The romance of Guy of Warwick. The first or 14th-century version.

Here ginneþ Sir Gij. (AUCHINLECK MS. 107v)

Gij of Warwike.

[The first leaf is wanting in the Auchinleck MS., and the story is here supplied from the French version, MS. Corpus Coll., Camb., leaf 6, collated with MS. Harleian 3775, leaf 15.]

Puis cel tens ke deus fu nez e establi crestienetez, ¹multz des¹ [1_1 multes, Harl.] auentures sont auenues, ke [Qui] a tuz hommes ne sont pas [omit.] sues. pur ceo deit l'em mult enquere, Line 5 e pener sei de bien fere, e de ⁴bons prendre⁴ [4_4 aprendre bons] esperimentz, de faitz, de diz as aunciens qui deuant nus esteient. auentures beles lur aueneient, Line 10 pur ceo qu'il amoient uerite, tut dis fei e leaute. De eus deit l'um bien souenir e lur bons faitz dire e oir: qui mult out e ceo retient Line 15 souent mult sage deuient; ⁵ceo est tenu⁵ [5_5 il ceo tent ben.] a bele mestrie, ki fait le sen e lest la folie. . . . . . De un counte uoloms parler Line 20 qui mult fait [feseit] a preiser, e de un son senescal qui pruz ert [esteit] e leal; e de son fiz, un damoisel qui mult par ert gent e bel; Line 25 e com il amat une pucele,

la fylle au counte, ke mult ert bele. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . En engleterre un coens esteit, [C line 25] en Warewik la cite maneit: riches ert e de grant Foer [pouer] , queintes, sages, bon cheualer; Line 40 riches ert de or e de argent, de Dras, de seie, de vesselement, de fortz chasteul [chastels] , de riche citez; par tut le rengne ert mult dotez. n'i [n'] aueit homme en tote la terre Line 45 qui uers li osaht [osat] prendre guerre, ke par force toht [tost] nel preist, e en la [sa] chartre nel meist. bons cheualers mult ama, riches douns souent lur dona; Line 50 pur ceo fu cremu e dote, e par tut le rengne preise. coens esteit de mult grant pris, sires ert de tuit le pais; de oxeneford tut le honur Line 55 sue estoit a icel iour; de bukingham de [omit.] tut le counte sire en tel [cel] tens esteit clame. li coens roaud out a nun, [C line 51] mult par esteit noble barun. Line 60 vne fylle auoit [out de] sa mulier, sa grant beaute ne puis conter:

pur la plus bele le unt choisie. ore est reisun ke l'em uus die vn petitet de sa grant [omit.] beaute: Line 65 le viz out blank e colore, lunge, traitet [treitis] , e auenaunt; bele buche, e nes bien seaunt, les euz uairs e le chief bloi; de li ueer uus semblast poi: Line 70 bien faite de cors, de bele estature, tant par ad duce la reguardure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . corteise ert e enseignee, de tuz artz ert enseignee [endoctuinee] : Line 80 . . . . . . . . . . ses mestres esteient venuz de tulette [toulette] , tut [touz] blaunks chanuz, . . . . . . . . . . qui la apernoient de astrenomie, de arsmetic [arsmetrike] , de Geumetrie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mult par ert fere de corage: pur ceo ke ele fud tant sage, ducs e countes la requeroient; [C line 71] Line 95 de ⁷multz de⁷ [7_7 mute; read multes] terres pur li [luy] venoient, mes nul de eus amer ne uoleit, pur ceo ke tant bele esteit.

felice fu la bele appellee: pur sa beaute fu mult amee; Line 100 de totes beautez fu ele la flur, tant bele ne ert a icel iour. ki totes terres dunc serchast vne tant bele n'i [ne] trouast: qui tote sa beaute countereit Line 105 trop grant demorance i freit. de la pucele lerrum ester, [C line 83] ²e de² [2_2 del] senescal uodrum parler, ke [Qi] mult ert corteis e sage: homme fu de mult grant parage; Line 110 riches ert e de mult [omit.] grant ualur; en icel tens ni out meillur, ⁵ne ke⁵ [5_5 Ni qi] fuht tant des armes prise, kar en mainte terre aueit este pur sun pris enhaucier; Line 115 pur ceo ⁶fait il⁶ [6_6 feseit] mult a loer. en Walingeford nez estoit, tuit le pais a li apendoit: pur ceo fud il nobles e fier; tant bon n'i [n'] aueit de ca [sa (= ça)] la mier, Line 120 ne ki seruist sun seingnur, tuz iours a si grant honur. His lord he serued treweliche [folio 108a:1] In al þing manschipeliche. [C line 93] þer was non erl in Inglond Line 125 þat to ȝeines him durst stond, Bot, ȝif he wold be wiþ him at on, He wald do nimen him anon, & wiþ strengþe him nim wolde, þei he to Scotlond suwe him scholde. Line 130 His lordis honour he held worþschipliche, & defended it wele & hardiliche; þer nas [MS. was] kni[ȝ]t in Inglonde þat wiþ wretþe durst him atstonde.

. . . . . . . . . . þei a man bar an hundred pounde, Opon him, of gold y-grounde, þe[r] nas man in al þis londe þat durst him do schame no schonde, Line 140 þat bireft him worþ of a slo, So gode pais þer was þo. Þilke steward hadde a sone [C line 110] Trewe & wise atte frome; Al folk he dede him loue, Line 145 For þat noman schuld him schoue; & riche ȝiftes ȝiuen he wold, For þat he schuld be fre yhold. þerl Rohaud he serued þo, As he schuld his kinde lorde do; Line 150 þerl him loued swiþe dere, Ouer al oþer þat þer were. Of his coupe serue he him dede, He was preysed to him in euerich stede: þerl michel him worþschipede, Line 155 & for his fader loue to him clepede. Gij of Warwike his name was, [C line 123] In court non better beloued þer nas, So he was among gret lordinges, Litel & michel in al þinges. Line 160 Gentil he was & of michel miȝt, Ouer al oþer feirest bi siȝt [MS. bisiȝt] : Al þai wonderd strongliche, For his feirhed was so miche; So mani godenes in him were, Line 165 Al him preysed þer y-fere, Of bordis & turnament y-wis, Kniȝtes to hauen & holden of pris. Gij a forster fader hadde, [folio 108a:2] [C line 139] þat him lerd & him radde Line 170

Line 170 Of wodes & riuer & oþer game: Herhaud of Ardern was his name. He was hende & wele y-tauȝt, Gij to lern forȝat he nauȝt; Michel he couþe of hauk & hounde, Line 175 Of estriche faucouns of gret mounde. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . It was opon a Pentecost day yteld, [C line 143] Line 185 þerl a gret fest held At Warwike in þat cite, þat þan was y-won to be. þider cam men of miche miȝt, Erls & barouns boþe apliȝt, Line 190 Leuedis & maidens of gret mounde, þat in þe lond wer y-founde. Eueriche maiden ches hir loue Of kniȝtes þat wer þider y-come, & euerich kniȝt his leman Line 195 Of þat gentil maiden wiman; When þai were fro chirche y-come, þer aliȝt mani a noble gome. þerl to þe mete was sett, Gij stode forn him in þat flett, Line 200 þat was þe steward sone, þerl to serue it was his wone. To him he cleped Gij, & him hete & comandi þat he in to chaumber went, Line 205 & grete wele þat maiden gent,

& þat he schuld þat ich day Serue wele þat feir may.

Gij him answerd freliche: [C line 159] 'Sir, ichil wel bleþeliche.' Line 210 In a kirtel of silk he gan him schrede, Into chaumber wel sone he ȝede. Þe kirtel bicom him swiþe wel, To Amenden þer on was neuer a del; Þe maidens biheld him feir & wel, Line 215 For þat he was so gentil. Gij on his knes sone him sett, [C line 161] & on hir fader half he hir grett, & seyd he was þider sent To serue hir to hir talent. Line 220 Felice answerd þan to Gij [folio 108b:1] [C line 167] 'Bieus amis, molt gramerci.' & seþþe sche asked him in þe plas Whennes he cam, & what he was. 'Mi fader,' he seyd, 'hat Suward, Line 225 þat is þi fader steward, þat wiþ him me haþ y-held & forþ y-brouȝt, God him for-ȝeld!' 'Artow,' sche seyd, 'Suward sone, þat of al godenes haþ þe wone?' Line 230 Gij stode stille & seyd nouȝt. Wiþ þat was the water forþ brouȝt: þai sett hem to mete anon, Erl, baroun, sweyn & grom. ¶ Gij was bisy þat ich day Line 235 To serue wele þat feir may. þat day Gij dede his miȝt To serue þritti maidens briȝt; Al an-amourd on him þai were, & loued Gij for his feir chere. Line 240 þer of no ȝaf he riȝt nouȝt, Al anoþer it was his þouȝt:

On Felice þat was so briȝt, Gij hir loued wiþ al his miȝt; So michel sche was in his þouȝt, Line 245 þat neye he was to deþ y-brouȝt, He gan to wepe & sore siche, & biment him wel reweliche; . . . . . . . . . . & grete wonder he hadde y-wis Line 251 þat Felice so feir a creatour is. Ac he no dar his loue keþe, No sen hir wel vnneþe, He is in so gret þouȝt, Line 255 His conseyl wil he schewe nouȝt. Into þe maidens chaumber he is y-go, [C line 187] At Felice he tok his leue þo, & in his way he goþ apliȝt. Vnto his chamber he went ful riȝt, Line 260 & wepe & made grete wo, For he loued þat maiden so. His men axed him on hy, Whi þat he was so sori? He hem answerd sone anon, Line 265 þat swiche iuel is comen him on þat he weneþ his liif forgon, [folio 108b:2] Bote no tit him neuer non. In þe court biment was Gij; [C line 207] Mani man for him was sori, Line 270 For he was won to serue hem wel, & ȝif hem mani a iuwel. Now is Gij in gret tempest, Sorwe he makeþ wiþ þe mest Of Felice þat feir may; Line 275 For hir loue he sorweþ ay. . . . . .

. . . . . & grete wonder he haþ y-wis Þat him so hard bifallen is; Line 280 He acursed þe time þat [he] hir say, Felice wiþ hir eyȝen gray, Hir gray eyȝen, hir nebbis schene: 'For hir mi liif is miche in wene. To hir ichil tellen al mi þouȝt, Line 285 Whi þat icham in sorwe brouȝt. Tide me gode oþer qued, Y nil it hele for no nede, Riȝt to hir that y ne go & schewe hir of mi miche wo. Line 290 . . . . . . . . . . ¶ Ac now to hir schewen y nille; Allas, wreche, hou may i duelle? Line 295 . . . . . For mi lordes douhter sche is, & ich his nori, forsoþe y-wis; Þerfore ich auȝt him treweþe bere, & neuer more him to dere. Line 300 Ȝif ich hir loued, & it wist he, & he miȝt ouer-take me, He wald anon mine heued of smite, Oþer heye hong, for that wite, Oþer hewe me wiþ swerdes kene, Line 305 Ȝif ich hadde don him þat tene. Allas, wreche, what may y do? Y loue þing y no may com to!' ¶ Now is Gij in sorwe ybrouȝt; [C line 191] Of his liif nis him nouȝt. Line 310 . . . . . . . . . . He went and trent his bed opon, So man þat is wo bigon;

He no may sitt no stonde, Line 315 No vnneþe drawen his onde; Rest, no take slepeinge, Mete ete, no drinke dringe; No may him noman comforti, [folio 109a:1] Bot euer his song is wo & wi. Line 320 In so gret þouȝt was he þo, & so gret sorwe toke him to, Leuer him wer walk & wende, & dye in trewe loue bende. ¶ Þus [Gij] lay in grete turment Line 325 Til þat þe fest was al to-went. Swiche an iuel is on him fast, Þat he no may it of him cast; He no wil noman his care schewe. His sorwes ben euer aliche newe, Line 330 Þat he no may his loue haue, Grete strengþe him doþ wiþ-drawe. Þer-fore he seyd, 'ichil hir schewe, My peyne is euer aliche newe; Of al mi sorwe nis hir nouȝt, Line 335 Ich wold ich were to deþ y-brouȝt. Bitide me iuel oþer gode, Ichil it held in mi mode; & ȝif sche wil, sche may me spille, Ac for al þat leten y nille.' Line 340

Now is Gij to court y-go, [C line 215] As [As illegible in MS.] man þat is ful of wo, & on his knes he him dede Bifor Felice in þat stede, & to hir he spac wel euen Line 345 Wiþ a wel queynt steuen, & seyd, 'Felice þe feir, merci! For godes loue & our leuedi, Þat y þe no finde mi dedliche fo, For godes loue herken me to! Line 350

Line 350 No longer hele y nille, Al that soþe tellen y wille. . . . . . . . . . . Line 355 . . . . . Þou art þe þing þat y most ȝerne, Fro þe no may mine hert terne; Opon al oþer y loue þe, Y no may it lete ded to be. Line 360 Vnder heuen no þing nis, Noiþer gode no qued y-wis, Þat y for þe don y [so MS.; read it.] nolde, To lete þat liif don y wolde. Þou art mi liif, mi ded y-wis, Line 365 Wiþouten arrow_forward þe haue y no blis; Y loue þe and tow nouȝt me, [folio 109a:2] Y dye for þe loue of þe. Bot þou haue merci on me, For sorwe ichil me self sle, Line 370 For wistestow þe heuinisse, Þe sorwe and þe sorinisse, Þat me is on niȝt and day (Bi trewe loue siggen ich it may)— & tow it miȝt wiþ eyȝen se, Line 375 Þou wost haue merci on me.'

Felice þe feir answerd þo, [C line 219] 'Artow þis, Gij, so mot þou go, Þe steward sone Suward, Ich wene þou art a fole musard! Line 380 When þou of loue me hast bisauȝt, Al to fole-hardy þou art y-tauȝt. Wele þou holdest me for a fole; Þou art y-tauȝt to a liþer scole, & icham þi lordes douhter biname; Line 385 Þan dostow him wel michel schame,

When þou of loue bi-sechist me Þat y schold þi leman be. No fond y neuer man me so missede, No me so of loue bede, Line 390 Noyþer kniȝt no baroun, Bot þou þat art a garsoun, & art mi man, & man schalt be. Yuel were mi fairhed sett on þe, & y swiche a grome toke, Line 395 & so mani grete lordinges for-soke. Erls, doukes of þe best In þis world, & þe richest, Me haue desired apliȝt, Þat neuer of me hadde siȝt. Line 400 Þat wer gret deshonour to me! Al to loþ mi liif me schuld be. Al to fole-hardi þou were, When þou me of loue bisouȝtest here. Bi mi trewþe y schal þe swere, [C line 224] Line 405 Schal y mi fader þe tiding bere, Þou worþest to-hewen, oþer for-do, (Bi þe be warned oþer mo) Oþer wiþ wilde hors to-drawe, For þi foly, & þat wer lawe, Line 410 & oþer schul be warned bi þi dede, [folio 109b:1] & her lordinges þe more drede. Go heþen,' sche seyd, '& vp arise, & cum nam-more in mi purpris!' ¶ Wel sorwefuliche went Gij [C line 235] Line 415 In to his chaumber al dreri: Gij in to his chaumber gan to gon, & schett him þer in anon. Þer in he made sorwe anouȝ, & his cloþes al to-drouȝ. Line 420 Vnder heuen nas þat it ne miȝt haue rewþe Of his sorwenes & of his trewþe.

Of loue he bi-ment strongliche For whom þat he loued so miche: 'Loue,' he seyd, 'slake now mi sore Line 425 Þat is dedeliche, as y seyd ore. Loue of þis ȝongling Makeþ me iuel fonding. Loue, bring me of þis wodenisse, & bring me in to sum lisse, Line 430 For to reste me aþrowe, Þat y miȝt meseluen knowe. Sore me meneþ, for me smert, Miche care is in mine hert, Michel ich am y-cast of miȝt Line 435 Al to fer wiþ vnriȝt. Loue me doþ to grounde falle, Þat y ne may stond stef wiþ alle. Loue doþ min cloþes done, & after me clepeþ 'wreche' sone. Line 440 Hou schal y liue? hou schal y fare? Hou long schal y liuen in care? Leuest þing me were to dye, & ich wist bi wiche weye. Deþ,' he seyd, 'wher artow so long? Line 445 Þou makest me y may nouȝt stond. Þou makest me out of þe way to gon; Whi ne comestow to feche me anon? Worþi ich were ded to be: Y loue þing þat loueþ nouȝt me. Line 450 Herkeneþ now hou seiþ þe wise: Y schal ȝou schewe bi þis asise. For a fole he schal him held Þat takeþ more þan he may weld. To a fenestre þan Gij is go, [folio 109b:2] Line 455 Biheld þe castel, þe tour also. [C line 269] 'Tour,' he seyd, 'feir artow bisett! In þe is þat maiden bischett

Þat liueþ þer in ioie & blis, & ichir loue for soþe y-wis. Line 460 Tour, when wer thou ouer-þrowe, And wiþ þe winde al to-blowe! Þat y miȝt hir wiþ eyȝen se Þat y loue more þan me!' He ginneþ to wepe & sore siche, Line 465 His care him neweþ eueriliche; Adoun he fel and swoune bigan, [C line 278] (More sorwe made neuer man) & cursed þe time þat he was bore, For now he haþ his witt forlore. Line 470 'Loue,' he seyd, 'acursed þou be! To michel miȝt it is in þe Þat y ne may me fro þe were; Loue, merci, þatow me no dere! Leuer me were forto dye Line 475 Þan long to liuen here in eyȝe. Allas, Felice, þat ich stounde, Þi loue me haþ so ybounde! & þat y serued þe þat day, Acursed be þat time, seyen y may! Line 480 No bid ichaue non oþer mede, Bot slake mi sorwe, ichaue nede. Y loue þe & tow nouȝt me. Euen dole may it nouȝt be; For of mi sorwe no hastow nouȝt. Line 485 Allas! to grounde icham ybrouȝt! Þou hast þe gode, & y þe quede: Y brenne so spark on glede. Seþþe þou me lokedest first to, Þou me woundest wiþ a flo. Line 490 Schal y dye for þat siȝt? Merci, Felice, þat swete wiȝt! Mine hert is ful of venim spilt, Of blis no worþ it neuer filt.'

Swiche liif ladde Gij sikerliche Line 495 Al that seuenniȝt holeliche. His fader was for him sori, Sabin his moder biment Gij, Þerl for him sori was, [folio 110a:1] Þer liked non in that plas: Line 500 Litel & michel, al & some, Biment Gij att[e] frome.

Þerl dede þe leches of-sende [C line 247] Of Gyes iuel to wite þat ende. Þe leches ben to him y-go: Line 505 Gij þai finde blaike and blo; Hij asked him where his iuel stode. He seyd for hete he brend nere wode: 'So hot ich am, & bren[n]inge, Mi sorwe is euer cominge, Line 510 Þat al mi limes it haþ to-tiȝt; Swiche liif y lede day & niȝt. After þe hete me comeþ a chele Þat me greueþ wiþ vn-skele, Þat y wex cold as ise. Line 515 So vn-kinde iuel it is, Þat al mine limes it wil to-te; & seþþe me comeþ swouninges þre, For anguis swoune it me doþ Tviis or þriis, y say for soþ. Line 520 Swiche liif y lede niȝt & day: Non oþer wise y no can ȝou say.' ¶ Þan seyd þat on, 'a feuer it is.' [C line 265] 'Ȝa,' quod Gij, 'a liþer y-wis.' Þe leches gon, & lete Gij one, Line 525 Þat makeþ wel michel mone. 'God,' quod Gij, 'what schal y do? Hou long schal y liuen in wo? Þat y no miȝt ded be, When y no may hir wiþ eyȝen se, [C line 285] Line 530

Line 530 Þat haþ al mine hert & þouȝt! & y no misgilt hir neuer nouȝt, Bot on þat ichir loue wel, & euer more loue schel! Ȝif ich it hir schewe, sche wil telle Line 535 Hir fader, & he me wil quelle. Þei he it wist, siker apliȝt, More þan me sle don he no miȝt. Ȝif he me slouȝ, it were schonde, Schuld y þan for deþ wonde; Line 540 To hir for soþe ichil go & schewe hir of mi michel wo. Vnder heuen [n]is so strong þing [folio 110a:2] So is loue and wowing. Now,' he seyd, 'what for þan? Line 545 Þei ich hir loue, blame me noman; To warant ichil drawe atte frome Þat loue doþ me þider come, & þat loue doþ me go to þe Þat y no may wiþ-hold me.' Line 550

With þis Gij arisen is, [C line 293] & to þe gate goþ y-wis. 'God,' quod Gij, 'y do foliliche: Y sle me seluen sikerliche; Mine owhen [deþ] y go now secheinde. Line 555 God,' he seyd, 'be mine helpinde!' Adoun he fel a-swounie; & when he gan to dawei, 'To þe court,' he seyd, 'ichil go, Be it for wele or for wo: Line 560 To þe court ichil, what so bitide, Þei gret strengþe me do abide.' Now is Gij to court y-comen [C line 295] As man þat is wiþ sorwe y-nome, & in to an erber he is y-go, Line 565 Felice findeþ þer in þo;

At hir fet he him leyd, Al wepeand to hir he seyd, 'Felice, now ich am comen to þe, [C line 304] & ȝif þou wilt, þou miȝt m[e] sle, Line 570 For now icham wiþ-in thi loke, & þine hest ichaue to-broke. For ich would þatow seye Þe sorwe þat y for þe dreye: Þe strong pine & þe wo Line 575 Y dreye for þe euer-mo. Mine hert schal bileue wiþ þe: Wiltow, niltow, it schal [MS. itschal.] so be, Þat [read þat me?] mi bodi ferli [read fersi?] may, Bot þat wille it lasteþ ay. Line 580 Þer while y liue, loue y þe wille, & bot ȝif y do, ichil me spille; For me no schal it to-deled be Þer while þat liif it lasteþ in me; Þe to loue no miȝtow me forbede, Line 585 In wo & sorwe þou dost me fede. Whan it worþ þi fader y-teld [folio 110b:1] Þatow hast mine hert in weld, & he wite that y loue þe, Ichot for soþe he wil me sle; Line 590 & þat schal turn me al to blis When y schal dye for soþe y-wis. Henne forward ne reche y me Of mi liif, whare it be, No of mi deþ neuer þe mo Line 595 No reche y neuer where y go.' He ferd as he wer mat, [C line 317] Adoun he fel aswoune wiþ þat; Felice stode & loked him to & biheld his strong wo; Line 600 . . . . .

. . . . . To a mayde sche seyd þo: 'Take him vp in þine armes to, & lay him soft on þe [MS. onþe] grounde'; Line 605 & sche dede so in þat stounde. Þat mayden ȝede to him wepeinde, & Gij wel sore biminde: 'Bi god [MS. Bigod] of heuen,' sche seyd, & ich wer as feir a mayd, [C line 330] Line 610 & as riche kinges douhter were As ani in þis warld here, & he of mi loue vnder-nome were, As he is of þine in strong manere, & he wald me so o loue ȝerne, Line 615 Me þenke y no myȝt it him nouȝt werne.'

Felice the feir answerd þo: 'Damisel,' sche seyd, 'whi seistow so? Þou art to blame, al-so y se, No-þing þer-mid no paistow me. Line 620 Oft þou hast y-herd in speche Þat we no schal no man biseche, Ac men schul biseche wimen In the feirest maner þat þai can, & fond to speden ȝif þai may Line 625 Boþe bi [MS. biniȝtes] niȝtes and bi day.' Of his swouning he vpros þo; Þe maiden him tok in armes to. Felice seyd to Gij, 'þou dost folie, Þatow wilt for mi loue dye; Line 630 Schal y do mi fader of-sende? I schal him telle word & ende, Þat tow dost me litel worþschipe, [folio 110b:2] When þou me desirest to schenschipe; In his court he schal deme þe, Line 635 & al to-lime, to queme me.' ¶ Gij answerd anon þer-to, 'God ȝeue þat it wer y-do,

Þat of mi deþ þou haddest [MS. þouhaddest] wite! Of mi liif is me bot lite; Line 640 Redi ich am it to vnder-fong, Be it wiþ riȝt, be it wiþ wrong.' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ¶ Felice hadde of him gret rewþe: [C line 341] 'Gij,' quod [sche], 'þou louest me in trewþe; Al to michel þou art afoild, Now þi arrow_back blod arrow_forward it is acoild. Line 650 Ac o thing y grant þe; More no miȝtow asky me: Þer nis leuedi, no maiden non, In þis cuntre so wide so man may gon, & tow louedest hir astow dost me Line 655 Þat sche no wold grant hir loue to þe.'

Gij seyd to Felice, 'now lete þis be; Now me þenke þou scornnest me. Nis me nouȝt iuel anouȝ y-diȝt, When þou wilt of me no-wiȝt? Line 660 Now a fole [MS. afole] ich-il be & mi witt chaunge for þe!' 'Gij,' seyd Felice, 'now vnder-stond: [C line 355] For now nil y noþing wond; & þei y say þe al mi wille, Line 665 No hold it for non vn-skille: No grome louen y no may Fort he be kniȝt forsoþ to say, Feir & beld to tellen by, S[t]rong in armes & hardi; Line 670 & when þou hast armes vnder-fong, & ichaue it vnder-stonde, Þan schaltow haue þe loue of me, Ȝif þow be swiche as y telle þe.'

When Gij herd þat tiding, [C line 384] Line 675 For ioie his hert gan to spring; At hir he tok leue anon, In-to the castel he gan to gon; Al so swiþe as he it miȝt do, In-to the court he gan to go: Line 680 Of euerich day him þought ten [folio 111a:1] Fort he seye his [s added over the line.] lemen. & when he feld him hole & fere, [C line 375] He went to court wiþ glad chere; Michel ioie wiþ him þai made, Line 685 & alle þai wer bliþe & glade. . . . . . . . . . . To þerl þan went Gij, & gret þat kniȝt hardi, Line 690 & seyd, 'sir, þine armes ich ax; Ȝif ich am þer to y-wax, Ich am redi hem to fong, & þe to serue wiþ-outen wrong.' Þerl answerd, & seyd þo, Line 695 'Bleþeliche, Gij, seþþe þou wilt so.' [C line 365] ¶ Þerl dede anon aparaile Gyes dobing wiþ-outen feyle; Wel richelich he dubbed Gij, & wiþ him felawes tventi, Line 700 Þat al barouns sones were (For Gyes loue he dubbed hem þere), Þat wiþ þerl Rohaud hadde ben long, In his seruise armes to vnder-fong.

It was at þe holy trinite, Line 705 Þerl dubbed sir Gij þe fre, & wiþ him tventi god gomis, Kniȝtes and riche baroun sonis. Of cloth of Tars & riche cendel Was he[r] dobbeing euerich a del; Line 710

Line 710 Þe panis al of fow & griis, Þe mantels weren of michel priis, Wiþ riche armour & gode stedes, Þe best þat wer in lond at nedis. Alder-best was Gij y-diȝt, Line 715 Þei he wer an emperour sone, apliȝt: So richeliche dobbed was he, Nas no swiche in þis cuntre; Wiþ riche stedes wele erninde, Palfreys, coursours wele bereinde. Line 720 No was þer noiþer sweyn no knaue, Þat ouȝt failed þat he schuld haue. ¶ Now is sir Gij dobbed to kniȝt; Feir he was and michel of miȝt. To Felice went sir Gij, [C line 429] Line 725 & gret hir wel curteyslie, & seyd, 'ichaue don astow seydest me to, [folio 111a:2] For þe ichaue suffred miche wo: . . . . . . . . . . Arme for þe ichaue vnder-fong, Þe to se me þouȝt long. Þou art me boþe leue & dere, Ich am y-comen þi wille to here.' ¶ 'Gij,' seyd Felice, 'heye þe nouȝt: Line 735 Ȝete hastow no þing of armes y-wrouȝt. No artow þe better neuer a del Þan þou wer ere, y say þe wel, Bot on þatow [hast] newe dobing, & art cleped kniȝt wiþ-outen lesing; Line 740 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . Bot it be þurch þi miȝt, Þou no miȝt chalang loue þurch riȝt.'

When Gij herd Felice so speke, [C line 445] He tok his leue and gan out reke; Line 750 At hir leue he tok anon, & to his fader he gan to gon, & seyd, 'fader, vnder-stond me: Icham newe dobbed as ȝe may se, Ouer þe se ichil now fare Line 755 To win priis & los þare.' His fader him answerd sone, 'Sone, god leue þe wele to done! [C line 475] & als michel as þe nede be, Sone, schaltow haue wiþ þe.' Line 760 . . . . . . . . . . ¶ Suward cleped Herhaud to him, & seyd, 'Herhaud, frende min, Wiþ Gi mi sone schaltow wende; Line 765 In gode stede mot ȝe lende. Þou schalt kepe mi sone Gij, For he is mi sone & tow mi norri. . . . . . . . . . . Loke, Herhaud, þat tow him kepe; & þine felawes þat ben ȝepe, Boþe Torold & sir Vrri, On ȝou y trust sikerli; & wiþ Herhaud schul ȝe go Line 775 To kepe mi sone from care & wo.' & hii answerd sone anon, 'Hastiliche, sir, wil we wiþ him gon.' Þai weren boþe strong kniȝtes, Bold and hardi in ich fiȝtes. [altered to fiȝttes in MS.] Line 780 Gij tok wiþ him what he wold [C line 485] Boþe of siluer & of gold.

To þe se þai ben now y-come, [folio 111b:1] & seyled ouer atte frome. [C line 500] Þai comen in-to Normondye, Line 785 Knight-schippe þai sechen on heye; In Ron Gij takeþ his herberwe Wiþ þe richest man of þe borwe; Mete & drink þai hadde anouȝ, Nas þer non þat it wiþ-drouȝ. Line 790 . . . . . . . . . . Sir Gij his ost cleped him to, & him bi-gan to frein þo, & asked him wher þe turnament schuld be, Line 795 So mani scheldes þan seye he. His ost seyd, 'sir, wite ȝe nouȝt [C line 511] Of þis turnament þat is biþouȝt?' 'No,' seyd Gij, 'bi mine wite, Y no herd þer-of neuer ȝete.' Line 800 His ost him answerd snelle, 'Of þat turnament y schal ȝou telle: It schal be for a maiden of pris, Þemperours douhter sche is; A turnament he haþ don grede, Line 805 A swiþe michel & vn-rede. Þer nis no kniȝt in Speyne, [C line 521] Al to þe se of Breteyne, Þat ouȝt y-told wiþ be, Þer men schal his miȝt se. Line 810 He þat best doþ þat day, Þer he schal winne þat play. Of euerich londe þider com kniȝtes, Þat strong ben & bold in fiȝtes; For who that is gode & snelle, Line 815 As ichaue herd oþer men telle, Who þat þer be of mest miȝt, Grete worþschipe he winneþ, apliȝt.

For þe maiden y spac of er, Is þemperours douhter Reyner; Line 820 He schal bring to þe turment þat day (Wele is him þat it winne may) A ger-fauk þat is milke white [C line 537] (To him nis nowhare his liche), & a stede of gret bounte Line 825 (He no schuld be ȝouen for a cuntre). & tvai grehoundes þat white ben (Swiche no haþ men nowhare y-sen). & who so winneþ þe turnament al [folio 111b:2] Bi aiþer half, þe priis have schal, Line 830 Þe gerfauk & þe gode stede Boþe he schal haue to mede, & þe tvay grehoundes þat gode beþ He schal haue þat þer best deþ, & þe maiden þat is so fre, Line 835 Bot he haue a fairer in his cuntre.' ¶ When sir Gij herd þat tiding, [C line 549] Glad he was wiþ-outen lesing; Sir Gij seyd to his fere, 'In gode time come we here: Line 840 To morwe, so sone so it is day, We wil wenden in our way.' Sir [Gij] his ost a palfrey ȝaf þo, For þe tiding he teld him to. Anon amorwe wel erliche Line 845 Þai don hem in her wai sikerliche. . . . . . . . . . . Of rideing wil þai neuer stent To þai com to þe turnament. Line 850 & when þai wer þider y-come, Þai seye þer mani douȝti gome: Bi feldes & bi riuers ridinde Mani a kniȝt þai seye cominde.

& when þai were þider y-come, Line 855 To þe turnament þai went al & some; Out of þe rengge þai gun hem diȝt, Þe barouns þat were of miche miȝt. Þan oxed anon sir Gij To þe barouns þat oned [read houed?] him bi: Line 860 'What is he, þat ich kniȝt, [C line 570] Þat out of þe renge haþ him diȝt, Wiþ þo armes briȝt & schene?' Hii answerd anon: 'y wene, It is a kniȝt of miche priis, Line 865 Douhti he is bi Seyn Deniis; Out of þe rengge he haþ him diȝt, Ȝif he miȝt finden ani kniȝt Þat wiþ him wald iusti; Þer-to he makeþ him redi.' Line 870 Oȝaines sir Gij þer come Gayer, To iuste wiþ him he drouȝ him ner; He rode to him as a gode kniȝt, He semed a man [MS. aman] of miche miȝt. . . . . . . . . . . Gaier smot sir Gij bifore [folio 112a:1] & þurch þe scheld [MS. þescheld] him haþ i-bore; Þe launce brak, þat was wele wrouȝt, Þe hauberk was gode & failed nouȝt. Line 880 Gij afterward Gaier smot, To grounde he feld him fot hot, Þe stede toke bi the reyn, & lepe vp wiþ gret meyn. Now ginneþ þe turnamint: [C line 582] Line 885 Ich smit on oþer wel gode dint; Þai smiten togider for soþ, y pliȝt, Eueriche to nim oþer dede his miȝt. Wel mani kniȝtes Gij wan þat day, Of þe maistri he wan þat play; Line 890

Line 890 So mani helmes he to-drof, Þat mani man wonderd þer-of: Sat he neuer so wel no so fast, Þat he no feld him sone on hast. Þe douke Otus of Pauie Line 895 To Gij he hadde envie; Wiþ him he wald iusti, It turned him to vilani. Þe douke come prikiand on his stede Þat certeyne was, and gode at nede, Line 900 & sir Gij on anoþer al-so; Gode kniȝtes þai weren bo. Gij þurch þe scholder him smot, [C line 603] & feld him to grounde fot hot. ¶ Þe douke Reyner seye þat cas Line 905 Of Sessione: wel modi he was. He come als swiþe as he miȝt driue, Gij to smite he heyed bliue, & seyd to him: 'in iuel stounde Ȝaf þou þe douke Otous wounde. Line 910 To wroþer hele iuste þou wiþ him. He is mi germain cosyn: Icham þe douke Reyner þat to þe speke; Icham y-comen him to awreke: Turn þe and iuste wiþ me.' Line 915 'Bleþeliche,' quod Gij, 'bi my leute.'

Gij him turned & gan to smite; [C line 617] He nold spare him bot lite; He smot þe douke on þe scheld, Þat it fleye in þe feld, Line 920 & bar þe douke Reyner saunfeil [folio 112a:2] Ouer & oue[r] his hors tayl. Þe stede bi þe reyn he haþ y-nome, Oȝain to þe douke he is y-come. 'Here is þine hors, y ȝiue it te; Line 925 When ichaue nede, aquite it me!'

& wele he ȝalt him his while, As gode kniȝt wiþ-outen gile; I schal ȝou tel feir & wel Hou he it ȝald him eueridel. Line 930 When þe douk Otus y-seye þis, [C line 627] To-ȝaines Gij he come, y-wis: 'Sir kniȝt,' he seyd, 'y prey þe, Tel me þi name [MS. þiname] and whenne tow be.' ¶ Sir Gij answerd wel freliche, Line 935 'Y schal þe tel ful bleþeliche: Gij of Warwike men clepeþ me; Ich was y-born in þat cuntre.' Þe douk Lowayn cam wiþ þis, A gode spere in his hond, y-wis; Line 940 To Gij he smot wiþ gret hete, & Gij oȝain to him smite: To-gider so hard gun þai driue, Þat her speres gan al to-riue. Þai smiten togider hard & wel Line 945 Wiþ her swerdes of grounden stiel Þurch scheld & hauberk also: Strong fiȝt was bi-tven hem to. Wiþ that come Herhaud priking; Þe douk he met coming, Line 950 & of his hors him haþ y-feld Riȝt long streȝt in þe feld. Wiþ þat come þe douke Gaudiner, & mett wiþ sir Torold þer; Sir Torold smot him on þe scheld, Line 955 Þat he feld him in the feld; He semed kniȝt gode & hardi. Wiþ þat come prikeing sir Urri; [C line 648] Þan gan þe fiȝt to ben aferd; Of swiche ne haue ȝe nouȝt y-herd, Line 960 No ich it nouȝt telle no miȝt, For long dueling, y ȝou pliȝt,

No no clerk vnder sonne, Þat þe soþe ȝou telle conne; [folio 112b:1] Bot al þe folk of þat cuntre Line 965 Seyd þat Gij þe best miȝt be. & þat oþer day y-same Sir Gij wan þat ich game; & þer-fore, on euerich a side, On him was leyd al þe pride. Line 970 So opon þe þridde day Þe kniȝtes tok her leue and went oway. [C line 660] ¶ Wiþ þis come þe douk prikeing, A gode kniȝt and wele doing. 'Lordinges,' he seyd, 'herkeneþ to me: Line 975 Ichil ȝou telle hou it schal be; & who so þer-oȝain sey ouȝt, Of bateyl no þarf him feyl nouȝt.' Þai seyden al couinliche, Þe dome was ȝouen sikerliche; Line 980 Þe gerfauk and þe gode stede, Þe grehoundes schul haue to mede Gij of Warwike, þe noble kniȝt, For best nov doand in þis fiȝt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Þus þe kniȝtes ben departed y-wis; Sir Gij to jn y-comen is, & dede him vnarmi: Of turnament he was weri. ¶ Wiþ þat come a seriant prikeinde, [C line 679] Line 995 Gentil he was & wele spekeinde; To sir Gyes in he is y-come, & him he gret atte frome:

. . . . . . . . . . 'Thou art y-chesen chef & pris Of al þis cuntre for soþe y-wis; For þou hast y-won þis turnament, Y make þe here þis present Fram þe maiden Blancheflour, Line 1005 Þat is mi lordes douhter þemperour: Þe gerfauk & þe stede also, & þe tvay grehoundes þer-to; & ȝete hir loue wiþ þan, Bot þou haue a fairer leman. Line 1010 Sche þat is þe tour wiþ-inne, To day þou miȝt hir loue winne.'

Wel curteysliche answerd sir Gij: [C line 691] 'Sir,' he seyd, 'gramerci; Ich vnder-fong þis present, Line 1015 & þonke hir þat it hider sent; Hir druerie ich vnder-fong, [folio 112b:2] Hir kniȝt to [be] arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward wrong. Leue fere,' he seyd, 'herken to me, What þat y schal telle þe: Line 1020 Þis armes ichil the ȝiue, & make riche while þou liue; & al þine feren þat be wiþ þe Riche ȝiftes schullen hauen of me, & do ich-il ȝou grete honour Line 1025 For þat maidens loue Blauncheflour.' 'Gramerci, sir Gij,' seyd he; [C line 703] 'For armes come y nouȝt [MS. ynouȝt.] to þe, Ac to þe maiden ichil wende, & tel hir boþe ord & ende, Line 1030 Blauncheflour, þat swete thing, Ichil hir tel gode tiding.'

Þe seriant goþ & lete Gij þare, [C line 709] Þat liueþ in ioie and nouȝt in care.

Tvay swaines Gij clepeþ him to, Line 1035 Anon he seyd to hem bo: 'This present ȝe schullen vnderfong, & wende þer-wiþ into Inglond, & present þer-wiþ bi mi word Rohaut, mi kinde lord.' Line 1040 & when þai herd what he hem hete, [C line 718] In her way þai dede hem skete, & went þe[r]wiþ in-to Inglond, & þerl Rohaut þer þai fond. Þe gerfauk and þe gode stede, Line 1045 Þe tvai grehoundes wiþ hem [MS. originally him.] ȝede; Þerl þai made þer-wiþ present, Þat sir Gij wan in turnament. & anon þai him teld Gij was þe best in þe feld, Line 1050 & þat he was best y-teld bi Of al þe kniȝtes of Normandi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Þerl þer-of wel glad he was, [C line 737] & þonked god of þat gras; & Felice þe feir dede al-so, When þe tiding come hir to; Line 1060 And al his frendes eld and ȝing Glad were of þat [d expunged after þat.] tiding. Nov Gij wendeþ in-to fer lond, [C line 743] More of auentours for to fond; Forþ he went in-to Speyne, [MS. originally Speyine.] [folio 113a:1] Line 1065 & after in-to Almeyne. Þer nas noiþer turnament no burdis, Þat Gij þer-of no wan þe priis. He was out al þat ȝer In mani londes fer & ner, Line 1070

Line 1070 And best is teld vnder sunne, & mest frendes haþ y-wonne. . . . . . . . . . . Þan seyd Herhaud to sir Gij Line 1075 (His maister he was & kniȝt hardi): 'In-to Inglond we schul nov go, So wele so we may it do, For we han ouer al y-be, Þe pris y-wonne in euerich cuntre.' Line 1080 Gij seyd, 'maister, y grant wel; At þi wil be it eueridel.' 'Now we han ben her & tar, Þe pris y-wonne euer ay-war; To king Aþelston þou schalt aqueynt þe [C line 756] Line 1085 Of Inglond þat is so fre, & wiþ þe barouns also, So wele þou may it nov do. . . . . . . . . . . ¶ Gij seyd, 'tomorwe, when it is day, Wende we wil in our way.' & when þe day is y-come, In her way þai ben y-nome; Ouer se þai gan wende Line 1095 In Inglond þai gun lende. [C line 765] Anon þai com to king Athelston, Wel fair he hem vnder-fenge anon; Wiþ erls & barouns aqueynt him dede Þat riche ȝiftes him bede. Line 1100

Nov is Gij to Warwike fare; Þerl Rohaut he fint þare. He welcomed him & his fere, For he was him leue & dere, & kist him wel sweteliche, Line 1105 & of his present þonked him miche.

To his leman he is y-come, & euen forþ hir-self sche haþ him nome. . . . . . . . . . . Glad was his fader for him, Sabin his moder & al his kin, & al þe folk of þat cuntre Bliþe were þai miȝt him se. ¶ To Felice þan sir Gij is go; [C line 777] [folio 113a:2] Line 1115 Sweteliche he seyd hir to: 'Leman,' he seyd, 'wele þou be, Mi liif ichaue for loue of þe; Ded ich were ȝif þou nere, Mi bodi destrud and leyd on bere. Line 1120 When þou þi wille hadde seyd to me, Armes y fenge for loue of [þe]; & when ich hadde armes take, Þou seyd þou noldest me for-sake, . . . . . . . . . . Þou noldest þi loue werne to me; & nov ich am her comen to þe: Dere leman, y prey þe Þi wille þatow tel to me.' Line 1130

Felice answerd swiþe an heye, [C line 793] 'No rape þe nouȝt so, sir Gij; Ȝete nartow nouȝt y-preysed so, Þat me ne may finde oþer mo; Orped þou art and of grete miȝt, Line 1135 Gode kniȝt & ardi in fiȝt: & ȝif ich þe hadde mi loue y-ȝeue, To welden it while þat y liue, Sleuþe þe schuld ouercome: Namore wostow of armes loue, Line 1140 No comen in turnament no in fiȝt. So amerous þou were anon riȝt.

Y schuld misdo, so þenkeþ me, & miche agilt oȝaines te, & ich þi manschip schuld schone, Line 1145 Wit [t over an erasure.] me euer more to wone. Gij,' quod Felice, 'forhele y nille, [C line 807] Ac al þe soþe ichil þe telle: Þou art me leuest of oþer alle, For þi 'leman' ichil the calle; Line 1150 Ac mi loue no schaltow haue For noþing þatow may craue, Er þou perles holden be & best doand in þis cuntre, Þat nowhar bi lond no w[e]ter Line 1155 No be founde þi beter; & when þou art hold best doinde In armes þat animan mai finde, Þat vnder heuen þi beter no be, Mi loue ichil þan graunti þe.' Line 1160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When Gij herd Felice speke so, [C line 821] Line 1165 Wel depe he gan to sike þo: [folio 113b:1] 'Now ichot, þou scornest me: Swiche answer ichaue of þe, Þat y schuld be þe best y-teld, Þat be fiȝtand wiþ spere & scheld. Line 1170 Swiche no miȝt y neuer werþe To be þe best on þis erþe [on þis erþe on an erasure.] ; Into oþer cuntres ichil go, For þi loue to wirche me wo. For dout of deþ nil y nouȝt fle: Line 1175 Ȝif y dye, it is for þe.' Sir Gij of hir toke his leue, [C line 831] & kist hir wiþ wepeand eye.

Unto his in he goþ snelle; Þer nil he no lenger duelle. Line 1180 To þerl he wil gon, & tak his leue sone anon.

Gij him com to court þore, [C line 835] & aliȝt atte halle dore; & to þerl he went þo, Line 1185 & schewed him wat he wald do. 'Sir erl,' quod Gij, 'y bid þe, Leue to wende ȝif þou me. Ouer þe se ichil now wende; God to gode hauen me sende! Line 1190 Time it is þat ich fond To winne priis in vncouþe lond; Al þe glader ȝe mow be Ȝif we of armes preised be. & ȝif þou hast folk of grete miȝt, Line 1195 It is te gret worþschip, y pliȝt, For al þe more men schal þe dout Wiþ-in þi lond & eke wiþ-out.' ¶ 'Sir Gij,' quod þerl þo, [C line 847] 'Faileþ þe out þat y mai do? Line 1200 Gold oþer siluer, oþer heye stede? To passe þe se hastow no nede. Sir Gij,' he seyd, 'lete ben al þis, Anouȝ þe worþ þat þe nede is; & to pleyn vnder þe linde, Line 1205 Þe hert to chacen and þe hinde: Of al þinges þou schalt haue plente. Bileue at hom, sir Gi, wiþ me. We schul wende boþe y-fere [folio 113b:2] To play bi wode & bi riuer; Line 1210 Al bi times þou miȝt wende; Ȝete no hastow ben here a moneþ to þende [Þende added over the line.] . ¶ 'Miche þank, sir,' quod Gij þo; 'For soþe so no may [y] nouȝt do.'

His leue he toke wiþ-outen more; Line 1215 Þerl it of-þouȝt swiþe sore. He goþ him to his fader þo, [C line 865] Þat for his wending was ful wo: 'Gon, fader,' quod he, 'ich-ille; For noþing leten y nille; Line 1220 Ȝif me leue, icham al ȝare Ouer þe se for to fare, To winne pris and los al-so, So ȝong man schal in ȝouþe do. Long to bileuen in þis cunt[r]e Line 1225 Nis it nouȝt worþ for me; For ȝong man þat is miȝti In his ȝouþe schal fondi, So þat men may him in erþe preyse, And in eld liue in mirþe & ayse. Line 1230 Þer-whiles icham ȝong & liȝt, Los ichil winne bi mi miȝt.'

'Leue sone,' he seyd, 'leue þat þouȝt: [C line 879] Bi mi wil schaltow wende nouȝt. Þou schalt bileue here wiþ me; Line 1235 Al þe bliþer we wille be.' 'Leue sone,' his moder him sede, 'Þou do bi þi faders rede: Soiourne wiþ ous to ȝer mo, Y rede þe, sone, þat it be so. Line 1240 Anoþer ȝer þou miȝt ouer fare. Bot þou bileue, y dye for care, For we ne haue sonis no mo: Ȝif we þe schul now for-go, Glad no worþ we neuer mo, Line 1245 For sorwe schul ous [o of ous all but illegible.] selue slo.' ¶ Gij answerd wiþ þat speche, 'Fader, god y þe biteche, & mi leue moder al-so; For hastiliche ichil nov go.' Line 1250

Gij forþ goþ, & þai bileue þare, [C line 899] Þat for hym hadde miche care. To þe se he is y-come, [folio 114a:1] Gode winde he haþ atte frome. Y-comen he is in-to Normundye, Line 1255 Kniȝtschip he schewed on hye. Þennes he went in-to Speyne; Nis turnament non in-to Almeyne, Þat Gij no haþ þer-at y-be, & michel y-preised so is he. Line 1260 Þennes to Lombardye he went; Þer ben þe iustes & þe turnament, Þer he dede him preyse miche, Þe Lombardes him loued inliche; He was large, curteys, & fre: Line 1265 Of miche miȝt so was he. [C line 918]

Of an vnsele y may ȝou telle, & ȝe wil a stounde [MS. astounde] duelle: As he cam fram a turnament Þat was biside Bonevent, Line 1270 In þe bodi wounded he was: Þat sore him greued [The second e of greued over the line.] no wonder it nas. ¶ Þan bithouȝt him þe douk Otoun, [MS. of toun.] Þat vnwrast was, & feloun, Þat he wald ben awreke þat day Line 1275 Of Gij of Warwike, ȝif he may; For he him wounded in a turnament, As ichaue herd telle verrament; Þer-fore Gij him was swiþe loþ, & wel depe he swore his oþ Line 1280 Þat he of him awreke wald be Er þan he wende out of þat cuntre.

When þe douke Otus y-seye þat cas, [C line 927] Þat Gij so sore wounded was, Þerl Lambard he cleped to him Line 1285 (A kniȝt he was stout & grim),

& fiftene [looks like fiȝtene] kniȝtes in his compeynie, Þat were strong men and hardie. On a dern stede he dede hem hide, Þer as Gij schuld cum ride; Line 1290 'Lordinges,' þan seyd þe douk Otoun, [of toun MS.] [C line 935] 'Under-stond to mi resoun: Mine men ȝe beþ & to me swore, Omage ȝe schul me þer-fore. Mine hest ȝe schul ful-fille, Line 1295 Þat ich ȝou bid, wiþ gode wille. Me to wreken ȝe schul go [folio 114b:2] Of a treytour þat is mi fo, Þat is y-comen vp mi lond (Wer he þenkeþ to bring me an hond), Line 1300 Gij of Warwike þat wounded is Wiþ a swerd þurch þe bodi y-wis. On þe halidom ȝe schul me sweri: In þe forest of Pleyns þat is so miri, Þer [& þer MS.] ȝe schul ȝou al hide, Line 1305 Þer Gij of Warwike schal cum ride: His bodi oliue ȝe schul me bring, And slen his feren eld & ȝing. Y schal him in mi prisoun do; Out no comeþ he neuer mo. Line 1310 Wiþ sorwe and wo [and wo indis|tinct, but perfectly certain.] he schal þer ende: Þennes no schal he neuer wende.' [C line 956]

'Sir,' þai seyd, 'we schul go, & al þine hest we schul do.' Þai dede hem arme swiþe wel Line 1315 Boþe in iren & in stiel; Vnto þe pas þai wenten snelle, & þer þai houed swiþe stille, As Gij schuld cum sone. No wist he nouȝt of þat tresone, Line 1320 No of þat sorwe neuer the mo, Þat him was comand to;

For al his felawes þat gode were, Al he for-les hem þere; & his owhen liif he hadde for-lore, Line 1325 No hadde goddes help ben bifore, Þurch þe traitours þat were her fon, Þat kept hem þere for to slon. [C line 964]

Now comeþ Gij soft rideing Opon a mulet ambling. Line 1330 His wounde him greueþ swiþe sore, & smert him euer þe lenger þe more. In pais he wende for to wende, Ac þe traitours Lombardes vnhende, Þe helmes þai seyen briȝt schine, Line 1335 Þe stedes nyen, and togider whine. 'God,' quod Gij, 'we ben y-nome! Al we be ded þurch tresone.' Sir Gij of þat mulet aliȝt, & asked his stede, his armes briȝt, Line 1340 & seyd to his felawes snelle, [folio 114b:1] 'Dere we schul our deþ [looks like ded with the second d erased.] selle. Our deþ is now al bispeke, Bot we ous manliche awreke; Ich kepe him selue, seþþe it so is, Line 1345 & ichil, while y liue, y-wis: So dere so y may, ich wille To þe treytours mi liif selle.' ¶ 'Sir,' seyd Herhaud þo, [C line 985] 'For godes loue hennes þou go. Line 1350 For þine loue we schul her dye, & defende þis pas, y seye: Leuer ous were her-on be ded, Þan þou wer ded in our ferred.' ¶ Þan answerd Gij anon riȝt, Line 1355 As gode kniȝt & ful of miȝt: 'Ȝif ȝe dye, ichil [Iichil MS.] al-so; Nil ich neuer fram ȝou go!'

Wiþ þat come a Lombard ride, [C line 997] A modi man & ful of pride. Line 1360 'Gij,' quod he, 'ȝeld þe anon! Ȝe ben ded now euerichon; To þe douke we han trewþe pliȝt To bring him þi bodi þis niȝt.' With þat ich word wel smert Line 1365 Gij him smot vn-to þe hert; No spard he for no drede, Þat ded he feld him in þe mede. 'Bi þe trewþe y schal mi leman ȝeld, To day no schaltow þi trewþe held!' Line 1370 Anoþer Lombard he smot anon, Þurch þe bodi þe swerd gan gon: 'No þou, treytour, no schalt me lede To þe douke that is ful of qued; To his presoun no worþ y for þe brouȝt.' Line 1375 Herhaud smot anoþer and spared nouȝt Þurch þe bodi his swerd glod, Ded he fel wiþ-outen abod. ¶ Þan com Torald, a gode kniȝt, [C line 1015] Swiþe gode & hardi in fiȝt; Line 1380 Wiþ a Lombard þer he mett, & so wele his strok he sett Þat his heued fram þe bodi flei; He ȝede him laweliche neye. Wiþ þat come Urri prikeinde Line 1385 (A better kniȝt no miȝt man finde), [folio 114b:2] A Lombard he smot þo, Þat þurch his bodi þe swerd gan go; So he smot him, for soþ to say, Þat ded he feld him in þe way. Line 1390 Seþþe he seyd, 'þurch no toun Schal ȝe ous lede to no prisoun. Than miȝt men se [fi expunged before 8e.] fiȝt aginne, Heuedes cleue vnto þe chinne.

Euerich þat day þat Gij oftoke, Line 1395 Sone anon his liif forsoke. Sum he smot opon þe hode, At þe girdel þe swerd astode; And sum he smot þurch þe side, Þat miȝt he neuer go no ride. Line 1400 Was þer non that miȝt astond Dint þat come of Gyes hond. So miȝti strokes þer wer ȝiuen, Þat strong schaftes al to-driuen; [MS. alto driuen] No was þer non in þat ferrede Line 1405 Þat of his liif him miȝt adrede. ¶ Wiþ þat come ride þerl Lambard, [C line 1033] A sterne kniȝt and a Lombard; Vrri anon he slouȝ þar, It oþouȝt Gij þo he was war; Line 1410 Wiþ þerl Lambard he wald iusti, & awreke þe gode Vrri. Wiþ swiche hete he smot him to, His armour no was him worþ a slo; Þurch out his hert þe launce he bar, Line 1415 Adoun he feld him ded riȝt þar. Wiþ þat him come forþ Hougoun, Þat was þe doukes neve Otoun: A kniȝt he was of gret miȝt, Swiþe gode & hardi in fiȝt. Line 1420 Torald [torlard MS.] he haþ aqueld; Herhaud anon þat biheld. When Herhaud [her herhaud MS.] y-seye þis, Þat he doun fel & ded he is, For his deþ he was sori: Line 1425 Him to awreke he haþ gret hy. Neuer ȝete so sori he no was, To-ward Hugoun he made a ras, Als a lyoun he heyed him fast, [folio 115a:1] Þat his prey wold haue on hast. Line 1430

Line 1430 Þurch þe body he him smot Wiþ gret strengþe, god ytot, Þat biforn þe Lombardes alle Of his hors ded he gan falle. ¶ When dan Gauter þat y-seye, [C line 1053] Line 1435 To Herhaud he stert wel an heye, And wiþ his swerd he smot him so Þat his hauberk rent ato; Þurch his bodi þat swerd ȝede, Al þai wende þat he wer ded. Line 1440 ¶ When Gij seye Herhaud y-feld, To-hewen his hauberk & his scheld (& of his hors feld he was, As ded man lay on þe gras; He seye þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward þat cam him fro), Line 1445 Wonder him þouȝt, & seyd þo: 'Þou lording, to þe y sigge, His deþ þou schalt wel sore abigge! So mot ich euer word speke, Mi maisters deþ ichil awreke, Line 1450 & for a couward ich held þe: Þou slouȝ him, & lete me be. Bi him þat made sonne & mone, Þou schalt it wite swiþe sone, [MS. sonne.] Þat tow schalt it biȝelp nouȝt Line 1455 Þat he is to deþ y-brouȝt.' ¶ Gij wiþ spors smot þe stede, As a man þat hadde nede, Þat fire vnder þe fet aros; Nas þer non þat him agros. Line 1460 Wiþ al his miȝt he smot him to, Wel euen he clef his scheld þo, Þurch his bodi þe swerd he þriste: Þo at arst fiȝt him liste. In þe sond he feld him doun, Line 1465 & bede him Cristes malisoun,

For þat he wald Herhaud slen, And lete him oliues ben. ¶ Now is Gij [MS. repeats is gij, but the second is gij is underdotted.] wel hard bifalle, [C line 1067] Y-lorn he haþ his felawes alle; Line 1470 So sori he is, he not what to do, He no haþ no wiȝt to bimen him to. Bot þre Lombard[es] oliue þer nere, [folio 115a:2] Opon Gij hastiliche þai were; Þe tvay ben hole & sounde, Line 1475 Þe þridde hadde þurch þe bodi a wounde. ¶ Gij þat on wiþ his swerd rauȝt, His heued of fleye wiþ þat drauȝt. Þan com prikeing dan Gwissard, A duhtti kniȝt and no couward. Line 1480 ¶ 'Gij,' quod he, 'ȝeld now þe! [C line 1077] It no may no noþer be: On þe erþe liþe þi scheld to-dreued, Nouȝt o pece is wiþ oþer bileued, & þine helme is al to-hewe, [MS. alto hewe.] Line 1485 Þine hauberk to-rent þat was newe; & wounded þou art, þou miȝt well se, Long miȝt tow nouȝt oliues be. To day ichil ȝeld þe to þe douk Otoun, & he þe schal do in his prisoun. Line 1490

Þan seyd Gij, 'Gwichard, y nille: [C line 1089] To ȝeld me to þe is nouȝt mi wille, Þer-whiles ichaue mi swerd y-grounde, & mi bodi arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward wounde.' Gwichard smot Gij wiþ michel miȝt Line 1495 Opon þe helme þat schon so briȝt, Þat a quarter out fleye; Þe kniȝt was boþe queynt & sleye. Opon his scholder þat swerd glod, Of his hauberk it tok a pece brod; Line 1500 God saued Gij þat he nas ded, No for þat dint hadde no qued.

When Gij seye him so smite, [The i of smite added over the line.] [C line 1103] He was wroþ, ȝe may wele wite; Gwichard he wald fond to smite Line 1505 Wiþ his swerd þat wold wele bite; To him he smot swiþe smert Þurch þe bodi ful ney þe [MS. ney þe þe] hert: Þat gode swerd þurchim þrang, Gwichard wald abide nouȝt lang; Line 1510 He turned his stede & gan to fle, & Gij after him, bi mi leute. Gode was þe hors þat Gwichard rod on, & so fast his stede gan gon, Þat Gij miȝt him nouȝt atake, Line 1515 Þer-fore he gan sorwe make. Gwichard fleye in his way [folio 115b:1] Toward Paui, so swiþe he may. Þe douk Otous fram hunting com, [C line 1115] & with him erles mani on; Line 1520 A kniȝt he seye cum prikeing, His armes to-rent, his woundes bledeing. Þe douk Otous duelled aþrowe, What he hadde Gwichard y-knowe: Wele he semed man aferd, Line 1525 Þat hard tiding hadde y-herd. Wiþ þat is Gwichard to him come; Þe douke him oxed atte frome, 'Gwichard, who haþ wretþed þe, & where hastow in bateyle be? Line 1530 ¶ Where is Gij? is he nome? Liues or deþ[es] do him come.' 'Ichil ȝou sigge sikerly [C line 1127] So michel so y wot of Gij: At a ford we him mett, Line 1535 & strongliche we him bisett, Bot his bodi no nom we nouȝt, Ac al to deþ we ben y-brouȝt;

Bot icham passed as ȝe may se.' 'Mi nevou Hougoun, whar is he?' Line 1540 Quod þe douk Otous, 'tel me raþe.' 'Sir, in þe sond he liþe, & þat is scaþe.' '& þerl Lambard, þat gode kniȝt?' 'Ded he liþe in þat fiȝt.' When douk Otus herd þat, Line 1545 Sori he was & no-þing glad: Þat he haþ his folk for-lore, Sorweful man he was þerfore. Neyȝe his hert brast for mode, & for sorwe [MS. For sorwe &.] ȝede ner wode, Line 1550 When he wist his folk y-slawe, & þurch him brouȝt o liue [MS. oliue.] dawe.

NOW haþ Gij miche sorwe made, [C line 1143] For his felawes he is vnglade. 'Allas,' quod Gii, 'felawes dere! Line 1555 So wele doand kniȝtes ȝe were. Al to iuel it fel to me, Felice, þo y was sent to serue þe; For þi loue, Felice, the feir may, Þe flour of kniȝtes is sleyn þis day. Line 1560 Ac for þou art a wiman, [folio 115b:2] Y no can nouȝt blame þe for þan; For þe last no worþ y nouȝt Þat wimen han to gronde y-brouȝt. Ac alle oþer may bi me, Line 1565 Ȝif þai wil, y-warned be. Allas, Herhaud, mi dere frende, What þou were curteys & hende! Who schal me now help in fiȝt? Neuer no was no better kniȝt. Line 1570 In ich fiȝt wele halp thou me, Ful iuel ichaue y-ȝolden it þe; For me þou hast þi liif forgon, Of þe no tit me neuer help non.

How mai ich now fram þe wende? Line 1575 That y no mai dye þe hende! Acursed be þe Lombardes ichon, That slowen þe, and lete me gon! & þat þai hadde y-slawe me, & leten þe oliue be! Line 1580 Wharto lete þai me alon?' Þus sir Gij biment his mone. ¶ 'Allas! allas! Rohaut, mi lord, [C line 1179] Þat y no hadde leued þi word! Þan hadde y nouȝt y-passed þe se, Line 1585 Ich hadde bileued at hom wiþ þe; Þus yuel nere me nouȝt bifalle, Y no hadde nouȝt lorn min felawes alle. Who so nil nouȝt do bi his faders red, Oft-siþes it falleþ him qued; Line 1590 For often ichaue herd it say, & y [y illegible in MS.] me self it sigge may, "Who þat nil nouȝt leue his fader, He schel leue his steffader." ' What for his woundes þat strong bledeþ, Line 1595 What for his sorwe þat he ledeþ, Al for sorwe & for wo [C line 1195] Adoun he fel aswon þo. When he of swoning vp stod, His feren he biheld wiþ drery mod; Line 1600 Þan he lepe opon his stede, To an ermitage he wold ride. 'Ermite,' quod he, 'com wiþ me; Þis hors of priis ȝiue y þe; To bodis þou schalt in erþe graue, [folio 116a:1] Line 1605 Þat in þis forest ben y-slawe.' 'Bleþeliche, sir,' þan seyd he; 'Wende bifore, y folwe þe.' Þe bodis him scheweþ sir Gij, Boþe Toraud & sir Urry. Line 1610

Line 1610 Seþþe he lepe opon his stede, Herhaud he wil wiþ him lede; & so he dede sikerliche, & seþþe he was heled softliche, Ac no for þan Gij wend wele þere Line 1615 Þat Herhaud to deþ y-wounded were. ¶ Now is Gij þennes y-fare; [C line 1215] For his felawes he haþ gret care. Herhaudes bodi wiþ him he bar, For he nold it nouȝt lete þar. Line 1620 He went him to an abbay Þat was bisiden on the way. Wiþ þe gode abbot þer he mett, & pitouseliche he him gret: 'Sir abbot, he þe haue & weld, Line 1625 Þat made man wex in-to eld! & for þe loue of þe trinite, [The first i in trinite added over the line.] Ich þe bidde, par charite, Þat þou þis bodi vnder-fo, & feir biry þou it do. Line 1630 Ful wele y schal ȝeld it þe, & y mot haue hele, & liues be.' 'Who artow?' seyd þe abbot, 'telle it me.' 'Bleþeliche,' seyd Gij, 'bi mi leute: A kniȝt icham of fer cuntre; [C line 1237] Line 1635 At a pas asailed wer we Wiþ strong þeues & mani outlawe, Þat mine feren haue y-slawe; & ich me-self am iuel y-wounde, Y wene y liue no [MS. originally leue non.] stounde; Line 1640 Ac ȝif y liue, y ȝeld it þe, Þe trauail þat tow dost for me.' Þabbot answerd þo: 'Al þi wille it schal be do.'

Now goþ Gij sore desmaid, Line 1645 His woundes him han iuel afreyd.

To an ermite he is y-go, Þat he was ere aqueynted to; His woundes þer hele he dede [folio 116a:2] arrow_back Wiþouten arrow_forward noise in that stede. Line 1650 Miche he him dradde þe douk Otoun, [MS. of toun.] So ful he was of tresoun. ¶ Þabot of whom ich er of teld, [C line 1253] On Herhaud he hadde gret rewþe to biheld; He dede beren his body Line 1655 Into a chamber to vnarmy. A monk of þe house biheld him, Bodi & heued & ich a lim. Þilke monk sorgien was, Þe vertu he knewe of mani a gras; Line 1660 Þe wounde he biheld stedefastliche, Þat in his body was so griseliche. Bi the wounde he seye y-wis Þat to þe deþ wounded he nis, & seye þat he hym hele miȝt; Line 1665 & so he dede ful wele, y pliȝt.

Bi þe moneþ ende at eue Gij was al hole & toke his leue From þe gode ermite, he went his way Toward Poile, also þe way lay. [C line 1272] Line 1670 To þe king he is icome Þat him bede mani warisone, & miche tresour of siluer & of gold; Ac Gij þerof non haue no wold. At ich plas & turnament Line 1675 Gij hadde þe priis verrament. [C line 1286] Was þer non in al þat lond, Þat his dent miȝt astond. Þer-fore men loued him swiþe miche, & vnder-fenge him bleþeliche; Line 1680 Alle gode men he was leue & dere, & wiþ hem alle pleye-fere.

Atte king he toke leue þo; Into Sessoyne he is ygo. ¶ Now he is comen to þe douk Reyner, Line 1685 Þat him loued and held dere; He him vnder-feng wiþ worþschipe, & dede him miche manschipe. So long in þat cuntre bileued he is, Þat ouer alle oþer he is praised y-wis. Line 1690 Gij him biþouȝt þo Þat he hadde þer y-nouȝ ydo: Into Inglond he wald wende, [folio 116b:1] For to speke wiþ his frende; For it was ago fif ȝer Line 1695 Þat he was last þer; [C line 1290] In lasse while þan þat was Might falle mani wonder cas. Þurch cuntres has he hadde y-went, Quens and cuntas him haþ of-sent, Line 1700 Ac non of hem he nold sikerliche Bot Felice þat he loued so miche. What for his miȝt and his godenisse, For his nortour and his largesse, Þer nis kniȝt þat so miche preysed be Line 1705 Unto Antiage, þat riche cite. ¶ Gij him spedde niȝt & day; Into Inglond he toke þe way.

Of Gij ichil lete now, And more after y schal tel ȝou; Line 1710 Of Herhaud ichil telle astounde Þat wele is heled of his wounde. When he feld him hole & fere, Of þabot he tok his leue þer; His lord Gij he goþ secheing Line 1715 Niȝt & day, him for to finde: Toward Inglond he tok his way, Crist him saue, so wele he may!

At a pinacle bi þe se [C line 1315] Gij seye a man of rewly ble Line 1720 Go in pilgrims wede: Þat was Herhaud, so god me spede! Gij him cleped wel swiþe to him, & seyd, 'wen comestow, pilgrim?' 'Sir,' he seyd, 'y com fram Lombardy, Line 1725 Of hard y-schaped [Of hardschipe?] for þe maistrie; . . . . . . . . . . & lorn ichaue mi kinde lord: Gode kniȝt he was and bold. Line 1730 Bitraid ous hadde þe douk Otoun [MS. of toun.] : Haue he Cristes malisoun! In þis wise ichil go, & bid for mi lord euer mo.' 'Pilgrim, say me trewelich, Line 1735 What hete þe man þou loued so miche?' 'Gij of Warwike was his name: A kniȝt he was wiþ-outen blame.' [C line 1336] Wiþ þat he gan to sike sore, [folio 116b:2] & wepe wiþ his eyȝen þerfore; Line 1740 He him miȝt no lenge at-held. Gij him gan reweliche biheld: 'Gode man,' quod Gij, 'for þi leute, What is þi name? telle thou me.' 'Herhaud of Ardern, bi mi leute, Line 1745 Ich was y-born in þat cuntre; Fif ȝer þus ichaue y-go To seche Gij y loued so.' When Gij herd Herhaud speke, [C line 1343] Him thouȝt his hert wald to-breke, Line 1750 & in his armes he haþ him take, & gret ioie wiþ him gan make; Him he kist wel mani siþe: For ioie he wepe, so was he bliþe.

'Hayl, Herhaud, maister min! Line 1755 No knowestow nouȝt norri þine?' 'Certes,' quod Herhaud, 'sir, nay: Ded he was for mani a day.' He him answerd, 'icham Gij!' 'Sir,' quod Herhaud, 'merci!' Line 1760 Sone so Herhaud vnder-stode Þat it was Gij þat was so gode, For ioie he fel aswon anon; Gij him in his armes nome. Þer men miȝt se ioie make Line 1765 Aiþer kniȝt for oþer sake; Þer nas non þat it y-seye, Þat he no wepe wiþ his eyȝe. ¶ Adoun þai sett hem boþe þare, [C line 1357] & aiþer teld of oþeres care. Line 1770 Sir Gij haþ Herhaud y-teld Hou he him ladde out of þe feld, For to birry him at on abbay Þat was bisiden on þe way. & seþþen [n on erasure.] haþ Herhaud y-teld Line 1775 Hou his woundes weren y-heled, And þat mani lond he hadde ouergo, To seche his lord wiþ sorwe & wo. On hors þai lopen anon wiþ þis Vnto a cite wiþ ioie and blis; Line 1780 Þan dede Gij Herhaud baþey & wiþ riche metes comforti. From þennes þai went to þe douk Miloun, [folio 117a:1] And to him þai ben ful welcome; Of her auentours þai teld him þere: Line 1785 Hou þo was gode þat wicke was ere! Þer þai maden her dueling Long anouȝ to her likeing. ¶ At the douke þai token leue þo, [C line 1383] For in-to Inglond þai wald go. Line 1790

Line 1790 Þe douke hem wald lenger duelle, Ac it nas no-thing in her wille Þer to bileue wiþ him no more, & þat biþouȝt þe douke wel sore. Toward Seynt Omer [MS. seyntomer.] he is y-go, Line 1795 Herhaud þe gode wiþ him also; Toward þe se þai token her way, So swiþe her hors hem bere may. When þai ben to toun y-come, Her in þai han sone y-nome. Line 1800 To a windowe sir Gij is go, [C line 1395] In-to þe strete he loked þo; A palmer he seȝe cominge, Messaisliche bi þe strete walkinge. To him haþ y-cleped sir Gij, Line 1805 & curteysliche gan him axi, 'Weltow herberwe? for it is niȝt; For ferþer go þou no miȝt.' Þe pilgrim answerd Gij, 'Swete sir, gramerci!' Line 1810 Gij doþ him þan bileue, Ferþer he no may, for it was eue; & seþþe he badde he schuld him say Sum soþ tidinges of þe way, Ȝif he herd neye oþer fer Line 1815 Speken of batayle & of wer. 'Ichil þe telle,' he seyd, 'fot hot Of al þe wer þat y wot: Þerof is mani man aferd; Of stronger sorwe no haue ȝe herd.' Line 1820 ¶ Gij seyd to him, 'telle it me.' 'For soþe y graunt,' þan seyd he.

Of Almaine þe riche emperour, [C line 1413] Reyner, þat weldeþ þat anour, Þe douke of Lowayn he [he dotted before he.] haþ bisett, Line 1825 His men slain, & þat is vnnett;

For his nevou þat he slouȝ, [folio 117a:2] Wiþ wer he doþ him wo anouȝ. Almost a ȝer it is ago, A turnament þer was y-do; Line 1830 Þe douke Segyn was þer þo, [C line 1425] Þat al Lowayn [MS. alowayn.] bilongeþ to, Wiþ his [þe?] kniȝtes of his lond, Þider come her miȝt to fond. When þe turnament com to þende, Line 1835 Þe douke Segyn þennes wald wende: Wiþ þat come Sadok [on erasure.] prikeing, Þe douke Segyn vnder-secheing; Wiþ þe douke he hadde gret envie, For he was gode kniȝt for þe maistrie. Line 1840 Sadok was y-hoten þat gome, Out of Mirabel he was y-come; Of turnamens he was praised þo. His hauberk was of y-do; In sengle armes he was y-diȝt. Line 1845 Y-preysed he was for a gode kniȝt. To þe douke he seyd, 'wende tow þe; Ones þou schalt justi wiþ me, As kniȝt that wele alosed is; Sone it worþ sen y-wis.' Line 1850

'Sadok,' seyd Segyn, 'lete me be, [C line 1449] Wiþ gode loue y pray þe; Wiþ þe to justi haue y no wille, For y þe loue, and þat is skille, & to eken þat þou art mi lordes nevou: Line 1855 His soster sone so artow; Unworþschip it wer to me Ȝif y schuld iusti wiþ þe. Ac go in, and arme þe snelle, And y com anon, y nil nouȝt duelle.' Line 1860 Seyd Sadok, 'to arwe artow, When ones justi no darstow now.

Now ichil þe for a couward held, & for a kniȝt vnwrast in feld: Bot þou wilt wiþ me justi, Line 1865 Ichil [MS. Iichil.] þe don a vilani. Hennes forward war þe fro me, Þi dedliche fo ichil now be!' Now Sadok smot to Segyn, [C line 1465] & nothing he no spared him; [folio 117b:1] Line 1870 Sadok toforn haþ him smete Of his scheld a quarter wiþ gret hete, Þat he him wounded þurch þat arm, & he him wreþed for that harm; So strong is þat strok y-ȝiue, Line 1875 Þat his helme is al to-driue. Þe douke him wreþþed for þat smite, & was ful wroþ, ȝe mow wele wite, & þurch þe bodi he Sadok smot, Þat ded he fel doun fot hot. Line 1880 Wiþ þat he is out of the place y-went, For þer was ȝiuen a sorwe-ful dent. With him he dede þat bodi lede Unto an abbay, and biri it dede. Þe douke Segin anon riȝt Line 1885 Into the cite of Arrascoun him haþ y-diȝt: Þer-in he holt him soiourninge For drede of þemperours cominge. ¶ & when þemperour herd þis cas, [C line 1497] Þat his nevou y-slawe was, Line 1890 Ouer al his lond his hest he bede To com to him for grete nede. & when þai al icomen beþ, Þe douke of Lowayn he sege deþ; No wil he neuer þennes come, Line 1895 Er the douke be ded or nome.'

When þe pilgrim hadde al y-teld, [C line 1531] Gij him herkened & biheld;

He stont & biþouȝt him ȝerne, Wheþer he forþ go oþer oȝain terne. Line 1900 He seyd to Herhaud, 'what rede [ȝe]? Sum gode conseyl ȝif þou me, Ȝif we forþ in our wai go, Oþer to þe douke him socour to do. Þat tow me redest, don y wille; Line 1905 Þi conseyl forsake y nille.' ¶ Þan seyd Herhaud i-wis, [C line 1543] 'Y ȝif conseyl, & gode it is; Hem to help men schul spede Þat to help han gret nede. Line 1910 For los and priis þou miȝt þer winne, & manschip to þe & al þi kinne.' 'Sir Herhaud,' quod Gij þe gode, 'Þilke lord þat died on rode Þe blisse, & saue þe, [folio 117b:2] Line 1915 For gode conseyl ȝif[es]tow me.' Gij him graiþed & made him ȝare Into Loweyne [MS. loreynie.] for to fare; & wiþ him oþer fifti kniȝt, In feld þe best þat miȝt fiȝt. Line 1920 Y-comen þai ben to Arascoun, To þe douke þai ben wel-com. In þe cite þai han her in y-take; Mani wer bliþe for her sake. Gij bi þe morwe aros þo, [C line 1569] Line 1925 Riȝt to chirche he is y-go: Matins & masse he herd þere, & seþþe went hom wiþ his fere. Bi þe strete he seye miche folk erne, Hemself to were þai most lerne. Line 1930 Sir Gij to his ost sede, 'What is al þis? so god þe rede, Bele ost, [ost added over the line.] y bidde, say þou me, What may al þis erning be?'

'Sir, ichil þe telle,' þan seyd he, Line 1935 'No word nil ich lyȝe þe; It is þemperours steward, A gode kniȝt and no coward (Anon to Speyne his better nis), & with him gret compeynie y-wis, Line 1940 An hundred kniȝtes gode of ker, Her better no may wepen ber. Þe cite þai han bisett: Ȝif ani kniȝt be out y-mett, He no mai nouȝt passe vn-y-nome, Line 1945 Oþer y-slayn atte frome.'

Þan seyd Gij, 'lordinges, kniȝt, Oȝains hem we wil ous diȝt.' Sone þai ben in þe way y-don. Þe steward seþ hem anon: [C line 1605] Line 1950 Þider-ward he him diȝt, Also a kniȝt [MS. akniȝt.] of gret miȝt. His armes þan he ginneþ riȝt, Oȝaines Gij he ritt apliȝt; Anon to-gider þai gun smite, Line 1955 Aiþer spard oþer bot lite. Gij þe steward so hard smot, Of his stede he feld him fot hot; Þan he smot him wiþ his swerd broun A quarter of his helme adoun. [folio 118a:1] Line 1960 Þurch grete strengþe he him wan, & hom wiþ him ladde him þan. When þe Almaines þat y-seye [C line 1631] Þat strong wer, and of fiȝt sleye, Her lord nomen in þat fiȝt, Line 1965 Owai þai priked wiþ al her miȝt. Þer was þirled mani a scheld, [MS. ascheld.] Mani a kniȝt lay in þe feld; Gij is oȝain went wel sone, & al his feren mid-y-done. Line 1970

Line 1970 Þe Lombardes [Almaines?] þai leggen fast opon, Nil þai spare neuer on. When þe kniȝtes of þat cite Þis dede alle y-seyȝen he, To army he[m] wel fast hy goþ, Line 1975 Gij wel gode socour hij doþ; & seþþen þai went forþ ariȝt, & Gij socourd ful wele apliȝt. Swiche strokes men miȝt þer se Togider smiten þo kniȝtes fre: Line 1980 Boþe wiþ launce and wiþ swerd Thai ȝiuen mani strokes herd. Þer miȝt men se stray þe steden, So mani kniȝt cri & greden, Þat wer þurch þe bodi wounde, Line 1985 & ded fellen on þe grounde. ¶ Michel him peyned sir Gij, [C line 1657] & Herhaud of Ardern sikerly: Þis Almayns þai han ouercome, Sum y-slawe and sum y-nome. Line 1990 Þan sir Gij anon riȝt Into þe cite he him diȝt, Boþe he & his ferred: Þe prisouns wiþ hem þai lede. Into þe cite þai ben y-gon, Line 1995 & to her innes þai wenten ichon. Proude þai ben alle & some Þat þe Almains ben ouer-come, When þe douke yherd þis tidinge, For blis his hert bigan to springe, Line 2000 Þat Gii of Warwike was y-come & hadde þe steward y-nome. On his stede he lepe anon, [folio 118a:2] To Gyes in he is y-gon; 'Gij,' he seyd, 'þou art welcome, Line 2005 As of the warld þe best gome.

Toforn al oþer ichaue desired þe: Line 1905 God y-thanked mot he be Þat tow art come wiþ me to ben at nede, For now ich worþ þe more loued & drede Al of mi dedelich fo, Þat al þis lond haþ brouȝt in wo. Line 1910 Sire & lord now ichil make þe Of mi court and of mi cite, Mine castels & mine londes þer-to eke; & hennes forward y þe biseke Þatow þe worþschipe vnder-fo, Line 1915 & þine hest þerof þou do. Bi þi conseyl ichil nov don, For to greue mi [originally Þi, but crossed out and mi written over it in the same hand.] dedli fon.' ¶ Wel curteysliche answerd Gij [C line 1700] & seyd, 'sir, gramerci. Line 1920 Bi mi miȝt ichil help þe On ich stede where þat y be.' Þe steward he ȝelt him þan swiþe, Of whom þat he was glad & bliþe; Þurch him he wende acorded be Line 1925 Of þemperour, his lord so fre. Bitvene hem þai tolden tale Of her gode frendes fale.

Now sent Gij his sondes about, Ȝepe men wiþ-outen dout, Line 1930 To cuntres þat he haþ þurch-went. Grete frendes he haþ of-sent, Of barouns and of kniȝtes beld Þe best þat miȝt wepen weld, Bi hundred and bi þousinde, Line 1935 Þat al wil ben his helpinde. Þe castels and þe borwes þat lorn were, Þe douke oȝain wan hem þere Þurch Gyes help & his ferrede, Þat wele wer helpeand at nede, Line 1940

Line 1940 Bi him & bi his conseyl also, Þat þennes forward him treweþe wil do. ¶ When þemperour yherd þis, Þat Gij to þe douke ycomen is, & þat he haþ his men ouercome, [folio 118b:1] [C line 1700] Line 1945 Y-slawe & his steward nome, Wroþ & sori he is þer-fore, Þat he haþ so his men forlore. To his barouns þan he sede: 'Lordinges, what schal me to rede? Line 1950 Neuer no worþ ich glad no bliþe, Bot ich be awreken swiþe Of Segyn & Gij þat is our fo, Þat mi folk haþ brouȝt in wo.' 'Sir,' the douk Paui sede, Line 1955 'Ther-of þarf þe haue no drede. Ar þe þridde day worþ to ende y-brouȝt, Þat play worþ wel dere abouȝt; For of þine folk take we wille, Þat gode ben & snelle, Line 1960 Þe best doand at swiche nede Wiþ scheld & spere armed on stede: Of Sessoine þe douke Reyner, & þe constable Gaudiner, & ich wiþ hem wil be, Line 1965 & gret ferred lede wiþ me. To Arascoun we schul fare, Ȝif we þe douk finde þare. Bot we þe treytours þe ȝelde, We wil þatow in prisoun ous held. Line 1970 ¶ Þemperour answerd: 'y-wis, [C line 1749] A gode conseyl so is þis. Sir douk Reyner, þou schalt go, & þou, constable, al-so; Al-so schal þe douke of Pauie Line 1975 Wiþ his grete cheualrie

To Arascoun, þat gode cite: Þe douke & Gij bring to me. Who so to me bring hem to, Mi loue he schal haue for euer mo.' Line 1980

'Sir,' þai seyd, 'we willen go Al þine hest for to do.' Now hij han her way y-nome, To Arascoun þat ben y-come. When þai of þe cite wist hem þare, Line 1985 Oȝaines hem þai diȝt hem ȝare; Hastiliche to armes þai ben y-go, Kniȝtes and squiers wiþ hem also. When þai wer al redi, [MS. alredi] [folio 118b:2] & wele y-diȝt in her parti, Line 1990 Þe douke cleped Herhaud him to, & swetely seyd to him þo: 'Sir Herhaud, þou schalt afong Four hundred kniȝtes wiȝt and strong (Þou schalt ȝif þe first asaut Line 1995 Opon þe Almaundes, sir Herhaud); & þou, sir Gij, an hundred to þe Of mi londe þat best be; And ȝif þat Herhaud haue nede, Him to help þatow spede, Line 2000 & ichil com arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward delay Wiþ al þe strengþe þat y may. Togider wiþ hem we schul fiȝt, & hem ouer-com þurch godes miȝt. [C line 1792]

As ichaue seyd, loke ye don, Line 2005 & goþ and asaileþ hem anon.' Herhaud ginneþ hem to asaily. [MS. originally asaile.] Þat fiȝt he wil comenci. Of þe douk Otus Herhaud is vnder-nome In þe alder first scheltrome; Line 2010 His fo he is euen forþ his miȝt, For he it haþ deserued þurch riȝt.

Herhaud him seyd, 'Otus of Pauie, Understond tow of þat felonie [C line 1804] Þat tow in Lombardi ous dedest, Line 2015 When þou mi lord betreydest. Wele we schul þer-of awreke be, Ȝif god wil, er þe sonne doun te.' ¶ Otus answerd, 'þou lexst on me, & þat y schal sone kiþe þe; Line 2020 Gret scorn is here so y go, Y warn þe icham þi fo.' Togider þai smiten wiþ gode wille, [C line 1811] Þat boþe of her hors adoun felle; & after þai drouȝ her swerdes newe, Line 2025 Wiþ gret envie to-gider þai hewe. Þe douk him wereþ miȝtliche, Herhaud him asaileþ strongliche; Þurch þe feld he goþ him driueinde. Wiþ þat com his folk prikeinde, Line 2030 & her lord rescuweþ þere; Herhaud to nim angwisous þai were. [C line 1824] Herha . . . . . [folio 118a:a] Wiþ þ . . . . . Wiþ [s] [The letters in brackets only partially left.] . . . . . Line 2035 Herh . . . . . Þan . . . . . Non . . . . . Miche . . . . . To þe . . . . . Line 2040 Mo þ . . . . . Þat d . . . . . Þe do . . . . . He seye . . . . . He seyd . . . . . Line 2045 Lordin . . . . . [C line 1835] No se ȝ . . . . . Þat d[o] . . . . .

Þat ha . . . . . Ȝour f . . . . . Line 2050 Bot ȝe of [h] . . . . . Mi loue n . . . . . Wiþ þat [þ] . . . . . & to Herha . . . . . Þer is Her . . . . . Line 2055 When he h[a] . . . . . Ac recouer . . . . . For gret [s] . . . . . Herhaud [þ] . . . . . Ac he him . . . . . Line 2060

When Gij [s] . . . . . [C line 1851] & out of . . . . . His helme . . . . . & his scheld . . . . . & his hors . . . . . Line 2065 In strong . . . . . Wiþ loude . . . . . To þe douk[e] . . . . . He rescuw[e] . . . . . Þe oþer þai . . . . . Line 2070 Ac when [s?] . . . . . [C line 1861] Arnend he . . . . . Wiþ loude [v?] . . . . . To þe douk [o] . . . . . Þou fals wr . . . . . Line 2075 Wel litel þou þ(?) . . . . . [leaf 118^r b and 118^v a torn off.]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 1909] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 1917] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . [C line 1937] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 1975] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 1989]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [the first 11 lines of leaf 118^v b. entirely gone] [C line 1999] [folio 118b:b] . . . . . . . . . . [o]n . . . . . Line 2165 . . . . . falle . . . . . . . . . . stiel . . . . . [h]ond . . . . . d Line 2170 . . . . . [R]eyner [C line 2023] . . . . . er . . . . . es fere . . . . . . . . . . ori Line 2175 . . . . . . . . . . n . . . . . broun . . . . . on . . . . . non Line 2180 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tede Line 2187 . . . . . . . . . . me . . . . . [o]me [C line 2043] . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . [f]leinge . . . . . [d]riueinge . . . . . ode gome [C line 2047] Line 2195 . . . . . e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fro . . . . . to do Line 2200 . . . . . t . . . . . d sket . . . . . oȝe . . . . . [þ] me . . . . . Line 2205 . . . . . omen ichon Or ichil telle þemperour [C line 2059] Ȝe han y-don him gret deshonour, [folio 119a:a] When ȝe for a fewe men Schul so sone oway flen.' Line 2210 Þai turned hem anon riȝt, & bi-gun a newe fiȝt. Al togider þai gun smite; Semblant [Slemblant MS.] of loue þai kidde bot lite. Heteliche to him smot Gyoun; Line 2215 His scheld nas nouȝt worþ a botoun, No his tvifold armes halp him nouȝt Þat in Loreyn weren y-wrouȝt. Strokes hij togider delden ywis On helmes & on briȝt scheldes; Line 2220 So hard þai striken hem bitvene, Þat gode stones fallen þer ben. Aiþer semed a lyoun of mode, So hard þai smiten wiþ swordes gode. Wiþ him smot þe douke Segyn, Line 2225 No lenge miȝt he wiþhelden him; Togider þai smiten hard and wel Wiþ brondes wele wrouȝt of stiel.

Wiþ þat come prikeand Tirri, Of Gurmoise þerl sone Aubri; Line 2230 Wel sternliche he smitt a kniȝt, Þat ded he fel anon riȝt. So sone so douke Segyn seþ þis, [C line 2091] Wel wroþ he was wiþ him y-wis; Wroþlich he seyd to Gij, Line 2235 'Here is gret scorn sikerly, When þat olepi kniȝt Schal ous do so michel vnriȝt, & þan wiþ his saut owai flen.' Gij answerd, 'turn we oȝen, Line 2240 & hardiliche aseyl we hem: Anon turn we oȝen.' Þe Almauns þai go to asayl [C line 2101] Wiþ gret strengþe in batayl; Sorweful of hem was þe meteinge Line 2245 Wiþ brondes of stiel wele kerueinge. Anon þe Almaundes gin flen, & þe oþer turnen oȝen. Þe douk Segyn oȝain come, Riȝt to his cite þe way he nome, Line 2250 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . & Gij afterward wiþ him is go, [folio 119a:b] Line 2255 & eke his feren also. Wiþ hem þai habben her prisouns, Doukes, erls, & barouns; Wel glad & bliþe þan ben he, & al þat weren in þat cite. Line 2260 To her innes þai ben y-gon, Wel glad ben hij euerichon.

Þe douke goþ in-to þe tour: [C line 2137] His prisouns he doþ gret anour,

Þerl Reyner of Sessoyne, Line 2265 & þerl Gaudiner of Coloyne, & wiþ hem þe stewerd, Þat gode kniȝt was & wel y-herd. Wiþ him eten he hem dede, & more þan himself hem worþschipede. Line 2270 Þe douke his soster cleped him to, Þe fairest maiden þat miȝt go. 'Þe prisouns þou nim to þe, In þi chamber wiþ þe to be; In þi chaumber [the u has a stroke too much.] kepes me Line 2275 Þis gentil kniȝtes hende & fre; & ouer alle oþer þe douke Reyner: In hert he is me lef & dere.' 'Sir,' sche seyd, 'ichil so Hem to kepe my miȝt y-do.' Line 2280 ¶ Ac þe riche emperour fre, [C line 2153] Of þis comberment nist he. Wiþ a kniȝt he pleyd atte ches Of Hungri, þat he loved y-wis. Wiþ þat com Tirri prikeinge, Line 2285 In his fest his brond bereinge: His hauberk was al to-tore, & his nasel avaled bifore. Þurch his bodi þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward ran; Tirri made no semblaunt of þan; Line 2290 His strong scheld al to-hewen [MS. alto hewen.] was, Nouȝt a fot hole þer-of [MS. of þer.] nas. ¶ 'Emperour,' he seyd, 'vnder-stond to me: [C line 2165] Hard tidinges may y telle þe Of þine barouns þat y-nome be; Line 2295 No schal þai neuer com to þe. Sum be ded & brouȝt to grounde, & sum be nomen, & sum be wounde: Y-nomen is þe douk Reyner, [folio 119b:a] & þe constable Gaudiner; Line 2300

Line 2300 Þe douke of Pauie wounded is Wiþ a swerd þurch þe bodi y-wis: Of þe deþ he drat him sore, Hele no worþ him neuer more.'

When þemperour herd þo [C line 2177] Line 2305 What þerl Tirri seyd him to, Wel sori he was, & wroþ þer-fore, Þat neyȝe he haþ his witt forlore. Y-sworn he haþ a wel gret oþ Bi god almiȝti al for-soþ, Line 2310 Þat neuer bliþe no worþ he, Al what þat cite y-nomen be, & þat þe [not quite distinct.] traitours ben y-slawe, Oþer for-brent, oþer y-flawe. ¶ His [ost underdotted.] heste he dede cri anon, [C line 2187] Line 2315 His men to arme hem euerichon; His scheltromes anon he diȝt, & redi þai ben al to fiȝt. Þe feldes þai ben sone ouer-gon Þat were þe tounes bisiden on, Line 2320 Al what hij comen to þe cite. Gaier [Gaier on an erasure.] þan forþ ȝede he Wiþ fif hundred armed kniȝtes, Hardi & wele doand in fiȝtes. Þo þat weren in þe cite, Line 2325 On þe Almaynes bihelden he, & seye þe cuntres & al þe feldes, Wiþ white hauberkes & wiþ scheldes. [C line 2200] Þe douke him com forþ wiþ þat, Wele y-armed on stede he sat: Line 2330 'Gij,' he seyd, 'what schal we do? Ȝif we go & smite hem to, Or we gon our walles to were, Þat þe Almayns ous nouȝt dere?'

Þan spac Sir Gij fot hot, Line 2335 'Wele schaltow do, for-soþe y wot:

Nim we now an hundred kniȝtes, & go asayl hem anon riȝtes. Bifor þe cite y se stond here Gaier, þemperour sone Reyner, Line 2340 & fif hundred [originally hundered, but the first e under|dotted.] kniȝtes in her ferred, Wele y-armed on heye stede. Biforn her ost þei ben y-comen, [folio 119b:b] Angwisous ous to nimen; & ȝif we habbeþ gret nede, Line 2345 Oȝain-ward we mai ous spede.' [C line 2218] Anon þai nomen an hundred kniȝtes, Hardi & of most miȝtes; Þai wenten out of þat cite, Wel modi men weren he. Line 2350 Wiþ þe Almauns þai wil iusti, Nil hii nouȝt wiþ hem acordi; Togider þai smiten hard & swiþe, Of hors þai fellen mani a siþe. ¶ Sir Gij him smot to Gaier, Line 2355 & feld him doun of his destrer, & seþþen he wan him in þat fiȝt; Þe oþer oway flowen [originally blowen.] anon riȝt. Toward þe ost þai flowen snelle, Þe hete was swiþe strong wiþ alle. Line 2360 Mani þai nomen & bounden fast, & ladde into þe cite on hast.

When þai of þe ost y-seye þis, [C line 2235] Þat her folk ouercomen is, & þat was in þat fiȝt y-nome Line 2365 Gaier, þat was þemperour sone, Þan [an not quite distinct.] hastiliche þe ost ichon Opon Segyn þat smiten anon. Þer bigan a newe fiȝt, Whar-þurch died mani a kniȝt. Line 2370 On aiþer side mani on dyed y-wis; Ac þe douke wers bifallen is,

For miche of his folk he les. Al auntreousliche þer he comen wes. Þurch pride þan ferd he Line 2375 Fram his ost, and fram his cite. Wele hii deden no þe les, He and Gii þat miȝti wes, & wiþ hem Herhaud of Arderne; To hem þai smiten swiþe ȝerne. [originally ȝernne, but the second n under|dotted.] Line 2380 ¶ Wiþ þat com prikeing Tirri, [C line 2253] Þat gode kniȝt was & hardi; To þe douk Segyn he smot, & of his hors feld him fot hot; Ac þe douk anon vp stert, Line 2385 As he þat was agremed in hert, & out he drouȝ his swerd of stiel, [folio 120a:a] & defended him swiþe wel. Whom þat he rauȝt, ded he fel; Strong kniȝt he was, hardi & snel. Line 2390 Þer he defended him asperliche; Þe Almaunis him asayl hastiliche: Y-loken he was hem amidwerd, To him þai launced boþe spere and swerd. In mani stede wounded is he; Line 2395 Wele he werþe him þei he sailed be. [C line 2268]

When Gij seye þe douke of fot, For sorwe no wist he no bot; Wel hardiliche he smot a kniȝt, Þat ded he feld him anon riȝt. Line 2400 His swerd of stiel he haþ up pliȝt, & smot so anoþer kniȝt Þat asailed þe douke Segin, Þat heued sone binam him, & seþþe he sett him his stede opon, Line 2405 & fast hii asailed her fon; . . . . .

. . . . . Þennes nil hii neuer gon Er hii han slawe mani on. [C line 2280] Line 2410 ¶ 'Sir douk,' seyd Gyoun, 'Vnderstond to mi resoun: To þe cite oȝain we wil go, Ful wele we may it now do; A þousand þer beþ of armed kniȝtes Line 2415 Þat sone wiþ ous wil holde fiȝtes; & we here lenger duelle For foles we schullen ous telle.' Into her cite þai ben y-gon, Togider þai asembled hem ichon, Line 2420 & at þe alours þai [i on an erasure.] defended hem, & abiden bataile of her fomen. ¶ When þemperour y-herd þis, [C line 2293] Þat his sone y-nomen is, Wiþ loude steuen þan hete he Line 2425 His folk asayl þat cite Wiþ schot of bowe and alblast, Wiþ swerdes, speres schete & cast, Wiþ laddren steye, þat couþe best. Þe cite to asail haue þai no rest, Line 2430 Wiþ stones & mangunels fast to cast: Þe fair walles al to-dast. [MS. alto dast.] & hii wiþ-in fended hem wele apliȝt, [folio 120a:b] & hii wiþ-outen ȝeld hem gret fiȝt; Þe Almayns þat ilke day þere Line 2435 Wiþ gret sorwe y-slawe were. Strongliche þai asail þe cite, Ac þat day noþing no speden he; At euen þat wiþ-drouȝ hem oȝan. Þemperour was þer-fore a sori [MS. asori] man, [C line 2311] Line 2440 Þat he no miȝt [nomight MS., not nought.] of þat cite spede, No awreken him for no nede. Þe cite ich day what niȝt Þai asailed wiþ gret miȝt;

Ac þe douk, Gij, and Herhaud, Line 2445 Oft hem makeþ mani asaut, & miche of his folk þan slouȝ hii, Wharfore he was in hert sori.

Lordinges, listeneþ to me now! Of a tresoun ichil telle ȝou: Line 2450 It was opon a somers day, Þemperour hadde eten, soþ to say; His huntes he of-sent þo, [þo altered from so.] & seyd he wald on hunting go Into þe forest erlike, Line 2455 Þat þe douk Segyn nouȝt no wite, No his kniȝtes neuer þe mo. Þat him herd a spie þo, Þat out of þat ost dede him fast, To þe douke Segyn he com an hast. [C line 2336] Line 2460 ¶ Þe douke Segyn oxed him snelle What newe tidinges he couþe telle: 'Sir,' quod [he [he omitted in MS.] ], 'herken to me: Gode tidinges y telle þe, Þat þemperour, sikerliche, Line 2465 Wille huntte to morwe arliche In his forest priueliche Wiþ litel folk & nouȝt wiþ miche, Wiþ also litel als he may. Y no gabbe nouȝt, for soþe to say.' Line 2470 Þan he hade seyde þus to Segyn, 'Bi Seyn Richer! leue frende mine,' Seyd þe douke, 'and it so be, An hundred bessauns ȝif y þe.' Þe spie seyd, 'soþe y sigge: Line 2475 My bodi þerfore in ostage y legge.' ¶ Þan haþ þe douk y-cleped Gij, [C line 2355] & Herhaud of Arderne sikerlij, [folio 120b:a] Dan Belin, & dan Gauter, & þe þridde dan Holdimer, Line 2480

Line 2480 & Joceran þat was of Speyne (Was non wiser in-to Almayne A gode conseyl for to ȝiue; Þer-fore he was michel to leue). 'Lordinges,' he seyd, 'what rede ȝe, [C line 2361] Line 2485 Seþþe þat ȝe be sworn to me [MS. tome] ? What is ous best for to done Of our king Reyner? telle me sone.' Gij to him answerd snelle, 'Þe best rede ichil þe telle: Line 2490 Kniȝtes we schul han a þousinde, & bi þe morwe, ȝif we him finde, Ichil him bidde wiþ hert fre Þat he wil acord wiþ þe, & þat he cum wiþ þe at ete; Line 2495 & ȝif he seyþ ouȝt wiþ hete, Þat he it wil graunt for no þing, Hider we schul bring þe king. & þou schalt here bileue now, Opon þi lord go no schaltow; Line 2500 Þi palays þou schalt grayþi, & riche metes diȝt redi.'

Þe douk answerd anon riȝt: 'So help me god, ful of miȝt, Also þou wilt, þou schalt do.' Line 2505 Wiþ þat is Gij þennes y-go; In-to þe way he dede him anon Þer þemperour schuld forþ gon. [C line 2400] Þemperour bi þe morwe aros, Into his forest he rideþ & gos: Line 2510 A gret bore þai founden, y-wis, & hij vncopled her houndis; Her hornes þai blewe loude & stille, [schrille?] Her arrow_back houndes arrow_forward vrn wiþ gode wille. ¶ Þemperour biheld sone wiþ þan Line 2515 Unto a diche [MS. adiche] þat water in ran;

He seyd, 'y-treyst we ben here: Sir Tirri, mi frende dere, No sestow hou [MS. ȝou] þat ȝonder ride Kniȝtes? þai ben of gret pride. Line 2520 On ich halue bisett we beþ, [folio 120b:b] Nis her nouȝt bot þe deþ. Felawes þai be þe douke Segyn, Whom þat god ȝif iuel fin! Gij of Warwike þer y sey, Line 2525 Y-armed on his stede an hey.' 'Sir emperour,' quod Tirri anon, 'For þe rode loue þat god was on don, Ich þe bidde, hennes go now, For godes loue no lenge bileue þou! Line 2530 & ichil here bileuen ay, & ȝif ich Gij mete may, Wiþ meschaunce y schal him gret, [C line 2436] & al his feren þat y mete. Ar ich be ded or nomen be Line 2535 Þou schalt passe al þis cuntre.' Þemperour seyd, 'for soþe, y nille: Here ichil wiþ [w in wiþ altered from ȝ.] ȝou duelle.' Hastiliche þai armed hem anon, & lepe her gode stedes opon. Line 2540 ¶ Wiþ þat come Gij prikeinde, & a smal tvige in his hond bereinde Of oliue, in token of pais: To þemperour he grad as curteys, & seyd, 'god, þat alle þing may se, Line 2545 Sir emperour, so loke þe [C line 2452] Þiselue, & al þi meyne, Þat in place wiþ þe be! Þe douke Segyn þe sent bi me Þat trewþe & loue he wil to þe, Line 2550 & biddeþ þe als his lord dere, Þeselue, & alle þine fere,

Þat wiþ þe ben togider here, Þat ȝe come to him to þe dinere; And his gode cite he wil þe ȝelde Line 2555 Wiþ al his castels he haþ in welde; & ȝif he haue don oȝain skille, He wille amende it to þi wille.' ¶ When þemperour herd him speke so, & so gret loue bede him to, Line 2560 Þe king of Hongrie [o in Hongrie altered from u.] he cleped þo, And sir Tirri he dede also: 'Lordinges,' he seyd, 'what schal we do? Rede ȝe þat we þider go?' [C line 2472] Þ . . . . . [[A leaf lost: only the capital let|ters of about a third of first page, first col., left.]] Line 2565 Þ . . . . . W . . . . . Þ . . . . . H . . . . . Þ . . . . . Line 2570 T . . . . . W . . . . . Ȝ . . . . . M . . . . . Y . . . . . Line 2575 F . . . . . Y? . . . . . [C line 2491] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . [C line 2509] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 2527] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 2539] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 2561] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 2567] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 2579] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 2587] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 2597] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 2607] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [C line 2613] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 'Sir emperour, wat hastow do? [folio 121a:a] Is þe acord made bitven ȝou to? [C line 2633] Astow þe douke Segyn y-kist, Þe strong traitour & vnwrest? Line 2720 & haþ for-ȝif al in loue Sadok deþ, þi suster sone? Þat þe wil dred, say me on; Þe misdo þai willen ichon; When her wretþe and her gilt Line 2725 So liȝtliche for-ȝif þou wilt, Hennes forward wil þe dred non, Schame anouȝ þai wil þe don; & ȝif þou haddest þe douk anhong, In þi lond men wold [MS. wil] þe dred strong, Line 2730 & þan after-ward þe treytour Gij, Þat neuer dede ous bot vilayni.

Ac now þai worþ wiþ þe priue, & better þan alle we. & topen al þis, ȝif Gij wer ded, Line 2735 We miȝten haue þe lesse dred.'

When Gij herd Otus speke so, [C line 2645] Als a wilde bore he lepe him to: 'Otus!' quaþ Gij, 'þou schalt daye, When þou of tresoun clepes ous baye, Line 2740 Boþe Segyn & eke me: Þou it schal abie, bi mi leute!' Him he smot wiþ his fest Amide the teþ, riȝt al in [al in on an erasure.] ernest. Ac þe barouns bitvene hem goþ, Line 2745 & þemperour swore his oþ, Ȝif ani þer were so hardy Þat dede oþer schame oþer vilanie, Bren men him scholde, oþer to-hewe, [a letter erased before hewe.] Oþer al to-hewe [to-drawe?] at wordes fewe. Line 2750 Þan doþ þai crie þurch þe cuntraye, Þat of þo wordes no man schuld saye; '& ȝif þer doþ, wiþ-outen no, Hond oþer fot he schal for-go.' ¶ Than seyd þemperour on þis maner [C line 2675] Line 2755 To þe douke Segyn oforn hem þer: 'Sir douke, ichil loue þe: Wiif þou schalt haue bi me. A feir soster ich haue in mi bour Ichil þe ȝif,' quaþ þemperour: Line 2760 'Erneborwe hat þat may.' [folio 121a:b] Anon he hir spoused þat day. Þe bridale was holden wiþ game, y pliȝt. Neuer ȝet nas non fairer in siȝt. He loued hir, & worþ-schiped swiþe: Line 2765 To his cite he ladde hir siþe, He and Ernneborwe his leuedi Þer hii wold soiornij. [MS. soiormij]

Anon after þe tende day Of her soiourn, soþe to say, Line 2770 ¶ Gij is to þe douke y-go, [C line 2685] & at him asked leue þo: 'Sir douk,' he seyd, 'gon ich-ille, In þis cuntre bileue y nille. In wer ich haue serued þe: Line 2775 Ȝif þou haue euer eft nede to me, After me þou sende sikerliche, & ich com to þe hastiliche.' 'Sir,' quaþ þe douk, 'gramerci! Ȝete haue y nouȝt serued þe, sir Gij. Line 2780 Here, ich bid þe, bileue wiþ me: Half mine castels, & half mi cite, Þe worþschip of Lowayn haluen-del, Ich it þe graunt, Gij, fair & wel.' Gij tok his leue; oway went he: Line 2785 Þe douke wepe sore, & hadde pite. [C line 2700] Þemperour þat was so fre, Wiþ him Gij þan ladde he; Castels him bede, & cites, Gret worþschip, & riche fes, Line 2790 Ac he þerof nold afo, For noþing þat he miȝt do. To Almayn went ben he, To Espire þat riche cite. ¶ Þemperour worþschiped Gij þe fre; Line 2795 A while wiþ him bileft he. To pleyn hem þai went bi riuer Þat of wilde foule ful were; To her wille an hunting hij gos, To chace þe hert & þe ros. Line 2800 On a day as he cam fram hunting A dromond he seye ariueing. Þider-ward sir Gij is y-gon, & gret þe marchandes euerichon.

'Lordinges, whennes com ȝe, [folio 121b:a] Line 2805 Þat in þis riuer ariued be? Bi ȝour semblant y se, y-wisse, Þat ȝe ledde gret richesse.' Among hem alle þer spac on, Þat couþe speke for hem euerichon: Line 2810 'Fram Costentine þe noble y-comen we be: Lond of peys þan seche we. Marchandes we ben of þat lond, & out y-driuen wiþ michel wrong: Out of Coyne þe riche soudan, Line 2815 So prout he is, & of so gret boban, Þat wiþ .xv. heþen kinges, & þritti emeraus, wiþ-outen lesinges, ¶ In Costentyn þe noble emperour Ernis Þai han strongliche bisett, y-wis. Line 2820 Castel no cite nis him non bileued, Þat altogider þai han to-dreued, & for-brant, & strued, y-wis. Into Costentyn flowen he is; Þer he werþ him oȝaines his fon, Line 2825 Þat secheþ on him for to slon. Þritti mile men may riden & gon, Ne schal men finde man non; & we ben aschaped vnneþe, Þat we no were to-hewen to deþe. Line 2830 Y-comen we ben into þis cuntre: Fowe & griis anouȝ lade we, Gold and siluer, & riche stones, Þat vertu bere mani for þe nones, Gode cloþes of sikelatoun & Alisaundrinis, Line 2835 Peloure of Matre, & pu[r]per & biis, To ȝour wille as ȝe may se; Swiche be þe tidinges of þat cuntre.' Gij answerd, 'mi frende fre, For ȝour tidinges blisced ȝe be! Line 2840

Line 2840 God, for his name seuene, He bring ȝou to gode heuene!'

When þe marchaundes hadde seyd as y say, Gij bitauȝt hem god & gode day. [a altered from e.] Vnto his in he is y-go, Line 2845 And Herhaud he cleped anon him to. 'Herhaud, mi frende, wille we gon? At þemperour take we leue anon. Into Costentyn-noble ichil go [folio 121b:b] To help þemperour of his wo: Line 2850 Þat wiþ þe soudan biseged is he, So siggeþ men of þat cuntre; Þat lond destrud & men aqueld, & cristendom þai han michel afeld.' Herhaud answerd, 'y graunt it be: Line 2855 Miche worþschipe it worþ to þe.' At þemperour þai toke leue to go, & he hem graunted vnneþe þo; Anouȝ he bedeþ hem castels & tours, Riche cites, halles, & bours. Line 2860 Sir Gij toke an hundred of his kniȝtes, Strongest and best in fiȝtes, Þat he miȝt in Almayne finde, Mest y-preised & best doinde. Now þai ben to schippe y-went: Line 2865 Gode winde god haþ hem lent. To Costentyn-noble þai ben y-come, & in þe cite her in y-nome.

Ac when þemperour wist atte frome Þat Gij of Warwike was y-come, Line 2870 Tvay erls he dede after him go, & loueliche he bad hem com him to. & sir Gij him goþ to þemperour fre: 'Welcome, sir Gij,' þan seyd he. 'Of þine help gret nede haue we. Line 2875 Michel ich haue herd speke of þe.

Mine men ben sleyn in þis tide, & mi lond destrud in ich a side: [MS. aside] Al bot þis ich selue cite Destrud & brent hauen he. Line 2880 Fourti þousand þai [originally þai þai, but the second þai crossed out.] slowe on a day Of mine men, as ich ȝou telle may. Mine men þai slowe, mi sone also, Wharfore, leue frende, y bede þe to, Ȝif þou miȝt me of hem wreke, Line 2885 & þe felouns out of mi lond do reke, Mine feyr [MS. feyir with the i underdotted.] douhter þou schalt habbe, & half mi lond, wiþ-outen gabbe.' [C line 2800] Þan answerd anon sir Gij, 'Sir,' he seyd, 'gramercij! Line 2890 & y þe sigge, bi mi leute, Þat treweliche ichil serue þe Al þe while þat ich wiþ þe be: [folio 122a:a] Þerof, sir, þou miȝt leue me.' At þemperour he toke leue anon, Line 2895 Vnto his in he gan to gon. Noyse & cri he herd in þat cite: He gan oxy what it miȝt be. He hem oxed what it were, & what was al þat noise þere. Line 2900 So mani kniȝtes he seye to armes go, So mani seriaunce steye to kernels þo. 'Sir,' quaþ a burieys, 'bi seyn Martin, It beþ þe liþer Sarrazin: It is þe amiral Costdram, Line 2905 Þe nevou of þe riche soudan. So strong he is, & of so gret miȝt, In world y wene no better kniȝt; For þer nis man no kniȝt non Þat wiþ wretþe dar loken him on. Line 2910 His armes alle avenimed beþ: [C line 2824] Þat venim is strong so þe deþ:

In þis world nis [MS. is] man þat he take miȝt Þat he ne [MS. omits ne] schuld dye anon riȝt. Þat oþer day he dede ous sorwe anouȝ Line 2915 Of þemperour sone þat he slouȝ, Þat was [was at end of line in MS.] so gode and stalworþ kniȝt, Þat opon hem had ȝeuen mani fiȝt. In þis cite so gode kniȝt was non, Þat with wretþe durst loke him on. Line 2920 Comen he is wiþ grete cheualrie, [cleualrie MS.] & wiþ him þe riche king of Turkye Wiþ an hundred Turkes strong: Beþ non better in non lond.' ¶ & when sir Gij herd þis Line 2925 Þat his ost seyd to him, y-wis, To his felawes he seyd anon, 'To armes,' he seyd, 'euerichon! [C line 2836] Þe Sarrazins we willen agast. For godes loue, smiteþ on fast!' Line 2930 Hastiliche y-armed hij beþ, Opon her stedes as foule þai fleþ. Forþ þai went & on hem smite Wiþ her swerdes þat wil wel bite. Gij to þe amiral smot so, Line 2935 Scheld no hauberk nas him worþ a slo: Þurch þe body he ȝaf him wounde, [folio 122a:b] & dede he feld him on þe grounde. Sir Gij his gode swerd out drouȝ, Þat heued fram þe bodi he slouȝ. Line 2940 To þemperour he it haþ y-sent, Þat wel glad was of þat present. ¶ Herhaud smot þe king of Turkie (Was non feller into [nto MS.] Surrie): Þurch þe bodi he him smot, Line 2945 Ded he feld him doun fot hot. Wiþ þat com Tebaud prikeinde, In Fraunce y-bore, a kniȝt wel kinde:

Wiþ swiche strengþe he smot Helmadan, Al was nouȝt worþ he hadde opan. Line 2950 Þurch his bodi þe launce glod; Ded he fel wiþ-outen a-bod. Gauter come prikeing anon riȝt, Of Almayne a wel gode kniȝt. Heteliche he smot Redmadan Line 2955 (Ȝe no haue herd speke of no swiche man): [C line 2856] Þe bodi atvo he haþ to-deled, Þat he fel doun in þe feld. Wiþ þat come sir Morgadour, Þat was steward wiþ þemperour. Line 2960 Kniȝt he was gode & hardi, Ac traitour he was, ful of envie. He smot vnto a Sarrazin, No halp him nouȝt his Apolin. Now þai smitte togider comonliche, Line 2965 & fiȝt þai agin ardiliche. Þer men miȝt se Gij smite, & þe Sarrazins heuedes of strike, & wiþ him Herhaud also: Boþe þai strengþed hem wele to do. Line 2970 Þe Sarrazins þai strengþed hem for to sle, To-hewen, & iuel to bise. Þe Sarrazins hem ȝeld gret fiȝt, For strong þai ben, & of gret miȝt. Wiþ þat come Esclandar prikeinde, Line 2975 A Sarrazin & of foule kinde, Þe kinges sone of Birrie, Strong he was for þe maistrie. Dan Tebaud he felled þo, Þurch þe bodi he dede þe launce go; Line 2980 & seþþe he slouȝ a Freyns kniȝt, [folio 122b:a] In Bleyues he was born ariȝt. Romiraunt com forþ snelle, A Sarrazin a strong wiþ elle,

Y-slawe he haþ dan Guinman, Line 2985 A strong kniȝt he was & an Aleman. Wiþ þat come forþ an amireld, A Sarrazin of wicked erd, Dan Gauter he haþ y-slawe, & gode Gilmin his felawe. Line 2990 When Herhaud þat of-seye þo, In his hert him was ful wo; An amiral he smot so, Ded he feld him an hast [MS. anhast] þo, & mani anoþer he haþ aqueld, Line 2995 & adoun feld in þe feld. Sone so Esclandar y-seye þis, To awreke þe amiral lef him is. To Herhaud he smot heteliche, & he him mett hardiliche; Line 3000 Heteliche þai smiten togider þo, Þat of her hors þai fellen bo. Seþþen þai drouȝ her brondes of stiel, & smiten togider hard & wel, To-hewe hauberk & scheldes also, Line 3005 Gode bodis þai ben boþe to. Of her helmes þe flours gan fle, So heteliche togider smiten he. Herhaud goþ him driueand fast, His heued to smiten of on hast. [C line 2900] Line 3010 Ac so gret socour him com þer, An hundred Turkes & her pouer; Herhaud þai gin alle asaile, & neye hadde slain him in þat bataile, No hadde Gij [Gij added over the line.] þat y-seye, þat was sorij; Line 3015 Hastiliche he com him to socourey. His gode brond þan drouȝ he, Þe heued of a Sarrazin he dede of fle, & anoþer he dede also; Þe þridde to deþ he dede do. Line 3020

Line 3020 Herhaud he socourd in þat nede, & dede him lepe opon his stede. Þe Sarrazins anon gun þai mete, Mani on þer her liif þai lete, Mani on þer dyed in aiþer [MS. inaiÞer] side, [folio 122b:b] Line 3025 Ac þe Sarrazins wers gan bi-tide. Sir Gij & alle his feren, Þe Griffouns þat gode weren, Han ouer-comen & aqueld; To-hewen þai leyen in the feld. Line 3030 Toward her ost þai ben fleinge, & Gij hem after fast folweinge; Ar hij þe doun were ouer gon, Y-slawe hij ben & to-hewen ichon. Esclandar is oway fleinde, Line 3035 Ouer þe dounes fast erninde, & al to-broken [MS. alto broken] his scheld is, His helme al to-dassched [MS. alto dassched] , y-wis. [C line 2926] Gij it of-þouȝt when he it seye, Þat he so liȝteliche oway fleye: Line 3040 'Esclandar,' seyd Gij, 'wende oȝain to me, & forsoþe al siker þou be; Drede þe of no noþer þan of me, Ones to iusti ich oxi of þe.' Esclandar seyd, 'artow Gij? Line 3045 Ich þe defende sikerly. Bi Mahoun þat ich leue opon, Neuer no schal ich oway gon, No neuer schal y bliþe be, Til ich þat heued binim þe; Line 3050 Bihoten ich it haue a maiden of pris, Þe soudans douhter þat wel fair is.' Her steden þai turned snelle, [C line 2943] & to-gider þai smiten wiþ gode wille; Esclandar first smot Gij Line 3055 Þurch þe scheld as kniȝt hardi;

Gij smot him anon riȝt, Scheld no hauberk halp him no wiȝt; He smot him þurch at þat chaunce Þurch þe bodi wiþ his launce. Line 3060 Esclandar fleye forþ a wel gode pas, Sir Gij of-toke him nouȝt, þerfor wo him was; To his felawes he is y-go, Riȝt to þe cite he ȝede him þo. Þe Sarrazins were ouer-come, Line 3065 Þerfore þai were bliþe, all and some. Þemperour of-sent Gij him to, & miche honour he haþ him do. 'Gij,' quaþ he, 'þou art me dere, [folio 123a:a] Þou schalt bileue wiþ me here: Line 3070 Mi feir douhter, þat is of pris, Ichil þe ȝiue to spouse y-wis; Þou schalt ben emperour after me, Þou art a kniȝt of gret bounte. Al þo þat ben to me serueinde, Line 3075 Ichil þai be to þe boweinde.' 'Gramerci,' seyd sir Gij anon; 'A fair ȝift is þis now on.' Þe steward come forþ bliue, More treytour nas non oliue; Line 3080 His name was hoten Morgadour, God ȝif him euel auentour! Toward Gij he bar gret [a dot over the t in gret.] ond, & seþþe he died þurch his hond. Quaþ Morgadour, 'sir, þat wil wele be, Line 3085 For Gij is curteys, gentil, & fre; When he schal þi douhter spousy, Riȝt is þat we him onoury.' Ac what so he seyd bifor Gij þo, Ȝif he may, to deþ he wille him do. [C line 2972] Line 3090

Esclandar went oway fleinde, Toward her ost fast prikeinde;

Þurch þe bodi he bar a trounsoun, Wiþ boþe honden he held him to þe [e in þe added over the line.] arsoun. Boþe bifore & eke bihinde, Line 3095 Þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward gan out fast winde, His helme in þe on half honginde, & his visage al bledeinde. His scheld to held hadde he no miȝt, He drad him to dye anon riȝt. Line 3100 To þe soudans pauiloun he come, Þe soudan him bi-knewe anon: 'Esclandar, when comestow?' seyd he; 'In strong fiȝt þou hast y-be. Were þou alon at þe cite? Line 3105 Say me who haþ þus wounded þe?' 'Sir,' quaþ he, 'ichil þe telle Of hard tidinges wel snelle: Y-lorn þou hast þe amiral Cosdram [s on an erasure.] Þat leuest þe was of ani man, Line 3110 & þe king of Turkie þou hast forgon, Of hem no tit þe neuer help non. & alle þe best men y-bore [folio 123a:b] Bifor þe cite þou hast forlore.'

Þan answerd þe riche soudan, Line 3115 Þat hadde no gamen of þan: 'Him is þan sum socour y-come, Whar-þurch mi Turkes be me binome?' 'Sir,' quaþe Esclandar, 'y-wis, An onwrast gome y-comen þer is; Line 3120 Socour he haþ gret & beld, [C line 2300] In þe warld nis swiche a scheld [MS. ascheld.] ; Gij of Warwike his name it is, Sterner þan ani lyoun, y-wis. His strokes no may noman dreye, Line 3125 Þat he ne most dye on hye. Wiþ him he haþ an hundred kniȝtes Of Almayne, þe best in fiȝtes;

Þurch þe bodi þus me he smot, Dede ich am, wele y wot.' Line 3130 ¶ Þan swore a gret oþ þe soudan Bi Mahoun þat he leued opan, Þat neuer glad no worþ he What he haue y-nome þat cite; For asayle he it wille do Line 3135 Ar þe þridde day be ago. Anon a spie it herd [So MS. for herd or iherd?] þis, Þat to Gij it nold for-hele y-wis. Sone he com to þe cite; Al þis to Gij þan teld he, Line 3140 Þat þe soudan wiþ his men elle Þe cite wil aseyle snelle. Ac þemperour wist þer-of nouȝt Þat so strong tiding þer were y-brouȝt. Ac when he wist þe soþe herof, Line 3145 Ernist him þouȝt, & no scof. [C line 3020] ¶ Þemperour made him bliþe þo Þat ouer-comen weren his fo, & Gij to þemperour is y-go, & swiþe feyr he gret him þo. Line 3150 'Sir,' quaþ he, 'be bliþe & glad; Gode tidinges me haþ ben seyd.' Þemperour of-sent his foules þo, Oscuriis, faucouns, & ierfaukes also; Gon he wil to þe riuer, Line 3155 Him to solas & play þer. Seþþe he of-sent of his Gregeys, [folio 123b:a] Þat gode weren & curteys. To þe riuer þai ben y-gon Wher foules were mani on. Line 3160 Wiþ þat come forþ sir Morgadour, Þat steward was wiþ þemperour, & seyd to Gij, 'mi frende dere, Y þe loue in gode manere.'

Ac alle þat he seyd, Gij to bitraye, Line 3165 Þat was wele sen in his last daye. Non no may so wele tresoun do So may he þat his trust is to. Ȝete seyd to him Morgadour, 'Castels ich haue, & mani feir tour, Line 3170 Riche cites, & ful strong, To þine wille þou hem afong; Michel y desire þi loue to haue. [C line 3038] Go we togider wiþ game & plawe: Into þe chaumber go we baye, Line 3175 Among þe maidens for to playe; At tables to pleye, & at ches; Wele we may don it y-wis Bifor þi leman Clarice so fre, Þemperours douhter briȝt of ble. Line 3180 & lete we þemperour to wode go, To chace þe hert & þe ro.'

'Sir,' quaþ Gij, 'wille we go? When þou it wilt, it schal be do.' Into þe chaumber þai ȝede þo Line 3185 Hond in hond y-fere bo. To þe mayden þai come wel sket, Þat curteysliche hem haþ y-gret. 'Sir Gij,' sche seyd, 'welcome þou be! Cum sitt & pleye þe here wiþ me.' Line 3190 He toke þe maiden & hir kiste: [C line 3050] Þat of-þouȝt þe steward vnwreste. He hir hadde loued mani a day, & wende haue spoused þat feir may. Þe cheker þai oxy & þe meyne; Line 3195 Bifor þe maiden þan pleyen he. Y-sett þai han þe first game, Þe steward it les, bi godes name. Seþþe þai han anoþer y-gonne, Anon it haþ Gij y-wonne, Line 3200

Line 3200 & þe þridde ful hastiliche. [folio 123b:b] Þe steward was sori sikerliche; Al mody he ros vp þo: Wroþ & sori he was bo. 'Gij,' quaþ he, 'bi-leue þou here, Line 3205 Þiself & Clarice, þi pleye-fere, Al what ich come now son oȝe.' 'Anon,' seyd Gij, 'it schal so be.' Out him went Morgadour, At his in he tok a chasour, Line 3210 To þemperour he goþ riȝt. When þemperour hadde of him siȝt, Oȝaines him he is y-gon, & tidinges he oxed him anon. 'Now forþ, sir steward,' he sede, [C line 3066] Line 3215 'Comestow for gode or for qued? Whi comestow so prikiinge? Tel it me wiþ-outen lesinge. Ȝif þou of Sarrazins hast herd ouȝt, Tel it me; for-hele it nouȝt.' Line 3220

'Sir,' quaþ he, 'y schal þe telle: Þi schame forhele y nille. An soudour þou hast wiþ þe, & wil þat þou y-schent be. Þi douhter, þat so feir is, Line 3225 Forlay he haþ, for-soþe y-wis. Into hir bour wiþ strengþe he ȝede, & bi þi douhter his wille he dede.' Ȝif þou ne me leuest, hom þou fare, Ȝete þou schalt him finde þare. Line 3230 Þer þou miȝt him finde, y-wis, & þi douhter clippe & kisse. [C line 3080] Þerfore y com þe to say, For þi schame forhele y no may. Ȝif þou him finde in þat stede, Line 3235 Into þi prisoun þou him lede,

& in þi court þou deme him do; For treitour he is, y telle þe to: Þe more adouted þou schalt be Of alle þi regne, y telle þe. Line 3240 Þer-fore ne wonde þou no-þing Nouȝt for him no his helping; After-ward þat he demed is, & þi court of þat treytour deliuerd is, Into Almayne ichil gon [folio 124a:a] Line 3245 To þemperour Reyner anon; Socour fram him ichil bringe, & deliuer þi lond, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesinge, Of alle þine dedeliche fon, Þat þine men haue sleyn ichon.' Line 3250

'Who is þat?' þemperour sede. 'Gij of Warwike, so god me rede! Þou do him nim, & binde fast, & in þi prisoun þou do him cast.' Quaþ þemperour, 'lat now be, Line 3255 No speke nouȝt so of him to me: Oȝaines me misdo he nold Nouȝt for tventi somers of gold, No for to ben al to-hewe: [C line 3100] So gode a kniȝt he is & trewe. Line 3260 & ȝif he is þer-in, wele be it so: Wiþ hir his wille he may do; For mi douhter ichim bi-hote habbe, Nil ich nouȝt of couenant gabbe.' ¶ When þe steward him haþ bi-þouȝt Line 3265 Þat þemperour nold here him nouȝt, Hom to his in he is y-go, & aliȝt of his palfrey þo. Anon in-to chaumber he ȝede, & to Gij of Warwike he sede, Line 3270 'Gij, þou art ful wele wiþ me, Þerfore ich-il kiþen it þe:

To þemperour y-teld it is, Bi þe lord seyn Denis, Þat wiþ strengþe þou com in [in added over the line.] -to his bour Line 3275 & has forleyn his douhter wiþ desonour. & ȝif he þe may ouer-go, He wil þe bren oþer slo. . . . . . & ich hot þe þat þou hennes fle, Line 3280 Þat he nouȝt of-take þe.' . . . . . 'Bi god,' quaþ Gij, 'þat were wrong, [C line 3129] Þat y schold here mi deþ afong For þing þat ich haue gilt non, Line 3285 No neuer þouȝt it to don. An arnemorwe, when he out ȝede, Miche he me o loue bede; Hou schuld ich euer siker be Of ani bi-hest men hotes me? Line 3290 For þemperour me seyd þo, [folio 124a:b] And trewelich me bihete þerto, Þat he me wold gret worþschipe, & now he me wil sle wiþ schenschipe For þe speche of a losanger, Line 3295 & of a feloun pautener.' Out of þe chaumber he is y-go: Sori & dreri he was þo. To his in he ȝede swiþe, And cleped his felawes bliue. Line 3300 'Lordinges,' he seyd, 'to armes snelle! Here wil we no longer duelle: To þemperour y-wraid we beþ, Alle he wil don ous to þe deþ. Bi þe treuþe y schal our lord ȝeld, Line 3305 Þat heuen and erþe haueþ in weld, Er þan we be nomen & ded, [C line 3153] So mani schal dye of her ferred,

Þat it worþ abouȝt wel strong Þat ich am bi-wrayd wrong!' Line 3310 To armes þai went wiþ þat ichon; Out of þe cite þai ben y-gon, & went toward þe heþen men, Wiþ þem to holden & to ben, To help þe heþen men ichon. Line 3315 Wiþ þat com þemperour anon: Fram þe riuer he come rideinge, & wiþ his folk fast prikeinge; Feir weder it was, & miri also, Þe briȝt armes he seye þo. Line 3320 ¶ Þemperour hem seye, & knewe Gij, For he come hem swiþe neye. At an herhaud þan asked he, 'This armed folk, what may þis be?' 'Sir,' quaþ he, 'it is Gij, Line 3325 Þat in wretþe fram þe wil parti; Vnto þe soudan he wil fare, & wirche þe sorwe & michel care Þurch wraying þat teld him is: Wele y wot þat soþe it nis. Line 3330 Wele it semeþ þat wroþ is he; Al armed on his stede ich him se.'

When þemperour herd þis, [C line 3175] Alle droupeninde he was y-wis, He gan to prike, & þat anon: [folio 124b:a] Line 3335 As hauk þat fleyþe his hors gan gon. After Gij loude he gradde þo: 'Abide & speke me now to! For godes loue lete now be; Whi wiltow, sir, go fro me? Line 3340 Ȝif ich ouȝt haue agilt to þe, For godes loue þou say it me; Be it in dede oþer in speche That ani þe han agilt, y þe biseche,

To þi wille it schal amended be, Line 3345 & topon al oþer y loue þe. Wele ich wene þat þe soudan, y-wis, To whom al Percie atended is, After þe haþ sent: ich vnderstond so. He þe schal habbe, & y forgo. Line 3350 Gold & siluer he may ȝiue þe, & feffe þe wiþ mani a riche cite; Þer-fore þou wilt wiþ him be, & strongliche holden oȝaines me.'

'Sir,' quaþ sir Gij to þemperour, Line 3355 'No was ich neuer þi traitour, [C line 3200] And ȝif god wil, y nil nouȝt be, Þerwhiles þe lif is in me. Me was y-teld biforn now riȝt Of on þat is þi priue kniȝt, Line 3360 Þat þou no hadest to don wiþ mi seruise, & þat y þe serue wiþ feyntise; And þat ich was biwrayd to þe (For þi nold ich no longer here be), And þat þou wost do me to-hewe, Line 3365 & mine barouns, þat ben so trewe. For þi y þouȝt þat y go scholde To hem þat mi seruise ȝeld me wold; Ac for al Damas & þat cuntre Nold ich haue holden oȝaines te.' Line 3370 ¶ Þemperour þan him nome Bitvene his armes, & seyd anon, 'Nay, sir Gij,' he seyd, 'bi seyn Denis, It no was nouȝt so, y-wis. Mi dere frende Gij, oȝain þou go Line 3375 (Lordinges, barouns, biddeþ him so); For to þine wille it is alle, Alle þat min is, and ben schal. Ac biwrayed þou war to me, [folio 124b:b] & þer-fore haue he maugre! Line 3380

Line 3380 Neuer eft worþ non loued of me Þat ouȝt sigge bot gode of þe.' Þemperour þan to Gij seyd, 'Þi wille þou do bi þat mayde.' Sir Gij kist þemperour þo, Line 3385 & to þe cite þai ben y-go. Þo wist wele Gij bi þan, Bitreyd [or Bitrayd, a being altered from e?] him hadde his foman; Ac no semblaunt þerof he no made, No no þing to him seyde. [C line 3222] Line 3390

An armorwe erliche Þemperour aros, sikerliche; Anon he seyd to Gij his speche: 'Herken to me, y þe biseche. In þis morning anon Line 3395 We worþ aseyled of our fon, Of Sarrazins þat misbileued be; Alle for soþe y telle it to þe. Þe soudan himselue wil þer be. A spie for soþe teld it me, Line 3400 Þat hij þe cite wil asayli, & þat hij þennes nil parti, Al fort he haue nome þis cite, Or þat it destrued be.' Þemperour seyd, 'sir Gij þe fre, Line 3405 Als so þou wilt it schal be. Þe cite alle op þe y do Wiþ Cristes blisceing þer-to. Ȝif hij ous seyl we schul ous were; Þe cite is strong, þai mow it nouȝt dere.' Line 3410 Gij þat constable cleped him to, Þat gode kniȝt was, & wise also: Tristor he hete wiþ þe berd blowe, Lord & douke of Almayne, y trowe. 'Sir Tristor,' he seyd, 'listen to me: Line 3415 Aseyled we worþ, siker þou be.

Þer-of þou most birede þe, Ȝif we wille were þis cite, Oþer we wille oȝain hem te, At paþes that destrued be, Line 3420 & mete we hem þer on þe doune, Acumbre hem & legge hem doune.' 'Sir,' anon seyd the constable, [folio 125a:a] 'Þis ich speche schal be stable. [C line 3254] Do þan grede þurch þe cite Line 3425 Þat alle redy armed be, Alle þat armes may welde, And who so þat feyneþ for couward be helde.' Bi þe morwe þai ben armed wel, Bi tale .xx. thousend hauberks of stiel, Line 3430 Out of þe cite þai ben y-go Wiþ gret noise & din also. 'Lordinges,' quaþ Gij, 'herkeneþ to me Ȝe þat here asembled be, Of ȝour kinde þat is y-slawe, Line 3435 Of edwite & of missawe, Þat ous is don, thenke we þer-on, & baldeliche aseyl we our fon; For Sarrazins ous aseyle wille, Alle for soþe y ȝou telle. Line 3440 We wil hem mete wiþ spere & scheld At þe narwe paþe bi-tven þe held. Now biþenkeþ ȝou wele to don, & awreke ȝour lond of ȝour fon. Of ȝour londes & ȝour citez, Line 3445 Þat destrud & wasted beþ, Ȝou to awreke bi-þenkeþ ȝou, & strongliche aseyleþ hem now. Bot ȝe were ȝou wele & bliue, & hij mow ȝou of þe feldes driue, Line 3450 Alle we ben ded oþer nome, & in þraldome euer more wone.

For þi mete we wiþ hem [MS. hen] sone, & strengþe ous alle wele to done; & ich me self wil wiþ ȝou go; [C line 3276] Line 3455 Y nil ȝou feyle neuer mo.' Wele spekeþ now Sir Gij, & alle þai siggeþ, 'gramerci!' To þe pas of þe hulles þai ben y-come, & þe Sarrazins han vnder-nome, Line 3460 & seye þe cuntres & þe feld Wiþ briȝt brini and wiþ scheld.

Þe soudan cleped after Helman, Þat deined fle for no man; He was coraious & gode kniȝt, Line 3465 & michel adouted in euerich fiȝt. 'Sir king,' quaþ he, 'come to me. [folio 125a:b] Wiþ .xx. þousende Turkes, ich hot þe, The Cristen ȝe schul aseyle anon. Loke ȝe nim hem oþer slen ichon; Line 3470 Opon ȝon hulle þai ben, lo; Gret harm þai han ous y-do.' Þe king forþ went wiþ his men ichon, Wiþ strengþe þe helde þai vnder-nome; Wiþ strengþe þai wene þe slade ouer-go; Line 3475 Ac gret combraunce hem com furst to. At þe entring of þe pas Gij [added over the line in another hand.] gan to grede, [C line 3300] 'Helpeþ, lordinges, alle our ferrede! Biþenkeþ ȝou to winnen wele. & hij oȝaines ȝou vndernim þe hille, Line 3480 Yuel ous worþ þan bi-go, Bot god ous on þenke [MS. onþenke.] þat al may do; Þai ben bi-neþen [ne on an erasure.] & we aboue. Amidde þe pas þai ben to-gider come, & asaileþ hem smerteliche; Line 3485 & to-gider we go now commonliche: Þroweþ wiþ stones, and bowes scheteinge, Launces, swerdes, & dartes kerueinge,

Smiteþ wiþ swerdes & speres y-grounde, Scheteþ wiþ piles & ȝif hem deþ wounde.' Line 3490 Mani Sarrazin þer y-slawe is; Þer doþ Gij as þe riȝt wise. Into þe narwe hij come, hem to lett, Bi hundredes foure [Read Bihinde and bifore.] þai aseyl hem sket; Bi hundred & bi þousende, [originally thou|sinde, it seems.] Line 3495 Þai ben þe Sarrazins quellinde. Gij smot on þis side & on þat: Nas þer non þat his dint sat. ¶ Ermine he smot on [on added over the line.] þurch þe scheld; Almost he feld him in þe feld. Line 3500 Þan come Auþer ouer þuert, A Sarrazin modi of hert: Ermine [Herhaud?] smot him on þe helme an heyȝe, [hey ȝe on an erasure, the last e being indistinct.] Þat he cleue him to þe teþ; Al ded he made him on þe grounde to lie. Line 3505 Wiþ þat come þe king of Nubie; Toward Herhaud he come prikeinde, & Gij him was oȝain cominde. Wiþ grete strengþe sir Gij him smot Þat he feld him anon fot hot. Line 3510 When þe douke of Tire þat y-seþ, [folio 125b:a] His men dye on so reweliche deþ (An hond he held a dart kerueinde, Þe Cristen þer-wiþ þreteninde), He forþ ȝede, & smot a kniȝt, Line 3515 Þat ded he feld him anon riȝt. When Gij o Warwike þat y-seye, Þiderward he drouȝ him swiþe neye: A gode dart on hond he bar, & to him he launced heteliche þar. Line 3520 Þer-wiþ he smot Ebban þe king, Þat ded he fel arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward letting. Þe Sarrazines hij to-heweþ & quelleþ, Bi þe doun hij gredeþ & ȝelleþ.

When þe soudan seye his folk dye, [C line 3331] Line 3525 Bi ten, bi tvelue, in þe waye, He cleped to him þe king of Nubye, Þat was ful of felonie. 'Sir king,' he seyd, 'sest tow nouȝt Hou mine men ben to deþ y-brouȝt? Line 3530 Descumfit & y-slawe hij beþ, Þe bodis ded wele ȝe seþ. Þis Cristen our men to deþ doþ; Ac bi Cariot y swere mi noþ, & bi Apolyn þe grete, Line 3535 Bi Ternagaunt, & bi Mahoun þe swete, Bot we of hem be wreken swiþe, No worþ y neuer glad no bliþe, Bot we hem aseyle biginne, & þe hille wiþ strengþe awinne. Line 3540 An hundred we ben oȝain hem on, & al we schul hem nimen anon.' [C line 3346] Þe helden þai nimeþ about strongliche, & þe Cristen aseyl stalworþliche At þe brode paþe & narwe also; Line 3545 Þe Gregeys wele werd hem þo. On þe Cristen þai gun smite, Þe Sarrazins, boþe miche & lite, & our men hem werd wel Wiþ scharpe speres & grounden [the r added over the line.] stiel: Line 3550 Wiþ axes & swerdes y-grounde, Wiþ gisarmes þai ȝif deþes wounde. ¶ Þe soudan forþwiþ alder-farst On þe Cristen smot wel fast; On heye on helmes he hem smot [folio 125b:b] Line 3555 Wiþ his fauchon þat wele bot. Toȝaines Gij he smot þo, & seyd 'war, ich-il þe slo!' Gij he smot so ouer þuert, Þat he was sumdel y-hert; Line 3560

Line 3560 Ac Gij wiþ strengþe to him smot Wiþ his swerd þat wele bot. Wel strong was þat ich fiȝt, Ac þe soudan wered him wiþ miȝt. Wharto schuld ich ȝou telle more? Line 3565 Þe Sarrazins ouer-comen wore: Wele haþ Gij don þat day, [C line 3355] As gode kniȝt & verray.

At a pas he houed riȝt, As a kniȝt of gret miȝt; Line 3570 A gisarme he bar kerueinde, He smot bifore & bi-hinde. Þe Sarraȝins so he agast, Al þat he smot to grounde he cast. . . . . . . . . . . His scheld he hadde forlore, To-hewe it lay his fet bifore. So mani Sarrazin he slouȝ þat day, Þat ich on oþer ded lay; Line 3580 So mani to ded þer he dede, Þat þe hepe lay to his girdel stede. ¶ Who so seye þan Herhaud fiȝt, [C line 3369] Of a gode kniȝt ȝelp he miȝt. A damsax he bar on his hond: Line 3585 Al þat he rauȝt to grounde he wond; Sarrazins he slouȝ mo þan sexti, & Gij an hundred & fourti. Herhaud þat day so sore swong, Þat þurch his mouþe þe fom it sprong; Line 3590 Al to-hewe [MS. alto hewe] was his helme, Þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward ran out als a welme. What schuld y make tale muche? Þe Sarrazins þai slowen strongliche; Ac euer he was gode, apliȝt, Line 3595 Gij of Warwike michel of miȝt,

More dede þan ani oþer: His stroke was heui so a foþer. Gij and his feren also Als lyouns þai fouȝten þo, Line 3600 & the Gregeys forþ wiþ hem, [folio 126a:a] Þai wered hem as douhti men. [C line 3382] Weynes & cartes þai han y-nome Mo þan fiften þousende atte frome. Y-ioined hij han þe gret piles, Line 3605 Ginnes þai made on selcouþe wise, Sum piles scharpe kerueinde, Al aboute so mani stondinde, Þat ich ne can þe noumbre telle, Noiþer in rime no in spelle. Line 3610 Þer nas man þat þer neye come, Þat he ne was to-corwen anon. So griseliche be þe engins, For to sle þe Sarrazines, In ich half y-sett arawe, Line 3615 Scharpe soules doun of þe hulle y-drawe. [r added over the line.] Þer-mid þai hewe þe gret stonis, Bi-hewe quarre for þe nonis, So gret so tventie men miȝt drawe, To slen hem of þe heþen lawe. Line 3620 Swiche a þousende for-smiten þai be, Þat neuer after schullen y-the; Wel iuel hem is bifallen þare, Ded þai ben wiþ sorwe & care. [C line 3404]

Wharto schuld ich tale telle? Line 3625 Þe soudan lepe on hors ful snelle. Gret onde he hadde to Gyoun, & to Herhaud, his compaynoun, For hij han slawe so fel of his. He sat on an hors of pris, Line 3630 Wiþ gret hete he smot to Gij, Opon his helme, sikerly,

Þat he feld þat o quarter. To Gij he seyd a bismer: 'Y-sestow, lord? bi Apolin, Line 3635 Þat was a strok of a Sarrazin!' Gij to þe soudan smot þo, His helme no was him worþ a slo: Resares euen forþ þe breyn Helme & flesse he carf wiþ meyn. Line 3640 Þan he seyd to him a bismer: 'Mahoun halp þe litel þer! Bodi & soule no nouȝt þer-of No is nouȝt worþ a lekes clof. Hou so it go of mi wounde, [folio 126a:b] Line 3645 Of Mahoun þou hast litel help y-founde. Er þou scorndest me, Of mi wounde þou madest þi gle: Leche gode schal ich haue, Þat mi wounde schal to hele drawe; Line 3650 Þou hast a croun schauen to þe bon; Tomerwe þou miȝt sing anon. Wele þou þouȝtest to ben a prest, When þou of swiche a bischop order berst!' Now biginneþ þat gret fiȝt; Line 3655 Bi þre, bi four, adoun riȝt, Þe Sarrazins ben ouer-come, Oway fleinde þai ben some. [C line 3405] Þe niȝt comeþ, þe day is go, Þe Sarrazins han ful michel wo; Line 3660 For so mani y-slawe þer be (So seyd þe folk of þat cuntre), Þat men miȝt wade ouer þe scho hem In þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward þat of hem kem. So miche folk þer was y-slawe þo, Line 3665 Þat fiftene forlong men miȝt go, Þat þei he kept him neuer so, He most nedes opon men go,

Oþer on fot, oþer on hond, Oþer opon arm coruen wiþ brond. Line 3670 ¶ Wiþ þat come an amiral prikeinge, Newe dubbed he was, wiþ-outen lesing; To þe soudan he is y-come, Þurch þe bodi he haþ woundes some. 'Sir,' he seyd, 'hennes we go: Line 3675 No sestow al our folk slo? Bi þousendes þou sest hem to deþ ligge; Our godes ous hateþ, for soþe to sigge. Þou sest Mahoun ne Apolin Be nouȝt worþ þe brestel of a swin. Line 3680 Anon riȝtes wiþdrawe þou þe, & to þi pauiloun þou fle; Alle þe wounded þou do wiþ þe lede; Ȝete þai may þe help & rede. Þi rereban þou do of-sende; Line 3685 To awreke [þe] þou haue in mende.' Anon þai hem wiþdrawe and ben ouer-come; Sori þai ben alle & some. Þe soudan dede biforn him bring [folio 126b:a] Alle his godes, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesing: Line 3690 Toward hem he is wel wroþ, Do he wil hem harm & loþ: 'A ȝe [ȝe on an erasure.] fals godes vnwreste! Sone ȝou tit a liþer [MS. alither] feste. Oȝain ous ȝe ben of wicked mode: Line 3695 Schame ȝe don ous & no gode. Ȝe don ous alder-werst to spede When þat we han mest nede. Fy, fy,' he seyd, 'on [þe], Apolin! Þou schalt haue wel iuel fin, Line 3700 & þou, Ternagaunt, also: Michel schame schal com ȝou to; & þou, Mahoun, her alder lord, Þou nart nouȝt worþ a tord!

Þer-fore þou it schalt abigge Line 3705 Wiþ staues gret opon þi rigge.' . . . . . . . . . . So he gan his godes to cloute, Þat þe erþe dined aboute. Line 3710 Her armes & legges he to-tiȝt, & cleped hem wroches anon riȝt: 'Godenes in ȝou nas neuer y-founde, No more miȝt þan in an hounde.' Bi þe fet he hem out drouȝ, Line 3715 And dede hem schame riȝt anouȝ.

Gij dede clepe her cheueteyn Wiþ gode will & hert feyn: 'Lordinges,' he seyd, 'god y-þonked be! [C line 3450] Feir grace so habbe we, Line 3720 Þat þe Sarrazins ben ouercome. Wende we to þe cite atte frome.' & when þai ben comen oȝen, To þemperour welcom þai ben, & nameliche Gij, þe gode kniȝt, Line 3725 Mest was worþschiped in þat fiȝt. ¶ When þat y-seye Morgadour, Þat steward was wiþ þemperour, Þat Gij biwreyed vnwrastliche, Þat þemperour loued so miche, Line 3730 He bigan for to asay Hou he miȝt Gij bi-tray. O felonie he haþ him bi-þouȝt; Of swiche no haue ȝe herd nouȝt: He þouȝt in his wille þo, [folio 126b:b] Line 3735 Þat Gij o message schuld go. In swiche þouȝt & swiche wille An while he held him stille; Anon he went to þemperour, & seyd, 'sir, par amour, Line 3740

Line 3740 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Þe soudan haþ his folk y-sent: Line 3745 Into al peyni his sond is sent. Þer nis noiþer ȝing no eld Þat armes may bere & wepen weld, Alle he is haueþ of-sent, Þe to bisege verrament. Line 3750 ¶ To him þou þi sond sende, Alle þi wille, word & ende.' . . . . . . . . . . 'Who,' he seyd, 'durst þider wende?' Line 3755 'Sir Gij, a kniȝt hardi & hende Of þine house, & þat y plight: Gij of Warwike of gret miȝt, Herhaud of Arderne, þat oþer best: On hem tveye ȝe mow ȝou trest. Line 3760 To þe soudan þou sende þine kniȝtes bold, & say þou wilt wiþ him a day hold [C line 3500] Of acord in swiche manere.' 'Sir steward,' seyd þemperere, 'Toward Gij þou berst iuel wille: Line 3765 He no schal nouȝt go; þerof be stille. Ac mine barouns ichil of-sende, & wite who wille þider wende.'

His barouns he haþ of-sent: Ouer alle his lond þai ben y-went, Line 3770 Þat þai schuld to þemperour wende. To hem he seyd, 'mi leue frende, Ich wold sende to the soudan, Ȝif ich wist euer bi wham. To him to sende ich am in wille, Line 3775 Wiþ him to acord loude oþer stille,

Ȝif ani of ȝou so hardi were, Þat to him þe message bere.' When þemperour had seyd his resoun, Þer nas noiþer kniȝt no baroun Line 3780 Þat him a word answerd þo: Nas þer non þe message durst do. ¶ A baroun of þe benche aros: Sir Tristor his name was.

'Sir emperour, vnder-stond me, [folio 127a:a] Line 3785 For leyer no schal ich holden be; [C line 3555] For ich it sigge for gret loue, & þine worþschipe to held aboue: Fif thousende siþe haue he maugre Þat þe conseyl ȝaf to þe! Line 3790 For he þe loueþ riȝt nouȝt Þat in þat wille þe haþ y-brouȝt, Þat þou to him ȝelde scholdest, Bot [þat?] þou þi sonde sende woldest. No þenkestow nouȝt of þat baroun Line 3795 Þat was of so gret renoun, Hou þou sendest him to? Oȝain no come he neuer mo. He þe sent þe heued wiþ-outen more, No durst neuer eft non com þore; Line 3800 In þe world is kniȝt non Þat þe message durst don. For arwe no sigge ich it no-wiȝt: [C line 3565] Ȝif in min armes were so gret miȝt Also ich hadde, & as ȝong were Line 3805 As ich was hennes an hundred ȝere, Þis ich message don ich wold, For drede of deþ lete y nold. Ac icham now a neld man, Alle mine miȝtes ben now gan; Line 3810 It is now gon mo þan fifti ȝer Þat ich on rigge hauberk ber.

Ich [jich, but the j underdotted.] ȝou sigge for soþe y-wis, To lese a good man gret harm it is, For ȝif he ani sendeþ þider, Line 3815 His heued him schal comen hider. Now ich haue mi wille y-sede; Now ȝiue anoþer better rede.'

When Tristor hadde y-seyd þis, Wiþ-outen ani oþer abod y-wis, Line 3820 Þer nas nouȝt on, litel no miche, Þat durst speke sikerliche. Gij of Warwike vp arist: 'Sir emperour, bi mi lord Iesu [jhus originally, but the s under|dotted.] Crist, Þis message ichil afo, Line 3825 & it þurch godes help do.' Seyd þemperour, 'þat schaltow nouȝt: Þider to go haue þou no þouȝt; Ich it [MS. ichit] dede mine men to fond, [folio 127a:b] To whom ich miȝt trust in mi lond.' Line 3830 Þan answerd Gij wel snelle, 'For soþe, sir, leten y nille, Þat ich þe message wil do, To dye er ich þennes go.' [C line 3600] Wiþ þat he went out of þe halle. Line 3835 Þe Gregeys siked among hem alle, 'God! what Gij is noble baroun! Iesu, þat suffred passioun, Saue him fram cumberment, & him oȝain bring in sauement.' Line 3840 Gij cam to his in in a stounde, His felawes droupeing he founde. 'Lordinges,' he seyd, 'hou is it now? Almiȝti god y bi-teche ȝou.' 'Sir,' quaþ Herhaud, 'ich-il go Line 3845 Bi þine wille wiþ þe also.' Gij answerd, 'so no schal it be. Icham y-go: biddeþ for me.'

He oxed his armes hastiliche, And men es him brouȝt sikerliche. Line 3850 Hosen of iren he haþ on drawe, Non better [bertter, but the first r under|dotted.] nar bi þo dawe. In a strong hauberk he gan him schrede, Who so it wered, þe ded no þurt him drede. An helme he haþ on him don: Line 3855 Better no wered neuer kniȝt non; The sercle [the r added over the line.] of gold þer-on was wrouȝt, For half a cite no worþ it bouȝt: So mani stones þer-in were, Þat were of vertu swiþe dere. Line 3860 Seþþe he gert him wiþ a brond Þat was y-made in eluene lond. His scheld about his nek he tok, On hors he lepe wiþ-outen stirop, On hond he nam a spere kerueinde, Line 3865 Out of þe cite he was rideinde. Alle þat weren of þat cite For him wel sori weren he; No wene þai neuer his ȝain-cominge, Alle þai wene þer his endinge. Line 3870 Now is Gij in þe riȝt way [C line 3635] Toward þe Sarrazins, y say, Wele y-armed on his stede, [folio 127b:a] A launce he bar gode at nede. Smerteliche he dede him in þe ways, Line 3875 Ouer þe dounes & þe valeys To the Sarrazins y-comen he is, & her pauilouns he seþ y-wis. A real pauiloun he þer seye Wiþ an eren of gold an heye. Line 3880 Þat was þe soudans [soudanes, but the e underdotted.] pauiloun: Haue he Cristes malisoun! In-to þe pauiloun Gij him wond, & an hast þer he fond

Alle atte mete þat þer was, Line 3885 & nouȝt michel noise þer nas. At þe heye bord eten kinges ten, Þat alle were Gyes fomen.

Þan seyd Gij þe Englisse, 'Vnderstond to mi speche: Line 3890 Þilke lord þat woneþ an heye, Þat al þing walt fer & neye, & in þe rode lete him pini, Al cristen men to saui, [sauei, but the e underdotted.] & in þe se made þe sturioun, Line 3895 So ȝif ȝou alle his malisoun, & alle þilk þat ich here se, Þat mis-bileued men be; & þe at þe first, sir soudan, Cristes wreche þe come opan! Line 3900 Yuel fure breninde fast þe opon, & cleue þi brest doun to þi ton! For icham Gij ȝe mow wel [l added over the line with another ink.] se, Yuel mot ȝe alle y-the! Vnder-stond, treitour, mi resoun: Line 3905 Haue þou Cristes malisoun, & alle þilke forþ mitt te, Þat ich her [r added over the line (with another ink?).] about þe se. Þe heye god þat is ful of miȝt Binim ȝou ȝour limes & ȝour siȝt! Line 3910 Bi me þe sent word þemperour Garioun, Þat miȝti men haþ in his bandoun, [C line 3660] Þurch wham þou art y-brouȝt to schond, & hoteþ þe wende out of his lond, For here has tow no riȝt. Line 3915 Finde a Sarrazin oþer a kniȝt, & he schal anoþer finde, [folio 127b:b] Þat schal deray[ne] his riȝt kinde. Y schal wiþ þe glotoun fiȝt; & ȝif þine haue þe more miȝt, Line 3920

Line 3920 & ouer-comeþ our champioun, Mi lord þe schal ȝiue ransoun, & als his lord serue wille Euer more, & þat is skille. & ȝif it so bitide þat our kniȝt Line 3925 Ouer-come ȝour in feld in fiȝt, Hastiliche þan, y rede þe, Out of þis lond þat þou fle. Þer-of þou take a day: On mi lordes word, y þe say, Line 3930 To þi pauiloun ich am y-come, To do þe bateyle atte frome. Onswere me wiþ-outen lesing, What word y schal mi lord bring.'

Quaþ þe soudan, 'whennes artow, [C line 3683] Line 3935 Into mi court [added at the end of the line.] comen art now, & misseyst me so schameliche, & þretest me so dedeliche?' Gij answerd, 'ich-il þe telle: Mi name for-hele y nille. Line 3940 Gij of Warwike mi name is; In þat cuntre y was born y-wis.' Þe soudan answerd þo: 'Artow Gij, so mot þou go, Þou slouȝ mi nevou Cosdram: Line 3945 His heued þou smot þe bodi fram; Þou it schalt abigge, bi Apolin! Today is comen ending þin!' [C line 3700] He hete anon þat Gij wer nome & y-cast in his prisoun, Line 3950 Fort þe cloþ ben y-drawe, & þan reweliche ben y-slawe. Gij drouȝ out his swerd anon, & priked his stede wel gode won. Bi seyn Denis he gan to swere, Line 3955 Ȝif ani man so hardi were,

Þat him neyȝed wiþ schond, He schuld dye þurch his hond.

Bifor þe soudan com Gyoun, & him biheld als a lyoun, [MS. alyoun.] Line 3960 & seyd, 'soudan, þou schalt abigge: [folio 128a:a] Þine heued þou schalt forgon, y sigge.' Opon þe cheyer þer he sat Gij toke him bi þe top wiþ þat, & þat heued he dede of fle Line 3965 Opon þe bord of appel tre. Þe heued he toke in his hond, [C line 3713] & in his lappe he it wond. Wel hastiliche he went him, y-wis, Of þe Sarraȝins adrede he is. Line 3970 . . . . . . . . . . An hundred heuedes he dede of flen Of þilke þat him stode oȝen. Wiþ him he forþ þat heued bar, Line 3975 Maugre alle þat þer war. Þurch þat ost he rode smartliche, His hors him bar hastiliche. Þer miȝt men se þe Sarrazin Bi on & on wende to Apolin. Line 3980 Wel fast after him þai come, & alle þai wold han him nome. Gij to aseylen þai wer ȝep; Vnarmed were þe most hep. Gij drouȝ him toward an hulle, Line 3985 Þe Sarrazins him driuen snelle: Boþe bi [bi on an erasure.] hundred & þousende Him go þe Sarrazins driueinde. On ich half þai smiten him to, & he oȝain to hem also: Line 3990 Neuer no was an-lepy kniȝt Þat so mani stond miȝt.

Bot god nim of him ȝeme, His liif it is michel awene. . . . . . . . . . .

Listeneþ now & sitteþ stille: [C line 3731] Of Herhaud ich ȝou telle wille, Þat of swoning no may him duelle. For his lord Gij, y ȝou telle, Line 4000 So michel sorwe him was an, Þat telle no miȝt he it noman. Euerich man is swiþe wo When he schal a gode [MS. agode] frende for-go: So was Herhaud for his lord fre; Line 4005 No wende he him neuer more y-se. Þan bigan his sorweinge, His her [r in her added over the line.] he [he omitted in MS.] tar, his honden gan wring. 'Allas!' he seyd, 'sir Gij! [folio 128a:b] Now ich wot wele siker-lye Line 4010 Þat y no schal þe neuer y-se; Allas! for sorwe wo is me!' For grete sorwe þat he hedde He fel adoun on his bedde, Þer he is y-falle on slepe, Line 4015 As a man weri of wepe. A sweuen him mett wel ferly, Þat he seye his lord sir Gij On his stede swiþe cominge, & on his hond his swerd kerueing; Line 4020 Aseyled he was wiþ wolues & bere: Vnneþe he miȝt him fram hem were [C line 3750] Alle þai hadde to-broken his scheld, & his brini to-rent manifeld. Vnneþe he miȝt him were, Line 4025 So þai gun on him to tere. Wiþ þat is Herhaud awaked, & of his sweuen gret sorwe maked,

& seyd anon to alle his compeynie, 'Felawes, wil we ous armi? Line 4030 Gij to help we ouȝt to spede; For to help he haþ gret nede, Wele ich wot bi mi sweuen. Now help ous god þat is in heuen!' Y-armed þai ben sone anon, Line 4035 & on hors þai lopen ichon, & wendeþ forþ wiþ gode wille Ouer þe dounes & þe dales snelle. Wiþ alle her miȝt þai heye fast For to socour Gij on hast. Line 4040 Þe Sarrazins þai gun þretni, & made gret sorwe for Gij. Þai seyd alle þat þer were, Hem dred þai him seye neuere; Oþer ded he was oþer y-nome, Line 4045 For him þai were sori alle & some. Sone þai neyȝed toward þat ost, Of Sarrazins þai herd gret bost; Of hem was wrin al þe feld, On hors þai were wiþ spere & scheld, Line 4050 Þat euerichon þai þretten Gij: Him to slen þai han gret envie. Amonges hem þai seye Gyoun [folio 128b:a] Þat him wered als a lyoun. [MS. alyoun.] On ich half þai him aseyle, Line 4055 & he him werþ wiþ-outen feyle. Bi þe reynes þai ben him neye niminge, Ac he him werþ wiþ swerd kerueing; Mani he smot of fot & fest; He hadde al nede, la, wite Crist! [C line 3780] Line 4060

Now þai bigin to prike swiþe, To socour Gij þai han gret hye. Herhaud him smot a Sarrazin, Þat litel him halp his Apolin.

Þai smiten togider & fast þrung, Line 4065 Þai corwen þurch liuer & þurch lunge; Þe Sarrazins þai teche an iuel play, Euerich on oþer y-slawe lay. Herhaud is ful wele bifalle, He socourþe Gij wiþ his felawes alle. Line 4070 Amonges hem was gret gladn-esse: Þe most hepe [ȝepe?] wepen for blis; Þai kisten Gij alle for blis, & þonked god ful ȝern, y-wis. ¶ Þe Sarrazins wenten alle oȝen, Line 4075 Sori & dreri alle þai ben. Þai token her lordes bodi þere, As sori wreches oway it bere; To Ascone þai ben þer-wiþ y-come, Y-schent þai ben alle & some. Line 4080 Gij, & Herhaud, & her meyne Glad & bliþe alle ben he. [C line 3800] Þat heued þai han on a spere y-sett (Þer miȝt men se þat Gij was wel net), Bifore him bere þat it haþ y-do. Line 4085 Mani on pelt her finger þer-to. Into þe cite þai gun it bring, For ioie þai gun þe belles ring. Sir Gij to þemperour y-comen is, Þe heued he him ȝalt, y-wis: Line 4090 Þemperour gret þanke him can, & in þat cite he doþ make onan A piler of gray marbel ston: Þat heued he sett anon þer-on. In swiche wise deuised it was, Line 4095 Þat it was biwreyen in bras, Whar-þurch þat oþer miȝt ben war [folio 128b:b] To come wiþ ani ost more þar. [C line 3832]

Þan Gij hadde y-don so Þemperour cleped Gij him to: Line 4100

Line 4100 'Welcome be þou to me, sir Gij! Hennes for dayes þritti Michel monschip ichil þe do, Mi feir douhter ȝiue þe to.' To þemperour onswerd sir Gij, Line 4105 'An hundred siþe, sir, gramerci!' . . . . . . . . . . Þemperour aros amorwe þo, [C line 3843] To sen þe cuntre þai ben y-go; Line 4110 Alle þat day þai riden hem so Alle what euen, þai rested hem þo. Þai seye toward a pleyn plas Þat bisiden a doun [MS. adoun] was. A lyoun þai seye cominde þo, Line 4115 Bot a smal pas no miȝt he go, Wiþ ȝenende mouþe, & weri he was. Gij þat seye & seyd, 'allas! Whi, no haddestow help non?' Ac þat lyon [MS. foly] þai dradden ichon, Line 4120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For wiþ a dragoun he hade y-fouȝt, Line 4125 & ouercomen he was nere him þouȝt. . . . . . . . . . . Gij anon asked his stede þo, His spere, & his swerd also: Line 4130 In his hond a gode swerd he bar; Þat y-seye alle þat þer war. When þe dragoun seye com Gij Þe lyoun he forlett, & gan him sayly. Wiþ open mouþe oȝaines him he come; Line 4135 Gij bar his spere oȝaines him anon:

In-to his þrote he it þrest wiþ strengþe; In his bodi was alle his schaft lengþe, Þat ded to grounde he feld him þo. What schuld y make tales mo? Line 4140 He smot of þe heued, & went oway, & come to þemperour so sone so he may, Gyoun, wiþ riȝt gode wille: Þe lyoun after him folweþ snelle. [C line 3890] Biforn him he goþ swiþe sket, Line 4145 & folwed him at his stede fet. His fet he licked, so ȝede he neye, & lepe vp on his stede an heye, & seþþe he lepe adoun anon, [folio 129a:a] & made him gret joie opon. Line 4150 To þemperour is comen Gij, Þat of him was glad, sikerli. Alle þai bihelden þe lyoun, & hadde gret joie bot þe feloun, Morgadour þe steward, Line 4155 Þat euer was Gij oȝeinward. A liþer tresoun þan þouȝt he, Þat he wold þe lyoun sle. Wiþ þat into þe cite þai ben y-gon; Þemperour went vnto his tour of ston, [C line 3913] Line 4160 & Gij is to his in y-go: Þe lyoun him folwed euer mo. Biforn his bed he goþ to ligge, Fram him he nold, for soþe to sigge. So long þai riden her jurneys, Line 4165 And þurch riden þe cuntreys, Þat to Costentin þai ben y-come. Þemperour haþ Gij on speche y-nome, & seyd, 'Gij, make þe redi: Tomorwe þou schalt mi douhter weddi.' Line 4170 Wel sweteliche him answerd sir Gij, 'Sir emperour, mow gramerci!'

A morwe, so sone so it was day, [C line 3935] Gij him schred in fou & gray; Wiþ him his felawes also, Line 4175 To chirche þai gon euer to & to. Wiþ þat þai ben to chirche y-come Worþschiplich alle & some, & þat maiden was also; Gret joie hadde al her kin þo. Line 4180 Þe erchebischop was comen also, Redi þe spouseing for to do. ¶ Þemperour seyd to Gij þere: [C line 3949] 'Mi douhter ich ȝiue þe here, And þritti castels wiþ hir also, Line 4185 Wiþ þe worþschip þat liþ þer-to, And half mi lond ich ȝiue þe, Bifor mi barouns þat here be. Þou schalt ben emperour after me: Biforn hem alle y graunt it þe.' Line 4190 'Alle,' he seyd, 'þat þou bedest me Ichil afong,' quaþ Gij, 'wiþ hert fre.' Þe erchebischop [MS. erchebus|chop.] come forþ [folio 129a:b] Wiþ a ring, þat miche was worþ; He tok it Gij, & he it gan afong, Line 4195 & Gij bi-þouȝt him þan wel strong: He biþouȝt þan in his wille Þat Felice he schuld don vnskille; He þouȝt him repent & wiþ-drawe, Wheþer he miȝt hir [her originally intended?] lete oþer haue. Line 4200 Leuer him þouȝt to han hir bodi on Wiþ-outen siluer & gold & precious ston, Þan alle oþer þat were o liue Wiþ alle þe gode men miȝt him ȝiue. Gij sett him adoun anon, Line 4205 & seyd swiche iuel is comen him on, Þat he no may of þe stede gon, Him þenkeþ his hert brekeþ ato.

Gij fel aswoning in þat plas, [C line 3969] & aros vp sone after þas; Line 4210 Gij seyd an heye to þemperour: 'Sir, y þe pray paramour, Þat þis fest deleyed be Fort efsones, y bidde þe, Þat ich am apassed þis hache, Line 4215 & þat ic̄h in gode hele be.' Quaþ þemperour, 'þat reweþ me, Þis sposayl schal delayed be.' Þennes hij gon alle y-fere, Alle sone wiþ droupeand chere. Line 4220 Þat maiden wepe & was sori, [C line 3983] For Gij no miȝt hir spousi, For neuer more hij no wende Wiþ loue com him hende; No ioie ne may comen hir inne, Line 4225 For hij no wende him neuer winne. Sche wrong hir honden & wepe sore, Sorwe made neuer wiman more; Sche wrong hir fingres & tar hir here, & curssed þe time þat moder hir ber, Line 4230 & þe time þat hye biȝeten was; Neuer woman wers nas.

Gij is to his in y-go, [C line 3987] No wist noman of his wo Bot him self: bi niȝt and day Line 4235 Al a fourten niȝt sike he lay, Þat he no com his bed fram, [folio 129b:a] No out atte dore he no cam.

Now wille we of Gij duelle, & of his lyoun ichil ȝou telle; Line 4240 Of his lyoun, hou he fard: Þer while þat Gij lay sike so hard Nold he noiþer ete no drink, Ac sorwe he made and gret morning.

Gij [j in Gij seems altered from f.] cleped Herhaud him to, [C line 3997] Line 4245 & alle his conseyl schewed him þo. 'Sir Herhaud,' he seyd, 'conseyl me: Of mi [Qy. þi?] conseyl ich oxi þe, Ȝif y schal þemperours douhter take, Or ȝete abide forþ & hir for-sake. Line 4250 Ich haue a leman in Inglond (To telle þe nil y nouȝt wond), Þerls douhter Rohaut y-wis, Felice, þat feir maiden of pris. Oþer þan hir loue y no may, Line 4255 Sir Herhaud, for soþe to say.' Herhaud onswerd: 'ichil ȝou telle Þe best conseyl ich haue in wille. Ȝif þou þemperours douhter afo Riche þou best euer mo: Line 4260 After him þou best emperour. God haþ y-don þe gret anour: In þe world ne worþ man of so gret miȝt, No of so gret pouer, y pliȝt. More riches þe worþ bi a þousandel Line 4265 Boþe of cites & of riche castel, Forestes ful of hertes beld, Þan þerl Rohaut haþ in weld.'

'Stille be þou,' quaþ Gij, 'of þat þouȝt. [C line 4023] Now ich wot þou louest me nouȝt, Line 4270 When þou conseyls me mi leman fro. Mi liif to lese, nil ich it do.' 'Sir,' quaþ Herhaud, 'ich-il be stille, When it is oȝain þi wille. Þat þou hir louedest wist y nouȝt, Line 4275 & þo þou of conseyl me bisouȝt, Þe best ich wold ȝiue þe Þat ich hadde wiþ-in me. When þou Felice loues so, Vn-riȝt it were & þou hir for-go.' Line 4280

Gij aros after þe fourtenniȝt [folio 129b:b] Glad & bliþe wiþ hert liȝt. [C line 4035] He is to þe court y-come, & ful welcome to alle & some. Wiþ him his lyoun to court ȝe[de] þo, [MS. ȝeþo.] Line 4285 Þurch whom aros gret sorwe & wo. Þemperour of Gij wel bliþe he was; Into al þe court no noþer þer nas Al bot Morgadour, sikerliche: He hated Gij wel inliche. Line 4290 For þe maiden he hadde Gij in hete. Gij bileft in court atte mete, Him to play & solanci. Þo at þe court bileft sir Gij, Þer whiles þe king ate mete sat, Line 4295 Þe lyoun goþ to play wiþ-outen þe ȝat In pais wiþ-outen vilanie. Herkeneþ now, lordinges, gladli: When þemperour hadde y-hete, Gode while Gij haþ bi him sete, Line 4300 Wiþ him to pley in compeynie: Solas he loued arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward vilanie. Þat ich while his lyoun Ȝede out of þe pauiloun: Al abouten he is y-go, Line 4305 For to resten him in a wro: Oȝain þe sonne he slepe in a stede, Gret while of þe day & so he dede. When Gij wold his way he nam, [C line 4057] Vnto his in þat he cam. Line 4310 Þe lyoun no folwed him nouȝt, In an erber he slepe wel soft. Þan was þe steward goinde, In-to an orchard al-on cominde. Vnder a windowe he him seye Line 4315 Wher þe lyoun lay wel neye,

For to resten him in a wro. 'Bi god,' quaþ þe steward þo, 'Þe lyoun liþ here now slepeing,' Seyd Morgadour in his þouȝt þenking. Line 4320 A scharpe wepen þer forþ he drouȝ, & þe lyoun þer-wiþ he slouȝ. Þe lyoun afrayd vp stert, As he þat was to deþ y-hert. Ac a maiden þat y-seye, [folio 130a:a] [C line 4069] Line 4325 & grad to þe steward an heye: 'Sir steward, þat was iuel y-smite. In vnworþschip it worþ þe at-wite.' Þe lyoun him goþ forþ groning, His guttes after him draweing. Line 4330 To Gyes in he is y-go, In a chaumber he fond him þo: At his fete he fel doun in þat stede, To hauen of him socour at nede. His hondes he gan to licky: Line 4335 Þat was his loue, sikerly. When Gij þat lyoun wounded seþ, [C line 4085] For sorwe him þouȝt his hert clef. 'O lord,' he seyd, 'god almiȝt, Who haþ þe so iuel y-diȝt? Line 4340 Þat mi lyoun haþ y-slawe me, Y nold it wer don for þis cite, No þat þer-to bilonge. So michel sorwe me haþ afong.' In swiche wretþe & grame anouȝ Line 4345 His gode swerd wiþ strengþe he drouȝ; [C line 4107] Seþþen on his stede he wond, His swerd y-drawe in his hond: To þe court he com prikeing. Wele hij seyen bi his lokeing Line 4350 Þat he is sori & swiþe wroþ: Alle oȝaines him þai goþ.

'Lordinges,' quaþ Gij, 'ich ȝou biseche, Ȝif ani of ȝou me can teche, Who slouȝ mi lyoun to-day.' Line 4355 Alle þai seyd, 'sir, certes, nay.' Wiþ þat into þe halle he come, A maiden he mett þer anon. [C line 4126] ¶ 'Sir Gij,' she seyd, 'leue swete, Is þi lyoun ded, or liues ȝete? Line 4360 For þurchout smite ichim seye.' Þo seyd Gij: 'mi swete lef, ney, Ich þe bidde, for-hele it nouȝt, Who haþ mi lyoun to deþ y-brouȝt?' 'Sir,' sche seyd, 'Morgadour, Line 4365 Þat is steward wiþ þemperour: Þurch þe bodi he him smot. His deþ it worþ, wele y wot.' [folio 130a:b] When he herd þat ich feloun [C line 4139] Hadde y-slawe his lyoun, Line 4370 Out of halle he gan driue Fram chaumber to chaumber al-so swiþe, Wiþ naked swerd in his hond: Ȝif he him findeþ he goþ to schond. Into a chaumber he com þat stounde, Line 4375 & Morgadour sone he founde Wiþ his nevou in conseyl fast: When þai seye Gij þai weren agast. Gij seyd: 'þou me hast bitreyd When þou to grounde mi lyoun leyd. Line 4380 No dede ich þe neuer bot gode, Þou fel treytour, vnkinde arrow_back blod arrow_forward .' ¶ Morgadour answerd anon, Stalworþ kniȝt as he was on: 'Þou lexst amidward þi teþ, Line 4385 & þer-fore haue þou maugreþ. Whi berstow me on treysoun, Þat ich haue sleyn þi lioun?'

Gij wiþ his kniif smite he wold, Ac Gij him suffri nold: Line 4390 His swerd anon vp he hef, Morgadour doun riȝt he clef Fram þe heued doun to þe fot: Of þat stroke no com him neuer bot.

When his nevou y-seye þat cas, [C line 4155] Line 4395 Þat his em [nevou MS, eme Turnbull.] so smiten was, Him to awreke him þouȝt long, & as he schuld his dart afong, His arme atvo smot Gij, & he him anon crid merci. Line 4400 Gij for rewþe is þennes y-gcn, & cam to þemperour anon, & seþþe he seyd to þemperour: 'Ich haue þe serued wiþ gret honour; Ȝolden þou hast me iuel mi while, Line 4405 When þi folk þurch tresoun & gile Haue mi lyoun to deþ y-brouȝt. Mi while is iuel ȝalt: he it haþ abouȝt. For soþe he me to þe biwreyd, & now to grounde mi lyoun is leyd. Line 4410 Ded he liþe al to-hewe [alto hewe MS.] Þi steward, at wordes fewe: Wele ich haue ȝolden him his treysoun, [folio 130b:a] & þat he slouȝ mi lyoun. Seþþe þou no miȝt nouȝt waranti me, Line 4415 Whar-to schuld y serui þe, On oncouþe man in thi lond, When þou no dost him bot schond? Harm me is, & michel misdo; Þer-fore ichil fram þe go, Line 4420 & in oþer cuntres serue y wile, Þer men wille ȝeld me mi while.' 'Merci, sir Gij,' seyd þemperour þo. 'Ȝif ani of our haþ þe misdo, [C line 4185]

Swiche riȝt do als tow wilt, Line 4425 & take þe amendes after þe gilt; For alle þai schul be þine men [an]on, In þi nede serue þe ichon, & at þi wille take her catel. Wiþ-drawe þi mod, sir, y bidde [i in bidde altered from e?] þe wel: Line 4430 Ich wil þatow to-morwen arly Mi douhter at þe chirche spousy.' ¶ Gij answerd: 'þerof speke nouȝt: [C line 4193] Hir to nim nam ich nouȝt biþouȝt; For, ȝif þou haddest me hir ȝiue, Line 4435 & ich hir toke þer whiles y liue, Þan wold þi men anon, Þat wonderful be mani on, Þe seggen wiþ deshonour Þou haddest made a pouer man emperour, Line 4440 & vnworþ þai wold holden of me, & sum edwite þer wold be Þat þi douhter desperplid were, Ȝif þou to me hadde ȝiuen [me h. ȝ. on an erasure.] her here. Leuer ich hadde litel wiþ worþschipe Line 4445 Þan michel welden wiþ schenschipe. Þer-fore, sir emperour, y þe telle, In non maner bileuen y nille. Whende ichil in-to mi cuntre, Mine frendes to visite & to se.' Line 4450 Leue he toke wiþ þat speche, & seyd, 'godes sone y þe biteche.' When þemperour wiþ-holden him no may [C line 4209] (He seþ his wille is to wende o-way), Wepen he gan wiþ his eyȝen tvo: Line 4455 Alle þo of þe court dede al-so. His grete tresour he dede forþ bring, [folio 130b:b] & bede it Gij to his likeing, Ac þerof liked him nouȝt to take: Anouȝ he hadde of [One letter erased after of.] Sarrazins blake. Line 4460

Line 4460 Al-so a gode man dede þemperour þere: Þer-after to alle Gyes fere Riche tresour þan ȝaf he, Gold and siluer gret plente, As miche as þai wold vnder-fo; Line 4465 For þemperour it comend so. Gret [pris] þai ȝeue þemperour, Þat he was man of gret honour. Gij diȝt him wiþ riche dubbeing, Riche wede he dede for him bring. Line 4470 Of þemperour he toke his leue, & he al wepend it him ȝeue, & alle þe kniȝtes of the cite, Of euerichon leue nam he. Þer miȝt men se sorwe make, Line 4475 For sir Gij wold fram hem rake; Wimen & children mani on, For him þai wepen euerichon: Þer whiles he was in her ferred, Of no wer no stode hem drede. Line 4480 ¶ Þemperour cleped Herhaud him to, [C line 4229] & aresound him tvene hem tvo: 'Sir Herhaud, þou schalt bileue wiþ me. Wele ich þe sigge, & siker þou be, Þat ich in þis ȝere wille ȝiue þe Line 4485 Þe richest honour þat in mi lond be.' 'Sir,' quaþ Herhaud, 'gramerci! Wele ȝe wite icham wiþ sir Gij. Y no wil depart him fro For non honour men may me do.' Line 4490

Sir Gij to his in is y-go, & areliche amorwe he aros þo: Into Inglond he went, god itot, Ac when þemperour þat soþe wot, Þat Gij þe curteys is y-go, Line 4495 At his hert him was ful wo;

So was Blauncheflour [So MS.] þe schene: For his loue sche þoled tene. Toward Inglond is Gij y-drawe, & wiþ him Herhaud, his gode felawe. Line 4500 Swiþe hastiliche þai gun ride, [folio 131a:a] Þe weder was hot in somers tide. ¶ In May it was also ich wene, [C line 4255] When floures sprede & springeþ grene: Into a forest sir Gij is go Line 4505 Neye a cite, nouȝt fer þer-fro. Þan seyd Gij to his meyney: 'Wendeþ swiþe wel an heye, Mine in to nim [There seems to be a stroke too many (ninn or niun) in the MS.] in þe cite; Ich wil a while here pleye me, Line 4510 For to here þe foules singe.' Þer-in was þo his likeinge. His folk he doþ fram him go, Alon bileft sir Gij þo: Hadde he noiþer knaue no grome, Line 4515 Seriaunt no squier non. Selcouþe it was for to here: In priue stede stode Gij þere; So michel he herd þo foules sing, Þat him þouȝt he was in gret longing. Line 4520 So mani þinges he of þouȝt, Þat out of his riȝt way him brouȝt. So long forþ he is rideing, In his weye forþ secheing, Þat o groning fram fer he herd: Line 4525 He of-list, & thider he ferd. Þe mening seyd, 'allas, allas, Þat ich was born for swiche trespas! Ac now is me iuel bifelle: Deþ, whi wiltow so long duelle?' Line 4530 Þiderward sir Gij him drouȝ, And loked vnder an hawe-þorn bouȝ. [C line 4275]

Þe bodi he seye of a kniȝt: Þerof he hadde wonder, apliȝt. Feir & michel he him seþ: Line 4535 Gij þenkeþ michel, & nouȝt no seyþ. Þat hors he prikeþ, & forþ he goþ: Þat bodi he bihalt inliche forsoþ. His barbel first adoun he deþ, Wiþ-outen colour his neb he seþ Line 4540 For þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward he hadde for-lore, Þat of his bodi he hadde forþ bore. Y-girt he was wiþ a gode swerd, Þat was wele kerueand doun to þe uerd. [Read nerd?] Wele he was y-armed gentilliche. [folio 131a:b] Line 4545 Gij of him hadde reuþe miche: [C line 4303] His name he asked sweteliche, Who him biseye so reweliche. 'What is þi name? where wer þou bore? & who haþ y-wounded þe so sore? Line 4550 Ich þe bidde þatow say me, & for soþe y pliȝt þe For me schaltow harm haue non. Who haþ þe þus iuel bi-gon?' He answerd, 'þat wille y nouȝt. Line 4555 In mine hert is swiche sorwe brouȝt, Þat y dar schewe þe no speche. Lete me dye, y þe biseche. So michel sigge y þe, sir kniȝt, [The k looks as if the scribe had begun to write a g.] Ȝif þou wilt pliȝt me anon riȝt Line 4560 Þi treuþe in hond mine, Siker þou be þat al mi pine & alle mine estris ichil telle þe; Elles no wostow it nouȝt for me.' His treuþe sone he him pliȝt, Line 4565 His liif he teld him anon riȝt.

Now he seyd: 'sir kniȝt fre, [C line 4337] Mi name [added above the line in the same hand.] y þe telle, & whennes y be.

Of Gormoise icham cleped Tirri, Þeld erls sone Aubri. Line 4570 Wiþ þe douke of Loreyne ichaue y-be. . . . . . A feir douhter þan hadde he: . . . . . Ouer alle oþer we loueden ous, Line 4575 & for loue treuþe pliȝten þus. For non oþer sche nold me lete, No y no loued [The d above the line in the same hand.] non bot þat swete In godes lawe, for soþe y-wis: Swiche a [A letter erased before a, and another after it.] treuþe bitvix ous is. Line 4580 Armes for hir loue y nam, & now y thouȝt to han went ham. Mi priis ichaue wide y-souȝt Fram stede to oþer, no wond y nouȝt. ¶ Þan come fram hir to me a sond [C line 4371] Line 4585 Þat brouȝt me miche sorwe an hond, Þat þe douke Otus of Paui Wald mi leman spousey, To wham ich was treuþe-pliȝt: Oisel was hir name ful riȝt; Line 4590 Þat bi letters sche sent to me, [folio 131b:a] & bi toknes þat wer so fre, Þat, ȝif ich hir habbe wold, Þat to hir comen y schold To on day þat was y-sett, Line 4595 Oþer sche worþ fro me fett. To hir ward y gan spede Wiþ þritti kniȝtes in mi ferred: Eueriche of ous his stede bistrode, & riden ous forþ arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward abode, Line 4600 Wher þe douke Otus was & his ferred Wiþ an hundred kniȝtes of gret pride, & wele to hundred of seriaunce Of Lombardy & of Fraunce,

For to spouse min owhen wiif, Line 4605 Þat y loued more þan mi liif. When y þat wist y sent hir to So priueliche so ich miȝt it do, Þat hij schuld come to me: For gret loue so dede sche; Line 4610 To me sche come þurch queyntise Doun of þe castel in selcouþe wise Bi on cable alle sleyeliche, Þat folk it no founde, sikerliche. Y sett hir on a mule amblinde, Line 4615 In þe way we dede ous rideinde. Ac þer ich dede gret child-hod, Þat alto long y þer a-bod. At our wending of þat cite Þe liȝt day we miȝten se: Line 4620 Þer we were y-knowen þo At a brigge as we hadde go. Þat ich for Oisel was y-come, Hir fader it was teld atte frome. Þurch þe cite þe crie was gradde [C line 4397] Line 4625 Þe maiden was oway ladde. Þer miȝt men se kniȝtes on hors wende, & me þai of-token at þe brugge ende. Þer we stronglich mett wiþ hem: Mani we slowen of her men. Line 4630 Alle þai slouȝ mine feren, Þat swiþe gode kniȝtes weren. Me þai come to nim snelle, Ac y nold no longer duelle: Ich toke mi leman on mi stede, [folio 131b:b] Line 4635 & ouer þat water wiþ hir ich ȝede. Alle þat day þai driuen me, Alle fort þai no miȝt for niȝt y-se. When y was passed þe riuer ariȝt In hert y was glad & liȝt: Line 4640

Line 4640 Þat water passi þai no durstin, Þan owayward turn þai mostin. In þis forest y come rideinde, [C line 4441] Bifor me mi leman ledeinde: Y no dred robours no thef non, Line 4645 Ac al siker ich wende forþ gon. What of wakeing, & of fasting, & eke þat oþer treueyling, Osleped swiþe sore ich was, & lay & slepe in þis plas. Line 4650 Þan com fiftene outlawes strong Wiþ her men, & here me afong. Alle slepende þai wounded me. Anon riȝt nomen he Mi leman, & þai han hir ladde fro me. Line 4655 Now, sir, take þerof pite: Bi þe treuþe þou hast me pliȝt, Socour mi leman ȝif þou miȝt, &, when þat ich dede be, Do me birij, ich bidde þe. Line 4660 To þat hulle þou wende anon: [C line 4471] Þou hem findes þer ichon. & ȝif þat þou so miȝti be, Þatow may hem alle sle, Winne þou miȝt a maiden fre: Line 4665 In þe warld may non feirer be. & ȝete y may þe more telle: Mi stede þai han, þat is so snelle, Þat wiþ strengþe in Peyneme ich wan Of Solagimis, þe sone soudan. Line 4670 Þer-fore men han y-boden me .Xv. castels, & touns, & riche cite, [s erased after cite.] And .xv. somers of siluer & of gold, Ac for an hundred ȝiuen ichit nold. Now þou hast, sir, alle y-her [s erased after cite.] , Line 4675 Hou ich am bitreyd & amerd.

Take mi scheld, & mi hauberk of stiel & mi swerd, þat biteþ wel, & mine armes ich am in diȝt [folio 132a:a] (For ich þe se man of miche miȝt), Line 4680 To quite þi treuþe þou hast y-pliȝt.' Þan stode þer sir Gij vp-riȝt: [C line 4491] Wel depe in hert he haþ y-siȝt. Grete pite he haþ of þat kniȝt: He knewe Tirri for his frende, Line 4685 Þat lay þer in hard bende. 'Sir,' he seyd, 'bi treuþe mine Þat ich haue pliȝt in hond þine, Euen forþ mi miȝt ich-il help þe: More miȝt þou nouȝt oxi me.' Line 4690 Wiþ þat haþ Gij his brond y-nome, & his hauberk atte frome, His scheld, & his oþer wede, & to þe hulle in gret periil he ȝede. A loge stonden þer he seye, Line 4695 & þer wiþ-outen a gode stede & heye, Þat was to a bouȝ y-teyd. Gij þeron his talent leyd: Sterneliche prikeing he come, His swerd he drouȝ out anon. Line 4700 He aliȝt, & seyd at his cominge: 'Þeues, ȝe be ded, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesinge. [C line 4507] Awarid worþ ȝe ichon, Boþe ȝour flessche & ȝour bon. Whi slouȝ ȝe þat ich kniȝt? Line 4705 Alle ȝe schul die anon riȝt. & ȝif ani so hardi be, Þat hennes stir toward me, Ich [i underdotted after I.] wille ȝou for soþe say He bes þe first þat schal day.' Line 4710 An Almaunde he arauȝt: His heued of at þe first drauȝt.

Ar ani of hem hem were miȝt, Alle he hem slouȝ, y ȝou pliȝt. Þo he hadde hem slaun ichon, Line 4715 He lepe opon his stede anon. Comen he is to þat mayde, Wel sweteliche to hir he seyde, 'Na more sori þou no be, Ac arise vp, & com wiþ me: Line 4720 To þi leman y bringe þe sket Vnder þe þorn þer þou him let.' Opon a mule sche warþ anon, [folio 132a:b] To þe hawe-þorn þai ben y-gon, [C line 4525] Ac þai no haue nouȝt þe kniȝt y-founde: Line 4725 Y-ladde he was owai þat stounde. Þo he fond him nouȝt, he was sori; For he wend wel sikerli Þat lyouns him hadde to-drawe. He loked adoun vnder þe wode schawe, Line 4730 If he ouȝt y-herd loude or heye: Of hors traces hy þer seye. ¶ Þat maiden he lete þare, & after swiþe he is y-fare. So fast he rode, þat he com neye Line 4735 Four kniȝtes he þer seye. Gij of-toke sone þat ferrede, & seye þan kn[i]ȝt wiþ hem lede. Gij, [j altered from þ.] þat heye rode on his stede, Ȝernne he bad ȝif he miȝt spede. Line 4740 To þe kniȝtes sir Gij him sade: 'Lordinges, þilke lord þat ȝou made, & þe niȝt & þe briȝt day, Ȝou do worþschipe so wele he may. Ȝif it be ȝour wille speke wiþ me: Line 4745 To mi speche vnder-stond ȝe. Lordinges, ich haue mi treuþe y-pliȝt To him þat ȝe lede, þ[i]lke kniȝt,

Þat biri y schal his bodi: Mi treuþe y him pliȝt, sikerly. Line 4750 Al for loue ich ȝou biseche His bodi þat ȝe me biteche.' Þat o kniȝt went to him ward, [C line 4553] Þat was þe douke Otus steward, Þat hadde y-passed þe riuere Line 4755 In a bot þat he fond þere, & seyd to Gij, 'who artow? Als a fole comen artow now. Comestow now to aski riȝt To haue þe bodi of our kniȝt, Line 4760 For his fere we nim þe snelle, To þe douke Otous lede we þe wille, & ȝe schul boþe demed be, & heye hong on galwe tre.'

Gij him seyd, 'þou miseyst, [C line 4565] Line 4765 &, bi mine heued, þou it abeyst.' . . . . . . . . . . Opon þe heued Gij him smot, [folio 132b:a] Vnto þe girdel stede þat swerd bot. Line 4770 Anoþer he smot riȝt anon, Spare nold [he] neuer on. Of his hors he has him feld, His heued he dede fleye in þe feld. Wiþ þat come þe gode Hogoun, Line 4775 Þe doukes nevou Otoun [MS. of toun.] : He smot Gij on þe scheld bifore, Þat neye he haþ his swerd forlore. For schame he hadde of þe stroke þare Gij smot Hogoun, and nouȝt him for-bare: Line 4780 Ouer-þuert þat swerd glod, & to-clef him arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward abod. Wharto schuld y make tale of nouȝt? Alle he haþ hem to deþ y·brouȝt.

He nam Tirri in his armes anon, Line 4785 & sett him his hors opon. To þat hawe-þorn he is y-fare, Þan [Looks like an at first sight, the Þ being partially covered by the ornaments of the large L in the next line.] fond he nouȝt þat maiden þare.

Lete we now of Gij be stille: [C line 4587] More ȝe schul here ȝif ȝe wille Line 4790 Of þat maiden, hou sche was nome: Þan schal we til our tale come. Of Gyes felawes y wille ȝou telle So y finde in mi spelle, Þat so long were in þe cite, Line 4795 Wonder hem þenkeþ where Gij be; For þe mete was alle ȝare, Wonder hem þouȝt wer Gij ware. ¶ Herhaud of Ardern & oþer mo [C line 4597] In-to þe forest þai ben y-go: Line 4800 Þai miȝt [him] finde for no secheing. Herhaud cast sone his lokeing: Biside him he herd [a wiman under|dotted after herd] a [a above the line] mening, Also it were a woman schricheing. Hye bi-gan loude to grede: Line 4805 Herhaud neyȝed & his ferrede. Þe haweþorn þai ȝede wel neye, & þe maiden þer þai seye. Herhaud hir oxed what hij was; Sche no told him nouȝt al her cas, Line 4810 Bot þat sche was a wriche wiman Þat michel sorwe so was an; For alle þat sorwe þan hade he, [folio 132b:b] For sche no miȝt hir leman se. Sche forbede him anon riȝt Line 4815 Þat noman sett on hir siȝt. Herhaud tok þat mayde wiþ him, & ladde hir hom to his in.

Now wende we oȝain to our spelle, [C line 4617] Þat ȝe me herd er þan telle Line 4820

Line 4820 Of Gij and Tirri, þerls sone, Hou þai ben to þe hawe-þorn come. When hij þider y-comen were, No fond hij nouȝt þe maiden þere. Gij bileft þer sir Tirri, Line 4825 & souȝt þat maiden bi & bi: Op and doun he ȝede hir secheinde, & sorwefulliche hir bimeninde. He wende sche were stole wiþ outlawe, Oþer wiþ wilde bestes y-drawe. Line 4830 For hir in hert him was ful wo, Þat he no wist what to do: No wist he what do he miȝt, To þe cite he went anon riȝt; When he hir finde no may, Line 4835 Homward he most take þe way. Þan toke he þat kniȝt: On his stede nek he sett him riȝt. Y-comen he is to þe cite: His men al sori findeþ he, Line 4840 &, when hij her lord seye come, Bliþe þai were alle & some. 'Lordinges,' he seyd, 'nimeþ þis bodi, & to þe grounde it lay wel softli.' Þe bodi þai toke of þat kniȝt, Line 4845 Opon a pal leyd it anon riȝt. Gij haþ of-sent leches þere, Þe wisest þat in þat cite were. 'Lordinges,' he seyd, 'vnderstond to me. Ȝif ȝe þis kniȝt þat ȝe here se, Line 4850 May on him his woundes hele, It worþ ȝou ȝolden eueridele. Ȝif he dede or liues be, Ich bi-hot ȝou, min frende fre, Him to hele ȝour miȝt ȝe do: Line 4855 An hundred besaunce y ȝif þer-to.'

Þai groped his veynes & his wounde, [folio 133a:a] Þai feld hem boþe hole & sounde: Wele hii seþ he nis nouȝt dede. Þe leches taken hem to rede, Line 4860 In forward hele him þai wille, In non maner lete þai nille. ¶ Þerwhiles of-herd sir Gij [C line 4631] Noise, & wepe, & wel gret crie. His chaumberleyn he cleped him to, Line 4865 & alle in wretþe he oxed him þo Who it was þat noise made. 'Bid hem alle be bliþe & glade.'

'Sir,' he seyd, 'a maiden it is Þat Herhaud fond, wel feir, y-wis, Line 4870 Vnder an hawe-þorn in þe forest.' Quaþ Gij, 'fete hir to me in hast, Swiþe þat ich miȝt hir se. Now hastiliche bringeþ hir to me.' Þe chaumberleyn is forþ y-gon, Line 4875 & brouȝt hir bi-forn hem anon. Gij hir knewe, & gan hir gret, 'Welcome be þou, mi lef swete,' As sche was into þe halle y-come, Wepeinde & sorwende vnder-nome. Line 4880 Wiþ þat hij seye þat bodi, y-wis, [C line 4645] Liggend on a pal of pris. ¶ 'A, leman Tirri,' quaþ sche þo, 'What, y se þi neb al blo, Þat so white of colour was: Line 4885 Þi better neuer y-born nas. In wroched time mi bodi þou say, When þou schalt for me day. Dye ich-il forþ wiþ þe: For sorwe liues no may y be. Line 4890 Bot y may dye ichil me quelle: Leng [e seems altered from i.] to libbe is nouȝt mi wille.

Seþþen þou hast þi deþ for me, For soþe dye ich-il for þe.' When sche seye Tirri, hir leman, Line 4895 Ouer him sche fel aswon onan. Gij hir in his armes nam, & seyd to hir, 'mi leue leman, No make þou nouȝt sorwe so miche: Þi leman worþ hole hastiliche.' Line 4900 In þat cite þai bi-leued þere [folio 133a:b] What Tirry was hole & fere. To þe wode þai ben y-go: Miche loue was bitven hem to.

On a day, as þai com fram hunting, [C line 4691] Line 4905 Gij seyd to Tirry, wiþ-outen lesing: 'Ich wil þat we be treuþe-pliȝt & sworn breþer anon riȝt. Tirri,' seyd to sir Gyoun, 'Vnder-stond now to mi resoun, Line 4910 Þat noiþer oþer [Read oure?] after þis No faile oþer while he liues is.' ¶ Wiþ þat answerd þerl Tirri, & seyd, 'wel bleþelich, sir Gij. Now þou louest so miche me, Line 4915 Þat tow mi sworn broþer wil be, No wille ich neuer feyle þe For nouȝt þat mai bi-falle me. Gret worþschip þou hast don me: God leue me ȝete þan day y-se Line 4920 Þat ichit þe mow wele ȝeld. For gode baroun þou art y-held; Fram deþ þou hast y-warist me; Wel gret wrong it schuld be Bot ich þe loued as mi lord fre. Line 4925 Wel gret worþschip ich ouȝt bere þe.' Treuþe bitven hem is pliȝt, & after kist anon riȝt.

Seþþen þai went in-to þe cite Wiþ ioye & mirþe, gamen & gle. Line 4930

Now Gij him makeþ him alle ȝare [C line 4721] Into Inglond for to fare. Tirri he wald lede wiþ him þe & Oysel, his leman, þat he loued so. To þe king þai wold hem aqueynti, Line 4935 & gode þrowe wiþ him soiornni. Biteche he him wille his castels alle, So he him biþouȝt, ȝif it miȝt falle. ¶ It was opon a somers day, [C line 4729] Gij out at a windowe lay. Line 4940 To Tirri he spac of her fare, Of her wele & of her care. Wiþ þat com prikeing anon riȝt A kniȝt: he semed wele, apliȝt, [apliȝt not quite distinct.] [folio 133b:a] Wele he semed he treuaild were. Line 4945 Gij anon clept to him þere: 'Sir kniȝt,' he seyd, 'whennes comestow? & what þou sechest telle me now.' ¶ Þe kniȝt answerd, 'ich-il [jich il MS.] þe telle, & nouȝt þerof leyȝen y nille. Line 4950 Tirri of Gurmoise y go secheinde, Þerl sone Aubri wele doinde. In mani londes ich haue him souȝt.' 'Wharto?' quaþ Gij, 'hele it nouȝt.' 'Sir,' quaþ he, 'y telle þe sone Line 4955 Of a gret sorwe, þat is y-done. Tirri serued þe douke Loyere: Þe douke him loued, and held him dere, & ȝaf him armes wiþ gret honour: Kniȝt he bicome of gret valour. Line 4960 Þe douke hadde a feir douhter for þe meistri, Þat was y-ȝouen to þe douke of Paui: Tirri hir loued & oway ladde, Whar-þurch mani man þe deþ hadde.

Wiþ strengþe him folwed kniȝtes bliue: Line 4965 Y not wher he be ȝete oliue. ¶ Þe douke Loyer biþouȝt him þo [C line 4765] Opon his fader for to go. Þe douke Loyer wiþ him ladde Þe douke of Paui þider he hadde Line 4970 Wiþ his gode cheualrie, Þe best of al Lombardye. In Gormoise þerl bisett han he, And destrud alle his cuntre. Bot god me leue Tirri finde, Line 4975 Þat he be his fader helpinde, Al his lond him tit for-go: No schal he it oȝain win neuer mo. His fader no may armes weld, No no lenge help himself for eld.' Line 4980 ¶ 'Sir kniȝt,' þan seyd sir Gij, [C line 4777] 'Her wiþ ous þou schalt herberwei, & of þerl Tirri telle y þe Ȝif ich ouȝt can, mi frende fre.' 'Gramerci, sir,' þan seyd he. Line 4985 'Of him to here leue war me.' Gij hete his folk hastiliche Þat hye him vnder-feng curteysliche. 'Ich-il þe telle,' quaþ sir Gij, [folio 133b:b] 'Þat y can of þerl Tirri.' Line 4990 When þai hadde d[r]onken in þe halle, & glad þai were, y telle ȝou, alle, ¶ Þan seyd þerl Tirri: 'For loue y bidde þe, sir Gij, Oȝain to mi cuntre com wiþ me, Line 4995 Als-so we sworn breþer be, Mi fader to help þat we spede; For of help he haþ gret nede.' 'Be stille,' seyd Gij, 'what seystow me? Þat day to god vnworþi y be, Line 5000

Line 5000 Ȝif y, sir Tirri, feyle þe, Þerwhiles þat ich haue liif in me.' 'Sir Gij,' he seyd, 'gramerci: Þilke y sigge þe, sikerly.'

Now sendeþ Gij after kniȝtes snelle, [C line 4801] Line 5005 Almaines swiþe & of gode wille To him þer come gret plente: Er þe twenti day y-comen be, Fif hundred kniȝtes hardi & hende To Tirri come for his frende, Line 5010 & seyd to Tirri, 'to þi fader we wil gon: Wele we it auȝt to don; Wel redi we ben ichon.' So long þai han forþ y-gon, Y-comen þai ben to Gormoise. [C line 4809] Line 5015 In þat cite was gret noise. In an euening þai com to þe cite, Þat hye wiþ-outen aperceiued nar he. Wel glad him was þerl Aubri Of the cominge of his sone Tirri, Line 5020 & of sir Gyes coming, Þat gode kniȝt was, wiþ-outen lesing. Her eyȝen watred for gladnesse, Alle þai ȝede oȝain him to kisse. 'Leue fader,' seyd sir Tirri, Line 5025 'Worþschip wele now sir Gij: Felawes we ben treuþe-y-pliȝt. Y wil þat ȝe it wite now riȝt: Fram deþ he haþ y-heled me.' Quaþ þerl: 'god [god added above the line.] y-þonked mot it be. Line 5030 Hennes forward alle þat min is To his wille schal ben, y-wis, His hest to don & his wille [folio 134a:a] Erliche & lat, loude & stille. A wel eld man ich am, y-wis: Line 5035 Þat y bar armes tventi ȝer it is;

Y-lorn ich haue cheualrie: Of mi lond haue þou þe meistrie.' Þan y-herberwed weren he [C line 4833] Worþschipliche in þat cite. Line 5040 In þe cite gret noise is made: Of þe barouns com þai ben wel glade. Þer-in is now þerl Aubri, So is sir Gij & sir Tirri. An arnmorwe aros sir Gij, Line 5045 & cleped to him his compeynie. Bifor þerl þan þai ferden, & a gret crie þai herden Of þe barouns of þe cite. Anon oxed Gij þe fre Line 5050 Of þat noise what it was. A squier told him al þat cas: 'Þe douke steward Loyer For present he comeþ to iusti here Ȝif he finde wiþ whom to do, Line 5055 Þat ani kniȝt durst cum him to.' Sir Gij answer[d], 'ȝif y may Þerof him worþ his fille to day. Lordinges,' he seyd, 'ginneþ ȝou armi, & gin whe hem to asaily. Line 5060 Sir erl Tirri,' Gij him sede, [C line 4857] 'Take to hundred kniȝtes in þi ferred: Þe lordinges to aseyl ȝe go. [This line added in the same hand at the end of the column (after l. 5076).] In Herhaud & in me trist also. We wil abide in þis cite, Line 5065 In þi nede we schul socour þe.' Tirri nimeþ wiþ him kniȝtes To hundred armed in fiȝtes. Out of þe cite he nam his way, Mani scheld he to-drof þat day. Line 5070 Tirri smot wiþ gret miȝt Opon þe helmes, þat schine briȝt.

Þurch þe bodi a kniȝt he bar, Ded he feld him adoun þar. Anoþer lording he smot þo, Line 5075 His hauberk nas him worþ a slo. Þurch his bodi þe brond went: [folio 134a:b] Ded he feld him verrament. Ich on of hem þat he toke, he slouȝ, Were it wiþ riȝt, were it wiþ wouȝ. Line 5080 Wel fel kniȝtes þer weren y-feld, Þat lay long streȝte in þe feld: Sum were þurch þe bodi wounde, And sum lay ded opon þe grounde. So wele dede þerl Tirri, Line 5085 & wiþ him alle his compeynie. Þe lordinges þai han so þurch-gon, Þat ded þai fel mani on. Tirri smot to þe constable: [C line 4878] Of his stede he feld him, wiþ-outen fable, Line 5090 & ney he hadde him wonne in fiȝt. Þer com an hundred kniȝtes of gret miȝt: Alle þai folwed him abaundoun, & he mett wiþ hem als a lyoun. Mani heuedes he dede of fle: Line 5095 Alle þat he smot ded most be. Tirri mis-dede nouȝt for þan: Þer he les his feren euerich man. Þurch strengþe of þe lordinges snelle, Fif hundred of kniȝtes felle, Line 5100 Tirries felawes ben ouer-come, Of-held, y-slawe, oþer y-nome. Ac Tirri hem goþ þan meteing Wiþ mani strok of his brond kerueing: A fot no deyned him nouȝt to fle, Line 5105 No his stede wiþ-wende oȝe. His feren he rescoud as a gode kniȝt: Mani on he feld ded anon riȝt.

Þan seyd Herhaud, 'leue sir Gij, [C line 4899] Sestow now þe gode erl Tirri? Line 5110 Of grete valour now so is he: His better wot y non bot te. Him to socour we auȝt to go.' Gij him answerd, 'we schul so.' Forþ þai ȝede wiþ gode welle: Line 5115 Þe lordinges hij astounded snelle. Wiþ þat com forþ sir Gij, In his hond his swerd blodi. Wel heteliche he smot a kniȝt, His bodi he clef adoun riȝt. Line 5120 Anoþer kniȝt he smot anon, [folio 134b:a] Þat ded he feld him on þe ston. Sir Gij [Added above the line.] him smot to Gayer, Þat was þe doukes nevou Loyer: Of his hors he haþ him feld Line 5125 Þurch Tirries [The second i added above the line.] help in þe feld. For he smot his felawe, In þe sond he haþ him slawe. Herhaud smot anoþer forþ, His armes was him nouȝt worþ: Line 5130 Þurch his bodi þe swerd ȝede; Ded he feld him of his stede. Anoþer he smot him as gode kniȝt, Of his stede he feld him doun riȝt. Now þai ginne togider smite: Line 5135 Non no spared oþer bot lite. Togider þai smite hard wiþ alle, Mani on þer was ded & doun falle. Who þat seye þan þerl Tirri Wiþ his felawe sir Gi, Line 5140 & Herhaud of Arderne þe gode, Þat wele to smite was in his mode, So mani þai nomen & feld þat day, Is non þe best chese may

Of þre kniȝtes so wele doinde, Line 5145 Oȝain þe Loreyns fiȝting. Gij to þe steward haþ y-smite, [C line 4927] Of his hors he feld him wiþ hete: Þurch strengþe of fiȝt he him wan. Þe oþer oway fleye ich man: Line 5150 Gij & Tirri hem folweþ stron[g]liche & her feren, [MS. ferren.] hardiliche. Alle þai ben ded oþer ouer-come: Þer bileued non vnnome. Gij & Tirri oȝain ben y-gon: Line 5155 Wiþ hem þai ladde her prisouns ichon. Whar-to schuld y þer-of lye? Þat day þai hadde þe maistrie.

Þan com forþ a kniȝt þer, [C line 4937] Þe tiding teld þe douke Loyer: Line 5160 'Sir douk,' he seyd, 'vnder-stond to me. To ben awreken now biþenke þe. Bifor Gormoise þat cite On arnemorwe þan come we Wiþ fif hundred of gode kniȝtes: [folio 134b:b] Line 5165 An acumbraunce ous come anon riȝtes. Alle nomen & slawen ben hye: Oȝein ne beþ nouȝt comen fourti. Repeired is þerl sir Tirri, Wiþ him of Warwike sir Gij, [l. 5170 before 5168 in MS.] Line 5170 Herhaud of Ardern, þe gode marchis, & wiþ hem fif hundred kniȝtes of pris, Þat gode ben to fiȝt & modi. Þine kniȝtes þai han slayn bi & bi.'

Þe douk answerd, 'is it soþe þis, [C line 4953] Line 5175 Þat þerl Tirri repeired is, Gij of Warwike, & Herhaud also, & her feren, þat gode ben, mo: Þe fende hem haþ þider y-brouȝt. To slen ous alle þai han in þouȝt.' Line 5180

Line 5180 ¶ Þan bi-spac Otus of Paui (To Gij he bar gret envie): 'No-þing, sir, desmay þou þe: Ful wel we schul awreken be. To morwe we schal to þe cite go Line 5185 Wiþ a þousend kniȝtes & mo: & ȝif þe treytours y-founden be, We schul hem aseyle, y telle þe. Euerichon þai worþen ded.' Quaþ þe douk, 'þat is a gode red.' Line 5190 Wel erliche þai arisen þo, [C line 4957] & to the cite þai ben y-go, & a þousend kniȝtes in her compeynie, Þe best þat were in Lombardye. Alle þai þreten sir Gij, Line 5195 Him for to slen & sir Tirri. To-gider fast þai gun smite Wiþ swerdes þat wil wele bite. Als Gij com fro chirche go, [C line 4963] Into a pleyne he loked þo: Line 5200 He seye þe doukes ost was neye: So mani kniȝtes þer he seye. Þan þerl Tirri he cleped him to, & to him wiȝtliche spac þo: 'Sir erl,' he seyd, 'what schal we do? Line 5205 Alle þe ost of Loreine y se, lo, [An erasure before lo.] Þe ost of Loreyne wele y-diȝt Wiþ scheldes & wiþ brinis briȝt. Þe douk of Paui is y-come, [folio 135a:a] By his armes y knowe þat gome. Line 5210 Y no may him [he struck out after him.] loue, he is mi fo: Gret wille me comeþ oȝain him go.' Þerl seyd, 'arme we ous euerichon: A þousend kniȝtes schul wiþ ous gon.' Gij him mett wiþ þerl Iordan, [C line 4995] Line 5215 Lord he was of alle Melan.

He smot him ouer þe gilden scheld, Ded he feld him in þe feld. Anon he smot anoþer kniȝt, Þat ded he feld him anon riȝt. Line 5220 ¶ Wiþ þat come prike þerl Tirri, & mett wiþ a kniȝt hiȝt Amori, Þat was þe doukes constable Otoun: To deþ he him smot wiþ his swerd broun. Anoþer he smot wiþ his brond, Line 5225 Þat ded he feld him on þe sond. ¶ Wiþ þat com prike Herhaud, & mett wiþ Gwishard þe Mouhaut. Herhaud him haþ þer afeld, Þat dede he lay in þe feld. Line 5230 Þemperour [Read Þe douk?] wiþ þat ginneþ fle: On euerich half driuen ben he. Swiþe hij hem nimeþ & quel[l]eþ, Bi þe pleynes þai gredeþ & ȝelleþ. Wel gret it was þe scomfitour: Line 5235 To þe Lombardes bifel iuel auentour. Bi þat side was Otous fleinde, In his hond his swerd kerueing. Now folweþ him Herhaud alle on So swiþe so þe stede miȝt gon. Line 5240 Als-so þe douk was flowen him fro, Þat no moder bern no seye him þo; Bot Herhaud him folwed stouteliche; His bodi no drad he nouȝt miche. Bihinden him he smewe his wede: Line 5245 Þe lasse of him was his drede. 'Biwende þe,' seyd Herhaud fre, 'Þe douke of Paui, & wer þou þe Of þat ich wicked felonie Þat þou ous dede in Lonbardye.' Line 5250 When þe douke Otous þis y-seye, It was [douke struck out after was.] Herhaud þat after him fleye,

Hastiliche he haþ him mett, [folio 135a:b] & at a diche him bisett. He smot him on þe helme briȝt, Line 5255 A quarter of his helme doun riȝt. Þan seyd þe treytour, 'glotoun, Dye þou schalt wiþ resoun: Ich þe [de under-dotted after Þe; read do?] abie in þis stede.' Herhaud anon to him sede: Line 5260 ¶ 'Þou lexst,' he seyd, 'vile losaniour: Þou it abist, bi seyn Sauour.' Herhaud a strok him rauȝt Opon his scheld wiþ gret mauȝt: On þe helme þat strok glod, Line 5265 & fel on þe stede þat he on rode. So he mett him in þat stede, Þat his stede knewele he dede. Vp stirt þe stede þat was snelle: Þan come þer [The r added above the line.] bi an hongend hille Line 5270 Þe miȝti and þe hardi Gyoun: In his hond he bar a trounsoun. Otus he smot þer-wiþ [The r added above the line.] so, Þat he les his stiropes to. Þan seyd Gij to Otus so vnwrast: Line 5275 'To me ward þou wende on hast, & were þe of þat felonie Þat þou dest me in Lombardye.' Otus him went wiþ gret hete: Þurch þe thei Gij he haþ y-smite. Line 5280 Wiþ gret hete he smot Gyoun, Þat his stede knewled adoun.

þan biþought him sir Gij, To awreke him he hadde gret hye. Þe douke he seyleþ þere, Line 5285 & of his helme he carf a quarter. He made him a croun [a croun written twice originally.] brod þere As a monke þat orderd were.

Of þat helme þat swerd glod Wiþ þat strok wiþ-outen abod. Line 5290 Allas þat reuþe & þat sorwe, Þat he no hadde his bodi for-corue! Ac in þat maner ȝete it schal wende, Who so hereþ þis tale to þende. Þer him hadde Gij his heued binome, Line 5295 No hadde gret socour to him come, An hundred kniȝtes & fifti, [folio 135b:a] Þat stalworþ were & hardi: Þe douke þai ben to socour y-come. Mani Gij haþ her heuedes binome. [bi altered from y.] Line 5300 Wiþ þat þer com a stout Lombard, Of Mohaut he was y-hoten Grimbald. Gij he smot in þat stounde Þurch þe scholder a grete wounde. Gij wold awreke him anon: Line 5305 Opon his helme he hewe gode won. Þan com ten kniȝtes prout, & Gij þai bisett about, & Gij him wered wiþ his brond, Til þat it brac vnto his hond. Line 5310 'Allas,' quaþ Gij, 'þis vnþang! Were no may y me nouȝt lang.' ¶ Þer come prikeand a prout Lombard, Atte last he held him, a musard. [MS. auuisard?] Bi þe nasel he tok Gij, Line 5315 & seyd him a gret vilainie: 'Þou wroche glotoun losaniour, Þou schalt þe ȝeld, bi seyn Sauour. Now ichil ȝeld þe to prisoun To mi lordes wille, þe douke Otoun.' [MS. of toun.] Line 5320 'Þou lext,' þan Gij sede, 'Þou liþer bodi, so god me rede. Erst þou it schalt abigge, Er þou me in prisoun legge.'

Gij him smot so wiþ his fest, Line 5325 Þat his nek-bon to-brest. Wiþ þat come anoþer kniȝt Of Fraunce y-bore, Amori he hiȝt: Douke Otus soudour was he, For his warisoun wiþ him to be. Line 5330 'Gij,' he seyd, 'now ȝeld þou þe, Al sikerliche, now to me. Þe no tit harm litel no miche.' 'Y nil,' quaþ Gij, 'sikerliche. Ȝete no drede y nouȝt alle ȝou. Line 5335 Sey me, wreche, what seistow?' Wiþ þat come Herhaud prikeinde, & in his hond a swerd wele kerueinde; He it brouȝt to gode Gyoun. Þerwiþ he him werd as a lyoun. Line 5340 Gij was socourd swiþe wel, [folio 135b:b] When he hadde þe brond of stiel. Neuer þer nas non so hardi, Þat enes durst com him bi. Wharto schuld ich held long tale, Line 5345 And michel speke about dualle? Ac sigge ich-il soþeliche Wiþ fewe wordes simpeliche, Gij, & Herhaud, & Tirri þe fre Wiþ her felawes, þat gode be, Line 5350 Han ouercomen þe batayle Atte nende, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward faile: Alle þe Lombard ben ouer-come, Oway y-flowen þer be some.

Þe douk Otus oway fleye snelle, Line 5355 Gij him drof wiþ gode wille. Otus him went & smot sir Gij, & Gij opon him, sikerly. Gij fonded to smite wel, Ac þat swerd glod sumdel: Line 5360

Line 5360 Bitvene þe bodi & þe arsoun Gyes swerd glod adoun, Þat þe sadel & þe stede also Al-to-gider he smot atvo. Þat he no hadde, allas, allas, Line 5365 Ȝouen him swiche anoþer so þat was! Ac for vp-coming he no miȝt: So gret socour him com of kniȝt, Þat han y-socourd þe douke sone. Wiþ þat anon riȝt mididone Line 5370 Gij & Tirri wiþ-went ben he, & gon oȝain to þat cite. Wiþ þat come Herhaud prikeinde [C line 5011] After þe douke, loude gredeinde. 'Douk,' he seyd, 'wende, & were þe Line 5375 Of þe tresoun þou dest Gij & me, Þat þou ous dede in Lombardye; Were þe now of þat felonie.'

Þe douk wiþ-went him fot hot, [C line 5021] & wiþ his brond he him smot. Line 5380 Þer þai fouȝten togider snelle, & smiten strokes wiþ gode wille. Þai hewe on armes & brini briȝt: Þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward sprang out anon riȝt. Bitvene hem [An erasure after hem.] was strong fiȝt; [folio 136b:a] Line 5385 Aiþer no spard oþer no-wiȝt. Þan biginneþ Herhaud swiþe: Bot he him wreke he is vnbliþe. Fast he sayleþ þe douk Otoun, A quarter of his helme he smot adoun: Line 5390 Opon his scholder þat swerd glod, & in he it schef an hand brod. Opon his honden he dede him falle, & seþþe he tok him bi þe naselle: Bleþeliche he wold þe heued haue nom, Line 5395 Ac so mani kniȝtes to him come,

& on Herhaud þai smiten snelle: Ȝernne þai strengþed him to quelle. Herhaud mett wiþ hem þere: Made he no semblaunt þat he wounded were. Line 5400 Wiþ a Lombard so mett he, [C line 5045] Þe heued he dede fram þe bodi fle. As a gode kniȝt he werd him, y-wis, Ac swiþe liþer bifallen him is: Also he wald to þe cite go, Line 5405 His stede dyed vnder him þo. Wiþ swerdes þai smiten him þan about, & on his helme hard him clout. Þai hewe on his helme, þat arrow_back blod arrow_forward out ran, Ac he werd him as a man. Line 5410 Mani on he made blodi, y pliȝt, Of [f altered from b.] Lombardes in þat fiȝt. A Lombard come forþ wiþ þan, [C line 5057] Richard he hete, an onwrast [annwrast originally, but o] man: To Herhaud he smot a strok grim Line 5415 Þurch þe scholder wiþ a swerd in. Herhaud wold of him be wreke: On his [Two or three letters erased after his.] helme a stroke he gan reke, Ac he failed of him þo: Opon þe arsoun þe strok gan go; Line 5420 Ac hetelich he pliȝt out þat brond, Þat it brak in his hond. 'God, what schal y do?' þan seyd he, 'No lenger may ich weri me. A, swerd, he þat made þe Line 5425 Of godes mouþe acursed he be. Why feylestow so sone me? Iuel biseyn worþ y for þe. Leuer me is her to be ded, [C line 5079] [folio 136a:b] Þan hy my bodi wiþ hem led.' Line 5430 Wiþ þat come driuend a Lombard, Attelast he held him, a couward.

By þe nasel he rauȝt him þo, & sternliche he seyd him to, 'Feloun, þou schalt it abigge: Line 5435 Today þou schal þine heued her ligge.' Herhaud smot him wiþ his fest þo, Þat his nek-bon brac atvo. 'Ded no worþ y nouȝt for þe: Alle to heteliche þou com to me.' Line 5440

Oȝainward him went sir Gij So is þe gode erl Tirri. [C line 5103] Þe Lombardes þai han ouercome, What y-slawe [a added above the line.] & y-nome. After Herhaud he asked þo, Line 5445 Whare he is, & whider y-go. A kniȝt it seyd him anon Out of þe scomfite he was y-gon Strongliche a kniȝt driueing, Þe douk Otus bi his witeing. Line 5450 'God, merci,' þan Gij seyd, 'Be mi frende ded, icham bitreyd, Herhaud þat so loued me: For no þing may y comfort be. Lordinges,' he seyd, 'ginneþ ȝe to gon, Line 5455 & lede ȝour prisouns wiþ ȝou anon, & Herhaud ich seche wille; Niȝt no day swiken y nille, Liues or deþes þat ich him se: Ȝif ich him lese wo is me. Line 5460 Com wiþ me, felawe Tirri, Hastiliche Herhaud to socouri.' Wiþ scharp spors þai smiten her stede, [C line 5125] & sprongen forþ so spark on glede. Swiþe þai priked, for soþe to sigge, Line 5465 Chalaunge on Herhaud to legge. At an ende of þe ost bihalt Gij þo Þe douk of Paui, hou he is y-go,

& þat Herhaud was y-nome: Gret sor was [sorwas MS.] at his hert y-come. Line 5470 'God,' [bi added before god in a later hand.] quaþ Gij, 'Herhaud y se Among his fon: nomen is he. Go we smite to hem, Tirri: [folio 136b:a] For dout of deþ spare nil y. So gode a kniȝt leten y nille.' Line 5475 Herhaud þai socourd snelle. To a Lombard smot sir Gij, [C line 5139] & feld him & his fere him by. Tirri anoþer smite bigan, Þat ded he feld boþe hors & man. Line 5480 Swerdes þai drowen, wiþ-outen feyle, Wharwiþ was wrouȝt mani batayle. Þai hewe and slouȝ wiþ gret hete: So mani þer þe liif forlete. Herhaud þai socourd mididone, Line 5485 A gode swerd þai toke him sone. Toward his ost þe douke heyeþ bliue, [C line 5151] & Gij after him gan driue. A strok him ȝaf sir Gyoun: Bitvene þe bodi & þe arsoun Line 5490 Þe dint of þat strok aliȝt: Þe stede he smot adoun riȝt. Kniȝtes þan out of þat ost To Gij lopen wiþ michel bost: Þurch þat gret ost went Gij snelle Line 5495 Þe Lombardes him folwed wiþ gode wille. Tirri & Herhaud her ost metten þere, & of hem michel awonderd were, Hou hij [hij seems altered from he.] fram þe ost aschaped is: Of hem þai hadden gret blis. Line 5500 Gij, & Tirri, and Herhaud also Oȝain to þe cite þai ben y-go, & þe citiseins of þat cite Wel often god þonkeden he.

Þe douke Otus to his pauiloun he ȝede, [C line 5195] Line 5505 & vnarmed him of his wede, & lete loken to his wounde, & went to þe douke Loyer in þat stounde, His gret encumbraunce him telde: Conseyl þer-of he wold helde. Line 5510 ¶ Gij, Herhaud, & Tirri also To þe cite þai ben y-go. Ioie þai make & blisse also: Þe niȝt is comen, þe day is go. ¶ Herkeneþ me, ȝe þat ben in wille, Line 5515 Of a tresoun y schal ȝou telle: Þat was swiþe miche traisoun, [folio 136b:b] & y-wrouȝt þurch þe douke Otoun [MS. of toun.] Tellen ichil of þe douke Otoun [MS. of toun.] Þat cruwel was & feloun. Line 5520 To þe douk Loier he is y-gon, [C line 5203] & seyd, 'sir, herken me anon. Bot þou gode conseyl chese Al þi lond þou schalt forlese Þurch treytours þat ben comen herin, Line 5525 Gij, & Tirri & Herhaud wiþ him. Ȝif þou wilt here me speke, Þurch gile þou schalt ben awreke: Oþerliker winnen hem y no may, No noþer rede no can y say. Line 5530 Man schal ben awreken of his fo In what maner he may com to.' ¶ 'Wel lef me were gode conseyl to here,' Þus him answerd þe douk Loyer. 'Sir douke, now y bidde þe, [C line 5219] Line 5535 To þerl Aubri sende ȝe, & to his sone Tirri also; Sende to sigge to hem bo Þat þou wilt him þi douhter ȝeue, Wiþ him to acord while þou liue, Line 5540

Line 5540 & þat he com hider to þe: Riȝt siker þer-of may þai be; &, when þai ben farn her iurne, & fer fram her cuntre, Þe treitours þou schalt nimen icho[n], Line 5545 & dem hem in þi court anon. & so michel y bid þe, Gij & Herhaud ȝiue þou me. & so þou schalt awreke be Of þine enmis, as y telle þe, Line 5550 & bot ȝe wil þus don, Þai worþ þi dedliche fon.'

Wiþ þat answerd þe douk Loer, [C line 5246] 'Lat be, sir Otus, for seyn Richer. Þat felonie y nil hem nouȝt do Line 5555 For nouȝt þat y miȝt afo. Y nil bitray þerl Tirri For loue þat he was mi norri Fram childehed, now he is a man. Now do ȝe þe best þat ȝe can, Line 5560 & he wil amend oȝines me. [folio 137a:a] Bi him y [y added above the line.] nold no traysoun se, No Herhaud no Gij þe fre No wille ich nouȝt bitreye, y telle þe, For þai ben gode men alle þre: Line 5565 Amende þai may oȝaines me.'

Otous answerd wiþ wicked mod [C line 5257] & seyd, 'sir, no seystow bot gode. When ȝe þe traitours loue so, Þat ye no wille hem to deþ do, Line 5570 In prisoun þou schalt hem legge, So þat hij it schul dere abigge, Alle fort þai han y-founden þe ostage Þat hij no do þe non vtrage.' So he glosed þe douk in þat stede, Line 5575 & so ȝernne he haþ him bede,

Þat he him graunted his talent, & in þat fourme he haþ of-sent. An erchebischop þan sent he, Þe wisest [wissest origin|ally, the second s being under|dotted.] of alle þat cuntre: Line 5580 Þe message he schewed him þo, & to þe cite he dede him go. Þan he is to Gormoise come, & þer aliȝt, þe gentil gome, Þer fond he þerl Tirri, Line 5585 & his fader, & eke sir Gij. ¶ 'Lordinges,' he seyd, 'herkenþ now: [C line 5289] Þe douk me haþ y-sent to ȝou, & greteþ ȝou wele, wil y nouȝt hele. [Read hille: wille?] Þe douke wiþ ȝou acord he wele, [Read hille: wille?] Line 5590 & amenden þat he haþ misdo. He bit ȝou þat it be so. Tirri he wille his douhter [douthter origin|ally, the first t being under|dotted.] ȝiue, To haue hir while þat he liue. Into þe cite of Lorein he wil ȝe hir lede, Line 5595 & spouse hir þer wiþ gret ferrede, & þer he wille þe bridal held: Þer-at schul ben his barouns beld. Þat þe loue stedefast be Bitvene mi lord & þe Line 5600 Hennes forward he seyd me Schuld þe sposails couþe be: Þan schul ȝe acordi, & togider sauȝten wele an hi.' 'Sir,' seyd þerl Aubri, [folio 137a:b] Line 5605 'Y-here now me, and gramerci. Þe douke y þanke for þe frendschip, Þat he wil mi sone so miche worþschipe. Bleþeliche we wil to him come At a day y-sett alle and some. Line 5610 Mi sone Tirri, kepe wele þe Þat bitrayed þou no be:

Me douteþ þe douke of Paui, Lest he do þe sum felonie.'

Þe bischop answerd, 'þer-of þou no drede: [C line 5321] Line 5615 Al siker ȝe beþ of þilke dede.' Þe bischop oȝain y-farn he is, Her answere he telleþ hem, y-wis. When þe day come þat was sett, Þerl com forþ arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lett Line 5620 Wiþ to hundred kniȝtes & mo, Þat bliþe were þider to go; Ac þerof þai dede foliliche: Was þer non of hem, sikerliche, Þat ani wepen wiþ hem bere: Line 5625 So siker þai wende to be þere. In riche cloþes þai were schred wele, Þat were gold-broiden eueridel. To þemperour [Read Þe douke?] þai comen anon, To [To to be omitted?] þerl Tirri & his men ichon. Line 5630 Y-comen þai ben to þe douke Loer, & brouȝt þe maide wiþ leyȝeand cher. Y-comen þai ben to þe parlement, For to here þat iugement.

'Lordinges,' seyd þe douke Otoun, [of toun MS.] [C line 5349] Line 5635 'Vnder-stond now to mi resoun. Ȝe wite wel þat Tirri, þat is here, Haþ agilt þe douk Loere, Þat him forþ brouȝt, & armes him ȝaf: Iuel ȝolden he it him haþ, Line 5640 Now he bringeþ vncouþe folk miche Opon his lond so dedliche. Ac ichaue þe douke bisouȝt, & mine feren hider brouȝt, Þat forȝif it be him euermo; Line 5645 & gret worþschipe he wil him do: His douhter he wille him ȝiue, & gret worþschip while [i in while above the line.] þat he liue.

And ichil wiþ Tirri wende: [folio 137b:a] Henneforward we schul be frende. Line 5650 Ȝete vnderstond,' seyd sir Otoun, 'Bifor ȝou alle y biseke sir Gyoun, Ȝif ich him haue ouȝt misdo, Amenden ichil wele þerto: Bi so þat he wille kisse me, Line 5655 Euer eft we schul frendes be.' 'Lat be,' seyd sir Gij þe fre, 'No wille ichaue no cosse wiþ þe: In Lombardye þou bitraydest me, & min men þou dest sle. Line 5660 Ac kisse þou schalt þerl Aubri, & wiþ him þou schalt acordi.' ¶ Þan seyd þe douk Loer: 'Vnderstond now, ȝe þat ben here, Þat þerl sir Tirri, Line 5665 Aubri sone, þat is her bi, He þat maiden Oysel schal spouse In godes lawe vnto his house. Acorded we ben of þat dede, & forȝeuen al hatrede.' Line 5670 Þan haþ þe douke y-kist Tirri For gret traisoun, & nouȝt freli. Gij & Herhaud held hem in pays: Hye no kist Lombard no Tyays, Ac þe Loreins þai kist, Line 5675 & þe douke Loyer att [An erasure be|fore att.] first; Ac Otus no kist þai nouȝt: Þai no hadde to him no gode þouȝt.

Þan seyd to Loer þerl Aubri: 'Þe ich biteche mi sone Tirri. Line 5680 Alder-first Iesu heuen king & þe y biteche mi ȝongling. No may ich for eld trauaily: Hom ichil wende now an hye.'

He bitauȝt hem god & gode day, Line 5685 He lete hem þar, & went his way. Gij and Herhaud þe maiden gan forþ lede, Oysel sche hete wiþ þe rode so rede. Gret iurne þai riden þat day, Fram Gormoise þai riden owai Line 5690 Wele fiften mile oþer mo: For gret hete þai resten hem þo. In a pleyne þai liȝten hem snelle, [folio 137b:b] Þer þai wald resten & duelle. When þai aliȝt þe kniȝtes fre, Line 5695 Alle þai wende y-nomen to be. ¶ Þan seyd Otus of Paui: 'Herkeneþ to me, al mi compeynie, Þe Loreins & þe Lombardes ichon, Alle þat in our side riden & gon: Line 5700 Bi þe rede of þe douke Loer Ichot boþe kniȝt & squier Þat ȝe Gij, Herhaud, & Tirri binde Fast her hondes hem bi-hinde. In-to Loreine we lede hem snelle: Line 5705 Tomorwe we schul hem hongen alle. Who so him feyneþ hem to nime Forþ wiþ hem men schal him blim.'

Þan lopen about hem þe Lombars As wicked coltes out of haras Line 5710 & Loyers [men] [Or read þe Loreyns?] deden also, & þerfore hem was ful wo. Anon Tirri aseylden he, & nomen him (he no miȝt nouȝt fle), & Herhaud, þat was gode of miȝt, Line 5715 Þai nomen þer anon riȝt. Gij vp stirt hastiliche, [C line 5455] & to hem spac wel sternliche: 'Now þe deuel hong ȝou ichon. Is þis acord now alle agon? Line 5720

Line 5720 Worþschiped ous haþ þe douk Loer Wiþ alle þe tresoun þat is her. No war we acorded bifor þe barnage, & kist arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward vtrage? Þis has made þe douke Otoun, [MS. of toun.] Line 5725 Þat is so ful of tresoun. Alle þis tresoun he haþ bispeke (God ous of him awreke); For þurch þe no war it nouȝt, Bot it were first of him y-þouȝt.' Line 5730 Þe douk Loer was so wo: O word no miȝt he speke þo.

Wiþ þat stirt forþ anon riȝt [C line 5469] Otus cossyn, an vnwrast kniȝt. Gij bi his mantel he drouȝ so, Line 5735 Þat þe tassels brosten ato. Þan seyd a Tya[y]s to a Lombard: [folio 138a:a] 'Now is Gij of Warwike a couward. Lo, now he no haþ no miȝt: Lorn he haþ contenaunce, apliȝt.' Line 5740 Wiþ þat þai speken hem þus bitven, Gij seye it miȝt no noþer ben: To him þat him held turned he, And ȝaf him swiche benedicite, Þat he brak his nek ato. Line 5745 Alle þe oþer on him þresten þo. Þe mantel þat he had opon To cloutes it was drawen anon, So þat ichon oway bar An pece of his mantel þar. Line 5750 Gij werd him fast in þat sturbing: Now helpe him Iesu heuen king. Smer[t]liche þai gun him asaily: He werd him as a kniȝt hardy, So þat he neyȝed his stede; Line 5755 For to him he hadde nede.

arrow_back Wiþouten arrow_forward stirop he lepe þer-on: Mani on he made þat liif forgon.

When þe douk Otus þat y-seye [C line 5491] Þat Gij on his hors oway fleye, Line 5760 Anon he [Another he struck out.] seyd to his kniȝtes: 'Now to hors wiþ alle ȝour miȝtes; For, ȝif he passe ous in þis biker, Of mi liif am y nouȝt siker; & þerfore nimeþ him anon Line 5765 Als ȝe wil haue mi loue ichon. Bot ȝe bring him me to, We ben y-schent for euer mo.' An hors þai lopen þan on hast, And driuen Gij swiþe fast, Line 5770 & Gij no hadde wepen non: Wold god of heuen, þat made man, Þat he hadde his brond kerueing! He no hadde þer no frende him helping. Bi þat o side oway he ginneþ fle; Line 5775 Bot god of him haue pite, Þer he worþ y-slawe anon: Alle abouten him þai ben y-gon. Wiþ þat þer come rideing a kniȝt, About his swere his scheld briȝt, [C line 5513] Line 5780 & wiþ a spere opon his hond: [folio 138a:b] Toward Gij wel swiþe he wond, & þurch þe bodi smite him wold, Ac god of heuen it suffre nold: Þe strok of þe spere it gan glide Line 5785 Bitven þe arsoun & his side. His blihaut he carf, his schert also. Gij strongliche him mett þo: Wiþ his fest he him smot so, Þat to grounde he [he added above the line.] dede him go. Line 5790 Wiþ þat sir Gij forþ him diȝt, Ac he mett wiþ anoþer kniȝt:

Swerd he bar þat wele wald bite, In þe heued he wald Gij smite. Þe strok opon his hors glod Line 5795 Opon þe croupe a fot brod. Þei he war aferd no wonder nas: Gij ferd fram him a [an originally, the n being under|dotted.] fast pas. He seye wiþ þat a grom cominde, [C line 5533] To him ward fast erninge: [erneinge origin|ally, the second e being under|dotted.] Line 5800 A gret soule in his hond he bar, So wold god þat it war. Gij wel feir him bisouȝt Ȝif him þe staf þat he brouȝt. 'Ichil ȝeld it þe ful wel.' Line 5805 'Haue here, sir, bi seyn Miȝhel. Wele ich þi gret nede se: Now god fram schame kepe þe.' He tok þat soule in his hond, Anon forþ to hem he wond. Line 5810 A Lombard wel sone he mett, And wiþ þe soule [MS. swerd.] so him grett, Þat ded he feld him anon. He tok his hors, & gan to gon, & seyd to þe grom þo: Line 5815 'Þou nim þis hors, & gin to go. Wiþ gode wille y ȝiue it þe For þe staf þou lentest me.' Þe knaue him þonked bliue, Oway wiþ þe hors he gan to driue. Line 5820

Þan went forþ Gij þe gode, Nas neuer man of his mode Þat better him werd in his ende. Er he out of þat fiȝt gan wende Ȝete he slouȝ on of her felawe. [folio 138b:a] Line 5825 In lasse while he hadde [him] y-slawe, Þen men schold sigge a pater-noster. Y telle it ȝou bi Peter þe apostel

Þat neuer swiche nas [nas on an erasure.] y-seye non. When he haþ ouer-comen ichon Line 5830 Wel long he werþ him þat day. When he no lenge doure ne may Þan seyd he to hem anon: 'Þe deuel biteche ich ȝou ichon, & namliche Otus of Pauie, Line 5835 Þat haþ y-don ous þis felonie; & ȝif ich a ȝer libbe may He schal it [MS. ich] abigge, for soþe to say.' Þan is [is added above the line.] he gon [MS. goand] oway ful ȝernne, So þat he com to a water sterne. [C line 5561] Line 5840 In he him dede, & ouer he goþ. Alle þai wondred þer-of, for soþ. Non no durst after him wende For drencheing at her liues ende. Oȝain þan þai ben y-come Line 5845 To þe douke Otus alle and some, & telden him wel sone anon Þat Gij was ouer þe water y-gon. [Lines 5847-8 written twice originally, but struck out the second time.] Þe douke Otous is now wel sori, For Gij is schaped so oway, Line 5850 & swore bi god & seyn Gelen Neuer eft nold he louen [looks more like louen than leuen.] his men, For þat hii leten him oway fle: Gret wille he hadde him to sle; Ac Gij him werd wiþ mani wrenche: Line 5855 Hope [Bothe, Turnbull, but the first letter, although not quite distinct, is cer|tainly not b, and the third, without any doubt, is p, not þ.] of fole may of-blenche. 'Sir douk Loer,' seyd Otoun, 'Y-schaped is þe felle Gyoun. [C line 5569] To Paui ichil now [n and part of o struck out after now.] gon, & spouse þi douhter anon: Line 5860 Riche bridal ichil maki. Wiþ me schal Herhaud & Tirri; Þer þai schul be don in prisoun: Schul þai neuer come to raunsoun.

Dye þai schul wiþ miche wo. Line 5865 & ȝete to ȝer ichil now go Wiþ min men to sechen Gij, [folio 138b:b] What he be nome, sikerly. Alle þis oþer prisouns wiþ þe go, & þine wil wiþ hem þou do.' Line 5870

'Sir,' seyd þe douk Loer, [C line 5581] 'Þat nil ich nouȝt in non maner Þat tow Tirri no do sle: Y nold in non wise, sir douk þe fre; Ac, ȝif Tirri schal wiþ þe go, Line 5875 In fre prisoun þou schalt him do. Þou do him kepe worþschipliche Wiþ gret plente manschipliche, Alle fort he haue mi wille y-do. Ichil now þat it be so, Line 5880 & ich-il lede Herhaud wiþ me: In mi fre prisoun schal he be. Y nil nouȝt he wiþ þe go: To michel iuel þou wost him do.' Þan þai token her leue þo: Line 5885 Wiþ gret loue þai kisten hem bo. To Lorein went þe douke Loer, Þat wiþ worþschipe dede kepe þer Herhaud of Arderne, þe marchis: Wele leuer him were be ded, y-wis. Line 5890 When he to Gij com no miȝt, Leue him were dye anon riȝt.

Now is Otous to Paui gan, [C line 5597] Wiþ him he ledde his feir leman, Also he dede þerl sir Tirri Line 5895 Fast y-fetred, sikerly, Riȝt fast vnder þe hors fet In-to Paui, and þer him let. When Oysel seye him lede so Sore sche wepe for his wo. Line 5900

Line 5900 'Allas,' sche seyd, '& wale-wo: Sone is my ioie went me fro.' Of þe hors sche fel aswon anon: For sorwe almost hir hert to-chon. When þe douk hir falle seye Line 5905 Bi his oþ he swore an heye, 'Iuel þou dost, mi gode leman, When þou for swiche a man Swiche sorwe schaltow make. & ȝif þou more [Another more struck out.] sorwe for his sake, Line 5910 Oþer euer eft make swiche sorweing, [folio 139a:a] & ich it perceiue bi ani þing, To-hewe he worþ bifor þe, Or heye hong on galwe tre. Glad & bliþe, leman, þou be: Line 5915 Wiþ ioie to Paui y lede þe, Þer ichil nim þe to wiue, And wiþ þe helden alle mi liue. Tirri ichil in prisoun do: He no schal haue sorwe no wo. Line 5920 Ichim hate wel sore, sikerly, For þe loue of Herhaud and Gij. Richeliche he schal serued be: Þer-of nouȝt no dred þou þe.' ¶ 'Sir, gramerci of þi speche, [C line 5623] Line 5925 Ac of o þing y þe biseche: Fourti days respite þou ȝif me, Til þat mi sorwe aslaked be, & seþþen spouse me wiþ worþschipe.' 'Y graunt wele,' quaþ þe douke, 'sikerlike.' Line 5930 To Paui þai ben þan ago, Ac alle anoþer þouȝt þat maiden þo; Anoþer sche souȝt [Read þouȝt?] þan sche seyd: Gret sorwe in hir hert sche leyd. Ar sche wille to him spoused be, Line 5935 Wiþ a kniif sche wil hir sle.

Ac o þing hir glad, sikerliche: Opon Gij sche trust miche. Seþþe þat he aschaped was, Wele sche þouȝt þurch sum cas Line 5940 He schuld Tirri out of prisoun cast, Hir swete leman, wel on hast.

Þai com to Paui wiþ þat: [C line 5641] Þe douk Otus nouȝt forȝat, Þat erl Tirri he bond fast, Line 5945 & in-to þester prisoun him cast, Þer he was in sorwe, apliȝt: He nist wheþer it wer day or niȝt. Litel he hadde of mete or dring. His leman lan neuer wepeing Line 5950 Aniȝt, when sche alon was, Þat noman wiþ hir nas.

Now to tel of Gij ichaue y-þouȝt [C line 5651] Hou god him haþ fram deþ y-brouȝt. When he was passed þat water sternne [folio 139a:b] Line 5955 He loked about him wel ȝernne, Of his felawes him vnderstode: Wel [welle originally, but le underdot|ted.] neye he was for sorwe wode. 'God,' he seyd, 'what schal y do? Weri wreche, whider may y go? Line 5960 Ichaue forlorn þe gode Tirri & Herhaud, for wham icham sori. Amow, [Read Ai now?] sir douk Loer, Hou miȝtestow dreye þe bismer, Þat þe fals douk Otoun [MS. of toun.] Line 5965 Dede bifor þe þat traisoun? For traitour þou worst euer i-held When þou comest in place or feld. Lord,' he seyd, 'what may y do? Into whiche lond may y go? Line 5970 An arnemorwe no þing y no dred me: Þo ich went out of þat cite

Wiþ me ich hadde an hundred kniȝtes To mi wille for me in fiȝtes, & now y no haue a grom to held mi stede. Line 5975 Þat so miche me miȝt help [Looks like helper.] at nede, For me þai ben y-slawe ichon, Oþer in peine in prisoun don. A, mi dere frende sir Tirri, For our departing icham sori. Line 5980 No schal y þe se neuer eft mo? For þe ichil mi liif in periil do, Þat y [y ne schal MS.] schal his body smite ato Þat þus þis traisoun haþ ous do, & so ichil awreke þe: Line 5985 Dye ichil bot it so be.' Gij rode forþ in his way Alle þat iche self day, [C line 5687] So long þat he a castel seye Opon a roche stode an heye. Line 5990 He þouȝt to herberwe þare; For he no miȝt no ferþer fare. Also he to þe gates come A ȝong kniȝt he fond þer anon. Michel he was, hende, & fre: Line 5995 Feren he hadde wiþ him þre. Gij sey bi his semblaunt anon Þat he was lord ouer hem ichon. 'Sir,' quaþ Gij, 'vnderstond to me. [folio 139b:a] Þe lord, þat made me and te, Line 6000 Þe loke ȝif þi wille be, And miche blisse he ȝif þe. A kniȝt icham deswarre, Þat in y bid par charite.' ¶ Þe lord answerd sweteliche, Line 6005 'Þou it schalt haue, bleþeliche.' He dede vnder-fong his stede þo, Bi his own [on MS.] he dede it do.

Bi þe riȝt hond he toke sir Gij, & went into his halle on hey. Line 6010 A mantel of silk he of-sent on hast, & about him he dede it cast. Wonderliche þai bihelden him alle Kniȝtes þat weren in þe halle; For he was michel & wele y-sett. Line 6015 Þai him bihelden wele þe bett. Þe lord wiþ þat to him sede, 'Ich þe bidde for loue-rede Þat þi name telle þou me, & nouȝt forhole it no be.' Line 6020 Gij answerd wel sweteliche, 'Mi name y þe telle, sikerliche: Gij of Warwike mi name is. Iuel ich am acumbred, y-wis.' When þe lord herd þat, Line 6025 Þat it was Gij þat to him spac, 'Sir,' he seyd, 'welcome ȝe be: In ȝour owhen herberwe ȝe. Ful welcome artow to me, & ful wele y knowe þe. Line 6030 Ich auȝt þe loue, so moti gon: Wel michel gode þou hast me don. Þo ich þe serued þou louedest me: Armes ich vnderfenge of þe, And þou me sendest ner & fer Line 6035 To turnamens & to wer, So þat gret word sprong of me, Þo y went hom to mi cuntre. Amis of Mounteyn mi name it is: Wele ouȝt ȝe me knowe, y-wis.' Line 6040 When Gij him seye he knewe þe kniȝt, [C line 5727] He kist him þer anon riȝt. 'Sir,' quaþ Amis, 'when comestow, [folio 139b:b] Þatow gost alle on now?

It semeþ wele, so þenkeþ me, Line 6045 Fram gret periil aschaped be ȝe. Whare his Herhaud, þi kniȝt so fre? Alle þine kniȝtes where ben he?' 'Ich-il þe telle,' þan seyd sir Gij. 'Now vnder-stond ich am sori.' Line 6050 Þan teld he him al þat cas, Hou þerl Tirri wounded was, & hou he hadde y-heled his wounde, & socurd his fader, & ost him founde, & hou he passed him self vnnome, Line 6055 & hou þai were þurch traisoun ouer-come, & hou his felawes weren y-nome, & hou þat he was þider y-come, & hou Tirri was y-nomen þo & þe gode Herhaud also, Line 6060 & wiþ hem fif hundred kniȝtes, Orped men & gode in fiȝtes. 'Y not ȝif þai be liues or dede: Al ich hem sey nimen & lede.' When Gij hadde y-teld þat cas, Line 6065 Hou iuel him bifallen was, [C line 5751] 'Suffre awhile, sir,' quaþ he. 'Ȝif it is þi wille listen to me. Ich haue castels & cites strong Mani and fele in mi lond: Line 6070 Alle ichil bitake þe, Mine kniȝtes ichil [An s erased after the ch.] of-sende to me: Fif hundred ich of-sende may, Þat schal do þi wille niȝt and day. Alle þat to min erldom falleþ y wil it be Line 6075 To þine wille so schal com to þe. Wende we wille to þe douk Otoun, [MS. of toun.] And bring him to destruccioun. His londes we schul þurch-ernne, & his castels felle, & his tounes bernne, Line 6080

Line 6080 & so þou miȝt awreke be, His londes destru, him seluen sle. Of werre no swike wille we, Al what he a-slawe be.'

'Amis,' quaþ Gij, 'god ȝeld it te: [C line 5769] Line 6085 To long schuld ich here be. Ȝif ich orn on him so þou speke, [folio 140a:a] To late ich worþ of him awreke. For drede of deþ nille y fle. Hastiliche ichil awreken be.' Line 6090 Al a day he bileft þare, His hert was in michel care: Amis emforþ his miȝt Confort him boþe day and niȝt.' ¶ Of him he toke his leue þo, Line 6095 Toward Paui he is y-go. Amis wiþ him gon wold, Ac he seyd þat he no schold. Amis bileft, þat was sori, & often to god he bad for Gij, Line 6100 Þat for his swete moder loue Leue him harmeles oȝain come. ¶ Gij him diȝt in a-queyntise, [C line 5785] & com to Paui in squier wise. An vnement purchast he Line 6105 Þat made his visage out of ble: His here, þat was ȝalu and briȝt, Blac it bicome anon riȝt. Nas no man in þis world so wise of siȝt Þat afterward him knowe miȝt. Line 6110 Now to Paui y-comen he is: Of no man aferd he nis. Þe douk Otus he fond þere, & gret him as ȝe may here: 'Sir douk Otus,' he seyd, 'god loke þe: Line 6115 Al so ich it wold so mot it be.

A man icham o fer cuntre: Hider ich come to seche þe. Ich haue þe brouȝt here a stede, In þis world is better non at nede. Line 6120 Noris it dede a Sarazin, And me it ȝaf, min owen cosyn: In alle þe world is so swift a best, Libard no ro, in no forest, No dromedarie no is þer non Line 6125 So swiþe goand so is he on. No þarf þe drede non arme of þe se, And tow opon þis stede be. Ȝif ȝe nille þerof me leue Ichil þat ȝe it asey [aseyle origin|ally, le being erased.] ar eue. Line 6130 Ac on maner haþ þat hors, [folio 140a:b] Þerfore mani haþ fare þe wors: In þe world nis [MS. is.] man þat ney him come Þat he no wold him slon wel sone, Bot þe man þat loked [The first letter seems to be l, although it looks a little like b.] it. Line 6135 Þer-fore y loue it out of witt.' Quaþ þe douk, 'mow gramerci. [C line 5817] Þis is a fair ȝift, sikerly. Wiþ þat hors ichil at-hold þe, & make þe riche of gold & fe. Line 6140 To swiche an hors ich hadde nede, Þat ich might þe better spede. Of min fomen ich wold ben awreke, & som in min prisoun ben y-steke, Ac on of hem is schaped fro me. Line 6145 Now wold god, þat alle may se, Þat he were now in þis halle: Wel iuel him schuld sone bifalle. Wel sone he schuld an-honged be Wiþ gode riȝt, y telle it te.' Line 6150 'Sir,' quaþ Gij, 'who [may] þat be? [C line 5827] In gret periil now is he.'

'Ichil þe telle,' quaþ þe douk þo: 'Gij of Warwike, þat is mi fo. Siker no be ich neuer mo Line 6155 Þe whiles þat he oliues go. Ich wold now he stode þe bi.' 'Sir,' quaþ he, 'y knowe wele Gij: He slouȝ on of mi neye kin; Þer-fore ich am riȝt wroþ wiþ him, Line 6160 & wiþ þerl Tirri also: He is mi dedliche fo. Þurch felonie mi fader he slouȝ, Mi broþer he deserited [desirit MS.] wiþ wouȝ. God lete me neuer ded be Line 6165 Er ich him to mi wille se.' 'Mi dere frende,' seyd þe douk Otoun, [of toun MS.] [C line 5843] 'Ichaue Tirri in mi prisoun. Now ich-il þou loke him to, And alle schame þou him do.' Line 6170 'Sir,' quaþ he, 'gramerci, And y þe sigge sikerly Þat alle his liif ichil wende Er þan come seuen niȝtes ende.' Þe douke doþ him þe keyes take, [folio 140b:a] Line 6175 Maister iaioler he doþ him make.

Þe douk oxeþ what his name be: [C line 5853] 'Yon men clepet me in mi cuntre.' 'Yon,' he seyd, 'ichot now þe Þat þou þat hors wele kepe me.' Line 6180 An hous he deliuer[d] him þo Þat no þing com in bot þai to. Þe douk þat nouȝt no wist, Þat Gij was þer-in, bi Crist. Alle his wille he may now do, [C line 5861] Line 6185 Non vn-worþschip men seyd him to. Gij into a tour is y-go, A strong prisoun fond he þo:

Fourti fadom depe it was. He hadde y-herd cri, 'allas': Line 6190 He oxed anon who þat were Þat made þer so reuly bere. 'Ich,' he seyd, 'a wreched man: Me reuweþ sore þat y liues am. Erl Tirri mi nam is: Line 6195 Now icham a wreche, y-wis. Þe douk no misdede y neuer nouȝt, And in þis prisoun icham y-brouȝt. More iren about me is Þan a somer miȝt beren, y-wis, Line 6200 On armes, on legges, on bodi also. Mi deþ ich wold were com me to. For þan þat ich felawe was To a kniȝt þat neuer his better nas, Whom þe douk Otus hated, y-wis, Line 6205 On me þe wreche fallen now is. Þat ich ete þis is þe þridde day: Long liue y no may.' ¶ 'Tirri,' quaþ Gij, 'no be nouȝt wo: [C line 5885] Icham Gij þou louedest so. Line 6210 Out of prisoun y schal cast þe So sone y may mi time se.'

Sir Tirri spac to Gij þo, 'For godes loue, hennes þou go. Hou come þou hider, sir Gij? Line 6215 Þine hider-com wil me harmi. Ȝif þe douk wite þat þou it be Þis ich day he wil sle þe. Leuer me were al-on to day [folio 140b:b] Þan wite þe ded, soþe to say. Line 6220 Þerfore, sir, hennes þou go; For godes loue, sir, do now so.' Als þai togider speken þis A Lombard it of-herd, y-wis, [C line 5899]

Þat after into þe tour was y-go Line 6225 To aspie what Gij wold do. Wiþ loude steuen he haþ him gred, 'Gij, þou hast wel iuel y-sped. Boþe ȝe schul an-honged be, Now ich ȝou [þou MS.] boþe here y-se.' Line 6230 ¶ 'Lete be,' quaþ Gij, 'so god þe amende: So þou miȝt ous boþe schende. What schuld þe þe better be Ȝif þou dest ous boþe sle? Þine owhen man ichil be, Line 6235 & as mi lord seruy þe, & þerl Tirri bi his miȝt, And þerto mi treuþe y þe pliȝt.' 'Hold þi pes,' quaþ þe Lombart, 'Haue neuer god of me part Line 6240 Bot ich þe douk Otus it telle: For noþing leten y nille.' Adoun of þe tour he goþ erninde, And Gij after him fast folweinde. Riȝt bifor þe doukes fet Line 6245 Gij arauȝt him wiþ a staf gret: Swiche a strok he him ȝaf, Þat his breyn fley about þe staf. Seyd þe douk, 'whi destow þis? Wiþ hors tow worþ to-drawen, y-wis. Line 6250 Whi hastow mi man y-slawe? Hou dorstow bigin þat plawe?'

'Sir,' quaþ Gij, 'herken to me, [C line 5931] Anon ichil telle to þe: Into þe tour ich was y-gon, Line 6255 For to se þe esters ichon; Þer ich fond þis feloun, & spac to Tirri in þe prisoun, & mete him brouȝt gret plente. Þo ich it seye it of-þouȝt me. Line 6260

Line 6260 Wiþ his fest he me smot, Þerfore ichim suwed, god it wot, & smot him so þou miȝt se. [folio 141a:a] Þe gilt, sir, for-ȝiue þou me. Soþe to sigge in þis stede, Line 6265 For þine anour ich it dede, Þat oþer bi him y-warned be To fede þi prisoun wiþ-outen þe.' Þe douk gret oþ swore þo, Þat ȝif he oþer-loker had do Line 6270 He worþ to-drawe, oþer an-hong, Or oþer schames deþ to afong; 'Ac now forȝiuen it þe be.' Gij him þonked on his kne. Sone so þe niȝt him come, Line 6275 Gij into þe cite nome: Mete anouȝ he bouȝt þere, And to Tirri he gan it bere. Þus he dede y not hou long, Michel he slaked his pine strong, Line 6280 Alle his bendes doþ oway, And slakeþ his pine so michel so he may. Into a chaumber [The u in chaumber has a stroke too many.] he goþ on a day, [C line 5967] Þerin he fond þat fair may, Þat biment hir strongliche Line 6285 For hir leman sche loued so miche. Gij seyd to hir, 'maiden fre, Wele þou owest to knowe me: Gij of Warwike mi name is, Icham þi lemanes felawe, y-wis. Line 6290 In þis maner y-comen icham, For y nold be knowen of no man, And for to deliuer þi leman Þat ich michel gode an.' When þe maiden herd þis, Line 6295 Þat it was Gij, for soþe y-wis,

For blisse sche fel aswon adoun, And vp hir toke þe gode Gyoun. 'Maiden,' he seyd, 'lete now be: Wiltow now schende me? Line 6300 Ȝif ani me perceiue miȝt Ich were y-honged anon riȝt.' 'Merci, sir Gij,' seyd þat may, 'Now wiþin þe þridde day To him spoused schal y be; Line 6305 Ac o þing ich haue biþouȝt me, Þat ichil mi-selue sle [folio 141a:b] Þat day þat y schal spoused be.' Gij seyd, 'no do nouȝt so, Ac alle his wille þou schalt do, Line 6310 And ar he to þe chirche come Y schal mete him atte frome: His heued fro þe bodi schal fle, & lede y schal þe forþ wiþ me.'

Now is Gij þennes y-gon hom, [C line 5999] Line 6315 And also swiþe so niȝt [The n in niȝt on a c only partially erased.] come To þe prisoun anon he ȝede, And deliuerd his felawe in þat stede. 'Sir Tirri,' he seyd, 'forþ þou go (Niȝt no day no swike þou no) Line 6320 Riȝt to Amis of [to MS.] þe Mounteyne, Þat woneþ in þe marche of Almeyne. On mine half grete him wele bi me. Þider þou go, & ful wele rest þe, Fort [t added above the line.] ich com, or man for me.' Line 6325 'Bleþeliche, sir,' þan seyd he. Hye kisten hem, and forþ ȝede þo; At her parting hem was ful wo. Aiþer for oþer for gret pite In gret periil hadde y-be. Line 6330 Gi lete him of þe tour þo, Bitauȝt him god, & lete him go.

Gij bileft, & Tirri is forþ y-fare: Of alle niȝt no hadde he rest þare. So long is Tirri forþ y-gon, [C line 6027] Line 6335 To þe Mounteyn he com anon; A castel þer was fair wiþalle, And strong cite biloken wiþ walle; Fair halles & toures also In þe cite were mani & mo. Line 6340 In þat on half orn þe riuer, In þat oþer half forest wiþ wilde dere. Into þe cite he is y-go, And to þe maister palays he ȝede þo. He fond Amis atte ches pleyinge Line 6345 Wiþ his felawes, fair gamen giuing. Þritti kniȝtes were in halle also His soudours were, his wil to do, Þat wiþ Amis bileften he For wer þat was in þat cuntre. Line 6350 'Sir,' quaþ Tirri, 'ȝif it be þi wille, [folio 141b:a] Vnder-stond & speke me tille Al priueliche, y þe biseche, Þat þi folk no here our speche.' Amis answerd, 'wel bleþeliche Line 6355 Wille ich it do & loueliche.' Fram þe cheker he is y-go, And to a windowe he cleped him þo. 'Sir Amis,' seyd Tirri, [C line 6043] 'Often þe greteþ wele sir Gij; Line 6360 & hider to ȝou he sent me, For to soiourne here wiþ þe, Fort he may hider come, Oþer anoþer send for him atte frome.' 'Sir,' quaþ Amis, 'miche þanke haue he, Line 6365 Þat he þe sent hider to me. What is þi name? say þou me.' 'Ichil þe telle, sir,' quaþ he:

'Tirri of Gormoise mi name is, Aschaped of strong prisoun, y-wis.' Line 6370 'Sir Tirri,' þan seyd he, 'Welcome in-to þis cuntre!' He kist him an hundred siþe, Wiþ eyȝen he wepe, so was he bliþe. & for he him so miseise [so miseise looks like sounseise in MS.] y-seye Line 6375 Of prisoun aschaped, bliþe was hye. He dede him baþe, sikerly, And al þing diȝt him redi. Wiþ riche cloþes [c added above the line.] he dede him schrede, & fond him alle þat him was nede. Line 6380 He ȝaf him armes and riche stede, & diȝt him þer alle wiþ prede. Þennes no went he for no þing, Er he of Gij hadde tiding.

Of þe douk ichil ȝou telle, [C line 6069] Line 6385 & þan of Gij, ȝif ȝe wille. Þe douk of-sent his barnage in hast, Þat þai com to him riȝt fast Into þe cite of Pauie, Alle þe Lombardes of Lombardie. Line 6390 When þe time it comen was, Þe douk was bliþe & glad in þat cas. To þe maiden he come swiþe, As he þat was glad & bliþe, And seyd, 'leman, glad make þe; [folio 141b:b] Line 6395 Today þou schalt y-spoused be.' 'Sir,' sche seyd, 'wiþ gode wille Alle þine hest ichil fulfille.' He schred hir swiþe wele, y-wis Wiþ riche cloþes alle of pris; Line 6400 He sette hir on a palfrey, þat ȝongling, Better no bistrode neuer no king. Riche anouȝ þat atire was Of gold & siluer: no noþer þer nas.

Toward a chirche went hye; Line 6405 Wiþ ioie he wend hir to spousi. ¶ Gij armed him wel richeliche Alto his wille stalworþliche Wiþ armes þe maiden him had bitouȝt, Þat were þe douke to present brouȝt. Line 6410 His gode stede he bi-strod, And of-tok hem wiþ-outen abod. . . . . . . . . . . 'Douk Otus, vnder-stond to me: Line 6415 No go no forþer, ich hot þe. Vnder-stond þe of þat traisoun Þat þou dest to sir Gyoun, Also he com fram Boneuent: Ȝete is mi hert þer-fore in turment; Line 6420 & seþþen þou dest me a gret traisoun, Þo þou Tirri dest in þi prisoun. . . . . . . . . . . Icham Gij þat to þe speke: Line 6425 Ȝete today y þenk to ben awreke.' Þurch þe bodi he smot him anon Bifor þe Lombardes euerichon, And swore bi god, heuen king, Ȝif [The f on an erasure.] him neyed ani þing, Line 6430 Þat heued he schuld þer forgon. To þat maiden he cam anon, Bitven his armes þe maiden he nam, & sett hir biforn him: oway he ran. Swiþe owaiward þan rod he: Line 6435 Þe noise aros in þat cite. [C line 6121] Wiþ gret strengþe þai driuen Gi: He paseþ hem: oȝain went hij. Oȝain þai went to þat bodi riȝt, Ac a child-ȝong man, apliȝt, Line 6440

Line 6440 Þat was þe doukes kinseman (Berard was his riȝt nam), Alle on he folwed sir Gij [folio 142a:a] (He no hadde felawe no frend him bi) Wiþ scheld & spere opon his stede: Line 6445 A gode kniȝt he was at nede. He folwed Gij fif mile, Þat Gij fore in a litel while. 'Gij,' he seyd, 'turn oȝe, So help þe Crist, & iuste wiþ me.' Line 6450 Gij turned him wel an hast, For he no was nouȝt of him agast. Þe maiden he to grounde sett, & diȝt his armes wiþ-outen lett, & went to him wiþ gret miȝt, Line 6455 & he to him anon riȝt. ¶ Þe ȝong man smot first Gij Þurch þe scheld, sikerli: He carf þe brini þat newe was, Nouȝt worþ a botoun it nas. Line 6460 Gij of þat strok wonder haþ. Anoþer strok [Anoþer strok on an erasure.] sir Gij him ȝaf: Gij anon smot þat ȝong man, Þurch his scheld anon it ran, & þurch þe scholder he ȝaf him wounde, Line 6465 Þat hors & man it fel to grounde. & when þe ȝongman was y-falle [C line 6145] Vp he stert sone wiþ-alle. Anon his swerd he haþ out drawe, His hors he wold habbe y-slawe. Line 6470 'Hors,' he seyd, 'acursed þou be, When þou no miȝt vp-hold me. Þat þou dye it is riȝt, Seþþen þou in þe has no miȝt. Gij,' quaþ Berard, [berarnd MS.] 'wende to me, Line 6475 & of þine hauberk vnarmi þe:

In pleyn armes wil we fiȝt, And so we may asay our miȝt. Bot ich þine heued binim þe, Or ich out of þis place te, Line 6480 Neuer honour ich no bidde, No neuer a day lenger to libbe.' 'Frende,' quaþ Gij, 'nil y nouȝt so. To bataile we schul ȝete cum bo.' Þe maiden he nam & forþ ladde, Line 6485 & passed a riuer, & nouȝ[t] no drad. Þe ȝongman went him oȝe [folio 142a:b] Alle sori in-to þat cite. Þe douk þai birid worþschipliche In a chirche of Paui, sikerliche. Line 6490 Þe ȝongman to þemperour is gon, & told him of Otus deþ anon. Þemperour alle his lond him ȝeld, & wiþ þat [So MS., not gret. knighted him,] worþschip him at-held. Armes he ȝaf him hastiliche, Line 6495 He loued him wel swiþe miche. Of Almaine he made him steward, Þat fel mani a man swiþe hard. Gij wiþ þat maiden is forþ y-go, [C line 6175] & þan newed alle hir wo. Line 6500 'Sir Gij,' sche seyd, 'what schal y do? Mi leman no se y [sey MS. as one word.] neuer mo. Dye y schal wiþ sorwe & care. Now wold god ich wer þare: Wiþ him ded ich wold be; Line 6505 & it so were wele wer me.' Gij answerd wele þat maide, [The i added above the line.] And to hir sweteliche he seyd: 'Tirri nis bot gode, siker þou be: Alle in gode point þou schalt him se. Line 6510 Wiþ þe iaioler ich haue speke so, Þat alle his wille he wil do.'

So long forþ wenten he, [C line 6187] Þat hij come to þat cite Of [Of þat MS.] Mounteyne, þat feir was: Line 6515 So þai went [in] wiþ ioie & solas. When he into þe halle come, Amis him knew riȝt anon. When he him seye þan seyd he, 'Sir Gij, welcom mot þou be.' Line 6520 When sir Tirri Gij y-seþ & Oisel, þat him was so lef, Michel ioie he made Gij þo, Þat maiden he nam in his armes to. 'Gij,' he seyd, 'welcome þou be. Line 6525 Þat þus asembled now be we! Nold god & our leuedi Þat mi lef be schent of hir bodi.' Þai kisten hem togider anon, For ioie þai wepen euerichon. Line 6530

When Oisel y-seþ sir Tirri, [folio 142b:a] [C line 6209] Þat was hir lef & hir ami, For ioie sche swoned omong hem. Þer wende sche nouȝt to finden him. Tirri nam hir in his armes tvo, Line 6535 & sweteliche seyd to hir þo, 'Mi swete leman, no drede þe nouȝt: Hole & sounde icham hider brouȝt.' Amonges hem was ioie & blis, And soiournd þere, [to her wille MS.] y-wis, Line 6540 To her wille in þat palais: Sir Amis was hende & curteys. So on a day biþouȝt him sir Gij [C line 6223] Þat long soiournd hadden hy. Amis he cleped to him & sir Tirri: Line 6545 'Herkeniþ to me,' seyd sir Gij. 'Soiournd we haue here anow: Now is time we go fram ȝou

To Gormoise to þerl Aubri: Wele y wot he is for ous sori. Line 6550 Of-sende ichil baroun & kniȝtes, & ern ichil opon þe douk wiþ gret miȝtes, & mine felawes out of prisoun bring: [bring Turnbull, binde MS.] Ich no may hem forȝete for no þing. Ich man schal his miȝt don, Line 6555 For to awreke him of his fon.' 'Sir,' quaþ Amis, 'ichil go wiþ þe, And a þousend kniȝtes forþ wiþ me, A þousend seriauns also Wele on hors, wiþ-outen mo.' Line 6560 'Gramerci, sir,' þan seyd Gij, 'On þe al mi trust is, sikerli.'

Amis of-sent his kniȝtes anon, And haþ asembled hem euerichon, His seriauns he dede also, Line 6565 Þe best þat miȝt to fiȝt go. When þat þai wer al redi [C line 6249] forþ þai wenten hastily. To-ward Gormoise hij goþ, Mani man þai made wel wroþ: Line 6570 Þai nimen castels & cites, & destruen alle þe cuntres. To Gormoise þai ben y-come: Glad þai ben alle & some, Ouer alle oþer þerl Aubri. [folio 142b:b] Line 6575 When he seþ his sone Tirri He fel aswon for ioie þo: He wende he had ben forlorn for euer mo. Þer was ioie & miche [The m in miche not quite distinct.] blis Bitven þe fader & þe sone, y-wis. Line 6580 Euerich told oþer, & forȝat nouȝt, Hou Gij hem haþ fram deþ y-brouȝt. ¶ Gij nouȝt for-ȝete nold, Asembled he haþ his kniȝtes bold.

Þe douk he haþ a grete harm y-do, Line 6585 He þouȝt for to awreke him so. When þe douk Loer herd þis tiding, Þat Gij and Tirri were coming, [C line 6273] His douhte[r] Oysel also, Wel glad & bliþe he was þo. Line 6590 Herhaud he cleped him to, & teld him þe soþe þo, Þat Gij and Tirri wer y-come, & hadde on hem wer y-nome, Wiþ hem was þerl Amis Line 6595 Wiþ ferred of miche pris. When Herhaud y-herd þis, Þat Gij and Tirri comen is, Neuer nas he so bliþe: God he þonked mani siþe. Line 6600

'Sir Herhaud,' seyd þe douk Loer, 'Ichil þe make messanger: To þerl Aubri þou schal go, & Gij, & Tirri, & sigge hem so, Þat ich wiþ hem acord wille Line 6605 Of alle þat þai cun to me telle. Sir Tirri ichil mi douhter ȝiue, & half mi lond while þat y liue. Ichil þat þou wittnesse me Þat þe loue ste[de]fast be.' Line 6610 'Sir,' quaþ Herhaud, 'ichil so Alle mi miȝt do þer-to.' Þe douke of-sent his prisouns alle, & dede hem arme swiþe [One or two letters erased after swiþe.] snelle, & hete hem þat þai failed nouȝt [C line 6305] Line 6615 Of þat þai hadde þider y-brouȝt. 'Forþ wiþ Herhaud ȝe schal gon, Þe acord to make riȝt anon.' Herhaud made him redi þo, Riȝt into Gormoise he is y-go, [folio 143a:a] Line 6620

Line 6620 & wiþ him went alle þe kniȝtes, Acord to make anon riȝtes. Gij cam on a day fram hunting, Þerl Amis, & Tirri þe ȝing, & mo þan an hundred kniȝt, Line 6625 Wiþ swerd bigirt, y ȝou pliȝt. Toward Gormoise þai ben y-go, Bisiden hem þai loked þo; So mani kniȝtes þai seye coming, Of traisoun þai were dredeing. Line 6630 Þan seyd [of] þe Mountayn Amis, 'A gret ferd y se, y-wis. Y not what folk it be: Hiderward þai com, so þenkeþ me.' Opon his gode stede he wond Line 6635 Wiþ swerd & spere in his hond. Þiderward he is y-go, To hem he com wel sone þo. Þo he gan hem com neye Herhaud of Ardern [The d altered from t.] þer he seye Line 6640 He oxed him whennes he come. 'Where is Gij?' he seyd anon. 'Sir,' quaþ he, 'ichil þe telle, & lade þe to him wiþ gode wille. Fram dere hunting y-comen he is: Line 6645 Biside þanne hulle ichim lete, y-wis.' Quaþ Herhaud, 'felawes, wil we go.' Wiþ sporres hij smiten her stedes þo: Swiþe þai riden wiþ gret hy. When þai seye Gij & sir Tirri, Line 6650 'God,' quaþ Gij, 'Herhaud y se & alle min feren, so þenkeþ me: Þai ben out of prisoun y-gon Oþer quite-cleymed ichon.' To kissen Herhaud þai hem do, [The d altered from t.] [C line 6349] Line 6655 Wel gret ioie þai maden þo.

'Sir Tirri,' quaþ Herhaud þe fre, 'Gode conseyl y telle to þe. Þe sent to grete þe douk Loer, Whom ich loue wiþ hert cler: Line 6660 Worþschiped he haþ me miche, And ouer alle oþer loued, sikerliche. Wiþ þe he wil acorded be, [folio 143a:b] And swiþe miche he loueþ þe. Þou schalt his douhter spousi: Line 6665 Wiþ half his lond he wille þe feffi; And wiþ þi fader he wil acordy, And allso wiþ þe, sir Gij: In alle maner to þi wille He wille amende, for soþe y telle. Line 6670 Ichil þer-of his borwe be, Þat he do wil as y sigge to þe.' Alle þai bisouȝten sir Gij, And so þai dede þerl Tirri, Þat þai schuld wiþ him acordy, Line 6675 For he was michel to praisy. So long þai bisouȝt him [Read hem?] so, And wiþ hem Amis, þat þer was þo. Þer of acord speken he, Þat it schuld treuwe be. Line 6680 To þe cite þai ben y-gon, & teld þerl Aubri anon Hou þat Herhaud was y-come, And hadde þe acord vnder-nome, Þerl graunted raþe & snelle Line 6685 Þe acord to Herhaudes wille. No soiournd þai nouȝt long þo, [C line 6383] Bot riȝt to Loreyn þai ben y-go: Þerl Aubri & Tirri his sone, Gij & Herhaud ben [ben a little indistinct.] þider y-come, Line 6690 & of oþer kniȝtes mani also, Þat bliþe were þider to go.

Þerl Aubri, & Tirri his sone, Gij, Herhaud, & Amis þider come. Mani was þe gentil kniȝt Line 6695 Þat wiþ hem went þo riȝt. To Loreyne þai ben comen, y-wis: Þe douke hem vnderfeng [vnderfende MS.] wiþ blis. Wiþ him þai were acorded alle, & þe misdede forȝeuen snelle. Line 6700 Gret joie þai maden in þe cite Þat hij so fair acorded be. Þe douk ȝaf Tirri his douhter þo, And half his lond wiþ hir also, Bifor barouns & kniȝtes fre, Line 6705 Þat þer were of mani cuntre: Bridal sone þai han y-hold: [folio 143b:a] Of erls, & of barouns bold, & of emperours, & of king Nas neuer non so riche gestening. Line 6710 ¶ Þe kniȝtes nomen her leue anon, [C line 6403] Vnto her cuntres þai ben y-gon: Sir Gij soiournd þare. On a day he is þennes y-fare: Þe douk Loer & mani a man Line 6715 In hunting þai were toward Braban; On hunting went þerl Tirri & mani in his compeynie. Þai comen into a fair forest, Þer þai fond a bore, a wilde best. Line 6720 Þai vncoupled her arrow_back houndes arrow_forward alle, & lete hem ern swiþ snelle. Þe bore fleing swiþe he geþ, & mani of þe arrow_back houndes arrow_forward harme he deþ: An hundred he slouȝ and mo, Line 6725 Out of þat cuntre he is sone y-go. Þe wisest hunt folweþ fast, Huweþ & gredeþ wiþ gret blast.

Of huntes ne of arrow_back houndes arrow_forward adrad he: He ouer-ernnes dounes & cuntre, Line 6730 Þe brod lond, and þe valays: Folwed he is ich weys. Hij of-ernned her stedes þo, Of him wondred kniȝtes, huntes also. Alle þe arrow_back houndes arrow_forward þat folwed him þere Line 6735 Oȝain turned, oþer ded were, arrow_back Wiþouten arrow_forward arrow_back blod arrow_forward arrow_back houndes arrow_forward þre: Into Braban folwed he. Þer nas hunt no kniȝt non, Seriaunt no sweyn no grom Line 6740 Þat wist widerward þe bore gan te, Into whiche lond no what cuntre. Gij him folwed on his stede, Wiþ swerd in hond after he ȝede, & wiþ horn oft bloweing, Line 6745 Þe bore swiþe driueing. [C line 6445] Gij drof [A letter erased before d.] þat swine wiþ game & gle [The g altered from b.] Right into Breteyne þan went he. Into a forest þat [The t added above the line.] swine him ȝede, Into a þicke hegges he gan him hede. Line 6750 Þer he stod at abay, [a bay MS.] [folio 143b:b] & werd him while þat he may. When Gij þat stern swine y sey Adoun he lepe of his stede heye: Wiþ boþe honden þat swerd he held, Line 6755 & cam to þe bore as a kniȝt beld. Þat swine anon oȝain him com, And Gij smertlich smot him anon, Þat þe hert he clef euen atvo: Alle ded he fel to grounde þo. Line 6760 He open[ed] þat swine & blewe priis. Alon he was, him miȝt agriis: Alto fer he was fram his kniȝt. Bot on him þinke god almiȝt,

Sone he worþ in a peril strong, Line 6765 Be it wiþ riȝt, be it wiþ wrong. Þo Gij hadde opened þat swine snelle He gan to blowe as y ȝou telle. 'Bi god,' quaþ þerl Florentin, 'Who mai þat be, for seyn Martin, [C line 6467] Line 6770 Þat ich here in mi forest blowe? Hert oþer bore he haþ doun þrowe.' He cleped to him a kniȝt ȝing, His sone he was, a feir ȝongling. 'Sone,' he seyd, 'to hors þou go, Line 6775 & who so it be, bring him me to.' 'Sir, y graunt þat it be so.' Anon he lepe on hors þo: Into þe forest he is y-fare, & Gij he fond ful sone þare. Line 6780 An staf he bar of holin tre: Gret wo þer-wiþ wrouȝt he. 'Lording,' he seyd, 'who artow In mi lordes forest is comen now Wiþ-outen leue of mi lord? Line 6785 In iuel time þou come, at o word: When þou hast y-nomen his swin No leue haddestow of him. Þat hors anon þou take to me, Þer-on no schaltow ride, y telle þe.' Line 6790 'Leue frende,' quaþ Gij, 'þat nille y do. Þat hors no tit þe, so mot y go. Kniȝtes riȝt is it non Þat he schuld fer o fot gon. To þi wille ichil wende wiþ þe, [folio 144a:a] Line 6795 To seche þe waiis of þis cuntre. Þis horn þou miȝt wele haue, And tow wiþ loue it wille craue.'

'Lording,' he seyd, 'oþer is mi þouȝt: [C line 6493] So astow wenest no schapestow nouȝt.' Line 6800

Line 6800 Gij bi þe reyne he haþ y-nome: Wiþ strengþe he wende to þe hors come. Þei he war wroþ, it was no ferly. Wiþ þat staf he smot sir Gij. 'Wicke man, þou hast me smite: Line 6805 Þou schalt it abigge, god it wite!' Wiþ his horn he him smot, His breyn he schadde fot hot. 'Now, lording,' [lorging MS.] quaþ Gij, 'þe swin þou nim, & alle þi wille do wiþ him. Line 6810 Na more smite þou no kniȝt: Þat þou me smot, þou dest vnriȝt.' ¶ Þennes he is now y-ride, [C line 6505] & bi þe forest so long he ȝede, Þat vnneþe out wan he, Line 6815 For he no knew nouȝt þat cuntre. He loked fer, he loked neye: Castel no cite non he seye. Him greued þe hete & þe long day. No rod he nouȝt fer, soþ to say, Line 6820 Þat he no sey a castel Feir y-sett & swiþe wel: Þider-ward ȝern þan rode he. A man he mett of þat cuntre, 'Mi leue frende, telle þou me, Line 6825 Þis feir castel wos it be.' Þe man seyd, 'y schal telle þe, A better man no miȝt þou se: It is þe gode erl Florentin. Better man drank neuer win.' Line 6830 Gij anon þider-ward he rod, & in he went arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward abod. To þe halle gate he com riȝt, & þer he is adoun y-liȝt. An hore y-blowe kniȝt he seye Line 6835 At þe des sitten an heye:

Long berd he hadde & sterne siȝt; A man he semed of michel miȝt. Biforn him anon Gij him dede, [folio 144a:b] & feir he gret him in þat stede. Line 6840

'Sir,' quaþ Gij, 'vnderstond to me: [C line 6535] He þat þe warld made he blisce þe. Icham a kniȝt as ȝe may se: Y bid þe mete par charite. A meles mete ȝif þou me, Line 6845 & seþþen hennes ichil te.' 'Leue frende,' he seyd, 'sikerly, Þou schalt it haue gladly.' Þe water he axed þo anon, To wasche his honden Gij is go[n]. Line 6850 To mete he sett him in þat stede, Bred & win biforn him þai dede, & gret plente of oþer mete. When he hadde sumdele y-ete In þe toun he herd belles ring, Line 6855 & loude crie, & miche wepeing, Cloþes to-tere, her to-te: More sorwe no miȝt non be. 'God,' quaþ þerl, 'lord fre, Þis gret sorwe whi it be?' Line 6860 Into þe halle come þere Tvai men, & a bodi bere: Amid þe flore þai it leyden, y-wis. Quaþ þerl Florentin, 'mi sone þis is,' Torent his here, his cloþes he drouȝ: Line 6865 In his hert was sorwe anouȝ. 'Leue sone,' he seyd, 'who slouȝ þe? Now wold god, þat is so fre, Þat he were here in mi beylie! Nold ich it lete for al Romanie, Line 6870 Þat he no were anon y-slawe, For-brent, & þat dust to-blowe.'

Þan seyd a squier biforn hem alle, 'Ichim se atte mete in þis halle, [C line 6567] He þat þi dere sone slouȝ. Line 6875 Ich [Iich MS. Hearing this,] it seye, wiþ-outen wouȝ.' Anon þat þerl y-herd þis, Fram þe bord he aros, y-wis: An aundiren he kept in his honden þo, Hetelich it haf, & seyd him to, Line 6880 'Traitour, þou schalt dye here. Why slouȝ þou mi sone dere?' Wiþ þat aundiren he þret sir Gij, [folio 144b:a] & wiþ gret hate, sikerly, Ac þat din [Read dint?] he feiled of him Line 6885 (Gij vp stert wroþ and grim): Into þe wouȝ it fleye to fot & more. 'Merci,' seyd Gij, 'for godes ore! Ȝif ich þi sone owhar a-slouȝ, It was me defendant anouȝ.' Line 6890 Kniȝt anon about him þrong, [C line 6587] To slen him, boþe eld & ȝong. Gij hent in hond anon riȝt An ax þat was gode, apliȝt. Bi þat on ende of þe halle he him drouȝ, Line 6895 & þer he werd him wele anouȝ. Þai aseyld him strongliche, & he him werd stalworþliche. Wiþ þat com forþ þe steward liȝt, A Brabasone he was, a wel gode kniȝt: Line 6900 A strok he smot to sir Gij, & hewe on him ful felly. Gij of him failed nauȝt: Wiþ þe ax he haþ him rauȝt, Þat his heued he him to-clef: Line 6905 Al to ded to ground he dref. Þus Gij him wereþ manliche, And hij him aseyle heteliche.

Þe kniȝtes he slouȝ þere, Þe best þat in þat court were. Line 6910 ¶ 'Sir Florentin,' seyd sir Gij, [C line 6605] 'For godes loue now merci! Þou art y-hold so gode a man, Hennes to Rome better nis nan: & þou in þine halle me sle, Line 6915 For traisoun it worþ awist [So MS., not atwist.] þe. In edwite it worþ þe adrawe, [So MS., not drawe.] Swiche a man þou schust haue slawe, When þou wiþ þi wille fre Þe mete me ȝeue par charite. Line 6920 Were it wiþ wrong, were it wiþ riȝt, For tresoun it worþ þe witt, apliȝt; Opon alle þing a þing [a þing to be struck out?] atte mete, Þer ȝe ouȝt me to were fram hete. For godes loue, sir, so michel do me, Line 6925 Þat ȝe þer-fore blamed no be: Do me deliuer mi stede, [folio 144b:b] & lete me out at þe castel ride, & seþþen þei y slawe be No worþ ȝe nouȝt y-blamed in þe cuntre.' Line 6930

Þerl him wiþ-drouȝ wiþ þat: [C line 6623] At his hert gret sorwe sat, Þat he his sone seye ligge ded. Of him no worþ him non oþer red. 'Sone,' he seyd, 'what schal y do, Line 6935 Whenne ich þe haue þus forgo? Who schal now weld after me Mine [altered from mune.] londes, þat brod be? A man icham swiþe in eld: Dye ichil, bi godes scheld.' Line 6940 Opon þat bodi he fel anon: Reuþe þai hadden þer-of ichon, Of his gret sorwe þat he made. To his kniȝtes no þe les he sade,

'Ichot þat non so hardi be, Line 6945 Þat him mis-do to-for me, Þer-while þat he in mi court is: Þat ich hot ȝou alle, y-wis, & þat his stede be him [to underdotted after him.] bitauȝt, & out at þe gates þat he be brouȝt, Line 6950 & þat he be to-hewe flesche and bon.' Þai deliuerd his stede anon: He lepe opon him swiþe, & out at þe gat he gan driue. His scheld wiþ him þan he bar, Line 6955 His gode swerd forȝat he nouȝt þar. Out of þe castel he is y-gon, Toward Loreyne he went anon.

Þerl wiþ þat armed is: [C line 6647] Gij he drof smertliche, y-wis, Line 6960 Wiþ his kniȝtes on heye stede Redi armed to þat nede. Sir Gij his stede bi-went þo: On of her kniȝtes he smot so, Þurch his bodi þe swerd is gon. Line 6965 Anoþer he feld þer anon. Wiþ þat come þerl prikeinde Opon his stede wele bereinde Wiþ a spere an hond y-armed [The y added above the line.] wel: Gij to smite he was ful fel. Line 6970 Gij him wiþ-went, wold he nouȝt fle: [folio 145a:a] To þerl Florentin þan smot he. Heteliche togider þai smete Opon her scheldes wiþ gret hete. Þerl alder furst smot sir Gij Line 6975 Wiþ a gode spere, sikerly. Gij him smot oȝain, no miȝt he as nauȝt, Þat he haþ þe grounde y-rauȝt. [ra on an erasure.] Bi þe reynes his stede toke he: Of þerl he hadde gret pite, Line 6980

Line 6980 For his sone he hadde aqueld, And for he was a man so eld. Fiftene ȝer weren agon Þat he er in armes come. 'Sir,' seyd Gij þer anon, Line 6985 'Nim þi stede, & worþ þeron. What wonder dede þe armes bere? To ȝer more þou schust rest þe here. Her ich ȝiue þe þi stede, For þou ȝeue me þe mete at nede. Line 6990 In chaumber þou schust ligge stille, Oþer to chirche gon to bid godis wille. Þi court ichil quite-cleym þe. Ded ich wold raþer be, Ar ich wold wiþ þe ete Line 6995 At souper oþer at oþer mete.'

Gij went forþ fulleliche wiþalle: Was him þer no nedes to duelle. On ich side he seye come kniȝtes, [C line 6689] Burieys, and seriaunce redi to fiȝtes Line 7000 Wiþ alle þat crie of þat cuntre: Wiþ hem nomen no wold ben he. Him no was þer nouȝt worþ to abide: He priked his hors & gan to ride. Into a forest he gan to go. Line 7005 Oft his stede he wiþ-went þo: Mani he wounded, & mani he slouȝ Of kniȝtes þat wer gode y-nouȝ. Gij ferd forþ swiþe wiþ-alle Opon his stede, þat bar him snelle. Line 7010 Þurch þe forest swiþe he rode. Þerl him oȝein went arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward abode. Michel sorwe he made, y-pliȝt, For his sone awreke he no miȝt. His sone anon biri he dede [folio 145a:b] Line 7015 In a chirche bifore þe auter in þat stede.

Alle þat day Gij forþ rod, [C line 6707] Alle what þe sonne adoun glod: Of alle niȝt he no blan rideinge Fort amorwe in þe daweinge, Line 7020 So þat [Another þat erased it seems.] he to Loreyin com: Þe cuntres he knewe anon. [The o indistinct.] Wel [Wel Turnbull, Wil MS.] riȝt he ȝede to þat cite: Ichon [About three letters erased after Ichon.] þer fond he, Alle þe best þat weren þare: Line 7025 For him þai had [Not made.] michel care. When þai him hole & sounde y-seþ Of his coming glad hij beþ. ¶ Gij hem told þe soþe, y-wis, Hou he fram þerl aschaped is. Line 7030 Alle þai þonked god þo, Þat deliuerd him of his wo. Seþþen wold he nouȝt long duelle, [C line 6721] To his cuntre he wold snelle.

Gij of þe douke toke his leue, Line 7035 Ac he it him ȝaf wele vnneþe. Anouȝ he him bede of siluer & gold, Ac he þerof nouȝt nim nold. To þerl Tirri he ȝede þo, & þis wordes seyd him to: Line 7040 'Sir erl Tirri,' seyd Gij, 'Now ichil gon, sikerli, Vnto mi cuntre into Inglond (Þat way no may y nouȝt wiþstond), Mine fader & min frendes to se: Line 7045 Y not ȝif þai oliues be. Seuen ȝer & more agon it is Þat ich in þat cuntre was, y-wis. Ȝif it bitide ani-þing sone Þat þou haue wiþ me to don, Line 7050 Be it in pes oþer in werre, Wheþer it be ner or ferre,

Anon riȝt sende after me: Ichil come anon to þe, [So MS.] Þat ich no fot hot com to þe Line 7055 Al sone as ich þi sond y-se. Þi wer we haue ouer-com, & þou hast spoused þi loue. Destrud we haue ȝour fon, [folio 145b:a] Erls, barouns mani on. Line 7060 Þi lond we han brouȝt in pes: No bestow neuer iuel at esse. Þou art a kniȝt of miȝti dede: Of þine fon þarf þe nouȝt drede. Alle min estris of Inglond Line 7065 Sende ichil to [þe bi] mi sond, & þou schalt to me also: Alle þine wille sende me to; & ich me self wille com to þe Sone so ich mi time may se.' Line 7070

'Felawe,' quaþ Tirri, 'gramerci. [C line 6755] Iuel biladde now am y. Oft fram deþ þou hast me scheld, & neuere no haddestow for me ȝeld. Ȝif þou wilt fro me go, Line 7075 Þou me sext neuer mo. Al-so [Something erased between al and so.] sone so it wite our fon, Þat þou art fro me gon, On ich side ous schal arise werre Of Almeyns, Lombardes neye & ferre, Line 7080 Þat ben Otus kinsmen; For he was come of gret ken. Þe king of Speyne his em is, His soster haþ wedded þe douke Moralis. Doukes, erls of gret pouste Line 7085 His deþ wille [wille added at the end of the line.] þai wite me. In wer & wo schal y be Þer-while þe liue is in me.

& ȝif we were togider baye, Of wer no þurt ous stond no aye. Line 7090 And ȝif þou here wiþ me bileue wold, Anouȝ we haue of siluer & of gold, God cites and castels strong, Þe feirest and þe best of þis lond. Wiþ douke Loer ichil be, Line 7095 & alle Gormoise ichil ȝiue þe Wiþ alle þe worþschip þat liþe þer-to & ȝete an oþ [anoþer instead of an oþ MS.] ichil þe do Þat neuere [& instead of þat neuere MS.] þe worþ of a [a omitted in MS.] pani [Paui Turnbull.] Ichil þer-of chalangij.' Line 7100

'Sir erl,' quaþ Gij, 'þer-of speke nouȝt: [C line 6781] Al idel þou hast me þer-of bisouȝt. Gret wille ich haue to þat waye: [folio 145b:b] Y no lete it nouȝt, þer-fore to daye. No were it for þe loue of mi leman, Line 7105 Nold ich neuer wende þe fram, Ac wiþ þe euer duelle ich wolde, Þat neuer departi we ne scholde. Gon ich mot, wille y so nille, O-þink þe nouȝt, y may nouȝt duelle.' [deulle origin|ally, but the e underdotted, and another added above the line.] Line 7110 Togider þai kisten hem þo, At her departing þai wepen bo: Boþe þai wepen bitterliche, Þat folk hadde þerof pite miche. Alle þe men þat þer were Line 7115 Was for hem sori þere At the departing of to feren: [ferren MS.] Wel gode kniȝtes boþe þai weren. Gij lepe on a mule ambling, [C line 6795] Bi þe way he rideþ sorweing. Line 7120 Tirri bileft sorwe makeing, & Gij his felawe bimeninge. So miche sorwe he made day & niȝt, No man miȝt tellen it, y ȝou pliȝt. [This line was omitted, but after|wards added after 1. 7142 with a reference to its place.]

Sir Gij no lan neuer rideing, Line 7125 Til he com to þe se, wiþ-outen lesing. Gode winde he haþ, & passeþ sone, & come in-to Inglond mididone. Now forþ to Warwik he is y-go, King Aþelston þer he fond þo; Line 7130 & when he was to Warwike com, Wiþ ioie þai him vnder-fenge alle & some. Þe king toȝeines him is y-go Wiþ kniȝtes & burieys also, For he him herd preyse so miche: Line 7135 Þe king him loued, sikerliche, And wiþ him [Added above the line.] soiournd sir Gij þe fre. On a day at þe ches pleyden he: [C line 6813] Wiþ þat come þer þre men rideinde, Of þe cuntre fre men heldinde: Line 7140 To þe king þai seyd, 'sir, vnder-stond: Hard tidinges we bring þe an hond. Bot ȝe sone take ȝeme þer-to, Alle ȝour lond ȝe schul forgo. Þer is comen opon þi lond Line 7145 A best þat bringeþ it al to schond. Out of Irlond it come: [folio 146a:a] To miche harm [A letter erased after harm.] it haþ y-don. It no leueþ man no wiman non, Þat it no sleþ hem [Added above the line.] ichon Line 7150 Bot sum þat aschaped beþ Þurch chaunce and to þe cites. It freteþ men & bestes also; Riȝt for soþe y telle þe to, Neuer nas best no so kene. Line 7155 Gret heued it haþ & gastelich to sene: His nek is greter þan a bole, His bodi is swarter þan ani cole. It is michel, & long, & griseliche, Fram þe nouel vpward vnschepliche. Line 7160

Line 7160 Þe smallest scale þat on him is No wepen no may atame, y-wis. As a somer it is brested bifore in þe brede & swifter ernend þan ani stede. He haþ clawes also a lyoun. Line 7165 Men seyþ þat it is a dragoun. Gret wenges he haþ wiþ to fle. His schaft to telle alle ne mow we. Þe bodi is gret toward þe teyle. Swiche a best nas neuer, saunfeyle. Line 7170 Þe teyle is gret & wel long: In þe warld nis man so strong, & were y-armed neuer so, & he wiþ þe teyle smot him to, Þat he no worþ ded anon: Line 7175 No schuld he neuer ride no gon.' [The abbreviation for the n not quite distinct.]

When þe king haþ y-herd þis [C line 6841] Þat þe men him teld, y-wis, An gode while he him bi-þouȝt, Er þan þat he speke mouȝt. Line 7180 'Sir,' quaþ Gij, 'no care þou nouȝt: Þer-of no haue þou no þouȝt. Into Norþ-humberlond ichil wende, & ȝif ich þat best may fende, Ich him schal ouercome þurch godes miȝt; Line 7185 For wiþ him ichil hold fiȝt.' ¶ 'Gij,' quaþ þe king, 'schaltow nouȝt so. No wille ich þat þou al-on go. An hundred kniȝtes schul wende wiþ þe, Þat þou may þe sikerer be.' Line 7190 Gij answerd anon riȝt, [folio 146a:b] 'Nold neuer god ful of miȝt Þat for a best onlepi Schuld so miche folk traueli.' At þe king his leue he nam, Line 7195 And hom to his in he cam.

His felawes he lete þer ichon: Wiþ him most go neuer on Bot Herhaud, þat was gode at nede, & oþer to kniȝtes y-armed on stede. Line 7200

So þai come þider on a day, [C line 6867] & spired where þat best lay, Gij armed him wel richeliche, & seyd to his felawes hastiliche Þat so hardi þer be non Line 7205 O fot wiþ him for to gon. Now is Gij to a launde y-go Wher þe dragoun duelled þo. Þo Gij him seye so griseli, Of him no was he nouȝt al trusti. Line 7210 Wiþ þe spere he him smot smertliche, Þat was kerueand scharpeliche, Þat alto schiueres [schiuereÞ MS.] it to-fleye; [fleyÞe originally, but the Þ struck out.] Ac þe bodi com it nouȝt neye. Þo he had smiten þat best so, [Þ erased before so.] Line 7215 Wel heye he bar his heued þo, Wiþ-went him, & lepe him to: Him & his [A letter (d?) erased after his.] stede he feld bo. Gij of þat strok astounded is: Neuer hadde he non swiche, y-wis. Line 7220 Up he stirt anon riȝt: 'God,' he seyd, 'fader almiȝt, [C line 6888] Þat made þe day & niȝt also, & for ous sinful þoldest wo, & heldest Daniel fram þe lyoun, Line 7225 Saue me fram þis foule dragoun.' His swerd he drouȝ anon riȝt: To him he lepe wiþ gret miȝt, & smot him in þe heued schod A wel gret strok wiþ-outen abod; Line 7230 Ac no-þing sen þan was his dent: Gij him held þan al schent,

Þat he no miȝt him deri nouȝt Wiþ no wepen of stiel y-wrouȝt. Bitvene hem was strong bateyle: [folio 146b:a] Line 7235 Aiþer gan oþer for to aseyle. At asaut wiþ Gyes partinge Þat wers he hadde at þat wendinge, Þe best him [went struck out after him.] neyed, & smot him Wiþ his vp-coming so fel & grim, Line 7240 Þat he a lappe rent out [The t added above the line.] anon Of his brini, þat alle his trust was on.

Now haþ Gij michel to done: [C line 6915] To a tre he went him sone; Þer he wille bateyle abide Line 7245 Of þat best, what schaunce so bitide. Þat best bisides him it went, & wiþ his [stroke struck out after his.] teyle a strok him sent: On þe scheld he smot him an heye, Þat euen ato [The a added above the line.] it to-fleye, Line 7250 Al-so it were wiþ a swerd broun. Well neye Gij him fel adoun. Wiþ his taile he bigirt sir Gij, & him þrest so strongli, Þat þre ribbes he brac atvo; Line 7255 & Gij wiþ strengþe smot him þo: Atvo he him karf smartliche, & deliuerd him seluen manliche. Bi þe nauel he carf him ato, & wiþ a gret pine deliuerd him fro. Line 7260 Gij him perceyued in þat stounde Þat neuer more þurch wepen y-grounde Þat [To be omitted?] fram þe nauel vp-ward so No slouȝ him man neuer mo. Þo þat best hirt him feled, [The second e underdotted.] Line 7265 Swiþe loude he grad & ȝeled, Þat alle þat cuntre dined þere, & als wide as men herd his bere,

Nis man in þe werld þat wer þer neye Þat him no miȝt agrise þat it seye. Line 7270 To a tre þan drouȝt him sir Gij, & werd him wele for þe maistri. [The first i added above the line.] His hauberk was to-rent tofore As a clout þat were al to-tore. Stalworþli sir Gij þer fauȝt, Line 7275 Ac wele he seye it gained him nauȝt To smite on the bodi bifore: He no miȝt him sle no no man bore. Also þat best him went aboute, [folio 146b:b] Gij him biþouȝt he was in doute: Line 7280 Bineþen [þ erased between bi and neþen.] þe wenge he him smot: Þurch þat bodi þat swerd bot. Þurch þe bodi he him [smot struck out after him.] carf atvo: Ded he fel to grounde þo. He grad & ȝelled swiþe loude, Line 7285 Þat it schilled into þe cloude. Gij wiþ-drouȝ him þer-fro anon: For stink þat of þe bodi come Neye þat bodi he no durste. After þat he ȝede him to reste. [C line 6953] Line 7290 When þat best þer ded lay, For soþe y ȝou telle may, Þritti fote meten it was Þer it lay in þat plas. Þe folk of þe cuntre it mette Line 7295 Þer it lay wonderliche grete. Þat heued he bar þe bodi fro, And wiþ þat Gij forþ went þo. He come to his feren, apliȝt, Þat for him bad to god almiȝt. Line 7300 To Warwike he is y-went, Wiþ þat heued he made þe king present. Þe king was bliþe & of glad chere For þat he seye Gij hole & fere.

At Warwik þai henge þe heued anon: Line 7305 Mani [Written twice, but erased the second time.] man wondred þer-apon.

God graunt hem heuen blis to mede Þat herken to mi romaunce rede Al of a gentil kniȝt: Þe best bodi he was at nede Þat euer miȝt bistriden stede, Line 5 & freest founde in fiȝt. Þe word of him ful wide it ran, Ouer al þis warld þe priis he wan As man most of miȝt. Balder bern was non in bi: Line 10 His name was hoten sir Gij Of Warwike, wise & wiȝt.

¶ Wiȝt he was, for soþe to say, & holden for priis in eueri play As kniȝt of gret bounde. Out of þis lond he went his way Þurch mani diuers cuntray, [folio 147a:a] Line 5 Þat was biȝond þe see. Seþþen he com into Inglond, & Aþelston þe king he fond, Þat was boþe hende & fre. For his loue, ich vnder-stond, Line 10 He slouȝ a dragoun in Norþhumberlond, Ful fer in þe norþ cuntre.

¶ He & Herhaud, for soþe to say, [C line 6967] To Wallingforþ toke þe way, Þat was his faders toun. Þan was his fader, soþe to say, Ded & birid in þe clay: Line 5 His air was sir Gioun.

. . . . . Alle þat held of him lond or fe Deden him omage & feute, & com to his somoun. Line 10 He tok alle his faders lond, & ȝaf it hende Herhaud in hond Riȝt to his warisoun.

¶ & alle þat hadde in his seruise be He ȝaf hem gold & riche fe Ful hendeliche on honde, And seþþen he went wiþ his meyne To þerl Rohaud, þat was so fre: Line 5 At Warwike he him fond. Alle þan were þai glad & bliþe, & þonked god a þousand siþe Þat Gij was comen to lond. Seþe on hunting þai gun ride Line 10 Wiþ kniȝtes fele & miche pride As ȝe may vnderstond.

¶ On a day sir Gij gan fond, [C line 6991] & feir Felice he tok bi hond, & seyd to þat bird so bliþe: 'Ichaue,' he seyd, 'þurch godes sond Won þe priis in mani lond Line 5 Of kniȝtes strong & stiþe, & me is boden gret anour, Kinges douhter & emperour To haue to mi wiue. Ac, swete Felice,' he seyd þan, Line 10 'Y no schal neuer spouse wiman Whiles þou art oliue.'

¶ Þan answerd þat swete wiȝt, [folio 147a:b] & seyd oȝain to him ful riȝt: 'Bi him þat schope mankinne,

Icham desired day & niȝt Of erl, baroun, & mani a kniȝt. Line 5 For noþing wil þai blinne. Ac Gij,' sche seyd, 'hende & fre, Al mi loue is layd on þe: Our loue schal [The h is incom|plete.] neuer tvinne, & bot ich haue þe to make Line 10 Oþer lord nil y non take, For al þis warld to winne.'

¶ Anon to hir þan answerd Gij, To fair Felice, þat sat him bi, Þat semly was of siȝt: 'Leman,' he seyd, 'gramerci!' Wiþ ioie & wiþ melodi Line 5 He kist þat swete wiȝt. Þan was he boþe glad & bliþe: His ioie couþe he noman kiþe For þat bird so briȝt. He no was neuer þer-biforn Line 10 Half so bliþe seþe he was born For nouȝt þat man him hiȝt.

¶ On a day þerl gan fond, [C line 7011] & fair Felice he tok bi hond, & hir moder biside: 'Douhter,' he seyd, 'now vnder-stond; Why wiltow haue non husbond Line 5 Þat miȝt þe spouse wiþ pride? Þou has ben desired of mani man, & ȝete no wostow neuer nan For nouȝt þat miȝt bitide. Leue douhter hende and fre, [hende and fre on an erasure.] Line 10 Telle me now, par charite, What man þou wilt abide.'

¶ Felice answerd oȝain: 'Fader,' quaþ hye, 'ichil þe sain Wiþ wordes fre & hende. Fader,' quaþ sche, 'ichil ful fayn Tel þe at wordes tvain, Line 5 Bi him þat schop mankende, Opon sir Gij, þat gentil kniȝt, Y-wis, mi loue is alle aliȝt, In warld where þat he wende; & bot he spouse me, at o word, [folio 147b:a] Line 10 Y no kepe neuer take lo[r]d Day arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward ende.'

¶ Þan seyd þerl wiþ wordes fre, 'Douhter, y-blisced mot þou be Of godes mouþe to mede. Ich hadde wele leuer þan al mi fe Wiþ þan he wald spousy þe, Line 5 Þat douhti man of dede. He haþ ben desired of mani woman, & he haþ forsaken hem euerilcan, Þat worþly were in wede. Ac naþeles ichil to him fare, Line 10 For to witen of his answare, Þat douhti man of dede.'

¶ On a day, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesing, [C line 7047] Þerl him rode on dere hunting, & sir Gij þe conquerour. Als þai riden on her talking Þai speken togider of mani þing, Line 5 Of leuedis briȝt in bour. Þerl seyd to sir Gij hende & fre, 'Tel me þe soþe, par charite, Y pray þe par amoure:

Hastow ment euer in þi liue Line 10 Spouse ani wiman to wiue Þat falleþ to þine anour?'

¶ Sir Gij answerd & seyd þan, 'Bi him,' he seyd, 'þat þis warld wan, To sauen al man-kende, Bi nouȝt þat y tel can Y nil neuer spouse wiman Line 5 Saue on is fre & hende.' 'Sir,' quaþ þerl, 'listen nov to me: Y haue a douhter briȝt on ble; Y pray þe, leue frende, To wiue wiltow hir vnderstond? Line 10 Y schal þe sese in al mi lond, To hold wiþ-outen ende.'

¶ 'Gramerci!' seyd Gij anon; 'So help me Crist & seyn Ion, And y schuld spouse a [a is a later insertion in the same hand.] wiue Ich hadde leuer hir bodi alon Than winnen al þis warldes won Line 5 Wiþ ani woman oliue.' [folio 147b:b] Þan seyd þerl, 'gramerci!' & in his armes he kist sir Gij, & þonked him mani a siþe. 'Sir Gij,' he seyd, 'þou art mi frende: Line 10 Now þou wilt spouse mi dohter hende Was y neuer are so bliþe.

¶ Ac certes,' seyd þerl so fre, 'Sir Gij, ȝif þou wilt trowe me No lenger þou no schalt abide: Now for fourteniȝt it schal be Þe bridal hold wiþ gamen & gle Line 5 At Warwike in þat tyde.'

Þan was sir Gij glad & bliþe: His joie couþe he no man kiþe. To his ostel he gan ride. & þo Gij com hom to his frende, Line 10 He schuld spouse his douhter hende He teld Herhaud þat tide.

¶ Þerl Rouhaud as swiþe dede sende [C line 7091] After lordinges fer & hende Þat pris wel told in tour. When þe time was comen to þende To chirche wel feir gun þai wende Line 5 Wiþ mirþe & michel anour. Miche semly folk was gadred þare Of erls, barouns lasse & mare, & leuedis briȝt in bour. Þan spoused sir Gij þat day Line 10 Fair Felice, þat miri may, Wiþ ioie & gre[t] vigour.

¶ When he hadde spoused þat swete wiȝt Þe fest lasted a fourtenniȝt, Þat frely folk in fere Wiþ erl, baroun, & mani a kniȝt, And mani a leuedy fair & briȝt, Line 5 Þe best in lond þat were. Þer wer ȝiftes for þe nones, Gold, & siluer, & precious stones, & druries riche & dere. Þer was mirþe & melody, Line 10 And al maner menstracie As ȝe may forþeward here.

¶ Þer was trumpes & tabour, Fiþel, croude, & harpour, [folio 148a:a] Her craftes for to kiþe,

Organisters & gode stiuours, Minstrels of mouþe, & mani dysour, Line 5 To glade þo bernes bliþe. Þer nis no tong may telle in tale Þe ioie þat was at þat bridale Wiþ menske & mirþe to miþe; For þer was al maner of gle Line 10 Þat hert miȝt þinke oþer eyȝe [A faint dot over the second e, which seems to be casual, but was taken by Turn|bull for the ab|breviation for n.] se As ȝe may list & liþe.

¶ Herls, barouns hende & fre, Þat þer war gadred of mani cuntre, Þat worþliche were in wede, Þai ȝouen glewemen for her gle Robes riche, gold, & fe: Line 5 Her ȝiftes were nouȝt gnede. On þe fiften day ful ȝare [C line 7107] Þai toke her leue for to fare, & þonked hem her gode dede. Þan hadde Gij, þat gentil kniȝt, Line 10 Feliis to his wil day & niȝt In gest al-so we rede.

¶ When Gij hadde spoused þat hendy flour, Fair Feliis, so briȝt in bour, Þat was him leue & dere, Y-wis, in Warwike in þat tour Fiften days wiþ honour Line 5 Wiþ ioie togider þai were. So it bifel þat first niȝt Þat he neyȝed þat swete wiȝt A child þai geten y-fere, & seþþen wiþ sorwe & sikeing sare Line 10 Her ioie turned hem into care As ye may forward here.

¶ Þan was sir Gij of gret renoun & holden lord of mani a toun As prince proude in pride; Þat erl Rohaut & sir Gyoun, In fretþe to fel þe dere adoun, Line 5 On hunting þai gun ride. It bi-fel opon a somers day [C line 7119] Þat sir Gij at Warwike lay (In herd is nouȝt to hide); At niȝt, in tale as it is told, [folio 148a:b] Line 10 To bedde went þe bernes bold Bi time, to rest þat tide.

¶ To a turet sir Gij is went, & biheld þat firmament, Þat thicke wiþ steres stode. On Iesu omnipotent, Þat alle his honour hadde him lent, Line 5 He þouȝt wiþ dreri mode; Hou he hadde euer ben strong werrour, For Iesu loue, our saueour, Neuer no dede he gode. Mani man he hadde slayn wiþ wrong. Line 10 'Allas, allas!' it was his song: For sorwe he ȝede ner wode.

¶ 'Allas,' he seyd, 'þat y was born: Bodi & soule icham forlorn. Of blis icham al bare. For neuer in al mi liif biforn For him þat bar þe croun of þorn Line 5 Gode dede dede y nare; Bot wer & wo ichaue wrouȝt, [don wrouȝt, MS.] & mani a man to grounde y-brouȝt: Þat rewes me ful sare.

To bote min sinnes ichil wende Line 10 Barfot to mi liues ende, To bid mi mete wiþ care.'

¶ As Gij stode þus in tour alon In hert him was ful wo bigon: 'Allas!' it was his song. Þan com Feliis sone anon, [C line 7151] & herd him make rewely mon Line 5 Wiþ sorwe & care among. 'Leman,' sche seyd, 'what is þi þouȝt? Whi artow þus in sorwe brouȝt? Meþenke þi pain wel strong. [The r added above the line.] Hastow ouȝt herd of me bot gode, Line 10 Þat þou makes þus dreri mode? Y-wis, þou hast gret wrong.'

¶ 'Leman,' seyd Gij oȝain, 'Ichil þe telle þe soþe ful fain Whi icham brouȝt to grounde. Seþþen y þe seyȝe first wiþ ayn ("Allas þe while," y may sayn) Line 5 Þi loue me haþ so y-bounde, [folio 148b:a] Þat neuer seþþen no dede y gode, Bot in wer schadde mannes blode Wiþ mani a griseli wounde. Now may me rewe al mi liue. Line 10 That euer was y born o wiue, Wayle-way þat stounde!

¶ Ac ȝif ich hadde don half þe dede For him þat on rode gan blede Wiþ grimly woundes sare, In heuene he wald haue quit mi mede, In joie to won wiþ angels wede Line 5 Euer-more wiþ-outen care.

Ac for þi loue ich haue al wrouȝt: For his loue dede y neuer nouȝt. Iesu amende mi fare! Þerfore ich wot þat icham lorn: Line 10 Allas þe time þat y was born! Of blis icham al bare.

¶ Bot god is curteys & hende, & so dere he haþ bouȝt mankende, For noþing wil hem lete. For his loue ichil now wende Barfot to mi liues ende, Line 5 Mine sinnes for to bete, Þat whore so y lye aniȝt Y schal neuer be seyn wiþ siȝt Bi way no bi strete. Of alle þe dedes y may do wel Line 10 God graunt þe, lef, þat haluendel And Marie, his moder swete.'

¶ Þan stode þat hende leuedi stille, [C line 7185] & in hir hert hir liked ille, & gan to wepe anon. 'Leman,' sche seyd, 'what is þi wille? Y-wis, þi speche wil me spille: Line 5 Y not what y may don. Y wot þou hast in sum cuntre Spoused anoþer woman þan me, Þat þou wilt to hir gon. & now þou wilt fro me fare, Line 10 Allas, allas, now comeþ mi care: For sorwe ichil me slon.

¶ For wer & wo þatow hast wrouȝt, God þat al mankende haþ bouȝt [folio 148b:b] So curteys he is & hende,

Schriue þe wele in word & þouȝt, & þan þe þarf dout riȝt nouȝt Line 5 Oȝaines þe foule fende. Chirches & abbays þou miȝt make Þat schal pray for þi sake To him þat schope mankende: Hastow no nede to go me fro, Line 10 Saue þou miȝt þi soule fram wo In joie arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward ende.'

¶ 'Leue leman,' þan seyd sir Gij, 'Lete ben alle þis reweful cri: It is nouȝt worþ þi tale. For mani a bern & kniȝt hardi Ich haue y-sleyn, sikerly, Line 5 & strued cites fale, & for ich haue destrued mankin Y schal walk for mi sinne Barfot bi doun & dale. Þat ich haue wiþ mi bodi wrouȝt Line 10 Wiþ mi bodi it schal be bouȝt, To bote me of þat bale.

¶ Leman,' he seyd, 'par charite, Astow art boþe hende & fre, O þing y þe pray: Loke þou make no sorwe for me, Bot hold þe stille astow may be Line 5 Til to-morwe at day. Gret wele þi fader, þat is so hende, & þi moder, & al þi frende Bi sond as y þe say. Grete wele Herhaud, y þe biseche. Line 10 Leman, god y þe biteche: Y wil fare forþ in mi way.

¶ Leman, y warn þe biforn, Wiþ a knaue child þou art y-corn, Þat douhti beþ of dede. For him þat bar þe croun of þorn Þerfore as sone as it is born Line 5 Pray Herhaud wiȝt in wede He teche mi sone as he wele can Al þe þewes of gentil man, & helpe him at his nede; For he is boþe gode & hende, [folio 149a:a] Line 10 & euer he haþ ben trewe & kende: God quite him his mede!

¶ Leman,' he seyd, 'haue here mi brond, & take mi sone it in his hond, Astow art hende & fre! He may þer-wiþ, ich vnder-stond, Winne þe priis in eueri lond; Line 5 For better may non be. Leman,' he seyd, 'haue now gode day: Ichil fare forþ in mi way, & wende in mi jurne.' Þai kist hem in armes tvo, Line 10 & boþe þai fel aswon þo. Gret diol it was to se.

¶ Gret sorwe þai made at her parting, & kist hem wiþ eyȝen wepeing: Bi þe hond sche gan him reche. 'Leman,' sche seyd, 'haue here þis ring, For Iesus loue heuen-king Line 5 A word y þe biseche: When þou ert in fer cuntre Loke heron, & þenk on me, & god y þe biteche.'

Wiþ þat word he went hir fro Line 10 Wepeand wiþ eyȝen to arrow_back Wiþouten arrow_forward more speche.

Now is Gij fram Warwike fare, [C line 7267] Vnto þe se he went ful ȝare, & passed ouer þe flod. Þe leuedy bileft at hom in care Wiþ sorwe, & wo, & sikeing sare: [fare MS.] Line 5 Wel drery was hir mode. 'Allas, allas!' it was hir song: Hir here sche drouȝ, hir hond sche wrong, Hir fingres brast o blode. Al þat niȝt til it was day Line 10 Hir song it was 'wayleway': For sorwe sche ȝede ner wode.

¶ Hir lordes swerd sche drouȝ biforn, [Read bifore: sore?] & þouȝt haue slain hirself for sorn [Read bifore: sore?] arrow_back Wiþouten arrow_forward more delay. To sle hirseluen, er þe child wer born, Sche þouȝt hir soule it wer forlorn [The r added above the line.] Line 5 Euermore at domesday, [folio 149a:b] & þat hir fader, hir frendes ichon Schuld seyn hir lord it hadde y-don, And were so fled oway. Þerfore sche dede his swerd oȝain, Line 10 Elles for sorwe sche hadde hir slain, In gest as y ȝou say.

¶ Arliche amorwe when it was day To chaumber, þer hir fader lay, Sche com wringand hir hond. 'Fader,' sche seyd, 'ichil þe say Mi lord is went fro me his way, Line 5 In pilgrimage to fond. He will passe ouer þe se, Schal he neuer com to me Oȝain into Inglond.' For sorwe þat sche hadde þat stounde Line 10 Aswon sche fel adoun to grounde: O fot no miȝt sche stonde.

¶ 'Douhter,' seyd hir fader, 'lat be. Y trowe nouȝt þat sir Gij þe fre Is þus fram þe fare. Y-wis, he nis nouȝt passed þe se: He ne doþ nouȝt bot for to fond þe, Line 5 Hou trewe of hert þou ware.' 'Nay, sir,' sche seyd, 'so god me spede, He is walked in pouer wede, To beggen his mete wiþ care. & þer-fore now singen y may, Line 10 "Allas þe time & wayleway Þat mi moder me bare." '

¶ Þerl ros vp with sikeing sare, For sir Gij was fram him fare: In hert him was ful wo, & alle his frendes lesse & mare For sir Gij þai hadde gret care, Line 5 For he was went hem fro.

Þai souȝt him þan al about Wiþin þe cite & wiþout, Þer he was won to go. & when þai founde him nouȝt þat day Line 10 Þere was mani a wayleway, Wrin-gand her hondes tvo.

¶ And when Gij was fram hem gon [C line 7335] Herhaud, & his frendes ichon, [folio 149b:a] & oþer barouns him by To þerl Rohaut þai seyden anon, 'Þe best rede þat we can don, Line 5 Smertliche & hastily Messangers we schul now sende Ouer alle þis lond fer & hende, To seche mi lord sir Gij. & ȝif he be nouȝt in þis lond Line 10 He is in Loreyn, ich vnderstond, Wiþ his broþer Tirry.'

¶ Menssangers anon þai sende Ouer al þis lond fer & hende Fram Londen in-to Louþe, Ouer al biȝonde Humber & Trent, & est & west þurch-out al Kent Line 5 To þe hauen of Portesmouthe. Þai souȝt him ouer al vp & doun, Ouer alle þe lond in euerich toun Bi costes þat wer couþe, & seþþen to Warwike þai gan wende, Line 10 & seyd þai miȝt him no-whar fende Bi norþ no bi souþe.

¶ Herhaud was wele vnder-stond [C line 7355] Þat Gij was fer in vncouþe lond. Ful hende he was & fre:

Palmers wede he tok on hond, To seche his lord he wald fond Line 5 Vnto þe Grekis see. To þerl Rohaut he seyd anon To seche his lord he most gon Þurch alle Christiante. When þerl seye him þus y-diȝt, Line 10 'Þou art,' he seyd, 'a trewe kniȝt: Y-blisced mot þou be.'

¶ Þo went Herhaud so trewe in tale To seche his lord in londes fale: For noþing he nold abide. He ȝede ouer alle bi doun & dale To eueri court & kinges sale Line 5 Bi mani a lond side, Þurch Normondye [The r added above the line.] and alle Speyne, Into Fraunce & þurch Breteyne: He ȝede boþe fer & wide Þurch Lorain & þurch Lombardye, [folio 149b:b] Line 10 & neuer no herd he telle of Gij For nouȝt þat miȝt bitide.

¶ When Herhaud had souȝt him fer and hende, & he no miȝt him no-whar fende, Noiþer bi se no sond, Into Inglond he gan wende, & þerl Rohaut & al his frende Line 5 At Warwike he hem fond,

& teld he hadde his lord souȝt, & þat he no miȝt finde him nouȝt In non skinnes lond. Mani a moder child þat day Line 10 Wepe & gan say, 'waileway,' [MS. waileway rather than walleway.] Wel sore wringand her hond.

Now herken, & ȝe may here [C line 7391] In gest, ȝif ȝe wil listen & lere, Hou Gij as pilgrim ȝede. He welke about wiþ glad chere Þurch mani londes fer & nere, Line 5 Þer god him wald spede. First he went to Jerusalem, & seþþen he went to Bedlem Þurch mani an vncouþe þede. Ȝete he biþouȝt him seþþen þo Line 10 For to sechen halwen mo, To winne him heuen mede.

¶ Þo he went his pilgrimage Toward þe court of Antiage, Bi þis half þat cite He mett a man of fair parage: Y-comen he was of heyȝe linage, Line 5 & of kin fair & fre. Michel he was of bodi y-piȝt, A man he semed of michel miȝt & of gret bounte, Wiþ white-hore heued & berd y-blowe, Line 10 As white as ani driuen snowe: Gret sorwe þan made he.

¶ So gret sorwe þer he made, Sir Gij of him rewþe hade. He gan to wepe so sare,

His cloþ he rent, his here to-tore, [to torn MS.] & curssed þe time þat he was bore: [born MS.] Line 5 Wel diolful was his fare. [folio 150a:a] More sorwe made neuer man. Gij stode & loked on him þan, & hadde of him gret care. He seyd, 'allas & walewo! Line 10 Al mi joie it is ago. Of blis icham al bare.'

¶ 'Gode man, what artow,' seyd Gij, 'Þat makest þus þis reweful cri & þus sorweful mone? Meþenke, for þe icham sori, For þat þine hert is þus drery, Line 5 Þi ioie is fro þe gon. Telle me þe soþe, y pray þe For godes loue in trinite, Þat þis world haþ in won; For Iesu is of so michel miȝt, Line 10 He may make þine hert liȝt, & þou no[s]t neuer hou son.'

¶ 'Gode man,' seyd þe pilgrim, 'Þou hast me frained bi god þin To telle þe of mi fare, And alle þe soþ wiþ-outen les Ichil þe telle, hou it wes, Line 5 Of blis hou icham bare. So michel sorwe is on me steke, Þat min hert it wil to-breke Wiþ sorwe & sikeing sare. Forlorn ich haue al mi blis: Line 10 Y no schal neuer haue joie, y-wis. In erþe y wald y ware.

¶ A man y was of state sum stounde, [C line 7429] & holden a lord of gret mounde, & erl of al Durras. Fair sones ich hadde fiftene, & alle were kniȝtes stout & kene. Line 5 Men cleped me þerl Ionas. Y trowe in þis warld is man non, Y-wis, þat is so wo-bi-gon, Seþþen þe world made was; For alle min sones ich haue forlorn: Line 10 Better berns were non born. Þerfore y sing, "allas!"

¶ For bliþe worþ y neuer more: Alle mi sones ich haue forlore [folio 150a:b] Þurch a batayl vnride, Þurch Sarrazins þat fel wore: To Ierusalem þai com ful ȝore Line 5 To rob & reue wiþ pride, & we toke our ost anon, Oȝaines hem we gun gon, Bateyl of hem to abide. Þe acountre of hem was so strong, Line 10 Þat mani dyed þer-among, Or we wald rest þat tide.

¶ Þurch mi fiftene sone [som MS.] Were þe geauntes ouer-come, & driuen doun to grounde. Fiftene amirals þer wer nome: Þe king gan fle wiþ alle his trome Line 5 For drede of ous þat stounde. Ich & mi sones, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesing, Out of þat lond we driuen þe king, And his men ȝaf dedli wounde.

Þe king him hiȝt Triamour: Line 10 A lord he was of gret honour, & man of michel mounde.

¶ Þan dede we wel-gret foly: We suwed him wiþ maistrie Into his owhen lond. Into Alisaundre þai fleye owy: Þe cuntre ros vp wiþ a cri, Line 5 To help her king anhond. In a brom feld þer wer hidde Þre hundred Sarrazins wele y-schridde Wiþ helme & grimly brond. Out of þat brom þai lepen anon, Line 10 & bilapped ous euer-ichon, & drof ous alle to schond.

¶ Þai hewen at ous wiþ michel hete, & we leyd on hem dintes grete, & slouwen of her ferred. & ar þat we were alle y-nome Mani of hem were ouercome, Line 5 Ded wounded vnder wede. Þai were to mani & we to fewe: Al our armour þai to-hewe, & stiked vnder ous our stede. Ȝete we fouȝten afot long, [folio 150b:a] Line 10 Til swerdes brosten þat were strong, & þan ȝeld we ous for nede.

¶ To þe king we ȝolden ous al & some Þat we miȝt to raunsom come, To saue our liues ichon. Into Alisaunder he ladde ous þo, & into his prisoun dede ous do, Line 5 Was maked of lime & ston.

Litel was our drink & lasse our mete, For hunger we wende our liues lete: Wel wo was ous bigon. So were we þer alle þat ȝer Line 10 Wiþ michel sorwe boþe [Read alle?] y-fere, Þat socour com ous non.

¶ So it bifel þat riche Soudan [C line 7487] Made a fest of mani a man, Of þritti kinges bi tale. King Triamour com to court þo, & Fabour, his sone, dede also, Line 5 Wiþ kniȝtes mani & fale. Þe þridde day of þat fest, Þat was so riche & so honest, So derlich diȝt in sale— After þat fest, þat riche was, Line 10 Þer bifel a wonder cas, Wher-þurch ros michel bale.

¶ Þat riche Soudan hadde a sone Þat was y-hold a doughti gome: Sadok was his name. Þe kinges sone Fabour he cleped him to: Into his chaumber þai gun go, Line 5 Þo knightes boþe y-same. Sadok gan to Fabour sayn Ȝif he wald ate ches playn, & held oȝain him game; & he answerd in gode maner Line 10 He wald play wiþ him y-fere, Wiþ-outen ani blame.

¶ Ate ches þai sett hem to playn, Þo hendy kniȝtes boþe tvayn, Þat egre were of siȝt: [Read fiȝt?]

Er þai hadde don half a game, Wiþ strong wretþe þai gan to grame, Line 5 Þo gomes michel of miȝt. [folio 150b:b] Þurch a chek Fabour seyd, for soþ, Sadok in hert wex wroþ, & missayd him anon riȝt, & clep[e]d him 'fiz a putayn,' Line 10 & smot him wiþ miȝt and main, Wher-þurch ros michel fiȝt.

¶ Wiþ a roke he brac his heued þan, Þat þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward biforn out span In þat ich place. 'Sadok,' seyd þan Fabour, 'Þou dost me gret deshonour Line 5 Þat þou me manace. Nar þou mi lordes sone were, Þou schuldest dye riȝt now here: Schustow neuer hennes passe.' Sadok stirt vp to Fabour, Line 10 & cleped him anon 'vile traitour,' & smot him in the face.

¶ Wiþ his fest he smot him þore, Þat Fabour was agreued sore, & stirt vp in þat stounde. Þe cheker he hent vp fot hot, And Sadok in þe heued he smot, Line 5 Þat he fel ded to grounde. His fader sone he haþ y-teld Þat he haþ the Soudan sone aqueld, & ȝouen him deþes wounde.

On hors þai lopen þan biliue, Line 10 Out of þe lond þai gun driue For ferd þai were y-founde.

¶ When it was þe Soudan teld, [C line 7551] Þat his sone was aqueld, & brouȝt of his liif dawe, On al maner he him biþouȝt Hou þat he him wreke mouȝt Line 5 Þurch iugement of lawe. After þe king he sent an heyȝe, To defende him of þat felonie, Þat he his sone haþ y-slawe; & bot he wald com anon Line 10 Wiþ strengþe he schuld on him gon, Wiþ wilde hors don him drawe.

¶ King Triamour com to court þo, & Fabour, his sone, dede also, [folio 151a:a] To þe Soudans parlement. When þai bi-forn him comen beþ Þai were adouted of her deþ: Line 5 Her liues þai wende haue spent; For þe Soudan cleped hem fot hot, & his sones deþ hem atwot, & seyd þai were alle schent.

Bot þai hem þerof were miȝt Line 10 In strong perile he schuld hem diȝt And to her iugement.

¶ Þan dede he com forþ a Sarrazine, Haue he Cristes curs & mine Wiþ boke & eke wiþ belle. Out of Egypt he was y-come, Michel & griselich was þat gome Line 5 Wiþ ani god man to duelle. He is so michel & vnrede, Of his siȝt a man may drede, Wiþ tong as y þe telle. As blac he is as brodes brend: Line 10 He semes as it were a fende, Þat comen were out of helle.

¶ For he is so michel of bodi y-piȝt, Oȝains him tvelue men haue no miȝt, Ben þai neuer so strong; For he is four fot, sikerly, More þan ani man stont him bi: Line 5 So wonderliche he is long. Ȝif king Triamour þat þer was Miȝt fenden him in playn place Of þat michel wrong, Þan is þat vile glotoun Line 10 Made þe Soudans champioun, Batayl of him to fong.

¶ King Triamour answerd þan [C line 7593] To þat riche Soudan In þat ich stounde Þat he wald defende him wele y-nouȝ Þat he neuer his sone slouȝ, Line 5 No ȝaf him dedli wounde.

When he seye Amoraunt so grim (Þer durst no man fiȝt wiþ him: So grille he was on grounde), Þan asked he respite til a day, [folio 151a:b] Line 10 To finde anoþer ȝif he may Oȝaines him durst founde.

¶ Þan hadde he respite al þat ȝere & fourti days: so was þe maner Þurch lawe was þan in lond, Ȝif him seluen durst nouȝt fiȝt Finde anoþer ȝif he miȝt Line 5 Oȝaines him durst stond. Þe king as swiþe hom is went, Ouer alle his lond anon he sent After erl, baroun, and bond, & asked ȝif ani wer so bold: Line 10 Þriddendel his lond haue he schold Þe batayl durst take an hond.

¶ Ac for nouȝt þat he hot miȝt Þer was non durst take þe fiȝt Wiþ þe geaunt for his sake. Þan was ich out of prisoun nome, Biforn him he dede me come, Line 5 Conseyl of me to take, And asked me at worde fewe Ȝif y wist oþer y-knewe A man so miȝti of strake Þat for him durst take þe fiȝt: Line 10 Were he buriays oþer kniȝt, Riche prince he wald him make.

¶ & ȝif y miȝt ani fende He wald make me riche & al mi kende, & ȝif me gret honour,

& wold sese into min hond To helden þriddendel his lond Line 5 Wiþ cite, toun, & tour. Ac ichim answerd þan In alle þis warld was þer [no] man To fiȝt wiþ þat traitour, Bot ȝif it Gij of Warwike were, Line 10 Or Herhaud of Ardern, his fere: 'In warld þai bere þe flour.'

¶ When þe king herd þo [C line 7633] Þat y spac of þo kniȝtes to, Ful bliþe he was of chere. He kist me, so glad he was. 'Merci,' he seyd, 'erl Ionas! Line 5 Þou art me leue & dere. [folio 151b:a] Ȝif ich hadde here sir Gij, Or Herhaud, þat is so hardi, Of þe maistri siker y were. & þou miȝtest bring me her on, Line 10 Þe & thine sones y schal lete gon Fram prisoun quite & skere.'

¶ Bi mi lay he dede me swere Þat y schuld trewelich bode bere To þo kniȝtes so hende, & seyd to me as swiþe anon Wiþ michel sorwe he schuld me slon Line 5 Bot ichem miȝt fende,

& al mine sones do to-drawe, & ichim graunt in þat þrawe, To bring hem out of bende. Out of þis lond y went þo Line 10 Wiþ michel care & michel wo: Y nist wider to wende.

¶ Y souȝt hem into the lond of Coyne, Into Calaber, & into Sessoyne, & fro þennes into Almayne, In Tuskan & in Lombardye, In Fraunce & in Normondye, Line 5 Into þe lond of Speyne, In Braban, in Poil, & in Bars & in-to kinges lond of Tars, & þurch al Aquitayne, In Cisil, in Hungri, & in Ragoun, Line 10 In Romayne, Borgoine, & Gascoine, & þurch-out al Breteyne.

¶ & into Inglond wenden y gan, & asked þer mani a man, Boþe ȝong & old, & in Warwike þat cite, Þer he was lord of þat cuntre, Line 5 For to hauen in wold; Ac y no fond non lite no miche Þat couþe telle me sikerliche Of þo to kniȝtes bold, Wher y schold Gij no Herhaud fende Line 10 In no lond fer no hende: Þerfore min hert is cold.

¶ For ich haue þe king mi trewþe y-pliȝt Þat y schal bring Gij now riȝt [folio 151b:b] Ȝif ich oliues be. & ȝiue y bring him nouȝt anon Wele ich wot he wil me slon: Line 5 Þer-fore wel wo is me. & min sones he schal don hong, & to-drawe wiþ michel wrong, Þo kniȝtes hende & fre. & ȝif þai dye gret harm it is. Line 10 For hem ich haue swiche sorwe, [sorwe added at the end of the line.] y-wis: Mine hert wil breken on þre.'

'God man,' seyd Gij, 'listen me now. [C line 7703] For þine sones gret sorwe hastow, & no wonder it nis. When þou Gij & Herhaud hast [haþ MS.] souȝt, & þou no may hem finde nouȝt, Line 5 Þi care is michel, y-wis. Þurch hem þine hope was to go fre, & þi sones al forþ wiþ þe, Þurch godes help & his.

Sum time bi dayes old Line 10 For douhti man y was [men þai wer MS.] told & holden of gret priis.

¶ Þurch godes helpe, our driȝt (He be min help, & ȝiue me miȝt, & leue me wele to spede!), & for Gyes loue & Herhaud also, Þat þou hast souȝt wiþ michel wo, Line 5 Þat douhti were of dede, Batayl ichil now for þe fong Oȝain þe geaunt, þat is so strong, Þou seyst is so vnrede. & þei he be þe fende out-riȝt, Line 10 Y schal for þe take þe fiȝt, & help þe at þis nede.'

¶ When þerl herd him speke so, Þat he wald batayl fong for him þo, He biheld fot & heued: Michel he was of bodi piȝt, A man he semed of michel miȝt, Line 5 Ac pouerliche he was biweued; Wiþ a long berd his neb was growe. Miche wo him þought he hadde y-drowe. He wende his wit were reued, For he seyd he wald as ȝern [folio 152a:a] Line 10 Fiȝt wiþ þat geaunt stern Bot. [Read As?] ȝif he hadde him preued. [proued MS.]

¶ 'God man,' þan seyd he, 'God al-miȝten for-ȝeld it þe, Þat is so michel of miȝt, Þatow wost batayl for me fong Oȝain þe geaunt, þat is so strong. Line 5 Þou knowest him nouȝt, y pliȝt.

For ȝif he loked on þe wiþ wrake Sternliche wiþ his eyȝen blake, So grim he is of siȝt, Wastow neuer so bold in al þi teime, [So MS.] Line 10 Þatow durst batayl of him nim, No hold oȝaines him fiȝt.'

¶ 'Gode man,' seyd Gij, 'lat be þat þouȝt, For swiche wordes help ous nouȝt Oȝain þat schrewe qued. Mani haþ loked me opon Wiþ wicked wil, mani on Line 5 Þat wald han had min hed; & þei no fled y neuer ȝete, No neuer for ferd batayl lete For noman þat brac bred. & þei he be þe deuels rote, Line 10 Y schal nouȝt fle him a fot, Bi him þat suffred ded.'

¶ 'Leue sir,' þan seyd he, 'God of heuen forȝeld it te: Þine wordes er ful swete.' For ioie he hadde in hert þat stounde On knes he fel adoun to grounde, Line 5 & kist sir Gyes fet. Gij tok him vp in armes to. Into Alisaunder þai gun go, [C line 7755] Wiþ þe king to mete; & when þai com in-to þe tour Line 10 Bifor þe king sir Triamour, Wel fair þai gun him grete.

¶ And when he seye þerl Ionas, Unneþe he knewe him in þe fas: So chaunged was his ble.

'Erl Ionas,' seyd þe king, 'Telle me now wiþ-outen lesing, [folio 152a:b] Line 5 Gij & Herhaud where ben he?' Þerl answerd, & siked sore, 'Gij no Herhaud sestow no more; For soþe y telle þe, For hem ich haue in Inglond ben, Line 10 & y no miȝt hem no-whar sen: Þer-fore wel wo is me.

¶ Ac þe lond folk teld me in speche Þat Gij was gon halwen to seche Wel fer in vncouþe lond, & Herhaud after him is went For to seche him, verrament: Line 5 Noiþer of hem y no fond, Ac þis man ich haue brouȝt to þe Þat haþ ben man of gret bounte, Þat wele dar take on hond Oȝain þe geaunt þat is so fel, Line 10 Al for to fende þe ful wel: For drede wil he nouȝt wond.'

¶ 'Erl Ionas,' seyd þe king, [C line 7779] 'Loke wiþ him be no feynting, Þat y deseyued be. & ȝif þer be, þou schalt anon Be honged & þi sones ichon.' Line 5 'Y graunt, sir,' þan seyd he. Þe king cleped sir Gyoun, & asked him at schort resoun, 'What is þy name? tel me.' Sir Gij answerd to þe king, Line 10 'Youn,' he said, 'wiþ-outen lesing, Men clepeþ me in mi cuntre.'

¶ 'What cuntre artow?' þe king sede. 'Of Inglond, so god me rede: Þerin ich was y-bore.' [y born MS.] 'Owe,' seyd þe king, 'artow Inglis kniȝt, Þan schuld y þurch skil and riȝt Line 5 Hate þe euer more. Knewe þou nouȝt þe gode [An erasure before gode.] Gij Or Herhaud þat was so hardi? Tel me þe soþe bifore. Wele ouȝt ich be Gyes foman: Line 10 He slouȝ mi broþer Helmadan; Þurch him icham forlore.

¶ Min em [Minem MS.] he slouȝ, þe riche Soudan, Ate mete among ous euerilkan. [folio 152b:a] Seyȝe y neuer man so bigin: [The first two letters are indis|tinct; Turnbull ingin.] Y seyȝe hou he his heued of smot, & bar it oway wiþ him fot hot, Line 5 Maugre þat was þer-inne. After him we driuen þo, Þe deuel halp him þennes to go: Y trowe he is of his kinne. Mahoun ȝaf þat þou wer he! Line 10 Ful siker miȝt y þan be Þe maistri for to winne.'

¶ Sir Gij answerd to þe king, 'Wel wele y knowe, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesing, Herhaud, so god me rede. & ȝif þou haddest her on here, Of þe maistri siker þou were, Line 5 Þe bateyl for to bede.'

Þe king asked him anon riȝt, 'Whi artow þus iuel y-diȝt And in þus pouer wede? A feble lord þou seruest, so þenkeþ me, Line 10 Or oway he haþ driuen þe For sum iuel dede.'

¶ 'Nay, sir, for god,' quaþ Gij, 'A wel gode lord [ar] þan serue[d] y: Wiþ him was no blame. Wel michel honour he me dede, & gret worþschipe in eueri stede, Line 5 & sore ich haue him grame[d], [The r added above the line.] & þer-fore icham þus y-diȝt, To cri him merci day & niȝt, Til we ben frendes same. & mi lord & y frende be, Line 10 Ichil wende hom to mi cuntre, & liue wiþ ioie & game.'

¶ 'Frende Youn,' seyd þe king, [C line 7838] 'Wiltow fiȝt for mi þing? Oþer y schal anoþer puruay.' 'Þerfor com ich hider,' quaþ Gij, 'Þurch Godes help & our leuedi Line 5 As wele as y may. Bot first þerl Ionas & his sones Schal be deliuerd [The i added above the line.] out of prisones Þis ich selue day.' [A line erased after this.] Þe king answerd, 'y graunt þe. [folio 152b:b] Line 10 Mahoun he mot þine he[l]p be, Þat is mi lord verray.'

¶ 'Nay,' seyd Gij, 'bot Marie sone: He mot me [me] þe erased in MS.] to help come, For Mahoun is worþ nouȝt.' 'Frende Youn,' seyd þe king, 'Under-stond now mi teling, Line 5 Al what ich haue y-þouȝt. Ȝif þat þou may ouercom þe fiȝt, & defende me wiþ riȝt (Þe wrong is on me souȝt), So michel y schal for þe do, Line 10 Þat men schal speke þer-of euer mo As wide as þis wald is wrouȝt.

¶ Alle þe men þat in my prisoun be Þai schul be deliuerd for loue of þe Þat Cristen men be told. Fram henne to Ynde þat cite Quite-claym þai schul go fre Line 5 Boþe ȝong and old. And so gode pes y schal festen anon, Þat Cristen men schul comen & gon To her owhen wille in wold.' 'Gramerci,' þan seyd sir Gij. Line 10 'Þat is a fair ȝift, sikerly. God leue þe it wele to hold.'

¶ Þe king dede make a baþe anon riȝt, [C line 7881] For to baþe Gij & better diȝt: In silk he wald him schrede.

'Nay, sir,' þan seyd sir Gij, 'Swiche cloþes non kepe y, Line 5 Also god me rede, To were cloþes gold-bi-go (For y was neuer wont þerto) No non so worþliche wede. Mete and drink anouȝ ȝiue me, Line 10 & riche cloþes lat þou be: Y kepe non swiche prede.

¶ [In MS. the first three lines of st. 90 are written as if belonging to st. 89.] & when þe time com to þende, Þat þai schuld to court wende, Þer sembled a fair ferred. King Triamour maked him ȝare þo, And Fabour his sone dede also, Line 5 Wiþ kniȝtes stiþe on stede. To court ward þan went he, To Espire, þat riche cite, [folio 153a:a] Wiþ joie & michel prede. To þe Soudan þai went on heye Line 10 Wiþ wel gret cheualrie, Bateyle [of him erased after Bateyle.] for to bede.

¶ Gij was ful wele in armes diȝt [C line 7899] Wiþ helme, & plate, & brini briȝt, Þe best þat euer ware. Þe hauberk he hadde was renis, [Read eluis?] Þat was king Clarels, y-wis, Line 5 In Ierusalem when he was þare. A þef stale it in þat stede, & oway þerwiþ him dede: To heþenesse he it bare. King Triamours elders it bouȝt, Line 10 & in her hord house þai þouȝt [þai it þouȝt MS.] To hold it euer mare.

¶ Sir Gij þai toke it in þat plas. Þritti winter afrayd it nas: Ful clere it was of mayle, As briȝt as ani siluer it was: Þe halle schon þerof as sonne of glas, Line 5 For soþe arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward fayle. His helme was of so michel miȝt, Was neuer man ouer-comen in fiȝt Þat hadde it on his ventayle. It was Alisaunders, þe gret lording, Line 10 When he fauȝt wiþ Poreus þe king, Þat hard him gan aseyle.

¶ A gode swerd he hadde, wiþ-outen faile, Þat was Ectors in Troye batayle, In gest as so men fint. Ar he þat swerd dede forgon, Of Grece he slouȝ þer mani on, Line 5 Þat died þurch þat dint. Hose & gambisoun so gode kniȝt schold, A targe listed wiþ gold About his swere he hint. Nas neuer wepen þat euer was make[d] Line 10 Þat o schel miȝt þerof take, Na more þan of þe flint.

¶ Or [For MS.] king Triamours elders it lauȝt, King Darri sum time it auȝt: Þat Gij was vnder piȝt. Ich man axe oþer bigan [folio 153a:b] Whennes & who was þat man Line 5 Þat wiþ þe geaunt durst fiȝt. King Triamour seyd wiþ wordes fre, [C line 7939] 'Sir Soudan, herken now to me, Astow art hendy kniȝt.

To þi court icham now come Line 10 To defende me of þat ich gome Þat is so stern of siȝt.

¶ Þis litel kniȝt þat stont me by Schal fende me of þat felonie, & make me quite & skere.' 'Be stille,' seyd þe Soudan þo, 'Þat batail schal wel sone be go, Line 5 Also brouke y mi swere.' He dede clepe Amorant so grim, & Gij stode & loked on him, Hou foule he was of chere. 'It is,' seyd Gij, 'no mannes sone: Line 10 It is a deuel fram helle is come. What wonder doþ he here?

¶ Who miȝt his dintes dreye, Þat he no schuld dye an heye? So strong he is of dede.' Þan speken þai alle of þe batayle: Where it schuld be, wiþ-outen fayle, Line 5 Þai token hem to rede. Þan loked þai it schuld be In a launde vnder þe cite: Þider þai gun hem lede. Wiþ a riuer it ern al about: Line 10 Þer-in schuld fiȝt þo kniȝtes stout. Þai miȝt fle for no nede.

¶ Ouer þe water þai went in a bot, On hors þai lopen fot hot, Þo kniȝtes egre of mode.

Þai priked þe stedes þat þai on sete, & smiten togider wiþ dentes grete, Line 5 & ferd as þai wer wode, Til her schaftes in þat tide Gun to schiuer bi ich a side About hem þer þai stode. Þan þai drouȝ her swerdes grounde, Line 10 & hewe togider wiþ grimli wounde, Til þai spradde al ablode. [folio 153b:a]

¶ Sir Amoraunt drouȝ his gode brond, [C line 7975] Þat wele carf al þat it fond, When he hadde lorn his launce: Þat neuer armour miȝt wiþstond Þat was made of smitþes hond Line 5 In heþenesse no in Fraunce. It was sir Ercules þe strong, Þat mani he slouȝ þer-wiþ wiþ wrong In batayle & in destaunce. Þer was neuer man þat it bere Line 10 Ouer-comen in batayle no in were, Bot it were þurch meschaunce.

¶ It was baþed in þe flom of helle: A goddes [A goddes] MS. Agnes.] ȝaf it him to wille, He schuld þe better spede. Who þat bar þat swerd of miȝt, Was neuer man ouercomen in fiȝt, Line 5 Bot it were þurch vnlede. Þer worþ sir Gij to deþ y-brouȝt, Bot ȝif god haue of him þouȝt, His best help at nede. Togider þai wer ȝern heweinde Line 10 Wiþ her brondes wele kerueinde, And maden her sides blede.

¶ Sir Amoraunt was agreued in hert, & smot to Gij a dint ful smert Wiþ alle þe miȝt he gan welde, & hitt him on þe helme so briȝt, Þat alle þe stones of michel miȝt Line 5 Fleyȝe doun in þe feld. Al of þe helme þe swerd out stint, & forþ riȝt wiþ þat selue dint Oþer half fot of þe scheld, Þat neuer was atamed ar þan Line 10 For kniȝt no for no noþer man, No were he neuer so beld.

¶ Þe sadel bowe he clef atvo, Þe stedes nek he dede also, Wiþ his grimli brond. Wiþ-outen wem [MS. when.] or ani wounde Wele half a fot in-to þe grounde Line 5 Þe scharp swerd it wond. Sir Gij to grounde fallen is, He stirt vp anon, y-wis, & loked, & gan wiþ-stond. Anon riȝt in þat ich stede [folio 153b:b] Line 10 To god almiȝten he bad his bede, & held vp boþe his hond.

¶ Sir Gij anon vp stirt As man þat was agremed in hert, Nouȝt wel long he lay. 'Lord,' seyd Gij, 'god al-miȝt, Þat made þe þerkenes to þe niȝt, Line 5 So help me to-day. Scheld me fro þis geaunt strong, Þat y no deþ of him afong, Astow art lord verray.

Þat dint,' he seyd, 'was iuel sett. Line 10 Wele schal y com out of þi dett Ȝif þat I libbe may.'

¶ Gij hent his swerd, þat was ful kene, [C line 8007] & smot Amoraunt wiþ hert tene A dint þat sat ful sore, Þat a quarter of his scheld He made to fleye in þe feld Line 5 Al wiþ his grimli gore. Þe stedes nek he smot atvo, Amoraunt to grounde is fallen þo: Wo was him þerfore. Þan wer on fot þo kniȝtes bold: Line 10 Fiȝt ofot ȝif þai wold. Her stedes þai han forlore.

¶ Amoraunt wiþ hert ful grim Smot to Gij, & Gij to him, Wiþ strokes stern & stiue. Hard þai hewe wiþ swerdes clere, Þat helme & swerd, þat strong were, Line 5 Þai gun hem al to-driue. Hard fouȝten þo champiouns, Þat boþe plates & hauberiouns Þai gun to ret & riue, & laiden on wiþ dintes gret. Line 10 Aiþer of hem so oþer gan bete, Þat wo was hem oliue.

¶ Sir Amoraunt was agreued strong, [C line 8025] Þat o man stode him þo so long. To Gij a strok he rauȝt, & hit him on þe helme so briȝt, [folio 154a:a] Þat al þe floures fel doun riȝt. Line 5 Wiþ a ful grimly drauȝt

Þe cercle of gold he carf ato, & forþ wiþ his dint also Þer bileued it nouȝt: On þe scheld þe swerd doun fel, Line 10 And cleue it in-to haluendel, Almost to grounde him brouȝt.

¶ What wiþ þe swerdes out draweing, & wiþ his hetelich out braiding, Þer fel a wonder cas: Sir Gij fel on knes to grounde, & stirt vp in þat selue stounde, Line 5 & seyd, 'lord ful of grace, Neuer dint of kniȝt non No miȝt me are knele don In no stede þer y was.' Sir Gij hent vp his swerd fot hot, Line 10 Amoraunt on þe hod he smot, Þat he stumbled in þe [þe þe MS.] place.

¶ He hit him on þe helme an heyȝe, & wiþ þat dint þe swerd it fleyȝe: Bi þe nasel it gan doun founde, & so it dede bi þe ventayle, & carf it ato, saunfaile, Line 5 & in-to his flesche a wounde. His targe wiþ gold list He carf atvo þurch help of Crist, He cleue þat ich stounde. So heteliche þe brond out he pliȝt, Line 10 Þat Amoraunt anon riȝt Fel on knes to grounde.

¶ So strong batayle was hem bitvene: [C line 8071] So seyd þai þat miȝt it sene Þat seye þai neuer non swiche, Þat neuer was of wiman born Swiche to kniȝtes as þai worn, Line 5 Þat fouȝten togider wiþ wreche. On a day bifor þe natiuite Of seyn Ion, þe martir fre, Þat holy man is to seche, Togider fouȝt þo barouns boþe, Line 10 Þat in hert wer so wroþe. Of loue was þer no speche. [folio 154a:b]

¶ Sir Amoraunt wiþ-drouȝ him Wiþ loureand chere wroþ & grim, For þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward of him was lete, Þat drink he most, oþer his liif forgon: So strong þrust ȝede him opon, Line 5 So michel was his hete. 'Fourti batayls ichaue ouercome, Ac fond y neuer er moder sone Þat me so sore gan bete. Tel me,' he seyd, 'what artow? Line 10 Felt y neuer man ar now Þat ȝaf dintes so grete.

¶ Tel me,' he seyd, 'wennes þou be; For þou art strong, so mot y the, & of michel miȝt.'

Sir Gij answerd, 'wiþ-outen bost, Cristen icham, wele þou wost, Line 5 Of Inglond born, y pliȝt. King Triamour me hider brouȝt For to defenden him, ȝif y mouȝt, Of þat michel vnriȝt Þat ȝe beren on him wiþ wouȝ, Line 10 Þat Fabour neuer Sadony slouȝ Noiþer bi day no niȝt.'

¶ 'O, artow Inglis?' seyd Amorant. 'Now wald mi lord Teruagaunt Þat þou were Gij þe strong! Mahoun ȝaf þat þou wer he! Bliþe wald y þan be Line 5 Batail of him to fong: For he haþ destrud al our lawe, His heued wald ichaue ful fawe, Or heiȝe on galwes hong; For keuer schal we neuer [MS. neuer er] more Line 10 Þat he haþ don ous forlore Wiþ wel michel wrong.

¶ Wiþ michel wrong & michel wouȝ Fourti þousend of ous he slouȝ In Costentin on a day: He & [& added above the line.] Herhaud, his felawe, Michel han destrud our lawe, Line 5 Þat euer-more mon y may. Ȝif he wer slain wiþ brond of stiel Þan were y wroken on hem [MS. him.] ful wel [folio 154b:a] Þat han destrud our lay.' Sir Gij answerd, 'whi seistow so? Line 10 Haþ Gij ani þing þe misdo?' Amoraunt seyd, 'nay,

¶ Ac it wer gret worþschip, y-wis, To alle þe folk of heþenisse, Þat y hadde so wroken mi kende.

Cristen,' he seyd, 'listen to me. [C line 8105] Þe weder is hot, astow may se; Line 5 Y pray þe, leue frende: Leue, to drink þou lat me gon For þe lordes loue þou leuest on, Astow art gode & hende. For þrist mi hert wil to-spring, Line 10 & for hete, wiþ-outen lesing, Mi liue wil fro me wende.

¶ & ȝif y schal be þus aqueld Þurch strong hete in þe feld It were oȝain þe skille: Unworþschipe it war to þe, It were þe gret vilete Line 5 In wat lond [Another lond expunged.] þou com tille. Ac lete me drink a litel wiȝt For þi lordes loue ful of miȝt Þat þou louest wiþ wille, & y þe hot bi mi lay, Line 10 Ȝif þou haue ani þrest to-day, Þou shalt drink al þi fille.'

¶ Sir Gij answerd, 'y graunt þe, & ȝete to-day þou ȝeld it me Wiþ-outen ani fayle.' & when he hadde leue of sir Gij [C line 8127] He was ful glad, [ful struck out after glad.] sikerli: Line 5 No lenger nold he dayle. To þe riuer ful swiþe he ran, His helme of his heued he nam, & vnlaced his ventayle. When he hadde dronken alle his fille Line 10 He stirt vp wiþ hert grille, & sir Gij began to asayle.

¶ 'Kniȝt,' he seyd, 'ȝeld þe biliue; For þou art giled, so mot y þriue. Now ichaue a drink, [adrink MS.]

Icham as fresche as ich was amorwe: [folio 155b:b] Þou schalt dye wiþ michel sorwe, Line 5 For-soþe, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesing.' Þan þai drowen her swerdes long, Þo kniȝtes þat wer stern & strong, Wiþ-outen more dueling, & aiþer gan oþer þer asayle; Line 10 & þer bi-gan a strong bataile Wiþ wel strong fiȝting.

¶ Amoraunt was ful egre of mode, & smot to Gij as he wer wode (Ful egre he was to fiȝt), Þat a quarter of his scheld He made it fleye into the feld, Line 5 And of [Read on?] his brini briȝt: Of his scholder þe swerd glod doun, Þat boþe plates & hauberioun He carf atvo, y pliȝt, Al to þe naked hide, y-wis, Line 10 & nouȝt of flesche atamed is Þurch grace of god almiȝt.

¶ Þe scharp swerd doun gan glide Fast bi sir Gyes side (His knew it com ful neye), Þat gambisoun & iambler Boþe it karf atvo y-fere: Line 5 Into þerþe þe swerd it fleye [MS. originally fleyee] Wiþ-outen wem or ani wounde Half a fot in-to þe grounde, Þat mani man it seye. & when Gij seye þat fair grace, Line 10 Þat noþing wounded he was, Iesu he þanked on heye.

¶ & when Gij feld him so smite He was wroþ, ȝe mow wite: To Amoraunt he gan reken. He hent his brond wiþ wel gode wille, & stroke to him wiþ hert grille: Line 5 His scheld he gan to-breken. So hetelich Gij him smot, Þat into þe scholder half a fot Þe gode swerd gan reken; & wiþ þat strok Gij wiþ-drouȝ: Line 10 Weri he was forfouȝten y-nouȝ; To Amoraunt he gan speken. [folio 155a:a]

¶ 'Sir Amoraunt,' þan seyd Gij, [C line 8173] 'For godes loue now merci, Ȝif that þi wille be. Ichaue swiche þrist þer y stond, Y may vnneþe drawe min hond; Line 5 Þerfore wel wo is me. Ȝeld me now þat ich dede: Y ȝaf þe leue to drink at nede. Astow art hende & fre, Leue, to drink þou lat me go, Line 10 As it was couenaunt bitven ous tvo: For loue y pray þe.'

¶ 'Hold þi pes,' seyd Amoraunt, 'For, bi mi lord sir Teruagaunt, Leue no hastow non. Ac now þat y þe soþe se, Þat þou ginnes to feynt þe, Line 5 Þine heued þou schalt forgon.' 'Amoraunt,' seyd Gij, [gij added in the margin.] 'do ariȝt: Lete me drink a litel wiȝt As y dede þe anon, & togider fiȝt we: Line 10 Who schal be maister we schal se, Wiche of ous may oþer slon.'

¶ 'Hold þi pays,' seyd Amoraunt, 'Y nil nouȝt held þe couenaunt For ful þis toun of gold; For when ichaue þe sleyn now riȝt Þe Soudan, treweli, haþ me hiȝt Line 5 His lond ȝif me he schold Euermore to haue & hold fre, & ȝiue me his douȝter briȝt o ble, Þe miriest may on mold: When ichaue þe sleyn þis day Line 10 He schal ȝiue me þat fair may Wiþ alle his lond to hold.

¶ Ac do now wele & vnarme þe, & trewelich ȝeld þou þe to me: Oliue y lat þe gon. & ȝif þou wilt nouȝt do bi mi red Þou schalt dye on iuel ded: Line 5 Riȝt now y schal þe slon.' 'Nay,' seyd Gij, 'þat war no lawe: Ich hadde leuer to ben to-drawe [folio 155a:b] Þan swiche a dede to don.

Ar ich wald creaunt ȝeld me Line 10 Ich hadde leuer an-hanged be, & brent boþe flesche & bon.'

¶ Þan seyd Amoraunt, 'at a word, [C line 8215] Bi þe treuþe þou owe þi lord, Þat þou louest so dere, Tel me what þi name it be, & leue to drink ȝiue y þe Line 5 Þi fille of þis riuer. Þou seyd þi name is sir Youn: It is nouȝt so, bi seyn Mahoun, It is a lesing, fere. Ȝif þi name were Youn riȝt Line 10 Þou nere nouȝt of so miche miȝt, No þus vnbiknowen here.'

¶ 'Frende,' seyd Gij, 'y schal telle þe: Astow art hendi man & fre, Þou wray me to no wiȝt. Gij of Warwike mi name it is: In Inglond y was born, y-wis. Line 5 Lete me now drink wiþ riȝt.' When Amoraunt seye, sikerly, Þat it was þe gode Gij Þat oȝaines him was diȝt, He loked on him wiþ michel wrake Line 10 Sternliche wiþ his eyȝen blake, Wiþ an vnsemli siȝt.

¶ 'Sir Gij,' he seyd, 'welcom to me! Mahoun, mi lord, y thank þe Þat ich haue þe her-inne. Michel schame þou hast me don: Þi liif þou schalt astite forgon, Line 5 Þi bodi schal atvinne,

& þine heued, bi Teruagaunt, Mi leman schal haue to presaunt, Þat comly is of kinne. Hennes-forward, siker þou be, Line 10 Leue no tit þe non of me, For al þis warld to winne.'

¶ 'Allas,' seyd Gij, 'what schal y don? [C line 8247] Now y no may haue drink non Mine hert brekeþ ato.' Anon he biþouȝt him þenne [folio 155b:a] Riȝt to þe riuer he most renne: Line 5 He turned him, & gan to go. Amoraunt wiþ swerd on hond He thouȝt haue driuen Gij to schond: Wiþ sorwe he wald him slo. Gij ran to þe water riȝt: Line 10 Bot on him þenke god almiȝt Vp comeþ he neuer mo.

¶ Þo was sir Gij in gret drede. In þe water he stode to his girdel stede, & þat þouȝt him ful gode. In þe water he dept his heued anon, Ouer þe schulders he dede it gon; Line 5 Þat keled wele his arrow_back blod arrow_forward . & when Gij hadde dronken anouȝ Hetelich his heued vp he drouȝ Out of þat ich flod; & Amoraunt stode opon þe lond Line 10 With a drawen swerd in hond, & smot Gij þer he stode.

¶ Hetelich he smot Gyoun: Into þat water he fel adoun Wiþ þat dint vnride,

Þat þe water arn him about. Sir Gij stirt vp in gret dout: Line 5 For noþing he nold abide, & schoke his heued as kniȝt bold. 'In þis water icham ful cold Wombe, rigge, & side, & no leue, sir, ich hadde of þe, Line 10 & þer-fore haue þo[u] miche maugre, & iuel þe mot bi-tide.'

¶ Sir Gij stirt vp, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward fayl, [C line 8269] & Amoraunt he gan to asayl: To fiȝt he was ful boun. Hard togider þai gan to fiȝt: Of loue was þer no speche, y pliȝt, Line 5 Bot heweing wiþ swerdes broun. 'Amoraunt,' þan seyd Gij, 'Þou art ful fals, sikerly, & ful-filt of tresoun. No more wil y trust to þe Line 10 For no bihest þou hotest me: Þou art a fals glotoun.' [folio 155b:b]

¶ Hard togider þai gun fiȝt: Fro þe morwe to þe niȝt Þat long somers day, So long þai fouȝten boþe þo. Wiche was þe better of hem to Line 5 Noman chese no may. Bot at a strok as Amoraunt cast, Sir Gij mett wiþ him in hast, & tauȝt him a sori play: Þe riȝt arme wiþ þe swerd for hot Line 10 Bi þe scholder of he it smot, To grounde it fleye oway.

¶ When Amoraunt feld him to smite In his left hond wiþ michel hete Þe swerd he hent fot hot:

As a lyoun þan ferd he, Þritti sautes he made & þre Line 5 Wiþ his swerd, þat wel bot; Bot for þe arrow_back blod arrow_forward þat of him ran Amoraunt strengþe slake bigan. When Gij þat soþ wot, Þat Amoraunt was [MS. was gin.] faynting, Line 10 Sir Gij him folwed arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward dueling: Þat oþer hond of he smot.

¶ When Amoraunt had boþe hondes forlore A wreche he held him-self þerfore: His wit was alto-dreued. On sir Gij he lepe wiþ alle his miȝt, Þat almast he had feld him doun riȝt, Line 5 & sir Gij was agreued, & stirt bisiden fot hot, & Amoraunt in þe nek he smot: His miȝt he haþ him bireued. He fel to grounde, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward faile, Line 10 & sir Gij vnlaced his ventayle, & he strok of his heued.

¶ Ouer þe water he went in a bot, [C line 8313] & present þer-wiþ fot hot Þe king, sir Triamour. Þe king, sir Triamour, þan Went to þat riche Soudan, Line 5 & also his sone Fabour. Þan was [was added under the line.] þe Soudan swiþe wo: Quite-claim he lete hem go [folio 156a:a] Wiþ wel michel honour.

Into Alisaunder þai went, þat cite, Line 10 & ladde wiþ hem sir Gij þe fre, Þat hadde ben her socour.

¶ Þe king tok þerl Ionas þo, & clept him in his armes to, & kist him swete, ich wene, An hundred times & ȝete mo, & quite-claim he lete him go Line 5 & his sones fiftene. 'Erl Ionas,' seyd þe king, 'Herken now to my teling, & what ichil mene: For mi liif þou sauedest me, Line 10 Half mi lond ich graunt þe Wiþ þis kniȝt strong & kene.

¶ Vnderstond to me, sir kniȝt: Mahoun ȝaue ful of miȝt Þou wost duelle wiþ me! Þridde part mi lond y ȝiue þe to: Michel honour ichil þe do, Line 5 A riche prince make þe. Y nil nouȝt þou [þou added over the line.] forsake god þine: Þou art bileueand wele afine Better may no be.' Sir Gij answerd him ful stille, Line 10 'Sir, of þi lond nouȝt y nille, For-soþe y telle þe.'

¶ Þat erl to Ierusalem went anon, [C line 8335] Gij of Warwike wiþ him gan gon & alle his sones on rawe. Þerl wold ȝif he miȝt Wite þe name of þat kniȝt, Line 5 Ȝif he him euer-more sawe. In conseyl, 'sir kniȝt,' þan seyd he, 'Þat þou Youn dost clep þe, Þou no hatest nouȝt so, y trowe.

For Iesu loue y pray þe, Line 10 Þat died on þe rode tre, Þi riȝt name be aknawe.'

¶ Sir Gij seyd, 'þou schalt now here, Seþþen þou frainest me in þis maner: Mi name ichil þe sayn. Gij of Warwike mi name is riȝt. [folio 156a:b] Astow art hende & gentil kniȝt, Line 5 To non þou schalt me wrayn. Batayl for þi loue y nam, & þe geaunt ouer-cam; Þerof icham ful fain.' When þerl seye it was sir Gij Line 10 He fel doun on knes him bi, & wepe wiþ boþ his ayn.

¶ 'For godes loue,' he seyd, 'merci! Whi artow so pouer, sir Gij, & art of so gret valour? Here ich ȝiue þe in þis place Al þerldam of Durras, Line 5 Cite & castel tour: Þi man ichil bicomen & be, & alle mi sones forþ wiþ me Schal com to þi socour; For þe priis of heþen lond Line 10 Þou hast þurch douhtines of hond Wonne wiþ gret vigour.'

¶ 'Erl Ionas,' þan seyd sir Gij, 'Mi leue frende, gramerci For þi gode wille! Þan schustow hire me al to dere To ȝiue me þi lond in swiche manere; Line 5 Þer-of nouȝt y nille. To ȝour owen cuntre wendeþ hom: God biteche y ȝou euerichon. Mi way ichil ful-fille.' Þan went & kist him eueri man: Line 10 Þerl so sore wepe bigan, Þat miȝt him no man stille.

¶ Þerl to Durras went anon & his sones euerichon, Were scaped out of care. Gij þan in his way is nome: For þat þe geaunt was ouer-come, Line 5 Ful bliþe þan was he þare. Into Grece þan went he, & souȝt halwen of þat cuntre, Þe best þat þer ware. Seþþe forþ in his way he ȝede Line 10 Þurch-out mani vncouþe þede: To Costentyn he is y-fare. [folio 156b:a] [[Cf. Reinbroun 1-31]]

¶ When Gij in Costentin hadde be [C line 8747] Out of þat lond þan went he, Walkand in þe strete On pilgrimage in his iurnay, His bedes bidand niȝt & day, Line 5 His sinnes for to bete. In Almaine þan went he, y-wis, Þer he was sumtime holden of gret pris. He com to a four way lete Biȝonde Espire, þat riche cite: Line 10 Under a croice, was maked of tre, A pilgrim he gan mete,

¶ Þat wrong his honden, & wepe sore, & curssed þe time þat he was bore: 'Allas,' it was his song. 'Wayleway,' he seyd, 'that stounde! Wickedliche icham brouȝt to grounde Line 5 Wiþ wel michel wrong.' Sir Gij went to him þo: 'Man,' he seys, 'whi farstow so? So god ȝeue þe ioie to fong, Tel me what þi name it be, Line 10 & whi þou makest þus gret pite: Meþenke þi paynes strong.'

'Godeman,' seyd þe pilgrim þo, 'What hastow to frein me so? Swiche sorwe icham in souȝt, Þat, þei y told þe alle mi care, For þe miȝt y neuer þe better fare: Line 5 To grounde icham so brouȝt.' 'Ȝis,' seyd Gij, 'bi þe gode rode, Conseyl y can ȝiue þe gode, & tow telle me þi þouȝt;

For oft it falleþ vncouþe man Line 10 Þat gode conseyle ȝiue can. Þerfore hele it nouȝt.'

¶ 'For god,' he seyd, 'þou seyst ful wel. Sumtime ich was, by seyn Miȝhel, [C line 8783] An erl of gret pouste. Þurch al cristendom, y-wis, Ich was teld a man of gret pris Line 5 & of gret bounte, & now icham a wroche beggare: No wonder þei icham ful of care. [folio 156b:b] Allas, wel wo is me!' For sorwe he miȝt speke na more: Line 10 He gan to wepe swiþe sare, Þat Gij hadde of him pite.

¶ Þan seyd þe pilgrim, 'þou hast gret wrong [wrong added above the line.] To frain me of mi sorwe strong, & miȝt noȝt bete mi nede. To begge mi brede y mot gon: Seþþen ȝistay at none ete y non, Line 5 Also god me rede.'

'Ȝis, felawe,' quaþ Gij, 'hele it nauȝt. Telle me whi þou art in sorwe brauȝt: Þe better þou schalt spede; & seþþen we schul go seche our mete. Line 10 Ichaue a pani of old biȝete: Þou schalt haue half to mede.'

¶ 'Gramerci, sir,' þan seyd he; '& alle þe soþ y schal telle þe. Erl Tirri is mi name, [C line 8819] Of Gormoys þerls sone Aubri. Ich hadde a felawe þat hiȝt Gij, Line 5 A baroun of gode fame. For þe douk of Paui sir Otoun Hadde don him oft gret tresoun, He slouȝ him wiþ gret grame. Now is his neue þemperour steward, Line 10 His soster sone, þat hat Berard: He has me don alle þis schame.

¶ Þemperour he haþ serued long. For he is wonderliche strong & of michel miȝt, He no comeþ in non batayle Þat he no haþ þe maistri, saunfayl: Line 5 So egre he is to fiȝt. In þis warld is man non Þat oȝaines him durst gon, Herl, baroun, no kniȝt, & he loked on him wiþ wrake, Line 10 Þat his hert no miȝt quake: So stern he is of siȝt.

¶ & for his scherewdhed sir Berard Þemperour haþ made him his steward, To wardi his lond about. Þer nis no douk in al þis lond [folio 157a:a] Þat his hest dar wiþ-stonde: Line 5 So michel he is [is altered from it.] dout. Ȝif a man be loued wiþ him, Be he neuer so pouer of [for struck out before of.] kin, & he wil to him lout, He makeþ hem riche anon riȝt, Line 10 Douk, erl, baroun, or kniȝt, To held wiþ him gret rout.

¶ & ȝif a man wiþ him hated be, Be he neuer so riche of fe, He flemeþ him [his lond ex|punged after him.] out of lond: Anon he schal ben to-drawe, Als tite he schal ben y-slawe, Line 5 & driuen him al to schond. So it bifel, our emperour [C line 8901] Held a parlement of gret honour: For his erls he [he altered from hen.] sent his sond. Y [Y altered from þai.] come þider wiþ michel prede Line 10 Wiþ an hundred kniȝtes bi mi side, At nede wiþ me to stonde.

¶ & when y come vnto þe court Þe steward, þe wicked pourt, To me he gan to reke: He bicleped me of his emes ded, & seyd he was sleyn þurch mi red: Line 5 On me he wald be wreke. &, when ich herd þat chesoun Of þe doukes deþ Otoun, [of toun MS.] Mine hert wald to-breke. To þemperour y layd mi wedde an heiȝe Line 10

Line 10 To defende me of þat felonie Þat he to me gan speke.

¶ No wonder þei y war fordredde. Þemperour tok boþe our wedde, As y þe telle may. For in alle þe court was þer no wiȝt, Douk, erl, baroun, no kniȝt, Line 5 Þat durst me borwe þat day, Þemperour comand anon Into his prisoun y schuld be don Wiþ-outen more delay. Berard [Bernard originally.] went, & sesed mi lond; Line 10 Mine wiif he wald haue driuen to schond: Wiþ sorwe sche fled oway. [folio 157a:b]

¶ Þan was ich wiþ sorwe & care Among min fomen nomen þare, & don in strong prisoun. Min frendes token hem to rede, To þemperour þai bisouȝt & bede Line 5 To pay for me ransoun. Þemperour & sir Berard Deliuerd me bi a forward & bi þis enchesoun, Y schuld seche mi felawe Gij, Line 10 To defende ous of þat felonie Of þe doukes deþ Otoun. [of toun MS.]

¶ Out of þis lond went y me, & passed ouer þe salt se: In Inglond y gan riue. At Warwike ichim souȝt: When y com þider y fond him nouȝt Line 5 (Wo was me oliue), No sir Herhaud fond y nouȝt tare: To seche Gyes sone he is fare, Þat was stollen wiþ striue. Þerfore y wot þat Gij is ded: Line 10 For sorwe can y me no red; Mine hert wil breke o fiue.'

Sir Gij biheld Tirri ful riȝt, [C line 8989] Þat whilom was so noble a kniȝt, & lord of michel mounde. His bodi, was sumtim wele y-schredde, Almost naked it was bihedde, Line 5 Wiþ sorwe & care ful bounde.

His legges, þat wer sumtime hosed wel, To-brosten he seiȝe hem eueridel. 'Allas,' seyd Gij, 'þat stonde.' For sorwe þat he hadde þo Line 10 Word miȝt he speke no mo, Bot fel aswon to grounde.

¶ Sir Tirri anon com to him þan, & in his armes vp him nam, & cleped opon him þare. 'Man,' he said, 'what aileþ þe? Þou art iuel at aise, so þenkeþ me. Line 5 Hard it is þi fare.' Sir Gij answerd þer-after long, 'Þis iuel greueþ me so strong, [folio 157b:a] In erþe y wold y ware; For, seþþen þat y was first man, Line 10 Nas neuer sorwe on me cam Þat greued me so sare.'

¶ Þan seyd Tirri, 'felawe, y-wis, To-day a ȝer gon it is Out of þis lond y went To seche Gij, mi gode frende, Y no finde nouȝt fer no hende: [hende altered from hente.] Line 5 Þerfore icham al schent; For now it is teld me our emperer Haþ taken a parlement of þis maner For mi loue, verrament, Þat douk no erl in his lond be, Line 10 Þat he no schal be at þat semble, For to here mi iugement.

¶ & now no lenge abide y no may, Þat ne me bi-houeþ hom þis day, Oþer for to lese min hed. [heued MS.] Þemperour ichaue mi treuþe [The u of treuthe added above the line.] y-pliȝt, Y schal bring sir Gij to-niȝt Line 5 To fiȝt oȝain þat qued,

To fende ous of þat felonie Oȝain þe douke Berard of Paui Al of his emes ded. [ded altered from dede.] Y wot wele, ȝif y þider fare, Line 10 Þai schal me sle wiþ sorwe & care: Certes, y can no red.'

Gij biheld Tirri wiþ wepeand eiȝe, [C line 9033] & seiȝe him al þat sorwe dreiȝe, Þat was him lef & dere: 'Allas,' þouȝt Gij, 'þat ich stounde Þat Tirri is þus brouȝt to grounde! Line 5 So gode felawes we were.' He þouȝt, 'miȝt y mete þat douke, His heued y schuld smite fro þe bouke, Or hong him bi þe swere. Y no lete for al þis warldes won Line 10 Þat y no schuld þe traitour slon, To wreke Tirri, mi fere.

¶ Tirri,' seyd Gij, 'lat be þi þouȝt: Y-wis, it helpeþ þe riȝt nouȝt, For sorwe it wil þe schende. To court go we boþe y-fere: [folio 157b:b] Gode tidinges we schul þer here; Line 5 Swiche grace god may sende. Haue gode hert, dred þe no del; For god schal help þe ful wel: So curteys he is & hende.' Up risen þo kniȝtes tvo Line 10 Wiþ michel care & ful of wo: To court ward þai gan wende.

¶ & as þai went þo kniȝtes fre To court ward in her iurne Ful bold þai were & ȝepe. 'Allas,' sir Tirri seyd þo, 'Ich mot rest er ich hennes go, Line 5 Or mi liif wil fro me lepe.' 'For god, felawe,' þan seyd Gij, 'Ly doun, & y schal sitt þe bi, & feir þine heued vp kepe.' & when he hadde þus y-seyd Line 10 On Gyes barm his heued he leyd: Anon Tirri gan slepe.

¶ & when sir Tirri was fallen on slepe Sir Gij biheld him, & gan to wepe, & gret morning gan make. Þan seiȝe he an ermine com of his mouþe Als swift als winde, þat bloweþ on clouþe, Line 5 As white as lilii on lake. To an hille he ran arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward obade: At þe hole of þe roche in he glade. Gij wonderd for þat sake. & when he out of þat roche cam Line 10 Into Tirries mouþe he nam: Anon Tirri gan wake.

¶ Sir Gij was wonderd of þat siȝt, [C line 9093] & Tirri sat vp anon riȝt, & biheld Gij opon. Þan seyd Tirri, 'fader of heuen! Sir pilgrim, swiche a wonder sweuen Line 5 Me met now anon, Þat to ȝon hille þat stont on heiȝe, Þat þou may se wiþ þi neiȝe, Me þouȝt þat y [þou MS.] was gon,

& at an hole in y wond, Line 10 & so riche tresour as y fond Y trow in þis world is non. [folio 158a:a]

¶ Biside þat tresour lay a dragoun, & þer-on lay a swerd broun, Þe sckauberk comly corn: In þe hilt was mani precious ston, As briȝt as ani sonne it schon, Line 5 Wiþ-outen oþ y-sworn. & me þouȝt Gij sat at min heued, & in his lappe me biweued Astow dest [dost MS.] me biforn. Lord, merci, & it wer so Line 10 Wele were me þan bi-go, Þat euer ȝete was y born.'

¶ 'Now, felawe,' seyd Gij, 'bi mi leute, Þat s[w]euen wil turn gret ioie to þe, & wele y schal it rede: Þurch Gij þou schalt þi lond keuer. Trust wele to god, þei þou be pouer: Line 5 Þe better þou schalt spede. To þe hulle nim we þe way, Þer þe þouȝt þe tresour lay, & in þou schalt me lede. Now god, þat schope al mankinde, Line 10 Wald we miȝt þat tresour finde: It wald help ous at nede.'

¶ Vp risen þo kniȝtes tvay, [C line 9123] & to þe hille þai nom þe way, & in þai went ful euen, & founde þe tresour, & þe dragoun, & þe swerd of stiel broun, Line 5 As Tirri met in his sweuen. Sir Gij [added above the line.] drouȝ out þat swerd anon, & alle þe pleynes þer-of it schon, As it were liȝt of leuen.

'Lord,' seyd Gij, 'y þanke þi sond: Line 10 Y seiȝe neuer are swiche a brond; Y wot it com fram heuen.'

¶ Sir Gij gan þe hilt bi-hold, Þat richeliche was grauen wiþ gold, Of charbukel þe pomel. Into þe sckaweberk oȝain he it [it added above the line.] dede, & seyd to Tirri in þat stede, Line 5 'Bi god & seyn Miȝhel, Of alle þis riche tresore Y no kepe þerof no more, [folio 158a:b] Bot þis brond of stiel.' [Three lines are wanting.]

¶ To courtward þo kniȝtes went: To aspie after þe parlement For drede wald þai nouȝt lete. Ac Tirri was aferd ful sare Of his fomen be knowen þare, Line 5 In þe cite ȝif he sete; Þerfore þai toke her ostel gode At an hous arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward þe toun stode Al bi a dern strete. Of al niȝt Gij slepe nouȝt: Line 10 So michel his hert was euer in þouȝt Wiþ douk Berard to mete.

¶ Erlich amorwe þan ros Gij, [C line 9155] & bisouȝt god & our leuedi He schuld scheld him fro blame, & seyd to sir Tirri þe hende, 'Kepe me wele þis swerd, leue frende, Line 5 Til y sende þer-fore, bi name, & y schal go to court þis day, & ȝif y þe douke mete may Y schal gret him wiþ grame, & ȝif he say ouȝt bot gode Line 10

Line 10 Bi him þat schadde for ous his arrow_back blod arrow_forward , Him tit a warld schame.'

¶ Gij goþ to toun wiþ michel hete: Þemperour fram chirche he gan mete, & gret him wiþ anour. 'Lord,' seyd Gij, 'þat wiþ hond Made wode, water, & lond, Line 5 Saue þe, sir emperour. Icham a man of fer cuntre, & of þi gode par charite Ich axse to mi socour.' Þemperour seyd, 'to court come, Line 10 & of mi gode þou schalt haue some For loue of seyn sauour.'

¶ To court þai went al & some. [C line 9173] Þemperour dede Gij [added above the line.] biforn him come: 'Pilgrim,' þan seyd he, 'Þou art wel weri meþenkeþ now: Fram wiche londes comestow? Line 5 For þi fader soule, telle me.' 'Sir,' seyd [added above the line.] Gij, 'ich vnderstond, [folio 158b:a] Ichaue ben in mani lond Biȝond þe Grekis se: In Ierusalem & in Surry, Line 10 In Costentin & in Perci A gode while haue ich be.'

¶ 'Sir pilgrim,' seyd þemperour fre, 'What spekeþ man in þat lond of me When þou com þennes ward?' Sir Gij answerd, 'bi þe gode rode, Men spekeþ þe þer ful litel gode, Line 5 Bot tidinges schrewed & hard; For þou hast schent so þerl Tirri & oþer barouns, þat ben hendy, For loue of þi steward. Gret sinne it is to þe Line 10

Line 10 To stroye so þi barouns fre Al for a fals schreward.'

¶ When þe douk herd him speke so, [C line 9197] As a wilde bore he lepe him to, His costes for to schawe. Wiþ his fest he wald haue smiten Gij, Bot barouns held him owy Line 5 Wele tventi on a rawe. He seyd to Gij, 'vile traitour, Ner þou bifor þemperour, Þei y wende to ben to-hewe, Bi thi berd y schuld þe schokke, Line 10 Þat al þi teþ [Part of the þ gone.] it schuld rokke; For þou art [rt rather in|distinct.] a kinde schrewe.

¶ Bi þi semblaunt se men may Þou hast ben traitour mani a day: God ȝif þe schame & schond. Ȝif þat y þe mai ouergon, To wicked ded þou schalt be don, Line 5 As a traitour to ly in bond: In swiche a stede þou schalt be, Þis seuen winter [An erasure after winter.] no schaltow se Noiþer [The i added above the line.] fet no hond. So schal men chasti foule glotuns Line 10 Þat wil missay gode barouns Þat lordinges ben in lond.'

¶ 'Ow sir,' seyd Gij, 'ertow þas [Read Þes: wes?] [C line 9217] Y nist no nar ho [hou MS.] it was, Bi þe gode rode, [folio 158b:b] & now y wot þat þou art he: Þou art vncurteys, so þenkeþ me. Line 5 Þou farst astow wer wode, & art a man of fair parage: Y-com þou art of heiȝe linage & of gentil arrow_back blod arrow_forward . It is þe litel curteysie Line 10

Line 10 To do me swiche vilanie Bifor þemperour þer y stode.

¶ & for þe wil y wond no-þing: Y schal telle þe þe soþe arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesing Bifor his barouns ichon, Þat wiþ gret wrong & sinne, ywis, Þerl Tirri deshirrite is Line 5 & oþer gode mani on. A þousend men ichaue herd teld Boþe in toun & in feld, As wide as ichaue gon, Þat he is giltles of þat dede: Line 10 Þou berst on him wiþ falshede Þi neme he schuld slon.'

¶ Þe douk Berra[r]d was wroþ, [C line 9235] Bi Iesu Crist he swore his oþ, 'Y wald þat þou were Gij, Or þat þou so douhti were Þou durst fiȝt for him here: Line 5 God ȝaf it & our leuedi!' Sir Gij [Added above the line.] answerd, 'bi seyn sauour, Drede þe noþing, vile traitour: Þerto icham redy. Bi þou wroþ, be þou gladde, Line 10 To þemperour y ȝif mi wedde To fiȝt for þerl Tirri.'

¶ Þe douk Berard þer he stode Stared on Gij as he wer wode, & egrelich seyd his þouȝt. 'Pilgrim,' he seyd, 'þou art ful stout: Y-wis, þi wordes þat er so prout Line 5 Schal be ful dere abouȝt. Y warn þe wele,' he seyd þo, 'Þat þine heued þou schalt forgo, Where so þou may be souȝt.' Sir Gij seyd, 'þan þou it hast, Line 10 Þan make þer-of þi bast; [folio 159b:a] For ȝete no getes þou it nouȝt.'

¶ Bifor þemperour þan come Gij, [C line 9261] & seyd, 'sir Berard of Paui Is a man of miȝti dede, & fram fer cuntres comen icham, & am a sely pouer man: Line 5 Y no haue here no sibbered, No y no haue wepen no armour briȝt. For þe loue of god al-miȝt, Finde me armour & stede.' Þemperour answerd, 'bi Iesu, Line 10 Pilgrim, þou schalt haue anow Of al þat þe is nede.'

¶ Þe douk Berra[r]d þennes he went: His hert was in strong turment, He no wist what he do miȝt. Þemperour cleped his douhter, a mayde [amayde MS.] : 'Leue douhter,' to hir he seyd, Line 5 'Kepe þis pilgrim to-niȝt.' Sche him vnderfenge ful mildeliche, & dede baþe him ful softliche: In silke sche wald him diȝt,

Ac þerof was no-þing his þouȝt, Line 10 Bot of gode armour he hir bisouȝt, Wiþ þe douke Berard to fiȝt.

¶ Amorwe aros þat emperour: [C line 9293] Erls, barouns of gret honour To chirche wiþ him þai ȝede, & when þe barouns asembled was Þan miȝt men sen in þat plas Line 5 To-gider a fair ferred. Þider com þe douk Berard Prout & stern as a lipard, [alipard MS.] Wele y-armed on stede, & priked riȝt as he wer wode Line 10 Among þe barouns þer þai stode, Batayle for to bede.

¶ Þe maiden forȝat neuer a del, Þe pilgrim was armed ful wel Wiþ a gode glaiue in honde, & a swift ernand stede Al wrin sche dede him lede, Line 5 Þe best of þat lond. Þan sir Gij him bi-þouȝt, [folio 159a:b] Þe gode swerd forȝat he nouȝt Þat he in tresour fond. He sent þerafter priueliche Line 10 (Noman wist litel no miche), & Tirri sent him þe brond.

¶ When þat mayden hadde graiþed Gij, Wele y-diȝt & ful richely, Men gan on him biheld.

Sche ledde him forþ swiþe stille To þemperour wiþ gode wille: Line 5 Sche tauȝt him for to weld. Þan seyd þemperour hende & fre, [C line 9323] 'Lordinges, listen now to me, Boþe ȝong & eld. Þis kniȝt, þat ȝe se now here, Line 10 Haþ taken batail in strong maner, Al for to fiȝt in feld.

¶ Þis kniȝt,' he seyd, 'þat ston[t] me bi, Wil fiȝt for þerl sir Tirri (For no þing wil he wond), & defende him of þat felonie Oȝain þe douk Berard of Paui Line 5 Þat he berþ him an hond; For Tirri is out of lond went To seche Gij, verrament, Þat for him miȝt stond (Þis day is sett bitven hem tvo), Line 10 Or be deshirrite for euer-mo, & flemed out of lond.

¶ Bot now is comen here þis kniȝt, Oȝain Berard haþ taken þe fiȝt: For no þing wil he flen. Ac, lordinges,' he seyd, 'euerichon, Where the batayl schal be don Line 5 Loke, where it may best ben.' Þan loked þai it schuld be In a launde vnder þe cite. Þider in þai went bi-den:

Mani man bad god þat day Line 10 Help þe pilgrim, as he wele may, Þe douk Berard to slen.

¶ On hors lopen þo kniȝtes prest, & lopen to-gider til schaftes brest, Þat strong weren & trewe, [folio 159b:a] & her gerþes brusten, þat strong were, & þo kniȝtes boþe y-fere Line 5 Out of her sadels þrewe. After þai drouȝ her swerdes gode, & leyd on as þai were wode, Þat were gode & newe; & astow sest þe fir on flint Line 10 Þe stem out of her helmes stint So hetelich þai gun hewe.

¶ Wele wer armed þo kniȝtes stout, Bot he had more yren him about Þat fals Berardine: Tvay hauberkes he was in weued, & tvay helmes opon his heued, Line 5 Was wrouȝt in Sarazine. Opon his schulder henge a duble scheld (Better [Berter MS.] miȝt non be born in feld), A gode swerd of stiel fine: Mani man þerwiþ his liif had lorn. Line 10 It was sumtim þer-biforn Þe kinges Costentine.

¶ Strong batayl held þo kniȝtes bold, Þat alle þat euer gan hem bihold Þai seyden hem among Þe pilgrim was non erþely man; It was an angel, from heuen cam Line 5 For Tirri batayle to fong:

'For mani gode erle & mani baroun Berard haþ y-brouȝt adoun Wiþ wel michel wrong, Þer-fore haþ God sent, y-wis, Line 10 An angel out of heuen blis To sle þat traitour strong.'

¶ Al þe folk in þat cite was, [C line 9375] Litel & michel, more & las, To se þe batayl þai ȝede; Bot Tirri in a chirche liis, & euer he bisouȝt god, y-wis, Line 5 He schuld him help & spede. When he herd telle [þat a] pilgrim Fauȝt oȝain þe douke Berardin, To help him at his nede, Wel fain he wald þider gon, Line 10 Bot for knoweing of his fon: [folio 160b:b] Wel sore he gan him drede.

¶ Ac naþeles he ros vp þo Wiþ michel care & michel wo, & þider he went wel swiþe. When he com to þe plas Þer þe bataile loked was, Line 5 Amonges hem he gan liþe, &, when he seyȝe the douk so strong & his armes to-hewe among, In his hert he was ful bliþe,

&, þo he seyȝe his arrow_back blod arrow_forward spille, Line 10 God he þonked wiþ gode wille. [A line is here omitted in the MS.]

¶ 'Lord, merci!' Tirri gan say: 'Þis is nouȝt þe pilgrim y met ȝisterday [ȝist blotted.] Þat is so richeliche diȝt. He was a feble pouer body, Sely, messays, & hungri; Line 5 & he is of michel miȝt. Y trow non erþelich man it be. On Gij y þenke when ichim se: So douhti he was in fiȝt. Ȝif Gij, mi felawe, nouȝt [now MS.] ded nere, Line 10 Ich wald sigge þat he it were: So liche þai ben of siȝt.'

¶ Into chirche oȝain he ȝede, & fel on knes in þat stede, & Iesus Crist he bi-souȝt He schuld help þe pilgrim Þat fauȝt oȝain douk Berardin, Line 5 Þat miche wo haþ him wrouȝt. Hard togider gun þai fiȝt Fro the morwe to þe niȝt, Þat þai rest hem nouȝt; & when hem failed liȝt of day Line 10 Þai couþe no rede what þai do may: To þemperour þai hem brouȝt.

¶ 'Sir emperour,' þai seyd anon, [C line 9431] 'What schul we wiþ þis kniȝtes don? At þi wille schal it be.' Þemperour clept to him þo Four barouns þat his trust was to. Line 5 'Lordinges,' þan seyd he, 'Kepe me wele þe douk Berard, & bring him tomorwe bi a forward, [folio 160a:a] Opon al ȝour fe.

& y schal kepe þe pilgrim to-niȝt: Line 10 Til tomorwe þat it is day liȝt He schal bileue wiþ me.'

Þan departed þis batayle: Þo four barouns, wiþ-outen fayl, Vnder-stode Berard to kepe, & þemperour toke þe pilgrim, In a chaumber to loken him Line 5 Wiþ seriaunce wise & ȝepe. Þe douke Berard for-ȝat him nouȝt, Of a foule tresoun he him bi-þouȝt: Four kniȝtes he gan clepe. 'F[or] [blotted.] mi loue,' he seyd, 'goþ to-niȝt Line 10 Þ[er] [blotted.] þe pilgrim liþ ful riȝt, & sleþ him in his slepe.'

¶ Þai armed hem swiþe wel [C line 9455] Boþe in iren & in stiel, & went hem forþ in hast. Into þe chaumber þai went anon: Þe pilgrims kepers euerichon Line 5 Lay & slepe full fast. To þe pilgrim þai went ful riȝt, & left vp þe bedde wiþ her miȝt, Þo four traitours vnwrast: To þe se þai beren him, Line 10 & boþe bed & þe pilgrim Into þe see þai cast.

¶ To sir Berard þai went anon, & teld him hou þai hadden don; Þerof he was ful fawe. 'Sir,' þai seyd, 'be nouȝt adred: Boþe þe pilgrim & þe bed, Line 5 Into þe se we han y-þrawe.'

Þe pilgrim waked, & loked an heyȝe: Þe sterres on þe heuen he seiȝe, Þe water about him drawe. Þei he was ferd no wonder it nis: Line 10 Non oþer þing he no seyȝe, y-wis, Bot winde & wateres wawe.

¶ 'Lord,' seyd Gij, 'god almiȝt, [C line 9475] Þat winde, & water, & al þing diȝt, On me haue now pite! Whi is me fallen þus strong cumbring? [folio 100a:b] & y no fiȝt for to win no þing, Line 5 Noiþer gold no fe, For no cite no no castel, Bot for mi felawe y loued so wel, Þat was of gret bounte. For he was sumtyim so douhti, Line 10 & now he is so pouer a bodi, Certes, it reweþ me.'

Now herkeneþ a litel striif, Hou he saued þe pilgrims liif Iesu, þat sitt in trone, Wiþ a fischer þat was comand, In þe se fische takeand Line 5 Bi himself al-on. He seþ þat bed floter him by: 'On godes half,' he gan to cri, 'What artow? say me son.' Þe pilgrim his heued vp pliȝt, Line 10 & crid to him anon riȝt, & made wel reweli mon.

¶ 'Gode man,' þan seyd he, [C line 9501] 'Y leue on god in trinite: Þe soþe þou schalt now sen. Vnderstode þou ouȝt of þe batayl hard Bitven þe pilgrim & sir Berard, Line 5 Hou þai fouȝten bitven?' Þe fischer seyd, 'y seiȝe þe fiȝt Fro þe morwe to þe niȝt: For noþing wald þai flen. Þemperour comand þo Line 10 Þai schuld be kept boþe tvo, Tomorwe bring hem oȝen.'

¶ 'Icham,' he seyd, 'þe pilgrim Þat fauȝt wiþ [The þ of wiþ added above the line.] þe douke Berardin For Tirri, þe hendi kniȝt. Ȝistreuen we wer deled ato; In a chaumber y was do Line 5 Wiþ seriaunce wise & wiȝt: Hou ich com her no wot y nouȝt. For his loue þat þis warld haþ wrouȝt, Saue me ȝif þou miȝt.' Þe fischer tok him into his bot anon, Line 10 & to his hous he ladde him hom, & saued his liif þat niȝt. [folio 160b:a]

¶ Þemperour ros amorwe, y-wis, [C line 9525] & at [at altered from atte.] þe chirche he herd his messe In þe first tide of þe day, & into his halle he gan gon, & after þe steward he axed anon Line 5 & þe pilgrim wiþ-outen delay. Þe four barouns forȝat hem nouȝt, Þe douke Berard þai han forþ brouȝt Redy armed to play; & þe pilgrims kepers com euerichon, Line 10 & seyd to þemperour, bi seyn Ion, Þe pilgrim was oway.

¶ Þemperour was wel wroþ: Bi his fader soule he swore [The s of swore added above the line.] his oþ, Þai schuld ben hang & drawe. 'For godes loue,' he seyd, 'merci! Þis douke Berard of Paui Line 5 Haþ him brouȝt o dawe.' Þemperour seyd, 'bi seyn Martin, Hastow don þis fals, Berardin, · To don þe pilgrim slawe? Ȝeld him deþes or liues to me, Line 10 Or in mi court demp[t] þou schalt be Þurch iugement of lawe.'

¶ Þe douke Berard wex wroþ & wo; [C line 9551] Þemperour he answerd þo Wiþ wel michel hete: 'Ichaue serued þe long, sir emperour,

& kept þi londes wiþ michel anour, Line 5 & now þou ginnest me þrete. Þerof ȝiue y nouȝt a chirston. Hom to Lombardy ichil gon: Wiþ alle þe ost y may gete Y schal com in-to Almayn; for al þi tene Line 10 Of al þi lond, siker mot þou ben, O fot y no schal þe lete.'

¶ When þemperour herd þat, & of his þretening vnder-ȝat, He bad wiþ wordes bold Out of his court he schuld gon. & he answerd sone anon Line 5 Þat sikerliche he nold. [The e of he and the n of nold blotted.] Þer com þe fischer priueliche, & puked þemperour softliche: [folio 160b:b] His tale to him he told. 'Sir emperour,' he seyd, 'listen to me: Line 10 Of þe pilgrim ichil telle þe, Ȝif þou me herken wold.'

¶ 'Fischer,' seyd þemperour fre, [C line 9857] 'Of þe pilgrim telle þou me, Ȝif þou þe soþe can sayn.' 'For-soþe,' he seyd, 'y can ful wel: Y schal þe leyȝen neuer a del; Line 5 Þerof icham ful fain. Ȝistreuen, wiþ-outen lesing, Y went to þe se of fischeing, Mine nettes for to layn. A bedde y fond þer floterand, Line 10

Line 10 & þer-on a kniȝt liggeand, A man of michel mayn.

¶ & ich him axed what he were: He told me þe soþe þere Wiþ wordes fre & hende. 'Icham,' he seyd, 'þe pilgrim Þat fauȝt wiþ þe douke Berardin Line 5 Ȝisterday to þe nende.' Y tok him into mi bot anon, & to min hous y lad him hom, & kept him as mi frende. Ȝif þou leuest nouȝt he is þare, Line 10 Do sum seriaunt þider fare, & þer ȝe may him fende.'

¶ Þemperour sent after him þo [C line 9603] Wiþ þe fischer & other mo, & brouȝt him, saunfayle. Þai were don togider bliue Wiþ hard strokes for to driue: Line 5 Þai gun hem to asayle. Wel hard togider gun þai fiȝt: Wiþ her brondes, þat wer briȝt, Þai hewe hauberk of mayle. Þus togider gun þai play, Line 10 Til it was þe heyȝe midday, Wiþ wel strong batayle.

¶ [¶ wanting in MS.] Þe douk Berard was egre of mode: He smot to Gij as he wer wode; His liif he wende to winne. He hit [him] [him here omitted in MS, but the catchword on fol. 160 v. is he hit him on þe helm] on þe helm on hiȝt, [folio 161a:a] Þat alle þe floures feir & briȝt Line 5 He dede hem fleyȝe atvinne. Þe nasel he carf atvo, & þe venteyle he dede also Riȝt to his bare chinne. [[Three lines are here omitted in MS.]]

¶ Sir Gij was wroþ anon fot hot, & Berard on þe helme he smot: To stond hadde he no space; For boþe helmes he carf atvo, & his heued he dede also Line 5 In midward of þe face. Þurch al his bodi þe swerd bot Into þe erþe wele half a fot, Þat seiȝe men in þe place. Þ[e s] [The letters in brackets blotted.] oule went fro þe bodi þere: Line 10 Þ[e fol]k [The letters in brackets blotted.] of þe cite wel glad were; Þ[ai] [The letters in brackets blotted.] þonked our lordes grace.

¶ Bifor þemperour þan com sir Gij: [C line 9653] 'Ichaue wroken þerl Tirri (Þe soþe þou miȝt now sen), & defended him of þat felonie Oȝain þe douke Berard of Paui, Line 5 Þat was so stout & ken. Þerfore þe soþe ich ax þe, Ȝif Tirri schal quitecleymed be, & haue his lond oȝen. & who so þer-oȝain wiþstond Line 10 He schal haue schame of min hond, Wel siker may he ben.'

¶ Þemperour seyd, 'sikerly, Þou hast wroken þerl Tirri; Gret honour þou hast him don. Þerfore when he is come His londes þan al & some Line 5 He schal haue euerichon.' Þan was Gij glad & bliþe, & kest of his armes also swiþe: After him he thouȝt to gon. Þemperour wald cloþe him in gold, Line 10 Ac, sikerliche, he seyd he nold: His sclauain he axed anon.

¶ To toun he went in his way [C line 9673] To finde Tirri ȝif he may In sorwe & care ful bounde. [folio 161a:b] Into a chirche he him dede, & fond him in a priue stede Line 5 Liand on knes to grounde. 'Arise vp, Tirri,' he seyd þo; 'To court þou schalt wiþ me go, Now ichaue þe founde.' Tirri anon his heued vpbreyd, Line 10 & seyd, 'pilgrim, hastow me treyd, Allas þat ich stounde!

¶ Allas, allas,' þan seyd he, 'To what man may men trust be, To chese to his make? Þou þat semed so stedefast To þemperour me wraied hast: Line 5 To sle me þou hast take. In iuel time was it to me Þat y mi name told to þe: Allas þat ich sake!' For sorwe þat he hadde þo Line 10 O word no miȝt he speke mo, Bot stode & gan to quake.

¶ 'Tirri,' seyd Gij, 'drede þe no-þing: [C line 9697] Þou schalt to-day here gode tiding Þurch grace of godes sond. Þe schrewed douke Berard he is ded; Under þe cite he is y-leyde: Line 5 Y slouȝ him wiþ min hond.' Þo was Tirri glad & bliþe: To court he went also swiþe; For noþing wald he wond. 'Sir emperour,' seyd Gij anon, Line 10 'Now is Tirri comen hom To resceiue his lond.'

¶ Þemperour on him gan bihold, & seyd to him wiþ wordes bold, 'Artow þerl Tirri? Where is now þi bold chere Þat whilom so douhti were, Line 5 & holden so hardi?' 'Ȝa, sir,' he seyd, 'icham he. Whilom y was of gret bounde, & helden ful douhti; [The whole line on an erasure.] & now ich haue al forlorn Line 10 Wiþ miche sorwe on euen & morn [folio 161b:a] To seke mi felawe sir Gij.

¶ Ich haue him souȝt in mani lond, Ac neuer man ȝete ich fond Can telle of him no sawe: He is dede, ich wot full wel. God almiȝti & seyn Miȝhel Line 5 To blis his soule drawe! Ac now is it told me þis pilgrim As slayn þe douke Berardin; Þerof icham ful fawe. Sir emperour, y bid merci: Line 10 For godes loue & our leuedi, Þo[u] do me londes lawe.'

¶ Þritti erls wel curteys, [C line 9725] & alle þe lordinges of þe palais, [altered from paylais.] & mani baroun afine Crid merci to þemperour bold. Þemperour gan him bihold, [The i of bihold partially gone.] Line 5 & seyd, 'Tirri, frende min, Here y sese þe in al þi lond, Wiþ worþschip to held in þine hond, Bi god & seyn Martine. Bifor mi barouns y graunt þe, Line 10 Steward of mi lond þou schalt be As was þe douke Berardine.'

¶ Þemperour kist him ful swete, Forȝaf him his wreþe & his hete Bifor hem al þere. [Þre MS.] When þemperour & þerl were at on, Þe lordinges euerichon Line 5 Wele bliþe of hertes were. 'Sir Tirri,' seyd þemperour fre, 'For þi fader soule, tel þou me, Astow art me leue & dere, Whennes is þis pilgrim? Line 10 Is he þi nem or þi cosyin Þat fauȝt for þe here?'

¶ 'Sir emperour,' seyd sir Tirri, 'So god me help & our leuedi, For-soþe arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward fayle, Y no seiȝe neuer ere þis pilgrim, Bot þis oþer day y met wiþ him, Line 5 & told him mi conseyl. [folio 161b:b] He swore astite bi seyn Ion To þi court he wald gon Þe douk Berard to asayle. Ich wend wel litel þan, y pliȝt, Line 10 He hadde ben of michel miȝt, To hold wiþ him batayle.'

¶ Þemperour dede as a gode man, [C line 9763] & Tirri into his chaumber he nam, & richeliche gan him schrede. He fond him wepen, & armour briȝt, & al þat schuld falle to kniȝt, Line 5 & feffed him wiþ prede; & fond him hors & stedes gode, Of al his lond þe best stode, Hom wiþ him to lede. Þemperour wald þe pilgrim at-hold, [hold blotted.] Line 10 Ac, sikerliche, he seyd he nold: Wiþ Tirri hom he ȝede.

¶ When Tirri was comen hom, Þe pilgrim he wald anon Sesen in al his lond, & he for-soke it al out-riȝt; For riches loued he no-wiȝt Line 5 For to hold in hond. Þerl as swiþe his sond he sent Ouer al his lond, verrament, Til þat his wiif he fond: Þo was sche founden in an ile [anile MS.] Line 10 In a nunri þat while For doute of Berardes bond.

¶ Þo was Tirri a noble man, [C line 9779] In al þat lond better nas nan, As y ȝou tel may. Destrud were al his enemis: He liueþ in michel ioie & blis, Line 5 Al-so a prince in play. Anon sir Gij him bi-þouȝt Þat lenger wald he duelle nouȝt. To sir Tirri on a day He seyd to him in þat tide, Line 10 'Here nil y no lenger abide: Ich mot wende in mi way.

¶ O þing,' he seyd, 'y pray þe: [folio 162a:a] Out of þe cite go wiþ me, Astow art hendi kniȝt. Alon we shul go boþe y-fere, & swich tidinges þou schalt here, Line 5 Þou schalt haue wonder, apliȝt.' Þerl him graunt wiþ hert fre, & went wiþ him out of þat cite In his way ful riȝt, & when þai wer þennes half a mile [amile MS.] Line 10 Þer þai duelled a litel while, Þo gomes of michel miȝt.

¶ 'Tirri,' seyd Gij, 'vnderstond þou þe: [C line 9811] Þou art vnkinde, so þenkeþ me; For Gij, þi gode fere, Whi [hi blotted.] wiltow him knowe nouȝt? Y-wis, [wis blotted.] þou art iuel biþouȝt. Line 5 No was he þe leue & dere? Þenke he slouȝ þe douk Otoun, & brouȝt þe out of his prisoun, & made þe quite & skere, & hou he fond þe ded almast Line 10 As he rode þurch a forest [aforest MS.] Wiþ a rewely chere,

¶ & hou he socourd þi leman schene, & al þe fiften outlawes ken He slouȝ hem al on rawe, & slouȝ þe four kniȝtes radde, & þi bodi to toun ladde, Line 5 To leche þi woundes ful fawe, & he socourd þi fader in wer, & halp þe boþe nere & fer Þo þou was fallen ful lawe, & now y slouȝ Berard þe strong. Line 10 Icham Gij; þou hast wrong: Why wiltow me nouȝt knawe?'

¶ When þerl herd him speke so, Wepen he gan wiþ eyȝen to, & fel aswon to grounde. 'For godes loue,' he seyd, 'merci! Iuel at ese now am y, Line 5 In sorwe & care ful bounde. Ful wele miȝt y knowe þe ar now: In al þis warld was non [man MS.] bot þou [folio 162a:b] Oȝain Berard durst founde. Merci, sir, par charite: Line 10 Þat ich haue misknowen þe, Allas, allas þat stounde!'

¶ Merci he crid on his kne: [C line 9851] Boþe for sorwe & for pite Wepen he bigan.

He seyȝe his legges brosten ich-del, Þat whilom wer y-hosed ful wel: Line 5 More sorwe made neuer man. Sir Gij went to him þo: In his hert him was wo, & in his armes vp him nam. Atvix hem was gret diol in þat stounde: Line 0 Boþe þai fel aswon to grounde: For sorwe þai wex al wan.

¶ 'Tirri,' seyd sir Gij þo, 'Þou schalt bileue, & y schal go: Y biteche þe heuen king. Bot ich haue a sone, y-wis, Y not wheþer he kniȝt is, Line 5 For he is bot a ȝongling: Ȝif he haue ani nede to þe, Help him for þe loue of me, Y pray þe, in al þing. Ich hope he schal be a gode kniȝt: Line 10 Y pray Iesu ful of miȝt He graunt him his blisceing.'

¶ 'Merci, sir,' þan seyd he, 'For godes loue, leue her stil wiþ me: Y pray þe par amour. Mi treuþe y pliȝt in þine hond, Y schal þe sese in al mi lond, Line 5 Boþe in toun & tour. Þi man y wil be & serue þe ay Þer while mi liif lest may, To hold vp þin honour. & ȝif þou no wilt ichil wiþ þe go: Line 10 Y-wis, ichaue wele leuer so Þan bileue wiþ þemperour.'

¶ [No ¶ in MS.] 'Do oway, sir Tirri: þer-of speke nouȝt; [C line 9887] Al idel speche it is þi þouȝt. Wende oȝain hom now riȝt, [folio 162b:a] & be nouȝt to prout, y þe rede: To serue þi lord at al his nede Line 5 Þou proue wiþ þi miȝt. Desirite no man of his lond: Ȝif þou dost þou gos to schond; Ful siker be þou, apliȝt. For ȝiue þou reue a man his fe Line 10 Godes face schaltow neuer se, No com in heuen liȝt.

¶ Biþenke þe wele of douke Berard, Hou prout he was, for he was steward, & flemed þe out of lond, & he now desirite is, Wiþ michel sorwe slayn, y-wis, Line 5 & schamelich driuen to schond. Y schal gon, & þou bileue schalt: Y biteche þe god, þat al þing walt, & maked wiþ his hond.' Þai kisten hem togider þo: Line 10 Oliue þai seyȝen hem neuer eft mo, As þe gest doþ ous vnderstond.

¶ Gret sorwe þai made at her parting, & kist hem wiþ eiȝe wepeing. Þai wenten hem boþe atvo. Als swiþe þerl Tirri went him hom, Þre days he no ete mete non: Line 5 In hert him was ful wo; & when þe countas, sikerly,

Herd seyn it was sir Gij Þat þan was went hem fro, Sche vpbreyd hir lord day & niȝt Line 10 Þat he no had holden him wiþ strengþe & miȝt, & laten him nouȝt þennes go. [gon MS.]

Now went Gij forþ in his way [C line 9909] Toward þe see so swiþe he may; For Tirri he siked sare. Into schip he went biliue: Ouer þe se he gan driue; Line 5 Into Inglond he gan fare. Þe lond folk he axed anon After king Aþelston, In what cuntre he ware. 'At Winchester, verrament, Line 10 & after his barouns he haþ sent [folio 162b:b] Boþe lasse & mare.

¶ Erls, barouns, & bischopes, Kniȝtes, priours, & abbotes At Winchester þai ben ichon, & han puruayd, wiþ-outen lesing, Þre days to ben in fasting, Line 5 To biseke god in tron He sende hem [him MS.] þurch his swet sond A man þat were douhti of hond Oȝain Colbrond to gon. Þer is þe king & þe barnage, y-wis, Line 10 For doute of her enemis, Þat wayt hem for to slon.

¶ For sir Anlaf, þe king of Danmark, Wiþ a nost store & stark Into Inglond is come, Wiþ fiften þousend kniȝtes of pris: Alle þis lond þai stroyen, y-wis, Line 5 & mani a toun [The t of toun altered from d.] han nome. A geaunt he haþ brouȝt wiþ him

Out of Aufrike stout & grim: Colbrond hat þat gome. For him is al Inglond forlore Line 10 Bot godes help be bi-fore, Þat socour sende hem some.

¶ To þe king he haþ sent his sond For to ȝeld him al Inglond, [Inglong MS.] & ȝif him trowage out-riȝt; Ȝif he no wil nouȝt, finde a baroun, A geaunt oþer a champioun, Line 5 Oȝain Colbrond to fiȝt. & þer-of þai han taken a day, Ac our king non finde may: Erl, baroun, no kniȝt, No squier, no seriaunt non Line 10 Oȝain þe geaunt dar gon: So grim he is of siȝt.'

¶ Þan seyd sir Gij, 'whare i[s] Herhaud, Þat in his time was so bald? & þai answerd ful swiþe, 'To seche Gyes sone he is fare, Þat marchaunce hadde stollen þare: Line 5 For him he was vnbliþe.' '& where is þerl Rohaut of pris?' [folio 163a:a] & þai answerd, 'dede he is, A gode while is go siþe; & Feliis, his douhter, is his air: Line 10 So gode a leuedi no so fair, Y-wis, nis non oliue.'

¶ Gij went to Winchester a ful gode pas, [C line 9995] Þer þe king þat time was, To held his parlement. Þe barouns weren in þe halle: Þe king seyd, 'lordinges alle, Line 5 Mine men ȝe ben, verrament. Þerfore ich ax, wiþ-outen fayl, Of þis Danis folk, wil ous aseyl. Ich biseche ȝou wiþ gode entent, For godes loue y pray ȝou, Line 10 Gode conseyl ȝiue me now, Or elles we ben al schent.

¶ For þe king of Danmark wiþ wrong Wiþ his geaunt, þat is so strong, He wil ous al schende. Þerfore ich axi ȝou ichon, What rede is best for to don? Line 5 Oȝaines hem for to wende? Ȝif he ouercom ous in batayle He wil slen ous alle, saunfeyle, & strouen al our kende: Þan schal Inglond euermo Line 10 Liue in þraldom & [Repeated in MS.] in wo Vnto þe warldes ende.

¶ Þerfore ich axi ȝou now riȝt Ȝif ȝe knowe our ani kniȝt Þat is so stout & bold Þat þe batayle dar take an hond, To fiȝt oȝain Col-brond: Line 5 Half mi lond haue he schold Wiþ alle þe borwes þat liþ þer-to To him & to his aires euer-mo, To haue ȝiue he wold.' [S]til seten erls & barouns, Line 10 As men hadde schauen her crounes: Nouȝt on answere nold.

¶ 'Allas,' seyd þe king, 'þat y was born: Al mi ioie it is forlorn; Wel wo is me oliue. [folio 163a:b] Now in al mi lond nis no kniȝt Oȝains a geant to hold fiȝt: Line 5 Mine hert wil breken on fiue. Allas, of Warwike sir Gij, Y no hadde ȝeuen þe half mi lond frely, To hold arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward striue! Wele were me þan bifalle, Line 10 Ac, certes, now þe Danis men alle To sorwe þai schul me driue.'

¶ When it was niȝt to bedde þai ȝede: [C line 10065] Þe king for sorwe & for drede Wiþ teres wett his lere. Of al þat niȝt he slepe riȝt nouȝt, Bot euer Iesu he bisouȝt, Line 5 Þat was him leue & dere, He schuld him sende þurch his sond A man to fiȝt wiþ Colbrond, Ȝif it is wille were; & Iesus Crist ful of miȝt Line 10 He sent him a noble kniȝt, As ȝe may forward here.

Þer cam an angel fram heuen liȝt, & seyd to þe king ful riȝt Þurch grace of godes sond. He seyd, 'king Aþel-ston, slepestow? Hider me sent þe king Iesu Line 5 To comfort þe to fond. To-morwe go to þe norþ ȝate ful swiþe: A pilgrim þou schalt se com biliue, When þou hast a while stond.

Bid him for seynt Charite Line 10 Þat he take þe batayl for þe, & he it wil nim on hond.'

¶ Þan was þe king glad & bliþe. [C line 10087] A-morwe he ros vp ful swiþe, & went to þe gate ful riȝt; Tvay erls went wiþ him þo, & tvay bischopes dede also. Line 5 Þe weder was fair & briȝt. Opon þe day about prime Þe king seiȝe cum þe pilgrim. Bi þe sclauayn he him pliȝt: 'Pilgrim,' he seyd, 'y pray þe, Line 10 To court wende þou hom wiþ me, [folio 163b:a] & ostel þer al niȝt.'

¶ 'Be stille, sir,' seyd þe pilgrim: 'It is nouȝt ȝete time to take min in, Al-so god me rede.' Þe king him bisouȝt þo, & þe lordinges dede also: Line 5 To court wiþ hem he ȝede. 'Pilgrim,' quaþ þe king, 'par charite, Ȝif it be þi wil, vnderstond to me: Y schal schewe þe al our nede. Þe king of Danmark wiþ gret wrong Line 10 Þurch a geaunt, þat is so strong, Wil strou al our þede.

¶ & whe han taken of him batayle, On what maner, saunfayle, Y schal now tellen þe. Þurch þe bodi of a kniȝt, [akniȝt MS.] Oȝains [Oȝains altered from Oȝanss.] þat geaunt to hold fiȝt, Line 5 Schal þis lond aquite be.

&, pilgrim, for him þat dyed on rode, & þat for ous schadde his arrow_back blod arrow_forward , To bigge ous alle fre, Take þe batayle now on hond, Line 10 & saue ous þe [Added above the line.] riȝt of Inglond, For seynt Charite.'

¶ 'Do way, leue sir,' seyd Gij. 'Icham an old man, a feble bodi: Mi strengþe is fro me fare.' Þe king fel on knes to grounde, & crid him merci in þat stounde, Line 5 Ȝif it his wille ware, & þe barouns dede also: O knes þai fellen alle þo Wiþ sorwe & sikeing sare. Sir Gij biheld þe lordinges allc, Line 10 & whiche sorwe hem was bi-falle: Sir Gij hadde of hem care.

¶ Sir Gij tok vp þe king anon, & bad þe lordinges euerichon Þat þai schuld vp stond, & seyd, 'for god [Another god erased in MS.] in trinite & for to make Inglond fre, Line 5 Þe batayle y nim on hond.' Þan was þe king ful glad & bliþe, [folio 163b:b] & þonked Gij a þousend siþe [C line 10127] & Iesu Cristes sond. [¶ here by mistake in MS.] To þe king of Danmark he sent þan, Line 10 & seyd he hadde founden a man To fiȝt for Inglond.

¶ Þe Danismen busked hem ȝare Into batayle for to fare: To fiȝt þai war wel fawe. & Gij was armed swiþe wel In a gode hauberk of stiel Line 5 Wrouȝt of þe best lawe. An helme he hadde of michel miȝt With a ce[r]cle of gold, þat schon briȝt, Wiþ precious stones on rawe. In þe frunt stode a char-bukel ston: Line 10 As briȝt as ani sonne it schon Þat glemes vnder schawe.

¶ On þat helme stode a flour: Wrouȝt it was of diuers colour; Mirie it was to b[i]hold. Trust & trewe was his ventayle, Gloues, & gambisoun, & hosen of mayle Line 5 As gode kniȝt haue scholde. Girt he was wiþ a gode brond Wele kerueand, bi-forn his hond A targe listed wiþ gold, Portreyd wiþ þre kinges corn, Line 10 Þat present god when he was born: Mirier was non on mold.

¶ & a swift ernand stede Al wrin þai dede him lede: His tire it was ful gay.

Sir Gij opon þat stede wond Wiþ a gode glaiue in hond, Line 5 & priked him forþ his way, &, when he com to þe plas Þer þe batayl loked was, Gij liȝt wiþ-outen delay, & fel on knes doun in þat stede, Line 10 & to god he bad his bede, He schuld ben his help þat day.

¶ 'Lord,' seyd Gij, 'þat rered Lazeroun, & for man þoled passioun, & on þe rode gan blede, [folio 164a:a] Þat saued Sussan fram þe feloun, & halp Daniel fram þe lyoun, Line 5 To-day wisse me & rede: Astow art miȝti heuen king, To-day graunt me þi blisseing, & help me at þis nede. &, leuedi Mari ful of miȝt, Line 10 To-day saue Inglondes riȝt, & leue me wele to spede.'

When þe folk was samned bi boþe side, [C line 10199] Þe to kinges wiþ michel pride After þe relikes þai sende, Þe corporas, & þe messe gere: On þe halidom þai gun swere Line 5 Wiþ wordes fre & hende. Þe king of Danmarke swore furst, ywis, [Added above the line.] Ȝif þat his geant slayn is, To Danmarke he schal wende, & neuer more Inglond cum wiþinne, Line 10 No non after him of his kinne Vnto þe warldes ende.

¶ Seþþen swore þe king Aþelston,

& seyd among hem euerichon Bi god þat al may weld, Ȝif his man þer slayn be, Or ouer-comen, þat men may se, Line 5 Recreaunt in þe feld, His man he wil bicom an hond, & alle þe reme of Inglond Of him for to helde, & hold him for lord & king, Line 10 Wiþ gold, & siluer, & oþer þing Gret trowage him for to ȝelde.

¶ When þai had sworn & ostage founde, Colbrond stirt vp in þat stounde: To fiȝt he was ful felle. He was so michel & so vnrede, Þat non hors miȝt him lede, Line 5 In gest as y ȝou telle. So mani he hadde of armes gere, Vnneþe a cart miȝt hem bere, Þe Inglisse for to quelle. Swiche armour as he hadde opon, Line 10 Y-wis, no herd ȝe neuer non, [folio 164a:b] Bot as it ware a fende of helle.

¶ Of mailes was nouȝt his hauberk: It was al of anoþer werk, Þat meruail is to here. Alle it were þicke splentes of stiel, Þicke y-ioined strong & wel, Line 5 To kepe þat fendes fere. Hossen he hadde also wele y-wrouȝt: Oþer þan sp[l]entes was it nouȝt Fram his fot to his swere. He was so michel & so strong, Line 10 & þer-to so wonderliche long: In þe world was non his pere.

¶ An helme he hadde on his heued sett,

& þer-vnder a þicke bacinet. Unsemly was his wede. A targe he had wrouȝt ful wel (Oþer metel was þer non on bot stiel), Line 5 A michel & vnrede. Al his armour was blac as piche. Wel foule he was & loþliche, A grisely gom to fede. Þe heiȝe king þat sitteþ on heiȝe, Line 10 Þat welt þis warld fer & neiȝe, Made [Read Make?] him wel iuel to spede.

¶ A dart he bar in his hond kerueand, & his wepen about him stondand Boþe bihinde & biforn, Ax[e]s, & gisarmes scharp y-grounde, & glaiues for to ȝiue wiþ wounde, Line 5 To hundred & mo þer worn. Þe Inglis biheld him fast: King Aþelston was sore agast, Inglond he schuld haue lorn; For, when Gij seiȝe þat wicked hert, Line 10 He nas neuer so sore aferd [The d in aferd altered from t.] Seþþen þat he was born.

Sir Gij lepe on his stede fot hot, [C line 10253] & wiþ a spere, þat wele bot, To him he gan to ride. & he schet to Gij dartes þre: Of þe tvay þan failed he, Line 5 Þe þridde he lete to him glide. Þurch Gyes scheld it glod [folio 164b:a] & þurch his armour arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward abod Bitvene his arme & side, & quitelich into þe feld it ȝede Line 10 Þe mountaunce of an acre brede Er þat it wald abide.

¶ Sir Gij to him gan to driue, Þat his spere brast afiue On his scheld þat was so bounde. & Colbrond wiþ michel hete On Gyes helme he wald haue smite, Line 5 & failed of him þat stounde: Bitvix [The x altered from ȝ?] þe sadel & þe arsoun Þe strok of þat feloun glod adoun arrow_back Wiþouten arrow_forward wem or wounde, Þat sadel & hors atvo he smot, Line 10 Into þe erþe wele half a fot, & Gij fel doun to grounde.

¶ Sir Gij astite vp stirt [C line 10275] As man þat was agremed in hert: His stede he hadde for-lore. On his helme he wald hit him þo, Ac he no miȝt nouȝt reche þerto Line 5 Bi to fot & ȝete more, Bot on his schulder þe swerd fel doun, & carf boþe plates & hauberioun Wiþ his grimli gore. Þurch al his armour stern & strong Line 10 He made him a wounde a spanne long, Þat greued him ful sore.

¶ Colbrond was sore aschame, & smot Gij wiþ michel grame: On his helm he hit him þo, Þat his floures euer-ichon & his gode charbukel ston Line 5 Wel euen he carf atvo:

Euen ato he smot his scheld, Þat it fleyȝe into þe feld. When Gij seyȝe it was so, Þat he hadde his scheld forlorn, Line 10 Half bihinde & half biforn, In hert him was wel wo.

¶ & Gij hent his swerd an hond, & heteliche smot to Colbrond: As a child he stode him vnder. [folio 164b:b] Opon þe scheld he ȝaue him swiche a dent, Bifor þe stroke þe fiir out went, Line 5 As it were liȝt of þonder. Þe bondes of stiel he carf ichon, & in-to þe scheld a fot & half on Wiþ his swerd he smot asunder. & wiþ þe out-braiding his swerd brast: Line 10 Þei Gij were þan sore agast It was litel wonder.

¶ Þo was Gij sore desmayd, & in his hert wel iuel y-payd, For þe chaunce him was bifalle, & for he hadde lorn his gode brond & his stede opon þe sond. Line 5 To our leuedi he gan calle. Þan gun þe Danis ost Ich puken oþer & make bost, & seyd among hem alle, 'Now schal þe Inglis be slain in feld. Line 10 Gret trouage Inglond schal ous ȝeld, & euermore ben our þral.'

¶ 'Now, sir kniȝt,' seyd Colbrond, [C line 10309] 'Þou hast lorn þi swerd in þine hond, Þi scheld, & eke þi stede. Do now wele, ȝeld þe to me, & smertlich vnarme þe: Line 5 Cri merci, y þe rede;

&, for þou art so douhti kniȝt, Þou durst oȝain me held fiȝt, To mi lord y schal þe lede, & wiþ him þou schalt acorded be: Line 10 In his court he wil hold þe, & finde þat þe is nede.'

¶ 'Do way,' seyd Gij, 'þerof speke nouȝt. Bi him þat al þis world haþ wrouȝt, Ich hadde leuer þou were an-hong! Ac þou hast armes gret plente: Y-wis, þou most lene me Line 5 On of þine axes strong.' Colbrond swore bi Apolin, 'Of al þe wepen þat is min Her schaltow non afong. Now þou wilt nouȝt do bi mi rede, Line 10 Þou schalt dye on iuel dede, [folio 165a:a] Er þat it be ouȝt long.'

¶ When Gij herd him speke so, Al sone he gan him turn þo, & to his wepen he geþ. Þer his axes stoden bi hem-selue, He kept on wiþ a wel gode helue, Line 5 Þe best him þouȝt he seþ. To Colbron[d] oȝain he ran, & seyd, 'traitour,' to him þan, 'Þou schalt han iuel deþ. Now ich haue of þi wepen plente, Line 10 Where-wiþ þat y may were me Riȝt maugre al þin teþ.'

¶ Colbrond þan wiþ michel hete On Gyes helme he wald haue smite Wiþ wel gret hert tene, Ac he failed of his dint, [de erased before dint.] & þe swerd into þe erþe went Line 5 A fot & more, y wene, & wiþ Colbrondes out-drauȝt Sir Gij wiþ ax a strok him rauȝt, A wounde [The o of wounde altered from a.] þat was wele sene. So smertliche he smot to Colbrond, Line 10 Þat his riȝt arme wiþ alle þe hond He strok of quite & clene.

¶ When Colbrond feld him so smite, He was wel wroþ, ȝe may wel wite: He gan his swerd vp fond, & in his left hond op it haf, & Gij in þe nek a strok him ȝaf Line 5 As he [gan] stoupe for þe brond, Þat his heued fro þe bodi he smot, & into þe erþe half a fot: Þurch grace of godes sond Ded he feld þe glotoun þare. Line 10 Þe Denis wiþ sorwe & care Þai diȝt hem out of lond.

¶ Bliþe were þe Inglis men ichon: [C line 10371] Erls, barouns, & king Aþelston Þai toke sir Gij þat tide, & ladde him to Winchester toun

Wiþ wel fair processioun Line 5 Ouer al bi ich a side. For ioie belles þai gun ring, [folio 165a:b] 'Te deum laudamus' þai gun sing, & play, & michel pride. Sir Gij vnarmed him, & was ful bliþe: Line 10 His sclauain he axed also swiþe: No lenger he nold abide.

¶ 'Sir pilgrim,' þan seyd þe king, 'Whennes þou art, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesing, Þou art douhti of dede; For þurch douhtines of þin hond Þou hast saued al Inglond: Line 5 God quite þe þi mede, & mi treuþe y schal pliȝt þe, So wele y schal feffe þe Boþe in lond & lede, Þat of riches in toun & tour Line 10 Þou schalt be man of mest honour Þat woneþ in al mi þede.'

¶ 'Sir king,' seyd þe pilgrim, 'Of alle þe lond þat is tin Y no kepe þerof na mare; Bot, now ichaue þe geant slain (Þerof, y-wis, icham ful fain), Line 5 Mi way ichil forþ fare.' 'Merci, sir,' þe king seyd þan, [C line 10391] 'Tel me, for him þat made man (For noþing þou ne spare), Tel me what þi name it be, Line 10 Whennes þou art, & of what cuntre, Or y schal dye for care.'

¶ 'Sir king,' he seyd, 'y schal tel it þe: What mi riȝt name it be Þou schalt witen anon, Ac þou schalt go wiþ me y-fere, Þat noman of our conseyl here, Line 5 Bot þou & y alon.' Þe king him graunted & was bliþe: He comand his folk al so swiþe No wiȝt wiþ him to gon. Out of þe toun þan went he Line 10 Wele half a mile fram þat cite, & þer made Gij his mon.

¶ 'Sir king,' seyd Gij, 'vnderstond to me: O þing y schal now pray þe, Astow art curteys and hende, [folio 165b:a] Ȝif y mi name schal þe sayn, Þat to noman þou no schalt me wrayn, Line 5 To þis ȝere com to þende. Gij of Warwike mi nam is riȝt: Whilom y was þine owhen kniȝt, & held me for þi frende; & now icham swiche astow may see. Line 10 God of heuen biteche y þe: Mi way y wil forþ wende.'

¶ When þe king seiȝe, sikerly, Þat it was þe gode Gij Þat fro him wald his way, On knes he fel adoun to grounde: 'Leue sir Gij,' in þat stounde, Line 5 'Merci,' he gan to say. 'For godes loue, bi-leue wiþ me, & mi treuthe y schal pliȝt þe, Þat y schal þis day Sese & ȝiue in-to þine hond Line 10 Half [In half MS.] þe reme of Inglond. For godes loue, say nouȝt nay.'

¶ 'Sir king,' seyd Gij, [Added above the line.] 'y nil nouȝt so. Haue þou þi lond for euer-mo, & god y þe bi-teche. Ac, ȝif Herhaud to þis lond com, & bring wiþ him Reynbroun, mi sone, Line 5 Help him, y þe biseche; For þai er boþe hende & fre. On Herhaud þou miȝt trust þe To take of þine fon wreche.' Þai kisten hem togider þo: Line 10 Al wepeand þai wenten ato arrow_back Wiþouten arrow_forward ani more speche.

¶ Þe king wel sore wepe for pite, & went him hom to his meyne Wiþ a mournand chere. His folk oȝaines him gan gon, & asked þe king sone anon Line 5 What man þe pilgrim were. Þai seyd, 'he is a douhti kniȝt: Wald Iesu ful of miȝt He wald leue wiþ ous here.' Þe king seyd, 'al stille ȝe be: Line 10 What he is ȝour non schal wite for me, [folio 165b:b] I-wis, of al þis ȝere.'

Sir Gij went in his way forþ riȝt, [C line 10475] Oft he þonked god almiȝt Þat þe geaunt was slawe. To Warwike he went, to þat cite Þer he was lord of þat cuntre Line 5 To hold wiþ riȝt lawe. He nas knowen þer of no man, When he to þe castel ȝates cam: Þerof he was ful fawe. Among þe pouer men he him dede Line 10 Þer þai weren vp in a stede, & sett him on a rawe.

¶ & Feliis þe countas was þer þan: In þis warld was non better wiman, In gest as-so we rede; For þritten pouer men & ȝete mo For hir lordes loue sche loued so Line 5 Ich day sche gan fede, Wiþ þan god & our leuedi Schuld saue hir lord sir Gij, & help him at his nede. Sche no stint noiþer day no niȝt, Line 10 For him sche bisouȝt god almiȝt Wiþ bedes & almos dede.

¶ On a day þe leuedi went to mete, & bad men schuld biforn hir fete Hir pouer men al biden, & men brouȝt hem euerichon, & Gij of Warwike was þat on Line 5 Of þo ich þritten. In his hert he hadde gret care, Þat he schuld be knawen þare Of hem þat hadde him sen, Ac þer was non so wise of siȝt Line 10 Þat him þer knowe miȝt: So misais he was & lene.

Þe leuedi biheld him inliche, Hou mesays he was, sikerliche. Curteys sche was & hende: Of euerich mete, of euerich d[r]ing Þat sche ete of herself, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesing, Line 5 Sche was him ful mende; Of hir bere & of hir wine [folio 166a:a] In hir gold coupe afine Oft sche gan him sende, & bad him ich day com he schold: Line 10 Mete & drink sche finde him wold Vnto his liues ende.

¶ Sir [Gij] þonked þat leuedi oft, Bot alle anoþer was his þouȝt Þan he wald to hir say. When þe grace were y-seyd, [C line 10521] & þe bordes adoun layd, Line 5 Out of toun he went his way. Into a forest wenden he gan To an hermite he knewe er þan, To speke him ȝif he may. &, when he þider comen was, Line 10 Þe gode hermite þurch godes grace Was dede & loken in clay.

¶ Þan þouȝt sir Gij anon Þat wald he neuer þennes gon Þer whiles he war oliue. Wiþ a prest he spac of þat cuntray Þat dede him seruise ich day, Line 5 & of his sinnes gan schriue. Wiþ him he hadde þer a page Þat serued him in þat hermitage arrow_back Wiþouten arrow_forward chest & striue. No lenger was he liues þere Line 10 Bot niȝen moneþes of a ȝere, As ȝe may listen & liþe.

¶ In slepe as Gij lay aniȝt, God sent an angel briȝt Fram heuen to him þare. 'Gij,' seyd þe angel, 'slepestow? Hider me sent þe king Iesu Line 5 To bid þe make þe ȝare; For bi þe eiȝtenday at morwe He schal deliuer þe out of þi sorwe, Out of þis warld to fare. To heuen þou schalt com him to, Line 10 & liue wiþ ous euer-mo In ioie arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward care.'

¶ When Gij was waked of þat drem, Of an angel he seiȝe a glem: 'What artow?' þan seyd he. [folio 166a:b] Þe angel answerd, 'fram heuen y cam: Miȝhel is mi riȝt nam. Line 5 God sent me to þe To bid þe make þe redi way: Bi þe eiȝtenday þou schalt day, Wel siker mauȝtow be. & y schal feche þi soule ful euen, Line 10 & bere it to þe þlis of heuen Wiþ grete solempnete.'

¶ Þe angel goþ forþ, & Gij bileft stille: His bedes he bad wiþ gode wille To Iesu heuen king, & when his term was nere gon [C line 10577] His knaue he cleped to him anon, Line 5 & seyd, arrow_back wiþouten arrow_forward lesing, 'Sone,' he seyd, 'y pray now þe, Go to Warwike þat cite Wiþ-outen more duelling, & when þou comest þer, y þe biseche, Line 10 Gret wele þe countas wiþ þi speche, & take hir þis gold ring.

¶ & say þe pilgrim hat hir biforn, Þat hir mete was to born, On þe pouer mannes rawe, Gret hir wele in al þing, & sende to hir þis gold ring, Line 5 Ȝif þat sche wil it knawe. Als son as sche haþ þer-of a siȝt, Sche wil it knawe anon riȝt, & be þerof ful fawe. Þan wil sche ax ware y be: Line 10 Leue sone, for loue of me Þe soþe to hir þou schawe,

¶ & say icham for godes loue In þe forest hermite bicome, Mine sinnes for to bete, & bid hir for þe loue of me Þat sche com hider wiþ þe: Line 5 For no þing sche no lete. & when ȝe com ȝe finde me dede: Do me neuer hennes lede, Bot graue me here in grete. & after sche schal dye, y-wis, Line 10 & com to me in-to heuen blis, [folio 166b:a] Þer ioies her ful swete.'

¶ Þe knaue went forþ anon, In-to Warwike he gan gon Bifor þat leuedi fre, &, when he hadde þat leuedi founde, On knes he fel adoun to grounde, Line 5 & seyd, 'listen to me: Þe pilgrim þat ete þe biforn, Þat þi mete was to born, An hermite now is he. He greteþ þe wele in al þing, Line 10 & sent þe þis gold ring In sum tokening to be.'

¶ Þe leuedi tok þat ring anhond, & loked þeron & gan wiþstond, Þe letters for to rede. 'Ow, certes,' quaþ þe leuedi, 'Þis ring y ȝaf mi lord sir Gij, Line 5 When he fro me ȝede.'

For sorwe sche fel aswon, y-wis, & when þat sche arisen is To þe knaue sche gan spede. 'Leue sone,' sche [indistinct.] seyd, 'y pray þe, Line 10 Wher is þat pilgrim? telle þou me, & gold schal be þi mede.'

¶ 'Madame,' seyd þe knaue ful skete, 'In þe forest ichim lete: Riȝt now y com him fro. He is ner ded in þe hermitage: On his halue y make þe message; Line 5 Y-wis, he bad me so, & bad þou schust to him come For þat ich trewe loue Þat was bitvene ȝou tvo. Do him neuer lede oway, Line 10 Bot biri him riȝt þer in clay. Oliue sestow him no mo.'

¶ Þe leuedi was glad of þat tiding, [C line 10641] & þonked Iesu heuen king, & was in hert ful bliþe Þat [The t indistinct.] sche schuld sen hir lord sir Gij; Ac for o þing sche was sori, Line 5 Þat he schuld dye so swiþe. Þai made hem redi for to wende [folio 166b:b] Wiþ kniȝtes & wiþ leuedis hende: On a mule þai sett hir siþe, & wiþ al þe best of þat cite Line 10 To þermitage went sche, [s underdotted before sche.] As ȝe may listen & liþe.

¶ To þermitage when þai com, Þer þai liȝt al & some, & in sche went wel euen. When þat sche seiȝe hir lord sir Gij, Sche wept & made doleful cri Line 5 Wiþ a ful reweful steuen.

Sir Gij loked on hir þare: His soule fram þe bodi gan fare. A þousand angels & seuen Vnder-fenge þe soule of Gij, Line 10 & bar it wiþ gret molodi Into þe blis of heuen.

¶ Þan was þat leuedi ful of care, [C line 10675] For hir lord was fram hir fare: 'Allas' it was hir song. Sche kist his mouþe, his chin also, & wepe wiþ hir eiȝen to, Line 5 & hir hondes sche wrong. Gret honour dede our lord for Gij: A swete braþe com fram his bodi, Þat last þat day so long, Þat in þis world spices alle Line 10 No miȝt cast a swetter smalle As þen was hem among.

¶ Þe leudy astite dede send hir sond After bischopes, abotes of þe lond, Þe best þat miȝt be founde, &, when þider was com þat fair ferred, To Warwike þai wald him lede, Line 5 As lord of michel mounde. Bot al þe folk þat þer was

No miȝt him stir of þat plas Þer he lay on þe grounde. An hundred men about him were, Line 10 No miȝt him nouȝt þennes bere For heuihed þat stounde.

¶ Þan seyd þe leuedi, 'lete him be stille, Neuer more remoun him y nille, No do him hennes lede. [folio 167a:a] He sent me bode wiþ his page To biri him in þis hermitage Line 5 Simpliche arrow_back wiþouten prede.' Þay tok a þrouȝ of marbel ston, & leyd his bodi þer-in anon Atird in kniȝtes wede. Fair seruise þan was þare Line 10 Of bischopes, abbotes þat þer ware, & clerkes to sing & rede.

¶ When þai hadde birid his bodi, anon [C line 10713] Þe gret lordinges euerichon Hom þai gun wende, Ac þe leuedi left stille þare: Sche nold neuer þennes fare; Line 5 Sche kidde þat sche was kende. Sche liued no lenger, soþe to say, [day MS.]

Bot riȝt on þe fiftenday Sche dyed þat leuedi hende, & was birid hir lord by; Line 10 & now þai er togider in compeynie In ioie þat neuer schal ende.

When sir Tirri herd telle þis, [C line 10749] Þat Gij, his fere, ded is, & birid in þe clay, He com to þis [The s added above the line.] lond, wiþ-outen lesing, & bisouȝt Aþelston þe king Line 5 His bodi to leden oway. He it graunted him ful ȝare,

Into Lorain wiþ him gan fare, Into his owhen cuntray. An abbay he lete make þo Line 10 For to sing for hem to Euermore til domesday.

¶ Now haue ȝe herd, lordinges, of Gij, [C line 10725] Þat in his time was so hardi, & holden hende & fre, & euer he loued treuþe & riȝt, & serued god wiþ al his miȝt, Line 5 Þat sit in trinite, & þer-fore at his ending day He went to þe ioie þat lasteþ ay, & euer-more schal be. Now god leue ous to liue so, Line 10 Þat we may þat [þai MS.] ioie com to. [folio 167a:b] Amen, par charite.

Explicit.