Generydes, a romance in seven-line stanzas. Ed. from the unique paper ms. in Trinity college, Cambridge (about 1440 A.D.), by W. Aldis Wright.

GENERYDES.

In olde Romans and storys as I rede, [folio 1a] Line 1 Of Inde Somtyme ther was a nobyll kyng, Ientill, curteys, full trew in worde and dede, Wyse and manly preuyd in euery thyng, Line 4 To his people full good and eke lovyng, Mighty and ryche, a man of nobyll fame, And Auferius this was the kynges name. Line 7

This worthy prince hadde weddyd in serteyne Line 8 A fayre lady, and comne of nobyll kynne; And what pleasure he cowde for her ordeyne, That shuld be do, ther was noo lette therin; Line 11 In euery thyng he dede hyr loue to wynne, He hadde nomore to lese and that he knewe, ffor afterward she was to hym vntrewe. Line 14

Hire fader was a man of grete powre, Line 15 And kyng of aufrike as I vnderstonde, his doughter quene of Inde as ye shall here, kepyng right grete estate withynne the lande, Line 18 And all the reme obeyed to hyre hande; And of hyr name to telle withoutyn lese, The story seyth she hight Serenydes. Line 21

This kyng of ynd, of whom I spake before, Line 22 hadde a Styward a man of grete renown, he gouernyd the contre bothe lesse and more, Also he hadde the Rule of euery towne, Line 25 And namely tho that longyd to the crowne: him for to plese the pepill were full fayne, And ser amelok his name was for sertayne. Line 28

Line 28

Not long after ther felle suche aqueyntaunce Line 29 Betwix the Quene and hym, that allway still hire mynde, hyr thought, was sette to his plesaunce, All his desire hooly for to fulfill, Line 32 And whenne he lyste she was all atte his wille; Gret pite that she in suche a wyse Shuld sette hyr wurchippe atte so litill prise. Line 35

Vppon a day the kyng for his disporte Line 36 An huntyng went onto a fayre forest, Whanne he was sadde to putte hym in coumfort, he lefte his men at home bothe most and lesse, Line 39 Save iiij or v suche as hym semyd best, And forth he gothe ther as the hartys hye, his houndys were oncopelyd by and by. Line 42

An hert was fownde among the holtys hye, Line 43 And vppe vppon his fete he was a non; The houndys went after with a mery crye, The kyng rode after all hym self alone, Line 46 Tyll he hadde lost his knyghtes euerychone, The houndes and the hert that was be fore, Withynne a while they harde of them nomore. Line 49

So rode he fourth as noo thyngge he rought, Line 50 hys game was lost, his knyghtes forþe be hynde, And specially on them was all his thought, For houghe they were he wyste not them to fynde, Line 53 Thus rydith he sore trobelyd in his mynde; The day was gonne, wherefore right hertely To god he prayd to send hym some remedy. Line 56

And, As god wold, hym happyd in a waye, Line 57 Whiche brought hym streyte to a goodly place; And as his goodis is redy to purvaye

ffor good people in euery nedefull case, Line 60 With that counfort he rode a better pase, And whenne that he was come nygh hande therate, A fayre mayde ther openyd hym the gate. Line 63

She seid he was welcome to that ostage, Line 64 There were nomore but she and other twayn, One of them was a man right ferre in age, The toder was hyr mayden in sertayne, Line 67 To make hym chere they dede ther besy payn, To hyr chaunbyr she brought hym verily, Whiche was arayed right wele and richely. Line 70

In that chaunber ther was an hanged bedde, Line 71 Of sylk and gold full curyously wrought, And ther vppon a shete of launde was spredde, As clenly dressed as it cowde be thought: Line 74 'And nowe,' quod she, 'that ye be hedyr brought, Yow to counfort is holy myn entente, This howse is all atte your comaundement.' Line 77

Anone vppon as she these wordis saide, Line 78 Ther come an hert in att the chaunber dore All embosed; the kyng was sore dismayede, Semyng to hym, as it passid in the flore, Line 81 It was the same he chased in the more; This is, thought he, for me some maner trayne, And ther with [all] she seyde to hym ageyn: Line 84

'Be not a ferde of this sodeyn aventur; Line 85 It is for no harme, it is all for your beste, This old fader he knowit very sure, Of vij Saugys callid the wysest Line 88 That was in Rome, but ther he myght not rest, ffull wekydly he and his vj felawes In to the see were cast among the wawis. Line 91

Line 91

And as the grace of god it wold ordeyne, Line 92 In Surre was this goodman cast a lande, Where my fader is kyng and souerayne, Seke and wery ye may wele vnderstonde; Line 95 And whanne that he was founde on the sand, he sent for hym to come and not to fayle, And whenne he came was made chefe of his councell.

He sayde the land of Surry shuld be lost Line 99 By a Gyaunte, and all for love of me; Wherefore be his avyse in to this cost I am come here, in lyke wyse as ye see; Line 102 And forthermore I praye yow take in gre, That I shall in your presence declare, As fortune will for youre ease and welefare. [folio 1b] Line 105

And in this case to telle the mater playne, Line 106 Of very trougth and make no more delayes, This nyght ther shall be goten betwix vs twayne A child that shall do mervelys in his dayes, Line 109 And moche a do he shall haue many wayes With grete travell, and all eskape right wele, This old fader canne tell this euery dele. Line 112

Only for this, and for non other thyng, Line 113 The hert that ye haue chased all this daye, he was trewly the cause of your comyng, And to this place he gidyd yow the weye; [MS. weþe.] Line 116 This is the very trougth as I yow saye, Yet most ye knowe a thynge that is be hynd, Touchyng the quene, whiche is to yow vnkynd Line 119

And vtterly ontrew in euery thyng; Line 120 She and the Stiward bothe of on assent, With ther sotilte and false Imageninge,

Yow to distroye that is ther hoole entente, Line 123 ffor she is hoole at his commaund[e]ment; And all to do yow hurte and hynderaunce, Whiche afterward shalbe to your plesaunce.' Line 126

For these tidynges the kyng abasshid sore, Line 127 But ayenward whanne he thought on that mayde Anone his cher amendid more and more, Remembryng the wordis that she sayde Line 130 Of his abideng ther; thenne he hyr prayed To late hym wete the very certente, And she answerd ayen that myght not be. Line 133

'This old fader that is my felaw here, Line 134 he canne telle that as wele as eny wight.' The kyng hast[ed] to here of this mater, And prayed that man that he wold telle hym right. he answered hym and saide, 'as for that nyght Go to your rest, for that is my councell, To morow shall ye knowe withoute fayle.' Line 140

Anon vpon ther soper was redy, Line 141 She seruyd hym, in [MS. and in.] like wyse as hym ought, And euery thing Accordeng by and by, For his plesur trowly ther lakkyd noght, Line 144 With all deyntes trevly as cowde be thought; Hyre chere, hyr porte, it was in sothe awyse, That more goodly that cowde noman devise. Line 147

After soper, withynne a litill space Line 148 She brought hym to his bedde with torche light, And eyther stode so wele in otheris grace, That she with hym layde in armys right; Line 151 And what plesure they hadde as for y^t nyght, Peraventure full good, who so it wist, I canne not saye, deme ye as ye list. Line 154

Line 154

But how that euer it was be twix them thwayne, Line 155 It happith, so the writeng doth expresse, That nyght ther was a child goten certeyn; After his hunteng and his besynesse, Line 158 ffor his travell and his grete werynes he felle a slepe, and for to saye yow more She sleppyd not, but lay and syghid sore. Line 161

With hyr syghenyng a non with All she wept, Line 162 And on his armys dede the terys falle, That thorough his shirte he felt it as he slept; Right sodenly he brayded and wooke with All, Line 165 And curtesly on hyr he beganne to calle, 'I drede me sore,' quod he, 'in myn entente That of my comyng heder ye repente.' Line 168

'Repente,' quod she, 'nay, nay, I yow ensure, Line 169 Your departeng is cause of all my smerte, Only for that I do this payne endure, ffor I shall lose the plesur of myn hert, Line 172 And all my Ioye, I may it not asterte, Withoute socour or helpe O warentice, My disteyney hath shape it in this wyse.' Line 175

'My fayre lady,' quod he to here Ageyne, [MS. Aveyne.] Line 176 'I haue good hoope we shall not parte so sone, And if we do, I seye yow certeyn My chefe counfort is all to geder doon; Line 179 To morow shall we wete or it be none, This old fader that ye kepe with you here, he shall telle vs the trougth of this mater.' Line 182

When it was day and it was tyme to rise, Line 183 This old fader on to the kyng he goth, And whanne he cam he spak in this wise;

'That I shall sey, leve me withoute othe, Line 186 This nyght is geten a sone betwix yow both, Whiche shalbe suche, myn auctour doth expresse, That all contres shall speke of his prowesse. Line 189

Here may ye a byde no lenger in this place, Line 190 ffor very trougth for causes more thanne on; But of your shirt I must telle yow the cause, Vppon the whiche hir terys fell vppon: Line 193 Ther shall non wassh them owt but she alone, Not be no maner of craft, take this of me, But she sette handes therto it will not be. Line 196

And now to yow, madame, thus I saye; Line 197 Yow must departe, and I shall telle yow whye, The kyng youre fader is right seke this day, And lythe ner vppon the poynte to dye; Line 200 And but ye ryde this day right hastely, And leve aparte all other thyng therfore, [folio 2a] Ye are not lyke to speke with hym nomore.' Line 203

When he seid all that he thought to seye, Line 204 Ther nedid noo displeasur to be sought; The kyng knewe wele ther was non other way, They must departe, and that was all his thought; Line 207 Thenne were they bothe so ferre in sorow brought, Be cause of ther so sodenly departeng, They cowde not speke a word for erthely thyng. Line 210

He toke his leve in sorowfull maner, Line 211 hym for to be holde it was a grete pite; And furthe he rideth with full heuy chere, With his knyghtes to mete and it wold be: Line 214 And at the last it happyd hym to see, Where as they rode in a full fayre vaile, he sporyd his hors and theder toke the way. Line 217

Line 217

They hym perseyued sone, and forthe they went, Line 218 A none they mette the kynge vppon the waye, he was no thyng mery to ther entente, That wist they wele yet durst they noo thyng seye, Line 221 Withynne his brest he kept it day be day; And whanne that he came home, I yow ensure, Of his councell ther wist non erthely creature. Line 224

Now to this lady lete vs turne ageyn, Line 225 Whiche to Surry hath take hir viage, And in hir companye no man but twayn, hir mayde and the old man ferre in age; Line 228 So atte last they come to the village, Ther for to rest as for a nyghtis space, A dayes Iurney owt of the kynges place. Line 231

She Rode to court in grete heuynesse, Line 232 And furth with all she came to the kyng, Which was febyll and sokyd with sekenesse; Yet not for thy he hadde trew knowleginge Line 235 Of his doughter, and gave hyr his blyssyng, his land, is good, withoute eny stryffe, And so to god he passed owt of his lyffe. Line 238

There was wepyng and many a hevy chere, Line 239 Among them all grete sorow ganne they take, And as it is the custom and maner, Anone they were arrayed in clothis blake; Line 242 And sone [MS. sone A.] vppon ordenaunce ganne they make, In all the hast posible as for his beryeng, In Ryall wise accordyng to A kyng. Line 245

This yong lady so goodly and so faire, Line 246 The lordes all and the Comyns of the lande, Be cause she was his doughter and his ayre,

They toke hir for ther quene I vnderstonde, Line 249 And crowned hir with septer in hyr hande; And afterward, as is the right vsage, The lordys all to hir dede homage. Line 252

She was full wele belouyd in certeyne Line 253 Of hir lordes and of hir comenaute, And of hir name she was callid Sereyne, ffro the first day of hir natiuite, Line 256 ffull humbly they hir be sought that she Wold be maryed, for that was ther a vise, But that she wold not in no maner a wyse. Line 259

The tyme came that hir wombe be ganne to grow Line 260 Som dele gretter thanne it was wont to be, But yet she wold not it hadde ben knowe; here mayde she callid furth in priuite, Line 263 Meden she hight, the story tellith it me, To whom the quene hadde a right fey[th]full trost, ffor to that mayde she myght sey what here lyst. Line 266

And whan she came, she told here all the case, Line 267 lyke as it was of all here aventur: 'Madame,' quod she, 'I shall with goddes grace ffull trewly kepe your councell be you sure:' Line 270 So went she fourth hyr seosynne to endure, Till atte last, be goddes purvyaunce, The tyme was come of hir delyueraunce. Line 273

Thenne was ther non of councell saue Medeyn; Line 274 Ther was no noyse, nor ther was noo cryeng, I canne wele thynk the gretter was hir payne; her meny hadde non other knowleginge, Line 277 But hir sekenes was of some other thinge: So this lady, full debonerly and myld, Brought furth a sonne whiche was a threfte child. Line 280

Line 280

Medeyne it toke and in hir lappe it leyde, Line 281 She brought it streyght on to a lavender; 'This is sothely my Suster sonne,' she sayde, 'I wold it were kept in good maner.' Line 284 'Maistres,' seyde she, 'care not for this mater, I shall it bere on to A good noryse, Whiche shall it kepe right wele o warantyce.' Line 287

First to a norise, as fast as euer they canne, Line 288 They brought the child withoute eny lese; And thanne to chirch to make a cristenman, And callid it be name Generydes; Line 291 Thenne his moder, after all hir dissese, Askyd medeyn if she hadde done wele And she seid yae, and told hir euery dele. Line 294

Whenne the tyme was come that he cowde speke and goo, And vnderstonde what folkys did hym calle, The quene anon, withoute wordes moo, Callid Medeyn, and she came furth with all: Line 298 'Medeyn,' quod she, 'my will in [MS. is in.] especiall Is for to haue my sone Generydes In courte [MS. contre.] with me his honour to encrese.' Line 301

To curte he came a pratye yong seruaunt, [folio 2b] Line 302 But what he was ther wyst noo creature, Saue only this that Medeyn was his Aunte, [MS. Aumte.] And so fourth in courte he dede endure, Line 305 Till he was wexen of a goodly stature, And ther with also Ientill and curteys, That [MS. Thall.] all the countre [? courte.] right gretely did hym plese. Line 308

Vppon A day he axkid of Medeyn Line 309 Of his ffader, and hough is moder was, She answeryd hym, and this she sayde ayen,

'I yow beseche of respite in this case Line 312 Till on the morow, and thenne with goddes grace All that ye haue desired now of me, Sone shall ye knowe the very serteynte.' Line 315

Of his desire the quene hadde knowleginge, Line 316 She sent for hym and seid, 'Generydes, Of ynde suerly your fader is the kyng, And I your moder am withoute lese; Line 319 But ye must kepe this mater husht and pece, ffor ther is non that knoweth it saue we twayne In all the court, but if it be Medeyn.' Line 322

And whenne he knowe this mater very right, Line 323 Streyght to the quene he seid for eny thing; Besechyng hir of licence that he myght Se the courte where his fader is kyng: Line 326 ffor as hym thought it were right wele semyng, ffor to do hym seruice as in that case, And rather ther thanne in a stranger place. Line 329

And he wold so demene hym furth with all, Line 330 That in the countre ther shuld no maner weight, But if it were the kyng in especiall, Wete what he [MS. I.] were be countenaunce or sight. Line 333 The quene Answeryd and seyd, 'all is but right That ye desire, and therfore be myn Assent Is and shalbe to forder your ente[nt].' Line 336

And furth with all she callid Natanell, [MS. Natavell.] Line 337 A Ientill man right connyng and courteyse; To hym she told this mater euery dele, Of hyr and of hir sonne Generydes, Line 340 And who is fader was withouten lese, And how that his desire in eny wise Is for to do his fader some seruice. Line 343

Line 343

'Therfore,' quod she, 'I prae yow feithfully, Line 344 That ye will do the pleasure that ye may Onto my sone, and teche hym throughely That att longith to hym to do or saye; Line 347 ffor his expencez and for his aray, ffor hors or men that maye be for your spede, he shall not lakke no thyng that hym nede. Line 350

But be well ware that the Stiward knowe not this, Line 351 Whiche is ontrewe and hath be many a daye; ffor if he may knowe who is sonne he is, he will suerly distroye hym and he maye: Line 354 Wherefore whanne ye come ther this shall ye seye, A Dukes sone he is and born in Greke, To se the kyng and wurchippe for to seke. Line 357

And whanne ye maye fynd good leyser and spase, Line 358 That sekerly ye may speke with the kyng, Ye shall me recomaunde on to his good grace ffull humbly, and take ye hym this ryng, Line 361 he gave it me atte our last departeng; When he it seth it shall his thought renewe, And suerly knowe that your massage is trew.' Line 364

This Ientill man gave answere [MS. an answere.] in this wise: Line 365 'Madame,' quod he, 'my will is and shall To do your sone pleasure and seruice, As ye shalbe right wele content withall, Line 368 With goddes grace and what that euer befall, Better or werse or what aventure be tyde, Ye shall will wete I will with hym a byde.' Line 371

Furthe on his way Rideth Generydes, Line 372 lakkyng no thing that cawde be hadde in mynde; And of his labour wuld he neuer sese,

Till he come streyght atte Reme of ynd, Line 375 Thenne forthermore as reasone wold hym bynd, Of dyuerse folke he asked where laye the kyng: Att parentynne, they seid withoute feyning, Line 378

Off all the land named the chefe Citee: Line 379 Then Natanell as sone as euer he myght, The best loggyng of all that he cowde see, ffor his maister he dede it redy dight, Line 382 And ther he toke his rest as for that nyght, And on the morow in good and riche araye, he went to see the kyng ther as he laye; Line 385

And Natanell with hym in companye. Line 386 The kyng was sette and serued in the hall, With knyghtes and Esquyers throughely, In grete astate among the lordes all; Line 389 Thanne Natanell the porter ganne to calle, he came anon withoute taryeng, And curtesly gaue them ther welcomyng. Line 392

Furthe anon in to the halle they ganne goo, Line 393 And to the kyng they made Reuerence, lyke as it was accordyng for to do. Thenne Natanell in opyn audience, Line 396 Before his lordes in his hye presence, ffull connyngly in all his demeanyng, Right in this wise he seide onto the kyng: Line 399

'Ryght noble prince, this Ientilman present Line 400 To yow is come ferre out of his contre, A dukes sone of Greke born by disente, here in your court desireng for to be, Line 403 To lerne connyng and wurchippe for to see: [folio 3a] The Duke his ffader wold he shuld do so, And be right gladde ye leste excepte hym so.' Line 406

Line 406

When he hadde seid and made his Reuerence, Line 407 The kyng anon thanne answeryd to Natanell, And seid he was welcome to his presence, Be holding wele his face and euerydele; Line 410 Thenne that lady that harboryd hym so wele ffell in his mend, and thought be his visage he was full lyke to be of hire lenage. Line 413

He loked fast on to hym in stede fast wise, Line 414 And thought alway his sonne that he shuld be: Whenne mete was do the kyng be ganne to ryse, To natanell his maister thanne saide he: [MS. he saide.] Line 417 'This yong Esquyer is right welcome to me; he shall lak noght, I say yow for certeyn;' And he right lowly thanked hym ageyn. Line 420

They hadde mantellys and all of on makyng, Line 421 Whiche were right sone departed bothe in fere; Generydes withoute taryeng Gaue his mantill on to the Boteler, Line 424 Thenne Natanell, in right curtes maner, To the porter he gaue that was his owne, In thankefull wise the better to be knowen. Line 427

Thus in the courte dwellid Generydes, Line 428 Right wele belouyd of euery creature, So well wexen that he was doutelys A very goodly man, I you ensure: Line 431 With good vesage, full metely of stature, his porte, his chere, and all his behavinge ffull like a Ientilman in euery thyng. Line 434

It happyd so withynne a litill space, Line 435 The kyng a lone went in [a] Galery; Thanne Natanell aspied where he was,

And to the kyng he went trewly, Line 438 To late hym wete his erand by and by, lyke as he was comaunded for to sey, And thus he seid withoute more delay: Line 441

'Syr, if I durst be bold as in this case, Line 442 My message wold I say, if it yow please, The quene Sereyne commandith hir to your grace, And sent yow here your sonne Generydes: Line 445 Be cause ye shall think it is noo lese, She chargyd me to take yow this ring, Ye gaue it hir atte your bothe departyng.' Line 448

The kyng toke gode avise vppon the reng, Line 449 It was his owyn, and that anon he knowe; To Natanell he seid withoute feyni[n]g, 'Gramercy, frend, for your massage is trew, Line 452 Ye haue brought hym that doth my ioye renew; Whanne he come first hem [MS. he.] thought it shuld be he, Wherefore I prae yow bryng hym on to me.' Line 455

Thanne furth with all departed Natanell, Line 456 Generydes he brought on to the kyng; Whanne he was come the kyng be held hym well, And liked hym right wele in euery thyng, Line 459 God wote he was so gladde of his comyng, That ther cowde noman deme betwix hem twayne, Whiche of them bothe were gladder in certayne. Line 462

Whanne this was do he went to his seruice, Line 463 The kyng dede call on to hym Natanell, And charged hym in eny maner wise, Aboue all thyng that he shuld kepe hym welle; Line 466 Thanne seruyd he the quene att euery mele, Bothe att hir mete and soper decently, The whiche he dede full wele and manerly. Line 469

Line 469

Withynne a [MS. ai.] while it happyd in y^is wise, Line 470 The quene beheld Generydes so well, And liked hym so wele in his service, That all hir loue on hym was euery dele, Line 473 And in hyr self she cowde non other fele; Withoute that she myght have his loue ageyn, She were on don for euere in certayne. Line 476

Not long after the kyng on hunteng went, Line 477 Generydes that day abode behynd, The quene knew that, and sone for hym she sent, And told hym all that lay sore in hir mynd; Line 480 'Generydes,' quod she, 'if I myght fynd That ye wold loue me best and so endure, I shall do yow the same I you ensure. Line 483

Full long agoo I was in this purpose, Line 484 Butt thenne I myght not telle yow what I ment, Desireng yow to kepe this mater close, And lete me haue knowlage of your entent; Line 487 I promys you if ye will assent, In grete wurchippe I shall yow wele avaunce, And alway do that may be your plesaunce.' Line 490

Generydes stode still in grete musyng, Line 491 And to the quene gaue answere in this case: 'Madame,' quod he, 'I am bounde to the kyng, To be his man her and in euery place; Line 494 And I so moche am hold to his grace, That for to haue his Reme myself alone, I wold not be ontrew to his person.' Line 497

With that he toke his leve and furth he went; Line 498 And whanne she sawe it wold non other be, She threte hym sore, and seid he shuld repent,

She rente hir here, a wonder thyng to see, Line 501 And brought hir self clene owt of charite; The Stiward came and sawe all was amys, 'Madame,' quod he, 'what grete affraye is this?' Line 504

'Afraye,' quod she, 'so may ye wele it calle.' Line 505 'But who did this?' quod he, 'I prae yow saye; Telle me the sothe, and late me dele withall, ffor I shall sone a wreke all this arraye, Line 508 What euer he be he shall repente the daye That he was bold, in ernest or in game, [folio 3b] To do to yow this villany and Shame.' Line 511

'It is,' quod she, 'that fals Generydes, Line 512 Be cause he myght not haue his will of me; ffor by noo prayour he wold neuer sese, But thus he hath arayed me as ye se.' Line 515 And whanne the Stiward hard that it was he, 'Madame,' quod he, 'be ye no mor displesid, ffor in this case your hart shall sone be eased.' Line 518

He toke a naked sward and forth he goth, Line 519 Generydes to slee if that he myght; But he wist wele beforn the quene was wroth, Wherefore be tyme he went owt of hir sight: Line 522 To his chaunber the Stiward goth full right, In euery place he sought hym vppe and don, And he was atte his logging in the town, Line 525

Owt of daunger, and with hym Natanell Line 526 To whom he told this mater all in feere; Quod he ageyn, 'here in we shall do well Till that the kyng come home we wilbe here, Line 529 Thanne will it be good tyme to draw yow neer, And do seruice like as ye did be foore, What euer fall they shall preyse yow the more.' Line 532

Line 532

The kyng came home, with hym his knyghtez all, Line 533 Generydes, as he was wont to do, ffull wele and goodly seruyd in the hall: The Stiward hadde full grete enuy therto, Line 536 And in his hand he bare a staff also; So goth he furthe in myddes of the prese, In grete anger threting Generydes Line 539

Withoute reason, and seid, 'what dost y^u here? Line 540 here is noman content of thii seruice.' Generydes he gaue hym non answere; 'Why spekist thu not?' quod he, 'thu art not wise.' And with that word, in full crewell wise, he toke hym be the heere ther as he stode, And smote hym so that his nose braste on blode. Line 546

And whanne the kyng perseyuid all the case, Line 547 Thow he were wrothe ther ought noman hym blame, To see his sonne so wrongyd as he was; he callid on to the Stiward bi his name, Line 550 'Traytour,' quod he, 'god geve y^e uery shame, This yong Squyer suerly dede non offence, And thou hast smetyn hym here in my presence. Line 553

Not only now thu dost me villany, Line 554 Butt here afore thu hast do many moo:' And with his knyff he smote hym [MS. hym hym.] hastely Thorough the arme, and when he hadde so do, Line 557 'Out of my sight I warne the that y^u goo.' With that the quene was wroth in hir maner, Thought she anon this towchith me right ner. Line 560

Owt of the court the Stiward went his weye, Line 561 To his castell he toke the wey full right, And made hym strong of men and of array,

And euermore his thought was day and nyght Line 564 To avenge hym of the kyng if that he myght; To that purpose he sette all his entente, And moche people he hadde of his assent. Line 567

Now late vs leue all this as for A space, Line 568 And to Generydes I will returne, So rebukyd and skomfite as he was, he cowde not make no chere but alwey mourn, Line 571 And lenger ther he thought not to sogeourne, [MS. sogeourur.] But hastely to make his departeng, And furth withall he came to the kyng. Line 574

He knelid down and seid right in this wise; Line 575 'Ser, if it please your goodnesse for to hire, With yow I haue contynued my seruice In pese and rest, and now y^e [MS. now is y ^e.] Stiward her Line 578 hath smete me in full cruell maner, And hath putte me to Shame in your presence, And wile I wote I dede hym non offence. Line 581

I may not ease my hert as in this case, Line 582 That doth me harme whanne I remembre me, here afterward I shall, be goddis grace, Think ther vppon whanne I a seasone see, Line 585 I will no lenger dwelle in this contre, Wherefore, I you beseche, sithe it is so, That ye will graunte me licence for to go; Line 588

And whill I leue your trew man shall I be, Line 589 Where euer I travell to and fro, To do yow pleasur that at lithe in me, ffor right gretly am I holden therto.' Line 592 And whanne the kyng knew well that he wold go, And that ther was non other meane to fynde, God wote he was right heuy in his mynd. Line 595

Line 595

The knyghtes all, and the squyers truely, Line 596 Were full sory of his sone departeng, Notwithstondyng ther was noo remedy, But furth he goth withoute more taryeng, Line 599 Right vmbly he toke leue of the kyng, And so fourth he went thorough owt y^e hall, ffull curtesly he toke leue of them all. Line 602

Generydes and also Natanell Line 603 To ther logging they toke the redy waye, And trushed ther harnes euery dele, Whanne that was do Generydes ganne saye, Line 606 'Now late vs here appoynt for our Iurnay In to what land or contre we shall goo.' Quod natanell, 'that hold I wele to do: Line 609

To Surry ward, hough seye ye now be that? [folio 4a] Line 610 The quene Sereyne wold right fayne se you ther.' 'All that is sothe,' quod he, 'but wote ye what? In stranger place fayne wold I that we were, Line 613 ffor I am now of age harmes to bere; And to be knyght as I see other be, The more wurchippe the better think[eth] me.' Line 616

'All this is very sothe,' quod Natanell, Line 617 'To your entent I canne right wele agree; Ther is a land I am remembryd wele, Men call it Perse, a plenteuous contre, Line 620 Ther and [yow] will the Sowdon may yow see, The whiche is knowyn bothe ferre And nere, A myghti prince, a man of gret powre.' Line 623

Generydes thanne answerd in this wise: Line 624 'To that contre I rede we take the waye, ffor ther we may not fayle of good seruice,

As ye suppose, tell me what ye seye.' Line 627 'Kepe still,' quod he, 'your purpose I yow praye, To myn entent ther is best abydeng, I wote he will be gladde of your comyng.' Line 630

Ther hors, ther men, were redy euerychon, Line 631 To that contre they toke the wey full right, And on hir wey so ferre fourth were thei goon, That of the Citee sone they hadde a sight, Line 634 Theder they came be thanne it was nyght, And fourth withall to ther loggyng they went, The best that they cowde fynde to ther entent. Line 637

It was the best Citee of all the lande, Line 638 And mountener it hight withoute fayle, Therin the Sowdon was I vnderstonde, In a castell full riche of apparell. Line 641 Generydes thanne after his grete apparell, And Natanell they bothe in good aray, To the Sowdon they toke y^e redy way. Line 644

And whanne they came ther as the Sowdon was, Line 645 Ther wer knyghtes and Squyers many on, hym self walkeng in his disporteng place, They all awaiteng vppon his persone, Line 648 Generydes and Natanell anoon Avaunsed them the sowdon for to see, Goffore he hight, the story tellith it me. Line 651

Whanne [MS. Thanne.] he hym saw he did to hym obeseaunce, Line 652 ffull manerly and seyd right in this wise; 'Ser, if it be your will and your pleasaunce, her am I come to offer my seruice Line 655 To your lordshippe, right as ye list to devise, Now please it yow to take me for your man, And I shall do suche seruice as I canne.' Line 658

Line 658

The Sowdon stode and hard hym euery dele, Line 659 he toke good hede att hym in euery thing; And dought ye not he lekid hym right wele, Bothe his person and all his demeaneng, Line 662 And furthwith gaue hym his welcomyng ffull curtesly, and seid in Ientill wise; 'I am content of you to haue seruice: Line 665

What [MS. That.] is your name? I prae yow tell it me.' Line 666 'My name,' quod he, 'ser, is Generydes.' 'Generydes,' he said, 'wele mote ye thee; A Ientilman ye seme withouten lese, Line 669 And in wurchippe right lekely to encrese; Wherefore of suche as do to me seruice I will that ye be nexst in eny wise.' Line 672

The Sowdon hadde his doughter and his ayre Line 673 In his palys vnder his gouernaunce, And for certeyne she was right inderly fayre, And, as the writeng makith remembraunce, Line 676 ffull womanly of speche and countenaunce; In suche wise hir name beganne to sprede, That euery man spake of hir goodlyheed. Line 679

And as the Sowdon was sett att his mete, Line 680 Generydes softely he beganne to calle, The best deynte that before hym was sett he toke it hym, and badde hym goo with all Line 683 To his doughter: 'my lord,' quod he, 'I shall.' So fourth he goth ther as this lady was, Mynne Auctour seith she hight clarionas. Line 686

This fayre lady behelde Generydes, Line 687 In stedefast wise on hym she cast hir eye, All his maners so wele it did hyr plece,

That she constreyned was in certeynte Line 690 To loue hym best, it wold non other be; She thought it dede hir good on hym to thynk, And of hir cuppe she offeryd hym to drynk. Line 693

He toke it of hir hand full curtesly, Line 694 And ferthermore, as I this mater fele, In his conseyte, I say [MS. saw.] yow certeynly, hym liked neuer creatur so wele: Line 697 his mynde, his thought, was sett oon hir yche deell; And, as I cowde perseyue in myn entent, There hartes bothe were sone of on Assent. Line 700

Generydes he toke his leue anon, Line 701 To sone she thought as after hir avise, Yet or [MS. of.] that he departed was and goon, To kysse hym she forgate not in no wise, Line 704 he thanked hir and offerid hir seruice, To be hire man and alway to be trew, So to endur and neuer to renew. Line 707

Vppe from hir mete arose clarionas, Line 708 And on hir bedde she leyde hir fourth with All; hir mayden had grete mervell what it was, And full softely on hir she be ganne to calle, Line 711 'Madame,' quod she, 'what thing is now be fall? Of your dissese I prae yow telle it me, To wete yow seke it is a gre[te] pite. [folio 4b] Line 714

Ther with the lady gaue answere ageyn Line 715 Vnto hir mayden, Mirabell was her name; 'Of my dissese,' quod she, 'yf I shuld layne Only to yow, I wis I were to blame; Line 718 I haue founde yow, in ernest and in game, Att all tymes full secrete and full trew, And soth to saye I neuer other knewe: Line 721

Line 721

And for to telle you plenly of my dissese, Line 722 This is the cause; ther is on specialy hath don me harme, god wote causeles, I neuer offendid hym truly; Line 725 And me think ther is noo remedy, ffor I was neuer seke on this maner, A fore this tyme now knowe ye all in fer. Line 728

'Not all,' quod she, 'madame, that may not be; Line 729 ffor yet I haue no knowlage whiche he is.' 'It is,' quod she, 'a yong Squyer, parde; he is but late come to my lord, I wis, Line 732 A very goodly man, so haue I blisse.' 'All this may be, and I beleue the same; But good madame,' quod she, 'what is his name?' Line 735

'To seye yow sothe, [MS. the sothe.] Generydes he hight.' Line 736 Quod she ageyn, 'now wote ye euery dele; Butt I of hym right sone may haue a sight, With me I wote it will not long be wele, Line 739 ffor hym only is all that euer I fele, And alway more and more it doth encrese; God wote I am no thing in hertys ease.' Line 742

'Madame,' quod she, 'dismay yow neuer a dele, Line 743 Be of good chere, hurt not yow to soore; Doughte ye noo thing All this shalbe right wele, ffor I shall trewly do my part ther fore Line 746 With right good will, and for to say yow mor, ffor [MS. And for.] this mater I shall do wele ordeyne That ye suerly shall speke with hym ayen.' Line 749

With that anon clarionas be ganne Line 750 To take hir chere mor comfortably, Notwithstondyng she was bothe pale and wanne,

And to hir ma[y]de she seid full soberly, Line 753 'love Myrabell, I thank yow hertely, ffor of myn payne now I haue some respite, And if I leue I shall it yow wele aquyte.' Line 756

Now late vs leue apart clarionas, Line 757 And to Generydes turne we ageyn, Whiche for hir sake stondith in hevy case, As full of thought as he myght be certayn; Line 760 Out of the cowrt he went for very peyn, Streight to his logging hastely he hym spedd, Whanne he came ther he leyde hym on his bedd. Line 763

His maister had mervell what it ded mene Line 764 So sodenly to see hym in that case, All distemperyd and out of colour clene, he mused sore what maner a thing it was; Line 767 And whanne that he myght gete a metely space, Right thus he seid to Generydes, [MS. Geroerydes.] 'I prae yow, ser, Telle me your dissese.' Line 770

'Mayster,' quod he, 'all that lythe in my hert, Line 771 What euer it be, to yow I wolle not layn Why and wherefore I suffer all this smert, [MS. this certeyn smert.] Clarionas she causith it certayn, Line 774 ffor hir only I suffer all this payne, And for to sey the very certaynte, I wote not why she shuld do this to me.' Line 777

'Ye wote what, ser, after myn avise, Line 778 Be mery and that is my councell, In this mater I shall do yow seruice, And peraventur sumwhat it shall prevaile; Line 781 To morow I shall be ther withoute faile, And speke with hir as touching this mater, And what she seith ye shall haue pleyne answer.' Line 784

Line 784

'Maister,' quod he, 'I thank you hartely, Line 785 To yow only is all my very trost, And what ye think that I shall do trewly, In this mater demeane me as ye list; Line 788 hough I shall spede fayne wold I that I wist.' 'Wele, ser,' quod he, 'I canne noo ferther saye, To my power I shall do what I may.' Line 791

With that he partid fro Generydes, Line 792 And on the morow, whanne he hadde tyme and space, Onto the court he went withouten lese, Therfor to speke with fayre clarionas. Line 795 Whanne he [MS. she.] was come ther as she was, Myrabell came and this to hym ganne seye, 'Where is,' quod she, 'your maister, I yow prae?' Line 798

'Att his loggyng, foll ill att ease,' quod he, Line 799 'And so a be a sithe afore yester day; What hym aylith I woote noo thing parde, His comfort and his chere is all awaye, Line 802 Butt after myn entent this dare I saye, All this is grow, to tell the mater clere, Sithe he now last was with my lady here.' Line 805

Whan Mirabell perseivid what he ment, Line 806 And what desire he hadde thanne was she fayn, All this goth wele, thought she, to myn entent. 'Wele, ser,' she saide, 'to yow I will be playn; Line 809 Sithe your maister was here, I will nott layne, My lady hath be seke bothe day and nyght, ffor she hadd neuer rest I yow be hight. [folio 5a] Line 812

Yet not for thy, if ye haue ought to saye Line 813 ffor your maister be his comaund[e]ment, Goo forth anon with owt more delaye,

And telle hir all the trougth of your entent, Line 816 To speke with yow she wilbe wele content.' So furth withall, after his purpose was, Streight fourth he goth on to Clarionas. Line 819

'Madame,' quod he, 'my lord Generydes Line 820 To you hym recomaundith for certayne, A wofull man, clene owt of hartes ease, And for to telle yow all the mater playn, Line 823 If it please yow ye may respite his payn, Of your goodnesse to graunt hym that licence, That he may come on to your nobill presence.' Line 826

Whenne she had herd these wordes euerydele, Line 827 'Come nere,' she said, 'Mirabell, I you p[r]aye.' 'Madame,' quod she, 'I vnderstonde hym wele; As me semyth with your wurchippe ye may Line 830 Send me for hym and here what he will saye, his maister here right sone for hym will goo.' 'I am content,' quod she, 'that it be so.' Line 833

Myrabell came and toke hym owt Aside; Line 834 'Do after me,' quod she, 'as in this case: Att this wyndow my lady shall abide, ffor thorough owt the gardeyn he shall pace, Line 837 And ther he shall haue good leyser and space, To saye what that hym list in secrete wise; Now goo furth for this is myn avise.' Line 840

Furth on his way departith Natanell Line 841 To his maister, and founde hym passeng sadde: 'What tidynges now,' quod he, 'will it be wele?' 'Right wele,' quod he, 'be ye noo thyng adred: Line 844 Whanne ye knowe all I wote ye will be glad, As for the first, now take this of me aloon, [aloon added in another hand.] She will that ye come speke with her anon.' Line 847

Line 847

Now who was gladde, and who was well apayde, Line 848 And endly mery but Generydes, Remembryng what Natanell had seid? So furth he goth, and neuer wold he sese, Line 851 Into the courte in myddes of the prese, And so furth on vn to Clarionas, In the gardeyn where apoynted was. Line 854

Whan he hyr saw, he fayled countenaunce, Line 855 Where with suerly he was not wele apayed; And in like wise, to sey yow in substance, On here behalf she was somwhat dismayde; Line 858 Yet atte last right thus to hir he saide, 'Madame,' quod he, 'be cause I hadde licence, I am more bold to come to your presence: Line 861

And for to sey yow myn entent I wis, Line 862 As for my self this is the mater playn, ffor I must suerly tell vs att [So MS.; perhaps for telle what, or telle all as.] it is; My hert is ouercome with very payn Line 865 All for your sake, and so hath ben certeyn Sithe I was here on massage sekerly.' 'hoo so?' quod she, [MS. he.] 'I haue grete wounder why. Line 868

What [MS. That.] cause haue ye to putte me in this witte? Line 869 As for my part I do no thyng nee sey, I rede putte suche thougthes in respite; Where I haue not offendid be this day, Line 872 Wherby ye shuld be hurt by eny way: Wherefore,' quod she, 'in ernest and in game, To putte in me the defaute ye are to blame.' Line 875

'Trewly, Madame,' thenne seid Generydes, Line 876 'Of me ye ought no magry to purchase, And for to con yow thanke for my dissese,

Now trewly that were a strange case. Line 879 Yet be the meane of fauour and of grace Ye may me helpe all only and no mo, O trewth it were your wurchippe so to do.' Line 882

Quod she ageyn, 'if it were for to blame, Line 883 My wurchippe were amendes for to make; And in like wise ye aught to do the same, If ther were eny suche that for your sake Line 886 had so sufferyd payn or heuynesse had tak; Peraventour I myght be on of thoo, What will ye sey,' quod she, 'and it be so?' Line 889

'Madame,' quod he, 'I here yow speke right wele, Line 890 ffull fayne, god woote, I wold that it wer soo.' 'Trewly,' quod she, 'it is thus euerydele, I you ensure, I may not goo ther fro; Line 893 But my wurchippe may not avowe it soo. This is the very trouth withoute feyning, ffor loue will haue his course for eny thing.' Line 896

When Myrabell had hard all this array, Line 897 'After this werr,' quod she, 'god send vs pece: I canne will think it will not lest alway.' 'Now god defende it,' quod Generydes; Line 900 'I must depart,' quod she, 'withoutyn lese, As for A tyme your pleasur for to spare, Of evill speche it is good to be ware.' Line 903

And shortly for to say you as it was, Line 904 A full [a]corde was made betwix them twayn: he gaue a ryng on to Clarionas, And she toke hym Another for certeyn; Line 907 With trew promys eyther for ioye or payn, In stedefast wise ther hertys to ensure, Neuer [MS. Nouer.] to chaunge but alway [to] endure. Line 910

Line 910

And by that tyme fer passid was the day, Line 911 Mirabell seyd, 'it is hye tyme for to goo.' Thanne wist he wele ther was non other waye, he must departe wheder he will or noo: [folio 5b] Line 914 he toke his leue, wherewith he was full woo; And as for hir she was nott wele contente, Yet not for thy she kist hym or she went. Line 917

Full of[te] tymes ther [MS. they.] were betwix hem [MS. hym.] twayne, Line 918 Dayes apoynted to mete in secrete wise. Notwithstondyng I say yow for certeyn, To hir wurchippe was thought noo preiudice, Line 921 Butt only to owe hir his seruice, As feythfully as cowde be thought or ment, Ther was non other thyng in ther entent. Line 924

So furth he goth full streyte in to the halle, Line 925 To do seruice hym thought it for the best; And for to sey yow soth among them All, Thorough owt the court he was the goodliest, Line 928 In his demeaning the most Ientilest, And with a spere to renne in warre or pece, Ther was non like on to Generides. Line 931

Havkyng, hunteng, he cowd good skill ther on; Line 932 And what that eny Ientilman shuld do, ffor very trougth in all the courte [MS. contre.] was non, Knyght or squyer, so wele willyng ther to: Line 935 Thorough owt the courte [MS. contre.] he hadde the love also Of euery creatur, bothe more and lesse, Saue of A knyght callid ser Malichias. Line 938

As [for] a tyme leue we Generydes, Line 939 And late vs now speke of the kyng of ynd, And of his Stiward whiche wold neuer sese,

But of malice compasing in his mynd Line 942 All maner weyes som treson [MS. tresom.] for to fynd; With all the helpe that he cowde gete certeyn, ffor to distroye his lord and souereyn. Line 945

And to perfourme all that he hadde take in hand, Line 946 This fals Stiward he had gaderid people grete, To the nowmber of iiij or v thousand, Of men of warre the best that he cowd gete; Line 949 And in A busshment full sone he had them sett Nyhand the town, his treson to be gynne, And be that meane the cite for to wynne. Line 952

Off his tresone the quene knowe wele also, Line 953 It to perfourme she did all hir entent, And of hir councell ther were lordes [MS. londes.] moo, And certeyn of them were of hir dissente: Line 956 Of all this werk the kyng was innocent, And of ther falsed no thing perseyuyd, The more pite he shuld be so disseyued. Line 959

And shortly to procede whan this was do, Line 960 There were iij lordes came on to the kyng, Desireng hym on huntyng for to goo, ffull ontrewly ther with ymagenyng; Line 963 To ther desire the kyng was welewillyng, So fourth on huntyng he rode certeynly, The iij lordes with hym in companye, Line 966

And ij Squyers, myn Auctour tellith me; Line 967 And while he was most besy in his game, This fals Stiward had goten the Citee, The whiche was callid pareyntyn be name, Line 970 And made hym self proclamed in the same All openly bothe kyng and souereyn, Ther was no man that durst saye ther ageyn. Line 973

Line 973

Þe kyng hym self knowe noo thyng of this case, Line 974 Till atte last a forster came rideng; And, wete ye wele, so sorowfull he was, That he onnethe myght speke to the kyng, Line 977 And ther he told hym euery maner thyng, Of his Stiward and of his fals treasone, And what people he hadde withynne the town. Line 980

'I must,' quod he, 'telle yow myn avise and entent; The quene is cause of this on happy case, ffor these iij lordes ar of hir Assent, That are Abideng with you in the chase; Line 984 And whanne the kyng perseyuyd hough it was, All his huntyng was don and his besynesse, An hevy man [he was] and coumfortles. Line 987

In this musyng he rideth furth a pase, Line 988 The iij lordes they mette hym on the waye: 'Traytours,' quod he, 'god geve yow euyll grace ffor your seruice that ye haue don to me, Line 991 So vntrewly your prince for to be traye, Whiche neuer hurt nor harme on to yow ment, I trost to god ye shall it sore repent.' Line 994

All his wordes they sett Att litill price, Line 995 ffor whye they drede hym not the soth to saye: And to the kyng [they seyd] right in this wise, 'Take it in gre the fortune of this day.' Line 998 And whanne he saw ther was non other way, he drow his swerd And smote on of them so, And [? That.] from the grownde he myght noo ferther goo, Line 1001

Butt felle down dede then in continent. Line 1002 his felawes fledde as fast as euer they myght; The kyng sawe that, and after them he went,

And ouer toke them long or it was nyght. Line 1005 So ferthermore to saye yow the very right, he slew them bothe And sayde, 'traytours erante, Of your falshed ye shall yow neuer avaunte.' Line 1008

And vppon this he turned bak ageyn Line 1009 To his squyers, whiche were right ferre behynd, And in this wise he dede to them complayn: 'I have,' quod he, 'founde yow bothe trew and kynde, Now lak I good where with I shuld yow fynd, And for to counfort me now in my nede, I canne noo more but Ihesu be your spede.' Line 1015

Whenne his squyers had hard hym thus complayn, [folio 6a] They answerd hym ayen in goodly wise; 'Ser, think you not but we shall do our payn To coumfort yow, and do yow suche seruice, Line 1019 As our connyng And Powre may suffice, And though your hart be now noo thing in rest, With goddes grace All shalbe for your best.' Line 1022

The kyng was plesid wele with ther coumfort, Line 1023 And as hym thought he prayed them for to saye To what contre it were best to resorte, That for hym self he myght some what purvaye. Line 1026 One of them seyde, 'lo yender lyght the waye; Streyght to the Reme of Trace it will yow bryng, Wherein dwellyth a prince, A [MS. a A.] nobyll kyng.' Line 1029

Toward that land he toke the waye full right, Line 1030 Whiche was callid a plentevous contre; Whanne he came ther, as fast as euer he [MS. she.] myght To se the kyng he went in certayn[t]e, Line 1033 In humble [MS. humbly.] wise, besechyng hym that he Might do hym seruice with his squyers twayne, In like wise as his pleasur wold ordeyne. Line 1036

Line 1036

The kyng was wele contente of his comyng, Line 1037 And of seruice he seid he shuld not fayle; What he shuld do he told hym euery thing, That myght only to his wurchippe prevaile; Line 1040 And so alway, after thought and travaile, God send rest and coumfort, be ye sure, To euery wele disposid creature. Line 1043

Thus in that contre abideth still alway Line 1044 The kyng of ynd, vnknowen in euery wise, With his ij squyers, a wayteng day be day hym for to serue as they made ther promys; Line 1047 And so this prince contynued in seruice, Right well be trost and cherishid with the kyng, ffor he cowde please hym in euery thing. Line 1050

All that he dede was done so wittely, Line 1051 his demeanyng was suche thorough owt the place, That euery man hym preysid by and by, And he so wele stode in the kyngges grace, Line 1054 That he hym gaue, withynne a litill space, Of all his lande the Stiwar[d]shepe to holde, And full power to rewle it as he wold. Line 1057

When he dede as wele as cowde be thought, Line 1058 Onto the kynggez honour in certayne, Iustice was kept like wise as it owt, Ther was noman be resan myght complayne; Line 1061 And for he shuld his charge wele susteyn, The kyng hym gaue clerly an Erlys lande, The whiche but late was com in to his hand. Line 1064

Now of this mater a while let vs sese Line 1065 As for a tyme, And speke of quene sereyne, That was moder on to Generydes,

And hough that she hadde herd the tidenggez playn, hough ontrewly his fader be a trayn Of his lordes made after ther entente, he was putte owt of his land by ther Assent. Line 1071

Off hym and of there sonne Generydes Line 1072 Was vtterly her mend and all here thought; And trewly to leue in hartes ease, That cowde she nought till that she hadde hym sought; Of her estate no pleasure she ne rought, Saue only for to knowe the certeynte Of auferius the kyng where he shuld be. Line 1078

And fourth with all she ganne an erle to calle, Line 1079 The whiche in sothe hadde widded hir Cosyn, Right as the writeng seyth in especiall, A fayre lady and nexst of All hir kynne; Line 1082 The Erle to truste was noo daunger in, ffor he was ware and wise I yow ensure, And therwith trew as eny creature. Line 1085

She told hym All the grounde of the mater Line 1086 In euery thing, and how it was be fall, Of auferius and of hir sonne in fere, And hough the kyng betrayed was withall, Line 1089 'Wherefore my purpose is in especiall To take on me the labour and the payn, Where euer he were to fynd hym in certeyn.' Line 1092

Then [MS. When.] to the Erle she seid in this maner: Line 1093 'Ye shall here haue the rewle and gouernaunce Of this contre, with all my full powre; My men shall be vnder your obeiseaunce, Line 1096 And hough it be be disteyne or chaunce, What euer falle, if I come not Ayen, Ye [MS. he.] shall be here both lord And souerayn.' Line 1099

Line 1099

'Madame,' he seid, 'to gouerne this contre Line 1100 It is noo litell thing to take in hand; ffor yow it is moche bettyr thanne for me; Yet neuer the lese, sithe I vnderstonde Line 1103 Your purpose is to depart owt of the land, I wolle fulfille your pleasur in this case, And trewly as I canne be goddes grace.' Line 1106

Now Gothe quene Sereyn fourth on hir Iurnaye, Line 1107 And in hir company she hadde a knyght, A trosty man, and othe[r] squyers twaynne, With but few moo ther hors for to dight; Line 1110 So to the Reme of ynd they went full right, And sone vppon ther labour and travell To parentyne she came with owt fayle, Line 1113

A towne whiche is rehersid here by fore. Line 1114 Anon withall was purveyd a logging ffor this lady; and, for to say yow more, [folio 6b] hire oste was sumtyme dwellyng with the kyng, Line 1117 The same forster that brought to hym tidengge, Of his Stiward and of his fals treson, As he rode in the forest vppe and down. Line 1120

As for a nyght ther toke she hir loggyng, Line 1121 And made on calle the good man of the place, 'Good ser,' quod she, 'telle me where is the kyng; I haue grete nede,' quod she, 'on to his grace. Line 1124 Sumtyme a lady well att ease I was, And now be force,' quod she, 'siche is my chaunce, I am putte ow[t] of myn enheritaunce.' Line 1127

'Madame,' quod he, 'here is noo remedy: Line 1128 The kyng suerly is putte owt of his right By grete tresone, I saye yow certenly,

By his Stiward and by the quenys myght, Line 1131 Whiche I may soore repent bothe day and nyght; ffor now A dayis I lese all that I wanne, Where here before I was [MS. wis.] a threfty man. Line 1134

Wherfor to hym I will, this is noo naye, Line 1135 Where euer he be, I say yow certaynly.' Thanne sayd the quene, 'good ser, I yow pray, That ye will come with me in companye; Line 1138 hym for to fynd I purpose vtterly, And I shall paye your costez euery dele.' Quod he, 'madame, I gre me wele Line 1141

In your presence to travell day by day.' Line 1142 So on the morow departed quene Sereyne, As erly as she cowde on hir Iurnay, With hir to goo the forster was right fayn. Line 1145 So many dayes she laboryd certayn, That of the Reame of Trace she had a sight, And thederward they toke the wey full right. Line 1148

When they came ther the[y] sawe a faire cite, Line 1149 As full a pepill as it cowde suffice, The fayre Reuer grete pleasur for to see, With shippez grete of dyuerce merchaundise, Line 1152 All goodly thing that eny cowde wele devise; And as the Story makith remembraunce, kyng Auferius had ther the gouernaunce. Line 1155

And ther he was purposing to Abyde, Line 1156 As for A tyme for materys for the kyng: The quene Sereyn was be the Ryuers side Right Wele loggid, and whan she hadde tideng Line 1159 A[nd] trew knowlage of Auferius the kyng, hough he but late was come to the Citee, God wote full wele therof apayed was she. Line 1162

Line 1162

For hir disporte she goth to take the Ayre, Line 1163 And to the Reueres side she ganne hir dresse; Ther was a brygge full strongly made and fayre, And ther she sawe, myn Auctour doth witnesse, Line 1166 iij lavenders ded all ther besynesse A sherte to wassh; thanne seid she to them iij, 'What do ye here, fayre susters myn?' quod she.

Quod on of them, 'that were good to be knowe, Line 1170 It is a wonder wark withouten dought; We wassh a shirte, and euer shall I trow, ffor this ij yere we haue ben it abought, Line 1173 And yet we cannot gete the spotte[s] owt, Wherefore they calle vs noo good lauenders, And we haue vsid it thus many yerez.' Line 1176

'Shewe me y^e shirte,' thanne seid the quene Sereyn, 'And I shall se what I shall do ther to: Whanne I haue do, ye shall haue it ageyn, And do ther with what ye list to do.' Line 1180 She toke the Shirte withoute wordes moo, And wesht it onys and ryneshed it so clene, That afterward was noo spotte on it seen. Line 1183

When she had don, she toke it them ageyn, Line 1184 Or tyme that she departed fro the place; To hir logging went the quene Sereyn, The lavenders hadde wonder of that case, Line 1187 They mused sore and mervelid how it was: And home they went the women euerychon, Whanne it was drye they bare it fourth anon. Line 1190

To auferius the kyng where as he laye, Line 1191 In a castell full goodly to behold; And whanne he sawe his shirt in that aray, [MS. Araye.]

Withoute spotte, he beganne to be cold, Line 1194 To thynk hough that a good old man hym told, Bothe of [the] shirte and other thingez all, Whiche sith that tyme full trewly hath be fall. Line 1197

The same forster that came with quene Sereyn, Line 1198 To the castill he toke the way full right, To se his lord, god wote, he was full fayn. Whanne he came ther of hym he hadde a sight, Line 1201 And spake to hym as sone as euer he myght; The kyng hym knew, wherof he was full glad, Not withstondeng he fond hym passyng sadde. Line 1204

'Ser, if it please your lordshippe,' thanne quod he, 'I yow beseche tell me your heuynesse: To wete yow in this plight it grevith me, ffor if I myght I wold it fayne redresse; Line 1208 And oftentymes it hath be sene expresse, In grete materys, withouten eny fayle, A sympill mannys councell may prevayle.' Line 1211

To hym Ayen seid Auferius the kyng; Line 1212 'I knowe your trowth, and soo hath doon Alway, And for to sey yow [sothe] withoute feyneng, All this is come to me sithe yester day, Line 1215 And hough and in what wise I shall yow saye:' And so fourth he told of quene Sereyn, And hough a child was gote betwix them twayne, [folio 7a] Line 1218

And of his shert where on hir [MS. his. But see ll. 162, 193.] terys felle, Line 1219 That non shuld wassh them owt saue only she: 'Now is it clene, whiche lekith me full ille, ffor thus I thynk It canne non other be; Line 1222 But she is dede in very certente.' 'Nay,' quod he, 'ser, I trow it be not soo, ye shall here better tydengez or ye goo. Line 1225

Line 1225

I saw but late vppon the Ryueres side Line 1226 One wassh a shert, I wote not whose it is.' Whanne he [MS. she.] hard that he wold not long abide But askid more, 'now telle me who did this,' Line 1229 Quod auferius, 'so haue ye Ioye and blysse.' 'A fayre lady,' quod he, 'I yow ensure, And for to chese a goodly creature. Line 1232

I came with hir owt of the Reme of ynd, Line 1233 And atte myn howse ther toke she [MS. che.] hir loggyng; She askid me where that she shuld yow fynde, And I told hir I hadd no knowlachyng; Line 1236 So fourth she went and left all other thing, At a venture your welefare for to see, And so came I with hir to this citee.' Line 1239

'Now, for my loue, helpe that I may hir see Line 1240 In eny wise,' quod Auferius the kyng; 'ffor I canne think right wele that it is she, Whom that I loue aboue all other thing.' Line 1243 The forster seid, 'ser, on to hir loggyng, When euer it please yow, I shall be your gyde; ffor she is here by vppon the Ryuerez side.' Line 1246

In this mater ther was no more to saye, Line 1247 No lenger avise nor lenger abyding, Butt furth he rideth vppon his hakeney, Vppon the Reuerys side to hir logging: Line 1250 And whanne she had knowlache of his comyng, Remembryng hough that she shuld hym see, Wete ye right wele a glad woman was she. Line 1253

When he was come and knewe that it was she, Line 1254 ffor very glad he wist not what to saye; Whenne she hym sawe it wold non other be,

Butt furth with all in swounyng ther she [MS. se.] lay. Line 1257 As sone as he hir sawe in that arraye, God wote he was an hevy man therfore, And ther with [all] abisshid more and more. Line 1260

Yet Atte last full Ientilly he went, Line 1261 And toke hir in his armys for sertayn, hir to commfort he did all his intent; With that she came vnto hir self ageyn. Line 1264 Thanne was ther ioye betwix them twayn, ffor to telle yow all it were a wounder, And ofte they kist or they wold part A sonder. Line 1267

Thanne was ther not ferre owt of the Citee Line 1268 A fayre castell, and thederward he went Owt of the Citee, not [MS. nor.] ferre past ij myle or iij, That was his owen att his comaundment. Line 1271 Whanne [he] came ther for moche people he sent, The whiche held of his lordshippe and fraunchesse, That thei shuld come to hym in eny wise. Line 1274

And so they dede meche people in certayn; Line 1275 Whanne they were come he told them all the case, Desireng them to goo for quene Sereyne To the Citee, and bryng hir to this place; Line 1278 ffor he purposith sone, with goddes grace, In as short tyme as he cowde wele devise, hir for to wedde in honorabill wise. Line 1281

To this castell they came with quene Sereyn, Line 1282 Right wele a compayned in euery wise, Of hir comyng the peopill were full fayn, And offeryd hir right lowly ther seruice; Line 1285 Atte hir pleasur and atte hir owyn devise, In that castell she tared for to rest, Onto the tyme they purvayed for the fest. Line 1288

Line 1288

In this meane while, the kynges massenger Line 1289 To Auferius he came withoute fey[n]ing. Curlus he hight and seid in this maner: 'My lord,' quod he, 'ye must come to the kyng Line 1292 In all the hast, and make noo taryng; I drede me sore he may not long endure, ffor he is passyng seke I yow ensure.' Line 1295

When Auferius the kyng herd that he saide, Line 1296 All sodenly he waxhid bothe pale and wanne; ffurth on his waye to ride he hym purvayde Vnto the kyng As fast as euer he canne, Line 1299 And wete ye will he was an hevy man: ffor by the tyme he came vnto that place, The kyng was dede, whiche was a hevy case. Line 1302

For hym was made grete ordenaunce I yow ensure; The peopill wept, ther hertys were full sore, And for to purvaye for his sepulture They besyed them echon, bothe lesse and more, Line 1306 Thanne was ther made an ordenaunce therfore, ffull rially with all maner seruice; As fell to his estate in euery wise. Line 1309

W[i]thynne a while after all this was do, Line 1310 A non ther was callid a parlement, By Auferius and other lordis moo, ffully concludid All by on Assent, Line 1313 Be cause the kyng left non of his disente, Nor of his blode of that land to be kyng, To chese them on And lefe all other thing. Line 1316

And whanne they were Assemelyd euerychone, Line 1317 And them Avised them wele in euery thing; They were fully Accordid all in one,

That Auferius suerly shuld be ther kyng: Line 1320 he was to them so trew And so loving, And so rightwise in euery Iugement, [folio 7b] That so able was non to ther entent. Line 1323

And shortly to procede in this mater, Line 1324 They chase hym kyng by voice of the land, The lordes and the Ientilles all in feere, To hym dede homage as I vnderstonde, Line 1327 With full promes ther feithes in his hand, Atte all seasones to hym to owe ther seruice, And hym obeyed in eny maner wise. Line 1330

Whanne this was do he sent for quene Sereyne, Line 1331 And in as goodly hast as it myght be, The mariage was made be twix them twayn, With grete honour and grete solempnite, Line 1334 So grete a gaderyng was neuer in that contre; ffor to that fest he bedde his lordes euerychone, Theder thei came and ladys many on. Line 1337

And whanne the fest was all to geder don, Line 1338 Not long after withynne a litell space, The quene Sereyne was with child full sone And whanne tyme came, as god will geve hir grace, She bare a sonne, a threfte child he was; And whanne that he was growe to mannys age, he was callid Ismaell the Savage: Line 1344

For he was wild in all his demening, Line 1345 Vnto the tyme he drew to more sadnesse, Thanne afterward he was withoute feyning A nobyll knyght, the story doth witnesse: Line 1348 Now late vs thenne speke of Generydes, What payn he hadde for fayre clarionas, By grete envy of cursid malichias. Line 1351

Line 1351

In a mornyng arose Generydes, Line 1352 To his lady he toke the way full right, To speke with hir as for his hartys ease; This Malichias of hym he had a sight, Line 1355 And after hym, as fast as euer he myght, ffull secretly he goth hym to aspye, hym for to do sum shame and velanye. Line 1358

And to perfourme all his purpose in dede, Line 1359 Vppe in a tree he stode full secretly, That what they seid therof he toke good heede, And to the Sowdon told it by and by: Line 1362 And where as he dede noo thyng ellys trewly, But spake with hir to telle hir his entente, he hym reportid wers thanne euer he ment, Line 1365

To hir dishonour all that he cowde say. Line 1366 Whanne the Sowdon had knowlage of this case, he sware his othe ther was non other waye, Butt bothe they shuld be dede be goddes grace. Line 1369 To hym anon thanne sayde Malichias, 'Of your doughter ye may not avenge yow soo, But as for hym ye wote what is to do.' Line 1372

Yet in his wraugth this thought he euer among, Line 1373 If he shuld avenge hym sodenly, All his pepill wold say he did hym wrong, Withoute Iustice to cause hym so to dye; Line 1376 And to eschew the Rumber and the crye, his purpose thanne he chaungyd all in feere: And Malichias was wroth in his maner, Line 1379

And thought he was mystr[est]ed vtterly, Line 1380 Be cause the Sowdon dede not as he ment; ffor he was fayn to think that he shuld dye,

Butt for all he myst of his entent, Line 1383 Yet in his malice he was so fervent he wold not leve, butt stille alway opece [MS. opoce. Perhaps we should read alway stille opece.] Dede all that he cowde to hurt Generydes. Line 1386

So on a tyme full streyght he toke the waye Line 1387 To the Sowdon, and seid in this maner; 'My lord,' quod he, 'ye leve not that I saye, And if it please yow my councell for to here, Line 1390 Ye shall haue knowlache of this mater clere.' 'Wele thanne,' quod he, 'if I may fynd it soo, Ye shall sone wete what I shall do therto.' Line 1393

'In a mornyng, if it please yow to rise,' Line 1394 Quod Malichias, 'I canne say yow nomore, But [MS. Be.] ye shall se your self in euery wise The very trougth, as I haue seid before; Line 1397 And wete ye will it grevith me full soore, That ye shuld me mystrest by eny waye, I wold not that for more thanne I wold saye.' Line 1400

The [MS. She.] Sowdon sayde, 'as towchyng this mater, Line 1401 I wolle gladly be after your avise.' Soo on a day the wedder was full clere, In a mornyng the Sowdon ganne to rise, Line 1404 As erly as he cowde in eny wise; ffurth on he goth, and with hym Malichias, Streight to the chaunbour of Clarionas. Line 1407

Save Malichias with hym ther was noo moo, Line 1408 Atte A wyndow they stode hym to Aspye. Generydes, as he was wont to do, ffull sone after he came full secretly, Line 1411 As oft tyme As he came, yet trewly he mystrestid neuer erthely man be fore, Yet As he Stode he Seighed wonder soore. Line 1414

Line 1414

To hym anon thanne seid Clarionas, Line 1415 'Ye seigh gretly, I prae yow telle me why.' 'Madame,' quod he, 'for certayn it was, This nyght I hadde a wonder dreme trewly Line 1418 Of Malichias; noo mo but [MS. be.] he And I Were in A place, this is the certeyn[te], And of my clothez ther he robbid me. Line 1421

I drew my swerd to reskewe hym ageyn, Line 1422 Butt in that case I myght not haue my will, The Sowdon came and cast me downe, I wene, [folio 8a] In a depe pitte, whiche grevid me full ill: Line 1425 With that my swerd owt of myn hand it fell On Malichias and gave hym suche a wounde Vppon the hede that downe he felle to the grownde.

Yet cowde I not eskape owt of the pitte, Line 1429 ffor all the craft that I cowde wele devise; Butt atte last, as god wold fortune it, Ye all only, and by your interprise, Line 1432 Owt of daunger ye causid me to rise.' To hym anone thanne seid clarionas, 'I am a ferde,' quod she, 'of Malichias; Line 1435

For I dremyd that he wold haue me slayn, Line 1436 Save it lay not in his powere to do, ffor he purposith by some maner trayn, Whanne he may see a tyme to shew vs woo.' Line 1439 And whanne thei had to geder spoken soo, Supposyng wele that all had ben in pece, The Sowdon came and toke Generydes, Line 1442

In grete anger rebukyng hym full soore, Line 1443 And chargid Malichias in all the hast To bynd hym fast, and also ferthermore

That he in prison depe he shuld be cast, Line 1446 Ther to abide while that his lyff may last; Or ellys he shuld by [MS. be by.] Malichias avise Be putte to deth in a right shamefull wise. Line 1449

For his doughter he sent full hastely, Line 1450 And in his hete gave hir a grete repreff, And callid hir, god wote, right shamefully All other wise thanne he cowde make the preff: Line 1453 And in his hert it was an vtter greff, ffor he demyd on hir that she ne sought, [So MS.; perhaps for that he ne ought.] Whiche afterward full gretely hym for thought. Line 1456

Now Generydes goth with Malichias, Line 1457 his handes bounden as a prisonere, Streyght to a towre wherein the prison was; And hym delyueryd onto Anasore, Line 1460 A gentill knyght keping the prison ther, To kepe hym hard and strayte in his office, Withoute favour in eny maner wise. Line 1463

And for to shew his malys vtterly, Line 1464 With strong yrons this cursed Malichias he feteryd hym, and that soo grevously The blode sprange owt in many dyuerse places; [So MS.; perhaps for place.] Line 1467 And whith an hevy hammer that ther was, On his leggys so sore he lette hym falle, Att euery tyme he brake the skynne with all. Line 1470

Thanne Anasar was wrothe in his maner, Line 1471 And in this wise seid to Malichias, 'Ye do me wrong, sithe I am keper here, To do that is myn office in this case; Line 1474 ffor his offence [MS. office.] or how that [euer] it was, It is agayn all reson in certayne, To do [to] hym this importabill payn.' Line 1477

Line 1477

For noo prayer yet wold he neuer sece, Line 1478 But trewely did as he did before: Longer suffer myght not Generydes, Nor nought he wold thow he shuld die [MS. did.] therfore, Line 1481 And with his fist he smote hym wonder soore, That bothe his eyne owt of his hede ganne falle, And sodenly he died furth withall. Line 1484

And whanne the keper sawe that he was dede, Line 1485 Thanne was he sory for Generydes; If it were knowen that he were don to ded, The Sowdon wold be wroth withouten lese, Line 1488 Owt of reason that noman cowde hym sese: Wherefore he founde a meane to his entente, By there avise that were with hym present. Line 1491

How [MS. Now.] Malichias whanne he came fro the towre, Line 1492 And don that the Sowdon bad hym do, his fete fayled in vnhappy oure, And down he felle and brake his nek in ij; Line 1495 And for to make a preff that it was soo, They toke hym vppe and layde hym soft and fayr, Down Atte lowest foote of all the stayre. Line 1498

Thus were they all accordyd euerychone, Line 1499 Generydes to quyte all vtterly; Among them all ther was on, A knyght that alway was in companye Line 1502 With anasor, and lovyd hym trewly; And as he wold the toder wold the same In euery thing, and darell was his name. Line 1505

In this mater he was chef of councell Line 1506 With anasor to helpe Generydes: he bad hym goo and in no wise to fayle

To the Sowdon, and telle hym the processe, Line 1509 And he wold be [MS. he.] on of his cheff witnesse. Thanne anosor ther as the Sowdon was ffull sone he went, and told hym all the case. Line 1512

Yet or [that] he departyd was and gone, Line 1513 ffull streyte he went vnto Generydes, And of his bandis losed hym anon, That he somewhat myght be att his hartes ease. Line 1516 ffor though [MS. thought.] ther were a noyse among the prese, Yet wist he wele as for fayre Clarionas, That he was no thing gilty in that case. Line 1519

Furth in his waye goth now the Chastelyn, Line 1520 And to the Sowdon saide in this maner: 'I shall yow telle of a ventur certeyn, And that a strange, if it please yow to here, Line 1523 hough Malichias, withynne my office here, Toke vppon hym as for Generydes All that ye bad me do withoute lease. Line 1526

And ouer that he dede full trewely, Line 1527 With strong Irons and feteryd hym full sore, [MS. fast.] The blode ranne owt and that full petevously; Whanne he had don, to seye yow ferthermore, [folio 8b] Line 1530 Downne of the greses he felle the hede before, And brake his nek, it myght non other be, ffor this he died in very certeynte.' Line 1533

Whanne the Sowdon hard this, I yow be hight Line 1534 Ther myght no man be wrother thanne was he, 'What, serys!' he seith, 'this goth not All a right: Thow Chastelyn, in what wise may this be? Line 1537 All this is done but for a sotilte, To hide your falshede vnder a coverture, But he shall dye to morow be ye sure.' Line 1540

Line 1540

To hym anon answered the Chastelyn; Line 1541 'Ser, if it please your lordshepe for to here, ffor your wurchippe yow most your self reteyne, And take a good avise in this mater, Line 1544 See that your grounde be very good and clere, To your entente accordeng to the same, Or ellys it is but slaunder to your name.' Line 1547

The more he spak the more he lost his payn; Line 1548 Whanne Anasar saw that he went his wey: The Sowden callid fourth his chaumberleyn, 'Goo,' quod he, 'as fast as euer ye may, Line 1551 And see that Malichias in good arraye Be caryed thens, ther as his body is, To the temple in honorabill wise.' Line 1554

Now goth the chaumberlayn furth on his way, Line 1555 With all the hoole howse att his comaundment, And whanne they came ther as the body lay, It for to bery after ther entent, Line 1558 Ther they founde it with hundes alto rent, Some rede, some blak, and some of dyuerse hude, Ther cowde no man nownber the multitude. Line 1561

Eche of them bare a pece away, Line 1562 Of flessh ne boon ther was no thyng behynd; The chammberleyn whanne he sawe that arraye, he went furth sore musyng in his mynde, Line 1565 And told the Sowdon as he shuld it fynde; In euery thyng thanne was he grevid soore, And more wrother thanne he was before. Line 1568

Thanne for his lordes [MS. lordes thanne.] furth with all he sent, Line 1569 That they [MS. he.] shuld come withoute eny fayle: Whanne they were come anon incontynent,

Generydes was brought owt of the Iayle, Line 1572 ffull sore aferd as it was noo mervall; And ther he stode before them euerychone, Right in this wise the Sowdon sayde anon: Line 1575

'This felaw her, this yong man that ye see, Line 1576 Generydes,' he saide, 'that is his name; he was suerly the man that plesid me, Wenyng to me that he hadde be the same; Line 1579 Butte now he hath don me an vtter shame, ffor he hath done my doughter villanye, And layne be hir I sey yow certenly. Line 1582

I saw hym speke with hir in secrete wise, Line 1583 Wherefore I wote it may non other be; And I shall wele aquyte hym his seruice, ffor he shall dye therfore, now trostith me; Line 1586 That other may ensampyll take and see, To be ware how they in suche case here afterward offende in eny place.' Line 1589

With that anon answerd Generides: Line 1590 'My lord,' quod he, 'if ye cause me to dye, Ye do me wrong, I take god to my witnesse; And wele I wote ther is no reasone whye, Line 1593 ffor in this poynt I am no thyng gilty, And that I shall make good, I yow ensure, On knyght or Squyer whill my lyff endure.' Line 1596

Whanne the Sowdon had hard all that he seid; Line 1597 'Trowist thu to fyght,' quod he, 'as in this case? Nay think it not, thy bost shall sone be layde, ffor thu shalt [dye] to morow withoute grace, Line 1600 And what that euer be withynne this place, That wolle for the entrete in eny wise, he shall not spede I yow promysse. Line 1603

Line 1603

Wherefore I wold ye gave your full assent Line 1604 Among yow all this processe to fulfille, Accordeng plenly to that Iugement.' And ther withall the lordes were ful stille, Line 1607 And seid noo word neyther good nee ill, Thanne Atte last the Chastelyn alone, like as a knyght spake afore them euerychone: Line 1610

'My lordes All,' he seid, 'hough may this be? Line 1611 This is a thyng whiche I neuer sawe, The Sowdon doth vs wrong, As thinkith me, To make vs deme a man withoute lawe; Line 1614 And for my part, for favour or for awe, I shall neuer assent to this mater, Consideryng what he hath proferyd her.' Line 1617

Thanne was the Sowdon owt of pacience Line 1618 With Anasor, And spake full hastely; 'Ye are,' quod he, 'to bold in my presence, Ayenst my will to speke so vtterly, Line 1621 It is noo sygne of very loue trewly, Not withstondeng I wote wele what ye mene, But troste me wele it goo not as ye wene.' Line 1624

Thanne came Darell and putt hym self in prese, Line 1625 Where here be fore rehersid is by name, Of nobyll kynne he was withouten lese, The more bolder he was to take a blame Line 1628 In this mater accordyng to the same; And in this wise he seid be fore them all, And to the Sowdon in especiall: Line 1631

'As for my felawe her, the Chastelayn, Line 1632 I haue mervell that he rebukith hym soo; And wele I wote that he hath don his payn, [folio 9a]

ffor your pleasur in all that he cowde doo, Line 1635 And vtterly this will I saye also, he that will do Generydes a shame, I yow ensure he shall do me the same.' Line 1638

Thanne to the Sowdon furth with all they went, Line 1639 The lordes and the knyghtes euerychone, And prayed hym to respite the Iugement, ffor certenly his wurchippe laye ther on; Line 1642 And wele they wist that reson was ther [n]on, A man to deme, in eny maner case, Withoute lawe and in so litill space. Line 1645

The Sowdon was as wrothe as he myght be, Line 1646 That in noo wise he wist not what to saye; Thanne was ther on, the Story tellith me, A knyght whiche hadde be with hym many a day, And wele cheryshed with hym he was Alway, like as he wold the Sowdon wold the same In euery thyng, and Lucas was his name. Line 1652

Vnto the Sowdon he seid thus anon: Line 1653 'Me think, ser, as ferre as I canne fele, These lordes and these knyghtes euerychone In this mater they haue not seyde but wele, Line 1656 hasty processe will shende it euery dele, Avise yow wele and do be good councell, And that shall gretly yow honour and provaile.' Line 1659

Whanne the Sowdon had hard hym euery dele, Line 1660 Withynne a while he was right temperate, Of all his wordes he remembryd wele, And with hym self he was half atte debate; Line 1663 he thought he wold noo more be obstenate, And gaue them respite be fore them euerychon, Till one and xx^ti dayes were come and goon. Line 1666

Line 1666

Therof was all the felashepe full fayn, Line 1667 And wele content that he hadde suche [grace] Generydes to prisone went ayeyn, Atte hartes ease meche better thanne he was; Line 1670 ffor Anasore hadde graunt hym all the place ffor his Disporte, to take it as hym list, In hym he hadde no maner of mystrest. Line 1673

Whille he was stille in prisone a bideng, Line 1674 his thought was all on Clarionas; And euer in his mynd remembryng, how fayre [MS. good fayre.] of hewe and womanly she was; Line 1677 And if he myght stonde in so good a case, hir to reioyse and haue hir atte his wissh, Of all his payne he wold not sett a rissh. Line 1680

She was vppe on A chaunbyr still opece, Line 1681 And euery man that passid to and fro She askyd fast aftur Generydes, In very trougth if he were dede or noo; Line 1684 They seid he was ageyn to prisone goo, And was a lyue they knewe it for certayn, The whiche some what conforte[d] hir Ayeyn. Line 1687

The Sowdon charge[d] them to kepe the day, Line 1688 In eny wise what thing that euer fall: And so they dede his pleasure to obeye, Theder they came ichon in generall; Line 1691 Thanne was the place to litill for them all, Wherefore the Sowdon anon dede ordeyne A larger place all owt vppon the playn. Line 1694

And for to determytte this mater, Line 1695 Generydes was brought owt of the gaile; The Sowdon thanne rehersid thanne in fere

his displeasur withoute eny fayle, Line 1698 hough he myght best to his entente prevaile; And sodenly, among them euerychone, ffurth with ther came a massanger anon, Line 1701

In hast[y] wise as fast as he cowde ride, Line 1702 And to the Sowdon he seid, right in this wise: 'I am not come my massage for to hide, But boldly for to telle you myn avise. Line 1705 Ther is a kyng not ferre from thise partise, In all contres ther as men riden and goon, Vnder hevyn so grete ther levith non. Line 1708

Kyng of Egipte he is, the soth to saye, Line 1709 And haue mervell, sithe ye be hold soo wise, That ye so long haue putte it in delaye, And come not furth to offer your seruice; Line 1712 Wherefore he will that ye in eny wise Yeld vppe your land att his comaund[e]ment, And vtterly obey to his entent: Line 1715

And for to take avise in this mater, Line 1716 he grauntith yow a moneth day of space, And by that day to geve a playn answere, As ye will be demeanyd in this case; Line 1719 And your doughter also clarionas, I councell yow to send hir to the kyng, ffor your ease and welefare in tyme comyng.' Line 1722

Whanne he hadde seid his massage all in feere, Line 1723 The Sowdon was displeasid for certayn; And furth with all he chargid Anasar, To take with hym Generydes ayeyn, Line 1726 And ther to kepe hym suerly on A payn, ffor he myght not procede furmabely, Because the tidyngez came so hastely. Line 1729

Line 1729

'Now telle what maner a man is he,' Line 1730 Seid the Sowdon, 'that is of suche powre; And sey me now the very certente.' [folio 9b] To hym anon thanne seid the Massenger, Line 1733 'If it please yow to wete, that ye shall here: Belen the bold his name is ouer all, And kyng of kyngges now men do hym calle; Line 1736

His loggyng is vppon a fayre Ryuer, Line 1737 Callid teger, not ferre owt of this cost; And there he lith with right a grete powre, his owne persone and also all his oste; Line 1740 he will that it be knowen to litill [MS. likill.] And most, That fro that grownde he will nott part Away, Till he haue redy word what ye [MS. he.] will saye.' Line 1743

The Sowdon thanne gave Answere furth with all, Line 1744 And in this wise seid to the massanger; 'Of my doughter, as for the principall, I lete yow wete, for pleasur nee for fere Line 1747 Think not ther on, for she shall not come ther, Nother in no nother place I yow ensure, The whiche myght sownne onto here dishonour. Line 1750

As for the Remenaunte of your message, Line 1751 Be cause I will not lette yow of your waye, Whanne euer ye will ye may take your viage, ffor your Answere I will that ye shall sey, Line 1754 I will send word withynne a moneth day Vnto your prince, where euer he be present, All vtterly the fyne of myn entent.' Line 1757

The massanger anon he toke his leve, Line 1758 And furth he went whanne he hadde his answer. The Sowdon anon he ganne his councell to meve

Of that mater that towchid hym soo nere, Line 1761 And Askid ther avise in this mater, Not on nor twayne, but all in generall, Thanne spake ser Darell, and Answerd furth with All:

'These lordes here, that ben of your councell Line 1765 And my falow, and I be on Assent In that mater to se what may prevaile, As we seme [So MS. ? deme.] best we shall shewe our entent.' Line 1768 Thanne spake lucas anon encontinent, 'Ser, dought ye not,' quod he, 'in this case It shall be purvayde fore with goddes grace; Line 1771

Sithe tyme of mend this land ded neuer soo, Line 1772 And as for vs we will not [now] begynne.' his lordes all Assentid wele therto, And thought that lucas seid right wele therin. Line 1775 'We trost,' quod they, 'the victory for to wynne, Vppon that prince so myghti in his strength, Or ij monethys be fully drawe o length. Line 1778

But this we will require yow euerychone, Line 1779 To shew your grace on to Generydes; ffor wele we wote offence he hath do non, Vs thynk he shuld the soner haue his pece; Line 1782 We yow beseche your rancour for to sese, [MS. sesee.] ffor att this tyme he may do good seruice, And suche as shall please yow in euery wise. Line 1785

And in this wise, yf it please yow to here, Line 1786 Be myn avise ye shall send [MS. sent.] for your ost: And these lordes that ben with yow here, lett them send for ther men in euery cost, Line 1789 In all ther best array both lesse and most; And so shall yow, with all your baronage, Defende your lande that it pay noo trewage.' Line 1792

Line 1792

The Sowdon markyd wele ther wordes all, Line 1793 And thought it was but reason that they seide. 'Now, seris,' quod he, 'sithe yow in generall ffor this young man so specially hath prayed, Line 1796 That ye desire of me shall nott be nayed; Ye may telle hym he shall stonde in my grace, like as he dede before in eny place.' Line 1799

They were right glad and thankyd hym icheon, Line 1800 That they for hym had sped so wele that day; Thanne Anasor and Darell went anon Vnto the towre where he in prison laye. Line 1803 'What tydinges now,' quod he, 'I praye yow saye.' 'Be of good chere,' quod they, 'dought ye no dele, Your pece is made, and all shall be right wele.' Line 1806

They toke his feters of incontenent Line 1807 ffrom his leggis, and whan they had so do, Thanne was he glad Inow, and furth he went To the Sowdon as fast as he cowde goo, Line 1810 With Darell and ser Anasor Also; And whanne that he come to his presens, ffull vmbely he did his Reuerence, Line 1813

And to the Sowdon seid right in this wise; Line 1814 'I wold beseche yow, ser, graunte me your grace, I neuer offendid yow in my seruice, Nother to yow nor to Clarionas. Line 1817 But hir to wurchippe as my dute was In that that I cowde do, I yow ensure, As long as I in seruice dede indure. Line 1820

And more ouer, as for the massanger, Line 1821 It grevid me full ill to here hym speke: he sett his wordes in soo grete maner,

That I wold fayn on hym haue ben wreke; Line 1824 With your licence his purpose shall I breke, And if I may your pleasure vnderstonde, With that prowde kyng I will fight hand be hand. Line 1827

He shall not do your doughter dishonour, Line 1828 As long as god will send me lyff and space; [folio 10a] Nor of his pride shall neuer come that our That ye shall paye trebute, be goddis grace, Line 1831 This land shall neuer stande in suche case; And if ye geve me leve, withoute fayle ffor all his strength I will hym onys assayle.' Line 1834

Whanne the Sowdon had hard hym sey so will, Line 1835 'Generydes,' quod he, 'I geue yow grace, All myn evill will I for geve euery deele, And ye to stonde in soo good a case Line 1838 As euer ye dede withynne eny place; ffor now I know that ye, in euery wise, haue contynued full trew in your seruice. Line 1841

And ferthermore, withoute more dalay, Line 1842 To morow suerly I will make yow a knyght; And for your sake an hundred more that day Ther shall be made, and then with goddes myght Line 1845 I shall purvay as for the landes right, It to defende, and that it may be clere ffrom all seruage and clene owt of daunger.' Line 1848

Thanne was his thought vppon Clarionas, Line 1849 Sithe he hir saughe hym thought passing long; That she myght stonde in his favour and grace [MS. his grace.] like as she dede, for he had don hir wrong; Line 1852 And that he cowde remembre euer among: Wherefore he thought hir to recompence, he sendith for hir to come to his presence. Line 1855

Line 1855

Thanne Anasore was chargid for to goo Line 1856 Vnto the chaunbyr of fayre Clarionas, To bryng her furth the Sowdon bad hym soo, That euery man myght see withynne the place, Line 1859 hough wele she stode with hym in euery case: And whanne she came befoore hym, for certayn, The Sowdon toke hir in his armys twayn. Line 1862

'Doughter,' he seid, 'for yow I am to blame, Line 1863 ffull wrongfully to me ye were accusid, And not gilty I will recorde the same, To say the soth it may not be refusid; Line 1866 So hold I yow all vtterly excusid In euery thing [MS. think.] ; and here, or where ye be, Att All tymes right wele come on to me.' Line 1869

Clarionas was fayn whanne this was doo, Line 1870 Of hym she toke hir leve full curtesly; Thanne was Generydes full glad also, Be cause hir pece was made so trewly: Line 1873 And as she went he cast on hir his Iee, So as he durst, to saue hym self fro blame, And she ayenward Aquyte hym with the same. Line 1876

Thanne was ther sone Assigned knyghtez twayn Line 1877 To bryng hir to hir chaumber furth with All, And on the morow the Sowdon for certayn With his lordes he come in to the hall, Line 1880 And ther anone [among] his knyghtez all, And, soth to say, the first of eny man Generides the order ther beganne. Line 1883

The lordes toke ther leve on be on, Line 1884 To make them redy atte ther owyn devise; The ffelischepe departid euerychon

To goo and come ageyn to ther seruice, Line 1887 And euery man in defensable wise, hors and harnes withoute eny more delay, To muster withynne a moneth day. Line 1890

Furst the Sowdon sent his letters owt, Line 1891 With massengers as fast as they cowde ride, To kynges and to princes all abought, The nexst that were marching on euery side, Line 1894 Desireng them armour to provide And in all goodly hast for them he sende [MS. sent.] To come to hym his contre to defende. Line 1897

These lettres came on to these princez all, Line 1898 hym for to helpe they grauntid euerychone, Whanne they were come, furst in especiall Croves the kyng of Arabye was on; Line 1901 .ij. thousand knyghtes came with hym alone, Be side archers a nowmbyr full notabyll, Whiche for werre Were right good men and able. Line 1904

The kyng was wele in age I yow ensur, Line 1905 And anasor his sone was for certeyn A goodly prince and comly of stature; Of his comeng the Sowdon was fayn; Line 1908 Notwithstondyng it was to hym a payn So ferre owt of his contre to travall, But his promesse was suche he wold not fayle. Line 1911

Nexst after hym ther came owt of turkey Line 1912 A myghti prince, and with hym people grete, A thousand helmys with hym in companye, O[f] his contre the best that he cowde gete, Line 1915 his sonnes bothe with hym were not [MS. not ferre.] for yete, And for to sey yow soth, and not to feyn, Trewly they were full semely knygthez twayn; Line 1918

Line 1918

Off grete wurchippe and of right nobill fame, Line 1919 The eldest hight ser Dauid, as I rede, The yonger sone ser Abell was his name, Whiche of his enmys [MS. elmys.] had but litill drede; Line 1922 The kyng hym self was a lest man in dede, Also he louyd wele fayre Clarionas, Butt she hadde sette hir hert in other place. Line 1925

Thanne came the prince of Cesare sone vppon, Line 1926 With vij hundred knyghtes of his own lande; The Story seith his name was Cherydone, [folio 10b] And ser Darell his sonne was, I vnderstonde: Line 1929 This prince was hold full manly of his hande, his archers and his foote men wele arrayed, The Sowdon of hym was right wele apayd. Line 1932

Thanne came the fortht, whiche was of Sesill kyng, A wurthy prince, And Obeth was his name; .v. honderyd knyghtes he dede with hym bring, And men a foote accordeng to the same; Line 1936 The prince hym self of good and noble fame, Theder to come he was right wele content, As sone as he his lettres to hym sent. Line 1939

Nexst after come the kyng of Nicomede, Line 1940 iij. thousand men he brought on to the Citee; As blak as cole icheon thei [MS. ther.] were in dede, Save only ther tethe ther was noo white to see, Line 1943 Strong men they were the story tellith it me: Esaunce he hight, the story doth witnesse, A curtese knyght and full of gentilnes. Line 1946

From Ethiope ther came another kyng, Line 1947 ij thowsand knyghtes att his gouernaunce, With [MS. Whiche.] meche pepill on foote Att his leding:

Thanne after came A riall ordenaunce, Line 1950 Too myghty princes with a grete pusaunce, ffro Masedeyn and owt of Arkadye, Ther cowde no man the nowmber specifie. Line 1953

Thanne came Moab, of Capadoor the kyng, Line 1954 To the Sowdon as fast as he cowde hye With ij knyghtes in felashepe rideng, Balam the tone And yeferus trewly, Line 1957 The kyng of Damask and of Ermonye, Of knyghtes wel Arrayed with spere and Shelde, xv. thowsand they brought in to the feld. Line 1960

Sone after come the kyng of orkenay, Line 1961 In his companye ther came also Another kyng in good riche Arraye; And after hym ther came ij kynggez moo, Line 1964 O thirde Cesall the kyng was on of thoo; And what peopyll they brought among them three, Mynne Auctour seith it is a wonder to see. Line 1967

Now haue I here rehersid in substaunce Line 1968 xv kynges, As shortly as I myght, With ther powre and All ther hoole puysaunce, Whiche was so grete, to sey yow very right, Line 1971 The Cite myght resseyue them day ne nyght; Butt vnder nethe a woode withoute the town, Ther was sette vppe the Sowdones pavilyon Line 1974

Vppon A playn, and made of silk and gold Line 1975 As richely as thei cowde wele ordeyne, With many moo full goodly to beholde, And tentys large, full riche and wele besen, Line 1978 And who so had be thence a myle or twayn, Vppon the feld to loke or cast his Ie, It shuld hym seme a town or A Citee. Line 1981

Line 1981

Vppon a tyme the seasone was fayre, Line 1982 With his lordes the Sowdon toke the waye, Owt of the Cite to take the ayre, In the feld vppon a Somerys day, Line 1985 And for to see the Ost in ther arraye; Beholdyng them with countenaunce right stabill, hym semyd they were pepill innumerable. Line 1988

Thanne seid he thus vnto them euerychon, Line 1989 That were princes and other lordes all, 'In this contre,' quod he, 'ther is come on, And kyng of kyngges thus he doth hym calle, Line 1992 Whiche thing may neuer in my reasone falle; ffor ther may non be suche in dede ne thought, Butt he that fourmed all this world of nought. Line 1995

Also he askid tr[i]bute of this land, Line 1996 Whiche may not be, what case that euer fall.' The formest ganne to speke, I vnderstonde, The kyngges sonne of turkey furth with All; Line 1999 A semely prince, ser abell they do hym calle, Vnto the Sowdon sone he gaue [MS. gaue an.] answer, As these wordes he seid as ye shall here: Line 2002

'As for the land of perse, this will I saye, Line 2003 It ought to paye noo tribute in noo wise; Ne our enmys shall neuer see the day, ffor we are strongge I now I yow promys Line 2006 Too kepe it from All suche maner seruice; And for to make it good with spere and Sheld, Goo we to morow and mete them in the feld. Line 2009

Do as ye leke, for this is my councell; Line 2010 Besechyng yow to be remembryd here, That whanne the lande of perse hath gevyn batell,

Of tyme passid before in many yere, Line 2013 My lord and fader hath ben Banyere, And in the formest batell for to be he and his ayeris claymeth it of dewte. Line 2016

Also to be made constabill of your ost, Line 2017 And the voward to haue in gouernaunce, ffor to Turkey of right it longith most; Beseching yow with vmble obeysaunce, Line 2020 Of your lordshipe ye list so it Avaunce, That I may [bere] withoute envy or blame The formest baner in my faders name.' Line 2023

Anon with all the Sowdon gaue answere; [folio 11a] Line 2024 'All your desire I graunt, it is but right.' The kyng hym thankid in full curtes maner, Thanne to ther tentys sone they ganne them dight, And dressid all ther harnes ouer nyght, That they myght on the morow withoute fayle All maner men be redy to Batell. Line 2030

Whanne it was day, forward they ganne them dresse In bright harnes these princes euerychone, With other dyuerce lordes more and lesse, Of Dukes and Erles and Barons anon, Line 2034 Ther helmes garnysshed that they had vppon, With perlys and dyamauntez of price, Ther course[r]s trappid in the fressest wise. Line 2037

In the Citee through owt in euery strete Line 2038 Ther was grete noyse of pepill all abought, To dresse them fourth ther enmys for to mete, And sone vppon withoute eny dought Line 2041 ffro the Citee the Sowdon passid owt, And rideth streyte to his pavilion, With lordes abought hym in euery rome. Line 2044

Line 2044

And whanne that they were redy to goo, Line 2045 And All assemelid in a companye, iij skore thowsand they were withoute moo. Thanne were ordeyned the wardes by and by; Line 2048 The formest warde All redy for to gye The kyng of Turkey had in gouernaunce, Be very right of his enheritaunce. Line 2051

Thre thowsand knyghtes att his demening, Line 2052 Be side Archers and foote men that were ther, And As his graunt was atte begynneng, his sonne ser Abell he was baneer. Line 2055 The secunde ward, to certifie yow here, Was putte on to the kyng of Araby, ij thowsand knyghtez in his companye. Line 2058

The iij^de ward ther in was ser Anasore, Line 2059 And with hym was Generydes also, And All the new made knyghtez they were thore, [MS. y ^er.] And xv hundred men withoute moo, Line 2062 Of chosen men what euer they shuld do, All vnder nethe bothe the rule of more [So MS.?the rule bothe more.] and lesse, Of Anasore and [of] Generydes. Line 2065

The prince of Cesare, callid cherydone, Line 2066 he was the iiij^th, all in Another ward, his felisshepe wele be sene echon, A thowsand knyght[ez] wayteng on his gard. Line 2069 Thanne came the kyng of Cesell afterward, iij thowsand knyghtez in his companye, With Archers and foote men by and by. Line 2072

Nexst after hym came the kyng of Nycomede, Line 2073 V thowsand knyghtes, wonder to behold, ffull begely shapen bothe in lengeth And brede,

As blak as coole, as I befoore haue told, Line 2076 The vj^te batell to rule it as he wold, And as in writeng in fynde [So MS.?I fynde.] remembraunce, Was putte hooly on to his gouernaunce. Line 2079

The kyng of Ethiope, with pepill grete, Line 2080 The vij^te ward he hadd in gouernaunce, ffull wele purveid his enmys for to mete; And in the viij^te ward, to saye yow the substaunce, iij kyng[ez] moo, with all ther ordenaunce, Of Masedoyne and other kyngez twayne, With moche peopill to sey yow the certayn. Line 2086

The ix^te ward the kyng of Capadoce, Line 2087 With the nowmber of knyghtez iij thowsand, ffull wele wellyd to werre vppon ther foys; The x^te batayll kyng Balam toke on hond, Line 2090 With iij thowsand knyghtez I vnderstonde; The xj^te ward [MS. was.] therin was zepherus, A myghti prince in armys corageus. Line 2093

The xij^te ward the kyng of Orkenaye, Line 2094 With grete peopill I say yow sekerly; The xiij^te, the southly [So MS.?southe.] for to say, Kyng phares with a nobill companye; Line 2097 The last saue on the kyng of Barbary. These iij princes hadde after ther entente vj thowsand knyghtez in ther poyntement. Line 2100

The last batell therin the Sowdon was, Line 2101 iij thowsand knyghtez with hym ther were, Some of his lande and some of dyuerce place, And euery man wele dressid in his geere; Line 2104 In that batell Darell was Baner, And as the story seith in euery wise he was a likely knyght for that Office. Line 2107

Line 2107

Anon with all ther Baneres were displayed, Line 2108 A riall sight it was to behold, Eche of them wele horsid and arrayed, And in ther harnes dressid as they wold, Line 2111 Ther cote Armers of siluer and of gold; And so forward they partid all in feere, The trompettys blew, it was A Ioye to here. Line 2114

Now late vs leue them rideng on the way, Line 2115 And to this myghti kyng turne we agayn, [folio 11b] Hough he purveith in all that euer he may, And in what wise that he may best ordeyne, Line 2118 Of euery ward to make a capteyn, ffirst he appoynted in especiall, hym self was in the formest of them all. Line 2121

Three kynggez were with hym in companye, Line 2122 Also he hadde of [MS. haddes f.] knyghtes vj. thowsand, And in nowmber as many by and by, In euery warde was poynted afore hand, Line 2125 And by writeng as I vnderstonde; Gwynan his sonne, whiche was full dere, Of his batell he made hym Banere. Line 2128

Thanne came ser Amelok, the kyng of ynd, Line 2129 Whiche lande, god wote, full traytoru[s]ly he wanne, And vntrewly, the story makith mynde, Betrayed his prince whiche was a nobill man. Line 2132 The secunde ward ser Amelok beganne With meche pepill, to say yow certenly, ij kynges mo were in his companye. Line 2135

So forthermore thanne came the kyng Sanyk Line 2136 Nexst afterward, and with hym kynggez twayn; A myghti prince, and kyng [MS. kyng he was.] of Auferyk, [MS. Anseryk.]

And fader to the quene of ynde certayn, Line 2139 The whiche forsoke hir husbond be a trayn: This prince hadde in his rewle and gouernaunce The iij^de batell with all the ordenaunce. Line 2142

The iiij^te batell to rule and to ordeyne Line 2143 Madane [MS. Madame.] hadde it, whiche was kyng of Trace; And as myn Auctour specifieth certayn Right yong And fressh a lest man he was. Line 2146 And in the v^te ther came Barachias, Kyng of Europe, and suche a companye As euery ward was poynted by and by. Line 2149

Nexst after hym came Ermones the kyng, Line 2150 The vj^te Batell to gouerne as he wold, ffull boustous folk and ill faryng, With visages fowle, full gresely to beholde, Line 2153 All of on sorte they were both yong and old, Ther bakkes and ther belly were soo large, Ther was noo hors of them wold bere the charge; Line 2156

Wherefore they rode on camelys euerychon, Line 2157 Think wele it was a vounderfull array, ffor as for spere or swerd they handelid non, Ther wepons were more stronger, I yow say, Line 2160 lyke as mattokez Shapyn so were they, Ther helvys long, that whanne they shuld fight Ther strokes shuld come with grete wight. Line 2163

Two kyngez moo were in his company, Line 2164 Of suche makyng and of on maner kynd. The vij^te ward the kyng of Assirye, Galad he hight in story, as I fynde, Line 2167 A prince worthy for to [be] had in mynd; The viij^te Batell therin was manassen, And vnder hym was his sone ruben. Line 2170

Line 2170

The kyng of lybie, callid lamadone, Line 2171 The ix^te warde hadde att his leding; And the x^te, the last of euerychone, Was auferius, the welebelouyd kyng Line 2174 That was of ynd, and ther had his dwellyng Till he was putte [from] his enheritaunce, Wherof be fore was made remembraunce. Line 2177

Two kynges mo were in his poyntement, Line 2178 With the nowmber of knyghtes accordeng, Owt of the Reme of Trace with hym ther were, To wayte on hym ther were [they] well willyng, Line 2181 But of on thing he had no knowlaching, That his fortune was suche withoute lese To fight ayenst his sone Generydes: Line 2184

The last batell was putt on to his gard, Line 2185 And for this cawse it was apoyntid so, Ser Amelok he hadde the secunde ward, That noo debate shuld be bytwix them twoo, Line 2188 Thanne after this ther was no more a doo; The men of armys bothe with spere and sheld, With grete corage dressid them in to the feld. Line 2191

And on the toder part forward they went; Line 2192 Among his men the Sowdon came rideng, And prevely iij knyghtez owt he sent, Of his enmys to knowe ther demeanyng, Line 2195 They brought hym word ayenward thei were comyng, And so they rode y^e space of half a nyght, That euerychone of other hadde a sight. Line 2198

Thanne afterward thei made noo taryeng, Line 2199 But furth they goo withoute eny lett, Wete ye wele ther was a sorowfull encounteryng,

Whanne the batels to geder were mett, Line 2202 Euerychone on other ferly they sette With grete corage, and trewly for to speke It was a world to here the sperys breke. Line 2205

The kyng of kynggez rode on euery side, Line 2206 ffull clene armyd formest of euerychone, There were butt fewe his strokes wold abide, [folio 12a] So many he on horsid one be one; Line 2209 A comly prince he was to loke vppon, And therwith [all] right good and honorable, And in the feld a knyght right confortable. Line 2212

Ser abell was of perse the Banere, Line 2213 Avaunsid hym and to a kyng ganne ride, And thorough owt the body he hym bare, That on his hors he myght not longe abide, Line 2216 Butt to the grownde he felle and ther he dyed; And thanne ser Abell, in a hasty brayde, Vnto the kyng of kyngges thanne he seide: Line 2219

'Good ser,' quod he, 'how likith yow this game?' With tho wordes the kyng liked full ill, he thought full wele to quyte hym with y^e same, And ranne to hym with a full eger will, Line 2223 That from ser Abell downe the baner fell, And suche a stroke he hadde, to say yow trew, That from his hors almost he ther ouer threw. Line 2226

The kyng his fader sawe the baner down, Line 2227 he hastyd hym as fast as euer he myght, And with an hundered knyghtes of renown The baner sone they reisid it vppe right; Line 2230 Thanne was the batell sore, I yow be hight, And many slayn; but or the day was past The men of perse with drew them atte last. Line 2233

Line 2233

The nexst batell, whanne thei wist how it was, Line 2234 Generydes and Anasore in certayn, They brought ther felishepe bothe more and lesse, And in a while they wanne the grownd ayen; Line 2237 Generydes sawe Guynan on the playn, The kyngges sone, rideng with spere and sheld; he taryd not, butt mette hym in the feld. Line 2240

Gwaynan on to Generides he ranne, Line 2241 And with [his] spere he brake his sheld on twayne; Generides ayenward like a man With stode his stroke, and smote hym so ageyn, Line 2244 That from his hors he felle vppon the playn, And who that euer that was wele payde or wroth, he toke his hors with hym and furth he goth. Line 2247

Thanne was ther on not ferre owt of y^e prese, Line 2248 lyke a harowed he semyd for to be, To hym Anon thanne seid Generydes, 'Good ser,' quod he, 'doo now sum what for me;' Line 2251 'What is your will and pleasure?' quod he. 'My lorde,' he seid, 'that ye will in this nede Chaunge my Sadyll and sett it on this stede. Line 2254

Whanne ye haue do, take ye my stede therfore.' Line 2255 Sygrem hym did as Generides hym badde, he hight so, and to sey yow more In his demeanyng he was wise and sadde; Line 2258 Of bothe partys right grete favour he hadde, To gentilmen he was right servisable, And ther withall full good and companable. Line 2261

Generydes leppe vppe vppon his stede, Line 2262 A better was not onder nethe the sonne; ffor grete suerte in story as I rede,

The kyng of kyngges gave it to his sonne, Line 2265 Or the batell was eny thing begonne; Sygrem was glad of chaungyng of his hors, ffor of his owne he gave butt litill fors. Line 2268

To hym anon thanne seid Generydes, Line 2269 'Sygrem,' quod he, 'do me to vnderstonde Ser Amelok, if he be in the preese, Whiche trayturly hath wonne my faders lande. Line 2272 ffayne wold I wete if he were here nye hande.' 'Trewly,' he seid, 'now I remembyr me, Suche one ther is in very certente. Line 2275

Butt as for yow, I wote not what ye be, Line 2276 hym knowe I wele trewly, that is noo nay; The first batell saue on ther in is he, This is the very trougth that I yow saye, Line 2279 And what ye be, I beseche and praye To lete me wete the truthe in euery wise, And I shall trewly owe yow my seruice.' Line 2282

Generydes thanne gaue hym this answere; Line 2283 'Sygrem,' he seid, 'to yow I will not leyne, I shall yow telle the trouth of this mater, kyng auferius is my fader in certeyn, Line 2286 Whiche was of ynd bothe lord and souereyn, And now is kyng of Trace, as I yow say, Butt lete this go noo ferther, I yow praye.' Line 2289

'Kyng auferius,' quod he, 'I knowe hym wele, Line 2290 The last batell of all ther in he is, As ferre as I canne vnderstonde and fele, Ser Amelok is not his frende I wis, Line 2293 And by what reason I will tell yow this; The kyng of kynggez partyd them twayn, Be cause they shuld noo debate begynne certeyn.' Line 2296

Line 2296

'How shall I doo,' thanne seid Generydes, Line 2297 'Of Amelok to haue sum knowlachyng? ffor hym that I may knowe among the preese, But if I haue sum redy tokyni[n]g.' Line 2300 'I shall yow telle,' quod he, 'withoute feyneng, his stede is gray withoute layen, The hede is whight, to say yow for certayn. Line 2303

For more knowelage to telle yow which is he, Line 2304 his harmes are, who so list to be holde, The felde of Goulys in very certeynte, [folio 12b] Ther with also iij bandes all of gold.' Line 2307 And whanne that he Generydes had told Of Amelok, and hough he shuld hym fynde, Wete ye wele he was the gladder in hys mynde. Line 2310

Furth on his stede rideth Generydes, Line 2311 To fynd ser Amelok if that he may, With hym rideth Sygrem still opeese, And as they twayne rode spekyng be the waye, Line 2314 Segrem was ware wher in a valay Ser Amelok came on rideng A pace, hym for to rest as for a litill space: Line 2317

'Loo yender is ser Amelok,' he seid, Line 2318 'And saving on with hym ther is no moo.' And with that word Generydes abrayde, 'Now is,' quod he, 'good tyme for me to goo;' Line 2321 So furth he ridith till that he came hym too: The toder sawe hym come with spere and sheld, And furth he gothe and mette hym in the feld. Line 2324

And atte first he stroke Generydes, Line 2325 And with that stroke he brast his sheld in twayn, Anone with all he quyte hym dowteles,

And smote his sheld quyte on the playn. Line 2328 Thanne seid Generides, 'now am I fayn, Thow shalt not laughe atte me in mokkery, ffor thow hast lost thy sheld as wele as I. Line 2331

And as for on thyng I shall the wele ensure, Line 2332 As for thy sheld thu shalt haue it no more, ffor myn is broke it may noo more endure, Be thow right sure I will haue thynne therfore:' Line 2335 And thanne beganne the batell passing sore, Ther was non of them shewid favour to a nother, ffor right dedely the tone hatid the toder. Line 2338

Syr Amelok was wrothe as he myght be, Line 2339 And to Generydes right thus he sayde; 'I shall yow quyte that thu hast doo to me,' And smote hym on the hide with suche a brayde, Line 2342 That in hym self he was some what dismayed: Quod Amelok, 'thu hast I now this day, Reche me my [MS. thy.] sheld and thu goo thy waye.' Line 2345

'Thow getist it not, fals traytour [that] thu art, Line 2346 Or thu goo ferther thu shalt haue myschaunse, ffor thu hast with thy fals envyous hert Putte my fader from his enheritaunce, Line 2349 Whiche was his Ioye, his lyfe, and his pleasur, And in my faders presence thu me smote, [MS. smette.] Whiche I haue not forgete yet, god it wote. Line 2352

And thanne I myght not ease my hert in dede, Line 2353 But now thu shalt repent it or thu goo:' And with his swerd he smette hym on the hede, The helme to brast anon in peces two; Line 2356 his lippys and his noose he smote away also, Clene from his face, and ther with all full sone, he bledde so fast that he felle in A swonne. Line 2359

Line 2359

To hym thanne seide Generides anon, Line 2360 'Whill ere thu bad I shuld reche the thy sheld, And now me think thu hast nede of on, ffor neyther spere ne sheld that thu may weld:' Line 2363 And with that word vppeward his hede [he] helde, Risyng with all to helpe hym self right fayne; Generydes thanne smote hym down ageyn, Line 2366

Hym for to slee was fully his entente. Line 2367 With that anon his knyghtes came hym to, And sette hym on his hors and furth they went, As soft a pace as y^ei myght with hym goo, Line 2370 Too se hym in that plight they were full woo; his stede anon thanne toke Generydes, And led hym furth with hym in to the prese. Line 2373

And whanne that he was eskepyd trewly, Line 2374 Sygrem he found anon in contenent, 'My frende,' quod [he], 'I prae yow fethfully To do my massage after myn entent, Line 2377 That ye will take this stede, and hym present To auferius my lord and fader dere, And say to hym that I haue wonne hym here Line 2380

Off Amalok, the traytour most vntrewe; Line 2381 And if he aske as for more witnesse, Who sent to hym and how that I hym knewe, Telle hym it is his sone Generydes, Line 2384 And hough that Amelok in all the prese, Withynne his howse and in his high presence, ffull cruely smote hym with violence; Line 2387

And he ayenward smete hym with his knyff Line 2388 Thorough the Arme in very certente.' Sygrem Ayenward seid, 'ser, be my liff,

I shall do that ye haue comaundyd me, Line 2391 And take hym this present where euer he be.' Now goo Sygrem, as fast as ye may spede, To Auferius to present hym this stede. Line 2394

And whanne this stede to Auferius was brought, Line 2395 And wist fro whense he came, thanne was he fayn; 'Now, good Sygrem, as euer I may do ought ffor thy pleasur,' quod auferius ayen, Line 2398 'Of my sonne telle me somme token playn, [folio 13a] hough I may best knowe hym among them all;' 'Ser,' quod Sygrem, 'with right good will I shall.' Line 2401

Sygrem hym told tokynnes moo thanne on, Line 2402 his sonne to knowe be right of his office, What colour was his hors he rode vppon, And what harmys he bare, and what devise, Line 2405 All this he told hym in full redy wise; kyng auferius ther with he was contente, And hym rewardid well for his presente. [MS. presence.] Line 2408

As now putte we this mater in respite, Line 2409 And to Generydes turne we ageyn, Whiche founde his felawes all most discomfete, ffor they had fought all the day certeyn; Line 2412 Yet whanne they hym sawe thenne were thei fayn, And ganne reioyse whanne they to geder mette, With knyghtly corage frely on they sette. Line 2415

And thanne beganne the batell passing sore; Line 2416 They fought alway to geder still opece, The men of perse were hartid more and more, All be counfort of Generides: Line 2419 he styntid not, nor neuer wold he sese, And with his swerd where that his stroke glynt, Owt of ther sadill full redely they went. Line 2422

Line 2422

The kyng of kyngges toke good hede [ ], Line 2423 To hym he callid Sygrem furth with all anon, 'What knyghte is yender,' quod he, 'canne ye me saye? That in the feld outrayth euerychone; Line 2426 So good a knyght as he me semyth non In all the world, but on thyng I mervell, My sonnys stede hath he, withoute fayle; Line 2429

Where with trewly I am not wele apayed, Line 2430 Notwithstondeng a nobyll knyght is he, And that ye knowe right wele, Sygrem,' he sayd, 'Wherefore I wold he were dwellyng with me; Line 2433 Of gold and siluer he shall haue plente, Townys and castelys at his obyseaunce, And other thinges moo to his plesaunce.' Line 2436

'Ser,' quod Sygrem, 'trewly it will not be, Line 2437 he is descendid of an high lenage, And as fer [MS. for.] furth as I canne fele and see, he waytith after right grete heritage, Line 2440 ffor with the Sowdon he will take no wage, And for to telle yow trouthe as in this case, his trost is to haue fayre Clarionas.' Line 2443

'Clarionas,' quod he, 'nay, lete be that; Line 2444 I take hir for my owen, ser, be the rode, Whether he will or noo, for wote ye what, Vppon his body I will make it good:' Line 2447 And whanne Sygrem these wordes vnderstode, ffull sone he went to Generydes, And told hym what he seid more or lesse. Line 2450

Now kyng Belleyn secheith Generydes Line 2451 Thorough the ost, to fynde hym if he maye, And as he rode a side hand of the prece,

he sawe where that he rode in [a] valaye; Line 2454 To hym anon full streyght he toke the waye, And on a high he beganne to crye, 'Turne the,' he seid, 'for tyme it is trewly: Line 2457

Vppon my stede blanchard thu ridest here, Line 2458 Butt on my list thu shalt hym sone for goo.' That word anon Generides ganne here, he turnyd hym withoute wordes moo. Line 2461 They toke ther coursis and ranne to geder soo, Thanne iche atte other and bothe ther sperys helde, But thei were clene onhorsid in the feld. Line 2464

Vppon ther stedis sone thei were ayeyn, Line 2465 And so they fought to geder hand to hand, Ther was noo favour shewid be twix them twayn, Butt strokes grete and sore, I vnderstonde; Line 2468 ij better knyghtes were not in all the land, ffor long thei fought and neuer wold thei lette, Ne yet departe to tyme the ostes mette. [MS. mettez.] Line 2471

Thanne wax the batell euer more and more, Line 2472 As thei resortid on euery side; lordes and knyghtez were hurt right soore, And many ligging dede with woundes wide; Line 2475 lucas ffull sone Manessen had aspied, With sheld and spere he dressid hym full right, And ranne to hym in all that euer he myght. Line 2478

The stede [MS. stode.] was good that lucas rode vppon, Line 2479 And suche a stroke he gave hym with a spere, That thorough the harnes and the shulder bon, Thorough owt his bak and slew hym ther; Line 2482 Thanne to the kyng he seid in this maner: 'Take yow here this present or ye goo, And I shall do my part to send yow moo.' Line 2485

Line 2485

Tho wordes toke the kyng in Mokkery, Line 2486 And made hym redy with spere and sheld, To ser lucas he ranne full egerly And stroke hym fro his hors in to the feld; Line 2489 With that anon Generydes beheld how lucas was owttrayed among his foys, [folio 13b] And in he came and rescuyd hym att onys. Line 2492

Streyght to the kyng he rideth for certayn, Line 2493 And with his swerd he smote hym on the hede, The helme to brast anon in pecys twayn, And with that stroke he slewe his hors in dede, Line 2496 And so the stede fell vnder nethe hym dede, hym self also ther with was astoinyd sore, And blew his horne, to saye yow forthermore. Line 2499

Thanne came a thowsaund knyghtez of his ost, Line 2500 And vppe thei sette hym on a nother stede, And glad they were, wenyng they had hym lost, And furth owt of the prese with hym they yede. [MS. yode.] Line 2503 Thanne came ther in as fast as thei myght spede, The buscommest folk, the men of higher ynd, Of whom before the story makith mend. Line 2506

Whanne they come in they made rome Alabought, Ther wepons were made owt of all mesur, ffull ill shapyn with pekys in and owt, Ther strokes myght no man endure; Line 2510 The men of Perse were att discomfeture, And whanne the Sowdon hard of that tiding, he came anon and made no taryng; Line 2513

Conforting them in full good maner, Line 2514 And for ther seruice thankyd them Also: The prince of Cesare gave hym this answere,

'Now truly, ser,' quod he, 'if it were so Line 2517 That they were men with whom we haue a do, We wold not dowte to mete them on be on, But suerly they be fendez euerychone. Line 2520

Ther wepons be suche ther may no man abide, Line 2521 Wherefore this is now myn avise,' quod [MS. now q ^d.] he, 'Vs to with drawe a litell owt aside, That our enmys perseyue not that we fle.' Line 2524 The Sowdon saw it wold non other be, Butt nedis he must geve his assent ther to, And yet he was full loth so for to do. Line 2527

They drewe softely to the Citee Ward, Line 2528 The Sowdon blow his horn that thei myght here, The lordes and the knyghtez of his garde, Whanne thei it hard anon thei drew hym nyere, Line 2531 As as they rode to geder all in feer, Ther enmys made on them a newe afraye, That vnnethe myght the Sowdon skape a waye. Line 2534

V. hunderyd of his men he lost also, Line 2535 And of horsis a thowsand atte lest Among them All thei lost withoute moo, And some lordes and knyghtez of the best; Line 2538 The day passid, the sonne drewe to the rest, And be that tyme his felisshepe and he Were come to Mountoner the riche Citee. Line 2541

And of all this wist not Generides, Line 2542 Nor anasor, to say yow certeynly, ffor thei were allway fightyng still opece Ayenst Galad the kyng of Asirye; Line 2545 And whanne they had knowlage vtterly, Of the Sowdon and of his distresse, Thanne were they bothe in right grete hevynesse. Line 2548

Line 2548

Yer [MS. Yey.] fought thei still and reskew was ther non, Line 2549 Nor non comyng as ferre as they myght see, Ther men almost distressid euerychone, And many slayne, thenne of necessite Line 2552 They them withdrewe, and towarde the Citee They toke the way, and in conclusion Thanne was the oste be twene them and y^e town; Line 2555

That in no wise they wist not hough to pas, Line 2556 Ne hough to do they knowe noo sertente, Thanne Anasor remembred that ther was A postrene yssuyng owt of the Citee, Line 2559 And thederward they drewe to haue entree, But or they myght in suerte come and goo Be twix them bothe they had I noughe to do. Line 2562

Now to the Sowdon lete us turne ageyn, Line 2563 ffor here peopill what mone that he do make; Of euery man he enqueryd the certente, Whiche of his men were ded and which were take; The Citee made grete sorow for ther sake, And specially thei made grete hevynes ffor Anasore and for Generides; Line 2569

And thought suerly it myght non other be, Line 2570 Butte thei were bothe [putte] to discomforture. Thanne sayde Darell, 'it were full grete pite Suche ij knyghtez to lese, I yow ensure;' Line 2573 And furth he goth vppon his aventure, Beseching god to councell hym and rede, ffor he wold fynd hym [MS. hyn.] eyther quyk or dede. Line 2576

Thanne was a noyse the Citee all along Line 2577 That they were slayn, and woo thei were therfore; Clarionas herd how the tydingez sprong,

here chere was don, she wept passing sore: Line 2580 Myrabell sawe she wept more and more, 'Madame,' quod she, 'these tydengez that be now, A wager dare I ley they are not trew: Line 2583

And if it please yow, for your disporte, Line 2584 To walk vppe to the towre [MS. town.] ther shall ye see Paraventur that may be your coumfort.' 'I will,' she sayde, 'do as as ye councell me: Line 2587 Comforte or no, or hough that euer it be.' [folio 14a] So furth she went vppe to the towre on hye, Butt nought she sawe, she wept so wtterly. Line 2590

Thanne was Darell come to Generides, Line 2591 And glad thei were, bothe he and Anasor, ffor thei had long endured counfortles: Whanne he was come amendid was ther cher, Line 2594 And att that tyme owt of the prese thei were, To rest them self a season to endure, Ther eche to other told his aventur. Line 2597

Clarionas was on the towre on hye, Line 2598 Of here wepyng she ded hir self refrayn, And owt vppon the feld she ganne aspye, Where Anasore came rideng vppon the playn; Line 2601 By his Armys she knewe hym for certayn That it was he, and ther withall anon A grete part of hir hevynesse was goon. Line 2604

Generides was also in the feld, Line 2605 Butt whiche was he she had noo knowlaching, ffor he had on ser Amelokkez sheld, With his devise, in very tokenyng Line 2608 That he it wanne att ther encounteryng, And so they rode oyther with spere and sheld, Toward town clarionas them beheld. Line 2611

Line 2611

And as thei rode anon thei were Aspied Line 2612 By on that was with Auferius the kyng, And in noo wise thanne wold he not abide, And told his lord withoute more taryeng; Line 2615 And he anon, leving All other thing, Sent furth knyghtez v. C. in aray, hym self also to mete them on the waye. Line 2618

And all was to withstonde ther passage, Line 2619 With these knyghtes he rode on still opece; The formest was Ismael the Savage, Kyng Auferius sonne withoute leese, Line 2622 And very brother onto Generides; Be fore them all he came hym self alone, Generides was ware therof anon. Line 2625

He toke his spere And mette hym in the feld, Line 2626 They toke ther course and ranne to rownde: he stroke Generydes vppon the sheld, That hors and man Almost were att grownde, Line 2629 But vppe he rose anon both hoole and sounde, And with his swerd he smote hym so ageyn, That with that stroke he brake his sheld on twayn.

So fought y^ei still withoute eny drede, Line 2633 And neyther of them wold to other yeld; Generydes hym sette so vppon the hede, That his helme flew quyte in to the feld, Line 2636 With that anon Generydes beheld The fetures wele that was in his visage, Demyng that they were all of on lenage. Line 2639

And for to haue ther of very knowlaching, Line 2640 To Ismael he said, in very certente, 'Good ser,' quod he, 'for loue of hevyn kyng,

Tell me for trougth what maner a man ye be, Line 2643 And whense ye came, and owt of what contre?' 'What man I am,' quod Ismael ayeyn, 'And of what kynne I will not layn. Line 2646

Kyng auferius trewly my fader is, Line 2647 To say yow sothe, and for to bere noo blame, And of the Reme of Trace is kyng I wis, Ther was I born and brought vppe in the same, Line 2650 And Ismael the Savage is myn name; Now I haue told yow all withoute leese.' 'Gramercy, frende,' thanne sayd Generydes, Line 2653

'For we haue fought to long I yow ensure.' Line 2654 With that he toke hym in his armys twoo, 'We are broderen,' quod he, 'of on nature, kyng auferius my fader is also; Line 2657 I may nott tary now, for I must goo, My felawes hath mervell to see me heer, Butt here after I shall make yow better chere.' Line 2660

Thanne ther was an hevy departeng, Line 2661 hough iche of them made to other mone. Generydes sawe where was thanne comyng his faders men, wele horsid euerychone, Line 2664 And he full hevy butt hym self alone, And they to many as to his entente, So furth on was he to his felawes went. [MS. was to his felawes he went.] Line 2667

Whanne he was come ther as his felawes were, Line 2668 They sawe comyng along in a valay A grete peopill, wele dressed in ther geere, To lette hym and his felawes on the waye, Line 2671 Thanne was ther on a knyght in good aray, Be fore them all avaunsid hym to ride, Generydes hym had right sone aspyed; Line 2674

Line 2674

And furth with all he mette on the playn, Line 2675 In sight of all the pepill that were ther, And Atte first he brast his sheld in twayn, That thorough owt the body ranne the spere; Line 2678 Clarionas demyd that he was ther, And to hir mayde she sayde full sobyrly, 'What knyght is that that doth so worthyly?' Line 2681

'It is your loue,' quod she, 'withoute moo.' [folio 14b] Line 2682 'Now good Mirabell, what is your avise?' 'Trewly,' quod she, 'I trow that it be soo, Me think it shuld ben he in eny wise; Line 2685 The rede pensell I see att his devise, The whiche in sothe ye dede for hym ordeyn, Gwynot brought it hym your Cha[m]berleyn.' Line 2688

'O trouth,' quod she, 'Madame, [? Mirabell.] that is trew; Line 2689 Now am I wele remembryd ther vppon, Butt euermore my sorow doth renewe, Withoute reskewe to se hym so alone, Line 2692 Thus shall they be distressid euerychone, Namely my love, whiche is so good a knyght, ffor hym is all my mone I yow be hight. Line 2695

For wele I wote, ther is noo knyght a lyve Line 2696 That better doith here and in euery place, And this to say my reson doith me dryve, ffor I am his while I haue lyffe and space.' Line 2699 And while she remembryd all this case Come Ismael rideng with spere and sheld, And to Darell he ridith in to the feld. Line 2702

Bothe to the grounde he bare hors and man, Line 2703 ffurth with came the ost vppon the playn, And as ser Darell wold haue Res[k]eu thanne,

Ther came a knyght and held hym down Ayeyn, Line 2706 And with his swerd wold haue Darell slayn, Butt in the most and in the thikest prese hym to reskew thanne came Generides. Line 2709

Streight as he cowde to that knyght he rode, Line 2710 he brake his helme and stroke hym on the heede, That on his hors no lengger he a bode, But downe he fell and fast beganne to blede; Line 2713 Generydes with hym he toke his stede, And furth fro them he rode a litill aside, And toke it Darell theron for to ride. Line 2716

Clarionas beheld this euery dele; Line 2717 Quod she ayeyn to Mirabell here mayde, 'The same is he, the whiche I love so well; 'Madame,' quod she, 'so haue I alway sayde, Line 2720 ye nede noo thyng for hym to be dismayde, Nor let no mo suche thoughtez yow assayle, ffor it is he withoute eny fayle.' Line 2723

Now rideth Darell with Generides, Line 2724 As full of thought for his fortune that day, And as they rode a litill fro the prese, kyng Auferius came crossyng them the way, Line 2727 ffull clene armyd in riche and good Aray. Darell anon dressid hym full right, And ranne to hym in all that euer he myght. Line 2730

And one the hede smote Auferius the kyng; Line 2731 The helme was sure, or ellys he had hym slayn, kyng auferius withoute more tarieng he gave ser Darell another for certayn Line 2734 Vppon the helme, the fyre thanne sprang owt ayeyn, And ther withall, with a full soden brayde, To ser Darell right in this wise he saide: Line 2737

Line 2737

'The [? Ye.] yong knyghtez,' quod he, 'that ben so prowde, Old men canne smyte, wete wele it is trew.' Generides hard hough he spake so lowde, And by the voyce his fader thanne he knewe, Line 2741 Toward them both anon he drewe; Whanne he was come in full vmble wise To his fader, he said right in this wise: Line 2744

'I praye yow, ser, your hand fro me refrayn, Line 2745 To the tyme ye knowe my purpose vtterly, here am I come to departe yow twayn, ffor I must loue yow bothe and reason whye; Line 2748 And namely yow alone most specially, As for this knyght whill my life [MS. list.] maye endure, I shall hym neuer fayle I yow ensure.' Line 2751

'What maner a man be ye thanne,' saide the kyng, 'That putte your self soo fer [MS. for.] furth in the prese?' 'I shall yow telle,' quod he, 'withoute feyneng; Of Surre am I born withoute leese, Line 2755 As for my name I hight Generides.' And ther with all he tared not certayn, Butt to [MS. he to.] his felawes furth he goth ayeyn. Line 2758

Kyng Auferius thanne was sumwhat dismayed, Line 2759 Be cause that he departid so ayeyn; ffor be the wordes whiche he to hym saide, he was his sonne, he knew it for certayn; Line 2762 Yet of the sight of hym he was full fayn, As nature wold, and in especiall That he was wexen soo goodly a knyght with all. Line 2765

Now was the batell dureng still opece, Line 2766 The kynggez ost encresid more and more; Thanne sayd Darell on to Generides,

'ffor your pleasure we shall repente it sore.' Line 2769 'ffor hym [? myn.] ,' quod he, 'now good tell me wherefore.' 'yes yes,' quod he, 'this is the case, your Iee is euer stedfast in on place.' Line 2772

'What place is that?' [quod he] 'I prae yow saye; As for the kyng, I see hym nott I wise.' 'I mene not that,' quod Darell, 'be this daye, It is another thing, so haue I blis. [folio 15a] Line 2776 On yender towre on highe I see where is That causith yow these mastereys for to shewe, Now haue I told yow all with wordes fewe.' Line 2779

'In sothe,' quod he, 'ye bere me wrong in hand, Line 2780 ffor certenly I saugh hir not to nowe; Sithe she is ther, as now I vnderstonde, If I do wele she woll me more allowe. Line 2783 Now be not wroth, for by licence of yow Yet onys I will assaye what I canne do.' 'I graunt,' quod Darell, 'late vs goo thertoo.' Line 2786

Generides, and with hym ser Darell, Line 2787 Bothe on thei rode to knowe what was ther vre; And with Generides was Natanell, Beryng a spere of tymber good and sure; Line 2790 Generides ther mette att a venture The kyng Ruben, Redy with spere and sheld, And ther they strake to geder in the feld. Line 2793

Vppon the sheld he strake Generides, Line 2794 And ther with brake his sheld in pecis twayn: A mighty man he was, butt neuer the lesse Atte same course he smote hym so ayeyn, Line 2797 That of his hors he felle vppon the playn, With that Generides both fair and wele his hors he delyuered on to Natanell. Line 2800

Line 2800

'I pray yow, ser,' he saide, 'haue here this stede, Line 2801 And take ye hym on to my lady der; Me recomaunding on to hir goodly hede, And say to hir that I haue wonne hym here.' Line 2804 'Well ser,' quod he, 'as towching this mater, late me alone now that I knowe your entente, In all the hast I wull hym to hir present.' Line 2807

Furth with the steede he went owt of y^e prese, Line 2808 And streyght he goth on to Clarionas; 'Madame,' quod he, 'my lord Generides hym recommaundith lowly to your grace, Line 2811 And sent yow here a stede of his purchase And where that he hadde it to tell yow very playn, Of kyng Ruben he wanne hym for certayn.' Line 2814

'Ye be right welcome, Natanell,' quod she, Line 2815 'Of this I am right gladde and wele content, And moche gladder to knowe the certente Of his welefare that hath yow heder sent.' Line 2818 'Madame,' quod he, 'right now encontynent I wold that he hym self were with yow here.' 'With me,' quod she, 'so wold I that he were.' Line 2821

Thanne Natanell departid furth with all, Line 2822 And had a token onto Generides; In to the feld he goth among them all, And founde hym ther aside hand of the prese, Line 2825 And furth with all told hym the [MS. all the.] hoole processe, In euery thing that he hadde done and saide, Tho was Generides full wele apayed; Line 2828

And ther with all he toke anon corage, Line 2829 And to the feld he dressid hym to ride; Of yong and old and euery man of age

Ther wer butt few his strokes wold abide. Line 2832 The kyngges ost drew to the Citez side, Generides was thanne vppon the playn, A while ther to rest hym ther in certayn. Line 2835

The kyng of kynggez thanne was in his tente, Line 2836 And of all this he hard no maner thing; he harde a noyse and wist not what it ment, But furth he goth leving All other thing, Line 2839 And toke his hors withoute taryeng, he blew his horn that all his men myght here, With that thei come a [MS. an.] bought hym All in feere. Line 2842

Whanne Darell sawe the kyng of kyngges ost, Line 2843 Generydes anon full fayre [he] prayed; 'ffor love of god that is of myghtez most, Goo we in to the Citee now,' he sayde; Line 2846 'Darell,' quod he, 'wher of be ye dismayd? I see noo cause, for we shall do right wele And skape ther handes, doughte ye neuer a dele.' Line 2849

'I am contente,' quod he, 'that we do so; Line 2850 As for my part now late vs goo ther on.' And with hym was ser Anosore Also; his horn thanne blew Generides anon, Line 2853 With that ther came A bowte hym euerychone, his felasshepe and what that euer he ment, Thei were redy atte his commaundment. Line 2856

And furth they dressid hym in his gere, Line 2857 Generides, Darell, and Anasor, Might neuer men doo better on a day ther, Thanne they dede ther so fewe pepill as thei were: Eche of them iij so wele quiete them ther, They slew iij knyghtez eu[er]ychone for on, The remenaunt were putte to flight euerychon. Line 2863

Line 2863

And while they fought to geder in the feld, Line 2864 The cite sent owt anon in contenent iij skore knyghtez, Armyd with spere And sheld; Ther with Generides was wele content: Line 2867 'lo serys!' quod hee, 'Aftur your own entent, The felissheppe is yourez that yender ye see, Now may I suerly entre the Citee.' Line 2870

And whanne they were all to geder mett, Line 2871 To the Citee they toke the wey full right, [folio 15b] And in they went withoute eny lette: Thanne was ther Ioy, I yow be hight, Line 2874 In euery strete si[n]ggyng and fyres bright; And euery creature, both more and lesse, Gaue a gret lawde onto Generides. Line 2877

Anon withall the Sowdon for hym sent, Line 2878 And gaue hym ther his thank in feythfull wise; ffor he perseyuyd wele in his entent, he hadde hym do right wurchipfull seruice: Line 2881 And ther the Sowdon made hym full promys, Seyng his labour and his grete travell, That in noo wise he wold hym neuer fayle. Line 2884

The kyng of kyngges erly vppe he rose, Line 2885 And sent for men of craft in all the hast, To make engenys after his purpose, The wallis to breke, the Citee for to wast; Line 2888 Whanne this was purveyd for thanne atte last, Kyng Ermones stode vppe before them All, And to the kyng he spake in especiall: Line 2891

'Me think, ser, as after myn avise, Line 2892 It nedith not to make all this arraye, To distroye the Cite it is noo grete entrepri[se],

It were better to saue it if ye may: Line 2895 ffor yow it were more wurchippe euery waye, And in your fame the lenger to endur, To wynne it in the feld I yow ensure.' Line 2898

'How may that be?' thanne saide the kyng Ayeyn, 'Your councell is right good, so mote I goo, Line 2900 Owt of the town they will nott in certeyn, What think ye best thanne,' quod he, 'y^t we shall doo?' 'Ser, on my life, ye shall not fynde it soo, And if ye will enbatell vs euerychone, Owt of the Citee thei will come anon; Line 2905

I wote my self as wele as eny wight, Line 2906 ffor ther is on that will be all ther gide; In all the world is nott A better knyght Thanne he is on, and better dare Abide.' Line 2909 'Nay,' quod the kyng, 'All that shalbe denyed, ffor in wurchippe and in knyghtoode sekerly I knowe hym nott that is so good as I. Line 2912

Notwithstondeng After your good avise, Line 2913 late vs anon goo sett our feld ayeyn, And wheder they or we shall bere the prise, Ryght sone we shall haue knowlage in certayn.' Line 2916 Anon withall thei gaderid on the playn The kyngez ost, and in conclusion They hym enbatelid streyght as for the town. Line 2919

Thanne sayde madan, that was the kyng of Trase, 'Me think ye do right wele to sette this feld, ffor ye shall see withynne a litill space, They will come owt or ellys them yeld.' Line 2923 And whanne thei of the Citee them beheld, hough sone they were enbatelyd euerychone, They tared not, butt furth they come Alone, [? anone.] Line 2926

Line 2926

A grete nowmber of men in good arraye: Line 2927 Thanne they withoute anon to them thei hyed, Right sone thei mette, And made no more delaye, ffull fressh on [them] thei sette on euery side, Line 2930 Darell anon kyng Sanyk had Aspyed, And with his spere he ranne and smote hym soo, That with that stroke he brake his arme on twoo. Line 2933

Thanne came rideng the kyng barachias, Line 2934 Of Europe he was lord and Souereyn; Whanne Anasore Aspyed where he was, To hym he ranne and smote hym for certeyn, Line 2937 That from his hors he felle vppon the playn, And as he fell his legge was brokyn soo, That from the grownde he myght noo ferther goo. Line 2940

Thanne the kyng of Trace putt hym self in prese, Line 2941 Madan he hight so as I vnderstounde, To hym anon thanne ranne Generides, Right wele armed, a good spere in his hande, Line 2944 Ther myght no maner harnesse hym withstonde; ffor thoroughowt he strake hym quyte And clene, That atte bak the rede pensell was sene; Line 2947

And with that stroke he fell and ther he dyed. Line 2948 The kyng of kynggez harkenyd of that case, he taryd not nor lenger wold Abide, Butt rideth furth streyght in to the place Line 2951 Ther as Madan the kynggez body was, And it beheld with a full hevy chere, Complayneng sore [MS. sone.] A pitevous thing to here. Line 2954

He hadde hym do right wurchipfull seruice, Line 2955 And harmones, the kyng of higher ynde, That what so euer he dede in eny wise

Thoo ij princes wer neuer owt of his mynde: Line 2958 And for be cause they wer to hym so kynd, And sware his othe as he was rightwise kyng, Ther deth he wold avenge for eny thing. Line 2961

And in this hast he rode in to the feld, Line 2962 Abell that was of perse the Banere, To hym he Ranne and smote hym thorough y^e sheld, ffor thorough owt y^e harnes persid y^e spere, Line 2965 And afterward he bought that stroke full dere, [folio 16a] And with his swerd he smote hym ayeyn, And slew hym or he passid owt of the playn. Line 2968

Grete hevynes made his felissheppe all, Line 2969 Whanne thei perseyued suerly how it was, And first and formest in especiall, The dede body they caryed from the place Line 2972 To the Citee not half a myle of space, And as the Costom was, after ther gise, They beryed hym [MS. them] in honorabill wise. Line 2975

The batell thanne enduryd passing sore, Line 2976 And many lordes slayn on euery side, They of the town had fought so long afore, That thei ne myght noo lenger ther abide, Line 2979 And to the Citeewarde furst ganne they ride; Yet or they were entered euerychone, Of them ther were distressid manye on. Line 2982

The Sowdon was as woode as he myght be, Line 2983 To see his knyghtes stande in suche distresse, All full of thought and counfortles was he; To hym anon thanne seid Generides, Line 2986 'Good ser,' quod he, 'take ye no maner of hevynesse, Nowshynneth the sonne and [now] god sendith showrez, This day was therys, A nother [MS. And A nother] shalbe ourez. Line 2989

Line 2989

And late vs rest as for a daye or twayne, Line 2990 That your pepill may haue refresshing, Thanne we wolle geve them batell new ageyn, Withoute delaye and lenger taryeng, Line 2993 And with the grace of god and good gideng; And trust suerly, ye shall wele vnderstonde, That we shall haue of them the ouer hande.' Line 2996

Now they haue refresshid them trewly, Line 2997 And are redy ther enmys to Assayle, [MS. Assoyle.] A thowsand knyghtez in A companye, And furth they went to geve them new batell, Line 3000 With grete corage in knyghthode to prevayle; And whanne the toder meny them beheld, Anon they came and mette them in the feld. Line 3003

And in a valy togederward they went, Line 3004 The batell thanne beganne new ayeyn, No trewys was taken ne noo poyntement, Butt strong feightyng and many knyghtez slayn; Line 3007 Generides, for to sey yow certeyn, Whom that euer he mette vppon the grene, ffrom his sadill he wente quyte And clene. Line 3010

Syr Anasore the knyght, And ser Darell, Line 3011 And All the toder knyghtez euerychone, Eche for his parte quyte hym self full wele, And of the kynges ost slew many on; Line 3014 The remenaunte remevid bak anon, And as thei fled, the writeng makith mynd, Come Ermones, the kyng of higher ynd, Line 3017

With myghti men of mervelous makyng, Line 3018 like as it is rehersid here before; Ther wepons fowle and ill faryng,

Wher with they layde on stroke[s] grete And sore. Kyng Ermones, to say yow ferthermore, Ser Anosore right sone he had Aspied, And furth with all to hym he ganne ride: Line 3024

With his wepon long and ill faryng, Line 3025 he slew his hors and smote hym on the hede, And in the feld he left hym liggeng, Demyng non other butt that he was dede, Line 3028 With Anosore ther was non other rede, Butte vppe he rose as god wold geve hym grace, And to his felawes furth he goth a pase. Line 3031

Hym to a venge his thought was and his mend, Line 3032 And sone he was vppon another stede, Streyght he rideth to a knyght of ynde, And with a swerd he cleue a ij his hede, Line 3035 That in the feld he felle ther and was dede: Whanne Ermones wist of this Aventure, A hevy man he was I [MS. h.] yow ensur, Line 3038

And streyght he rideth onto Generides: Line 3039 Butt [MS. Be.] he anon was ware of his comyng, And with a naked swerd in to the prese Ayenst hym full fast he come rideng; Line 3042 As sone as Ermones the kyng Sawe that he was withynne his wepons length, Anon he smote Att hym with all his strength. Line 3045

His wepon light vppon Generides, Line 3046 And brast his sheld with all in pecys twayn, Also it ranne down quyte thorough the harnes, A grace of god that he had not ben slayn; Line 3049 Ther with Generydes smote hym ayeyn, Thoroughowt the helme a hye vppon the crest, And claue his hede streyte down to the brest. Line 3052

Line 3052

And with that stroke kyng Ermones was ded; Line 3053 ffor hym his knyghtez made grete ordenaunce, They hym with drew, ther was non other rede, And fast they hyed them owt of ther distaunce, Line 3056 Thinkyng them self owt of good gouernaunce, And as they rode togeder complayneng, [folio 16b] Vppon the way they mette Boleyn the kyng; Line 3059

And fayn he wold haue them turne ayeyn, Line 3060 Comfortid them in all that euer he myght, Butt All that euer he spak it was in vayn; With that anon ther answerd hym a knyght, Line 3063 And as the story seith Otran he hight, 'Of our fortune in euery thyng,' quod he, 'I shall suerly telle yow the certente. Line 3066

In yender ost,' quod he, 'ther is a knyght, Line 3067 he is noo very man, what euer he be, Butt rather a fende, and that I yow be hight, Ther is no man alyve that he wolle flee; Line 3070 Oure kyng is ded, whiche sore repentith me. And suche a prince we canne not gete ayeyn, And he it is suerly that hath hym slayn.' Line 3073

Whanne kyng Bolyn had knowlage of y^t case, Line 3074 A hevy man he was and comforteles, And furth with all he rideth on a pace, All in a rage seching Generides, Line 3077 And ther they mette togeder in the prese, Thanne was the batell all togeder doon, So att that tyme thei were departid sone. Line 3080

The men of perce that day were fortenat, Line 3081 The toder fled as fast as euer thei might, And in hym self they stode soo desolate;

Whanne kyng Bolyn saw they were putte to flight, That in noo wise they wold no lenger fight, With hym ther was non other poyntement, Butt lost the feld and rideth to his tent. Line 3087

Too the Citee rideth Generides, Line 3088 With knyghtes and with Sqyers many on, ffor hym was made grete Ioy of more And lesse, And festis made among them eu[er]ychon. Line 3091 Thanne to the Sowdon furth he went anon, Of whom he hadde his thank right specially, And grete yeftys as he was wele worthy. Line 3094

The kyng of kynggez still was in his tent, Line 3095 And yndly wroth that no man cowde hym plese, And in hym self he cowde not be content, Till he had fought with Generides, Line 3098 They twayn to geder owt of all the prese, And ther vppon he callid his councell, That his entent the souner myght prevayle. Line 3101

At his callyng his lordes came anon, Line 3102 And this he sayde, that euery man myght here, 'Now ye be here in present euerychon, This is,' quod he, 'the effecte of my mater, Line 3105 It is now a full quarter of a yere, Oure lyeng her the Sowdon for to wynne, And att this day we are new to be gynne. Line 3108

And yet I wote right wele it lithe in me, Line 3109 The Sowdon to distroye and all his lande, Of all maner vitayle I haue plente; Notwithstondyng, if he will take on hand Line 3112 To fynde a knyght, that I may vnderstond Be right wele born and of high lenage, To fight with me for all this Eritage, Line 3115

Line 3115

And so to make an ende of all this werre Line 3116 Betwix vs twayne; and if he wold not so, I will distroye his land both nyghe and ferre, his land and hym self where euer hee goo, Line 3119 And for the Accompleshment Also, Be cause I wold that it shuld be endid sone, Withynne iiij dayes I wold that it were done.' Line 3122

King lamadon gave answere in this case, Line 3123 And in his speche he was som what dismayed, This cowardly his hert and his seruice Was to the Sowdon, what so cuer he sayde; Line 3126 Yet not for thy his reasone furth he layde All opynly; 'my lordes,' quod he, 'The kyng hath seid right wele as semyth me.' Line 3129

For this cause he gaue sone his assentt, Line 3130 That in that space a trety myght be hadde; And as he seid all other were content, Thanne was the kyng of kynggez passing glad, Line 3133 And vppon these iij lordes wise and sadde A poyntid were to goo on this massage, Onto the Sowdon and his Baronage. Line 3136

On of them iij of Corynth [MS. Cornyth.] was he born, Line 3137 Callid Sampsone, the story doth expresse; The secunde, and his ancetors be forn, In Damask born, the writeng doth witnesse, Line 3140 A man of wurchippe and of grete sadnesse; The iij^de was a man, to say yow right, Of Ethiope, and Ionathas he hight. Line 3143

Anon these lordes went on ther message, Line 3144 Eche man A brawnche of Olyve in his hande, In token of pece for ther viage,

Too goo and come saff, as I vnderstonde, Line 3147 lyke as the custom was in euery lande; So fourth they went withoute more [MS. wordes more.] delay, To the Sowdon ther errand for to say. [folio 17a] Line 3150

And whanne that thei were come to his presence, Line 3151 Of ther massage they kept noo thyng in store, Butt in all the hast they told hym the sentence, like as it is rehersid here before, Line 3154 In euery maner thing and summe [MS. sunne.] what more, So as the kyng gave them in commaundment, Accordeng sum what onto his entent; Line 3157

The whiche was this, to say yow in substaunce, Line 3158 That he shuld send his doughter to the kyng, And by that meane the striff and variaunce Be twix them bothe myght the souner haue endyng. [MS. an end.] ffor an answere in ther ayeyn goyng, Of ther massag they praed them to say In all this mater playnly ye or nay. Line 3164

Whanne ther massag was all to geder sayde, Line 3165 Ther was noo lord nee knyght that gave answer, Wher with trewly the Sowdon was dismayde; Generides sawe that, and drew hym nere: Line 3168 'Ser, if it like your goodnes for to here, I shall for yow,' quod he, 'be in this place, Be your licence geve answer in this case.' Line 3171

And thus he sayde be fore them eu[er]ychon: Line 3172 'Thez massangers they shall wele vnderstonde, Among your knyghtez all that ther is on Shall vnder take to Answer for this lande; Line 3175 ffor I my self will take it att ther hand, And here is my glove, this mater to defende, Withynne iiij dayes therof to make an ende. Line 3178

Line 3178

And your doughter also, Clarionas, Line 3179 he shall do hir no maner of villanye, Nother dishonour, whill I haue liff and space, And ferthermore I vnderstonde trewly, Line 3182 By ther massage declaryd opynly, Ther shall non take of hym this enterprise, Butt he be wele born in eny wise. Line 3185

And to that ye shall wele knowe my councell, Line 3186 Was neuer man herd so moche of me; A kyngges sonne I am withoute fayle, And my moder is a quene in certayn[te]: Line 3189 here afterward ye shall wele know and see, All though he be a prince of nobyll fame, To fight with me to hym shalbe noo shame.' Line 3192

Whanne the Sowdon perseivid his entent, Line 3193 And herd hym wele in all that euer he sayde, Thanne was he gladde and verily well content, That he was of so good a knyght purveyd; Line 3196 Yet with hym self he was nott wele apayde, And in his mende repentid hym full sore, That he so meche had wrongid hym before. Line 3199

Whanne these lordes had answere in this wise, Line 3200 One of them sayde on to Generides; 'It is well don that ye take a good avise, Or that ye putt your self so ferre in prese, Line 3203 To medyll with a prince that is perles; ffor he is knowen in contres ferre and nere.' Generides anon gave hym answere, Line 3206

And this he sayde, in presence of them all; Line 3207 'As for your kyng, he is a nobill knyght I canne wele think, and so men do hym calle;

Butt my quarell is growndid vppon right, Line 3210 Whiche gevith me corage for to fight, And here my trowth I wolle not fayle my day, My self alone, and so I prae yow saye.' Line 3213

They toke his glove, And to that prince thei went Line 3214 With ther answere in euery maner thing: And of Generides and his entent ffull playnly thei told onto the kyng: Line 3217 And whanne that he ther of had knowlaching, The kyng hym self, withoute eny more, Ayenst that day he purveyd hym therfore. Line 3220

Too all his ost he gave A speciall charge, Line 3221 Ayenst that day that he shuld fight alone, They shuld remeve that place ij myle large, And ther to geder abide euerychon Line 3224 What euer fall, for reskewe wold he non; And ther vppon, to folow his entent, To them he gave a streight commaundment. Line 3227

The Citesens thanne was not wele apayde, Line 3228 Be cause Generides to[ke] this in hand: They love[d] hym so wele, and this they said, 'A better knyght ther is in noo land.' Line 3231 And whanne Clarionas ded vnderstonde That he shuld take vppon hym this batell, Thanne was she full of thought and noo mervell. Line 3234

'Now, good Mirabell, what is best?' quod she, Line 3235 'What shall I doo? saye me your good avise.' And said, 'wold god he wold do Aftur me, Thanne shuld he not take this interprise.' Line 3238 'Nay, late be that in eny maner wise, Madame,' quod she, 'for sothe he hath it take, ffor his wurchippe he may it not for sake. Line 3241

Line 3241

Nether he will, Madame, I telle yow playn.' Line 3242 'Now thanne,' quod she, 'me think this is to doon; I will send hym Gwynot my chaunberleyn, This rede pensell I will send hym anon; Line 3245 And or that he on the batell goon, [folio 17b] ffor esing of my hert I will hym praye, To speke with me to morow or to day.' Line 3248

'That is wele doo,' quod she, 'withoute lese.' Line 3249 Thanne chargyd she hir chaumberleyn to goo: 'hye yow,' quod she, 'onto Generides; This rede pensell ye shall bere hym also, Line 3252 Whiche I myself enbrowdred and no moo: Pray hym also or he passe the Citee, In eny wise that he will speke with me.' Line 3255

On this massage now goth hir chaunberleyn, Line 3256 And to Generides he takith the waye, With hir tokyn and all hir errand playn, In all the hast possible that he may; Line 3259 And he also for gate nott for to say, On hir behalf afore his departeng, hir for to see leving all other thing. Line 3262

Off that massage Generides was fayn, Line 3263 And furth with all rewardid hym right well; he sent a token on to hir ayeyn, Bee cause that she shuld vnderstonde and fele, Line 3266 That he had don his massage euery dele, And ferthermore he chargid hym to say, he wold see hir in all the hast he may. Line 3269

Now goth Gwynot [MS. Gwynan.] vnto Clarionas, Line 3270 And told hir what he had don that day. Generides, whanne he had tyme and space,

To hir chaunber he toke the redy waye; Line 3273 And att a wyndow, sothely for to say, he spake to hir, right as he wold devise, Att good leysere in honorabill wise. Line 3276

Whanne he departid ther was grete hevynes, Line 3277 And as he toke his leve in his goyng Thanne eche to other made to geder full promyse, To kepe hym trew aboue all other thing, Line 3280 Now late vs thanne speke of Belen the kyng, Whiche att his day thinkyth with spere and sheld hym self alone to come into the feld. Line 3283

The iij^de morow, as sone as it was day, Line 3284 kyng Belyn rose and made hym all redy, his stede morell trappyd in good arraye, With his harnes enbrowderyd by and by, Line 3287 hym self armyd full wele and full sure[ly], his helme was wele ordeynyd for the nonys, Right wele garnysshed with perle & precious stonys.

Kyng Bellyn rideth in to the feld alone, Line 3291 As it appoynted was betwix them twayn; his pepill were avoydid euerychone, And ther he taryed still vppon the playn, Line 3294 Supposing well ther was no man certeyn, Consideryng his manhod and his myght, Wold be so bold ayenst hym to fight. Line 3297

The tidynggez thorough owt the Cite sprong, Line 3298 hough kyng Bellyn was armed in the mede, Generides thought he was passing long, And furth anon was brought Grissell his stede, Line 3301 A myghti hors and very sure atte nede, The Sowdon gave it hym in certente, Whiche no man shuld haue saue only he. Line 3304

Line 3304

Hys trappour was made in the fressest wise, Line 3305 Wrought with peerlys of mervelus makyng, hym self armyd atte poynte devise, his helme with stonys had his garnysshyng; Line 3308 The rede pensell vppon his spere hangyng, hym to behold and Iuge withoute dought, A knyght hym semyd for to be right stought. Line 3311

All the pepyll that in the Citee were, Line 3312 Men and women to prayer they them gave, Besechyng god, with devout maner, To spede hym well ther contre for to save: Line 3315 Clarionas, good tidenggez for to haue, late nee erly she wold nott seese, Butt nyght And day prayed for Generides. Line 3318

The Sowdon brought hym streight on to y^e gate, Line 3319 And in like wise the Citezens euerychon, And whanne that they had brought hym All yer at, he toke his leve and furth he rode alone Line 3322 In to the mede, and ther he founde anon The kyng of kynggez vppe and down rideng, And he anon to hym com waloping. Line 3325

Whanne kyng Bellyn saw he was comyng, Line 3326 To hym he rode, and mette hym on the waye, 'Now say me soth,' quod he, 'withoute feyning, Wheder art thu a massanger or nay?' Line 3329 'I am,' quod he, 'a massanger I saye; This way I take for my right viage ffro the Sowdon, and this is my massage. Line 3332

To warre vppon my lord thu dost hym wrong, Line 3333 he sent the word now, whanne I cam hym fro, To voyde his grownde and tary not to long,

Vnto thy contre wher thu hast to do: Line 3336 This thinkith me best, and if thu wilt do so, Ayeyn I will goo as a massanger, And full trewly declare hym thynne answer. Line 3339

And if thu will not follow myn avise, [folio 18a] Line 3340 Thu shallt wele knowe that I am not come on massage, Peraventur thu may [MS. may it.] repent it twyes, That thu hast askid of this lande trevage; Line 3343 To kepe it fre and owt of all seruage I shall my self, as for this landis right, With goddes grace defende it as a knyght.' Line 3346

And kyng Bellyn whanne his purpose hard, Line 3347 And wherefore that he came in to the feld, Thanne wex he pale and chaungyd clene his mode, hym self anon he closed in his sheld; Line 3350 Generides his countenaunce behelde, he tared not butt dressid hym in his gere, And in his hande anon he toke his spere. Line 3353

Thanne was no more a do butt on they sett, Line 3354 Anon they Ranne to geder in the feld, The kyng and he fresshly ther they mette, And eche of them smote other on the sheld, Line 3357 With strokez grete, and bothe ther sperys helde, So ther vppon they tared not certayn, Butte furth with all they toke ther course ayeyn. Line 3360

Ther stedys were both Inly good and weight; Line 3361 Generides came rounde vppon the grownde, And brake the kynggez helme before his sight, The spere went to the vesage quyte and rownde, Line 3364 Duryng his liff it myght be know that wound. The kyng ayenward strake Generides Vppon the side, and perisshed the harnes Line 3367

Line 3367

Vnto the skynne; the blode ranne down therby, Line 3368 Butt, as god wold, he felt no harme in dede. Thanne saide the kyng sum what in mokkery, 'Maister,' quod he, 'thy side begynne for to blede, Wherefore this is my councell and my rede, ffor this mater noo lenger for to stryff, Go home ageyn and thu shalt skape alyve.' Line 3374

'I know,' quod he, 'that on lyve I may skape, Line 3375 And so I shall wheder thu wilt or noo, The bledingge of my side is butt a Iape, It encreasith my corage to and too; Line 3378 In thi vesage think on thy wounde also, The whiche shall neuer a way I the ensure, Whill that y^u art a lyvez creature.' Line 3381

Thanne was the kyng wrother, I yow behight; Line 3382 They toke ther course and ranne to geder new, And ther the stedis mette with suche a myght Ther hors foundred, and, for to say yow trew, Line 3385 Bothe hors and man and all yer ouer threw; They of the Citee sawe that encownteryng, And hough it was befall euery thing. Line 3388

And ferd they were as for Generides, Line 3389 ffull hevy was Clarionas thanne also, And euer more in prayours still opese, Vnto the tyme she knew it shuld goo. Line 3392 of that fortune kyng Bellyn was full woo, So was Generides a bashed [MS. and bashed.] also thore, Butte vppe they rose, to say yow ferthermore, Line 3395

And chaungyd horses onto them bothe vnknowyng, [So MS. ? vnknowe.] Wherefore they were full wroth, I yow ensure; To geder thanne they went with swordes drawe,

And leyde on strokes owt of all mesure, Line 3399 Generides sward was passing sure, And, as the story wele remember canne, It was a princes callid Iulyan, Line 3402

Whiche was sumtyme of Rome the Emperour; Line 3403 The Sowdon had it after his deceasse, And as a tresour euery day and owre he kept that sward in grete tendernesse, Line 3406 And after gaue it on to generides; So ferthermore, as I this mater feele, Whanne eche of them had beten other wele, Line 3409

The kyng of kynggez seid to hym ayeyn, Line 3410 'What aylith the to fight for this mater? A grete foly for the take the payne, To the it towchith not in no maner; Line 3413 I councell ther for, while thow art here, Be come my man, and thu wilt do so The pese shall sone be twix vs twoo. Line 3416

I shall also in wurchippe the avaunce, Line 3417 And largely departe with the also; ffor meche better it lith in my puessence, Thanne in the Sowdon powre so to do: Line 3420 And for Clarionas I say also, Whanne she is myn, here what I say to the, Att thy pleasure hir shalt thu haue of me. Line 3423

And thu wilt not do as I the saye, Line 3424 I late the now haue knowlage vterly, That of my hand here shalt thu dye to daye; Troste noo lenger to my curtessy, Line 3427 I haue entretyd the full Ientelly, And how thu wilt be rewlid in this case, Say ye or nay, or ye go owt of this place.' Line 3430

Line 3430

Thanne furth with all Answered Generides, Line 3431 'To thy seruice,' quod he, 'if I me bynde, I se right wele I may sone haue my pece; But that was neuer enprentid in my mende, [folio 18b] Line 3434 To be vntrew it come me neuer of kynde; That I haue said and take of my promys, O trowth I will not breke it in noo wise. Line 3437

And forthermore, as for Clarionas, Line 3438 I vnderstonde thu proferest hir to me, Whiche is not thyne truly ne neuer was, And suche a yeft is litill worth parde; Line 3441 ffor one thing shall I say in certente, If I hir shall reioyse, so god me save, Of the playnly hir will I neuer haue.' Line 3444

Thanne was the kyng mech wrother than before, Line 3445 And on they went to geder now ayen; Thanne eyther other layde wonder sore, Wherof the sownd rebowndid on the playn, Line 3448 The stede that was the kynggez for certayn Vnder Generides beganne to fayle, Whiche hym abasshed sore and noo mervell. Line 3451

The kynggez stede was alwey good and sure Line 3452 ffor all his labour, yet onnese he swett; he saw right wele y^e toder myght not dure, Wherefore on hym right fressly [? fersly.] he sett, Line 3455 The shulders of ther horsez to geder mett; Generides vppon the feyntid stede, Streyght to the grownde hors a[nd] man yede. Line 3458

His swerd ther with ou[t] of his hand it fell, Line 3459 Butt as god wold he had it sone ayeyn, he lay not long but riseth fayre and still,

And furth he goth, to sey yow for certayn, Line 3462 To kyng Bellyng, And toke hym be the reyne. he sporyd his hors and from hym wold haue goo; [MS. goon.] 'A bide,' quod he, 'thu shalt not skape me soo. Line 3465

This stede,' he seith, 'hath seruyd the full wele, Line 3466 The whiche trewly repentith me full soore, Ayenst my will thu hast hym euerydele, Butt now o trowth thu shalt haue hym no more, Line 3469 This stede is myn, thu wist it wele [be]fore; A light anon withoute wordes moo, Or suerly I shall make the or I goo.' Line 3472

The kyng presid fast away certayn, Line 3473 Generides helde still the reane alway; And so be twix the striving of them twayn, The horse reversid bak, and ther he lay. Line 3476 Generides anon to hym ganne say, 'Not long agoo thu haddist me in this plight, And now I trost to god I shall the quyte.' Line 3479

Generides his swarde toke in his hande, Line 3480 Claryet it hight, the store tellith me so, A better swerd ther was neuer in noo land. The kyng arose and wold a gon hym froo, Line 3483 ffor of his fayling ther he was full woo; Generides was noo thyng evill apayde, And with his swerd full fast on hym he layde. Line 3486

The kynges sheld he made a quarter lesse, Line 3487 The swerd is glansid down on his kne, And ther is [? it.] brake asonder the harnes, That all to geder bare a man myght see: Line 3490 The kyng Bellyn was wrothe as he myght be, he strake att hym with a full eger will, And in the tethe he woundid hym full ill. Line 3493

Line 3493

Thanne seyde the kyng, 'now att all aventur Line 3494 I haue the quyte, and ther of am I fayn, The nexst that I the geve I the ensure, I will thu vndersto[n]de it for sertayn: Line 3497 Ne shall thu quyte it me ayeyn.' With thoo wordes wrothe was Generides, And to the kyng presid still opese. Line 3500

And thanne suche a stroke he gave hym yer Line 3501 Vppon the helme, the bare visage was sene; The swerd was sharpe and ranne down be his ere, That from the hede he smote it quyte and clene, Line 3504 And from his swerd it felle vppon the grene: Thanne [MS. Thāme.] was kyng Bellyn astownyd sore, And in hym self abasshed more and more. Line 3507

They were full wery bothe, I yow be hight, Line 3508 Notwithstondeng ther hartys were full strong, On them ther was no pece of harnys right, Of plate ne mayle, but all to geder wrong; Line 3511 And no wonder, for they foughten long, Yet in his hert for anger and for payn, The kyng stroke to Generides ayeyn, Line 3514

And with his swerd he smote [him] on the hede, Line 3515 That wher he was he wist not vterly; 'If thu,' quod he, 'had done after my rede, Thu shuldest not now haue ben in this parte.' Line 3518 Generides hym Answeryd trewelly, 'If I noo thyng dede after thynne entent, Trust me right wele yet did I not repent.' Line 3521

And with that worde he smote hym so ayeyn, Line 3522 And cleue his hede down and hurt hym [MS. hyn.] sore, And by fortune it happid so certeyn,

Vppon that side that he was hurt before: Line 3525 he bled so meche he myght stond no more, Butt to the grownde anon yer he felle down, And sore for blode he lay still in swoune. [folio 19a] Line 3528

Generides stode still and hym be [MS. he.] held, Line 3529 And of the kyng thanne had he grete pite, he toke hym vppe and layde hym on his sheld; Thanne seid the kyng, softely as it wold be, Line 3532 'haue here my swerd, I yeld it vppe to the, As to a knyght the wordes,' [So MS.? worthiest.] he saide, 'In all my lyffe that euer I assayde. Line 3535

Off all this land I geve vppe my quarell, Line 3536 And so I do Clarionas also, ffor certayn butt if she loue yow wele She do no thyng hir part as she shuld do, Line 3539 And this I wold require yow or ye goo, That I myght goo ther as my pepill be, And so to passe furth in to my contre.' Line 3542

To hym thanne sayde Generides ayeyn, Line 3543 'All this request I graunt it verely;' And vppe he toke hym in his armys twayn, And sett hym on his stede [MS. stete.] full Ientely. Line 3546 So furth he ridith fayre and soberly; Whanne his pepill sawe hym in that maner, They mett hym all with a hevy chere. Line 3549

Vppon the playn restid Generides, Line 3550 Wery and feynte, it was noo synne to saye; And whanne he was sum what more att his ease Toward the Citee streyght he toke the waye. Line 3553 They of the town knewe wele be his araye That it was he, and glad thei were eche on, So furth he came rideng hym self alone, Line 3556

Line 3556

Towarde the Citee girde with his swerdez twayn: Line 3557 The lordes all mett hym withoute the town, And all the Citezens vppon the playn, With mynstrellys of many A dyuerse sownd, Line 3560 Preletys, prestys, with riall precession, And Childryn syngeng in the fressest wise, With merthis moo thanne I canne now device. Line 3563

Clarionas she was noo thyng behynd, Line 3564 All hir counfort was by hir self alone; In hir hart she was and in hir mende As well content as all they euerychone. Line 3567 To the Sowdon thanne was he brought anon Whiche gave hym yeftez grete for his seruice, And thankid hym in full specially wise. Line 3570

Anon with all were brought fro dyuerse place, Line 3571 Good sorgeons, the best that cowde be fownde, And they full sone withynne a litill space, hym vndertoke to make hym hoole and sounde, Line 3574 Of euery hurt and eke of euery wounde, Whiche that he had and so to hym thei saide, Where with the Sowdon was full wele apayde. Line 3577

Now kyng Belyn lithe in full hevy case, Line 3578 And told his lordis stondyng hym before, Of perce lande and of Clarionas he hath geve vppe his clayme for euermore: Line 3581 And ther with all his woundes blede so sore, his liff cowde no man vnder take certayn, And so he dyed withynne a day or twayn. Line 3584

For hym his pepill made grete hevynes, Line 3585 Among them self with peteuose complayneng, And in all goodly hast thei ganne hym dresse,

In to Egipte his body for to bryng, Line 3588 With grete estate and honour like a kyng; Whanne that was don with grete solempnite, The lordes all went home in to ther contre. Line 3591

Now late vs leue them in ther contres all, Line 3592 In to the tyme thei were sent for ayeyn, Whiche was not longe, and in especiall To make Gwynan [MS. Swynan.] ther kyng and souereyn, Line 3595 Whiche was the kyng of kyngges sone certayn, And so thei were agreed on hym alone, he for to Reigne vppon them euerychone. Line 3598

And to sey yow in short conclusion, Line 3599 Be all the hoole agrement of the lande, Of Egipte he was kyng and bare the crown, Thanne to them all seid he, as I wnderstonde, Line 3602 'Suche maters as my fader toke in hande, Towchyng the Sowdon and Clarionas, Ye shall sone wete my plesure in this case. Line 3605

As for the land of Perce all maner wayis, Line 3606 I will pleynly declare yow myn entent, My lord and fader quyte it in his dayes Yet for all that I was not of assentt, Line 3609 Nor noo wise I canne not be content; And in like wise as for clarionas, I will not be agreyd, nor neuer was.' Line 3612

Thanne was ther a man of grete powre, Line 3613 A knyght that was wele cherisshed with y^e kyng, he was right weel betrost both ferr and neere, What euer he saide or dede in eny thyng, Line 3616 A witty man, And subtill in werkyng, Ser Yuell the Barn, the story seith he hight, This was his name to say the very right. Line 3619

Line 3619

In secrete wise the kyng saide to the knyght, [folio 19b] Line 3620 'I shall yow telle my fortune as it was: It happyd me,' quod he, 'I had a sight Vppon the towre of faire Clarionas, Line 3623 And here I loue; play[n]ly this is the case: here to reioyse I wold haue sought the wayes, Butt I for bare it in my faders dayes. Line 3626

And now I prae yow telle me your avise, Line 3627 hough I myght best to my purpose Attayne.' The knyght anon gave answere in this wise: 'To folow your entent, I wold be fayn Line 3630 To putt ther to my diligence and payn, And in this case I hope to do so wele, That ye shall haue your pleasure euery dele. Line 3633

Butt I must haue A shippe bothe good and wight, Line 3634 And that it be right swiff vnder a saile; ffor vij yere it must be redy dight, With men I now and plente of vitalle, Line 3637 And in that tyme withoute eny fayle, I shall conveeye hir in to this contree, And peraventur souner so may it be.' Line 3640

With his promys the kyng was wele content, Line 3641 And thankyd hym right hertely therfore: A Shippe was purveyd after his entent, With all that is rehersid here before, Line 3644 And as fortune kepith here thanke in store, And Shewith favour to suche as ben full ill, Come was the wynde full redy att his will. Line 3647

So long he sayleth as I vnderstonde, Line 3648 That of the lande of Perse he hadde a sight; Whanne he came nere a havyn ther he fownde,

And thederward he toke the way full right: Line 3651 Whanne thei were in, as fast as euer thei myght, Ther ancers owt thei cast on euery side, ffor ther awhile they cast them to Abide. Line 3654

Vppon that havyn ther was a faire Citee, Line 3655 Whiche stode full fayre vppon the Ryvers side; This knyght anon owt of the shippe goth he, Butt twayn with hym and on to be his gide, Line 3658 The remenaunt shuld in the shippe a bide A day or twayne, and thanne, in craft[y] wise, Go to the town be waye of merchaundise, Line 3661

To bye and sell as thei see other doo, Line 3662 Vnto the tyme they hard of hym ayeyn. So gothe he furth withoute wordes moo, And as he went, he mette vppon the playn Line 3665 A man that was right ferr in age certayn, And all for growe, a pilgrim as he were, Thanne to hym saide the knyght in this maner: Line 3668

'Fader,' quod he, 'what tyme is of the day?' Line 3669 'ffor certayn, ser,' he saide, 'ij after none.' Thanne seid the knyght, 'I purpose, if I maye, This town to se, and whanne I haue don Line 3672 In to the shippe to come ayeyn right sone.' Ayen thanne seid the palmer to the knyght, 'That may ye do long er [MS. longer.] it be nyght.' Line 3675

'What do yow calle this town?' quod he ayeyn. Line 3676 'Ser,' quod the palmer, 'Clarionat it hight.' 'Now, good fader, yet wold I wete full fayn, Wher is the Sowdon, tell me very right: Line 3679 Of his estate fayne wold I haue a sight.' 'The Sowdon,' he saide, 'ser, belevith me, he lith att Mountoner the riche Citee. Line 3682

Line 3682

Therin I was but late withoute lese, Line 3683 And thanne he made a fest I vnderstonde; Ther is a knyght callid Generides, he hath made hym Stiward of all his land; Line 3686 With kyng Bellyn he fought hand to hand, And wanne hym in the feld as ye shall here, And kept this lande from thraldom [MS. thraldon.] and dangere.

That knyght also lovith Clarionas, Line 3690 The Sowdon is hir fader in certayn, And suche he dede first seruice in the place, The love hath lastid still betwix them twayn, Line 3693 ffor in like wise she lovith [hym] ayeyn: And sekerly this is the comon voyse, In all the courte that he shall hir reioyse.' Line 3696

Thanne saide the knyght, 'now, fader, I yow prae, Be cause ye knowe so will this contre, To do so moche as sette me in the way Whiche were most redyest to the Citee: Line 3700 And dowte ye not ye shall rewardid be.' 'Wele, ser,' he saide, 'I shall yow tell soo wele, That of your waye ye shall fayle neuer a dele. Line 3703

Take hede of yender forest, I yow saye, Line 3704 ffor ther by must ye goo for eny thing; Withouten fayle ther lithe the redy way. Vnto a goodly playn it [MS. in.] will yow bryng, Line 3707 Whiche shall endure yow iiij dayes traveling, And thanne anon, withoute eny more, The fayre Citee ye shall see yow before.' Line 3710

This knyght furth with rewardid hym right wele, [folio 20a] Line 3711 And furth he gothe [full] streight vppon y^e way As he was taught, and faylid neuer a dele,

Till he come to the ende of his Iurnay, Line 3714 Whiche was atte after none the iiij^th day: And as it was abought the oure of three, Ser Iuell the knyght came in to the Citee. Line 3717

To the Sowdon full Streight he toke the way; Line 3718 Whanne he hym sawe he spake att his device, 'Ser, please it yow,' quod he, 'that I may saye Wherefore that I am come and [in] what wise; Line 3721 The trougth is this to offre my seruice: Gwynan the kyng hath bannysshed me his lande, And for what cause ye shall wele vnderstonde. Line 3724

His fader made a clayme to y^is contre, Line 3725 And I was euer ayenst hym in that case, Wherefore the kyng his sonne now ha[ti]th me, And vtterly hathe putte me from his grace. Line 3728 here in this lande his fader slayn was, Thanne was I trobolid sore on euery side, In Egipte durst I not lenger abide.' Line 3731

Ther with the Sowdon answeryd hym ayeyn: Line 3732 'To my presence ye are will come,' quod he; 'I must of reasone tender yow certayn, Sithe ye haue be thus wrongyd for love of me, Line 3735 In my seruice now dayly shall ye be; And if ye haue be trobelyd her before, Of your pleasure now shall ye haue the more.' Line 3738

So still opece he was ther abideng, Line 3739 In his seruice purposyng to endure, Passyng Ientill he was in euery thing, And full pleasaunt to euery creature; Line 3742 And all that was don vnder a coverture, That what he thought ther shuld no man vnderstonde, Of his tresone that he had take in hand. Line 3745

Line 3745

Vppon a tyme the Sowdon was alone, Line 3746 In a garden was walkyng to and fro, Ser Iuell Was ware therof anon, To hym he goth withoute wordes moo. Line 3749 'I must say yow,' quod he, 'a word or twoo; Beseching yow to kepe my councell, Whiche shalbe to your honour and [a]vayle. Line 3752

Ther is a knyght callid Generides, Line 3753 here in your howse, and thus standith y^e case; Bothe day and nyght he laboryth still opece, ffrom hense to haue away Clarionas, Line 3756 he restith not, butt wayteth tyme and space To bryng abought his purpose if he maye, This is the very trougth that I yow saye.' Line 3759

The Sowdon trostid all that euer he spake: Line 3760 'Tell me,' he said, 'what is your best avise?' 'Yes, ser,' quod he, 'this wolle I vndertake, he shall not haue his purpose in noo wise, Line 3763 If ye will do as I shall yow device; Go to morow on huntyng for the dere, Thanne shall ye know the trowth of this mater. Line 3766

But yow must take with yow Generides, Line 3767 Not withstondeng he will be loth ther too; Whanne he is ther homeward he will hym dresse, Thanne shall ye se anon what he will do. Line 3770 Be myn avise me semyth best also, That I abide atte home and kepe me close, Thanne shall he not a tayne to his purpose.' Line 3773

The Sowdon gave his assent therto, Line 3774 And furth he goth on huntyng to the woode, With hym he toke Generides also,

And suche moo knyghtez as it semyd good; Line 3777 And all sone as ser yuell vnderstode The Sowdon was wele on warde on his way, Vn to his shippe Iuell he sent withoute delay Line 3780

One of his men As fast as he cowde, Line 3781 Comaundyng them be redy euerychone; his ij. squyers he toke them owt Aside, 'helpe that I were Armyd anon, Line 3784 And in like wise cast your harnes vppon, Secrely, that no man yow Aspye, And that ye be on hors bak all redy. Line 3787

Withoute the Cite ther shall ye abide, Line 3788 And tary still as for a litill space.' his hors was ther all redy for to ride, And furth he went toward Clarionas, Line 3791 To hir chaunber ther as hir logging was: 'Madame,' he seyde, 'my lord, your fader dere, To yow hath sent me on a massage her.' Line 3794

'What wold my fader? I prae yow saye,' quod she. 'Madame,' quod he, 'he hath right happy game, Wherefore in eny wise he wold that ye Wer [MS. Wher.] ther with hym, that ye myght haue y^e same.' [folio 20b] 'Now may I goo,' quod she, 'withoute blame:' And furth with all sche answeryd hym agayn, 'Att his pleasure to come I am right fayne.' Line 3801

Two palfreyes anone were brought owt of y^e stable, In all the goodly hast that myght be do, One for hir, another for Mirabill, Bothe were sadellyd redy for to goo, Line 3805 And furth they rode withoute wordes moo; And as ther couenaunde was in especiall, his ij squyers mette hym withoute the wall. Line 3808

Line 3808

Thanne on hir way rideth Clarionas, Line 3809 ffull Innocente was she of y^t in hir thought; Whanne thei were fro the town ij myle of space, Mirabell demyd sone that it was nought: Line 3812 ffro the forest a wayward he them brought, Thanne Myrabell, prevely as sche myght, Made hir lady from hir palferay a light. Line 3815

Where with ser yuell passing wroth he was, Line 3816 vn perseyuyd be countenaunce or sight: Thanne said Mirabell onto Clarionas, 'Madame,' quod she, 'this gothe not all aright, Line 3819 I wote my self as wele as eny wight; We are be trayde,' quod she, 'I dare well saye, God wote,' quod she, 'this is noo thyng the way.'

And as thei sate to geder complayneng, Line 3823 Came Natanell as fast as he myght ride, Chasyng an hart as he come Reynyng; A none with all Mirabell had hym aspied, Line 3826 With hir kerche she bekenyd hym aside, And he full curtesly left all the chase, And streight to hir he come ther as she was. Line 3829

'Natanell, for goddis loue, helpe,' quod she, Line 3830 'As for my lady here, Clarionas, Ser yuell hath betrayed bothe hir and me; Sayng suerly that he commaundyd was Line 3833 Be hir fader to bryng hir to the chase, Whiche hym thought shuld be hir grete counfort, To see his huntyng And his disporte. Line 3836

But now I wote right wele it goth a mys; Line 3837 Wherefore,' quod she, 'I prae you hertyly, Go to your Maister now and tell hym this,

for thanne he will nott tary sekerly, Line 3840 And that he come as fast as he may hye; Now, good Natanell, think wele her vppon.' 'It shall be do,' quod he, 'and that anone.' Line 3843

To the Cite streight he toke the waye, Line 3844 And brought his maister harnes ther he was, And told hym ther, withoute more delaye, Of ser yuell and of fayre Clarionas, Line 3847 Of her messaventur and how it was, And whanne Generides had hard hym wele, A none he lefte his huntyng euery dele. Line 3850

In this seasone was fayre Clarionas [MS. Clarianos.] Line 3851 ffull of sorow, god wote a wofull weight; Ser yuell sawe in what plight that she was, And her comfort in all that he myght: Line 3854 'Madame,' quod he, 'this will I yow be hight, Ye shall suerly be weddid to A kyng, Vnder hevyn the migtiest lyvyng. Line 3857

Wherefore, madame, be ye noo thyng dismayde, Line 3858 All these thoughtez late them ouer slide!' With that anon, as he these wordes sayde, Generides come fro the forest side, Line 3861 All clene armyd as fast as he cowde ride, To ser Yuell streight vppon the felde, his swerd all nakyd in his hand he held. Line 3864

And whanne ser Iuell saw hym come rideng, Line 3865 he made good countenaunce, but neuer the lesse he was full sore adrede of his comyng, Purposing fully for to make his pece, Line 3868 And thus he seide on to Generides: 'Good ser,' quod he, 'be ye no thyng displesid, ffor in this case your harte shall sone be easid. Line 3871

Line 3871

This is trewly the mater in substance; Line 3872 The kyng of E[g]ipte, born of highe lenage, Wold haue this lady here in gouernaunce, Desiryng hir be way of mariage; Line 3875 And for this cause now I take this viage: This is the trougth like now, [MS. now a.] I yow devise, Not to displese the Sowdon in noo wise, Line 3878

Nor yow, and that ye shall vnderstonde, Line 3879 ffor that came neuer in my thought certayn; This lady here ye shall in your hande, And to the Citee will I turne ayeyn, Line 3882 Be cause no man shall haue me in disdayn; And forthermore, of that that I haue sayde I yow beseche that I be not be wrayed. Line 3885

It is full late for yow and here also Line 3886 As for this day to travell more And lesse, Att youre pleasure to morow may ye goo.' [folio 21a] 'I am content,' thanne seid Generides, Line 3889 ffull Innocente [MS. Innocence.] of all his dobilnesse, The whiche ser yuell thought in his entente, ffor to the Sowdon hastely he went. Line 3892

Generides, withoute wordes moo, Line 3893 Made a logge as sone as euer he myght: he made another for hym self also, Thinkyng noo harme ne malys to no weight; Line 3896 And ther they restid still as for that nyght. Thanne was ser yuell full bold in his maner With the Sowdon, and saide as ye shall here: Line 3899

'Off your doughter And of Generides, Line 3900 ffull trewly shall ye fynde it as I say; ffor as this nyght thei are, withoute lesse,

Out of the town wele onward on yer waye: Line 3903 And if ye will goo ther anon, ye may Se where they be and I shall be your gide.' 'Yes,' quod the Sowdon, 'theder I will ride, Line 3906

And that anon as fast as euer we [MS. he.] may, Line 3907 In secrete wise, no mo but ye and I.' Now goth forward the Sowdon on his way, And ser yuell with hym full secretly, Line 3910 he first be sought the Sowdon feithfully, As for the cheve guerdon of his seruice, ffor to sle Generides in eny wise. Line 3913

The Sowdon grauntyd hym for so [MS. to so.] to do; Line 3914 And as he came owt of the forest side, he sawe a logge, and in he went ther to; Ser yuell stode withouten hym to abide, Line 3917 And furth with all the Sowdon had aspyed Withynne the logge wher lay Generides, In his harnes slepyng still opece. Line 3920

Hys sward was drawyn, on [MS. on on.] the grownd it lay, Line 3921 To sle hym the Sowdon had grete pite, Remembryng the seruice day by day, Whiche he had don in his necessite, Line 3924 And suche as no man ded saue only he: Wherefore he thought, be good and sad avise, he wold not sle hym in noo hasty wise. Line 3927

He toke Away the sward vppe from y^e ground, Line 3928 And leyde his owen ther as the toder was; Butt litill thense another logge he founde, Ther lay myrabell and fayre Clarionas, Line 3931 ffull stedefastly he lokid on hir face, To knowe his doughter clerly be sight, ffor bothe thei sleppe as fast as euer thei myght. Line 3934

Line 3934

He toke his doughter vppe as she laye, Line 3935 And furth he bare hir in his armys twayn Owt of the logge, she sleppe still alway, And to ser yuell delyueryd hir ayeyn, Line 3938 And told hym that Generides was slayn. Whanne ser Iuell herd of that aventure, Wote ye wele he was a ioyfull creature. Line 3941

The Sowdon went ayeyn to his disporte; Line 3942 Ser Iuell hym promysed for to goo, With his doughter ayenward to resorte Vn to the Citee, ther as she came froo, Line 3945 Butt sekerly his thought was noo thyng soo: The Sowdon wende she had gon ther she was, Butt alway he led fayre Clarionas. Line 3948

Anone with all Clarionas awoke, Line 3949 And whanne that she perseivid how it was, ffull of sorow she was and sore on toke, That twyes she swounyd in a litill space; Line 3952 God wote she stode in full petevous case, More sorow had noo creature levyng, for she had leuer a dyed than [MS. thang.] eny thyng. Line 3955

On a palfrey he sette Clarionas, Line 3956 And to the shippe he gideth hir full right; Generides, withynne a litill space, he woke anon thanne was it dayle light: Line 3959 Of Mirabell sone he had a sight, And first of all he sayde in this maner, 'Where is Clarionas, my lady dere?' Line 3962

With thoo wordes Mirabell woke anon; Line 3963 'Alas,' quod she, 'what aventur is this? By false tresone now is my lady goon,

And ser Iuell I wote it is: Line 3966 Of hym I dremyd all this nyght I wis, I prae god geve hym sorow now,' she saide, 'ffor this is twyes that he hath vs betrayde.' Line 3969

'Butt is she goon?' thanne saide Generides. Line 3970 'Yee,' quod Mirabell, 'and that me rewith sore.' 'ffare well,' quod he, 'my comfort and gladnes, ffare well my ioye for now and euermore; Line 3973 What think ye best that I shall doo yerfore?' 'This is the best,' quod she, 'that I canne saye, Go after them as fast as euer ye may, Line 3976

And if it fortune that he may be take, Line 3977 ffor erthely good or eny fayre promes, [folio 21b] Do make hym sure what couenaunte that he make.' 'Yes,' hardly thanne seid Generides. Line 3980 'To the Sowdon,' quod sche, 'I will me dresse, And tell hym trewly, as sone as euer I may, ffor he will trost the wordes that I saye.' Line 3983

Generides thanne armyd hym anon, Line 3984 Aftur ser Iuell to folow on the chase; he sought after his swerd and it was goon, he founde another lying in the place, Line 3987 The Sowdons swerd he wist wele that it was: To myrabell he seide in this maner, 'My lord the Sowdon suerly hath ben here: Line 3990

Where with I am comfortid verely, Line 3991 ffor of my parte [he] demyd not amys, And if he had, I say yow sekerly, he wold haue slayn me here, I wote wele this.' Line 3994 'Right as ye say,' quod she, 'me think it is: I will telle hym [the] trougth whanne I hym see, ffor I will seche hym wher euer that he be.' Line 3997

Line 3997

'Thanne,' quod he, 'Mirabell, I yow prae, Line 3998 Byd Natanell anon for eny thing Come after me as fast as euer he may.' 'It shall be do,' quod she, 'withoute fey[n]ing: Line 4001 he be your spede that is our hevyn kyng, Whanne ye are goo I will not long abide, ffor to my lord the Sowdon I will ryde.' Line 4004

Generides is in his way rideng Line 4005 After Iuell, to take hym if he may. Mirabell thanne made noo taryeng, Butt to the Sowdon she toke the waye, Line 4008 To tell hym all the trougth of here affraye, But or she came the Sowdon knewe it wele, ffor ther came on and told hym euery dele, Line 4011

Whiche mette ser yuell and Clarionas: Line 4012 Where with the Sowdon was astownyd sore, And furth with all he rideth in to the place, Ther as he founde Generides before, Line 4015 Of that fortune to harkyn forthermore; This musyng in his thought more and lesse, he mette Mirabell in grete hevynes. Line 4018

Be hir semlante he thought it shuld be she, Line 4019 And this to hir full soberly he sayde; 'Telle me, where is my doughter now?' seith he; And ther withall she was gretly dismayde, Line 4022 'ffor certeyn, ser,' quod she, 'she is betrayed; Ser yuell seid that ye had for hir sent, And brought fro yow a streyt comaundment. Line 4025

And in this wise away with hir he rode, Line 4026 ffull vntrewly, and be a subtill trayne; Vppon the way we hovyd and a boode

Generides thanne reskewid hir ayeyn, Line 4029 Thanne was the day passid in certayn, And nere nyght, wherefore he thought it best Ther to abide as for on nyghtez rest. Line 4032

'As for Generides this dare I now saye, Line 4033 he was neuer that man, I yow ensure, To dishonour your doughter be eny way, Nor neuer while his liff may endure; Line 4036 But whels he sleppe this cursyd creature ffull trayturly with hir is goo; ffull wele I woote it is he and no moo.' Line 4039

To here answerd the Sowdon in this wise; Line 4040 'Ye say full trew, it may non other be, With his fayre wordes, full of flatrise, he hath deseyuyd now bothe yow and me, Line 4043 Butt where is now Generides?' quod he; 'Trewly,' quod she, 'ser, he hath take the waye Aftur this knyght, and thus he bad me say.' Line 4046

'What think ye best,' quod he, 'that I shall doo?' 'ffor sothe,' quod she, 'this is now myn avise; Aftur ser yuell Generides is goo, To take hym if he canne in eny wise; Line 4050 And as for yow to take the enterprise, It shall nede if his liff may endure, he will do moche ther to I yow ensure.' Line 4053

And as thei spake to geder he and she, Line 4054 Came Natanell as fast as he cowde ride; Myrabell sone perseyuyd it was he, ffull ertely she prayde hym to abide: Line 4057 Anon withall he reynyd his hors aside, Thanne seid he this to Mirabell, 'I yow prae, What is your will now pleasit yow to say.' Line 4060

Line 4060

'[M]ynne owyn lady,' quod she, 'Clarionas, [folio 22a] Line 4061 Ser yuell now ayeyn with here is gone, Whils we were bothe on sleppe this is y^e case, Generides is after all alone, Line 4064 And wold that ye shuld follow hym anone.' 'Maystres,' quod he, 'now trost me verily, To hym I will as fast as I canne highe.' Line 4067

Now Natanell, in all the hast he may, Line 4068 Is rideng after now Generides; Myrabell with the Sowdon take the way, And to the Citee ward the Sowdon ganne hym dresse, Complayneng sore in right grete hevynes; And by that tyme ser yuell redy was, Takyng the shippe with fayre Clarionas. Line 4074

It was not long or thei were vnder sayle, Line 4075 And by that tyme come was Generides; Ser yuell knewe hym wele withoute fayle, By his stature and by his likenesse, Line 4078 And these wordes he sayde to hym expresse; 'Generides,' quod he, 'I telle the playn, Thou comyst to late to haue hir now ageyn. Line 4081

Thow slepist to long, and I woke the while Line 4082 To spede this mater after my device, My purpose was the fully to be gile, With the Sowdon whanne I was in seruice; Line 4085 I sette not be the thretyng in noo wise, And vterly this wolle I saye the more, ffro this day furth thu hast lost her yerfore.' Line 4088

Generides thanne was agrevid sore, Line 4089 ffor thoo wordes were saide in mokkery, And in hym self abasshed more and more,

Butt att that tyme ther was noo remedy: Line 4092 Clarionas be held hym verily, his countenance was all togeder doon, Anone with all ther she fylle down in swoune. Line 4095

Syr yuell sawe she made suche hevynes, Line 4096 And with hir self she was not all aright; ffor as the story doth witnesse, xv tymes she swounyd in his sight: Line 4099 he hir comfortid in all that euer he myght; To turne hir hart he dede his besy payne, And all for nought his labour was in vayne. Line 4102

Generides the porte goth all a long, Line 4103 To seke a shippe streight be the havyns side; Att last he saw a galy fayre and strong lay atte rode, which was both large and wide, Line 4106 And men I nowe therin for to gide; The maister of all was ther present, Generides anon to hym he went. Line 4109

'Owt of what cost come ye, I prae yow say, Line 4110 Or what contre,' quod he, 'telle me the right.' The maister thought anon be his array, Be cause he was armyd and like a knyght, Line 4113 he was a man of powre and of myght, Wherefore in sothe he was sumwhat dismayde, And to Generides right thus he saide. Line 4116

'Sir, be not ye displeasid now,' quod he, Line 4117 'Be cause I haue of yow noo knowlachyng, Owt of danger I wold be and in surete.' 'Surete,' quod he, 'drede yow no maner thyng; Line 4120 On your part ther is non other desireng, Butt I haue a mater now to begynne, And I wold fayn haue your councell therin.' Line 4123

Line 4123

'My councell is but symple, ser,' he seide; Line 4124 'Butt as I canne I shall say myn avice: In this havyn this galy now is layde, I shall yow tell wherefore and in wha[t] wise; Line 4127 I come fro Surre and fro those partis, Kyng Auferius hath it in mariage, And ther he lith with all his Baronage. Line 4130

A hunderyd shippes I lift ther Also, Line 4131 With them I was in company certayn, And toward ynd they purpose them to goo, To wynne kyng auferius right ageyn, Line 4134 And of his sonnys, to say yow trew and playn, A likely knyght on And of mannys age, The whiche is callid Ismaell the Savage. Line 4137

The kyng his fader hym hath gevyn fre Line 4138 The Reme of Trace, to rule it in his hand; And ferthermore, in very certente, He hath a broder as I vnderstonde, Line 4141 As good a knyght as is in eny lande, And as it is seide I telle yow very right, And for certayn Generides he hight. Line 4144

After deceasse of auferius the kyng, Line 4145 He shall haue Surre in his owne demeyn, [MS. demenyng.] And all the Reme of ynd withoute feyning, If fortune will that he it gete ayeyn; Line 4148 In to this contre was myn erande playn hym for to seche, and as I vnderstonde Withynne few dayes he was here in this land. Line 4151

And if ye knowe wher that I may hym fynde, Line 4152 Now lete me wete, I prae yow hartely.' Generides remembryd in his mynd [folio 22b]

he was not wonte hym self to be wreye; Line 4155 Yet this to hym he seid full soberly, 'My frend,' quod he, 'ye shall knowe my councell, I am the same withoute eny fayle. Line 4158

Generides I hight, this is noo nay, Line 4159 kyng auferius my fader is certayn; Butt I am a carefull man this day, By fortune suche before was neuer sene, Line 4162 By a subtill and false compassing trayn, Clarionas, my lordis doughter dere, Vntrewly is betrayed as ye shall here. Line 4165

It is but late sithe she was vnder sayle, Line 4166 A knyght of Egipte, callid ser yuell, With here is gone away withoute fayle.' Thanne the maister seid, 'woll ye do well? Line 4169 This galy lith not here to by ne selle; Do now be myn avice, and hardely With goddes grace ye shall fynde remedy. Line 4172

This galy shalbe redy for to goo, Line 4173 If ye will come ye shall hym ouer take.' 'Now,' quod Generides, 'late it be soo, I prae yow hartly for cristis sake.' Line 4176 And furth with all he did it redy make, In all the hast possible that [MS. that that.] he may, To shippe he goth withoute more delay. Line 4179

And whanne they were all redy for to goo, Line 4180 Came Natanell onto the havyns side, his Maisters hors he brought with hym Also; And whanne Generides hym had aspyed, Line 4183 he prayde the maister sumwhat to Abide, ffull wele content he was of his comang, Anone thei putt ther horses to shippyng. Line 4186

Line 4186

Now is the Maister and Generides Line 4187 Vppon the see, and sayle beganne to make, And in here viage sailed still opece, Till atte last the wynde beganne to slake, Line 4190 And ellis in very trougth they had be take; Butt afterward, withynne a litill space, Syr yuell londyd with Clarionas. Line 4193

And thanne anon, as fast as euer he myght, Line 4194 Thei hastid them forward of ther Iurnay; Ser yuell gidyd hir the way full right, ffor he had knowen the contre many A day; Line 4197 To kyng Guynan he toke the redy way, To his palys ther as his abideng was, In a Cite callid Egidias. Line 4200

Not long after [MS. after after.] the space of ourez fewe, Line 4201 The galy landyd with Generides; In gise of mercaundez thei dede them shewe, ffull craftely in All ther besynes, Line 4204 Not like no men of warre but all of pece, So to gide them thei wer well apayde, To harkyn tidynges what these pepill saide. Line 4207

And whanne the tidynges came onto the kyng Line 4208 Of ser yuell and fayre Clarionas, A gladder man was ther non leving, Nor might not be more ioyfull thanne he was: Line 4211 The Citee made grete festis in euery place, his knyghtes went to mete here on the way, hym self come after in full good Arraye. Line 4214

And for his lordes furth with all he sent, Line 4215 They for to come onto the mariage, And to folowe the effecte of his entente,

To the Citee came All his Baronage: Line 4218 And as it is the custom and vsage All way for princes shortly to device, The ffest was made in right solempne wise, Line 4221

And lastid long, my Auctour seith expresse; Line 4222 Another custome was in that contre Of old vsage, the writeng doth witnesse, What tyme that eny kyng weddid shuld be, Line 4225 Duryng the tyme of that solempnite, The kyng and she shuld neuer togeder mete, To tyme the fest were done And full complete. Line 4228

Thanne seid the Maister onto Generides, Line 4229 'Now it is wisdome to do be good avice, ffor by manhood [MS. mandhood.] suerly or by prow[e]se Yow shall spede your mater in noo wise; Line 4232 ffor your entente I shall a craft devise With goddes grace, and if it fortune wele, That ye shall haue your purpose euery dele. Line 4235

I haue A thing shall lye vppon your face, Line 4236 That ye shall seme a mesell [in] certayn, Butt dought ye not withynne a litill space, Whanne euer ye list it shall a voyde ayeyn, Line 4239 And your visage to be as fayre And playn, As wele coloured and ther with also clene, With onys wasshyng as it had neuer ben. Line 4242

And forthermore ye must chaunge your Array Line 4243 With sum pore man, and take ye his clothing, And bere with yow sum tokyn that she may Of your persone haue redy knowlaching; [folio 23a] Line 4246 And from here pales as she is comyng, Bothe to and froo ther must ye haue A place, Now do as wele as god will geve you grace; Line 4249

Line 4249

And, well I woote, som way she will ordeyn Line 4250 That she may speke you [MS. yom.] atte your own device, And as ye canne accorde betwix you twayne, This wold I that ye did be myne avise; Line 4253 Bid Natanell in eny maner wise, That he be redy and in especiall, To mete yow with your hors what euer fall.' Line 4256

Generides dede after his councell, Line 4257 And with a begger he chaungyd his wede, The pore man thought it was for his availe, And glad he was, for he ther of had nede. Line 4260 Thanne seide Generides, 'so god yow spede, Whanne were ye atte court I pray yow saye.' 'Trewly,' quod he, 'I come fro thense to day; Line 4263

And ther I sawe the quene in riche araye, Line 4264 But as me semyth by here countenance, And as she came from the tempill by y^e waye, She likyd not that riall ordenaunce; Line 2467 Me think ther was some cause of displesaunce, Butt me ought not to speke therof in dede.' 'Now goo, fader, and Ihu be thy spede.' Line 4270

Now goth Generides furth, I vnderstonde, Line 4271 Vn to the courte, his clothis all to Rent; holdyng his cuppe, his claper in his hande, And on his face he layde this oyntement, Line 4274 To bryng abought the effecte of his entent; And ther anon he purveyd hym a place, Withoute the tempill ther as she shuld pase. Line 4277

Whanne he had restid hym he putte a ryng Line 4278 On his fynger, be cause she shuld it see, And fro the tempill as she is comyng,

Thorough owt the prese anon to hir com he, Line 4281 And Askyd Almes for seynt charite, The ryng vppon his fynger sone she knewe; 'I shall,' thought she, 'here sum tidynggez newe.' Line 4284

Thanne seid the quene, 'good man, whense be ye?' 'Madame,' quod he, 'o trougth I shall yow say; In ynd I was goten in very certente, In surre I was born, this is no nay; Line 4288 Now come I owt of perse the redy way, And ther I was brought vppe, I telle yow playn, Sone [So MS.? Sene.] I was first att mannys age [certayn]. Line 4291

Ye are a lady born of that contree, Line 4292 God hath me visite as his creature, Besechyng yow your almes man to be.' The quene Answeryd with countenaunce demure, Line 4295 'Of myn Almes,' quod she, 'ye shall be sure.' And furth with all, withoute taryeng, She bad he shuld be brought to hir loggyng. Line 4298

To hir chaunbyr right sone he was conueyed, Line 4299 And ther he spake with hir hym self alone; 'Madame,' quod he, 'be ye noo thing dismayde, Thoughe my visage be lothe to loke vppon, Line 4302 With onys wasshyng it will away anone, And trost that I say withoute othe, I am your trew seruaunt Generides in sothe.' Line 4305

'Generides!' quod she, 'nay that is not so, Line 4306 It is to me a wonder thing to here.' 'Madame,' he saide, 'ye shall wete or ye goo, Plese it yow to see a ryng that I haue here, Line 4309 The whiche I had of yow, my lady dere; And though [MS. thought.] I seme a mesell in your sight, It is but counterfete, [MS. coumterfete.] I yow be hight.' Line 4312

Line 4312

'This ryng,' quod she, 'I know it veryly, Line 4313 Butt of your persone yet I mervell more.' With hym he had a water ther redy, And from his face he wessh away it thore, Line 4316 he was as faire as euer he was be fore, And whanne she sawe his vesage fayre and clene, She toke hym in hir Armys as I wene; Line 4319

She was soo glad, she had noo worde to saye. Line 4320 'Madame,' quod he, 'in sothe this is the case, If ye will now for sake all this arraye, And that ye list apoynte some redy place, Line 4323 Bothe Natanell and I, be goddes grace, With hors and harnes noo thing shall be lette To mete yow ther, what our ye will sett. Line 4326

Ther is a shippe All redy for to sayle, Line 4327 A bideng still opece of my comyng.' 'Generides,' quod she, 'I haue mervell That ye putt dought in eny thing Line 4330 As to meward, for though he were a kyng Of reames x, And so fourth to endure, yet wold I goo with yow, I yow ensure. Line 4333

And for to spede this mater to purpose, Line 4334 In my garden Att nyght sone must ye be, Bothe Natanell and ye, and kepe yow close, Treis and busshes full thikke yer shall yow se, Line 4337 To kepe yow secrete in, and as for me I will be ther, trost me in feithfull wise, Betwix the day and nyght, I yow promys.' [folio 23b] Line 4340

Generides owt of the Castell went Line 4341 To Natanell, whiche in the forest lay, Ther he dede of his ragyd garment,

his disshe, his claper, and all he cast awaye, Line 4344 And harnesid hym all now ayeyn in his array: To the garden he toke the waye [att nyght], And tared ther as he had hir be hight. Line 4347

Thanne Clarionas is now in grete musyng, Line 4348 And in this case be thinkith hir full strayte, hir purpose craftely abought to bryng, And vterly hir seasone for to wayte; Line 4351 Atte last she founde one of hir consaite To whom she told here councell all in fere, And in certayne she was a lavendere. Line 4354

To here thanne sayde fayre Clarionas, Line 4355 'Ye are,' quod she, 'a woman that is to trost Of eny one that is withynne the place, Of my councell fayne wold I that ye wist.' Line 4358 'Att your pleasure, Madame, what euer ye list.' Quod she ageyn, 'withoute wordes moo, That lith in me I will be glad to do.' Line 4361

'Ye say right wele, and as it semyth me,' Line 4362 Quod she onto the lavender thanne ayeyn, 'I am a straunger here in this contre, This is my mater all togeder playn; Line 4365 The kyng, whiche is my lord and souereyn, On hym my hert is sette, I yow be hight, That I for gete hym not neyther day ne nyght; Line 4368

And most I drede of eny maner thing, Line 4369 That I to hym am noo thing in this case, Butt be the sterrys,' quod she, 'and be my connyng, Where euer he goo or ride in eny place, Line 4372 I trost to god to stond so in his grace, And in his favour lengest to endure, Of eny other levyng creature. Line 4375

Line 4375

In to my gardeyn yow and I must goo, Line 4376 Whanne sterrys are vppe and whan it is very nyght, Butt I must surely be disgised soo That I may goo vnknowen to eny wight, Line 4379 Your kirtill will I were be cause of light, And iche of vs a trusse vppon oure hede, This is trewly my councell and my rede.' Line 4382

Thanne Answeryd the lavender ayeyn, Line 4383 Seid [she], 'Madame, your seruaunt will I be, And all your councell kepe and layn, I trost ther shall no fawte be founde in me, Line 4386 haue here my hande for a surete; And trostith wele that at I shall saye, ffor erthely good I will not yow bewraye.' Line 4389

And so fourth withoute wordis eny moo, Line 4390 And to hir house as fast as euer she myght She went, and brought ayeyn with hir also A kirtill, like as she be fore hight. Line 4393 Whanne the day was passid and it was nyght, The quene dede on hir kirtill fayre and well, here riche aray she left it euery dele; Line 4396

And tokkyd vppe she was well fro the grounde, Line 4397 Before hir eyne a kerche hanging side, Ther trusses on ther hedes all redy bounde, And furth thei went, them nede non other gide; Line 4400 Thanne saide the lavender, 'abide, abide, This white leggys,' quod she, 'I woote it wele, They wolle shende oure purpose euery dele.' Line 4403

'Ye, wote ye what,' quod she, 'that ye shall do? Line 4404 Bryng me water, and thanne late me alone, A Coppe of Aisshes ye must bryng Also,

Where with my leggys shalbe wasshid anone, Line 4407 That All the white I warant shalbe gon;' Right thus she dede in like wise as I saye, And to the gardeyn right thus she toke the waye, Line 4410

Thorough owt the hall bothe to geder gan goo, Line 4411 As no thyng were, full sofft And demure, Thorough out the courte they toke the way Also, And atte gate thei mette att aventure Line 4414 With ser yuell, that cursid creature; She hard hym speke, and knewe hym be y^e voyse, To me[te] hym ther was none other choyse. Line 4417

Whanne she perseivid well that it was he, Line 4418 A bak she drew and was full ill apayde. Thanne came he hir nere to knowe the certente, What that she was; 'Whom haue yow here?' he seid. 'Me think,' quod he, 'it is a praty mayde; I cast here for to se what euer fall:' And vppe he lift here kerchewe furth with all. Line 4424

She was so ferde hir truse was in falling, Line 4425 With that the lavender putt hym abak aye, 'Ye are to blame,' quod she, 'be hevyn kyng; Now late my mayde alone, ser, I yow praye, Line 4428 We must hast bo[the] as moche as euer we maye, These are the quenez clothes, I tell you playn, And she must haue them all to morow ayeyn.' Line 4431

'Yet woll I wete,' quod he, 'withoute fayle, Line 4432 ffrom whense she came, and what she is,' quod he. 'Now, good ser,' quod she, 'what shall it availe [folio 24a] To make iche man to speke of yow and me? Line 4435 Yet and ye will be rewlid well,' quod she, 'ffor your' entente and after myn avise, Ye shall speke with hir att your owyn device. Line 4438

Line 4438

This is the mater in short conclusion, Line 4439 I am hir maystres and here gouernour; hir fader is a merchaunt of this town. Ther is a knyght hir wowith euery owre, Line 4442 Not for to wedde butt for his paramour; hir frendis wold haue hir in suerte, And for that cause she is now here with me. Line 4445

Not withstondyng, withoute wordes moo, Line 4446 Go to myn house and tary ther,' quod she, 'Till I haue washt, and this moche woll I doo; Whanne I come home I shall bryng hir with me, And att your pleasur ther shall ye hir see, And speke with hir, ther shall noman sey nay.' 'I graunt,' quod he, 'will ye do as ye saye?' Line 4452

He left them ther, and on he goth a pase Line 4453 Vnto hir howse as fast as euer he may: The lavander with Clarionas In to the garden all another way. Line 4456 Whanne thei were ther yer trussez down thei lay; 'Now, faire Madame,' seide the lavender, 'Do now sum good for spede of this mater.' Line 4459

Thanne in to the gardeyn came Natanell, Line 4460 Clarionas full sone had hym aspied; 'Where is your maister?' quod she, 'will ye me tell?' 'Madame,' he saide, 'her be the gardeyn side, Line 4463 Att your comyng ther he will abide, And euery thing is redy to your entente.' Thanne was Clarionas right wele content. Line 4466

The lavender thanne was some what dismayde; Line 4467 'I wold,' quod she, 'I hadde be hense this nyght, ffor we do noo thyng here as ye haue sayde,

Noyther in noo wise like as ye be hight; Line 4470 Madame,' quod she, 'this goth not all aright;' 'Now be not wrothe,' thanne seid Clarionas, 'And I shall tell yow trougth of all the case.' Line 4473

To hir anon thanne Answerd the lavender, Line 4474 'As for my part,' quod she, 'this shall I saye, I wolle not here noo thyng of this mater, ffor me likith noo thyng in this arraye, Line 4477 I will calle after helpe some maner way!' 'Nay, god defende it,' quod Clarionas, 'That ye shall inpert me so in this case; Line 4480

I haue your faythe and promys in my hand, Line 4481 That ye shall kepe my councell secretly; If ye do this, ye shall wele vnderstonde, Ye shall repente it sore as wele as I, Line 4484 Me think ye were moche better certaynly To be rewlid as I shall yow councell, And it shall suerly be to youre avayle: Line 4487

To knowe the very trougth of this case, Line 4488 I shall declare it all [at] aventure; Ther is a knyght not ferre owt of this place, I loue hym best of eny creature, Line 4491 And of his loue ayenward I am sure; Right sone I wote he will be here with me, And streight with hym I will goo in to my contre.

Wherefore I councell yow leue all this fare, Line 4495 And come with me, it shall be for your best, here shall ye leve in sorow and in care, I canne not thynk that ye shall leve in rest, Line 4498 And I suerly will make yow this behest, If ye will take the payn me for to plese, I shall o trowgth make yow right wele At ease.' Line 4501

Line 4501

The lavender be thought hir in hir mynd, Line 4502 That she disseyuyd ser yuell be a trayn, And if so [MS. sore.] were that she abode be hynd, She were vndone for euer in certayn; Line 4505 Thanne seid she to Clarionas ayeyn, 'ffor your plesure, madame, I am contente, With you to go att your commaundment.' Line 4508

Off hir Answere Clarionas was fayn, Line 4509 And ellys she had gon all womanles, Whiche had not ben hir honour in certayn, And as thei went to geder still opese, Line 4512 In to the garden came Generides, And atte first he wist not whiche was she: 'Where are ye now? fayre lady myn,' quod he. Line 4515

Now what nedith long processe of y^is mater? Line 4516 She was sette vppe behynde Generides, And Natanell sette vppe the lavendere vppon his hors, and furth they ganne them dresse. All this while was ser yuell still opese, Euer wayteng whanne the lavender shuld bryng That she promysed att hir departeng. Line 4522

Butt as it hath be sayde full long agoo, Line 4523 Some bete the bussh and some the byrdes take, And wheder that I be on of thoo or noo, I me reporte onto the letterys blake, [folio 24b] Line 4526 And reasone will it may not be forsake, he that entendith villany of shame, It is no synne to quyte hym with the same. Line 4529

Syr Iuell thought she taryed passyng long, Line 4530 And vppe he rose and furth he goth alone, In his conseite he demyd that it was wrong,

And to the quenys chaunber he is furth gon; Line 4533 'Where is the quene?' quod he, 'telle me anon.' 'It is not long,' they sayde, 'sithe she was here, And with hir also spake the lavander.' Line 4536

Whanne he hard that his hert was all away, Line 4537 thanne wist he wele it was not all a right, 'This lavender,' quod he, 'this is noo naye, hath don all this, that most vnhappy wight. Line 4540 Butt I shall do my powre and my myght hym for to take, and if I happyn wele ffull sore thei shall repent it euery dele.' Line 4543

He armyd hym and left all other thing, Line 4544 And furth he goth in all the hast he myght; he and his page, withoute more taryeng, After Generides toke the way full right, Line 4547 And att the last, of hym he had a sight, Clarionas thanne cast hir yee a side, And ser yuell full sone she had Aspyde. Line 4550

Thanne to Generides full sone she saide, Line 4551 'yender comyth your mortall enmy, [MS. elmy.] The whiche full oft hath made me affrayde, Now may ye wele ordeyne a remedy; Line 4554 Wherefore,' quod she, 'I prae yow hartely, That what some euer he say be his promys late hym not skape your handis in noo wise.' Line 4557

To here answeryd Generides ayeyn, Line 4558 'Be ye noo thyng a ferde as in this case; Or we departe,' quod he, 'he shall be fayn his quarell vppe to yelde, be goddis grace.' Line 4561 With that anon alight Clarionas; Generides anon hym dressid in his gere, And Natanell was redy with his spere. Line 4564

Line 4564

Syr yuell ranne onto Generides, Line 4565 Thorough owt the sheld he smote hym [in] certayn, Butt for all that he skapid daungerles, And furth with all ranne to hym ayeyn, Line 4568 That with his spere he brast his sheld on twayn, And in his body he woundid hym so sore, That down he felle, endure myght he no more. Line 4571

Hys stede he delyueryd to Natanell, Line 4572 A myghti hors and called passing wight; 'I wold,' quod he, 'this hors were cherisshid wele, ffor he is sure and good, I yow behight.' Line 4575 Generides adown from his hors alight, Ser yuell sawe it wold non other be, And vppe he rose and knelid on his kne. Line 4578

Thanne seid he thus, 'mercy, Generides, Line 4579 I haue affendid yow, I will no more;' Clarionas cryed alway still opece, 'Though he speke fayre, trost hym not therfore; Line 4582 And if ye do ye shall repente [MS. repentid.] it sore: Remembre wele he hath desseyuyd yow twyes, Shall he neuer be trew, I yow promys.' Line 4585

Generides remembryd hym ther one, Line 4586 She sayde hym trew, he knewe it verily; With that Clarionas aspyed anon, Ser yuell held a knyffe in his hande secretly; Line 4589 'By ware,' quod she, and ganne hym to Aspye, 'he will sle yow, ye may wele vnderstonde, A knyff all way he kepith in his hande.' Line 4592

He smote generides in to the thye, Line 4593 And he was not gretly hurt, it was his vre; his purpose was to sle hym vterly,

with fals tresone vnder a coverture: Line 4596 Thanne Generides thought on hym to be sure, And with his swerd he clefe his hede on twoo, That neuer after spake he wordes moo. Line 4599

Thanne vppon his stede lept generides, Line 4600 Be hynd hym was sett Clarionas his lady dere, And Natanell all redy ganne hym dresse, Vppon an hors beforn the lavendere, Line 4603 And soo thei rode togeder all in feer, Owt of ther enmys handes they were sure, Euerychone talkyng of ther aventure. Line 4606

In this meane tyme the body of the knyght Line 4607 his page anon vppon his hors it layde, And to the courte [MS. contre.] he went ayeyn full right. Whanne it was knowen the kyng was sore dismayd, 'Now haue I lost my wor[l]dly Ioye,' he seid: Grete thought he toke and way[led] more And more, Wher with the courte [MS. contre.] was trobelyd very sore. Line 4613

And how it was of all that aventur, Line 4614 Thanne to the kyng he told all the hoole processe, 'Ther is,' quod he, 'no levyng creature So dere to hir as is Generides; Line 4617 Whiche in long tyme hath dured still opese, This is the trougth I say yow for certayn. Line 4619

. . . . . [[A leaf has been here cut out of the MS., containing 187 lines. The catchwords of the next line are, 'And he it is suerly.']] 'And it obeye with humble reuerence, [folio 25a] . . . . . Line 4620 I[n] yow only is all my feithfull trest; I am your child, demeane me as ye list.' Line 4622

Line 4622

Right gladde she was as for Generides, Line 4623 But whanne she thought of his departeng, hir ioy was turnyd in to hevynes, yet therof she made non opyn tokenning, Line 4626 By countenaunce or by other thing, Butt alway kept it close in hir entente, And to hir chaunber furth with she went. Line 4629

Down on hir bed she felle [MS. lay.] and ther she laye; Line 4630 Mirabell had mervell what it was, 'Madame,' she seid, 'what is this new affraye? Line 4632 What mysfortune [MS. my fortune.] ? and hough be fell this case?' To here anon Answerd Clarionas, 'This is,' quod she, 'come to me a late, ye may wele saye I am vnfortunate.' Line 4636

'Vnfortunate,' quod she, 'that is not soo; Line 4637 I canne wele think it is your owyn conseite.' 'Nay,' quod Clarionas, 'so mote I goo, I doo none other but myn owen deth Awayte, Line 4640 Generides hath done me this disseite, My fader hath geve hym half his eritage, And me also ther with in mariage. Line 4643

In to the reame of ynd now will he goo, Line 4644 And ther he seith that he shalbe a kyng, Thanne will he come ayeyn whanne that is do, And so make an ende of our weddyng: Line 4647 But wele I wote all this is butt feyning, he is purveyd of some new Acquentaunce, Whiche I canne think is more to his plesaunce.' Line 4650

Thanne seid Mirabell, 'Good Madame,' quod she, Line 4651 'ffor goddes loue leve all these fantesies, ffor this I knowe in very certente,

ye shall not fynde it thus, I yow promes; Line 4654 Wene ye that he will departe from your seruice And vtterly refuse yow now euerydele? Nay, Madame, I know his trougth soo wele.' Line 4657

To hir anon thanne answerd Clarionas; Line 4658 'Ye make yow sure of euery maner thing. I warante yow,' quod she, 'as in this case, That I haue seid ye shall fynde noo lesing; Line 4661 he will wedde me, he seith, whanne he is a kyng, In grete estate and wurchippe many wayes, And all these are butt triffolys and delayes.' Line 4664

So lay she still in right grete hevynes: Line 4665 Mirabell thanne owt of hir chaunber went; In hir goyng she mette Generides, And told hym all hir ladyes entent, Line 4668 'ye must come now,' quod she, 'or All is shent, ffor she canne think non other sekerly, Butt that ye haue for sake hir vtterly.' Line 4671

'For sake,' quod he, 'aye, benedicite, Line 4672 Why will she me mystrost in eny wise? Trewly Mirabell,' quod he, 'As for me, My hert his heris, my trowth and my ceruice, Line 4675 It grevith me full sore suche fantesyce, ffor be that lord that formyd me of nowght, Other to wedde came neuer in my thought.' Line 4678

'All that,' quod she, 'I haue told here full playn, Yet takith she noo credence what I say, Ther is noo bote butte ye must come certayn, And that anon as fast as euer ye may.' Line 4682 'I come,' quod he, 'withoute more delay;' So with Mirabell furth he went anon, And to Clarionas streight he is goon. Line 4685

Line 4685

In to hir chaunber furth he goth a pace, Line 4686 Of his comyng full redely she knewe; 'What do yow here?' thanne seid Clarionas, 'Of all knyghtes,' quod she, 'the most vntrew; Line 4689 Your fayre behest all now may I rewe, Your beyng here is to my grete displesaunce, Goo now away onto your old Acqueyntaunce. Line 4692

Syr Amelok hath a doughter certayn, Line 4693 Whiche is right fayre and lucidas she hight, The pece is sone made betwix yow twayn, ffor to the chaunge your hert is wonder light; Line 4696 I say for me, ther was no maner wight That loved yow better thanne I dede before; All that is doo, for now I will nomore.' Line 4699

Whanne she hadde sayde that pleasid hir to say, Line 4700 Thanne was Generides a wofull man: Anone be felle in swouneng and ther he laye, All discolored in vesage, pale and wanne, Line 4703 And furth with remembre she beganne What man he was, and also what seruice, That he hir fader dede in euery wise, Line 4706

With right good will he was redy alway: Line 4707 Mirabell saide, 'what maner thing is this? Now certeynly ye are to blame, I saye; ffor wele I wote in hym ye demyd amys: Line 4710 yet atte last,' [? lest.] quod she, 'ye shuld hym kysse.' Thanne seid Clarionas, 'sith it is soo, [folio 25b] If that may do hym good, it shalbe doo Line 4713

With all myn hert,' quod she, 'what euer fall;' Line 4714 To se hym soo she was right sore dismayde. Ther as he lay she kyst hym furth withall,

And he ther with all sodenly abrayde, Line 4717 like as a man had ben sore affrayde; 'Madame,' quod he, 'now please it yow to here What I shall say as towchyng this mater. Line 4720

As for my parte ther is noo creature, Line 4721 That will do more your honour to avaunce, And o my trowth it was I neuer sure, Vnto this our of now none Acqueyntance, Line 4724 In that ther is noo cause of displesaunce, I haue ben alway trew in myn entent, And of all this god wote I am full innocent. Line 4727

Whanne he had seid so trewly and so playn, Line 4728 In euerything as towchyng this mater: 'All is for geve,' quod she, 'betwix vs twayn, And late vs still be frendis as we were.' Line 4731 'Ther to I graunt,' quod he, 'with right good chere To endure;' so with good contenuaunce Iche to other made thei full assuraunce. Line 4734

Vppon this thanne he toke his leve for to goo, Line 4735 Of the Sowdon and of fayre Clarionas; With hir he left a litill dogge also, Whiche went with hir a bought in euery place, Line 4738 In here conseite a grete Iewell it was; So toward ynd Generides is gon, With hym the new made knyghtes euerychone. Line 4741

To Surre came Generides and his knyghtes a pace, Ther was the ost of auferius y^e kyng, In a Cite whiche was callid Damas, Theder thei came withoute more taryeng: Line 4745 Grete ioye made all the ost of ther comyng, And of all other namyd in the prese, They were most ioyfull of Generides. Line 4748

Line 4748

To the shippe they went in all the hast y^ei myght, And as thei wold desire thei had the wynd; Vppon the see thei toke ther course full right, That sone thei were vppon the cost of ynde, Line 4752 Right fayre havenys all redy ganne thei fynd, And sone thei landyd, shortly for to say, All atte ther ease, was no man seid nay. Line 4755

ffurth one thei went, and made noo taryeng, Line 4756 The Cryes were made in euery good village, All thoo that wold obey the rightwise kyng Shuld haue ther lyves and ther heritage; Line 4759 And euery man to haue his avauntage, A moneth day to take avisement, This was the kynggez own poyntement. Line 4762

Furth with his ost kyng auferius is gon, Line 4763 And many lordes in his companye, The townys and the castelys euerychon Euer as he went he wanne them by and by, Line 4766 Save one, whiche was full stronge and myghty, And as the story makith remembraunce, Wold not be wonne withoute grete ordenaunce: Line 4769

And Vice it hight, whiche is a fayre Cite; Line 4770 Ser Amelok fro thense a litill he lay, And of auferius comyng wist not he No maner o thing, ne of all that Arraye; Line 4773 Thanne was ther on that had hast in his way, And ser Amelok Anon he ganne hym dresse, Whiche with a knyght was playeng Att chesse. Line 4776

'What tyme is now to play Atte Chesse?' quod he, 'Thu byddest thy felaw chese, I vnderstonde; Butt for certeyn I saye chek mate to the,

Kyng Auferius is here withynne the land, Line 4780 Townys and Castelys are yelde to his hand, With hym is come Generides also, Take hede be tyme or all is goo.' Line 4783

Syr Amelok, whanne he the tydenges hard, Line 4784 A wrother man yet saw he neuer non, And as a man beside hem self he farde, These tydengys came so hastely vppon; Line 4787 Ther with he sent his lettres owt anon, All men to come and in hir best arraye, Euery man to make as many as they may Line 4790

The townnys and the Castellys on be on, Line 4791 he sett them vnder rule and gouernaunce, And made them to be vitaylid euerychon With stuff of pepill And of ordenaunce; Line 4794 And specially in his remembraunce, And in his mende the fayre Cite of Vice, To make it strong in eny maner awise. Line 4797

And so he ded in All that euer he myght; Line 4798 Withynne ij myle thanne was the kyngges ost, And ther was on that gidid them full right, Whiche somtyme kept the forest in the cost, Line 4801 And brought tidengges whanne the Cite was lost, [folio 26a] The same forster suerly was ther gide, ffull wele he knew the wayes on euery side. Line 4804

Whanne the ost was come before y^e town, Line 4805 he sett his felde and made no more delay; Whanne that was do, the kyng rode vppe and down, Beholding wele the grownde in euery way, Line 4808 And thanne he sette the pepill in his arraye, A xx. Rankys trewly for to accompt, And iche of them A Ml men affronte. Line 4811

Line 4811

They of the town were ware of yer comyng, Line 4812 And toke good hede hough they made ther feld; Among them was noo lenger abideng, But furth they dressid them with spere and sheld Line 4815 Owt of the town, that myght a wepon weld, And ther thei made a feld vppon the playn, xv thowsand to say yow for certayn. Line 4818

It was not long or bothe the battellez mett, Line 4819 And on that side of Auferius the kyng Generides full fresshly on they sett, And was the first of that encounteryng, Line 4822 ffull wele horsyd att his likyng, And with a spere, the story can yow tell, he bare down a knyght callid Ananyell, Line 4825

And broder to ser Amelok he was; Line 4826 A semely knyght, a man of grete powre, Generides toke Natanell [So MS. for Ananyell.] his stede, And hym he wold a taken prisoner, Line 4829 Thanne was ther of his felisshepe soo nere, That saw thei hough his stede was gon So furth with all they reskewe hym anon. Line 4832

He had a felaw that callid was ser Amysell, Line 4833 his sworn broder he was in sothfastnes; Anone with all ranne to hym ser Darell, And hym vnhorsyd ther in all the prese, Line 4836 And in like wise so ded Generides, ffurth on he goth and yer as the prese was most, Syr Darell toke the stede and led hym to y^e ost. Line 4839

The toder part avaunce them anone Line 4840 And wrothe thei were yer men were so outrayed, kyng lamedon was ther, and formest of euerychon,

And all for love of lucidas the mayde, Line 4843 The whiche was endly fayre, as it was sayde, Of all hir manerys callid trew and p[l]ayne, Ser Amelok hir fader was certayn: Line 4846

Serenides hir moder was Also, Line 4847 And all she was of another dissposicion As ye haue hard, withoute wordes moo, VnWurchipfull of hir condicion, Line 4850 like as the story makith mencion, And so furth on, to say yow forther more, Anone beganne the batell passing sore. Line 4853

Syr Amelok in the myddes of the playn Line 4854 Ranne to A knyght, and smote hym with his spere Thorough owt the brest, and slew hym in certayn. Thanne he toke [? told.] the kyng in this maner, Line 4857 'Be my councell take ye this present here, And so departe and ellys I yow behight, ye shall haue more long or it be nyght.' Line 4860

Thanne who was wrothe but Auferius y^e kyng? Line 4861 With a spere he ranne in to the prese ffull egerly, and atte first metyng he slew the kyng Sanyk withoute lese, Line 4864 The whiche was fader onto Serenydes, kyng of Auferyk, the story makith mynd, As here before in writeng may ye fynde. Line 4867

Hys sonne was ther and saw hym wher he laye, Line 4868 Ser ysores he hight, to say yow full trew, Thanne to ser Amelok this ganne he saye, 'Woo worth the tyme tha[t] euer I the knewe! Line 4871 Thy cursyd lyff,' quod he, 'and most vntrew, Thy hatefull hart, and thy mysgouernaunce hath browgth abowt this onhappy chaunse.' Line 4874

Line 4874

Syr ysores, as sone as it myght be, Line 4875 Made certayn knyghtes bere his fader to town, And with A Ml knyghtes in his company; And all they made grete lamentacion: Line 4878 The prestis mett hym with A procession, [MS. precession.] And of the Citee many a creature, Right so they brought hym to his sepulture. Line 4881

Quod Serenydes, 'beholde them eu[er]ychon;' Line 4882 And what it ment she wold a wist fayn: And so among all other was one, 'Madame,' quod he, 'the sothe I will not layn; Line 4885 The kyng your fader ded is for certayn, his knyghtes yender bere hym on his sheld, kyng Auferius hath slayn hym in the feld.' Line 4888

And whanne Serenydes wist hough it was, Line 4889 wete ye wele she was a wofull creature; She toke aparte the mayden lucidas, 'Doughter,' quod she, 'now am I very sure, Line 4892 My Ioy is gon, And All good aventure; I myght right wele A knowen All this before, [folio 26b] I haue deseruyd it if it were more. Line 4895

For myn on trowth all this come too [me], Line 4896 For more vntrew I trow ther was neuer non; A better prince was neuer born,' quod she, 'In all this world thanne I was sure of on, Line 4899 And vtterly for euer he is now gone, Vppon his grace it botith not to wayte, ffor I shall neuer stonde in his conseite. Line 4902

Kyng auferius it is in certayn, Line 4903 To whom I weddid was be mariage, I toke a new whiche sore repentith me,

It hath and will turne me to grete damage; Line 4906 And doughter myn, now ye be yong of age, haue this in mynde, bothe now and euery owre, late noo thyng meve yow to your dishonour.' Line 4909

In this meane tyme that she complayned soo, Line 4910 The batell lasted alway still opece, Moche pepyll hurt and many slayn Also; ffull egerly thanne came rideng ser ysores, Line 4913 And with a spere ranne to Generides, And with grete corage all redy to fight, To avenge his faders deth if that he myght. Line 4916

Generides full suerly hym beheld, Line 4917 hym for to mete anone he ganne hym dresse, And ther they ranne to geder in the feld: The toder knyght, callid ser ysores, Line 4920 vppon the shelde he smote Generides; And with [the] stroke his stede came on so rounde, That hors and man were almost cast to grownd. Line 4923

Generides recoueryd vppe than ayeyn, Line 4924 Thinkyng suerly to quyte hym to for on, And with his swerd he brast his sheld on twayn: The swerde poynte ranne onto the shulder boon, Line 4927 Sore hurt he was, and reskewse was yer non, Nor non comyng, wherefore ser ysores Anon he yelded hym onto Generides, Line 4930

And furth with all delyueryd hym his swerd. Line 4931 To hym thanne seide Generides ayeyn, 'What man be ye that I haue here conquerred?' [MS. conquerred here.] 'I am,' he seid, 'to say yow for certayn, Line 4934 The kynggez sone that here to day was slayn; And eyre to his landes withoute lese, My suster is the quene Serenydes.' Line 4937

Line 4937

'Serenydes,' quod he, 'I knowe here well; Line 4938 This warre beganne noo creature but she, ffor she is croppe and rote and euery dele, yet as for your persone ye shall goo fre, Line 4941 And say to Serenydes that I am he Whiche she wold haue distroyed euer more; And now I trowe she wolle repent it sore.' Line 4944

Sore wondid Was ser ysores in dede, Line 4945 And sore for bled that vnnethe myght he stonde, Might had he non to kepe hym on his stede, Butt as Generides put to his hande; Line 4948 Whereby a man myght knowe and vnderstonde A noble knyght and full of prow[es]se, his enmy so to helpe in his distresse. Line 4951

To the Cite goth now ser ysores, Line 4952 Rideng alone soft and an easy pace; Vppon the wall stode Serenydes, And saw hym come and callid lucidas; Line 4955 'God wote,' quod she, 'I stonde in an hevy case, I se my broder woundid passing sore, My hevynes encreasith more and more.' Line 4958

Ther anon the mayde lucidas Line 4959 Comfortid hir in all that euer she myght; Ser ysores be that tyme come was, And with grete payne down of his hors light; Line 4962 To his suster he toke the way full right, Rehersyng euery word bothe more and lesse, Whiche he shuld telle hir fro Generides. Line 4965

And whanne Serenydes wist hym so nere, Line 4966 God wote she was a wofull creature, withoute eny comfort or eny maner chere,

Trostyng vppon noo better aventure, Line 4969 ffor of his frendshippe cowde she not be sure. And so furth on to telle yow ferthermore, All way the batell lastid passing sore. Line 4972

Off euery side grete pepill were slayn, Line 4973 And moche grounde of ser Amelok [MS. Amelek.] thei wanne; Ser Darell with a spere vppon the playn Come rideng on, and to an erle he ranne, Line 4976 Born in europe, his name was Ioatan, And in serteyn, be writeng as I knowe, Both hors with the Erle was ouer throwe. Line 4979

Syr Darell toke with hym his stede; Line 4980 With that anon his knyghtes were redy, hym to reskew thei made hasty spede; A long the Citee Darell rode by and by, Line 4983 Vppon [MS. A vppon.] A towre ther with he cast his yee, And [on] that towre he sawe a mayde sittyng, Right Inly fayre she was to his semyng. Line 4986

And thanne he callid Sygrem furth with all, Line 4987 'Segrem,' he saide, 'now for the loue of me, [folio 27a] Of on thyng telle me in especiall, A gentilwoman that I yonder see, Line 4990 What that she is, sey me the certente;' 'Ser,' quod Sygrem, 'the soth I will not layn, Ser Amelok is hir fader in certayn; Line 4993

And she is callid good in euery place, Line 4994 Of hir maners soft and eke demure.' Thanne saide Darell, 'trewly this is the case, My seruice she shall haue I yow ensure, Line 4997 ffor me thinkith hir a goodly creature; And yet I drede Generides therfore, lest he ther with will be displeasid sore.' Line 5000

Line 5000

'Syr,' quod Sygrem, 'dought not in this case, Line 5001 If he loue not hir fader by noo maner waye, In trowth yet hate[t]h he not lucydas. 'Why, Who is that?' quod he, 'I prae yow say.' Line 5004 It is the mayde,' quod he, 'ye sawe to day, And if ye will I shall a token bere To hir anon, and bryng a trew answere.' Line 5007

'That I beseche yow hartely,' he saide; Line 5008 And ther with all he delyueryd hym a ryng, 'Goo now,' quod he, 'to lucydas that mayde, With this tokyn and make noo taryeng, Line 5011 And do your massage wele in euery thing.' Whanne he hadde told hym all his erand playn, In to the feld he returnyd hym ageyn, Line 5014

And in the thikkest prece of all the place Line 5015 he bare down Ananyell, hors and all, The whiche was vnkyll onto lucydas; She saw all that stondeng vppon the wall, Line 5018 Thanne thought she this, what thing y^t euer fall Shall noman think but that I do very right, Though I besette my loue on suche a knyght. Line 5021

Thanne sayde she to hir moder in this wise; Line 5022 'wote ye whiche is generides?' quod she: 'As ferre furth as I canne device, his stede is blak, me think the same is he; Line 5025 A noble knyght is he, in very certente: And o thing shall I telle yow that is trew, Myn owen vnkill now he ouer threw. Line 5028

Ther is,' quod she, 'another knyght also, Line 5029 his stede is whight, this wote I for certayn, In all the ost suerly ther is no moo,

That in knyghtwoode Are like to them twayn.' Line 5032 Thanne to hir answerd Serenydes ayeyn, 'All that is sothe,' she saide, 'and as for me, Yett of them bothe I wote not whiche is he. Line 5035

But as for hym namyd first of all, Line 5036 I shall declare yow trewly myn entent, With that ther myght be made a pece fenyall, And bothe partes beyng of on assent, Line 5039 Whiche in this case were full conuenient, And if it myght be soo thanne wold I fayn The mariage were made betwix yow twayn.' Line 5042

In this mene while that she these wordes seid, Line 5043 Come Sygrem vppe and founde them sittyng; Whanne she hym sawe thanne was she wele apayd: 'Sygrem,' she saide, 'canne ye telle me eny thing, Whiche are the knyghtes of auferius the kyng?' 'Ye, ye, madame,' [quod he] 'soo mote I goo, I know Generides and other moo. Line 5049

And if ye will haue knowlache whiche is he, Line 5050 he will come here anon be fore your sight, his stede is white, this is the certente; With hym ther is also, I yow be hight, Line 5053 Another man whiche is a worthy knyght; his stede is blak, and therto Wight and good, hym self also is come of right noble blode. Line 5056

Hys fader is a man of grete estate, Line 5057 And p[r]ince of Cesare by his enheritaunce, A famose man, and alway fortenate In euery thing his honour shuld Avaunce; Line 5060 Now haue I told yow all the circumstaunce.' 'What is the knyghtes name?' quod she ayeyn; 'Ser Darell he hight,' quod he, 'this is certayn.' Line 5063

Line 5063

Whanne lucidas had hard hym euery dele, Line 5064 Anon she wex a litill rede with all, Serenydes perseyuyd it full wele, She let as though she knew noo thyng At All, Line 5067 And ther with all she rose vp fro the wall; And as thei [MS. ther.] were remevyng fro the place, ffull sustely [? softely.] Sygrem callid lucydas, Line 5070

And furth with all delyueryd hir the ryng, Line 5071 Wherwith in sothe she was right wele apayde, Yet made she danger in the reseyuyng, Of his massage she was sumwhat dismayde, Line 5074 And soberly to Sygrem thus she saide: 'Ryng ne Writeng, as I remember canne, I neuer yet reseyuyd of noo gentilman: Line 5077

Butt this I trost, in his grete gentilnes, [folio 27b] Line 5078 That his desire suerly and his entent Is only me yn honour to encrease, And in that wise this ryng that he me sent, Line 5081 It to reseyue I am right wele content.' And so she toke the ryng in this maner, And gave Segrym another for to bere. Line 5084

Now is Sygrem departid on his way Line 5085 ffrom lucidas, his erande for to do, In to the feld as fast as euer he may, To ser Darell withoute wordes eny moo, Line 5088 his tokyn ther he delyueryd to hym Also; Whanne he it had he was right wele apayde, And to Sygrem full curtesly he sayde; Line 5091

'Ser,' quod he, 'I thank yow right hertely Line 5092 Of your good will and trew seruice, And one thyng I yow ensure verily,

The first stede that I wynne in eny wise, Line 5095 It shalbe your, and that I yow promes; So furth he gothe in to the feld anon, And rode a course onto kyng lamedon. Line 5098

Anone thei mette to geder in the feld, Line 5099 Ther with ser Darell saw his lady fre, he smote kyng lamedon vppon the sheld, And suche a stroke he gave hym with a spere, Line 5102 That hors and man bothe atte grownde were; And ther kyng lamedon his stede he lost, Ser Darell hym toke and led hym to his ost Line 5105

Callyng anon to his remembraunce, Line 5106 What full promys he had made before, Vnto Sygrem for his trew attendaunce, That he shuld be rewardid wele therfore, Line 5109 And to Sygrem, I say yow forthermore, he gave that stede withoute more taryeng, The whiche he wanne of lamedon the kyng. Line 5112

Vppon the towre on highe stode lucidas, Line 5113 And saw all this to hir grete plesaunce; Serenydes perseivid hough it was, She seide noo word, nor made no contenaunce. Line 5116 And so furth on, to tell yow the substaunce, The batell still endure[d] to And fro, Moche pepyll slayn And Alway moo And moo. Line 5119

Kyng lamedon, of whom ye hard me speke, Line 5120 Was sette all now appon anothe[r] [MS. originally A stede, but anothe[r] is written above.] stede, To that entent he wold hym hym self A wreke, And to Generides he ranne in dede; Line 5123 Ther hors came on with suche a spede, And sothely, atte first encownteryng, Generides strake lamedon the kyng Line 5126

Line 5126

Thorough the hede streyght in to the brayn; Line 5127 The kyng was dede withynne a litill space, ffor hym was made grete hevynes certayn, And for to tell yow certayn as it was, Line 5130 Whanne he was dede they stode in hevy case; Thei lost the feld, and fled atte last In to the Citee, and shette the gatez fast. Line 5133

Thanne thei withoute the tentys vppe y^ei pight, Line 5134 Eche after other streight abowt the town, In all the hast possibill that thei myght; And first of All, the kynges pavilion Line 5137 Set for the kyng and ther vppon a crown; Engyins grete were purveyd for the nonys, To breke the wallys with casting of stonys. Line 5140

And whill that thei besegid the Cite, Line 5141 These lordes and these knyghtes euerychone, Ther cam tidengys in very certente, Vnto Guynan the kyng be many on, Line 5144 hough in to ynde Generides is gon, With meche people and many a nobyll knyght To helpe the kyng his fader in his right. Line 5147

Thanne in to perse purposith he to goo, Line 5148 his faders deth to venge if [MS. of.] that he myght, And of Clarionas he thought also, hir to haue he thought it was his right, Line 5151 he made a massinger redy day and nyght Vnto ser Amelok, And hye hym fast Streyght in to ynde in All the possible hast. Line 5154

'Goo now to Amelok, and byd hym kepe hym close, That in noo wise he stere not to And fro, And kepe hym owt of daunger of his foys,

ffor with myn ost streight to perse I will goo, Line 5158 To wynne the Sowdon and his land Also; ffro thense I will into ynd without fey[n]ing, And reskew hym from Auferius the kyng.' Line 5161

Now goth the massenger on his viage Line 5162 Streight in to ynd, withoute more taryeng, And to ser Amelok seide his message, Whiche likid hym right wele in euery thyng, Line 5165 And very glad he was of his comyng: [folio 28a] Grete chere also made quene Serenydes, ffor she purposid wele to leve in pece. Line 5168

Thañ furth with all quod she to lucidas, Line 5169 'Telle me, doughter, of very frendlehede, What Sygrem seid, and what his massage was, And as longith to my womanhede,' Line 5172 With thoo wordes she wexe a litill rede; 'Madame,' quod she, 'if it please yow to here, I shall tell yow the trowth of this mater. Line 5175

There is a knyght of good and noble fame, Line 5176 In very trowth hath sent me here a ryng, ffor noo slaunder ne hurt onto my name, Butt to wurchippe in all his demeaneng, Line 5179 And myn honour above all other thing, This is his will and his desire certayn.' Thanne seid Serenydes to hir ayeyn, Line 5182

'What is the knyghtes name? now tell it me.' Line 5183 'Trewly, Madame,' quod she, 'ser Darell he high[t], And of Cesare the prince sonne is he, [MS. he is.] Of his handis callid a noble knyght, Line 5186 And ayre to his lande, I yow be hight; Now haue I told yow all the circumstaunce, I prae yow take it to no displeasaunce.' Line 5189

Line 5189

'Therof,' quod she, 'dowte ye neuer a dele, Line 5190 Butt my conseite will I telle yow playne, If it be so that he love yow so well, ye shall right sone haue knowlage in sertayne, Line 5193 your pleasur to perfourme he will be fayn; Send for Sygrem,' quod she, 'that he may goo To ser Darell your erand for to do. Line 5196

And as he owith yow feith and trew seruice, Line 5197 That of Generides he will purchase A ryng of gold, in eny maner wise, Whiche he in perse had of Clarionas; Line 5200 Why and wherefore I shall tell you y^e cause, I haue a frende, a full seke creature, Grete payn of ache allway he doth endure. Line 5203

And by a vision it come hym too, Line 5204 he shhuld be hoole if he the ryng myght haue; And for certayn it were grete pite also, That he soo soone were dolvyn in his grave, Line 5207 If suche a ryng myght hym socour And save. ffor the whiche doughter I yow require, Send for Sygrem and tender this mater.' Line 5210

To hir anon Answerd lucidas ayeyn, Line 5211 Whiche in this mater was full Innocente; 'Madame,' quod she, 'I will putt to my payn, In that I canne to folow your entente.' Line 5214 Sygrem anon on this massage was sent, And to ser Darell dede his erande soo, The ryng to borow withoute wordes moo. Line 5217

As for ser Darell he thought noo thyng Amys, Line 5218 Nor he that brought the ryng, but wote ye what? ffull ofte it hath be seide, and trew it is,

ffalshede and trougth is euer atte debate: Line 5221 And yet Sygrem was allway fortenate; ffor lucidas, whanne he brought hir the ryng, Gave hym a mantell of hir owne weryng. Line 5224

Serenides perseivid be the ryng, Line 5225 hir prayour was obseruyd and obeyde, And furth with all withoute more taryeng, She callid lucidas, and this she saide; Line 5228 'Doughter,' quod she, 'I am right wele apayde, ffor now I wote ye haue chose you a man, That will please yow in all that euer he canne. Line 5231

And fayre doughter,' quod she, 'this I yow prae, Line 5232 As late me see the facyon of that ryng.' 'Madame,' quod she, 'ye wote right wele alway, I haue not disobeyde yow in noo thing;' Line 5235 And from a lose anon ther as it hyng, Be cause she wold in no wise her displese, She toke the ryng onto Serenydes. Line 5238

Whanne she it hadde thanne was she wele content, And callid furth on of hir Acqueyntaunce, Suche on as wold do after hir entent, And brought vppe was vnder hir gouernaunce, Line 5242 A man that cowde hym self right wele avaunce, And born he was, the story seith the same, In Ethiope, and Gusare was his name. Line 5245

Ther with all right this to hym she sayde; Line 5246 'On my massage,' quod she, 'now must ye goo ffurth in to perse, and this may not be nayde, And ye shall bere with you this ryng Also.' Line 5249 'Madame,' quod he, 'your' pleasure for to doo, I wold be glad in eny maner wise, To ryde or goo ye shall haue my seruice.' Line 5252

Line 5252

'Gusare,' quod she, 'in sothe this is the case, Line 5253 haue here a ryng and kepe it still opece, [folio 28b] To the tyme that ye come onto Clarionas, ffor she it gave on to Generides; Line 5256 The love of them is grete, but, [MS. but it.] neuer the lese, I wold ther were a variaunce full fayn, So that the love were broke betwix them twayn. Line 5259

By this meane my pece I may purchase, Line 5260 And other wise I trow it will not be, If ye do wele your labour in this case, ffor your rewarde yow shall wele know and se, Line 5263 That ye shall haue A cause to praye for me.' 'Madame,' quod he, 'this shall be don right wele, In this mater dowte ye neuer a dele.' Line 5266

Falshede and gile is now togeder mett, Line 5267 In A persone to awayte ther Avauntage. vppon han hors [Gusare] [om. MS.] hym self was sett, And rideth into perse on his massage. Line 5270 Whanne he come ther he mett in his viage A pore palmer, goth in sympill gise; To hym anon he sayde right in this wise: Line 5273

'Now good fader, what contre come ye fro?' Line 5274 'ffro Mountoner,' quod he, 'the redy waye.' 'Good ser,' quod he, 'now or ye ferther goo, Where lith,' he seide, 'the Sowdon? I yow praye.' 'I left hym ther,' quod he, 'as yesterday; A grete people surely with hym ther was, And his doughter also, fayre Clarionas.' Line 5280

'Where is now hir love, Generides?' Line 5281 'he is furth into ynd,' quod he, 'certayn; his faderys right to maynteyne and encrese,

ffor ther shall he be lord and souereyn.' Line 5284 'ffader,' quod he, 'of on thyng yet ageyn, This wold I vnderstonde in myne entent, What token he gave hir whanne he went?' Line 5287

'In sothe,' quod he, 'that canne I tell some dele; Line 5288 Whanne he departid owt of the Citee, With hir he left, I am remembryd wele, A lityll dogge, and ther ye may hym see.' Line 5291 'ffader,' he seide, 'do now sum what for me; we ij wolle chaunge our clothyng or we goo.' Quod the palmer, 'I gree me wele therto.' Line 5294

Now is Gusare well onward on his way, Line 5295 And gave the palmer money largely; To mountoner he came the redy way, Ther was brought tydengez sekerly, Line 5298 That Gwynan was enteryd certaynly Into the lande of perse withoute eny delay, ffor to make a feld and wynne it by batell. Line 5301

And so furth on to say yow ferthermore, Line 5302 Gusare is now as besy as he may, To do that he had promys[ed] before; And as the palmer went in his Arraye, Line 5305 So goth Gusare, and toke the [redy] way Into A tempill, wheare as the Sowdon was, With hym ther was also Clarionas. Line 5308

On his fynger the ryng anon he sett, Line 5309 And in the temple purveid hym A place Among the prese, for no man wold he let That he myght stonde before clarionas; Line 5312 And ther he stode as for a certeyn space, The ryng vppon his fynger for to shewe, She sawe the ryng and saide butt wordez fewe. Line 5315

Line 5315

Yet in hir self she was gretly dismayde, Line 5316 And ther with all she chaungyd countenaunce; Myrabyll sawe it wele, and this she saide, 'Madame, ye haue som cawse of displesaunce; Line 5319 I prae yow, tell me what is your grevaunce.' 'That shall ye knowe,' quod she, 'withoute fayle, And wele I wote therof ye will mervell. Line 5322

I saw a palmer stondeng in the prese, Line 5323 On his finger,' quod she, 'ther is a ryng, The whiche I gave,' quod she, 'onto Generides, And to non other creature that is levyng.' Line 5326 'Madame,' quod she, 'that is a wonder thing, yet for All that dismay yow neuer a dele, ye shall se all this shalbe right well; Line 5329

For I myself will speke with hym,' quod she; Line 5330 'To your chaumber I shall hym bryng anon, Ther shall yow fele and knowe the certente, In very trougth if it be so or noo.' Line 5333 So her vppon Mirabell is gon, And taryd not, but as hir commandement was, She brought the palmer vnto Clarionas. Line 5336

Whanne he hir sawe, he knelyd on his kne, Line 5337 'Madame,' quod he, 'take ye not in disdayne Of on fortune, whiche will non other be, ffor in this case to yow I will be playn; Line 5340 Generides is weddid in certeyn, It passith not a fourthnyght sithe it was, To Amelokkez doughter lucydas. Line 5343

It was ayenst his will in euery thing, [folio 29a] Line 5344 The cause was suche that he myght not say nay, his fader chargyd hym on his blissyng,

That pece myght be apoyntid for alway, Line 5347 If y^e trost not the wordes that I say, here is a ryng whiche he sent yow be me, ye gave it hym in very certente. Line 5350

And ferthermore also he chargid me, Line 5351 To late you wete and suerly vnderstonde, That ye may now stonde att your liberte, To wedde where euer ye will in eny lande.' Line 5354 Whanne she herd that noo lenger myght she stond, Butt downe she felle swoninge for very payn; Mirabell ranne and toke hir vppe ageyn, Line 5357

Comfortyng hir in all that euer she myght, Line 5358 And whanne that she was recoueryd vp ayeyn, To hym that brought the ryng she went right, And in noo wise she cowde not hir refrayn, Line 5361 And smote the ryng owt of his handes twayn; All sodenly the ryng from hym was gone, With that Mirabell toke it uppe anon, Line 5364

And putte the ryng in full sure kepyng. Line 5365 Thanne saide Gusare onto Clarionas, 'Madame,' quod he, 'I haue forgete a thing, Whiche I shuld say as I commaundid was, Line 5368 Ye haue a litill dog, this is the case; My charge was this to tell yow euery dele, In eny wise that ye shuld kepe hym wele.' Line 5371

'As for the dog,' quod she, 'here it ys; Line 5372 I will noo lenger kepe it sekerly, Nor no thing that I may knowe was his.' To hym she threw the dog full hastely, Line 5375 With that Mirabell kaught it sodenly; 'Thow shalt nomore,' quod she, 'come in his way, ffor lucidas with the shall neuer playe, Line 5378

Line 5378

And I will haue the att myn owen device.' Line 5379 Whanne Gusare saw that ther was non other [MS. eyer.] way, he toke his leue anon in hasty wise, And so departid vppon his Iurnay, Line 5382 Ayeyn to ynd as fast as euer he may. Clarionas is to the chaunber gone, With syghys depe and thoughtes many on, Line 5385

A wofull woman full of hevynes, Line 5386 Generides alway now remembryng, Complayneng gretly of his vnstabilnes, Of wheche he was not gilty in noo thyng; Line 5389 And so Myrabell alway demyng Of this mater to vnderstonde it wele, That it was do be treson euery dele. Line 5392

And whanne the Sowdon hard of y^is array, Line 5393 And hough his doughter toke suche a hevynes, To hir chaunber he toke the redy waye, As nature wold and also gentilnes, Line 5396 And fond hir in hir bed in grete distresse; 'Doughter,' quod he, 'ther is some thing amys, What euer it be now tell me what it is.' Line 5399

'My lord,' quod she, 'plese it yow to vnderstonde, ye gaue me onys onto Generides In mariage, with half your lande; Now is he false alas, an[d] cawseles Line 5403 With hym ser Amelok hath made his pece, And trewly accordid in euery case, ffor he is weddid vnto lucidas.' Line 5406

'This aventure,' quod he, 'is passing new, Line 5407 And as me think a very wonder thing; Butt wote ye verily that it is trew?'

'Ye, ye, my lord,' quod she, 'withoute feyning; Line 5410 And ferthermore he sent me here a ryng, That I gave hym in very certente, Where by I wote it may non other be.' Line 5413

To his doughter the Sowdon gave answer, Line 5414 'Who wold,' quod he, 'have thought in suche a knyght, That he wold be ontrew in this mater? A grete mervell to here, I yow be hight, Line 5417 ffor this is do [a]yenst all maner right, And if he shew yow suche onkyndnes, yet for all that take ye noo hevynes, Line 5420

For I will purvey for yow another waye, Line 5421 And moche better as after myn entent; kyng Gwynan wold be glad, I dare well say, That he and I shuld make apoy[nte]ment Line 5424 Betwix yow twayne, and if ye will assent, That mariage, I cowde wele vnderstonde, Shall bryng a fyniall pece in to this land.' Line 5427

Clarionas seide neuer a worde ageyn, Line 5428 The whiche Mirabell liked neuer a dele; To the Sowdon than spake she wordes playn, 'My lord,' quod she, 'as ferre as I canne fele, Line 5431 In this mater I canne think but wele; And well I wote that he is suche a knyght, he will not breke that he hath onys behight.' Line 5434

'Now, good Mirabell,' quod Clarionas, Line 5435 'ye wote right wele he sent me here a ryng.' 'In very trought, madame, and trew it is; Butt this I wote as wele as eny thing, [folio 29b] Line 5438 All that he saide,' quod she, 'it is lesyng.' The Sowdon toke good hede of þ^t she saide, Of hir wordes he was right wele apayde. Line 5441

Line 5441

'What think yow best, Mirabell?' thanne quod he, 'That shuld be do as towchyng this mater?' 'Trewly,' quod she, 'the best that I canne se, late me go furth and be the messanger; Line 5445 And whanne I come ayeyn thanne shall ye here The very trougth, and trew as it is Doo as ye list, for this is myn avise I wis. Line 5448

Iff I shall goo, of one thing I yow praye, Line 5449 That I may haue a surance or I passe, The mariage to putte in delay Betwix my lady here, Clarionas, Line 5452 And kyng Gwynan, rehersid here in this case, And att my comyng home ye shall wele know All other maner tidynges as I trow.' Line 5455

Too hir desire the Sowdon seid not nay, Line 5456 And furth with gave hir license for to goo; In to the reame of ynde she toke hir way, With hir ther went ij squyers and noo mo, Line 5459 Save ij pages to kepe ther horses also, On hir Iurnay to kepe the way full right, In All the hast possible that she myght. Line 5462

Now I shall telle yow hough befelle y^e case; Line 5463 Generides was dremyd in his sleppe, hym thought the Sowdon and Clarionas Come hand in hand, and she with sighys depe Line 5466 Complayned sore, and first beganne to wepe, And thanne anon the Sowdon to hym spake, 'Awake,' quod he, 'Generides awake! Line 5469

Thy promys is not kept that thow behight, Line 5470 And namely to my doughter and to me, ffor thu hast take, ayenst all maner right,

Another wiff in very certente, Line 5473 By tresone colour vnder a suerte.' Thanne seid Clarionas, 'geve me my ring, ffor suerly I will haue Gwynan the kyng.' Line 5476

After all this hym thought Gwynan y^e kyng Line 5477 In to Egipte shuld lede Clarionas: Thanne came Mirabell as she was goyng, And toke hir from him as hir fortune was; Line 5480 he awoke and of this soden case, To Darell and to Natanell all in fere, Of his dremys he told them the mater. Line 5483

Syr Darell, as sone as he hard of y^e ryng, Line 5484 his hart anon mysgave hym furth with all, hym thought som tresone was ymagenyng, [MS. ymagenyd.] And fayn he wold haue wist what was fall; Line 5487 Vppon Sygrem anon he beganne to calle, Whanne he was come he told hem mor And lesse, Of all the dreme of Generides. Line 5490

'Now, good Sygrem, I prae yow goo,' quod hee, Line 5491 'To lucidas and speke for the ryng, Besechyng hir that she will send it me, As euer I may do for hir eny thing.' Line 5494 'Ser,' quod Sygrem, 'I say withoute feyning, I will do your massage and see what she will say, And bryng ayeyn the ryng if that ye may.' Line 5497

Thanne went Sygrem the way to lucidas, Line 5498 ffrom ser Darell to telle his erande playn, In euery thyng rehersid here the case, And specially to haue the ryng Ayeyn, Line 5501 It was his desire and his comyng certayn. Vppon this anon she gave an answere, 'I shall,' quod she, 'speke for this mater.' Line 5504

Line 5504

To hir moder anon with all she gothe, Line 5505 And tenderly she prayde here for the ryng, Butt lucidas wheder she was lefe or lothe, She cowde not haue it for no maner thyng, Line 5508 So partyd she and gretly complayneng, Right grete vnkyndnes she thought also, That vnder trost she shuld be seruyd so. Line 5511

And whanne she sawe it wold non other be, Line 5512 ffull hevilly she went hir way ayeyn, 'I shall telle yow the trowth, Sygrem,' quod she, This ryng will nott be goten for certayn, [MS. certente.] Line 5515 I haue both lost my labour and payn, And wele I wote it is not all a right, ffor some tresone ther is I yow behight. Line 5518

And all I trow be for Generides, Line 5519 I canne well think that Darell shall bere y^e name Of this vnhappy werk, yet neuer the lese Right wele I wote that he is not to blame; Line 5522 And I suppose ye will reporte the same: Butt this I prae yow hartely,' quod she, 'Do my message as sone as ye hym see, Line 5525

And say I send hym word this in sertayn; Line 5526 Gwynan the kyng is gon, I vnderstonde, ffourth in to perse, and his erande is playn, The Sowdon to distroye and his land: Line 5529 It to perfourme he hath made full covenaunt. Now, good Sygrem, I prae yow say hym soo, And that he gete hym licence for to goo [folio 30a] Line 5532

Furth in to perse withoute more taryeng, Line 5533 And say hym suerly this is myn avice, Ther shall he here some tidynges of the ryng,

And whoo that take on hym that enterprise, Line 5536 hough it was brought abought, and in what wise, And he most dele with all so sekerly, That no man knowe it save he and ye and I.' Line 5539

Now goth Sygrem, and noo thyng well apayd, Line 5540 he mette ser Darell rideng on the playn, And told hym all that lucidas had seide; hough he had lost his labour and his payn, Line 5543 And hough the ryng wold not be goten ageyn; Whanne he had hard all this yan was he wroth, And to Generides anon he gothe. Line 5546

'I pray yow, ser, now geve me leve,' quod he, Line 5547 'ffurth into perse I purpose me [MS. ne.] to goo, hough it is ther to knowe the certente, ffor I am alway trobolyd to and to; Line 5550 ffor your dremys right I drede also.' Generides ther of was wele apayde, 'Goo on your way, in goddis name,' he seide, Line 5553

'As fast as euer ye may, and com ayeyn, Line 5554 Owt of that lande sum tidyngez wold I here; I pray yow, darell, bryng me word sertayn, And of Clarionas my lady dere.' Line 5557 'That shall not be for gete in noo maner.' Ser darell toke his leve, and went his way Into the lande of perse, as I yow saye. Line 5560

Now is Gusare, that most on happy wight, Line 5561 Out of the lande of perce com [MS. is com.] into ynd, ffull fast seching, in all that euer he myght, The redy way Generides to fynde, Line 5564 With new contrivid falshede hym to blynd, In all the hast to seche hym furth he went, And atte [last] he founde hym in his tent. Line 5567

Line 5567

'My lord,' quod he, 'fro perse now am I come, Line 5568 ffro the Sowdon with tidynges y^t be there, ffor I will tell yow playnle all and som, Gwynan the kyng is ther with grete powre, Line 5571 They ben accordid all bothe in on maner, The pece is made and cryed in euery place, The kyng is weddid on to Clarionas. Line 5574

These tydingez sendith yow ser Anasore; Line 5575 Anoder erand haue I for to do, A litill dog Clarionas hath ther, She bad I shuld bryng hym with me Also, Line 5578 Butte be the tyme I shuld part And goo, Thanne shuld I haue brought it with me verily, And it was taken ayeyn from me sodenly.' Line 5581

Generides hard wele all that he seide, Line 5582 And in hym self he was abasshed sore, Thanne furth with all the message[r] he prayde; 'Good ser,' quod he, 'yet telle me ferthermore, Line 5585 Whanne she was weddid and hough [long] before, Of your departeng sey me the certente.' 'Ther of I shall tell yow the trouthe,' quod he; Line 5588

'I come fro thense apoynted as thei were, Line 5589 The same day thei were weddid full sekyrly; My hast was suche that I myght not be ther, To see the rewle and it was trewly.' Line 5592 Generides toke it full hevily, In petuose wise complayneng euer in on, Thanne Natanell comfortid hym Anon. Line 5595

Off Mirabell now late vs speke a while, Line 5596 Whiche is reden, in all that euer she may, Into the reme of ynd full many A myle;

Whanne she came nygh the ende of hir Iurnay, Line 5599 Ther mette she with Darell vppon the waye, A ferde she was in very certente, ffor Atte first she wist not yat it was he. [MS. she.] Line 5602

Whanne she hym sawe she was right wele apayde, Line 5603 And herd hym speke thanne very glad was she; 'hough doth my lord, the Sowdon, now?' he said, 'And my lady Clarionas,' quod he, Line 5606 'Is she weddid? tell me the very certente.' 'Weddid?' quod she, 'nay, nay, I yow ensure, Nor neuer wilbe to non erthely creature, Line 5609

Save only on to my lord Generides, Line 5610 In whom suerly is all hir fyence, ffor this I canne yow tell in sothfastnes, ffull seldom is he owt of hir remembraunce, Line 5613 And as for eny new [MS. now.] founden Acqueyntaunce, Ther is noo suche, I saye yow feithfully, ffor wele I wote she had moche lever dye Line 5616

Butt now I prae yow telle me,' quod she, Line 5617 'Generides is he weddid, or noo?' 'Nay,' quod Darell, 'for certayn levith me, It came neuer in his thought so for to do; Line 5620 And for to say the very trowth Also, ffor hym I dare wele answere in this case, he will non other but fayre Clarionas.' Line 5623

'The pece is not appoynted thanne,' quod she, [folio 30b] Line 5624 'Of ser Amelok and of Generides?' 'Nay,' quod Darell, 'trewly it will not be; holde on your way,' quod she, 'still opece, Line 5627 And sette my lady [MS. lorde.] more in hartes ease; ffor on thyng shall I say yow that is sure, Ye shall fynde hir a wofull creature.' Line 5630

Line 5630

'In all the hast,' quod Darell, 'that I canne, Line 5631 To hir I will withoute eny more; Generides is now an hevy man, As for a dreme whiche trobelyd hym full sore, Line 5634 No thyng so meche sith he was boore; And wenyng in his dreme, this is y^e case, kyng Gwynan had weddid clarionas. Line 5637

The Sowdon was agreyd well therto, Line 5638 All hym thought was trew in euery thing, Now may ye tell hym it is noo thyng soo, And putt Away all this Imagenyng.' Line 5641 Thanne departid thei and noo taryeng, he went to perse and she went to ynd, The redy way Generides to fynde. Line 5644

Whanne she cam yer, into y^e ost she went, Line 5645 Generides to seche she ded here payn, Atte last she founde hym in his tente, And ther she founde that false Gusare ageyn, Line 5648 The massenger, wherof she was full fayne; And bothe here squyers furth with all she prayde, 'lay on handes on that false theff,' she saide. Line 5651

Whanne he hir saw he drew hym owt aside, Line 5652 hir comyng theder likid hym full ill; Mirabell thanne anon hym had asspyde, She toke hym be the hede and held hym still, Line 5655 Thanne on that knewe hir purpose and will, he smote Gusare so harde vppon the cheke, That leche craft hym nede non other seeke. Line 5658

And ther he dyed withynne a litill stounde, Line 5659 Generides had mervell what it ment; As he came owt Mirabell ther he founde;

And as sche was comyng inward to his tent, Line 5662 Of hir he was full gladde in his entente, And seid, 'mayde Mirabell, benedicite; What thyng hath brought yow into this contre?' Line 5665

'I shall,' quod she, 'telle yow the mater playn, Line 5666 And of my comyng heder all the case; This fals traytour that here this day was slayn, he came and told to my lady Clarionas, Line 5669 That ye were weddid onto lucidas, And on his fynger ther he brought a ryng, Whiche she gave yow Att your both departyng. Line 5672

For all his bost from hym I toke the ryng, Line 5673 My lady it forsoke, she was so wroth; The litill dog she toke that he shuld bryng; Butt as for that,' quod she, 'I hadde them both: Line 5676 Now haue I told yow hough the mater goth.' And he hir thankyd right curtesly, And hir rewardid as she was worthy. Line 5679

'As for the ryng,' quod she, 'loo here it is;' Line 5680 And furth with all delyueryd hym the ryng. Generides knowe wele that it was his; 'This ryng,' quod he, 'Darell had in kepyng: Line 5683 Wherefore,' quod he, 'me think it is a wonder thyng, his trouth I knowe and haue don many a day, The fawte is not in hym I dare wele say. Line 5686

Now, fayre myrabell, go to hir ayeyn, Line 5687 ffor this I canne vnderstonde and fele, She will not leve noo tidyngez in sertayn, Butt if she here yow speke, this wote I well; Line 5690 And yet Darell will tell hir euery dele, Yet will she geve noo credence I am sure, Butt ye be ther, ellys to noo creature. Line 5693

Line 5693

And ferthermore I prae yow telle hir this, Line 5694 Me to mystroste trewly she is vnkynd, ffor o thing shall I say, and trew it is, Vntrew to hir she shall me neuer fynde, Line 5697 And this I will remembre in my mende Eche creature of nature hym delitith, That on good turne another quytith.' Line 5700

With these wordes Mirabell ganne to smyle, Line 5701 hir leve she toke, and furth she goth hir waye; Of ser Darell now late vs speke a while, Whiche hastith hym as fast as euer he may, Line 5704 So ferre fourth he was on his [MS. hir.] Iurnay, That into the land of perse aryvid he, And came to Mountoner the fayre Citee. Line 5707

Full streyght he went onto Clarionas, Line 5708 And to her chaunber toke the redy waye, he knockyd softely as the maner was, Thanne came a mayde and this to hym gan say; Line 5711 'Go fro the dore,' quod she, 'ser, I yow praye, My lady had noo rest of all this nyght, Nor slept not to now, I yow be hight.' Line 5714

Full fast he prayde, but neuer the neer he was, Line 5715 And whanne he sawe it wold non oyer wise be, [folio 31a] he callyd alow vppon Clarionas; 'Madame,' quod he, 'please yow for to see; Line 5718 I am Darell, now speke a word with me.' Thanne spake Clarionas onto the mayde, 'Goo vpon the chaumber dore,' she saide. Line 5721

Thanne Darell came in and knelid on his kne, Line 5722 And thus he saide onto fayre Clarionas, 'ffrom ynd I come to this contre,

Generides commaundith hym on to your grace; Line 5725 As for my comyng now this is the case, Off yow he hath be dremyd passing sore, Whiche dayly hym noyeth more and more.' Line 5728

Thanne he told hir the mater hough it was, Line 5729 She hard hym speke all his entente to fele; 'lete be these wordes,' quod Clarionas, 'This that ye say is lesyng euery dele, Line 5732 Suppose ye not I vnderstonde yow wele; Generides, this is the mater playn, To lucydas is weddid for certeyn. Line 5735

To hir it is this message shuld be do, Line 5736 And not to me, for I haue not to don with all.' 'Now good madame,' [quod he,] 'why say yow soo? My message is to yow in especiall, Line 5739 Now please it yow onto your mynd to call, hough good, hough trew he was to yow alwaye, And yet is he the same this dare I say. Line 5742

Off lucidas,' quod he, 'ye may be sure, Line 5743 ffor I shall tell yow trougth withoute feyning, I love hir best of eny creature; She sent to me, noo malyce supposyng, Line 5746 By hir moderys subtile ymagening, The ryng to borow of Generides, Seying she had a frende in grete distresse. Line 5749

The ryng, she said, wold make hym hoole ayeyn, Line 5750 And for that cause I sent it lucidas; Now wote ye wele, it was but for a trayn Serenydes it had, this is the case; Line 5753 That false Gusare the messanger he was, ffor yow and for Generides also, To make a variaunce betwix yow bo. [MS. bothe.] Line 5756

Line 5756

This is,' quod he, 'the trowth that I have seide, Line 5757 And putt me to what othe that ye list.' In here conseite thanne was she well apayde, 'To you,' quod she, 'now haue I noo mystrost.' Line 5760 'Trewly, Madame,' quod he, 'and I had it wist, That ye shuld me mystrost in my message, I had not A take vppon me this viage.' Line 5763

With that she made hym very frendly chere, Line 5764 And whanne the Sowdon wist of his comyng, To hir he went som tidynggez for to here, And gave ser Darell anone his welcomyng; Line 5767 'What tidynges now,' quod he, 'do yow bryng?' 'ffor certayn, ser,' he seide, 'suche as thei be, To yow I will declare the very certente. Line 5770

The Sege is leyde to parentyne,' quod he, Line 5771 'A grete dele nerrer thanne it was before, The gates ar all shett of that Citee, And of vitayle thei haue but easy store, Line 5774 Nor non may haue, to say yow ferthermore; So streyte them kepith auferius the kyng, That owt thei may not for noo maner thing. Line 5777

Generides lithe atte Citee of vice, Line 5778 Whiche is the strongeth Citee of all the land; he hath besegyd it in suche a wise, That thei may not skape I vnderstonde, Line 5781 The contre hoole obeyeth to his hand.' The Sowdon hard hym wele, and this he seid, 'Of these tidynges I am right wele apayde; Line 5784

Butt now I wold he were here with me, Line 5785 Tell hym so, Darell, in eny maner wise. Gwynan the kyng is now in this contre,

And to my land he doth grete preiudice, Line 5788 Therfore haue I nede of his seruice.' 'Ser,' quod Darell, 'as fast as I canne goo, In all the hast your erande shalbe doo.' Line 5791

Syr Darell toke his leve and went his way, Line 5792 Whiche euer hath be founde both good and trew; Mirabell is homeward in hir Iurnay, Ser Darell and she mette togeder now, Line 5795 Echeon told suche tidynggez as thei cowde, Betwix them was noo lenger abideng, Butt furth they rode withoute more taryeng. Line 5798

Ser Amelok came owt of the Citee of vice, Line 5799 With sertayn of his pepill furth he went, ffor it was told hym in credibill [MS. credilbill.] wise, Generides lay seke in his own tent, Line 5802 Whiche boldith hym the more in his entent; yet were thei blynd in that opynyon, ffor he was rideng owt before the town. Line 5805

Now is ser Darell come ayeyn to ynd, [folio 31b] Line 5806 And furth withall into the feld he went, ffull fast rideng Generides to fynde, And furth withall he sought hym in to y^e tent, Line 5809 To telle hym all the effecte of his entent, Butt ther he founde non erthely creature, So furth he rode seching his aventure; Line 5812

And with a Duke of Ethiope he mette, Line 5813 Vppon a courser crossyng hym the way; Eche vppon other ferly on they sett, And or thei partid, shortly for to say, Line 5816 The duke was slayn and in the feld he lay: Whanne lucidas hym saw thanne was she fayn, And glad she was of his comyng ageyn. Line 5819

Line 5819

Generides thought wele that it was he, Line 5820 And furth with all came rideng apace, 'Darell,' he seid, 'right welcom be ye, What tydinges bryng yow fro Clarionas?' Line 5823 'To telle yow,' quod he, 'I haue noo space, Goo now on and take your seasone as [MS. at.] it is; ffor all is well, ther is noo thyng Amysse.' Line 5826

Full wele apayde thanne was Generides, Line 5827 And in his mynd reioysid passing wele, In to the feld he rode among the prece, And in his way he mette ananyell, Line 5830 A manly knyght, the story canne yow tell, A wise man and sadde in euery case, And broder onto ser Amelok he was. Line 5833

Anon thei ranne togeder in the feld Line 5834 With sperys sharpe, and made no more delay; he smote Generides vppon the sheld, The sheld to brast and fro hym fell away; Line 5837 And as his grace and fortune was that day, The spere ranne down by generides side, And ellys withoute fayle ther had he dyed. Line 5840

And furth with all [MS. all all.] or they departid yer, Line 5841 Generides thanne smote hym so ayeyn, That thorough owt the body ranne the spere, And with that stroke Ananyell was slayn, Line 5844 Down from his hors he felle vppon the playn; And whanne ser Amelok saw all the case, ffor his broder an hevy man he was, Line 5847

And to ser Darell he ranne with spere & sheld; Line 5848 Thanne lucydas was sory in hir hert, To see them twayn togeder in y^e feld,

And fast she prayde that thei myght sone departe, like as nature required for hir part: Butt bote was non to pray ne for to trete, And bothe thei mette anon with speris grete. Line 5854

Full long thei fought, to say yow ferthermore, Line 5855 And lenger wold haue don as by ther will Vnder them bothe ther stedys feynted sore, That bothe togeder to the grownde ganne y^ei fall, Line 5858 Ser Darell in the feld ther lay he still, The prese was suche he myght not gete away, Butt still defendid hym ther as he lay. Line 5861

Syr amelok was holpyn att his nede, Line 5862 his knyghtes came and fechid hym anon; Sone after that ser Darell was on his stede, With that Generides came rideng on, Line 5865 They made hym rome among them euerychone, And where that euer he rode in eny side, Ther was non in the feld wold hym abide. Line 5868

The dede body vppon a sheld they layde, Line 5869 Toward the Citee thei caried it anon; Ser amelokkez men were so dismayde, To the Citee thei fled his pepill euerychon, Line 5872 And yet ther were distroyed many on, And or thei myght gete the Citee, this is sertayn, An C knyghtes were take and slayn. Line 5875

Whanne thei were in thei shette ye gates fast, Line 5876 Ananyell thei beried furth with all; Thanne afterward in all the possible hast, Too knyghtes thei sent echone in generall, Line 5879 This was the message in especiall, ffull tenderly Generides for to praye, To graunt them truse for ij monethis day, Line 5882

Line 5882

His knyghtes for to bery euerychone. Line 5883 he grauntid them and was right wele apayde, Ser Darell thanne he callid furth anon, And Natanell Also, and this he saide; Line 5886 'The trewse is now appoyntid and prevyed Betwix the Cite and Me ij monethys day, And now I will goo see Clarionas I say. Line 5889

Wherefore, Darell, I prae yow now,' quod he, Line 5890 'That ye will do so moche as take the payn, To rewle these men, that hir be vnder me, In my absence as lord and cheff capteyn, Line 5893 Or ought it be long I will be here ayayn, And if ther fortune eny hasty nede, Thanne will I come as fast as I may spede. Line 5896

Off knyghtes And squyers that be here, Line 5897 Of them will I haue A C and no moo; ffull secretly,' he seid, 'in all maner, I wold they were warnyd with me to goo; [folio 32a] Line 5900 And say to Sygrem that he come also In eny wise, that he may be my gide, ffull wele he knowith the wayes on euery side.' Line 5903

In this meane tyme thanne was come home ayeyn Mirabell on to fayre Clarionas; She saide, 'Madame, Generides for certayn hym recomaundid onto your good grace Line 5907 In humble wise, and as for lucidas, hir for to wedde came neuer in his thought; The messenger is slayn that the tidynges brought.

And so furth on she told all the hole processe, Line 5911 hough that she founde Generides sertayn, All discomfortid in right grete hevynes;

Thanne saide Clarionas to hir ayeyn, Line 5914 'Moche thank to yow for your labour a[nd] payn.' And thus I leve them bothe in hartys ease, And ferthermore I will speke of Generides. Line 5917

Now toward perse ridith Generides, Line 5918 Takyng his viage in the evyn tide, And of his [MS. hus.] Iurnay wold he neuer sese, Till he came ther wher he shuld abide; Line 5921 With hym ther went Sygrem to be his gide, Costyng the contre many dyuers way, And so came he in to perse the redy waye. Line 5924

The contre was distroyed in that tide, Line 5925 And as he rode vppon the way, A lady he sawe rideng be a forest side, Grete hast she had on hir Iurnay, Line 5928 To hir he rode withoute more delay, Whanne she hym saw come toward hir so fast, Away fro hem she fledde in all the hast. Line 5931

With hir ther were xviij. in company, Line 5932 Generides rode after hir so fast, And on his way so fast he ganne hym hye, he ouer toke the lady atte last; Line 5935 'Madame,' he seid, 'be ye noo thyng agast, Why ride ye thus and in so hasty wise? Ther shall no man do yow harme o warantise.' Line 5938

'In trowth I am a wedow, ser,' quod she, Line 5939 'The Sowdon is myn vncle in certayn; kyng Gwynan wold that I weddid shuld be To his Cosyn, and me he wold constreyne Line 5942 So for to do; this is the mater playn: And thus fro hym in all the hast I went, Because I wold not folow his entent. Line 5945

Line 5945

Too Mountoner now I will take my way, Line 5946 And with myn vnkill ther I will abide, ffor here I leve in drede and in affray.' 'Madame,' quod he, 'I prae god be your gide, Line 5949 After kyng Gwynan I purpose me to ryde, ffayne I wold knowe the way and not to mys.' 'I shall yow tell,' quod she, 'where that he is. Line 5952

In a castell here be a forest side, Line 5953 ffrom hens it passith not a myle or twayne, hold on your way streight as ye ride, And ther ye shall hym fynde, this is certayn, Line 5956 A bideng ther Otran the kyng of spayne, Whiche comyth the kyng to helpe I vnderstonde, To warre vppon my vncle and his lande.' Line 5959

'Now, Madame,' thanne seid Generides, Line 5960 'What pepyll hath he ther? I prae yow say.' 'Trewly,' quod she, 'as ferre as I canne gesse, he passith not CC men this day, Line 5963 And Chosen men they be in good arraye, he is noo thyng a drede in certente, ffor euery day on huntyng rideth he.' Line 5966

'Madame,' quod he, 'thanne I beseche yow this, Line 5967 That it may plese yow do so meche for me, Whanne ye be ther as your vncle is, That I to hym may recomaundid be, Line 5970 A knyght of Surre gladly wold hym see, Butt now I may not come, the cause is soo, ffor I will seche the kyng where euer he goo.' Line 5973

Too Mountoner the lady toke the waye, Line 5974 And to the forest Generides is gon, And whanne it was ferre past on the day,

In a buschement he layde his men eche on, Line 5977 And thanne he callid Sygrem furth anon; 'Sygrem,' quod he, 'afore all other thyng, I prae yow wete where lith Gwynan the kyng. Line 5980

Off his demeanyng I wold wete also, Line 5981 And with my felisshepe I will abide.' 'Ser,' quod Segyrem, 'anon it shalbe doo; Att your commaundment now I will ride, Line 5984 And bryng yow worde her be the forest side.' Now goth Segrym, withoute more taryeng, To monperson, and ther he founde the kyng. Line 5987

The town was fast by the castell wher he lay, Line 5988 Thorough owt the town he went among y^e prese, And whanne that he had Aspyed all yer array, Agayn he came vnto Generides; Line 5991 'I shall yow telle,' quod he, 'that is noo leese, [folio 32b] I left them ther att dyner euerychon, And to this forest he will come anon. Line 5994

Armyd thei be eche on atte poynte device, Line 5995 here will thei hunte I say yow verily; Butt this I councell yow be myn avise, Whanne yow them se late them go by and by, Line 5998 Till thei be passid thanne may ye them askry. And this suerly if ye do after me, Betwix them and the Castell shall ye be. Line 6001

And ferthermore,' as my Auctor doth write, Line 6002 'Gwynan if ye will [know] whereuer he be, his owne Array is all togeder white, hors and harnes and so is non but he, Line 6005 his spere also is white, that ye shall see, Now haue I sayde, do as ye semes best, here will he come anon in to this forest.' Line 6008

Line 6008

Anon vppon [on] huntyng rode the kyng, Line 6009 Generides was ware therof anon, No noyse was made nor ther was noo steryng, To tyme the kyng and all his men were goon; Line 6012 And whanne that thei were passid euerychon, Generides anon hym ganne Askerye, And bad them 'turne, for tyme it is trewly.' Line 6015

With that the kyng his hors he turnyd then, Line 6016 And to his knyghtes all thanne he saye, 'Serys, now is tyme to shewe that we be men, ffor yender folk will lette vs of our way.' Line 6019 Anone thei mette them withoute more delay, And atte first encounteryng certayn, kyng Gwynan had xx. of his knygthes slayn: Line 6022

And xv more were taken furth with all, Line 6023 Where with the kyng was greuyd passyng sore, And sware his othe what euer shuld hym falle, he wold suerly avenge hym therfore, Line 6026 And in that hete, to say yow ferthermore, Anon he ranne to lucas with a spere, And bare hym thorough and slewe hym ther. Line 6029

Whanne he was dede ther was grete hevynes, Line 6030 And with Generides was full hevy chere, Remembryng the grete love and kyndnes, Whiche he had shewid to hym in all maner; Line 6033 And specially whanne he was prisoner, And by his meane the Sowdon gave hym grace, Whanne he so long lay in prisone for Clarionas. Line 6036

And for by cause kyng Gwynan had hym slayn, Line 6037 To go vn quyte he thought noo wurchippe in, And with his spere ranne toward hym ageyn,

Thanne was ther on of the kynggez kynne, Line 6040 Betwene them bothe his wurchippe for to wynne, And with a spere in myddes of the prese, ffurth with all he ranne vnto Generides. Line 6043

And bothe thei mette to geder in the feld, Line 6044 And for to tell yow all the mater playn, Generides stroke hym thorough the sheld Owt atte bak, and slew hym for certeyn; Line 6047 And whanne ther felawes were take And slayn, A bak thei drewe, and sperkelyd her and yer, Thanne was the kyng full wrothe in his maner, Line 6050

And blew his horn to geder them to bryng, Line 6051 ffull sory he was to se them goo so wide; Thanne seid Sampson these wordes to y^e kyng, Off Cornyssh was he born, and of that side; Line 6054 'It is noo tyme here for vs to Abide, Drawe to your Castellward, and that anon, ffor here we do butt lese oure men euerychon.' Line 6057

Too monpersone the kyng with drew hym yan, Line 6058 Generides hym folowid in the chase; 'Syr,' quod Sygrem, 'thus shall yow lese your men, And wery them, withynne a short space: Line 6061 Butt this me think better in this case; Gete yow be fore, this wold I yow avise, Betwix hym and the town in eny wise.' Line 6064

Generides dede after Sygrems councell, Line 6065 And to blanchard his stede he saide, 'Blanchard,' quod he, 'thow dost me neuer fayle, Nor vppon the I was neuer ovtrayde.' Line 6068 With these wordes thoughtfull in A brayde A nother way he rode, and in a while he was be fore the kyng welle half a myle. Line 6071

Line 6071

And whanne the kyng perseivid that it was he, Line 6072 Adrede he was, And litill wold he say; And verily he thought not hym for to Asse, Nor hym to mete he thought no more y^t day: Line 6075 Generides thanne crossid hym the way; 'This way,' quod he, 'thu shalt noo ferther pas, Or thu do armys for fayre Clarionas.' Line 6078

The kyng sawe well he myght non oyer way, Line 6079 Nor to the town he myght not ride in pece; Anon he dressid hym in his arraye, And thanne he turnyd vnto Generides: [folio 33a] Line 6082 Ther mette thei bothe withoute the prese, And shortly the processe for to make, Atte first encounteryng bothe ther sperys brake. Line 6085

With yer swerdes to geder thei went, Line 6086 And layde euerychone on other strokes grete, The fyre sparkelid and fro the harneys glynt; Betwix them twayne it was noo tyme to trete, Line 6089 All maner love and frenshippe was forgete, The kyng in his conseite he was stronge, he thought noman shuld fight with hym so long. Line 6092

Hee strake Generides vppon the sheld, Line 6093 It all to brast in peces to and fro, The handdell it fell in to the feld, A grace of god that he askapyd soo, Line 6096 That with that stroke his arme was not a twoo! Thanne seid the kyng, 'if thu wilt leve in rest, Goo now thy way and hold it for the best.' Line 6099

Generides wrothe was in his maner, Line 6100 That he shuld byd hym voyde owt of y^e place, Remembryng whiche was to hym soo dere,

That fayre lady, that mayde Clarionas, Line 6103 he thought to ease his hert as in this case, And ther with all, withoute more taryeng, Vppon the helme he smote Gwynan the kyng, Line 6106

And the helme to brast that was good and strong, A quarter of it fell vppon the grene, The swerde ranne down and clave y^e sheld along, And ij fyngers he smete [MS. swete.] of quyte and clene, Line 6110 Thanne was he bare his visage myght be sene, All discomfeyte and all forbled Also, That in noo wise he wist not what to do. Line 6113

Thanne spake the kyng, and seid in y^is maner, Line 6114 'what maner a man, be ye? I prae yow say; ffor I will fight with yow noo lenger here, My swerd and all I yeld it vppe this daye; Line 6117 What is your name?' quod he, 'I prae you say' 'Trewly my name,' quod he, 'I will not layn, Generides men calle me for certayn.' Line 6120

The kyng toke hym his swerd, and seid ayeyn, Line 6121 'Though I have ben Ayenst yow in this case, yet am I not blame worthy in certayn, By yow only my fader slayn was, Line 6124 Butt now it is for gevyn certayn y^t trespas, And this I wold desire of yow also, In to my land that I may savely goo. Line 6127

All this I will ensure yow be myn othe, Line 6128 Shall I neuer the Sowdon trobill more, hym nor his land; and for his ayris bothe, I will be sworne like as I seid before, Line 6131 ffor I saw neuer that day sithe I was bore [MS. born.] , Atte my full age and was att mannys myght, That euer I medled with soo good a knyght.' [MS. kyng.] Line 6134

Line 6134

Generides in Iapyng said agayn, Line 6135 'What sey ye now as for Clarionas?' 'Syr,' quod the kyng, 'with grete trobill, ffull dere ye haue hir bought, this is y^e case; Line 6138 Now is she yourez by fortune and by grace, And I am well content that it be soo, And as for my part now ther with I haue doo.' Line 6141

After all this whanne pece was made and All, Line 6142 The kyng therof sent tydinges to his ost, Thanne were thei glad his men in esspeciall, Among them All whiche of them myght be most, The pece was cryed abought in euery cost, The kyng and he no longer ther abode, To monpersone to geder thanne they rode. Line 6148

Theder were come the kynges men before; Line 6149 As sone as he hym see he seide anon, 'Now serys,' quod he, 'withoute eny more I wold that ye went homeward euerychon: Line 6152 The pece is made and all the werre is gon. Now hye yow fast, I canne noo ferder say, And I shall come as sone as euer I may.' Line 6155

Now speke we of the Sowdon in this case, Line 6156 Whiche hard no maner thing of All y^is pece, And in this mater dremyd sore he was; hym thought kyng Gwynan and Generides Line 6159 had fought hand to hand, yet neuer the lesse Right this hym thought it happid atte last, That in A Ryuer Generides hym cast. Line 6162

The kyng hym thought for mercy yanne he prayde, Generides thanne toke hym vppe to grace; Whanne this was do, this dreme Aforeseid

he told them All in to fayre Clarionas; Line 6166 Thanne was the lady present in the place, whiche with Generides spake on the way, She had forgete hir erande for to say. Line 6169

Full vmbely of pardon she hym prayde, Line 6170 'To yow I haue offendid, ser,' quod she, 'ffor Amessage the whiche I shuld haue seide; Ther is a knyght come in to this contre, Line 6173 To yow he recomaundid hym be me, [folio 33b] his name he wold not telle me, ne what he hight, Of Surre he [MS. of he, but of is struck out.] was born the gentill knyght. Line 6176

Right wele armed this knyght is also, Line 6177 And gladly wold haue sene yow or he went, Butt nedis he must owt of this contre goo.' Thanne was Clarionas not well contente, Line 6180 ffor wele she vnderstode in hir entent, And euer in one she thought still opece, That it shuld be hir love Generides. Line 6183

And for by cause she had hym in mystrost, Line 6184 Allway she demyd the [So MS. for that he?] wold hir quyte, hym to Absente awhile while that hym list, And so to putte his comyng in respite; Line 6187 Thanne ferthermore, as my auctour doth wete, The kyng and Generides for ther disporte and play, Att Mounperson to geder bothe thei lay, Line 6190

Att ther pleasure ij dayes or a litill more, Line 6191 And thanne to Mountoner he toke the way; Sygrem was made the messenger before, Onward to goo as fast as euer he may Line 6194 To the Sowdon, commaundyng them to say: "The warre is att anende, and all is pece Betwix kyng Gwynan and Generides, Line 6197

Line 6197

Neuer to vex the Sowdon and his land, Line 6198 With grete suerte in euery maner thyng.' Now hath Sygrem this message take in hand, To the Sowdon the tidyngges doth he bryng; Line 6201 Thanne was he glad, as eny man leving, hym self he goth onto Clarionas, And told hir all these tidyngges hough it was; Line 6204

And hough the kyng and he shuld mete Also, Line 6205 In the forest appoyntid betwix them twayn: 'Butt trow ye, ser [MS. sero.] , that it be now soo?' 'yae, dought ye not,' quod he, 'it is certayn; Line 6208 Sygrem is come which is bothe trew and playn, ffro thense he come, he knowith all in fere, he shall tell yow the trougth of this mater.' Line 6211

Now goth Sygrem as fast as euer he may Line 6212 To hir chaunber, and told hir this processe; 'The warre is done,' quod she, 'this here I say;' 'Madame,' he seid, 'for certayn all is pece; Line 6215 'Butt now,' quod she, 'where is Generides?' 'ffor sothe,' he seide, 'I left hym with y^e kyng, To Mounperson he is withoute feyneng.' Line 6218

'Butt will he not come heder now?' quod she; Line 6219 'Madame,' quod he, 'of that I canne not say, ffor atte this tyme I trow it will not be; his purpose is to ryde another waye, Line 6222 ffourth in to ynd as fast as euer he may, ffor to his ost he must take hede among, his people after hym think full long.' Line 6225

From hir he went withoute wordes moo, Line 6226 To the Sowdon furth he goth his way; 'My lord,' quod he, 'it is good tyme to goo,

ffor ye will mete with hym I dare well say.' Line 6229 Now goth the Sowdon furth in good array, With lordes and with knyghtes many on, Toward the forest rode thei euerychone. Line 6232

In this meane while abode Clarionas Line 6233 In hir chaunber, noo thyng in hartes ease, Gretly musyng and in full hevy case, Whanne she be thought hir on Generides; Line 6236 And Alway she remembryd still opece, hough she had mystrostid hym before, Supposyng well he [MS. I.] wold se hir nomore. Line 6239

To Mirabell thanne told she all hir hart, Line 6240 In euery thing as it felle in hir mynde; 'Madame,' quod she, 'for eny wo or smerte That euer he had, I wist hym neuer on kynde, Line 6243 So vncurtese ye shall hym neuer fynde; And ferthermore I warantt yow,' quod she, 'Or it be long here with yow will he be.' Line 6246

To the forest the Sowdon doth ride, Line 6247 And first of all he mette Generides, Thanne came the kyng along by y^e forestes side, And whanne that thei were mett in all y^e prese, Line 6250 And made betwix them bothe a fyniall pece, And with a suraunce sworn in broderhode, Togeder bothe in grete frendshippe thei rode. Line 6253

Thanne they departid bothe the kyng and he, Line 6254 In all maters to ben of on assentt; The kyng gothe homeward in to his contre, The Sowdon streight to Mountoner he went; Line 6257 Generides ther was with hym present, And prayeth hym of licence for to goo, The Sowdon mervelid why he shuld do so. Line 6260

Line 6260

'Wyll [MS. Uyll.] ye not come and see Clarionas?' Line 6261 'Noo trewly, ser,' he seid, 'that may not be; I must praye yow of pardon in this case, ffor in to ynd now must I goo,' quod hee: Line 6264 Another tyme I purpose hir to see; And in certayn, herof ye may be sure, [folio 34a] I love hir best of eny creature.' Line 6267

Fro the Sowdon Generides is gon, Line 6268 And to his men he seid this for certayn; 'To Mounperson I will that ye goo euerychon, And ther to Abide in to the tyme I come Ayeyn; Line 6271 Sygrem and I, this is the mater playn, To Mowntoner we will goo sekyrly, In secrete wise noman but he and I.' Line 6274

Now is Sygrem gon with Generides, Line 6275 To Mountoner he take the way full right, Savyng thei twoo ther was non other preese, Theder thei came be thanne [MS. be twanne.] it was nyght; Line 6278 Generides whanne it was sterre light, hym self anon gothe vnto Clarionas, Thorough owt the gardeyn wher hir chaunber was. Line 6281

Whanne he came ther he hard a womannes voyce, Line 6282 In pytues wise complayneng more and more, Save only deth ther was non other choyse, She had so meche hevynes in store, Line 6285 vnkyndnes had greuyd hir so sore, That Generides was in the countre her, Butt see hir wold he not in noo maner. Line 6288

And whanne Generides had hard hir speke, Line 6289 Thanne wist he wele it was fayre Clarionas, ffor very payn hym thought his hert wold breke,

And in hym self discomfeyte sore he was, Line 6292 Speke myght he not as for a certeyn space, Butt down he fell and ther withall he cryed; Myrabell hym hard and sone hym had Aspyde. Line 6295

'Myrabell,' she seid, 'what may this be? Line 6296 Whanne I hym hard mervell it was.' 'In hevy plight my lady is,' quod she. 'Whom speke ye to?' thanne seid Clarionas: Line 6299 'Madame,' quod she, 'in sothe this is the case, Now shall ye fynde me trew in my seruice, here atte wyndow is generides.' Line 6302

Thanne with thoo wordes arose Clarionas, Line 6303 And to the wyndow came she all dismayde; Generides full redely ther he was, Ther was kyssyng butt noo wordes were seid; Line 6306 Eche of oyer wer full well apayd: Anone thei putt All hevynes away, And thanne Clarionas beganne to saye: Line 6309

'Generides, why are ye so vnkynd, Line 6310 In this contre so long As ye haue be? Me thought I was full litill in your mynde, And all be cause ye wold not come to me.' Line 6313 Thanne seid Generides, 'Madame,' quod he, 'I yow beseche of pardon in this case, In very trought a litill thyng ther was. Line 6316

Ye wend that I had be weddid in certayn Line 6317 To lucidas, whiche grevid me full soore; To yow alway I haue be trew and playn, [This and the following line should be transposed.] Now haue I lete yow wete why and wherfore, Line 6320 And yet I am mystrostid euermore, In easyng of myn hert I haue don this, ffor now is all for geven that is amys. Line 6323

Line 6323

Off yow I must haue licence for to go Line 6324 ffurth in to ynd, and therof haue I nede; My felisshepe they wote not who to do, The treson of ser Amelok I drede: Line 6327 In all the hast homeward I will me spede, ffor euer the sonner that I goo certeyn, Meche the sonner thanne I will come ayeyn.' Line 6330

Quod she ayeyn, 'my reson doth me bynde, Line 6331 And as ferre furth as I canne vnderstonde, I canne wele think your goyng in to ynd Shalbe wurchippe and profight to your land, Line 6334 Your pepill glad to wete yow so nygh hande: wherfore,' quod she, 'if I me well avise, I may nott be ayenst it in noo wise.' Line 6337

That nyght they were to geder as I rede, Line 6338 Nor sownyng to [no] villany ne shame, In grete pleasure and in all goodlyhede; She made hym chere and he dede hir y^e same, Line 6341 In feithfull wise withoute spotte or blame, Anone with all withoute spotte or evill fame bothe; [This line is corrupted by the copyist from the preceding.] Whanne it was day, though thei were neuer so loth.

To Mounperson rideth Generides, Line 6345 In company with hym Sygrem is gon, his men were ther abideng still opece, like as he had commaundid hym before icheon, Line 6348 Thei made no taryeng but furth anon, With hors and harnes in ther best Array, Streight in to ynde thei toke the [redy] way. Line 6351

Whanne he was come ther as the pepill lay, Line 6352 Thanne were thei Ioyfull euery creature; Ser amelok full bold he was that daye,

ffor vnder a trete at All aventure Line 6355 Of ser Darell he thought he had be sure: Butt of his werkyng ser Darell knew it well, And so he brake his purpose euery dele. Line 6358

Generides rode streight into the feld Line 6359 With his knyghtes, for noo thyng wold he lette, [folio 34b] his stede was blak, his spere and eke his sheld, Anone with all with Sampson ther he mett; Line 6362 Generides full fresshely on hym he sett, Owt Atte bak he bare hym quyte and clene, Sampsone felle down and dyed vppon the grene. Line 6365

Thanne came ser Amelok into the prese, Line 6366 And thought he wold a be avengyd for his sake, Vppon the hede he smote Generides, A quarter of his helme ther with he brake: Line 6369 Generides ther with to hym he spak, 'Thu wend,' quod he, 'that I had lakkid sight, ffor now I may se better thanne I myght.' Line 6372

And thėr with all he smote ser Amelok Line 6373 Vppon the hede, and brast [his] helme in twayn; Downe by the cheke his ere away he strake, All quyte and clene it felle vppon the playn; Line 6376 And with that stroke, I say yow the certayn, his Arme was smette fro the body clene, So from his hors he felle vppon the grene. Line 6379

Thanne was ser Amelok full woo begon, Line 6380 All ouer come for angwissh and payn; his men were ther and reskewyd hym Anon, vppon his sheld thei brought hym home ayeyn, Line 6383 All for wondid and sore in euery vayne: Thanne seid he this, complayneng passing sore, 'I haue deseruyd this though it were more.' Line 6386

Line 6386

Syr Darell wist not of Generides, Line 6387 B[utt] Alway demyd that [MS. that that.] it shuld be he; To Sygrem thanne he came in to the prese, 'Sygrem,' seid he, 'tell me the very sertente, Line 6390 What knyght is that that I may yender see? his stede is blak; good Sygrem, tell me this, I canne well think Generides it is.' Line 6393

'Syr,' quod Sygrem, 'it is as ye haue rede, Line 6394 Generides it is withoute fayle; he come butt late and right well hath he spedd, Wherby his honour gretly doth prevayle, Line 6397 ffor he hath wonne kyng Gwynan in batell; The corde is made, the mortuall werre is sese, Betwix hym and the Sowdon All is pece.' Line 6400

Now lith ser Amelok vppon his bed; Line 6401 Of tyme past full sore he doth repente, Wery and feynt, his wondys All for bled, A basshed passyng sore in his entent, Line 6404 And for Serenydes anon he sent, Whiche in hir mende full gretly was dismayde; Whanne she was come right thus to hir he seid: Line 6407

'Madame,' quod he, 'ye vnderstonde full well, Line 6408 Sithe I beganne to love yow first of All, I haue my hert, my seruice, euery dele, To yow allonly in especiall; [MS. especially.] Line 6411 And now reasone constreyneth me to call Vnto my mend and to my remembraunce this, Bothe ye and I haue done ferre Amys. Line 6414

Ye were the wyff of auferius the kyng, Line 6415 Whiche was my very lord and souereyn, And trayturly first Atte begynneng

I made yow to forsake hym in sertayn, Line 6418 And thanne vnder a false compassion trayn, The lande anon and I were atte accorde, To be rebell ayenst our soueryn lord. Line 6421

I take noo hede of all this werk before, Line 6422 Wherfore I am in bytter paynes strong; And though that I shuld suffer [MS. suster.] meche more, In very trouth I thinke it were noo wrong, Line 6425 As for my dayes thei will not now be long, And fayne I wold my consciens were clere, Wherfore anon do calle a messenger, Line 6428

And to ser Darell chargid hym to goo, Line 6429 Besechyng hym that he will speke with me; After his councell gladly wold I doo, To pray the kyng of grace and it wold be, Line 6432 On me to shew his mercy and pitee.' A Carefull woman was Serenydes, And euer wept that no man cowde hir sese. Line 6435

To lucydas she seid in this maner, Line 6436 'Doughter,' quod she, 'this is now myn entent; Your fader wold, as towchyng this mater, That to ser Darell a messenger were sent; Line 6439 It were well done that Sygrem theder went, And to your fader prae hym for to come, In all the hast, loo this is all and som.' Line 6442

Now on this message Sygrem furth [is] went, Line 6443 To [MS. And to.] ser Darell and this to hym he seid; 'The mayde lucidas now heder me sent, And hir commaundement I haue obeyde; Line 6446 ffor hir fader now good hath so purveyde, A febyll man he is, I yow ensure, And in this liff he may not long endure. Line 6449

Line 6449

This is the effecte of my massage, Line 6450 That ye will doo so mekill as take y^e payn, To come so ferre hir fader for to se, The whiche gretly shuld counfort hym certayn; Line 6453 To speke with yow truly he wold be fayn, [folio 35a] That wote I wele, and she wold purvey so, That ye shall savely come and savely goo.' Line 6456

Off these tidynges was he well contente, Line 6457 And part also as for his hartes ease; Yet he remembryd hym or euer he went, he wold haue licence of Generides, Line 6460 ffor in noo wise he wold not hym displease; And her vppon he made noo lenger space, To hym he goth and told hym all the case Line 6463

Off ser Amelok and of his repentaunce: Line 6464 Generides answerd, and this he seid; 'If I may fynde his wordes of substaunce, In very trougth I will be well apayde.' Line 6467 'ffor my comyng his doughter hath so purveyde, Ser,' quod Darell, 'and that in suche wise I shall goo save and come o warantise. Line 6470

And to be playn to yow in euery wise, Line 6471 This is the cause that he hath sent for me; I owe his doughter trewly my seruice, So ye were well content ther with,' quod he; Line 6474 'Ellys will I not goo in very certente.' [MS. certentente.] Off his wordis Generides was full fayn, And smyling softely answerd thus ageyn: Line 6477

'Darell,' quod he, 'I know this very sure, Line 6478 She is not long owt of your remembraunce, Ye love hir best of eny creature;

Wherin, god woote, I take noo displesaunce, Line 6481 ffor All that may be for your foryeraunce, I am contente to helpe yow to the same; Wherefore,' quod he, 'goth on in goddis name.' Line 6484

To the Castell ser Darell now is gon, Line 6485 Whanne he was come first atte begynneng, his doughter lucidas mette hym Anon, And thankfully she gave hym his welecomyng, Line 6488 Thanne furth with all withoute eny more taryeng, She brought hym to hir fader ther he lay, Seke and febyll, full nye his endyng day. Line 6491

Syr amelok was glad of his comyng; Line 6492 'Ser Darell, I prae yow, bere me witnesse, This I desire above all other thyng, ffor to haue my pardon of Generides: Line 6495 I haue affendid sore, yet neuer the lesse Of All thynges that is past what euer it be, Besechyng hym now of mercy and pite; Line 6498

And of his fader auferius the kyng, Line 6499 If it wold be, fayne I wold haue his grace; ffor more vntrew ther was neuer non levyng, Thanne I haue ben to hym as in this case: Line 6502 My life woll now endure butt short space, Besechyng yow to prae Generides, That he wold with his fader to make my pece. Line 6505

And for to do your dever in this case, Line 6506 Remembryng this mater euery dele, here is,' quod he, 'my doughter lucidas, The whiche, if I may vnderstonde and fele, Line 6509 That ye with hert and thought y^t ye love hir wele, She shall be youres, lo this shalbe your wage, And all my land with hir in mariage. Line 6512

Line 6512

And also, Darell, as for Serenydes, Line 6513 This I beseche yow hartely,' quod he, 'That ye speke with hir that she may haue hir pece, And so to leve in rest and it wilbe: Line 6516 And pray Generides to speke with me, So wold god that he were here present, loo her is all the effecte of myn entente.' Line 6519

To lucidas he seid in this maner; Line 6520 'Doughter,' quod he, 'here is a nobill knyght, his aunccetours were men of grete powre; And of princes he is descendid full right, Line 6523 Ye shall be his, this I haue hym be hight, In marriage, this is the mater playn, And of my land I say yow for certeyn. Line 6526

And be ye so agreyd ther to, Line 6527 And as ye think now tell me your avise.' 'Syr,' quod she, 'as it plese yow to do, I am contente ther with in euery wise, Line 6530 like as ye will appoynte it and devise; In euery thing to folow your entent, I am hooly atte your commaundment.' Line 6533

Thanne ser Darell departid home ayeyn, Line 6534 Vnto Generides the redy way, And ther he told hym all to geder playn Of ser Amelok, and in what plight he lay; Line 6537 'And this,' quod he, 'he prayde me to say, In vmbill wise, desireng tenderly That ye wold come and see hym or he dye. Line 6540

Wyth long prayour he brought hym atte last Line 6541 Vnto ser Amelok ther as he lay, In grete distresse musyng of tymes past,

And to Generides this ganne he say, [folio 35b] Line 6544 like as a man had ben half in affray; 'Mercy,' quod he, 'mercy, gentill Generides, Graunt me that I with yow may haue my pece, Line 6547

And with your fader auferius the kyng, Line 6548 ffor hym I haue offendid specially, To non so moche a creature levyng, This land I hym be raft full traytourly; Line 6551 To god and hym I yeld me now gilty, Pray hym of grace and ellys, I wote certayn, My sowle shall lye in euer lastyng payn. Line 6554

And o thyng I wold, this is the case, Line 6555 Ye myght haue knowlage or [I] feryer goo, Darell shall haue my doughter lucidas In mariage, and all my land also, Line 6558 Besechyng yow to be good lord therto, And shewe your grace onto Serenydes, That she may prae for yow and leve in pece. Line 6561

And ferthermore, now I remember me, Line 6562 how I smote yow with villany and shame, Withynne the courte that euery man myght see, Nought remembryng the wurchippe of your name, Line 6565 And therfore on that side I am lame, ffull vmbely besechyng your goodnes, That of all this I may haue forgevenes.' Line 6568

With that he fell in swounyng for very payn, Line 6569 Wherof Generides had grete pitye, And whanne he sawe he [MS. hym he.] was awake ayeyn; 'Ser Amelok,' he seid, 'now as for me, Line 6572 All that is past shall clene forgevyn be, And with my fader I shall make your pece, ffor yow and also for Serenydes. Line 6575

Line 6575

And or ye dye this I desire also, [MS. desire of yow also.] Line 6576 That ye for geve me or I ferther passe.' 'Trewly,' quod he, 'ser, that may sone be doo, As for to me ye haue do noo trespace; Line 6579 And [as] ferfurth as god will geve me grace, With all the world, with highe and low degree, I shall departe with loue and charite.' Line 6582

A Carefull woman was Serenydes; Line 6583 She rent hire here, a petuose thing to see, [MS. rent hire a petuose thing to here] And with a nakyd swerd came to Generides, 'I yow requere for goddis loue,' quod she, Line 6586 'haue here this swerd, and make an ende of me Now or ye goo, and bryng me owt of payn, ffor I haue well deseruyd it for certayn.' Line 6589

'Do away, Madame,' quod he, 'god defende;' Line 6590 Ther with he toke hir in his armys twayne, 'All that is amys,' quod he, 'may be amend, And so ye must comfort your self ayeyn, Line 6593 ffor this I haue promysed for certayn, Vnto my lord and fader for to goo, To make the pece for yow and hym Also.' Line 6596

Generides departid furth his way, Line 6597 Ser amelok lay in angwissh and in payn, Sighyng full oft vppon his bed he laye, And shortly to say yow the certayn, Line 6600 he dyed anon withynne a day or twayne. Thanne who was hevy butt Serenydes, ffor more and more hir sorow ded increase. Line 6603

And ouer wharte his body ther [s]he lay, Line 6604 All in swoune, grete pite to be hold, And in noo wise she wold not thens away,

Moche sorow was made of yong and old: Line 6607 With that hir face wex all to geder cold, helpe was ther non, reskewe ne socour, Bothe he and she were dede withynne An owre. Line 6610

A woofull creature was fayre lucydas, Line 6611 To se the maner of ther departeng, And bothe to geder in a full litill space; So all the day alone she sate wepyng, Line 9614 She had noo comfort of erthely [MS. etherly.] thyng, Save euer more was ser Darell in hir mynde, he was to hir so curtes and soo kynd. Line 6617

Generides sent furth a messenger, Line 6618 To telle the kyng his fader tideng, hough ser Amelok hath yeld vppe All in fere The Reme of ynd, and knowith hym for his kyng, Line 6621 With petuese wordes gretly repentyng, And of all his offence and trespace, ffull vmbly besechyng yow of grace. Line 6624

Off these tidengys the kyng was well apayd, Line 6625 And toward Surre dressid hym to ride, Thanne to the messenger right [MS. this right, the former word being marked for erasure.] yuus he seid; 'Sey to my sonne that he here abide, Line 6628 And sette the lande in rewle on euery side, hole to be and vnder his obeysaunce, [folio 36a] And take it as his owen inheritaunce.' Line 6631

Kyng auferius fell seke anon vppon, Line 6632 Yet not withstondyng so as it myght be, With hym he tooke his knyghtes euerychon, The streight way toward surre rideth he, Line 6635 And whanne that he was come in to y^t cuntre, Tydynges he hard whiche grevid hym right sore, The quene Sereyne was dede a day before. Line 6638

Line 6638

Grete hevynes ther was for hir deceas, Line 6639 The kyng went to the place ther she laye, And twyes he swouned among the prece, ffull sory were his meñ to se that day, Line 6642 Be one assent thei had hym thens awaye, And furth with all in to his chaunber y^ei hym brought, All disfortles he was and full of thought. Line 6645

And alway still he febelid passyng sore, Line 6646 So what with thought and feyntid with sekenes, Withynne ij dayes he dyed or litill more; Thanne was the lande in grete hevynes, Line 6649 To think vppon so noble a princez That dyed be fore, and ther kyng Also, So woo thei were thei wist not what to do. Line 6652

For hym and hir was made grete ordenaunce, Line 6653 Prelettes, prestis, syngeng ther seruice, And grete lordes doth ther obseruaunce, ladys also in full lamentabill wise, Line 6656 Euerychon of them in blak as is ther gise; Now late vs leue them in rest and pece, And speke wee ferther of Generides, Line 6659

Whiche is in ynd, and doth grete diligence Line 6660 Thorough owt the land to sette good ordenaunce, In ponyssheng of them that doo amys, Suche as be good of witte and gouernaunce, Line 6663 Them to charisshe and putte to fortheraunce, All this remembert he both day And nyght, And for to see that euery man haue right. Line 6666

So wele he dede in euery maner thing, Line 6667 The land of hym were passing well content, As rightwise ayre thei toke hym for yer kyng,

And Crownyd hym be all the hooll assent; Line 6670 Thus were thei All att his commaundment, he was soo good soo curtese and soo fre, he had the loue of all the hoole contre. Line 6673

The same forster that came on to [the] kyng, Line 6674 And told of All the treson that was do, he lost his office ther and his levyng, And with quene Sereyne he went Also; Line 6677 Ther for his trowth withoute wordes moo, A C pownde of fee he had ther fore, With his office like as he had before. Line 6680

Owt of Cesare thanne cam barons iij, Line 6681 And in ther Iurnay thei rode passing fast, To tell ser Darell the very certente, hough his fader owt of his life [MS. list.] is past; Line 6684 Desireng hym to come in all the hast, And by the Assent of All his baronage, Of that contre to cleyme his eritage. Line 6687

Whanne thei had told ther message hole and playn, Ye may well wete ser Darell was not glad; Vnto Generides he went certayn, And told hym of the tidynges that he had, Line 6691 Besechyng hym, with countenaunce right sadde, Of licence in Cesare for to goo; Generides consentid well ther too. Line 6694

And whanne his leve of hym thus takyn was, Line 6695 ffor All the payñ he sufferyd and the smert, Ye shall well knowe the fayre mayde lucidas Right endly was inprentid in his hert; Line 6698 Vnto hir chaunber sone he made a stert, And curtesly of hir his leve he toke, With kysseng fele as witnes[eth] the book. Line 6701

Line 6701

In to Casare now ser Darell is goon, Line 6702 The countre hole was glad of his comyng, And for ther prince thei toke hym euerychon, And gave hym ther trouth withoute feyneng, Line 6705 he was soo good to them in euery thing, Shewyng them favour and grete gentilnes, he had the hartes hoole of more and lesse. Line 6708

Whanne he had sett the rule and gouernaunce, Line 6709 Thorough owt the land to mayteyn rest and pese, And made his officers to his plesaunce Suche as hym thought his honour wold encrease, Line 6712 Thanne ageyn he went onto Generides, And in his Iurnay rideth he full fast, ffurth in to ynd in all the possibill hast. Line 6715

Now is the prince of Cesare come ayen, Line 6716 Vnto the kyng of ynde Generides, The whiche in sothe of his comyn, [folio 36b] ffor he abode his comyng still opece; Line 6719 And for to telle yow shortly the processe, Withoute delay or lenger space, The prince was weddid onto lucidas. Line 6722

And whanne the fest was all to geder do, [MS. done.] Line 6723 ffor tender love and speciall remembraunce, With hym and here he gave the lande also, Whiche was hir faders old inheritaunce; Line 6726 The prince also, his honour to avaunce, he gave hym full powre signyd with his hande, In his absence to gouerne all his lande. Line 6729

Now goth Generides, the kyng of ynde, Line 6730 Toward Surre withoute more delay; And in the story leke as I do fynde,

Too Counstables ther mette hym be the way, Line 6733 One of them twayne, the very trouth to say, Of all Surre cheff gouernour he was, The toder kept the Citee of Damas. Line 6736

All sad thei were, and made full hevy chere, Line 6737 Generides had mervell what it ment; To his presence he bad thei shuld come nere, That he myght knowe the effecte of yer entente, Line 6740 And vppon that A streight commaundment, Gevyng them charge to tell hym all the case, Trewly and playn what maner a thyng it was. Line 6743

Full lothe thei were to tell the certente, Line 6744 ffor hevy tidinges came to sone Alway, Butte whanne thei sawe it myght non oyer be, To hym thei spake, 'ser, please it yow,' quod thei, Line 6747 'To take it in pacient that we shall saye, The kyng your fader dede is for certeyn, And your moder also the quene Sereyne; Line 6750

Bothe he and she, withynne iij dayes of space: Line 6751 It is grete hurt to the land were it goddes will.' And whanne Generides wist hough it was, Down from his hors in swounyng ther he fell, Line 6754 To tyme he was awake ther lay he still; Thanne euery man dede grete diligence and payn, And vppon his hors thei sette hym Ageyn. Line 6757

They brought hym to the Cite of Damas Line 6758 And passing seke in his pales he laye, All pale and wanne, owt of likeng he was, his fressh colour it fatid al away, Line 6761 And thanne to Natanell this ganne he sey, 'Goo now, I prae yow hartely,' quod he, 'And sey to Segrem that he come to me.' Line 6764

Line 6764

Whanne he was come thanne seid Generides, Line 6765 'Sygrem,' quod he, 'I haue sent for yow here; God wote I am noo thing in hartes ease, And very seke ye se, and in what maner; Line 6768 Goo to Clarionas myn owen lady dere, haue here this ryng, bere it here for me, I am aferde I shall hir neuer see. Line 6771

Tell ye hir soo in very certente, Line 6772 Me recomaundyng in full humble wise, Besechyng hir that she will pray for me, I aske no more for all my trew seruice;' Line 6775 Ser,' quod Sygrem, 'right as ye will devise, What I shall do or say for your entent, I am redy att your owne commaundment.' Line 6778

Now goth Sygrem withoute wordes moo, Line 6779 ffurth in to Perce he ridith on a pace, To Mountoner Citee now is he goo, On his massage As he commaundid was, Line 6782 So Streight he goth on to Clarionas, And ther he told hir all the circumstaunce Of his sekenes with hevy countenaunce. Line 6785

And whanne Sygrem had all to geder seide, Line 6786 Anon she fell in swounyng for very payn with all, Where with Mirabell gretly was dismayde, 'Madame,' quod she, 'what thing that euer fall?' Line 6789 And on hir lady fast beganne to call, 'hurt not your self, I prae yow, in this case;' With thoo wordes a woke Clarionas. Line 6792

'All way your comfort is full good,' quod she, Line 6793 'Butt in this case I wote not what to sey.' 'Madame,' quod she, 'woll ye do After me?'

'Gladly,' she seide, 'all that I canne or may.' Line 6796 'Be my councell thanne shall ye take your way To Surre warde,' quod she, 'be myn Avyse, In pore clothing and in full secrete wise. Line 6799

And haue with yow Gwynot your chaunberleyn, Line 6800 And one to kepe your hors it shall suffice, Take vppon yow the labour and the payn, And ye shall make hym hoole o warantice.' Line 6803 'I will,' quod she, 'do like as ye haue device, And certenly, withoute eny wordes moo, To morow erly forward will we goo.' Line 6806

Fro Mountoner gothe Clarionas, Line 6807 With hir rode Sygrem to hir gide, [folio 37a] ffull secretly as she appoynted was, That noman of the Cite hir aspide; Line 6810 ffurth on ther way to surreward thei hied, And in all goodly hast as it myght be, ffull sone thei came to Damas the Citee. Line 6813

Sygrem from hir departid furth with all, Line 6814 Streight to the Castell gothe Clarionas, Vppon the porter she beganne to calle, And he ayenward askid what [MS. was.] she was: Line 6817 'ffor certeyn, ser,' quod she, 'this is the case, The kyng is seke, it is infourmyd me, I trost to god to make hym hole,' quod she. Line 6820

'In strenthe or erbys that ben profeitable, Line 6821 In them I knowe the vertu that is sure, In euery kynd whiche is most comfortabill, And accordeng to euery creature, Line 6824 And often tyme I haue putte it in vre; Wherefore, I prae yow, do my eraunde, [So MS.? my eraunde to do.] That I may see the kyng now or I goo.' Line 6827

Line 6827

'Damesell,' quod he, 'your erande shall be do [MS. don.] ;' Line 6828 With that the porter goth vnto the place, And spake with Natanell a worde or twoo, And brought hym furth onto Clarionas, Line 6831 Vnknowen to them bothe what that she was; 'Ye are right welcom, suster myn,' quod he, 'What is your will? I prae yow telle it me.' Line 6834

'Trowly,' quod she, 'I am a pore woman, Line 6835 The kyng is seke, whom gretly I complayne; And I wold Shewe suche connyng As I canne, Trosting to god to make hym hoole ayeyn.' Line 6838 Thanne he beheld hir ferthermore certayn, A ryng he knew whiche on hir fynger was, Yet wist he not that it was Clarionas. Line 6841

From hir he went streight onto the kyng, Line 6842 'Ser, please it yow to vnderstonde,' quod he, 'Ther is a woman whiche is full connyng In euery sekenes and, as thinkith me, Line 6845 By here wordes her semyth so to be; here atte Castell gate with hir I spakke, To make yow hoole this wolle she vndertake. Line 6848

'On hir fynger ther is a ryng,' quod he, Line 6849 'The whiche in sothe me think a straunge case; And this I wote in very certente, Ye gave suche on vnto Clarionas, Line 6852 And in myself I mervell hough it was.' Thanne seid the kyng, 'I woll now y^t ye goo, Bryng hir to me withoute wordes moo.' Line 6855

Now Natanell goth to the Castell gate, Line 6856 And brought this woman streight onto the kyng, Butt she was wympelyd soo that woote ye what,

That he had no maner knowlaching, Line 6859 With that anon he had aspyed the ryng, The whiche hym thought he gave Clarionas, Yet for all that he wist not what she was. Line 6862

'I pray yow, ser, be of good chere,' quod she, Line 6863 'And if it please your goodnes for to here I am a woman of ferre contre;' And ther withall, in full curtes maner, Line 6866 She proferyd hym to kysse with louyng chere; 'Nay, suster myn,' quod he, 'with goddes grace, I must pray yow of pardon in this case: Line 6869

For I will kysse no woman be ye sure, Line 6870 Though she myght make me hoole as euer I was, Butt only hir whiche is that creature That I loue best, the mayde Clarionas; Line 6873 And if that she were present in this place, If I here kyssid, I think, so god me save, It were the best fisykke that I cowde haue.' Line 6876

'I haue,' she seid, 'brought with me hir ymage:' Line 6877 'Ye,' quod the kyng, 'I prae yow, late me see;' Anone she dede vn Wympill hir visage, 'Withoute fayle I am the same,' quod she: Line 6880 Thanne seid the kyng, 'Aye, Benedicite! hough haue ye take vppon yow all this payn?' Ther with he toke hir in his armes twayn. Line 6883

Thanne he kyssid hir withoute more taryeng, Line 6884 And all that nyght, till day beganne to rise, They twayne were sett withoute departeng, As glad and mery as thei cowde device, Line 6887 To bothe ther pleasurez in all goodly wise; And on the morow, sothely for to say, To mountoner she toke the redy way. Line 6890

Line 6890

And hole he was and very well att ease, Line 6891 And atte his hartes rest in especiall; The iij^de day after Generides Was crownyd kyng of Surry furth with All; Line 6894 Thanne the lordes echon in generall, With very dew and feithfull obseruaunce, Dede hym omage with vmble obeysaunce. Line 6897

Whanne he had sette the land in gouernaunce, Line 6898 ffurth in to perce he takith his Iurnay, In grete estate And in grete ordenaunce, With his lordes and in suche array, Line 6901 Thus rideth he the redy way To Mountoner, ther as the Sowdon was, Ther for to wedde the mayde Clarionas. [folio 37b] Line 6904

Whanne he was come, the Cite was full fayn, Line 6905 ffor att all tymes of necessite he toke on hym the labour and the payne, And was ther sheld from all aduersite; Line 6908 So thanne withynne the space of dayes iij, As rially as thei cowde device, The mariage was made in solempne wise. Line 6911

Gwynan the kyng was atte mariage, Line 6912 The kyng of Trace also withoute lese, Whiche callid was Ismaell the savage, Broder he was onto the kyng [Omit the kyng.] Generides, Line 6915 And so to gide and gouerne all the prece Appoynted was, likke as thei thought it best, The prince of Cesare cheff stiward of y^e fest. Line 6918

And other grete estatis ther were moo, Line 6919 Bothe of lordes and ladyes many on, Grete Iustis ther the Sowdon made also,

And all the plesure that cowde be thought vppon; And to be hold the pepill euerychon, Whiche came to se the fest of yong and old, It was a very wonder to be hold. Line 6925

Sone after whanne the fest was don and All, Line 6926 And euery man gon home in to his cuntre, Withynne a while, as aventur gan fall, The Sowdon dyed, whiche was grete pite; Line 6929 Grete mone was made of men of the Cite, Save ther comfort and trost in [MS. was in.] euery thyng, Was only on Generides the kyng, Line 6932

Whiche sesid all the lande in his demeane, Line 6933 Be right wise titell of his mariage, Takyng homage, as lord and souereyn, Thorough owt the lande of all the Baronage: Line 6936 Bothe yong and old and euery man of age, As glad thei were of hym, I yow ensure, As euer was land of eny levyng creature. Line 6939

He was to them so lovyng and so kynd, Line 6940 The laugh abseruyd will bothe ferre and nere, No man had Wrong that eny man cowd fynde, ffewe compleyntes or non that men myght here, Line 6943 Gentill ther with, curtes in All maner, If eny man wold wrong oyer day or nyght, he was redy for to forfete his right. Line 6946

And for be cause it shuld not owt of mynd, Line 6947 The good seruice so feithfull and so playn Off Natanell, whiche he had founde so kynde, And for his love hadde grete labour and payn, Line 6950 he thought he wold remember it ayeyn, In suche a wise as hym thought honorable, And maryed hym to the made Mirabell. Line 6953

Line 6953

Too hym and her he gave a faire Citee, Line 6954 Withynne the Reme of Surre callid Sevre, A bought the town a dosen myle fre Vnto hym self, and yerly of valour [MS. valowe.] Line 6957 vj thousand pownde, to maynteyn yer honour; And of that land he made hym cheff Iustice, To maynteyn in euery maner wise. Line 6960

Syr Anasore with hym was not for gete, Line 6961 he made hym lord of A grete baronye, The whiche was fallyn in perce be eschete, Whanne lucas dyed that was of ydonye; Line 6964 And for grete trost that he hadde specially In hym, All myn Auctour reherse, he gave hym ther the Stiwardshepe of perce. Line 6967

Sygram also was in his remembraunce, Line 6968 Vn to the lavender weddid ther he was, Whiche vtterly for soke hir acqueyntaunce, And toke hir Iurnay with Clarionas; Line 6971 The king hym grauntid, of his speciall grace, A fayre lordshippe onto them bothe in fere, The whiche was wurth an Cli be yere. Line 6974

Thus quyte he them that were to hym so kynd, Line 6975 And, for to seie [MS. valowe.] yow in shorte conclusion, A better prince was neuer had in mynd, Thanne he was on that euer bare crown; Line 6978 And thus he was a man of grete renown, Sowdon of perce with all his signory, And also kyng of ynd and of surre. Line 6981

In grete wurchipe Clarionas and he Line 6982 Good lyff thei ledde to geder many a yere, In hartes ease and moche prosperite, [MS. scia.]

Issue they had whiche was to them full dere, Line 6985 Right grete lordes and ladyes thei were, Whiche on of them of xv yere of age, The kyng of Egipt had in mariage. Line 6988

The remenaunt grew to grete honour, Line 6989 And thus I make an ende of this processe, Besechyng hym that is our saviour, All oure synnes of pardon to relese, [MS. be relese, but the first word is struck out.] Line 6992 And in the Ioy and blisse that [MS. this.] is endlese, he graunt vs a place perpetuall, In paradise where all his seyntes dwell. Line 6995

Explicit the boke of Gene|rides and of his faire lady Clarionas.