Joseph of Arimathie : otherwise called The romance of the Seint Graal, or Holy Grail: an alliterative poem written about A.D. 1350, and now first printed from the unique copy in the Vernon ms. at Oxford. Edited, with notes and glossarial indices, by Walter W. Skeat.

[Joseph of Aramathie.] [vernon folio 403a]

. . . . sire," he seis · "and sonenday is nouwe." ¶ þenne alle lauhwhen an heiȝ · þat herden his wordes, "Hit is two and fourti winter," þei seiȝen · "trewely forsoþe, Siþen þou souȝtest þis put · and to prison eodest!" Line 4

"Now I þonke my lord," seide Ioseph · "þat lente me of his grace; me þinkeþ but þreo niȝt · al þis ilke þrowe." ¶ þenne Ioseph askes fontston · & is I-folwed blyue; þei folewen him and his wyf · & with him ful monye. Line 8 ¶ Siþen com vaspasians · and was furst sped, In þe nome of þe fader · Ioseph him folewede, And hedde I-turned to þe feyþ · fifti with him-seluen. ¶ Siþen he fette his fader with a ferde · and a-ȝeyn fondet, Line 12 þer þei bosked hem out · þat hudden hem in huirenes, Made hem to huppe · half an hundret foote, forte seche boþem · þer þei non seiȝen. ¶ þus þei ladden þe lyf · and lengede longe, Line 16 þat luyte liked his leyk · þer as he lengede. ¶ Feole flowen for fert · out of heore cuþþhe in-to Augrippus lond · was heroudes eir, þere monye lenginde weore · for-let of heore oune. Line 20

Line 20

ÞEn com a vois to Ioseph · and seide him þise wordes, Biddes him and his wyf · and his sone eke, And alle þat þey mouȝten gete · and to god tornen, ¶ Gon out of Ierusalem · & prechen hise wordes, Line 24 And neuer more come a-ȝeyn · whon þei weore enes þenne. ¶ In þe morwe he was sone boun · don as he biddes; Ioseph and his cumpanye · keueren on swiþe. ¶ Ioseph ferde bi-foren · and þe flote folewede; Line 28 in-to þe lond of betanye · þis buirnes nou wenden. ¶ þei carke for here herbarwe · summe be-hynde; whon Ioseph herde þer-of · he bad hem not demayȝen: "He þat ledes vs þis wei · vre herborwe schal wisse." Line 32 þei founden hit newely · so wel weore þei neuere. ¶ A-morwe þei weore diȝt · and don hem to ȝonge, And come to a Forest · with floures ful feire, þat was called Argos · þat þe kyng ouȝte, Line 36 in þe lond of damas · þe cuntre was dere.

ÞEnne spekes a vois to Ioseph · was Ihesu crist him|selue, "Iosep[h], marke on þe treo · and make a luytel whucche, Forte do in þat ilke blod · þou berest a-boute; Line 40 ¶ whon þe lust speke with me · lift þe lide sone, þou schalt fynde me redi · riȝt bi þi syde, And, bote þou and þi sone · me no mon touche. And Iosep[h], walk in þe world · & preche myne wordes Line 44 to þe proudest men · A parti schul þei here. ¶ þauȝ þei þe of manas · melen, and þe þreten, beo þou no þing a-dred · for non schal þe derue." ¶ "lord, I was neuer clerk · what and I ne cunne?" Line 48 "Louse þi lippes a-twynne · & let þe gost worche; Speche, grace, & vois · schul springe of þi tonge, & alle turne to þi mouþ · holliche atenes."

¶ þenne he wawes his fot · þe blod he with him fonges, Line 52 and in þe nome of þe fader · forþward he weendes.

Þei ferden to A Cite · faste bi-syde, þat was called sarras · þer sarsyns sprongen, Erest þorw Abrahames wyf · þat wonede þer-inne. Line 56 Ioseph teiȝ to non hous · bote euene to þe temple: He seiȝ þe kyng þer he sat · and wuste þat he was wraþþed, & hopede he scholde him · touward God turne; For he and þo of Egipte · han werret to-gedere, Line 60 And þei discounfitede him han · and scaþet ful ofte. ¶ þe kyng and his Baronage · a counseil bi-gonnen; he wolde haue red of his folk · and fare to hem ȝitte; & þei forsaken hit han · & he vnsauht sittes. Line 64

"SIre," seis Iosep[h] · "or semblaunt is feble, In gret Anguisse ȝe ben · þat nis not God greiþe; wolde ȝe herkene to me · icholde ow bi-heete, He þat is mi foundeor · may hit folfulle, Line 68 þat was ded on þe cros · & bouȝte us so deore; I am not worþi to seyn · moni of his werkes." ¶ "þou schewest A symple skil," quaþ þe kyng · "of|scutered þou semest to speke of A ded mon · what may he don þer-ate?" Line 72 ¶ "I schal sei ou," quod Ioseph · "& ȝe wol vndurstonde." "tel on," seis þe kyng · "þi tale wol I here."

"ÞAt tyme þat Augustus Cesar · was Emperour of Rome, þis reson bi-gon · þat I schal now rikenen, Line 76 ¶ whon god sende an Angel · in-to Galile, to A Cite, bi nome · Nazareth I-called, to A Maiden ful meke · þat Marie was hoten, And seide, 'Blessed beo þou flour · feirest of alle! Line 80 þe holigost with-Inne þe · schal lenden and lihte; þou schalt beren a Child · schal Ihesu bi hoten.'

he chaungede cher & seide · 'hou scholde I gon with childe with-oute felauschupe of mon?' · he bad hire not demayen; Line 84 ¶ 'þou schalt be mayden for him · bi-foren, and after. Holliche with-outen wem · wite þou forsoþe.' And heo grauntede þenne · to ben at his grace; And sone aftur þat gretnede · þat greiþli Mayde. Line 88

Whon he wolde ben I-boren · at a Blisful tyme, he dude Miracles feole · þat mony men seiȝen; þre kynges of þe Est · þroly þei comen, And vche put him in hond · [a] present ful riche. Line 92 ¶ Soone Heroudes þe kyng · herde of his burþe; He lette sle for his sake · selli mony children; Foure þousend and seue score · was þe summe holden, þat weore I-slawe for his sake · for certeyn hit telles; Line 96 Bote þorwȝ þe grace of him-self · gete him heo ne miȝt. His Mooder ay with him fleih · forþ in-to Egipte. ¶ Whon he com in-to þe lond · leeue þou forsoþe, feole temples þer-inne · tulten to þe eorþe, Line 100 for heore false ymages · þat þei on leeueden. Do a-wei þi Maumetes · þei han trayed þe ofte; [folio 403a:2] Let breken hem a-two · and bren hem al to pouder, Schaltou neuer gete grace · þorwȝ none suche goddes." ¶ þenne seis þe kyng · "my wit mai not leeue, Line 105 þat þou ne melest wonderli · & most a-ȝeyn kuynde. Hou scholde a child come forþ · with-oute flescly dedes Bi-twene wommon and Mon? · my wit may not leeue."

"SIre," seide Ioseph · "þou hiȝtest me to heere, Line 109 And I schal preue þe tale · þat I fore telle. ¶ whon god sat in his blisse · bosked in heuene, He seiȝ þe peple þorw peine · passen in-to helle. Line 112 also wel þe holyeste · heold þider euene as þe moste fooles; · and þe fader þouȝte

þat hit seemede nouȝt · and wolde his sone sende forte bringe hem out þer-of · and þerfore he lihte"— Line 116

"What, mon?" quaþ þe kyng · "þou castest þi|seluen. Toldest þou not now bi-foren · he nedde neuer fader, but elles, with-oute mon · I-bore of a Mayden? And þou seist now he has on · hou may þis sitte same?" ¶ "He was Fader," quod Ioseph · "and for his sake called, þat was gostliche his halt · ar he weore mon formed; And of two persones · sprong out þe þridde; þat was þe holigost · as I be-foren seide. Line 124 His godhede lees he nouȝt · þeiȝ he come lowe, þat he nas god ay forþ · in his grete strengþe. ¶ I sei þe Fader was God · ar out was bi-gonnen, Made alle þing of nouȝt · þorw miht of him one, Line 128 Dude þe prophetes to seye · þat hem-self nuste, Bote as hit com heom to mouþ · and meleden þe wordes. þe kuynde of þe Moder · þat he on eorþe tok, þat diȝede a-wei · for he hit most dredde. Line 132 Bote þe kuynde of his Fader · þat was þe furste kuynde, Holliche euere he heold · for þat diȝede neuere. Bote he was gostliche of Fader · and fleschliche of Moder, So þat he com twies forþ · and bi two kuyndes." Line 136

ÞEnne seis þe kyng · "þe lengore I here, þe lesse reson I seo · in þat þat þou rikenest. ¶ þou toldest furst of his Fader · and of his furste kuynde, And þreo persones · and alle þei ben goddes." Line 140 ¶ "Ȝe, sire, bote I pertly vndo · þat I haue þe profred, I am worþi muche blame · what mai I seiȝe more? ¶ þe sone, I tolde bi-fore · fongede vr kuynde, tok flesch and blod · in a feir mayden; Line 144 his Godhede luttulde not · þeiȝ he lowe lihte, þat he nas euere of o miȝt · mensked he worþe!"

¶ þe kyng fette forþ · feole of his clerkes, to spute with Ioseph · þat spedes hem luite. Line 148 Ioseph tok þe holy writ · and tei for his teeme, and destruyede heore tale · with-inne þreo wordes. ¶ þe ky[n]g bi-heold on his face · and on his limes lowore, Sayȝ he was barefot · and bar him in herte, Line 152 He [MS. "He he hedde."] hedde I-ben of heiȝ blod · hedde he ben I-bosket, And a ferli feir mon · and witerli him rewes. ¶ "what hettestou," seis þe kyng · to Iosep[h] þenne. "Ioseph of Aramathie · is mi nome called." Line 156 "I schal sei þe, Ioseph · as my wit þinkes, þow semest not ful good clerk · to kenne suche wordes; þe tale is heiȝ in him-self · þat þou of tellest, Hit is ful þester to me · & moni a mon eke. Line 160 ¶ I schal seie þe, Ioseph · I haue to done swiþe; I may not wel lenge now · to-morwe meet me heere; þow schalt haue liueraunce of In · and al þat þe neodes; whon vre leyser is more · vre lustnynge is bettre." Line 164 ¶ "I haue felauschupe wiþ-outen," seis Ioseph · "wel a|boute fifti, Boþe wymmen and men · þat mote wiþ me Inne." ¶ þe kyng lette fette hem forþ · bi-foren him to seo, what leodes þei beon · and where þei weore boren;— Line 168 "I trouwe þat beo þi sone" · bi Iosaphe he seide. ¶ "Ȝe, sire, so he is · for soþe as I þe telle." "Con he out of clergye?" · seis þe kyng þenne. "leeue me forsoþe, sire · þer liues no bettre." Line 172 ¶ þe kyng lette lede hem · in-to toun lowe, to a feir old court · and Innes hem þere.

Now we leuen Ioseph · and of þe kyng carpen; As he lai at niht · keuered in bedde, Line 176 In þreo þouȝtes he was · and þat weore þis ilke: ¶ On for his grete folk · þat him wiþ-saken hedde;

¶ A-noþur for Iosep[h]s tale · þat wolde fayn he tornede; ¶ þe þridde, How God scholde wiþ-outen wem · wonen in a Mayden. Line 180

¶ Þenne he seih in his chaumbre-flor · þreo [May we read "þreo treos," inserting treos on the strength of 1. 191? The passage seems partly corrupt.] souht vp at enes. þe braunches on heiȝ weoren · alle of o lengþe; Bote þe bark of þat on · semede dimmore þen ouþer of þe oþer two · trouwe þou forsoþe; Line 184 ¶ þat signede Ihesu crist · for sake [MS. "forsake."] of vre kuynde, was nout out-wiþ so cler · bote wiþ-inne he was clene. ¶ He calles on his chaumberleyn · to kennen vncouþes, And he rises a-non · and for ferd falles. Line 188 And he feres [So in MS. Perhaps we should read "beres." See the Glossarial Index.] him vp · and bad him not ben ferd; "þer schal falle non euel · of þat is here formed." ¶ þei lihten two torches · and to þis treos wenten; þei weore semeli bi-neoþe · þei mihte not seo þe heiȝþe, sprongen wiþ gret sped · of a good spice. Line 193 On vche braunche was a word · of þreo maner enkes; Gold and Seluer he seis · and Asur forsoþe. ¶ " 'þis makeþ,' " quod þe wiht · "þe marke of gold;" ¶ "And 'þis saues,' " quaþ þat wiht · "þe seyne of seluer; And 'þis clanses' · as þe Asur kennes." [folio 403b:1] ¶ þe kyng nuste wel forte seye · bi wit þat he hedde, wheþer þat he seȝe · was on forte sigge, Line 200 oþer two, or þreo · or what he miȝte telle. ¶ þe kyng was a-bascht · and to his bed buskes; and his Chaumberleyn so a-ferd · þat neih he felde I|swowen. ¶ þenne he seiȝ a newe chaumbre-wouh · wrouȝt al of bordes, Line 204 a dore honginge þer-on · haspet ful faste,

A child cominge þorw · his come was nout seene, Siþen lenges a while · and a-ȝein lendes, wiþ-outen faute oþer faus · as þei fore seiden. Line 208 ¶ þenne spekes a vois · and on heiȝ sigges, "king, haue þou no ferli · of þat is heere formed, for so god with-outen wem · wende in a Mayden."

Now we leuen þe kyng · and of Ioseph carpen; Line 212 "A! lord!" quaþ Ioseph · "how may þis limpe Of þis king Eualak · þat con not vnderstonde? Bote ȝif I turne him bi þis poynt · ar he henne passe, beos he neuermore I-tornd · treweli I trouwe. Line 216 Nou I be-seche þe, Ihesu · as þou art ful of Ioye, þat speke to hem of Israel · þorw Moyses speche, And bad þei schulde leeuen · for no-skunus þinge, In non oþur straunge god · bote studefast þe holde: Line 220 And wustest daniel in þe put · þat he was inne I-worpe Among þe leones feole · þat he no scaþe lauȝte: And for-ȝaf þe Maudeleyn · mekelyche hire sunnes: And siþen seidest to me · mi preyere scholde sitte; Line 224 þou heiȝtest holichurche · to haunsen hire strengþe, to hiȝen þi godhed · hit helpes nout elles; Nou, gloriouse kyng · graunte me mi boone."

Þenne spekes a vois · and on heiȝ sigges, Line 228 "Ioseph, haue þou no care · þe kyng schal sone torne: Go þou most to þi wyf · gete þou most nede A child, Galaad schal be hoten · þat goodnesse schal reise þe Auenturus of Brutayne · to haunsen and to holden." And he dos as he bad · and to his bed buskes. Line 233 ¶ In þe morwe he was vppe · and roises þis oþure. þenne hit þester bi-gon · and þonderde swiþe, þat þe graue quakede · and þei a-grisen alle. Line 236 ¶ He bi-þenkes him þo · and to his whucche weendes,

And feole preiers he made · þat Ihesu crist herde, And spekes to hem · wiþ loueliche wordes. ¶ "I-blesset be ȝe to day · alle myne leoue children"— And he tolde hem of his crucifiing · hou he [þe] cros souȝte, Line 241 And of heore fadres bi-fore · þat he fond vn-kuynde— "Er þei speeken to me feire · and faynede me wiþ wordes, Bote þei hateden me · and hedden de-deyn. Line 244 Bote beo ȝe stable in oure fei · and foleweþ vre werkes, for ȝe han more of þe lawe · þen prophetes hedden. ¶ Þei nedden bote þe holygost · and so ȝe han eke, and siþen bodiliche me · to ben at or wille. Line 248 ¶ I nul not fastenen on þe sone · þe Fadres gultus, I for-ȝiue ow clene · þe harm þat I hedde. And cum þou hider, Iosaphe · for þou art Iugget clene, And art digne þer-to · þat dos me to lyke; Line 252 Ichul bi-take þe to-day · in a good tyme on þe hiȝeste þing · holden on eorþe, non oþer of me · hit murili to habben, but elles vche mon of þe · þat takes hit aftur." Line 256 He bad him lifte vp · and þe lide warpes:—

Þenne he seos Ihesu crist · in a sad Roode, and his fyue Angeles · þat forþ wiþ him stoden, As red as þe fuir · and he hem bi-holdes. Line 260 ¶ þat on beres in his hond · a cros of queynte hewe; ¶ þat oþer beres in his hond · þreo blodi nayles; ¶ þe þridde þe Coroune · þat his hed keuerde; ¶ þe Feorþe, þe launce · þat lemede him wiþ-Inne; Line 264 ¶ And þe Fyfþe a blodi cloþ · þat he was inne i-braced, whon he lay after slauht · in þe sepulcre. ¶ þenne he falles for fere · forþ wiþ þe wȝucche; Eft he bad him rise vp · he ros wiþ þe bone. Line 268 ¶ þenne he sauh Ihesu crist · I-strauȝt vppon þe Roode, whuche þe Angel by-fore · hedde in his hond;

And þe þreo nayles · þat þe oþur bi-foren hedde, In his honden and his feet · alle þei weore faste; Line 272 ¶ Siþen stiken wiþ þe spere · blod and watur louses; Bi-holdes touward hise feet · say fro hem renne; eornen al of red blod · romynge a-boute; Al priueliche his peyne · a-pertliche he sauh. Line 276

"WHi lengest þou," quod Iosep[h] · to his sone, "so longe? And so stille liggest · lokynde in þe whucche?" "A! Fader, touche me not · in þis ilke tyme, For muche gostliche grace · me is here I-graunted." Line 280 ¶ þenne þei loken in atte wȝucche · loueliche boþe, ¶ þenne þei seȝen Ihesu crist · in þat ilke foorme, þat heo seȝen him sodeynliche · whon heo furst comen aftur þe slauȝt to him · to þe sepulcre. Line 284 ¶ þenne comen two Angeles · wiþ twayles white, And eiþer bar in his hond · a basyn of seluer; Oþur Tweyne aftur hem · with cruetes sone, and wasscheles wiþ haly water · with hem þei brouȝten; And oþer two after hem · with sencers [folio 403b:2] soone, Line 289 set wiþ riche stones · and a viole of sence. ¶ þen com on, 'þe strengþe of god' · gabriel I-hoten, wiþ þe riccheste sege · þat euer for seete seemes; Line 292 And oþer two after him · wiþ crois and wiþ Mitre, And oþure bouwynde after · wiþ vestimens sone.

HE seiȝ an Auter I-cloþed · wiþ cloþes ful riche; Vppon þat on ende lay · þe launce and þe nayles, And vppon þat oþer ende · þe disch wiþ þe blode, Line 297 and a vessel of gold · geynliche bi-twene. ¶ Ihesu made for to greiþe Iosaphe · in þat geyn weede, And sacrede him to Bisschop · wiþ boto his hondes, Line 300 And tolde him of his vestimens · what þei signefyen; In vche Cite þere he come · sacren on he scholde wiþ þe selue oygnemens · þat he to him wrouȝte,

And an-oyg[n]ten oþer kynges · þat to crist torneden. Line 304 ¶ Ȝit he leres him more · loueliche him-seluen— "I beo-take þe her, Iosaphe · soules to kepe; ȝif eni þorw þi defaute · falle fro my riche, At þe day of Iuggement · þou beost ioyned harde; Line 308 ¶ I seiȝe, Ioseph þi fader · schal bodiliche hem ȝeme, And þou gostliche · nou ȝemes hem boþe. wiþ-drawe þe of þi vestimens · and do hem vp to holde; Go now to-ward þe court · þe kyng for to turne." Line 312

ÞEnne þei wenden heore wei · and to þe court ȝongen, And al a-boute þe paleys · haly water þei spreynden, for mony a wikkede gost · woned hedde þere. ¶ wiþ-outen, on þe paleys · as þei bi passeden, Line 316 werdes of Ebreu · weren I-writen of ȝore, And sein, 'daniel of Babiloyne · whon he fro Batayle wente Fro nabugodonosor · þe kyng þat him hade, called þis paleis "Auntres" · and forsoþe seide, Line 320 þat hit scholde trewely · in sum tyme aftur, called beo þe paleis · merueilouse for werkes, þat þer scholde beo seyȝen · þorw sonde of vr lord.' ¶ Bi þat was A Messager come · after þis men sone; Line 324 whon þei comen to þe halle · þei maden þe signe on hem of þe verrey cros · and toward þe kyng eoden. ¶ þe kyng hedde geten him a clerk · on of þe beste, nouȝwhere in heore lawe · was such a-nother holden, Line 328 to take Ioseph in his tale · ȝif he wrong seide. ¶ "þou toldest me ȝusterday," quod þe kyng · "þou wost wel þi-seluen, Of þise þreo persones · and alle þei beoþ goddes; And siþen of a-noþer · wonder forsoþe, Line 332 þat Ihesu with-outen wem · won in a Mayden."

"Þat I tolde þe þo · I telle þe ȝitte; I nul forsake my word · for no maner þinge."

Op stondes þis clerk · and seis him þise wordes, Line 336 "Ȝif þise þreo persones · þat þou þe fore puttest han bote on godhede · þei nare not goddes alle; Ȝif vchon haue a godhede · I graunte, bi him-selue, I seie þat on is also good · as þe þreo hole. Line 340 ¶ þat on is a verrei god · I sei bi god greyþe; þis oþer two nare none · in no maner þinge." He sprong in his sputison · and speek harde wordes, þat Ioseph hedde no space · while his speche laste. Line 344 ¶ Op stondes Iosaphe · and þe fader sittes, Speek wiþ an heiȝ vois · þat al þe folk herde, "Nou þe greteþ, sir Euelak · God of israel þorw his seruauntes mouþ · and seye þe I wile. Line 348 ¶ þou hast I-seȝe to-niht · signefies summe, þow hast diskeueret hem · þer he nis not payet, Heere þou schalt ha vengaunce · verreyliche and sone, þat al þi reume schal seo · þat þou wrong siggest; Line 352 ¶ For he, þis ilke Tholomer · þat þou weore wont to hunte, þat is kyng of Babiloyne · hiderward he buskes; þreo dayes with þe niht · nou he þe schal driue, Siþen lacche þe atte laste · and þe þi lyf bi-reuen; Line 356 He þat dorste nere ȝut · þe nouȝwhere a-byde, nou schal winne his wille of þe · for þi wrong bi-leeue." ¶ þenne stod vp þis clerk · and wolde eft dispuite; þenne him þouȝte þat on · heold him bi þe tonge, Line 360 And he roungede an heiȝ · and rorede so harde, his eiȝen flowen out of his hed · and biforen him fallen.

¶ Þenne vp sturten þe folk · and wolden wiþ wepene sle Iosep[h] and his sone · for sake [MS. "forsake," as in 1. 185.] of þis oþer; Line 364 And þe kyng Eualac · cauȝte his swerd sone, And beo þe miht of Iubiter · he swor to hem alle,

weore eny of heom so wood · heom forte founde, he wolde felle hem feye · ar þei þenne ferden. Line 368 ¶ þenne seis þe kyng · "mai þer out me helpe forto saue me out · ȝif þat hit so lym[p]e?" ¶ "Ȝe, sire," seis Iosaphe · "to fonge þe trouþe." "And what trouwest þou of þis mon · tides him hele?" "Gos to oure Maumetes · and proues heore mihtes." ¶ þenne þei taken þis mon · and towen him to þe temple, A-non þei brouȝten him forþ · bi-foren þe moste mayster, Calleþ vppon an ymage · þat Appollin hette, Line 376 and wol not onswere a word · þauh þei scholde swelten. ¶ þenne spekes an ymage · in a-noþer huirne, þat ȝe clepeþ Martis · "nouȝt is þat ȝe mene; Appolin is bounden · and braset so faste, Line 380 he may not speke a word · for no þing alyue."

Þenne Ioseph hente a staf · þat stod him bi-syde, strikes to þis Appolin · with a strong wille, þat his nekke to-barst · and brak al to pouder, Line 384 and þe fend of his bodi · fleyȝ to þe lufte. ¶ þenne þei leuen him þer · and goþ [folio 404a:1] touward oþure; ¶ þe kyng bowes to his pors · him offring to beode. "Let beo," seis Iosaphe · "I leeue þe beo bettre; Line 388 For and þou profre him eny · I schal do [þe] to preue, vppon sodeyne deþ · þou schalt sone dye." ¶ "Do tel me," seis þe kyng · "I haue þe muche truste, Of þis tholomer and me · hou schal hit tyden?" Line 392 And he onsweres aȝeyn · "I dar not wel sigge, for þis cristene men · þat vmbe mong ȝongen. ¶ Se ȝe not þe tweyne Angeles · leden hem a-boute? ¶ þat on bereþ a cros · þat oþer a swerd kene; Line 396 ¶ wher-so-euere þei ben stad · such is heore strengþe, Vre maystrie is nouȝt · in no maner þinge." ¶ þenne seis Iosaphe · "for us ne schalt þou wonde; Vppon þe heiȝe trinite · I halse þe to telle, Line 400

Line 400 Spek al þat þou const · & let þe kyng here." "Of newe þing þat is to come," he seis · "con I not telle." Bi þat was a Messager i-come · and to þe kyng menes, And seis him þat tholomer · has taken of his londes. ¶ "þe riche Cite of Nagister · nomen he has forsoþe; Siþen he keueres vppon · and takes bi-fore clene Line 406 þe Castel of a-longines · and hiderward he ioynes, with sixti þousent," he seide · "of clene men of Armes, And Fifti þousend fot-men · þat redi beþ to fihte, Line 409 þei han geten þat holt · for certeyn soþe; þer is non in þat lond · þat schal hem wiþstonden." ¶ þenne þe kyng was a-ferd · I hete þe forsoþe, Line 412 leste þe tale of Iosaphe · ferede trewe.

ÞE kyng boskes lettres a-non · to bounen his bernes, Comaundes hem to meeten him · tymely on þe morwen, At þe Castel of Carboye · þer he beden hade, Line 416 was fiftene myle · fro sarras I-holden, And oþer fiftene myle · fro þenne as þei leiȝen. ¶ þenne Ioseph takes him forþ · and seiþ him þis wordes, "wostou what þou do, kyng · nou þat þou wendes? Of þi comynge a-ȝein · const þou not telle. Line 421 ¶ Such signe me is tauȝt · þou art of cun symple; forsoþe A mon was þi fader · þat couþe schon a-mende! ¶ þat tyme þat Augustes cesar · was Emperour of Rome, þou wast lenged in þe lond · þat þat lord ouȝte. Line 425 Fourti knihtes douȝtres · he wolde haue of fraunce, forte souwe selk-werk · and sitten in his chaumbre. ¶ For þou were a feir child · þou weore I-fet to serue twei feire maydenes · and wiþ þis mon lengedest. Line 429 ¶ þei heolden þe of herre blod · þen þou boren weore; So þou souȝtes fro him · to þe erl of Surye. So þou and his sone · vppon a day seten, Line 432

Line 432 And ȝe woxen vn-sauȝt · and þou slouȝ him þere. So þou come to þe kyng · þat þis kuþþe auȝte; Seidest þou were a kniht · and in his court laftest. ¶ He was an old mon · weried of werre, Line 436 And þou weore a ȝong mon · in þi grete strengþe. For þou toke his enemy · and brouȝtest him to honde, forþi he ȝaf þe þis lond · after his lyue. Hit is not allynge to carpe, sire kyng · wher-of we comen." Line 440 He takes non [hede] heere-to · bote askes him of þe sweuene þat he mette on þe niht · and bad he scholde him telle. ¶ "whon þat þou comest aȝeyn · wite þou schalt forsoþe, þou miht haue more redi roume · my rikenyng to here!" ¶ Ioseph[e] takes his scheld · and schapes a-middes A crois of red cloþ · and kennes him aftur, Line 446 whon his peril weore most · to crist he scholde preyen, for þer scholde no mon verreili · þat vigore bi-holden, þat he nis saaf þat dai · and his sore passed. Line 449

ÞEnne he buskes touward þe bente · þer þis oþer byden, He arayes his riche men · and rihtes hem swiþe. A-non tholomers men · woxen þe biggore; Line 452 sone beeren hem a-bac · and brouhten hem to grounde; And þei tornede a-ȝein · þat tyme hit was non oþer. ¶ þei come bi tholomers tentes · vn-housed hem sone, Token holliche his stor · and a-wei streiȝten, Line 456 þat þei come to a Castel · faste be-syde. ¶ þe kyng was gon to pleye him · bi a water brimme, þen com on prikynge · prest him a-ȝeynes. He seide, "my ladi þe queene · ou a lettre sende, Line 460 Biddes ou wihtly be boun · to don as heo biddes." And he redes hit forþ · and fond þer-on sone, þat he scholde wiþ-drawe him · al a-wei þenne,

Or elles tholomers folk · wol taken him þere; Line 464 ¶ Forþi heo wole þat he wite · and warnes him beo|time. ¶ "Ho has witered hire of þis · and ho has hire kenned?" He onsweres a-non · "sire, I not forsoþe. Bote þe two cristene men · þat bydes ow at court, Line 468 in gret counseil han I-beo · I trouwe hit be þer a|boute;"— And he telles hem þenne · of þe qwene sonde þorw counseil of Iosaphe · and Ihesu þei þonken.

¶ ÞE kyng Boskes lettres a-non · to boune mo bernes; bi þat þe niȝt was a-weye · And þe day on þe morwe, Line 473 þei hadden of newe folk · fourtene þousend. He seiȝ vnder a wode-egge · siker bi hem-seluen Freschliche I-diht · Fyue hondred men of Armes. Line 476 ¶ On vn-castes his helm · and to þe kyng rydes, And he kneuȝ him wel · he was his wyues broþer, was I-called Seraphe · a ȝong Erl forsoþe, and a douȝti þer-wiþ · in alle goode deedes; Line 480 He mihte neuer gete loue of þe kyng · much [folio 404a:2] ne luyte, ne good herte of him · and he non harm seruede. He seide, "my ladi þe Qwene · me a lettre sende, Line 483 Ȝif euere I halp hire at neode · I scholde hit now cuiþe; And I am come to þi wille · sire, wiþ þis knihtes." "Forsoþe," he seis, "seraphe · so þou euele ouȝtest; Ofte I haue for-set þe · þat me sore forþinkes, For euere þe kuynde wol be frend · for ouȝt þat mai bi-falle." Line 488

Now þei bouwe touward þe bente · þer þis oþere houen; He arayes his riche men · and rihtes hem bettre, þat þorw him reowen no res · þat his red wrouȝten.

¶ þenne seis Seraphe · "holdes ou stille, Line 492 And þenkes on, goode men · þe gref is oure childre; what wol bi-falle þer-of · and we ben confoundet. Betere hit were douhtilyche · to diȝen on or oune, þen wiþ schendschupe to schone · and vs a-bak drawe." þei han geten on hem · þe lengþe of a gleyue: Line 497 ¶ whon Seraphe seiȝ þat men · þei miȝte I-seo sone his polhache go · and proude doun pallede. In þe þikkeste pres · he preuede his wepne, Line 500 Breek braynes a-brod · brusede burnes, Beer bale in his hond · bed hit a-boute. He hedde an hache vppon heiȝ · wiþ a gret halue, Huld hit harde wiþ teis · in his two hondes; Line 504 So he frusschede hem with · and fondede his strengþe, þat luyte miȝte faren him fro · and to fluiȝt founden. ¶ þere weore stedes to struien · stoures to medlen, Meeten miȝtful men · mallen þorw scheldes, Line 508 ¶ Harde hauberkes to-borsten · and þe brest þurleden. Schon schene vppon schaft · schalkene blode. ¶ þo þat houen vppon hors · heowen on helmes. ¶ þo þat hulden hem on fote · hakken þorw scholdres. mony swouȝninge lay · þorw schindringe of scharpe, And starf aftur þe deþ · in a schort while. ¶ þer weoren hedes vn-huled · helmes vphaunset; harde scheldes to-clouen · on quarters fellen, Line 516 slen hors and mon · holliche at enes.

ÞE stiward of Eualak · in þe stour lafte, lai streiht on þe feld · striken to þe eorþe. ¶ Now Eualac and tholomer · twies han a-semblet; Seraphe takes of heore men · wel a two hundred, Line 521 to wende to a Roche · was faste bi-syde. Hedde þei geten þat holt · for certeyne soþe, þei mihten haue do muche harm · er þei han hem mihte. ¶ þenne com on wiþ a tale · and Tholomer he telles, And seis him hou Seraphe · has his men serued; Line 526

Line 526 His broþer and a batayle · weore bosket bi-sydes, And he sende him word · he scholde þider seche, And þei come swiftly vppon · and swengeden to-gedere. ¶ Seraphe was of hem wel war · and faste hem a-scries; He mette a gome on an hors · with a gret route, He hente vp his hachet · and huttes him euene, Line 532 Al to-hurles þe helm · and þe hed vnder. wiþ þe deþ in his hals · dounward he duppes, and þat deruede hem muche · on þat oþer syde, for þe kyng Tholomer · was treweli his broþer. Line 536 ¶ þen Seraphe fondes in · he and fourti knihtes, ¶ þer þe batayle was stiffest · and of more strengþe. ¶ þenne þei fullen for grame · to Seraphe knihtes; þei han laft him a-lyue · but vnneþe seuene. Line 540 Sikerli þe seuene · weore slayen at þe laste, Him wondet þer-wiþ · and wemmet so sore, þat he was in swounynge · and fel to þe grounde. ¶ Sone þenne he starte vp · and streiȝte to his hache, culles on mennes hedes · þat þei doun lyen, Line 545 Siþen cacches his hors · and a-wei wendes. Bote euer-more Seraphe · askes and cries, "where was Eualac?" · þe stour was so þikke. Line 548 ¶ wel a fyue þousend men · of tholomeres halue weore bytwene hem two · þat to him he ne mihte, And he nedde bote fourti men · folewynde his brydel. And þei were weri of-fouȝten · and feor ouer-charged, Of þe peple afurst · and þe pres after; Line 553 luyte wonder hit was · so þey wrouȝt haden.

ÞEnne was Eualac taken · and woundet ful sore; And þe kyng tholomer · takes him to kepe, Line 556 Ferde in-to a forest · faste bi-syde, forte fallen him feye · er þei a-ȝeyn ferden. ¶ þenne he vn-keuered his scheld · & on þe cros bi|holdes; He seiȝ a child strauȝt þer-on · stremynge on blode, Line 560

Line 560 And he bi-souȝte him of grace · as he was godes foorme. ¶ þenne he seiȝ a whit kniht · comynge him a-ȝeines, boþe Armure and hors · al as þe lilye, A red cros on his scheld · seemed him feire; Line 564 Rydes to tholomer · rad wiþ þat ilke, Baar him doun of his hors · and harmed him more, strok him stark ded · þat he sturede neuere. ¶ Siþen he fonges forþ · a ferly wepne, Line 568 fel hem feiȝe to his feet · þat him hedde folewed. ¶ þenne he horses Eualac · on tholomeres steede, bouwes touward þe batayle · bigly and swiþe. ¶ Euer-more Eualac · askes and cries, Line 572 "where was Seraphe?" · and seiȝ him wiþ þat ilke, wher seue knihtes him han · sikerliche a-sayled, and titli bi-gonnen · to take him bi þe bridel. Line 575 ¶ þe white kniht wiþ his swerd · swyngede to hem sone; whon þe sixe weoren dede · þe seueþe a knyf [folio 404b:1] cauhte, And wolde ha striken Seraphe · at a stude derne, vppon an hole of his helm · and he was so for-fouȝten þat he hedde no space · spedly him-seluen Line 580 forto do him no dispit · þe sporn was his owne. ¶ whon Eualac þat sauȝ · he fel to þe grounde, And Seraphe also · and boþe lye [a] swoune. ¶ þe white kniht lihtes doun · and boþe hem vp-liftes; þer nas no lynde so liht · as þise two leodes, Line 585 whon þei blencheden a-boue · and eiþer seiȝ oþer. ¶ þenne seis Seraphe · "scheuȝ me myn hache, and I schal note hit to-day · my strengþe is so newed." ¶ "Haue her-on," seis þe white kniht · "vppon my bi|halue; Line 589 God sende þe þis · þat al þe grace lenes." whon he hedde hit in honde · he heold hit þe betere, And þe heuior bi fer · þen he bi-foren hedde; Line 592 Nas þer ȝong mon ne old · þat ȝernloker wrouȝte þen Eualac and Seraphe · wher-so-euer þei souȝten, Also fresch as þe hauk · freschore þat tyme,

þen þei foundeden þidere · in heore furste come. Line 596 But euer-more þe white kniht · hem þe place roumede, Hit falles not for to seiȝe · þe fere of his duntes. þer he lousede his hond · he leyde hem on Ronkes, and welde hem bi-foren · at his oune wille. Line 600 ¶ þe stiward of Tholomer · stoffes hem to-gedere, and seis, "þei ben a-middes þe Reume · and mowe not hom reche, ne heo knowe not in the lond · forþi þei moten lenge." ¶ þenne þe folk of þe Roche · hem in face kepten, Line 604 maden þer a siker werk · and slowen hem vp clene.

Eualac and Seraphe · wonder hem þhouȝte wher þe white kniht bi-com · þat won hem þe prys; þei nuste where he was · ne on whuche syde. Line 608 ¶ þenne seis Seraphe · þat hom he wolde wende, He is woundet ful sore · to winnen his ese. ¶ "Trewely," seis Eualac · "þow schalt wiþ me to court, And two wonderful men · þou schalt seo þere; Line 612 þei tolde me of vche a poynt · ar I fro home wente, al-to-gedere of þis werk · hou hit is wonne."

Nou we leuen þe kyng · and of Ioseph carpen, þat restes him in Sarras · bi-leued wiþ þe qweene. "Hou trouwestou of my lord?" heo seis · "tydes him hele, Line 617 Has he folfulsened þe sawes · þat þou bi-fore seidest?" "Ȝe, þorw þe miht of god · þe maystrie is wonnen, And þorw his swete grace · þe sarrest is passed." Line 620 ¶ "Ȝe, I wol bi-hote þe heer · þi lawe for to holden, whon þat my lord is comen · þat schal I furst fongen." "Do me sikernesse þer-to" · seis Ioseph þenne. ¶ "I wole my trouþe þe bi-take · I wol þe nout trayse." "Nay, þou hast non," seis he · "for certeyn soþe, Line 625

Line 625 Ȝe han be fastned wiþ hem · þat ferden wiþ luitel." "Tel me what is þin · and what hit signefyes?" And he tolde hire a-non · trewely him-seluen, Line 628 And heo rikenede a-ȝeyn · radly and sone, Also redili as he · and wonder he hedde. ¶ "I schal seiȝe þe, Ioseph · for certeyn soþe, hou I tok cristendom · and in what tyme. Line 632 while my moder lyuede · heo hedde an vuel longe, And souȝte in-to diuerse studes · and mihte haue non hele. ¶ þenne wonede an hermite · faste bi-syde; Semely vppon a day · þidere we souhten; Line 636 Heo bad þis hermyte · he scholde hire hele sende. ¶ 'I am sinful as þou,' he seis · 'I mai þe non graunte.' ¶ 'No mak þi preyere to him,' heo seis · 'þat þin hope is inne?' ¶ 'woldestou leeue vppon him,' he seis · 'I wolde þe bi-hote, Line 640 þat þou scholdest ben hol · ar þou henne eodest.' ¶ He made hire to knele a-doun · and a bok bradde, Radde a gospel þer-on · and bad hire vp rise, And heo was lihtned of hire euel · in a luytel stounde. ¶ þenne heo seide to me · 'douȝter ful deore, Line 645 woltou beo as I am · and on þis mon leue?' And I wepte water warm · and wette my wonges, And seide his bert was so hor · I bad not on him leeue. And he seide to me · 'douȝter, he is feirore, Line 649 þat þi moder has I-helet · nou in þis tyme, þen I or þou · or out þat is formed.' ¶ And I tolde him a-ȝeyn · 'and he so feir weore Line 652 as my broþer is at home · I wolde on him leeue.' ¶ 'Sikerly, douȝter,' he seis · 'so may grace sende þat þou miȝt seo him þi-self · ar þow henne seche.'

ÞEnne com Ihesu crist · so cler in him-seluen, Line 656 aftur þe furste blusch · we ne miȝte him bi-holden,

And a wynt and a sauor · whappede us vmbe, we weore so wel of vr-self · we nuste what we duden. He vsede of Goddes bord · & a writ brouhte, Line 660 bi-tauȝte me and my moder · murily to holden; þus cristendom I tok · in þat ilke tyme." ¶ "whi hastou let so longe · þi lord þis lyf leden?" "Sire, forsoþe," heo seis · "syker I ne dorste, Line 664 He is so feol in him-self · for no þing be-knowen, Bote herkene of god · whon he his grace sende. ¶ Hastou not herd þi-self · hou euel he was to torne?"

Now þe kyng comes to sarras · and mony on him suwen; Line 668 As sone as he com hom · I hete þe forsoþe, He askede after a-non · nomeliche þeose tweyne, Sette him on [folio 404b:2] his bed · and hem on eiþer syde. "A! Ioseph," seiþ þe kyng · "soþe aren þi wordes, Line 672 þat þou toldest me furst · ȝor foundeour be blesset!" ¶ "Ho is þat?" seis Seraphe · and [he] onswerde sone, "he þat halp þe wiþ sound · fro þe seue knihtes "— Tolde hem vche a poynt · þat þei wrouȝt haden; Line 676 Hou he wuste þerof · wonder hem þouȝte.

ÞEnne com on fro þe fiht · þat foule was wemmed, was striken of þat on Arm · and bar hit in þat oþer. ¶ þen Ioseph asked þe kynges scheld · And bad þat mon knele, Line 680 þe arm helede a-ȝeyn · hol to þe stompe. ¶ þenne com Seraphe · and fullouȝt furst askes. In þe nome of þe fader · Ioseph him fulwede, And calles him Naciens · and his nome tornde: Line 684 he was þe forme þat day · þat fongede trouþe. ¶ whon he Baptised was · þis oþere bi-heolden, Heom þouȝte he leomede as liht · al on a lowe;

¶ þei seȝen þe holy-gost · at his mouþ descenden, Line 688 And he speek þenne · þat bi-foren ne kneuȝ.

ÞEnne com he wiþ þe sore Arm · þat þorw þe grace was holpen; . In þe nome of þe fader · Ioseph him folwed, clepen him Cleomadas · and callen him after. Line 692 ¶ þenne com þe kyng Eualac · and fullouht askes; In þe nome of þe fader · Ioseph him folwede, Called him Mordreyns · 'a lat mon ' in trouþe. ¶ þen com þe folk · to Iosaphe so þikke, Line 696 He tok a basin of gold · in boþe two his hondes, Vppon þe heiȝe trinite · he let water hiȝe, And hedde fulwed bi non · mo þen fyue þousend. ¶ þenn seis Iosaphe · þat Ioseph his fader Line 700 mot a-byden him · and dwelle þer stille, ¶ while þat he and Naciens gon · nouþer þei nusten, forte cristene þe folk · and casten þe false. ¶ But þere an vnsely kyng · in prison hem caste, Line 704 wiþ muche serwe to him-self · siker atte laste; ¶ For þe kyng Mordreyns · com with such strengþe, forte liuere hem out · on lyue he lafte none. ¶ Siþen þei bi-tauȝten þe blod · twei burnes to holden, And þei lenden of þe toun · and leuen hit þere. Line 709