duel. 
 Car il t' est bien mestiers." 
 Et li rois li dist. 
 
 " Ha, biaus sire, 
 
 qui toutes les choses saues : 
 
 or me faites sage, pour dieu, ke ie 
 porrai faire, et comment porrai con- 
 tenir." 
 
 140 
 
HE SATS IT "WAS THE DEVIL WHO HAD BEEN TEMPTING MOEDREINS, AND VANISHES . 313 
 
 thanne tMs good [man] seide to him Aj^e, 
 " 3it manie spitful Merveilles schalt ]30U se ; 
 and Eten Ne drynken schalt j^ou neuere More 
 til thy brothir Nasciens Come the before, 
 As Oristen Man, and qwyk levenge ; 
 Now take \>oxx. this for newe tydynge. 
 And whanne thou sixt him In that degre, 
 thanne After thy leveraunce Sone schal be. 
 
 "Eor wete ]70u wel ful Certeinle, 
 It was the devel that was with the, 
 that told the how that Nasciens was ded, 
 and that 3af the Swich Oonceyl & Red ; 
 For he is Redy In feld & In town 
 Goddis schep to don distrocciown. 
 
 " and the devel it was Also 
 that In thin Avisiown Cam J^e to ; 
 the Mete that J^e lyown \>q brovvghte, 
 he it Awey bar, & lefte the Nowghte. 
 and 3it I wele that J>ou knowe More Also, 
 that it was the devel that Cam the to 
 In liknesse Of A womman, 
 and sweche wordes to the spak than ; 
 Also the devel ful Sekir was he 
 that Owt of the Roche he browht ]?e. 
 
 " Therfore hens forward I warne the, 
 that bothe wisere & warere ]?at thou be ; 
 For swich thinges here-After schalt ]jou se 
 that to Endeles deth wolden bringen the, 
 3it thou the bettir wit ne have 
 thy body thi sowle forto save." 
 
 and non More to hym he gan to Say, 
 but with that word he partid A- way, 
 that he ne wiste where he becom 
 Owt of his syhte bothe Al & som. 
 
 2s 
 
 Et chil li dist 
 
 " Asses verras auentures espoentables 
 
 qui t' auenront. 
 
 Ne iamais ne buueras, ne mangeras, 
 
 144 deuant ke tu verras nascien ton serourge 
 venir a toi 
 com crestien vrai. 
 
 148 
 
 152 
 
 Et tantost com tu le verras ensi com 
 
 crestiens doit aler: 
 
 si aaohes ke ta deliuranche est venue, et le leu 
 
 dont iou te dis huimain ke tu vainteroies. et 
 
 ke deuant chou ne pooies sauoir ta vision : de 
 
 che te dirai iou le uoir. 
 
 Chil qui te dist gehui 
 
 ke nasciens gisoit en la nef mors : chil 
 fu li leus. 
 
 Car ch' estoit li dyables, qui tous iours 
 est leus 
 
 contre les brebis ihesu crist et encontre 
 son pule. 
 Ch' est li leus 
 154 qui en ta vision 
 
 te toloit toutes les boines viandes. ke li aigniaus 
 t' aportoit. Et de chel aigniel saras tu bien en- 
 chore ke il senefie, Mais che ne saras tu mie ore. 
 ains ert vne autre fois. Lora te sera toute ta vi- 
 sions descouuerte, quel chose ele puet senefiier. 
 Et bien saches 
 
 1 go ke chil dyables qui par le main te ieta hors de 
 la roche, 
 
 che fu la feme qui chascun lour venoit a toi, 
 et te disoit les paroles mauuaises et 
 desconfortables. 
 
 164 
 
 Or ten iras, et si garde 
 
 ke tu te gaites mieus viers lui : ke tu 
 
 n'as fait iusch' a chi. 
 
 Car tu verras souent de teus choses : 
 
 168 qui mult tost t' aront mene a pardur- 
 able mort 
 se tu ne ti gardes.'' 
 
 A tant se teut ke plus ne parla, 
 '^ anchois s' esuanui tantost: 
 
 ke onques li rois ne le vit puis. 
 
314 
 
 SALUSTES COMES TO VISIT AND COMEORT MORDREINS ; HE 
 
 and thus in the Schippe Alone lefte he 
 
 Ploteringe Amyddes the hye Se ; 
 
 the wynd him blew, now here, & now there ; 
 
 thus Nyht and day he ferde In fere, 
 
 that Resting plase ne fond he non 
 
 til On the Morwe it was passed noon 
 
 thanne the kynge vppe him dressed tho, 
 And to-ward the forschippe he gan to go, 
 and loke ful fer Into the See ; 
 A man there Comeng him thowghte say he. 
 
 176 
 
 180 
 
 Ensi remest tous seus en la nef. 
 
 Et li vens si feri ou voile: si le mena 
 
 aukes loing ancliois ke il trouuast 
 
 onques riens nule. Tout le iours ala 
 
 en ichele maniere, et la nuit toute nuit. 
 
 Et tant qu'il vint a 1' endemain en droit 
 
 nonne. 
 
 Lors se seoit li rois 
 
 el maistre estage de la nef, si esgarda 
 
 deuant lui, 
 
 et vit mult loing en la mer 
 
 184 -j. home qui venoit (a) 
 
 that Of leveng Schold he be bothe good and hye.* 
 
 The man is borne up by 
 two l)irds under his feet. 
 
 He makes the sign of 
 the cross and talces up 
 water in his hands, 
 
 sprinkles the ship, 
 
 and tells the king that 
 he is his defender Sa- 
 lustes whose church he 
 built in Sarras, 
 
 (a) sour li aue ausi com tout a pie. Et quant il fu pries, si vit de-sous ses .ij. pies, deus 
 oisiaus qui le soustenoient et le portoient si tost et si isnelemmt com nul oisiel peussent 
 plus tost uoler. Et quant il vint a la nef, si s'aresta, et commenclia a faire le signe de la 
 sainte crois sour la mer : et prenoit a ses deus mains li aue de la mer. sans dire mot. Et 
 li rois r esgardoit, si se meruilloit mult durement qui il pooit estre. Et pour quoi il faisoit 
 cliel arousement par la nef. Et quant li horn eut toute la nef arousee : si parla au roi, et 
 si li dist. " Mogdanis." Et li rois se meruella mult quant il s' oi apieler par son non de 
 baptesme. Si respondi, " sire :" Et li boins hom li dist " Je sui tes delFenderes, tes garans: 
 apres ihesu crist. Je sui salutes, chil en qui non et en qui honeiir tu as establie la riche 
 esrlise : en la chite de sarras : site sui venusconsillieretconforter. Et site mande li aigniaus 
 
 and that the lioness who par moi, chil en qui est (sz'c) ta uision t' aportoit les boines viandes ke li lens te toloit, 
 took his food away . , , ., i i i • i i i 
 
 cnil te mande par moi, pour cliou ke il veut ke tu le saones mieus; ke tu as le ieu uencu. 
 
 Et che fu par le signe de la crois ke tu fesis. sour toi quant tu te veis si eslongie de la 
 
 roche. Lors te laissa li leus, che fu li dyables qui s' en fui qui deuant t' auoit tolues toutes 
 
 les boines viandes ke li aingniaus t' aportoit. Ch' estoient les boines paroles ke li hom de 
 
 la nef te disoit toute iour. Chil home estoit li aigniaus : qui en ta vision t' aportoit les 
 
 boines viandes. Et saolies que ch' est chis aigniaus qui pour 1' umain lignaige fu crucefiiies, 
 
 et ch' est ihesu crist, li fiex de la uirge : chil qui chascun iour te uenoit conforter. Chil 
 
 m' a chi enuoiet a toi pour desconurir ta uision ensi com il le te demoustra. Si ke tu 
 
 saches ke ele senefie. Tu ueis de ton neueu issir .i. grant lac, et de che lach si naissoient 
 
 •ix. flun. si estoient li .viij. parel, d' un grant et d' une samblanche. Et li nueuismes qui 
 
 tout daerrains sourdoit, estoit ausi grans et aussi biaus com tout li autre ensamble. Li 
 
 homme venir qui 
 
 was the Devil 
 
 and that the Lamb who 
 brought him meat was 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 Salustes explains the 
 
 vision of the Lake and 
 
 Niae Streams (ch. 18, 
 p. 239). 
 
 The Lake means a Son . . , . . . 
 
 of Mordreins's nephew, las estoit mult clers et mult biaus. Et tu esgardes en naut, si veis .j 
 
 * There is no break in the English ]MS.,but it goes straight on with the new subject of Celidoyne in 
 prison, p. 317. The copier of it must have left out a column or page of his original. 
 
EXPOUNDS HIS VISIONS TO HIM, AND TEACHES HIM THE USE OE HOLT WATEB. 315 
 
 auoit le samblanche del urai cruchefi. Et quant il fu descendus a terre. si entra el lac, 
 
 tous nus pies, et ses gambes el lac. Et en tout les .viij. fluns ausi. Et quant il auoit en 
 
 tout les .viij , fluns fait ensi com uous aues oi : si uenoit au neuefuisme. Lors se despoilloit 
 
 tous nus. et si se baignoit trestous desdens. Chil las ki de ton neueu naissoit: senefie. vn 
 
 fil qui de lui istra. Et en lui baignera ihesu crist ses pies et ses gambes. Ch'est a dire, 
 
 ke il sera soustenemens urais. et fine colombe de la sainte creanche au sauueour. De 
 
 clielui istront li .ix. flun: che seront .ix. persones d'omes qui de lui descenderont. Et si and the 9 streams, 9 
 
 ,, . . . ^, , . T -, T . -,. T , successors of his, 
 
 ne seront il mie tout ix. si nl. anchois descendront par droite engenreure li vns del autre. 
 
 Et tout li .viii. seront auques parel de boine vie. Mais li neueuismes sera asses de grignour to the 9th of whom 
 
 hauteche et de grignour merite. Et pour chou qu' il vaintra tous les autres de toutes bontes : 
 
 pour chou se baignera en lui ihesu cris. trestous. Et si ni baignera pas uestus, mais tous 
 
 nus. Car il se despoillera deuant lui en tel maniere: ke il li descouuera ses grans secres, Christ shall disclose his 
 
 • liiddfin sGcrcts 
 
 oheus ke il n'ara onques desoouuers a nul homme mortel. Chil sera plains de toutes ioheles ' 
 
 bontes : ke cors d' ome ne cuers doiuent soustenir. Et si en passera tous chiaus qui deuant 
 
 lui aront este. Et tous chiaus qui apres lui seront : qui de porter armes s' entremetront. 
 
 Che sera chil de qui li angeles parla a sarras : quant il feri iosephe de la lanche uengeresse. and of whom the Angel 
 
 Quant il dist ' ke iamais les meruelles del graal ne seroient descouuertes a homme mortel gpo^g ' ^"'^ °'^^ 
 
 fors cha .i. tout seul. Chil sera li nueuismes des oirs qui descendront del fil a ton neueu. 
 
 Et si sera teus com tu m' as oi deuiser. Mais les grans miracles et les bieles uirtus qui whose body shall work 
 
 par lui auenront en la terre ou ses cors girra, ne seront pas seues quel auiegnent par lui. 
 
 Car a chel tans sera mult peu de cheus ki sachent uraies nouieles ne ensegnes de sa 
 
 sepulture. Or t' ai auques parle de ta uision. Ore te parlerai de cheste nef pour quoi Salustes next explains 
 
 iou 1' ai arousee ensi com tu as veu : La nef si fu au dyable : qui la sainte crois encacha ship 
 
 quant tu en fesis le signe. Et pour chou que ele estoit sole : ne pooit il estre qui ni 
 
 reuenist aucune fie se ele ne fust mondee. mais ore est ele toute purefiiee des ordures et to purify it from the 
 
 des malices qui conuers i ont : par 1' aro^^sement de li aue, qui par le signe de la sainte 
 
 crois est saintefiie, et par le coniuremeut de la sainte trinite. Ne iamais nus mais 
 
 esperis n'i enterra : Car il ne doutenrt tant nule riens : com il font le siane de la crois et le ■'^°'' devils fear the sign 
 
 . .,.,.. of the Cross, 
 
 conuirement de la sainte creanche. Et se tu uiens en lieu ki soit doutables a entrer : si At any bad place, Mor- 
 
 pren de li aue, et si le purefie tout auant par le signe de la sainte crois : et en apres par le ™'"^ '^ water, 
 
 coniurement du pere et du fil et du .s'. esperit. Et par cheste beneichon : sera li aue toute 
 
 netoie et mondee de toutes ordures. Et en quelconques lieu ke ele soit espandue par and wherever it is 
 
 , . 1 . 1 1 n . -1 .11 1 ■ r- • i • IT, sprinkled, no devil will 
 
 bome creanche: la dyables ne sera si oses que ii aille. anchois luira tous lours le lieu et „o_ 
 
 eslongera. En cheste maniere fai, si porras estre seurs ke ia en lieu ou tu le faches: 
 
 dyables n' ara pooir de faire nule chose a ton cors pour quoi 1' ame de toi soit dampnee." 
 
 A tant se teut li sains horn, si s' en parti. Et li rois remest en la nef ensi com vous 
 
 1' aues oi. si se taist a tant li contes de lui : et parole de nascien. 
 
 2 s 2 
 
316 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Of Nasciens. How, when he was imprisoned, the cursed Calafier had charge of his lands and him (p. 316), 
 and put him in a dark dungeon and bound him hand and foot, and also confined his young son Celi- 
 doine, whose name means ' given to heaven,' (p 316), and at whose birth at mid-day the sun disappeared, 
 and the moon and the stars shone clear (p. 317). On the 17th night of their imprisonment, Nasciens 
 dreams that a hand strikes off his chains He feels that he is free (p. 317). A light shines and 
 a fair white hand lifts him into the air over the castle of Calafier (p. 319), who is stamped on the right 
 cheek with an angel's hand, and on the left with his foot (p. 322). Calafier orders water to be thrown 
 on his right cheek (p. 324), and is then carried up to the battlements of his castle, from which he 
 orders Celidoine to be thrown (p. 326). When Celidoine is in mid-air, nine hands catch him, and 
 bear him off (p. 327). Vengeance on Calafier is proclaimed from Heaven (p. 328). A thunderbolt 
 strikes the castle, and Calafier's body flies in pieces (p- 328). The report of his death, and of Nasciens's 
 deliverance, get abroad (p. 329); the barons go to Queen Sarracynte to ask pardon for imprisoning 
 her brother (p. 329); and she sends five messengers out to seek him (p. 330). 
 
 Chi endi'oit dist li contes, ke nasciens fu mis, en tel maniere com vous aues oi, en la 
 
 How Calafier had prison. Et si le prist en garde chil chiualers mescreans : qui estoit apieles calafier. Et 
 
 charge of Nasciens in - . . _ , . . ,. t . , 
 
 pjjgon ki tant estoit desloiaus et traitres: comme h contes a deuise cha en arriere. Et par le 
 
 consel de chestui fa il pris : plus ke par tous les autres. Chis chiualers le prist en garde 
 
 sour toute sa terre auant: et sour la vie apres. Et quant il 1' eut en sa baillie: si fu 
 
 and put him in a darli niult orguiUeus vers lui. et lui fist mult dure prison et mult felenesse. II fu mis el fens 
 dungeon, i^ r 
 
 d une fosse noire et tenebrouse. 11 fu destournes de toute la compaignie et del solas as 
 
 gens. II manga peu, et but. II ne se pooit aidier de nul menbre que il eust. Car 
 and chained him hand il avoit les mains ausi enchainees: comme les pies. Toutes eures estoit d' une seule 
 ^" °° ' contenanche, sans estre desuestus ne descauchies, anchois gisoit par ntdt eu sa reube: et 
 
 en sa caucheure. Et quant il ot mis en si angoisseuse prison : encor ne li fu il pas asses 
 
 and also put his young de lui tourmenter. Anchois fist ke il ot .i. sien fil ensamble o lui qui mult estoit de iouene 
 son in prison with him, ^ .,,.,, .. 
 
 cage. Car il n auoit enchore ke .vij. ans et .v. mois . Chil estoit mult biaus, et mult 
 
 whose name was sambloit estre de gentil lignage estrais. Si estoit apieles el baptesme celidoines. Et 
 
 Celidoine, gjjjj jjQjjg ^ jj^^jj l^jg^ conuenables a 1' enfant: selonc la vie ke U mena puis. Car 
 
 thatis/giventoheaven;' celidoines vaut autrestant a dire et a senefiier en latin : comme ' dounes au chiel.' Car 
 
 il eut toute sa uie son cuer et s' entente mise en celestiaus oeures : Et seut d' astrenomie 
 
NASCIENS DREAMS THAT AN AN&EL DELIVERS HIM OUT OF PRISON. 
 
 317 
 
 tant com nus en peut plus sauuir en boine entension et en droite. Et a son naisse- and at whose birth 
 
 ment aiunt en la chite d' orberike une mult grant meruelle qui n' estoit mie acous- 
 
 tumee a auenir. Car il nascui en .i. mult caut iour d' eate, et mult biel, en droit miedi. at mid-day in June 
 
 Et si fu el secont iour des kalendes en iunget. Et quant il fu nes a tel eure com vous 
 
 aues oi. Si auint chose tout maintenant ke li solaus qui en sa grignour caleur deuoit ^^^^ 
 
 estre, a chel eure s' aparut ausi apartement com il fait au matin quant il lieue. Et la and the moon and stars 
 
 . T-. 1 shone clear, 
 
 lune fu ausi clerement veue comme s' il fust nuis, et les estoiles tout ensement. En che 
 
 fu chertaine senefianche: ke il serroit de toutes les celestienes uirtus curieus et encher- 
 
 kieres et urais counissieres. Par icheles demoustranckes fu la natiuites a 1' enfant senefiie. 
 
 Et il fu raisons. Car sa vie fu puis tele: com la senefianolie demoustra. Et les 
 
 paroles qui cki apres venront en esclairont la verite. 
 
 and tMs Child had Oalefere In priso\\'n ]?ere 
 Pul xvii dayes In that Manere. 
 
 So it be-happed, that the Sevententhe Nyht 
 As he there sat, I telle the Ryght, 4 
 
 Vppon his Oowche to Slombren hym list, 
 he was so hevy what to don he Nyst ; 
 and as he was In his Slombrenge 
 hym thowghte he hadde a wondir Metenge, 8 
 
 So that him ]50uhte An hond there was 
 that be bothen Armes him held In that plas ; 
 and, As A man that Slepte ful sore, 
 the hond he wolde hau put Awey thore, 12 
 
 and the Same hond him Oawht Ageyn, 
 And A3en In his Slepe he it voided ful pleyn. 
 
 thanne thowghte him that the hond tho 
 alle his Chenes to barst vnto, 16 
 
 Mochel mawgre Of him that there lay, 
 Where- Oflfen he hadde A ful gret fray. 
 
 and whanne he felte that it was so, 
 Nethir Cryen ne speke ne myhte he tho ; 20 
 
 thanne Abasched was he ful sore 
 Of the noyse that he herde thore. 
 and whanne that vppe he gan him dresse, 
 and felte him Self Owt of distresse, 24 
 
 Chelui enfant eut calafier en prison 
 
 auoec son pere nascien. 
 
 Si demoura nasciens bien .xvii. iours 
 
 en tel prison com vous aues oi. 
 
 Et tant ke vint al disesetisme nuit 
 
 ke il estoit en son lit tout en scant. 
 
 car il ne pooit iesir: 
 
 Si commencha a sousmillier. 
 
 Endementiers ke il soumilloit: 
 
 SI senti vne main 
 
 qui le tenoit empoignie par le brack, 
 
 Et il fu angoisseus de dormir, 
 
 si le bouta arriere. 
 
 Et la mains le prist la tierche fois. 
 
 Et il la tierche fois le bouta arriere. 
 
 Et quant il se quida endormir : comme 
 
 chil qui mult en estoit entalentes: si 
 
 senti ke la mains 
 
 le prenoit parmi les caueus, 
 
 ou il vausist ou non. et si le drechoit 
 contremont, maugre sien. 
 
 Et quant il senti chou, 
 
 si vaut crier: mais il ne peut onques 
 mot dire de la bouche. 
 Si se meruilla mult ke che peut estre : 
 et mult en fu esbahis. 
 
 Et quant il fu dreches : 
 
318 
 
 A FAIR WHITE HAND PROM HEAVEN BEARS NASCIENS ALOET, 
 
 hyse hondes & Feet lie gan drawen him to 
 
 and Pelte vnbounde that he was tho, 
 
 and that AUe his Chenes to-forn him lye ; 
 
 thanne thanked he god M Solempine. 28 
 
 Whanne he was Oomen to the presown dore 
 That ful blak and dirk it was to fore, 
 there Cam Owt tho A schyneng lyht 
 as thowh it were of A lyghtenyng so briht ; 32 
 
 thanne loked he Aboven his hed, 
 And him thowghte he sawgh In ]?at sted, 
 Owt of the hevene there Aperid An hy 
 A fair whit hond, hym thowhte Trewly, 36 
 
 AVhich that him bar, as him thowhte, 
 and Owt of that preson there him browhte 
 Sowfe ; the arm, Red as feer it was, 
 as thike tyme him thowhte In that plas, 40 
 
 Wiche hond him took by his her ; 
 and Owt of that presown bar him there ; 
 and the sieve lokede as be semblanns 
 As Red as fir with-Owten variaunce ; 44 
 
 but nonthing Ellis ne Myhte he Se 
 but Onlyche the hond there Sekerle, 
 Sowf be the Arm, thowghte, I-voluped was 
 the semblaunce of a body In that plas ; 48 
 
 but the body Openly ne was not sein 
 As I sey 30W In Certein ; 
 and In this manere sawh Nasciens tho 
 hond and body to-Gederis bothe two. 52 
 
 And whanne that Aboven the Erthe he was there, 
 that the Erthe he fealte in non Manere, 
 Wondirly Abashed he was Certeinlye, 
 that what to done he Ne wiste trewlye. 56 
 
 and thus the hand On lofte it bar him thar 
 that he ne wiste whedir ward ne whar. 
 
 si senti ses mains toutes desloies, et 
 ses pies. 
 
 Et quant il marclia le premier pas : si senti 
 ke ses caines gisoient toutesdeuant luiaterre. 
 
 Lors fu mult lies et mult a aise. 
 
 Et quant il fu au chief de la chartre 
 
 qui tant estoit noire et tenebrouse : 
 
 si 7 it une clarte naistre ausi tout com 
 s' ele fust issue del mur. 
 
 Et il esgarda en haut, 
 
 si vit deseure lui ausi comme vne nue 
 vermelle. et hors de chele nue si pa- 
 roit la mains ki le tenoit, et si estoit 
 toute blanche comme noif. Et la 
 manche du brach paroit iusc' au 
 couste, 
 
 et si estoit ausi uermelle comme fus 
 
 embrases. 
 
 Ensi paroit la mains tout apertement 
 
 qui par les chaueus le tenoit. 
 
 Et la manche tant com vous aues oi. 
 
 Mais en auant ne pooit il nule riens 
 
 veoir : 
 
 del cors dont la mains mouuoit. 
 
 ne mais ke la samblanche seulement 
 qui estoit enuolepee en la nue, 
 tout autresi com la Hamblanehe seulement d^ 
 un cors enseueli pert enuolepee el suaire. 
 Et si n' est pas li cors veus aperte- 
 ment, pour chou ke il estoit couuers. 
 
 Tout en tel maniere veoit nasciens 
 
 le cors, et la main qui le tenoit le leua 
 
 en haut, 
 
 et il sentoit ke li pie li eslongoient de 
 
 terre, 
 
 et il auoit si grant paour de chele 
 
 meruelle : 
 
 ke il n' osoit nul samblant faire de 
 
 chose ke il oist ne sentist. 
 
 Ensi le portoit la mains tout contre- 
 
 mont. Et il le veoit tout apertement. 
 
ABOVE WHERE CALAFER IS SLEEPING. THE PLACE CATCHES FIEE. 
 
 319 
 
 Wheclie that greved him Nothing, 
 
 Nethir hire ne there In non thing ; 60 
 
 Nethir be the beryng Of his her, 
 
 It Greved him right nowher. 
 
 and whanne In the Eir he was so hye 
 that Onne the to J>e preson he myhte sen trwlye, 64 
 J>ane lad him forth this hond In hye— 
 lik as this storie doth vs to vndirstond fully e — 
 tyl he Cam to-fore Calafer, 
 In his bed as he lay Sloping ther. 68 
 
 and whanne to the dore that he gan gon, 
 A3ens him it Opened there Anon — 
 bothe dore posterne, and Ek the gate, — 
 and Owt this hond lad him there- Ate ; 72 
 
 and Euere to fore the hond wente, 
 & he it folwede with good Entente 
 til the Maister Gate that he was past, 
 Whiche gate gan to Ohirken In hast, 76 
 
 as though A man hadde ben there 
 That Owt hadde stalked for drede & Eere. 
 Whanne Nasciens was thens A stones cast, 
 A3en he lokede Anon In hast ; 80 
 
 anon him thowghte there In his Mynde 
 that Al On fyre It was him behinde. 
 
 and whanne the peple Of the plase 
 Aspiden that it On Eire wase, 84 
 
 Gret Noise they maden, and doelful Cry, 
 Wherwith Calafer Awook Sekerly, 
 and Open he fond bothe dore & Gate 
 As Nasciens was gon Owt there-Ate. ,88 
 
 anon thanne to the presown dore he wente, 
 that Al Open there was veramente ; 
 Wondirly abasched thanne was he tho 
 that vndir hevene he Niste what to do. 92 
 
 Ne si ne li greuoit 
 
 ne tant ne quant 
 
 che ke la mains le tenoit par les caucus. 
 
 Et quant il fu bien en haut, 
 
 iuso' au chief d' une vaute ki estoit oouuer- 
 ture de la chartre, si vit encontre lui ouurir 
 .i, huis de fier qui estoit en la vaute par quoi 
 ou aualoit en la ckartre cheus ke on i metoit. 
 
 Et quant il eut chel huis passe : si le mena 
 toutes voies la mains. Et il s' en ala tres 
 pardeuant le lit ou oalafier gisoit. 
 
 Et quant il venoit as huis et as portes 
 
 de la maison, 
 
 si les veoit ouurir centre lui. 
 
 Et la nue passoit tous iotu-s auant : 
 
 et il apres. 
 
 Et si tost com il fu hors de la maistre 
 
 porta: 
 
 Si oi crakier 
 
 ausi com .i. home. 
 
 Et tantost com il orent la porte eslon- 
 gie le giet d' une pierre menue, 
 si esgarda nasciiens arriere : 
 
 et vit 
 
 ke ele estoit toute esprise de [fu], et si 
 ardoit. Lifus fu grans. II fist grant noise. 
 Cliil de la maison 
 
 s' en aperchurent 
 
 si commenchierent a crier mult dure- 
 
 ment. 
 
 Quant calafier oi le cri, si sali ius de 
 
 son lit. 
 
 Et si tost comme il vit les huis ouuers par 
 
 ou nasciens s' en estoit issus : 
 
 Si courut tantost a 1' uis de fier. 
 
 Et quant il le vit deferme et ouuert, 
 
 si fu si esbahis 
 
 ke il ne sauoit sous chiel ke faire ne 
 
 que dire. 
 
320 CALAFEE FINDS NASCIENS GONE, AND RIDES AFTBE, HIM. THE HAND SAVES HIM. 
 
 On Of his Seriawntes lie Oleped Anon 
 
 and bad him Into ]>e presown to Gon ; 
 
 and whanne J^e presown he was with-Inne, 
 
 Of Nasciens ne sawh he neper more ne Mynne ; 96 
 
 and whanne Calafer herde tellen Of this, 
 
 Owt Of his wit he was with-Owten Mis, 
 
 and so gret Sorwe he gan to Make 
 
 that Neuere Man gan so On take. 100 
 
 thanne was browght to him An hors there, 
 and Into the Sadel sprang Calafere, 
 With a scharpe Swerd On honde ; 
 and Al his Meyne that there gonne stonde, I04 
 
 hem he Charged Aftir to hye, 
 Euery Man be his weys sekerlye ; 
 So that a path there fond he Anon, 
 And In-to that path gan he to gon, 108 
 
 & Evere was the hond Schineng to-fore, — 
 a Wondirful liht As him thouhte thore ; — 
 the nyht, Pesible and fair it was, 
 Ne A softere Nyht neuere there Nas. 112 
 
 his hors he prekid wondirly faste, 
 & loked forth to forn hem atte laste, 
 and saugh where that Nasciens wente, 
 for him he knew ful wel veramente, 116 
 
 as he him Often to forne hadde sein, 
 him thouhte it was he In Certein. 
 
 and whanne Nasciens Say him come thauue, 
 Anon wax Nasciens A ful sory Manne ; 120 
 
 but Evere the hond him held ful faste. 
 And him Ouer spradde there In haste, 
 that Openly thowght tho Nascien 
 the body to the hond Sawh he then ; 124 
 
 and so faste him thowhte it took him ther 
 that Neuere Erthly tonge Cowde telle Er ; 
 
 Lors fist tantost. j. sergant 
 
 entrer en la chartre. 
 
 Et il quist par tout la chartre : 
 
 Si dist ke nascien ne tromioit il point. 
 
 Et quant chil 1' oi : 
 
 par .i. peu ke il n' issi hors de son sens. 
 
 Si commencha si grant duel a faire 
 
 ke iamais nul horn grignour duel ne fera. 
 
 Lors sali en .i. sien cheual, 
 
 et prist vne glaue : 
 
 Si commanda ke tout li sergant 
 
 alaissent apres, 
 
 ckascuns sa voie. 
 
 Et il s' en entra. en .i. sentier qui 
 
 aloit adrechant au grant chemin. 
 
 Et la [nue?] luisoit biele et mult clere : 
 
 et la nuis estoit aukes pasieble 
 
 et soues. 
 
 Et quant il ot erre par le chemin bien 
 
 demi lieue, si tost com li cheuaus pooit 
 
 aler, 
 
 Si esgarda deuant lui, 
 
 et vit nascien, 
 
 si le counut mult bien, 
 
 comme chis qui m' auoit veu. Et il 
 hurta des esperons apres. 
 
 Et nasciens-, quant il le vit venir. 
 
 Si ot mult grant paour. 
 
 et la mains le tenoit toutes uoies. 
 
 Et lors s' espandi la nue toute sour lui, 
 
 si ke il vit tout aperteinent 
 
 le cors dont la mains estoit. 
 
 Si li ert auis ke il estoit si durement 
 
 grans : 
 
 kenule lange n' enpeust la verite des- 
 
 courir. 
 
CALArEB LOOKS FOR NASCIENS, SEES THE BED AEM, AND SWOONS. 
 
 321 
 
 Por it Was Of so Merueillous Olarte tho, 
 
 so ful of brihgtenesse, & hot Scliineng therto, 128 
 
 that In the hattest day Of the 3er 
 
 ]?e Sonne not so briht is as the body was ther, 
 
 Not be An hundred part Of Clernesse ; 
 
 this putte Nasciens In Moche sekernesse. 132 
 
 but Natheles ful wondirfuUi sore Adrad he was 
 
 that he fyl In Swowneng In that plas, 
 
 So that nethir he ne saw ne felte non thing, 
 
 So sore was this Nasciens In Swowneng. 186 
 
 thanne prekid ful faste this Calafere, 
 and loked Abowtes bothe here and there, 
 and In plase where j^at he say Nasciens ; 
 But tho was not he In his presens; 140 
 
 and Evere Abowtes he loked faste, 
 and Nothing he ne Say til at the laste, 
 that AUe the weye & al the plas 
 there As him thowhte that Nasciens was, 144 
 
 him thowhte it was On flawmeng fer, — 
 As him thouhte that tymes Calafer ; — 
 And the Arm that was voluped In Cloth so Red, 
 him thowhte it brenneng fer In that sted, 148 
 
 that so wondirly Sore Abasched he was, 
 that for AUe the world he ne dorste In that plas 
 Not Ones Owt of his Sadil Alyhte, 
 but down I swowneng he fyl anon Ryht, 152 
 
 Por Of this Merveille so Sore Abascht he was, 
 That ded I swowneng lay he In that plas. 
 
 thus lay Calafer long In Swownenge, 
 and homward his hors ful faste E-ennengo 156 
 
 From the place that he Cam fro, 
 A gret pas homward gan he to go. 
 And whanne that the peple of the howshold 
 this hors thus Comenge Gonne beholde, 16O 
 
 2t 
 
 Et si estoit de si meruilleuse clarte 
 plains ; 
 
 ke lisolaus, quant il est en sagrignour 
 calour el tans d' este : 
 n' a pas centisme part de clarte ke li 
 cors auoit. 
 
 Et pour la grant meruelle ke il en ot, 
 
 fu il si esbahis : 
 
 ke il en perdi tot son sens 
 
 ke il ne seut v il estoit. Et fu en tel 
 
 maniere venus de pamison 
 
 ke il ne veoit nule rien ne ne sentoit. 
 
 Et quant calafier Tint au lieu ou il 
 
 r auoit veil. 
 
 Si esgarda auant et arriere 
 
 et ne vit nule riens viuant 
 fors la nue qui tout le chemin s' en 
 aloit autresi com vne vndee de fu ki 
 est enpains par forche de uent. 
 
 Mais che ke il le ueoit uermelle et 
 enflammee, 1' espoenta si durement 
 
 ke il ne remansist 
 
 as archons de 1' asiele pour tout le 
 
 monde. 
 
 Anchois chai ius a la terre, si vint la 
 
 nue pardesus son cors. Et cliil qui 
 
 dedens la nue estoit, mist sa main souj 
 
 sa destre fache, et sour la senestre 
 
 mist son pie. 
 
 Et si vit calafier en pamison, 
 
 et ses cheuaus s' en fu toumes fiiiant, 
 
 si tost com il peut plus aler, 
 
 al' ostel toutdroit dout il estoit venus. 
 
 Et cHl de la maison 
 qui le virent reuenir 
 
322 
 
 C.VXAFER IS FOUND WITH THE MARKS OF A HAND AND FOOT OX HIS FACE. 
 
 And here lord was left beliinde ; 
 
 this was gret wondir In here Mynde, 
 
 and Siker wenden here lord hadde hen ded, 
 
 be Comeng Of the hors In that Sted. 164 
 
 and whanne it TTas On the IMorwe lyht of day, 
 
 Eche man Of his Meyne wente his way 
 
 For to seken hem with here powere, 
 
 3if Ony Of hem myhte him fynden there ; 168 
 
 but they ne Cowde weten In non Manere 
 
 What weye that took this Calafere. 
 
 but it happed, As they sowhten bo]?e to & fro, 
 that somme of hem there gonne to go ] 72 
 
 Into the weye there that he lay ; 
 "\^"liiche was to hem A gret Afray, 
 "WTianne they syen here Lord j^ere ded. 
 To Alle here syghtes In that sted, 176 
 
 There they gonnen him vp dressen Anon, 
 but foot On to stonde hadde he neuere On ; 
 thow A man scholde hau smeten Of his hed, 
 he ne myhte meven non lyme In that sted. i80 
 
 and than beholden they In his face. 
 And On the Riht side J^ere was a space. 
 As it were the forme Of An bond 
 that him hadde towched, I vndirstond, 184 
 
 And On the lefte side hem ]50uhte they sye 
 the forme Of A foot wel Sekerly, 
 that loyned to the bond it Avas, 
 Wondirfully Hed In that plas 188 
 
 As Owt Of the Eorneys Comen fiawmes of fire ; 
 So thowht hem the Markes of Calafere ; 
 but Only the Mark that Of the foot was. 
 As blak As pich was In that plas : 192 
 
 and his Xose, as ys it was Cold, 
 Al thus his Meine On him gonnen behold. 
 
 sans lor signour: 
 
 en furent mult esbahi ; et mult oreut grant 
 
 paour de lui. Mult furent grant duel la 
 
 maisnie calafier. 
 
 ear il quidoient uraieraent ke il fust mors 
 
 pour le cheual ke il auoient veu 
 
 reuenir sans lui. 
 
 Et quant vint a I'endemain ke il fu 
 
 aiourne, 
 
 si murent 
 
 pour lui querre. 
 
 Mais il ne sauoient chertainete nule : 
 
 en quel voie il estoit entres pour 
 sieure nascien. 
 
 Tant le quisent, et a mont et a ual, 
 ke il le trouuerent 
 
 en mi le cheniin, ou il gisoit enchore 
 
 ausi com il fust mors : 
 
 Et il le prisent, et si le drechierent 
 
 contremont. 
 
 Mais il estoit tens conrees ke il ne soustenoit 
 
 sour ses deus pies 
 
 qui li deust la teste cauper. 
 
 Et il esgarderent, 
 
 si virent en sa destre faclie : 
 le saing de le main 
 
 qui lui auoit touchie. 
 
 Et en la senestre uirent 
 
 le saing del pie. 
 
 Si estoit li sains de la main ausi 
 
 vermaus 
 
 com est li fiers: quant li feures le 
 
 trait hors de le fournaise. 
 
 Et li sains del pie estoit 
 
 tout ausi noirs com est pois. 
 Et si estoit li noirs ausi frois com est 
 glache: et li vermaus ert ausi caus 
 comme fus : 
 
CALAEER IS CAHRIED HOME AND PUT TO BED. AT NOON HE CIIIES OUT. 
 
 323 
 
 Per whanne he was Oomen to his Ostel, 
 
 and Adawed he was Eche del, 196 
 
 he cowde wel tellen Of Al thing, 
 
 Where-Offen he hadde gret Merveillyng. 
 
 and whanne they him fownde In this Manere, 
 they gonne him dresse horn forto here, 200 
 
 but In gret drede they weren Echon 
 that memhre ne Meven Myhte he non — 
 Nether Eye to Opene, ne mowth to speke ; 
 lo ! thus god On him Nasciens gan wreke ; — 204 
 but Sekir they wende he hadde ben ded, 
 Eor Of him ne Oowden they non Oj^er Hed. 
 And thus they boren him In this Manere 
 hom to his plase with drede & fere, 208 
 
 that neuere spak word be Al the weye, 
 nejjer Eye ne Opened Certeinlye, 
 Ne Nethir foot ne hond myhte to him drawe, 
 this was to hem A wonderful Sawe. 212 
 
 and whanne to his hows with him they Come, 
 Wif, Child, & his Meyne Al & some, 
 Abowtes him gannen to drawen wel faste, 
 and AUe Of him weren sore Agaste, 216 
 
 that ded In the plase he hadde I-be, 
 Ne non Othir thing Of him ne Cowde they se ; 
 So that In A bed they dyden him leye 
 Al so Eselye As they Cowde Certeinlye, 220 
 
 and alle gret Mone Abowtes him they made, 
 Eor there nas non that 0|jer cowde glade. 
 
 And whanne it was abowtes the Noun, 
 Wondirly to Cryen he gan Jjere Anon ; 224 
 
 and his wif to him Ran ful faste 
 as a womman that hadde gret haste, 
 and wondirly Sore Afrayed 3he was 
 Of his noise sche herde In that plas. 228 
 
 2 t2 
 
 Car il raeismes le conta quant il fu a 
 r ostel. 
 
 Et quant chil qui 1' orent troue 
 
 le drechierent, et il le leuerent centre 
 
 mont, 
 
 si le virent ensi conree: si en orent 
 
 mult grant paour. 
 
 Car il n' auroit nul pooir 
 
 de dire mot, ne des iex ouurir: 
 
 si quidoient tout pour uoir ke il fust 
 mors. 
 
 En tel maniere 1' enporterent 
 
 iuso' a sa maison 
 
 ke onques .i. mot de sa bouche ne parla : 
 
 n' onques les iex n' ouuri. 
 
 n' onques pie ne main a lui ne traist. 
 
 Et quant il fureot a la maison : 
 
 si le couchierent en .i. lit. 
 
 Et sa feme et si enfant: et s' autre 
 maisnie: faisoient mult grant duel 
 entour lui. 
 Et quant vint a eure de nonne : 
 
 Si ieta .i. mult haut cri. 
 
 et sa feme courut cliele part toute eiFree : 
 
 Si senti ke il puoit si tres durement 
 ke par .i. peu ke ele ne se pasma de la 
 grant angoiese ke ele en eut. 
 
324 CALAFEB, HAS WATER THROWN ON HIS EACE. HE FEELS DEATH COMING, 
 
 et il ouuri 
 entour lui, 
 
 les iex, si esgarda tout 
 
 et si dist ' ke on li aportast del iaue 
 a estaindre le fu dont il ardoit. 
 
 And wlianne lie of Lis swowneng Awook, 
 
 lie Opened his Eyen, & gan vppe to look ; 
 
 and abowtes him thanne he loked pure faste, 
 
 and water bad bringen At the laste, 232 
 
 Forto qwenchen that far so stronge 
 
 that In his fase hadde brend so longe. 
 
 thanne Honnen forth his Seriawntes Anon, 
 
 And Aftir water they gonne to gon, 236 
 
 And Casten it On bothe Sides Of his face 
 
 To quenchyn J?e fyr in ]?at place. 
 
 thanne it semede to hem Euerichon 
 
 that thike side was brent In to ]?e bon, 240 
 
 And the bon As whit it lay 
 
 Lik as doth Chalk In ]?e Clay ;* 
 
 And the flesch that was Jiere Abowte, 
 
 It semed ful Hosted with Owten dowte. 244 
 
 And thanne the lefte Side they gonne beholde 
 wheche Jiat was bothe blak & Colde 
 Of wheche he myhte suffren non towcheng 
 Eor non good Of Erthly thing ; 248 
 
 and whanne ]>e water On that side they gonne 
 
 to caste, 
 A wondirful Cry he made atte laste, 
 & with that he fyl In Swowneng 
 So that Of lif of him hadde non man supposing, 252 
 but that fully ded he hadde I-be 
 Euere with-Owten Ony Recouere. 
 
 and whanne Of swowneng he Cam Agayn, 
 his Eyen Opened he thanne Certein, 256 
 
 and seide, & pleynede him wel More, 
 and seide that deth negheden him wel sore. 
 
 chaine.' 
 
 * i.e. Boulder-drift clay, sucli, for example, as is well seen near Ely, where, by a great down-throw fault, 
 the chalk having been brought to the surface, subsequent denudation cut away the great cliff so formed^ 
 and a new deposit, in which the pieces of chalk are scattered about like suet in a badly made nlum nuddinEr' 
 filled the hollow.— H. S. J i- t by 
 
 Et quant il li orent li aue ietee sour lo 
 vis d' une part et d' autre : 
 
 Si uirent 
 
 ke la destre fache estoit toute desnuee 
 
 de char, 
 
 si ke li OS de la ioee paroit tous blans. 
 
 Et la chars 
 
 estoit tout entour ausi roge comme fus. 
 et il esgarderent ke la senestre fache, 
 
 si le virent ausi toute plaine devers, 
 
 et si puoit tant: ke a paines le pooit 
 nus souffrir. 
 
 Et tantost com il orent li aue ietee sus : 
 
 si recommencha de rechief a crier, 
 
 et se pasma si durement 
 
 ke nus ne le ueoit 
 
 qui ne quidaist que il fust mors 
 sans recouurir. 
 
 Et quant il fu reuenus de pamison, 
 
 si ouuri les iex: 
 
 et si recommencha mult durement a 
 
 plaindre. 
 
 et dist ' ke il sentoit la mort mult pro- 
 
HE ASKS FOE, NASCIENS, AND ORDERS CELIDOYNE TO BE KILLED. 
 
 325 
 
 thanne gan lie to wrathen Anon, 
 
 And seide, " schal I deyen thus son 260 
 
 that thus am fallen In Maledye, 
 
 and neuere In better poynt I was trewlye 
 
 to hau lyved be 3eres and be day, 
 
 and now I trowe I passe my way ; " 264 
 
 thanne Cursed he the tyme that he was bore 
 
 that In Swich manere Scholde deyen there. 
 
 thanne whanne he was Awaked wondirly wel, 
 after Nasciens Enqwered he Every del ; 268 
 
 thanne they Of his howshold Snelle 
 Of him non tydings ne Cowden they telle, 
 Nethir tokene ne Signe In non degre, 
 and thus him they tolde thanne Certeinle, 272 
 
 and whanne that he herde this tyding, 
 Anon he fil A3en there tho In swowneng. 
 
 and whanne Of his swowning Awook he Ipeve, 
 he Comaunded Anon J>at In AUe Manere 276 
 
 Anon Nasciens sone to-foren him bringe, 
 and he scholde tellen him newe tydinge. 
 and whanne to forn him this ChUd gan gon, 
 Thanne seide this Oalafer to him Anon, 280 
 
 ' That On him he wolde Avenged be 
 Por his fader from him wente In that degre, 
 and for his deseisse he Suflfred therfore 
 On hym Avenged he wolde ben thore.' 284 
 
 thanne Comanded Sire Oalafere 
 that Child Anon forto Slen there ; 
 thanne fil down Calaferes wif Anon, 
 and preyde him this thing not forto don ; 288 
 
 " and 3if Algates 30 welen him Sle, 
 In presoun stille so let him be, 
 and Rathere hym Enfamyne there, 
 thanne him to slen In this Manere." 292 
 
 Lorssecommenchamultdurementacourechier: 
 
 et a dire ' ke mult auoit grant duel 
 
 de chou ke il moroit en tel maniere, 
 
 et en tel mal estoit oheus en tout le 
 millor point : ke il onques eust eu a 
 nul iour.' 
 
 Et del grant duel ke il en auoit: en 
 
 maudissoit il chelui qu' il auoit fait 
 
 naistre : quant il si tost en tel point 
 
 deuoit mourir. 
 
 Apres, 
 
 demanda nouieles de nascien. 
 
 Mais chil de la maison respondirent 
 ' ke il n' en sauoient a dire 
 nules enseignes.' 
 
 Et quant il ot oi chou : 
 si se repasma autre fois. 
 
 Et tantost com il fu reuenus de pa- 
 
 mison. 
 
 Si commanda ke 
 
 on li amenast le fil nascien deuant lui. 
 
 Et quant il fu amenes deuant lui. 
 
 Si dist 
 
 ' ke a chesti uengeroit il son duel 
 
 et son mautalent, 
 
 et de son pere qui fuis s' en estoit, 
 
 et de la mort qui il auoit recheue 
 
 par lui cachier.' 
 
 Lors commanda 
 
 ke il fust maintenant ochis : 
 
 et sa feme li chai as pies. 
 
 et si li pria ' ke il ne le fesist pas ensi. 
 
 Mais s'il le uoloit faire morir. 
 
 si le fesist tant inner ke il morust de 
 
 faim en la prison, ou d' autre mesaise.' 
 
326 
 
 CALAPEE HAS CELIDOYNE THROWN OVER THE CASTLE WALL. 
 
 And he that was ful Of Coruptioun 
 as Ony tigre, Other wilcle lyown, 
 Owther Ony Other Savage beste 
 that hau non E-esoun, ne]?er lest ne meste, ' 29G 
 ' but algates On him Avenged wolde he be 
 thowh that him self there scholde [him] Sle.' 
 
 thanne Cleped he his Seriawntes Anon ]?ere, 
 And Comaunded J?at In to pe towr they scholde 
 
 him here 300 
 
 In his bed, Al so sik as that he was 
 he wolde be born In to that hye plas ; 
 and he Comanded Aftir him to bringe 
 Nascien's Sone with-Owten tarienge. 304 
 
 and they fulfilden his Comandement ; 
 him they vppe boren verament, 
 and Aftyr him Celidoyne, Nasciens sone, 
 Por hym they maden ful gret Mone. 308 
 
 and whanne this Celydoine was vppe I-bi'owht, 
 Calafer this Terant for-srat it nowht 
 there that Child forto spille, 
 
 Wit venamous hertc & Evel wille. 312 
 
 thanne Anon his seriawntes he gan to Calle, 
 And Comanded the Child to throwen ouer the 
 
 waile, 
 that with his Eyen he myhte it sen, 
 For sekir non Othirwise ne scholde it ben. 316 
 
 "Wherfore deol & Sorwe they maden Echon 
 Eor that dede that thev seholdeti don, 
 but they ne dorst not Offenden his Comaimdement, 
 but Anon it fulfilde there present. 320 
 
 they token vppe this Child Anon, 
 And leften him Above Alle ]>g werk Of ston ; 
 and whanne Calafer him Sawh so hye, 
 do'wn him to Caste he bad hem hye ; 324 
 
 Et chil ki plus auoit felounie en son 
 
 cuer 
 
 ke tigre , ne lions, 
 
 ne autres bestes saluages, 
 
 respondi. ' ke il ne uoloit mie que 11 
 viesquist outre lui. ancliois uoloit ke 
 il meismes le veist a ses iex morir.' 
 Lors apiela ses sergans deuant kii. 
 
 et si lor comnianda ke il prisissent 
 son cors, et si le portaissent, 
 
 si malade com il estoit, 
 
 as batailles de la tour en haut. 
 
 Chil fi?ent son commandement. 
 
 Et quant il li orent porte, 
 
 si comnianda ke ckelidoines, li fiex 
 nasoien, fust aportes apres. 
 
 Quant li enfes fu a mont. 
 si apiela calafier ses sergans. 
 
 et lor comnianda ke il le ietaissent, 
 
 uoient ses iex, des batailles del mur 
 de la tour a terre anal. 
 Car il meismes en uoloit ueoir faire la iustice, 
 et dont ne li chaloit de quele eure il se morust. 
 Chil qui il le commanda, furent mult 
 angoisseus 
 
 pour la mort del enfant. 
 Mais il n' oserent refuser le commande- 
 ment a lor signour. 
 
 Lors le prisent, 
 
 et si le leuerent en haut par desus les 
 
 crestiaus. 
 
 Et quant calafier le vit en haut, 
 
 si commanda ke il le ietaisent a ual. 
 
NINE HANDS CATCH HIM AND BEAR HIM AWAY SAFE. DEEP DARKNESS COMES. 327 
 
 Anon his biddeng fulfil they there, 
 
 and threwen him down In here Manere. 
 
 thanne this tyraunt gan vp to Rise 
 
 To sen this Child taken his I-wise, — 328 
 
 So ful he was Of Crwelte 
 
 As Evere Ony tyraunt myht be ; — 
 
 And whanne ]?e Child was Middis his fallynge, 
 
 AUe Aftir him loked with-Owten tarienge, 232 
 
 and wende that to ]?e Erthe he schold haue gon, 
 
 and his lemes to-borsten Everichon ; 
 
 but Anon As that they lokeden Owte, 
 
 they sien ix. hondes that child Comen Abowte, 336 
 
 that lik As Snow they weren so whit — 
 
 Whiche to soimme Of hem was gret delyt ;— 
 
 and this Child they henten Anon 
 
 In this Maner tho Everichon, 340 
 
 two hondes to the E-yht Arm they wente, 
 
 and tweyne to J)e left Arm veramente, 
 
 tweyne to Ipe left leg, & tweyne to |?e Ryhte, 
 
 and On to hed Openly In her syhte ; 344 
 
 And In this Manere these Nyne hondis 
 
 browhte Celidoyne Owt Of Califeris hondis 
 
 With-Owten Ony Of the Erthe towching ; 
 
 this was to Calafer gret Merveillyng ; 343 
 
 and Evere he lay and beheld ful faste 
 
 tyl that the Child was fer from him paste ; 
 
 and whanne this beheld Sire Calafere, 
 
 that this Child was boren so fer, 352 
 
 Eor sorwe he fil In swowneng Anon. 
 
 thanne Owt Of that towr Gan Jjere gon, 
 of wondirful dirknesse gret plente, 
 that non Of hem Mihte 0]7er there se ; 356 
 
 and aftir this dirknesse there spak A voysse, 
 that AUe they herden A wondirful Noisse, 
 
 Et chil le laissierent tantost cheoir aual. 
 Et li tirans se fu fais dreohier : 
 car il le voloit veoir, 
 tant estoit de grant cruaute. 
 
 Et quant li enfes vint iusc' au millieu 
 
 de la tour. 
 
 si esgarderent chil d' amont : 
 
 oar il quidierent que il fust ia cheus 
 
 a terre, 
 
 et ke il fust tous depechies. 
 
 Mais si tost com il 1' orent regarde : 
 
 si uirent ke .is. mains le tenoient. 
 
 les .ij. par vne des mains, 
 et les deus par 1' autre, 
 et les .iiij. enuiron le cors, 
 
 et la nueuismeletenoitparle menton. 
 
 En cheste maniere 
 
 r enportoient les .ix. mains 
 
 sans touchier a terre: tant ke eles 
 r orent porte grant pieche loins. 
 
 Et quant calafier Ten vit 
 
 porter en tel maniere. 
 
 Si en ot tel duel en son cuer ke il 
 chei a terre pasmes. 
 Et maintenant desoendi sour la tour 
 vne si grans oscurtes 
 
 ke a grant paine pooit li vns d' aus 
 veir r autre. 
 
 Et apres cliele osourtei parla vne vols, 
 qui dist si haut ke il 1' oirent tout. 
 
328 CALAFER IS SPLIT IN PIECES BT A THUNDER-BOLT, AND GOES TO HELL. 
 
 that to him whiclie was Goddis Enemy, 
 veniawnce to Mm scliolde Neyhen ful ny. 
 
 and Anon As tliis word was seide there, 
 Eul wondii'fol Noise & In dredful Manere 
 It Gan to thondren & lyhtene ful faste, 
 that semed Al the Eyr scholde to-herste, 
 and that it were ful domesday ; 
 thus weren they Alle In gret Afray, 
 So that Alle the Meyne that weren there 
 Eorsoken here lord Calafere 
 that stille lay swowneng In that tour ; 
 hym they forsoken with mochel dolour. 
 
 And Anon As from him they weren I-Avent, 
 A Eyr from hevene Cam there present, 
 and Of that towr hit smot the left partie 
 down Into the Middes ful Sekerlye, 
 In whiche partie that lay Sire Calafere. 
 So veniahly was he Slayn there, 
 that Er to the Erthe he Cam A- down, 
 the pecis of his hody fledden In-virown, 
 and non of his Other Meyne 
 hadden non harm In non degre, 
 Sawf Only for drede In her syht 
 that In here hertes they weren Afryht, 
 for Cristened thei weren Everichon, 
 and Chosen his plesaunse to don, 
 and to the Trinite they hadden hem take. 
 And forsaken Alle the develis so hlake. 
 
 behold what God wile for his man do, 
 him kepen from Evel for Evere Mo. 
 
 And thus, now As 30 hau herd here told, 
 paste this Calafer, that was So hold. 
 From worldly lif to Evere-lastyng peyne, — 
 As this storie thus doth vs to seyne. 
 
 "Qui chin' est anemis auurai cruciiefi, 
 si s' enfuie bien tost. 
 360 Carlaveianchedesesanemisaproclie." 
 
 Et si tost com ele eut clie dit : 
 
 S64 
 
 368 
 
 372 
 
 376 
 
 380 
 
 S84 
 
 388 
 
 Si commenclia a tonner et a espartir 
 si tres durement. 
 
 ke il sambloit ke toutes choses deus- 
 sent fenir. 
 
 Lors tournerent tout li sergant cala- 
 fier en fuie hors de la tour, 
 si laissierent lor signour 
 
 tout pas me. 
 
 Et si tost com il s' en furent fui : 
 
 si descend! li fus du cMel, 
 
 et feri en la senestre partie de la tour 
 
 si tres durement ke il en abati 1' une 
 
 moitie des cretiaus en liaut iusc' al 
 
 moien estage. 
 
 En chelepaniequicliai, gisoitcalafier, 
 
 si fu mors si uieument : 
 
 ke il fu tous depechies en menues 
 
 pieohes anchois ke il fust uenus iusc'a 
 
 terre. 
 
 Ne onques toutes les autres gens 
 
 n'eurent mie de mal, 
 
 fors seulement le paour ke notres sires 
 
 les i auoit mis pour veuement : * 
 
 comme cbiaus ke il auoient esleus a 
 son seruiche. Car il auoient tout la 
 lay recheue : et estoient baptisie 
 el non de la sainte trinite. 
 
 Ensi sauua li urais cruoefis chiaus qui a sa 
 creanclie estoient atourne. et liure a mort 
 chelui qui encontre son glorieus non estoit 
 reueles. Car eli'est chil encontre qui toutes 
 les poissanclies sent morteus. 
 Ensi com uous aues oi : et entendu : 
 
 trespassa calafier 
 
 de vie temporel a mort perdurable. 
 
 39^ [* ? venement.] 
 
SAEBACTNTE REJOICES OVER HER HUSBANd'S AND SON'S ESCAPE. 
 
 329 
 
 " and thus sone tliorw al* the Oontre r*MS. vs.] 
 this word gan Springe Certeinle, 
 how that Nasciens Owt of preson was gon — 
 Where-Offen weren glad ful Manion, — 396 
 
 And Of his Sone Also there, 
 how that he Aschaped, & in what Manere. 
 
 And whanne Saracynte herde Of this tydyng, 
 !Ful loyful sche was In Alle thing, 400 
 
 And beleved it ful Certeinlye 
 that it was thorwh goddis Mercye, 
 and thorwh him they weren vnbownde 
 Where so Evere they weren that ilke stownde ; 404 
 Wei wiste sche be Crist it Was I-don 
 Alle these poyntes thanne Everichon. 
 
 thanne Alle the Barowns that Of ]?e K-em were, 
 To Sarras to qwene Saracynte Comen there, 408 
 Whanne they wisten the trewthe Of deliueraunce 
 That Nasciens was happed Swich A chaunce, 
 and Of the veniaunce Of Calafere 
 That God Sodeinly On him took there ; 412 
 
 thanne thus they dowted hem Everychon 
 lest God veniaunce hem Wolde senden vppon 
 Eor here fals Wil and Concentyng 
 Of Nasciens & his sones presoneng. 416 
 
 thanne Comen Alle to the qweene Anon, 
 and Oriden hire Mercy Everichon 
 that hire Brothir On-prisoned so was 
 be here Oonsentyn In that plas ; 420 
 
 And seyden ' ]?at it was Only Al & som, 
 Only be Calaferis ymaginacioun ; 
 Wherfor. God hath veniaunce on him take 
 Openly, As we knowen, for Nasciens sake.' 424 
 
 and for they Syen that God Of his Myht 
 hadde schewed swich miracle to Alle Mennes siht, 
 
 2u 
 
 Et la nouiele de sa mort fu tost espan- 
 due par la contree. 
 
 et de nascien qui escapes estoit: 
 
 et de son fil 
 
 qui en tel maniere en auoit este portes. 
 
 Et la roine sarraquite, quant ele en 
 
 seut la uerite, 
 
 si en fu mult lie, et mult s' en recon- 
 
 forta. 
 
 Car ele cieoit chertainement 
 
 ke la uirtus ihesu crist 
 
 les auoit desloiies: 
 
 et ke par lui estoient il en quelconques 
 lieu que il foissent. 
 
 Et li baron del roiaume, par qui con- 
 seil nasciens auoit este pris: 
 
 quant il seurent la verite de sa deliu- 
 ranche, 
 
 et de la mort calafier. 
 
 Si en furent en mult grant doutanche 
 
 ke pour la venganche ke diex auoit 
 prise de lui: ke pour la proueche ke 
 il sauoient en nascien. si vausissent 
 bien tout: li plus hardi: ke il ne 
 I'eussent onques pense. 
 Lors vinrent a la roine tout, 
 
 si li crierent merchi 
 
 de che ke il auoient consenti 1' ovtrage 
 de son frere 
 
 ke on li auoit fait 
 
 par 1' amonestement calafier, 
 
 et diex en auoit prise si haute ven- 
 ganche com il auoit deserui. 
 
 Et pour chou que il auoient bien veu 
 ke diex 
 
 en auoit fait uraie demoustranche : et 
 ke nasciens coupes ni auoit: 
 
330 
 
 SAKRACTNTE SENDS FIVE MESSENGERS TO SEEK NASCIENS AND CELLDOTNE. 
 
 there-fore Mercy they gonne to Crye 
 
 To qweene Saracynte ivl lowlye, 
 
 " Now, goode lady, 30ure brother don seken 3e 
 
 In what Contre that So Evere he be, 
 
 And we scholen putten vs In his Mercy — 
 
 bothe Owre bodes, & Owre Good pleynly, — 
 
 "With vs to done At his plesaunce, 
 
 To what presown, or to what Noisaunce." 
 
 and whanne qwene Saracinte herde hem thus 
 seye, 
 Wei gladed hire herte was Certeinlye. 
 Anon sent sche Messangeris fyve, 
 And Charged hem Alle vppon here lyve, 
 And took hem I-nowh of gold & Pee, 
 & Charged hem to Serchen In Eche Contre, 
 Al so longe As Good & hors wolde Endure 
 To sechen hire Brothir sche made hem Ensure ; 
 And for non man Schold hau hem In 
 
 Suspescioun, 
 letteres Enseled with Good Entencioun — 
 Enseled vndir hire Owne Sel — 
 the bettere men hem to knowen & leven wel ; 
 And In that lettre dide sche don wryte 
 As wel as that sche Cowde Endyte, 
 Of hire lordis Avicion Certefyenge 
 Jjat he hadde the Niht to-foren his goynge. 
 
 thus the Messengeris here leve took 
 that lorne to done, & it not forsook ; 
 Eorto fulfillen hire Comaundement, 
 Alle forth they wenten with good entent. 
 
 Xow Mosten we leven A while this storye. 
 And to Anothir Storye ^\e Mosten hye 
 Whiche that Certefleth Of Nasciens Wif, 
 That leveth In Wo, bothe Sorwe & stryf 
 
 pour chou r en uenoient il crier merchi. 
 
 428 
 
 "Dame," disent il, "enuoies querre 
 
 votre frere, 
 
 et si le faites tant cherquier ke il soit 
 
 trouues. 
 
 Et nous nous meterons en sa merchi : 
 
 432 et nos cors et nos terres, 
 
 pour faire tout chose ke lui plaira, et 
 ke boin K ert." 
 
 Quant la roine sarraquite les oi ensi 
 parler. 
 
 436 si en ot mult grant ioie. 
 
 et prist maintenant de ses messages 
 iusc'a .v., 
 
 et si lor bailla mult grant auoir, et mult 
 riches cheuaucheures, 
 440 ^^ ^^ ^^^ commanda, si chier com il auoient 
 lors cors ; ke il ue finaissent d' aler querant 
 nascien par tout tant com li auoirs et li cheual 
 porroient durer. 
 
 Et pour chou ke il ne mescreust rien 
 de clie ke il li feroient entendant: 
 
 444 lor bailla ses letres 
 seelees de son seelet, 
 
 448 
 
 452 
 
 auoec che i fist ele metre les enseignes 
 de che ke ele U auoit dit 1' angoisse et 
 le tourment 
 
 ke ses sires li rois auoit soufFert 
 
 la nuit toute nuit deuant chou ke il 
 
 fust pierdus. 
 
 Ensi lor encarcha la roine son message. 
 
 et chil murent ensi com ele lor ot com- 
 
 mande tant que il achieuerent de lor 
 
 queste: ensi com li contes dira cha 
 
 auant. 
 
 Jlais a tant se taist ore de la roine et 
 des .V. messages: 
 456 et si parole d'une autre queste 
 
 dont il traira auant a chief ke de 
 
 chesti. 
 
331 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 Of Nasciens's wife, Flegentyne. How beautiful and good she was, and how she loved her husband (p. 331-2). 
 She is dispossessed of her lands, and takes refuge with an old trusty knight, Carsopines, to whom she 
 has been kind (p. 332-3). He puts his goods and life at her disposal (p. 333); but she sorrows for her 
 lord and her son. Queen Sarracynte asks her to come to her, that they may comfort one another (p. 334) ; 
 but she refuses, so Sarracynte goes to fetch her (p. 334). When they meet, their grief bursts out 
 afresh (p. 334-5); but Sarracynte recovers first, and entreats Flegentyne to return with her (p. 535). 
 Flegentyne again refuses, saying she must stop with her old knight (p. 335). She still sorrows (p. 336), 
 till she hears that her lord, Nasciens, and her son, had escaped out of prison (p. 337). She dreams that 
 a voice says they are in the West (p. 337); and asks a provost of the church what her dream means 
 (p. 338); then she asks the old knight, and he advises that they set out, with his son Helycaors as their 
 yeoman, to seek Nasciens and his son (339-340). Flegentyne agrees; the knight gets money, &o. 
 (p. 341) ; and the three start (p. 342), with four horses, towards Sarras, journeying westwards (p. 343) ; 
 they come to the river Arecuse, lodge near the Castle of Emelianz, and enter Calamyne (p. 344).* 
 
 Thus this Storie forthere gynneth precede, 
 that whanne Nasciens to preson gon they 
 
 lede 
 and his sone there- Inne with him I-do, 
 Whiche was to him. bothe peyne & wo, 
 And al his lond I-sesid it was tho ; 
 and his wif Owt put Of Euery plas also, 
 that an hy horn womman was, & of good 
 
 lyvenge, 
 and therto here fadir was a kynge. 
 
 this lady was So ful Of bewte, 
 Eor a fairere womman Myhte non man se, 
 
 Chi endroit dist li contes, 
 
 ke quant nasciens fu mis en la prison 
 calafier 
 
 et ke ses fieus fu enprisounes ensam- 
 ble o lui: 
 
 et toute sa terre saisie : 
 
 sa feme qui estoit iouene dame, 
 
 et si haute feme comme chele qui 
 
 estoit fille au roi des mesdiens, fu mise 
 8 hors de la terre. 
 
 La dame estoit de si tres grant biaute 
 plaine : 
 
 * In the Additional MS. 10292, this chapter — or rather, the illustration at the head of it — is headed " Ensi 
 que .j. cheualier amaine j enfant a la duchoise le femme nascien ;" and Helycaors is represented as a small boy. 
 
 2 u 2 
 
332 HOW BEAUTIFUL AND GOOD FLEGENTYNE, NASCIENS's WIFE, "WAS. HEE, LANDS 
 
 for thus Of hire telleth the Storye, 
 
 that more bewte hadde sche Sekerlye 
 
 thanne AUe the wommen Erthly bom 
 
 that Evere Ony Man Sawh leveng beforn ; 
 
 And to thes bewtes sche hadde bownte, 
 
 Corteys and gentil In AUe Maner degre ; 
 
 lowlich to Every Creature, 
 
 and large to God, I the Ensure ; 
 
 and A3 ens hire lord & Soverein 
 
 debonewre & ful trewe Certein, 
 
 and Chast Evere In his Absence, 
 
 bothe humble & Mek In his presence ; 
 
 therto sche him louede aboven al erthly thyng ; 
 
 Non wondir thowh this lady made Morneng ; 
 
 Eor so gret sorwe & morneng sche Made 
 
 that non ]Man ne Myhte hire herte glade. 
 
 thus was the Condisciown Of this lady fre 
 as 36 hau herde E-ehersed here be me ; 
 and this ladyes Xame was Elegentyne, 
 A ful worthy lady and A benyngne. 
 AVetes wel whanne sche hadde knowenge ]>o 
 that hire lord was In presown I-do, 
 Eul gret sorwe sche took to herte. 
 And Manie peynes sche hadde. & smerte. 
 
 and In the moste Sorwe that sche was Inne, 
 This false Calafer ne wolde not blynne, 
 but putten hu'e Owt Of alle hire londis 
 and be-Eefte Clene Ow of hire hondis. 
 
 thanne was this lady At Orbery tho, 
 In ful mochel deseisse sche was do ; 
 and thedir here lorne tho sche Mad, 
 Weneng hire lord Owt Of prison hau had, 
 but Euere Calaferis Conseyl was presente, 
 and for nothing thereto wolde assente, 
 
 12 ke tot chil qui le veoient, le tenoient 
 a souuraine de toutes biautes les 
 biautes qui en cors ne en vis peus- 
 sent estre trouues. 
 
 Et auoec les biautes ke ele auoit en li : 
 
 16 estoit ele si bien entechie 
 
 ke ele estoit larghe vers dieu et de- 
 
 boinaire au siecle. 
 
 Et priuee uers son signour 
 
 20 et loiaus 
 
 et chaste. 
 
 Et si I'amoit de si tres grant amour. 
 
 24 ke nule riens ne peust sen cuer metre 
 en aaise ne en ioie, se ele ne seust 
 auant le cuer de son signour a aise. 
 
 28 
 
 32 
 
 36 
 
 40 
 
 44 
 
 De tele maniere estoit la dame com 
 vous aues oi: 
 
 et si estoit apielee par non ' flegetine.' 
 
 Quant la dame seut 
 
 ke ses sires estoit en prison ; 
 
 saoHes ke ele en eut asses duel et 
 annui, 
 
 et en sa grignour dolour ke ele de- 
 menoit 
 
 le vinreiit li baron del roiaume des- 
 saisir de toute sa terre. 
 
 Et ele estoit a orberike a cliel iour : 
 qui estoit li maistres sieges de la du- 
 chee. Et ele dessaisi mult volentiers : 
 
 pour chou ke son signour eu quida 
 rauoir de la prison. 
 Mais li oonsaus calafier 
 
 ne laissa ke il n'en issist: 
 
ARE TAKEN ; AND SHE GOES TO CARSOPINES, WHO RECEIVES HER WELL. 
 
 333 
 
 As this Storie here After doth telle 
 Al to-gederes how it be-felle. 
 
 and whanne Ipis goode lady say it was so, 
 Than husbonde Child & lond was a-go, 48 
 
 thanne was sche In passinge Mornyng 
 Whanne sche herde tellen Al this tydyng ; 
 Thanne wiste sche nenere what forto do, 
 but to An hygh good levere sche drowh here 
 
 vnto, 52 
 
 An old vauasour, A ful gentil knyht 
 that Inne shee trosted with AUe hire Myht, 
 Por norre he was to hire sone so dere, 
 that him tauht bothe norture & Manere, 56 
 
 and sche hadde him Encresed Also, 
 From poyerte In to worschepe I -do. 
 And him 30ven to-forn that Owr 
 Manie lowelis of gret honoure ; 60 
 
 Wherfore In him gan sche hire Affye 
 Aboven AUe Other tho Sekerlye. 
 thanne flegentyne to thys vauasour wente, 
 A sorweful womman, and ful dolente 64 
 
 and whanne this vauasour gan hire Aspie 
 that it was his lady Certeinlye, 
 Anon with herte body & thowht 
 he thanked God j^at thedir hire browht, 68 
 
 And Resceyued hire ful worthily 
 As his lady & soverein ful debonerly, 
 With herte Body & Al his good tho 
 At hire Oomandement to ben I-do. 72 
 
 but Evere this lady hadde In herte 
 hire lorde, hire sone, that dide here smerte, 
 Wheche sche lovede Ouer AUe thing, 
 So that to hire myhte Comen non Comfort- 
 
 eng 76 
 
 ensi com li contes a deuisee cha arriere. 
 
 Et quant ele vit ke a tant estoit 
 montee la chose ke de son signour ne 
 de sa terre n' aroit ele mie : 
 si fu asses plus dolente. 
 
 Lors vint la dame, si s' en ala chies. 
 
 j. sien vauasour, viel home, 
 
 plain de grant loiaute, 
 
 et chil auoit este tous iours maistres 
 a son fil. 
 
 et la dame 1' auoit tous iours mult ame : 
 
 si li auoit asses doune par maintes 
 fies, et a lui et a sa feme, 
 
 si li fu auis ke en chestui troueroit 
 
 ele grignour amour et plus de foi, pour 
 
 chou que ele 1' auoit mis en grant 
 
 rikeohe de grant pouerte. 
 
 Chies chelui vauasour s' en ala la 
 
 duchesse flegetine, 
 
 mult dolente et mult esgaree. 
 
 et chil [a] qui ele auoit les grans 
 
 dons dounes et faites les haustes hou- 
 
 nours, 
 
 le rechut a mult grant hounour. Et 
 mult grant ioie le fist se che peust 
 estre ke il eust ioie: entre gent qui 
 tant auoient anui et corous. Mult fu 
 li uauasours lies de la venue sa dame, 
 et ioious, en tant comme ses cuers en 
 pooit grignour samblant moustrer. 
 Mais ele ni eut gaires demoure : quant on 
 reuint prendre son fil pour metre en la prison 
 auoeo son pere. Et lors fu la dame de si tres 
 grant angoisse plaine : ke tout estoit nolens 
 quanque ele auoit sentu de dolour a son cuer ; 
 a uers che ke ele sentoit ore : Ele fist vn duel 
 de si tres grant maniere que nus qui li veist 
 ne quidast mie ke ele en peust en nule ma- 
 niere viue escaper. Car il n' estoit nule riens 
 viuans, ne horn ne feme, par qui ele peust 
 prendre solas ne comfort de sa pesanche. 
 
334 
 
 SABRACTXTE SENDS, AND THEN GOES, TO COMFORT ELEGENTTNE. 
 
 Thanne the qweene Sarracynte, hire soster dere, 
 To flegentyne sente In this Manere 
 and preide here ' for Alle Gentelnesse, 
 Por sosterhed & for Alle kendenesse, 80 
 
 and In slakyng Of hire peyne & wo, 
 that sche wolde Comen hire vnto, 
 that Ech of hem Other myhte Comforte, 
 and Ech In here Angwisch to Other Resorte.' 84 
 
 thanne Elegentyne thanked here of hire mes- 
 sage 
 as womman that was of high parage, 
 ' and hire preide ]7at sche scholde not with hire 
 
 mysplese, 
 Eor to here it ne were nethir Comfort ne Ese ; 88 
 Sethen Jjat with hire lord sche hadde loye & 
 
 honour. 
 It is worthi be hire selves to sni&e peyne & 
 
 dolour ; 
 Eor I ne Am not to good therto, 
 Eor my lord to suffren bojie sorwe & wo ;' 92 
 
 and In this Manere sche sente to Say 
 To qwene Saracynte this ilke day. 
 
 and whanne the qwene herde of this tydynge, 
 that Elegentyne wold Comen for non thinge, 96 
 
 Sche wente hire Self In hii-e persone 
 that lady to hringen Owt of hire Mone, 
 So that this Sarracynte wente forto seke 
 this duchesse Elegentyne that was so meke. 100 
 
 and whanne to-Gederis Metten these ladyes 
 trewe 
 thanne gan Alle here sorwes Henewe ; 
 to GroAvnde bothe In Swowneng fiUe 
 that non Of hem Myhte speken Other vn- 
 
 tnie ; 104 
 
 La roine sarraqinte sa serourge, qui 
 mult r auoit chiere, pour 1' amour de 
 son frere et pour le grant bien ke ele 
 sauoit en li : oi dire cheste nouele de 
 la dolour ke ele menoit, et par iour et 
 par nuit. 
 
 Si li manda ' ke ele s'en venist avoekes 
 li, si donroit 1' une confort a 1' autre.' 
 
 Mais flegetine n' i vaut onques aler. 
 
 ancliois dist 
 
 ' ke ele ne queroit nule compaignie 
 a son duel: 
 
 ains en uoloit toute seule, en auoit eu 
 le bien.' 
 
 Et quant la roine vit 
 
 ke ele n' i voloit venir pour message 
 
 ke ele i enuoiast : 
 
 si r ala quere ele meisme. 
 
 Et si tost com eles se peurent entre- 
 trouer : 
 
 si fu toute la dolours renouelee. 
 
HOW THEY WEEP. FLEGENTYNE WILL NOT LEAVE HER KNIGHT CAESOPINES. 335 
 
 For so gret sorewe they Maden bothe 
 that to J>e peple Abowtes it was ful lothe, 
 Eor Grettere Sorwe Sawgh neuere Manne 
 that be-twene the two ladyes was thanne ; 
 Eul mochel was the Cry & the weping, 
 that be-twene hem two was, & pe Morneng ; 
 And longe it was Er they myhten Spake, 
 0]?er Ony word Eijjer myhte Owt-Breke. 
 
 3it Atte laste this qweene Sarracynte 
 Of hire Morneng Som what gan to stynte, 
 And As a wis womman and a Redy 
 To this dwchesse sche spak ful gentelly. 
 And hire sche peyned In AUe thing 
 To Restreynen hire from weping, 
 And spak ful goodly to this dwchesse 
 hire to bringen Owt Of hire distresse ; 
 and In the Ende sche preide hire So 
 that sche wolde with hire Go, 
 " And swich Comfort I wolde 30W make, 
 Eor my dere brothir 30ure lordis sake 
 that we ben so mochel bownden to ; 
 3if ony Comfort to 30W Oowde I do." 
 
 but this duchesse, this lady fre, 
 Nolde therto Assente In non degre, 
 and Excused here ful ladyly, 
 " that In non Othir felischepe trewly 
 thanne In that vauasour, that Olde knyht, 
 sche nolde not Comen be day ne be nyht ; 
 and Ek to hire were it worschepe non 
 Erom that vauasour forto goon, 
 Eor my Compenye he Nele forsake, 
 Ne I ne may his, Anothir to take ; 
 Eor In his Compenye have I be 
 Sethen myn Exil was put to Me, 
 
 108 
 
 112 
 
 116 
 
 120 
 
 124 
 
 128 
 
 132 
 
 Ne nus horn ne vit onques si grant 
 dolour faire a deus femes : 
 ke chis ne fust graindres ke la roine 
 et la ducesse faisoient. 
 
 Mult dura licris etli plours de lor duel 
 et de lor angoisse. 
 
 Mais la roine, 
 
 qui mult estoit boine dame et sage : 
 
 apiela premierement la ducesse a 
 
 comfort : 
 
 et mult se pena 
 
 de li apaiier. 
 
 Et quant ele li ot asses paroles dites, 
 et pluseurs choses moustrees: 
 
 si pria en la fin 
 
 ke ele s' en alast auoekes li. 
 
 Mais la ducesse 
 
 ne vaut onques metre a oeure : parole 
 
 ke ele li desist, 
 
 ancliois li dist. 
 
 " Dame, ie sui uenue en la compaignie 
 
 a r onie del home : en qui iou ai tous 
 iours grignour loiaute trouuee. Che 
 est vns miens vauasours. 
 
 Et bien sachies ke ses cuers seroit 
 mult a malaise se ie guerpissoie en 
 chest point sa compaignie. 
 
 136 Ne ie ne Ie guerpirai mie, dame : 
 Car puis ke il m' a acompaignie 
 el commenchement de mon essil. 
 
336 
 
 SARRACTNTE CANNOT INDUCE FLEGENTTNE TO UBTUEN WITH HER. 
 
 and In Ms Compenie I wele Abide 
 
 Tyl to my ducherie A3en I Come som tyde. i40 
 
 Per, goode lady, moclie lasse deseisse Suffre I 
 
 here 
 tlianne In 30wre Oompenye yd I were, 
 Per nether Of vs Other Myhte se 
 But Owre sorwe A3en renewed scholde be, 144 
 
 Ne nethir Of vs Of Oure lordis to spoke, 
 the Sorwe wolde maken Owre hertes breke ; 
 to heren Ony thing Of here deseisse, 
 In AUe thinges it scholde vs Misplese ; i48 
 
 and therfore Myn Owne lady & Soster so dere, 
 haueth me Excused In this Manere." 
 
 Pul Mochel hevynesse & sorwe made this 
 qweenne 
 Whannathat sche Sawh it wold not bene, 152 
 
 and that the vauasour sche nolde forsake, 
 Eul mochel sorewe sche gan to Make, 
 and that sche nolde for non preyere 
 With hire forth gon In non Manere. 156 
 
 And whanne non Other wise thanne it Myhte 
 
 it go, 
 homwardes a3en thanne torned sche tho ; 
 and to hire Self sche Made gret Mone 
 that ]5e duchesse non Otherwise wolde done. 16O 
 
 And Every day thus ferde this qweene, 
 that sorwen & Weping made bedene ; 
 and thus ferde sche ful Manye A day 
 that Man ne womman hire Oomforten 
 
 may; 
 And Euere beleft this duchesse stille 
 With the vausour. As it was hire wille, 
 And Evere hire Sorwe was lich newe, 
 So good sche was, & Of love so trewe, 
 
 164 
 
 le le deurai bien acompaignier 
 quant diex me donra venir en restrore- 
 ment de ma ioie et de ma hauteclie. 
 Et mains de paine et de doloTir souffer- 
 rai ie clii 
 
 ke ie ne feroie se ie estoie auoec 
 
 vous. 
 
 Car r une de nous deus ne verroit ia 
 
 r autre de chele eure : ke tantost ne 
 
 fust notre doleurs renouelee." 
 
 JIult mist la roine grant paine ; com- 
 ment ele en peust mener sa serourge. 
 
 Mais ele ne vaut onques guerpir le 
 vauasour 
 
 pour nule preiere ke on Fe seust faire. 
 
 Ensi tournasent la roine 
 
 mult dolente et mult oourecliie. 
 
 Et chele remest, 
 
 qui de son grant duel demener point 
 ne recrut, 
 
 anchois euforchierent chascun iour 
 si plour et ses doleurs. 
 
 Cheste vie mena la dame grant pieche : 
 
 168 
 
FLEGENTYNE HEARS THAT HER HUSBAND AND SON HAVE ESCAPED. 
 
 337 
 
 tliat Neuere man ne non womman 
 
 In that digre myhte Comforten hire than,— 
 
 til that it fyl vppon A day 
 
 that tydynges to hire Comen verray 172 
 
 that Nasciens hire lord So fre 
 
 Owt of prisoun was skaped Oerteinle. 
 
 and whanne Of this tydinges herde sche telle, 
 Somme Comfort In hire herte hefelle, 176 
 
 and better Semblaunce sche gan to Make, 
 that hire lord Owt of preson was take ; 
 And also that hire Sone so dere 
 "Was Asckaped In that Manere. 180 
 
 So it be-fyl that the seventhe Nyht 
 After that Nasciens owt of presown was dyht. 
 And as In hire bed that Niht sche lay, — 
 and hadde not slept ful mani A day 184 
 
 What For gret Mone & for Weping, — 
 at the last sche fyl In A slombering, 
 So what for weping & werynesse 
 hire herte hadde longe ben In distresse ; iss 
 
 And as sche lay In hire Slombering 
 Sche thowghte sche hadde A Mervillous Metyng, 
 Sche thouhte sche Say In hire Avisiown 
 Nasciens hire lord, bothe hoi & sown, 192 
 
 stonding to fore hire bed there, 
 that to hire Seide In this Manere, 
 " Swete soster, sixt thow not Me 
 that thus here stonde to fore the ? 196 
 
 Into a fer Centre I am I-browht 
 thorw him that vs alle hath bowht. 
 Into a place fer be weste, 
 
 there that goode lord liketh beste ; 200 
 
 wheche plase & wheche Centre 
 he hath me Ordeyned In forto be, 
 
 2 X 
 
 ke Cliques hons ne feme 
 ne le peut atraire a confort. 
 Et tant que vint au iour 
 
 que nasciens ses sires 
 fu escapes de la prison, et ses fiex. 
 Et quant ele en ot oies vraies noueles : 
 si s'en commenclia i. peu a conforter: 
 
 et fist plus biel samblant ke ele ne 
 soloit. 
 
 Et tant que vint a la sietisme nuit 
 
 apres che ke nasciens fu escapes do 
 
 prison. 
 
 Ichele nuit auint ke ele se gisoit en 
 
 son lit, 
 
 si soumelloit comme qui de grant tans 
 
 n'auoit dormi. 
 
 Si commenchoit dont a reposer. 
 
 Ensi com ele soumilloit 
 si li auint vne auisions, 
 
 ke nasciens venoit deuant li, 
 
 et si li disoit 
 
 " biele seur, sues moi : 
 
 Car ie m'en uoie 
 
 en la precieuse terre d' Occident 
 
 ke diex a pourueue a croistre et a 
 hounerer 
 
338 riiEGEXTTNE ASKS A PEOVOST OF THE CHTJIICH TTHAT HER DREAM MEANS. 
 
 and there my seed forth forto bringe, 
 
 hym to worschepe & honourenge." 20i 
 
 and On the Morwen "whanne sche Awook, 
 Gret merveil Of this Avisioun sche Took ; 
 and In as moche As sche hadde non ful 
 
 knoweng, 
 Of that Avisions Signefieng, 208 
 
 the firste werk sche dide tho, 
 To holi chirche sche gan to go, 
 there forto heren Goddis Servise 
 As Everi day it was hire Gyse. 212 
 
 And Tvhanne Alle the Servise was I-do, 
 Anon to A provost sche gan to Go, 
 And told him Of hire A visiown 
 how J)at it was, Al & so^ma, 216 
 
 And preide that provost, for Charite, 
 For hire to preyen to the Trenite 
 that he wolde senden hire som Tokeneng 
 Of that Avisiouns Signefieng. 220 
 
 And thus sone sche torned Ageyn 
 To vauasoui's hows In Certein, 
 that hire Comforteth As he Can, 
 For to hire he was A ful trewe man. 224 
 
 thanne this ladi this vauasour In Cownseil Gan 
 
 to CaUe, 
 and him tolde how that hire it gan be-falle 
 In hire Avisiown this Othir Xiht ; 
 Al him sche tolde Evene Owtriht. 228 
 
 thanne Answered this vauasour to hire Ageyn, 
 " that theke Avisiown in Certein — 
 be the helpe of God and the holy Eoode — 
 Scholde here torne to weischepe & goode ; 232 
 
 Neuertheles, lady, vndirstonde 36 Me, 
 that I wele ben Eedy in Eche degre 
 
 de ma semenche et de la uotre.'' 
 
 Et quant ele s'esuilla au matin, 
 
 si li membra de son songe. Et mult 
 se meruilla ke clie pooit estre ne sen- 
 efiier. Et se il i sambloit auoir aucune 
 chose de ueritei. 
 
 A tant par matin 
 
 ala tout premierement a sainte eglise 
 
 orer. Et sainte eglise estoit enchore au iour 
 de dont mult tenre et mult nouiele : et com- 
 ma ehele qui estoit en chel pais nouuiele et 
 commenchoit. 
 Et si tost com ele ot escoute le seruiche : 
 
 si regehi au prouuoire 
 
 sa vision, 
 
 et li pria, pour sainte carite, 
 
 ke il proiast notre signour ihesu crist 
 
 ke il I'endounastprocliain auoiement, 
 
 A tant s' en toiima la dame 
 
 a I'ostel au uauasour. 
 
 qui en toutes les manieres ke il pooit 
 
 et sauoit, se penoit de li conforter et 
 
 soulagier. 
 
 Et la dame F apiela d' une part a consel, 
 
 et si li regehi toute la verite 
 
 de sa vision: si comma ele li estoit 
 auenue. 
 
 Et li vauasours li dist, 
 
 " dame, cheste visions, 
 
 se dieu plaist : 
 
 ne senefie se bien non 
 
 Et nepourquant ke en aues vous en 
 
 talent a faire : 
 
 Quel chose ke vous en uoellies em- 
 
SHE ASKS HER OLD KNIGHT TO GO FORTH WITH HER TO SEEK HER LORD, 
 
 339 
 
 to fulfillen 30ure Comaundement 
 
 In alle degrees, And 30ure Entent." 236 
 
 and wlianne the lady herde of his benyngnete 
 In Alle thinges that so profred he — 
 For loye In herte sche gan to wepe 
 that of hire he took so gret kepe ; 240 
 
 thanne Answerid sche, " with herte & wille 
 And myn preceptis thow wilt fulfiUe, 
 the behoveth with me forto go 
 Into what plase that I preie 30W to." 244 
 
 thanne Answerid this vauasour Ageyn 
 to that worschepful duchesse Oertein, 
 " 36 ne Connen not Seyn, ne Comaunden me, 
 that I nel fulflUe In eche degre 248 
 
 Evere As 30wre Owne pore Bedeman," — 
 And thus to hire the vauasour Seide than — 
 " And what Oompenye that sche wele have, 
 I schal 30W gete to bringen 30W Save." 252 
 
 thanne Answered the lady tho 
 " that Oompenye wele I no mo 
 but Only 30ure Owne Sengle persone, 
 We tweyne to gederis to gon Alone ; 256 
 
 Eor I wolde kepen it So prevyle 
 That non lyveng man wiste but I & 3e." 
 
 Thanne Answerid this vauasowr 
 " lady, I desire 30wre Greta honour ; 260 
 
 I wele 30W telle now my Oownsaille 
 3if Owht to 30wre wit it May Avaylle, 
 Myn Eldest Sone with vs schal go 
 3if 36 thinken best that it be so, 264 
 
 and stonden vs In 3omannes Servise 
 In what degre that 30 welen him devise. 
 And wete 30 wel, that In Certeyne 
 he wolde Suffren As moche peyne 268 
 
 2x2 
 
 prendre: vees moi chi tout aparellie 
 a faire toutes les choses ke vous m' 
 oseres commander." 
 
 Quant la dame 1' oi si durement pour 
 offrir de la volente toute faire: 
 
 Si commenclia mult durement a 
 plourer. 
 
 et dist 
 
 ' ke il conuenoit que il s'en alast auoec 
 li : la u ele auoit en talent a aler.' 
 
 " Dame," dist li vauasours, " ie ne sai 
 ke vous voles faire. mais toutes les 
 eures ke vous uaures mouuoir, com- 
 mandes le. 
 
 Car notres oirres est tous apparellies, 
 et de cheuaucheure et de compaignie 
 et d'auoir." 
 " Par foi," dist la dame: 
 
 " compaignie ni voel iou auoir nule 
 
 ke seulement la uotre. 
 
 Carie m'envaurai si oheleement aler: 
 
 ke ia nule riens viuans n'en sache mot, 
 ke iou et vous." 
 
 " Dame," dist il, " uotre commande- 
 ment. 
 
 Mais se il vous plaisoit: et il vous 
 soit auis : ke ie bien die : 
 nous enmenrons auoec nous mon fil 
 le grignour. 
 
 Car ie ne vi onques nul vallet 
 
 qui grignour paine peust souffrir ke il 
 
 fait. 
 
340 
 
 THE OLD KNIGrHT URGES FliEGENTTNE TO TA.KE HIS SON WITH THEM. 
 
 As Ony man here myhte Endure 
 
 50W to plese, I 30W Ensure ; 
 
 but, lady, take 36 this speche in non swich 
 
 degre 
 In Ony thing that I scholde wraththen the, 272 
 but that I -n'ele ben Redy bothe Nyht & day 
 To don thing that 30W plesen May, 
 And for 30W to suifren peynes & Owtrage 
 As Ony man May don Of My Age. 276 
 
 But, worschepful lady, vndirstonde 30 me, 
 that it Eallet nouht for 30wre degre, 
 With-Owten A servaunt forto gone 
 Into Ony plase, 30 & I Alone. 280 
 
 and 3if with-Owten Servaunt ]?at we go. 
 And Ony mysaventure Come 30W to, 
 Goode lady, how scholde I 30we be-welde 
 that Am Old man & smeten Into Elde ? 284 
 
 and whanne we Oomen Into Ony straunge 
 
 Contre, 
 and Ony mys-Aventure befalle to Me, 
 thanne my Sone May don vs bothe Ese, 
 lady, bothen 30W & Me to plese. 288 
 
 and how so it stonde In Ony Other degre, 
 30ure Man & Servaunt I wil ben sekerle. 
 And my sone schal ben Owre Servaunt, 
 lady, 3if 30ure herte Mowe )?erto grawnt ; 292 
 
 and I as non knyht ne wil not be, 
 but as 30ure Servaunt In Echo degre ; 
 Eor what deseisse that I Suffre may 
 for 30W I wele don Every day. 296 
 
 Now that 3e hau herd myn Entent, 
 Of 30W now wolde I weten present 
 how that 30 thinken be this Cownsaille, 
 3if it Ony thing to 30W may Availle ; 300 
 
 Si nous ara mult grant mestier, se 
 vostre volentes est ke il i uiegne. 
 
 Et bien sachies, 
 
 ke pour chou n' el di iou mie ke ie ne 
 sole pres et volentieus 
 
 de souifrir toutes les paines 
 
 ke nus cors d' ome qui de mon eage 
 
 fust, porroit souffrir. 
 
 Mais nule dame de uotre hauteche 
 
 ne doit aler si escarsement 
 
 ke ele soit atendans au seruiche d' un 
 
 seul home. 
 
 Car, se nous en alons entre mi et vous, 
 sans plus. 
 
 et il mesauenoit de moi: vous series 
 toute esgaree comme ohele qui en es- 
 trange terre seroit sans connissanclie. 
 
 Et se mes fiex vient auoec nous : 
 
 pour chou ne ferai iou mie comme 
 
 chiualers 
 
 anchois voel estre comme sergans. 
 
 Car nule paine ke ie vous souffrisse : 
 
 ne me porroit estre anieuse ne car- 
 
 chable. 
 
 Or en dites votre volente. Et quant 
 
 vous vaures mouuoir. Se la com- 
 
 paignie vous plaira tele com ie di : de 
 
 che me dites uotre plaisir. Car I'ocoison 
 
 de chest voiage ne vous ose iou pas 
 
SHE COKSENTS : HE PROVIDES SILVER, GOLD, AND JEWELS FOR THE JOURNET. 341 
 
 for, lady, ful fain weten I wolde 
 
 3if that to this Cownseil 36 wolden holde." 
 
 thanne Consented that lady ful wel 
 To this knyhtes Cownsail Everidel. 304 
 
 Thanne bespak this this lady Anon, 
 " Sire knyht, I wold that we weren gon ; 
 For In loye schal I neuerie ben Sekerlye 
 tyl that my lord I se with bodily Eye. 308 
 
 therfore this viage now wele I go 
 3if God his wille with me wile do ; 
 but I ne wolde for non worldly good 
 that Non Creature it vndirstood, 312 
 
 but Onliche thi self, thi sone, and I, 
 Of this purposeng now trewely." 
 " lady," Seide this vauasour thanne, 
 " that ther nys leveng non Erthly Manne 31 6 
 
 that more gladly this viage wil vndirtake 
 thanne I wele, for my lordis Sake ; 
 and this Cownseil to 30W I wolde hau seid 
 
 to-fore, 
 but that Of on thing me dredde ful sore, 320 
 
 that me 3e wolde not haven In Compenye, 
 And this I dredde ful Sekerlye." 
 
 tbanne preide Anon this lady so fre, 
 'that Anon Hedy he wolde be, 324 
 
 And him Silver & Gold to Ordeyne, 
 And what sche myhte sche wolde hire 
 
 peyne, 
 Eor bothen pore & Naked was sche Mad ; 
 that Of Al hire good but litel sche had.' 328 
 
 Neuertheles this Olde gentyl knyht 
 To his power dide Al his Miht, 
 and purveied him Of Gold & Of tresowr, 
 and of Mani A lewel of gret valowr ; 332 
 
 enquerre : et si est chou vne chose : 
 ke ie mult uolentiers seusse." 
 
 Lors li dist la dame ; ' ke puis ke il le 
 looit, ele voloit bien ke ses fiex i alast ; 
 et Tocoison, dist ele, de la uoie, bien 
 uoel ke vous le sachies. II est voirs 
 ke ma volentes est itele ke ie ne serai 
 iamais aise deuant che ke ie verrai 
 mon signour. 
 Et ch'est li uoiaiges ou ie voel aler. 
 
 Mais ie ne voel 
 
 ke nule riens viuans le sache: pour 
 chou ke teus gens vauroient auoec moi 
 venir de qui ie n' ameroie mie la com- 
 paignie." 
 
 " Dame,'' dist li vauasours, 
 
 " oh' est la voie del monde: 
 
 ou ie plus uolentiers irai. 
 
 Et bien saches, si tost ke ie soi ke il 
 estoit escapes : le vous eusse iou done 
 en consel: 
 Se pour chou non, 
 
 ke ie doutoie ke vous ne me vau- 
 sissies mie avoec vous mener. 
 
 Mais puis ke vous ensi 1' aues empris. 
 II n' i a ke del mouuoir le matin sans 
 plus de demouranche." A tant de- 
 parti lor consaus. 
 
 Et li uauasours 
 
 apparilla or et argent 
 
342 
 
 FLE&ENTTXE GOES TO CHUKCH, AND THEN STARTS ON HER JOURNEY, 
 
 For At that tyme more hadde lie 
 
 Thanne Nasciens and flegentyne Certeinle. 
 
 Of this the vaiiasowr dide Moche thing 
 
 he Encheson Of hire sones Xorscheng. 336 
 
 And On the Morwe whanne it gan dawe, 
 this goode lady was ful fawe, 
 anon to Ohirche sche gan to Gon, 
 As hire Olde Custom was to don ; 340 
 
 And whiles that sche At Chirche was, 
 this vanasour to his wif tolde the Oas, — 
 how that his lady wolde go 
 to visite qweene sarracynte tho, — 
 So that here Sadelys he did Owt take, 
 and here hors Redy forto make ; 
 and as sone as sche from Chirche gan gon, 
 to here hors they wenten Anon, 
 bothe the lady and the vauasour, 
 And Ek his sone In that stowr — 
 hos Name was Clepyd helycaors, 
 A semly persone Of Memhris & Cors ; — 
 and his Fadir Carsopines hyhte ; 
 An Awnciel Man, and A vaillaunt knyhte. 
 
 thus this lady took leve tho 
 At the vauasours wif, & forth gan go ; 
 So dide hire howshonde & hire sone In 
 
 fere, 
 and wenten forth with Meri Chere ; 
 But this vauasour wolde not In non wise 
 to his wif discoueren his Servise, 
 and that he Scholde non ferthere Go 
 but to Sarras to the qweene tho, 
 For Flegentyne hire wolde Se 
 What Maner of Conrfort with hire myht 
 
 be ; 364 
 
 dont il auoit asses. 
 
 Car nasciens etla douclioise I'auoient 
 
 mtilt enrichi 
 
 pour I'ainour de lor fil ke il nourrissoit. 
 
 Et quant vint a 1' endemain, 
 
 la duchesse leua mult matin, 
 
 et ala a sainte eglise 
 
 ensi com ele auoit a coustume pour 
 ouurir. 
 
 Et li vauasours ot dit a sa feme : 
 ke la dame voloit aler 
 344 veoir la roine sa serourge: 
 si ot ia fait metre s' asiele : 
 
 et tout apparillie comma pour mouuoir. 
 Et si tost comme la dame repaira del 
 eglise, 
 348 si monterent. 
 
 ele et li vauasours. 
 et ses fiex li aisnes, 
 
 qui estoit apieles helicoras, che dist li 
 contes. 
 3o2 Et ses peres auoit nom corsapias. 
 
 A tant prist la duchesse congie : 
 356 a la feme au vauasour. 
 
 et ses sires ausi. et ses fiex. 
 
 360 
 
 Mais ses sires ne li fist onques samblant : 
 
 ke il deust aler plus loing 
 
 ch' a la roine. 
 
 Car il ne le voloit metre en aperche- 
 uanclie de nule chose, 
 
GOING- STRAIGHT TO SAERAS, AND THENCE WESTWARD. 
 
 343 
 
 For non Othirwise ne dorste he do, 
 For his lady Oomaunded him so. 
 thus sone iiij hors weren browght forth there. 
 And Anon they thre weren horsid In fere, 
 and the fourthe hors the Somer bar, 
 the wech.e wherto was Ordeined there, 
 that was Cbarched with diners Mone 
 With liem to have In Eche Contre. 
 
 And whanne Owt Of that taw they paste, 
 Streiht to Sarras they torned Atte laste ; — 
 and thus dide the vauasour tho 
 For they schoiden Sen hem toward sarras go ;- 
 and that weye helden they ful Ryht 
 til they weren A Mile Owt of pe peples Siht. 
 thanne bespak this vauasowr tho, 
 and seide, " lady, how wele 30 now go 
 For to Seken My lord & 30ure, 
 Whiche that is Man Of honoure ; 
 For I suppose In Min Mynde 
 36 ne weten in what Contre him to fynde ; 
 and Sethen that 3e knowen non Oerteinte 
 In what Contre that he Scholde be, 
 So Mosten we Seken be Aventure 
 In what Contre to fynden him Sure." 
 
 " For sothe," quod the lady Ageyn, 
 " I n' wot neuere Into what Contre Certein 
 Sikerly him forto fynde — 
 My worthy lord So Good & kynde ; — 
 but In As Moche As that he tolde Me 
 'that westward Algates Scholde he be,' 
 thus thowhte me In Myn Avisiown 
 that he Seide Al & Som ; 
 Wherfore westward, I telle it the. 
 My herte falleth Most he Scholde be." 
 
 pour choTi ke sa dame li auoit deifendu 
 
 Ensi s' en tournerent tout troi. 
 si eiimenerent .iiij. cheuaus 
 368 dont li troi furent a lor cheuaucheure 
 
 et li quars fu vns soumies 
 
 372 
 
 qui tous estoit cargies de deniers 
 
 mounees, et d' or et d' argent en plate, 
 
 et de vaisselemente mult riche et mult 
 
 biele. 
 
 Et quant il farent hors de la uile. 
 
 Si tournerent le droit chemin a aler 
 
 a la chite de sarras. 
 
 Et che fist li vauasours 
 
 pour che qui on quidast que il alais- 
 
 sent a la roine tout droit. 
 
 Chelui chemin tinrent 
 
 tant ke il orent esre plus d' une lieue, 
 
 et lors apiela li vauasours sa dame, 
 OCA et si li dist. " Dame, or dites quel part 
 
 vous loes que nous querons mon signour . 
 
 376 
 
 384 
 
 388 
 
 392 
 
 396 
 
 Car ie ne quit pas 
 
 ke vous sachies chertainement en quel 
 
 terre il est. 
 
 Et pour chou ke nous ne sauons nule 
 
 chertainete: 
 
 nous conuenra il aler a auenture la u 
 nous irons." 
 
 " par foi," dist la dame : 
 " il est uoirs. ke ie n' en sai 
 nule verite. 
 
 Mais pour chou ke mes sires me disoit 
 en ma vision: 
 
 ' ke il s' en voloit aler en la terre d' Oc- 
 cident :' 
 
 pour chou me trait plus li cuers la 
 ke en nule autre terre. Je loe ke nous 
 alons chele part la plus droite voie." 
 
344 THEY COME TO THE RIVER AKEOUSE, AND ENTER THE LAND OE CALAMYNE. 
 
 thanne torned they Aweye On >e Rylit 
 
 bond, 
 And tlius sone a water there they fond ; 400 
 
 Anon ful sone that water they paste 
 That toward Orbery Ran In gret haste, 
 Which water ' Arecuse ' was Oleped tho 
 that to Orbery wardis wente tho. 404 
 
 So longe they E-eden til it was Eve, 
 Eor the sonne hire lyht began to leve, 
 thanne was sche At hire owne londis Ende, 
 thike gentil lady so good & hende. 408 
 
 And there here-In they token Anon, 
 In a Rial plase of lym & of ston 
 that next the Castel of Emelianz stood, 
 that marched next to ]>e dwchie On |?at 
 
 flood. 412 
 
 And'On the Morewe ful Erly sche Ros, 
 
 And In hire weye forth sche gos 
 
 Eor that Aparceyved sche ne wolde not be ; 
 
 for sche was there at Swich poverte, 416 
 
 and sche dide it be good Resoun, 
 
 Eor Al that Contre there In-virown 
 
 they weren Saradynes Everichon, 
 
 and hatede alle Cristene be On & On, 420 
 
 and Ek hem Of Orberi & Of Sarras 
 
 these Saradines hatede In Every plas. 
 
 thanne past they forth owt of that contre 
 tho. 
 
 And Into Calamyne they gonne to go. 424 
 
 Now Of this dwchesse here leveth this 
 storie ; 
 
 And to the Messageres we Mosten bye 
 
 that Sire Nasciens Sowghten Every where, 
 
 In Eche Contre, bothe fer & Nere; 428 
 
 Lors tournerent .j. chemin a destre, 
 
 et passerent vne aigue 
 qui couroit a orberike 
 qui estoit apielee 'arecuse.' 
 
 Et quant il orent 1' aigue passe, si es- 
 rerent mult isnelement tant ke U vin- 
 rent a la uesprer : 
 en la fin de la terre nascien. 
 
 Si prisent ostel de mult haut eure. 
 
 et vinrent a vn chastel 
 
 qui marchisoit a la duchee qui estoit 
 apieles emelians. 
 
 A I'endemain leuerent mult matin. 
 
 Car la dame ne voloit pas estre 
 aperchue en la vile, 
 pour chou ke ele aloit si pourement. 
 et si i auoit encliore autre raison. 
 
 Car cliil de chel chastiel, et de tovit le 
 pais enuiron, 
 estoient sarrasin : 
 
 si haoient 
 
 chiaus de sarras et d' orberike 
 
 pour ohou qu' il s' estoient crestiene. 
 
 Et quant il orent chel chastiel es- 
 
 longie I'errure. de. v. lieues : 
 
 Si entrerent es vaus de calamine en vne 
 
 terre qui mult est pleiitieueuse de nart et de 
 
 cynamome et de basme. Tant esrerent ke il 
 
 vinrent au tierch iour a vne chite mult riche 
 
 qui auoit non 'lussane.' Si estoit maistres 
 
 sieges del roiaume le roi de meocide. 
 
 Mais or se taist a tant li contes de la dueesse 
 
 flegetine et de se compaignie. 
 
 et si tourne sour les messages dont ie vous auoie 
 
 conimenchie a center, 
 
 qui estoient meu de par la roine sar- 
 
 raquite pour querre son frere nascien. 
 
OP THE FURTHER THINGS THAT THIS HISTORY WILL TELL. 
 
 345 
 
 but ful longe it is, I vndirstonde, 
 
 Er that these Messengeres Sire Nasciens 
 
 fonde; — 
 And how Nasciens fond his 3onge sone 
 that with him in presown was done, 
 wherfore of Al Erthly thing 
 For his wif & him was his Morneng. 
 
 432 
 
 Et ne-pourquant anchois ke il die 
 des messages, contera il coument nas- 
 ciens vint el lieu ou li message le 
 trouerent, 
 
 et comment il trouuerent celidone son 
 
 fil. 
 
 ke il auoit laissiet en la maison calafier. 
 
 dont ses cuers estoit plus a malaise ke 
 de nule riens viuant. 
 
 The Additional MS. 10,292 (fol. 29, col. 3,) ends this chapter with ' et al matin se mistrent a la uoie, et 
 errerent tant qu'il orent passe les uaus de galamine, et uindrent a vne cite qui ot a non luisance, et estoit 
 li maistres sieges del roialme de meotide. Mais ore se taist li contes a parler de la duchoise, et vous dira 
 de nascien, et du lieu la ou il fu portes.' The next Chapter is headed ' Ensi que nasciens dormoit en I'ille 
 torniant, et songa qu'il auoit asses des oiseaus entour lui.' 
 
 2t 
 
346 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 Of Nasciens on the " Yl Torneawnt." How the hand bore Nasciens to a Turning Island, the name and 
 nature of which it is the duty of the History to expound (p. 347). [The exposition accordingly in the 
 French MS. only. At the beginning of all things, when God separated the four elements, he set the 
 heavens above the earth and sea as a covering, as they were contrary to one another, the heavens being 
 hot and light, and earth cold and -heavy (p. 348). And because the foul earth touched heaven and 
 dirtied it, God divided them, making the heavens clear and warm, and the earth cold and heavy. The 
 dross of the elements, the rust of the earth, and the sediment of the sea, could not mix with earth and 
 water, nor with the heavens, for they were foul and the heavens pure; and the flame from 
 heaven could not return to it, as being corrupted. (So little from the air was in the mass, that it 
 need not be noticed.) Therefore, as the mass could not go to any one of its element-sources, fire or 
 heaven, earth or water, it stopped in two, earth and water. For God willed it should be in the sea, 
 and because one part was from heaven it swam lightly, and floated into the Western Sea, between 
 Ovagrive [MS. ou a griue] and Tiger's Harbour, where was great store of Adamant or Loadstone, which 
 loves iron above all things, and will not leave it when it once gets hold of it, unless it is obliged to. So, 
 when this mass of shakings came to the place of the Adamant, it stopt (p. 348). And its heavenly heat 
 made the whole mass light, and the mass remained in the sea, and was called an island (p. 349). But no 
 herb or tree or beast or bird was on it. Also the isle turned every time that the firmament or heaven 
 turned; and this is why it was called Tl Torneawnt. Qp. 349).] How, when Nasciens awoke from his 
 swoon, he was much abashed, but stiU stedfast in his belief, like Job (p. 349). How he bore all his 
 troubles as patiently as Job, and thanked God (p. 350). Howthe Turning Isle was barren and very hot 
 (p. 350), and Nasciens was weary and bruised, and so lay down to sleep, making the sign of the cross 
 (p. 351). He sees in a vision white birds (p. 352), and two come to him, and tell him to fly (p. 35i). 
 He perceives that he' has wings (p. 352). The birds come again and ask him for his heart to eat. He 
 gives it them, and they rejoice (p. 353), and speak to him (p. 354). On awaking he feels the isle 
 trembling, and hears a marvellous battle in the sea (p. 354) ; the Adamant and the Firmament trying 
 which will turn the isle, and the Firmament winning (p. 855 ). One end of the isle turns down and the 
 other up, though it was eighty miles round and fifty-seven long (p. 355-6); which is no lie, for this 
 Holy Story was written by Christ with his own hand (p. 356-7) ; and He never wrote anything else 
 but the Law for Moses (p. 357), and the Judgment on the Adulterous "Woman (p. 357); which latter 
 is explained (p. 357-8). Then "what clerk is there so hardye that dar sein openlye that God sethen 
 his uprysinge made ony writinge sauf this blessid storye of Seint Graal?" (p. 359). If any allege the 
 contrary, " they lyen fill pleyn" (p. 359)' 
 
 Now this storye einnetli forth to telle '^"'® '*'^' '' '^""'^^ "''! endroit, ke quant la 
 
 •^ '-' nue en eut porte nascien iusc*a la v calafier 
 
 Of Nasciens how that thO befelle, rent aconaieui:ensi com uousl'auesoideuiser 
 
 cha arriere el conte. Et que calafier fu cheus 
 that how the hond him hadde I-bore pasmes pour la paour de la nue vermelle : et 
 
 keli Cora qui dedens la nue estoit eut calafier 
 thenS As Caiaier was lOrlore. 4 slgnle es .Ij. ioles del selng mortel : 
 
 thanne the hond Sire Nasciens Bar Apres che enporta la nue nascien 
 
 Into A ful straunge Contre thar ; en .i. mult estrange lieu. 
 
 Whiche Contre was A Merveillons plas, Chil lieus estoit 
 
 For An yl In the west Se it was, 8 en .i. isle en la mer d'occident: 
 
 that xiij lornes it was of lengthe qui estoit bien .xiij. iournees loins 
 
 thens As Nasciens was In ]?e presown of strengthe. del lieu ou nasciens auoiteste en prison. 
 
that this Storye Rehersed [it] here ; 20 
 
 THE HISTORY OP THE TURNING ISLAND TO "WHICH NASCIENS WAS CABKIED. 347 
 
 that yl was Of sweche a fame 
 
 Si est apielee des paisans :, isle tour- 
 Eor ' yl Torneawnt was the name ; 12 noians. Chele isle si est apielee tour- 
 
 Por be Ryht Eesown it is So, ''°^^''^- P^"^ <^^°i*^ ^^^^™- 
 
 for Oj?er whiles it Torneth bothe to & fro ; Car il est verites ke ele tournoie. 
 
 but In As moche as that the Cause why Mais pour che ke la maniere 
 
 r>,n I • m • / 1 1 de son tournoiement n'est pas bien 
 
 Oi his Torneng nis not knowen verayly — 16 counute 
 
 Of AUe tho bat there of don speken, Other Rede, ^^ ^o'^^ ^hiaus et de toutes cheles qui 
 
 parler en ont oi, 
 
 they ne knowen it not In word ne In dede, — 
 
 therfore Resoun & sckele it were pour chou est il raisons 
 
 ke chis contes en demonstrancHe la 
 verite. 
 
 for Of Eche thing that is Of dowte car dontserolttchouvns enlaohemens de pa- 
 
 roles ; se li de chascune doutanche dont il 
 he it ReherSeth Er he passe Owte, parlerolt ne mouBtrolt aperte oonnissanohe, 
 
 . 11 •! / /->n T j_ 1 autresi com font vne maniere de gent qui 
 
 and bringeth it to Ulere VndirStOndyng dlent main tes paroles, etlesvauroientaffermer 
 
 _ -j^iji /~\^ ^ c auoir, et si n'en puent traire ni auant nul 
 
 to J^iVery ManneS wit, bothe Old & 30ng, 24 tesmolgnage fors ke tant seulement ke dire 
 
 /kctiiTTj-r^ ' l'""' oi ^' autres gens.' Mais de cheste 
 
 As 36 OCnOlen nere in tyme UOmeng mauuaise maniere s'escuse bien chis contes. 
 
 1 i.1 • J. • 1 1 J.T -m J.1 ' Car il n'en trait onques auant nule paroles ou 
 
 how this stone declareth JjiVery thing, ilpulsse doutanche apercheuoir,keilnelefaehe 
 
 de lout en tout apertement counoistre, et pour 
 chou est il a droit apieles. I'estoire des estoires. 
 
 Orre repaire la parole, et raconte la droit maniere del isle ou nasciens fu portes: ke li Tte history of the Yl 
 
 .,,,., . , -, . Torneawnt. 
 
 paisant, si com le vous ai dit apielent ' lisle toumoiant. II est verites prouuee ke au com- 
 
 ... . -^t the beginning of all 
 
 menchement de toutes choses, quant li establissieres del monde deuisa et departi .iiij. things, when God sepa- 
 
 elemens: qui deuant estoient tout en .j. monchelement, et en vne masse: et il ot le chiel, ^^ ttt ^ ®'°™'^' 
 
 qui li escripture claime le fu, deseure des autres trois : qui de toutes clartes est plains, et 
 
 de toutes netetes : il I'establi el plus haut lieu. Car il en fist couuerture a tous les autres, above the earth and sea 
 
 et closture. Et pour cbou ke li cbieus, et li airs, et la terre, et li aue, auoient este en '^ * covering 
 
 vne masse. Ja fust obou ke li vns fust contraires a I'autre, si ne pooit mie estre ke li as they were contrary 
 
 vns ne fust enuolepes de I'autre, et enloes des diuerses manieres qui en cbascun lieu '° °"® another, 
 
 estoient. Car il cbieus estoit par nature caus, et legiers. et la terre estoit par nature 'he heavens being hot 
 
 . . . and light, 
 
 froide et pesans. Et par cbe puet cbascuns counoistre, ke en aucune maniere se sentoit li and the earth cold and 
 
 cbieus de la froidour de la terre, et de li aue autresi. Et chil doi s'entresentoient en ^*^^' 
 
 aucune guise de la grant calour del chiel. Ensi poes entendre les contrarites des vns et 
 
 des autres qui s'entrenuisoient, et ne se pooient souiFrir. Et de cbe que la terre qui And because the foul 
 
 pensans est, et froide, et amassemens d'ordure, touchoit au cbiel qui est legiers et caus et ^^''^^ touched heaven 
 
 fontaine de toutes netetes : de cbe auint qui il en quelli ordure. Si comme amassement de ^'^^ dirtied it, (being a 
 
 1 , . , J, T !• ■ -n T • . mass of rust of earth 
 
 terriene lerrume et de la rieule* de li aue autresi. ILt quant li souuerams perps qui est fon- and scum of sea) 
 
 fontaine de toute sapiense eut I'un departi de I'autre, et desioint, si mist le cbiel en sa droite ^°^. "^'"f®^, tl^em, 
 
 *- making the heaven 
 
 * " It is obvious that rieule here must mean either ' scum ' or ' sediment." I have no doubt that it is the latter, from regulus, Fr. 
 regiile, the chemical term for ' metals separated from other substances by fusion.' — Worcester. ' The pure metal which in the melting 
 of ores falls to the bottom of the crucible.' — Webster. Trevoux gives rieule as the Fr. form of the proper name Regulus." Hens- 
 LEiGH Wedgwood. 
 
 2t2 
 
348 
 
 THE WONDERFUL HISTOEY OF THE TURNING ISLE. 
 
 clear and warm 
 
 and the earth cold and 
 heavy. 
 
 Having purged the 
 heavens of their dross, 
 the rust of the earth 
 and the sediment of the 
 sea could not mix 
 with earth and water, 
 nor with the heavens, 
 
 for they were foul 
 
 and the heavens pure ; 
 
 and the flame from 
 heaven could not return 
 to it, 
 as being corrupted. 
 
 (So httle from the air 
 was in the mass, that it 
 need not be noticed.) 
 
 Therefore, as this mass, 
 shaken out of the four 
 elements, could not go 
 to anyone of its element- 
 sources, fire or heaven, 
 earth or water ; 
 
 it stopped in two, 
 earth and water. 
 For God willed 
 
 it should be in the sea, 
 
 and because one part 
 
 was from heaven 
 
 it swam lightly, 
 
 and floated 
 
 into the Western Sea, 
 
 between Ovagrive [MS. 
 
 ou a grine] and Tigers* 
 
 Harbour, 
 
 where was great store of 
 
 Adamant or Loadstone, 
 
 which 
 
 loves iron above all 
 
 things, 
 
 and wUl not leave it 
 
 when it once gets hold 
 
 of it 
 
 unless it is obliged to. 
 
 So, when this mass of 
 
 shakings came to the 
 
 place of the Adamant 
 
 it stopt. 
 
 hounoTir, et amena en sa droite honour : et amena en sa droite pure netee. Car il le fist 
 cler, et luisant, et legier, de toutes calours plain. Et la terre laissa froide, et pesant, et 
 en fust amassement de toutes choses pesans. Et quant il eut le cliiel netie et monde 
 de la terriene fermme, et de la rieule de li aue: et il ot escousse la terre, et leue de 
 1' arsin du cliiel. Chele ferrume terriene et cliele rieule euage : ne peurent mie naturel- 
 ment conioindre a la terre, et a li eue, dont eles estoient issues. Ne cliele celestiene 
 ardure, et cMl rieulemens qui de la terre et de li aue furent escous, ne peussent mie 
 honestement repairier a si haute chose, et a si nete, com est li chieus. Car il auoient 
 aucune take comcueUie de la terre et de U aue, qui sont amassement de toutes orduxes. 
 Et li chieus, che aues vous bien oi: est de toutes netetes plains. Et pour chou, par 
 droite raison, ne deuoit nus d' aus repairier : la dont il estoit issus. Ne la terriene 
 ferrume a la terre ■ ne la rieule euage a li aue : par chou ke aucune legierete, et aucune 
 calour, auoient concheue del chiel. Et pour chou ke 1' arsins del chiel ne pent au 
 chiel repairier : comme chele qui estoit entechie des vilenies de la terre et de li aue, pour 
 chou couuint que ches .iij. choses repairaissent a ime masse. Et pour chou ke aucune 
 ne desist ausi estoit H airs amoncheles com chU troi pour quoi n' en paroles dont chis 
 enoutes. II est uoirs proues ke auoec ches trois escoussures ot aucune chose de I'air, et a 
 che s' acorde bien li contes. Mais il dist, ke si petit en i eut : ke ia pour chel mestier n' en 
 deust estre parole tenue. Ensi com vous aues oi, repairent les .iiij. parties a vne masse: qui 
 des .iiij. elemens furent escousses. Et pour chou ke chele masse ne puet naturelment 
 repairier a nul de ches .uij. elemens, par le raison ke li contes en a deuisee, si conuint ke 
 ele fast en contenchon. Et si fa ele sans faiUe. Car, tant com il i auoit de fti, che est del 
 chiel, fa ele legiere, et entendi a monter en haut. Et tant com il i auoit de la terre, 
 apesanti. Et de tant com ele se senti de li aue: si fa moiste et croUans. Et paupuisa. 
 Mais de 1' air i eut si petit: ke ele n' en quelli nule forche. Et pour chou ke toute la 
 pensantume des .iiij. elemens est en la terre: et en li aue : et ke chil doi recueUent toutes 
 les pensantes coses, par che remest ele a ches deus, en tel maniere com vous ores. 
 II fa verites prouuee ke par la uolente et par le plaisir de chelui a qui toutes choses 
 sont obeissans: chei chele masse en la mer. Et pour chou ke ele traioit en vne 
 partie a legierete, selonc che ke ele se sentoit du chiel, qui est tres legiers : pour chou 
 noa ele legierement, ne n' eut pooir d' aler au fons. En cheste maniere noa ele 
 grant pieche par la mer ke onques en nule partie ne peut prendre arestement. Tant ke 
 ele vint en la mer d'occident: entre 1' isle ouagriue et le port as tigres. En vne partie de 
 chele mer qui est entre chel isle et chel port, a grant plente d' aimant el fons a ual. Et 
 vous aues oi cha arriere, ke li contes dist ke tant com il ot de terre en la masse. Si estoit 
 terrine ferrume. Et chele pierre qui a a non aymans : si est de tel nature : ke ele aime fier 
 sour toute riens. Et uolentiers le trait a h. El se li fiers li est prochains, et ele i puet sa 
 forche ioindre : il n' en est mie legiers a departir : anchois tire le forche de la pierre tant 
 le fier a U, ke ele le fait a li touchier : Se grignour plente n' i a del fier ke de la pierre : 
 ou autre ostacle par quoi la forche de 1' aymant soit vaincue. Quant la masse dont ie 
 vous ai parle vint flotant iusc' au lieu ou 1' aymans estoit : si s' arestut. Car la forche del 
 
HOW NASCIENS IN ALL HIS TROUBLES DID NOT TURN FROM GOD. 
 
 349 
 
 aymant le retint: pour chou ke ele estoit ferrouse, ensi com uous aues oi: Mais onques la ^'^^ '^^ heavenly heat 
 
 forche del aymant ne seut tant tirer ke ele le peust a li faire ioindre. Non mie pour chou 
 
 ke il i eust grignour plente de fier ke d' aiment. Mais tant com il i auoit de la celestiene ® "^ ° « ^^^ 'S • 
 
 calour, le tenoit plus legiere ; et si le faisoit par sa forche tendre en haut. En cheste and the mass remained 
 
 maniere remest chele masse en cliel lieu de mer. Et fu apielee puis par les paisans : isle, ^^^ ^^ called an 
 
 pour chou ke toutes les masses de terre qui perent en mer et es autres iaues par ou ke che W^°<i. 
 
 soit : sont apielees par chest non. Et pour chou ke ele se senti en grant partie de la nature del 
 
 chiel : pour che auint il ke onques point ni crut d' erbe, ne arbres, ne beste, n' i porroit durer, But no herb or tree or 
 
 ne oisiaus. Et auoec cheste maniere a ele enchore vne autre, ke ele tient en chele nature j^y^^ ^■^^g igi^ turned 
 
 ke ele a du chiel, ke toutes les fiex ke li firmamens tourne : et 1' isle tourne ausi tout com ^^^T t'™^ 
 
 that the firmament, 
 li firmamens: che est li chieus. En tel maniere tournie 1' isle com vous aues oi: Or nous or heaven turned, 
 
 a li contes deuise la raison pour quoi li paisant 1' apielent 1' isle tournoiant. called Tl'TorMmmt^^ 
 
 En chele isle fu nasciens portes par la 
 
 nue. 
 
 Et la le mist la nue ius, tout pasme 
 
 comme chelui qui si auoit pierdu le 
 
 sens par les meruelles ke il auoit veues : 
 ke il ne sauoit 
 
 se il estoit, ou se il n' estoit mie. 
 
 Et quant la nue I'ot mis ius. Si s'en 
 
 parti. 
 
 Et nasciens iut a terre mult longe- 
 
 ment ausi comme s'il fust mors. 
 
 Et quant il reuint de pamison en son 
 
 sens et son ensient, et il ouuri les iex, 
 
 che ne fait a demander 
 
 si il fu durement esbahis. 
 
 Et se il ne fust de si enterin cuer vers 
 son sauueour. 
 
 Into this yl Sire Nasciens the hond bar, 
 
 & him In Swowneng be-left thar, 28 
 
 As man that hadde lost bothe wit & Memorie 
 
 For J>e wondirful sightes that he to fore sye ; 
 
 Eor he ne wiste Oerteinlye 
 
 Where he was, ne in what partye. 32 
 
 Anon the hond thens departid thanne, 
 And Nasciens there lay as a ded Manne ; 
 And whanne Of his Swowneng Jjere Awook, 
 he lift vp his Eyen and Abowtes gan to look ; 36 
 it Nas non nede him to Refreyne 
 Whethir he were Abascht Certeine, 
 but Evere his herte stedfast was 
 In his Oreaunce, swich was his gras. 40 
 
 Eor Al the drede he hadde Snffred be-fore, 
 3it God him wolde Asayen wel more ; 
 Eor him weren Comeng Many tormensse, 
 3it wolde he neuere to his God Offensse, 44 
 
 Nether for loye ne]?er for ille, 
 but Euere In his Oreawnce belefte Stille, 
 And Evere In his torment stedfast was 
 As was lob In Every plas, 48 
 
 that In his lif hadde So moche Richesse 
 So Moche welthe & worthynesse, 
 
 qui en maintes maniere 1' auoit es- 
 proue, et en maintes manieres le uoloit 
 enchore esprouuer, il ne fast pas remes 
 en sa creanche. Car toutes les mes- 
 cheanches liestoientauenues puis ke il 
 le rechut : et toutes les ioies eslongier. 
 Ne onkes pour ioie qui U eslongast, 
 ne pour meschanche qui li creust: 
 ne se desuoia de sa creanche tant 
 seulement ke il peust estre menes 
 iusc' a uolente de repentir. 
 
 Mais tout ausi com iob 
 
 qui tantes bieles rikeches auoit eues 
 
 en sa vie, 
 
350 NASCIENS THANKS GOD. HE FINDS THE TURNING ISLE BABREN, AND VERY HOT. 
 
 and 3it siiifred lie witli herte & Minde, 
 As A Man that was to God M kynde, 
 poverte, Misseise, and Ek distresse, 
 Angwich, temptacions, & Siknesse, 
 And in poverte vppon a dong hil lay ; 
 3it herde J^ere neiiere Man Into this day 
 that neuere with his Mowth he seide Amys, 
 Ne Grochched A3ens his Creatour I-wis. 
 And lik In the same Manere tho 
 Suffl-ede Nasciens bothe Angwisch & wo ; 
 With goode wiUe & debonowre herte 
 SuflPrede he many Angwisches smerte, 
 and nenere to his God made he grochchenge, 
 Nethir for tormentis ne non Othir thinge. 
 And thus to him Self he gan to Speke, 
 And to him self his herte gan breke, 
 And seide, " lord I thanket to the 
 Of alle the deseisse thow sendest Me, 
 Eor moche more, worthy I am to have, 
 My Sowle 3if I scholde Ony wise save." 
 
 And whanne to this yl he was I-browht, 
 he loked Abowtes him, & say E-yht nowht 
 but the Eir, the yl, and the See ; 
 In ful gret Merveyl thanne was he ; 
 for how that thedir he was I-gon, 
 In what Manere ne wiste he non ; 
 And Abowtes him he loked pure faste, 
 & Al that was barein & ful waste, 
 and so stronge passeng hete there 
 that he ne myht it Endure In non Manere. 
 thanne wiste he neuere In what partye 
 Of that yl how he myht this hete drie ; 
 but Euere hadde In Remembraunce 
 Of his thedir Comeng, & Of that Chaunce, 
 
 52 
 
 56 
 
 soufri de boingre et en boine volente 
 et de boine pascienche 
 
 toutes ses mescbeanclies iusc' a si uil 
 giste et a si laide, 
 
 com de femier : 
 
 ke onques sa bouche n' en parla .j. 
 seul vUain mot 
 encontre son creatour. 
 
 Tout autresi 
 
 60 soufii naisciens 
 
 deboinairement 
 
 ses grans paines et ses grans mes- 
 cheanobes, tout il li auint, 
 asses en boin gre, sans courechier, 
 ne a dieu ne a autrui : 
 
 64 
 
 68 
 
 76 
 
 fors ke a soi seulement, 
 et disoit 
 
 ' ke che auoit il bien deserui.' 
 
 Et quant il se fu trouues en 1' isle 
 tournoiant en tel maniere com vous 
 '2 aues oi: et il ne vit entour lui 
 
 ke cbiel et iaue seulement, 
 
 il fu mult espei'dus. 
 
 Caril ne seut comment il i estoitvenus. 
 
 n vit r isle tout entour lui 
 
 laide et gaste 
 
 et plaine de si grant calour : 
 
 80 ke mult estoit felenesse et greueuse 
 a son souffrir. II se vit seul et esgare. 
 II ne seut en quel partie de la mer 
 il pooit estre. 
 
 II ne li menbra 
 
 84 comment il estoit escapes. 
 
NASCIENS IS BRUISED AND WEARY, AND SO LIBS DOWN AND SLEEPS. 
 
 351 
 
 and of Celidoine his 30iigest sone 
 
 ]?at with Mm In preson was done, 
 
 Which that was mochel In his Mynde, 
 
 That Gentyl Child, that was so kynde. 88 
 
 For-brosed weren his honden & Armes to, 
 
 his legges, his feet, wrowhten him moche wo, 
 
 his Beynes Oken, his E-ibbes they gnowe. 
 
 So that Of tormentis he hadde I-nowe ; 92 
 
 To the Erthe Anon he leide him thanne. 
 
 As A ful wery and A-brosed Manne 
 
 that a passing lust hadde forto Slope, 
 
 hof that to his Angwisch took kepe. 96 
 
 thanne down he him leide. As it is told, 
 In A partie Of the yl that was most Cold ; 
 For ful hot somer it was with-Owten let, 
 the Nynthe day Of ]>e kalendes of Juignet. 100 
 
 thanne his Ryht bond he left vppe there, 
 and Made the signe of the Orois In good Manere 
 In the Name Of the trenite, 
 
 On God & persones thre, 104 
 
 That it scholde ben his protectour 
 In alle degrees a3ens the fals deceyvour, 
 Whiche is the devel In Alle wise 
 Man to deseyYen In dyvers Gyse ; 108 
 
 that to goddis beleve hath Ony lust, 
 him forto tempten he desireth most. 
 
 thanne thus this Nasciens to slepen be-gan 
 as for Angwichs & a wery Man, 112 
 
 that to Slepen he hadde gret lust, 
 and there him down lay As he durst ; 
 and the Mone Schon bothe fair & Cler 
 vppon Nasciens that Alone lay there, 116 
 
 that so ful wel & longe slept he tho 
 as A man that gret Node hadde therto. 
 
 II ne sot ke celidoines sea fiex faisoit. 
 
 et ch' estoit la riens terriene de quoi 
 il estoit en grignouiv soupechon. 
 
 II fu las et desbrisies. les mains li 
 
 doloient, 
 
 et li pie; 
 
 et les rains, et li coste. 
 
 II se coucha a terra 
 
 comme chil ke de dormir et de 
 soumillier auoit meruiUeus talent. 
 
 Et quant il se fii couchies 
 
 en vne des parties de 1' isle qui plus 
 
 U sambloit estre froide. 
 
 Car ch' estoit en este 
 
 au nueuisme iour des kalendes en 
 
 iungnet. Si en estoit plus caude 1' isle. 
 
 Lors leua sa destre main en haut : et 
 
 fist sour lui le signe de la sainte crois : 
 
 ke ele li fust escus et deffendemens 
 encontre le pardurable decheueour. 
 Ch' est encontre le dyable 
 
 qui ne bee ke seulement a decheuoir 
 cheus et cheles 
 
 qui de 1' amour et de la creanche dame 
 dieu sont espris et entalente. 
 
 A tant s'endormi nasciens 
 de lassete et de trauail, 
 
 et la lune Itiisoit mult olere, car il 
 
 estoit nuis. 
 
 Et il s' endormi mult longement et 
 
 mult bien, 
 
 com chil qui mult grant mestier en 
 
 auoit. 
 
352 
 
 NASCIENS'S VISION OF THE WHITE BIEDS, WHO MAKE HIM PLY, 
 
 Thus slept Nasciens Al that Nyht 
 Til on the Morwen it was day lyht, 120 
 
 Where that In Avisioun him thowhte he sye 
 Merveillous thinges ful Sekerlye : — 
 
 him thowhte he sawh gret plente 
 White hriddes Ahowtes him to be. 124 
 
 And whanne that these briddes he gan be- 
 
 holde, 
 In his herte he Merveilled Manifolde, 
 for somme Of hem flowen wondir hye, 
 and somme wondir lowe Certeinlye, 128 
 
 and the tothir partye Of hem tho 
 Erom the Erthe ne myhte not go, 
 ne flen nowher from the grounde ; — 
 Where offen he Merveilled that stownde. 132 
 
 thanne Comen there tweyne of }>e grettest of 
 
 AUe, 
 and down to the Erthe Gonne they falle ; 
 At his two feet they descendyd Adown there, 
 And Into the Eyr they him gonnen here. 136 
 
 thanne whanne he was In the Eir An hy, 
 they seiden, " Nasciens, fle forth boldly." 
 
 thanne Nasciens him self be-gan to beholde ; 
 tho hadde he wenges that lyghtly wolde folde 140 
 and Aplyen to his flyht thanne therto, 
 bim thowhte he was ful loly tho ; 
 Al whit him thowhte his wenges were, 
 and that lightliche he myht fleen there. i44 
 
 thanne thus Sone bim thowhte Anon 
 that these grete briddes weren Agon ; 
 tho that Maden him forto iie so liht 
 from bim weren past Owt Of his siht. i48 
 
 thanne to Nasciens A3en thei gonne Restore, 
 And to him these briddes Seiden thore. 
 
 Ensi dormi nasciens 
 iusques vers la ioumee. 
 Et lors li vint vne auisions, 
 
 ke il li estoit auis ke il venoit en 
 
 vnes grans plaines : 
 
 si i auoit mult grant plente de blans 
 
 oisiaus. 
 
 Et il li estoit auis, quant il les es- 
 
 gardoit, 
 
 ke il voloient mult liaut, 
 
 de teus i auoit qui uoloient mult bas- 
 
 setement. 
 
 Et vne partie d' aus 
 
 ne pooit voler, 
 
 anchois se tenoit a terre. 
 
 Lors venoit li plus grans d' aus tous, 
 et li plus biaus, 
 
 si le prenoit a ses deus pies. 
 
 Et si I'enportoit la sus en 1' air mult 
 
 haut, 
 
 et dont 
 
 si li disoit ' vole.' 
 
 Et nasciens si regardoit tout mainte- 
 nant, si ueoit ke il auoit .ij. eles mult 
 grans et mult legieres, 
 
 et si estoient toutes blanches. 
 
 et il en uoloit ausi deliurement com il 
 
 marchast de son pie. 
 
 Apres venoit li grans oisiaus deuant 
 lui, cliil ke I'auoit apris a uoler. 
 et si li disoit, 
 
AND ASK HIM POE. HIS HEART TO EAT. HE GIVES IT THEM, AND THET EAT IT. 363 
 
 And boden him ' 3even hem Som Mete, 
 
 Swiche good As he Cowde Gete,' 152 
 
 thanne Answerid this Nasciens A3en tho, 
 
 " What Mete Welen 3e that I gete 30U to, 
 
 And I Wele fulfillen it to my power 
 
 What So Evere it be, Oj?er fer other nere." 
 
 thanne Answerid the briddis Ageyn 
 "that neuere fulfilled scholen we ben Oer- 
 
 tein, 
 Ne Nenere E,eplet with non Mete 
 that thow myht 3even vs forto Ete, I6O 
 
 but thine Owne herte Only 
 vs on to Eede now Certainly." 
 Anon he drowgh Owt his Owne herte, 
 and the brid it 3af, and nold it not Asterte. 
 
 Anon the Brid Resceyved it loyfuUy, 
 & therwith flew ful fer An hy 
 With ful gret Joye & melodye ; * 
 And thus he Seide In his langage 
 As A brid for his kynde singeth In a kage, 
 "Now Am I fulfild," seide this brid, 
 " Of this herte As it is be-tyd ; 
 Eor now I have browht this thing with me 
 That non Wiht knoweth Oerteinle, 
 For it is but A litel thing 
 that the grete lyown hath Offe knoweng, 
 Wheche alle Erthly bestes With Membre & 
 
 body 176 
 
 Vndir him ther kepeth he Certeinly ; 
 and Whanne he hath Ouercomen hem Everi- 
 
 chon, 
 — thus thowght Nasciens that he gan don — 
 
 ' qu'il li dounast a mangier, car il 
 moroit trop durement de faim.' 
 
 Et nasciens li respond! : 
 " ke veus tu ke ie te doinse a mangier, 
 le te donrai chou ke tu demanderas : 
 156 et ke ia porrai auoir." 
 Et li oisiaus li disoit. 
 " Chertes ie ne sarai iamais saous : 
 
 se tu ne me dones ton cuer. 
 
 Et il prenoit son cuer, 
 
 164 si li bailloit. 
 
 Et li oisiaus I'enportoit, mult grant 
 ioie faisant, 
 
 168 et si li disoit en son langage. 
 " Or sui iou tous saus, 
 
 172 puis ke i'enport chou que ie voloie. 
 et che ke nus ne counoist. 
 
 Ch'est la petite sourisete 
 
 de qui li grans lions escapera 
 
 qui uaincera par forche de cors et de 
 menbres toutes les terrienes bestes 
 
 Et quant il les ara vencues et mises 
 desous lui par hauteche de ualour 
 
 * This line in the MS. has the pen drawn over it. 
 
 2z 
 
354 THE ISLE TREMBLES. NASCIENS HEARS A WONDROUS BATTLE IN THE SEA, 
 
 And Alle yndir his feet put hem tho, i80 
 
 3it him thowhte he ne hadde not do, 
 
 but In to the hevene he wolde than fie 
 
 With that he hadde thanne Sekerle ; 
 
 thanne him thowhte that his flyht took he, 184 
 
 and that Aboven Alle Mownteynes gan to fle, 
 
 Ek the wawes of the Se, and the depnesse, 
 
 And the hevene, Entred with-Owten distresse." 
 
 And thus him thowhte thanne Nascien- i88 
 
 That to him the Brid Seide Oertein. 
 Thus sone his Avisiown gan to Enden tho, 
 And Al Anon wakenge he Abreide Also. 
 
 Thanne wonderfully In his wakynge 192 
 
 he Eelte the yl Anon Tremblynge 
 Aftyr the tour of the firmament, 
 thus him thowhte that tyme present, 
 thanne Merveilled Nasciens full wondirfuUy i96 
 Of Meving Of Ipe yl ful trewely, 
 and Ek Abascht Sore he was 
 Of that Merveil In that plas. 
 
 thanne gan he to liften vppe his bed, 200 
 
 and loked Abowtes In that sted ; 
 And As he gan loken bothe two and fro, 
 A wondirful bataille than herde he tho ; 
 As him Semed, In the botme Of the Se 
 That Uke Batayle scholde be ; 
 So wondirful & so gret it was, 
 that him thowhte the yl In that plas 
 Scholde hau Sonken In to the netheres pyt 
 that Evere was Ordeyned, Oj^er Mad 3it ; 
 Eor so Angwischous was that stour, 
 So ful of tempest And Of doloure, 
 that for the grettest herted Erthly Man 212 
 
 In his herte scholde had drede than ; 
 
 Et il ara toutes les terrienes proueclies 
 
 sourbatues : 
 
 si ne quidera auoir rien fait 
 
 S'il ne iioit autresi chou ke on fera 
 
 el chiel. 
 
 Lors li venront unes eles : si aprendra 
 a uoler en sa vielleche. Et uolera par 
 deseure la hauteche de toutes les mon- 
 taignes: et tresperchera I'espesseclie 
 des nues : et enterra el chiel par I'en- 
 tree de la maistre porte " 
 
 Ensi estoit auis nascien : 
 
 ke li blans oisiaus li disoit. 
 
 A tant feni ses songes, et s'auisions. 
 
 Si s'esuilla, 
 
 et en son esuillier ke il feist 
 
 si senti I'isle mouuoir, et tournoiier, 
 
 selonc le cours del firmament. 
 
 Lors se mervdlla mult durement. 
 ke che peut estre, 
 et mult en fu esbahis 
 
 si dreclia la teste en haut, 
 
 et commenclia a regardertout enuiron 
 lui. 
 
 Ensi com il regardoit et cha et la: 
 si oi vne bataille et vne meslee 
 204 el fons de la mer, 
 
 208 
 
 si grant et si meruilleuse 
 
 ke il estoit auis ke toute I'isle 
 
 deust fondre et descendre en abisme. 
 
 Car I'angoisse i estoit 
 
 si dolereuse: 
 
 ke nus hom morteus ne le peust veoir 
 
 qui grans paours n'en deust prendre. 
 
BETWEEN THE LOADSTONE AND THE FIRMAMENT ; WHICH LATTER PREVAILS. 355 
 
 Per they nas non partie Of that yl tho 
 
 that It ne qwakede and schok Also 
 
 As dide Ony lef vppon A tre 
 
 that with the wynd Mevede sekerle. 
 
 be the depthe of the see and strenkthe it was, 
 
 And be strengthe of ]>e Ademawnt In ]?at 
 
 plas ; 
 Per be Comanding Of the firmament 
 that yl thanne turnede it verament, 
 Of wheche One partye he was witholde, 
 it ynknowenge to alle men vndyr molde ; 
 but the Ademawnt hadde but litel degre 
 A3ens the Eyr, ful Sekerle ; 
 For the Ademaunt hath no More strengthe 
 A3ens the Eyr, In brede ne lengthe, 
 Thanne A lytel praty fownteyne 
 A3ens Al the grete See In Oerteyne. 
 So that be strengthe of ]?e Ademaunt Certeinle 
 Restreyneng of Mevyng of the yl ne Miht 
 
 not be ; 
 but of the firmament it hadde AHe his Myht, 
 The Mevyng Of the yl, I sey 30W Ryht. 
 
 Now So gret was this Melle 
 betwene the Ademaunt & pe Eir sekerle, 
 that the yl Into the Se gan lawnce, 
 Whiche thowhte hym thanne A wondir Chaunse, 
 So that the water Encresid so hye 
 In the heyghthe of the yl Sekerlye, 
 So that him. thowhte he hadde grettere Cold 
 than hete before tymes, be Manifold. 
 
 and whanne the yl thus Removed was 
 Ferre Into the See be this Gas, 
 Ful litel and litel it with-drowgh tho 
 Tyl the strengthe of the Ademant was Ago, 
 
 2z 2 
 
 Car en toute I'isle de Fun chief iusc'a 
 
 r autre: 
 
 n'auoit lieu qui ne tramblast ausi 
 
 216 durement comma feulle detramble 
 par la forclie del uent. 
 
 Et ch' estoit par la bataille 
 
 et par la meslee qui estoit el fons de la 
 mer par la forclie del aymant encontre 
 la terre, qui ferrouse estoit. 
 220 Et il conuenoit par estouoir que 1' isle 
 tornoiast : al commandement del firma- 
 ment, 
 
 de qui ele auoit la nature retenue en 
 vne partie. 
 
 224 -^ I'aymans par qui forche la terre 
 ferrouse estoit tenue seree, ne uoloit 
 soufFrir ke ele se meust de sa serre. 
 Mais si petite estoit la forche del ay mant 
 
 enuers la forche qui de par le firma- 
 ment i estoit : 
 228 comme est vne petite fontaine 
 
 encontre toute la mer. 
 
 Et par la forche del aymant, che poes 
 
 vous bien sauoir: 
 
 ne pooit il mie auoir grant contretenue. 
 
 Car li flrmamens auoit trop grignour poissanche. 
 232 Et pour chou estoit li tournoiemens del 1' isle 
 maugre la forche de I'aymant. et maugre la 
 pensantume de la terre. et maugre I'en laohe- 
 ment del li aue. 
 Par chou estoit la meslee si grans 
 
 entre la terre et 1' aymant. 
 
 236 Si estoit tele eure ke I'isle aualoit a 
 ual en la mer : 
 
 tant ke li aue venoit en haut 
 iusc'as hauteches des riues: 
 
 240 selonc che ke il i auoit de iroidure 
 grignour habundanche. 
 Et selonc chou qui la forche de la 
 calour i abundoit: si couuenoit ke 
 r isle se rehauchast 
 
 244 et eslongast del aymant petit et petit. 
 
356 THE ISLE TURNS TOPST-TURVT. AND THIS IS NO LIE. FOR CHRIST HIMSELF 
 
 And til lie was In Ms Owne stede Ageyn 
 
 bothe of lieygMlie & brede In Certein. 
 
 Wbanne Nasciens Felt & Sy al tbis tMng, 248 
 
 Ful Mocbel be badde tber-off MerveiUyng ; 
 
 But be ne Covrde Aperceyyen wby 
 
 tbat tbe yl So mevede tbo trewly. 
 
 tbanne Anon Nasciens vp-dressed bim tbo, 252 
 And tbe yl A3en gan tremblen Also ; 
 Anon be bebeld A-bowtes wel faste, 
 & J>e ton bed of tbe yl down bowed Atte laste, 
 and tbe to]?er bed gan to Rysen pere An by ; 356 
 tbus tbowbte bim to bis sibte Certeinly. 
 and 3it tbis yl not ful litel it was, 
 !For witb-Inne it SeK it badde A gret spas, 
 ~Eov foureskore MUes it was Abowte, 260 
 
 and Sevene & fyfty in lengtb witb-Owten dowte ; 
 but Batbere More tbat yl was tbere 
 tbanne lasse In Ony otber Manere ; 
 Por it is tbe Gyse Of tbis Storye 264 
 
 In non Manere Of wyse forto lye. 
 
 Pul plein tbis Storye puttetb In Mynde 
 tbat Al tbe Certeinte of Sank E,yal is bard to 
 
 fynde 
 for ony Man tbat Evere of womman was born, 268 
 As I baue 30W Often Hebersed beforn ; 
 Eor tbat boly storye tbat to tbertbe Anexed 
 
 was, 
 as Scbewetb tbe Mowtb Of trowj^e In tbis plas, 
 Wbicb is Jesus Crist, Goddis sone 272 
 
 tbat for vs on tbe Roode was done, — 
 For In bim Neuere falsnesse was fownde, 
 . Ne neuere non Err our In non stownde. 
 For tber Neuere was Creature so bardy 276 
 
 tbat dorste witb-sein tbis boly story. 
 
 Si ke il estoit tele eure ke ele estoit 
 de toute sour li aue. 
 
 Quant nasciens oi cheste tenclion. 
 
 Si en fu mult espoentes. 
 
 Mais il ne pooit aperolieuoir, tant 
 
 seust pourpenser, 
 
 par quel raison che pooit auenir. 
 
 Lors se dreoha tous : 
 
 et senti 1' isle trambler desous lui. 
 
 Et esgardoit a le fie 
 
 que li vns des chies baissoit. 
 
 Et li autres leuoit en haut. 
 
 Et nepourquant si n' estoit pas 1' isle 
 
 petite. 
 
 anchois auoit, cte tesmoigne la uerite 
 
 que le trait auant: 
 
 douse chens et quatre vins estas de lone, et de 
 
 le en auoit nuef chens et douze. Li estas si 
 
 est vne espase de terre qui tient la sessime 
 
 partie d' une lieue. Car li sese estat : font 
 
 vne plaine lieue et entire. Ensi poes aconter 
 
 ke en chele isle auoit de lone. iiij. vins lieues 
 
 tout reon dement. Et si auoit de la iusc'a.l. 
 
 et vij. lieues ensi reondement ke il n' en faloit 
 
 riens. Mais se plus i auoit pour chou ne ment 
 
 mie li contes. Car il ne garandist ses paroles 
 
 de nul plus. Mais de tous mains. 
 
 Car clie tesmoigne li contes si com 
 
 vous orres deuiser cha auant: 
 
 ke toutes les auentures del graal ne 
 
 seront ia seues 
 
 par home mortel. asses en conuient 
 trespasser. 
 
 Mais en la sainte estoire qui fu enuoie 
 en terre 
 
 par la bouche de la uerite, 
 che est de ihesu crist : 
 
 En cheli ne trouuera on ia vn mot de 
 fausete. 
 
 Car ohil seroit de trop foursene hardement 
 plains : 
 
 qui oseroit a iouster meehoiogne en si haute 
 chose com est la sainte estoire. 
 
WROTE THIS STORY ; ALSO MOSES's LAW AND THE ADULTERESS'S SENTENCE. 357 
 
 Whiche Crist him self witli his Owne hond 
 It wrot vs forto don to vndirstond. 
 
 And therfore to more worschepe it scholde 
 be take 
 thanne for Ony Othir Mannes Sake, 
 Eor we ne Radden neuere In non storye 
 that Crist him Self wrot Sekerly 
 to forn his passiown In Ony stede 
 but In two, As we don Rede, — 
 Whanne to Moises he wrot the lawe, 
 and him it be-took be ]>e Olde dawe. 
 
 the Secund was whanne 'pe Jewes certeinly 
 a womman hadden take In Avowtry, 
 ~Eor to proven On hire his dom Anon, 
 With hire to-fore Jesus Gonne they gon 
 bim forto tempten In this wise, 
 to him they hire browhte to haven I-wise. 
 thanne Crist to the Erthe Enclyned presente, 
 and wrot In the Erthe Er he furthere wente 
 With his fynger Evene Ryht there. 
 As Recordeth the Story thus here ; 
 Eor Crist that tyme ful wel it wiste, 
 al here Entent, and Al here liste, — 
 Only to Asayen what he wolde do, 
 the lewes this womman browht him vnto. 
 thanne Crist to hem tho seide Ageyn, 
 " be holdeth now here what this doth seyn, 
 Whiche that is Giltles Of 30W Alle, 
 the Eerste ston on hire let falle." 
 and In this Manere Crist told hem here 
 
 Sawe 
 Eorto fuIfiUen here Olde lawe 
 that Moises hem tawhte be tho dayes, — 
 As this holy Storye to vs here Seyes, — 
 
 280 
 
 284 
 
 288 
 
 292 
 
 qui li urais crucliefis escrist d^ la soie 
 propre main. 
 
 Et pour chou doit estre tenue en grig- 
 nour honneur. 
 
 Car nous ne trouons escrit en nule 
 
 deuine escriture 
 
 ke onques ihesu cris li urais fiex dieu 
 
 escresist letres de sa parole et de se 
 
 propre main: 
 
 fors ke seulement en .ij. lieus. 
 
 Li premiers eseris ke il fesist : si fu la haut 
 orisons : qui 1' escripture claime 1' orison notre 
 signour. Ch' est la patre noster. Cheli escrist 
 il de son pauch en la pierre. quant il enseigna 
 a ses desciples comment il deuoient orer. 
 Li autres eseris que il fist : si fu quant 
 li gui li amenerent la feme qui estoit 
 prise en auoutire 
 
 pour esprouuer comment il le iugeroit : 
 
 Et il commencha 
 
 a escrire en la pourre deuant lui. Et 
 quant il 1' orent mult longement se- 
 mons ke il lor desist qu'il en iugeroit 
 a faire, 
 
 si drecha sa teste, si les regarda comma 
 chil qui bien sauoit : ke il ne le fai- 
 soient se pour lui assaier non. 
 Et puis lor dist. 
 
 304 " '^^i' <^e nous tous qui est sans pecMe : 
 voi se ieter sour li la premiere pierre." 
 
 Et che dist il 
 
 pour chou que li iuif auoient en lor 
 
 establissement, 
 
 si com moyses meismes 1' auoit establi : 
 
 qui la loy lor aporta, 
 
 296 
 
 300 
 
358 
 
 A COMMENT OX Christ's judgment on the adtilteeous woman. 
 
 3if that a womman do Ony Avowtrye, 
 And with Ony Other man ligge Onlye 
 thanne he Mre Owne hnshonde, — 
 thus Tvas the Isiwe In that londe, — 
 that Anon I-stoned scholde sche be, 
 AHe swiche that weren taken In Avowtre. 
 
 ]7erfore Crist wiste thanne ful wel 
 Alle here thowhtes Every del, 
 That to him Comen they Eor tempteng 
 and Eiles Seker for non Other thing, 
 Therfore Schewed Crist him In that desrre 
 Ahe here Owne Siynnes there Openle, 
 And Ek Schewed hem there In that Scripture 
 Alle the lignage Of man, I the Ensure, — 
 how that of so gret fowlnesse & vilete 
 that Man was of Mad there gonnen they se, 
 Eor tho wordis hadden this Mevynge 
 holiche as heire to Owre vndirstondynge. 
 Eor thus he-began this Scripture to Seye 
 AI Openly there to the Jewes Eye, 
 " har, Erthe, why Art thow so hardye & so fre 
 The Erthe to AcTsen In Ony degre." 
 this is so mochel here forto seyne, 
 ' O thow Man that of filthe art Mad Certeine, 
 As of so foul dong & Slym of Clay, 
 that darst Owther be nyht Ojjer day ; 
 "Why darst thow ben of sweche mevynge — 
 Whanne thi self hast forfeted in Alle thinge — 
 Eor to sustejTie & to holde these dedis ille 
 Wheche In alle degrees thow dost fuMlle? ' 
 
 lo, in these two places ful sekerlye 
 We fynden that the sone of Marye — 
 To forn that he wente to his passion 
 and that he vppon the Crois was don — 
 
 que si tost com la feme marie seroit 
 
 reprise d' auoutere : 
 
 ch' est de iesir a autre home 
 
 312 oh' a son signour: 
 
 ke ele fust lapidee sans raenchon. Ch' 
 est a dire, ke ele fust tuee de pierres. 
 
 316 
 
 3-20 
 
 324 
 
 332 
 
 336 
 
 340 
 
 Et pour chou que ihesu oris qui toutes 
 choses counoist, counut bien 
 
 ke il ne le disoient se pour lui entre- 
 prendre non, se U peussent, 
 
 pour chou lor respondi il cheste pa- 
 role, et si recoumencha tantost a 
 escrire en la pourre de son pauch. 
 Et si escrisoit vne parole pour re- 
 
 proeche de la grant vieute et de la 
 
 grant ordure dont tous li humains Hg- 
 
 nages est fourmes. 
 
 328 Car en cheste parole auoit ces mos. 
 
 ' He ; terre, pour quoi i es tu si hardie 
 ke tu accuses, ou oses accuser, la 
 
 terre :' 
 
 Che fu a dire, 
 
 ' Di ua, horn, qui es de si vil chose 
 
 com de boe, 
 
 comment ies si outrequidies ke tu 
 oses autrui fourfait amenteuoir : 
 et Ies toies mauaistes cueures et choiles 
 dont tu ies si enteohies et si maumis :' 
 
 En ches deus lieus ke vous aues oi 
 
 chi amenteuoir: 
 
 trouuous nous listot ke ihesus oris li 
 
 urais fiex dieu 
 
 escristdeuant che keil souffrist la mort 
 
 en la glorieuse crois. 
 
WHO DARES DENT THAT CHRIST WROTE THE ' SAN GRAAL' OR ' SANK RYAl' ? 359 
 
 thus Wrot Al this storie doth Eede, 
 and now her In non Other stede. 
 
 but what Clerk is there So hardye, 
 that dar sein, Other proven Openlye, 
 That God Sethen his yp-Rysinge 
 In Ony plase Made Ony wrytynge 
 Sauf Only this blessid Storye 
 Of Seint Graal ful Sekerlye, 
 "VVTiiche that is Clepid ' the Sank Eyal' 
 Of kyng, lord, bacheler, hope gret & small; - 
 ho dar Sein the Contrarie Of this ? 
 Non Erthly man forsothe I-wis : 
 Nethir be non devyn Awtorite 
 the Contrarie proven In non degre. 
 An.d 3if he Conne Aleggen Any 0]?er wyse 
 In Ony degre As for his Repryse,. 
 ~Fov A leseng it moste be taken Certeine 
 Of Alle Swich that it don Sosteyne. 
 
 thanne thus May I ful boldly Seyn, — 
 that Oj?erwise beleven, they lyen ful pleyn, 
 but that God with his Owne bond 
 this Storye doth vs forto vndirstonde 
 Sethen that he lefte the dedlich flesch here 
 and In hevenly Maieste was Clothed with- 
 owten pe:^e. 
 
 344 
 
 348 
 
 352 
 
 Mais comment ke il esploitast ende- 
 mentiers que il estoit enuolepees de la 
 mortel char: 
 ia ne troueres si hardi clerc 
 
 qui die 
 
 ke il onques fesist escripture puis la 
 resurrection 
 
 ne mais ke seulement la haut escrip- 
 ture 
 del s'. eraal 
 
 Et que vauroit dire que il puis la re- 
 surrection eust autre escriture faite 
 de sa propre main: 
 
 356 il n' en porroit auant traire nule deuine 
 auotorite. 
 
 3g0 Et pour chou seroit il tenus a men- 
 teour. 
 
 Donques di iou bien que chil seroit de 
 trop fol hardement espris : qui men- 
 choigne oseroit a croistre a si tres 
 3g4 haut chose comme est cheste estoire, 
 que li urais fiex dieu escrist de la sole 
 main propre 
 puis ke il 1' ot ius mis le mortel cors 
 
 et reuestue la oelestienne maieste. 
 
360 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 Still of Nasciens on the Tl Torneawnt. He prays to God for comfort (p. 361). The day dawns, and he sees 
 on the sea a little thing like a swan (p. 362) ; it proves to be a ship, which comes to the island (p. 363); 
 he walks to it as fast as, in his disabled state, he can (p. 363); and is going on board of it, but sees words 
 warning him not to enter unless he is full of faith (p. 364). He hesitates, but prays to God, makes the 
 sign of the cross, and enters the ship (p. 365-6). He looks about every where, and in the hold sees a 
 white cloth, which he lifts up (p. 367), and finds a bed, with a crown of gold at its head, and a sword at 
 his feet (p. 367); a wonderful sword, with two beast's scales in its handle, 1. of the Serpent Papa^'osi, 
 a bone of which will always keep a man warm (p. 368); 2. of the Fish Tortenaus (p. 368), whose bones 
 are so strong, that if a man holds them, he forgets every thing but the bone, till he lays it down again 
 (p. 368). The handle and scales are covered with a red cloth, and on it is declared that no one shall 
 draw the sword but the one worthiest of all men (p 369). The letters on the sword-blade say it is 
 only to be drawn by the boldest of men ; any other will be killed by it (p. 370). Nasciens then looks 
 at the scabbard, which is rose-red, ivith gold and azure letters on it (p. 370-1); and out of it issue a 
 thousand filthy branches (p. 371). The letters say that he who bears the sword, and is girt with the 
 branches, shall ever be safe (p. 371-2). Nasciens turns the sword; the bed quakes (p. 372) ; the other 
 side of the sword [?] is blood-red, with coal-black letters, saying that he who praises it most here 
 \vill blame it most in his need (p. 373). Nasciens cannot make out what the scabbard is made 
 of (p. 373), nor does the Story here tell us (p. 374) ; but ' al this schal ben declared sauns delay ' when 
 the right time and place come (p. 375). Now for another mystery: — How, from the bed where the 
 sword and sheath were, three spindles came, joined together (p. 375); of which one was white as snow, 
 the second blood-red, and the third emerald-green (p. 375). And because these things must be ex- 
 plained, therefore the Story proceeds to expound them (p. 375), beginning with Eve and Adam in Para- 
 dise, and going on with the Fall, the death of Abel, the building of this ship by carpenters for Solomon 
 and his wife, who look on, and then put the sword, &c. on board of it. (See chapters 29 and 30). 
 
 , , . . Or est drojs que I'estoire soit ratnenee a la 
 
 AOW botne ileSOWn & Hynt it is droiteuoiedontlicontess'estauquesdepartis 
 
 \ ..-icij. J.J. .,1^, -^r- pour parler de ches choses que il a amentais 
 
 A3eil to tne btOrye to tornen "Wltn-Owten Mis, <!"> se Serent entre les paroles del estoire : et 
 
 ,,,,,.-,,, . ,. si n'en sont mie. 
 
 And to this yl to tornen Anon Agem Mais la droite voie repaire a I'isle, 
 
 That so brood & so longe Is In Certein, 4 f°'^^ ^' '=°''*^^ ^ ^^"^^^ «* i^ ioii° et le 
 
NASCIENS PRATS TO GOD FOR COMFORT. 
 
 361 
 
 And 3it it to vs Scheweth Apressly, 
 
 the declarenge Of this holy Storye, 
 
 That Nasciens was In the laste Ende, 
 
 that Gentyl dwk so good & kende. 8 
 
 Towardis the west partye of the see 
 
 This ful trewe dwk thanne was he ; 
 
 but 3it the see not So nygh he was 
 
 that be-twene hem was a ful gret spas, 12 
 
 the Mowntawnce Of Sevene Miles bedene, 
 
 and An half Mile, with-Owten wene. 
 Whanne Nasciens the day Gan to dawe, 
 
 thanne Of that Sihte he was ful fawe, 16 
 
 And that he myghte haven Ony know- 
 enge; 
 
 Of what partie of the see he was, with-Owten 
 varienge ; 
 
 And for As Mochel as the day is more Com- 
 fortable 
 
 thanne is the Nyht, with-Owten Ony fable ; 20 
 
 For Evere hadde he In ful hopinge 
 
 Be the day to hauen had som Oomfortynge. 
 
 and with this, Nasciens In-to the Est he knelid 
 adown, 
 
 and there Anon to God Made his Orisown, 24 
 
 Preyeng to Jesus that was Maryes sone, 
 
 (As Other God than him ne knew he none) 
 
 ' that he Wolde of his gret Mercye, — 
 
 — lik As he was On Only god rerraylye, 28 
 
 And that non Other god neuere Nas but he 
 
 Most Myhtful god In Maieste, 
 
 In whiche On Only god beleved he, 
 
 thre persones, but on God in vnite, — 32 
 
 that Swich Counseil he wolde him sende, 
 
 helthe to his Sowle his lif to Amende.' 
 
 3 A 
 
 Et si dist apres che 
 
 ke nasciens estoit el daerrain chief de 
 chele isle 
 
 deuers Occident. 
 
 Et nepourquant il n'estoit mie si tres 
 
 durement pres du riuage 
 
 qu'il ni eust bien d'errure, 
 
 si yins estas qui bien montant siet 
 
 lieues 
 
 et demie. 
 
 Et quant il vit au matin aiourner, 
 
 si fu mult lies. 
 
 Car il desiroit mult a sauoir 
 
 en quel eadroit de mer il pooit estre. 
 
 Et pour chou ke plus confortables est 
 li iours 
 
 que li nuis. 
 
 Car toutes voies auoit il en esperanche 
 
 plus que par iour porroit il aucune 
 
 auenture trouer par qui solas li uen- 
 
 roit en compaignie. 
 
 A tant se mist nasciens a genous, et 
 
 tourna son uis centre oriant: 
 
 et proia notre signour 
 ihesu crist 
 
 ' ke par sole misericorde, 
 
 ausi uraiement com il creoit que il 
 seus estoit diex, 
 
 et ke autres diex n'estoit en qui on 
 deust croire: 
 
 que il li enuoiast prochain consel 
 
 par quoi il fust conseillies a I'ounour 
 du cors et au sauuentent del ame.' 
 
362 
 
 NASCIENS SEES A LITTLE THING ON THE SEA LIKE A SWAN. 
 
 And wharme thus his preyere he hadde I-do, 
 The Signe Of the holy Cros On him made 
 
 he tho, 
 and Also he Made it In his face, 
 the strengere to be thorwh goddis grace. 
 
 and whanne he hadde thus I-do, 
 to the nexte party of J^e Se wente he tho ; 
 & whanne he hadde gon the spas of half a 
 
 Myle, 
 Into the See he gan loken with-Inne A 
 
 while; 
 A lytel thing him thowhte he say Comen 
 
 there, 
 No More thanne A swan As thowh it were, 
 That streyht to the yl it gan Aplye — 
 As this Story e vs scheweth ful sekerlye; — 
 to the same Ende that he Inne was, 
 thedir it Appliede, As happed be Gas. 
 
 and whanne he Saw it So faste Comenge, 
 Evene the grettere it wax, to his semenge ; 
 but thanne mihte he not ful wel go, 
 Eor so forbrosed his feet weren tho 
 with the Chenes Of his presownenge, 
 that to Walken hadde he non likyiige : 
 and Anothir Skele there was also, 
 that he nas neuere Mochel wont forto go. 
 3it wente he forth with ful gret peyne, 
 And Aftir that thing he loked A-geyne 
 Wheche that he beheld In the Morwenyns, 
 that to-ward the yl Cam flotering ; 
 
 3d 
 
 40 
 
 Et quant il ot finee sa proiere, 
 
 si se drecha, et fist le signe de la 
 sainte crois 
 
 deuant son uis. 
 
 Si s'entourna chele part tout droit ou 
 il vit la mer plus prochaine. 
 
 Et quant il ot erre I'errure de demi 
 lieue, 
 
 si esgarda mult loing en mer : 
 
 et vit venir vne chose, 
 
 qui ne li sambloit mie estre plus 
 44 grande d'un chisne. 
 
 et si uenoit en I'isle tout droit 
 
 48 
 
 a cliel lieu ou il estoit. 
 
 Et quant il le uit, 
 
 si engroissa s'aleure si com il peut. 
 Mais che n' estoit mie de mult. 
 
 52 Car li piet li doloient tant 
 
 des buies ke il auoit portees en la 
 
 prison : 
 
 ke mauuaisement pooit aler. 
 
 Et auoec tout chou i auoit il encore 
 
 vne raison pour quoi il ne pooit mie 
 gg aler deliurement: ch'estoit che qu'il 
 
 ne I'auoit pas en coustume. 
 
 *Tanl erra qu'il vit apertement chele 
 
 chose 
 
 que il auoit des le matin veue 
 go en la mer. 
 
 * The Additional MS. 10,292 (fol. 31), begins the chapter here, with this heading, " Ensi que nasciens 
 fu en .j. nef v li .iij. fuisiaus et .j. couronne d' or furent." Lors erra tant qu'il uit tout apertement la cose 
 qu'il auoit des le matin veue en la mer, si sot uraiement que ce estoit vne neif mout riohe et mout bele, si 
 en fu mout lies. 
 
IT PROVES TO BE A SHIP, AND HE GOES TO IT, AND LOOKS AT IT. 
 
 363 
 
 and thanne parceyred he Sone In haste 
 That A fair Schippe it was Atte laste, 
 the wheche was [so] wondiiiy fair & Riche 
 That In Al this world him thowhte non swiche. 
 And whanne this Schippe he gan be-holde, 
 In his herte he loyede ful Manyfolde, 
 And peyned him faste thanne forto go 
 To wardis the See, As he myhte tho ; 
 So that "With gret peyne & Angwisch Also 
 Atte laste to this Schippe Cam he to. 
 And whanne thedir he was Comen ful Ryht, 
 Ful wery he was, and hadde non Myht. 
 Thanne sawh he that hothe his feet In fere 
 AUe for hete for-sckorchid were, 
 and Ek for-Hent they weren Also 
 Por the lytel weye that he hadde go ; 
 So that Er thike vij miles hadde he gon. 
 It was Of the day the tyde Of Noon ; 
 thanne was he bothe feynt, wery, & fastynge 
 and Al distrowbled for his Travaillynge. 
 An.on thanne loked he A lytel beside 
 
 Vppon the Ryht half of him In that tyde, 
 
 thanne Sawh he A Schip A-Ryde 
 
 Evene fast by him Also blyve ; 
 
 thanne thowhte him it was the same thing 
 
 that Al day hadde he Sein to his Supposing ; 
 
 So to-wardis that Schippe he torned Anon 
 
 Also faste As that he Cowde Gon. 
 
 the Schippe So Riche & So fair it was, 
 
 And Merveillede how that It Cam In to ]jat 
 plas. 
 
 And whanne he be-gan thus it longe to be- 
 holde, 
 
 In his herte he Merveilled Many folde ; 
 
 3 a2 
 
 64 
 
 68' 
 
 Si aperchut et seut uraiement 
 ke chou estoit vne nes, 
 mult biele et mult riche. 
 
 Et quant il vit ke ch'estoit nes, 
 
 si fu mult lies. 
 
 Si se paresforcha mult durement de 
 tost aler. 
 
 et tant fist 
 
 ke il vint au riuage : a quelke paine. 
 
 Et tantost com il fu la venus : 
 
 Si trouua ke il auoit les pies fend us ft 
 creues de la calour del isle 
 
 76 et del trauail de la uoie. 
 
 Et pooit ia bien estre nonne de iour. 
 Si estoit las, et vains, et geuns. 
 
 72 
 
 80 
 
 84 
 
 Lors garda vn peu loins de lui 
 
 de uers destre: 
 
 si ooisi vne nef ariuee, 
 
 et bien li fu auis que ch'estoit chele 
 
 que il auoit toute iour veue. ' 
 
 Car il tourna chele part, si ala iusqiie 
 88 deuant la nef 
 
 Si le vit si biele et si riche, 
 
 ke a grant meruelle li venoit dont si 
 biele nef pooit estre uenue. 
 
 Et quant il I'eut grant pieohe regardee. 
 92 Si se meruilla mult, 
 
36i A WEITING ON THE SHIP WAENS NONE BUT THE FAITHFUL TO ENTER IT. 
 
 And Mochel More Merveil thanne hadde he, 
 Per Nethir Man ne womman ne cowde he se 
 that Schip with-Inne to warde 0]?er Gye, — 
 thus telleth this Storie ful Openlye. 
 
 thanne gan he him drawen Neer & Neere 
 Til that to the Schippe he was Come there, 
 and In han Entred ful fayn wold he 
 5if Ony Man there-Inne mihte he Se, 
 and forto proven the trewthe there 
 Of that Bewte In AUe Manere, 
 3if with-Inne it were As fayre Owt E-yht 
 As with-Owten it was there to his syht. 
 
 Anon As In-to the Schip Entren Wold he. 
 In that for-schip he Sawh ful Sekerle 
 lettres Of Gold, I vndirstonde, 
 that As Writeng it was of Caldee londe, 
 that As pitous word they gonne to Speke. 
 thanne Nasciens Ner to the Schip gan 
 
 E-eke; 
 For that Word there so dowtahle was 
 To Ony man that Entren wolde Into ]?at plas. 
 Lo, these wordis seide the Scripture 
 as I the schal Schewe, I the Ensure, 
 " thow that wilt with-Inne ne Entren here, 
 loke thou be stedfast In alle manere, 
 And that thou ful of feyth algates be ; 
 For with-Innes me nis thing non but feith 
 
 sekerle ; 
 therfore I Rede, devise the ful wel 
 that thow be Clone Everydel, 
 and stedfast In feith & In Creaunce, 
 0}?er eUes the be-happeth Som Meschaunce. 
 For stedfast feith, Creaunce it is; 
 and Anon As thow thy Creaunce dost mis 
 
 et asses plus ke deuant n'auoit fait. 
 
 Car il n' i vit onques, ne oi, ne home 
 ne feme. Et il se pensa ke che 
 seroit trop grant mauuaistes: se il 
 gg plus n' en veoit. 
 
 Lors se traist plus pres vn peu, 
 
 et vaut dedens entrer, 
 100 pour sauoir se il trouueroit nului. 
 et pour ueoir 
 
 104 
 
 108 
 
 se ele estoit autresi biele dedens 
 comme dehors. 
 
 Ensi com il vaut entrer dedens. 
 
 Si esgarda el chief de la nef droit el 
 
 front deuant, si connut 
 
 letres d'or 
 
 en caldieu escrites 
 
 Et si disoient vne mult espoentable 
 parole, 
 
 et mult douteuse 
 
 H2 ^ to^s chiaus qui dedens vausissent 
 entrer. 
 Chele parole si estoit tele. 
 
 " Di ua tu qui vieus dedens moi entrer : 
 qui ke tu soies, 
 116 bien te garde ke tu soies plains de foi. 
 
 Car ie sui teus chose qu'il ni a en moi 
 se foi non. 
 
 Pour chou te garde bien anchois 
 120 ^^ tu. n'en soies entechies. 
 
 Car fois est creanche. 
 124 Et si tost que tu guenchiras a creanche. 
 
NASCIENS HESITATES TO GO ON BOARD ; AND THEN PRAYS TO GOD. 
 
 365 
 
 In Ony partie Or In Ony degre, 
 
 I the forsaken Schal fixl Sekerle, 
 
 that Of me Sostenaunce schalt ]?ou non have, 
 
 Ne]?er lion helpe, thowh thou Crye and 
 
 Crave, 128 
 
 hut I schal the faiUen In thyn most nede, 
 and leten the fallen with-Owten drede, 
 So that thou schalt I-lost thanne he 
 jPor fawt of heleve, And thow it fle." 132 
 
 thanne "with-stood this Nasciens In that stede, 
 and these lettres of gold he gan forto E-ede ; 
 and whanne he hadde longe him bethowht 
 how that Schippe thedir was I-hrowht, 136 
 
 Into the Schippe he wolde hau gon, 
 but that word him Stones Anon 
 that was so dowtful & Oharchahle, 
 For they Weren Wordis Of non fable. 140 
 
 and whanne In this thowht he hadde longe 
 
 I-be, 
 Other wyse he gan tho him be-se, 
 and him bethowhte In Other Manere 
 How that he Scholde Governe him there. 144 
 
 Thanne In this manere thus gan he Seyn, 
 " O goode lord God, of AUe thinges Sovereign, 
 the wordis Of this Schippe Seith here 
 that but feith nys there-Inne in non manere; 148 
 and 3if these lettres now trewe here be, 
 thanne wot I wel ful certeinle 
 that this Schippe be 30W hedir Is I-sent ; 
 this knowe I wel thanne verament. 152 
 
 And 3if only it be Oomen from 30W, 
 thanne In My Creaunce knowe I now 
 that non Evel thing there-Inne May be, 
 Ne Contrariowsness In non degre 156 
 
 ne tant ne quant, 
 
 ie te guenchirai en tel maniere 
 
 que tu n'aras de moi ne soustenement 
 
 Anchois te faura de tout en tout: en 
 quelconques lieuke tu seras aconseus 
 en mescreancLe de combien ke che 
 soit. 
 
 Lors s' arestut nasciens, 
 
 si commencha mult durement a penser 
 
 a che que les letres disoient. 
 
 Et quant il ot vne mult grant pieche 
 
 pense, 
 
 si dist a soi meisme, que en la nef 
 
 vauroit il entrer: 
 
 mais la parole li faisoit douter, 
 
 qui trop estoit carchable. 
 
 Et quant il eut die pense et dit a soi 
 meisme ; 
 
 si repensa vn autre chose, 
 
 et si redist. 
 
 " Biaus sire diex, 
 
 ches letres dient: 
 
 ke en cheste nef n'a se foi non. 
 
 Et se les letres sont ueritables. 
 
 dont sage bien sans doute 
 
 ke la nef est de par vous venue chi. 
 
 Et se ele de par vous est venue : 
 
 dont ne m'en puet nus maus venir. 
 Se nule riens qui contraire soit 
 
366 
 
 NASCIBNS CROSSES HIMSELF, ANB GOES ON BOARD THE SHIP. 
 
 that scliolde A3ens 50iire glorious Name 
 
 ben Reprof, velenie, 0|7er elles schame. 
 
 but, lord, I beleve In 30W ful feitlifuUy ; 
 
 wheclae Creawnce I took ful devoutly I60 
 
 Of thin Owne Seriaw[n]t so dere. 
 
 That ]?ou worst ben worschepid & beleved 
 
 In alle manere; 
 And In Stedfast beleve the Ay worschepinge 
 I schal In Entren for Ony thinge. 164 
 
 Eor who that Is In thi stedfast beleve, 
 Prom Alle Misaventures it doth him Meve, 
 and Saueth him, and Ek Alle tho 
 that In thy beleve stedfast go ; I68 
 
 In what Maner peryl that so he be, 
 thi beleve him saveth Sekerle." 
 
 thus sone Sire Nasciens left vp his bond 
 and made the signe of Holy Cros, I vndirstond, 172 
 And Entred In to the Schip Anon 
 Also Easte As he mylite Gon. 
 And whanne that Entred he was with-Inne, 
 East loked he Abowtes and nolde not blynne, 176 
 In Alle parties loked he ful faste ; 
 And so faste he loked Atte laste 
 So that him thowhte In non Maner of Se 
 A fairere Schippe ne Myhte be ; I80 
 
 And thus to him Selve he gan to seyn, 
 ' That So fair a schip he Sawh neuere Certein,' 
 Ne so ful of Bewte neper of Richesse 
 Sawh he neuere to fore As that, I Gesse, 184 
 
 As that Same was to his Avis, 
 for of Alle Schepis it bar the pris. 
 
 And whanne Alle the Corners he hadde 
 Serched Abowte, 
 Aboven and benethen, with-Owten do^^te ; 
 
 a uotre saint glorieus non : n'est plaiiie. 
 de creanche. 
 
 Mais ie vous croi et aour de cuer entir, 
 ensi com i'ai apris par la bouclie 
 de uos sergans 
 ke vous voles estre creus et aoures : 
 
 Et en la fianclie de uotre haut non : 
 
 enterrai ie dedens: 
 
 Car la creanolie de vous 
 
 sauue 
 
 tous chiaus 
 
 qui a uous ont lor atente, 
 
 en quel peril que lor cors soient." 
 
 A tant leua nasciens sa destre main 
 
 en haut. 
 
 et fist sour lui Ie signe de la sainte 
 
 crois : 
 
 et puis entra dedens la nef. 
 
 Et quant il fu dedens, 
 
 si Ie comraencha a regarder d'une part 
 et d'autre: 
 
 et dist a soi meisme : 
 
 ' ke il ne quidoit mie ke en mer ne en 
 terre peust on ti'ouuer vne nef 
 d'autresi grant biaute, ne d'autresi 
 grant rikeche, 
 
 com ele estoit au sien auis.' 
 
 Et quant il ot asses regardee de tous 
 sens, et il ot chierkie tous les angles 
 
 188 et de sous et de sus: 
 
HE FINDS A BED, A CROWN OE GOLD, AND A SWORD. 
 
 367 
 
 thanne to pe bowk of Jje schippe gan he gon, 
 
 and there atte laste he fond Anon ; 
 
 he beheld Where hang A Cloth of Whit, 
 
 it was ful plesaunt to his delyt ; 192 
 
 and lik A Oowrtyn him thowhte it was, 
 
 that was hanged In that plas. 
 
 thanne Anon lefte he vp this Courtyn In haste, 
 there-vndir, a faire bed he fond atte laste, 196 
 
 the Wheche the fairest & pe Richest bed it 
 
 was 
 that euere to fore he Saw In Ony plas, 
 and at the lied of the Same bed 
 was A Crowne of gold In that sted ; 200 
 
 and at the beddis feet Sekerliche 
 A swerd there was, bothe faire & Riche, 
 Wheche vppon the bed it lay Ouerthwert ; 
 Al this Sire Nasciens, it Sawh Apert — 204 
 
 Whiche that Owt of ]>g Skawberk was drawe 
 half A fote & an handful, thus seith this Sawe. 
 this swerd was of diuers facioun Sekerlye, 
 as here Witnesseth this holy Storye, 208 
 
 For the pomel was of swich A ston 
 That Colours it hadde Manyon, 
 As Manye As on the Erthe myhte be 
 To his Sihte there weren rpon, sikerle ; 212 
 
 and Ech Of the Colours hadde a Clerte, 
 and Ech Clerte A vertu, as pat storie scheweth 
 
 me 
 Where As this Storie doth declare 
 Of Mani no thinges whanne he Cometh thare. 216 
 
 thanne to the handyl Of this swerd, 
 there nas non swich In Middillerd ; 
 Eor tweyne Skales it hadde with-Inne the bond 
 Of two diuers bestes, as I vndirstond ; 220 
 
 si s'en reuint arriere el cors de la nef. 
 
 et uit 
 
 .i. drap tout blanc 
 
 estendu en samblanche de courtine 
 
 par de-seure .i. grant lit. 
 
 II vint au drap, si le sourleua. 
 
 Et quant il eut sour-leue : si esgarda 
 
 de-sous, 
 
 et vit le plus biel lit: 
 
 dont il onques eust oi parler. Li lis 
 estoit mult grans et riclies asses, 
 et au caueoh de chel lit. 
 si auoit vne couroune d'or : 
 Et as pies auoit 
 
 vne espee qui mult estoit chere et 
 
 biele, 
 
 si estoit estendue del trauers del lit. 
 
 et si estoit bien traite hors 
 
 demi pie et plaine paume 
 
 Chele espee estoit de mult diuerse 
 fachon. 
 
 Car li poins estoit d'une pierre 
 qui auoit en soi toutes les couleurs 
 ke on porroit trouuer en terre. 
 De tantes manieres estoit la pierre. 
 
 et si i auoit autre diuersetei, ke a 
 chascune des coulours, 
 i auoit vne virtu : 
 
 ke li contes deuisera bien la u il 
 parlera de la forche et de la virtu 
 plus asses ke chi. 
 
 Apres dist li contes ke I'enheudeure 
 de I'espee 
 
 estoit de deus oostes. 
 
 Et ches deus oostes estoient 
 
 de diuerses bestes. 
 
368 
 
 OF THE SEJIPENT PAPAGAST AND THE FISH TORTENAUS. 
 
 the ton sckale was In Maner of A Serpent, 
 
 that In Caldiens lond was most present 
 
 thanne In Ony Ojjer lond Certein, — 
 
 there was his hawntyng I teUe 30W pleyn. 224 
 
 and ' papagast ' was this Sepentis Name, 
 
 "Whiche was a Serpent of A wondirful fame. 
 
 Eor this is the kynde of that Serpent, 
 What man that A bone of his hath verament, 228 
 him Nedith nenere non Other hete, 
 Xethir of sonne, ne of travaiUe, to don him 
 
 swete ; 
 but that Enere In Mesurable hete he schal be ; 
 this vertw hath his bon ful Sekerle, 232 
 
 WhereofPen the ton sckale of the handele 
 
 it is, 
 As I haue 30W told with-Owten Mys, t^s. s,/s.] 
 
 The tothir Skale is Of A fysch of the Se, 
 That In Ewfrate most wont is forto be, 236 
 
 And In Othir water Is it non, 
 but only In Ewfrate Al Alon. 
 Tortenavs is the Name Of this fysch, 
 As we it Mown Sownen In Englysch. 240 
 
 And his bones of these strengthe ben 
 As Me declaren here schole 3e sen ; 
 Eor As long As Ony man it hath On 
 
 honde 
 I do 30W ful wel forto vndirstonde — 244 
 
 that nethir of ioye ne of sorwe schal he have 
 
 In Mende, 
 but onlich Of that bon, swich is the kende, 
 and whanne Owt his bond it is I-don, 
 To his kende Memorie Cometh he Anon 248 
 
 As Owhte forto ben In A kendly man. 
 Lo, swich A vertu this bon hath than ! 
 
 La premiere estoit d'une maniere de 
 
 sarpent 
 
 qui conuerse en calidoine plus 
 
 k'en autres terres. 
 
 Si est apielee 'papaguste.' 
 
 De cheli serpent est teus la forclie 
 
 ke se vns horn tient vne de ses costes, 
 ou aucun de ses autres os : il n' a garde 
 de sentir nule trop grant calour. 
 
 Ne pour forche de calour de soleil: 
 ne pour escaufement de grant trauail. 
 
 Ancliois est toutes eures en mesurable 
 calour tant com il le tient. 
 De tel maniere et de tel forche est la 
 premiere coste. 
 
 Et r autre est d' un poisson qui n' est 
 mie mult grans : 
 et si conuerse el flun d' euffrate, 
 et non pas en autre iaue. 
 
 Cliist poissons: a non cortnaus * 
 
 [* Ortenax, MS. Add. 10,292, fol. 31, col. 3.] 
 
 Et ses costes si sont de tel forche 
 
 ke se vns hom en prent vne, ia tant 
 com il le tenra 
 
 ne li souuenra de ioie ne de duel ke -il 
 ait eu: 
 
 ke seulement de chele chose pour quoi 
 il I'ara prise. 
 
 Et tout maintenant ke il I'ara ins mise : 
 Si repensera ausi 
 
 com il est coustume et maniere de na- 
 tural home. 
 
THE SWORD IS ONLY TO BE DRAWN BY THE ONE WORTHIEST OF ALL MEN. 369 
 
 behold what vertw Is In these bones tweyne 
 Where offen the handele is Mad In Certeine ! 
 
 Wheche handele & sckales I-keuered it was 
 With A Riche Eed Cloth In that plas, 
 I-set wel ful of lettres Of Gold, 
 As he myhte there pleynly behold 
 Wheche that Spoken In this degre 
 ful Openly, As he myhte wel Se ; 
 " I am Merveillous to beholde On A rowe. 
 And 3it moche more Merveillous I Am to 
 
 knowe ; 
 Eor me Schal neuere man taken On honde 
 As I do the Porto yndirstonde, — 
 be his hand neuere So large & gret, 
 Me schal he not drawen, I the behet ; 
 Ne non Man that is Erthly levenge, 
 but Onlich On Man with-Ovten varienge. 
 And he Schal ben the most worthiest, 
 the Most Able, & the Most best, 
 that Euere was him before, 
 And schal passen Alle Ipai is bore 
 Of prowesse and of konnenge 
 Of alle tho that to-forn him weren levenge, 
 Ofier Eveuere Scholen ben In tyme Comenge, 
 Swich Schal his strengthe ben & his kon- 
 nenge." 
 and thus the lettres of the handelyng spak 
 To this Sire Nasciens with-Owten lak. 
 
 and whanne Sire Nasciens beheld al this, 
 Eul Sore he was Astoned with-Owten Mis. 
 and Merveilled ful Mochel In his thowht 
 In what Manere these lettres weren wrowht; 
 And what they weren forto Mene 
 In his herte he Merveilled be-dene. 
 
 3b 
 
 256 
 
 Tel forche, et tel virtu ont les deus 
 costes 
 252 dont 1' enheudeure del espee estoit. 
 
 Et si estoient couuertes par deseure 
 
 d'un Vermel drap mmt riche, 
 
 tout plain de letres d' or, 
 
 qui disoient. 
 
 " Je sui meruelle a ueoir. 
 
 et graindre meruelle a counoistre. 
 
 Car onques nus neme peutempungier 
 
 260 
 
 tant eust grande la main. 
 264 Ne ia mains ne m' enpoignera: 
 
 ke vns tous sens. 
 
 268 
 
 Et chil passera de son mestier : 
 
 272 tous chiaus qui deuant lui aront este. 
 et qui apres lui venront." 
 
 276 
 
 280 
 
 Et si disoient les letres del enheudeure. 
 
 Et si tost com nasciens les ot leues 
 comme chil qui bien lisoit caldiu, 
 
 si se meruilla mult 
 
 ke che pooit estre. 
 
370 
 
 THE WRITING ON THE BLADE OE THE WONDERPTJL SWORD. 
 
 tlianne beheld he the blad of pe swerd 
 that so drawen lay, As to-fore 36 hau herd ; 
 And there-vpon loked he wonder faste, 
 xlnd Rede lettre he Aspide J?at Onne atte 
 
 laste, 
 Wheche weren As Red as Any Blood ; — 
 thus him thowhte |?ere As he stood. 
 
 thanne took he this swerd A lytel Ner, 
 And gan to Reden tho lettres In this Maner ; 
 thanne Rad he how this Resown Mente 
 As I schal 30W declaren here presente : 
 It seide that " Neuere man Scholde ben hardy 
 Me Owt forto drawen ful Sekerly, 
 but better thanne Another he Mowe fyhte, 
 and more hardiere, & more Of mihte ; 
 And hos Otherwise drawe it In ony sted, 
 he schal ben the ferst that schal be ded." 
 
 and this proved wel Schal ben, 
 As aftir In this Storie here scholen 30 sen. 
 and whanne Nasciens these lettres hadde Red, 
 he Merveilled him Mochel In that Sted 
 Most Of Ony Othir thinge 
 that he Sawh sethen the begynneng. 
 And It was on of ]?e thinges most In his 
 
 talent 
 that Swerd owt to drawen verament> 
 and Owt of the Sckavberk it forto se 
 to knowen what Meneng It Myhte be ; 
 Por the lettres that it seide with-Owte 
 3af Nasciens Most Talent with-Owten dowte. 
 
 thanne Nasciens beheld the Sckawberk tho 
 that for Merveille he Niste what to do ; 
 And for Al that he Cowde be-holde, 
 Benethen, Ojjer Aboven, In Ony folde. 
 
 Apres esgarda 1' alumiele de 1' espee. 
 
 284 que il vit traire hors del fuerre tant 
 com vous aues oi: 
 
 Si i reuit autres letres 
 
 288 
 
 292 
 
 300 
 
 804 
 
 308 
 
 312 
 
 qui estoient ausi vermelles comme 
 sans. 
 
 Lors se traist vn peu auant, 
 si las commenoha a lire. 
 Si vit ke 
 
 eles disoient ' que ia ne fust nus si liardis 
 que il le traisist : 
 
 Se il n'en deuoit mieux ferir ke autreSj 
 296 et plus liardiementi 
 
 Et qui le trairoit autremeat, bien seust. 
 clie seroit cliil ki premierement eu 
 moiToit.' 
 
 Et si estoit ia bien esproue. 
 
 Quant nasciens eut ches letres leues : 
 
 Si se meruilla 
 
 ases plus ke de nule autre chose. 
 
 Car cli' estoit vne chose dont il auoit 
 trop grant talent 
 
 ke de 1' espee traire hors del fuerre, 
 et de ueoir quele ele estoit. 
 
 Car Ips meruelles ke les letres disoient 
 
 de dehors 
 
 I'en faisoient plus entalente. 
 
 Lors commencha nasciens a regarder 
 le fuerre. 
 
 Mais il ne seut onques taut regarder 
 ne a mout ne a ual 
 
OP THE SCABBAED AND ITS THOUSAND BRANCHES, AND THE WBITIN& ON IT. 371 
 
 and 3it Nethir In herte, Mynde, ne thowht, 
 he ne Cowde not weten where-offen it was 
 
 wrowht 316 
 
 but wel lie wiste it was Al so Red, 
 and As Ony Red Rose In that sted ; 
 Where-aboven weren lettres of gold 
 As he gan there to be-hold, — 320 
 
 Euere On Of Gold, Anothir Of Asure, — 
 thus weren they set, I the Ensure. 
 
 And A thowsend braunches on this schawberk 
 
 were 
 (Whiche was so Riohe, As I Rehersed 30W 
 
 Ere,) 824 
 
 that issweden Owt from that Onle, 
 that Most MerveiUous thing it was to se ; 
 Eor Of so fowl Mater they were, 
 and therto So powre In Jjat plase there 328 
 
 And as of spittynges and Caytyvetes, 
 Of febilnesses, of filthes, in many degres, 
 that bothe be Semblaunt & Countenaunce 
 It was to hym gret dowtaunce : S32 
 
 Eor An Our the swerd it myhte not Sosteine, 
 So feble it was, him thowhte Oerteine. 
 
 And the lettres that On sckawberke were, 
 In this Maner Senden they there, — 336 
 
 " hos that Me vppon him doth here 
 Eul Sewr he Schal ben Euery where ; 
 And mere hardy therto schal he be 
 thanne Ony Ojjer man In his degre. 340 
 
 3if he here me In that Manere 
 as the lettres Of f>e swerd Rehersed Ere. 
 Eor what man that Abowtes him bereth Me, 
 he ne schal neuere ben schamed In non 
 
 ke il onques peust deuiser en son cuer : 
 
 ne dire de sa bouche de quoi il pooit 
 estre. 
 
 Mais tant en sot il bien, ke il estoit 
 
 ausi vermaus 
 
 com est vne fuelle de rose. 
 
 Et si auoit deseure asses letres : 
 
 qui estoient d'or les vnes, et les autres 
 d' asur. 
 
 Et si n' i auoit nules renges 
 
 ki auenissent a si riche fuerre com 
 chil estoit. 
 
 Car eles estoient de si uil matere, 
 et de si poure : 
 
 comme d' estoupes cauenines, et si 
 estoient si poures et menues, et si febles 
 par samblant 
 
 ke il ne sanloit mie ke eles peussent 
 r espee soustenir vne eure 
 sans rompre. 
 
 Et les letres qui el fuerre estoient : 
 disoient iteus paroles com nous orres. 
 " Chil ki me portera sour lui 
 doit estre plus preus ke nus autres, et 
 plus seurs, 
 
 se il me porte 
 
 ensi com les lettres de I'espee le deuisent. 
 Car li cors a qui coste ie serai pendue 
 
 ne peut estre bonis en plache, 
 
 degre 
 
 344 
 
 3b2 
 
372 
 
 THE GIEDLES OP THE SWORD. THE WRITING ON THE SCABBARD, 
 
 as longe as with these brawnclies he is gert 
 
 and that On his body I hange Ouerthwert. 
 
 but that nenere non be so hardy 
 
 that the Raunges that here ben to don Awey ; 348 
 
 for him schal happen Manie Misayenture 
 
 And Manye Evel dedes, I the Ensure, 
 
 that he, ne non Man levenge, 
 
 Of him schal tellen non Amendynge ; 352 
 
 Ne behoten nenere schal be to Man 
 
 So hard as to him Schal be than 
 
 that now Is, ne that Neuere schal be, 
 
 but 3if In sauf Ostag he be Sekerle ; 356 
 
 And 3it him be-hoveth to ben Osteyed 
 
 In the Manere as here Is seide, 
 
 Wheche scholde ben be A wommannes bond, 
 
 bothe kynges dowhter & qweene, I vnder- 
 
 stonde. 360 
 
 this womman be pe Riht name schal clepen this 
 
 swerd, 
 and Me by my Name Openly & Apert ; 
 Eor neuere to-foren In-to that day 
 Non Creature be oure riht name Clepen ne 
 
 may :" 364 
 
 Pul longe this Nasciens this Skawberk gan 
 beholde, 
 and in his herte he Merveilled ful Manifolde. 
 & whanne thus In the Schip he hadde loked 
 
 Abowte 
 On Alle partyes with-Inne & with-Owte, 368 
 
 but neuere so softe ne Cowde he gon 
 that Al the bed be-gan to qwaken Anon ; 
 from the ton Ende to toJ)er, In that plas. 
 In this Manere this bed So qwakyng it 
 
 was. 372 
 
 tant com il sera des renges chains a 
 quoi ie penderai. 
 
 Ne iamais ne soit si hardis : 
 
 ke il ches renges qui clii sont en ost. 
 
 Car il en seroit si grans mans fais : et 
 tantes grans mesauentures en auen- 
 roient, 
 
 ke il, ne autres horn morteus, 
 
 ne le porroit mie amender. 
 
 Ne il n' est otroie a nul home 
 
 qui ore soit, ne auenir soit: 
 ke il en soit osteres. 
 Anchois en doiuent estre ostes 
 
 par main de feme, 
 
 fiUe de roi et de roine. Et si i metera tel 
 escange pour ches : ke ele en fera vues autres 
 de la chose qtu sour li soit ke ele ara plus 
 chiere, et si Ie metra en lieu de ches. 
 
 Et chele feme apielera cheste espee 
 par son droit non, 
 
 et moi par le mien. 
 
 Ne ia deuant dont 
 
 ne sera qui par nos droit nons nous 
 sache apieler." 
 
 Mult esgarda nasciens le fuerre louge- 
 ment. 
 
 Et quant il 1' eut asses esgarde d' une part, si 
 se pensa que cheste mauuaiste ne feroit il ia : 
 ke il ne veist de V autre part, ques il estoit, 
 comment que il 1' en deust auenir. Lors le 
 prist mult souef. et si le tourna de 1' autre part. 
 
 Mais onques si souef ne le seut tour- 
 
 ner: 
 
 ke tous li lis ne tramblast de chief en 
 
 chief. 
 
AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OE THE SWOBD. 
 
 373 
 
 And whanne he tornede, & it be-held, 
 
 Eor discomfort lie ne Myhte him weld ; 
 
 Eor to him it semede tho As Red As blood ; 
 
 and ]?ervppon wondirful lettres there stood 
 
 that As Ony Cole so blak they were, 
 
 the Resonn that was I-weten there ; 
 
 Wheche lettres Seiden In that Stede, 
 
 As that tyme I Cowde hem Rede ; 
 
 " hos that Me preiseth most here, 
 
 Most Schal I him fynde In 0]?er Manere, 
 
 So that In gret Nede blamed schal he not be 
 
 In non wise, As I telle it the. 
 
 and to hvm I scholde ben Most debonayre, 
 
 To him with most Anger I wele Repeire : 
 
 "Which schal be-happe but Ony, Sekerly, 
 
 As I the telle here now Openly : 
 
 Eor with-Owteii faille so moste it be 
 
 At that tyme Onys ful Sikerle." 
 
 Swiche wordis seide the lettrure there 
 
 that on f>e swerd weren wreten In that manere. 
 
 and the Skavberk he be-held Agein : 
 than merveilled he gretly In Certain, 
 Eor that partye was non Othir I-liche, 
 but to his Sihte As blak As Ony pich ; 
 thanne Abasched he was ful Sore, 
 that he ne wiste what to sein no More, 
 Eor he ne Cowde demen of what kynde, 
 Ne nether to purposen In his Mynde ; 
 but As him thowhte there be Resoun, 
 Aftir A maner of tre was the facioun ; 
 and 0]jer whille him thowhte J)at it was 
 Of lether I-mad In that plas, 
 but he ne Cowde devise In non degre 
 Of what Maner Of Beste it Mbyte be ; 
 
 Et quant il eut tournee, 
 
 si vit que ele estoit ausi uermelle 
 comme sans de chele part. 
 376 et si i auoit letres 
 
 ausi noires comme est vns carbons. 
 
 380 
 
 384 
 
 Et clies letres si disoient. 
 
 " Chil ki plus me prisera: 
 
 plus i trouuera 
 
 que il deura blasmer au grant besoing. 
 
 Et a chelui a qui ie deueroie estre plus 
 
 deboinaire, 
 
 a chelui serai plus felenesse, 
 
 Et che n' auenra c' une fois. 
 
 Car ensi le conuient estre sans falir." 
 
 Teus paroles disoient les lettres 
 392 qui de chele part de I'espee estoient. 
 Et il regarda le feurre, 
 
 396 
 
 400 
 
 404 
 
 si le vit de chele part 
 
 plus noir que nule pois par samblant, 
 
 Et il eut durement este esbahis quant 
 il eut premierement esgardee de 1' autre 
 part, pour ohou que il ne sauoit ne 
 penser ne dire, de quoi il pooit estre. 
 Enchore fu il plus esbahis asses. 
 
 Car il disoit a le fie, et uerites li sam- 
 bloit, ke il estoit d' aucime nature 
 et de maniere et de fust. 
 
 Et r autre fois iugoit ke il estoit 
 
 de quir. 
 
 Mais il ne pooit connoistre ne noumer. 
 de quel beste il estoit. 
 
374 NASCIENS CANNOT THINK WHAT THE SCABBAIM) AND SWORD AEE MADE OF. 
 
 Anothir tyme hixQ thouhte Of yrne it was, 
 Owthir of sum Olper Metal In that plas : 408 
 
 Thus wolde he hau declared it be him selve, 
 but 3it Cowde he not putten the Ex In pe helve. 
 
 Thus doth Nasciens with gret Entencioun, 
 but Ay he is In ful gret Trebulacioun 412 
 
 Eor the Skawberk to haven Offe knowenge, 
 but he ne Cowde for non manere thinge, 
 0]?er Whille to On thing In Oerteiate, 
 And Oj^erwhille to Anothir ; but it wolde not 
 
 be. 416 
 
 thus nethir the swerd hondel, ne pomel, 
 Ne Cowde he declaren Neuere A del ; 
 Where-Offen the swerd I-forged was, 
 And whens it Cam, & from what plas, 420 
 
 Ne ho that the Swerd schold thedir bringe, 
 he ne cowde not weten for non thinge ; 
 Xether the strengthe of that schethe ]jere 
 he ne Cowde declaren it In non Manere, 424 
 
 Ne not devisen of what kynd it was 
 he ne Cowde for non Manor of Cas, 
 Ne]?er of the grete Merveilles that ben co- 
 
 menge 
 In divers Reawmes with-Owten varyenge ; 428 
 
 And of the grete Breteyne Also, 
 What Merveilles that schal Comen hire to ; 
 Of Alle these thinges that to forn Rehersed be, 
 this Storye 3it declareth not Sekerle. 432 
 
 but whanne that tyme Cometh therto. 
 That declareng of ]>e swerd we scholen gon to ; 
 Thanne schal that swerd be knowen ful wel, 
 And the propre Name there Off en Everidel, 436 
 
 And the lettres that vppon the schethe be, 
 thanne scholen they ben knowen Openle. 
 
 Et une autre fois disoit ke il estoit de fier 
 
 ou d' aucune maniere de metal. 
 
 Et si le uoloit esprouer a soi meisme, 
 
 par che que il n' auoit onques veue 
 
 nule chose de son grant qui autrestant 
 
 deust peser. 
 
 Ensi estoit nasciens en tenchon 
 
 pour le feurre vers soi meisme. 
 
 Si ke il en affennoit a le fie vne chose, et a le 
 fie desdisoit ke a nule cbertaine parole ne 
 sauoit asener a quoi il se peust tenir. 
 
 Ne li contes ne le deuise mie ohi endroit. 
 Car enchore n' est mie venus li liens ne li 
 tans ke il doiue deuiser 
 
 ne I'espee comment ele iu forgie, 
 
 ne en quel lieu ne de quoi fu li fuerres, 
 
 ne de quel lieu il fu aportes, 
 
 et la u I'espee fu premierement dedens 
 lui mist. 
 
 De la forohe del fuerre, qui mult estoit 
 
 ne deuise mie chi endroit, 
 
 ne de quel maniere I'espee estoit. 
 
 Ne les grans meruelles qui puis en 
 auinrent 
 
 el roiaume de logres. 
 
 et en maint autre lieu de la grant 
 bertaigne. 
 
 Toutes dies choses 
 
 ne desoueure mie li contes en cheste 
 
 partie. 
 
 Mais quant venra 
 
 a r essauchement de I'espee 
 
 ke ele sera couneue: 
 
 et ke en I'apielera par son droit non. 
 
 Ensi com les letres del fuerre li dient. 
 
TfiE MYSTERY OF THE THREE SPINDLES. 
 
 375 
 
 '^ov whanne that Cometh bothe tyme & day, 
 
 Al this schal ben declared sauns delay — 440 
 
 the kynde of the Swerd, and schethe also. 
 
 And Alle the vertwes that longen therto. 
 
 thanne Openly I-schewed scholen they be, 
 
 Lik as this holy Storie telleth Certeinle.* 444 
 
 Now beleveth this Storye here 
 Of the Swerd and the schethe, In this Manere ; 
 and Speketh here of Anothir Entent 
 that Oppon the Bed was verament, 448 
 
 A spyndele was there schoten forth Ryht 
 thorwh the bordis Of the bed, I the plyht ; 
 and Anothir Spyndele Ouerthwert was ]?ere do, 
 that bothen to-Gederis metten they tho ; 452 
 
 and bothe Spindelis As long they were 
 As lengthe & brede of |?e bed Everywhere. 
 And to the hed Of the two spyndelis certein 
 Anof>er spyndele was loyned I sey 30W pleyn ; 456 
 Of these thre ful Mochel there is to schewe. 
 Of manie diuers poyntes vppon A Rewe. 
 
 but now this Storye telleth here, 
 that the ferste spyndle was In Alle Manere> 460 
 was Also whit As ony snow snewenge ; 
 And the laste was as Red as blood bledenge ; 
 And the ouerth-wert that Aboven was, 
 lik to An Emerawde In that plas ; 464 
 
 As Grene As An Emeraude it was there 
 To his Syhte In Al Manere : 
 Of these thre Colowres Sekerlye 
 Weren these iij spindelis trewelye, 468 
 
 that with-owten Naturel peyntyns were^ 
 but Offe here Owne kynde Alle there ; 
 
 Lors sera venus et li lieus et li tans 
 
 ke les manieres 
 
 et les uirtus del fuerre et de I'espee 
 
 serront demoustrees apiertement. 
 
 A tant se taist li contes en chest lieu, 
 
 et del espee et del fuerre, 
 
 et si parole d'une autre chose. 
 
 Car il dist ke en mi lieu del lit tout a droiture 
 
 auoit fichie .j. fuisiel par deuant, qui tous 
 
 estoit drois. Chis lis, che deues sauoir, tout 
 
 auant estoit de fust, ne mie couche. Et chil 
 
 fuisiaus ke ie vous di, estoit fichiet parmi le 
 
 fust qui est del lone del lit par deuant. Si ke 
 
 il estoit contremont tous drois, 
 
 et d' autre part derriere en chele partie qui 
 
 a non 1' esponde en rauoit .i. autre fichiet qui 
 
 tous estoit drois autresi. et si estoit tres en droit 
 
 chelui deuant. De I'un de ches deus fuisiaus 
 
 iusch' a r autre. 
 
 Si estoit tant d'espasse 
 
 com li les del lit deuoit. 
 
 Et sour dies deus 
 
 si auoit .i. autre fuisiel mains quarre, 
 qui estoit keuillies et en I'un et en 
 I'autre. De ches .iij. aroit asses a cen- 
 ter, qui toutes les manieres en droit. 
 
 Mais tant en dist li contes, ke li pre- 
 miers, chil ki deuant estoit tous drois. 
 
 Chil estoit ausi blans comme vne noif 
 negie. 
 
 Et chil derriere estoit ausi verniaus 
 com vne goute de naturel sane. 
 Et chil qui aloit par desu9 ches deus 
 d'en trauers. Si estoit ausi verdoians 
 comme vne esmeraude. 
 
 De ches .iij. coulours 
 
 estoient li troi fuisiel desus Ie lit. 
 Et si sachies uraiement ke ch' estoient 
 natureus coulours sains painture. 
 Car eles n'i auoientestemises par main 
 de nul home mortel : ne de nule feme. 
 
 * End of a chapter in the English MS. 
 
376 
 
 HOAV THE HISTORY MUST GO BACK TO EXPLAIN THE LAST MYSTERIES. 
 
 Eor nether be Ertlily man ne wommane 
 tliedyr ne weren they now browht thanne. 472 
 
 And for As mochel as to the peple it is 
 
 dowtaunce 
 out declareng J>ere-onne be with-owten variaunce, 
 And but there-offen they knewen more vndir- 
 
 stondeng, 
 Elles wolden they holden it for A gabbyng, 476 
 
 There-fore here turneth this Storye, 
 and of Anothir thing Maketh Memorye 
 that is ful swete forto here, 
 
 bothe forto lestene & ek to lere ; 480 
 
 And In tyme Comeng this Storye 
 the thre spyndelis schal declaren Openlye, 
 And Of the Schippe Al the knowlechinge, 
 Alle this Scholen ^e knowen In tyme Comenge. 484 
 
 Et pour chou ke en doutanche en ser- 
 roient teus gens le porroient oir center : 
 
 si s'en tenroient pour engingnies, 
 si il n'en sauoient plus. 
 
 Pour chou se destoume li coxites la droite uoie 
 de sa matere ; ke il en desceure la Terite pour 
 abatre la doutanche. 
 
 Et che est vne chose qui ne fait mie 
 a trespasser : anchois est mult delita- 
 ble a escouter et a entendre. 
 
 Car en la counissanclie des .iij. fui- 
 siaus. prent toute la counissanclie de 
 la nef. 
 
 Sir Thomas Maleor's account of Galahad's finding the Ship, and of the Mysteries and their history, is in 
 Chapters 83-88, pp. 293-304, vol. ii. of the 1816 reprint of the 1634 edition of ' The History of the 
 reno^-ned Prince Arthur, King of Britain.' 
 
 Chapter LXXXIII. 
 Chapter LXXXIV. 
 Chapter LXXXV. 
 Chapter LXXXVI. 
 
 Chapter LXXXVII. 
 Chapter LXXXVni. 
 
 How Sir Galahad rode ivith a Damsel, and came into a Ship whereas Sir Bors and Sir 
 
 Percivale were in. 
 How Sir Galahad entered into the Ship, and of a fair Bed that was therein, with other 
 
 marvellous things [the Serpent and fish Ortenar], and of a Sword. 
 Of the Marvels of the Sword, and of the Scabbard [and of Naden on the Isle of 
 
 Tur nance, ^c J. 
 How King Pelles was smitten through both the Thighs, because he drew the Sword and of 
 
 marvellous Histories {namely, the Three Spindles ; Eve's planting the white tree its 
 
 change to green ; AbeVs death ; Solomon and his wife"]. 
 Bovy Solomon took David's Sword by the Counsel of his Wife, and of other marvellcms 
 
 matters [maJcing the Bed, Ship, and Girdles for the Sivord'] 
 Of the wonderful Tale of King Solomon and his Wife [and how Sir Percivale s sister 
 
 put a new girdle of her own hair to the sword, and girded Sir Galahad with it; and 
 
 how they came on the morrow to a castle that men called Carteloise, that was in the 
 
 marshes of Scotland']. 
 
377 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 The Episode of Adam and Eve in Paradise, the Tree of Life, the Death of Abel, and the building of a Ship 
 for Solomon and his wife. . How Eve the first sinner was tempted by the Devil to eat of the forbidden 
 Tree and pulled off a branch of it (p. 378), and got Adam to eat an apple too (p. 379). How they 
 knew that they were naked, and were ashamed ' each of others members' (p. 379). God comes to 
 them and pronounces their doom (p. 379-80), and turns them out of Paradise, Eve carrying the branch of 
 the Forbidden Tree in her hand (p. 380). She thinks she will always keep the branch in sight, to 
 remind her of her sin (p. 380); but, as she has no hutch to put it in, 'for at that tyme was no swich 
 in makyng,' she plants it (p. 381), and by God's grace it takes root (p. 381), and signifies much glad- 
 ness ; for, as by woman Paradise was lost, so by woman (the blessed virgine Maree) it shall be restored 
 to man (p. 381-2). How the branch grew into a great tree, which was wholly white, signifying Vir- 
 ginity (p. 382). Of the difference between maidenhood, purity of body, and virginity, purity of soul 
 and body (p. 382-3). How Eve was a Virgin when she planted the branch of the Tree of Life, and till 
 Adam lay with her at Christ's command (p. 383). They sit grieving under the Tree, and Eve says it 
 is the cause of their grief, and may be called the Tree of Death (p. 383-4), A voice tells them to 
 comfort one another, as life is much nearer them than death (p. 384). They do this, and call the tree 
 The Tree of Life, and plant branches of it (p. 384). One Friday, as they sit under it, a voice com- 
 mands Adam to know his wife fleshly (p. 385). They are greatly ashamed (p. 385). So Christ pities 
 them, ordains that men shall restore the Tenth Legion of Angels that were cast into Hell (p. 385-6), 
 and sends Adam and Eve darkness, in which they copulate, and beget Abel the Just (p. 386). The 
 darkness disappears, and, in consequence of the copulation, the white Tree of Life, and all other 
 trees, turn from white to green (p. 387) ; and the Tree of Life, which before was barren, bears flowers 
 and fruit (p. 387): signifying Abel's good life (p. 387). How Abel gave tithes and his best things lo 
 God, but Cain gave his worst (p. 388). And when they sacrificed, the sweet smoke of Abel's offering 
 went straight to heaven, but the stinking smoke of Cain's spread over the fields (p. 388) ; on which 
 Cain resolves to kill Abel (p. 389). One day Abel goes after his sheep, and lies down and sleeps 
 under the Tree of Life (p. 389). Cain follows him, thinking to kill him unperceived, but Abel sees 
 him and welcomes him (p. 389- 90). Cain runs at him with an ' op-courbed knyf,' smites him ' vndir the 
 pappe,' and, — ' vntrewe brother,' — kills him (p. 390); on a Friday, under the tree under which he was 
 begotten (p. 390). How Abel's death signified Christ's, and Cain typified Judas (p. 390-1); ' for it is 
 the condisciown of a cursed man to haten a good man what that he can' (p. 391). How Christ con- 
 demns Cain 'be kyng Davy in the Sawter book' (p. 391). God asks Cain where Abel is (p. 392). 
 Cain covers the body up with leaves and says 'with him have I not for to done' (p. 392). God curses 
 
 3c 
 
378 
 
 OF THE TEMPTATION OE EVE BY THE DEVIL. 
 
 Caia and the earth, but not the Tree of Life, which turned from green to red directly after Abel's 
 death (p. 392-3); and grew very large, but bare no flower or fruit (p. 393). How the tree was held 
 in great reverence by Eve's descendants (p. 393); and how they came to it in times of trouble, and 
 called it the Tree of Counsel and of Comfort (p. 394). How it and its saplings continued beautiful till 
 and after the Deluge, and were called ' Trees of Life ' by all who saw them ({>. 394-5)* 
 
 Thus be Aventure As gan be-falle, 
 that Eve the ferst womman of AUe, 
 that the ferst Synne Evere wrowhte 
 wherthorwh mankyiide was browht to Nowhte 
 be the Cownseyl Of the moste dedly Enemy, 
 wheche was the devel, ful Sekerly, 
 that Envie hadde to Mankynde Anon 
 Eor he In paradis was So I-don. 
 
 Thanne bethowhte him the devel In haste 
 how he myhte hem of paradis Owt Caste, 
 that dide he Al hys fowl konnenge 
 Adam & Eve Owt of paradis to bringe, 
 And fondede to Eve there forto gon, 
 To Maken here to Eten of that tre Anon 
 which sche was forboden Ouerth ththing 
 Only of that tre the Neygheng, 
 "VVheche sche was forboden of hire Creatoure 
 that tre forto Neyghen In non Oure. 
 to wheche tre the devel hire tempted faste 
 tyl that Eve A branch kawhte Atte laste, 
 and there-Offen An Apelle Anon sche took 
 and there-Onne sche gan ful faste to look ; 
 thanne there Off en sche hot anon, 
 and faste to hir spowse ward sche gan to 
 
 12 
 
 16 
 
 II auint chose 
 
 que quant eue la peoheresse qui la 
 premiere feme fu. 
 
 eut pris consel au mortel anemi par- 
 durable, 
 ch' est au dyable: 
 
 qui des dont commenoha a agaitier 
 I'umain linaige pour decheuoir. Et 
 il eut tant enortee ke il I'eut esprise 
 de mortel pechie pour quoi il auoit 
 • este boutes et trebuchies de la gloire 
 del chiel, che fu de conuoitise, 
 il li fist son talent desloial a chou 
 mener 
 
 ke il le fist cuellier le mortel fruit del 
 arbre 
 
 qui li auoit este defFendus de la bouche 
 a son creatour. 
 
 Et quant ele le cuelli, si dist le uraie 
 
 estoire, 
 
 ke ele cuelli et esracha de chel arbre 
 
 meisme .j. ramissiel auoec le fruit. 
 
 quant on le cuelle. 
 
 Et si tost comme ele I'eut aporte a son 
 24 espous adan. 
 
 * The Additional MS. 10,292, f. 31. b. 3, heads this chapter, " Ensi que eue et adam sunt pardevant 
 I'arbre, et adam se prent par le geule.'' 
 
ADAM EATS AN APPLE, AND HE AND EVE KNOW THEY AEE NAKED. 
 
 379 
 
 and Conceilled him there-Offen to Ete, 
 
 & that for non thing he scholde it lete. 
 
 So Adam Ete that Appel Anon 
 
 To his grete peyne and Owre distroccioun. 28 
 
 Whanne Eve had him taken this appel, I vndir- 
 
 stonde, 
 3it lefte the braunch Stille In hire hond ; 
 but it was A3ens hire knowenge 
 that the braunch In hire hond was Abydinge. 32 
 
 thanne whanne they hadden Eten of this tre 
 Wheche dedly froyt wel clepid May be, 
 Eor there thorwgh dedlich becam he tho 
 and alle than Euere Aftir from him gonnen 
 
 go;— 36 
 
 thanne knew they wel that Naked they were ; 
 to-forn hem thowthe Spiritwel In Alle 
 
 Manere, 
 Eor they weren formed to Everelasting lif ; 
 but that fowle Synne browhte vs Alle In Strif. 40 
 
 And whanne hem Self they gonne beholde, 
 Aschamed they weren ful Many folde ; 
 Eor Al Naked knewen they J>at they were, 
 And Aschamed Ech Of 0]?er Membres was 
 
 there ; 44 
 
 & with here hondis they kouerided hem tho ; 
 So dyde there Eve thanne Also, 
 And the braunch Euere stille In hire hond, • 
 but that Cowde sche not tho vndirstond. 48 
 
 Thanne he whiche Alle thowhtes doth knowe 
 To hem Cam there In A throwe, 
 and knew here Synneng Everydel, 
 Wheche was to hem A sory Mel. 52 
 
 There ferst Adam he gan to Calle, 
 that him thowhte most Resoun of Alle 
 
 3c 2 
 
 qui ele I'eut consillie, et enorte a 
 mangier : 
 
 adans le prist en tel maniere que il 
 I'esracha del ramissiel, et le manga: 
 a notre grant paine, et a la sole, et a 
 son grant destruisement, et au notre. 
 Et. quant il I'eut esrachie del ramissiel, 
 ensi com vous aues oi : 
 
 Si auint vne chose ke li rainsiaus 
 
 remest en la main en sa feme. 
 
 Si com il auient asses souuent ke on 
 
 tient aucune chose en sa main, et si 
 
 n' i quide on riens tenir. 
 
 Et si tost com il orent andoi mangie 
 
 del fruit mortel : 
 
 qui bien doit estre apieles morteus. 
 
 Car par lui 'vint la mors a aus deus 
 
 premierement. 
 
 et puis a tous les oirs : Si cangierent toutes 
 
 lor qualites ke il auoient deuant euee. Et lors 
 
 si virent que il estoient carnel et nu, qui 
 
 deuant chou n'estoient se chose esperiteus. 
 
 non. ia soit chou ke i eussent cors. Et ne- 
 
 pourquant che n' aferme pas li contes ke il 
 
 ensi espresseement fuissent esperitel. Car 
 
 chose fourmee de si vil chose com est li mens : 
 
 ne puet mie estre d'esperitel netee. Mais il 
 
 estoient ausi com esperiteus choses quant a 
 
 chou ke il estoient fourme pour tous iours 
 
 viure, se che auenist que il se tenissent toutes 
 
 voies de pechier. 
 
 Et quant il s'entregarderent, 
 
 et il se virent nu, 
 
 et il counurent lor honteus menbres, 
 li vns del autre : Si furent virgoingeus. 
 de tant se sentirent il ia de lor meffait. 
 Lors couuri ohascuns d'aus deus les 
 plus laides parties qui sour lui estoient 
 de ses deus mains. Mais cue tint 
 toutes eures en sa main le rainsiel qui 
 liestoit remes del fruit ke adans auoit 
 mangie. Ne onques chel rainsiel ne 
 laissa, ne auant ne apres. 
 Et quant chil qui tous les penses con • 
 noist, et les corages, sent ke il orent 
 ensi pechie. II vint a aus, 
 
 et si apiela adan premierement. 
 
 Et il estoit bien raisons ke il en fust 
 
 plus occoisouueus que la feme. 
 
380 god's sentence on adam and eve. thet are driven out op paradise. 
 
 that Eerst Chalanged that he were, 
 thanne the womman In Ony Manere ; 56 
 
 For the womman is of so fehle Complexioun 
 that of Mannes Rib was mad, As Axeth Resoun 
 and that Obeischawnt scholde be to Man ; 
 Wherfore Crist ferst clepid Adam than. 60 
 
 And whanne god hadde Reproved him of his 
 synne, 
 thanne to him he seide, & nolde not blynne, 
 " thy bred In Swetyng shalt thow Ete ; 
 thy lifiode with travaille shalt thou gete ; 64 
 
 And for thi wif In feleschepe with the was tho, 
 With the, compenie to be, schal she go ;" 
 and Seide to hire, " that In Sorwe & gret drede 
 hire lif in Erthe Scholde sche lede, 68 
 
 And In gret peyne to beren hire pariture, — 
 Of this Eve thow schalt ben Seure." 
 
 thanne Owt of paradys weren they bothe Caste, 
 And be An Aungel owt dreven Atte laste, 72 
 
 Wheche is clepid paradys of delyt, 
 there-offen weren they sone bothe qwyt ; 
 And Evere, As ]?at I vndirstond, 
 held stille Eve j^e braunch In hire bond, 76 
 
 and ne left it neuere for non thing ; 
 And 3it was it not be hire wetyng. 
 
 thanne Atte laste sche gan beholde 
 Vppon this Braunch ful Manifolde, 80 
 
 and Evere lich Grene it was. 
 As ferst sche it polde Owt of ]?e plas. 
 Anon wiste sche thanne certeinly 
 that they hadden Synned tho dedly, 84 
 
 and that it was cawse of here disheritaunce ; 
 Wherfore that braunch kept sche In remem- 
 braTuice, 
 
 Quant la feme estoit de si poure com- 
 
 plection, et de si feble oomme chele qui 
 
 estoit faite de la coste del home. 
 
 Si estoit drois ke ele fust obeissans al 
 
 home : non mie li hom a li. 
 
 Pour chou apiela diex adan premiere- 
 
 ment. 
 
 Et quant 
 
 il li eut dite la felenesse parole. 
 
 " Tu mangeras ton pain eu suour. 
 
 si ne vaut mie que la feme en escapast 
 quite ke ele ne fust parcouniere et 
 compaignie del mesfait. 
 
 Si li dist " en tristreche 
 
 et en doulour enfanteras ta porteure.' 
 
 Apres les ieta ambedeus de paradis de 
 delit. 
 
 Et quant il furent hors de laiens, 
 
 si tint eue toutes eures le rainsiel en 
 sa main, ke ele auoit oublie. 
 que onques ne laissa, ne j our vne" chose 
 ne pour vne autre. 
 
 Et lors le regarda, 
 
 si aperchut et vit le rainsiel 
 
 biel et verdoiant 
 
 comme chelui qui tantost auoit este 
 
 cuellis. 
 
 Si seut bien 
 
 ke chil arbres dont li rains auoit este : 
 
 estoit I'ocoisons de son desiretement 
 
 et de sa mesaise. 
 
 Lors dist que en ramembranche de la 
 
 grant pierte qui par chel arbre li estoit 
 
 auenue. 
 
EVE PLANTS THE BRANCH OF THE EORBIDDEN TREE, AND IT GROWS. 
 
 381 
 
 and that she wolde it putten In swich A plase 
 Often tymes to sen it, In hire fase, 88 
 
 there-offen forto haven ful Remembrynge 
 that sche was Cause of here disherytyng. 
 
 thanne bethowhte sche hire on this Manere, 
 that nothing had sche to putten it In there 92 
 
 Nethir huchche ne non 0]?er thing, 
 Eor that tyme was no siwch In Makyng ; 
 So thanne this braunch took sche Anon Ryhte, 
 And there In the Erthe Anon sche it pyhte. 96 
 
 thanne seide sche ' ]7at often scholde sche it sen, 
 For In hire face Ay scholde it ben.' 
 
 And whanne this Braunch In the Erthe don 
 was, 
 Anon it wax, & Roted be goddis gras. lOO 
 
 This brawnch that Eve the«ferste Synnere 
 Owt of paradys browht with here there, 
 Signefied ful Mochel gladnesse 
 In tyme Comeng, And Ek lyhtnesse ; 104 
 
 And 3it al this tyme was Eve 
 A Glene Maide, As this storie doth prove. 
 And thanne sche seide " dismaie 30W nouht ; 
 for they out of Ouxe Eritage we ben browht, 108 
 3it for Evere hau we it not lost, 
 but therto A3en Restoren we most." 
 
 And 3if 30 welen Eqweren of this storie 
 What the Cause was, & the Skele ' whye 112 
 
 that Man the Braunche Owt of paradis not bar 
 As wel as the womman dide tho thar, 
 Sethen that man is Of heighere degre 
 than is the Woman ful Sekerle ; ' — 116 
 
 To this answerith this Storye, 
 and seith ' that to ]>e Man It belongeth not 
 trewlye. 
 
 Garderoit ele le rainsiel tant com ele 
 
 porroit. Et si I'ostoieroit en tel lieu 
 
 ke ele le verroit souuent 
 
 pour rainenbrer 
 
 de sa grant mesauenture. 
 
 Lors se pensa 
 
 ke ele n'auoit 
 
 ne huge ne autre estui en quoi ele le 
 peust estoier. Car enchore au tans 
 de dont n'estoit il nule teus chose. 
 
 si le prist, 
 
 si le ficha dedens la terre si ke il se 
 
 tint drois, 
 
 et dist, ' que ensi le veroit ele asses 
 
 souuent. 
 
 Li ramissiaus qui en la terre fu fichies 
 par la volente au creatour a qui toutes 
 choses sont obeissans, crut et reprist 
 en la terre et enrachina 
 
 Chil ramissiaus ke la premiere peche- 
 
 resse 
 
 aporta hors de paradis : 
 
 si fu plains de mult grant senefianche. 
 
 Car ensi com ele Faportoit en sa main : 
 
 si senefia vne grant leeche. tout ausi 
 
 com s' eleparlast a ses oirs qui enchore 
 
 estoient a uenir. Car enchore estoit 
 
 ele puchiele. 
 
 Et com se ele lor desist. '' Ne vous 
 
 esmaies mie 
 
 se nous sommes iete hors de notre 
 
 yretage: car nous ne Tauons mie 
 
 pierdu a tons iours. 
 
 vees ohi les enseignes ke encore j ren- 
 
 tenrons nous aucune saisou." 
 
 Et qui uauroit demander au conte 
 
 par quel raison 
 
 li horn ne porta che rainsiel hors de 
 
 paradis 
 
 mieus ke la feme. 
 
 Car plus est hom haute chose 
 
 ke feme n'est. 
 
 A che respont li contes, 
 
 ' keli porters de che raim n'apartenoit 
 
 de noient a home, 
 
382 
 
 HOW THE BRANCH SIGNIFIES VIRGINITY, NOT MAIDENHOOD. 
 
 but Al only to the ■vvomman 
 
 that Owt of paradis brought it than : 120 
 
 It signefieth that ]?e womman Owt it browhte, 
 that be womman the world was brouht to 
 
 nowhte ; 
 and be A womman Restored schal it be ; 
 wheche signefiet be ]>e blessed virgine Maree.*' 124 
 
 Lo Now torneth the Storye here ful pleyn 
 to groweng of this braunch Anon here ageyn ; 
 and how it Molteplyed So hugely 
 that a gret tre it wax trewly, 128 
 
 and gan to brawnchen & schadwen ful fere ; 
 and this was with-Inne riht fewe 3ere. 
 bothe braunches, leves, and bark, as I tell 30W, 
 Was Also whit As ony snow ; 132 
 
 Whiche that signefyeth virgenite, 
 that this vertu hath ful Sekerle ; 
 a mannes body it kepeth Olene, 
 and the sowle whit al be-dene. 136 
 
 Eor In as moche as that ])e tre whit was, 
 It signefieth virginite in that plas ; 
 Tor virgine sche was whanne sche it sette, 
 thus Recordeth the Storye with-Owten 
 
 lette ; 140 
 
 for 3it At that tyme clone virgine sche was 
 from Alle thowhtes of lecherie In that plas. 
 
 but Maydenhod and virginite 
 Ne ben not bothe In on degre ; 144 
 
 but gret defPerense betwene hem Is, 
 as 30 scholen heren with-Owten Mis. 
 Por Maydenhod In non degre 
 Ms not Ilk to virgiuite ; 148 
 
 se a le feme non 
 
 par la ou la feme le portoit : la sene" 
 
 fioit il, 
 
 ke par feme estoit la uie pierdue. 
 
 et Ice par feme seroit restoree 
 
 et che fu senefianche ke par la virgene marie 
 
 seroit recouures li glorieus iretagea qui pier- 
 
 dus estoit.* 
 
 Mais ore repaire li contes 
 
 au rainsiel qui estoit repris et enra- 
 
 chines en terre. 
 
 Si dist ke il crut et mouteplia mult 
 
 durement, 
 
 tant ke il fu grans arbres 
 
 en succession de petit tans. 
 
 Et quant il fu grans, et les umbrables 
 
 si fu tons blans comma noif : et en la 
 
 tige et es branches, et es fuelles et en 
 
 rgscorche 
 
 et ch' estoit senefianche de uirginite. 
 
 Car virginites est vne virtus 
 
 par quoi li cors est tenus nes, 
 
 et I'ame blanche. 
 
 Et che qu'il estoit blans en toutes choses 
 
 senefia, 
 
 que chele qui I'auoit plante estoit toute 
 virge. 
 
 a chele cure que eue et adans fiirent 
 mis hors de paradis estoient il enchore 
 ambedoi net et virge 
 de toutes vilounies de luxure. 
 
 Et sachies ke entre puchelage et vir- 
 ginite 
 ne sont mie vne meisme chose, 
 
 anchois i a mult grant difFerenche. 
 
 Car puchelages ne se puet de trop 
 apparillier a uirginite, 
 
 * End of a chapter in the English MS. The French runs on. 
 
HOW EVE WAS A VIBGIN WHEN CAST OUT OP PARADISE. 
 
 383 
 
 and I schal 30W telle the Resown why, 
 
 For Maydenhod is In this maner trewly, 
 
 that felte neuere man fleschly, 
 
 nejier In weye of lecherie lay hire by. 152 
 
 but virginite is An heighere thing, 
 
 And More vertwos to thin vndirstondyng : 
 
 For bothe Man & Womman that virgines be, 
 
 Ne thowhte neuere Amys In non degre 156 
 
 of Bodily lust to ony luxure ; 
 
 this is virginite bothe good & pure. 
 
 and thus was Eve In Olene virginite 
 Whanne Owt Of paradis Cast was sche ; I60 
 
 and 3it the same Our sche plaunted this braunch 
 Virginite with-Inne here was ful staunch, 
 but Aftir Crist Comanded to Adam Anon 
 that to his wif there scholde he gon, i64 
 
 and here to knowen there fleschly 
 As Man And Womman Scholde trewely ; 
 
 thanne loste sche Anon virginite 
 
 168 
 
 thorw desireng of lust, sekerle. 
 and whanne Adam & Eve thus hadden I-do, 
 and fleschly to-Gederis knewen they tho, 
 thenne Maden they bothe ful Mochel Mornenge 
 Vndir this tre, bothe lementacion & wepinge. 172 
 
 and whanne that Adam In his herte gan devise 
 his Exyleng Owt of paradise, 
 Ful bevy Chore Ech other gan to Make, 
 And Eche was Sory for Otheris Sake, 
 thanne Seide Eve to Adam tho, 
 " Sire, ne merveille 50 not so gretly so. 
 For non wondir it nys In non Manere 
 thowh Owre trespas [we] Remembren here ; 
 For ther may non Abiden vndir this tre 
 thowh glad & Joyful that he be, 
 
 176 
 
 180 
 
 et si vous dirai pour quoi 
 
 Puchelages est vne virtus ki tout cliil 
 et toutes cheles ont en aus, 
 qui onques n'orent compaignie 
 
 ne atouchement de carnelle luxure. 
 
 Mais virginites est trop plus haute 
 
 chose, 
 
 et plus virtueuse. 
 
 car ne le puet auoir, soit home soit 
 
 feme. 
 
 pour ke il ait eu talent, 
 
 n'en conuoitise de carnel assamblement. 
 
 Et tel uirginite auoit enchore eue 
 
 a chele eure ke ele fu ietee de paradis, 
 
 hors des grans delis. 
 
 Et a chele cure ke ele planta le rainsiel 
 
 n'auoit ele pas enchore uirginite 
 
 perdue. 
 
 Mais apres commanda diex a adam 
 
 que il oouneust se feme. 
 
 Che fu a dire, que il geust a li carnel- 
 
 ment, 
 
 ensi com drois et nature requiert ke 
 lihomgise auoec s'espouse. et I'espouse 
 auoec son signour. Lors ot ele virgi- 
 nite perdue. Et counut des la en 
 auant carnel assamblement. 
 Et taut ke il auint grant pieche apres 
 che ke adans I'eut conneue ensi com 
 uous I'aucs oi: 
 ke entr'aus deus se seoient 
 
 desous chel arbre. 
 
 Et adans le commencha a regarder, 
 et a plaindre sa dolour 
 et son essil. 
 
 Et lors commenchierent mult dure- 
 ment a plourer, 
 li uns pour I'autre, 
 
 et lors li dist eue: 
 
 " ke il n'estoit mie meruelle 
 se il auoient illuec ramenbree lor 
 penanche ke il arbres I'auoit en soi. 
 Ne nus ne porroit demourer desous, 
 
 tant fust lies, 
 
384 
 
 ADAM AND EVE CALL THE TREE ' THE TEEE OF LIFE.' 
 
 but 3if In Moroneng he parte Away, 
 
 Sire, it were wondir, I 30VV Say ; 184 
 
 Por the tre of deth this May wel be, 
 
 as Myn herte Remembreth now me, 
 
 whiche tre that we resten vndir 
 
 Vs Maketh so hevy, it nis non wondire." 188 
 
 Anon As sche hadde this word I-spoke, 
 Abowtes hem faste they gonne to loke ; 
 A vois than herden they with here Ere, 
 That In this Manere to hem Seide there : 192 
 
 " Sey, 36 Caytives, why demon 30 so 
 Ech Otheris deth, as 30 now do ? 
 Ne deme 36 no swich degre 
 
 Of disperaunce, I warne 30W Certeinle ; i96 
 
 but Comforte 30W In All wise 
 Ech ojjer, As 36 best Connen devise ; 
 Eor the lif Is to 30W moche Nerre Justly 
 thanne Ony deth Certeinly." 200 
 
 Thus Spak the vois to hem riht tho ; 
 thanne mochel Comfort they token hem to. 
 
 than Aftirward Clepid they that tre 
 the tre of lyf, ful Sikerle ; 204 
 
 Eor the goode Comforte |?at ]?ere-ondir hadden 
 
 they there, 
 the tre of lif they clepid it Every where, 
 and for the loye they hadden of this tre, 
 Many brawnches they plauntid ]jere-offen Seker- 
 
 lye ; 208 
 
 and As sone As it was Set In the grownde, 
 bothe it took & Uoted with-Inne A stownde ; 
 and In Alle degre it kepte the Colowr, 
 As it was the wyl Of Oure Savyowr. 212 
 
 and often tymes it be-happed So, 
 that vndir theke tre gonne they go 
 
 qui n'en partist dolens : 
 Et a boin droit," chedist, " estoient do- 
 lent tout chil qui desous demouroient. 
 
 Car ch'estoit li arbres de la mort." 
 
 Et si tost com ele ot cheste parole dite. 
 
 Si parla vne vois, 
 
 et si lor dist a aembedeus. 
 
 " Caitif ambedoi, pour quoi iugies 
 
 vous, et destines ensi 
 
 la mort, li vns a I'autre: 
 
 Ne destines plus mauuaisement 
 
 par desesperanche. 
 
 Mais confortes vous, 
 
 car plus i a de la vie 
 
 ke de la mort.'' 
 
 Ensi parla la uois as deus caitis, 
 
 et lors furent ambedoi mult conforte, 
 
 si apielerent des dont en auant chel 
 arbre : 
 arbre de uie. 
 
 pour la boine nouiele que il auoient de- 
 sous oie. 
 
 Et pour la grant ioie qu'il en eurent, 
 
 en planterent il mult d'autres, qui tout 
 descendirent de lui. 
 
 Car si tost com il en estoient .i. rain- 
 
 siel, et il le fichoient en terre, 
 
 si reprenoit tantost, et enrachinoit de 
 
 son gre. 
 
 et tons iours retenoit la coulour de 
 
 chelui, et la maniere. Et chil toutes 
 
 voies : crut et amenda mult. 
 
 Et si auint puis, 
 
 ke par mainte Ibis s'en aloit seoir 
 
ADAM IS ORDEBED TO ' KNOW HIS WIPE FLESHLY. 
 
 385 
 
 hem forto Eesten ful often Sithe, 
 
 whiclie Mad hem bothe glad & blythe. 216 
 
 So that it happid vppon a day, 
 
 that Adam with Eye with-Owten delay 
 
 Seten to-gederis bothe tweyne, — 
 
 thus ]?is holy Storie E-eporteth Certeiae 220 
 
 that vppon A fryday it happede so 
 
 that vndir theke tre bothe gonnen they go, — 
 
 and longe there gonne they hem Reste 
 
 til A vols there Cam ]?at Sowned be Este, 224 
 
 Whiche vols Seide to hem verraily 
 
 ' that Adam his wif Scholde knowen fleschly.' 
 
 thanne So Achamed bothe they were 
 Swich Manere of thing forto don there 228 
 
 that Nethir of hem On Othir dorst loke 
 that dede to don, so seith this boke ; 
 Eor as sore Aschamed ]>e Man was there 
 As the womman In Alle Manere, 232 
 
 Eor they Nesten thanne In non degre 
 how here Lordis Comaundement sckapen scholden 
 
 hee; 
 and for be encheson of 'pe ferst trespas 
 they dradden hem of here lordis Gras ; 236 
 
 and so Eewfully Ech on Oj>er loked than 
 For gret schame, bothe man & womman. 
 
 thanne beheld lesns, Owre worthy lord, 
 here SchamefuUest & drede be Owun Acord, 240 
 that God In hem Anon hadde gret pite 
 Eor here Schamfastnesse In that degre ; 
 And, for his wiUe distorbeled ne schold not be, 
 Eor hem he disposede ful worthUe, 244 
 
 that be hem two the lygne of Man 
 the tenthe Order of Awngelis Restore scholde 
 than, 
 
 3d 
 
 et reposer desous, entre adam et euain. 
 
 Et tant que il auint .i. iour, 
 
 keil 
 
 se seoit illuec entr' aus deus, 
 
 et si dist la uraie bouche del grant 
 
 maistre 
 
 ke che fu a .i. iour de uenredi. 
 
 Et quant il orent longement sis en- 
 
 samble. 
 
 Si escouterent, et oirent parler vne 
 
 vois, 
 
 qui lor commanda 
 
 que il assamblaissent carneument. 
 
 Et il furent andoi de si grant vergoinge 
 plain, 
 
 ke lor iex ne pooient mie souffrir. 
 ke il s'entreueissent 
 a si vilaine oeure faire. 
 
 Car ausi grant honte en auoit li horn 
 
 com la feme. 
 
 Ne il ne sauoient mie 
 
 comment il osaissent trespasser le 
 
 commandement a lor signour. 
 
 Car li comparement del premier tres- 
 
 pars 
 
 les castioit 
 
 Si se commencliierent a entresgarder 
 mout honteusement. 
 Lors vit notres sires 
 lor grant vergoigne, 
 si en eut pite. 
 
 Et pour chou que sa volentes ne puet 
 
 estre destournee. 
 
 et sa volentes tele 
 
 ke de ches deus uoloit establir I'umain 
 
 lignaige : 
 
 pour restorer la disime legion dea 
 
 angeles, 
 
386 
 
 CHRIST SENDS DARKNESS, AND IN IT ADAM BEGETS ABEL ON EVE. 
 
 that Owt of hevene weren Oast Adown 
 
 for pride Into lielle, tliat lowe doniown. 248 
 
 And therfore A3ens here schanie Comfort be 
 
 sent 
 to hem bothe there Anon presente ; 
 and, Al here Schame-fastnesse forto hyde. 
 In Maner of A Nyht God sent hem that tyde, 252 
 that So Mirk it was with hem there 
 that non myhte Other sen In non Manere. 
 
 thanne Abasched weren they wondir Sore 
 how ]?at so sodeinly that dirknesse Cam thore 256 
 thus sone the ton the tother gan to CaUen tho, 
 and to-Gyderis they felten thanne bothe two 
 there with-Owten sighte Of Ony day, 
 thus to-gederis knewen they with-owten delay. 260 
 Por it behoveth that Alle thing be do 
 Aftir goddis wille ; he wele J>at it be So ; 
 and that tyme Ech Other fleschly gan to knowe, 
 Only goddys Comandement forto Avowe ; 264 
 
 So that there thorwh here Comownenge 
 Seed forth browhte to here Synnes Aleggynge. 
 Por there thoruhe hem bothe was conceyved 
 
 than 
 Whiche that me Clepid Abel, that Rihtwis 
 
 man, 268 
 
 and the ferste man than to his god dide worthy 
 
 Servise, 
 him to worschepen & plesen In Alle wyse. 
 In this Manere was Abel vnder the tre of lyf 
 be-geten of Adam, Conceyved of his wif ; 272 
 
 Wheche was don vppon a fryday, 
 As this Sorye thus doth here Say. 
 
 thanne there behelden they bothe Anon 
 that thus sone this dirknesse was gon ; 276 
 
 qui del chiel auoient este hors iete 
 par orguel: 
 
 pour chou lor enuoia il grant confort 
 a lor vergoigne couurir. 
 
 Car 11 les couuri 
 en tel maniere 
 
 ke U uns d'aus deus ne pent I'autre 
 
 veoir. 
 
 Et lors furent ambedoi mult esbahi de 
 
 chele osourete comment ele estoit entr' 
 
 aus descendue si soudainement. 
 
 Si apielerent li vns I'autre, 
 
 et s'entrestasterent 
 sans veoir. 
 
 Et pour chou ke il conuient ke toutes 
 
 choses soient menees 
 
 a la volente notre signour, 
 
 pour chou coDuint il ke lor doi cors 
 
 assamblaissent carnelment, 
 
 ensi com li souurains peres I'auoit 
 
 commande a Fun et a I'autre. 
 
 Et quant il orent geu ensamble, 
 
 si orent fait vny nouuiele semencbe 
 
 en quoi lor pechies fu auques alegies. 
 
 Car adans eut engenre, et sa feme eut 
 
 concheu, 
 abel le iuste. 
 
 chelui qui son creatour serui pre- 
 mierement en gre 
 
 de SB disme rendre loiaument. 
 En tel maniere fu abel li iustes en- 
 genres desous I'arbre de vie, 
 et a vn iour de uenredi, 
 che aues vous bien entendu. 
 
 Et lors s'entreuirent ambedoi : autresi 
 com il soloient entreveoir, si fali 
 I'oscurtes. 
 
AT ONCE ALL THE TREES, WHICH THEN WERE WHITE, TTJBN GREEN. 
 
 387 
 
 288 
 
 thanne knewen they wel ful verraylly, 
 tliat God it dyde ful specyaly 
 Forto hyden here Schame-fastnesse, 
 Where-thorwgh they weren bothe In distresse. 280 
 
 and Anon A gret Merveille to hem ]?ere was, 
 that God there schewede In that plas ; 
 For As grene be-Cam Ipe tre In that stede 
 As Evere dyde Gras In ony Made ; 
 And so diden Alle that Out of Jiat tre gonne 
 
 gon 
 Aftyr that Adam and Eve so hadden I-don, — 
 bothen bark, bowh, Ek lef, and tre, 
 From whit to Grene I-torned they be, 
 
 thanne Anon Aftyr Evene Hyht There 
 This tre flowres & froyt began to here ; 
 and whiles J>at Tre & braunches weren white 
 
 Echon, 
 thanne nethir flowres ne froyt ne bar it non 292 
 but Aftir that it was woxen Grene, 
 It bar bothe flowres & froyt Alle be-dene. 
 For the whitnesse of theke tre 
 Only betokeneth virginite ; 296 
 
 but whanne Virginite was Agon, 
 thanne be- 0am J»is tre Grene Anon ; 
 Wheche that signefieth J^e seed of Manne 
 that vndir thike tre was Conserved thanne, 300 
 that Chast and trewe was to his Creatour 
 and In Alle tymes dyde him honour ; 
 and the froyt of that tre doth Signefie 
 that Evere he was Heligious Sothfastlye. 304 
 
 Thus Continued ful longe this Tre there. 
 So that Evere was grene & In on Manere, 
 
 Et si perohurent andoi, 
 
 que che auoit notre sires faist 
 
 pour lor vergoigne couurir. 
 
 Si en furent mult lie- 
 
 Et tantost si auint vne grant raerueUe 
 
 ke li arbres qui deuant auoit este autresi 
 blans comme noif en toutes ohoses, deuint en 
 toutes ohoses ausi verdoians 
 
 284 com erbe de pre. 
 
 Et trestout li autre qui de li desohen- 
 dirent 
 
 puis ke ohil assamblemens i fu fais, 
 deuenoient vert autresi en escorclie, 
 et en fust, et en fuelles. En[si] fu U 
 arbres cangies de blanche coulour en 
 uert faj 
 
 et des dont en auant commenolia 
 a flourir et a porter fruir, 
 ne onques deuant chou, 
 
 n'auoit flouri ne fructefiie. 
 
 Et Che ke il pierdi la blanche couleur, 
 et prist la vert : 
 
 che senefia ke la virginite de cheli 
 estoit alee qui plante I'auoit. 
 
 Et la verdours ke il prist, et la flours, 
 et li fruis. 
 
 Che fu senefianche de la benoite 
 
 semenche 
 
 qui desous lui auoit este semee : 
 
 ke ele seroit tons iours verde a dame dieu. 
 Che est a dire, de boine pensee et amoureuse 
 uers son creatour qui desous eliel arbre auoit 
 este engenree : seroit caste et pure et nete de 
 cors. Et li fruis senefia ke ele metroit mult 
 vighereusement en euure le samblant ke ele 
 mousterroit de relegion et de bonte. 
 
 Ensi fu chil arbres mult longement 
 de verde coulour. Et trestout chil 
 qui de li descendirent furent autrestel : 
 
 (a) Mais chil qui de lui estoient descendu ne cangierent onques la premiere calour. 
 a nus d'aus s' a cheli non seulement. Mais chil fu tous vers et a mont et a ual. 
 
 3d2 
 
 We onques ne parut 
 
388 
 
 ABEIi'S SACEIFICE IS ACCEPTED, AND CAIN S REJECTED. 
 
 tyl that Abel was woxen wel of Age 
 
 and to Ms god dide moclie Serrage ; 308 
 
 And Euere deboneure to his Creatour he was, 
 
 3eldenge him that his was In Every plas. 
 
 As wel of tithes, As of Offrenge ; 
 
 thus to his god dide he worschepinge ; 312 
 
 and of the best thing that his were 
 
 he offrede to God In Ech Manere. 
 
 but Cayn his brothir ne dide not so, 
 
 For Evere of his werste took he tho, 316 
 
 and to God there-Offen made his Offring, 
 
 Swich as that to Oayn was fowlest thing. 
 
 Lo, and God to hym sente As gret plente 
 
 As to his brother Abel; thus Ipe storie scheweth me. 
 
 So whanne they comen bothe In-to the plase 321 
 that for Sacrefyenge be God Ordeyned was, 
 and for to maken there here offrenge 
 bothe Cayn & Abel weren thedyr Comenge, 324 
 
 lyk as it was be Goddis Comandement 
 Thedir Comen they bothe verament. 
 
 and whanne Abel his Sacrefyse gan to do, 
 Streyht vp-ward to hevene thanne gan it go ; 328 
 but Caymes Offreng In that Stede, 
 the fwme spred Abowtes al the Mede, 
 Which was bothe blak, fowl, & stynkkenge ; 
 thus was the Manor of Caymes Offrenge. 332 
 
 and thike that of abelis offring was, 
 was Cler & swete smeUyng In that plas. 
 
 and whanne Caym beheld this Manere, 
 that abelis Offreng Resceived was so there 336 
 
 passinge his In alle degre, 
 therto gret Envye Anon had he, 
 and gret wraththe A3ens his brothir took, 
 that God Abelis Resceyrede, and his forsook. 340 
 
 iusc'a cliel tans ke abel fu grans 
 
 et ke il fu si deboinaires vers son 
 
 creatour. 
 
 et tant I'ama ke il li rendoit 
 
 ses dismes 
 
 et ses primices des plus bieles choses 
 ke il auoit. 
 
 Et caym ses freres ke il auoit le faisoit 
 mie ensi. 
 
 anchois prenoit les plus vieus choses 
 ke il auoit, et les plus despites, 
 et si li oiFroit. 
 
 Et diex en rendoit si biel guerredon a 
 chelui qui les bieles choses oifroit et 
 qui de boin cuer le faisoit: 
 ke quant il estoit monies el tertre 
 
 la u il auoit a coustume a ardoir ses 
 offrandes, si com notre sires I'auoit ia 
 commande. 
 
 si s'en aloit la fumee de son sacrefice 
 
 tout droit el chiel. 
 
 Mais la chaym son frere n'aloit mie 
 
 en cheste maniere. 
 
 Anchois s'espandoit par tout les cans. 
 
 et si estoit laide, et noire, et puans. 
 
 et chele qui montoit del sacrefice abel. 
 
 estoit blanche et clere et soues flerans. 
 Et quant caym vit 
 
 ke ses freres abel estoit plus boineu- 
 reus en son sacrefice keiln'estoit : et ke 
 plus le recheuoitdiex en gre ke le sien. 
 Si Fen pesa mult, 
 
 et si en cuelli grant ire enuers son frere, 
 tant ke il Fen chai outre mesure. 
 
CAIN GOES TO KILL ABEL UNDEB, THE TREE OF LIFE. 
 
 389 
 
 thanne Cayin bethouhte him sone Anon 
 
 In wliat wyse Abel lie myht vengen him on : 
 
 thanne to him Self he seide tho 
 
 ' that Sekerly his brothir wolde he slo, 344 
 
 So best on Abel avenged Myhte he be ; ' 
 
 thus thowhte Caym In his Memore. 
 
 Thus bar longe Caym this fowl Envye 
 to his brothir abel Gyltlislye ; 348 
 
 3it pereeyved abel neuere Chore ne Contenaunce 
 that Caym him thouhte Ony Grevaunce. 
 So longe Cayn helede this haterede 
 In his herte, that Uke fowle stede, 352 
 
 tyl that it happed vppon a day 
 that Abel gan to walken, as I 30W say ; 
 For Owt of his fadris Syhte tho 
 Gan this abel thanne forto go, 356 
 
 tyl that he Cam to the tre of lif, 
 For there wenten his schepe with-owten strif. 
 the day gan wexen hot ful faste, 
 and of the sonne strong hete In haste, 360 
 
 So that strong [hete J not saifren myhte he, 
 but wente to schadwen him vndir that tre ; 
 So that gret lust Cam him Jjere vppon 
 that Nedis moste he Slepen anon, 364 
 
 and so vndir this tre he gan him leye — 
 as now that me 30 heren Seye, — 
 and to slomberen he gan there Anon. 
 
 thanne Gan Caym forth to gon, 368 
 
 that longe hadde thowht Jjis felonye : 
 there abel his brothir he gan aspye. 
 
 Lors commenclia a pourpenser en son 
 
 cuer, 
 
 comment il s'en porroit uengier. 
 
 Tant ke il dist a soi meisme 
 
 ' ke il rochiroit.' 
 
 Car autrement ne ueoit il mie com- 
 ment il en peust auoir uenianche.* 
 
 Ensi comporta caym mult longement 
 la haine dedens son cuer, 
 
 ke onques chiere ne samblant n'en 
 
 moustra 
 
 par quoi chil s'en peust apercheuoir 
 
 qui a nul mal ni pensoit : 
 
 Et tant fu chele haine chelee, 
 
 que il auint chose .i. iour 
 
 ke abel estoit ales en champ 
 
 auques loins del manoir son pere. 
 
 Car lor manoirs estoit auques loins de 
 
 chel arbre. 
 
 Et deuant chel arbre: estoient ses 
 
 berbis : ke il gardoit, 
 
 et li iours escaufa. 
 
 et li solaus fu ardans, 
 
 si ne pooitabel le grant ardour souffrir, 
 
 anchois ala desous 1' arbre seoir. 
 
 Si li prist talens 
 
 de dormir. 
 
 et il se coucha desous I'arbre, 
 
 si commencha a soumillier. 
 
 Et ses freres, 
 
 qui la grant felounie auoit pourpensee 
 
 longement : 
 
 I'auoit espiie, 
 
 * The Additional MS. 10,292 begins another chapter here, and heads it thus: — " Ensi que caym tue 
 abel son frere d'une Jouwe d'anesce par desous .j. arbre v il gardoit ses brebis. 
 " Ensi porta caym mout longement haine enuers son frere, &c." 
 
390 HOW CAIN KILLS ABEL ON A FRIDAY, UNDER THE TREE WHERE HE WAS BEGOTTEN. 
 
 thaniie beheld Caym f>at salve day 
 
 Where ahel his bro]?ir vndir ]?e tre lay, 372 
 
 and faste hin hyede forto sle, 
 
 & wende Aparceyved it schold not hau be. 
 
 but Abel ful wel sawh him comen tho, 
 
 & vp him. dressed, and A3ens him gan go, — 376 
 
 For he him lovede wondirly wel 
 
 as it was Jiere sene Everidel ; — 
 
 and seide, " welcome, my brother dere, 
 
 I am fill glad we ben In fere :" 380 
 
 and Evene In this manere of gretyng 
 
 spak Abel to Cayn At here Metyng. 
 
 Anon this Caym there to him Ran, 
 
 and A op-Courbed knyf he drowh out than, 384 
 
 and vndir the pappe smot him Anon 
 
 Also fer as the knyf wolde gon. 
 
 and this abel Anon ded was there 
 Of his vntrewe brothers bond In ]jis manere. 388 
 lo In the same stede that he Oonceyved was 
 Of his Modir, In that plas 
 SuflErede he his deth with vnriht. 
 As was be the Suflfraunce of god Almyht. 392 
 
 And Evene lik In the same Manere 
 as on the Eryday he was begeten there, 
 Lik So vppon a fryday be Caym was he ded, 
 as this holy storye Recordith In this sted. 396 
 
 Lo, whanne ]?at abel suffrede deth be tra- 
 sown, 
 In Al thys World ne weren but thre men 
 
 In-virown ! 
 behold how that the deth of Rihtwas Abel 
 Is likned to Cristes deth Everydel ! 400 
 
 Be Caym signefyed was Iwdas, 
 the falsest Tretour that Evere was. 
 
 si le sieui tant ke il le uit 
 
 desous I'arbre acouter. 
 
 Et il vint apres, si le quida si ochirre 
 
 ke il ne fust apercheus. 
 
 Mais abel I'oi bien uenir, si se regarda, 
 
 et quant il vit ke ch'estoit ses freres, 
 
 si se drecha encontre lui. 
 
 Car il I'amoit mult en son cuer, 
 
 si li dist. " Bien viegne, mes freres." 
 
 Et cLil li respondi son salu. Si le 
 fist raseoir. Etenla raseoir ke lifist: 
 si lait aler .i. ooutel courbe ke il tenoit, 
 si Ten feri tres desous la mamiele pre- 
 mierement. 
 
 Ensi reckut abel mort 
 
 par la main de son desloial frere 
 
 en chel lieu meisme ou il auoit este 
 
 concheus 
 
 par loial assamblement de pere et de 
 
 Et tout ausi com 
 
 il fu concheus a .i. iour de uenredi, 
 si com la uraie boucke le met en 
 uoir ; ausi rechut il mort au iour du 
 uenredi : par ckelui tesmoing meisme. 
 
 La mors ke abel rechut par traison, 
 
 a chel tans ke il n'estoient enchore. 
 ke. iij. home en terre: 
 
 si senefia la mort au ua-ai cruchefi. 
 
 Car par abel fu il senefiies, 
 
 et par chaym fu senefiies iudas, par 
 qui rechut mort. 
 
HOW CAIN AND ABEL AEE TYPES OF JUDAS AND CHRIST. CAIN IS CONDEMNED. 391 
 
 Per lik As Caym his brotliir gan to heylle, 
 
 So dide ludas to Crist Sawn faille ; 
 
 So that these tweyne dethes Acorden wel 
 
 As be fals tresown Everydel ; 
 
 and As Abel vppon A fryday was slayn, 
 
 So be tresown was lesus In Certayn. 
 
 So that ludas In alle Manere 
 
 To Caym Is likned Everywhere ; 
 
 Eor ludas hadde non Maner Enchesown 
 
 To don his lord to J>at distroctiown, 
 
 Eor to him myhte he hau non haterede 
 
 Eor Owht that Jesus dide In Ony dede ; 
 
 and for he say neuere In him but good- 
 
 nesse, 
 ther-fore was he ful Of Irfulnesse ; 
 Eor it is pe Condisciown Of A cursed 
 
 Man 
 To haten A good Man, what that he 
 
 Can. 
 and Of the tresown J»at Caym to his brothir 
 
 hath do 
 Spekith Jesus Crist, and of Many Mo, 
 be kyng davy In the Sawter book — 
 ho that there-after wile there-Inne look ; — 
 That A dredful word now speketh there 
 that thus Seith, and In this Manere, 
 ' thow purposist, & seist fals felonye 
 to thy brothir, & seist al trechorye ; 
 and to thin Owne Modris sone 
 swich tretories thou dost As is thy wone ; 
 Wherfore I schal the Chastise, 
 and the pvnschen In hard wise.' 
 and thus In the SaWter schole 30 it fynde 
 of david his enditenge, kyng good & kynde. 
 
 404 
 
 408 
 
 412 
 
 Et tout autresi com chaim salua abel, 
 
 et puis rochist. 
 
 tout autresi salua iudas son signour, 
 
 et si auoit sa mort pourcachie. 
 
 Et si s'acordorent bien. les .ij. mors 
 
 auques ensamble : non mie de bauteche 
 
 mais de senefiancbe. 
 
 Car ausi com chaym ochist abel au 
 
 uenredi, ausi ocbist iudas au uenredi 
 
 son siguour, non mie par sa main, 
 
 mais par sa langue. Et mult senefia 
 
 bien chaym : de toute choses iudas. . 
 
 Gar il ne peut auoir en ihesu crist 
 
 nule raison 
 
 par quoi iudas, qui ses desciples estoit, 
 le deust hair. 
 
 Mais il i auoit ocoison sans droiture 
 en die ke il le haoit. Car il ne le 
 haoit par nule mauuaiste que ilonques 
 eust en lui veue. Mais pourtant seule- 
 ment ke il ne veoit en lui se bien non. 
 
 Car il est coustume de tous les mauuais homes : 
 que il out tous iours guerre et haine vers les 
 boins. Et se iudas, ki tant estoit deloiaus 
 traitres, veist autrestant de desloiaute et de 
 felounie el cuer ihesu crist com il sauoit el 
 sien meisme : II ne le haist mie, anohois fust 
 la chose pour quoi il 1' amast plus deske il le 
 ueist autrestel com il se sentist. 
 Et de chele traison kechayns fist vers 
 abel, 
 
 420 parole notre sires ihesu cris 
 
 el sautier, par la bouche dauid le boin 
 roi, 
 
 qui dist vne mult felenesse parole : et 
 si ne sauoit pour qui ele estoit dite. 
 Car il parole tout autresi com se il le 
 disoit a chaym. 
 
 ' Tu pourpensoies, et disoies felounies 
 centre ton frere. 
 
 416 
 
 424 
 
 428 
 
 432 
 
 et contre le fil a ta mere, 
 bastisoies tes traisons et tes agais. 
 Che fesis tu, et ie me teuch, et pour 
 chou as tu quidie ke ie fuisse sam- 
 blables a toi: pour chou ke ie n'en 
 parloie mie. Mais n'el serai, anchois 
 t'en reprenderai et chastierai mult 
 durement.' 
 
392 
 
 GOD ASKS CAIN FOE, ABEL, AND THEN CITRSES CAIN AND THE EARTH. 
 
 thanne oure lord Caym gan to Calle 
 Aftir this dede thus was befalle, 
 and sside, " Kaym, whsre is thy brother 
 
 Abel 
 that to the trespased neuere A del ? " 436 
 
 Whanne that kaym vndirstood Al this, — 
 that he hadde So fowle don Amys, 
 and that so gret tresoun he hadde I-wrowht, 
 Anon it tornede than In his thowht, 440 
 
 and kouered Abel with the leves of ]?e tre 
 That Aspyd ne schold not than be. 
 thanne Axede him Owre lord Ageyn, 
 " Caym, where is thy brothir, sey me pleyn." 444 
 thanne Kaym Answerid A3en Anone, 
 " With him have I not for to done, 
 Eor I ne haue hym not In kepinge 
 Ne|?er of him I ne Can tellen non tydynge." 448 
 thanne Answerid Oure lord to hym ful 
 
 sone, 
 " that fowle dede that thow hast done, 
 and slayn thy Brothir So falslye, 
 Aforn Me veniaunce his blood doth Crye. 452 
 
 therfore Acursed schalt thow be 
 thorwh-Owt AUe the Erthe ful sikerle, 
 and the Erthe A-corsed I wel it be do 
 that thy brotheris blood hath Eesceyved so." 456 
 thus Crist the Erthe Cursed there ; 
 but not the tre In non Manere 
 Where-vndir that Abel was ded, 
 he it not Cursede In non sted. 460 
 
 but A wondir Merveille of that tre 
 Wondirly befel, hos myhte it se : 
 Eor Anon As Abel there-vndir was Slayn, 
 his Grene Colour it torned Anon Certayn, 454 
 
 Et cheste manaclae auoit ia bien este 
 esprouuee, anchois que datiid 1' eust 
 deuinee la u notre sires vint a chaym, 
 et si li dist, " Caym, ou est tes freres ?" 
 
 Et chil li dist, 
 
 qui coupables se sentoit de la traison 
 qu'il auoit faite, 
 
 et qui auoit son frere tout couuert 
 des fuelles del arbre, 
 ke il ne fust trouues. 
 
 Si li dist, quant notre sires li eut 
 
 demande 
 
 ' ou ses freres estoit.' 
 
 " Sire," dist chaym, 
 
 " ie ne sai. 
 
 sui ie garde de mon frere.'' 
 
 Et notre sires li dist, 
 
 " Que est che ke tu as fait: La uois 
 del sane able ton frere ke tu as ochis : 
 se complaint a moi de la terra ou tu 
 I'as espandu a terre. 
 
 Et pour chou ke tu as chou fait, seras 
 tu maleois sour terre. 
 
 Et la terre sera auoee maleoite. en toutes les 
 oeures ke tu i feraa : pour chou que ele re- 
 cuelli Ie sane de ton frere que tes mains es- 
 pandirent sour li." 
 
 Ensi maudi notre sires la terre. 
 Mais il ne maudi pas 1' arbre 
 chelui desous qui abel auoit este ochis. 
 neles autre qui de lui descendirent. ne 
 qui furent puis crie sour terre par la 
 volente de lui. 
 
 Mais de chelui auint vne grans mer- 
 uelle : 
 
 ke tantost que abel eut recheu mort 
 
 desous r arbre. 
 
 tantost pierdi la coulour verde 
 
THE GREEN THEE TUUNS RED AND BARREN. EVE's DESCENDANTS REVERENCE IT. 393 
 
 And becam As Red as ony blood 
 
 that same tre, there as it stood, 
 
 In remembranse Of hym that ded was there — 
 
 holy Abel In swich A Manere. 468 
 
 and alle his plawntes that Abowtes him were, 
 
 deyden Anon In Schort Manere ; 
 
 but that tre Grew so Merveillously, 
 
 that the fayrest tre it be-Cam trewly 472 
 
 that Evere man Myhte beholde with Eye, 
 
 So ful of Bewte this tre was Sekerlye, 
 
 Xe Nenere chonged ne peyred nowht there 
 
 Sethen Abel was 'pev vndir ded. In non Manere, 476 
 
 Saufe that flowr ne froyt ne bar it neuere 
 
 non 
 Sethan there-vndir that fowle dede was don, 
 
 but tho that of him weren I-set to-forn, 
 bothe flowres and froit of hem ben born ; 480 
 
 and so these Trees gonnen to Multiplye, 
 and the world Encresid ful plentevouslye, 
 So alle that of Adam & Eve Comen tho 
 To that tre ful Moche Reuerence they do ; 484 
 
 and Eche of hem Other doth telle 
 In what Manere that it befelle, 
 ' That how here ferste Modir it plaw[n]ted 
 
 there 
 and how thedir it cam, & In what Manere; 488 
 and they Scholden Restoren agayn 
 here ferste Eritage In Certeyn, 
 Where-Owt here ferste Modir was Cast, 
 but A3en we scholen it haven Atte laste.' 492 
 
 and whanne they weren In Ony disseise 
 That Any thing here hertes dide Misplese, 
 and Anon to |jat blessed tre they wente 
 here ConceU to taken veramente ; 496 
 
 3 E 
 
 et si deuint de tout en tout vermaus. 
 
 Et clie fu en ramenbranche del seint 
 
 sane qui desous auoit este respandus. 
 
 Ne onques puis de lui ne peut nus arbres 
 aengier. anohois moroient toutes les 
 plantes que on en faisoit; ne ne pooient 
 a bien uenir 
 
 Mais il crut et enbieli tant meruilleusement, 
 ke che fu li plus biaus arbres ke nus horn veist 
 onques puis, et li plus delitabies a esgarder. 
 Mult dura longement chil arbres en tel coulour 
 et en tel biaute com vous aues oi au eonte 
 deuiser. 
 
 Ne onques n' enuielli, ne ne seclia, ne 
 du nule rien n' enpira. 
 
 Fors que de tant seulement ke il ne 
 porta onques ne flour ne fruit 
 
 puis ichele sure ke li sans abel fu de- 
 sous lui espandus. 
 
 Mais li autre qui de lui estoient issu : 
 flourissoient et portoient fruit : ensi com 
 nature d'arb'-es le requiert. 
 Et tant demoura en cheste maniere ke 
 li siecles fu mult durement aoreus. et 
 mouteploies. 
 
 Si le tenoient 
 
 en grant reuerenche, tout li oir qui 
 
 d'adan et d'euain descendirent et mult 
 
 I'ouneroient tout. Et contoient li uns 
 
 a I'autre d'oir en oir : 
 
 comment lor premiere mere V auoit 
 
 plante deuant, 
 
 et en quel maniere. 
 
 Et disoient, ' que eh' estoient enohore ausi 
 
 comme tesmoing proue qu'il reuenroient 
 
 enchore 
 
 en lor boineureus liyretaige, 
 
 dont lor premiere mere les auoit ietes.' 
 
 Et pour r esperanche qu'il auoient del 
 recouurer le boineurete dont li anemis 
 les auoit jetes par son agait. venoient 
 il a chel arbre quant il estoient en 
 aucune mesestanche et en aucun de- 
 hait; 
 
394 THE FORBTDDEN-I'EiriT TREI! IS CALLED THE TREE OF COUNSEL AND COMEORT, 
 
 whanne that to tlieke tre they Comen Anon, 
 Comforted tliey weren thanne Evericlion ; 
 and Sethen they Clepeden-it Jje tre of Con- 
 
 saille 
 And the Tre of Comfort with-Owten faille. 500 
 
 This tre Grew & wex ful faste, , 
 
 and alle that Euere of him Coman Atte lasts 
 bothe that weren of |?e Grene tre, 
 and Also of the white Certeinle, — 504 
 
 So that the peple Sore Merveilleden tho 
 how that they Endnred & woxen so ; 
 and Evere kepten they that Same Bewte 
 Tyl that God sente the flood of Noe, 508 
 
 WherO'thorwgh Alle wikkyd peple than 
 Weren distroied. As I tellen 30W kan, 
 So that on lyve lefte non sikerle 
 but Noe & his wif & here Compene. 512 
 
 Eor it was Goddis wille tho 
 that the world distroyed scholde be so, 
 Sauf only hem that god trewe fond 
 Aforn Alle Othere, I vndirstond ; 516 
 
 and be hem the world Restored Schold be 
 that tO'forn tyme was lost In swiche degre. 
 
 but wete je wel for Certeyn, 
 thowh tho trees to here kynde comen Ageyn, 520 
 jit boren they neuere Aftyr so kendly 
 As to fore tymes they dyden ytterly^ 
 that they ne losten Clene )?e Sayoure 
 Of here ferst froit, & the Odo\yre, 524 
 
 thorwh the water that so bitter was, 
 that ouerkeuered the world In Every plas, — 
 Sauf Only thike Selve tre of lyf 
 and |?e braunches jjat peve-of comen, whiche 
 
 sette Adams wif, 528 
 
 et i prenoient comfort de lor mesaise, 
 
 tuit li plus sage : dont il apielerent puis 
 cliel ' arbre d' aide 
 
 et de comfort.' 
 
 Se chis arbres crut et amenda, 
 
 ausi firrent tant li autre qui de lui 
 estoient descendu, 
 Chil de couleur vert, 
 
 et chil de couleur blanche: 
 
 si embielirent tant sour tous autres ke 
 
 li pules le tint a meruelle. 
 
 Et durerent tant en chele biaute 
 que notre sires enuoia son deluue, 
 par quoi li pules vieus et mauuais 
 
 fu peris si entirement, 
 
 ke en tout le monde ne remest home 
 
 ne feme, 
 
 fors seulement noe et sa feme, 
 
 ke notre sires auoit trouue si conue- 
 
 nables 
 
 entre les autres: 
 
 qu' il vaut que par aus fust estraite 
 la pierte qui deuant auoit este faite. 
 Et quant chou fu chose que les iaues, qui 
 deuant auoient este grans centre leur acous- 
 tumanche, reuinrent en leur premier estat par 
 la volente du souurain pere : 
 
 la terreen fu de tant apourie, que onques puis 
 ne rendi fruit si boin ne si pourfitable a core 
 d* ome comme ele auoit fait deuant. 
 Ainsi furent a dont toutes choses qui de terre 
 issoient, tournees en amertume. Et li arbre 
 meisme s'en sentirent si durement: que il 
 furent ausi com se che fust niens, et pierdi- 
 rent la flour de leur primerain fruit. Si qu'il 
 sauoient tout apiertement le venin et I'ordurc 
 du dolouue qui le monde auoit couuert. 
 
 Mais de chel arbre qui ' arbre de vie' 
 estoit apieles, 
 
 et decheu qui de lui estoient descendu, 
 vit on teus m«ruelles qu'il ne furent 
 
AND ITS SAPLINGS ARE CALLED TREES OP LIFE. 
 
 395 
 
 of Bewte, froit, ne of Colour, 
 
 ne weren not Chonged In non Our ; 
 
 Eor witnesseth they that hem Sye— 
 
 these trees ful openly to here Eye, — 532 
 
 Por trees of lif I-cleped they were 
 
 of hem that hem Sien In all Manere ; 
 
 For of deth dredden they In non degre 
 
 whiles there-offen they hadden In here com- 
 
 pene, 536 
 
 cangie en biaute n'en sauer de fruit, 
 ains remesent en tel estat com il 
 auoient fait deuant. 
 
 par quoi chil qui che uirent, disent, 
 
 ' que uoirement estoit ohil arbres de 
 uie et non de mort. 
 
 Car la u on li autre arbre auoient 
 este pres de peril n' auoit il garde de 
 mort.' 
 
 3e2 
 
396 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 The Episode of [tlie Fall, Abel's death, and] Solomon's building the ship, continued. How the Tree of Life 
 continued till the time of Solomon, who was wonderfully wise (p. 397), but was deceived by a 
 woman, and, when much troubled by her, spake his Book of Parables (p. 398), and said that not one 
 good woman could be found in the world (p. 398). One night he declaims against women (p. .399), 
 and a voice reproaches him, and says that a woman of his race shall bring men to greater joy than Eve 
 lost (p. 399-400). Solomon thinks that he was a fool to blame women so, and searches the Scriptures 
 till he knows of the Virgin Mary and her Son (p. 400). A voice tells him that this Son shall come of 
 his line, but of a knight passing all others (p. 401). He is greatly rejoiced, though the Son is not to 
 come for 2,000 years (p. 402). His wife asks him to tell her what he has been thinking of (p. 402). 
 He tells her, and on the third night she says she can certify him of the coming knight of his line 
 (p. 403). She says he is to send for all the carpenters in his realm, and order them to make a ship that 
 will last for 4,000 years, which sheAvillfit up (p. 40^3-4). Solomon sends for the carpenters, and orders 
 them to make the ship (p. 404). They say they will do their best, and then they set to work and finish 
 it in half a year (p. 405). Solomon's Queen then tells him thait he ought to provide a precious piece of 
 armour for his descendant (p. 405), namely King David's sword (p. 406), to which he is to make a point 
 of precious stones (p. 407), and then a pomel and a sheath; and she will add the hangings (p. 407). 
 Solomon does as his wife tells him, and makes the point, handle, and sheath (p. 407-8). He then looks 
 at them, and wishes that no one but the man the sword was made for may draw it without repenting 
 for his deed (p. 408). A voice promises him that it shall be so (p. 409). He writes letters on the scab- 
 bard, and makes fine hangings for it; but his wife will not have them, and puts foul and weak hang- 
 ings instead (p. 409), which she says a fair maiden (like her who will undo Eve's work) will change 
 into glorious ones (p. 410). A bed is made in the ship, and the sword put at its foot, and David's 
 crown at its head (p. 410). Solomon's wife takes carpenters to the Tree of Life and its seedlings and 
 orders them to cut off three sprigs, red, white and green, (p. 411). They refuse, but at last obey 
 (p. 411-12). Blood springs out of the Tree of Life, and the workmen leave their work, but the Queen 
 makes them finish it (p. 412), and tells Solomon that no one shall see the bed unless he thinks of Abel's 
 death (p. 413). Solomon writes a letter to the knight of his line who is to draw the sword, warning 
 him against the wiles of women. This he puts into the ship (p. 414). Then he writes an account of the 
 building of the ship, of the bed, spindles, &c. and puts it at the bed's head, under the crown; and then 
 
OP THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 
 
 397 
 
 launches the ship (p. 414-15). His wife tells him to have his pavilions set up on the sea-shore, that they 
 may stay there and see what becomes of the ship (p. 415). This is done, and one mght in a dream 
 Solomon sees a man and angels sprinkle the ship with water, and say that it is a type of God's " New 
 House " (p. 416). The man has a warning written to faithless people not to enter the ship (p. 416-17). 
 Solomon wakes and seeks the man and angels, but cannot speak or go to them (p 417). A voice tells 
 him that his desire is fulfilled, and this last of his line shall enter the ship and get the sword (p. 417). 
 The men and angels vanish: Solomon is going on board the ship, but the voice warns him that if he 
 does he shall perish (p. 418). He draws back, and looks at the writing on the ship, charging no man to 
 enter it who has not faith and full belief (p. 418-19). Then he orders his men to put the ship out to 
 sea, and it is soon carried out of their sight (p. 419). 
 
 Thus longe durede this ilke tre 
 Of Colour, of Savour, and of Bewte, 
 Tyl that Salamon E-egnede than 
 Aftir king david his fadir, ]?at holy Man. 
 
 To wheche Salamon Only Crist Sente 
 Manie passing konnenges aftir hese Entente ; 
 he sente him more wit & discressiown In his 
 
 lyve 
 Thanijie ony wit of Erthly man cowde discrive ; 
 For of AUe Scienses he was konnenge, 
 Where-oflfen the peple hadd merveillynge. 
 For he was konnenge In precious stones 
 and knew al here vertwes for the nones ; 
 and the strengthe of herbes he knew also, 
 And wat ther-with he myhte wel do. 
 he knew the Cors of the firmament, 
 And of alle the sterres fiere-onne, vera- 
 
 ment, 
 So that there nas neuere non Erthly man 
 That non discressiovn to him ne kan ; 
 3it Neuertheles be bewte of a womman 
 Ouertaken and disceyved was he than. 
 So that he wrowhte A3ens Goddis wille 
 that of Sum thinges he dide ful lUe. 
 
 Tant durerent chil arbre 
 en tel biaute 
 que salemons regna. 
 4 Apres le roi dauid son pere. 
 A ichelui salemon dona diex 
 
 sens et discretion 
 
 8 outre chou que nature d'ome ne 
 sestent a aprendre en sciense. 
 Chil fu si sages en tel maniere de 
 toutes scienses 
 
 que a meruelles le peoit on tenir. 
 Et si counut toutes les uirtus des 
 X2 pierres precieuses. 
 
 et la forche des herbes, 
 et le cours de firmament, 
 
 16 et le cours des estoiles 
 
 si bien ke terriens hom ne Ten pcust 
 riens aprendre. 
 
 Et nepourquant par biaute de feme 
 
 20 fu il souspris si, et decheus, 
 
 qu'il en feist tantes choses contrp dieu.» 
 ke a honte le pot on atourner. 
 
398 
 
 HOW SOLOMON CAME TO SPEAK HIS BOOK OP PARABLES. 
 
 This womman that with Salam'on was, 
 
 be-thowhte hire in Many diners Cas 
 
 hym to disceyve, and be3ondis him go, 
 
 with Alle the deceites sche Cowde do. 
 
 Where-offen ful lytel wondir it is ; 
 
 Eor there nys non Man that lyveth Iwys 
 
 that offen Owhten forto Merveille 
 
 a3ens A wommans will with-Owten faille ; 
 
 For there sche putteth hire Engyn & hire 
 
 Entent, 
 that wit of non liveng Man verament 
 Schal hire withstonde of hire Concettyng : 
 tak kepe of ]?e ferst wonxman that Eyere was 
 , lyreng. 
 
 Whanne Salamon Sawh that in non degre 
 To withstonden hire Engyn It nolde not be — • 
 Where-ofFen he gan to Merveillen Anon, 
 and wax Right wroth, and forth gan gon — 
 thanne Anon his book he spak 
 that to him was with-Owten lak, 
 Wheche that ' parables ' he Calde the Name, — 
 To him A book of ful gret fame ; 
 " With this Book I haye Sircvit pe world 
 
 Abowte, 
 that there is non Erthly Man with-Owten 
 
 dowte 
 that to serohen Abowtes the woerld In-virown, 
 Onnethes there-Inne to fynde be good Resown 
 On good womman to his Supposing." 
 
 And thus Seide he for A wondir thine:, 
 Eor he ne Cowde In non Manere 
 Erom wyles of his wif to kepen him there ; 
 , So that he Merveilled In Alle degre 
 That so Manie wyles In A womman scholde be, 
 
 La feme qui o lui estoit 
 
 24 se penoit de lui engingnier iour et 
 nuit 
 
 au plus ke ele pooit, et il I'amoit taut ke 
 riens terriene ne pooit tant amer, et si se 
 gardoit au plus ke il pooit ke ele ne le 
 decheust. Mais sa garde ni ot mestier. 
 Car ele li faisoit honte et annul toutes les 
 eures ke ele pooit, ia si ne s'en seuar garder. 
 Et che ne doit on pas tenir a meruelle. 
 
 28 
 
 Car sans faille, puiske feme veut metre 
 sen cuer et s'entension en engien, 
 
 22 nus sens morteus 
 ne si puet pendre. 
 
 36 
 
 40 
 
 Qvant salemons uit 
 
 ke il ne se pooit garder vers I'eugen de 
 
 sa feme : 
 
 Si s'esmeruilla mult ke ch'estoit, 
 
 si fu asses oourechies. 
 
 mais plus n'en osa faire. 
 
 Dont il dist en .i. sien liure 
 
 ke on apiele ' parabole.' 
 
 " Je ai, " fait il, " auiroune lemonde, 
 
 et ale parmi et en tele maniere com 
 44 sens d'ome terrien le porroit enchier- 
 kier. 
 
 Ne en toute chele enckiecure ne poi 
 
 trouuer 
 
 vne boine feme.'' 
 
 48 Cheste parole dist il 
 
 pour cliou qu'il ne se pooit, 
 
 gaitier del engien de feme. 
 
 si s'en meruilloit mult comment cliou 
 
 auenoit 
 
 ke feme estoit si soutieue en malisce 
 
SOLOMON TALKS A&AINST WOMEN, AND IS itHBUKED fBOM HEAVEN. 399 
 
 SO that he gan dispisen hem ful faste, 
 
 and of hem [seide] mochel Evel Atte laste, 
 
 And of Speritwel thinges neuere they Come, 
 
 but Of Enmyte Al & some, 56 
 
 As vppon A nyht In his bed he lay, 
 
 thvs to him self he gan to say, — 
 
 Pul thowhtful he was & ful Mornenge 
 
 that thus to him self he made pleynenge, — 60 
 
 " thow man Caytyf, ful of disseise, 
 
 why nisse ther non thing that the May plese ? 
 
 Why Merveillest thow so Moche of wommans wile 
 
 that the bass distorbled with-Inne A while, 64 
 
 and In Sorwe and Errour hath put the ? 
 
 Tak An Ensample, and here now se ; 
 
 Eor Oure ferste Moder lefte neuere hire Engyn, 
 
 For owht that Adam cowde devyne — 68 
 
 Tyl that owt of Paradis sche was cast 
 
 Thike delitable place thanne atte last, 
 
 bothe Into Sorwe and In-to distresse 
 
 Erom, loye, Mirthe and gladsomnesse ; . 72 
 
 So that alle whiche of hire Owt gonnen gon, 
 
 In peyne And Sorwe they leven Echon, 
 
 and here bred they Eten with swot & peyn, 
 
 And In Caytyvete they lyven certeine." 76 
 
 And whanne longe In this thowht salamon lay, 
 A voys to him spak that he herde verray, 
 " Why hast thow thus womMan dispised here 
 In Manie wises & In right fowl Manere ? 80 
 
 for thouhe be womman Cam ferst to Man dis- 
 seise. 
 Of here Anothir Schal come, this world to 
 
 plese, 
 and bothe Joye & mirthe bringen mochel more 
 than Euere Ma,nkynde was grevid before > 84 
 
 Tant qu'il commencha mult a despire 
 
 femes. 
 
 et dist 
 
 ' ke feme n-'estoit pas chose espiri- 
 
 tueuse, 
 
 mais anemis drois.' 
 
 vne nuit gisoit en son lit, 
 
 et disoit mult dolans, 
 
 " horn chailis, plain de misere, per- 
 sone vieus et souffraiteuse : 
 
 ne t'esmeruelle pas se feme 
 
 t' a mis en duel et en courous. 
 
 Car notre premiere mere ne fina 
 
 onques deuant que ele fut ietee del lit 
 
 de paradis. 
 
 Si ke de la ou ele estoit en toute 
 
 boineurete : 
 
 se mist ele hors. et entra en toute 
 
 maleurete. 
 
 dont tout li oir qui de li issirent 
 
 s'en sentent enehore si durement, 
 
 qu'il en manguentleur pain en doleur 
 et en caitiuete. Endementiers ke il 
 disoit ches soutieues paroles, 
 
 li respondi vne vols, et li dist. 
 
 " Salemon,n'aies pas fgmes en despit. 
 
 Car par feme vint hom en courous 
 premierement. 
 
 en lieu de chele venra vne autre, 
 
 qui aportera home a ioie grignour 
 ke li courous n'a este. 
 
400 SOLOMON SEAECHES THE SCEIPTTJBES, AND FINDS THERE CHRIST AND THE VIRGIN. 
 
 and thus be woman Amendid schal be, 
 
 tbat to foren tymes to womman was pnt to velone ; 
 
 and this womman schal Comen Of thy kynde." 
 
 Anon thanne Salamon Cast In his Mynde, 88 
 that A fool & vnwis that he was 
 woinmen to blamen In Ony plas. 
 than anon he bethowhte him of Sotylte, 
 and Sowhte the scriptures In Eche degre, 92 
 
 And Also AUe the devyn Secres 
 that he Oowde fynde In Ony degres ; 
 
 Et ensi amendera feme 
 
 la felounie ke quankes ele fourfist. 
 
 Et ohele feme istra de ton lignaige." 
 
 Quant il oi chaste parole, si se tint 
 
 mult pour fol, 
 
 de chou k'il auoit tant feme blasmee. 
 
 Et lors commenoha a soi meisme 
 
 a enoherkier 
 
 les deuins secres et les deuines escri- 
 
 tures 
 
 selonc chou qu'il en pooit sauoir, 
 
 and Atte laste so longe he Sowhte 
 
 96 
 
 100 
 
 si enquist 
 
 tant par la grant soiense de lui, 
 
 qu'il sent et counut 
 
 la venue de la glorieuse virgen, 
 
 qui le benoit fil dieu 
 
 conch ut en son benoit vaissiel. 
 
 Et tant s' entremist d' enquerre la 
 
 verite de cheste chose, qu' il seut uraie- 
 
 ment 
 
 ke par chele virgene qui feme estoit 
 
 apielee, 
 
 venroit en terre ausi grant boineurete 
 
 104 
 
 Til to his wit that it was browhte, 
 So that he fond and knew Riht wel 
 the Comeng of the virgine Eueridel, 
 and that the Sone of god Almyht 
 Into ]7at blessed vessel scholde Alyht. 
 
 And thus that Scripture put him In Mende 
 Of that blessid virgine so good & kende, — 
 that the froit ]5at of hire Owt scholde gon, 
 So gret blessednesse with him scholde comen 
 anon 
 
 and Mani More double of swetnesse 
 thanne be oure ferst Modir cam bitteruesse ; 
 
 Wherefore the ton, ' Moder,' Cleped scholde be, 
 
 and the tothir Clepid scholde be the ' See,'* 
 
 thanne stodyed Salamon from day to day 
 
 Of this blessed Maiden to knowen more verray, 
 
 3if that A Modir that Maide scholde be, 
 
 and Comen of his lyne, thus merveilled he. 
 
 thanne was he glad In Alle Manere 
 
 that of his Awncestris swich A spring scholde 
 coman ]?ere, 
 
 * ? A mistaken translation of the Hebrew word for Mary, makes it " Star of the Sea.'' 
 " bitter," like Marah, or " The rebel" or " rebellion," like Miriam. — B. Davies, 
 
 108 
 
 112 
 
 com grant malenrete estoit uenue par 
 
 chele fpme. 
 
 dont il dist ke 1' une deuroit on apieler 
 
 ' mere,' 
 
 et r autre ' marrastre.' 
 
 Lors commencha a penser de iour en 
 
 iour 
 
 a chele boineuree feme, pour sauoir 
 
 s'ele seroit 
 
 fins de son lignaige. 
 
 Car voelentiers vausist il, s'il peust 
 
 estre, 
 
 ke ensi boineuree chose fust fichie la 
 bontes de son lignaige. 
 
 It either means 
 
SOLOMON IS TOLD 01" A WONDERFUL KNIGHT WHO IS TO DESCEND TEOM HIM. 401 
 
 And thus longe he thowhte on this thing, 
 
 tyl Atte laste on A Nyht In his Metyng 
 
 To him from An hy Cam the devyne Answere 
 
 Into his Ohamhre, In bedde as he lay there ; 
 
 " Salamon, On thing I telle now the, 
 
 that allynges of thy schal sche not be, 
 
 Ne not fully the Ende of ]je lignage, 
 
 but the Ende of Anothir knyhtes of herere 
 
 parage, 
 that schal passen of bownte & of lif 
 Alle Othere Knyhtes, with-owten strif, 
 that Evere to-forn him 3it were, 
 Oj)er after hym scholen comen, ojjer griues 
 
 here. 
 So mochel schal he hem passen In alle 
 
 degre 
 Asse the sonne the Mone doth, Sikerle ; 
 For whanne the Mone schineth most briht, 
 3it passith it the Sonne be Many fold lyht ; 
 lik so this knyht al othere schal pase, 
 and as dide loswe In Ony place, 
 that past alle other In Ohevalrye, 
 So schal Jiis knyht passen loswe Al ojjer 
 
 sekerley, 
 and 3it loswe was tolde the beste knyht 
 that of al J)e world was, & most of Myht." 
 
 and whanne he this thor vndirstod, 
 that of his ligne schold Comen a knyht so 
 
 good, 
 Eul Mochel loye was in his herte tho, 
 And A3en to his bookis thanne gan he go, 
 And knew wel, & sawh be vndirstonding, 
 fiat him scholde he not sen, ne Abyden his 
 
 comenge ; 
 
 3 F 
 
 Et taut pensa a oheste cliose mainte fois. 
 
 116 
 
 ke li diuins respons li dist vne nuit 
 en sa chambre. 
 " Salemon, 
 120 la boineeure feme ne sera pas 
 fins de ton lignaige, 
 ains en sera fins vns chiualers 
 
 qui passera de bonte de vie et de cheu- 
 alerie 
 124 tons ohiaus 
 
 qui deuant lui aront este, 
 
 et apres lui venront, et qui a chei tans 
 porteront amies, 
 
 autant 
 128 com li solaus passe de clarte la lune, 
 
 132 et autant com iosue 
 
 passa de proueche tous les chiualers 
 
 136 1^"^ ^°^^ ^^^^ si monde." 
 Et quant il oi 
 
 que teus chiualers seroit fins de son 
 lignage, 
 
 sienfumult lies.et dist, " halas ;" Tant 
 140 fust a aise que chele boineuree per- 
 sona aournee de tantes grasces peust 
 veoir : 
 
 " Ha: diex, ie ne le verrai pas. 
 
402 
 
 SOLOMON'S WIFE URGES HIM TO TELL WHAT TBOIJBLBS HIM. 
 
 Per it was fullong tyme therto, 
 
 lik as that Ms bookes Schewed him the : 144 
 
 " Now, Certes, this A wondir thing to me, 
 
 that So long tyme to-forn his perturite 
 
 how I scholde knowen of his birthe, 
 
 that to this world Schall bringen bothe loye 
 
 & Mirthe, 148 
 
 As I haue here In vndirstondyng ; 
 but 3it is to me A ful straunge thing, 
 for from this day 3it thedir to 
 It is two thowsende 3er & mo." 152 
 
 Pul longe thowhte Solamon of this thing, 
 Tyl his wif it Aspyde Atte last Endyng 
 how that he was fallen In his thowht, 
 Where-offen Comfort fond he Ryht nowht, 156 
 
 30 that he was wondirly Evel at Ese, 
 he Niste non thing that myht him plese ; 
 thanne hadde his wif gret drede Anon 
 that som Manere Evel he wolde hire don ; leo 
 
 So that it happed vppon An Niht tho 
 that In bedde they lyen bothe two ; 
 and whanne hyre tyme sche sawh forto 
 
 speke, 
 thanne to hym sche gan Owt-breke, 164 
 
 And Anon sche gan hym forto Oonioure tho 
 Eor alle the loves betwexen hem two, 
 that he hire would trewly telle 
 how of his pensifnesse it be-felle. I68 
 
 and Salamon, that knew passingly wel 
 Of hire Coniettyng Every del, 
 Wyste wel that ther Nas non herte levenge 
 that Oowde So Mochel of Coniettynge, 172 
 
 that And sche knew of his Menynge 
 Anon to the Ende Sche wolde it bringe ; 
 
 Car trop a lone tans de chest terme 
 de si a chelui de dont. 
 
 Chertes se iou en nule maniere li pooie 
 faire sauoir comment si grant tans 
 deuant sa venue ai oi nouuieles de lui : 
 Iou li fesisse sauoir. 
 
 Mais ie ne uoi mie comment chou 
 
 puisse estre. 
 
 Car iusch' a chel tans . 
 
 a bien .ij. Mille ans, ie quit. 
 
 Longement pensa salenions a cheste 
 
 chose. 
 
 Et tant ke la feme qu' il amoit s' apier- 
 
 chut bien 
 
 ■qu' il estoit cheus en tel pense 
 
 dont il ne pooit son cuer oster. 
 
 Si en fu trop a malaise, 
 
 car ele ot maintenant paour ke il n' 
 
 eust pense de li mal faire. 
 
 Si auint vne nuit 
 
 que il estoient ensamble, qu'il estoit 
 
 plus liaities qu'il ne soloit. 
 
 Et quant ele Ie vit en boin point, 
 
 ele Ie coniura 
 
 par r amour qui estoit entr'aus deus 
 
 qu'il li desist 
 
 a quoi il auoit si durement pense. 
 
 Et salemons, qui Ie vit 
 
 plus soutil en mal et en engien 
 
 ke nus horn ne peust estre, 
 
 pensa ke se cuers morteus pooit metre 
 consel a chou ke il pensoit : 
 ele en venroit a chief. 
 
SHE ADVISES HIM TO GET CAEPENTEES AND HAVE A SHIP BUILT. 
 
 403 
 
 therfere than Anon thouthe Salamon 
 how that best this Game myhte Gon, 
 Por Al the Certeinte tellen he Nolde, 
 "What After there Offen fallen scholde. 
 
 thanne discouered he his pensifnesse 
 To his wif, & all his hertes distresse. 
 Of that he hadde So longe I-thowht, 
 To what Ende it scholde be browht. 
 " Certes, Sire," quod his wif tho, 
 " Of this Mater 3it Can I not do, 
 but with-Inne schort tyme, to My supposinge, 
 To A good Ende we scholen it brynge." 
 
 So it happede that the thridde Nyht 
 To-Gederis they weren, as I the plyht, 
 " Sire," sche seide, " I the now certyfye 
 Of this knyht ful Oerteinlye, 
 That schal ben of thy laste lyne ; 
 To my wit it doth now propyne 
 how that 3e scholen knowen the verite 
 Of Al his Comeng, In Eche degre." 
 " Now Sothly," quod Salamon the kyng, 
 " this me pleseth Ouer alle thing." 
 
 " Now ful Gladly I wele 30W Schewe 
 holy myn Entent vppon A rewe : 
 Wei faste Sendeth 30ure Messengeres Anon 
 thorwh-Owt 30wre Rem Everichon 
 And Alle the Oarponteris that they mown 
 
 fynde, 
 that to 30W they hem bringe In Ony Kynde ; 
 And whanne they ben Alle to-gederis I- 
 
 browht 
 A Oertein thing 36 scholen hauen wrowht ; 
 And Ohargeth hem In Alle wise 
 Trewly to don here Servise, 
 
 3 r 2 
 
 176 
 
 Et pour chou pensa il 
 que il li diroit 
 
 Car du dire seulement ne voit il pas 
 ke grans maus en peust venir, 
 
 et lors li descouuri il tout outreement 
 
 180 che qu'il auoit si longement pense. 
 
 Et quant il li ot tout dit, 
 
 184 
 
 188 
 
 192 
 
 196 
 
 204 
 
 ele li respondi " Chertes, sire, 
 
 de clieste chose ne vous saroie ie mie 
 
 enchore bien consillier. 
 
 Mais dedens brief terme, au mien 
 
 quidier, 
 
 vous en consellerai, ie quid." 
 
 " Or i parra," fait il. 
 
 A la tierohe nuit, auint 
 
 k' il estoient assamble. 
 
 Ele li dist, " sire, iou ai pense 
 
 comment 1^ cLiualers 
 
 ki sera fins de votre lignage 
 
 connistra 
 
 comment vous ares seu verite 
 de sa naissanche." 
 
 " Li rois* de chou," dist il, 
 
 '' me plaistmult. Or Ie m'ensignies." 
 " volentiers " fist ele. 
 
 " Mandes Ie matin 
 
 200 par uotre roiaume 
 
 tons les carpentiers de votre roiaume 
 dont ou orra parler. 
 
 Et quant il serront tout assamble 
 
 commandes leur 
 
 ['^rois, net, thread.] 
 
404 SOLOMON FOLLOWS HIS WIFE's ADVICE, AND ORDERS A SHIP TO BE BUILT. 
 
 And swich a schippe 30W forto Ordeyne 
 
 Of sweclie tre that it may the self snsteyne, 2O8 
 
 And that of water it may haven non fere, 
 
 Ne Of non thing In non Manere, 
 
 That it Mow laste fonre thousend 3er, 
 
 Where so Euere it go, 0]?er fer Or ner. 212 
 
 And In the mene while this Schippe they 
 
 make. 
 To Another purpos I wele me take, 
 ~For to Aparaille Other thinges therto 
 Swich As behoveth there-Inne to do, 216 
 
 As 3e scholen Afterward bothe heren & knowe 
 Al myn hoi purpos vppon A rowe." 
 
 And Salomon it levede tho ful wel, 
 And there A3ens spak Neuere Adel ; 220 
 
 but Suffrede hire wille Al that nyht, 
 Tyl on the Morwe it was day lyht. 
 
 On the Morwe Anon as the day gan Ryse 
 he Oomaunded his Messengeris In Alle wise 224 
 Into Every partye forto gon 
 Carponters him to bryngen Anon. 
 So that with-Inne a fewe dayes 
 these Messengeris Sowhten Many wayes, 228 
 
 and Carponters to the kyng Anon they browhte 
 to weten 3if that with hem he wolde Owhte. 
 
 and whanne these Carpenteris weren semblid 
 Echone, 
 To hem the kyng Aperede wel sone, 232 
 
 & he^ Comanded there riht Anon 
 ' a schip forto maken they Scholde gon, 
 So Strong, so Myhty, In Alle manere of gyse, 
 of swich tre As they Cowde devyse, 236 
 
 qu'il vous fachent vne nef 
 
 de tel fust qu'il ne puisse pourrir, 
 
 ne pour iaue 
 
 ne pour autre chose, 
 
 de ch' a. iiij. Mil ans. 
 
 Et endementiers qu'il feront la nef. 
 
 lou apparillerai Mes afaires 
 
 ensi com vous verres. 
 
 Et salemons 
 dist. 
 
 crut bien che ke ele li 
 
 Si n'en souffri a tant chele nuit. 
 
 *A I'endemain, si tost comme li iours 
 
 parut, 
 
 salemons tramist ses messages, 
 
 et loinge et pres, 
 
 pour querre carpentiers. 
 
 Si en vint en peu de terme 
 pluseurs. 
 
 Et quant il furent tout assamble de- 
 vant lui, 
 
 il lor commanda 
 
 ke il li fesissent vne nef de fust 
 mult seree 
 
 * The Additional MS. 10,292 begins another chapter here: " Ensi comme carpentiers faisoient vne nef. 
 Et salemons et sa femme le regarderent. A I'endemain, si tost comme li iour aparut." 
 
HIS WIFE TELLS HIM TO PUT PRECIOUS AKMOUE. IN IT. 
 
 405 
 
 that for water ne E/okkes ne persen scholde 
 With-Inne iiij m' 3eres,' thus the kyng wolde. 
 thanne Answered the Carponters Agayn, 
 ' his wille to fulfalle they wolde ben fayn, 240 
 
 To alle here powere & to AUe here Myht 
 they wolden don that Schippe to dyht,' 
 So that to werke they wenten Al In fere, 
 that the Schippe was Mad with-Inne half A 3ere. 244 
 And whanne it was fulliche I-browhte to 
 
 An ende, 
 Thanne that lady to Salamon gan wende 
 That thike Schip first dide begynne 
 thorgh hire qweyntise and hire ginne ; 248 
 
 " Sire," sche seide, " and it be so As 30 me 
 
 telle, 
 that In tyme Oomeng swich A Cas be-felle, 
 and that swich A thing scholde there be, 
 So worthy A knyht and Of so hy degre 252 
 
 that In bowunte alle knyhtes scholde passen 
 
 Echone 
 As don hemes of }>e sonne passith liht of the 
 
 Mone, 
 And Alle hem that Euere to forn him were, 
 Oj>er after hym scholen Comen Armes to 
 
 here, — 256 
 
 It were bothe my Cownseille & my wit 
 And 30 wolden Owht concentyn to It, 
 and as be good Eesown As thenkith Me, 
 Sethen this worthy knyht Of 30tire ligne 
 
 schal be, — 260 
 
 that 3e som Manere Of precious Armure 
 Whiche is bothen passing good & sure, 
 (So that 30W he may haven In remembraunce 
 What so Evere Aftir happe be chaunce,) 264 
 
 si ke ele n'eust garde de pourirr 
 deuant, .iiij. mil ans pour estre en eue, 
 et il disent lors 
 ' qu'il en feroient 
 lor pooir.' 
 
 Si s'en penerent, et trauillierent tant : 
 
 ke la nef fu auques aprestee dedens 
 
 demi an. 
 
 Et quant la nef fu aprestee, 
 
 la feme 
 
 qui I'auoit fait commenchier 
 
 dist a salemon. " Sire, 
 
 puis ke chil dont vous aues dit 
 
 sera teus 
 
 qu'il passera de bonte et de cheualerie 
 
 tous chiaus qui deuant lui aront este, 
 et qui apres lui venront, 
 
 il me samble qu'il seroit bien auenant 
 chose 
 
 que vous aucune arme precieuse et 
 chiere 
 
 qu'il portast en ramenbranche de vous, 
 
406 
 
 David's sword is to be put in the ship, and a point 
 
 Scholen 36 Ordeyne & Arayen A3ens Ms Co- 
 
 menge 
 Of hym that 30 hauen so gret Merveillynge, 
 and that the Armure be passinge Merveillous 
 
 In all degre 
 As he schal passen AUe Ojjer knyhtes In dig- 
 
 nite." 
 " Sey," quod Salamon, " what Armure it 
 
 schal be ; 
 and 3if it be Covenable that I may se, 
 I schal it ordeine thanne Anon Riht, 
 And Into that Schippe it schal be diht." 
 
 thanne Seide this lady Anon Ageyn, 
 " Sire, I schal 30W tellen now In Oertein 
 On Of the Most Sufficiaunt Armure 
 that I knowe, as I 30W Ensure. 276 
 
 the holy temple wheche 3e hau don Mad 
 In the worschepe of oure lord In this sted, 
 In wheche temple the beste Armure is on 
 that Evere On knyht here was I-don ; 
 It is the swerd of thy fadir, kyng davy, 
 that there Inne hangeth ful Sekerly ; 
 Eor it is On the Richest thing 
 That Evere Abowtes heng ony kyng, 
 the most Merveillous that Evere forged was, 
 the Most disgiest In Ony plas ; [? disgniest] 
 the Scharpest & the Moste trenchaund 
 that Evere Ony Knyht took on hand ; — 
 taketh that, & Maketh Ordenaunce 
 For that swerd with-owten ony variAunce, 
 And Ordeyneth bothe for hondele & point 
 To Setten Every thing In his loynt ; 392 
 
 And Aftir for the blad 3e ordeynen Also 
 As 30W thinketh best forto do. 
 
 li apparillissies centre sa venue, 
 
 et fast chele arme autresi precieuse 
 enuers toutes autres armes. 
 
 com il serra meruilleus sour tous 
 2g8 autres cliiualers.'' 
 
 " Dites moi," fait il, " quele arme che 
 porroit estre. 
 
 Et se ie voi ke ele soit conuenable: 
 
 ie li apparillerai se iou I'ai." 
 272 
 
 " Je vous dirai," fait ele, 
 
 " quele arme li serroit souffissans. 
 
 El temple que vous aues fait 
 en I'ouneur de ihesu crist 
 
 280 
 
 est I'epee Ie roy dauid uotre pere, 
 
 284 
 
 Ie plus meruilleuse qui onques fu 
 forgie, 
 
 et Ie plus trenchans 
 «„j, qui onques fust haillie par main de 
 chiualer, 
 prende Ie, 
 
 et en ostes Ie poing et I'enheudeure, 
 
 Et quant vous ares I'alumiele tournee 
 a vne part : 
 
01" PRECIOUS STONES MADE POR IT ; ANB A HANDLE, SHEATH, GIRDLE, ETC. 
 
 407 
 
 and 36 that liau of Alle herbes the knoweng, 
 
 and of Alle precyons stones the konnenge, 296 
 
 And the kynde of Alle thinges therto 
 
 that be-longeth ony konneng to, 
 
 Ordeyneth for the point of precious stones 
 
 And that they ben Sotely loyned for ]>e Nones 300 
 
 So that non Erthly Man Aftir this day 
 
 In non wise hem departen ne May, 
 
 but Jjat they Supposen In Alle thing 
 
 that it Nis but On ston In beenge. 304 
 
 and thanne to the pomel Ordeynen 30 
 
 As precious A ston & Merveillous As it may be, 306 
 
 That non so vertwos, so merveillous, ne so riche, 306* 
 
 Of Alle Other stones be non him liche : 
 
 and that A schethe that 36 ordeyne. 308 
 
 and whanne Alle this 36 hau I-wrowht, 
 thanne wile I werken As cometh In My 
 
 thowht, 
 and Ranges I wele Maken therto, 
 Sweche As me liketh there Inne to do." 312 
 
 thanne he that was wisest of Al degre. 
 And most vertwes In herbis & stones Knew he, 
 passing Ony oJ>er Creature 
 
 Most Connenge he was I the Ensure, — 316 
 
 Owt of that temple the swerd they browhte 
 the wheche kyng davy his fadyr owhte, 
 and that they helden as Riche and As worthy 
 As Ony thing ]7at In ]?e temple was Sekerly. 320 
 
 and thanne wrowhte he Al Aftir hire Avys 
 With precious stones of gret delys, 
 but OnHche to the pomel An hy 
 he putte but on ston Sekerly, 324 
 
 Whiche of Alle Manere Colowrs it was 
 that Ony Man Cowde thenken In Ony plas. 
 
 vous qui counissies les forches des 
 
 herbes, 
 
 et les virtus des pierres, 
 
 et la matere de toutes choses terrienes : 
 
 faites i. poing de pierres precieuses 
 
 si soutilment 
 
 qu'il n'ait apres vous d'ome terrien 
 qui puist counoistre I'une de I'autre. 
 Ains quid chascuns qui le uenra 
 
 que che soit vne meisriie perre. 
 
 Apres i faites vne heudeure 
 
 si meruilleuse que nule ne soit si vir- 
 tueuse ni si riche. 
 
 Apres i faites le faerre si meruiUeus en 
 son endroit comma I'espee sera el sien. 
 Et quant vous ares che fait, 
 
 iou metrai Its renges 
 
 teles com il me plaira." 
 
 Chil qui estoit plus sages de tous 
 
 autres 
 
 de counoistre uirtus de pierres 
 
 osta I'espee son pere du temple, 
 
 qu'il tenoit ausi riohement 
 
 comme se che fust vns saintuaires, 
 
 puis en fist tout chou ke ele li ot com- 
 mande, 
 
 fors du poing, 
 
 ou il n'ot c'une toute seule pierre, 
 
 Mais ele estoit de toutes les couleurs 
 que on porroit trouer ne deuiser. 
 
408 
 
 NO MAN IS TO DRAW THE SWORD BUT HE FOR WHOM SOLOMON MADE IT. 
 
 And tlianne Al his hoi Entent 
 
 the schethe to Maken he dide verament, 328 
 
 Where Inne that this swerd schold be ; 
 
 Pul Coriously his wittes thanne Caste he. 
 
 but where offen the schethe ]?at he raade there, 
 
 declaret not 3it this storie there ; 332 
 
 Eor it schal ben non gret Mestier 
 
 the schethe 3it to declaren In non Manere ; 
 
 but the pomel Made he so Ryaly 
 
 As here vs doth telle this Story. 336 
 
 And whanne this swerd thus garnysched was, 
 and be his devis wrowht In that plas, 
 thanne the Swerd Into the Schethe he pytte 
 and ful fast be gan to beholden Itte, — 340 
 
 bothe the schethe and Ek the swerd ; 
 Swich anothir nas there In Middlelerd. 
 
 and whanne he Sawh it Aparaylled So Richely, 
 In Al the world hym thowhte non So worthy 344 
 That for Erthly man Euere was Mad ; 
 thus In his herte to him Self he seid, 
 " that there nas Neuere non knyht born 
 In Al this world here be-forn 348 
 
 that for hym swich a Swerd was diht 
 Ne non So Riche to non Mannes siht, 
 ne non so vertwos In Al degre 
 As that is this swerd as semeth me." 352 
 
 Thanne of on thing desired he ful sore, 
 Of AUe his desir not mochelis More, 
 ' that Keuere Man theke swerd scholde drawe 
 Eor lust, for drede, nether for Awe, 356 
 
 but him Eepentyn Scholde Eyht Sore, 
 Sauf only he that it was Mad Eore, 
 What Manere of Knyht So Evere it be 
 that not it drawe, but 3if it be he.' 36o 
 
 et puis mist s'entente 
 
 a faire le fuerre et sa cure : 
 
 ke il meteroit en I'espee. 
 
 Mais chou dont il le fist, 
 
 ne deuise mie ore li contes clii endroit, 
 pour chou qu'il n'en est mil ore grans 
 mestiers. 
 
 Apres fist le poing si riche et si biel 
 
 com li contes I'a ia deuisee. 
 
 Quant il ot I'espee garnie du poing et 
 du fuerre. 
 
 et commencha a regarder 
 
 le fuerre, et I'espee a paumoniier, 
 
 si uit chele espee si riche 
 
 qu'il ne li estoit pas auis 
 
 que onques pour .i. chiualer fust fais 
 
 si riches appareus 
 ne si uirtueus 
 comme chil estoit. 
 
 Si dist, ' ke il vauroit, se il peust 
 
 estre, 
 
 que iamais horn ne le traisist hors del 
 
 fuerre 
 
 qu'il ne s'en repentist 
 
 truskes a taut ke li boins chiualers 
 pour qui ele estoit apparillie i mesist 
 la main,' 
 
SOLOMON'S WIPE WILL HAVE FOUL HANGINGS POE THE SHEATH. 
 
 409 
 
 thanne to h.ym Cam A vols with-Owten lak — 
 the Same vols that to fore tymes to him 
 
 spak — 
 " Salamon, Of this that ]?ou hast Axed before, 
 Schal non man it drawe but hym Repente 
 
 sore 
 but 3if it be the Same persone 
 for whom this Mater thou hast I-done, 
 and for whom this swerd is dyht ; 
 It non Man to drawen schal hauen non 
 myht." 
 And whanne that Salamon herde this, 
 than was his herte In loye & blys ; 
 and Anon let wryten with his bond 
 dyvers lettres, as I vndirstond ; 
 and, as this Storye doth devyse, 
 he let Ordeyne Rawnges In his Gyse, 
 And to the schethe he gan hem Ordeyne 
 Also Ryaly as he Cowde Certeyne : 
 but so wolde not his wif 
 In non wyse be here lyf, 
 but so fowle Raunges & so Spytable 
 that to so Ryal A thing ne weren not able — 
 his wif Ordeynede forto do, 
 that non thing weren Able therto, 
 As fer forth as Salamon Cowde seyne, 
 Not An Owr thike swerde to susteyne. 
 " What ?" quod Salamon to his wyf tho, 
 " how thenke 36 now here forto do. 
 To putten So fowl A thing In Abvcioun 
 To So Riche A thing with-Owten Compa- 
 rison ?" 
 " 3e, forsothe," thanne quod sche, 
 " At this tyme it schal not Ojjerwyse be, 
 
 3 G 
 
 364 
 
 368 
 
 372 
 
 376 
 
 380 
 
 388 
 
 et lors vint la rois 
 
 qui autre fois autre-parle a lui, et li 
 
 dist. 
 
 " Salamon. 
 
 ne le traira iamais horn qu'il ne s'en 
 
 repente 
 
 dusqu'a tant ke cliil le traira 
 pour qui tu I'as apparellie ensi." 
 
 Quant salemons oi cheste nouuiele, 
 
 si en fu mult lies, 
 et maintenant escrisi 
 letres de sa main 
 
 teles com li contes a ia deuisees. Et 
 
 quant il ot che fait, il vaut metre a 
 
 I'espee renges 
 
 teles a son ensient comme a I'espee 
 
 couuenoient. 
 
 Mais sa feme n'en uaut, 
 
 ains en aporta vnes si laides et si 
 poures comme de canure, 
 
 et si febles par samblant 
 
 gg^ ke eles ne peussent I'espee soustenir. 
 
 " K'est chou," dist salemons : 
 1 voles vous 
 chou metre: 
 
 " Oil," fait ele, 
 
 " ia a notre tans ni ara autres. 
 
410 OP THE MAIDEN "WHO IS TO CHANGE THE POOR HANGINGS INTO PINE ONES. 
 
 Sowf onliche and it be goddis plesyng, 
 
 That so May happen In tyme Oomeng, 392 
 
 That A damysele it Ohanngen Schal there 
 
 And Tornen hem Into Anothir Manere, 
 
 So Faire and so Riche that wonder schal be 
 
 Ony Erthly Man to beholden Certeinle. 396 
 
 and so be this swerd there scholen 30 knowe 
 
 the werkys of two wonunen with-Inne A 
 
 thro we; 
 For lik as 36 don me to vndirstonde 
 What A Mayden schal comen In to this 
 
 londe 400 
 
 Porto A-Mendyn Al the grete wronge 
 That oure form Modir dyde A forn ful longe, 
 Ryht So schal the Same Maiden Certeynlye 
 Amendyn In tyme Oomeng Al my folye ; — 404 
 the fowle E-annges that I have the swerd 
 
 put to, 
 Fvl Riche & worthy for hem wele sche ]?ere 
 
 do." 
 Of these wordis thanne hadde Salamon 
 In his herte gret wonder Anon, 408 
 
 Where sche hadde that wit An discresciown 
 him forto tellen So straunge A resown. 
 
 Whanne the Schippe was Mad In this manere 
 And I-Couered, as the Storye telleth here, 412 
 
 In the Schippe was mad a bed of Tre, 
 Wondirfully devised, I teUe the ; 
 and Onerthwert ouer the beddis feet 
 lay this Ryal swerd, I the be-heet : 416 
 
 And Aboven vppon the beddes hed 
 A Orowne of Gold stood In that sted, 
 that Manie 3eris to-fore his fadir kyng davy 
 that Crowne hadde werid ful worschepfully ; 420 
 
 Mais enchore, se dieu plaist, 
 
 venra vne eure 
 
 ke vne damoisiele les cangera, 
 
 et i metera pour chestes, vnes autres 
 
 si bieles et si riches ke che sera mer- 
 
 uelles 
 
 a ueoir: 
 
 Si poes en cheste espee counoistre 
 la samblanche des deus femes 
 
 dont ie vous ai oi parler. 
 
 Car tout ausi comme virgene qui est 
 a uenir, si com vous me dites, 
 
 doit amender 
 
 chou que vo premiere mere meffist, 
 tout ausi amendera cheste puchiele 
 chou ke ie mesfis en cheste espee. 
 Car ele i metera renges 
 
 bieles et riches, et de la chose ke ele 
 mieus amera sour soi." 
 
 Icheste parole tint mult salemons a 
 
 soutil, 
 
 et mult s'esmeruilla 
 
 dont chou pooit venir 
 
 ke ele disoit. 
 
 Qvant la nef fu faite 
 
 et couuerte si richement com li contes 
 
 a deuise. 
 
 II fist en la nef faire .i. lit de fust 
 si biel et si meruiUeus com il Ie deuisa, 
 
 et mist I'espee as pies, 
 
 et au chief mist li rois 
 sa couroune, 
 chele ke li rois dauid 
 ot portee maint iour. 
 
Solomon's wirE oeders carpenters to cut the tree op life. 
 
 411 
 
 wiclie Crowne Salamon put In to that plase 
 Sethen that knyht neuere non So worthy wase 
 As he of whos ligne scholde Comen that 
 
 mayde. 
 As to forn tymes his Bokys had hym Sayde ; 
 And on non Man So wel, hym thowht, le- 
 
 venge, 
 Myht hen be-stowed So worthy A thynge. 
 And whanne the lady thus hadde Seyn him 
 
 do, 
 " 3it," sche Seide, " vs behoueth now thinges 
 
 mo : 
 Por 3it to this Schip there failleth Somthing 
 That there Inne Moste ben with-owten faU- 
 
 lyng." 
 And these Carponters sche took Anon, 
 And to the Tre of lyf they gonne to gon, 
 vndir wheche tre Abel was Slayn, 
 As the Storye to forn E-eherseth Certein. 
 thanne Seyde sche to hire lord tho, 
 " Sire, to this tre now moot we Go, 
 And to the Tothir that of hem Come, — 
 the Cause I schal telle 30W Al & Some, — 
 Off wheche on Is E-ed, Anothir is whit. 
 The thrydde is grene, A tre of delyt : 
 Of these take 30 now springes thre, 
 Whit, Eed, & Grene, lik as they be, 
 Whiche the bed Scholen Envirown Abowte, 
 As I schal 30W tellen with-Owten dowte." 
 
 thanne Answerid the Carpontris tho, 
 ' that the Tre of lyf wolden not they gon to, 
 For neuere to fore, as they Cowden vndir- 
 
 stonde, 
 Ne was it persched with Mannes hond.' 
 
 3g2 
 
 et dist ' qu'il le lairoit au chiualer, 
 
 424 
 
 428 
 
 432 
 
 436 
 
 440 
 
 444 
 
 pour chou ke ele ne pooit pas estre 
 en autre lieu 
 
 si bien enploie.' 
 
 Et quant tout chou fii fait, la dame 
 dist: 
 
 " k'en encore defaloit il a la nef." 
 
 Lors prist carpentiers, 
 
 et les enmena o soi a I'arbre de uie 
 
 discus quoi abel fu ochis. 
 
 puis lor dist. 
 
 " Signour, il couuint que de chest 
 arbre uermel, 
 et de ches autres, 
 
 dent U vn sont blanc 
 et li autre sont vert, 
 prenes .iij. fuissiaus 
 .i. Vermel .i. blanc .i. vert, 
 dont li lis sera auirounes 
 ensi com ie vous dirai." 
 Et chil disent 
 
 ' qu'il douteroient mult a entamer 
 I'arbre de uie, 
 
 pour chou ke nus n'auoit este si hardis 
 
 448 qui I'enpirast de riens.' 
 
412 
 
 THE TREE OF LITE BLEEDS WHEN CUT. THE CUTTINGS 
 
 460 
 
 thanne Answerid this qwene Anon, 
 
 " but 3if tliat 36 my Comandement wil don, 
 
 36 scholen ben blamed Al In bye, 
 
 I-Seye 30W, Seres, now ful Certeynlye." 452 
 
 Tbanne they fulfilden bare Comandement 
 bolicbe Aftyr tbe ladyes Entent ; 
 and tbey dradden bem ful Soryly, 
 For neuere to fore badde Man Oomen tber 
 
 Ny. 456 
 
 but ful sore Abascbt tbey weren Atte begyn- 
 
 nenge. 
 For so frescb blood owt of ]?e tre gon sprynge, 
 As of A Mannes Arm it badde be 
 tbat badde ben of smeten Sekerle 
 In bataUle, ojjer In tornement, 
 Lik As it semede to bere Entent. 
 
 and tbanne weren they Abascbt so sore 
 tbat there-Onne wolden they werken no 
 
 more, 
 and so leften they AUe here werkynge 
 that they diden Atte the begynnenge, 
 and Hepentyd hem ful Sore 
 that tbey wrouhten after tbe ladyes lore. 
 But sche wolde it suffren In non wyse 
 but that sche wolde haven hire owne Gyse ; 
 and whanne they knewen hire Entent, 
 bolicbe they fulfilden hire Comaundement. 
 And whanne these thre brawnches weren I- 
 
 browht 
 To pe Schippe, to fulfillen tbe ladyes tbowht, 
 3it ful Sorye they weren therto 
 hire ladyes wille tbanne forto do. . 476 
 
 tbanne devised the lady how it scholde be 
 of alle tho Braunches In Eche degre, 
 
 464 
 
 Et ele respond! 
 
 ' ke ele les feroit hounir s'il ne fai- 
 soient de tout son commandement.' 
 
 Et chil fierent maintenant lor cuignies 
 dedens. 
 
 Mais au commencliement furent mult 
 esbahi. 
 
 Car il \rirrent apartement ke del arbre 
 issoient goutes de sane 
 ausi espessement comme d'un liome 
 a qui on eust le bras caupe. 
 
 Et il furent mult espoente de cheste 
 chose, 
 
 et pour chou vaurent il laissir a ferir, 
 
 et mult se repentoient 
 
 468 de chou qu'il I'auoient commencliiet. 
 Mais chele ne le pooit souffrir, 
 ains les tint si cors 
 
 472 ke il fisent du tout son commandement. 
 Quant il orent les .iij.fuisiaus aportes 
 
 a la nef. 
 
 et mis en tel maniere comme leur 
 auoit deuise, il les misrent el coste, 
 
ARE PUT OVER THE BED. THE SEER OE THEM MUST THINK OE ABEL. 
 
 413 
 
 On be Pore, the tothir be hynde, 
 the thridde Ouerthwert, As Cam hire Mynde ; 
 So that the bed ouer sprad was there 
 with these thre trees In this Manere. 
 
 behold now of this merveillous werkyng, 
 What it was thanne to Signefleng ! 
 Por it was to a gret Signefyaiince ; 
 As this Storye schal schewen with-owten 
 
 variaunce. 
 And whanne sche hadde So I-do, 
 Thanne to Salamon gan sche to go, 
 " Now beholdeth these spyndelis thre 
 that vppon this bed to forn 30W be ! 
 Now herkeneth to me what I schal seye : 
 these Schal Neuere Man Sen ful Oerteinlye 
 But 3if Abelys deth he schal haven In 
 
 Mynde,— 
 That Man that so Just was, and to God So 
 
 kynde." 
 And whiles they spoken of this Matere, 
 Anon to hem Oomen tydynges there, 
 that tho whiche the Branches hadden Atamed, 
 Aungeles they weren, that weren not blamed. 
 
 Thanne be-thowhte ful Mochel Salamon 
 Of Manye thinges that he wolde don ; 
 And 3it to his wif he Seyde E-yht nouht 
 Of AI that Evere thike tyme he thouht. 
 Thanne Anon Salamon be-gan to write, 
 and with his wittes it gan to Endite, 
 A lettre In the Schippe forto be set tho. 
 In what plase he myhte beste it do. 
 And this was the be-gynneng of his E-esoun 
 As 3e scholen now heren, bothe Al & 
 
 soun ; — 
 
 I'un deuant, I'autre derriere, 
 
 480. et le tierch par deseure, 
 
 qui estoit keuillies en andeus, 
 
 484 ne cheste chose ne fu pas faite sans 
 grant senefianche, 
 
 si com li contes meismes deuisera chi 
 auant. 
 
 Et quant il furent ensi mis, 
 
 488 ele dist a salemon 
 
 " vees yous ches .iij , fuisiaus." 
 "Oil," fait-il. 
 
 " Ore sacHes,'' fait ele, 
 
 492 " ke iamais niis ne les verra 
 
 ke lui ne doine souuenir de la mort 
 abel." 
 
 Endementiers qu'il parloient ensi des 
 .iij. fuisiaus 
 496 lor vinrent nouuieles 
 
 ke chil qui I'arbre de uie auoient 
 
 entame 
 
 estoient auule, 
 
 si en pensa plus a salemon 
 
 500 
 
 504 
 
 que a sa feme ne fist. 
 
 Eors fist salemons 
 
 vn brief pour metre en le nef, 
 
 et escrist el commenchement du brief 
 ausi com se che fust I'entente de sa 
 raison. 
 
 508 
 
414 SOLOMON WHITES A-GAINST WOMEN ; AND ALSO A HISTORY OP THE SHIP. 
 
 " Behold, thou Knyht, (what I schal Seye ; 
 
 Of on thing I warne the Alweye,) 
 
 That schalt ben Ende of Myn lynage, 
 
 As I am Certefyed, and of So worthy Corage. 
 
 Evere be thow war of wommens Engyne ; 
 
 And Also of Many thinges they welen pro- 
 
 pyne, 
 loke that thow be wis & kepe the wel, 
 and of hem be war thou Everey del, 
 and that thow leve hem In non wise, 
 Eor 3if thou do, thou lesist thin Aprise ; 
 Ne Neuere prowesse ne non Chevalrye 
 Schal I the waraunten Serteinlie, 
 but it torne E,eprof to the ; 
 thus Sente the to Seyne Salamon be Me : 
 And of hym E-emembraunce thow took, 
 Whanne that thow lokist vppon this book." 
 Thys was the begynneng of his writ there 
 Whiche Salamon wrot In this Manere ; 
 Eor of logres that worthy Knyht 
 "Whiche that Into this Schip scholde by- 
 
 dyht, 
 "Wrot Salamon this qwestion Sekerly, 
 and Into the Schippe it putte trewly. 
 And now of Eorein londes scholen [3e] here, 
 As the storye of Sank Eyal Eeherseth In 
 
 diuers manere. 
 And After he Wrot the verite 
 Of his wif there In AUe degre, — 
 how his wif this Schippe gan to Ordeyne, 
 And Al that Richesse there-Inne put Cer- 
 
 teyne, 
 bothe the Bed, & spyndelis Also 
 that overtwert the bed weren I-do, 
 
 " tu cliiualers boineureus 
 
 qui seras fin de mon lignaige, 
 522 si tu ueus estre en pais et sages, 
 
 sour toutes choses te gaite d'engien de 
 feme. 
 
 516 
 
 Et se tu le crois. 
 ne sens, 
 
 ne proueche, ne cheualerie, 
 520 ne te garandira 
 
 ke tu ne soies hounis en la fin. 
 
 Et chou te commande salemons 
 
 524 
 
 528 
 
 532 
 
 536 
 
 ke tu t'en gardes en ramenbranche 
 de lui." 
 
 Et teus li commandemens du brief 
 
 ke salemons escrist 
 
 pour le chiualer qui fist tant de cbeu- 
 alerie el roiaume de logres, 
 
 et mist a fin les auentures quel roi- 
 aume de la terre foraine et en maint 
 autre lieu auenoient par I'auenture et 
 par la forciie del s'. graal 
 si com li contes deuisera cha auant. 
 
 Apres escrist la verite de la nef 
 
 si com la feme le fist faire, 
 et la rikeclie de I'espee 
 
 et du lit, et des fuissiaus. 
 
THE SHIP IS LAUNCHED, AND SOLOMON WATCHES IT. 
 
 415 
 
 of whiclie on was wMt, Anothir was Eede, 
 
 And the thridde was grene In that stede ; 540 
 
 and alle colowred of here kynde they were, 
 
 As of the Tres they weren taken Ere. 
 
 and whanne this writ was thus I-do, 
 
 At the beddes hed he leyde it tho ; 
 
 vndir the Crowne there As it was. 
 
 There he it putte In that Same plas. 
 
 And whanne this Schippe thus was I-dyht, 
 Into the Se he it putte Anon Ryht. 
 
 thanne to his wif he Seide Anon, 
 " Lo, dame, now Al this thing [is] don, 
 and Into the Se I have it pyt, 
 Neuere weneng more forto Sen it ; 
 Ne I not neuere to knowen of his Comenge, 
 of theke worthy Knyht j^at me Is put' In 
 
 Mynde." 
 " 3if Certein, Sire," quod his wif thanne 
 " Som Teryfieng Schole 30 hau of that 
 
 Manne, — 556 
 
 Charge 36 30ure Meyne Anon Ryht 
 That 30wre pavylowns ben Redy dyht, 
 And be the se Syde that 30 don him Sette, 
 And for non thyng that 30 ne lette 560 
 
 That 30 And I and somme of oure Meyne 
 With-Inne the tentes to-gideres Mown be, 
 And there to Abyden and to dwelle 
 To seen what this Schippe may be-falle." 564 
 
 Thanne this Salamon Anon Ryht 
 Comanded his pavilowns to ben dyht. 
 And to ben Set foste vppon the Se Syde, 
 with-Inne wheche he myhte abyde, 568 
 
 his wif, & with hem A prevy Meyne : 
 thus he Comanded that It scholde be. 
 
 comment li vns en estoit blans, et li 
 autre vers, et li autre vermiaus, 
 
 sains painture nule, ains estoient de 
 naturel coulour, 
 
 si com il auoient este pris en I'arbre : 
 Et quant il ot che brief escrit, 
 
 544 il le mist au cbauech del lit, 
 de les la couroune. 
 
 Et quant il ot ensi la nef apparellie, 
 il le fist metre en la mer, droit a la 
 548 riue. 
 
 Et lors dist il a sa feme. 
 
 " Dame, la nef est faite et toute appa- 
 rellie, 
 
 552 ne enchore ne puis iou veoir 
 
 comment li chiualers puisse sauoir 
 comment i' ai seu la uerite de sa 
 venue." 
 
 " vous en serres.'' fait ele, " asses 
 chertains par tans. 
 
 Mais ore faites 
 tendre .ij. pauillons 
 desus cliel riuage 
 
 si k'en moi et vous et vne partie 
 de notre maisnie 
 i puissons 
 
 demourer iusc'a tant 
 
 ke nous aions veu comment il nous 
 
 auendra de cheste cbose." 
 
 Et il 
 
 commanda erraument ke on tendist 
 
 les tres et les pauillons 
 
 desus la riue. 
 
 Car il veut illuec seiourner iusc'a tant 
 ke fortune en ait la nef menee. 
 
416 
 
 THE SHIP IS PROCLAIMED A. TYPE OE GOD S NEW HOUSE. 
 
 And anon Ms comandement was I- do, 
 
 that he and his wif to-gederis Also 572 
 
 there-Inne Slepten Every Nyht, 
 
 and with hem here Meyne ful ryht. 
 
 So vppon A tyme As there-Inne they lay, 
 As this Storye here doth Say, 476 
 
 As it be-happede Abowtes Mydnyht, 
 In his Sleep he Sawh a wondir siht, — 
 that there Cam from the hevene An hy 
 A man, & of Aungeles A gret Company 580 
 
 that certein Instrwmentis with hem browhte ; 
 but what Maner they weren, he knew hem 
 
 nowhte, 
 Ne he ne wiste In non maner degre 
 What Man it was that In that Compeyne 584 
 
 that with the Angelis Cam down there, 
 he ne Cowde him knowen In non Manere. 
 And Alle Into the Schippe they descendid Anon, 
 Ech After Of>er there-Inne Gan gon ; 588 
 
 thanne to the water gonne they Reche, 
 And ther-with dyden as I schal the teche : 
 and Into that schip it Cast Abowte 
 Into alle parties, with-Owten dowte, 592 
 
 Seyeng there In this Manere 
 To his Aviciown, as he myhte here : 
 " This Schippe is the Signefiaunce 
 Of Myn Newe hows with-Owten variaunce." 596 
 
 and thanne this old Man gan forth to gon 
 to the bordis of ]>e forschippe there Anon, 
 And bad on of his Compeny to write 
 Sweche lettres as he wolde Endyte.* 600 
 
 And whanne these lettres weren I-wrete, 
 thus gonne they sein, And thow wilt wete 
 
 Et ciiil le firent a qui il fii ensi com- 
 
 mande. 
 
 Si mangierent oliel iour a grant ioie 
 
 desTis la riue. 
 
 et s'endormirent tout au soir dedens 
 
 les pauillous. 
 
 Entour mienuit auint si com il se 
 
 dormoient tout: 
 
 ke salemons vit en son dormant 
 
 que de uers le chiel venoit 
 
 vns hom a tout' grant compaignie 
 
 d'angeles 
 
 qui portoient divers estrumens en leur 
 
 mains, 
 
 mais il ne sauoit desuiser quels. 
 
 Et nepourquant il vit ke chieus a qui 
 li angele faisoient compaignie descen- 
 doit en la nef, 
 et prenoit eue, 
 
 et en arousoit la nef 
 de toutes pars, 
 et disoit 
 
 " cheste nef est senefianche 
 
 de me nouiele maison." 
 Apres venoit 
 
 an bort de la nef, 
 
 et faisoit a vn de chiaus de sa com- 
 paignie escrire 
 letres. 
 
 Et quant eles estoient escrites, 
 il disoit. 
 
 * [In MS. endyde.J 
 
SOLOMON AWAKES AND SEES THE SHIP AGAIN. HIS DESIEE IS TO BE GRANTED. 417 
 
 " a passing fool thanne schal he be 
 
 that this comaundemeiit passeth In ony degre." 604 
 
 this beheld Salamon In his Aviciown 
 What this Comaundenient spak Al & Som ; 
 and jjerto it was so worthily I-wreten & 
 
 dyht, 
 So that there Cowde non Erthely wyht 608 
 
 discryve the bewte of that Scripture 
 that so wondirful was, I the Ensure. 
 
 And al swich wondir he hadde In his Slepinge 
 So that atte laste he barst In wakynge, 612 
 
 And there his Eyen he Openede Anon, 
 And to-wardis the schip he lokede ful son ; 
 And there Openly Sawh he than 
 the Same Compenye with the olde Man 616 
 
 that In his Sleep he Sawh to fore, — 
 Alle thike hole Compenye him thowhte thore, 
 thanne to hem wolde he hau Spoken tho, 
 but non power hadde he therto ; 620 
 
 he wold hau Clepid hem In his Gyse, 
 but power hadde he non forto Hise. 
 thanne wolde he hau Clepid hem J>at to-fore 
 
 him lay, 
 but therto power hadde he non be no way, 624 
 
 Eor he ne myhte nethir Meve ne Speke, 
 Ne with On word ne Myhte Owt breke. 
 
 thanne thowhte him that a Toys Seide tho 
 " Salamon, thy desir is fulfyld and do; 628 
 
 Eor the Knyht that the Ende of thy lyne 
 
 schal be, 
 In to this Schippe schal Entren ful Sekerle, 
 And this swerd schal he have In honde 
 that ]70u hast Aparailled ; this thow vndir- 
 
 stonde. 632 
 
 3 H 
 
 ' Mult sera, fans 
 
 qui chest commandement trespassera.' 
 
 Salemons voit en son songe 
 
 clielui qui ches commandernens disoit, 
 
 garni de si grant loiaute 
 
 ke cuers morteus 
 
 nel porroit deuiser, ne bouolie dire. 
 
 Si eu auoit tel meruelle en son dor- 
 mant, 
 que il s'en esuilla, 
 
 et ouuri les iex, 
 
 et garda vers le nef, 
 
 et vit tout apiertement 
 
 la compaignie 
 
 tele com il I'auoit veue en son dor- 
 mant. 
 
 Et il vautparler et apieler chiaus qui 
 
 entour lui estoient, 
 
 mais il n'ot pooir de parler 
 
 ne de mouuoir soi. 
 
 Maintenant ot vne vois qui li dist : 
 
 " Salemon : tes desiriers est acomplis. 
 
 Car li chiualers qui sera fins de ton 
 lignaige 
 
 enterra en chele nef, 
 et aura chele espee 
 ke tu li as apparellie, 
 
418 SOLOMON WANTS TO GO ON BOARD THE SHIP, BUT IS WARNED NOT TO GO. 
 
 and here-offen schal ]70u knowen tlie verite, 
 
 that non schal Entren but 3if it be he." 
 And thanne After this word anon, 
 
 Owt this Schip Compenye gan gon, 636 
 
 that Salamon ne wiste witterlie 
 
 "Where they becomen tho Serteynlye. 
 
 and whanne he hadde power forto speke, 
 
 thanne to his Meyne he gan to reke, 640 
 
 And to the Schippe he Cam Anon 
 
 Also faste As he Cowde gon. 
 
 and whanne the Schippe he wolde hau Entred ther, 
 
 A voys to hym Seyde In this Maner, 644 
 
 " Salamon, I the Rede that thow with-drawe, 
 
 and that thou werke Aftyr my Sawe ; 
 
 for 3if thou Into the Schippe Entre otterly 
 
 Thou schalt ben persched Sothfostly. 648 
 
 but loke the Schippe that thow lete go 
 
 To Swich place As it is ordeyned to, 
 
 And where that fortune so wele it bringe ; 
 
 Eorto manie strounge Contres is his goynge, 662 
 
 wheehe that hens ful longe they ben, 
 
 As In tyme Comenge 0]7er Men scholen sen.' 
 
 Thanne there Salamon with-drowh him Anon, 
 And from that Schip faste gan to gon, 656 
 
 And beheld the lettres wreten vppon the bord 
 that In this Maner they speken Every word : 
 " Thow Man that Entren wilt with-Inne Me, 
 be war that ful of Eeyth that thow be ; 660 
 
 Eor In Me is if non thing Ellis 
 but only feith, (As the Story e tellis,) 
 and Riht-fal Creaunce, as I telle the. 
 ]7erfore be war, hoso entre with-Inne Me, 664 
 
 that he have bothe feith & Creaunce 
 stedfastly, with^owten variaunce. 
 
 et sera verite de toi, 
 
 ne ia nus ni enterra s'il n'est teus com 
 
 il doit estre." 
 
 Tantost apres cheste parole, 
 
 se depart! la compaignie de la nef 
 en. tel maniere ke salemons ne seut, 
 ke il deuinrent. 
 Et quant il ot pooir de soi leuer ; 
 
 si se leua et apiela sa maisnie, 
 et vaut a la nef. 
 
 Et quant il vaut dedens entrer: 
 
 la vols dist. 
 
 " Trai toi arriere. 
 
 Se tu entres dedens> 
 
 tu periras. 
 
 Mais laisse aler la nef 
 
 la u 
 
 fortune le conduira 
 
 et saches ke ele sera encore veue 
 et pres et loiug." 
 
 Et il se traist arriere, 
 
 et regarda les letres du bort 
 
 qui disoient. 
 
 ' tu hom qui dedens veus entrer, 
 
 qui que tu ies, 
 
 bien te garde ke tu n'i entres se tu 
 
 n'es plains de foi. 
 
 Car il n'a en moi 
 
 se foi non, 
 
 et creanclie. 
 
SOLOMON SENDS THE SHIP TO SEA, AND IT SOON GOES OUT OP SIGHT. 
 
 419 
 
 and 3if thow blenche from ony of the, 
 
 be war, from the than Schal I-go, 
 
 And the forsaken In alle degre, 
 
 And Nethir Sustenaunce ne helpe getest ]70ii 
 
 non of me ; 
 In what place that so Evere thou be, 
 Sodeynly schal I forsaken the." 
 
 and whanne Salamon Radde this Scripture, 
 at that Schip myht he non longere Endure, 
 and Seyde ' that to Entren he nas not worthy 
 Into non Swich place Serteinly.' 
 thanne Gomaunded he his Men Anon 
 Eorth Into the Se that Schippe to don, 
 So that it paste ful ferre from hem |?o 
 that Owt of here Syht it gan to go, 
 that Nethir Salamon ne his wyf 
 Non lengere it Syen with-Owten strif. 
 
 Now leveth this storie here anon, 
 And to Nasciens now let vs gon 
 that longe hathe ben In Tornaunt Yl 
 As thowh it were in Maner of an Exyl. 
 
 Et bien saches tu guenchir a creanche, 
 ie guenchirai a toi en te.l maniere 
 
 ke tu n'aras de moi aide ne secours 
 
 672 
 
 676 
 
 680 
 
 684 
 
 en quel lieu ke tu seras atains en 
 mescreanche.' 
 
 et quant il vit chest brief, 
 si se traist maintenant ensus de la nef, 
 car bien counissoit qu'il n'estoit mie 
 dignes d'entrer ens. 
 
 Et endementiers qu'il estoit en mi sa 
 maisnie ausi comme tous es 
 
 Si se feri li vens en la nef, qui I'eslonga 
 de la riue en peu d'eure, et I'enporta 
 en la haut mer a tel eure 
 
 ke salemons, ne sa feme qui compassee 
 
 r ot, ne le vinrent onques puis. 
 
 Si s'en taist ore a tant li contes. Car bien a* 
 
 deuise comment la nef fu faite. et en quel 
 
 maniere, et comment li fuisiel furent de na- 
 
 turel couleur sans painture. 
 
 Si conte de nascien,* 
 
 dont il s'est grant piecbe teus. 
 
 * Add. MS. 10,292: " Si retorne a parler de nascien dont il s'est grant piece teus." The next chapter 
 or illustration is headed — " Ensi que la neif la v li trois fuisiaus furent, rompi desous naciien." 
 
 3h2 
 
420 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 Nasciens's account of his Adventures is resumed. How Nasciens could not make out how the Three 
 Spindles were coloured (p. 421) ; and said that it was by trick (p. 421) ; whereat the Ship splits in two, 
 and he is nearly drowned. But he reaches the isle of his exile (p. 421), sees the letters on the Ship, and 
 prays to God to forgive him his sin (p. 422) ; then he lies down on the ground and goes to sleep 
 (p. 423) In the morning he wakes, and prays to God to protect him from his enemy (p. 423). He 
 looks to the east, and sees a vessel with an old man in it, which comes within two lance-lengths of the 
 isle, but no nearer (p. 424). The vessel is richly ornamented (p. 425). Nasciens salutes the old man 
 in it, who tells him that Calafer is dead (p. 425-6). He at first doubts this, but, being rebuked (p. 426), 
 behaves the man (p. 427), and asks the meaning of the Ship and the writing on it (p. 428). The old 
 man explains that the Ship typifies Holy Church (p. 428), and the "Writings forbid men to enter it 
 unless they are cleansed from sin by confession of mouth and repentance of heart (p. 429). Therefore 
 men must found themselves on Christ (p. 429-30); and Holy Church is here for their sustenance, and 
 keeps them from deadly sin, purifying them like gold seven times refined (p. 430). Next, of the Bed ; 
 it means the Sacramental Table (p. 430-1), ' the Cros that Crist was on crucified in Ivrie londe,' 
 the place where he liked to rest (p. 431). Further, as to the Spindles (p. 431): the white one means 
 the Virginity of Christ and his mother (p. 432) ; the red one, the Charity or Love of Christ, in giving 
 the greatest gift, his body, for man's redemption (p. 432) ; the green Spindle means Patience, which 
 ever remains in a man's heart (p. 433). And these three Virtues give victory over all enemies (p. 433); 
 and were present with Christ at his death (p. 433). Nasciens now goes to sleep and dreams that a 
 serpent attacks him, and that a little worm kills it (p. 434). He awakes in wonder (p. 435). 
 
 Now schewith forth this Storye Or dist li contes, 
 
 [Howj that Nasciens ful Sekerlye ke grant pieche regarda nasciens 
 
 [Beh]eld tho spyndelis that on ].e bed lye, j,^ ,^^ ^^-^.^^^ 
 
 [And] tho thre Tres ful Sekerlye 4 
 
 that Oolowred weren of here Owne kynde, 
 
 where-Offen he MerveUled Sore In his Mynde ; 
 
 With wheche Bransches the Bed was spred dont li lis estoit auirounes 
 
 bothe Enlonges And Ouerthwert, as it is Seid, s et clos. 
 
THE SHIP SPLITS IN TWO. NASCIENS SWIMS TO THE ISLAND. 
 
 421 
 
 And Evere this Nasciens beheld hem faste, 
 And Merveilled In his Mynde Atte laste 
 Whethir of ther Owne kynde it scholde be, 
 Ojjer depeynted with Colours ful Sekerle ; 12 
 
 Ne stedfastliche he ne cowde not beleve, 
 Ne with AUe his wyttes ne Cowde not prove, 
 how that So I-Colowred they were, 
 0]7er I-peynted In Othir Manere. 16 
 
 thanne Anon A word to hym Self gan he say, 
 Whiche Sore him Repentyd that same day, 
 "be my trowthe," quod Nasciens tho ful pleyn, 
 " Of this bed I not what I schal Seyn, 20 
 
 Eor I ne Can not demyn In My Memorye 
 but that this bed is Mad Al be trechyorye, 
 And be falsnesse, and be Etigyn," 
 thus thowhte me tho In herte Myn. 24 
 
 And Anon As he hadde Seide this werd, 
 he gan to beholde vppon the Schippes bordj 
 and Sawh how that It Clef A-two, 
 So that Into the Se thanne fyl he tho, 28 
 
 And there Anon I-dreynt was he ful Ny, 
 Ne hadde goddis helpe & hau ben Sekerly. 
 
 And whanne In the water thus was he, 
 Sore Abascht he was ful sekerle ; 32 
 
 Eor he Niste whethir he slepe o]>ev wookj 
 So Sodeynly the watir him took, 
 and thus Sone he loked him Abowte, 
 And Sauf Of the Schip that he was Owte 36 
 
 Beholdynge to-wardis the yl Anon, 
 Thedirward ful faste he swam ful son, 
 tyl Atte laste he Eecouerede this yl 
 Where that he ferst was In Exil. 40 
 
 And whanne the yl Recouered he hadde, 
 Ryht ful gret loye thanne he Made, 
 
 pour sauoir s'il peust counoistre de quoi 
 
 il estoient si couloure. 
 Car cliou ne quidast. il mie legiere- 
 ment qu'il fuissent de naturel coulour 
 en tel maniere 
 
 Dont il dist lors a soi meisme .j . tel mot 
 
 dont il se repenti mu i t chiereinent apres . 
 " Par foi," fait il, 
 
 " ie ne sai que dire de moi meisme 
 comme les meruelles de chest lit me 
 dechoiuent. 
 
 Car ensi grant chose comme chi a, ne 
 parroit pas estre sans aucune rachine 
 de fausete." 
 
 Et maintenant qu'il ot che dit, 
 il vit 
 
 ke la nef s' ouuri en chel endroit ou il 
 
 estoit 
 
 si qu'il se trouua en la mer, 
 
 ou il peust estre legieremeut noies, 
 
 se il meismes ne s'en ietaist, ou notre 
 
 sires ne li aidaist. 
 
 Quant il se uit en I'eue, et en peril de 
 
 mort. 
 
 Si en est si esbahis 
 
 qu'i] ne set se il dort ou se il veille: 
 
 et non pour quant il n'est mie lens de 
 li aidier. 
 
 Ains commenche maintenant a noor, 
 tant ka la riue del aieue vient 
 si saut a terre, 
 
422 NASCIBNS FINDS THAT HIS UNBELIEF WAS THE CAUSE OF THE SHIP's SPLITTING. 
 
 And loked Aftyr this Scliip Anon, 
 
 And Aftyr tho lettres Everchon 44 
 
 that Seiden In this Manere vtterlye 
 
 ' In Me Nis but Only feith Certeinlye.' 
 
 And whanne he beheld this Scripture so, 
 he wiste wel In Synne he was fallen tho 48 
 
 be Miscreaunce & Misbeleve. 
 J^erfore Anon to him Self he gan to Repreve 
 And thus to him Self he gan to Seyn, 
 " Ow thou Man of litel beleve In Oertein, 52 
 
 Why were thow Se Ethe for to tornen here. 
 And of Misbeleve to ben On this Manere. 
 Of that Schippe that thow were Inne, 
 fals belevere, why wos ]70u from it twynne ? 56 
 Why Art thou Of Misbeleve & Miscreaunce, 
 Sethen god the hath Schewed be Many 
 
 chaunce, 
 And be Many Merveilles In that Schippe Also : 
 A ! fals Oristen Creature, why wost ]?ou so 
 
 do ?" 60 
 
 Thanne there to god Cryde he Mercye 
 With Sorye herte & weping Eye, 
 ' That God wolde for-3even his Misdede, 
 And Evere him to Socoure In his Nede ; 64 
 
 And that wroth with him he wolde not be, 
 but on hym to haven Mercy & pite ; 
 And that for his newe Miscreance, 
 God On him scholde schewe non veniaunce.' 68 
 
 And thus vppon the yl stood Nasciens there 
 Al the live long day In this Manere. 
 
 And whanne to the Eveward it gan to drawe, 
 And the lyht with-drawen, as be Old Sawe, 72 
 
 And that the Sonne hadde lost his lyht, 
 It wase to dymmen & to becomen to Nyht, — 
 
 et regarde la nef, 
 
 et le brief qui estoit escris el bort de 
 la nef 
 qui disoit 
 
 ' ke en le nef n'auoit se foi non.' 
 Et quant il aperchut cheste chose, 
 
 si counut maintenant qu'il estoit cheus 
 
 en pechie 
 
 par mescreanche. 
 
 Lors se commenche mult durement a 
 
 blasmer et a laidengier, 
 
 et a dire a soi meisme: 
 
 "Ha: horn de poure creanche et de 
 
 poure foi, mauuaisement garnis de 
 
 sens et ■ de bien, pour quoi es tu si 
 
 legierement departis et conuertis a 
 
 plus legierement croire menchoigne 
 
 de cheste nef, ke uerite: 
 
 et tu si legierement mescreans, 
 pour chou se notre sires t' a moustre 
 
 partie de ses meruelles." 
 
 Lors se commencha a dolouser, et a 
 faire^duel meruilleus. Si crie merchi 
 a notre signour 
 pour chou qu'il li pardoinst le pechie 
 
 de cheste nouele mescreanche. 
 
 En tel paour et en tel angoisse ke 
 notre sires ne se courchaist a lui, 
 fu nasciens sour le riuaige de la mer 
 tant com chil iours dura, 
 et au soir, 
 
 quant la nuis fu espandue par le 
 monde, 
 
 et li tans fu deuenus oscurs et noirs : 
 
HE CANNOT SEE THE SHIP ; AND SO PBAYS TO CHRIST FOE, PROTECTION. 423 
 
 thanne Made Nasciens his preyere 
 With good herte & In devout Manere ; 
 and whanne he hade So I-do, 
 down he hym leyde Anon Ryht tho ; 
 And there he Slepte Al that Nyht 
 Tyl On the Morwen it was day lyht. 
 
 vppon the morwe whanne it was day 
 and that the Sonne it Schewede verray, 
 thanne Nasciens his Eyen Opened Anon 
 And Abowtes hym he gan loken ful son, 
 And Into the See he lokede ful Stedfastlye, 
 Aftyr that Schippe there ful witterlye 
 that he hadde seyn the day to fore, 
 3if Owht thanne he Myht sen it there ; 
 but Nethir Per Nethir Nye 
 he Cowde it non sen Certeinlye. 
 
 and whanne that he Sawhe it wold not be 
 that he ne myht it sen In non parte, 
 thanne wondirly Sore Abaschet he was. 
 So ]?at he left vppe his bond In that plas 
 and On hym he Made the Signe of the Crois, 
 thus Cryeng to god with Milde voys, 
 " Now, Jesu Crist, for thy grete pite, 
 and for thy Mercy that is so large & fre, 
 that Me Owt of Oalaferis daungere 
 Into this place hast Browht me here, 
 Wheche that was My Moste Enemy 
 that Evere 3it hadde ich here worldly, — 
 and Sethen, lord, that thou hast don so, 
 Erom alle Ojier Enemyes kepe me now fro 
 that me Asailleth Every day. 
 Me to deceyven, 3if that he May, 
 With his Ealse conspuracye ; 
 Now, goode lord, from him Ipou me gye ; 
 
 il dist ses precieuses orisons 
 7g teles com il les sauoit, 
 et puis 
 
 se coucha a' la terre dure, 
 et s'endormi en tel maniere 
 
 go qu'il ne s'esuilla iusc'a I'endemain. 
 
 au matin, quant li iour fu esclarcliis 
 et li rais du solel commencha a raier 
 par les montaignes la u eles estoient 
 plus hautes. 
 Lors s'esuilla nasciens, et ouuri les iex, 
 
 84 
 
 88 
 
 100 
 
 et regarda en la mer 
 
 ou il quid a enchore veoir la nef 
 
 qu'il auoit veue le iour deuant lui. 
 
 Mais pour chou 
 92 qu'il n'en vit nul assenement, 
 
 s'en seuffere il au miex qu'il puet. 
 
 Lors lieue sa main, 
 
 si se sainne, 
 
 96 et dist, 
 
 " urais pere ihesu cris, qui par tapitie 
 et par ta misericorde 
 
 m' ais iete [MS. iete me] des mains 
 calafier, 
 
 mon anemi teri'ien : 
 
 Sire, par ta pitie ne sueffre : 
 puis ke ie sui ietes des mains a cliel 
 anemi : 
 104 ke iou el poir a I'autre enkieche. 
 
 Mais s'il est tens ke assa!ir me viegne, 
 et que il me veulle declieuoir 
 par son maleureus agait. 
 
 108 Sire, garissies moi enconire lui 
 
424 
 
 NASCIENS'S PRAYEE. AN OLD MAN IN A SHIP NEARS THE ISLAND. 
 
 112 
 
 116 
 
 120 
 
 And defends me, lord, As A Champown 
 
 Prom the wiles of that fals Felown, 
 
 That I mot kepen Euere for thy sake 
 
 Thike lowel whiche thou distimef betake, 
 
 Whiche is my Sowle, In Eche degre 
 
 It to Kepen, lord, power graunt thow Me. 
 
 And 3if therto I ne haue nepev Strengthe ne 
 
 powere, 
 Now, goode lord, that thow Supporte me here, 
 And that Euere My sowle that thou Kepe, 
 Whethir that Evere I wake Ojjer Slepe. 
 Eor I Knowe wel In Myn Memorie, 
 that 3if that fals thef Owht me Aspye, 
 3if I Owht be blenched from holy Chirche, 
 thanne his Maistres On Me wile he wirche. 
 And Me to strangelyn 3if he May 
 That 3if se feble am In the newe fay ; 
 therfore Euere, lord, defende thou me 
 Tyl More Stedfast that In beleve there I be." 
 
 Whiles Nasciens Made thus his preyere, 
 Euere towardes the See loked he there, 
 Evere plat Est, 3if he myhte Aspye 
 Ony Schippe Owther fer other Nye. 
 And Atte laste he loked So sore 
 Tyl A schippe him thowhte he sawh comenthore, 132 
 And there-Inne A Man of Eyht gret Age 
 As him Semed be his visage ; 
 And streith it Cam to that yi 
 there Nasciens was Inne In Exyl ; 
 And So Nyhe to the yl there Gan it gon, 
 two spereschaft lengthe there anon ; 
 but Non ner it ne kam there, 
 nethir not ne wolde In non Manere — 
 
 124 
 
 128 
 
 comme ton campion 
 
 *Si ke ion puisse garandir 
 
 chelui tresor ke tu a garder me ballas. 
 Ch'est I'arme de mi. 
 
 Et se iou sui, sire, si febles, et paistres de si 
 mauuaise pourueanche que iou le garde par 
 moi seul ne puisse, parfurmir entirement. 
 
 Sire, vous me soies paistres propres, et 
 me viegnies garder vous meismes 
 comme votre oelle. Si ke li pardu- 
 rables auersiers ne me truist hors de 
 uotre garde. 
 Car che sai iou bien, 
 
 se il seul ne me troeue 
 
 enlongie de uotre part qui est apielee 
 
 sainte eglise : 
 
 assps tost porra chil anemis qui tant 
 
 est crueus 
 
 estranler 
 
 si poure oelle com ie sui." 
 
 Endementiers que nasciens faisoit sa 
 proiere en tel maniere com vous aues 
 oi: il regarda loins de lui en la mer 
 
 vers oriant, 
 
 et vit venir vne petite nachiele. 
 
 En chele nachiele auoit .i. home de 
 grant aage, 
 
 et vint tout droit la nachiele 
 130 uers nascien, 
 
 et aprocha de la riue ausi pres com 
 deus lanches ont de longeur. 
 Mais plus ne vint mie pres. 
 
 140 
 
 * Add. MS 10,292: 
 
 ■ SI que le puisse garantir celui tresor que tu a warder me baillas, c'est I'arme de moi 
 et se le sui de si foeble pourueance que iou par moi seul ne puisse parfurmir entierement." f did'st to me. 
 
THE SHIP DESCRIBED. NASCIENS SALUTES THE OLD MAN IN IT. 
 
 425 
 
 So Riche thike litel vessel was 
 
 That Sire Nasciens thowhte In non plas — 
 
 Nether vppon the loud ne vppon the See — 
 
 So Riche A vessel that Myhte hau be ; 144 
 
 For with-owten it was Set so fal of precious 
 
 stones, 
 Every bord ful thikke for the Nonis, 
 So that Nasciens wende ful Sekerly 
 that Alle worldly princes, ful Certeynly, i48 
 
 Ne hadden of precious stones so gret plente 
 lik As In that Schippe there gan he to se ; 
 And 3et was that Schip In Other degre 
 Anoured with diuers lowellis Oerteinle. i52 
 
 thanne beheld Nasciens this Schippe on bothe 
 
 side, 
 And AUe the letes sauf xij In that Tyde, 
 Alle they weren Echon of Sylver fyn tho, 
 And the poyntes with fyn gold I-garuesched 
 
 weren Also, 156 
 
 that was Also Cler Schynenge 
 As the sonne vppon the water whanne it is 
 
 Glemerynge ; 
 And to forn. As scharpe And trenchaunt they 
 
 were 
 As Evere was knyf Owther Ony spere. leo 
 
 Whanne Nasciens Sawh this good Man fast by 
 and beheld that he wolde Comen No Ny, 
 Nasciens to- ward hym gan to dresse. 
 With him to speken In Sekernesse. 164 
 
 thanne seide Nasciens, " Sire, welcome 3e be." 
 " Graunt Mercye, Sire," quod this good man 
 
 Sekerle, 
 thanne Axede This good Man Nasciens Anon, 
 " how that Into this Contre Gonnen ^e to gon i68 
 
 3i 
 
 La nachiele estoit de son grant si 
 
 riche, 
 
 ke nasciens, qui le regardoit, ne qui- 
 
 doit pas ke en tout le monde, 
 
 en mar ne en terra, 
 
 eust vne a,usi riche nef. 
 
 Car ele astoit de-fors toute auirounee 
 
 de pierras preciauses, dont il i auoit si 
 
 grant plente 
 
 que nasciens dist a soi meisme 
 
 ' ke li plus riches prinches du monde, 
 
 si com il dist, 
 
 n'en peust mie le moitie achater ne 
 
 eslegier.' 
 
 Et enohore estoit la nef 
 
 aournee d'autres ohoses dont nasciens 
 ne s'esmermlloit mie mains 
 Car el bort d'une part et d'autra 
 
 auoit saiates, truskes a .xij., 
 
 qui toutes estoient d'argent, 
 
 ne mais ke les pointes, qui toute^ 
 estoient del plus tin or esmere ke on 
 peust trouuar. 
 
 Et estoient par deuant si agues et si 
 trenchans 
 
 ke a paines en peust on trouer nule si 
 bien aguisie. 
 
 (truant nasciens vit le preudome pries de lui, et 
 apierchut de [sic] la nachiele ert arrestee si 
 qu'il ne uenra mais auant, si com il quide, 
 
 si se dreche en estant, 
 
 et salue le preudome, 
 
 et li dist ' ke bien soit il venus.' 
 
 Et li preudom li rent son salu, 
 
 et li demande de son estre, 
 
 et commapt il estoit illuec uenus en 
 si estrange lieu 
 
426 
 
 THE OLD AfAX TELLS XASCIENS THAT CALAFEE IS DEAD. 
 
 that Is SO fer from E^ery Man r" 
 thus Axede he of Xasciens than. 
 
 " Xow Certes, faire Sire," quod Xasciens tho, 
 " I ne -n-ot Into this yl ho"w I come to ; 172 
 
 but yvel 1 wot It was be goddis wille 
 That this yl I Cam vntille ; 
 And bothe thorwh his grace and his Myht 
 that me deliuerede from that Crwel Knyht, 176 
 Owt Of his presown, Sire Calafer, 
 Where that I was In Riht gret danger." 
 
 " 36, Sire, Of Calafer have thou non drede, 
 Eor he is ded on Ryht Evel dede 18O 
 
 Al so wykkedly As man Myhte deye, 
 I telle the, Xasciens, now Certeinlye." 
 " ha, goode swete Sire," quod Xasciens tho, 
 Is this trewe that 36 seyn me vnto ; 184 
 
 An d how myhten 30 haven thereoffen knowenge 
 this were to Me A MerveiUous thino^e." 
 " 5if, Sire, Sekerly," this good man seyde, 
 " this day I sawhe whanne that he deyde." 188 
 
 " And this be Soth, Sire, that 39 me Seye, 
 And 36 An Erthly Man Certeinlye, 
 It may not Acorden, In non degre, 
 That I so fer from folk scholde be 192 
 
 as 36 diden me ferst to vndirstonde 
 that I was so fer Owt of londe, 
 And 3it is it not past Matyn tyme 
 iseper no wher ny the Owr of pryme, 193 
 
 And 56 so faste scholde hau gon, 
 Eor Erthly man myht neuere don it non." 
 
 " Xow I the Sey," quod this goode Man tho, 
 I sawh hym ded with-Owten Mo. 200 
 
 And 3it Art thou from thyn Owne Centre 
 Eerthere thanne that thow wenest to be ; 
 
 et si eslongie de toutes gens. 
 
 " Chertes, sire," fait il, 
 
 " iou ne sal ki m'aporta 
 
 fors c'aportes i fui par la uolente de 
 
 notre signour, ie ne sai en quel ma- 
 
 niere. 
 
 Mais i' aim a^ses miex chi 
 
 ke en la prison calafier. 
 
 Car mult me fist mal et annua tant 
 
 com il me tint en sa prison.'' 
 
 " De calafier," fait li preudom, " n"as 
 
 tu garde. 
 
 Car il est trespasses du siecle 
 
 si maleureusement comma crestiens 
 
 renoies doit faire. " 
 
 " Ha: sire," fait nasciens, 
 
 " comment le saues tous. 
 
 Fait li preudom, 
 
 " ie I'ai hui veu mort." 
 
 '•' Sire," fait nasciens, " se cli'est voirs 
 
 ke vous dites, 
 
 et TOUS estes horn morteus, 
 
 il ne peut estre 
 
 ke iou soie si loins de gent 
 
 com vous me faites entendant 
 
 Car par chou qu'U est enchore ma- 
 tins, 
 
 ptiis iou ueoir apiertement ke vous 
 n'estes mie de loiug venus lim en 
 chest iour 
 
 se vous n'ales plus tost kehom terrieus." 
 " Iou te di," fait li preudom, 
 
 " k€ ie I'ai en chest ior veu mort. 
 et si es asses plus loing de ton pais 
 ke tu me guides, 
 
NASCIBNS ASKS ABOUT THE FOEMEK SHIP. 
 
 427 
 
 And 3if thow wilt not Me leven of this, 
 
 Sore Schal the Repenten with-owten mys, 204 
 
 Al so Sore As thow dydest Ere 
 
 Whanne In the Schippe thou spoke thike wordy s 
 
 there, 
 thorwh wheche Into the water ]?ou wentest 
 
 Anon, 
 & peve "to hauen deid, wistest Jjou nOn Othir 
 
 won." 208 
 
 Whanne Nasciens vndirstood hym tho 
 That he So Merveillously Spak him vnto, 
 and Hemembred him In swich Manere 
 Of ])e wordis that he In the Schippe spak there, 212 
 Whiche that non man vndirstondyn ne Myhte 
 but Only God thorwh his Insihte, 
 Thanne supposid he Aboven AUe thiag 
 that from God it Cam, theke discouereng, 216 
 
 And that God hadde discouered hym tho 
 To thike olde Man that to hym Cam so, 
 And that to hym was he sent In Comfort- 
 
 ynge, 
 Somme goode tydynges him forto brynge. 220 
 
 thanne to this good Man Seid Nasciens Agein, 
 " Sire, I leve 30W ful wel In Certein ; 
 Of Alle thinges that 3e me Seye 
 I beleve 30W wel Certeinlye ; 224 
 
 but of that Schippe that wente fro Me, 
 Sire, konne 30 there offen owht tellen Me, 
 3if It Euere Owht schold Comen Agein 
 Into on[y] place there I am Certein, 228 
 
 and 3if Evere Ony More I schal it se 
 In ony place where so that I be." 
 
 " 3e, thou schalt it sen," quod this good Man, 
 ' Better Arayed thanne Euere was it than ; 232 
 
 3j2 
 
 et se tu tu (sic) de rien m'ens mescrois : 
 tu t'en repentiras autant ou plus 
 com tu fesis ier 
 quant tu desis en la nef la parole 
 
 pour quoi tu t'en repentis, et te sen- 
 tis tantost en I'eue." 
 
 Quant nasciens entent la parole 
 
 ke chil li ramentoit qu'il auoit dite, 
 
 ke nus ne pooit auoir entendue 
 fors diex meismes : 
 si pensa 
 
 ke notre sires I'auoit a chestui des- 
 couuerte, 
 
 et qu'il li ait chestui enuoiet pour lui 
 reconforter, et pour lui faire com- 
 paignie. 
 
 Lors li respont. 
 
 " Sire, ie vous croi 
 
 de quanke vous me dites, 
 
 mais, pour dieu, de chele nef 
 
 me dites nouieles, se vous saues k'ele 
 
 deuint, 
 
 ne se fortune le ramenra iamais 
 
 en lieu ou iou soie, 
 
 ke iou le veisse aussi par loisir comme 
 
 iou fis n'a mie encore trois iours.'' 
 
 " Tu le veuras enchore,'' fait li preu- 
 
 dom, 
 
 " et plus garnie ke ele n'estoit quant 
 
 tu le veis. 
 
428 
 
 THE OLD MAN EXPLAINS THAT THE SHIP TYPIFIES HOLT CHURCH, 
 
 Per it growetli & wexeth Every day- 
 Better e thanne other with-owtea delay, 
 And so it schal whiles the world doth Endure, 
 Sekerly, Sire Nasciens, I the Enswre." 236 
 
 " Sire," quod Nasciens to that good Manne, 
 " that Schippe that Every day Encresseth thanne, 
 It Nis non Schippe As Othere be." 
 " thou seist soth," quod this goodman, " ful 
 
 sekerle ; 240 
 
 but Of A schippe it is the Semblawnce, 
 And of the liighe god A gred demonstraunce 
 that he wolde hedir it to the Sende ; 
 but of his signefiaunce thou schalt knowen j^e 
 
 Ende, 244 
 
 and Otherwise thanne A schippe thou schalt it 
 
 calle 
 In tyme Comengj So May be-falle." 
 " Certis, Sire," quod Nisciens tho, 
 " I beleve wel that 30 sein me ATito ; 248 
 
 And therfore, sire, I preye 30W for charite 
 The Signefyaunce that 3e tellen me." 
 "I schal the tellen with Ryht good chere," 
 quod this Good Man Anon Ryht there. 252 
 
 "The Schippe that thow here Sye, Sikerle 
 It signefieth holy Chirche, Siker thow be, 
 ■\vhiche that is the most delitable thing 
 In Al this world with-owten varyeng ; 256 
 
 and lik As the schippe hadde non thing with- 
 
 Inne 
 bote feith & Creauncej ne]?er more ne Mynne, 
 As vppon the bordys Rehersid the scripture, 
 E-yht so fareth holy Cliirche, I the Enswre, 260 
 
 that bothe feith and trowthe, as I the say, 
 In holy Chirche it is from day to day ; 
 
 Car ele croist et amende chascun iour, 
 
 et croistera tant com ohis siecles durra.'' 
 
 " Croistra ele, sire," fait nasciens, 
 " ke est chou ke vous me dites : 
 S'ele croist de iour en iour, 
 dont n'est ele mie nes comme autre.'' 
 
 " Tu dis uoir," fait li preudom, '' ele 
 n'est mie nef comme autre. 
 
 Ains est vne demoustranche 
 dii chiel qui te porta, 
 et senefianche 
 
 le doit on miex apieler ke nef." 
 
 " Chertes, sire," fait nasciens, 
 
 " ie croi bien ke vous me dites veritei. 
 
 Et pour chou vous pri ioii, pour dieu, 
 
 por moi reconforter, 
 
 ke vous me dites ke ele senefie, et ie 
 
 vous requier pour carite ke vous le 
 
 me dites." 
 
 " et ie le vous dirrai," fait li preudom. 
 
 Ore m'escoutes. 
 
 la nef ke tu veis si biele et si riche que 
 
 tu nule autre tele n'auoies onques mais 
 
 veue. 
 
 senefie sainte eglise, 
 
 qui est la plus biele maisons, et la 
 
 plus delitable du monde. 
 
 Et toute autresi com en la nef n'auoit 
 
 se foi non. 
 
 si com I'escriptoure del bort le tes- 
 
 moingnoit : 
 
 tout ausi n'a U en sainte glise 
 
 se foi non et uerite. 
 
AND THAT THE SCRIPTURE REQUIRES MEN TO CONFESS AND REPENT. 
 
 429 
 
 And of these two thinges ferst Sekerly 
 holy Ohirche was fowadid, I telle the 
 
 pleynly. 
 And the Brefis that on the schip weren set, 
 Signefleth holy Scripture with-owten let, 
 wheche defendith that non Man schold Entre 
 
 thee 
 but he be stedfast In faith In AUe Manere ; 
 Hiht so defendith the same Scripture 
 Non man holichirche to Entren but he be 
 
 pure, 
 And of Synne I-clensed that he be, 
 [By] confescioun Of mowthe ful Opanle 
 And with herte-ful Repentaunce, 
 And to God to ben stedfast In Creaunce, 
 & there-offen Mevable that he ne be, 
 As is the paynym In Eche degre 
 That wUe Tornen with Everey wynd, 
 Eor swech is Evere the paynyms kynd. 
 But the Cristene owht not forto don so ; 
 but As Almyhty* Bole they soholden do, 
 that is Sekir of Eortof And of fundement 
 whanne that he is asaylled of his Enymyes 
 
 present, 
 Byht so stedfastlych In AUe Manere 
 Scholde Evere Cristen Man lyven here ; 
 And stedfastly beleven In holichirche, 
 And there-Inne Alle goode werkys to wirche, 
 Eorto defenden hem with strengthe & Myht 
 A3ens that Enemy that bothe day & nyht 
 doth what he Can hem forto withdrawe 
 bothe from god & from holy Ohirche lawe. 
 
 And therfore I Bede now Every Man 
 to fovraden him In the fadir, what that he kan, 
 
 * ? A myhty. f ? Foote. 
 
 Car de ohes .ij. choses fu ele 
 primes estraite et fondee. 
 
 264 
 
 Li bries 
 
 ki deffendoit ke nus n'i entrast 
 
 -268 ^'il n'estoit plains de foi detoutes ma- 
 nieres 
 senefie sainte escripture qui desfent 
 
 ke nus n'entre en sainte eglise 
 
 s'il n'est bieu netoies de ses pechies 
 
 272 par confession de bouche 
 
 et par repentanche de cuer, 
 
 et conuient qu'il soit plains de foi et 
 
 de creanohe, 
 
 ne ne soit muables 
 
 276 ausi com li penoncliiaus est: 
 
 qu'il se tourne de quel part li vens le 
 baloie. 
 
 Li crestiens 
 
 280 doit estre ausi comme li forte tour, 
 
 garnie de boin pie et de boin fonde- 
 
 ment, 
 
 ki ne crient siege ne assaut de son 
 
 voisin. 
 
 Tout ausi fermement 
 
 284 
 
 des uirtus de sainte eglise 
 
 doit tenir li crestiens, 
 
 ke s'il auint par auenture 
 
 288 ke li mauuais uoisins qui gaite de nuit 
 et de iour 
 a ieter home 
 
 de boine vie et de boine oeure, 
 
 s'aproueche de lui, qu' il le truistfort, 
 
 292 et serre et fonde de la boine pierre 
 
430 
 
 HOW HOLT CHURCH PTTRIPIES MEN LIKE THE FIRE DOES GOLD. 
 
 the -n-heche is Crist, Goddis Sone of hevene, 
 that Into th' erthe descended with Mylde 
 
 stevene. 
 And lik As the Schippe Ordeyned it was 
 thorwh the See to Gon In Every plas, 296 
 
 And Tsith-Owten peryl to Comen to londe, — 
 So Is holy Chirche, as ]?at I vndirstonde, 
 For to Snsteyne the Cristene In this world 
 
 here 
 That they ne perschen not In non Manere. 300 
 
 be the Schippe Tndirstonde thow holy Chirche ; 
 And be the See, the world, 3if Jjou wilt 
 
 wirche. 
 And lyk As the Schippe thorwgh the See 
 Saveth the Men that there Inne be 304 
 
 Prom Alle Maneres of perilles of here Body, 
 lik So doth holy Chirche ful trewely ; 
 Evere Goddis Servauntes doth he kepe, 
 whethir that they waken other Slepe, 308 
 
 Erom Alle Maner of dedly Synne, 
 That Ison Schal Entren hem with-Inne, 
 Eor holy Chirche povrgeth Also Clene 
 Alle Manere of goddis Servauntes bedene, 312 
 
 lik As the Gold Hesceyreth his Clernesse 
 be Sevene wejes In Sekernesse, 
 TTheche that Maken hym to Schyne So bryht 
 Aboven Alle 0]?er Metales that ben more 
 
 lyht; 316 
 
 And lik As the Sonne passeth the sterre. 
 So doth gold Alle Metales bothe Xy & ferre. 
 Xow of the Schip I haue the told the signifi- 
 
 aunce ; 
 And. now of the bed I wele with-Owten vari- 
 
 aunce. 320 
 
 qui est apielee ihesu cris, 
 
 et tout ausi commelanef fupreirdere- 
 
 ment faite et estore 
 
 pour chou ke on s'en fesist passer 
 
 parmi eue sans perir, 
 
 et venir del eue a terre sauuement. 
 
 Tout ausi fu sainte glise restores 
 
 pour chou ke ele soustenist sainte crestiente 
 en chest siecle, qui est senefiies par I'eue, ke 
 ele ne perillast endementiers ke ele ala£t a 
 garant en chest vie terriene qui asses est 
 poure et caitiue et souffraiteuse. 
 
 En la nef dois tu entendre sainte 
 
 glise, 
 
 et en la mer le monde. 
 
 et toute ausi comme la nef porte 
 parmi la mer 
 i'ome sans peril, 
 
 et le soustient deseure eue. 
 ausi porte ihesu cris, 
 
 son sergant 
 
 parmi I'ordure du monde, 
 
 et parmi les pecliies, qu'il n'i est cun- 
 
 chies et auilenis. ne ne conprent 
 
 tenche de mortal pechie. 
 
 Saint glise fait son boin sergant, son 
 
 boin menistre, aparoir deseur tous 
 
 morteus pecbies net et espurgiet de 
 
 toutes vilounies, 
 
 ausi com li ors requis 
 
 par vij. lies, apart a estre nes 
 
 et clers 
 
 par desus tous autres metaus, 
 
 et ausi com li solaus repart en resplen- 
 dissantpar desus toutes autres estoiles. 
 
 Or t'ai deuise ke la nef senefie, et ke 
 tu i dois entendre. 
 
 Or te dirai que li 
 en mi lanef estoit. 
 
 lis senefie, qui 
 
HOW THE BED IN THE SHIP TYPIFIES THE ALTAR AND CHRIST S CROSS. 
 
 431 
 
 the Bed Signefyeth In Certein 
 the holy table, I sey the ful pleyn, 
 where that Every day Goddis sone of hevene 
 Is Onne I-Sacred with ful Mylde Stevene ; 324 
 
 Where that the wyn Is I-torned blood Red, 
 And the bred to verray flesch In that Sted, 
 be the vertu of the holy wordys there 
 that the blessed man Seyth In his Manere. 328 
 
 So be this Schalt thou vndirstonde 
 the cros that Crist was on Crucified In Ivrie 
 
 londe, 
 Where onne I-Sacred that he was, 
 and Made E/edempcioun In that plas 332 
 
 Mannes Sowle to byen from helle. 
 The develis powste forto felle, — 
 Wheche Every day to forn his ded 
 Wenten to helle, that fawle Sted. 336 
 
 Also 3it myhtest thou vndirstondyn More 
 be the Bed what it is to Signefye thore, — 
 A thing that Mad is on forto Heste 
 Whanne Crist had Suffred deth, As hyin liked 
 
 beste. 340 
 
 Eor Evere Aftir Strong Travaille 
 Behoveth A man to Besten Sawn faylle : 
 Biht so Schalt thou vndirstonde, 
 that aftir that god hadde sufPred schonde, 344 
 
 Best that Crist took As hym list 
 In what place so him liked best. 
 
 Now haue I the told the signefiaunce 
 Of Schippe & bed with-owten variaunce. 348 
 
 Now of the thre Spyndelis wil y fonde, 
 Owther braunches, whethir 3e welen vndirstonde, — 
 Eor with-Owten gret Tokenyng 
 Aboutes that bed Envirownenge 352 
 
 Li lis, — qui tant estoit et biaus, et 
 riches, et aournes de tantes virtueuses 
 choses, — senefie la sainte table 
 oil li fiex dieu est cliascun iour 
 
 sacrefiies 
 
 la u li vins est mues en sane, 
 
 et li pains eu char, 
 
 par la forche des saintes paroles, et 
 
 des hautes, qui amenteues i sont par 
 
 la bouche de la boineeuree persone 
 
 qui de chou s'entremet. 
 
 Par le lit dois tu entendre 
 
 la sainte crois ou li fiex dieu par sa 
 
 grant deboinairete fu sacrefiies 
 
 pour raiembre de la perdurable paine 
 I'umain lignage 
 
 qui pechie mortel, de iour en iour, et 
 de plus en plus, 
 
 estoit tresbucliies es tenebres d'infer. 
 Par le lit dois tu entendre 
 
 signe d'assouagement et de repos, par 
 quoi on doit le lit a la manieie de la 
 
 crois aparer pour samblable chose. 
 
 Car tout ausi com apres la lasseche du 
 
 cors trauail 
 
 requiert chascuns terriens bom lie 
 
 repos du lit: 
 
 tout ausi dois tu entendre, 
 
 ke apres la lasseche et le trauail des grans 
 paines et des grans angoisses d'infer, prist li 
 lignaiges humains repos et assouagement el 
 larghe don ke li fiex dieu fist de soi meismf 
 en la uraie crois, a chel iour qu'il souffi-i mort 
 pour peoheours oster de la tenebreuse prison. 
 Or t'ai iou deuise la senefianche 
 de la nef, et del lit ke tu veis dedens. 
 Or te dirai ke li troi fuisiel senefient. 
 
 Car sans grant senefianche, et sans 
 
 grant raison, 
 
 ne fu pas li lis auirouries de .iij. fui- 
 
 siaus 
 
432 THE "WHITE SPINDLE MEANS CHRIST'S VIRGINITY : THE RED ONE HIS SACRIFICE. 
 
 Avas not don, wel myhtes thoAv wete, 
 As I schal the Openly declaren itte, — 
 Of wlieclie on was whit, Ano]?er was B^ed, 
 the thridde was grene In that Sted : 
 what the Signefyaunce is of these thre, 
 Schortely I wele it declaren to the. 
 
 Eerst be the whit thou schalt vndirstonde, 
 Whanne Crist Cam ferst In to Erthly 
 
 londe 
 he Cam Only In virgenite, 
 And Into the blessid virgine so Entred he ; 
 And hire virginite ne dide Neuere schende, 
 but Clone virgine Abideth with-owten Ende. 
 Eor Into hire bosom he Entred As Clos 
 As A 3ate is schet Jjer that no man In gos ; 
 And As holyche he Isswede Ageyn, 
 And Euere the 3ate clos schyt In Certein. 
 So this betokeneth virginite 
 In Alle degres. As thou myht se. 
 
 The Rede braunch that vppon that bed lay, 
 A^hich of his owne kynde is profay, — 
 therby schalt thou vndirstonden charite 
 In Crist that So lowliche wolde be, 
 that bowed his body to passiown 
 Eor Mannes Sowle to maken E-edempcioun. 
 behold, swich lownesse he schewed ]?ere ! 
 and the grettest 3ifte for man In ony Manere 
 5af Crist there ! his Owne Body, 
 the wheche that is lyf Euere lastjnigly. 
 lo, hire Charite myhtest Jjou vndirstonde 
 whanne that In dedly flesch he hym wond 
 In the weUe of Charite and of pite, 
 lo, thus dyde Crist for love of the ! 
 
 Be the tothir Spyndele that grene was, 
 wheche On the bed was In that plas. 
 
 356 
 
 360 
 
 304 
 
 368 
 
 dont ie parole, si comme tu veis, 
 
 1' un blanc comme noif, et 1' autre 
 
 Vermel comme gonte de sane. 
 
 et 1' autre vert comme esmeraude. 
 
 si te dirai ke che puet ore senefiier. 
 
 Par le blanc fuisiel dont li lis estoit 
 auirounes, dois tu entendre 
 ke [quant ihesu cris uenoit en ce monde,] en- 
 terinement et uraiement, deuant et apres, fu 
 gardee virginites en chele char ou il fu con - 
 cheus, tant comme il demoura entre nous com 
 horn morteus. 
 
 En lui fu gardee uirginites si enterinement, 
 que quant il s' aparut en la boineeuree uir- 
 gene marie, ne a 1' entrer, ne a 1' issir, ne fu 
 uirginites corrumpue, ne malmise, 
 
 ains I entra si sainement 
 
 comme en port close. 
 
 par le fuisiel 
 
 372 qui estoit vermaus de nature, 
 
 dois tu entendre caritei, ki si grans 
 
 et si meruilleuse fu ueue el fil dieu, 
 ke il apartement liura son cors a mort 
 et a passion 
 376 pour home raierabre demortelseruage, 
 
 en cliel haut don ke il feist de soi 
 meisme, 
 
 quant il, qui estoit vie 
 „oA sans rachine et sans teche de mort, 
 liura a mort 
 
 la char mortel dont il estoit enuolepes, 
 pues tu entendre qu' il auoit en soi 
 herbergie la fontaine de foi et de carite 
 384 et de pitie. 
 
 Par le fuisiel qui vers estoit 
 
THE GREEN SPINDLE MEANS PATIENCE. CHRIST HAD THESE THREE VIRTUES. 
 
 433 
 
 that to An EMeraude I-figured it Is, — 
 
 The wheche that to paciense with-owten Mys 888 
 
 Is the Semblaunce Of that ston, 
 
 As men it knowen ful Manyon ; 
 
 the wheche Emeraude is Evere Grene, 
 
 lik so is paciense with Owten wene ; S92 
 
 the wheche may neuere ben taken Away 
 
 Eor non deseisse, I dar wel Say, 
 
 Nethir for non Maner Adversite, 
 
 3if In A Cristen Mannes herte I-grounded 
 
 it be. 396 
 
 Eor be pacyense schalt thow hau victorye. 
 And with paciense discomfit thyn Enemye ; 
 Eor there as paciense I-herberwed he ys. 
 There is Evere victorye with Owten Mys, 400 
 
 Eor thouhe thy Enemy be neuere So wood, 
 and these thre thon wel vndirstood. 
 And kepe hem Sadly In thyn herte, 
 thanne schal thyn Enemy neuere the Asterte, — 404 
 Whiche is ferst virgynite, 
 Meknesse, and thanne Oharite ; 
 And with these thre Oerteinlye 
 was the bed I-couerid sothfastlye, 408 
 
 Whiche the verray Cros doth Signefye 
 On wheche that Crist gan vpon deye ; 
 Eor whanne On the Cros he suffred ded, 
 Alle these thre weren In his Manhed ; 412 
 
 Eor As holy writ it doth Certefye, 
 with-Owten these thre was he not Sekerlye ; 
 Eor these three vertwes weren with him 
 
 there 
 whanne he suffrede deth In Alle Manere. 4X6 
 
 [He conquered Death, and bought us bliss intense,] 
 So with virgynyte Charite and paciense" 
 
 3k 
 
 com esmeraude, 
 
 dois tu entendre pascienche. 
 
 pascienche est senefiie par esmeraude, quiver- 
 doie en toutes saisons. A droit est ele senefiie 
 par chele pierre. Car ausi comme en chele 
 pierre est verde en toutes saisons, ausi puet 
 on veoir de pascienche. Car ele est tous iors 
 veue en verdure et en saine forehe, si k' ele ne 
 puet estre remuee, 
 
 ne par aduersite ne par forehe, 
 
 puis ke ele est bien enrachinee el 
 cuer del crestiien, 
 
 et ensi vient et quiert victoire a fine 
 forclie. 
 
 chil qui en lui la harbergie. 
 
 Car che ses tu bien, ke on ne puet si 
 
 bien vaincre son anemi com par souf- 
 
 frir. 
 
 De clies trois choses 
 
 dont li vne est apielee uirginites, 
 
 et li autre carites, et la tierohe pas- 
 siencbe. 
 
 Si estoit li lis auirounes et clos a droit. 
 
 Car il le deuoit estre, puis ke il estoit 
 
 senefianche de chele uraie crois dont 
 
 ie parole. 
 
 Car en chele boineuree crois ou li fiex 
 
 dieu souffri angoisse de roort, 
 
 ne fu il pas sans ohes .iij . choses, et bien i parut. 
 
 Car sans faille si comme il est seu, et 
 
 uerites le tesmoinge, 
 
 a chele angoisse qu' il souiFri, li firent 
 compaignie ches trois choses, virgi- 
 nites, carites, et pascienche, et ensi, 
 garnis de ches trois choses, uenqui il 
 la mort, et ramena notre vie au 
 monde." 
 
434 NASCIENS DREAMS THAT A SEBPENT ATTACKS HIM, AND IS KILLED BY A WORM. 
 
 In this Mene while that this good Man 
 Of Alle these thinges to Nasciens spak than, 420 
 and told hym Al the Signefiannce 
 of Schippe and bed with owten variannce, — 
 that plesed to Nasciens So wonderly wel 
 Al that this Man Seide Everydel^ 424 
 
 Eor so swete and so delicat his wordis were 
 that Nasciens fil on Slepe ryht there. 
 And Evere him thowhte As he lay 
 that this good man to hym talked Alway. 428 
 
 And whanne that he whiche In the vessel was 
 Sawh Nasciens On Slepe In that plas, 
 thanne thens Anon he gan to hye. 
 And with-Inne A litel while Sekerlye 432 
 
 he was thennes A gret lorne, 
 Eul fer Abrod Into the Se. 
 
 Whanne this good man was forth gon, 
 And Nasciens Slept stille as a ston, 436 
 
 In his sleep he thowhte be his Entent 
 that to forn him Cam a gret Serpent, 
 
 And him Asaillede wonder faste 
 
 Tyl that he hurt hym Atte laste, 440 
 
 And smot hym sore vnder thre lefte syde. 
 
 And sore he defensed him At that tyde ; 
 
 bnt his defens Myhte ful litel AvayUe, 
 
 Tyl atte the laste thanne saun faille 444 
 
 there Can a Werm of lytel powere 
 
 In Soconreng of Nasciens there. 
 
 And whanne ]>e serpent Sawh Jiat werm comen 
 tho, 
 
 Erom Nasciens he fledde him fro, 448 
 
 wich Cam to him for Socourenge, 
 
 thanne In this Serpent was non longere Aby- 
 dynge. 
 
 Endementiers com il preudom 
 
 contoit en tel maniere 
 
 la senefianche 
 
 de la nef et des choses qui dedens 
 
 estoient, 
 
 auint ke li oirs et li racontiers pleut 
 
 tant a nascien, 
 
 et tant li farent les paroles plaisans, 
 
 qu' il s' endormi desus la riue tant a 
 aise en son cuer de la douoliour de ses 
 paroles, ke, la u il se dormoit, li estoit 
 il toudis auis ke li preudom li contast 
 chou qu' il li auoit commenctiet a dire. 
 Et quant cbil qui estoit en la nachiele 
 
 vit qu' il s' endormoit, 
 
 si se parti d' iluec, et s' en ala, 
 
 et si fu en peu d' eure 
 
 si eslongies de la riue ke on ne le peut 
 
 pas ueoir ne loinc ne pres. 
 
 Qvant li preudom se fu partis de la 
 
 roclie. 
 
 Nasciens, qui fu remes, se dormi 
 
 toutes uois. 
 
 et en che que il se dormoit, li fu auis 
 
 ke deuant lui fust vns serpens, mer- 
 
 uilletis et grans, 
 
 qui le saloit seure, 
 
 et le demangoit mult durement, 
 
 et a poi qu' il ne li faisoit plaies el 
 
 coste senestre, 
 
 et il se desfendoit mult durement. 
 
 Mais sa desfence ne li uausist riens 
 au daerriain, 
 
 quant vns viers petis, de poure pooir 
 par samblant, 
 li venoit aidier. 
 
 Et si tost com li serpens uoit venir le 
 petit vermelet en 1' aide nascien, 
 
 il ne I'osoit atendre, ains s' enfuioit 
 loins de lui. 
 
HE AWAKES IN WONDER, AND HAS FORGOTTEN THE GOOD MAN's WORDS. 435 
 
 Thus thowhte Nasciens In his Slepinge. 
 
 And whanne he Awok, with-owten varyenge 452 
 he was Ahascht, And wende Sekerly 
 ]?at with the Serpent he hadde fowhten Cer- 
 
 teinly ; 
 and fully Awaked thanne was he, 
 thanne wiste he wel ful Sekerle 456 
 
 that verrayly Aslepe he was 
 thorwh the Swete wordes ]jat In that plas 
 that the goode man Seide to him tho 
 whiche In the yessel was Ago, 460 
 
 that he ne Cowde he non-were Aspye 
 In Al the See, nether fer ne Nye, 
 
 thanne to hym Self he gan to Compleyne, 
 And thus to hym Self he gan to seyne, 464 
 
 ' that he was bothe A fool & A Caytyf 
 that In sweche degre hath led his lif, 
 So that In his Slope was taken Away 
 Al that the goodman to hym gan say, 468 
 
 And ful lytel of wit thanne was he 
 that this for3at In Alle degre. 
 Of AUe the wordis of this good Man 
 that In the yl to hym seide he than, 472 
 
 And In his Sleepe it was from him gon, 
 Onne this word Cowde he tellen non. 
 
 but leve we now of his talkynge. 
 And Celidoyne his sone let vs forth bringe, 476 
 
 And tellen forth of his Storye 
 That to him be-fil ful Certeinlie. 
 
 Enei auint a nascien en son dormant, 
 
 dont il fu si a malaise qu' il s' en es- 
 uilla, et ouuri les iex 
 
 comme chil qui bien qnidoit qu' il se 
 combatist enchore au serpent. 
 
 Et quant il fii esuillies, 
 et il li menbre 
 
 qu' il estoit endormis 
 
 endementiers ke li preudom li contoit 
 les boines parolee. 
 
 lors fu tant dolans 
 
 qu' il dist a soi meisme 
 
 ' ke uoirement estoit il hom caitis et 
 de poure sens. Car s' il eust nul sens 
 en lui: 
 ia dormirs ne li eust tolu 
 
 che que li preudom li auoit commen- 
 chiet a dire.' 
 
 Mais ore laisse cH li contes a parler 
 de lui, 
 
 et retourne a chelidoine sen fil, 
 pour dire chele partie de 1' estoire 
 qui a cliestui eudroit apartient. 
 
 3k2 
 
436 
 
 CHAPTEE XXXII.* 
 
 Celidoyne's Adventures. How when tlie Nine Hands bore him from Calafer, he was carried to an island, 
 five days' sail from Nasciens's isle (p. 437), and it was very wild, and 'feeble comfort' for him 
 (p. 437). A thunderstorm comes on, and Celidoyne gets into a cave (p. 438). Two ships come to the 
 island, and an old mariner laments the hard fate of their crews (p. 438-9). Another tells him not to fear 
 (p. 439). Celidoyne approaches them : they are heathen Persians, and are going, under their king 
 Label, to fight the Syrians (p. 439). Label described : he hates Christians (p. 439-40). He has his 
 pavilions pitched on the shore (p. 440). CeUdoyne talks to his attendants, and they take him to King 
 Label (p. 440), who treats him kindly and asks who he is (p. 440-1). Celidoyne tells him (p. 441). 
 Label says he knows Evalach, and is sorry to hear that he has changed his faith (p. 441). Celidoyne 
 tells Label how he was delivered from Calafer (p. 442). Label wonders at the boy, and makes him a 
 knight, and lets him lie by him (p. 442-3); and tells his Council that he should like to marry Celidoyne 
 to his daughter (p. 443). Label then goes to bed, and has a Vision of a Tree from which flowers grow, 
 and of a Kery Serpent which destroys the tree and flowers (p. 443-4). In the morning the king's guards 
 tell him they have caught a lion (p. 444). They then wake Celidoyne and take him to the king 
 (p. 444). Label orders his Council to be called, tells them his dream, and asks them to interpret it 
 (p. 444-5). They consult, but cannot (p. 445). Celidoyne then rises, and tells the king that he will 
 explain it to him (p. 446). Celidoyne then tells Label what he saw (p. 446), and declares that the 
 Meadow means the World, which is pleasant to sinners, who think that it will abide with them for ever 
 (p. 446-7) ; but, as the meadow is scorched by the sun, so will mankind be when the soul leaves 
 the body (p. 447). As to the Tree, it signifies man's person, even Label's, which is feeble and poor 
 (p. 447). And of the Flowers, there is an unfading one, the Virgin Mary (p. 447); her, Label did not 
 see, but only fading ones. Bounty, Prowess, Courtesy (p. 448), of which and other virtues he has many, 
 but not devoted to the service of God (p. 448). The Heap of Earth signifies the mass of man's sins 
 (p. 449); and Label has heaped sin on sin daily sin"ce his birth (p. 449). The Serpent signifies the 
 death of the soul, which comes to those who will not turn from the joys of earth (p. 450). Celidoyne 
 then says that he wUl teU Label of a secret deed done by him (p. 450), and warns him that he will die 
 within four days (p. 451). Celidoyne then tells Label that God commands him to turn Christian, and 
 as a sign tells him that he. Label, had secretly murdered his sister on the 1st of May, for refusing to let 
 him He with her, and had cast her body into the sea (p. 451). Label says no earthly man could have 
 known this (p. 452). He has his bed made ready; gives Celidoyne in charge to his barons (p. 452); 
 goes to bed (p. 452), and makes long and grievous lamentations (p 452-6), calling himself a poor caitiff", 
 
 * The additional MS. 10,292 (fol. 36b, col. 3), heads this chapter ' Ensi que .j. tempest en mer la y deus nes furent en grant 
 peril,' and begins ' En ceste partie dist li contes, que quant les .ix. mains en orent porte celidoine hors de la poeste calafer en petit 
 d'eure si comme on le sot uraiement puis que il fu eslongies del pais tant comme I'espaoe de ,x. iourneee dure,' 
 
HOW CELIDOTNE WAS CARRIED TO A WILD AND WASTE ISLAND. 
 
 437 
 
 who shall die like the poorest man (p. 453). And where shall he then go ? What shall he take with 
 him (p. 453)? He has nothing to meet death with, and none can tell him what he shall be after death 
 (p. 454). Therefore, let him remember his life, and choose now for endless joy or pain, knowing that 
 this world's joy is but sorrow and mourning (p. 454-5). Wretch that he is ; yet God has warned him 
 (p. 455). And so he falls asleep (p. 456). 
 
 Now liere declaretli in this partye, 
 how that the Nyne hondis Sekerlye 
 delyrerid Celydeyne Owt of dawngere 
 From alle the veniaunce of Calafere ; 
 With Inne Schort tyme, Er he Cowde 
 
 knowe, 
 Ful fer from, his Contre was he throwe 
 Into the Se ful Apertlye, 
 Al hoi X. lornes ful Sekerlye 
 And half A lorne, — As Seith the hook, — 
 there was he left, ho-so wile it look, 
 he the wU of the Maister Above 
 that on Celidoyne gan preven his love, 
 and lefte him there In An Yle 
 besides that his fadir was In Exyle ; 
 properly from his fadir fyve lorne 
 this Celydoyne was left ful sekerle. 
 
 and whanne In this yl he was there, 
 Amyddes In the See he wiste neuere where, 
 and therto A Child but of 3ong Age — 
 vii. 3ere v. Monthes — and jjerto fair of visage, 
 & therto Closed In A wondir place ; 
 In the Same plase ]?ere that he wase, 
 vppon the ton side A wylde forest 
 Walkyng wel ful of Raveynous beste ; 
 the tothyr was the Open see, 
 Where as litel Comfort thanne Sawh he 
 but hyghe Rokkes & wateres wilde ; 
 this was feble Comfort for A Childe : 
 
 En cheste partie dist li contes 
 
 ke quant les .ix. mains 
 
 en orent porte chelidoine hors de la 
 
 poeste 
 
 et de la baillie calafier : 
 
 en petit d' eure, si com le sot puis 
 uraiement, 
 
 fu il eslongies del pais 
 
 g tant com 1' espasse de .x. iournees 
 durent. 
 
 Et fu laissies, 
 
 si com il plot a la uolente du haut 
 maistre. 
 
 12 
 
 16 
 
 24 
 
 sour la riue de mer, en vne isle 
 ou ses pares estoit 
 
 a .V. iournees, ne mie proprement en 
 chele partie, mais en vne autre. 
 
 Quant il i fu mis en tel maniere, 
 
 il, qui estoit iouenes enfes en la age 
 
 2Q de .X. ans seulement, quant il se vit 
 en si estrage (sic) lieu 
 comme enclos 
 
 d' une forest sauuaige, 
 
 et d' autre part 
 
 de montaignes, et de roches grans et 
 meruilleuses, qu' il n'auoit pas aprises 
 28 a ueoir, 
 
438 CELIDOTNB TAKES SHELTER IN A CAVE. TWO SHIPS COME TO THE ISLAND, 
 
 but 3if he hadde had ]?e More Compenyej 
 To A child it was ful gret Anoye. 
 
 Anon As thus In this yl he was, 
 The wedyr gan chongen In that plas, 32 
 
 To dyrkene, & to Rene it gan ful faste, 
 And to lyhtene and thondren thanne Atte laste ; 
 And So Oribly ferde that trowbelynge 
 that semede An Ende Al the world to bryinge. 36 
 
 thanne this Child of tendir Age 
 Sawgh that the See was So savage, 
 And So spetous onne forto loke, 
 that for drede his herte tho quoke 40 
 
 lest that the wawes Of the se 
 Scholde hau Oomen Ipere he hadde be ; 
 And so vppe Into the yl he drowh him faste, 
 & In a Rokke he Aspyde Atte laste 44 
 
 Where it was Cloven In part Asondir, 
 And thedir In he wente for ferd of thondir 
 Also sore Abasched As he Myhte be ; 
 And Evere to wardis the see loked he. 48 
 
 So longe atte laste loked he there 
 Tyl him thowhte, As be his Manere, 
 he sawh where Comen, As to his Eye, 
 Schepis with Meyne tho Sekerlye, 52 
 
 So that the wawes of the Se 
 To that yl hem dref ful Sikerle. 
 thanne they Criden ]?at with-Inne were, 
 " Save vs, o]>ev we schole perschen here." 56 
 
 And whilles they Criden, & Maden this fare, 
 Tweyn Schepis to Jiat yl A-Ryved there ; 
 To the Same Roche there Celydoyne was, 
 Comen bothe Schepis As was here gras. 60 
 
 And whanne that they weren Aryved there, 
 thanne Cam pere forth An Old Marynere 
 
 et si n' estoit mie en grant compaignie 
 de gent. 
 
 Lors ne fu il pas a aise, mais espoentes dure- 
 ment, et se prist a dementer a soi meisme. 
 Et enderaentiers qu' il estoit illueques, 
 
 li tans commencha a cangier 
 
 et a oscurchir, si commencha a plou- 
 
 uoir 
 
 et a uenter, et a touner, et a espartir. 
 
 et a fairs si dolereus tans 
 
 comme se tous li mondes deust tantost 
 
 fenir. 
 
 Li enfes 
 
 qui uit I'orage de la mer si meruilleus, 
 
 et les ondes de la mer si hautes et si 
 
 espoentables que nus ne les ueist qu' il 
 
 ne deust auoir paour de mort. 
 
 Et si ot paour et cremour 
 
 ke les ondes, tant les veoit il grans, 
 
 ne uenissent trusc'a lui. 
 
 Et pour chou se traist il en sus de la 
 
 riue, 
 
 et s'en uint vers vne roche 
 
 qu'il vit cause, 
 
 si entra dedens, 
 
 si espoentes qu'il ne seut qu'il peust 
 
 faire, 
 
 et regarda toutes cures en la mer si 
 
 loing com il peut veoir. 
 
 Et tant entendi au regarder 
 
 pour chou qu'il veoit pres de soi 
 .ij. nes, 
 
 ke la tormente et li orages 
 aloit cachant parmi la mer, 
 
 et chil ki dedens estoient, crioient a 
 
 hautes uois as maistre des nes 
 
 " a riue, ou nous soumes mort." 
 
 En ce qu'il crioient ensi, il lor auint 
 
 si bien 
 
 ke les nes arriuerent andeus sauue- 
 
 ment 
 
 iUuec deuant ou celidoines estoit en 
 
 la roche. 
 
 Et quant il furent a terre venu, 
 
 vns vieus horn marouniers 
 
CAIMITIN& PART OF THE HOST OF KING LABEL OP PERSIA. 
 
 439 
 
 that Knew more tlianiie Ony Othir 
 Of Al tliat Compenye Among Jjat fothir ; 
 And thus he Seyde ful sore wepinge, 
 With deolful Noise and Sore Cryenge, 
 " Sire," he seide, "this ys A wondir Chaunce 
 that of Oure lyves we weren In dowtatmce ; 
 and now is mochel wers than it was Er, 
 Por we ben In A grettere daunger ; 
 Tor here Nys non thyng but wilde beste 
 That vs schal devouren, bothe Mest & leste, 
 and Serpentes bolde, and dragouns wilde 
 that don devowren bothe Man and Childe." 
 
 thanne sterte there forth An Old Knyht, 
 And Spak to the Maister with Al his Myht, 
 " Maister," he seide, " have thow non fere. 
 Whiles that fyve hundred knyhtes ben here ; 
 Of the bestes we scholen not drede, 
 So mochel we trosten In Owre Manhede." 
 
 And In the Mene whille J>at thus gonnen 
 talke, 
 Celydoyne to hem ward gan forto walke, 
 and Supposed that Cristene they hade ben, 
 but paynemes they weren Alle beden, 
 and bom of the lond of percye, 
 thus weren they Alle ful Sekerlye — 
 And wenten toward the Ost of Syrre, 
 that Kyng Samwelis brothir had slayn Sekerle, 
 for that with his wif he hym fond 
 dishonestly A3ens lawe of lond. 
 
 So happed that Amongs this Compenye 
 was thike tyme the kyng Of percye. 
 Which that was 3ong man, bothe faire 
 
 &lel; 
 his Name was Clepid there Kyng Label ; 
 
 qui mieus oounissoitles estranges teres 
 
 64 ke li autre ne faisoient, 
 et lor dist tout en plourant. 
 
 '' Signour, mal nus est auenu. 
 
 68 Se nous somes escape de^eril de mer, 
 nous auons eu hui paour de mort. 
 
 Or soumes nous ausi dolereusement ariue 
 que ehi ou mescheanche nous a aportes n' a 
 riens nee fors lions et serpens et bestes sau- 
 uaiges 
 72 qui tous nous aront deuoure mainte- 
 nant quant il nous verront," 
 
 " Biaus maistres,'' che dist vns des 
 „„ autres a qui il ot che dit, 
 
 " de chou ne vous estuet il mie mult 
 esmaier. 
 
 Car vous vees bien ke chi a teus .y". chiualers 
 qui bien deffenderont vne ost de toutes les 
 bestes sauuaiges de cheste oontree, et pour 
 chou n'auons nous garde. Car se nous 
 80 soumes assali de monstres ou d'estranges 
 bestes, nous nous en deffenderons mult bien 
 a notre ensient, se dieu plaist." 
 
 Endementiers ke il parloient ensi, 
 
 s'issi celidoines de la roche ou il estoit, et vint 
 vers cheus qui arriue estoient, 
 et pensa qu'il fuissent orestien ausi 
 com il estoit. 
 84 Mais non estoient. ains estoient paien, 
 et ne de perse, 
 
 et aloient a ost el roiaume de syre, 
 gg sour Samuel qui le frere au roi de 
 perse auoit ocibis 
 
 pour chou qu'il I'auoit troue vilaine- 
 ment auoec sa feme. 
 
 Et illuec estoit entr'ues 
 92 li rois de perse 
 
 ke on apieloit label, 
 
440 
 
 CELIDOTNE IS TAKEN BEFORE LABEL KING OT PERSIA. 
 
 which was A knyht bothe stalworthe and 
 
 worthy, 
 And vppon his Enemyes ful Orwel & hardy ; 
 but In Al the world So mochel hatred he than 
 As he dyde the trewe Cristene Man. 
 
 And whanne to this Roche Aryved they 
 were, 
 Anon kyng Label Comanded there 
 Whanne he Sawh ]?e wedyr was Ouerpast 
 And it Gan to Cleren Atte last, 
 he Charged that his pavylouns weren pyht, 
 Eor there wolde he Resten Al Nyht. 
 Anon they fulfilden his Comaundement, 
 And pyhten his pavylouns ]?ere present. 
 
 And whiles they weren Abowten here barneys, 
 Celydoyne Cometh down In to that pres. 
 And hem Grette In his Manere, 
 And Axed of what Centre |?at they were. 
 And they that of him hadde wondir tho, 
 Merveylled what Contre that he Cam fro, 
 And thus him Answerid Certeinlye, 
 ' that they weren of the lond of percye :' 
 And so they token this Child Anon, 
 And to Kyng Label they gonne to gon. 
 
 thanne whanne Kyng label hym behelde 
 So faire A Child, and of so 3ong Elde, 
 And therto Clothed So Richely, 
 In his herte he hadde gret ferly. 
 And thowhte he was Comen of gentyl Kynde, 
 for this Ran Euere In kyng Labelis Mynde. 
 And that Child ful gret Chere he Made, 
 And fayn he was that Child to glade, 
 & sore desired he forto knowe 
 the Childes kenrede vppon A rowe ; 
 
 et estoit iouenes horn et boins chiua- 
 lers de sa main. 
 
 96 Mais fel et emeus estoit durement, 
 
 ne nus ne haoit si mortelment cres- 
 tiens com il faisoit. 
 
 Quant il furent arriue, 
 
 100 li rois labiaus, 
 
 pour chou quil uit 
 
 esclarchir le tans, 
 
 contre le soir commanda ke on tendist 
 son pauillon entre les roohes 
 104 ou il voloit iesir. 
 
 Et chil a qui il le dist: disrent qu'il 
 le trouueroit prochainement tendu. 
 
 Et en che qu' il estoient des nes partie 
 de lor harnas: 
 j^Qg celidoines, qui estoit issus hors de la 
 roclie, vint a eus, 
 si les salua, 
 
 et lor demanda ' quel gent il estoient.' 
 
 Et chil qui trop s'esmeruillierentde lui, 
 
 112 de quel lieu il pooit estre venus, 
 li respondirent 
 
 ' qu'il estoient de perse,' 
 
 et le prisent, 
 
 et I'enmenerent maintenant au roi 
 
 label. 
 
 Et quant il le vit 
 
 si tres biel 
 
 et si richement uestu com il estoit, 
 
 si pensa bien qu' il fust gentieus hom, 
 et de haute gent estrais, 
 
 si li fist mult biele chiere, et I'assist 
 dencoste lui pour enquerre de son 
 124 estre. 
 
 Car grant desirier auoit de lui cou- 
 noistre. 
 
 116 
 
 120 
 
XABEL SATS HE KNOWS EVALACH, AND IS SOEUT HE IS A CHRISTIAN. 
 
 441 
 
 So that tMs CMld he gan to freyne, 
 
 And gan to Axen thanne Oerteyne 128 
 
 Of what Contre that he was. 
 
 And thanne ]?at child so fal of gras, 
 that Cowde more In his degre 
 thanne ony o|?er Child ful Sekerle, 132 
 
 Told hym Evene the Rihte weye 
 Of Al his Kynrede ful Sekerlye, 
 & told hym Ek More oner therto 
 that his fadir newe Cristened was tho, 136 
 
 And Al the lond Ahowtes In-virown, 
 " And, sire, Cristened I am with-owten More 
 
 sermown, 
 & Cristendom I took Certeinle 
 Of the hyghe bischope Of Cristiente, 140 
 
 the wheche hyght losepe, I vndirstonde, 
 that Crist Sacrid hisschope with his owun honde." 
 
 Whanne kyng Label herde of this tydyng, 
 With-Inne him Self he made Mochel Mor- 
 
 Eor he knew kyng Eualach ful wel. 
 
 And of his prowesse tho Everydel 
 
 that Eualach dyde with his Owne hond ; 
 
 thus dide he Celidoyne to vndirstond ; i48 
 
 "Also, Celidoyne, ful Certeinly 
 
 I knowe thy fadir As A knyht worthy ; 
 
 Wherfore me Repenteth In Myn herte, 
 
 Eor these tydynges don me smerte 152 
 
 that they ben torned to the wikked fay 
 
 And hau forsaken here Owne lay ; 
 
 and Also thy Self with gret folye 
 
 thy feith hast forsaken vtterlye, 156 
 
 therfore with me schalt thow go 
 
 to Asayen what I kan don the to ; 
 
 3l 
 
 Et si li commenclia a demander 
 
 dont il estoit, et de quel lieu. 
 Et li enfes 
 qui plus sauoit 
 
 que nus autres enfes de son eage : 
 
 li recounut maintenant lauerite de son 
 lignaige : et de quel gent il estoit estrais, 
 et quel gent il auoit a gouuerner. 
 
 Et li conta comment 
 
 ses parentes auoit recheu la nouele loy 
 et leur terre toute crestienee: 
 
 '' dont iou meismes, sire," fait il au 
 roy, " sui crestiens, 
 
 et ai recheu baptesme 
 
 de la main meisme ioseplie, le sou- 
 
 urain eueske des crestiens, 
 
 chelui meisme ke notre sires sacra 
 
 de sa propre main." 
 
 Quant li rois labiaus ot cheste parole, 
 
 si est tant dolans ke nus plus. 
 
 Car le roi eualach counissoit il bien, 
 et counoistre le deuoit il bien par 
 droit, comme chelui qui chiualer 
 I'auoit fait de sa main. 
 
 Si dist a chelidoine: "Enfes, 
 
 iou counois bien ton parente lone 
 
 tans a ia passe, 
 
 pour quoi il me poise mult 
 
 de ches nouuieles. 
 
 Et comment qu' il soient tourne a la 
 
 folie et a la male creanche, et aient 
 
 uolente de soulFrir desoremais en chest 
 
 monde pouerte et caitiuetes, 
 
 pour chou ke tu ies si biaus enfes, et 
 
 porras encore uenir a grant houneur 
 
 se mauaiste ne le te taut: 
 
 te tenrai iou auoekes moi, et te oastierai 
 
 pQur chou ke tu m^apartieiis d*aucune chose 
 
 si ke ie t'osterai enchore tout de chele folie 
 
 ou tu ies entres. 
 
442 
 
 CELEDOTNE TELLS LABEL HOW HE WAS BROUGHT TO THE ISLAND. 
 
 And 3it schalt thow tellen Me 
 
 h.ow that thou Come Into this Contre, 
 
 Into So savage and so wilde A plase 
 
 there as Neuere to foren tymes Man I wase." 
 
 And Celydoyne hym tolde Anon 
 how that he Owt of presown was gon, 
 Owt of the hows of Calafere 
 that My fadyr & I In presown were, 
 and how bothe they weren Owt past 
 thorwh Oristes Myht, and that In hast. 
 
 " And whanne Calafer sawh that it was so 
 that my Padir owt of presown was go, 
 thanne Comanded Calafere Anon 
 that An hy Into ]je towr I scholde gon, 
 and there of his hy Crwelte 
 Of that hye towr down Caste he Me. 
 hut lesus Crist of his goodnesse 
 Wold me not weten In swich distresse. 
 But he his Mynestres there Anon 
 I was deHuered from AUe my fon. 
 and whanne I was In myn fallyng, 
 they me Resceyved with-owten tarrenge, 
 and Into this plase they me browhte ; 
 but Sekerly I ne sawh hem nowhte. 
 Wherfore, lesus Crist, graunt Mercye, 
 that so me deliueredest from myn Enemye !" 
 
 Whanne the kyng herde Al this Mevyng, 
 With-Inne him Self he Made gret Merneng, 
 and seide tho to his Compenye, 
 " Of this Child I Merveille now Certeinlye." 
 thanne Seide hi& C own sell to hym tho, 
 " Maketh hym A Knyht, we reden 30W so. 
 For that, sire, is the manere 
 Of Cristen peple Everiwhere ; 
 
 Et desoremais me di 
 , f.r. quele auenture t'aporta en chele roche, 
 en si sauuaige lieu qui si est eslongies 
 et estrange de toutes gens ke nus n'i 
 repaire se che ne sont li caitif qui auen- 
 ture laisse escaper de peril de mer." 
 Et celidoines li conta maintenant 
 
 164 comment il ot este en prison, 
 
 entre lui et son pere, en la maison 
 calafier. 
 
 168 
 
 172 
 
 176 
 
 180 
 
 184 
 
 188 
 
 192 
 
 et comment ses peres en issi 
 
 par la virtu et par I'aide de notre 
 
 signeur. 
 
 " Et apres quant calafier vit 
 
 ke mes peres estoit escapes, 
 
 il me fist aporter as crestiaus de la 
 tour pour ieter d' amont a ual, 
 
 si en fu en si grant cruaute keiou, ki 
 enfes estoie sans mal et sans engien, 
 fuisse mors au cheoir de la tour. 
 
 mais nostre sires ihesu chris, qui ne 
 laisse mie perir ses menistres, ains 
 leur veut aidier quant mestiers en est. 
 
 me vint secourre, 
 
 et m'aporta de la cha en chest roche: 
 
 ne sai se ch' est loing ou pres de notre 
 pais. 
 
 Mais ensila soie merchi me secourut." 
 
 Quant li rois labiaus entendi cheste 
 
 parole, 
 
 si s' en rist de mautalent, 
 
 et dist a chiaus qui o lui sont. 
 
 "Par foi, signour, meruelles set ia chis 
 enfes de mentir." 
 
 " Sire," fait !i, una chiualers qui de- 
 uant lui estoit, 
 
 " tens la coustume as crestiens. 
 Jamais ne trouueres si boins men- 
 teours com il sont. Et toudie uoelent 
 
LABEL WANTS TO RECONVERT HIM, AND GIVE HIM HIS DAUGHTER TO WIFE. 443 
 
 196 
 
 200 
 
 208 
 
 For An Awnter vs thenketh In cure Mynde 
 that A fairere Child schole 36 neuere fynde." 
 there the kyng him made knyht Anon tho, 
 Supposing Of his feith to putten hym fro. 
 
 That Nyht the Kyng Ordeynede so 
 that wachche Ahowtes hym seholde he do ; 
 And Celidoyne he worscheped there ouer Alle 
 
 thing, 
 & Al Nyht be hym lay As his derlyng. 
 
 tho whanne the Child on Slepe was, 
 3it slepte not the Kyng As happed be Cas, 
 but Axede Of his Conseil there Anon 
 ' What were best with that Child to don 
 that thus hath Taken Cristiente, 
 And his Owne lay foj-saketh he.' 
 " 3if I Cowde don him it forsake. 
 My dowhter his wif thanne wolde I Make ; 
 For I knowe ful wel In My Mynde 
 that he is Comen of ful gentyl kynde, 
 So that he may not faille In non wyse, 
 he Moste ben A knyht Of worthy Aprise ; 
 So thanne my dowhter schal he have, 
 And Al my Rem bothe Sownd & save," 
 
 Thanne Aftyr the kyng was leyd Anon, 
 And Every Man to the wachche gan gon, 
 the kyng On Slepe to-fyl Anone ; 
 And thus sone hym Cam vision vppone. 
 
 hym thowhte that In A medewe he was, 
 Whiche was large & Grene In that plas ; 
 And In that Medewe A fair Tre there was tho. 
 And Many diuers flowres Owt of it Gonnen 
 
 go 
 that Evirownd this Tre Al Abowte, 
 And ful of flowres it heng with-owte 224 
 
 3l2 
 
 lor menchoinges afermer ausi com se 
 che fust fins voirs." 
 
 " Ne voua oaut," fait li rois, " car chesti fe- 
 rona nous legierement oster de la folie ou il 
 
 eat." 
 
 Chele nuit iut li rois labiaus, entre Iniet ses 
 chiualers, es pauillons qu'il ot fait tendre 
 sour la riue de la mer. Et 1 'autre partie iut 
 es tres, et li remenans fu armes de glaues, et 
 d'espees, et de haubiers, pour garder le roi 
 toute la nuit, ke s'il auenist chose ke bestes 
 sauuaiges ississent hors des forea ke eles ne 
 peuasent mal faire au roi, ne a cheus qui se 
 dormoient es pauillons. Et li rois fist hounerer 
 et seruir celidoine de tout son pooir : et le fist 
 la nuit couchier pres de lui ausi chierement 
 com si il I'eust engenree de aa char. 
 Et quant il enfes fu endprmis, 
 li rois ne se coucha mie maintenant, 
 ains demanda a ses homes 
 
 204 qu'il porroit faire de cliel enfant. 
 
 " Car ie bee," fait il, " a che qu' il 
 renoiecbe crestiente, et reuienge a 
 notre loy, et ke ie li doinse ma fiUe a 
 feme, et saues vous," fait il, "pourqiioi 
 iou en sui si curieus. Jou .sai bien 
 qu' il est estrais de toutes pars de si 
 boins chiualers, 
 
 Et pour cheste esperanche a'il auenist qu'il 
 uesquist plus de moi, et U auoit ma fille a 
 feme, iou li lairoie apres ma mort toute ma 
 terre et tout mon roiaume." " Sire," font 
 si home, " il en fera quanke vous en vaures." 
 
 Quant li rois fu couchies, 
 
 et lea cargaites furent liurees a chiaus qui de 
 chou se deuoient entremetre, 
 li rois s' endormi, 
 
 et maintenant 
 
 li fu auis qu'il estoit en ,j. pre, 
 
 grant et large, et verdoiant, et biel. 
 
 Et en chel pre auoit vne ouchele de teiTe qui 
 
 estoit toute nueue, et estoit emplie de motes de 
 
 terre. 
 
 Et ichele ouchele estoit par de-fors 
 
 toute auirounee de flours 
 
 212 
 
 216 
 
 220 
 
 qui de li issoient 
 
444 label's vision of the tree and seepent. his men catch a lion. 
 
 As it Axeth the kende After A tre ; 
 
 And this Manere wise thus thouht he. 
 
 Whiche tre the kyng beheld ful faste, 
 
 And \>er-OEen MerveUled Atte laste 228 
 
 how this tre Swiche fiowres scholde here, 
 
 Wher-offen he MerveUled In his Manere. 
 
 And besides this Tre Can Owt A Serpent, 
 
 that there flawmes of fyr out Caste yerament, 232 
 
 and waysted this faire tre Anon, 
 
 And Alle the flowres ]?ere Everichon : 
 
 thanne Anon After, I the plyht, 
 
 Al this was past Owt of the kynges syht. 236 
 
 Thanne on the Morewe whanne it was day, 
 the wachche to hym Cam with-owten delay, 
 And tolden hym. how they hadden that Nyht 
 Taken A lyown with ryht gret myht, 240 
 
 So that they thowhten. As I vndirstond. 
 That lyown to leden Into here Owne lond. 
 Thann to Celydoyne tooken they ye way, 
 And A-wooken the Child there he lay ; 244 
 
 for ful sore On slepe was he, 
 that AI nyht to fore In thowht had be 
 Eor his fadir Sire Nasciens 
 That he ne hadde ben In his presens. 248 
 
 And whanne he was Clothed Anon the, 
 To the kyng Anon was he browht to ; 
 thanne the kyng him took be the bond. 
 And sette hym At his feet, I vndirstond. 252 
 
 thanne Comanded he there anon 
 that Alle his Conseille to forn him scholde gon. 
 And the wysest of Alle his Meyne 
 to forn hym they sembled ful sekerle. 256 
 
 And whanne they weren sembled Everichon, 
 To hem the kyng thanne seide Anon,— 
 
 ausi comme d'un arbre naissenl par 
 nature flours et fuelles. 
 
 Et li rois regardoit I'ouchele, 
 
 dont il se meruilloit mult 
 quant il en ueoit flours issir. 
 
 Et apres veoit ke de les rouchiele 
 venoit vns grans serpens 
 ietant fu et flambe, 
 
 qui gastoit maintenant I'ouchiele 
 
 et les flours qui en issoient, et quankes 
 dedens auoit 
 
 si k'enpeud'eurerepairoittout anoient 
 quankes li rois auoit veu. 
 
 Au matin quant li rois s' esuilla, 
 
 si vinrent a lui si homme, cliil qui 
 auoient gaitie la nuit, et disrent qu' il 
 auoient a la iournee 
 
 pris .j. lyon, a diuers engiens. Si estoit chil 
 lyons li plus grans et li plus meruilleus qu' il, 
 onques eussent veu en nule terre. Et quant 
 li rois oi cheste nouuiele, si commanda que 
 on Tostoiaist le lyon, si le verra et I'en fera par 
 auenture mener en la terre ou il bee a aler. 
 Lors fait 
 
 esuillier celidoine 
 
 qui enchore se dormoit. 
 car asses auoit la nuit pense 
 
 a son pere en tullant. 
 
 Et quant il se fu apparillies, 
 
 li rois le fist amener deuant soi. 
 
 Et chil s' asist a ses pies. 
 
 Lors commanda li rois 
 
 a uenir deuant lui 
 
 tous les plus sages maistres de sa 
 compaignie. 
 
 Et quant il furent tout assamble, 
 si lor dist. 
 
LABEL ASKS HIS WISE MEN TO INTERPRET HIS VISION. THET CANNOT. 445 
 
 " Lordynges," quod the kyng tho, 
 " A "wondir avicioun this Nyht Cam me to ; 260 
 Wherfore In Ese neuere schal I be 
 tyl there-Offen I knowne the Certeynte, 
 And wherto that it Tornen May, 
 In herte schal I neuere ben glad parfay. 264 
 
 & this is the Cause that I for 30W sente, 
 3if Ony of 30W be 30ure Entente* 
 Cowde me declaren the verite, 
 & what signeflaunce )jat this myhte be." 268 
 
 So ]7at he declared to hem his Avisiown, 
 Of Al that he hadde Sein, hoi & som ; 
 And Aftir hem preide Everichon 
 here Avis to schewen ]?er-offen Anon. 272 
 
 thanne these Men thowhte hem be-twene 
 What Maner of thing it scholde Mene ; 
 but they ne Cowden for non thing 
 bryngen that vicyown to An Endyng. 276 
 
 And so they seiden to Jjo kyng Anon, 
 ' that non Exposiscioun Cowde they don.' 
 thanne the Kyng Abascht hym sore 
 & seide, " somwhat it tokeneth, with-owten 
 
 More." 2ao 
 
 " Sire," they Seiden verament, 
 " We konne non o]?er knowen in owre Entent," 
 
 Whanne that the Child wheche ]>ere sat 
 Atte the kynges feet, undirstood Al that 284 
 
 Whiche the kyng hadde Schewed to his 
 
 Meyne, 
 there-offen to hau knowen the verite, — 
 this Child him dressed vp Anon, 
 & on his feet stood to forn hem Echon, 288 
 
 And forto speken wolde he wonden for non, 
 
 " Signour, 
 
 a nuit en mon dormant m'auient vne 
 
 auenture si meruilleuse 
 
 ke ie ne puis iamais estre grantment 
 
 a aise 
 
 deuant ke ie sache la verite 
 
 a quel chose che porra tourner. 
 
 Et pour chou vous ai ie deuant moi 
 
 mandes, 
 
 que vous m'en dites 
 
 chou que vous quidies qui m' en puist 
 
 auenir." 
 
 Si leur deuiae tout ensi com il I'auoit 
 veu en son dormant. 
 
 Et apres leur deuise 
 
 qu'il li dient a quoi che porra tourner. 
 
 Et il commenchent maintenant tot a 
 penser. 
 
 Et quant il ont grant pieche pense, 
 
 si respondent 
 
 ' qu'il n'enseuentnulechertainechoseii 
 " Chertes'' fait li rois, " che poise moi. 
 Car ie sai bien que sans grant sene- 
 fianche ne fu che pas." 
 
 " Par foi," font il, "nous ne vous en dirona 
 
 plus. Car nous ne vous volons faire a croire 
 
 chose ke nous ne sachons uraiement." Et il 
 
 dist ' qu'il s' en taire a tant, puis ke nule 
 
 autre chose ni porra aprendre." 
 
 Quant celidoines, ki as pies Ie roi 
 
 seoit, 
 
 oi Ie conte 
 
 ke li rois auoit conte as ses consilHers, 
 
 et il vit qu'il n'en sauoient dire cher- 
 
 tainete, 
 
 si se drecha maintenant en estant, 
 
 et parla au roi. 
 
 [*MS. Mntentente.} 
 
446 CELIDOTNE INTERPRETS LABEL' S VISION. THE MEADOW IS THE WORLD. 
 
 But spak so lowde to the kyng 
 
 tliat Jpere offen J>e peple hadde Merveillyng : 292 
 
 " Kyng label, I se wel now here 
 
 that thy Oonseil ne Can in non Manere 
 
 the declaren the verite ; 
 
 but, sire kyng, I schal schowen it tq the, 296 
 
 lik as the grete Maister Above, 
 
 Whos Servaunt I am, & whom I love. 
 
 Me hath schewed In My Mynde, 
 
 the goode lord that is so kende. 300 
 
 " thon sie In thy Avisiown 
 A grene Medwe, AUe & som, 
 & J)ere-Inne was A fair Tre 
 
 ]?at with flowres Envirownd was he ; 304 
 
 And Aftyr thou sye A Serpent 
 wherthorw Alle the floures weren schent. 
 
 Now schal I tellen the my Resown 
 As Cometh to myn 3ong discressioun, 308 
 
 Eor I nam but 30ng and litel of wyt 
 So gret A thing to declaren It. 
 but wete Jjou wel In Certeyn 
 
 that )?e holigost fulfllleth pleyn 312 
 
 Alle his Servauntes Everychon ; 
 & so be his Miht I schal the it vndon. 
 
 The medwe that was so fair & Grene 
 signefieth the world ful of treye & tene ; 316 
 
 and 3it is likenge to alle tho 
 that there- Inne Abyden & go, 
 an tho )jat there-Inne ben wel at Ese, 
 And Namliche to synneris it doth hem plese 320 
 that lyn Evere In gret dedly synne, 
 To hem ]>e world is plesyng jxepov more ne Mynne ; 
 Eor thus they wenen with-owten Mo 
 That the world scholde neuere hem fro, S24 
 
 et dist si haut 
 
 qu'il le porent bien tout oir. 
 
 "Kois labiel, 
 
 puis ke ti tome ne te seuent 
 
 consUlier de chou dont tu les requiers. 
 
 lou t'en consillerai, 
 ensi com li haus maistres 
 
 le m'a ensignie. 
 
 Tu ueis en ton songe 
 vn pre biel et verdoiant, 
 
 et en chel pre auoit vne ouchiele, 
 
 auirounee de flours, et quan-qu'il 
 auoit dedens. 
 
 Ore te dlrai iou que senefie, 
 
 si ne I'ai iou mie de ma sciense. 
 Car trop sui enchore iouenes enfes et 
 de petit cage 
 a sauoir si grant cbose. 
 
 Mais sachies bien 
 
 ke li sains esperis, qui a ses menistres et a 
 
 ses sergans demoustre ses grans secres et ses 
 
 grans repoistailles, le m'a par sa douche pitie 
 
 descouuert. 
 
 et pour chou le te mousterrai iou 
 
 apertement se tu ueus escouter. 
 
 Xa preis ke tu ueis 
 
 senefie le monde ou nous somes, qui 
 
 verdoie. 
 
 cli'est a dire, qu'il plaist et atalente 
 
 a tous chiaus qui [i menent] 
 
 et qui si delitent et aaisent. 
 
 Ch' est as pecheours qui gisent en grant 
 pechies morteus qui font les grans 
 vilounies et les grans ordures, 
 a tous cheus plaist li mondes, 
 qu"il ne lor est pas auis 
 qu'il doiue iamais falir, 
 
THE TREE IS MAN ; — THIS DAT HE IS, TO-MOEROW IS HE NON. 
 
 447 
 
 and that Evere In strengthe scholde they be, 
 
 and the world with hem laste fill Sikerle ; 
 
 & thus they hopen Algates to dwelle 
 
 In loye & blisse, as I 30W telle. 328 
 
 but ho so wele vndirstonde the verite, 
 
 I schal declaren and 3e welen herkenen Me ; 
 
 and Ojjer wise it is in signefiaunce here, 
 
 for the Medwe fareth In this manere : 332 
 
 On J)e Morwe it is grene, & ful of flowres 
 
 that fair is to Syhte & swete of Odours, 
 
 and At Even, be hete of the Sonne, 
 
 Torskorchid & drye to-gederis ben Ronne : 336 
 
 Ryht so fareth Mankynde Anon 
 
 Whanne the Sowle from the body is gon, 
 
 to this Medwe may likned I-be, 
 
 as to foren tymes I schew to the. 340 
 
 and what this tre doth signefie 
 
 Whiche is of feble Nature Sekerlye, 
 
 Signefieth be mannes persone here 
 
 That Is so poure In AUe Manere, 344 
 
 and is Comen of so poure kynde, 
 
 3if thou wilt here-oflPen taken Mynde ; — 
 
 and of so gret Ereelnesse & Caytyvete 
 
 here offen cometh Man, As thou myht se : 348 
 
 this day A man he Is, to Morwen Is he non : 
 
 & so it schal fare be vs now Ererichon. 
 
 but sekerly, kyng label, to this Tre 
 
 At this tyme I lykne now the. 352 
 
 and of the flowres that ]7ere Abowtes be, 
 be-thenk with-Inne thi self, and be-hold & se ; 
 but And thou wilt herkene to me, 
 of A blessid flowr I schal tellen the 356 
 
 that Neuere defaded for non thing, 
 whiche is Ipe virgine Modyr of jje glorous kyng, 
 
 ains lor samble qu'il durra toudis. 
 
 Et pour chou sont il a dies uolentieu, 
 et en talente de faire che ke lor mal- 
 eureus uentre desirent. 
 Mais cliil qui selonc uerite i es garde, 
 
 le puet veoir apiertement 
 
 sanlable au pre 
 
 qui au matin est verdoians et plains 
 
 de flours, 
 
 et au soir quant la calours del soleil 
 
 a .i. peu demoure, 
 
 si le puet on ueoir mort, et flestre, 
 
 et sechiet, 
 
 tout autresi com est li cors del home 
 
 quant I'ame s'en est partie. 
 
 Par cheste raison pues tu ueoir ke ie 
 te moustre ke li pres senefie. 
 
 Si dois apres ueoir la senefianche de 
 
 I'ouchele, 
 
 qui est feble chose et mauuaise, et de si poure 
 
 sustenanche ke ele puet maintenant estre 
 
 brisie. Et ke li potiers le fist de li, men vil 
 
 et mauuais : senefie home, 
 
 qaii est si poure chose, 
 
 et com crees de si mauuaise semenclie 
 
 qu'il est ausi frailles et ausi caitis 
 
 comme li pos qui de legier est brisies. 
 
 Ensi frailles est horn, 
 
 car orendroit est, et oreendroit n' est 
 
 mie. 
 
 Par I'ouchele ke tu veis en ton songe, 
 es tu senefiies, rois labiel. 
 
 mais par les flours qui en issoient et 
 I'auirounoient, pues tu entendre grans 
 meruelles. Or regards de la uerite 
 
 et de la flour. Tu ue veis onques ne 
 ie ne fis flour qui ne defalist, et dont 
 sa biautes ne fust alee en petit de tans, 
 fors seulement la flour qui est apielee 
 vierge marie. 
 
448 
 
 THE FLOWERS OF LABEL'S VISION ABE THE DIFFERENT VIRTUES. 
 
 360 
 
 364 
 
 That bar god & Man Owre Savyour, 
 wMclie is Marye modir & Maide, ]?at blessid 
 
 flour, 
 tliis flotir non thing Apeyren it May 
 from ]>e begynneng Into domesday ; 
 and there as Ojjer flowres bof)e dryen & fade, 
 this flowr is Evere botbe Joyful & glade. 
 
 but of this flour that is bothe bryht & Cler, 
 In thyn Avicion haddist ]?ou non warneng ther ; 
 Eor that flowr farethe In non degre 
 As the flowres that weren schewed to the. 368 
 
 The flowres that Eadyn so Every day, 
 Abowtes the, Sire, they ben In fay. 
 And wilt thow knowen, sire, what they be ? 
 Anon, Sire, I schal here declaren hem the : 372 
 
 The ton flowr is bownte, ful Sekerly ; 
 The secund prowesse ; the thrydde is Cortesy ; 
 and Manye other vertwes ben The Abowte, 
 Mo thanne Ano]?er man hath sawn3 dowte, 376 
 
 And bettere Norture In AUe degre 
 thanne Manye 0]?er ben Sekerle ; 
 Eor As manie vertwes thou hast with-Owten 
 
 variaunce 
 As Euere hadde Man that is ful of Mescre- 
 
 aunce ; 380 
 
 And therto thou Art bothe fair & semly ; 
 but not to god, I sey 30W pleynly, 
 but onliche to that fals & strong Enemy 
 that AUe dayes of thy lyve thou woschepist 
 
 only. 384 
 
 Eor so manye vertwes In the ben 
 As Evere In Miscreaunce A man may sen ; 
 Wherfore it is gret Howthe & pyte 
 that so gracious vertwes In Miscreaunt schold be, 388 
 
 Mais la biautes de chele flour ne fu 
 onques maimaiie, n'empirie, 
 
 Ains auint ke la u toutes flours sont des- 
 flourees et uiolees, ch'est en concheuoir et en 
 enfanter, lUuec sauua chele dame si haute- 
 ment sa flour, ke onques la blanchour de sa 
 uirginite ne fu empirie ne maumise. 
 Dont de chele flour qui tous iours dure 
 en sa ualour et en sa biaute, ne veis 
 tu pas la samblanche en ton songe. 
 
 Car tu ueis flours qui faloient pour .i. 
 peu de chaut, 
 as tu entour toi : 
 
 et ses tu comment eles sont apieles. 
 
 On apiele Tune biaute, 
 
 et I'autre proueclie, et I'autre cour- 
 
 toisie, 
 
 et ches autres virtus dont tu as maintes 
 
 fois oi qu'il font liome apparoir plus 
 
 gracieus et mieus entechies, les vnske 
 
 les autres, ensi ke li vns est mieus 
 
 garnis de virtus terrienes ke les autres. 
 
 De flours qui ensi sont apielee, ies tu 
 sans faille garnis si tres durement 
 
 com hons terriens puet estre. 
 
 Car tu ies biaus et plaisans, 
 
 ne mie a dieu, 
 
 mais a I'anemi 
 
 ke tu as serui tous les iours de ta vie. 
 
 Si i es asses preus et boins chiualers, 
 et courtois. Auoec che as tu tant de 
 boines virtus ke tu ies li plus gracieus 
 mescheans ke iou sacbe en terra. 
 
THE HEAP OP EAETH IS THE MASS OF MEN S SINS. 
 
 449 
 
 " Now schal I the declaren Every del, 
 — and thow wilt vndirstondyn Me wel — 
 What signefieth that like tre 
 and the floures that ]7ere-Abowtes he, • 
 and the hepe of Erthe that is therby, 
 As schal I the declaren ful Openly. 
 
 that hepe, it is to vndirstonde 
 that mankynde In ony londe 
 be fild so ful of dedly Synne, 
 of fllthes of wrechchednesse, hem AUe with 
 
 Inne. 
 and Every day they hepen More and More, 
 & gaderen hepe vppon hepe Jjat doth hem 
 
 sore 
 be wrechchednesse & Many Othir thing. 
 Everyday to here Owne hyndring, 
 and greven sore here Oreatour 
 Whiche that they Owten don honour. 
 And they welen not Amenden hem for non 
 
 thing, 
 Eor speche nepev for Manassyng. 
 
 and this hepe, sire. Is with-Innen the, 
 and from thy birthe Euere hath be ; 
 Eor sethen of thy modyr that ]?ou were 
 
 bore, 
 didest thou Nevere good, lasse ne more, 
 but Euere Contrarre thy Creatour 
 thou hast him wraththed In Every Our ; 
 and thus hast ]jou gaderid with-Inne the 
 hepe vppon hepe ful Sekerle, 
 and Every day Synne vppon synne, 
 and of this lif noldest J)ou not blynne ; 
 thanne thus be thin Aviciown 
 thou Art the same, bothe AUe & som. 
 
 3 M 
 
 " Or t'ai demoustre,'' fait li enfes 
 
 " ke I'ouchiele senefie, 
 
 392 et les flours qui entour estoient. 
 
 Ore te dirai ke la mote de terre 
 senefie. 
 
 396 '^""'^^ 
 
 400 
 
 404 
 
 408 
 
 412 
 
 416 
 
 La terre amonchelee dedens le pot, 
 senefie 
 
 la grant carge des pecMes morteus 
 
 ke li hom maleureus amoncliiele chas- 
 cun iour dedens soi. plus et plus 
 
 par mesesrer encontre son creatour, 
 
 quant i! ne se ueut amender, 
 
 ne pour parole ne pour amonestement 
 
 ke on li die. 
 
 Chest tresor et chest anchelement as 
 
 tu aquis des dont ke tu issis del uen- 
 
 tre ta mere. 
 
 car onques puis ke tu fus nes, 
 
 ne fesis tu riens. ne en parole ne en 
 
 oeure, 
 
 qui ne fust centre ton creatour. 
 
 Et des ke tu as tous iours pechie, 
 et amonchele 
 mal sour mal : 
 
 bien te dut apparoir en ton songe 1' ouchiele 
 plaine de terre : car tu li es vraiment. Ore 
 t* ai deuise que la terre amonclielee senefie. 
 
450 
 
 THE SEEPBNT OF LABEL's VISION IS THE DEATH OP THE SOUL. 
 
 " Now of this Serpent I schal the telle, 
 and thou wilt lestene me vntylle. 420 
 
 the serpent the deth of f>e sowle doth signefye, 
 Of Man that In this world lyveth hodily, 
 and In the world hath passeng delyt, 
 Where-offen neuere that the wolden ben qwyt ; 424 
 and for non warneng ne wil not he 
 Tornen to the loye that is lastyngle : 
 and for they welen not don so, 
 to Endeles deth therfore they go. 428 
 
 of thyn Avicioun this is the signefiaunce, 
 as me scheweth the holy gost with-Owten 
 variaunce. 
 
 and for ]?at in me thou schalt have more 
 Affiaunce 
 I schal the tellen of a more dowtaunce, 432 
 
 of swich A thing As thou hast don 
 longe tymes hens & fern Agon, 
 and thou hast & vere (?) In supposing 
 that l^er-offen knoweth non Erthly thing 436 
 
 but thou Alone ful Certeinle ; 
 but ])0u art desceyved, I telle it the ; 
 Eor he that knoweth Alle thing 
 Me hath it put in vndirstondyng." 440 
 
 Whanne the kyng herd him thus seye, 
 Al Red he was for schame Sekerlye : 
 " Sey on," quod the kyng tho Anon, 
 " Wbat is that thing whiche I hare don 444 
 
 that thou seyst non knoweth but I : 
 Sey on what it is now, belamy." 
 
 " Sire," quod Celydoynes tho, 
 " that schal I anon gladliche do: 448 
 
 And thou wilt, Aforn Al thyn Meyne, 
 Owther thou wilt Ellis, In prevyte. 
 
 Ore te dirai ke tu dois entendre par 
 le sarpent. 
 
 Li sarpens senefie la mort ki est a 
 1' ame. 
 
 8i crueus compaigne et si felenesse 
 car ausi tost comma ele vient veoir le 
 cors : ele li taut canqu' il a. et les 
 fleurs du monde. 
 
 Et s' ele ne le treue bien garni de 
 boines virtus, 
 
 ia n' enterra en la ioie des chieus, en 
 la ioie qui ia ne faura. 
 
 ains est tresbuchies en la tenebrouse maison 
 
 qui est apielee infer. 
 
 Ore pues ueoir la senefianche de ton 
 
 songe. 
 
 ke ie t' ai deuise si com li bans maistres le 
 
 m' ensigna. Si saches bien ke tu ne fais 
 
 nient plus a proisier a faire tel vilounie de 
 
 ton cors, com fait 1' ouchele plaine de terre. 
 
 Et pour chou ke tu me croies enchore mieux 
 de chou ke ie te dirai, Saches ke ie conte- 
 rai ke encore t' auint tel chose ke tu fesis, 
 
 n' a mie enchore lone tans, 
 ke tu ne quides 
 
 ke nus sache 
 
 fors tu seus, 
 
 mais si fait. 
 
 Car chil le seit a qui on ne puet riens 
 
 cheler, 
 
 et si le m' a ia fait sauoir." 
 
 Quant li rois ot cheste parole, si est - 
 
 tous esbahis, 
 
 et rougist de honte 
 
 "Diua, 
 
 ke est che ke ie fis, 
 
 ke ie ne quide ke nus sache fors iou.'' 
 
 Lors li dist chelidoines 
 
 " che uous dirai iou bien, 
 
 mais il n'i ara fors moi et vous. Mais 
 chou vous voel iou dire deuant tous 
 uos barons, 
 
CELIDOYNE TELLS LABEL HE IS TO DIE ; AND THAT HE MUBDEKED HIS SISTER. 451 
 
 For As I haue be ful supposing 
 of Enformeng of ]>ai glorious kyng, 
 the prikkes of deth doth signefle 
 the serpent, I sey the ful sekerlye." 
 
 " Schal I thanne dyen," quod the kyng. 
 " 36, with-Inne fowre dayes, with-owten 
 
 varyeng, 
 Owt of this world schalt thou pace ; 
 but whedir thou Nost, ne Into what place, 
 and therfore loke what Conseille thow wilt 
 
 have, 
 3if that thou thenke thy Sowle to save ; 
 and loke that thou now leve Me 
 For thing that I schal tellen to the." 
 
 thanne this kyng took hym on Syde 
 to weten what he mente At that tyde. 
 
 " Sire kyng, warneng I 3eve to the. 
 Anon that Oristene Man that thou be ; 
 And thus Sente the forto Say 
 the hyghe Maister that is god verray ; 
 And be this Tokene he sente to the, 
 that non thing to him Is preve, — 
 how that thou the ferst day of May 
 thin Owne Soster thou slowe In fay. 
 For Cause sche wolde not sufeen the 
 with hire bodyly to done Synne and fdolee. 
 And whanne J)OU Sye sche wold not don so. 
 And thy folye Concentyn therto. 
 Anon thou smotest of here hed, 
 & Into the se threw it In that sted ; 
 Anon the bodi Aftir thou threw Also ; 
 this Movrdre didest thou with-owten Mo. 
 And to this wendest ]?ou ful Sekerle 
 that non Man hadde ben preve ; 
 
 3 M 2 
 
 452 
 
 456 
 
 460 
 
 464 
 
 468 
 
 472 
 
 476 
 
 et si le vous mande par moi li haus 
 
 maistres, chil qui set toutes les choses 
 
 qui sont a uenir, 
 
 ke li serpens ke vous veistes en uotre 
 
 songe, senefie le point de la mort ou 
 
 vous estes venus." 
 
 " Coument," fait li rois, " morrai ie 
 
 dont." 
 
 " Oil, voir," fait celidoines, " de hui 
 
 en quart iour 
 
 serres trespasses de chest siecle. 
 
 Or gardes quel consel vous prenderes 
 de vous meisme: 
 
 et si vous en dirai boines ensenges, 
 pour chou ke vous m'en orees miex." 
 Lors le traist a vne part auoeo lui, 
 loins de ses barons, puis dist. 
 
 " Rois, che te mande li haus maistresj 
 
 ke tu te faches crestiener, et re- 
 choiues la nouele loy, 
 
 a ches ensenges, 
 
 ke tu oohesis ta serour le premier iour 
 de may, 
 
 pour chou ke ele ne vaut souiFrir 
 
 ke tu geusses a li. 
 
 Et quant tu veis ke ele ne vaut souffrir 
 ta volentei, 
 
 tu li caupas la teste, 
 
 et ietas le cors en la mer. 
 
 et le chief apres. 
 
 480 Si fesis chel murdre si celeement s;ins 
 faille 
 
 ke nus ne le seut 
 
452 
 
 LABEL IS TEOTJBLED ON HEARING HE IS TO DIE, AND GOES TO BED. 
 
 but he that is Aboven Alle thing, 
 Of this Made me to haven vndirstondyng : 
 therfore, lord, worschepid Mot thou be 
 that sweche thing openly schewest to Me !" 
 Whanne the Kyng herde hym tho speken 
 so, 
 "MerveUles thou hast me told," quod ]>e 
 
 kyng tho, 
 " Por there nys non Man Erthly levenge 
 that I supposid coude telle me this thinge ; 
 And of Myn Avicioun hast |70U myn told 
 verray trowthes be many fold. 
 And so openly as thou hast declared it to me 
 Cowde non Erthly man don Certeinle." 
 
 thanne he Comaunded his Meyne ful sone 
 his bed to Maken, for J^erto wolde he gone, 
 Eor distempred A lytel he was, 
 So he hem tolde In that plas. 
 they fulfilden Anon his byddyng 
 In Alle Maner wise to plesen the kyng ; 
 And thanne Comaunded he his barouns 
 
 Anon, 
 Good warde of J)at child to sethen vppon. 
 than they Answeryd hym Anon, 
 And seide his Comaundement scholde be 
 don. 
 To his Cowche wente the kyng thanne. 
 Also hevy As Ony Erthly Manne, 
 And warned his Barouns Everichon 
 ' that Nyhe hym Comen scholde neuere on, 
 Whethir he be freend other kynnes man, 
 Ny hym Scholde Comen non Maner of Man.' 
 So that' they kouered the kynges pavyloun, 
 that of non wyht he scholde heren ])e sown. 
 
 fors chieus qui tout seit, et a qui on 
 ne puet riens cheler, 
 '^"^ si le m'a descouuert, 
 
 soie merchi.'" 
 
 Qvant li rois ot cheste parole: 
 
 488 
 
 492 
 
 500 
 
 504 
 
 si respont. " Eafes, meruelles m'as dit : 
 
 ou tu n'es pas liom morteus : ou tu ies 
 plus sages ke horn terriens ne puet 
 estre. 
 
 Car de men songe sai iou bien 
 
 ke nus ne m' en desist si apertement 
 verite ke tu as fait. Ne ke ie fis de 
 ma serour." 
 
 Lois commanda a sa maisnie 
 496 ke on li fache son lit, si se couchera, 
 uar il est .i. petit dehaities. 
 
 Et chil le firent maintenant a qui il ot 
 commande. 
 
 Et il oommande a ses barons 
 
 ke il prengnet garde del enfant, et ke 
 il li quierent quanqu' il lor demandera 
 Et il disent 
 
 ' que si feroient il.' 
 
 Et li rois, qui mult estoit angoisseus 
 et entrepris des noueles ke chil li a 
 aportees, se coucha en son lit: 
 et quant il est conchies, il commande 
 
 508 ^^'^ ^^ laissent humais pres de lui 
 venir nul home, 
 tant soit bien de lui, 
 
 et il dient nus n' i enterra, si font 
 widier le pauillon, et clore et estouper 
 ^■^^ de toutes pars 
 
KING label's lamentation. 
 
 453 
 
 and Also that alle Maner of Clerte 
 From that kyng defended scholde be. 
 
 The Kyng on his Cowche was leyd Anone, 
 And to hym Self he Made ful gret Mone 
 For the wordes that Child Celidoyne 
 to hym hadde there seid In Certeyne. 
 thanne gan he to wepen wondirly Sore, 
 With wryngeng of hondis, & 3it Mochel more, 
 that the water his Eyen Ran by hym Adown 
 Al Abowtes his body there In virown ; 
 And thus to his persone he gan Oompleyne 
 of Manye Caytyretes tho In Certeyne : 
 
 " Ow thou now ful powre Caytyf, 
 "With owten Counseil, & Cursid Of lyf, 
 that Neuere ne woldest Counseilled be 
 to non good lyveng In non Maner degre 
 that the myhte Counseille thy sowle to save, 
 Swich Maner Counseille wost thou not have ! 
 Now, fals Caytyf, here schalt thou deye 
 As the porest man In the world trewlye. 
 
 "Whedir schalt J>ou go, thou Cursed 
 Caytyf, 
 Whanne from thy body Is past thy lyf ? 
 What, trowest thou Caytyf & wrechche Also 
 thy Crowne to have whanne jjou dost go, 
 Owther thy Septre In thyn bond ? 
 What, wenest \>ou to ben kyng of a lond, 
 And to haven lordschepe As thou hast here. 
 And therto so moche welthe In Alle Manere ? 
 A, thou Caytevous kyng In Alle Manere, 
 With Owten Cownseil that the konne lere ! 
 Now atte ferste myhtest thou knowe 
 that Jjou hast non Conseille, nepev by ne 
 lowe. 
 
 ke la clartes 
 
 ne fache mal au roi qui est deshaities. 
 Li rois ki se fu couchies tous seus, 
 quant il deut dormir, 
 516 si commencha a penser mult duremeut 
 
 a chou ke li enfes 
 
 li auoit dit. 
 
 Eten che penser commencha a plourer 
 trop durement, 
 520 et a faire si grant duel 
 
 ke iamais ne verres grignour, 
 
 524 
 
 528 
 
 536 
 
 540 
 
 et se claime caitis et esgares et caitis 
 de consel. Et commencha a dire a 
 soi meisme 
 
 " poures caitis soufFraiteus, 
 mauuaisement garnis de seus, 
 
 desconsillies de tous biens : 
 
 pr morras tu 
 532 ausi com li plus poures hom du monde. 
 ke deuenras tu 
 
 quant li arme te sera partie du cors : 
 Ou iras tu: 
 Enporteras tu 
 
 ta couroune o toi, 
 
 et ton septre. 
 
 Auras tu autrestel signOurie la ou iras, 
 
 comme tu as en cest siecle. 
 
 544 
 
454 
 
 KING LABEL S LAMENTATION. 
 
 A, kyng and Caytyf Also, 
 
 With owten loye Art thou Euere Mo. 
 
 Por this that me clepeth the prykke of deth, 
 
 Whanne that Eche man schal lesen his breth, 
 
 thanne forsaken Me bothe Modir & wyf 
 
 And Alle the peple that Evere boren lyf ; 
 
 For there kan non of hem Alle 
 
 tellen what Aventures me schal be-falle 
 
 Whanne owt of this world that I schal gon, 
 
 What Aventures me seholen fallen vppon ; 
 
 Whethir Riche other powre that I schal be, 
 
 Owther A man of lowere degre, 
 
 Owther At Ese Other At non Ese. 
 
 " O caytevous kyng, ho schal the jjere 
 
 plese ? 
 O thou wrechche and Ek Caytevous kyng, 
 that hast here So gret A gaderyng. 
 And so.Manye worschepis As thou hast here ! 
 O, powre wrechche, what schalt ]?ou hau Ellis 
 
 where ? 
 And whanne hens that thou schalt go, 
 thow nost whether to loye oj^er elles to wo. 
 Now, Caytevous kyng, Remembre the wel 
 Of Alle thy lyveng Everydel ; 
 And 3it, powre Creature, whiles Jjou Art 
 
 here, 
 Conseille the bettere, and In Other Manere ; 
 Eor At thine choys now shal it be, 
 Whethyr to loye oj^er to peyne ]?at thou wilt 
 
 fle 
 Whanne Owt of this world thou schalt pace, 
 thow west neuer Into what Manere of place. 
 
 Eor of this worldys loye Inowh haue I, 
 As mochel As Ony Erthly man trewly 
 
 548 
 
 552 
 
 556 
 
 Ha, rois caitis, 
 
 et poures de toutes ioies 
 
 a chestui point ke on apiele mort, 
 
 ne tu puet aidier amis, ne parens, ne 
 riens que tu counoissies. 
 Ha, rois dolans et poures et desconsillies, or 
 au primes pues tu counoistre uraiement ke tu 
 ies poures et souffraiteus. Car tu ne troeues 
 qui te sache. 
 
 ensengnier ou tu iras 
 
 quant tu partiras de chest siecle, 
 
 ne se tu en partiras poures ou riches : 
 
 ou [a]aise ou a malaise. 
 
 Ha, rois poures et souffraiteus de 
 consel 
 
 560 qui or lairas tes grans gieus et tes 
 enuoiseures ke tu as en chest siecle, 
 
 et iras 
 564 la u tu ne seis ou en ioie ou en doleur. 
 Orre regarde par toi meisme, 
 
 5g8 et selonc raison se tu le pues faire. 
 
 Le quel tu dois mieus trouuer en te 
 
 uoie, 
 
 ou ioie ou duel, 
 
 quant tu departiras de chest siecle. 
 
 as tu autant eu : 
 
 ke onques hom de ton lignaige n' en ot 
 tant. 
 
 572 
 
KING label's lamentation. 
 
 455 
 
 that Evere of myn Age was born. 
 
 As I have E/ehersed here beforn. 
 
 But for As Mochel As that I have knowenge 
 
 that this worldis loye nys but sorwe & 
 
 mornenge. 
 And that In Morneng schal ben the Ende, 
 AUe sweche as I am Euere forto schende, 
 thanne knowe I wel that In Every Owr 
 the loye of this world Nys but dolowr, 
 Wraththe, Envye, and wrechchednesse, 
 this hath me thus browht In distresse. 
 thus thanne be my self now may I knowe 
 that Alle my loyes to sorwe ben torned On 
 
 A rowe. 
 "A, kyng Caytyf, whanne thou hennes 
 
 dost go, 
 And Into what place Jjou Nost, ne 
 
 whedyr to, 
 And whethir that sorwe schole Euere hauen 
 
 Endynge, 
 Owther Ellis Endelesly to ben lastynge ! 
 O most vnworthy wrechche that Evere was, 
 Now ]>e Ende of thy lyf Aprocheth In this 
 
 plas. 
 And the begynneng of thy Sorwe & Care 
 Now hast thou fownden Every whare. 
 Now bethenke the the moste wrechche jjat 
 
 euere was born 1 
 why ne wost thou knowen this here beforn ? 
 Eor he that knoweth Alle Manere of thing, 
 Of hym it is to me ful gret Reprovyng ; 
 and he that knoweth Alle thing that is 
 
 Comenge, 
 and that to me hath now sent this warneng, 
 
 576 
 
 580 
 
 584 
 
 588 
 
 592 
 
 Mais pour chou ke on dist, et li sage 
 
 le tesmoingnent a voir, 
 
 ke la ioie de chest siecle repaire a duel 
 
 et qu'il conuient par fine forohe ke 
 toute chela ioie truist de finement, 
 
 et ke li finemens soit apieles duels 
 et courous. 
 
 Et pour chou puis iou veoir par moi 
 
 meisme 
 
 ke ma ioie repaira a doleur. 
 
 Ha: rois caitis, or ies poures en toi 
 meisme, cartu trouueras doleur : quant 
 tu partiras du siecle present. 
 Mais tu ne seis mie bien, ne ne pues 
 veoir, se plus sages de toi ne le t' en- 
 senge, 
 
 se chele dolour trouuera fin de ta vie. 
 
 Car tu as ia troue le commenchement 
 de ta dolour. 
 
 596 Si ore peusses trouer 
 
 chelui qui tout seit, et a qui toutes 
 choses sont descouuertes, ia tant ne 
 seront chelees, 
 et set tout chou qui est a auenir. 
 
 600 
 
456 
 
 AFTER HIS LAMENTATION, LABEL PALES ASLEEP. 
 
 Whethir )jat I wele Chesen loye other 
 
 peyne,— 
 he hath me warned now In Certeyne." 
 And thus In sweche maneres, & In 
 
 Mornenge, 
 the kyng there fyl tho On Slepinge ; 
 Al be- wept lik As he there was, 
 he fil on slepe In that plas.* 
 
 Ichil te desist bien la verite de la dolour ke 
 tu troueras ; ou ele te durra toudis ou non. 
 En tels pensees et en tels paroles, et en fai- 
 sant le grignour duel del monde, 
 
 604 s'endormi li rois, 
 
 tout plourent si qu'il auoit le uiaire 
 moullie. 
 
 * There is no new chapter in the Manuscript. 
 
457 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 King Label's Vision in his Sleep, and Celidoyne's Interpretation thereof. Label dreams that he is on a 
 broad highway, where felons take all the passers-by, rob them, and put them in prison (p. 458). A 
 seemly man accompanies him along the road, and suddenly disappears (p. 458-9). He enters on a little 
 path, full of trees and flowers, and hears a voice calling all people to wash and eat meat in the High 
 City above (p. 459). Label goes on, and comes to a high mountain, and a fair fountain where the 
 people are washing themselves (p. 460). He does not wash, but goes on to the City, and wants to 
 enter (p. 460), but cannot, because he has not washed in the fountain (p. 460). He looks through a 
 wicket in the door, and sees at the table the sister whom he had murdered (p. 460). She tells him to 
 wash, and then eat with them (p. 461). He goes back to do it, but the thieves lay hold of him, and 
 drag him to a house in a desert valley (p. 461), where foul people are, and which is filthy, black, and 
 flill of weeping and crying (p. 462). Label is in such a fright at this dream, that he roars for help, 
 and all his lords rush to hini (p. 462). Two of them ask him what ails him (p, 462); he says he has 
 seen marvels in a dream, of which he must know the meaning, and orders Celidoyne to be brought 
 before him (p. 463). The lords wake Celidoyne, and bring him to Label, who asks him to expound 
 what he shall tell him (p. 463). Celidoyne promises to do so, by the help of God (p. 463), and threatens 
 Label with endless darkness if he will not obey him (p. 464). Label kneels to him, and promises to do 
 all he is told to do (p. 464). Celidoyne then expounds Label's dream to him ; The Broad Koad is the 
 Old Law (p. 464), the Eobbers are the Devil, the Fair Guide is Jesus Christ, who took pity on Label 
 as he had once pitied him (p. 465). Again, as a ship at sea in a storm, without captain or pilot, 
 is driven hither or thither on the broad sea, and can only be helped by God (p. 465-6), so is a man 
 on the broad road of sin in which Label has walked ; but God can bring him out of it (p. 466). 
 As to the Green Way, it is the New Law (p. 466) ; and the Strait "Way shows that they who are 
 in it wish not to leave it, but to obey God's commandments, which forbid sin (p. 467). The Green 
 Trees are the Pastors of Holy Churoh (p. 467). The Voice calling all people to come and eat, is God's 
 Grace (p. 467). The Well in the Mountain is God on his Throne (p. 467), and the Unction of Baptism 
 (p. 468). The City is Paradise. The refusal to admit him, when unwashed, into the City, shows that he 
 (Label) cannot be God's child till he is christened (p. 468). The desert lands are Label's wicked works 
 (p. 469).* The dark black house is Hell, to which Label will go unless he amends his life (p. 470). f 
 Label promises to do whatever Celidoyne tells him (p. 470) Celidoyne tells him to go to a hermit in 
 a forest close by, and be baptized (p. 470-1). Label says he is willing, but asks his knights what they 
 
 * See in the French text, note (o), p. 469, the exposition of the Serpent, its blindness, its flying to the Red Sea, and t(ie 
 passage thereof by the Israelites, and the Serpent's change of colour ; f And, note (a), p. 470, the reason of Label's sister 
 
 being in Paradise. 
 
 3n 
 
458 label's vision op the highway and the eelons, the seemly man, 
 
 advise. They declare that they will not forsake their faith (p. 471). Celidoyne then dresses Label in 
 poor clothes, and they go off to the hermit's abode (p. 471-2). They reach it at night, and the hermit is 
 surprised to see them; but embraces Celidoyne (p. 472), and rejoices to hear the cause of their coming 
 (p. 473). All night he teaches Label what belongs to holiness, and tells of the lives of holy men 
 (p. 473-4).* On the morrow the hermit fills a hollow stone with water, puts the king in it (p. 474), and 
 baptizes him (p. 475). He then asks the king's followers if they will be baptized. They say No (p. 475). 
 Label is clothed in a white robe, and thanks Celidoyne for saving him (p. 475). He then tells his 
 knights that he forsakes them, and will take to his new life (p. 476). They are cast down at this, but 
 seize Celidoyne and carry him off (p. 476). He tells Label to remain with the hermit, and not to fear 
 for him, as his God will protect him from all perils (p. 477). On the morrow, Label dies, and goes to 
 the bliss of heaven, and Christ works miracles for him on those who seek him (p. 477). 
 
 And Anon As In Slepe lie was falle, 
 A wondir Aviciown he hadde with-alle, — 
 that he Entred In to An hy weye 
 Whiche was brod & large ful Sekerlye, 
 And so with men it was vsed to fore, 
 Where-offen he Meryeilled wondir sore. 
 Where As mochel peple there was 
 hawntynge that weye and that plas, 
 that ]jere non Man Mihte Entren ne gon 
 but that be felouns thei were taken Anon, 
 And In presown Anon I-do, 
 and alle here good Itaken hem fro. 
 
 Whanne he was Entred Into this weye, 
 A man by hym sauwh he faste bye 
 Whiche semed A man of gret honour, 
 A semly persone & ful of Eavour, 
 And seide ' he wolde beren me Oompenye 
 tyl that weye I were past ful Sekerlye.' 
 
 12 
 
 16 
 
 Et quant il se fu endormis, 
 si li fu tout maintenent auis 
 qu'il entroit en .j. grant chemin 
 
 et large, 
 
 debatu de tant de gent 
 ke ch'estoit meruelles. 
 
 Mais il estoit si dolereus et si aban- 
 dounes kc nus ne si metoit 
 qu'il ne fust pris, et rauis, 
 
 et mis en prison. 
 
 Et ensi pierdoient.tout chil qui i estoient et 
 qui i entroient, et lor cors et lor auoir. 
 Et quant il s'estoit mis el chemin. 
 
 11 veoit de iouste lui 
 
 .i. home 
 
 de mult grant biaute, 
 
 qui li disoit ' qu'il li feroit compaignie 
 ant qu'il eust le bos passe, et le mal 
 chemin.' 
 
 * The French text makes Label tell the hermit a former Vision of his (p. 473), — how he was summoned before a judge to answer 
 accusations, and could only get three friends to go with him, of whom one lent him a cloak; the second took him to a strange house 
 and left him there; but the third went with him to the judge, and produced a writing that cleared him from all the charges 
 against him. The hermit explains, that the cloak is a grave-cloth; the second friend, the relatives who take a man to the grave — 
 the strange house (p. 473) ; but the third friend is the record of a man's good and evil deeds (p. 474). If the good preponderate, 
 the man is saved ; if not, he goes to the dark house of Hell (p. 474). 
 
THE LITTLE PATH, AND THE VOICE CALLING PEOPLE TO COME, WASH, AND EAT. 459 
 
 32 
 
 So that togederys gonnen they gon ; 
 
 the goodman to fore ]>& kyng fblwed son ; 20 
 
 And Euere hadde the kyng gret drede 
 
 how In that weye he scholde spede. 
 
 And As he loked hym there Ahowte, 
 
 he Sawh of thevys A ful gret Rowte, 24 
 
 So J>at ]?e kynges drede dyde Evere laste 
 
 Tyl that theke weye he were paste ; 
 
 Por Ipe thevys token there Every Man 
 
 That they Myhten leyn hond vppon. 28 
 
 And whanne In this weye long hadde he 
 gon, 
 Abowtes hym he lokede thanne Anon, 
 And that man thanne sawh he nowht, 
 the whiche theke weye hadde him browht. 
 
 thanne In to A lytel path there Entred he, 
 The moste delytable that Evere myhte be, 
 and ful of trees froyt beringe, 
 Al grene, & ful of flowres, to his semenge. 
 
 And whanne he was Entred Into this plas, 
 A wondirful vois him thouhte ther was, 
 " Cometh & wascheth, 30 pleple Echon, 
 And to 30ure Mete thanne schole 30 gon 
 Aboven In that hye Cyte ; 
 Eor J)er J^e tables Al redy they be, 
 and swete Metes for 30W I-dyht ; 
 thus sente 30W to seyne the lord most of 
 
 myht." 44 
 
 The kyng, that desired sore to knowen of 
 this, 
 Whethir his sorwe scholde hau Ony Ende 
 
 I-wys,— 
 And As he wolde hau Enqwered of hem tho, 
 Easte to forn hym thanne Gonnen they go ; 48 
 
 3n2 
 
 Ensi s'en aloient ensamble, 
 
 chil deuant, et li rois apres, 
 
 si auoit li rois mult grant paour 
 
 tant com il aloit la voie. 
 
 Car il veoit de. toutes pars le chemin 
 
 auiroune de reubeours et de larrons 
 
 qui ne faisoient fors agaitier 
 
 pour sauoir se il peusseut tenir entre 
 lor mains. 
 
 Et quant il auoit grant pieche ale 
 chele uoie, 
 
 il se regardoit, 
 
 si ne veoit de nule part chelui 
 
 qui r auoit garandi des larrons. 
 
 Et lors entroit en .i. petit sentier, 
 le plus biel et le plus delitable del siecle, 
 
 plains d' arbres portans fruit, 
 36 et verdoians de toutes pars. 
 Et quant il estoit entres. 
 II oi vne vois qui disoit 
 
 " venes lauer, gent de toutes lois, 
 40 et ales mangier 
 a le haute chite. 
 Car les tables sont mises, 
 
 et les douches viandes apparillies. 
 
 Che vous mande chil qui tout seit, 
 qui cheste court tient." 
 
 Li rois, qui tant couuoitoit et desiroit 
 a counoistre chelui qui tout sauoit, 
 
 pour lui demander de sa dolour, se ele 
 prenderoit iamais fin. 
 
 Quant il ot parler qu' il deuoit court 
 tenir. 
 
460 label's vision, he does not wash; is refused entbance to the high city. 
 
 and so folwede lie faste Certayne 
 
 tyl that he Cam to An hy Mowntayne, 
 
 the heyest that Evere say he to fore 
 
 Prom the tyme that he was hore, — 52 
 
 On whiche Moimtayn was A welle, 
 
 The fairest that Evere he herde of telle ; 
 
 and there they weschen Everychon 
 
 that to pe Mete In that Cite scholde gon ; 56 
 
 hut the kyng wysch there not he, 
 
 hut Aftir that Compenye faste gan to fle. 
 
 And whanne to the gates they comen 
 Echon 
 Of that Cyte, they Entred Anon, 60 
 
 AUe that Evere hadde waschen Atte welle 
 To that Cite weren welcomed ful snelle, 
 Where As gret loye they hadden there 
 In Manye A worschepful diuers Manere. 64 
 
 Thanne the kyng Anon Entren wolde he, 
 but therto hadde non Maner of powste. 
 thanne Axede he of the porter Anon, 
 'Why that In to the halle he ne myhte 
 
 gon.' 68 
 
 thanne Answerid the porter A3eyn, 
 " for ]?ou wost not waschen thin hondys In 
 
 Certein 
 At the welle, As Other hau don, 
 )?erfore here-Inne schalt ]?ou not gon. 
 Eor non Man, but 3if he Clene be. 
 Into this halle Entreth not he." 
 
 And the kyng, that ful of sorwe was, 
 Atte A weket loked In to that plas, 
 and sawh his soster that he hadde 
 
 slayn, 
 Atte the hygh table Sitten Certein, 76 
 
 si se pensa k' il iroit. Lots se metoit 
 au chemin, et erroit tant qu' il venoit 
 a la plus haute montange 
 qu'il eust veu onques 
 
 71* 
 72 
 
 72* 
 
 ou tout chil lauoient a vne fontaine 
 qui deuoient mangier a la haute chite. 
 
 Li rois n' aloit point lauer a la fontaine, 
 ainss'esmouuoit aaler apres lesautres. 
 Et quant il venoit as portes 
 
 de la haute chite: 
 
 li autre qui auoient laue i entroient, 
 
 et venoient a la grant ioie et as grans 
 
 nueches ke chil de laiens faisoient 
 
 toute iour. 
 
 Li rois voloit entrer la dedens, ausi 
 
 comme li autre: 
 
 mais il n' auoit mie le congie ne le pooir. 
 
 Ains li disoient chil qui la porte gar- 
 
 doient. 
 
 " Pour chou que tu ne uausis lauer 
 
 a la fontaine, 
 
 n' enterras tu pas chaiens. 
 
 Car nus n'i entre s' il ne s' est auant 
 netoies." 
 
 Et li rois, qui tant ert dolans de chele parole, 
 ke nient plus ne parloit, ains se taisoit, 
 
 et regardoit laiens parmi .i. treu de la 
 
 porte, 
 
 et veoit sa serour ke il auoit ochise, 
 
 qui mangoit laiens a chele grant feste 
 auoec ler antrps. 
 
HIS SISTER TELLS HIM TO "WASH. HE GOBS BACK, AND IS SEIZED BY THE THIEVES. 461 
 
 And with A chapelet rppon hire hed 
 ful of precious stones In that sted; 
 And him thouhte hire neuere so fair Er 
 be A thousendfOld As sche was ther. 
 And whanne sche sawh he beheld hire 
 
 so, 
 Sche seide, " go, wasche the As we hau do. 
 And ]?anne schalt ]>ovl with vs atte Mete 
 
 be. 
 And ben I-servid with alle deynte." 
 
 Whanne the kyng beheld Al this Manere 
 That he ne myhte not ben E-esceyved 
 
 there. 
 Anon his weye he turnede Ageyn 
 that same way that he cam Certein ; 
 but wardeyn thanne hadde he non 
 whanne thoruh this medwe he scholde gon. 
 
 thanne Cam this peple there Anon, 
 and vppon hym leyden hond Echon, 
 that of his deth neuere was he so sore Aferd 
 Sethen he Cam In-to Middillerd. 
 thanne he Axed hem Everichon 
 ' "Why they leyden hond hym vppon.' 
 " For we welen so, I telle it the, 
 Eor thou Art Al oure In Every degre, 
 And with vs now schalt thou go 
 In to what place we welen leden J)e to." 
 
 thanne drowen they me forth Anon 
 be the her & be J?e hondes, & forth gonne 
 
 gon; 
 and be the feet they drowen me faste 
 to An hows In A valeye Atte laste, 
 the whiche was wastful & wilde ; 
 and In that hows Meyne that was vn-Mylde, 
 
 80 
 
 84 
 
 92 
 
 et auoit en sa teste .j. chapiel 
 
 de flours de lis. 
 
 et estoit tant biele et tant auenans, qu' il 
 
 sambloit au roi qui le gardoit 
 
 ke ele fust ore. a .c. doubles plus biele 
 
 ke ele n' auoit deuant este. 
 
 Et quant ele veoit qu' il le regardoit. 
 
 ele li disoit " vaissiaus de terra emplis 
 de motes, va toi alegier et lauer, 
 si mangeras a chaste grant ioie ou tu 
 nous vols." 
 
 Quant li rois oi, 
 
 qu' il n' i prenderoit plus, 
 
 si s' en partoit, 
 
 et s'en ratournoit a son chemin, 
 
 si n'auoit gaires a le grant gent, 
 
 [qui] le prenoient si hideusement 
 qu'il en auoit grant paour de mort. 
 
 Et il leur demandoit 
 
 96 ' pour quoi il metoient main a lui.' 
 '' Pour chou," faisoient il, 
 
 " que tu ies tous nostres, 
 
 et te metrons 
 
 100 la u nous vaurons." 
 
 Lors I'en menoient, 
 
 batant, et traiant par las pies et par 
 Ies cauaus 
 
 1Q4, iusc'a a vne maison qui estoit en vne 
 ualee 
 gaste et laide. 
 
 Et ichele maisons 
 
462 label's vision, the black house heightens him. he wakes and shouts. 
 
 Por it was so fowl, so hydous, forto be-holde, 
 tliat Erthely man was neuere so bolde 
 tliat hous to Entren to discrye, 
 It was so f al of filthe and velonye. 
 and wondir blak it was therto, 
 Eul of wepinges & Cryenges as it myhte go : 
 and Al tliis the kyng In Avisioun Say, 
 that for drede he deyde nygh that day. 
 
 And whanne him thouhte In Ms Aviciown 
 that Into jjat hous they wolden hau throwen 
 
 him down, — 
 And for drede Anon wook he there, 
 And wondirly Cryde, & in An hy Manere, 
 And Seyde, " help now, I nam but ded 
 but 3if ich have Ony other E-ed." 
 And thus Cryde he with so An hy A voys 
 that he Made Hiht A wondirful Noys, 
 So that Alle his lordis and Baronye 
 herden how wondirly that he gan to Crye, 
 And to hym Ronnen they AUe Anon 
 Porto weten what so he wolde don. 
 
 there fownden they him In his bed liggenge 
 As A Man that Made wel Mochel Mornenge, — 
 Neuere Man So mochel Made to here mynde, — 
 which stoned hem Alle In here Kynde, 
 Eor Al day Merye they hadden ben. 
 But whanne the kyng thus gonne they sen, 
 Astoned fowle weren they alle 
 What of this Mater Myhte befalle. 
 
 Thanne tweyne that with him weren most 
 preve, 
 To hym they Comen ful Softele, 
 and seiden, " Sire, what may 30W Ay lie, 
 Ojier what Manere thing dyde 30W Asaille," 
 
 estoit si Hdeuse et si espoentable 
 a regarder, 
 10" qu'il n'a el monde cuer si hardi 
 
 s'il le veist ke paour n'en eust. 
 
 112 
 
 116 
 
 120 
 
 136 
 
 Ichele. maisons estoit si noire et si 
 
 Hdeuse, 
 
 et si plains de pleurs et de larmes et 
 
 de cris, 
 
 keli rois qui tele le ueoit en son songe, 
 
 en auoit mult grant paour. 
 
 Quant che fu chose ke chil I'auoient 
 pris en son dormant, et le voloient ieter 
 dedens auoec les autres dont il i auoit 
 grant plente. 
 
 II ot paour si tres grant qu'il s'en 
 esuilla tons. Et la ou il ueilloit a che 
 qu'il ne fu pas enchore tous ietes de la 
 paour, si s'escria a hautes uois, 
 et dist, " mors sui." 
 
 et le dist si haut 
 
 ke tout li baron qui pres de lui estoient, 
 
 124 I'entendirent bien. 
 
 Et il orent paour de lui, si entrerent 
 el pauillon, 
 
 et le trouuerent 
 128 si grant duel faisant 
 
 que iamais grignour n'orres. 
 II furent trop esbahi, 
 
 -, „2 '^^^ ^ I'auoient toudis veu plus lie et 
 plus ioiant ke nul des autres. 
 
 Et chU de laiens qui fu plus priues 
 de lui 
 
 li dist. " Sire, c'aues vous:" 
 
LABEL SENDS POE, CELIDOTNE, AND ASKS HIM TO INTERPRET HIS VISION. 
 
 463 
 
 Per they knewen be Ms Oryenge 
 
 that he was Aferd In his dremenge. 140 
 
 thanne seide he to hem Anon there 
 That thike tyme Abowtes him were, 
 ' That there Say Neuere Erthly man 
 So Merveillous Syhtes as he Sawh than ;' lu 
 
 " where-fore I schal neuere blithe be 
 Tyl there offen I knowe the Certeinte. 
 Now to fore me bring forth Oelidoyne 
 That myn Other Avision declared Certeine ; 148 
 and 3if of this he telle me As verraylly 
 As he of the tother dyde trewly, — 
 what thing he wele Comanden me to 
 At his Owne wille, I wyle it now do." 152 
 
 So to this child thanne gonnen they go 
 that I A pavilown On slope was tho ; 
 And him A- woken ful tendirlye, 
 For that to the kyng he Moste hye. 156 
 
 and the Child him dressed vppe Anon, 
 And to forn the kyng thanne Gan to gon. 
 
 & whanne the kyng on Ipe child gan looke, 
 Gret Comfort thanne to him he tooke; 16O 
 
 " Now, Maister," quod the kyng thanne, 
 " As I holde the most wysest manne 
 that euere Sawh I of thin Age, 
 And that born Is of so hygh parage, — i64 
 
 I preye 30W that 30 wolden tellen me 
 Of that I schal 30W schewen, the Certeinte." 
 
 " Sire," quod Celidoyne, " I wele ful gladly ; 
 but not be myn owne wit, sire, trewly, 168 
 
 but As I am Enformed of the Maister Above 
 "Whiche that thou Owhtest wel forto love, 
 and for thow west not leven his word to me, 
 There-fore sore blamed schalt thou be. 172 
 
 Et il s'aperchut maintenant ke che 
 auoiteste songesqui si I'auoitespoente. 
 Si respondi a chieus qui estoient en- 
 tour lui. 
 
 " Jou ai," fait il, " veu en mon dormant 
 les grignoursmeruelles kerois morteus 
 veist onques mais, au mien quidier: 
 dont ie ne serai iamais granment aise, 
 che vous di iou bien vraiement, 
 deuant ke iou en sache la uerite pure. 
 
 Or m'amenes celidoine, 
 
 qui de mon autre songe me dist uerite 
 
 et la senefianclie. 
 
 Et se il de chestui me fait ausichertain 
 
 com il fist de I'autre: 
 
 II ne commandera ia chose 
 
 que iou ne fache.'' 
 
 A tant vienent a chel enfant 
 
 qui se dormoit el pauillon ausi com on 
 doit aucune fois es grans iours d'este 
 si I'esuellent, 
 
 et li dient " venes tost au roi." 
 Et li enfes se lieue, 
 
 et vient au roi qui enchore faisoit son 
 
 duel asses grant. 
 
 Mais si tost com il vit I'enfant, 
 
 si fu asses plus reconfortes ke deuant- 
 
 Si I'asiet deuant soi, etlidist. "Mais- 
 tres, sages et pourueans, 
 
 conselle moi de chou ke ie te dirai. 
 
 Conseille chest caitif roi,cheste poure 
 
 persone: et fai moi chertain de che 
 
 que ie te demanderai." 
 
 " Eois," fait celidoines, " che tant ke 
 
 ie t' enseignerai de bien, et dirai, 
 
 n'est mie par ma sciense, 
 
 mais par che ke li haus maistres m' a 
 
 descouuert par sa deboinairete, 
 
 et se tu ne mes a oeure les paroles 
 qu'il te mande par se petite persone : de 
 tant seras tu plus hounis et confondus. 
 
464 CELEDOTJJE EXPOUNDS LABEL'S VISION. THE BROAD ROAD IS THE OLD LAW. 
 
 Chil meismes prophetes, chil haus sires 
 
 ke tu veis iadis mener tant vilaine- 
 
 ment a sa mort parmi la chite de (a) 
 
 ke se tu veus entrer en la haute chite 
 
 ke tu ueis en ton dormant, 
 
 qu'il te conuient auant faire che ke 
 
 iou te dirai. 
 
 et se tu le refuses, 
 
 il te pramet 
 
 la maison tenebreuse qui est plaine de 
 larmes et de plours et de dolours.'' 
 
 Qvant li rois label ot cheste parole, 
 si se laissa chaoir as pies celidoine, 
 et li dist tout en plourant. '' Mult 
 ameroie, sergans boins et loiaus en ta 
 nouiele loy. car garnie est meruilleuse- 
 ment de flours et de fuelles etde fruit. 
 Et si connois as paroles ke tu me dis, 
 ke tu ies si hautement garnis de la 
 grasce ihesu crist 
 que iou sui pres de faire outreement 
 
 chou ke tu me commanderas. 
 
 Mais ke tu m' aies chertefiiet 
 
 des meruelles ke i'ai veues en mon 
 
 dormant,*' 
 
 " Et iou t'en cherte.fierai si bien," fait 
 
 li enfes, 
 
 "ke tu en uerras apertement la sene- 
 fianche, et si te dirai ensi com il auint, 
 
 pour chou que tu m'en croies enchore miex. 
 Si ne t'en porroit ore nus horn chertefiier, se 
 notres sires ne le auoit descouuert a nul home 
 ne fait sauoir. 
 
 lyi grans chemins ke tu ueis en ton 
 songe, ou tant de gent auoient ale : 
 senefie la vielle loy, 
 
 ou si grans pules et si grans gens 
 com tu as oi dire maintes fois. 
 
 Car de tous chiaus qui estoient maistre et 
 pastor, ni auoit pas grantment qui tres bien 
 I'entendissent. Si qu'il ne veoient fors I'es- 
 corche la u ou il ne deussent veoir fors ke la 
 moule. 
 
 (a) iherusaelem a ichele eure ke n'auoies ke .v. ans de cage, ke tu meismes desis ke il n' auoit mie 
 mort deseruie. et ensi le dist pylates qui estoit tes parens. Chil dons sires, chil dous piteus, ke on apiele 
 ihesu cris, qui m'a tant descouuert de ses secres, — sole merchi ke iou sai tout apiertement, chou ke tu as 
 veu en ton dormant — te mande par moi. 
 
 For whanne thou Come to that Cite 
 
 Which In thy Slep was schewed to the, 
 
 3if that thow wylt Entren there, 
 
 Thou Most don As I schal the lere ; 176 
 
 And but thou wilt Aftir me don so. 
 
 To Endeles dirknesse elles schalt thou go, 
 
 To that dirk hous ful of teres & sorwe 
 
 Endeleslyto dwellen,]7at nomanschal the borwe." 180 
 
 And whanne the kyng herd hym speken so, 
 On knes Aforn hym down fyl he tho, 
 & seide, " Al that Evere thou seyst me here, 
 I knowe it verrayly In Eche Manere, 184 
 
 And that thou Art hy with god Above, 
 I knowe ful wel he doth the love, — 
 So what that Evere tho Comandest Me, 
 I schal it fulfyllen ful Certeiale. 188 
 
 Eor thou hast told me verraUlye 
 That In myn Avicion I sawh Certeynlye." 
 
 "36," quod Oelidoyne Anon ryht tho, 
 " 3it More schal I tellen the Er that I go : 192 
 
 I schal the schewen the Signefiaimce 
 Of Al thin Avicion with-owten variaunce. 
 So that the bettere thou schalt me leve 
 Eor that swiche thinges I schal ]?e preve : — 195 
 
 " The grete weye that thou there Sye, 
 Signefleth the old lawe Sekerly, 
 Where that so gret peple to forn hau gon 
 As thou hast herd tellen of Many on ; 200 
 
 and swich As grete Maistres were. 
 And wolden not vndirstondin Ipe peple to lere 
 
THE ROBBEBS ARE THE DEVIL. THE SEEMLY MAN IS JESUS CHKIST. 
 
 465 
 
 but let liem Gon to AUe wrechchednesse, 
 
 to filthes, and synne, And vnkendenesse, 204 
 
 So that Every day that Cursede Enemy 
 
 To hym hem draweth by and by, 
 
 And Casteth hem In to helle anon, — 
 
 As wel good as bad thedir wenten Echon, — 208 
 
 lo this Enemy is to Signefye 
 
 that be the weyes lyn so aparttly 
 
 Eor to taken hem that passen therby, 
 
 this signefieth the devel ful trewly. 212 
 
 " Now [be] this weye that thou hast Seyn, 
 the olde lawe vndirstonde thou ful pleyn ; 
 and be the Hobberis that be there, 
 vndirstonde thou the devel In Ech Manere ; 216 
 And be the faire Man that with the wente, 
 vndirstonde thou Crist veramente ; 
 There God Of the hadde pyte. 
 And In that dredful weye Governed the 220 
 
 So that thyn Enemyes hadden non power 
 In Non wyse forto Neyhen the there. 
 Eor of him Ones haddest thou pyte, 
 there fore so hath he now of the. 224 
 
 And wistest thou neuere what pete was 
 thike tyme In that same plas. 
 
 " Now haue I told the Al In fere 
 Of that faire Man In this Manere 228 
 
 that In that weye Oowndered the 
 Among Alle tho thevys ful Sekerle ; 
 3it A Nothir E-esoun I schal the Schewe 
 To forn Al this peple yppon A rewe, 232 
 
 be the grete weye that is so wyde 
 I schal the declaren At this tyde. 
 
 thou sixt wel whanne A schippe is with-Inne, 
 And to the Se goth, and may not blynne, 236 
 
 3o 
 
 Par quoi il s'abandounoient a tous 
 
 pechies morteus 
 
 et a toutes iniquites. 
 
 Dont il auint qu'il en cairent en si 
 
 grant seruage. ke li anemis 
 
 le prenoit tout uif, et en char, et en os : 
 
 et les enportoit en infer, 
 
 autresi les boins com les mauuais. 
 
 Ichil anemi dont iou parole qui ia paradis par 
 leur orguel del ohiel cairent, qui deuant la 
 passion ihesu crist auoient tel poeste qu' il 
 prenoient les boins et les mauuais par com- 
 mune sentense : senefient les reubeours et les 
 larrons qui d' en coste la grant uoie atendoient 
 pour prendre les trespassans si com tu ueis 
 
 donques 
 
 dois tu entendre la vielle loy. 
 
 et es gaiteours dois tu entendre les anemis qui 
 tous iours gaites a ieter home de boine uoie et 
 a decheuoir, pour nous ieter del boineureus 
 iretage dont il furent iadis iete par lor orguel. 
 Li horn qui tant estoit biaus, qui te fai- 
 soit compaignie et t' ostoit du chemin 
 espoentable : chou est ihesu cris, 
 
 qui, pour chou que tu eus aueune fois pite de 
 
 lui quant tu ne sauoies quel chose pites estoit : 
 
 te desfendoit des reubeours. Ensi t' a il rendue 
 
 ta bonte. Car se tu u eus en sa destreche 
 
 pitie de lui. II t'a puis regarde si piteuse- 
 
 ment ke onques en chaste orde vie ke tu as puis 
 
 toudis menee, ne te laissa perir ne sousprendre 
 
 del anemi. Ains t' a garde tant qu"il t' a iete, se 
 
 tu veus et il te plaist, du grant seruage d' infer. 
 
 Or t'ai moustre 
 
 qui chis horn 
 
 qui compaignie li (sic) porta en la 
 
 grant voie 
 
 qui plaine estoit de reubeours et de 
 
 larrons. 
 
 Et enchore i a il vne autre raison 
 
 pour quoi chele male voie est ajiielee 
 
 larghe. 
 
 Et si le te dirai. 
 
 Tu seis bien puis que li horn est en- 
 tres en la nef 
 
466 SINNERS ARE AS SHIPS DRIVEN BY THE WIND. THE GREEN WAY IS THE NEW LAW. 
 
 And hatli nethir Maister ne Governour 
 
 That scMppe to Steren In that stowr ; 
 
 And whanne fer into the Se Is he go, 
 
 and with the wynd beten bothe to & fro, 240 
 
 Tyl Amyddes the see that he be 
 
 that brod & large Is Onne to se, 
 
 there Nis non Man that him Socoure May 
 
 Sauf Only God that is verray ; — ^ 244 
 
 This Owhtest thow to vnrdirstondyn here 
 
 Of the weye of Synneris In this Manere. 
 
 " Por Anon As A Cristen man In Ony weye 
 Porsaketh his Oreatonr, Serteinlye 248 
 
 thanne hath he broken this weye Anon 
 that thou Sie Alle the folk Inne gon ; 
 thanne taken they bothe leve & lycense 
 Eorto folwen the develis precense, 252 
 
 And thanne scholen they haven Compenye 
 that weye to gon ful Sekerlye, 
 and here flessches lust to fulfllle, 
 and leven the goode wey & taken the ylle 256 
 
 Aftir the develys Oownsaille, 
 that Nothing may him A-vaylle. 
 And In this weye. Sire kyng label, 
 hast thou longe gon, thou wost ful wel ; 260 
 
 hut now at this Manere of Oomenge, 
 And thow wilt, thou schalt hauen Comfortynge 
 Of him that the best helpen he May, 
 [He] Schal the Owt Bringe this selve day. 264 
 
 " 3it schal I more to the here declare 
 Of the grene weye that thou sye thare : 
 The newe lawe it doth Signefye 
 that Everiday Encresith certeinlye. 268 
 
 And the streite weye that was there, 
 Signefieth of hem that there Inne were, 
 
 ou il n' a maistre pour gouuerner, 
 ne auiron pour nagier, ne gouuernal, 
 maintenant qu' il eslonge de la riue, 
 
 et il est boutes et espains de uens qui 
 le quiurient, et en qui maintes ondes 
 sont contraires, puis qu' il est en la nier 
 qui tant est lee et large: 
 
 II n'est riens qui de peril le peust ieter 
 
 se notres sires maismes n'estoit. 
 Ausi dois tu entendre 
 
 de la uoie de pecliie. 
 
 Car si tost com li crestiens s'est partis 
 de son creatour. 
 
 II a ses loiens rompus. 
 
 11 ne troeue a dont qui le destourt a 
 faire sa volente- Et lors est il escom- 
 meus et amonestes de pechier, et en 
 apiert et en repost. Lors a congie de 
 faire sa uolente. Lors troeue il sa voie 
 si meruilleusement deliuie qu'il n' i 
 troeue encontre ni aohopement. 
 Ains fait tout plainement quanques 
 sa maleureuse char desire, 
 
 et quankes li anemis li conseille. Est 
 bien cheste uoie larghe et abandounee 
 
 En clieste voie, rois label, 
 
 as tu grant pieche este, che seis tubien. 
 
 Mais ore es a che uenus 
 
 ke chil qui ieter t'en puet, 
 
 ne nus autres ne t'en puet ieter fors il : 
 
 t'en garandira 
 
 et t'en ietera a chest point, se toi plaist. 
 
 Ore te dirai ke I'autre senefie, 
 
 chele qui est verdoians et plaine 
 d' arbres. 
 
 La uoie verdoians senefie la nouiele loy, 
 qui chascun iour amende et enforche 
 et verdist, 
 
 et plus, che que ele estoit estroite 
 
 senefie que chil qui dedens se metent 
 
THE STRAIT WAT IS GOD's COMMAND. THE GREEN TREES HIS PASTORS. 467 
 
 [tliey] hadden [no] leve forth there to gon, 
 that Goddis Comaundement fulfilden Echon, 
 And of holy chirche Also thanne, 
 In Jjat wey wente swich manor of Manne. 
 
 " lo, this Goddis Comandement Is, 
 that non ChUd of holy chirche Iwys 
 Scholde Erren Ajens his Oreatour 
 be non manere of wise, for non dolour, 
 Ne nethir to don non dedly Synne, 
 Ne vsen non Coveitise ne]?er more ne Mynne ; 
 And forsaken Envye Also therto, 
 3if Aftir god & trowthe thou wilt do ; 
 Ne be non thouht to fallen In to synne, 
 but Evere the E.yht weye hold the with-Inne. 
 
 " The Trees that be that grene weye stoden 
 Abowte, 
 pastours of holy Chirche it signefien with- 
 
 owten dowte, 
 that Alle Abowtes the world don gon 
 The holy vangelye forto vndon, 
 
 " The vols that thou herdest Clepen there 
 Signefleth goddis Mercy In Echo Manere 
 that Clepith Synneris that Synne hau forsake. 
 And lust that to his Servise hau hem take. 
 And behotyth hem Al Manere of delicasye 
 That to ony Mannes wyt May Applye, 
 
 Be that weUe, vndirstonde thou here, 
 Whiche In that Mowntayne thou sye there, 
 that is to Signefye Euere god Alone 
 That Aboven Sitteth In his trone, 
 the wheche is the heyest lord & kyng, 
 and heyghest he is ouer Alle Maner thing ; 
 Which is sene be his Bownte, 
 And be many Miracles In diuers degre 
 
 3o2 
 
 n' ont pas congie d' aler du tout a Jeur 
 volente. ains sont constraint a che qu'il 
 272 n'issent fors des commandemens notre 
 signour. 
 
 Et saues vous quel li commandement 
 sont: 11 sont tel 
 276 ke nus qui soit fiex de sainte eglise, 
 
 ne doit errer centre son oreatour 
 
 ne pechier mortelement. 
 
 280 ne auoir en soi conuoitise 
 
 ne enuie. 
 
 ains doit viure selonc verite et selonc 
 dieu, 
 
 et ne doit mie cancheler en pechie par 
 diuerses penses. Mais aler a la droite voie de 
 284 ^'®» ^* droite sente qui maine home en la com- 
 paignie des angeles. Et se doit mener et con- 
 duire tout ausi comme la droite ligne de verite 
 le commande. 
 Li arbres qui chele uoie auirounoient 
 
 senefient les apostles et les prelas de 
 sainte eglise 
 
 qui uont prechant chascun iour par le 
 
 monde 
 
 la uerite del ewangile. 
 
 La uois qui apieloit ' gens de toutes lois 
 
 uenes manger,' 
 
 senefie la grant misericorde nostre 
 
 signour, 
 
 la grant douchour qui apiele a soi les 
 
 pecheours 
 
 et les iustes, 
 
 et leur proumet a douner viandes 
 
 douches et boines. 
 
 288 
 
 292 
 
 Par la fontaine 
 296 que tu veis en la montaigne 
 dois tu entendre ihesu crist, 
 
 300 
 
 le grant maistre, le haut signeur, 
 
 qui par bonte de vie, 
 
 et par les miracles et par les uirtus 
 
468 
 
 THE WELL IS THE TJNCTIOK 03? BAPTISM. THE CITY IS PARADISE. 
 
 Whiche he wrowMe In this world here ; 
 
 Por oner Alle Erthly men he hadde powere, 
 
 And AboYen Alle Other heyest is he 
 
 lik As )?at Mowntayn AboYen o]?er semed ]?e to be : 
 
 and lik As that Mowntayn AboYen therthe was, 
 
 So la Grod heyghest In EYery plas. 
 
 " & for that Cause the welle Icleped It is 
 The vnctioun of Baptesme with-owten Mis, 
 Wheche was be goddis Ordenannce, 
 And God it fulfilde to his plesannce. 
 There sye thow god In Maieste 
 that toward this welle browhte the. 
 
 " And that Cyte that So fair & swete 
 was, 
 vndirstonde thou paradys In this plas. 
 Where that god Maketh his hyghe feste 
 To alle his beloYed, bothe leste and Meste. 
 
 " And vndirstonde thou here-by Also, 
 that whanne In Atte gates thou myhtest not go 
 Eor thou Nost waschschen In non Manere 
 Atte welle. As other diden there, — 
 ]7erfore it signeiieth In this degre 
 That Goddis Seriaunt ne myht ]?ou not be, 
 
 Nethir non Child of holy Chirche, 
 
 but 3if 0|7erwise that J)OU wilt wirche 
 
 And that I-Cristened that thou be, 
 
 3if thow wilt Ony of these festes se. 
 
 ' And for the bettere ]?ou scholdest hau me 
 in creaunce, 
 
 Al this I the telle with-owten Enqweraunce. 
 
 And Jjen so longe In swevenyng thou hast be. 
 
 In schort processe I haue declared it to the ; 
 
 And there fore leYe me 3if thou wilt. 
 
 And but 3if ]70u do, thou schalt be spilt. 
 
 304 
 
 308 
 
 312 
 
 316 
 
 320 
 
 324 
 
 qu'il faisoit tant com hom il fu en chest 
 siecle entre nous, com hom mortens 
 
 apparissans par desus tons amres 
 
 au tant graindres 
 
 au tant plus haus 
 
 com les montanges aperent plus hautes 
 
 des moienes terres. 
 
 Par cheste raison donques. La fon- 
 
 teine ke on apiele 
 
 le sainte onde de baptesme ne puet 
 
 estre sans ihesu crist 
 
 Ne ihesu oris n'est mie sans lui. 
 
 Tu ueis en la montange la fontaine 
 Ch'est a dire ke tu ueis ihesu crist en 
 mi la sainte onde de baptesme. 
 Par la haute chite ki tant estoit biele 
 et enuoisie et plaine de ioie et de feate, 
 dois tu entendre paradis, la haute chite 
 de la sus la boineuree, ou li angele et 
 li boineure sergant ihesu crist mainent 
 ioie et feste et enuoiseure, et menront 
 sans fin. 
 
 Che en ke on te dist 
 
 ' ke tu n' i enterroies mie 
 
 pour chou ke tu n'auoies laue 
 
 a la fontaine.' 
 
 Senefie 
 
 que tu ne pues estre sergans ihesu 
 
 crist, 
 
 ne fiex de sainte eglise, 
 
 deuant ke tu soies laues et mondes 
 
 en la sainte eue de baptesme. 
 
 328 
 
 332 
 
 Et aucune chose qui est che meisme, 
 veis tu, n'a pas lone tans, en ton songe. 
 Et si te dirai quels li songes fu : pour 
 chou que tu m'en croies miex. 
 
 II t'estoit auis ke veoies en viies landes gastes 
 et desertes .j. serpent grant et meruilleus, et 
 ne veoit cliis serpens toute. et ne-pour-quant 
 il uoloit tant qu'il venoit a la rouge mer. Et 
 quant il estoit paruenua, il entroit ens, et puis 
 s'en rissoit. Et quant tu V en veis issir, tu qui 
 I'esgardoies t'esmeruilloies mout durement. 
 
THE DESERT LANDS ARE LABEL'S WICKED WORKS. THE SERPENT IS LABEL. 469 
 
 Al this, Sie thow, kyng Label, 
 In thyn Aviciown Everydel, 
 "Whiche thou woldest neuere to man discure, 
 for ]?on wendist that neuere Creature 
 Of non Manere Erthly londe 
 Cowde it the don to vndirstonde : 
 but As the hyghe Maister Enformed hath me, 
 I haue the told In Eche degre, 
 
 " Be the wastful lawndes, haue vndir- 
 stondyng 
 Thy wykked werkys In AUe thing 
 that thou hast don Al thy lyve 
 Sethen thou were born In wo & stryve. 
 therfore Cristened loke that thou be 
 3if thou wilt ben holpen In Ony degre. 
 
 " Now forthermore I schal the telle, 
 that dirk blak hows signefyeth helle; 
 
 Car tu ueoies tout apertement qui i ert 
 niues en blanc coulon, et, tout chou 
 336 veis tu en ton songe. 
 
 Itois label, ne onques n' el descouuris 
 
 a home 
 
 pour chou ke tu ne quidoies pas 
 
 ke nus 
 
 340 t' en desist la senefianche, mais si fera. 
 lou le te dirai tout ausi comme li 
 haus maistres le m' a descouuert. 
 
 Par les landes gastes et deserts, 
 dois tu entendre les males oeures et 
 les grans desloiautes 
 
 344 
 
 348 
 
 ou tu maufis ' [MS. mausis^ des dont 
 premierement ke tu issis du uentre ta 
 mere, (a) 
 
 Or te dirai ke la maisons tenebrouse senefie 
 ke tu ueis en ton songe. Chele maisons qui 
 si estoit plaine de plours et de larmes, et ki si 
 estoit oscure et noire, senefie infer. 
 
 (a) Par le serpent, dois tu entendre les males oueures, et toi meisme. Car sans faille 
 tu ies drois sarpens et drois anemis. Car tu ne fesis onques chose se peu non qui a notre 
 signour pleust. Et che que il ne veoit goute, senefie ke tu ies auules. Car se tuueisses 
 uraiement, ke tu n'eusses pas tant demoure el peohie com tu as. Et che que li serpens 
 uoloit trusc' a la rouge mer, senefie toi qui uoleras. Ch' est a dire, ke tu enterras en le 
 sainte eue, et en la boineuree, ke on apiele baptesme, et serras oirs ihesu crist, et fiex ausi, 
 com li autre sont qui au saint baptesme sont uenu. 
 
 Par la rouge mer ke notre sires a ouuri iadis as fiex israel, dois tu entendre le bap- 
 tesme ou li sergant ihesu crist sont puerfiiet, et sont oste des mains as nemis pardurables, 
 tout ausi com il fil ysrael furent oste des mains es egyptiiens. Par la rousee de la mer dis 
 tu entendre le boineure sane qui issi del boineure coste au prophete dont iou parole. Et 
 tout ausi com li fil ysrael furent peu de I'aumosne qu' il lor enuoia es desers iusc' a tant 
 qu' il vinrent en terre de promission. Ch' est a dire qu" il vendront a la ioie de paradis 
 qui ia ne faura, et ch' est la terre qui lor fu promise. Che que li serpens fu mues en cou- 
 lon, senefie la muanche qui sera faite de toi se tu viens a baptesme. Car de chest saint 
 lauement seras tu mues d'anemi en ami ihesu crist, et de serf en franc. Car illuec 
 seras tu mues et deslies des loiiens as morteus gaiteours. Or t' ai descouuert, rois label, 
 ton songe, ke tu onques ne descouuris a home mortel. Or pues sauoir ke chil seit auques 
 de tes afaires qui che m' a demoustre. 
 
 The serpent means 
 Label himself, who 
 has never done good. 
 
 Its not seeing, means 
 Label's spiritual 
 blindness. . 
 
 Its flying to the Red 
 Sea, means Label's 
 going to baptism. 
 
 The bringing the 
 Israelites through the 
 Red Sea, means the 
 rescue of Christ's 
 servants from the 
 Devil by baptism. 
 The fewness of the 
 Israelites who reach 
 the Promised Land, 
 means their attaining 
 the joys of Paradise. 
 The serpent's change 
 of colour means 
 Label's change, 
 through Baptism, 
 from the foe to the 
 friend of Christ. 
 
470 THE DAEK BLACK HOUSE IS HELL. LABEL PROMISES TO OBET CELIDOTNB. 
 
 To wheche place Al Miscreaunt 
 
 Atte the day of dom schal ben here haunt. 352 
 
 To whiche Ostel that Is so blak, 
 
 At that dom Gost thow with-owten lak ; 
 
 but 3if it In this world thou it Amende, 
 
 EUis thedir gost thou with-owten Ende : 356 
 
 And so In this world myht thou don here 
 
 To blisse to Comen, that hath non pere." 
 
 "Now, Certes," quod kyng label tho, 
 " MerveiUously hast J>ou this vndo. 360 
 
 And 3it more merveillous is that lord 
 that to the hath discouered Every word; 
 And but he were Myhtiere thanne ojjer be, 
 this Mihte be Neuere hau schewed to the. 364 
 
 Where fore to him only I me take, 
 And Alle myn Olde werkes I forsake ; 
 And what that Evere 30 Comanden me to, 
 At 30ure byddyng I wele it do." 368 
 
 " thanne schal I tellen ]?e," Celidoyne gan 
 say, 
 " thus me hath Schewed the Maister verray 
 hos Seriawnt I am ful prest, 
 
 that here besides In this forest 372 
 
 dwelleth An holy Ermyt, and of good lif, 
 and Jjerto A prest with-owten stryf. 
 Go we to hym streyht Anon, 
 Cristendom to don the vppon 376 
 
 Baptism is the only 
 way to Bliss. 
 
 la u li desloial, li mescreant, 
 
 seront tresbuchie au iour du iugement. 
 Et en chele maison de qui pueur et 
 de qui ordure te t' esuillas 
 seras tu osteles et mis au iour del iuise 
 
 se tu ne fais en chest sieole par quoi 
 tu en doiues estre ostes en rautre."(a) 
 
 " Chertes" fait li rois, 
 
 " meruilleusement m'aues espons mon 
 
 songe. 
 
 Et meruilleus est li sires 
 
 qui chou vous a descouuert. 
 
 Chertes, s'il ne fust plus poissans, et 
 en pooir et en sauoir , ke nus autres sires : 
 icheste chose ne peust il pas auoir 
 descouuerte, ne I'une ne I'autre. 
 pour quoi iou ni' otroi des chi en auant 
 
 du tout a votre commandement : et 
 sui pres de faire vo conseil de toutes 
 choses." 
 
 " Eois," fait celidoines, " or te dirai 
 dont ke tu feras. 
 
 Che te mande li haus maistres 
 
 qui sergans ie sui. 
 
 ke apres de chi 
 
 maint vns hermites, mult preudom 
 
 et de sainte vie com est prestres. 
 
 Alons a lui 
 
 si te feras baptiser et laver en la sainte 
 
 onde, 
 
 " puet nus venir a chele hauteche ne 
 
 (a) " Et sans recheuoir baptesme," fait K rois 
 Label's sister was in a la chite ou iou vi mener si grant ioie." " Chertes," fait celidoines, " nenil." " Coument " 
 
 ma suer qui faisoit ausi grant ioie oomme li autre." " Che vous 
 
 Pai^dise because she foit li rois, " fu che dont 
 died a Christian ' 
 
 trsefajhrw'ho fw:" ^"""^ '"^ ^''° " ^^^* '=^'i'^°i°^«- " Sachies ke votre suer mourut crestiene, et rechut bap- 
 in the forest of il/a«6f, '^sme de la mam seraphe Termite, qui maint en vne forest ke on apiele maube Et chele 
 trtVllTople, °''' '°^°^' '''"' ^'^^it^^ meruiUeusement de serpens qui ochioient les gens. Mais puis .v 
 till the hermits' ans n' en i fu nus veus. Et seis tu quant ele fu widie de la vermine par la venue des 
 coming drove out the p.eudomes qui a chel iour se vinrent herbergier en la fore.t." 
 
LABEL S BARONS WILL NOT FOIiSAKB THEIR HEATHEN EAITH. 
 
 471 
 
 380 
 
 that I have to tlie Spoken of to fore, 
 
 forto Entren In to that Cite thore 
 
 To that hygh worthy feste 
 
 In paradis to dwellen with lest & meste." 
 
 " Certes," quod the kyng tho, 
 
 " Al this I am Redy forto do." 
 
 Thanne Axede this kyng Anon Ryht 
 Of duk, Erl, barown, And knyht, 
 3if they wolden Conceillen him ]jerto 
 this Manere thing Al forto do. 
 " Eor weteth wel In Certayn, 
 that In Myn herte I schal neuere be fayn 388 
 
 Tyl I-Cristened that I be, 
 As Celidoyne here Enformeth Me." 
 
 thanne Answered they him A3eyn, 
 ' that wold they neuere In Certein 392 
 
 Ne not departen from here lay 
 No more than here fadres be Olde day.' 
 ["beleve,] sire kyng," quod Celidoyne tho, 
 " Eor A3ens here wil it schal not be do." 396 
 
 Thanne Celidoyne this kyng vnclothed Anon, 
 and powre Clothes dyde hym vppon ; 
 ' Eor he ne wolde In non Manere 
 that so to forn him he Come there ' 400 
 
 In non Manor of swich Aray 
 that signefieth to pride in Ony way, 
 but As In lownesse And In humylite 
 So to forn him Comen scholen 30.' 404 
 
 dont iou t'ai parie, 
 
 si ke tu puisses veoir, 
 la grant feste et les grans nueches nes 
 et espurgies, ke on apiele paradis, de 
 quel eure ke li grans maistres te vienge 
 semonre." 
 • "■ Chertes," fait li rois "^ de chou sui iou 
 tous pres." 
 
 Lors demande li rois 
 
 384 a tous chiaus qui entour lui estoient. 
 
 " Signour, ke vous samble de chou qu'il 
 m' a dit. Estes vous consilliet de faire 
 che que iou ferai : 
 Sachies ke iou ne finerai iamais, 
 
 ne ne serai a aise 
 
 tresch' a chele eure ke iou arai estes 
 baptisies, puis ke ie puis tant amender 
 de baptesme." 
 
 Et chil dient 
 
 ' qu' il ne s' entremeteront ia. 
 
 ne ia ne partiront de leur loy ne de 
 
 leur creanche 
 
 ke leur pere tinrent." 
 
 " Signour," dist celidoines, " or le 
 
 laissies donques. 
 
 Car se vous le fesissies a forche, il ne 
 
 vous vauroit mie grantment. (a) 
 
 Lora fist celidoines desuestir le roi labiel, et 
 
 oster de son dos tous ses riches garnimens. 
 
 et li fist prendre reube poure, et li fist 
 
 uestir, 
 
 et li dist qu' il ne voloit pas 
 
 ke il venist deuant le preudome 
 
 en orguel, 
 
 mais en signs d'umelite et de pas- 
 
 cienche. 
 
 (a) Vous remanres ichi comme sergant al anemi et poeure de sens et garni de The barons will stay, 
 mal ensient. Et li rois s' en partira comme fiex et oirs de ihesu, si puis vraiement dire ^ ^n'^L^"^ "'^ 
 
 que notre sires par Ba misericorde a oste 1' aigniel d' entre 
 este estranles ne deuoures." Et il li demandent " qui £ 
 " li leu. et chil sent deuenu aigniel qui a dieu se tienent." 
 
 will 
 
 leus, sans che qu'il n' i a depart— the lamb 
 este estranles ne deuoures." Et il li demandent " qui sont li leu." " vous estes," fait il, a™heir of ChriTtr"^ 
 
472 CELIDOYXE TAKES LABEL, IX POOR ARRAY, TO THE HERMIT's CELL. 
 
 Anon the kyng dyde his Comandenieiit, 
 And "with hym wente with good Entent. 
 And from here pavilouns they partyd Anon, 
 & forth thorwgh the forest gonne they gon, 408 
 
 That so forth to Gederis wenten they faste 
 tyl Into A gret valey they comen Atte 
 
 laste, 
 And so longe to-G-yveris they wente 
 Tyl that the day was Al I-spente ; 412 
 
 So that it happed hem be Grace 
 That to thermyt they comen In J>at 
 
 place, 
 And Clepeden At his dore Anon, 
 and thus sone he gan it vndon. 416 
 
 thanne ful gret Meryeille ]7is hermyt hadde. 
 What maner of thing thedyr hem ladde, 
 And what they sowhten In that straunge place, 
 thike peple that thedir Comen wase ; 420 
 
 Eor fully A mounthe to forn that day, 
 Neuere Man ne worn man ne child he ne say. 
 
 And whanne the dore was thus vndon, 
 Celidoyne Entred thanne In Anon, 424 
 
 and beknew that Cristened he was, 
 Whiche was to thermyt A loyful Cas ; 
 So Ech of hem Other Emhracen began, 
 and An hundred Sithes they kisten than. 428 
 
 " Eaire sone," quod this Ermyt tho, 
 " Into Manye stronge place schalt ]?ou go, 
 And goddis Pyler thow 3chalt ben 
 To helpe forto yndirsette AI cristen." 432 
 
 thanne Cehdoyne [spakj Anon Ageyn, 
 And told him AI the Cas In Certein, 
 Also Al the cause of here Comenge, 
 this kyng to Cristendom forto bringe. 435 
 
 Et li rois le fist tout ausi com il le 
 
 comman. 
 
 Lors se partirent des pauillons, 
 
 et entrerent en la forest, 
 
 et errerent ensamble 
 
 tant qu' il lor anuita en vne grant valee. 
 
 et ne-pour- quant tant errerent 
 
 ains qu'il lor annuitie, ou par auen- 
 ture ou par chou ke notre sires les 
 conduisoit, 
 
 qu' il uinrent droit a 1' ermitare ou li 
 preudom estoit herbergies, lone tans 
 auoit passe : 
 II apielerent a 1' uis. 
 
 Et chil qui ne dormoit pas, leur ouuri 
 
 maintenant, 
 
 si s' esmeruilla ques gens cli'estoient, 
 
 et que il queroient en chel lieu si es- 
 trange de toutes gens. 
 
 Car il passoit maintes fois li mois entiei s 
 
 qu' il n' i passoit ne horn ne feme. 
 
 Quant il furent venu laiens, 
 
 et li preudom oi parler celidoine, 
 
 et il le conut a crestiien, 
 
 si eut tant de ioie ke a paines le vous 
 
 porroit nus conter. 
 
 Si r acole, 
 
 et le baise pluseurs fois, 
 
 puis H dist. " biaus fiex, 
 
 qui enchore seras pilers et vaissiaus de 
 droite sciense, quel besoingne t' a chi 
 amene cbeste part." 
 Et il li dist erraument, 
 
 pour quoi il vinrent laiens. 
 
THE HERMIT TELLS KING LABEL OF HOLT MEN'S LIVES. 
 
 473 
 
 tliaun hadde this Goodman gret loye of this 
 that he scholde A sowle wynnen to blis, 
 and seide that he wolde with good wille 
 on pe Morwen here Axeng to fulfiUe. 
 
 Alle that Nyht hadden they here talk- 
 
 that to alle holynesse was belongeng, 
 
 So that Al Nyht this good man Gan hem 
 
 preche, 
 And of holy mennes lyves he gan hem teche, 
 that for Crist Suffirede Tormentis harde, 
 And to the Blisse of hevene wenten Aftir- 
 
 warde ; 
 So that Evere the kyng for loye he wepe. 
 That of Al theke Nyht he ne slepe. 
 
 Et quant li preudom ot cheste chose, 
 si en ot mult grant ioie, 
 
 et dist k' il le fera mult volentiers, 
 
 440 si tost com il sera aioume. 
 
 Chele nuit parlerent demaintes choses 
 et mult entroduist li preudom le roi 
 label de quank' il pot de la crestiene 
 loy et des commandemens de sainte 
 eglise. (a) 
 
 Mout parlerent chele nuit entr' aus trois des 
 choses qui a la sainte creanche apartenoient 
 
 Ne onques toute la nuit ne fina li pren- 
 ... dom de sermouner le roy. et li ramen- 
 teuoit la vie des preudoumes qui pour 
 I'amour de ihesu crist auoient souffert 
 tantes paines et tant trauaus ke a 
 paines en puet horn morteus dire le 
 nombre. 
 
 Et li rois plouroit toutes voies quant 
 
 li preudom li sermounoit, tant li plai- 
 
 448 soient les douches paroles ke il li disoit. 
 
 (a) * Et tant que U rois dist. " Sire, pour dieu, d' une auisionqui m' auint, n' a pas lone 
 tans, me dites uerite se vous en estes chertains." " Dites," fait U preudom, " et ie uous 
 enseignerai che que notre sires m' a enseignie." " Sire," fait il, " il m' estoit auis ke i' estoie 
 semons a plait, deuant .i. riche home vers qui i' estoie accuses, iou ne sai de ques gens. 
 Et quant iou deuoie aler au plait, iou semounoie tous mes amis et chiaus qui iou auoie 
 seruis, que il me uenissent aidier. Mais tout me falirent ne mais que troi. et li vns de ches 
 trois me prestoit .i. mantiel a afuler [_sic], pour chou ke toutes uoies ne m' escondesist. et li 
 secons me conduisoit trusc' a vne maison ke ie n' auoie onques tele veue, et me laissa de- 
 dens. Li tiers venoit auoec moi trusques chies le riche home, et mostroit .i. escrit et vne 
 chartre qui m' aquitoit de toutes les choses ke li riches hom me demandoit, si ke ma pais 
 estoit faite enuers chelui a qui i' estoie acuses. Sire, tele fu ma visions que ie vi, n' a pas 
 enchore lone tans. Or, si vous pri ke ious m'en dites la uerite se vous le saues." 
 " Chertes " fait li preudom, "volentiers. Li mantiauske on te prestoit. rois label, senefie 
 la poure uesteure ke on done a uestir 1' omme ke on met en terre. Chou est li darrains 
 mantiaus, et chelui garniment apieloit on suaire. Chelui doit on apieler le mortel afu- 
 blail, et maintes fois est chis garnimens dones pour plus pour cheus qui s' en uont. Li 
 secons amis qui te conuoioit trusc' a la maison: senefie les parens a chelui qui est trespasses, 
 qui conduisent le cors del mort trusc' a la fosse. 
 
 La fosse doit bien par droit estre apielee maisons descouneue. Car nous ki en cheste uie 
 
 Lahel asks the hermi t tu 
 explain a vision of his, 
 *Yes,' says the hermit,' 
 Lahel tells it, — 
 ' I thought I was sum- 
 moned before a rich 
 man to whom I had 
 been accused; so I 
 sent for my friends to 
 come and help me; 
 but only three came ; 
 of whom one lent me 
 a cloak; and the se- 
 cond took me to a 
 strange house and left 
 me there; but the 
 third went with me to 
 the rich man, and pro- 
 duced a writing which 
 cleared me from all the 
 charges. Tell me the 
 meaning of this.* 
 The hermit answers : 
 * The cloak is man's 
 grave-cloth. 
 The second friend is 
 the relatives 
 who take the corpse 
 to the grave. 
 The strange house is 
 tlie grave. 
 
 * The Additional MS. 10,292 also has this Vision, fol. 40, b. col. 3. 
 
 3 p 
 
474 THE HEUMIT PREPARES WATER, AND CHRISTENS KING LABEL. 
 
 Vppon the Morwen, wlianne it was Ijht, L'endemain, 
 
 Thermyt Ms Matynes seide Anon E-yht ; quant li preudom ot matines chantees. 
 
 and whanne his Matynes weren I- do, 
 
 A fair Ston ful Redy Made he tho, 452 "^ S^* appareUier vne pierre cauee, 
 
 .ij, .,, , 1 •j__on etnetoier. etaporter en sa petite capiele, 
 
 And there with water he gan it nlle. gt gmplir d' eue. 
 
 thanne Anon the kyng he Clepid him Tylle, Puis 
 
 & made him don Of his Clothes Anon, fist le roi despoiUier, 
 
 And there Into that ston forto gon. 456 et entrer ens, 
 Anon there 3af he hym ful Orystenynge et le baptisa, 
 
 1 1 . 1 /., 1 1 /~n • 1 1 et li fist toutes les droitures de sainte 
 
 hohch after holy Chirches werkynge. gii^^ ^^^i ^„^ ii apartient ke on fache 
 
 "V^Tianne the kyng thus Cristened wasw there, a crestien. Mais onques 
 
 his Name nolde he Chonge In non Manere ; 460 sen non ne li vaut remuer, 
 Por of fairenesse it hadde Semblaunce, pour chou ke si biaus li sambloit 
 
 Wherfore Jiere offen nolde he maken non 
 variaunce. 
 
 somes, ne sauons ke nous trouuerons. ne ne le counissons enchore de riens, et quant nous i 
 
 entrons, ne sauons encbore que dire, et donques doit on bien apieler cbele maison : maison 
 
 good works that the descouneue, et maison dont on ne voit nule autres tele. Et li tiers amis, rois label, qui au 
 
 dead man did while par estroit te faisoit compaignie, et moustroit pour toi une cbartre qui t' aqviidoit de toutes 
 he lived, which are 
 
 like a good lawyer who les choses que li ricbes hom te demandoit, senefie les boines oeures ke li bom a fait en sa 
 n ins IS nen s cause, ^g^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ jj boins clers legistres qui bardiement deiFent le cause son ami, et maine 
 
 him in the grave. a boine fin. Li fil et les fiEes et li autre parent laissent en la fiasse cbelui qui il conuoient 
 
 ■\Vho then shall an- . . . „ . , , . t ,., 
 
 swer for him ? ^ ami, et en auant d iluec ne a lont compaignie. Qui respondera pour lui de quanqu il pot. 
 
 He has no riches, but j[ jj' g^ portera riens de sa rikecbe deuant lui. fors seulement vne cbartre, et en cbele chartre 
 one writing of all his ^ ' 
 
 deeds evil and good ; ara escrit quanqu' il onques fist de mal et de bien. Et s' il i a plus de bien ke du mal : li biens 
 good than evil theeood ^legera 1' ome et le deliuera de quanques on li demandera. Et s' il i a plus du mal: ke du 
 
 shall clear him from fcign, li maus qui tous iours a poise et a tare 1' ome, le traira a ual, si ke cbil tresbuchera en la 
 
 all trespass; but if ... . 
 
 there are more evil tenebreuse maison d' infer. Eois label, or t' ai deuisei si comme iou croi de ton songe la 
 
 IhaU dSg'hii^^to Ihe senefiancbe. Ore me di s' il te samble ke iou en ai uoir dit." " Chertes," fait li rois. " II 
 
 dark house of hell. n' a bome en cbest siecle au mien ensient qui mieus le m' eust deuise se chil meismes ne li 
 
 Have I not interpreted 
 
 your dream right ?' enseignast ke on apiele ibesu crist. Or n' est il hom el siecle, s' U F entendoit ausi com 
 
 andnoonrco"'ldTaTe '""^ ^' ^''^^S to>it: <l^ mieus n' en vausist tous les iours de sa vie. Car or sai iou bien 
 told you but Jesus, qu' il n' est diex fors cbil ke vous aoures. Car il seus counoist la verite de tout le monde. 
 And I know that He -.y ... . ... 
 
 alone is God, for He ^^ '^^^ autres, au mien quidier, n en puet riens sauoir s il ne li est descouuert par la 
 
 aliTnoneTan^kn^* U "^^*" *^® °^^^* ^^"* signeur qui tout puet sauoir." « Chertes," fait li preudom, " vous 
 but by His power.' dites voir sans faille." 
 
HIS KNIGHTS WILL NOT CHANGE THEIR FAITH. LABEL IS CLAD IN A WHITE EOBE. 475 
 
 Whanne this Good Man hym Cristened 
 hadden so. 
 Anon hem gan he forth Clepen the 
 that with hym Oomen In Compenye, 
 And Axede hem there Anon In hye 
 ' 3if that they wolden Cristened be 
 lik here lord was As sche myhte se,' 
 thanne Answerid they Anon A3eyn, 
 ' that wolde they Neuere don In Certein ; 
 Eor they wolden Neuere Chongen here lay 
 That here Eadris helden to forn here day.' 
 
 thanne this goodman Eyht Anon 
 A whit Robe the kyng dide vppon, 
 holiche be thermytes Ordenauncd ; 
 Swich was thanne the kynges Chaunce. 
 
 thanne Seide the kyng to Oelidoyne tho 
 "Taire child, Ipou hast me browht Owt 
 
 of wo; 
 For I am becomen So heyl A man 
 that non Erthly tonge tellen me kan. 
 Por me semeth now In My syht, 
 that I am At theke Oyte so bryht 
 where that I say the grete feste 
 Of manye peple, bothe lest & Meste, 
 Where As I was put Away Anon Ryht 
 that Into the halle Entren I ne Myht, 
 Eor that I wysch not In Certeyne 
 Atte the welle vppon the Mownteyne." 
 
 Thanne seide the kyng to his Compenye 
 that thedyr with hym Comen Certeinlye, 
 " Lordynges, that In Myn Compenye hau be 
 and In Travaille and In Adversite, 
 and welen not beren me Compenye 
 Now at this tyme feythfuUye 
 
 3 p 2 
 
 Qvant li rois fu baptisies, 
 
 464 li vpreudom apiele les autres 
 qui o lui estoient venu, 
 
 et lor demanda 
 
 se il uoloient faire 
 
 468 autresi com li rois auoit fait. 
 
 Et chil dient 
 
 ' ke il ne cangeroient ia leur loy. 
 
 ains seroient tout autres tel 
 ini^ com lor pere auoieni este.' 
 
 " Et ie m'en soufferrai," fait li preu- 
 
 dom." Lors 
 
 se uest li rois d' une cote blanche 
 
 476 
 
 480 
 
 484 
 
 488 
 
 492 
 
 que li hermites li ot aportee. 
 
 et quant il fauestus, si dist a celidoine. 
 
 " Biaus dous amis, qui de la mort du 
 cors m' aues manechie. 
 
 or ne me caut mais de quele eure ele 
 viegne Carie counois ore bienke ie 
 me sui tant amendes ke horn morteus 
 neli porroit dire. Car il me samble ia 
 
 que ie sole en chele meiame chite 
 
 ou ie vi chele grant ioie faire. 
 
 et la ioie dont 1' entree me fu deuee. 
 
 pour chou ke iou n'auoie laue 
 
 a la fontaine." 
 
 Et lors dist a cheus 
 
 qui auoec lui estoient. 
 
 " Signour, qui compaignie m'aues faite 
 
 en ma mauuaise vie, 
 
 puis ke vous en cheste vie ou ie sui 
 orendroit, qui est plaine de bien et de 
 verite, ne me voles faire compaignie. 
 
476 KING LABEL SATS HE "WILL LEAVE HIS KNIGHTS. THET SEIZE CELIDOTNE, 
 
 there As I am In a loyful lyf, 
 
 And 36 dwellen stille In wo & stryf ; 496 
 
 holiclie AUe I 30W forsake, 
 
 And to tMs lif I wele me take ; 
 
 For -with 30W schal I neuere go 
 
 Into the Cuntre that I Cam fro." 500 
 
 And whanne they herde the kyng thus seyn, 
 AUe ful wooful they weren In Certeyin, 
 And seiden that they hadden lost AUe here 
 
 pray 
 Whanne that the kyng hadde Torned 
 
 his lay. 504 
 
 So that Owt of this hows they wenten Anon, 
 And to-Gederis to Conseil gonne they gon, 
 And Axeden how that they Scholden do 
 that thus the kyng was parted hem fro. 508 
 
 thanne Answered Anothir there, 
 "What Nedith vs lengere to Aby den here ? 
 for his lay will he not forsake 
 that he hath now hym to I-take 512 
 
 but of hym that ConseU 3af therto, 
 Loke what with hym welen 30 do." 
 
 thanne wenten they Into thermytage, 
 And token CeUdoyne with wilde Rage. 516 
 
 And whethir that he wolde o]?er Non, 
 with hem that Child Moste Nedis gon. 
 And the kyng defended hem faste, 
 Not withstondyng 3it forth they paste. 520 
 
 thanne seide Celidoyne to the kyng, 
 " Sire, for me Make 30 No Morneng. 
 Sire, of on thyng I warne now the : 
 stylle with this good man that thou be, 524 
 
 whiche schal the 3even good Consaille 
 That to thy Sowle schal AvaUle. 
 
 Je vous lais del tout en tel maniere ke 
 
 ie ne vous tenrai des-ore-mais a ser- 
 
 gans, mais a enetnis, et ales vous ent 
 
 de chi. 
 
 Car iamais en lieu ou ie vous sache, 
 
 n'enterrai." 
 
 Quant chil oirent cheste parole, 
 
 si furent tant dolant ke nus plus si 
 pleurent et font trop grant duel, 
 et dient ' qu' il ont tout perdu, 
 
 quant lor sires est tournes a la cres- 
 tiene loy.' 
 
 Si se partent entr' aus de laiens, 
 et prendent consel 
 
 qu' il porront faire. Car lor signour 
 ne lairont il pas entre chiaus qui 
 I'auoient deoheu. 
 
 " Pour quoi," fait li vns, 
 
 "Ie requeroit nus. 
 
 Sachies qu'il n'el lairoit pour chose 
 que nus li desist ke il la loy ou il est 
 entres ne tenist. 
 
 Mais a chelui qui a chou U a consilli, 
 
 deuriemes nous chier vendre cte qu'il 
 
 nous a tolu." 
 
 Lors retournent a I'ermitage 
 
 et pernent celidoine, 
 
 ou li rois vausist ou non. 
 
 Si Ie deffendi il a son pooir : et plus 
 I'eust il encore fait. 
 
 mais celidones li dist. 
 
 '' Rois ne t'en caut che que il me font. 
 
 Mais 
 
 remaing ichi auoeo chest preudoume 
 
 qui te donra conseil 
 
 d' aler a ton creatour. 
 
WHO TEUSTS IN GOD TO SAVE HIM. LABEL DIES AND GOBS TO HEAVEN. 
 
 477 
 
 And whedir so Evere thy Men Me lede, 
 Of hem Certein haue I non drede, 
 For he that I worschepe and Serve, 
 From alle perylles he wele me swerve." 
 
 And so be Celidoynes Oownsaylle 
 the kyng left Stylle with-owten faille, 
 and on the Morwe with Mylde steveun 
 he deyde, and wente to the blisse of heveun. 
 As God wolde haven it, so was it don, 
 For hens to blisse gan he gon. 
 and sethen for hym Crist Meracle wrowhte 
 vppon Mochel peple that there hym Sowhte. 
 And thowgh this Mater and 0]?ere longe 
 
 not to ]?is storye, 
 3it he that this book Made hath put it in 
 
 Memorye* 
 Forto Maken A Cler Notysyng, 
 And forto declaren so Everithing 
 More Openly to mannes Mynde, 
 Al the mater the bettere to bryngen to an 
 
 Ende. 
 thus Alle thinges doth he putten In Memorye, 
 he that ferst Made this holy Storye. 
 
 528 
 
 582 
 
 Et se ti sergant m'en mainent, 
 ie ne sui pas esmaies. 
 
 Car chil en qui seruiche ie sui entres, 
 
 me gardera et deffendera de tous 
 
 prieus." 
 
 Et li roys remest o Ie preudoume par 
 
 Ie conseil de celidoine 
 
 et trespassa du siecle a Tendemain 
 par la uolente du souurain pere, 
 
 535 et s'en ala a son creator. 
 
 Si fist notre sires puis pour lui maint 
 biel miracle, 
 
 dont li contes se taist pour chou que 
 chele estoire n' apartient pas dutout a 
 cheste. Ains apartient a chel liure 
 qui deuisera les rois des persis et ks 
 estoires. 
 
 540 
 
 544 
 
 * MS. memomorye. 
 
478 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 Of the Meeting again of Celidoyne and Nasciens, and then of Mordreins ■with them.* How Label's host are 
 angry at Celidoyne's having converted Label, and take counsel to put Celidoyne to death (p. 479). A 
 knight proposes to put him into a little boat, with the Uon they caught in the island, and nothing else, 
 and send him out to sea (p. 480). They do this. Celidoyne makes the sign of the Cross over the lion, 
 and tells the men that they shall aU perish and never reach home (p. 480-1). Celidoyne is blown about 
 the sea with the Hon for three days, and on the fourth he sees the fair ship with the royal sword that 
 Nasciens had seen (p. 481). He boards her, and sees the bed, crown, and spindles (p. 481-2). The lion 
 and boat vanish, and Celidoyne lies down to sleep (p. 482). When he wakes, he finds that he is at an 
 isle, and sees his father Nasciens asleep (p. 483). Nasciens wakes, embraces his son,and they make great 
 rejoicing (p. 483). Celidoyne tells his father how he escaped from Calafier, and was carried to an isle 
 where King Label was (p. 484); and how Label had a vision, and was christened; and the rest of 
 his adventures. Nasciens thanks God, and they leave the island (p. 484). A storm rages for three 
 days, and on the fourth ceases (p. 485-6 ) ; they see f a ship, and find Mordreins there (p. 487). Nasciens 
 hails him, and Mordreins is so overjoyed that he cannot speak, but jumps on board Nasciens' ship, 
 kisses him, and entreats him to teU his adventures (p. 487). Nasciens tells how he was imprisoned, 
 and by God's grace brought to a desert isle which turned to and fro every day and every night (p. 488); 
 also, of his going into a ship that split in two, and of another ship, and a sweet-speaking old man ; and all 
 the rest of his tribulations (p. 489). He tells Mordreins that more wonders shall happen with the sword. 
 Mordreins admires the sword (p. 489), and as he holds the blade in one hand, and the pommel in the 
 other, the two parts join (p. 490). They hear a great noise, and a voice tells them to go out of the 
 ship (p. 490) . Mordreins and Celidoyne do so, but Nasciens is late, and a sword cuts him through the 
 left shoulder (p. 490). He swoons; the others go to raise him, and weep (p. 491); he recovers, and 
 thanks God for thus chastising him as a son (p. 491). The ship remains becalmed for four days, and 
 the story returns [in vol. 2] to the five messengers whom Sarracynte sent out to find Nasciens (p. 492). 
 
 * The Additional MS. 10,292, fol. 41 b, col. 1, heads this Chapter : " Ensi que paiens espaignent celidone en la mer en vne 
 nachele, et auoeo lui .j. lion, sans sigle et sans nauiron." And begins : " Chi dist li contes qui est apeles del saint graal, et 
 deuUe, que quant li roys label fu demoures en I'ermitage : et si homme orent pris celidoine, si I'en menerent entre le^ roches en 
 leur paueillons." 
 
 t According to the French text, an island, with a castle on it (p. 485). On arriving, they hear a horn sound (p. 486); and a 
 giant comes forth and tells them they must die. Nasciens draws the Marvellous Sword, and begins to brandish it, when suddenly 
 it breaks in two. He then jumps out of the ship, finds another sword, runs the giant through with it, goes back to the ship, and 
 sails away. He reproaches the sword with failing him at the time of need. Celidoyne says that some sin of his father's wjs the 
 cause of its breaking (p. 486). They then see Mordreins's ship. 
 
label's host EESOLVE to punish CELIDOYNE rOB, CONVERTING THEIK KING. 479 
 
 Thanne passeth forth this storye with-Al 
 
 that is Cleped of Som Men Seynt Graal, 
 
 also the Sank E/yal I-Clepid it is 
 
 Of Mochel peple with Owten mys, — 4 
 
 It telleth how that kyng Labelys Men 
 
 Forth with hem Celidoyne ladden him 
 
 then, 
 And to here pavilouns Anon hym browhte, 
 And there hym to slen thus they thowhte. 8 
 
 whanne that this tydynges was spred Abrod 
 thorwgh-owt the ost of here lord, 
 ' that he was becomen Cristene Man,' 
 Pul Mochel Sorwe Maden thei than 12 
 
 As alle here kyn ded hadden be, 
 Swich sorwe they Made As they myhten se. 
 
 thanne seiden they, " we haven that persone 
 here 
 that vs hath browht In Al this dwere ; 
 We scholene hym Caste forto Slen 
 From this Hoche Er we gon hen, 
 And on hym we scholen Avenged be 
 for that he hath don, ful Sekerle." 20 
 
 thanne Answerede som 0]?ere Anon, 
 " that ful 30ng he was to deth to gon ; 22 
 
 but Oj>er-wise Avenged wilen we be, 22* 
 
 And 3it hym Scholen we not Sle." 
 
 On Many tormentis they hem be-thouhte, 24 
 
 how that he Myhte to deth be browhte. 
 thanne spak A knyht, and seide ful wel, 
 that Any kynnesman was to kyng label, 
 " I schal 30W Oertefyen Anon Ryht 28 
 
 how that 36 scholen to deth hym dyht. 
 And vppon hym to leyn non bond. 
 Lesteneth to Me, And vndirstond, — 
 
 Chis contes 
 
 qui est apieles del saint graal, 
 
 deuise, ke quant li rois label fu de- 
 moures en I'emitage, et si home 
 
 eurent pris celidoine, 
 
 si Ten menerent entre les roches en 
 leur pauillons. 
 
 Et quant la nouele fu espandue 
 
 par I'ost 
 
 ke li rois auoit guerpi sa loy, et estoit 
 
 deuenus crestiiens, 
 
 dont veissies grant duel faire as vns 
 
 et as autres, 
 
 ausi com chascuns veist son pere mort. 
 
 Et quant ilvirrent qu'il n' en porroient autre 
 chose faire, si disent entr' eus * ke puis qu' il 
 auoient chelui en leur prison 
 
 Ig qui che duel leur auoit pourcaohie, 
 
 il s'en prenderoient a ltd, et s'en ven- 
 geroient. Et r,oohiroient.' 
 
 Et s' acordent de teus i ot a che 
 
 ' ke il estoit enchoretrop iouenes enfes, 
 
 et ke il s'en uengeroit en autre maniere.' 
 
 Lors deuiserent entr' aus diuers tour- 
 mens, et diuerses mors, 
 par quoi il peussent faire mourir 1' en- 
 fant. Ne a nule ne se peurent acorder. 
 et tant ke 
 vns parens le roi label lor dist. 
 
 " Je vous ensengerai 
 
 comment nous en porrons estre vengie 
 
 sans metre main a lui, et asses a gri- 
 - gnour hounour ke se nous I'ochions 
 entre nous. 
 
480 CELIDOTNB IS PUT OUT TO SEA ALONE AVITH A LION. HE FORETELS THE 
 
 Taketh. on of 30wre Pesselis Anon, 32 
 
 the lest 3e liau Amonges Echon, 
 
 And thedir Inne lete 3e the Child go ; 
 
 And the lyown putteth hym vnto, 
 
 With-owten ony Othir thyng 36 
 
 that hym Mihte to londe hryng ; 
 
 And 3if he ne deye not so, 
 
 ElUs may ]?ere neuere thing Cristen man slo. 
 
 And this schal I feithfuUy beleve, 40* 
 
 for the trewthe scholen 30 sone preve ; 40 
 
 for whanne the lyown An hungred is, 
 
 And that his vyande doth he Mys, 
 
 thanne fal wildely schal he devoure 
 
 This child, hym with forto Socovre ; 44 
 
 and thus Avenged on him scholen 30 he. 
 
 As I haue 30W Schewed ful Certeinle." 
 
 thanne token they Celidoyne Anon, 
 & In A ful lytel hot was he don, 48 
 
 and the lyown was put hym to. 
 
 Whanne Celidoyne Say it scholde be so, 
 that theke wilde beste with hym scholde be 
 }»at so wood an spetows was In Eche degre, 52 
 
 he left vp his bond thanne there Anon, 
 And ])e Signe of the Crois he made hym vppon, 
 And him there be-took he to god Almyht 
 that he hym Scholde save bothe day & Nyht. 56 
 
 So thanne they putten hym Into the Se. 
 thanne Celidoyne A3enward torned he, 
 andspak to that Compenye tho 
 that swich felonye hadde hym I-do, 60 
 
 " 3e Men ful Cursed, and therto pervert, 
 Enemyes of Christ, Sore schal 30W smert. 
 30 wenen to slen me In this Manere, 
 but ojjer-wise, I troste be my lord so dere, 64 
 
 Prenes vne nachele, dont nous auons 
 pluseuTs cti enpres nos barges, 
 
 si le metons tout seul dedeus, 
 
 sans auiron et sans autre chose, et puis 
 le faites empaindre en la mer. 
 
 Et se il par cheste chose n'est parillies, 
 
 dont ne berrai iou iamais ke hom crestiens 
 puisse mourir." '* Enchore," fait vns autres, 
 '* le porrons nous mieus faire par quoi il sera 
 plus pres de mourir. Metons auoec lui le 
 lyon ke nous presimes auant ier entre les 
 roches. 
 
 £t quant il i sera mis, ia si tost li 
 lyons n' ara faim de viande : 
 
 qu'il ne le deuoura erraument. 
 
 Et par chou en serrons nous bien uen- 
 gie." Et il s' acorderent de tout a son 
 conseil. 
 
 Lors prisent le lyon, 
 
 et le misent en la nachele, 
 
 et I'enfant auoec. 
 
 Et quant celidoines se vit 
 
 metre auoec chele beste, 
 
 qui tant ert fiere et espantable, 
 
 si fist le signe de la vraie crois en mi 
 
 son front, 
 
 et se commanda a notre signeur. 
 
 et se tourna 
 
 enuers cheus qui I'auoient ens mis, et 
 lor dist. 
 
 " Gent maleoite, peruerse, 
 
 et anemi de dieu ihesu crist, 
 
 me quidies tous faire mourir en tel 
 maniere. 
 
DEATH OF HIS PERSECUTORS. HE MEETS SOLOMON S SHIP, 
 
 481 
 
 I schal it Ascapen Eyht ful wel, 
 
 and 36 scholen perschen Every del, — 
 
 Per there-offen sekir Mown 36 be — 
 
 Anon As 36 Entren In to the see ; 
 
 Eor In Perse scholen 3e neuere Comen 
 
 A3eyn 
 Whens kyng Label 30W browhte, In Certeyn." 
 
 Thus sone blew the wynd ful sore, 
 that fer Into the se the vessel wente thore. 
 So that with-Inne A lytel stownde 
 they ne Myhte hym se, that stoden vppon the 
 
 grownde. 
 So that thre dayes to-gideris they were — 
 CeUdoyne & the lyown In this Manere, 
 With-Owten harm, o]>ev ony deseisse, 
 So wel the lyown CeUdoyne dide plese. 
 The fowrthe day it happed so, — 
 A-middis the se, As he was tho. 
 The fayre schip he sawh Anon 
 Where-Inne this Ryal swerd was don. 
 So that it happede As be grace 
 that this hot Cam there this schippe wace ; 
 and whanne this hot to ]>e schippebord was 
 
 falle, 
 thanne beheld Selidoyne these lettres AUe 
 and vndirstood hem there Everichon, 
 that so Into the Schip he hentrede Anon, 
 and whanne that he was the Schippe with- 
 Inne, 
 he Sawh there Many A wondirful gynne ; 
 
 68 
 
 lou en escaperai, se il plaist a mon 
 
 sauueour. 
 
 Mais vous i perires si tost com vous i 
 
 enterres, che sachies vous bien. 
 
 Et si poes bien estre asseure ke iamais 
 n'en retourneres el roiaume de perse. 
 
 dont li rois label vous ieta. (a) 
 A tant se feri li vens en la nachiele, 
 72 si fu en peu d' eure enpainte en mer. 
 
 et tant eslongie de la riue, 
 
 que chil qui en la nachiele 1' auoient 
 
 mis n'en pooient point veoir. 
 
 Si erra li enfes en tel maniere trois 
 ioiirs 
 76 en la compaignie au lyon 
 
 ke onques ne I'adesa, ne mal ne li fist, 
 ou pour cbou qu'il estoit esbahis 
 comme beste: ou la misericorde notre 
 signour i ouura. 
 Au quart iour li auint ensi 
 
 80 qu' il trouua en mi la mer 
 
 la biele nef 
 
 ou la ricbe espee estoit, chele que 
 
 nasoiens ot tant regardee. 
 
 Si auint 
 
 84 que la nachiele s' acosta au bort de la 
 nef. 
 
 Et quant li enfes, qui bien sauoit letres 
 lire de pluseurs manieres, vit les letres 
 el bort, 
 
 et il counut ke eles voloient dire, 
 g_ si entra maintenant en la nef, et laissa 
 le lyon, en la nachiele, 
 et quant il fu la dedens 
 
 (a) La mer ou vous m'aues mis, vous destruira. Et si i serres noiet, et peri, et enterres es paines d'ynfer, 
 en la tenebreuse maison ou toute doleur et toute messaise habite. En chele maison n' enterra pas li rois 
 iabiaus. Car il s' en est ia ostes. ains enterra en la souuraine maison, et en la ioiouse, c'on apiele paradis.'' 
 
 3q 
 
482 CELIDOTNE FINDS THE BED, CROWN, AND SPINDLES. THE LION AND BOAT VANISH. 
 
 for there fond lie the bed, And the Crowne 
 
 Also, 
 and the fowre branches that there-Onne weren 
 
 do; — 
 Alle these behelde he wondirly faste 
 Til it drowh to Nyht thanne Atte laste; 
 and so wel it liked hym this Syhte 
 that he was Sory it drowh so Ny the Nyht : 
 So Atte laste Nyht was it tho, 
 that ouer Al the world the schadewe gan go. 
 Thanne Cam he to the Schippes boord fal 
 sone, 
 and ouer Al the Se he looked Anone : 
 he ne Cowde Neyther sen hot ne lyown 
 Whiche weren put to his distrocciown ; 
 Wherfore Sory was he tho, 
 Por Mochel comfort pe beste dede hym to. 
 thanne loked he bothe vp & down 
 Al Abowtes the Se In-virown, 
 And [i'] non qwarter he ne Cowde Aspie 
 Nethir lyown ne hot, ful Sekerlye. 
 And whanne he sawh In Alle degre 
 that Nowher In the water he ne Cowde hem 
 
 se, 
 A5en Into the Schip he gan to lepe, 
 And there vppon A bord he fil On Slepe, 
 What for travaille and werynesse, 
 and that In the See he hadde distresse. 
 
 Thus Al Nyht Slepte 3onge Celydoyne 
 tyl on the Morwe day lyht Certayne : 
 and whanne the day gan forto sprynge, 
 Thanne happede Celidoyne In wakenenge, 
 and to the Schippis bord he cam Anone, 
 And Into the See he lookede thus sone ; 
 
 92 
 
 96 
 
 100 
 
 et il trouua le lit si biel et si riche, et 
 la couroune, 
 
 et les fuisiaus ki estoient tant biel et 
 riche. 
 
 Si les regarda mult uolentiers. 
 
 Car il n' auoit onques mais veu chose 
 
 qui tant li pleust a regarder. Tant 
 
 qu' il ne li menbra de nule chose autre 
 
 deuant ke il fu nuis. 
 
 Et quant il uit 
 
 ke les oscurtes de la nuit espandirent 
 
 par tout le monde. 
 
 II reuint au bort de la nef. 
 
 Mais il n' i vit ne nachele ne lyon 
 qu' il i auoit laissie. 
 
 iQi Car grant confort li fesist la beste 
 mue, s'il le peust auoir auoec lui. 
 
 Mais il ne puet riens apercheuoir 
 
 108 de che que il demande. 
 Et quant il voit 
 
 qu'il n'en uerra plus, 
 
 si reuint en mi la nef, 
 
 J j2 ^^ se couche desus .i. fust, comme chil 
 qui n'ose el lit entrer, et s'endort 
 maintenant de lassete et de trauail, 
 
 toute la nuit dormi li enfes en tel ma- 
 niere, 
 116 et a I'endemain 
 
 quant li iours s'aparut, 
 si s'esuilla, 
 
 et vint au bort de la nef, 
 120 et regarda deuant soi, 
 
CELIDOTNE IS CARRIED TO HIS FATHER NASCIENS, WHO CLIPS AND KISSES HIM. 483 
 
 thanne was he A E-yved to forn. An yl 
 Whiche was A wondir Merveillous straunge pyl. 
 
 And As he Into that yle beheld there, 
 he Sawh A man In a MerveiUous Manere 
 vppon that yl lay There Slepynge : 
 Where offen he hadde gret Merveillynge : 
 And whanne verayly he wiste it was A 
 
 man, 
 Owt of that Schippe Anon wente he than, 
 And hym beheld wondirly Sore, 
 And Evere the longere More & More. 
 Atte laste so Nygh he gan to gon 
 that he knew it was his fadir Anon 
 that hyhte Sire Nasciens be Name, 
 A worthy knyht and of Noble fame, 
 Where-ofFen Anon gret loye he hadde 
 that thorwgh God to his fadyr so was hadde. 
 And so be hym A-wook ful swetely 
 And his Eyen he vppe Caste ful softely : 
 thanne whanne he sawh his sone it was, 
 Eul gret loye he Made In that plas ; 
 And vp he stirte thanne riht Anon, 
 And abowtes his Nekke his Armes he leide 
 
 son, 
 
 & him Clipte & kyste An hundred Sithe, 
 So loyful he was so glad and So blithe, 
 that bothe for loye & pyte he wepte 
 vppon that yl there he hadde Slepte. 
 
 "Now, swete sone," quod Nasciens the, 
 how to this yl Cowdest thou Go, 
 that from AUe the peple it is so fer, 
 and Nethir lond ne place Abowtes nowher ?" 
 " lo, fadyr, In this Schip hider gan I gon 
 that to forn 30W lith be the roch of ston." 
 
 3q2 
 
 et vit qu'il fu arriues deuant vne isle. 
 
 Et il regarde en mi la isle, 
 124 et voit vn home 
 qui se gisoit. 
 
 Et quant il aperchut ke che fu hom, 
 
 J28 si descent de la nef, et vait chele part, 
 Et quant il vint a lui, et il 1' a bien 
 regarde, 
 
 jcjo il connoist que cli'est nasciens ses 
 peres, 
 
 136 
 
 140 
 
 144 
 
 dont il a si grant ioie ke grignour ne 
 vous porroie conte. 
 
 si I'esuilla tout bielement, 
 
 Et chil tressaut ausi com tous esbahis, 
 
 et euure les iex. 
 
 Et quant il voit 1' enfant, 
 
 si saut sus iustement, 
 et ]i iete les bras au col, 
 
 et le baise et acole. 
 
 et pleure desour lui de ioie et de pitie. 
 
 Et li dist, " biaus fiex, douche creature, 
 148 qui te amena en cheste isle 
 
 qui tant est loins de gent 
 et de terre habitable." 
 
 Et il li dist ' qu'il vint en chele nef,' 
 
 152 si li moustre la nef. 
 
484 CBLIDOYNE TELLS NASCIENS HIS ADVENTUEES. THET LEAVE THE ISLAND. 
 
 thanne Nasciens be-held tlie scMppe ful sore, 
 and knew wel he hadde I-seyn it be-fore. 
 
 Thanne gret loye Maden they there, 
 the Eadir to the sone In dyvers Manere, 
 And the Sone to the fadir Aftyr his Myht, 
 there was gret loye I 30W plyht. 
 So the fadir the Sone gan forto frayne. 
 And Axede of hym In Certeine 
 ' how he Askapede, and I what manere, 
 Owt of the presoun of Oalafere.' 
 
 thanne tolde he his fadir Anon 
 " how that he owt of presown gan gon, 
 and I-born In to An yl of the Se 
 Wondirly fer from Eche Oontre ; 
 At wheche yl be tempest and be storm 
 Aryved kyng label me be-forn, 
 "With a gret part of his Chevalrye ; 
 thedir weren they dreven Certeinlye." 
 
 thanne tolde he his Padir Also 
 Of kyng labelis Aviciouns, that cam him to 
 be the E-evelacioun of the holy gost — 
 Whiche is lord of mihtes Most, — 
 be wheche Eevelacion And declarenge 
 Kyng label Cam to Cristenynge. 
 Thanne tolde he his Eadir More Also, 
 what Aventures that hym Comen to 
 Sethen to-gederis last they were 
 Pul harde In presoun with Calafere. 
 
 thanne blessede Nasciens the trenite 
 that swich Comfort let hym tho jjere se, 
 and thanked god Over AUe thyng 
 that hem hadde browht to so good Endyng. 
 
 thanne from this yl they wenten Anon, 
 And Into the Schippe they gonne to gon ; 
 
 Et quant il le voit, 
 si dist, ' ke la nef a il autre fois veue.' 
 Grant ioie fait 
 156 li fiex au pere, 
 et li peres au fil. 
 
 160 
 
 164 
 
 176 
 
 180 
 
 si demands li vns a I'autre de son estre. 
 
 Et tant que nasciens demande a I'en- 
 
 fant, 
 
 ' comment il escapa 
 
 des mains calafel.' 
 Et il li conte 
 
 ' en quel maniere 
 
 il fu laissies sour les roclies en vne 
 
 isle de mer 
 
 ou li rois label arriua par le tourmente 
 168 de la mer 
 
 qui chele part les amena.' 
 Puis li deuisa 
 172 le songe le roi lable, 
 et le senefianche, 
 
 et comment li rois label rechut cre- 
 anche par la demoustranche ke notre 
 sires li fist par cbou qu'il vit en son 
 dormant. Apres li deuise 
 
 toutes les auentures qui li auinrent 
 
 puis qu' il n' el uit mais. 
 
 Et quant nasciens ot chest meruelles, 
 si pleure, 
 
 et merchie notre signour 
 
 jg, de che qu'il a si les choses menees a 
 boine perfection. 
 
 liors se departirent de I' isle, 
 
 et vienent a la nef, et entrent ens, 
 
A STORM RAGES FOR THREE DAYS, AND THEN CEASES. 
 
 485 
 
 etdemeurentensiusc' aeurede tierche 
 
 tout droit. 
 
 Et lors auint ke li uens, grans et meruelleuS, 
 et la tempeste, et li maus tans oommeDoha si 
 grans et si oribles par mi la mer, que nus ne 
 le veist si grant paour n'en peust auoir. Et 
 li uens qui fu eiforchies fel et crueua, si feri 
 de plain front en la nef. 
 
 Si eslonga tant la riue en peu d' eure, 
 
 ke nasciens, qui estoit au bort de la 
 nef et regardoit la mer ki si ert 
 commue. 
 ne vit 
 
 terre, ne pres ne loins. 
 
 Si nierchie dieu, et aoure, de quan- 
 
 qu' il li enuoie, 
 
 et dist ses proieres et ses orisons, 
 
 teles com il les sauoit. 
 
 Trois iours dura chele tourmente, 
 
 en tel maniere qu' il furent ades ausi 
 com en peril de lor cors, 
 
 And they weren there-Into, ]>e owr Of Tyers. 
 
 thanne Cam there A wynd ful fyers, 188 
 
 And blew Into that schip ther Anon 
 that fer Into the See the schip gan gon, 
 So that from the Roche the schippe gan pase, 
 passeng In-to ]?e Se A ful gret Spase. 192 
 
 thanne loked forth Nasciens Anon there 
 Forto weten where that they were, 
 And he ne Oowde nowher ahowtes hym se 
 Nethire lond, ne]?er yl. In Non degre ; 196 
 
 thanne thanked he god ful hyghly, 
 and seide his preyers ful dcToutly ; 
 So As he Cowde In his Manere, 
 ful devoutly his preyeres seide he there, 200 
 
 Thus thre dayes the tempest lastede there, 
 and In drede of here deth In Eche Manere ; 
 And Swich A storm Endurede vppon the se 
 that Nygh here deth hem thowhte to be ; 204 
 
 And they wayted Every Owr 
 Whanne ]>e schip schold hau sonke be J?at 
 
 stour. 
 And so the fowrthe day at Nyht 
 the wedyr stawnched, thorwh goddis Myht, 208 
 And At the Cleryng of the day 
 the wedyr ful Milde and softe he say, 
 Where-offen Glad & loyful bothe ther were 
 Whanne they it syen In swich Manere; 212 
 
 for to forn tymes it ferde So 
 that to the deth they wenden hau go. 
 
 and whanne the day wax bothen lyht & Cler 
 that they myhten sen Every wher, 216 
 
 * Tlie Adventure of the 
 (a) il regarderent deuant aus, et virrent vne petite isle dedans lequele il auoit .i. clias- Broken Sword and 
 
 tiel ferme, qui mult estoit biaus par samblant. Mais il ne sorent en quel terre ne en quel i^jgy seeTn' island 
 
 ■ with a castle on it, 
 
 * The Additional MS. 10,292 also has this Adventure, fol. 42, col. 3. 
 
 ne ne gardoient I'eure 
 
 ke la nef tournast chou de-sous de- 
 seure. 
 
 Et a la quart nuit, ensi com il dut 
 
 aiourner, 
 
 cessa li vens, et la mers deuint coie 
 
 et pasieule, qui tant auoit este fele- 
 
 nesse et crueuse. 
 
 dont chil qui en la nef estoient furent 
 mult plus aise 
 
 ke deuant, et s' aseurent mout plus k' il 
 ne seulent. 
 
 Et quant il fu aiourne. et li iours fu 
 biaus et clers, (a) 
 
486 NASCIENS'S ADVENTURE WITH DAVID's SWOKD AND THE GIANT. 
 
 They syen A ScMp In the See *si regardent en mi la mer, et voient 
 
 Towardis hem Cam fal gret lorne ; 218 qui venoit vers aus, 
 
 butwhere they are they pais chele isle pooit estre, dont il furent .i petit esmaiet, car il se doutoient mult qu'il ne 
 
 _,^ ' , ^ caissent en males mains. Et la nef arriua a la riue deuant le chastiel. Quant il furent 
 
 Ihey come to the portj 
 
 and hear a horn sound venu au port, si cscouterent ke dedens le chastiel souna .j . cor mult hautement si ke 
 
 Igree^hrt'pCTple a% d'ases loins le peust on oir. " Sire," fait celidoines. " Or sachies ke laiens a gens." 
 
 *''^''^- " voirs est." fait nasciens. En clie ke il disoient chou, voient il ke de laiens issi vns gaians, 
 An immense giant . _-, 
 
 comes forth, and tells li graindres de cors et li plus meruilleus ke nasciens eust onques veu lour de sa vie. Jit 
 
 them they must die. ^^^^^ ^ ^^.j. ^-^^^^ ^^ j^ ^^^^ ^^ j^^ ^^^^.^^ ,, -^^^ . aj,j.iyagtes en mon isle sans men 
 
 .... ^ conade. Car mourir vous i couuient." Quant nasciens voit venir le maufe si grant et si 
 
 Nasciens does not ° ^ 
 
 know what to do, but, espoentable, si ne seit que il en puisse faire. Car il n'a ne lanche, ne escu, ne arme dont 
 terror will fall on him il se puisse deifendie. Destreche de mort et paours Fen maine a che ke il keurt a 1' espee 
 
 who draws the Mar- j ^.g^^j gg^^j^ ^^^^ gj jg ^jyij j^ faerre. Et quant il ot fors traite, et regarde grant 
 vellous Sword, he ^ ' ... 
 
 draws it, piecbe, si le uoit si riclie par samblant ke il n' auoit onques veu arme ke il prisaist tant 
 
 . , ,. , enuers cheste. Et pour le grant espoir de la bonte qu' il i quide, le dreche en haut et le 
 
 it, when it breaks in commenche a branler. Mais au branler qu' il fist, ne sai s'il auint par mauuaiste del 
 
 two; the blade falls to . . . .-i •,/'•. j i 
 
 the ground and the espee, ou par courous ke notres sires eut a nascien del traire qu il auoit lait del espee qui 
 
 hilt isleftm Nasciens's ^^^^ estoit biele et boine par samblant, k' ele brasi parmi aukes pres del enheudeure, si ke 
 hand. x ' j. 
 
 li brans en chai a terre, et li poins a toute 1' enheudeure en remest nascien en la main, 
 
 Et quant il voit cheste auenture, si est asses plus esbahis ke deuant. Si s' areste tous 
 He says it is the 
 greatest wonder he trespensis et esbahis. Et quant il fu reuenus de chest penser, si dist, " par dieu, chi a le 
 
 as ever seen. grignour merueille ke iou ueisse piecha." Mais lors remest le poing desus le lit, et dist 
 
 ' k' il se metra du tout en la merchi ihesu crist, et sen cors, et le son fil enuers chel 
 Nasciens leaps out of _ 
 
 the ship, and goes to maufe qui si vient abrieues vers lui. Maintenant saut hors de la nef, et dist " biaus peres 
 
 R 6 ds^'another ihesu cris, soies moi escus et deffense encontre chest anemi. Lors regarda a ses pies, et 
 
 sword at his feet, takes ^it vne espee ke chil de la tour i orent laissie par auenture. Et il le prent maintenant. 
 it up, and runs the . ...... 
 
 giant right through Lors Si s adrecha au gaiant, et le nert de si grant viertu qu'il li pierche andeus les costes. 
 
 Th "' t f U to the ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ parut d' autre part. Et quant li gaians se seut ferus si angoisseusement, 
 ground swooning, then si n'a tant de pooir qu'il se tienge en estant, ains chiet a terre si angoisseus comme chil 
 utteis a hideous cry. . . , . t-., -i • ■. . ... . , . , 
 
 qui angoisse de mort sent. Jit quant il est issus de pamison. si giete. i. grant cri et hideus. 
 
 Et quant nasciens voit qu' il n' a mais garde de lui : II ne ua pas au chastiel pour che qu' il 
 
 "^f 35\P1PT1^ T6tl]FIlS to ills 
 
 ship and sails away. quide ke il i ait gens, ains s' en retourne, et entre en sa nef, si ke en pen d' eure orent la 
 
 veue perdeue du chastel et del isle. Et quant nasciens vit qu' il estoit estors del gaiant, 
 
 H re roaches the ^^ '^^^^ ^ 1' espee, et le commencha a regarder, et dist a soi meisme. et che fu si haut ke 
 
 sword with failing him celidoines le pent bien oir. "Ha, espee, tu ies la riens du monde ke iou onques plus 
 
 . .„ ', prisaisse fors seulement le sainte vaissiel ke on apiele ffraal. Si t' ai a tort et loe et prisie. 
 Celidoyne justifies the . . j. o r 
 
 sword, and says it Car il m' est auis ke tu m' as ore si failli au besoing ke chou est meruelles." " Sire," fait 
 
 sin of N^lden^. ^""^ celidoines. " Sachies ke che n' est pas par mal de 1' espee. Mais par aucune pechie dont 
 
 They talk over the ad- vous estes entechies, ou par aucune demoustranche de notre signeur :" et il respont " ke oho 
 
 puet bien estre." Endementiers ke nasciens et celidoines parloient ensi de cheste auenture,* 
 
NASCIENS AND CBLIDOYNE MEET KING MORDREINS AGAIN. 
 
 487 
 
 tlianne seide Celidoyne to his fadir " Cer- 
 
 teinle 
 here Comen tydynges, what so they be ; 220 
 
 God graunte Grace that they hen Goode 
 that Comen to vs vppon this salt floode." 
 So longe beheld they the Schippe tho 
 tyl Atte laste it Aproched hem to, 224 
 
 And so Nygh to-gederes gonne they be 
 Tyl that Eyther with-Inne niyhte Ojier se. 
 Nasciens to the schippes bord gan to gon. 
 And Into the tothir schippe beheld Anon, 228 
 
 And sawh where that kyng Mordrayn 
 'Ful pensifly there sat In Certayn ; 
 & Evere Abod he goddis grace, 
 for he ne wiste whedir to go, ne Into what 
 
 place. ' 232 
 
 And whanne Sire Nasciens kyng Mordrayns 
 
 say, 
 ful lowde he Cryde In his lay 
 and seide, " Sere, God Heste with 30W ! 
 Ryht welcome 36 ben here to vs now." 236 
 
 And the kyng owt of his thowht Abreide, 
 And to sire Nasciens he wolde hau seide, 
 but for loye he wepte so sore 
 
 that on word ne myhte he speken thore, 240 
 
 but with-Owten ony word he gan to springe 
 Into Nasciens Schip, with-Owten lesynge, 
 and Abowtes Nasciens Nekke his Arm he 
 
 Caste, 
 And An hundred Sithes he kiste him faste, — 244 
 " A, Myn Owne brothir So leef and dere, 
 I am ful loyful I se 30W here. 
 a, leve brothir, how haven 30 fare 
 Sethen that I lefte 30W In wo & Care, 248 
 
 et oelidoines dist a son pere. 
 
 " Sire, vees chi vne nef qui vient vers 
 nous, sachies ke nous orrons par tans 
 iiouuieles, diex doinst que eles soient 
 boines." " Ensi scit il," fait nasciens. 
 
 Tant ont parle de cheste chose, 
 
 que la nef fu tant aprochie 
 
 ke chil qui dedens estoient se poient 
 
 bien entrecounoistre. 
 
 Et nasciens qui vint au bort de la nef, 
 
 et regarda el front de 1 autre. 
 
 et vit le roi mordain, 
 
 qui se seoit mult pensis, 
 
 et atendoit chele auenture a sauoir ke 
 notres sires li vauroit enuoier. 
 
 Et quant il le voit, 
 
 si li crie. 
 
 ' Sire, diex soit o uous." 
 
 Et li rois ot maintenant son pense 
 
 laissie, 
 
 et salue nascien, 
 
 et en a si grant ioie 
 
 qu' il ne puet mot dire, se a paines non, 
 
 ains saut 
 
 en la nef nascien qui ia s' estoit aious- 
 
 tee les la sieue. 
 
 et li giete les bras au col, 
 
 et le baise plus de ohent fois, et li dist. 
 " Biaus dous amis, 
 
 comment 1' aues vous 
 
 puis fait que iou ne vnus vi niais. 
 
488 NASCIENS TELLS MORDBEINS HIS ADVENTURES, — OF THE TURNING ISLE, 
 
 and sethen we two departed Asondir 
 Wliere-As was tempest & M gret thondyr. 
 and how that 36 Comen In to this Contre, 
 Now, dere brother, telle j,e Me " 
 
 Thanne Nasciens, that was so ful of loye 
 hym thowhte he ne hadde non Maner 
 
 A-Noye, 
 Tolde kyng Mordrains of his Aventure, 
 how it be him Eerde, I the Enswre, 
 And how he was tempested bothe here & 
 
 ther. 
 And therto In the presown of Calafer, 
 " Eor 30wre baronage seide In Certayn 
 that with-owten dowte I hadde 30W slayn," 
 And that Certein dayes in presown he was ; 
 but Atte laste, thorwgh goddis Gras, 
 Eer Into the west was he browht. 
 But Into what place ne wiste he nowht, 
 but In An yl there he was 
 & fer from Every man In that plas ; 
 Eor habitacioun was non there, 
 but wildernesse Abowtes Eches where, 
 So that it was the moste hydows place 
 that Evere Cristen man put In wase ; 
 And 3it was he Evere ful sory 
 that the Name he ne knew trewly : 
 and 3it At AUe tymes thowhte hym tho 
 That the yl him tornede bothe two & fro, 
 bothe Every day and Every Nyht, 
 thus Openly it Tornede In his Syht. 
 
 And 3it Aftir More he gan hym telle, — 
 Of that Schip, how it befelle, 
 and how that there-Inne he entred was, 
 And how he fyl owt In that plas 
 
 et quele auenture vous peut amener 
 cheste part.". 
 252 
 
 Nasciens qui taut est lies 
 
 de cheste treueure ke nus plus, 
 
 puis li conte les paines et les trauaus 
 95(5 qu' il a souffert puis que il se parti de 
 lui, 
 
 et comment il fu remes en la prison 
 
 calafier, 
 
 pour chou ke chil du pais li misent sus 
 
 2go qu'il auoit le roi ochis. 
 
 Et comment il i demoura pluseurs 
 
 iours. 
 
 Mais'au daerrain 1' en ieta la uirtus et 
 
 la pites ihesu crist. 
 
 et fu portes en vne nue es parties 
 „p, d'occident, 
 
 loins de gent 
 et de terre habitable, 
 268 611 '^116 isle laide, 
 
 et si hideuse qu' il ne vit onques mil 
 lieu qui tant fesist a redouter. 
 
 Mais il ne seut onques comment 1' isle 
 2^2 pooit estre apielee. 
 
 Et nepourquant, tant en a U en ra- 
 
 menbranche, 
 
 ke il seit qu' ele tranle et tournoie 
 
 cbascun iour souuentes fois, et cbas- 
 cune nuit. 
 276 
 
 Apres conta 
 
 comment la nef vint a la riue ou il 
 
 estoit. 
 
 Et quant il fu dedens entres, 
 
 280 ele s'a ouuri 
 
THE SHIP AND SWORD, ETC. MORDREINS MARVELS AT THE SWORD. 
 
 489 
 
 but tliorwh on word that he spak, 
 
 For In his Creaunce ]>eve was a lak ; 
 
 and tolde he him the Signefyaunce 
 
 of Anothir Schip with-Owten variaunce, 
 
 and of Ma old Man that there-Inne was, 
 
 and how his wordes hym plesed In that 
 
 plas, 
 So that on slepe fyl he there 
 be his wordis In dyvers Manere. 
 
 Sethen Aftyr he hym tolde 
 of ]>e Schyp & the Man so bolde, 
 that Nevere sethen he hym Sye 
 Nethir fer ne faste Bye. 
 Thanne tolde him Nasciens 3it wel More 
 of Mo trebulacions he hadde suffred before, 
 Where offen the kyng Merveillede tho, 
 And to Nasciens thanne spak he vnto. 
 
 " Sire kyng," thanne quod Nasciens tho 
 " Of this swerd seholen j,e heren Merveilles 
 
 Mo, 
 that for non Evel thing ne brosed he nowht, 
 but As goddis Scharpnesse it is in myn 
 
 thowht." 
 thanne Axede the kyng the swerd forto se, 
 That to hym was Merveillous In Al degre. 
 And whanne the kyng had it long beholde, 
 In his herte he Merveillede Mani folde, 
 And seide to Sire Nasciens there 
 " this is the most merveille that euere sawh 
 
 I Ere, 
 The Richeste and the fairest Also 
 That Into Ony place myhte be do." 
 
 Thanne took the kyng this swerd on bond, 
 And stille there-with he gan to stonde,— 
 
 3r 
 
 parmi vne petite parole ke li dist, si 
 qu'il dut estre noies. 
 
 Apres li conte la senefianche de la nef. 
 
 284 et tant qu'il li dist de la petite nef 
 ou li preudom reuint 
 qui tant li dist de douches paroles 
 
 qu'il s'endormi 
 288 ^^ 1^ douchour de ses paroles, 
 
 ne onques puis ne le peut veoir, ne le 
 nachiele ou il estoit uenus. 
 292 
 
 Apres li conte tout en ordene toutes 
 les choses qui li estoient auenues. 
 
 Et quant il li ot tout conte, li rois li demande 
 296 ' lequele de sea auentures il tint plus a mer- 
 uilleuse.* 
 " Chertes," fait il, 
 
 " la briseure de 1' espee. 
 
 Car par mauuaiste ne brisa ele mie, 
 
 ains fu aucune demoustranche de 
 notre signeur." " Par foi," fait li rois, 
 " che puet bien estre." 
 
 Lors va 1' espee veoir 
 
 et remirer. 
 
 Et quant il a grant pieche remiree et 
 regardee. 
 
 Si dist, 
 
 " chertes, espee, vous estes meruelles 
 a ueoir et a regarder. 
 
 Car vous estes plus boine ke autre, et 
 plus biele ke autre." 
 
 Lors prist li rois 
 
 300 
 
 304 
 
 308 
 
490 
 
 THE BROKEN BITS OF THE SWOUD JOIN. NASCIENS IS WOUNDED. 
 
 In the ton bond the swerd, the tojjer the 
 
 pomel, 
 And hem departyd Every del. 
 And A wondir Aventure behappede tho, — 
 that A3en to Gederis Anon gonnen they go ; 
 And so faste to-gederis weren they loynt, 
 that Nevere sethenes In non poynt 
 Neuere departed Asonder they were 
 For non Man that lyf beere. 
 
 Now, be my trowthe, Oner AUe thing 
 Many Merveilles werketh heveun kyng, 
 Whanne so lyhtly that it broken was, 
 And so lyhtly Al hoi [becamj In that plas ; 
 And so lyhtly Into ]?e schethe it Cam 
 thens As kyng Mordrayns drowh it than. 
 And whanne AUe this they hadden don, 
 A wondirful Scry they herden Anon, 
 As thowh it were A Manere of thondir, 
 Where-Offen AUe hadden they gret won- 
 dir, 
 " Owt of the schippe, Cristen Man, thou go, 
 lest gret Synne falle the vnto." 
 Anon As the kyng this word herde, 
 Into his owne Schip he A3en ferde, 
 And So dide Celidoyne also ; 
 But Nasciens behynde lefte tho. 
 
 they Nere So sone Into the schip gon 
 that An swerd to hym Cam Anon, 
 Al fer brennenge As hym thowhte, 
 — but he niste ho that it browhte — 
 that thorwh the left Scholdere it smot, 
 & gret wounde Made, so sore it hot ; 
 So that In the Schippe he fyl Adown 
 As thowgh it were In Manere of A swown. 
 
 le poing a une main, et le branc a 
 r autre, si toucha I'un achier a I'autre. 
 
 312 Et au ioindre qu' il fist, 
 
 il auint si biele auenture, 
 
 que maintenant se repri^ li vns 
 achiers a 1' autre. 
 Si se tint si ferme 
 
 316 comme s'il n' eust onques 
 
 este desioins. 
 
 320 
 
 324 
 
 328 
 
 332 
 
 Et quant il voit che, si dist a nascien. 
 
 " par foi, mult est grant meruelle de 
 la virtu ihesu crist, 
 quant si legierement fraint et rasaude. 
 Car or le poes veoir aasi legierement 
 saudee comme ele brisa, 
 
 et maintenant le remust el fuerre, 
 
 dont il auoit ietee. 
 
 Quant il orent clie fait, 
 
 il oirent .j. efFrois. si tres grant 
 comme che fust tournoiles 
 dont il furent ausi comme toutestoune. 
 -bit maintenant leur vint vne vols qui 
 leur dist 
 
 " issies de la nef, crestien, 
 car vous chaes en pechie.'' 
 
 Et si tost com li rois ot cheste parole, 
 
 saut de la nef, et entre en la sieue, 
 
 et ausi fist celidoines. 
 
 Mais a nascien, qui estoit .i. petit plus loins 
 
 ke li autre, n' estoient auint 
 
 que quant il fu issus de la nef, et il se tint au 
 
 bort de I'autre nef pour entrer ens, 
 
 336 l<e maintenant vint vne espee 
 ausi comme flamboiant. 
 
 qui le feri en 1' epaule senestre 
 340 si k' ele li fist plaie grant et fendue, 
 et chiet adens en la nef. 
 
NASCIENS THANKS GOD FOR CHASTISING HIM AS A SON. 
 
 491 
 
 thanne herde he there, him thouhte presente, 
 
 On that to hym Spak there veramente, 344 
 
 — but that he ne knew not his Menyng — 
 
 NeJ»er what it was to vndirstondyng ; 
 
 but as him thowhte In this Manere 
 
 that the Menyng of the vois was there, — 348 
 
 " this veniaunce now is sent to the 
 
 For draweng of }»e swerd, & were not worthe ; 
 
 therfore Otterly I rede the 
 
 Another tyme that ]70u war be 
 
 to Erren A3ens thy Oreatour, 
 
 Thy Makere, and Ek thi saviour." 
 
 the kyng Som-what this vndirstood, 
 and so dide Sire Nasciens In his Mood, 
 but of that strok he was stoned so sore 
 that plat down to the grownd fyl he there, 
 thanne forth wente they hym forto A-wake 
 and of his swowneng hym vt forto take, 
 and whanne of his swowneng Awaked he 
 
 was, 
 
 he loked Abowtes In that plas 
 And say hem for hym wepin than ; 
 thanne In his herte Merveillen he gan, 364 
 
 " A, why wepen 30 so now for me ? 
 Eor now Mowen 36 wel knowen & se 
 that owre lord halt me A knyht 
 that he wele Chastise thorwh his Miht, 368 
 
 and maken Me knowliche of My sinne 
 And of the wikkednesse ]?at I haue lyved 
 
 Inne. 
 Wherfore thankynges now I him do 
 that this Chastisyng sente me vnto, 372 
 
 and As my fadir I worschepe hym Anon 
 Eor he me Chastiseth As his sone." 
 
 Et lors oi ke on li dist. 
 
 " Ch' est la uenianche de 1' espee 
 
 ke tu traisis, dont tu n' estoies mie 
 
 dignes. 
 
 352 Or te garde autrefois 
 
 de mesprendre enuers ton creator." 
 
 Li rois entendi bien cheste parole, 
 
 356 et ausi fist nasciens. 
 
 Mais il fu del caup si estounes 
 
 k' il chai a la tere ausi comme tous mors. 
 et li rois le court releuer, et le mist en son 
 deuant, et pleure mult tenrement comme 
 chil qui a doutanche qu'il ne soit naures a 
 mort. Et ausi fist celidoines. Et nasciens 
 gut grant pieche en pamison, ains qu' il peust 
 releuer 
 Et quant il fu uenus en sa forche, 
 
 et il vit le roi qui plouroit. 
 
 Si dist. " Ha, sire, pour dieu ke est 
 che ke vous faites. vous ne deues mie 
 plourer, mais faites ioie. 
 
 Car ore vees vous bien, 
 
 ke notre sires me tieut chier d'aucune 
 
 chose, 
 
 quant il chastie 
 
 et fait recounissant d'aucune chose de 
 mon pechie 
 
 360 
 
 Or le doi iou gracier et merchiier 
 
 comme pere, 
 
 quant il me chastie comme fil." 
 
492 THE SHIP IS BBCAIMED, WITH NASCIENS, MOE.BUEINS, AND CELIDOTNE ON BOAED. 
 
 Whanne these wordis lie hadde seid there, 
 but Evenere he was of stedfast chare 
 As A man ful of paciens & humilite 
 As lik As desesed of the strok was he 
 that Suffred Angwichs & mochel peyne, 
 and 3et but litel ne wolde he seyne. 
 
 Thus fowre dayes and fowre Nyht 
 In the Schip they weren, I the plyht, 
 that wedir ne wynd ne w&s there non, 
 Eorthere Into the se to gon. 
 
 But now leveth this Storye here, as ye 
 mown se, 
 And torneth to the messengeris where so 
 
 they be, 
 that Nasciens to seken they weren sent, 
 but Into what Contre, they Niste verament. 
 
 Tele parole dist nasciiens quant il fu 
 blechies, 
 376 ne onques n'en fist samblant qu'il li 
 en fust riens. Mais comme home 
 plains de pascienche et d'umilite. 
 
 380 
 
 384 
 
 souffri s' angoisse et sa doleur de la 
 plaie, tant com ele li dura. 
 
 Si furent en tele maniere en chele nef 
 .iiij. iours. 
 
 Mais a tant laisse ore li contes a 
 parler d' aus, 
 
 et retourne as messages 
 
 ke la roine et enuoies par sa terre pour 
 querre son frere nascien, 
 388 car ele ne sauoit ou il estoit. 
 
 [MS. fol. 58b, col. l.J 
 
 END OP VOL. I. 
 
LIST OF A FEW WORDS 
 
 CASUALLY EXTRACTED FOB USE IN THE 
 
 PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S PEOPOSED ENGLISH DICTIONARY, 
 
 1 
 
 BY THE LATE HERBERT COLERIDGE AND F. J. FURNIVALL. 
 
 abvcion, sb. abuse, misusmg; p. 409, 1. 387. 
 abreide, v.n. perf. t. arose, roused himself; p. 487, 
 
 1.237; p. 354,1. 191. 
 angwischous, adj. full of angwish ; p. 354, 1. 210. 
 auoure, v.a. adorn (Fr. aournery, p. 425, 1. 152. 
 apert, adv. plainly; p. 372, 1. 362. 
 aprise, sb. sense, wit (Fr. sens) ; p. 414. 
 asay, v.a. try ; p. 357, 1. 300. 
 atame, v.a. to cut (Lat. attaminare); p. 413, 1. 497. 
 axe, "put tlie ax in the helve," solve a doubt; p. 374, 
 
 1. 410. 
 
 bash, v.n. be afraid; p. 153, 1. 529. 
 
 bannerer, sb. knight, servant; p. 198, 1. 225. 
 
 becast-to, v.a. bestow on; p. 96, 1. 171. 
 
 behap, v.a. befall; p. 109, 1. 26. 
 
 beleave, v.a. leave; p. 104, 1. 445. 
 
 betrap, v.a.; p. 134, 1. 873. 
 
 beweld, v.a. defend; p. 116, 1. 268; p. 340, 1. 283 
 
 bewept, adj. covered with tears; p. 456, 1. 604. 
 
 bodily, adv. un spiritually, after the lusts of the flesh ; 
 
 p. 450, 1. 422. 
 bole, sb. (Fr. tour,) tower; p. 429, 1. 282. 
 bowk, sb. hold of a ship; p. 367, 1. 189. 
 bowshot, sb. measure of length; p. 118, 1. 316. 
 brief, sb. writing, letters; p. 429, 1. 265. 
 
 certify, v.a. announce as certain; p. 112, 1. 137. 
 cherte, sb. dearness, love; p. 96, 1. 151. 
 circuit (sircvit), part, travelled round; p. 398, 1. 42. 
 clerte, sb. clearness; p. 367, 1. 213. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 colde, v.a. make cold, chill; p. 133, 1. 828. 
 coronaled, ^art. crowned, ringed; p. 134, 1. 861. 
 
 danger, sb. dominion, adverse rule; p. 92, 1. 34; 
 
 p. 423. 
 disheritance, sb. the being disinherited; p. 380, 1. 85. 
 distempred, adj. in disorder; p. 117, 1. 287: ill, out 
 
 of sorts; p. 452,1. 497. 
 dolente, adj. mournful; p. 334, 1. 64. 
 duchy (dwchie); p. 344, 1. 412. 
 dyspetous, adj. rough and noisy ; p. 102, 1. 356. 
 
 elde, sb. age (young elde); p. 440, 1. 118. 
 enbataille, v.a. array in order of battle; p. 122, 
 
 1. 458. 
 enfamyne, sb. famine; p. 101, 1. 352. 
 eyelet, sb. (oylette); p. 156, 1. 630. 
 
 febilte, sb. feebleness; p. 151, 1. 456. 
 
 forbrosed, part, much bruised ; p. 146, 1. 290. 
 
 form, adj. sup. first; p. 410. 
 
 fother, sb. lot, number; p. 123, 1. 490. 
 
 fowls of ravine; p. 167, 1. 58. 
 
 frailness, sb.; p. 447, 1. 347. 
 
 glimmer, i>.w.; p. 425, 1. 158. 
 
 grapel, sb. grappling-iron; p. 252, 1. 112. 
 
 grawnte, v.a. warrant, guard; p. 189, 1. 788. 
 
 halvendel, sb. half-part; p. 106, 1. 503. 
 handelyng, sb. handle; p. 369. 
 handsome (hondsom), adj.; p. 158, 1. 695. 
 38 
 
494 
 
 LIST OF WORDS EXTRACTED FOR USE IX 
 
 incline down of, v.a, get oif (a horse); p. 125, 1. 561. 
 in-lance, v.n. pierce in with a lance; p. 135, 1. 893. 
 nsight (God's), sb.; p. 427, 1. 214. 
 rowsly, adv. angrily; p. 145, 1. 263. 
 
 ete, sb. arrow (Fr. saiete); p. 425, 1. 154. 
 justify, v.a. punish; p. 201, 1. 318. 
 
 labour, v.n. p. 199, 1. 274. 
 
 ladyly, adv. like a lady; p. 335, 1. 129. 
 
 leal, adj. p. 439, 1. 23. 
 
 lever, sb. ? believer, or Hver; p. 333, 1. 52. 
 
 list, sb. desire; p. 357, 1. 299. 
 
 al the live long day; p. 422, 1. 70. 
 
 loggeng, sb. lodging; p. 105, 1. 466. 
 
 lowe, sb. hill; p. 150, 1. 424. 
 
 lyge, sb. liege; p. 97. 
 
 lyveret, sb. a small book; p. 208, 1. 539. 
 
 maidenhood and virginity, p. 376-7, 1. 143-157. 
 
 maistre, sb. wile ; p. 424. 
 
 meagre, adj. p. 184, 1. 638. 
 
 meUe, sb. melde (in Uttle); p. 133, 1. 827. 
 
 menacing, sb. p. 449, 1. 406. 
 
 misplease, v.a. p. 336, 1. 148. 
 
 misplease with, be mispleased with; p. 334, 1. 87. 
 
 nedelye, adv. necessarily; p. 207, 1. 461. 
 norre, sb. male nurse; p. 133, 1. 55. 
 
 Decision, sb. slaughter; p. 127, 1. 620. 
 
 onprison, v.a. unprison; p. 329, 1. 419. 
 
 osteye, v.a. take away, remove (Fr. oster) ; p. 372, 
 
 1. 357. 
 outbreak, v.a. utter; p. 335, 1. 112. 
 
 palettes, sb, plates which covered the arm-pits (Fair- 
 holt, 1st ed. p. 573); p. 143, 1. 199. 
 pensiveness, sb. p. 212, 1. 45. 
 
 perturite, sb. begetting; p. 402. 
 peyre, v.n. to grow worse; p. 393. 
 plateyne, sb. cover; p. 212, 1. 49. 
 presonment, sb. imprisonment ; p. 102, 1. 302. 
 propine to, v.a. draw near to, fall on; p. 214, 1. 118. 
 pyl, sb. pile, building; p. 102, 1. 350. 
 
 rape, v.a. ? make ready; 252, 1. 130. 
 
 raunge, sb. a hanging or girdle for a sword; p. 409, 
 
 1. 373, 379. 
 recover, get to a place; p. 114, 1. 179. 
 reprise, v.n. flow again; p. 205, 1. 462. 
 rescrye, v.a. recall; p. 141, 1. 136. 
 resemble, v.n. reassemble; p. 159, 1- 713. 
 resort (to a place), v.n.; p. 155, 1. 583. 
 retinue, sb. p. 115, 1. 207. 
 
 sanctify, v.a. p. 200, 1. 292. 
 
 sawt, sb. assault; p. 253, 1. 165. 
 
 scheltrom, sb. press, body; p. 140, 1. 396 (?A.-S. 
 
 scealc, warrior; ge-trum, company), 
 schew, perf. of show, v.n. p. 447, 1. 340. 
 secre, v.a. consecrate; p. 441, 1. 142. 
 secree, sb. secret; p. 212, 1. 57. 
 schake, v.a. leap quickly; p. 146, I. 282. 
 stanch, v. n. p. 205, 1. 461. 
 
 steep (eyes), adj. (A.-S. steap) deep; p. 128, 1. 651. 
 storier, sb. narrator; p. 139, 1. 48. 
 support, v.a. p. 157, 1. 648. 
 supportacion, sb. aid; p. 207, 1. 528. 
 surawnce, sb. assurance, belief; p 168, 1. 80. 
 
 takke, v.a. tack, fasten; p. 99, 1. 269. 
 
 talent, sb. desire; p. 370, 1. 310. 
 
 talkyng, sb. discourse, preaching; p. 98, 1. 256. 
 
 te, v.n. go (A.-S. teogon, teon, draw); p. 110, 1. 56. 
 
 theke,^ro»i. that; p. Ill, 1. 86, p. 193, 1. 62. 
 
 tobrast, v.a. perf. t. smashed; p. 206, 1. 498. 
 
 to-brose, v.a. bruise badly; p. 149, 1. 410, 
 
THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S PROPOSED DICTIONARY. 
 
 495 
 
 tokrak, v.a. break in pieces; p. 143, 1. 196. 
 
 thret, sb. (? not A.-S. ])red, evil, calamity,) strait, 
 
 difficulty; p. 126,1.606. 
 tre, sb. wood; p. 168, 1. 82. 
 trenchaunt, ? adv. cuttingly ; p. 127, 1. 645. 
 trise, v.a, ? steal, carry off; p. 109, 1. 20. 
 
 unhorse (onhorse), v.a.; p. 119, 1. 347. 
 , v.n. to dismount ; p. 193, 1. 78. 
 
 unknow, v.n. p. 128, 1. 679. 
 valour, sb. value; p. 332, 1. 332. 
 viand, sb. food; p. 208, 1. 563. 
 vigorously, adv. p. 104, 1. 413. 
 
 weldy, adj. able, powerful; p. 93, 1. 57. 
 wonden, v.n. cease, turn; p. 44o, 1. 290. 
 wrest, v.a. pull down; p. 157, 1. 670. 
 
 3s2 
 
INDEX TO VOL. I. 
 
 Adam and Eye, p. 378-86. 
 
 Adamant or Loadstone, its love for iron, p. 348.. 
 
 Adventm-es, the Pine of, p. 14. 
 
 Ambush, the Wood of, p. 38. 
 
 Archymedes, Evalach's knight, p. 121, 134. 
 
 Arecuse, the water in the western land, p. 344, 1. 403. 
 
 Arthur, p. 75. 
 
 Aselabas the devil, p. 203, 1. 376; tempts Tholomes 
 
 to his death, p. 201-2; is driven out of an idol, 
 
 p. 200, 1. 309. 
 
 the Beast with the sheep's head, dog's legs, wolfs 
 body, and lion's taO, which is the monk's guide, 
 p. 13; disappears and re-appears, 14, 19. 
 
 the savage Beast chased by Sarra-cynte's brother, 
 p. 177. 
 
 Bed in Solomon's Ship, p. 367; means the Sacra- 
 mental Table, 430. 
 
 Birds, the wonderfLd white, p. 352 ; one eats Nas- 
 ciens's heart, p. 353. 
 
 a Bishop's vestments, the meaning of, p. 76-9. 
 
 the Book of the GraU given from heaven, p. 5 ; 
 written by Christ, 359. 
 
 Britain, Great, p. 374, 1. 429. 
 
 White, p. 3 ; now England, p. 22, 65. 
 
 Caiaphas tells where Joseph is in prison, p. 30 ; is 
 
 sent to sea. alone in a boat,. 34. 
 Cain and Abel, p. 388-93. 
 Calafier, the traitor, accuses Nasciens, p. 243 ; has 
 
 charge of his lands and him, 316; imprisons his 
 
 son Celidoyne,. 316; is burnt on the cheeks, 322; 
 
 orders Gehdoyneto be thrown from his castle, 326;, 
 
 for which he is blown in pieces, 328. 
 Calamyne, the land of, p. 344, 1. 424. 
 
 Carsopines, Flegentyne's protector, p. 342, 1. 353, 
 p. 333, &c. 
 
 Celidoyne, or Given-to-Heaven, Nasciens's son, p. 
 316 ; is delivered from Calafier, 327 ; and carried 
 to an island, 437 ; where he meets, and preaches to, 
 Label king of Persia, 440-75 ; is carried off by 
 Label's knights, 476 ; is put out to sea with a lion, 
 480; meets his father again, p. 483, 1. 131-3; and 
 then both meet Mordrayns, 487. 
 
 Chair, Josephes's, drives a Saracen Bang's eyes out 
 of his head, p. 75. 
 
 Clamaoides christened, p. 198, I. 222. 
 
 Comes Castle, p. 104, 1. 428 ; p. 107, 1. 525. 
 
 Conception of Christ, p. 52-3, 60-1. 
 
 Cross of red cloth put on Evalach's shield by Jo- 
 sephes as his protection, p. 99 ; it saves him, 150-1 ; 
 Jesus is seen on it, 195 ; miracle wrought by it, 
 196, when it vanishes. [See Sir T. Maleor's sum- 
 mary of the shield's history, ia his Prince Arthur, 
 part iii. ch. xxxviii. vol. iii. p. 86-7 of the 1815 
 reprint; vol. ii. p. 222-3 of the 1816 reprint.] 
 
 kyng Davy in the Sawter Book condemns Cain, p. 391; 
 
 his sword, p. 406, 368, 370-5. 
 a Devil driven out of a man, p. 17 ; out of an idol, 88, 
 
 200. 
 Dread, the beginning of, proclaimed, p. 237, 1. 350 
 
 (p. 7, Title 3). 
 
 Emelianz, the castle of, p. 344, 1. 411. 
 
 Enacore, keeper of the GraU- Ark, p. 200, 1. 283. 
 
 Ermonies the hermit, account of, p. 208, 1. 553. 
 
 Evalaoh the Unknown, p. 41; his first talk with 
 Joseph, 43-57 ; his visions of the Trinity, &c. 58- 
 61 ; interpreted, p. 217-221 ; his land invaded by 
 
498 
 
 INDEX TO VOL. I. 
 
 Tholomes, p. 91 ; his figMs and victory, 103-63, 
 thoTigli at one time he is taten prisoner, 149 ; he 
 turns Christian, and is named Mordi-aynes, or Slow- 
 of-BeKef, p. 198, 1. 221 ; is carried away from his 
 palace, 238, to the Roche Perilows, 248, 250 ; is 
 tempted there, 260-315, (by a fair woman, 267- 
 272); is brought away, 310-314; meets Nasciens 
 again, 487. 
 Evalach's steward attacks Tholomes, 132 ; unhorses 
 him, but is taken prisoner, 133, and is killed by 
 Tholomes, 135; Evalach 'will have steward for 
 steward,' and wants to kill Tholomes's, 162, 1. 846. 
 
 Flegentyne, Nasciens's wife, described, 331-2 ; takes 
 refuge with Carsopines, 332 ; starts with him and 
 his son Helycaors to seek Nasciens, 342. 
 
 Fountain, the marvellous, p. 14. 
 
 Fowcairs, the pirate, p. 250; his fight with Pompey, 
 252-8. 
 
 France, p. 93. 
 
 Galahad, son of Joseph of Aiimathea, p. 65. 
 
 Graal, the dish or vessel (I'escuele) of the Last 
 Supper, p. 23 ; Christ's blood put into it, 24 ; is 
 brought by Christ to Joseph in prison, 25 ; has an 
 Ark of wood made for it, 39 ; before which. Joseph 
 and his company worship, 66 ; and in which 
 Josephes sees the Crucifixion re-enacted, 69-70 ; 
 and Joseph sees wonders, 71-3 ; Josephes enters 
 the Ark and celebrates the Sacrament, 80-2 ; it 
 is shown to Mordreins and Nasciens, 210 ; strikes 
 Nasciens blind, 212 : of when its secrets are to be 
 known, 216. 
 
 Helyab, Joseph's wife, p. 64; begs Vespasian for 
 
 her husband, 29 ; is not recognised by him, 32. 
 Helycaors, the son of Carsopines, p. 342, 1. 351. 
 
 Ireland, p. 249, L 33. 
 
 Jeconiyas, Evalach's knight, p. 121; takes Tholomes 
 to Orkauz, 154. 
 
 Jerusalem, p. 291, 1. 224. 
 
 Joseph of Arimathea, p. 22 ; is imprisoned by the 
 Jews, 25 ; his wife, 28 ; his release, 31 ; baptism, 
 36 ; leaves Jerusalem, 37 ; reaches Sarras, 39, 41 ; 
 talks to Evalach, 43-57, 85-90, 93-100, 194, 
 217, &c. ; his son Galahad, 65 ; he sees wonders in 
 the GraU-Ark, 71-2 ; talks to Sarracynte, 166, 
 189 ; converts Seraphe and Evalach by a miracle, 
 195-8 [see Sir T. Maleor, part ui. chs. h. and 
 xxxviii. xxxix. J ; is smitten with a lance, 205, and 
 cured, 214; shows them the Grail, 210 ; interprets 
 Evalach's dream, 217-21 ; leaves Sarras with 207 
 Saracens, 225 [see vol. ii]. 
 
 Josephes, Joseph's son, p. 22, 56, is consecrated 
 Bishop and has charge of the Graal, 69-79 ; 
 administers the Sacrament, 80-82. 
 
 Joshua, p. 401, 1. 132. 
 
 Label, king of Persia, p. 439 ; talks to Celidoyne, 
 441-52 ; has a Vision of a Tree and a Fiery Ser- 
 pent, 443-4; has murdered his sister, 451 ; laments 
 his sins, 452-6; his Vision of the Broad Way 
 and its exposition, 458-70 ; he is baptised, 475 ; 
 dies and goes to heaven, 477. 
 
 Leucans appointed to guard the Ark of the Graal, 
 p. 89, 200, 1. 285. 
 
 the Lance wherevrith Joseph is smitten, 205 ; is to 
 bleed before the Graal is disclosed, 216. 
 
 Logres, or Great Britain, p. 374 (French). 
 
 Lonelich, Hy., beginning of his translation, p. 89. 
 
 Mahomet, p. 39. 
 
 Maidenhood and Virginity, the distinction between, 
 
 p. 376-7, 1. 143-157. 
 Man created to replace the Tenth Legion of Angels 
 
 who fell, p. 51. 
 Manarcus, Tholomes' brother, p. 140, 1. 90. 
 Manasses is left with the Ark of the Grail, p. 200, 
 
 1. 284. 
 
INDEX TO VOL. I. 
 
 499 
 
 Marie la uenissiene, p. 28. 
 
 Miaux, Evalach's birthplace, p. 93, 1. 84. 
 
 Mordraynes, or Slow-of-Belief, ETalach's name 
 changed to, p. 198, 1. 220 ; his old secret sin, 
 222-3; his dream of the Nine Streams, 229 ; he is 
 carried away from his palace, 238 \_see Evalach]. 
 
 Narbus (or Vabus, p. 106, 1. 510), Tholomes' steward, 
 p. 162, 1. 829. 
 
 Nasciens, Seraphe's name changed to, p. 196, 1. 178; 
 is blinded and healed 213-15 ; imprisoned, 245 ; 
 released, 317 ; carried to the Yl Tomeawnt, 346 • 
 tempted there, 349-75 ; gives a bird his heart to 
 eat, 353 ; meets his son Celidoyne again, 483 ; has 
 the adventure of the Broken Sword and the Giant, 
 485-6 n. ; then meets Mordrayns, 487 ; and is 
 punished for drawing David's sword, 490-1. 
 
 Noah's flood, p. 394. 
 
 Norway, p. 12. 
 
 Olifemus, king of Evalach's land, p. 96. 
 Orbery, the city, p. 177, 1. 383 ; p. 209, p. 344. 
 
 the duchess of, p. 169, 1. 117. 
 
 Oriable, the city, p. 91. 
 
 Orkanz (Arkanz, p. 114, 1. 184, but Orca^, 
 
 rhyming with hors, p. 309, 1. 34), city of, p. 114, 
 
 163, 191, 192, 200, &c. 
 
 Palace, the Spiritual, p. 67 [Sir T. Maleor, part iii. 
 
 ch. ci.] 
 Papagast, the Serpent of Caldiens land, p. 368, 
 
 1. 225. 
 Phoenix, the, p. 298-302. 
 Pompey the Emperor, his fight with the pirate 
 
 Fowcairs, p. 251-8 ; stables his horses in the 
 
 temple at Jerusalem, 258. 
 
 the Koche of blood (p. 118, 1. 334), or blody Roche, 
 p. 119,1. 344; p. 153, p. 161. 
 
 I the Roche Perilows described, p. 248-50; Mor- 
 dreins's temptations there, 260-315 ; its top is 
 knocked off, 296. 
 
 Salustes (or Salustine) the hermit, p. 169, 1. 129 ; 
 his epitaph, p. 208, 1. 544 ; appears to Mordreins, 
 and interprets his dream, p. 314. 
 
 Sank Ryal, or Seint Graal, p. 216, 1. 170, 199; p. 
 211, 1. 18 ; p. 356, 1. 267. 
 
 Saracen, derivation of the name, 39. 
 
 Saradines, p. 344, 1. 419, 423. 
 
 Sarracynte, Evalach's Queen, p. 166; her history, 
 169-189 ; sends to seek her husband, 330 ; goes to 
 fetch Flegentyne, 334. 
 
 Scotland, p. 249, 1. 30. 
 
 Seraphe, Evalach's brother-in-law, comes to help 
 him, p. 112 ; Seraphe's valiant deeds, 127-8, 138- 
 161 ; turns Christian, and his name is changed to 
 Nasciens, ip. 196, 1. 178; is imprisoned, 245; and 
 carried to Yl Tomeawnt, 346 ; is nearly drowned, 
 421. [(See Nasciens above, and Sir T. Maleor's 
 Prince Arthm-, part iii. ch. Ixxxv.j 
 
 Siuayn, the Earl of, p. 95, 1. 131. 
 
 Solomon's Ship, p. 363 ; the history of it and its 
 contents, beginning with the Pall of Man, p. 377- 
 419 ; it typifies Holy Church, 428. [See Sir T. 
 Maleor's abstract, in his Prince Arthur, part iii. 
 chs. Lxxxiii.-viii. vol. iii. p. 165-75 of the 1815 
 reprint ; vol. ii. p. 294-304 of the 1816 reprint.] 
 Spain, p. 249, 1. 38. 
 
 Spindles, the mystery of the Three, p. 375 ; ex- 
 plained, 431-3. 
 Streams, the Nine, and the Lake, Mordreins's dream 
 
 of, p. 239 ; interpreted, 314-15. 
 Sun, the Temple of, in Sarras, p. 41. 
 Sword, king David's marvellous sword and scabbard, 
 found by Nasciens, p. 368, 370-5 ; their history, 
 406-10 ; comes in two and joins again, 490. 
 the Broken, and the Giant, Nasciens's ad- 
 
500 
 
 INDEX TO VOL. I. 
 
 venture of, p. 485-6, n. [See Sir T. Maleor's 
 Prince Arthur, part iii. ch. Ixxxv.J 
 
 Tarabel, Castle and City of, p. 92, 101. 
 
 Tholomes, king of Egypt, invades Evalach's land, 
 
 p. 91 ; his &st victory, 103-4 ; great battle, 116- 
 
 163 ; defeat, 154-62 ; homage to Evalach, 192 ; 
 
 tempted to his death by the devil Aselabas 
 
 201-2. 
 Tiger's Harbour, p. 348. 
 Titus, p. 26. 
 
 Trees, why they are green, p. 387. 
 the Tree of Life, p. 343, 411. 
 
 the Tresoriers, or treasurer in churches, his office, 83. 
 the Trinity, the symbol of, p. 58-9. 
 Tortenavs, the fysch of Eufrate, p. 368, 1. 239. 
 the Turning Isle, its history, 346-9. 
 
 Uther Pendragon, p. 75. 
 
 Vabus, Tholomes's steward, p. 106, 1. 510, 517 : see 
 
 Narbus. 
 Vale of the Dead, p. 13. 
 
 Valachin, Evalach's castle, described, p. 101-2. 
 Veronica, the, p. 28 ; cures Vespasian, 29. 
 Vespasian, his leprosy, p. 26 ; cure, 29 ; frees Joseph, 
 
 30-1 ; bums Christ's murderers, 33 ; is reproved, 
 
 36. 
 
 Walescog, the plains of, p. 12. 
 
 Water, holy, the virtue of, p. 73, 315. 
 
 White knight, his miraculous help to Evalach, 
 
 p. 151-3; to Seraphe, 155, 158. 
 Woman, " the fairest womman that of feet myht gon," 
 
 who tempts Evalach (or Mordreins), p. 267, 1. 218 ; 
 
 who she is, p. 282, 313 ; renews her temptation, 
 
 291-5, 303-4. 
 
 Yl Torneawnt, p. 347, 1. 12. [Sir T. Maleor's Isle 
 of Turnance, Prince Arthur, part iii. ch. Ixxxv.J 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 THE EARLY-FRENCH VERSE " ROMAN DTJ SAINT-GRAAL. 
 
 Ci Commence li R[6]manz de resto[i]re dou Graal. 
 
 Let all sinners 
 know 
 
 that before 
 Christ came, 
 
 prophets fore- 
 told his coming 
 
 and his suffer- 
 ings. 
 
 And then, 
 
 Adam and Eve, 
 
 and every, one, 
 good and l)ad, 
 went to Hell. 
 
 and the Devil 
 thought be had 
 them safe. 
 
 Then Christ 
 came on earth, 
 
 Savoir doivent tout pecheeur 
 Et li petit et li meneur 
 Que devant ce que Jhesus-Criz 
 Venist en terre, par les diz 
 Fist des prophetes anuncier 
 Sa venue en terre, et huchier 
 Que Diex son fil envoieroit 
 Ca-jus aval, et soufFerroit 
 Mout de tourmenz, mout de doleurs, 
 Mout de froiz et mout de sueurs. 
 
 A icel tens que je vous conte, 
 Et roi et prince et due et conte, 
 Nostres premiers peres Adam, 
 Eve no mere et Abraham, 
 Ysaac, Jacob, Yheremyes 
 Et li prophetes Ysayes, 
 Tout prophete, toute autre gent, 
 Boen et mauveis commun^ment, 
 Quant de cest siecle departoient. 
 Tout droit en enfer s'en aloient. 
 Quant li Deables, li Maufez, 
 Les avoit en enfer boutez, 
 Gaaigniez avoir les quidoit 
 Et en ce ad^s mout se fioit. 
 Les boennes genz confort avolent 
 Ou Fil Dieu, que il attendoient. 
 Lors si plut a Nostre-Seigneur 
 Qu'il nous feist trestouz honneur 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 and was born of 
 the Virgin. 
 
 who was full of 
 all goodness 
 and beauty 
 
 and like the 
 rose-tree, as she 
 bare the sweet 
 rose within her 
 womb. 
 
 She was 
 daughter and 
 mother of God. 
 Joachin was 
 her father, and 
 Anne her 
 mother. 
 
 When Joachjm 
 was in the 
 desert. 
 
 Et qu'n en terre descendist 
 Et nostre humeinne char preist; 30 
 
 Dedenz la Virge s'aiimbra, 
 Tele com la voust la fourma ; 
 Simple, douce, mout bien aprise, 
 Toute la fist a sa devise. 
 Pleinne fu de toutes bontez. 
 En li assist toutes biautez : 
 Ele est fleiranz comme esglentiers ; 
 Ele est ausi com li rosiers, 
 Qu'ele porta la douce rose 
 Qui fu dedenz sen ventre enclose. 40 
 Ele fu. Marie apelee, 
 De touz biens est enluminee ; 
 Marie est dite, mer amere; 
 Fille Dieu est, si est sa mere ; 
 Et Joachins si I'engenra, 
 Anne sa mere la porta, 
 Qui andui ancien estoient. 
 Onques enfant eu n'avoient ; 
 Meis mout en estoient irie. 
 Et Diex leur eut tost pourchaci^ 50 
 Par son angle, qu'il envoia 
 A Joachym, quant il ala 
 Ou desert a ses pastouriaus; 
 Et demoura aveques aus, 
 Pour ce que courouciez estoit 
 De s'oiFrande que li avoit 
 a 
 
or OUR REDEMPTION BY CHRIST. OF THE EALL ; AND OF CHRIST'S BIRTH. 
 
 the Virgin 
 Mary, 
 
 who shall be 
 sinless. 
 
 He is to go 
 home 
 
 L'esvesque ou temple refusee, 
 Pour ce que n'avoit engenree 
 Nule porteure en sa fame, 
 Ki estoit de sa meison dame. 
 An angel tells ^e dist I'andes a Joachyn: 
 
 him that his ° •' . 
 
 wife Anne shall " Va tost, SI te mest au cnemm, 
 have a daughter, Q^g j)-g^ jg ^. ^ ^^^ ^^^ mande; 
 
 Et se m'a-il mout commands 
 Enseurquetout que je te die 
 Ta volentez iert acomplie, 
 Car tu une pucele aurras, 
 Et JMarie I'apeleras. 
 D'Anne ta fame iert engenrde, 
 En son ventre saintefi^e, 
 N'en sa vie ne pechera 
 Tout son aage que vivra. 
 De ce ne soies esperduz ; 
 Et que j'en soie mieuz creuz, 
 Par Jherusalem t'en iras 
 Et a la porte enconterras 
 Ta fame, puis vous en irez 
 and be with his En vo meison et si serez 
 '"'^®' Ensemble comme boenne gent : 
 
 Ainsi avendra vraiement." 
 For the people Lg pueple que il feit avoit 
 
 that God made r r T. 
 
 must be brought D'Evein et d'Adam, couvenoit 
 Kaieimbre et giter hors d'enfer, 
 Que tenoit enclos Lucifer 
 Pour le pecbie d'Adam no pere. 
 Que li fist feire Eve no mere 
 Par la pomme qu'ele menja 
 Et qu'ele son mari donna. 
 
 Entendez en quantes mennieres 
 Nous racbeta Diex nostres peres : 
 Li Peres la raen^on fist. 
 Par lui, par son fil Jhesu- Crist, 
 Par le Saint-Esprit tout ensemble. 
 Bien os dire, si con moi semble, 
 Cil troi sunt une seule cbose, 
 L'une persone en I'autre enclose. 
 Diex voust que ses fiuz cbar preist 
 De la Virge et que de li nascbist, 
 Et il si fist puis que lui plust; 
 Pour rien contredist ne Veust. 
 
 out of hell. 
 
 So God re- 
 deemed us 
 
 by the Father, 
 Son, and Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 three in one. 
 
 The son took 
 flesh, 
 
 showing his 
 humility 
 
 60 when he died to 
 save us 
 
 and deliver us 
 from the Devil 
 who betrayed 
 us by Eve. 
 
 How Eve gave 
 Adam an apple. 
 
 70 
 
 and he eat it. 
 
 and knew that 
 he 
 
 and ^ his wife 
 were naked ; 
 
 go then they sewed 
 fig-leaves toge- 
 ther 
 
 and God cast 
 them out of 
 Paradise. 
 
 Eve bore a 
 child, 
 
 and all of them 
 were in the 
 90 power of the 
 
 100 
 
 Devil 
 
 till God sent 
 Christ 
 
 to save them. 
 
 He took flesh, 
 
 and was born in 
 Bethlehem. 
 
 Cil Sires, qui humanite 
 
 Prist en la Virge, bumilite 
 
 Nous moustra grant quant il venir 
 
 Daigna en terre pour morir, 
 
 Pour ce que il voloit sauver 
 
 L'uevre son pere et delivrer 
 
 De la puissance I'Ennemi, 
 
 Qui nous eut par Eve trabi. 
 
 Quant ele vit qu'ele eut pecbie, 
 
 Si ba tant quis et pourchacie 110 
 
 Que Adans ses mariz peeba; 
 
 Car une pomme li donna 
 
 Que diex leur avoit deve^ 
 
 Et trestout I'autre abandonne ; 
 
 Meis il tantost la mist au dent 
 
 Et en menja isnelement. 
 
 Et tantost comme en eut mengie, 
 
 Pourpensa soi qu'il ot pecbie ; 
 
 Car il vit sa cbar toute nue, 
 
 Dont il ba mout grant bonte due. 120 
 
 Sa fame nue veue ba, 
 
 A luxure s'abandonna. 
 
 Apres ce coteles se firent 
 
 De faeilles, qu'ensamble acousirent. 
 
 Et quant Nostres-Sires ce vist, 
 
 Adan apele et si li dist : 
 
 " Adan, ou ies-tu?" — " Je sui 9a." 
 
 Tantost de delist les gita, 
 
 Si les mist et cbetivoison 
 
 Et en peinne pour tel reison. 130 
 
 Eve eut con9ut, si enfanta 
 A grant doleur ce que porta, 
 Et li et toute sa meisnie 
 Eut li Deables en baillie ; 
 A la mort les vout touz avoir. 
 En enfer les covint mennoir 
 Tant com Diex le vout, et ne plus, 
 Qu'il envoia sen fil ga-jus 
 Pour saver l'uevre de son pere ; 
 Si en soufri la mort amere. 140 
 
 Pour ce besoing prist-il no vie 
 Ou ventre la virge Marie, 
 Et puis en Betbleem nascbi 
 De la Virge, si cum je di. 
 
OF CHRIST S BAPTISM, AND HIS BAD DISCIPLE JUDAS. 
 
 To resume : 
 
 Christ was bap- 
 tised in Jordan, 
 
 and said that 
 those who be- 
 lieve and are 
 baptised, 
 
 shall be saved. 
 
 (And Holy 
 Church has the 
 like power, as 
 St. Peter gives 
 order 
 
 to all Church 
 ministers.) 
 
 So the Devil 
 lost his power, 
 
 and his priso- 
 ners for 5000 
 years were 
 rescued. 
 
 Christ wills St. 
 Peter to order a 
 2nd Baptism, 
 
 Confession. 
 
 Ceste chose seroit greveinne 
 A dire, car ceste fonteinne 
 Ne pourroit pas estre espuisie 
 Des biens qu'a la virge Marie. 
 
 Des or meis me couvient guenchir 
 A ma matere revenir, 150 
 
 De ce que me rememberrai, 
 Tant cum santd et povoir ei. 
 Voirs est que Jhesus-Criz ala 
 Par terre ; et si le baptisa 
 Et ou flun Jourdein le lava 
 Sainz Jehans, qu'il li commanda 
 Et dist: " Cil qui en moi creirunt. 
 En eve se baptiserunt 
 Ou non dou Pere et dou Fil Crist 
 Et ensemble dou Saint-Esprist, 160 
 
 Que par ice serunt sauve, 
 Dou povoir PAnemi gite, 
 Tant que il s'i remeterimt 
 Par les pecbiez que il ferunt." 
 A sainte Eglise ha Diex donne 
 Tel vertu et tel poest^. 
 Saint Pierres son commandement 
 Eedona tout comunalment 
 As menistres de sainte Eglise, 
 Seur eus en ha la cure mise: 170 
 
 Ainsi fu luxure lavee 
 D'omme, de femme, et espur^e; 
 Et li Deables sa vertu 
 Perdi, que tant avoit eu. 
 A bien peu .v. mil anz ou plus 
 Les eut-il en enfer la-jus; 
 Meis de tout son povoir issirent, 
 Dusqu'a tant que il s'i remirent; , 
 Et Nostres- Sires, qui savoit 
 Que fragilitez d'omme estoit 180 
 
 Trop mauveise et trop perilleuse 
 Et a pechie trop enclineuse 
 (Car il couvenroit qu'il pechast), 
 Vout que sainz Pierres commandast 
 De baptesme une autre menniere : 
 que tantes foiz venist arriere 
 A confesse, quant pecheroit, 
 Li hons, quant se repentiroit 
 
 When Christ 
 was on earth, 
 
 Judea was 
 under Rome, 
 
 and Pilate go- 
 verned it. 
 A soldier of 
 Pilate's, with 5 
 knights, loves 
 Christ, 
 
 but dares not 
 show it for fear 
 of the Jews. 
 
 Jesus has few 
 disciples, 1 bad. 
 
 The Jews talk 
 of how they may 
 torture him. 
 
 Judas, who took 
 tithe, 
 
 and was senes- 
 cal over the dis- 
 ciples, grew 
 envious. 
 
 and the others 
 disliked him. 
 
 How chamber- 
 lains then took 
 a tenth of all 
 gifts to their 
 lords. 
 
 Et vouroit son pechie guerpir 
 Et les commandemenz tenir 190 
 
 De sainte Eglise : ainsi pourroit 
 Grace k Dieu querre, et il I'aroit. 
 
 Au tens que Diex par terre ala 
 Et sa creance preescha, 
 La terre de Jud^e estoit 
 Souz Eomme et a li respondoit, 
 Non toute, meis une partie, 
 Oil Pilates avoit baillie. 
 A lui servoit uns soudoiers 
 Qui souz lui eut v chevaliers, 200 
 
 Jhesu-Crist vit et en sen cuer 
 L'aama mout; meis a nul ftier 
 N'en osast feire nul semblant 
 Pour les Juis qu'il doutoit tant, 
 Car tout estoient adversaire 
 A Jhesu la gent de pute eire. 
 Ainsi doutoit ses ennemis, 
 Ja soit ce qu'^ Dieu fust amis. 
 Jhesus peu deciples avoit, 
 Et de ceus I'uns mauveis estoit, 210 
 Pires plus que mestiers ne fust. 
 Ainsi le voust, ainsi li plust. 
 Meintes foiz tinrent pallement 
 Li Juif queu peinne ou tourment 
 Nostre- Seigneur soufrir feroient 
 Et comment le tourmenteroient. 
 Et Judas, que Diex mout amoit, 
 Une rente eut c'on apeloit 
 Disme, et avec seneschauz fu 
 Entre les deciples Jhesu; 220 
 
 Et pour ce devint envieus 
 Qu'il n'estoit meis si gracieus 
 As deciples come il estoient 
 Li uns vers I'autre et s'entr'amoient : 
 Se commenga a estrangier 
 Et treire a la foie arrier ; 
 Plus crueus fu qu'il ne soloit. 
 Si que chascuns le redoutoit. 
 Nostres- Sires savoit tout bien, 
 Car on ne li puet embler rien. 230 
 
 A ce tens teu coustume avoient 
 Li chambrelein que il prenoient 
 a 2 
 
MART MAQDALENE'S REPENTANCE. JUDAS AGREES TO BETRAY CHRIST. 
 
 La disme de quanque on donnoit 
 A leirr seigneurs, et leur estoit. 
 Or avint au jour de la Cene 
 Que Marie la Madaleinne 
 Vint droit en la meison Symom ; 
 A la table trouva Jhesum 
 Avec ses deciples seant, 
 Judas devant Jhesu menjant. 240 
 
 Dessouz la table se mu9a, 
 As piez Jhesu s'agenouilla ; 
 Mout commen^a fort a plourer, 
 washes them Lgs piez Nostre-Scigneur laver 
 and wipes them De ses krmes, et les torchoit 
 with her hair, j)g ggg cbevous que biaus avoit. 
 Apres les oint d'un oignement 
 Qu'aporta, precieus et gent, 
 Et le chief Jhesu autresi ; 
 Et la meison si raempli 250 
 
 De la precieuse flereur, 
 De I'oignement et de I'oudeur, 
 Que chaucuns d'eus se merveilla; 
 Meis Judas mout s'en courou^a : 
 Trois cenz deniers, ou plus, valoit; 
 Sa rente perdue en avoit : 
 C'est en disme trente deniers, 
 C'en deYoit estre ses louiers. 
 Commen9a soi k pourpenser 
 Comment les pourra recouvrer. 260 
 
 Li anemi Nostre-Seigneur, 
 Qui li quierent sa deshonneur, 
 Furent tout ensemble assemble 
 En un hostel en la cite ; 
 under Caiaphas Lj hostes eut non Chayphas. 
 and Judas goes Ez-vous ilec venu Judas, 
 
 Qui evesques fu de leur loi, 
 
 Et preudons fu, si com je croi. 
 
 Joseph i fu d'Arymathye, 
 
 N'est pas liez de la compeignie. 270 
 
 Et quant Judas ilec sentirent, 
 
 Douterent le qiiant il le virent; 
 
 Si que tantost con le connurent. 
 
 Pour la doute de lui se turent. 
 
 II quidoient qu'il fust loiaus 
 
 Vers son seigneur, et il iert fans ; 
 
 Mary Magda- 
 lene comes to 
 Simon's house, 
 
 kneels at 
 Christ's feet, 
 
 and anoints 
 them with oint- 
 ment, 
 
 and the house 
 is filled with its 
 fragrance. 
 
 Judas is en- 
 raged ; 
 
 he has lost 30 
 pence by it, 
 
 Christ's ene- 
 mies are assem- 
 bled 
 
 to them. 
 
 (Joseph of Ari- 
 mathea is 
 among them.) 
 
 They suspect 
 Judas at first, 
 
 thinking him 
 loyal to Christ. 
 
 280 
 
 They ask him 
 where Jesus is. 
 
 He tells them, 
 
 290 
 
 Judas asks why. ^^ quant Judas, qui de pute eire 
 Estoit, les vit ainsi touz teire, 
 Palla et demanda pour quoi 
 Estoient si mu et si quoi. 
 II li demandent de Jhesu : 
 " Ou est-il ore? Sez-le-tu?" 
 Et il leur dist oil il estoit. 
 Pour quoi la venir ne voloit : 
 " La loi enseigne." Com I'oirent, 
 En leur cuers tout s'en esjo'irent. 
 " Enseigne-nous comment I'aruns 
 Et comment nous le prenderons." 
 Judas leur dist: " Se vous volez, 
 Je 1' vous vendrei, si le prenez." 
 Cil dient: " Oil, volentiers." 
 — " Donnez-moi done trente deniers, 
 L'uns en sa bourse pris les ha 
 Et tantost Judas les donna : 
 Ainsi eut son restorement 
 De sa perte de I'oignement. 
 Apres li ont cil demande 
 Comment il leur aura llvre. 
 Judas leur mist le jour, pour voir. 
 Comment il le pourrunt avoir 
 Et en quel liu le trouverunt ; 
 II dist que mout bien s'armerunt 
 Comme pour leur vies sauver. 
 The priests are Et si se doivent bien garder 
 not to mistake j)g j^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ensemble, 
 
 James for Jesus, '^ . . ' 
 
 Car merveilles bien le resemble. 
 
 " De ce ne vous merveilliez mie. 
 
 Car andui sunt d'une lignie : 
 
 II sunt cousin germein andui." 
 
 — " Comment connoistruns done celui?" 
 
 — " Mout volentiers le vous direi: 311 
 
 Prenez celui que beiserei." 
 
 Ainsi acordent leur afeire. 
 
 A trestoutes ces choses feire 
 
 Estoit Joseph dArymathye, 
 
 Cui en poise mout et ennuie. 
 Ainsi d'ilec se departirent; 
 
 Dusqu'au juesdi attendirent; 
 
 Et ce juedi chi^s Simon 
 
 Estoit Jhesus, dans sa meison, 320 
 
 and offers to 
 sell Him, if 
 they'll buy. 
 He agrees to 
 betray Christ 
 for 30 pence. 
 
 A Jew pays 
 them to him, 
 and so he gets 
 his ointment- 
 tithe back. 
 
 Judas tells 
 them how to 
 take Christ. 
 
 300 
 
 but to take the 
 man whom 
 Judas kisses. 
 
 On Thursday 
 Jesus is in 
 Simon's house, 
 
CHRIST "WASHES THE DISCIPLES PEBT. HE IS SEIZED AND TAKEN TO PILATE. 
 
 at the Last 
 Supper, 
 
 and tells them 
 that one who 
 eats with him 
 shall betray 
 him. 
 
 Judas asks who 
 it is. 
 
 Christ says 
 ' You.' 
 
 Jesus washes 
 
 the disciples* 
 
 feet. 
 
 St. John asks 
 
 why He has 
 
 washed their 
 
 feet. 
 
 Christ says, for 
 
 an example to 
 
 Peter. 
 
 That as, though 
 
 the water was 
 
 dirtied by the 
 
 feet first 
 
 washed, 
 
 yet it has 
 washed the 
 others' feet as 
 clean as the 
 first, 
 
 so Peter and 
 the Ministers of 
 the Church, 
 though sinful, 
 
 can cleanse 
 sinners who 
 wish to obey 
 God, 
 
 Ob. ses deciples enseignoit 
 
 Les essemples et leur disoit : 
 
 " Ne vous doi pas trestout retreire; 
 
 Meis de ce ne me weil-je teire, 
 
 Que cius menjut o raoi et boit 
 
 Qui mon cors k mort trahir dolt." 
 
 Quant Jhesus ainsi palle ha, 
 
 Judas errant li demanda : 
 
 " Pour moi le dites seulement?" 
 
 — " Judas, tu le dis ensement." 330 
 
 Autres clioses leur vout moustrer 
 
 Quant il daigna leur piez laver; 
 
 D'une iaue k touz les piez lava, 
 
 Et sainz Jehans li conseilla : 
 
 " Privement, sire, une chose 
 
 Demanderoie ; meis je n'ose." 
 
 Jhesus Ten ha congie donnd, 
 
 Et li ha tantost demande : 
 
 " Sire, a nous touz les piez lavas 
 
 D'une iaue: tu pour quoi feit I'as?" 340 
 
 Diexdist: " Volen tiers le direi, 
 
 Cest essemple en Perrum penrei. 
 
 Ausi comme I'iaue ordoia 
 
 Des premiers piez c'on i lava, 
 
 Ne puet nus estre sanz pechie, 
 
 Et tant serunt-il ordoie 
 
 Com es orz pechiez demourrunt; 
 
 Meis les auties laver pourrunt ; 
 
 Car, s'il un peu ordoie sunt, 
 
 Ja pour ice n'ou leisserunt 350 
 
 Que il est ordoiez ne puissent 
 
 Laver, en quel liu que les truissent, 
 
 Ausi con d'orde iaue ei lavd 
 
 L'autre ordure qu'ele ha trouve ; 
 
 Et semble que li darrien soient 
 
 Ausi com li premier estoient. 
 
 Cest essemble k Pierre leirons, 
 
 Et as menistres le donnons 
 
 De sainte Eglise voirement, 
 
 Pour enseiguer a l'autre gent 360 
 
 Par leur pechiez ordoierunt 
 
 Et les pecheeurs laverunt 
 
 Qui a Dieu vouront obeir 
 
 Et au Fil et au Saint-Espir, 
 
 so that nothing 
 can hurt them. 
 
 While Christ 
 was in Simon's 
 house, 
 
 Judas takes the 
 Jews there. 
 
 The disciples 
 are dismayed. 
 
 Judas kisses 
 Christ. 
 
 The Jews seize 
 Him. 
 
 Judas says, 
 ' Hold Him 
 tight; he's very 
 strong.' 
 
 A Jew takes 
 away the vessel 
 in which Christ 
 performed his 
 Sacrament. 
 
 Jesus is taken 
 to Pilate, and 
 the Jews accuse 
 Him, 
 
 but cannot con. 
 demn him. 
 
 A sainte Eglise; si que rien 
 
 Ne leur nuist, ainz leur eide bien, 
 
 Si c'um connoistre ne pouroit 
 
 Le lave s'on ne li disoit. 
 
 Ausi les pechiez ne set mie 
 
 De nului devant c'on li die, 370 
 
 N'il des menistres ne sarunt 
 
 Devant ce que il les dirunt." 
 
 Ainsi saint Jehan enseigna 
 
 Diex par ce que il li moustra. 
 
 Diex fu en la meison Simon, 
 Et il et tout si compeignon. 
 Judas eut les Juis mandez 
 Et I'un apres l'autre assemblez. 
 En la meison Symon entrerent. 
 Quant ce virent, si s'effreerent 380 
 
 Li deciple Nostre- Seigneur, 
 Car il eurent mout grant peeur ; 
 Et quant la meison vit emplie 
 Judas, si ne se tarja mie, 
 En la bouche Jhesu beisa 
 Et par le beisier I'enseigna. 
 Jhesu prennent de touz costez. 
 Judas crie: " Bien le tenez. 
 Car il est merveilies forz hom." 
 Ainsi emmenerent Jhesum ; 390 
 
 Partie font de leur voloir, 
 Qu'il ont Jhesu en leur pooir. 
 Or sunt li deciple esgar6 
 Et sunt de cuer mout adole. 
 Leenz eut un veissel mout gent, 
 Ou Criz feisoit son sacrement; 
 Uns Juis le veissel trouva 
 Chi6s Symon, se F prist et garda. 
 Car Jhesus fu d'ilec menez 
 Et devant Pilate livrez. 400 
 
 A Pilate Jhesu menerent, 
 De quanqu'il porent I'encouperent ; 
 Meis petit furent leur povoir, 
 Qu'il ne peurent droiture avoir 
 Ne droiture ne achoison 
 Par quoi fust en dampnation. 
 Ne il ne I'avoit deservi, 
 S'il s'en vousist partir ainsi ; 
 
6 Christ's trial, the dish of the last supper. Christ's body is given to Joseph- 
 
 Pilate finds no 
 cause for death 
 in him. 
 
 The Jews cry, 
 
 ' His blood be 
 on us and on 
 our children.'' 
 
 Pilate washes 
 his hands, 
 
 and says that, as 
 they are clean, 
 so is he clean of 
 the wrong judg- 
 ment on the 
 just. 
 
 The Jew who 
 has the vessel 
 gives it to 
 Pilate, 
 
 who puts it 
 away safely, till 
 he is told that 
 they have killed 
 Jesus. 
 
 Joseph (of Ari- 
 mathea) is 
 angry, 
 and goes to 
 Pilate, and says, 
 * I and my five 
 knights have 
 served you long 
 without pay, 
 
 but you have 
 
 promised me a 
 
 gift. 
 
 Now give me 
 
 one,' 
 
 Pilate says he 
 will. 
 
 Meis trop feule fu la joustice, 
 
 Dont mout de seigneur sunt en vice, 410 
 
 Et force n'i voust mestre mie, 
 
 Ainz voust soufrir leur enreidie. 
 
 Toute voies Pilates dist : 
 
 " S'on ainsi cest propliete ocist 
 
 Et me sires riens m'en demande, 
 
 Je vueil savoir et se 1' commande 
 
 As queus de vous touz m'en tenrei 
 
 Et a cui ju en revenrei, 
 
 Qu'en lui ne voi cause de mort; 
 
 Ainz le volez ocirre a tort." 420 
 
 A hautes vouiz tout s'escrierent 
 
 Et riche et poure qui ia ierent : 
 
 " Seur nous soit ses sanz espanduz, 
 
 Seur nos enfanz granz et menuz !" 
 
 Lors le prennent et se 1' ront mene 
 
 Devant Pilate et I'ont dampne. 
 
 PUates I'iaue demanda 
 
 Et devant eus ses meins lava, 
 
 Et dist qu'ausi com nestoiees 
 
 Estoient ses meins et lavees, 430 
 
 Qu'ausi quites et nez estoit 
 
 Del juste qu'on a tort jugoit. 
 
 Li Juis le veissel tenoit 
 
 Qu'en I'ostel Simon pris avoit, 
 
 Vint a Pilate et li donna ; 
 
 Et Pilates en sauf mis Fa, 
 
 Dusqu'a tant que cont^ li fii 
 
 Qu'il avoient deffeit Jhesu. 
 
 Et quant Joseph 1' a oi dire, 
 
 Pleins fu de mautalent et d'ire, 440 
 
 Vint k Pilate isnelement 
 
 Et dist: " Servi t'ei longuement 
 
 Et je et mi .v. chevalier, 
 
 Ne n'ei ^u point de louier, 
 
 Ne j.1 n'en arei guerredon 
 
 Fors tant que me donras un don 
 
 De ce que touz jours prommis m'as. 
 
 Donne-le-moi, povoir en has." 
 
 Pilates dist: " Or demandez, 
 
 Je vous donrei ce que vourez. 450 
 
 Sauz la foiaute mon seigneur, 
 
 Nus ne I'aroit k mon honneur. 
 
 Joseph asks for 
 the body of 
 Jesus, 
 
 Pilate wonders 
 he has asked for 
 so little, 
 
 and gives him 
 the body, 
 
 telling him to 
 take it. 
 
 Joseph goes to 
 the Cross, 
 
 and tells the 
 watch that 
 Pilate has given 
 him the body. 
 
 They will not 
 let him take 
 it, as Christ said 
 he should rise 
 again on the 
 third day. 
 
 Joseph goes 
 back and com- 
 plains to Pilate. 
 
 Vouz avez granz dons deserviz." 
 
 — " Sire," dist Joseph, " granz merciz ! 
 
 Je demant le cors de Jhesu, 
 
 Qu'il ont a tort en crouiz pendu." 
 
 Pilates mout se merveilla 
 
 Quant si petit don demanda, 
 
 Et dist Pilates: " Je quidoie 
 
 Et dedenz mon cuer le pensoie 460 
 
 Que greigneur chose vousissiez 
 
 Et, certes, que vous I'eussiez. 
 
 Pour ce que son cors demandez, 
 
 Pour vos soudees vouz I'arez." 
 
 — " Sire, granz merciz en aiez ; 
 
 Commandez qu'il me soit baiUiez." 
 
 Dist Pilates delivrement : 
 
 " Alez le penre isnelement." 
 
 — " Sires, unes granz genz et forz sunt, 
 
 Bien sai penre n'ou me leirunt." 470 
 
 — "Si ferunt: alez vistement 
 
 Et le prenez hardiement." 
 
 D'ileques Joseph se tourna. 
 Errant §, la crouiz s'en ala, 
 Jhesu vit, si n' ot piti^ grant 
 Quant si vilment le vit pendant; 
 De pitie commence a plourer, 
 Dist as gueites qu'il vit ester : 
 " Pilates m'a cest cors donne, 
 Et si m'a dist et commande 480 
 
 Que je I'oste de cest despit." 
 Ensemble respondixent tuit : 
 " Ne I'osterez, car il dist ha 
 Qu'au tierz jour resuscitera; 
 Ja tant ne sara susciter 
 Que le feruns a mort livrer." 
 Dist Joseph: " Leissiez le m'oster. 
 Car il le m'a fait delivrer." 
 II respondent : " Ainz t'ocirruns, 
 Qu'avant trois jours garde I'aruns." 490 
 A tant s'est Joseph departiz 
 Et a Pilate revertiz, 
 Et li conte comment avoient 
 Eespondu ne ne li leissoient 
 Oster Jhesu- Crist de la crouiz; 
 " Ainz crierent a une vouiz 
 
PILATE GIVES JOSEPH THE ORAAL. HE PUTS CHRIST' S BLOOD IN IT, AND BURIES THE BODY. 7 
 
 Que je mie ne I'osteroie." 
 P"f'« '^''"fry' Pilates I'ot, n'en ha pas joie, 
 
 and sends Ni- ' r J ' 
 
 ohodemuswith Ainz se courou^a durement; 
 
 JoseTh'thf ' ^^^"^ ^is* ^^ homme en present, 500 
 
 body, Qui avoit non Nychodemus : 
 
 " Alez, dist-il, errant la-jus 
 Avec Joseph d'Arymathye ; 
 Ostez Jhesu de sa haschie 
 Ou li encrim^ Font pose, 
 Et I'eit Joseph tout delivre." 
 
 and he gives Lors prist Pilate le veissel ; 
 
 seT(or Grlai)!" Qi^^nt I'en souvint, si I'en fu bel; 
 Joseph apele, li li donne 
 Et dist: " Mout amiez eel homme." 510 
 Joseph respont: " Voir dit avez." 
 
 Joseph returns Et d'ilec est tantost sevrez ; 
 
 to the Cross with A 1„ „ • j. ' i 
 
 Nichodemus, ^ ^^ ^^o^ii^ errent s en ala 
 Nychodemus, qu'il mena. 
 Pour ce Pilates li avoit 
 Donne, qu'il o soi ne vouloit 
 Eiens retenir qui Jhesu fust, 
 Dont acusez estre p^ust. 
 Ainsi com andui s'en aloient 
 Plus hisnelement qu'il povoient, 520 
 s^th^s"^' '" ^ Nychodemus si s'en entra 
 and get's pincers Chies un fevTe que il trouva ; 
 and a hammer. Tenailles prist et un martel 
 
 Qu'ilec trouva, mout Ten fu bel, 
 Et vinrent k la crouiz errant. 
 Quant ce virent li chien puant, 
 Si se sunt de cele part treit, 
 Car-de ce leur estoit mout leit. 
 Nichodemus Nychodemus dist: " Vouz avez 
 Pilate has given ^^it de ^esu quanque voulez, 530 
 
 Joseph Christ's Tout cc que vous en demandastes ; 
 ' Et nos prouvoz sires Pilates 
 
 Si I'a k ceste homme donne, 
 and, as it is Pour ce qu'il I'avoit demands. 
 
 dead,they ought -., ^ . ^ 
 
 to let him have ii est morz, que bien le veez ; 
 
 "• A penre soufrir li devez. 
 
 II me dist que de ci I'ostasse 
 Et que je k Joseph le donnasse." 
 
 The.y say that Adonc commencent a crier 
 
 Christ will rise 
 
 and that they Et qu'il mie n'ou bailleroient 
 
 will not give . -f i ,v i ,., . , 
 
 him up. A Joseph n a homme qu'ii voient. 
 
 Nichodemus Nvchodemus se courouca, 
 he will have Et dist ja pour BUS n'ou leira 
 ''™- Qu'il ne li bailie meintenant 
 
 Maugrez trestouz leur nis devant. 
 They go off to Adonc sc prenncnt a lever, 
 Nichodemus -^ Pilate s'en vont clamer; 
 and Joseph fake Et oil andui en haut munterent 
 
 Christ down _^ ^, _ ^ . cer\ 
 
 from the Cross, Et Jhesu de la crouiz osterent. 550 
 
 Joseph entre ses braz le prist, 
 Tout souef a terre le mist, 
 Le cors atourna belement 
 
 and wash Him Et le lava mout nestement. 
 ' Endrementier qu'il le lavoit, 
 
 which makes Vist le cler sanc qui decouroit 
 
 the blood flow t-\ i • • t • • j. 
 
 from His ^^ ^^^ plaies, qui li semnoient 
 
 wounds. Pour ce que lavees estoient : 
 
 De la pierre adonc li membra 
 Qui fendi quant li sans raia 560 
 
 De sen coste, oii fa feruz. 
 Joseph puts the Adonc est-il errant couruz 
 
 blood in the * • i , • i > 
 
 Graai. A son veissel et SI 1 a pris, 
 
 Et lau li sans couloit I'a mis. 
 
 again, 
 
 Que il devoit resusciter, 
 
 540 
 
 Qu'avis li fu que mieuz seroient 
 
 Les goutes ki dedenz cherroient 
 
 Qu'en liu ou mestre les peust, 
 
 Ja tant pener ne s'en s^ust. 
 
 A son veissel ha bien torchies 
 
 Las plaies, et bien nestoies 570 
 
 Celes des mains et dou cost^, 
 
 Des piez environ eb et (sic) en \€. 
 
 Or fa li sans touz rec^uz 
 Et ou veissel touz requeilluz. 
 
 Joseph wraps Joseph le cors envolepa 
 
 TnVpuSn Enunsydoinequ'acheta, 
 
 a rock, Et en une pierre le mist 
 
 Qu'il a son wes avoit eslist, 
 
 covering it with g^ d'une pierre le couvri 
 
 a stone, which ^ 
 
 we call 'tomb.' Que nous apelons tumbe ci. 580 
 
 The Jews speak Li Juif si Sunt retoume, 
 
 ' Si ont a Pilate palle. 
 
 who orders Pylates commanda et dist. 
 En quel liu que on le m^ist, 
 
8 CHRIST DESCENDS INTO HELL AND RISES AGAI>\ THE JEWS AGREE TO SEIZE JOSEPH. 
 
 them to watch 
 day and night 
 that Christ's 
 disciples do not 
 steal his body. 
 
 The Jews set a 
 watch at the 
 sepulchre. 
 
 Christ goes to 
 Hell and frees 
 his friends, 
 
 Eve and A.dam 
 
 and all good 
 people. 
 
 And then He 
 rises again, 
 
 and appears to 
 Mary and his 
 apostles. 
 
 His disciples 
 saw Him, 
 
 and their other 
 dead friends, 
 who had 
 risen with Him 
 
 The Jews con. 
 suit. 
 
 as the affair 
 goes badly for 
 them. 
 
 Par nuit et par jour le gueitassent, 
 
 Que si deciple ne remblassent; 
 
 Car Jliesus a eus dist avoit 
 
 Qu'au tierz joiir resusciteroit. 
 
 Cil ont leur gueites assemblies 
 
 Tout entour le sepulckre, armies ; 590 
 
 Et JoEepb d'ilec se tourna 
 
 Et en sa meison s'en ala. 
 
 Li vrais Diex, en ces entrefeites, 
 Comme sires, comme prophetes, 
 En enfer est errant alez ; 
 Ses amis en ba hors gitez, 
 Eve et Adam, leur progenie, 
 Qu'Ennemis eut en sa baillie, 
 Seinz, saintes, toute boenne gent 
 (Car des boens n'i leissa neent), 600 
 Touz ceus qu'il avoit racbetez, 
 Pour qui il fa k mort livrez. 
 Quant Xostres- Sires ce feit eut 
 Quanqu'O. li sist et il li pleut, 
 Eesuscita, c'onques n'ou seurent 
 Li Juif ne vooir n'ou peurent; 
 A Marie la !Madaleinne 
 S'apparust, c'est chose certainne, 
 A ses apostres, a sa gent. 
 Qui le virent apertement. 610 
 
 Quant eut ce fait, la renummee 
 Ala par toute la contree, 
 ' Kelevez est de mort a vie 
 Jliesus li fiuz sainte Marie.' 
 Si deciple I'unt tout veu 
 Et I'unt tres bien reconn^u; 
 Et ont vdu de leur amis 
 Qui furent trespasse jadis, 
 • Qui o Jbesu resusciterent 
 Et en la gloire Dieu alerent. 620 
 
 Les gardes en sunt deceu, 
 Qu'encor ne I'unt aperceu.* 
 Quant li Juif ice escouterent, 
 En la synagogue assemblerent 
 Et si tinrent leur parlement. 
 Car lettr chose va malement; 
 Et li un as autres disoient 
 Que se c'est voirs que dire ooient 
 
 The guards say 
 the body is not 
 where it was 
 put. 
 
 As Joseph was 
 the cause of 
 this. 
 
 and Xichode- 
 mus, 
 
 the Jews resolve 
 to seize Joseph 
 and Nicho- 
 deraus 
 
 Nichodemus is 
 warned by a 
 friend, and 
 escapes. 
 
 When the Jews 
 find this, they 
 break into 
 Joseph's house. 
 
 Et que il fust resuscitez, 
 
 Qu'encor aroient mal assez. 630 
 
 Et cil qui I'avoient gard6 
 
 Disoient bien par verity 
 
 Qu'lL n'estoit pas lau on le mist. 
 
 Encor unt-U plus grant despist, 
 
 Car il I'unt par Joseph perdu : 
 
 De ce sunt-il tout esperdu ; 
 
 Et ce damages j ha nus, 
 
 C'a-il feit et Nychoderaus. 
 
 Adonques tost pourpense ont 
 
 Qu'a leur meistres responderont, 640 
 
 Se il leur estoit demandez ; 
 
 Et chaucuns s'i est acordez 
 
 Comment il en poummt respondre. 
 
 Quant on les en voura semundre. 
 
 Nychodemus de croiiiz I'osta 
 
 Et a Joseph le commanda, 
 
 Si r dient: " Xous le vous leissames,- 
 
 Et puis errant nous en alames." 
 
 Li Juif pensent qu'il ferunt : 
 Joseph, Nychodemus, penrunt 650 
 
 Si coiement c'on n'ou sara, 
 Et puis ceste chose cherra; 
 " Et s'il nous welent acuser, 
 Qu'il le nous veuillent demander, 
 Tantost com les pournins seisir, 
 De mort les couvenra morir. 
 Chaucuns de nous respondera 
 Que on a Joseph le bailla. 
 Se vous Joseph ci nous rendez, 
 Par Joseph Jhesu raverez." 660 
 
 A ce conseil sunt acorde 
 Tout H josne et tout li barb^. 
 Cist consauz est donnez par sens, 
 Car boens et de grant pourpens. 
 Xychodemus eut un ami 
 A ce conseil, qui I'en garni ; 
 Manda-li que il s'en fuist, 
 Ou il morroit, et il si fist. 
 Et li Juif s'en vunt la droit ; 
 Meis il ja fuiz s'en estoit. 670 
 
 Quant il voient que perdu I'unt, 
 En la meison Joseph s'en vunt, 
 
THE JEWS PUT JOSEPH IN PEISON. CHRIST TALKS WITH HIM THEBE. 
 
 and take' him, 
 
 and ask what 
 he has done 
 with Jesus. 
 He says, he left 
 the body in the 
 tomb to their 
 knights, 
 
 and went home. 
 
 They accuse 
 him of taking 
 the body away. 
 
 He denies it. 
 
 The Jews put 
 Joseph into a 
 deep dungeon, 
 
 horrible and 
 dark. 
 
 Pilate is angry 
 at it. 
 
 Joseph is badly 
 
 treated by the 
 
 world, 
 
 but God does 
 
 not forget him ; 
 
 Mout tristol^, mout irascu 
 
 De ce qu'il I'ont ainsi perdu. 
 
 L'uis de I'ostel Joseph brisierent, 
 
 Si le pristrent et emmenerent ; 
 
 Mais ain9ois le firent vestir, 
 
 Car il estoit alez gesir. 
 
 Demandent li, quant Font tenu, 
 
 Que il avoit feit de Jhesu. 680 
 
 Joseph respont isnelement: 
 
 " Quant je I'eu mis ou monument, 
 
 A vos chevaliers le leissei 
 
 Et en ma meison m'en alei ; 
 
 Ce sache Diex que puis n'ou vi, 
 
 Ne meis puis paUer n'en oi"." 
 
 Cil li dient: " Tu I'as emble." 
 
 — " Non ai, en moie verite." 
 
 — " II n'est pas la oil mis ravoies; 
 
 Enseigne-le-nous toutes voies." 690 
 
 — " Je ne sai ou est, s'il n'est la 
 
 Ou je le mis quatre jours ha; 
 
 Et, se lui pleist que pour lui muire, 
 
 Bien sai ce ne me puet rien nuire." 
 
 Chies un riche homme I'ont mene, 
 Ferment I'unt batu et frap^, 
 Leenz eut une tour roonde, 
 Ki haute estoit et mout parfunde. 
 Lors le reprennent et rebatent, 
 Et tout plat k terre I'abatent; 700 
 
 Avale I'ont en la prison, 
 Ou plus parfont de la meison, 
 Qui estoit horrible et obscure, 
 Toute feite de pierre dure; 
 Forment I'ont fermde et serree, 
 Et par dessus bien seel^e. 
 
 Mout fu Pilates irascuz 
 Quant set que Joseph fu perduz, 
 Et en sen cuer mout Ten pesoit, 
 Que nul si boen ami n'avoit. 710 
 
 Au siecle fu bien adirez 
 Et vileinnement ostelez ; 
 Meis Diex n'ou mist pas en oubli, 
 Cui on trueve au besoing ami ; 
 Car ce que pour lui soufert ha, 
 Mout tres bien li guerredonna : 
 
 Christ cqmes 
 into the prison 
 with the Graal, 
 and it lights the 
 dungeon. 
 
 And Joseph is 
 filled with the 
 grace of the 
 Holy Ghost 
 when he sees 
 the Vessel. 
 
 Christ tells him 
 not to fear. 
 
 Joseph asks 
 Christ who He 
 
 Christ answers, 
 
 ' I am the Son 
 of God, 
 sent on earth 
 by Him to save 
 sinners from 
 infernal tor- 
 ment. I came 
 
 to save the work 
 of my Father, 
 which was 
 damned 
 through Adam's 
 eating the 
 apple. 
 
 for which God 
 drove him from 
 Paradise. 
 
 Eve bare a 
 child, and it 
 and all others [ 
 the Devil had in 
 bis power 
 
 A lui dedenz la prison vint, 
 
 Et son veissel porta, qu'il tint. 
 
 Qui grant clart^ seur lui gita, 
 
 Si que la chartre enlumina ; 720 
 
 Et quant Joseph la clarte vist. 
 
 En son cuer mout s'en esjoist. 
 
 Diex son veissel li aportoit, 
 
 Ou son sane requeillu avoit. 
 
 De la grace dou Seint-Esprist 
 
 Fu touz pleins, quant le veissel vist, 
 
 Et dist: " Sires Diex tou-puissanz, 
 
 Dont vient ceste clartez si granz ? 
 
 Je croi si bien vous et vo non 
 
 Qu'ele ne vient se de vous non." 730 
 
 — " Joseph, or ne t'esmaie mie: 
 
 La vertu Dieu has en aie ; 
 
 Saches qu'ele te sauvera 
 
 En Paradis, ou te menra." 
 
 Joseph Jhesu-Crist demandoit 
 Qui il iert, qui si biaus estoit : 
 " Je ne vous puis, sire, esgarder 
 Ne connoistre ne aviser." 
 — " Joseph, dist Diex, enten a moi, 
 Ce que je te direi si croi. ,740 
 
 Je sui li fiuz Dieu, qu'envoier 
 Voust Diex en terre pour sauver 
 Les pecheours de dampnement 
 Et dou grant infernal tourment ; 
 Je vins en terre mort soufrir 
 En la crouiz finer et morir, 
 Pour I'uevre men pere sauver 
 Qu'Adans avoit feite dampner 
 Par la pomme que il menja, 
 Qu'Eve sa fame li donna 750 
 
 Par le conseil de I'Ennemi, 
 Qu'ele plus tost que Dieu crei. 
 Apres ce, Diex de Paradis 
 Les gita et les fist chetis 
 Pour le pechie que feit avoient 
 Quant son commandement passoient. 
 Eve confut, enfans porta; 
 Et li et ce qu'ele enfanta 
 Voust tout li Ennemis avoir 
 En son demeinne, en son pooir; 760 
 
 b 
 
10 
 
 CHRIST REVEALS HIMSELF TO JOSEPH IN PRISON, AND COMPORTS HIM. 
 
 This is why I 
 came on earth 
 
 Et les eut, tant cum plust au Fere 
 
 wLV"^ ^™' ^^® ^^ -^^^^ nascM de la mere. 
 By woman was Par fame estoit hons adirez, 
 man cureed, j]^ ^^^ fume fu recouvrez; 
 
 and by her -r-i i i 
 
 restored. -P ame ia mort nous pourcha^a, 
 
 > Fame la vie nous restora ; 
 Par fame estions emprisonn^, 
 Par fame fumes recouvr^. 
 
 " Joseph, or has oi comment 
 Li Fiuz Diu tout certeinnement 770 
 Vint en terre ; et si has oi 
 Pour quoi de la Virge naschi, 
 Pour ce qu'en la crouiz moreust 
 Et li Peres s'uevre reust : 
 Pour ce sui en terre venu, 
 
 and shed my g^ li g^ng ^q ujon COrS isSUZ, 
 blood.' „ . . . ... 
 
 (4ui en issi par .v. loies; 
 
 Assez i soufri de haschies." 
 ' what,'^ said — » Comment, sire !" Joseph li dist; 
 you Jesus " Estes-vous donc Jhesus qui prist 780 
 
 Char en la Virge precieuse, 
 
 Ki fu Joseph fame et espeuse? 
 whom Judaa CU Que Judas XXX denier s 
 
 sold for 30 -TT J- T • 
 
 Vendi as Juis pautonniers, 
 Et qu'il fusterent et batirent 
 and who was Et puis en la crouiz le pendirent ? 
 
 crucified, and ^". . , -, 
 
 buried by me ?' H^e J en la sepouture mis, 
 
 Et de cui dirent li Juis 
 
 Que j'avoie vo cors embl^ 
 
 Et dou sepuchre destourne?" 790 
 
 ' ^^'' — " Je sui icil tout vraiement: 
 
 Believe it, and Croi-le, si auras sauvement; 
 
 Croi-le et si n'en doute mie : 
 
 Si auras pardurable vie." 
 Joseph says, — " Sire, dist Joseph, je vous proi 
 mf 'l t'hTre Q^^ ^°^^ ^^^z pitie de moi. 
 for you. Pour VOUS sui-je cileques mis; 
 
 Si serei tant con serei vis, 
 
 Se vous de moi pitie n'avez 
 
 Et de cest liu ne me gitez. 
 I have always Sire, touz jours VOUS ei ame ; 
 
 loved you, j^j^j^ ^,^^ g. ^^^ v ^^^^ ^^^^ . 
 
 Et pour ce dire ne I'osoie, 
 Certeinnement, que je quidoie 
 
 pence. 
 
 Que VOUS ne m'en creussiez mie, 
 though I was Pour ce que i'en la compeignie 
 
 with those who -p, . ^ -"^ . , . 
 
 plotted yottr -tiStoie a ceus qui VOUS haoient 
 death.' , Et q^i vostre mort pourpalloient." 
 
 Christ says that LoTs dist Diex: " Avec mes amis 
 
 Et aveques mes ennemis 810 
 
 Estoie ; meis quant avenue 
 
 Est aucune descouvenue, 
 
 N'i ha meatier senefiance. 
 
 Or le VOUS leirei en soufrance. 
 Joseph was his Tu estoies mes boons amisj 
 goo en , Pouce estoies o le Juis, 
 and He knew he Et bien seu que mestier m'aroies 
 Tneed")"^^™ Et au besoing que m'eideroies; 
 
 Car Diex mes peres t'eut donne 
 
 Le povoir et la volente 820 
 
 Que pens Pilate servir. 
 
 Qui si le voust remerir : 
 
 De ten service te paia 
 and get His En ce que men cors te donna." 
 Pilate.™™ — " Haj) sire ! ne dites mie 
 
 Que miens soiez, n'en ma baillie." 
 
 — " Si sui, Joseph, je 1' direi bien; 
 The good are Je sui as boens, li boen sunt mien. 
 Helhdrs!"** ^QZ-t^ que tu as deservi 
 
 En ce que je donnez te fui? 830 
 
 Joseph shall La vie pardurable aras, 
 
 have everlasting /-, , t , • i 
 
 life. Quant de cest siecle partiras. 
 
 Nul de mes deciples o moi 
 N'ei amen^, sez-tu pour quoi? 
 
 for none know Car nus ne set la grant amour 
 
 the love Christ Q^e j'ai ^ toi des ice iour 
 
 bears him '■ ^ . . . 
 
 Que tu jus de la crouiz m'ostas, 
 Ne veinne gloire ^u n'en has. 
 Nus ne connoit ten cuer loial, 
 Fors toi et Dieu I'esperital. 840 
 
 he loved Christ Tu m'as ame celeement, 
 
 anTthe'iove ^^ J^ ^^^ *o^* certainnement. 
 shall be shown Nostre amour en apert venra 
 Et chaucuns savoir la pourra; 
 to the confusion Meis ele sera mout nuisanz 
 
 ot the evil Jews. . . , 
 
 As maveis Juis mescreanz. 
 And Joseph En ten povoir I'enseigne aras 
 
 shall have the -p. , ° 
 
 Graai. Ue.ma mort et la garderas, 
 
 800 openly, 
 
CHRIST- GIVES JOSEPH THE GEAAL, AND EXPLAINS THE SACRAMENT OE THE ALTAR. 11 
 
 Christ shows 
 Joseph the Holy 
 Graal. 
 
 Joseph recog- 
 nises it, 
 
 and wonders, 
 as he had 
 
 hidden it in hia 
 house. 
 
 He kneels, and 
 thanks Christ 
 for it. 
 
 Christ gives the 
 Holy Vessel in 
 charge to him, 
 
 and he is to give 
 it only to three 
 persons, in the 
 name of the 
 Trinity. 
 
 Joseph takes 
 the Crraal which 
 God held,— 
 the sinners' sal- 
 vation. 
 
 No sacrament 
 shall ever be 
 held without 
 remembrance 
 of Joseph. 
 
 Et cil I'averunt a garder 
 
 A cm tu la voudras donner." 850 
 
 Nostres- Sires ha treit avant 
 Le veissel precieus et grant 
 Ou li saintimes sans estoit 
 Que Joseph requeillu avoit, 
 Quant il jus de la crouiz I'osta 
 Et il ses plaies li lava ; 
 Et quant Joseph, vist le veissel 
 Et le connut, mout Ten fu bel ; 
 Meis de ce mout se merveilloit 
 Que nus ne seut oil mis I'avoit, 860 
 Qu'en sa meison I'avoit repus, 
 C'onques ne I'avoit veu nus. 
 Et il tantost s'agenouilla, 
 Nostre- Seigneur en mercia: 
 " Sire Diex, sui-je donques teus 
 Que le veissel si precieus 
 Puisse ne ne dole garder 
 Ou fis vostre saint sane couler?" 
 Diex dist: " Tu le me garderas 
 Et cius cui le comanderas. 870 
 
 " Joseph, bien ce saras garder, 
 Que tu ne le doiz commander 
 Qu'a trois persones qui I'arunt. 
 Ou non dou Pere le penrunt 
 Et dou Fil et dou Saint-Esprist, 
 , Et se doivent croire trestuit 
 Que ces trois persones sunt una 
 Et persone entiere est chaucune." 
 Joseph, qui a genouz estoit, 
 Prist le veissel que Diex tenoit. 880 
 " Joseph, dist Diex, as pecheeurs 
 Est sauvemenz pour leur labours. 
 Qui en moi vraiement croirunt, 
 De leur maus repentance arunt. 
 Tu-m6ismes, pour tes soud^es, 
 Has mout de joies conquest^es; 
 Saches que jameis saeremenz 
 Feiz n'iert, que ramembremenz 
 De toi n'i soit. Tout ce verra 
 Qui bien garder y savera." 890 
 
 ^-" Par foi ! dist Joseph, je n'ou sai; 
 Dites-le-moi, si lesarai." 
 
 Christ explains 
 the Sacrament 
 of the Altar. 
 
 The bread and 
 wine are Hia 
 flesh and blood. 
 
 His tomb is the 
 Altar. 
 
 His grave-cloth, 
 the Corporal.* 
 
 The Graal 
 
 is the Chalice. 
 
 The tomb-stone, 
 the cup-platten. 
 
 All who see the 
 Graal shall be 
 Christ's, 
 
 and have joy 
 eternal ; 
 
 shall be pleasing 
 to God, 
 
 and shall never 
 be beaten in 
 battle. 
 (This, I, the 
 writer, only 
 know from The 
 Great Book, 
 written by , 
 great clerks, 
 where the 
 secrets of the 
 Graal are told.) 
 
 - — " Joseph, bien sez que chi^s Symon 
 Menjei et tout mi compeignon, 
 A la Gene, le juesdi; 
 Le pein, le vin y ben^i, 
 Et leur dis que ma char menjoient 
 Ou pein, ou vin mon sane buvoient: 
 Ausi sera representee 
 Cele taule en meinte contree. 900 
 
 Ce que tu de la crouiz m'ostas 
 Et ou sepulchre me couchas, 
 C'est I'auteus seur quoi me metrunt 
 Cil qui me sacrefierunt. 
 Li dras ou fui envolepez, 
 Sera corporaus apelez. 
 Cist veissiaus oil men sane meis, 
 Quant de men cors le requeillis, 
 Calicos apelez sera. 
 
 La platine ki sus girra 910 
 
 lert la pierre senefiee 
 Qui fti deseur moi seel^e. 
 Quant ou sepuchre m'dus mis. 
 Ice doiz-tu savoir touz dis, 
 Ces choses sunt senefiance 
 Qu'en fera de toi remembrance. 
 Tout cil qui ten veissel verrunt, 
 En ma compeignie serunt; 
 De cuer arunt emplissement 
 Et joie pardurablement, 920 
 
 Cil qui ces p&,roles pourrunt 
 Apenre et qui les retenrunt. 
 As genz serunt vertueus, 
 A Dieu assez plus gratieus; 
 Ne pourrunt estre foijugi^ 
 En court, ne de leur droit trichi^, 
 N'en court de bataille venchu, 
 Se bien ont leur droit retenu." 
 
 Ge n'ose center ne retreire, 
 Ne je ne le pourroie feire, 930 
 
 Neis, se je feire le voloie, 
 Se je le grant livre n'avoie 
 Oil les estoires sunt escrites. 
 Par les granz clers feites et dites : 
 Lfi, sunt li grant secre escrit , 
 Qu'en humme le Graal et dit. 
 
 * The linen cloth on which the Chalice and Host are put at Mass. 
 
 62 
 
12 
 
 JOSEPH IS LEFT IN PRISON. THE ROMAN EMPEROR' S SON IS A LEPER. 
 
 must go, 
 
 but Joseph is 
 not to fear ; 
 
 Adonc le veissel li bailla, 
 Joseph takes Et Joseph volentiers pris I'a. 
 
 the Vessel 
 
 Christ telb him Diex dist: " Joseph, quant vouras 
 *•!** Et tu mestier en averas, 
 
 A ces trois vertux garderas, 
 he is to believe Q'une chose estre ainsi creiras ; 
 Motr"d, Et la dame boneeuree 
 
 Qui est Mere Dieu apel^e, 
 Ki le benooit Fil Dieu porta, 
 Mout tres bien te conseillera ; 
 and the Holy Et tu orras, aiasi le croi, 
 SiS^/^"^ Le Seint-Esprit paller h toi. 
 for He (Christ) " Ore, Joseph, je m'en irei. 
 De ci mie ne t'emmenrei, 
 Car ce ne seroit pas reison ; 
 Ainz demourras en la prison. 
 La chartre sanz clarte sera, 
 Si com me estoit quant je ving 9a : 
 Grarde que tu n'aies peeur, 
 Ne au cuer fii^on ne tristeur; 
 his deliverance Car ta delivrance tenrunt 
 wiUbeawonder ^ merveille cil qui I'orrunt. 
 
 to all, and the . . . ^ 
 
 Holy Ghost will Li Seinz-Espriz o toi sera, 
 be with him. Q^- ^^^^ j^^g ^g conseillera." 
 
 Joseph is left in Auisis est Joseph demourez 
 prison, -gjj Ig^ prison bien enchartrez; 
 
 Ne de lui meis plus pallerent, 
 Meis trestout ester le leissierent. 
 Et demoura mout longuement 
 and no talk is Que de lui ne fa pallement, 
 tmlViS- Tant qu'il avint c'uns pelerins, 
 Qui fa assez jounes meschins, 
 En cele terre de Jud^e 
 Fist la mout longue demouree 
 Au tens que Jhesus-Criz ala 
 Par terre et sen nou preescha, 
 Qui mout de miracles feisoit, 
 Car il bien feire les povoit. 
 Les avugles vi cler veanz 
 Et les contreiz touz droiz alanz, 
 Et autres miracles assez 
 Que n'aroie k lone tens contez, 
 Car trois morz y resuscita. 
 
 940 
 
 who lived in 
 Judea 
 
 when Christ 
 
 was doing 
 miracles, 
 
 making the 
 blind see, 
 
 950 
 
 960 
 
 970 
 
 raising three 
 dead men to life, 
 
 and was then 
 crucified — 
 
 till this pilgrim 
 came to Kome 
 
 when Vespasian, 
 the Emperor's 
 son, was a leper, 
 
 and was kept in 
 a tower, 
 
 having his food 
 put through a 
 little window. 
 
 The pilgrim's 
 landlord tells 
 him 
 
 about the Em- 
 peror's son. 
 
 how he was a 
 leper. 
 
 and asks him 
 whether he had 
 found any thing 
 to cure Vespa- 
 sian. 
 
 The pilgrim 
 tells him of 
 Christ's cures, 
 
 Li pelerins tout ce vist la; 
 
 980 
 
 Meis li Juif, qui grant envie 
 Eurent seur lui par felonnie, 
 Le firent-il en crouiz morir 
 Pour ce qu'il ne vout ob& 
 De, riens a leur commandemenz. 
 Car ils souduisoient les geuz. 
 
 Au tens que je vous ei conte 
 Que li pelerins eut este 
 En Jud^e, si vint a Eomme 
 Et hesberja chies un preudonune. 990 
 Adone li fiuz I'empereeur 
 Estoit en si tres grant doleur 
 Qu'il avoit une maladie, 
 Car de lepre iert sa char pourrie ; 
 Si vil estoit et si puanz 
 Que nus o lui n'iert habitanz. 
 On I'avoit en une tour mis, 
 Oil n'avoit fenestra ne wis 
 C'une petite fenestrele. 
 Oil on metoit une escuele 1000 
 
 Quant on li donnoit a mengier, ' 
 Ades quant en avoit mestier. 
 
 Li pelerins fu hostelez, 
 Bien aeisiez et bien soupez. 
 L'ostes au pelerin palloit 
 Que mout granz damages estoit 
 Dou fil a leur empereeur, 
 Qui estoit a tel deshonneur; 
 Et li pelerins demanda 
 Quel duel et quel deshonneur ha; 1010 
 Et li hostes li ha cont§ 
 De sa lepre la verite, 
 Que cil Vaspasiens avoit 
 Et nus saner ne Ten povoit; 
 Fiuz estoit a I'empereeur, 
 Tant en avoit-U duel greigneur. 
 Li hostes li ha demande 
 S'n avoit mile rien trouve 
 Qui Vaspasien boenne fust 
 Wh, lui curer mestier eust. 1020 
 
 Li pelerins li respondi : 
 " Jo ne sai pas chose ore ci; 
 Meis ce puis-je bien affermer, 
 Que la dont je vieng d'outremer 
 
THE CURES WEOTJGHT BY CHRIST ARE TOLD TO THE EMPEROR OP ROME. 
 
 13 
 
 Jadis un grant profete avoit 
 Qui sanz doute preudons estolt, 
 how God Et meintes foiz fist Diex pour lui. 
 
 wrought for t ■ • i j vi 
 
 Him, healing Je VI makdes qu il gari 
 the sick, De mout diverses maladies 
 
 Qu'il avoient, vies et anties; 1030 
 
 Je vi contreiz qu'il redre9a 
 giving the blind Et avugles qu'il raluma, 
 making rotten Hommes qui tout pourri estoient, 
 men whole. Q^i ^e lui tout sein s'en aloient, 
 Et autres miracles assez 
 Que n'aroie a lone tens contez ; 
 Meis il ne garissoit neent, 
 Ne garessit entierement. 
 And how the Et U riche homme le haoient 
 
 rich Jews hated t i^ i-i ■ ^ ^n^n 
 
 Him. -De Judee, qu il ne povoient 104U 
 
 Saner ausi comme il povoit 
 Ne feire autel comme il feisoit 
 
 The landlord Et li hostes si demanda 
 
 asks the healer's , , . vi i i • 
 
 name. Au pelerm qu il hesberja 
 
 'Qu'estoit devenuz cil preudon 
 Et coment U avoit a non. 
 
 The pilgrim — '< Je 1' vous direi, que bien le sai; 
 ' Meintes foiz nummer oi I'ai : 
 
 Jesus of Naza- Jhesus eut non li fiuz Marie, 
 
 De Nazareth lez Bethanie. 1050 
 
 andHis enemies La pute gent qui le hairent 
 
 Tant donnerent et tant prommirent 
 A ceus qui le povoir avoient 
 Et qui les joustices tenoient, 
 
 took Him, Tant le chacierent qu'il le prirent 
 Et vilainnement le leidirent 
 
 stripped Him, j;t le despouillierent tout nu, 
 
 beat Him, Tant qu'U I'eurent forment batu; 
 Et quant pis ne li peurent feire 
 Li Juif, qui sunt de pute eire, 1060 
 
 and crucified gi le firent cruceficr 
 
 En la crouiz et martirier; 
 
 But if He were Et sanz doute, se il veschist, 
 
 alive, He could . ... 
 
 cure Vespasian. Vespasien, Se li VOUSlSt, 
 
 Garessist de sa maladie, 
 Ne &st si granz ne si antie." 
 — " Or me dites, se vous savez, 
 Se VOUS dire le me volez, 
 
 tells the 
 Emperor 
 
 Leur oistes-vous unques dire 
 Pour quoi le mirent a martire? " 1070 
 Jesus was killed — " Pour ce que il si le haoient 
 
 because men /-. vi •• n i • ^ ,, 
 
 hated Him, H^ ^ 01^ paller n en povoient." 
 
 — " Dites-moi en queu seignourie 
 
 Ce fu feit, n'en quele baillie." 
 mJudea, under — " Sire, ce fii feit en Judge, 
 
 Que Pilates ha gouvem^e, 
 a deputy of the Ki est desouz I'empereeur 
 ror. I^e Eomme et est de sa teneur." 
 
 And all this the — " Oseriez-vous dire et retraire 
 ffi^EmSr:" ^^^^°* I'empereeur Cesaire 1080 
 
 Cesar. Ce que vous m'avez ci cont^?" 
 
 Cil dist: " Oil, par verite. 
 
 N'est hons devant cui ne 1' deisse 
 
 Et que prouver ne le vousisse." 
 The landlord Quant hostes ce escoute eut, 
 
 Tout errant au plus tost qu'il pent 
 
 Est k I'empereeur alez. 
 
 Si s'en est ou paleis entrez ; 
 
 L'empereeur apele ha ; 
 
 Toute la chose li conta, 1090 
 
 the pilgrim's Ce qu'eut oii dou pelerin, 
 story. -Qg chief en chief dusqii'en la fin. 
 
 Quant I'empereres I'eut oi, 
 He wonders gj g'gjj merveilla mout ausi 
 
 whether it can _, 
 
 be true, Et dist: " Estre ce vbir pourroit 
 
 Qu[e] tu m'as conte orendroit?" 
 
 — " Si m'aiust Diex, sire, ne sai. 
 
 Tout ainsi de lui oi" I'ai. 
 
 Querre I'irei, se vous volez; 
 
 Tout ainsi conter li orrez." 1100 
 
 L'empereres ha respondu: 
 
 and sends for " Va le querre; que targes-tu?" 
 the pilgrim, t > ^ • i 
 
 L ostes en sa meison ala, 
 
 Le pelerin arreisonna 
 
 Et dist: " L'empereres vous mande 
 
 Par moi, et si le vous commande 
 
 Que vous vigniez a lui paller," 
 
 Li pelerins, sanz demourer, 
 
 Ha dist: " Volentiers i irei, 
 
 Quanqu'il demandera direi." 1110 
 
 who goes to 
 him. 
 
 Li pelerins est la venuz, 
 Qui ne fu fous ne esperduzj 
 
14 THE PIL&EIM IS SURE THAT ANYTHING OF CHRIST's WILX CURE VESPASIAN'S LEPROSY. 
 
 and the 
 Emperor tells 
 it to his Court, 
 
 ThepUgrimteiis L'empereeur a salue, 
 
 thLlTcoT Etapr^slihatoutconte 
 
 Christ), Quanque son hoste cont^ ot 
 
 Et la chose tout mot a mot. 
 L'empereres respont errant : 
 " Se c'est voirs que nous vas contant, 
 Tu seras mout tres bien venuz, 
 De richesces combles et druz." 1120 
 
 L'empereres ha ce entendu, 
 Ses hommes mande : il sunt venu ; 
 Et quant il furent assemble, 
 Si leur ha tout dist et conte 
 Que li pelerins dist avoit, 
 Et chaucuns s'en esmerveiUoit. 
 
 who think that Pilate a preudomme tenoient 
 
 Pilate would ti , .i . i v -i i ... 
 
 never have ■'■°^* ^^^ 1^ ^* ensemble estoient, 
 
 allowed Christ Et disoit chaucuns en son dist 
 
 Que Pilates pas ne soufrist; 1130 
 
 Car ce fust trop grant desreison 
 
 Se il soufrist teu mesproison 
 
 En liu oh. seignourie eust, 
 
 Puis que deffendre le peust. 
 
 La eut Pilates un ami, 
 
 Qui dist qu'U n'estoit pas ainsi : 
 
 " Pilates est mout vaillanz hons, 
 
 Plus que dire ne pourrions ; 
 
 Pour'rien feire ne le leissast, 
 
 Se il contredire I'osast." 1140 
 
 The Court tell Lors unt le preudomme apele 
 Et I'oste qui I'eust hostele: 
 
 the pilgrim to " PelerLa frere, par amour, 
 Ce qu'avez a I'empereour 
 Conte, s'il vous pleist, nous contez : 
 Les vertuz que veu avez, 
 
 fair miracles of Les biaus miiacles de Jhesu, 
 Qui estoit de si grant vertu." 
 Touz les miracles leur conta, 
 Si cum les vit quant il fti la ; 1 150 
 
 Et a dist que, quant il estoit 
 Lau Pilates povoir avoit, 
 L'empereres force ne fist, 
 Meis que son fil li garissist ; 
 Et qui ce croire ne vouroit. 
 Que il sa teste i meteroit.. 
 
 A friend of 
 Pilate's defends 
 him. 
 
 recount the 
 
 Jesus. 
 
 He does, 
 
 and says that 
 he'd lay his 
 head that the 
 Emperor's son 
 could be cured 
 if He were in 
 Judea ; 
 
 and if any- 
 thing of Christ^s 
 could be 
 brought to 
 Rome, Vespa- 
 sian would be 
 cured. 
 
 The Court do 
 not know how 
 to save Pilate 
 
 The pilgrim 
 proposes to be 
 put in guard 
 
 while they send 
 to Judea and 
 see if his story 
 is not true. 
 
 If not, let his 
 head be cut off. 
 
 They put him 
 in guard. 
 
 The Emperor 
 
 it is well to 
 send, 
 
 as it would be 
 good 
 
 to be.able 
 
 to cure his son, 
 
 isian 
 rejoices at the 
 news. 
 
 " Ja Pilates n'ou celera, 
 
 Quant on ce li demandera ; 
 
 Et qui de lui pourroit trouver 
 
 Aucune chose et aporter, 1160 
 
 Tost en pouroit estre sanez 
 
 Vaspasiens et respassez." 
 
 Quant les genz ont ce dire o'l, 
 
 Si en furent mout esbahi; 
 
 Ne seurent Pilate rescourre 
 
 Ne a ce valoir ne secourre, 
 
 Fors tant qu'il li unt demand^ 
 
 Que " se ce n'estoit verite, 
 
 Que vieus-tu c'on face de toi? " 
 
 II dist : ' ' Mes despens donnez-moi 1170 
 
 Et si me metez en prison 
 Et une soufisant meison, 
 Et si feites la envoier, 
 Enquerre bien et encerchier. 
 
 Se ce n'est voirs que dist vous ei, 
 Je vueil et si I'otroierei 
 ■ Que la teste me soit eoupee' 
 Ou a coustel ou d'une espee." 
 Tout dient qu'il ha dist assez, 
 II I'otroient, et c'est ses grez. 1180 
 
 Adonc I'unt de toutes parz pris 
 Et en une chambre I'unt mis, 
 Si le firent la bien garder, 
 Que il ne leur puist eschaper. 
 
 " Escoutez-moi tout, biau seigneur," 
 Ce leur ha dist l'empereeur. 
 " Boen est que nous envoions la 
 Aucun message, qui saura 
 Verite de ceste nouvele ; 
 Car mout seroit et boenne et bele, 1190 
 Se cil miracle estoient voir; 
 Et se nous poviammes avoir 
 Aucune chose qui men fil 
 CjLirast et ostast dou peril, 
 Avenu bien nous en seroit 
 Et no chose bien en iroit." 
 
 Vaspasiens la chose di, 
 Et touz li cuers Ten esjoi; 
 Quant seut que li estranges hon 
 Estoit j^ mis en la prispn, 1200 
 
THE EMPEUOE SENDS MESSENGERS TO JTJDEA, AND PILATE MEETS THEM. 
 
 15 
 
 Vespasian's 
 pains go. 
 
 He prays bis 
 father 
 
 to send to 
 
 Judea and ask 
 
 if lie can be 
 
 cured, 
 
 and got out of 
 
 his vile prison. 
 
 The Emperor 
 orders all Jews, 
 
 and specially 
 
 Pilate, 
 
 to tell his meS' 
 
 all about Jesus' 
 death and his 
 murderers. 
 
 The Emperor 
 sends his wisest 
 man to inquire 
 into the matter, 
 
 and orders that 
 if Jesus is dead, 
 something of 
 His must be 
 brought back to 
 Borne. 
 
 He threatens 
 Pilate. 
 
 The mesaengers 
 depart, 
 
 and cross the 
 
 Pilate's friend 
 tells him 
 
 that be has 
 banged a man 
 
 Sa doleur li assouaga 
 
 Et ses maus touz li tresala. 
 
 Adonc ha sen pere proie 
 
 Que il, pour la seue amisti^, 
 
 Envoiast la en cele terre 
 
 Et pour savoir et pour enquerre 
 
 Se il voloit sa garison 
 
 N'oster hors de si vil prison 
 
 Com il estoit: trop estoit dure, 
 
 Trop tenebreuse, trop obscure. 1210 
 
 L'empereres feit ses bri^s felre 
 
 (De ce ne me weil-je pas teire), 
 
 Qu'y. mande a touz ceus de Jud6e, 
 
 As plus pouissanz de la contrde, 
 
 A Pilate especiaument, 
 
 Qu'il envoie h. eus de sa gent, 
 
 Et commando que on les oie 
 
 De tout quanqu'il dirunt et crole 
 
 De la mort Jbesu, qu'il ocistrent 
 
 Quant il en la crouiz le pendirent. 1220 thea, 
 
 L'empereres y envoia 
 
 Le plus sage homme qu'il trouva. 
 
 Qu'U voloit la chose savoir 
 
 Et enquerre trestout le voir ; 
 
 Et si leur mande a la parclose, 
 
 Se il est morz, qu'aucune chose 
 
 Ki au preudomme eust este, 
 
 Se il I'ont en leur poeste, 
 
 Que tantost la li envoiassent 
 
 Et pour rien nule n'ou leissassent. 1230 
 
 La garison sen fil queroit, 
 
 Et PUate mout mena^oit 
 
 Que, se c'est voirs qu'di dire ha, 
 
 Granz maus avenir Ten pourra. 
 
 Ainsi departent li message, 
 Et s'en vunt tout droit au rivage 
 De la mer et es nds entrerent. 
 Boen vent eurent, lamer passerent; 
 Et quant il furent arrive, 
 S'a I'uns a Pilate mand^, 1240 
 
 Qui mout estoit ses boens amis. 
 En sa lestre fist sen de-ds 
 Que de ce mout se merveilloit 
 Qu'il im homme pendu avoit 
 
 and that the 
 Emperor's mes- 
 sengers have 
 come about it. 
 
 Pilate collects 
 his men 
 
 to meet the 
 
 receive them 
 with honour. 
 
 without trying Et n'avoit pas est^ jugiez.: 
 
 Si en estoit mout courouciez, 
 
 a great crime to •' Certes, ce fu grant mesprison; 
 ~ Grant desavenant li fist-on. 
 Li messagier sont arriv^, 
 Que I'emperere ha envoie : 1250 
 
 Encontre eus erramment venez, 
 Car eschaper ne leur povez." 
 
 Pilates les nouveles oit 
 Que ses acointes li mandoit; 
 Ses genz commanda h, munter, 
 Car il voloit encontre aler 
 Les messages I'empereeur 
 Et recevoir a grant honneur. 
 Li messagier errant s'en vunt. 
 Car Pilate trouver vourrunt; 1260 
 
 Pilates ausi chevaucha 
 Avec ceus qu'avec lui mena. 
 
 He falls in with L'une compaigne I'autre voit 
 
 themat Anma- ^-i / . \ a • ,t , . i -^ 
 
 Le {stc) Arimathye tout droit ; 
 
 Et quant il Pilate encontrerent, 
 
 Joie feire ne li oserent. 
 
 Car certaiunement ne savoient 
 
 Se il a Komme I'emmenroient. 
 
 Li ims les lestres li bailla. 
 
 II ha lut ce que dedenz ha; 1270 
 
 Eacont^ li unt mot k mot 
 
 Ce que li pelerins dist ot. 
 
 Quant eut ce Pylates escout^, 
 
 Bien set que dient verite; 
 
 les messagiers vint arriere 
 
 Et leur ha feit mout bele chiere 
 knowsXhat's' ^t dist: " Les lestres lutes ei, 
 i" 't- Bien reconnois ce qu'i trouvei." 
 
 La chose tout ainsi ala, 
 The messengers Et chaucuns d'eus se merveilla 1280 
 
 thmk _ . . . 
 
 De ce que il reconnissoit 
 La chose ainsi comme ele aloit. 
 A grant folie puet tourner, 
 Se il ne s'en set descouper; 
 Car il I'en couvenra morir; 
 Or mete peine k lui chevir. 
 Les messagiers ha apel^, 
 En une chambre sunt aM: 
 
 and one gives 
 him the Empe- 
 ror's letter, 
 telling 
 
 the pilgrim's 
 story. 
 
 he must clear 
 himself, 
 or be killed. 
 
 He calls them 
 into a room< 
 
16 
 
 PILATE TRIES TO CLEAR HIMSELF EROM THE GUILT OF CHRIST'S DEATH. 
 
 Pilate closes 
 the room, 
 
 and tells the 
 messengers 
 of Christ's 
 childhood, 
 
 how the Jews 
 hated Him, and 
 called Him a 
 rebel, though 
 He healed the 
 sick; 
 
 also how they 
 bought Him of 
 Judas, 
 
 and took Him 
 at Simon's, 
 brought Him to 
 me (Pilate), 
 
 and asked me 
 to condemn 
 Him to death. 
 " I said, I would 
 not. 
 
 They got angry. 
 
 and said they 
 would kill Him. 
 
 I said, how 
 could I answer 
 to my lord if I 
 did so, and he 
 were to ask 
 about it. 
 
 On them and 
 their children 
 was Jesus' 
 blood to be, they 
 said. 
 
 La chose a conseil leur dira. 
 
 Les wis de la chambre ferina 1290 
 
 Et si les fist mout bien garder. 
 
 Que les genz n'i puissent entrer; 
 
 Mieuz vieut que par lui le seussent 
 
 Que par autrui le conneussent. 
 
 Les enfances de Jbesu-Crist 
 
 Leur aconta toutes et dist 
 
 Trestout ainsi comme il les seut 
 
 Et que d'atrui oi en eut; 
 
 Comment li Juif le haoient, 
 
 Eibaut souduiant I'apeloient; 1300 
 
 Tout ainsi comme il garissoit 
 
 Les malades quant il vouloit; 
 
 Con feitement il Tacbaterent 
 
 Et paierent et delivrerent 
 
 De Judas, qui vendu I'avoit 
 
 Et qui ses deciples estoit; 
 
 Trestout le leit que il li fiient, 
 
 Et comment cbies Symon le prirent, 
 
 Comment devant lui I'amenerent 
 
 Et comment il I'achoisonnerent. 1310 
 
 " Eequirent moi que leur jujasse 
 
 Et que je a la mort le dampnasse ; 
 
 Je leur dis pas n'ou jugeroie. 
 
 Car reison nule n'i veoie. 
 
 Quant virent que n'ou vous jugier, 
 
 Si se prisent a couroucier, 
 
 Qu'il estoient genz mout puissant, 
 
 De richesces comble et mennant ; 
 
 Et il distrent qu'il I'ocirroient, 
 
 Que ja pour ce n'ou leisseroient. 1320 
 
 Ce pesoit moi certeinnement ; 
 
 Je dis a touz communement : 
 
 " Se mes sires riens demander 
 
 "M'en vouloit ne acboisonner, 
 
 " Eespondre de ce que pourroie? 
 
 " La chose pas ne celeroie; 
 
 " Que, ce la vouloie celer, 
 
 " Par vous le pourroient prouver. 
 
 " Seur aus fast et seur leur enfanz 
 
 " Josnes et vieuz, petiz et granz, 1330 
 
 " Fust espanduz li sans Jhesu, 
 
 " Et ce en responderas-tu." 
 
 So they took 
 Him, beat and 
 bound Him, 
 and crucified 
 Him. 
 
 But that they 
 might know 
 
 I would be 
 clean from their 
 great sin, 
 I washed my 
 hands before 
 them, and said I 
 was as clean 
 from the death 
 of J esus as my 
 hands just 
 washed were. 
 
 A good knight 
 of mine asked 
 for Christ's 
 body — 
 
 Joseph was his 
 name — 
 
 and he took 
 Christ down 
 from the cross, 
 and put Him in 
 his own tomb. 
 
 Since then I've 
 never seen or 
 heard of him : 
 
 he may be • 
 killed, 
 
 drowned, or in 
 prison." 
 
 The messengers 
 think Pilate not 
 so wrong as 
 they expected. 
 
 II le pristrent etl'emmenerent 
 
 Et le batirent et fraperent, 
 
 Et en I'estache fu loiez 
 
 Et en la crouiz crucefiez, 
 
 Et ce que vous avez oi 
 
 Avant que vous venissiez ci. 
 
 Pour ce que je voU qu'il seussent 
 
 Et que il bien I'aperc^ussent 1340 
 
 Vraiement que plus m'en pesoit 
 
 Assez que bel ne m'en estoit, 
 
 Et voloie estre nestoiez, 
 
 Car ce estoit trop granz pechiez, 
 
 Devant eus yaue demandei 
 
 Et erramment mes meins lavei, 
 
 Et dis qu'ausi nez fusse-ju 
 
 Dou mal et de la mort Jhesu 
 
 Comme mes meins nestes estoient 
 
 Qu'il d'yaue lavees veoient. 1350 
 
 J'avoie o moi un soudoier, 
 
 Preudomme et mout boen chevalier. 
 
 Quant fu morz, se 1' me demanda; 
 
 Donnei li pour ce qu'il I'ama. 
 
 Li preudons Joseph non avoit, 
 
 Et sachiez que il me servoit 
 
 Tout ad^s k .v. chevaliers, 
 
 A beles armes, a destriers. 
 
 Unques ne voust aveir dou mien, 
 
 Fors le cors dou profete rien. 1360 
 
 Grant eschaance eust eue 
 
 Dou mien, se me ftist escheue. 
 
 Le prophete osta dou despist 
 
 Et en une pierre le mist, 
 
 Que il avoit feite taillier 
 
 Pour lui apres sa mort couchier. 
 
 Et quant Joseph I'eut leenz mis, 
 
 Ne vi ne seu et si I'enquis; 
 
 Meis ne peu savoir qu'il devint, 
 
 Quel chemin ne quel voie tint. 1370 
 
 Espoir qu'il le nous unt ocis 
 
 Ou noie ou en chartre mis; 
 
 Ne que je vers vous povoir ai 
 
 N'avoit-il vers eus, bien le sai.'.' 
 
 Quant li message unt ce escoute, 
 N'unt pas en Pilate trouve 
 
THE CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE EMPEROR S MESSENGERS AND THE JEWS. 
 
 17 
 
 The Messepgers 
 think Pilate 
 will clear him- 
 self before the 
 Emperor, 
 
 but they desire 
 that within a 
 month the Jews 
 assemble to 
 meet them. 
 
 Pilate sends his 
 messengers 
 
 through all 
 Judea, to call 
 the Jews toge- 
 ther 
 
 to talk with the 
 
 Emperor's 
 
 messengers. 
 
 He also tries to 
 find something 
 that belonged 
 to Christ. 
 
 The Jews 
 assemble. 
 
 Pilate asks 
 leave to speak 
 to them first, 
 
 and tells them 
 that the Mes- 
 sengers want to 
 know who 
 Christ was, 
 
 Si grant tort cum trouver quidoient : 
 
 " Nous ne savons, ce li disoient, 
 
 S'il fu alnsi cum dist nous has; 
 
 Et, se tu vieus, bien te porras 1380 
 
 Devant no seigneur descouper, 
 
 Se c'est voirs que t'oons conter." 
 
 Pilates lor ha respondu : 
 
 " Tout ausi cum I'ei conn^u, 
 
 Devant vous le connoisterunt 
 
 Et tout ainsi le conterunt.'' 
 
 — " Or les nous fei donques mander, 
 
 Et dedenz un mois assembler 
 
 Trestouz ensemble en ceste vile ; 
 
 Gar qu'il n'i eit barat ne guille, 1390 
 
 Car nous assembler les feisuns 
 
 Pour ce qu'k eus paller vouluns." 
 
 Pylates ses messages prist, 
 Si leur ha commande et dist 
 Que par toute Judde alassent 
 Et a touz les Juis nun^assent 
 Que sunt venu li megsagier 
 L'empereeur des avant-ier; 
 Volontiers k eus palleroient, 
 S'il ensemble avoir les povoient. 1400 
 II leissierent le mois passer, 
 Et Pilates ha feit garder 
 S'on pourroit riens avoir trouve 
 Qui au prophete 6ust est^ ; 
 Meis il ne peurent trouver rien 
 Qui leur feist gramment de bien. 
 
 Tout li Giue en Beremathye 
 S'assemblent a grant compeignie. 
 Pylates ha dist as messages 
 Une chose de quoi & sages: 1410 
 
 " Avant paller me leisserez 
 As Juis, si que vous orrez 
 Ce que direi et il dirunt." 
 Li messagier einsi feit I'unt. 
 Quant il furent tout assemble, 
 Pylates ha premiers pall^ : 
 " Vous veez ci, dist-il, seigneur, 
 Les messages l'empereeur ; 
 Savoir welent ques hons estoit 
 Cius qui on Jhesu apeloit, 1420 
 
 who made Him 
 self Lord of 
 their Law, 
 
 and that he 
 (Pilate) had 
 said they had 
 killed Him. 
 
 The Jews say 
 they did kill 
 Him, because 
 he made Him- 
 self their king. 
 And Pilate was 
 wrong enough 
 not to judge 
 Him. 
 
 So, as they 
 would have no 
 king but Csesar, 
 
 they put Him 
 to death them- 
 selves. 
 
 Pilate says he 
 had no power 
 over them. 
 
 The Messengers 
 a»k 
 
 if Pilate forbade 
 them to kill 
 Christ. 
 
 The Jews say 
 that they 
 pledged them- 
 selves to hold 
 Pilate harmless. 
 
 or he would 
 not have 
 suffered Christ 
 to die. 
 
 Qui de la loi se feisoit sires. 
 
 On leur ha dist qu'il estoit mires. 
 
 Con ne pourroit meilleur trouver ; 
 
 L'empereres le feit mander, 
 
 Volentiers a lui palleroit. 
 
 Je leur ei dist que morz estoit, 
 
 Que vous deffeire le fdistes 
 
 Pour ce que feire le vousistes : 
 
 Dites se ce fu voirs ou non." 
 
 — " Ce fu voirs, ja n'ou celeron, 1430 
 
 Pour ce que il roi se feisoit 
 
 Et que nostres sires estoit. 
 
 Tu fus si mauveis que jugier 
 
 Ne le voussis ne ce vengier ; 
 
 N'en voussis penre vengement, 
 
 Ainz t'en pesoit par samblement ; 
 
 Et nous ne pourrions soufrir 
 
 Que il ne autres seignourir 
 
 Seur nous ne seur las noz peust, 
 
 Fors que Cesar, tant puissanz fust, 1440 
 
 Ne le meissians a la mort. 
 
 Car il nous feroit trop grant tort." 
 
 Lors dist Pilates as messages : 
 
 '' Ne sui si pouissanz ne si sages 
 
 Que je eusse seur eus povoir, 
 
 Qu'il sunt trop riche et plein d'avoir." 
 
 Adonc ont dist li messagier : 
 
 " Encor n'aviens o'i touchier 
 
 A la force de la besoigne ; 
 
 Je weil c'om le voir m'en tesmoigne. 1450 
 
 " Seigneur, je vous weil demander 
 Se Pilates vous voust veer 
 Cel homme qui roi se feisoit ; 
 Dites-le-moi,' comment qu'il soit." 
 — " Par foi, sire ! ain^ois nous avint; 
 Et sachiez que il nous couvint 
 Que se en Ten demandoit rien. 
 Que nous Ten deliverriuns bien. 
 Se Ten voulez riens demander. 
 Nous suns tenu au delivrer ; 1460 
 
 Nous 1 summes engagie, voir, 
 Et apres nous trestout nostre oir. 
 Pilates autrement sa mort 
 Ne voust soufrir: dont il eut tort." 
 
18 THE emperor's IIESSEX&ERS ASK VERRINE EOR HER LIKEKESS OF CHRIST. 
 
 The Messengers Li messaoder unt entendu 
 
 thmk Pilate /^ X>-1 * " ' 
 
 not greatly to t^ue rilates n a pas eu 
 blame, g^ grant tort comme tuit quidoient 
 
 Et cum les genz li tesmoignoient ; 
 and ask who ]| ^j^t enquis et demande 
 
 Christ was. „ . .^ -, ^, ^ ahc\ 
 
 Qui estoit, de queu poeste, i4/U 
 
 Cil prophetes dont on palloit. 
 Thev say He II respondent que il feisoit 
 miracles ^es plus granz miracles dou munde, 
 
 Qui le penroit a, la roonde; 
 and was an Pour enchanteeur le tenoient 
 
 enchanter. Qj] gj ggJgS ^ Ig yeoient. 
 
 The Messengers Adonc dient li messaoier: 
 
 ask for some , , ^ • -^ • 
 
 thing of Davenez-vous enseignier 
 
 Christ's. Qui ha nide chose dou sien? 
 
 Qui en aroit aucune rien 1480 
 
 Que nous en peussians porter, 
 Bien I'amerians a trouver.'' 
 One Jew knows L'uns d'eus une femme savoit 
 
 a woman who -^y. ... 
 
 has His like- ^ de iui un Yisage aroit, 
 °«®s- Qu'ele chaucun jour aouroit; 
 
 Meis sanz doute qu'il ne savoit 
 Oil pris I'eut ne se I'eut trouve. 
 Adonc ont PUate apele. 
 Si li content que cil dist ha ; 
 Et Pilates li demanda 1490 
 
 Tantost comment avoit a non, 
 En queu rue estoit sa meison. 
 Her name is " Yerrine ha non, si n'est pas fole, 
 S'est en la rue de I'Escole." 
 Quant Pilates seut ou mennoit 
 Et comment ele a non avoit, 
 She is sent for, H ha tantost envoie la ; 
 
 Par un message la manda. 
 and comes. Ele vint si tost com le sout; 
 Pilate receives Et Pilates, si cum Diex vout, 1500 
 
 her graciously, Q^^nt vist venir, se leva 
 
 Contre li; si s'en merveilla 
 La poure femme, quant le vist, 
 De la grant honneur qu'il K fist. 
 Quant il si bienvignant I'eut feite, 
 and asks her to Si I'a apres d'une part treite 
 show him the Et li dist : " Dame, une semblance 
 she worships. Avez d'ommc en grant remembrance 
 
 Verrine says En meisOH, qUB VOUS aOUTCZ : 
 
 she hasn't any . ^ i;:;iA 
 
 likeness of Je VOUS pn que la nous moustrez, ioiu 
 Christ. gg y^ YQ^g plgist et vous voulez. 
 
 Riens n'i perdrez, ja n'en doutez." 
 
 La fame fu toute esbahie, 
 
 Quant ele ha la parole oi'e ; 
 
 Forment s'escondist et dist bien 
 
 Que de ce n'avoit-ele rien. 
 iTien the Em- A ces paroles sunt venu 
 peror's Messen- Li messagier et unt veu 
 
 gers come, and o 
 
 tell Verrine La fame, ki venue estoit, 
 
 Et Pylates a li paUoit. 1520 
 
 Li messagier I'unt acolee 
 
 Et grant joie li unt menee, 
 their errand, Et le besoig li unt conte 
 
 Pour quoi estoient assembl .' ; 
 and promise her Dient H, s'ele ha en meison 
 
 rewards if she Qj^^gg ^g j -^ garison 
 
 has any thing _ ^ ^ ^ c? 
 
 to cure Tespa- Avoir li fiuz I'empereeur, 
 
 ^'*° ' Ele en sera a grant honneur 
 
 Touz les jours meis que vivera, 
 
 Jameis honneur ne li faura. 1530 
 
 they wish to buy " On dist qu'ele ha une semblance 
 De Jhesu, dont feit remembrance ; 
 Et s'a vendre avoir la povons, 
 ilout volentiers I'achaterons." 
 
 Verrine sees she Verrine voit bien et percoit 
 
 cannot conceal ^ ., • t t * • 
 
 her having it, Que descouviir il couvendroit 
 Et que plus ne la puet celer, 
 Si se commence a escuser 
 Et dist : " Je ne la venderoie 
 Pour riens qui soit, ne ne donroie 1540 
 Ce que vous ci me requerez ; 
 
 though, if they Ainz couvient que tout me jiu'cz, 
 
 will swear to -p . 
 
 take nothing -"^t VOUS et vostre compeignon, 
 from her, Qu'^ Eomme, en vostre region. 
 
 Que sanz riens tolir me menrez 
 Et que vouz riens ne me tourrez, 
 Romt" ilh the Et je avec vous m'en irei_ 
 Likeness. ' Et ma Semblance porterei." 
 The iiessengers Quant H messagier ce oi'rent, 
 
 Forment en leur cuers s'esjoirent; 1550 
 say they will II dient: " Xous VOUS emmenruns 
 swear this, ^ gj.^j j^-g g^ ^^^ jureruus 
 
 her likeness of 
 Jesus. 
 
 but she will 
 never sell it, 
 
VERBINE TEIiLS HOW CHRIST S LIKENESS CAME ON HER KERCHIEF, 
 
 19 
 
 but ask to see 
 the Likeness. 
 
 Verrine tells 
 the Messengers 
 to wait ; 
 
 then she goes 
 home, 
 
 gets the Like- 
 ness. 
 
 and returns 
 with it. 
 
 She tells them 
 to sit down, 
 
 but on seeing 
 the Likeness 
 they are obliged 
 to get up again. 
 
 Verrine tells 
 them how 
 Christ's face 
 came on her 
 kerchief. 
 It was on her 
 arm when she 
 met Christ. 
 
 Trestout quanque vous devisez; 
 
 Meis, s'il vous pleist, se nous moustrez 
 
 La semblance que demandons, 
 
 Car a vooir la desirruns." 
 
 Tout li Juif qui la estoient, 
 
 Qui toutes ces paroles oient, 
 
 Dient qu'encor ricLe seroit 
 
 Et assez grant honneur aroit. 1560 
 
 Verrine as messagiers ha dist : 
 
 " Attendez-moi un seul petit, 
 
 Querre cele semblance irei 
 
 Et ci la vous aporterei." 
 
 Ele muet d'ilec de randon, 
 
 Tantost s'en va en sa meison. 
 
 Quant fu en sa meison entrde, 
 
 Si lia sa hucbe deffermee 
 
 Et si lia prise la semblance ; 
 
 Et puis n'i ha feit arrestance, ' 1570 
 
 Dessouz sen mantel I'a boutee, 
 
 As messagiers est retournde. 
 
 II se sunt contre li lev^ 
 
 Et grant honneur li unt porte. 
 
 Ele leur dist: " Or vous seez, 
 
 Et puis le suaire verrez 
 
 Ou Diex essua sen visage, 
 
 Cui li Juif firent outrage." 
 
 II se vunt trestout rasooir ; 
 
 Tantost cum la peurent vooir, 1580 
 
 II les couvint touz sus saillir, 
 
 Car il ne s'em peurent tenir. 
 
 La boenne femme ha demande 
 
 Pour quoi il s'estoient leve. 
 
 Chaucuns respont, ne s'en puet teire : 
 
 " Par foi ! il le ne nous couvint feire. 
 
 Quant nous la semblance veimes; 
 
 Feire I'estut, si le feimes. 
 
 Dame, font-il, pour Dieu nous dites 
 
 Oil vous cest suaire pr6istes." 1590 
 
 Ele respont: " Je vous direi. 
 
 Comment m'avint vous conterei. 
 
 Un sydoine feit feire avoie 
 
 Et entre mes braz le portoie, 
 
 Et je le prophete encontrei 
 
 En ma voie par ou ralei ; 
 
 The Jews asked 
 her to lend it 
 them. 
 
 She wiped 
 Christ's face 
 with it, as He 
 sweated so. 
 
 (They beat 
 Him, 
 
 but He com- 
 plained not). 
 When she got 
 home, 
 
 she found the 
 Likeness on the 
 kerchief, 
 
 and she is will- 
 ing to take it 
 to Vespasian. 
 
 The Messengers 
 thank her, 
 
 and take her to 
 
 Rome. 
 
 The Emperor 
 
 asks 
 
 if the pilgrim 
 told the truth. 
 
 ' Yes.' 
 
 Les meins auoit derrier liees, 
 
 A une couroie atachiees. 
 
 Pour le grant Dieu mout me prierent 
 
 Li Juif, quant il m'encontrerent, 1600 
 
 Que men sydoine leur prestasse, 
 
 Au prophete son vis torchasse. 
 
 Erramment le sydoine pris 
 
 Et li torchei mout bien sen vis, 
 
 Car il si durement suoit 
 
 Que touz ses cors en degoutoit. 
 
 Je m'en viag, et il I'emmenerent 
 
 Outre batant, mout le fraperent. 
 
 Mout li feisoient vilenie ; 
 
 Nepourquant ne se pleignoit mie. 1610 
 
 Et quant en ma meison entrei 
 
 Et men sydoine regardei, 
 
 Ceste semblance y hei trouvee 
 
 Tout ainsi comme ele est fourmee. 
 
 Se vous quidiez qu'ele eit mestier 
 
 Ne qu'ele puist assouagier 
 
 Le fil k nostre empereeur 
 
 Ne lui feire bien ne honneur, 
 
 Volentiers o vous m'en irei 
 
 Et avec moi la porterei." 1620 
 
 Li messagier mout I'en mercient, 
 
 Car bien aflPerment et bien dient 
 
 Car mestier avoir leur pourra 
 
 Quant venu serunt par de la. 
 
 Car il n'unt nule rien trouvee 
 
 Qu'il aient si bien esprouvee 
 
 Comme ceste. Ainsi mer passerent 
 
 Et en leur terre s'en ralerent. 
 
 Or sunt a Romme revenu. 
 
 L'empereres mout liez en fu; 1630 
 
 Nouveles leur ha demandees 
 
 Comment les choses sunt aides, 
 
 Se li pelerins voir disoit. 
 
 II dient de rien ne naentoit. 
 
 " Assez y ha plus que ne dist 
 Et de la honte et dou despist 
 Que il au prophete feit unt, 
 Ne point de repentance n'unt. 
 Pylates si grant tort pas n'a 
 Cum nous jugiuns par de9a." 1640 
 
 c2 
 
20 VESPASIAN IS CUKED BY VERKINE'S KERCHIEF, AND VOWS VENGEANCE ON THE JEWS. 
 
 ' Then, have you 
 brought aught 
 of Christ's V 
 
 ' Yes, one thing,' 
 
 and the Mes- 
 sengers tell 
 their doings. 
 
 Tlie Emperor 
 praises them, 
 
 and goes to 
 Verrine, 
 
 who shows him 
 the Lilieness. 
 
 He bows down 
 three times to it, 
 
 and tal^es it to 
 his son's room. 
 
 cured by the 
 kerchief. 
 
 L'empereres ha demand^ : 
 " Avez-me vous riens aporte 
 Qui a ce seint prophete fust 
 Ne qui men fil mestier 6ust?" 
 — " Oil, sire, nous aportuns 
 Une chose que vous diruns." 
 A ces paroles li conterent 
 Commen il la femme trouverent, 
 Qu'ele aveques li aportoit, 
 Tout ainsi cum la chose aloit. 1650 
 
 Li empereres, ce sachiez. 
 Quant ro'i, si en fu mout liez; 
 II dist : " Bien avez esploitie 
 Et vos journees emploie ; 
 Vous aportez une merveille, 
 N'o'i paller de sa pareille." 
 Li empereres s'en ala 
 A la femme et la bienvigna ; 
 Dist li bien fust-ele venue, 
 Qu'il la feroit et pleinne et drue, 1660 
 Pour ce qu'ele avoit aporte 
 A son fil et joie et sante. 
 Quant ele I'emperere oi, 
 En son.cuer mout s'en esjo'i 
 Et dist: " Sire, vostre pleisir 
 Sui toute preste d'acOmplir." 
 La semblance li ha moustree, 
 Qu'avec li avoit aportee. 
 Quant la vist, iij foiz I'enclina 
 Et durement se merveiUa, 1670 
 
 Et a la preude femme dist 
 Que meis teu semblance ne vist 
 D'omme ne ki si bele fust; 
 N'y avoit or, argent ne fast. 
 Entre ses deus meins prise I'a 
 Et en la chambre la porta 
 Oil ses fiuz estoit emmurez, 
 Pour sa maladie enfermez ; 
 Et a la fenestre la mist, 
 Si que Vaspasiens. la vist ; 1680 
 
 Et sachiez quant il I'eut veue, 
 N' avoit unques la char 6ue 
 Si sainne cum adonques I'eut, 
 Car Nostre- Seigneur ainsi pleut. 
 
 and asks what 
 has cured him. 
 
 He orders his 
 room to be 
 broken open. 
 
 and is found 
 healed of his 
 leprosy. 
 
 The pilgrim is 
 taken out of 
 prison, 
 
 and enriched, 
 as is Verrine. 
 
 declares that 
 Christ's mur- 
 derers shall rue 
 His death ; 
 
 and tells his 
 father that 
 Christ is King 
 over him and 
 all. 
 
 Lors ha dist: " Sires de pitie, 
 Qu'est-ce qui si m'a alegi^ 
 De toute ma grant maladie, 
 De mes doleurs? ne les sent mie." 
 
 Vaspasiens s'est escriez : 
 " Errant ce mur me depeciez." 1690 
 Si firent-n hysnelement, 
 C'onques n'i eu delaiement. 
 Quant eurent le mur depecie, 
 Trouverent le sain et hettie. 
 Ore unt bien la nouvele enquise 
 Oii fu tele semblance prise 
 Ki ainsi tost gari I'avoit, 
 Ce que nus feire ne povoit; 
 Et il li unt trestout cont^ 
 Comment les choses unt aid. 1700 
 
 II unt le pelerin hors mis 
 De la prison. II ha enquis 
 Se c'estoit voirs que dist avoit 
 Dou prophete et s'ainsi estoit 
 Qu'il aient si preudomme ocis ; 
 II respondent qu'il est ainsis. 
 Au pelerin unt tant donne 
 Que riches fu tout son ae ; 
 Et Verrine pas n'oublierent, 
 Meis granz richesces li donnerent. 1710 
 
 L'enfes eut la nouvele oie : 
 Sachiez que ce ne li plut mie, 
 Ainz en fu iriez durement 
 Etdist: " Trestout certainnement 
 La mort Jhesu achaterunt 
 Tout cil qui au feit este unt." 
 II ha dist a I'empereeur : 
 " Jameis n'arei bien ne honneur 
 De si que I'arunt compare, 
 Se liu en ei et poeste." 1720 
 
 II ha dist apres a son pere : 
 " N'estes pas rois ne emperere; 
 Meis cil le doit estre pour voir 
 Qui seur nous touz ha tel povoir, 
 Qui de la otl est ha donne 
 Teu vertu et teu poeste 
 A la semblance que voi ci 
 Que m'a si bien et tost gari : 
 
VESPASIAN AND TITUS GO TO JUDEA. HOW PILATE CLEAES HIMSELP OP CHRIST's DEATH. 21 
 
 Vespasian asks 
 leave to avenge 
 Christ's death. 
 
 Titus gives it 
 him. 
 
 They take ths 
 Likeness called 
 Veronica, a 
 precious relic at 
 Rome. 
 
 Vespasian and 
 Titus go to 
 Judea, 
 
 and send for 
 Pilate, 
 
 who puts 
 himself at 
 Vespasian's 
 disposal. 
 
 Vespasian says 
 he has come to 
 revenge Christ'j 
 death. 
 
 Pilate is much 
 afraid, 
 
 Ce que lions feire ne peust, 
 
 Vous ne autres , tant hauz hons fust ; 1 7 30 
 
 Meis cigt ha seur touz le povoir, 
 
 Et, cartes, bien le doit avoir. 
 
 " Biaus peres, jointes meins vous pri, 
 Cum mon seigneur, cum mon ami, 
 Que me leissez aler vengier 
 La mort mon seigneur droiturier, 
 Que cil larrun puant Juis 
 Unt si vileinnement ocis." 
 L'empereres li respond! : 
 " Biausfiuz, jouvueil, si vous en pri ; 1 740 
 Feites vo volente entiere, 
 N'i espargniez ne fil ne pare." 
 Quant Vaspasiens I'entendi, 
 En son cuer mout s'en esjoi. 
 Ainsi firent, ainsi alerent, 
 Ainsi la semblance aporterent; 
 On I'apele la Veroniqu'e, 
 Con tient h. Eomme a grant relique. 
 
 Vaspasyanus et Tytus 
 llec ne sejournerent plus; 1750 
 
 Ainz unt tout leur oirre atournde, 
 Qu'il vuelent aler en Judee. 
 En mer entrent, la mer passer ent, 
 Plus tost qu'il peurent arriverent ; 
 Pylate funt errant mander, 
 Qu'il viegne tost a eus paller. 
 Pylates oit le mandement 
 Et set qu'il ameinnent grant gent: 
 Peur eut; nepourquant palla, 
 Vaspasyen arreisonna: 1760 
 
 " Sire, vous m'avez ci mand^ : 
 Vez-moi ici tout apreste 
 De feire tout vostre pleisir, 
 Quanque j'en pourrei acompllr." 
 Vaspasyens dist sanz targier: 
 " Je sui ci venuz pour vengier 
 La mort Jbesu, qui m'a gari." 
 Quant Pylates ce entendi, 
 Si ba eu mout grant peeur, 
 Qu'il quida qu'k grant desbonneur 1770 
 Son cors et sen avoir perdist 
 Et c'on a la mort le mesist : 
 
 and, to clear 
 himself, sug- 
 gests that Ves- 
 pasian 
 
 shall put him 
 in prison, and 
 tell the Jews 
 this is for his 
 forbidding 
 Christ's death. 
 
 It is done. 
 
 The Jews are 
 called together. 
 
 Vespasian 
 questions them 
 about Christ. 
 
 They answer, 
 that Pilate 
 supported Him 
 
 but they 
 thought 
 
 He ought to die. 
 
 Vespasian says 
 he has put 
 Pilate in prison, 
 
 but he wants to 
 know 
 
 ..Pour ce estoit si espoventez 
 Qu'il quida que fust encusez. 
 Lors ba dist a Vaspasyen : 
 " S'oi'r voulez, je direi bien 
 Qui ba ^u ou droit ou tort 
 Dou propbete ne de sa mort." 
 — " Oil, dist-il, bien le voudroie, 
 Car plus aeis^ en seroie." 1780 
 
 — " En vo prison me meterez, 
 Et a touz les Juis direz * 
 
 Que c'est pour ce que n'ou voloie 
 Jugier, ain^ois le deffendoie." 
 
 Vaspasyens einsi le fist 
 Cum Pylates li avoit dist. 
 Mande sunt par toute la terre, 
 ' Ne les tiegne buie ne serre. 
 Quant il furent tout assemble, 
 Vaspasyens ba demande 1790 
 
 Que il unt dou propbete feit : 
 Savoir le vieut tout entreseit; 
 Plus estoit sires que ses peres 
 Ne rois ne dus ne empereres. 
 ' ' Aves-vous feit que tra'iteur, 
 Qui feistes tel desbonneur." 
 II distrent, li puant renoi, 
 Que Pylates le soustenoit 
 Et se tenoit par devers li. 
 " Nous ne voliuns pas ainsi, 1800 
 
 Car trestout cil qui se' funt roi 
 Dient contre ten pere et toi; 
 Et Pylates adds disoit 
 Pour ce mort pas ne deservoit. 
 Nous ne voulsimes pas soufrir : 
 Qui roi se feit il doit morir. 
 Eucor disoit plus grant boufois, 
 Qu'il se clamoit le Eoi des rois." 
 Vaspasyens a ce respont : 
 " Pour ce I'ei feit mestre ou parfont 1810 
 De ma cbartre, qu'oi avoie, 
 Enseurquetout bien le savoie, 
 Qu'il avoit malement ouvre; 
 Car plus que moi I'avoit ame. 
 Or vueil-je de par vous savoir, 
 Et si me dites tout le voir, 
 
who was most 
 against Christ, 
 
 and hated Him 
 most. 
 
 22 THE JEWS, AND NOT PILATE 
 
 * 
 
 As ques de vous touz plus pesoit 
 
 De ce que seigneur se feisoit 
 
 Et roi et meistre des Juis 
 
 Et li ques Ten fist pour ce pis, 1820 
 
 Comment vers lui vous contenistes 
 
 Le premier jour que le veistes, 
 
 Et pour quoi en si grant hai'ne 
 
 Le queillites n'en teu cueriiie, 
 
 Li quel dou grant conseil estoient 
 
 Et li quel mieuz vous conseilloient, 
 
 Toute I'uevre enterinement 
 
 Et trestout le commencement." 
 
 Quant li Juif ce entendirent, 
 
 En leur cuers mout s'en esjoirent, 1830 
 
 Que ce fust pour leur preuz quidoient : 
 
 Pour ce plus s'en esjoissoient 
 
 Que ce fust pour leur avantage 
 
 Pylates y eust damage. 
 
 II dient au commencement 
 
 Trestoute la chose, comment 
 
 Cil Jhesus-Criz roi se feisoit 
 
 Seur eus touz, se leur en pesoit: 
 
 Pour ceste chose le haoient, 
 
 Si que vooir ne le povoient; 1840 
 
 Et comment Judas le trahi 
 
 Et trente deniers le vendi : 
 
 Judas ses deciples estoit, 
 
 Mauveis en ce qu'il le vendoit; 
 
 Celui qui les deniers paia 
 
 Li moustrerent, qu'il estoit la ; 
 
 Ceus qui le pristrent li moustrerent, 
 
 Et devant lui mout se vanterent 
 
 Dou despit, de la vilenie 
 
 Qu'il li firent (Diex les maudie !); 1850 
 
 Comment devant Pylate vintrent: 
 
 A lui se plaintrent et li distrent 
 
 Que il Jhesu a mort jujast 
 
 Et comme mauveis le dampnast. 
 
 " Certes, sire, il n'ou voust jugier 
 
 X'il ne le nous vouloit baillier, 
 
 S'on respondant ne li bailloit, 
 
 A cui il penre s'en pourroit, 
 
 S'on riens Ten vouloit demander ; 
 
 Bien s'en vouloit asseurer. 1860 
 
 KIIiLED CHRIST. VESPASIAN DEMANDS CHKIST OP THEM. 
 
 The Jews 
 rejoice at 
 Pilate's punish- 
 ment, 
 
 and tell 
 Vespasian 
 
 how Jesus 
 made Himself 
 king, 
 
 and how Judas 
 betrayed Him. 
 
 They show 
 Vespasian the 
 man who paid 
 the thirty pence, 
 and the men 
 who took 
 Christ, 
 
 and complain 
 that Pilate 
 would not 
 condemn Him, 
 
 though they 
 took His blood 
 on themselves 
 and their chil- 
 dren. 
 
 1870 
 
 Vespasian has 
 them seized 
 
 and confined. 
 
 He releases 
 Pilate, 
 
 1880 
 
 Sanz doute seur nos le pr^imes 
 Et nos enfanz y aqueilKmes. 
 Tout ainsi nous fu-il renduz 
 Et li sans de lui espanduz, 
 Que nous en fumes engagie 
 Et nostre enfant nous unt plegie : 
 Se nous en clamons tout h, toi 
 De ce que nous fist tel desroi, 
 Et vouluns que tu nous en quites 
 Des couvenances devant dites." 
 Vaspasyens ha ce oi: 
 Leur desloiaute entendi, 
 Leur malice dont plein estoient, 
 Si cum par eus bien le moustroient ; 
 Touz ensemble penre les fist, 
 En une grant meison les mist, 
 Si ha feit Pylate mander 
 Et hors de la prison giter. 
 Pylates est venuz devant, 
 A son seigneur va enquerant 
 Se il avoit ^u grant tort 
 Ou prophete ne en sa mort. 
 " Nennil, si grant cum je quidoie 
 Et cum dedenz men cuer jujoie." 
 Pylate ester devant lui vist, 
 Commanda li et si li dist : 
 " Je vueil touz ces Juis destruire, 
 N'en i aura nul qui ne muire; 
 Bien s'unt s^u tout descouvrir 
 Pour quoi il doivent tout morir." 
 Devant lui les ha apelez, 
 Trente en ha d'une part sevrez ; 
 Assez feit chevaus amener 
 Et as queues les feit nouer, 
 Que touz trahiner les fera, 
 Ja un seul n'en echapera. 
 Ainsi fist le treitre destruire. 
 Li autre n'unt talent de rire ; 
 Meis mout durement s'esmaierent. 
 Pour quoi ce feisoit demanderent; 1900 
 and tells the H dist: " Pour la mort de Jhesu, 
 
 others, ^ . . . ' 
 
 that, unless Q^i SI vilment demenez fu. 
 
 in::X:Xn ^"^ *°"* ^.^^ .^^ ^^ ''"^^^'^^^ 
 
 all die. Ou tuit vlleinnement morrez." 
 
 and acquits 
 him, 
 
 but says he'll 
 destroy the 
 Jews. 
 
 Vespasian ties 
 thirty Jews to 
 horses' tails. 
 
 1890 
 
A JJiW TAKES VESPASIAN TO THE TOWER WHERE JOSEPH OP ARIMATHEA IS. 
 
 23 
 
 ' We gave Him 
 up to, Joseph, 
 
 If you get Jo- 
 seph, you'll get 
 Christ's body.' 
 
 Pilate says, 
 
 they put guards 
 over the body, 
 as Christ said 
 He'd rise on the 
 third day; 
 
 and they feared 
 lest his disciples 
 should take 
 away the body, 
 and pretend He 
 had risen, 
 
 and so lead peo- 
 ple from their 
 law. 
 
 Vespasian 
 
 kills many Jews 
 and burns some. 
 
 One Jew offers 
 to find Joseph if 
 he and his fam- 
 ily's lives are 
 
 Vespasian 
 agrees, 
 
 and the Jew 
 takes him to the 
 tower where 
 Joseph is. 
 
 — " Par foi ! a Joseph le rendimes, 
 
 Ne unques puis ne le veimes. 
 
 Joseph de la crouiz jus le mist, 
 
 Et nous ne savuns qu'il en fist ; 
 
 Et se tu Joseph nous rendoies, 
 
 Le cors Jhesu par lui rauroies." 1910 
 
 Et Pylates leur respond! : 
 
 " Ne vous tenistes pas a lui, 
 
 Ain^ois le feistes garder; 
 
 Trois jours feistes demourer 
 
 Vos gardes Ik ou il le mist, 
 
 Et d^istes qu'il avoit dist 
 
 Qu'au terz jour resusciteroit : 
 
 A ses deciples dist I'avoit. 
 
 Vous doutiez qu'il ne I'emblassent 
 
 Par nuit et qu'il ne I'emportassent, 1920 
 
 Et il feissent entendant 
 
 Que veu I'eussent vivant, 
 
 Et feissent les genz errer 
 
 En la creance et desvoier; 
 
 Car, se il fast resurrexiz, 
 
 Granz periuz fust et granz ennuiz." 
 
 Vaspasiens dist que morir 
 
 Les couvient touz et si fenir. 
 
 II respondent a une vouiz 
 
 Que tout ce ne vaut une nouizj 1930 
 
 Car Jhesu rendre ne pourroient, 
 
 Se Joseph ain^ois ne ravoient. 
 
 Tant en ra feit morir a honte 
 
 Que je n'en sai dire le conte, 
 
 Ardoir en fist une partie : 
 
 Ainsi leur vieut tolir la vie. 
 
 Quant il virent qu'ainsi morir 
 
 Les couvendroit et departir, 
 
 S'en y eut un qui s'escria 
 
 A haute vouiz et demanda : 1 940 
 
 " Et se je Joseph enseignoie, 
 
 Ma vie sauve averoie 
 
 Et ma fame et tout mi enfant? " 
 
 Vaspasiens respont erant : 
 
 " Oil, et si n'en doute mie, 
 
 N'i perderas membre ne vie." 
 
 Tantost I'a a la tour men^ 
 
 Ou Joseph eurent enferme. 
 
 ' Because he 
 took away 
 Christ's body ; 
 
 for which we 
 agreed to take 
 his life, 
 
 ,Et dist: " Ci enz mestre li-vi, 
 Et bieu sai que puis n'en issi. 1 950 
 
 Pilates par tout le feisoit 
 Querre; meis trouver n'ou povoit." 
 Vespasian asks Lo[r]s demanda Vaspasyens 
 
 why Joseph was /-( i- v • j j. 
 
 put there. Oombien povoit avoir de tens. 
 
 " Dites pour quoi ci le mdistes 
 Et pour quoi ceenz I'enclossistes, 
 Et que vous avoit-il meffeit? " 
 11 li conterent tout le feit, 
 Comment il le cors leur toll 
 Dou prophete, quant il transi, 1 960 
 
 Et en tel liu repus I'avoit 
 Ou nus trouver ne le pourroit 
 " Et que ravoir n'ou pourriuns. 
 Emblez nous fu, bien le savuns, 
 Et qu'il nous seroit demandez, 
 Ne ne pourroit estre trouvez. 
 Tout ensemble nous conseillamnes 
 Que Joseph tout vif penriammes 
 Et que li touriammes la vie, 
 Si ne nous encuseroit mie ; 1970 
 
 Et qui Jhesu demanderoit. 
 Par Joseph Jhesu raveroit. 
 Car Joseph I'averoit eu : 
 Ainsi arians peis de Jhesu, 
 Que Joseph n'averoit-on. mie, 
 Qu'il averoit perdu la vie. 
 Nous oins dire et testnoignier 
 A ses deciples avant-ier 
 Que au tie[r]z jour resurrexi 
 Et dou sepulchre hors oissi : 1980 
 
 Cast ce pour quoi il fu ocis 
 Et dedenz ceste chartre mis." 
 
 Vespasian asks Vaspasyens leur demanda : 
 
 ". Fu-il morz ain9ois qu'il fust lb,, 
 
 Et se vous avant I'oceistes 
 
 Et puis en la tour le meistes? " 
 
 — " Nennil; meis forment le batimes 
 
 Et puis la-dessouz le m^ismes 
 
 Pour les folies qu'il disoit 
 
 Et que a nous touz respondoit. 1990 
 
 Nous li demandiuns Jhesu, 
 
 Qu'emble nous avoit et tolu." 
 
 and be quit of 
 Jesus and him. 
 
 if they killed 
 Joseph before 
 putting him in 
 prison. 
 
 ■No; 
 
24 
 
 VESPASIAN FINDS JOSEPH ALIVE IN HIS PRISON, AND TALKS TO HIM. 
 
 l)ut he must be 
 dead DOW.* 
 
 \ espasian says 
 
 — " Or me dites se vous creez 
 Que il soit morz ne trespassez." 
 II respondent trestout ensemble : 
 " Nous ne savuns; meis il nous semble 
 Qu'il ne pourroit pas estre vis : 
 Trop lia lone tens qu'il fu ci mis." 
 Vaspasyens leur ha moustre : 
 that Jesus, who " gign le pourroit avoir garde 2000 
 
 cured him, ™„ ^. ^ . . . 
 
 Oil meismes qui rn a gari 
 
 Et m'a donne que je sui ci; 
 
 Car je sai bien qu'il n'est nus lion 
 
 Qui le p^ust feire s'il non, 
 
 Et bien voi que c'est veritez 
 
 Que pour lui fii-il emmurez, 
 
 Et voirs est que donnez li fu, 
 
 Et pour lui I'avez-vous batu. 
 
 Je ne quit mie ne ne sent 
 
 Que Jhesus si vileinnement 2010 
 
 L'eust cilec leissi^ morir; 
 
 Je well garder tout a loisir." 
 
 Lors li unt le bouch'uel oste, 
 
 Et il ha dedenz regarde, 
 
 Huche le ; meis pas ne respont. 
 
 Li Juif dient que ce sunt 
 
 Merveilles s'il ha tant dure, 
 
 Qu'n y ha longuement este, 
 
 O'^nques n'i bust ne n'i menja 
 
 Ne confort nul eu n'i ha, 
 
 Li rois dist pas ne quideroit 
 
 Qu'il fust morz, s'il ne le veoit; 
 
 thon he asks for Une grant corde ha demandee, 
 
 a rope, Et on li ha tost aportee. 
 
 Pleuseurs fois le ra apele, 
 Et il ne li ha mot sonne. 
 Quant vist qu'il ne responderoit, 
 
 and is let down rt, . , -.v • , i • 
 
 into Joseph's '^ ^st avaiez ia-jus tout droit; 
 prison. Et quant il avaiez fu la, 
 
 Vespasian in i-. \ . i iv i 
 
 Joseph's prison Lte 9a et de la regarda. 2030 
 
 En un clotest esgarde, et voit 
 sees a light, Une clart^ qui Ik estoit : 
 
 La corde treire commanda 
 
 Araont, et ou clotest ala. 
 
 Quant Joseph Vaspasyens vist, 
 
 Contre lui se lieve et li dist : 
 
 would not have 
 let Joseph die. 
 
 Vespasian looks 
 into the prison, 
 and calls Jo- 
 
 seph ; 
 
 to his astonish- 
 ment. 
 
 and tells him 
 that he is Jo- 
 seph of Arima- 
 thea. 
 
 Vespasian 
 blesses God for 
 it, 
 
 and asks Joseph 
 
 who it was that 
 cured him 
 (Vespasian) 
 
 2020 °^ '''^ leprosy. 
 
 Joseph says 
 he will tell him, 
 
 but he (Vespa- 
 sian) must be- 
 lieve on Him. 
 
 and goes to it. 
 
 Joseph wel- 
 comes Vespa- 
 sian by name, 
 
 '■' Vaspasyen, bien viegnes-tu ! 
 
 Que viens-tu querre, que vieus-tu ? " 
 
 Quant Vaspasyent s'oit nummer, 
 
 Commen^a soi a merveillier 2040 
 
 Et dist: " Qui t'a mon non aprls? 
 
 Unc respondre ne me voussis 
 
 Oreinz quant de la t'apelei, 
 
 Et pour ce fa-jus avalei. 
 
 Di-me qui tu ies, par ta vie ! " 
 
 — " Joseph sui, diz d'Arymathye." 
 
 Et quant Vaspasyens I'entent, 
 
 Si s'en est esjoiz forment 
 
 Et dist: " Oil Diex benooiz soit 
 
 Qui t'a sauve ici endroit ! 2050 
 
 Car nus ne puet ce sauvement 
 
 Sanz lui feire, n'en dout neent " 
 
 Adonc andui s'entr'acolerent, 
 
 Par grant amour s'entre-beisierent. 
 
 Lors ha demande et enquis : 
 
 " Joseph, qui t'a men nun apris ?" 
 
 Et Joseph tantost li respont: 
 
 " Oil qui ha apris tout le munt." 
 Vaspasyens a Joseph dist 
 
 Par amours qu'U li apr^ist 2060 
 
 Qui fu oil qui gari I'avoit 
 
 Dou mal qui si vileins estoit. 
 
 Joseph dist: " De queu maladie?" 
 
 Oil respont: " De meselerie. 
 
 Si vileinne iert et si puant 
 
 Car nus ne seist autretant 
 
 Xe fust lez raoi qu'ei ci este, 
 
 Pour tout I'avoir d'une cite." 
 
 Quant Joseph I'a bien entendu, 
 
 Si s'en rist et dist : " X'ou sez-tu 2070 
 
 Qui t'a gari ? Je te dirai. 
 
 Car tout certeinnement le sai. 
 
 Se voloies savoir son non, 
 
 Par foi ! bien le te diroit-on. 
 
 II couvendroit qu'en lui creisses 
 
 Et ses commandemenz feisses, 
 
 Et je mout bien Ies te diroie 
 
 Et la creance t'apenroie 
 
 Et tout quanqu'n m'a commande 
 
 Par lui-meismes enhort^." 2080 
 
HOW MAN WAS MADE TO REPLACE THE FALLEN ANGELS. 
 
 25 
 
 The healer was 
 the Holy "Ghost 
 who created all 
 things, 
 
 and archangels 
 and angels ; 
 
 of whom some 
 were bad, full 
 of pride 
 
 and hatred and 
 sin. 
 
 So God cast 
 them out. 
 
 Three genera- 
 tions fell into 
 Hell ; three on 
 Earth. 
 
 Those who fell 
 into Hell 
 
 torment souls 
 there ; 
 
 and those on 
 earth torment 
 women and 
 men. 
 
 The other three 
 generations 
 stayed in the 
 air. 
 
 and dart darts 
 at men to turn 
 them from 
 well-doing. 
 
 Vaspasyens dist: " Jou creirei 
 Et mout volentiers I'aourrei." 
 
 — " Vespasyen, enten mes diz. 
 Je croi que c'est li Sainz-Espriz 
 Qui trestautes choses fourma, 
 Et ciel et terre et mer feit ha ; 
 Les nuiz, les jours, les elemenz 
 Fist-il et touz les quatre venz; 
 II fist et cria les archangles 
 Et tout ensemble fist les angles. 2090 
 De mauveis en y eut partie, 
 Plains d'orgueil et de felonnie 
 Et d'envie et de couvoitise 
 Et de haine et de faintise, 
 De luxure et d'autres pechiez; 
 Se les eut Diex tost trebuchiez 
 9a-aval, que pas ne li plurent. 
 Trois jours et iij. nuiz ades plurent, 
 Ou'ainz plus espessement ne plut 
 Pluie qui si grevanz nous fiist. 2100 
 Trois generacions cliei 
 En Enfer et en terre ausi. 
 Cil qui cheirent en Enfer 
 (Leur meistres en est Lucifer) 
 Tourmentent en Enfer les ames ; 
 Li autre tourmentent les femmes 
 Et les hommes qui sus la terre 
 Cheirent et mestent en guerre 
 Trop grant envers leur createur. 
 Honte li funt et deshonneur 2110 
 
 En ce qu'il pechent trop gri^ment 
 Contre lui et vileinnement ; 
 Et li angle leur unt moustre. 
 Qui sunt en terre demoure, 
 Et si les mestent en escrist : 
 Ne vuelent pas c'on les oblist. 
 Les autres trois si demourerent 
 En I'eir et ilec s'arresterent ; 
 D'engignier unt autre menniere. 
 Qui n'est pas a penre legiere, 2120 
 
 Qu'il prennent diverses semblances. 
 Leur darz, leur javeloz, leur lances, 
 Pour decevoir, as genz envoient, 
 Et de bien feire les desvoient. 
 
 These brought 
 on earth evil, 
 
 strife, 
 
 and anger. 
 
 The other 
 angels who 
 remained in 
 heaven 
 cannot sin. 
 
 Instead of the 
 bad angels 
 
 God made man 
 
 beauteous as 
 Himself, 
 
 able to go and 
 
 come, 
 
 and speak and 
 
 see; 
 
 and meant to 
 fill 
 
 the lost angels' 
 seats in Para- 
 dise. 
 
 Then God 
 made the man 
 a wife, 
 
 and called them 
 Adam and 
 Eve. 
 
 When the 
 Enemy saw 
 
 that man would 
 take his place 
 in heaven, 
 
 he tempted Eve 
 by the apple. 
 
 and made 
 Adam eat too, 
 
 Ainsi sunt leur genelogyes, 
 
 Et sunt par trois foiz trois foJies. 
 
 Le mal et I'enging aporterent 
 
 En terre et trestout I'i leissierent, 
 
 Le barat et la tricherie. 
 
 Ire, luxure et gloutenie. 2130 
 
 Li autre qui sunt demoure 
 
 Ou ciel, si fiirent conferme, 
 
 Qu'il ne pourrunt jameis pechier; 
 
 Garderunt soi de I'encombrier 
 
 Que li autre se pourchacierent 
 
 Quant ou ciel meisme pechierent, 
 
 Et de la honte et dou despist 
 
 Que Diex pour leur orgueil leur fist. 
 
 " Ainsi furent bien confundu 
 Li angle que Diex eut perdu, 2140 
 
 Et couvint qu'il homme fourmast 
 Et pour ce despist le criast; 
 Ausi bel le fist comme lui : 
 Ainsi li plut et abeli. 
 Puissance d'aler, de venir, 
 De paller, vooir et d'oir. 
 Sens et memoire li donna, 
 Et dist que de lui remplira 
 Touz les sieges de Paradis, 
 Oil li angle estoient jadis. 2150 
 
 Ainsi fu hons feiz et fourmez 
 Et en Paradis hostelez. 
 Car Diex meismes I'i mena 
 Et qu'il feroit li enseigna. 
 Pour reposer Ik se coucha, 
 Et Diex de sa coste fourma 
 Sa fame, qu'il li ha donnee; 
 Adans I'a Evein apel^e. 
 De ces deus suns-nous tout venu, 
 Meis par ce fames confundu; 2160 
 
 Car quant li Ennemis ce vist. 
 Si en eut mout tres grant despist 
 Que li hons, qui de boue estoit, 
 Les sieges dou ciel rempliroit, 
 A Eve vint, si I'engingna 
 Par la pomme qu'ele menja. 
 Par I'enhortement I'Ennemi 
 S'en fist Adam mengier ausi; 
 
 d 
 
26 
 
 WHY CHRIST CAME. JOSEPH IS DRAWN UP OUT OP HIS PRISON, 
 
 so they lost 
 Paradise, 
 
 and liad to till 
 and sweat. 
 
 The Devil 
 wanted to have 
 all men ; 
 
 but God, to 
 save His work, 
 
 sent his Son, — 
 
 who was born 
 of the Virgin 
 
 sinlessly. 
 
 wrought mira- 
 cles, 
 
 and was 
 crucified, — 
 
 to buy us from 
 
 the pains of 
 
 Hell. 
 
 The Father, 
 
 Son, and Holy 
 
 Ghost 
 
 are all one 
 person, 
 who has cured 
 Vespasian, and 
 sent him to see 
 if He has kept 
 Joseph safe. 
 
 Et quant il en eurent mengi^, 
 
 De Paradis furent chacie, 2170 
 
 Car li lius pechi^ ne consent 
 
 N'a nul mal feire ne s'estent; 
 
 Et si les couvint labourer 
 
 Et leur cors en sueurs tenner. 
 
 De ces deus fii li monz criez. 
 
 Et Deables fu si irez 
 
 Que il touz avoir les vouloit, 
 
 Four ce que lions consentu avoit 
 
 A acomplir sa volenti ; 
 
 Meis li vrais Diex, par sa bont^, 2180 
 
 Pour s'uevre qu'avoit feit sauver 
 
 (Ainsi le vout-il ordener), 
 
 En terre sen fil envoia, 
 
 Qui aveques nous conversa. 
 
 Nez fu de la virge Marie 
 
 Sanz pechie et sans vilenie, 
 
 Sanz semence d'omme engenrez, 
 
 Sanz pechid concetiz et nez : 
 
 Ce fu cil-meismes Jhesus 
 
 Qui o nous conversa 9^-jus 2190 
 
 Et qui les miracles feisoit ; 
 
 Touz jours a bien feire entendoit, 
 
 Unques n'ouvra mauveissement, 
 
 Ainz feisoit bien et sagement; 
 
 Ce fu cil qui par les Juis 
 
 Fu en la crouiz penduz et mis 
 
 Ou fast de quoi Eve menja 
 
 La pomme, et Adans li eida. 
 
 Ainsi voust Diex li Fiuz venir 
 
 Pour sen pere en terre morir ; 2200 
 
 Cil qui de la Virge fu nez, 
 
 Par les Juis morz et dampnez, 
 
 Ainsi nous voust touz raclieter 
 
 Par son sane des travauz d'Enfer. 
 
 Diex li Peres, Jhesus li Fiz, 
 
 Et m&mes li Sainz-Espriz, 
 
 Tu doiz croire, n'en doute mie, 
 
 Que cil troi funt une partie. 
 
 Voo[i]r le puez qu'il t'a gari ; 
 
 Et se t'a amene ici 2210 
 
 Pour vooir se il m'a sauve, 
 
 Xus fors lui n'i ha poeste ; 
 
 Vespasian 
 professes belief 
 in the Trinity. 
 
 Joseph tells 
 him to 
 
 seek Christ's 
 disciples who 
 preserve His 
 words, 
 
 as He is risen 
 
 with our flesh 
 glorified to 
 Paradise. 
 
 Vespasian is 
 converted. 
 
 and tells his 
 people 
 
 to destroy the 
 tower, as 
 Joseph is safe. 
 
 Joseph and 
 Vespasian are 
 drawn up out of 
 the prison. 
 
 Et tu le commandement croi 
 
 De ses deciples et de moi, 
 
 A cui Diex le voust enseignier 
 
 Pou[r] son non croistre et essaucier." 
 
 Vaspasyens ha respondu: 
 " Je t'ei mout ties bien entendu 
 De Dieu le Pere, Dieu le Fil, 
 Dou Saint-Esprist que Diex est-il; 2220 
 Une seule persone sunt 
 Cil troi et tout un povoir unt. 
 Tout ainsi le croi et crerei, 
 N'autrement croire n'ou vourrei." 
 Joseph dist: " Si tost cumme istras 
 De^ci et de moi partiras, 
 Quier les deciples Jhesu-Crist 
 Qui tiennent ce que il leur dist; 
 Car il sevent ce qu'il donna' 
 Et quanque a feire commanda. 2230 
 II est de mort resuscitez, 
 A son pere s'en est alez, 
 soi ha nostre char portee 
 En Paradis gloirefiee." 
 Joseph tout ainsi convertist 
 Vaspasyen et entroduist, 
 Si que il croit bien fermement 
 Jhesu le roi omnipotent. 
 Vaspasyens ha apele 
 Ceus qui I'avoient avald, 2240 
 
 Si que n bien entendu I'unt, 
 Encor fiist-il bien en parfunt. 
 De ce se sunt mout merveillie ; 
 Li Juif n'en serunt pas lie. 
 Vaspasyens prent k huchier 
 Qu'il voisent la tour depecier, 
 Qu'il ha Joseph leenz trouve 
 Tout sein de cors et tout heitie. 
 Quident que ce estre ne peust, 
 C'onques n'i menja c'on seust. 2250 
 Li serjant queurent, quant I'oirent, 
 Et errant depecier la firent. 
 Li rois de la prison oissi, 
 Joseph amena avec lui. 
 Dient li viel et li enfant 
 Que la vertu de Dieu est grant. 
 
AND SATS THAT CHEIST HAS RISEN. THfflTT JEWS POB A PENNY ! 
 
 27 
 
 The Jews are 
 confounded. 
 
 Vespasian asks 
 them for Christ. 
 
 They say they 
 gave Him to 
 Joseph. 
 
 Joseph tells the 
 Jews that 
 Christ has 
 
 after going to 
 Hell, and 
 releasing his 
 Mends. 
 
 Vespasian puts 
 
 the Jew who 
 had shown 
 him Joseph's 
 prison, out to 
 
 Vespasian asks 
 Joseph how he 
 can be saved. 
 
 ' By believing 
 on Christ, 
 
 that is, the 
 Trinity,' 
 
 Or fu Joseph touz delivrez, 
 Devant les Juis amenez. 
 Quant le virent et le connurent, 
 Li Juif esbaubi en furent ; 2260 
 
 Comment soi (sic) k merveillier, 
 Quant le voient sein et entier. 
 Lots leur ha Vaspasyens dist : 
 " Kendez-moi tantost Jhesu-Crist, 
 Que vez ci Joseph en present." 
 II respondent communement : 
 " Certes, sire, nous li baillames 
 Et bien set que nous li leissames : 
 Die-nous qu'il est devenuz, 
 Qu'il en fist, bien en iert creuz." 2270 
 Joseph respond! as Juis : 
 " Bien sdustes oii je le mis; 
 Car vous le feistes garder. 
 Que il ne peust eschaper. 
 Vo chevalier trois jours i furent, 
 Par jour et par nuit ne s'en murent. 
 Sachiez qu'il est resuscitez 
 De mort a vie, or m'en crez. 
 Tantost en Enfer s'en ala 
 Et touz ses amis en gita, 2280 
 
 En Paradis les ha menez, 
 Comme Diex est lassus muntez." 
 Li Juif furent esbahi, 
 C'onques meis ne le furent si. 
 Vaspasyens a un seul mot 
 Fist des Juis ce que lui plot. 
 Celui qui avoit enseigni^ 
 Lau Joseph avoient mucid. 
 Fist mestre en mer a grant navie, 
 Avec lui toute sa lignie ; 2290 
 
 En veissiaus les empeint en mer : 
 Or peurent par I'iaue vaguer. 
 Li rois a Joseph demanda 
 Comment ce Juis sauvera. 
 A ce Joseph ne se tust mie : 
 " S'il vuelent croire ou Fil Marie, 
 Qui. sires est de charite : 
 C'est en la sainte Trinite, 
 Ou Pere, ou Fil, ou Seint-Esprist, 
 Si con no loi I'enseigne et dist." 2300 
 
 Vespasian offers 
 to sell thirty 
 Jews for a 
 penny. 
 
 Joseph has a 
 sister Enygeus, 
 whose husband 
 is Hebron or 
 Brons, 
 
 and they 
 rejoice that he 
 is alive. 
 
 Joseph is glad 
 when he sees 
 them, and tells 
 them 
 
 to serve and 
 love Christ, 
 
 in whom all 
 should believe. 
 
 Then he pro- 
 claims that he 
 will rescue 
 (from Vespa- 
 sian) all who 
 will believe in 
 Christ. 
 
 They agree to 
 do all he 
 wishes. 
 
 Vaspasyens a feit savoir 
 
 A ceus de sen pais, pour voir, 
 
 Se Juis vuelent acheter, 
 
 XXX en donra pour un denier; 
 
 Si grant ma,rchi6 leur en fera, 
 
 Tant cumme a vendre en y ara. 
 
 Joseph une sereur avoit, 
 
 Enygeus par non I'apeloit ; 
 
 Et sen serourge par droit non, 
 
 Quant vouloit, apeloit Hebron. 2310 
 
 Hebrons forment Joseph amoit, 
 
 Pour ce que mout preudons estoit. 
 
 Quant Brons et sa femme per^urent 
 
 Que Joseph vivoit, lie en furent 
 
 Et I'alerent errant vooir. 
 
 Quant seurent oil estoit, pour voir ; 
 
 Et li unt dist: " Joseph, de fi, 
 
 Sire, nous te crions merci." 
 
 Quant Joseph ha ce entendu, 
 
 Mout liez et mout joianz en fii 2320 
 
 Et dist que " ce n'est pas a moi, 
 
 Meis au Seigneur en cui je croi, 
 
 Le fil la seintisme pucele 
 
 Marie, qui fa Dieu ancele. 
 
 Celui servuns, celui amons 
 
 Qui m'a sauv6, celui creons, 
 
 Et des ore meis en avant 
 
 Devons tout estre en lui creant.'' 
 
 Lors fist Joseph par tout crier 
 
 ' Se nu] en y ha qui sauver 2330 
 
 Se vueille et croire en Jhesu-Crist, 
 
 II les hostera dou despist 
 
 Nostre- Seigneur et de tourment, 
 
 Ce leur fera-il soutement;' 
 
 Et cil a leur amis pallerent. 
 
 Qui le greent et otroierent 
 
 Qu'il creroie[n]t tout entreseit 
 
 Et quanqu'il vouroit seroit feit. 
 
 Et Joseph leur ha dist k tant : 
 
 " Ne me feites pas entendant 2340 
 
 Men^onge, pour peur de mort : 
 
 Vous I'achateriez trop fort." 
 
 II li dient: " Fei ten pleisir; 
 
 Nous ne t'oserians mentir." 
 
 d2 
 
28 
 
 JOSEPH AND HIS FOLLOWEIIS GO TO DISTANT LANDS, WHERE THEY SUFFEE EVIL. 
 
 Joseph tells 
 them to leave 
 their lands and 
 go abroad with 
 him. 
 
 They agree to 
 do this ; and 
 Joseph gets 
 Vespasian to 
 pardon them. 
 
 He sets out 
 with them, 
 
 and dwells in 
 distant lands, 
 
 teaching them, 
 
 and all for a 
 time goes well. 
 
 But afterwards 
 Joseph's fol- 
 lowers suffer ; 
 all their labour 
 turns to ill. 
 
 from one sole 
 sin. 
 
 They complain 
 to Hebron : 
 
 Joseph dist: " Se vous me voulez 
 
 Croire, pas ci ne demourrez; 
 
 Ain^ois lelrez vos heritages, 
 
 Vos terres et vos hesbergages, 
 
 Et en eissil nous en iruns : 
 
 Tout ce pour amour Dieu feruns." 2350 
 
 II dient ce ferunt-il bien. 
 
 Joseph va a Vaspasyen, 
 
 Si li pria qu'a cele gent 
 
 Pardonnast tout sen mautalent, 
 
 Pour amour de lui le feist ; 
 
 Vaspasyens ainsi le fist. 
 
 Vaspasyens ainsi venja 
 La mort Jhesu, qu'il mout ama. 
 Quant Joseph eut si esploitie, 
 A Vaspasyen prist congie 2360 
 
 Et d'ileques se departi; 
 Ses genz mena aveques li, 
 En lointeinnes terres alerent 
 Et la longuement demourerent. 
 A ce qu'il demourerent la, 
 Boens enseignemenz leur moustra 
 Joseph et bien les enseignoit. 
 Car il feire bien le savoit; 
 Commanda-leur a labourer, 
 Et ce firent sanz rebouler: 2370 
 
 Si ala leur afeires bien 
 Grant tens, et ne leur falli rien; 
 Meis apres ala malement, 
 Et si vous conterei comment : 
 Quar tout ce quanques il feisoient, 
 Par jour et par nuit labour oient, 
 Aloit a mal. A ce soufrir 
 Ne se vourrent plus aboennir, 
 Et cil maus qui leur avenoit, 
 Pour un tout seul pechie estoit, 2380 
 Qu'avoient entr'eus commencie : 
 Mout en estoient entechie : 
 C'iert pour le pechie de luxure. 
 Pour teu vilte, pour tele ordure. 
 Quant virent qu'il ce endurer 
 Ne peurent ne ce mal tenser, 
 A Hebron sunt venu tout droit, 
 Qui mout bien de Joseph estoit ; 
 
 No people ever 
 suffered as we 
 do. 
 
 Tell Joseph : 
 
 we and our 
 little ones are 
 dying of 
 hunger.* 
 
 Hebron pities 
 them. 
 
 They say they 
 have suffered 
 long; 
 
 let him ask 
 Joseph 
 
 if it is for their 
 sins or his. 
 
 Hebrons 
 
 tells Joseph of 
 his people's 
 distress, 
 
 and begs him to 
 pray Christ to 
 tell him the 
 cause. 
 
 Joseph fears he 
 has offended 
 God, 
 
 and kneels 
 before the 
 Graal. 
 
 Si li dient tout bien les fuient, 
 
 Toutes meseises les poursuient, 2390 
 
 " N'unques si granz genz cum nous suns 
 
 Tant n'eurent mal cum nous avuns; 
 
 Nous soufruns meseise trop grant, 
 
 Unques genz n'en soufrirent tant : 
 
 Si te vouluns pour Dieu prier 
 
 Que le voises Joseph nuncier 
 
 Car nous tout si de fein moruns, 
 
 Par un petit que n'enragons. 
 
 Nous avons defaute trop grant, 
 
 Et nos femmes et nostre enfant." 2400 
 
 Et quant Hebruns ha ce entendu, 
 
 Mout grant pitl^ en ha 6u 
 
 Et si leur ha bien demande 
 
 S'il unt longuement endure. 
 
 " Oil, certes, il ha lone tens; 
 
 Tant cuin peumes I'endurens. 
 
 Pour Dieu si te voluns prier, 
 
 Va-t'en a Joseph conseillier 
 
 Pour quoi ce nous est avenu 
 
 Que nous avons trestout perdu, 2410 
 
 Par nos pechiez ou par les siens 
 
 Qu'elnsi avons perduz nos biens." 
 
 Hebrons respont qu'il i ira, 
 
 Volentiers li demandera, 
 
 Lors vient a Joseph, si li conte 
 
 La grant meseise et la grant honte 
 
 Que ses genz entour lui soufroient 
 
 Et le meschief que il avoient ; 
 
 Si prient c'um leur leit Sdvoir 
 
 De ceste chose tout le voir. 2420 
 
 Lors ha pris Joseph a prier 
 
 De cuer loial, fin et entier, 
 
 Le Fil Dieu que savoir li face 
 
 De tout cest afeire la trace. 
 
 Lors s'est Joseph a douter pris 
 
 Que il n'eust vers Dieu mespris 
 
 Et felt chose dont courouciez 
 
 Fust Diex vers lui, n'en est pas liez. 
 
 Puis dist: " Hebron, je le sarei; 
 
 Et se le sai, j'ou vous direi." 2430 
 
 Joseph a sen veissel s'en va 
 Et tout plourant s'agenouilla 
 
JOSEPH IS TOLD HOW THE GRAAL SHALL POINT OUT THE SINNERS. 
 
 29 
 
 Joseph asks 
 Christ why His 
 followers 
 suffer. 
 
 The voice from 
 the Holy Ghost 
 tells Joseph 
 that he is not 
 in fault, 
 
 but that he is to 
 set the Graal 
 before his 
 people ; 
 
 and is to 
 remember 
 
 how Christ 
 would not speak 
 
 Et dist: " Sire, qui char presis 
 
 Et la Virge et de li nasquis, 
 
 Par ta pitie, par ta dou^our, 
 
 I venis, et pour nostre amour 
 
 Entre nous vousis converger 
 
 Pour ta creature sauver 
 
 Qui a toi vourroit obeir, 
 
 Ta volente feire et suir. 2440 
 
 Sire, tout ausi vraiement 
 
 Com vif, vous vi mort ensement 
 
 Si cumme apres la mort te vi 
 
 Vivant k moi paller ausi 
 
 En la tour oii fui emmurez, 
 
 Ou me feistes granz bontez; 
 
 Et la, sire, me commandastes, 
 
 Quant vous ce veissel m'aportastes, 
 
 Toutes les foiz que je vourroie 
 
 Secrez de vous, que je venroie 2450 
 
 Devant ce veissel precious 
 
 Oil est vostres sans glorieus. 
 
 Ainsi vous pri-je et requier 
 
 Que vous me vouilliez co[n]seillier 
 
 De ce que cele gent demande 
 
 (Faute unt de pein et de viande). 
 
 Que puisse ouvrer a vo pleisir 
 
 Et vo volente acomplir." 
 
 Lors ha a Joseph la vouiz dist, 
 
 Ki venue est dou Saint-Esprist : 2460 
 
 " Joseph, or ne t'esmaie mie: 
 
 N'as coupes en ceste folic." 
 
 — " Sire, dunques par ta piti^ 
 
 Suefre touz ceus qui unt pechie 
 
 Que les ost de ma compeignie." 
 
 — " Joseph, ce ne feras-tu mie; 
 
 Meis une chose te coramant, 
 
 C'iert en senefiance grant: 
 
 Ten veissel o mon sane penras ; 
 
 En espreuve le meteras 2470 
 
 Vers les pecheeurs en apert, 
 
 Le veissel tout a descouvert. 
 
 Souvigne-toi que fui venduz, 
 
 Trahiz et foulez et batuz. 
 
 Et tout ades bien le savoie; 
 
 Meis unques paller n'en vouloie 
 
 of his sufferings 
 before the Last 
 Supper, 
 
 when Judas 
 departed, 
 
 whose place 
 Joseph is to fill. 
 
 Joseph is to 
 prepare another 
 table, 
 
 and Bron is to 
 catch a fish, 
 
 which Joseph 
 is to put 
 on the table, 
 with the Graal 
 in the middle. 
 
 Joseph is then 
 to call his 
 people together, 
 
 and the sinners 
 among them 
 will be known. 
 Joseph is to sit 
 where Christ sat 
 
 Devant que je fui chids Symon, 
 Oil estoient mi compeignon ; 
 Et dis qu'aveques moi menjoit 
 Qui le mien cors trahir devoit. 
 Cil qui sent qu'il aveit ce feit 
 Honte eut, arriers de moi se treit ; 
 Ainz puis mes deciples ne fu ; 
 Meis un autre en y eut en liu. 
 En sen liu ne sera nus mis 
 Devant que i soies assis. 
 Tu sez bien que chi^s Symon fui 
 A la taule, oii menjei et bui: 
 Ileques vi-je men tourment, 
 Qui me v«noit apertement. 
 Oil non de cele table quier 
 Une autre, et fei appareillier : 
 Et [quant] appar[i]llie I'aras, 
 Bron te serourge apeleras. 
 Bros tes serourges est boens hon, 
 De lui ne venra se bien non. 
 Si le fei en cele iaue aler, 
 Un poisson querre et peeschier; 
 Et le premier que il penra. 
 Tout droit a toi I'aportera. 
 Et sez-tu que tu en feras? 
 Seur cele table le metras. 
 Puis pren ten veissel et le mest 
 Sus la table, lau mieuz te pleist; 
 Meis qu'il soit tout droit emmi liu : 
 Et M endroit te serras-tu 
 Et le cuevre d'une touaille. 
 Quant auras ce feit sanz faille,' 
 Adonc repenras le poisson 
 Que t'avera peschi^ Hebron. 
 D'autre part le mest bien et bel 
 Tout droit encontre ten veissel; 
 Et quant tu tout ce feit aras, 
 Tout ten pueple apeler feras 
 Et leur di que bien tost verrunt 
 Ce de quoi demente se sunt. 
 Qui par pechie ha deservi 
 Pour quoi leur est mesch^u si. 
 Adonc quant tu seras assis 
 En eel endroit la ou je sis 
 
 2480 
 
 2490 
 
 2500 
 
 2510 
 
 2520 
 
30 
 
 THE GRAAL FILLS THE GOOD WITH PEACE, BUT DOES NOUGHT EOE THE SINNEKS. 
 
 2540 
 
 at the Supper, A la Cene, quant je i mengei 
 
 mes declples qu'i menei, 
 h^' righr °° '^^°^ ^^si^ a ta destre mein : 
 
 Lots si verras trestout de plein 
 
 Then Bron Que Brons arriere se treira 
 
 shall drawback ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^|g ^-^ ^enra. 
 
 Icil lius wiz si senefie 
 as from the seat Lg jj^ Judas, qui par folie 
 
 of J udas, .... 
 
 De nostre compeignie eissi 
 Quant s'aper9ut qu'il m'eut traM. 2530 
 which shall not Qil Has estre empliz ne pourra 
 
 be filled till _^ ,„ 
 
 Devant quLnygeus avera 
 
 Enygeus's son jj^ g^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^- 
 by Brons 
 
 Que tu et ta suer amez si ; 
 is born, Et quant li enfes sera nez, 
 
 and fills it. L^ sera ses lius assenez. 
 This done. Quant tout ce feit ainsi aras, 
 caTSis people Ten pueple a toi apeleras; 
 to him, and tell Et leur di, se il Men creu unt 
 h!rvT'beuted Dieu le pere de tout le munt 
 theFather.Son, Et le Eil et le Seint-Esprist, 
 Ghost Si cum apris I'avoit et dist 
 
 (C'est le benoite Trinite, 
 
 Ki est en la sainte unite), 
 and have kept Et de touz les commandemenz 
 
 maSfand'""" ^* ^'^'^^ ^^^ boens enseignemenz 
 
 teachings, Que je enseignie leur avoie, 
 
 Quant a eus touz par toi palloie, 
 
 and the three Des trois vertuz ki une funt ; 
 
 InThavenot Se trestout ce bien garde unt 2550 
 
 broken any. Que il n'en unt trespasse rien, 
 
 to sit down to Viegnent sooir, tu le vieus bien, 
 
 GoY'"*^ "^ -^ ^^ S^^^^ Nostre- Seigneur, 
 
 Qui as suens feit bien et honneur." 
 Joseph does all Joseph, fist le commandement 
 toid,^andTaiis Nostre- Seigneur tout pleinnement, 
 the people ; Et tout ausi les apela 
 
 Cum Diex endoctrine li ba. 
 part sit down, Dou pueple assist une partie, 
 part do not ; Li autre ne s'assistrent mie. 2560 
 
 all the places La taule toute pleinne estoit, 
 
 are filled but 77, it • i • * ^ 
 
 ^^3 . J^ ors le liu qui plems ne pooit 
 
 the sitters are Estre ; et cil qui au mengier 
 
 filled with Q- ^ ^ ■ ^ i • 
 
 peace bistrent, SI eurent sanz targier 
 
 La douceur, racomplissement 
 De leur cuers tout entierement; 
 Et cil qui la grace sentirent, 
 Assez errant en oubli mirent 
 
 the others not. Lgg autres qui point n'en avoient. 
 
 L'uns de ceus qui se seoient, 2570 
 
 Qui Petrus apelez estoit, 
 
 Kegarde delez lui et voit, 
 
 Ceus qui estoient en estant 
 
 Ya mout tres liumlement priant : 
 
 Petrus asks the u p^^j. amours, or me dites voir, 
 
 others if they 
 
 feel no good, Povez-vous sentir ne savoir 
 
 Riens de ce bien que nous sentuns?" 
 
 'None.' Cil respondent : " Riens n'en avuns.'' 
 
 Adonques leur ha dist Petrus : 
 
 ' Then you are " Dg ce ne doit douter hons nus 2580 
 
 defiled with the Que vous ne soiez entechie 
 
 mad:itpr De ce vil dolereus pecbi^^ 
 
 ask about.' Dont Joseph, enquerre feistes 
 
 Et pour quoi la grace perdistes." 
 
 The sinners Adonc pour la honte qu'il unt, 
 
 leave the house ; .,^ , -^ . . , 
 
 De la meison issu s en sunt, 
 one is sorrowful. Un en J eut qui mout ploura 
 
 Et mout leide chiere feit ha. 
 
 Quant li services fu finez, 
 
 Si s'est chaucuns d'ilec levez. 2590 
 
 Entre les autres sunt alez ; 
 Joseph tells Meis Joseph leur ha commande 
 
 them to come /-\ -i • . i 
 
 back daily. Q^e il reviguent chaucun jour 
 A cele grace panz demour. 
 Ainsi ha Joseph perceu 
 Les pecheeurs et conneu : 
 Ce fu par le demoustrement 
 De Dieu le roi omnipotent. 
 
 Thus was the Par ce fu li velssiaus amez 
 
 proved. Et premierement esprouvez. 
 
 Ainsi eurent la grace la, 
 Ki mout longuement leur dura, 
 
 The sinners ask Li autre ki dehors estoient, 
 
 the pure what 
 
 A ceus dedenz mout enqueroient : 
 the Grace does " Que VOUS semble de cele grace? 
 
 for them. r\ 2. i 1 p o 
 
 Que sentez-vous qu ele vous lace f 
 Et qui vous ha ce don donne, 
 Ne qui vous ha en ce enfourme? " 
 
 2600 
 
THE POWER OF THE GEAAL. THE MEANING OP THE NAME ORAAL. 
 
 31 
 
 ' More than 
 heart can ima- 
 gine is our joy.' 
 
 Joseph Bays it 
 comes from 
 
 The sinners are 
 told that 
 
 the Graal 
 separates them 
 from the pure, 
 as it loves not 
 the sinner, 
 
 and makes 
 known who has 
 sinned. 
 
 The sinners 
 say they will go 
 away, 
 and ask 
 
 what reason 
 they are to give 
 for going. 
 
 ' That we who 
 stay dwell in 
 God and 
 Christ and the 
 Holy Ghost.' 
 
 Cil respondent: " Guars ne pourroit, 
 
 A pourpenser ne soufiroit 2610 
 
 Le grant delit que nous avuns 
 
 Ne la grant joie en quoi nous suns, 
 
 Qu'il nous y couvient demourer 
 
 Dusqu'au matin et sejourner. 
 
 Dou puet si grant grace venir, 
 
 Ki ainsi feit tout raemplir 
 
 Le cuer de romme et de la femme 
 
 Et de bien refeit toute Fame ?" 
 
 Lors leur ha Joseph respondu : 
 
 " Ce vient dou benooit Jbesu, 2620 
 
 Qui Joseph sauva en prison, 
 
 Ou il estoit mis sanz reison." 
 
 — " Cil veissiaus qu'avuns or t<!u, 
 
 Unques meis moustrez ne nous fu ; 
 
 Que ce puet estre ne savuns, 
 
 Tant soutniier nous j puissuns." 
 
 CU dient: " Par ce veissel-ci 
 
 Summes-nous de vous departi, 
 
 Car il n'a S. nul pecheour 
 
 Ne compaignie ne amour." 2630 
 
 — " Vous le povez mout bien vooir. 
 
 Meis or me dites tout le voir, 
 
 Quel talent ne queu -volenti 
 
 Vous eutes ne quel pens6 
 
 Quant on vous dist: " Venez sooir." 
 
 Et si repovez bien savoir 
 
 Li queus feisoit ce grant pechi^. 
 
 Pour qu'ietes de grace chacie." 
 
 CU dient: " Nous nous en iruns 
 Comme chetif, et vous leiruns; 2640 
 Meis, s'il vous pleist, nous aprenez 
 (Bien savuns que vous le savez) 
 Que diruns quant on nous dira 
 Pour quoi vous avuns leissie 9a." 
 — " Or escoutez que respondrez 
 Quant de ce opose serez, 
 Et si respondrez verite : 
 Qu'a la grace suns demoure 
 De Dieu no pere Jhesu-Crist 
 Et ensemble dou Saint-Esprist, 2650 
 Tout conferm^ en la creance 
 Joseph et en sa pourveance." 
 
 The sinners ask 
 the name of the 
 Holy Vessel. 
 
 The Vessel 
 is called 
 ' Graal; and 
 none see it but 
 those to whom 
 it is agreeable, 
 
 and their 
 delight in it 
 
 is like that of 
 a fish escaping 
 out of a man's 
 hand into the 
 water.' 
 
 This agreeahle- 
 ness is the 
 reason of the 
 name Ciraal. 
 
 As this book is 
 true, it is called 
 ' The History of 
 the Graal.' 
 
 One sinner, 
 Moyses, is left 
 behind, 
 
 a hypocrite. 
 
 — " Et queu sera la renumraee 
 
 Do veissel qui tant vous agree ? 
 
 Dites-nous, comment I'apele-on 
 
 Quant on le numme par son non?" 
 
 Petrus respont: " N'ou quier celer^ 
 
 Qui k droit le vourra nummer, 
 
 Par droit Graal I'apelera ; 
 
 Car nus le Graal ne verra, 2660 
 
 Ce croi-je, qu'il ne li agr^e: 
 
 A touz ceus pleist de la contree, 
 
 A touz agree et abelist ; 
 
 En li vooir hunt cil delist 
 
 Qui avec lui pueent durer 
 
 Et de sa compeignie user, 
 
 Autant unt d'eise cum poisson 
 
 Quant en sa main le tient uns hon, 
 
 Et de sa mein puet eschaper 
 
 Et en grant iaue aler noer." 2670 
 
 Quant cil I'oient, se 1' greent bien ; 
 
 Autre non ne greent-il rien 
 
 Fors tant que Gaal (sic) eit a non : 
 
 Par droit agreer s'i doit-on. 
 
 Tout ainsi cil qui s'en alerent 
 
 Et cil ausi qui demourerent 
 
 Le veissel unt Graal numme 
 
 Pour la reison que j'ei conte. 
 
 Li pueples qui la demoura, 
 A I'eure de tierce assena 2680 
 
 Car quant a ce Graal iroient 
 Sen service I'apeleroient ; 
 Et, pour ce que la chose est voire, 
 L'apelon dou Graal I'Estoire, 
 Et le non dou Graal ara 
 D^s puis le tens de 1^ en 9a. 
 
 Ces fauses genz qui s'en alerent 
 Un de leur compeignons leissierent. 
 Qui Moyses a non avoit 
 Et au pueple sage sembloit, 2690 
 
 En lui gueitier bien engigneus 
 Et en paroles artilleus ; 
 Bien commen^oit et bien finoit. 
 En sa conscience feisoit 
 Et semblant que il sages fust 
 Et que le cuer piteus eust. 
 
32 
 
 OF THE PATE OF THE HYPOCRITE MOTSES. 
 
 Moyses says he 
 will not leave 
 the pure ones, 
 
 and begs them 
 to intercede 
 with Joseph for 
 him. 
 
 One day 
 
 they agree to 
 
 do so, and ask 
 
 Joseph to pity 
 Moyses, 
 
 and tell him 
 
 of the grief of 
 this one sinner 
 left, 
 
 and his desire 
 to share their 
 joy- 
 
 Joseph says it 
 is not his to 
 
 Dist ne se movra entreseit 
 
 D'avec ces genz que Diex si peit 
 
 De la grace dou Seint-Esprist. 
 
 Lors ploura et mout grant duel fist 2700 
 
 Et triste chiere et trop piteuse, 
 
 Par semblance trop merveilleuse ; 
 
 Et s'aucuns delez lui passoit, 
 
 De la grace mout li prioit 
 
 Que pour lui devant Joseph fust, 
 
 Que il de lui merci eust. 
 
 Ce prioit menu et souvent, 
 
 Ce sembloit, de cuer simplement: 
 
 " Pour Dieu ! priez Joseph que j'aie 
 
 De la grace ki nous apaie.'' 2710 
 
 Par meintes foiz proia ainsint, 
 
 Tant qu'k une journee avint 
 
 Qu'il estoient tout assemble ; 
 
 De Moyses leur prist pite, 
 
 Et dirent qu'il en palleroient 
 
 A Joseph et Ten prieroient. 
 
 Quant tout ensemble Joseph virent. 
 
 Trestout devant ses piez ch^irent, 
 
 Et li prie chaucuns et breit 
 
 Qu'il de Moyset pitie eit; 2720 
 
 Et Joseph mout se merveUla 
 
 De ce que chascuns le pria, 
 
 Et leur ha dist: " Vous, que voulez? 
 
 Dites-moi de quoi vous priez." 
 
 II respondent hisnelement : 
 
 " Li plus granz feis de nostra gent 
 
 S'en sunt ale et departi; 
 
 Un seul en ha demour^ ci, 
 
 Qui pleure mout tres tenrement 
 
 Et crie et feit grant marrement, 2730 
 
 Et dist que il ne s'en ira 
 
 De ci tant comm' il vivera. 
 
 II nous prie que te prions, 
 
 De la grace que nous avuns 
 
 Icilec en ta compeignie 
 
 A grant joie et a seignourie, 
 
 Qu'avec nous en soit par9onniers ; 
 
 Car nous le vouluns volentiers.'' 
 
 Joseph respont sanz reculer : 
 
 " Ele n'est pas moie a donner, 2740 
 
 give, but God's. Car nostres sire Diex la donne 
 La oil il vieut a tel persone. 
 Cil cui il la donne, pour voir, 
 Sunt tel qu'il la doivent avoir; 
 Et cil, espoir, n'est pas iteus 
 Comme il se feit, bien le set Dieus. 
 Ge devuns savoir, non quidier, 
 Que il ne nous puet engignier. 
 S'il n'est boens, si s'engignera 
 Et tout premiers le comparra." 
 — " Sire, nous avuns grant fiance, 
 
 [4 gap in the ^^ gg pg^^. y^^^ g^ g^ semblance." 
 
 MS., m which '■ 
 
 Moyses has dis- 
 appeared.^ 
 
 2750 
 
 " Vous voussistes au darriens 
 ChSst! SC Soufrix les tourmenz terriens, 
 
 He died for 
 men, and 
 
 saved him 
 
 (Joseph) in his 
 prison, 
 
 and gave him 
 the Graal, 
 
 and promised 
 to come to him 
 when asked J so 
 now 
 
 2760 
 
 Et voussistes la mort soufrir 
 Et pour nous en terre morir. 
 Si vraiement com me sauvastes 
 En la prison et m'en gitastes, 
 Oii Vaspasyens me trouva 
 Quant il en la chartre avala, 
 Et en la prison me deistes, 
 Quant vous ce veissel me rendistes, 
 Qu'ades quant je vous requerroie. 
 Quant de riens encombrez seroie, 
 Sanz targier venriez a moi ; 
 Si voirement com en vous croi. 
 He would show Moustrez-moi que est devenuz 
 
 him what had j^ ^^ ,y ^^ perduz, 
 
 become of -^ r ' 
 
 Que le sache certeinnement 
 Et dire le puisse a ma gent, 
 Que tu par ta grant courtoisie 
 M'as ci donn^ en compeignie." 
 
 La vouiz a Josep[h] s'apparu 
 Et ce li ha ce respondu : 
 " Joseph, or est k ta venue 
 La senefiance avenue 
 Que te dis quant fiindas 
 about the place La table, qu'en liu de Judas 
 Tabit"^ ^' *' Seroit cil lius en remembrance. 
 
 Que il perdi par s'lgnorance 
 which is not to Quant je dis qu'U me trahiroit, 
 be filled till the Et cil lius rempliz ne seroit 
 
 Day of Doom. *■ 
 
 * There seems to be a loss of at least two leaves 
 the MS. here. 
 
 Moyses. 
 
 The Holy Ghost 
 answers, 
 
 that now has 
 come to pass 
 what he said 
 before (p. 29, 
 col. 2) 
 
 2770 
 
 278( 
 
MOTSES IS IN HELL. BRONS HAS TWELVE SOKS. 
 
 33 
 
 But the vacant 
 place at the 
 Round Table 
 is to be filled 
 by the third 
 heir of Hebruns 
 and Enygeus. 
 
 Moyses has 
 gone to Hell. 
 
 His staying 
 behind was 
 only 
 
 to deceive; and 
 he has his 
 reward, 
 
 in the abyss 
 where he is lost. 
 No more of him 
 shall be heard 
 
 till the filler of 
 the empty seat 
 finds him. 
 
 Tell this to your 
 disciples. 
 
 Devant le jour dou Jugement, 
 
 Qu'encor attendent toute gent, 
 
 Et tu-meismes I'empliroies 
 
 Adonc quant tu reporteroies 
 
 La souYenance de ta mort; 
 
 Meis le te di pour ton confort, 
 
 Que cist lius empliz ne sera 
 
 Devant que li tierz hons venra 2790 
 
 Qui descendra de ten lignage 
 
 Et istera de ten parage, 
 
 Et Hebruns le doit engenrer 
 
 Et Enygeus ta suer porter; 
 
 Et cil qui de sen fil istra, 
 
 Cest liu meismes femplira. 
 
 De Moyses, qui est perduz, 
 
 Demandes qu'il est devenuz : 
 
 Or escoute, et jou te direi; 
 
 Car bien dire le te sarei. 2800 
 
 " Quant si compeignun s'en alerent 
 Et ci avec vous le leissierent, 
 Ce que il touz sens demoura 
 Qu'o les autres ne s'en ala, 
 Ce fist-il pour toi engignier; 
 Or en ba re9ut sen louier. 
 Ne povoit croire ne savoir 
 Que tes genz peussent avoir, 
 Ki aveques toi demouroient. 
 Si grant grace comme il avoient; 2810 
 Et sanz doute ne remest mie, 
 Fors pour honnir ta compeignie. 
 Saches de voir qu'il est funduz 
 Dusqu'en abysme et est perduz ; 
 De lui plus ne pallera-on 
 Ne en fable ne en chanson, 
 Devant ce que cil revenra 
 Qui le liu vuit raemplira : 
 Cil-meismes le doit trouver. 
 Meis de lui plus [n'estuet] paller. 2820 
 Qui recreirunt ma compeignie 
 Et la teue, ne doute mie, 
 De Moyses se clamerunt 
 Et duremeht I'acuserunt. 
 Ainsi le doiz dire et center 
 A tes deciples et moustrer. 
 
 Joseph tells 
 Bron and his 
 fellows 
 
 all that Christ 
 has told him, & 
 
 about Moyses, 
 
 Brons begets 
 twelve sons on 
 Enygeus his 
 wife, 
 
 and is bothered 
 with them all. 
 
 So Enygeus 
 tells him to ask 
 
 Joseph what 
 they're to do 
 with 'em. 
 
 Brons agrees, 
 
 and asks 
 
 ' We have 
 twelve 
 big sons, 
 
 what shall we 
 do with 'em ? ' 
 
 Or pense que tu pourquis has, 
 Vers moi ainsi le trouveras." 
 
 Ainsi ha a Joseph palle 
 Li Sainz-Espriz, et ha moustr^ 2830 
 La mauveise euvre Moysest, 
 Et li ha dist comment il est; 
 Et Joseph ne le coile mie 
 A Bron ne a sa compeignie, 
 Ainz leur ha apertement dist 
 Quanqu'il oi de Jhesu-Crist, 
 Et la chose comment ele est, 
 Et qu'il ha feit de Moysest. 
 II dient tout par veritd : 
 " Granz est de Dieu la poest^. 2840 
 
 Fous est qui pourchace folie 
 Pour ceste dolereuse vie." 
 Brons et sa femme lone tens furent 
 Ensemble tout ainsi con durent, 
 Tant que il eurent douze fiuz 
 Et biaus et genz et parcreuz; 
 Et en fiarent mout encombre 
 (Car bien leur couvint a plente), 
 Tant qu'Enyseus k Bron paUa, 
 A son seigneur, et dist li ha : 2850 
 
 " Sire, vous deussier (sic) mander 
 Joseph men frere, et demander 
 Que nous feruns de nos enfanz : 
 Vez-les touz parcreuz et granz; 
 Car nous riens feire ne devuns' 
 Qu^ ainfois a lui n'en palluns." 
 Brons dist: " Tout ausi le pensoie 
 Que je a vous en palleroie ; 
 Mout volentiers k lui irei 
 Et de been cuer Ten prierei." 2860 
 
 Brons vint a Joseph, si li dist. 
 Tout ainsi con li plut et sist. 
 Que sa suer I'eut la envois, 
 De cele besoigne touchie : 
 " Sire, douze granz fiuz avuns; 
 Assener pas ne les vouluns 
 Ne riens feire se par toi non : 
 Si me diras que en feron." 
 Joseph dist: " En la compeignie 
 Serunt de Dieu, n'i faurrunt mie. 2870 
 
34 
 
 BRONS, BY god's LEAVE, GETS "WIVES FOB ELEVEN OF HIS SONS, 
 
 They wait till 
 Joseph one day 
 before the 
 Graal 
 
 asks God 
 
 what is to be 
 done with his 
 nephews. 
 
 God sends an 
 angel 
 
 who sajs that 
 
 Brons's sons are 
 to serve God : 
 
 those who want 
 wives are to 
 have them, 
 
 and serve the 
 bachelors. 
 
 The unmarried 
 sou is to be 
 brought before 
 Joseph. 
 
 The angel de- 
 parts, and 
 
 Mout volentiers Ten prierei, 
 
 Quant je Ku et tens en verrei." 
 
 Lors ont tout ce leissie ester 
 
 Dusqu'a un jour qu'alez ouxer 
 
 Fu Joseph devant sen veissel; 
 
 Si li souvint et I'en fu bel 
 
 De ce que Brons li eut prie, 
 
 Si prist a plourer de pitie 
 
 Et prie Dieu mout tenrement : 
 
 " Peres Diex, rois omnipotent, 2880 
 
 S'il vous pleit, feites-moi savoir 
 
 De ceste chose vo voulou". 
 
 Que nous de mes nevez feruns, 
 
 En quel labeur les meteruns. 
 
 Feites-m'en aucune monstrance, 
 
 S'il vous pleist, et senefiance." 
 
 Et Diex a Joseph envoia 
 
 Un angle qui li anun^a. 
 
 Si li dist : ' ' Diex m'envoie h toi : 
 
 Sez-tu que te mande par moi? 2890 
 
 n fera tant pour tes neveus. 
 
 Tout quanque tu pries et vieus ; 
 
 II vieut qu'il soient atourne 
 
 Au service Dieu et men^, 
 
 Que il si deciple serunt 
 
 Et meistre seu (sic) eus averunt. 
 
 Se il vuelent femes avoir, 
 
 II les arunt; et doit savoir 
 
 Cil qui point de femme n'ara, 
 
 Li mariez le servira ; 2900 
 
 Meis tu commanderas au pere 
 
 Et si le diras a la mere 
 
 Que il t'ameianent devant toi 
 
 Celui qui femme aveques soi 
 
 Ne voura avoir ne tenir. 
 
 A toi les feras obeir ; 
 
 Et quant serunt a toi venu, 
 
 Tu ne feras pas I'esperdu ; 
 
 Meis devant t'en venras. 
 
 La vouiz dou Seint-Esprit orras." 2910 
 
 Joseph mout bien trestout aprist 
 Quanque li angles li eut dist, 
 Et puis li angles s'en ala, 
 Et Joseph mout liez demoura 
 
 Joseph tells 
 Brons, 
 
 that he is to 
 teach his boys to 
 keep God's law; 
 and that they 
 may marry ; 
 
 but if one will 
 not marry, 
 
 he is to stay 
 with Joseph. 
 
 Brons tells his 
 wife all this. 
 
 Brons asks his 
 sons what life 
 they'd like to 
 lead. 
 
 * What you 
 command, Sir.* 
 
 So Brons gets 
 them wives, 
 
 and tells them 
 to be good 
 husbands. 
 
 Joseph gives 
 them good 
 advice too. 
 
 So all Brons's 
 sons marry, 
 
 Pour le grant bien qu'il entendoit 
 
 Que chaucuns des enfanz aroit; 
 
 A Br on vint, et li ha conte 
 
 Le conseil qu'il avoit trouv^ : 
 
 " Sez-tu, dist Joseph, que te proi? 
 
 Tes enfanz e[n]seigne b, la loi 2920 
 
 De Dieu garder et meintenir; 
 
 Femmes aient a leur pleisir, 
 
 A la menniere d'autre gent 
 
 Les arunt par espousement. 
 
 S'aucuns y ha qui femme avoir 
 
 Xe vueille, et remennoir 
 
 moi en ma meison vourra, 
 
 Icil avec moi demourra." 
 
 Brons dist: " A vo commandement 
 
 Et a vo pleisir boennement." 2930 
 
 Brons a sa femme repeira, 
 Ce que Joseph dist li conta. 
 Quant Enyseus eut tout ce oi, 
 Dedenz sen cuer s'en esbaudi; 
 A Bron dist: " Sire, or vous hastez, 
 S'en feites ce que vous devez." 
 Brons touz ses enfanz apela, 
 A touz ensemble demanda 
 Queu vie chaucuns vieut mener. 
 E dient: " Dou tout acorder 2940 
 
 Vouluns a ten commandement 
 Et le feruns mout boennement." 
 Et de ce furent-il mout li^; 
 Meis Hebruns leur ha pourchacie 
 Et loing et pres tant qu'il ^ussent 
 Femmes, et qu'il marie fussent, 
 Commande leur que loiaument 
 Se tenissent et belement 
 En la compeignie leur femmes. 
 Seigneur soient et eles dames. 2950 
 
 Pristrent les selonc la viez loi. 
 Tout sanz orgueil et sanz bofoi, 
 En la fourme de sainte Eglise ; 
 Et Joseph mout bien leur devise 
 Qu'il doivent leissier et tenir, 
 Comment se doivent meintenir. 
 Airisi fu la chose atournee. 
 Chaucuns ha la seue espousee, 
 
BUT AlEIN WILL NOT MAEET. JOSEPH IS TO TELL HIM CHRIST* S HISTORY. 
 
 35 
 
 but one. 
 
 and he doesn't 
 want a wife. 
 
 Brons askswh;. 
 
 The son says he 
 never will 
 marry. 
 
 Brons takes him 
 to Joseph, 
 
 and gives him 
 to him. 
 
 Joseph em- 
 braces him. 
 
 and tells him 
 
 that God ha3 
 chosen him to 
 exalt His Name, 
 
 and that he shall 
 be chief, and 
 his brothers 
 serve him. 
 
 Joseph, before 
 the Graal, asks 
 God how he is 
 
 Fors c'un, qui avant escorchier 
 
 Se leiroit et tout detrenchier 2960 
 
 Que femme espousast ne prdist : 
 
 N'en vieut nule, si comme il dist. 
 
 Quant Brons I'ot, mout se merveilla, 
 
 A prive consell I'apela 
 
 Et dist: " Fiuz, pour quoi ne prenez 
 
 Femme, si cum feire devez, 
 
 Ausi cumme vo frere unt feit?" 
 
 — " N'en pallez plus tout entreseit, 
 
 Qu'en mon a,6 femme n'arei 
 
 Ne ja femme n'espouserei." 2970 
 
 Li unze enfant sunt marie ; 
 Le douzime ha Brons ramend 
 A Joseph, sen oncle, et li dist. 
 Quant Joseph roi, si s'en rist. 
 Joseph dist: " Cestui-ci avoir 
 Doi, si sera miens pour voir. 
 Se vous et ma sereur voulez, 
 Entre vous deus le me donrez." 
 II respondent: " Volentiers, sire; 
 Vostres soit sanz duel et sanz ire." 2980 
 Joseph entre ses braz le prist, 
 Acola le, et au pere dist 
 Et a sa suer qu'il s'en alassent 
 Et I'enfant avec lui leissassent. 
 Brons o sa fame s'en ala, 
 L'enf^s o Joseph demoura. 
 Lots dist Joseph : " Biaus nies, por voir, 
 Mout grant joie devez avoir: 
 Nostres- Sires par son pleisir 
 Vous ha eslut a lui servir 2990 
 
 Et a essaucier sen douz non, 
 Qu'assez loer ne le puet-on. 
 Biaus douz nies, cheveteins serez 
 Et vos freres gouvernerez. 
 De delez moi ne vous mouvez, 
 Ce que vous direi retenez. 
 La puissance de Jhesu-Crist, 
 Le nostre sauveeur eslist, 
 S'il li plelst qu'il parout a moi, 
 Si fera-il, si cum je croi." 3000 
 
 Joseph k sen veissel ala, 
 Mout devotement Dieu pria 
 
 to prove nis 
 nephew. 
 
 Christ orders 
 Joseph to tell 
 his nephew 
 Alein 
 
 of Christ's birth, 
 
 and how He 
 was bought, 
 sold, 
 beaten, 
 
 betrayed, 
 
 bound, 
 
 and crucified; 
 
 how He was 
 taken down, 
 and His blood 
 put in the 
 Graal; 
 
 how Joseph 
 
 was put in 
 
 prison, 
 
 and how Christ 
 
 comforted him 
 
 there, 
 
 and gave him a 
 
 gift, 
 
 and bad great 
 love for him and 
 his fellows ; 
 
 Demoustrast li de son neveu 
 Comment il li feroit son preu. 
 Joseph a fin^ s'oroison, 
 Et tantost ha oi le son 
 De la vouiz, ki li respondi : 
 "'Tes nies est sages, ce te di, 
 Simples et bien endoctrinez 
 Et retenanz et bien temprez ; 3010 
 
 De toutes choses te creira, 
 Quanque li diras retenra. 
 Enten comment I'enseigneras : 
 L'amour que j'ei li conteras 
 A toi et k toutes tes genz 
 Ki unt boens endoctrinemenz. 
 Conte-li comment vins en terre, 
 Comment eurent tout a moi guerre 
 Et comment je fui achetez, 
 Venduz, bailliez et delivrez, 3020 
 
 Comment fui batuz et leidiz, 
 D'un de mes deciples trahiz, 
 Et escopiz et decrachiez, 
 Et k I'estache fu loiez ; 
 Quanque peurent de leit me firent, 
 Car au darrien me pendirent ; 
 Comment tu de la crouiz m'ostas, 
 Comment mes plaies me lavas, 
 Comment ce veissel-ci eus 
 Et le mien sane y receus, 3030 
 
 Comment tu fus des Juis pris 
 Et ou fonz de la chartre mis, 
 Et comment je te confortei 
 Quant en la chartre te trouvei ; 
 Et la un don te donnei-ge, 
 A toi et a tout ten lignage, 
 A touz ceus qui le saverunt 
 Et qui apenre le vourrunt. 
 Di-li et l'amour et la vie 
 Qu'ei a toute ta compeignie, 3040 
 
 Aies en ten ramembrement 
 Que te donnei emplusement 
 De cuer d'omme en ta compeignie ; 
 A ten neveu n'ou cele mie, 
 Et a touz ceus qui ce sarimt 
 Parfeitement le conterunt, 
 e2 
 
36 JOSEPH IS TO TELL ALEIN OF THE GEAAL. PETRUS WILL GO TO THE VALE OP AVABON. 
 
 and how Christ 
 will help and 
 defend them. 
 
 Then Joseph is 
 to show his 
 nephew the 
 Graal, and tell 
 him of the 
 Blood in it ; 
 and if he be- 
 lieves it, his 
 faith shall be 
 strengthened. 
 He is also to be 
 told of the 
 Devil, 
 
 and to keep 
 himself from 
 anger. 
 
 This shall deli- 
 ver him from 
 
 evil thoughts, 
 
 and protect him 
 from the snares 
 of the Enemy. 
 
 He is to keep 
 also from the 
 lust of the flesh. 
 
 All this he (the 
 nephew) is to 
 
 tell his friends. 
 
 and speak of 
 Christ iai and 
 near. 
 
 Et pleisance et grace averunt 
 
 Cil qui au siecle bien ferunt. 
 
 Leur heritages garderei, 
 
 En toutes courz leur eiderei, 3050 
 
 Ne pourrunt estre forjugie 
 
 Ne de leur membres mehaignie 
 
 Et leur chose dont sacrament 
 
 Ferunt en mon remembrement. 
 
 Quant tout ce moustre li aras, 
 
 Men veissel li aporteras, 
 
 Et ce qui est dedenz li di : 
 
 C'est dou sane qui de moi issi. 
 
 S'il le croit ainsi vraiement, 
 
 De foi aura confermement. 3060 
 
 Moustre-li comment Ennemis 
 
 Engigne et de9oit mes amis 
 
 Et ceus qui se tiennent k moi, 
 
 Que il s'en gart, car je I'en proi. 
 
 Ne li oblie pas a dire 
 
 Qu'il se gart de courouz et d'ire, 
 
 Que il enhorbetez ne soit : 
 
 Maubailliz est qui bien ne voit. 
 
 La chose tres bien court tenra : 
 
 C'est ce qui mieuz le gitera 3070 
 
 Et plus tost de mauveis pensez 
 
 D'estre tristoiez ne irez. 
 
 Cest choses mestier li arunt, 
 
 Et mout tres bien le garderunt 
 
 Contre I'enging de I'Ennemi, 
 
 Qu'il ne puist rien avoir en lui. 
 
 De la joie de char se gart, 
 
 Qu'il ne se tiegne pour musart : 
 
 La char tost I'ara engignid 
 
 Et mis a duel et a pechi^. 3080 
 
 Quant tout ce moustre li aras, 
 
 Tu li diras et prieras 
 
 Qu'il a ses amis le redie, 
 
 Pour chose nule n'ou leit mie, 
 
 A ceus que preudomes saura 
 
 Et que boens estre connoistra. 
 
 II pallera de moi ades 
 
 Ou qu'il sera, et loig et pres ; 
 
 Car plus en bien en pallera 
 
 Et plus de bien y trouvera. 3090 
 
 From him shall 
 issue a male 
 heir. He shall 
 guard the 
 Graal, 
 
 and take charge 
 of his brothers 
 and sisters, 
 
 and go to the 
 West, 
 
 and ever exalt 
 Christ's name. 
 
 Further, 
 to-morrow a 
 letter will come 
 for Petrus, 
 
 who is to read it, 
 
 and go out of 
 the land, 
 
 whither he 
 likes, 
 
 which will be 
 to the vale of 
 Avaron. 
 
 There he is to 
 stop till Alein's 
 son comes. 
 
 He will not die 
 
 till this son 
 comes to read 
 the letter, 
 tell him who 
 shall have the 
 Graal, 
 
 Di-li que de lui doit oissir 
 
 Un oir malle, qui doit venir; 
 
 Ce veissel ara garder, 
 
 Et si li doiz ausi moustrer 
 
 Et nous et nostra compaignie. 
 
 Enseurquetout n'oublie mie, 
 
 Quant tu averas tout ce feit, 
 
 La garde de ses freras eit 
 
 Et da ses sereurs ensament. 
 
 Puis s'an ira vers Occident 3100 
 
 Es plus loiteins lius que pourra; 
 
 Et an touz les lius oii venra, 
 
 Touz jours essaucera men non 
 
 Par trestoute la region ; 
 
 Et a son pere priara 
 
 Qu'il eit sa grace, et il I'aura. 
 
 Damein, quant serez assemble, 
 
 Vous verraz une grant clart^, 
 
 Ki entre vous descendera 
 
 Et un brief vous aportera. 3110 
 
 Le brief qui sara aportez, 
 
 A Petrus lire le ferez, 
 
 Et li commanderez bridment 
 
 Que il s'en voit ysnelamant 
 
 En quel partia qu'il vourra 
 
 Et lau li cuars plus le trerra, 
 
 Et qu'il ne soit pas asmaiaz, 
 
 Que de moi n'iert pas oubliez. 
 
 Quant ce command^ li aras, 
 
 Apres ca li demanderas 3120 
 
 En quel liu li cuers la treit plus; 
 
 II te dira, n'an doute nus, 
 
 Qu'es vaus d' Avaron s'en ira 
 
 Et en ce pais demourra. 
 
 Ces terres trastout vraiament 
 
 Sa traient devers Occident. 
 
 Di-li lau il s'arrestera 
 
 Le fil Alein atendera, 
 
 Ne il ne pourra devier 
 
 Ne de cest siecle trespasser 3130 
 
 Devant le jour que il ara 
 
 Celui qui sen brief li lira : 
 
 Enseignara li (sic) povoir 
 
 Que cist veissiaus-ci puet avoir, 
 
Joseph's exhoetation to alein. the letter por petrtjs comes. 
 
 37 
 
 and what has 
 become of 
 Moyses. 
 
 Then he shall 
 die in joy. 
 
 All this 
 Joseph is to 
 tell his nephews. 
 
 Aleins is fall of 
 grace. 
 
 Joseph tells 
 
 him all Christ's 
 
 If it were all 
 put here, M. 
 Bobeis de 
 Bouron must 
 hare made this 
 book 100 times 
 
 hut this is 
 enough. 
 
 Joseph tells 
 Aleins how 
 good he ought 
 to be, 
 
 and tells his 
 father and mo- 
 ther that he is 
 to rule his 
 brothers and 
 sisters, 
 
 who are to 
 resort to him 
 for counsel. 
 
 Dira li que est devenuz 
 
 Moyses qui estoit perduz. 
 
 Quant ces choses ara veues 
 
 Et o'les et perceues, 
 
 Adonques si trespassera. 
 
 En joie sanz faillir venra. 3140 
 
 Et quant tu tout ce dist aras, 
 
 Pour tes neveus envoieras; 
 
 Toutes ces paroles leur di 
 
 Que je t'ei contfes ici, 
 
 Et trestout cest enseignement 
 
 Leur di sanz trespasser neent." 
 
 Mout fii bien convertiz Aleius 
 Et de la grace de Dieu pleins. 
 Joseph eut bien tout entendu 
 Que la vouiz dist et retenu; 3150 
 
 Alein sen neveu apela, 
 De chief en chief conte li ha 
 Tout ce qu'il seut de Jhesu-Crist 
 Et ce que la vouiz Ten eut dist. 
 Meistres Robers dist de Bouron, 
 Se il voloit dire par non 
 Tout ce qu'en cest livre afferroit, 
 Presqu'^ cent doubles doubleroit; 
 Meis qui cest peu pourra avoir, 
 Certeinnement pourra savoir 3160 
 
 (Que, s'U y vieut de cuer entendre, 
 Assez de bien y porra prendre) 
 Ces choses que Joseph aprist 
 A sen neveu, et qu'il li dist. 
 Et quant tout ce li eut moustr^, 
 Si ha sen neveu apel^ ; 
 Dist li: " Biaus nies, boens devez estre. 
 Quant de no seigneur, de no meistre, 
 Avez teu grace recouvree 
 Qu'ele vous est de Dieu donn^e." 3170 
 Lors le mena Joseph arriere, 
 Et a sen pere et a sa mere 
 Dist, que ses freres gardera, 
 Et que touz les gouvernera, 
 Et ses sereurs ; et il I'otroient 
 Que souz lui a gouverner soient. 
 Quant d'aucune rien douterunt, 
 A lui conseillier se venrunt : 
 
 And Brons and 
 Enygeus are 
 to confer this 
 control on 
 Alein with 
 their own 
 hands. 
 
 Next day 
 
 the letter for 
 Petrus comes, 
 
 Joseph says it is 
 
 from Jesus, 
 
 and is always to 
 be about him. 
 
 They ask 
 Petrus where 
 he means to go. 
 
 He says, to 
 the West, 
 
 to the Vale of 
 Avaron ; he will 
 wait for the 
 mercy of God, 
 
 S'einsi le funt, bien leur venra ; 
 
 S'il n'ou flint, maus leur sourdera. 3180 
 
 A Bron le pere ha commande 
 
 Et a sa femme I'a rouve ; 
 
 Car il vieut qu'il doignent Alein 
 
 La seignourie de leur mein 
 
 Seur leur -filles, seur leur enfanz, 
 
 Uns et autres, petiz et granz, 
 
 Devant eus ; et plus Ten creirunt 
 
 Et douterunt et amerunt, 
 
 Et il bien les gouvernera 
 
 Tant cum chaucuns d'eus le creira. 3190 
 
 Lendemein furent au servise, 
 
 Si cum I'estoire le devise ; 
 
 Et avint c'une grant clarte 
 
 Leur apparust, s'a aportd 
 
 Un brief, et trestout, ce me semble, 
 
 Encontre se lievent ensemble. 
 
 Joseph le prist, et apela 
 
 A lui Petrus, et dist li ha : 
 
 " Petrus, biaus freres, Dieu amis, 
 
 Jhesu, le roi de Paradis, 3200 
 
 Qui d'enfer touz nous racheta, 
 
 A message esleu vous ha; 
 
 Ce brief avec vous porterez 
 
 En quelque liu que vous vourrez." 
 
 Quant Petrus Joseph paller oit. 
 
 Si li dist que pas ne quidoit 
 
 Que Diex messagier le f6ist 
 
 Ne brief porter li couvenist. 
 
 Cil dist : ' ' Mieuz vous connoist assez 
 
 Que vous meismes ne savez; 3210 
 
 Meis une chose vous priuns, 
 
 Et pour I'amour qu'a vous avuns : 
 
 Que vous nous vouilliez demoustrer 
 
 De quel part vous voudrez aler.'' 
 
 Petrus dist: " Je le sai mout bien, 
 
 Et se ne m'en ha nus dist rien ; 
 
 Ainz ne veistes messagier 
 
 Qui mieuz le seust sanz nuncier. 
 
 En la terre vers Occident, 
 
 Ki est sauvage durement, 3220 
 
 Es vaus d' Avaron m'en irei. 
 
 La merci Dieu attenderei; 
 
38 ALEIN LEADS HIS BEOTHERS TO FOREIGN LANDS. PETETJS STOPS TO SEE THE GEAAL. 
 
 And they are to 
 pray God 
 that he may 
 never go against 
 His will, 
 
 and preaches 
 Christ, 
 as Joseph 
 taught him. 
 
 and that no 
 enemy may 
 sever him from 
 God. 
 
 Hebrons tells 
 his other chil- 
 dren to obey 
 their brother 
 Alein 
 
 as their lord, 
 and go to him 
 for counsel, 
 
 and do nothing 
 against his 
 orders. 
 
 Hebrons' chil- 
 dren willingly 
 obey Alein. 
 
 Alein takes his 
 brothers to 
 foreign lands, 
 
 But here we 
 must leave 
 Alein, 
 and return to 
 
 Petrus, 
 
 who says 
 
 he must depart, 
 
 Et vous de moi merci aiez, 
 
 A Dieu nostre seigneur priez 
 
 Que n'aie force ne povoir, 
 
 Enging, corage ne vouloir 
 
 D'aler contre sa volenti 
 
 Ne de dire contre son gre. 
 
 Encor metrez en vo priere 
 
 Qu'Ennemis en nule menniere 3230 
 
 Me puist perdre, ne tempester, 
 
 Ne de I'amour de Dieu sevrer." 
 
 Trestout respondent d'une part : 
 
 " Diex, qui feire le puet, t'en gart !" 
 
 En la meison Bron s'en alerent, 
 Les enfanz Hebron apelerent, 
 Et a eus touz Hebrons a dist : 
 " Mi fil, mes fiUes estes tuit; 
 Paradis avoir ne povez, 
 S'a cui que soit n'obeissiez : 3240 
 
 Pour ce vueil et si le desir 
 Vous touz k un seul obeir ; 
 Et tant com je de bien donner 
 Puis et de grace delivrer, 
 Je la doins a men fil Alein, 
 Et ce ne sera pas en vein. 
 Je li commant et vueil prier 
 Qu'il vous preigne touz k garder, 
 Et vous a lui obeirez 
 Comme a seigneur feire devez; 3250 
 Et s'avez de conseil mestier, 
 A lui irez sanz atargier : 
 Sanz doute il vous conseillera 
 Si loiaument comme il pourra. 
 Une chose dire vous ose: 
 Que vous n'entreprenez pas chose 
 Deseur le suen commandement ; 
 Sen voloir feites boennement." 
 
 Li enfant s'en vunt tout ainsi, 
 De leur pere sunt departi, 3260 
 
 Et mout boenne volente unt 
 Qu'il Alein leur frere crerunt. 
 En estranges terres ala, ■ 
 Avec lui ses freres mena ; 
 En touz les lius ou il venoit, 
 Hommes et femmes qu'il trouvoit God knows 
 
 as he has no 
 wish to stay; 
 
 but for their 
 sakes he'll stop 
 till next day. 
 
 God sends his 
 angel to Joseph, 
 and says that 
 
 Petrus has been 
 kept back 
 
 that he may say 
 
 truly he has 
 
 seen the Graal 
 
 and heard God's 
 
 message 
 
 (J. 3386-90). 
 
 La mort anun^oit Jhesu-Crist 
 
 Ainsi cum Joseph li aprist, 
 
 Le non Jhesu-Crist preeschoit, 
 
 Entre touz mout grant grace avoit. 3270 
 
 Ainsi furent d'Uec parti; 
 
 Meis or d'eus vous leirei ici, 
 
 Que je n'en vueil or plus paller, 
 
 Se m'i couvenra retourner. 
 
 Parti s'en sunt et tout al^. 
 
 Petrus ha Joseph apel^ 
 
 Et les autres, si leur ha dit : 
 
 " II m'en couvient aler, ce quit." 
 
 — " Ce soit au Dieu commandement ! " 
 
 Apres funt leur assemblement, 3280 
 
 Petrus prient, ne s'en voit pas ; 
 
 II leur respont ynelepas 
 
 Qu'il n'a talent de demourer, 
 
 Car d'ilec Ten couvient aler. 
 
 " Meis huimeis pour vous demourrei, 
 
 Et puis demein si m'en irei, 
 
 Quant aruns este au servise." 
 
 Ainsi remest a leur devise. 
 
 Nostres- Sires, qui tout savoit 
 Comment la chose aler devoit, 3290 
 A Joseph son angle envoia, 
 Qui mout tres bien le conforta 
 Et dist qu'il ne s'esmaie mie, 
 Que il nule foiz ne I'oublie. 
 " Ma volenti te couvient feire, 
 L'amour de moi et toi retreire. 
 Petrus de vous se doit partir : 
 Sez-tu pour quoi ? Hui retenir 
 L'osastes, et il demourer. 
 Diex le vouloit ainsi moustrer, 3300 
 Pour ce que voir dire pouist 
 Ne de rien nule ne mentist 
 A celui pour qui il s'en va, 
 Quant il de ton veissel verra 
 Et des choses que je t'ei dites, 
 Qu'eles sunt boennes et eslites. 
 Joseph, il couvient vraiement 
 Les choses qui commencement 
 Ont que fin aient apres. 
 Nostres-Sires set bien ades 3310 
 
HOW BRONS IS TO GUJARD THE GRAAL, AND TO BE CALLED ' THE EICH EISHEB,.' 
 
 39 
 
 Brons for a 
 good man ; 
 
 and as He 
 made him fish 
 for the fish used 
 in the Service, 
 so He wills that 
 he (Brons) is to 
 guard the 
 Graal after 
 Joseph, who is 
 to tell him how 
 to keep it, 
 
 and of God's 
 love. 
 
 and put him in 
 the right belief, 
 telling how God 
 came to Joseph 
 in the prison, 
 and gave him 
 the Graal, 
 
 and told him 
 the sweet and 
 precious words 
 
 called ' The 
 Secret of The 
 Graal.' 
 
 Then Joseph is 
 to tell him to 
 keep the 
 Vessel, 
 
 and never mis- 
 use it ; 
 
 and he shall be 
 called by a new 
 name. 
 The Rich 
 Fisher, 
 
 from the fish he 
 fished up when 
 this Grace 
 began. 
 
 All Joseph's 
 people 
 
 Que Brons mout preudons lia este, 
 
 Et pour ce fu sa volente 
 
 Que il en I'iaue peeschast 
 
 Et qu'il le poisson pourcliacast 
 
 Que vous avez en vo servise. 
 
 Diex vieut et einsi le devise 
 
 Que il ten veissel avera 
 
 Et apres toi le gardera. 
 
 Apren-li comment meintenir 
 
 Se devera et contenir, 3320 
 
 Et I'amour que tu has a moi 
 
 Et qu'ei ades due k toi; 
 
 Apren-li touz les erremenz 
 
 Et trestouz les contenemenz, 
 
 Trestout ce que de Dieu oi's 
 
 Des cele eure que tu naschis. 
 
 En ma creance le metras 
 
 Et tres bien li enseigneras. 
 
 Di-li comment Diex k toi vint 
 
 En la chartre et ton veissel tint 3330 
 
 Et en tes meins le te bailla ; 
 
 Les seintes paroles dist t'a, 
 
 Ki sunt douces et precieuses 
 
 Et gracieuses et piteuses, 
 
 Ki sunt propement apelees 
 
 Secrez dou Graal et nummdes. 
 
 Quant ce averas feit bien et bel, 
 
 Commanderas-li le veissel, 
 
 Qu'il le gart des or en avant; 
 
 N'i mespreigne ne tant ne quant : 3340 
 
 Toute la mesproison seroit 
 
 Seur lui, et chier le comparroit. 
 
 Et cil qui nummer le vourrunt, 
 
 Par son droit non I'apelerunt 
 
 Ades le riche Pescheeur. 
 
 A touz jours croistera s'onneur, 
 
 Pour le poisson qu'il peescha 
 
 Quant cele grace commen^a. 
 
 Ainsi couvenra la chose estre, 
 
 Tu Ten feras seigneur et meistre. 3350 
 
 Ausi cum li monz va avant 
 
 Et touz jours en amenuisant, 
 
 Couvient que toute ceste gent 
 
 Se treie devers Occident. 
 
 and Brons are 
 to go to the 
 West, 
 
 wherever his 
 heart desires, 
 
 and there 
 Brons is to wait 
 for his son 
 (Alein), 
 
 and when he 
 comes, the 
 Graal is to be 
 given him; 
 
 and then shall 
 the meaning of 
 the Trinity be 
 made known. 
 
 When the 
 Graal shall be 
 given to Brons, 
 
 then Petrustoo 
 is to go — 
 
 33 he can truly 
 say he has seen 
 
 Hebron and 
 the Graal — 
 
 and he is to go 
 
 o'er sea and 
 
 land, 
 
 and God shall 
 
 guard him. 
 
 And Joseph is 
 to go to perfect 
 
 Si tost com il seisiz sera 
 
 De ten veissel et il I'ara, 
 
 n li couvient que il s'en voit 
 
 Par devers Occident tout droit, 
 
 En quelque liu que il vourra 
 
 Et lau li cuers plus le treira; 3360 
 
 Et quant il sera arrestez 
 
 La oil il voura demourez, 
 
 II atendra le fil sen fil 
 
 Sdurement et sanz peril ; 
 
 Et quant cil fiuz sera venuz, 
 
 Li veissiaus li sera renduz 
 
 Et la grace ; et se li diras 
 
 De par moi, et commanderas, * 
 
 Que il celui le recommant 
 
 Qu'il le gart des or en avant. 3370 
 
 Lors sera la senefiance 
 
 Acomplie et la demoustrance 
 
 De la benoite Trinite, 
 
 Qu'avons en trois parz devise. 
 
 Dou tierz, ce te di-ge pour voir, 
 
 Fera Jhesu-Criz sen vouloir. 
 
 Qui sires est de ceste chose: 
 
 Nus oster ne li puet ne ose. 
 
 Quant le veissel a Bron donras 
 
 Et grace et tout li bailleras 3380 
 
 Et tu en seras desseisiz, 
 
 Ces feiz mout bien touz acompliz, 
 
 Adonques s'en ira Petrus, 
 
 Je ne vueil qu'il y demeurt plus; 
 
 Car vraiement dire pourra 
 
 Que il seisi veu aura 
 
 Hebron, le riche Pescheeur, 
 
 Et dou veissel et de I'onneur : 
 
 Pour ce Petrus fu demourez 
 
 Dusqu'au mein, puis s'en est alez. 3390 
 
 Quant ce aras feit, il se mouvra, 
 
 Par terre et par mer s'en ira, 
 
 Et Cil qui toutes choses garde 
 
 L'avera dou tout en sa garde ; 
 
 Et tu, quant tout ce feit aras, 
 
 Dou siecle te departiras, 
 
 Si venras en parfeite joie, 
 
 Ki as boens est et si est moie : 
 
40 
 
 THE GRAAL IS GIVEN TO BEONS. OP E. DE BEEON's FOUE OTHEE HISTORIES. 
 
 to Life Eternal, Ce est en pardurable vie. 
 
 heand aU his Xu et ti oir et ta lignie, 
 
 Tout ce qu'est ne et qui neistra 
 De ta sereur, sauf estera ; 
 
 and the relaters Et cil qui ce dire sarunt, 
 
 of this shall be t^, \, , , . . 
 
 rlus ame et chieri serunt, 
 
 3400 
 
 loved and 
 honoured by 
 all men. 
 
 De toutes genz plus hennoure 
 Et de preudommes plus doute." 
 Ainsi Joseph trestout feit ha 
 Ce que le vouiz li commanda. 
 Lendemein tout se rasemblerent 
 Et au servise demourerent ; 
 Joseph leur ha trestout retreit 
 Quanque la voiz dist entreseit, 
 except Christ's Fors la parole Jhesu-Crist, 
 
 words in the „ , , , • t 
 
 prison. ^u en la chartre u avoit dist. 
 
 This he tells to 
 the Rich Fisher, 
 Brons. 
 
 Next day 
 
 Joseph tells 
 them the angePs 
 
 3410 
 
 He then gives 
 them writingSj 
 and shows 
 them secret 
 things, 
 
 and then leaves 
 them. 
 
 to their great 
 sorrow. 
 
 The Graal is 
 given to Brons, 
 
 with whom 
 Joseph stays 
 three days. 
 
 Cele parole sanz faleur 
 
 Aprist au riche Pescheeur ; 
 
 Et quant ces choses li eut dites, 
 
 Si li bailla apres escrites. 
 
 II li ha feit demoustrement 
 
 Des secrez tout priveement. 3420 
 
 Quant il eurent Joseph oi 
 
 Et chaucuns d'eus bien I'entendi, 
 
 De leur compaingnie partoit 
 
 Ne avec eus plus ne seroit, 
 
 II en furent tout esbahi. 
 
 Quant virent Joseph desseisi, 
 
 II en eurent mout grant piti^ ; 
 
 Car il seurent qu'il eut bailli^ 
 
 Sa grace et son comman dement, 
 
 Ne savoient pas bien comment. 3430 
 
 Seisiz fu li riches Peschierres 
 Dou Graal et touz commanderes. 
 Congie prist, quant lev^ se sunt. 
 Au departir mout ploure unt, 
 Souspirent et unt larmoi^: 
 C'estoit tout par humility. 
 II funt oroisons et prieres : 
 Ce sunt choses que Diex ha chieres. 
 Joseph remet, pour feire honneur, 
 Avec le riche Peescheeur ; 3440 
 
 Trois jours fu en sa compeignie, 
 Que Joseph ne refusa mie. 
 
 Then Brons 
 wishes to 
 depart. 
 
 Joseph agrees. 
 
 saying that he 
 shall remain. 
 
 Brons returns 
 to his native 
 land, 
 
 and Joseph 
 stays where he 
 was. 
 
 Of M. Roberz 
 de Beron's 4 
 other histories 
 that ought to be 
 
 (1) Of Aleins 
 the son of 
 Hebron, 
 where he went, 
 and what heirs 
 he had. 
 
 (2) OfPetrus, 
 and what 
 became of him. 
 
 (3) Of Moyses, 
 and what 
 became of him. 
 
 (4) Of the Rich 
 Fisher, and 
 where he went. 
 
 These four 
 must be got 
 together ; 
 
 Au tierz jour ha a Joseph dist : 
 
 " Joseph, or m'enten un petit, 
 
 Verite te direi sanz faiUe : 
 
 Volenti ei que je m'en aille. 
 
 Se il te venoit a pleisir, 
 
 Par ten congie m'en -vueil partir.'^ 
 
 — " E me pleit bien, Joseph respont; 
 
 Car ces choses de par Dieu sunt. 3450 
 
 Bien sez que tu emporteras 
 
 Et en quel pais t'en iras. 
 
 Tu t'en iras ; je remeiudrei, 
 
 Au commendement Dieu serei." 
 
 Ainsi Joseph se demoura. 
 Li boens Pescherres s'en ala 
 (Dont furent puis meintes paroles 
 Centres, ki ne sunt pas foles) 
 En la terre lau il fu nez, 
 Et Joseph si est demourez. 3460 
 
 Messires Roberz de Beron 
 Dist, se ce-ci savoir voulun, 
 Sanz doute savoir couvenra 
 Conter la oii Aleins ala, 
 Li fiuz Hebron, et qu'il devint, 
 En queu terre aler le couvint, 
 Et ques oirs de li puet issir, 
 Et queu femme le puet nourrir, 
 Et queu vie Petrus mena, 
 Qu'il devrat n'en quel liu ala, 3470 
 
 En quel liu sera recouvrez : 
 A peinnes sera retrouvez; 
 Que Moyses est devenuz, 
 Qui fu si longuement perduz : 
 Trouver le couvient par reison 
 (De parole ainsi le dist-on) 
 Lau li riches Peschierres va ; 
 En quel liu il s'arrestera, 
 Et celui sache ramener 
 Qui orendroit s'en doit aler. 3480 
 
 Ces quatre choses rassembler 
 Couvient chaucune, et ratourner 
 Chascune partie par soi 
 Si comme ele est; meis je bien croi 
 Que nus hons ne 's puet rassembler 
 S'il n'a avant oi conter 
 
THE CONTINUATION OP THE GBAAL, COMMONLY CALLED MERLIN, BEGINS. 
 
 41 
 
 but first the 
 Great True 
 History of the 
 Graal must be 
 told. 
 
 For till I now 
 tell it, my Lord 
 Walter, 
 
 this Great Graal 
 History has 
 never yet been 
 told by mortal 
 man. 
 
 And, if God 
 gives me health, 
 I'll put these 
 four parts 
 together. 
 
 But now I must 
 go on with the 
 fifth, the Graal, 
 and leave the 
 four till I have 
 leisure to tell 
 them. 
 
 [The continna- 
 iumofthe Cfraal, 
 commonly Called 
 Mehlin.] 
 
 Of the anger of 
 the Devils at 
 Christ's coming 
 into Hell, 
 
 and taking His 
 friends out to 
 Paradise. 
 
 The Devils ask 
 ' Who is this 
 
 Dou Graal la plus grant estoire, 
 
 Sanz doute, ki est toute voire. 
 
 A ce tens que je la retreis 
 
 mon seigneur Gautier en peis, 3490 
 
 Qui de Mont-Belyal estoit, 
 
 Unques retreite este n'avoit 
 
 La grant estoire dou Graal 
 
 Par nul homme qui fust mortal ; 
 
 Meis je fais bien a touz savoir 
 
 Qui cest livre vourrunt avoir, 
 
 Que, se Diex me donne sant^ 
 
 Et vie, bien ei volente 
 
 De ces parties assembler, 
 
 Se en livre les puis trouver. 3500 
 
 Ausi cumme d'une partie 
 
 Leisse, que je ne retrei mie, 
 
 Ausi couvenra-il conter 
 
 La quinte, et les quatre oublier, 
 
 Tant que je puisse revenir 
 
 Au retreire plus par loisir 
 
 Et a ceste uuevre tout par moi, 
 
 Et chascune m'estu[et] pa[r soi]; 
 
 Meis se je or les leisse k tant, 
 
 Je ne sai homme si sachant 3510 
 
 Qui ne quit que soient perdues 
 
 Ne qu'eles serunt devenues, 
 
 Ne en quele senefiance 
 
 J'en aroie feit dessevrance. 
 
 Mout fu li Ennemis courciez 
 Quant Enfer fii ainsl brisiez ; 
 Car Jhesus de mort suscita. 
 En Enfer vint et le brisa. 
 Adam et Eve en ha glte, 
 Ki 1^ fiirent en grant viute ; 3520 
 
 lui emmena ses amis 
 Lassus ou ciel, en Paradis. 
 Quant Deable ce aper9urent, 
 Ausi cum tout enragie furent; 
 Mout durement se merveillierent 
 Et pour ce tout s'atropelerent, 
 Et disoient : " Qui est cist hon 
 Qui ha teu vertu et tel non? 
 Car nos fermetez ha brisies, 
 Les portes d'Enfer depecies : 3530 
 
 that does just i 
 He likes ? 
 
 No man born 
 of woman 
 
 can escape us : 
 
 how was this 
 man conceived.'' 
 
 A devil answers, 
 
 ' Remember 
 how the pro- 
 phets said that 
 the Son of God 
 should come 
 
 and save 
 sinners. 
 
 And we tor- 
 mented the 
 prophets, 
 
 but they said 
 they did not 
 care, 
 
 and told sinners 
 that One would 
 come and deli- 
 ver them. 
 
 This has come 
 to pass. 
 
 Those are out 
 of our power 
 
 who are washed 
 in the name of 
 God, the Son, 
 and the Holy 
 
 Eiens n'avoit force encontre lui 
 
 Ne de par nous ne par autrui ; 
 
 Car il feit tout quanque lui pleit, 
 
 Pour nului son voloir ne leit. 
 
 Ceci au meins bien cuidions 
 
 Qu'en terre ne venist nus hons 
 
 Qui de cors de femme naschist, 
 
 De no pooir fuir pouist; 
 
 Et cist ainsi nous ha destruit, 
 
 Qu'il Enfer ha leissie tout vuit. 3540 
 
 Comment puet estre d'omme nez 
 
 Ne conc^uz ne engenrez, 
 
 Que delit eu n'i avuns 
 
 Si cum en autre avoir soluns ? " 
 
 Uns ennemis ha respondu : 
 " Bien sai par quoi avuns perdu; 
 Cele chose nous a plus nuit 
 Que quidons qui plus nous vaussist. 
 Membre-vous de ce que palloient 
 Li boen prophete et qu'il disoient, 3550 
 Que li Fiuz Diu venroit en terre 
 Et que il osteroit la guerre 
 Qu'Adans et Eve feit avoient, 
 Et pecheeur sauve seroient; 
 Trestout icil que lui pleiroit, 
 A sa volenti en feroit, 
 Adonc ces prophetes prenions 
 Et trestouz les tourmentions ; 
 Et il feisoient le semblant 
 Que il nul mal ne sentiant, 3560 
 
 Ne nule rien ne leur grevoit 
 De tout le mal c'um leur feisoit, 
 Ain^ois les autres confortoient ; 
 Car il as pecheeurs disoient 
 Que cil en terre neisteroit 
 Qui trestouz les deliverroit. 
 Ce distrent qu'or est avenu, 
 Quanque avions nous ha tolu; 
 Nous n'i poons meis riens clamer, 
 Qu'avec lui les ha feit aler. 3570 
 
 Comment fu-ce que n'ou sduns ? 
 Unques ne nous en perceuns. 
 En non de Dieu laver les fist 
 Et dou Fil et dou Seint-Esprist 
 
 / 
 
42 
 
 THE DEVILS CONSULT HOW TO GET MEN BACK INTO THEIE, POWER. 
 
 (ihost, from 
 original sin, 
 
 until they 
 return to us, 
 and do our 
 deeds. 
 
 Christ's minis- 
 ters too will 
 save men, 
 for if they 
 repent of 
 their sins 
 
 they are quit of 
 them. 
 
 Much did 
 Christ do for 
 men 
 
 when He was 
 born of His 
 mother, 
 
 and never 
 sinned. 
 We tempted 
 Him, 
 
 but found only 
 good in him. 
 
 To save man 
 from us, 
 He died ; 
 
 Dou pecMe qu'en la mere avoient, 
 
 Quant de son ventre liors issoient. 
 
 Et pour quoi ne nous pourveins 
 
 En touz les lius que nous voussins? 
 
 Or les avuns perduz briement 
 
 Trestouz par eel avenement ; 3580 
 
 Nous n'avuns meis sor eus pooir 
 
 Ne nous ne li povons avoir, 
 
 Devant qu'il m^ismes reviegnent 
 
 Et a nos uuevres se repreignent. 
 
 Ainsi no povoir abeissie 
 
 Nous ba et trop amenuisie, 
 
 Car en terre demoure sunt 
 
 Si menistre, et les sauverunt; 
 
 Car tant n'arunt feit de pecbiez 
 
 Petiz ne granz, nouviaus ne viez, 3590 
 
 Se il se vuelent repentir 
 
 Et leur pecbiez dou tout guerpir, 
 
 Promestre been amendement, 
 
 Tout en sunt quite ligement : 
 
 Et par ce les avuns perduz. 
 
 Ainsi les nous ba touz toluz ; 
 
 Et se il ainsi sunt sauve, 
 
 Mout ba pour eus feit et ouvre 
 
 De substance esperiteument, 
 
 Quant pour bomme si soutiument 3600 
 
 Vout en terre neistre de mere 
 
 Sanz nule semence de pere, 
 
 Et essaucier vint le tourment 
 
 En terre si tres sagement 
 
 Sanz delit d'omme ne de femme ; 
 
 Unques n'i pecba, cors ne ame. 
 
 Nous essaiemmes et veismes 
 
 En toutes cboses que poimes 
 
 Que nus le pourroit essaier; 
 
 Unc ne pdumes tant cercbier 3610 
 
 Que riens y peussiens trouver 
 
 Qui neent li peust grever, 
 
 Car en lui ne trouveroit-on 
 
 Nule cbose se tout bien non. 
 
 Toutes voies vout-il venir 
 
 En terre pour s'uevre et morir : 
 
 Mout ba donques cele uuevre chier, 
 
 Quant si chier la vout acbeter 
 
 and we must 
 work to get 
 man back; 
 
 each of us 
 must strive 
 to deceive Him 
 
 so that none 
 may succour 
 Him.' 
 
 The other 
 devils think 
 that all is lost, 
 
 if repentance is 
 allowed. 
 
 But some say. 
 
 'As the prophets 
 
 were the cause 
 of our loss, 
 
 and were tor- 
 mented by us 
 for it, so that 
 
 Christ had to 
 come sooner to 
 rescue his 
 friends from us, 
 
 let us now get a 
 man with our 
 will and wiles 
 
 Et si granz peinnes vout soufrir 
 
 Pour borame avoir et nous tolir. 3620 
 
 Bien deverians labourer 
 
 Que nous peussians recouvrer 
 
 Ce qu'il nous vient ainsi tolir. 
 
 II dist qu'il ne vient rien seisir 
 
 Ki nostre dole estre par droit : 
 
 Cbaucuns donques de nous devroit 
 
 Tant pener et tant traveillier 
 
 Que le peussions engignier : 
 
 Feisuns-le done en teu menniere 
 
 Qu'il ne puist repeirier arriere, 3630 
 
 Ne paller k ceus n'eus vooir 
 
 Qui de lui assourre unt pooir 
 
 Et par cui cil le pardon unt 
 
 Qui de sa mort racbete sunt." 
 
 Adonques s'escrient ensemble : 
 
 " Tout avuns perdu, ce nous semble. 
 
 Puis que il puet avoir pardon, 
 Se es uuevres Dieu le trueve Ton ; 
 
 S'il ades nos uuevres feit ha, 
 
 Bie [n] sai que il le sauvera ; 3640 
 
 Puis qu'en ses uuevres est trouvez, 
 
 Ne puet par nous estre dampnez; 
 
 S'il se repent, perdu I'avuns, 
 
 S'a ses menistres n'ou remblons." 
 Li autre ennemi si runt dist : 
 
 " Nous savuns bien qu'il est escrist 
 
 Que cil qui plus nous unt n^u 
 
 Et par qui nous I'avuns perdu, 
 
 Cil qui les nouveles portoient 
 
 De sa venue et ranun9oient, 3650 
 
 Ce sunt [cil] par qui li damage 
 
 Nous sunt venu et li outrage ; 
 
 Et de tant cum plus I'affermoient, 
 
 Li nostre plus les tourmentoient. 
 
 II s'est bastez, ce m'est avis, 
 
 De tost secourre a. ses amis, 
 
 Pour la doleur, pour le tourment 
 
 Qu'il avoient communement. 
 
 Meis qui un homme avoir pouist 
 
 Qui nos sens portast, et deist 3660 
 
 Nos paroles et nos prieres 
 
 A ceus qui les aroient chieres, 
 
THEY DECIDE TO HAVE A DEVIL INCARNATE : AND BEGIN THEIR SCHEME. 
 
 43 
 
 to talk with 
 men on earth 
 
 and help U3 to 
 deceive them. 
 
 by prophesying 
 falsely.' 
 
 The other 
 devils think 
 this a good plan, 
 
 One says he 
 cannot get a 
 child, 
 
 though he has a 
 woman who'll 
 do whatever he 
 wants. 
 
 The others say 
 that one of 
 them can have 
 a child by a 
 woman. 
 
 and that he 
 shall do so, 
 
 and the child 
 shall do their 
 work among 
 men. 
 
 (But the Devil 
 is a great fool to 
 think he can 
 take in God.) 
 
 So the Devils 
 are to make a 
 man 
 
 to deceive God. 
 
 Si cum nous soliuns avoir 
 
 Et seur toutes clioses povoir, 
 
 Et entre les genz conversast 
 
 En terre et o eus habitast, 
 
 Ice nous pourroit mout eidier 
 
 A eus honnlr et vergoignier. 
 
 Tout aussi cum nous enseignoient 
 
 Li prophete qu'o nous estoient, 3670 
 
 Ausi cil les clioses dirunt 
 
 Qui dites et feite serunt 
 
 Ou soit de loig ou soit de pres : 
 
 Par ce serunt cr^u ad^s." 
 
 Lors dient bien esploiteroit 
 
 Qui en teu menniere ouverroit, 
 
 Car mout en esteroit creuz 
 
 Et hons honniz et confunduz. 
 
 Li uns dist: " De ce n'ei pooir 
 Ne de semence en feme avoir; 3680 
 Meis, se le povoir en avoie, 
 Sacbiez de voir je le feroie, 
 C'une femme en men povoir ei 
 Ki fera quanque je vourrei." 
 Li autre dient: " Nous avuns 
 Cilec un de nos compeignuns 
 Qui fourme d'omme puet avoir 
 Et femme de lui concevoir; 
 Meis il couvient que il se feigne 
 Et que couvertement la preigne. 3690 
 Ainsi dient qu'engenrerunt 
 Un homme en femme et nourrirunt, 
 Qui aveques les genz sera 
 Et ce que ferunt nous dira." 
 Meis mout est fous li Ennemis, 
 Qui croit que Diex soit entrepris 
 Que il ceste uuevre ne seust 
 Et qu'il ne s'en aperceust. 
 
 Ainsi prist Ennemis a feire 
 Homme de sens et de memoire, 3700 
 Pour Dieu nostre pere engignier 
 Et forbeter et conchier : 
 Par ce poiins-nous tout savoir 
 Que Ennemis est fous de voir. 
 Mout deverions estre irie 
 S 'ainsi estiuns engignie. 
 
 The devil 
 chosen goes to a 
 woman over 
 whom he has 
 power, 
 
 the wife of a 
 rich mail. 
 
 with three 
 daughters and a 
 son. 
 
 The devil goes 
 to the fields 
 
 and kills most 
 
 of the rich man's 
 
 beasts. 
 
 The herdsmen 
 
 tell their master 
 
 that their sheep 
 are dead. 
 
 The rich man is 
 very sad. 
 
 The Devil goes 
 to his other 
 beasts and ten 
 horses, 
 
 De ce conseil sunt departi, 
 Leur uuevre unt acord^e ainsi. 
 Et cil qui avoit seignourie 
 Seur la femme, ne targe mie; 3710 
 
 A li la il ele estoit ala, 
 A sa volenti la trouva; 
 Et la femme toute li donna 
 Sa part de trestout quanqu'ele ha, 
 N^is ses sires I'Ennemi 
 Donna quanqu'il avoit ausi. 
 A un riche homme femme estoit, 
 Qui granz possessions avoit : 
 Vaches, brebiz eut a plente, 
 Chevaus et autre richet^. 3720 
 
 Trois filles avoit et un fil 
 Bel et courtois et mout gentil. 
 Si estoient les trois puceles 
 Gentius et avenanz et beles. 
 Li Ennemis pas ne s'oublie ; 
 As chans ala lau la meisnie 
 A ce riche homme repeiroit, 
 Car il tout k estrous beoit 
 Comment les peust engignier 
 Et le riche homme couroucier. 3730 
 Des bestes tua grant partie. 
 Li bergier ne s'en jouent mie, 
 Ainz s'en courouceht durement, 
 Et dient qu'irunt erramment 
 A leur seigneur et li dirunt 
 Qu'einsi ses bestes mortes sunt. 
 Devant leur seigneur sunt venu, 
 Et estoient tout esperdu : 
 Demanda-leur que il avoient; 
 II dient leur brebiz moroient, 3740 
 
 N'il ne sevent pour quoi c'estoit, 
 Meis nul recouvrier n'i avoit. 
 A tant li Ennemis ce jour 
 Leit ester sanz plus de tristour 
 Meis durement fu courouciez 
 Li preudons et mout tristoiez, 
 L'Ennemis a tant ne se tint, 
 As autres bestes s'en revint 
 Et a dis chevaus qu'il avoit 
 Et fors et eras, que mout amoit; 3750 
 /2 
 
44 THE DEVIL KILLS HIS VICTIM'S CATTLE AND WIFE. HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER IS SEDUCED. 
 
 and kills 'em all. 
 
 The rich man 
 
 is angry, and 
 tells 
 
 the Devil to 
 
 take the rest of 
 his property. 
 
 The Devil is 
 glad 
 
 . and kills the 
 rest of the 
 beasts. 
 
 To enrage the 
 rich man more, 
 
 the Devil 
 strangles his 
 only son. 
 
 He is much en- 
 raged, 
 
 despairs, and 
 loses his faith. 
 
 The Devil next 
 hangs the 
 rich man's 
 wife, 
 
 Li Ennemis touz les occist 
 
 Ainz que passast la mie-nuit. 
 
 Quant li preudons la chose seut, 
 
 Mout grant duel en son cuer en eut; 
 
 Par courouz dist une parole, 
 
 Qui fu mout vileinne et mout fole, 
 
 Que ses courouz li ha feit dire ; 
 
 De mautalent qu'il eut et d'ire, 
 
 Au Deahle trestout donna, 
 
 Trestout quanque li demoura : 3760 
 
 " Deables, pren le remennant; 
 
 Trestout soit tien, j'ou te commant. 
 
 Puis qua perdre commenci^ ei, 
 
 Bien sei que trestout perderei." 
 
 Li Deables si fu mout liez, 
 
 Et li preudons mout corouciez ; 
 
 L^nques beste ne li leissa, 
 
 Meis toutes occises les ha. 
 
 Li preudons fuit la compeignie 
 
 Des gens, car il ne I'aimme mie. 3770 
 
 Li Ennemis s'est mout penez 
 
 Et traveilliez et pourpensez 
 
 Comment plus le couroucera : 
 
 A sen fil vint, que mout ama; 
 
 Si I'a estranl^ en dormant. 
 
 Au matin, ainz souleil levant, 
 
 Fu li enfes ou lit trouvez 
 
 Morz, car il fu estranlez. 
 
 Quant li peres ha entendu 
 
 Qu'il ha ainsi sen fil perdu, 3780 
 
 Courouciez fu mout durement. 
 
 N'en peut meis, car vileinnement 
 
 Fu de sen avoir damagiez; 
 
 Meis plus assez fu courouciez 
 
 De sen fil, car nul recouvrier 
 
 Ne li povoit avoir mestier. 
 
 Tantost cil hons se despera, 
 
 Et sa creance perdue ha. 
 
 Quant li Ennemis se per^oit 
 
 Que il en Dieu meis ne creoit 3790 
 
 Et que c'estoit sanz recouvrier, 
 
 Mout s'en prist a esleescier. 
 
 Tantost h. la femme s'en va 
 
 Par cui conseU ainsi ouvra. 
 
 and then the 
 rich man him- 
 self dies. 
 
 The Devil is 
 delighted, 
 
 and plots how 
 to deceive the 
 three daughters. 
 
 The Devil takes 
 a bad youth to 
 the eldest 
 daughter. 
 
 She resists at 
 first, 
 
 but at last the 
 youth seduces 
 her. 
 
 No one knew 
 of it, 
 
 En sen celier la fist aler 
 
 Et sur une huche munter; 
 
 Une corde penre li fist, 
 
 Qu'ele en son col laca et mist, 
 
 De la huche au pi^ I'a boutee : 
 
 Ele fu tantost estranlee. 3800 
 
 Quant li preudons set qu'einsi va 
 
 Que sa femme ainsi s'estranla, 
 
 Tel duel ha qu'a peu k'il n'enrage, 
 
 II ne puet celer sen corage; 
 
 Une maladie le prist, 
 
 Ki I'acora et qui I'ocist. 
 
 Tout ainsi feit li Ennemis 
 
 De ceus ki en ses laz stmt pris. 
 
 Quant voit qu'ainsi ha esploiti^, 
 
 Le cuer en ha joiant et lie, 3810 
 
 Pensa comment englgneroit 
 
 Les trois filles et decevroit; 
 
 Plus n'i avoit de remennant 
 
 De la meinnie au pa'isant. 
 
 Deables vit que engignier 
 Ne les pourroit ne conchier, 
 Se leur volentez ne feisoient 
 Et le dedult dou cors n'avoient ; 
 A un juene vallest ala. 
 Qui dou tout sen tens emploia 3820 
 En viute et en lecherie. 
 En mauveistid, en ribaudie. 
 A I'einnde suer I'a mene. 
 Mout li ha requis et proie 
 Qu'ele sa volenti feist ; 
 Meis ele mout li contredist . 
 Qu'ele pour riens ce ne feroit. 
 En teu viutd ne se metroit; 
 Meis li vallez tant I'a priee 
 Qu'a darrien I'a conchiee 3830 
 
 Par I'ai'de de I'Ennemi, 
 Qui fist dou pis qu'il peut vers li. 
 Meis nus ne s'en apercevoit, 
 Et ce I'Ennemi ennuioit, 
 Qu'il vieut c'on le sache en apert 
 Et que ce soit tout descouvert : 
 Tout ce feit-il pour plus honnir 
 Et pour les suens plus maubaillir. 
 
THE ELDEST DATJGHTER IS BURIED ALIVE. THE YOUNGER ONES RECEIVE COUNSEL. 45 
 
 so the Devil 
 makes it known 
 every where. 
 
 At this time 
 women taken 
 in adultery 
 
 were abandoned 
 or stoned. 
 
 The judges 
 assemble to try 
 the eldest 
 daughter, 
 
 and pity her 
 
 for the sake of 
 her father who 
 was rich and 
 powerful. 
 
 They agree to 
 get rid of her 
 by night and so 
 cover her 
 shame. 
 
 So they bury 
 her alive. 
 
 A good man 
 talks to her two 
 sisters, 
 
 Toute la cliose ha feit savoir 
 
 Par le pais ^ sen povoir ; 3840 
 
 Fist tant que li monz touz le seut, 
 
 Et de taut plus grant joie en eut. 
 
 A ice tens que je vous di, 
 
 Femme cui avenoit ainsi 
 
 Que on prenoit en avoutire, 
 
 Ele savoit mout bien sanz dire, 
 
 Commun^ment s'abandonoit 
 
 Ou errant on la lapidoit 
 
 Et feisoit-on de li joustise. 
 
 Ainsi fu feite la devise, 3850 
 
 Car li juge tout s'assemblerent 
 
 Et la damoisele manderent. 
 
 Quant fu devant eus amenee. 
 
 De sen meffeit fu accusee. 
 
 Li juge en unt eu pitie 
 
 Et de ce sunt mout merveillie, 
 
 Car c'un petit de tens n'avoit 
 
 Que ses peres preudons estoit, 
 
 Eiches et combles et mennanz, 
 
 D'amis, de grant avoir pouissanz; 3860 
 
 De lui est-il si mescheu 
 
 Que lui et sa femme lia perdu 
 
 Et sen fil, qui soudainnement 
 
 Fu morz, et sa fille ensement, 
 
 Que Deable unt si engignie 
 
 Qu'orendroit est a mort jugie. 
 
 Et droitement pour sen meffeit 
 
 II dient que tout entreseit 
 
 Que par nuit enfouir Firunt : 
 
 Ainsi sa bonte couverrunt. 3870 
 
 Ainsi com il le deviserent, 
 
 Toute vive as cbans la menerent 
 
 Et I'unt ilec vive enterree : 
 
 S'en fu la chose plus cel^e. 
 
 Pour honneur des amis le firent, 
 
 Que mout amerent et chierirent. 
 
 Ainsi mesmeinne li Maufez 
 
 Ceus de cui il est hennourez 
 
 Et qui funt a sa volente, 
 
 Trestouz les mest en grant viute. 3880 
 
 Un preudomme ou pais avoit 
 Qui seut que on de ce palloit, 
 Mout durement s'en merveilla; 
 As deus sereurs vint et palla 
 
 comforts them, 
 and asks the 
 cause of 
 their disasters. 
 
 ' We are hated 
 by God.' 
 No, says the 
 good man, 
 
 Christ hates no 
 one. 
 
 This is the 
 Devirs doing. 
 
 Do you know 
 what life your 
 sister led .' 
 
 'No.' 
 
 ' Then, keep 
 
 from doing evil: 
 
 of it come evils. 
 
 Doing good 
 brings a good 
 end.' 
 
 The elder of the 
 two daughters 
 receives the 
 teaching. 
 
 and learns to 
 pray to 
 and worship 
 Christ, 
 
 and does what 
 she is told. 
 The good man 
 tells them to 
 
 Ki estoient de remennant, 
 
 Et mout les ala confortant ; 
 
 Demanda par queu mespresure 
 
 lert avenue ceste aventure, 
 
 Et de leur pere et de leur mere, 
 
 De leur sereur et de leur frere. 3890 
 
 Kespondent li : " Nous ne savuns 
 
 Meis que de Dieu ha'ies suns." 
 
 Li preudons leur ha respondu : 
 
 " De par Dieu n'avez riens perdu. 
 
 Or ne dites jameis ainsi ; 
 
 Car Jhesu-Criz ne het nului, 
 
 Ainz li poise mout quant il set 
 
 Que li pechierres si se het. 
 
 Sachiez, par uuevre d'Ennemi 
 
 Vous est-il mescheu ainsi. 3900 
 
 Saviez-vous riens de vo sereur, 
 
 Ki dampn^e est a tel doleur, 
 
 De ce pechie qu'ele feisoit, 
 
 De la vie qu'ele menoit? 
 
 Eles respondent : " Vraiement, 
 
 Sire, n'en saviens neent." 
 
 Li preudons dist: " Or vous gardez 
 
 De mal feire ; car vous veez 
 
 Que de mal feire vient li maus, 
 
 Et pour bien feire est li hons saus. 3910 
 
 Nous avuns de saint Augustin, 
 
 Bien feire atreit la boenne fin. 
 
 Qui de mal ne se vieut tenir. 
 
 En boen estat ne puet morir." 
 
 Mout bien les enseigne et aprent, 
 
 S'eles y ont entendement. 
 
 L'ainnde y entendi mout bien, 
 
 Trestout retient, n'oublie rien, 
 
 Et mout li plut ce que li dist; 
 
 Car li preudons pour bien le fist. 3920 
 
 Sa creance li enseigna ; 
 
 En Dieu prier bien I'enfourma, 
 
 Jhesu-Crist croire et aourer 
 
 Et lui servir et hennourer. 
 
 L'ainn^e y metoit plus sen cuer, 
 
 Assez plus ne feit s'autre suer ; 
 
 Car quanqu'il li dist retenoit, 
 
 Et feit ce qu'il li enseignoit. 
 
 Li preudons dist: " Se bien creez 
 
 Ce bien que vous dire m'oiez, 3930 
 
46 
 
 THE DEVIL LOSES THE SECOND DAUGHTER, BUT TEMPTS THE THIED. 
 
 consult him, 
 and he will help 
 them : 
 
 and not to be 
 
 dismayed. 
 
 His house is 
 near. 
 
 let them come 
 to him. 
 
 The elder 
 daughter 
 believes and 
 loves the good 
 man. 
 
 The Devil 
 
 thmks he has 
 lost them both, 
 
 but he 
 
 sets another bad 
 woman 
 
 on to the 
 youngest 
 daughter. 
 
 and she asks 
 her 
 
 Sachiez granz biens vous en venra, 
 
 Cables seur vous povoir n'ara. 
 
 Ma- fiUe serez et m'amie 
 
 En Dame-Dieu, n'en doutez mie; 
 
 Vous n'arez ja si grant besoig 
 
 Que pour vous ne soie en grant soig, 
 
 Se vous le me leissiez savoir 
 
 Et men conseil voulez avoir ; 
 
 Sachiez que je vous eiderei 
 
 En Dieu bien et conseillerei. 3940 
 
 Or donques nG vous esmaiez, 
 
 Que, s'au conseil Dieu vous tenez 
 
 Et vous venez paller a moi, 
 
 Je vous eiderei, par ma foi ! 
 
 ]\Ia meison n'est pas loig de ci; 
 
 N'i ba c'un peu, ce vous afi. 
 
 N'est pas loig de ci men estage : 
 
 Venez-y, se ferez que sage." 
 
 Li preudons ba les deus puceles 
 
 Conseillies, ki sunt mout beles; 3950 
 
 Et I'einnee mout bien le crut 
 
 Et ama tant corame ele dut, 
 
 Pour ce que bien la conseilloit : 
 
 Boennes paroles li disoit. 
 
 Quant li Deables ce esgarda, 
 
 Mout durement li en pesa ; 
 
 Car il certainement quidoit 
 
 Qu'andens perdues les avoit. 
 
 Pourpensa soi que engignier 
 
 Ne les pourroit ne concbier 3960 
 
 Par nul bomme qui fust en vie : 
 
 Courouz en eut et grant en vie; 
 
 Pourpense soi que eel afeire 
 
 Par una femme couvient feire. 
 
 Au siecle une femme savoit, 
 
 Ki sa volente feite avoit 
 
 Et ses uuevres a la foie ; 
 
 A li s'en va et si li prie 
 
 Qu'ele voist a cele pucele, 
 
 A la plus jeune demmoisele, 3970 
 
 Qu'a I'einnde paller n'osa, 
 
 Que simple et mate la trouva. 
 
 La vielle la meinnee prist, 
 
 Demanda-li et si li dist 
 
 A conseil comment le feisoit, 
 
 Quele vie sa suer menoit: 
 
 if her elder 
 
 sister is kind to 
 
 her. 
 
 The younger 
 
 complains of her 
 
 elder sister's 
 
 dullness, 
 
 coming from 
 a good man's 
 having talked 
 to her. 
 
 The bad woman 
 entices the 
 youngest 
 daughter : 
 
 ' You'll never 
 have pleasure as 
 you are. 
 
 If you only 
 knew 
 
 what pleasure 
 
 other women 
 
 have with their 
 
 men, 
 
 you'd not stay 
 
 here. 
 
 For we are in 
 company that 
 we love. 
 
 And there's no 
 such delight as 
 of a man and 
 woman toge- 
 ther. 
 
 But you have 
 none of it, 
 
 as your sister is 
 older than you. 
 
 " Vous ha-ele orendroit mout chiere 
 
 Et vous feit-ele bele cbiere?" 
 
 La puceleste li respont : 
 
 " N'a si courcie en tout le munt. 3980 
 
 Pensive est pour ces aventures, 
 
 Ki sunt si pesmes et si dures, 
 
 Ki ainsi nous sunt avenues 
 
 Que nous en suns toutes perdues ; 
 
 Ne feit joie li ne autrui, 
 
 Uns preudons a palle a li, 
 
 Qui la nous ba si atournee. 
 
 Trop est pensive et adolee. 
 
 Que ne croit nului se lui non ; 
 
 En grant peinne est et en fri9on." 3990 
 
 La vielle dist: " Ma douce suer, 
 Vous estes bien git^e puer. 
 La vostre grant biaute mar fu, 
 Qu'einsi avez trestout perdu; 
 Car jameis joie en vostre vie 
 N'arez en ceste corapeignie. 
 Meis se vous sentu aviez 
 La joie as autres, et saviez 
 Ques deduiz autres femmes unt 
 Quant aveques leur amis sunt, 4000 
 Certes, ne priseriez mie 
 Vostre eise une pomme pourrie ; 
 Se saviez quele eise avuns 
 Quant aveques nos amis suns. 
 Car nous summes en compeignie 
 Que nous amuns : c'est boenne vie. 
 Un peu de pein mieuz ameroie, 
 Se delez mon ami estoie. 
 Que ne feroie vos ricbesces, 
 Que gardez a si granz destresces. 4010 
 N'est si granz eise, ce me semble, 
 Comme d'omme et de femme ensemble. 
 Bele amie, pour toi le di; 
 Car dou tout as a ce failli, 
 Et si te direi bien pour quoi : 
 Ta suer est ainz nee de toi 
 Et pour li se pourcbacera ; 
 [S]i qu'ein^ois de toi en aura. 
 
WESTMINSTER : 
 
 PBI.NTED BY JOHN BOWTER NICHOLS AND SONS, 
 
 25, PARLIAMENT STREET. 
 
^«fe-