King Horn; a Middle-English romance, edited from the manuscripts by Joseph Hall.

Page 3

MS. Gg. 4. 27. 2. University Library, Cambridge.

· Horn ·

                      
                        Alle beon he bliþe [folio 6a:1] 
                      
                        þat to my song lyþe:
                      
                        A sang ihc schal ȝou singe
                      
                        Of Murry þe kinge.
                        Line 4 
                      
                        King he was biweste
                      
                        So longe so hit laste.
                      
                        Godhild het his quen,
                      
                        Faire ne miȝte non ben.
                        Line 8 
                      
                        He hadde a sone þat het horn,
                      
                        Fairer ne miste non beo born.
                      
                        Ne no rein vpon birine,
                      
                        Ne sunne vpon bischine:
                        Line 12 
                      
                        Fairer nis non þane he was,
                      
                        He was briȝt so þe glas,
                      
                        He was whit so þe flur,
                      
                        Rose red was his colur.
                        Line 16 
                      
                        In none kinge riche
                      
                        Nas non his iliche.
                      
                        Twelf feren he hadde
                      
                        Þat he alle wiþ him ladde;
                        Line 20 
                      
                        Alle riche mannes sones
                      
                        & alle hi were faire gomes,
                      
                        Wiþ him for to pleie,
                      
                        & mest he luuede tweie;
                        Line 24

Þat on him het haþulf child, & þat oþer ffikenild:

Page 5

                      
                        Aþulf was þe beste
                      
                        & fikenylde þe werste.
                        Line 28 
                      
                        Hit was vpon a someres day,
                      
                        Also ihc ȝou telle may,
                      
                        Murri þe gode king
                      
                        Rod on his pleing
                        Line 32 
                      
                        Bi þe se side,
                      
                        Ase he was woned ride:
                      
                        He fond bi þe stronde
                      
                        ariued on his londe
                        Line 36 
                      
                        Schipes fiftene
                      
                        wiþ sarazins kene.
                      
                        He axede what isoȝte
                      
                        Oþer to londe broȝte.
                        Line 40

                      
                        A Payn hit ofherde
                      
                        & hym wel sone answarede:
                      
                        'Þi lond folk we schulle slon
                      
                        And alle þat Crist luueþ vpon [folio 6a:2] 
                        Line 44 
                      
                        And þe selue riȝt anon,
                      
                        Ne schaltu todai henne gon.'
                      
                        Þe kyng aliȝte of his stede,
                      
                        For þo he hauede nede,
                        Line 48 
                      
                        & his gode kniȝtes two;
                      
                        Al to fewe he hadde þo.
                      
                        Swerd hi gunne gripe
                      
                        & togadere smite;
                        Line 52 
                      
                        Hy smyten vnder schelde
                      
                        Þat sume hit yfelde.
                      
                        Þe king hadde al to fewe
                      
                        Toȝenes so vele schrewe;
                        Line 56 
                      
                        So fele miȝten yþe
                      
                        Bringe hem þre to diþe.
                      
                        ¶ Þe pains come to londe
                      
                        & neme hit in here honde:
                        Line 60 
                      
                        Þat folc hi gunne quelle
                      
                        & churchen for to felle.
                      
                        Þer ne moste libbe
                      
                        Þe fremde ne þe sibbe,
                        Line 64 
                      
                        Bute hi here laȝe asoke
                      
                        & to here toke.

Page 7

                      
                        Of alle wymmanne
                      
                        Wurst was godhild þanne;
                        Line 68 
                      
                        For Murri heo weop sore
                      
                        & for horn ȝute more.
                      
                        He wenten vt of halle
                      
                        Fram hire Maidenes alle;
                        Line 72 
                      
                        Vnder a roche of stone,
                      
                        Þer heo liuede alone,
                      
                        Þer heo seruede gode
                      
                        Aȝenes þe paynes forbode;
                        Line 76 
                      
                        Þer he seruede criste
                      
                        Þat no payn hit ne wiste:
                      
                        Eure heo bad for horn child
                      
                        Þat Jesu crist him beo myld.
                        Line 80 
                      
                        Horn was in paynes honde
                      
                        Wiþ his feren of þe londe.
                      
                        Muchel was his fairhede,
                      
                        for ihesu crist him makede
                        Line 84 
                      
                        Payns him wolde slen [folio 6b:1] 
                      
                        Oþer al quic flen,
                      
                        Ȝef his fairnesse nere,
                      
                        Þe children alle aslaȝe were.
                        Line 88 
                      
                        Þanne spak on Admirad,
                      
                        Of wordes he was bald,
                      
                        'Horn, þu art wel kene,
                      
                        & þat is wel isene;
                        Line 92 
                      
                        Þu art gret & strong,
                      
                        fair & euene long;
                      
                        Þu schalt waxe more
                      
                        Bi fulle seue ȝere:
                        Line 96 
                      
                        Ȝef þu mote to liue go
                      
                        & þine feren also,
                      
                        Ȝef hit so bi falle
                      
                        Ȝe scholde slen vs alle:
                        Line 100 
                      
                        Þaruore þu most to stere,
                      
                        Þu & þine ifere;
                      
                        To schupe schulle ȝe funde
                      
                        & sinke to þe grunde,
                        Line 104 
                      
                        Þe se ȝou schal adrenche,
                      
                        Ne schal hit us noȝt ofþinche;

Page 9

                      
                        For if þu were aliue,
                      
                        Wiþ swerd oþer wiþ kniue,
                        Line 108 
                      
                        We scholden alle deie
                      
                        & þi fader deþ abeie.'

                      
                        Þe children hi broȝte to stronde
                      
                        Wringinde here honde
                        Line 112 
                      
                        In to schupes borde
                      
                        At þe furste worde.
                      
                        Ofte hadde horn beo wo
                      
                        At neure wurs þan him was þo.
                        Line 116 
                      
                        Þe se bigan to flowe
                      
                        & horn child to rowe;
                      
                        Þe se þat schup so fasste drof
                      
                        Þe children dradde þerof.
                        Line 120 
                      
                        Hi wenden to wisse
                      
                        of here lif to misse,
                      
                        Al þe day & al þe niȝt,
                      
                        Til hit sprang dai liȝt
                        Line 124 
                      
                        ¶ Til Horn saȝ on þe stronde
                      
                        Men gon in þe londe.
                      
                        'Feren' quaþ he 'ȝonge,
                      
                        Ihc telle ȝou tiþinge,
                        Line 128 
                      
                        Ihc here foȝeles singe [folio 6b:2] 
                      
                        & þat gras him springe.
                      
                        Bliþe beo we on lyue,
                      
                        Vre schup is on ryue.'
                        Line 132 
                      
                        Of schup hi gunne funde
                      
                        & setten fout to grunde,
                      
                        Bi þe se side
                      
                        hi leten þat schup ride.
                        Line 136

                      
                        Þanne spak him child horn,
                      
                        In suddene he was iborn,
                      
                        'Schup, bi þe se flode
                      
                        Daies haue þu gode:
                        Line 140 
                      
                        Bi þe se brinke
                      
                        No water þe nadrinke.

Page 11

                      
                        Ȝef þu cume to Suddenne,
                      
                        Gret þu wel of myne kenne,
                        Line 144 
                      
                        Gret þu wel my moder,
                      
                        Godhild quen þe gode;
                      
                        & seie þe paene kyng,
                      
                        Jesucristes wiþering,
                        Line 148 
                      
                        Þat ihc am hol & fer
                      
                        On þis lond ariued her;
                      
                        And seie þat hei schal fonde
                      
                        Þe dent of myne honde.'
                        Line 152 
                      
                        Þe children ȝede to Tune
                      
                        Bi dales & bi dune.
                      
                        Hy metten wiþ almair king,
                      
                        Crist ȝeuen him his blessing,
                        Line 156 
                      
                        King of Westernesse,
                      
                        Crist ȝiue him Muchel blisse.
                      
                        He him spac to horn child
                      
                        Wordes þat were Mild:
                        Line 160 
                      
                        'Whannes beo ȝe, faire gumes,
                      
                        Þat her to londe beoþ icume,
                      
                        Alle þrottene
                      
                        Of bodie swiþe kene?
                        Line 164 
                      
                        Bigod þat me makede,
                      
                        A swihc fair verade
                      
                        Ne sauȝ ihc in none stunde
                      
                        Bi westene londe:
                        Line 168 
                      
                        Seie me wat ȝe seche.'
                      
                        Horn spak here speche,
                      
                        He spak for hem alle,
                      
                        vor so hit moste biualle;
                        Line 172 
                      
                        He was þe faireste [folio 7a:1] 
                      
                        & of wit þe beste.
                      
                        ¶ 'We beoþ of Suddenne,
                      
                        Icome of gode kenne,
                        Line 176 
                      
                        Of Cristene blode
                      
                        & kynges suþe gode.
                      
                        Payns þer gunne ariue
                      
                        & duden hem of lyue:

                        Line 180

Page 13

                      
                        Line 180 
                      
                        Hi sloȝen & todroȝe
                      
                        Cristenemen inoȝe.
                      
                        So crist me mote rede
                      
                        Vs he dude lede
                        Line 184 
                      
                        In to a galeie,
                      
                        wiþ þe se to pleie,
                      
                        Dai hit is igon & oþer:
                      
                        Wiþute sail & roþer
                        Line 188 
                      
                        Vre schip bigan to swymme
                      
                        To þis londes brymme.
                      
                        Nu þu miȝt vs slen & binde,
                      
                        Ore honde bihynde,
                        Line 192 
                      
                        Bute ȝef hit beo þi wille,
                      
                        Helpe þat we ne spille.'
                      
                        ¶ Þanne spak þe gode kyng,
                      
                        Iwis he nas no Niþing:
                        Line 196 
                      
                        'Seie me, child, what is þi name,
                      
                        Ne schaltu haue bute game.'
                      
                        Þe child him answerde
                      
                        Sone so he hit herde:
                        Line 200 
                      
                        'Horn ihc am ihote,
                      
                        Icomen vt of þe bote
                      
                        Fram þe se side:
                      
                        Kyng, wel mote þe tide.'
                        Line 204 
                      
                        Þanne hym spak þe gode kyng,
                      
                        'Wel bruc þu þin euening,
                      
                        Horn þu go wel schulle
                      
                        Bi dales & bi hulle;
                        Line 208 
                      
                        Horn þu lude sune
                      
                        Bi dales & bi dune,
                      
                        So schal þi name springe
                      
                        Fram kynge to kynge,
                        Line 212 
                      
                        & þi fairnesse
                      
                        Abute Westernesse,
                      
                        Þe strengþe of þine honde [folio 7a:2] 
                      
                        In to Eurech londe:
                        Line 216 
                      
                        Horn, þu art so swete
                      
                        Ne may ihc þe forlete.'
                      
                        Hom rod Aylmar þe kyng
                      
                        & horn mid him his fundyng

                        Line 220

Page 15

                      
                        Line 220 
                      
                        & alle his ifere
                      
                        Þat were him so dere.
                      
                        ¶ Þe kyng com in to halle
                      
                        Among his kniȝtes alle:
                        Line 224 
                      
                        Forþ he clupede aþelbrus,
                      
                        Þat was stiward of his hus:
                      
                        'Stiward, tak nu here
                      
                        Mi fundlyng for to lere
                        Line 228 
                      
                        Of þine mestere,
                      
                        of wude & of riuere;
                      
                        & tech him to harpe
                      
                        Wiþ his nayles scharpe,
                        Line 232 
                      
                        Biuore me to kerue
                      
                        & of þe cupe serue;
                      
                        Þu tech him of alle þe liste
                      
                        Þat þu eure of wiste,
                        Line 236 
                      
                        In his feiren þou wise
                      
                        In to oþere seruise:
                      
                        Horn þu vnderuonge
                      
                        & tech him of harpe & songe.'
                        Line 240 
                      
                        ¶ Ailbrus gan lere
                      
                        Horn & his yfere:
                      
                        Horn in herte laȝte
                      
                        Al þat he him taȝte.
                        Line 244 
                      
                        In þe curt & vte
                      
                        & elles al abute
                      
                        Luuede men horn child,
                      
                        & mest him louede Rymenhild,
                        Line 248 
                      
                        Þe kynges oȝene doster,
                      
                        He was mest in þoȝte:
                      
                        Heo louede so horn child
                      
                        Þat neȝ heo gan wexe wild:
                        Line 252 
                      
                        For heo ne miȝte at borde
                      
                        Wiþ him speke no worde,
                      
                        Ne noȝt in þe halle
                      
                        Among þe kniȝtes alle,

                        Line 256

Page 17

                      
                        Line 256 
                      
                        Ne nowhar in non oþere stede: [folio 7b:1] 
                      
                        Of folk heo hadde drede:
                      
                        Bi daie ne bi niȝte
                      
                        Wiþ him speke ne miȝte;
                        Line 260 
                      
                        Hire soreȝe ne hire pine
                      
                        Ne miȝte neure fine:
                      
                        In heorte heo hadde wo,
                      
                        & þus hire biþoȝte þo,
                        Line 264 
                      
                        Heo sende hire sonde
                      
                        Aþelbrus to honde
                      
                        Þat he come hire to,
                      
                        & also scholde horn do
                        Line 268 
                      
                        Al in to bure,
                      
                        ffor heo gan to lure;
                      
                        & þe sonde seide
                      
                        Þat sik lai þat maide,
                        Line 272 
                      
                        & bad him come swiþe,
                      
                        For heo nas noþing bliþe,
                      
                        Þe stuard was in herte wo,
                      
                        For he nuste what to do;
                        Line 276 
                      
                        Wat Rymenhild hure þoȝte
                      
                        Gret wunder him þuȝte,
                      
                        Abute horn þe ȝonge
                      
                        To bure for to bringe;
                        Line 280 
                      
                        He þoȝte vpon his mode
                      
                        Hit nas for none gode.
                      
                        He tok him anoþer,
                      
                        Athulf, hornes broþer.
                        Line 284 
                      
                        ¶ 'Aþulf,' he sede, 'riȝt anon
                      
                        Þu schalt wiþ me to bure gon,
                      
                        To speke wiþ Rymenhild stille
                      
                        & witen hure wille.
                        Line 288 
                      
                        In hornes ilike
                      
                        þu schalt hure biswike:
                      
                        Sore ihc me ofdrede
                      
                        He wolde horn misrede.'

                        Line 292

Page 19

                      
                        Line 292 
                      
                        Aþelbrus gan Aþulf lede
                      
                        & in to bure wiþ him ȝede.
                      
                        Anon vpon Aþulf child
                      
                        Rymenhild gan wexe wild:
                        Line 296 
                      
                        He wende þat horn hit were
                      
                        þat heo hauede þere.
                      
                        Heo sette him on bedde; [folio 7b:2] 
                      
                        Wiþ Aþulf child he wedde.
                        Line 300 
                      
                        On hire armes tweie
                      
                        Aþulf heo gan leie.
                      
                        'Horn,' quaþ heo, 'wel longe
                      
                        Ihc habbe þe luued stronge.
                        Line 304 
                      
                        Þu schalt þi trewþe pliȝte
                      
                        On myn hond her riȝte
                      
                        Me to spuse holde,
                      
                        & ihc þe lord to wolde.'
                        Line 308 
                      
                        ¶ Aþulf sede on hire ire
                      
                        So stille so hit were:
                      
                        'Þi tale nu þu lynne,
                      
                        For horn nis noȝt her inne.
                        Line 312 
                      
                        Ne beo we noȝt iliche:
                      
                        Horn is fairer & riche,
                      
                        Fairer bi one ribbe
                      
                        Þane eni Man þat libbe:
                        Line 316 
                      
                        Þeȝ horn were vnder Molde
                      
                        Oþer elles wher he wolde
                      
                        Oþer henne a þusend Mile,
                      
                        Ihc nolde him ne þe bigile.'
                        Line 320 
                      
                        ¶ Rymenhild hire biwente
                      
                        & Aþelbrus fule heo schente.
                      
                        'Hennes þu go, þu fule þeof,
                      
                        Ne wurstu me neure more leof;
                        Line 324 
                      
                        Went vt of my bur
                      
                        Wiþ muchel mesauentur.
                      
                        Schame mote þu fonge
                      
                        & on hiȝe rode anhonge.
                        Line 328 
                      
                        Ne spek ihc noȝt wiþ horn
                      
                        Nis he noȝt so vnorn;

Page 21

                      
                        Horn is fairer þane beo he:
                      
                        Wiþ muchel schame mote þu deie.'
                        Line 332 
                      
                        ¶ Aþelbrus in a stunde
                      
                        Fel anon to grunde:
                      
                        'Lefdi Min oȝe,
                      
                        Liþe me a litel þroȝe.
                        Line 336 
                      
                        Lust whi ihc wonde [folio 8a:1] 
                      
                        Bringe þe horn to honde.
                      
                        For horn is fair & riche,
                      
                        Nis no whar his iliche:
                        Line 340 
                      
                        Aylmar þe gode kyng
                      
                        Dude him on mi lokyng;
                      
                        Ȝef horn were her abute,
                      
                        Sore y me dute
                        Line 344 
                      
                        Wiþ him ȝe wolden pleie
                      
                        Bitwex ȝou selue tweie:
                      
                        Þanne scholde wiþuten oþe
                      
                        Þe kyng maken vs wroþe.
                        Line 348 
                      
                        Rymenhild, forȝef me þi tene,
                      
                        Lefdi, my quene,
                      
                        & horn ihc schal þe fecche,
                      
                        Wham so hit recche.'
                        Line 352 
                      
                        ¶ Rymenhild ȝef he cuþe
                      
                        Gan lynne wiþ hire Muþe:
                      
                        Heo makede hire wel bliþe;
                      
                        Wel was hire þat siþe:
                        Line 356 
                      
                        'Go nu,' quaþ heo, 'fone
                      
                        & send him after none,
                      
                        Whane þe kyng arise,
                      
                        On a squieres wise,
                        Line 360 
                      
                        To wude for to pleie:
                      
                        Nis non þat him biwreie.
                      
                        He schal wiþ me bileue
                      
                        Til hit beo nir eue,
                        Line 364 
                      
                        To hauen of him mi wille,
                      
                        After ne recchecche what me telle.'
                      
                        ¶ Aylbrus wende hire fro,
                      
                        Horn in halle fond he þo

                        Line 368

Page 23

                      
                        Line 368 
                      
                        Bifore þe kyng on benche
                      
                        Wyn for to schenche.
                      
                        'Horn,' quaþ he, 'so hende,
                      
                        To bure nu þu wende
                        Line 372 
                      
                        After mete stille
                      
                        Wiþ Rymenhild to duelle:
                      
                        Wordes suþe bolde [folio 8a:2] 
                      
                        In herte þu hem holde:
                        Line 376 
                      
                        Horn, beo me wel trewe,
                      
                        Ne schal hit þe neure rewe.'
                      
                        Horn in herte leide
                      
                        Al þat he him seide:
                        Line 380 
                      
                        He ȝeode in wel riȝte
                      
                        To Rymenhild þe briȝte,
                      
                        On knes he him sette
                      
                        & sweteliche hure grette.
                        Line 384 
                      
                        Of his feire siȝte
                      
                        Al þe bur gan liȝte.
                      
                        He spac faire speche,
                      
                        Ne dorte him noman teche:
                        Line 388 
                      
                        'Wel þu sitte & softe,
                      
                        Rymenhild þe briȝte,
                      
                        Wiþ þine Maidenes sixe
                      
                        Þat þe sitteþ nixte.
                        Line 392 
                      
                        Kinges stuard vre
                      
                        Sende me in to bure
                      
                        Wiþ þe speke ihc scholde;
                      
                        Seie me what þu woldest,
                        Line 396 
                      
                        Seie & ihc schal here
                      
                        What þi wille were.'
                      
                        ¶ Rymenhild vp gan stonde
                      
                        & tok him bi þe honde:
                        Line 400 
                      
                        Heo sette him on pelle
                      
                        Of wyn to drinke his fulle:
                      
                        Heo makede him faire chere
                      
                        & tok him abute þe swere.
                        Line 404 
                      
                        Ofte heo him custe
                      
                        So wel so hire luste.

Page 25

                      
                        'Horn,' heo sede, 'wiþute strif
                      
                        Þu schalt haue me to þi wif;
                        Line 408 
                      
                        Horn, haue of me rewþe
                      
                        & plist me þi trewþe.'
                      
                        ¶ Horn þo him biþoȝte
                      
                        What he speke miȝte.
                        Line 412 
                      
                        'Crist,' quaþ he, 'þe wisse [folio 8b:1] 
                      
                        & ȝiue þe heuene blisse
                      
                        Of þine husebonde
                      
                        Wher he beo in londe.
                        Line 416 
                      
                        Ihc am ibore to lowe
                      
                        Such wimman to knowe.
                      
                        Ihc am icome of þralle
                      
                        & fundling bifalle.
                        Line 420 
                      
                        Ne feolle hit þe of cunde
                      
                        To spuse beo me bunde:
                      
                        Hit nere no fair wedding
                      
                        Bitwexe a þral & a king.'
                        Line 424 
                      
                        ¶ Þo gan Rymenhild mis lyke
                      
                        & sore gan to sike:
                      
                        Armes heo gan buȝe,
                      
                        Adun he feol iswoȝe.
                        Line 428 
                      
                        ¶ Horn in herte was ful wo,
                      
                        & tok hire on his armes two:
                      
                        He gan hire for to kesse
                      
                        Wel ofte mid ywisse.
                        Line 432 
                      
                        'Lemman,' he sede, 'dere,
                      
                        Þin herte nu þu stere.
                      
                        Help me to kniȝte
                      
                        Bi al þine miȝte,
                        Line 436 
                      
                        To my lord þe king,
                      
                        Þat he me ȝiue dubbing.

Page 27

                      
                        Þanne is mi þralhod
                      
                        Iwent in to kniȝthod,
                        Line 440 
                      
                        & ischal wexe more
                      
                        & do, lemman, þi lore.'
                      
                        ¶ Rymenhild, þat swete þing
                      
                        Wakede of hire swoȝning:
                        Line 444 
                      
                        'Horn,' quaþ heo, 'vel sone
                      
                        Þat schal beon idone:
                      
                        Þu schalt beo dubbed kniȝt
                      
                        Are come seue niȝt.
                        Line 448 
                      
                        Haue her þis cuppe
                      
                        & þis Ryng þer vppe
                      
                        To Aylbrus & stuard,
                      
                        & se he holde foreward:
                        Line 452 
                      
                        Seie ihc him biseche
                      
                        Wiþ loueliche speche
                      
                        Þat he adun falle
                      
                        Bifore þe king in halle,
                        Line 456 
                      
                        & bidde þe king ariȝte
                      
                        Dubbe þe to kniȝte.
                      
                        Wiþ seluer & wiþ golde
                      
                        Hit wurþ him wel iȝolde.
                        Line 460 
                      
                        Crist him lene spede
                      
                        Þin erende to bede.'
                      
                        ¶ Horn tok his leue,
                      
                        For hit was neȝ eue.
                        Line 464 
                      
                        Aþelbrus he soȝte
                      
                        & ȝaf him þat he broȝte,
                      
                        & tolde him ful ȝare
                      
                        Hu he hadde ifare,
                        Line 468 
                      
                        & sede him his nede, [folio 8b:2] 
                      
                        & bihet him his mede.
                      
                        ¶ Aþelbrus also swiþe
                      
                        Wente to halle bliue:

                        Line 472

Page 29

                      
                        Line 472 
                      
                        'Kyng,' he sede, 'þu leste
                      
                        A tale mid þe beste;
                      
                        Þu schalt bere crune
                      
                        Tomoreȝe in þis tune;
                        Line 476 
                      
                        Tomoreȝe is þi feste:
                      
                        Þer bihoueþ geste.
                      
                        Hit nere noȝt for loren
                      
                        For to kniȝti child horn,
                        Line 480 
                      
                        Þine armes for to welde,
                      
                        God kniȝt he schal ȝelde.'
                      
                        ¶ Þe king sede sone,
                      
                        'Þat is wel idone.
                        Line 484 
                      
                        Horn me wel iquemeþ,
                      
                        God kniȝt him bisemeþ.
                      
                        He schal haue mi dubbing
                      
                        & afterward mi derling.
                        Line 488 
                      
                        & alle his feren twelf
                      
                        He schal kniȝten him self:
                      
                        Alle he schal hem kniȝte
                      
                        Bifore me þis niȝte.'
                        Line 492 
                      
                        Til þe liȝt of day sprang
                      
                        Ailmar him þuȝte lang.
                      
                        Þe day bigan to springe,
                      
                        Horn com biuore þe kinge
                        Line 496 
                      
                        Mid his twelf yfere:
                      
                        Sume hi were luþere.
                      
                        Horn he dubbede to kniȝte
                      
                        Wiþ swerd & spures briȝte.
                        Line 500 
                      
                        He sette him on a stede whit:
                      
                        Þer nas no kniȝt hym ilik.
                      
                        He smot him a litel wiȝt
                      
                        & bed him beon a god kniȝt.
                        Line 504 
                      
                        ¶ Aþulf fel aknes þar
                      
                        Biuore þe king Aylmar.
                      
                        'King,' he sede, 'so kene,
                      
                        Grante me a bene:

                        Line 508

Page 31

                      
                        Line 508 
                      
                        Nu is kniȝt sire horn
                      
                        Þat in suddenne was iboren:
                      
                        Lord he is of londe
                      
                        Ouer us þat bi him stonde:
                        Line 512 
                      
                        Þin armes he haþ & scheld
                      
                        To fiȝte wiþ vpon þe feld:
                      
                        Let him vs alle kniȝte
                      
                        For þat is vre riȝte.'
                        Line 516 
                      
                        ¶ Aylmar sede sone ywis:
                      
                        'Do nu þat þi wille is.'
                      
                        Horn adun liȝte
                      
                        & makede hem alle kniȝtes.
                        Line 520 
                      
                        Murie was þe feste
                      
                        Al of faire gestes:
                      
                        Ac Rymenhild nas noȝt þer
                      
                        & þat hire þuȝte seue ȝer.
                        Line 524 
                      
                        After horn heo sente,
                      
                        & he to bure wente.
                      
                        Nolde he noȝt go one,
                      
                        Aþulf was his mone.
                        Line 528 
                      
                        Rymenhild on flore stod,
                      
                        Hornes come hire þuȝte god,
                      
                        And sede, 'welcome, sire horn,
                      
                        & Aþulf kniȝt þe biforn.
                        Line 532 
                      
                        Kniȝt, nu is þi time [folio 9a:1] 
                      
                        For to fitte bi me:
                      
                        Do nu þat þu er of spake,
                      
                        To þi wif þume take.
                        Line 536 
                      
                        Ef þu art trewe of dedes,
                      
                        Do nu ase þu sedes.
                      
                        Nu þu hast wille þine,
                      
                        Vn bind me of my pine.'
                        Line 540 
                      
                        ¶ 'Rymenhild,' quaþ he, 'beo stille;
                      
                        Ihc wulle don al þi wille.
                      
                        Also hit mot bitide,
                      
                        Mid spere ischal furst ride,
                        Line 544 
                      
                        & mi kniȝthod proue,
                      
                        Ar ihc þe ginne to woȝe.

Page 33

                      
                        We beþ kniȝtes ȝonge,
                      
                        Of odai al isprunge,
                        Line 548 
                      
                        & of vre mestere
                      
                        So is þe manere
                      
                        Wiþ sume oþere kniȝte
                      
                        Wel for his lemman fiȝte,
                        Line 552 
                      
                        Or he eni wif take:
                      
                        For þi me stondeþ þe more rape.
                      
                        Today, so crist me blesse,
                      
                        Ihc wulle do pruesse
                        Line 556 
                      
                        For þi luue in þe felde
                      
                        Mid spere & mid schelde:
                      
                        If ihc come to lyue
                      
                        Ihc schal þe take to wyue.'
                        Line 560 
                      
                        ¶ 'Kniȝt,' quaþ heo, 'trewe,
                      
                        Ihc wene ihc mai þe leue:
                      
                        Tak nu her þis goldring,
                      
                        God him is þe dubbing;
                        Line 564 
                      
                        Þer is vpon þe ringe
                      
                        Igraue Rymenhild þe ȝonge.
                      
                        Þer nis non betere anonder sunne
                      
                        Þat eni man of telle cunne;
                        Line 568 
                      
                        For my luue þu hit were
                      
                        & on þi finger þu him bere:
                      
                        Þe stones beoþ of suche grace
                      
                        Þat þu ne schalt in none place
                        Line 572 
                      
                        Of none duntes beon ofdrad,
                      
                        Ne on bataille beon amad,
                      
                        Ef þu loke þeran
                      
                        & þenke vpon þi lemman.
                        Line 576 
                      
                        ¶ And sire Aþulf, þi broþer,
                      
                        He schal haue anoþer.
                      
                        Horn, ihc þe biseche,
                      
                        Wiþ loueliche speche,
                        Line 580 
                      
                        Crist ȝeue god erndinge
                      
                        Þe aȝen to ¶ bringe.'
                      
                        ¶ Þe kniȝt hire gan kesse, [folio 9a:2] 
                      
                        & heo him to blesse:

                        Line 584

Page 35

                      
                        Line 584 
                      
                        Leue at hire he nam,
                      
                        & in to halle cam.
                      
                        Þe kniȝtes ȝeden to table,
                      
                        & horne ȝede to stable.
                        Line 588 
                      
                        Þar he tok his gode fole
                      
                        Also blak so eny cole;
                      
                        Þe fole schok þe brunie
                      
                        Þat al þe curt gan denie,
                        Line 592 
                      
                        Þe fole bigan to springe,
                      
                        & horn murie to singe.
                      
                        Horn rod in a while
                      
                        More þan a myle.
                        Line 596 
                      
                        He fond o schup stonde
                      
                        Wiþ heþene honde:
                      
                        He axede what hi soȝte
                      
                        Oþer to londe broȝte.
                        Line 600 
                      
                        ¶ An hund him gan bihelde,
                      
                        Þat spac wordes belde:
                      
                        'Þis lond we wulleȝ wynne
                      
                        & sle þat þer is inne.'
                        Line 604 
                      
                        Horn gan his swerd gripe,
                      
                        & on his arme wype;
                      
                        Þe sarazins he smatte
                      
                        Þat his blod hatte;
                        Line 608 
                      
                        At eureche dunte
                      
                        Þe heued of wente.
                      
                        Þo gunne þe hundes gone
                      
                        Abute horn al one:
                        Line 612 
                      
                        He lokede on þe ringe,
                      
                        & þoȝte on rimenilde.
                      
                        He sloȝ þer on haste
                      
                        On hundred bi þe laste
                        Line 616 
                      
                        Ne miȝte noman telle
                      
                        Þat folc þat he gan quelle:
                      
                        Of alle þat were aliue
                      
                        Ne miȝte þer non þriue.

                        Line 620

Page 37

                      
                        Line 620 
                      
                        Horn tok þe maisteres heued,
                      
                        Þat he hadde him bireued,
                      
                        & sette hit on his swerde
                      
                        Anouen at þan orde.
                        Line 624 
                      
                        He verde hom in to halle
                      
                        Among þe kniȝtes alle.
                      
                        'Kyng,' he sede, 'wel þu sitte
                      
                        & alle þine kniȝtes mitte;
                        Line 628 
                      
                        To day, after mi dubbing, [folio 9b:1] 
                      
                        So irod on mi pleing,
                      
                        Ifond o schup Rowe
                      
                        Þo hit gan to flowe,
                        Line 632 
                      
                        Al wiþ sarazines kyn,
                      
                        & none londisse Men,
                      
                        To dai for to pine
                      
                        Þe & alle þine.
                        Line 636 
                      
                        Hi gonne me assaille,
                      
                        Mi swerd me nolde faille,
                      
                        Ismot hem alle to grunde
                      
                        Oþer ȝaf hem diþes wunde.
                        Line 640 
                      
                        Þat heued i þe bringe
                      
                        Of þe maister kinge.
                      
                        Nu is þi wile iȝolde,
                      
                        King, þat þu me kniȝti woldest.'
                        Line 644

                      
                        A Moreȝe þo þe day gan springe
                      
                        þe king him rod an huntinge;
                      
                        At hom lefte ffikenhild,
                      
                        Þat was þe wurste moder child.
                        Line 648 
                      
                        Heo ferde in to bure
                      
                        To sen auenture:
                      
                        Heo saȝ Rymenild sitte,
                      
                        Also he were of witte:
                        Line 652 
                      
                        Heo sat on þe sunne
                      
                        Wiþ tieres al birunne,
                      
                        Horn sede, 'lef, þinore,
                      
                        Wi wepestu so sore?'

                        Line 656

Page 39

                      
                        Line 656 
                      
                        Heo sede 'noȝt ine wepe,
                      
                        Bute ase ilay aslepe
                      
                        To þe se my net icaste,
                      
                        & hit nolde noȝt ilaste;
                        Line 660 
                      
                        A gret fiss at þe furste
                      
                        Minet he gan to berste.
                      
                        Ihc wene þat ihc schal leose
                      
                        Þe fiss þat ihc wolde cheose.'
                        Line 664 
                      
                        ¶ 'Crist,' quaþ horn, '& seint steuene
                      
                        Turne þine sweuene.
                      
                        Ne schal iþe biswike,
                      
                        Ne do þat þe mislike.
                        Line 668 
                      
                        Ischal me make þinowe
                      
                        To holden & to knowe
                      
                        For eureche oþere wiȝte,
                      
                        & þarto mi treuþe iþe pliȝte.'
                        Line 672 
                      
                        Muchel was þe ruþe
                      
                        Þat was at þare truþe:
                      
                        For Rymenhild weop ille,
                      
                        & horn let þe tires stille.
                        Line 676 
                      
                        'Lemman,' quaþ he, 'dere [folio 9b:2] 
                      
                        Þu schalt more ihere;
                      
                        Þi sweuen schal wende,
                      
                        Oþer sum Man schal vs schende.
                        Line 680 
                      
                        Þe fiss þat brak þe lyne
                      
                        Ywis he doþ us pine,
                      
                        Þat schal don vs tene,
                      
                        & wurþ wel sone isene.'
                        Line 684 
                      
                        ¶ Aylmar rod bi sture,
                      
                        & horn lai in bure.
                      
                        Fykenhild hadde enuye
                      
                        & sede þes solye:
                        Line 688 
                      
                        'Aylmar, ihc þe warne,
                      
                        Horn þe wule berne;
                      
                        Ihc herde whar he sede,
                      
                        & his swerd forþ leide,
                        Line 692 
                      
                        To bringe þe of lyue,
                      
                        & take Rymenhild to wyue.

Page 41

                      
                        He liþ in bure
                      
                        Vnder couerture
                        Line 696 
                      
                        By Rymenhild þi doȝter,
                      
                        & so he doþ wel ofte;
                      
                        And þider þu go al riȝt,
                      
                        Þer þu him finde miȝt;
                        Line 700 
                      
                        Þu do him vt of londe,
                      
                        Oþer he doþ þe schonde.'
                      
                        ¶ Aylmar aȝen gan turne
                      
                        Wel Modi & wel Murne.
                        Line 704 
                      
                        He fond horn in arme.
                      
                        On Rymenhilde barme
                      
                        'Awei vt,' he sede, 'fule þeof!
                      
                        Ne wurstu me neuremore leof.
                        Line 708 
                      
                        Wend vt of my bure
                      
                        Wiþ muchel messauenture.
                      
                        Wel sone bute þu flitte,
                      
                        Wiþ swerde ihc þe anhitte.
                        Line 712 
                      
                        Wend vt of my londe
                      
                        Oþer þu schalt haue schonde.'
                      
                        ¶ Horn sadelede his stede
                      
                        & his armes he gan sprede;
                        Line 716 
                      
                        His brunie he gan lace
                      
                        So he scholde in to place;
                      
                        His swerd he gan fonge,
                      
                        Nabod he noȝt to longe.
                        Line 720 
                      
                        He ȝede forþ bliue
                      
                        To Rymenhild his wyue.
                      
                        He sede, 'Lemman derling,
                      
                        Nu hauestu þi sweuening.
                        Line 724 
                      
                        Þe fiss þat þi net rente,
                      
                        Fram þe he me sente.

Page 43

                      
                        Rymenhild, haue wel godne day, [folio 10a:1] 
                      
                        No leng abiden ine may.
                        Line 728 
                      
                        In to vncuþe londe,
                      
                        Wel more for to fonde;
                      
                        Ischal wune þere
                      
                        Fulle seue ȝere.
                        Line 732 
                      
                        At seue ȝeres ende,
                      
                        Ȝef ine come ne sende,
                      
                        Tak þe husebonde,
                      
                        ffor me þu ne wonde;
                        Line 736 
                      
                        In armes þu me fonge
                      
                        & kes me wel longe.'
                      
                        He custe him wel a stunde
                      
                        & Rymenhild feol to grunde.
                        Line 740 
                      
                        Horn tok his leue,
                      
                        ne miȝte he no leng bileue;
                      
                        He tok Aþulf his fere
                      
                        Al abute þe swere,
                        Line 744 
                      
                        & sede, 'kniȝt so trewe,
                      
                        Kep wel mi luue newe.
                      
                        Þu neure me ne forsoke;
                      
                        Rymenhild þu kep and loke
                        Line 748 
                      
                        His stede he gan bistride
                      
                        & forþ he gan ride:
                      
                        To þe hauene he ferde,
                      
                        & a god schup he hurede,
                        Line 752 
                      
                        Þat him scholde londe
                      
                        In westene londe.
                      
                        ¶ Aþulf weop wiþ iȝe
                      
                        & al þat him isiȝe.
                        Line 756 
                      
                        To lond he him sette
                      
                        & fot on stirop sette.
                      
                        He fond bi þe weie
                      
                        Kynges sones tweie:
                        Line 760 
                      
                        Þat on him het harild,
                      
                        & þat oþer berild.

Page 45

                      
                        Berild gan him preie
                      
                        Þat he scholde him seie,
                        Line 764 
                      
                        What his name were
                      
                        & what he wolde þere.
                      
                        'Cutberd,' he sede, 'ihc hote,
                      
                        Icomen vt of þe bote,
                        Line 768 
                      
                        Wel feor fram biweste
                      
                        To seche mine beste.'
                      
                        Berild gan him nier ride
                      
                        & tok him bi þe bridel;
                        Line 772 
                      
                        'Wel beo þu kniȝt ifounde!
                      
                        Wiþ me þu lef astunde:
                      
                        Also mote i sterue,
                      
                        Þe king þu schalt serue;
                        Line 776 
                      
                        Ne saȝ i neure my lyue [folio 10a:2] 
                      
                        So fair kniȝt aryue.'
                      
                        Cutberd heo ladde in to halle,
                      
                        & he a kne gan falle:
                        Line 780 
                      
                        He sette him a knewelyng
                      
                        & grette wel þe gode kyng.
                      
                        Þanne sede Berild sone:
                      
                        'Sire king, of him þu hast to done,
                        Line 784 
                      
                        Bitak him þi lond to werie,
                      
                        Ne schal hit noman derie;
                      
                        For he is þe faireste man
                      
                        Þat eureȝut on þi londe cam.'
                        Line 788 
                      
                        ¶ Þanne sede þe king so dere:
                      
                        'Welcome beo þu here.
                      
                        Go nu, Berild, swiþe,
                      
                        & make him ful bliþe;
                        Line 792 
                      
                        And whan þu farst to woȝe,
                      
                        Tak him þine gloue;
                      
                        Iment þu hauest to wyue,
                      
                        Awai he schal þe dryue;
                        Line 796 
                      
                        For Cutberdes fairhede,
                      
                        Ne schal þe neure wel spede.'

HIt was at Cristesmasse, Neiþer more ne lasse; 800

Page 47

                      
                        Line 800 
                      
                        Þer cam in at none
                      
                        A Geaunt suþe sone,
                      
                        Iarmed fram paynyme,
                      
                        And seide þes ryme:
                        Line 804 
                      
                        'Site stille, sire kyng,
                      
                        & herkne þis tyþyng:
                      
                        Her buþ paens ariued
                      
                        Wel mo þane fiue:
                        Line 808 
                      
                        Her beoþ on þe sonde,
                      
                        King, vpon þi londe,
                      
                        On of hem wile fiȝte
                      
                        Aȝen þre kniȝtes:
                        Line 812 
                      
                        Ȝef oþer þre slen vre,
                      
                        Al þis lond beo ȝoure:
                      
                        Ȝef vre on ouercomeþ ȝour þreo,
                      
                        Al þis lond schal vre beo.
                        Line 816 
                      
                        Tomoreȝe be þe fiȝtinge,
                      
                        Whane þe liȝt of daye springe.'
                      
                        ¶ Þanne sede þe kyng þurston:
                      
                        'Cutberd schal beo þat on,
                        Line 820 
                      
                        Berild schal beo þat oþer, [folio 10b:1] 
                      
                        Þe þridde Alrid his broþer.
                      
                        For hi beoþ þe strengeste
                      
                        & of armes þe beste.
                        Line 824 
                      
                        Bute what schal vs to rede?
                      
                        Ihc wene we beþ alle dede.'
                      
                        ¶ Cutberd sat at borde
                      
                        & sede þes wordes:
                        Line 828 
                      
                        'Sire king, hit nis no riȝte
                      
                        On wiþ þre to fiȝte,
                      
                        Aȝen one hunde
                      
                        Þre cristen men to fonde.
                        Line 832 
                      
                        Sire, ischal al one
                      
                        Wiþute more ymone
                      
                        Wiþ mi swerd wel eþe
                      
                        Bringe hem þre to deþe.'
                        Line 836 
                      
                        ¶ Þe kyng aros amoreȝe
                      
                        Þat hadde muchel sorȝe.

Page 49

                      
                        & Cutberd ros of bedde
                      
                        Wiþ armes he him schredde;
                        Line 840 
                      
                        Horn his brunie gan on caste,
                      
                        & lacede hit wel faste,
                      
                        & cam to þe kinge
                      
                        At his vp risinge.
                        Line 844 
                      
                        'King,' he sede, 'cum to felde
                      
                        For to bihelde
                      
                        Hu we fiȝte schulle,
                      
                        & togare go wulle.'
                        Line 848 
                      
                        Riȝt at prime tide
                      
                        Hi gunnen vt ride,
                      
                        And funden on a grene
                      
                        A geaunt suþe kene,
                        Line 852 
                      
                        His feren him biside
                      
                        Hore deþ to abide.
                      
                        ¶ Þe ilke bataille
                      
                        Cutberd gan assaille:
                        Line 856 
                      
                        He ȝaf dentes inoȝe,
                      
                        Þe kniȝtes felle iswoȝe.
                      
                        His dent he gan wiþdraȝe,
                      
                        For hi were neȝ aslaȝe:
                        Line 860 
                      
                        & sede, 'kniȝtes, nu ȝe reste
                      
                        One while ef ȝou leste.'
                      
                        Hi sede hi neure nadde
                      
                        Of kniȝte dentes so harde;
                        Line 864 
                      
                        He was of hornes kunne,
                      
                        Iborn in Suddenne.
                      
                        ¶ Horn him gan to agrise,
                      
                        & his blod arise.
                        Line 868 
                      
                        Biuo him saȝ he stonde
                      
                        Þat driuen him of londe,
                      
                        & þat his fader sloȝ;
                      
                        To him his swerd he droȝ,
                        Line 872 
                      
                        He lokede on his rynge
                      
                        & þoȝte on Rymenhilde,
                      
                        He smot him þureȝ þe herte,

Page 51

                      
                        Þat sore him gan to smerte;
                        Line 876 
                      
                        Þe paens þat er were so sturne,
                      
                        Hi gunne awei vrne.
                      
                        Horn & his compaynye [folio 10b:2] 
                      
                        Gunne after hem wel swiþe hiȝe,
                        Line 880 
                      
                        & sloȝen alle þe hundes
                      
                        Er hi here schipes funde.
                      
                        To deþe he hem alle broȝte,
                      
                        His fader deþ wel dere hi boȝte:
                        Line 884 
                      
                        Of alle þe kynges kniȝtes
                      
                        Ne scapede þer no wiȝte,
                      
                        Bute his sones tweie
                      
                        Bifore him he saȝ deie.
                        Line 888 
                      
                        Þe king bigan to grete
                      
                        & teres for to lete:
                      
                        Me leiden hem in bare
                      
                        & burden hem ful ȝare.

                        Line 892

Page 53

                      
                        Line 892 
                      
                        ¶ Þe king com in to halle
                      
                        Among his kniȝtes alle.
                      
                        'Horn,' he sede, 'iseie þe,
                      
                        Do as ischal rede þe.
                        Line 896 
                      
                        Aslaȝen beþ mine heirs,
                      
                        & þu art kniȝt of muchel pris,
                      
                        & of grete strengþe,
                      
                        & fair o bodie lengþe.
                        Line 900 
                      
                        Mi Rengne þu schalt welde,
                      
                        & to spuse helde
                      
                        Reynild mi doȝter,
                      
                        Þat sitteþ on þe lofte.'
                        Line 904 
                      
                        ¶ 'O sire king, wiþ wronge
                      
                        Scholte ihc hit vnderfonge,
                      
                        Þi doȝter þat ȝe me bede,
                      
                        Ower rengne for to lede.
                        Line 908 
                      
                        Wel more ihc schal þe serue,
                      
                        Sire kyng, or þu sterue;
                      
                        Þi sorwe schal wende
                      
                        Or seue ȝeres ende;
                        Line 912 
                      
                        Wanne hit is wente,
                      
                        Sire king, ȝef me mi rente:
                      
                        Whanne i þi doȝter ȝerne
                      
                        Ne schaltu me hire werne.'
                        Line 916 
                      
                        Cutberd wonede þere
                      
                        Fulle seue ȝere,

Page 55

                      
                        Þat to Rymenild he ne sente
                      
                        Ne him self ne wente.
                        Line 920 
                      
                        Rymenild was in Westernesse
                      
                        Wiþ wel muchel sorinesse.
                      
                        ¶ A king þer gan ariue
                      
                        Þat wolde hire haue to wyue:
                        Line 924 
                      
                        Aton he was wiþ þe king
                      
                        Of þat ilke wedding.
                      
                        Þe daies were schorte,
                      
                        Þat Rimenhild ne dorste
                        Line 928 
                      
                        Leten in none wise;
                      
                        A writ he dude deuise,
                      
                        Aþulf hit dude write
                      
                        Þat horn ne luuede noȝt lite.
                        Line 932 
                      
                        Heo sende hire sonde
                      
                        To euereche londe,
                      
                        To seche horn þe kniȝt
                      
                        Þer me him finde miȝte.
                        Line 936 
                      
                        Horn noȝt þer of ne herde,
                      
                        Til o dai þat he ferde
                      
                        To wude for to schete; [folio 11a:1] 
                      
                        A knaue he gan imete.
                        Line 940 
                      
                        Horn seden, 'leue fere,
                      
                        Wat sechestu here?'
                      
                        'Kniȝt, if beo þi wille
                      
                        Imai þe sone telle.
                        Line 944 
                      
                        Iseche fram biweste
                      
                        Horn of Westernesse,
                      
                        For a Maiden Rymenhild
                      
                        Þat for him gan wexe wild.
                        Line 948 
                      
                        A king hire wile wedde
                      
                        & bringe to his bedde,
                      
                        King Modi of Reynes,
                      
                        On of hornes enemis.
                        Line 952 
                      
                        Ihc habbe walke wide
                      
                        Bi þe se side;

Page 57

                      
                        Nis he nowar ifunde:
                      
                        Walawai þe stunde!
                        Line 956 
                      
                        Wailaway þe while!
                      
                        Nu wurþ Rymenild bigiled.'
                      
                        Horn iherde wiþ his ires,
                      
                        & spak wiþ bidere tires:
                        Line 960 
                      
                        'Knaue, wel þe bitide,
                      
                        Horn stondeþ þe biside;
                      
                        Aȝen to hure þu turne
                      
                        & seie þat heo ne murne,
                        Line 964 
                      
                        For ischal beo þer bitime,
                      
                        A soneday bi pryme.'
                      
                        Þe knaue was wel bliþe
                      
                        & hiȝede aȝen bliue.
                        Line 968 
                      
                        Þe se bigan to þroȝe
                      
                        Vnder hire woȝe.
                      
                        Þe knaue þere gan adrinke:
                      
                        Rymenhild hit miȝte ofþinke.
                        Line 972 
                      
                        Rymenhild vndude þe dure pin
                      
                        Of þe hus þer heo was in,
                      
                        To loke wiþ hire iȝe
                      
                        If heo oȝt of horn isiȝe.
                        Line 976 
                      
                        Þo fond heo þe knaue adrent
                      
                        Þat he hadde for horn isent,
                      
                        & þat scholde horn bringe.
                      
                        Hire fingres he gan wringe.
                        Line 980 
                      
                        ¶ Horn cam to þurston þe kyng.
                      
                        & tolde him þis tiþing.
                      
                        Þo he was iknowe
                      
                        Þat Rimenhild was his oȝe,
                        Line 984 
                      
                        Of his gode kenne,
                      
                        Þe king of Suddenne,
                      
                        & hu he sloȝ in felde
                      
                        Þat his fader quelde.

                        Line 988

Page 59

                      
                        Line 988 
                      
                        & seide: 'king þe wise,
                      
                        Ȝeld me mi seruise,
                      
                        Rymenhild help me winne,
                      
                        Þat þu noȝt ne linne:
                        Line 992 
                      
                        & ischal do to spuse
                      
                        Þi doȝter wel to huse;
                      
                        Heo schal to spuse haue
                      
                        Aþulf mi gode felaȝe,
                        Line 996 
                      
                        God kniȝt mid þe beste
                      
                        & þe treweste.'
                      
                        Þe king sede so stille:
                      
                        'Horn, haue nu þi wille.'
                        Line 1000 
                      
                        He dude writes sende [folio 11a:2] 
                      
                        In to yrlonde
                      
                        After kniȝtes liȝte,
                      
                        Irisse men to fiȝte.
                        Line 1004 
                      
                        To horn come inoȝe,
                      
                        Þat to schupe droȝe.
                      
                        Horn dude him in þe weie
                      
                        On a god Galeie.
                        Line 1008 
                      
                        Þe wind him gan to blowe
                      
                        In alitel þroȝe.
                      
                        Þe se bigan to posse
                      
                        Riȝt in to Westernesse.
                        Line 1012 
                      
                        Hi strike seil & maste
                      
                        & Ankere gunne caste.
                      
                        Or eny day was sprunge
                      
                        Oþer belle irunge
                        Line 1016 
                      
                        Þe word bigan to springe
                      
                        Of Rymenhilde weddinge.
                      
                        Horn was in þe watere,
                      
                        Ne miȝte he come no latere.
                        Line 1020 
                      
                        He let his schup stonde,
                      
                        & ȝede to londe.
                      
                        His folk he dude abide
                      
                        Vnder wude side:
                        Line 1024 
                      
                        Horn him ȝede alone,
                      
                        Also he sprunge of stone.

Page 61

                      
                        A palmere he þar mette,
                      
                        & faire hine grette:
                        Line 1028 
                      
                        'Palmere, þu schalt me telle
                      
                        Al of þine spelle.'
                      
                        He sede vpon his tale:
                      
                        'I come fram o brudale;
                        Line 1032 
                      
                        Ihc was at o wedding
                      
                        Of a Maide Rymenhild:
                      
                        Ne miȝte heo adriȝe
                      
                        Þat heo ne weop wiþ iȝe:
                        Line 1036 
                      
                        Heo sede þat heo nolde
                      
                        Ben ispused wiþ golde,
                      
                        Heo hadde on husebonde
                      
                        Þeȝ he were vt of londe.
                        Line 1040 
                      
                        & in strong halle,
                      
                        Biþinne castel walle,
                      
                        Þer iwas atte ȝate,
                      
                        Nolde hi me in late.
                        Line 1044 
                      
                        Modi ihote hadde
                      
                        To bure þat me hire ladde.
                      
                        Awai igan glide,
                      
                        Þat deol inolde abide.
                        Line 1048 
                      
                        Þe bride wepeþ sore,
                      
                        & þat is muche deole.'
                      
                        ¶ Quaþ horn: 'so crist me rede,
                      
                        We schulle chaungi wede:
                        Line 1052 
                      
                        Haue her cloþes myne,
                      
                        & tak me þi sclauyne.
                      
                        Today ischal þer drinke
                      
                        Þat some hit schulle ofþinke.'
                        Line 1056 
                      
                        His sclauyn he dude dun legge,
                      
                        & tok hit on his rigge:
                      
                        He tok horn his cloþes,
                      
                        Þat nere him noȝt loþe.
                        Line 1060 
                      
                        Horn tok burdon & scrippe,
                      
                        & wrong his lippe.

Page 63

                      
                        He makede him a ful chere
                      
                        & al bicolmede his swere.
                        Line 1064 
                      
                        He makede him vn bicomelich,
                      
                        Hes he nas neuremore ilich.
                      
                        ¶ He com to þe gateward
                      
                        Þat him answerede hard.
                        Line 1068 
                      
                        Horn bad vndo softe
                      
                        Mani tyme & ofte;
                      
                        Ne miȝte he awynne
                      
                        Þat he come þerinne.
                        Line 1072 
                      
                        Horn gan to þe ȝate turne [folio 11b:1] 
                      
                        & þat wiket vnspurne;
                      
                        Þe boye hit scholde abugge,
                      
                        Horn þreu him ouer þe brigge,
                        Line 1076 
                      
                        Þat his ribbes him to brake,
                      
                        & suþþe com in atte gate.
                      
                        He sette him wel loȝe
                      
                        In beggeres rowe;
                        Line 1080 
                      
                        He lokede him abute,
                      
                        Wiþ his colmie snute.
                      
                        He seȝ Rymenhild sitte
                      
                        Ase heo were of witte
                        Line 1084 
                      
                        Sore wepinge & ȝerne:
                      
                        Ne miȝte hure noman wurne.
                      
                        He lokede in eche halke,
                      
                        Ne seȝ he nowhar walke
                        Line 1088 
                      
                        Aþulf his felawe,
                      
                        Þat he cuþe knowe.
                      
                        Aþulf was in þe ture
                      
                        Abute for to pure
                        Line 1092 
                      
                        After his comynge,
                      
                        Ȝef schup him wolde bringe.
                      
                        He seȝ þe se flowe
                      
                        & horn nowar rowe.
                        Line 1096 
                      
                        He sede vpon his songe:
                      
                        'Horn, nu þu ert wel longe.
                      
                        Rymenhild þu me toke
                      
                        Þat ischolde loke.

                        Line 1100

Page 65

                      
                        Line 1100 
                      
                        Ihc habbe ikept hure eure:
                      
                        Com nu oþer neure.
                      
                        Ine may no leng hure kepe,
                      
                        For soreȝe nu y wepe.'
                        Line 1104 
                      
                        ¶ Rymenhild Ros of benche
                      
                        Wyn for to schenche,
                      
                        After mete in sale,
                      
                        boþe wyn & ale.
                        Line 1108 
                      
                        On horn he bar anhonde,
                      
                        So laȝe was in londe.
                      
                        Kniȝtes & squier
                      
                        Alle dronken of þe ber.
                        Line 1112 
                      
                        Bute horn alone
                      
                        Nadde þerof no mone.
                      
                        Horn sat vpon þe grunde,
                      
                        Him þuȝte he was ibunde.
                        Line 1116 
                      
                        He sede: 'quen so hende,
                      
                        Tomeward þu wende;
                      
                        Þu ȝef vs wiþ þe furste,
                      
                        Þe beggeres beoþ ofþurste.'
                        Line 1120 
                      
                        ¶ Hure horn heo leide adun
                      
                        & fulde him of a brun
                      
                        His bolle of a galun,
                      
                        For heo wende he were a glotoun.
                        Line 1124 
                      
                        He seide: 'haue þis cuppe
                      
                        & þis þing þer vppe.
                      
                        Ne saȝ ihc neure, so ihc wene,
                      
                        Beggere þat were so kene.
                        Line 1128 
                      
                        Horn tok hit his ifere, [folio 11b:2] 
                      
                        & sede: 'quen so dere,
                      
                        Wyn nelle ihc Muche ne lite
                      
                        Bute of cuppe white.
                        Line 1132 
                      
                        Þu wenest ibeo a beggere,
                      
                        & ihc am a fissere,
                      
                        Wel feor icome bi este
                      
                        For fissen at þi feste:
                        Line 1136 
                      
                        Mi net liþ her bi honde,
                      
                        Bi a wel fair stronde,
                      
                        Hit haþ ileie þere
                      
                        Fulle seue ȝere.

                        Line 1140

Page 67

                      
                        Line 1140 
                      
                        Ihc am icome to loke
                      
                        Ef eni fiss hit toke.
                      
                        Ihc am icome to fisse:
                      
                        Drink to me of disse,
                        Line 1144 
                      
                        Drink to horn of horne:
                      
                        Feor ihc am i orne.'
                      
                        Rymenhild him gan bihelde,
                      
                        Hire heorte bigan to chelde.
                        Line 1148 
                      
                        Ne kneu heo noȝt his fissing,
                      
                        Ne horn hym selue noþing:
                      
                        Ac wunder hire gan þinke
                      
                        Whi he bad to horn drinke.
                        Line 1152 
                      
                        Heo fulde hire horn wiþ wyn
                      
                        & dronk to þe pilegrym.
                      
                        Heo sede: 'drink þi fulle,
                      
                        & suþþe þu me telle
                        Line 1156 
                      
                        If þu eure isiȝe
                      
                        ·Horn· vnder wude liȝe.'
                      
                        Horn dronk of horn a stunde
                      
                        & þreu þe ring to grunde.
                        Line 1160 
                      
                        Þe quen ȝede to bure
                      
                        Wiþ hire maidenes foure.
                      
                        Þo fond heo what heo wolde,
                      
                        A ring igrauen of golde
                        Line 1164 
                      
                        Þat horn of hure hadde;
                      
                        Sore hure dradde
                      
                        Þat horn isterue were,
                      
                        For þe Ring was þere.
                        Line 1168 
                      
                        Þo sente heo a damesele
                      
                        After þe palmere;
                      
                        'Palmere,' quaþ heo, 'trewe,
                      
                        Þe ring þat þu þrewe,
                        Line 1172 
                      
                        Þu seie whar þu hit nome,
                      
                        & whi þu hider come.'
                      
                        He sede: 'bi seint gile,
                      
                        Ihc habbe go mani Mile,

                        Line 1176

Page 69

                      
                        Line 1176 
                      
                        Wel feor bi ȝonde weste,
                      
                        To seche my beste.
                      
                        Ifond horn child stonde
                      
                        To schupeward in londe.
                        Line 1180 
                      
                        He sede he wolde agesse
                      
                        To ariue in westernesse.
                      
                        Þe schip nam to þe flode
                      
                        Wiþ me & horn þe gode;
                        Line 1184 
                      
                        Horn was sik & deide, [folio 12a:1] 
                      
                        & faire he me preide:
                      
                        "Go wiþ þe ringe
                      
                        To Rymenhild þe ȝonge."
                        Line 1188 
                      
                        Ofte he hit custe;
                      
                        God ȝeue his saule reste.'
                      
                        ¶ Rymenhild sede at þe furste:
                      
                        'Herte nu þu berste,
                        Line 1192 
                      
                        For horn nastu namore
                      
                        Þat þe haþ pined þe so sore.'
                      
                        Heo feol on hire bedde,
                      
                        Þer heo knif hudde,
                        Line 1196 
                      
                        To sle wiþ king loþe
                      
                        & hure selue boþe,
                      
                        In þat vlke niȝte,
                      
                        If horn come ne miȝte.
                        Line 1200 
                      
                        To herte knif heo sette,
                      
                        Ac horn anon hire kepte.
                      
                        He wipede þat blake of his swere
                      
                        & sede: 'quen so swete & dere,
                        Line 1204 
                      
                        Ihc am horn þinoȝe,
                      
                        Ne canstu me noȝt knowe?
                      
                        Ihc am horn of westernesse,
                      
                        In armes þu me cusse.'
                        Line 1208 
                      
                        Hi custe hem mid ywisse,
                      
                        & makeden Muche blisse.

Page 71

                      
                        ¶ 'Rymenhild,' he sede, 'ywende
                      
                        Adun to þe wudes ende;
                        Line 1212 
                      
                        Þer beþ myne kniȝtes
                      
                        Redi to fiȝte,
                      
                        Iarmed vnder cloþe;
                      
                        Hi schulle make wroþe
                        Line 1216 
                      
                        Þe king & his geste,
                      
                        Þat come to þe feste:
                      
                        Today ischal hem teche
                      
                        & sore hem areche.'
                        Line 1220 
                      
                        ¶ Horn sprong vt of halle
                      
                        & let his sclauin falle.
                      
                        Þe quen ȝede to bure
                      
                        & fond aþulf in ture.
                        Line 1224 
                      
                        'Aþulf,' heo sede, 'be bliþe,
                      
                        And to horn þu go wel swiþe.
                      
                        He is vnder wude boȝe,
                      
                        & wiþ him kniȝtes Inoȝe.'
                        Line 1228 
                      
                        ¶ Aþulf bigan to springe
                      
                        For þe tiþinge.
                      
                        After horn he arnde anon
                      
                        Also þat hors miȝte gon:
                        Line 1232 
                      
                        He him ouertok ywis,
                      
                        Hi makede suiþe Muchel blis.
                      
                        Horn tok his preie
                      
                        & dude him in þe weie.
                        Line 1236 
                      
                        He com in wel sone,
                      
                        Þe ȝates were vndone,
                      
                        Iarmed ful þikke
                      
                        Fram fote to þe nekke.
                        Line 1240 
                      
                        Alle þat were þerin, [folio 12a:2] 
                      
                        Biþute his twelf ferin
                      
                        & þe king Aylmare,
                      
                        He dude hem alle to kare.
                        Line 1244 
                      
                        Þat at þe feste were,
                      
                        Here lif hi lete þere.

Page 73

                      
                        Horn ne dude no wunder
                      
                        Of ffikenhildes falfe tunge.
                        Line 1248 
                      
                        Hi sworen oþes holde
                      
                        Þat neure ne fcholde
                      
                        Horn neure bitraie,
                      
                        Þeȝ he at diþe laie.
                        Line 1252 
                      
                        Hi Runge þe belle
                      
                        Þe wedlak for to felle.
                      
                        Horn him ȝede with his
                      
                        To þe kinges palais.
                        Line 1256 
                      
                        Þer was brid & ale fuete,
                      
                        For riche men þer ete.
                      
                        Telle ne miȝte tunge
                      
                        Þat gle þat þer was funge.
                        Line 1260 
                      
                        ¶ Horn fat on chaere
                      
                        & bad hem alle ihere.
                      
                        'King,' he fede, 'þu lufte
                      
                        A tale mid þe befte.
                        Line 1264 
                      
                        Ine feie hit for no blame,
                      
                        Horn is mi name.
                      
                        Þume to kniȝte houe,
                      
                        & kniȝthod haue proued.
                        Line 1268 
                      
                        To þe king men feide
                      
                        Þat iþe bitraide:
                      
                        Þu makedeft me fleme
                      
                        & þi lond to reme:
                        Line 1272 
                      
                        Þu wendeft þat iwroȝte
                      
                        Þat y neure ne þoȝte,
                      
                        Bi Rymenhild for to ligge,
                      
                        & þat i wiþ fegge.
                        Line 1276 
                      
                        Ne fchal ihc hit biginne,
                      
                        Til i fuddene winne.
                      
                        Þu kep hure a ftunde,
                      
                        Þe while þat ifunde

                        Line 1280

Page 75

                      
                        Line 1280 
                      
                        In to min heritage
                      
                        & to mi baronage.
                      
                        Þat lond ischal ofreche
                      
                        & do mi fader wreche.
                        Line 1284 
                      
                        Ischal beo king of tune
                      
                        & bere kinges crune,
                      
                        Þanne schal Rymenhilde
                      
                        Ligge bi þe kinge.'
                        Line 1288 
                      
                        ¶ Horn gan to schupe draȝe
                      
                        Wiþ his yrisse felaȝes,
                      
                        Aþulf wiþ him his brother,
                      
                        Nolde he non oþer.
                        Line 1292 
                      
                        Þat schup bigan to crude,
                      
                        Þe wind him bleu lude.
                      
                        Biþinne daies fiue
                      
                        Þat schup gan ariue.
                        Line 1296 
                      
                        Abute middelniȝte
                      
                        Horn him ȝede wel riȝte.
                      
                        He tok aþulf bi honde
                      
                        & vp he ȝede to londe.
                        Line 1300 
                      
                        Hi founde vnder schelde
                      
                        A kniȝt hende in felde.
                      
                        Þe kniȝt him aslepe lay
                      
                        Al biside þe way.
                        Line 1304 
                      
                        Horn him gan to take
                      
                        & sede: 'kniȝt, awake.
                      
                        Seie what þu kepest,
                      
                        & whi þu her slepest;
                        Line 1308 
                      
                        Me þinkþ biþine crois liȝte
                      
                        Þat þu longest to vre driȝte.
                      
                        Bute þu wule me schewe,
                      
                        Ischal þe to hewe:'
                        Line 1312 
                      
                        Þe gode kniȝt vp aros,
                      
                        Of þe wordes him gros.

Page 77

                      
                        He sede: 'ihc haue aȝenes my wille
                      
                        Payns ful ylle.
                        Line 1316 
                      
                        Ihc was cristene a while;
                      
                        Þo icom to þis ille
                      
                        Sarazins blake
                      
                        Þat dude me forsake.
                        Line 1320 
                      
                        On crist ihc wolde bileue,
                      
                        On him hi makede ¶ me reue,
                      
                        To kepe þis passage [folio 12b:1] 
                      
                        Fram horn þat is of age,
                        Line 1324 
                      
                        Þat wunieþ bieste,
                      
                        Kniȝt wiþ þe beste:
                      
                        Hi sloȝe wiþ here honde
                      
                        Þe king of þis londe,
                        Line 1328 
                      
                        & wiþ him fele hundred,
                      
                        & þerof is wunder
                      
                        Þat he ne comeþ to fiȝte.
                      
                        God sende him þe riȝte,
                        Line 1332 
                      
                        & wind him hider driue,
                      
                        To bringe hem of liue.
                      
                        Hi sloȝen kyng Murry,
                      
                        Hornes fader king hendy,
                        Line 1336 
                      
                        Horn hi vt of londe sente;
                      
                        Tuelf felaȝes wiþ him wente,
                      
                        Among hem aþulf þe gode,
                      
                        Min oȝene child, my leue fode:
                        Line 1340 
                      
                        Ef horn child is hol & sund,
                      
                        & Aþulf biþute wund,
                      
                        He luueþ him so dere,
                      
                        & is him so stere,
                        Line 1344 
                      
                        Miȝte iseon hem tueie,
                      
                        For ioie ischolde deie.'
                      
                        ¶ 'Kniȝt beo þanne bliþe
                      
                        Mest of alle siþe;
                        Line 1348 
                      
                        Horn & Aþulf his fere
                      
                        Boþe hi ben here.'
                      
                        To horn he gan gon
                      
                        & grette him anon.

                        Line 1352

Page 79

                      
                        Line 1352 
                      
                        Muche ioie hi makede þere
                      
                        Þe while hi togadere were.
                      
                        'Childre,' he sede, 'hu habbe ȝe fare?
                      
                        Þat ihc ȝou seȝ hit is ful ȝare.
                        Line 1356 
                      
                        Wulle ȝe þis lond winne
                      
                        & sle þat þeris inne?'
                      
                        He sede: 'leue horn child,
                      
                        Ȝut lyueþ þi moder Godhild:
                        Line 1360 
                      
                        Of ioie heo miste
                      
                        If heo þe aliue wiste.'
                      
                        ¶ Horn sede on his rime:
                      
                        'Iblessed beo þe time,
                        Line 1364 
                      
                        Icom to Suddenne
                      
                        Wiþ mine irisse menne:
                      
                        We schulle þe hundes teche
                      
                        To speken vre speche.
                        Line 1368 
                      
                        Alle we hem schulle sle
                      
                        & al quic hem fle.'
                      
                        Horn gan his horn to blowe,
                      
                        His folk hit gan iknowe,
                        Line 1372 
                      
                        Hi comen vt of stere,
                      
                        Fram hornes banere:
                      
                        Hi sloȝen & fuȝten,
                      
                        Þe niȝt & þe vȝten:
                        Line 1376 
                      
                        Þe sarazins cunde
                      
                        ne lefde þer non in þende.
                      
                        Horn let wurche
                      
                        chapeles & chirche.

                        Line 1380

Page 81

                      
                        Line 1380 
                      
                        He let belles ringe,
                      
                        & Masses let singe.
                      
                        He com to his Moder halle
                      
                        In a roche walle.
                        Line 1384 
                      
                        Corn he let serie [folio 12b:2] 
                      
                        & makede feste merie.
                      
                        Murie lif he wroȝte:
                      
                        Rymenhild hit dere doȝte.
                        Line 1388 
                      
                        ¶ ffikenhild was prut on herte,
                      
                        & þat him dude smerte.
                      
                        Ȝonge he ȝaf & elde
                      
                        Mid him for to helde.
                        Line 1392 
                      
                        Ston he dude lede
                      
                        Þer he hopede spede.
                      
                        Strong castel he let sette,
                      
                        Mid séé him biflette.
                        Line 1396 
                      
                        Þer ne miȝte liȝte
                      
                        Bute foȝel wiþ fliȝte.
                      
                        Bute whanne þe se wiþ droȝe
                      
                        Miȝte come men ynoȝe.
                        Line 1400 
                      
                        ffikenhild gan wende
                      
                        Rymenhild to schende.
                      
                        To woȝe he gan hure ȝerne,
                      
                        Þe kyng ne dorste him werne.
                        Line 1404 
                      
                        Rymenhild was ful of mode,
                      
                        He wep teres of blode.
                      
                        Þat niȝt horn gan swete,
                      
                        & heuie forto mete
                        Line 1408 
                      
                        Of Rymenhild his make,
                      
                        Into schupe was itake:

Page 83

                      
                        Þe schup bigan to blenche,
                      
                        His lemman scholde adrenche.
                        Line 1412 
                      
                        Rymenhild wiþ hire honde
                      
                        Wolde vp to londe.
                      
                        ffikenhild aȝen hire pelte
                      
                        Wiþ his swerdes hilte.
                        Line 1416 
                      
                        ¶ Horn him wok of slape
                      
                        So aman þat hadde rape.
                      
                        'Aþulf,' he fede, 'felaȝe,
                      
                        To schupe we mote draȝe;
                        Line 1420 
                      
                        ffikenhild me haþ idon vnder
                      
                        & Rymenhild to do wunder.
                      
                        Crist for his wundes fiue
                      
                        To niȝt me þuder driue.'
                        Line 1424 
                      
                        Horn gan to schupe Ride,
                      
                        His feren him biside.
                      
                        ffikenhild or þe dai gan springe
                      
                        Al riȝt he ferde to þe kinge,
                        Line 1428 
                      
                        After Rymenhild þe briȝte,
                      
                        To wedden hire biniȝte.
                      
                        He ladde hure bi þe derke [folio 13a:1] 
                      
                        In to his nywe werke;
                        Line 1432 
                      
                        Þe feste hi bigunne
                      
                        Er þat ros þe funne;

Page 85

                      
                        Er þane horn hit wiste,
                      
                        Tofore þe sunne vpriste,
                        Line 1436 
                      
                        His schup stod vnder ture
                      
                        At Rymenhilde bure.
                      
                        Rymenhild litel weneþ heo
                      
                        Þat horn þanne aliue beo.
                        Line 1440 
                      
                        Þe castel þei ne knewe,
                      
                        For he was so nywe.
                      
                        Horn fond sittinde Arnoldin
                      
                        Þat was Aþulfes cosin
                        Line 1444 
                      
                        Þat þer was in þat tide
                      
                        horn for tabide.
                      
                        'Horn kniȝt,' he fede, 'kinges sone,
                      
                        Wel beo þu to londe icome:
                        Line 1448 
                      
                        Today haþ ywedde fikenhild
                      
                        Þi swete lemman Rymenhild.
                      
                        Ne schal iþe lie,
                      
                        He haþ giled þe twie
                        Line 1452 
                      
                        Þis tur he let make
                      
                        Al for þine sake,
                      
                        Ne mai þer come inne
                      
                        Noman wiþ · none · ginne.
                        Line 1456 
                      
                        Horn, nu crist þe wisse
                      
                        Of Rymenhild þat þu ne misse.'
                      
                        ¶ Horn cuþe al þe liste
                      
                        Þat eni man of wiste.
                        Line 1460 
                      
                        Harpe he gan schewe
                      
                        & tok selaȝes fewe,

Page 87

                      
                        Of kniȝtes suiþe snelle
                      
                        Þat schrudde hem at wille.
                        Line 1464 
                      
                        Hi ȝeden bi þe grauel
                      
                        Toward þe castel:
                      
                        Hi gunne murie singe
                      
                        & makede here gleowinge.
                        Line 1468 
                      
                        ¶ Rymenhild hit gan ihere
                      
                        & axede what hi were.
                      
                        Hi sede: 'hi weren harpurs,
                      
                        & sume were gigours.'
                        Line 1472 
                      
                        He dude horn in late
                      
                        Riȝt at halle gate;
                      
                        He sette him on þe benche [folio 13a:2] 
                      
                        His harpe for to clenche.
                        Line 1476 
                      
                        He makede Rymenhilde lay,
                      
                        & heo makede walaway.
                      
                        Rymenhild feol yswoȝe,
                      
                        Ne was þer non þat louȝe.
                        Line 1480 
                      
                        Hit smot to hornes herte
                      
                        So bitere þat hit smerte.
                      
                        He lokede on þe ringe
                      
                        & þoȝte on Rymenhilde.
                        Line 1484 
                      
                        He ȝede vp to borde
                      
                        Wiþ gode suerdes orde.
                      
                        ffikenhildes crune
                      
                        Þer ifulde adune,
                        Line 1488 
                      
                        & Al his men a rowe
                      
                        Hi dude adun þrowe.
                      
                        Whanne hi weren aslaȝe,
                      
                        Fikenhild hi dude todraȝe.
                        Line 1492 
                      
                        Horn makede Arnoldin þare
                      
                        King after king Aylmare,
                      
                        Of al westernesse
                      
                        For his meoknesse.
                        Line 1496 
                      
                        Þe king & his homage
                      
                        Ȝeuen Arnoldin trewage.

Page 89

                        
                        ¶ Horn tok Rymenhild bi þe honde
                      
                        & ladde hure to þe stronde,
                        Line 1500 
                      
                        & ladde wiþ him Aþelbrus,
                      
                        Þe gode stuard of his hus.
                      
                        Þe se bigan to flowe
                      
                        & horn gan to Rowe.
                        Line 1504 
                      
                        Hi gunne for ariue
                      
                        Þer king modi was sire.
                      
                        Aþelbrus he makede þer king
                      
                        For his gode teching:
                        Line 1508 
                      
                        He ȝaf alle þe kniȝtes ore
                      
                        For horn kniȝtes lore.
                      
                        Horn gan for to ride,
                      
                        Þe wind him bleu wel wide.
                        Line 1512 
                      
                        He ariuede in yrlonde.
                      
                        Þer he wo fondede,
                      
                        Þer he dude Aþulf child
                      
                        Wedden maide Reynild.
                        Line 1516 
                      
                        Horn com to suddenne
                      
                        Among al his kenne.
                      
                        Rymenhild he makede his quene,
                      
                        So hit miȝte wel beon.
                        Line 1520 
                      
                        Al folk hem miȝte rewe
                      
                        Þat loueden hem so trewe.
                      
                        Nu ben hi boþe dede;
                      
                        Crist to heuene hem lede!
                        Line 1524 
                      
                        Her endeþ þe tale of horn,
                      
                        Þat fair was & · noȝt · vnorn;
                      
                        Make we vs glade Eure among,
                      
                        For þus him endeþ hornes song.
                        Line 1528 
                      
                        Jesus þat is of heuene king
                      
                        Ȝeue vs alle his suete blessing! Amen.
                      EX-PLI-CIT.

About this Item

Pages

description Page 3

MS. Gg. 4. 27. 2. University Library, Cambridge.

· Horn ·

description Page 5

description Page 7

description Page 9

description Page 11

description Page 13

description Page 15

description Page 17

description Page 19

description Page 21

description Page 23

description Page 25

description Page 27

description Page 29

description Page 31

description Page 33

description Page 35

description Page 37

description Page 39

description Page 41

description Page 43

description Page 45

description Page 47

description Page 49

description Page 51

description Page 53

description Page 55

description Page 57

description Page 59

description Page 61

description Page 63

description Page 65

description Page 67

description Page 69

description Page 71

description Page 73

description Page 75

description Page 77

description Page 79

description Page 81

description Page 83

description Page 85

description Page 87

description Page 89

Notes

Page 3

Page 5

Page 7

Page 9

Page 11

Page 13

Page 15

Page 17

Page 19

Page 21

Page 23

Page 25

Page 27

Page 29

Page 31

Page 33

Page 35

Page 37

Page 39

Page 41

Page 43

Page 45

Page 47

Page 49

Page 51

Page 53

Page 55

Page 57

Page 59

Page 61

Page 63

Page 65

Page 67

Page 69

Page 71

Page 73

Page 75

Page 77

Page 79

Page 81

Page 83

Page 85

Page 87

Page 89