The Laud Troy book.

Wülfing, J. Ernst, 1863-1913., Bodleian Library.

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*. [The tail of the A runs down to the last line of this page; this letter is in red and blue paint, and is six lines high (see photo).]Alle-myghty god in trinite, [folio 1a]

Sothfaste god in persones thre,

Fadir, sone, and holi gost,

In whom is witte and myghtes most,

Be at this tale begynny[n]g

And also at the endyng!

So ende oure tale and so bygynne,

The ioye of heuene al for to wynne,

Aftir oure lyff at oure laste ende,

To ioye of heuene alle for to wende!

Many speken of men that romaunces rede*. [Erasure of two or three letters between that and romaunces, and of one letter after rede.]

That were sumtyme doughti in dede,

The while that god hem lyff lente,

That now ben dede and hennes wente:

Off Bevis, Gy, and of Gauwayn,

Off kyng Richard, & of Owayn,

Off Tristram, and of Percyuale,

Off Rouland Ris, and Aglauale,

Off Archeroun, and of Octouian,

Off Charles, & of Cassibaldan,

Off Hauelok, Horne, & of Wade;—

In Romaunces that of hem ben made

That gestoures often dos of hem gestes

At Mangeres and at grete ffestes.

Here dedis ben in remembraunce

In many fair Romaunce;

But of the worthiest wyght in wede

That euere by-strod any stede,

Spekes no man, ne in romaunce redes

Off his batayle ne of his dedis.

Off that batayle spekes no man,

There alle prowes of knyghtes be-gan; Page 2

That was for-sothe of the batayle [folio 1b]

That at Troye was saunfayle.

Off swyche a fyght as ther was one,

In al this world was neuere none,

Ne neuere schal be til domysday—

With-oute drede, I dar wel say;—

Ne neuere better men born ware,

Then were þan a-sembled thare;

Neuere was, ne neuere schal be

So many gode men at asemble—

I dar wel say, be my ffay,—

As were at that batayle of Troy.

¶ *. [This sign is in blue paint, and so they are everywhere else in this MS.]For ther were, In that on side,

Sixti kynges and dukes of pride,

And sythen mo of gret feute,

With alle thaire folk and thaire meyne;

And ther was the beste bodi in dede

That euere ȝit wered wede,

Sithen the world was made so ferre,

That was Ector, in eche a werre,

Ne that neuere sclow so many bodies—

Fyghtyng In feld with his enemyes—

Off worthi men that doughti were,

As duke Ector of Troye there;

For ther was neuere man that myght stand

A strong stroke of Ectores hand,

That he ne deyed In that stounde

With his dynt and falle to grounde,

But the strong Achilles,

That was best of alle that pres

Off the kynde of Gregeys,

As ȝe schal here how it weys.

*. [This capital is in blue and red paint, and so they are everywhere else in the MS.]HErkenes now, and ȝe may here

The werre sothe alle plenere: Page 3

What was the forme enchesoun, [folio 2a]

The formest skyl and resoun,

That alle the kynges of Grecis formast Inued

And the Troyens so longe pursued;

And how the batayle was first be-gunnen,

And how Troye was sithen y-wonnen;

And—as the storie here beris recorde—

Alle the dedis of euery lorde,

And alle the dayes that thei faught there,

And alle the dedis as thei were

Of alle the lordes that ther faught,

And whiche of hem here dethe þer laught;

¶ And how fele termes and trewes

Where take be-twene Troyens and Gruwes,

And how longe euery trewe laste,

And how thai spedde when thei were paste;

And alle here wo and al here breste;

And how many tymes that thei reste

With-Inne ten ȝere that thei were thore,

Er that the toun distroyed wore.

¶ Dares, the heraud of Troye, sais,*. [¶ Dares.]

And Dites that was of the Gregeis,—

For thei were euery day in the feld

And alle here dedis thay be-held,—

And as thei were thei wreten hem bothe;

Thei nolde not lette, for leef ne lothe,

The sothe to say with-oute les

Of gode Ector and Achilles,

And of alle the gode lordes echon;

And of alle here dedis schal lakke non.

¶ And afftir hem come Maister Gy,

That was of Rome a Notary,

And fond here bokes In Athenes

Afftirwardes when it was pes, [folio 2b]

100

Page 4 ¶ Polleus.

¶ Thesalie*. [The signs in blue, the names in red paint; and so always. Here the last three stand in the left margin in MS.].

And turned it of Grew into Latyn,

101

And wrot it faire in parchemyn

In the manere as I schal telle.

Hende, now herken to my spelle!

104

IN the lond of Thesalye—

As telles vs the right storie—

Was sumtyme a noble kyng,

Riche of kyn and other thyng,

108

That het Polleus, whil he hadde lyff,*. [¶ Rex Polleus.]

And Tetes het the qwene his wyff.

On here gat he that doughti knyght

In wedlac, that Achilles hight,

112

That wondir wrought and gret meruayle

Afftirward in Troye batayle.

¶ This Polleus hadde an eldur brother,

That higthe Eson, he het non other.

116

Eson was so lad with elde,*. [¶ Rex Eson.]

That he ne myght his hondes welde:

He toke Polleus al Thesaly

With alle the Rentes and seygnory

120

For to gouerne and for to ȝeme,

And bad alle him serue to queme,

For thei schulde be in his pouste;

For he was blynd and myȝt nouȝt se.

124

That blynde kynge, that het Eson,*. [¶ Jason ffilius Eson.]

Hadde a sone, that het Iason,

Strong, sturne, stalworthe & stoute,

Off speche curtays, of contenaunce deuoute,

128

Large of ȝifftes and [ryght] ffre,

Wondur fair and ryght tempere.

Alle the lordes of that lond

Seruede that child to fote & hond

132

For his prowes and his noblay,

And loued him wel and quemed ay;

Page 5 ¶ Insula Colkos.

Thai dede him as gret reuerence [folio 3a]

135

As Polleus kyng in his presence;

136

The lordis and alle the comunalte

Held that [child]*. [child is not in the MS., but there is no blank either.] In gret cherte.

¶ Polleus hadde wel gret envye

That men dede him suche seruagery;

140

He was aferd in his herte:

If that child ȝede forth In querte,

And afftirward myȝt falle gret toyle,

And of that lond he wolde him spoyle;

144

For he was gret of wasselage

And loued with alle his baronage.

Night and day the kyng then thought,

How he myȝt brynge that child to nought

148

With sum sleyȝte priuily,

That he were not schent ther-by.

¶ So longe he that a-boute sought*. [MS. that caste a-boute sought; perhaps caste aboute was the original, and our copyist tried to amend the rhyme aboute: thought by inserting sought, but forgot to cancel the caste; sechen about occurs again l. 1687.],

That it come thus in his thought,

152

Off a wondur selcouthe gile

To him by-traye that ilke while:

He thought sende that ilke childe

To Colkas,—that perilous Ilde,

156

That was so fer out in the est,—

To wynne that schepe, that wondur best,

That neuere man In come and ȝede a-gayn

Out of that Ile for-sothe vn-sclayn.

160

Therfore ther-at I most dwelle,

The manere of that Ile to telle.

BE-ȝonde the lond of Troye, gode men,—

I trowe: of Iorneys more than ten—

164

Ther was an Ile that het Colkos,

That alle the fyght of Troye by ros;

As I schal schewe by what skylle,

When my matere comes ther-tille.*. [These 'signatures' are all by a later hand.]Page 6

168

The comune sawe was thorow alle Grece: [folio 3b]

169

Ther was a schepe that bar a flece

With-In that Ile, that was of gold,

That neuere man that was on mold

172

With strengthe, myȝte, ne with gynne

That ilke schepe myght not wynne;

That schepe was y-kepid*. [The k altered from l; cp. l. 743.] day & nyȝt

With Marcȝ, a*. [MS. as.] god of mykel myȝt.

176

Who-so wolde that schepe come to,

Many thinges he most do:

He most ferst fyghte with strong nete

That were hidous & wondir grete,

180

And out of here mouth thei keste fir

And brende men [&] here atir;

And whan he hadde the nete ouercomen,

That thei were mate and alle be-nomen,

184

Ther lay a plow*. [MS. aplow.] with alle þe gere,—

And make hem drawe and that lond ere,

He moste ȝoke hem in that plow,

The bestes bolde—if that he mow—

188

And make hem drawe and ere that lond

And holde that plow faste with his hond,

Til it were ered thorow and thorow.

Whan he hadde turned eche*. [eche partly erased in MS.] a forow,

192

¶ He most fyght with a dragoun

And scle him, if he may or kun;

The dragoun was gret and meruelous,

Off sight & body ful hidous;

196

No man wiste non suche by north ne be southe,

He keste brondes of fir out of his mouthe,—

Ther was none suche In no land—

Ther myȝt no man his hete with-stand.

200

The brennyng brondes þat from him wente

Brende men In here garnement; Page 7

Off thei were armed neuere so wel, [folio 4a]

203

He brend hem thorow Iren & stel.

204

Whan he hadde sclayn that dragoun,

Out of his hede he most takoun

Alle his tethe with his owne hond

And sowe hem in that ered lond;

208

Whan that thei were In that lond,

Quiklyche ther wold ther-of stond

Stalworthe men, clene armed knyȝtis,

Lyuand men at alle mennes sightis,

212

And fight to-gidre with brondes bryȝt,

Til echon hadde sclayn other with her myȝt.

By these periles and other mo

Sicurly by-houes him to go,

216

That wolde that schepe wynne or haue;

Ther was neuere non that myȝt him saue

From these bestes and fro here hete,

That he ne*. [Inserted by a later hand over the line.] scholde sone his lyf lete.

220

¶ When Pelleus was be-thought of this,

He was Ioyful and glad y-wys,

He thouȝt egge Iasoun ther-tille

Thedur to go on his fre wille;

224

And so myȝt he be most blameles

And of his deth be holden giltles;

For were he*. [Inserted by a later hand over the line.] went þidur fro home,

He hoped neuere of his gayn-come.

228

PElleus kyng send fer & ner

Bothe Corour and Messanger

Thorow his lond and bad hem crie

That he wolde a Mangerie,

232

A riche feste and a riale,

And thedur schulde come gret & smale;

He sente his lettres and his sond

Afftir alle the grete of the lond,— Page 8

236

To Erle, lord, and bold baroun,— [folio 4b]

237

And bad hem come to his toun,

For ther wolde he his feste holde

With ladies bryȝt and knyȝtes bolde.

240

Whan thei were comyn, thei were alle glad

With moche merthe that thei mad,

Til thre dayes were fulli paast,

This Mangeri then so longe*. [so longe substituted for, and written (by the later hand) above atte; atte is crossed out.] laast.

244

Pelleus kyng then—soth to say—

Be-fore the lordes of that contray

Spak to Iason, ther he stode

Barehed with-outen hode,—

248

He spak to him with fair semblaund,

With louely chere and speche smyland;

But it was fals and foule disseite,

For he him be-thouȝte thanne wel streite.

252

¶ He seide: 'Iason, my dere Cosyn,

Thow art the beste knyȝt of al my kyn,

The worthiest man, the beste knyȝt;

I loue the wel—and that is ryȝt—

256

For I am douted and eke dred

Off kyng & knyȝt and less*. [MS. lest.] mys-bed

Be the alone and thi prowes

Then by my lond and my riches.

260

I haue more Ioye of thi body

Then of alle the lond of Thesaly,

For thow art knyȝt with-outen pere—

Saue Ercules, that is thi fere.—

264

I trowe that thow myȝt fulfille

Alle thyng that thow ȝaf the tille;

But if it were schepe ffelle!

That I haue herd men of telle

268

That is so hard for to wynne

In that Ile ther he is Inne! Page 9

And ȝit I hope—so haue I roo,— [folio 5a]

271

If thow woldest ȝeue the ther-too

272

And put ther-to thi bysynes,

Thow scholde it haue with-oute distresse.

Then were thow knyȝt of worschepe most

Off alle that wones in any cost,

276

If þow that flees with prowesse hadde;

Then were I, Cosyn, of the gladde,

For gret honour then dedest thow to me,

And ther-by schuldest honoured be;

280

And my lond afftir my day

Schulde be thyn—as I say,—

And also in my lyff treuly

Thow schulde be lord as wel as I,

284

And haue thi wille and thi comandement

Off alle that euere to me apent.'

IAson stode In his emys halle

By-fore his Eme and lordes alle,

288

He herkened alle that he euere*. [MS. he euere he.] sayd,

With his wordes he was wel payd;

The wordes riȝt wel to him liked,

He wist nouȝt that he was beswiked,

292

He wende not the wordes that were spoken

Of him so to be a-wroken,

But for he scholde wynne gret loos

And be þe more drad of his foos.

296

He wiste wel if he seide 'nay'

By-fore the lordes, that he schulde ay

Holde him for a coward*. [MS. acoward.]

And neuere-more of him take reward,

300

But hope it were for cowardise

That he durst not take a prise*. [MS. aprise.].

¶ Iason seide: 'so mote I thriue,

This feste schal neuere be don so blyue, Page 10

304

That I ne schal be redi to go [folio 5b]

305

In-to that Ile, for wele or wo,

What-so-euere schal be-tyde;

I schal not longe thenne abyde,

308

If it be so ȝe wil me fynde

That nedeful is to mannes kynde:

¶ A strong schippe*. [MS. schiþ.], and vitayles good,

And other thynges that me by-hood,

312

And worthi knyȝtes In my companye,

That proued ben In chyualrie.

And I, my lord, to the schal brynge

That golden flece, that worthi thynge,

316

If I may wynne it with doughtinesse,

Or any man with hardinesse.'

¶ When Pelleus herde his Cosyn speke,

He wiste wel his othe he wolde not breke;

320

He was Ioyful in his mod,

He sais: 'Cosyn and al my blod!

As thow art, my Cosyn, thi-self alone,

Is non so strong of body ne bone;

324

I schal fulfille al thy lykyng

That thow hast nede In any thyng

And nedeful is in that viage;

The worthiest of my baronage

328

For-sothe, Cosyn, schal wende with the;

A strong schip schal ordeyned be,

It schal be mad that ȝow may bere,

That the see do ȝow no dere,

332

That in the water ȝe ben not spilt;

Al thyng schal be as thow wilt.'

PElleus kyng was wonder blythe.

A strong schip was mad swythe,

336

Strong & wyde and wondir large,

With his boot and his barge; Page 11

The schippe that he made to Iason [folio 6a]

339

Afftir the wright was cleped 'Argon.'

340

Whan it was mad with seyl and mast,

Thei hyed hem to fille it fast,—

With Mete and drynke it is wel frauȝt,—

And worthi knyȝtes with him be-tauȝt;

344

To wende with him in his fere,

Many a douȝti knyȝt was there.

¶ Among whiche was Ercules,

The strongest knyȝt that euere wes,

348

That in that world was þanne levand;

No man myȝt his strok with-stand.

This was he that men of speke,

In erthe was non so myȝti freke,

352

Kyng, ne knyȝt, ne Champioun,

In Ile, ne in regioun,

That myȝt with-stande that knyȝtes strengthe

The mountans of a dayes lengthe.

356

¶ This was he that strong man

That al the world speke of can;

He caste alle men that he wrasteled with,

Were thei neuere so strong of lith.

360

And Atthenes, the gode knyȝt,

He wrasteled with him with al his myȝt,

And Hercules him so hard thrist,

That alle his ribbes al to-brast.

364

This was he that in his dayes

In batayles hard and gret affrayes

He sclow geauntes with-outen tale,

He wroght amonges hem gret bale;

368

He sclow champiouns with-outen nombre,

So manye that no man myȝt hem vmbre.

This was he that ilke knyȝt,

That was so strong & of so moche myȝt.

372

Page 12 ¶ De Iasone.

What schulde I speke more of his dedis? [folio 6b]

373

Eche man that of him redis

Wot wele he was with-outen pere,

Whil that he was lyuande here;

376

I leue þer-fore and turne eft

A-gayn to Iason ther-as I left.

THis schippe was redi and set on-flote

With his barge & his bote;

380

Iason takis his leue to wende

At Pelleus & at other frende;

Hercules schal with him go.

Ther-of schal rise al this wo,

384

That Troie schal so foule be for-don,

As I schal telle ȝow sone.

Thei are schepped now eche a wyght,

The schip is ȝare & redi dight,

388

Ther sail is drawe, the[i] wende forth faste,

In-to the see thei ben forth paste.

Thei sailen many a day and nyȝt

With many stormes lyght,

392

Til thei were weri of the see;

Thei wolde fayn at reste be:

Vpon a day the mariner

Saw a lond that was hem ner;

396

Ther schip thei turned thedir prest,

For on that lond to take here rest.

Vpon that lond thei lepe vp alle,

An[d] of ther teld thei made an halle,

400

And ete & drank & made hem glad;

Thei were fayn that thei lond had.

The lond that thei were on lyght,

The lond of Troye that tyme hight;

404

Troie was not that tyme so strong,

Ne so moche, ne so long,

Page 13 ¶ De Rege Lamedonie Troiani.

Wyde, ne large, ne no-thyng toward, [folio 7a]

407

As it was sethen afftirward

408

When Priamus hit made a-ȝeyn,

When Lamedon, his fadir, was sclayn.

¶ The Greges hade seten but a stounde

And made hem merie on the grounde,

412

Or hit were told to Lamedon

That men were lyght his lond vpon,

Stout, & fers, and full gay,

That wel be-semed of gret noblay;

416

Thei wende thay wold hem robbe in hast,

Or brenne that lond and leue it wast;

Thei sayde: "it were good to wete here wille,

Whether thei were comen for good or ille;"—

420

'And bidde hem go and rise

And voyde this lond, if thei be wyse;

Or ȝe schal hem honge and drawe,

If thei dwelle til the day dawe.

424

¶ Lamedon called a gret lordyng,

Wyse of speche & of beryng,

And bed him go to hem anon,

And take with him men gret won

428

And bidde hem wende out of his lond,

Or he wol reue hem foot and hond.

¶ This riche lord his hors hath hent

And to the Gregeys he is went,

432

And seyde: 'lordynges, so god me mende,

Lamedon me to ȝow sende,

Oure kyng, and seys: him meruayles

What ȝe thenken and what ȝow ayles,

436

Vpon his lond that ȝe aryue;

And biddes ȝow hye hennes blyue,

That ȝe be not founden here to-morwen;

For ȝif ȝe ben, ȝe be for-lorn. Page 14

440

He wil ȝow hewe lym and lythe, [folio 7b]

441

Ȝif he to-morwe may mete ȝow withe.

Voydes this lond and dos be my red,—

Or sekirly ȝe ben alle ded!'

444

¶ Iason was al a-stonaid

Off that þe knyȝt thus to him said,

He turned to his felawes ward:

'This kyng sais vs an ille forward

448

To voyde his lond with-outen gilt,

Or we schal elles alle be spilt;

For-sothe he nys not curtays

To vncouthe men that resten in pes

452

In his lond vpon a brynke*. [MS. abrynke.],—

That non ille do, ne non harm thenke,

But reste vs here on this ryuage,—

To sende vs suche a message*. [MS. amessage.].

456

But I se wel he loues vs litel

That hates vs by suche a titel*. [MS. atitel.],

For we vpon his lond reste*. [r corrected from l.];

He loues litel an vncouthe geste.'

460

IAson thenne with heuy chere

Turned him to the messangere;

He sayde: 'lordying, I herde wel

Al thi message euery del.

464

God I drawe to oure wittenesse:

We reste here for no wickednesse,

But for to reste vs here a while*. [MS. awhile.];

For we haue sayled many a myle*. [MS. amyle.]

468

And weri ben bothe more & lesse

And resten vs here for werinesse.

But say thi lord, my leue frende,

Out of his-lond that we schal wende;

472

Say: "I se wel be his sonde,

He wil we reste not on his londe."

Page 15 Belli inter Troianum & Grecos*. [This—and before it: 'Caret rubrica'—written in a very fine hand.].

And say him: "ȝit may this wel be qwyt [folio 8a]

475

By some that thow sest here sit." '

476

HErcules, that douȝti knyȝt,

At Lamedon hadde gret dispit,

He was Angered and alle a-rage

Off this kyng and his message;

480

Him thoughte for tene his herte to-brak

That Iason then so mekely spak,

He was not payed with his sawe

'Here now,' he says, 'felawe,

484

What in erthe so thow art,

Or he that sente the hidirward,

Say thi kyng: "this day thre ȝer

Or ere he schal se me her

488

Vpon this place and other mo.

Out of his lond wil I not go

For his biddyng, but lye here stille

Maugre his tethe, agayn his wille;

492

For he schal be so ouer-sette,

That we for him wol not lette

To do oure wille and oure lykyng."

Go and say thus to the kyng!

496

Say him: "he has be-gunnen a strif,

That he and his schal rewe his lyf";

And bidde him be sekir her-of & bold,

And say that I him thus told!'

500

¶ Hercules his lippes gnowe

For tene he hadde not folk y-nowe,

That he als-tide and sir Iason

Might not ffyght with Lamedon.

504

But a-mong hem was no merie gale

Off alle that ther were, grete & smale,

Ther was not a schip ful of men,

And thei were mo then thousandes ten

508

Page 16 De Rege Cete in Ciuitate Ieconite.

Off bold knyȝtes hardi & kene; [folio 8b]

509

What wolde thei alle to hem be sene!

Thei gadered vp alle that ther lay

And to thair schip thei toke the way

512

And sailed forth vpon the see,

Til thei wolde comyn ther thei wolde be

In-to that Ile that hight Colkos.

Eche a man on londe than gos,

516

And leyde here sail thanne by the mast

And lefft here schip teyghte fast.—

And this þe forme skyl to schewe was,

That Troie was lorn so foule a-cas,

520

Driuen doun and foule distroyed;

Ther-with were Troiens foule anyed,

For thei of Grece reste on here land

Fer fro the cete opon þat sand;

524

For sir Iason and his nauee

Sette & reste vpon the see,

When thei wente out of Grece

To wynne the schepis goldyn flece.

528

IN Colkos Ile a Cite was,

That men called thanne Reconitas*. [MS. reconitas; the r quite distinct, though the rubric has Ieconite.],

Fair and mekel, large and long,

With walles heye and wondir strong,

532

Ful of toures and heye paleis

Off riche knyȝtes and burgeis.

A kyng that tyme, that hete Cetes,

Gouerned than that lond In pes;

536

With his baronage and his meyne,

Dwelleden thanne in that Cyte.

For al aboute that riche toun

Stode wodes and parkis enviroun,

540

That were replenysched wondirful

Off herte and hynde, bore and bul, Page 17

And other many sauage bestis; [folio 9a]

543

Be-twix that wode and that forestis

544

Ther was large contray & playn,

Faire wodes & fair Champayn,

Ful of semely rennyng welles—

As the romaunce the sothe telles—

548

With-oute the cete that ther sprong;

Ther was of briddes michel sang

Thorow alle the ȝer, and mykel cry,

Off alle Ioyes gret melody.

552

¶ To that Cite & kyng Cetes

Ȝode Iason and Hercules

And alle the felawes that he hadde,

In clothes of gold as kynges be-cladde.

556

When kyng Cetes his men herde say

That Gregeys come in that aray,

In his paleis he spak hem with,

Alle in pees and loue & gryth;

560

He ros him vp out of his se

As curtais kyng and knyȝt so fre,

Out of his halle with mykel spede

With his men agayn hem ȝede*. [MS. ȝode.],

564

And welcomed hem with louely chere

And ledde hem bothe to-gedir in-fere

And ther other ffelawes alle

With gret worschepe In-to his halle.

568

He dede hem sitte opon the benk,

And bad his men bryng a drynk;

When thei hadden dronken what her wille is,

Sir Iason, the knyȝt of pris,

572

Tolde the cause of his comyng

On fair manere to Cetes the kyng,

And seyde "that he was comen to wynne,—

If he myght spede,—of*. [of is added above the line and ought to be deleted.] the golden skynne. Page 18

576

He prayed him ther of his gode wille, [folio 9b]

577

That he scholde graunte loude and stille

Holly his landes ordenaunce*. [MS. ordenanaunce.],

If him myȝt happen suche chaunce."

580

¶ The kyng graunted to fulfille

His desir and alle his wille;

The kyng bad with mylde wordes:

"Anon thei scholde sette the bordes;

584

Tyme hit was to sopere go," he sayde;—

The bordes were set, the clothes layde.

He called to him a knyȝt*. [MS. aknyȝt.] wel hende

And him afftir his douȝter sende*. [MS. wende.],

588

And seide, sche scholde comen a-doun

To glade his gestes of gret renoun.

¶ The knyȝt*. [Originally knyȝtes in MS.; es erased.] ȝede to the mayden ffre,

The kynges douȝter, dame Mede,

592

And bad here come with-outen dwellyng

With here Maydenes to the kyng.

Sche dwelled not longe—I vndirstonde:—

Whan sche hadde herd here fadir sonde,

596

Sche come doun vnto the table

With contenaunce good and stable,

And grette here fadir sikurly

And other knyȝtes that sete him by.

600

He bede here go and sitte that tyde

His vncouthe gest Iason be-syde;

And Mede dede as here fadir bad,

And of his biddynge was wel glad.

604

Off this Mede, this worthi may,

Sumwhat of here wol I say,

Off here wisdom and of here beryng,

Off here science & of here kunnyng:

608

Sche coude the science of clergy

And mochel of Nigramauncy;

Page 19 De Medee Filia Regis Ceti.

In alle that lond [ne] was here pere [folio 10a]

611

As wide as men gos fer or nere,

612

Ne that was to here half so scley

Of cours of planetes and of the sky,

Ne couthe so many enchauntement

As coude Medee, that may gent.

616

¶ Sche coude with coniurisouns,

With here scleyghte & oresouns,

The day that was most fair & lyght

Make as derk as any nyght;

620

Sche coude also In selcouth wyse

Make the wynde bothe blowe & ryse

And make him so lowde blowe

As it scholde houses ouerthrowe;

624

Sche*. [MS. He.] couthe turne verement

Alle wederes and the firmament,

And here liked make it reyne

And if here liked make it schyne.

628

Sche coude do many selcouthe thyng:

In somer when the leues spryng

Make stormes hem to driue a-way

And make trees drye as clay;

632

Sche wolde also the trees that ware

In wynter-tyde naked & bare

Make hem florische aȝeyn & bere,

That wynter hem myȝt not dere.

636

In al the world was no man

So kunnyng of wit and wisdam—

As seyn these autours and these clerkes—

As was Medee In here werkes.

640

MEdee sette here doun to mete

By-twene her lord and Iason to ete,

Sche cast here eye wel offte vnfold

That Ioyful knyȝt to be-hold; Page 20

644

So fair a knyȝt at here likyng [folio 10b]

645

Sche saw neuere old ne ȝyng;

Here hadde leuere than al Assye

That he hadde ben in here baylye,

648

Might sche brynge to that acord

That he wolde be here lord;

Gode in erthe! that*. [Perhaps naught was in the original.] sche desires,

But that Iason were one of heres.

652

Sche hadde here herte so on him set,

Here eye myȝt sche not fro him let;

Sche loued him so wondirly tho,

That sche wiste neuere what to do,

656

But toke here leue and be-gan to go

To the chambur that sche come fro.

¶ Vnto the chambur sche is comyn,

Loue hath here so vndir-nomyn,

660

That trauayles here wondir strong

With thought and sykyng euere among;

Sche thenkith bothe day & nyȝt

How sche that loue performe myȝt

664

With-outen schame and vylonye,

That sche were not reproued ther-by;

Fayn sche wolde haue here wille,

But sche myȝt not come ther-tille.

668

¶ And thus leued sche fourtene nyȝth

In gret wo as any wyȝth:

Til hit be-fel vpon a day

That kyng Cetes—soth to say—

672

And Iason were to-gedur set

And bad here men Medee doun fet

In-to the halle of his paleis,

To talke with the knyȝtes curteis.

676

Off the tydynges was Medee blithe:

To hem doun sche come swythe;

Page 21 ¶ De Iasone.

And he bad here sitte be Iason,— [folio 11a]

679

That al here loue was vpon,—

680

And speke with him In fair manere,

As Mayden schulde to bachelere.

Medee did his comaundement;

But Cetes was ther-with ablent:

684

He wist not of Medee wille

That sche loued Iason stille.

¶ When Iason saw that worthi wyght

So sitte on benche by him right,

688

He was wel glad, as him gon thenk;

Ercules ros vp of the benk,

And he sat be that worthi wenche

To wete what that mayden dede thenke.

692

¶ Kyng Cetes with-oute doute

Spak to the knyȝtes him aboute,

Of Ercules asked tydynges,

At other knyȝtes of other thynges;

696

So to him ȝaf no man gome,

Knyȝt ne sqwyer, lord ne grome.

Medee say that sche was brouȝt

To telle Iason of here thouȝt

700

¶ With-oute heryng of any wyght:

'Sir Iason,' sche seide, 'thow art a knyȝt*. [MS. aknyȝt.]

Off whiche I haue mochel rewthe

And gret compassioun, be my trewthe!

704

For I se wel and haue in mynde

That thow art comen of gentil kynde,

And art a louely*. [MS. alouely.] creature,

And art hardy with-oute mesure;

708

For I se wel—and sothe hit is—

That thyn heye herte and thi hardines

Hath brouȝt the fro the lond of Grece

For to wynne the golden flece,

712

Page 22 ¶ De Medee.

Thorow whiche—is a sothe thyng— [folio 11b]

713

Thow schalt go to thyn endyng.

And I haue gret pyte

Off thi manhede and beute,

716

That thow thus foule schalt be spilt

For a schepis*. [MS. aschepis.] skyn that is ouer-gilt.

Ther-fore I ȝeue the consayle—

The beste that the may a-vayle—

720

That thow wende hom hole and sound,

A-ȝeyn to thi lond with-oute any wound.'

¶ Iason thanne with chere deuout

Vnto that lady gan lout

724

And seyde louely, curtays & fre:

'A thousand tymes I thanke it the

Of thi goodnes and thi curtasye,

That thow hast reuthe of my folie;

728

For ȝoure biddyng outerly

I put for-sothe al my body.'

'SWete Iason, my louely frend,'—

Saide Medee, that mayden hend,—

732

'Has thow not the sothe herd telle

Off that flece and the gret perille?

Or thow knowest not the sothe

That makes the so bold of othe,

736

Thow may ther-to make assay

And lese thi myȝt and thi noblay.

For sekurly ther was neuere knyȝt

That hadde that strengthe and that myȝt,

740

That myȝt with his hardinesse

That flece wynne with douȝthtinesse:

For it is keped bothe nyght and day

With oure god Mars, that alle thyng may;

744

For ther is no man on lyue,

Agayn oure god that may stryue. Page 23

Ther-fore I praye ȝow for loue or awe: [folio 12a]

747

Fro that perile ȝow with-drawe,

748

That thow deye not thus sodenly

For a lytel foly!'

¶ Iason seyde: 'my lady dere,

Of this kepe I no more to here!

752

Wene ȝe my hert so to stere,

Or with ȝoure wordes me to dere,

That I schulde this thing for-sake

That I gan ferst vndirtake?

756

Me were leuere certes to deye

Than to do that vylonie!

For now I haue it be-gonne,

And I ȝede hom, or it were wonne—

760

Me were leuere I were vnbore

Then suche a schame were me before!

For my deth schal I not lette,—

If that I may,—that flece to fette!'

764

MEdee seide: 'my derlyng,

Is it thi wil for any thyng

To putte thi deth be-fore thi lyff

And to putte the to that stryff?

768

I haue pite of thi ded,

But I schal ȝeue the suche a red*. [MS. ared.],

That thow schalt come a-ȝeyn ful rathe

And wynne that schepe with-outen skathe—

772

If it be so thow wilt fulfille

Mi desire and my wille.'

'Lady,' Iason thanne sayde,

'Of that ȝe sayn I holde me payde:

776

What ȝe schul in erthe ordeyne,

I schal holde it for prow or payne

The while that I am leuyng—

I drawe to witnes god, oure kyng!' Page 24

780

¶ Medee sayde to Iason than: [folio 12b]

781

'If thow wilt be so trewe a man*. [MS. aman.],

That thow wilt hete me to wedde,

And as thi spouse to brynge me to bedde,

784

And leue me neuere for wele ne wo,

And graunt me home with the to go

Out of this lond that is fair,—

Off whiche I schal be qwene and ayr,—

788

Vnto thi lond, to thi hous,

And wedde me there to thi spous:

I wolde make the that schepe-fel

Wynne to-morwe with-outen perel.'

792

IAson sayde to Medee:

'Riche bene that thow proferest to me:

Ȝoure-self to be in my bandoun

And al in my subieccioun,

796

That art the fairest that lyf beres

Or any clothe on erthe weres;

And also to saue me

Off alle perile that ther-Inne be,

800

And do me wynne that flece of golde,

That no man may do that leues on molde

With-oute ȝoure help, my derlyng!

That is to me a fair proferyng!

804

Body and herte to ȝow I profre,

And alle my-self to ȝow I offre:

I take ȝow here my trowthe I-plyȝt*. [MS. I. plyȝt.],

That I schal neuere by day ne nyȝt

808

Do not a-ȝeyn ȝoure lykyng

Ne forthermore neuere of ȝoure byddyng!

And I schal with me ȝoure-self lede

In-to my lond—so god me rede!—

812

And wedde ȝow there vnto my wyff

And leue ȝow neuere whil me last lyff!' Page 25

Off that beheste was Medee fayn, [folio 13a]

815

But ȝit sche wolde be more certayn

816

That he schulde here no-wayes be-gile

Ne holde here afftir for no vile.

Sche sayde: 'Iason, be thow not wroth!

I wole that thow me make an oth,

820

That thow schalt trewly & trusly holde

Of alle that thow hast sayde & tolde;

For no-wayes we may not now

Do this thyng be-twene vs two.

824

I wol that thow when day is gon

Come to my chambre sone anon,

When I schal sende aff[t]ir the,

That thow alway come to me;

828

And than schaltow make thi surment

Opon my god with sacrament,

And swere me ther by that god

Alle this to holde for euen or od.

832

And when thow hast thus wrouȝth & don,

Al thi wil schal I graunte son.'

¶ Iason seyde: 'my ladi fre,

As ȝe haue seyd, so schal it be!

836

When ȝe haue afftir me send,

Wightlyche schal I to ȝow wend.'

And thus were thei bothe at one

Vpon the benche hem-self alone

840

And toke leue thenne and ros;

Vnto here Chambre faste sche gos.

MEdee is vnto here chambre gone,

And here maydenes euerychone.

844

Here thought longe vnto nyght,

That sche myȝt speke with that knyȝt.

When nyȝt was comyn and day past,

And alle in bedde vpon sclepe fast, Page 26

848

Sche cleped a mayden*. [MS. amayden.] that het Ane,— [folio 13b]

849

So trewe a mayden*. [MS. amayden.] hath sche nane,—

And bad here pryuili to go

And*. [MS. A ^d.] say: "Iason schuld come here to."

852

And Ane ȝede wel priuyli

And bad him come to here lady;

And he ros bothe blythe and glad

And dede as the mayden bad.

856

And whan thei were to-gedur met,

Ane that him thedur fet

Ȝede here way with-oute more

And lefft hem to-gedur thore.

860

¶ Whan Medee saw Iason ther-In,

Sche sperid the doris with a pyn

And bad him sitte doun vpon here bed,—

With riche clothes hit was spred.

864

That faire lady, that louesom brid,

A Craffty cofre sche vn-did

And toke out an ymage, frely dyght

With fele torches and mochel lyght,

868

That*. [MS. Ther.] sacrid was In Iouis name.

'Iason,' seide that faire dame,

'Thow schalt thin hond on this god lay

And thow schalt holde that I schal say:

872

On this ymage thow schalt swere,

Faith & treuthe thow schalt me bere,

And wedde me to thy wyff,

And leue me neuere whil I haue lyff.'

876

¶ Iason sayde: 'my trewthe I layd,

To do al as thow hast sayd.'

And layde his treuthe on that ymage

To*. [MS. And.] take here the terme of his age.

880

When sche hadde take of him that oth,

Thei caste of hem euery cloth

Page 27 ¶ Iason concubuit cum Medee.

And ȝede bothe in-to a bed,— [folio 14a]

883

With riche clothes hit was spred.

884

Alle that nyȝt to-gedur thei lay,

Til it was nere a-gayn the day.

Iason sayde: 'my derlyng dere,

It is not good to dwelle here;

888

But say me now, my derlyng,

Wolt thow ordeyne for me o thyng,

That I myȝt thorow thi techyng

My purpos wele to ende bryng?

892

For al the haste that I haue

Is, swetyng,—so god me saue—

Out of this Ile the to lede

In-to my lond with-outen drede.'

896

¶ Sche seyde: 'Iason, I am al ȝare,

When thow art redi, With the to fare!

Rise we now vp! I schal the kenne

With the neet that the ne brenne.

900

For-ȝete thow not my kennyng

For no ferdnesse of brennyng!'

¶ Iason thenne and sche vp ros;

And Medee to here forsure gos,

904

And drow out relikes manye & gode,

And toke Iason ther he stode

And tauȝt him how he scholde do,

When he that Ile come to,

908

That he were not with nete ybrend,

Ne with the dragoun y-schend.

¶ Ȝit of the forsure the lady rauȝte

A fair ymage and him by-tauȝte,

912

And bad him sclely with him bere,—

For sorcery schuld him not dere:

For it was alle with sorcery wroght,

Alle sorcery it brouȝte to nought. Page 28

916

And afftir that Medee out hente [folio 14b]

917

A wel riche oynemente

And an-oynted alle his body,

Visage and alle witterly:

920

For hit for-did al brennyng of ffire,

Off hit brende neuere so schire.

¶ And afftirward that fair swetyng

By-tauȝt Iason a riche*. [MS. ariche.] ryng,

924

That alle venym for-dede & strued,—

That he schul not be venym-noyed

That bar that riche ryng on him:

For it fordede alle venym.

928

MEdee tok with him thanne a writ,

And him bad he schuld bere it;

And when he come with-Inne that Ile,

That he schulde with herte mylde

932

On his knees him doun sette,

Er he that flece ȝede to fette;

And thries he scholde hit ouer-rede;

That he ne lefft for no drede.

936

¶ Sche toke him thenne a riche*. [MS. ariche.] licour,—

A viole ful of gode sauour,—

And bad he schulde that lycour poure,

When he come In-to the stoure,

940

In the mouthes of the neete,

For hit was wondur cleuand wete;

Then scholde thei holde here mouth to-gedur

And make no more so foule a wedur:—

944

'For if thow konne this in here mouthe throwe,

Thei schal no more no fir blowe!'

¶ Iason seide: 'I thonk it the,

That thow hast thus ordeyned for me!

948

I hope, or it be euenyng,

That golden flece to the bryng.' Page 29

He toke his leue at that may, [folio 15a]

951

In-to his Chambre he tok the way,

952

Ther-In he lay and Hercules;

Wel stille he lay doun in pes,

Til it was cler day and lyght,

That the sunne schon wel bryght:

956

He ros vp and come him doun,

And alle his felawes enviroun.

OVt of his bed is Iason rysen,

To wende his way he is not grysen,

960

To wynne the schepe,—if he haue grace,—

Now he these thinges of Medee has.

He is comyn in-to the halle

With Hercules and his men alle;

964

To Cetes the kyng he is forth went.

He asked anon, what it be-ment,

He asked at him and at hisen,

Whi he was so erly rysen.

968

'Sir,' he saide, 'be godis ore!

That I thus dwelle me rewes sore;

I wol ther-fore make asay

To wynne the flece—if I may:—

972

Ȝeue me leue and lete me go,

That I no lenger be ther-fro.'

¶ Cetes saide: 'I haue gret drede,

That thow be dede and not wel spede;

976

I schal therfore haue harm and schame,

For men wol rette on me the blame;

But that thow art of wil so bold,

That I may not at home the hold—

980

God, that this world made round,

Brynge the aȝeyn hol and sound!'

¶ Then was Iason wondir blythe,

He toke his armure and tyred him swythe,

984

Page 30 ¶ Qualiter Iason fecit bellum.

And ȝede forth the schepe to wynne [folio 15b]

985

To that Ile that he was Inne.

When he was comen ther it was,

Ther he schulde ouer the water pas

988

In-to that Ile In-to a bote*. [MS. abote.],

He kest his armes In fote hote

And rowed ouer with an ore.

When he was ouer that watur thore,

992

He armed him—as he coude wele—

Bothe in Iren and in stele,

And on his hed thanne sette

His trewe and trusti basenette,

996

And kest his scheld a-boute his hals,

And bere his spere with him als;

And ȝaf aboute him ful good kepe,

If he myȝt be war of the schepe.

1000

And thedirward Iason him drow,

To wynne the flece—if he mow.

IAson is now on londe lyght,

Armed wel and nobly dyght.

1004

When he was comen to that stede,

Ther he saw the schepes trede,

On the first thenne was he ware,

Where the nete were standyng thare,

1008

Kestyng fir with-oute sese

Of her mouthe with-oute relesse,

That alle the sky with-oute doute

Was on fire alle a-boute.

1012

But he thought then on his swetyng,

Of dame Medee and her kennyng:

Ful radly thenne the boyste he hent

That was with the oynement;

1016

Al his visage and his face

Anoynted ther-with sone he hase. Page 31

He toke also that ymage bryȝt [folio 16a]

1019

That was of siluer made & dyȝt,

1020

And hanged it aboute his hals a-boue,—

As Medee him bad do so for here loue,—

And turned it to the fir anon,

And the nete stood and loked ther-on;

1024

And sette him doun meke & wyse

And redde his writ thanne thryse,

And when it was thries red,

To go to hem was not dred.

1028

His perel thanne a-wey was rauȝt,

And with this nete faste he fauȝt:

The flaume of fir thenne on him caste

And brende his gode scheld on haste,

1032

And his spere to his hond

To coles hit fel vpon the sond.

HE toke thenne that licour wete

And poured qwyk into the nete;

1036

And when it was with-Inne ther*. [r by a later hand.] lippes,

Faste to-gedur hit hem grippes,

That thei myȝt not her mouth vn-spere,

With hete Iason no more to fere.

1040

When Iason hem thus discomfit

Thorow dame Medee that was perfit,

And saw a-boute that the aire

Was good and clene and ful fair,

1044

And the nete myght fyght no more

Thorow here kennyng and here lore,

He toke hem be the hornes long

And here hedes a-boute wrong,

1048

And loked, if thei were tame ynow,

And ladde hem thanne vnto the plow,

And ȝoked hem and dede hem drawe,

And turned that lond with-outen awe. Page 32

1052

When he hadde don, he toke his way [folio 16b]

1053

To the dragoun ther he lay;

And the dragoun sey him ney,

He made thanne an*. [MS. and.] hidous cry,

1056

And hissed loude, and brondes blew,

Fyr faste on Iason he threw,

And spitte venym and keste aboute;

But Iason ther-of hadde no doute:

1060

Whan he herde that how loude he hissed,

Iason dede as he was wissed,

He toke the ryng that sche toke him

For drede of fir & of venym,—

1064

That bare a stone*. [MS. astone.], was fair and grene,—

And held hit sone hem be-twene,

And keste it doun be-fore his syght.

And whan the dragoun saw that lyght*. [MS. lyght, altered from syght.],

1068

He lefte the fir and his brennyng

And al foule venym of his spittyng,

And loked stabli on that ston,

And he beheld euere ther-on,

1072

And whil the dragoun ther-to ȝaff tent,

His swerd Iason out hent

And smot the hed fro the bouke,

And the ryng with him toke*. [MS. toke, altered from boke.]

1076

And in hold he gan hit do.

And when he hadde sclayn him so,

He wente—and so he myȝt wele—

And drow his tethe out of his chavele,

1080

And sewe hem thanne vpon the land

That he hadde ered on that sand.

Armed men of hem ther sprong,

And echon on other faste dong,

1084

Til alle were sclayn that were thore;

On lyue leffte there none wore. Page 33

¶ When Iason saw that ther was an ende [folio 17a]

1087

Off alle that wondir enchauntemende,

1088

Toward the schepe be-gan he go

With-oute drede him to sclo:

With bothe his handes the schepe he sclow,

And fro the body the skyn he drow,

1092

And bare with him that schepes skyn

With mochel Ioye & mochel wyn,

Til he come to his bote;

And lepe In with a merie*. [MS. amerie.] note,

1096

And ouer to his felawes rode,

Ther Hercules him a-bode,—

Wondir blythe, Ioyful, and glad

That thei on lyue him had.

1100

¶ Iason thenne and his Gregeis

Rode to Cetes & to his paleis;

When Cetes saw that Ioyful kyng

Iason that schepes skyn bryng,

1104

He hadde ther gret envy

That he raff him that drury;

But euel semblant myȝt he non make

For Hercules and Iason sake,

1108

But dede hem sitte by his side

And fair semblaunt made him that tyde.

Then come ȝong and old

The schepes skyn to be-hold,

1112

Thei hadde of Iason gret meruayle,

How he it wan in batayle

Aȝens thair goddis wil and myȝt;

Thei hadde meruayle of suche a knyȝt.

1116

IAson now the flece hath wonne,

The tydynges thorow the Cete is ronne,

Many a man come him to see,

Ther he was set by dame Medee. Page 34

1120

He dwellyd ther a ful mon[i]the*. [Cf. ll. 1686 and 9407.], [folio 17b]

1121

And Hercules kyng Cetes withe,—

And til a tyme that he & sche,

And Hercules and his meyne,

1124

Stale away with-Inne a nyȝt

And ȝede to schepe by sterre lyȝt;

And drow vp sail, and scheped sone,

And wente hom forth by the mone.

1128

The wynd be-gan to rise & to blowe

And brouȝt hem home in a throwe

To the lond of Thesalye,

Iason and his companye.

1132

¶ The word was told to Pelleus blyue*. [b perhaps altered from v.]

"That Iason was comen hom alyue,

And how he hadde brouȝt in-to Grece"—

'For-sothe' thei seyden—"the golden flece."

1136

Wo was him of tho tythandis:

He wrong to-gedir bothe his handes

For sorwe and wo and care of herte,

That he was comen home in qwerte.

1140

But when he saw him comande,

He wente a-ȝeyn him with fair semblande,

And welcometh him wel home,

And was glad of his come,

1144

And thonked god that he ferd wele,

And ȝaf him the lond, eche a dele

Off Thesalye that lond aboute,

So he be-het him, or he wente oute.

1148

¶ With this lond was he not payd;

He wolde be venged algate—he sayd—

Off Lamedone, the kyng of Troyene,

For he him dede reproue and tene.

1152

To Hercules wel offte he spake:

"That he that charge wolde take;

Page 35 ¶ Hic Incipit Bellum.

For elles myȝt it not come to ende;"— [folio 18a]

1155

'For thow hast many a noble frende,

1156

Many a knyȝt*. [MS. aknyȝt.], and many a kyng,

And wil be fayn at thi byddyng.'

Hercules seyde: 'ne drede the nouȝt!

Ful wel to ende it schal be brouȝt

1160

To my worschepe, if my lyf last,

Or this ȝere be ful past.

Haue thow no care, ne make no mone!

But let me here with-al alone!

1164

I schal so venge oure vilonye,

That thay schal ful sore abye.'

HErcules the charge hath tane;

He thenkes to be that kynges bane,

1168

He thenkes him scle with his hond,

If he may come to his lond.

At hom is he no lenger*. [wol he erased after lenger.] abiden,

To Sportes is that knyȝt reden,—

1172

That was a lond of Romanye*. [altered from Romayne.],—

Ther two bretheren were*. [were ought to be struck out.] of chiualrye

Regned Inne by ther dayes.

Hercules ther the bretheren prayes

1176

To wende with him ouer the see,

With armed folk a gret meyne,

To venge him on kyng Lamedon,

That kest him out and sir Iason

1180

Off his lond, whan thai hem reste,

That dede him nother noye ne breste.

The bretheren bothe as knyȝtes hende

Thai were redi with him to wende,—

1184

What day that he wolde assygne,—

With many worthi knyȝtes and digne.

Castor hete that on brother,

And Pollus called men that other. Page 36

1188

Hercules toke leue at hom [folio 18b]

1189

And rode hym to Salom,

A lond that was to Grece longand,

That Thelaman thenne held*. [held inserted by a later hand above the line.] in his hand

1192

That was kyng of gret renoun,

An hardy knyȝt, a bold*. [MS. abold.] baroun.

He prayed him that he wolde go

With him and other kynges mo,

1196

That were of Grece, ouer the see,

Troye to brenne, that hye cete,

And venge him of that foule dispite

That Lamedon dede with gret vnriȝte—

1200

Not long tyme sithen past,—

That he him of his lond cast.

¶ Thelaman seide: "hit schuld be don,

He was al redi at his bon

1204

To wende with him, as good and hende,

Whan he aftir him wol sende."

Hercules thanne rode a-ȝeyn—

Off his be-heste he was ful fayn—

1208

To Polleus kyng and bad that he

Schuld gader faste alle his meyne,

And alle that he myȝt*. [with written by a later hand over line between myȝt and purchase(s).] purchase*. [MS. purchases.],

By loue, or awe, or any manace*. [MS. manaces.].

1212

¶ He tok him thanne the nexte way

To Pilon lond—right as I say;—

Pylon was a lond also

That longed that tyme Grece to,

1216

And duk Nestor was lord and sire*. [Dux Nestor.]

Ouer al that lond and that Empire;—

And prayed him of his ffraunchesse*. [ss perhaps written by the later hand.]

That he wolde wende with him and hesse*. [The first s added by the later hand.],

1220

To venge him on that kyng vilayn,

And helpe that he were ded and sclayn; Page 37

And reue al his bothe lyff and lym, [folio 19a]

1223

That wolde not soffre Iason ne hym

1224

On day reste to take,

Nother for prayer ne for sake.

¶ Duk Nestor seide to Hercules:

'I am al ȝare with-outen les

1228

To wende with the at thy biddyng,

And knyȝtes fele with me to bryng,

To venge the of that vilonye

And do him knowe his folye.

1232

I schal make me and myne ȝare

With-outen dwellyng with the to fare.'

¶ Hercules was thanne wel blythe,

Aȝayn to Pelleus ȝode he swythe.

1236

A[nd] whan he come to Thesalye,

He fonde a louely*. [MS. alouely.] companye

Of kynges and knyȝtes to-gedur thore,

That for his help comen wore:

1240

For thanne was comen Thelaman,

That douȝti kyng, that noble man;

And the bretheren bothe two,

Castor kyng and Pollus also,

1244

With alle here men and here nauee

Stondyng redi on the see;

And Pelleus was al redi dyȝt

With many a bold baroun and knyȝt;

1248

And here schippes were vitayled,

Ther mete and drynke schal non be fayled.

Consilium Grecorum contra Troianos*. [This line is in red paint.].

Alle the kynges bene now to-gedur,

And hit was ful meri wedur:

1252

That Marche was passed and Feuerer,

Hit was that tyme of the ȝere,

It was in-myddis of Averille; Page 38

T[h]e wedir was clere, the wynd was stille. [folio 19b]

1256

And alle these kynges to schip ȝede*. [First e indistinct in MS., might be o.]

To taken the see with-oute drede;

Thei sayled forth day and nyȝt,

Til thei hadde of Troye a syȝt*. [MS. asyȝt.].

1260

The sunne was set and al away doune,

Thanne thei hadde syght ferst of the toune.

Thei toke the hauen, whan it was derk,

With-outen wetyng of prest or clerk,

1264

And kest here ankyr on that sond

And ȝede alle vpon the lond,

For ther was non that euere hem lette;

Hit was longe afftir the sonne sette,

1268

That no man wiste of thair comyng,

Knyȝt ne sqwier, ne the kyng.

Eche man thanne his hors oute hentes,

And drow out Armure & here tentes,

1272

Speres, dartes, helmys, and scheldes;

Thei sette here pauylons & here teldes,

And sette here wacche ouer-al abowte,

That thei myȝt reste with-oute dowte.

1276

THe Gregeis ben londit and proud y-pyght

With gay tentis arayed aryght.

Longe ar the day be-gan to sprynge,

Pelleus sent aboute tythynge

1280

To eche a kyng that there he lay

To come to him, or it were day.

Thei come echone to wete his wille;

When thei were comen and set doun stille,

1284

Pelleus seide: 'my bretheren dere,

Now we ben to-gedur here,

Me thenketh it were good to speke,

How we myȝt sonest vs wreke

1288

Off oure fomen and oure enemys, Page 39

To oure worschepe and to oure pris; [folio 20a]

1290

And saue vs fro perele,

How so it euere it be-fele,

1292

And take the toun with myȝt and wyn,

And alle that euere is ther-In.'

HErcules, that douȝti man,

Be-fore alle other to speke he gan:

1296

'Seres'—he sayde—'ȝoure skylles is good,

As ȝe haue seide, so vs be-hood.

This is myn avisement,

How thei schal sonest be schent:

1300

Ȝiff ȝe wole alle that it be so,

That we parte oure men atwo—

Er it be day and sonne vp-rise,—

That we be seuered in alle wise:

1304

And ȝe, sir kyng, and Thelaman,

And I also, and sir Iason,

Schal be to-gedre In that on ende;

To the toun and we schal wende,

1308

Er it be day or any lyght,

That no man of vs haue a syght:

For we schal hide vs In the vynes,

And when the sonne is vppe and rises,

1312

We schal holde vs stille and coy

By-side the ȝatis with-oute Troy.

And kyng Pollus, and duke Nestor,

And his brother kyng Castor,

1316

Schal beleue here on the see

With alle here folk and here naue.

And Nestor schal ferst with hem dele

With alle his men and his eschele,

1320

And Castor schal be my red haue

The secunde warde—so god me saue!—

And kyng Pollus schal haue the thridde Page 40

With alle the men that are him myd. [folio 20b]

1324

¶ And when the kyng hath tydandes,

That we are restid on his landes,

And he comes out with his baronage

To fyght with hem on this ryuage,

1328

We schal entre in-to the toun

And breke the walles & throwe hem doun,

And scle that we ther-Inne fynde,

Honge, and brenne, and faste bynde,

1332

And do dye that vs dos*. [MS. do dos.] dere.

Then schal we turne to were

And scle hem alle for vs & ȝow.

And thus thynketh me most for oure prow,

1336

When thei may not fro vs fle

On no syde to no contre.'

¶ The kyng sayde: 'as haue I roo!'—

"That hit was good his rede to do,

1340

Better red schuld thei haue non

To confounden sone here fon."

Thei parted here men In two parties;

And Hercules with his he hies

1344

Vndir the toun In the greues

And hides him there in the leues;

And duk Nestor lefft stille thore

With alle that with him wore.

1348

HIt is lyȝt day, the sonne is hye,

And Hercules the toun is nye

With-Inne the greues, ther leues sprynge;

And Lamedon has herd tydynge

1352

That thay of Grece with gret feute

Bene in his hauene with gret naue.

He armed him with-outen any bode

With alle his men and to hem rode,

1356

With scheld and spere an[d] swerd in hande;

Page 41 ¶ Hic veniunt ad pugnandum.

And whan Nestor saw hem comande, [folio 21a]

1358

He ordeyned him with-oute drede

With alle his men, and to hem ȝede;

1360

And ther be-gan a strong cuntre,

Lamedon his dethe ther hent he;

He and his were wood opriȝt,

Or endit were that fyȝt.

1364

LAmedon is armed wel,

His stede is trapped In iren & stel;

Out of the toun is he now ryden,

And his men, that he hath bydden

1368

To go with him that ought were worthe,

Now are thei alle to-gedur forthe,

In-myddes the feld out of the toun

Ridyng ouer dale and doun,

1372

Toward the see to the Gregeis

That he sei stonde in here harneis,

Redi dight with hem to ffyght

With scheldes brode and swerdes bryght.

1376

¶ The Gregeis were not of hem dred;

Nestor that the vanwarde led,

Whan he saw hem come to him ward,

He busked to hem as hard

1380

And toke the feld brod and large

With Many a scheld*. [MS. ascheld.], target, and targe;

And kepe him euene in the berd,

For he was nouȝt of him aferd.

1384

A dredful dyn myȝt men thenne here,

A carful noyse, a dredful*. [MS. adredful.] bere:

When thei were met to-gedur on hepis,

Euery man on other lepes,

1388

And beris him doun, & throwys him vndur,

And leues him*. [him written by a later hand over line.] dede stryken asondur;

A fel batayle was ther by-gonnen, Page 42

When thei were alle to-gedur ronnen. [folio 21b]

1392

The noyse was gret, the speres brake,

Whan eche man mette with his make;

Some were ded and thorow born,

And some hondes or legges lorn,

1396

Some were wounded to the dethe,

Some myȝt not drawe her brethe;

Helmes were holed, and scheldes cloven,

With grete strokes here hedes houen.

1400

Knyȝtes were feld, stedis strayed;

Wel bolde barons bledde and brayed,

To ther deth then were thei dyȝth

With swerdes scharpe and brondis bryȝth.

1404

Gret sclauȝter was be-twene hem there,

When Troye and Grece to-gedur were.

But Troiens with gret multitude

At the laste hadde strokes rude,

1408

But ȝit a-bak thei droff alle Nestor men

Ouer mose and ouer ffen.

¶ But when that noble kyng Castor

Saw how thei ferde with the duke Nestor,

1412

And saw how he a-bak was dreuen,

And his scheld with strokes reuen,—

With alle his men thedur he hyed

And hertely the Troiens defied.

1416

CAstor kyng, that douȝti knyȝt,

Is comen doun to that fyȝt,

To helpe Nestor, that worthi duk,

That he se Troyens so rebuk.

1420

He sclow Troyens—as he were wode,—

He bare hem doun and schedde her blode;

So bitterly ferd he with:

Agayn hem hadde thei no gryth,

1424

Thay myȝt no more with-stande his myght, Page 43

So he was fers, stalworthe, and wyght. [folio 22a]

1426

And so thei fouȝten and were wery,

Off his strokes thei were sory.

1428

¶ But Lamedon, that douȝti kyng,

When he saw his men fleyng,

With alle the men In his warde

He ran thedur as a lyparde,

1432

And sclow Gregeis here and there

As a lyon fers and fere.

He felde doun some, and some fflow,

And of here hors doun hem drow,

1436

And lete hem lye, and some storuen,

Sore woundid and al for-koruen,

Many he greued and al to-hewed;

That he was knyȝt, ful wel he schewed:

1440

He ferd with hem so sorily,

That thay discomfith were wel ny.

BVt when Pollus saw that syght,

The Gregeis were so discomfyght:

1444

With alle his men he thedur ran

And sclow of the Troyens many a man.

Many men was be-twene hem sclayn,

When thei were alle on the playn

1448

To-gedur mette with thaire batayles;

Eche man other ther assayles.

¶ But Lamedon saw, his men fauȝt

Ouer myȝt and out of mauȝt,—

1452

What with loue and what with awe,—

A litel a-bak he made hem drawe

And gedered hem alle on an hepe

As a witti kyng, myȝti, and ȝepe.

1456

¶ Duke Nestor aboue his scheld

Lamedon that tyme be-held:

He saw alle men do his byddyng, Page 44

He hoped therfore, he was here kyng. [folio 22b]

1460

Alle thynges lefft—to him he ȝede,

To scle him, if he myȝt spede.

¶ But Lamedon saw him comande

Towardes him with spere In hande,

1464

He smytes his stede and slakes his rayne,

And rod to him as faste a-gayne

An[d] brak his spere in many a splent*. [MS. asplent.]

On duk Nestor In that dynt;

1468

He harmed him nouȝt worth a thong*. [MS. athong.],

For his Armes were so strong,

And elles hadde he ben sclayn

With Lamedon on the playn.

1472

¶ But Nestor on an-other wyse

Smot Lamedon by-fore al hyse:

He smot him on his scheld so

That he cleue hit euen In-two,

1476

And bare him doun to the grounde

And ȝaf him there an hidous wounde;

But he lepe vp with gret spede,

When he was born thus fro his stede,

1480

And drow his swerd raply & smert—

As hardi man and bold of hert—

And made him romme aboute and way

To duke Nestor—the sothe to say.

1484

A Newe-made knyȝt, that hyȝte Cedar,

Off Lamedon, his lord, was war

Among that prese faught on fote;

He thouȝthe to do ther-of gode bote*. [b altered out of u.]:

1488

He smot Nestor on his gold plate,

That he ȝede doun in-myddes the gate;

He bar him fro his hors in fyght

By-fore his lord, in the kynges syght.

1492

Whan Lamedon saw Nestor felde, Page 45

He thoght his strok scholde be ȝelde [folio 23a]

1494

That he ȝaf him at her Iustyng:

Lamedon, that worthi kyng,

1496

He hyed him faste to Nestor tho

And ȝaf strokes y-nowe and mo,

He brak his coyfe and his ketil-hat,

That to his hed sore it sat.

1500

He smot him so ryght in the face,

That he hath lorn his solace;

For he was ther so for-bled

And with that kyng so ouerled,

1504

That he hadde dyed and ben for-don,

Ne hadde him come socour son.

¶ But then come to that stour

Many a Grek*. [MS. agrek.] to his socour

1508

And fro the kyng of Troye him reffte,

And elles had he his lyff ther leffte;

Out of the pres [thei] him ladde,

For of his lyff were thei adradde.

1512

And Lamedon, that douȝti man,

A noble stede the whiles wan

And lep vp qwyk with-oute fayle

And strok forth in that batayle.

1516

¶ Pollus brother, kyng Castor,

Saw Cedar, that felde duke Nestor;

Wo was him for that fallyng,

He thouȝth to make of him vengyng:

1520

He rode to him, as he were wode,

Vpon a stede*. [MS. astede.] worth mechel gode.

¶ But ther be-fel another knyȝt,

That was of Troye, Secundam hyȝt,—

1524

He was of Cedar blod and kyn,

He was seker his ney cosyn,—

He saw, how Castor wolde haue him smetyn Page 46

Sydlyng, or he hadde weten, [folio 23b]

1528

That wold he for non awȝt:

Be-twene hem the strok he cawȝt

And brast on kyng Castor his spere;

But he myȝt not him doun bere,

1532

Castor spere was tow and strong,—

Ther was non strenger in al that throng;—

He smot Secundam in the syde

A gret wounde and a wyde*. [MS. awyde.].

1536

WHen Cedar saw his Cosyn woundid,

He was for del al confounded:

With drawen sword—as a wode man—

Cedar thanne to Castor ran;

1540

Cedar than in that wode brayd

On Castor so wonderly layd,

That his helm al to-roffe,

And his basenet to his hed droffe.

1544

He wounded him in his visage

For his ffoly and his outrage,

That hit in alle his lyff was sene,—

And feld him doun vpon the grene;

1548

And his stede from him cauȝt

And his sqwyer him by-tauȝt.

¶ Now Castor is from his hors born,

His stede was taken and fro him lorn;

1552

Opon his fete he stode and fauȝt,

Many a strok*. [MS. astrok.] Cedar him rauȝt,

And other mo that ther dede stande.

But kyng Pollus was ner-hande

1556

And saw, how Cedar & many other

Ferd with kyng Castor, his*. [MS. Castoris.] brother;

Kyng Pollus then come him ney

Thedur with al his company,

1560

He hadde with him In his eschele Page 47

Seuen hundrid knyȝtes gode and lele. [folio 24a]

1562

He ferde as he hadde y-raued,

So fayn he wolde his brother haue saued.

1564

He rod thanne al aboute

To his fomen with gret route,

And amonges hem [made] ful gret pay;

To his brother he made him way,

1568

And halp him fro his foos hondes,

And felde Troyens on the sondes,

And brouȝt to Castor the Troyes stede,

And halp him vp at his gret nede.

1572

POlleus kyng brende as the fyr

For gret wratthe, onde & ir*. [MS. hir.],

That he had so his brother dyght

And warisched him of his myght.

1576

He saw a knyȝt agayn him—

His name was Eliachim,

The kynges sone Sartaginis,

And Lamedon Cosyn also y-wys—

1580

He smot the knyȝt with al his myȝt

Ryght be-fore the kynges syȝt,

That he died be-fore his eyen

With mechel wo and mechel pyn.

1584

¶ Kyng Lamedon that be-held

His cosyn dyed In the feld,

Ȝeld the gost be-fore him there,

He wepte for him ful many a tere*. [MS. atere.].

1588

He sette his horn to his mouthe

And blew thries, as he wel couthe;

When he hadde blowen the thridde blast,

The knyȝtes come aboute him fast,

1592

Thei asked him, what him was;

Lamedon saide to hem: 'alas!

Se ȝe not my cosyn dere Page 48

Lye be-fore me ded here, [folio 24b]

1596

The kynges sone of Artage?

Pollus sclow him In his rage.

Now with alle the myght that ȝe konne

Venge now my sistir sone!'

1600

¶ When Lamedon hadde thus spoken

Off his fomen to be wroken,

Among the Grues then he presed

And sclow many, or he sesed:

1604

He bare kynges and lordes doun

Off gret prise and gret renoun;

The Troyens then sclow the Grues,

That thei for wo chaunged thaire hewes;

1608

Thei were wounded and sore ybete,

For thei were so ouersete,

Thei fledde a-way and lefft here place;

The Troyens thanne hem gon chace

1612

And droff hem to the sees bank,

And hewes of hem armes & schank.

The Gruwes for-sothe hadde deye[d] alle—

So wo that tyme hem was by-falle

1616

With gret wo and encomber*. [MS. encombrer.]—

Ne hadde ther come a messanger*. [MS. amessanger.]

Out of Troye and brouȝt tydynges

To hem of Troye and to here kynges:

1620

"That proude Griffons hath taken his toun

And robbed hit and caste it doun,

And sclayn alle that thei ther founde

Stark ded vpon the grounde."

1624

And he him-self that brouȝth tythand

Might not wel on his feet stande

Ne on his hors wel ride,

For he was smetyn thorow the syde,

1628

He myȝt not wel sitte in pese; Page 49

Troyens clepid that man Dotes, [folio 25a]

1630

That Lamedon tho tydynges brouȝt;

Ther lyues alle thei set at nouȝt.

1632

WHan Lamedon these tydynges herde,

With Mechel del thenne he ferde;

Lord god! what him was wo!

For he wiste neuere wheder to go.

1636

But at the laste his horn he blew,

And his good men that him knew

Come aboute him wondur blyue,

As faste as thei myȝt driue.

1640

¶ As thei reden to Troye ward,

Thei saw come many a lord*. [MS. alord.],

Many Gryffons on a ffrape

With mychel spede*. [MS. speche.] and mychel rape.

1644

Thay loked be-hynde hem to the see:

Off hem that fledde how it myȝt be?

He saw hem come be-hynde his bak

Afftir him a wel gode schak.

1648

¶ Thenne hadde the Troyens wel gret awe,

For thei wist neuere whedir to drawe,

Thei were be-twene her fomen set.

Whan Hercules and thay were met,

1652

Hit was gret del and pite

What martirdom he made to be;

For thai of Grece were mo than thay

The double-fold—sothe to say.

1656

¶ Hercules rides oueral and rennes—

As a fulmard doth afftir the hennes—

Al forsothe that he tas he sles;

Til he haue doun, he wol not ses.

1660

He makes aboute him styes and wayes,

His myȝt on hem he sayes.

¶ As he rode so aboute raykand,

Page 50 ¶ Lamedon occisus est.

Lamedon sey he fyghtande, [folio 25b]

1664

That many a Greu hath sclayn that day;

He rod to him—so weylaway!—

And smot*. [MS. smot.] in-two bothe nekke and bon,

And kest the hed fro him anon;

1668

Among the horses ther thei ran.

The Troyens then no counsel can,

When thei sey here lord so dede;

Off hem-self kan thei no rede,

1672

Alle ȝede to dethe that hem abode;

Ther were ffewe that thennes rode,

For thei myȝt no ferthere fle

To toure ne toun ne to cite.

1676

NOw Lamedon is ded & sclayn,

And alle the knyȝtes on the playn

With-oute the toun on the wolde,

Ther ne was leefft nother ȝong ne olde.

1680

And thei of Grece ben went to Troye

With mery herte and mechel Ioye:

Alle that thei mette ther-In,

Thei dede to dethe, er thei wolde blyn.

1684

Thei dwelled ther a ful*. [MS. aful.] monithe*. [The MS. first had month, a later hand [?] made i out of t, put an e behind the h, and altered this e to t; so the MS. now reads moniht.]

In gode pees and in grithe,

Til thei hadde sought the toun aboute

And robbed hit with-oute doute

1688

Off al the good ther-Inne was,

Er thay wolde thennes pas.

And alle the Maydenes that thei myght fynde,

That comen were of gentil kynde,

1692

That louely were, ȝong, and free,

Thei ledde with hem ouer the see;

And helde hem there in gret seruage,

That were come of gret parage.

1696

As thei of Grece the toun sought

Page 51 ¶ Ciuitas Troieanus destructus est.

And mochel wo the Troyens wroght, [folio 26a]

1698

Thei fond a fair Mayde and a curtays

In Lamedon kynges paleis,

1700

That was of wonder gret beute,

The fairest may that man myȝt se:

Long, and smal, and riȝth tretis

Was that mayden schapen y-wys;

1704

That blisful, that swete wyght

Dame Oxonie forsothe sche hight;*. [¶ Oxonia Filia L'. Regis.]

Sche was the kynges douȝter Troyene*. [MS. troyene; the first e written by later hand over line.],

Getyn in wedlak on the qwene.

1708

¶ Hercules toke Oxonie,

That kynges douȝter of genterie,

And ȝaf here Thelaman to mede,

In-to the toun for he furst ȝede;

1712

For he was the furst man

That toke Troye, when thei it wan.

So weylaway! that sche was born!

So fele gode men for here were lorn

1716

Afftirward wel many a day,

As ȝe afftirward here may;

For bi here roos al the wo,

That sixti thousand knyȝtes and mo

1720

Deyed for her, and al here kyn,

And gode Ector, here owne Cosyn,

And gode Troyle, and Dephebus,

And here brother Priamus,

1724

And Hectuba the gode qwene*. [This line stands behind the next one in MS.],

And here douȝter Pollexene;

And alle that to Troye longed

For hir rape the deth ther fonged.

1728

Thay of Grece haue robbed the toun,

And brend houses & throwen hem doun;

Thay lefft right nouȝt that ought was worth, Page 52

That thei ne bar hit with hem forth [folio 26b]

1732

To ther scheppis and her naue;

And sayled hom in sauete

With alle þe*. [Over line by later hand.] riche tresor of Troye,

And leuyd ther-on with moche Ioye,

1736

For thai were riche for eueremore

The while thei on lyue wore.

¶ But Thelaman, that worthi kyng,

Dame Oxonie, that lady ȝong,

1740

Held alle his lyff to his leman

And nold her not to his spouse tan;

And sche was grettere than he

Or alle his kyn by suche thre;

1744

Of her so was his lykyng*. [A later hand has made many scrawl|ings and scribblings in this and other lines on this page.]

And mo also of his ofspryng*. [MS. osspryng.].

But of here In his lechurie

Wan*. [MS. Whan.] he that knyȝt of chiualrie:

1748

Ayax Thelamonyus,

That was so bold and vigurous,

Afftirward that at*. [Over line by later hand.] Troyes batayle

Wroght many a*. [Over line by later hand.] gret meruayle.—

1752

Thus was Troye formas lorn and wonne,—

Fille the cuppe who-so konne!

TRoye is downe and al to-rent

And lyth on the pament:

1756

Ther nys nouȝt stondende an hous

In al the toun to hide a mous*. [MS. amous.],

That hit is*. [Over line by later hand.] downe and ouerthrowen,

Ther may the wynd wel colde blowen.

1760

That tyme that this chaunce be-fel

Priamus—that sothe to tel—

A noble knyȝt and a ful fair,

That was the kynges sone & his air,

1764

Was not at home in that contre:

Page 53 ¶ Hic Priamus venit ad patriam suam.

He was fer out of that Cite, [folio 27a]

1766

A strong Castel to be-sege,

That was holden with his men lege

1768

That were aȝeyn his fadir rebelle.

Off these tythandes herde he telle,

He laffte the sege that was be-gonne,—

And elles for-sothe it hadde be wonne

1772

The castel certes, hadde he a-byden;

But he is thennes with his men ryden

With carful herte and sore wepyng,

Til he wiste the sothe of this tythyng.

1776

¶ Toward Troye he toke the way

With alle his men, the next that lay;

Til he come ther he neuere belan.

Than was he a sori*. [MS. asori.] man,

1780

When he saw al downe and brend,

And his frendes dede and schend.

He sorwede day and nyȝth,

Til he hadde ben a-wroken be his myȝth;

1784

He leuyd euere in gret wayment,

Til he was ney-honde yblent.

¶ But at the laste his wo he leffte

And sayde, "he wolde make Troye effte

1788

Wel stronger than it was ore,

Widdur, lengur, and mochel more."

¶ He dede seche ouer-al and sende

Afftir Masons fre and hende,

1792

Sklatteres, Masons, and Carpenter,

And other Men of alle mister,

That schulde be-gynne to make that werk.

Priamus hath sette the merk,

1796

How long, how brod it scholde be;

The wryghtes haue hewen many a tre*. [MS. atre.],

Postes, Pileres Many and grete; Page 54

The Masons on the stones bete,— [folio 27b]

1800

Bothe of Marbil white and gray,—

To make the werk as I ȝow say:

Euere was a ston*. [MS. aston.] of Marbil gray,

And another of white, of alle that lay.

1804

Many an ymage ther was grauen,

Wel smethe were thei alle schauen,

To sette with-outen vpon the walles.

On here chambres and on here halles

1808

Ther was wroght alle maner best,

That was walkynge In any forest,

Were koruen on the walles enviroun.

Many fair hous was in that toun.

1812

MAny worthi paleys and heye

Ymade*. [MS. ymade.] was ther of Masonrye.

Sithen god made first the werld,

Off suche on haue ȝe not herd

1816

That was so*. [By another hand over line.] mechel of strengthe:

Hit was thre dayes iornes of lengthe,

And as moche it was of brede—

As men doth on boke rede.

1820

Suche a toun*. [MS. atoun.] was neuere ȝit non,

Ne neuere schal be—by god alon!—

As longe as this world schal stande,

In cristendome ne in hethen lande*. [MS. hande.].

1824

The wal fro the ground streygthe

Were thre hundred fete on heygthe;

The lowest cote with-Inne the close,

That was werst and lest of lose,—

1828

Sicurly as*. [I erased after as in MS.] say alle men,—

Was foure-score fete of heygthe and ten.

With-oute the toun is mad a dike,

Ther was neuere toun that hadde it like!

1832

Hit was diked doun plum, Page 55

That no man myȝth ther-ouer com. [folio 28a]

1834

And ȝit he dede a paleis make

With-oute the diche, of many a stake,

1836

That no man schulde the diche come to

Ne no harm to the toun do.

Afftir thanne so dede he make

A paleis for his owne sake,

1840

And a rennand*. [MS. arennand.] fair reuer.

But I wol not ther-of speke here,

For afftirward schal ȝe here and see,

How [was] that werk of gret noble.

1844

PRiamus is lord and kyng—

Afftir Lamedons endyng—

Off Troie and many fair Cite

And of many other riche contre.

1848

He hadde a lady to his wyff,

Hectuba, that louely lyff;

On here gat he children fyue,

The douȝtiest men that were on lyue.

1852

¶ Gode Ector the furst hyght;*. [¶ Ector.]

God made neuere a beter*. [MS. abeter.] knyȝt

Off douȝtinesse and of chiualrie

In cristendome ne in paynie.

1856

The secunde brother het Paris,*. [¶ Paris.]

The fairest knyȝt that lyued ywis.

The thridde name was Dephebus,*. [¶ Dephebus.]

A doughti knyȝt and vertuus;

1860

He was wys to ȝeue consayl

Off alle that euere fel to batayl.

The fourthe hight Elenus;*. [¶ Elenus.]

The ȝongest doughti Troylus,*. [¶ Troylus.]

1864

A doughtier man than he was on

Off hem alle was neuere non,—

Saue Ector, that was his brother, Page 56

That neuere was goten suche another, [folio 28b]

1868

And Elenus, that was the fourthe,

The wisest knyȝth a-boue erthe:

Off alle science of Clergye,

Retorike, and astronomye,

1872

He was forsothe a wis man*. [MS. wisman.],

Off alle science that any clerk can.

¶ Off Hectuba also gete he

Gentyl ladyes doughtres thre:

1876

The eldest, Clusa, weddid was*. [¶ Clusa.]

Vnto that traytour Eueas*. [The MS. has Eueas throughout, cf. also ll. 5521, 7647, 7650, &c.],

That afftirward trayed Troye;

God ȝeue him sorwe and neuere Ioye!

1880

¶ The secunde was of mechel pris,

A witti womman and a wys;

Sche couthe alle the seuene science,

Men dede here gret reuerence

1884

For here wit and here konnyng;

Cassandre thei called that may ȝyng.*. [¶ Cassandre.]

The thrydde was comely on to sene;

Men clepid here dame Pollexene;*. [¶ Pollexene.]

1888

Ther lyued non so fair a wyght

In al this world to mannes syght;

Ther fayled no vertu In here body,

Saue that god made here dedly.

1892

And ȝit gat he on other wymmen

Thritti other doughti men,

That were euere gode knyghtes and sekir,

Bold and strong in eche bekir.

1896

Consilium inter Troyanos ad pugnandum*. [This line in red paint.].

WHen Troye was wroght to the ende,

Priamus thoght In his a-tende,

That he wolde make a gret feste

With alle burgeis moste and leste: Page 57

1900

The day is set, the feste is made; [folio 29a]

1901

When thei hadde eten and were glade,

¶ Priamus spak to hem an hey,

With sykyng herte and heuy—

1904

He seyde: 'lordynges ȝe ben here alle!

The moste partie to me schal falle,

And we haue set a-ȝeyn oure toun

That thei of Grece hadde cast a-doun;

1908

Thei haue don schame and vilonye

To me and to alle my progenye,

And to ȝow, gode men, also:

What schame myȝth thei vs more do

1912

Then scle oure kyng In oure lond,

And bere away alle that thei fond,

And robbe*. [MS. roble, cf. 2675.] oure toun and brenne,

And lede a-way wymmen and men,

1916

And holde hem there In foule bondage

That we held here of gret parage?

That was—lo—a foule*. [MS. afoule.] meschaunce!

It were now tyme to take vengaunce

1920

That haue now oure frendes schent

And vs brought now in gret torment.

For we haue now a Cite strong,

Wide, brode, and wonder long,

1924

To herbare men with-oute mesure.

For thei may not a-ȝeyns vs dure,

In oure owne lond to do vs dere—

Nought the value of a pere!

1928

For we haue frendes gret plente,

That ben alied to ȝow and me,

That schal ben to vs in mayntenaunce

With alle her men and lyaunce,

1932

And we ben riche and haue tresoure,

Siluer and gold with-oute mesure, Page 58

To make of vitayles purueaunce [folio 29b]

1935

To oure allers sustenaunce.

1936

Ȝe wot wele, that alle Assye

Is vndir me, the moste partye;

Wherfore me thenke: by resoun and skyl

We may vs venge, if that we wyl.

1940

But for batayles ben euere in doute,

And er that it be brouȝt aboute,

No man wote who schapis the better,

I rede that we sende oure letter

1944

Or elles Message by som lordyng

To hem of Grece that dide this thyng,

To make a-mendes of thaire trespas

That thei vs dede In this plas,

1948

Off that thei brende and doun threwe

That we haue made a-ȝeyn newe,

And that thei robbed so oure lond

And sclow oure frendes with here hond.

1952

¶ And ȝif thei nyl amendes make,

Ne do so mochel for oure sake

With any other amende,

My sustir home that thei sende

1956

That thei holde ther in hordome,

Me to vylany and to schome,—

Ȝit scholde we thole her errour

That thei haue don to vs & our,

1960

That ther be no more ado

Be-twene hem & vs, if thei do so.

And thus me thinke we may sum-dele

Agayn men be excused wele.'

1964

¶ Alle that euere sat and stode,

Saide, "his consail was gode;"

But thei seide, "it most be

A witti man to passe the see, Page 59

1968

That on this Message schuld go, [folio 30a]

1969

That thei for wratthe dede him not sclo."

The wisest man that thei had

Was Antenor; the kyng him bad

1972

That he schulde on that erande wende,

To wete of hem alle the ende.

¶ Antenor dede the kynges byddyng:

He dyght his schip with-oute dwellyng

1976

And spedde him faste on his viage,

To do*. [MS. To to do.] the kynges gret message*. [MS. gret me message.].

So longe he sayled day and nyght,

To Thesalye he come right,

1980

Ther Pelleus kyng dwelled than

With Many a lord and many a worthi*. [MS. aworthi.] man.

¶ Hic Rex Troiani misit nuncium ad Regem Grecorum*. [These two lines in red paint.].

ANtenor on londe is lyght,

Wel arayed and semely dyght;

1984

To Pelleus kyng he is now went

And salued him faire verament.

And he ȝede faire to his gretyng

And asked of him, "what tithyng,

1988

Whennes he come, and what he was,

And what made him the see to pas

In-to contrays, and what he soughte?"

And bad that he schulde gabbe noughte.

1992

¶ Antenor saide: 'sir, by the rode!

To telle the sothe so me be-houede.

I schal ȝow telle ffor no Latyn,

Off I schal therfore be sclayn—

1996

For I am sworen be myn othe,

To say the sothe for leeff or lothe:

¶ I come on Message fro the kyng of Troye

To ȝow, sir kyng,—so haue I ioye! Page 60

2000

The kyng of Troye to ȝow me sende [folio 30b]

2001

And asketh, whether ȝe wol amende*. [In the MS. line 2001 after l. 2002!]

The harme, the schame, the vylony,

The Mansclaughter and the robbery

2004

Off his fadir that ȝe sclow,

And of good that ȝe fro him drow,

And of his sustir Oxonie,

That ȝe haue here In ȝoure balye

2008

And make that ladi an hore to be

That is gentelour, then ȝe or he

That holdes hir here on suche a manere*. [MS. amanere.]?

Sendes him home his sustir dere,

2012

And ȝit wol he alle other trespas

For-ȝeue, when he hir at home has,

And be in qwyete and in pees,

And his fader deth relese

2016

And alle the good that ȝe haue of his,

That no contake be-twene ȝow ris.'

WHen Pelleus kyng had herd this,

He was angered for-sothe y-wys,

2020

With Priamus was he ful wroth;

Fro Antenor a litel he goth,

His mautalent to refrayne

That dede his herte mochel payne

2024

For vilens wordes of Priamus.

To Antenor thanne seyde he thus:

He seyde, "he nolde ȝeue a fecche,

He holdes him certes but a wrecche"—

2028

'And thow that hast these tythynges brouȝt:

By him that al this world hath wrouȝt!

But thow go with-oute dwellynge,

In dispite of thi lord thi kynge

2032

I schal do the to vyle dethe

With-oute consayle or other rede!' Page 61

¶ Antenor for ferd schoke, [folio 31a]

2035

With-oute leue his way he toke

2036

Toward his schip wonder faste

And sayled forth, til he were paste

Out of his lond in-to the see

Fer fro him In his contre.

2040

And sayled forth in his way

Many a nyȝth and many a day,

Til he were comen to Salenne;

A fair Cite ther was thenne,

2044

Ther Thelaman dwelled In

That þat Mayden held in syn.

¶ When Antenor herde that tythand,

That Theleman was kyng of that land,

2048

Out of his schip to him he soughte;

And asked, "whether he wolde oughte

With him that he aftir spired?"

With the Troye[n]s was he a-greued,

2052

For he wiste wel, if that thei myȝth,

Thei wolde him reue the worthi wyȝth.

¶ Antenor sayde: 'sir, herkenes now!

The kyng of Troye send me to ȝow

2056

And bad ȝow for ȝoure curtesye

Sende him home dame Oxonye,

Out of his lond that ȝe haue led,

That neuere wolde that lady wed,

2060

But holde hir with ȝow here

As an hore and hores fere,

That is come of more honour

Than ȝe, sir kyng, and alle ȝour.

2064

And ȝif ȝe wole this so do,

In pees may ȝe for him be so.'

THelaman stode & these wordes herde,

He swore by him that made this werlde: Page 62

2068

"Out of his lond but if he hied, [folio 31b]

2069

If he ther-Inne myght be spyed,

He wolde him brynge In-to foule endyng

For Priamus loue, that fals kyng;"—

2072

'But say thi kyng, that me meruayles—

That nyse Cokard—what him ayles,

Off loue or pees to praye me,—

And*. [MS. That.] alle hise, him, and the,

2076

And alle that ben ȝow toward;

But say, that I make forward:

He schal neuere haue that blisful birde,

But he hir wynne with dynt of swerde;

2080

[I] wan that lady Oxonye

At Troyes toun with Chiualrie.

Say thi kyng: "be no wayes

I wol not do that he me prayes."

2084

But hye the faste out of my lond,

Or thow schalt deye with myn hond!'

ANtenor a-wey him spedde,

Off Thelaman was he a-dredde;

2088

To his schip wel faste he ȝede

And sayled forth with gret spede,

Til he come to Acayas;

A worthi Cite thanne ther was,

2092

Ther Castor dwelled and kyng Pollus.

When Antenor herde telle thus,

That these bretheren bothe were

In the toun to-gedur there,

2096

He come to hem and tolde his tale

By-fore hem bothe in the sale.

But sicurly the kynges bothe,

When thei herde him speke, thei were wrothe;

2100

In gret wratthe spak Castor

To the knyght sir Antenor, Page 63

And bad him sese of his spekyng,— [folio 32a]

2103

"Or he schulde deye, be heuene kyng!"

2104

¶ He seyde: 'falawe, what-so thow art—

He that made the come hidirward,

I holde him a nyse*. [MS. anyse.] cokard,

I wot no man of him a-ferd;

2108

A nyse*. [MS. anyse.] Iauel is he that the sendis,

That we schal make him amendis

Off alle thinges that is ydon,

Or sende him hom his suster son.

2112

¶ What wrecche is he that biddis vs thus,

When we hate him and he hates vs?

Vs is leuere werre than pees;

We wol not, that he relees

2116

His fader dethe ne no-thyng elles,—

As thow thi message here vs telles—

For we dede his sire neuere suche schame,

That we ne schal do to him the same!

2120

Other amendis wil we not make;

But In his dispite and for his sake

We schul do the to dethe vyle,

Iff thow dwelle here any while!'

2124

ANtenor for wratthe wex al pale,

With-oute leue a-way he stale,

As faste as he myȝth skippe;

He toke the way to his schippe

2128

And sayled a-way to the see,

For ther durst he no lenger bee.

To wende for-sothe to ende his nedis,

To Pilon faste the knyght him spedis;

2132

Ther duk Nestor the knyght be-held,

And his erand as-tyde he teld.

Duk Nestor was ful of wratthe and ire

Toward Antenor, that proudely sire, Page 64

2136

That for tene chaunged alle his hewe: [folio 32b]

2137

He wex ȝolow, bloo, and blewe.

Antenor sees his colour meued,

That he come there ful sore him rewed;

2140

He hoped neuere thenne to wende

With-outen deth and schamely ende.

Nestor sayde: 'thow seruaunt lythur,

How artow so bold these wordes wethur

2144

To speke hem here in my presence,

In my wratthe and myn offence?

Certes! ne were my genterye,

My fredom, and my curtesye,

2148

Thow scholdest not passe fro me on lyue:

That I schulde thi chekis on-sundir dryue,

Or I scholde In ȝoure kynges dispit

Thi bodi with hors to-drawe hit

2152

Thorow-out my lond, and take vengeaunce

Off thi proude wordis and contenaunce.

But hye the faste of my sight,

Or—here my trowthe I the plight!—

2156

Thow schalt deye with mechel pyne,

If thow dwelle longe in lond myne!'

Antenor stale away fro him,

He dredde to lese bothe lyff and lym;

2160

He stale to schipe and sayled a-way,

For he dredde Nestor ay.

He sayled forthe on his iornay,

Til he come to Troie contray;

2164

Ther he fond manye on glade,

For his come gret Ioye thei made.

ANtenor is comen to Troye,

Off his comyng thei made Ioye,

2168

Al that lond and that Cite.

To Priamus as-tyde went he

Page 65 ¶ Hic Rex Troianorum iratus est.

And told "what answere that he hadde, [folio 33a]

2171

And how the lordis alle him badde

2172

Out of here lond that he schulde ffle,

Or he scholde honge on a tre*. [MS. atre.],

Or al to-drawe him lym fro lym

In dispite forsothe of hym;"

2176

'For thei seyde alle by on sawe,

Thei tolde right nauȝt of thyn awe,

For of thi loue kepe thei nought;

Thi wratthe echon thay sette at nought.

2180

And thi sustir most be bought

Wyth dynt of swerd, or thow getest hir nought.'

WHen Priamus this vndir-stode,

Wel coldful tho was his blode,

2184

Gret sorwe in his herte made,

Ther myght no man that day him glade.

Then was the kyng bothe wan and pale

And sat doun stille In the sale;

2188

He was an-angred and greved,

That Antenor was so repreued

On his message a-monges the Grues;

That he come ther, wel sore him rewes,

2192

And that thei set by him so lyght;

He thoght be wreken, if he myght,

Off here euel dedis and answeres,

And so he wol, and so he sweres.

2196

Anon he dede afftir sende

The grete of Troye that were hende,

And spake thus to alle that wore

Comen then to-gedir thore;

2200

He seide: 'lordynges, ȝe wot wel alle,

That ben now sembled*. [MS. semblent.] In this halle,

I sente message—as ȝe me consayled,

Ful wele I wende hit wolde avayled— Page 66

2204

To the kynges and lordes of Grece, [folio 33b]

2205

That robbed ȝow and this contrece,

That Lamadon, my fader, sclow,

And ȝoure kynrade to hem drow:

2208

If thei wolde amendes make

For curtesye and for oure sake,

That we myght In pes be so,

That ther were no more a-do;

2212

Or if thei wold hit not amende,

That thei wolde my sustir sende,

And I and ȝe wold be In pes,

And alle oure harmes make reles.

2216

But Antenor, oure Messager,

Is come home, as ȝe se her;

Ȝe haue alle herd of his tythynges,

And what answere fro hem he brynges:

2220

Thei say thei haue of vs no drede,

Thei wol non amendes bede;

Ne my sustir—the sothe to say—

Fro hem wol thei not sende a-way,

2224

But holde hir there in feble herues

In my dispite and my repreues.

Now schal alle men on vs wondur,

If we so foule schal be put vndur,

2228

That we no-wyse dar take vengaunce

Off hem that dede vs this greuaunce,

But sendes vs word: "that hem liketh wele

Of that thei dede eche a dele*. [MS. adele.],

2232

And that thei greued vs neuere so sore,

That thei wole greue vs more."

Wolde it neuere god, that it were so

Al that thei say thai myght do!

2236

For I holde vs now—be my fay!—

Better and strenger than thay, Page 67

And we ben wel kynned and fyn, [folio 34a]

2239

And haue a toun*. [MS. atoun.] wil vs tyn.

2240

¶ Wherfore, lordes, me thynketh: gode wore

That we sone strengthe kyd hem thore,

That vs so foule hath reuyled.

I wolde, that thei were be-gyled,

2244

As thei dede vs here of this toun,

Whan thei brende hit & kest it doun.

I wold, we sente ouer the see

Men of Armes gret plente,

2248

That myght haue ryued vn-warned thore

On some of hem, or thay were wore,

And slee and robbe, brenne and reue

Alle that thei founde, and no-thyng leue;

2252

Or if thei myght som ladi wynne,

That comen were of gentil kynne,

That we may holde in oure baylie

In-stede of dame Oxonye.'

2256

¶ The lordes ros vp alle that there ware,

An[d] seide trewely: "thei wold not spare

Body ne good ne non other thyng,

But al schulde be at his byddyng,

2260

His comaundement and his wille

And of his fomen to fulfille."

¶ Then was Priamus wondur blythe,

And thonked hem an hundred sythe.

2264

Thai toke here leue hom to go

And toke hem leue on goddis half tho;

And bad hem thenke on alle thyng

To be euere redi at his sendyng.

2268

Alle the lordes ben home gone;

Priamus is left al alone,

Saue his children and his meyne

Off that contre that were pryue.

2272

Page 68 ¶ Consilium inter Regem Troianum et Filios suos.

He is anoyed and al agrised, [folio 34b]

2273

That thay of Grece him so dispised;

The water brast out at his eyne,

So hadde his herte mochel pyne.

2276

He saw his children that were him by,

And spak to hem thus al an hy;

He sais: 'lordynges, be ȝe ought,

What schame these Grues haue vs wrought!

2280

How thei sclow ȝoure gode aȝel!

And ȝet ben thei of herte so fel,

That thai ȝoure aunte foule fro ȝow holde

In hordam certes, as vs is tolde,

2284

In schame of ȝoures and gret dispite.

Me thynketh ther-of, that with alle ȝoure myȝte,

Whil ȝe are ȝonge at ȝoure begynnyng,

That ȝe sette ther-on alle ȝoure konnyng:

2288

Off hem, that were my [fader] bane

And haue my suster fro me tane,

To venge ȝow, ȝif that ȝe mowe;

For litel prise sette thai be ȝowe.

2292

ANd thow, Ector, myn eldest sone,

On my blessyng and on my benysone,

Take this charge holly on the,

I praye the for the loue of me!

2296

For I am fer passed in elde,

That I may not my-selff welde,

And thow art hardi, strong, & bolde

Be-fore alle men, and most of tolde;

2300

Thow passes alle men of strengthe & myght,

Men knowen nowher so hardy a knyght,

That arn vnbuxom, sterne, and stought,

Thow makest hem fayn to the to lought*. [2303-4. MS. stought for 'stout' and lought for 'lout.' These forms show that, to the scribe, gh was not guttural.];

2304

Thi bretheren alle In hardinesse

Thow passes hem In doughtinesse. Page 69

I make the ther-fore lord and sire [folio 35a]

2307

Off alle my lond and myn Empire

2308

And also of thi brotheres alle

And alle that euere vnto vs falle;

Prynce, knyȝt, duke, and kyng,

Alle schal be at thi byddyng.

2312

And take this thyng on the be-dene,

For I make me here-of alle clene

And take hit the here In thyn hond;

For strenger than I thow art to fond

2316

Suche lordschepe to vndirtake.

Say not nay, sone, for my sake!'

Ector sayde: 'be god almyght!

I am most holden by skyl and right

2320

To venge the dethe of myn aȝel

In stoures stiffe and strong batayle,

For I am eldest—as ȝe haue told—

Off alle my bretheren ȝong and old;

2324

Therfore schulde I be resoun be best

And al my wit ther-to kest.

But on thyng, fader, I pray ȝow, dere,

That ȝe wolde now me here

2328

And haue it in gode memorie:

That ȝe be wele a-vysed and sclye,

What ende ȝe hope hit wol come to,

For if it be bygunnen so

2332

And it come to no good ende,

Then be we schent and alle oure frende,

And schal haue a schame*. [MS. aschame.] ther-by

With-outen ende and vilony.

2336

I haue herd say and red in boke,

That a wis man*. [MS. wisman.] schal not loke

Afftir a thing that is atte begynnyng,

But euere-more afftir the endyng; Page 70

2340

For many thynges begynnes wele [folio 35b]

2341

And in the ende fares amys euery dele.

Wyte ȝe not, that alle Aufrik

And al Europe euery stik

2344

Is vndirput to hem of Grece?

How riche thei ben of rentes and fece?

And how the lond is ful of knyȝtes

That doughti ben and strong of fyghtes?

2348

Thay ben richer for-sothe then we,

And mo als by thousandis thre!

For Oxonye is not so good,

That ȝe, fader, and alle oure blood

2352

For hir scholde to vile deth be brouȝt;

Here ramsoun were to dere bouȝt.

Sche may deye with-Inne a throwe,

And sche is old—alle men knowe;—

2356

Leue therfore that ȝe haue thoght,

That ȝe ne turne ȝoure wil to noght!

Ne thenk not, fader,—I ȝow pray—

That I thes wordes vnto ȝow say

2360

For drede of herte ne cowardyse!

By god of my myȝt and seynt Denyse!

But for I wold, thorow prosperite

Ȝoure gret worschepe and dignite

2364

Lasted euere In reste and pes,

And that ȝoure honour schulde neuere sese.

¶ But certes, fadur, I me drede,

If ȝe folyly this werre lede,

2368

That ȝe begynne a newe debate;

Ȝe schal lese for euere-more oure state

And oure worschepe and oure name,

And wynne vs schenschepe and schame.'

2372

PAris sat and held his pes;

He herkenes al that Ector seys. Page 71

Whan he saw Ector sitte in pes, [folio 36a]

2375

Paris ros vp fro the des

2376

And spak on hye, herande hem alle

That stode or sat In that halle;

He seyth: 'my lord, er ȝe wende,

I schal ȝow telle of a good ende

2380

That we schal haue of oure batayle,

If we the Grues wol assayle.

How scholde we by skyl be a-ferd?

Suche a toun is non [on] mydlerd,

2384

As is this toun is nowher non;

Ther is no man with fleche ne bon,

That in oure toun may vs confounde;

It is so strong of walle and grounde.

2388

Sende ȝoure men and ȝoure naue

Boldely, sir, ouer the see!

And als god ȝow mote amende,

Loke that ȝe me with hem sende;

2392

For I wot wel: it is my chaunce

To do the Gregeys gret greuaunce,

And oute of Grece to ȝow brynge

A gentil lady fair and ȝynge,

2396

That is comen of gentil blode,

As fair and as gode

And as gret of genterye

As ȝoure suster Oxonye.

2400

And if ȝe aske how I wot this,

I schal ȝow telle—so haue I blis:—

¶ The noble god Mercurius

In my sclepyng he told me thus;

2404

How, and wenne, and in what wyse,—

I schal ȝow telle, or ȝe aryse.

This endir day, whan I was sent

At ȝoure biddyng and comaundement

2408

Page 72 ¶ Hic Paris Filius Regis Troiani narrauit patri suo de sompno suo.

To the lond of lytel Inde, [folio 36b]

2409

I ȝede to hunte the*. [MS. to the.] hert & hynde.

Whan I was comen to the forest,

Off al that day fond I no best,

2412

Til it was passed ouer the none.

By him that sittes in trone!

Then was I war of a gret hert,

Fair, and gret, and ful smert,

2416

That ȝede on land and was to leyne;

Then was I glad and wondur fayne,

I folwed him, til hit was nyght,

And til of him I loste the syght

2420

Thorow derknesse of the leues

That growed vpon the greues.

I was weri of hunted & chased,

So hadde I that proude hert trased;

2424

My hors forsothe was ondeles

For rennyng and for werines;

My felawes hadde I alle lorn,

That tyme with me was no wyght born.

2428

I layd me doun vpon the playn

And tyed myn hors be the rayn;

Whan I was leyd, er I toke kepe

For werinesse I fel on sclepe.

2432

As I lay on my sclepyng,

Me thoght I saw a wondir thyng:

I saw a god*. [MS. agod.] bryghter then the glemyng

Come to me in my dremyng,

2436

And in his hond brouȝt goddis thre,

And alle were faire on to se.

That on goddes of the thre was

—As he me sayde—goddesse Pallas;

2440

The secunde was also

A louely lady, dame Iuno; Page 73

The thridde goddesse was dame Venus [folio 37a]

2443

That come with god Mercurius.

2444

Mercurius sayde: "loke vp, Paris,

So haue thow Ioye In erthe or blis!

By-holde Right wel these thre goddesse,

For thei ben alle in gret distresse,

2448

For a stryff is be-twene hem raysed;

But thorow the it schal be pesed,

For þei haue put hem in thi dome.

Loke therfore, thow ȝyue gode gome,

2452

That thow ȝeue now rightful Iugement

Afftir thi sight and thin entent.

THese thre goddesse this endur day

Sat at the feste of gret noblay;

2456

An Appul was to hem ybroght,

A wondur fair and qweyntly wroght.

That appul is with-oute doute

With lettres of gold wreten aboute:

2460

That it scholde trewly ȝeuen be

To the ffairest of the thre.

Iff that thow wol so moche do

That thow ȝeue it dame Iuno,

2464

So worthi a man In al this world

Is non leuyng—as man has herd,—

As sche treuly schal the make

For that semely appul sake.

2468

And if thow ȝeue it goddes Pallas,

Sche schal the ȝeue, or thow pas,

Wit, and wisdam schaltow haue

More than thow woldest craue.

2472

And ȝif thow ȝeue it to dame Venus,

Sche bad, I scholde telle the thus:

The ffairest wiff that is in Grece

To thi merite therfore sche bese. Page 74

2476

Now loke wele, how thow demes, [folio 37b]

2477

Whiche of these best besemes."

I vysed longe these ladyes thre,

Me thoghte hem alle of gret beute;

2480

But I saw hem alle In suche a poynt,

That thei were naked In ilke a Ioynt;

Thei seyde: thai nolde not for me spare;

Thei stode be-fore me naked and bare.

2484

¶ To me Venus the fairest semed,

For-whi to hir the appul I demed;

And sche ther-of was fayn y-now

And smoterly on me sche low,

2488

And hight me, or sche fro me ȝede,

That I scholde haue to my mede

The fairest wyff of Grece land

In my bandoun*. [MS. landoun.] and In my band.

2492

And I am ther-of sekir and trayst,

That ȝe no-thyng be ther-of a-baist

To lete me pas the Greckis see;

For it is certes my destanee

2496

To harme Gregeys & greue hem sore,

When I am come to hem thore;

For ȝe wot wele, and I wot als,

That goddis beheste is not ffals.'

2500

When he hadde seyde, he spak no more,

But sette him doun as he sat ore.

BVt sir Dephebus ros vp than,

And his reson thus be-gan

2504

And seide: 'lordynges, if it were so,

Off eche a thyng that men schulde do,

If thei caste that noght be-falle,

Nis no man*. [MS. noman.] of vs nowher, bonde ne thralle,

2508

That any-thyng scholde be-gynne, fro drede

That he scholde fayle or euel spede.

Page 75 ¶ Adhuc consilium inter Regem Troianum et Filios suos.

But dyght ȝoure schippes and ȝoure meyne, [folio 38a]

2511

And sende Paris with hem and me;

2512

And if it be so that we may wynne

Any lady of gentil kynne,

Thei schal be glad a chaunge*. [MS. achaunge.] to make

And qwite ȝoure suster for hir sake.

2516

And so may we our chalange werke,

For alle men schame now of vs speke.'

Elenus, the brother fourthe,

Ros and stood vpon the erthe

2520

And seyde: 'fader, loke ȝe be war,

And alle that in this paleis ar!

Ȝe wot wele alle, I haue ben ay

Lered wele and can sothe say

2524

Off euery a thyng that is to come;

And that wot ȝe bothe alle and some,

That I seide neuere ȝit prophecie,

That it ne was sothe with-oute lye.

2528

¶ And I telle ȝow that ben here,

And namely ȝow, my fader dere,

That, if ȝe sende my brother Paris

To the lond of Grece y-wis

2532

To Robbe, to reue, or harme to do,

Alle we schal dye, and ȝe also,

And my Moder, ȝoure wyff, the qwene,

And alle ȝoure sones, and Pollexene;

2536

And al this toun schal turne to nauȝt,

If ȝe fulfille that ȝe haue thouȝt:

For sikurly hit schal be brent,

I-throwen doun, and al to-rent.'

2540

When Elenus hadde told his tale,

The kyng fro drede gan wexe pale,

Off his wordes was he a-ferd sore,

And so were alle that there wore. Page 76

2544

His wordes thenne alle gon a-fere, [folio 38b]

2545

For thei wiste wele he lyed neuere;

Ther was no man In that paleis

Amonges hem alle ther o word seys;

2548

But sat alle stille euerychon,

As who hadde schauen hem a croun*. [MS. acroun.].

TRoylus saw, thei sat al stille;

That knyght thoght ther-at ille,

2552

Vpon his feet he start vp blyue

And seide: 'lordynges, so mote ȝe thryue!

What may this be that ȝow now ayles?

For a caytiff herte ffayles,

2556

Haue ȝe ther-of alle suche wondur?

Off men sought amonges a hundur,

A ffebler herte schulde ȝe not ffynde

Thow ȝe sought henne in-to Inde;

2560

Ȝe ȝeues him alle to clergie,

For he is ferd of Chiualrie.

Lete him go, if he be aferd,

To the temple, and schaue his berd,

2564

And helpe the Clerkes belles to rynge,

And make him a prest*. [MS. aprest.] a masse*. [MS. amasse.] to synge!

And that haue schame and drede

Off vilonye that men him bede,

2568

Lete him go venge here mortel foos,

And fle reproues and wyn hem loos!

He is a fole*. [MS. afole.] that wolde trowe,

That any man on erthe knowe

2572

Off thing that is to come the sothe,

For suche is non, with-outen othe!

For chiualry wel sore he hates,

He wol neuere-more were yren plates.

2576

Wherfore, sir kyng, are ȝe frayed

And of his wordes euel payed?

Page 77 ¶ Hic concordati sunt de consilio eorum.

Dightes ȝoure schipes and sende ȝoure men [folio 39a]

2579

To gret Grece by thousandes and ten,

2580

And venge ȝow on ȝoure enemys,

And turne ȝoure schame to lose and pris!'

When he hadde sayd, he sat him doun,

And alle that were of that toun

2584

Blessed him for his manhede

And seide: "he was wise and good of rede."

Thai seyde echon with-outen fayle:

"Thei wolde do Troylus consayle;"

2588

Thei bad the kyng: "how so it fare,

He scholde dyght his men al ȝare;

No lengur thei wolde abyde

In-to Grece alle for to ryde."

2592

NOw ben thei alle at on acorde,

Kyng and prince, duke and lorde,

In-to Grece for to go,

Be hit to wele or to wo.

2596

¶ Priamus called with-oute more

His sone Paris to him thore,

And Dephebus, the brother thridde,

And bad him go hem mydde.

2600

He bede hem go to Pauonye

And gadur ther her gret chyualrye,

Knyghtes fele of gret feute,

To wende with hem ouer the see.

2604

¶ And thei anon with-oute abode

Toke ther leue and thedur rode.

When thei were come to that prouynce,

Thai told here erand to the prynce;

2608

Here askyng was not of him werned,

At his power he dede here herend.

¶ The morwe sone, whan it was day,

Priamus sente by euery a way*. [MS. away.]

2612

Page 78 ¶ Hic Rex mandauit post Magnatos Troianos.

His Messangeres of Troye to crye, [folio 39b]

2613

That euery lord scholde faste hye

To his paleis with-oute dwellyng,

To here a-monges hem his tellyng.

2616

Thei sped hem faste and ȝede anon;

When thei were comyn euerychon,

Kyng Priamus to hem thus sais:

'My trewe lordes, my trewe burgeis!

2620

To ȝow alle it is right couthe,

How we ben in euery mannes mouthe

For the schame and vilonye,

The Mansclauȝter and the robberye,

2624

That Gregeis dede sumtyme to oure.

I wolde ther-fore by consayl ȝoure

Venge vs alle, if we myght,

Off oure enemys, and that is right.

2628

I thenke to sende Paris my sone,

To venge vs, if he conne.

But for I nolde noght aȝeyns ȝoure wil

Do no-thyng, and that is skyl,

2632

I wol not do with-oute ȝoure assent,

And therfore afftir ȝow I sent.

Say me now ȝoure owne lykyng:

How lykes ȝow my begynnyng?'

2636

Ther was a knyȝt, het Partheus,—

His fader hight Euforbius,—

He seyde: 'my lord, my dere kyng!

I am ȝoure knyght and ȝoure vndirlyng,

2640

Ȝoure lordschepe to knowe and reuerence:

I hadde a fadir of gret science,

Ther was not In Europe ne in Assye

So wyse a man of Philosophye;

2644

He tolde me offte—so god me spede!—

That, if Paris to Grece ȝede, Page 79

A wyff with fors for to wynne, [folio 40a]

2647

That ȝe ther-by and alle ȝoure kynne

2648

Schamely schul dye, and this fair toun

Schal be brend and thrawen doun.

¶ Therfore, my lord, my kyng dere,

Venge the not In suche manere

2652

That ȝe and ȝoures be alle for-don!

Leue ȝoure purpos and turne it son!

And if ȝe wol algates wende,

The Gregeis to qwelle and to schende,

2656

Let another then Paris go,

Or elles we gon alle to wo,

And alle kyn and al oure lynage

Schal turne to nought; and this vilage,

2660

That is so noble, strong, and gay,

Schal be brend with ffir a-way.'

GRete noyse and mochel cry

Was*. [MS. was.] among the lordes witterly

2664

In the halle, when he thus sayde;

Thei were echon with him euel I-payde,

Thei [bad] him of his wordes sese

And holde him stille and be in pese;

2668

Thei held al fals that he tolde,

Thei sayde: "he raued, for he was olde;"

Thei seyde echon by on speche,

That Paris schold go to take wreche.—

2672

But when this word was told to Cassandre,

That thei wold sende Alysandre

In-to Grece to brenne and robbe,

Sche by-gan to syke and sobbe*. [MS. soble, cf. l. 1915.].

2676

¶ Sche seyde: 'alas, that fair Cite!

Noble Troye, thi destene

Is hard and wicke, that the schal falle!

Tour and bour and other houses alle Page 80

2680

With-Inne a while it schal be doun thrawen, [folio 40b]

And alle schal be brend, with ffir sclawen.'

2682

¶ Afftir then seide sche thus:

'Alas, thow gode kyng Priamus!

2684

What is thi synne that thow hast don,

That thow and thyne schal dye thus son?

And thow, my fadur*. [Read modur?], what is thi synne,

That thow art wounden*. [MS. wounded.] and lapped Inne?

2688

And alle that euere thow hast born,

Schaltow se before the lorn.

Whi let ȝe now Paris wende

In-to Grece, that vs schal schende?'

2692

¶ Sche ran doun thenne in-to the halle,

And on her knes be-gan to falle,

And seyde: 'lord kyng, I praye the:

Rewe on thi-selff, thi wiff, and me,

2696

And on thi sones faire and bolde!

For if it be—as men me tolde—

Iff that Paris to Grece schal wende,

Ther is no man*. [MS. noman.] that schal defende,

2700

That we ne schal dye with-Inne a while*. [MS. awhile.]

Schenful dethe forsothe and vile.'

¶ He bad hir go to hir chambur

And folde hir kercheues of silk & lambur.

2704

So weylaway that it was so,

That he nolde afftir hir do!

For hadde he don afftir hir rede,

Hadde he not so sone ben dede,

2708

Ne the Cite not be brent,

Ne alle hir kyn so foule be schent.

In al the world suche a Cite*. [MS. In al the world was suche a Cite.]

Neuere was ne neuere schal be.

2712

HIt was afftir vpon a day

In the monthe certes of May,

Page 81 Hic venit Paris ad Insulam Thitharie.

When Paris come fro*. [MS. to.] Pauonye [folio 41a]

2715

And broght with him gret chiualrye;

2716

Thre thousand knyȝtes that were assayed

Broght with him wel arayed;

And alle here schippis were redy dyght

And fraught with vitayles and wel pight.

2720

¶ And Priamus bad Polimodas,

Antenor, and Eueas,

That thei with Paris to Grece schulde wende,

To brynge this thyng to an ende.

2724

Thei toke leue as-tyde and ȝede

To here schippis with mechel spede.

Thei sayled euere bothe day and nyght,

Til thei hadde of Grece a syght;

2728

Thei saw an Ile of Gregeis land—

Het Thitharie, I vndir-stand;—

Toward that Ile drow thei faste.

When thei come there, anker thei caste,

2732

And tyed here schippis in that porte

And ȝede to londe to take disporte.

IN that Ile of Thitharie

Was a temple of Auncetrie

2736

Set In honoure of Veneris,

Ther sche hadde mochel worschepe ywis;

For alle the men of that land

Make to here gret offerand

2740

Off siluer, gold, and tresour;

Ther was richesse with-oute mesour.

For thei truste alle and vndirstode,

That no man myght do but gode,

2744

The whil thei hadde help of here

Many a lond and many a schire.

For then held thei an hye feste-day

Off that goddesse with gret noblay: Page 82

2748

On here manere and there a-vise [folio 41b]

2749

Thei made to here gret sacrifice

Off Bolles, Bores, and other bestes.

When Paris herde of these festes,

2752

¶ He wente to that solennite,

The temple and that Ioye to se;

And his ffelawys with [him] ȝede,

Semely dyght in golden wede,

2756

And offered there, as other dede,

And his felawes forth myde.

¶ He was apparayled as a kyng;

Alle men seide, bothe old and ȝyng:

2760

"So fair a man saw thei neuere non,

Made in erthe of blod ne bon."

Men askede alle: "what he myght be,

And when he was, and of what contre,

2764

And what he did in that lond thore?"

Men spak of him bothe lasse & more,

Off his beute spak ȝonge and olde.

At the laste the word was tolde

2768

¶ To qwene Eleyne, that was fair and milde,

That dwellid a litel with-oute the Ilde

In a castel gret & strong.

The los of Paris so wide sprong

2772

Off his noblay and beute,

That Elene saide: "sche wolde him se."

Sche did hir dight an hors of pris,

And toke with hir other ladies,

2776

And ȝede thedir with hir comperes,

And in the temple made hir preyeres

To the goddesse that ther sat,

And made hir offryng afftir that.

2780

Whan Paris herde of hir telle,

To the temple ȝede he snelle, Page 83

Gloriously and richely dight, [folio 42a]

2783

And stode euene In hir syght;

2784

For he hadde many a long day

Be-fore herd telle of hir & say,

"That sche was the fairest wiff

Off alle wymmen that euere bar lyff."

2788

PAris thenne with meke mode

Aȝeyn the qwene he ȝode and stode,

And loked on hir euere in on;

A bryghter brid of blod ne bon

2792

Thoght him neuere that he hadde sen,

Sithe in this world he hadde ben.

Alle his hert was on hir set,

For that thei were to-gedir met;

2796

And when sche hadde of him a syght,

Hir thoght him the fayrest knyght

That sche hadde sene In al hir lyue;

Sche wolde wel fayn haue ben his wyue.

2800

¶ Sche loked on him, and he on hir;

Eyther other now desir,

How thei myght theire loue fulfille,

Ne how to schewe here herte wille.

2804

But atte laste thei drowe hem nere

And spak to-gedir so In-fere,

That, er that thei thennes wente,

Thei were bothe at on assente.

2808

He toke then leue at qwene Eleyne,

Off here spekyng he was fayne;

To his schippis he him hied,

Ther thei stode faste tied.

2812

He did a-non to him calle

His felawes and his meyne alle;

When thei were comen to him thore,

He seide: 'lordynges, lesse and more! Page 84

2816

Ȝe wote wel whi we come hidur, [folio 42b]

2817

And what ȝe wolde, and also whedur.

¶ The principal cause of oure comyng

Is to aryue on Thelamon, the kyng,

2820

Our kynges suster for to wynne

With fight of sword or other gynne.

But sekirly that may we not!

We may not do that we haue thoght,

2824

For he is strong and hath gode frende;

We gete hir not out of his bende,

Ne we ben not of pouste

Vnto hadde ne to take the Cite.

2828

Wherfore, my dere lordynges,

That I telle ȝow now this tythynges:

IN this Ile is now a qwene,

The fairest lady that man may sene,

2832

That comen is of gret kynrede,

That Menelaus kynge has wede.

And in the temple—ȝe wot wel alle—

Arne clothes fele of gold and palle,

2836

Ther [is] of gold gret plente,

Off siluer also gret quantite,

Siluer vessel ther is ynow.

Hit is a stede for oure prow;

2840

We may be riche, if we wille,

And if ȝe wole assente ther-tille.

¶ I rede, that we to-nyght echon,

When nyght is comen & day gon,

2844

That we do on oure basynettis bryght,

And when we be armed and dight,

That we go robbe the temple sone

With-outen lyght of sonne or mone;

2848

And al that we fynde ther-Inne,

Bere it away, or we be-lynne,

Page 85 ¶ Hic Paris cepit Insulam cum Castello.

To oure schippis and leue it thore, [folio 43a]

2851

And make vs riche for euermore;

2852

And al men*. [MS. almen.] that we ther fynde,

And wymmen also of gentil kynde

Lede we to oure contreis—

Gret worschepe hit were by alle weyes—

2856

And specially that lady fre,

Quene Eleyne, if it may be.

Iff we may hir home brynge

To oure contreis, and tythyng sprynge

2860

A-monges the Grues, that sche is tan,

And Menelaus fynde hir gan,

He schal be fayn a chaunge to make

Off Oxonye, I vndirtake.

2864

¶ Lete se now, what ȝe say?

Er nyght be gon and comen day,

I rede that we now take oure grace,

That god sende vs, whil we haue space.'

2868

Some assented wel ther-to,

And some seyn "it is noght to do;"

But thei acorded atte laste,

When the day was gon and paste,

2872

And the sonne was went adoun,

And alle men on slepe In the toun,

To harme hem, whan it was late,

And to the temple toke here gate,

2876

And robbed & reued alle that thei fond,

And ledde with hem In-to the lond:

NIght is comen, and day is went,

The Troyens haue here armour hent,

2880

To the temple ben thei gon,

Paris and his men echon.

Alle that thei founden thei robbed & refft;

That ought was, no thyng was*. [A word has been erased here, and this second was is written upon the erasure.] lefft. Page 86

2884

Alle that in the temple was founden, [folio 43b]

2885

Was to-geder lapped and wounden

And born in coffres to the see

And herbard ther-Inne in here naue.

2888

And Paris toke that lady swete

And led hir to his schippis schete,

And lefft hir there In the same kepyng

And other fele with hir wepyng.

2892

¶ When Paris hadde on this wise done,

He ȝede aȝeyn thedur sone

And toke echon to his seruage,

Man and womman, wiff and Page,

2896

Ther was of this a wondir cry.

Ther stode a Castel a litel ther-by,

Gret, and stiff, and ful strong,

With dyche and walles wide and long;

2900

Men of armes that Castel ȝemed.

Whan that thei herd wymmen so remed,

Thei hadde meruayle what it myght be;

Thei resen vp, the sothe to se.

2904

But of tythandes when thei herde,

How thei of Troie with hem ferde,

Thei armed hem with mochel haste;

But sekirly it was but waste,

2908

¶ For thei of Troye were mo than thai,—

The furthe dowble, I dar wel say—

And sclow hem foule, when thei were met;

Thei were with hem so ouer-set,

2912

That thei myȝth not fro hem fle

Ne at here ȝates take entre;

Thei folwed hem só, that thei myght not pas.

And al the riches that ther was,

2916

That thei myght fynde, that ought was worth,

Thei of Troye bar with hem forth.

Page 87 ¶ Hic Paris rapuit Elenam vxorem Menelan. [sic] Regis.

And eche man than with his god schippes [folio 44a]

2919

And alle here good thedur skippes,

2920

And drow vp sayl and hyed hem ffaste

In-to the see, that thei were paste.

PAris hath now Eleyne wonne;

To take the see thei haue by-gonne,

2924

Thei sayled alle on a rawe,

Til thei were come ther thei were knawe,

The lond of Troye, Then were thei glad.

When thei were comen & the lond had,

2928

Thei were glad ther-of echone;

Saue Eleyne thenne made moche mone,

Fro hir lond that sche hath lorn,

And hir doughter that sche hadde born,

2932

And fro the kynges hir bretheren bothe.

But Paris therfore was ful wrothe,

He comforted hir and. bad hir ses,

Leue hir sorwe and be In pes.

2936

He called to him his Messanger

And bad him take a good Courser

And [ride] to Priamus, the kyng,

And telle him this tydyng:

2940

"That he was comen to Thenedoun

Saue and sound, with many a moun

That*. [MS. And that.] he hath wonnen with his hond

To be In seruage In his lond,

2944

And that he hath broght so fair a lady,

To be In stede of Oxonye,

Off the gentillest kyn and blode,

That was be-ȝonde the Grekis flode."

2948

The Messager as-tyde forth rode

To Priamus with-outen abode,

He tolde him tydynges of Paris:

"How he was comen home y-wys, Page 88

2952

And how he hadde by-ȝonde ywroght, [folio 44b]

2953

And of the qwene that he hom broght."

WHen Priamus herde these tythand,

He myght vnnethe for Ioye stand

2956

Opon his fete, so was he glad;

Alle the grete of Troye he bad

Come to him, tythandes to here.

And when his court was al plenere,

2960

He bad him do his message

To alle the lordes that there were*. [Perhaps we ought to alter the last three words to: & baronage.].

And he tolde hit al an hye,

That alle myght here that stood nye;

2964

¶ Then were Ioyful the Troyens,

And gret Ioye made the citeseyns.

The morwe folwyng, whan it was lyght,

Paris dede Eleyne wel dyght

2968

Richely In gay wede,

And broght to hir a noble stede,

And he sette hir ther-on

And rode thenne fro Thenedon

2972

Toward Troye a wel soffte pas.

And his prisoneres he has

Sent by-fore vpon a route

With men and knyȝtes alle aboute;

2976

He made hem wende a litel before,

And he him-self and Antenore,

Dephebus and Eueas,

And also Polidonias,

2980

Come afftirward with qwene Eleyne,

Rydyng soffte vpon the pleyne,

Til thei come at Troye ney-hande.

But out of the toun come ridande

2984

¶ Kyng Priamus with his baronage

And salute hem alle with good visage,

Page 89 ¶ Hic Paris desponsauit Elenam Reginam.

And afftirward ȝede to the qwene [folio 45a]

2987

And profered hir his owne to bene.

2988

And so rode thay alle to Troye;

The folk ther-Inne made mochel Ioye,

Ther was gadered alle the toun

With mochel Ioye and processioun,

2992

With alle Musik and menstrasye,

To kepe the qwene of genterye.

¶ Priamus lyght of his palfray

At the ȝates In-myddes the way,

2996

And toke him-self qwene Eleyne

Amongis hem alle by the rayne,

And lad hir him-self alweys

Thorow the toun to his paleys.

3000

¶ Then on the morwe, when thei saw tyme,

A litel while be-fore the prime,

Ȝede lady Eleyne and sir Paris

Vnto the temple Palladis

3004

And weddid hem to-gedir thore.

For afftirward it rewed hem ful sore,

And alle the gladnesse that thei hadde tho,

Turned hem to sorwe and to wo.

3008

NOw hath Paris weddid Eleyne;

Troyens ben ther-of wel fayne,

Mochel murthe and festes thei make

For sir Paris and Eleyn sake.

3012

This riche feste lastis al-wayes

Til hit were xviij dayes,

And alle the men of the Cite

Tentid to noght but to gamen and to gle.

3016

But when Cassandre herde that tale,

That thei hadde mad a newe bridale

Off qwene Eleyne and Alisaundre,

Mechel dole made thenne Cassaundre. Page 90

3020

Sche cried, sche wepid, and so ferde, [folio 45b]

3021

That alle the Paleis here noyse herde.

To the temple sche hir hyed,

And on the Troyens loude sche cried;

3024

Sche seide: 'alas, vnwitti men,

Caytiff Troyens, and wymmen!

Whi make ȝe alle this Ioye and song?

Sicurly ȝe haue gret wrong

3028

To make suche Ioye of here wedlak,

For it schal greue ȝow alle the pak,

For ȝe schul se ȝoure children sclayn

For weddynge of dame Eleyn,

3032

And ȝe ȝoure-self Caytyves schal dye

For mochel wo and turmentrye.

¶ A noble Troye! that art so hye,

This weddyng schaltow dere abye!

3036

Thow schalt be throwen doun in haste

For this weddyng, and lefft al waste!

A Hectuba, gentil qwene!

Whi tholed thow alle that wo and tene

3040

In thi noble children burthe,

When this vnsely caytyff murthe

Schal reue the alle thi sones here,

And Polexene, that is the dere;

3044

And thow thi-selff schal dye ther-by,

And thi lord also witterly!

Wiste ȝe, what her-of wolde be-falle,

Ȝe wolde lette this weddyng alle

3048

And sende hir home ouer the see

To him that schulde hir lord be.

A Eleyne, thow wicked best!

Wo worth thi bones and thi fair fest!

3052

So mychel wo, or long be gon,

As thow schalt make to vs echon! Page 91

Suche sorwe sche made, and many mo [folio 46a]

3055

Cassandre made among hem tho.

3056

But Priamus bad hir sitte stille,

For alle the toun thoght ther-of ille.

For sche nolde do his byddyng

For wele ne wo ne other thyng,

3060

Then putte thei here in distresse

For here crying and hir wodnesse.

ELeyne is weddid to Paris

With mochel murthe and Ioye y-wys;

3064

Eche man ther-of Ioye has,

Thei ledyn here lyff In gret solas.

But when the kyng Menelans

Herde telle of this chauns,

3068

That thei of Troye hadde lad away

Quene Eleyne vnto here pray,—

That was his owne gentil wiff,

That he loued as his lyff,—

3072

Suche a sorwe to him he cauȝte,

That his deth almost he lauȝte:

He lay in swone longe, or he spak ought,

So was he so ney the dethe broght;

3076

But whan he reuerted and ros aȝeyn,

'Alas,' he seyde, 'thow faire Eleyn!'

He made for hir gret waymentynge,

He myȝth not se for his gretynge.

3080

¶ Duke Nestor come and herde

How that Menelaus ferde,

And comforted him with al his myght,

When he saw him in suche a plyght.

3084

But he no-wise myght comfort haue,

For he ferde as he scholde raue;

He toke his hors with-oute abode

And to his lond wel faste he rode; Page 92

3088

And duke Nestor with him ȝede,— [folio 46b]

3089

He wolde not leue him In that nede;—

For whan Troyens dede this trespas,

Menelaus at home not was,

3092

He was with duke Nestor, that sire,

At his Cite that men called Pire.

Whan he was to his lond y-come,

His men were glad alle and some;

3096

Vn-to his brother a lettre*. [MS. alr¯e¯.] he lete dyght,

That Agamenon that tyme hyght,

And to Pollus, and to kyng Castor,—

That I haue spoken of be-fore,—

3100

That were his wyues bretheren bothe:

He prayed hem for leue or for lothe,

That thei scholde come with-outen dwellyng

And speke with him for any-thyng.

3104

TO him ȝede these thre kynges,

When thei herde telle of these tydynges.

When Agamenon kyng was ware

That his brother was so ful of care,

3108

He seyde: 'brother, for heuene kyng!

Whi makestow al this waymentyng?

Iff thow haue cause suche dole to make,

Lete it passe and ouer-slake!

3112

For in sorwe and dele-makyng

Lenges non honour ne wynnyng.

The more sorwe thow mase,

Thi fomen gladdur is.

3116

Thow greues alle that ben thi frende;

Leue ther-fore and make an ende,

And seke vengaunce of this ilke dede!

And that is worschepe and manhede;

3120

The maner is of euery good knyght,

Off wrong, of schame, and of dispite Page 93

That him is don, vengaunce to take [folio 47a]

3123

And not to wepe ne sorwe make.

3124

¶ Leue brother! wostow euery dele,

That alle the kynges wele

Ben oure ffelawes and oure ffrende

And wol with vs In oure help wende,

3128

Off this Mescheff and this myschaunce

Off hem of Troye to take vengaunce?

Ther nys no kyng, and we him pray

To wende with vs, wol not say 'nay';

3132

To alle the kynges of that land

And we schal do hem to vndirstand,

How thei the lond haue robbed and brend,

And sclayn thi men and foule hem schend,

3136

And led away Eleyn, thi wyff,

And lefft thi-selff in wo and striff,

In dispite and In gret Ire

Off alle the kynges of Grece empire,

3140

For the schame that thei dede hem,

Thei haue on vs venged hem.

And when thei heere of this tythandes,

Ther is no kyng of Grece landes,

3144

That thei wol come with grete meyne

And wende with vs ouer the see,

And venge vs of the vylony

That we haue for dame Oxony,

3148

And wynne aȝeyn thi wiff Eleyne,

Maugre ther tethe, be thow certeyne!'

MEnelaus held his pees,

Off his sorwe he gan to sees;

3152

At his biddyng and his counsayle

Thenne by-gan this clerkes to tayle

Parchemyn and lettres dite,

And many another affter to write.

3156

Page 94 ¶ Hic Agamenon ffrater Menelaij misit literas suas ad Reges Grecorum.

Thei made lettres to kynges and prince, [folio 47b]

3157

To eche a lond and prouynce

That Gregeys*. [MS. Gregeyns.] hadde in seygnorye:

To venge hem of that vilonye

3160

That thei haue taken of Troyens,

And foule haue sclayn ther citeseyns,

And led a-way Eleyne, the qwene,

To Menelaus gret wratthe and tene.

3164

But sykurly to seye the sothe:

Bothe here bretheren were so wrothe,

¶ Whan thei herde telle of this

That here suster ferd amys,—

3168

Thei nolde a-byde for no flot,

But toke ther men and schippus ful hot

And ȝede als faste In-to the see

With thaire men and here naue;

3172

For thei wende wele hem ouer-tane

Paris sone, and bene his bane.

But sykurly thei sayled not longe,

On In the see the wedur spronge,

3176

That thei were drowned bothe two

And alle here men with hem also.

Hit was not fully two dayes past,

That thei were drowned bothe schip and mast,

3180

And leffte here lyues ther to-gedur

In that tempest and that wedur.

AGamenon and his brother

To Thelaman and many other

3184

Kyng and duke ther lettres sente,

To alle that dwelled fer or hente,

To the lond of Grece that langed;

And thei here lettres gladly fanged,

3188

And whan thei hadde here lettres red,

Eueryche a kyng to hem thanne sped

Page 95 ¶ Hic Reges Grecorum elegerunt Agamenon Imperatorem.

And come to hem many a myle, [folio 48a]

3191

So that thei were with-Inne a while

3192

Mo then sixti kynges thore,

That alle to Grece langed wore.

When thei were comen alle in present,

And non of hem was absent,

3196

¶ Menelaus told his cas:

"How he his wiff lorn has,

And how thei brende also his tounes

In dispite of alle the Gryffounes."

3200

When alle the kynges herde this tale

How Troyens hadde don hem bale,

And hadde these grete playntes,—

Thei made a vowe to god and to his seyntes:

3204

"That thei schuld gadre her naue

And wende with him ouer the see,

And with alle here men & here retenu

Wynne*. [MS. And wynne.] aȝen Eleyne his dru,

3208

And throwe doun Troye and al to-brenne,

And venge hem on here fomene.

¶ But it was good"—the lordes seyde alle—

"For thynges that myght befalle,

3212

That thei chese hem an Emperour

To be alther gouernour,

That were amonges hem most of myght,

And ouer-se hem alle with his syght;"—

3216

'To rewle vs alle and to gouerne,

Erly and late, loude and derne;

And that eche man do his biddyng,

Duke and prince, lord and kyng.'

3220

THei ȝede thanne to her parlement

And seide be dome and right Iugement,

That Agemenon was worthi

By-fore alle other sikurly Page 96

3224

To bere the state and to be Emperour, [folio 48b]

3225

For he was wise and good gyour.

Thei sayden alle with-outen les,

That to the hauen of Athenes

3228

Was good to do her naue come,

For ther myght thei alle stonde In romme,

To alle the lordes that there were

Were redy dyght and samed there

3232

With ther meyne, to passe the flood

Toward Troye, when thei seyen good.—

And whan thei hadde ordeyned this,

Thei toke ther leue In Ioye and blis;

3236

And Agamenon and his brother

And echon partyd tho fro other;

And ȝede eche a man to his contre,

And gadered men and his naue,

3240

And spede hem faste to Athenes

With gret naue and moche pres.

Alle men, beth now blythe!

Herkenes now to me and lythe!

3244

Herkenes now! and ȝe may here

Meruayles many In my matere:

In this talkyng may ȝe here telle

Off ferly fyght, ffele and felle,

3248

Of comely kynges corouned and kene,

That Troye distroyed alle be-dene,

And brende her houses on a blase;

And how that strong knyghtes here lyff lase.

3252

Ther was the worthiest wyght In wede

That euer by-strode palfray or stede,

A bolder burne*. [MS. burde.] was neuere non born—

Alas that he was lyghtly for-lorn!—

3256

Ther was no man so strong of myght,

As was Ector, that gentil knyght. Page 97

Was non so proud proued his pere, [folio 49a]

3259

The whiles he was on lyue here;

3260

For I ffynde In prose and ryme,

Was non so strong In that tyme.

He dede x thousand bakkes bende;

Men spekes of him In euery londe,

3264

For he was strong In doughtynes,

Mighty in strengthe and hardynes.

Of myght I may him not discryue,

Ther lyues non suche here on lyue,

3268

As Ector was, that strong knyght;

For he passed al other of myght.

Som[what] wol I of him telle

And of other knyghtes felle,

3272

Off him and of Troyle, his brother,

And of strong knyghtes many other:

¶ How that batayle of Troye be-gan,

And how thai sythen the toun wan;

3276

And how thei gadered here meyne

With al here store and there naue

In-to Athenes alle to-gedur,

And passed the see, when thei hadde wedur,

3280

To Thenedoun, and dwelled ther lange,

Er thei durste to Troye gange,—

For drede thei hadde of gode Ectore,

Off whom I haue spoken of before;—

3284

And how thei sythen thenne paste

And come to Troye atte laste,

And lay ten ȝere be-fore the toun,

Er thei it wan and keste it doun;

3288

And how Gregeis and Troyens thore

Faught ten ȝere and more;

And how thei of Grece were conqueroures

And brente Troye with alle the toures.

3292

Page 98 ¶ Hic Greci congregati sunt.

Herkenes now, both grete and smale! [folio 49b]

3293

For now be-gynnes al this tale:

How thei dede, and how thei faught,

And what and how ther dethe thei caught.

3296

HIt was a day off Feuerer,

That kynges, dukes, and Mariner

With here naue vpon a res

Were Gadered alle to Athenes,

3300

With honour forth right

With Priamus and hese to fyght.

So fele knyghtes of gret renoun,

Ne so fele kynges corouned with croun,

3304

Were neuere ȝit at on semble,

Off on purpos, ne neuere schal be;

Ne so fele schippis In on hauen,

Ne so fele with swordes and stauen,

3308

Was neuere sene for-sothe ne herde,

Sithen god made man first In this worlde.

¶ Dares telles in His scripture

Off eche a kyng and his stature,

3312

And here names and her makyng,

And discreues hem in alle thyng,

And the nombre that euery kyng broght,

And the wondres that thei wroght;

3316

Gret tariyng it is to telle

That Dares makes vpon his spelle.

But sicurly with-oute lesyng:

Sithen that god made al thyng,

3320

Suche a peple was neuere y-sene—

Off alle the tyme that hath bene—

To-geder broght at o samyng

Off kynges and knyghtes old and ȝyng,

3324

And so fele schippis on o fflete,

Sethen shippus ȝede with sail or sprete.

Page 99 ¶ Hic est numerus Grecorum vz. lxviij. Reges & duces. et de militibus hominibus ad Arma. viij C. M^l.

For sicurli with-oute lye [folio 50a]

3327

Ther was vpon the o partye

3328

Sixti kynges and dukes also

And .viij. sikerly with-outen mo.

Fonde ȝe euere in any story

To-geder suche a company

3332

Off kynges, dukes, and of princes,

That comen were fro here prouynces?

And so fele men broght on hepe,

That hardi were, doughti, and ȝepe?

3336

¶ For whan thei were with-oute les

Gadered alle in Athenes,

Thei nombred—I vndirstonde—

Mo than .xviij. C. thousande,

3340

And mo by hundredes .xviij. or .xix;

And so fele men—I dar wel sene—

Off men of Armes—permafay!—

To-gedre at ones*. [MS. atones.] sene was neuere on o day,

3344

Sithen that god this world bygan,

Ne neuere, sithen that batel bylan;

Ne neuere man in erthe schal se,—

As longe as erthe sene schal be,—

3348

Ne so fele schippus to-gedur y-set,

As ther were thenne to-gedur met,

¶ With doughti men gadered so.

Alas, Paris, what hastow do,

3352

When thow leddest away Eleyne!

So many gode knyghtes for hir schul be sclayne,

And alle thi kyn to dethe was brought.

Alas, Ector! he rewys my thoght,

3356

That he schulde dye for his disert!

So strong he was In armes apert,

Ne neuere wrong he wolde do.

Alas, that thi god Appollo Page 100

3360

Ne hadde*. [he added above line, doubtful if by same or another hand.] throwe the In the salt-flom, [folio 50b]

3361

Er thow haddist broght hir hom!

By Ihesu Crist of Nazareth!

I wolde, thow haddist taken the dethe,

3364

When thow wentist to Tytharie,

To here and se that melodye!

¶ Alas, me rewes of Priamus,

Off Hectuba, and gode Troylus,

3368

Off Pollexene, and Andromede!

That Paris made brend In a glede,

Whan thow leddest away Eleyne

Out of the temple of dame Vyane!

3372

¶ A noble Troye, that was rial,

A-doun is throwen with ston an[d] wal;

That made Paris and his euel wit.

And elles hit scholde haue stonde ȝit

3376

As longe as Ierusalem,

Ne hadde Paris ben and his fals drem.

Now artow doun, and thi toures hye,

For Paris ffals a-voutrye!

3380

Afftirward vpon a day,

When alle these kynges of gret noblay

And the dukes were gadered thore,

Princes and Erles that worthi wore,

3384

Agamenon, the Emperour,

Bad vnto his banyour:

"Thorow the toun that he schulde crye,

That euery lord scholde faste hye

3388

With-oute the toun In-to the playn;

For ther he wolde In certayn

Holde with hem a parlement."

When these lordes were afftir sent,

3392

Then dwelled thei not longe,

When thei wiste whedur to gonge. Page 101

Agamenon dede thanne fette [folio 51a]

3395

Formes and stoles hem on to sette.

3396

When thei were setyn alle a-doun

In that playn with-oute the toun,

AGamenon seyde: 'lordynges,

Dukes, Princes, and corouned kynges,

3400

Beth alle in pes—I ȝow pray—

And herkenes me, what I say:

¶ Sithen god Adam and Eue wroght

And alle this world made of noght,

3404

Saw I neuere suche peple samen—

Nother in ernest ne in gamen—

Off worthi lordis to-gedur infere,

As we ben now to-gedur here

3408

Vpon o kyng to ȝeue a-saute.

Loke, what schame the deuel him augthte,

That to him-self hath suche bale brewed,

That hath vs alle aȝeyn him meued!

3412

How scholde he now with-stande

Vs alle that ben here sittande,

Whan fyue of oure with lasse emprise

Sclow his fadir and alle hise,

3416

Wan*. [MS. When.] his toun with-Inne a throwe

And sette his paleis on a lowe?

But wete ȝe wel and beth siker,

That thei of Troye wote of this byker

3420

That we on hem thenke to be-gynne

And here Cite with fors wynne,

And are aboute bothe nyght and day

To gete hem help alle that thai may,

3424

To withstonde alle oure myght.

Wherfore I rede, if ȝe thenke right,

That we sende som messanger

To Delos Ile that is here ner,

3428

Page 102 ¶ Hic Greci mandauerunt Achillem ad Appollum deum Grecorum.

—A litel fro Gregeis landes, [folio 51b]

3429

Ther god Appollo ther-Inne standes—

And wete of him his gode consayl:

"What schal be-tyde of this batayl

3432

Off oure proues and oure afere,

And what schal falle, whil we are there?" '

The lordes seyde also: 'so god vs spede!—

It were good Achilles ȝede

3436

Vpon that erande, if it lykes him,

And Padrodus that is his cosyn.'

Thei prayed him alle that viage to take,

To do so moche for her sake;

3440

And he graunted as sone here bone.

He toke a schip and wente sone

To the see and sayled faste,

Til thei were comen atte laste

3444

To the temple of Apollo,

And Patrodus with him also.

When thei were comen, thei wente to lande

And made to him a riche offerande,

3448

And offered to him a gret quantite

Off riche gold and of her mone,

And kneled doun and him be-soght,

That he wolde layne it noght,

3452

But say the sothe: "what scholde be-tyde

Off his Gregeis, if thei ride?"

APollo sayde: 'Achilles, ffrend,

To thi Grikes*. [MS. grikes, altered from grues.] aȝeyn thow wend!

3456

And say, that thei be not agast,

But treuly be syker and stedefast!

Or this x ȝere go fully out,

Ȝe schal Troyens with-oute dout

3460

Scle echon in fyght & stoures,

And ȝe of Grece be conqueroures.' Page 103

A wondir cas that tyme be-felle [folio 52a]

3463

In the temple—soth to telle,—

3464

When Achilles his answere had,

And Appollo go thenne him bad

And*. [MS. And his.] to the*. [MS. to the inserted above the line by another hand.] Grikes*. [MS. grikes, altered from grues.] telle his answere,

What scholde be-tyde of ther werre:

3468

A noble Clerk, that het Calcas,—

Off hem of Troye bysshop was,—

In that Ile on londe lyght,

And to Appollo he him dyght

3472

And ȝaff him ȝiftes grete and fele,

And bad him that he scholde not hele,

But say him soth and sicurly:

"Who scholde haue the victory,

3476

And whether schulde Mayster be,

Thei of Grece or Troye Cite?"

¶ Appollo seyde: 'Calcas, be ware

That thow a-ȝeyn to Troye not ffare!

3480

For sicurly I telle it the:

Or .x. ȝer passe, thou schat se

The kyng off Troye be lorn and schent,

And his toun be taken and be brent.

3484

But ffelawe the with wordes mylde

With Achilles In this Il[d]e,

And wende with him to his Gregeis

And dwelle with him, ther is pais;

3488

For thow schalt haue to hem gret nede.

Be my counseyl, to hem thow spede!'

CAlcas was a-Grised sore

Of these wordes that he herde thore;

3492

But whan he wiste and hadde knowyng,

That it was sir Achilles ȝyng

That In the temple by-fore him stode,

Wel curtesly to him he ȝode Page 104

3496

And profered him to his seruise [folio 52b]

3497

And euere to be on of hyse;

And seyde: "that god Appollo

Bad that he scholde do so."

3500

Achilles seyde on fair manere:

"He was to him leue and dere;"

¶ He was glad of his contenaunce

And made him gret daliaunce.

3504

And ȝede bothe in-fere to the see

And toke here schippis and here meyne,

And sayled faste fro the cost,

Til thei come to the Gregeys ost.

3508

And broght Calcas by-fore the kyng

And tolde hem alle of tho tithyng:

"What Answere that thei bothe hadde."

Then were the Gregeis wondir gladde;

3512

Euery lord his feste made,

For Ioye and murthe thei were glade.

¶ When thei herde these tithandis,

Then thei held vp bothe here handis

3516

And thanked her goddis of here wille,

That thei wold hem not spille.

Thei ȝaff Calcas many a ȝiffte,

And swor alle by ther thriffte:

3520

"That he scholde euere be on of thaires,

And him avaunce and alle his aires

Off riche londis, rentis, and fece,

In the londe for-sothe of Grece."

3524

And alle the lordes of here ost

Loued him bothe lest and most.

ON the morwe, whan it was prime,

When Sir Achilles saw his tyme,

3528

He and Calcas to-gedur wente

Vn-to Gamenouns tente.

Page 105 ¶ Hic Achilles & Calcas ibant ad tentorium Imperatoris.

Ther alle the lordes of Grece were than [folio 53a]

3531

To-geder there with many a man;

3532

The lordis welcomed hem alle

And sette hem doun in the halle.

A-Mong the lordes and other kynges

Calcas seyde: 'herkenes, lordynges,

3536

Kynges and dukes that now are here,

Princes and Erles to-gedur in-fere!

Ne was ȝoure entensioun,

When ȝe come furst to this toun,

3540

With ȝoure naue to Troye to wende,

Ȝoure enemys to qwelle and to schende?

Whi lye ȝe here In pes so longe?

Hope ȝe not, here ȝow amonge

3544

That Priamus has here many spies,

That ȝoure consayl to him [un-]wries

And telle hem alle that ȝe say?

Somer is passed ner-honde a-way;

3548

Ȝe do not elles but makes hem bolde

The toun aȝeyn ȝow for to holde,

And steris the toun bothe nyght and day,

And geten hem help alle that thei may;

3552

For thei holde ȝow so sore agast,

That ȝe dar not with hem wrast:

For it passes more than a ȝere,

Sithen alle the lordes that are here

3556

Were gadered here to-gedur,

And haue had right fair wedur,

And durst neuere passe the see.

What may thei wene, but it be

3560

For cowardise and gret ferdnesse,

For feblenesse and arwenesse?

Let sette ȝoure schippis forth on flote,

Dromond, Caryke, barge, and bote,

3564

Page 106 ¶ Hic nauigant versus Troianos.

And sayle forth with-outen dwellyng, [folio 53b]

3565

So helpe ȝow god at ȝoure endyng!

Ne tarieth not In ȝoure goddys beheste!

I warne ȝow bothe most and leste,

3568

That ȝoure fals hertes and faynt byleue

May ȝoure goddis so moche greue,

That thei may bothe ȝow turne and lette

Off that thei haue ȝow hette.

3572

Therfore to-morwe, whan it dawes,

I rede ȝe take the wawes,

Whil ȝe haue wedur at wille,

That wyntir-wedur ȝow ne spille.'

3576

Alle the lordes that were thore

A-lowed*. [MS. A lowel.] riȝth wel his lore:—

"And it was profitable,

And the tyme was fair and able

3580

To take the tyme with-oute drede;

Hit was schame—so god me spede—

That thei hadde dwelled so longe ther."

Agamenon bad alle that ther wer,

3584

Lord and prince, Duke and kyng:

"That thei made hem redy In the euenyng,

That thei were redi erly at morwen,—

When thei herde him blowe his horne,—

3588

With schip and sail, spret and ore;

For ther wolde thei dwelle no more."

NIght is gon, the Cok hath crowen,

Agamenon hath his horn blowen;

3592

And alle men thenne here schippis vnbonde,

And here Ankeres alle In-wonde,

And leffte the hauen and toke the see

With alle here schippis and here naue.

3596

Thei drow ther sayl vnto the top;

Here schippis sayled gay and prop, Page 107

In thei were comen in-to Troye listes.— [folio 54a]

3599

A*. [MS. A.], Priamus, if that thow wistes

3600

The sorwe that comes to the and thine

Off noble Troye the gret ruyne!

Haddest thow don be Ectores rede,

Then haddest thow not be dede.

3604

Now comes thi sorwe and thi wo,

Alas, thi Ioye schal ouer-go!—

¶ These Gregeis saylen vpon a ras

Toward Troy with gret manas;

3608

The wynd was good to ther byhoue,

Thei sailed on brod and gon by-loue,

Til thei come to Troye land.

Thei saw an hauen by-fore ham stand

3612

With a Castel wondir strong,

With walles hye and dikes long.

Al that flote thedur drow,

For it was gret and mochel y-now

3616

To herbare alle here schippis In;

Til thei come ther, thei nolde*. [MS. wolde.] blyn.

¶ The men that in the castel were,

When thei saw Gregeis there,

3620

Out of the Castel faste thei ran,

Armed wel euery man;

To the see thei wolde wende,

That the Gregeis wolde defende,

3624

That thei nedes mot on lande lyght;

For therto dede thei al here myght.

But thei were foles—that was sene,—

For thei lefft not on of Troyene,

3628

That thei ne bere doun and sclow hem alle;

Afftir mercy myght thei not calle,

For of hem hadde thei no pite,

Thei brende her toun, bothe tymber and tre,

3632

Page 108 ¶ Hic Greci destruxerunt Insulam Thenodonis & ceperunt Castellum.

And Toke here castel and threwe it doun [folio 54b]

3633

With alle the dyches enviroun.

And when thei hadde thus y-wroght

And the castel to grounde y-broght,

3636

Thei ȝode to schip euery man

And sayled forth to*. [MS. fro.] Thenedam

That was fro Troye but six mile.

When thei were comen In-to that Ile,

3640

Thei lete doun saile and ankeres caste

And bounden here schippis ther wel faste,

And Armed hem and ȝede to londe

And sclow and robbed al that thei fonde.

3644

AT Thenedoun a Castel stode,

Strong & styff, gret and gode,

With walles wroght wondir hye,

And dikes doluen depe and drye;

3648

So strong was non in that contre

Saue Troye self, that riche Cite.

It was ful of gret riches

Off alle the contre more and les;

3652

Thei dede here goodes thedur brynge,

When men tolde of Grues comynge,

And left hem ther for sekurnes;

And many a lady with hem is.

3656

¶ The Gregeis ben alande alle went,

Thei haue the toun taken and brent;

Vnto the Castel ar thei gon

And beseged it anon:

3660

Thei sette engynes al aboute,

And grete stones thei did In route,

And som sette laddres to the walle.

But thei with-Inne gert hem alle:

3664

Thei brak here neckis right on-sunder,

Thei sclow of Grece mo than an hunder. Page 109

With-Inne a while at that assaut [folio 55a]

3667

That thei with-Inne so longe han faut

3668

And were so chaufed In here Armure,

That thei myght not for feble dure,

Ne on ther feet on the wal stande,

Ne holde her wepen In her hande.

3672

¶ Then ȝede to dethe many Troyanes;

And ȝit mo died of Gryffones,

For thei with-Inne greves hem sore,

Als feble as thei wore:

3676

Thei bare Gregeis doun fro the walles

With grete speres and ledon balles,

And lefft hem lyinge in the dikes;

Echon of hem at other strykes,

3680

Thei with-Inn and thei with-oute.

But then come efft a newe route

Off Gryffons felle, that hem assayled

And hem with-Inne so trauayled,

3684

That thei moste dye or elles hem ȝelde;

For thei myght not hem-self welde

For long fyghtyng and werynes,

Ne hem defende for feblenes.

3688

THen clombe the Gregeis on the walles,

And some ȝede In at the wyndowes;

Then were Troyens In mochel drede,

And some out ouer the walles ȝede;

3692

For-sothe thei flow alle that ther ware.

Wiff ne childe nolde thei non spare,

Knyght ne squier, knaue ne boy,

Ne non that longed [vn-]to Troy.

3696

Alle the goodis that there wore

Thei bare to schippis thore,

And brende the Castel and threwe it doun,

That men myght se to Troye toun Page 110

3700

Ouer alle the hillis that were hye, [folio 55b]

3701

Off Thenedoun the Gret Cite.

¶ Thenedoun is doun and take;

It liggis doun in the lake;

3704

That stod so stronge and so hye ore,

Now is it on the grounde thore.

The Gregeys were mery and glad

Off the Castel that thei had.

3708

¶ Agamenon dede comaunde:

"That alle the Gregis In a laund

Schuld come and with him brynge

Catel, goodes, and alle other thynge,

3712

That thei hadde wonnen at here pray

Off that Castel that ilke day;

That no thyng schulde be with-holden,

Don a-way, ne fro him stolen—

3716

As thei wolde haue lyff and lym!—

But al to-gedur brynge to hym."

And so thei dyd ilke a man:

Alle the good, that euere thei wan

3720

Off the castel and of the toun,

Thei broght with hem and laide adoun.

¶ And he delte hit aboute him thore

To hem that most worthi wore

3724

And most hadde put her lyff In werre

And ffauȝt fastest with her powerre,

The castel for to gete and wynne

And the godis that were ther-Inne.

3728

¶ "The morwe afftir at the sonne rysyng"—

He bad—"that euery lord and kyng

In that lond with him schulde be

With-oute drede, for ther wolde he

3732

Holde a parlement general

With alle the lordis gret and smal."

Page 111 ¶ Consilium Grecorum.

¶ The morwe afftir In the dawenynge, [folio 56a]

3735

Er the sonne be-gan to sprynge,

3736

Were comen to him—or it was day—

Alle the lordes that ther lay.

When thei were to-gedir met,

And echon doun by other set,

3740

AGamenon seyde: 'lordynges,

Princes, dukes, and kynges!

Alle this world bothe ffer and ner

Spekes moche of oure Power

3744

And wot, that we are mochel of myght,

That no man may vs greue be ryght,

But we of hem vengaunce take.

But herkenes now alle for my sake!

3748

I holde that power good euery tyde

That is with-oute the vice of pride,

For offte it falles many to wo.

And oure goddis hates hit also:

3752

He that loues pride, or hit haunte,

Ther-with wol thei not graunte.—

I wolde ther-fore, that no man sayde,

Ne that it come vs In vmbrayde,

3756

That we pride In oure doyng,

Ne we with pride be-gon this thyng.

¶ Ȝe wot alle wel, whi we are comen

And oure way hedur has nomen:

3760

To venge vs on kyng Priamus

Off the schame that he dede vs.

I wot also, how we haue brent

His castelles and his tounes schent.

3764

Wherfore, if he were oure fo ore*. [MS. ore, altered from ere.],

He hatis vs now wel more

And wolde now fayner take vengaunce,

If god ȝaue him suche a chaunce. Page 112

3768

And thei haue geten hem gret pouste [folio 56b]

3769

And wote wel, that theire Cite

Is bothe styff, stalworthe, and strong,

Gret and mochel, large and long,

3772

And ful of men and gode verroures,

That bold and hardy bene in stoures.

And thei that were lesse then we,

Thei are at home In here contre,

3776

And that is tyme—so mote I thryue—

A wondir gret prerogatyue:

For offte men In theire owne contre

Scholde spede ȝow, ther were les then we;

3780

That is, men,—as mot I thriue—

A wonder gret prerogatyue.

But thenk not, that I say this

For drede ne ffer—so haue I blis—

3784

That we may the Troyens spille

And take the toun aȝeyn ther wille:

For ther nys no kyng so strong,

Ne no toun so large ne long,

3788

That we ne may hem confounde

And keste his Cite to the grounde.

¶ But sikurly and be my fay!

Herfore it is, that I say:

3792

If pride be non in oure nede,

We schal be worthi mochel mede.

Ȝe wote alle wele that ben here,

That Priamus sent his messangere

3796

And prayed vs alle curtesly,

To sende him home dame Oxony;

And we with pride seyde "nay."

That hem mysliked permafay!

3800

And hadde we thenne his suster send

Home to him with-oute amend,

Page 113 ¶ Hic miserunt nuncios suos ad Regem Troianum.

Off al the harme that we him dud [folio 57a]

3803

Hadde now not this harme tud,

3804

That thei dede vs in Thitarie;

Thei hadde not made suche robrie,

Ne qwene Eleyne fro thenne led

Fro the kyng that here hadde wed.

3808

I wot neuere what wol be-falle;

I rede ther-fore, if ȝe rede alle,

That we sende oure Messager,

Wise and ȝepe, on fair maner,

3812

And bid him wende to Troye Cite

To Priamus and his meyne,

And bidde the kyng: "sende vs a-ȝeyn

With-oute dwellyng the quene Eleyn

3816

And make amendes of that Paris

In Thitarie dede amys."

And if it be that he thus do,

Oure worschepe is certis saued so;

3820

And we may home with-oute more wende,

For we haue made a worthi ende:

We may no more aske by skyl,

If thei wil alle this fulfil.

3824

And if it be that thei wol noght

Do that we haue hem be-soght,

And elles we wil with hem fyght

With alle oure power and oure myght;

3828

And men schal blame her wodnes

And [praysen] ws ffor*. [MS. ws and ff on erasure; behind ffor a word like seche seems to have stood.] oure meknes.

And therfore, lordes, say me now:

Off this consail what thynke ȝow?'

3832

Some assented wel ther-to

And sayde, "it was wel to do;"

And some helde it for a cowardyse,

To make a pees In suche a wyse;

3836

Page 114 ¶ Hic ueniunt duo Reges Grecorum ad Regem Troianum.

But atte laste thei alle assent. [folio 57b]

3837

And on this erand two kynges went,

That noble kyng Diomedes,

And his felawe, sir Vlixes*. [V put before l by a later hand; cf. 3847.].

3840

TO Troye ben come these kynges

To Priamus with here tydynges

In-to his halle, ther he was set;

But non of hem thei ones gret,

3844

But sette hem doun with semblaunt store

A-ȝeyn the kynges in-myddis the flore.

Lixes*. [Lixes; cf. note I.] sais: 'haue ȝe no meruayle,

That we, sir kyng, the nothyng hayle!

3848

For we knowe wel the for oure enemy,

And we be thin sicurly.

But herkenes, what we wol say,

And late vs wende on oure way:

3852

¶ Agamenon, oure Emperour,

That is kyng of gret fauour,

Sendes the word and biddis the

By this kyng & also by me:

3856

"Sende to him Eleyne the quene,

If thow wilt be with-outen tene,

And make amendes to him holy

Off the schame and vylony,

3860

That Paris dede to his brother,

To him also, and to many other."

And but if thow wil, he sendet the word:

"That thow schalt dye with spere and sword,

3864

And alle thi folk and thi meyne;

And riche Troye, thi faire Cite,

Schal be brent and doun ytrowe,

And thow and thyne be broght wel lowe." '

3868

PRiamus was with hem y-tened,

Whan he saw what thei mened. Page 115

With-oute consail he answerde— [folio 58a]

3871

For here wordes him sore derede—

3872

He seyde: 'what deuel may this be,

That ȝe amendes aske of me,

That haue my fader fro me sclayn,

And don my-self mychel payn,

3876

And my suster fro me refft,

And my men in seruage lefft?

¶ By him that al this world wroght!

Me thinketh, that ȝe ȝoure-selff ought

3880

Make amendis to me and myne,

That ȝe haue do so moche pyne!

But wendes out swithe of my sight,

For of ȝoure wordes haue I dispit!

3884

Ne were that ȝe come in message,

Veleyns dethe schulde be ȝoure wage;

For I am not with-oute Ire,

Whil I se ȝow, be my swyre!'

3888

Dyomedes sat and smyled,

When Priamus hem so reuyled;

He seyde: 'sir kyng, so mote I the!

If thow haue tene of him and me.

3892

Thow schalt be more in doute

To bere thi lyff with the aboute;

For thow schalt se vnto the come

An .C. M^l. on a throme

3896

Off men of Armes wel y-dight,

With the, kyng, and thyne to fight.

For whan thow may not the defende,

And thei haue the and thi toun brende,

3900

That the schal sle and thyne also,

Iff that thow anger at vs two.'

¶ Many Troien that ther stode

For tene and angur were ner wode, Page 116

3904

That Dyomedes, the Gregeys, [folio 58b]

3905

Vn-to the kyng In his Paleys

Spake thus foule and vilously.

Many a Troien drow hem ney,

3908

With drawen swordes vengaunce to take

Off him for his wordes sake.

¶ But Priamus him-self vp ros,

And to his men wel sone he gos

3912

And bad hem alle on lyff and lym,

Not so hardy to greue him.

Eueas, that by the kyng sat,

Was an-angered sore for that;

3916

He saide: 'sir, if it were thi wille,

Me thenke that it were gret skille,

That he his wordes dere aboght,

That ȝow and vs hath set at noght;

3920

And ne were it drede of ȝow,

He scholde this wordis abye now.'

Dyomedes ȝaf no tale

Off alle that sat there In that sale,

3924

He sayde to Eueas al on hye:

'Thow that sittes the kyng so neye,

God ȝif grace, that I the mete

With-oute the toun by stye or strete!

3928

I schal the qwite wel thi mede

Off thi gode wordes, so god me spede!'

¶ But his felawe Vlixes

Bad him: "be stille and holde his pees

3932

And leue his fare and his Iangelyng;"

Vlixes saith thenne to the kyng:

'We haue herd al that thow sais;

We wol now wende to oure Gregeis,

3936

And tydynges to hem fro ȝow bere

Off thi saynge and thin answere.'

Page 117 ¶ Hic Greci tenuerunt magnum consilium.

Thei toke here horses sone anon, [folio 59a]

3939

And to the Gregeis gan thei gon

3940

Ouer downe and ouer dike,

As faste as thei myght prike,

Til thei come to Thenedoun.

Thei sayde to Agamenoun

3944

And*. [MS. That.] alle the lordes that ther wore,

What answere that thei ȝaff hem thore.

¶ The Gregeis were merueyled,

What myght it be that hem ayled,

3948

In wham thei hadde so moche trayst,

That thei were right not a-bayst.

Many a counsayl then thei sought,

How thei myght brynge hem to noght.

3952

GRet consail and parlementes

Thei made offte In her tentes:

How thei scholde do, and how to fete,

For Troye to wynne for that grete hete;

3956

And how thei scholde lyue, whil thei were thore,

And w[h]ere thei scholde haue her store.—

Vpon a day that emperour

Alle*. [MS. And alle.] the lordes of that honour

3960

In-to a playn dede clepe and calle;

When thei were comen to him alle,

¶ He seide: 'lordynges, se ȝe alle wele:

The Troyens ȝeue of vs no dele;

3964

With fairnes wil thei not loute,

Thei ben of herte so stoute.

With myght and strengthe we mot conquere

Alle that in the toun are there,—

3968

And long also ben ȝeres ten,—

For thei ben alle doughti men;

And we may hem not assaile,

But if vs come offte vitayle.

3972

Page 118 ¶ Hic incipit bellum per Grecos contra Regem Cesile.

Here is a lond with-Inne the see, [folio 59b]

3973

Off alle manere of good that is plente;

I wene, men calle hit Cecyle.

If that it be ȝoure alleres wille,

3976

I rede: sende thedur oure sonde

To the kyng of that londe,

And bidde him, that he wol puruay

Mete and drynke by nyght and day

3980

And sende vs ouer with pees & reste;

And thus me thinket, it were beste.'

When Agamenon hadde sayde thus,

Achilles and sir Thelaphus—

3984

That was Ercules owen sone—

Were chosen be eleccione,

To do this erande and wende ther way;

And nother of hem seide 'nay.'

3988

Thei toke with hem, to passe the see,

Off doughti knyghtes thousandes thre,

And sayled faste vnto that land

And lete here schippus In hauen stand,

3992

And drow out horses and stedes

And here strong Iren wedes.

WHen Theman kyng herd say,

That thei of Grece In suche aray

3996

Were opon his lond alyght,

He made him redi with hem to fyght;

He broght with him to that batayle

Off men of Armes and other pedayle

4000

Thousandes fele and hundres als,

With swerdes and scheldes aboute here hals.

And whan Gregeis saw hem comande,

To putte hem thus out of that lande,

4004

Opon a res thei to him rode,

And thei to him with-outen abode. Page 119

A gret batayle was be-twene hem tho, [folio 60a]

4007

For her enemys were wel the mo,

4008

For sicur thei were suche thre

Then Achilles & his meyne.

On euery side thei fel thikke doun,

Some alle dede, and som in swoun.

4012

Off hem of Grece ther died gret won,

And of that other many on.

The Gregeis were of gret power,

Thei ne hadde endured in no maner,

4016

Ne hadde Achilles I-bene

Agayn her foos—and that was sene.—

He saw many that him assayled

And his men wel thikke fayled;

4020

He loked wel faste In here fyghtyng,

Where he myght se her kyng;

Where he faught, he was wel war,

And Gregeis faste to erthe he bar.

4024

AChilles then vnto him prykes,

And many a strok to him he strikes,

And threwe him doun to the grounde

With many delful hidous wounde;

4028

He thoght the kyng right ther sclo,

Or he wolde fro him go.

¶ But Thelaphus that be-held

And kept that strok vpon his scheld,

4032

He seide: 'Achilles, leue sire,

For goddis loue, leue thin Ire!

I pray ȝow for goddis ore,

That ȝe to him do harme no more;

4036

But ȝeues me this curtais knyght,

That ȝe haue ouercome in fyght.'

¶ Achilles sayde: 'what may this be?

Thelaphus, what eyles the, Page 120

4040

Off me to craue and aske mercy [folio 60b]

4041

Off him that is thin enemy?'

Thelaphus seide: 'sire, be my fay!

Al the sothe I schal ȝow say,

4044

Now ar ȝe hennes wende:

This man was my fadir frende,

And gret worschepe to me hath done;

By him, that made sonne & mone,

4048

For him therfore mercy I craue,

The knyȝtes body of the to haue.'

¶ 'Thelaphus,' he seyde, 'take him the,

I ȝeue him the al clene fro me;

4052

Do with him al thi wille,

Whether thow wil saue him or spille.'

Thelaphus toke vp thenne Theman,—

For bledynge he was blo and wan,—

4056

And sente him home to his dwellyng;

Off here fyght made thei endyng.

But Theman prayed sir Achilles

And Thelaphus with-outen les:

4060

"That thei wolde home with him wende,

For he was ney at his ende;

And Thelaphus wolde he kyng make

And his reme to him take,

4064

For of his body hadde he non air,

To kepe that lond that was so fair."

¶ To-geder bothe with him thei wente,

Whan the batayle was thus ente.

4068

Whan thei come to his forselet,

And he was layde, and thay doun set,

He sente affter his baronage,

And dede hem*. [MS. hem, altered from him.] make to him omage

4072

And corouned him by-forn hem alle,

To be here kyng, right In that halle. Page 121

And thus Thelaphus is mad her kyng [folio 61a]

4075

And has that lond in gouernyng,

4076

For Theman dyed in that stede

And beryed he was with mochel pride.

THelaphus is now lord and sire

Off al that lond and that empire

4080

And alle the goodes that Theman hadde,

And alle ben hise, for so he badde;

For he is ded and richely graven.

And Achilles is In the haven,

4084

And his schippus are richely fraught

With flesshe and fysche and other aught,

With corne and mele and tonnes of flour

And gentil wynes of good odour;

4088

And maketh him redi forward to fare,

And Thelaphus makes him al ȝare

With him a-ȝeyn to the Gregeis go,

To Thenedoun that he come fro.

4092

¶ But Achilles to him says,

"That he scholde dwelle ther In pais

And puruay vitayles and store,

That thei may lyue, whil that thei ben thore."

4096

And Thelaphus dwellid stille

At his byddyng aȝeyns his wille,

And Achilles toke the see

With his vitayles and his naue;

4100

And sayled forth to Thenedoun,

Ther he fond Agamenoun

And alle the lordis of that ost

Dwellynge stille in that cost.

4104

¶ And when thei herde of his comyng,

To him thei ran bothe lord and kyng

And welcomed him deuotly,

Of his comyng glad were thei. Page 122

4108

"How he hadde sped," he tolde hem alle, [folio 61b]

4109

"And of Thelaphus how it was falle,

And dwelled ther stille and be lord and kyng

And puruay hem vitayles of alle thyng;"

4112

He schewed the vitayles that thei hadde brought

With him to londe, he heled it noght.

Then were the Gregeis Proude and fayn,

That thei herde the certayn,

4116

That he was lord of that kyndome

Fro whethen alle that riches is come.

Thei bad god ȝeue him blis,

That so wisly him dud I-wys;

4120

For now drede thei no-thyng,

Nother of mete ne of drynk,

¶ Now hath Achilles hem vitayles brought.

Agamenon is In moche thoght,

4124

How thei schul Troye be-sege best;

Many a wyle and wit the[i] kest,

Whether thei wente by day or by nyght

And take the land with-oute syght,

4128

Whil thei of Troye were alle on sclepe

And to hem wolde take no kepe;

But thei were ferd, if that thei went

By nyghtes tyme, lest thei were yschent

4132

And breke her schippus on cragges and stones,

And lost hem selff al at ones.

And so dwelled the Gregeys thore

A ful twelue monthe and more,

4136

That thei to Troye toke non hede;

So hadde thei alle of hem suche drede.

But Stace telles vs and says,

That thei lye so long in pays

4140

For drede thei hadde of Ector knyght,

So mochel thei dredde of his myght. Page 123

Then seyde Diomedes: [folio 62a]

4143

'How longe schal we lye her In pes,

4144

Gode men, kynges and dukes?

Drede of herte vs alle rebukes!

We ben so ferd of oure enemys,

That thei bere vs to no prys;

4148

We haue now leyne and rest vs here—

Ȝe wot alle wel—more than a ȝere,

That we durst neuere be water ne londe

Se ones Troye right at honde.

4152

What may they wene but cowardise

Off vs for-sothe and gret ffayntise,

That we ben so of hem a-dred,

That we for drede ben al mad?

4156

¶ Alas that we so longe a-byden,

That we ne hadde rather to hem reden

And the toun myghtily assayled,

Sicurly it hadde vs a-vayled!

4160

For now drede thei vs right noght,

For we haue noght to hem wroght,

But spend oure good and oure vitayle;

And that doth vs noght a-vayle.

4164

And thei hem gete lordes kene,

A-ȝeyns vs hem to mayntene;

For we haue sene, sethen we come hidur,

Many kynges comen thedur

4168

With gret meyne and chiualrie,

To helpe wel her partie.

¶ Gret schame it is—as hit is sene—

That we durst neuere Troye mene,

4172

Ne neuere durst we hit ones se,

Kyng Priamus and his Cite!

Whi dwelle we thus In suche manere?

I rede, dwelle we no lenger here,

4176

Page 124 Hic Imperator et omnes Reges Grecorum nauigant versus Troianum.

Be it to wele or to wo— [folio 62b]

4177

I rede, that we hennes go,

¶ Ryse erly, when the day dawes,

Put vs forth among the wawes,

4180

With alle oure schippus with mochel Ioye

Wende we to the Cite of Troye;

For we schal neuere other-wyse

Opon the Troyens lond arise.'

4184

The kynges assented wel ther-to,

Thei sayde thei myght no betre do;

Thei let crie al on hye,

That euery knyght were thenne redy,

4188

That thei were redy In the dawenyng

To wende forth with-oute dwellyng.

NIght is went and gon a-way,

Day is dawed and is day,

4192

It was a louely morn,

And Agamenon blew his horn.

Anon the lordes of the flete

Out with here schippis thei dede schete

4196

Out of the hauenes in-to the see,

With al here men and ther naue.

And ther ordeyned that Emperour

And*. [MS. That.] alle the lordes of gret honour,

4200

Whiche of the schippis schal go by-fore,

And how fele hundres and score,

And whiche schal wende afftirward,

And whiche in the mydward.

4204

So that he ordeyned thus,

That the kyng Protheselus,

That was a kyng of gret noblay,

The hauen schulde furst asay

4208

With an hundred schippis grete;

And he ther byddyng wold not lete. Page 125

¶ He gadered his schippus on a route, [folio 63a]

4211

And bad hem gadere him a-boute

4212

And sayle besyde him euer nye,

And drawe her sayl wel on hye,

And sette here baneres on the mast;

And sayle forth were thei not agast

4216

Toward Troye a wel gode pas.

And alle these other vpon a ras,

Euery lord—as he was boden,—

Now are thei toward Troye reden

4220

With gret thretyng and manas hard.

Prothesely hath the vanward,

The lond of Troye for to take;

But furst schal he and alle hese qwake

4224

For drede of deth, or thei take reste;

Er schal thei suffre mochel breste,

Or thei take bank or brynke;

Thei tolde it not as thei thynke.

4228

GRegeis ben alle graythed ȝare

To the toun of Troye to fare;

Thei ar comen so ney her wones,

That thei se bothe toures and stones

4232

And the subbarbes al aboute;

But thei hadde so moche doute,

How thei scholde on londe lyght

For hem of Troye whan thei hadde a syght;

4236

For many a Troyen sen thei stonde

Armed wel opon the londe,

To put hem fro the water bankes,

That thei ne tok lond but ther vnthankes.

4240

¶ But sicurly when thei of Troye,

Kyng and quene, knyght and boye,

Say the Gregeys sayles long and large,

Eche man hente bothe sword and targe Page 126

4244

And drow forth hors and gret cou[r]ser, [folio 63b]

4245

And rode and ran to the ryuer

With-oute heste of here kyng

Or with-outen Ectoris wetyng;

4248

That Gregeys scholde no lond take

With-oute bale and mochel wrake.

¶ But Prothesaly the formast was

Off alle the schippis In that ras,

4252

Saw he not no better to do

Ne on no wise to come to,

But thorow strokes and fyght.

He sayled forthe to hem streyght

4256

With alle the schippis In his ledyng;

But gret foly dede ther that kyng,

For he sayled In with a feble sayl

And þat was him to wrotherhayl:

4260

For the wynd was hard and store

And so faste him to the lond bore,

¶ Aȝeyns the bank hem so droff,

That many a chippe*. [MS. chipp.] ther al to-roff,

4264

And the men fel out and sank

Dede and drowned by the bank.

And tho that on the lond dede lepe

The Troyens leyde vpon an hepe,

4268

Thei bare hem doun and sclow al-weyes

Doun to grounde the Gregeis;

To scle hem the Troyens not belened,

In-to the sky the strokes dened.

4272

¶ The Gregeys ȝolled and cried loude,

It was a-bouen hem lyke a cloude,

So fley the arwes to and fro

That the Gregeis dyed with mechel wo.

4276

Lond and water was al rede

Off hem that were sclayn and dede. Page 127

Sithen schippis ȝode*. [MS. ȝowe.] furst with sayl and wynd, [folio 64a]

Might neuere man In book fynd,

4280

With so gret wo to gete land,

As the Gregeys dede, I vndirstand.

PRothesaly hath his naue

Neyhondes lorn and his meyne

4284

Thorow his outrage and his vn-wit,

Opon the lond so harde he hit.

But than come sayland opon a rowe

Afftirward with sayles lowe

4288

An hundrid schippis gret and stronge

With semely mastes fair and longe

In-to that hauen war and wisly,—

Ther other men were wel grisly,

4292

In the water swam and flotered,

And there schippis a-boute totered;

And to the lond so sofft thei sette,

That thei were nothyng lette

4296

With bank ne cragge ne with ston.

But thenne come Troiens many on

To the bank to hem ful blyue,

Fro the lond hem to dryue.

4300

But in the schippis were goode archeres

With dartes and gonnes & Arb[l]asteres;

The Gregeis thenne her bowes bent

And many an arwe thei hem sent,

4304

Many a darte was ther cast and schotyn,

And many a bodi ouer-floten.

The Gregeis were apert and quyk,

That arwes on londe thei dede styk,

4308

That many of Troye to dethe fell

With dynt of Arwe and of qwarell;

Thei drow a-bak—so were thei hurt.—

The Gregeis on the lond sturt Page 128

4312

And faught boldely and at devis [folio 64b]

4313

Opon the lond with here enemys;

Thei helden Troyens hard and stale,

But scholde thei neuere of bote herd bale,

4316

Ne hadde ben Prothesaly,

T[h]e noble kyng of Filaundry.

HE sclow that tyme with-outen vmbre

Mo Troyens than I can numbre*. [MS. humbre.];

4320

Nadde he ben and his noblay,

Hadde neuere Gregeys passed a-way;

For sicurly his doughtynes,

Alone his myȝth and his prowes,

4324

Saued alle the Grwes that ther were

Fyghtyng in feld tho there.

But for alle his myth*. [MS. myth.] that he hadde*. [The last four words by another hand, myth on erasure.]

The Gregeis were so harde be-stadde,

4328

That many on*. [MS. manyon.] on grounde lay,

For tho of Troye were mo than thay.

Hem were leuere dye than fflee,

And to be drowned in the see;

4332

To theire schippis hadde thei no teynt,

Thei were so for-foghten and almost faynt.

The Troyens droff hem bak-ward

With harde strokes the see toward,

4336

Than were thei dreven to the bank,

That many fel In the see and sank.

¶ But thenne come many a gret karik,

Ful of knyghtes wel ydyght;

4340

Kyng Procenor and Archelaus

Come then to helpe Prothesalaus;

With alle ther men on londe thei wente,

With hardi herte and good entente

4344

To socour her frendes: that was hem leff,

In dout of dethe that was In myscheff. Page 129

¶ But alle thei were In drede of dede*. [MS. The last two· letters of dede by a later hand on erasure.]; [folio 65a]

4347

Schuld thei neuere haue eten brede,

4348

Not for hem alle ne Procenor,

Ne hadde not come the duke Nestor:

But he come then to the batayle,

As faste as he myght sayle,

4352

With many a schip and many a floyne;

For him and his schippis fil fair fortune,

And louely grace god to him sende,

That he and hise sauely des[c]ende*. [MS. defende.]

4356

Opon that lond with-oute hurtyng,

With-oute harme or schipe*. [MS. schip.] brekyng.

¶ Then myght men se speres schake,

And many a man for drede qwake;

4360

Here swordes*. [o corrected from e.] thriffly to-gedur rang,

Eche a man on other dang;

The arwes ȝede so thikke on hye,

That no man myght for hem se the skye;

4364

Arwes and quareles thikke flewe,

Euery man on other hewe;

Thei fel doun ded on euery halue,

That neuere myght be heled with oyment ne salue.

4368

THen come a-londe kyng Alacris,

And Askalus with alle his,

With doughti knyghtes gode and fresche,

With grete speres of Oke and asche.

4372

Thei wounden the Troyens thikke,

And faught with hem wel quykke,

And thei of Troye bakward drowe;

And many fel ded In sowe.

4376

¶ But fele Troyens stode be-syde,

That hadde not meved of alle that tyde,

Ne neuere ȝaff stroke of al that day,

But by-held the batayle ay.

4380

Page 130 ¶ Hic venit ad bellum cum magno suo vlixes.

But whan thei sey her men hadde nede, [folio 65b]

4381

Thei come doun wel good spede;

Thei socoured here felawes egrely

And sclow the Gregeys bitterly;

4384

Thei wounded many in that poynt,

Ther was lorn many a Ioynt,

Many a leg and many a thye,

Many an hond and many a kne;

4388

Some loste his nase and his lyppis.

Thei droff hem bacward to here schippis,

For drede of dethe and myghtles

Thei were brouȝt al in distres,

4392

That thei hadde dyed with swerdes orde

Or drouned vndir schippis borde,

Ne hadde Vlixes comen then

With many a knyght and doughti men.

4396

THe Gregeis myght hem not defende,

But Vlixes was then ner-hende

And toke the londe, and ȝede forth streyght

With alle his men to the fyght.

4400

The Grues toke herte In his comyng,

That thei that were be-fore fleyng,

Turned a-ȝeyn, and hertely ran

On her fomen, and offte hem wan

4404

Off hem of Troye, be his helpyng.

Vlixes then began to spryng

¶ A-mong Troyens anon,

In many stedis bare he hem don,

4408

And hurt hem sore and lefft hem bledande

With a spere he bar In hande,

And wounded many gode Troyene.

And that beheld kyng Phylomene,

4412

How he bare Troyens to the grounde,

Wondir many In a stounde; Page 131

Him thoght In-sonder his hert gnowe, [folio 66a]

4415

That he dede Troyens so doun drowe;

4416

He thoght to him for to ride,

To se if he him wolde abyde

And made him of his dedis sese.

Philomene rode to Vlixes

4420

And ȝaff him certes suche a poppe,

That he fel ouer his hors croppe.

¶ But Vlixes anon vp ros,

And to the kyng a-ȝeyn he gos

4424

Off that strok to take vengaunce;

He smot Philomene with his launce

Ryght euen In-myddis his scheld,

That it flow out In the feld;

4428

He brast his Pisan and his coloret

And claff his vayn In his goriet:

Vlixes ȝaff him suche a wounde,

That he fel dede almost to grounde;

4432

Alle the Troyens that ther wore

Wende, he scholde haue dyed thore.

¶ A gret wayment and hidous cry

Might men here then witterly,

4436

That the Troyens made y-wys

For the wounde of Philomenys.

Thei drow him fro his hors fete

And leyde him sofftly and swete

4440

Opon his scheld with gret wepyng,

As he hadde ben sclepyng,

And bare him faire of that stede,

That men ne hors scholde on him trede.

4444

¶ That fel faire for men of Grece,

Thei hadde elles dyed euery pece;

For certes ne hadde ben that combraunce,

That ne hadde fallen that myschaunce,

Page 132 ¶ Hic venit Imperator & omnes alij Reges Grecorum ad prelium.

The Gregeis hadde neuere passed that place, [folio 66b]

But thei had dyed,—suche was here grace.

4450

PHilomene was wounded ille.

The*. [MS. That.] Gregeis were In poynt to spille;

4452

Thei nyste what thei schulde haue don,

Ne hadde ben the kyng hurt so sone;

Thei hadde ben hewen euery a schrede,

But hem come help In that nede:

4456

¶ For then come the kyng Thoas

With alle the naue that his was,

And the doughti Thelamanyous,

And with his schippis Menelaus,

4460

¶ And the Emperour Agamenon;

Euery man the lond lepe on

And toke her hors and theder rode

With baneres blauwande bright and brode,

4464

And the Gregeis were rescued,

And many a Troyen ther thei bowed,

And bare hem doun opon the grounde,

With speres scharpe and with hidous wounde.

4468

¶ The noble kyng Prothesaly,

That alle that day so nobly

Hadde foughten ther In armes prest,

Sete be-syde to take his rest,

4472

Ther the batayle was ffurst by-gunne;

He saw the place was al by-ronne,

Spred with blod and dede bodyes,

That ther lay sclayn that hadde ben hes;

4476

He saw hem sclayn and ligge ther,

He wepit for hem many a ter.

¶ He toke his stede by the rayne,

To the fight he ȝede a-ȝayne,

4480

Ful of woundes and of Ire;

He brende for wo as any fire Page 133

For his gode men that were sclayn [folio 67a]

4483

And al to-hewen*. [MS. alto hewen.] body and brayn.

4484

He thoght, her dethe wolde he venge,

He sought the batayle euery renge;

Off strong ne feble toke he no kepe,

He sclow hem doun, as it were schepe,

4488

Many gode Troyen that tyde

Sclow that kyng with woundes wyde

In his outrage and his wodnes;

The Troyens were then myghtles.

4492

¶ Vnto her help and here refute

A worthi kyng and ful deuoute,

The noble kyng of Ethiope;

Then was ther many a blodes drope.

4496

When comen Ethiopenes,

Gret hardines toke the Troyens,

Thei Turned aȝeyn on ther fomen

And sclow hem doun by nyne and ten,

4500

And droff hem to the water efft.

Ther schulde no Gregeis on lyue haue lefft,

Ne hadde comen Palamydes

With many a scheld, with bond and fes;

4504

With hors and man was he thanne boun,

To that batayle he come soun

And bar doun men as he were wode,

And spilled faste the Troyens blode.

4508

¶ A doughti Troyen he by-helde,

That many a Gregeis In that felde

Hadde sclayn that day, sir Sygamon,

The kynges brother gode Mennon.

4512

With a spere—was scharp y-grounde,

Better was non amonges hem all yfounde,—

Palamydes to him rode,

That thorow his sydes bothe it glode,

4516

Page 134 ¶ Hic venit Ector cum populo suo ad prelium.

That Segamon his liff for-ȝede [folio 67b]

4517

And fel doun ded by his stede.

He rod forth & lefft him lygand,

To the batayle faste smytand;

4520

¶ He sclow the Troyens—as he were wod—

And schedde wel mochel of here blod,

That thei myght suffre no lenger;

Tho were the Grues wel the strenger,

4524

On euery a syde the Troiens flede;

Then thei were hard be-stede,

With mochel noye and wo thei fauȝt.

The Gregeis then toke a drauȝt

4528

Toward the toun ney halff a myle,

Many a Troyen died that while.

¶ The noyse was moche & gret clamour;

Ector herde hem make sorow,

4532

For tene his herte began to bollen,

And bothe his chekes gret swollen;

He toke his armes and his atyre,

That were as bryght as siluer wyre;

4536

A better man was neuere on molde,

He bar a scheld of rede golde,

With thre lyons paynted ther-In;

A delful note he thoght be-gyn.

4540

ECtor*. [MS. EEtor.] is armed, his stede be-strode,

He rod forth with-oute a-bode,

Toward his men gan he gange,

Him thoght he dwelled ther to longe.

4544

He saw the Troyens faste fleand,

He rod to hem faste criand

And bad: "thei scholde a-ȝeyn turne,"—

'Drede ȝow not ȝoure enemys sturne!'

4548

Ihesu lord! what thei were glad,

When thei here noble leder had!

Page 135 ¶ Hic Ector occidit Prothesalium Regem.

Was non so feble his voyce here, [folio 68a]

4551

But it amendid herte and chere,

4552

And turned a-ȝeyn with hardi herte

A-ȝeyn here enemys wonder smerte.

¶ Ector rode In that batayle,

Armes myght him non a-vayle;

4556

Wo was him that he ful hit,

For of his lyff was he quyt.

He partid the Gregeis host in-sundir,

Eche man of him hadde wondir;

4560

Off suche a man haue ȝe non herd!

Alle that he hitte, to dethe thei ferd.

¶ As he rode*. [to inserted over line between rode and Gregeis.] Gregeis thus sleande,

Aȝeyns him mette he comande

4564

A doughti kyng, Prothesalye,

That many of Troye that day dede dye;

He smot him offte with his swerd naked,

That many Gregeis afftir qwaked;

4568

With his swerd Ector him smot,

That he fel doun anon fot hot;

He cleff the body euen In halff,

As it hadde ben a clouen calff.

4572

WAs non so bold, durst by him pas;

Eche man asked, "what he was?"

Thei fled fro him as fro the ded;

Whom that he hitte, ete neuere bred.

4576

The Gregeis pride Ector abasched,

He sclow so fele, er he sesed,

That alle were ferd that on him loked;

He maymed many, and made hem croked

4580

Off legge, of arme, of fote, or too;

But ȝit sclow he of hem wel moo.

Alle made him way and lete him ride,

Was non so bold durst him a-byde. Page 136

4584

The sonne goth doun, it is ney euen, [folio 68b]

4585

Many a stroke hath Ector ȝeuen,

He was weri of men scleyng,

Off ffyghtyng, and of strokes ȝeuyng,

4588

For he sesid neuere with-oute fayle,—

And that was certes moche meruayle!—

Fro the tyme that he by-gan,

Off al that day he neuere belan.

4592

¶ Gregeis be-gan for to fle,

And Ector rod to his Cite

And leffte that other ther ffyghtande.

Achilles cam thenne faste saylande

4596

With alle his gode Mirmydanes;

With sword and spere and gret burdones

Vnto that batayle he him hyed,

The Gregeis thenne a-ȝeyn relyed;

4600

Thei hadde comfort of his comyng,

On hem of Troye thei*. [MS. i inserted by a later hand.] gonne thryng.

AChilles be-gan Troyens to felle,

Some to wounde, and some to quelle;

4604

Thei died faste on bothe parties,

He made aboutes him wayes and sties.

Achilles brouȝt with him ridand

Off men of Armes thre thousand;

4608

Then hadde the Troyens ful gret doute

Thei fel doun dede ouer-al a-boute;

For then were Gregeis alle on londe,

With swordes and speres & staff in honde,

4612

Fyghtand faste In that assaut;

The Troyens faste ther dethe laut,

For Achilles wodely

Sclow hem doun ful delfoly;

4616

Thei myght no lenger him with-stande,

Thei turned the bak faste fleande, Page 137

Toward Troye to saue here lyues. [folio 69a]

4619

But Achilles afftir dryues,

4620

He felde hem doun on euery side*. [The last two words of this line, and the last three of the next, by a later hand, partially on erasure.]

And lefft hem liyng with woundes wide.

¶ Thei ffolwede hem to Troyes ȝate;

Wo was hem that come to late,

4624

For he was sclayn with-oute pite,

That ther by tyme hadde non entre.

It was hidous and right grisly

Off Troiens thenne to heere her cry,

4628

The fadres saw here children bold

Lye ded In the strete Cold*. [MS. wol Cold, a letter (probably d) being erased behind wol, and Cold added by a later hand.],

Then was ther dele with-oute lauȝter;

The Gregeis made of hem gret slauȝter,

4632

And wounded hem in here fleyng.

But thei were lettid of her entryng:

¶ For then come ride the gode Troylus,

And his brother Dephebus,

4636

And droff a-ȝeyn the ffel Gregis

With strokes sadde and mechel vnpes;

Hit was derk nyght by thenne y-wys,

Achilles ȝede with mochel blys,

4640

With mochel Ioye and gret preysyng,

With his Gregeis to here restyng;

And thei of Troye with barre & haspe

Spered the ȝates with many a claspe,

4644

That thei with-oute come not In

With-Inne the nyght with scleyght ne with gyn.

AGamenon lokes on euery syde

A place couenable on to*. [MS. onto.] abyde;

4648

He bad hem alle, her tentis sette;

Thei swore alle, "thei wold not lette*. [MS. Icche lette, Icche being crossed by a later hand, and lette added by the same.];"

Thei sayde, "thei wolde neuere that place let*. [MS. fyt, but inserted by a later hand on erasure.],

Or Troye were clene doune ybet." Page 138

4652

¶ Stedis was delyuered to euery a lord, [folio 69b]

4653

Thei ran alle to reste and cord,

To sette vp tentis, Pauylons to bylde;

Thei reysed vp bothe halle and tylde,

4656

That riche were and mochel preysed;

Many a tent was ther vp-reysed,

Long, and round, and eke sqware,

Semely dyght & faire to her sight thare,

4660

With eglis faire and riche In syght,

Off riche gold and mechel of wyght,

With pomeles bright—with-oute fable—

Brode baneres on euery gable.

4664

¶ Opon her tentis thei dede en-haunse

Euery lord his contenaunce;

And thei that hadde no teld ne tent,

Scheldes and bowes faste thei bent

4668

And be-gonnen a-boute hem bygge,

That thei myght ther-Inne lygge.

To thaire schippis ffaste thei ȝede

And drow out vitayles good spede,

4672

¶ Thei drow out larder of venyson,

Salt beff, and salt bacon,

And other fflesch bothe fresche and salt,

Cornes, wynes, mele, and malt,

4676

Grete tonnes ful of flour;

Riche Armor of riche a-tour,

Coffres grete with stele barrelles,

That were ful of gode quarelles,

4680

And other armes in gret tonnes,

Scheldes, helmes, dartes, & gonnes,

And many other grete engynes;

And tyed her schippis with ropes & lynes,

4684

And Ankeres grete kest on the sond,

That non of hem scholde wond. Page 139

Mules & hors bene put to cracche, [folio 70a]

4687

And afftir that thei sette here wacche

4688

With sicur men that wolde not slepe,

On euery a side that ost to kepe;

Thei dede falle bothe oke and plane

And made fir In euery a lane,

4692

That men myght se bothe ner and ferre

Ouer-al a-boute In eueryche a corner;

¶ The fires ȝeuen a gret lyght,

As of hit hadde ben day-lyght.

4696

Mynstralles her pipes hente

And alle other of Instrumente,

Thei nakered, piped, and blew,

Vnto that the Cokkes crew.

4700

¶ And thus was thanne the sege be-gonne,

That laste ten ȝer, or Troye was wonne;

Ȝit was it neuere wonne with fyght,

With the Gregeis, ne with ther myght;

4704

Hit was be-trayed falsly—Alas!—

With Antenor and Eueas.

HIt is day, the Cok hath crowen,

Many an horn thanne was blowen,

4708

Many an horn and many a pipe;

Thei be-gan her Armure gripe

Bothe In feld and In toun;

Thei rered many a gomfanoun,

4712

Baneres brode of fyne asure,

Grene, and white, of purpur pure,

Some were rede as vermyloun,

With pelotes, daunse, and Cheueroun,

4716

Some with sauters engrele,

And some with bastoun wouerle,

Off sable some, of siluer fyn,

And some of hem be-gan to schyn.

4720

Page 140 ¶ Hic Ector ordinat prelium suum.

¶ Ector bad his men ilkon, [folio 70b]

4721

That his meyne schold [brynge] echon

In-myddes Troie in a playn

Be-fore the temple in a champayn.

4724

His batayles ther Ector arayed,

With many gode knyȝtes wel assayed;

He ordeyned them*. [MS. then.] in batayles nyne

With gode knyghtes & eke fyne,

4728

And set aboue hem gouernoures,

Hardy knyȝtes and gode gyoures.

THe furst ost lad sir Glauntoun,

A kyng sone of gret renoun;

4732

And Theseus, kyng of Tras*. [MS. Tars.];

And Archilogo, that his sone was;

Two thousand knyȝtes gode and lele

Lad thei in that eschele.

4736

'I ȝeue ȝow leue,' saide Ector, 'with this,

To go & come with mochel blis:

To ȝoure Enemys now ȝe hye,

And come a-ȝeyn with victorye!'

4740

The ȝate was open on a rees,

Thei passed forth out of that prees.

The secunde batayle lede Alkan,

The kyng Antipe, that doughti man,

4744

A douȝti knyȝt, a noble kyng;

The[i] hadde with hem in here ledyng

Thre thousand knyghtes gode & strong;

Thei rode alle forth In that throng,

4748

With many doughti man hem myd.

He ordeyned then the batayle thrid,

Thre thousand of douȝti knyȝtes,

That were hardy at alle ryȝtes,

4752

And called gode Troyle, and to him spak

And seyde: 'brother, I the be-tak

Page 141 ¶ Hic Ector et alii Reges Troiani ibant ad prelium.

These gode men In thi kepyng, [folio 71a]

4755

I praye oure goddis, a-ȝeyn ȝow bryng!

4756

But I praye the, my broder*. [MS. moder.] dere,

By-fore these kyng[es]*. [MS. kyng.] & knyȝtes here,

That thow be wyse and not sauage;

Ȝif the not to outrage!

4760

I drede me sore, thi hastines,

Thi noble herte, and thi hardines

Schal make the bold and vs schent,

But thow take gode avisement:

4764

Vnto thi-self to-day take hede!

I pray oure goddis, that wel ȝow spede!'

TRoyle sayde in fair manere:

'Ȝif my god me helpe, that is me dere,

4768

Ne haue ȝe of me no doute,

I schal do ȝow ther aloute,

And do alle ȝoure comaundement,

And kepe ȝoure heste in good entent.'

4772

He toke his leue as curtais and hende,

To his Enemys he gan wende;

His armes were gode and newe,

His scheld was of Asure blewe,

4776

With thre lyons of gold schynand;

Out of that ȝate he ȝede passand.

¶ Aboute these batayles Ector him paynes,

The fourthe batayle*. [MS. batayles.] he ordeynes

4780

Of th[r]e thousand and hundres seuene,

Off knyȝtes gode—by god of heuene!—

With many a-nother douȝti man,

Vndir that douȝti kyng Vpan;

4784

He was the strongest of that parti

Saue Ector him-self, but Dares ly.

¶ The ffyfft batayle then Ector made

Off stronge knyȝtes and eke sade, Page 142

4788

Off doughti men with-oute ensoygne, [folio 71b]

4789

That comen were out of Cesoygne;

Thes ilke men were wonder stronge,

As geauntes mochel and longe;

4792

The kynges armes were blewe and blo,

With-oute other signes mo.

¶ He called to him Polimodas,

A douȝti kyng, that hardi was;

4796

He made him lord and her leder,

And prayed god be her speder.

¶ The sixte batayle with-oute les

Ledes Prosemen and Sterepes;

4800

Thei fauȝt vn-armed in here atyres

With longe Arwes and scharpe vires.

He cleped Dephebus that folk to lede,

And bad to hem to take good hede.

4804

He bad also to kyng Esdras,

Opon his heued his helm to las;

¶ Kyng Esdras and kyng Philon

Bothe thei dede her helmes on,

4808

And wende to that batayle rude

With grete folk and multitude.

Kyng Philon a noble cart,

A wonder werk, made hade gart:

4812

It was clene and al yvore

Bothe be-hynde and eke be-fore,

Siluer and gold on aythe[r] whele

Was layd aboute fair an[d] wele;

4816

Al was be-gon, syde and hemmes,

Ful of riche precious gemmes;

Suche a cart ne precious

Saw neuere man, ne so gracious.

4820

That batayle lad Piktagorasen,

With kyng Philon and kyng Esdrasen. Page 143

The seuenthe batayle led Eueas, [folio 72a]

4823

A strong kyng In euery plas,

4824

With a noble Amerale,

That hete Eufen—so sayth the tale.—

¶ The .viii. batayle led Paris,

That Alysaundre het also y-wys,

4828

With the noble kyng of Perse,

As Dares telles In his verse.

Ector sayde to Alysaundre:

'Off the come al this foule sclaundre,

4832

For thi wyffes foule rape;

I rede that thow wysly scape,

That thow of hem be not dispised;

Come not among hem vn-avised,

4836

Lete thyn ost be euer the by,

That thi fomen come the not ny!'

Paris seyde thenne: 'so god me rede,

I schal do, as ȝe haue seyde;

4840

I schal be euere at thin heste.'

Thei ride forth with many a crest,

With many a baner by the wynde,

Some of sable, som of Inde.

4844

¶ Ector called to him blyue

Off hardy knyȝtes thosandes fyue,

The stalworthest In Troye born;

When thei come him byforn

4848

He made of hem the .ix. batayle.

As Ector coude, he arayes hem wele,

He bad hem be at his ledyng,

Thei were wel glad of that biddyng.

4852

Ten of his brether that were hardye,

He dede In that companye;

Him-self*. [MS. selt.] was armed In helme & bryny,

His stede by-gan wel loude to hyny. Page 144

4856

Gret Ioye was of Ector ffayrnes, [folio 72b]

4857

Off his strengthe and his goodnes.

Dars the heraud—I the be-hote—

Many meruayles of him he wrote.

4860

ECtor sat on Galathea,

The swyfftest hors that myght ga;

To his ffader Priamus

Rode he thenne, and seyde thus:

4864

'My lord, my fader leue and dere,

A thousand knyghtes I leue ȝow here

With alle the pedel better and werre,

That the Gregeis vs not sterre,

4868

To take oure toun with arte and scleght,

The while we In feld feght.

Ȝe ben wyse, good, and able,

Loke ȝe be gode and defensable!

4872

I schal ȝow sende with knyȝtes and knapes,

How the batayle with vs scapes;

And afftir that I sende ȝow sonde,

Wele helpe ȝe vs, if nede be-stonde.'

4876

¶ Kyng Priamus aȝeyn answeres:

'I prey god, that alle thyng weres,

Saue the this day fro dedly wounde

And sende the aȝeyn hole and sounde!

4880

God sende me gode tythandes & blys,

For in the now al myn hope is,

In thi wit and thi connyng,

In thi strengthe and thi gouernyng.'

4884

At his fadur leue he toke,

And with his batayle forth he schoke.

ECtor rode forth In gode vertuus,

Strong knyȝt, hardy and prus,

4888

So hardy knyȝt was non a-losed;

Wel offte was he harde be-closed,

Page 145 Hic veniunt Greci ad Prelium.

With the Gregeis alle vmbygon, [folio 73a]

4891

That of his men hadde he not on;

4892

With hundres fele and thousandes bothe

Thei swore his deth with many an othe.

And he on fote, when his hors was sclayn,—

Ȝit dar I for-sothe sayn,

4896

That non durst on him hond lay,

Ne non so bold come In his way.

His armes were faire and bryȝt of hewe,

His scheld was of Asure blewe,

4900

In-myddes his scheld a lyon stode,

As rede as any blode.

¶ He markys him bothe body and brest

With Appolyn that was to him trest.

4904

At his wendyng þan was he last,

Alle his batayles sone he past,

Til he was formest of hem alle.

The ladyes ȝede opon the walle,

4908

Ther myȝt thei se on euery syde,

How the batayle scholde betyde.

¶ Ther was Eleyne, the faire qwene,

Hectuba and Pollexene,

4912

And hir sustir Cassaunder;

Opon the walles thei gan wander,

For to se and to be-holde,

How thei fauȝt opon the wolde.

4916

AGame[n]on In his de-vyse*. [MS. de-gyse.]

Hadde ordeyned wel alle hise;

He hadde on horse, with pedales,

Six & twenti grete batayles.

4920

The formast warde ledde Patrodus,

A riche duk and a glorious;

When he that batayle toke to kepe,

Him hadde be betre layn to sclepe. Page 146

4924

He was Achilles alyaunce, [folio 73b]

4925

And dede him gret greuaunce,

For he was his sworen brother,

So was that on to that other.

4928

¶ The secunde ledde Diodemes,

Kyng Menon, and Menescens.

The thridde, the furthe, and eke the fifft

Lad many a kyng that neuere hadde schrifft;

4932

Alle thei were dede, bothe duk and kyng;

To telle her names were gret tariyng.

¶ Then come Nestor duk, and kyng Makaon;

The laste of alle come Agemenon,

4936

Off ther ost as an Emperour

And ther alther gouernour.

¶ Achilles bar non Armes that*. [MS. thar.] day,

In his tent at home he lay

4940

For a wounde, In strong aray

That he hadde cauȝt that other day.

¶ Now haue thei take the feld large

With helme, sword, and many targe,

4944

Lased streyȝt in cote-Armures,

Y-heled*. [MS. y heled.] with riche covertoures,

Opon her stedes gaye trapped,

With yren and stele that were wel clapped

4948

For dyntes of Arwes and schotyng;

Many man dyed at that metyng.

¶ Many a baner was displayed,

And many a stede aboute strayed

4952

Among that ost Maystirles,

That ther lay ded, lyffles.

Ther were schankes al to-schiuered,

And many of his lyff delyuered,

4956

Bakkes broken, bones brosten,

Many of here hors casten,

Page 147 ¶ Magnum bellum.

Many a cote on erthe trayled, [folio 74a]

4959

Many a wyff her lord ther wayled,

4960

When thei alle to-gedir mette,

The archeres faste a-boute hem schotte,

Thei sclow and wounded many a score.

Ector rod his men be-fore

4964

And Priked his stede, as he were wode,

That alle his sides ran on blode;

So ful of yre as Ector was,

When he saw so many come a-pas

4968

Off so many Gregeis in his syght,

He wondred swythe, and so he myght.

PAtrodus, a kyng gaylard,

Was ledere of the vanward;

4972

Ector come as a lyoun,

And Patrodus on a stede broun

Vnto Ector be-fore his men,

He strok his stede and dede him ren;

4976

He bar Ector thorow the scheld,

But Ector faste his sadel held,

In-to the flesche he him smot,

And Ector to him [went] foot hot.

4980

¶ He wex thenne wood and wroth I-now,

Out of his schethe his sword he drow,

He smot Patrodus on the hed,

Styff ded he him leued.

4984

His strok with-stode no basenet,

His strong helme, ne his palet,

He cleff his heued atwo,

And bad him smyte no more so.

4988

Doun on the grounde Patrodus fley

Off his hors, that many it sey.

¶ Ector saw his Armes schon

Off many a perle and riche ston; Page 148

4992

Doun of his stede Ector lyght [folio 74b]

4993

That gode Armes to him dyght;

He held his stede be the rayne,

To spoyle the knyght that he hadde sclayne.

4996

¶ Mennon led the ward the secunde,

He saw Patrodus on the grounde,

He saw Ector him wolde dispoyle,

But rather him thouthe with him toyle;

5000

For Mennon to him ryght

With thre thousand knyghtis bryght;

Er he myght that body dispoyly,

Michel wo was sikurly!

5004

MEnnon rode to Ector right euene

And him myssayd with loude steuene,

He spak to him wordes vnlede

And seyde: 'thow wolff, thow art wel grede!

5008

Wenestow wynne that wyght rauyne,

Certes his harneys schal neuere be thyne;

Off this pray schaltow not tast,

For thow schalt se comande in hast

5012

Fyffti thousand the to distroye,

And alle thei thenke the to noye.'

¶ When Mennon hadde him myssayde,

Alle the hepe on him layde,

5016

Thei thoght his stede fro him reue,

And him to scle and ded leue;

¶ Thei ȝaff him many a stroke to holde,

Thei made his knes vndir him ffolde,

5020

With fyne fors thei made him knele;

Ector tho loked as a deuele:

Maugre her tethe vp he ros

Aȝeyn the wille of alle his fos,

5024

He cleue hem with his swordis egge,

As man doth the tre with wegge. Page 149

Many a bale he al to-rit*. [MS. alto rit.], [folio 75a]

5027

Many aboute kyng Menon flit;

5028

He toke his stede maugre her chekes,

And afftir hem he sekes,

Opon his heued a strok to wynde,

A-mong his men ȝif he him fynde;

5032

In that prese hadde he him sene,

He hadde on him venged bene.

¶ But then come kyng Theseus,

And his sone Archilogus,

5036

And thre thousand knyghtes with bren bryght,

And Ector thei felle on right;

But he that formast to him ran,

For-sothe he was a fey man:

5040

¶ Ector sclow him hastyly,

And alle other that come him by;

The Troyens fauȝt with gret force.

Ector rod to the ded cors,

5044

That he furst sclow, that het Cartays,

To reue him his harneys;

The kyng of Grece,—I vndirstonde—

Come with knyghtes two thousande

5048

Aȝeyn Ector, and bad him let be:

'Thow schalt not haue his Armes with the.'

¶ Kyng Mennon come with moche route

And be-sette Ector al aboute,

5052

Thei putte him certes fro his thoght,

The harneys of him nedeth him noght;

Loke afftir that, was it no bote.

Ector whan he was on fote

5056

With many thousandes vmbyset,

An hondrid Gregeis on him bet,

As fele as myght him reche,

But Ector toke euere on hem wreche: Page 150

5060

In many syde his swerd bared, [folio 75b]

5061

And many an hed he of pared,

He was so laid with armes and legges

Als thikke as mire with segges,

5064

He smot of and maymed thore;

He was be-set with Gregeis sore.

¶ Mennon toke*. [MS. to [gap: 1] ke.] that ded body

And lyfft it fro the erthe an hy,

5068

And bad his men be-fore him lay;

And ther-with thei ride a-way

And bare it home to his tent,

For Ector scholde not haue his garnement.

5072

ECtor was strongly assayled,

But al therfore nought availed;

He wende he scholde not fro hem scape,

But of his swerd euere thei lape.

5076

Ther was a knyȝt, sir Gorioun,

A stalworthe knyght, with sir Menoun;

An hundrid were at his assent,

To scle Ector, that was his entent,

5080

And fro him toke with-oute ȝifft

His noble stede that was so swyfft.

But Ector sclow of hem ffyfftene

With-Inne a while with his swerd kene,

5084

He defended him douȝhtily

A-ȝeyn hem alle ful myȝthly.

¶ A Troyen stode be-syde lokande,

He hadde two speres In his hande;

5088

And sone he caste that on,

That hitte that kyng sir Gorioun,

That fro his body ȝede the soule;

Delfully then gan he ȝoule.

5092

¶ Another was on Ector brym,

That other spere cast he at him, Page 151

Thorow-out his Armure gert he it flye; [folio 76a]

5095

Then thei of Troye be-gan to crye,

5096

To held Ector he cried and grad

For that*. [MS. For In that.] perel that he was In stad.

¶ When Senabor, his brother, herde

That Ector thus In batayle ferde,

5100

He hied faste In al his myght

With al his ost In-to that fyght;

Thorow hem alle he to hem presed

And of that perel him relesed.

5104

Off his strong men that were myghti

At his comyng were sclayn thritti,

Off hem that hadde him vmbecast

Thritti were ded, er thei past.

5108

¶ Then delt Ector dyntes a-riȝt,

Alle ȝede to dethe that come in his sight;

He wolde not longe dwelle In here dette,

He sclow doun right alle that he mette.

5112

Alle ȝede to dethe afftir that tyde,

That were so bold his strok to abyde;

He was with Ire so chaufed and het,

His armes were al blod & al wet;

5116

He dalte aboute him large lyuere,

Of his strokes was he so fre,

That alle toke part that come him ner,

Erle, duke, knyȝt, & sqwyer.

5120

¶ Many a riche amerayle

Broght he that day to wrotherhayle

And al his dole, many a knyght

Toke her dethe with-oute respit.

5124

He fond no man wel many sithe,

On wham he myȝt his wratthe kythe.

TRoyle was on that other syde

And ȝaf the Gregeis woundes wyde, Page 152

5128

He smot hem on that yren hat, [folio 76b]

5129

That ney the heued ofte it sat.

¶ Then come to batayle Menescene,

The noble duk of gode Athene;

5132

Thre thousand knyghtes were with him,

Sturne knyghtes and grym.

He saw Troyle fel hem of Grece,

He rafft hem hondes, legges, and nece,

5136

He ȝaff hem many an euel pat,

Menescen hadde dispite of that.

¶ He rode to him and hitte him lowe,

And bare him ouer his sadel-bowe,

5140

That to the grounde doun of his stede

—Nolde or wolde—Troyle ȝede,

And for-stonet and wolde swouny.

Menescen made him þo besy

5144

With alle his men and his power,

Troyle to haue to his presoner;

He put ther-to suche bysynes,

That Troyle, that lay in duysenes,

5148

Was drawen out of hors trede,

And Menescen forth-with him lede

With mechel folk toward his prisoun;

He wende, for him to haue raunsoun.

5152

THer was a kyng—het Meseres—

Saw the duk of Athenes

Hath take Troyle, the kynges sone:

"Helpe him now, if that thei konne;

5156

Ȝiff thei her leder refuse,

Iff he be taken In suche gyse."

Echon loked thedirward,

Thei saw thei ledde Troyle thenward;

5160

With loude voyce thei hem a-scryed,

And duk Mescene, he hem defyed. Page 153

He rode to him that Troyle hath sayled, [folio 77a]

5163

And with his spere to him taled:

5164

He bare him thorow lyuere and longe,

He spak neuere afftir with tonge.

¶ The kyng Antipe smot duk Mescene;

Nadde his armes the strenger bene,

5168

Ne scholde he neuere haue spoken word,

Ne bred eten at no bord.

Thes kynges two with her power

Delyuered Troyle of that daunger,

5172

Thei sclow of hem a gret parti;

And Troyle was horsed with gret hy,

He dede him horse amonges hem alle*. [This line follows the next one in MS.].

Then be-gan Mescene to calle

5176

Afftir help to Gregeis stale;

But ther-of Troyle ȝaff no tale,

But fro his power is he refft,

Ther to come thenk he not efft.

5180

I dar sothe say with-oute borwe:

Menescen hath then gret sorwe.

When he has thus his presoner lorn,

To his mouthe he sette his horn;

5184

¶ In his horn blew he a blaste,

His men assemblent aboute him faste;

He prayed hem wel hertely:

"That thei schuld him helpe stalworthly,

5188

To venge him on the kyng Troyene,

He hadde don him schame and tene."

He strok forth as a dragoun

And felde Troyens be-fore him doun;

5192

As he rode In his wode res,

He met aȝeyn him Meseres,

The knyght that made him Troyle tyne,

On him wodly he rolled his eyne. Page 154

5196

He felde him with a spere of Mapul [folio 77b]

5197

Among the feet of many capul,

He preked forth and lefft him thore,

For he myght harme him no more.

5200

Vnto another he tho turned,

That of his hors sone he fondred.

¶ Then come he to helpe stalward

With alle his men the toun toward,

5204

With alle his feloun Oripisus;

A-ȝeyn hem come Archilaus

With the kyng Procenore—

Off wham I haue told of byfore;—

5208

Hard batayle ther was sene

Off ffoure kynges hem be-twene.

POllymodas with-oute dwellyng

With alle the men of his ledyng

5212

Afftir that*. [MS. tho that.] come out of Troye,

With mechel ffairnes and mochel Ioye,

With many an hors and on fote,

Some to sclynge and som to schote.

5216

Afftir that come kyng Remus,

A-ȝeyn him come kyng Menelaus;

Kyng Remus brought thousandes thre

Knyȝtes gode to that semble,

5220

¶ Menelaus brought suche two

And many man on fote also.

These kynges two to-gedur rode

With kene speres with-oute abode,

5224

Vp ȝede thair feet & heued doun,

To the grounde ȝede the croun.

¶ Pollimodas rod to Merenes,

With his spere he him scles;

5228

He was of elde of twenti ȝere,

And Eleyne Cosyn leue and dere, Page 155

In his ȝouthehed and his floures, [folio 78a]

5231

Hardi, styf, and strong In stoures.

5232

¶ Menelaus saw that he was ded;

It was to him a carful red,

In his grete tene he smot Remus;

Opon his hed he smot him thus,

5236

That thorow his helme he cleue his veyne;

His men wende, he hadde ben sclayne,

He was smeten to the eye,

His men wende, he schuld dye;

5240

Thei toke here red then to fle

And wente her way and let him be.

¶ Polymodas hem made abyde,

He bad: "thei scholde aȝeynward ryde;"

5244

He seyde: 'it is ȝoure vylony,

Fle ffro ȝoure lord so schamfully!'

Thei turned aȝeyn at his byddyng,

Thei wolde haue ben wel Iangelyng

5248

At home with strokes seuene or eygte

Then ben there among that fighte.

A-mong the horses ther lord thei found

With mochel sorwe and hard stounde;

5252

Men helde him ouerthwert,

For he was brosed hed & hert;

Some toke abouen and some benethen,

Wel seke and sore bere thei him thethen.

5256

THere was a kyng—het Cilydis—

The fairest man that lyued y-wys,

So fair a man was non on lyue;

His fairnes myght no man discryue,

5260

No man myght his fairnes say,

Ne with no colour hit portray.

Celidis smot Polimodas,

That Antenores sone was:

5264

Page 156 ¶ Adhuc magnum bellum.

He rode to him to his vnprowe [folio 78b]

5265

With a spere stalwo[r]the and towe,

¶ Polidomas to the erthe he bare

Off his hors, er he were ware;

5268

Polidomas ful wroth vp-sterte,

He pulled him by the skirthe,

He sette a strok vnder his choke,

That he myght neuere afftir loke;

5272

For men myght se his tethe al white.

He lay ther ded as a kyte.

Ector ffel[d] the while and sclow

Alle that euere aboute him drow,

5276

He felde and sclow the Gregeis euere,

Off al that day he sesed neuere;

He sesed neuere sethen he began,

He rod a-boute fro man to man.

5280

If I durst say: the Gregeis blod,

That he hadde sclayn, a-boute him stod

In eche a batayle that he rod thorow,

As wynter water doth in forow.

5284

¶ Ther come a kyng ridynge a-cost

In help of Grece with alle his ost,

With many a knyȝt hard & smert;

He toke Ector at discouert

5288

With a spere, was not lyght,

That made his mayles vnright,

It roff In-two and brast In-sonder;

It was a strok lyke a thonder.

5292

That yren was scharp and stalworthe,

With that strok Ector hurte he.

¶ Ector loked on him wrothly,

He cried afftir*. [MS. afftir afftir.] him hertly:

5296

'A-byde, thow coward kyng Tentan,

For the love*. [MS. lowe.] of thi lemman! Page 157

A-byde and stond a strok of me, [folio 79a]

5299

As I haue don of the!'

5300

Tentan was so sore aferd,

He nolde abyde for al mydelherd,

He prekyd away ouer the valowe

As swyfft as any swalowe.

5304

¶ As he rod affter walopande,

In his way mette he comande

A riche lord, an Amerayle;

Ector him felde—the sothe to tale—

5308

He cleue his bodi In parties,

That ded of his [hors] he syes.

¶ The Gregeis then sprede Ector wyde,

Fyue thousand on euery syde,

5312

Thei thoght him take or to sle,

Thei Iuged him alle quyk to fle;

But he ȝaff not a flax-bete

Off alle her bost ne thaire threte;

5316

With him was non that to him longed.

Many a strok thei of him fonged,

Many a body he cleff also,

And many made he hedles ther-to.

5320

THeseus was a kyng of Grece,

In euery syde Ector he sece

Alle with Gregeis stoute;

He bad him: "of that presse go oute;"

5324

He bad him with wordes hende:

'I warne the as thi ffrende,—

That the mys-falle non euel hap,'—

"Ne that he fel In that trap,

5328

It were a los to alle that were,

Ȝiff that þat knyȝht mys-ffere."

¶ Ector him thonked with mylde mode,

For he was kyng curteis and gode, Page 158

5332

He thonked him of his gode wille; [folio 79b]

5333

Ector loked his men tille,

He saw the kyng Menelaus

And the kyng Thelamanyus

5336

A-semble to Palodomas,

That in the prese fer fro him was;

He herde mochel noyse & cry,

Ector wiste wel ther-by,

5340

Polydomas was feld and taken;

He stroke his stede ouer the laken,

Er he come ther, wold he not lette.

With the Gregeis wel sone he mette,

5344

Polidomas thei were a-boute,

He ȝaff hem many a sore cloute.

¶ He sclow ffyffty*. [MS. ffyffty.] with-Inne a throwe,

He ffelde hem ded as foules of snowe;

5348

Thei ffled away that Power hadde,

For fere of him thei were al madde;

¶ Polidomas thei lete quyte go,

Off his takyng schope hem gret wo.

5352

THen come the kyng Episcrepus

With alle his men, and Menelaus,—

Thelamonius before is named,—

Alle her men thei haue a-samed;

5356

With harde strokes thei hem assayled,

The Troyens ther her myght fayled;

The saut was hard and so dredful,

The Troyens saw it was nedful:

5360

For then thei fle and lefft the feld,

Or elles be dede ther vndir scheld.

¶ Then anon with-oute dwellyng

Thei turned a-way alle fleyng,

5364

Thei ne myght with-stonde that sauȝt.

Ector him-self a-ȝeyn hem fauȝt;

Page 159 Hic Ector fecit magnum bellum*. [MS. This line in black, not in red; in the right corner, not in the middle; very small.].

The Gregeis cam thenne enviroun, [folio 80a]

5367

¶ Ector ffauȝt as [a] lyoun,

5368

Alle the hepe to him a-croched.

For ther was non that him aproched,

For who-so come with-Inne his swerde,

Sodan deth was his werde.

5372

Off alle the Gregeis that pursued first

Was non so bold, that ones durst

Ones opon him hondes lay;

Alle his men were fled a-way;

5376

¶ Thei hadde sclayn his stede him vnder.

I dar wel say: he sclow an hundred,

He reffte many bothe legges and thies,

Hed and schuldres, armes & knees;

5380

Ther lay aboute him hondes & knokeles

As thikke as any honysocles,

That In somer stondes In grene medes;

Many a wyff made he wedewes,

5384

Many a lady lordles;

He fauȝt with more and eke with les,

¶ But he was euere liche ffresche.

Alle at ones thei on him thresche,

5388

Dartes kest and put with speres,

But Ector euere his bodi weres;

Was non so bold, durst come him nere,

The whiles he myght his armes stere.

5392

FAls Gregeis, to ȝow I speke:

If ȝe ben ought, now ȝow a-wreke!

Now may ȝe ȝoure strengthe kythe

On him that greues ȝow offte sithe!

5396

He is on fote, his stede is sclayn,

On fote he wil not fle aȝeyn,

For al the gold of Galilee

He wol not ffro ȝow fflee. Page 160

5400

Ȝe ben aboute him ten thousand, [folio 80b]

5401

How may ȝe for schame lete him stand?

A-ȝeyn ȝow alle on creature!

Hit is ȝowre schame, ȝe lete him endure!

5404

¶ Ȝe swore his deth at Thenedoun,

Now is he amonges ȝow gon,

Fyghtyng amonges ȝow alle;

I pray god, that ȝow foule falle,

5408

That may not don vnto him on!

Gret schame is, if he thus gon!

¶ Alas Achilles, that wicked dede,

That sclow him*. [MS. him very small over line.] so in vnmanhede!

5412

It was certes non honour,

But reproue and gret clamour,

That ten thosand myȝt him not falle,

Ther he stode amonges hem alle.

5416

¶ The Troyens were fro Ector fled,

His bretheren faste afftir him gred,

Among her men faste him sought,

But thei con fynde him nought.

5420

A-mong the Gregeys thei him fond

Be-set with mo then .x. thousand,

That wold him take or elles qwelle;

But Alle thei myght him not felle.

5424

¶ A-mong Gregeys the prese thei brake,

Many an hed ther gan thei crake;

His on brother Damaderoun

Rode to a duk Polirasoun,

5428

That rod on a stede mechel & strong;

Damaderoun vnto him sprong,

He ȝaff the duk a cruste of brede,

That he fel doun and lefft his stede.

5432

Damaderoun was not ydel,

He toke the stede by the brydel, Page 161

Ther-with faste he him spede, [folio 81a]

5435

And to Ector he him ledde.

5436

ECtor lepe on his stede ronke,

And seyde: 'brother, I can the thonke.'

Dephebus come to that saut

With alle the men him was be-taut,

5440

With arwes brode, bowe and qwyuere;

With him come many a man delyuere*. [MS. & delyuere.].

To that saut thei were wel rakel,

Eche man made redi his takel,

5444

Bende her bowes and set her flone;

Among the Gregeis thei gert hem gone.

¶ Many a Gregey was euel atyred,

With brode*. [MS. browe.] arwes al to-vired*. [MS. alto vired.];

5448

Thei wounded hem with arwes brode.

The Troyens then forth rode

With gret comforth vnto that fyght,

That wel-ney before were discomfyght.

5452

¶ Dephebus wounded kyng Thentan

In his visage, that it wex wan;

Dephebus wounded him so sore,

That he ther-on thought euere-more.

5456

¶ Whyntelle and kyng Moderne

Theseus kyng sey fro ferre,

Woundyng Troyens and sore bete,

And many on her lyff lete;

5460

Bothe thei swore with grete stryff,

Thei wolde reue Theseus his lyff.

The ton rod to him with maltalent,

That of his hors doun he went;

5464

He fel doun, and thei him toke,

Thei thoght him scle with grymly loke.

But Ector bad: "thei schold late be,"—

'Lete him go qwite he dede for me!'

5468

Page 162 ¶ Hic Cassibalanus Filius Regis Troiani occisus est.

Theseus was neuere so glad, [folio 81b]

5469

As when Ector his men bad;

He thonked him an hundred sithe,

To his Gregeis he rode blyue.

5472

*. [T has been washed out, but is distinctly legible.]THen come thedir kyng Thoas,

I-armed bright*. [MS. br [gap: 1] ight.] as any glas;

Fyue thousande knyghtes com with him wyght

Off bolde Gregeis In-to that ffyght,

5476

With sword and spere, gauelok and staff.

Many a strok Gregeis ther ȝaff;

Thoas smot Cassibalanes,

That he fel doun opon the danes.

5480

¶ Ector was [right] sori than,

When he sei ded Cassibalan;

He was his brother borne abast,

He saw him lye & had lost his tast.

5484

Might Ector Thoas haue reched,

Schuld neuere man haue him teched,

Not Ypocras with alle his scleyght;

But Thoas flede*. [MS. felde.] with al his [myght].

5488

Ector sorow myght no man sclekke,

He smot In-two many a nekke.

¶ Then come Nestor with thousandes ffyue,—

As faste as he myȝt dryue,—

5492

Off hardi knyȝtes gode and bolde;

Amonges hem alle was non suche holde,

His*. [MS. He is.] hore for elde waxen was gray;

But he come thedur In good aray.

5496

¶ Aȝeyn him come kyng Esdras,

Kyng Philon, and Reconitas*. [MS. reconitas, r quite dis|tinct, but cp. l. 5511, and the note on l. 530 (p. 16).];

When thei to-gedur were then met,

Many on was to grounde bet,

5500

Thei died faste on bothe sydes;

But Philon thenne a-mong hem rides Page 163

With his swerd In honde drawen, [folio 82a]

5503

Many Gregeis did he on dawen.

5504

The Gregeis vmbikest his cart

With many a knyȝt hardi and smart,

Thei toke Philon, his helm vnlased,

The gold was of his cart defased

5508

With grete strokes set ther-on,

Thei hasted faste to scle Philon.

¶ Iecomytas*. [I quite distinct in MS., but cf. l. 5498.] was ful of wo,

That Philon scholde with Gregeis go;

5512

He saith: 'Esdras, for him vs wroght!

How thei of Grece—ne sese thow noght—

Haue take Philon and led a-way?

Helpe we him, if that we may!'

5516

¶ The Troyens thanne at here callyng

Among Gregeis made gret hurlyng,

Thei delt strokes for her frendes

And refft Philon of her bendes.

5520

EVeas come with alle his folk,

With spere and swerd and gauelok,

With alle his knyȝtes and his men,

And her leder, duke Eufren.

5524

¶ Ayax rode to Eueas,

And he to him a gret pas,

As harde as thei may ride;

Wolde nother of hem lenger abide.

5528

Thei stroke to-gedir with so gret myght,

That bothe vpon here pol lyght.

¶ Ector toke to Eueas hede,

And saw he hadde lorn his stede;

5532

He rod to him faste prikande

With his drawen swerd in hande,

He dede Eueas his swerd take,

And sclow the Gregeis for Ayax sake. Page 164

5536

Here armes vayled not an hoppe, [folio 82b]

5537

He smot In-two bothe chanel and choppe;

He sclow an hundrid then and mo,

Thei were so ferd, that alle tho

5540

Be-gan bacward to fle,

Thei durst not ones with eye him se.

¶ Ayax thoght, he was be-swyked,

When his men a-way priked;

5544

In his hert hadde he gret wo,

He wiste not what for to do;

He loked on bak toward here stale.

So mery was neuere Nightyngale

5548

Syngand In no hasel-crop,

Ne no child playing with his top*. [MS. thop.],

As Ayax was that ilke tyde,

When he hadde loked him be-syde:

5552

¶ He saw be-hynde him stondyng right

A ffresche Gregey, that was neuere aflyght

Out of that stede, toward that fyght

With twenti thousand rekened aryght;

5556

Ther was the flour of chiualrye

Off Grece certes and Thesalye.

Vnto that batayle come thei hard

With baneres brode and here standard;

5560

Ayax schewed his men that sight

And bad hem for schame fyght.

THe kyng come then of Cassedone,

To helpe Ayax with-oute essoyne;

5564

He broght with him to that poyne

Off gode knyghtes thousandes tweyne.

¶ The same tyme come thedur also

With bothe her ostes kynges two,

5568

With hem come thousandes seuene;

Ȝet leffte be-hynde twyes eleuene Page 165

That al the day thenne hadde rest; [folio 83a]

5571

Off hem of Grece were thei the best.

5572

¶ Then were the Troyens wel weri,

Thei myght not*. [MS. now.] for weri hem steri,

Thei were so for-fouȝten, that hem was wo;

Thei thoght alle aweyward go.

5576

¶ But Paris come thenne with his tropel*. [MS. torpel.],

With alle his knyghtes hardi and fel.

Kyng Philicais Ector a-vised,

How he Gregeis sclow & bursed;

5580

He rode to him with tene & hate,

To dere Ector come he to late;

To Ector with his spere he soughte,

But Philicais that strok boughte,

5584

Ector rod to him aȝeyn

And smot him thorow the bak and brayn,

That he neuere afftir grunt;

He was ded afftir that dunt.

5588

THen come [to] the batayle kyng Humere*. [MS. humore, but cf. ll. 5705, 5709, 5718, 11391.]

With many a cheld and brod banere,

With alle his knyȝtes, and Vlixes

That alle that day hadde rest in pes,

5592

So did the kyng sir Humelyne;

With him come many dredful hyne.

Kyng Pollidari and Macheroun,

With alle his ost Agamenoun,

5596

¶ The kyng of Cypre, kyng Rody,

Come with many a man þat was mody;

To ffyght come kyng Henes,

With alle his men Philotenes,

5600

¶ Kyng Hencus and many other,

Diodemes with his brother,—

Al that day stode as oxe in stalle,—

Now be thei comen to batayle alle. Page 166

5604

Agamenon he was the laste; [folio 83b]

5605

Now ben thei alle to batayle paste.

But Ector helpe, the Troyens ben spilt—

I telle hem,—elles alle be kylt,

5608

But doughti Ector hem rescowe;

Many of her bakkes now schal bowe,

For sixti thousand ther ben or mo*. [MS. or now mo.]

Off ffresche Gregeis to batayle ago.

5612

PAris smot the kyng of Frese,

With alle his mayles he gan lese;

He smot him with a spere off beche,

That he fel doun with-oute speche.

5616

Ther was del with-oute play,

Mechel cry and weylaway,

The Gregeis were for him ful wo;

Vlixes thrette Paris to sclo—

5620

The kyng of Frese was his cosyn,

He was of Vlixes kyn,—

He rode to him with gret envye,

To take on Paris Maystrye:

5624

He sclow his hors, he fel to grounde,

That was better than an hundrid pounde.

¶ Troyle saw Paris feld,

In poynt of dethe, or elles him ȝeld;

5628

In his front he him smot,

The blod start out fot hot,

He set on him a foule seme;

By his face ran doun the strem

5632

Off rede blode, but not-for-that

Vlixes In his sadel sat,

Of his hors fel he not doun,

He smot to Troyle with gret randoun,

5636

And In his visage he him smyt,

A wicked strok—he him hit. Page 167

Ector rode euere to and fro, [folio 84a]

5639

He made Gregeis blak and blo;

5640

Alle that day aboute he rode

Fro ost to ost, he neuere abode;

He loked to his owne eschele,

He saw the Gregeis with him dele,

5644

¶ He saw hem dreuen out of that place.

Ector seyde tho: 'Alace!'

Al that day hadde thei ther ben,

Might thei her mayster not sen,

5648

Out of the feld gan thei hem dresse,

Thei hadde so fouȝten, thei were mygh[t]les.

Whether he were wroth, myght no man aske;

He rode to hem bothe wode & thraske,

5652

He spak to hem wordes mylde:

'Louely lordes, god it schilde,

Fer to ffle; what haue ȝe thoght?

Haue ȝe for-ȝete, ne thenke ȝe noght,

5656

What schame the Gregeis haue ȝow don?

Helpes now alle quyk & soun*. [MS. som.],

Turnes aȝeyn boldely with me!

I schal ȝow venge, so mote I the!

5660

I schal a-saye—be seynt Loye,—

Thei nede neuere so moche Ioye.'

And whan here lord was to hem come,

Thei wende wel rather to be for-nome,

5664

Thei swore to him that—so helpe hem god—

Thei schal neuere [fle] for euene ne for od.

ECtor brew the Gregeys bale,

He ledde his men doun by a vale

5668

A-gayn quayntly to the batayle;

Thei be-gan the Gregeis to assayle;

To þe Gregeis ffresche and so quykly,

That thei died thanne thikly; Page 168

5672

For Ector thenne euere hem to dethe wounded, [folio 84b]

With-outen ende he hem confounded.

5674

Thoas, that sclow Cassibalan,

Among the Troyens*. [MS. gregeis.] he rode and ran,

5676

As hundes doth vpon his pray,

He did gret harm opon hem that day.

¶ Qwyntelyne hadde him aspied,

Loude to his bretheren he cried:

5680

'That is the theff, oure brother sclow,

Scle him anon amonges ȝow now!

Let him not go now al quyt

With-oute dethe or som dispyt!'

5684

¶ Thei rod alle to kyng Thoas,

Hem was ful loth to lete him pas;

Thei bare him doun, his swerd was broken,

As he amonges hem was loken;

5688

His hed was bare, his helme was rached,

Thei scholde for euere him haue tached,

Ne hadde ben duk Menescene;

He halp him, and that was wel y-sene:

5692

¶ He smot Qwyntelyne opon the hat,

His hors bak he loste with that,

Aboute Thoas for he was most;

He*. [MS. A.] felde another with-oute bost.

5696

PAris than be-gan to hale

A strong arwe vp to the vale,

To Menescen he drow that flot,

In-myddis his ribbes wel sore he smot.

5700

Duk Menescen therfore ne lefft,

Til he hadde Thoas fro hem reff[t],

With many woundes and many a clyt

Ther the bretheres hadde him hyt.

5704

¶ Kyng Humere was almost wode,

That Ector spilt so moche blode;

Page 169 ¶ Hic venit Priamus Rex ad prelium.

He cleff Gregeis as men do swyn, [folio 85a]

5707

He made of hem gret moryn.

5708

¶ Humeres*. [MS. Humer.] bowe was redy bent,

Him hadde ben better, it hadde ben brent;

A scharp Arwe ther-Inne he set

And so to Ector he hit schet,

5712

He hitte him euene In his visage;

But Ector quyt him his wage,

He hitte him on his helme aboue,

Hit roff to-gederes as a gloue;

5716

The strok ȝede to his herte colke,

Humere fel doun a-monges his folke,

He bente neuere affter arblast ne bowe,

To schete ouer hilles ne ouer lowe.

5720

¶ The Gregeis hadde gret angryng,

That thei myght not him*. [MS. hem.] to dethe bryng,

With her men so foule he ferd;

Thei hadde him offt amonges hem spered,

5724

Ther were knyȝtes aboute him kene

Hundres mo then ffyfftene;

But he was not of hem abast,

Opon him-selff mechel he trast,

5728

To make him way who-so nolde,

And wende away euere whan he wolde.

ECtor lefft ffyghtyng al to-gedur

And wente hom to his fadur,

5732

And bad: "he scholde with-oute distaunce

Come with alle his puruyaunce,

That were leff[t] with-Inne the walles."

Priamus then his men calles,

5736

He brought thre thousand fresch & rested,

Among the Gregeis In thei thrested;

Thei sclow ther many a gret sire,

When thei were comen In that toptyre. Page 170

5740

Ayax rod to Ector fast, [folio 85b]

5741

That bothe his speres In-sonder brast,

Ther hors fel doun and thei ȝede ouer,

Bothe were besy up to couer.

5744

¶ Menelaus sclow that tyde

An*. [MS. And.] Emerayl on Troyens syde;

Ector brother Celydonias

Sclow the kynges sone Thoas;

5748

His half-brother Madoun of Clare

Smot kyng Ced opon the bare,

He smot him so opon the snoute,

That bothe his eyen wenten oute.

5752

¶ His other half-brother, Sir Sadolle,

A riche Gregay smot In that soille,

That his harneis & his haterell

Opon the grounde al blody fell.

5756

Another of hem, Margaritoun,

Felde the while sir Thelamoun;

But Thelaman at that Iustyng

Made the blode out of him spryng.

5760

¶ Famel bare Procenor doune,

He hitte him sore vpon the croune.

¶ Duglas ran to Menescen

With gret envye and Mechel ten,

5764

He hitte him with a stalworthe spere,

But he myȝt him not doun bere;

Menescen smot a-ȝein Duglas

With his swerd In-myddes the fas,—

5768

His viser vayled not worth a pese,—

He wounded him in-myddes the nese.

¶ Diamor saw his brother blede,

He thoght quyte Menescen his mede,

5772

He smot him vndir his hors bely;

Then he was ferd, hit was no ferly: Page 171

For then come the brother thridde; [folio 86a]

5775

Menescen hadde than mys-be-tydde,

5776

Ne hadde Tentan come to his socouryng,

He hadde be brouȝt to his endyng.

¶ Menescen was feld, but op he ros,

He faught faste aȝeyn his fos,

5780

He fauȝt aȝeyn hem alle thre,

But myght it not so longe be,

For on his scheld was many an hole,

He myȝt not longe that trauayle thole.

5784

¶ Tentan saw his grete myscheue,

He was In poynt of euel preue,

Menescen myght was almost wast,

Tentan rod to him In hast

5788

And halp Manascen, that fauȝt sore,

Aȝeyn Duglas and Diamore.

ECtor saw, that Tentan was

Comen to helpe a-ȝeyn Duglas,

5792

He thought hem bothe to encombre;

Him hadde ben better In-myddes Humbre,

Then he hadde it at his wille,

Thei myȝt haue rongen here soule-knylle.

5796

¶ Ector was with him ful wroth;

Thei hadde dyed for-sothe both,

Ne hadde y-come Ayax;

And In his hond he brouȝt an ax,

5800

The schafft was bounden, long was the bit,

Many a strok smot he ther-myt.

¶ A Thousand knyghtes alle at ones

Fel on Ector as bryddes in grones*. [MS. groues (?).],

5804

To saue Menescen and kyng Tentan;

For that sauyng died many a man.

¶ Ector him hew as fflesch to pot,

The Gregeis died as schep In rot.

5808

Page 172 ¶ Hic Ector occidit Regem Merionem.

He was Iustice, deth was her dome, [folio 86b]

5809

Ector made aboute him rome,

Then fel gret encombraunce

For Tentan kyng delyueraunce.

5812

¶ The Gregeis turned and fro him fledde,

Thei were so sore of him aferde,

Thei myght no-thyng a-ȝeyn him stonde;

He sclow that tyme a ful thousande.

5816

Merion*. [Cp. l. 4997 sqq., where his name is Mennon.] kyng come In his way,

Ector him smyte he thoughte asay,

For he bar Patrodus him fro,

His lyff he dede ther for-go.

5820

ECtor saw, that it was he,

He swor by his godis dygnite:

"He schuld neuere afftir him chide,

He schal a-bye his foule Pride!"

5824

'Say, thow fals faytour,

Thow losenger, thow fals traytour!

Now is comen thin endyng-day,

Thow that bar Patrodus a-way!'

5828

He rod to him and made him stoupe,

He bar him ouer his hors croupe.

¶ Ector lyght a-doun In hy

And smot his hed fro the body;

5832

He saw his armes delytable,

Fair, and clene, and amyable,

Ector stod and hem vndid,—

Sixti thousand, & he In-myd

5836

Duk Menescen ther-of was war,

How he Merioun dispoyled thar;

He rode to him and smot him depe,—

For Ector toke to him no kepe,—

5840

With a spere he him trauersed,

That alle his armes thorow he persed; Page 173

He ȝaff Ector an hidous sore, [folio 87a]

5843

Menescen fley ther-fore,

5844

He nolde not Ector longe abyde,

Away he gan faste ryde.

ECtor wiste him hurt he feled,

He rod on-syde and him keled;

5848

So wisly his wounde he bond,

That no blode ther-of wonde.

He rode a-ȝeyn to that baret,

And many a man to dethe he bet.

5852

¶ For Dares telles In his bokes,

As man may se that ther-In lokes:

Or euere he belan affter the wounde,

He sclow of knyȝtes In a stounde

5856

Passyng mo than ten hunder;

Off man was neuere so moche wounder.

¶ The Gregeis were so for-dalled,

So for-fouȝten, and so for-palled,

5860

Thei hadde no wil hem to defende,

To dye echon ful wel thei wende.

The Gregeis flow vnto here tentis,

Mochel sorwe and wo thei hentes,

5864

For Troyens hem folwed thorow tent & hale

And bare a-wey harneys and male.

¶ Thei robbed clene al that thei founde

And sente To Troye many fair sonde

5868

Off gold, siluer, & riche druri,

That thei fond In coffres and ty;

Thei leffte ther nother pot ne panne,

Dische ne dobler, cuppe ne kanne,

5872

Pece ne Maser, ne riche Mesures,

Thei fond ther wel riche armures;

¶ Thei myght onethes a-wey wagge

With siluer and gold, walet & bagge,

5876

Page 174 ¶ Hic Greci ffugerunt Ectorem.

With riche gold and other vessel, [folio 87b]

5877

A-wey thei bere hit euerydel.

Thei sette ffir In schip and fflune;

The Gregeis made a rewful dune.

5880

That day the Troyens were glad,

Lord! the Ioye that thei mad!

¶ But Ector was that day vnblessed,

Off grace certes that day he myssed,

5884

He myght that day the batayl haue ent

And alle the Gregeis clene haue schent,

That thei schulde neuere haue passed the see

With lyff ne lym to here contre;

5888

But destene, that fortune ledes,

When he beholdis that men best spedis

With sicur traist of wel spedyng,

He makes hem leue somtyme a thyng

5892

That he may haue at his wille,

That he schal neuere come ther-tille.

ME rewes of Ector namely,

That myght that day wel sicurly

5896

Haue sclayn alle his enemys,

And hem scomfited at [d]euys,

And al on-hap*. [MS. op hap.] haue put a-way

Fro him and his, euere and ay;

5900

For I haue herd offte say,

That he that wil not whan he may,

When he wolde, he getis it noght,

Then hit were ful faire be-sought,

5904

Som tyme, as good hap nere,

That comes not ones In seuene ȝere.

¶ Ector forsoke this grace also,

Ne myght he neuere come ther-to;

5908

But fortune is fficul and frele,*. [¶ Exempla.]

He is a fole that hath hir lele; Page 175

Many a body hath sche a-mayed [folio 88a]

5911

And many a man hath sche be-trayed.

5912

I holde it certes a gret folye

To truste on here trecherie,

For sche is wonder variable,

Sche was neuere to no man stable;

5916

The man that sche somtyme most likes,

Alther-sonnest sche be-swykes.

¶ With Alisaunder how dede sche,*. [¶ Alixander.]

Whan he was most In maieste?

5920

Al this world did sche him wynne,

And alle the kynges that were ther-Inne;

Sche hated him and thoght tresoun,

And ȝaff him drynke foule poysoun;

5924

And sche that kyng loued mechel,

Loke, how fals sche is and ffykel!

¶ Iulius Cesar, that so was douted,*. [¶ Julius Cesar.]

That al the world to him louted,—

5928

When he his trust opon hir hadde,

Sche sclow him foule with a ladde.

¶ How did sche sithen with kyng Arthure?*. [¶ Arthure.]

Sche was to him bothe sicur and sure,

5932

Sche made him wynne In-to his hand

Northway, Wales, and Scotland,

Irlond, Denmark, and al Burgoyne,

And ouercome hem of Saxsoygne,

5936

Bretayne, Gaskoyne, and al Fraunce,

And al hath thorow hir gode chaunce;

Sche halpe him wel with Real & Rok,

And at the Castel of Bestok,

5940

¶ When he fauȝt with douȝti Frolle,

Ther he smot on-two his polle.

And the Romayce senatore,

Tyberius, kyng of gret valoure, Page 176

5944

Thorow here sclow he Romayns. [folio 88b]

5945

Som-tyme sche loues, & somtyme refrayns:

Off the kyng then sche filled,

Wel foule then the knyȝt sche spilled,

5948

His sustersone sche made his bane,

When sche hadde a-ȝeyn him tane.

¶ Thus hath sche do with many mo,

For certeyn sothe with alle tho

5952

That euere sche loued or euere schal;

Sche turnes & trendeles as doth a bal.

¶ With Ector certes fel hit right so:

He myght neuere afftir come ther-to,

5956

That he that day myght haue don;

Fortune turned fro him thus son,

For he that day his hap refused;

He was afftir therfore arused.

5960

AS he rode chasynge hem of Grece,

And myght haue hewen hem to pece,

And saued him fro alle perel

That him and his ther-afftir fel,

5964

He met aȝeyn him comyng right

His Aunte sone, that Ayax hight.

In the tyme of Lamedon

His Aunte was rauysched with Thelamon;

5968

He held here longe In payrement

And gat sir Ayax verament.

He knewe Ector, and Ector him,

He hadde elles for-gon his beste lym.

5972

¶ Ector seyde: 'my dere cosyn,

Come to Troye and se thi kyn:

Kyng Priamus, that is thin em,

And his Baronage, and his barnetem.

5976

Gret worschepe—so god me saue!—

Shaltow In Troye amo[n]ges hem haue.'

Page 177 ¶ Hic Ector concedit Ayax [sic] peticionem suam.

Ther-with-al seyde Ayax: 'nay! [folio 89a]

5979

But, dere Cosyn, I the pray,—

5980

As thow me louest and art curtais,—

No more harme do thes Gregeis!

But let hem be this day in pes,

And bid thin men that thei wol ces!'

5984

¶ Ector thanne with mochel vnsele

Graunted his askyng euery dele:

Ector bar a litel ruet,

Vnto his mouth his horn he set,

5988

Twyes or thries ther-In he blew;

Wo were his men, when thei hit knewe,

Thei leff[t] her chase and schippis brennyng,

And come to him faste rennyng

5992

With sorwe & kare and mochel wo,

That thei ne myght the Gregeis sclo.

¶ Thei rode the Cite than tille,

And sikurly this was the skille,

5996

The victorie that thei for-ȝede

And myght neuere afftir so wel spede;

Ne hadde he graunted Ayax prayere,

Schuld neuere Gregeis hadde powere,

6000

Off he were comen of his blod,

That euere he wolde be so wod.

TRoyens hadde here ȝates stoken,

With barre and bolt wel y-loken,

6004

Wel sekur arre thei wel kept,

That, when men were In bedde and sclept,

The Gregeis scholde hem not brest

And wake hem so of her rest.

6008

In here bed sclept thei not longe,

The Troyens, when the day spronge,

Were Armed alle and redy dight,

To wende aȝeyn to that fyght. Page 178

6012

But Gregeis hadde ther-to no nede, [folio 89b]

6013

Thei sent to Troye & asked and bede,

If that her consail wolde hit loke,

Treus to haue an .viij. woke.

6016

¶ Priamus and his consayl

Graunted the treus with-oute fayle,

And swor to holde hit stable and ferme

The treus in pes lastyng the terme.

6020

Gregeis were fayn of that grauntyng,

For thei hadde nede of soiornyng;

When thei hadde treuse, thei sought the feld,

Ther thei hadde foughten; thei be-held

6024

The bodyes*. [MS. boydies.] that ther ded lay,

That hadde be sclayn In fight that day;

Ther come of hem a foul sauour

And smot to hem a gret rancour.

6028

But thei did wele and wrought wisly

Off the bodyes that were grisly,

Thei wroght best to here be-houe,

Tho that thei wolde thei toke and groue,

6032

And alle the other with fyr thei brent;

Many a man his frend be-ment.

AChilles made both euen & morwe

For Patrodus wel mochel sorwe,

6036

But it was longe, or his del sclaked;

A riche tombe for him thei maked,

And layde ther-on that cors present

With gret wepe and wayment*. [The last four letters added by another hand; the careless copyist saw the rhyme-words of the next lines and wrote way only.].

6040

Thei made also of Marbul gray

Another tombe, ther-on to lay

¶ The doughti kyng Prothesalye,

That Ector sclow In his folye;

6044

With gret worschepe and reuerence

Thei made aboute him gret dispence. Page 179

¶ And thei of Troye that wounded wore, [folio 90a]

6047

Thei heled woundes lesse and more,

6048

The while the trewe be-twene hem last,

Thei toke medecyn and heled hem fast;

By that the treus were al gon,

Thei were amended euerychon.

6052

¶ But Priamus myght not drynke ne ete,

For he myght not for-gete

Off his sone Cassibalane,

He cursed faste that was his bane;

6056

He dede make a tombe I-wys

In the temple of Veneris,

Crafftly coruen and wel endent*. [MS. ed inserted after endent, very dim and indistinct, as if blotted out at once after writing.],

And layd him In that monument

6060

With carful herte and sore mornyng;

Hit refft him many a nyghtes sclepyng.

THe terme is gon now of treus,

Some it likes and some it reus;

6064

Thei ben bothe y-dyght In feld & toun

With helm and scheld and haberioun,

To the fight a-ȝeyn to fare;

Off bothe parties thei ben thare.

6068

Agamenon was gretly carked

In his office, his men he ȝarked

Euerychon vnto that fyght,

Thei ben alle armed & redy dight.

6072

¶ The ffirst batayle lad Achilles,

The secunde Diodemes,

Menelaus lad the thridde

With many douȝti men him mydde,

6076

The furthe batayle lad Menesenes

That was lord of riche Athenes,

And that other he wel ordeyned

And with his goddis he hem sayned, Page 180

6080

And bad hem gon In here name, [folio 90b]

6081

Here foos to schenschip and to schame.

ECtor was besy and tentyff,

To ordeyne hise, to saue her lyff:

6084

The furst batayle In kepyng hadde

Doughti Troyle, so Ector badde;

In alle that other gouernayle

Ordeyned he, as most myght avayle.

6088

With his goddis he hem merked,

And alle his men he forward ferked

Out of the toun toward that place,

Ther thei scholde fight with sword & mace.

6092

The Gregeis were with-oute the dikes,

With swerd and staff [&] with pikes;

Achilles led the formast warde,

As is als it were a lyparde.

6096

Ayther of hem knewe other wele;

Thei rode*. [MS. Theirode.] to-gyder as men vnsele,

Thei were bothe mychel and strong of myȝt;

Thei rod to-gederes at all riȝt

6100

With kene speres and wel y-grounde,

That bothe thei fel on the londe.

But Ector start vp anon

And to his sadel he gan gon,

6104

¶ Ector lepe on his hors bak,

He hadde vertues with-oute lak;

He sclow of the Gregeis many a score,

As he hadde ydon before,

6108

He woundes and sles & maymes many,

Vnnethes he leues stondyng any

In any stide ther he may mete;

Thei caste at him and arwes schete,

6112

A thousand men on him smyte,

But sword on him wol non bite: Page 181

Fro stide to stide aboute he wynces, [folio 91a]

6115

He slees kynges, dukes, & princes;

6116

Thei ffle fro him as ffox to hole,

No man may his strokes thole;

He is so wete with blode of men,

That no man may his armes ken.

6120

AChilles ros vp afftirward,

He toke his hors & lepe vpward,

To hem of Troye gan he gange,

Him thoght gret schame he lay so lange;

6124

Among Troiens did he gret harm,

He wounded hem in body and arm,

He ran amonges hem as a roo,

He sclow manye & wounded moo,

6128

He hurt hem som & nolde not spare.

As he rod thus, he was ware

How E tor ferde with his Gregeis,

He wounded*. [MS. wonuded.] hem and sclow al weys;

6132

¶ He thoght he wold efft with him Iuste,

He hadde to Ector a ful gret luste.

But Ector ȝaff him suche a but,

And fro his hors Ector him put,

6136

That he fel to the grounde as a cat,

Wel euen vpon his ketil-hat.

¶ Ector wolde his hors haue sesed,

But so fele men aboute him presed,

6140

Ther were so many his hors to defende,

That Ector myght not come ther hende.

¶ Achilles ros and gret dele made,

For he his hors lorn hadde;

6144

His men his stede to him broght,

Ne hadde thei y-be, he ne hadde him noght;

He taketh him and on him lepes,

And sprong aȝein among the hepes

6148

Page 182 ¶ Hic Ector et Achilles pugnauerunt.

Off his Gregeis, ther Ector stode; [folio 91b]

6149

Fauȝt so faste, that stremes of blode

Ran in forwes ther of leyes,

Many a man be-fore him dyes.

6152

With alle the myght that euere he wan

Achilles smot to Ector than,

With bothe his handes, with sword naked,

He smot Ector, that his hed craked,

6156

That with the strok Ector enchyned;

But Ector not his stiropes tyned,

Noght In his sadel ones Icched,

Noght for that ones he quycched.

6160

¶ His hert gret angur surmounted,

That Achilles was remounted,

And suche a strok sithen him ȝaue;

He thoght he scholde another haue:

6164

He turned his hors wel smartly

And smot to him wel hertly,

He smot him on his hed on hy,

The blod ran doun by his eye;

6168

He brak his helm and his hed als,

The stremes of blode ran by his hals.

¶ Ayther on other began to hewe,

Here strong myght on other to schewe;

6172

A delful fight was ther by-gonne,

Hadde thei hadde rome, thei hadde not belonne,

Vnto thei bothe, or that on,

Hadde ben hewed as fflesche and bon;

6176

Hadde no man comen hem be-twene,

Then scholde men the better haue sene.

But then come thedur Diodemes

And saw that no man myght hem ces;

6180

With alle his men he neuere bylynned,

Til he hadde hem a-twynned*. [MS. at twynned.]. Page 183

Certes I holde he did synne, [folio 92a]

6183

That he hem parted so atwynne,

6184

Vnto the ton hadde the gre,

When thei were bothe In her pouste,

And that men myght haue sey in doute,

Whether scholde of hem to other loute.

6188

¶ But Diomedes was ful sicur,

Hadde he Achilles leff[t] In that beker,

That he scholde haue had no pouste,

Ne qwik with lyff ne grace hadde be.

6192

THen come thedur ridyng Troyle,

A-mong Gregeis he gan to royle,

When he com, he did meruayles.

Diomedes him assayles,

6196

And Troylus him assayled also,

Litel loue was be-twene hem two;

Thei reden to-gedur with speres so faste,

That bothe were doun of hors caste;

6200

Vnto Troyle faste he ȝede,

Ther he sat opon his stede.

¶ He smot to Troyle opon his fote,

But Troylus did ther-In bote,

6204

He smot his stede thorow the haunche,

He myght no more afftir launche;

His stede fel doun, and he him by,

Thei fauȝt to-geder with envy,

6208

But thei were horsed a-ȝeyn vp bothe;

Not-for-thi thei were so wrothe,

That eyther of hem to other sought,

When thei were on horse broght;

6212

Many a strok was be-twene hem cast,

But Diomedes atte last

Troylus toke with gret violence;

But many of Troye In his defence

6216

Page 184 ¶ Hic Ector occidit Beotem & Archilogum.

At that tyme ful smartly stryues [folio 92b]

6217

In gret aventure and drede of here lyues,

And delyuered Troyle out of his hand,

Thei come strikand on the sond.

6220

¶ To that batayle come Menelaus,

Kyng Henes, and Theseus;

Aȝeyn hem come of Troye Paris

With other kynges and alle his.

6224

At that batayle died mechel folk,

Eche stede stod ful, bothe plasch & polk,

Of mennes blode that died there.

Ful sicurly Ector lefft neuere

6228

To sclo Gregeis, and hem confounde,

Thei fled fro him as hares fro the hounde.

That saw an hardy newe-made knyȝt

Off hem of Grece, Boetes hyȝt,

6232

That no man myght make Ector leue;

This Boetes thoght, he wolde that reue

With a spere stalworthe and towe,

But [Ector] at that strok lowe

6236

And seyde to him: 'what hastow don?

Wolde thow wynne on me thi schon?'

He ȝaff no more of his smytyng

Then of a fflyes bytyng,

6240

But he smot him aȝeyn so sore,

That fro his heued doun to his schore

He cleue him doun by the chyn,

As it hadde ben a lard swyn;

6244

¶ He sent his stede Into his In.

Archilogus was of his kyn;

When he his cosyn ded saw,

Him lyked noght with Ector plaw,

6248

He thoght him venge, if he moght,

He drank ful ille, and that was noght; Page 185

Him hadde ben better, he hadde ben than, [folio 93a]

6251

When he Ector smyte be-gan,

6252

For him saued not his riche croun;

He carf a-two bothe flesche and bon,

He culpunte him*. [h altered from b in MS.] as he*. [MS. here.] were an ele,

. . . . .*. [No gap in MS.]

6256

¶ He smote euen In-two his myddel

Ryght euen at his gerdul,

That half fel doun, and half sat stille,

His armes myght not do ther-tille.

6260

Hit was a wondir sight to se,

When þe hors be-gan to fle,

A-mong the prese whan he ran,

Op-on his bak with half a man.

6264

PRocenor was that kynges Cosyn;

When he saw his witer-wyn

Hadde him*. [MS. by.] sclawe, sore him rewed,

For-sothe ther-fore his bale he brewed,—

6268

The body was ther freli kut,—

And smot to Ector so ful but*. [b altered from h in MS.],—

He rode to him euen sydilyng—

Vn-til grounde he him bryng;

6272

He smot him euene vndir the cheke,

That he made him the ground to seke.

Off him was not Ector perceyued,

He was of him wel sore disceyued;

6276

¶ Opon his hors lepe tite Ector,

He ouer-toke kyng Procenor,

He set a strok vpon his heued,

That he ete no more bred,

6280

He cleff him euene in two parties;

On eyther syde his hors he lyes,

As it hadde ben two clouen stikkes,

Or of a swyn two clouen flikkes.

6284

Page 186 Hic Ector occidit Procenorem Regem*. [This line in red paint ought to be the head-line, cp. special note. The head-line is erased.].

AChilles saw his strokes echon, [folio 93b]

6285

In his herte made he gret mon,

Procenor was of his lynage,

A riche kyng of gret parage;

6288

He saw alle dye, bothe duk and kyng,

That come or ȝede In Ector goyng.

¶ Achilles seyde: 'if he lyue longe,

Here is non of vs so stronge,

6292

That euere schal wynne fro him lyue*. [MS. on lyue.];

Ther bees sat neuere so thikke on hyue,

Ne corn In lond is*. [MS. In his lond.] thikker sawen,

That he ne scles oure men and ouer-throwen.'

6296

¶ Achilles maketh alle his men redy,

And kynges to of his contrey,

And seide: 'se ȝe*. [MS. ȝe se.] not, lordynges,

How Ector here to dethe brynges

6300

Alle that cometh vndir his hand?

I se no man*. [MS. noman.] his strok with-stand!

If he laste longe In his outrage,

He sclees vs alle bothe lord and page.

6304

¶ But of this world if we mowe

Deliuere him! but I not howe:

Iff we myght be so quaynte and scly,

That we vn-armed come him by.

6308

For iff he take vntil vs hede,

I wot wel we schal neuere spede;

Go we alle vpon a ffrusche,

Opon the erthe we schal him crusche,

6312

We schal him scle and al to-colpen;

But we do thus, we ben not holpen.'

¶ Thanne strok to Ector alle that rabel,

But he ȝaff nouȝt ther-of a babel,

6316

For he was war of hem comyng

And of here malice and here thynkyng.

Page 187 ¶ Hic Achilles & alij Reges Grecorum ffugierunt.

Thei smot on him, as thei were wode, [folio 94a]

6319

But Ector euere here strokes stode,

6320

He smot of heuedes with basenettis,

Ther is no bote, ther he his strok settis.

¶ Achilles fley with alle his ffrape,

He was ffayn that he myght scape,

6324

He thoght wel longe he dwelled there,

He wolde haue ben he roght neuere where.

For Alle Achilles trecherie

Thei wolde not sen his ffisnamye,

6328

But fled a-way to her tentis,

For many of hem ther her hed of-hentis;

¶ For Ector euere hem schased,

Helm and Coyffe he of-rased,

6332

And sclow hem bothe ȝonge and olde,

As wolues don schep that ben In folde.

Hadde thei had dayes lyght,—

But sicurly it was nyght,—

6336

That non of hem myght other chese;

Ne Ector wolde not his men lese,

¶ Affter his men he be-gan to blowe,

For non of hem myght other knowe;

6340

And that fel faire for the Gregeis—

What-so-euere any man seis—

Thei hadde elles ben bounden In thral,

Or thei scholde haue dyed al.

6344

¶ For witnes beres her-off Dares,

And Tites also with-oute les,

On ayther syde were thei heraudes,

In wham myȝt be no fraudes;

6348

Thei were ther bothe euen & mo[r]ne.

Dares was of Troye borne,

Kyng Troyen and kyng Frigais,

Tites of Grece, and kyng Danais; Page 188

6352

Thei were with hem euere In the feld, [folio 94b]

6353

Whan thei stode and whan thei fled.

So saith the noble Clerk Cuydo,

He fond her bokes bothe two

6356

With-oute lesyng or variaunce

In siker proses and no romaunce,

And he translated wel and fyne

Bothe her bokes In-to Latyne,

6360

Bothe of Gru and Troye langage;

Heuene be his heritage!

HIt was nyght, the sterres gan schyne,

The Gregeis made gret dele and dyne

6364

For her ffrendes that were sclayn,

And was be-reued blode and brayn;

For her frendes that died that day

Ther was cry and weylawey.

6368

Thei swore by god In firmament:

'If Ector lyue, we are alle y-schent;

Schal non of vs aȝeyn him pas,

Kyng ne knyȝt, more ne las.

6372

Waried worth hem vs hedir broght!

For here we lese, and wynne noght;

Ȝit schal we lese and drye more

Oure lyues alle by goddis ore.'

6376

¶ Agame[n]on herde that playnt,

He saw his men were alle ataynt,

For her frendes thei made care,

Thei seyde: "thei scholde alle to deth fare";

6380

Thei cried and seyde euerychone:

"That he him-self sclow mo alone

Than alle that other of his parti";—

'Who may with-stonde suche An enemy*. [MS. Anenemy.]?

6384

¶ It was neuere man ȝaff*. [MS. thaff.] suche strokes;

Off a man were mad of okes, Page 189

Off Marbil gray and grete stones, [folio 95a]

6387

And yren and stele were alle his bones,

6388

He wolde hem al to-cleue*. [MS. alto cleue.]—

By him that made Adam and Eue!'

¶ Agamenon with care was cold,

He wiste neuere, how Gregeis to hold,

6392

That thei a-ȝeyn to Grece ne ferde;

Whan he that playnt a-monges hem herde,

In his herte he then kest,

To sle Ector, how myght he best.

6396

A-non he sende his sonde

To alle the kynges vpon that stronde,

As thei loued here lyues dere,

And prayed him in alle manere,

6400

That thei wolde come for his loue alle

With-oute dwellyng In-to his halle.

¶ These lordes qwyk with-oute dwellyng

Come to him In that euenyng,

6404

Thei come to his pauyloun,

Duk, prince and kynges with croun;

Thei set hem doun vpon the des,

Thei hoped wel with-oute les,

6408

Whi that thei were afftir send;

Hit was for-sothe right, as thei wend.

AGamenon seide: 'lordyngis,

This man Ector to schame vs brynges,

6412

Ther is of him gret noyse and cry,

Ȝe here it wel, and so do I;

Iff he lyue longe and goth forth thus,

He wol scle oure men and alle vs,

6416

He schal not leue with-Inne two ȝere

Off vs lyuande that now is here;

Ȝe se wel alle, how he fares,

He chases vs as hound doth hares;

6420

Page 190 ¶ Hic Greci tenuerunt consilium ad occidendum Ectorem.

How hath he smetyn thes kynges and schorne! [folio 95b]

But he be ded, we ben alle lorne,

6422

Off we be fele, and thei ffewe;

We schal neuere no maystrye schewe

6424

Off hem of Troye, ne Troye wynne,

The while that he this world is Inne.

¶ Him-selff alone hem alle saues,

Kyng and knyȝt, sqwyeres and knaues,

6428

And he vs alle him ones greues.

By him that In oure god leues!

But we scle him with som quayntise,

We schal neuere In other wyse

6432

Off hem of Troye oure Iornay spede,

But we myght qwyte him his mede!'

NOw are these kynges In a-visement,

And eche man seith his Iugement,

6436

Many a resoun is ther y-schewed,

Bothe of lered and of lewed;

Eche man telles his reson

Afftir his beste discrecion.

6440

Now sitte thei alle, and taken here rede,

Now the Emperour vnto hem sede:

¶ 'Alas, that ȝe were mad knyȝtes!

Ȝe scholde sitte and wake nyghtes,

6444

As hauke on perche that sittes in mewe;

A knyȝtes deth ȝe can rewe.

Now are the knyȝtes hardi and strong,

And euery day he is ȝow among;

6448

Whi ne scle ȝe him, and make him die

With som tresoun and ffelonye?'

¶ A Ector, thin ere auȝt to glowe,

For thow hast now fouȝten y-nowe;

6452

Wold god, Ector, hit were the sayd

How thei haue thi deth purvayd! Page 191

Thow scholde be saffe at devys, [folio 96a]

6455

Iff that thow wolde be war and wys

6456

And kepe the fro alle her gyn,

Thow woldest be war to come ther-In.

¶ Thes lordes ben alle In gret stody,

Some are pale, and some rody,

6460

And some sittes in a dwale,

For pure angur thei wax al pale;

Alle haue at Ector dispyte,

That he were ded with-oute refyte.

6464

¶ Thei prayed Achilles for her sake:

"That he wolde that charge take,

For ther was non so wele couthe

In al the world by northe ne southe,

6468

Ne non that myght stonde strokes thre

In al this world of him but he;"

¶ 'For-thi we pray the with herte large,

On the thow woldest take that charge,

6472

And the owe best this nedis to do;

For if he leue and come the to

And dele with at his layser,

Ther saues the nother kyng ne kayser,

6476

That thow ne schalt thy lyff for-go,

For he the hatis and thenkes slo.

¶ Fro him ful wel war the ought,

Opon thi strengthe truste thow nought,

6480

But on thi wit and on thi scleyght,

And holde the euere fro him on heyght;

Whan thow him sees in a myscheef,

Than schaltow him dedly greef

6484

By thi strengthe and thi wit;

So schal we of him be qwit,

And alle these other schal we kylle,

Scle and take at oure wille.' Page 192

6488

And thus haue thei her consayl ent, [folio 96b]

6489

And eche man is hamward went,

To ete and drynke and take her rest,

And to sclepe, whan hem likes best.

6492

HIt is now day, thei haue sclepen,

The Troyens risen & tok her wepen,

Her armes al byfore hem fecched,

Some ben gode, and som ben wrecched,

6496

For many an hole and many a clyfft

The day be-fore on hem was lefft;

And dede on helm and basenettes,

Plates and mayle with gode horetes,

6500

Mayle of bras, and goode colers*. [MS. coters.],

Aketones and genuleres;

Thei ordeyned hem and made hem graythe,

And thret Gregeis with wordes laythe.

6504

¶ Now the sonne is vp rysen,

Thei brought forth bothe Mule and Fryson,

Hoby, stede, and gode rounsi;

Thei alle ben goynge and alle redi

6508

Toward the Gregeis with-oute the ȝates,

For thei wolde haue the fight al-gates.

¶ Ector was be-fore al-weyes,

He belan neuere to scle the Gregeis,

6512

He cleues hem, and thorow strikes,

And throwes hem In clyf and dikes,

He makes here hedes naked and bare,

The bodyes cleue In-to the schare,

6516

He drow here scheldes fro here nekkes,

Ther aketons ferd as toren sekkes;

Off his scheld made he present

To alle that wolde ȝeue strok or hent;

6520

His sword was wel with alle a-kuoynt*. [MS. a knoynt.]

With kyng, and duke, and prince anoynt;

Page 193 Hic Greci et Troiani ffecerunt magnum bellum.

Men were alle ferd of his lokyng. [folio 97a]

6523

Men wolde seye "hit were lesyng,"

6524

Iff that a man the sothe sayde,

What men that day to grounde layde.

¶ Achilles holdes him euere asyde,

He maketh him redi to wayte his tyde;

6528

As ffische is dreven to the bayte,

So waytes he him at som defaute;

T[h]er-vpon he euere duelles,

For he atentis to no-thyng elles,

6532

For whan he may his tyme se

Opon Ector venged to be.

PAris come with hem of Perse,

With many a baner diuerse,

6536

With bowys gode wel y-strenged;

A-mong Gregeis whan thei were menged,

Thei schotte many thorow bak and brest,

That neuere spak afftir with prest.

6540

¶ Agamenon on syde houed,

With gode Armes and wel y-gloued;

He saw Paris was thedur y-comen,

That fro his brother his wiff hadde y-nomen;

6544

He was to him wel greuous,

For he hadde wedded his brother spous,

Him were leuer than alle Lorynge,

That he myght his brother venge;

6548

¶ He come to him ful wel batayled,

And with his ost Paris assayled.

Ector saw that Emperour

Was comen doun In-to that stour,

6552

He lefft alle other and rod to him,

And ȝaff him certes woundes grym,

He smot him thorow his gode hauberk,

Thorow his scheld and his serke, Page 194

6556

In-to the body and threwe him ouer; [folio 97b]

6557

Hit was gret wonder he myght couer.

¶ But Achilles was In a-gayt,

He come anon bothe stout and st[r]ayt,

6560

With many a lord and many a knyȝt,

When he saw him In suche a plyȝt.

Ector was his men with-oute,

Achilles closed him al aboute,

6564

That non of his scholde to him come;

But he ȝaff not ther-of a throme,

He layde opon hem dyntes grete,

That sicurly thei made him swete;

6568

Thei were many and held him hote,

Wherfore he ran al on swote.

¶ Then come Troyle and Eueas

With [sword] & scheld and gode anlas,

6572

Dryuand doun to helpe Ector;

Achilles was wel wroth ther-for.

¶ When Diomedes saw Eueas,

A stalworthe spere to him he tas,

6576

Wel ney his flanke his strok he tecles,

And strikes him with spere and pricles,

And he ran forth as foule that flyes.

But Eueas be war, he abyes

6580

The bolde wordes that dede sclyng,

'When that thow sittes by the kyng';

For he reuyled him so vylenslye,—

He thoght right wel, he scholde abye,—

6584

When he was sent In message;

But he be war, he getis his wage.

So soffte sailes nother schip ne bote,

As he rod thedur and to him smote;

6588

He ȝaff Eueas a grisly wounde,

And bare him doun to the grounde; Page 195

Out of his sadel he him sclong [folio 98a]

6591

Vilonsly among the throng,

6592

¶ And seide vnto him his gole:

'Welcome be thow hedir to me!

Thow art the kynges conseler*. [Last e altered from a in MS.];

Iff I may mete the efft her,

6596

And thow this batayle efft haunte,

I schal the teche for to chaunte,

I schal the teche bothe burdoun and mene,

Ne be thow neuere so wroth ne wrene!'

6600

AChilles fauȝt with Ector ȝet

With-oute wordes & with-oute flit,

Ther were douȝti dyntes deled

With al the myght that thei weled,

6604

Ayther of hem on other layd;

Ther men myȝt se wel hard brayd

Be-twene two knyȝtes of hardi mode,

Thei fauȝt to-gedur as thei were wode;

6608

Strongur was neuere be-twene two knyȝtes.

Ector sore Achilles dightes,

Opon his helme is many a score,

Many an hole, and many a bore;

6612

So ney the deth Ector him dryues,

That his vertu fast vnthryues,

For sorily hadde he him dight;

Ther myȝt men se bothe her myght.

6616

¶ Ector was for-fouȝten al day,

And he dede not but wayted him ay,

To stele on him as a theff,

When he fond him at myscheff.

6620

He wende then haue don him of dawe

And his lymes al to-drawe*. [MS. alto drawe.],

But for al his quaynt thoght

He was almost brought to nought;

6624

Page 196 ¶ Adhuc Bellum.

His myght was al-most y-don, [folio 98b]

6625

Nadde him come help son,

Ector hadde y-taken him elles;

In many a stid his blod out quelles.

6628

¶ Him to helpe come Theseus kyng,

A strong knyȝt In alle thyng

Als come thedur pricande sone;

He swore by him that sat in throne:

6632

"That him were leuere be al quyk fflayn,

Then Achilles were take or sclayn."

¶ Diomedes saw also,

That Achilles myȝt not do;

6636

Ector was on him so hidous,

So ful of wrathe and greuous,

That he was dryuen so ney the prikke,

That he myght not his lippis likke.

6640

¶ Thes kynges thanne to Ector goth,

And swor his deth, as thei were wroth,

And layd on bothe halues tho,

And ȝaff him strokes y-nowe & mo.

6644

But Theseus son to him lepe,

As knyȝt that was good and ȝepe,

And ȝaff Ector a stroke vnride,

That the blod be-gan out glide;

6648

The strok was huge and gret,

Men myght ther-with haue sclayn a net;

The strok was smetyn with gret folye,

He barst of his mayle thre & thrittye,

6652

¶ He barst of hem mo than an hundur,

And persed his Armure, that hit was vndur;

Al he to-rent his armure,

That it come to his fflesche pure;

6656

Afftir the strok the blode out sprong,

He hadde a strok a schafftmon long. Page 197

But Ector ȝaff ther-of but lytel: [folio 99a]

6659

Diomedes he ȝaff a titel,

6660

And with his swerd a comyssioun,

That of his stede he fel a-doun,

That men myȝt se his yren breche;

He ȝaff not of hem a leke.

6664

¶ Then come theder Menelaus,

Vlixes kyng, and Theseus,

The duȝti kyng Palamydes,

Ermules, and Polymetes,

6668

Neoptolomus, and kyng Schelene,

The noble douȝti duk Menescene,

Duk Nestor, and kyng Thoas,

With alle his men Philocoas;

6672

¶ The kynges alle with here Meyne

Come doun alle to that semble,

With knyȝtes, squier, Erle and swayn,

Was non be-hynde—soth to sayn;—

6676

That were tho that strong be-sted,

The blod was mochel that ther was bled.

THe Troiens saw hem come doun alle,

Opon her men then gon thei falle,

6680

Than seyde the Troyens: 'go we echon,

Go we to hem, go we gon!

We schal of hem to grounde warpe*. [MS. wrape.]

With swordes bryght and speres scharpe.'

6684

Than was ther a woful metyng:

Many a wyff made thei wepyng,

Many a gaylard knyȝt and gay—

When thei were met—dyed that day.

6688

¶ I Trowe, sythen men couthe wepyn bere,

And hors bere sadel and other gere,

Herde neuere man telle In boke ne rede

So manye at ones lye dede, Page 198

6692

At on Iornay lye and deye. [folio 99b]

6693

Some were smeten thorow the eye,

Some to the brayn vn-to the crawe,

Some In-to the body, and some In-to the mawe,

6696

Some the schuldres, & som the mylte,

Off bothe the parties were many on spilte.

Eche man on other schetis,

As thikke as heryng fletis;

6700

¶ Many a legge lay on that sond,

Many on loste bothe arme & hond,

Many an hed was smeten of thore;

Thei cried and ȝelled as boles rore,

6704

Men myght here the cry a myle

Off hem that dyed ther that while.

The brethe thei blew stode lyke a smoke,

Hit ros ouer hem as the roke*. [MS. reke.],

6708

Hit ferd a-boute hem as a myst.

Many man to grounde ther dist

With mouthe and nase, al her vnthonkes;

Ector hewes of legges and schankes,

6712

Many a man doth he to dethe,

He seses neuere, whil he hath brethe.

Off alle the men that euere god wroght

I haue most meruayle In my thoght

6716

Off Ector certis and of his dedes,

And so haue alle that of him redes:

Ther dar non stonde of him a box,

Thei fle fro him, as hen doth fro the fox.

6720

¶ I trowe, god made neuere suche a knyȝt,

Ne ȝaf neuere man suche a myȝt,

That euere was borne In toun or port,

But it were only to Sampsoun fort,

6724

For he [was] seker with-oute pere

Off alle the men that euere were. Page 199

Off Sampson hadde ben ther that tyde [folio 100a]

6727

And al that day hadde reden him be-syde,

6728

He ne myȝt haue don no more then he

For al his myȝt and his pouste.

Red I neuere of knyȝt ne man,

That born was of womman*. [In the margin, by another hand, much faded, very indistinct: 'Driuyng hour (?) I pray the to . . . my well ordered.'],

6732

That dede the dedis that Ector did;

Alas, that euere him mys-be-tid!

AGamenon and kyng Pandale

Thei rode to-gedur in that dale,

6736

Ayther of hem made other tumble

Bothe on fyngur & on thumbe.

Menelaus saw Paris;

Off him wold he not mys;

6740

His spere was strong, the hed wel steled,

He smot Paris, that he doun reled

Ouer & ouer, as were a snayl;

He bare him ouer his hors tayl.

6744

¶ Paris ther-of gret schame thoght,

That he to grounde so sone was broght;

He ros vp ful pale and wan.

For schame he hadde of fair Eleyn,

6748

He was ther-of wel sore aschamed,

That he of Eleyne schulde be blamed,

That sche saw so foule a falle,

Ther sche was set In castel walle.

6752

¶ Vlixes rod to kyng Arastre,

Thei fauȝt to-gedur In that plastre,

Strong batayle was be-twix hem two,

But atte laste be-tyd hem so,

6756

That kyng Arastre so sore was priked,

That his eres the grounde likked;

¶ Vlixes toke the stede by the rest,

And sende him hom, he dede the best. Page 200

6760

¶ Polidomes and kyng Hupoun [folio 100b]

6761

Eyther of hem barst other vpon,

That bothe here speris*. [MS. stedis.] barst,

That kyng Hupoun was ded doun cast;

6764

Afftir that strok his tonge neuere wawed,

Hit was with him wel euel dawed.

Hupoun was a man of elde,

Palamydes that strok be-held,

6768

He saw the kyng ligge & dye

Right ther be-fore his eye.

SAyd the kyng Palamydes:

'Thow schalt abye, Palidomes!'

6772

He strok him so sore sidlynge,

That of his hors fel that kynge,

As it were a clewe of thred;

Ne ete he neuere afftir bred.

6776

Now lyest thow ther on thi syde,

The deuel made the a stede be-stride,

For litel myght is In thi lymes.

Palamydes Hupoun vp nymes,

6780

And sent him to his Pauyloun

With mychel lamentac[i]oun.

¶ Afftir that Neoptolomus

Rod to kyng Archilogus,

6784

Ayther ȝaff other suche a kayl,

That thei fflowen ouer the hors tayl

Opon that playn, as it were two rattes,

Thei lay ston-stille as two cattes.

6788

¶ Carras rod to kyng Schelene*. [MS. schenele.],

Him hadde be beter at home to bene,

For Schelene ȝaff him suche a balle,

That of his stede he made him falle,

6792

He ȝaff him suche a benedicite,

That he fel dede opon the ble. Page 201

¶ Afftir that kyng Philomene [folio 101a]

6795

Fel to ride to kyng Mescene,

6796

But Mescene rod ouer his cropere

And lefft his stede, that was him dere;

Philomene sende him vnto hise,

For he him [wan] with valyauntise.

6800

¶ Philocoas and kyng Remus

Rod to-gedur wel irus,

That to the grounde rode bothe kynges,

As euen as thei were drawen with strenges.

6804

CAriolus, a kyng corouned,

And Theseus kyng to-geder routed

With speres scharpe, that men myȝt here;

When thei to-geder met In-fere,

6808

Here speres brast al In-sunder,

As it were a blast of thonder;

The strokes were strong, here bakkes bent,

Ne hadde the speres a-sonder went,

6812

Thei schuld haue dyed at my wenyng

Bothe to-geder at that metyng.

Here mayles barst, her aketons rofe,

The yren In-to the fflesch drofe,

6816

The blod gerd out, as were a gote,

Thei tombled ouer bothe hed and throte;

Thei lay ston-stille In that plot,

As it hadde ben an erthe-clot.

6820

¶ Ector bretheren were mechel to prayse,

Many a doughti man thei reyse

Out of here sadles and bere hem bak,

And lefft hem ligge as a sak

6824

With grisly wounde and al ded leffte,

That thei come neuere to batayle effte.

¶ The doughti kyng sir Thelamon

Saw ther a kyng,—het sir Padon,— Page 202

6828

To him he wolde [faste] ride, [folio 101b]

6829

He smot his hors and made him glide

Ouer forow and ouer falow

As swyff[t] as any swalow,

6832

Til he him met atte speres ende;

Sir Pedoun a-ȝeyn him gan wende:

'Thow semest,'—he sayde,—'no lyuande creature,

In my god I the coniure!

6836

And if thow be the deuel Sathanas,

I schal the mete In this plas.'

Thei riden to-gedur with-oute fayle,

That thei fel doun top ouer tayle;

6840

Thei mette so wel, that nother fayled,

That the blod fro hem rayled;

Thei fel doun vpon the grene,

That men wende ded thei hadde bene.

6844

ABoute Ector euere thei rayled;

The Gregeis euel he assayled,

He hewys hem offte alle to grotes,

He falles hem thikker, than the motes

6848

In somer-tide fflyen In the sonne,

He spares nother qwik ne donne,

Lord ne lady, riche ne pore,

Strong ne feble, stiff ne store.

6852

¶ Achilles clepes to him Thoas,

A douȝti kyng,—his cosyn was,—

He sayde: 'Cosyn, I haue meruayle,

We are not worth a scnayle

6856

A-ȝeyn that man, that ȝonde fyghtes

Vndir vs alle with myght & scleghtes;

He sles oure men by fyue and six,

He countes hem as thei were a kex;

6860

He weries not, ne belynnes nere,

But lastes euere In his wode gere, Page 203

Ryght as it were enchauntement; [folio 102a]

6863

Many a knyȝt hath he schent.

6864

Go we to him on a closter,

Oure myght on him let vs now muster!

For now I hope and wot right wele,

His myght be passed som dele;

6868

I trowe now wel, he be myghtles,

Or oure godis be not rightwes,

And he of myȝt is more than thay.

Go we and loke, what we do may!

6872

And so schal we on him be wroken!'

When Achilles hadde thus spoken,

THese kynges two with-oute abode

As-tide thei to Ector rode,

6876

And layde on him as lyther hynes*. [MS. lytherhynes, but the down-stroke of the second h is crossed.]

Many a strok the two cosynes,

Achilles and kyng Thoas;

Thei roffe his helme In that cas,

6880

That hadde ben made of tre or lether,

Hit greued not him of a feder;

Thei brast his helme In many a stede,

And made his blode aboute him sprede.

6884

¶ Thei did bothe certis ther myght,

To him sle or take In that fyght

With many a knyght bothe fat & megre.

But kyng Toas was on him egre,

6888

Off Ector heued his helme he drow;

But Ector ȝaff him strokes y-now,

With tene smot he that lorer,

That he brast helme and his viser,

6892

And halff his nase he did of-kerue,

Off suche a seruice he did him serue;

Thoas fel to grounde thore,

For he was wounded swythe sore. Page 204

6896

ECtor brether come then alle, [folio 102b]

6897

Thei saw Thoas by Ector falle,

Thei ride to him and alle that other

And help right wel Ector, her brother;

6900

Thei fauȝt with Gregeis meru[el]ously

And bare hem doun dispitously;

¶ Achilles wolde no lengur abyde.

Thei toke Thoas In al his pride

6904

And ladde him to Troie to here prisoun,

Thei caste him In a depe dongoun,

Thei thrat him alle, tho he was tan,

For ther brother Cassibalan,

6908

That he hadde sclayn with glad spede,

Thei him be-hight In alle mede.

¶ Antenor and Dephebus

Lad him to Troye ful greuous

6912

Of his woundes and his takyng,

And also of his presonyng;

Thei lefft him ther In sicur warde,

And went aȝeyn to her standarde.

6916

¶ Kyng Thelaman at that rescous

Was born to grounde as a mous,

The bretheren him threw to grounde tho,

For he assayled Ector also

6920

With kyng Thoas and Achilles;

Him hadde ben better haue ben in pes,

For suche a wounde thei him be-tauȝt,

That he leffte bothe mayn and mauȝt.

6924

Thei bare him to his Pauyloun,

Til he come ther In a ded swoun.

Menelaus kest al his wit,

How he myȝt Paris best hit;

6928

¶ Paris saw wel his waytyng,

He was war of his laykyng, Page 205

Off his euel wil was Paris war; [folio 103a]

6931

His bowe he bente al redi thar,

6932

He set ther-In a kene beket

And to Menelaus he hit schet;

That hed was mad with foule venym.

Paris wel euene schot at him,

6936

And he fel doun, as he scholde dye,

The blod ran out of his eye.

¶ Paris at him euel taysed;

Fro the grounde his men him raysed,

6940

And bare him home to his hale,

And laide him doun In-myddes the sale.

To him come sithen surgiens

And other noble ficisiens;

6944

His wounde ful wisly then he soghte,

When thei were to him broghte.

¶ Thei ȝaf him drynke & gode medecynes,

And slaked him then of his pynes,

6948

Thei schof aboute wel soffte his flesche,

With good wateres thei him weche,

Thei greythed him gode oynement.

When he was dyght, his stede he hent,

6952

And rod aȝeyn to that stour,

And sought Paris with semblant sour;

¶ He swor by goddis dyng[ne]te,

He schuld on him wel venged be.

6956

When Paris hadde with him thus toyled,

Off his Armes he him dispoyled,

He cast of al his armure,

And fauȝt with him In cors pure,

6960

With bowe and arwe fedred with po,

He wroght amonges hem mechel wo.

¶ Menelaus was wel war,

That Paris thenne non armes bar, Page 206

6964

But was al naked In his clothes; [folio 103b]

6965

He swor his dethe with gret othes,

A stalworth spere to him he kipped

With stelen hed that wel was tipped.

6968

I hope wel Paris ded hadde ben,

Ne hadde Eueas gon be-twen,

That he myght not Paris come to,

For no-thyng that thei myȝt do.

6972

¶ Eueas thanne hath led hom Paris

With mochel folk to Troye y-wis,

That Menelaus met him not with,

For he nas y-armed nother lym ne lyth.

6976

ECtor saw al that fare,

How he was lad to Troye al bare.

To Menelaus ȝaff he tent,

To scle his brother how he hadde ment;

6980

Ector therfore was sore greued,

Ther-fore his helme In-two he cleued,

Thorow his coyfe his gode swerd bot;

Menelaus ther-fore not flote,

6984

Ne hadde no wordes him to speke,

Ne hadde no myȝt him-self to wreke.

¶ Ector wolde haue taken him fayn,

He put ther-to myȝt and mayn;

6988

But ther come many a moder barne,

Duk and kyng,—I the warne,—

With alle her knyȝtes, him to rescowe,

For he lay stille as a sowe;

6992

Ther come mo knyghtes to his defence

Than ben now In alle Tarence.

¶ On Ector alle thei gan leye,

Many a body he did ther dye,

6996

Many a man to dethe gos,

For thei lette him of his purpos;

Page 207 ¶ Hic Greci ffugerunt.

He sclees hem & falles that he reches, [folio 104a]

6999

Delful strokes he hem be-teches,

7000

He maymed hem and ouer-al slees,

That he hadde neuere more pees,

Many a man he ther spilles;

The Gregeys ffleis ouer dales & hilles,

7004

As faste as thei may ride,

Toward her tentis on eche a side.

ECtor affter euere chases,

At eche a lepe his stede vnbrasis,

7008

Thei fledde him as hare doth hound;

Men myȝt haue filled a gret dromound

With bodijs that he sclow chasand,

And euere he folowed manassand.

7012

He swar here deth by bok and belle,

He nolde neuere sese hem to qwelle;

Scholde neuere man ne creature

Haue went fro*. [MS. for.] that batel sure,

7016

¶ Hadde thei of Troye had day-lyght,—

So were thei ferd and discomfyght;—

But sterres ros vpon the sky,

Ector lefft his chase for-thi

7020

And turned hem to his Cite,

With kyng, duk, and his meyne;

And did sone off hem her harneys

& set hem doun on benche & deys*. [This line written in the margin very neatly, but by the same hand.—The last line of this MS. page (not printed here) is repeated there on the back of the leaf as first line.],

7024

And made her bones nesche and souple,

For ther was many a worthi couple,

For gret trauayle that thei hadde had

Off thaire restyng were thei glad.

7028

NOw is Ector comen to halle,

And the stedis stabeled alle,

Thei ar vndight and set In stable;

Then was reysed many a table, Page 208

7032

The bordes were layd, the clothes spred*. [This line is in the MS. a repetition of the last line of the preceding page, where only leyd is written instead of layd. See footnote 2 on preceding page.], [folio 104b]

7033

And thei are set and richely fed

With mete and drynke, gret plente,

With vernage, Cret, and clarre,

7036

With other drynkes and riche metes.

¶ But Priamus no-thyng for-ȝetes

To make thaire ȝates fast—

He was of the Gregeis so sore agast,—

7040

With many bare and many a croke,

And men y-nowe the ȝates to loke,

That alle men that were trauayled

Schulde, when Gregeis hem assayled

7044

With noyse or cry or any affray,

In thaire bed [be] ther thei lay.

¶ The ȝates he keped, and thei ben sere

To ete and drynke and make gode chere,

7048

To ete & drynke can thei not sese,

Thei were serued with many a messe,

With many noble diuers rost,

With mete bakyn, sothen, and tost.

7052

THe clothes were drawen, when þei had eten;

Kyng and duk and alle that ther seten,

Layd*. [MS. layd.] be-side hem bothe gerdel and pouche,

And wente than alle to thaire couche,

7056

And held hem vnder couertoure,

And sclepte wel a gode mesure,—

Til nyght was gon, and sonne schon wyde,

That men myȝt se on eche a syde.

7060

¶ With mechel noyse thei hem atyred,

Thei hadde long sclept and were en-yred,

And as thei her armure held In hande,

Kyng Priamus sente his tithande,

7064

That thei schulde be that day In pees

And make hem alle wele at es. Page 209

¶ Priamus sende his messageres, [folio 105a]

7067

And afftir his priue counseleres,

7068

To kyng and duk and to Ector,

And afftir Troyle and Antenor,

Til Dephebus and Eueas,

Paris and Polamydes,

7072

That thei scholde come to his Paleis,

To here his consayl ther alweis.

¶ Thei spedde hem faste euerychon:

Thedir is comen kyng Monnon,

7076

Gode Ector, and many another,

Troylus, and Dephebus his brother,

To Priamus that were priue,

What he wolde, to here and se.

7080

When thei were y-comen alle

To Ylion In-to the halle,

Thei sat hem doun on that days,

Thei were stille and held her pays;

7084

Saue Priamus, that kyng corouned,

Was non of hem that o word souned.

HE spak to hem with glad chere

And seyde: 'lordynges, ȝe are me dere;

7088

With-oute ȝoure wil and ȝoure assent

Wol I not do, so haue I ment.

I schal ȝow telle myn herte wille,

What is my resoun and my skylle,

7092

Whi I haue sent afftir ȝow;

Sittes stille and herkenes now!

¶ Me thinketh oure goddis speciale

And haue vs ȝeuen gret riale,

7096

For vs haue thei mechel wrought;

To honour hem ful wel we ought.

Thei loue vs wel specially,

And worchin for vs rially, Page 210

7100

Ther-fore schal we on alle wyse [folio 105b]

7101

Do to oure goddis sacrifise

With riche offerand and gret dispense,

And hem worschepe and do reuerence.

7104

¶ We mot nede hem glorifye,

That hath vs sent oure enemye

And schamely lyght In oure prisoun,

That vs hath don gret tresoun

7108

With force and armes and cruelte,

That wolde sle bothe ȝow and me,

To robbe oure goddis, and oure Cite brenne,

And oure wyues ledde henne,

7112

And make oure childer thral and cherles,

That schulde be kynges, dukes, and Erles;

And we hem ones greued,

By alle the gode non ther leued!

7116

¶ Me thinketh by resoun, and ȝow thynk als,

That this freke and traytour fals

Be ȝoure consayl and Iugement

With-oute the toun be ybrent,

7120

Or fle him quyk al by the lawe,

Or with wilde hors him to-drawe,

Or elles hong him on galowe-tre,

That wolde distroye ȝoure Cite;

7124

And so schal alle these other drede.

What sey ȝe now, what ȝe rede?

¶ Lete se now, what dethe demes,

Wheche deth of thes him best semes?

7128

Schal he be qwartered*. [MS. qwarteler.] with a knyff?

To se him ded, were al my lyff!'

Ther was no kyng that croune bered,

That Priamus that tyme answered

7132

With word, whan he was demand;

But sat stille as dere on the land, Page 211

But were of that strong stonayd, [folio 106a]

7135

Of hem alle no word thei sayd.

7136

Eueas was wis, witti, and lered,

To speke than was he not fered,

He saw the kyng hadde wratthe I-tane

For the dethe of Cassibalane,

7140

The kynges sone, he loued best;

For wratthe him thoght his herte brast.

¶ By-fore the kyng Eueas stode,

And spak to him with milde mode,

7144

And sayde to him as the wyse:

'Nolde god, that any of thise

Schamful dethe that to him deme!

Hit is wel better that ȝe him ȝeme

7148

Hole and sound In gode sauete,

For we wot neuere,—no more wot ȝe,—

What may be-falle som tyme to ȝoure,

How it wol schape to vs and oure.

7152

¶ The doughtiest man that euere was born

May falle, be tan, or elles lorn

Among his fos be chaunce and happe.

God made neuere so douȝti a schappe,

7156

That was so michel of strengthe & myght,

Geaunt, champioun, ne other knyght,

He mot be take In batayle;

Al day we sene it, no meruayle!

7160

¶ Ther-fore, sire, I do not rede

That ȝe do thus Thoas to dede,

For ȝe wot wel, my lord the kyng,

That kyng Toas and his ospryng

7164

Is comen of alle the beste lynage

Off hem of Grece that ben of age;

Alle the gret blod of Grece

Ben some his Emes, and some his nece, Page 212

7168

Alle of his kyn, and to him longe, [folio 106b]

7169

Ther is non gretter hem amonge.

So thei wolde do to oure frende,

Iff any come In here bende,

7172

And ȝiff vs the same Iugement,

The beste of vs if thei mowe hent;

Off som of oure hit myght be-tyde,

Ȝe wold not for al the world wyde

7176

Se him haue suche a chaunce

For al þe lond of Spayne & Fraunce*. [This line inserted in the margin, like l. 7024.].

¶ I rede therfore, kyng Thoas saue;

The same a-ȝeyn ȝe mowe it haue,

7180

Ȝe may ȝit kyng Thoas chaunge

For on of oure or for som strange.

Ther-fore, lord, if I durst it say,

I wolde ȝow rede and also pray,

7184

That ȝe wolde kepe kyng Thoas wele;

Hit may be-quyt ȝow euery dele.

¶ Gode Ector, assente ther-to

And rede thi fader, to do right so!'

7188

He radde his ffader "that consail holde

That Eueas hadde ther tolde";—

'I holde his consail gode and trewe.

Iff ȝe him scle, hit may ȝow rewe;

7192

For if any of ȝoure be y-take,

We may him chaunge and so pees make.'

PRiamus held him not payde,

That Ector thus to him sayde;

7196

In his entent ȝet he leffte

And sayde to Ector wrothely effte:

'And if we do with Thoas thus,—

What schal oure enemys saye of vs,

7200

That we haue of hem suche awe,

That we dar not do the lawe?

. . . . .*. [No gap in MS.]

And therto amonges hem be wel ffawe*. [The last word, ffawe, on erasure.]; Page 213

7204

Thei schal drede vs the lesse [folio 107a]

7205

And holde vs ferd and hertlesse.

But not-for-thi! a-ȝeyn my wille,

I schal assente ȝoure consail tille."

7208

And so was Thoas saued fro ded

Thorow gode Ector and Eueas red.

And Eueas ȝede to Eleyne, to se

That curtays quene of gret bewte.

7212

Kyng Thoas herte be-gan to qwake,

He wende to be hanged al nake;

But Ector wolde he were saued.

Priamus wolde that Troye hadde be paued

7216

With hethen hond and euery a membre;

That he hadde bended or Septembre,

If he myȝt haue had his wille;

But Ector wold not lete him spille,

7220

And thus hadde thei that conseil ent.

The nyght is comen, the day is went,

¶ Euery man to his In owe,

The wayte be-gan nyght to blowe.

7224

Mone ne sterre saw man non,

The cloudes haue hem ouer-gon;

It wex al dym with derk cloude,

The wynde be-gan to blowe loude,

7228

The wynd turned In-to the west,

Hit made a wonder gret tempest.

Among Gregeis blew many a blast

And alle ther tentis to grounde cast;

7232

So wonderly the wynd it blewe,

That alle here tentis ouer-threwe;

Al ȝede to grounde bothe tent and hale,

Here ropes vayled not of a schale.

7236

Wo is hem In here*. [MS. hem.] sclepes,

The wynd brast bothe tre and ropes, Page 214

Ther was no stake that fast held, [folio 107b]

7239

Nother of Pauyloun ne of teld.

7240

Hit was as derk as helle,

Might no man se—the sothe to telle,—

To set a-ȝeyn teld ne tent;

Thei were almost with wedir schent.

7244

¶ It be-gan dredly to thunder;

Thei hadde nouȝt to hele hem vnder.

Hit blew, it rayned, and eke snewe,

Thei turned for cold bothe hide & hewe;

7248

It thundred loude, it ffres, hit hayled,

Michel wo that nyght hem ayled;

It lygthned vp In the firmament,

As al the world hadde y-brent;

7252

Hem thought, the sky had y-brend al opon,

In-to the erthe thei wolde haue cropon

For sorwe, and wo, and gret turmentes

That thei hadde of the elementes.

7256

Affter that be-gan it rayne,

As al the world scholde be sclayne;

As water rennes In a goute,

The sky gan falle hem aboute.

7260

Vp In the sky thei it hadde lade,

Men myght with-Inne a wyle wade

A-mong the hors vp to the hamme,

Than lefte no man synge his gamme;

7264

¶ Thei were a-ferd of Noye flode

Hadde comen a-ȝeyn, thei vndirstode.

Al was fir in the firmament,

As it scholde the world haue brent;

7268

The stedes starte out of here stalle

And ran aboute faste with-alle,

Men wende, that thei hadden ben wode;

The sky was as red as any blode. Page 215

7272

Hem selff to helpe thai ne myȝt, [folio 108a]

7273

I-wis thei hadde a vile nyȝt;

It myȝt haue ben no worse wedur,

Off heuene & erthe hadde gon to-gedur.

7276

¶ Thei banned & cursed alle tho,

That made thedur hem for to go

Fro thayre gode and fro ther wiff,

To lede ther so karful lyff.

7280

Lord, the sorwe that hem was with!

That nyȝt hadde thei non other grith,

Thei quok for cold, thei were al wete,

Thei longed sore afftir hete.

7284

IN sorwe and wo the Gregeis are,

For drede of dethe thei droupe & dare;

That thei come ther ful ofte thei playn,

Thei hopeth ful wel to be a-tayn

7288

To neuere se thing that thei owe,

Wiff ne child, moder ne mowe.

Thei sorwe thus, til hit be day;

"And her ffrendes"— thei seyde ay—

7292

"That lay ther dede, and som were roten,

Some smetyn, & some were schoten;"—

¶ 'Alas!' thei seyde, 'this foul vnwit,

We were with sorwe so combred and knyt!

7296

Whan that we passed the Grekysche see,

We knewe ful lytel Ector poustee;

Hadde we knowen,—as we do now,—

Than hadde we wrought afftir oure prow,

7300

And saued vs, and we dispende;

For now may vs no man amende,

Thes wederes done vs mechel tene.

What wonder is, of we vs mene?

7304

We leue oure lord and oure frende,

And we ligge here in stormes and schende; Page 216

Er we wende hen, we schal be sclayn; [folio 108b]

7307

Litel wondir is, of we vs playn.

7308

A, Ector, that we ne hadde knowen

Thi douȝtines, er we hadde sowen!

Schulde neuere kyng ne Emperour,

Duke ne knyȝt, ne vauesour,

7312

Haue made vs passe the salte strem

For alle the gode of Ierusalem!'

Thei made gret del and playnyng;

But it be-gan to leue raynyng,

7316

¶ The wynd sesid the gret blast,

The snewyng then no lenger last,

The tempest then be-gan to sese,

The thonder slaked & held her pese.

7320

Thei were glad of the sesed tempest,

Thei were ful glad to cacche rest.

¶ The nyȝt is gon, the cloudes with-drawe,

The day be-gan for to dawe,

7324

The sonne schon, the wedir cleres;

The Troyens then with brode baneres

¶ Were redi armed In the feld,

On stedes stronge, with spere and scheld;

7328

The ȝates were open, and thei rod out.

The Gregeis of hem hadde gret dout,

But not-for-thi thei hadde no nede,

Thei armed hem with mechel spede,

7332

And made hem redi to the fight—

With alle her power and here myght—

¶ A-ȝeyn Ector, that thei drede sore,

With alle here men bothe lasse and more

7336

Here strengthe to kythe, her myȝt to proue

Off hem of Troye that thei saw houe

In-myddes the feld, and hem abode.

When bothe parties to-gedur rode,

7340

Page 217 ¶ Hic Rex Hupon Troianus mortuus est.

Delful dyntes thei deled and dalt; [folio 109a]

7341

Many in his armes swalt,

Er euen come and day was gon.

Suche batayle was ther neuere non

7344

Betwene two kynges on lande ne se,

Neuere was, ne neuere schal be.

BOthe parties ben y-dyght,

With scheld and spere and brynes bryȝt,

7348

In playn feld on gode aray;

Ther is no speche of no loue-day,

For eche man wol on other be wreke,—

What bote is than of loue to speke?

7352

Achilles with his Murmindones

Passed ouer dales and dounes;

He rides ouer dounes and dales

With alle his men out of his hales,

7356

With baneres brode and many a sygne,

With many a worthi knyȝt and digne.

¶ The furst batayle sir Achilles

To lede that day for-sothe ches;

7360

Out of his tent he is now yssed,

To kyng Hupoun was he wel wyssed,

A douȝti knyȝt of gret a-fere;

But him thoght euel that he come there:

7364

Hupoun was michel and long,

Hey and brod, mechel & strong,

He was mechel as a geaunt;

But him hadde ben better to haue ben at Gaunt

7368

Or haue leyn seke in his bed,

Then he that day batayle hadde led.

¶ Achilles smot him with a spere,

That al his Armes gan to-tere,

7372

He smot him thorow bothe flesch & bone

And thorow his armes euerychone; Page 218

Thoow he were mechel and long, [folio 109b]

7375

Out of his sadel he him sclong.

7376

¶ To Ector rod kyng Octomene

With hate and moche tene,

He come to Ector faste fleande

With a stalworthe spere In hande,

7380

He smot Ector, that his spere barst.

'The deuel the honge hard and fast!'

Seide Ector, 'what eyles the?

Whi hastow thus smetyn me?'

7384

¶ Ector was with him ful wrothe,

He drow his swerd and to him gothe,

And smytes him on a-nother manere;

Of his scheld a ful quartere

7388

He carff a-wey at that strikyng;

The stroke was smyten at his lykyng,

He smote him doun vnto his chyn,

That men myȝt se the tethe with-In.

7392

DIodemes and kyng Antipe,

With-oute trompe or pipe

Or any other Melodye,

Thei redyn to-geder with gret envye;

7396

Here speres brast In splentes,

But thei fel not with here dentes,

With that Iustyng ne that Iornay.

But thei ȝede not quyte a-way:

7400

¶ Thei drow here swerdes of here scauberkis

And smot on scheldes and hauberkes,

The rynges barst, the nayles out,

Thei were strawed al a-bout;

7404

Her woundes bledde, her flesch was tamet,

The holest of hem ful sore was lamet.

But at the laste be-tydde it so,

That Diodemes smot In-two Page 219

7408

Thorow douȝtines duk Antipe gorge, [folio 110a]

7409

With his swerd—was fair of forge,—

That he fel ded on gresse and rote,

Off that wounde he hadde no bote.

7412

GLorious kyng lord Ihesu!

Who-so hadde sen Ector vertu,

How he the Gregeis ther reuerced*. [MS. reuerted.],

Helmes and hauberk how he persed,

7416

How he hem sclow by two and on,—

He wolde haue sworn by Peter and Ion,

By Marie bryȝt and persones thre:

That god that is In vnite

7420

Made neuere man that was so goode,

Ne so many schedde of mannes blode,

Ne non so strong as Ector was.

By him myȝt no man pas,

7424

That he myȝt take or hent,

That the lyff a-way ne went.

Ector slees the men of Grece,

Thei dyed thikkere then men dryues gece

7428

To chepyng-toun for to selle;

It is a wondur for to telle,

What men he sclow In felde,

A-mong his foos how he him welde.

7432

THer come two kynges In that batayle,

That saw Ector aboute rayle,

As faucoun flees afftir drake,

A-mong Gregeis gret murdir make;

7436

He made hem fle for drede a-ferd,

As hound dos dere of his herd.

That on was kyng Episcropus,

That other his brother Cedyus;

7440

Thei rod to Ector bothe at ones,

For to cleue him bothe flesch and bones. Page 220

But Ector ȝaff off hem riȝt nouȝt, [folio 110b]

7443

Thei fond bothe that thei hadde souȝt;

7444

Episcropus, that ape and owle,

Spak to Ector wordes foule,

He called him "fitz-a-putayn*. [MS. fitz aputayn.],"

And seyth: "he was a cherl velayn."

7448

¶ Than seide Ector: 'as I am knyȝt,

Thow schalt of me haue a foul dispit,

Of me, thow kyng Episcropus,—

Thow hast defouled me thus!'

7452

EPiscropus Ector defies.

'Fals ataynted traytour, thow lyes;'

Saide Ector, 'I was neuere thral,

I am fre, and my kynde al;

7456

In al my kyn is no throle,

But kyng and duk, knyȝt & erle;

My ffader is a gentil kyng,

Suche is non In thyn ospreyng!

7460

¶ Fyfftene kynges, genteler than thow,

Doth him omage and fewte now;

And I, his sone, knyȝt, and Air,

Vndir me is man and mair,

7464

Duke and Prince, and knyȝtes strong,

And alle that euere to him long.

My moder is a gentil quene,

A trewe lady, and euere hath bene;

7468

¶ Sche did her lord neuere falshede,

But euere was trewe In word and dede.

It semes wel thanne, that I am fre,

I may be skyl no cherl be!

7472

And that thow schalt wite, if I the take,

Thi proude wordes schal I slake.

I drede neuere man of thi nacioun,

Whi scholde I now fle a glotoun,

7476

Page 221 ¶ Hic Ector occidit Episcropum Regem et Cedium Regem.

Suche a caytyff, suche a wrecche! [folio 111a]

7477

I holde the not worth a fecche!'

¶ Then was wroth Episcropus

That Ector spake to him so spitous;

7480

Dispitusly Ector he myssayde,

And sadly to him he layde

With al his strengthe and al his myght,

With Ector sone he gan to fyght.

7484

Episcropus that schrewe vnorne

Might not his word performe;

¶ Ector sone to him gan take,

He thoght him venge of that wrake;

7488

Ector bare his sword on hye,—

For he hadde no spere him bye,—

He ȝaff the kyng Episcropus

Suche a recumbentibus,

7492

He smot In-two bothe helme & mayle,

Coleret and the ventayle;

He carff him doun In-to his vent,

That to the deth sone he went.

7496

¶ 'Thow art now dede and ouer-throwen,

Thi bostful wordes that thow blowen,

Velenly thow hast thi mede;

To myssay thow efft take hede!'

7500

CEdius saw his brother sclayn,

The swot ran doun—so doth the rayn—

And of his eye doun by his lere,

For his brother that was him dere.

7504

'Alas,' seide he, 'that euere I was born!

I se my brother In-sonder schorn,

I schal him venge—what-so be-tydes—

Thoow my hert brest out at my sydes.'

7508

A thousand knyghtes that douȝti were

Cedius hadde with him there; Page 222

Alle he called to him tho, [folio 111b]

7511

And many other Gregeis mo;

7512

And asked him: "what was his wille?

Whi he so called and cried him tille?"

¶ Thei asked of him: "what him ayled?"

And he seide: "his lyff him ffayled,

7516

No-thyng In erthe myght do him bote,

Er he saw Ector on his fote,"—

'For he hath sclayn my dere brother,

Episcropus, and many other;

7520

And him folwe I thus aboute,

To seche Ector among the route,

And leue him not, vnto he be founde,

Ded or sclayn, or cast to grounde.'

7524

¶ Cedius then with-oute lesyng

Souȝt Ector faste with gret sikyng;

A thousand knyȝtes rod with him than

With many another douȝti man,

7528

To scle Ector and him wounde.

Thei ȝede him to seke & sone him founde,

And of his stede thei bare him doun,

And ȝede to Ector alle en-viroun;

7532

And that me thenke no meruayle,

For he wist not of here consayle.

ECtor was to grounde I-bet,

A thousand knyȝtes thei on him set,

7536

To scle him ther thei all hadde thoght,

For her euel wil ful thei boght.

Cedius strok to him wel offte;

Ector saw his arme on loffte

7540

Al redi him for to strike,

Then gan Ector sore myslyke;

¶ Than seide Ector to Cedyus:

'Wenestow to sle me thus? Page 223

7544

I sette at nouȝt alle thi Coueye, [folio 112a]

7545

Whil I may se ȝow with myn eye!'

¶ Ector ȝaff kyng Cedius on

And cleff a-two his schuldir-bon,

7548

That hond & arme bothe fley a-way;

The kyng fel a-doun, and ther he lay.

THen come thedir Menelaus,

And also the stronge Archilaus,

7552

And also the stronge Thelamon

With many a knyȝt, & kyng Makaron,

The noble kyng Diodemes

With many a thousand, & Vlixes;

7556

Ther come also the riche Athene,

The noble man Duk Mescene.

The riche kyng ther Emperour,

That was her alther gouernour,

7560

He come doun with the rerwarde

Strong and yrus as any lyparde.

¶ These kynges comes with here batayles,

Eche man thanne Ector assayles;

7564

Thei died faste on euery syde.

Alas now! how schal Ector abyde

These kynges alle and her power,

Whan hem come socour fer and ner?

7568

¶ Prime was past, hit was Midday,

And ney-honde none—as I ȝow say.

Whan alle that armes bere myght—

Off hem of Grece thei fayled lyght—

7572

Were comen doun to that batayle

With men & hors and pedayle,

With bowe and Arwe and alblast;

Then were the Troyens sore agast,

7576

For thei hadde fouȝten for the best

Al the day with-outen rest.

Page 224 ¶ Hic Achilles interficit Phillum Regem.

For then were comen the kynges alle [folio 112b]

7579

And begonne on hem to falle,

7580

Thei were ffresch, these other wery.

Then were the Troyens al sory;

Thei keped the Gregeys not-for-thi

And stode a-ȝeyn strongfully;

7584

But thei myȝt not endure so longe,

The Gregeis were that tyme so stronge,

That thei be-gan so to fle.

It myght with hem no better be,

7588

So weri thei ben and ouer-charged,

Here socour foule fro hem targed.

¶ Achilles folwed and alle hise,

He ouer-toke the kyng Philluse;

7592

Phillus turned and with him fauȝt,

But suche a stroke Achilles him rauȝt

With his hondes sicurly,

That he fel dede ther sodanly.

7596

ECtor saw that Phillus was ded,

'Alas'—seide he—'that I ete bred

That euere was mad of corn of whete,

That I schulde se my men so bete!

7600

I may not longe it suffry

Off that Achilles with his sculkery.'

He turned and loked his men toward:

Thei flowe the while faste a-weyward,

7604

Thei wolde not bide be doune ne dale,

For that the Gregeis were so fale.

¶ Then myȝt men se the Gregeis ride,

Thei closed Ector on eche a side,

7608

Some be-hynde and some be-fore.

Ther was a kyng—het Alpenore—

Another also het Doryus,

7611

Thei were to Ector envyous; Page 225

On eche a side Doryus him strikes, [folio 113a]

7613

With his spere ful harde he prikes;

Ector deled aboute lyueray

To alle that euere come In his way.

7616

¶ Then men myȝt se swordes drawe—

Thikkere then trees by wode-schawe—

A-boute Ector, to bere him doun;

Thei thoght he scholde neuere come to toun,

7620

But leue ther as a caytyff

Clene ded with-oute lyff.

A Thousand swerdes aboute him clatered,—

As Masons hadde on stones batered,—

7624

But al was nouȝt thei were aboute,

For hem alle hadde he no doute:

He deled a-boute him suche strokes,

That he carf bothe hed and chokes,

7628

Hond and foot & haterelle;

Many on ded to grounde felle.

He sclow for-sothe the kynges two,

And many a-nother knyȝt also.

7632

¶ To scle the Gregeis hadde he neuere pees;

He cried and seyde to Achilles:

'Thow sclow long er a kyng of myne,

Now haue I sclawe two of thyne.

7636

Come thi-selff to venge hem;

I ȝeue of the right nouȝt certeyn!'

¶ The Troiens thanne that were fled,

When thei sey how Ector sped,

7640

How he him-self that stour mayntened,

With hem-selff ful sore thei tened;

When he hadde sclayn the kynges bothe,

With hem-selff thei were wrothe,

7644

Thei turned a-ȝeyn on thaire enemys,

And died faste on bothe parties*. [Below the last line, upside down and very badly written, are the words: 'paphylun was an vter man bothe of leȝing & dissiuing' [? desseiesing].].

Page 226 ¶ Hic Amphimates Rex Interfectus est.

AVeas thanne his sword out-drow, [folio 113b]

7647

A kyng of Grece ther-with he sclow;

7648

Amphimates his name was kyd

That Eveas ther to dethe dyd.

¶ The Troiens keuered a-ȝeyn the feld,

Aȝeyn the Gregeis fast thei held.

7652

Ther was a duk of gret emprise,

That saw Ector hem alle to-brise

Alle tho of Grece that he myȝt reche;

Ful ffayn wold he take wreche.

7656

¶ He swore by him that sit in trone

And made bothe sonne and Mone:

"He wolde him lette of his doyng,

Off his slawȝt and his quellyng."

7660

Wel boldely to him he Ioyned,

And with his spere faste ffoyned,

That his mayles barst in-sonder,—

That thoght Ector moche wonder;—

7664

He drow his sword and hoved stille

And fauȝt with Ector al his fille.

¶ Gret myȝt the duke schewed thore,

He layde on Ector strokes sore,

7668

He lettid him moche of his prowes,

Off his scleyng and his rebelnes.

¶ Ector was with-al anoyed:

'Now is my myȝt strongly distroyed,'

7672

Ector sayde, 'whan I schal thole

Off on that is not worth a cole

Suche vilony and suche repruse.

I may wel say, I am refuyse

7676

Off alle the kynges sones of Troye,

When that I suffre of suche a boye

Suche vilonye to me be done,—

Ne se I neuere sonne ne mone!

7680

Page 227 ¶ Hic venit sagittarius.

But thow schalt dere thi strokes a-bye, [folio 114a]

7681

Thi hardines and thi folye!

I schal kembe*. [MS. kemble.] thi ȝelowe lokke!'

He ȝaff the duk suche a knokke,

7684

That helm and coyfe In-sunder ȝede;

He cleue him doun vnto his stede,

That he fel doun on that other side.

'Now wil thow ȝiff me leue for to ride,

7688

Where that I loue & thow not me lette!

Now hastow that I the be-hette!'

NOw cometh a-nother kyng Episcropus

With many a knyȝt a-venterus,

7692

Out of Troie comes he ridande

With men of Armes thre thousande.

¶ With him come A quaynte Archer,

That mad is on suche a maner:

7696

He is halff hors and halff man.

With hem of Troye thedir he ran;

This archer ran to fight al naked.

Herkenes now, how he was maked!

7700

Fro his nauel dounward

He was hors, and man vpward;

As a hors hadde he foure fete

That he ran on, whan he schete;

7704

Bak and bely of hors & tayle,

Thus was he maked saunfayle;

¶ His [s]kyn was hard and no-thyng thenne,

His pyntel was of hors-kynne.

7708

And al that was fro the nauel aboue,

Al was man—for goddis loue:—

Sides and ribbes, hed and hals,

Bak and brest, & visage als,

7712

Armes, scholdres, chekes, & eres,—

Al was of man that he op weres. Page 228

Saue that he hadde of man no voyce,— [folio 114b]

7715

As an hors made he the noyce,

7716

As it were an hors—for-sothe—he neyed.—

Many a man thorow him ther dyed!—

Tethe and gomes and mannes mouth—

Now lyues no man by north ne south,

7720

That euere saw suche a best

In feld ne toun ne in no forest!

¶ Al was of man bothe nese & throte,

And fyngres als for his schote;

7724

But alle his membris lasse and more

Were al be-growen with hors-hore,

Bak and bely, & legge and nase,

Brest, Armes, & his visage;

7728

As he were a hors, he neyes & ondes*. [Line 7729 after 7730 in MS.].

His eyen were lyke to brennande brondes;

He fferd, as he scholde men haue brent

With spark of fire that fro him glent;

7732

His vice was red as any fir.

Bowe and arwe was his atir.

WHan he was comen, he bent his bowe;

Alle that euere him sawe

7736

Were ferd of him and strongly wondred;

The horses snored, as it hadde thondred—

So were thei of him agrysed,

So brend his eyen and dredful glysed.

7740

Ther durst not on loke to him ward,

Here hors turned aweyward;

¶ Thei wolde haue fled out of the feld,

But eche a man his hors held:

7744

With mochel wo thei hem resteyed,

To make hem dwelle thei offte assayed;

Thei held hem stille with bridel & reyne,

With mechel wo and mechel peyne. Page 229

7748

THis Archer schotes & sendes Arwes, [folio 115a]

7749

He slees the Gregeis, as men take sparwes

With lym or net or lymȝerdes,

Hors & man that Archer ferdes;

7752

And Ector slees al that he hittes.

Ther is no man that on hors sittes

Off hem of Grece, that may restay

Ther hors lenger, but fled a-way;

7756

Ther is no man that ther abydes,

But eche man aweyward rydes

To here tentis & Pauelons.

Achilles with his Murmondons*. [MS. Murmondous.]

7760

Vnto his strengthe a-weyward prikes;

Ector faste afftir him strikes

With hem of Troie; and that archer,

He schet aboute him fer & ner

7764

With arwes that were wel I-heded*. [Line 7765 after 7766 in MS.];

The Gregeis offte In-sunder hem scheded.

¶ A wonder chaunce he did hem thore:

When thei of Grece discomfited wore

7768

And to ther tentis a-weyward fledde,

Her Archer faste Afftir hem spedde;

The Archer hadde so smartly ronnen,

That he hadde lond of hem wonnen.

7772

As he thus ran aboute schetande,

He saw aȝein him come prikande

Diomedes vnto his tentis;

The archer thenne an Arwe out-hentis,

7776

He smot at him—so was he thare—

Diomedes was wel ware,

¶ To schote at him so was he prest;

He wiste neuere, whedir he myȝt best

7780

To his pauyloun for to ride,

For he most ride that Archer be-side,—

Page 230 ¶ Hic Diomedes occidit sagittarium.

Or if he turned a-weyward, [folio 115b] —

7783

His enemys come on him bakward:

7784

For if he come a-monges her hondes,

For al the godis of Gregeis londes

Wold thei not lette the kyng quyk go,

With lyff and lym hem go fro.

7788

¶ He was In gret a-visement,

How he myght passe and be not schent;

He saw be-fore him that foule best,

The Troyens afftir him with many a crest.

7792

¶ The Archer was the kyng so hende,

To scle that kyng wel he wende:

To that kyng he gan to hale,

And drow an Arwe vp to the vale;

7796

And as he was In his losyng,

Diomedes, that douȝti kyng,

Hadde his sword al redi drawe,

That many of Troie hadde done of dawe.

7800

¶ He strok his stede & to him rode,

Ar euere arwe fro him glode:

He smot the best vpon the bak

And ȝaff him right an euel knak;

7804

He smot his bak [right] in-sunder,

That he fel doun his hors fete vnder.

NOw are the Gregeis fayn and bolde,

The Archer lyes vpon the wolde

7808

Sclayn and dede, as men telles;

None is ther that langer dwelles,

Thei turned a-ȝeyn and toke the feld,

Thei droff Troians fro tent to teld.

7812

¶ To Ector rennes Achilles,—

But [of] him ȝeues he not two strees,

He kepte him and not for-soke.

A stalworthe spere to him he toke Page 231

7816

And smot Ector with myght and mayn, [folio 116a]

7817

And he smot him for-sothe a-ȝeyn,

That eyther fel doun, er euere thei wiste,

That bothe her eres the grounde kiste.

7820

¶ But Ector was hurt the sorrour,

For he come doun fro the fferour

As he had ben a man [a-]rage.

He toke Ector at his a-vauntage,

7824

Wher-by Ector In his ffallynge

Toke wel more the brussynge,

And lenger lay his hors beside

Then Achilles dede that tide.

7828

¶ Achilles ros op witterly

And lepe on hors sicurly,

He layde his hond on Ector stede

And went a-way wel gode spede.

7832

ECtor was risen and vp-stode,

He loked aboute as he were wode,

And swor I-tened*. [MS. & tened.] and he sporles,

The blod ran out at his nase-throlles;

7836

When he fro him his hors saw lede,

Mouthe & nase began to blede,

For tene & wo his hew chaunged.

Ector afftir Achilles sewed,

7840

¶ Opon his feet faste he hyes,—

To his men faste he cryes:

'Se ȝe not, how myn enemy

Ledes a-way my hors ȝow by?

7844

Iff he him lede thus fro ȝow alle,

Foule reproues ȝow schal be-falle!

But ȝe him sonner ouertake,

Ȝe bene not alle worthi an hake!'

7848

¶ Eche man than afftir rides,

Is none lengur that then a-bydes,

Page 232 ¶ Hic Greci tenuerunt Antynorem Regem.

Eche man afftir rides & rennes. [folio 116b]

7851

Achilles*. [MS. Ector.] thenne for tene brennes,

7852

Maugre his tethe the stede he lefft,

For Ector brother ffro him it refft;

He myȝt no ferther for him go,

Therfore for-sothe he was ful wo.

7856

¶ Lord! so Ector thanne was fayn,

Whan he his gode stede hadde aȝeyn,

He wold not for his weyȝht of gold,

That Achilles it hadde hold.

7860

Many of Grece bowte his takyng,

Men myȝt se thenne speres schakyng:

¶ Ector sclees and Ector felles;

His hors takyng dere he selles;

7864

He riues helmes and cleues hedes;

Ther is no Gregeis that him*. [MS. that thei him.] [ne] dredes.

Ther died for him on that sond

Sixti that neuere layde on him hond.

7868

ANtenor rode aboute strikande,—

Fro Ector was he fer fyghtande

On that other half of that batayle,

And that was him to wrothe-haile:

7872

For thei of Grece opon him throng

And him be-closed hem among;

His men bacward fro him frusched,

And many of hem to grounde crusched.

7876

¶ Antenor did that In him was,

But he myght not fro hem pas,

For thei of Grece were more then he:

Thei toke him at that semble

7880

And sent him to her*. [MS. his.] pauylons

With-outen any hauylons,

And held him In her prisoun.

Polydomas of gret renoun Page 233

7884

Therfore was he ful sori,— [folio 117a] *. [At the head of this page, not very distinctly: Aynesworth.]

7885

That was his sone, was him bi:

His hert forsothe wex al cold,

When the tydandes were y-told.

7888

¶ Gret meruayles tho in hem he wrouȝt,

Off his lyff as he nad rouȝt,

But he ne hade no space at his lykyng,

For it was thenne ney euenyng;

7892

¶ The day was gon, thei hadde no lyght,

For it was wel with-Inne nyght.

To dwelle lenger*. [was erased between lenger and thenne.] thenne was not gode,

The[i] leue ffyghtyng, as hem be-hode,

7896

And turned hom with weri bones,—

Eche man to his owne wones,—

Vn-Armed hem, and wente to reste;

To house come many a weri geste.

7900

¶ Thei layde borde & clothe & ȝede to mete.

Polidomas myȝt not for-ȝete

Off al that nyȝt for no thyng

His dere fader takyng:

7904

Ful litel he drank and les ete,

The teres fel to his fete.

¶ Off alle that nyȝt myȝt he not slepe,

Al that nyȝt he lay and wepe,

7908

Til hit was day, the sonne gan schyne,

Euermore dured his pyne.

Then he ros vp, as most nede,

To arme him, his men to lede,

7912

Aȝeyn Gregais to fight to-morn.

Wo was him, that he was born,

For sorwe and care and mornyng

That he toke for his lordis takyng.

7916

¶ The nyght is passed, hit is day,

The sonne hath dreuen the sterres away, Page 234

Ther is no sterre opon the sky; [folio 117b]

7919

The sonne is resen & schynes on hy,

7920

Fair & bryȝt he schewes his bemes.

Thei risen vp of here dremes,

Off Troie and Grece [the knyȝtes] bothe;

Many of hem schal be wrothe:

7924

¶ Hadde thei of here sweuen taken tent,

That thei hade wyten, what it hade ment,

When hardi thynges thei did mete,

Tho that schold her lyf for-lete!

7928

But ther-of toke thei kepe no-thyng,

But busked hem In the dawyng,

And Armed hem In sail & schip;

And than thei ȝede and toke a sop,

7932

Thei ete a sop, and afftir dranke,

For In batayle thei wolde be strang.

¶ When thei wente out of here hale,

Many drank nother wyn ne ale

7936

Affter that, ne ete, ne drank,

But layen ded & foule stank!

Eche man sclow other & felle doun,

Many of hem come neuere to toun

7940

Hole aȝeyn, as thei ȝede out;

Some lefft his hed, and som his snout,

Some to-hewen and foule ferd with;

Some les his lyff, and som his lyth.

7944

WHan bothe parties to-gedir wore,

Thei smetyn to-gedur strokys sore:

When thei were comen out of her hales,

And thei of Troye out of here sales

7948

And passed her ȝates & here dikes,

Eche man at other strikes;

He drow his swerd, and he his bowe,

Mechel sorwe ther was y-sowe: Page 235

7952

He anon, his knyff he drawes, [folio 118a]

7953

—And he is ded,—and ouer-thrawes,

He schakes his spere, he rides owerre,

And he fel doun I-hurt*. [MS. and hurt.] wel sorre,

7956

He is ded, and he is sclayn,

And he is born thorow the brayn,

He ses his lyuer and his entrelles;

Michel is the wo that hem ayles.

7960

ANd thus ferde thei fro that thei ros

Til the day a-weyward gos,

And nyght was comen, and lyght was fayled.

Ector euere aboute rayled,

7964

As*. [MS. And.] faucoun doth opon his pray;

The bodyes thikke aboute him lay,

That ther lay with dethis wounde;

Many a knyȝt fel to the grounde.

7968

Ful sorily he hem ransaked

Fro that morwe that he waked

Til euen-tide that home he ȝede,

For he hadde neuere so moche nede

7972

To help and socour his meygne,

As he hadde at that Iorne.

¶ For Gregeis were so styff and stronge,

That thei his men doun sclow & sclonge,

7976

As thei of hem hadde ȝeue right nouȝt;

But euere among thei it dere bouȝt:

For Ector sclow hem al a-boute,

Many Gregeis made he loute;

7980

¶ Ector hem sclow, as it were mys,

Thei died faste on bothe parties

Off hem of Troye & of Gregeis,

Thei lefft liggyng many karkeis.

7984

Echon wolde other sclo,

Off Grece died fele, of Troye wel mo. Page 236

Glad was he that ther ascaped. [folio 118b]

7987

The better side the Gregeis schaped

7988

As for that day—as I herde telle.

With hem of Troye so it be-felle:

Ne hadde douȝti Ector ben,

Thei hadde not lefft a cyteseyn

7992

With him In the feld, that thei nad fled;

So were the Troiens sore adred,

For thei of Grece were so strongful,

That thei vnnethe stode hem a pul*. [MS. apul.].

7996

BVt Ector mayntened his syde

For al here strengthe and here pride,

He brekes her hedes, her helmes & scheldes,

Ful nobly his men he ledes.

8000

And thus he heldis with gret labour

Aȝeyn Gregeis al day that stour,

Til nyȝt was comen and day gon,

And thei departid euerychon

8004

On bothe parties more and les,

For it was so gret derknes.

¶ Thei ȝede euen home to her hous,

Thei fond ther many a sori spous,

8008

That sori were for here husbondis;

Some lay dede on the sondes:

¶ The wyues of Troye made gret mornyng;

Amonges the Gregeis was gret roryng,

8012

Thei blew and cried—as wilde bere brayes—

For her frendes that died tho dayes;

Thei wende neuere that day abyde,

That thei scholde hom with her lyff ride,

8016

To passe ouer the Grekissh wawes.

Thei hadde In honde wel carful sawes

A-mong the grete and the smale,

Al nyȝt ther-of thei hadde here tale. Page 237

8020

¶ That Agamenon was vp rysen, [folio 119a]

8021

That hadde Antenor In his prison;

When he saw it was day cler,

He sent out his Messanger

8024

To Priamus and to his baronage,

Trewes to aske and trewes to wage,—

Off thre monthes thei him besought,

Til the ded*. [MS. he did.] to erthe was brought.

8028

DIomedes and Vlixes

To Priamus were sent in pees,

To aske this trewe, and make it stable

On bothe parties with-oute fable:

8032

That non of hem schuld other dere

With non harm In maner of were

Lastyng the terme of that trewe,

And who-so did, it scholde him rewe;

8036

Thei be Iugement const[r]eyned

To suffre therfore that men ordeyned.

¶ These kynges to here hors take,—

Wel richely dyght ffor worschepe sake:

8040

Thei dede on robes that hem best payes,

Off riche gold were alle the rayes,

Off riche scarlet were bothe here champes,

Poudred ful of golden lampes,

8044

With lilye-leues and fflour-delys;

The robes were of mochel prys,

¶ Thei were parted with riche palle.

The knyghtes were fair & clene with-alle,

8048

Here hodes dyght with gold ribanes,—

Better weres non among the Danes;—

Thei were with gold wel I-fret,

The ffloures of gold on hem set,

8052

With wilde bestes and fflyande ffoules,

Liouns, lipardes, ernes, and owles Page 238

Off riche gold that louely schon; [folio 119b]

8055

In hem stode many a riche ston,

8056

Saphur riche, and selidone,

Erbe-de-bothe, & Cassidone,

And euere among the dyamaund,

Sewed wel with gode orfoyle-suand;

8060

¶ The frette of gold was like a belle,

So were thei gret & horrible;

Worth michel gode thei were apraysed,

Thei were so couched and hye vp-raysed.

8064

¶ Thei rode to-geder with-oute debate;

Thei are now comen to Troye ȝate,

In forme of pes thei aske entre:

"To lete hem In for charite,

8068

That thei myȝt wende with-out outrage

To Priamus on here message."

THe ȝates are opened and vndon,

The kyng[es] were leten In son,

8072

Thei were I-kept with curtesye.

Ther was a knyȝt of genterye,

A riche man, that het Delon,

A gret courser sat he vpon;

8076

He was In Troye bothe geten & born,

He saw the kynges come him be-forn.

¶ On his hors that he be-strode

Aȝeyn tho kynges he thenne rode,

8080

And kept hem faire as knyȝt curtays,

And led hem In-to the kynges palays;

He led hem bothe In-to the halle:

The kynges were at the mete alle,

8084

¶ Priamus and his knyȝtes of myȝt;

Ther-Inne was a louely sight.

When Delon broght thes messageres

To the kyng and his consaleres, Page 239

8088

To speke with him, her erand to schewe,— [folio 120a]

Off his consayl were ther but fewe.

8090

¶ Delon broght hem to the bordis,

Thei gret the kyng with louely wordis,

8092

Thei told her erand and asked respit:

"That alle myȝt reste, bothe knaue & knyȝt,

On bothe parties monthes thre

By siker hostage & gode surte."

8096

With louely wordes and faire spekynges

Kyng Priamus answered the kynges:

¶ 'I holde him certes with-oute manhede,

That loueth wrong or any falshede;

8100

I dar of trewe make myn avaunt:

I schal helde siker that I graunt,

I schal holde trewes I vndirtake;

I schal hem helde and siker make,

8104

That non of myne schal do ȝow skathe,

Nother late, erly, ne rathe

Lastyng the trewe; and ȝe also

The same a-ȝeyn to me schal ȝe do.

8108

¶ But ȝe wot wel: It is not skylle,

That I assente the trewes tille

With-oute red of my consayle,

Off my baronage, & myn avayle

8112

That ar with me In myn enprise.

But I for ȝow now schal arise

And herkyn, what my consayl sais;

So longe ȝe schal dwelle In peis.

8116

Iff thei assent, I graunt for me:

What thei wol say, ȝe schal sone se.'

PRiamus wol no lengur ete,

He settis a-way drynke & mete,

8120

For curtasie of his two gestis

He settis a-way borde and trestis. Page 240

He wolde thei were sone answerd, [folio 120b]

8123

That ther drecchyng hem not dered.

8124

¶ Priamus did to him calle

Kynges and dukes and lordes alle;

Thei stode aboute him on a rowe,

He spak to hem with wordes lowe:

8128

'Wol ȝe thus longe trewes fulfille?'

Sayde Priamus—'say me ȝoure wille:

What schal I tille*. [MS. telle.] hem now say?

Schal I seye: "ȝe," or: "nay"?

8132

¶ Avise ȝow now alle In-fere,

Now ȝe ben to-geder here:

What is ȝoure wit? how thenke ȝow?

Hope ȝe hit be for oure prow

8136

To graunt this trewe? wol ȝe assente?

Telle me ȝoure best a-visemente!'

THe kyng[es] sayde by on name:

"To graunt trewe, it was no schame,"—

8140

'Sithen thei it aske at oure request,

Hit is worschepe to oure behest;

And we may reste vs the whiles,

For we ben ful of woundes and biles,

8144

That ben ful of quytour & wores;

We may the while hele oure sores.

We wol the trewe graunte and hauen,

Sithen thei comen hit to crauen.'

8148

¶ Ther was no lordyng In that halle,

That thei ne graunte the trewes alle

And wel apayed—saue Ector one;

Ther-to spak he wordes none;

8152

He saw what thei alle thought,

Therfore wolde he say right nought;

He saw it was al ther*. [MS. alther.] lykyng

8155

To be In pes and haue restyng;

Page 241 ¶ Hic Greci pecierunt pacem.

And not-for-thi hit liked him ille, [folio 121a]

8157

That thei schuld ligge so longe stille,

And for he was not al wel payd,

To hem thus mechel Ector sayd:

8160

¶ 'The Gregeis haue the trewes craue,

For thei wolde her ded men graue;

I dar wel say: hit is not so.

But I wol not the trewes vndo,

8164

Sethen ȝe alle the trewes wol holde;

I wole it be as ȝe haue tolde;

But I dar say that thei thenke falsnesse*. [MS. salsnesse distinctly.],

Thei are purvayd of gret queyntenesse.

8168

¶ I wot ful wel, her mete hem fayles,

Thei haue defaut of here vitayles;

Thei may not fyght, for strengthe hem fayles.

Thei schal the whiles puruay vitayles,

8172

Off corn, wyne, and other store,

And be better thanne thei were ore.

And we that while oure good schal waste,

Hit wol vs faile now In haste;

8176

Thei wol mis-lede*. [MS. vs lede.] vs with a trayn.

What good be-houes vs to sustayn

¶ The folk that is with vs her-In?

Where schul we the godis wyn,

8180

To mayntene vs and holde oure lyues?

I trowe that roste schal oure knyues,

When we haue no bred for to kerue;

I not wher-of thei schal vs serue,

8184

We may be serued with-outen brede.

But now ȝe haue graunted to take hede

THis trewes to holde, I say for me:

I wole right wel thei holden be;

8188

For I schal neuere aȝeyn calle

That thyng that ȝe assenten alle. Page 242

I wol ȝoure hele and ȝoure wel-fare; [folio 121b]

8191

Ȝif ȝe mys-ferde, it were my care;

8192

I wole right wel that we vs reste,

Then may we be bothe tacte & preste

Aȝeyns the terme the trewe comes out,

We may be thenne bothe styff and stout.

8196

I holde me payd of ȝoure Iugement,

I wol not fro ȝow disasent.'

¶ Then were the*. [MS. we.] Troiens mury & glad,

When thei leue of Ector had,

8200

That thei scholde reste so longe;

Many man for Ioye songe.

Hit was gret murthe & Ioye

To hem of Grece and eke of Troye,

8204

That trewe is tane and last so longe;

That thei myght bothe ride & gonge

To take her murthe and her solace,

Eche man is glad In that place.

8208

THese lordes toke leue of the kyng

And wente hom al hying;

And to the Gregais hom he brynges

Off his trewis gode tydynges,

8212

That thei of Troie hath graunt the trewes.

Then myȝt men here many glewes,

Pipe and Trompe, and many nakeres,

Synfan, lute, and Citoleres;

8216

Ther was so many a daunce.

Thei made tho gret puruyaunce

Off corn and hay, of wyn and otes,

And thei songen wel merie notes;

8220

Thei hele her woundes In gret quiete,

With mochel Ioye thei dronke and ete.

And thei of Troye were as fayn

Off here reste, bothe knyȝt & swayn, Page 243

8224

And hele her woundes at here layser, [folio 122a] —

8225

Kyng[es] and knyȝt[es] & kayser.

And al the while the trewes held,

The[i] speke to-geder In toune & ffeld;

8228

And that riche kyng Thoas,

That with Ector takyn was,

Scholde go quyte to his Pauyloun,

And Antenor home to Troye toun.

8232

¶ Ayther of hem the prisons hom sendes

With-oute raunsoun & with-oute amendes,

For that on that other is gre;

And so schal thei quyte be.

8236

THe trewes is graunt & schal be holden:

Riche robes were then vnfolden:

Many a coffre was vnstoken,

To drawe out robes that were y-loken;

8240

Eche man his coffer vnsperes

And takes gerdeles of riche barres

With bokeles of gold and fair pendaunt,

Wel anamayled with the mordaunt;

8244

¶ Many a broche and many an oche,

To stike on hede and on pouche.

Thei toke out rynges and made hem gay,

Thei leued In Ioye & mechel play,

8248

The whiles the trewes last;

But al was lefft, when that past.

Whil it was trewes, was many hode

Gayli wered with mochel gode;

8252

¶ When thei were gon, thei layde hem doun

And toke the stelen haberioun,

The ketil-hattes and stelen hure,

And layd away the gay pelure;

8256

Thei toke her spores with kene roweles,

And leyde a-way the riche jeueles*. [MS. reueles.].

Page 244 ¶ Hic. Ector ibat ad Reges Grecorum in tempore pacis.

HIt was a day lastyng the trewes, [folio 122b]

8259

And eche a lord his clothyng newes;

8260

Ector was ffair and semely dyght.

The day was fair, the sonne was bryght,

Merye synges the nyghtyngale,

The throstil, and the wilde wode-wale;

8264

It is gret Ioye to here the larke

In toun and feld, fforest and parke.

¶ Ector sayde: "that he wolde go

Achilles to se and other mo;

8268

He wolde with him haue daliaunce,

To se her hertes and her contenaunce."

He rod him out of his Cite,

The lordes of Grece for to se;

8272

¶ With him ȝede many a riche lordyng,

Many a duke, and many a kyng.

He was welcomed with gret honour

To Agamenoun her Emperhour,

8276

The kynges did him worschepe alle;

Achilles bed him to his halle,

Ful Inwardly he him be-sought:

"That he fro him departid noght,

8280

Til thei to-gedir In his tent

Hadde dronken vernage and pyment,

And that thei myȝt to-gedur carpe;—

Hit were him leuere then note of harpe."

8284

¶ Ector graunted alle his prayeres,

He ȝede with him and alle his feres.

When thei were comen and alle doun set,

The wyn was asked and forth y-fet;

8288

At here comyng thei made fair wedur

And spak of many thynges to-gedur.

Achilles euere Ector be-holdes,

His legges anon on crosse he foldes, Page 245

8292

For he was naked, he was fayn. [folio 123a]

8293

He myȝt not his tong constrayn,

He most nedes say out his wille, [folio 132a] *. [For the disorder of the MS. from here to line 9124 consult the Intro|duction, and my paper in the Engl. Stud. 29, p. 390 sqq.]

8295

He myȝt not holde his tonge stille;

8296

And that was mochel his vilony,

He sayde to Ector al an hy:

¶ 'Sithen I se the, I haue desired

To se the, Ector, vn-atired;

8300

And now hastow me Ioyful maked,

Now I se the vn-dight and naked.

And I hadde sclayn the,

Then wolde I fayn be;

8304

And I haue offte assayed my myȝt,

When we haue met to-gedur In fight;

Ful sorefully hastow me gret,

When that thow with me has met*. [R iiij below this line in the right corner of the page.],

8308

Mi blod thow*. [MS. that thow.] hast offte y-tamed, [folio 132b]

8309

I haue of the wel offte be lamed,

Many a strok has thow me payed;

By thi strokes haue I assayed

8312

That thow art stalworth and strong;

Thoow I the hate, I do the no wrong,

¶ I am ȝit hurt of thi strykyng.

Hit were therfore al my lykyng,

8316

That I myȝt scle the with my hond:

I hate the mochel, for my frend*. [e might be o.]

That thow sclow the formast day

In thi wodenes and thi deray.

8320

Patrodus kyng I loued wele;

Many sore mete and mele

Hastow made me for to ete,

¶ His dethe may I not ffor-ȝete.

8324

But if I leue fully a ȝere,

His dethe schaltow bye wel dere, Page 246

With my hond schal I the sclo,

8327

That hath brouȝt me In this wo;

8328

For me to sclo euere thow thenkes,

And ther-a-boute faste thow swynkes.'

ECtor sat & held his pes,

That herkenes alle that he seis,

8332

Til he hadde saide his gret gole:

'Hastow no more to say to me?

Hastow sayde what thow wilt?

Thow puttist vpon me gret gilt

8336

But me thynke it is no curtesye,

But vnmanhede & vylonye!

Thow bad me come to thi pauylons,

To drynke with the Murmindons;

8340

Thow prayes my knyȝtes and my burgeis,

To drynke here with thi Gregeis;

[folio 133a] ¶ Hic Ector respondit Achillem*. [This rubric is head-line of lf. 133.].

For vylonye I trowe thow lettes,

8343

That me among thy men thow threttes.

8344

Sicurly I schal thurste sore,

Or I drynke with the efft more!

Thow schalt here me no more chide,

I ȝeue [riȝt] not of thi pride:

8348

¶ By him that made al mydelerd!

I am of the no-thyng aferd,

I ȝeue not a threden lace

Off thyn euel wil and thi manace!

8352

Wel I wot and am certayn,

Thow wolde be glad, hadde thow me sclayn;

Offt hastow me assayled,

When thi wille hath not a-vayled.

8356

¶ Ther was neuere theff In no hostage,

That wayted better his a-vauntage,

To do his stelthe and his robrye,

Than thow waytest me In skolkerye; Page 247

8360

But thow hast ben glad al-wey, to ride

8361

With broken hede and blody syde.

SIr Achilles, thow art wilful'

—Sayde Ector—'and vnskylful;

8364

No meruayle is—so god me saue!—

Thoow I to the gret herte haue.

Sicurly I haue no wrong,

Afftir thi dethe thoow me long;

8368

¶ Thow hates me with-oute desert,

And that is knowen and apert.

Me & myne thow wolde distroye,

And art aboute me to noye

8372

In al that euere thow mayt,

And waytes me with dissait

With alle thi men bothe day & nyȝt,

For to scle me, ȝiff thow myȝt.

8376

It were therfore a-ȝeyns kynde, [folio 133b]

8377

In my herte if thow schold fynde

In any wyse to loue the,

That to the dethe hates me:

8380

And if I may, I schal not sclepe

For thi proude wordes, or many wepe;

Iff I may leue two ȝer to the ende,

Wel ffewe of ȝow schal hennes wende.

8384

¶ I hope riȝt wel and me affye,

That thorow my strengthe alle ȝe schal dye,

Thow and alle the lordes of Grece;

I schal ȝow hewe al to pece.

8388

¶ And sythen thow [be] of such mode

That thow fyndis thyn herte gode,

That thow thi-selff*. [MS. thi felff distinctly.] wil with me fight

And ther thow wolde do thi myght,—

8392

Do, that vche a kyng and lord

Off hem of Grece to this a-cord: Page 248

That thow and I to-geder don be

8395

To-morwe erly, that men may se,

8396

In feld ffyghtyng with-outen respite,

Til thow or I be discomfite.

¶ And if I falle In thi daungere

With any vn-hap or noun-powere,

8400

That thi god suche grace the sende

That I fro the not defende:

I schal the swere good sothnesse

Opon my goddis more and lesse;

8404

And ȝit schal I the borwes ffynde,

That fader and Moder and al my kynde

Schal go a-way with-oute dwellynge

Or with-oute godis sellynge,

8408

And leue the al with thyne and the,

And thei and I schal hennes fle.

And ȝit may thow almes the wynne, [folio 134a] —

8411

For we do euel and mychel synne,

8412

Off mannes blod that we don spille,—

Iff that thow wol holde ther-tille.

¶ Iff happe so with me schape

That thow may no wyse askape

8416

Fro me with-oute discomfiture,

Make thi Gregeis make me sure

By borow and book and sikur band*. [MS. sikurband.],

That thei schal wende out of this land,

8420

And vs be her In gode quyete.

And but thow do, so thow be-hete,

I prayse the lasse than I dede ore;

Iff that oure men schal fyght more.

8424

But lete it be on vs y-done

To-morwe be tyme, or hit be none!

And wyn worschepe who that may!

God for-bede that thow say "nay"!' Page 249

8428

AChilles was gretly aschamed

8429

That Ector thus foule him defamed,

He was a-schamed many-folde

That he so litel by him tolde

8432

Among his men ther In his halle,

That he asked him fight amonges hem alle

Be-twene hem two with-outen mo.

He was Angwysched so for wo,

8436

That of his forhede barst the swote,

That al his face ther-of was wote;

He ferde as he hadde ben araged,

That Ector him that batayle waged,

8440

And seyde to him as man that yred:

'Thow schalt haue that thow hast desired!

I se riȝt wel thi couetise:

Thow settes on me In alle wyse,

8444

[folio 134b] ¶ Hic Achilles iurauit & optulit cirotecas suas ad pugnandum cum Ectore*. [This rubric is head-line of lf. 134, bk.].

To fight with me In feld alone;

8445

I ȝeue not of the a bone!

¶ But here my trowthe to the I plyght

To-morwe erly with the to fight,

8448

And therto here I ȝeue the þe gloue,

Be-twene vs two alone to proue

With strengthe or myȝt, whether thow or I

In fight schal haue the victory;

8452

And therto here my gloue I bede,

In trewe forward to holde this dede.'

'And I hit take,' gode Ector sayde;

'For I was neuere so wele apayde,

8456

In-to this world sithen I was brouȝt—

By him that al this world hath wrouȝt!'

¶ Ther is no man that spekes with tonge

In al this world, old ne ȝonge,

8460

Lered ne lewed*. [MS. lewel, cf. l. 3578.], lord ne lad,

May telle the Ioye that Ector had, Page 250

Ne foule with his mury song,

8463

As Ector hath his gloue to fong.

8464

But that thyng myȝt not be hid:

Among the Gregeis it was kyd,

That Achilles hadde take on hande,

The next day afftir ffolwande

8468

¶ To ffight with Ector man for man.

This thing wel swithe a-boute ran

Fro kyng to kyng, fro halle to boure:

So it was seyde to the Emperoure

8472

And alle that other kynges be-dene,

How ffight was taken hem be-twene,

¶ And no man myȝt here ire a-swage

And thei hadde ȝeuen to-gedur wage:

8476

And if it schape be-twene hem thore

That Ector discomfit wore,

Catel, godes, and the land [folio 135a]

8479

Schal be-leue In Gregeis hand;

8480

And if it happe with Ector so

That Achilles he myȝt sclo,

That he and his schul dwelle in pees,

And alle the Gregeis on a res

8484

Out of that lond thei schul wende,

And ther no lenger schold thei lende.

THes thinges were y-told and brouȝt,

The Gregeis wondred In here thouȝt,

8488

Hem wondred of Achilles,

That he on that wyse graunted pes,

To ffight with Ector al alone;

Ther-fore thei maked moche mone,

8492

Off that couenaund that hem was told;

The kynges seyde: "thei wolde not hold";

¶ Kynges and dukes and lordes alle [folio 126a] *. [For the disorder of the MS. at this place cf. Introduction.]

8495

Seide: "thei wolde aȝeyn that calle, Page 251

8496

Thei wolde for-sake it euery a dele,

8497

Thei nold not so put her quarele

In a-venture ne In Iopardie."

Thei seyde: "it was but folye";

8500

Thei seyde: "it was not so done."

Thei made hem redi alle & some,

¶ Alle the lordes that ther ware,

To Achilles for to fare;

8504

Thei hyed faste, wold thei not blynne,

Er thei come to his Inne,

Ther thei bothe to-geder stode.

These lordes alle to hem ȝode,

8508

¶ Achilles his wordis alle with-sayde,

Ther-with were thei euel ypayde

Off his profre ne of his a-vaunt;

That he hem bad, wold thei not graunt:

8512

Thei wolde neyther putte lyff ne lym

A-ȝeyn Ector for-sothe In hym;

Thei seyde: "it was not equyte,

That lyff & lym schuld so put be"—

8516

'Off so fele kynges as are now here

Be-twene ȝow In such manere.'

TRoiens come thedir gret won,

The lordes of Grece ben ther echon;

8520

Ther standes a-boute hem many hundre

To parte the knyȝtes two In-sundre;

Thei seyde echon at on assent: [folio 126b]

8523

"Thei wolde not holde that Iugement."

8524

¶ Ector myȝt not the batayle haue,

He myȝt no more ther-of craue,

For thei of Grece with-sayd it alle,

Kyng & knyȝt, bothe fre and thralle.

8528

Hit was no bote hem to greue,

Off hem of Grece toke he his leue, Page 252

¶ Opon his hors vpward he lyghtes

8531

And wente to Troie with alle his knyȝtes,

8532

An-angered sore and alle his.

Thei of Grece toke ther-of no pris,

Hem angered sore that he come thore;

Achilles schold abye hit sore.

8536

Thei wolde his hond were an harowe-tynde,

His herte a mylleston for to grynde,

His flesche & bon as assches smale,

Ther-of wolde thei ȝeue no tale.

8540

ALas Ector, what was the schaped,

When he fro the so skaped!

Fals fortune was not thi ffrend,

Whan sche delyuered him fro hir bend;

8544

Sche made the Gregais alle say "nay,"

For sche hadde cast his endyng-day.

Kyng Priamus, where was thi grace?

Thi happe was take fro the, alas!—

8548

When thei of Grece that feyth vndid;

Hit hadde the vayled, hadde it be-tid,

And*. [MS. That.] Hectuba, thi worthi quene,

And thi douȝter Pollexene,

8552

And also to Andromede,

Nadde no man no fight for-bede.

Alas! that it was so for-bed!

Elles schold ȝe ful wele haue sped.

8556

[folio 127a] ¶ Hic Ector ibat ad Troianum*. [This rubric is head-line of lf. 127.].

A noble Troye, thow fair Cite,

8557

Hit hadde a-vayled alle thin and the,

¶ Thi toures hye and thi faire walles,

Thi ladyes alle with golden palles,

8560

And alle that woned with-Inne the,

Iff that batayle hadde y-be!

Fortune hated the so sore

And alle that In thi Cite wore, Page 253

8564

That he wolde not lette it be so,

8565

But sche wolde the and thine for-do;

And ther-fore letted sche that batayle,

And elles not, I say saunce-ffayle.

8568

ECtor is comen to Ilyoune,

Fro hem of Grece vnto his toune;

In-to that worthly halle he gose,

The ladyes alle a-ȝeyn him rose,

8572

Thei kept him alle with gret honour,

Lord and lady and vauesour;

Thei loued him alle with herte and mouth,

That any good or loue couth.

8576

For he on defendet hem alle,

That no harm hem did be-falle:

¶ The while that he was lyuande,

Thei were sicur of his hande,

8580

Thei hadde gret trist In his dede;

The while he leued*. [First e corrected from o by the scribe himself.], thei hadde no drede.

When he was ded, than ros here bale;

Alle thei died by oure tale,

8584

¶ Alle were dede and put to prisons

And put In gret subieccions,—

Saue Eueas and Antenor,

Goddis curs haue thei ther-for!

8588

Thei were saued and alle theires,

Seruaunt, mayden, wiff, and Ayres.

For thei dissayued her lige lord, [folio 127b]

8591

The deuel hem honge vpon a cord!

8592

Haue thei neuere so good pardoun,

For thei wrouȝt suche a gret tresoun!

HIt drawes faste toward the day,

The trewes wendes faste a-way;

8596

Ther is no man that lengur lotes

Off these gay golden cotes; Page 254

Thei garnysched here swerdes, speres, & clubbes,

8599

Eche man now his harneis rubbes,

8600

That thei be clene and Parisaunt;

Now is besy eche good seruaunt,

Ther is no man that now is ydel:

Some make redi sadel & bridel,

8604

Some her horses thei let scho;

Eche man lokes what is to do.

¶ Now eche man to fyght him ȝares,

Now euery wiff ffor hir lord cares

8608

A-ȝeyn that nexte semble,

For no man wot how it schal be,—

When thei gon out at morwen-tyde,

Who schal dye, and who schal abyde?

8612

Alle curses that ilke man,

On hem the werre furst by-gan,

Fader and Moder and alle his kyn

For sorwe and wo that thei ben In.

8616

¶ Thre monthes the trewes was tan,

Now are thei passed, and no day wan;

And thei of Troye ben ȝarked ȝare

Out of Troye for to fare;

8620

What folk he hath Ector assays,

With-Inne the walles he hem arays;

Thei were arayed, er hit were prime.

Dares says: he hadde that tyme

8624

¶ Hic ordinant prelium Magnum.

Off knyȝtes strong an hundred thousand [folio 128a]

8625

That douȝti were and wel fightand,

With-outen ȝemen and sqwyeres,

With-outen bribours and arblasteres,

8628

With-outen men that were on fote—

So god do my soule bote!

ECtor then partied his men:

To Troyle he tauȝt thousandes ten

8632

Off douȝti knyȝtes In his ledyng; Page 255

He prayed: 'his god be his spedyng,

8634

And be his help and his gouernayle,

And spede hem wel in that batayle,

8636

That him that day be-tyd not mys!'

¶ He called to him then Paris,

With louely wordes he him be-tauȝt

Alle that coude on bowe-drauȝt,

8640

And alle that bare arwe or bire

Be-tauȝt he hem In here A-tire;

Thre thousand knyȝtes that mechel were worth

Off douȝti men called he forth,

8644

Armed wel opon here stedes,

To be with hem In al here nedes,

Fro men of armes hem to rescouere,

For thei were most with-oute Armure.

8648

¶ Then come Dephebus and Eueas,

Ayther of hem her batayle has:

Thre thousand knyȝtes Dephebus ledis,

Armed wele In iren wedes;

8652

But Eueas brynges with him wel mo;

Than be-gan thei for to go.

¶ Ector has with him ffyftene

Thousandes knyȝtes gode and clene,

8656

To him-seluen that were reserued;

Euery an ost is dight and serued;

With his batayle passed the ȝates, [folio 128b]

8659

Assayle he[m] furst he wole algates.

8660

AWorthi kyng of Grece, Phillus,

Was In the feld redy by this,

With many a man on horse and fote,—

To telle the nombre it is no bote;—

8664

The fferste*. [MS. ferthe.] batayle that day he ledde,

Him hadde be better that he ne hadde. Page 256

Menelaus come afftir that

8667

With spere & scheld and many a bat,

8668

Douȝti knyȝtes thousandes seuene—

Here names alle can I not neuene:

¶ Thei toke the feld and passed the boundes

On stedes that were worth many poundes.

8672

Diomedes with as fele

Knyȝtes of worschepe and of wele

Ȝede forth afftir to that stour;

Hem liked wel her gouernour.

8676

¶ Now goth to ffyght Diomedes,

And afftir him comes sir Achilles

With douȝti knyȝtes seuen thousand,

With briȝt bryneis fair schynand.

8680

Thei rode to-gedur wel sare,

Many a stalworthe knyȝt thare.

Affter him come Xancipus,

And Ayax Thelamanyus,

8684

Agamenon with alle his ost,

With many a knyȝt ridande a-cost;

The nombre was gret that come with him

Off hardy knyȝtes stoute and grym;

8688

Ther was many on that Ector thret,

That bouȝt thei sore, when thei met.

¶ The sonne schynes on euery a tre,

8691

Hit is a fair matyne:

ECtor is out of Troie reden, [folio 129a]

8693

The Gregeis longe hath he a-byden,

Affter hem on horse he houe:

Who-so-euer come furst, he wolde aproue.

8696

Many an ost saw he comyng,

Rydande faste whil thei may fflyng,

With baneres brode and gold-be-gon;

The sonne on hem wel faire schon. Page 257

8700

And many an armes was ther reuersed;

8701

Iff on bare sable hit was diuersed:

¶ He bar of gold and of goules,

He bare bestes and he bare foules,

8704

He bare apes and he bar cheuronne*. [MS. chueronne.],

And he of siluer with a cloue chestone,

He bare a bend and he an horne,

He bare his corneres gerone,

8708

He beres grene and he asure,

Engreled with a fair bordure,

¶ He beres an egle and he merelettis*. [MS. more lectis; but it seems to be the earlier form of 'martlets.'],

And he a daunce and he pelettis*. [MS. perelectis; the stroke through the tail of p seems to be a scribal error.],

8712

And he hath rose & he has molettis,

And he hermyn and he croselettis.

And thus haue thei her armes schiffted,

Ther baneres are wel hye lyffted;

8716

Euery a lord his baneroure

Biddis him go be-fore the stoure.

NOw are the Gregeis and alle of Troye

Arayed In the feld and haldes hem coye;

8720

The formast ost assembled ner

A wonder noyse that men may her

Off staves & swordes and speres brekyng

With-oute wordes or any spekyng.

8724

A-ȝeyn Ector and his Troiance

Ther were In the feld that tyme of Danes*. [Signature in the right corner: R.],

[folio 129b] ¶ Hic Ector occidit Phillum Regem*. [This rubric is the head-line of lf. 129, bk.].

Off men of Grece knyȝtes bold

8727

Horsed mo then the double-fold.

8728

Phillis spredis bank and hirste,

With mochel folk come he doun ffirste:

¶ The Troiens first Phillus assayled,

But with Ector euel he was hayled:

8732

Ector loked and saw Phillis

Come ridande before alle his, Page 258

Armed wel and gloriosly;

8735

He rod to him dispitosly,

8736

He smot him thorow his doublet,

Ryght as it hadde ben an net;

He hadde non Armes non so gode,

That his stroke that tyme with-stode:

8740

He bare him thorow bak and bely,

Ther-of hadde many a man sely;

Phillis fel to grounde al flat

As a ded body, when he hadde that.

8744

¶ Off Phillis deth was michel cry,

Many a sword was houen an hy,

Off Phillis deth thei toke veniaunce:

Ther was broken many a launce,

8748

Many an hed was thanne y-craked,

And many a scheld al to-schaked,

Schankes to-schyuered, bones y-broken,

On Ector wolde thei fayn be wroken.

8752

¶ When Xancipus that noyse herde,

He wist wel that som mysferde

Off hem of Grece that were fyghtand,

With alle his men thedir drawand

8756

. . . . .*. [A line is wanting here, but no room left; but see note 2.]

And as he come thedirward,

A wounded knyȝ brouȝt him tythand,

That Phillus was ded of Ector hand*. [Hic caret [gap: 1] (i.e. hic caret versus) is inserted under this line in the margin by another hand; cf. note 1. Space is left for a line.].

8760

¶ Hic Ector occidit Xancipum Regem.

¶ Phillus was that kynges Eme: [folio 130a]

8761

He stode as he hadde ben In dreme,

He honged his heued as he hadde dremed,

As he hadde died for sorwe hit semed;

8764

He made for him gret wayment,

He rod forth ful of mautalent

To that batayle on his stede,

To venge his deth, if he myght spede. Page 259

8768

¶ He felde Troyens at his comyng

8769

And sclow hem doun old and ȝyng,

He ferde as man that hadde ben wode,

So he distroyed the Troyens blode;

8772

To seche Ector wold he not blynne,

Til he him fond, he is vnwynne;

He fond Ector among the pres:

To scle the Gregais wold he not ses,

8776

As hongre*. [MS. honger.] lyoun bestes vories;

Ther nis no tre so thikke of chiries,

As Gregeis ligge aboute him couched,

All ȝede to grounde that he out touched.

8780

WHen Xancipus of him hadde sight,

He wende he scholde haue made him lyght:

He toke to him a stalworthe spere,

Ector vnwarned doun to bere;

8784

But sicurliche he myȝt nouȝt:

Xancipus that strok a-bouȝt.

¶ Ector to him was wrothe y-now,

To Xancipus a strok he drow

8788

In his wodenes & In his wratthe,

That he fel ded doun In that patthe;

His hed ȝede doun, & vp his breke,

The grounde sone gan he seke.

8792

Thei toke him vp & went homward

With gret care and sikyng hard*. [Signature in the right corner: R.].

¶ Achilles come thenne ffast ridande [folio 130b]

8795

As a deuel with foule semblande,

8796

With alle the knyȝtes that he ledde

A-boute Ector he hem spredde:

Ther was gret noyse and clamour,

The Gregeis for tene turned colour,

8800

That he was ded so reufully;

Thei sclow thenne Troyens carefully. Page 260

¶ Troyens be-gan to faile faste,

8803

Thei myȝt not wel lengur laste,

8804

So were Gregeis manye and stronge,

The Troyens than a-bacward thei thronge.

BVt Ector stode a-mong hem alle:

He sclow Gregeis and made hem to falle,

8808

He droff a-bak bothe ȝonge & olde,

And made the Troiens her place to holde.

Troiens abode In gret perel,

In many stedis to dethe thei fel,

8812

So thei werei thei be-gan to go.

Achilles thanne be-gan to sclo

The Troiens, faste he hem rebukes,

He sclow of Troiens two gode dukes:

8816

¶ That on was duke Euforbius,

A noble knyȝt and a vertuus;

That other hight duk Lataoun,

A gentil lord, a stalworth man.

8820

Thei were men of gret vertuse,

Doughti, strong, and [of] prouese.

It was wonder thei myȝt a-byde,

The Troiens were so fewe that tyde,

8824

That thei nade ben alle quelled,

Hit was gret wonder how thei dwelled.

¶ But Ector held euere the felde,

He ȝaff of hem alle nouȝt a nelde*. [MS. nouȝt alle anelde.];

8828

The while that he hadde his hele, [folio 131a]

8829

Ther he sclow Gregeys as vn-vele,

And Mayntend wel that stour

With gret trauayle and labour.

8832

THe stour was strong, thei blew & blustred,

A-boute Ector the Gregeis clustred

Ryght as thei drow aboute a swarm,

He toke of hem that tyme gret harm: Page 261

8836

Some dartes at him sclong,

8837

Some with swordes at him flong,

Thei ȝede him a-boute and made hote,

Many a man on him ther smot;

8840

And he ȝaff hem aȝeyn suche pattis,

That thei fel doun as dede cattis.

¶ But not-for-thi so it be-fell,

That he was hurt at that turpell,

8844

But he wiste neuere vnnethe of wham,

Ne how, ne whenne that it cam?

In his visage was he smetyn—

As I fynde of him ywreten,—

8848

That blod ran out gret plente,

That hit was meruayle for to se:

It bled faste as it were wode,

Vnto the ground ran the blode,

8852

Ouer his eyen the blod so ran,

That he myȝt knowe wel no man.

¶ The Troiens then that gan se,

A-weyward faste gan thei fle;

8856

Thei were a-ferd and discomfit,

When thei saw Ector so dyght.

Ector was ful lothe to fle,

Iff it myȝt any other be;

8860

But he was dreven bacward streght,

For he myȝt not se to ffyght*. [In the right corner the signature: R.]:

Hadde not his visage ben reuen, [folio 131b]

8863

He nad not ben bakward dreuen;

8864

He fauȝt a-ȝeyn with mychel pyne,

But whan he lyfft vpward his eyne

Toward Troye and se ther stande

Opon the walles to hem lokande

8868

¶ Hectuba that gentil quene,

And his suster Pollexene, Page 262

And his wiff dame Andromede,

8871

And hende Eleyn so fair In wede,

8872

And saw Gregeis him bakward dryue:

'Alas!' he sayde, 'I am on lyue!

I wolde I were with-outen lyff!

I se be-fore me stonde my wiff

8876

And alle these other faire ladyes,

And beholden bothe parties

And haue be-holded alle oure dedes;

And for my visage a littil bledes,

8880

¶ Thei se now me on bak be-set,

Mi vylony it wol be ret.

What may thei wene but I be faynt,

Fals of herte, and a-taynt,

8884

Or of the dethe that I haue drede,

That I thus fle for that I blede?

But be him that made alle thyng,

Tre to growe and gras to spryng!

8888

I schal hem quyte her trauayle,

Iff that I be hole and hayle.

¶ Out of this ffeld I schal not wende,

Or I be venged with my hende*. [MS. honde.]

8892

Off this schame and vilonye,

For therfore schal many dye.'

Ther is no man that euere was wroght

May say that schame that Ector thoght,

8896

When he vpon the ladyes loked; [folio 132a]

8897

It was meruayle so his body croked,

He swat for tene, for wratthe he schoke,

That he that schame be-fore hem toke;

8900

Some of hem her deth schal take,

Er it be nyȝt, for that wounde sake.

¶ Ector be-held how kyng Mennon

How the Troiens fast vpon, Page 263

8904

As man that were out of his wit;

8905

He vowed to god: "it scholde be quyt

Alle the harm that he hadde don

To him and his, er it were non."

8908

'Thow hast,' he seide, 'my men defouled,

Me and myne bakward retroyled;

¶ Sithen thow dos harm, thow schalt haue some:

Were the fro me, for now I come!'

8912

Ector rod to Mennon than

And brake his hede and his pan,

That of [his] hede ran blod y-wys,—

That were euel for Mennon this:

8916

A man schuld not so sone say "trayse," [folio 123a] *. [For disorder of MS. at this place of. Introduction.]

8917

As he fel ded & held his payse,

That neuere so moche that he ones quycched

Ne his lymes ones clecched.

8920

¶ Achilles hadde than sorwe y-now,

When he saw how Ector sclow

The kyng Mennon, his cosyn dere;

A lothely cry men myȝt then here

8924

That thei of Grece among hem made,

When thei saw Mennon ded & fade.

His tethe for tene Achilles gnastrid:

'Many a gode,' he sayde, 'hastow maystrid

8928

And ouercomen with thi prowesse,

And sclayn fele In thi wodenesse.

¶ Ther may no-thyng me to Ioye brynge,

Til I se the at thyn endynge.'

8932

A stalworth spere off wonder tre—

That was gretter than other thre—

Achilles toke to him tho,

For he thoght Ector to sclo:

8936

¶ He smot Ector with al his mayn,

For he wolde him fayn haue slayn; Page 264

Thorow his scheld his spere droff*. [MS. to roff.],

8939

That his hauberk al to-roff,

8940

And depe In-to his fflesch it ran,

That the blod fast out span.

¶ But ȝet he bar not Ector doun

For his prise and his renoun,

8944

Ȝet he hadde no spere that tyde

That he myght aȝeyn him ride.

Achilles spere in-sonder barst,

But Ector was not doun cast*. [In the right corner the signature: Q.]:

8948

[folio 123b] ¶ Hic Ector & Achilles pugnauerunt*. [This rubric is head-line of lf. 123, bk.].

He held his hors & sat ston-stille,—

8949

Achilles myȝt [him] not kylle,—

That strok abode he hertly

And smot to him a-ȝeyn smartly:

8952

¶ Opon his hed he leyde suche dyntes,

That helm and Coyfe brast al In splyntes,

The blod brast out at his eris.

Hadde he laste longe In his wode geris,

8956

Achilles hadde ȝeuen vp his dische,

Hadde he neuere eten flesche ne fische

He myȝt not the strokes susteyne,

But held his hors with mechel payne,

8960

That he fel not doun at ilke a braid,

With euery strok that Ector layd

Opon his hede, so sete thai sore,

With mechel strengthe his myȝt thai wore.

8964

¶ On euery a side Achilles schakes

With euery a strok that he ther takes,

Now be-fore and now be-hynde,

As levis wagges with the wynde.

8968

ECtor saw Achilles wagge

As with the wynd doth the flagge,

On euery a side he louted lowe,

He was In poynt to ouer-throwe Page 265

8972

With eche a strok that he ther toke,

8973

Out of his sadel almost he schoke,

He myȝt not sitte stille In pes.

Then seyde Ector: 'Achilles!*. [MS. Achilles Achilles.]

8976

Achilles!' Ector seyde he,

¶ 'Whi coueytes thow to fight with me?

When thow sese tyme, on me thow sekes.

I trowe right wel that thi hed akes;

8980

I schal the sclo, hadde I layser;

Ne scholde of thin ost kyng ne Cayser

[folio 124a] ¶ Ad huc bellum*. [This rubric is head-line of lf. 124.].

By heuen tyde thi lyff scholde saue,

8983

That thow of me thi deth schuld haue.'

8984

¶ Achilles myght him not answere,

For thenne come Troyle with many spere,

With many spere and many a darte,

And made him and Ector departe:

8988

Troyle rod euen be-twene hem two,

For he Achilles thought for-do.

A wonder stoure ther was by-gonnen,

Er man myȝt a forlong haue ronnen,

8992

¶ Ther were ffyue hundred knyȝtes sclayn

Off hem of Grece opon the playn;

Thei hadde but litel to-geder streuen,

Er thei of Grece were bacward dreuen.

8996

But Menelaus, when he beheld

How thei of Grece had lorn the feld,

Opon his stede the kyng him dresses,

To Troiens euen he him gesses;

9000

He lased his helm, his spere he riȝtes,

And rides thedir with alle his knyȝtes.

HE halp hem wel and wan hem erthe,

He felde the thridde & sclow the ferthe;

9004

He and his bare Troiens ouer,

And hem of Grece made hem couer Page 266

And tok the feld the Troiens opon.

9007

But then come thedir kyng Odemon

9008

Out of Troye with mechel ffolk,

He spared neyther the appul ne the colk,

Vn-til he come to [the] Melle:

Many a man then myȝt thei se

9012

¶ Set vp the fet and doun the hed,

And many lefft among hem ded.

To Menelaus Odomoun rode,

And Menelaus him abode*. [In the right corner of this page is the signature: Q iiij.];

9016

But Odemoun, that doughti kyng, [folio 124b]

9017

Toke Menelaus In that swyng

And him bare ouer his hors tayl:

He ȝaff him there suche a wassail,

9020

That he lay longe In colde swot;

Odemoun on his face smot

And wounded him among alle hyse,

That he myȝt not wel vp aryse.

9024

ODemoun ffelle Menelaus,

And that be-held douȝti Troylus:

He saw the kyng on grounde lyand,

Troyle come faste thedur ridand,

9028

He wolde him take wonder ffayn,

That he myȝt haue lad him to Elayn;

He departid alle the route,

He and Odemoun were aboute

9032

To take the kyng, and so the[i] did.

But not[-for-]thi it so be-tid,

That thei that tyme so wel not sped,

Out of that pres thei him not led:

9036

¶ For ther was then so mychel pres—

For-thi be-gan than to encres,—

So fele batayles a-boute him spred,

That thei were sone with hem so sted, Page 267

9040

Thei myȝt not lede fro hem not ferre

9041

For al here myȝt and her powere.

¶ For than come Diomedes doun

With many a worthi bold baroun

9044

And many a knyȝt douȝti In dede:

When thei saw Troyle a-weyward lede

Menelaus her ost outward,

Thei hyed hem faste thedirward.

9048

Whan he come ner, he stroke his stede,

That he made bothe his sides blede:

I trowe ther was neuere wilde ro [folio 125a]

9051

That ran faster then his stede tho.

9052

¶ He strok Troilus*. [lus on erasure.] so wonder sore,

That fro his hors fel he doun thore;

And ther-fore was it no pris:

He hadde a spere at his deuys,

9056

And Troyle that tyme hadde non;

Thoow he hadde broke bak and bon,

Me thynke it hadde ben litel wonder,

Off Troyle lay his hors fete vnder.

9060

He toke his hors and lad a-way,

He sente it to the semely may,

¶ Vn-til Cresseide, þat*. [Vn—þat on erasure by another hand.] fair womman,

That sumtyme was Troyle lemman:

9064

A bischopis douȝter that het Calcas,

That sumtyme byschop In Troye was,

Her mayster-byschop of the lawe;

But he was ferd of that sawe,

9068

That ther god saynt Appollo

In Delos yle had sayd him to*. [MS. so.]:

HE sayde: "that Troye scholde be distroyed."

He was therfore ful sore*. [MS. fulsore.] anoyed,

9072

He durst not wende to Troye aȝeyn

For fferd he scholde haue ben sclayn: Page 268

He dwelled stille with the Gregeis

9075

A-mong her ost—as Dares sais,—

9076

Or elles to lese his lyff he wende.

Afftir his doughter theder he sende:

¶ He prayed the kyng Diomedes

In here Message and Vlixes,

9080

When thei delyuered the kyng Thoas

For the ffader of Polydamas,

That thei wolde preye kyng Priamus

To sende hir him ffro sir Troylus:

9084

¶ Priamus graunted her prayeres [folio 125b]

9085

And sent hir hom with-oute dangeres.

And Diomedes loued here sithen;

In hir loue was he so writhen,

9088

That he myght not his wille refrayn

And suffred for hir sithen payn.

To hir therfore Troylus stede he send

In token of loue and to presend.

9092

OPon the grounde ther he lay,

His stede was taken & lad away;

Wo was him that it was so!

But he ne myȝt not do ther-to:

9096

But he ros vp and drow his blade

And rome aboute him he made,

¶ He sclow Gregeis with al his myȝt.

Ector ȝaff to him wel gode syȝt,

9100

He saw him wel to grounde go,

His stede ytaken and lad him fro;

He was ney wod for ire and tene:

He wolde meruayle, that had sene

9104

What wonder that Ector wroght!

Many a man that stede dere boght;

¶ He drow hem doun, as men doth dere

In wilde wodis to lordis lardere: Page 269

9108

Thei fled away, as thei were wode;

9109

Ther was no man that lenger stode,

Off here lyues hadde thei*. [MS. thei no.] gret doute.

Achilles fledde with alle his route,

9112

And so did alle these other Gregais,

Than folued Ector and his Frigais:

¶ But Ector euere afftir dryues,

Many of hem he reues the lyues,

9116

He droff hem home riȝt to here hales

And sclow hem ther riȝt In her sales;

He smot of bothe hondes & nayles, [folio 126a]

9119

Ne durst no man aske "what him ayles,"

9120

Ne speke with him In that Ire

For al the gode of here Empire!

He hadde be ded and vndoyng,

Hadde thei sayd any thyng.

9124

The Grekes were in point of vndoyng*. [This whole line by another hand on erasure.]: [folio 135a] *. [For disorder of MS. cf. Introduction.]

9125

Ne hadde ther comen ther riche kyng,

That riche kyng her Emperour,

Agamenon, to here socour,—

9128

Schuld neuere haue passed no Dane,

Ne haue ben lengur in þat*. [in þat inserted over line by another hand.] wane.

The peple was gret he with him brouȝt,

On hem of Troye ful harde thei souȝt;

9132

¶ Thei were ffresche and al day rested,

Thei drow here swerdes; whan thei brested

Here stalworthe speres opon the Troians,

Thei droff a-bak*. [MS. a blak.] the Dordanes

9136

With strengthe of men vnto her dikes.

Ector thenne aboute ffrikes,

Ther were thikkere aboute him men

Then bestis In somer liggis In fen;

9140

He smytes of legges and lendis.

Vnnethe ther is any man*. [MS. men.] defendis, Page 270

That thei nere sclayn and ouercomen [folio 135b]

9143

For Gregeis that ouer hem were ronnen.

9144

But then come thedur Polydomas,

That ȝit In Troye al ffresch was,

With wonder mychel quantite

Off knyȝtes, of men of gret surte.

9148

POlydomas a spere hath lauȝt

With al the ost him was be-tauȝt

Out of Troye is he no ryden:

His men hath he prayed & bidden

9152

To help wel Ector In that stoure,

That thei myȝt haue for here labour

Off Ector bothe loue and thonk;

He rides forth by brynke & bonk

9156

To assaut with that abuschement.

Now are thei alle out of Troye went

And comen alle to that semble

With stour sembland & gret ferte:

9160

Thei bresten here speres and drow her swerdes

And beten on hem, as don herdes

On weri bestis that drow In the plow;

Ther was amonges hem sorwe ynow.

9164

¶ But Diomedes he beholdes

Polydomas, how that he boldes*. [The last four letters by another hand on erasure.]

Them*. [MS. Then.] of Troye with his sokeryng,

And deres Gregeis with his fyghtyng

9168

And the feld make hem lese:

A stalworth spere to him doth chese

Polydomas ouer to bere,

That the Gregeis schuld not dere.

9172

¶ Polydomas was wel perceyued

Off his comyng, he him wayued

And toke a spere stalworth & strong

And met him so In that forlong,

9176

Page 271 ¶ Ad huc magnum bellum.

That he ȝede doun & his hors bothe, [folio 136a]

9177

Were he ther-of neuere so wrothe.

¶ Diomedes ful sore was hurt,

But his stede ros, and he vp stert;

9180

Polydomas ther-of was fayn,

He toke the stede by the rayn,

A-boute his hand the brydel he knyt

And ȝaff him Troyle, ther he fauȝt ȝit

9184

Opon his feet with his enmys;

Ther was no foule so merye on ris,

¶ Then Troilus was when he hors hadde;

Lord In heuene, what he was gladde!

9188

He takes that stede and sone on lepes,

And sclow the Gregeis doun on hepes.

BVt Achilles loked to Troyle,

And saw how he be-gan to royle,

9192

When he hadde hors, a-monges Gregeis:

'This is no gamen,' Achilles seis;

Achilles rod to him sone,

For he wende wele he hadde done.

9196

¶ But Troyle was war of his comyng,

He ȝaff riȝt not of his thretyng:

A stalworthe spere he to him sesed,

And smot his hors and him so fesed,

9200

He bar Achilles quyte and clene

Out of his sadel vpon the grene;

He made Achilles to reste thore,

So was he wounded wonder sore,

9204

¶ He made his eres the grounde likke.

But he ros vp stoutly and quykke,

As he no harm hadde y-lacched;

Troyle wold with more haue macched,

9208

He wolde haue hurt him fayn sarror,

But the Gregeis held him then forror, Page 272

To Achilles he myȝt come noght, [folio 136b]

9211

For-sothe to him, as he hadde thoght.

9212

AChilles is vpward cropen,

Opon his hors he is lopen:

Him were leuere than al Lubik,

That he myȝt Troyle to dethe strike;

9216

He and his smot at him alle,

As men smeten atte balle.

¶ But Ector was ther-of war,

How thei be-gan with Troyle to fare;

9220

He hied him thedir wonder swythe,

When Troyle saw him, he was blythe:

He ȝaff Achilles suche a dasche,

That al his helm be-gan to crasche,

9224

He smot In-to his serkelet.

Now are thei to-geder met

Among her men hem two alone,

Thei delen dyntis wel gode wone;

9228

Be-twene hem two was gret hate,

Thei haue be-gonnen a gret bate:

¶ Eyther on other be-gan to hewe,

Here strengthe to kythe, her myȝt to schewe,

9232

Dredful dyntis be-twene hem dele;

He is a fole, with hem wol mele!

Thei are now bothe on hors-backis,

Ether of hem on other hackis

9236

With swerdes scharpe opon her scheld;

A strong batayle was ther In feld.

¶ Here Aketouns roff as hadde ben pokes,

Ayther of hem on other strokis,

9240

And tar here armes that were newe,

A wicked brotthe thei ther brewe;

With swerdes gode that were trenchaunt

9243

Fauȝt thei to-gedur by that hil pendaunt.*. [The E in blue paint.]Page 273

ECtor fightes with Achilles, [folio 137a]

9245

He hewys his mayles res by res,

He hewys hem alle In taterwagges,

His hauberk heng alle In ragges;

9248

And he ȝeues him a-ȝeyn good pay,

The grettest strokes that he may.

¶ But Ector ȝaff Achilles one

And claff his flesch on-to the bone,

9252

Hit barst his helme & his coyfe eke,

And it made him the grounde seke:

The stroke was gret—as I ȝow tolde,—

Achilles myȝt not his sadel holde,

9256

Opon his hors myȝt he not sitte,

When sir Ector hadde him so hitte.

¶ He lefft his hors and fel to grounde

And swoned sore In that stounde;

9260

Top ouer tayl he gan loute.

The Gregeis gadered him aboute,

His Murmidones were alle agast

He hadde be sclayn, for he was cast;

9264

Thei stode aboute him alle fyghtande,

For Ector scholde not come him hande,

Til he were rysen & vpward couered:

Many a man aboute him houered,

9268

His body al for to fende,

That Ector schold not come him hende.

¶ Then myȝt men se strokes ride,

Gregeis feld on eche a syde

9272

That thedir come In his defence,

For thei made ther thanne resistence

A-ȝeyns Ector & his Troians:

He sclow that tyme a thousand Danes

9276

That then defended sir Achilles,

Many on swalt In his owne gres. Page 274

¶ Ector wolde Achilles take, [folio 137b]

9279

And the Gregeis defence did make:

9280

Thei wolde rather dye right ther,

Then Achilles I-take wer.

Achilles stode on fote & fauȝt,

Til he was almost out of mauȝt:

9284

¶ He was careful and wel drery,

For that he was so wery,

He myȝt not wel his scheld vp bere,

He myȝt not him fro Ector were,

9288

He myȝt not wel his breth blowe,

He was In poynt to ouer-throwe;

His vertu hadde he clene lore,

But Ector wolde not lette ther-fore.

9292

¶ But than come thedir Thelamon,

With alle his men Agamenon,

And the douȝti Menescens:

That halp him wel a-ȝeyn Troyens,

9296

With mychel wo and gret trauayle

Halp thei him In that batayle.

¶ Thei brouȝt him hors, and brouȝt him vp,

He hadde lauȝt many a pop,

9300

For ther was many a strok ȝeuen;—

But it was welney euen.

ECtor was sori that it was nyȝt,

Er thei of Grece were discomfit:

9304

For hadde thei had the lyght of day,

Achilles hadde not went a-way

To [be] taken then vnto his teld,

But hadde died In that feld.

9308

Thei departid on bothe side—

For it was nyȝt and derk that tyde,—

¶ Ector to Troye ouer the downes,

And Gregeis to here Pauylones. Page 275

9312

The clothis were layd, and thei doun lyght: [folio 138a]

9313

To soper were thei alle dyght,

Thei sette hem doun and ete & drank;

Many hadde his clothis al blank

9316

Off blod that thei hadde bled.

Thei ete and drank & ȝede to bed,

And rested hem, til the sonne vp ros:

To Arme him there eche man gos,

9320

¶ The stour a-ȝeyn wolde thei be-gynne,

For good on erthe wol thei not blynne;

Her hors are brouȝt, and thei vp lepe,

Thei ren to-gedre on an hepe,

9324

As thei hadde don that day be-fore;

Ther died be-twene hem many a score.

BOthe parties In the feld were prest,

In pees wol thei neuere rest;

9328

Eche man rides vnto his macche,

Many a man here deth there lacche.

Whan thei to-gedre were met with speres,

Many on other ouer beres;

9332

Thei drow here swerdes of good metal;

Er it be nyȝt, manye dye schal.

Echon on*. [MS. or.] other ffaste doth bete,

Ryght as threscheres doth on whete;

9336

On smytes his felawe thorow the pap,

And he ȝeues him a sori wap.

¶ Thei sclow or euen a thousand knyghtes,

Men saw neuere suche other fyghtes—

9340

Sithen In erthe god made man,—

That of so litel thing be-gan!

Ne so fele lordes with-outen fayle

Were neuere sclayn at on batayle,

9344

Ne men of Armes and also naked,

As were at Troye—sithen man was maked!

Page 276 ¶ Hic pugnant .xxx. dies absque respectu.

Some were smyten of by the knes, [folio 138b]

9347

Some thorow-out bothe thies,

9348

Some lay dede, & som cast doun,

And some lay wounded and brostoun;

Some In his body bar a tronchoun,

As it were put In with a ponchoun.

9352

The while thei myghten endure,

Thei threw doun men—I telle ȝow sure,—

Thei smyten hors and helmes barst,

The while the brethe wold hem last.

9356

MIchel sorwe hem was a-mong;

Sicurly hit were to long

Me to telle, and ȝow to here,

How thei ffauȝt echon In-fere,

9360

I may not al the dedis devyse;

Ther wolde no boke it al suffise

Alle here dedis for to holde,

Iff thai schulde alle be y-tolde,

9364

And I schulde alle here dedis say,

How thei fauȝt to-geder euery day.

The bible ne no Missale,

The legende ne no Iornale,

9368

The Grael ne the Tropere,

Schold not holde here dedis plenere.

¶ For .xxx.^ti dayes with-outen pes

Thei fauȝt to-gedur with-outen ses,

9372

Al was sprad bothe diche and bank

With dede bodies that lay & stank.

Men redes In gestes of douȝti men,

How thei fouȝten to-geder dayes ten,—

9376

Euery day with-outen rest,—

To se whiche of hem were best;

Men tellen of Ywayn and Wade

In gestes that of hem ben made, Page 277

9380

How thei fauȝt a day or two, [folio 139a]

9381

And afftir that more than so:

Thei ffauȝt ffourtene nyght,

And that was kampiouns right.

9384

¶ But I say: Ector and his feris,

Achilles als & his comperis,

Thei fauȝt to-geder dayes thre,

And wold thei not in pes be;

9388

Thei fauȝt to-gedir fourtene nyght,

And that was the Troiens right;

With-outen rest thei fauȝt al-weyes,

Til thei hadden fouȝten .xxx.^ti dayes—

9392

Euery day til it was nyȝt,

That neuere be-lan whil thei hadde lyght.

¶ Now wol I of this thing telle,

I may not alle here dedis melle;

9396

For mochel wo be-twene hem wex:

Off Ector brethere were sclayn sex

With-In the dayes that thei so fauȝt,

And Ector also a sore wounde lauȝt

9400

In his visage on of that day,

Wherby Ector In his bed lay

In Ylion a ful gret stounde,

Er he were hol of that wounde.

9404

THretti dayes when he hadde foughten

With-outen reste bothe euen & oughten,

Priamus sente to the Gregeis

Kynges two that were curtays,

9408

And other lordes mo wente hem with,

Trewe to aske a six monyth.

And thei it graunte al at her wille,

Thei were fayn to holde hem stille

9412

And rest In pes al that terme;

The trewes is graunt and holden ferme,

Page 278 ¶ Hic ceperunt pacem ad inuicem per vj. Menses.

And therto haue thei trowthes plyght: [folio 139b]

9415

"That nother of hem be dayes ne nyght

9416

Lastynge the trewes schal other wayte

With vilonye ne other desayte;

And if any man be gylti founden,

Hand and fote schal he be bounden,

9420

On galowe-tre to honge hye

For his ffalshede and his folye."

¶ The trewes be graunt a ful half ȝere

Be-twene kynges, dukes, & bachelere,

9424

Alle that on bothe sides wore:

Now euery man helis his sore,

Alle taken medycine that myster hade,

To reste that while alle were glade.

9428

And Ector is to Ilion brouȝt,

A riche bed ffor him was wrouȝt,

He was leyd In that paleis,

That was of riche werk Sarsaneis;

9432

¶ His bed was made In that riche halle

And y-couered with many riche palle:

To him come fycisiens,

The beste of alle Troyens,

9436

And soughte his woundes on eche halue,

And leyde ther-to plastres & salue,

And ȝaff him herbes & gode raysyns,

And heled him vp with gode medysyns.

9440

IN Ilyon Ector was layd

In that riche halle—as I sayd;—

For alle these lordes & the ladyes,

That were of worschepe and of pris,

9444

Scholde him comforte In his penaunce

And with the speche do him legaunce

And of his Angwis and his sekenesse,

To come to him bothe more & lesse. Page 279

9448

Hit was an halle of gret noblay, Aula*. [In red paint.]. [folio 140a]

9449

The halle ther-as Ector lay;

The toures were of out-done hight,

I-made with wonder art and slight.

9452

If thow wolt that halle discryue,

Sicurly ȝe wolde not leue

The wonder werk of the Pyleres;

Men wolde holde hem grete lyeres,

9456

Man wolde wene that men did lye,

And holde it alle for fairie.

¶ But man wolde wene In his thoght,

That suche werk myght neuere be wroght;

9460

For now is non so glorious,

Ne non In this world so vertuous,

As Ilion was the while it stode,

I-set ful of stones and perles gode;

9464

Rofe and wal and euery a gable,

Dore and wyndowe, trestles and table,

Courbel, beme, and euery a ston,

With riche gold was vmbygon.

9468

¶ Alle the walles of that wones

Were thikke y-set with precious stones;

A thousand rubies on a rowe

Were set a-bouen on the wowe.

9472

Ther stode a-long & eke a-crois

Many a riche erbe-debois;

The matistre and a riche saphur,

And other stones many & sur;

9476

Ther stode many a charbocle-ston,

That as bryȝt aboute hem schon

In that halle aboute mydnyght,

As doth the somerday lyght.

9480

That halle was brode & long,

Off semely werk sicur & strong,

Page 280 ¶ Qualiter palacium Regis Troiani factum est.

Two hundred fet was it be-met. [folio 140b]

9483

On stones twelue was hit al set

9484

Off Alabaster that wele were wrouȝt,

It was gret meruayle how thei were bouȝt

Vnto that werk to rayse that ground,

It was meruayle where men thei found.

9488

¶ He was worthi be called a clerk,

That of twelue stones made suche a werk.

The halle flore was paued al

Thorowout with clene cristal;

9492

In euery a hirne was set a post

Off worthi werk with mychel cost;

On euery a post stode an ymage

As he hadde ben In fauntel-age;

9496

Alle were wrouȝt of gold ffyn,

Hede, body, visage, and eyn.

¶ Ther was no man*. [MS. noman.] In al that land

That he ne wende thei hadde ben lyuand:

9500

So vereili thei loked and smyled,

Many a man ther-with was giled;

Off here makyng and of here lokes

Many meruayles In his bokis.

9504

DAres wrot—I telle it ȝow,—

That I wol not speke of now:

"The walles of that halle streyȝt

9507

Were two thousand fet of heyȝt,*. [¶ Altitudo Murorum.]

And ȝit ther-to ffyue hundrid als,"—

As Dares seis that neuere was fals.

¶ Dares seis: "the toures were so hy,

That thei wente to the sky,

9512

So ney were thei the firmament

A-boue the cloudes verament,

A man that stode with-oute doute

On hem, myȝt se al the lond aboute, Page 281

9516

And other londes a-cost also [folio 141a]

9517

On euery a side, that marches ther-to."

¶ Then were thei hye verament,

Thei hadde nede of a good fundement;

9520

Euery a ston of Marbil was

As smethe as any glas,

Euery a ston was smethe schauen.

The walles were with bestes grauen,

9524

Ther was no best In wildernes,

Forest, ne feld, more ne les,

That thei ne were ther wele entayled,

Wilde ne tame non ther fayled.

9528

BEfore the dore was set a tre,*. [¶ Arbor ad hostium.]

That fair and semely was to se:

The tre was al of riche gold

Fro the grounde vnto the mold,

9532

And alle the bowes of that erberye

Were siluer & gold with-outen lye;

For euere was on of siluer bryȝt,

A-nother of gold that was so lyȝt.

9536

¶ Ther was neuere fruyt that euere grewe

That thei ne hongen ther In here hewe,

But al was*. [MS. But al that was.] siluer and gold with-Inne.

This werk was mad with quaynte gynne.

9540

In that halle ende was mad his dese,

Richeli made it was alweyes:

¶ Ther was a bord of gret richesse,

In al this world such another ther nesse*. [MS. wesse.].

9544

In that other ende of that riche halle,

Wel fair vpright aȝeyn the walle,

He let make a riche auter,

But ther-on was neuere seid no sauter.

9548

And afftir that he sette In that ende

His god Iouys, he held his frende; Page 282

For whan he wolde his help craued, [folio 141b]

9551

He wende he myȝt him haue saued.

9552

¶ A ffair ymage that kyng did make

Off ffyn gold ffor his goddis sake;

On that auter did he sette hit,

Off pure gold was hit I-bet;

9556

Hit was .xv. cubitis long.

He sette hit there with mochel song,

With ffythel, harpe, and mynstrasie,

With mychel merthe and melodye.

9560

¶ He spende on him gret tresoure,

Certes he loste al his laboure.

He made to him a redy way

Off twenti grecis of marbil gray,

9564

That he & other myȝt come him to,

When that thei wolde him worschepe do.

And thus was maked that riche halle,

As I haue told to ȝow alle.

9568

ECtor liggis In Ilioun;

At his hed sat kyng Menoun

And Hectuba, his Moder, the quene,

So did Eleyne and Pollexene;

9572

That louely lyff dame Andromede

To Ector takes sche gode hede:

Wel tenderly the knyȝt sche ȝemed,

That fair lady that wel be-semed.

9576

¶ Kynges fele a-boute come

And comfort him alle & some

Off his hurtyng & malady,

For his sorwe were thei drery.

9580

Kyng Priamus let bery

With careful herte and no-thyng mury

His sixe sones that died tho dayes,

Euerychon be-sydes other he layes.

9584

Page 283 ¶ Hic Ector sanatus est.

He bad that echon schuld haue [folio 142a]

9585

By him-self a riche graue:

Here graues were sone y-made

Bothe with schouele & with spade;

9588

And leyd hem ther-In bothe body & bones,

And heled a-bouen with riche stones.

And so was grauen eche a brother,

A litel echon fro other.

9592

¶ Thei of Grece her riche kynges

Graued also, here lordynges;

And tho that were of lasse renoun

Thei gadered to hepes with-oute the toun

9596

And brende her bodyes alle by-dene,

And made the feld of hem ful clene,

That no stynk of hem schulde rise,

Hem to dere on no wyse.

9600

ECtor heles and coueres faste,

His Angwys almost a-way is paste,

He may bothe go & stande,

In that halle is he walkande;

9604

And alle these other ben ner-honde heled.

Delful dyntis were ther deled,

When thei were heled and comen samen;

Ther by-gynne a grisly gamen:

9608

Many on schal to the dethe wende,

Er thei efft-sones make an ende.

¶ For Ector was fful sore a-greued

That his visage was so cleued;

9612

He het his men for euene or od,

That ther hors be faste y-schod,

And her harneis redi dight,

Her aketoun strong, her brynys bryght;

9616

'That hors ne harneis ȝow not faile

A-ȝeyn the tyme of oure batayle.' Page 284

WInter is went—as I wene— [folio 142b]

9619

The leues growen In greues grene,

9620

The ffloures sprede & spedly sprynge,

The thrustil sittes & mury synge,

The sonne is hote, the terme goth out.

The Troiens are bothe stiff & stout,

9624

And so ar Danes and eke Gregeis:

Alle ȝare thei ben In here harneis

For to fare & that stoure mayntene,

But thei schal passe with moche tene.

9628

¶ The trewes is passed and alle termened,

And alle ben redy & haue dyned,

Many an helme is set on hede

That long er nyght schal ligge dede;

9632

The ladyes for her lordes caren,

For thei wot neuere how thei schal faren;

Thei made gret mornyng a-mong,

Thei tare hir heer, hir handis wrong.

9636

¶ The lordes hem busked & toke here caples,

Men brynge hem speres of gode maples,

And scheldes stronge thei brynge als,

To honge semely a-boute her hals.

9640

¶ Ector bad thei schulde ride,

Thei wol not lenger here abyde:

Thei riden forth out of the toun

With scheld and spere & gonfanoun.

9644

And thei of Grece were gadered alle

With-oute the diche be-fore the walle,

In-myddis the feld ther standis her stale.

And thei of Troye riden doun a dale,

9648

Til thei mete to-geder bothe;

Two hundred thousand schal be wrothe

Er thei do parte fro her frende,

That schal be sclayn, er thei thennes wende. Page 285

9652

NOw are thei bothe In the feld arayed, [folio 143a] *. [Adhuc bellum.]

Baneres brode ther ben displayed;

9654

On nother side was non so bold

That thei ne be-gynne sone to cold,

9656

Whan thei schal mete thore:

The beste of hem a-bached wore,

Saue Ector on that neuere was ferd;

He ȝeues of hem not a ȝerd,

9660

Off alle her fare, of thai were mo,

For he blan neuere to wende and sclo

¶ Alle he myght mete with & ouer-take;

He be-gynnes a-boute him to make

9664

Wayes to driue In bothe cart & wayn.

Many Gregeis other gan frayn:

"How thei myȝt sclo him ther he rode?"

But ther was non that him a-bode:

9668

He ȝede doun or lost his lyff.

He sclow a thousand In that stryff,

When bothe parties to-gedur were;

Many a man died there.

9672

¶ Ther was gret del to se hem mete,

So fele fel doun vndir hors fete,

That neuere myȝt afftirward arise,

Thei made a schrewed marchaundise:

9676

Eche slo other, as thei were wode,

Thei made no ruthe of mannes blode;

Some is cloven In-to the shere,

Some has lorn bothe cheke & ere,

9680

Some hath lorn lyuer & gut,

Was many man ded doun put,

Many hath lorn eye & browe;

Euerychon wolde his frend rescowe,

9684

Than comes he & he also

And girdes his bak euen a-two. Page 286

And thus ferd thei fro that thei met, [folio 143b]

9687

Til the sonne was doun set*. [MS. pet.];

9688

Thei blan neuere to smyte ne slo,

Many a bak thei made al blo.

ECtor fyghtes with his enemys,

Thorow here ost he rod thris,

9692

Fro man to man a-boute he skyppis,

Thei fel afftir him as hit were shepis:

For siker, sithe erthe by-gan,

Was not made a better man,

9696

That so stronge dedes In Armes did;

Alas that euere him mys-be-tid!

¶ Off man was neuere so moche reuthe,

For he was good & loued trewthe;

9700

Ther was no man that did suche dedis

Off alle the knyȝtes that men of redis,

Ther was neuere man his strok myȝt stande,

That toke a ful stroke of his hande,—

9704

Saue Achilles that strong knyȝt,

For he was man of moche myȝt.—

Ther was no side of al that ost

That he ne rode thorow ffor alle her bost.

9708

¶ He sclow to grounde al that he toke,

The beste of hem for drede quoke,

Thei were alle aferd of that on knyȝt,

For he was man of moche myȝt.

9712

The Gregeis alle his sword knewe,

Many a man to grounde he hewe;

And tho he bar doun or ouer,

Ful ffewe a-ȝeyn ne myght couer,—

9716

Vn-til that lyff so sore he smot.

The sonne schon bryȝt, the day was hot.

¶ Hit greued hem sore of Grece,

Thei sat toterynge as it were gece— Page 287

9720

What for the strokes & the hete! [folio 144a]

9721

The Gregeis wel sore he gan bete,

He made of hem gret martirdam:

I trowe, sithen god made Adam,

9724

Dud neuere man so gret meruayles,

In fightes fele and gret batayles

He sclow so many grete of renoun,

Armed with helme and hauberioun,

9728

As Ector did his owne hand,

The while he was In erthe lyvand.

¶ Gret voyce was tho hem among,

Swerdis ther on helmes rong,

9732

Many an helme was ther clatered,

And many hede al to-batered*. [MS. alto batered.].

Ector makes of hem grete hepes,

Fro man to man a-boute he lepis;

9736

As thik as leue on the tre

He sles hem doun by two or thre.

Thorow the feld hit is wel sene

In euery stede ther he hath bene,

9740

For it is layd with dede bodies

Thikkere than trees ar set In ris.

¶ He makes a-boute him roume & way.

Achilles wot not what to say,

9744

Offte hath he that day him met,

But he myȝt neuere his proues bet,

Ne he durst not for ferd of gyle

Dele with him that ilke whyle,

9748

And if he scholde not haue grace,

To parte with him out of that place.

THe Gregeis saw this fare was nouȝt

A-ȝeyn the dedis that Ector wrouȝt,

9752

Thei myȝt not y-wis lenger endure,

Thei swalt almost In her Armure;

Page 288 ¶ Hic Greci ffugerunt.

Thei fled euerychon, and that was best,— [folio 144b]

The sonne was drawen to his rest,

9756

And that was fair to here be-houe,—

For thei hadde elles euel proue.

The Gregeis fled with michel hast;

Wo was hem that was the last,—

9760

Ector sclow hem In that chace.

Men myȝt ffolwe hem by the trace

Off dede bodyes he lefft ligande,

The Gregeis he sclow fleande.

9764

¶ Achilles was not then the laste,

That he were then he hyed faste;

And Ector faste afftir him prikes,

He drof him home vn-to his dikes

9768

And turned a-ȝeyn—for it was nyȝt,—

He fauȝt lenger than he hadde syȝt:

He rod to Troye with his prisonnes

And lefft hem In her pauylonnes.

9772

ECtor is to Troy riden,

Priamus him hath abiden.

Off his mete and his sopere,

Thei are now set to-geder In-fere,

9776

Thei are wel serued with many metis,

With murthe & play thei sitte In setis:

His fader him makes mochel Ioye,

And so did alle that were In Troye.

9780

¶ The fader blessed offte his sone;

He hadde ther many a benysone

Off lordis faire & fre ladyse,

Of knyȝtes kene and men of pryse.

9784

For ther died mo at that semble,

That Ector sclow at that Iorne

With his hand—as thei seyde alle—

9787

Then alle that euere fre and thralle. Page 289

So fele men died then In o day [folio 145a]

9789

Off no mannes hond—I dar wel say—

In hard batayle that Armed. were,

As Ector sclow with his hand there;—

9792

He was wel serued, honourd & kepe.

When thei hadde souped, thei wente to slepe

And rest hem, til the sonne vp rose:

Eche man then to arme him gose,

9796

¶ Thei toke her horses & here a-tyre

With swerdes gode aboute here swire,

And ryden forth vpon a res.

Ȝit wol thai not be In pes,

9800

Ten thousand schal her lyff for-sake,

Er thei thenke reste to take.

NOw haue thei taken the feld bothe,

Ful Irrous & Inly wrothe.

9804

Thei are now*. [MS. not.] to-geder met,

Her speres ar broken, and arwes schet,

Thei drowe her swordes of here scauberkes,

Ther cleue scheldes & hauberkes,

9808

The riche armure thei al to-kerue;

Ther schal a thousand er euen sterue:

Echon other al to-drawes,

Thei cutte In-two bothe lyuer & mawes,

9812

¶ Hand & hede, lunge & mylte;

Many a gode man was ther spilte.

Whil thei hadde day & myȝt out se,

Wolde thei neuere In pes be.

9816

Thei fauȝt thus clene dayes twelue,

Til thei hadde nede here dede men delue,

And thei of Grece mouth not ordayn

To fyght for-sothe no more sustayn;

9820

So were thei ouercomen & taken

And with Ector holden waken*. [At the foot of the page are some scribblings upside down.], Page 290

That thei most rest or elles dye. [folio 145b]

9823

It was past afftir the Maye,

9824

The weder was hot, the sonne schon,

The Gregeis made ther-fore gret mone:

For thorow ffight and the hete

Many on lefft that day the swete.

9828

TWelff dayes fauȝt thei to-geder

With-outen rest In that hote weder;

Be-twene hem died many a lord,

Whil thei were at that discord;

9832

Many a lord on ayther syde

Were ded In tho twelue dayes tyde.

The Gregeis myȝt fyght no more,

Thei asked trewes with sikyng sore,

9836

¶ Off xxx^ti dayes thei faire be-souȝt,

Til the dede were In the erthe brouȝt,

And til that hete were al doun;

For elles hadde thei ben ded echoun:

9840

So gret was thanne the hete In feld,

Thei myȝt not lyue In tent & teld

That wounded were or hurtyng hadde.

A, Priamus! that thow was madde,

9844

When thow the trewes so lyȝtly graunted!

For haddes thow thenne that batayle haunted,

Thei schulde haue died with gret vilte,

With swerd at that gret mortalite!

9848

¶ But ffortune was thi foo mortel

And schop thi wo perpetuel;

And for sche wolde thi blysse were doun,

Sche made the graunte the trewes soun.

9852

For sicur I wot with-outen drede:

The formast day the trewes out ȝede,

That thei to-geder In feld were met,

Her blis & Ioye for euere was let.

9856

Page 291 ¶ Hic Priamus concedit pacem xxx. dies.

PRiamus hath graunted the trewe: [folio 146a]

9857

The Gregeis maken murthe & glewe,

Thei were neuere of trewe so blythe;

Thei thanked her god fele sithe,

9860

For thei saued hem by her pauste

Fro that gret mortalite;

Thei maken to him gret offeryng

With many broche & many ryng,

9864

And thanked hem of here dede,

For thei wende efft better spede.

¶ Thei were ful fayn thei were at rest,

For thei ther-of hadde mychel brest,

9868

Thei heled her woundes lesse & more,

That woundes haue or any sore.

So were thei hole or thritti day,

For thenne was the grette hete away,

9872

And thei were styff & stout

To renne & ride al a-bout,

And do al thyng that mister was,

Thei dredde not the Troyens a gras.

9876

¶ Thritti dayes are now ful-filled,

Alas! noble Troye, thow schalt be spilled,

Thrawen doun & ligge al wast,

For thow schalt lese thi lord In hast!

9880

This is the day of thin vnwyn,

Alle may wepe that the ben In,

Kyng and quene that to the longe;

Wele may thow wepe & leue thi songe!

9884

Alle Troiens may say: weylaway!

That euere come this Ilke day!

¶ Alas thi chambres & thi boures,

Thi faire hall and thi toures,

9888

Thi semely ȝates & thi faire walles,

And alle thi crafftly corven balles!

Page 292 ¶ Lamentacio super Troianos.

¶ Fair Ilyon that stondes so hye, [folio 146b]

9891

So lowe as thow schalt sone lye!

9892

Suche a Cite was neuere non wrouȝt,

Al schal sone turne to nouȝt;

But thow may say as gode Iob sayde,

When he with sorwe was be-layde:

9896

He cursed the day that he was borne

For wo that was leyd him be-forne,

He bad it turne to derknes

And euere be as thesternes.

9900

¶ And so may thow that day banne,

That the batayle furst be-ganne,

Afftir the trewes was y-past:

Alas, that ne hit hadde lenger last

9904

For Troye that was wel mayntened!

Hadde he that day him abstened,

He scholde haue ben conquerour

Off his enemys with gret honour!

9908

PRiamus, this is the day

That thow schalt lese thi noblay,

Thi mayntenaunce and thi defence,

Thyn honour & thi reuerence!

9912

This day thow leses thi seygnorie,

For gode Ector this day schal dye,

That the defended and thi kynrede,

Thi landes & thi manhede.

9916

¶ Now artow lord of thi landis,

Many a duk byfore the standis,

The hodes offe*. [MS. offte.] & bare the heued,—

Sone schal it fro the be reued!

9920

That now bene thyne be trouthe y-plyȝt,

Schal lete of the wel sone ful lyȝt!

The auȝt euere to curse that day,

That fals god now the helpe ne may; Page 293

9924

At this nede may he not helpe [folio 147a]

9925

No more then may a dogge whelpe*. [MS. wlelpe.].

Mochel sorwe was the toward,

When thei of Troye ride out-ward;

9928

And so was also thi faire wyff,

Wherfore scho afftir lase hir lyff;

And Pollexene with-outen gilt

Afftirward therfore was spilt.

9932

¶ A, douȝti Troyle, at euery a dede,

Vn-to that day that thow take hede!

What harme that day to the be-felle!

Thow may telle of thi tenselle,

9936

And say, if thow be riȝt be halwed,

Alas, that euere that day be-dawed—

For to lese that the was leue & dere!

For if he hadde lyued thre ȝere,

9940

Thow haddest ben kyng of many a land

Thorow strengthe of thi brother hand;

For whan he died, ȝe died alle;

Suche hap was to ȝow be-falle.

9944

Allas, lady dame Andromede,

This is the day that thow may drede,

This is the day of thi gret wo,

For thow schal now thi lord for-go!

9948

Thow schal lese the worthiest knyȝt

That euere was wedded to any wyȝt;

For hadde he lyued, thow hadde be quene

Off many a land—& that was sene,—

9952

Thow haddest ben quene of Troye & dame.

But now schal it turne al to schame,

For thow scha[l]t falle In suche maystry,

That the schal lede In vylony,

9956

In sclaunder and In foule schendyng,

Al thi lyff to thyn endyng. Page 294

Knyȝtes kene that ben of Troye, [folio 147b]

9959

Now make murthe and mochel Ioye;

9960

¶ Alle Are ȝe bold for Ector sake,

Gret is the murthe that ȝe may make,

Ȝe drede no leuynge creature,

So ar ȝe sicur of him & sure.

9964

But ȝit schal ȝe, or sonne go doun,

Alle that are In feld & toun

Sey "alas!" for sorwe & care,

"That day that euere ȝoure moder ȝow bare!"

9968

A, Curteis Citeseyns,

Trewe & triste gode Troiens,

Herde I neuere of no burgeis

That were so hende & so curteis.

9972

Alas! me rewes ȝoure destene,—

That were of ȝoure ȝifftes so fre,

Off noble blod & genterye,

Off gret manhede & curtesye,—

9976

¶ That ȝoure noblay & ȝoure largesse,

Ȝoure curtesye & ȝoure richesse

Schal turne to nouȝt, and ȝe also!

Fals fortune wol ȝow for-do,

9980

For deth has sche y-schaped,

Sche wil no wyse that he be skaped.

And he be ded & fro ȝow gon,

Ȝe ben dede euerychon!

9984

Ȝoure brochis brode & al ȝoure byes

That now ligges In ȝoure tyes,

¶ Ȝoure tresoure & ȝoure florayns

Wol sche dele to knyȝtis & swayns

9988

Off hem of Grece that are ȝoure foos.

This is the day that all goos,

Ȝoure gret noblay & ȝoure seygnorye

Schal turne to dele & waymentrye.

9992

Page 295 ¶ Hic Andromeda vxor Ectoris sompniauit de morte ipsius.

THat louely lyff dame Andromede [folio 148a]

9993

The laste nyȝt the trewes out-ȝede,—

That thei schulde ffight afftir the day,—

By her lord In hir bed sche lay:

9996

A dredful dreme that lady dremed,

That In hir sclepe sche cried & scremed.

¶ The while sche was In hir sclepe,

Ector ȝaff to hir good kepe,

10000

Sche was sore & sche was dredful,

To wakyn hir it was nedful;

He waked hir & seide: 'swetyng,

Thow art ful ferd In thi sclepyng.

10004

Whi fares thow thus? what ayles the?

Whi art thow ferd? what may this be?'

'Alas!' seyde sche, 'my gentil lord!

But thow wil do be myn acord,

10008

Sicurly thow ne art but dede,—

But thow wil do afftir my rede,—

And I am lorn for euere also,

And thi louely children two!

10012

For I am sicur be my dreme,

That I am lorn, and thi barne-teme;

And thow art ded with-outen fayle,

If thow this day go to batayle.

10016

¶ For I wot be my drem to-nyȝt:

If thow to-morne gos to fyȝt,

With-oute the deth may thow not passe;

Then may I say for the "alas!

10020

That I was borne!" for care & sorwe.

Be-leue at hom, my lord, to-morwe

And come not there,—I the be-seche!—

To my prayeres thow be my leche,

10024

Be at home, til al be done!

For goddis loue here my bone!' Page 296

'FI a debles*. [MS. b, distinctly, not v; cf. l. 10746.]!' seyde the knyȝt, [folio 148b]

10027

'Thow art drecched with som euel wyȝt;

10028

Hit is foly and vnsemyng

A man to leue on*. [MS. or.] fals dremyng:

Offt are men thorow hem be-swiked,

And so was thow, whan thow scryked.

10032

A man that liggis In sclepe & dremes,

It is not as hit thenne semes

Off alle that euere he sclepande thought;

When he is wakyng, it is nought.

10036

He is a fole that In hem leues

Or any faith vnto hem ȝeues.

¶ Leue thi wordes & thy wepyng

And holde thi pes, hit was sclepyng!

10040

A thousand dremes men may dreme,

And ȝiff he ȝeue to hem gode ȝeme,

He schal not fynde what on be-menes,

For no-thyng falles as it schewes.'

10044

¶ The nyȝt is went, the day dawes:

Ector is wroth with his wyues sawes,

His wyues wordes Ector dispises;

He toke his clothes and vpward rises,

10048

He is wel wroth toward his wiff,

He biddis here vpon hir lyff

"Hir wepyng leue, hir wordes holde,

That sche no more be so bolde

10052

To crye ne wepe ne tales telle

Off thynges that is not worth a schelle."

¶ Gret is the sorwe that sche makes,

Sche wrynges hir hondes, hir hede schakes,

10056

As wyght that was with wo y-wounden

And In bales was sche bounden;

Sche drow hir heer & scratte hir face,

Sche weped & cried and seyde "alace! Page 297

10060

That euere schuld sche abide the day!" [folio 149a]

10061

Sche wente as sche were wod a-way.

¶ To Hectuba, his moder, sche ran,—

As sche hadde ben a wod womman,—

10064

And to hir suster Pollexene;

Thei wende that sche wod hadde bene,

Thei asked "whi that sche so ferde?"

'For tydandes that I haue herde

10068

And sene also slepyng to-nyȝt,'

Saide Andromede, that bridde bryȝt,

'A dreme for-sothe that not lyes,

That thus mechel signifies:

10072

That, If my lord this day out gange,

On lyue lyues he not lange;

If he this day to batayle go,

His enemys schal or euen him sclo.

10076

A-ȝeyn comes he on lyue no more,

If he go out—be goddis ore!

¶ But thow that bare him of thi sidis

And has for-don the Gregeis pridis—

10080

Off Chiualrie he is the flour,

And thi defence & thi socour,

That saues the & thi housbonde,

Thi tounes, thi toures, & thi londe,

10084

Thi sones & alle thi doughtres als,—

Let him neuere dye of no wyk-hals!

Make him at hom this day to be,

That he come not at that semble!

10088

For be he ded & fro vs went,—

That we were borne schal vs repent!'

HEctuba for ferd & drede

Was ner wod, when Andromede

10092

These tydandes whan sche hir tolde,

For sche wiste neuere, how him to holde,

Page 298 ¶ Hic Andromeda narrauit Regi & Regine.

That he come not at that assaut; [folio 149b]

10095

Sche hadde for him ful mychel aut,

10096

Gret sorwe then made the quene;

And so hadde als dame Pollexene.

¶ 'Go we,' sche sayde, 'to the kyng

And telle we him of this tythyng!

10100

For ther is non that so wel may

Make him to be at home to-day.'

These ladyes thenne fair and fre

To Priamus ȝede then alle thre

10104

And grete the kyng—as thei wel couthe—

With louely wordes of thaire mouthe:

'HErkene, sir,' seyde Andromede,

'Mi louely lord, my dreme thow rede!

10108

As I to-nyȝt by my lord lay,

A litel be-fore the spryng of the day

A wonder drem gan I mete,

That doth me thus to me to wete,—

10112

I se qwat it sygnifie*. [th erased after the last word of this line.],—

And do ther-to som remedie,

To make my lord that he go noght

To that stede that he hath thoght.

10116

¶ For sikur! if that he go,

He is lorne, and we also!

Thow schalt [him] neuere with eyen se

Come a-ȝeyn on lyue to the,

10120

For my drem—that is hidous—

Openly be-menes thus:

That if he to-day to batayle ride,

He schal be ded by euen-tyde.'

10124

¶ When Priamus that drem hadde herd,

As he schulde dye, for-sothe he ferd;

The water brast out at his eyen,

Him thoght he myȝt for sorwe dyen, Page 299

10128

Him thoght his herte gan to breke; [folio 150a]

10129

He stode longe, or he myght speke,

For sorwe & care that he hadde hent,

When he wiste what the dreme ment.

10132

'Whether I schal,' he sayde, 'alas!

Lese my Ioye & my solas,

Mi defence & my socour,

And lede my liff In dishonour,

10136

In wo, & drede, & paynes strong,

And alle that euere vn-to me long,

¶ Scholde I now lese my gode sone?

I schal him helpe, if I cone,

10140

That he this day go not to fyght

On hors ne fote,—by god al-myght!—

That he die neuere for vnhap.

For if he may this on day sckap,

10144

Wele wot I that he schal schende

Alle his fos & saue his frende.

¶ For may he passe his destane,

Conquerour then schal he be

10148

Off his fo-men, thei schal hem ȝelde

To him & his and fle the felde.'

THe sonne be-gynnes on hye to schyne,

Troiens ar alle set to dyne,

10152

Thei ben serued with many a coupe;

Euel schal thei or euen droupe,

For thei schal se or euen ded

The beste body that euere ete bred.

10156

¶ Ector ordeynes his batayles alle,

He biddis hem Troyle to him calle;

And he come to him faste ridande,

With helme on hed & spere In hande,

10160

Armed wel In iren wede.

Ector bad that he scholde lede

Page 300 ¶ Hic incipit Bellum in quo Ector Interfectus fuit.

The formast warde, the furste eschele, [folio 150b]

10163

And come a-ȝeyn with Ioye and hele.

10164

¶ He called to him Paris, his brother,

And bad that he scholde lede that other.

Afftir that he called Eueas,—

And he come a ful gode pas,—

10168

He seis: 'Eueas, I the bidde

That thow lede the batayle thridde;

And thow the ferthe, Polydomas,

To helpe him when he nede has.'

10172

¶ The ffiffthe batayle Ector be-tauȝt—

With alle the men that he ther auȝt—

To Sarpedoun, that douȝti kyng,

And other mo In his ledyng.

10176

¶ The sixte ledde kyng Episcropus,

A noble kyng and curtayus,

With many a douȝti bacheler.

Ector bad hem come him ner

10180

A douȝti kyng with visage grym.

The eyght batayle be-tauȝt he him:

He hete Forcius—I vndirstande,—

He bad him lede the ward eyghtande.

10184

¶ The ix. batayle—as I wene—

Be-tauȝt Ector to Philomene*. [MS. Pollexene.].

A douȝti kyng of gret pouste,

Hardi of hert and gret bounte,

10188

And other kynges that comen wore

In help of Troye, that were thore.

PRyamus the kyng [hem] seygned,

When Ector hadde hem thus ordeyned;

10192

He ȝaff echon to that batayle

Leue to wende, her fos to assayle;

For thei of Grece were comen be than

With-oute her diches, eueryche man, Page 301

10196

And redi dight, & hem abode; [folio 151a]

10197

And thei of Troye vnto hem rode.

But he bad Ector al on hye,

Heryng alle*. [MS. a [gap: 1] lle, probably meant for Alle.] that were him nye:

10200

"That he ne scholde that day armes bere

Ne entermete him of that were,

But be at hom with him that day—

On his blessyng, & say not nay."

10204

¶ Lord! so he wex wod wroth

Toward his wyff, purful & loth!

When his ffader Priamus

Be-fore hem Alle hadde bidden him thus:

10208

Ful vilensly his wyff he chidde

For that schame that sche him didde;

But he wold not do his biddyng,

He bade his men vnto him bryng

10212

His hauberioun and his target,

His Aketoun and his basenet.

¶ His men did as he hem bad.

When Andromede saw hir lord had

10216

His Armure In hand to Arme him with,

Sche cried out on kyn & kyth,

That sche was brouȝt In-to this world.

When Hectuba this word herd,

10220

¶ Sche ran thedir as sche were wod

Be-ffore Ector ther he stod;

Vpon hir knes tho fel the quene,

And his suster Pollexene,

10224

And Andromede kneled also

And broght with hir hir childur two:

That on of hem was ȝit so ȝong*. [MS. ȝoug.]

That he ne coude speke with tong,

10228

He coude ete no bred of whete,

He soukede then his moder tete.

Page 302 ¶ Hic rogauerunt Ectorem quod non ibat ad prelium illo die.

¶ The Moder spak to hir child [folio 151b]

10231

With herte fre & wordes my[l]d:

10232

'Sone,' sche seyde, 'loke the be-forn!

I am thi Moder that the hath born;

Fourty wekes ȝede I with the

With paynes stronge, rewe now on me

10236

For alle that wo & al that pyne

I suffred for the and brether thyne.

With-say not here my beheste,

My comaundement, ne my requeste!

10240

Vn-Arme the at my prayere,

As thow louest me & thi wyff here!'

POllexene & quene Elayne

Prayed him also,—al was In vayne.

10244

When Andromede saw al that,

How his Moder ther on knes sat,

Vpon hir knes sore wepande,

And quene Eleyne loude cryande,

10248

His sustres alle with sore chere,

And [he] wolde hem not here:—

¶ Sche toke the child In her lap

That was soukyng at her pap,

10252

By-fore his feet fel sche doun

For sorwe & care In a ded sowne.

When sche was rysen & sat on knes:

'This is thi sone that thow here ses,'

10256

Seyde Andromede, '& I thi wiff.

For him that made bothe deth and lyff!

Beleue at hom this day with me

And go not out to this semble!

10260

¶ And if thin [mod] be now so hard

That thow of me haue no reward,

Rewe opon this ȝonge thyng,

Thi sones bothe that I here bryng! Page 303

10264

That I ne dye neuere ne thei euel ded, [folio 152a]

10265

Ne go so pore to begge oure bred

In straunge land & In exile,

Saue me & hem fro deth vile!

10268

And lete vs now thin Armes of take

For thi louely childer sake!

And leue her-Inne this day alone

That thow this day bere Armes none!'

10272

¶ The ladies hadde gret pyne,

The water ran out of here eyȝene,

That it wet that louely lere;

Ȝit wolde he not hir prayeres here.

10276

His wiff wepes with reuful chere,

The teres fallen on hir lere,

Off hir eyen hit rennes out,

Thei wete hir chekes al a-bout,

10280

Sche ffalles offte In ded sownyng:

But he ȝaff of hem no thyng,

¶ But Armed him & toke his stede,

And lep vp sone & fro hem ȝede;

10284

Toward the feld he hyed him faste

Fro the ladies, that he were paste.

WHen Andromede saw hir lord go,

Lord god! what hir was wo!

10288

Sche skrat hir face—as sche were wod—

Til it was ronnen al on blod,

Sche rente hir clothes & hir heer tare;

Mechel sorwe made sche thare,

10292

Sche was almost of hir wit.

The lady thanne hir clothes vp knyt,

¶ Sche ran to kyng Priamus,

As sche that was ful angwisus*. [MS. ful of angwisus.].

10296

So was sche blod and al for-scrat,

That kyng ne none that by him sat Page 304

Wiste In erthe what sche was. [folio 152b]

10299

When thei hir knew, thei seyde: 'alas!'—

10300

'What ayles the, my derlyng?'

To hir seyde Priamus, the kyng.

Er sche myȝt speke, sche swoned ther,

Alle hadde reuthe aboute hir wer;

10304

¶ Thei were alle so sore meruayled,

What that louely lady ayled.

When sche was rysen, sche sat on knes,

Hir heer was rent & torne In pes;

10308

Sche cried loude and seide alweyes,

"Sche myght for no thyng be In pes."

Sche seyde: 'sir kyng, whi sittes thow here?

Wol thow now lese thi sone dere?

10312

Thow scholde haue ȝeuen to him entent!

For riȝt to batayle he is went;

Now is he gon & fforward reden;

His stede Armed he is be-striden,

10316

Vn-to the batayle for to gange;

Iff thow fro him dwelle out lange,

That he fro the thedir may wende,

Thow art for-done, & alle thi frende;

10320

¶ Thow schalt him neuere se more on lyue,

But thow ouertake him swythe.

For be it so that he come thore,

On lyue ne sese thow him no more!'

10324

The kyng anon with-oute abode

To his hors that he on rode,

And lepe vp sone with-outen tariyng

And rod afftir him with herte sikyng:

10328

¶ He priked his hors on the pament,

That afftir his feet the fir out glent;

For no thyng wolde the kyng abide,

10331

Or he sey him where he gan ride.

Page 305 ¶ Adhuc Magnum bellum.

He rode and toke him by the rayne, [folio 153a]

10333

And pulled his stede wrothely a-ȝayne,

And seyde: 'Ector, thow art to blame!

I comaunde the In my goddis name,—

10336

In him that is so ful of myȝt

And maked bothe day & nyȝt,—

That thow no further go fro me,

But turne a-ȝeyn to thi Cite!

10340

As thow art treuly my sone,

In my blessyng & benysone!'

ECtor offte his fader with-sayd,

But he his stede to him brayd,

10344

And brouȝt him thanne a-ȝeyns his wille,

With his praieres, the Cite tille.

In the paleys Ector doun lyght,

But he wolde not him vndyght

10348

¶ Off his armure & his a-tire;

He lefft at home with moche ire,

That he was not at that sauȝt.

The Gregeis with the Troyens fauȝt

10352

With hardi herte and gret reddure:

Ther was be-twene hem a grisly stoure,

Many a knyȝt on grounde ther lay,

And many an hors ther wente a-way,—

10356

Her guttes trayled on the grounde,—

That neuere afftir her maystres founde.

¶ Troylus woundes Gregeis and sles,

And he by-holdes wel Diomedes,

10360

He hadde to him wel gret envy:

He thought to do with him Maystry,—

That him were leuere then gret catel,—

That he myght scle him In that batel;

10364

He hated him for his lemman,

Cresseida*. [Cress, possibly by same hand, on erasure.], that fair womman. Page 306

He toke a spere stalworth and strong, [folio 153b]

10367

To bere doun Troyle a-mong the throng;

10368

But Troyle saw him come ridande

And toke a stalworth spere In hande,

And rode to him with myȝt and mayn,

[And Diomedes him aȝeyn,]*. [No gap in MS.]

10372

That thei fel bothe opon the grene:

And toke here stedis as knyȝtes kene,

¶ And bothe her swordis out thei drow

And ffauȝt to-geder long y-now,

10376

Til thei were stoned hede and brayn.

That on that other wolde haue sclayn,

Ne hadde than comen Menelaus

With al his ost opon Troylus;

10380

For he come thenne with gret meyne

And made these knyȝtes departye.

And elles I trowe with-outen les

Troyle hadde sclayn Diomedes!

10384

MEnelaus is comen doun

With many knyȝt and bold baroun:

When his men with here Ioyned,

Many a man was ther assoyned

10388

Off ther lyff ther at her mote,

That neuere afftirward come to bote.

¶ When Menelaus was In that presse,

He saw a kyng—het Messeres,—

10392

He smot that kyng vpon the scheld,

That he fel doun opon the feld.

When the Gregeis saw him falle,

Thei gadered a-boute him alle:

10396

¶ Messeres wolde defende his cors,

But sicurly he hadde no fors;

Thei made a serkel al a-boute,

That he myȝt not go with-oute.

10400

Thei toke that kyng a-mong hem a-none Page 307

And with him gan a-wey gone, [folio 154a]

10402

To lede him to here pauylouns

And put him with ther other prisouns.

10404

But Troyle by-gan theder to loke

And say, how thay of Grece him toke:

He vowed to god, "he scholde be wo,

Or thei that kyng with hem lete go."

10408

¶ He rode thedir with-oute dwellyng

And be-lan neuere of men fellyng,

Til he hadde take him fro her hondis

And delyuered him out of his bondis.

10412

The Gregeis saw that thei mowȝt nouȝt

Lede him a-way, as thei hadde thouȝt:

Thei thoght his hede of for to strike

And leue him liggand vpon the dike,

10416

¶ But come Troyle, the douȝti knyȝt,

And many of hem sclow In here fyȝt

And made that kyng a-way to scape

For al that ost & alle that frape;

10420

Then*. [MS. But then.] were Troyens bold and Ioyus.

But than come doun Thelamanyus

With thre thousand of douȝti knyȝtes,

To helpe Gregeis with al her myȝtes;

10424

On that side come he doun ridande,

Ther Polidomas was ffyghtande.

¶ Thelamanyus with a spere

To Polidomas rode with were

10428

And bar him doun, er he was war,

And with that Iustus he smot him sar

And threw him doun ouer his hors ers,

That long afftirward he was the wers.

10432

He was In poynt tho him to ȝelde,

But then come Troyle to that felde

And Thelamon myȝtily assayled Page 308

And so hertly on him trauayled, [folio 154b]

10436

That on hors brouȝt he Polidomas

Swyfliche as he rather was.

PAris hath his men araied,

His baner is before disp[l]ayed,

10440

He gaderes his men aboute him nowe

And biddis that thei schal him folowe:

To that assaut wil he now wende,

His men echon her bowes thei bende,

10444

And sette In takel long and brode;

To that assaut thei with him rode

And schotte Gregeis & did him skathe.

But Achilles was al to rathe,—

10448

Armed wel & redi dight,—

To come then with many a knyȝt:

With al his ost come he doun tho,

The Troiens faste be-gan to sclo.

10452

¶ He hem sles & doun hem kest,

Scheldes ryued, & helmes berst;

His men were euere more him ner

And halp him wel at his mestier:

10456

Thei leyd on Troiens strokes large,

And so thei gan hem ouer-charge

With stalworth strokes of her hand,

That thei myȝt no lenger stand.

10460

¶ The Troiens thanne be-gan to fle,

Faste ridande to here Cite,

As faste as thei myght prike;

Thei spared nother doun ne dike,

10464

Til thei come at here cite ȝates.

Achilles folwed hem algates

Ouer dales & ouer dounes

With his Gregeis & Murmidounes;

10468

He sclow of hem that tyme gret won, Page 309

Thei fled a-way fro him echon. [folio 155a]

10470

*. [This line in red paint at this very place.]Hic Achilles occidit Margariton filius [sic!] Regis Troiani.

THe kynges sone Margariton

10471

Saw he come hem vpon,

10472

And sclow his men—as lyoun bestis

That is for-hungred In wilde forestis;—

He myȝt him no lenger suffer In no wyse

For al the gode that was In prise:

10476

He turned his stede vn-to him son,

To fyght with him was he bon,

He smot vnto him strokes thore

As breme as any bore.

10480

¶ He made Achilles leue his chace,

That he no lenger mordur mace;

Off his chasyng he him restayed:

Many a strok ther was payed,

10484

He lent him fele and him qwyt;

But Margaritoun was so hit,

Er he partid fro his handes,

That he fel ded vpon the sandis.

10488

The Troiens made an hidous cri,

When he was ded so sodanly.

The douȝti Thelamanyus

To hem of Troye was envious,

10492

He chased the Troiens & thret

And many of hem to grounde bet.

¶ But Paris harde his men defendis,

Many an arwe he hem sendis;

10496

But for auȝt that he myȝt do,

And al his ost with also,

Thei were put vnto flyȝt,

Wenkyst foule, & discomfiȝt.

10500

Thei token the toun with mychel spede—*. [¶ Troiani fugerunt.]

To saue her lyues for thei hadde nede,— Page 310

And brouȝt with hem that ded body, [folio 155b]

10503

And ȝede ther-with by strete & sty,

10504

Til thei come at Ilion

And leyde ther doun Margariton

Vpon the grounde al bledande:

Many on for him was wepande.

10508

ECtor saw his brother slayn,—

And for him wepes knyȝt & swayn,—

His colour chaunged, his herte ros,

For tene Ector he wode gos:

10512

He rolled his eyen as best ramage,

As he hadde fallen In a rage;

He lased his helme & toke his stede,

'Tel me,' he sayde, 'who dede that dede?

10516

¶ What is he that my brother sclow?

I schal him venge, if I mow!'

Thei seide: 'it was sir Achilles

That sclow him with-oute les,

10520

And put vs to discomfiture,

For we myȝt him not endure;

A-ȝeyn him may we make no defence

With-oute ȝoure help & ȝoure presence.'

10524

¶ Ector thanne with wrothful herte

Vpon his hors lepe vp smerte,

He strok his stede so with his spores

That he lepe ouer lond & forwes;

10528

He spared no ston ne cause,

Til he mette with his meyne.

¶ Right at the ȝatis met he his men,

Fleande be twelue & ten;

10532

To hem wold he speke wordis non,

But to his enemys ȝede he alon:

His fomen were sone of him dred,

And thei wex bold that furst were fled,

10536

Page 311 ¶ Hic Ector ibat ad prelium.

For whan thei hadde of him a syght, [folio 156a]

10537

Thei were not ferd of kyng ne knyȝt.

ECtor is of Troye y-went,

He brak his fader comaundement,

10540

He thoght not on his benysoun

That douȝti knyȝt of gret renoun:

He schal lese his lyff or euen *. [MS. euel.]-tyde,

Aȝeyn to Troie schal he not ride.

10544

With his lyff hit rewes me sore,

That he that day come thore!

¶ Allas! that day he hadde no grace

To be at home, as him radde wace;

10548

But sicurly he myght not fle

On no manere his destane:

His ffader wist not of his wendyng,

He ȝede ther-fore to his endyng.

10552

He sclow Gregeis and kest hem doun

And droff hem alle out of the toun;

¶ The rayn fel neuere so thike on rise

As Ector sclow his enemys;

10556

Was non so stiff hem among

That he ne sclow hem or doun sclong,

That he myȝt take or ouer-reche.

Off Margaritoun toke he wreche,

10560

He venged him with dynt of sword,

He sclow that day many a lord.

Alle that feld was vmbesprade

Off dede knyȝtes that lay & bledde:

10564

For sicurly he was so wroth,

That wham he hit to dethe he goth;

¶ Among Gregeis he rayked, treled,

With his swerd that wel was steled,

10568

Was non so strong that him sittis

The strong strokes that he hem hittis. Page 312

He sclow alle tho & fellde*. [MS. fell do.] riȝt [folio 156b]

10571

With dynt of sword that he reche myȝt.

10572

¶ Achilles then, that lordly sire,

Wolde not abide him In his Ire,

But euere [held] fro him alone,

Euere til Ector were gone.

10576

Hadde he a-biden him In his wratthe,

He scholde haue had an euel batthe,

He scholde haue bathed In his blode.

Was none so strong that him with-stode,

10580

That he ne lay ded vpon the sondes

With stalworth strokes of his hondes.

If a man hadde with him ben

A-mong Troiens, and hadde sen

10584

Alle the meruayles that he wrouȝt,

He wolde euere haue In his thouȝt

Off his endyng and his myschaunce,

And of his foule encombraunce

10588

As he hadde of his lyue.

He sclow of hem hundres fyue

And ten ther-to*. [MS. ȝer to.], er he wolde sese;

He droff a-ȝeyn-ward alle the prese,

10592

He droff hem alle a-ȝeyn bacward

For drede of dethe her tentis toward.

ECtor fightes vpon that hethe,

Many a man doth he to dethe:

10596

Was non so bold that durst him mete,

That he ne fel doun In the strete;

He deled a-boute him euel knockis,

Her armure ferde as it were frockis.

10600

Al that euere stode In his way

He felde hem doun as clottis of clay,

He smot a man som-tyme on-two,

And som-tyme man & hors also; Page 313

10604

He sclow and wounded ȝong and olde, [folio 157a]

10605

Aȝeyn his strok myȝt no stel holde.

¶ Hit was a wonder for to se,

What men he sclow at that Iorne;

10608

To se the syght hit was delful,

How euery plud of blod stode ful*. [MS. stodeful.]

Off men that he ther slees & felles,

The blod ran doun as water of welles.

10612

¶ He barst her mayles and al to-tatred,

The scheldis of hem he al to-clatered.

Thei knewe wel sone that it was he,

And fro his strokes gan [t]he[i] fle;

10616

He sclow of hem many a score.

His men that were y-fled*. [MS. yfeld.] be-fore,

He turned a-ȝeyn In that assaut,

And bitterly with hem he faut.

10620

ADouȝti duke, Euripolus,

An[d] an other, Hastidius,

He saw how Ector scheldes roff

And al that ost a-ȝeyn-ward droff:

10624

He ffauȝt his on a-ȝeyn alle,

He sclow her men and made hem falle,

The blod of men a-boute him flowed.

Vnto her goddis thei bothe a-vowed

10628

"For al his fare he scholde be*. [b altered from h.] met,

And of his dedis he scholde be let."

¶ When these dukes hadde bothe y-sworn,

With alle her men thei wente be-forn

10632

And layd opon him strokes faste,

And al a-boute him thei be-caste.

But I wot neuere, what it a-vayled?

For whan he was with hem assayled,

10636

He sclow hem bothe In-myddes the ost

For al here Iangelynge and her bost; Page 314

And many an-other moder sone [folio 157b]

10639

He brak of bothe the scheltrone:

10640

Thei fled a-way as thei myȝt go,—

For thei saw he*. [MS. he saw thei.] wolde hem*. [MS. him.] slo,—

Thei durst therfore no lenger dwelle,

But fled fro him—the sothe to telle.

10644

¶ The stoure was gret and perilous,

The noyse was gret & hidous:

Troiens were than a-ȝeyn turned,

That furst for drede her fomen scorned;

10648

Opon her foos ȝede thei hedelynge

And wounded sore bothe knyȝtes & kynge.

But thei of Grece Polidomas toke

And faste a-weyward with him schoke,

10652

¶ Thei wende haue had him prisoner,

But thei be-fel foule encomber*. [MS. encombranser. The scribe first wrote encombranse, and then forgot to strike out the rans, when he altered it to encomber; cf. l. 1617.]

Off his takyng & his ledyng:

Thei myȝt him not to her tentis bryng,

10656

As thei wende to haue y-done,

For Ector come to hem sone.

¶ Whan he was war of his takyng,

He come to him faste schakyng;

10660

Among that hepe strok he his stede

Polidomas that then wolde lede,

And dalt ther strokes on eche a side

To his fomen that were vnride.

10664

He bar here feet ouer thaire hede,

Many of hem did he to dede;

He sclow that tyme two hundred & mo

With his hond for-sothe tho.

10668

POlidomas that thenne led,

Thei lete him go, and fro him fled.

He made a-mong hem suche debate,

That thei were ferd of him & mate; Page 315

10672

Thei lete go quyte Polidomas, [folio 158a]

10673

And seide euerychon that while 'alas!'

Hem Angered sore, whan he was tan.

For he was two hundred mennes ban

10676

Or it was passed myd-ouer-none;

Hadde him last lyff, he hadde for-done

The Gregeis alle with-oute lye,

But he most nede that day dye;

10680

For destane ches his chaunce so,

That he most nede that day go to,

That day forsothe, or it were euen—

As Andromede saw In here sweuen.

10684

¶ Herkenes! as ȝe schal here,

How he died & In what manere:

For ther byfore long y-gon

He fauȝt with Gregeis many on,

10688

He fauȝt somtyme with ten thousand,

Ȝit myȝt thei not his strokes with-stand;

Was non so strong on Gregeis side,

That durst him In his yre a-byde.

10692

Achilles met neuere with him ȝit,

That he ne ȝaf him an euel fit;

For al his myȝt & his prowes

He partied neuere fro him harmles,

10696

That he ne was wounded & euel dyght

For all that he was so hardy a knyght.

ECtor hath quyt Polidomas

And brouȝt him out of al that cas,

10700

He rightes his helm & wele amendes,

And to his meyne he him sendes,

And askes of hem: "whether that thei slepe,

Whi thei the lord no better kepe?"

10704

¶ He turned him then to hem of Grece

And hewes her bodies al to pece; Page 316

Thei falle afftir him as doth the leues [folio 158b]

10707

In wynter-tyme that growes on greues;

10708

He layde hem doun alle be-dene

And made the way of hem ful clene.

Ther myȝt non stande that he smot;

The Gregeis made a sore lot

10712

And seyde: "but god did bote,

Thei were euerychon vndir his fote."

¶ Ther was o Grece an Ameral,

That saw how Ector wrouȝt bale

10716

A-mong Gregeis, how he hem ȝeled,

And with his swerd he hem steked:

He felde hem doun as hadde ben tres.

The duk men cleped Leochynes;

10720

Him thoght for sorwe his herte bledis,

Ful faste to Ector he him spedis

And stroke him with al his myȝt,

For he him fond In suche a plyȝt

10724

That he wende for-sothe certayn

That he scholde him haue sclayn.

¶ But hit was noght as he supposed,

Thow he were duk & knyȝt a-losed,

10728

Thow he were duk & knyȝt a-pert

And fond him thenne at discouert:

He sclow him not, but hurt him so

That helm & coyfe cleue In-two,

10732

And carf of him bothe heer & hide,

And ȝaff Ector a wounde vnride.

¶ But Ector stille on his hors sat,

That he fel not to grounde with that;

10736

But whan he felte that he was smetyn,—

As men fynde of him y-wreten,—

He was so wroth, & wex ner wode,

That he of him hadde so rauȝt blode:

10740

Page 317 ¶ Hic Ector occidit leochiden.

¶ Then he smot him vpon the hede, [folio 159a]

10741

That he ete neuere afftir brede;

He smot him vpon his croune,

That to his hors he cleue him doune;

10744

He cleue him euen in-two amyddes—

'Go on deblis*. [Cf. note to l. 10027, p. 296.]!' he him biddes,

'Ho made the,' he sayde, 'so bold

To smyte me thus, and not me told?'

10748

¶ The duk hade of him suche houselle,

On bothe the sides his hors he felle;

As he hadde ben a clouen hogge,

The duke hanged as a frogge.

10752

For wratthe & tene that Ector was hirt,

Many ffro her lyues sterst;

He made suche hepes of dede bodies

Off douȝti knyȝtes that were of pris,

10756

That non durst him than a-byde

Ne In his way not ones ryde.

AChilles houes euere atrayn

And saw what lordes he hadde sclayn,

10760

Lordes and knyȝtes In his wodnesse,

Mo then he coude nombre or gesse.

Achilles than In his herte thoght:

"But if Ector were to dethe broght

10764

Hastily with som qweyntyse,

Or scleght, by som skynnes wyse,

The Gregeis scholde neuere day y-se

That thei of Troye schuld Maystered be;

10768

For no strengthe myȝt a-vayle,

For nouȝt that he coude assayle."

He ceste therfore In his wit,

How thei myȝt of him be qwit

10772

With som quayntyse that he myȝt do,

That he were the deth sone brouȝt to. Page 318

Many a sleght & many a compas [folio 159b]

10775

Achilles In his hert cast,

10776

How he myȝt Ector ful-fille

His strong compas & alle his wille.

Whil Achilles him be-thoght

How Ector scholde to dethe be brouȝt,

10780

¶ Ector saw a duk ridande

Among that prese with sword In hande,

He felde Troiens In many stedes,

And on her bodies rides & tredes.

10784

The duk was cleped Polynetes,

He come thedir for Achilles

At him his sustur for to craue,

For he wolde hir to his wiff haue;

10788

¶ He was a man of moche hauyng,

Ther was non richer knyȝt ne kyng

A-mong hem alle In that route

Then was that duk with-oute doute;

10792

Fro the ferthest side of Inde

Come he thedir, so was he kynde

To Achilles for his suster sake,

For he wolde hir haue to his make.

10796

As he rode thus a-boute r[a]ykande,

With hem of Troye thus laykande,

He met Ector right In his way;

That Angred him sone—I dar wel say:

10800

Ector saw how that he sclow

His men of Troye wel y-now,

He felde hem doun & hurt hem ofte:

He spake to him nother loude ne soffte,

10804

¶ He layd at him with gret dispite,

He asked not ones what he hite,

But lete a strok to him fle

Opon his hed a-bouen his eye;

10808

Page 319 ¶ Hic Ector occidit Polyneten.

He cleue his helm & scheld eke, [folio 160a]

10809

He cleue him doun In-to the breke.

The Gregeis than be-gan to daren,

When thei the duk say so faren;

10812

Ther were none armes that him with-stode,—

Were thei maked neuere so gode,—

A-ȝeyn the strok that he smot,

That thei [ne brast] a-none fot hot.

10816

¶ Thei seyde: "he was the deuel of helle,

And thei were foles ther lengur to dwelle,

Aȝeyn him fight lengur to holde;

Ne were thei knyȝtes neuere so bolde"—

10820

'He cleues oure men as him-self lykes,

He kylles oure men & to dethe strikes.'

Thei seyde: "the deuel of helle pit!

Out of here land myght thei not flit,

10824

Aȝeyn Ector batayle to rayse,

So wele as thei were alle at ayse

At home vche-on*. [on over line, but by the same hand.] In thaire contre;

The deuel hem made to passe the se,

10828

To ligge ther ded vpon the sondes

I-sclawe*. [MS. I. sclawe.] with the Troyens handes."

THat*. [MS. W ^Hat.] duk was clouen In two parties,

On eyther halff his hors he lyes;

10832

Hit was ruthe se how he honged,

A-boute the sadel the hors him flonged,

Til he him ouer his sadel cast

Vndir hors feet at the last.

10836

¶ To se that duke was it lothely;

Achilles loked then wrothely

Vpon Ector with-outen les,

For he hadde sclayn Polynetes.

10840

He swere "he scholde venge that knyȝt,

If his god wolde, with al his myȝt." Page 320

¶ Achilles than to Ector rennes,— [folio 160b]

10843

As lyoun doth out of her dennes,

10844

When thei are hungred, afftir bestes

That thei se walke In wilde forestes:—

He wende haue smeten Ector sore;

But he was hurt, or he come thore,

10848

For Ector was war of him wel,

He wiste his purpos euery del,

He wiste wel al that he ment.

A darte to him Ector sent,

10852

And at Achilles he it threw,

That he hit wele, he knew;

Thorow his scheld a dart he droff,

That scheld and hauberk al to-roff;

10856

Thorow his Aketoun & his hide

He smot him eueli thorow his side.

¶ Achilles saw that he was hurt,

Off his purpos was he lurt;

10860

He saw he hadde euere the werre,

He held his hors & wolde no ferre,

But rod him to his Pauyloun,

And kest of helme and aketoun,

10864

And bond his hed & wel stopped;

His herte for Anger ffaste hopped,

That he toke of him suche dispit.

He byndes his woundes & wel dit*. [Cf. note to ll. 2303-4.],

10868

And kest vpon him newe a-tire,

And rides a-ȝeyn In mochel Ire

And thenkes that he schal Ector sclo,

Thoow he ther to dethe go.

10872

AChilles now his stede be-strides,

To fight a-ȝeyn faste he rides;

His wounde is wel & wisly boundoun,

10875

He*. [MS. To.] take a spere was kyndely groundoun. Page 321

The spere was tow & long, [folio 161a]

10877

Gret, & styff, & wonder strong,

Off two thousand was hit the best,

For it scholde not on him berst

10880

By no manere In his strikynge,

Hit was a spere at his lykynge;

He thouthe to sle Ector with-al—

Alas the while! for he so schal!

10884

ECtor rides & raykes a-boute,

Off no man hadde he no doute,

Off no mannes pride he ne thouȝte,

Off no mannes leuyng told he nouȝt,

10888

To kyng ne knyȝt ȝaff he no tent;

That gode body ther-fore was schent,

He fauȝt euere-more In one,

He leues stondyng be-fore him none,

10892

He is to hem an euel gest,

He fightes euere with-outen rest:

He sclow two thousand, er he be-lan;

Thei seyde he was non erthely man.

10896

¶ Ther was a duk of gret astate,

Aȝeyn Ector held debate,

Among Troiens faste he skayred,

And hurt him sore, & euel hem payed.

10900

Ector loked toward that duke

And saw his men of him rebuke,

He hied him thedur with mychel hast,

And quyk be-gan him for to cast:

10904

¶ Ector him droff so with his myȝt,

That he defende him ne myȝt,

He ȝeld his swerd & his knyff

And bad Ector saue his lyff.

10908

And Ector sayde: "he wolde him saue,

But he wolde him prisoner haue."

Page 322 ¶ Hic Achilles occidit Ectorem.

¶ Ector was thanne faste a-boute [folio 161b]

10911

Off that prece to haue him oute*. [MS. sute.];

10912

But men stode so on euery a side,

That he myȝt not out with him ride:

To haue him out was he not ethe,

He put his swerd In his schethe,

10916

He kest his scheld on his bak,

To saue the kyng fro alle his pak;

To other ȝaf he no tent,

But he were with-oute, as he hadde ment.

10920

AChilles held him euere a-rome,

And saw that Ector ȝaff no gome

To no man thenne but for to bryng

Out of that prece that riche kyng:

10924

He hadde that tyme no spere In hand

Ther-with to dere no man lyuand,

His swerd was put In his skauberke,

He was al bare but his hauberke

10928

On his brest & his stomak,

His scheld was casten on his bak.

¶ Achilles ther-to toke good hede

And thoght, "but he that tyme spede,

10932

That he scholde neuere to dethe him do,

But he myȝt that tyme come ther-to."

He stroke his stede & helde him faste,

And to[k] his spere that wel wolde laste,

10936

And rod to him, er he were war,

And thorow the bodi he him bar:

¶ Thorow the bodi he him thrist,

Er he were war & er he wyst;

10940

He bar him doun vpon the grounde

Fro his hors with dethes wounde.

ODemon saw Ector was dede,

He saw his blod aboute sprede; Page 323

10944

The deth of him sore he rewed. [folio 162a]

10945

Whan that he saw he not remeued,

Whan he saw him ligge so In pees,

He stale be-hynde Achilles

10948

And smot him with a pollax sore,

That of his hors he fel thore:

He fel ouer his sadel bowe

And lay In swoun a long throwe.

10952

And Odemoun flees a-weyward faste,

Many a dart thei afftir him caste;

To the Troyens he gan him spede,

That was his best, for he hadde nede.

10956

¶ Thei toke Achilles of that throng,

That he died not here hors a-mong,

And layde him soffte vpon his scheld

And lad him hom to his teld;

10960

And he myȝt nother ride ne go,

So was he sore smyten tho.

And thei of Troye Ector out drow

For drede of hors, with sorwe y-now,

10964

And lad him hom to his paleis.

And thus died Ector—as Dares sais.

¶ That batayle that day thus gan to ende,

Bothe the ostes hamward gan wende:

10968

Thei of Grece with Achilles,

Ioyful and glad for his res;

And thei of Troie with Ector the gode,

Al ded In his owne blode.

10972

LOrd, the Ioye that Gregeis made!

Thei ete & drank & made him glade

With pipes & daunces & Iolyffte;

Gret Ioye it was her murthe to se.

10976

Achilles thei dede alle glade,

Mechel murthe thei him made, Page 324

And dight him gode fisiciens, [folio 162b]

10979

With leche-crafft thes surgiens;

10980

Alle the helpe that thei myght

Thei it dede be day & nyght.

And thonked here godis In that place

That hadde sent hem som grace,

10984

To scle him that hadde hem most anoyed

And her Gregeis so foule distroied.

NOw is he ded, that gode knyȝt,

That no man myȝt with-stande In fight!

10988

Now is sclay[n] that gode body

That men tolde so moche by!

That was so moche with alle men dred,

Now liggis he ded and for-bled!

10992

In Troie was neuere so gode knyȝt born,

As thei of Troie hadde than for-lorn!

A better knyȝt of chiualrie

Was neuere born In Asye!

10996

Ne neuere was, ne neuere schal be

A better knyȝt In armes than was he!

¶ A dethe! that thow art quaynt!

Thi myght may no man speke ne playnt!

11000

So doughti a knyȝt was neuere none

In erthe made of flesch ne bone,

That euere myght stonde of the a brayde,

Whan thow thi hand on him has layde.

11004

Thow art scharp as any bristeles,—

Wo is him that with the wrasteles!

For sicurly he goth the with,

Or thow him brekes lym or lyth,

11008

That he may not a-ȝeyn vp-rise

For myȝt ne strengthe In no wyse;

For he schal dye In this world,—

So did this knyȝt, that ȝe haue herd.

11012

Page 325 ¶ Lamentacio Troianorum pro morte Ectoris.

Be he neuere so strong ne bold, [folio 163a]

11013

He is for-ȝeten & nouȝt of told,

When he is ded & hennes past;

In erthe is none that euere may last.

11016

ECtor is ded & brouȝt to Troye,

With sore wepyng & no Ioye

Eche man ouer other cryed;

Wiff and man to hem thei hyed,

11020

To wete what sorwe was.

Euery man thanne cried 'alas!'

Alle come thedir, ȝong and old,

That ded bodi to be-hold:

11024

Ouer-al then*. [MS. thei.] myȝt men here

An*. [MS. And.] hidous noyse, a delful bere,

That ther was made of man & wyff,

Whan thei saw him with-outen lyff.

11028

¶ Ther was many 'weylaway,'

'Harrow,' 'alas,' and 'out ay'—

"That euere were thei of moder born!

For now schal thei be schent & lorn,

11032

Sithe he was ded that hem Alle saued."

Thei ferde alle as thei hadde raued

For dele that thei a-boute him made,

Thei wepe alle and were fade:

11036

Ther was wryngynge of handes,

When thei herde of that tythandes,

For thei sette nouȝt by here lyues.

¶ The sorwe was gret among wyues,

11040

The maydenes wepe with reuful teres,

Thei rent here clothes and tar her heres;

The burgeis & the Citeseyns,

The gentil men of riche Troiens,

11044

Thei wepe wel sore & gredde,

Many dayes suche lyff ledde. Page 326

The kynges rente here clothes & tare, [folio 163b]

11047

And cracched her hedes naked & bare;

11048

¶ Alle the kynges that ther ware,

And alle the ladies lasse & mare

That were of Troye*. [MS. of Troye of Troie.] with-Inne the toun,

In here Manere made processioun

11052

And brouȝt him to the kynges halle

And leyde him on a clothe of palle

With careful herte & sore wepynge.

Ther was sone a delful metynge

11056

Be-twene the fader and the sone,

Whan he was brouȝte to Ileone;

The fader fel the sone vpon,

And almost wod gan he gon.

11060

WHen Priamus saw Ector was ded

And be-spred with blod so red,

His visage was blak & wan,

Suche a sorwe toke he him than

11064

That he lese al his myȝt & fors

And fel on swoun opon the cors:

And lay ther ded al In a swow,

Til men him fro the bodi drow;

11068

And nade thei him drawen a-way,

He hadde mad ther his endyng-day.

¶ Lord! what sorwe [made] Troyle his brother,

Dephebus, & alle these other,

11072

And his sistur Cassandur,

And his*. [MS. And of his.] brother Alysandur!

Sicurly thei hadde suche care,

That thei wolde that thei dede ware.

11076

What may I say thanne by the quene,

And by his suster Pollexene?

By Andromede, that frely fode,

Whan sche saw ded Ector the gode Page 327

11080

That was hir lord & hir husband, [folio 164a]

11081

The duȝhtiest knyȝt that lyued In land?

No man myȝt that sorwe telle,

Ther-a-boute wol I not dwelle;

11084

But sicurly with-outen doute

It were longe to be ther-a-boute:

Ther was neuere erthely creature

That myȝt more sorwe endure,

11088

For sche hadde as moche wo

And peynes stronge In herte tho,

As herte may thenke & tonge speke,

And hit made nere hir herte breke.

11092

NOw is he ded—as I tolde;—

Men myȝt not longe his bodi holde

A-boue erthe with-oute sauour,

Thoow he were man of gret honour.

11096

For ȝe wot wele—as alle men fynde,—

Hit is thing a-ȝeyns man kynde

A man to holde saue & sound,

When he is ded & a-boue ground.

11100

But not-for-thi kyng Priamus

[Thought] "wher*. [MS. Wher.] hit myght wele be thus,

Where he myght saue Ector his sone

Vngrauen with-oute corrupcione."

11104

¶ He sente afftir with reuerence

The maystres of alle the science,

And alle that couthe of barberie

Or knew vertu of spicerie;

11108

Afftir alle the grametenes,

Dioletikes and Astronomynes;

And asked hem wel curtesly:

"Whether thei were alle so sly

11112

To saue Ector with-oute poudre,

With-oute sauour or foule odoure,

Page 328 ¶ Qualiter faciunt Ectorem quando mortuus fuerat.

That he were not grauen In the molde." [folio 164b]

11115

Thei seyde "thei hoped that thei scholde."

11116

Thei told a-monges hem consayle,

How thei myȝt best this entayle.

Thei Asked him "where he scholde ligge?

Where thei scholde his berying bigge?"

11120

¶ He says "he scholde ligge y-wys

In the temple of Appolynys."

The maystres thanne In-myddis the quere,

Ryght be-fore the hey autere,

11124

A tabernacle ther thei wrouȝte,

A crafftly werk, when it was brouȝte

Til ende and to perfeccioun.

Clene it was al enviroun,

11128

¶ Ther werk was al of gold pure,

Ther thei made his sepulture.

But he was mad, he schold not greue a grot,

He was mad so he myȝt not rot,

11132

Thei held him hole & alle entere

In his colour fair & clere,

As he hadde ben a lyues man.

Thei were wise that suche skyl can,

11136

A dede body that so gan dyght.

As he lyued—til alle mennes sight—

In hide, In hew, In flesch, In fel

Sat Ector ther with-oute smel,

11140

As I schal say ȝow blyue—

But I schal furst the werk discryue.

THese Maystres and these riche clerkes

That witti were of craffty werkes,

11144

That this thyng schold vndirtake

And that crafft-werk to make,

Off brede [&] lengthe toke thei met,

Or it were raysed or vp-set. Page 329

11148

Thei set it alle In foure pilers [folio 165a]

11149

Off pure gold at foure corneres,

The pilers alle of red gold

From a-boue to the mold;

11152

On eche a pilere stod an ymage

With louely chere & fair visage,

With fair semblaunt & louely eyen,

That alle were wroght of gold fyne,

11156

As euerychon hadde ben an aungel bryȝt

Lokande faire on euery a wyght.

¶ And certes so was alle the rove

Off massi gold alle a-bove;

11160

And it was fair a-boute entent

With precious stones verament,

Hit stode ful of precious stones

That were ther set for the nones;

11164

Alle manere stones that euere men knew,

That were of force or any vertu,

On that roff aboue were set,—

Were thei neuere so fer y-fet:

11168

THer were stones of alle kynde,

Grene, rede, blewe, and Inde;

Ther stood many a riche ston

That as bryȝt a-boute hem schon,

11172

As doth In somer the sonne bem;

A man may se to sowe a sem

¶ In the furthest of the chirche

A-boute mydnyght that thanne wold wirche.

11176

Al was wrought of balewerie

Opon the erthe al vpon hye,

And men clombe op on greces smale

That were wroght of clene cristale.

11180

The maystres that were wise & slye

Thei sette an y-mage al vp on*. [MS. vpon.] hye

Page 330 ¶ Qualiter faciunt*. [MS. faciut, the stroke over the u is erased.] tabernaculum Ectoris.

Off gold fair, of his gretnesse, [folio 165b]

11183

Off his entayl and his liknesse,

11184

With Ector sword y-drawe In hande

The Gregeis alle manassande.

The ymage was maked at de-vyce:

To hem of Grece he turned his vyce

11188

As he hadde stonden hem thretand

With wrothely loke & fair semblaunt.

¶ Many a proude pight pynacle

Stode a-boute that tabernacle;

11192

And many crafft[l]y coruen croket*. [MS. croked.]

Off massi gold that were y-bet

Were grauen ther with leues diuerse:

Al can I not reherse,—

11196

But ther was corue & semeli schorn

The leues of Oke & of hawethorn,

The louely leues of the vyne,

And many then I can not devyne:

11200

¶ The vyne-braunche with alle here grapes,

And many other skynnes Iapes,

Many a pomel wel enbosed,

Hit was wroght & wel engrosed

11204

With ffloures & leues wel en-leued.

Now haue I*. [MS. I. In.] this werk discreued,

Off that tabernacle that riche bothe;

Now wol I telle ȝow al the sothe,

11208

How it was dight wel & fair,

That he myght neuere rote ne pair:

WHen thei haue maked this al,—

This Tabernacle that was rial,—

11212

Off gold made thei a riche cheyere

And sette it In that faire celere,

The tabernacle stode hit y-myd,

And gode Ector ther-In thei did. Page 331

11216

Ector sat vpon that dese [folio 166a]

11217

As he hadde lyued—with-oute les,—

He sat pertly bolde vp-right

As man that hadde ben In his myght;

11220

So priueli was he ther tyed,

That he toward no syde wryed.

He hadde vpon him his garnement

That he In erthe on lyue [In] went,

11224

In his owne clothes was he clad—

For Priamus the kyng so bad.

BVt herkenes now her ordinaunce:

What was the Maystres puruyaunce,

11228

What was her sleyght and her cure,

That thei*. [MS. thei thei.] him saued with-oute blemure

Off fflesch or bon, of hyde or hewe,

But held him euere y-liche newe?

11232

Thei made an hole In his haterel

& set*. [MS. Y set.] ther-In a fair vessel

That was ful of riche bavme,—

The some ther-of can I not avme;—

11236

And other thyng ther was with melled,

That was noble & wel smelled.

Hit ran so doun to his foreheued,

That no colour him was by-reued;

11240

For thanne ran it doun to his eyen

And saued the liddis and [the] brien*. [MS. vrien, distinctly.],

And so be-gan him for to lese

Vnto his thrillis of his nese;

11244

And afftirward faste it sekes,

Til it come doun to his chekes,

And kepes his gomes & rennes so lite*. [MS. solite.],

And his tethe makes faire & white,

11248

And al the face with the her

Was hole and sound, whil he sette ther. Page 332

That licour ran so to his hals, [folio 166b]

11251

To his scholdres and his brest als;

11252

¶ Ther is no Ioynt aboute his tharmes,

It rennes so doun by his Armes,

And by his hond it so doun wendes,

Til it come at his ffyngur endes.

11256

And gret ffusoun ther doun rides

Ful wonderly by bothe his sydes,

So ffaste that licour dounward droppes,

That no thyng his rennyng stoppes,

11260

Til it were comen In-to his theis

And so ȝede doun In-to his kneis;

So it ran wonder schete,

Til it come doun to his fete.

11264

¶ Another vessel thenne ther stode,

Ful of baume ffresche*. [MS. ff'resche.] & gode,

And kest vpward his gode reles

And keped him so In flesche & gres.

11268

That on ȝede vp, that other doun,

Fro his ffete to the croun;

When it aboue with that was met,

Bothe his feet ther-Inne was set.

11272

Thei ȝaff In him suche odour,

That he was saff with-oute sauour:

Thus thei him made with here myȝt

And keped him bothe day & nyȝt.

11276

WHen this werk was thus be-went,

Thei made foure morteres þat euere brent;

Thei brenned nyght, thei brenned day,

With-outen sese thei brenned ay.

11280

Thei were alle mad of gold schire,

On hem stode euere a flaume of fire,

That neyther water of broke ne of bek

Ne nothyng In erthe thei myȝt slek. Page 333

11284

Thei made afftir a parclos [folio 167a]

11285

That al a-boute that fair werk gos,

With Gemewes folden on euery a side

That bothe myȝt spere and open wyde,

11288

That Ector schewed & seen myȝt be

To euery man that him wolde se.

NOw of Ector lete we be,

And of Achilles speke we!

11292

Off that strong knyght—as I sayde,

How Gregeis In his bed him layde;

His woundes greues him so sore,

That al his myȝt hath he for-lore;

11296

He may wel euel ete or drynke,

Off merthe ne play may he non thinke.

¶ His grete woundes him greues sore,

That he dredde to lyue no more.

11300

The leches him comfortes wonder wele

And leues that he lyue schele,

And makes him couere more & more

And by her power heled his sore,

11304

So that he may somdel ete

And haue sauour vnto his mete.

AGamenon the Emperour

Sendes Messanger & corour,

11308

That thei scholde bidde the kynges alle

To*. [MS. And.] speke with him In his halle,

And alle the lordes grete & smale

To holde a counsel generale.

11312

¶ The Messangeres also swythe

Thei fond the lordes glad and blithe

Off Ector and his myschaunce,—

Thei were so fayn of his lyueraunce,—

11316

The Messageres bad alle & some:

"To Agamenon thei scholde come;

Page 334 ¶ Hic Greci tenuerunt consilium.

Schold non be-leue that corovne beres, [folio 167b]

11319

Ne sercle of gold that on hede weres,

11320

That thei ne schul come to his hale,

Kyng & duk and Amerale."

AGamenoun ful hendeli

Kepis hem alle ful curtaysli,

11324

And did hem sitte more and lesse,

Euerychon afftir his state[l]i[ne]sse.

Agamenoun the Emperour

Spake to him with honour,

11328

He sette his speche fair & hende

And seyde: 'lordynges, my dere frende,

Wel auȝt vs to glorifie

Oure goddis that ȝeuen vs the Maystrie

11332

Off oure enemy that we haue sclayn;

Ther-of we ben alle fayn

And gret worschepe & honour do,

For elles hadde we neuere comen ther-to,

11336

¶ Whil he hadde leued, to oure purpos.

But now may we wel suppos,

Sithen he is ded that hem defende,

That thei haue alle theire endyng ende,

11340

And we schal lordis & maystres be

Off here godis & here Cite.

For whil he leued, myȝt we not spede,

So was he douȝti In his dede;

11344

Vs myȝt no grace for him by-falle,

For he on vndid vs alle.

¶ We hadde no let but him alone,

But now is he ded & from vs gone,

11348

We schal that Cite lyghtly wynne

And alle that ben hit with-Inne;

For thei are now of no power

To kepe hem fro oure daunger, Page 335

11352

Sithen he is ded & fro hem went [folio 168a]

11353

That vs al day so foule schent.

It is to vs wel more a-vauntage

That he is ded & loken In cage,

11356

Then we hadde sclayn In fight felle

Halff the men that with him dwelle.

¶ For he sclow mo him-selff alone

Then alle that other did euerychone,

11360

And we ben now—I vnderstande—

Mo then sixti*. [ti over the line, inserted by another hand.] hundred thousande

Off Mennes bodies gode and able,

That ben a-pert and defendable.

11364

THe dedis of Ector ben wide y-kyd,

That thei may not wel be hid:

How fele kynges sclow he of oure

With his myȝt & his vigoure!

11368

How he sclow In his reuery

The douȝti kyng Prothesaly!

¶ Patrodus also, Achilles cosyn,

In his strengthe sclow he him!

11372

¶ How sclow he In his gret Ire

Kyng Mennon, that lordly sire!

We were echon of him a-dred.

How sclow he the gode kyng Ced!

11376

So did he kyng Polenete.

He fond no man that to him was mete.

He sclow also kyng Alphynor,

And so he did kyng Prouenor

11380

That was a kyng of gret genterie,

Off douȝtines and chiualrie.

¶ How sclow he with his force

The myghti kyng of douȝti Corce!

11384

He died with dynt: so he gart

The noble kyng Piloȝenart. Page 336

¶ He sclow also the kyng Yside. [folio 168b]

11387

No man durst him a-byde.

11388

He did also to dethe sone

The douȝti kyng Letabone.

Ne sclow he not the kyng Humere?

I wist neuere man that was his pere.

11392

¶ He sclow oure kyng Archilogus,

And the kyng also Episcropus;

And so he did kyng Archomene,

And the hardy kyng Palymene.

11396

Ne sclow he not the kyng Antipe?

And so he did kyng Sanxipe.

¶ He did vs moche sorwe and tene:

He sclow the gode kyng Philoxene;

11400

He smot to dethe vndir his fete

The noble kyng Polibete,

Kyng Phiebete, and kyng Leankes,

Alle he sclow oure gret vnthankes,

11404

He smot her bodyes euen In-two;

So did he other mo also.

We auȝt wele his bodi wary!

¶ He sclow kyng Fume & kyng Dary,

11408

And Many duk and Amerelles;

He sclow oure lordes & robbed oure halles,

And bar a-wey coffre & chest.

He that him sclow mot be blest!

11412

For now—I hope—he is ded

That did vs schame and qued,

That oure men so foule sclow,

And we hem alle schal Maystre now

11416

With-Inne a while at oure wille.

But herkenes now! this is my skylle:

¶ Thoow it be so that he be slayn,

Hap of ffyght is no certayn;*. [n is struck out after ma.]Page 337

11420

¶ No man wot how it schal schape, [folio 169a]

11421

Who schal dye & who schal skape.

Wherfore I say: sithe it so is

That by Achilles douȝtines

11424

We are now brouȝt to oure aboue,

Me thinke it were to oure behoue

That we In feld fight no more,

Vn-til Achilles heled wore;

11428

For we ar noght alle sure & sekir

With-oute him to wynne this bekir.

With-oute him & his pouste

In certayn hope we may not be

11432

To haue of hem the victorie,

Thoow thei for Ector be sorie.

¶ Wherfore this is my menyng:

That it were good, at my wetyng,

11436

That we sende by kyng or knyȝt

To Priamus, to aske respit,

That we .viij. wekes the pees may haunte,

If thei the trewes so longe wol graunte,

11440

And the dedes were enseled.

By than may Achilles be heled,

And we may make oure-self clene

Off sore woundes that doth vs tene.'

11444

WHen Agamenoun thus hadde sayd,

The lordis were alle wel a-payd:

Thei held his conseyl good & lele,

To haue the pees til he hadde hele;

11448

Thei held it alle wel y-do,

Thei graunted echon his conseyl to;

This lordes alle ȝaue ther assent

To his counseyl & Iugement:

11452

That with-oute him and his absence

Wold thei not fight in ther presence.

Page 338 ¶ Hic Greci pecierunt pacem Troianorum*. [MS. Troian.] per .viij. septimanas.

¶ The messageres were rapely dyght [folio 169b]

11455

Opon her erande to wende right,

11456

Thei busked hem & maked ȝare

Opon her erande for to fare:

Riche robes on hem are done,

Thei toke her hors & ȝede sone—

11460

As kynges gode, kene, and wraske—

The treus of hem of Troye to aske.

¶ When thei were comen to her Cite,

In forme of pes thei asked entre;

11464

Thei fond no man that hem werned.

To Priamus told thei that erand:

"Two Monthes to haue [respit] ent[e]re*. [MS. . . .to haue entre; entre from l. 11464.]—

For thei were comen as Messangere—

11468

Pees & trues, that thei myȝt reste;

For thei ther-of hadde gret breste,

For thei myȝt not the stenche sustayn

Off dede bodies that were ther selayn;

11472

Thei wolde haue space ther bodyes brenne."

Priamus the treus graunt thenne

By assent of his consayl;

Thei hadde no wil to haue batayl

11476

So sone afftir his sones ded;

For he was heuyer then the led,

For Ector was so sclayn him fro,

That he sayde not to hem ones 'no.'

11480

THese Messageres haue sone y-sped,

Off no man*. [MS. noman.] ar thei now a-dred;

Thei ride hamward muri siggande*. [MS. sigg [gap: 1] ande.]

And tolde her men of this tydande:

11484

"How thei haue graunted thair grithe

To be In pes two monethe."

Thei were alle glad of her sawes,

Thei ȝaff hem alle to gamen & playes.

11488

Page 339 ¶ Hic Palamides Rex iratus fuit cum Imperatore*. [The sign in blue, the words in red.].

Saue the kyng Palamides— [folio 170a]

11489

He was neuere no tyme In pes,

He playned him of his Emperour

That was her alther gouernour,

11492

And seyde: "he was not worthi

To haue of hem suche seruageri;

Ther were other better then he

To haue forsothe that dignite."

11496

¶ Vpon a day it so befel:

Agamenoun—the sothe to tel—

Hadde sent afftir the lordes alle

"Thei scholde come In-to his halle";

11500

And as thei sete at most spekyng

"How thei scholde to ende bryng

Ther purpos & her gode espleyt,"

Palamides be-thouȝt him streyt

11504

To put him out of his office:

And ther-of did he as the vn-wyse.

¶ Hit was aȝeyn his genterie

To haue to him so foule envye

11508

With-oute disert*. [MS. dishert.] or any mysdede;

But not-for-thi so longe he ȝede:

At the laste was he remeued,

And another mad & newed.

11512

PAlamydes as he sat there,

Off his spekyng coude blynne neuere,

To Agamenoun offte he flote

And made to him wordes hote;

11516

He seyde: "it was a-ȝeyn resoun

That he hadde ben alle sesoun

So longe vndir his gouernayle;

Ther were other that coude more a-vayle

11520

And were more profitable,

For he was not—he sayde—able Page 340

Suche a state to reioye." [folio 170b]

11523

Agamenoun sat wel stille & coye,

11524

When he hadde sayd his gret gole;

Agamenoun ful entempre

Answered him soburly,—

For he was euere wis & sly,—

11528

¶ He seyde: 'Palamides,

I haue gret wondir thow can not sese

Off thi wordes & thi carpyng,

Whan we be thus In oure gaderyng.

11532

Hopes thow, sire, I haue desire

To be ouer ȝow other lord or sire?

Nay certes, I desire it not!

Ne neuere with word ther-fore be-souȝt

11536

To kyng ne knyȝt, sir, by my thrift!—

Ne neuere ther-fore ȝit ȝaff ȝift.

¶ For I hadde neuere vauntage ther-In,

But gret trauayle & mychel vn-wyn,

11540

And of my body mychel vnrest

To ordayne ȝow wel, & kest

That alle thes folk were saueli led,

And how we myȝt sonnest be-sped.

11544

I was chosen by comune assent,

By playn counseyl In parlement

Off alle the lordes that ther were,

Saue ȝe alone that was not there.

11548

¶ We hadde ben ȝit In Athenes,

Hadde we not a-biden the, Palamydes;

For we dwelled ther two ȝer and more,

Or thow to vs comen wore.

11552

I hadde ther-fore not thin acord,

When I was chosen ȝoure Aleres lord;

For thow was not tho present,

But afftir longe fro vs absent. Page 341

11556

¶ But, Palamydes, thow myȝt not say [folio 171a]

11557

That euere fel vs by nyȝt or day

—I thanked it god—oure spedyng

By myn vn-wit or mysledyng;

11560

And also I am redi now & ay,

For-whi it be,—ȝow to pay—

Off myn office to be deposed,

For I wold not ȝe supposed

11564

No pride In me—nother sibbe ne frende,—

I wold fayn of this office wende.

And chese another—where ȝe lyke—

To haue my state—by heuene ryke!—

11568

And I wol be vndir his byddyng

As other kynges of this gaderyng.'

THese lordes were alle gretly dered,

Ther was non that answered;

11572

But bad hem: "be In pees bothe,

For thei wold not that thei were wrothe";

Thei bad hem alle: "thei scholde not greue,"

And ros vp alle and toke here leue;

11576

Thei wente alle hamward*. [MS. hamward.] sone,

Off that was ther no more to done.

But sone aȝeyn euen-tyde

Agamenoun wold not abyde,

11580

¶ Thorow alle that ost he did him crye:

"That eche a man,—bothe lowe and hye,

Kyng & duk and amerale,

And alle the lordes gret & smale,

11584

And alle that hadde tent or teld,

Or any that was knyȝt of any scheld,—

Schuld be at morwe next folwande,—

When it was day, the sonne schynande,—

11588

At Agamenoun riche tent

To holde a solenne parlement, Page 342

Off certayn thynges to entrete; [folio 171b]

11591

And that thei scholde on no wise lete,

11592

For thei most nede hit alle I-here—

Kyng, duk, & bachelere,

And that were of that ost

Bothe the leste & the most."

11596

THe day is comen, the nyght is gon;

The lordes arysen euerychon,

To Agamenoun Ar thei went,

To wete whi he afftir hem sent.

11600

When thei were comen & set doun alle

By Agamenoun In his halle,

¶ Agamenoun to hem sayde

"Off Palamydes and his vpbrayde,

11604

That be-gan so vpon him playne

That he was made her souerayne,"—

'And is ful wroth with my persone

And for my rial eleccione,

11608

And says "that I can not ȝow lede."

That dignite ther-fore I bede

To him or other, whan ȝe wol chese,

For I wol fayn this honour lese.

11612

¶ And not-for-thi, my bretheren*. [Altered from brotheren.] dere,

Kynges & dukes that now be here,—

Sithen we come fro Athenes,

That ȝe ȝoure souerayne ther me ches,

11616

And come thenne hidur In bote & barge,

Haue I among ȝow born charge

Off alle oure ost & oure meygne

In mechel thoght—and that wot ȝe.

11620

¶ Gret besynes of ȝoure kepyng

Hath refft me many nyȝt slepyng,

To saue this ost fro perelle,

That scathe ne harm to ȝow non felle.

11624

Page 343 ¶ Hic Agamenoun mutatur de officio suo. & Palamides electus est ad officium Imperatoris.

And ȝet haue ȝe so wele be kept, [folio 172a]

11625

Whether that ȝe woke or slept,

That we ar comen to oure aboue;

¶ Suche a chaunce is fallen to oure byhoue

11628

Vndir me & my ledyng.

But I wol, som other kyng,

Duk, prince, whether thei wil,

Haue now the charge—& that is skyl:

11632

For I haue nede to be In pes.

I wol therfore this state reles

And be with other an vndirlyng,

To haue my reste and my likyng.'

11636

Alle that were there In the halle,

Kynges & dukes and Ameralle,

Drow hem out vpon a rowe

By-side the tent vnder the wowe,

11640

To take her avisement:

Thei haue alle ȝeuen here Iugement,

That thei wole him remewe

And haue another of hem newe.

11644

¶ The Iugement is ȝeuen & taken:

Agamenoun is for-saken,

He is put out of his office;

Palamydes is chosen y-wys

11648

To be here alther emperour

And here alther comaundour.

¶ This conseil is fully ent,

And euery lord is home went

11652

To here tentis & pauylounes.

Her-of spake the Murmidones

And told this tydynges to Achilles

Off that newe lord Palamydes:

11656

"How he was chosen here alther lord

By the lordis comune acorde." Page 344

When Achilles herde this tydandis, [folio 172b]

11659

Out of his bed sclong he his handes,

11660

As he that was euel payde

Off these tythandis that him were sayde;

His woundes bledde for-sothe & brake.

With so gret herte Achilles spak

11664

To alle that stode aboute his bed,

And seyde: "that this was euel y-red

To make among hem suche a chaunge"—

'Now hope I that alle thei caunge!

11668

¶ For of vs alle—so mot I the!—

Was ther non so wys as he,

Ne non that coude so lede oure ost

With witt and skylle, with-outen bost.

11672

But I wol not be occasioun

To vndo ȝoure eleccioun;

Sithe he is chosen, I holde it gode.'

And her eleccioun thus so stode,

11676

And he belefft here Emperour

As he was chosen with honour.

THe two Monthes are past,

Bothe the parties dight hem fast,

11680

Bothe the Troyens and the Grues;

Her day is comen out of her trues.

Kyng Priamus wolde be venged fayn

His sones deth that was sclayn,

11684

He seide: "he wolde him go

To fight that day to venge his fo."

¶ His batayles alle him-self ordeynes,

With his right hond he hem ensaynes

11688

And ȝeuet hem leue forth to wende;

He prayes hem alle to venge her frende,

Her Prince that was & gouernour,

That som tyme was ther sauyour.

11692

Page 345 ¶ Hic Incipit bellum.

Twenti thousandis knyȝtis fre [folio 173a]

11693

In his batayle than hadde he,

I dar right wel & boldely say

That ȝede to fyȝt with him that day

11696

An hundrid & ffyffti thousand

Off myghti men on hors ridand.

DEphebus ferst with his batayle

Ȝede the Grekys*. [MS. grekys on erasure, by another hand.] for to Assayle;

11700

Afftir him ȝede thanne Paris,

With the kyng of Perce y-wys,

And alle his men that he loued wele—

With-outen Iren, with-outen stele,—

11704

Bowes & arwes the Persays hadde,

Thei wente forth sore a-dradde.

Priamus lad him-selff the thridde

With xx^ti thousand knyȝtis him amydde;

11708

He bad Eueas scholde lede the fourthe

And leue him not for gode In erthe.

¶ The ffyffthe lad kyng Mennon;

And thus were thei In-sunder gon.

11712

The sixte lad Polidomas.

And other lordes, as her wille was,

Ladd all that other, as he hem bad.

Thei rode forth with semblaunt sad

11716

To hem of Grece that thei aȝeyn stand

Al redy dight with spere In hand

That thanne abode and here comyng:

Hit was gret at her metyng.

11720

¶ Euerychon of hem on other renne,

Thei ferde as it had ben wod menne,

Thei thrilled scheldes & speres brast,

Some were sclayn, & som doun cast

11724

Opon the grounde & lay flat,

Thei ȝaff be-twene hem many a sqwat.

Page 346 Hic Priamus. Rex. et Palamides pugnauerunt r.

PRiamus saw Palamydes [folio 173b]

11727

The Gregeis to her newe lord ches;

11728

He rod to him with mychel strengthe

And bare him ouer his speres lengthe:

So Priamus bar Palamydes

And bad him reste ther In pes.

11732

Among Gregeis stroke he his stede,

The strongest of hem to grounde ȝede

That he mette with In his gret Ire.

The Gregeis alle be-gan to spire

11736

What he was that him so bare,

Among hem alle that made suche fare:

¶ He sclow hem so & bare hem doun,

He wan that day ful gret renoun;

11740

Moche prise & mochel los

Wan he that day among his fos.

To eche a man his scheld he bedis,

Alle men spake ther of his dedis:

11744

He bare him so at that semble

That alle the los of that iourne*. [MS. ion [gap: 1] e.]

Be-lefft with him of more [&] lesse,

Off his gode dedis and his prowesse.

11748

For Achilles myȝt not ȝit ride,

Therfore at home he most abide;

But hadde he ben ther with-oute drede,

He wolde haue tauȝt him for to rede

11752

And to synge a sori sang,

Hadde he ben hem among.

¶ Dephebus folwes his fader,

He sclow doun Gregeis al to-gader;

11756

And then come Paris with his bowes

And castes men doun and ouer-throwes,

With hem of Perce and her Turkes,

And schot Arwes among the Grues. Page 347

11760

But thanne come thedir sikerly [folio 174a]

11761

The stalworthest man of Grece party,

¶ Neoptolamus was his name;

Kyng Sarpedoun thoght he to lame:

11764

He ȝaff him certes suche a dynt

That Sarpedoun his stiropes tynt,

He made him bacward so stoupe

That he fel ouer his hors croupe.

11768

But Sarpedoun was not sore hurt,

But hastly vpward stirt,

As wroghe*. [The e on erasure.] as he myȝt be,

And smot the kyng vpon the ye,

11772

¶ That he cleue his nase In two pese.

Then come thedur many of Grece

And leyde on him on euery a side;

He most nede on fote abyde,

11776

For he myȝt not his hors come to

For no thyng that he myȝt do,

He was for-sothe In gret perel,

For ffele Gregeis opon him ffel.

11780

THe kyng of Perse, when he was war

How Sarpedoun on fote fauȝt thar,

And thei of Grece stode enviroun,—

With alle his men come he thanne doun,

11784

And Sarpedoun his hors did take

For al that euere thei coude make.

¶ And that saw duk Athenes,

And the noble knyȝt Menescenes,

11788

He bad his men him folwe than,

An hard werre he ther by-gan.

Menelaus als aboute his hals

Kest his scheld and ȝede doun als,

11792

And bad that al his retenaunce

Schold him sewe with spere & launce. Page 348

Euery a burne him busked ȝare [folio 174b]

11795

To that assaut for to fare,

11796

To that torpel*. [MS. terpel.] come alle that route

And be-kest that place aboute:

¶ The kyng of Perce stode & fauȝt,

Thei slow him certes at that assaut,

11800

And al his men on bak thei schoff,

And with force aȝeyn hem droff.

But Sarpedoun hem with-stode

The proude Gregeis with hardi mode,

11804

¶ Him was ful loth thenne to fle,

Gret meruayle that tyme did he.

But thei of Grece were so assamed,

That thei of Troie no-thyng gamed:

11808

Wolde or nolde, on bak thei ȝede,

For sikerli thei most nede.

BVt Priamus, that kyng of age,

As wood was as a best sauage:

11812

When his men hadde lorn that place,

The swot brast out at his face;

He rod thedur with-oute dwellyng,

Ther was noyse & gret ȝellyng.

11816

¶ Priamus rod to and fro,

He thoght on hem to venge his wo;

Off slauȝter certis neuere he blynnes,

He cleues hem doun by the chynnes.

11820

But the Gregeis euere stille stode

And fauȝt aȝeyn as thei were wode,

Many of Troie that tyme thei perced,

And many man to grounde reuersed.

11824

¶ The Gregeis then aboute be-held,

Ther thei fauȝt In the feld;

Thei saw hem fro the toun proloigned,

And thei with hem so foule regroyned.

11828

Page 349 ¶ Magnum Bellum.

Thei toke conseil hem be-twene, [folio 175a]

11829

How thei myȝt hem traye and tene;

Thei were be-thoght of sleght & art,

Thei seyde: "thei wolde here folk depart

11832

Be-twene the toun & hem to wende,

And so schold thei hem sonest schende."

Thei rode ouer dale and doune

To go be-twene hem & the toune.

11836

¶ But Priamus fful wel perceued

How thei wolde haue him disceyued,

With his men sclely he turned

And that way ful sone he werned.

11840

With-outen dwellyng or any abode

With his ffolk he thedur rode,

Ther thei wolde haue had entre

Be-twene hem & her Cite.

11844

He brouȝt with him gret multitude

And laide vpon him strokes vnrude;

He droff hem doun a-ȝeyns her wille,

Maugre her tethe be-twene the hille.

11848

¶ Gret defence the kyng made hath,

Thei toke not of him that path;

The Gregeis wolde the pase haue had.

The Troiens lente hem strokes sad,

11852

The Gregeis laid on faste ynow,

Many of Troye ther thei sclow.

A thousand were with blode be-ronnen,

For thei that pase wolde haue wonnen;

11856

Thei defende & thei assayle,

Ther was be-twene hem a strong batayle.

BVt Paris com thanne on trauerse

With men of Armes and hem of Perse,

11860

He come thedur with his buschement,

With bolde bowes redy bent*. [Some indistinct scribblings at the foot of the page.]: Page 350

Thei come sidelynge & ouer-twert, [folio 175b]

11863

The Gregeis so foule offte thei hert.

11864

But then come thedur Menelaus,

With alle his folk he come thus:

Gret was the sauȝt ther was be-gunnen,

But tho thei lakked lyght of sonne.

11868

Many dede bodies lay ther on grounde

And lite went ther hole & sounde;

¶ For hadde thei had lyght of sonne,

The Gregeis the pase thenne had wonne.

11872

But thei departed for faute of lyght

And riden home with al her myght;

The Troiens riden to the toun,

And the Gregeis to ther pauyloun.

11876

THe Troiens now her sorwe reherse

For the kynges deth of Perse:

Ther was non that longed to Troie,

Kyng ne knyȝt, sqwyer ne boye,

11880

That thei [ne] made gret del & sorwe

Bothe an euen and on morwe.

Was non that made such wayment

As did Paris verament:

11884

He sorwed day & also nyght,

For he him loued with al his myght.

¶ This was ther-fore Paris rede:

"To boyle him and put him In lede,

11888

And lede him hom to his contre

With taper & torche & gret rialte,

With gret plente of fele candeles;

That he myght haue his burieles

11892

And ligge among his antecessoures,

The riche kynges, his predecessoures,

And be ther grauen honorably

By-fore his sones that dwelles ther-by,

11896

Page 351 ¶ Hic pecierunt pacem ad inuicem per magnum tempus.

In his londis that kynges schal be [folio 176a]

11897

Afftir him In gret pouste."

NIght is comen, & day is gon,

The[i] gon to bedde & slepen euerychon.

11900

On morwe when it was day lyght,

The sonne was resen & schon bryght,

Kyng Priamus sente doun his sonde

To alle the Gregeis liggand on the stronde,

11904

To Aske the trues—as Dares sais—

A certeyn tyme to ben In pais.

But it is In his bokes wane

How longe the trues were tane;

11908

How long that thei schold holde,

Dites ne Dares non ther tolde.

But thei haue graunt & surte founden*. [This line on erasure, but by the same hand.],

Many a rop was thanne vn-wounden,

11912

Many a cope & many an hode

That were praysed worthe mechel gode,

Off gold, of silk, and som of say,

For then was Ector put a-way,

11916

That thei scholde holde riche festis—

As I fynde In here gestes.

NOw Ector Menyng-day schal be holden:

In Troye bene robis riche vnfolden

11920

That were layd vp be-fore the dayes,

With silke y-filed and riche arais,

And other newe lordis did make

For honour of that festis sake.

11924

Thorow the toun was hit done cry:

"That riche & poure, lowe & hy,

That euere longed In-to Troye,

Off ffyftene dayes schuld make no ioye,

11928

But lyue In wepyng & gret sorwe

The .xv. dayes euen & morwe, Page 352

With-oute karole, with-oute daunce, [folio 176b]

11931

In gode Ector remembraunce."

11932

¶ In his remembraunce & his mynde

Ther was that heuynesse—as I fynde—

Off Priamus and of riche kynges

And of other grete lordynges;—

11936

"And whan the ffyfftene dayes of wo

Were fulfilled and a-go,

Thei scholde make rialte,

Mechel daunce & mechel gle."

11940

THe while the festes thus endured,

And eueryche were to other ensured,

Thei of Troye hadde here comyng

To hem of Grece & here spekyng;

11944

And Gregeis come In-to the toun

And where thei wolde vp & doun,

Saue & sound where so hem liked;

Thei fond no man that hem be-swiked.

11948

¶ Achilles wolde that tyme gange

To se her festes and here sange,

He thoght algates he wolde se

In Troye gret solennite.

11952

Here contenaunce & here porture,

Here myght, here sorwe, & here voysure,

Here doyng of there chere deuout,

And how thei did Ector about.

11956

¶ Achilles made him redi swithe,

In-to the toun wente he blyue,

And to the temple Apolynys

Ȝede he to se, what Ioye & blis

11960

Aboute Ector Troyens made:

He fond ther non that was glade,

But makyng dele & gret wepyng;

Be-fore Ector saw he sittyng Page 353

11964

¶ Ectuba, the semely quene, [folio 177a]

11965

And hir douȝter Pollexene;

And fele ladies of gret genterie

Here ther In that companye.

11968

Thair heer faire a-boute hem spred,

On eyther halff hit was fair sched,

Hit henged doun by-nethe her pappes,

By-nethe here mydeles, by-nethe here lappes.

11972

¶ Thei made gret del & sykyng,

Thei were echon In euel lykyng,

Mechel del & mechel mone

A-boute Ector made thei echone.

11976

Ector ȝit sat als entere

And so fair In his solere,

As he was furst ther ordeyned;

The baume so his body susteyned

11980

Fro al appayryng & alle sauour,

And ffro chaungyng of his colour.

THe tabernacle on eche a syde

Was vn-done and opened wyde,

11984

That eche man, bothe ȝong & old,

On eche a syde Ector behold.

¶ Achilles loked on that werk faste;

As he his eyen aboute him caste,

11988

So was he war of Pollexene

Faste sittynge by the quene,

He loked vpon the damysele

And saw the teres fro hir fele.

11992

But thoow that lady fair & swete

Wonder sore & hertly grete,

¶ Not-for-thi for alle hir payne

Sche wex nother pale ne wayne,

11996

Sche lost not of her fayrnesse,

Off hir beaute ne hir swetnesse.

Page 354 ¶ Hic Achilles Amat Pollexenam Filiam Regis Troiani*. [MS. Troian.].

Al hir wo ne al hir pyne [folio 177b]

11999

Made hir not hur fayrnes tyne,

12000

The teres that so fro hur ran

Made hir nother blo ne wan;

Hit for-did no-thyng hir sight,

Hir eyen were euere clere and bryght,

12004

For alle here wepyng were thei not dym,

Ne sche not apayred In neuere*. [MS. neuere y.] a lym.

Ther is no man that is on lyue,

Hir fairnesse that myght discryue—

12008

For siker sche was as fair a woman

As man scholde sette his eyen vpan.

AChilles loked euere In on;

So ffair a thyng as sche was on

12012

Saw he neuere In al his lyue—

Widwe, ne mayden, ne non wyue.

As he loked In hir vysage,

His herte torned & his corage,

12016

Him hadde leuere than any thyng

He hadde ben siker of that swetyng:

Alle his herte and his delite

Was to haue of hure a sight,

12020

He loked on hir as he were mad.

The more lokyng to hir he had,

¶ His long lokyng hir louely sight

Be-rafft him clene of his myght;

12024

But he myght not his lokyng leue,

That thoght myght no man him byreue:

He loked to hir the while he myght,

Til the day was gon, & hit was nyght.

12028

Off alle thinges that euere was wroght

Was non so mochel In his thoght;

Him thoght it ȝede thorow his hert,

So sore sche made him ake and smert. Page 355

12032

WHen it was nyȝt, the quene vp ros, [folio 178a]

12033

And Pollexene home with here gos;

Achilles loked afftir that wenche

With more longyng than man may thenche,

12036

Til sche out of the temple was went.

Achilles In hir loue then brent;

And this was al the bygynnyng

Off his sekenes and his lyggyng,

12040

That he afftir In his bed lay

For loue & longyng of that may.

¶ When he myght hir no lenger se,

His herte for sorwe brast on thre,

12044

He turned him hom to his tent

And In his bed as-tite he went.

That nyght for-sothe litel he scleped,

He turned him offte & sore weped;

12048

Hir loue hade wounded him so depe,

That he myght not that nyght slepe.

He saw hir loue on him was gret,

Al his body brast on swete,

12052

He tholed for hir gret penaunce,

He waried thanne that foule myschaunce:

¶ 'Alas,' seide he, 'that I was born!

That I am now thus foule lorn

12056

Thorow a mayden that is so tendre,

With-oute myȝt, feble, & sklendre.

And he that was so mychel of myght,

The strengest that was In any fyght,

12060

Ector of Troye, that doughti man,

That price & honour of alle men wan,—

That alle the men that stalworthe wore

He ouercome with strokes sore,

12064

Alle that were styff & strong

That doughti knyȝt to dethe throng;

Page 356 ¶ Lamentacio amoris Achillis.

I knewe neuere non that hadde that myght,— [folio 178b]

That was so strong ne douȝti*. [MS. strong douȝti ne.] wyght,—

12068

Aȝeyn him that myȝt stonde,

Whil he leued In this londe—

And ȝit he with alle his fforce

Ne myȝt ouercome my carful corse!

12072

And now am I thus ouercomen,

That al my myght is fro me nomen

¶ Thorow a mayden feble & frele!

How schal I come to my hele?

12076

Ho schal do me any medecyn?

Sche hatis me & al my kyn

For hir brother that I slow;

I may not keuere,—I wot neuere how?

12080

For I may not vnto me drawe

Her hert for-sothe for loue ne awe!

Ne with prayeres may I not spede;

I may not to*. [MS. so.] hir my loue bede,

12084

¶ I may not so of loue hir pray,

I may not so that lady assay.

Ne my richesse ne my gret ȝiffte

May not hir hert to me lyffte,

12088

For sche is richer for-sothe then I;

I wot neuere how to come hir by?

Ne—I wote wele—I may not spede

Thorow my strengthe & my kynrede,

12092

¶ For thoow my kyn be gentil & gode,

Sche is comen of genteler blode

Then I or any of my lynage.

How schal I my sorwe aswage,

12096

When I no wise, no way can fynde

By strengthe, richesse, ne by kynde,

Ne with prayers hir loue to wynne?

The wo is gret that I am Inne

12100

Page 357 ¶ Hic Achilles mandat nuncium ad Reginam.

In gret wodnes am I now broght! [folio 179a]

12101

Alas! how com I in-to this thoght!

I can not wete—so god me saue!—

How that I here loue schal haue?'

12104

He leued that nyȝt In that gret sorwe;

The sonne was risen faire at morwe,

A carful nyȝt he thenne hadde lede,

Til he was risen vp of his bede.

12108

AT morwe whan he was rysen,

Off him selff was he a-grysen,

Off his sorwe so strong In myȝt

That he hadde al that long nyȝt.

12112

He called to him a siker man,

Al his consayl him telle bygan

And sayde: 'if thow wol trewe be,

Ful riche ȝifftes ȝeue I the;

12116

For-sothe schal I faile the neuere,

I schal the make riche for euere.

¶ Go to Hectuba, the quene,

And say: "I loue so Pollexene,

12120

That I schal falle for-sothe In rage,

But I haue hir In mariage."

Bid hir sicurly my wordes byleue,

And if sche wol me hir doghter ȝeue

12124

To me hastly In wedlak,

That I schal remewe al this pak:

The Gregeis alle schal I make go

To the lond that I come fro.

12128

¶ Al this ost schal I remewe—

As I am a knyȝt trewe!—

Kynges & dukes, lord & sires,—

To gret honour to hire & hires

12132

With couenaunt & condicioune,

Iff sche wol haue me to hir sone. Page 358

Ne thei schal neuere amendes make, [folio 179b]

12135

Harme ne schame ne sclaunder take,

12136

For alle the harme & vylony,

Slauȝt of men, ne robry*. [Some indistinct scribblings under br.]

To hem of Grece that thei haue done—

By him that made sonne & mone!—

12140

Ne for the quene dame Eleyne rape—

If my couenaunt wille skape,—

But Paris schal hir stille holde

Vnto his wyff, be he right bolde.'

12144

¶ This man was trewe as any stele,

He vndirstode his erand wele,

He wiste wel what he scholde say:

He hyed him faste vpon his way,

12148

As faste as he myȝt gone;

To Hectuba he come anone,

He tolde hir al his mayster thoght,

Word by word for-ȝate he noght.

12152

HEctuba, the quene of pris,

Was ful witti & ful wis,

Sche seyde to him as lufly hende:

'Abyde me here, my louely frende!

12156

This thyng may not be ent

With-outen my lord kyng assent.

I schal ther-fore vn-til him gange,

Sicurly I dwelle not lange.

12160

What he wol say, I wol the telle;

Ful longe schal I not fro the dwelle.'

¶ Vnto the kyng the quene hir hyed,

To him this consayl sche discryed:

12164

"What Achilles to him bed,

For-whi his doughter he most wed;

How he scholde alle the Gregeis gare

In-to ther contre for to fare,

12168

Page 359 ¶ Hic Priamus miratus est.

And remewe & leue the sege, [folio 180a]

12169

And be-come his man lege,

And Elayn leue with Alysaundre

With-outen amendis, with-oute slaundre."

12172

PRyamus chaunged al his blod,

When he al this vndirstod;

Al his blod be-gan to colde,

When Hectuba thes wordes tolde;

12176

In his herte ran many a thoght,

That he the quene hadde be-soght.

An hundrid sithe sore he siked,

When he thoght how he be-swiked

12180

His sone Ector that he sclow;

At his herte was care y-now,

He thoght on his deth so fast,

The water of his eyen out-brast.

12184

'Alas, the while!'—the kyng seyde tho—

'To graunte this thyng that me is wo!

How scholde I fynde In my wil

His askyng now to fulfil?

12188

How scholde I loue In body or gost

Thing In erthe I hate most?

That refft me al my worldis Ioye,

That slow my sone, Ector of Troye!—

12192

But for to eschewe al other perrel,

That more harm not to vs fel,

Aȝeyn this thyng may I not stryue;

That I may haue myne other on lyue,

12196

Myne other sones to haue lyuand,

I graunt his bone myn vn-willand:

So that he do furst alle these thynges

That he sente hidur In tydynges,

12200

That we be [be-]trayed noght,

When we haue graunted al his thoght.'

Page 360 ¶ Hic Priamus concedit Pollexenam Achilli.

Hectuba, worthi In wede, [folio 180b]

12203

To the Messanger a-ȝeyn ȝede:

12204

'I haue'—sche seide—'thin erand sayd

To Priamus, that wel is payd

Off his askyng; so is Paris:

Bothe are thei payde of his y-wys.

12208

And I for-sothe anendis me

¶ Schal do his wille, that schal he se;

So that no thyng be broght to ende,

Or euere my doghter fro me wende.'

12212

The Messager held vp his hondes

And thonked hir of tho tythandes;

When he hadde graunt of his askyng,

On his way ȝede he syngyng:

12216

He toke his leue, for he was blythe.

Ham-ward wente he thanne swithe,

He made his lord bothe blythe & glad,

He tolde him what answere he had

12220

Off Priamus, and of Hectuba,

And of Paris; he seyde alsa:

"How thei hadde alle graunt his bone"—

'Alle thi wille for-sothe schal be done;

12224

Iff ȝe wol do that ȝe haue hete,

Al schal be done with-oute lete.'

IN somer was neuere no nyghtyngale,

The throstel ne no wodewale,

12228

The throche ne the lauerok,

The papeiay ne the throstel-cok

So mery syngand In thaire note,

As he be-gan thanne to lote;

12232

When that he was of here assured,

Ne hadde not elles his wo endured.

But than be-gan he for to kest,

How he myght do this thing best.

12236

Page 361 ¶ Hic Achilles mandauit post Reges Grecorum.

That he be-het to the quene [folio 181a]

12237

For hir douȝter Pollexene

By his man, his Messager;

For hit was not In his power

12240

To remewe that company.

He thoght he hadde done foly,

That he hadde hight hem suche a thyng

That he myght not to ende bryng.

12244

¶ But not-for-thi, what vp so doun,

He traist so mechel In his renoun,

In his grete dedes & his chyua[l]rie

That he hadde done be-fore here eye,

12248

That if*. [if inserted over line.] he leffte hem In that byker,

In his herte was he sekir

That thei scholde leue al her querel,

For drede of harm & perel

12252

That hem schulde falle In that stour,

Iff thei for-ȝede his socour.

HIt was a day whil trewes last,

Achilles In his hert cast

12256

That he wolde make the lordes alle

That were of Grece come to his halle:

His Messager anon he sende

To alle the lordes that were him hende,

12260

And bad hem come al at ones

To speke with him In his wones.

¶ Ther was no lord that with-stode,

That ne thei als sone to him ȝode.

12264

When thei were comen thedur euerychon,

Thei sat as stille as any ston;

Achilles sayde: 'lordynges, my peres,

Herkenes now to me and heres,

12268

Why that I sende afftir ȝow

For thing that is for ȝowre prow. Page 362

I haue meruayle what vs ayled [folio 181b]

12271

That we the kyng of Troye*. [MS. Troyl, the l only badly altered to e.] assayled,

12272

Whi that we this werre be-gan

For the loue of a womman?

We haue by-gonne folily this striff

For Menelaus the kynges wiff.

12276

¶ What deuel ayled us to leue oure londes

In other straunge mennes hondes?

As thoght we roght not of oure lyues*. [In the MS. l. 12279 is following l. 12280.]

Off oure childryn & oure wyues

12280

At home that we behynde vs leffte;

An aunter were we schal se hem effte.

And we ar here at gret dispence

To make of this werre defence;

12284

Oure goodis fast begynnes to waste,

We may be beggeres alle In haste.

¶ We suffur wo of oure bodyes

As men—me thynke—that are vn-wyse;

12288

We take here not but woundes

And ligge In dikes as dede houndes.

Ne here is non a-monges vs alle

That wot w[h]at wol him by-falle;

12292

For the beste of vs echon

May haue harm, and thei non,

In woundes sore & gret brosures.

He is a fole that him ensures

12296

In his strengthe & In his myght,

For I my-selff haue ben euel dyght:

¶ Many a wounde haue I here tholed,

My body hath ben y-holed.

12300

Was I not hurt so sore now last

That I wende neuere to haue I-past?

I was for-sothe the deth so hende,

That non of ȝow my lyff ne wende.

12304

Page 363 ¶ Hic consiluit eos ad reuertendum ad patriam.

— —*. [No gap in MS., but the copyist seems to have dropt some lines.] With sorwe but ligge and dethe a-bide— [folio 182a]

Off oure liggyng may not be-tyde

12306

But gret periles & drede of deth.

We take to vs an euel breth,

12308

¶ When we be-gonne furst this batayle,

And lefft oure contre euery dele,

And come her to gete batayle

On stronge men & hem assayle;

12312

So fele gode as we ther-by

Haue lorn of oures dispitously

That haue here ben a-mong vs slayn,

And al for the loue of dame Elayn!

12316

By him that me to man has wroght!

We haue to dere hir lyff aboght,

And many good men has sche mad sterue.

Another womman may we serue

12320

Menelaus for to haue

To his wyff,—so god me saue!—

That schal be genteler than was sche,

In many landes & many contre.

12324

¶ And we may remewe by skyl

With-oute blame, when so we wil;

For we haue take shenful vengaunce

Off the wrong and of the greuaunce,

12328

Off the schame & of the slaunder

That to vs did Alysaunder:

For we haue sclayn the douȝtiest man

That lyued In erthe, sithen we be-gan—

12332

¶ Ector that we haue don to dede,

He was alther lord and hede,

He was alther mayntenour.

Off his dedis with gret honour

12336

Now haue we wonne suche worschepe,

That we may wel with-oute schenchipe

Page 364 ¶ Hic omnes Reges contradixerunt eum.

And with-outen any schame, [folio 182b]

12339

With-oute reproues or any blame,

12340

When so we wil, hamward wende

To oure contre & oure frende.

And sicurly I rede also

With-oute dwellyng that we go.'

12344

ANon that riche kyng Thoas,

That Achilles Cosyn was,

And the duk Menescene

With-sayde him with mychel tene

12348

And seyde: 'Achilles, wold neuere god

That we scholde now for euene or od

Leue the sege we haue by-gonnen,

Er we this Cite hadde y-wonnen,

12352

Sithen he is ded, roten & graven

That the toun & hem did sauen!

Iff we leue it In suche a wyse,

Hit scholde be holden for cowardise;

12356

Men wolde holde vs recreaunt.

God for-bede we to this graunt!'

¶ Achilles was wonder wrothe;

Be-fore hem alle he made his othe:

12360

"That he scholde neuere day ne nyȝt

Helpe hem more with his myȝt;

He nolde no thyng do for hem alle

For no thing that myȝt be-falle!

12364

¶ But thei wolde saue thaire lyf or lym;

And as thei loued derly him,

That thei scholde helpe no more Gregeis,

But holde hem stille & be In pays,

12368

And let hem do echon her best,

For he & alle his wolde be In rest."

¶ And thus partid thei ful hirously,

Thei hadde meruayle how-gatis & whi Page 365

12372

That he was broght In suche a wille; [folio 183a]

12373

But thei sayde not, but helde hem stille.

Achilles was euel apayed

That thei his wille so with-sayd,

12376

To helpe hem more has he not ment,

He sayde: "thei schal sore repent

That thei haue aȝeyn him spoken";

He thoght on hem wel be wroken,

12380

He wolde no more ȝiff tent to thaym

Thenne he hadde*. [MS. halde.] neuere ben on of hem.

¶ In this tyme her mete hem fayles,

Thei haue gret faute of her vitayles:

12384

Hem*. [MS. Thei.] fayles fiche, hem lakkes fflesche,

Thei haue no corn for to thresche,

Thei haue but litel mete or drynke,

Ne other vitayles but litel thinke.

12388

¶ Palamydes, her Emperour,

Hadde ther-of gret hydour;

He toke consayl among his peres:

"Who scholde be here messageres

12392

To wende to feche hem drynk or mete,

That thei hadde somdel to ete,

That thei died not for defaute?

Vnnethe myȝt thei for feble maute."

12396

¶ Kyng & duk & euery a lord

Were echon at his acord,

That Agamenon thei wolde charge

Ther-fore to wende with bote & barge,

12400

To brynge hem som refeccioun,

Corn, & wyn, & venysoun,

Mele, & salt, & other store,

And vitayle hem—as thei were ore—

12404

Vn-to the kyng sir Thelaphus,

For his land was plenteuous

Page 366 ¶ Hic Imperator misit Agamenon ad Thelaphum Regem.

Off corn, of best, of alle manere goode [folio 183b]

12407

That was to mannes note & foode.

12408

AGamenon with gode entent

Did his Princes comaundement,

With many schippes forth he ȝede;

Thei sayled forth with gode spede,

12412

The wynde was good & eke schrille,

Hit blew wel sone the lond vn-tille.

When thei hadde the lond y-lauȝt,

Her schippes were sone vitayled & frauȝt.

12416

¶ Thelapus was of hem ful glad:

What-so thei wolde of him thei had,

He frauȝt he[r] schippes & here Coggis

With salt beffe & fat hoggis,

12420

With many a bole & wilde bore,

Vnto her schippes myȝt holde no more

Off corn, of flour, & gentil wynes,

Off seynt-pro-seynt, and maluesynes

12424

As gode as come of grapes.

Agamenoun faste him rapes

With alle his schippis to take the se,

For he was frauȝt as he wolde be;

12428

¶ The wynd was to hem good y-now,

Thei turned ster, and sail vp drow,

And sayled forth all by the wynde—

Some be-fore & some be-hynde—

12432

With alle her schippes & dromondes

To Troy aȝeyn to here bondes.

With mychel Ioye were thei keped ther,

Ful fayn the Gregais of hem were,

12436

For thei haue ben ful euel at ese,

For honger thei were ful mys-ese.

Thei grond the corn as sone & boke;

Tho myȝt thei speke & eke loke, Page 367

12440

When thei were sikur of gode vitayle. [folio 184a]

12441

Palamydes lete reparayle

Alle the schippes that ther stode

With-Inne the hauen In the flode;

12444

He did hem alle ful wel amende,

When thei hadde nede efft to wende,

When thei of vitayles hadde nede*. [In the MS. l. 12447 is following l. 12448.],

Off corn & wyn hem al to fede.

12448

PAlamydes arayes his naue,

Off vitayles haue thei plente;

The lowest of hem was fat & strong,

Thei ben echon bothe wilde & wlong.

12452

And day is went out of her trewes,

Michel bale among hem brewes;

Eche man lokes now al his gere,

That it be stiff & strong to were,

12456

That no thyng wante of hem ne fayle,

That thei may helpe with clowe or mayle.

¶ Thei are now redi In her armures

And heled aboute with couertoures

12460

Off siluer & gold, riche & dere,

Eche a man In his armure,

Thei of Troye & Grefounes.

But thei hadde the Murondones;

12464

But thei therfore leuen now In pes

With hem that tyme with Achilles.

Troiens thoght hem ded & foy,

Sithen thei hadde sclayn Ector of Troy;

12468

But ȝit fond thei, when thei were met,

Off her purpos wo that hem let,

And did gret schame & vylony

To alle the grete company.

12472

IN fel[d] ben thei now prest & proude,

Thei blew her hornes schrille & loude,

Page 368 ¶ Incipit Bellum.

The batayles faste to-gedir drow, [folio 184b]

12475

The baneres with the wynd blew.

12476

These ostes were bothe long & brod:

When thei with spere to-gedir rod,

On ayther syde faste thei die;

Her horses*. [MS. sorses.] snoure wel faste & nye,

12480

On eche a syde thei strike & wynse.

Thei sclow ther many a prinse,

Many a gentil Erl & knyȝt,

Kynges, dukes of mechel myȝt.

12484

¶ The furst batayle led Dephebus,

Aȝeyn him come kyng Croseus;

The two men to-gedur samen—

Al on ernest & not on gamen—

12488

Thei lete her brideles alle a-bandoun

And ran to-gedir with gret randoun,

That bothe her speres In-sunder brast.

But Croseus was to grounde cast,

12492

That he myght neuere vp arise;

He died anon In that ilke wyse.

¶ Ther was noyse and eke cry

Amonges the Gregeis witterly,

12496

When thei saw him his lymes out-streke,

And that he myȝt no more speke.

Tho layd thei on as thei were wode:

Many walowed In his blode,

1250

Thei sclow ther Troyens that it was wonder;

Ther was sclayn many an hunder

For the deth*. [deth inserted by another hand over line.] of the riche kyng,

Many a Troyen toke ther his endyng.

12504

BVt then come thedir Palamydes,

Her Emperour, & Diamedes,

With twenti thousand gode knyȝtes

Armed wel at alle riȝtes.

12508

Page 369 ¶ Hic Palamides occidit Dephebum.

Thelamaneus come with him*. [This word in the MS. is very indistinctly written, and looks more like han than him.] als, [folio 185a]

12509

With his sword aboute his hals,

With alle his men of gode assise

Come he doun to that porprise.

12512

Thelaman rode to sir Sisene,

A noble knyȝt, a good Troyene,

The kynges sone y-bore on bast:

Thelamon rod to him In hast

12516

He smot him so—with-oute fable,—

To fyght was he euere vn-able;

Afftirward In al his lyff

Might sir Cisene neuere thriff.

12520

¶ When Dephebus saw the wounde,

And his brother falle to grounde,

Wel sore him greued In his red blod:

He rod to Thelaman as he were wod,

12524

He smot him with so gret affray,

He bar him fro his hors a-way;

Wel sore he fel vpon the grounde

With a wide grysly wounde.

12528

PAlamydes saw that he was doune*. [MS. done, the v inserted by another hand.],

His feet hiere than his croune;

He swor he scholde that strok venge,

Er that he went out of that renge.

12532

He toke to him a stalworthe spere,

To Dephebus he gan it bere;

To Iuste with him he him biddes,

He bare him thorow the scheld ymyddes,

12536

Thorow his plates In-to his brest;

Opon the grounde ful stille he rest,

For In his body lefft the stompe,

That he fel doun as it were a lompe.

12540

¶ Sir Paris saw Dephebus falland,

For he was him ner-hand; Page 370

He weped for him with bothe his eye, [folio 185b]

12543

He wiste wel he scholde deye:

12544

He drow him fro*. [MS. for.] the horses fete

With michel care & herte grete,

He bare him ney vn-to the toun

Liggande ther In a ded swoun;

12548

Thei leyde him doun vnder the walles,

And Paris fast opoun him*. [MS. his.] falles:

¶ His eyen be-gan he than to open

That were faste to-geder stoken,

12552

He loked vp vpon Paris,

He sayde: 'Paris, thow art not wys.'

He seyde: 'Paris, my brother dere,

Whi stondis thow by me here?

12556

Wolde thow suffer me to tyne

My lyff, Paris, my brother myne,

Er I be venged on my bane?

Out of my brest schal neuere be tane

12560

The spere, til I haue herd tythandes

That he be ded of thy two handes.

As I haue loued the, Paris, brother,

In al my lyff be-fore alle other—

12564

Go aȝeyn & worche wisly,

That he be ded rather than I!'

PAris sone did him to gone

With carful herte & mochel mone,

12568

He hadde of him gret compassioun,

That al-most he fel a-doun:

In-to that fight ȝede he wepande,

And lefft his brother ther lygande.

12572

When he come ther, a bowe he hente

That was strong & wel y-bente;

He kest aboute In al his wit

Where he myȝt that kyng best hit,

12576

Page 371 ¶ Hic Paris occidit Palamidem Imperatorem.

So that he myȝt him sone sclo, [folio 186a]

12577

That he on lyff went him not fro.

He soght afftir Palamydes,

Were he myght fynde him In that pres;

12580

He was war, where he stode

Fyghtand fast as he were wode

A-ȝeyn the gode kyng Sarpedoun*. [MS. Sarpedon.],

And he toke gode kepe ther-on.

12584

¶ Sarpedon hadde he assayled,

That the blod fro him doun rayled;

But that kyng Palamydes

Lefft Sarpedoun not so In pes:

12588

Opon his hede smote he him so,

That he cleue it euen at-two;

And he fel doun vpon the grounde

And died with-Inne a litel stounde.

12592

When Paris saw what harm he did,

What gret sorwe ther was be-tid,

He toke an arwe that was entouched

With foule venym—as alle men souched:—

12596

¶ His bowe was bent, his takel redy,

And of his schot he was spedy:

Paris neuere be-lan for to wayte,

Til he hadde dreuen him to a bayte:

12600

When he saw him, at him he schet

And hitte him In his gorget,

That it ȝede thorow his pesayn

And cut In-two his mayster-veyn,

12604

And smot him thorow-out his gorge

That he fel ded—by seynt Iorge!

DElful cri & hidous,

A gret noyse & a meruelous

12608

Among Gregais was vp raysed;

He myȝt not a-monges hem be pesed. Page 372

Thei hadde suche del of here gyour, [folio 186b]

12611

That he was dede so In that stour:

12612

Afftir Paris thei folowed faste;

But he was tho ful sore a-gaste,

He smot his stede and hamward rode,

For drede of hem no lenger a-bode.

12616

¶ The Gregeis turned to her tent,

The Emperour was sore bement.

The Troyens sone that aspied,

And to the Gregeis thei sone*. [MS. fone.] relied:

12620

Thei folwed hem with bryght swordis,

As bestis gone be-fore the herdis—

For-sothe at my discrecioun:

The Gregeis fley to her pauyloun.

12624

But whan thei come to here hales,

Ther the Gregeis made here stales,

Off her hors thei gon descende

And here dikes thei gan defende.

12628

¶ When thei of Troye were y-war

What arest thei made thar,

Doun of her hors echone thei lyght,—

Kyng & squyer, duk & knyȝt,—

12632

And sette her fet aȝeyn the dykes,

And euery man at other strikes.

Thei entred In at the laste;

Tho were the Gregeis sore a-gaste,

12636

For her dikes thei hadde wonne

And In here Pauylons thei were ronne.

Thei robbed & refft alle that thei founde,

Thei sente to Troye many a fair sonde:

12640

Coupes of gold, siluer vesseles,

Clothes of gold, and other Iuweles,

And al other thing that thei myght lacche:

Broches, rynges, what thei myght cacche. Page 373

12644

PAris thenne &*. [MS. to.] Troylus ȝede [folio 187a]

12645

To the se with mochel spede

With xxx^ti thousand strong men,

The Gregeis schippes for to bren;

12648

Thei kest wildfir In here schippes,

Fro schip to schip aboute it hippes.

The schippes were sone on a blase,

Thei brende bothe mast & wynlase,

12652

Sterne & stere, ore & spretes,

The schipmen In the water fletes.

Ther ros a-boute hem many a spark,

For the wynd was sumdel stark

12656

And made the lowe rise on hey,

That it be-fflaumed al the sky;

Thei myght it se wel In-to Troye,

Thei hadde ther-fore mychel Ioye.

12660

¶ But then come Thelamanyus,

That noble knyȝt & vigorous,

And duk Nestor, that noble knyght,

With Men of Grece, with mochel myght:

12664

When thei come to-gedir & met,

Troyle bad faste the fir be bet,

But Thelamon bad his men hit slek

With water of broke or of bek.

12668

Gret was the assaut that thei be-gonne,

Euery man on other ronne;

¶ Hedes reled aboute ouer-al,

As men playe at the fote-bal;

12672

Thei lay a-boute hem wonder thikke.

The fight was lyther & eke wikke,

Hit was gret ruthe for to se

What men died at that medle!

12676

Sicurly the sothe it is:

Ne hadde it be Ayax prowes, Page 374

And Nestor, the duk, that with him went— [folio 187b]

Alle her schippes hadde ben brent,

12680

That thei made brenne al to coles,

With mochel wo that day thei tholes.

¶ The Gregeis were wel foule to-hewe,

Off hem vn-hurt were ther but fewe,

12684

For al the gras that was so grene

It was for-bled with knyghtes kene;

For thei myght not endure

For gret hete In thaire armure:

12688

Many drow out of that batayle

And kest of helm & her ventayle;

To cacche the wynd thei were fayn,

And went to batayle sone a-ȝeyn.

12692

THe kynges sone of Trase, Heber,

He rod doun by her tentes ther,

He was wounded with a spere

Thorow his body In that were,

12696

Hede & tre lefft bothe In him;

His eyen be-gan to waxe dym,

For sicurly his lyff was ent.

Vntil Achilles Heber went,

12700

That*. [MS. Thei.] dwelled at home with mochel tene

For the loue of Pollexene;

He In his herte Gregeis defied,

To wende with hem he denyed.

12704

¶ The kynges sone that so was lamed,

Achilles strongly he tho blamed:

"That he that day at hom him held

With alle his men—so hit is teld,—

12708

And lete ther naue so be brend,

And Gregays foule slayn & schend";

'And thow myght saue hem fro this wo,

Iff thow wolde to fight go,

12712

Page 375 ¶ Hic Heber mortuus est.

With thi strengthe & thi myght, [folio 188a]

12713

Iff thow hadde ben to-day at fight.

Hit comes the of euel wil,

That thow schalt holde the thus stil

12716

And wol not helpe thi contre-men,

Thow hast lorn of hem M ten.'

¶ Thus Heber foule Achilles myssayd

And of vnkyndenes him foule vmbrayd;

12720

'How myght thow'—he sayde—'In herte fynde

To thi peple be so vn-kynde,

And wold not haue of hem mercy?

It is so sothe thi vilony!

12724

Men wol say opon the tresoun,

Sithen thow leuest with-oute resoun.'

¶ Heber bad that men scholde drawe

The spere that sat thorow his mawe;

12728

Achilles men that spere out-drow,

And he fel doun ther In a swow:

He died by-fore Achilles eyene

With mochel wo & mychel pyne.

12732

Alitel while—as I ȝow telle—

Herkenes now, how it be-felle!

Achilles cleped him to a seruant,

A strong man, a gode seriaunt,—

12736

At that batayle hadde y-bene,

That hadde the slauȝt of Gregeis sene,

How thei died & how thei fore;—

He come then ridand In at the dore,

12740

Ther his lord Achilles standes.

Achilles asked: 'what tydandes?

How done the Gregeis, by thi fayth?

What was that noyse that was so layth?

12744

Is any lord of oures sclayn?

Loke the sothe thow not layn!'

Page 376 ¶ Hic vnus homo narrauit Achillem de prelio.

The seriaunt seide: 'I was, lord, thare; [folio 188b]

I schal ȝow telle how thei fare:

12748

Thei may say the wrother-hayle

That thei this day ȝede to batayle;

For sicurly: but better schape,

I trowe non of hem skape

12752

With-oute deth or dethes woundes.

Thei haue brent many of oure dromondes

And many schippes & cogges,

And sclayn oure men as frogges;

12756

¶ Some are ded, & some home fle.

Ther is suche novmbre & plente,

My lord, for-sothe of hem of Troye:

I trowe forsothe, not a boye,

12760

Ne man that may his heued were,

Swerd or staff to batayle bere

For-sothe with-Inne the Cite walle,

That thei ne are come to batayle alle.

12764

And Palamydes, oure Emperour,

He is sclayn In that stour;

For that he sclow Dephebus,

Paris hath him sclayn thus.

12768

But wold ȝe, lord, do my rede,

Ȝe scholde do a worschip-dede,

¶ Iff I durst hit to ȝow speke:

Ȝe myȝt now on hem be wreke,

12772

Ȝe myght now take suche vengaunce,

For euere ȝe scholde ȝoure los enhaunce;

The Troiens alle ȝe may now schende

And wynne ȝowre los with-outen ende.

12776

I can ȝow schewe to batayle nowe,

Ȝe may se In batayle, howe

The Troyens ar so for-fouȝten & weri;

Thei schal be ferd and so dreri, Page 377

12780

And thei saw ȝow thedur ride, [folio 189a]

12781

Thei durst not on of hem abide

For al the good of mydelerd;

Thei scholde of ȝow be so aferd,

12784

And thei hadde ones of the a sight.

For thei ben now al out of myght,

Thei may hem not defende longe;

And thei dreden ȝow, for ȝe ben stronge.

12788

¶ Thorow al this world scholde it be spoken,

How ȝe haue ȝow of hem wroken,—

And say that ȝoure selff alone

Discomfited hem of Troye euerychone,

12792

And that ȝoure selff In ȝoure persone

Did more then kynges and kynges sone,

And more than al the men of Grece;

To ȝoure honour gretly it lyse.

12796

Ȝe*. [MS. ȝe.] schal sle hem as ratons and mys,

And wyn gret los for euere & prys.'

AChilles stode as he were founden;

Wel stronge he was In loue bounden,

12800

That maketh a man to morne & pyne,

And makes hem offte his worschipe tyne,

Hit makes men leue her honour,

And makes hem take gret dishonour.

12804

And so ferd it with-oute les

By the lord sir Achilles:

He herkenes al that euere this man

Off the batayle telle can,

12808

¶ But he wolde not for his prechyng,

Ne for al his sermonyng,

Ne for no gode knyghtes dede

Turne his herte & do his rede;

12812

For he loued so dame Pollex[e]ne,

And he was ferd he scholde her tene; Page 378

And leuere him was his los for-go [folio 189b]

12815

Then for to falle In suche a wo.

12816

Loue hath broght him In hir chare,

On his bak derne loue he bare;

Fals fortune of him now filles,

He put him riȝt In hir thilles,

12820

And sche be-lan neuere that knyȝt to chase,

Til he by hir his lyff lase.

¶ The fight was sesed of that day,

Thei wente homward In aray;

12824

It was nyȝt, the sonne wente doun,

Troyle & Paris ȝede to toun,

And thei of Grece went al at ones*. [MS. atones.]

To her tentis with weri bones.

12828

¶ Dephebus was ȝit on lyue,

When Paris come be-fore him blyue,

And Troyle, his brother, sore wepand;

Dephebus was ȝit lyuand.

12832

Thei wepe & crye as bestes braye,

Thei wolde her lyff hadde ben a-waye;

For his deth were thei so wrothe,

Thei wolde ther die with him bothe.

12836

DEphebus lyfft vp his eye-lid,

And asked his brether what thei did;

Than Dephebus to Paris saythe:

'Telle me, Paris, by thi faythe,

12840

My dere brother, if that thow wot:

Where he be ded that me thus smot?'

¶ Paris saide: 'my brother hende,

God let me neuere my bowe bende

12844

Ne drawe tacle of Aspyn wandis,

But I sclow him with my handis!'

He bad hem than that stode him next,

Draw the spere out of his brest;

12848

Page 379 ¶ Dephebus mortuus est.

Thei drow hit out byfore his eyen, [folio 190a]

12849

Anon Dephebus gan to dyen.

Thei wepe In Troye for his deth,

Thei spilled for him meche breth.

12852

Bothe Priamus and Hectuba,

Polexene & Cassandra,

¶ Paris als and douȝti Troyle,

Thei prayed her god his soule assoyle;

12856

And the Citesens & ladies alle

That were tho In that halle.

But what scholde I longer dwelle,

What del thei made ȝow to telle?

12860

I myȝt not to-day ne to-morwe

Telle for-sothe her grete sorwe!

PRiamus let make a molde

Off Iasper-stones & riche golde,

12864

And layd ther-In his sone so dere

With sore wepyng & heuy chere.

Another tombe dede he also make

For Sarpedoun the kynges sake,

12868

And led him by his sone there

With wepyng sore of many a tere.

For sicurly kyng Sarpedoun

Was In his tyme a stalworth man,

12872

A noble knyȝt of vasselage,

Hardi, & bold, and right sauage.

¶ Among the Gregeis with-oute wenyng

Was mychel del & mornyng

12876

For that kyng Palamydes.

A newe leder the Gregeis ches,

For thei myght not be with-oute

An Emperour for that were doute.

12880

Thei toke consayle, wham thei wolde haue

That best coude ordeyne hem & saue;

Page 380 ¶ Hic Agamenoun electus est ad officium Imperatoris.

Agamenon aȝeyn thei chase; [folio 190b]

12883

The eleccioun*. [The second c may be a t.] of hem alle he hase;

12884

And that was most by duk Nestor,

For he spak most ther-for.

AGamenoun is now Emperour

I-mad a-ȝeyn with honour;

12888

Alle the lordes he comaundes,

That thei be redy In the landes

Erly at morwe, whan it was day;

For ȝit wol thei efft assay,

12892

How thei may spede a-ȝeyn Dardanes,

And venge hem on tho fel Troianes

That haue thus slayn the douȝhti kyng

Dispitously with thair schotyng.

12896

¶ The sterres passen and alle the cloudes,

The day dawes, the Crowe croudes,

The larkis synge, the cokkes crowe,

The waytes faste her pipes blowe:

12900

The Gregeis risen vp of her couches

With many woundes & many bocches,

But thei let not ther-fore to go

Vnto the fyght that thei come fro.

12904

The sqwyers toke her harneis,

Her knaues ordeyned her palfreys,

Thei[r] sadel-stedis & her cou[r]seres;

And rides forth knyȝtes & sqwyers.

12908

¶ Agamenoun In that matyne

Ordaynet hem as thei schold bene.

And thei of Troye by than were ȝare

Toward Gregeis for to fare.

12912

With-Inne a while come thei to-gedur;

But it made tho a lothely wedur,

Hit raynes faste, thondres, & blowes,

That wel was him that was with-Inne wowes. Page 381

12916

But for al that wedur & the rayn [folio 191a]

12917

Many a gode man ther was sclayn,

Many a knyȝt was ouer-throwen,

Her bodies lay thik sawen.

12920

¶ Off Troye died many, but mo Griffons.

Troyle come ouer the dounes,

With hardy hert & gret fferte

Come he thedur to that poygne.

12924

When he was comen a-mong that pres,

The Gregeis faste to dethe he sles;

Thei were In poynt to lese the plase;

But then come—as thei hadde grace—

12928

The gode douȝti Diomedes

With his felawe Vlixes,

With twenti thousand doughti In place;

The proude Troyens*. [MS. Gregeis.] thei gone to chace.

12932

¶ Gret slauȝt was on bothe side;

But thei myȝt not longe abide,

The thonder & lyghtyng was so strong,

That gret sorwe hit wrouȝt hem among:

12936

Thei with-drow hem sone for that wedur,

And toke her conseyl al to-gedur

To go home for that gret tempest,

For hem thoght hit was the best;

12940

For so faste doun the water ȝet,

That thei were alle thorow wet.

NOw are thei alle herbared & housed

Al be-rayned and be-toused,

12944

Thei did of armes & ded on clothes;

Many of hem her lyff loses

For the wo that thei are Inne.

I holde: he hadde gret synne

12948

That furst the were of hem by-gan,

For he was bane of many a man. Page 382

¶ When thei were comen, thei ȝede & souped, [folio 191b]

And many on for his frend drouped

12952

And for hem-selff thei seide 'alas'

Thei wende neuere to passe that plas;

And ȝit were thei so envious,

So ful of Pride and meruelous,

12956

That hem was leuere echon to dye

Than any of other mercy to crye.

When thei hadde souped, thei ȝede & sleped,

And many a wydwe thanne weped,

12960

And made gret del & sikyng sore

For her ffrendes thei hadde lore.

WHen thei hadde scleped & saw tyme,

Thei ros vp be-fore the prime

12964

And tok her hors & her atyres,

Swerd, bowes, and heded vires,

And ȝede aȝeyn In-to the ffeldes

Out of her toun & here teldis,

12968

And mete to-gedur with strokes hard.

Amonges hem alle was no coward,

Echon other to sle coueytes,

And alle men to sle waytes:

12972

Many a man to grounde was feld;

But ther was non that euere him ȝeld,

Whil thei myght hold swerd In honde,

Or on her feet whil thei myȝt stonde.

12976

¶ But Troile come thanne with his couyne;

He bar a scheld of asure fyne,

A lyoun of gold ther-on was paynt.

When he was comen to that prasaynt

12980

Ther Troye*. [MS. Troyl.] & Grece to-gedur ware,

Many a man to grounde he bare,

Many a lord that day he slow

And fro her horsis doun hem drow. Page 383

12984

¶ Then come thedir Diomedes, [folio 192a]

12985

And his falawe Vlixes,

And the gode Thelamanyus,

A strong knyȝt & a vigorous,

12988

Duk Menescene, and kyng Thoas;

Thei made ther sone a ferly chas.

And Agamenoun, her Emperour,

Come to that peple In that stour.

12992

Lord! the Peple that ther was ded!

Thei smot of many Troyen hed,

¶ The Peple lay as thikke as strawe,

Or the corn whan it was sawe.

12996

Thei held to-gedur fight mortel

Seuen dayes continuel;

They fauȝt to-gedir seuen dayes

With-outen rest, with-oute delayes,

13000

Til al the feld ouer-al a-boute

Was be-sprad—euery a cloute—

Off gode bodies that lay ded

Off Troye & Grece—so god me red!

13004

Seuen dayes to-gedir thei fauȝt,

That thei rest neuere but the nauȝt.

When thei hadde fouȝten a ful seuen nyght,

The Gregeis asked then respit,

13008

Thei asked trewes & gryt[h]e

To haue reste a two monethe,

Til the dede men were leyd in graue;

No ·lenger wolde thei then craue.

13012

THei sent her men to Priamus,

Ful witti men, & seyde thus:

"That al the feld lay be-throng

With dede bodyes with sauour strong";

13016

Thei asked the trewes wekes eyȝte,

For elles myght thei not fyȝte;

Page 384 ¶ Hic ceperunt pacem ad inuicem .viij^to. septimanas.

Til alle the bodyes were y-graue, [folio 192b]

13019

So long wolde thei the trewes haue.

13020

The kyng hem graunted by a-visement

And ther-to made he his surment

To holde hem stable, and thei also,

And no dissait ther-In do.

13024

THe while that the trues last,

Agamenon In his herte cast,

How he myȝt best Achilles brynge

With hem aȝeyn to here fyghtynge.

13028

He sente afftir Diomedes,

Duk Nestor, and Vlixes;

When thei were comen, he bad hem tho:

"That thei scholde to Achilles go,

13032

And thei scholde him by-seke

With faire wordes and with meke,

That he wolde come with hem to fyght";

'Now,' seyde he, 'kythe ȝoure slyght!

13036

¶ Let se now ȝoure qwayntyse,

That he ne late vs In no wyse!'

Thei did her princes comaundement,*. [¶ Hic miserunt ad Achillem.]

To Achilles alle thei went;

Off her comyng was he glad,

13041

The lordis to sitte by him he bad;

Thei sette hem doun—as he hem bade,—

Thei dronken the wyn and made hem glade.

13044

ULixes, that most was wis,—

Coude non so wel say his devys,—

He seyde: 'Achilles, be ȝoure leue!

That I schal say, take it not on greue:

13048

I haue meruayle with-oute any othe,

Whi ȝe be with vs so wrothe?

That ȝe of vs on this wise fille,

And haue turned ȝoure hert & wille Page 385

13052

Aȝeyn vs alle and ȝoure owne dede, [folio 193a]

13053

And ȝe ben not with vs at rede.

That ȝe of vs on wyse ffille,

And haue turned ȝoure herte & wille

13056

Aȝeyn vs alle & ȝoure oune dede,

That ȝe ben not with vs a rede*. [ll. 13055-8 are an almost word-by-word repetition of ll. 13051-4.].

Lete vs not dye In deth cruel!

For-sothe ȝe may helpe vs wel!

13060

¶*. [This sign almost blotted away.] Was it not furst ȝoure oune entent,

And alle the lordes that with ȝow went,

Kynges, & princes off gret power,

And alle the lordes that now ligge her,—

13064

Oure owne londis for to leue

And Priamus his landis be-reue?

To sle alle his and exile,

And do him-self to dethe vile?

13068

This riche Cite to ouerthrowe,

The gaye toures to ligge lowe?

How may this be ȝe ben thus straunge

That aȝeyn vs thi hert chaunge?

13072

That ȝe haue now on newe taken,

And ȝoure furst wil forsaken

Afftir the grete harme that thei haue done,

And ȝit are redi to do alsone?

13076

Thei haue sclayn many kynges of oures,

And wounded ȝow, & sclayn of ȝoures;

¶ Thei haue vs offte foule y-toyled,

Oure Pauylons foule dispoyled,

13080

Robbed oure godis & fro vs refft,

Litel haue thei with vs lefft;

Oure schippis haue thei many brent

And many tyme In poynt to be schent.

13084

For ȝe haue with ȝoure strengthe & myght

Slayn that stalworth man In fyght, Page 386

That al her socour & trust was In; [folio 193b]

13087

We are now hem In poynt to wyn

13088

And for to sle eueryche a man,

Iff ȝe helpe vs, as ȝe by-gan.

And also Dephebus is now ded,

And thei are alle with-outen red;

13092

Were ȝe sen Armed In the felde,

Thei schal for drede of ȝow hem ȝelde.

AChilles sir, for him ȝow wroght!

Haue ȝe for-ȝeten, ne thenke ȝe noght,

13096

What los & worschepe ȝe haue wonne

With dedes that ȝe haue her bygonne?

Ȝe haue done dedis In this stour,

Ȝe haue wonne ȝow gret honour;

13100

In al the world, brode ne lang,

Is non so douȝti ne so strang—

I holde certes—as ȝe are now,

Sithen ȝe doghti Ector sclow!

13104

¶ Haue ȝe no thoght, sir, & mynde

That ȝoure los thus schal be tyned?

And suffre ȝoure kynges and ȝoure Gregeis

Be sclayn & storuen In this mareis,

13108

That ȝe haue saued noble & kept

With myȝt & strengthe eueryche a step?

Michel blode haue ȝe dispende,

To saue vs alle and to defende.

13112

¶ We pray ȝow, sir, for goddis sake,

That ȝe to ȝowre furst wil take?

That ȝe lese not thus sone ȝoure los,

Ne lete vs not dye of oure fos,

13116

And help vs & saue vs also!

For we may not with-oute ȝow do.

Oure Emperour—the sothe to say—

Sente vs hidur ȝow to pray,

13120

Page 387 ¶ Hic Achilles contradixerunt eos.

That ȝe scholde vs In no wise ffayle, [folio 194a]

13121

But be with vs at the nexte batayle

To ffyght aȝeyn oure wicked enemys;

That we by ȝow may wynne the pris,

13124

And than schal we haue the victori,

And but thow do thus, we ben sori.'

AChilles seyde to Ulixes:

'Certis, sir, it is no les!

13128

Alle that ȝe say, I knowe it wel;

But that was foly euery a del:

That when we were In suche a-tent,

I say that we were fouly blent.

13132

Hit was open surfetrie,

And on gret pride & folye,

¶ When alle these kynges scholde leue here londis

For-sothe In vncouthe mennes hondis—

13136

Her rentes faire & gret Cites,—

To com & werre In straunge contres.

And al for loue of a womman

This perelous werre we by-gan,

13140

And alle these kynges haue [ben] sclayn

For the loue of dame Elayn.

¶ Say me now, sir Vlixes,

The noble kyng, Palamydes,

13144

Hadde him not better*. [MS. be better.] ben—I say—

Died at hom In his contray,

Then haue died In this prouince?

Him and euery another prince

13148

That haue died here thus wickedly?

And al for loue of that lady!

¶ Also the man that most was bold

Off stalworthnes, & most of told,—

13152

Ector of Troie with-oute pere—

Died he not In foule manere? Page 388

I se therfore: so mote I [folio 194b]

13155

Lese my lyff so witterly!

13156

I warne ȝow ther-fore, lordynges,

To me speke ȝe not of suche thynges,

No more therfore ȝe me say!

Off suche thynges ȝe may not pray,

13160

Aȝeyn Troyens to ȝeue batayle—

For hit is but lorn trauayle!

ME is leuere lese my name,

Alle my los, & my gode fame,

13164

Then here to dye In wo & pyne

And lye here stynkyng as a swyne.'

¶ Nestor duk and Diomedes

Thei prayed bothe sir Achilles

13168

And seyde: "her Emperour him be-soght,

That he wolde leue that wil & thoght

That he was In, and Armes bere,

And help hem to mayntene the werre."

13172

But alle her prayer and her sawe

Were not that tyme worth an hawe.

¶ Her fair speche myȝt him not brynge,

Ne prayer nother of duk ne of kynge

13176

Put of his herte & his purpos,

For noght that euere thei myght glos,

Ne her alther Emperour.

But sayde "that it was more honour

13180

At Priamus to aske the pes,

Then be to-hewen as other wes."

¶ The kynges saw thei myght not spede,

Thei toke her leue and home ȝede;

13184

Thei fond her Emperour In his halle,

Wel curteysly thei gret him alle.

He asked hem: "how thei hadde sped"—

'What hath Achilles to ȝow seyd?

13188

Page 389 ¶ Consilium Grecorum ad reuertendum ad patriam suam.

Haue ȝe geten any grace?' [folio 195a]

13189

Thei seyde be-fore godis face,

Thei tolde him al her answere:

"How he nolde Troiens dere,

13192

Ne come "—he sayde—" In batayle mortel";

But seyde: "if that we wold do wel,

We scholde aske pes at Priamus,

And schold we neuere saue vs."

13196

'GOd that made bothe lond & se,'—*. [¶ Hic Agamenon timuit.]

Seide Agamenoun—'what may this be,

That this gode knyȝt sir Achilles

Longeth thus sore afftir the pees?

13200

I wot neuere what it may be-mene.'

He bad the kynges alle be-dene,

All that euere were In that ost

Schold come bothe lest & most,

13204

And alle these other lordes also,

For thynges he wolde say hem to.

With-Inne a while were thei alle met

Ther to-geder and doun set.

13208

¶ Agamenoun tolde his tale

To alle the lordis In that sale:

"How he hadde sent Diomedes,

Duk Nestor, and Vlixes,

13212

To pray Achilles for charite,"—

'And for the loue of ȝow and me,

That he wolde vs helpe In oure werre.

And we of him be neuere the nerre,

13216

For he swore gret othes to hem thore,

He scholde bere armes neuere more

¶ Kyng Priamus to distroye,

Ne non of his to anoye,—

13220

For nouȝt that we may do or bidde.

He wold not die as other didde. Page 390

And this [is] al the skyl whi [folio 195b]

13223

That I for ȝow sende witterly,

13224

To here ȝoure alther a-visement,

Of*. [MS. To.] euer[y]che a man his Iugement.

Telles here now ȝoure best consayl:

What schal we do of this batayl?'

13228

MEnelaus rose vp now anon

And seyde: "he held him no wyse man

Vn-to that pes that wolde assent;

For the batayle was as good as ent,

13232

Sithen thei hadde sclayn the knyght vigorous,

Sir Ector, and Dephebus";

'Thes other are ether to ouercome,

Thei schal alle dye on a throme.

13236

And thoow it be that Achilles

Help vs not, but holde his pees,—

With-oute his help & his vertu

We schal these other sone vencu.'

13240

¶ But then ros vp Duk Nestor

That I spak of right now be-for*. [After this last word n is erased.],

And the wise knyȝt sir Vlixes

That sat to-gedir on the des;

13244

Thei seyde: 'it is no wonder, sir,

Thoow thow batayle more desir.

Al ffor the & for thi wiff

These gode lordes haue lost her lyff,

13248

And so may we lyghtly do,

But we wil not that it*. [MS. is.] be so.

¶ For thi wyff this werre be-gan,

We ȝeue it vp here euery a man;

13252

For hir haue we done here gret perel,

But we forsake here oure querel;*. [¶ Hic nolunt pug|nare vlterius.]

We wol haue the pes euerychon,

Ther-aȝeyn of vs is non;

13256

Page 391 ¶ Consilium Grecorum ad reuertendum ad patriam suam*. [This rubric is just the same as that on lf. 195.].

For we haue lyued her many ȝeres.' [folio 196a]

13257

When sir Calcas that conseil heres,—

When these kynges were at that acorde,

And dukes also and many a lorde,

13260

To lete the werre and haue the pees,—

He bad hem alle lete that res;

¶ He cried loude as he were wod

Among the Gregeis ther thei stod,

13264

He sayde: 'alas, that ȝe ben mased!

Ȝoure*. [MS. ȝoure.] wit is lorn and ful dased!

Hope ȝe, lordynges, it is not ille

To do aȝeyn ȝoure godis wille,

13268

That he wol do ȝow alle him dispise?

God· for-sakes him & hise.

God hath ȝow for-sothe be-hight

The victorye—my treuthe I plyght!—

13272

Off alle ȝoure enemys & ȝoure fos;

My-selff hit herde of god·In Delos

That he the mastry ȝow be-het.

Ȝoure*. [MS. ȝoure.] herte crafftly ther-on ȝe set,

13276

¶ Traystes wel In his prowesse!

For I herd it & bere witnesse,

For I it herde In that Il[d]e:

"That ȝe scholde be lordes with herte mylde,

13280

And that ȝe scholde haue al the maystrye."

Loke ȝe be bold ther-fore for-thi,

Beth right bold, & trust In god!

And leues hem not for euen ne od,

13284

Til ȝe haue wonnen the victory—

As god be-het ȝow trustely!'

WHen this Clerk, sir Calcas,—

In Troye sumtyme bysshop was—

13288

Hadde sayde these wordes amonges hem alle,

Fro her purpos be-gan thei falle Page 392

And toke aȝeyn her herte & wille, [folio 196b]

13291

And made a vow her god vn-tille:

13292

"Thei wold neuere passe of ther marches,

Til proud Ilyon and alle his arches

Were cast doun, and Priamus,

And that douȝti knyȝt Troylus,

13296

And fair Paris that was his sone,

Were foule slayn with-oute raunsone.

¶ Thoow Achilles helpe hem noght,

Thei vowed to god that thei ne roght;

13300

Thow Achilles hem for-soke,

Her godis scholde vn-to hem loke.

Iff he be ferd of any chaunce,

Lete him sitte & rede romaunce!"

13304

¶ Now are the kynges all at red:

Out of the place, for drede of ded,

To her contres wil thei not wende,

Til thei haue broght that fyght to ende.

13308

Off no thyng are thei a-bayst,

In her goddis haue thei suche traist;

With-oute Achilles ar thei bold

The fyght aȝeyn to take & hold.

13312

He is for-ȝeten with feble & strong,

As thoow he hadde not ben hem among.

Thei wente alle hom to here ostel,

Thei daunsed & sang & made revel.

13316

The terme is went & passed a-way,

The morwe next schal be her day

That thei schal fyght to-gedur In feld,

Ther schal be reuen many a scheld,

13320

Many a bryght basenet

Schal be with blod foule y-wet.

DAy is went out of the trewes,

Ther is gret noyse among the Grwes,

13324

Page 393 ¶ Hic faciebant Magnum Bellum.

Thei Arme hem faste at that tyde, [folio 197a]

13325

To hem of Troye thei faste ride,

Armed wel In her harneis.

Now gon to-gedur Troiens & Gregeis:

13328

The vanwardis met with gret hidoure,

Thei rod to-gedur with gret vigoure;

¶ A thousand speres brast In-sonder,

Ther died knyȝtes many hunder.

13332

When thei to-gedir with speres rides,

Many on the dethe ther abydes;

Thei toke ther many an euel garter,

Some loste al his on quarter,

13336

Some his hede, & som his guttis;

Eche man other doun puttis.

¶ The stour was strong & perilous,

The day was hote, the men yrous:

13340

Thei schotte arwes & keste gauelokkis,

Thei dyght foule her paltokkis;

Knyghtes falle, and stedis stray,

The dede bodyes on hepe lay.

13344

BVt then come theder douȝti Troyle

And be-gan amonges hem royle,

Among Gregeis be-gan he pugne,

That thei made many a lothely groyne.

13348

For his brother that thei sclow

He did hem sorwe & wo y-now;

His brother deth he hadde In mynde,—

As thei of Grece fforsothe fynde,—

13352

Ful shrewedly hem dyghtes,

He slow that day many knyghtes.

¶ Then come Menelaus ride

With men of Armes And mychel pride,

13356

And the doghti Diomedes

With mychel peple to that pres, Page 394

With many knyghtes stronge & gode; [folio 197b]

13359

Thei sclow Troiens as thei were wode,

13360

And felde hem thikke vpon the grounde.

Ther died of hem many thousonde,

On bothe halff thei scle men faste

Al the day, til euen laste.

13364

For hit was nyght, the sonne goth west,

Thei drow hem homward to her rest,

Thei parted so fro that fyght

And ȝede hom alle, for it was nyght.

13368

THei of Troie are In the toun,

And Gregeis In her pauyloun;

Euery man goth to his rescet,

Her mete is dyght and to hem fet,

13372

Thei sitte alle for to soupe

With many a lyuer, longe, & croupe;

Many a man among hem drouped

And ȝede to bedde, whan thei hadde souped,

13376

And rest hem til hit was day,

That thei myȝt make a foule deray.

¶ For thei of Grece were sore a-gramed

And gretly tened and sore a-schamed

13380

Off hem of Troye for that day be-forn,

For her gode men thei hadde lorn:

Thei samed hem alle on an hepe,

Thei toke her hors & vpward lepe,

13384

Thei rod so forth vpon a renge,

For thei wolde hem fayn venge;

¶ Thei alle are went of here hales,

Thei passe her piles & her pales.

13388

Wel hard thei to-geder rode

With baneres faire & eke brode,

Som of sandel, som of ynde,

To-geder betande with the wynde. Page 395

13392

The Gregeis toke thenne the feld; [folio 198a]

13393

And thei of Troye that be-held

That thei were so to hem comande,

Thei ȝede a-ȝeyns hem faste ridande

13396

Off gode aray & gode manere,

With many a spere and brod banere.

When thei come ner, to-gedur thei ran,

And sclow be-twene hem many a man;

13400

Scheldes and helmes ȝede al to dust,

Thei toke ther many a sori crust.

BVt the douȝti Diomedes

Ful wondirly the Troiens sles:

13404

He smot of hondis with alle the nayles,

He made hem greued—it was meruayles,—

He pared her chekes al aboute,

That al here tethe fellen oute.

13408

He sclow and woundid & bar to erthe

Two & thre and so the fferthe,

¶ He smot of hedes, leg, & arme;

That day did he moche harme

13412

To hem of Troye & her meygne.

Troyle knewe, that it was he

That did his men that vilony;

He vowed to god: "he scholde a-by;

13416

Iff he myȝt ride as he hath ment,

On of hem scholde haue a dent."

¶ Diomedes he ascried,

And afftirward he him defied:

13420

'War the wel'—seyde he—'fro me!

For thi dedis I defye the!'

'And I the!' seyde the knyght,

'Her my treuthe to the I plyght:

13424

I wol the not certis refuse,

Ne thow schalt the fro me ascuse.' Page 396

Thei to-gedur as ffaucouns fflyes, [folio 198b]

13427

For-sothe that on of hem a-byes:

13428

Diomedes brast his spere,

But he did Troyle no-thyng dere;

¶ But Troyle smot him with al his mayn

That ney-hande he hadde ben sclayn,

13432

He fel him fro his hors swonande

Among her hors ded neyhande.

When he was thus on grounde y-layd*. [MS. A second thus between grounde and y-layd in MS.],

Troyle ful foule him missayd

13436

For Brixaida that was his leff,

He reuyled him as he were a theff.

But his men were for him dred:

Thei drow him fro her hors tred,

14440

Thei leyd him on his scheld soffte

And led him hom vn-to his loffte;

Wel sore y-hurt, In a swone,

Thei bare him to his Pauylone.

13444

¶ When Menelaus that was him by

Saw Troyle that knyght so sturdy

For that wounde that Diomedes laught,

He hadde ther-fore wel mechel aught,

13448

He wyste ful wel that he was hurt.

Menelaus to Troyle sturt,

He by-gan sir Troyle ban[n]e

For him & rode to him thanne

13452

To venge the kyng Diomedes;

For or thei parted, he bouȝt that res:

¶ Troylus spere was with-outen brekyng

As he felde with that other kyng;

13456

To Menelaus Troylus whirled

That scheld and hauberk bothe thrilled,

He bare him vndir his hors fete,

Off his blod he was al wete. Page 397

13460

His men then qwyk him drow,— [folio 199a]

13461

For him thei hadde sorwe y-now,—

Thei toke & layde him on his scheld

And bare him home vn-to his teld.

13464

WHan Agamenoun, her Emperour,

Saw his men so fare In that stour,—

Thei were almost with-oute myght,

Thei were ney-hande put to flyght,—

13468

He gadered his men to-gedur samen,

And than be-gan a newe gamen;

Then come thedur Vlixes*. [Something erased after 'Vlixes.']

With men of armes, a huge pres,

13472

¶ And the gode kyng Thoas

That sori was ffor that kynges cas,

And the gode kyng Thelamaneus,

And the gode kyng Menesceus.

13476

Lord, the sorwe that ther by-gan!

Ther was slayn many a man,

Many a man and many a knyght

Was sclayn that day In that fight.

13480

Thei sclow Troyens doun to grounde,

And many flowe with hidous wounde.

¶ Thelameneus tok a spere

And to Troyle began it bere:

13484

He ȝaff Troyle suche a weshayle

That he flow ouer his hors tayle,

And ȝaff him a wounde bitter and sore

That on his scheld he was hom bore;

13488

His hors was eke tho y-slawe,

Out of that batayle he was drawe.

¶ Paris ferd as he were wod,

Many a Grew ther lost his blod;

13492

Thei leyde hem faste to grounde

With many an hidous wounde. Page 398

Gret was the slauȝt and the wo [folio 199b]

13495

That among the Gregeis was tho.

13496

¶ Agamenoun, her Emperour,

Was sore hurt In that stour,

And so was many a gode knyȝt

Dede & wounded In that fyght.

13500

The stour was gret, the fyght plener,

But Gregeis were of non*. [MS. nom.] power

Aȝeyn hem lengur to holde fight;

And eke it was ney the nyght,

13504

For to her Pauyloun anon he went;

For hadde thei abeden, thei hadde ben schent.

¶ Thei fledde echone with-Inne the diches

With gret sorwe and sore sikes,

13508

The Troyens ffolwed with her myght;

But it was tho al at nyght:

Thei wente hom to her Cite

With her knyȝtes & her meygne.

13512

AGamenoun coude no gale,

He hadde y-bled, he was pale;

He saw what wo & perel

To him & his that day befel,

13516

How Diomedes, that doughti kyng,

Was hurt so sore at that Iustyng,

And he myȝt not him selff helpe;

His sorwe coude he to no man ȝelpe.

13520

And Menelaus*. [MS. Meñelaus.], his brother, eke

He was so hurt that he lay seke.

Bothe thes kynges In bed lay

For harm thei toke of Troyle that day;

13524

Wonder sore and delfully

He was hurt & greuously,

He dredde him sore to ffyght lengur,

Til thei & he myght be strengur;

13528

Page 399 ¶ Hic ceperunt Pacem ad inuicem per .vj. menses.

For if he did, he hoped wele [folio 200a]

13529

Off his men to lese gret dele.

He sente ther-fore to Priamus,

To Paris, and to sir Troylus,

13532

To haue a trewe a six moneth,

That thei myght rest In pes & grith.

¶ Priamus and his consayle

Graunte trewes with-oute fayle.

13536

And that was certis aȝeyn her wille

Off many of tho that longed him tille;

Thei seyde: "it was foly strong

To graunte Gregeis a trewe so long."

13540

But wham it likes & wam it rewes,

On bothe parties ben graunted trewes.

BRyxeida that louely was,—

The Biscop[es] doghter Calcas,

13544

That fair louely womman,

That sumtyme was sir Troyle lemman,—

When the tydandes to hir was seyde

That Diomedes In bed was layde,

13548

Aȝeyn hir fadur comaundement

To vysite him ful offte sche went;

For sche wiste he toke the falle

Off Troyle that was hir specialle.

13552

¶ Sche wiste wel In hir thoght

Off Troyle scholde sche neuere haue noght;

Sche hoped neuere of him mariage;

Sche chaunged her wil & corage:

13556

Doghti Troyle sche gan forsake,

To Diomedes sche gan hir take:

Sche sayde sche wolde with him dele

For any man, whan he hadde hele;

13560

For to him sche ȝaff al hir talent,

For he hadde mechel on hir y-spent, Page 400

And loued hir wel, and sche him als— [folio 200b]

13563

As wymmen doth that offten ben fals.

13564

hAlf*. [h inserted by later hand, erasure of some three or four letters after lf; the first writing seems to have been Affter.] a ȝer may thei now reste,

The trewe is so be-twene hem feste;

Thei may hele wele the whiles

Alle her bocchis & her biles,

13568

Thei may hem hele In here soiornyng.

But it be In mys-kepyng,

Thei are mury In alle her woundes,

Thei go & hunte with her grehoundes,

13572

With hauke, brache, & with kenetes*. [Alteredffrom kenetf for the sake of the rhyme.],

Thei hunte conynges with here ffirettes.

¶ But Agamenoun hadde gret care

That the Gregeis scholde In fyght mysfare,

13576

But if thei myght Achilles pray

That he wolde helpe another Iornay.

He sent affter by a knyght

Afftir duk Nestor, that man of myght;

13580

He come to him at his sendyng,

And he was fayn of his comyng.

To Achilles bothe thai ȝede

To loke if that thei may spede;

13584

¶ Agamenoun his wil assayed,

Ful ffaire Achilles he ther prayed:

"That he wolde turne his herte & wil

And let the Gregeis so not spil,

13588

And come with hem In her batayle

And at her nede no more hem fayle."

But for al that thei be-souȝt,

Ne myȝt thei him chaunge right nouȝt;

13592

He swore his othe & made a vow;

'I wol no more helpe ȝow!

But this wol I for thi loue do,

And for thin, Nestor, also: Page 401

13596

Alle my men I wol ȝow graunte [folio 201a]

13597

That ben so stronge and vaylaunte,

I wol that ȝe tho with ȝow haue

For ȝoure loue—so god me saue!

13600

But non Armes my-selff wil bere,

Non of Troye to do no dere.'

Thei were bothe fayn—by seynt Cristofore!—

Off his gode wil & profre,

13604

¶ Thei thonked him an hundred sithe:

"That he hadde mad hem so blythe,

That thei myght haue the Murmidones

To go to fyght with here Gryffones,

13608

For thei were styff & eke stalworth."

Thei toke her leue and went forth

Bothe to-gedur In to her hales,

Thei tolde the kynges this Ioyful tales:

13612

"How of his men thei hadde grauntise

But thei myght not gete him in no wyse."

¶ The kynges were fayn and wonder glad

That thei graunt of his men had,

13616

But hem were leuere haue had him-selff

Then of his men hundres twelff.

WHen*. [The capital W is somewhat blotted.] it come ner the half ȝere*. [Between the and ȝere, laste is cancelled, and half inserted over line by another hand.] ende

That the trues scholde out-wende,

13620

And it nyed ner the day

That the trewes passed away,

The Gregeis made her harneis clene

And grond her speres scharp & kene;

13624

And thei of Troye did the same,

For ayther thoght do other schame.

¶ When day was comen out of her trewes,

Agamenoun*. [MS. Agamenon.] bad the Grwes:

13628

"To Arme hem and dight hem faste,

For it was tyme that thei were paste

Page 402 ¶ Aliud Bellum.

In-to the feld a-ȝeyn her fos." [folio 201b]

13631

Eche man to Arme him gos.

13632

Ther was thanne a semely syght

Off many a gentil man & knyght

That semely set vpon her stedis;

. . . . .*. [No gap in MS.]

13636

Many a sadel was ouergiltis,

Many a sword with golden hiltis.

Many baner blew a-boute,

Ful loude the wynd hem made route.

13640

¶ Achilles gadered his knyghtes alle

Aboute him thanne In-to his halle,

He bad thei scholde her Armes take

For Agamenoun loue*. [MS. lone.] and his sake;

13644

To alle his men worthi & digne

Delyuered he a newe signe

As red as any blod,

And ȝaff hem leue with heuy mode

13648

To wende forthe to her batayle,

Here foos boldly to assayle.

AChilles weped an hundred teres

At her wendyng vpon his leres;

13652

His men echon forthe stalked;

Vnto the folk ful soffte thei walked.

Ther was by-gonne wel that tyme,

For it was thanne half way Prime:

13656

¶ The Troyens felde & slow Gregeis

Ful wonderly—as Dares says;—

Troyle falles al that he hittes,

Many of hem her hert-blod spittes.

13660

And thei of Troye died faste

As thikke as men myght caste

. . . . .*. [No gap in MS.]

The Gregeis hem cleuen alle doun

13664

And bere hem ouer her hors arsoun

That men myght here a perlusoun. Page 403

¶ Duk Menescene defendis his folk, [folio 202a]

13667

He smot many In the nekke holk;

13668

And duk Nestor him wele halpe:

Thei ȝaff the Troyens many a talpe;

On ayther syde thei fel to grounde

With many a grym hidous wounde.

13672

¶ Thei fauȝt al day whil the sonne schyned,

Fro the morwe that thei hadde dyned

Vntil thei hadde of day no lyght;

Thei ȝede home for defaute of syght,

13676

And euery man wente to his Inne—

Til thei myȝt efft her note by-gynne.

DAy is comen, & nyght is gone,

The Gregeis are vppe & dyght echone,

13680

And thei of Troye are comen doun,

Armed wel, out of the toun.

Thei ran to-geder as wode thinges,

Echon other al to-diggis;

13684

Many of hem ligge In a dwale,

May no man make acorde fynale.

¶ In erthe was neuere suche a semble:

And that may alle men here & se

13688

That romaunce may vndirstonde & rede,

Other therto wol take hede.

In alle the bokes that men haue sene

Off douȝti men that haue bene,

13692

When thei are thorow soght,

Sicurly ne fynde men noght

That suche a fyght In erthe befel,

Sithe Eue bare Caym and gode Abel;

13696

¶ That so fele kynges, dukes, and lordes

Were gadered to-gedur for on discordes.

Hit was neuere, lord! In geste ne sang

Off werre In erthe that last so lang, Page 404

13700

Ne that so many men to dethe wente [folio 202b]

13701

As did ther, or the batayle ente;—

Ne neuere of sege that so longe lay,

Ne neuere schal to domysday;—

13704

Ne men that myght so longe endure

To fight euery day In her Armure

With-oute reste and with-oute sese,

That thei toke neuere trewe ne pese.

13708

¶ Ne held thei not sumtyme assaut,

Day be day to-gedur thei faut,

That thei rest neuere ful doughtyly

A ful monethe contynuely.

13712

But men may se ther-by that can,

What strengthe & myȝt ther hadde a man;

¶ For now lyues nother man ne knyȝt

That if thei were put to that fyȝt,

13716

That thei ne scholde be for-done,

Long tyme or it were none;

And thei be-gan at sonne rysyng.

But that liggis not In my spekyng,

13720

I wol speke ther-of no more,

But turne a-ȝeyn ther I was ore.

THe stoure haue thei of Troye be-gonne,

And thei of Grece ben to hem ronne

13724

And made In her armure many a brek,

Many a man lay slawe ded sterk.

A riche kyng was called Philomene,

A worthi knyȝt, a kynde Troiene,

13728

And also sir Palidomas,—

Thei two to-gedir met kyng Thoas:

¶ Thei layd vpon him bothe at ones,

Thei brosed his flesch and eke his bones;

13732

His myght vayled him not of two lekes,

Thei toke him maugre his chekes. Page 405

Off that prese drow thei him out, [folio 203a]

13735

And drow him forth fro alle his rout.

13736

¶ But that saw thenne the Murmydones,

How he was lad ffro his Gryffones;

But thei wolde him not so lete passe,

Thei gadered alle a-boute Thoas:

13740

Thei tere for him many a ribbe

Off many lord & many sibbe,

And many an hed thei al to-schyuered,

And fro her hand thei him delyuered.

13744

THo was Troyle ful sore tened:

That he was so dyght sore he mened,

He swor by god & by his swyre:

"Thei scholde abye that dyntes dere."

13748

He strok his stede amonges hem alle,

Some he sclow & some mad falle,

He brak her hedes vnder her hode.

But thei manly a-ȝeyn him stode,

13752

¶ Thei sclow vndir him his stede

That Troylus doun to grounde ȝede—

As he most nede—when his hors fayled.

But he lepe vp & hem assayled,

13756

Gret defence gan he make;

But thei were besy him to take,

But he was closed him-self alone

Amonges hem on fote echone.

13760

¶ But Paris thanne—whan he it wiste—

Amonges the Gregeis In he thriste;

His halff-brother with-al him with,

And many another of that kyth:

13764

Thei brak with force her scheltroun,

And sclow ther many a Murmidoun.

Another hors to Troyle was broght,

And he lepe vp—as he neuere roght Page 406

13768

Off no lyues man that was his foo— [folio 203b]

13769

He lepe vp sone as a roo.

For sir Troyle delyueraunce

An hard batayle & gret distaunce

13772

Be-gan Paris & hem be-twene,

For Murimdones hadde mochel tene,

Gret Angwys, & mochel wo

That Troylus scholde so qwit go:

13776

Thei leyde thanne Troiens hard vpon,

Thei sclow that tyme Margariton,

That was sir Troylus half-brother;

Ther died of Troyens many an*. [MS. &.] other

13780

For the delyueraunce of sir Troyle,

Many a Troien to dethe did royle.

TRoyle was horsed atte devise

Vpon a stede of moche prise.

13784

He thoght thei scholde not pas qwite;

He thoght to venge that foule dispite

And vilony that thei hadde tan,

Off hem that were his brothr ban:

13788

He wounded hem, he felde & sclow,

And of her horses doun hem drow;

But thei were wyse of werre & sclye,

Styff & strong, & ful douȝtye:

13792

¶ Thei saw thei were In gret perel,

Thei drow hem alle on a roundel

And of hem-selff made thei castel.

But that vayled hem not a wastel—

13796

For Troyle was euere on hem so asper,

That many a riche ston of Iasper

Smot he a-way vpon her crestes,

And sclow hem as thei hadde ben bestes;

13800

Thei lafft the feld & fledde hamward.

Then was comynge thedirward Page 407

The Emperour Agamenon [folio 204a]

13803

And The duk Thelamon,

13804

With alle here men Vlixes,

So did the gentil Diomedes;

Menelaus come with hem thanne

With many a thousand armed menne:

13808

The Murimdones thanne wel reschewed,

To the Troyens than no game growed,

For thei were some I-bore to grounde,

And many ther dede In that stounde.

13812

But when Troyle saw hem come socour

And sclow his men so In that stour,

¶ No lenger thanne sir Troyle abode*. ['Hic deficit' written in the margin by another hand.],

In-to that Cite sone he rode

13816

Ther his men were most trauayled,

And he the lordis alle assayled:

He sclow her men & fouly fouled,

With hem so Troylus toyled,

13820

That only thorow sir Troylus myght

So were the Gregeis al discomfyght

And flende faste as thei were wod,

That Troyle reved many his blod.

13824

BVt*. [MS. BVut.] Ayax Thelamaneus,

That noble knyȝt & vigorous,

Come than doun with many a spere

The Troyens alle for to dere.

13828

Duk Nestor with alle his myȝt

Come theder tho with many a knyȝt,

And the noble kyng Thoas.

Tho by-gan a grisly cas:

13832

Thei that fledde turned aȝeyn,

Thei sclow the Troyens with myȝt & mayn;

¶ The Gregeis wan a-ȝeyn the feld

And droff hem than fro her tent & teld,

13836

Page 408 ¶ Hic Achilles Interrogauit de hominibus suisque nouA.

And droff hem thanne a-ȝeyn her wil [folio 204b]

13837

With gret sorwe that place vn-til.

But for Troyle & al his myght

The Troyens were y-put to flyght,

13840

The Gregeys folewes & made hem falle,

Thei flow to Troye the Troyens alle.

The day was gon, the nyght was comen,

The Gregeis went hom al & somen,

13844

Thei wente home al vpon a rase

With her prisouns & her purchase.

THe Gregeis were fayn that it was nyȝt,

For thei hadde trauayled a-ȝeyn her myȝt;

13848

For if the sonne had lenger schyned,

Off her folk schold thei haue tyned.

The Murimdones to-gedur alle

Ȝede to her lordes halle,

13852

Alle for-wounded & for-bled.

He asked hem: "how thei hadde sped."

¶ Thei made to him a lothely playnt

And seyde: "thei were alle a-taynt

13856

For gret angwys of that Iornay

That thei hadde suffred In fight that day."

Thei seyde also: "that many of his

Were sclayn at that gret appris."

13860

He made hem come before him than

And tolde the bodyes of euery a man:

¶ When thei were rekened & told be tale

Be-fore Achilles In his hale,

13864

He fond a thousand of hem fayled

Off knyȝtes that were y-rolled & tayled.

When thei were soght & alle ded founden,

He seyde: 'alas, that I was bounden

13868

In womannes loue & womannes bounde!'

Whan so many were ded founde, Page 409

He siked sore for hem & drouped. [folio 205a]

13871

Ful litel mete that nyght he souped,

13872

To his bed Achilles went

With carful herte & gret torment:

He wolde him-self hadde ben ded,

He wist neuere what was his red,

13876

Whether he myght to batayle wende

To venge his men or eke his frende,

Or he scholde ȝit abyde

To wete wat grace myȝt be-tyde.

13880

He thoght al nyght so faste & wepe,

That he myght for no thyng slepe:

¶ He thoght he wolde go at morne

And venge his men that were y-lorne,

13884

That thei of Troye hadde foule sclayn;

But then thoght he aȝeyn

That if he [to] batayle ȝede,

Off his erand he scholde not spede,

13888

Ne haue that louely to his wiff

That he loued more than his lyff:

That kynges douȝter Pollexene—

For he hadde het trewely the quene

13892

¶ That he scholde neuere helpe Gregeis,

But lete hem worthe & holde his pays.

And if he ȝede tho & bikerd

Aȝeyn the trouthe that he hadde sikerd,

13896

He myght lyghtly that louely [greue],

And thei scholde him no more leue,

But sey it were a fals couyne—

And so scholde he that lady tyne;

13900

And leuer were him his lyff to-gang,

Er he for-ȝede hir loue out lang.

MAny dayes lyued he so lange

In these paynes styff & strange, Page 410

13904

With-oute murthe and eke Ioye, [folio 205b]

13905

Til thei of Grece & thei of Troye

Scholde assemble to-gedur efft,

For that wolde thei for no thyng were lefft.

13908

Til that on part Maystres were,

Wold thei not leue her werre there.

¶ But it were ouer-gret takyng,

And wel gret the makyng,—

13912

To telle the fightis that thei fauȝt

And alle her dedis at alle her sauȝt,

To telle here dedis and here fyght

Be-twene Troy & Grece—by goddis myght!

13916

Alle her dedis may I not telle,

For ther-vpon I wol not dwelle.

THe day is comen thei schul mete;

That foule baret wolde thei not lete,

13920

Thei hadde to-geder so gret envy

That thei wold not leue her foly.

Bothe*. [Bothe over But inserted by another hand.] parties were redi dight,

Thei wente to-geder with al her myght:

13924

And whan thei were to-geder met,

Echon of hem on other schet—

As thei hadde ben wode & mad.

Ther died many a lord & lad,

13928

Many knyght & eke baroun,

And many other proude Gryffoun.

¶ Many a lord & gentil man

Was ded ther, er thei be-lan,

13932

Many a kynges sone of kynde—

I may not make of alle mynde.

But seuen dayes with-oute les

Fauȝt thei to-geder with outen pes,

13936

Day be day with-oute trewes,

Til thei hadde lorn many of the Grwes. Page 411

¶ Achilles euere In pes him held, [folio 206a]

13939

That he bar neuere helme ne scheld

13940

Off al that while a-ȝeyn Troiens,

To dere none of here Citesens.

The Grewes by-gan faste to fayle,

The Emperour seyde thanne: 'hylhayle!

13944

We may now sone be al for-done,

But if this lord helpe vs sone;

But Achilles on vs rewe,

Ther schal not skape of vs a Grewe!'

13948

WHen thei hadde fouȝten seuen dayes,

Agamenon Priamus prayes

To graunte a trewes by othe & treuthe;

For it to se hit was moche reuthe,

13952

How alle the feld lay ful of men

And lay & stank In that fen.

Trewes longe wolde thei haue had,

For Agamenon was sore a-drad

13956

That he scholde many of his men lese

With hem of Troye & of Frese,

Iff thei mayntened lenger that stour;

Thei asked therfore a long soiour.

13960

¶ But the Troyens seyde: "thei scholde non haue

But that thei myght her dede men graue;"

Thei wold no lenger the trewes graunte,

Thei held hem alle recreaunt.

13964

And that rewed Agamenon sore

And alle the Gregeis that with him wore,

Thei myȝt no lenger the trewes haue;

That rewed hem sore—so god me saue!—

13968

For thei were wounded and al to-bete,

And hadde biles and bocches grete

For strokes thei ȝaff & eke toke,

Whil thei to-gedur ffauȝt that woke. Page 412

13972

But ȝit were thei of that trewe fayn [folio 206b]

13973

That thei myȝt bery that thei hadde sclayn,

Thei gadered alle the bodyes colde

That lay ther ded vpon the wolde;

13976

And did alle the bodyes be brende,

Or the trewes was fully ende,—

Longe or the trewes was comen to ende,

That thei scholde efft to batayle wende.

13980

THe trewes ar went that thei had set,

The day is comen of her baret:

Thei toke ther many a strok & ffylche,

Thei tare her plates and her pilche,

13984

When bothe the parties to-geder were comen;

Many Ane*. [MS. Aue.] his lyff was him be-nomen,

When bothe parties were met thare,

And to that batayle were alle ȝare.

13988

¶ Sir Menelaus Paris sawe,

To him he thoght for to drawe;

He hadde gret wil & couetyse

To se sir Paris feet a-ryse.

13992

He strok his stede & to him ran

For the loue of his lemman,

To grounde were thei y-bore bothe,—

The knyȝtes were that tyme so wrothe.

13996

¶ Polidamas, Antenor sone,

With gret envy & gret raundone

For alle the men and al the pres

With his swerd he smot Vlixes;

14000

But he ȝaff not ther-of an hawe,

For he him held with swerd y-drawe.

The noble vaylaunt Menescene

Smot Antenor—& that was sene,—

14004

He ȝaff him suche a romelowe,

That he wente ouer his sadil-bowe;

Page 413 ¶ Hic Archilogus interfecit Gryme Gwynel.

He layde him as brod & flat [folio 207a]

14007

As is a pike when he is splat.

14008

¶ Then come ridande Philomene,

A doghti kyng, a knyght Troyene:

Agamenon he assayled

That the blod of him doun rayled.

14012

Philomene, of so gret myght,

Wolde ful euel haue him dyght,—

But that him come socour sone,

I trowe his dayes hadde ben done.

14016

¶ But Thelameus to him toke hede

And saw that he of help hadde nede,

He toke a spere that was stalworthe,

And turned his hors & rod forthe:

14020

To Agamenon he him hyed

And smot Philomene that he doun syed

Fro*. [MS. ffor.] his hors for his labour,

For he wolde for to her Emperour.

14024

STrong was the stour, perelous, & fel;

Ther was a knyȝt, het Gryme Gwynel,

He was on of Priamus sones—

As I fynde In thes Canones—

14028

That he hadde geten In his purchase,

In his murthe & his solace.

Duk Nestor hadde a sone also,

A doghti knyght, Archilogo;

14032

Thei mette to-geder, he & Gryme,—

A gret vn-hap! a foule fortune!

¶ Archilogus bare sir Gryme thorowe,

And lefft him ded In a forwe.

14036

The Troyens made gret del ther-fore,

Ther died for him mo thenne foure score;

For when that tale to Troyle was told,

He myȝt not for him fro wepyng hold, Page 414

14040

For he loued him with al his myght [folio 207b]

14041

For that he was so doghti a knyght.

Troylus eyen be-gan to slyse,

The Gregeis sone he gan dispyse:

14044

Many for him he be-hedit,

Echon fro other he sone schedit;

Thei fled echon sir Troylus fro,

Thei made him way & lete him go;

14048

He droff hem faste ouer doune & dale,

Among hem wroght he suche bale.

¶ Thei were ney dreven to her Pauylons,

Ne hadde thanne comen the Murondons;

14052

But the[i] styffly aȝeyn him stode,

But Troylus ferd as he were wode:

Whan he saw hem aȝeyn him stande,

He rod to hem faste manassande;

14056

Vpon her hedes sette he suche dyntes,

The fyr fley out as it were of fflyntes.

¶ He was so sore with hem greued,

That many an hed he ther to-cleued,

14060

Here scheldes fro her scho[l]dres racched;

Ful many a Gregeis he ther atacched,

He bete hem so and so defouled,

That thei with blod were al be-stouled,

14064

As thei were paynt with rede coloures;

He made hem like tormentoures,

Thei toke of him many a cloute.

Tho with al the haste that thei moute

14068

¶ Thei turned the bak and fro him ȝede,—

On rounsi prekand, and on stede,—

Til thei were comen to her hales,

To saue her lyff ther In her sales.

14072

But Troyle & his afftir hem sted,

Thei sclow many of hem that fled;

Page 415 ¶ Hic fugerunt ad tentorias suas.

To her tentis he hem droff. [folio 208a]

14075

But ther turned thei a-ȝeyn & stroff,

14076

For thei of Troye her dyche wolde wynne,

But thei wolde not that thei come Inne:

¶ Thei gadered alle vpon a route,

To holde the Troyens tho with-oute;

14080

But Troyens doun of her hors lyght,

And than be-gan the perilous fyght:

For Troyens be-gan foule to fare;

Than by-gan Gregeis kare,

14084

The Troyens felde hem In her dike;

Tho by-gan thei sore to sike;

¶ Her myȝt was nouȝt a-ȝeyn Troiens.

Troylus then, & Philomens,

14088

And kyng Mennon made thanne entre

And made hem fro her men to fle;

Thei flowe alle In-to her tentis,

Many of the Gregeis her deth hentes:

14092

THei made of hem gret tormentry,

Ther was an hidous noyse & cry,

Thei sclow hem In her pauylons;

Wel delful was of hem the sounes,

14096

So wonderful and meruelous

That hit was dredful & hidous:

Hit ferde as hit hadde thondrid,

Achilles was ther-of a-wondrid

14100

¶ Off wham he herde that delful cry,

He saw men come prikande him by

That flede fro that scomfiture,

Makynge sorwe with-oute mesure.

14104

Thei seyde: "alas that thei come thore,

For thei were lorn for euere-more!"

With-out his tent smartly sterte he,

To se what dele that myght be. Page 416

14108

AChilles was gretly meruayled [folio 208b]

14109

What hem of Grece ayled.

He asked hem: "whi thei so ferde?

And what was the noyse that he herde?"—

14112

'How dos oure kynges, and oure Gregeis?

How bere thei hem a-ȝeyn the Frigais?'

¶ 'Louely lord'—sayde thei that ffledde—

'We are so hurt and so for-bledde,

14116

That we Are alle of nompower

Aȝeyn hem to fyght any lenger.

Iff ȝe wol off vs tydandis here,

Carful tydandes may ȝe lere;

14120

¶ Herkenes now of oure tythandes!

Sicurly, lord, now vndirstandes:

Ȝe schal neuere on lyue se Gryffons,

Ne non of alle ȝoure Murimdons.

14124

We telle ȝow, lord, that thei of Grece

Schal sone be hewen al to pece,

For thei are alle discomfit

And alle haue taken the flyt;

14128

¶ Thei are alle fled In-to her tentis,

Ther many of hem the dethe hentis.

Thei defended here entres,

But thei felde doun bothe cordes & tres,

14132

And sclow oure Gregeis cruelly,

Woundes & stikes with-oute mercy.

Hem fayles now the grete socour,

And this is, lord, the grete clamour

14136

Off hem that dye, that grysly bray,—

That ȝe haue herd and ȝit may.

¶ Thei schal alle dye, er that thei sese;

And ȝe that wene to stonde In pese,

14140

Ȝe schal se sone on ȝow comande

Mo then ffyue & ffyffty thousande

Page 417 Hic Achilles Iratus est.

Off armed men & armed knyȝtes [folio 209a]

14143

That haue sclayn ȝoure men now rightes,—

14144

For thei haue slayn of ȝoure gode men,

Er we come thedir, thousandes ten,

¶ And ȝet to scle thei not be-lyn;—

And iff thai fynde the her-In

14148

In ȝoure tent naked stondande,

Thei leue the not on lyue lyuande;

For al the gold of hethen Spayne

Leue ȝe not here vnsclayne,

14152

For thei hate ȝow ouer alle thyng.

For Ector deth—by heuene kyng!—

That were, lord, her herte wil,

Might thei, lord, thi body spil.'

14156

AChilles chaunged al his mode,

He loked aboute as he were wode

When he herde this tydynges:

He clapped his hondes, and alle his rynges

14160

Sicurly In-sonder brast;

To and fro his armes he cast,

As he hadde ben a wod man;

Wel harde to swete he be-gan.

14164

¶ Achilles seyde on that wolde

To him that these tydandes tolde:

'Is ouȝt Troyle In that place,

That makes oure men thus to chase?'

14168

He sayde: 'lord, ther he is,

And alle oure men he dos amys;

For his wodnesse & his deray

Alle oure men ben fled a-way;

14172

¶ For he is so strong In his myght,

Ther may non a-byde him In fight.'

'Alas!' he seyde, 'that euere Moder me bar!

Whi ne were I right now thar?

14176

Page 418 ¶ Hic Achilles Iratus est.

Alas that euere me Moder bounde [folio 209b]

14177

Or euere In*. [MS. Or euere me In.] cradel me be-wounde!

That I scholde for a wommanes sake

Let my enemys suche murther make

14180

Off my Men and of my kyn,

And do ther-of no medicyn!'

¶ He was so ful*. [MS. sul.] of tene & ire

That he bad fecche his atire;

14184

He for-ȝate ther Polexene

And al that he be-het the qwene.

His stede was sone j*. [MS. [gap: 1] .]-dight

With clene harneis & bridel bryght,

14188

He lepe vp anon vpon his stede

And sprang forth as spark of glede.

AChilles rides as a man mad,

For his men was he not glad;

14192

He myght that tene no lenger thole,

He brende In yre as any cole;

When he herde hem so grysly grone,

For hem he made moche mone:

14196

As lyoun rampyng forth he went,

Wel Armed, out of his tent,

To socoure his men and helpe his Danes.

When he hem mette a-mong the Troyanes,

14200

He sclow hem faste as a tyraunt,

Many a man made he criaunt;

¶ He slees & felles al that he metes,

Thei falle thikkere than heryng fletes

14204

In-myddes the se In here scole.

Alle men, thei knewe by his tole:

His sword was other halff fote brode;

Thorow the Troyens bodyis it glode.

14208

Thei knewe him that smot so sore,

Alle were a-drad that were thore,

Page 419 ¶ Hic Achilles pugnauit cum Troianis.

Whan thei saw that he cam. [folio 210a]

14211

Off hem made he gret Marterdam:

14212

Euery forow Achilles filled,

With dede bodies the erthe he hilled

That he hadde sclayn In that stour,

Sithe he was comen, In litel hour.

14216

¶ Ther was kyng ne knyȝt so gode,

That thei ne fled as thei were wode;

His noble sword, his bryght bronde,

Was blody doun to his honde

14220

For men that he hadde ther sclawe,

Off many a knyght broght he of dawe.

He fferde as it were a deuel of helle,

Lord! the peple that he gan qwelle!

14224

Thei flow tho ffro her tent & hale,

In the diches thei hadde mochel bale.

The Murimdones come anon,

Now many Troyen to dethe gon;

14228

Thei sorwed & cried as thei were wode,

Many walwes In his blode.

THe Gregeis tho were glad & blythe

And thonked her goddis offte sythe,

14232

That he was comen to that batayl.

Troylus then gan him meruayl:

"What deuel In helle hit myȝt be

That made the Troyens so to fle?"

14236

By his swerd he him ches,

He wiste ther-by hit was Achilles

That made his Troyens so to fle;

Wod & wrothe thanne gan he be,

14240

Durste no man aske whi he were wroth,

When he bare armes aȝeyn his oth.

¶ As a lyoun rores, to him he cried,

With hardy herte he him defied:

14244

Page 420 ¶ Hic Achilles wlneratus est.

'In helle'—seyde he—'mot thow be loken! [folio 210b]

Hastow now thin owne othe broken?

14246

Thow hast euere ben a fals faytour,

A losenger, a fals traytour!

Were the fro me, I the defy,

For if I may, thow schalt a-by!'

14250

He let his stede to him flyng

Als harde as he myght slyng;

And he to him with al his myght,

For he at him hadde gret dispit

14254

¶ For his wordes & his reueri

Bothe of falsnes & losengeri

That he on him bare; that he wolde proue:

And ther-to he profered forth his gloue.

14258

Him hadde leuere than al that I can telle,

That he myȝt Troyle qwelle.

STrong & stiff & hardi bothe

Were the knyghtes that were wrothe:

14262

Eyther on other her speres poygned,

Wel hard to-geder tho thei Ioyned,

Her scheldis roff, here speres brast,

The knyghtes bothe to grounde were cast,

14266

That nother of hem with-oute wounde

Thei myght not rise nother hol ne sounde.

¶ Achilles for-sothe was euel hurt,

Vpon his feet wel sone he sturt

14270

And drow his swerd as man of myght,

And wolde haue sclawe that gentil knyght.

But alle the Troyens on an hepe

By-fore him than wel sone gan lepe,

14274

And doghti Troyle so thei defende

That Achilles myght not come him hende,

And ladde him home out of that place.

Tho was it tyme to leue the chace, Page 421

14278

For hit was al atte nyght, [folio 211a]

14279

And thei were weri of that fyght,

14280

That hem lust to take her rest;

For that were thanne alther best.

Achilles gan faste hamward gange;

Many day afftir & lange

14284

Lay he seke In his bed;

Off his wounde was he sore dred,

For hit greued him so sore,

He thoght to venge him efft ther-fore.

14288

THe Troyens thanne to*. [MS. of.] Troye ȝede alle

And Troylus to his fader halle,

He tolde him of the deth of Brunes;

Then were mad hidus tuynes

14292

Off many a gentil damysel

For the deth of Gryme Gwynel.

He tolde him also of the Iornay:

"How thei hadde fouȝten to-gedur that day,

14296

And how Gregeis were discomfith

And foule put to the flyȝt;

And how thei felde her Pauylons,

And scholde haue sclayn alle the Gryffons

14300

¶ Er euen-tyde at his hopyng,

Hadde thei had no socoryng

Off doghti sir Achilles,

That foule ferde among her pres;"—

14304

'That Ilke knyght him-selff alone

Maked oure men to fle echone

For any thyng that we coude do,

And made vs lese oure worschepe so.'

14308

¶ When Priamus herde these tydandis—

That Achilles aȝeyn couenandis

That he hadde made & hem be-het

At that*. [MS. And at that. Cf. l. 14313 & note.] Iorne hem hadde let Page 422

14312

And at that*. [MS. At that. Cf. l. 14312 & note.] semble sclayn his folk,— [folio 211b]

14313

His herte for tene be-gan to bolk;

Off tho tythandes was he not payde,

His wiff ful foule he myssayde:

14316

'Certis, I was'—he seyde—'ful wrecched

That I scholde by the so be drecched,

Vn-to thi wordes that I ȝaff ffayth!'—

Priamus to his wiff sayth—

14320

¶ 'This fals*. [MS. sals.] traytour has vs by-swyked,

For my doghter vnto him lyked;

He dede it certes for oure ille,

For he of here wolde haue his wille

14324

And holde hir In lecherie

With his scleyȝt & trecherie,

And do vs alle a foule repreue

As a fals for-sworen theffe.

14328

¶ And that semes by his falshede:

For*. [MS. for.] now he may not of hir spede

At his wille by his dissayte;

He be-thenkes him now ful strayte,

14332

How he may best schende me & myne;

That myght thow se with thin eyne.

And elles hadde he holde couenaunt,—

But he is fals & euel thynkand

14336

And doth alle thyng with gylerye,

With no manhed ne chyualrie.'

HEctuba was sore aschamed

Off here lord that sche was blamed,

14340

Hir Angred sore that euere spak sche

Ther-of wordes two or thre;

Sche cursed offte his wickednesse,

His gylrie and his falsnesse.

14344

And that mayden Pollexene

Ther-of was offte blo & grene, Page 423

Hit Angerd hir sore & displesed, [folio 212a]

14347

Whan that hir loue hade so*. [MS. hade him so.] spysed

14348

That he be-het hir moder & here;

Gret othes he made & by god swere,

That he ne scholde helpe Gregeis more

The while that thei dwelled thore.

14352

¶ Sche chaunged chere & eke corage,

For sche wolde fayn the mariage.

The kyng & quene were euel lykyng

For that dede,—by heuene kyng!

14356

Thei sette trestles & layde bordes

With litel Ioye of any wordes;

When thei hadde souped, thei wente to bedde,

Thei swor he scholde hir neuere wedde.

14360

THe Gregeis hem Armed, when it was day;

Saue Achilles In his bed lay,

For his woundes he myȝt not ryse

For alle the gode In that emprise.

14364

When Troyens herde the waytes horn,

Thei ros vp erly on the morn;

¶ Eche man thanne his armes craues,

Thei bad her ȝomen and her knaues

14368

Dight her hors & sadel hem faste.

The*. [MS. Thei.] sadeles on hem sone were caste

With double gerth as thei most nede,

To make hem strong thei toke hede;

14372

Many a stede broght thei forthe

That gret tresour & mechel were worthe;

¶ Her helmes were on her ventayles sperde.

Thei lepe vp & forward ferde

14376

With-oute the toun vpon a renge.

By dere god! hit was elenge

Eche a day se hem so fare,

How echon other al to-tare!

14380

Page 424 ¶ Hic ibant ad prelium & pugnauerunt .vij^tem. dies.

When thei were met, ther was no laughter, [folio 212b]

14381

But moche wo & gret sclaughter.

THe Troyens had take the Champayn,

Thei are batayled In-myddis the playn.

14384

And thei of Grece when thei beheld

How thei of Troy hadde taken the feld,

Thei sente to hem her vanwarde

With brode baneres & hye standarde;

14388

And thei come afftir with many a knyȝt,

With kynges & dukes of moche myȝt,

With many a louely fair pensel

Off gold, of Inde, of fair sandel.

14392

Thei ran to-gedir, when thei a-proched,

Euery man thorow-out other broched;

With speres, swerdes, & knyues

Echon*. [MS. Echon on.] other al to-ryues.

14396

¶ But I may not her dedis alle sigge,

Therfore mote I my boke a-bregge;

For to telle al that thei did there*. [MS. thore.]

Til ende scholde I com nere.

14400

But .vij. dayes fro thei be-gan,

Thei fauȝt to-geder & neuere blan,

Til thei myȝt for wery no more,—

Her bodyes & bones were so sore,

14404

And alle her bones ful sore aked,

And thei were wery & for-waked;

And al the feld was be-sprad

With dede bodyes,—who myght be glad?

14408

Off bothe parties were many dede,

The nombre of hem coude I not rede.

¶ Seuen dayes fauȝt thei to-gedre,

And al that while was mury wedre.

14412

For whan thei hadde fouȝten .vij. dayes

With-oute rest to-gedur al-weyes,

Page 425 ¶ Hic Greci miserunt nuncios suos ad Troianum.

¶ Agamenoun thenne assayed, [folio 213a]

14415

Wh[er]e that fight myȝt be delayed,

14416

Vntil Achilles couered wore*. [o altered from e.]

Off his sekenesse & of his sore;

For th[e]i were not at no defence,

But he were ther In presence.

14420

He sente to Troye his messageres,

That were wel gode latymeres,

That coude wele say her Message

And vndirstande many langage.

14424

¶ He bad hem wende to Priamus,

To Paris, & to gode Troylus,

And pray hem ffor her goddis sake:

"Be-twene vs a trewe to make

14428

A six monethe & no day wane,—

For dede men are oure alther bane,

We may for hem be lyghtly schent,

But if thei be the sonner brent.

14432

Ȝeue vs leue her bodies brenne,

And hele the while oure seke menne,—

And thei may haue the same merit

Thorow the trewe & this respit."

14436

THe gode kyng Vlixes,

And his felawe Diomedes,

To do this erande thei ben chosed:

Thei did on robes wel a-losed

14440

And furred wel with riche Ermyn,

As kynges that were of gentil kyn;

Thei were richly apparayled

With riche gerdeles wel Anamayled,

14444

Thei drow riche hodes of ther pile

That alle were sewed with riche orivile;

Thei wente to Troye In gode aray,—

How richeli dyght, can I not say. Page 426

14448

When thei of Troye sei hem come naked, [folio 213b]

14449

Thei hoped a trewe scholde be maked

Be-twene hem and Grece kyng;

Glad were thei In here thingkyng.

14452

¶ Aȝeyns the kynges was done vp the ȝate,

The kynges reden In ther-ate;

Thei ride hem forth hand In hand

With louely chere & fair semblaunt:

14456

Thei wente In-to that riche palais

And grete the kyng with wordes curteis;

And he ȝeld sone her metyng

And thanked sone her wel-comyng,

14460

And sayde "thei were wel-come him to,"

And asked "what thei wolde haue do?"

ULixes kyng & his ffelawe

By-fore the kyng a gode thrawe

14464

Stode spekand & told her tale

Be-fore the Troyens In that sale;

He seyse: 'sir, and ȝoure wille were,

Herkenes now vnto me here!

14468

And I schal telle, sir kyng, to ȝow

Whi we are comen hidur now:

¶ Agamenoun, oure Emperour,

That is oure a[l]ther gouernour,

14472

Bad vs two hedur go

To ȝow, sir kyng, with-outen mo

To aske a trewe, if ȝe assent

With ȝoure consail & parlement.

14476

It is long tyme sithen we vs rest,

Off medecyne haue we mechel brest;

¶ We haue fouȝten dayes many,

That vnnethes of vs is any

14480

That we [n]are wounded or vnhesed,

Strongly hurt or envysed,

Page 427 ¶ Hic pecierunt pacem per .vj. Menses.

Or bitterly beten with bitter strokes; [folio 214a]

14483

We wolde ther-fore haue help of leches

14484

To hele oure woundes, er we fauȝt efft.

We may wilne that it were lefft,

Til we*. [MS. he.] be hole-he bad vs say,—

A six moneth euery day.

14488

¶ He wolde the trewe were be-twene vs fest,

Til we were heled In the best,

And ȝe ȝoure-selff to reste haue nede

To hele ȝoure sores—so god me spede!

14492

For I trowe ȝe haue som part—

Off spere or sword or of dart—

Off som brysure or som wounde,

Ȝe are not al hol ne sounde.

14496

I wil therfore ȝow not fode,

We mot be-twene vs bere euen lode:

Ȝiff ȝe the trewes assente to,

Ȝe may hele ȝow, and we also.'

14500

PRiamus seyde: 'iff my consayle

These couenandes wil entayle,

I schal acorde to here Iugement

By gode a-surte and sacrament.'

14504

He wente fro hem out of that halle

And called his men abouten him alle.

¶ He seide: 'lordynges, ȝe ben alle here,

Ȝe are of my counseyl al plenere,

14508

And ȝe haue herd what these men aske.

Telles me now sone In haste:

Hope ȝe hit be oure profite

To take suche trewe & respit?

14512

What schal I say to thes lordynges,

These Messageres, these riche kynges?

Wol ȝe the trewe? what is ȝoure wit?

Are ȝe wele avised ȝit? Page 428

14516

Avise ȝow wel, ar ȝe hem graunt, [folio 214b]

14517

That ȝe be not afftir repentaunt.'

Thei seyde alle: 'sir, we be a-vysed:

Thei haue the trewe wel devysed,

14520

We graunte the trewes aȝeyns vs.'

'And I for me'—seyde Priamus.

¶ Priamus ran to halle a-valed,

Ther these kynges to-gedur taled;

14524

He sayde: "that he and his baronage

Wolde graunte the terme by gode ostage

A six monethe til thei were heled,

By siker dedes wel asseled."

14528

He bad hem go sauely aȝeyn

And holde the trewes for-sothe certayn,—

¶ "For he & his scholde by her othe

Holde hem stable for leue or lothe;"

14532

And bad: "that thei scholde do so als,

That thei were not founden fals;

And that euery man with-oute debate

Scholde gon & come erly and late

14536

With-outen robbyng or reuyng,

With-oute any debate-makyng."

These kynges swor bothe this—

"So god ȝeue hem Ioye and blis."

14540

Priamus ȝaff hem gode conge,

To wende her way and wel be.

NOw ride these kynges murily,

To-gedir rydande Ioyfully;

14544

Thei are ful fayn that thei haue sped,

Off no-thyng now are thei adrad.

Vnto her tentis are thei reden;

Thei haue ther not longe abyden,

14548

Thei hied hem to her Emperour,

Ther he sat vndir his couertour. Page 429

In his teldis thei him fond, [folio 215a]

14551

Thei seyde: "thei hadde ben on his sond,

14552

And that thei hadde wele done his nedis."

And [he] hem blessed for her dedis;

He asked: "whether thei treweus hadde

A six monethe, as he hem badde?"

14556

And thei sayde: 'ȝe, sir, sicurly!

Thei schal be holden treuly

¶ The trewes stable a six monethe,

On payne to lese bothe lym & lythe;

14560

And ther-to haue we hondes holden

And truthis*. [MS. thruthis.] plyȝt & fyngres folden.'

The tydandes ran fro halle to halle,

Eche man tolde other this tale:

14564

"How here kynges haue ben at Troye

And brouȝt tydandes of moche Ioye,

How thei scholde reste a wel gode while."

Eche man thanne be-gan to smyle.

14568

AGamenoun than was wel glad,

And so was euery lord & lad,

And euery a knyght that vndirstandis

The right sothe of these tythandes.

14572

Now euery man helis his soris,

Euery man his tentis restoris

Off mete & drynke & other store,

Wel better than thei were ore.

14576

¶ Thei were fayn of that grace

Off her trewe so long a space,

Vntil Achilles were y-couered.

Many a lord ouer him houered

14580

Eche day him to solace;

He gan Troyle faste manace.

¶ He seyde: "when he hadde hele,

That he wolde with Troy[l]e dele, Page 430

14584

He wolde not lette for al Fraunce [folio 215b]

14585

But he tok of him vengaunce."

Thei sayde: "that Troyens were dissayued,

And that thei nere not persayued

14588

To graunte the trewes when thei it asked,

For thei scholde now be euel a-tasted,

Thei graunt the trewes In the dismole.

For were it so that he were hole,

14592

He scholde scle Troyle and alle thos other,

As he hadde done Ector, his brother."

WEle was hem thei scholde soiorne,

It was for hem a noble turne:

14596

Thei gadered grases on eche halue,

And made plastres & eke salue,

Thei dyght here woundes that sore gored.

Off mete & drynke thei ben wel stored,

14600

Thei played at the chesse & tables,

And ete & drank and tolde fables.

And alle the leches that crafftly were

In al the ost that tyme there,

14604

¶ Alle that coude of surgerye,

Off Plasteres and of herberye,—

Hadde Achilles In that cure

To hele his woundes & his visure:

14608

Thei ȝaff to him wel gode kepyng

To brynge him to his right slepyng,

Thei made him drynkes of gode licour

And broght a-ȝeyn his fair colour;

14612

¶ Thei ȝaff him drynke many skyns,

And heled him vp with medycyns,

That he was hole, stalworthe, & fere

In his strengthe & playn power,

14616

Er euere the trewes come fully out.

Then were the Gregeis bolde & stout,

Page 431 ¶ Hic Troiani ordinauerunt magnum Bellum.

Whan he was hole & ȝede on fete. [folio 216a]

14619

For tene his herte wex grete,

14620

That Troyle did him the vilony;

He hadde to him gret envy,

He swore by god that dwelled In heuene

He scholde him scle for odde or euene.

14624

AChilles is hol & clene In myȝt,

Bold and strong, semely In syȝt,

For he is hol In flesch & fel,

And as hole as any pykerel.

14628

Hit drawes faste vnto that day,

That thei most nede leue her play

And bygynne aȝeyn the werre,

For no man may ther-fro hem sterre;

14632

Vntil that on for ay & euere

Be al for-done, thei blyn neuere.

¶ Euery man ordeynes now his gere,

Sadel, & bridel, & stalworthe spere,

14636

Fresche atyre, wel gode newe helmes,

And made hem gode staues of oke & elmes

Ful of warres and of knottis,

Piked staues with heuy bottis.

14640

Achilles thinkes day & nyghtis,

How he may sle douȝti knyȝtis;

He nolde it lette for non auȝt

That any man him ȝeue mauȝt.

14644

WHen the trewes were alle gone,

And th[e]i were heled euerychone,

And day was comen thei scholde fyght,

And thei were rysen & redy dight,—

14648

Eche man In his armure

On gode stedis, be ȝe sure!—

The Troyens ride to Ilyon;

Kyng Philomene & Mennon, Page 432

14652

Odeman & Eueas, [folio 216b]

14653

Antenor and Palamydas,

And eche a lord ȝede with his ost;

And alle men houed then a-cost

14656

¶ Aboute Ilyon, that riche palais,

To here what Troyle to hem says:

"How he here batayles wolde devise,

In what manere and what wyse;

14660

Ho schal haue the vaunwarde,

Who the myddel, and ho the rerewarde?"

So were thei redi In that mornyng,

Al redi dyght by sone rysyng.

14664

DOghti Troyle faste him payned

That thei were wel ordeyned;

When thei were ordeyned wele & clene,

He bad hem go forth al be-dene,

14668

Euery lord with his Eschele,

And come aȝeyn with Ioye & hele.

The ȝate was than vndone & opone

That we by-fore hadde of y-spoken,

14672

That ȝate was cleped Dardanydes:

Ther was of knyȝtes mechel pres,

¶ At the ȝates thei outward issed,

As doughti Troyle hem hadde wissed;

14676

Thei ride to-gedir vpon a rase

Toward Gregeis a gode pase,

Til thei were comen nye here lystes.

Thei houed stille at here tristes,

14680

Til thei se Gregeis oute comande

With brode baneres a-boute wayvande.

¶ Troyle now rides and his Troyanes

With his burgeis & Citeȝaynes

14684

Out off Troye—alas the wo!

For he schal dye, er he then come ffro. Page 433

Alas Troye! what is thi grace? [folio 217a]

14687

To the fel neuere gode trace,

14688

To the fel neuere gode chaunce,

Ne non of alle thi retenaunce!

Thoow thow be gay & glorious,

Thow were euere*. [Some letters erased between were and euere.] on-gracious!

14692

Off thow hede of Cites were,

Blysful hap to the fel neuere!

For better men were neuere lyuand,

Than were that tyme to the longand;

14696

And ȝit was it here alther schap,

That thei died alle by myshap.

¶ Ther-fore I trowe In my thoght:

Aȝens godis wille so were thei*. [MS. we.] wroght.

14700

Hadde destyne ben Ector frende,

Or doghti Troylus that was so hende,

The Gregeis nad not hem sclayn;

But destene turned hem aȝeyn,

14704

Destyne was here enemy

And sclow hem bothe vnhappily.

And also died alle that other kynde

Off gode men that were In mynde.

14708

THe Gregeis saw the Troiens come

Out of Troye alle on a throme,

Armed wel In her maneres,

With faire penseles & brode baneres.

14712

The wannward than to hem thei sende,

The Middelward*. [MS. Mildelward.] come afterhende*. [MS. asterhende.],

The rerwarde dwelled lange.

But when Achilles scholde out gange,

14716

¶ He gart his men vnto him calle;

And when thei stode aboute him alle,

He sayde to hem with glad chere:

'Ȝe ar my frendes leue & dere,

14720

Page 434 ¶ Hic ibant ad prelium.

I wot wel ȝe loue me mechel [folio 217b]

14721

With trewe herte & no-thyng fikel,

And to do my byddyng are ȝe meke;

Now for my loue I ȝow be-seke:

14724

To my sawe ȝe ȝeue good tent,

And beth to me obedient.

¶ Ȝe wot wel what affray

I toke of Troyle that other day,

14728

Wiche an harm and a wounde;

And how I fel vpon the grounde;

Bode I neuere scuche a dispit.

Now helpis me that it were qwit;

14732

But I be venged of that boy,

In myn herte gete I neuere Ioy.

THer-fore for my loue I ȝow pray

That ȝe do as I ȝow say:

14736

That ȝe this day ȝeue no gome

To kyng ne knyȝt*. [MS. knytt, but the scribe has tried to alter the first t to ȝ.] ne to grome,

Man to sle ne to take,

Ne non assaut to non make,—

14740

But beth besi on alle thing,

How ȝe may him among ȝow bryng!

¶ When ȝe thedir comen are

And ȝe of him may be ware,

14744

Be-closes him al a-boute

That he fro ȝow go not oute,

And stondis a-boute him on a throme

That non of his may to him come

14748

Him to defende fro myn hond.

Ful stille aboute ȝit ȝe stond,

And lete vs two oure myght schewe;

And I schal that boy al to-hewe.

14752

But loke that no man to vs come,

That fro my hand that he be nome;

Page 435 ¶ Hic preliauerunt.

I schal him ful wel qwite [folio 218a]

14755

That his spere did on me bite,

14756

And thus may I haue my wille

That foule boy for to spille.

¶ Ther-fore I pray ȝow alle—

For any thyng that may be-falle,

14760

And as I am ȝoure a[l]ther lord—

That ȝe be alle at this acord

And ȝif to no-thyng elles kepe.'

And with that word Achilles wepe,—

14764

So wolde he fayn on him be venged.

The batayles ben to-gedir renged,

Thei of Troye & thei of Grece;

Thei hewe here bodies al to pece,

14768

Thei did gret sorwe & mechel wo,

Whan thei gan to-gedir go.

THe stoure is styff & strong be-gonnen,

Euery man on other is ronnen,

14772

Thei haue her speres brosten & broken,

Ful ffewe wordes ther were spoken;

At that tyme were many kastoun

A-ȝeyn the grounde that al to-brastoun,

14776

Ther died many at that torpel.

But then come Troyle, y-armed wel,

With mechel peple of Armed knyȝtes

Come he thedir at that riȝtes;

14780

With scheld enbrased & spere enbossed

A-mong the Gregeis he ran & pressed:

That he to ran, dethe was his dome;

Wel euel was he thedir wel-come.

14784

¶ When Troyle hadde broken his spere,

He toke his swerd that wel coude schere,

It was trenchaund & wel poynted,

With Gregeis blod it was anoynted Page 436

14788

Fro the poynt to the hilte, [folio 218b]

14789

Ful many Gregeis hadde it spilte.

He rased scheldes ffro here neckes,

He teres the mayles as it were sekkes,

14792

¶ He bare hem doun to grounde al fflat,

He ȝaff hem many a sori sqwat*. [MS. sq [gap: 1] wat.];

He droff doun alle that come him by,

As doth bestes that ben hungry.

14796

Thei were noght to him worth a schelle,

He blan neuere to scle & felle

Fro he come thedir to the mydday,

That thei fro him ffled a-way;

14800

Thei fled echon by on red,

And elles thei hadde ben alle ded.

HIt was a litel be-fore the none,

A-boute mydday, that this was done

14804

That thei of Grece ffro Troyle fled,

So were thei of his strokes dred.

But Achilles ne none of hese

Were comen not to that purprese;

14808

But when he herde hem criande,

He loked & sey hem fleande,

He saw hem flee fro that purprise,

He bad his men be war & wyse.

14812

He was y-armed at alle rightes,

Strong & hole In alle his myghtes;

¶ He tok his swerd that was so gode,

Hit wolde bite as it were wode,

14816

Ther was none suche hard ne towe;

Many a Troyen ther-with he sclowe.

He bad his men: "so mote thei thee"—

'Socoures now hem that now dothe fle!

14820

Helpis now, for thei haue nede!'

Achilles than to hem ȝede, Page 437

¶ He bad his men thenk on his spellis [folio 219a]

14823

And attende to [no] man ellis;

14824

And thei bad him be not abayst,—

"But on him he scholde trayst."

He passed forth with his meyne

And socoured hem that he saw fle,

14828

Thei mette the Troyens In her wyse

Thei bare hem doun at the burdise.

¶ Achilles and his Murimdones

Socoured alle her Gryffones;

14832

For by her help and her comyng

Thei were tho lettid In her chasyng,

And Gregis keuered a-ȝeyn the feld

And made good visage with spere & scheld

14836

To her enemys ful boldely

And fauȝt with hem apertly*. [t very indistinctly inserted over line.].

GRegais turned and gete the place,

For Troyens were let of here chace.

14840

The Murimdones for-ȝete no-thyng

What was her lordes faire praying:

Among Troyens bothe ner & fer

Thei loked aboute In euery corner

14844

Off that batayle afftir sir Troyle,

Iff thei saw owqher that knyȝt royle.

So were Thei war where he stode

Scleande Gregeis as he were wode:

14848

¶ He was that tyme hi[m]-selff alone,

Off hyse that tyme with him were none;

Him faste ffyghtand alone thei founde

Opon the Gregais In that stounde.

14852

Thanne wente aboute him alle that frape,

That he myȝt no-wayes skape,

And made a scheltrone him aboute

And spered him fro alle his route.

14856

Page 438 ¶ Hic Achilles occidit Troylum.

Off Gryffons come ther many a knyȝt [folio 219b]

14857

And halp the Murimdones with her myȝt.

¶ Achilles—lord! that he was glad!

Off alle the world no more he bad!

14860

He come ridande on his stede,

Off sir Troyle toke he gode hede

How he sclow doun right his men

That thei lay dede In the fen.

14864

'Turne the'—he seyde—'fals gadelyng!

Thow schalt now dye—by heuene kyng!

My dispite schaltow sore abigge!

Kepe the fro me! I the sigge.'

14868

¶ Thei drow her swerdes that were gode

And hew to-gedir as thei were wode,

The rede blod ran by here side,

Thei made hem woundes longe & wyde:

14872

Achilles hewys In-two his mayles,

The rede blod afftir rayles;

He hew the helme al of his hede,

His scheld sone he him be-reued.

14876

But Troyle defendis him by his myȝt

With al his strengthe, that gentil knyȝt.

BVt Achilles was so strong

That he myȝt not endure long,—

14880

No man myght to him come

For Murimdones that stode athrome,

The Gregeis also with al here myght[es]

Passyng twenty thousand knyghtes.

14884

¶ Troyle was wery*. [y seems to be corrected from i.], he myght not sitte,

He was al faynt & out of witte

For the blod that he gan blede,

Tho fel he doun of his stede.

14888

Achilles tho lyght glad ynow

And his noble swerd out-drow

Page 439 ¶ Lamentacio Troianorum.

And smot his hed fro the body [folio 220a]

14891

And throw*. [MS. drow.] it away dispitously;

14892

He tyed his body at his hors tayl

And drow him tho thorow the batayl.

¶ Achilles has sir Troyle sclayn,

And ther-of he is wonder fayn;

14896

Michel schame & vylony

Did he tho that dede body:

He tied him at his hors ers

And drow him ouer myre & Mers,

14900

Thorow her ost & her batayle

He drow him at his hors tayle—

As he hadde ben a cut-purs,

Ne myȝt he him haue don no wors.

14904

¶ When it was told sir Palidomas*. [idomas written by another hand on erasure.],

Antenor, & sir Eueas,—

And his brother sir Paris

When he herde telle of this,

14908

He myght not speke no*. [MS. speken o.] word, but swoun,

Among hem alle tho fel he doun.

¶ The Troyens than hadde sorwe y-now,

When thei saw how he him drow,

14912

Thei ran on the Grues alle on a res

To reue sir Troyle ffro Achilles.

But thei of Grece so with-stode

With egre wil & sturdy mode,

14916

That thei myght not the Gregeis twyn

Ne that body fro hem wyn.

A wonder stoure and a cruel

Be-gan thei thanne & a mortel,

14920

For alle the Troyens ther-aboute

Gadered hem vpon a route,

The ded body fro him to reue;

But Gregeis wolde it not leue. Page 440

14924

Achilles cleues alle her bones, [folio 220b]

14925

For sorwe thei crye & bitterly grones.

¶ But when Mennon, that noble kyng,

Off Troyle herde this tydyng,

14928

Whan he wyste that he was sclayn

And thorow that ost so foule drawyn,—

An hundrid sithe he seyde 'alas!'

So was him wo that he ded was:

14932

"Alas!"—seyde he that tyme & tyde—

"That euere scholde he that day a-byde

To se so noble a doghti knyght

Be so distroyed & foule dyght!'

14936

With sore herte thorow alle that prese

Cried Mennon to Achilles,

¶ When he was comyn to him neye;

He sayde: 'traytour, I the defye!

14940

To thi*. [MS. his.] hors tayl that knyght to bynde,

In thi foule herte how myght thow fynde?

And drawe him thorow bekke & broke

That gentil knyȝt that thow so toke,

14944

That was so gode of vasselage*. [MS. basselage.],

Off douȝtines & of corage!

Ware the, traytour, now for me!

By him that made leff on tre:

14948

Thow schalt him no further drawe

With-oute harm for loue ne awe!'

LOrd, that Achilles was wode!

That alle tho chaunged his blode!

14952

That he sette him so at noght,

He thoght it scholde be dere a-boght;

He smot tho kyng Mennon a-ȝeyn

With al his power & his mayn,

14956

And kyng Mennon to him with that;

But Achilles In his sadel sat. Page 441

But thorow his scheld & Aketoun [folio 221a]

14959

He smot Achilles In that raundoun;

14960

¶ Achilles was sore aschamed

And of that dede foule a-gramed,

Opon his swerd his hond he layde

And swere by othe and seyde:

14964

"That he scholde doun for leue or lothe!"—

And therto Achilles swor his othe.

¶ Achilles smot that knyȝt sore,

That he fel doun of his hors thore

14968

Opon the grounde In a ded swone,

And of his hors he fel a-doune.

The Troyens than fro him wan;

But ȝit ther died many a man

14972

With dynt of sword In that batayle,

Thei suffred ther ful mechel trauayle.

THe while thei were at this fight,

The Troyens with strengthe & myght

14976

Troylus body a-way thei stale

As faste as thei myght hale,

Til it was stolen out of that ost,

Vndir a dike layde a-cost.

14980

Than gan these ostis parte atwynne,

For of that fyghtyng wold thei blynne*. [MS. thei not blynne.];

And kyng Mennon a hors was brouȝt,

But arst with Troyens was hit ful touȝt.

14984

¶ But it was euen, they myȝt not dwelle,

Thei departed, as I ȝow telle:

Hit was ney the euenyng,

The sonne was ney at his settyng;

14988

And bothe parties hamward drow,

For thei hadde foghten long y-now.

The Gregeis ȝede to here tentis;

And Paris vp that body hentes, Page 442

14992

And a-none hamward gan royle, [folio 221b]

14993

And ledde with him the body of Troyle.

THei haue her fyght for this day ent;

And thei of Troy hamward went,

14996

The dede body with hem thei ledde,

Al of blod it is be-bled.

At euery temple the belles ronge,

Euery man wepe, and no man songe;

15000

And ther-by wiste alle tho of Troye

That some of heres were dede & foye.

Philomene & kyng Mennon

That body bar to Ylion,

15004

And alle the Troyens on a rowe

With loude criyng and moche harrowe.

¶ When thei of Troye hadde herd that cry,

Thei asked "how?"—the chesoun whi

15008

Thei cried so and wepe so sore—

"And what he was that thei bare thore?

Iff he were lord of gret renoun?

Or any kyng of any regioun?"

15012

And thei answered & seyde a-ȝeyn:

"That it was Troyle that ther was sclayn."

¶ When thei of Troye the sothe wiste,

Ther was wrongen many a ffiste.

15016

'Alas'—thei seide—'now he is ded,

Now are we alle with-outen red!'

Thei wyste tho to lese her lyues,

Bothe here children & here wyues,

15020

And alle the godis euere thei aught;

Off here lyues tho rouȝte thei naught.

¶ The sorwe that the fadir made!

Ther was no man that him myght glade.

15024

Out off sorwe was not the quene,

Ne his suster Pollexene. Page 443

Sche made for him sorwe y-now, [folio 222a]

15027

For dele hir body al to-drow,

15028

Hir louely heer sche al to-rent,

Sche cracched hir face & al to-schent,—

That it was ruthe & gret pite

So fair a lyff so dyght to se.

15032

¶ In gret mornyng was dame Heleyn,

When sche wiste sir Troyle sclayn;

And his brother, sir Paris,

Gret sorwe made he y-wis:

15036

He sorwed bothe day & nyȝt.

And so did euery lord & knyȝt,

And alle that euere were In the toun;

For thei seide alle: "thei were a-doun,"—

15040

And al the nyght til the morwe

Lyued thei In gret sorwe.

¶ But the Gregeis were wel glad;

Lord, the Ioye that thei mad

15044

That her strong fo was sclayn!

Lord, that thei therfore were fayn!

Thei sclepe al nyȝt and made blythe,

And thonked her god offte sithe,

15048

And solaced Achilles thei also

For that prowesse that he hadde y-do.

¶ When day was comen, and nyȝt gon,

Thei toke her hors euerychon*. [chon on erasure, but by the same hand.]

15052

And rod aȝeyn In-to the feldis,

Out of the toun & of the teldis;

And be-gan a newe assaut,

Til hit was fer with-Inne the naut.

15056

WHen it was day, & thei sei lyght,

And thei were armed & redi dyght,

Out of Troye rod the Troyanes;

A-ȝeyn hem come alle the Danes,

15060

Page 444 ¶ Hic Pugnabant per vij^tem dies.

Wel arayed on horse rydande, [folio 222b]

15061

With fair scheld & spere In hande.

Many a man ther strokes toke,

That many of hem her lyff for-soke;

15064

Many a body was ther to-koruen,

And many gode knyȝt was ther storuen.

¶ And thus ferde thay til it was nyght,

That thei of sonne had no syght,

15068

That thei most nede take her rest.

On morwe were thei al prest

That ffyght aȝeyn to be-gynne;

For that wolde thei neuere blynne,

15072

Vnto that on were for-done,—

And that scholde now be sone.

¶ And thus ffauȝt thei to-gedur samen—

Alle on ernest & not on gamen—

15076

With-oute rest dayes seuene;

But alle her dedis may no man neuene,

For that wolde be to longe dwellyng,

To moche werk of my tellyng:

15080

For who-so wolde aboute that dwelle

Alle her dedis for to telle,

Many bokes myght men make;

I wol not now vndirtake.—

15084

¶ But seuene dayes with-outen pes,

With-oute rest—so saith Dares—

Fauȝt thei to-gedir day for day,

Saue Achilles In his bed lay

15088

To hele the woundes that he hadde cauȝt,

When he & Mennon to-gedir fauȝt

Off that fyght that thei hadde meled.

The seuenthe day whan he was heled

15092

Off his woundes wel & fyn,

Off his Angwys & his pyn,

Page 445 ¶ Incipit bellum In die septimo.

He Armed him as other did, [folio 223a]

15095

To go & fyght the Gregeis myd.

15096

¶ Then were the Gregeis bold & glad;

Alle his men tho faire he bad*. [Some letters erased after bad.],

That when thei come to that batayle,

That thei scholde alle Mennon assayle

15100

And close him alle envyroun,

That him myght helpe no man;

And ȝiff to no man elles entent,

But that he were amonges hem hent,

15104

That he myght do hem wreche,

And sle him for his*. [s on erasure.] last speche,

And for he woundid him so sore—

He swore: "he scholde do so na more*. [MS. namore.]."

15108

¶ And therfore he bad his men not fayle

To helpe him wele In that batayle;

Thei bad him holde him stille,

Hit scholde be done at his wille.

15112

HIT was opon the day seuend,

Achilles thoght he wolde be euend

Vpon the doghti kyng Mennoun.

He bad her kynges & Agamenoun:

15116

"That he scholde the Gregeis aray,

To se that day qwat thei do may?"—

'For I my-selff that day schal lede

The formast warde, so god me spede!'

15120

¶ Agamenoun tho hem arayed,—

With baneres brode alle displayed,—

And bad echon thei scholde hem hye

Forward with her companye,

15124

For thei of Troye were comen alle

And with-outen her Cite walle

In-to the feld, to take her stale,

With many riche amerale. Page 446

15128

¶ Kyng Mennoun the vamwarde ledis, [folio 223b]

15129

Vnto Achilles he him spedis;

When he saw him be-fore comande,

He hied to him faste ridande:

15132

Rode thei to-gedir with gret envy

As faste as thei myght fly,

Ayther smot other In-myddes the scheld,

That bothe fley on the feld

15136

Fro her horses to the grounde,

That nother was with-outen wounde.

¶ But thei lepe vp & fauȝt on fote,

For tho was hem no more bote:

15140

But Mennon was his men with-oute,

Here horses ran fro hem a-boute;

Ther was no man to him ȝaff gome,

Kyng ne sqwyer, knyȝt ne grome.

15144

TRoyens mette & the Gryffons

With sword & spere & gret burdons,

With piked staues wel y-wrythen.

Ther was a fyght strong y-ȝeuen:

15148

On bothe parties thei died thikke,

But thei schal leue non qwyk,

Many a schanke brake thei In-sonder,

And many lay his hors fet vnder;

15152

Ech-on other smot & quelled

That thikke to grounde ded thei felled.

¶ Many an hed was al to-squat*. [MS. alto squat.],

And many ded on his hors sat;

15156

Some loste nose, & some her tonges,

Som her lyuer, & som her longes.

The Murimdones when thei were ware

Off kyng Mennon & his fare

15160

A-ȝeyn her lord, thei hadde gret tene,

Thei closed him tho hem by-twene

Page 447 ¶ Hic Achilles occidit Mennonem Regem.

That no help myght he haue [folio 224a]

15163

Off no Troiene—so god me saue!

15164

Thei holde hem oute with gret fyght

And sclow the Troiens doun right.

¶ Achilles and Mennoun fauȝt In-fere,

The strokes myght men fer here;

15168

The knyghtes were bothe gode & strong,

But her fyght myght not dure long:

But Mennoun woundes Achilles sore,

But Achilles did him wel more,

15172

Thei fauȝt to-gedir as thei were wode,

Bothe thei ran al on blode.

¶ Mennon scheld is al to-hewe,

He cutte his mayles rewe on rewe,

15176

With his blod-brode bronde

He hewe his scheld to his honde:

Mennon was faynt for many wounde,

Achilles smot him doun to grounde,

15180

He cleue his hede to his brest,

He bad him lye ther & rest.

MEnnoun is ded, and that is harm;

He lithe ded In his blod warm.

15184

Troyens bere him a-way thore,

Thei were tho agast sore.

But then come doun to that semble

Menelaus with his meyne;

15188

And so did duk Menescenes,

And Ayax Thelamens,

And Diomedes with his peres,

With his gode men & comperes:

15192

And hem of*. [of inserted by the same hand over line.] Troye so schent & donge

And so stoutly among hem thronge,

That thei made hem the feld for-sake

And to the flyght for-sothe hem take. Page 448

15196

¶ The Troyens fledde, for thei hadde nede; [folio 224b]

15197

Thei were echon In gret drede

For tho that Gregeis ouer-toke,

Afftir lyff myght thei not loke.

15200

Thei sclow the Troyens many on

And wounded also gret won;

But alle that hadde space to fle

Flow In-to Troye, the strong Cite,

15204

And spered the ȝates with keye & lokke

To kepe out the Gregeis folke.

¶ The Cite ȝates are sperd & stoken,

That thei be not on hem broken;

15208

And thei wente alle In-to her Innes.

But Hectuba, the quene, not blynnes

Reuful sorwe & dele to make

For doghti Troyle, her sones, sake;

15212

For ȝit he liggis vpon molde,

I-buried In clothes of golde.

PRiamus wepis and makes mone,

And so do alle the lordes echone,

15216

Paris wepis for him sore,

And so did his suster wel more,

That faire mayden Pollexene,

And Eche burgeis & Citeȝene.

15220

For eche man cares now for his lyff,

For his children, & for his wiff.

For Mennoun kyng were thei sori,

Ther was non that he ne was drery.

15224

¶ Now is Ector ded, and Dephebus,

Troyle also the vigorous,

And sir Mennoun, the doghti kyng.

"Alas, Alas!" thei gan to syng,

15228

For hem is lefft none but Paris,

Now of Troye is litel Prys.*. [The rubricator forgot to paint over the small p.]

Page 449 ¶ Hic Troiani pecierunt pacem ad sepiliendum Troyllum & Mennonem Reges*. [One line in MS.].

PRyamus calles his conseleres, [folio 225a]

15231

And biddes hem chese two Messageres

15232

That ben witti and curtays,

That may wende on Message to the Gregays;

He bede hem riche robis done on

And wende to kyng Agamenoun*. [MS. Agamenon.].

15236

¶ The Messageres to Gregays wende,

The knyȝtes curteys, gode, and hende,

A trewe to aske—as here kyng sayde;—

And thei hem graunt and are wel payde.

15240

And thei come a-ȝeyn ridande

To telle him of her tydande,

And seyde: 'the trewes are ferme & stable,

Sicurly with-outen ffable.'

15244

¶ The Troyens haue at Gregays ben,

And trewe is taken hem be-twen.

A precious tombe for Troyle was wroght,

And his body ther-In was broght;

15248

And leyde him ther-In bischopis thre

With wonder gret solempnite:

Ther was for him a riche offerynges

Off Erles, Dukes, and of kynges.

15252

¶*. [In the MS. the next line (15254) is standing here, after this sign.] And Priamus made also

Another tombe Menoun vnto,

And did his men ther-Inne him brynge

With fair seruice & gret offrynge.

15256

And whan that seruice was al y-done,

To her mete thei wente sone,

Thei dight hem to her mete.

But Hectuba has not for-ȝete

15260

Off Troyle deth, that doughti knyȝt,

That sche loued with al her myȝt:

Many a way that lady soght

And wel narwe sche hir be-thoght,

15264

Page 450 ¶ Lamentacio Hectube.

How sche myght venge hir on that swayn [folio 225b]

15265

That hadde hir two sones sclayn.

Sche called to hire hur sone Paris

And seyde to him wepande y-wys:

15268

¶ 'Paris'—sche seyde—'thow wost wele

Off this Achilles euery dele.

This wicked theff Achilles

Thi bretheren hath sclayn with-oute les

15272

With his falshede & his quayntise,

Ther-fore I wolde on alle wise

Be venged on that wicked fode;

Me were it leuer than any gode!

15276

I pray the: do thing that I bidde,

That my consayl be not kidde.'

Paris swor bothe loude & stille:

"Alle her wil he wolde fulfille;

15280

What thyng that sche wolde haue done*. [MS. dou; the scribe is very inconsistent in the endings on and ou, he even rhymes on and ou sometimes, as here, and leaves the reader to decide which is right.],

Hit scholde be done swithe sone."

HEctuba with drery mode

Seide to Paris ther he stode:

15284

'This wicked man, this losengere

In al this batayle hath no pere;

He wol vs alle distroye,

But we the rather may him anoye.

15288

This Achilles, wham I mene,

Loues thi suster Pollexene,

And has offte sent his message

Hir to haue In mariage;

15292

¶ He wolde neuere of sendyng blyn,

Til he of me answere myȝt wyn.

I wol therfore—so god me a-mende!—

To-morwe erly afftir him sende

15296

And bid him derely: "come me tille,

And he of hir schal haue his wille." Page 451

And than wol I—so haue I blis!— [folio 226a]

15299

In the temple of Apolynys

15300

That thow be hid with certayn knyȝtis,

Armed wel at alle rightes;

And when he comes a-mong ȝow alle,

That he be sclayn,—what so be-falle!—

15304

That he no wyse passe quyk,

For that were then to vs ful wik.'

PAris than answered & sayde:

'Mi dere Moder, I holde me payde

15308

Off ȝoure biddyng & ȝoure consayl;

Hit schal be done with-oute fayl.'

On morwe erly, whan it was day,

Paris thanne with-oute delay

15312

Wente to the temple, and ther him hid

With twenti armed knyȝtes myd

That were hardy & wondir strong,

To scle Achilles hem among.

15316

¶ The sonne schon, the day was cler,

Hectuba sente hir Messanger

Afftir that knyȝt, sir Achilles,

And bad him faire: "whil it was pes,

15320

Come swithe home to hir house,

And he scholde haue to his spouse

Pollexene, that semely may,

That he so moche loued ay."

15324

¶ When Achilles these tydynges herde,

With mochel Ioye & murthe he ferde,

For he was so with hir loue bounden:

Thoow he hadde of rede gold founden

15328

An hundrid thousand pounde,

He hadde not ben so glad that stounde

As he was thanne—I vndirstande,—

When he herde this tythande.

15332

Page 452 ¶ Qualiter Achilles fuit occisus.

¶ He called as sone vnto him tho [folio 226b]

15333

Duk Nestor sone*. [MS. Nestorsone.] with-outen mo,

A doghti knyȝt, sir Archilogus,

And seide anon to him thus:

15336

'Archilogus, my trusti frend,

I pray the now: with me thow wende;

On the is now my most trayst,

Ther-fore I am not a-bayst

15340

The to telle my priuete:

I wol wende to that Cite,

I schal haste me thedir now;

Schal no man wyte but only thow.

15344

¶ For I haue then suche tythandes had

That I am bothe mury & glad:

For I schal wende vn-to my wyff

That I loue more than my lyff;

15348

I schal wedde that mayden clene,

The kynges doghter, Pollexene,

That is whitter then Blauncheflour;

And I haue loued hir per amour

15352

And suffred for hir moche pyne,

But now is sche on of myne.

¶ I wol therfore to hir me spede,

That sche delaye no more this dede.'

15356

AChilles than & his ffelawe

Rode so forth with mochel plawe,

With mury herte & mochel Ioye

Rode Achilles In-to Troye.

15360

¶ When thei were comen to Troye ȝate,

The porter was redi ther-ate,

And lete hem In with fair semblaunt,

And thei to Ylion rod syggand

15364

With mury herte & louely chere,

And that aboute thei ful dere: Page 453

For whan thei comen at that palays, [folio 227a]

15367

Thei fonde ther knyȝtes curtays

15368

Vnto the temple that hem ledde,

Ther thei leide*. [The MS. has leff, but crossed out, and leide inserted by another hand over line.] her lyff to wedde.

In-to the chirche when thei were gon,

Thei spered the dores euerychon;

15372

And Paris thanne & his comperes

Come walkyng out of here soleres

Ther thei hadde ben In a-wayt,

To brynge Achilles to his dissait.

15376

¶ Achilles thei alle tho discried,

And he hem alle boldely defied:

Tho twenti knyghtes on a rowte

By-sette Achilles al abowte,

15380

And euery man his sword out-drowe

And seyde: 'Achilles, defende the nowe!

For thow schalt for thi vilonye,

For thi falshede & cowardye

15384

That thow sir Troyle so foule slowe,

Die this day, yff that we mowe.'

AChilles saw he was dissayued:

Fro his necke his mantel he wayued,

15388

And a-boute his Arme he caste,

And with his hond he held it faste;

And smot a knyght amonges hem alle

And made him his swerd to falle.

15392

His felawe was sclayn lyghtly,

But Achilles tho fauȝt myghtly,

And ten of tho that him assayled

He sclow, er his herte fayled.

15396

¶ But Paris stod fro his meyne,

And In his hond held dartes thre

And kest hem at Achilles

Ther he fauȝt In-myddes the pres,

15400

Page 454 ¶ Hic Achilles Interfectus fuit.

And wounded him, as he fauȝt thore, [folio 227b]

15401

In his body with hem ful sore.

And nad Paris so him wounded,

Alle his knyghtes hadde he comfonded

15404

With his manhoud*. [With on erasure, but by the same hand; in manhoud something has been altered, it seems to have been like . . . hond.], & thorow his myȝtes

He hadde sclayn the .xx^ti. knyȝtes.

But he hadde than many a wounde,

Tho fel he ded vpon the grounde.

15408

¶ Whan he was ded, thei him to-coruen;

When Paris saw that he was storuen,

He bad hem take him by the leggis

And throwe him ouer In-to the seggis

15412

And let him ligge to roke & rauen;

He swor: "he scholde neuere be grauen,

But he scholde to houndes mete,

And rokis & rauenys him scholde ete."

15416

BVt when that the quene Helayn

Wyste that thei were so slayn,

Sche come rennande thedir blyue

And sir Paris sche gan to schryue;

15420

Sche prayed for loue & curtasye:

"He scholde not do that vylonye

To that knyȝt that was alosed."

So sche spak & so sche glosed,

15424

That he bad men scholde him lay

Somwhere In Troye In an hye way,

That euery man that likyng hadde

Might hem be-holden & be gladde,

15428

¶ Whan thei saw ded that ilke body

That was that mortel enemy.

In Troye tho was mochel Ioye

Among alle burgeis of Troye,

15432

When thei saw him ded & sclayn thore

That thei be-fore hadde dred so sore. Page 455

Thei sayde tho: "thei hadde no drede [folio 228a]

15435

Off the Gregays ne of her dede,

15436

For thei scholde neuere the Cite wynne,

Sithe he was ded her trust was Inne."

¶ And thus was Achilles done to ded

Thorow a wicked woman red,

15440

Thorow her sleght & consayl

Died the knyght with-oute fayl.

And so hath many a-nother man

Died thorow red of a womman:

15444

That neuere were so gode knyghtes

Off ffairnes, of connyng, ne of myghtes,

¶ The beste body that euere ete bred

Thorow fals wymmen haue ben ded.

15448

And so did Achilles, the strong knyght,

Thorow a womman lost al his myght;

And sche ther-afftir sclayn was

For the deth of Achilles.

15452

AChilles ligges In gret wondryng

Ded In Troye In gret wowenyng;

Among the burgeis of the toun*. [MS. ton . . . dou, see note on p. 450.]

The word goth bothe vp & doun*. [MS. ton . . . dou, see note on p. 450.].

15456

So fer the tythandis were told,

That duk Nestor, the knyȝt so old,

And alle the Gruwes gret & smale

Hadde yherd that sori tale.

15460

¶ T[h]er was tho a delful cry & gale*. [& gale inserted later, but by the same hand.]

Among the Gregeis gret & smale,

Thei wepyn for him more & les;

Thei seyde: "thei were al redeles,

15464

Tho thei coude no more red,"—

But seyde echon: 'now he is ded

That al oure los & worschip wan!'

Ther wepte for him many a man.

15468

Page 456 ¶ Hic Imperator Grecorum pecijt corpora Militum.

Thei swor alle by her god lege, [folio 228b]

15469

That thei wolde alle byleue that sege,

Thei wolde no lenger holde it forth;

Thei held hem no-thyng worth:

15472

Gret sorwe made thei al day,

That he was ded—I dar wel say.

AGamenoun, her Emperour,

He sente to Troye a procuratour,

15476

Lordis, knyȝtis, & squyeres,

And bad the kyng, for her prayeres,

And also to sir Paris,

To graunte hem tho two bodyes

15480

To grauen hem the moldes vndir,

That men on hem no more wondir.

¶ Priamus graunt the kynges bone

And seyde: "her wil scholde be done,"

15484

And escused him of that dede,

Bothe of assent and of rede;

He bad thei scholde hem hom lede.

Thei toke hem tho bothe In*. [MS. In bothe.] her wede*. [de by another hand on erasure.]

15488

As blody as thei wore;

For Achilles thei wepyn sore

And ledes hem home to here Grues,

But euery a man his sorwe newes,

15492

Off no Ioye thei ne rought,

When he was so ded hom*. [o altered from e.] brought.

AChilles is to Gregais broght;

Priamus then thei be-soght:

15496

"That he wolde to hem graunte

That knyȝt that was vayllaunte

In that toun to grauen somwher,

Wher he ordaynet for hem ther."

15500

¶ Priamus wolde not werne,

He bad hem graue them In an herne Page 457

In som ȝate of that Cite, [folio 229a]

15503

As hem thoght best, In that entre.

15504

The Gregais than a-non did make

A tombe of Marbil gray & blake,

Off Alabaster as white as mylke;

¶ In al this world is non silke,

15508

So noble werk, ne so riche;

Ther is no tombe In erthe it lyche,

So craffteli coruen, ne so precious,

With gold be-gon, ne so glorious,

15512

With gold & gemmes so y-dyght,

And schon a-nyȝt as bryght;

That ȝaff so bryght a gleme,

As it hadde ben the sonne beme;

15516

Men seide: "ther was non suche y-wroght

As wyde as men hadde erthe y-soght."

THese knyȝtes are layd In monument,

And alle these lordes hom ben went

15520

Vnto her tentis & here hales.

Ther were amonges hem many tales:

Some bad pul vp rope & stake,

For thei wolde hamward schake;

15524

And some bad dyght schip & ore,

For thei wolde dwelle ther no more.

"Thei wolde wende"—thei sayde—"In hast,

To dwelle lengur it were but wast,

15528

When he was ded, that gentil knyȝt,

That hadde her strengthe & her myȝt."

¶ Agamenoun, her Emperour,

Herde this cry and clamour;

15532

He made anon a bedel crye

Thorow that ost al on hye:

"That eche a lord by on assent

Scholde come to a parlement."

15536

Page 458 ¶ Consilium inter Reges Grecorum.

Ther was no lord that herde that word, [folio 229b]

15537

That thei ne ros fro table & bord

And come to him ridande alle,

And sette hem doun In his halle

15540

To wete of him: "what he be-ment

That thei were alle afftir sent?

And whi he afftir hem sent so sone?"

'To wete'—he sayde—'what is to done,

15544

NOw are ȝe alle to-gedir here,

Kyng & duk alle In-fere:

Hit is me told a newe tythyng,

That In this ost is gret gronyng

15548

For this knyȝt that thus is ded;

Here are manye at suche a red—

As I here say—to leue this place

And take the see opoun a race,

15552

To wende hamward to here contre,—

For here wol thei no lenger be,

Sithe he is ded that thei on traist,—

To dwelle lenger thei ben a-baist.

15556

Tel me ther-fore ȝoure Iugement—

Whil ȝe are here alle in present*. [This line, signed +, inserted by another hand in the left margin; cf. note 3.]—

Whether wil ȝe duelle or wende?

Telle me the sothe, let here an ende!'

15560

¶ When Agamenoun his tale hath ent

Be-fore the lordes that were present,

Eche man telles his resoun*. [MS. reson. . .discreciou, see note on p. 450.]

Afftir his owne discrecioun*. [MS. reson. . .discreciou, see note on p. 450.];

15564

Some sayde: "thei held it best

To make hem redi & prest

To passe the see to here contre,"—

'For ȝonder Cite neuere gete we

15568

With non of vs that here are now,

Now he is ded & lith In throw*. [The last line of this page, following this one, runs thus: Therfore to wende henne is for oure prow; it is struck out by the same hand probably which wrote line 15558, and put 'vacat' before pointing to line 15558.]Page 459

By wham we oure worschip wan; [folio 230a]

15571

To dwelle lenger is no wis-dam.'

15572

And some seyde: 'nay, it is not gode

To leue the sege & passe the flode,

For we are ner now oure honour,

We schal scle hem In fight, In stour,

15576

Or thei schal fayn this Cite ȝelde,

Er we haue holden a ȝer this felde.

¶ To wynne the toun is now but hende:

Ther nys no man may hem defende,

15580

Sithen thei Ector for-ȝede,

And Troyle that was doughti In dede,

And Dephebus, & kyng Mennoun.

Hit were schame to take so vpoun

15584

To leue the toun In suche a plyt,

When thei ben so ney discomfyt.'

Eche man afftir his herte wille

Seide his resoun & his skylle,

15588

¶ Some wolde hom, & some dwelle:

But at the laste—the sothe to telle—

Thei were alle at this acord,

Kynges, duk, and euery a lord,

15592

Þat þey*. [These two first words on erasure.] the sege wolde holde stille

Til thei myȝt hem of Troye*. [l seems to be erased between y and e.] spille.

Thei swor echon that place to holde,

And not remewe for hote ne colde,

15596

Til thei of Troye were alle sclayn,

And wonne a-ȝeyn quene Helayn.

¶ For thei seide alle: "thoow it so were

That thei Achilles hadde not there,

15600

Thoow thei for-ȝede him & his help,

Off her goddis myȝt made thei ȝelp."

Alle here hertis were trustely set

In here goddis that hem be-het*. [A later hand made two lines full of scrib|blings, quite indistinct, and blotted out at once by the finger.]: Page 460

15604

'The Cite'—he sayde—'ȝe schal gete';— [folio 230b]

Ther-fore the sege wolde thei not lete.

15606

Off here godis thei toke hede

That hem be-het: "thei scholde spede

15608

That thei scholde wynne hit In a throwe

And alle toures doun throwe,"

As here goddes by-fore hadde told.

"Thei myȝt ther-fore be sur & bold

15612

To scle the kyng & brenne Ilyoun,"—

'As oure eldres did Lamedoun.'

Alouely knyght, that het Ayax,—

With lokkis faire, ȝelow as wax,

15616

Hongyng side aboute his swyre—

A kyng of Grece, a wel gret sire,—

Stode vp thenne & tolde this tale

To alle the lordes In that sale,

15620

And seyde: 'sithe he is take vs fro

In wham oure help is thus for-go,

Off this gode kyng, sir Achilles,—

Sende we to kyng Lycomedes

15624

Afftir Achilles sone, sir Pirrus,

And bid him: "that he come now to vs

To venge him on his fader bane,

When he the ordre of knyȝt hath tane."

15628

¶ For I haue herd offten say

That we schal neuere by nyȝt ne day

With-oute him wynne this Cite,

For thus say thay of oure destane;

15632

And he schal venge his fader dede

And gete the toun & do hem quede.

I rede therfore: do be my consayle,

I trowe it schal vs alle a-vayle!'

15636

Thei seyde tho alle: "thei vndirstode

That his consayl was to hem gode." Page 461

¶ Thei saide echon: "it was to done." [folio 231a]

15639

Thei toke consayl among hem sone:

15640

"Wo scholde afftir Pirrus sende?

And who myȝt best Afftir him wende

Off kynges alle of that baronage,

To wende for him In this message?"

15644

¶ Menelaus thei chese tho

Afftir Pirrus for to go

Ther Lycomedes dwelled at,—

To fecche that child that Pirrus hat

15648

To helpe hem to wynne the toun

And gete him los and gret renoun,

As his fader be-fore him did,

And be a knyȝt of worschepe kid.

15652

Off this is now no more to carpe,

For now ben speres grounden scharpe,

And euery man lokes his atyres,

Some to arwes, som to vires.

15656

Some now ben went al out of the trewes

Be-twix the Troyens & the Gruwes;

And day of fyght now is taken,—

Nother side wol it for-saken,—

15660

¶ The sixte day for-sothe of Iune,

As chaunce hem schop & fals fortune:

When the day is alther lengest,

And the hete of the sonne is strengest,

15664

Aboute mydsomer—as ȝe wele wote—

The day is long, the sonne is hote:—

The Gregays were alle arayed In the feld,

Couered with helm & with scheld,

15668

¶ To begynne al newe the stour;

Eche lord with his baneour,

Armed wel with alle her myȝt,

Wel y-harneyst & wel y-dyȝt,— Page 462

15672

Saue Ayax that dud folye, [folio 231b]

15673

Gret out-rage, & surfetrye:

Armes wold he bere none

To saue him fro woundis flesche ne bone,

15676

But al vn-armed on his stede

With-oute scheld to batayle he ȝede*. [MS. ȝode.],

Vpon his hede bare he no helme,

Ne spere of asche ne of Elme,

15680

Ne on his bak non haberioun,

Platis, pysane, ne aketoun;

But al naked saue his sword

Went forth that douȝti burd.

15684

PRyamus also made his men

Hye hem ouer more & fen,

With her enemys for to mete.

The Archeres alle that wel coude schete

15688

To sir Paris were thei be-tauȝt,

To wende with him In that assauȝt;

The furst batayle that day he ledde,

Sore wepyng & sore adredde:

15692

¶ He wepis ful sore vndir his hatir

Many a tere of salt watir

For alle his brether that hadde ben souerayn,

Be-fore him were thei alle sclayn.

15696

Afftir him wente Polidomas

With his batayle, and then Esdras,

And then come afftir him [&] alle his

The noble kyng Philomenys;

15700

Eueas then with his batayle,—

The leste ost hadde he saunfayle.

¶ When thei were alle with-oute the ȝatis,

And sey that thei most fyght algatis,

15704

And thei ned nother one nor other,

Gode Ector, ne Troyle his brother,

Page 463 ¶ Hic Incipit Bellum Magnum.

Ne Dephebus that was so wys, [folio 232a]

15707

Thei tolde of hem but litel pris:

15708

'Alas!'—thei seide—'that we were born!

Oure gode lordes that we haue lorn!'

¶ The Troyens then to batayle ȝede

With sori herte & mochel drede,

15712

And bende her alblastes & her bowes,

And rayed hem on renge & rowes,

With baneres brode blawande a-boute.

Ther was tho an hidous schoute:

15716

When thei were met with speres,

Eche man other ouer-beres.

Many a Grew to dethe was schet,

When Paris men & thei were met;

15720

¶ For Paris & his gode Archeres,

His bowemen, & his Alblasteres

Sclow hem thikkere with her arwes

Than tyndes of tre stondis In harwes.

15724

The stour was strong, the cry was gret,

Thei rored grisly as it hadde ben net.

Many a man with moche stryff

Loste that day bothe child & wyff,

15728

A thousand died for-sothe & mo

Er euen-tyde with moche wo.

¶ The day was hote, the wedur warme,

On bothe parties was gret harme:

15732

The fyght was sterne and wyk,

The peple died wondir thik;

When thei were alle to-gedir samed,

Many a man ther was lamed,

15736

And some be-gan donward to loute.

And Diomedes loked aboute

And saw kyng Philomenys

Play with the Gregays al on mys: Page 464

15740

He toke a spere & ran him to, [folio 232b]

15741

And Philomene another also;

Thei brak here speres & drow her brondis

And fauȝt to-gedir on the sondis;

15744

Thei smot to-gedir many a dynt

And sturdy strokes, er thei wolde stynt.

¶ But Philomenys & his men

Hadde slaw of Gregais sixti & ten,

15748

Thei ferde the Gregais so foule with

That thei droff hem out of the frith;

Diomedes made he fle

For drede of him & his meyne,

15752

For he myght not In no manere

With-stonde that kyng & his power.

PHilomene hath the better syde:

He made the Gregays on-bak to ride,

15756

Thei*. [MS. And.] ȝede bacward a gode space,

And thei of Troye Grewes chace.

And that be-held duk Menescene,

And therfore hadde he gret tene:

15760

¶ He rode to sir Palidamas

With a spere that stalworthe was*. [was inserted with another paint.],

And smot him so that he ȝede doun,

Op his fet & doun his croun,

15764

And lay ther vndir his hors fete

Sore wounded opon the grete.

Menescene drow his sword tho,

Polidamas thoght he to sclo;

15768

And sicurly so he hadde done,

Ne hadde come him socour sone:

¶ But when that doghti Philomene

Polidamas so falle hadde sene,

15772

And Menescene, that noble duk,

So vilensly him rebuk, Page 465

He wente ridande to him anon [folio 233a]

15775

As faste as he myght gon,

15776

And socoured him In that gret nede

And made him lepe opon his stede;

And he fyghtande for him standes,

Til he was brouȝt out of her handes.

15780

And elles for-sothe he hadde ben ded,

Menescene elles had hadde his hed.

THe stour is styff, the ffight mortel,

The knyghtes are kene & cruel.

15784

Ayax—that I be-fore of told—

Was fol-hardi, & ouer-bold:

He rod al day with-oute Armure,

And neuere tok harm ne blemure

15788

Off his bodi In that batayle;

And that—thinketh me—was meruayle,

That he vnarmed scholde so ride

Fro morwe erly vn-to that tyde

15792

With-oute harm of his body;

Hit was a wonder sicurly.

¶ He rod the batayle thorow-out

And ȝaff that tyme many a clout,

15796

Vntil he come to Paris ffolk:

Many made he here*. [here inserted over line.] blod to bolk,

Many of hem reffte he the lyue,

He sclow of hem .xx. & fyue;

15800

Thoow he vn-armed were & naked,

Gret martirdom of hem he maked.

¶ But sir Paris ther-with was wrothe

And with gret tene swore his othe:

15804

That [he] or euen scholde him sclo,

On lyue scholde he not fro him go.

The stalwortheste bowe that Paris hadde,

Off noble tre sicur & sadde, Page 466

15808

He toke to him that rapely bent, [folio 233b]

15809

And an Arowe to him sent

That [was] venymed hede & vale,

That was forsothe that knyghtes bale:

15812

In-myddes the ribbes he him hit,

That his herte blod he spit.*. [¶ Hic Paris occidit Ayax]

Ayax hadde his deth than;

To chaunge colour he be-gan,

15816

He wiste ther was non other red,

He saw that he was tho but ded.

He thoght ther was no other bane

Off wham the deth he hade tane;

15820

¶ He called loude & saide: 'Paris,

Thow hast me rafft this worldis blis!

Sicurli thow hast me sclayn

With thin Arowe & thi flayn!

15824

And I schal on the be a-wreke,

The wile I may go & speke;

It is gode skyl that thow for-gange

That loue that thow hast loued so lange

15828

With mochel wrong & gret vn-right.

Many a doghti kyng & knyȝt

Hath ben sclayn In this ten ȝere,

And that schalt thow bye so dere!

15832

I telle the, Paris, witterly

That thow schalt dye ere then I!'

Ayax smot thanne Paris so,

That bothe his chekes he cleue atwo;

15836

In-to the baly the gode sword sprong,

And he fel dede among the throng.*. [¶ Hic Ayax occi|dit Paris]

And Ayax fer not fro him ȝede,

Er he fel ded doun of his stede;

15840

And so lay ded vpon the sand

Side by syde, of aytheres hand. Page 467

THe Troyens saw Paris ded falle; [folio 234a]

15843

Sori men than were thei alle,

15844

Whan he was ded of that wounde.

Thei lyfft him vp opon the grounde

And fled away to that Cite

As faste as thei myght fle.

15848

The Gregeis folewed afftir faste,

Wo was hem that was the laste!

I wote thei sclow at that flyghtes

Mo then a thousand knyghtes,

15852

With-outen squyeres & fotemen

That leffte dede ther In the fen.

¶ Thei bare that day ded & foy

Fro strete to strete thorow-out Troy,

15856

Vntil thei come to Ilyoun;

Kyng Philomene & Odemoun

Thei leyde Paris In that fair hous

By-fore Helayne, the quene, his spous;

15860

Whan sche saw him ded ligge ther*. [This line inserted by another hand in the right margin, a cross standing in the left one between ll. 15860 and 15862. Cf. note 3.],

Sche scratte her face & tare hir heer

As wight that was with wo by-gon,

For him sche siked & sore gan*. [gan inserted by another hand over line.] gron;

15864

Sche was so ful of sorwe & care,

Sche seyde: 'alas, that moder me bare,

Or fader me get In this world!'

Hit was del se, how sche ferd

15868

Whan sche saw him ded In his blod,

Sche ferde as womman that were wod.

¶ His fader als for him weped sore;

And so did alle that In Troy wore,

15872

Euery man of his lyff dispaires*. [Between ll. 15873 and 15874 the following line is standing which is crossed out (cf. note 1): 'Off his catel & sore payres.']

And sori is of his wiff & his ayres,

Thei leue to lese here heritage,

Here godis, & alle here lynage.

15876

Page 468 ¶ Hic Paris sepultus est.

Off hem-selff coude thei no rede, [folio 234b]

15877

Now alle the kynges sones be dede.

But In that sorwe & that wepyng,

The while he was In kepyng,

15880

A tombe was made of precious stones,—

To lay him In, bothe body & bones,—

Off riche werk, of fair facture:

Off saphires, gold, & riche asure;

15884

¶ Hit was richer then other fyue;

I may not al the werk discryue,

Ne halff the richesse that ther was on

Off riche gold & precious ston;

15888

Hit were long tellyng,

Ther-on make I no dwellyng.

But when that seruice for him was seyde,

And his body In tombe layd,

15892

Euery man wente to his In,

For sorwe coude thei neuere blyn.

PAris is dede & doluen depe,

Night & day for him thei wepe,

15896

With-outen reste thei wepe ay,

Thei are In mornyng nyght & day:

Echon to other of sorwe telles,

Thei tende to sorwe & nothyng elles,

15900

Ther is non for wele ne wo

That dar with-oute the ȝatis go.

¶ Agamenon remues his place

And ner the toun his stede he tace,

15904

He bad euery lord with tent & hale

With-oute dwellyng remue here sale,

And bad hem sette ner the toun

Hale & tent and Pauyloun.

15908

To Priamus, the kyng, he sende

And bad "that he scholde him defende

Page 469 ¶ Hic Troiani clauserunt Ianua sua per .ij. menses.

Aȝeyns the Gregeis, his enemys, [folio 235a]

15911

As a kyng of mochel pris";

15912

And bad him "come with his meygne

With-oute the ȝates of that Cite,

That he the batayle to him nome

Til that on of hem be ouercome,

15916

¶ As he was man of gret renoun

Or kyng worthi to bere croun;

For suche a kyng schulde euere dispice,

For that was token of cowardise;

15920

And ligge not ther as an hog In sty,

For that was to him a vilony."

BVt Priamus with that seyde "nay,"

Hem thurt no more of that play;

15924

That wolde he no wyse graunte,

To sende out knyȝt ne sergaunte

To fight with hem with-oute the walles,

For no-thing that ther be-falles.

15928

With-Inne the toun whil thei dwelle stille

For fferd of more perel & ille,

For he was ferd his men to tyne

And die him-selff with moche pyne.

15932

¶ To fight with hem the Gregais assayed

Aud therto wel offte thei prayed;

But al was noght that thei coude do,

For he wolde not assente ther-to,

15936

Thei dwelled so forthe In the toun,

And walked vp the toun & doun,

And kepte the ȝates and the walles

With alblasteres, bowes, & qwarelles,

15940

With many an armed knyght & man,

That thei with-outen the toun not wan.

Thei helde so Troye a ful .ij. monethe,

That thei fauȝt neuere her fomen with, Page 470

15944

But kepte the toun so al aboute [folio 235b]

15945

For ferd of hem that were with-oute.

Two Monethes the ȝates were stoken

That thei were neuere vnloken,

15948

Vntil a quene gentil & ffre

Come hem to helpe fro fer contre.

The quene was called Pantasaley,

A noble womman of Chyualry,

15952

Sche was quene of Amazone;

For hir was furst the ȝates vndone:

Sche come thedir with a thousande

Off hardi maydenes wel fyghtande,

15956

To helpe Troyens, tho hir was tolde

That the Gryffons proude & bolde

With mechel ffolk & gret aray

Aboute the toun of Troye lay

15960

And seged hem that were with-Inne,

To scle the kyng, the toun to wynne.

BVt herkenes now of the quene,

And of hir maydenes bolde & kene!

15964

I wol ȝow telle, if ȝe wol here,

Off here lond the right manere;

Where it is, and what lande,

The manere schal ȝe vndirstande.

15968

And elles wol ȝe haue meruayle—

That wommen scholde go to batayle,

Armed as men vpon her stedes,

And be so doghti In her dedes.

15972

IN the est-ende of alle the world—*. [¶ De Insula Amazone.]

As I In bokes haue I-herd—

Is a lond, a louely Ilde,

That wymmen dwelle In, wonder wilde,

15976

Off grete renoun and prowesse,

That Amazone y-called is; Page 471

Wymmen dwelle ther-Inne alone, [folio 236a]

15979

Men with hem wol thei haue none.

15980

¶ Off these wymmen the stori spekes

And seythe: thei are strong frekes,

Styff, & strong, stalworthe In werre

Strokes to ȝeue and to berre,

15984

Armes to bere In many a stoure,

To wynne hem los and gret honoure;

For alle here herte & couetyse

Is to be of gret empryse.

15988

¶ Be-syde that Ile another Ile was,

Long & large, brode In compas,

Wonder fayr and delitable,

Plenteuous and amyable,—

15992

And telles vs the right story,

That men with-oute company

Off womman-kynde dwelles ther-In.

To telle ȝow wol I begyn:

15996

What vse thei haue, & what custome,

And how thei to-gedir come?

THese wyse clerkes for-sothe telle,

That these wommen that so alon dwelle

16000

In the lond of Amazone,

Comen to the lond ther men In wone

Sicurly thries In the ȝere,

And dwellen to-geder ther In-fere

16004

To haue her murthes & delite

And do here wille day & nyȝte.

¶ These clerkes say and Philoȝoferus:

The womman to the man hir proferus,

16008

For thei are also styff & strong

That no man dar come hem among

In-to her lond aȝeyn here leue,

For men hem schulde no-thyng greue Page 472

16012

Ne nothyng done aȝeyn her wille. [folio 236b]

16013

In her lond holde thei hem stille,

Til tyme of ȝer that thei come doun

And dwelled with hem In tour & toun,

16016

And take her solace & here play—

That is In Iune, Aueril, & May*. [MS. That is Jn. June. Aueril. & May.].

¶ Euery ȝer these thre Monethe

Come thei to dwelle ther-In withe,

16020

And wende aȝeyn than to her Il[d]e.

Iff it be so thei be with childe,

And it be ought of womman-kynde,

Among the wymmen—thei it fynde—

16024

In her lond ther stille it dwelles

Among hem euere—as my boke telles.

¶ Iff it be man, thei brynge it forth

Til it be so moche worth,

16028

That it can go and be so bold

That it be fully thre ȝer old;

And whan it is of thre ȝer elde

That it may it-selff welde,

16032

To that Ilde that is hem hende

Ther men dwelle, the childer thei sende

To the fader and to his kyn,

To dwelle with hem the lond with-In.

16036

THat tyme—godemen!—of that prouynce*. [¶ De Pantasa|lia Regina.]

Pantasalye was quene & prince,

A doghti Mayden & sterne,

That loued Ector wel longe derne

16040

For his prowesse & his noblay

That sche herde of him offten say.

When that quene, that frely fode

Off Amazone, so vndirstode

16044

That thei of Grece were passed the see

And Priamus and his Cite Page 473

Hadde be-seged him & his londes wasted, [folio 237a]

16047

Pantasalye to him sche hasted

16048

And toke with here Maydenes x. hundre

That echon were hir baner vndre,

To helpe the kyng for Ector sake

And do the Gregais mochel wrake.

16052

But sche wiste not of Ector ded,

To wende to Troye tho sche toke red;

Sche wiste right not, til sche come thore.

When that sche wiste, sche weped wel sore;

16056

Sche hadde for him gret wo & payn,

When sche wiste that he was sclayn.

PAntasalye, that worthi wyght,

Is comen to Troye with-oute knyght,

16060

With-outen knyȝtes or any men,

But fair companye of hir wymmen

That are hardi as men In dede,

Off lyues man haue thei no drede.

16064

But than hadde sche care In thoght,

When Ector was to dethe y-brought;

¶ At hem of Grece hadde sche gret Ire,

Sche prayed the kyng for the loue of hire,

16068

That he wolde then the ȝates vndo

That sche myȝt wende the Gregais to,

For sche scholde so do,—sche him be-hight,—

That a mayden was worth a knyght

16072

And as strong and as ȝepe,

When thei were met on an hepe.

¶ So longe prayed sche, he graunt hir bone;

He bad a ȝate scholde be vn-done,

16076

He bad opon Dardanides;

But him hadde leuere haue ben In pes,

For he was ferd what scholde be-tyde,

When he saw hem of Troye out-ride.

16080

Page 474 ¶ Hic Priamus ordinat Prelium magnum.

¶ Dardanides that ȝate dos opon, [folio 237b]

16081

Pantasalye on horse is lopon

With hem of Troye and with alle hires,

Armed wel In al here tyres.

16084

PRiamus his men araied

As that lady him praied;

Sche was that day here souerayn,

Here ledere, & here cheuayntayn.

16088

Pantasalye that ȝate rod oute

With-outen fere*. [fere inserted by another hand over line.] & with-oute doute

Off hir enemys or of hir fos,

Ful hardeli to hem sche gos,

16092

With hir Maydenes ridande be-syde

That wolde with hir In stour abyde.

¶ Kyng Philomene and Eueas,

And afftir that Polidomas,

16096

Come with here batayles on a rowe,

And thei of Perse with qwyuer & bowe—

That Paris was wont to lede—

Forth to ffyght with hem thai*. [MS. that.] ȝede.

16100

¶ When thei of Grece saw hem come out

So proudely praunsande & so stout,

Thei were echon gretly meruayled

What it myght be that hem ayled

16104

That thei come out so proude & gay,

And ther-byfore not many a day

With-oute her ȝates durst thei not passe?

Thei hadde meruayle how it was?

16108

But when thei saw hem out comande,

Eche man toke his harneis In hande

And hyed hem that thei were clad,

For of here werre*. [werre inserted over line by another hand.] were thei glad.

16112

¶ Thei lepe on horse with moche rape

And rod out vpon a frape,

Page 475 ¶ Hic venerunt omnes ad Bellum.

With manye brode gomfanoun, [folio 238a]

16115

As lordis of gret renoun.

16116

When thei were comen to-gedir there,

A wonder noyse men myȝt here

Off speres that thei brak & barst,

Off knyȝtes that were to grounde cast.

16120

Echon on other wolde be wroken,

Ther were many bones broken,

Hedis corven, heeres schorne,

Scheldes reven, armes torne.

16124

¶ But herkenes now, my louely frende,

Off Pantasalye, that mayden hende,

And hire hardi damyseles

That come with hure & with hure penseles

16128

How sche bare hir In that pres

With hir Maydenes that sche ches;

How sche bare that day the pris

Off alle that fauȝt In that [emp]ris;

16132

How sche made hem to flee,

And how sche hem droff In-to the see;

How sche hem felled & wounded,

And scholde hem alle [haue] confounded,

16136

Ne hadde y-ben withouten les

The doghti kyng Diomedes.

NOw ar thei alle to-gedere on hepis,

Now euery man on other lepis,

16140

Scheldis ryue, & speres crake,

Eche man fightis with his make,

Fotemen falle, stedis straye,

Knyȝtes wounded ligge & braye.

16144

The dust ros so thikke on hye,

That men myȝt not se the skye.

¶ Pantasalye, that douȝti quene,

Hatis Gregais—and that is sene:—

16148

Page 476 ¶ Hic Pantasalia Regina pugnauit cum Regibus Grecorum.

That douȝti quene ful wel hem knowes, [folio 238b]

16149

Sche keste hem doun & ouerthrowes;

With-Inne a while so fele sche hath sclawe,

That thei fro hir a-weyward drawe;

16152

Thei knewe ful sone al hir strengthe,

Thei fled fro hir on brede & lengthe.

MEnelaus hadde grete envy

Off that quene Pantasaly,

16156

That sche the Gregais so defouled*. [o corrected from e.];

On hir that tyme ful foule he schouled

And seyde: "that he wolde to hir ride

To se whether sche wolde him abyde."

16160

He rode to hir with mochel Ire,

And sche was war & keped that sire

And smot him euene In-myddes the scheld,

That he fley out In-myddes that feld;

16164

Among her horses stille he lay,

Til that he was drawen a-way.

By the rayne his stede sche cauȝt

And to a mayden sche him be-tauȝt.

16168

¶ Diomedes, that douȝti kyng,

By-held that tyme that Iustyng,

He saw the kyng falle a-doun,

Vp the fete & doun the croun;

16172

His hors was lorn, & he on fote,

He seyde: "ther-on he scholde do bote,

That sturdy strok scholde sche abye."

He rode thanne to Pantasalye

16176

With al the myght that euere he hadde,

But sche was not of him a-dradde:

Sche cauȝt a spere, when sche was war

That þat kyng to hir was war;

16180

A sterne strok was hem by-twene,

But on hir hors sat the quene Page 477

That bridel ne stirop sche ne tynt, [folio 239a]

16183

But he was feld doun at that dynt;

16184

Fro his nekke toke she his scheld

And toke hir mayden for to weld,

And bad: "that sche scholde it bere

Euery day ther In that were,

16188

In vilonye and In dispit

Off him that it auȝt, what so he hit."

Kyng Thelaman stode euere alone

And saw the dedis that sche had done,

16192

He saw hir felle that douȝti kyng,

And his scheld take with-oute lesyng

Fro his nekke his vnthankes,

And felde him doun at his hors schankes;

16196

And he was feld opon the grounde,

And sche sat stille hol and sounde*. [ll. 16197-8 are following ll. 16201-2 in MS., and are crossed out several times.].

He herde neuere speke of suche a woman

That feld In fyght so gode a man.

16200

¶ Gret envy hadde he ther-ate,

Opon hys*. [y and s on erasure.] hors ther he*. [s seems to be erased before he.] sate;

He wex for tene blak as Cole,

That schame myght he no lengur thole

16204

That sche hadde done the kynges two,

He wolde assaye what he myght do:

¶ He toke a spere of stalworthe tre,—

For he on hir wolde venged be,—

16208

And rode to hir with gret herte;

And sche him kepis rapely & smerte,

Sche smot him euen In-myddis the scheld

That he fley out In-myddes the feld.

16212

So sore to grounde the knyght sche puttis,

That he wende he hadde to-brosten his guttis;

And sche gurd forth among the Grewes*. [MS. gregais.]

And mochel bale among hem brewes*. [MS. brennes.]: Page 478

16216

Sche turned a-ȝeyn to Thelaman [folio 239b]

16217

And sturdi strokes laid him an,

Sche bete that kyng for-sothe so sore

That sche of force toke him thore;

16220

With the help of Philomene

Sche did to him that day gret tene,

Sche toke the kyng to hir meygne

To lede him to Troye Cite.

16224

¶ But Diomedes, when he was resen,

Saw Thelaman was taken to prison,

Toward the toun he saw him go,—

Lord god, that him was wo!

16228

He blewe his horn & samed his men,

Ther come aboute him thousand ten

Off doughti knyȝtes swithe proude,

And asked: "whi he blew so loude?

16232

What it be-mente? what it myght be?"

He seyde: 'felawes, may ȝe not se

How Thelaman, that doghti knyȝt,

With hem of Troye is discomfyȝt?

16236

¶ Lo! where thei lede him toward toun

Ouer dale and ouer doun!

But sicurly, if I may spede,

Thei schal him not to Troye lede.

16240

I ȝow be-seke, falawes myne alle,

For any-thing that may be-falle:

In this gret nede fayle me not,

Til I haue him fro hem y-brouȝt!'

16244

WHen he these wordes to hem hadde sayd,

On his scholdur his spere he layd:

He ran to hem that Thelaman ledde,

And thei of him were sore a-dredde,—

16248

Some he*. [MS. by.] hurt & some by-heded,

With stalworthe strokes he hem schedid. Page 479

To lete him go thei were fayn, [folio 240a]

16251

That thei of him were not sclayn.

16252

¶ Thelaman*. [MS. Diomedes.] fro hem he toke

And faste aweyward with him schoke.

When the quene herde it say

How he from hem was led away,

16256

For wratthe sche wax ner wode,—

So sterne sche was In hir mode.

That ladi thanne, Pantasalye,

To hir Maydenes by-gan to crye

16260

And gadered hem vpon a route;

When thei were comen hir aboute,

Sche bad that thei scholde kythe here myght

Bothe on kyng & eke on knyght.

16264

PAntasalye, that Damysele,

When sche herde telle how it felle

That Thelaman was fro hem twyght

Thorow Diomedes, that gentil knyȝt,

16268

Sche swor an othe ther: "for his sake

Sche wolde scle that sche myght take."

Hir maydenes to-geder tho samed,

Sche seyde: 'are ȝe not aschamed

16272

That this kyng is take fro ȝow?

Felawes myn, I pray ȝow now:

For so haue I euere gode chaunce,

Thei schal bye his lyueraunce.'

16276

¶ Sche strok hir stede with hir spores,

Ouer falow & ouer forwes

Among the Gregais sche ther rennes—

As dos the fulmard among the hennes.—

16280

Many a scheld that lady rofe,

And many a basenet sche al to-drofe*. [MS. alto drofe.],

Many a bak that day sche bowed,

For Thelaman was so rescowed. Page 480

16284

Sche wounded & sclow & droff doun [folio 240b]

16285

The men that most were of renoun,

Sche barst gerthes, paytrel, & pole;

The gentil quene delis hir dole

16288

Here & thore as sche hem takes,

Gret ma[r]tirdome of hem sche makes;

Vn-til here tentis sche hem reuersed,

In euery a side that ost sche persed.

16292

WAs non of hem that tyme so bolde

Durst fyght with hir opon the wolde,

Not Diomedes, that vigorus,

Ne Ayax Thelamanyus,

16296

Ne that sturne knyȝt Menescene

Durst not byde hir In here tene,

Ne Agamenon, here Emperour,

Ne thei that were of most valour

16300

Not ones loke to hir ward*. [MS. hirward.];

But alle thei flow aweyward,

Vntil thei come to her tentis.

Many a man her dethe ther hentis,

16304

¶ For sche hem chased with swerd In hande,

With loude vois hem manassande,

And droff hem ouer doune & dale,

And fro her tentis & fro here hale,

16308

Vntil thei come vnto the see

That thei no wyse myght fer flee.

Tho turned thei aȝeyn and fauȝt,

As thei that tyme nede mauȝt,

16312

Or haue ben draynt In the see.

So that quene by-gan to slee,

¶ Thei hadde died tho with gret trosture,

Ne hadde tho y-comen socoure:

16316

For tho come than with-oute les

The noble kyng Diomedes Page 481

And made of the Greces resistens [folio 241a]

16319

A-ȝeyn the quene & hir defens,

16320

And mayntened the fight tho

Aȝeyn Troyens with mochel wo,

Til it was nyght & day gone.

Thei departed sone anone,

16324

For hadde thei had day at wille,

Many a Grew hadde thei don spille.

¶ Thei of Troye rode to the toun,

And Gregais to here Pauyloun;

16328

And set hem doun In tent and hale,

Wel sore & dreri, wan & pale

For werinesse of that Iornay,

That it myght no better be that day.

16332

To dight here mete her men thei bad,

To comforte hem for nede thei had,

And ete & drank as thei myght,

And sone to reste thei hem dight;

16336

For werinesse off that Iornee

Nede to reste tho haued hee.

THat worthi wyght, that fair lady,

That doghti quene, Pantasaly,

16340

With hir Maydenes is comen to Troye

With mochel murthe & mochel Ioye,

For gret worschepe & los sche wan

Off many knyȝt & many man

16344

For dedis that day that sche hadde done.

The tydandes come to Priamus sone,

At hure Innes that sche was lyght

With hir Maydenes stalworthe & wyght.

16348

¶ When Priamus, the kyng, herde say

That the worthi gentil may

Was I-comen to hir Inne,—

Til he come ther wolde he not blynne, Page 482

16352

That noble quene to*. [MS. he to.] thanke & se [folio 241b]

16353

That so hadde meyntened that melle

For him al day*. [MS. alday.] to his honour;

Ȝit hoped he to be conquerour

16356

By that quene of alle his foos.

Kyng Priamus to hir vp goos

With mury herte & glad chere,

And thanked hir on his manere

16360

Off hir godenesse & noblay

That sche for him hadde done that day.

KYng Priamus to hir him profered

And al his goodis to hir he offred,

16364

And ȝaff hir ȝifftis many & fele,

Many worthi riche Iuele;

Many a noble riche present

The kyng to hir that euenyng sent:

16368

Clothes of gold of mochel pride,

And stedes stronge vpon to ride,

And gode Armure of gode a-tyre

Sent Priamus that nyght to hire.

16372

¶ He was so fayn of hir prowesse,

That he wende by hir doghtinesse

Off al his bale to haue bote.

But he was—lord!—ȝit vndirfote,

16376

Er that ȝer was al out-paste;

That fair Palais was ouercaste

And distroyed, and al his kyn,—

Wyff, & child, & cosyn,—

16380

And alle the kynrede that he hadde;

And that was ruthe, by seynt Chadde!

¶ Ther was gret Ioye & solace

That euery a burgeis now hace

16384

Off that noble doghti quene

And of hir Maydenes gode & kene. Page 483

Thei lyued ere In sykyng sore [folio 242a]

16387

And In gret mornyng wore,

16388

Thei make gret Ioye & melody

That thei haue hir In company,

On euery part In that Cite,

When thei herde of hir pouste.

16392

For ȝit hope thei sche schal relesse

Hem of that wo, and sitte In pece

Thorow hir gret myȝt & hir dede,

Iff sche may leue & rightfully spede.

16396

¶ Sche called styward and boteler,

Sergaunt, coke, & hir sqwyer,

And bad thei scholde her soper dyght,

For it was wel with-Inne nyght.

16400

The bordes were layd, the clothes spred,

And thei were set & richely fed.

Than afftirward thei gon to rest,

Eche bodi his clothes of-kest,

16404

And ȝede to bedde & wele*. [The first e altered from o.] hem wrapped;

When thei were layd, sone thei napped

AL the nyȝt, til it was morn.

Than was blowen many an horn,

16408

Many an horn & many a beme,—

Iff thei of Grece to hem toke ȝeme.

Thei ride al forth with-oute the ȝatis,

The quene by-fore rydyng algatis

16412

Opon a stede strong & store,

With spere In hande & gilden spore.

And thei of Grece be that were ȝare

Aȝeyn Troyens for to fare,

16416

That thei se comande on a route*. [MS. aroute.];

And not-for-thi thei were In doute

To mete with hem an hundrid score

For that day that was be-fore; Page 484

16420

But ther lay non other amende, [folio 242b]

16421

But*. [The capital B is altered from V by the same hand.] nedes most thei here lyff defende.

NOw thei mete with spere & scheld,

Bothe parties In-mydde the feld

16424

By-twene the hales and the toun;

Thei ride to-gedir with gret randoun,

Euery man now hath of other envy;

Ther was a carful company,

16428

When thei were to-gedre met:

Echon other al to-bet,

Sclow, & wounded, & thorow-bare;

Non of hem wolde other spare.

16432

And thus ferde thei that neuere blonne

Al that day, whil thei hadde sonne,—

That thei most part fro that fyght

For wantyng of that dayes lyght.

16436

¶ And thus mette thei to-gedre efft

Many a day or thei lefft,

Til thei most the feld make clene

Off men that were sclayn hem be-twene,

16440

And thei hem-selff so weri wore*. [o altered from e.]

That thei myght fyght no more.

Tho toke thei be-twene hem grithe

To be In pes a two monethe,

16444

To reste her bones that were weri

By assent of bothe parti.

¶ The trewes was take monethes two,

That non of hem schal other mysdo

16448

Lastande the trewes a nedle worth:

The relykes are y-broght forth,

And thei are sworne & made ther othe,

Thei schal hem hadde for leue or lothe.

16452

¶ The Gregais alle toke consayl to wende,

That thei wolde afftir Pirrus sende

Page 485 ¶ Hic Greci mandauerunt post Pirrum ffilium Achillis.

To the kyng sir Lycomede, [folio 243a]

16455

To help hem In that gret nede,—

16456

That was so tyff & strong In stoure.

Agamenoun, here Emperoure,

Bad than his brother Menelaus

With his meygne wende afftir Pirrus;

16460

And he as sone wente to the see

With his men & his naue,

And sayled forth with mochel spede

Vn-to that lord Lycomede.

16464

¶ When he was comen In-to that hauen,

He bad sqwyeres, ȝomen, & knauen

Lede out here hors opon the sonde;

And he lepe vp & rode to londe,

16468

With Lycomede til he was met:

With curtais wordis he him gret

And welcomed him with loueli chere,

And sette hem doun to-gedir In-fere

16472

In his hye halle opon the dese.

Then seyde the kyng Lycomedes:

'SIr kyng, to me welcome thow art!

But me meruayles what [t]he has gart

16476

Come fro thi Grues thus fer to me?

And what thow wole In this contre?

What tydandes haue ȝe broght hidur?

And what thow wol with the haue thidur?

16480

For wele I wot: with-oute skille

Art thow not comen this lond tille.'

¶ Menelaus to him then sayde:

'Sir Licomede, so thow be payde!

16484

I schal the telle myn erande, whi

That I come hedir sicurly:

The kynges of Grece alle In-fere

The gretes wele, as thow seis here, Page 486

16488

Bothe by mouthe & eke by letter, [folio 243b]

16489

And sayn that it were moche better,

Child Pirrus, that thow holdest here

In vn-manhed & foule manere,

16492

To send to hem & to his kyn*. [MS. And to hem & to his kyn.],

And loos & worschipe to wyn,

¶ To venge his fader on his Enemys,

When he were man of loos & pris;

16496

And be his fader fomen bane,

The order of knyȝt when he hadde tane,

And not to ligge thus In scolcurye.

Hit is, sir kyng, a vylonye

16500

To the, sir, and to him bothe,

The kynges of Grece with the are wrothe;

And thow him holdis as brid In cage,

That he wynnes him no vasselage,

16504

But leses his time & his loos,

And helpis hem not aȝeyn here foos,

As him by skyl auȝt for to do.

And thus bad thei me say the to.'

16508

LIcomede wex blo of blod,

When he these wordes vndirstod;

'Off god'—sayde he—'I take witnesse,

On no wise long on me non isse

16512

That he hath dwelled so longe fro ȝow:

For I wiste neuere whi ne how

I myght him sende, ne by what man;

Ne he him-selff the way ne can.

16516

¶ But sithen the kynges for him haue sent,

And thow thi-selff [art] here present,

Child Pirrus, I the be-teche

Thi fader deth to gete wreche.

16520

He[r] by the hand I the him bede,

Ouer the see with the to lede

Page 487 ¶ Hic venit Pirrus ad Grecos.

Vnto the lordis & kynges alle. [folio 244a]

16523

I pray to god, that fair mot ȝow falle.'

16524

MEnelaus when he herde that,

He was Ioyful ther he sat;

Him thoght his herte wel hesed,

Whan he of him was feffed & sesed.

16528

He thoght no lenger ther to dwelle,

He hadde no tale lenger to telle;

He toke his leue at him to go

To hem of Grece that he come fro.

16532

¶ He bad god that made sonne & mone,

Brynge hem thedir sound & sone;

And thei to-gedir verament

Vn-to the see thei ben y-went.

16536

When thei were comen to her schippis,

Eche man afftir other In hippis;

And drow vp Anker & her ropes,

And caste on hem cloke & copes

16540

To saue hem fro the salt water,

That it be-sprenged not her hater.

¶ Thei sayled bothe day & nyght

With spede & haste that thei myght

16544

Ouer strem & ouer wawe,

Vn-til thei stonde before hem sawe

Off trusti Troye the hye walles,

Here gaye toures, & her halles;

16548

On hem schon the sonne bem.

Thei sayled forth ouer that strem,

Til thei were come to here flote;

Thei wente to londe tho by her bote,

16552

¶ Thei leue her schippis & gon to londe

And riden to-gedir hond In honde,

Til thei come to here Pauylons

Among the Grues and the Gryffons. Page 488

16556

AMong the Gregais Pirrus is lyght [folio 244b]

16557

A fair man, hardi, & wyght;

Many a lord Pirrus by-held,

Whan he was broght to that teld:

16560

Thei were echon for him ful glad,

Hem thoght that thei his fader had

With hem a-ȝeyn, so was he lyche

To his fader—by heuene ryche!

16564

¶ Agamenoun, her Emperour,

And alle the lordis did him honour,

And did him worschepe ther he stode,

And welcomed him with chere gode.

16568

The Murundones come to him than,

And welcomed him, euery man;

Ioyful & glad thei with him wore,

That he hem was comen thore.

16572

¶ Agamenoun as sone gan brynge

Al his fader richesse & rynge:

Pauelons, tentis, & his teldis,

Stedis, speres, helmys, & scheldis,

16576

And al his gode fair Armure,

And clothes of gold, fyne & pure,

Off say, of silk, bothe red & grene,—

And ȝaff hem Pirrus al be-dene.

16580

The morwe Afftir thei made him knyȝt,

Richely was he dubbed & dyȝt.

¶ Ayax Thelamaneus

Off hem was most glorious,

16584

He gyrd his sword aboute his swire

And sayde to him: 'Pirrus, leue sire!

I gird the with thi sword, take hede

To venge thi fader as thow most nede.

16588

And moche Ioye haue thow of thin ordur of knyȝt,

As thi fader hadde that venged vs In fyȝt.' Page 489

Two lordes of Grece, princes, skete [folio 245a]

16591

Set his spores on his fete,

16592

That were of gold, pure & ffyn.

Then myȝt men here a mechel dyn

Off Trompes, pipes, & other glues

Among the Gregais & the Grues.

16596

Gret was the murthe & the melody

That ther was of Menstralcy;

¶ The Grues held gret feste & strong

Many dayes afftir and long,

16600

And made gret Ioye & solace*. [ce very small on erasure.]

In worschipe of him that newe knyȝt was.

PIrrus is knyght gode & gay,

Off ffair porture, of gode aray,

16604

Off wel riche apparayle,

Off gentil blod, of fair entayle;

He prayes tho his Murundones

That thei go sette here Pauylones,

16608

As thei were wont to stande

The while his fader was lyuande.

And thei on to-geder went

And did her lordes comandement;

16612

And his tentis tho thei maked,

Faste & sekirly thei hem staked

In-to the erthe with lyne & cordes;

And sette his tentis by other lordes.

16616

¶ And whiles the trues last

A-qwynted with the knyȝtes fast,

In fair manere & gode beryng

He was a-qweynt with euery kyng,

16620

Er euere the trewes was fully ent;

But it is ney verament,

Ȝe that thei be-twene hem set

The trewes to holde as thei be-het. Page 490

16624

THe trewes are past with-oute faile, [folio 245b]

And day is comen of here batayle:

16626

Thei buske hem faste & bowes bende,

Vnto the fyght aȝeyn to wende.

16628

Pirrus In his fader wede

That vaunwarde that day he dos lede,

¶ He hath his batayle wel arayed

Off men byfore offte assayed;

16632

He is wel dight & horsed als,

His fader scheld aboute his hals

And Achilles swerd also,—

Many man to dethe ther-with was do,—

16636

¶ His armes Are stronge & sicur.

And he with that rides In-to that bicur,

He passes forth ouer the dikes

With his men that wel him likes,

16640

And takes the fel[d] brod & large

Couered vndir helm*. [MS. him.] & targe.

And euery a-nother kyng

With alle her men In her ledyng,

16644

Knyght & sqwyer, erle & swayn,

Rode & ȝede vn-to that playn

Ther thei were wont for to fyght,

With thosandes sixti two & eyght.

16648

¶ Ther was the duk Menescene

With alle his men, & kyng Chelene,

So was the kyng Menelaus,

And Ayax Thelemaneus,

16652

Dux Nestor, & Vlixes,

And the doghti Diomedes,

Theseus kyng, & Thelamon,

And the Emperour Agameon,

16656

Polinytes, & kyng Thoas:

Tho rod thei forth on a pas, Page 491

Euery a lord with his ost, [folio 246a]

16659

Proudly pyght lest and most.

16660

¶ And thei of Troye were comen out

With-oute drede or any dout,

Off here enemys hadde thei no drede.

Bothe the parties to-gedur ȝede,

16664

A wicked werre thei ther by-gan,

Thei sclow ten thousand, er thei blan.

NOw are thei to-gedir samen,

Alle on ernest & not on gamen;

16668

Now are thei to-gedir broght,

A woful day schal ther be wroght:

The speremen ride, the bowemen schote,

Thei fel faste ded at horses fote,

16672

The swordmen smyte & strokes ȝeue,

Helmes breke, & scheldes cleue.

¶ Lordes & laddes lesen her lyues,

Echon other rendis & ryues;

16676

A bitter bale haue thei be-gonne,

Now this folk to-gedir is ronne.

Ther were bowes al to-broken*. [MS. alto broken.],

Stedis stiked & thorow-stoken,

16680

Helmes holed, & heuedis houen,

Knees & cropes with knyues clouen,

Schonkes schyuered, schuldres schorne,

Blodi burnes In bostis borne;

16684

With ferli fare tho freykes ferde,

Off suche an hepe neuere I herde.

¶ Pirrus prikes aboute & praunses,

Fro man to man aboute he launses

16688

Al his strengthe for to assay,

He dud gret harm on hem that day;

His fader Armes that day he bare.

Off Palamides so was he ware Page 492

16692

A-ȝeyn the Gryffons fyghtyng faste, [folio 246b]

16693

Grues & Gregais doun he caste.

¶ He turned his stede to him sone,

He thoght on him to wynne his schone:

16696

He rode to him with so gret haste

That al his spere In-sunder braste,

That he fel doun opon the grounde

And hadde a wel greuous wounde.

16700

His gode sword sone he drow,

He wol him take if he mow,

Or of his hand ther be sclayn;

Ther-to putte he al his mayn.

16704

¶ But that be-held kyng Philomene,

He saw the fyght hem be-twene;

He saw the knyȝt Palamydes*. [e seems to be altered to a.]

In gret perel of Pirrus was,

16708

For that newe knyȝt Pirrus

Was with him ful noyus,

For he thoght him so mate & make,

That he scholde scle him or take.

16712

But Philomene hit myght not thole:

To Pirrus turned he his fole,

And led with him al his meyne—

Two thousandes knyȝtes & hundres thre,—

16716

And put Pirrus fro his euel wille,

That he ne scholde his falawe spille

Ne that tyme him not dere,

For no-thyng that he myght swere.

16720

PIrrus for-sothe hadde gret dispit

That he fro him scholde be quyt,

With Philomene was he wrothe:

He leues that other and to him gothe,

16724

With tene of herte kepte he that kyng,

And toke him thanne In suche a swyng Page 493

That he bar him tayl ouer top, [folio 247a]

16727

That he lay ther as a sop.

16728

¶ Then myȝt men here a wondir cry

Off alle his men stode him by,

For Pirrus wolde her lord haue,

And thei wolde him fayn saue:

16732

Thei wol ther her lyues stende,

But thei may here lord defende;

Thei put hem certes In gret perel

To saue her lord In that torpel.

16736

But al was not that thei coude do,

For thei no-wyse myght come him to,

For Murundones were so wode

That thei her strengthe styffly with-stode.

16740

PAlidomas come thanne rennande,

And al his ost with wepen in hande,

To socoure & helpe kyng Philomene,

As he did him In his gret tene;

16744

But he myght not ffor that he couthe,

For al that he was knyȝt In his ȝouthe,

He myght not saue him fro her handis,

That thei ne him toke & putte In bandis

16748

To lede him to Pirrus tent.

But of her purpos were thei rent,

For that louely lady fre

Qwit him out of here pouste.

16752

¶ The stour was fel & strong,

The hilles of here strokes rong:

Pantasalye come thedur than

With many hardy kene womman,

16756

A sterne stede the quene be-strode,

Among the Gregays that lady rode;

Sche sclow & felde many & fele,—

The sothe to say and not to hele. Page 494

16760

Hir armes were white as swannes flawe; [folio 247b]

16761

The Grues hir dredde whan thei hir sawe,

For sche on hem gret Angur did

And sche to hem hir strengthe so kid.

16764

¶ Thelamanyus Ayax was war

That sche to grounde Gregais bar,

In his herte hadde he gret Ire:

He toke a spere & rode to hire

16768

And bar that ladi fro hur stede,

Vn-warned or sche toke hede.

But sche lepe vp as myghti quene,

Hardi & bold, doghti & kene,

16772

Opon hir feet with-oute dwellyng,

And swor that he schold that*. [MS. bye that.] fellyng

In that day wel sore a-bye:

Sche lete a stroke vpon him flye,

16776

¶ Sche ȝaff him certis suche a pat

That doun to grounde he fel flat;

Sche toke hir hors & lepe vp tite—

Maugre hir foos that stode be-syde—

16780

And rod hir thanne among the Grues

And mechel bale amonges hem breues,

Sche wroght hem wo In hir wode res,

And many sche slees er sche hadde pes.

16784

PAntasalye hir stede by-strides,

Among Gregais & Grues rides;

Tydynges were that ladi tolde

That sir Pirrus, that newe knyȝt bolde,

16788

Hadde Philomene, that kyng, tan

And swor that he*. [MS. she.] scholde be his ban.

That bold mayden meved hir blod,

When sche tho tydandes vndirstode;

16792

¶ Sche vowes to god & alle his halowes:

"He scholde not lede him ouer the ffalowes Page 495

To tent ne Pauyloun that he hadde." [folio 248a]

16795

Alle hir Maydenes than sche badde

16796

To folwe hir where sche ȝede,

And leue hir not for no nede.

¶ With-oute mo wordes went sche forth,

With alle hir maydenes that mechel were worth,

16800

To Pirrus & to his Murundones

That with the help of her Gryffones

Hadde taken that kyng Philomene.

Harde strokes gan sche hem lene,

16804

¶ The Murundones sche sondres & schedes,

And fele of hem sche maymes & hedes;

Many a baly scho ther rittes

And many a scheld sche al to-sclittes*. [MS. alto sclittes.];

16808

Many a knyȝt les his entrayles.

So harde the quene hem assayles.

UHen Pirrus saw that mescheff—

Sche felde his men at gret repreue,

16812

How thei were hurt and euel dyght,

Wounded euele and discomfyght

With that quene Pantasalye,—

Opon his men be-gan he crye

16816

And sayde: 'men, for him ȝow boght!

What do ȝe? ne schame ȝe noght

To dye so foule of feble thinges?

A few wommen to dethe ȝow brynges?

16820

¶ But turnes aȝeyn & folowes me,

And thei schal sone discomfit be!

Ther schal but fewe—so mote I thryue!—

Off hem passe away on lyue!'

16824

He let thenne go kyng Philomene

From him & hise qwite and clene

With-oute ramsoun or any mede,

For he myght him not thennes lede. Page 496

16828

PAntasalye herde his speche, [folio 248b]

16829

On him sche thoght to take wreche:

Sche drow toward him ner

And seyde to him, that he myght her:

16832

'Off thi proude wordes ne of thi sawe

Ne of thi-selff I ȝeue not an hawe!

By him that made al mydelerde!

Off the am I not a-ferde,

16836

But now and euere I the dispise

For thi fader cowardise,

That he falsly sclow that knyght

That passed al other In strengthe & myght,

16840

¶ In doghtinesse & In valoure,—

Off Chiualrie he was the floure,—

The worthi knyȝt Ector the gode!

Alle the men of gentil blode

16844

Aught to venge his deth by skylle

On the & alle that longeth the tille!

And not only al gentil men,

But we that are here wymmen

16848

Are comen to venge with oure myght

The deth of that gentil knyght!

¶ For ȝit I hope that I & myne

Schal venge his dethe on the & thine,

16852

For that fals traytour coward, thi sire!

His soule mot brenne In helle fire!'

At hir wordes Pirrus not smyled,

When he herde him so reuyled:

16856

With-oute worde & mochel tene

Rode sir Pirrus to the quene,

To venge him if that he myght;

And whan sche saw come that knyght,

16860

Sche slaked hir bridel & rayne

And ran to him with al hir mayne,

Page 497 ¶ Hic Pirrus pugnauit cum Pantasalie Regina.

And*. [And, though the catch-word on lf. 248, bk. is Sche.] kept that knyght In hir rennyng. [folio 249a]

16863

In his grete tene and herte-brennyng

16864

¶ Pirrus smot Pantasalye

Opon the scheld so an hye,

That al his spere In-sunder brast;

But sche was not doun cast.

16868

But sche smot him wers than so,

Sche brast hir spere on him In-two

And bare him ouer the sadel y-wis,

That he hadde leue the grounde to kys.

16872

But sicurli he ros vp sone,

To venge that schame that sche had done

Vn to him by-fore his folke,

For tene his herte began to bolke:

16876

¶ Stalworthe strokes sadde & sore

Pirrus strok at hir thore,

Thei made tho so gode pay

That al her harneis was of blod ray;

16880

Al on blod was her harneis.

But thenne come many proude Gregeis

And partid hem sone a-twynne,

And of her baret made hem blynne,

16884

And broght Pirrus a stede strong

And horsed him hem among.

PIrrus now & Pantasalie

Bene partid with gret envie;

16888

Pan[ta]salye hir men relies,

Philomene to hir he hyes

And thanked hir of his lyueraunce,

And prayes god: "ȝeue hir gode chaunce;

16892

For sicurly nadde sche bene,

His lyff hadde ben lorn clene."

¶ Agamenoun, her Emperour,

Come then doun vnto that stour, Page 498

16896

With Alle his men Diomedes; [folio 249b]

16897

So did the duk of Athenes,

And alle thes other kynges euerychone

With bowe, alblaster, and flone.

16900

¶ The quene with hir men asamed,

With the Gregeis was sche gramed,

And the gode kyng Philomenys

Relyed aȝeyn to hir al his;

16904

And then come thedir a gode pas

Kyng Remus, & Eueas,

To socour hem with her meyne.

Sicurly then myght men se

16908

A wonder stour a-ȝeyn be-gynne,

To se who scholde the felde wynne.

¶ When ayther of hem were so refresched,

Echon on other dong & thresched,

16912

That thei fel doun as water fro yse;

Many a worthi man of prise

Be-twene hem tho her liff thei tynte,

Off that assaut er thei wolde stynte.

16916

Pirrus rode among the Troiens,

He bete doun of her Citesens

And sclow right fele,—as Dares sais,—

He halp wel that day Gregais.

16920

PIrrus rode to sir Glamicoun*. [MS. . . . ou . . . son; see note on p. 450.],

A knyght that was Antenor sone*. [MS. . . . ou . . . son; see note on p. 450.],

Palidomas was his half-brother,

On lyue that tyme hadde he non other,—

16924

Off Another moder born;

His lyff for-sothe has he lorn:

For sir Pirrus In his wode layke,

In his rydynge & In his rayke,

16928

With his sword smot he so sore,

That he among hem died thore.

Page 499 ¶ Hic Pirrus occidit Glamiconem.

¶ Pantasalye by-fore hir eyne [folio 250a]

16931

Saw Glamicoun die with pyne,

16932

Sche saw him die bothe blak & blo;

For him sche was In herte wo,

And for-fouȝten as sche was

Sche come fro hir meygne a-pas

16936

And rod to him ouer-twert.

And Pirrus it saw with Irus hert,

And saw that quene to him ride

As faste as sche myȝt glide:

16940

He cauȝte a spere—I the be-hete—

Strong & styff, that quene to mete;

¶ He stroke his stede & mette the quene,

And so did sche him, & that was sene!

16944

Ayther other so assayled,

That neyther of other fayled;

Thei mette so that bothe ȝede doun

Fro her hors opoun*. [MS. perhaps opon.] her croun.

16948

¶ But sone & smert bothe vp ros,

And ayther of hem to hors gos,

And lepe vp with mochel spede;

And eyther of hem to other ȝede,

16952

And fauȝt to-gedur harde & longe,

Til thei were partid with that thronge.

Or elles longe or it hadde be nyght,

That on hadde be foule discomfight.

16956

POlidomas when he herde say

His brother had mad his endyng-day,

Wo was him whan he hit wiste:

Among the Gregais he him thruste,

16960

He sclow & faste leyde to grounde,

He ȝaff the Gregais many a wounde,

And sclow hem doun as he were wood;

Thei lay & sprauled In her blood. Page 500

16964

And the quene Pantasalye— [folio 250b]

16965

Thorow hir many doth dye:

So thorow here bothe myght*. [MS. myghtes.]

The Gregais were sone discomfight*. [MS. discomfightes.]

16968

And fledde away & lefft her place,

And thei hem folwed a long pace.

¶ But Diomedes, and sir Pirrus,

And the doghti Thelamenyus,

16972

These thre thanne hur chase with-stode

And thei no further bacward ȝode,

But turned aȝeyn & lefft here fyght,

For it was ner-hond the nyght:

16976

The sonne was went In-to the west,

Hit was ney set & gon to rest*. [Scribblings in the margin, but blotted and therefore indistinct.];

And thei departed with weri bones

And ȝede alle hom to her wones,—

16980

¶ Some to tentis & some to toun,—

Did of her Armes & set hem doun,

Ete & drank and ȝede to bedde,

Whan thei were alle wel y-fedde,—

16984

And ros a-ȝeyn when thei myght se,

For thei wol not lete it so be,

Vn-to that on were vndirlyng,

And that other lord &*. [MS. α.] kyng.

16988

NIght is went with his merke cloude,

The waites blew, the Cokkes croude,

The sonne is rysen & schynes bryght,

And thei are vppe & redi dyght

16992

Vnto her note aȝeyn to go,

Ther thei the nyght be-fore come fro.

Thei are horsed & Armed redi to fare,

Thei are aȝeyn to-gedir thare,

16996

Ther are thei to-gedir met;

Iff any lefft In other det, Page 501

Thei thenke hit schal be wel quyt. [folio 251a]

16999

Thei fare as thei*. [thei twice in MS.] were out of wyt,

17000

¶ So betis & lais echon on other

Stalworth strokes as a ffother,

Ryues, & rendes, and doun beres,

Woundes, & slees, & al to-teres,—

17004

Fro morwe erly that thei hadde sonne

Til it was nyght thei neuere blonne,

And thus ferde thei with-outen les

Many a day, er thei hadde pes.

17008

¶ But by him that schope book & belle!

Alle here dedis may I not telle,

How thei fauȝt to-geder euery day;

Alle here dedis may I not say.

17012

For sicurly with-oute fayle—

As was wreten of that batayle:—

THei fauȝt to-geder a ful foure woke

That thei neuere reste ne toke,

17016

Day by day to lande & forow;

And alle the fold*. [MS. folk.] thorow & thorow

Lay sprad with dede bodies,

As it hadde ben rattis or mys.

17020

For sicurly by-twene hem was sclayn

With-Inne the dayes In that champayn

¶ —As Dares seis—thousandes ten

Off men of Armes & doghti men,

17024

With-oute comune & other pedale,—

That was wel mo with-oute fayle.

And the quene Pantasalie

Off hir Maydenes a gret partie

17028

Hadde tynt with-Inne a while &*. [& is somewhat blotted.] lorn,

That lay ther ded al to-schorn.

Viij & xx^ti dayes plener

Held thei the fight al entier*. [MS. entrer.]

17032

Page 502 ¶ Hic ceperunt pacem inter e os ad sepelliendum corpora mortuorum.

Day by day vpon the wold, [folio 251b]

17033

That thei reste neuere—as I ȝow told—

Til al that place & al that feld,

Ther the fyght [was] be-twene hem held,

17036

Was spred ful of dede bodies

As thei myght ligge y-wis.

And than was take another trewes

Be-twix the Troyens & the Grwes,

17040

That thei myȝt make clene the feld;

That ligge so ded vndir her scheld,

That thei with hem efft were not let,

When thei were efft-sones y-met.

17044

THe trewes ar take & almost past,

And sicurly these arn the last

That euere schal Troyens or Grues take;

For now schal thei an ende make;

17048

The next batayle schal be her ende;

For than schal Troye to schame wende,

And so schal alle the riche Troyens,

For thei schal lese that hem mayntens.

17052

¶ Schal neuere the kyng ne non of hise

For al his noble & his vpprise

A-ȝeyn Gregeis mayntene more stoure,

For now lesen thei her mayntenoure

17056

And alle the gode that thei owe,

And here houses brende on a lowe;

And thei schal go to dethe vile,

Euerychon with-Inne a while.

17060

¶ But that schal be by fals tresoun;

God ȝeue hem his malesoun

That*. [MS. And.] the tresoun schope & wroght

And that hit so aboute broght!

17064

That was Antenor & Eueas—

God ȝeue hem an euel gras! Page 503

Come thei neuere In heuene riche, [folio 252a]

17067

That thei wolde so her lord be-swyke

17068

And al that gentil nacioun!

Schal be put In-to dampnacioun!

TErme is went out of the trewe,

And that may men of Troye rewe:

17072

For if thei wiste what wolde be-tyde,

Thei wolde not out of Troye ride.

But now ben thei of Troye out-gon,

Wel on horse is euerychone;

17076

¶ In-to the feld are thei alle went,

With scharp sword & bowe bent

For to schete & smyte In haste;

And thei of Grece ben comyng faste.

17080

Ful wel are thei now batayled,

And echon other faste assayled

With swordes & speres scharpe;

Off alle her dedis may I not carpe.

17084

¶ But Pirrus saw Pantasaly;

Be-twene hem two was gret envy:

He rode to hir, & sche to him,

Ayther was on other brym;

17088

Pirrus smot that ladi so,

That he to-barst his spere In-two

And thrilled thorow-out hir scheld.

But that quene hir sadel held

17092

That sche fel not with his smytyng,

But sche smot him with-oute flytyng

And ȝaff him on vn-to his mede,

That hir spere In-sunder ȝede;

17096

But he fel not ther-with to grounde,

But sche ȝaff him an hidous wounde

That of hir spere a gret parti

Lefft stone-stille In his bodi.

17100

Page 504 ¶ Hic Pirrus occidit Pantasaliam Reginam.

PIrrus is smeten & euel dyght, [folio 252b]

17101

His blod ran out with mochel myght;

For him was made a gret cry

Off alle the Grues that were him by;

17104

For thei were alle In mochel doute

How the spere-hed scholde gon oute

With-oute lesyng of his lyff.

Then be-gan a delful stryff

17108

To hem of Troye ther thei stode:

For alle the Grues were ney wode

That sche smot him so greuously;

Thei cried on hir dispitously,

17112

¶ Thei vowed to god thei scholde hir sclo.

Many a Grewe & Gregais tho

Ȝede aboute that douȝti quene

And did hir mochel wo & tene,

17116

Thei brak hir helm & hir hauberk

And made al blod hir white scherk,

Thei brast on-sonder many a mayle,

The stalworthe lace of hir ventayle,

17120

Sicurly In-to her hare

Thei maken hir hed naked & bare.

¶ When Pirrus saw hir hed al naked,

In his body thoow he were staked

17124

With his spere-hede, to hir he soght

As he of his lyff not roght;

Off lyff ne deth ȝaff he no tale,

But that he myȝt brewe hir bale

17128

When he saw hir In suche a poynt:

He smot hir euene In the Ioynt

Be-twene the sholder & the scheld,

That hir lefft arme fflow In the feld,

17132

And sche fel ded & stille lay

Among hir horses as clot of*. [MS. In.] clay; Page 505

And Pirrus In his greuaunce [folio 253a]

17135

Toke on hir a foule vengaunce,

17136

For he lefft not of hir a spot

That he ne hit hewe as flesch to pot.

And he him-selff wex than so wan

For blod that out of his wounde ran,

17140

That he amonges hem fel ther doun

Fro his hors In a dede swoun;

¶ But his gode men*. [MS. godemen.] lyff[t] him on loffte

And on his scheld laide him soffte

17144

And bare him hom to his tentis,

And did of alle his garnementis

And laide him faire vpon his bed,

For he was feble and al by-bled.

17148

PAntasalie is ded & sclayn,

And thei of Grece are ther-of ffayn;

But hir maydenes haue sorwe y-now,

Many a Grewe that tyme thei sclow.

17152

Thei were so for the quene en-yred,

To dye ther thei desired:

Troyens thanne & tho wymmen

Sclow two thousand doghti men.

17156

¶ But what myght that a-vayle,

Whil ther were ȝit with-oute fayle

Thre hundrid thousand of Gregais knyghtes,

Off bold men & stronge In fyghtes,

17160

And of sqwyers gret multitude?

And ȝaff thanne strokes wel vnrude,

And sclow the Troyens as thei were wode,

That men myght haue bathed In here blode:

17164

¶ Dares seith "thei sclow that tyde

Ten thousand men of Troians*. [Troians by another hand on erasure.] syde."

Wherfore alle that myght ffle

Fled away to hir Cite Page 506

17168

And spered the ȝates wel and faste [folio 253b]

17169

With many a spire that wel wolde laste,

With lokke & keye, haspe & pyn;

And held hem alle the toun with-In,

17172

For of the Gregais hadde thei suche doute

That thei wolde no more passe oute:

¶ The Troyens wol no more out-wende,

For now is broght the fight to ende;

17176

Thei ȝeue no tent to no-thyng elles—

Non that In the toun dwelles—

But her walles for to wayte,

That thei with-oute with no dissayte,

17180

With no qwayntise*. [MS. qwanytise.], ne with no wile

By day ne nyȝt hem t[h]o by-gyle.

For thei are sicur y-now & traist,

That thei ne thar no-thyng be a-baist;

17184

For thei wot wel thei are so hye,

That no-thyng In erthe but foule that flye

May come hem to, for out thei do eyȝt,

But if it were with tresoun or sleȝt.

17188

THe waytes is set, the toun kept,

That thei wele & sicurly slept.

But thei of Grece haue hem be-cast

With the sege wele & faste

17192

On euery a side ouer-al aboute,

That thei may not for hem come oute.

But ther-of haue thei no drede,

But if thei haue of vitayles nede;

17196

¶ For thei may leue & wele fare

With-Inne the toun for euer-mare,

But it be so that hem fayle

Corn, or wyn, or other vytayle.

17200

The Troyens make gret del echone,

Gret mornyng, & mochel mone; Page 507

Alle that euere to Troye out long [folio 254a]

17203

Maken gret dele and sorwe strong,—

17204

¶ Kyng & knyȝt,—whan thei hem thenche

Off that worthi doughti wenche,

That noble quene Pantasalie,

That hem defended so nobly.

17208

The sorwe is gret that thei alle make

For hir dethe & for hir sake,

That thei may not hir bodi haue—

As hem wel auȝt—In erthe to graue.

17212

¶ The Gregais wol not hir bodi grauen,

But let hit ligge to roke & rauen;

But sir Pirrus with that seyde: 'nay!

Hit is no skyl'—he sayde—'parfay!

17216

That so douȝti a body as sche

A-bouen erthe vn-grauen be,

Ne be with best ne foule y-schent!

But fair be layd In monument!'

17220

¶ But Diomedes verament

With-sayde sir Pirrus Iugement,

He seyde for-sothe "that hir bodi

To ligge In erthe is not worthi."

17224

But ther-to come it at the laste

That In a lake that quene was caste,

For thei seyde "thei wolde hir not brynge

To sepulcre ne to bureyng."

17228

PAntasalye liggis In a pole;

The Troyens make moche dole*. [MS. dele, but the first e seems to be corrected to o.],

Thei make sorwe that sche is ded;

For now are thei with-outen red,

17232

Thei haue no hope to no*. [MS. to no so.] socour;

With-Inne the toun make thei soiour,

For thei se wel: hem is no bote

A-ȝeyn Gregays more to mote. Page 508

17236

Anchises, that waried wyght, [folio 254b]

17237

That Ancien*. [MS. Amicien; cf. l. 17838.] schrewe, that olde knyght,—

And his sone, fals Eueas,—

And Antenor—thes thre, alas!—

17240

And his sone Palidamas—

These foure be-gan the compas:

How thei myght best saue her lyues

And alle her godis & here wyues:

17244

¶ Thei toke amonges hem many consayle,

What myght best to hem a-vayle?

But at the laste, thus thei ent,

That thei were alle at this assent:

17248

"That if thei were dryuen ther-to

That thei myght no more do,

Thei scholde the kyng & his be-swyke,

To saue hem foure and that hem lyke,

17252

Alle here kynrede & here frende,—

And Priamus & his to schende."

¶ So sayde thei be-twene hem thore:

To consayle the kyng that it gode wore

17256

A fynal pees of Grues to craue,

For so myght he his lyff saue;

And that he wolde take a-ȝeyn

To Menelaus the quene Eleyn,

17260

And make amendes of that Paris

Hadde done to hem & heris amys,

And do restore that he & hise

Hadde born fro hem In any wyse.

17264

¶ But who myght leue that any lord

Off hem of Grece that wold acord?

To graunte the pees to hem so sone

Afftir the harm that thei hadde done,

17268

And greued hem sore & offte anoyed,

And so fele lordes of hem distroyed;

Page 509 ¶ Qualiter Priamus & omnes alij. Troiani decepti fuerunt.

And thei haue hope the toun to wynne, [folio 255a]

17271

And alle the godis that ben ther-Inne;

17272

For In the toun so bold none was,

With-oute the ȝates that durst pas.

But sicurly ther myght men se

That it myȝt not but tresoun be,

17276

Openly & discouert,

And it was tresoun riȝt apert.

But thei myght speke of a pees,

Thei myght not elles speke with Gregais,

17280

For to telle hem of here wille,

How the toun wolde thei tresoun & spille.

THese traytoures that this toun wol traye,

Thei are went her erande to saye

17284

To the kyng In the sale:

Boldely thei telle bothe her tale

Be-fore the kyng & lordes fele;

But her tresoun thei wol slely hele,

17288

Thei wil not telle what thei thenke—

The deuel hem mot In helle senke!

¶ When Priamus saw of pees thei touched,

Off here wordes no gode he souched:

17292

Him thoght it was no gode tokenyng

That thei of pes made procuryng

Afftir the harm that he hadde tan

Off hem that were his sones ban,

17296

Him thoght it souned to no gode

That thei of pees hadde turned her mode;

¶ He saw right wele here two assent,

To traye the toun that thei haue ment,

17300

And not-for-thi he held him stille

And lete him speke & say here wille,

For he wolde not lette hem perceyue

That he saw thei wolde him disceyue.

17304

Page 510 ¶ Hic Antenor & Eueas loquitur de pace In decepcione Regis.

He spak to hem & seide: 'lordynges! [folio 255b]

17305

I wil a-vise me of thes thynges;

I wol not ȝeue her-of Iugement

With-oute consayl & avisement.'

17308

¶ Fals Eueas scornfulli be-gan

Vn-to the kyng speke than,

He seyde: 'and thow wol consayle take,

I rede that thow oures not for-sake.

17312

If the hit like, the ne thar non other;

Iff thow dost not, thow may take other.'

¶ The kyng answered with wordes meke·:

'Lordynges!'—he sais—'I ȝow be-seke

17316

That with my wordes ȝe wrathe ȝow not!

For ȝe wot wele—by him vs bouȝt!—

That I haue done ȝoure consayl here,

In al my lyff I wayved hit neuere.

17320

And ȝe say now: "I holde it gode."

But if it were I vndirstode

A-nother were more vn-to oure prow,

Me thenke it scholde not greue ȝow

17324

Thoow I lefft ȝoure & let it be,

And toke that wolde helpe ȝow & me.'

ANtenor ros fro the des

And seide: 'sir kyng! to speke of pes

17328

It is not euel—I vndirstonde,—

But good to ȝow and alle ȝoure londe;

For ȝe wot wel what noye & care

That ȝe & ȝoures now Inne are:

17332

¶ Be-fore ȝoure ȝatis ligge ffyffty kynges

That wil not parte for no thynges,

Til thei may this toun ouer-throwe

And alle the houses sette on a lowe,

17336

And sle, sir kyng, ȝow & ȝoure

And vs also and alle oure. Page 511

Ne ȝe may not with-stonde her myȝt, [folio 256a]

17339

Ne ȝe dar not with hem fyȝt,

17340

And ȝe ar now of nom-power,

Ne vs comes no help fer ne ner.

¶ For-whi I say: better hit is

Off two harmes to chose the les:

17344

Better is vs & ȝow also

That ȝe sende the Gregais to,

To loke if thei wil graunt ȝow grith

Off a ffynal pes, lyff and lyth;—

17348

And ȝeue a-ȝeyn Eleyne, the quene,

For wham fele lordis haue ded bene;—

And alle the godis a-ȝeyn restore—

And, if thei wil, ȝet somdel more,—

17352

That Paris In his robbery

Toke fro hem In Thesaly.'

AMphimacus to speke hadde haste,

On of the kynges sones a-baste;

17356

He ros vp thanne with teneful herte

And seide to him wordes smerte,

Herynge alle that*. [that twice in MS.] set on benche:

'Thi wyles ben wicked, so ben thi wrenche!'

17360

He seide: 'gode men*. [MS. godemen.], opon my treuthe!

Thow art fals, and that is reuthe!

Thi herte is turned, & so it semes,

That thi kyng & vs thus demes!

17364

In the for-sothe is now no trayst,

When thow these wordes vn-to vs sayst!

¶ For thi kyng scholde thow suffre mescheff,

Er thow saw him falle In any repreff,

17368

And thow now procurest him vylonye!

Erst scholdestow with him die!

Wele may men se: thi herte is chaunged!

For we are not ȝit so mys-kannged, Page 512

17372

That er schal twenti thousand men [folio 256b]

17373

Die ther-to and thousandes ten.'

Ful wylusly he him with-sayde,

For he was no-thyng with him payde.

17376

¶ But Eueas thanne his wordes pesed,

With faire wordes his herte he sesed;

He*. [MS. Thei.] seyde vnto him at the laste:

'The Gregeis haue vs vmbe-caste,

17380

That we dar no more fyght with hem,

Ne open oure ȝates for drede of hem;

A-nother way—if we be sly—

By-houes vs seke to haue vs by,

17384

And sicurly it is non other

Then bye the pes, my leue brother!'

FOr alle the good of hethen Spayne

Myght the kyng him [not] refrayne,

17388

He was so ful of care & wo;

Vnto the traytoures seide he tho:

'Certes'—he seyde—'ȝe are to blame!

Ȝe were worthi to suffre schame!

17392

In ȝoure herte how myght ȝe ffynde

A-ȝeyn me now to be vnkynde?

In my gret elde to waxe vn-trewe

That euere ȝit haue ben me drewe?

17396

¶ And nother of ȝow may certes say

That I did neuere be nyght ne day

Any-thyng a-ȝeyn Gregays

In tyme of werre ne of pays

17400

That harmed hem an heryng-tayle,

That it ne was by ȝoure consayle.

And thow, Eueas, was cheff consaylour

To Paris, my sone, In his labour

17400

To rawische Heleyne & lede hir away;

Thow may not say ther-of "nay": Page 513

Ne hadde, Eueas, thi conseyl bene, [folio 257a]

17407

Eleyne ne hadde this toun sene.

17408

And now afftir my sones ded

I se ȝow two at otheres red

To consail me, to lese my name

And falle for euere In foule schame,

17412

That I scholde now me meke

The Gregais mercy to be-seke

That haue alle my sones sclayn

And done me wo & mechel payn;

17416

And ȝit scholde I hem merci crye

And pes & loue of hem bye*. [Order in MS., 17418, 17417.]?

¶ Hit were a schame to alle my kynde

That I scholde me to hem bynde,—

17420

So haue I of my bodi hele!

This consayl is nother good ne lele,

But waried worthe the tonge it tolde!

For I drede we ben alle solde,

17424

For we ben lorn maugre oure tethe,

Ryght noght it is—& that we sethe.'

¶ Eueas thanne was wonder wrothe,

He ros vp & thenne gothe;

17428

He was Angred with that sawe,

Off his kyng stode him none awe.

Wordes fele of gret outrage,—

Herande alle the baronage,—

17432

SPake he thanne vn-to the kyng,

That were veleyns wordes & vn-sittyng.

He gos hamward vnto his halle

With-oute leue of hem alle,

17436

He wolde no leue at hem nym.

But Antenor ȝede home with hym;

Thei are bothe hom to-gedur went.

By him that made bothe Twede & Trent!

17440

Page 514 ¶ Hic Priamus flebat.

Iff the kyng hadde wist here consayl, [folio 257b]

17441

It hadde ben to hem to wrother-hayl!

PRyamus ryses and sore wepis

That al his brest the water wetis,

17444

For he parseyued apertly

That his deth for-sothe is ney;

The kynges herte ful sore tendres.

The kyng thanne sone sendes

17448

Afftir his soone Amphimacus,

And seis ful rewfully to him thus,

Sore wepyng and bitterly:

'I am thi fader, sone, witterly;

17452

We are bothe of on blod & flesche,

Holde we to-gedur for hard or nesche!

¶ Lete vs with-stonde whil that we may

The two traitoures, sone, I the pray!

17456

I se thei haue to-gedir spoken

That thei myȝt on vs be wroken;

Thei thenke the Grues schal sle me

And to haue this riche Cite.

17460

I wolde fayn do bote ther-In,

Iff that I myght with any gyn:

¶ To-morwe next I wol thow be

With priue folk of oure meygne

17464

Armed wele, when ȝe haue dyne;

That no man wite of ȝoure couyne,

Vn-til we haue al fully ent

Oure consayl & oure parlement.

17468

And whan it is comen to euen-tyde

That thei bothe schal hamwardis ride,

I wol that thow & thine out-wende

And bothe the traytours al to-rende.'

17472

¶ Amphimacus seide: "it scholde be done,

By him that made bothe sonne & mone!" Page 515

But al this myght not hem a-vayle: [folio 258a]

17475

I wot neuere how that here consayle

17476

Was told [anon] to Eueas,

That he scholde dye for his trespas

That he hadde wratthed that day the kyng

And Antenor with his spekyng.

17480

ENeas*. [N altered from U by another hand.] thanne was wroth y-now:

To alle his goddis he made a vow

That he wolde on him be wreke,

Iff that he myȝt go or speke.

17484

He sente as sone his messager

Afftir Antenor, his comper;

And he come sone at his sonde

And him al redi ther he fonde.

17488

Eneas*. [n by another hand on erasure.] told him tydande

Off the kyng & his couenande,

And "how he wolde sle hem bothe,

So was he to hem wrothe."

17492

¶ Thes two to-gedir swere:

"That thei scholde fight to-geder there,

The toun to traye and tho ther-In,

And do sle hem & alle her kyn;

17496

Thei schal not lette for leue ne lothe."

And ther-to haue thei sworn her othe:—

'And if so to-morwe*. [to by another hand on erasure.] it*. [it inserted by another hand over line.] be-tide

Þat*. [And crossed out at this place in the MS., þ ^t inserted by another hand in the margin.] he wol vs at home abide,

17500

We schal come on suche parayle

That if he thenke vs assayle,

¶ Off his purpos schal he be rent:

He schal not do as he hath ment.

17504

I ȝeue right not of alle his tene,

Not the value of a bene;

For I wot wele: we schal be war

Off him, er we come thar.' Page 516

17508

ERly on morwe whan it was tyme— [folio 258b]

17509

I trowe a litel afftir the Prime—

Priamus kyng sent his message

To alle the lordes of his vilage,

17512

To Antenor & Eueas,

And bad hem come an hasti pas

To Ylion vn-to that kyng,

That thei ne made no dwellyng;

17516

¶ And thei bad hem aȝeyn gone,

For thei wolde come a-none.

Thei armed hem at alle rightes

And toke with hem noble knyghtes,

17520

And come for-sothe to the palais,

Armed wel In her harneis.

The kyng of hem was sore affrayed,

For he saw thanne he was be-wrayed;

17524

The kyng thanne to his sone gos

And biddis him lette of his purpos,

He seyde: 'sone, leue this thyng!

We ben be-wreyed—by heuene kyng!'

17528

¶ When these lordes were comen alle,

Thei sette hem doun In that halle,

And thei be-gan to-geder trete.

Eueas wolde his wil not lete,

17532

He stode vp thanne & boldely spak

To hem of Troye, & bad hem mak

Be-twene hem of Grece—iff thei moste*. [e inserted later, but by the same hand.]—

A fynal pes, what-so it coste;—

17536

¶ 'But ȝe done, ȝe bene alle lorn

For defaute of wyn & corn;

Ȝoure vitayles may not longe laste

That ne som-tyme thei wil be paste,

17540

Then schal ȝe be wel euel at ayse*. [MS. atayse.]

And dye afftir that gret myssayse. Page 517

¶ Therfore lettes for no man [folio 259a]

17543

To make a pees—if ȝe can,—

17544

And come at one sone with the Grues!'

But Priamus that saiyng refuces,

He him with-sais In fair manere;

But ther was non that wold him here,

17548

Thei seyde echon: "thei vndirstode

The pees ffor hem was fair & gode

At suche a plyght as thei were at."

And thus sayde alle that ther sat;

17552

¶ Saue Priamus with-seide it ay,

For he was ferd thei wolde him tray.

But Eueas In his wickednesse

Seide to him In gret felnesse:

17556

'Wherto, sir kyng, makestow it so?

Wenes thow oure wille for-do

By thi Powere & thi maystrie?

Wil thow, nele thow—the pees schal be!'

17560

PRyamus tho held him stille,

For he most nede suffre her wille;

He seyde: 'lordynges, now ȝe it say

That it is gode the Grues to pray

17564

That thei wol graunte vs, for of oure,

A fynal pees to here honoure,—

Sithen ȝe it say, I wol also

Aȝeyn my wille—so haue I ro!

17568

For I am ferd hit schal vs rewe

A pees to praye of any Grewe!'

The Troyens then Antenor chese

To do her erande to gete hem pese,

17572

Off a fynal pes if thei myght spede

For siluer, gold, or any mede.

THei ȝede with braunches of Olyue-tre

Opon the walles, that thei myȝt se,

17576

Page 518 ¶ Hic miserunt nuncios ad Grecos.

In tokene of pees & saue condit. [folio 259b]

17577

Whan thei of Grece hadde sen that sight,

The same tokene made thei a-ȝeyn.

The Troyens ther-of were ful fayn,

17580

Thei lete Antenor a-non doun

By the wal out of the toun;

And whan he was on grounde set,

He ȝede to Grues with-oute let.

17584

Whan he was comen to here hales,

Her Emperour told he his tales:

"How he was comen fro her kyng

To make by-twene hem sauȝtlyng."

17588

¶ The Emperour sente afftir other kynges,

To here the sothe of these tydynges;

When thei were alle to-gedere thore,

He saide "that thre men, if it wore,

17592

That wolde be trewe & trusti frende,

To brynge this thyng to an ende."

Thei chose thre men tho for hem alle:

"That what-so-euere scholde ther-of be-falle,

17596

Thei scholde holde her ordinaunce

With tresoun or with disceyuaunce"

¶ And ther made*. [made twice in MS., the second one crossed out.] thei alle her othes

By boke & belle & holy clothes

17600

That longed to her sacrament:

"Thei scholde holde her surment."

THat one of hem was kyng of Grete,

The Gregais all by him wel lete;

17604

That other was Diomedes,

The thridde of hem was Vlixes.

These thre the Gregais for hem toke

That what-soeuere thei wolde loke,

17608

Thei wolde holde ferme & stable

With-oute dissayte or any fable.

Page 519 ¶ Consilium inter Antenorem. & Reges Grecorum.

¶ Thei asked him: "what was the thynges [folio 260a]

17611

That he to hem tydandes brynges?"

17612

He seyde: 'lordynges, I wol ȝow telle:

My thinges that I wol ȝow of melle,

I wolde that no man here but I

And ȝe thre kynges witterly

17616

That chosen were of euery lord,

To loke if we foure may a-cord.

¶ For if I tolde hit al on hye

That men myȝt here it openlye,

17620

Hit myȝt be wist In other place,

And I be schent ther-by by cace

And lese my trauayle & lese my way

And gete me harm ther-by parfay.

17624

I wol therfore that ȝe thre

Come here by-syde and speke with me,

That this thing may be priuay,

Iff that it be vnto ȝoure pay.'

17628

THese thre kynges And Antenore

Fro the ffolk thei ȝede a-fore;

Antenor thanne, that lyther schrewe,

Be-gan his falshede to hem schewe:

17632

He tolde hem of his tresoun

That he wolde do In schort sesoun,

"How he wolde by-traye the toun

And putte it al In her bandoun. . . .

17636

Thus mechel to say to this couenande,

That thei alle thre holde vp her hande

And swere by him In heuene was:

'Thei scholde saue him & Eueas,

17640

And alle her godis & her houses,

Here kynrede & al here spouses,

And her frendes that thei wolde chese

That thei of*. [of inserted over line.] heres scholde not lese."' Page 520

17644

¶ The sothe to say the kynges were glad, [folio 260b]

17645

Whan thei of him this tydandes had

That thei the toun so sone myght wynne

And haue the godis that were ther-Inne,

17648

Kyng, & quene, and al his fe.

The kynges swore all thre

By him that made bothe erthe & heuene:

"Thei scholde hem saue, thoow ther were suche seuene";

17652

And ther-to her trewthes thei plyght.

And he hem treuly be-hight

That he wolde couenande holde

To be-traye Troye, that Cite bolde,

17656

For-whi that thei [hit] holde priue,

That non it wiste but thei & he.

NOw hath this traytour be-trayed Troye,—

These kynges maken moche Ioye,—

17660

For him & Eueas it is solde.

God wolde it were the burgeis tolde!

For he wolde his tresoun hide:

He bad a kyng scholde with him ride

17664

In-to the toun out of the feld,

Taltibeus, a kyng of eld;

And that thei myght credence of him ȝeue

And the more him leue.

17668

¶ He asked eke for curtesye

Ȝeue him the quene Pantasalye,

That thei myght that cors entere.

But that with-sayde alle that were there,

17672

For thei hir hated In certayn;

For afftir thei graunted [hit] with*. [MS. with him.] payn.

¶ He toke his leue & went his way,

And Taltibyus with him parfay;

17676

And thei of Troye opened the ȝatis,

And thei rode In ful faire al-gatis Page 521

And sente the kyng word of her come, [folio 261a]

17679

And rod forth vn-to him home.

17680

THe morwe afftir the kyng did sende

Afftir his burgeis gode & hende,

Alle that euere were In the toun.

When thei were come, thei sete doun;

17684

He bad Antenor by his Omage:

"How he hadde sped In his message,

That he scholde ther sey*. [sey inserted by another hand over line.] In presence

And In here alther Audience."

17688

¶ The fals traytour—the deuel him cheke!—

To hem gan he sclely speke,

He schewed to hem but flaterye,

For he wolde hele his traytourie,

17692

But tolde a prologe mochel & long;

He seide: 'gode men, the Grues are strong,

Off gret power and wasselage,

Off curtesie & gret parage

17696

Off kynges & lordes & of her men lege,

Longe y-now to holde the sege,

Hardy y-now to fyght & bekir,

Knyghtes trewe & wondir sekir.

17700

¶ By-holdes now a-boute & loke:

Thei breke neuere trewes that euere thei toke;

And we are so dryuen to noght,

Al to wrecches we are broght,

17704

To care & wo & mochel sorwe,

Night & day, euen & morwe.

Wherfore, gode men, hit were wisdam

That ȝe consayl amonges ȝow nam:

17708

By what way that ȝoure wayment

Might come to ende & best be ent?

¶ But therto certis schal ȝe not come

With-oute tresor a gret somme: Page 522

17712

I rede euery man bothe more & lesse [folio 261b]

17713

That is of myȝt and of richesse,

And specially vnto oure kyng,

That he be helpande vn-to this thyng;

17716

For we no-wyse In pes may be.

With-oute tresor gret quantite.

For better is vs oure gode for-go

Thanne euere to leue In noye & wo!'

17720

Lo! how slely he hem blente

With his sleyght & his Argument!

¶ Then did the traytour more quayntise,

For he wolde In no wyse

17724

His ffals tresoun that thei perceyue,

And for he wolde hem clene disceyue;

He sayde also In that throwe:

'The Gregais wil may I not knowe;

17728

I rede that Eueas with me wende

To brynge this thyng better to ende.'

¶ The Troyens alle his sawe alowed,

Thei seyde: "he scholde be wele aprowed

17732

By Eueas*. [u might be n; cf. note to l. 17489.]—so haue thei reste!;—

That he with ȝede that was beste."

Wherfore thei Iugged euerychone

That thei two to Grues scholde gone.

17736

THei haue now done her parlement,

And alle the lordes ben*. [ben inserted over line by the same hand, hom crossed out before it, and repeated behind it.] hom went,

Priamus, the Troyane kyng,

In-to his Chambre goth wepyng,

17740

He scrat his hede & tare his heer,

Out of his eyen fel many a teer;

He saw wele here sotilnesse,

Here ffalshede, & her lithernesse,

17744

He cursed that tyme that he was born,

So doghty sones as he hadde lorn! Page 523

"And now to leue of her batayle, [folio 262a]

17747

Most he ȝeue al his catayle

17748

That he hadde geten by olde dayes!

And ende his lyff In gret affrayes";—

'Wolde god I were now certayn

To haue my lyff & be not sclayn!

17752

Ȝet wolde I thanne haue some Ioye.

But er y trowe the toun of Troye

Schal be by-traied & go to pyne,

And I schal dye & alle myne.'

17756

ANtenor and fals Eueas*. [u might be n; cf. note to 17489.]—

Se thei neuere god In the fas!—

Thei are bothe went to hem of Grece,

To saue her bodyes & here fece,

17760

And priueli to traye the toun,

To brenne Ylioun & caste it doun.

When thei hadde spoken a ful gode while

How thei myght Troyens best by-gyle,

17764

¶ The Gregais bad "that Vlixes

And his felawe Diomedes

With Antenor and his comperes

To Troye scholde wende alle In-feres,

17768

To wite of hem what thei wolde ȝeue

That thei scholde hem no lenger greue,

And for to telle hem what thei craue

Iff thei scholde hem let pes haue."

17772

Thei ȝede alle forth here way snel

To the toun with-oute dwel;

¶ To Priamus when thei were comen,

He did his men as sone somen

17776

Bidde his lordis & his burgeis,

To-morwe to come to his paleis.

When thei were comen & al doun*. [MS. aldoun.] set

And thei were alle to-gedir y-met, Page 524

17780

Vlixes stode & tolde his erande: [folio 262b]

17781

'This thyng may not be wernade;

Iff ȝe wil haue the sauȝtlyng,

Ȝe most graunte her askyng.'

17784

¶ He saide: 'the Grues asken thynges two:

That on is that ȝe most do

Out of this toun & this Ile

Amphimacus vntil exile,

17788

That he come neuere a-ȝeyn on lyue';—

And this the Troyens graunte blyue;—

¶ 'That other is that ȝe do fet—

For to ȝeue hem to here profet—

17792

Off gold & corn so gret porcioun

Vnto here a[l]ther reffeccioun,

That euery a man haue so gode store

To haue y-now for euere more.'

17796

GRet meruayle among hem alle

In his spekyng fel In that halle:

A wonder noyse amonges hem thore

Was tho y-herd of hem that wore.

17800

What that myȝt be thei were ameruayled;

The kynges wende men hadde hem assayled;

Some men wende the noyce thei herde

Hadde ben the kynges childres so ferde

17804

For her brother Amphimacus,

For her*. [MS. his.] fadir Priamus

And for her*. [MS. his.] brother schulde be exiled,

With Antenor that so was be-gyled.

17808

¶ Eche man loked what hit was,

But ther was non In al that plas

Ne in that hye Cite

That coude wete what it myȝt be,

17812

Ne whethen that it come, ne how.

Eueryche a lord hamward hem drow,

Page 525 ¶ Hic Antenor narrauit Regibus Grecorum de reliqu[i]o Palladij.

And ent here consayl tho alle sone, [folio 263a]

17815

And went home when thei hadde done.

17816

ANtenor him hamward spedde,

The kynges two with him ledde

In-to a wondir priue place,

Ther thei to speke hadde good space.

17820

¶ To Antenor seyde Vlixes

That sat by him vpon the des:

'I haue meruayle whi thow delayes

These thynges for vs so many dayes,

17824

That thow ne brynges hit to no purpos.

Loke that thow vs no-thyng glos

And brynge vs slely In a bek,

For thow brynges hit to non affek.'

17828

¶ Antenor swor & sayde "nay,

Bothe he & Eueas nyȝt and day,

So helpe him god"—'we were ther-aboute';—

"But on*. [MS. no.] thing broght hem In doute";—

17832

'I wol ȝow telle, what thing hit is

That bryngis vs In gret gastnes:

¶ The sothe is this: that kyng Ylus,—

As oure bokes telles vs,—

17836

A worthi knyȝt, a kyng Troyen,

Off long tyme and Ancien*. [MS. Amycien; cf. l. 17238.],

That Ilyon did sette & dyght—

And Ilyon afftir him hit hight,— —

17840

With-Inne this toun this kyng did make

For her goddis Pallus sake

A riche temple, fair & long,

Brod & wide & wonder strong.

17844

¶ When it was made al, aboute the roue

That scholde be set the temple aboue

A wonder thing out of the sky

Off goddis grace fel fro an hy, Page 526

17848

That did the harde wow cleue*. [MS. clene.] & bende [folio 263b]

17849

Ryght at the hye-auter ende;

And In the wow him-selff hit sette,

As faste as hit were ȝette

17852

With sement or with any glewe,

That no man may hit thenne remewe*. [The second e altered to o in MS.]

Saue the prestes that hit kepe,

Be thei wakyng or a-slepe,—

17856

And thei hit kepe & al day*. [MS. alday.] se.

Men say that hit is most of tre,

¶ But "what tre" can no man knowe

Off alle the kernes*. [MS. kerues.] that it owe,

17860

Ne what forme, ne what hewe;

But hit is thyng of suche vertue:

The while hit is the toun with-Inne,

May non the toun with tresoun wynne.

17864

¶ Palladin that thing called is

Afftir Pallas—the sothe hit is;—

Fro hir It come also, I wene.

Now haue I told ȝow al be dene—

17868

So helpe me god & my long way!

That maketh al oure let & oure delay.'

DIomedes thanne answered:

'Sithen we ther-with so moche are dered*. [MS. dared.]

17872

That hit one the toun may saue,

That we ne may by no way haue

For no thyng that may be-falle,

The while hit is with-Inne the walle—

17876

¶ Then thenkes me, sir, witterly,

That we do alle a gret foly

That we do noght with-oute fayle,

But lese oure speche & oure trauayle.'

17880

Antenor seyde: 'by heuene kyng!

Iff ȝe haue wonder of oure tarying, Page 527

This is the cause & the resoun [folio 264a]

17883

And alle the verray enchesoun,

17884

That ȝe & we are thus delayed.

But al this while haue I assayed,

And offte haue I be-soght the prest

That kepis this thyng & hit is next,

17888

And haue by-het him gret tresour

To haue certis for his labour—

¶ And so haue I the prest be-soght,

That In certayn haue I him broght

17892

That he som nyght schal go with me

For gret tresor & mychel fe,

And then schal I sende to ȝow

And ende this thing to ȝoure prow.'

17896

And thanne thei partid & toke her leue;

That god him ȝeue an euel preue!

NOw haue thei lefft alle her tales,

And the kynges gon to her sales.

17900

And Antenor anon he wente

To Priamus that he hadde blente;

He bad him anon sende vp & doun

To alle the burgeis of the toun

17904

That were with-Inne the Cite ȝatis,

That thei scholde come to him al-gatis.

¶ And whan thei herde of this tydandes,

Is non that lenger sittis ne standes,

17908

That thei ne ȝede alle or rode

To his Palais with-oute abode:

When thei were comen & set on rowe,

Echon by other—as hem owe,—

17912

Antenor ros & seyde: 'lordyngis!

I wol telle ȝow of oure spekyngis,

What the Grues & I haue spokyn,

What thei wol haue, or elles be wroken. Page 528

17916

This is the somme that Gregays aske, [folio 264b]

17917

That thei wole haue vnto her taske:

Ten hundrid thousand pound of golde;—

Ther is no man is maked of molde

17920

That may ther-of vs alegge,

For thei wol not ther-of abregge;—

And as moche of siluer bryghte*. [e added afterwards.]

Ȝe mot hem ȝeue with-oute respite;

17924

An hundrid charge also of whete.

And tho bad thei me with hem trete,

¶ For sicurly thei wol no lasse.

Therfore, gode men*. [MS. godemen.], if [be] ȝoure ese

17928

To haue the lyff & fle the ded,

Than is this forsothe my red:

That ȝe ȝeue hem this two her wage

And let go caste a taylage

17932

A-mong the riche & the pore,—

To pese her wratthe for euere more,—

And gadir hit faste on gret hepis,

For thei wol haue shippes ȝepis.'

17936

NOw is the taylage cast & layde,

That somme was sone y-puruayde,

The while it was In gaderyng.

Antenor, that lyther thyng,

17940

Spake to the prest of the lawe

That what with ȝefftis & with awe,

What for drede, what for mede,

That he the prest so ouer ȝede,

17944

That he bad him at euen come,

And he scholde haue Palladone.

¶ Antenor come thenne on a nyght,

And that prest, that wicked wyght,

17948

Ȝaff him that relike that was so riche,—

In al Assye was ther non liche; Page 529

And he sende it to Vlixes, [folio 265a]

17951

And to his felawe Diomedes.

17952

The Troyens gadered the gold & corn

Erly at euen and on morn;

Thei leyde that good & that fee

In the temple of Menerue.

17956

¶ Then seyde the riche Citesenes

And alle these other pore Troyenes,

That thei wolde make a sacrifice

To her godis of gret aprice,

17960

To thanke hem of grace that thei sende

That her batayle is thus at ende.

THei broght tho many boles & bores,

With lowyng & with loude rores;

17964

But ther be-tydde tho two miracles

That were to hem gret obstacles:

When be-fore the Auteres were layd the bestis,—

As was that tyme that lawe hestis—

17968

That were doun come thedir, & renne

To sette In fir, and do hit brenne,

Thei did brynge the kiddis drye—

For hit scholde brenne clere & hye,—

17972

And colis also In bollis & wyndel:

Thei myght no fir make ther-on kyndel,

For noght that thei coude blowe

Not ones sette hit on a lowe.

17976

¶ The Troyens were tho vn-blythe,

Thei tende hire fir more than ten sithe,

But it ȝede out by on & on,

That sacrifice myght thei make non.

17980

¶ That other wonder, gode men, y-wis

That hem be-fel that tyme, was this:

Ther come fleynge that tyme an Erne

Vn-to the temple, fleande sterne, Page 530

17984

And al the entrayle, as hit lay [folio 265b]

17985

Off her bestis, bare he hit a-way;

Be-twene here clauwes sche hem kyppis,

And beres hem to the Gregais schippis.

17988

Alle the Troyens that ther wore,

Off this two thinges abaist hem sore,

For thei se by here tokenynges bothe

That here godis with hem were wrothe;

17992

But whi it was, wiste thei neuere,

But alle ther-of affrayed were.

THe Gregais were slely by-thoght,

A wonder werk hadde thei wroght:

17996

Thei did make an hors of bras,

Suche a-nother neuere sene was;

A thousand knyghtes myght ther-Inne;

Ther-on was many a selcouthe gynne:

18000

Dores brode that opened wyde,

A thousand men ther myght a-byde,

But no man was of eye so bryght

That myght with-oute of hem se sight.

18004

¶ The kynges alle that comen wore

To Priamus to socoure thore,

When hit was done hem to vndirstonde

That Priamus so foule a couenande

18008

Hadde mad to Grues to ben at one,

Thei toke her leue at him echone,

To wende hom to her contrese,

And leffte him ther, & hem of Grece.

18012

¶ Kyng Philomene had two thousand knyghtes

That come with him, thei worthi wyghtes

Ledde hem aȝeyn to his lande

But two hundrid & ffyffti of hem lyuande;

18016

He ledde with him Pantasalye,

The worthi body of that ladye,

Page 531 ¶ Hic rogauit ad pacem & concordiam.

And foure hundrid of damyseles [folio 266a]

18019

That lyued afftir that turpeles,

18020

Vn-to the land of Amazone,

To berye hir ther sche bar croune.

HIt was a day, that lyther fende,

Antenor, wolde his tresoun ende,

18024

Whan Palladin was y-stolne;

And ȝit was hit fro Troyens holne;

And thei of Grece her hors hadde ent.

To sette a day was here entent,

18028

That Priamus & his Troyanes,

Alle the Grues & the Danes,

With-oute the toun, opoun the wolde,

Be-twene hem that loueday schal holde.

18032

¶ Priamus is comen oute,

And mechel folk him aboute;

And thei of Grece sicurly,

Lordes & kynges ther redi.

18036

Thei did the relikes brynge,

Her messe-bok that thei on synge,

Here saynteuarius*. [MS. sayntenarius.] with al her gere,

That bothe the parties on scholde swere.

18040

¶ Diomedes was ffurst that swore,

And made his othe vpon the flore;

He swor by al here sayntwaries,

And by him that al this world gyes,

18044

Off heuene & erthe al-myghti god:

That he scholde neuere, for euene ne od,

Breke the couenandes that he made

With Antenor, so worth he glade.

18048

¶ And so swor alle these other kynges

That were of Grece gret lordynges.

Off thai that toun afftir did for-lorn,

Ȝit thei seyde thei were not for-sworn, Page 532

18052

For thei swore bothe to traye the toun [folio 266b]

18053

With-oute mercy or any pardoun.

But Priamus & alle hyes

Made her othe on an-other wyes:

18056

¶ Thei swor to holde the pees treuly,

With-oute desert, parfitly;

Thei were ther-with foule by-gyled

And afftirward foule dispoyled,

18060

For thei wiste not of here fallas;

Therfore here lyff thei lore, allas!

WHan thei hadde sworn & mad surte,

Kyng Priamus with herte fre

18064

Made men go afftir quene Helayne;

And he ȝaff hem that lady aȝeyne,

And prayed hem for his loue sake:

That sche of hem non harm scholde take,

18068

Vilony, ne no maugre,

For that sche was In that contre;

And thei seyde "nay" with ficul thoght.

But Priamus thei hadde be-soght:

18072

"That he wol graunte hem alle a bone,

That for here loue it myght be done."

¶ Thei saide: "thei hadde an hors done make

For her godes Pallas sake,

18076

For that thei stale out of here chirche

Palladine*. [Or Palladium? MS. . . .in or . . . iu.], whan it was derke;"—

'And we are ferd alle for hir vengaunce;

Hit is therfore oure ordinaunce,

18080

In hir cherche-ȝerd to do hit sette

An hors of bras that we haue gette

In hir honour—we telle it ȝow—

For that is, sir, oure alther a-vow.

18084

¶ We praye ȝow therfore: werne vs not

That it may now to hir be broght.' Page 533

Priamus stode as he were dased, [folio 267a]

18087

He was for meruayle al a-mased,

18088

When he herde the Gregays say

That thei that relike hadde away;

He hadde meruayle how hit myght be,

Who hadde done him that blynde bounte?

18092

But sicurly the blame was layde

On Vlixes, for it was seyde

"That he stale hit with Nigramancye,

Fo[r] he was connynge of gret fayrye."

18096

PRyamus stode as stille as ston,

Word to hem spake he non,

He Answered not to here askyng,

Better ne wors, ne non skynnes thyng.

18100

But Antenor & Eueas

That bothe were ther In that plas,

Thei seide: "It was wel to do,

Thei did the toun a worschepe tho,

18104

It was a presaunt fair & hende

Vn-to the toun with-outen ende."

¶ Priamus graunt hem tho her wille,

For he saw nede he moste ther-tille.

18108

The Gregeis thanne, bothe gret & smale

And alle that dwelled In tent & hale,

Ȝede with gret processioun

And with mochel deuoc[i]oun

18112

This brasen hors for to hale

Ouer doune & ouer dale;

Thei drow hit ouer leye & falowe,

To offer hit to that carful halowe.

18116

¶ When thei were comen to Troye ȝate,

Tho wolde it not In ther-ate:

Hit was so brod, gret, and hye,

It myght not In ther sicurly. Page 534

18120

Tho most thei the walles breke, [folio 267b]

18121

Iff that hors scholde ther-In reke;

Thei breke ther-of a gret pece

Off brede, of heyghte, that thei of Grece

18124

That her hors thei myght In-drawe;

The Troyens lowe, whan thei it sawe.

¶ Thei halpe hit In with mochel sang,

Sicurly tho did thei wrang

18128

To make ther-fore Ioye & play,

Hem oght better sey: "waylaway!

That euere it come with-Inne the diches!"

But euery a Troyen now it lykes,

18132

But hit schal turne to mochel care

To alle the Troyens that ther ware.

THe hors is now with-Inne the toun.

Ther was a knyght that het Symoun

18136

That thei of Grece hadde put ther-In,

A worthi knyȝt of gentil kyn;

A thousand knyghtes were put with him*. [The order in MS. is 18139, 18138.]

And was charged on lyff and lym

18140

That thei scholde holde hem stille & coy,

That thei perceyued not of Troy;

Til hit be wele with-Inne the nyght,

That thei of Troye to bedde be dyght.

18144

¶ Thei bad thanne his dores vn-do

And come than out, & his also,

And of stre gete him a wase

And make on the walles ther-of a blase,

18148

That thei myght wele & worldly kenne

By that fir that so scholde brenne,

Whan thei scholde come In that euenyng,

And knowe also by that tokenyng,

18152

When thei of Troye were alle on slepe

That thei ȝaff to hem no kepe,

Page 535 ¶ Hic Greci receperunt pecuniam.

That thei myght sle hem In her bed, [folio 268a]

18155

That thei no wise fro hem fled.

18156

¶ The Gregeis asked thanne her fret,

The somme of corn that hem was het,

The somme of siluer & of gold

That thei of hem haue schold;

18160

Priamus badde*. [MS. hadde.] tho his meygne

That it scholde quyk delyuered be.

The Gregais toke that riche tresore

And drowe it alle with-oute dore

18164

Off the temple of Menerue,

And by her men sende hom that fe

Vn-to her tentis & Pauylons,

To dele amonges the riche Gryffons;

18168

The corn bare thei vnto the see

And charged ther-with alle her nauee.

And when thei hadde al this ent,

To Priamus thei message sent

18172

And seyde "that thei wolde hamward wende

Out of his lond vnto here frende";

He bad hem "go In godis name

And god schilde hem fro schame!"

18176

THei losed bothe Anker & cordes,*. [¶ Hic Greci vadunt ad Mare.]

And drow vp tentis of kynges & lordes,

Thei gone to schippes & to bote

That longe hadde stonden ther In flote;

18180

Thei drow here sayles that alle myght se

That were In Troye, that riche Cite.

Thei were wel fayn when thei saw go

That hadde done hem so mochel wo,

18184

Thei wende thei hadde ben al quyt;

But hem scholde falle gret wo ȝit,

For thei schal dye In gret affray,

Twenti thousand, er hit be day.

18188

Page 536 ¶ Hic Greci exierunt de Caballo & occiderunt Troianos.

¶ Pryamus wendes to Ilioun, [folio 268b]

18189

And Gregais sayles to Thenedoun;

The wynd is swyfft, the schippis dryued,

At Thenadoun were thei aryued;

18192

Er the sonne was go to reste,

Thei hadde souped of the beste,

With mochel murthe, play, & Ioye,

For thei were siker tho of Troye.

18196

HIt is forth nyghtes, the sterres ben rysen,

The sely caytyues Troyens not wysen,

Thei ȝede to sclepe alle In bedde,

Off no-thing were thei a-dredde;

18200

Thei wende thei hadde ben saue & sure,

With-oute dissait or foule aventure.

¶ The knyghtes that were In that hors stopped,

Thei were nother mased ne mopped;

18204

When Troyens were In bed on sclepe,

Out of the hors echon thei crepe,

Thei gete than a gret wase,

Opon the walles thei made a blase:

18208

Alle the Gregeis tho come to toun

And ther thei hadde the wal cast doun

That day be-fore, a wel gret gappe,

Thei come alle In to gret vn-happe.

18212

¶ Thei brast vp dores with Iren y-bounde,

Thei sclow al that thei ther founde,

Man & womman & also childe,

Stoute & sterne, meke and mylde,

18216

Wiff & mayden, ȝong & old;

On lyue wolde thei non hold.

Thei hadde no mercy ne no pite

Off ȝonge*. [MS. ȝouge.] children, ne ladijs fre;

18220

Thei robbed & rafft alle that thei founde,

To lede with hem In-to her londe. Page 537

Mochel blod that nyght thei schedde, [folio 269a]

18223

It was no wonder of thei dredde,

18224

To crye mercy was hem no bote,

Thoow thei fellen vnto here fote;

The cry was gret & fer herd

Off hem that thus to dethe ferd.

18228

PRyamus herde In-to his toure

That delful noyse & clamoure,

He was sori & eke a-baist,

He wiste wele thanne he was be-traist

18232

With Antenor and Eueas;

Gret was the sorwe that he thanne mas:

Out of his bed anon he ros

And to his temple faste he gos

18236

By-fore his god Appolynes,

Thedir he dight him faste y-wys;

By-fore his god vpon the grees

He sette him doun on*. [on inserted over line.] his knees,

18240

His deth bodily to a-byde;

For he ne myght him fro hem hide,

For he was man with-oute drede—

In eche a romaunce as I rede.—

18244

¶ Temple & chirche, boure and halle,

The Gregeis dispoyled and robbed alle;

The riche vessel of gold y-wroght,

Off siluer also, for-ȝate thei noght.

18248

Prest, ne clerk, ne sextayn

Leffte the Gregais non vn-sclayn;

Twenti thosand Citeseyns,

Off knyghtes & lordis, gode Troiens,

18252

Were sclayn ther, er day spronge,

With hidous cry & sorwe stronge.

¶ The kynges doghter, wise Cassandre,

Sche nyst In erthe whedir to wandre, Page 538

18256

But at the laste alone fled sche [folio 269b]

18257

In-to the temple of Menerue,

And seide wel offte: 'alas, alas!

That euere that fight be-gonne was!'

18260

¶ Ector wyff, dame Andromede,

Sche ran faste fro strete to strete

With hir two children In hir armes;

For drede of here gret harmes

18264

Sche nyste In erthe whedir to fare,

But as scho ran, so was sche ware

Where Cassandre be-fore hir ȝede

In-to the temple with gode spede,

18268

And sche afftir hir gan go

In-to the temple with mechel wo.

Mechel was the sorwe thei two made,

Ther was no thyng that hem myght glade.

18272

TOward the day faste it drawes,

The nyght is gon, the day dawes;

Antenor and Eueas—

In helle thei wone with Sathanas!—

18276

Thai ledde tho sir Pirrus

To the Castel of Priamus.

Whan Pirrus with the Gregais

Was y-comen to that Palais,

18280

Thei brast vp dores with gret engyn,

And afftirward thei wente In.

¶ Alle that thei fond doun thei sclow

With-oute mercy, with sorwe y-now;

18284

Many a curtais ladi swete

In that Palais to dethe thai bete

That comen were of hye lynage,

Off kynges blod In mariage;

18288

Thei lefft nother lowe ne hye.

Thei robbed al his tresor that thei sye;

Page 539 ¶ Hic ffugarunt bona palacii Regis.

Thei smot alle that for-set, [folio 270a]

18291

Halle, & boure, & hye toret.

18292

¶ Pirrus soght afftir the kyng,

Fro hous to hous, In his byggyng;

And afftir that to the temple he ran,

And ther fond he that carful man:

18296

Pirrus tho was glad y-now,

His swerd sone out he drow

And al to-hewe him euery bone,*. [¶ Rex occi|ditur.]

Ryght be-fore the auter-stone,

That al the Auter was al by-bled

18301

With his blod that ther was sched.

HEctuba, that louely quene,

And hir doghter Pollexene,

18304

Thei were so frayed & ferd,*. [¶ Regina]

That thei ran out of that ȝerd;*. [¶ ffugit.]

Thei were aferd the Gregais to mete,

Thei ran aboute fro strete to strete.

18308

As thei ran, wiste thei not whedir,

Thei mette Eueas bothe to-gedir:

¶ When Hectuba on him hath sight,

Sche myssayde him anon right,

18312

Off tresoun sche him sone vmbraide:

'Fals traytour!'—to him sche sayde,—

'How myght thow, for soule synne,

So ffals a tresoun to be-gynne?

18316

How myght thow In thi fals herte fynde,

Fals traytour, to be so vnkynde

To do thi lord suche schenschip,

That hadde done alle thi worschip?

18320

¶ He ȝaff the his doghter to wyue

Be-ffore alle men that were on lyue,

He worschepid the & loued the ay,

In the was al his trust & ffay, Page 540

18324

And thow hast made him sclayn & hise [folio 270b]

18325

For his godenesse & ffraunchise!

How myght thow, man, this tresoun thenke,

For ferd In helle leste thow synke?

18328

But sithen thow hast done*. [MS. dou.] al this wrake,

Do on me mercy for goddis sake,

That thow myght take sum merite:

Saue vs two to-day fro dispite

18332

Fro alle Gregais on godis name,

That thei do vs two no schame!'

¶ Eueas hadde of hir pite,

He seyde: 'comes bothe & folewes me!'

18336

He ledde hem to an old place,

An old tour that for-saken was

Off long tyme, that hadde ben wast;

He hyed hem with mechel hast

18340

For drede lest thei were y-wraied,

And lefft hem there sore affrayed.

¶ As thei the toun thus a-boght soght,

Ayax Thelamenyus was broght

18344

In-to the temple of Menerue,

With many Gregais comen is he:

Ther fond he sitte Ector wyff

That was ful sori of hir lyff,

18348

And wise Cassandre that mochel was worth;

He broght hem bothe to-gedir forth,

The ladyes bothe with him he ledde

Ful sore wepyng & sore a-dredde.

18352

Kyng Priamus is ded & sclayn,

Lord & lady, knyght & swayn,

And al that euere In Ilyon was,

By these fals traytoures compas,

18356

By Antenor and Eueas;

In helle mot be her wonyng-plas!

Page 541 ¶ Hic villa Troiani destruitur.

¶ When thei had sclayn al that ther wore, [folio 271a]

18359

Ȝit wolde thei do malice more:

18360

Thei caste al doun thes worthi wones,

Led & tyle, sclat & stones,

Halles, Chamberes, & toures,

Vowes, walles, & alle her boures;

18364

The glorious halle so richely dyght

Thei threwe it doun In gret dispit;

¶ The Pilers pight with marbil gray

Thei pulled doun & caste a-way,

18368

Thei caste doun chambres hye & base.

Tho by-gan many a blase

To sette fir on that Cite,

That many a myle men myght hit se.

18372

The toures brennen, the reke vp ros,

The toun of tounes to noght gos;

The sparkes sprongen In-to the aire,

Thei brenned the schireues & the mayre

18376

And eche a lordes riche tenement,

Til al the toun was lorn & brent;

¶ Alle saue the traytoures mansions

And alle her kynnes possessions

18380

That the toun so foule be-swyked,—

For on her houses thei hadde stiked

Certayn signes that wele were knowen;

Thei were not therfore ouer-throwen,

18384

As couenand was be-twixen hem ent,

Therfore her houses was not brent.

TRoye is doune & ouer-throwen,

Tour & bour, walle & wowen;

18388

Thei are alle dede & foule schent,

And the toun is doune & brent.

¶ Agamenoun*. [MS. . . . on.] did do then crye,

That euery a kyng scholde hem hye

18392

Page 542 ¶ Hic partita sunt bona inter Reges.

In-to the temple of Menerue, [folio 271b]

18393

And euery a lord with his meyne;

And brynge with hem al that thei wan

With-Inne the toun of any man,

18396

To dele as best wolde by-falle

In comune sight be-fore hem alle.

And thei did alle as he hem bad,

Thei broght with hem that thei had;

18400

And so was hit deled verament

By gode resoun & Iugement

To euery a lord & knyght

Afftir his state & his myght.

18404

AGamenoun, here Emperour,*. [¶ Hic Agamenon petit Cassandram pro labore suo.]

By-soght hem, for his labour

For to ȝeue him to his mede,

For al his trauayle & his dele,

18408

The kynges doghter, Cassandre the wyse,

That sche myght be on of hise.

¶ The tonge of no man may telle,

What godis to euery lord felle;

18412

For sicur ther ne was no kyng,

That he ne hadde as moche thing

Off riche gold & precious stones

To lede with hem to her wones,

18416

As thei wolde desire & haue

Or with her tonge on any wyse craue;

And so hadde dukes & eke knyȝtes,

Sqwyeres, ȝemen, & other wyghtes.

18420

¶ Here schippes myght not lede her tresour

That euery man hadde for his labour,

And ȝit thei lefft mochel more,

Gold, & siluer, & other tresore,

18424

That no man wolde hond ther-on set,

Ne here schippes no more ffret, Page 543

For thei hadde filled bothe schip & barge [folio 272a]

18427

Al the while thei durst hem charge.

18428

ANtenor & Eueas

Be-soght the lordes of her grace:

"To graunte Heleyne hir lyff

And Andromede, Ectoris wyff,

18432

For thei hadde ben al-weys

To hem bothe hende & curteys;"

'And whan Paris hadde Achilles sclayn

And let him ligge so foule be-sclayn

18436

In-myddes the strete to rauen & rokes,—

Scholde haue to-drawen him with her crokes,—

¶ These two ffor him thei be-soght

That he myght to burieles be broght.

18440

Wherfore it is worthi,

That ȝe here lyues to hem graunty.'

The kynges it graunt by comune assent,

And seyde it was gode Iugement.

18444

Heleyne*. [MS. Helenus.] & Andromede

Bede tho alle those lordes swete

Off here mercy and thaire good wille,

That thei wolde not hir children spille.

18448

¶ The kynges hadde of hem gret ruthe,

Thei swor alle by her treuthe

That thei scholde hem non harm do;

And thus saued thei the childryn two:

18452

And sithen was on a kyng In Grece,

Off riche londes & riche fece,

Off alle the londes kyng Pirrus

And of the londes of kyng Pelleus.

18456

¶ Thei ordeyned a-monges hem as blyue,

That alle that were lefft on lyue

Off ladyes, comen of genterye,

With-oute schame or vylonye Page 544

18460

Scholde go & come & no-thing lese, [folio 272b]

18461

Or dwelle ther stille, whether thei wolde chese.

¶ Thei ordeyned also thei wolde hom wende,

Euery man vnto his frende.

18464

But that myght not that tyme be

For gret tempest on the see;

Thei dwelled so ther alle to-gedir

A ful Monethe for that euel wedir,

18468

Thei were echon ther-of euel tened,

Thei asked Calcas: "what it be-mened

That thei no wyse the see myght pas

In-to here londes, as here wille was?"

18472

¶ That gret Clerk Calcas tho seyde:

'For thei of helle are with ȝow euel payde;

It is the wodenesse'—he sayde—'of helle

That makes vs here so longe dwelle,

18476

For ȝe forsothe haue venged noght

Achilles deth, as ȝe wel oght;

Ȝit haue ȝe lefft on lyue & vn-tane

Sche that was Achilles bane,—

18480

And yff ȝe wol passe of londe,

Off hir ȝe mot make him offrande

For sicur: but sche to dethe gange,

Ȝe may dwelle here wel lange.'

18484

PIrrus was of this an-yred,

Afftir Pollexene he enspired

And asked what was of hir be-tyd;

He seide for-sothe that sche was hid,

18488

For sche was nowher ded ne tane,

And al men wiste, that sche was wane;

And al that ost seyde sicurly,

That sche was lyuande witterly.

18492

¶ The kynges alle were wroth ther-fore

And sent afftir sir Antenore, Page 545

And asked at him: "where sche was done?" [folio 273a]

Thei bad "that he scholde telle sone,

18496

Where thei hadde hid Dame Pollexene

And Hectuba, the qwene?"

¶ He swor by god & by his face:

"That he ne wiste where sche wace;

18500

He wyst neuere, where thei were be-comen

Sithen the tyme that thei were y-nomen."

But thei bare him stiffly an hande,

That he wiste where thei were dwellande.

18504

ANtenor was sore a-greued

That the Gregais him not leued,

He sette his wit and al his tent

To wete than where the ladies lent.

18508

So longe he soght fro day to day,

Strete by strete, & way be way,

And sente a-boute oueral his sonde,

That at the laste thei hem fonde:

18512

Bothe were In a depe bour,

That was vnder an old tour.

¶ When he of hir hadde a sight,

He drow out thanne that worthi wyght,

18516

And to Agamenoun*. [The MS. has ou very distinctly here, not on.] with hir he wente

And made to him of hir a presente;

And he sent hir to sir Pirrus,

That of hir comyng was Ioyus.

18520

¶ Pollexene is taken & founden,

As a theff thei haue hir bounden:

Pirrus bad "sche scholde be sent

To his ffadres monument,

18524

For he wolde that sche scholde haue

Hir deth vpon his fader graue."

Thei ledde hir forth by the hand

To hir deth, wel sore wepand. Page 546

18528

¶ The kynges of Grece herd say [folio 273b]

18529

"That thei hadde take that worthi may

Thorow Calcas the prestes rede,

And that thei haue hir to the dede";

18532

The kynges ran hir to se,

And alle that other comunalte.

¶ When thei saw hir, thei seyde: "alas!

That suche a ladi as sche was

18536

Off schap, of hede, & of bewte,

Scholde so vile ther ded be

With-oute desert or any gilt,

That suche a bodi scholde be spilt."

18540

Many a lord & many a kyng

Wepe wel so[re] for that swetyng.

BE-fore that tombe that mayden stondes*. [The abbreviations here are not , but .],

Wryngyng bother hir white hondes*. [The abbreviations here are not , but .],

18544

Wel reufully that lady gretis,

That al hir brest that water wetis.

Sche seide: 'lordynges, by god al-myght!

Ȝe do me scle with mochel vn-right!

18548

For—by that god that maked pes!—

Off that knyghtes deth am I giltles;

For I was neuere occasioun

Off his dethe ne enchesoun,

18552

Ne neuere ȝit was at that assent

That he that tyme to dethe went;

¶ But Angured me sore of his schedyng,—

So helpe me god at myn endyng!

18556

Not-for-thi the*. [In the MS. to is crossed out here, and the inserted over line.] deth I ne drede,

Thus carefully, so Crist me spede!

For me is leuere In my contre

Be sclayn In my virginite,

18560

That I falle not In ȝoure handis,

Þan*. [Þan inserted by another hand to the left, And being crossed out.] go with ȝow In-to ȝoure landis

Page 547 ¶ Hic Pirrus Interfecit Pollexenam.

And be ther defouled & for-layn [folio 274a]

18563

With ȝow that haue my fader sclayn.

18564

Lette come the deth when ȝe wille,

For I am redi now ther-tille!'

¶ Pirrus thanne his swerd out-drow

And that ladi sone he sclow,

18568

And hewe to gobetis al hir flesch,

And with hir blod the tombe wesch.

When Hectuba, that gentil quene,

Saw ded hir doghter Pollexene,

18572

And saw hir spraulen In hir blode,

¶ The quene for-sothe wex ner wode,

And felde men with stones & smot,

And as an hound hem gnow & bot,

18576

And tare here clothes & on hem spit,—

So was sche wode & out of wit.

When thei saw hir for wode so wilde,

Thei did lede hir to an Ilde*. [¶ Hic Regina mortua est.]

18580

With-oute the toun—het Aulidis,—

And stoned hir to dethe y-wis.

¶ And made ther a tombe fair & hye,

And leyde ther-Inne that quenes bodye;

18584

That standes ȝit vnto this day,

As sais tho men that wenden that way;

And beres that stede ȝit the name,

That thei for hir ȝaff the name.

18588

THe quene is ded by these traytours fals*. [MS. has a small cross at this place; cf. note on p. 548.],

And Pollexene, hir doghter, als,

And alle hir sones that oght were worth

Are sclayn & dede & passed forth;

18592

And Priamus, hir lord, the kyng,

Is ded also, & his hous gyng;

He is ded and his kynred,

And alle his frendis & his manred; Page 548

18596

Is non on lyue lyuande ffre [folio 274b]

18597

Saue thes traytours & her meyne.

¶ And ȝit afftirward hit schop so

That the traytoures bothe two

18600

For here ffalsnesse were afftir demed

To be exiled & afftir flemed—

With al here kyn & here lynage—

For her wickednesse & her outrage;

18604

Afftir the Gregais were I-went,

Wel foule were thei afftir schent.

¶ But al the while that thei were thare,

Thei did the Cite moche care

18608

And halp the Gregeis to distroye

And alle the folk foule annoye.

NOw ben the Grues wonder bolde

And bene alle lordes,—as I ȝow tolde;—

18612

And al this is at here wille

That thei wolde haue, bothe loude & stille.

Agamenoun let crye

Thorow alle that companye,

18616

In tour & toun, by way & strete:

"That no man scholde for no man lete,

That thei alle at morwe be tyme,

Be-twix sonne risyng & the prime,

18620

Were al redi at here naue

To passe forth ouer the see,

With alle her godis & her thing

That thei wole to schipe bryng*. [The MS. has another small cross at this place; cf. note on p. 547.]."

18624

¶ The nyght was gon, the sonne a-ros,

Fro the lond the schippes gos;

With alle her meyne that with hem was

To schipe thei wente a gode pas,

18628

And drow vp sayl to the top;

And sayled homward alle on a throp, Page 549

Euery lord to his contre, [folio 275a]

18631

With Ioye & blysse & mechel gle,

18632

And tresour I-now*. [MS. I. now.] for euere-mo:

Kyngis & knyghtes, & sqwyers also,

And alle other hadde gret store,

Gold & siluer for euere-more.

18636

¶ And thus was Troye dryuen doun

And y-lore thorow strong tresoun,

And alle the gode lordis dede,—

As In this romaunce men may rede;

18640

And thus the Grues were conquerours

And wel riche with here tresoures,

And hadde y-now for euere-more

Alle that at that batayle wore.

18644

¶ And thus endis this strong batayle

That was of Troye saunfayle,

That dured ten ȝere euery day,—

As the romaunce ther-of doth say,—

18648

Off Troye batayle, that fair cyte.

Now god that died vpon the tre,

That schede ther his swete blode

Opon that blisful croys, that rode,

18652

For synful mannes saluacioun,

Graunt vs alle his benysoun,

Gode lyff and gode endyng,

A gode soule to heuene bryng,

18656

And graunte vs of his swete grace

Ther-In to haue a swete place!

¶ And he that this romaunce wroght & made,

Lord In heuene, thow him glade,

18660

And gode lyff In erthe to lede,

And heuene blysse vnto his mede;

And graunte hit mot so be!

Sayeth alle Amen, for charite!*. [On lf. 275, bk. is written by the same hand the rubric: Hic Bellum de Troye ffinit Et Greci tran|sierunt versus Patriam suam. Some scribbling follows. See description of MS. in the Introduction.]

18664

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