Merlin : or, the early history of King Arthur : a prose romance / edited ... by Henry B. Wheatley

CHAPTER XVIII.
ADVENTURES OF GAWEIN AND HIS FELLOWS AT ARONDELL IN CORNWALL.

Now whan the two brethren were departed fro Sorhan, thei rode thourgh wodes and thourgh playnes till that thei come to Arondell in Cornewaile toward Bredigan; and whan thei come ther thei herde telle how Soriondes was logged in the medowes of Bredigan and rested ther his peple, ffor he com wery for traueile; and whan the childeren vndirstode that thei moste passe thourgh the hoste saisnes, and that was noon esy thinge to do, thei drough hem a-gein a litill bakke. And the saisnes ronne thourgh the contrei and a-boute Bredigan ner to Cardoell, and ther-of herde Gawein and his bretheren and companye that the saisnes were thus logged a-boute Bredigan and distroied the contrey aboute. Than sente [folio 97b] Gawein aboute to euery garnyson thourgh the reame of logres, and assembled xxx^Ml what oon what other, ffor moche was he and his companye be-loved for theire grete prowesse and her gret largesse; and than thei rode and iourneyed so longe till

thei com to Cardoell, and ther they restede two dayes, and the thirde day thei departed and rode forth by theire iourneyes till thei com to Bredigan where-as thei were well come; and the saisnes were spredde a-brode thourgh the londe of kynge Ydiers, and hadde it all brente and robbed, and com all the river betwene the wode and the medowe vnder the Castell of Arundell, and thei were moo than lx^MI of horsemen and x^MI ribaudes, that sette fier all a-boute the contrei.

Whan the kynge Ydiers saugh this grete damage that thei dide, he was so full of sorowe that neer he wente oute of his witte, and lepte to horse with alle the peple that he hadde, and were nygh xv^Ml wele armed, and be-gan to pursue the hoste, so that thei atteyned hem at a passage at a cauchie, and ther thei fought to-geder right harde, ffor the kynge Ydiers was a full noble knyght and a sure, and he dide ther merveilous of armes, and he hadde many goode knyghtes in his companye, that hym right wele dide helpe, and thei foughten all the day at the rerewarde of the hoste, and were xx^Ml, and the tother that were be-fore rode all the day till thei were half a myle from the castell of randoll, and thei were wele xl^Ml, and in the vaungarde were x^Ml that ledde the pray, for thei hadde herde the tidinges of the castell of Bredigan that ther-to were come gret peple sodeinly, and therfore thei were in drede to be supprised.

Whan thei of the castell herde why the saisnes were passed in to the londe of kynge Ydiers, of Cornewaile, thei ne trowed noon other but that thei wolde repeire be that wey, ne thei trowed not that eny hadde be lefte be-twene the castell of randoll and Bredigan. And whan the two sones of kynge Vrien herde sey that the saisnes were passed, thei wende to haue no dowte, and armed hem wele and lepte on horse, and rode oute of the castell of randoll, and were foure hundred wele armed at devise, and rode till thei come to a brigge thre myle from the castell of Bredigan, and whan thei were passed ouer, a-noon com ageins hem Bilas, with xiiij^Ml men of armes, that hadde the vaungarde of kynge Soriondes, that made kepe the passage that noon sholde come oute of Bredigan, that hem myght don damage

to the bakke of the hoste while thei forreyed. And whan the childeren saugh this thei were sore affraied, and thei gat the brigge, and ther thei hem deffended strongly. And on the tother side the kynge Ydiers faught at the ende of the cauchie so merveilously, that neuer of so fewe peple was don do stronge bataile, and ther thei shewed soche prowesse, that the xx^Ml torned to disconfiture, and ther ne hadde noon ascaped ne hadde Soriondes turned bakke with his grete hoste, and ne hadde be that a-venture [folio 98a] that he so turned vpon kynge Ydiers, the childeren of kynge Vrien that were gon be-fore ne hadde neuer ascaped. But resteth to speke of hem at this tyme, and telleth of that cherll that hadde chaunged his semblaunce in to the gyse of a squyer at Camelot, whan that Seigramoor was rescued.

Whan this squyer wiste that Gawein and his companye were gon to Bredigan, he was ther-of gladde and wele plesed, and also he knewe wele of the two Bretheren that were at the castell of Randoll, and saugh wele how thei were in grete auenture of deth or to be taken, thanne he toke vpon hym the semblaunce of a curroure trottinge on foote, and bar a letter seled in a coffin, that was peynted with the armes of kynge Vrien, that he made to be writen of Blase his maister, so as ye shull heren after; and whan it was I-wreten he departed from Blaase and com to Bredigan, and he was tukked and on his heede a felt, and bar a longe staff on his bakke, and he was sklender and lene and hadde on lowe voyded shoon and blak hosyn, and his clothinge was blakke fustyan with bendes on the sleues, and girde with a girdell harnesshed, and he was longe and broun and a blakke berde, and his heed bare with-oute coyfe, his hatte at his sholderes hanginge be-hynde by the laces; and he com to the maister paleys and yede vpon the greces, and whan he was a-bove he asked after Gawein the sone of kynge loot, and a-noon oon hym shewde where he stode, and he com be-fore hym and set hym on hys knee; and Gawein hym dressed vp as he that was wele lerned and right wise; and he hym salude, "From Ewein the more and from Ewein the a-voutres, the twey sones of the kynge Vryen his cosyns, and to yow hath sente these letters."

As soone as Gawein herde speke of tho childeren, he lepe on his feet, and toke the letter and brake the seall and hit radde all to the ende as he that well hadde lerned his yowthe, and fonde writen how the letter seide,"I Ewein, the sone of kynge Vrien, greteth well my cosin Gawein and myn other cosyns and frendes, and I lete yow wete that I am departed fro Sorhan with-oute leve of my fader, bothe I and Ewein a-voutres my brother; and we be-come oute of the castell of Randoll to the brigge of Sorionde, where we haue founde x^Ml saisnes that vs holde medle vpon the brigge, and we ne be but foure hundred; and on that other side the kynge Ydiers, that ne hath but xiiij^Ml men in his companye a-gein xl^Ml saisnes on the chauchie vnder Randoll, and as soone as the kynge Ydiers is departed thei will come vpon vs and take alle but god vs helpe and ye vs socoure; and yef we be take or slain, the harme is owres and the shame youres, and alle dayes of youre lif it shall be to yow reprof, and yef ye for cowardise leve vs to be socoured while ye haue power, and ther-fore remembre vs [folio 98b] of pitee and of youre grete fraunchise."

Whan Gawein hadde redde the letter he cried,"Now as armes this tyme more hastely than eny other, and neuer be he preised that now is not hardy." And whan the squyers herde Gawein thei ronne to armes gladde and mery, ffull moche thei desired to come in place where thei myght hem conquere loos and pris to encrese theire honours; and as soon as thei were armed thei lepte to horse and rode oute of Bredigan, and the yoman that hadde brought the letter was theire gyde; and thei were xx^Ml men noble and hardy; and so thei rode a grete spede, but firste thei departed her peple and devised her wardes in to vj. The firste warde Gawein yaf vn-to Agravain his brother with thre thousande men of armes wel a-raied, and thei rode a goode paas be-fore. The seconde warde ledde Gaheret with iij^Ml men of armes that were vaillant and hardy. The thridde warde hadde Gaheries, that were it cowde lede, and were also iij^Ml, and rode forth after the tother. The fourthe bataile Gawein yaf to Seigramor, the nevew of the Emperour of Constantinenoble, that right wele cowde hem helpe at nede, and were

also iij^Ml; and thei rode forth after the tother cloos streite, and eche hadde a baner wher-to thei sholde relye whan thei were medled with the saisnes. The fifte bataile hadde Galashin hys cosin for to lede, and moche Gawein hym preide well for to do and wisely to rule for his men, and hadde with him also iij^Ml; and whan he hadde hem departed and disseuered thei rode theire wey a softe paas after Seigramor. The vj^te bataile, where-in was moste peple, ledde Gawein hym-self, and bar a baner of sendall of ynde beende ther in a lyon of siluer, and thei kepte hem cloos a-boute hym and were v^Ml and moo; and whan he saught that alle the tother were sette on her wey that oon after that other, than he sette on a softe paas hool to-geder. Ther sholde ye haue sein the baners and fresh armes glyteringe in the wynde and fresh hauberkes bright shynynge above so many startelynge stedis that made the fier fle from the Caliouns that alle that it be-heilde made her hertes to reioyse. But now cesseth to speke of hem how that thei ride to the brigge of dove, and returneth for the speke of the kynge ydiers that fighteth with the saisnes.

So sore faught the kynge ydiers a-gein xx^Ml saisnes that he put hem alle to flight. Ther was grete discounfiture and grete trouble of men and horse that fellen deed to-hewen; and whan Soriondes saugh hem fle he asked why that thei fledde, and thei hym tolde how that the kynge Ydiers hadde don hem grete damage to the taile of the hoste that alle the xx^Ml hadde dicounfited; and than returned Soriondes sory and wroth, and were with hym moo than xx^Ml, and rode till thei fonde the kynge Ydiers at the heed of the cauchie that yet was fightinge a-gein the meyne of Maglaant, an amyrall saisne cruewell and felon, that grete harme dide to the cristin and was so douted that noon durste [folio 99a] hym approche ne come vpon the cauchie, but launched to hym speres and gysarmes grounden; and than com Soriondes with all his peple that was so grete, and sette ouer the caunchie so rudely as horse myght renne. Ther was thoo stif stour and mortall bataile, ffor at to grete a myschief were the men of the kynge Ydiers, and moche thei loste at that encountre, but right dere thei it solden; but what a-vailed her well doinge, discounfited

thei were and driven oute of the place, and it nedeth not to aske yef that the kynge Ydiers were sory and wroth, ffor ther he cursed the houre and the day that he was on I-crowned and that he was at debate with kynge Arthur,"ffor by the synne." quod he, "that he haue don a-gein hym falleth to vs all these myschaunces, but it is so ferforth that it is to late vs to repente."

Thus repeired the kynge ydiers, but moche was his losse; and Soriondes repeired with all his pray that was so grete to the caunchie, and passed ouer delyuerly, and rode be-nethe the castell Randoll streight to the brigge of Doue, and put in the vaungarde xv^Ml men, and rode forth till that the fowarde saugh the bataile at the brigge foot of the childeren that faught a-gein x^Ml that kepte the passage; and whan thei saugh this thei spedde hem faste to ride, for hem thought longe er thei were taken, and whan the childeren saugh hem so come thei were sore dismayed; and than Ewein loked towarde Bredigan and saugh where that Agravian com gripinge his baner, and he saugh wele that thei were grete peple, and than he badde his felowes to be of goode chier, for he saugh come cristin knyghtes; and than seide his felowes,"sir, how may ye hem se, and how shull we do? for lo! here bith saisnes that cometh be-fore and be-hynde, and ne forwarde ne bakwarde may we not fle, but that we moste perish, and on this side yef we take the feilde we myght haue grete damage." "I shall telle yow," quod Ewein avoutres, "what we shull do; holde we vs to-geder cloos and make semblaunte as we wolde with Ioyne, and than will we go down this ryver at the spore, ffor yef that we a-bide hem that beth here comynge thei shull vs haue taken alle er thei ben heder I-come."

To this that Ewein a-voutres hath seide thei acorded well, and than thei closed hem rounde to-geder and hem distrayned, but erst were the saisnes come hem right nygh withynne the shote of an arblaste, and whan thei saugh the cristin come thei sporered theire horse ouer the brigge at a brunt, and thei smyte thourgh the x^Ml and ouer-threwe mo than CC at the firste springe, and whan the saisnes wende hem to close they

glenched down the river with spede of the spore that wey as thei saugh the cristin comynge. Whan the fowarde of the kynge Soryoundes saugh hem that fledden, thei priked after hem more than xv^Ml, and pressed so thikke vpon the brigge and so streite that many of hem fell in the water, and the x^Ml that the passage kepten enchased the childeren till thei hem atteyned in a medowe be-twene two rivers, and ther sholde haue ben [folio 99b] hastely so grete losse-that neuer it myght haue ben restoreth, wher-of hadde be grete damage and grete doell to all the reame of logres; and than com Agrauain that well sein the chase be-gynne vpon the childeren as soone as thei com down the brigge, and a-noon as Agravian com nygh the saisnes he lete his horse renne and his felowes also and smote on hem so harde that all the foreste and the ryver resounded, and whan the speres were broken, thei drough theire swerdes and be-gonne the medle crewell and felon, ne neuer herde ye so fewe men that more delyuerly hem contened, ffor so moche thei dide to theym that made the foure hundre for-sake place. Agrauain and his companye drof hem bakke all a bowe draught, and that was grete socoure for the childeren, for Ewein le graunde and Ewein A-voutres were bothe smyte down of theire horses and fought on foote full sore, and also a hundre of theire felowes vn-horsed and wounded and hurt right sore, and therefore the cristin hadde grete hevynesse, and hem drof bakke that thei myght not stynte on the grounde, and it was no merveile, for thei were but thre thousande and the saisnes were x^Ml, and also xv^Ml that com hem to helpe that passed the brigge in grete haste, and as soone as thei were ouer thei sprad a-brode down the river and abode that oon the tother, and the x^Ml foughten full vigerously that were full gladde of theire peple that thei saugh repeire from Cornewayle, and the day be-gan to chauffe, and the sonne was risen right high as a-boute the houre of pryme, and the duste be-gan to rise right thikke that a myle thens myght oon knowe where was the trouble.

Whan Agrauain saugh that his peple myght not kepe her grounde, he swor that he wolde not thens departe though he sholde be deed tho in the place. Than he smote

the horse with the spores and daysshed in a-monge hem and caught his swerde in bothe hondes and cried a Clarence with lowde voys, and be-gan to do soche maistries that his companye hadde merveile of his grete prowesse, ffor thei trowed not in hym so grete vertu as thei ther saugh, and the saisnes gretly hym douted for the merveiles that thei saugh hym don, but for all that hadde he litill profite; but as Gaheret com hym for to socoure with thre thousande men of armes, and in his comynge he made all the renges to fremyssh, for eche oon that com with hym bar oon to the grounde at theire metynge, and disparbled the saisnes towarde the brige; and whan Ewein the more and Ewein a-voutres saugh the saisnes drawe bak, thei seide thei hadde founde strength of peple, and onn asked of a-nother. "Lorde god, who may be these cristen, for fayn wolde we knowe?" Ther was a yonge squyer that hyight Aces de Bemonde; he com to hem and seide, "Sirs, be ye come in to this contrey to be-holde here these turmentys and the feire strokes of knyghtis, for yef ye wolde knowe what thei be, ye most a-vaunce yow forth and do so that thei enquere who ye ben, for by theire prowesse is knowen the worthy where-so-euer thei ben, and ye ne do but muse as fooles and lese youre [folio 100a] tyme, and therfore lete vs helpe hem to discounfite these false saisnes, ffor what folke that these ben cristin or other thei be worthi men, but moche me merveileth whens come alle these saisnes, and soone it shall be shewed who shall do beste, ffor I yow a-vye to turney with oure enmyes that haue don vs so grete damage, and to oure frendes and to oure auncestres, and yef we dye, at this nede more honourably ne may we suffre the deth that for the love of Jeshu criste, and for his lawe to strengthe and encresen." Whan the childeren herde Acon de bemonde thus speke, thei hadde grete shame and seiden that neuer wolde thei be holde for cowarde, and acon spronge forth and seide, "Now be it seyn who doth beste." Than thei hem renged alle to-geder, and than thei sprongen in a-monge the saisnes and be-gonne to smyte and throwe down on euery side,

and diden so well that the worde and the renon com to Agrauain and to Gaheret that the childeren foughten be-nethe fer from hem. Whan thei harde tho tidinges, thei wiste well it were the sones of kynge Vrien, and drowgh down that wey and made soche martire of the saisnes that thei made tho x^Ml to rebounde vpon the fowarde of kynge Sorioundes, that were mo than xv^Ml, and Agrauain and Gaheret haue so spedde that thei be come to the childeren that sharply foughten, ffor Ewein le graunt and Ewein a-voutres and Acon traueiled so merveillously that onn for that other that gladde was Gaheret hem to be-holden, and so was his companye, that a-gein diden so well that noon was founden cowarde ne ydell; and than com Agrauain to Acon and asked what were these childeren, and he ansuerde that thei were the sones of kynge vrien, "that be come to take theire armes and to serve the kynge Arthur, her vncle, with alle thise meyne that ye here sen." "Whiche be thei?" seide Agrauain. "Sir," seide Acon; "lo! hem ther in the armes half parted white and reade, but what be ye that this enquere?" "Certes," seide Agrauain, "we be nevewes to the kynge Arthur and sones to kynge loot of Orkanye and of leoneys, and my name is cleped Agrauain and this other Gaheret my brother, and oure lorde be worshipped and preised that we be now mette hool and sounde in his londe." Than thei com to the childeren and made to hem grete ioye, and thei asked what thei were; but litill while hadde thei be there whan thei saugh come the vowarde of Saisnes with xv^Ml men, and thei that fledded with hem in companye that yet were v^Ml, and drof the cristin a-bakke full fiercely. Whan Agrauain and Gueheret saugh hem come and the myschef so grete, thei seide to the childeren and to her companye, "Cosin, holde yow a-boute vs in oure feliship;" and thei ansuerde that thei wolde not hem lete for deth ne for lif; and than thei thronge to-geder and be-gonne the bataile newe full stifly, but so longe myght thei not endure, for to many were the saisnes, that thei yaf bakke the space of a bowe draught wheder thei wolde or noon, ne neuer

thei [folio 100b] sholde haue stynte till thei hadde come to Bredigan ne hadde be Gaheries that com with thre thousande men, but thei ne wente not foule, for Agrauain and Gueheret and Ewein li grans and Ewein a-voutres and Acon and Alechin, these yaf grete strokes euer a-monge often that oon for the tother, and were hyndermeste in the route, and socoured her men wher thei saugh hem encombred. Than com Gaheries with this warde of iij^Ml goode men, and sette on hem full of Ire and malencolyus, and threwe down and slowgh and kepte at stall a longe while, but in the fyn he mote yeve grounde a litill, ffor than the saisnes be-gonne to recover londe vpon hem. But now a litill turneth the tale fro hem, and speketh of the kynge Sorioundes.

While thei fought thus at the brigge ende, all the cariage and the pray that kynge Sorioundes brought com to the brigge, and thei that hadde ther-of the kepynge seide thei sholde no ferther passe till thei saugh to what fyn the bateile sholde drawe, ffor on this side that we be on nowe haue we no drede, and yef ther come vpon us gret forse of peple we may vs here deffende better and more suerly, and more may we greve hem than thei vs, ffor we shull be at the brigge heed and kepe hem so of, that nought shull thei haue of oures. Than toke thei grounde and hem logged; and the maistres that condited the pray was Maglans and Pyngnores, and with hem xx^Ml or mo; and than thei pight tentes and pavylouns, and Sorioundes rode till he come to the brigge, and than he asked whi thei were so soone herberowed, and thei seide thei were more sure on that side than on that othir side of the ryver, ffor we knowe not what peple that ther ben there. "Now," quod Sorioundes, "loke that ye be well a-raied to helpe oure peple yef it be nede;" and thei seide that so thei wolde, but returneth now we agein to Gaheries and to his companye that fighted be-twene the river of Dione and Bredigan.

Now seith the boke that the ix^Ml and foure hundred cristin so foughten a-gein the saisnes that were well xx^Ml or moo, that moche loste that oon parte and that other, and the saisnes more than the cristin, but longe ne myght endure the

cristin for yet the childeren were tendre and grene, so that thei moste nede remeve a-bronde in to the feilde, and in short tyme thei sholde haue hadde grete losse; but as Segramor com prikinge with thre thousand men armed, and hym thought right longe er that he were assembled, and he smote vpon hem so fiercely that all the chase he made to cesse by fin force. Than was the stoure be-gonne harde and full crewell, ffull grete crakke and noyse ther was of brekynge of speres and stif strokes of swerdes vpon helmes and vpon hauberkes, and many horse and man leide on the grounde, and full well dide ther Seigramor and his companye that many an hethen made his ende; but all that well dede of Seigramor myght thei neuer stynte the saisness, ffor his men were putt bakke that his well doynge myght not but litill be sene; and than [folio 101a] com Galaishin, with thre thousande men, and mette with hem so harde, that be-fore theire speres ne lefte noon vp-right stondinge. Than thei cried a Clarance with a lowde voyse, that is the worde and the signe of kynge Arthur, and the saisnes were sore greved and com a-gein hem and mette hem tho dispiteously that thei made hem alle to disparble a-gein a-bakke. Than a-roos the shoute and the noise vpon hem so grete that the saisnes were driven bakke hastely with-oute eny a-reste euen to the brigge of Dione. Than ther was grete occision of the saisnes, that of the xx^Ml ther was slayn vij^Ml er thei come to the brigge, and yef theire socoure hadde not be so nygh ther hadde neuer ascaped noon of hem a-wey, but Maglans and Pyngnores com for to socour theym with xx^Ml saisnes as faste as thei myght passe the brigge, and many thei throwe to grounde in her comynge. Ther be-gan angwissous myschef and grete losse, for the saisnes were xxx^Ml and mo, and the cristin ne were but xiiij^Ml what oon what other, and therfore thei were putte bakke the space of a mark shote. Ther suffred moche Galashin and Seigramor and Gaheries and Geheret and Agrauain and Ewein li grans and Ewein a-voutres and Aces of campercorentin and brian of Arondell. These diden merveillouse prowesse a-bove alle other that were in the hoste. These ix suffred so moche, and so moche thei dide in armes, that alle hadde ben discounfited

ne hadde be theire worthi dedes, but in the fin thei moste nede turne.

Full grete was the stour and harde medle be-twene Dione and Bredigan ther as these xiiij^Ml cristin be a-gein xxx^Ml saisnes, and the myschef was grete for thei hadde ther grete losse; and than com Gawein hem for to socour with v^Ml men of armes, and than be-gan ther a grete stour and harde, ffor as soone as Gawein was come he be-gan to do so well that the saisnes rused and lefte place, ffor he slough man and horse whom that he raught with his axe that he heilde with bothe hondes, and whom he ther-with atteyned, hym myght warante neither Iren nor steill ne other armoure, ffor he alone sustened all the bateile, that alle the saisnes fledde from his axe on euery side, and he hem pursude so fiercely a-noon as noone was come that his strengthe be-gan to double, tho was it no wisdome to a-bide hym eny stroke, for he was so crewell for wrath and Ire, and he kepte hem so short that on fin force he made hem to resorte to the entre of the brigge of dione, where thei were so thikke and so entacched ech amonge other, that mo than a thousand fill in to the river.

Whan Sorioundes saugh the damage that these hym dide and the grete martire, he was so full of sorowe that ny he yede wode for wrath, and fain wolde he haue come ouer the brigge, yef he hadde myght for to haue foughten with hem to socour his men, but thei were so thikke vpon the brigge and down the river that noon myght come ouer; and thaugh the brigge hadde ben all clene empty it hadde not be no light thinge for to haue passed, ffor Gawein and Galashin and Seigramor and Agrauain and Gaheries and Gueheret [folio 101b] and Ewein li grans and Ewein a-voutres were a-geins hem at the entre of the brigge that fiercely hem deffended the entre that noon was so hardy that durste presse ouer, ffor thei slough so many and made soche martire that ther was hilles of dede men and horse hem beforn, that the toon myght not come to that other but launchant; and this assaut dured all the day till nyght that thei withdrough; and on that other side Gawein and his companye withdrough hem and wente a-gein to Bredigan, gladde and mery for

the childeren that thei hadde so socoured at nede; and that nyght was ther grete ioye and grete feste, and thei ete and dranke with grete myrthe and solas, and after gon to bedde to reste, for thei were full wery of trauayle, and thei rested till it was day, that thei wolde go a-gein to fight with the saisnes, a-gein whom thei wolde deffende the londe and the contrey for euer more. But as thei were departed at euen from the brigge ther thei foughten, Sorioundes sente to seche the grettest lordes of his hoste for to take counseile what he sholde do, and as soone as he saugh his barouns assembled he hem asked how he sholde don, for he hadde founde the cristin full felon and crewell, and he was sore astoned for the grete damage that thei hadde hym don of his peple; and than a-roos vp Maglans vpon his feet, a grete Geaunt fell and crewell, but he was right wise, and he spake right high that he myght well ben herde.

"Kynge Sorioundes, yef thow will do my connseile, set forth thy Cariage now right and lete hem go be-fore oure chyuachie and neuer stinte till thei come to oure hoste, and Pynogras shall hem condite with x^Ml men be-fore in the firste fronte, and we shall come in the taile after with as moche peple as we can gete and assemble, and yef the cristen vs pursue thei may be well receyved, and that the cariage be not letted to iourney forth euer on her way, for that is the beste as me semeth." And than cried alle that saisnes that the kynge Sorioundes sholde a-corde ther-to, as maglans hadde seide; and he comaunded to trusse and charge the harnoys and sette forth the vaungarde be-fore firste ouer the brigge with x^Ml saisnes or moo, and whan all the harneys was paste, than passed he ouer hymself with xxx^Ml saisnes and rode after a softe paas all the nyght and all the nexte day with-oute eny more distrubinge till thei come to Valdesbery ther as the sege was leide, and ther thei were soone welcomed, ffor moche were thei desired for the vitaile that thei brought, and thei brought I-nough wher-with the hoste was refresshed well in ese; but of hem ne speketh no more at this tyme, but turneth to the childeren that ben in the Castell at Bredigan.

Full gladde and ioyfull were these bretheren for the comynge of these childeren, the sones of kinge Vrien, and made hem great ioye and feste that nyght till thei were brought to bedde for to reste; and on the morowe erly Gawein sente a spie for to se [folio 102a] what the saisnes diden that thei hadde lefte at the brigge of dione, and whan he com there he fonde that thei were departed and gon in the nyght, and than he returned and tolde to Agrauain how thei were alle gon, and he ther-fore was sory that thei were so ascaped, but seth it myght be noon other thei a-bode stille in the town, and soiourned to a-bide here tidinges of the kynge Arthur or of other a-ventures.

Hit fill on a day be-fore dyner that the childeren dide walke be the ryver, and Gawein com to Ewein and seide, "Feire cosin, how knewe ye that we were here assembled, and be whos conseile sente ye me the lettere that ye sente me this other evenynge?" "What lettere was that?." quod Ewein, "ffor trewly I sente yow neuer noon in my lyve, ne I knewe of yow no tidinges, till god of his grace sente yow to vs whan we were in soche poynt, ffor elles hadde we be alle slain or taken and distroied." "How," quod Gawein, "feire cosin Ewein, sey ye in trowthe that ye sente me neuer letter that I sholde come yow to socoure." "Sir," qoud Ewein, "I sey yow soth ther-of withoute faile."

Whan that the bretheren herde that Ewein sente hem neuer letter ne message, thei merveiled moche fro whens he myght come that hem hadde brought. Than thei lete crie and enquere yef the man that hadde brought the lettere were yet in the town; but thei cowde not here of hym no tydinge, and thei desired sore to wite where he was be-come; thus thei a-bode in the town viij dayes full, till that tidinges come to hem from Arondell that tolde hem how the peple and the Gentilmen of the garnyson were sore greved with the saisnes that euery day hem assailden, and how thei dide but loke after the howr that thei sholde alle be take. Whan Gawein herde of the grete nede that thei hadde in the castell, he for-thought it sore. Than he called his felowes and seide it were goode to go thider to the Castell of

Arondell for to rescewe theym, for thei haue grete mystere, and sholde we heire tidinges soneste of my fader the kynge loot, and thei seide thei wolde do hys volunte. Than thei a-raide hem redy and toke her wey towarde Arondell, and were x^Ml with-oute moo of the beste horsed, ffor thei wolde not disgarnyssh the londe of peple, and so thei ride on euenynges and on morownynges, and by the moste vncowth weyes that thei knewe, till thei com half a myle from Arondell, and than thei herde grete bruyt and grete noyse, ffor Arans the sone of Brangue was entred in to the londe of leonoys, and hadde wasted moche of the londe all a-boute as he hadde gon and assayled the Castell of Arondell often tymes and hadde brente the borowgh; and it be-fill that ther com that wey a route of yonge squyres, and com oute of the londe of Strangore, and thei were a-bowte xxvj, and thei noon hede ne were not war of the kynge Arans that hadde all day assailed the Castell of Arondell, but it was so well defended that no- [folio 102b] thinge thei wonne, saf only thei hadde brent the bourgh with-oute, and than the saisnes hem with-droughen to resten, and as thei turned, thei mette the xxvj squyres that kay destranx and kehedyn dide lede.

As soone as the saisnes saugh these squyres come, thei sette on hem a showte and ronne vpon hem, ffor well thei knewe thei were cristen, and thei hem defended in the beste maner that so small a peple myght. Whan thei of the castell saugh the bataile so be-gonne in the mydowes by the ryver, thei wiste well it were cristin and hem be-heilde a grete while, but thei weren so fewe that thei were not seen a-monge hem, and thei foughten right harde and sore, but no while mygh thei endure, for the saisnes were so many. Than thei of the castell issed out iiij^C that were wight and hardy and put hem-self in a-uenture for to socoure hem that were cristen, and thei smote in a-monge hem with so grete raundon that thei ben persed thourgh to the place ther these squyres were that litill while elles sholde haue endured but that thei moste haue ben deed or taken; and whan thei were mette to-geder and a litill knowen than be-gan the medle newe to enforce and harde bataile, ffor ther was many

stroke yoven and receyved that wratthed sore the saisnes and well it shewed for thei sowned theire hornes and tymbres and trumpes, and that was token that thei wolde haue socoure; and than the saisnes assembled on alle partees, that thei spredde all the river of arson, and the meyne of the Castell de la roche were come oute, and wente towarde the Citee of Clarance with grete cariage that was hem sente oute of Saxoyne, and thei dide it condyte that it hadde brought thens, and thei were many and alle well armed, ffor as the booke seith thei were come ther-with oute of Saxoyne mo than lx^Ml with-oute the peple that was with kynge Arans that were spradde a-brode thourgh the contrey for to forrey, and thei hadde wasted and distroied that more than two iourneyes ye sholde not haue founde nother house ne town that a man myght herberowe in, hym ne his horse, ne fynde so moche vitaile for oon mannes repast. But now let vs repeire to the squyres vnder Arondell.

At full grete distresse were thise xxvi squyres that hem deffended a-gein xx^Ml saisnes; but thei of the castell of Arondell moche hem conforted and sustened, for in that company were many worthy men that were grete lordes sones, ffor ther was Ewein with the white honde, and Ewein de lionell, and Ewein Estranis, and Grosenain de strangot, these were lefte for to a-bide the kynge Arthur for thei wolde no knyghtes be made but of his honde, and alle were thei heigh menes sones, as kynges and Dukes, and also thei were nygh cosins to kynge loot of Orcanye and to kynge Brangore, and were alle come oute of her contrey in pryve wise, ffor ther was noon of hem that com with moo in his companye than xx, and thei a-bode ther as sowdiours for wynnynge, for litill hadde thei brought oute of theire contrey, and thei haue so don that I-nough thei hadde [folio 103a] geten of the saisnes.

Whan these squyres com to the bataile the cry and the noyse encresed gretly; and whan these four hundred of the castell come to these sex score, Ewein white honde, that was more enquesitif, asked of whens thei were. And kay destranx seide thei were squyers and sowdiours that wente to seche theire armes of the kynge Arthur, and how thei were nygh cosins to

the two kynges of Strangore; and whan thei of the castell herde that thei were squyers, thei asked yef thei wolde a-bide with hem, and thei wolde hem neuer faile, and that thei wolde a-bide alle to-geder till that the kynge Arthur were come, and than sholde thei gon in fere to take theire armes, for in the same wise were thei come and for the same cause; and thei ansuerde that so hem liked wele.

And while thei spake thus to-geder approched the cariage of the roche, and weren in the firste fronte xx^Ml of hem that sholde it conditen, and xx^Ml in the taile after; and as thei com nygh Arondell thei saugh the x^Ml saisnes that foughten with thise squyres vnder Arondell; and whan thei wiste it was the vowarde of kynge Arans thei slakede her brideles and environed the squyres all a-boute; and thei hem peyned sore to repeire in a-gein to the castell, but the saisnes were so many and so thikke that thei myght not hem breke ne pershe; and so longe myght it not be, but thei moste needes haue ben taken and the castell also, but than com Gawein and his companye with x^Ml men of armes; and as soone as saugh the bataile medled, thei lete theire horse renne and com so harde that be-fore hem no-thinge myght withstonde for her sharp trenchaunt speres. Ther was stronge stour be-gonne and many haubreke to-torne of double maile, and of deed and wounded peple was all the feilde couered. Ther loste the saisnes many, wherfore thei were sory and angry, of the comynge of Gawein hadde thei of the castell grete myster, ffor thei were at gret myschief, and in the comynge of Gawein and his felowes thei were so vigerouse vpon the saisnes that thei resorted vpon the cariage that sewed after; and whan Gawein saugh the squyres of Arondell he asked what thei were; and Ewein white hande seide thei were with kynge Arthur and were come oute of the Castell for to rescue these squyres, and shewde hym theym that the saisnes hadde assailed; "and what be ye that thus me demaunde and that thus come to this grete nede;" and than he hym named and seide he was come hem to helpe and

alle his companye; and whan he hadde herde this he was so gladde that noon myght be more, and thanked god of the socoure that was comen, and than thei cried "Clarence!" the worde of kynge Arthur, and smote in a-monge the saisnes and made soche martire that all the feilde was strowed full of deed men and horse. Ther dide Gawein wonderes with his hondes, and Gaheries and Agrauain and Galaishin and Seigramor and Gueheret and Ewein li grans and Ewein a-voutres [folio 103b] the two sones of kynge Vrien, and Ales and Aces. These shewde there merveillouse prowesse; and on that other side also dide well and wonder merveillous; Dodynell the Sauage, and Ewein white honde, and Ewein lyonell, and Ewein Estrains, and Gosenayne de strangot, and Kay destranx and Kehedin the litill, these xvij were in the fore-fronte and made soche martire and soche slaughtere that noon durste nygh hem ne abide a stroke, and alle theire other felowes dide also right well that alle the saisnes were fain to for-sake the feilde, and be fin force to rebounde vpon the xx^Ml that com after the cariage. And than com an olde man all vn-armed on a grete horse to Gawein, that wolde haue pursued the saisnes, and he seide, "Gawein, Gawein, and thou do after my rede returne agein and bringe with the alle thi felowes in to Arondell, ffor, lo, here come saisnes a grete nombre, and we may not hem endure."

Whan Gawein vndirstode the wordes of this wise man he hym be-heilde and saugh that he was right olde and so croked that he merveiled that he myght holde hym on horse-bakke, and saugh he hadde a grete beerde and a longe that couered all his breste and was all white, and a chapelet of coton vpon his hede, and clothed in a robe of blakke, and for age heilde hym by the sadill bowe, and loked vpon Gawein and seide, "Gawein, do as a wise man and leve me well, for alle thi felowes be not of thi strengthe ne force, and as well owest thow to love her savetee and her lyves as thin owne, and thow sholdest synne dedly yef thei were loste thourgh thi foly, for heer-after may thei come to grete goode, and of theym shall Arthur haue grete myster thin oncle as soone as he is repeired oute of the reame of Tamelide."

Whan this olde man hadde seide these wordes, he turned the streight wey towarde leoneys in Orcanye as moche as his horse myght renne; and Gawein stynted and cleped his felowes a-bowte hym, for the wise mannes counseile wolde he beleve. Than thei returned alle a softe paas towarde Arondell, and lefte the chase, and entred in to the Castell and yede vpon the walles, and be-heilde the saisnes that hem renged and assembled, and rode towarde Arondell after the kynge Arans, that all the londe of kynge loot hadde wasted; and thei were so moche peple that nothinge myght hem with-stonde, and the kynge loot faught with theym many tymes and loste moche of his peple, and sore was he greved in the ende; so that he be-hoved to bringe his wif to the Castell of Glocedon for strengthe. Whan the kynge saugh how the saisnes wasted his londe and distroied, and hadde slain so moche of his peple that he myght not but kepe hym in stronge place, and than he was full of sorowe and of hevynesse, and cursed the hour and the day that he was at werre with kynge Arthur, "for by hym haue I loste alle my childeren," and on that other side his Citee was alle wasted, and he ne loked but after the hour to be take with-ynne, ffor the [folio 104a] walles were broke down in many places, and saugh also how the kynge Arans was loged all a-boute hym, and he hadde no peple in his companye that myght eny while hym with-stonde yef the kynge Arans wolde eny while soiourne, but he desired it not gretly but a-boode after his men that the contrey wasted and distroied all environ.

Whan the kynge loot saugh hym-self in soche auenture, he toke counseile what was beste to do, and his counseile in the ende was this, that at the firste cokke crowinge he sholde lepe to his horse, he and his wif, and his litill sone that was but two yere of age, and lede hem to Glocedon, and sholde haue with hym v hundre men well armed, and that other part sholde a-bide stille that yet were vj^Ml of noble man and hardy, and thei hym promyseden that thei sholde kepe well the Citee while there life myght endure. At mydnyght the kynge and his companye toke theire horse and his litill sone mordered that the kynge Arthur hadde be-geten in soche manere as ye haue herde devised, and a

squyer hym bar in a litill cradell, hym before, vpon his horse nekke, and rode oute by a fause posterne of the Citee toward the gardins and entred in to a lane, and rode all nyght and all daye till noone that neuere hadde distrubinge; but than was the kynge loot sore aflayed, ffor they mette Teucus with thre thousand saisnes that repaired from Arondell that condited the pray to the kynge Arans, and as soon as thei knewe the kynge loot, thei ronne vpon hym with grete hete, and ther a while was stronge stour and full nobly dide the kynge loot and the vC that were in his companye; but of well doynge was litill myster, for soone were thei discounfited and chased oute of the feilde, and his wif also I-take. Than the squyer fledde towarde Arondell as faste as the horse myght hym bere. But now cesseth a litill of kynge loot and returne to Gawein.

Full gladde and mery were Gawein and his felowes at Arondell that nyght that whan thei were knowen to-geder of the squyers that thei hadde rescuwed; and as thei were in this ioye and in this feeste, com a knyght right well armed vpon a grete steede all for swette, and his shilde all to-daisht and hewen with strokes that he hadde receyued of swerdes a-bove and be-nethe, and his couerynge cote alle to-rente, and his hauberke torn and broken in many places, and he com be-fore Arondell a grete walop gripynge his launce, and whan he com be-fore the castell yate he stynte, and saugh the squyres a-bove on the walles that grete ioye made oon to a-nother, and a-noon he gan to crie, yef ther-ynne were eny squyer that were so hardy that durste hym snewen thider as he wolde go, be soche a condicion that he sholde haue no drede of no man but of his owne corse. Whan Gawein it vnderstode, he asked what wey he wolde go. Quod the knygth, "What art thow that spekest to me?" "My name," quod he, "is Gawein the sone of [folio 104b] kynge loot." "Than shall I telle yow," quod he, "fort the a-venture a-perteneth to yow more than to eny other, and certes seide the knyght in to the entre of this foreste is the prowesse that I of speke. But ye haue not the prowesse ne the hardynesse that ye dar me sue, and yet is it oon of the moste honourable a-uenture in this worlde, and that ye sholde

moste be preised yef ye myght it a-cheve, but ye haue nother the herte ne the hardyness that ye durste thider come, and wite it well but ye will come, I will go sooll be my-self."

Whan Gawein vnderstode hym that so cleped hym cowarde he was shamefaste, and seide that though he sholde dye he wolde holde hym companye, and he be-gan for to go that full well knewe his corage, and Gawein cleped hym a-gein and cried, "Sir knyght, lo! me here all redy to go with yow. But that ye shull me ensure that for noon euell ye make me it for to do, and that ye shull me helpe at youre power a-gein alle tho that will me mys-do." Whan he herde these wordes he a-bode and be-gan to smyle as it were in scorne, and seide as for that sholde he not lette, but that he wolde make hym the assuraunce, and Gawein asked his armes and armed hym wightly a-noon, and he a-boode that gretly hym hasted. And the felowes of Gawein com to hym and seide, "Sir, what thinke ye to do? Ne goth not with-outen vs, for we wote neuer whether it be for goode or for euell." And Gawein seide that he wolde well that thei wente with hym yef the knyght wolde assente. "And we shull hym aske," seide Galashin. Than ran Seigramor to the knyght and asked, "Sir knyght, and it plese yow ther ben somme here-ynne that fayn wolde go with yow in companye, and theire feliship shall yow nought empeire, and therfore thei yow preyen by me that ye will hem graunte to holde with yow companye." And the knyght hem ansuerde and seide he wolde it well, and well it hym plesed that alle wente that go wolde, ffor the auenture is soche that noon shall faile to fynde his auenture that ther cometh; and than Seigramor was gladde, and a-noon thei armed hem ther-ynne with grete spede till thei were vij^Ml that mo thei wolde not lede, but tho were of the beste, and of theym that were beste horsed, and whan thei com oute of the castell, Gawein toke the assuraunce of the knyght that for noon euell he com not hym for to seche.

Than thei wente ridinge all the day and all the nyght till it com to the dawenynge, and than thei herde at the ende of a launde a grete crye and a grete noyse of peple, and as hem

semed ther were many, and than thei mette a squyer that fledde vpon a grete horse that a bar chielde be-fore hym in a cradell, and when Gawein hym mette, he asked hym with whom he was and whi he fledde so faste; and he hem be-heilde and saugh that thei were cristin, and seide, "I am with the kynge loot that the saisnes hau discounfited at the end of this launde towarde that wode, ffor he was goynge toward Glocedon and ledde with hym his wif, and now thei haue hir taken and chased hym oute of the feilde, and I am thus fleynge as ye seen with this childe that is hers, ffor neuer shall I it lete till I haue sette it in soche [folio 105a] place that it shall not haue drede of the saisnes that in to this contrey ben entred, and for the love of god ne go ye no ferther feire lordes, for ye shull fynde ther so grete plente of saisnes that ye ne shull may hem endure." "Certeis," seide Gawein, "but I shall telle the what thow shalt do; thow shalt go reste the here in this wode till thow se what shall falle of this bataile, and after, yef I may ascape, I will the bringe ther as thow ne childe shull haue no drede of noon euell that no man shall yow do," and praide hym so that he hym graunted.

With that thei departed that oon from that other, and the knyght wente forth that moche dide Gawein for to haste, and badde hym sue faste with-oute lettinge, and ther-with he rode faste be-fore; and whan Gawein saugh he wente he spored his horse after and so dide his felowes also, and rode faste till thei were paste the foreste, and saugh the chase that euen tho was be-gonne after the kynge loot, that fledde to Glocedon with the peple that was hym be-lefte of the bataile; and on that other side Gawein be-heilde in the myddill of the medowe, and saugh a lady of grete bowte ne hadde be the doell and the sorowe that she made and the myschief that she was ynne, and she was all discheuelle in her heer, and Taurus hir heilde be the tresses and drough hir after his horse, and hir robe that she was in clad was so grete that for combraunce she myght not a-rise, and she braied and cride with an high voyse, "Seint Marie, blissed lady and moder of god! helpe me and socour." And whan she cried and cleped oure lady seint marie, Taurus smote hir with his honde armed

right sore that she fill down to the erthe euen as she hadde be deed, and whan he hadde sette hire vpon his horse she fill a-gein down to the erthe as a woman that was hurte, and cried and braide right lowde, and seide that she wolde fayne be deed; and he a-gein sette hir vpon horse, and she fill down a-gein to grounde, and seide as longe as she myght lyve sholde he neuer lede thens for no power that he hadde; and whan he saugh that he myght not hir maistrie, he hente hir be the tresses and drough hir towarde the horse trailinge, and somte hir so that she was all couered in blode what from mouthe and nose; and so he hath hir trayned and drawen, that the lady myght no lenger crye ne brayen, she was so hoorse and so brethles that on hire feet myght she not stonde ne sustene.

And whan the knyght saugh the lady so euell be sein he seide to Gawein, "Now, Gawein, knowest thow not that lady yonder, and yef euer ye hir loved dayes of youre lyf thinke hir to rescowen and to a-vengen." And as soone as Gawein saugh he knewe hire well; than he was so full of angwissh that ner he yede oute of his witte, ne he wende neuer to haue sein the hour to haue come ther-to. Than he smote the horse with sopores all that he myght, and hielde a grete shorte spere, the heed right sharp and trenchaunt; and mydday was somdell passed and the sonne right high, and Gawein cried to Taurus, "Leff the lady, traitour fitz aputain! in euell tyme hast thow her so delerous mette, for neuer in thi liff [folio 105b] didest thow foly that thow shalt bye so dere." And whan Taurus saugh hym come that so gretly to hym cried and manaced, he lete the lady falle and righted his armes and toke a grete spere and a rude and lete renne his horse a-gein hym; and Gawein and he smote to-geder as harde as theire armes myght dure, and Taurus brake his spere, and Gawein smote hym so rudely thourgh shelde and hauberke that the spere heede shewde thourgh his chyne an arme lengthe, and he blussht so harde to grounde that his nekke brake a-sonder; and Gaheret and Gahereis and Agrauain a-light down, and oon smote of his heed and a-nother thriste hym thourgh with his swerde, and the thirde smote of bothe his armes, for it was not

I-nough to hem that Gawein hadde don, but made of hym smale peces; and these other smote in a-monge the saisnes and made of hem soche martirdom and soche occision that thei slough mo than x^Ml er thei leften; and Gawein slough so many that he was all wete in blode and brayn that his armes dropped down as he hadde be wete in a flode. And whan that the saisnes saugh the grete occision that vpon turned, thei fledden alle that myght thourgh wode and thourgh playn; and Gawein repeired thider as he saugh hys moder ly, and a-light on foote, and toke hir in his armes and fonde hir euen as deed; and he wepte sore that the teeris ronne down from his iyen as thikke as water hadde be throwen in his visage, and cried and wrange his handes and made soche doell and sorowe that alle his felowes were ther-with a-noyed and hadden ther-of grete pite that ther nas noon but wepte water with his iyen; and whan the bretheren of Gawein com thider ther be-gan the doell and sorowe so grete that noon erthly man myght devise noon gretter.

Whan the lady vndirstode the brayes and the cries that the bretheren made a-boute hir, she opened hir iyen and saugh hir sone Gawein, that hir heilde in his armes, and knewe hym wele a-noon, and lifte vp hir handes ioynynge towarde heuene, and thanked oure lorde of that socoure that he hadde hir sente. Than she spake as she myght and seide, "Feire sone Gawein, be stille and wepe no more, for I haue not the harme that I sholde dye fore, but hurte I am right sore;" and than she asked hym where his bretheren were, and a-noon thei com before hir makynge grete doell, and whan she hem saugh she thanked oure lorde, and in a while aftere a-noon she seide, "Haa las! my sone mordred haue I loste, and my lorde youre fader that this day hath suffred grete peyne me for to rescewen and socour, ffor whan he hadde alle loste his men I saugh hym fight longe a-gein v^C men and a-bode while oon myght haue gon half a myle of grounde vpon his feet, and therfore I haue grete drede that he be wounded to the deth, ffor I saugh hem launche at hym knyves and gavelokkes and dartes soche foison as it hadde reyned from heuene; ne neuer wolde he voide the place ne me forsake till I hym

coniured for that he loved beste in the worlde that he wolde gon his wey, and than [folio 106a] he dide so sorowfull that no man myght more." "Dame," quod Gawein, "of Mordred my brother I can telle yow tidinges, ffor the squyer that it bar hath hym kept wisely and vs a-bydeth in this foreste, but of the kynge my fader I can not sey."

Whan the lady it vndirstode that it hevied her herte and swowned in Gaweins armes, and he her kiste and wepte right sore, and whan she com a-gein from swownynge she yaf a sore sigh, and with that the coloure com a-gein in to her visage, and than she asked Gawein watir to waisshe hir face, that was all soilede with blode, and oon it brought in an hatte of stiele, and than she wossh hir visage as softely as she myght; and than thei ordeyned hir a litier vpon two palfrayes, and leide ther-ynne fresch gras and erbes plente and clothes, and than leide her therynne softely, and than gadered the prayers that thei hadde wonne of the saisnes and wente forth to Arondell a goode spede, and thei hadde but litill while riden whan the squyer com be-fore hem with the childe; and than was Gawein gladde, and rode forth with the childe till thei com to Arondell, where-as thei soiourned viij dayes full till the lady was hool, and than thei departed from thens and wente to logres, the chief Citee of the kynge Arthur, alle the company to-geder; but two hundre squyers thei lefte at Arondell to kepe the Castell, and ledde with hem the lady and hir litill sone. And the foure bretheren swore that neuer sholde the kynge loot her fader haue a-gein theire moder till that he hadde acorded with kynge Arthur theire vncle. Of this thinge that thei dide was the lady gladde; and so thei spedde theire iourneyes till thei com to lorges, where thei were receyved with grete honoure and reverence. And Doo of Cardoell made to hem grete ioye and feeste, and so dide alle the Citee; but whan thei parceyved the lady thei made moche more ioye, and hir dide as grete worship as myght be don to eny lady of the worlde; and euery man was gladde of the a-venture that god hadde hem sente. And than made Gawein to enquere and serche yef eny man knewe the knyght that hadde hem ledde to socour his moder, but noon

cowde telle of hym no tidinge. And so the tidinges ronne vp and down that doo of Cardoell it wiste, that was a noble knyght and a sure and a wise, and thought well in his herte who this knyght myght be; and than he com to Gawein and seide, "Sir, knewe ye neuer that man that brought yow firste tydinges of Seigramor and also of Ewein youre cosin?" "I neuer hym knewe ne saugh be-fore," quod Gawein. "Nor hym," quod Doo, "that taught yow where was youre moder, ne knewe ye no hym?" "No, truly," quod Gawein. Than thought doo a-noon what he was and gan to smylen; and Gawein merveiled moche why he dide aske, and than he hym coniured be the feith that he ought to the kynge Arthur his lorde, and praied hym dierly also to telle hym whi he asked hym that demaunde and wherfore he lowgh. And than he seide, "Gawein, Gawein, so moche ye haue me coniured that I shall telle yow [folio 106b] whi; but be well ware that ye lete no man knowe of no-thinge that I sey vn-to yow." And Gawein seide, "Nay, for hym were lever to haue his tonge drawen oute." "Knowe it verily," quod Doo, "that he that alle these tidinges hath brought it is Merlin, that is the beste devynour that is in all the worlde or euer was." "How sir," quod Gawein, "speke ye of that Merlin that was so well be-loved of Vterpendragon, that was be-geten of the devell vpon a woman?" "Of that same," seide Doo, "speke I with-oute faile." "A god mercy," seide Gawein, "how myght this be or bifalle that I haue seyn hym in so many maner formes, for I haue seyn hym in thre semblaunces." "Wite it well," quod Doo, "how that euer ye haue hym seyn it is he verily, ffor he is so full of stronge art that he hym chaungeth in to as many semblaunces as he will." Than Gawein hym blissed for the merveile that he ther-of hadde, and seide that he wolde with hym be a-queynteth yef it hym plesed, ffor I wote well now that he vs loveth, whan that he entermeteth hym of oure deedes. "Knowe it well," quod Doo, "yef it plese hym ye shall it wite, ffor we may nothinge do ne sey but he it wite." Thus a-bode the squyres at logres gladde and myrry of that oure lorde hadde hem assembled to-geder, and thei kepte the contrey aboute that the saisnes euer more loste than wonne. But

now leveth the tale of hem and speketh of the knyght that ledde Gawein for to socour his moder.