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Ipomedon in drei englischen bearbeitungen / hrsg. von Eugen Kölbing.

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Title
Ipomedon in drei englischen bearbeitungen / hrsg. von Eugen Kölbing.
Author
Hue, de Rotelande, active 1170-1190.
Publication
Breslau,: W. Koebner,
1889.
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"Ipomedon in drei englischen bearbeitungen / hrsg. von Eugen Kölbing." In the digital collection Corpus of Middle English Prose and Verse. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/CME00025. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 27, 2025.

Pages

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Here begynnyth a good tale [f. 188a] of IPOMADON. [Ueberschrift. of] danach Ipomdon, ausgestr.]

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Off love were lykynge of to lereA-1 And joye tille all, that wol here,A-2 That wote, what love may mene;A-3 But who so have grette haste to loveA-4 And may not com to his above, A-5 That poynte dothe louers tene.A-6 Fayre speche brekyth never bone,A-7 That makythe these lovers ilkoneA-8 Ay hope of better weneA-9 And put them selffe to grete travayle, A-10 Wheddyr it helpe or not avayle:A-11 Ofte sythes this hathe be sene.A-12
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Be this poynte well may I prese,A-13 That of his love was lothe to leseA-14 Fro tyme that he began; A-15 Thereffore in þe world where euer he went,A-16 In justys or in turnamente,A-17 Euer more the pryce he wan.A-18 But a stravnge lover he was one:A-19 I hope, ye haue harde speke of non, A-20 That euer god made to be man,A-21 Ne lother knowen for to be;A-22 No whedure a better knyght þan heA-23 Was no levand than. A-24

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In Cessyle sumtyme wonyd a kyng,A-25 That holden was wyth old and yngeA-26 Off poynttes wythe owten pere;A-27 He was worthy, were & wyse,A-28 Ouer all he wan losse and pryce, [f. 188b.] A-29 Men callyd hym Mellyagere; A-30 He had bovnden to his handeA-31 In Fraunce & many other landeA-32 Douȝty dukes and dere;A-33 He gatte neuer chyld, his eyre to be,A-34 But a brother son had hee, A-35 That was his newov nere.A-36
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That chyld he þouȝte to make his eyre;A-37 In all this world was non so fayre,A-38 I darre welle wittnes thus.A-39 [40 he he ms. lethe ms. ] Large he was of leme and lythe A-40 And wonder-well he wex there wyth,A-41 Men callyd hym Cabanus.A-42 How he was gotton, I can not sayne;A-43 Yff ye wille witte, wyth oute layne,A-44 [45 you bvs] ye must ms. ] Further spyre you bvs. A-45 His brother to the kyng hym sent:A-46 [47 And] nd ü. d. z. nachgetr. prayed ms. ] "And prayeth hym ofte wyth goode intente,A-47 For the love, he owe tyll vs,A-48
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That he wille kepe well my son!"A-49 [50 can ms. ] He sayd: "Fro tyme he kepe tham con, A-50 My landes I shall hym take!"A-51 [52 he] of ms. ] Begge he wex of bonne & blode,A-52 There wyth so handsum & so goode,A-53 That all men hym worshipe spake;A-54 He was a derlynge to the kynge, A-55 Hym lovyed above all oþer þingeA-56 For his brothere is sake.A-57 [58 comyn] conym ms.] Whanne Cabanus was comyn to elde,A-58 That he cowde ryde & armus welde,A-59 Knyghte he gan hym make. [f. 189a.] A-60

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A systur hadde kynge Melyagere,A-61 That was chaste & mylde of chere,A-62 The feyrest, that on fote myght goo.A-63 [64 There] The ms. ] There come many a ryall kynge,A-64 [65 yonge ms. ] For to wowe that lady yinge, A-65 And other prynces moo.A-66 The kyng of Calabrye thedur pasteA-67 [68 axte ms. ] And at her brother he here asteA-68 And sayd betwene them tow,A-69 His systur gyffe hym yf he wolde, A-70 Of hym shold he his landes holde,A-71 And in acorde made soo.A-72
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Wyth worshipe he that lady wedeA-73 And to Calabur he her ledeA-74 Wyth game & grette lykynge; A-75 He made his omage, or he yede,A-76 Tyll hym, that douȝty was in dede,A-77 Syr Mellyagere, the kynge.A-78 They levyd to geddur but yers ten;A-79 [80 þan ms. ] A chyld they gatte betwene them þen, A-80 [81 younge ms. ] A doughtter fayre & yinge,A-81 That aftur them ther ayre shuld be.A-82 The elevenyth yere bothe she & heA-83 Dyede, wyth oute lesynge.A-84
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The may was younge & tender of age, A-85 And therefore all her baronageA-86 Emonge them toke there rede,A-87 The moste worthely man & wyseA-88 Shuld kepe this lady, mekyll of pryse,A-89 [90 womanhoode ms.] And teche hur womanheede; A-90 Off bewte and of grette bovnte [f. 189b.] A-91 Sho was the beste in all degre,A-92 That euer on erthe myghte trede.A-93 Be that she was XV yere of elde,A-94 She toke hyr selffe her londes to welde, A-95 To gouerene in that stede. A-96

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She was blyth and bryȝte of hewe,A-97 All men callyd her, that her knewe,A-98 Of Calabere the fere,A-99 Visibyll and vertuyvs, A-100 [101 mervelys ms. ] Meke, mylde and mervelus,A-101 Chaste and fayre of chere;A-102 Fro she come to here above,A-103 That may wax so provde of love,A-104 Her thought no prynce her pere; A-105 Yf she were semelyeste vnder schrovdeA-106 Of other poyntes, she was namyd prowdeA-107 But of love to lere.A-108
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She sayd the fyrste day, I vnderstonde,A-109 That she toke sesyn in her lande, A-110 That fayre as flowre in felde:A-111 "Now here to god a vowe I make,A-112 I shall never man for riches take,A-113 [114 In] I ms. eolde ms. ] In youthe ne in elde;A-114 For welle or woo, whether it be, A-115 Man, that is of lowe degre,A-116 [117 fayre ms. ] Shall never to wyffe me helde,A-117 But yf he be the best knyghteA-118 Of all this world in armus bryghte,A-119 Assayde vnder his shelde. A-120
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There at all her lordes lowgh [f. 190a.] A-121 [122 rewe ms. ] And sayd: "This vowe ys grette roweA-122 For anny, that euer were borne!A-123 [124 Thou] Than ms. ] Thou spake, as has don other moo:A-124 Some of them saye not so, A-125 Though it were a skorne!"A-126 [127 Owghte ms.] Nowghte she covthe of love amowreA-127 And held hur howse wyth so grette honoureA-128 Of welthe, of wyne and corne,A-129 And dyd so worthely and so well, A-130 All prayd god gyffe her happe & sell,A-131 That come that fre beforne. A-132

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In Brettayne, Fraunce & Lvmbardy,A-133 The word sprange in to Araby,A-134 What howse that laydy helde, A-135 In Cypres and in many a soyle;A-136 The same tyme in the lond of PoyleA-137 [138 dwellyd ms. ] A noble kynge ther dwelld,A-138 That was callyd Ermagynes:A-139 Yf anny man wold agayne hym ryse, A-140 [141 feellyd ms. ] Euer more his foos he feelld;A-141 A worthy wyghte he had to wyffe,A-142 A sone she bare hym in her lyffe,A-143 [144 betolde ms. ] As I haue harde betelde.A-144
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Men keppyd hym, tille he reasone knewe, A-145 And they betoke hym to Talamewe,A-146 [147 worthy] r ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] That worthy was all waye;A-147 In the world was emperoure ne kynge,A-148 But he cowde in all thyngeA-149 Have seruyd hym well to paye; A-150 Fyrste he leryd the chylde curtessye,A-151 [152 and] of ms. ] And sethe the chasse and chevalrye, [f. 190b.] A-152 To weld in armys gaye.A-153 He waxed worthely, ware and wyse,A-154 Of hvntynge also he bare the pryce, A-155 The sertayne sothe to saye.A-156
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This was he holdyn in his dayesA-157 Comely, kynde and curtayesA-158 Bothe wyth kynge and quene,A-159 Hende and happy ther wyth all; A-160 He seruyd in his faders hallA-161 [162 byen ms. ] And had never forther ben;A-162 His name was Ipomadon:A-163 [164 than] om. ms. ] A fayre chyld than he was one,A-164 [165 sayne ms.] Ye haue but selden sene, A-165 Of all ken fetowre and of face,A-166 Ther wyth god gyaff hym grace,A-167 They louyed hym all bedene. A-168

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His fader was a noble man,A-169 Well his landys he governyd than, A-170 Bothe fare and nere;A-171 [172 leyste ms. ] His meyne louyd hym moste & leste,A-172 And on a tyme he made a feesteA-173 To men, that worthy were;A-174 When they wer set & seruyd all, A-175 The worde spronge in the hallA-176 Of Calabrye the fere;A-177 Than sayd a knyghte of bewte:A-178 "So fayre, so good at all degreA-179 Was non levand to her! A-180
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[181 As] A ms. on ms. ] As worthy a corte she holdes an,A-181 As ys fro Ynde to þe Oxlyane, [f. 191a.] A-182 This darre I warande welle!"A-183 Ipomadon servyd in the hallA-184 And herde the knyghttes wordes all A-185 Of that damysell;A-186 So grette good of her he spake,A-187 [188 hys] om. ms. ] Hym thoughte, hys hertte asvnder brakeA-188 [189 vnsyle ms. ] Wyth syghynge and vnsele;A-189 No thyng he sayd, what so he thoughte, A-190 [191 not ms. ] But stode stille and answeryd nought,A-191 But thynkyd ylka dell.A-192
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Whene he to his mette was sett,A-193 He myghtte nother drynke ne ete,A-194 So mekyll on her he thoughte; A-195 He wax wan and pale off hewe,A-196 That sawe his maystur TalameweA-197 [198 not ms. ] And he parsayuyd yt nought.A-198 Hym þouȝte full longe, þat þey had ettyn;A-199 [200 forgetton ms. ] Talamewe had not forgettyn, A-200 [201 gothe ms.] But to the chyld he sought,A-201 He sayd: "Sone, me mervayls mekyll of þat,A-202 So thoughtfull at your mette ye sate:A-203 Ys anny þinge mysse-wroghtte?" A-204

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He sayd: "Dere maystur Thalamewe, A-205 [206 haue haue ms. ] Ye haue byn to me trusty & trewe,A-206 [207 fest] sett ms. ] Sethe fyrste your faythe was fest!A-207 Here I lye as bere in denneA-208 And come neuer amonge no men,A-209 Nother este ne weste; A-210 Who lovys ay at home to wonne,A-211 [212 godee ms. ] Lyttill gode shall he conn,A-212 Of bewete whan he ys beste: [f. 191b.] A-213 To seke my seruys will I gange,A-214 Here, me thynke, I dwell ouer-longe, A-215 It rewys me ro & reste!A-216
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I haue harde speke of contreys straunge,A-217 The whiche it makyth my hertte to chaunge,A-218 Mekell more it mone;A-219 The wyse man and the boke seys: A-220 In a cowrte who so dwell alweys,A-221 Full littill good shall he con;A-222 I will you swere, mayster, ya,A-223 I trowe, ye will wyth me ga,A-224 [225 fynde ms. ] Suche frenshipe in you I fonde. A-225 Me alone forther yf I wende,A-226 Here I woll not lengur lende,A-227 As se I syghtte of sonne!A-228
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And therfor, mayster, y you praye,A-229 That ye will to my fader saye A-230 And to my moder fre,A-231 Me were full lothe, I shuld them greue,A-232 Therefore I praye you, axe them leve,A-233 Grythe for you and me;A-234 And yf they will not lett me goo, A-235 [236 ta] take ms. ] Myselffe at mydnyght leve shall ta,A-236 [237 shullde] shallde ms.] Thowȝ I shullde barfote bee;A-237 Whethur they be foo or frend,A-238 Tyll vncovth contreys will I wende,A-239 The maner wille I see!" A-240

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And when he had þis tale tolde,A-241 His mayster stode & hym behylde,A-242 [243 were ms. ] A wonderd as he ware:A-243 "Dere sone Ipomadon,A-244 Syn thou arte purposyde here vpon, [f. 192a.] A-245 Wheddur wille ye fare?"A-246 "Maystur", he sayd, "ye harde full weleA-247 Of that dereworthy damysell,A-248 [249 langere ms. ] The knyght spake of langare:A-249 The semely fere of Calabyre, A-250 The way thethur will I spere,A-251 [252 there ms. ] To se the maner thare.A-252
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And, sertes, yf ye will helpe me nowe,A-253 [254 beholden ms. ] For euer I shall be holden to you,A-254 As I haue euer mekyll bene; A-255 But, maystur, & ye leve behynde,A-256 I not, where I sholde frenshipe fynde,A-257 Ne to home I myghte me mene!"A-258 His maystur stode & lowde gan lowȝeA-259 [260 ples ms. ] And sayd: "Sone, þis pleses me well inowe, A-260 To wette, wyth owten wene;A-261 [262 full] danach s, durchgestr. ] To leve behynde, me were full lothe,A-262 I shall aske leve for vs both,A-263 [264 shall] om. ms.] And that shall sone be sene!"A-264
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His mayster made no tarynge, A-265 But sought, tille he fande the kynge,A-266 And thus to hym sayd thanne:A-267 "In a courtte who ay soioyrons soA-268 And se the maner of no moo,A-269 Of no mo they can: A-270 Leve, I rede, that ye hym geve,A-271 For, yf god will lett hym leve,A-272 He will be a noble man! . . . . . . A-273

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Syr, a poynte I you praye:A-274 Gravnte me leve, as I saye, A-275 [276 wole ms. ] For wyth hym wynde I wolde!" [f. 192b.] A-276 The kynge þought, he sayd but skylle;A-277 The quene chambyr he went tilleA-278 And her thus purpos tolde.A-279 His moder had full mekyll care, A-280 Her sone so fere shuld fro her fareA-281 [282 shulde ms. ] And she ne wyste, whedder he sholde;A-282 She graunte hym leffe at the lasteA-283 [284 axte ms. ] And wyth a sorowfull hert he asteA-284 Her blessynge vppon molde. A-285
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When they had getton leve to goo,A-286 In hertt full joyfull were they tow,A-287 They made no tarrynge.A-288 The kynge to Thalamew bekende,A-289 Gold and syluer inowghe to spende A-290 [291 yonge ms. ] For ys sone so yinge;A-291 Ayther hade a palffraye,A-292 Tow somers for the chyldys arayeA-293 And eke for his spendynge,A-294 [295 meny ms. ] Tow men and no mo mene, A-295 That chyldes currure for to be,A-296 Tythandys to bere and brynge.A-297
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His leve he toke at kynge and queneA-298 And sethen at all the courte bedene;A-299 [300 sore ms. ] His moder sighed sare. A-300 They travayllyd day be day fro home,A-301 In to Calabyre that they come,A-302 They wold no spendynge spare.A-303 They speryd aftur that bryght of ble,A-304 Men tolde them in a ryche citte, A-305 And thedyr can they fare.A-306 Att the beste ynne of all the towne [f. 193a.] A-307 Talamewe is lyght adowneA-308 [309 them] then ms. there ms.] And toke them herbowre thare. A-309

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In the world was kynge ne emperoure, A-310 [311 ne] om. ms. ] That he ne myghte wyth grette honoureA-311 Have holden his howse wyth ynneA-312 Wyth bankers brodyrd all abowte,A-313 The dosers steynyd, wyth oute dowte,A-314 Wyth fowle and fyshe well fyne. A-315 His oste vpon the chylde gan lokeA-316 And in his cuntenavnce vndertoke,A-317 He was full hye of kynne;A-318 The burgays cowth of curtessyeA-319 And at his wolle full worthely A-320 He purveyd hym that inne.A-321
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Talamewe sayd: "I the praye,A-322 Ordayne for vs corne and heyeA-323 And loke, that we well fare,A-324 Off mette and drynke grette plente, A-325 The beste wyne of thus contre,A-326 [327 were ms. ] Fayne wold I wette, where ware!A-327 [328 kynde ms. ] Thou artte wythe thy neybors kende:A-328 Brynge it in, we haue inow to spende,A-329 [330 more ms. ] And god shall send vs mare! A-330 [331 we] om. ms. weynde ms. ] But, maystur, to the covrtte wille we wynde:A-331 To make you mery, that levys behynde,A-332 [333 godes ms. ] God forbede, that ye spare!"A-333
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The chyld wolde no lengur to abyde,A-334 But arayde hym ryally to ryde A-335 [336 carye ms. ] And to the courte gan cayre;A-336 Talamewe wyth hym gan fare.A-337 [338 Allsone ms.] Alssone as they come thare, [f. 193b.] A-338 They were resseuyd full fayre.A-339 The courte was plenere all that day A-340 Off worthy lordes, the sothe to say,A-341 And other grette repeyre;A-342 A duke had doone an other wronge,A-343 Att grette debatte had byn longeA-344 For holdynge of an ayre. A-345

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That day the fere hade made hem frendeA-346 And broughte that grette debate to ende,A-347 So ys she ware and wyce.A-348 Ladyes wote, that she will natA-349 Abowtte hur suffyr no debatte, A-350 [351 lyethe ms. ] So grette goodenes in her lyse;A-351 [352 meyny] neyuy ms. ] Her meyny lovy her euer ilke one.A-352 In to the hall comys IpomadonA-353 Amonge thes lordes of price;A-354 An even pase forthe he paste, A-355 Nother to softe ne to faste,A-356 But at his owne devyce.A-357
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Lordes, laydes, in the hallA-358 Lokes on hym, men and all,A-359 And grette mervaylle they þought, A-360 He was large of lyme & lythe,A-361 [362 them] then ms. ] And made so wonder them wythe,A-362 [363 not ms. ] Of fetter faylyd hym nought.A-363 A llyttell wax he rede for shame,A-364 Full welle that coloure hym became, A-365 Before that high he sowghtte;A-366 His dobelett was of red welvet,A-367 Off bryght golde botuns ibete,A-368 That worthely was wrovghte. [f. 194a.] A-369
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His mantell was of skarlett fyne, A-370 Furryd wyth good armyne,A-371 Ther myght no better been,A-372 The bordoure all of red sendell;A-373 That araye became hym wele,A-374 To wete, wyth outen wene. A-375 [376 countenavance ms. ] A noble countenavnce he hade,A-376 A blyther and a better madeA-377 [378 sayne ms.] Before they had not sene.A-378 Also bryght his coloure shone,A-379 All hym lovyd, that lokyd hym one, A-380 Bothe lord and lady shene. A-381

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[382 hym] he ms. ] And longe hym beheldes the fere,A-382 But no thynge chaunges her chereA-383 For carpynge of the crowde;A-384 [385 Her] om. ms. ] Her hertte is sett so mekyll of wyte, A-385 [386 dauntyd] dauunyd oder daunnyd ms. ] Wyth love it is not dauntyd yte,A-386 Thowȝe she be shene in scherovde;A-387 [388 fre] r corr. aus e. ] But aftur sore it bande the fre,A-388 And so I wold, that all ye shuld be,A-389 That is of love so prowde! A-390 The chyld before her knelys thanA-391 And to the lady he beganA-392 To tell his tale on lowde;A-393
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He sayd: "Dereworthy damysell,A-394 Grette god kepe the in hele A-395 [396 menye ms. ] And all thy fayre mene!A-396 Vnder heyvyn is holdyn noneA-397 So worthy a lady, as thow arte on,A-398 Ne of so grette bewete:A-399 Ofte sythes this haue I harde saye: [f. 194b.] A-400 [401 noble ms. ] A nobler courte, then thyne allwaye,A-401 There may non holdyn bee;A-402 The to serve haue I thowghte,A-403 Thereffore haue I hedyr soughtA-404 [405 contraye ms. ] Oute of farre contre. A-405
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What as thou wilte, put me tow:A-406 That longes a gentill man to doo,A-407 [408 I w. do.] do I wille ms. ] Gladlye I wille do;A-408 Thereffore I praye the me tell,A-409 [410 will] om. ms. ] Whedur thow will I wyth the dwell A-410 Or wynde, thedyr I come froo!A-411 On asay now shall I see,A-412 Yff it be, as men say of theA-413 [414 moo] fell ms.] In countreys many and moo!"A-414 The lady satt and hym behylde, A-415 And lykyd full wele the tale, he tolde,A-416 When she hym hard say soo, A-417

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That he wold hur servand be;A-418 She behyldes his grette bewteA-419 And in her hertt she thought, A-420 That he myghte wyth grette honoureA-421 Haue seruyd kynge or emperoure,A-422 He was so worthy wroughte;A-423 A thynge in her hert gan ryse,A-424 [425 hys] hes, s aus r corr. ms. ] That she shuld lyke wele hys seruyce, A-425 [426 note ms. ] Forgoo hym wold she nought;A-426 She answeryd hym full curtesly:A-427 "Thou arte welcome, belamye,A-428 I thanke hym, that the browghte!A-429
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Syn thou to seruys will be sett, A-430 What ys thy name, þou stravnge valete, [f. 195a.] A-431 Anon that thou tell mee!"A-432 "I was callyd at home by the same name,A-433 And borne I was in ferre contre:A-434 Forther wotte ye not for me, A-435 Wheddyr ye blysse or blame!"A-436 The lady att his wordys lough,A-437 She sayd: "Sone, this holde I good inowe,A-438 It is a noble name,A-439 And thou artte welcome securly!" A-440 His mayster sayd, that stode hym by:A-441 "Gravnte mercy, madame!"A-442
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The lady callyd hur botelere:A-443 "This cupe of gold þou shalte take hereA-444 And gyff hit to younde man, A-445 To buttrey dore lede hym wyth the,A-446 Ther wyth of wyne to serue me:A-447 We shall se, yf he can!"A-448 The butteler hym the cuppe betoke,A-449 And he was fayne & not foresoke, A-450 To the chylde sayd he thanne:A-451 [452 pr.] byddynge ms.] "It ys my ladyes prayere,A-452 That thou off wyne shall serue here!"A-453 In covrte thus he began: A-454

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Rightte in his mantell, as he stode, A-455 [456 youde ms. ] Wyth the botteler forthe he yode,A-456 The cupe on hande he bare;A-457 All that lovyd þat chyld beforne,A-458 For that dede lovghe hym to skorne,A-459 Bothe the lesse and the more; A-460 Yff that he shuld serue one,A-461 It were semande, they sayd ilkone, [f. 195b.] A-462 [463 were ms. ] Away his mantell ware;A-463 But littill knewe þey his entente:A-464 To the buttery dore he went A-465 And offe he caste hit yare.A-466
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To the boteler than went hee:A-467 "Syr, this mantell gyff I the,A-468 As I haue happe or sele:A-469 And thow wilte take þis sympull gyfte, A-470 It shall be mendyd, be my thryfte,A-471 Wyth efte so good a wille!"A-472 The butteler thankyd hym curteslyA-473 And sayd: "Gentyll syr, gramercyA-474 Off this frenshipe I felle, A-475 [476 An ms.] And in owght þat I can do or saye,A-476 Be grette god, that oweth this day,A-477 It shall be quytte full wele!A-478
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For this VII yere, be my thryfte,A-479 Was not gevyne me suche a gyfte!" A-480 The mantyll he toke hym tille.A-481 All them, that thowght skorne before,A-482 Thought them selfe folys therefore,A-483 They satt and held them stilleA-484 And sayden, it was a gentill dede: A-485 "There may no man, so god vs spede,A-486 Other wyse say be skylle!"A-487 All they spake in prevyte:A-488 "A hundyrd men may a man se,A-489 Yet wott not one his wille!" A-490

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This dede saw the lady clere,A-491 How he gaffe to the butelere [f. 196a.] A-492 That gyfte of grette bewete;A-493 Tille her selffe she sayd for thy:A-494 "Younde dede ys doon full gentilly, A-495 Be god and be my lewte!A-496 [497 Where] When ms. ] Where he euer come or what he is,A-497 [498 I wot he ms. convyence ms. iwys] om. ms. ] He can of convenence, iwys,A-498 Be younde full wele I see!"A-499 She sayd to hem, þat by her stode: A-500 "This chyld is comyn of gentille blode,A-501 It may no nother weye bee!"A-502
43
The cope he brought before hyr syneA-503 And seruyd the fre wyth the wyneA-504 So worthely alweys, A-505 Tille III yere ende were comyn & gon.A-506 The lady, she thought, she saw neuer one,A-507 So mekyll to halde to prayse;A-508 [509 is ms. ] And in the courtte now he esA-509 Louyd bothe wyth more and lesse, A-510 So gydyde hym in his dayes.A-511 But a condycyon havys he,A-512 That I shall say, sore rewys me,A-513 [514 ladyes] layde ms. lays] ys ms. ] All ladyes to love it lays.A-514
44
[515 Cavarde ms. he] hym ms. ] Covarde be countennaunce he semyd, A-515 To hardenes nothynge he yemyde,A-516 [517 To] te add. ms. unr. ] To melle hym there wyth all:A-517 When knyghttes yede to turnement,A-518 There to wold he take no tente,A-519 Nother grette ne smalle; A-520 Of dedes of armus when they spake,A-521 Ipomadon wolde turne his bake [f. 196b.] A-522 And hye oute of the hall;A-523 [524 chevarye ms.] He wold here of no chevalrye;A-524 Prowde men of the cowrte for thy A-525 Cowarde gan hym call. A-526

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45
By syde ther was a fayre foreste;A-527 [528 he] om. ms. ] Huntynge lovyd he alder beste,A-528 [529 renne ms. ] To see his grehoundes rinne;A-529 Gamen of houndes was all his thought, A-530 Be dede of armys sett he noughte,A-531 That was parsauyd hym in,A-532 Of chevalry wold he not here;A-533 [534 myslyke ms. sere ms. ] Grettly that myslyked the fere,A-534 He wold no worshippe wynne: A-535 "Allas", she sayd, "so mekyll fayrenesA-536 [540 cowardenes ms. ] Ys loste on hym wyth outen proves: A-540 [541 destonye ms. ] Yt is a sory synne!A-541
46
Allas, that euer so grette gentryseA-539 [540 cowardenes ms. ] Ys loste on hym for cowardise,A-540 [541 destonye ms. ] Woo worthe destone,A-541 Syn he is so fayre of face,A-542 That god had not gevyn hym that grace,A-543 Of hertt hardy to bee!A-544 For, were he a man of hardynes, A-545 [546 ys ms. ] As bovnte semys & bewte es,A-546 Be god and be my lewte,A-547 On lyve I know non lewand nowe,A-548 That cordes so well to myn avoweA-549 In all this world, as hee!" A-550
47
Thus she monys the stravnge valete;A-551 To love hym yf her hertte be sett,A-552 [553 leke ms. ] It makys here lekyng lake, [f. 197a.] A-553 That he sett be no chevallrye;A-554 To euery he spendys so largely, A-555 That all good of hym spake.A-556 [557 of his] hem to ms. lowe] louthe ms. ] Then sum men of his huntyng lowe,A-557 Sum therefore was wrothe inow,A-558 That harde behynde his bake.A-559 Thow the lady hym wolde not chyde; A-560 [561 For] in add. ms. unr.] For hym in herte many a tydeA-561 Her thovght asunder wold breke. A-562

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In somer seson it befell,A-563 When flovrys were sprong, swete of smell,A-564 And fowlys songe bedene, A-565 The fre bethought her at þat tyde,A-566 [567 on] of ms.] That she wold on huntyng rydeA-567 In to the foreste grene;A-568 She bad her men, the sothe to saye,A-569 They shuld be redy the VIII day A-570 Amonge the schawes schene:A-571 "In to the foreste wyll we fare,A-572 To hunte at the herte full yare,A-573 That longe has soveryd been!"A-574
49
Her meyne made them redy faste, A-575 On the VIII day to wood they paste,A-576 As was her comaundemente.A-577 Vppon a lavnde fayre and wydeA-578 Be a rennande reuer sydeA-579 They sett that ladyes tente; A-580 There was there dere won,A-581 When they were wery for rwneA-582 Wythe baynge on the bente, [f. 197b.] A-583 Or any reysyd oute of araye,A-584 Grette herttes, to byde the bay, A-585 To the watter wente.A-586
50
Logys and pavelons they pyghteA-587 For erle, baron, & for knyghte,A-588 That huntyd in that foreste.A-589 Ipomadon was not the laste, A-590 His horne abowte his halse he casteA-591 And went in to the weste.A-592 [In to the depe foreste.]A-593 How so they dothe of other thynge,A-594 Of justus or of tvrnaynge, A-595 Huntynge lovyde hee beste;A-596 Thowȝe he set be no chevalrye,A-597 Moste he couthe of venarye,A-598 There on his hert was feste. A-599

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For she schuld moste of solas see, A-600 On the lavnde they set þat bryght of ble,A-601 And many a man her wythe;A-602 Hunters blewe there hornys þat stovnde,A-603 Caste of and oncowpelyd ther hounde,A-604 [605 frethe ms. ] Foundes in to the frythe; A-605 Dyueres weys went her men,A-606 To reyse the dere oute of there denne,A-607 [608 lyme] lynne ms. ] Lyght of lyme and lythe;A-608 For bugelys blaste & brachys cryeA-609 Wyth oppon mowthe full veralye A-610 [611 gryethe ms. ] There myght no best haue grythe.A-611
52
[612 besyest ms. ] Hym besyed faste Ipomadon,A-612 For why he cowthe inowgh þerone, [f. 198a.] A-613 Lowde his horne he blewe;A-614 Wyth hym he toke a lytill rache, A-615 The dere oute of there kyth to cache,A-616 The coste full wele he knewe;A-617 That was a brachet of thee beste,A-618 That euer wold trewly questeA-619 And securly pursewe; A-620 He hyes hym oute of all the prece,A-621 Thre greyhoundes he lade in lese,A-622 His maystur Tholamewe.A-623
53
Hornys blewe and houndus ranneA-624 Wyth oppyn mowthe full mery than A-625 And many bugels blaste;A-626 [627 noyse] noye ms.] A noble noyse it was to here,A-627 In hertte full wele yt lykyd the fere,A-628 There houndes fell to so faste . . . . . . .A-629 Ipomadon, a hertte he chase, A-630 His hounde so gladely to hym gos;A-631 This grette hertte at the laste.A-632
54
So wery was for ron that day,A-633 That, on the bent to byde the bay, A-634 A-635

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[635 bone ms. ] To the watter he made hym bowne. A-635 The littell hounde nyghed hym so nere,A-636 In myddys of the lavnde before the fereA-637 For feyntes fell he downe;A-638 Forther myghte he go no foote,A-639 So had þis hertt be holdyn hoote A-640 Wyth that brache browne;A-641 The hounde also myghte renne no more,A-642 [643 feytenes ms. ] For feyntenes fell downe beforeA-643 [644 facyon ms. ] That lady fayre off facyown. [f. 198b.] A-644
55
So wery for renne wer they tow, A-645 A foote further myghtte noþer goo,A-646 [647 fayre ms. ] But fell before the fere;A-647 A littill fro hym þis hounde lay,A-648 Att the grette hertte questyde aye,A-649 That saw that lady clere; A-650 Att the brachet lowde she lowȝe:A-651 "Now, sertes, he can of fete inowȝe,A-652 That þus his hounde gan lere:A-653 Hym selffe comys sone, he is not ferre!"A-654 Ipomadon drawythe nere, A-655 Where he is hounde gan here.A-656
56
As a hunter all in greneA-657 He come before that bryght & shene,A-658 And on his foote he lyghte;A-659 His kyrtell covyrd not his kne, A-660 [661 gon] om. ms. ] To that grette hertte gon is heeA-661 And seruyd hym full right;A-662 [663 sowche ms. ] He lacys the slowche, to fede the hounde,A-663 Then sayd the lady in the stovndeA-664 Tille her maydens bryghte: A-665 "Folowe me, for I wille wende,A-666 To se younder curteys chyld & hende,A-667 How he younder dere gan dyghte!A-668
57
[669 note ms.] More helpe ne hade he noughte,A-669 But the hounde, that hym to bay brouȝte, A-670 A-671

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When he this hertte hade slayne!"A-671 Ipomadon, in a thraweA-672 Aftur his maystur he wendes to bloweA-673 Welle forthe on the playne.A-674 The brachett by the hertte lay stylle, A-675 He wold not let no man come hym tille, [f. 199a.] A-676 The sothe ys not to layne,A-677 Ne sertes he wold not takyne be,A-678 This hounde, of no man, till he se,A-679 His maystur was comyn agayne. A-680
58
And when he sawe his maystur thore,A-681 He dyd his besynes the more,A-682 It shulde the better bee;A-683 The hedde he corvde wonder well,A-684 [685 deyle ms. ] And sethe vndyd euery dele A-685 Full fayre before that fre.A-686 All, that she sawe of opur men,A-687 Tille hym she held but fablis then,A-688 So deyntely dede hee;A-689 Agayne in to her tent she turnys, A-690 In hertte for hym full mekyll she mornysA-691 [692 destonye ms. ] And cursyd his destone,A-692
59
That in so mekyll fayrenes forȝete,A-693 [694 hade] danach a aus∣gestr. powes ms. ] That ne hade poynte of prowes sete:A-694 [695 none ms. ] "For suche a noþer know I no, A-695 [696 is ms. ] So fayre, so curteys, as he es,"A-696 But for he louyd no hardenes,A-697 The lady was full woo;A-698 She thynkys to haue Ipomadon,A-699 [700 there] then ms. ] And thought agayne: "Thynke not there on!" A-700 Thus turnythe she tow & fro.A-701 "Att the laste of love drewryA-702 Dystrwes defawte of chevallrye:A-703 [704 it ys ms. ] Alas, why ys it so?A-704
60
For hym to love, yf I had thoughte, A-705 [706 not ms.] To myne avowe acordes he nought: [f. 199b.] A-706 A-707

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That makyth myne hertte vnblythe;A-707 That prowde sory vowe, that IA-708 Made be my grette folye,A-709 [710 me] my ms. wrynche ms. ] Now makyth me wrynge & wrythe!" A-710 Wyth hur owne hete, thus she thowghtA-711 That amys, that she wroughte,A-712 And sykynge sayde sythe:A-713 "I shall love neuer no knyghte,A-714 But he be man of myghte, A-715 His costes for too kythe!A-716
61
For louyde I hym sekyrlye,A-717 All men ther of wold haue envyA-718 [719 And] n corr. aus? ] And praye, god shuld them wreke;A-719 They wold saye: 'Be oure lady, nowe A-720 She hathe well sett her grette avoweA-721 On a febyll freke!'A-722 I trowe, that tyme shall com above,A-723 [724 I] om. ms. ] That I mvn fynde a knyght to love,A-724 [725 can] gan ms. ] That wele a schafte can breke: A-725 [726 seytes ms. ] But, sertes, my love is so isete,A-726 That hym to love I may no lette,A-727 What so euer they speke!"A-728
62
Ipomadon hym bysyes faste . . . . . . .A-729 Wondere-wele hym bare; A-730 That day he brought to quary tenne,A-731 Moo than dyde all other men,A-732 Of noble herttes, that were.A-733 The sonne beganne to drawe downe,A-734 [735 pavelyon ms. ] They hyed them to pavelyown A-735 Before þat wyse off lare; [f. 200a.] A-736 Ipomadon lowde blewe,A-737 Full well that fere his horne knewe,A-738 That she hade herde it are.A-739
63
His maystur Thalamewe & he A-740 [741 meneye ms.] Blowes aftur mo mene, A-741 A-742

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[742 shulde ms. ] Semble where they sholde . . . . . . . . .A-742 Sevyn heddes he brought to present,A-743 She rose and gayne hym wente,A-744 Vppon them to beholde. A-745 So grette heddes, as they were,A-746 The lady thoughte, she sawe neuer ere,A-747 That made were on molde.A-748
64
In a stody full stylle she stode:A-749 I hope, here lokynge dyd here goode, A-750 Be god and my lewte!A-751 [752 vndertake ms. ] The righte, I trowe, who vndertoke,A-752 She had more luste, on hym to loke,A-753 Then any herttes hedde to see.A-754 [755 barnys ms. were ms. ] Whenne erlys & baronys asemblyde wore, A-755 [756 losse ms. ] All they gaffe, bothe lasse and more,A-756 Before that bryghte of bleA-757 The pryce to that straunge valet,A-758 That came alone wyth his brachet,A-759 And sayd: "Beste worthy ys he!" A-760
65
A cosyn had that lady bryghte,A-761 A noble chyld, that Jason highte,A-762 Ryghtte bygge of bone & blode,A-763 And fro he had Ipomadon sene,A-764 They lovyd, as they brethryn been, A-765 [766 youde ms. ] To gedder ay they yode. [f. 200b.] A-766 In a swtte they bothe were clade,A-767 Grette joye of them the ladye hadde,A-768 They were so fayre and goode;A-769 So semely chyldern, as they tow, A-770 In all the curte was no moo,A-771 Ne mylder of there mode.A-772
66
[773 youde ms. ] The tow wyshe and to supper yede;A-773 Ipomadon toke good hede,A-774 [775 note ms.] His cope forgate he noughte, A-775 To the bottry went he syne A-776 A-777

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And made hit there be fyllyd wyth wyneA-777 And to the borde it browghte;A-778 Here lokynge hade she not forgetton:A-779 [780 has] as ms. ] "Say, valett", she sayd, "has thow etton? A-780 To day thou haste welle wroughte!"A-781 "Damysell", he sayd, "not yeteA-782 [783 ne] no ms. ] Drynke I dranke ne mete I ete,A-783 Fro bale as I be broughte!"A-784
67
"Syr, that ys to longe, be skyll, A-785 My cosyn Jason call the tille,A-786 For suppud, I wold, ye hadde,A-787 In the flore before me sett ye adowne!"A-788 They bothe were att her byddyng bownA-789 And dyd, as she them badde. A-790 There was berlyde at þat suppereA-791 Drynke, that sethyn was bought full dereA-792 Wyth many a syghyng sade,A-793 [794 there. ] And lyke brethryne they toke them thore,A-794 That aftur rewyde sum full sore, A-795 Ofte sythes to gamen onglade.A-796
68
Whate myghte þat be, but derne love, [f. 201 a.] A-797 That all ways wyll be aboveA-798 [799 that] ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] To them, that shall it havnte?A-799 [800 davnte] dowte ms. ] All othere thynges men davnte may, A-800 But, sertenly, be no wayeA-801 Love wille not be davnte!A-802 Who presus ofte to serue hẏtte,A-803 Worse schall have his gurdovn quyte,A-804 For he be loves seruante. A-805 Who entrys in to lovys scolys,A-806 The wyseste is holdyn moste foolys,A-807 Fro that they haue graunte.A-808
69
[809 yenge ms.] How so it be, this lady yingeA-809 Makythe many a love-lokynge, A-810 But foly thoughte sche non, A-811 A-812

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And yet she thought, it dyd here good;A-812 That full wele vnderstodeA-813 The chyld Ipomadon;A-814 He caste her many a lovely loke, A-815 Full well that lady vndertoke,A-816 [817 wyth] corr. aus was. tane ms. ] That he wyth love was tone;A-817 She drede, that it shuld ryse þorow chaunse,A-818 Sum slavnder thorow countenavnce,A-819 He lokyd so here vppon. A-820
70
For in a stodye styll he sate,A-821 [822 forgete ms. ] That mete and drynke clene he forgate,A-822 So mekyll on hur he þoughtte;A-823 There att the fere began to smyleA-824 [825 hur] danach a, ausgestr. ] And bethought hur on a wyle, A-825 [826 myghtte ms. ] How sche hym schastys moughtte;A-826 In hertte sche thynkes so to devyce,A-827 Be hyr owne cosyn hym to chastyce,A-828 [829 note ms. ] That other parcevyde yt noughte. [f. 201b.] A-829 [830 sche] s corr. aus þ. pyne ms. ] "Jason", "sche sayd, "for goddes payne, A-830 [831 Im.] aglyne ms. ] Why lokys thow so vpon Imayne?A-831 [832 wroghte ms. ] What has my mayden mys-wroughte?A-832
71
[833 awove ms. ] What ayles the man, for god avowe?A-833 Say, damysell, ys this for yowe,A-834 [835 hoote ms. ] That Jason lovys so haate?" A-835 [836 that m.] for shame ms. ] Rede for shame wexyd that mayA-836 And sayd: "Certes, madame, naye,A-837 [838 wotte ms. ] Not that I of watte!"A-838 Jason ofte she turnyd vntille:A-839 "Whate weneo thou, fole, þat ladyes wille, A-840 Her love be on the latte,A-841 On the to lay for curtesye?A-842 [843 in] I ms. ] Nay, in feythe, sekyrlye,A-843 Then loste they there estate!A-844
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[845 neuer] danach so, verklext.] Be thou neuer of so grette bewte, A-845 Trowes thou this lady bryght of ble A-846 A-847

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[847 to] ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] Here loue on the to layeA-847 [848 or] ar ms. ] For fayrehedde or for any largenesse,A-848 But thow were man of proves?A-849 I say the shortely: naye! A-850 Yf thou wylte love of laydes wynne,A-851 On othere wysse þou mvste begynne;A-852 Syr, for thy good I saye!A-853 Gyff the to justes or to turnaynge,A-854 Or els lett be thy nyce lokynge, A-855 For helpe the not maye!"A-856
73
These brethellys now, the soth to tell,A-857 Be they be crepte oute of the schell,A-858 Yet mvste they laydys love,A-859 Yff they cowthe neuer of chevalrye! [f. 202 a.] A-860 Nay, syr, I say the securly,A-861 [862 above] abovte ms. ] Thou comyste not so above!"A-862 Jason, in a stody he sate,A-863 That mete & drynke he forgatte,A-864 [865 that] danach p, ausgestr. ] So drede hym that reprove, A-865 Hym thought, for tene his hert wold brest.A-866 Ipomadon full wele wyste,A-867 She sayd for his behove;A-868
74
He sayd: "Jason, broþer, be þou stylle,A-869 And that thou take it at no ille, A-870 I praye the specyallye:A-871 Yff she haue gevyn the þis vmbrayde,A-872 It ys for good, that she hathe sayde,A-873 Greve the not for thy!"A-874 But welle wyst Ipomadon, A-875 The wordes were sayd for hym ychone,A-876 Spokyne of that ladye,A-877 And therefore was he shamyd full sore,A-878 That on hur durste he loke no more,A-879 She toke good hede ther by. A-880
75
[881 hedde ms.] All dropyng downe held he his heued,A-881 All lykynge love fro hym is reued, A-882 A-883

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So herde his hertte was sette.A-883 When the sopper was all done,A-884 To chambyr went that lady sone; A-885 Her lordes, wyth ovten lette,A-886 Toke leve and to there innys ys goone;A-887 Before hyr knelyd YpomadonA-888 And hur full godely grette:A-889 "Have good nyghte, damysell, for I mvst wende!" [f. 202b.] A-890 What meanys this? þought þe lady hende,A-891 [892 mechyll uns.] meche yll ms. ] This dyde her mechyll unsete.A-892
76
But neuer the lesse, for parseyvyng sakeA-893 Countenaunce of love she wolde non make,A-894 But gravntyd hym leve to goo, A-895 And that repent her syth full ille;A-896 The dore tille he was comyn tille,A-897 Here eye come never hym fro;A-898 [899 lenger ms. ] For love she myghte stonde þer no langer,A-899 The lady thaught, for pure angur A-900 Here herte wold braste in tow;A-901 To her chambyr sche her spede,A-902 Tomblyd downe vp on her bedeA-903 [904 Wyth] And ms. ] Wyth wrythyng and wyth woo.A-904
77
She callyd Imayne, here mayden fre, A-905 [906 bed] sche ms. ] And bade, hyr bed shuld redy be,A-906 [907 innis ms. ] That sche myght bye there inn;A-907 No thynge sche slepyd all the nyght,A-908 [909 syte ms. ] But ofte tymes turnyd and sadely syghte,A-909 Her gerdyll waxit thyn, A-910 [911 sayd] om. ms. ] And sayd: "Dere god, wherefore & whyA-911 And wethyr thou thus sodaynlyA-912 To love hym schall begynne,A-913 So worthy lordes, as þou haste sene,A-914 Prynces and many dukes bedene, A-915 [916 kinne] lenage ms.] And kyngges of noble kinne? A-916

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Never the les yt saw I neuer noneA-917 So godely, so fayre of flesche and bonne,A-918 So kynde ne so curtays:A-919 A fole, so thynkys thee! [f. 203a.] A-920 Trowyste thou, þat þer any oþer bee,A-921 [922 layse] lyse ms. ] Here loue so one hym layese?A-922 [923 thus ms. ] Nay! I trowe serttes this,A-923 Ellys were þey ill avysed, iwys,A-924 He ys so good all wayes; A-925 Luffe hym mvste I nedys doo,A-926 [927 me] in ms.? ] Syn thou, hertte, ledys me there too,A-927 What so any man sayes!A-928
79
I may not do! Sertes, I maye!A-929 Be grette god, that made me, nay, A-930 I may not do ther too,A-931 For thou, hertte, ys so on hym sett,A-932 Þat hym to love þou wylt not lette,A-933 For oughte, that I may doo!A-934 Are they not sorow worthy be lawe, A-935 That willfuly will ouer hem sorow drawe?"A-936 [937 sche ms. ] Thus tyll her selffe sayd scho.A-937 "Cursyd pryde, woo mot thou be!A-938 Thou bryngys me to lowe degreA-939 [940 rewes ms. rowe ms. ] And reves me reste and ro! A-940
80
It hathe byn sayd in lest of love,A-941 That aftur pryde comythe grette reprove,A-942 Of the wysest yet that was:A-943 Prowde in hertte ay haue I been,A-944 [945 a falle ms. ] Therefore I haue afalle, I wene, A-945 It nedys no helpe to asse.A-946 [947 ys] om. ms.] Euer more worthe ys sempylte,A-947 Then ouer-provde or fers to be,A-948 For ay that poynte wille passe!A-949 Had never man so grette reprove, A-950 As I gaffe hym this nyght fore love; [f. 203b.] A-951 Why dyd I so, alas? A-952

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I myghte haue had hym, when I wolde,A-953 And all my purpos to hym tolde:A-954 A, wetles wreche, lett bee! A-955 Alas, foule, what haste thou sayde?A-956 Reson wolde, þat thou were prayde,A-957 Thou shuld not praye, par de!A-958 A lord, what I haue ben fers:A-959 [960 no kynge] nothynge ms. perys ms. ] I thought no kynge ne prynse my pers A-960 Ne no man in no degre,A-961 [962 be leste oder be lefte ms. ] And now thys lythe belerte I amA-962 [963 hvhome ms. ] Of love, and I wott not, wyth whame,A-963 Ne wott not, what ys hee.A-964
82
[965 not ms. ] Ne, sertes, his name know I nought, A-965 Ne in what londe he shuld be sought,A-966 And he were fro me goone:A-967 Me nedyd not to love for thyA-968 The kyng of Pers or of Araby,A-969 And now my hert ys tane, A-970 Yet me mvst love att lowere degre,A-971 But, sertus, a fayre one than heeA-972 Was neuer of blode ne bone,A-973 A kyndere nor a curtysure,A-974 Thorow this world thowȝ men shuld spere: A-975 That makys me make this mone!A-976
83
So fayre, so good in all thynge,A-977 He come neuer lowere than of a kynge,A-978 This dare I savely saye!A-979 Who, so thynkes the, foll, & no moo: A-980 Hopys thou, þat all other thynke hym soo?A-981 I say the, securly, naye! [f. 204 a.] A-982 Trowes thou any other ther bee,A-983 [984 eye ms. ] That lokes on hym wyth suche an ee,A-984 As thou haste done all waye? A-985 Nay, I hope, as I haue roo!A-986 [987 in] I ms. thei] ther ms.] Yes, in faythe, I hope thei doo,A-987 Ellys ille avyssud were they! A-988

Page 31

84
[989 yomge ms. ] For there ys nother old ne yinge,A-989 But they mvst love hym ouer all thynge, A-990 He ys so fayre and goode:A-991 Yesturnyghte settynge by JasonA-992 Full swettely lokyd he me vppon,A-993 That mynges thus all my mode;A-994 But more of huntynge, I hope, he thoughte, A-995 [996 amye ms. ] Thenne anye loue in hertte was wroghte,A-996 That blythe of bon and blode!A-997 Nay, that trowe I not, par de:A-998 Why lokyd he so faste on mee,A-999 But he love vnderstoode? A-1000
85
He toke his leve, whon he shuld fare,A-1001 And, sertes, so dydde he neuer are,A-1002 [1003 kende] knewe ms. ] Syn fyrste that I hym kende!A-1003 That was to his inn to goo!A-1004 Nay, in faythe, I trowe not soo: A-1005 It was, his weye to wende!A-1006 Nay, I hope! Yes, in faythe,A-1007 [1008 lothe ms. ] Yestur nyght thou lokyd on hym so laythe,A-1008 No wonder, thowȝ he wold wende!A-1009 Yf he goo, then mvste I dye, A-1010 Or els in care belefte am IA-1011 For euer wyth owtyne ende! [f. 204b.] A-1012
86
Alas, whye he þus parte awey?A-1013 Be god of hevyn, I hope, naye!A-1014 Yes, in fayth, he will! A-1015 Thou cowde not hold thy peas, but chyde,A-1016 He were a foule, and he wold byde,A-1017 Me thynkes be prove & skylle!A-1018 Yf he goo, wonder the nought:A-1019 Yesturnyght so grette shame þou hym wrought, A-1020 [1021 Alas] danach d, ausgestr. ] Alas, þou dyd full ylle!A-1021 He may goo wyth an lawghyng herte,A-1022 [1023 gartte ms.] And thou, thy selffe hit gertte,A-1023 Shalte leve in mornynge stille. A-1024

Page 32

87
But yf he to morow abyde, A-1025 [1026 no] a ms. ] I shall hym shewe no poynte of pride,A-1026 Yff god will geve me grace;A-1027 Curtesly I wyll hym callA-1028 And wyth good wille tell hym allA-1029 My covncell of þus casse. A-1030 Ressone wille, it is not to layne,A-1031 He shuld not love, but he be lovyd agayne,A-1032 He ys so fayre of face;A-1033 Bettur were me, suche ane to haue,A-1034 Then anny tow, so god me save, A-1035 [1036 goothe ms. ] Me thynkes, on ground þat gaase."A-1036
88
Wyth hyr owne hertt þis she strave,A-1037 That rest that nyght she cowde non haue,A-1038 [1039 bad] good ms. ] That for hur selffe was bad,A-1039 That she shuld entur so farre in love, A-1040 Hit shuld hur doo sum grett reprove,A-1041 She was so streytly stadde;A-1042 Wyste she, on morowe how it shuld fare,A-1043 Her grette sorowe doblyde ware, [f. 205a.] A-1044 And yet inowgh she had; A-1045 Her mynde was not but for to morne.A-1046 Agayne to hym will I retorne,A-1047 That nyght what lyffe he ladde.A-1048
89
When the chyld his leve had tane,A-1049 To his in he is ganne A-1050 Wyth sorowys & sykynge sare;A-1051 He saw right nought, þat was hym leffe,A-1052 All thynge, he þought, dyd hym greffeA-1053 In ye, bothe lesse and more.A-1054 His maystur Thelamewe he prayed, A-1055 That his bedde were redy arayde:A-1056 [1057 were ms.] "There in, I wold, I wore!"A-1057 Off all the nyght he slepyd no þinge,A-1058 But lay wyth many a sore sykyngeA-1059 And mornyethe aye more & more. A-1060

Page 33

90
Alas, foule, what alysse the,A-1061 Soo farre oute of thy owne contreA-1062 Heddur for to come?A-1063 [1064 ayre ms. ] Thou dyd, as many haue done are,A-1064 Come to seke sorye care, A-1065 [1066 sum ms. ] And ther of hathe þou som.A-1066 Thou myghttes no man, but þi selffe, blame:A-1067 [1068 home ms., o corr. aus a. ] Thyne owne wille made þe come fro hame,A-1068 Thereffore no man wille the moone.A-1069 [1070 skylle ms. ] As euer haue I happe or skelle, A-1070 [1071 euer deyle ms. ] That makes þou, lady, euery dele,A-1071 [1072 deme ms. ] Yet love makes me so dome.A-1072
91
[1073 of] danach I, ausgestr. ] Be god of heyvyn, now I wott well,A-1073 [1074 dealee ms. ] That she parcevys hit euery dele,A-1074 How I wyth love was tane, A-1075 And thoo she gyffe me wyth vpbrayde, [f. 205b.] A-1076 Hit was for gode, þat she me sayde,A-1077 Thowȝe I toke hit wyth none;A-1078 Therefore spake she all þat þinge,A-1079 To make me leve my longe lokynge, A-1080 That I caste hur vppon . . . . . . . . .A-1081
92
There att, I wotte welle, she gave tene,A-1082 [1083 owne] danach s, aus∣gestr. ] Yet be hur owne cosyn, as I wene,A-1083 She blamyd me for thyeA-1084 And sayd, it was a skorne, parde, A-1085 That anny suche brothels as weA-1086 [1087 they ms. ] Anny ladyes love shuld thye,A-1087 That nought þinkyth for to thryveA-1088 Nor neuer gyffys in oure lyveA-1089 To no chevalrye; A-1090 But ther was an oþur þinge:A-1091 On me she cast an longe lokynge,A-1092 I toke good hede there bye.A-1093
93
[1094 meane ms.] A, dere god, what myghte þat mene?A-1094 I shall the tell all bedene: A-1095 A-1096

Page 34

Younde lady ys so whyce,A-1096 In fayth, she holdythe me but a foole,A-1097 That shuld me melle of lovys scole,A-1098 That neuer wanne losse ne price;A-1099 Now, sertes, þat trowe I well for thy, A-1100 She lokyd and spake so angurlyeA-1101 And callyd vs euer full nyce:A-1102 [1103 hottes ms. ] Of helle yt is the hottest payne,A-1103 To love and be not lovyd agayne,A-1104 [1105 on] danach an, ausgestr. lyethe ms. ] There on no wysdome lyese. A-1105
94
Now, hertte, I praye the, lett hur be!A-1106 Nay, þat maye I not, parde, [f. 206a.] A-1107 Yf thow wylte, I were slayne!A-1108 Yes! Nay, in faythe, I,A-1109 For thou, hertte, artte sett so sodenly, A-1110 Thou wilte not turne agayne.A-1111 Why? I wotte neuer, whereffore,A-1112 But dede, I had leuer, I wore,A-1113 Then longe to dryve this payne;A-1114 Dyd neuer love man so deyre: A-1115 Had she parte, yet rovghte I neyre,A-1116 In faythe, then were I fayne!A-1117
95
We, leef, what dyd thou in this londe?A-1118 [1119 favnde ms. ] I came to seke and I hur fonde,A-1119 [1120 deyre ms. ] That aye wille do me dere. A-1120 He fallythe, that puttes hym selfe so farre,A-1121 That all his lyffe louythe to warre,A-1122 [1123 swere] w corr. aus ay. ] Thus darre I savely swere!A-1123 Yet is ther non, that wotte that,A-1124 [1125 I] he ms. I] he ms.] Ne whens I come ne what I hatte, A-1125 So prevely I am here;A-1126 Shalte thou tell them? Sertes, naye . . . .A-1127 And gette the schyld and spere,A-1128
96
And wen the price, & þen may þouA-1129 Acordynge be to her avowe, A-1130 A-1131

Page 35

For thou have gotton losse.A-1131 Yet in her cowrte there ys none,A-1132 That so mekyll of bowrdyng canA-1133 [1134 goothe ms. ] Ne of all gamus, that goose,A-1134 Bothe wyth schyld and schafte to ryde, A-1135 [1136 love ms. ] But so, that lorne ys all thy pryde,A-1136 Thereffore all men be thy foos: [f. 206b.] A-1137 In erthe ys none so worthy a knyght,A-1138 [1139 syght] s. corr. aus de. ] But yf his dede be shewyde in syght,A-1139 Men will no good sopose. A-1140
97
And vnder pryde so arte thow hyde,A-1141 That for a cowarde art thou kydeA-1142 [1143 more ms. ] Bothe wyth lesse and mare,A-1143 And yf thou now thy selfe schuld rose,A-1144 Men wold say: All this he dos, A-1145 His spendyng for to spare;A-1146 [1147 sere ms. ] Of suche dedes have we not sene,A-1147 [1148 he] om. ms. ] As he awauntes hym of bedene,A-1148 Hym semes of bownte bare!A-1149 Therefore thy way I rede the gange: A-1150 In faythe, and thou dwell here lange,A-1151 [1152 sore ms. ] It moo the sorow full sare!A-1152
98
Foole, wille thou lyghttly gooA-1153 [1154 her] the ms. ] Fro thy love, and lovys her soo?A-1154 Be god, I may not byde! A-1155 May thou goo? Sertes, naye!A-1156 Yes, in faythe, I hoope, I maye!A-1157 [1158 hyde] take ms. ] Suche harmys in hertte I hyde.A-1158 [1159 quarte ms. ] To morowe thou goos, yf þou haue querte!A-1159 Yea, and thou haue anny hertte, A-1160 Thou turnys not that tyde!A-1161 Here has thou take thy leve for aye,A-1162 That nedys behovys the love all way,A-1163 Where thou shalte goo or ryede!A-1164
99
And here shall thou wynne no þinge, A-1165 [1166 younge ms.] But many a skorne of old and yinge: A-1166 A-1167

Page 36

Lo here this foole for the!A-1167 Who so maye be nere hys love, [f. 207 a.] A-1168 [1169 Sunntyme ms. ] Sumtyme love, it comys above,A-1169 [1170 slye ms. ] Be they neuer so slee, A-1170 And fere there fro yf he be browghte,A-1171 Then shall no man witte his thought,A-1172 But his hertte and hee.A-1173 [1174 take] danach hedee, unterpunktet. ] On thynge ys, yf he take kepe:A-1174 [1175 he] danach w, unterpunktet. ] Sore is he bett, that darre not wepe, A-1175 Be god and be my lewte!A-1176
100
[1177 gos ms. ] He hathe no myghte, þat mornynge gas,A-1177 [1178 hathe ms. ] Ne no ese, that sorowe hase,A-1178 This darre I trewly telle!"A-1179 Thus lythe he wrynggyng tow & fro A-1180 Wyth many a sory syghyng soA-1181 And mewsus ay in mell;A-1182 A while to go he ys in wille,A-1183 Anoþur stovnde to hold hym stilleA-1184 Wyth þat gay damysell. A-1185 To hym selfe he told þis tale:A-1186 "Might I byde, I were all hale!A-1187 Be god, I may nought dwell!A-1188
101
For love my herte hathe bovnde so faste,A-1189 That euer more love will wyth me last A-1190 [1191 dye ms. ] To tyme, that I shall dee;A-1191 [1192 love] sele ms. ] It ys full swete, to enter in love,A-1192 But ay more & more it brynges aboveA-1193 To sorowe, & that I se.A-1194 Who so euer ys takyne þer wyth, A-1195 [1196 lyghte ms. ] Or wythe inne hem he lythe,A-1196 Full sore schall bovnden be. [f. 207b.] A-1197 [1198 wende ms. ] Wyth a sorovfull hertte I mon wynde,A-1198 And sche in quarte mon leve behyndeA-1199 And haue no maynde on me!" A-1200
102
[1201 wyste ms.] Where he was, well he ne weste,A-1201 In towne or in wylde foreste, A-1202 A-1203

Page 37

So mekyll on here he þoughte;A-1203 But aye was the last ende,A-1204 He toke his purpose hole to wende, A-1205 And byde ne wold he noughte.A-1206 No thynge he slept of all þe nyght,A-1207 And when the day daved lyght,A-1208 Vp fro his bede he soughte.A-1209 In come his maystur Thelamewe A-1210 And sawe, he was pale of hewe,A-1211 So grette wo love hym wroughte.A-1212
103
His maystur than began to spereA-1213 And sayd: "I praye you tell me, sere,A-1214 Ayels you awoght but good? A-1215 Of all this nyght ye had no reste,A-1216 [1217 ye] he ms.] But many a gresly grone ye vp caste,A-1217 That grettly menges my moode!"A-1218 "Thowȝe I myght for sorow synke,A-1219 [1220 woll ms.] Maystur, ye wold no wonder thynke, A-1220 And ye wyst, how hit stode!"A-1221 [1222 not ms.] The sothe to tell hym wold he nought,A-1222 [1223 owte ms.] For no thyng, that he cowde owghte,A-1223 [But faynyd hym seke]A-1224 That he nouȝte vnder-yode. A-1225
104
"Mayster, I schall tell þe now ryghte: [f. 208a.] A-1226 [1227 dremed] r corr. aus e.] A wonder dreme I dremed to nyghte,A-1227 Vnglade that gars me goo;A-1228 The sothe fro you I will not hyede:A-1229 Me thought, my fader had loste a syde, A-1230 My moder another also,A-1231 And therby darre I well warrande,A-1232 They ar bothe dede or ellys nyhande,A-1233 That warkes me all this woo.A-1234 In to my contre wille I ryde, A-1235 Here wille I no lengur byde,A-1236 [1237 For] corr. aus Fro.] For frenshipe nor for foo! A-1237

Page 38

105
And, maystur, me thynkes, it were the beste,A-1238 We wend in to younder thyk foresteA-1239 [1240 there ms. ] And made vs redy thare; A-1240 For be god, that ys but one,A-1241 Of oure wendyng, he ys non,A-1242 [1243 were ms. ] I wold, the wyser ware!"A-1243 Welle wend his maystur Thalamewe,A-1244 The tale, he told hym, had byn trewe, A-1245 And thedyr gan they fare;A-1246 Sone were chargyd the somors towe,A-1247 Wyth sorowfull hertt forthe they gooA-1248 [1249 sore ms. ] And many a syghyng sare.A-1249
106
He for her love hym selffe lyste A-1250 And she for hym, & no þing wysteA-1251 His maystur Thelamewe;A-1252 [1253 arte] age ms. ] Yf they cowde neuer so mekyll of arte,A-1253 Love them betwene well ys parte,A-1254 [1255 drowe ms. ] For bothe one draught they drewe. A-1255 [1256 loste] st corr. aus? ] Thowȝe grette loste of love hit garte,A-1256 Ayther of them hath oþers herte, [f. 208b.] A-1257 Ye trowe this tale for trewe! . . . . . . . .A-1258
107
Thowȝe this chyld his way gan fare,A-1259 [1260 þere ms.] His hertte he levys in ostage þare, A-1260 So mekyll of hur he thought,A-1261 And hyrres away he beyrethe,A-1262 That brethen hym full littill deryþe,A-1263 For why he knewe hit noughte;A-1264 He hathe the tonne & she þe tother, A-1265 But noþer of them comfortyd oþer,A-1266 So warely they wroughte;A-1267 Betwene them burgenyd such a bravnche,A-1268 That in þer lyves schall neuer stavnche,A-1269 Tille they on bere be brought. A-1270
108
Ipomadon went his wayeA-1271 Sythen forther on the day, A-1272 A-1273

Page 39

Hovndes of hath he caste;A-1273 In the forest gan they fare,A-1274 [1275 þere ms. ] At the herttes to hounte þare, A-1275 Wyth many a bugell-blaste;A-1276 [1277 travasyd ms. ] A way traversyd come JasonA-1277 And mett wyth Ipomadon,A-1278 Hyinge wonder-faste,A-1279 His hors trussud wyth his harnes; A-1280 [1281 was ms. ] Jason grettly wonderd wesA-1281 [1282 purposud axid ms. ] And of his purpose aste:A-1282
109
"Whedur, broþer, whedder arte þou bovn?A-1283 Shall þu not wyth vs to the towne?"A-1284 "Sertes, Jason, nay! A-1285 Suche a dreme I dremyd to nyght,A-1286 That here to dwell I haue no myghte,A-1287 [1288 you] I ms. ] For noughte þat you can saye:A-1288 [1289 I] in ms. ] In to my contre mvste I goo!" [f. 209a.] A-1289 "Then schall I wyth the wend also, A-1290 Be god, þat owth this day!"A-1291 "Nay, brother, so may it not be,A-1292 But I schall come agayne to theA-1293 Here after, while I may!"A-1294
110
"Hathe anny man for the mys-doone?" A-1295 "Nay, be hym, þat made the mone!"A-1296 "Why shuld thou wend thanne?A-1297 Ys none so grette in all this londe,A-1298 That ye dyd greue, I vnderstonde,A-1299 That bargynne myght he banne! A-1300 [1301 lyethe ms.] So grette right in my lady lyese,A-1301 And wyth her artte þou holdyn a pryce,A-1302 Moste of anny man:A-1303 Therefore turne agayne wyth me,A-1304 Or, sertes, I shall wend wyth the, A-1305 For any crafte, thou can!"A-1306
111
"Jason, this ys not to tell,A-1307 Here may I no lenger dwell: A-1308 A-1309

Page 40

To nyght so dremyd me,A-1309 That I mvst nede wend my waye!" A-1310 "Be grette god, that oweth þis day,A-1311 Then schall I wend wyth the!"A-1312 "Nay, turne agayne, brother dere,A-1313 [1314 the] thy ms. ] And on my behalve grette welle the fereA-1314 And serue to hande that free! A-1315 Syn thou wold wynde wyth me so fayne,A-1316 Now, in faythe, I come agayne,A-1317 When it may better bee!"A-1318
112
"Now, syn I shall behynde þe dwelle,A-1319 Thy name, I praye the, thow me tell, [f. 209b.] A-1320 And where I may the fynde!"A-1321 [1322 not ms. ] "Nay, Jason, that do I nought,A-1322 Be hym, that made vs boþe of noughte,A-1323 All this world to wynne!"A-1324 "Alas, brother, what may þis bee? A-1325 Ye doo but skorne me, now I see,A-1326 All frenshipe levythe behynde!A-1327 Be the grette god, þat all hath wrought,A-1328 Now se I wele, ye love me nought!"A-1329 Wyth that he waxyd nere blynde. A-1330
113
Wythe a sorowfull hertte sayd he þan:A-1331 "Yt is full ille, to know a mon,A-1332 [1333 leve ms. hyeth] danach wyth, ausgestr.] For no thyng ye me love!"A-1333 "Jason, brother, wyth oute blame,A-1334 Yf I shuld tell the my name, A-1335 Yt turnyd to no behove;A-1336 Kys me therefore and haue good day:A-1337 Be the grette god, þat oweth þis day,A-1338 I do it for no reproffe!" . . . . . . . . .A-1339
114
Ipomadon this is way is paste, A-134 And Jason, thorow the forest fasteA-1341 He hyeth hym wyth good spede;A-1342 Wythe sorowfull herte & stille mornynge A-1343 A-1344

Page 41

He sawe right nought to his lykynge,A-1344 But to the tentes he yede. A-1345 In the mornyng yerlye þat lady rose,A-1346 Oute of her pavelyone on she goos,A-1347 Abowte her she toke good heede,A-1348 Yf sche sawe oughte the straunge valet;A-1349 [1350 towgh ms. be] he ms. ] To love hym thowgh hur hertte be sette, [f. 210a.] A-1350 Euyre more has she dredde,A-1351
115
That he shuld be frome hur went;A-1352 [1353 come] conne ms., o corr. aus a. ] So come her cosyne ouer the bentA-1353 And on his foote he lightte.A-1354 "What tydynges, Jasone, I the praye!" A-1355 "Madame, yf I the sothe schall saye,A-1356 No wors be they ne myghte!"A-1357 [1358 god] danach for, unterpunktet. ] "How soo, cosyne, be god alonne?"A-1358 "Your valette, damysell, ys agoone,A-1359 Ofte grette you wele that wyghte!" A-1360 "Whiche?" sche sayd; "þe valet straunge:A-1361 [1362 schall] danach ye shalle ms. unr. ] Ye of hym schall haue chalengeA-1362 Nether be day ne nyght!"A-1363
116
[1364 Ys] Yes ms. ] "Ys he goone?" "Madame, yea!"A-1364 [1365 ofte ms. nay ms. ] "Whotte thow oghte, why?" "Madame, na, A-1365 As haue I joye or blis!"A-1366 "Dyd anny man hym aught but righte?"A-1367 [1368 myghte ms. ] "Nay, but a dreme, he dremyd to nyghte,A-1368 Hathe made hym wend, iwys!"A-1369 [1370 are ms. ] She hard neuer tydynges ore, A-1370 That sche was halffe so sory fore,A-1371 [1372 thus ms.] But he pursevyd not this;A-1372 She answeryd, thow sche were woo:A-1373 "Ye, cosyne, lett hym goo,A-1374 Good aventure mut be his! A-1375
117
But has he trussyd his harnys?"A-1376 "Ye, and his maystur also his!"A-1377 Then was she woo all weye; A-1378 A-1379

Page 42

[1379 ne] ye ms. ] Thowȝe sche lett, as sche ne rovghte,A-1379 The contrary in hur hertte sche þouȝte, A-1380 For sorowe mornyd þat maye: [f. 210b.] A-1381 "Jason, now thy selfe maye se,A-1382 That þou wyth me ne I wyth theA-1383 May not won all waye,A-1384 And ofte ys sayd in old saw: A-1385 Lett hym goo, he was a felowe!A-1386 Good cosyn, I the praye!"A-1387
118
Jason turnyd wyth mekyll payne;A-1388 The lady callyd hym efte agayne:A-1389 "Syr, spyrd thou not his name?" A-1390 [1391 Ye] Y corr. aus H. ] "Ye, but he wold not me tell!"A-1391 "Alas, that ys a payne of helle!A-1392 Why dyd he so for schame?"A-1393 "Thow my hertte wold barste in tow,A-1394 [1395 ne] om. ms. ] I ne myght of hym haue moo, A-1395 I haue told you the same!"A-1396 Jason wepte & fro her turnyd,A-1397 And sche in to her tente, & mornyd,A-1398 And faste her selffe gan blame:A-1399
119
"Lo foule, what sayd I the? A-1400 Now hath þou lost thy love, parde,A-1401 For euer, that wotte I wele!A-1402 Fole, thou haste thy fayrehedde fylydA-1403 And wyth eye thy selffe haste gylyde,A-1404 Thou wotte hit ilke a dele!" A-1405 She tomblyd downe vpon her beddeA-1406 And sonyde thryse, or sche myȝte steede,A-1407 [1408 onskylle ms. ] Wyth syghyng and onskelle.A-1408 Be that sche was in state comyn agayne,A-1409 Wyth that come hyr maydon Imayne A-1410 [1411 spake] om. ms.] And spake to that damysellA-1411
120
And sayd: "Damysell, for god avowe, [f. 211a.] A-1412 For goddis loue, what aylys you, A-1413 A-1414

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To make this grette mornynge?A-1414 Tell me, lady fayre & fre, A-1415 Yf there myghte anny comforte beA-1416 Of thy sore syghynge!A-1417 [1418 nought w.] iwis ms. ] Ofte sythe it dothe men good, nought wers,A-1418 To trewe felowe a tale to rehersse,A-1419 For covnsell askyth suche a thynge!" A-1420 "Alas, Imayne, that I was borne,A-1421 My pryde wille make me be forlorneA-1422 And to my dede me brynge!"A-1423
121
"Whate pryde, lady, for god avowe?A-1424 That hard I speke neuer or nowe A-1425 [1426 are ms. ] Of no man leuynge ore!"A-1426 "What pryde? Ye, of love!A-1427 That brynges me vnder & not above,A-1428 [1429 sare ms. ] Wyth many a syghyng sore."A-1429 "Leve lady, whome love yee?" A-1430 "In faythe, I can not tell thee,A-1431 Shuld I be dede þerfore,A-1432 Where he ys ne ys name nat;A-1433 And wette thou well thy selfe, for þatA-1434 My mornynge is the more!" A-1435
122
"I praye you tell me, good madame:A-1436 That ye so love, what ys his name,A-1437 Whennes he be here abovte?"A-1438 She sayd: "It is the straunge valett!"A-1439 [1440 word breke in tow ms. ] But syghyng made þe word in tow breke, A-1440 She myght not bryng it owtte.A-1441 [1442 a] þat ms.] And aftur that bydyng of a braydeA-1442 Another tyme efte sche sayde, [f. 211b.] A-1443 It made her low to lowte:A-1444 "Ymayne, do the'v' to 'alete' A-1445 And sythyn the wordes to gether setA-1446 And there ye have no dowte!"A-1447
123
Ymayne sayd: "Be my lewte,A-1448 To witte, what his name myght be, A-1449 A-1450

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I can no reason fynde, A-1450 For att the fyrste word sayd ye 'va',A-1451 [1452 And] A ms. ] And sethyn afturward 'a',A-1452 'Alet' ther come behynde;A-1453 And yf I them to geddur sett,A-1454 Then it was the straunge valet, A-1455 Or els ye wantyde wynde!"A-1456 "Ya, systur, ther wantyd a lacke:A-1457 For syghynge the word in sonder brake,A-1458 [1459 wynde] brede ms. ] In bale, me thought, I wynde!A-1459
124
When I shuld althur beste have spokynne, A-1460 Syghynge it hathe asonder brokyne,A-1461 Thate oute it myghte not gette;A-1462 And therefore do, as I the bydde:A-1463 Leve the syghyng in the mydeA-1464 And them to geddur sett, A-1465 And thare the not fayle of þat,A-1466 To wytte his righte name & whatte he hate,A-1467 That me wythe greve hathe grete!"A-1468 [1469 deyell ms. ] Ymayne parcevyd it euery deellA-1469 And sayd: "Now, lady, wot I wele, A-1470 That is the straunge valet!"A-1471
125
"Yea, Ymayne, he ys goone,A-1472 And I am lefte here alone [f. 212a.] A-1473 Wythe herte as hevy as ledde:A-1474 I se hym neuer, so wot I well, A-1475 Therfore thys syghynge & vncellA-1476 Wille drawe me to my dede!A-1477 Yestur nyghte I ouer-mekell toke on me,A-1478 When I spake to you, parde,A-1479 Thate garte you be so redde, A-1480 [1481 cope ms. hade ms. ] And to Jason, that no colpe hade,A-1481 [1482 seyde ms. ] I toke in good kepe, what I sede,A-1482 [1483 That made me wayle efte sythe ms.] That made me ofte sythe grede.A-1483
126
He lokyd on me full lovely,A-1484 Wyth wrong blamyd I you for thy: A-1485 A-1486

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That made hym wende his way!"A-1486 Ymayne sayde: "I toke goode tente,A-1487 But I wyste not, what it ment,A-1488 Be god, that owthe þis day!A-1489 Now I wot, I am apayde, A-1490 Well was euer that word sayde,A-1491 For savely I darre saye,A-1492 Wyth inne fortenyghte ye schall hym see,A-1493 The beste of all knyghttes, þat may be,A-1494 My lyff, þat darre I well lay!" A-1495
127
"Why, dere systur, trows þou so?"A-1496 "Ye, in fayth, þat made hym goo,A-1497 [1498 þus ms. ] I darre welle warrand þis:A-1498 [1499 ys ms. ] So fayre, so curtes, as he es,A-1499 Was neuer wyth outen proves; A-1500 But hopyng ay was hys,A-1501 He cordyd not to your avowe, [f. 212b.] A-1502 That, wotte I welle, hathe made hym nowA-1503 Wende his way, iwys,A-1504 For to gette hym loos and pryce; A-1505 So ys he worthy, ware and wysse,A-1506 As haue I joye and blysse!A-1507
128
And for the, lady fayre & fre,A-1508 For goddis love, of better comforte be yeA-1509 And lette this greve ouer-gange! A-1510 When he haue provyd hym selffe a knyghteA-1511 Of all other moste of myghte,A-1512 [1513 fro] corr. aus for.] He dwellythe not fro you longe!"A-1513 Full welle þat lady vnderstoode,A-1514 The worddus of Ymayne dyd her good, A-1515 Syghynge sche sayd amonge:A-1516 "My dere syster, blessud mut thou be,A-1517 For righte wele haste þou comforte meA-1518 Of thoughttes, þat on me thronge!A-1519
129
But, Ymaynne, be the heyvyn one, A-1520 Lord, but hym, wille I haue none, A-1521 A-1522

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Emperoure nor kynge!"A-1522 [1523 Emp.] danach or, ausgestr. ] This comfortyd hur þe lady gent.—A-1523 Ipomadon his way ys wentA-1524 Wyth many a sory syghyng; A-1525 Stravngly in his herte he mornytheA-1526 And full ofte sythes ageyne he tornyþeA-1527 Wyth full longe lokynge;A-1528 A while he is in wille to byde,A-1529 A nother stovnde forthe to ryde, A-1530 [1531 throngge ms. ] Suche þoughttes vppon hym thringge.A-1531
130
Thus of love he lernythe the artte,A-1532 And well I trowe, he hathe his parte, [f. 213a.] A-1533 Where euer he goo or ryde,A-1534 [1535 dothes ms. ] And hur suche dere it does, A-1535 [1536 thar] far ms. rows ms. ] Her thar not of her parte make no ros,A-1536 Yf sche in bowre abyde.A-1537 His maystur Thalamewe vndertokeA-1538 And hevely he sawe hym loke,A-1539 And mercy to hym he cryedde; A-1540 [1541 deyle ms. ] He sayd: "Tell me ilke a dele,A-1541 For be your covntenavnce wotte I well,A-1542 Grette hevynes ye hyde!"A-1543
131
[1544 masse ms. ] "Maystur, so haue I nede of messe,A-1544 [1545 ys ms. ] For ouer-mekyll love it es, A-1545 I may no lengur layne!"A-1546 "Whome love ye, syr, be god avowe?"A-1547 "Therefore, maystur, I telle it you:A-1548 She dothe me all this payne!"A-1549 He tolde hym all her love-lokyng, A-1550 [1551 made] danach c.] And how sche made hur chastenyngA-1551 Be Jason and Ymayne,A-1552 And all the purpose to the ende;A-1553 His maystur sayd: "So god me mend,A-1554 Sone, here of am I fayne! A-1555
132
Who so louythe, schall lykynge haue,A-1556 Worschipe to wynne, so god me saue, A-1557 A-1558

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And hit may moste avayle:A-1558 For ofte sythes pryde of paramowersA-1559 Makes men to payne them to grette honoures A-1560 And hold them in battayle,A-1561 Lett them be never lengur badde,A-1562 But knyghttes anon that they were made— [f. 213b.] A-1563 And put you in travayle,A-1564 Wend euer more fro londe to londe, A-1565 To gette you pryce & loos wyth hande,A-1566 Where knyghttes will oþur assayle!A-1567
133
Ye wotte well, sche hathe made avowe,A-1568 [1569 Sche] He ms. ] Sche may take no man for her prowe,A-1569 But yf it be the beste: A-1570 Soo wynne you pryce, and then maye yeA-1571 To that avow acordyd bee,A-1572 That to weld wyth peas and reste!A-1573 [1574 eyre ms. ] Fro hit come to the ladyes ere,A-1574 In feld how boldely ye you bere A-1575 And holdyn be the worthyeste,A-1576 [1577 I] A ms. ] I darre say savely for her sake,A-1577 Lorde, but you, sche wille none take,A-1578 Her fayethe vppon to reste!A-1579
134
[1580 is ms. ] Syr, louers euer more besy es, A-1580 To gette them loos and worthynes,A-1581 Belouyd for they wolde bee;A-1582 Yf he before was neuer not worthe,A-1583 Fro tyme he louys, he puttes hym selffe fortheA-1584 And sythes waxes he A-1585 The wyser & the worthyer all way!"A-1586 "Maystur, sothe ys, that you say,A-1587 Be god and by my lewte!A-1588 And he wille gyffe me grace þer too,A-1589 My besynes schall I doo, A-1590 And that schall ye well se!"A-1591
135
He comforte hym & forth gan ryde,A-1592 But sone wyth in a littill tyde A-1593 A-1594

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[1594 tydynge ms. ] Come there new tythande: [f. 214a.] A-1594 Welle forthe on the day A-1595 Saw they come be the wayeA-1596 A chylde full faste rennande;A-1597 A messyngere, it semyd, he were,A-1598 For be his syde a box he bare,A-1599 A schorte spere in his hande; A-1600 And when they were to geddur mette,A-1601 The chyld them full gladlye grette,A-1602 [1603 stoode ms. ] Stone-stille they stande.A-1603
136
Ipomadon sayd: "I praye the,A-1604 Fro when come þou and what contre, A-1605 And wheddur wilte þou fare?"A-1606 "Certes, syr, I come oute of Poyll,A-1607 I have travelyd many a soyleA-1608 [1609 sore ms. ] Wyth sorowys and syghynge sare;A-1609 Thes XII monthe oute but III dayes A-1610 I haue goone many dyueres wayes,A-1611 [1612 sore ms. ] Where þorowe I wery sare,A-1612 [1613 straunge] a add. ms. unr. ] For to seke a straunge valett,A-1613 And for I haue not wyth hym mette,A-1614 [1615 more ms. ] My mornynge ys the mare!" A-1615
137
"What ys his name?" "Ipomadon!"A-1616 "Syr, for god, that is but one,A-1617 What were thy wille wyth hym?"A-1618 "In faythe, syr, when I toke my waye,A-1619 Sore seke his modur lay, A-1620 Takynne in lyethe and lymme!"A-1621 "Lo, maystur", quod Ipomadon,A-1622 [1623 onee ms.] "Come never sorow be it one,A-1623 But there come mo full gryme;A-1624 I wotte never, what happe I hadde, A-1625 Of the dreme when I the lesynge made!" [f. 214b.] A-1626 Wythe that his eyne wax dymme. A-1627

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138
In sowunynge downe he tomblyd swythe;A-1628 There of his mayster was vnblytheA-1629 And fro his hors he lyghte; A-1630 In armus he toke hym vp agayneA-1631 And comfortted hym wyth all his mayne,A-1632 But full sore he syghte:A-1633 "Now, dere sone, lett thys gronyng ouer-goo:A-1634 I wold not se the sowune soo, A-1635 Fore good, men gyff me myghte!"A-1636 Whan he myghte of sorow slake,A-1637 [1638 toke ms. ] The way in to Poyle they take;A-1638 Yet lyves his moder brightte.A-1639
139
To the citte of Barlett comyn ar they, A-1640 There his modere seke layeA-1641 Wythe many a grevous peyne;A-1642 Downe before hyr gan he knele,A-1643 And to comfortte her he thought full wele,A-1644 There of sche was full fayne: A-1645 [1646 somne ms. ] "Dere sonne, welcome mot thou be!A-1646 A counsell wille I telle to thee,A-1647 No lengur I may it layne:A-1648 Of my fynger þou take a ryngeA-1649 [1650 &] danach A, ausgestr., ] & kepe it well, for any þinge, A-1650 Wyth myghte and all thy mayne!A-1651
140
Ipomadon, thou has a brother,A-1652 But loke, thou telle it to no noþure,A-1653 [1654 welle of that ms. ] I warne the off that welle,A-1654 [1655 not ms. ] For, certes, thy fader wot yt nought A-1655 Ne none, in erthe þat euer was wroughtte, [f. 215a.] A-1656 [1657 ymelle] om. ms. ] Notte passynge thre ymelle;A-1657 Whate man in erthe þat euer he be,A-1658 That knoweth þis ringe, thy broþer is he,A-1659 [1660 welle to witte ms. ] I do the to witte welle; A-1660 Parte nott ther wyth for thy,A-1661 Thy brother schall the know there by,A-1662 [1663 mette ms.] Yf ever god wolle, þat ye melle! A-1663

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141
He gaffe hit me at oure departyng,A-1664 Hit was oure laste tokenynge: A-1665 [1666 aske ms. ] The tharre not farther asse!"A-1666 Then was Ipomadon gladeA-1667 And as grette sorowe in hertte hadde,A-1668 He syhyde and sayd: "Alas!"A-1669 Joyefull he was, that he had a broþur, A-1670 And well more sory of that othere,A-1671 He wyste never, where he was.A-1672 His moder gaffe hym hyr blessyngeA-1673 And dyede wyth oute more tareyngeA-1674 And fro this world can passe. A-1675
142
Ryghte sory was Ipomadon,A-1676 And so was all the courte eche chone,A-1677 For his moder was dede;A-1678 Women wepte and colovre caste,A-1679 They sayd, for sothe, sche was þe best, A-1680 That euer on erthe myghte trede.A-1681 All that hyr seruyde before,A-1682 Grette gyftes sche gave, bothe lasse & more,A-1683 Of syluer & gold so redde.A-1684 More to say it is ryght noughte; A-1685 To her beryinge they here broughte [f. 215b.] A-1686 Wyth hertte as hevy as lede.A-1687
143
Ipomadon wolde no lenger abyde,A-1688 But prayed his fader at that tyde,A-1689 To graunt hym the order of knyght; A-1690 And he assent wyth noble chere:A-1691 [1692 was] om. ms.] Abowte his sonne, that hym was dere,A-1692 He gyrdythe a bronde full bryght;A-1693 The order of his fader he tas,A-1694 That kepes he welle, were he gas, A-1695 Ryghte yt wolde wyth all his myghte.A-1696 Thyrty chyldorne, wyth owten moo,A-1697 He made knyghttes for his sonnus sake also,A-1698 That worthy were & wyghte. A-1699

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144
Fayne wolde Ipomadone, A-1700 [1701 tane ms. ] His maystur had the ordure tone;A-1701 He sayd schortely nay,A-1702 For he knew noþer be northe nor sowtheA-1703 Non, so welle that hym serue covthe,A-1704 As he dyd nyghte and day, A-1705 And levere hym were his seruaunt be,A-1706 Thanne to be made a knyghte of fee:A-1707 "So haue I louyd the aye!"A-1708 [1709 I] ye ms. your] my ms. ] He sayd: "I haue byn your mayster,A-1709 [1710 trestyer, r corr. aus e, ms. ] And yf ye fynde any treyster, A-1710 Then wille I wynd my waye!"A-1711
145
"Nay, dere maystur Thalamewe,A-1712 Ye haue byn to me trusty & treweA-1713 In all werkes, that ye haue wroughte;A-1714 Therefore a gyfte I schall you gyffe: A-1715 Whylys god send me grace to leve, [f. 216a.] A-1716 [1717 not ms. ] Fayle you schall I nought!A-1717 [1718 who] w corr. aus h. ] A, maystur, who seruys longe,A-1718 Me thynke, men dyd hym mekyll wronge,A-1719 When the laste to the ende were broughte, A-1720 Yff he his seruys longe schold lose;A-1721 He myght thynke, as I sopose,A-1722 All to sone he thedyre sowghte!"A-1723
146
Ipomadon thus is a knyghte made,A-1724 All that he wold, to wille he hadde, A-1725 Of hors and noble armowre.A-1726 There he wold no lengur byde,A-1727 But toke his leve, & forthe gan ryde,A-1728 Att kyng and berde in bowre;A-1729 He travellyd euer fro land to lande, A-1730 To wynne his los and price wyth hande,A-1731 [1732 stoure] stronge ms. ] Where styff men were & stoure;A-1732 In Brettayne, Fraunce & Lumbardy,A-1733 In Allmayne and in ArabyeA-1734 [1735 The ms.] They hylde hym for the floure. A-1735

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147
Where euer he came at any werre,A-1736 Euer more the price away he bere,A-1737 So boldely he hym bare;A-1738 He wex so worthy a man of hande,A-1739 Agayne his stroke myght no man stonde, A-1740 [1741 sare] sure ms. ] He set them so sade & sare.A-1741 [1742 prowd] prevyd ms. ] But so prowd was Ipomadon,A-1742 [1743 man ms. ] What he was, there wyste no mon,A-1743 Nother lesse ne more;A-1744 And also his men comaundyd he, A-1745 They schuld tell no man of no degre,A-1746 [1747 were ms. ] Off whens ne whatte they ware. [f. 216b.] A-1747
148
Men covthe not calle hym, there he came,A-1748 But the worthy knyghte, þat had no name,A-1749 In cuntres fere and nere; A-1750 In suche londes, where he come inne,A-1751 Bothe love and los he gan to wynneA-1752 Of lordes and ladys clere,A-1753 Los of lordes and love of ladyes,A-1754 [1755 curtays ms. ] Of gentille damysellys & wys, A-1755 That grette and worthy were;A-1756 But euer more in his hert he þouȝte,A-1757 That love be reson myghte he nowghteA-1758 No woman, but the fere.A-1759
149
And also thynkes this bryght of ble, A-1760 Knyght in erthe, but it were hee,A-1761 Shuld neuer to wyff her wedde.A-1762 But noþer wyste of othere wille,A-1763 [1764-6 vor 1760-2 gestellt, ms. 1766 Ipom.] beginnt unr. mit grosser initiale. 1768 stade ms. 1769 that om. ms.] But ovthere suffyrd grette ille,A-1764 Ryght longe this lyff they leede. A-1765 Ipomadon now leve we here,A-1766 And speke we of that lady clere,A-1767 That is strangely stede . . . . . . . . . . .A-1768
150
Tow yere felt yt, that after sete,A-1769 That went was þat straunge valet, A-1770 A-1771

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The lady levyd stylle.A-1771 [1772 In] danach cl (l halb), ausgestr. ] In Calabur grett warre þer rosse,A-1772 Eche man on othere gosseA-1773 And mekyll blod they spylle.A-1774 The grette them gedyrs on a day, A-1775 Eche man to othere gan saye:A-1776 "Oure lady dothe full ylle,A-1777 That she will not take a lord,A-1778 [1779 mayneteyme ms. ] To mayneteyne vs in good acord: [f. 217a.] A-1779 We will goo witte hur wille! A-1780
151
For folly makyth she wyth her pride:A-1781 Oure lordes be storde on yche a syde,A-1782 There of she maye thynke synne!"A-1783 [1784 they] om. ms. hynde ms. ] There they went to that lady hendeA-1784 And told hyr all the tale to þe ende, A-1785 What care that they were ynne;A-1786 They sayd, but she a lord take,A-1787 That they shuld þer omage makeA-1788 To kynges of other kynne.A-1789 Well more sorowe then she hadde, A-1790 These tydynges makythe here vnglad,A-1791 [1792 brenne ms. ] Here hertte for bale wold brynne.A-1792
152
[1793 lasse ms. ] She sayd: "Lordes, bothe more & lesse,A-1793 [1794 ys ms. ] Wille I witte, sothe it es,A-1794 This tale, ye haue me told! A-1795 But of o poynte I you praye,A-1796 Of respyte tille the XVIII day:A-1797 Your will fayne werke I wold!"A-1798 [1799 younge ms. ] There wyth grochyees boþe old & yingeA-1799 [1800 tarerynge ms. ] And sayd: "In oure longe tareynge A-1800 [1801 monye a fold ms. ] Comes greves monyefold!"A-1801 [1802 erle] erke ms. adryas ms.] Vp startte an erle, syr Dryas,A-1802 A worthy man of warre he was,A-1803 And spekes wordes bolde;A-1804
153
He sayd: "Be gode, that syttes above, A-1805 Ye shew your lady lyttille love, A-1806 A-1807

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That you so herttly preysse:A-1807 [1808 strengythe ms. ] The strengyste theeff, þat euer myȝte leve,A-1808 Be the lawe ye muste hym gyffe [f. 217b.] A-1809 Respytte VIII dayes!" A-1810 Yche man þouȝte, he sayd but skylle,A-1811 [1812 They] om. ms. ] They lett this lady haue hure wille;A-1812 It was hyr woo all wayes.A-1813 [1814 goone ms. ] To hyr chambure gan she gongeA-1814 Wepyng, and hure handes wrange A-1815 And on here bedde hur layes.A-1816
154
Wythe that come hyr mayde YmayneA-1817 And sayd: "Madame, hit is not to layne,A-1818 [1819 peasse ms. ] Ye can not haue your pesse!"A-1819 "Imayne systur, woo ys me! A-1820 My lordys will make me weddyd be,A-1821 That makes my sorowes incresse,A-1822 For me were better all to leesse,A-1823 [1824 shuld] danach leesse, ausgestr. ] Anoþur loue then I shuld chese . . . . . .A-1824 Yf þou wylt, syster, that I leve, A-1825 Sum good counsell þou mvste me geve,A-1826 [1827 seasse ms. ] How I may make them sesse!"A-1827
155
Imayne sayd: "By my lewte,A-1828 And yff ye will do after me,A-1829 It shall turne to no skathe: A-1830 Suche rede, I hope, I shall you geve,A-1831 That yt shuld be, while we bothe leve,A-1832 [1833 bothe ms. ] A lykynge for vs bathe:A-1833 Wyth fayre wordes ye shall them answere,A-1834 There wyth all there ynne to blere, A-1835 [1836 worthee ms. ] Yff they be neuer so wrathe;A-1836 And yff they all there lyff chyd,A-1837 Tille that ye wille, ye shall abyde,A-1838 [1839 lothe ms. ] Whethere they be leefe ore lathe. [f. 218a.] A-1839
156
[1840 eyme corr. aus eme, ms. ] The kyng of Sissille ys your eme,A-1840 [1840 eyme corr. aus eme, ms. ] And welle they wotte, ye haue your reme A-1840 A-1841

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[1841 they] thye ms.] Off hym, bothe farre and nere;A-1841 Off the kyng of Sissille haue they drede,A-1843 [1844 rede] ryde ms. ] Ageynste hym dare they not rede,A-1844 But yff they bydde warre . . . . . . . . . A-1845 [1846 amnye ms. ] And yf they will haue it at annye ende,A-1846 Messengers behouythe them sendeA-1847 To kynge Malengere,A-1848
157
The wordyste of the barons svn,A-1849 And yf the kyng will hedur come, A-1850 Then shall ye not wythstonde;A-1851 [1852 þis] his ms. ] When he ys in þis contre,A-1852 At his will well ye maryede be,A-1853 Ellyes forsytte youre londe;A-1854 And in that tyme ye maye gette A-1855 Sum tydynges of your straunge valette,A-1856 Yff he be oughte nere hande,A-1857 Or els caste anoþur wile,A-1858 How ye maye farther them begyle,A-1859 Thus to be taryande!" A-1860
158
[1861 sister] saythe, ausgestr. und sister übergeschr. ms. fayle] corr. aus fyle. ] "Imayne, sister, wyth outyn fayle,A-1861 [1862 counsell ms. ] Thus is a full good counsayll,A-1862 Wherefore blessud mot þou bee!"A-1863 Here barons come the XVIII dayA-1864 And sayd: "Ladye, the sothe ye vs saye, A-1865 Your will fayne wete wold wee,A-1866 Whome ye wold to husbond haue!"A-1867 She sayd: "Lordes, so god me save,A-1868 [1869 I] om. ms. ] Alse wille as I witte ye, [f. 218b.] A-1869 That all my londes, farre or nere, A-1870 I hold of kynge Melangere,A-1871 And also my eyme ys hee;A-1872
159
[1873 I] om. ms.] And yf I werke agayne his wille,A-1873 He will take it to grette illeA-1874 And where vpon me bynde; A-1875 Therefore, yf ye will wynd hym too, A-1876 A-1877

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Right as he byddythe me, will I doo,A-1877 Be þe leeffe on the lynde!"A-1878 There wyth grogydde boþe all & sumA-1879 And sayden: "In long tarying will come A-1880 Grette noyse, and that we fynde!"A-1881 Yff one or too þerof was payde,A-1882 Othere III. or IIII. sayd:A-1883 "Oure happe comythe euer behynde!"A-1884
160
[1885 puttes ms.] A noble erle startte vp anon, A-1885 [1886 Amyson ms. ] His name was syr Amphyon,A-1886 A bigge man and a bold,A-1887 And was wyse, wyth oute leasse,A-1888 He hatyd warre and louyde peasse,A-1889 For why he was full olde; A-1890 Moste he cowthe of awncyente layes;A-1891 Wythe angrye hertte he sayes:A-1892 [1893 wylde ms. ] "Be hym, that all shall wolde,A-1893 Vs may thynke it ille sett of ilke a syde,A-1894 [1895 be] om. ms. ] That be oure lady wyth her pryde A-1895 Thes be we hare beholde!A-1896
161
Thus maye she dryve vs to delayeA-1897 This fyve yere euery daye,A-1898 [1899 sone ms. sete ms. ] While she full sore maye site; [f. 219a.] A-1899 [1900 I] they ms. ] But sorowe haue I, I saye for me, A-1900 And hangyd by I on a tre,A-1901 And I suffyre ite;A-1902 But she will a lord take,A-1903 That maye peas amonge vs make,A-1904 I do you welle to witte . . . . . . . . . . A-1905 Be the troughe of my right hand,A-1906 Right sone she shall be quyte!A-1907
162
More, than I haue, maye I not coste,A-1908 Nee lesse more, then I haue loste:A-1909 [1910 tane ms.] My londes arre fro me tone; A-1910 Full lykkely lordys she myghte haue had,A-1911 That off her wold be full glad, A-1912 A-1913

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[1913 moni] mone ms. ] In Almayene moni one,A-1913 In Poyle, where noble kynges ar kend!"A-1914 He sayd wel sother, then he wend, A-1915 [1916 onee ms. ] Be that, þat ys but one:A-1916 Many doughtty wold her haue,A-1917 But none so fayne, so god me save,A-1918 As wold Ipomadon!A-1919
163
He sayd sothe and wyste it noughte, A-1920 [1921 as ms. ] And als the lady in her hertte þoughte,A-1921 She wold haue hym full fayne.A-1922 Amphyvn was grevyd full sore,A-1923 For angur he myghtte speke no more,A-1924 But sette hym downe agayne. A-1925 Syr Drias strette vp anoneA-1926 [1927 Amphyvn ms. ] And sayd: "Me wondyrs, syr Amphyon,A-1927 [1928 pyne ms. ] As be I sauyd fro payne,A-1928 [1929 mvste ms. ] That þou nedys te medull maste:A-1929 Syr, yff þou wilte vowe the chaste, [f. 219b.] A-1930 Me thynkythe, wyth all thy mayneA-1931
164
Thou shuldys werke, as thy lady wold;A-1932 But welle I wite, þou artte so wold,A-1933 Thou yrkys of armore clere;A-1934 Wyth in this XXti yere & towe A-1935 Thou wold, or thou had sayd soo,A-1936 [1937 beyre ms. ] To haue byne layd one bere;A-1937 [1938 old] danach m, unr. ] Thou artte of old auncetryeA-1938 And wythholdon, cecurlye,A-1939 A grette foys wyth the fere; A-1940 Thou ovghte to fyght for hyr sake,A-1941 Yff she no husbond wold takeA-1942 Off all this VII. yere!A-1943
165
[1944 Cerke ms. aid ms.] Bothe clerke and bold baroneA-1944 Sawe, she askyd but resone, A-1945 And sothe it is, that she sayes:A-1946 Ageynste his wille & we haue done,A-1947 The kynge for ille wille take hit sone A-1948 A-1949

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And where vpon vs reysse!A-1949 [1950 Amphyvn ms. ] Thow shalte goo, syr Amphyon, A-1950 And off thy felowes I shall be one,A-1951 That shall passe on this weyes;A-1952 [1953 comynteys ms. ] Lette se, of all this comynteA-1953 [1954 the] om. ms. ] Who shall wend wyth the and mee!"A-1954 [1955 hym] then ms. ] This word no thynge hym payes. A-1955
166
[1956 wrothe] w corr. aus m. ] Amfyon waxyd nye wood for wrotheA-1956 [1957 othee ms. ] And to Dryas swore his othe:A-1957 [1958 maygeste] ge ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] "Bee god in maygeste,A-1958 [1959 of] om. ms. ] Were I of strenghe, as I haue bene,A-1959 Thy skornynge wordes all bedene, A-1960 Dere boughte sholde they bee! [f. 220a.] A-1961 [1962 youde ms. ] In feythe, or I frome the yode,A-1962 I shuld se thy hertte blod,A-1963 [1964 hye ms. ] Elys I hange full hee!"A-1964 Dreas wax nere woode for thy A-1965 And sayd: "Old favelard, I the defye,A-1966 That thou maye do to mee!A-1967
167
Thow artte old and dotyste faste,A-1968 And welle I wotte, þou artte agaste,A-1969 Thow lyste not to fyghtte! A-1970 Yett was þou neuer sete in feldA-1971 So harde ware I feld vnder shelde,A-1972 [1973 be] danach be, unr. ] No be day ne be nyghtte!A-1973 Ille thow kythes, & that is sene,A-1974 [1975 I wene] om. ms. ] Off thy wordynes, þat þou haste done, I wene, A-1975 Be grette god moste of myghtte!A-1976 But wylle I wotte, this is thy thoughte,A-1977 [1978 wodeste ms.] Thow woldeste haue vs, þat know it novȝte,A-1978 Wen, thow hade ben lyghte!A-1979
168
For wee ar younge & thow arte olde, A-1980 Thou woldyste lede vs, as thou wolde,A-1981 Than wold thou thynke it welle;A-1982 Att thy wille thou woldyste vs haue: A-1983 A-1984

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[1984 doter ms. ] Nay, dotard, or thow haue,A-1984 Sorowe shalte thowe feelle! A-1985 Here ys none, that onyes the þanke,A-1986 [1987 thee kynges ms. forfote ms. ] Then the kynge had forfete by brym & bankeA-1987 [1988 deylle ms. ] Here landes euery delle;A-1988 Yff thou goo waylond, wood for woo,A-1989 On this message shall thow goo, A-1990 Be god and seynt Myghell!"A-1991
169
Full wele the barons vnderstode,A-1992 Dryas reasone was trewe & goode, [f. 220b.] A-1993 For in ther hertte they þought,A-1994 [1995 hes, s corr. aus r. ] Yff they wrought agaynste his wille, A-1995 The kyng wold grettly take it to ille,A-1996 Where vpon them broughte . . . . . . . .A-1997 Syr Dryas and syr Amfyon,A-1998 The thryd hight syr Madon,A-1999 Thre better knewe they noughte. A-2000
170
They trayveld so day by day,A-2001 That in to Sesille come theyA-2002 [2003 hende] kyng ms. ] To Melyager, the hende.A-2003 They told there message all & sum,A-2004 [2005 Why] Who ms. ] Why his nece prayed hym to come, A-2005 Righte as hure faythefull frende;A-2006 And when the kynge wyst all to geder,A-2007 Whereffore they were come thedyre,A-2008 He sayd: "Serys, home ye wend!A-2009 I shall come be a sertayne day A-2010 And helpe to bryng, yf þat I maye,A-2011 Your grette debate to ende."A-2012
171
[2013 mensyngers ms. ] The messyngers were full gladA-2013 Of that answere, that they had,A-2014 To spede them home ageyne; A-2015 Whanne þey come to þe lady clere,A-2016 What euer she þouȝte, she made good chereA-2017 And lete, as she were fayne;A-2018 [2019 not ms.] But she ne rekkyd, wheder he come or nouȝt: A-2019 A-2020

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[2020 scho th.] movȝte ms. ] Ageynste the tyme he come, scho thovȝte, A-2020 To trappen hym wyth a trayne.A-2021 Kyng Melyngere wold not forgeete: [f. 221 a.] A-2022 The same day, that he had sette,A-2023 He came wyth all his meyne.A-2024
172
[2025 levythe] danach all, durchgestr. ] His young knyghttes all levythe at home, A-2025 The oldyste wyth hym thedur come,A-2026 That wyse were all waye.A-2027 They trayueld so be see & sonde,A-2028 That in to Calabur-londeA-2029 At the last come they, A-2030 [2031 Tynders ms. ] To Canders, that riche citte—A-2031 In erthe ther myghte no bettur be—A-2032 Ther that lady laye;A-2033 When she hard tell, hyr eyme was come,A-2034 To welcome hym, the waye she nome A-2035 In a riche araye.A-2036
173
The lady of her eyme was glad,A-2037 Att there metynge grette myrthe þey made,A-2038 [2039 youde ms. ] In to a towre they yede;A-2039 Ioyfull was that lady clere A-2040 Off syr Gabanus, hyr cosyn dere,A-2041 That he was stalleworthy on stede;A-2042 Wyth myrthe they draw to ende þat nyȝte;A-2043 On morowe, whane day was lyghte,A-2044 Kynge Melangere toke hede: A-2045 [2046 anerber ms. ] In to an erber fayre and greneA-2046 The kynge youde wyth his knyghttes kene,A-2047 That doughtty was off dede.A-2048
174
There lighttes he downe, kynge Melangere;A-2049 Sone aftur comythe that lady dere A-2050 Wyth many a worthy wyghte;A-2051 XXXti maydons all bedene,A-2052 [2053 seme ms.] The sympelyste semed to be a quene, [f. 221b.] A-2053 Off ble they were so bryghte.A-2054 Formeste she hur selff was, A-2055 A-2056

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Her beheld all in that place,A-2056 Kyng, baron and knyghte;A-2057 They sayd: "No wounder, yf she be daungerus,A-2058 To take an onworthy spowsse,A-2059 Be grette god, moste of myȝte!" A-2060
175
There was no man than on lyve,A-2061 [2062 Thate] corr. aus There. her] he ms. ] Thate myghtte her bewte dyscryve,A-2062 So made off blode and bone;A-2063 Had Ipomadone þan here sene,A-2064 [2065 byne ms. ] I trowe, full lothe hym wold haue bene, A-2065 Hyr love to haue forgoone.A-2066 Also there was in placeA-2067 [2068 witte ms. ] A chyld, that full witti was,A-2068 [2069 Her ms. Sygyon ms. ] Hys cosyn Egyon,A-2069 That he hym selff had sent thedure, A-2070 To spere and to herkyne all to gedyr,A-2071 Whedur she had lord or none.A-2072
176
Hur eyme, she full godely hym grette,A-2073 He roosse and by his syde hure sette,A-2074 That ferlye fayre off face; A-2075 Bothe barons & bachelersA-2076 And laydys and squyers,A-2077 They presyd in to place,A-2078 Whome she wold to lord take,A-2079 That so mony hathe forsake A-2080 Off worthy men, that was;A-2081 [2082 Amphivn ms. ] Vp roosse syr AmphionA-2082 And spake before them euery chone,A-2083 [2084 he w.] he, ausgestr., danach ye is. ] Trewe in hertte he was: [f. 222a.] A-2084
177
[2085 þs ms. ] "Syr kyng, all þis comene A-2085 Be one assent sent after the,A-2086 [2087 þs ms. ] To witte þis ladyes wille,A-2087 Whome she wold take to husbonde,A-2088 [2089 maynteyme; danach h, ausgestr.] To maynteyne vs & hyr lond,A-2089 Oure stryffe to stabull and stille. A-2090 Righte godely she is beuoyed, A-2091 A-2092

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On ilke syde her londes ar stroyed,A-2092 That maye vs lyke full ylle;A-2093 Many worthy wold here haue,A-2094 But þer is non, so god me save, A-2095 [2096 tille] towe ms. ] Yet þat she will corde tille.A-2096
178
There is þe kynges sonne of Spayne;A-2097 I wotte, he wold haue hyr full fayne,A-2098 Right bold and full hardy!"A-2099 [2100 them ms. ] Vp then startte syr Dryas, A-2100 That rede for angur wax is face,A-2101 And sayd: "Faylard, fye!A-2102 I praye to god, ille mot þou lyke,A-2103 For I am no eratyke,A-2104 I meyne for my ladye: A-2105 Be the grette god, þat all hathe wrouȝte,A-2106 All men maye see, þou louyste her nouȝte,A-2107 Well I wotte there bye!A-2108
179
There shall neuer eretyke, as I haue roo,A-2109 Worshipe to no woman doo, A-2110 They are so wykkyd and ille;A-2111 [2112 thou haddyst ms. ] For leuer they hadde wyth lassis to loure,A-2112 Than to joye wyth byrdes in bowre.A-2113 [2114 ladyes loue ms. ] That ladye loues be skylle [f. 222b.] A-2114 Bettur one, that she chesse hure selff, A-2115 Than she shuld do off oþur twellfe,A-2116 That men constrayns hyr tille:A-2117 Syr kynge, yff she a lord shall haue,A-2118 I rede, she chesse hym, soo god me save,A-2119 Be hur owne good wille!" A-2120
180
All this harde kynge Malengere,A-2121 He goos to that lady clereA-2122 And sayd: "Nese, what seye ye?A-2123 Yff ye will acorde there too,A-2124 Me wold thynke, hit were to doo, A-2125 [2126 them ms.] In peas then myghte ye be!"A-2126 In a stody stille she satte A-2127 A-2128

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And sayd a longe while after þat:A-2128 "Syr, be my lewte,A-2129 I wille werke after þe wille of yours, A-2130 But for to loue paramowers,A-2131 [2132 thre] r corr. aus e. ] I haue chosyne thre!A-2132
181
[2133 Josy ms. ] One is the kynge of Rosy,A-2133 [2134 the] danach kyng, ausgestr. ] An other the dukes sonne of Normandy,A-2134 [2135 is he ms. ] The thryd, of Irelond he es; A-2135 I wott neuer, by the holy goste,A-2136 Whiche of hem thre I loue moste,A-2137 [2138 mercye ms. ] As I haue mede off bless!A-2138 Thereffore a poynte I you prayeA-2139 Off ryspyte tille the morowe day, A-2140 That I in hertte maye gesse,A-2141 Wheche of them thre I love beste!"A-2142 To gar them bydde, this wile she keste;A-2143 They graunte, bothe more and lesse.A-2144
182
Wythe myrthe þat day þey dreve to ende, [f. 223a.] A-2145 In to hyr chambyr þat lady wendeA-2146 [2147 callyd ms. Im.] a maydon ms. ] And Imayne to hure calld:A-2147 "A, dere systyr, wo ys mee!A-2148 How maye I now excuse me?A-2149 [2150 many a fold ms. ] My care is manyfald! A-2150 For me had leuer all forgoo,A-2151 Another love or I shuld too:A-2152 [2153 wold ms. ] Right now dye I wald!A-2153 Be god, þat ordeyned all þinge,A-2154 Langeyre I made a lowde lesynge, A-2155 [2156 told ms. ] That tale, that I them tald,A-2156
183
[2157 thre] there ms. ] That I hadde chosyne thre:A-2157 There shall non haue my herte, but hee,A-2158 Whatte that euer I sey;A-2159 [2160 Im.] I maye ms.] But, Imayne, wyth outen fayle, A-2160 Ye mvste geve me sum good counseyle, A-2161 A-2162

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How I begyle them maye,A-2162 [2163 me ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] For me were leuer all forsake,A-2163 Then oþur loue I shuld take,A-2164 Be hym, that owethe þis daye!" A-2165 "I not," she sayd, "be my lewte,A-2166 [2167 not] wot ms. ] I not in erthe, what best maye be,A-2167 My lyff yf I shuld laye!A-2168
184
Synne ye hadde leuer all forgoo,A-2169 Then lese your love, ye saye euer so, A-2170 I rede, so god me save!"A-2171 "Whate seyste þou, syster? Alas, lett bee!A-2172 Then wold all men saye, parde,A-2173 I were in poynte to rave;A-2174 So proude avowe, as I haue made, [f. 223b.] A-2175 Yll sett, men wold saye, I had,A-2176 That now shuld loue a knave:A-2177 He dyd neuer prouys, that men dyd se,A-2178 And I wott neuer, of whens is hee,A-2179 [2180 Ner ms. crave] fynde ms. ] Nor where I shuld hym crave! A-2180
185
[2181 But] B corr. aus y. ] But yf þu wilte acorde hit tille,A-2181 A bettur counsell sey I wille,A-2182 How I may garre hem byde:A-2183 [2184 hem ms.] I shall praye him, for my sakeA-2184 A turnament that he wold make A-2185 Off knyghttes, that wele gan ryde,A-2186 That it maye be lastynge dayes thre,A-2187 And what man, on erthe that he be,A-2188 In all þis world so wyde,A-2189 That maye beyre the pryce awey, A-2190 Shall wyld me & my londes for aye,A-2191 To lay me by his syde!A-2192
186
And yff my love be levandeA-2193 And maye here tell, I vnderstond,A-2194 Thus turnament yare, A-2195 Yff he haue any þoughte on me,A-2196 Or anny provys in hym bee, A-2197 A-2198

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I hope, he wille be þare;A-2198 [2199 Yff] danach y, ausgestr. ] Yff he love me, I suppose,A-2199 Hee will his loue not lyghttly loose: A-2200 [2201 were ms. ] Yff he doo, wronge it ware;A-2201 Whedyr hit turne to wele or woo,A-2202 His loue and I shuld forgoo,A-2203 Off blis I were full bare!"A-2204
187
Then Ymayne, lowde she loughe, A-2205 And sayd: "Thus is good inowghe, [f. 224a.] A-2206 Be god, that all hathe wroughte!A-2207 Myghte non in erthe haue better sayd,A-2208 Euyll or wele whedur he be payd,A-2209 This counsell nyghe ye noughte!"— A-2210 On the morowe, when þe sonne was bryghte,A-2211 Kynge Melangere wyth many a knyghteA-2212 In to the erbere soughte;A-2213 Sone after come the lady gent,A-2214 The kyng by the hand hyr hent A-2215 [2216 assete ms. ] And tille a sete hyr broughte.A-2216
188
[2217 spake ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] Beefore them all spake Amfyon:A-2217 "Syr kynge, your barons ychoneA-2218 Wille specially you praye,A-2219 As thou artte our faythefull frend, A-2220 [2221 bate ms. ] Brynge our grette bale to ende,A-2221 For best, we trowe, ye maye!"A-2222 The lady at his wordes wax teneA-2223 And sayd: "Amphivn, yt is sene,A-2224 [2225 owe þs ms. ] Be god, that owes þis daye, A-2225 That ye no þinge hold wyth mee,A-2226 But full ageynste me, syr, ye bee,A-2227 [2228 ayee ms. ] And so ye haue byne aye!A-2228
189
Yow nede not hye you halff so faste;A-2229 For all the wyles, that ye caste, A-2230 [2231 note ms.] In faythe, ye gette me noughte!A-2231 I corde no thynge for your estate, A-2232 A-2233

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[2233 Love syr your makes syr not so hote ms. ] Your love, syr, makes not so hate,A-2233 For grette god, that you wroughte!"A-2234 She callyd to hyr syr Dryas A-2235 [2236 that] danach were, unterpunktet und durchgestr. ] And other, that nere of her counsell was, [f. 224b.] A-2236 And told them all her thought;A-2237 [2238 lasse ms. ] She sayd: "Lordynges more & lesse,A-2238 [2239 ys ms. ] A matter to meve there es,A-2239 That me in bale hathe brouȝte! A-2240
190
Yff it were done be grette folye,A-2241 A vowe amys, for sothe, made IA-2242 A longe while here beforene,A-2243 That me shuld neuer wedde no wyȝte,A-2244 But yff he were the beste knyghte, A-2245 That in his tyme was borne;A-2246 And yff I shuld now that vow breke,A-2247 All that therof hard speke,A-2248 Wold laughe me to skorne;A-2249 Take I anny but the beste, A-2250 [2251 I] om. ms. ] They myghte sey, so haue I reste,A-2251 [2252 were] w. corr. aus f. ] My grette pryde were forlorne! . . . . .A-2252
191
Ye will lett sett a turnament,A-2253 [2254 dayes] danach f, ausgestr. ] That myghte last dayes thre;A-2254 Whedyr he come frome est or weste, A-2255 Man in erthe, þat berythe hym beste,A-2256 Shall wyld my londes and me.A-2257 Yff ye thynke, I sey resone nowe,A-2258 Thus, me thynke, my riche avowe,A-2259 Efte hit myghte holdyn be!" A-2260 The yong knyghttes euerychoneA-2261 [2262 onee ms. ] Sayd: "Be god, þat is but one,A-2262 Here off full fayne ar wee!"A-2263
192
[2264 to ms. in s. ms.] All men tho the kyng besoughte,A-2264 That he shuld graunte and groche it noughte, A-2265 To sette this turnament: [f. 225 a.] A-2266 "Thus beste your vow maye be hold!" A-2267 A-2268

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[2268 wene ms. ] Yche man wend, hym selff shuldA-2268 Wynne þat lady gente!"A-2269 Manlengere wold not lette, A-2270 Fowre monethes after þat day was settA-2271 Be all the lordes assent;A-2272 Knyghttes, that were off farre contre,A-2273 Myghte here and come to þat semble,A-2274 That wele durste byde one bente. A-2275
193
Vnder Canders, that riche citte,A-2276 Men sayd, this turnament shuld be,A-2277 In a full fayre mede.A-2278 When this sertayne day was sett,A-2279 Euery man toke leve, wyth oute lette, A-2280 [2281 youde ms. ] And to there contrey yede;A-2281 The lady to her bowre ys goon;A-2282 Full wondyr woo was Amfyon,A-2283 That they had done this dede.A-2284 [2285 there ms. ] The damysell now leve we thore, A-2285 And of hur louer speke we more,A-2286 [2287 mkyll ms. ] That leuythe in mekyll drede.A-2287
194
A cosyn had Ipomadon,A-2288 A noble chyld, Egyon,A-2289 The same tyme in the place, A-2290 That hard there wordes allbedeneA-2291 And knewe ther purpose white & clene,A-2292 But none wyste, what he was.A-2293 [2294 sogarende] a corr. aus e. ] He sogarende not nyghte ne daye,A-2294 But in to Poyle he toke the waye [f. 225b.] A-2295 [2296 goose ms. ] And to Barlet he gaaseA-2296 And told Ipomadon, the hende,A-2297 Eche word to the ende;A-2298 [2299 has] had ms.] Thereoff grette joye he has.A-2299
195
He told hym also, so god me save, A-2300 How they a lord wold make hur haue:A-2301 "Syr, this is there caste; A-2302 A-2303

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And she be hyr owne assentA-2303 Prayd hem of a turnament,A-2304 That thre dayes oute myghte laste. A-2305 [2306 lond] pays ms. ] The knyghttes, þat were of huncouthe lond,A-2306 Mighte redely them vnderstonde,A-2307 And thedur myghte hye them faste."A-2308 Ipomadon, he was so glad,A-2309 Therefore grette joye he made, A-2310 [2311 breste ms. ] Off laughynge oute he braste.A-2311
196
[2312 callyd ms. ] His mayster Tholamewe he calldA-2312 [2313 told ms. ] And all his purposse hym tald,A-2313 Sayd: "Syr, what ys your rede?A-2314 Be worthynes nowe mvste me chese, A-2315 And, mayster, or I my love shuld lese,A-2316 In faythe, I wille be dede!"A-2317 [2318 tydynges ms. ] Whan Thalamewe hard þis tydynge,A-2318 He sayd wyth hertte full well lauȝhyng:A-2319 "Now darre I lay my hedde, A-2320 That god will haue hit brouwghte above,A-2321 That ye shall wyth worshipe wynne your loveA-2322 Off stronge men in that stede!A-2323
197
Now shall ye worke, as dothe the wyse,A-2324 Hyue you there to and gette þe pryce A-2325 Be worthynes off hande!" [f. 226a.] A-2326 "Ye, mayster, and I were there,A-2327 So non wyste, what I were,A-2328 I wold be wel lycande!A-2329 [2330 But] Gyf ms. ] But I shuld presse, to put me forthe: A-2330 [2331 Gyf] But ms. ] Gyf I of dedys were holdyn worthe,A-2331 [2332 fonde ms. ] For love wyth hur I fande;A-2332 For euer more, mayster, thynkes mee,A-2333 [2334 well l.] lovers ms. ] That lovers shold well leynand be,A-2334 [2335 presse ms.] For mekyll I preyse that wande, A-2335
198
That brekes not and will well bowe;A-2336 Righte so it farythe be them, I trowe, A-2337 A-2338

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That lovys and well can layne;A-2338 In few wordes ys curtesye:A-2339 Lette his dedes bere wittenes, why A-2340 He shuld be louyde agayne!A-2341 In suche place men may hym dyscure,A-2342 Hym were better, to hold hym sure,A-2343 For ofte that poynte dothe payne;A-2344 [2345 ys] danach no, unr. ] In fele wordis be reson ys lyes, A-2345 And ay the moste man of priceA-2346 [2347 saye ms. ] The leyste of them selff wille sayne!A-2347
199
[2348 I] om. ms. not] om. ms. ] I wille not wende in to the pres,A-2348 My love to wynne, wyth oute lesse,A-2349 Mastyr, so hastely; A-2350 [2351 men] om. ms. ] To pasande poyntes that men may say,A-2351 That I am best worthy all way,A-2352 To weld that wyghte for thy,A-2353 Oute of this contre wynde I wille,A-2354 To serue the kynge of Cesille, A-2355 Ys eme to that fayre lady;A-2356 I wotte welle, he wil be at hit, [f. 226b.] A-2357 And so shall I, that no man witteA-2358 Ne know, þat it is I.A-2359
200
Lett god do wyth me, what hym lyste, A-2360 Were I there, þat no man it wyste,A-2361 I gaff no fors, in faye;A-2362 Therefore, mayster, for charyte,A-2363 That hors and harnes redy bee,A-2364 [2365 prayee ms.] For goddes loue I you praye!" A-2365 "Syr, I shall do your comaundement!"A-2366 Wyth good wille his mayster wentA-2367 And ordeyned his araye;A-2368 His leve toke IpomadonA-2369 Att fader and frendes ilkone; A-2370 Wyth hym he ledde a maye,A-2371
201
His syster doghttur, sib ful nere, A-2372 A-2373

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A maydon chaste & myld of chere,A-2373 [2374 cheke and chynne ms. ] Lufflye of chynne and cheke,A-2374 [2375 harnes ms. ] Grette hors many wyth his harneys, A-2375 [2376 spare ms. ] And also III sware palffreysA-2376 Toke he wyth hym eke,A-2377 Greyhondes wyghte wyth small brachettes,A-2378 [2379 Revill ms. ] Nobill hawkys and yonge valettes,A-2379 That were bothe myld and meke; A-2380 Wyth hem he ledde stedes thre:A-2381 In erthe þer myȝtte no better bee,A-2382 Thorowe all þus world to seke.A-2383
202
[2384 An] And ms. ] An as white as anny mylke,A-2384 The sadull couered in white sylke, A-2385 Was neuer non better seene;A-2386 There on satte a chyld in white,A-2387 [2388 delyghte ms. ] That syght to se was grette dylyteA-2388 [2389 byn ms. ] To them, þat there had ben;A-2389 Abowte his neke a white scheld, A-2390 A white spere in his hand he helde, [f. 227a.] A-2391 The pensell white, I wene;A-2392 That was the best stede of them thre,A-2393 Furþermoste on the grounde gothe he,A-2394 And all was white bedene. A-2395
203
Efte come another stede,A-2396 On grounde neuer a better yede,A-2397 And that was rede-sore,A-2398 Redde sadull, shyld & spere,A-2399 [2400 geyre ms. ] Redde was all his oþur gere, A-2400 [2401 yc.] fayre ms. ] And shone as gold ycore,A-2401 A chyld in rede there on sittandeA-2402 Wyth a rede spere in his hand,A-2403 The pensell red there fore,A-2404 [2405 beame ms. ] As bryght as the sonne beme, A-2405 [2406 st.] sonnes.] Or lyghter then the sterres leme,A-2406 That stede was sum dele more. A-2407

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204
A blake stede come after hym,A-2408 So well made of lythe and lym,A-2409 That in hym was no lake; A-2410 [2411 whyghttes ms. ] The whyghttest of hem all was þat,A-2411 [2412 shyld ms. ] And there vpon a chyld satte,A-2412 [2413 mykyll ms. ] Ryche and a mykylls make;A-2413 A blake sheld aboute his halsse,A-2414 Blake was all his armur alse, A-2415 That he bare on his bake,A-2416 [2417 sadull] stede ms. conysanre ms. ] Cole-blake sadull and conysance;A-2417 [2418 launsere ms. ] The chyld bare on his launseA-2418 A pensell all off blake.A-2419
205
Was non off them oþur lyke, A-2420 [2421 syke ms. ] But in þat tyme þer were non slyke,A-2421 This dare I savely saye;A-2422 [2423 goothe ms. ] Eyther before oþur goose, [ 227b.] A-2423 Syn after comen in roseA-2424 [2425 in[ om. ms. ] Wythe in a littill way A-2425 Men wyth haukes and houndes harde,A-2426 Tholemewe come afterwarde,A-2427 [2428 arayse ms. ] Righte in good arayA-2428 Vppon a chesour noble & wyghte;A-2429 Lyke an hunter he was dyght, A-2430 Ryght well to his paye.A-2431
206
[2432 his] danach favls, ausgestr. havls ms. ] A grette horne aboute his hals,A-2432 [2433 alee ms. ] Be hynde hym bowes & arrowes alseA-2433 He bare for drede of gille;A-2434 Sethen after come Ipomadon, A-2435 [2436 And] om. ms. tane ms. ] And the mayden, þat he had wyth hym tone,A-2436 This rode they many a myle;A-2437 They held þem wele be hynde þe rowte,A-2438 For they durst not drawe abouteA-2439 Nere the dust, þere clothyng shuld fyle. A-2440 [2441 the ms.] So long they rode in this araye,A-2441 That at the last come theyA-2442 In to þe lond of Cesille, A-2443

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207
In to a foreste feyre and grene,A-2444 Ther foulys song al bedene A-2445 [2446 more ms. ] On bowes, bothe lesse & mare,A-2446 The frithe was full of swete flouris:A-2447 Who lyst to love paramowres,A-2448 [2449 there ms. ] Grette lykyng had byn thare,A-2449 Ipomadon forgettys nouȝte, A-2450 To haue his leman in his thoughte,A-2451 [2452 sore ms. ] That made hym sigh full sare;A-2452 And also he rode in his thynkynge, [f. 228a.] A-2453 A songe of loue he gan to syng:A-2454 'For her ay mys I fare.' A-2455
208
Lyghttly was he clade to ryde,A-2456 In a mantell panyd wyth pryde,A-2457 And semys sette grette plente,A-2458 He loysyd his mantell band for heteA-2459 And downe fro his neke he it lete, A-2460 It covyrd ouer his kne;A-2461 Hose he had of clothe of Ynde,A-2462 Suche shull no man now fynde,A-2463 To seke all crystyante.A-2464 [2465 had] h corr. aus w. ] Spurrys of gold he had vpon, A-2465 Was neuer kyng, better weryd none,A-2466 Ne no mon in no degre.A-2467
209
Rychely was that maydon clade,A-2468 And on his righte hond he here ledde,A-2469 [2470 ride] rode ms.] To geddyr forthe they ride, A-2470 Bothe þorow frythe & ferneA-2471 Toward the sitte of PalerneA-2472 The way they toke þat tyde,A-2473 There the kyng & þe quene lay;A-2474 The kyng huntyd all þat day A-2475 In foreste there be syde;A-2476 His meyne had hym loste ychone,A-2477 All but Cabanus alonne,A-2478 In hert ys nouȝte to hyde. A-2479

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210
They too percevyd a grette hertte, A-2480 [2481 starte ms. ] A littill in the way yt sterte,A-2481 A nobull dere at assaye;A-2482 They folowyd on the chasse so faste, [f. 228b.] A-2483 Thate they were warre at the lasteA-2484 Of men come by the waye, A-2485 [2486 arrowes ms. ] Rydyng money wyth fayre harnes,A-2486 [2487 was ms. ] There of the kyng hym selff wesA-2487 Right in a grette affraye:A-2488 He wend, for they come soo,A-2489 His londys they wold take hym fro, A-2490 [2491 dismayde] this mayde ms. ] And this he stode dismayde.A-2491
211
The custum was not in þo dayes,A-2492 Knyghttes to ryde wyth suche harnays:A-2493 The more he was in dowte;A-2494 [2495 duste ms. ] He, that boldyste durste abyde, A-2495 [2496 alone] & ms. ] Hym alone he was wont to rydeA-2496 And wyth hym lede no rowte;A-2497 [2498 youde ms. ] To seke auntrys when knyȝttes yede,A-2498 Hym selff was wonte his geyre to lede,A-2499 Were he neuer so stowte; A-2500 For thy the bokes tellyth ychone,A-2501 The fyrste man was Ipomadon,A-2502 [2503 aboughte ms. ] That harnes ledde aboute.A-2503
212
The kyng seyd to Cabanus:A-2504 [2505 meane ms. ] "What meanes, þat these meyne come þus A-2505 Wyth horsse and harnes bryghte?A-2506 [2507 fyghtte ms. ] This fyftte wyntur & II monethe stilleA-2507 Kyng haue I byn in Cesile,A-2508 I saw neuer suche a syghte,A-2509 [2510 beyre ms.] So money stedes hernes bere: A-2510 Hit semeth as they come for werre,A-2511 To robbe vs off our ryghte!A-2512 Cabanus, goo witte þer wille,A-2513 Whethere they come for good or ille: [f. 229a.] A-2514 Younder semythe a knyghte! A-2515

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I praye the spyrre on feyre manere,A-2516 Wyth suche araye what dothe they here,A-2517 [2518 shyld ms. ] Wyth armoure, spere and sheld!"A-2518 [2519 youde ms. ] Att his byddyng forthe he yode,A-2519 [2520 And] danach ansatz zu h, ausgestr. ] And in there waye stille he stode A-2520 [2521 behylde ms. ] A longe while and beheldeA-2521 Bothe stedes and palfrayes,A-2522 [2523 harnes ms. ] Grette horse and good harneys,A-2523 [2524 old ms. ] The chyldorne bothe yong & eld,A-2524 The havkes & the houndes ychone: A-2525 Fayrer saw he neuer none,A-2526 [2527 wyld ms. ] Syn he is witte cowde weld.A-2527
214
Ipomadon can after ryde,A-2528 His cosyn ledand by his syde,A-2529 That he fro home had broughte; A-2530 Cabanus wyth laughyng chereA-2531 Haylyd þem in fayre maynere,A-2532 And sythe he the knyȝt besought:A-2533 "Syr, the kyng of Sissille huntythe here byA-2534 Wyth a ryall company A-2535 Off knyghttes, that wele hathe wrouȝte;A-2536 He send me, for to witte your wille,A-2537 Whedur ye come for good or ille,A-2538 [2539 thynke ms. ] To warre yf ye thought!"A-2539
215
"Nay, syr," quod Ipomadon, A-2540 [2541 þs ms. ] "Warre in þis lond ne seke I non,A-2541 [2542 deyre ms. ] To do no man no dere;A-2542 But as off kyng Melyngere,A-2543 Men speke of hym boþe farre & nere,A-2544 [2545 Hy ms. warre ms. ] Hys worthynes of werre!" [f. 229b.] A-2545 "Ye, in faythe", quod Cabanus,A-2546 "Syr, for goddis loue shewe ye vsA-2547 My eronde to hym hereA-2548 And say, here is a knyghte, sertayne,A-2549 That will speke wyth hym right fayne, A-2550 [2551 leeff ms.] No þing me so dere!" A-2551

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Good syr, goo, witte his wille,A-2552 Whedur I shuld come hym tilleA-2553 Or here hym to abyde!A-2554 [2555 fare] r aus y corr. ] To hym wyth you wold I fare A-2555 [2556 were ms. ] Sothely, ne this maydon ware,A-2556 That houythe by my syde!"A-2557 Cabanus to the kyng is gooneA-2558 And told hym all tho poyntes ychone,A-2559 And how ryally they ryde: A-2560 "Syr, synne I was of my moder borne,A-2561 I sawe neuer suche a syghte beforenA-2562 In this world so wyde!A-2563
217
So fayre stedys, so fayre palfreys,A-2564 [2565 harnes ms. ] So fayre hors, so fayre harneys, A-2565 [2566 yonge ms. ] Wyth chyldur so fayre & yinge,A-2566 So fayre haukes, so fayre hovndes,A-2567 So fayre racchis, goynge on groundes,A-2568 To se, ys grette lykynge,A-2569 So fayre knyghttes, so fayre a maye, A-2570 So fayre and so good araye,A-2571 But yff it were a kynge.A-2572 Hit semyth, he hath no wordes to waste,A-2573 [2574 moste ms. ] To speke wyth you he comys maste,A-2574 Ouer all oþer thynge. A-2575
218
To yow had he comyn wyth me, [f. 230a.] A-2576 But a lady ledys hee,A-2577 That hym is lothe to leve;A-2578 Thereffore he prayes you herttly,A-2579 That ye wold come to hym for thy, A-2580 He bydys you be younde younder greve!"A-2581 The kyng sayd: "Be my levte,A-2582 His riche araye will I see,A-2583 [2584 preve] preysse ms.] Gyf it be so to preve!"A-2584 The kyng is to þe way goon, A-2585 Then see hym come IpomadonA-2586 And vp his hand gan heve. A-2587

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219
He seyd: "God loke þe, Melengere!A-2588 [2589 þs ms. ] In all þis world, farre and nere,A-2589 Ys holdyn non so good A-2590 Off kyndenes ne of curtessy,A-2591 In dede of armus, of cheualrye,A-2592 So bigge of bone and blode!A-2593 [2594 of ms. ] Oft sythes thus haue I herde saye,A-2594 That made me hedyr take the waye, A-2595 [2596 youde ms. ] Frome whome when I yode:A-2596 In erthe ys non in all degre,A-2597 [2598 That] danach at, unr. ] That me deynes, but it were ye,A-2598 [2599 Ne to ms. ] To serue, be my hode!A-2599
220
So grett good men spekythe of the, A-2600 That I wold thy seruant be:A-2601 This made me hedyr to ryde;A-2602 Fro fere contreys I haue soughte,A-2603 My cosyn wyth me haue I brought,A-2604 [2605 me ms. ] That hovis be my syde: A-2605 In faythe, she is a mayden clene,A-2606 And she, I wold, shuld dwell wyth þe quene, [f. 230b.] A-2607 In erthe is nouȝte to hyde!A-2608 But, syr, yf þou my seruyce take,A-2609 A comnaunte wyth the must I make, A-2610 Ellys will I not byde!A-2611
221
[2612 say ms. ] Now shall I se in littill wayes,A-2612 Yff it be of the, as men sayesA-2613 [2614 there ms. ] In cuntreys here and thare!"A-2614 The kyng lokythe on the knyght A-2615 And sayd: "Syr, all, that is righte,A-2616 [2617 more ms.] Shall þou haue, & mare!"A-2617 He was full lothe, to lese hym soo:A-2618 "Cabanus, wyth hym goo,A-2619 And to the citte ye fare, A-2620 To the beste inne þou hym lede:A-2621 Goo wyth hym, so god þe spede,A-2622 That þou no þing spare!" A-2623

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222
Be þat his folke were comyn ychone,A-2624 Forthe to gedder ar they goone A-2625 To Palerne, the riche citte,A-2626 And at the best innes of all þe towneA-2627 Cabanus lyght is adowneA-2628 And sayd: "Syr, here shall we be!"A-2629 [2630 was] danach thalewe, unterpunktet und ausgestr. ] Wysse inowthe was Tholamewe, A-2630 Ful wele his mayster he knewe:A-2631 There dyner ordeyns hee;A-2632 Ipomadon sayd at þat tydeA-2633 To Cabanus: "Ye shall abyde,A-2634 Syr, and dyne wyth me!" A-2635
223
He wyst, the kyng it wolde,A-2636 For after hym comen he nold,A-2637 Thereffore he dwellyþe stille. [f. 231a.] A-2638 Ipomadon and CabanusA-2639 On benche to geddur sett ar thus, A-2640 And Tholamewe wyth good willeA-2641 Ryche mettes before hem brought,A-2642 Off all welthes they wantyd nouȝte;A-2643 Cuppis sythe gan they fylleA-2644 Off pyment and of riche wyne, A-2645 In cuppis, that were off gold fyne,A-2646 On hand he browght them tille.A-2647
224
At the laste was browght forthe for þe nonysA-2648 A cupe, sett wyth precyous stonys,A-2649 [2650 cassadouns ms. ] Wyth cassidoins, þat were clere; A-2650 The cupe was good and precious,A-2651 The stonys good and vertuous,A-2652 And dyamovndes, þat were dere,A-2653 [2654 tapet ms. sersolette ms. ] The crapet and the sersolitte,A-2654 [2655 ametas ms. ] The emeraud and the ametite, A-2655 [2656 safure ms. ] The ruby and the safere,A-2656 Perle, topyas and mony claspys,A-2657 [2658 on] om. ms. happis ms.] And on fowre sydes were dyueres haspis,A-2658 That queynte and sotell were, A-2659

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225
[2660 Tweyne] w corr. aus a. ] Tweyne of syluer and twayn of gold, A-2660 [2661 shuld ms. ] So prevy, þat non them know shold,A-2661 Where the openyng myghte be;A-2662 In the pomell a stone, wyth outen moo,A-2663 That wold anny syluer sloo,A-2664 [2665 iȝe ms. ] That euer was sene wyth eȝe. A-2665 The cuppe toke Ipomadon,A-2666 Cabanus he lokyd vpponA-2667 And sayd: "Syr, herkyns mee:A-2668 The on halff her of shalt þou drynke, [f. 231b.] A-2669 The other deyle my selff; I thynke, A-2670 The cuppe to gyff to theA-2671
226
In the begynnyng of our company;A-2672 Thereffore I praye the specyally,A-2673 Frendely it to fonge;A-2674 As I shall frenshipe fynde in þe, A-2675 This sympull gyfte þou take of me,A-2676 I wille mend it, or it be longe!"A-2677 Cabanus on fayre manereA-2678 Thankys hym wyth lauȝhand chereA-2679 And sayd wyth myrthe amonge: A-2680 "Syn thou this cuppe haste gevyn to me,A-2681 My selffe holly I gyff to the,A-2682 Or els I dyd the wronge!A-2683
227
In that, þat I may in my lyff,A-2684 Betwene vs too shall neuer be stryffe, A-2685 [2686 grace ms.] Yff god wille gyff me grace!"A-2686 Wyth myrthe they dreve to ende þat day;A-2687 At evyn the kyng, the sothe to saye,A-2688 Fro huntynge comen was;A-2689 Cabanus to the courte ys goone A-2690 And wyth hym leydes Ipomadon,A-2691 That frely fayre of face;A-2692 So semely knyghttes, as they were II,A-2693 In all the courte ys no moo,A-2694 That þe kyng wyth hym hasse. A-2695

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Ipomadon comys in to þe hallA-2696 Clothed in a syrket off palle,A-2697 Purfelyed wyth ermyne,A-2698 Bend abowte wyth orfrayes:A-2699 [2700 pays] place ms. ] All the folke of that pays [f. 232a.] A-2700 Hade neuer no bettur sene;A-2701 A visage he had bothe stoute & bold,A-2702 A godely countenavnce to behold,A-2703 Ther was joye off all wyne;A-2704 In handes to geddur com they twoo, A-2705 Knyghttes gaffe them rome & lett them goo,A-2706 [2707 fyne] faynte ms. ] Cabanus wold not fyne;A-2707
229
To Melenger, the kyng, bothe ar goon:A-2708 "Syr kyng," quod Ipomadon,A-2709 "Thy wylle fayne witte I wold! A-2710 But, yf I shuld thy seruante be,A-2711 A comnavnte muste I make wyth the,A-2712 Langere as I the told;A-2713 [2714 vnderstond ms. ] I do the welle to vnderstand:A-2714 But yf þou fullfyll my comnande, A-2715 I byde not, be þou bolde!A-2716 Yff it be so, now shall I see,A-2717 As I haue herde speke of þeA-2718 [2719 many a fold ms. ] In contreys manyfold!"A-2719
230
The kyng stoode in a stody stille A-2720 And sayd: "Syr, all þat thy reason wille,A-2721 [2722 begylyde ms. ] Thou shalte not be begylde;A-2722 I hyre the, for syluer ne goldA-2723 Thy company forgoo I nolde!"A-2724 [2725 smylyde ms. ] And ther wyth all he smylde. A-2725 To þat answerd Ipomadon:A-2726 "Nay, syr, gold ne syluer kepe I none,A-2727 [2728 felde ms. ] No where in towne ne fylde;A-2728 [2729 contrey ms.] I haue inovghe in my contre,A-2729 I thanke grette god, þat sent it mee, A-2730 That moste is meke and mylde! [f. 232b.] A-2731

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But, and it be, as men say of the,A-2732 Thou groge not, but graunt it me,A-2733 That I shall to þe sey,A-2734 My askyng, syr, al bedene, A-2735 That I mvste dwell wyth þe quene,A-2736 That worthy is all way,A-2737 And also, syr, I say to you:A-2738 [2739 drewe ms. ] I wille be callyd þe quenes druA-2739 Bothe wyth man and may; A-2740 [2741 shall] om. ms. ] The therd poynt ys, þat no man shall gonA-2741 After the quene, but I allonne,A-2742 To chambyr ilke a day.A-2743
232
Tille her mette I wille her setteA-2744 And serue her, when she is set; A-2745 [2746 thus ms. ] Yet mvste thou graunt me thys,A-2746 That I maye lede hur vp agayneA-2747 Beffore her bedes syde, sertayne,A-2748 Att eche a tyme her kys;A-2749 And yf thou graunte me, as I saye, A-2750 I shall serue hur well to paye,A-2751 Worthely, iwys,A-2752 [2753 bothe ms. ] Wyth huntynge & haukyng bathe;A-2753 But thou not drede þe for no skathe,A-2754 As haue I joye and blis! A-2755
233
[2756 wot ms. ] Syr kyng, now wost þou all my wille,A-2756 Whereffore and why I come þe tille:A-2757 [2758 the þou ms. ] Holdeste þou the here of payde?"A-2758 [2759 lovȝth ms.] The kyng at his wordes lovȝh:A-2759 "Me thynkys, and mekyll were inowgh, A-2760 Largely haste thow seyde;A-2761 Whate myster man arte thou? [f. 233a.] A-2762 Thou haste me grevyd, for god avowe!"A-2763 There to god he leyde:A-2764 "Why? Yf þou wilte not graunte it me, A-2765 Have good day, syr, I goo fro the,A-2766 I am no þinge dysmayde, A-2767

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234
That I shall gette lordes inowe,A-2768 To serve, syr, as welle as thou;A-2769 Fare well, for now I goo!" A-2770 Melengere waxt nere wrothe,A-2771 To leue the knyght, he was full lothe,A-2772 That he shuld parte frome hym soo.A-2773 "Alas, syr," quod Cabanus,A-2774 "For euer it is a shame to vs, A-2775 And he þus fro you goo!"A-2776 Then sayd bothe erle and barone:A-2777 "Syr, yede he for so lutill chesone,A-2778 [2779 We] He ms. ] We wold be full woo!"A-2779
235
The kyng saw, it myght no better be, A-2780 All the barons grauntyd hee,A-2781 He shuld beleve there stille,A-2782 The knyght & the lady gente;A-2783 To the quene is he sente,A-2784 To serue hyr att hyr wille; A-2785 The quene lokyd on hym and þoughte,A-2786 [2787 mysl.] danach thou, unterpunktet. not ms. ] That message myslykis her noughte,A-2787 For he was comen her tille;A-2788 He dyd his seruyce full diligentlyeA-2789 [2790 swythely ms. ] And swetely kyste that lady, A-2790 His forward to fullfyll.A-2791
236
She louyd hym wondur-wele þerfore:A-2792 And he had axed her any more, [f. 233b.] A-2793 [2794 In] I ms. ] In hope he myght haue bene,A-2794 But of foly he ne roughte, A-2795 [2796 soughte ms. ] An other loue was in his thoughte,A-2796 Than on that lady shene; . . . . . . .A-2797 [2798 wottist ms. ] Yet is there noman, þat wottis it,A-2798 Off all the folke bedene;A-2799 [2800 drewlerengyne ms. ] Eche man callyd hym the drewlereyne, A-2800 [2801 saye ms.] That ys as moche for to sayne,A-2801 As: leman to the quene. A-2802

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237
In the courte he hym so bare,A-2803 That all men louyd hym, les & more,A-2804 Wyth in a littill stounde, A-2805 Two monethys thus led his lyff,A-2806 Cauȝtte dere and fovlys ryff,A-2807 Bothe wyth hauke and hounde.A-2808 When kynges spake of werryng,A-2809 Ipomadon spake of huntynge, A-2810 How he in forest founde;A-2811 When euery knyght regyd hym to juste,A-2812 [2813 roste ms. ] To kepe there armowr fro the ruste,A-2813 [2814 wyth] om. ms. bonde ms. ] No thynge he wyth hem bounde.A-2814
238
Whan barons in gay aray ȝede, A-2815 Ipomadon to the foreste grede,A-2816 To hunte & to haukynge;A-2817 Whan knyghtes spake of stedes rounde,A-2818 He spake of a fayre grayehoundeA-2819 And of no nother thynge. A-2820 Knyghttes of the courte, bope lesse & more,A-2821 To skorne louȝhen hym þerfore,A-2822 That was his grette lykynge.A-2823 He parcevyd the warnynges full well [f. 234a.] A-2824 And lykyd the doyng ilk a dell, A-2825 Bothe of knyght and kyng.A-2826
239
So longe they levyd in þis talent,A-2827 The tyme is comyn of turnament,A-2828 That they before had sett;A-2829 Kyng Melengere, forgett it he nolde, A-2830 [2831 shuld ms. ] His promys to kepe, that he shold,A-2831 [2832 fett] sought ms. ] Betwene the II sees he fettA-2832 [To hold that he had hyght]A-2833 [2834 Wyth II ms.] II Ml. knyghttes good,A-2834 That were hy-borne of blode, A-2835 The best, that he myght gette;A-2836 Thedere wyth hym went þe queneA-2837 And all his othere meyne bedene;A-2838 Thus many a myle they mett, A-2839

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240
[2840 calabur ms. ] Tille they come in to Calaber, A-2840 Mekyll folke wyth hem there,A-2841 [2842 were ms. ] That wyse and worthy wore;A-2842 They wold not to Candores goo,A-2843 But in a castell, a myle þer fro,A-2844 [2845 there ms. ] The quene shuld soioyrne thore, A-2845 Whiles they were at the turnament,A-2846 And wyth hyr many a lady gent;A-2847 Hyr comeforte was the more.A-2848 That holde stode in the foreste,A-2849 That Ipomadon knewe alþer best; A-2850 Full well hym lykyd therefore.A-2851
241
Many tymes he had huntyd þer ine,A-2852 The fyrste was not then to begynne,A-2853 For there beganne his payne.A-2854 That thike foreste lastyd all way [f. 234b.] A-2855 To Candires, there the lady lay,A-2856 There of he was full fayne.A-2857 Knyghttes dyd þer besynes,A-2858 Horse and harnes for to dres,A-2859 All louȝhen at drewlerayne: A-2860 He did but, as he was wonte,A-2861 On the mornynge erly went to hunte,A-2862 At eve come home agayne.A-2863
242
And grette wonder hade Cabanus,A-2864 When he his felow saw thus, A-2865 And lyghttly to hym yede;A-2866 "Syr," he sayd, "well wayte ye,A-2867 [2868 turment ms. ] To morowe shall þis turnament be:A-2868 [2869 to wynde ms. ] Why raye ye not your wede?A-2869 [2870 harnes ms. ] Ye haue hors & noble harneys: A-2870 Cast you, to be there all wayes,A-2871 As god in heyvyn you spede!A-2872 Dresse you, syr, and go we thedyre,A-2873 We too shall all way be to geddurA-2874 [2875 othere] ore ms.] And ayther helpe othere at nede!" A-2875

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[2876 turment ms. ] When he off turnament spake so,A-2876 [2877 lokyd] danach hym, unr. ] Hee lokyd right, as he were woo,A-2877 [2878 seyle ms. ] And sayde: "So haue I sele,A-2878 [2879 not ms. ] Now se I well, I fynd it nought,A-2879 Full frenshipe in þe, as I haue sought, A-2880 For grette hevynes I fele;A-2881 Thou hard thy self, wyth out lesyng,A-2882 I made a comnaunte wyth þe kyng,A-2883 To serue my lady well:A-2884 It is noþur my wille ne myn entent A-2885 Wyth justis ne wyth turnamente . . . . .A-2886
244
Ne boke to ende in all his lyff, [f. 235a.] A-2887 The warkes, that there were dyȝte;A-2888 And a bell stode þer on off gold,A-2889 That was wysely made on mold: A-2890 [2891 nygttes ms. ] When wayttes shuld blow on nyȝtte,A-2891 It wold ringe a long while,A-2892 That men myȝte it here more þen a myle,A-2893 To comfort kyng and knyght.A-2894
245
In this belle a stone stoode, A-2895 A charebokyll ryche & good;A-2896 Lyght as the mone it shone.A-2897 The tent was white as anny mylke,A-2898 The bordures all of clene sylke,A-2899 In þe werld was bettur non; A-2900 There Malengere abydythe stilleA-2901 Wyth wyne and ale at all þer willeA-2902 And knyghttes as trewe as stone;A-2903 [2904 þan ms. ] On ilke a syde they reysud þenA-2904 For lordes and for gentilmen A-2905 Tenttes monye one.A-2906
246
By þat was sett, come oþer grett plente,A-2907 [2908 con∣treye ms.] Dyueresse lordes of ferre contre,A-2908 That worthy were and wyghte;A-2909 Syr Monestus, I vnderstond, A-2910 A-2911

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The kynges sonne of Irelond,A-2911 That new was dubbyd knyȝte;A-2912 He had seruyd Malengere,A-2913 [2914 have] had ms. ] In hope to have þat lady clere,A-2914 A longe while day & nyghte; A-2915 Tow C knyghttes of hert throA-2916 He browght hym wyth & many mo,A-2917 In armure burneshed bryghte.A-2918
247
For all þe power, that he brouȝte, [f. 235b.] A-2919 I trowe, that lady gettes he nouȝte, A-2920 So mot I euer thryve!A-2921 Then come the riche duke of Breytayne,A-2922 That also her wold haue full fayne,A-2923 Wyth fyftye skore knyghttes & fyve;A-2924 [2925 hynde ms. ] But he myght wynne þat lady hende, A-2925 He þought, or all were brouȝte to ende,A-2926 Wyth stalworthy men to stryve;A-2927 All this travell lesythe hee;A-2928 While sum men on lyve is, parde,A-2929 He weldys her not to wyff! A-2930
248
Then come the duke of NormandyA-2931 Wyth noble knyghttes a companyeA-2932 [2933 and] om. ms.] Well L and a skore,A-2933 To haue þat lady, as he þought;A-2934 But, in faythe, he gettys her nouȝte: A-2935 His name was syr Astore.A-2936 The kyng of Denmarke come after thanne,A-2937 Wyth hym many a noble man,A-2938 Right welle arayd þerffore,A-2939 Off Skottelond & off Norwaye, A-2940 Off Irelond and of Orkeney,A-2941 Yet spede they neuer þe more.A-2942
249
The woode was full of pavelyone,A-2943 Wyth oute them, that lay in the towne,A-2944 Ten thousand and moo; A-2945 A-2946

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All that came oute of the west,A-2946 They harbured them in the foreste,A-2947 They wold no farthere goo.A-2948 Be than was come þe kyng of SpayneA-2949 Wyth II C knyghttes of mayne, A-2950 That were of hertte full thro, [f. 236a.] A-2951 [2952 to h. th.] aves ms. ] The lady to have, that hathe hym forsakyn,A-2952 Amfyon hathe he wyth hym takyn,A-2953 And thought to wakyn þem woo.A-2954
250
The better spede he not þerffore: A-2955 His name was syr Antymore,A-2956 [2957 stowre ms. ] A styffe man and a stere.A-2957 Amfyon had provde pensell,A-2958 That wrought was of a damsyllA-2959 [2960 fers banere ms. ] Was in the feres chambere; A-2960 But þer off wyst the lady nought,A-2961 Syr Ottymore to feld it brought,A-2962 That bought he sythe full dere.A-2963 Syr Dayres come after thenne,A-2964 [2965 Loreyn ms. ] The riche duke of Loren, A-2965 [2966 Cal.] honoure ms.] He þought to wynne Calabere.A-2966
251
To haue that lady was his cast,A-2967 But yet he faylyd at the laste,A-2968 Were she neuer hym so dere.A-2969 The erle of Flaunders come in feld A-2970 Wyth II C vnder sheld.A-2971 Off worthy men that were;A-2972 He brought in his companyeA-2973 Noble knyghttes oute off Russye,A-2974 To wynne that lady clere; A-2975 Syr Dryseus was his name,A-2976 Yet fayls he, or he come home,A-2977 To gett hur to his fere.A-2978
252
Provde Semyon, of AlmayneA-2979 The emperours sone, was not to layne, A-2980 A-2981

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A styff man and a stronge,A-2981 [2982 dether ms. ] Cam theder wyth many a douȝtty knyghte, [f. 236b.] A-2982 And yf he were neuer so wyghte,A-2983 Yet fayls he hur to fonnge.A-2984 Many other come be than, A-2985 Well more, then I rekynne can,A-2986 But I shuld byde ouer-longe;A-2987 Some were wyth oute & sum were wyth in.A-2988 On the morowen the turnament shuld begyn,A-2989 Whan that a bell had ronge. A-2990
253
[2991 there ms. ] Leve we now this folke thoreA-2991 And off the knyght speke we more,A-2992 That dwellys wyth the quene;A-2993 To serue hur, welle he did his tente,A-2994 No semblaunte made he to turnament, A-2995 [2996 at] as ms. ] There at was ladyes tene.A-2996 The maydons hym to skorne louȝgh,A-2997 [2998 he] þey ms. ] There off had he joye inowgh,A-2998 For he the sothe had sene.A-2999 The quene to hur mete he sett A-3000 And seruyd hyr, when she was sett,A-3001 Right worthely, I wene,A-3002
254
And sythen agayne vp her ledde,A-3003 And kyssyd that lady before her bedde,A-3004 To speke he gan hym spede: A-3005 "Madame, lett thy turnay to morn,A-3006 I will hunte wyth hounde & horneA-3007 [3008 bryng] danach bryng, unterpunktet. brayd ms. ] And bryng vs home a bred:A-3008 I hold it better amonge þe okys,A-3009 Then in turnament to take strokes, A-3010 I kepe no blod to blede!"A-3011 [3012 skorne] danach s, ausgestr. ] The maydons hym to skorne loughA-3012 And seyd: "Loo, madame, your drew [f. 237a.] A-3013 [3014 dedis ms.] Spekys off doughtty dede!"A-3014
255
The quene cursyd his desteny, A-3015 Wyth oute prowes þat he shuld be, A-3016 A-3017

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That was so fayre off face;A-3017 But sothe ys sayd in olde sawe,A-3018 Whedur þat euer love will drawe,A-3019 Lake no lettyng mase: A-3020 She louyd hym well for his service,A-3021 But oþur damysels of pryseA-3022 [3023 have ms. ] Grette skorne at hym hase;A-3023 To there skorne toke he no hede,A-3024 But toke his leve & forth he yede, A-3025 [3026 goose ms. ] To the porter he gaase.A-3026
256
He gaf the porter a grette goldryngeA-3027 And he sayd: "Syr, I love huntyngA-3028 At rayne-dere and at roos,A-3029 And as welle wott thow as I, A-3030 He, that ys not there erlye,A-3031 His best tyde mvst he lose;A-3032 Therefore of o thyng I þe praye:A-3033 Lett me forthe before the daye!"A-3034 "In faythe, syr, I sopposse, A-3035 Whyles this offyce shall be myn,A-3036 Entre & issue shall be thyne,A-3037 For frenshipe or for foos!"A-3038
257
Ipomadon to bede goosA-3039 And in the mornyng erly he roosse, A-3040 Or day began to sprynge;A-3041 [3042 gette ms. ] He gerte aray his whygte stedeA-3042 [3043 was] om. ms. ] And all his armore, that hym was nede, [f. 237b.] A-3043 Belyve he lett vp brynge;A-3044 Sonne was covpled all his houndes, A-3045 [3046 foundes] wendes ms. ] Wyth lowde blowyng forthe he foundes;A-3046 [3047 yonge ms. ] That wakyd ladys yinge;A-3047 [3048 They] mit grosser initiale beginnend. sayd] d ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] They sayd: "Lo, madame, your dreweA-3048 Wyth horne and hounde se ye may now:A-3049 [3050 tur∣nayeng ms.] He hyes to turnaying!" A-3050
258
The quene þer to wold take no kepe,A-3051 But laye in bedde, purposyd to slepe, A-3052 A-3053

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And sore forthought þat tyde,A-3053 That he ne was man of prowes;A-3054 Whedur she loved hym neuer the lesse, A-3055 In hertt she it hyde.A-3056 In the thykest place of all þat woode,A-3057 A ermytage, he wyst, þer stode,A-3058 And thedur gan he ryde;A-3059 [3060 gert] gret ms. ] There he gert araye hym tyte, A-3060 His stede and hym all in white,A-3061 He wold no lengur byde.A-3062
259
"Mayster", quod Ipomadon,A-3063 "To day on huntynge moste ye goone:A-3064 For goddis love I you praye, A-3065 Yff god will send you any dere,A-3066 Agayne the nyght abyde me here,A-3067 I shall come, while I maye!"A-3068 Fro then vnto the justyng plaseA-3069 [3070 depe] dede ms. ] A full depe dale ther was A-3070 In a deerne waye:A-3071 Couyrd-heddyd myght men ryde,A-3072 No man myght se hym on no syde,A-3073 Yf it were lyghte of day. [f. 238a.] A-3074
260
His mayster dyd his comaundement; A-3075 Ipomadon his waye is wentA-3076 Thorow the thike woode;A-3077 No man take wyth hym he lyst,A-3078 But a chyld, þat he on tryste,A-3079 Whiche was bothe fayre & goode, A-3080 Of his lond a barons sone,A-3081 That wele hym serue conA-3082 [3083 by] om. ms.] And ofte in stedde by hym stoode;A-3083 The semely chylde EgyonA-3084 Was cosyn to Ipomadon, A-3085 Right nere sib of his blode.A-3086
261
In the mornynge erlyA-3087 He passyd thorow the derne sty, A-3088 A-3089

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Be þat the day gan dawe,A-3089 He hovis before that fayre castell, A-3090 The wynd wavyd his whyght pensell,A-3091 [3092 blowe ms. ] And waytes began to blawe,A-3092 And ouer the walle þey behyldeA-3093 And sawe hym hove in the feld,A-3094 [3095 snowe ms. ] As whyȝte as any snawe. A-3095 He cryed: "Wake, lady bryghte,A-3096 For sothe, younder hovis a knyghte,A-3097 [3098 sawe] the ms. ] The feyrest, that euer I sawe!A-3098
262
His stede and he is all in whyȝte,A-3099 That syght to se is grette delyȝte, A-3100 Fro bale as I be broughte!"A-3101 The lady weyndis to a wyndoweA-3102 And saw hym hove as white as snowe; [f. 238b.] A-3103 In grette care is she broughte.A-3104 So ne she wyst at that day, A-3105 On whome she shuld her love laye,A-3106 [3107 hrtte ms. ] For in hur hertte she thought,A-3107 She wold not the valet chaungeA-3108 For emperoure nor for kyng stronge,A-3109 Gette hym & she movghte. A-3110
263
She beholdys the knyght in whyte,A-3111 But what he was, she wot but lite,A-3112 The more care had the maye;A-3113 [3114 thanne ms.] The sonne was vp on lofte be thenne,A-3114 All the feld was full of men, A-3115 There armys to assaye.A-3116 The kynge of Spayne, syr Ottynore,A-3117 Sawe the white knyght hove thoreA-3118 In armys good and gaye;A-3119 To all his folke he sayde syne: A-3120 "The fyrste juste to day is myne,A-3121 And I hold comnaunte aye!"A-3122
264
Wyth hym was syr Amfyon;A-3123 The kyng comaundyd hys men ilkone, A-3124 A-3125

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Stille they shuld abyde; A-3125 [3126 fers ms. ] He sayd: "Younder is for the feres loveA-3126 A kyng in white, wele dothe hove,A-3127 And to hym will I ryde!"A-3128 A grette spere in honde he nome,A-3129 Ipomadon was ware, he come, A-3130 And blemesshyd on anoþur syde.A-3131 Ayther on other brake þer speris,A-3132 [3133 beyris ms. ] Ipomadon behynde hym berisA-3133 Twenty foote þat tyde. [f. 239a.] A-3134
265
The kyng laye waltrand in his wede, A-3135 Egyon of his hors toke hedeA-3136 And lyghttly lepte þer one;A-3137 For all the strengh, þat he weldyþe,A-3138 [3139 eldyþe ms. ] The riche kyng of Spayne hym ȝeldyþeA-3139 To Ipomadon. A-3140 Joyfull was þat lady clere,A-3141 How she ordayned, now shall ye here,A-3142 [3143 Jo∣sane ms. ] Hyr owne cosyne Jasone,A-3143 [3144 þere of] þerfore ms. speyres ms. ] That he shuld serue þere of speres,A-3144 [3145 To] And ms. beyres ms. ] To what man that best hym beres, A-3145 To the III dayes were goone;A-3146
266
And þerfore trewly she hym highte,A-3147 The thryd day he shuld be knyghte,A-3148 [3149 alowee ms. ] His good dedys to alowe.A-3149 [3150 Ip.] danach here, unterpunktet. ] A spere to Ipomadon he bare, A-3150 [3151 ayre ms. ] As he hadde neuer sene hym are,A-3151 [3152 He] And ms. ] He sayd: "Syr, what artt thou?"A-3152 "I am the laydes cosyn, syr,A-3153 That thus is ordayned here be hur,A-3154 Trewly for to trowe, A-3155 That I shall serue here of sperisA-3156 Two what man that hym best beris,A-3157 And, sertus, that I hold you,A-3158
267
[3159 grettes ms.] For the man, that was of grettest boste,A-3159 And hym, that my lady hatyd moste, A-3160 A-3161

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In feld here haue ye felde!"A-3161 For wele he wyst, it was reson,A-3162 But he knewe not Ipomadon,A-3163 [3164 dwellyd ms. ] To geddur that they had dwellde;A-3164 [3165 To gedyr but ms. ] But it was long beffore; A-3165 Ipomadon likyd the more [f. 239b.] A-3166 [3167 tolde ms. ] The tale, that he hym telde,A-3167 And he sayd: "Syr, so god me spede,A-3168 My presonere to thy lady lede,A-3169 [3170 hylde ms. ] I wold, þat she hym helde! A-3170
268
Thou shalt haue to þi lady gentA-3171 His hors, & saye, þat I hit sent,A-3172 The kyng to hur presone!"A-3173 Syr Attynore than sorow hade,A-3174 But vp he wanne, as he hym bade. A-3175 And rydythe forthe wyth Jasone.A-3176 Whan he came to þat lady bryȝte,A-3177 "Madame," he sayd, "younde white knyȝte,A-3178 That berythe all oþur downe,A-3179 The kyng off Spayne takyn hath he, A-3180 And he send hym for to beeA-3181 Att your byddyng bowne!"A-3182
269
Whereffore was þat lady fayne,A-3183 But eft she sayd to Imayne:A-3184 "For ought þat I gan see, A-3185 Alas, this is a grett myscheffe,A-3186 For welle I wott, þat my leeffA-3187 Ys not in this contre!A-3188 [3189 he had ms. ] Certenly, had he byn here,A-3189 [3190 Josane ms. ] Jasone hym knewe, þat was his fere, A-3190 Now wotte I well, par de,A-3191 [3192 failes] om. ms. manhode ms.] That othere failes hym manhedeA-3192 Or he is dede, so god me spede,A-3193 Thereffore full woo is me!A-3194
270
Younde knyght to myne avowe will corde, A-3195 And yff I take hym to my lorde, A-3196 A-3197

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I losse my love, alas!"A-3197 Wonder-woo was Amfyon, [f. 240a.] A-3198 [3199 tane ms. ] That syr Attynore was tone,A-3199 [3200 gas] preste ms. ] Oute off the prece hym gas, A-3200 He thought to wyne that riche kyng;A-3201 Ipomadon saw his comynge,A-3202 His spere all redy was;A-3203 He sette syr Amfyon so hard,A-3204 That neuer afterward A-3205 [3206 nede] danach neuer, unr. aske ms. ] He nede prest to asse.A-3206
271
His hors threwe þe mayster downe,A-3207 [3208 Josane ms. ] Wyth a spere come JasoneA-3208 And lyghttly to hym wanne;A-3209 Before Ipomadon he gan hym lede A-3210 And sayd: "Syr, loo here a stede,A-3211 That owethe a wykkyd man;A-3212 [3213 lasse ms. ] Was none, my lady louyd lesse;A-3213 [3214 is ms. ] A better stede non þer esA-3214 Frome hethen to flem Jurdanne. A-3215 Thus endyrs-daye he hyght it me,A-3216 Agayne that I shuld dubbyd bee,A-3217 [3218 thame ms. ] I shuld haue had hym thanne!"A-3218
272
Ipomadon sayd wyth myld mode:A-3219 "Syr, syn thou knowest hym for so good, A-3220 To stabull all our stryffe,A-3221 Off my myght thou hym take,A-3222 [3223 witte ms. ] I vouche saff, for my lady sake,A-3223 [3224 moste ms. ] Were he worthe suche fyve!"A-3224 [3225 Josane ms. ] Jasone thankyd hym herttly A-3225 And sayd: "Syr, gramercye!"A-3226 [3227 give] nym ms. ] And vp he hathe hymgive.A-3227 Hee ledde hym to þe lady bryght:A-3228 [3229 Josane ms. ] "Jasone", she sayd, "be goddis myȝte,A-3229 Ye begynne to thryue! [f. 240b.] A-3230
273
[3231 losythe ms. ] Who so wynnes & who so los,A-3231 [3232 gift] om. ms.] Me thynke, not wyth out gift þou goos, A-3232 A-3233

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Be god & be my lewte!"A-3233 [3234 þs ms. ] "Madame, þe knyght, þat gaff me þis,A-3234 Wold god off heyven, ye were his, A-3235 For noble inowghe is hee!"A-3236 Syr Amfyon is men wer full woo,A-3237 That her lord was slayne soo,A-3238 To hym come grett plente;A-3239 Tille a temple they hym bare A-3240 And beryed hym, wyth oute more;A-3241 Hit lykyd that lady fre;A-3242
274
For he had done her grette dyssesseA-3243 And littill hym cast, hur to please,A-3244 The whilis he was on lyve. A-3245 In world was neuer a curteyser knyght,A-3246 Then he wold, & he myghte,A-3247 Have wedde hur to wyffe.A-3248 That knew not Ipomadon,A-3249 [3250 All] davor n, unterpunktet. ] All woo was hym, þat he was slone, A-3250 But sonne was stynt þat stryffe.A-3251 [3252 Josane ms. ] Jason in towre wold not abyde,A-3252 To the whyȝte knyȝt he hym hydeA-3253 Wyth shaftes IIII or fyve,A-3254
275
[3255 serue ] And serued hym worthely off sperys. A-3255 [3256 beyres ms. ] Many a bold man downe he beres,A-3256 [3257 speces ms. ] That preces into þe place.A-3257 There was non, þat he hit,A-3258 That lengur myȝte in sadull sitt,A-3259 [3260 goos ms. ] But to the grounde he gaas. A-3260 Stronge waxid þat turnament, [f. 241a.] A-3261 Ipomadon þer haubrakes renteA-3262 [3263 brace] browe ms,] And brekes many a brace;A-3263 He hew in sounder helme & shyldA-3264 And feld many knyghttes in þe feld, A-3265 That wyght and worthy was.A-3266
276
Prowde Isomyon off Allmayne,A-3267 Mekill folke he put to payne A-3268 A-3269

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Be worthynes off werre;A-3269 He was holdyn moste of myghte A-3270 Off all next the whyte knyght,A-3271 [3272 deyre ms. ] So dyd hym mekill dere,A-3272 That parceuyd Cabanus,A-3273 [3274 coryous ms. ] A kene knyght & a corayous,A-3274 [3275 In] He ms. ] In hand he hent a spere; A-3275 To the emperoure he rode,A-3276 [3277 he] om. ms. ] And he to hym, wyth oute bode,A-3277 Eyther oþur downe gan bere.A-3278
277
[3279 hem] he ms. ] Lyghttly vp agayne hem stertte,A-3279 [3280 herttes ms. ] Pulde oute there swerdes wyth eygure hertte, A-3280 To fyght they wold not fyne.A-3281 The emperoure wyth a brond full brightA-3282 Hit Cabanus on þe helme on hight,A-3283 That nygh had done hym pynne;A-3284 Before his visage the dent yede downe, A-3285 Nere hand he had fallen in sowen,A-3286 The emperoure saw hym lyand syne:A-3287 "What, wenyst þou, prowde knyght, þou beA-3288 At Palerne now, thy riche citte,A-3289 Drynkand pyment or wyne? A-3290
278
[3291 Nye ms. ] Naye, thou art in turnamente!"A-3291 Cabanus þerto toke good entent [f. 241b.] A-3292 [3293 wrothe ms. ] And was nere wood for wrathe;A-3293 Wyth a styff swerd in þat stoureA-3294 He smote of the eyre of þe emperoure A-3295 [3296 bothe ms. ] And his lyfte arme bathe:A-3296 [3297 I be] he be ms. ] "In turnament, I wene, I be,A-3297 That sore, I hope, forþynkes the,A-3298 [3299 skorynethe ms. ] Thy skornynge doth the skath:A-3299 Now may thou skorne, wyne to drynke, A-3300 But wher euer þou goo, here on thynke,A-3301 [3302 worthe ms, ] Thou levythe a wedde off wathe!"A-3302
279
Grette sorowe made the duke DayresA-3303 [3304 germ.] Elmany ms.] For his cossyn germayn, iwis, A-3304 A-3305

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That was the emperoure; A-3305 [3306 hitt] sett ms. ] So hard Cabanus on the helme he hitt,A-3306 [3307 loff ms. sett ms. ] That vnnethe a loft he myȝte sitt,A-3307 So stroke he in that stoure;A-3308 He was so stonyed þer wyth all,A-3309 Hus swerd oute of his hand gan fall, A-3310 But sone come to hym succoure;A-3311 Ipomadon þer to toke heede,A-3312 To reskewe Cabanus he yede,A-3313 [3314 soure] dere ms. ] That bought þe duke full soure.A-3314
280
[3315 thanne ms. ] Ipomadon wyth a swerd thenne A-3315 [3316 Lorayne. ] Stroke the duke of LoreneA-3316 Thorowe oute the good ventayle.A-3317 That downe he fell as a stone;A-3318 Off þat stroke they wondyrd ychone,A-3319 So breste he many a mayll. A-3320 On bothe sydes they turneyed faste,A-3321 [3322 bremmys ms. ] Blode oute off the brenniys braste,A-3322 Be that the day gan fayle. [f. 242a.] A-3323 All praysud the whyte knyght maste.A-3324 Wyth outen dowte, he toke a shafte: A-3325 One com, hym to assayle.A-3326
281
In a turnynge of his bakeA-3327 [3328 off] danach bred, unterpunktet. ] The duke off Breten a spere brake,A-3328 [3329 youde ms. ] That all to peces it yode.A-3329 Ipomadon turnethe hym agayne A-3330 And stroke the duke off BreteyneA-3331 Wyth a swerd full good;A-3332 On lofte myght he no lengur sitte,A-3333 On the shulder he hym hitte,A-3334 [3335 yede ms. ] Benethe the ribbus it yode. A-3335 His stede to the lady he sent:A-3336 [3337 was] s corr. aus y.] That day it was the last present;A-3337 All that aboute hym stode A-3338

Page 97

282
Sayd, for sothe, he was the bestA-3339 Off knyȝtes, þat come fro est or weste; A-3340 Thus graunt they hym the gre.A-3341 Be þat the turnament gan twyn,A-3342 Yche man drawethe to his inne,A-3343 To towne and to citte.A-3344 To the towne lokes Ipomadon, A-3345 [3346 Josane ms. ] Soo was he warre off Jasone,A-3346 And lowde on hym cryes he:A-3347 [3348 Josane ms. ] "A, Jasone, brother, I the praye,A-3348 Abyde, swette syr, yf þou maye,A-3349 A while, and speke wyth me!" A-3350
283
The tothere sayd: "Be goddes myghte,A-3351 Syr, how wiste ye, how I highte?"A-3352 [3353 Josane ms. ] "Yes, Jasone, I the kenne:A-3353 [3354 Thynkyth ms. ] Thynkys þou not off the strange valett, [f. 242b.] A-3354 Att the super be the was sette? A-3355 Thou wotte wele, where & whenne!A-3356 That tyme I went of this contre,A-3357 I sayd, I shuld come speke wyth the:A-3358 [3359 thanne ms. ] Now I hold, that I hight thenne!"A-3359 "A, mercy, syr, for god avowe, A-3360 My lady to love has schosyn youA-3361 Off all other men!"A-3362
284
[3363 Josane ms. ] "Nay, Jasone, þat may not be:A-3363 I mvste to my contre,A-3364 I maye no lengur abyde; A-3365 But a thousand tymes þou here grette,A-3366 For efte synes maye we mete!"A-3367 [3368 he] we ms. ] And frome hym gan he ryde.A-3368 Ipomadon prekyd in to the presse,A-3369 [3370 Josane ms. leasse ms. ] Josane hym loste, wyth oute lesse, A-3370 And sawe hym on no syde.A-3371 [3372 Wyth] My ms.] Wyth sorowffull hertt, the sothe to say,A-3372 He wyndythe home, where þe lady laye,A-3373 Chaungynge hewe and hyde. A-3374

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285
[3375 Josane ms. ] "Jasone," she sayd, "what ayls the, A-3375 [3376 whanne ms. ] Off so hevy chere to be?"A-3376 "Right so may ye, madame:A-3377 To day haue ye lorneA-3378 The best knyght, þat euer was borne,A-3379 Yet know I not his name!" A-3380 The lady sayd: "For goddis myghte,A-3381 What was he? The white knyght?"A-3382 "Ye, be god, the same!"A-3383 [3384 Josane ms. ] Why, wyste þou, Jasone, what he was?"A-3384 "Ye, þerfore we may say: alas, [f. 243a.] A-3385 [3386 fro] corr. aus for. ] As god me spede fro blame!"A-3386
286
"Why, dere cosyn, know I hym ovght?"A-3387 [3388 not ms. ] He sayd: "Lady, vyse ye noughtA-3388 Off þe straunge valet,A-3389 That was my felow þis oþur yere? A-3390 In þe foreste before you at suppereA-3391 To geddur were we sett.A-3392 When he went fro this contre,A-3393 That he shuld come & speke wyth me,A-3394 [3395 het] hight ms. ] Trewly he me het; A-3395 That is he, þat juste so well þis dayA-3396 In whyte, but he is goon for aye:A-3397 Me rewes, that euer we mett!A-3398
287
He ys goon now for euer,A-3399 Whedyr, I wot neuer, A-3400 That sore forthynkes me!A-3401 A Ml. tymes he grettes you well,A-3402 But I hope, as I haue sell,A-3403 We shall hym neuer see!"A-3404 To chambyr went þat lady, I wene, A-3405 And then she þought, for pure teneA-3406 Her hert wold breke in thre.A-3407 [3408 Josane ms.] Jasone to her gan she calle:A-3408 "Loke hym, cossyn, ouer all,A-3409 Yff he may foundyn bee!" A-3410

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288
Then hur sorow dobelyd was,A-3411 The lady syȝhed and sayd: "Alas!"A-3412 And on hur bedde gan fall:A-3413 "Cursyd pryde, woo worthe þe aye!A-3414 Off all women so may I say, [f. 243b.] A-3415 And more, I hope, I shall;A-3416 Dothe he þus, he dothe grette synne!"A-3417 Imayne, that all hur trust is in,A-3418 To her gan she call:A-3419 [3420 my] om. ms. ] "Dere systur, þat was my loue, I say, A-3420 That justed so well in white to dayA-3421 And bare downe ouer all.A-3422
289
But he is gone: wo ys me!"A-3423 Imayne sayd: "Be me lewte,A-3424 Thanke god off heyven ye may: A-3425 Now wott ye well, he is alyve,A-3426 Yet shall he weld you to his wyff,A-3427 My lyff there on I lay!A-3428 Ye shall weld hym att your willeA-3429 Her after, and ye will hold you stille, A-3430 For this not helpe you maye."A-3431 [3432 Josane ms. ] Jasone sekyth hym farre & nere,A-3432 And so dyd kyng Melengere,A-3433 But fynd hym not can they.A-3434
290
They wyth oute was full woo, A-3435 And so was them wyth in also,A-3436 That he was forthe gone;A-3437 Euery man spake off his prowes,A-3438 They sett all oþur off worthynesA-3439 But at a chery stone.— A-3440 Ipomadon his way is rydden,A-3441 [3442 bedyn ms. ] At the ermytage hathe hym bidynA-3442 His cosyn Egyon.A-3443 His mayster had huntyd full well þat day:A-3444 In the foreste, the sothe to sey, [f. 244a.] A-3445 [3446 Thre] The ms.] Thre grette herttes hade he slon. A-3446

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291
Ipomadon in his hert was fayne,A-3447 That his mayster had this herttes slayne;A-3448 When he the sothe had sene,A-3449 Off he kyst his armore bright A-3450 And as an hunter he hym dyghtA-3451 In a gowne off grene,A-3452 A grette horne aboute his halse,A-3453 His horse wyth his harnes alseA-3454 Lede Egyon, I wene. A-3455 To the citte by anoþer wayA-3456 Wyth lowde blowyng and grette bayA-3457 He rydythe home to the quene.A-3458
292
Before the gates lowde he blew,A-3459 The maydens hym to skorne lowȝ A-3460 And to the quene þey sayde:A-3461 "Madam, now comyth your derlyngA-3462 Wyth hounde & horne fro turnaynge;A-3463 As swythe ye shall be paydeA-3464 Off noble stedys, þat he you brynges, A-3465 That he hathe wonne off riche kynges,A-3466 On grounde when he them layde.A-3467 Suche on is worthy þanne,A-3468 To be a quenis leman!"A-3469 She bydythe all þat vnbrayde. A-3470
293
[3471 þem] þer ms. ] She lett them say, what þem lyst;A-3471 Thowe she wold, þat no man wyst,A-3472 She louythe hym neuer þe lesse.A-3473 The knyghte wendythe into þe halle,A-3474 Thre hedys he present her wyth all, [f. 244b.] A-3475 [3476 hathred ms. ys ms. ] That high and hathel es.A-3476 [3477 fone] fonre ms.] There is now but knyghttes fone,A-3477 That hathe so douȝtty dedes done,A-3478 So haue I mede of messe,A-3479 That wold so lyght his lose have lefte; A-3480 But he dyd, for he thought eftA-3481 To wynne more worthynes. A-3482

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294
[3483 toke] danach they, überpunktet. hede] kepe ms. ] To þer skorne toke he no hede;A-3483 The quene to hyr soper yede,A-3484 Ipomadon toke good tent, A-3485 [3486 maye ms. ] To serue hur well wyth all his mayn.A-3486 [3487 chamburlaye ms. ] Sone come the kynges chamburlaynA-3487 Fro the turnament;A-3488 Before the borde downe gan he knele:A-3489 "Madame, the kyng gretes you wele, A-3490 He hathe me hedur sent!"A-3491 The quene sayd: "Thoas, þou art welcome:A-3492 Syr, off thy tydandis tell vs sum,A-3493 Who durst best byde on bent!"A-3494
295
[3495 not ms. ] "In fayth, madame, þat can I nought, A-3495 To tell you, who most worthy wroughtA-3496 Of all, that were comen thedur!"A-3497 The quene sayd: "Fye for shame,A-3498 In faythe, syr, þou art to blame,A-3499 Whereffore come þou home hedur, A-3500 But þou sum tythynges covth haue told?A-3501 Me had leuer, that thou woldeA-3502 [3503 Ye had gon ms. nedur] om. ms. ] Gon, where þou neuer went nedur!"A-3503 He sayde: "Lady, be this daye,A-3504 I shall, as farforthe as I may, [f. 245a.] A-3505 Tell yow all to geddur!A-3506
296
[3507 þs ms. ] Madame, syn all þis world began,A-3507 That any tydynges tell can,A-3508 Noþur be frythe ne be feldA-3509 Was neuer a fayrer turnament A-3510 Off knyghttes, þat wele durst byde on þe bent,A-3511 Bothe wyth spere & shyld;A-3512 My lord hathe borne hym well to day,A-3513 May non hym blame, þe soth to say,A-3514 That euer yet couthe weld; A-3515 He feld downe knyȝttes in the feld,A-3516 [3517 beh.] see ms.] Me þought grette joye to beheld,A-3517 As I hovyd & behylde. A-3518

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297
Certes, madam, CabanusA-3519 And of Irelond Manastus, A-3520 Full boldly þey gan hem bere,A-3521 [3522 Dras ms. ] So dyd Astore & syr Dryas;A-3522 But a knyght in white þer was,A-3523 [3524 hys g.] geyre ms. ] That welle couth weld hys gere;A-3524 [3525 yett ms. ] All þat we speke off yitt, A-3525 Ys but fabuls to hit:A-3526 Be worthynes off werreA-3527 [3528 þey] ye ms. ] Wonder þey karpe of hym, is nonA-3528 So worthy a knyght, as he is one,A-3529 Thus darre I savely swere! A-3530
298
The riche kyng of Spayne toke heA-3531 And sent hym to the lady fre,A-3532 To presoune at hur wille;A-3533 The emperoure, be dent off handA-3534 On the land he left hym lyand, A-3535 Lykyd hym neuer so ille. [f. 245b.] A-3536 The duke of Lorayne has he slayn,A-3537 [3538 Bratayn ms. ] In feld the riche duke of BretaynA-3538 Left he lyand still,A-3539 And the provde erle Amfyon A-3540 [3541 done] borne ms. ] He hath made to his bereyng to be done,A-3541 That hardy was on hill.A-3542
299
Hade not the white knyghte þer be sene,A-3543 Cabanus had takyn bene,A-3544 The sothe is not to layne . . . . . . . . . A-3545 To be wyth sheld or schaft spentA-3546 [3547 went] om. ms. ] And brokyne arme, ore they went . . . .A-3547
300
Grette hym well, syr, I þe praye!A-3548 All my houndes, thou may hym say,A-3549 To day hathe done full well, A-3550 Bothe Blokan and NobilletA-3551 Hathe ronne a right & gon wel bet,A-3552 [3553 Redely ms.] And also dyd Redel; A-3553 A-3554

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Off all, that I on cowpell keste,A-3554 To day the white hath borne hym best, A-3555 As I haue happe or selle!"A-3556
301
Then lowȝe all, both lesse & more;A-3557 The quene off his wordes shamyd sore,A-3558 And þat was his lykyng;A-3559 The more off oþur þing she spake, A-3560 That no man þerto tent shuld take,A-3561 [3562 yonge ms. ] Nother elde ne yinge;A-3562 He sayd: "I praye you, good madame,A-3563 Off the venesone, that we brouȝte hame,A-3564 Lett send parte to the kyng! A-3565 [3566 sure ms. ] Then may he se, I serue you rightA-3566 [3567 Wyth] That ms. ] Wyth my power & my myȝte, [f. 246a.] A-3567 Right well in all kyne þinge!"A-3568
302
Then lowde lawȝed þe chamburlayn,A-3569 [3570 He gas] To he lowe ms. ] He gas & wyth hym leydes agayne A-3570 A noble dere off gresse;A-3571 When he come in to the hall,A-3572 The kyng he present þer wyth all,A-3573 [3574 deysse ms. ] As he sett on the desse;A-3574 [3575 deyle ms. ] Sethen he tellyd ilke a dele A-3575 Off Nobilled & off Rydell,A-3576 How they were lossyd off þe lesse,A-3577 And how the white hounde bare þe þrice;A-3578 The kyng lewȝ and held hym nyceA-3579 [3580 is ms. ] And sayd: "A noble folle he es!" A-3580
303
When they all hard þus reasone,A-3581 Bothe lewȝe erle & barone,A-3582 And all the folke bedene;A-3583 But no thyng lowȝ Cabanus,A-3584 [3585 þis ms. ] Full woo hym was, þat he wroȝte þus, A-3585 [3586 wene] wynd ms.] To witte wyth outyn wene.A-3586 When the quene suppud had,A-3587 Hyr loue her to chamber ledde A-3588 A-3589

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And kyssud that lady shene;A-3589 [3590 youde ms. ] He toke leve & to his in yede, A-3590 To reste hym selff, he had grett nede,A-3591 For sore bette had he been.A-3592
304
Ipomadon, the sothe to say,A-3593 Rosse before the spryng off dayA-3594 And taryd not that tyde; A-3595 His redde stede he dyd forthe take,A-3596 His redde armore redy make,A-3597 He wold no lengur abyde; [f. 246b.] A-3598 Wyth lowde blowyng forth he foundes,A-3599 His brachettes & his oþur houndes A-3600 Cowpled by hys syde;A-3601 All that hym hard, lowde lowȝA-3602 [3603 quenes] kynges ms. ] They sayd: "þer is the quenes drewe,A-3603 Will to the justyng ryde!"A-3604
305
When he comythe afore þe quenes castell, A-3605 Then blewe he lowde & well,A-3606 That made the ladyes wake;A-3607 Att his noyese was full tene,A-3608 All they cryed on the queneA-3609 And a grette sportte gan make: A-3610 "Low, madame, your love ys goone,A-3611 That rest for hym we may haue none,A-3612 So he hyes hym for your sakeA-3613 To turnament: yff he may leve,A-3614 For you grett strokes will he geve A-3615 [3616 oke ms. ] In forest vnder an ake!"A-3616
306
The quene lay still as anny stone,A-3617 Word wold she speke none,A-3618 But had full mekyll care,A-3619 [3620 wayce ms. ] Syne he is so fayre all wyce, A-3620 That no prowes on hym lysse,A-3621 [3622 sore ms.] Thereffore she syghyd full sare.A-3622 Wythe ovte any more abyde A-3623 A-3624

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To the armetage he rydeA-3624 And garte araye hym thare, A-3625 His stede & hym all in rede;A-3626 He sayd: "Mayster, in that stedeA-3627 On huntyng mvste ye fare!A-3628
307
For goddis loue, do ye your myghte,A-3629 Abydes me here agayne the nyghte, [f. 247a.] A-3630 I pray you specyally!"A-3631 His mayster hies on huntyng faste,A-3632 Ipomadon his way is paste,A-3633 [3634 stye] waye ms. ] Be that derne stye;A-3634 The way prevely he nome, A-3635 As he had oute off the citte come,A-3636 That no man shuld hym spye;A-3637 As a worthy knyght he workes yare,A-3638 To helpe than, þat he hyede thare,A-3639 Was his encheson, whye. A-3640
308
[3641 inn] men ms. ] At the fyrst day wyth inn was he,A-3641 Wyth oute thought he than to be,A-3642 [3643 were ms. ] For they, dysconfyte, wareA-3643 Wyth grette reddoure fled awaye,A-3644 Off his strokes, the sothe to seye, A-3645 [3646 sore ms. ] So they were sad & sare.A-3646 The kyng was on the inner syde,A-3647 [3648 wold ms. ] Thereffore wyth hym nold he abyde,A-3648 He þought, non to spareA-3649 That day, noþur kyng ne knyght A-3650 Ne no man, were he neuer so wyghtA-3651 [3652 bore ms.] And bryme as any bare.A-3652
309
He hovis and heyes vp his lavnce,A-3653 Wyth the wynd wevys þe conisaunce;A-3654 Be that shewyd the day; A-3655 The wayttes on the wallys wereA-3656 And sawe the redde knyghte hove þereA-3657 In armoure good and gaye, A-3658 A-3659

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They cryed: "Lady, awake, awake,A-3659 The turnamente for your sake A-3660 Begennythe, the sothe to say: [f. 247b.] A-3661 Fyrste his power forto prove,A-3662 A knyght in rede younder I se hoveA-3663 Righte in a good araye!"A-3664
310
"Waytes," she sayd, "for goddys myght, A-3665 Sees ye oughte the white knyght,A-3666 That yesterday justyd here?"A-3667 "Nay, madame, as ette I brede,A-3668 But younder hovys a knyght in rede,A-3669 That semys off grette powere!" A-3670 The lady wendes in to the wallA-3671 And lokes aboute here ouer allA-3672 Wyth a full sympull chere;A-3673 [3674 drewe ms. ] In agayne hur hedde she drowe,A-3674 To chambyr she went wyth sorowe inowȝe, A-3675 Then sonyd that lady clere:A-3676
311
"Curst pryde & wykkyd vysse,A-3677 [3678 malesse ms. ] Woo worthe thy grette malisse!A-3678 I may so say hardely:A-3679 Thrugh pryde forsakes me now my love, A-3680 Pryde brynges me vnder & not aboveA-3681 Wyth many a carefull crye;A-3682 Be my pryde I am dystroydeA-3683 And be my pryde grettly noyed:A-3684 [3685 echoson ms. ] He hathe enchosone, why! A-3685 Wyse men saye be sent Sykasbas:A-3686 [3687 belevyd islas ms. ] 'Who hes them selff, þat belive is las':A-3687 In good faythe, that am I!A-3688
312
My þought was euer so mekyll on pryde,A-3689 [3690 chyde] chastyse ms.] Myne owne worde me now chyde, A-3690 And, trewly, that is right:A-3691 For he above, as god wolde pere,A-3692 For his pryde fell Lusyfere [f. 248a.] A-3693 A-3694

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[3694 hye ms. ] To hell fro heyven on hyghte;A-3694 I haue byn ay ouer-proude in hertt: A-3695 Movnt ouer-hye that hathe me gerte,A-3696 And now full lowe I lyghte,A-3697 My selff till ouer-mekyll shame;A-3698 Now forsakes me the same,A-3699 That I to love had tyȝte. A-3700
313
[3701 Josane ms. ] Jasone went to the walleA-3701 And sawe the feld ouer all,A-3702 [3703 stander ms. ] Wher many a standerd stoode;A-3703 [3704 chambre] r corr. aus u. ] To the chambre sone he wentA-3704 And bad come se þat lady gent A-3705 The justes fayre & good.A-3706 [3707 Josane ms. ] "Doway, Jasone, for thy lewte,A-3707 Off that justyng nothyng ys me,A-3708 Be god so myld of mode,A-3709 For why my leman is not here!" A-3710 So comforttes he þat lady clere,A-3711 [3712 yede ms. ] To the wallys she yode.A-3712
314
Syr Manastus of Irelonde,A-3713 Was newe dubbyd, I vnderstond,A-3714 He knelyd to Melengere A-3715 And praydd hym worthely, iwis,A-3716 [3717 justes ms. ] The fyrst juste myght be his:A-3717 "Full joyfull þen I were!"A-3718 I can not tell you all bedene:A-3719 Sum men sayd, he louyd the quene, A-3720 For euer he was hir nere.A-3721 [3722 askys ms. ] The kyng hathe grauntyd, what he aste,A-3722 He made his harnes redy faste,A-3723 He thynkes to wynne the fere. [f. 248b.] A-3724
315
His conisaunce was so good & gay, A-3725 [3726 stede] danach gaye, überpunktet.] He lepus on a stede baye,A-3726 Oute of the tent he rade.A-3727 Still stode Ipomadon, A-3728 A-3729

Page 108

Sembleant to justyng made he none,A-3729 But hovyd & abade; A-3730 [3731 cast ms. ] His eye to the wall he kestA-3731 And saw hure there, þat louyd best,A-3732 To juste then joye he hade.A-3733 He stroke syr Manastus so sore,A-3734 That hors & man boþe downe he bare, A-3735 [3736 brak] brest ms. ] The speris on sundyr brak.A-3736
316
Or any succure was to hym come,A-3737 Ipomadon hath his sewrance nomeA-3738 Betwene þem too alonne;A-3739 [3740 Josane ms. þanne ms. ] Jasone come to feld be þenne A-3740 Wyth noble speres IX or X;A-3741 Hym knewe Ipomadon,A-3742 But he lette, as he hym neuer see,A-3743 He sayd: "Good syr, of whens ar ye?"A-3744 The tother answered anon: A-3745 "A cosyne nere to the fere!"A-3746 [3747 A n. spere ms. ] "Noble speres haue ye here:A-3747 For goddis loue, lend me one!"A-3748
317
He sayd: "Syr, so god me save,A-3749 Off the best shall ye haue: A-3750 Chosse at your owne avyce,A-3751 For worthely ye gan þem welde!A-3752 Here haue ye feld in the feldA-3753 A venture off ladyes:A-3754 Off the quene hathe he made mekill rose A-3755 But love hym, hope I, not she dos, [f. 249a.] A-3756 That womon ys so wyse;A-3757 [3758 Yet] Yt ms. ] Yet has he nothyng þe bett for þat,A-3758 [3759 hem ms.] To rose him of her, thar he sat,A-3759 The more I hold hym nyce!" A-3760
318
"Syr, synne he hath done þat dede,A-3761 To thy lady þou hym lede,A-3762 Wyth outen wordes moo, A-3763 A-3764

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And saye, a ventures knyghte hym sendes,A-3764 Att hur will to make amendes, A-3765 That he hathe trespassid so;A-3766 He is wyse, that workes þus!"A-3767 Sythe he sayd to Manastus:A-3768 "Syr, wyth hym muste ye goo!"A-3769 [3770 knyghttes ms. ] The knyghtte þer fore grette mornyng made, A-3770 [3771 Josane ms. rode ms. ] But wyth Jasone forthe he rade,A-3771 Whedyr he were well or woo.A-3772
319
Blyth she was in blod & boone,A-3773 That yong knyght was soget þan,A-3774 But woo was Cabanus, A-3775 [3776 hath ms.] That Manastas hym yeldun has;A-3776 A grette spere in hand he taasA-3777 And rydythe to syr Dreseus,A-3778 The erle off Flaunders, a noble man;A-3779 These too on werre to geddur ranne A-3780 For tene off Manastus;A-3781 The erle to þe grounde he bare,A-3782 His hors by the brydull toke he þere,A-3783 Awayward ledes hym thus.A-3784
320
The whiles was Ipomadon A-3785 In a stronge stoure wyth on, [f. 249b.] A-3786 The duke off Normandye;A-3787 Ayþer on oþur the speres had brokyn,A-3788 They þought, þey shuld be better wrokyn,A-3789 They drew þer swerdes on hye; A-3790 Ipomadon layd on so faste,A-3791 The duke yolde hym at þe last,A-3792 He hadde a cawce, why,A-3793 For þorowe the sheld was he shent;A-3794 To the lady he hym sent, A-3795 Joyfull was she for thy.A-3796
321
Ipomadon saw in þat stondeA-3797 The erle off Flaunders ly on þe grounde, A-3798 A-3799

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Right wrothe he was þat tyde;A-3799 Cabanus awayward his hors lede, A-3800 He thought full welle, he shuld hym stede,A-3801 And lovde on hym he cryede:A-3802 [3803 if] it ms. ] "Lett goo that hors, syr, if þat ye maye,A-3803 In faythe, ye lede hym not away,A-3804 Well faster yff ye ryde!" A-3805 Cabanus no worde answered,A-3806 But forthe he rede, as he not herde;A-3807 [3808 hyed ms. ] Ipomadon after hym hyde.A-3808
322
When Cabanus saw hym come,A-3809 An hevy swerd in hond he nome, A-3810 To fyght he made hym bowne;A-3811 Ipomadon his swerd drawen bareA-3812 And strake Cabanus so sore,A-3813 In swounyng fell he down.A-3814 More to hym wold he not doo, A-3815 His hors he broughte þe erle too [f. 250a.] A-3816 And sett hym in the arsoune.A-3817 Ilke a man to oþer sware,A-3818 [3819 thei] i corr. aus y. ayre ms. ] Suche a dede saw thei neuer are,A-3819 [3820 baron ms. ] Bothe erle and bold baroun. A-3820
323
They sayd, þer was non so mekyll off mayne;A-3821 When Cabanus was recouered ageyn,A-3822 Vppon his fote he stertte;A-3823 He sware be god & sent Myghell:A-3824 "Thus dede shall be venged full wele, A-3825 [3826 querte] grace ms. ] Yff god will gyff me querte!A-3826 Hee wyste not, where þe rede knyȝt was,A-3827 [3828 metes] danach was, unr. ] Sone he metes syr Dreas,A-3828 That herdy was off hertte;A-3829 [3830 e. red] om. ms. ] The banere of red wyth ovten he bare, A-3830 Thereffore Cabanus wold not spare,A-3831 [3832 hy ms. gret] e ü. d. z. geschr.; t corr. aus e.] Wyth clene love he hym gret.A-3832
324
He bare hym down, wyth oute lesse; A-3833 A-3834

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Ipomadon was in þe presseA-3834 And saw, how he had done; A-3835 [3836 danach: Awayward ledes hym þus The whiles was Ipomadon, unr. ] All woo he was for syr Dreas,A-3836 To rescew hym, grette haste he hasA-3837 And to hym wan full sone;A-3838 He horsyd hym eft for his sakeA-3839 And gaffe so many a sterne strake, A-3840 [3841 fone] sum ms. ] That byde hym durste but fone;A-3841 All seyd, that his dedis myghte see,A-3842 [3843 angeschlossen. ] A better knyght myȝte non beA-3843 [3844 This day] om. ms.; vnder sonne ist an v. ] This day vnder sonne.A-3844
325
Hys dedis sawe the lady clere, [f. 250b.] A-3845 Imayne callyd to her the fereA-3846 [3847 dealle ms. ] And told hyr ilke a delle:A-3847 "Syster, sythe þou younde knyghte,A-3848 In the rede harnes þat is dyghte,A-3849 How he hathe doone so well? A-3850 Yesturday, so haue I blis,A-3851 Off dede was not a poynte to þis,A-3852 [3853 tell] see ms. ] Be ovght, that I gan tell!A-3853 But my love & Cabanus,A-3854 [3855 this ms.] Me thought, dyd halff dele thus, A-3855 As haue I hape & sele!A-3856
326
Were not for losynge off my love,A-3857 Younde knyght to love were not reprove,A-3858 Fro bale as I be broght!"A-3859 A spere be Jasone she hym sent, A-3860 Wyth her owne fyngeris gentA-3861 The pensell had she wrouȝte.A-3862 Off thes spere fayne was heeA-3863 And dyd hym well, þer her selff myȝte see,A-3864 How many to grounde he brought. A-3865 That saw a knyght, Cananeus,A-3866 Steward off the kynges howse,A-3867 Oute off a syde he soughtte. A-3868

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327
A nobull man off werre he was,A-3869 But a condycion he hase, A-3870 That mevis all my mode:A-3871 Was non that tyme so worthy wetyn,A-3872 Than he covthe haue wyth hym fletyn,A-3873 Hadde he ben neuer so good.A-3874 Some men sayd, as haue I sell, [f. 251a.] A-3875 That he louyd the quene well,A-3876 But in no stede hit stoode;A-3877 A seker stede he rydethe vppon,A-3878 That mekyll hathe covetyd Ipomadon,A-3879 And to hym sone he rode. A-3880
328
He stroke Canoneus soo,A-3881 Tope ouer tayle he garte hym goo,A-3882 That bargyn myght he banne;A-3883 The stede by the brydull caught,A-3884 All men saw, he stale hym nought, A-3885 But worthely he hym wanne.A-3886 He lede hym syne to Egyon,A-3887 To the forest wyth hym is he gone,A-3888 O the feter full well he can.A-3889 Kyng Melengere all þis behyld, A-3890 Worthely he gan his wepons wyld,A-3891 On Lyard lepythe he þanne.A-3892
329
[3893 woo ms. ] The kyng waxe nye wood for tene,A-3893 That he smot downe his knyȝttes kene,A-3894 And to hym rydis on werre; A-3895 Emyddis the shyld he stroke hym so,A-3896 That þorow the soket he gert goo,A-3897 [3898 geyre ms. ] And braste his oþur gere;A-3898 Vnder-nethe the lyght pappeA-3899 The dent yede, be cause it was happe, A-3900 & dyd but littill dere;A-3901 Ipomadon wex red for tene,A-3902 He stroke the kyng ageyne, I wene,A-3903 [3904 beyre ms.] That downe he gan hym bere. A-3904

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330
His shild myght no lenger laste, [f. 251b.] A-3905 [3906 berste ms. ] The naylis off his haubreke braste,A-3906 That worthely was wrouȝte;A-3907 [3908 glaste ms. ] Be his nakyd syde þe soket glad,A-3908 [3909 tyne ms. hathe ms. ] A littill tynde, hurte hym it had,A-3909 [3910 not ms. ] But the wors was he nought . . . . . . . A-3910 [3911 hard ms. ] Ipomadon Lyard ledis a wayeA-3911 [3912 sq.] sheld ms. ] And to his squyere hym brought,A-3912 And in to þe forest he hym ledde;A-3913 Melengere was stretlye stede,A-3914 But sade men to hym soughte A-3915
331
[3916 wene] wonde ms. ] And socurryd hym, wyth oute wene,A-3916 Els had þe kyng takyne bene;A-3917 [3918 is] this ms. ] In hertte is not to hyde.A-3918 The vttereste syde was full fayne,A-3919 They sawe the kyng lye on þe playn, A-3920 [3921 cryed ms. ] And lowde þerfore they cryde.A-3921 Wyth the banner prekys in to þe placeA-3922 The noble erle, syr Deras,A-3923 [3924 hym] danach reve, ausgestr. releuyd ms. ] His folke to hym relyd.A-3924 Ipomadon full wele hym bare, A-3925 His strokes were full sad & sore,A-3926 Durste non that day hym byde.A-3927
332
So longe laste the turnament,A-3928 The nyghte ys comyn, the day is went,A-3929 The sonne drawethe downe. A-3930 The inner syde wyth grett honoureA-3931 Was drevyne to dyscomfettoure,A-3932 They toke þer pavelyons.A-3933 Bothe lord & lady brightteA-3934 Seyd, for sothe, the redde knyght A-3935 Moste was off renowne. [f. 252a.] A-3936 The seconde day this is comen to ende,A-3937 [3938 And] mit grosser initiale begin∣nend. wynde ms. ] And as Ipomadon to the wood shuld wende,A-3938 [3939 Josane ms.] So metis he wyth Jasone. A-3939

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333
[3940 lo] be ms. launce] lewte ms. ] "Jasone broþur, lo here thy launce! A-3940 [3941 There] danach is, ausgestr. ] There on is yet the conysaunce,A-3941 As thou thy selff may see.A-3942 Grette that lady, as god me save,A-3943 And saye, wyth me I will it haueA-3944 In to myn owne contre! A-3945 For her sake I shall þis spereA-3946 In well sharpe stowres bere,A-3947 Thou sey to the bryght of ble!"A-3948 [3949 Josane ms. ] Jasone sayd: "Syr, who is that,A-3949 That wat so well, what I hat? A-3950 Grettly it mervels mee!"A-3951
334
[3952 Josane ms. ] "Yes, Jasone, cecurlye,A-3952 [3953 the] om. ms. ] I know the well inowe for thy,A-3953 [3954 were ms. ] Felowes onys we ware!A-3954 Yesturday juste I here in white, A-3955 To day in rede, ys not to hyde,A-3956 [3957 do] danach mo, ausgestr. more ms. ] So may I do no mare!"A-3957 "A, mercy, syr, for Crystes pitte,A-3958 My ladye dyes for love of the,A-3959 And you will fro her fare?" A-3960 [3961 Josane ms. ] "Nay, Jasone, I may not dwell,A-3961 All my folke vnder younde hillA-3962 Abydys me hoveand thare!A-3963
335
Ryght now to me tydynge come,A-3964 [3965 me] ne ms. beh.] danach me, unr. ] That me behovys to go home, A-3965 [3966 syr] shey ms. ] And þerfore, syr, good day!A-3966 A Ml. tymes grette her wellA-3967 And saye, I shall, as I haue sell, [f. 252b.] A-3968 Speke wyth hur, when I maye!"A-3969 [3970 cryede ms. ] Lowde mercy he hym cryde; A-3970 "Fare well, I may no lenger byde!"A-3971 Wyth that he went his wey.A-3972 [3973Josane ms. 3974 goos ms.] In the pres Jasone loste hym has,A-3973 Wyth sorofull hertt home he gaas,A-3974 Where that the lady laye. A-3975

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[3976 Josane ms. ] "Jasone," quod that lady clere,A-3976 [3977 ails] is ms. ] "Tell me, what ails thy chere? . . . . . .A-3977 [3978 myste ms. ] "Madame, wepe I moste,A-3978 For to day haue I losteA-3979 The best knyght, þat euer was wrought!" A-3980 "Whiche, cosyn? þat knyght in rede?"A-3981 "Yea, he dryues me to dede!"A-3982 "Why, what he was, wyst ye oughte?"A-3983 [3984 I] om. ms. ] "The same, that yester day I mett!"A-3984 "Whiche? He, þat was the straunge valet?" A-3985 "In faythe, the same, me þought!"A-3986
337
"Alas!" quod the lady thanne,A-3987 "I trowe, he be no erthely man,A-3988 Be god & sent Myghell!"A-3989 "Why, what trow ye than, þat he be?" A-3990 "Sum off the fayre is he,A-3991 [3992 In] I ms. me þ.] wyght ms. ] In faythe, that hope I wele!A-3992 [3993 me bus] I must ms. ] Dye, I wot welle, me bus,A-3993 [3994 þs ms. ] Trewly, & he goo fro me þus,A-3994 My care will neuer kele!" A-3995 [3996 Josane ms. ] The kyng & Jasone both hym sought,A-3996 But all þer travell is noȝt,A-3997 So have I happe or sele!A-3998
338
To the ermytage anon [f. 253a.] A-3999 Comyn is Ipomadon, A-4000 That in his hert was fayne.A-4001 His mayster had huntyd of the best:A-4002 That day in the thyke foresteA-4003 [4004 The ms. slon ms. ] Thre grette herttes had he slayn.A-4004 Off he kest his armore shene, A-4005 And as a hunter all in greneA-4006 He rays hym selff agayne.A-4007 Home he rydes wyth lowde blowyng,A-4008 [4009 Than] danach lowde, unterpunktet. yong ms.] Than lowȝe & seyd both old & ying:A-4009 "Now comythe the drewlerayne A-4010

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Wyth nobull stedes many oneA-4011 And ryall knyghttes, þat he hath taneA-4012 In the turnamente:A-4013 [4014 may] om. ms. ] He may have gevyn amonge þe okesA-4014 Knyghttys so mony grette strokes, A-4015 That nygh hym selff is shent!"A-4016 [4017 weye ms. ] Egyon by other weyesA-4017 [4018 harnes ms. ] Wyth his hors & his harneysA-4018 Ys to the citte wente,A-4019 And that noble stede also, A-4020 That he wanne Gananeus fro,A-4021 Wyth hym has he sente,A-4022
340
[4023 kynges ms. ] And also Lyard of the kynge;A-4023 [4024 parsuynge ms. ] Wyth outen any parseuyngeA-4024 He broughte þem to þat citte. A-4025 The yattis when he come before,A-4026 Lowde his horne blewe he thore,A-4027 His houndes questyd grette plente.A-4028 [4029 gos ms. ] The knyght, in to the hall he gas [f. 253b.] A-4029 And to þe quene a present mase A-4030 Off herttes hedis thre;A-4031 The lady lokyd on þe hornes,A-4032 [4033 Mayd.] a ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] Maydons gaff hym many skornys,A-4033 Thereoff grette joye hadde hee.A-4034
341
To supper þey went after that, A-4035 Her leff be her on the benke sat,A-4036 As shuld hur own drew;A-4037 Full littill had he slept þat nyȝte,A-4038 The quene lokyd on the knyghteA-4039 And saw hym pale off hewe; A-4040 "Syr," she sayd, "it is sene,A-4041 [4042 in] om. ms.] At ouer-mekyll in travell has þou bene,A-4042 To day erlye ye blewe:A-4043 Put your huntyng to respyte,A-4044 There in ye haue ouer-mekyll delyte, A-4045 And thou thy selff it knewe!" A-4046

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[4047 The ms. ] "Ther to, madame, I darre not graunte:A-4047 [4048 Ouer] On ms. ] Ouer-mekyll than were I recreaunte!"A-4048 Then lowȝ the maydons on hyeA-4049 And sayd: "Whedur þou hunte or non, A-4050 A coward we hold the euerychoneA-4051 And littill thanke worthy!"A-4052 Thereoff had he joye inowgh,A-4053 That they hym so to skorne lowȝe,A-4054 He toke no hedde þer bye. A-4055 Sone come the kynges chamburlayneA-4056 Wyth tydynges to the quene agayne,A-4057 The turnament to dyscrye.A-4058
343
Hee knelys downe on his knee;A-4059 [4060 Thomes ms. ] "Welcome, Thoas, so mot thow bee!" [f. 254a.] A-4060 Quod that worthy in wede;A-4061 "Swette syr, who dyd best to day?A-4062 What man hath borne þe price awey?"A-4063 "Madame, so god me spede,A-4064 Yester day, as haue I blis, A-4065 Off dedis were not a poynt to þis,A-4066 [4067 Haundell ms. ] Haluendell, who so toke hede;A-4067 To day þer was a knyȝte in rede,A-4068 That sterd hym so in þe stede,A-4069 That all off hym þey dred. A-4070
344
That knyght of worthynes of hondeA-4071 Toke Manastus of IrelondeA-4072 And sent hym to the fere holde;A-4073 Sethen he stroke downe CabanusA-4074 And rescued the erle Dreus, A-4075 Hellys had his care byn cold;A-4076 He vencust the erle of NormandyA-4077 And reskewed Dares, securly,A-4078 [4079 he] hym ms. ] So was he bryme & bold.A-4079 [4080 Syxt ms. ] Syx dyd not yester-day, I say, A-4080 Ne X so mekill, as he to daye,A-4081 [4082 be] danach hold, unter- und überpunktet.] And all the trewgh myȝte be told!" A-4082

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"Why, syr, wherefore shuld ye spare?A-4083 I praye god, gyff you sorow & care,A-4084 The sothe but yff ye saye!" A-4085 "Madame, that doughtty vnder sheldA-4086 My lorde, the kynge, hathe feld in feldA-4087 And Lyard ledde awaye!"A-4088 She axte, that all myȝte here,A-4089 Yff þe kyng hurtte were, A-4090 And he sayd shortely: "Naye!" [f. 254b.] A-4091 Then sayd þe quene on her lawȝinge:A-4092 "Lord, syr, who durst fell þe kyng?"A-4093 "I not, be my faye!A-4094
346
Had hym not come better succoure, A-4095 He had byn takyne in that stoureA-4096 Wyth that noble knyghte!A-4097 Cananeus, your owne steward,A-4098 He stroke downe off his horse bakewarde,A-4099 That all men saye in sighte, A-4100 His hors he hathe, þe sothe to saye;A-4101 Whan all was done, he went his wayA-4102 A littill before the nyght.A-4103 The kyng hathe sought hym farre & nere,A-4104 And so hathe done þat lady clere, A-4105 But fynd hym can no wyghte."A-4106
347
[4107 ye] ya ms. ] "Ys he goone?" "Madame, ye!"A-4107 "Wotte no man whether? I say, shew me!"A-4108 [4109 und ] "That can no man tell!"A-4109 "Syr, where is the white knyght, A-4110 That yester day was so mekyll of myght?"A-4111 [4112 umgestellt in ms. ] "As I be sauyd, madame, fro hell,A-4112 In the feld he was not sene,A-4113 To day the rede knyght best haþe ben,A-4114 So thyke he dyd them fell!" A-4115 Shoo lokyd on hym, þat be here satte,A-4116 The whyte & the rede boþe she forgatte,A-4117 [4118 palle ms.] The comelye vnder pelle. A-4118

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When they hadde spokyn of chevalrye,A-4119 Ipomadon spoke off his foly A-4120 Hyly in that hallA-4121 [4122 at w.] all ms. ] And sayd: "Younde knyȝttes be folys at will,A-4122 To take suche strokes ille, [f. 255a.] A-4123 [4124 fall] say ms. ] And rennes ay, to þat þey fall!A-4124 Syr, say the kyng þus, I praye þe, A-4125 He had byn better at home wyth me,A-4126 The sothe say yff I shall;A-4127 [4128 sparyd ms. ] I trow, the red knyght shuld have spard,A-4128 To haue ledde away Lyard!"A-4129 Then lowȝ the maydons all. A-4130
349
"Syr, grette hym wele & say hym ytt,A-4131 [4132 yet ms. ] He myghte haue redden on hym yit,A-4132 Hadde he byn wyth mee!"A-4133 [4134 is ms. ] The quene of his wordes shamed es,A-4134 But þerfore sayd he neuer the les, A-4135 But to her spekis he,A-4136 On benche be her þer he satt:A-4137 "Madame, off þe veneson, þat we gatte,A-4138 A parte to the kyng send yee,A-4139 [4140 seall ms. ] And ye may say, as I haue sell, A-4140 To day my houndes hath renne right wele,A-4141 Be god & be my lewte!A-4142
350
Rydell ran at devyse,A-4143 To day my red hounde berythe þe pryce,A-4144 And þer off am I glade!" A-4145 Then lowȝe the chamburleyne,A-4146 He toke his leve & went agayne,A-4147 [4148 ledde ms. ] A grette hertte wyth hym ladde.A-4148 He made his present to the kynge [f. 255b.] A-4149 And told hym all, wyth oute lesynge, A-4150 [4151 tale t. le ms. ] The tale, as he hym bade,A-4151 How that Bloncan and NobiletA-4152 Hathe renne right & goon well bett,A-4153 [4154 hathe ms.] And how the price Rydall hade, A-4154

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[4155 sparyde ms. ] And how the rede knyȝt shuld haue sparde, A-4155 To haue lede away Lyard,A-4156 [4157 he] om. ms. ] And he had wyth hym been.A-4157 There att all men lowȝ there fille,A-4158 But Cabanus lykyd full ille,A-4159 His hertte brest nere for tene. A-4160 When the soper tyme was done,A-4161 Ipomadon after soneA-4162 To chambyr ledde þe queneA-4163 [4164 And] om. ms. ] And kyste her wyth mowthe still,A-4164 Full well he wyst þe quenes will, A-4165 To reste she went, I wene.A-4166
352
His leve toke Ipomadon,A-4167 To his inne is he goone;A-4168 [4169 rose ms. ] Before the day he rase;A-4169 Wyth oute more tareynge A-4170 His blake stede he dyd forth bryngeA-4171 [4172 harnes ms. ] And his blake harnas;A-4172 Sone was copled all his houndes,A-4173 As he þorowe þe citte foundes,A-4174 [4175 mase] made ms. ] An hedeowes noyce he mase; A-4175 Hit was non, þat slept so faste,A-4176 That they ne wakyd at the lasteA-4177 [4178 goothe ms. ] And sayd: "Now the quene leman gase!" [f. 256a.] A-4178
353
When he come, þer the quene laye,A-4179 He blowythe as lowde, as euer he maye, A-4180 [4181 wrothe ms. ] Thereffore was ladyes wrathe;A-4181 They cursude & bannyde hym euery chone,A-4182 Seyd: "Reste for hym we may haue none,A-4183 [4184 brighte ms. ] His blewyng is so brathe!"A-4184 To the ermytage gan he fare, A-4185 In blake he made hym redy thareA-4186 [4187 bothe ms. ] And his steede bathe;A-4187 Then Ipomadon gan saye:A-4188 [4189 love] om. ms.] "For goddis love, mayster, I you praye,A-4189 On huntyng high you rathe!" A-4190

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His mayster dothe, as he hathe hym byden,A-4191 Ipomadon ys way ys reden,A-4192 His stede & he in blake.A-4193 The same tyme in Gresse-londeA-4194 A duke ther wonnyde, I vnderstonde, A-4195 That grett maystryes covde make;A-4196 [4197 Aryes, nach a ein buchst. ausgestr., ms. ] His name was syr Aryus,A-4197 [4198 boun∣tevs ms. ] A bolde man and a bountevous,A-4198 Off dedys nothyng to lake.A-4199 A dyuynere wyth hym had hee, A-4200 That be the sterres gret plenteA-4201 Cowde grette insamble take.A-4202
355
[4203 Hys] Syr ausgestr. und Hys übergeschr. ] Hys name was syr Anferas,A-4203 [4204 mek.] danach as, unr. asse] wold ms. ] He told hym mekyll, þat he asse,A-4204 [4205 he cowd, nach he, coud, ausgestr. ] Off devynyte, that cowd he. A-4205 [4206 nyghte] danach that, ausgestr. ] The same nyghte, at þe turnamentA-4206 Was sett be the comen assente,A-4207 He went, the sterres to see, [f. 256b.] A-4208 And be the planettes well hath he founde,A-4209 That þer shuld grette worshipe be wonne A-4210 Off knyght of that asemble;A-4211 But off the best he was onwyse,A-4212 Off hym, þat bare awey the pryce,A-4213 His termes wrong toke he.A-4214
356
He dyd his lord to vnderstonde, A-4215 What he be the sterres fonde.A-4216 He made hym redy faste,A-4217 Two hundyrd knyghttes off grette arayeA-4218 Sayles on the flode so graye:A-4219 To semble was his caste. A-4220 [4221 thryd] d ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] The thryd day he ryse yare;A-4221 Whedyr syde wars ware,A-4222 [4223 aste] axsyd ms.] A bachelere he aste.A-4223 All men told hym at þat tyde,A-4224 They on the inner syde A-4225 Was dyscomfett laste. A-4226

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He pyȝtte his pavelyon, þat stouȝte,A-4227 To helpe them, þat were in douȝte,A-4228 Wyth all the myghte, he maye.A-4229 The riche duke sware, iwis, A-4230 That, yff he myȝte, it shuld be his,A-4231 [4232 justis ms. ] The fyrste juste þat daye.A-4232 Ipomadon wyste well all to geder,A-4233 The riche duke, was comyne thedyrA-4234 On a ryche araye, A-4235 That on þe inner syde wold he bee,A-4236 [4237 oten ms. ] Thereffore wyth outen bydythe hee:A-4237 That boughte he sothen, I saye. [f. 257a.] A-4238
358
Ipomadon hovyd before the towne,A-4239 The wayte hym sawe, þat lokyd abowne, A-4240 And he callyd on the fere,A-4241 He sayd: "Awake, lady bryghte,A-4242 Younder hoves a blake knyghteA-4243 In armys good & clere!"A-4244 [4245 Crystys] mannys ms. ] "Wayte," she sayd, "for Crystys dede, A-4245 [4246 Sees] davor k, ausgestr. ] Sees thou auȝte the knyght in rede,A-4246 That yester day justyd here?"A-4247 "Nay, madame, but no lakeA-4248 Younder hoves a knyght in blakeA-4249 Wyth a noble chere!" A-4250
359
The way to the walles she toke,A-4251 After the rede knyght gan she lokeA-4252 And sawe hym on no syde;A-4253 In sonyng fell she downe agayne,A-4254 To chambur leydes hur Imayne A-4255 And her comforttes þat tyde.A-4256 The duke off Gresse wyth grette bosteA-4257 Comaundythe swythe to all his oste,A-4258 [4259 none] danach to, ausgestr.] That none shuld to hym ryde,A-4259 But yff they se abowte hym mo A-4260 Knyghttes, þen oþer one or two,A-4261 That bolddly durste abyde. A-4262

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He rydes vp on a red stede . . . . . .A-4263 Toward the blake knyght,A-4264 In rede sadull, sheld & spere, A-4265 [4266 geyre ms. ] And red was all his oþur gere,A-4266 Hit shone as beymes bryghte. [f. 257b.] A-4267 On the lady cryes Imayne:A-4268 [4269 frone ms. ] "Madame, as I be kept frome payne,A-4269 Here may ye se wyth syght, A-4270 [4271 knyght] danach wyth syghte, unterpunktet. ] Your avncyante knyght, arayde in rede,A-4271 [4272 nyed] om. ms. in] danach st, ausgestr. ] Agayne the blake nyed in that stedeA-4272 [4273 forses] s corr. aus r. ] And forses hym to fyghte!"A-4273
361
[4274 ayre ms. ] So joyfull was she neuer ere,A-4274 She wend, the knyght in rede were, A-4275 [4276 beane ms. ] Hee had hur leman beene.A-4276 In the mornynge, erly, as she myghte,A-4277 [4278 Josane ms. ] Jasone she dubbyd knyghtA-4278 In armore good and clene;A-4279 She gyrdythe hym wyth a swerd above A-4280 And XXXti other for his love,A-4281 That herdy were & kene.A-4282 A younge squyere gan she byde:A-4283 [4284 Serueoure ms. Josane ms. ] "Serue oure of speris, as Jasone dydA-4284 The tother to dayes bedene!" A-4285
362
For well wend þat lady bright,A-4286 The redde had byn her own knyȝte,A-4287 [4288 thare ms. ] When she saw hym there.A-4288 To gedder are these knyghttes gone,A-4289 [4290 Ipamadon ms. ] The duke strake Ipomadon A-4290 Wyth a stallworthe spere,A-4291 That his shild flo fram his halse,A-4292 Nerehande had he falen alse;A-4293 Be worthynes off werreA-4294 [4295 nott ms. ] Ipomadon fayled nought, A-4295 He sawe here þer, that he on þoughte,A-4296 [4297 beyre ms.] The duke downe gan he bere. [f. 258a.] A-4297

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Egyon wyst, what shuld be done,A-4298 [4299 Adyrus, r ü. y geschr. ] On Adyrus stede he lepus sone,A-4299 The lady hovis & beheld; A-4300 [4301 lady] danach s, durchgestr. ] In sonynge fell þat lady clere,A-4301 [4302 went ms. ] She wend, þat it hur leman were,A-4302 That so was fallon in feld.A-4303 [4304 dulfly ms. ] Thee duke full dulfully was dyȝte,A-4304 That vp to ryse he had no myȝte, A-4305 His swerd he gan hym yelde.A-4306 He proferd hym to his raunsomeA-4307 Castelles riche & many a towneA-4308 And mekyll gold to welde.A-4309
364
"Nay, syr," quod Ipomadon, A-4310 "Off thy castelles kepe I none,A-4311 Be god & myn lewte,A-4312 But on thy trewght here shall þou swere,A-4313 [4314 shhalt ms. ] To day þou shalt no armys were,A-4314 Wyth yȝen that men may see!" A-4315 He cryed: "Gentill syr, mercy!A-4316 To this turnament comyn am IA-4317 Oute off ferre contre:A-4318 [4319 caste ms. ] Grettly there on haue I coste,A-4319 And yff I thus my travell loste, A-4320 It were grette shame to me!"A-4321
365
"Syr, synne thou wylt juste nede,A-4322 Thou shalte caste off thy rede wede,A-4323 And sythen goo, do thye beste!"A-4324 [4325 trewgh ms. ] Trewly his trewght þer to he plyȝte; A-4325 To his tente youde the knyghteA-4326 [4327 caste ms. ] And off that armore keste.A-4327 Ipomadon saw oute of the castell [f. 258b.] A-4328 A chyld come, he knew full well,A-4329 A littell þer be weste; A-4330 But he knewe not Ipomadon,A-4331 [4332 spere] danach I, ausgestr.] A noble spere he brouȝte hym one,A-4332 To take hit, he was full preste. A-4333

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He sayd: "Syr, take thus rede stedeA-4334 And to thy lady thou hym lede A-4335 For no man that þou spare!A-4336 The whyȝte knyght, þou may her say,A-4337 Ne the rede had not goon awey,A-4338 [4339 ayre ms. ] Hadde I come anny are;A-4339 And I trowe to day to be sene, A-4340 Her leffe is strekyne down, I wene,A-4341 For all his freshe fare;A-4342 [4343 her] his ms. ] In her presonne shall he not be,A-4343 Ne, sertus, she shall hym not seeA-4344 [4345 more ms. ] To day juste no mare! A-4345
367
Swythe shall he wend in to þe westeA-4346 The man, I trowe, þat she louythe beste,A-4347 And also þou her saye!A-4348 [4349 beffore] be ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] Yff he beffore the gre haue wonne,A-4349 Here he hathe his felow founde, A-4350 Yche myghte se, where he laye.A-4351 I trowe, here leman had a squate:A-4352 Goo be lyve & tell hur that,A-4353 Good syr, I the praye!"A-4354 The chyld dyd, as he hym badde; A-4355 So mekyll sorowe þen she made,A-4356 In sonyng fell þat maye:A-4357
368
[4358 younge ms. ] "A god, þat made bothe old & yinge,A-4358 Thus is no wonder þinge, [f. 259a.] A-4359 That makythe me fowle to fade: A-4360 [4361 On] davor T, ausgestr. ] On the fyrrste day was sent to meA-4361 The riche kyng off Spayne, parde,A-4362 Suche happe my leman hadde;A-4363 Syne Manastus off IrelondeA-4364 And many other weldande A-4365 [4366 brayde ms. ] In feld wyth brondes brade.A-4366 But what is me of all þo?A-4367 Righte nought, synne I my love forgoo,A-4368 [4369 mayde ms.] Be grette god, that me made!" A-4369

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So faste she grett & gaff her ille, A-4370 That ner she is in poynte to spille,A-4371 And to hur sellff gan saye:A-4372 "Loste thus and my leman be,A-4373 [4374 þer] danach e, ausgestr. ston.] for stonyede ms. ] Shall þer neuer man haue of me,A-4374 As farreforthe as I maye!" A-4375 The stoure wyth outen waxed stronge,A-4376 Ipomadon in to the thekyste throngeA-4377 And dyd full welle that day . . . . . . .A-4378 Men on horsse faste they wynne,A-4379 And many, an lond they laye. A-4380
370
They wyth oute gadyrd myghte,A-4381 Faste forses they to fyghteA-4382 Bothe wyth spere & shilde;A-4383 So harde ychane on oþer layde,A-4384 Stedes stode stakerand stoneyde, A-4385 There maysturs fellt in feld.A-4386 Dreas lokyd hym abouteA-4387 And blewe & creyd after his rowte,A-4388 The banere vp he helde.A-4389 [4390 Ip.] danach vp they helde. überpunktet. ] Ipomadon þere sone cryed, [f. 259b.] A-4390 [4391 relevyd ms. ] III C. knyghttes to hym relyd,A-4391 That cowde þer wepons welde.A-4392
371
Sone come the kyng off Skottelonde,A-4393 His swerd bolddly in his hande,A-4394 [4395 And] danach sr, ausgestr. ] And strykes Ipomadon, A-4395 [4396 youde ms. ] That nere hand to þe grounde he yoode;A-4396 He þought to yeld hym as good;A-4397 [4398 The] danach kny, ausgestr. kynges ms. ] The kynge he lyghtt vpon,A-4398 [4399 cleiyys ms. ] His body evyn in to he cleue,A-4399 The noble swerd, or it wold leeffe, A-4400 Ys þorow the sadull goone.A-4401 His stede & hym bothe hath he slayneA-4402 Wyth that stroke mekyll off mayne;A-4403 [4404 euery one] ouer all ms.] Men wonderd euery one! A-4404

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[4405 Josane ms. ] Now off Jasone shall ye here: A-4405 The blake knyght he holdythe nereA-4406 In armore burneshede bright;A-4407 That lyked Ipomadon full well,A-4408 And sayd: "Syr, so haue I sell,A-4409 Younder comythe a knyght; A-4410 [4411 grym] wyȝt ms. ] Dought hym not, þowȝ he be grym,A-4411 Goo ryde & juste wyth hym,A-4412 [4413 not] om. ms. ] Littill thou artte not off myghte!"A-4413 "Gramercy, syr, so haue I roo,A-4414 As ye me bydde, so shall I doo, A-4415 Be he neuer so wyghte!"A-4416
373
[4417 Josane ms. ] Jasone wold no lengur byde,A-4417 [4418 kynght ms. ] To the knyght can he ryde,A-4418 [4419 conuersaunce ms. ] He knewe his conusaunce;A-4419 [4420 in] om. ms. ] He strake hym so in myde þe shyld, A-4420 That flate he feld hym in þe feld, [f. 260a.] A-4421 To shevers went the lavnce.A-4422 Be the brydull he toke þe stede,A-4423 But þe knyght coueryd & away yede;A-4424 Ipomadon lykyd that chaunce; A-4425 He sayd: "Be god and my lewte,A-4426 A bettur knyght of his tyme, þen he,A-4427 [4428 Ys] Yes ms. ] Ys not froo hens to Fraunce!A-4428
374
[4429 a] ü. d. z. nachgetr. cas] chaunce ms. ] Now shall ye se a wonder casA-4429 Off the noble erle, syr Dreas, A-4430 [4431 dere] drede ms. ] He had a brother dereA-4431 Wyth the kynge of Irelonde;A-4432 [4433 New] Now ms. ] New dubbyd, I vnderstond,A-4433 The tother day bothe they were;A-4434 [4435 stel] shild ms. ] For he was stalworthe vnder stel, A-4435 [4436 The stought] He thought ms. kynges ms.] The stought kynge louyd hym weleA-4436 And gaff hym armys clere . . . . . . . .A-4437
375
Dreas was wyth outen þat day,A-4438 And he wyth in, the sothe to saye, A-4439 A-4440

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Many to grounde he broughte. A-4440 That saw Dreas, securly,A-4441 Off his dedis hadde grette envye,A-4442 [4443 of] om. ms. sought] goos ms. ] Oute of that syde he sought.A-4443 Dryas rydes vnto his broþer,A-4444 Noþer knowlegge had of oþere, A-4445 To juste they bothe had þoughte.A-4446 [4447 Cavder ms. ] Cavdor smote his broþer DreasA-4447 [4448 harnes ms. ] Thorow shild of gold & his harnas;A-4448 [4449 not ms. ] Yet, sertis, he hurte hym nought.A-4449
376
[4450 Cavder ms. ] Dreas stroke his broþer Cavdor A-4450 Wyth a spere sadde & soreA-4451 Thorow oute all his armore [f. 260b.] A-4452 In at his brest, oute at his bake,A-4453 The chyne-bone asonder brake . . . . . .A-4454 Dede off his brothers hande, A-4455 And that was grett doloure;A-4456 He gaff hym suche a spetuous falle,A-4457 In sunder brast the lachettes all,A-4458 That shuld his helme socoure.A-4459
377
[4460 þere ms ] His basnette flew off þare; A-4460 When Dreas sawe his visage bare,A-4461 Wonder-woo he was;A-4462 When he sawe his broþeres face,A-4463 In sonynge fell DreasA-4464 Syghand, and sayd: "Alas, A-4465 Dere broþer, woo ys mee,A-4466 That euer I thy bane shuld bee,A-4467 [4468 axe ms. ] Mercy I the asse!"A-4468 He lokyd vpe & lokyd hye,A-4469 [4470 dyee ms. ] His eyne closude, & gan to dye, A-4470 His soule away gan passe.A-4471
378
Then hadde Dreas mekill care,A-4472 [4473 eyre ms.] He rent his clothes & drewe his hare,A-4473 And oute a swerd drawethe he; A-4474 A-4475

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The hylte downeward, þe poynte vp stode, A-4475 He swere by god, that is good:A-4476 "Myne noune bane shall I bee!"A-4477 [4478 hym] I add. ms. ] To hym prekkythe Ipomadon,A-4478 [4479 tane ms. ] His swerd oute of his hond hathe toneA-4479 And sayd: "Benedycyte!" A-4480 "Alas, syr, for sorowe & payne:A-4481 It is my broþer, that haue I slayne,A-4482 Therefore full woo ys mee!"A-4483
379
"Ye, syr, lette this greffe ouergoo, [f. 261a.] A-4484 For better is oo man dede, þen tow, A-4485 This is þe sothe, I saye!A-4486 [4487 kepe] carpe ms. ] Ye, so there is no more to kepe,A-4487 [4488 vp on] ye vp ms. ] Agayne vp on your stede ye lepeA-4488 And for his soule do praye!"A-4489 Dreas dyd, as he hym bade, A-4490 The body to an churche þey hade,A-4491 In beryall they hym laye,A-4492 Yff they hadde neuer so mekyll care;A-4493 Thus Dreas leves his broþur thareA-4494 And wendythe forthe on his waye. A-4495
380
[4496 þs ms. ] The stowre lettyd no þing for þis,A-4496 But many a worthy man, iwis,A-4497 Was boldely borne downe.A-4498 Yche of them sheverd oþeres shyldA-4499 And feld many a knyghte in feld, A-4500 That were of grette renoune.A-4501 On noþer syde was not to lake,A-4502 But euer more the knyght in blakeA-4503 [4504 Euer to ms. bownde ms. ] To the beste is bowne.A-4504 So worthely wroght Ipomadon, A-4505 That the vtter syde ilkoneA-4506 [4507 benysone ms.] Yaffe hym thare benysowne.A-4507
381
One, Segamvs, made a frayeA-4508 And grette boste all þat daye, A-4509 A-4510

Page 130

A noble spere he bare, A-4510 A knyght of the kynges mene,A-4511 [4512 fayth parde] partee ms. ] He louyd the quene in fayth, parde,A-4512 As I haue harde seyde yare;A-4513 Till Ipomadon he chese,A-4514 And he to hym, wyth outen leesse, [f. 261b.] A-4515 [4516 were ms. ] Two nobull knyghttes þey ware;A-4516 Eyther on oþur þer speres brake,A-4517 Bvt still on ther hors bakeA-4518 They bothe heyld them thare.A-4519
382
[4520 tane ms. ] Sygamus hys swerd hathe tone A-4520 And stornely strykes IpomadonA-4521 Vppon the stelyne hatte;A-4522 [4523 swerd] hand, ü. d. z. nachgetr. drawen ms. ] Ipomadon his swerd hathe draynA-4523 And strake Segamus agayne,A-4524 That to þe ground fell he flatte; A-4525 [4526 þare ms. ] His swerd he yeldes to hym þere,A-4526 [4527 swere] sure ms. ] Vp on his trought he made hym swere,A-4527 He shuld not leve for that,A-4528 That he ne shuld ryde home to þe queneA-4529 And yeld hym to that lady shene, A-4530 In chambur where she satte:A-4531
383
"And say, a knyght in armys blakeA-4532 Has for that ladyes sakeA-4533 [4534 ravnsum ms. ] Forgevyne the thy ravnsom!"A-4534 He rydys home to þat lady hende A-4535 And told hur his tale to ende,A-4536 When he was come home;A-4537 [4538-40 hinter 4541-43 gestellt in ms. 4541 not] om. ms. 4542 slow] froo ms.] Then lowȝe the quene in preuyteA-4538 And sayd: "Lord, what man was hee,A-4539 That durste beyre you downe?" A-4540 "A blake knyght, madame, þat I not know,A-4541 But well I wott, down he me slowA-4542 And sent me to your presone!"A-4543
384
Hit was neuer, syn god þis world began, A-4544 A-4545

Page 131

A fayrer turnament, þen þat was one, A-4545 [4546 were ms. ] Off men, that worthy ware. [f. 262a.] A-4546 [4547 The] Ther ms. ] The fere all way had in sighteA-4547 The dedis off the blake knyghte,A-4548 How boldly he hym bare;A-4549 So doughtly he dang them abowte, A-4550 That all men off his dentes had dowte,A-4551 So warre they bothe sadde & sore.A-4552 Hit drewe to the nyght faste:A-4553 The inner syde-att the lasteA-4554 Was ouercome thare. A-4555
385
[4556 the] danach s, ausgestr. ] On the chasse folowed Ipomadon,A-4556 Cabanus turrned & lokyd hym on,A-4557 Toward hym rydythe hee;A-4558 Was neuer knyghte, sithe þus world began,A-4559 Better belouyd, thanne he was þanne A-4560 Amonge the comynalte.A-4561 Ipomadon west full well,A-4562 Cabanus was stallworthe vnder stele,A-4563 And lothe he was to flee,A-4564 And lothe he was his love forgoo A-4565 And his travell alsoA-4566 [4567 his ms. ] Off this dayes thre.A-4567
386
[4568 speyre ms. ] In feuter ayther castes a spere,A-4568 [4569 there] owre ms.] Sethen to gedder ryddes thereA-4569 Wyth all the myghte, they maye; A-4570 There sheldes all in sounder brake,A-4571 They bothe, noþer were to lake,A-4572 Behynde þer horsse they laye.A-4573 Cabanus sett his strokes so faste,A-4574 Ipomadons sheld asunder breste, A-4575 The serten sothe to seye. [f. 262b.] A-4576 Vndernethe the lyfte pappeA-4577 Thorowe all his hernes, þis was his hape,A-4578 The sokett glasyd away. A-4579

Page 132

387
[4580 haid ms. ] Nere hand brest his hertte for tene, A-4580 He wend, he shuld a knowen ben,A-4581 [4582 that] a corr. aus u. ] Or he hadde paste that playne;A-4582 The blake stede toke EgyonA-4583 And broughte hym to IpomadonA-4584 And horsud hym efte agayne, A-4585 And sethyne to Cabanus stede he wan,A-4586 In to the foreste he ledes hym thane,A-4587 And off that freyght was fayne.A-4588 [4589 waxed] x corr. aus t. ] Then waxed Cabanus nere hand wood,A-4589 & he sterte vp wyth egur mode, A-4590 As he wold hym aslayne.A-4591
388
He sowre: "Be god & my lewte,A-4592 This dede shall well avenged be,A-4593 [4594 quarte ms. ] Yff god will gyff me querte!"A-4594 Ipomadon will stryke hym no more, A-4595 But wyth his hors brest down hym bare,A-4596 And sore forthought it in hertte,A-4597 Soo godde a knyght wold hym not yeld;A-4598 Kynge Mellengere all þis beheldA-4599 And on a stede he stertte. A-4600 He prekes to Ipomadon,A-4601 A spytuos stroke he gaff hym one,A-4602 [4603 smarte ms. ] That right sore dyd smerte,A-4603
389
On the righte arme in þe braune, I wene;A-4604 Full faste the blod ranne down bedene, A-4605 That many a man myghte it see; [f. 263a.] A-4606 He says; "Thus shall be vengyd well!"A-4607 And oute he takes a bronnde of steleA-4608 [4609 hye ms.] And lyfte hit vp on he;A-4609 There to the kyng good hede toke; A-4610 When he sawe hym so gremly loke,A-4611 Righte sore aferd was hee;A-4612 I darre not sey, the kyng fled þat tyde,A-4613 But for his dent he durst not byde,A-4614 Be god and be my lewte! A-4615

Page 133

390
The inner syde was sore agasste,A-4616 The kyng awayward heed hym faste,A-4617 To fle they toke that tyde,A-4618 Some to towne and sum to tente.A-4619 Thus endyd the turnamente: A-4620 In faythe, it is not to hyde.A-4621 The blake knyght was off dedes beste . . . .A-4622 And boldyste durste abyde.A-4623 Be that hit drew to þe nyȝte,A-4624 To wodward hyed that blake knyght, A-4625 [4626 ryde] hyde ms. ] As faste as he myȝte ryde.A-4626
391
By syde hym lokyd Ipomadon,A-4627 [4628 Josane ms. ] Soon was he warre of Jasone,A-4628 On hym lowde gan he crye:A-4629 [4630 Josane ms. ] "Abyde, Jasone, & speke wyth me!" A-4630 [4631 nnay ms. ] The other sayd: "How may þis be,A-4631 So grette mervell haue I,A-4632 [4633 what] danach is, ausgestr. I h.] high I ms ] That ye so well woste, what I hight?"A-4633 [4634 Josane ms. ] "Yes, Jasone, be goddes myghte,A-4634 I haue a grette cause, whye! A-4635 [4636 Felews ms.] Felows, I wot well, onys we were, [f. 263b.] A-4636 Att a supper, thou wotte well, where,A-4637 When I was sett the by!A-4638
392
Thus thre days I haue juste here,A-4639 And euery day, broþer dere, A-4640 In dyueres colours sene.A-4641 I thanke hym, that all made off noughte,A-4642 That he soo fayre for me hathe wroghteA-4643 Amonge the knyghttes kene.A-4644 Grette well thy lady bright of ble . . . . A-4645 A gyfte I shall hur gyff,A-4646 Euer more, while I leeff,A-4647 Too wytte wyth outen wene!A-4648
393
Thus maye thou, þat wyth me spake,A-4649 When I was whyte, rede & blake; A-4650 A-4651

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For nedes mvste I wende.A-4651 A Ml. tymes I praye thee,A-4652 Grette well that lady brighte of ble,A-4653 Righte as my faythefull frend!A-4654 I shall here after, when god will, A-4655 Att leyser speke wyth her my fille,A-4656 So saye to that lady hende!"A-4657 He cryede lowde: "Mercy, ser,A-4658 Trewly, goo ye thus fro here,A-4659 My lady her selff shall shend: A-4660
394
For you she suffyrs mekyll care!"A-4661 "Naye, Jasone, lett be thy fare,A-4662 Me mvste in to my londe!A-4663 [4664 eftsones] sones ms. ] Fare well, till eftsones þat we mete,A-4664 And as oftyne tymes þou her grette, A-4665 As gresses þer be groande!"A-4666 In to the thykyste prese he pasteA-4667 [4668 Josane ms. ] And Jasone loste hym att the laste, [f. 264a.] A-4668 In no syde he hym fonde.A-4669 Wyth sorofull hertte & grette mornyng A-4670 [4671 yonge ms. ] Wepand he gothe home to þat lady yinge,A-4671 Sorowfull, & wrange his hande.A-4672
395
[4673 Josane ms. ] "Jasone," quod that lady thanne,A-4673 "Why makyste þou suche mornynge, man,A-4674 [4675 Who haue gevyd thee man ms. ] Who may haue grevyd thee?" A-4675 "Alas, madame, that I was borne,A-4676 For to day haue we lorne,A-4677 The beste knyghte, that maye be!"A-4678 "Why, cosyn, the knyght in blake?"A-4679 [4680 þs ms. ] "He makyth me all þis mornynge make!" A-4680 "Why wyste thou, what he be,A-4681 He, that will brynge me to my dede?"A-4682 "The same, that juste in whyte & rede,A-4683 To day in blake was hee!"A-4684
396
Then had she thrys so mekyll care, A-4685 [4686 heyre ms.] She tare hyr clothes & drewe hure hare A-4686 A-4687

Page 135

Wyth many a carefull crye:A-4687 [4688 to d.] merey ms. ] "Thow dethe, thou come to me to dayA-4688 And helpe, be lyve, that I were slaye,A-4689 I praye the specyallye! A-4690 [4691 ternvmente ms. ] Wyth tene & turmente I am takeA-4691 And shamefully I am forsake:A-4692 He hathe a grette cause, why!A-4693 Foole, when þou myghte, þou wold not,A-4694 Now thow wylt, now shalt þou not, A-4695 In faythe, no fores for thy!A-4696
397
A, thou dethe, lett for no ryches,A-4697 [4698 bewtenes ms. for] om. ms. ] For bewte or for worthynes,A-4698 But helpe, that I were slayne! [f. 264b.] A-4699 In all this world, securly, A-4700 Ys not so pore a wyghte, as I,A-4701 The sothe it not to layne!A-4702 They ar riche att þer above,A-4703 That at þer will may haue þer love:A-4704 Whedur he comythe neuer agayne!" A-4705 In sonyng fell þat lady bright,A-4706 They comfortyd her wyth all þer myȝte,A-4707 [4708 Josane ms. ] Bothe Jasone & Imayne.A-4708
398
[4709 Josane ms. ] Jasone sayd: "Madame, be stille:A-4709 Wyth in shorte tyme he comythe you tille, A-4710 Lanyere as he me hight;A-4711 And, trewly, comythe he not, þat hende,A-4712 Froo lond to lond shall I wend,A-4713 To seke hym day & nyghte,A-4714 Tille the tyme, that he may founde be!" A-4715 [4716 Thowe ms. ] Those wordes comfordyd þat lady fre,A-4716 [4717 sehyde ms.] But full sore she syhte,A-4717 The kyng dyd seke hym fare or nereA-4718 And so dyd that lady clere,A-4719 But fynde hym can no wyghte. A-4720
399
Ipomadon, in a littill stageA-4721 Comyn he is to the ermytage, A-4722 A-4723

Page 136

[4723 þere ms. ] His mayster fyndythe he þore;A-4723 Off his armore castes hee . . . . .A-4724 His wondes was wonder-sore; A-4725 His mayster stuppyd his hurtes, I wene,A-4726 And sythe aryesse hym all in grene,A-4727 [4728 were ms. ] A hunter as he wore.A-4728 Whome he rydyþe wyth lowde blowynge,A-4729 [4730 yonge ms. ] To wyndowes rennythe boþe old & yinge, [f. 265a.] A-4730 They cursyd hym, bothe lesse & more.A-4731
400
When he come att the castell yate,A-4732 Lowde his horne he blewe þer ate,A-4733 [4734 queyrted ms. ] The houndes queyre þo he brought,A-4734 The maydons hym to skorne lowȝe; A-4735 Thereffore the quene was wrothe inowȝe,A-4736 For in hurt she thoughte,A-4737 That she louyd hym neuer the lesse;A-4738 [4739 is ms. ] To the durre ageyne hym comyn she es,A-4739 [4740 not ms. ] For lakkyng lett she nought; A-4740 The knyght be the honde she hent,A-4741 In to the hall wyth hym she went,A-4742 [4743 sought] gothe ms. ] To supper sithe they sought.A-4743
401
As they at supper sett wyth inne,A-4744 The kynges chamburleyne come inne A-4745 And knelyd downe on his kne;A-4746 "Welcome, Thoas!" quod the quene,A-4747 [4748 byne ms. ] "Telles, this day who best hathe bene!"A-4748 "Madame, be my lewte,A-4749 The tothere too dayes, before be past, A-4750 Was not a poynte to this laste,A-4751 Be oughte, that I cowde see:A-4752 A knyght in blake þer was to daye,A-4753 That paste all oþer, I darre welle saye,A-4754 [4755 Off any þat ms. ee] iȝe ms.] Þat euer was sene wyth ee!" A-4755
402
Segamvs be the quene satte:A-4756 "Madame, the same knyght was þat, A-4757 A-4758

Page 137

That feld me in the fyghte:A-4758 [4759 velony] l corr. aus n. ] That was no velony for mee,A-4759 For why all oþer downe strake hee, A-4760 So was he wondur-whyȝte!" [f. 265b.] A-4761 [4762 chamburley ms. I] om. ms. ] The chamburleyn sayd: "I darre wel saye,A-4762 Bettur then hee hath done to day,A-4763 I trowe, dyd neuer non knyght!A-4764 Madame, he hathe so mony stedes, A-4765 That all men wonders off his dedes,A-4766 Be grette god moste off myghte!A-4767
403
And euer more to þe lady he sentA-4768 [4769 man] ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] Bothe hors and man to presente,A-4769 Fro tyme he had them wonne!" A-4770 "Syr, where is þe white knyghtA-4771 And the rede, so mekyll of myghte?"A-4772 "The white wolle not be founde;A-4773 [4774 A r.] Mede ms. ] A rede þer was to day at morne,A-4774 That sone oute of his sadell was borne A-4775 At the rysyng of the sonne,A-4776 And sithe couthe no man hym se:A-4777 Dede, full well I trowe, he be,A-4778 Or els in presone bounde.A-4779
404
Madame, to day was non to lake, A-4780 But, sekyrly, a knyght in blakeA-4781 Off bovnte berethe the bell:A-4782 The trought yf I shall tell in towne,A-4783 The fyrste off our syde bare he downe,A-4784 Soo was he fers & fell!" A-4785 "Who whas þat? My lord, þe kynge?"A-4786 "Ye, madame, wyth oute lesynge,A-4787 As I be savyd fro hell,A-4788 And also Cabanus, the kene,A-4789 There off þe kyng was so tene, A-4790 He wold no lenger dwell;A-4791
405
[4792 youde ms.] To rescewe Cabanus, he yode [f. 266a.] A-4792 And strake the knyȝte, I sawe the blode A-4793 A-4794

Page 138

Renne downe be his syde;A-4794 He was wonder-wrothe for thy, A-4795 The kyng sawe hym loke so gremly,A-4796 He tornyde hym the bake þat tyde!"A-4797 "Why, fled the kyng?" "Nay, madame,A-4798 But, as god sheld me fro shame,A-4799 Vnder his dent he durste not byde! A-4800 Off all, that come fro este or weste,A-4801 To day the blake hathe borne hym beste,A-4802 In erthe it is not to hyde!A-4803
406
Madame, on the kynges behalffe I saye,A-4804 That to morowe erlye as day A-4805 Redy ye you make:A-4806 Com to Canders, þat riche citte,A-4807 There the grette semble shall beA-4808 For that ladyes sake,A-4809 [4810 mare ms. ] To loke, wyth myrthe who shall hyre marye! A-4810 Here I maye no lengur tarye,A-4811 To god I you betake!"A-4812 Be the quene sittythe Ipomadon,A-4813 The chamburleyn he callys vpon,A-4814 [4815 Aid ms. ] And off his foly spake: A-4815
407
"Syr, sey the kyng, I praye þe,A-4816 Off venysone this dayes threA-4817 [4818 ben] danach ge, ausgestr. begillyd ms. ] He hathe not ben begilld:A-4818 [4819 turned ms. ] He turneyd all þus day,A-4819 I haue had fayre game & playe A-4820 [4821 felde ms. ] Bothe be frythe & filde.A-4821 Now hathe he tome, at home to byde,A-4822 Hym selfe may on huntyng ryde [f. 266b.] A-4823 [4824 the] danach god, ausgestr. ] Amonge the woddes wyld:A-4824 Lede hym venysone wyth þe A-4825 [4826 me] þe ms. ] And say, he gettes no more off me,A-4826 Be grette god, me can wyld!A-4827
408
[4828 Thou] danach myg, ausgestr.] Thou maye say, so haue I sell, A-4828 A-4829

Page 139

To day my houndes hathe done full well,A-4829 The sothe is not to leyne: A-4830 In Beymovnde cowde I fynde no lake,A-4831 To day hathe borne hym best þe blake,A-4832 And þeroff am I fayne!A-4833 Say hym, syr, I praye thee,A-4834 As I haue huntyd, now hunte hee, A-4835 For I haue done my payneA-4836 For venysone, tell hym, well good onne!"A-4837 The chamburleyne his leve hathe taneA-4838 And to the kyng wendes agayne.A-4839
409
He present hym wyth venesone, A-4840 Sithe told hym all this nyce resone,A-4841 How the blake hounde beste hathe bene;A-4842 [4843 save] danach bu, ausgestr. ] All lough, save Cabanus, þer atte.A-4843 The knyghte, that be the quene satte,A-4844 [4845 were ms. ] Was weri and woundyd, I wene. A-4845 [4846 of] on ms. ] A shortte of sylke had on hee,A-4846 The knyghtte bled so grett plente,A-4847 [4848 gre ms. ] He waxe bothe wanne and grene;A-4848 The quene toke good hede þer tilleA-4849 And in hur hertte she mornyde stille, A-4850 Fro she the sothe had sene,A-4851
410
How pale & how wanne he satte;A-4852 Ipomadon parseuyd thateA-4853 And he had full mekyll care; [f. 267a.] A-4854 [4855 went ms. ] He wend, he shuld haue knowen ben, A-4855 For he trowed, that the queneA-4856 [4857 sore ms. ] Wyste, that he was hurt sare,A-4857 And lyghttly he waxe red þanne,A-4858 Thus wounde strayned, þe blode oute raneA-4859 [4860 gore ms. ] Dowene evyn by his gare; A-4860 He hyde hit be his manttell noke,A-4861 There to the quene, good hede she tokeA-4862 [4863 ore ms.] And sayd: "For goddes are, A-4863

Page 140

411
Whoo hurte you, syr? I se, you blede!"A-4864 "Madame, so god me spede, A-4865 The sothe saye yf I shall,A-4866 As I rode after an hert to day,A-4867 [4868 Me ms. store] stovde, v corr. aus n. ] My hors me gaff a store outerayeA-4868 And a full spetuous fallA-4869 [4870 stoke] k corr. aus? ] On a sharpe stoke of a thorne, A-4870 That thorow the arme hit hathe me borne!"A-4871 Then lowȝe the maydons all:A-4872 "That was a dede off chevallrye:A-4873 Ys he not beste worthye for thy,A-4874 To haue you hende in hall? A-4875
412
Thus is a man off grette renovne:A-4876 To day he hathe strekyne downeA-4877 Knyghttes grette plente;A-4878 [4879 he] om. ms. ] For he hathe hym so boldly borne,A-4879 He shall haue to mede to morne A-4880 You lady fayre & free!"A-4881 When the quene supped had,A-4882 To hur chambyr he hur laddeA-4883 And kyste that bryghte off ble;A-4884 The lady to hym spekes þanne, [f. 267b.] A-4885 She sayd: "To morne, my dere leman,A-4886 Erlye ryse mvste yee,A-4887
413
[4888 Cadres ms. ] To the citte of Candres me to lede!"A-4888 "Madame, so god of heyven me spede,A-4889 Wyth oute any tareynge, A-4890 To morne to hunte haue I þouȝte,A-4891 [4892 note ms. ] Att the citte of Candres come I noughteA-4892 [4893 my] om. ms. ] For lady ne for my lord, the kyng;A-4893 Off my merthes will I not fayle:A-4894 [4895 whitt ms. ] Why, whatt ys me off þer sposayll? A-4895 Be grette god, nothynge!"A-4896 [4897 beginnt unr. mit einer initiale. ] Off them all his leve toke he;A-4897 [4898 destonye ms.] The quene cursyd his destoneA-4898 Wyth sorowe & grette mornynge, A-4899

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414
For in hym was proves none. A-4900 [4901 inne] danach is, unr. ] The knyghte is to his inne goone,A-4901 As faste as he myghte hye.A-4902 [4903 Eg.] davor Wyth, dann Jo, ausgestr. sent] ssent, ss corr. aus sp, ms. ] Egyone to his nese sent heeA-4903 And sayd, that she shuld redy beeA-4904 Att mydnyght prevelye. A-4905 He sent hur word on all wyse,A-4906 She shuld take no leve off no ladyes,A-4907 Thus was the cause, whye:A-4908 [4909 myghte ms. ] "My way at nyghte will I gooA-4909 Wyth outen knowlege off any moo!" A-4910 The mayde was all redye.A-4911
415
To bedde went Ipomadon,A-4912 [4913 inne ms. ] But littill reste had he þer onne,A-4913 Before þe day rosse hee;A-4914 All his stedys he dyd forthe take, A-4915 Bothe rede, whyte & blake, [f. 268a.] A-4916 Wyth oþur grette plente,A-4917 That he be dede of armus wanne;A-4918 The burges calles to hym þanneA-4919 All alonne in prevyte: A-4920 "To the I will my counsell saye,A-4921 [4922 sure ms. ] But þou moste swere me on thy faye,A-4922 That hit shall counsell be!A-4923
416
A long while haue I dwellyd hereA-4924 And seruyd the quene, my lady clere, A-4925 As thow thy selff hathe sene;A-4926 But what I am, yet wot not one,A-4927 [4928 not ms. ] Ne non ne shall, till I be gooneA-4928 Oute off this contre clene!"A-4929 [4930 Syr] ü. d. z. nachgetr.] The burges sayd: "Syr, will ye goo?" A-4930 "Ye, certes, frend, it muste be soo,A-4931 To wete wyth oute wene!"A-4932 The burges sayd: "Be my lewte,A-4933 That ye will wynd, forþinkes me,A-4934 For good frend haue ye been! A-4935

Page 142

417
But what sum euer ye me tell,A-4936 I shall hit kepe all, whiles ye wille,A-4937 And þer to here my hand!"A-4938 "Vpon yound stede, þat þou may see,A-4939 I haue justyd this dayes thre, A-4940 In dyvers colours fande,A-4941 The fyrste in whyte, in rede þe oþere,A-4942 The thryd in blake, it was no noþere,A-4943 [4944 Thow] danach s, ausgestr. ] Thow maye see, where they stonde:A-4944 I kepe no rose þer off to make, A-4945 Alas, off me that euer they spake! [f. 268b.] A-4946 I thanke god off his sonde,A-4947
418
That he so fayre for me hathe wroȝte,A-4948 But what I am, yet wotte they nouȝtte,A-4949 And ther off am I fayne: A-4950 On the day I justed as a knyghte,A-4951 As a hunter I come home at nyghte,A-4952 [4953 To] The ms. ] To serue the quene agayne."A-4953 The burges sayd: "Was þat yee,A-4954 That justed so well these dayes thre?" A-4955 [4956 but loke zweimal geschr. ms. ] "Ye, serttes, but loke, þou it layne!"A-4956 The burges lowgh and sayd sone:A-4957 "Syr, better myghtte no man haue done,A-4958 As I be savyd frome payne!"A-4959
419
"Thus turnamente is at ende, A-4960 [4961 wynde ms. ] Thereffore my way will I wende,A-4961 I kepe not yet to wyff:A-4962 [4963 I] davor T, überpunktet. ] I maye here after many a yereA-4963 All be tyme take a fere,A-4964 To lede wyth all my lyff. A-4965 Wynde I will to ferre contre,A-4966 Deddes off armus for to see,A-4967 And where stalleworthe men will stryff.A-4968 To the citte off Candres muste ye fare,A-4969 [4970 to] t corr. aus d. there ms.] Mekely to do my message thare, A-4970 Wyth stedes fowre or fyve! A-4971

Page 143

420
There shall you fynd my lord, þe kyng,A-4972 [4973 yonge ms. ] The quene and also the lady yinge,A-4973 That all this fare is fore,A-4974 Worthy lordes off grette renowne, A-4975 [4976 barone ms. ] Duke, erle and baroune,A-4976 Other bothe lesse & more; [f. 269a.] A-4977 [4978 is it ms. nayte ms. ] To the kyng hym selff, it is not to nyte,A-4978 This stede thou shalt geve hym, þat is white,A-4979 [4980 soure ms. ] And syn this rede sore A-4980 Present to my lady, the quene,A-4981 [4982 byne ms. ] For suche a frend, as she hathe ben,A-4982 Ys good to kepe in store.A-4983
421
Her awne drewe, thow may her say,A-4984 Sendis her this red palfreye, A-4985 And say, as haue I sell,A-4986 And he were chargyd wyth rede gold,A-4987 [4988 hem ms. ] Wovche save him on hyr I wold,A-4988 Be god & seynt Mighell!A-4989 [4990 stede] danach s, ausgestr. ] Thus blake stede þou shalt geve Cabanus, A-4990 —And I praye the do my message thus—A-4991 [4992 fell] fayle ms. ] That in no feyntes fell,A-4992 And say, I know not, be my lewte,A-4993 [4994 hy ms. ] No knyght vnder the hevyn so he,A-4994 He myghte be set on so well! A-4995
422
Syr, here is Lyard, wyth oute drede,A-4996 That was the kynges owen stede:A-4997 Hym shall þou geve the fere;A-4998 Praye the kyng wyth good wille,A-4999 That he take hit to no ille: A-5000 And he dyd, grette wronge it were;A-5001 [5002-4 Die untere äussere ecke von f. 269 ist abgerissen und dadurch die enden dieser verse verloren; die in kursivdruck gebotenen ergänzungen schienen sicher genug, um in den text aufgenommen zu werden.] Well he wott, how I hym wanne,A-5002 A thousand on vs lokyd thanne,A-5003 The sonne shone wel clere;A-5004 Pray her take hym for my sake: [f. 269b.] A-5005 A-5006

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Here after I shall amendes makeA-5006 To that myld off chere!A-5007
423
And thou may say, þat þe straunge valet,A-5008 Onys att sopper that was settA-5009 Before her in the foreste, A-5010 He grettes her well a thousand foldA-5011 And besekes her, that she holdeA-5012 The forward, that she feste;A-5013 Off an vowe I harde her spekeA-5014 And praye hur, þat she neuer it breke, A-5015 Nother be est nor weste,A-5016 That she take no man off no degre,A-5017 But off grette bewntenes þat he beeA-5018 And holdyn the wortheeste!A-5019
424
Amonge them tell thy tale on hight A-5020 Tyll her, that is off ble as bryght,A-5021 As sonne, that shynes þrow glasse;A-5022 But yet, syr, here is a stede,A-5023 [5024-33 Durch die weggerissene ecke sind die anfänge dieser zeilen verloren gegangen und von mir so gut wie möglich ergänzt worden. 5024 Josane ms. 5026 not ms.] That ye muste to Jasone lede,A-5024 To Cabanus he was; A-5025 They well wot, I stale hym nought,A-5026 I wanne hym, thovgh he well wrought,A-5027 Wythout he there novght gas.A-5028 Grete Cabanus fro mee:A-5029 A bettur knyhte thare þere non be; A-5030 My self a way mvste passe!"A-5031
425
"Alas, syr, what is thy thoughte,A-5032 A man, that these werkes hathe wrouȝte?A-5033 For goddes loue, dwell ye stille [f. 270a.] A-5034 And weddes to wyff younde lady clere: A-5035 All Callabur, fare and nere,A-5036 Ye may weld att your will!"A-5037 He sayd: "Syr, nay, so mot I thryve,A-5038 I kepe not yet so sone to wyffe,A-5039 I shall shew the skille: A-5040 A-5041

Page 145

Yonge men ofte, I saye, for thy,A-5041 That takes them wyffes so hastly,A-5042 Repentes it sithe full ill!A-5043
426
And þerffor I will wend my way,A-5044 To gette me more worshipe, yff I may, A-5045 [5046 stadde ms. ] Where men in stowre be stedde;A-5046 I kepe not yet, at home to leve,A-5047 [5048 lyve] tyme ms. ] I maye here after all be liveA-5048 A wyff wyth worshipe wedde.A-5049 As thou will euer haue frend off me, A-5050 Done that my message bee,A-5051 These stedes to Callabre lede,A-5052 Meke thy present plenerly,A-5053 [5054 They] e corr. aus? ] They know the well, I wott, for whyA-5054 [5055 adrade ms. ] The thare not be adrede!" A-5055
427
"That ye thus sodenly shall goo,"A-5056 The burgesse sayd, "I am full woo,A-5057 Ellys byde I neuer daye!A-5058 [5059 But] om. ms. ] But, bee god and seynt Myghell,A-5059 Your message shall be doone full well, A-5060 As fareforthe, as I maye!"A-5061 "Syr, yet is here a stede,A-5062 That thy selff shall have to mede,A-5063 Wythe that þou wend thy waye; [f. 270b.] A-5064 A noþur will I haue wyth mee, A-5065 Cananeus his own was hee,A-5066 And here off I the praye,A-5067
428
Bid hym take it to no ille,A-5068 Thowȝ it were ageynst his will,A-5069 He wat well, þat I hym wanne; A-5070 That I hym stale, he may not saye,A-5071 I wanne hym on a clere day,A-5072 [5073 thame ms. ] A thousand lokyd on thanne;A-5073 [5074 goone ms.] Wyth outen stede may I not goo,A-5074 Hym will I haue & no moo, A-5075 A-5076

Page 146

Whedyr he blesse or banne!A-5076 To the grette god take I the!"A-5077 On his stede lepus hee,A-5078 To wepe the oste beganne.A-5079
429
The burges mvrnyd, lefte be hynde, A-5080 Ipomadon his way gan wynde,A-5081 His cosyne by his syde;A-5082 Many a thought on hym thronge,A-5083 [5084 to] danach s, ausgestr. ] Whedur that he were best to gangeA-5084 Other still þere for to byde; A-5085 But euer more was þe last thoughte,A-5086 Turne agayne wold he novght,A-5087 For thyng, that myghte betyde;A-5088 [5089 yt ms. ] Yff that he goo, yet levys he thareA-5089 [5090 þyng] kyng ms. ] The þyng, that he louyd, nothyng more A-5090 In all this world so wyde.A-5091
430
There is but fewe knyghttes now,A-5092 That had done so mekyll, I trowe,A-5093 Be god and my lewtee, [f. 271a.] A-5094 That fro so grette price wold haue gone, A-5095 So well as myghte IpomadonA-5096 Have had that bright off ble;A-5097 [5098 herte] danach I, ausgestr. ] But euer more in his herte he þought,A-5098 Yet till her avow cordede he nowght,A-5099 Here husbond for to bee; A-5100 That made hym oftyn tymes fro her fare.A-5101 [5102 more ms.] Now off this burges speke we mare,A-5102 That went to that citte.A-5103
431
There the courte was full plenereA-5104 Off lordes and off ladyes clere, A-5105 The kyng and eke the quene,A-5106 The fayre, that was full stravngely stede;A-5107 Yonge cheldorne the stedes ledde,A-5108 Arayd were wele and clene.A-5109 In herte grette mervayll had sum, A-5110 A-5111

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When they saw the burgays come,A-5111 That they knewe all bedene;A-5112 The lady on the stedes gan loke,A-5113 For very feyre hur hert qwokeA-5114 And tremelyd for very tene. A-5115
432
A thousand tymes after thatA-5116 She chaungyd colovres, þer she satte,A-5117 And on hur leman thoughte;A-5118 [5119 sayd ms. ] "There are the III stedes," she says,A-5119 "My love juste on these III dayes, A-5120 Be god, that all hathe wroughte!"A-5121 Grettly marvelyd was þe kynge,A-5122 When he saw, wyth oute lesynge, [f. 271b.] A-5123 The stedes, that the burgays brought;A-5124 His owne and Cabanus well he knew, A-5125 But, yff ye thynke, this tale be trewe,A-5126 The tothere knewe he nowghte.A-5127
433
The burgays to hym gan he call:A-5128 "Syr, where had ye this stedes all?"A-5129 He knelys downe on his kne: A-5130 "In faythe, syr, I shall not layne,A-5131 He, that was the drewlarayn,A-5132 Them heder sent be mee;A-5133 [5134 he] om. ms. him] hem ms. ] That man, that he made him, was he novght,A-5134 [5135 ye] he ms. ] I trowe, ye knewe, how he hathe wroght A-5135 Befor on this dayes thre!"A-5136 [5137 too ms. ] When they tho wordes vnderstode,A-5137 The maydons lowryd vnder þere hodeA-5138 [5139 þat] om. ms. ] And sayd: "Lord, wheyþer þat was he?"A-5139
434
[5140 gan s.] says ms. ] "Ye, in faythe," the burgas gan say, A-5140 "But this nyght ys he went his weyeA-5141 On Cabanus ys stede;A-5142 To you herttly he besovghte,A-5143 Witnes wyth hym, he stale hym novght,A-5144 [5145 hym] the ms.] But wan hym be dovȝtty dede: A-5145 A-5146

Page 148

Ye witte well, he hym wanne;A-5146 Wheþer that ye blys or banne,A-5147 Wyth hym he will hym lede.A-5148 Syr kyng, this trew tale to trowe,A-5149 Thus white stede he sendes yow, A-5150 As god off hevyn me spede!A-5151
435
On hym he justyd the fyrste day, [f. 272a.] A-5152 [5153 he] thou, unterpunktet und he übergeschr. dede] dedyst ms. ] But how he dede, me thare not say!"A-5153 The kynge a lawghtter loughA-5154 And in a stody stille he satte, A-5155 And he sayd a long while after that:A-5156 "In faythe, syr, well inowgh!A-5157 Better, I trowe, dyd neuer no man,A-5158 That was borne, sithe þis world beganne,A-5159 Wyth blysse vnder this bovgh!" A-5160 The burgays hade well nortouryd ben,A-5161 Boldely he turnethe hym to þe queneA-5162 [5163 drewe ms. ] And nere hand her he drough;A-5163
436
[5164 drewe ms..] He sayd: "Madame, your owne druA-5164 Thus redde stede he sendes yowe, A-5165 The he juste on the seconde day;A-5166 And he were chargyd wyth gold,A-5167 Wovche saffe hym on you he wold,A-5168 Be god off heyvyn, that all maye!A-5169 Ye have harde, me thare novght tell, A-5170 Fayre or fowle whedyr hym befell,A-5171 So well he dyd, I hard sayeA-5172 Wyttnes off my lord, the kyng!"A-5173 He toke vp a lowde lavghynge:A-5174 "Yea, that felte I well, in faye!" A-5175
437
The bvrgas turned to CabanusA-5176 And sayd: "Trewly, syr, it is thus,A-5177 This blake stede send he you:A-5178 He justed on hym the thryd day,A-5179 How he dyd, me thare not saye, A-5180 A-5181

Page 149

Ye knewe, what tyme, I trowe!" [f. 272b.] A-5181 "Sertus, syr, me owethe to wete,A-5182 For, in faythe, I fele yt yette,A-5183 [5184 swe ms. ] That sore it dothe me sowe,A-5184 [5185 h. h. lorne] had be borne ms. ] And we on þis wyse have him lorne; A-5185 Right prevely he hathe hym borne,A-5186 [5187 wove ms. ] That make I god a vowe!A-5187
438
But, dere syr, speryd þou ovght þat,A-5188 Where he was borne & what he hatte,A-5189 Or whenne he comythe agayne?" A-5190 "Ya, syr, and more myghte I gette,A-5191 But he, that was the straunge valet,A-5192 That was the drew lerayne,A-5193 He sayd, a better knyght, than ye,A-5194 [5195 hye ms. ] Ys not vnder the heyvyn so hee, A-5195 The sothe is not to layne!"A-5196 "Ya, what so I am, sekyrlye,A-5197 Inoughe he can off chevallrye,A-5198 And þeroff am I fayne!A-5199
439
A wortheer knyght, þen he is one, A-5200 Vnder the cope of heyven is none,A-5201 Ne sekyrer at assaye:A-5202 Alas, foule, where was thy þought?A-5203 His dedes why parsevyd thou nought?A-5204 That shall thow rewe for aye! A-5205 Be hym, that made bothe yong & old,A-5206 I myght haue wyst, yf I wold,A-5207 [5208 weys ms.] He was full wyse al weye;A-5208 So kynd, so curtes, so fayre, so free,A-5209 Myghte neuer wyth oute proves be, [f. 273a.] A-5210 Sertes, that is no nay!"A-5211
440
The burgays wyth an laughand chereA-5212 Knelys downe to the fere,A-5213 Be Mellengere þer she satte:A-5214 "This Lyard, lady, he sendes to you, A-5215 A-5216

Page 150

He was the kynges; he wot, I trowe,A-5216 On what wysse he hym gatte!"A-5217 The kyng þeratte lowde lovghA-5218 And sayd: "Ya, in feythe, well inovgh,A-5219 There helpud noþur helme noþere hatte: A-5220 I hym loste & he hym wanne,A-5221 On the londe he lafte me lyande þanne,A-5222 I may not gaynsaye that!A-5223
441
Good lord god, whether þat were hee?"A-5224 The burgayes sayde: "Syr, ye, þarde, A-5225 Now, trewly, he ys wyce!A-5226 There was neuer knyght, I darre savely swere,A-5227 [5228 beyre ms. ] That more prevely covthe hym bere,A-5228 That wanne so mekill pryce!"A-5229 All that euer to skorne hym lovgh, A-5230 Off them selff thought skorne inovghA-5231 And sayden on ther avyce:A-5232 "Off a straunge man in vncovthe place,A-5233 [5234 makys ms. ] In them, that moste skornyng mas,A-5234 [5235 kythe ms. ] Leste off norture lyse!" A-5235
442
The burgays covthe off curtasye,A-5236 He knelyd downe to that lady:A-5237 "Madame, be you blythe off chere!A-5238 A thousande tymes he well you grette [f. 273b.] A-5239 And sayd, he was the stravnge valett A-5240 That gon full thre yere:A-5241 I trowe, you mende your sellff of that,A-5242 At sopper how that he satte, . . . . . . . .A-5243 He harde you onys speke a voweA-5244 And prayes you well, to kepe it nowe, A-5245 [5246 ner ms. ] That nether farre nor nereA-5246
443
Ye take non, but he be the beste!"A-5247 [5248 kyste ms. ] The lady satte and coloure kesteA-5248 And euer mornyd stille;A-5249 [5250 but] yf ms. feyne ms.] She fadyd ofte, but she her feynde, A-5250 A-5251

Page 151

[5251 And] But ms. her] om. ms. constrenede ms. ] And be resvn she her constreynede,A-5251 [5252 well ms. that—nev.] I seynems. ] That none parcevyd her wyll;A-5252 She sayd: "Syr, as haue I sell,A-5253 There on I am avysud well;A-5254 Therefore I say be skille, A-5255 I shall take non, that men may nevyn,A-5256 As ferre forthe, as god in hevynA-5257 Will graunt me grace þere tille,A-5258
444
But I may weld hym, þat me wanne!"A-5259 [5260 Josane ms. ] The burgays turnythe to Jasone þan A-5260 And sayd: "Syr, securlye,A-5261 This stede to you hee sent by me,A-5262 Cabanus, I trowe, was hee:A-5263 Lordynges, leve ye this for thy:A-5264 [5265 grathe ms. ] He stale hym novght, ye may be graythe!" A-5265 Cabanus seyd: "Syr, no, in feythe,A-5266 That well wyttnes I!A-5267 He lefte me þare, the sothe to saye, [f. 274a.] A-5268 On lond, when he ledde hym away,A-5269 On fotte, full verely!" A-5270
445
The burgays this euery deallA-5271 Hathe done his message wonder-wellA-5272 [5273 were ms. ] Before all, that there ware:A-5273 "Lordynges, yet is here a stede,A-5274 That gaff me to my mede A-5275 That fre, when he shuld fare,A-5276 [5277 messavge ms. ] Wyth that, þat I shuld do his messageA-5277 Before all þis boronageA-5278 [5279 lore ms. ] And laydes wyse of lare!"A-5279 The burgays toke his leve & yede, A-5280 All men marveld of his dede,A-5281 [5282 more ms.] Lordes bothe lesse & mare.A-5282
446
The kyng in a stody he satte,A-5283 The quene tremeld after þatA-5284 And to hyr selff she told: A-5285 A-5286

Page 152

"I had leyser inovgh to saye,A-5286 But they, that woll not, when þey maye,A-5287 They shall not, when þey wolde!"A-5288 She sayd: "Lordynges lesse & more,A-5289 Ye wytte well inowȝe, wherefore A-5290 This turnament was holde;A-5291 To you I haue forward feste,A-5292 What man in erthe bare hym beste,A-5293 [5294 Shuld weld my londes brode ms. ] My londes brode shuld wold.A-5294
447
[5295 you] danach how, ausgestr. ] Now here you, who moste worthely hathe wrought, A-5295 But where is he, yet wott ye novghte,A-5296 Thowȝe he his happe hath hadde:A-5297 Fynde you hym, yff that ye may,A-5298 [5299 shure ms. ] And I shall swere you, be my faye,A-5299 [5300 bode ms. ] There ys no lenger bade, [f. 274b.] A-5300 That I shall take hym wyth good will!"A-5301 Euery man thought, she sayd but skille,A-5302 And forthought, þat þey sayd had,A-5303 That he was so his gates goone,A-5304 They sayd: "So worthy a knyght was non A-5305 [5306 brode ms. ] In all this world so brade!"A-5306
448
There was no man, for her sakeA-5307 Wold covnsaylle hyr, oþur lord to take,A-5308 But bad, that she shuld bydeA-5309 Tille tyme, that he myght fovnden be; A-5310 Thus partyd that grett sembleA-5311 And euery man gan home ryde.A-5312 The lady in Candres boode,A-5313 The kyng to the castell rodeA-5314 [5315 And wyth went the quene þat tyde ms.] And the quene went by his syde, A-5315 Wyth sorofull hertte makyng her moone,A-5316 That he was so his gates goone,A-5317 Hyr herte nere braste that tyde.A-5318
449
To chambyr she went sore sighande,A-5319 And when she come, þer she fonde A-5320 A-5321

Page 153

A way the maydon clene,A-5321 That Ipomadon hade theder broughte;A-5322 In a stody she stode & thoughte,A-5323 What waye beste myghte been,A-5324 That he to her were brought agayne; A-5325 Might no þing make her so fayne, . . . . .A-5326
450
Thus dare I savely saye,A-5327 As women, what þey will haue wrought,A-5328 To do ther lykyng, lett they noughte,A-5329 Come after, what sum maye: A-5330 "The knyght, that all these dedys dydde,A-5331 Ill his curtasy here has kyde, [f. 275a.] A-5332 My mayde he hath lede away,A-5333
451
Whiles I was at þe grette semble,A-5334 And but I þeron vengyd bee, A-5335 Hard is my behove;A-5336 I maye in romaunce & in rymeA-5337 [5338 Ellys] danach I maye unr. tymee ms. ] Ellys say in sorye tyme,A-5338 That I haue lorn my loveA-5339 On many worthy bachelere, A-5340 That wonnand is wyth Mellengere,A-5341 Yff I take this reprove!A-5342 Yll hathe he shewyd his curtasye,A-5343 That he shuld doo me this velonye,A-5344 Be god, that sitteth above!" A-5345
452
Cananeus, wyth hardy hertteA-5346 [5347 startte ms. ] Beffore all oþur vp he stertteA-5347 And sayd: "Madame, be stille!A-5348 [5349 hathe ms. ] Gyff ye off longe tyme have lovyd me,A-5349 [5350 yeldone ms.] Now it shall well yoldone bee!" A-5350 "Syr, god graunt the grace þer tille,"A-5351 The quene sayd, "syr steward, loo,A-5352 Thou haste matter good þer too,A-5353 Be many dyueres skille, A-5354 A-5355

Page 154

Dovble quarell of the & mee, A-5355 For why thy stede away ledes hee,A-5356 I trowe, agayne thy wille.A-5357
453
Thereffore, syr, so god the spede,A-5358 [5359 Do] To ms. ] Do feche my maydyn & thy stede,A-5359 Yff god will graunte þe grace!" A-5360 So that he were to hur broughte,A-5361 On what wyse, she ne rovght, [f. 275b.] A-5362 [5363 hathe ms. ] So grette desyr she hase.A-5363 "Gyf I maye this, is not to layne,A-5364 I shall bryng theme bothe agayne!" A-5365 [5366 goothe ms. ] And to his inne he gase;A-5366 He armys hym in noble wede,A-5367 Sithen he leppis vpon his stedeA-5368 And folowed on the tras.A-5369
454
[5370 sore ms. ] Ipomadon was wonder-sare; A-5370 As he gan thorow the foreste fare,A-5371 He lyght vnder a tre,A-5372 There flovris were spryngand, swete of smell;A-5373 Forwery on slepe he fellA-5374 On his cosyns knee. A-5375 The maydon hard at the lasteA-5376 Horsse come rennand wyth bryduls faste,A-5377 But no man covthe she see;A-5378 [5379 wtty ms. ] The damysell full witty was,A-5379 A littill she tovchis his face, A-5380 And þer wyth wakyd hee.A-5381
455
Vp he lepe full lyuerlye,A-5382 Armyde well and all redy,A-5383 On his helme he hente;A-5384 Wyth that he sawe þe high steward A-5385 [5386 harde] faste ms.] In the way come prekand hardeA-5386 Wyth grette ire ouer the bent;A-5387 And when he saw hym hy so faste,A-5388 He thoughte, hit was the quenes caste, A-5389 A-5390

Page 155

That he was thedyr sent. A-5390 When he saw hym come precande soo,A-5391 [5392 her] he ms. ] He wyste full wele, þat her was woo, [f. 276a.] A-5392 That he was so awey went.A-5393
456
The steward to hym rydes þanne,A-5394 To speke spettuesly he began A-5395 And lenys hym on his shafte:A-5396 "Why haste thou done, belamye,A-5397 The quene so grette velonye,A-5398 Her maydone when þou her rafte?A-5399 Syr, I say the by my thryfte, A-5400 My lady will the peche off thefte,A-5401 Thy nvrture þer thou lefte;A-5402 Goo, lede agayne that maydon gent,A-5403 Or thou shalt suffur jugmente,A-5404 That fallys for thevys crafte! A-5405
457
Ye bothe forgatte your curtasye,A-5406 To stele away so prevelyeA-5407 Agayne my ladyes wille,A-5408 And noþer off you toke no leve:A-5409 [5410 witte] danach henn, ausgestr. ] Ye myghte well witte, it wold her greve A-5410 Ouer-grettly be that skille,A-5411 And also, syr, my selff hath knowen,A-5412 Thou toke wyth the more, þan thyne owen,A-5413 Or euer hadeste resone tille:A-5414 Thow ledys a stede, that is not thyne, A-5415 Thou shalt abyde & leve me myne,A-5416 Lyke thow neuer so ille!A-5417
458
Thy dedis shall þou by full dere,A-5418 But neuer the lesse, yf þou wilt here,A-5419 Become my lege man A-5420 And sweftely on my swerd swere,A-5421 [5422 nor] nere ms.] Neuer me nor non of myn to dere, [f. 276b.] A-5422 Yet wyll I save the thanne!A-5423 I am strong wyth the kyng, A-5424 A-5425

Page 156

Knyghttes will do at my byddyng A-5425 In all, that euer they can,A-5426 And I shall praye my lady, the quene,A-5427 She shall forgeve þe all quarels clene:A-5428 That bargayn myght I banne!"A-5429
459
"Syr," quod Ipomadon, A-5430 "Your wordes I vnderstond ichone,A-5431 Thow ye speke angurlye:A-5432 To so worthy a knyghte, as you,A-5433 That says more, thane he may avowe,A-5434 Ys verry grett velanye, A-5435 For, syr, so god off heyven me spede,A-5436 [5437 misd.] lede ms. ] Off this maydon, that I misdede,A-5437 Off other thynges know not I;A-5438 [5439 by sk.] securly ms. ] But ofte I haue hard saye, by skille,A-5439 A woman to take be hyr own wille, A-5440 Ys thefte of curtessy.A-5441
460
And, syr, as I se sonne or mone,A-5442 That I haue to this maydon mysdone,A-5443 Me thare neuer shewe in shryfte;A-5444 But, be god & my lewte, A-5445 Me thynkyth, ille avysud be yee,A-5446 That ye wold me peche of thefte:A-5447 That I haue to þe quene done wronge,A-5448 [5449 I wyll] To ms. ] I wyll amende it or owght longeA-5449 [5450 glddly ms.] Right gladly, be my thryfte! A-5450 Be god, that all hathe wrought,A-5451 Thus stede noþere I ne boughteA-5452 Ne hadde hym off no gyfte! [f. 277a.] A-5453
461
I wanne hym of a noble knyght,A-5454 That saw a thousand men in sight A-5455 And mo, yff mo myghte bee;A-5456 I know hym not, so haue I sell,A-5457 But be all tokens I may wit well,A-5458 Sothely, that it is yee; A-5459 A-5460

Page 157

I stale hym not, wyth ovten les: A-5460 I wend, I myght haue gone in peasA-5461 To myne owne covntre."A-5462 "Why, wylt þou do no more but soo?"A-5463 "No, not, & ye will lett me goo!"A-5464 "In faythe, here covntre will wee!" A-5465
462
"I graunt, syr!" quod Ipomadon;A-5466 A good stedde he leppus vpone,A-5467 In hande he toke a spere.A-5468 The steward was a noble man,A-5469 Off dedes off armus right well he cane, A-5470 [5471 geyre ms. ] And he had full secur gere.A-5471 Ipomadon was not to lake;A-5472 These too knyghttes, on þe stedes bakeA-5473 To geddur they rydde on were.A-5474 The justes betwene them was full fayre, A-5475 Cananeus wyth a grett eyreA-5476 [5477 beyre ms. ] A shafte to hym gan bere.A-5477
463
He hit hym so the myddes the sheld,A-5478 A quarter fle in to the feld,A-5479 Thow it were neuer so good. A-5480 So stravnglye stroke he at þat tyde,A-5481 Thorowe all his harnes be the sydeA-5482 [5483 youde ms.] Evyn the spere in yode [f. 277b.] A-5483 Vndernethe the lyfte pappe;A-5484 But, as god gaff hym happe, A-5485 The spere, it drew no blode.A-5486 Ipomadon was wrothe wyth þat,A-5487 Stone-stille in his sadull satteA-5488 And was þer wythe nere woode.A-5489
464
He strake the steward so sore agayne, A-5490 The vasell fley in to the playne,A-5491 He gaff hym suche a batte;A-5492 So sternly he gan hym stryke,A-5493 That nose & cheke was bothe lyke, A-5494 A-5495

Page 158

So had he made hit flate. A-5495 Were his gorgede neuer so good,A-5496 [5497 swerde] hedde ms. yede ms. ] The swerde thorowe the hawbreke yode,A-5497 In sadull where he satte.A-5498 He brake his right shulder bone,A-5499 That to the grounde is he goone A-5500 Tope ouer tayle wyth that.A-5501
465
The stuard lyethe on the grounde,A-5502 Grevously lay gronande in þat stoundeA-5503 And hathe full mekyll care;A-5504 His shulder bone was brokyne so, A-5505 That dyd hym twys so mekyll woo,A-5506 [5507 more ms. ] That he myght juste no mare.A-5507 "Syr," quod Ipomadon,A-5508 "Syr, ye myght a lette me gooneA-5509 [5510 langeyre ms. ] And byn in peas langare. A-5510 [5511 that] danach hath, unr. manasyd ms. ] He that moste ys manasand,A-5511 Hym selff hathe cause, I vnderstond,A-5512 Febly yf he fare!A-5513
466
Now shall thou ryde home to þe queneA-5514 And yeld the to the lady shene: [f. 278a.] A-5515 I wott, thou arte her dere;A-5516 [5517 as] a ms.] But, as god of heyven me spede,A-5517 Thus mayden wyth the shall þou not lede,A-5518 Ne noȝte ellys, that ys here.A-5519 A stede I hadde of thy broþer, A-5520 In fayth, now will I haue anoþur,A-5521 To kepe hem all this yere.A-5522 But say, I lede no more off thyne!"A-5523 "Nay, syr, be the trovthe off myne,A-5524 Dede I, wrong it were! A-5525
467
I wyght the nought, yf it be þus,A-5526 Thus vnhape nedes haue me bus,A-5527 Thereffore wo worthe destonye!"A-5528 "Syr, thou shalt haue a littill hackeney, A-5529 A-5530

Page 159

That shall the beyr be the way A-5530 Twesse so essely.A-5531 I wotte well, thou arte wondyd ille,A-5532 That hackeney, mayster, bryng hym tille,A-5533 [5534 might] om. ms. ] This other you might ouer-hye,A-5534 So for an hurte man þer on to ryde, A-5535 And yf þou wilt thy lyff sheyde,A-5536 The better gothe wyth mee!"A-5537
468
[5538 note ms. ] "Certus, syr, I wyte the noughte,A-5538 So worthy werkes as þou hathe wroughtA-5539 [5540 dayes thre ms. ] Before this thre dayes; A-5540 I myght haue witten well inowgh,A-5541 Wyth sory grace I hedur drowgh,A-5542 That poynte no þinge me pays!A-5543 [5544 langeyre, g ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] I myghte haue byn in peas langore,A-5544 Now laydes love grevythe me sore, [f. 278b.] A-5545 So dothe it hym, þat on hem layes;A-5546 [5547 f. umgestellt in ms. ] My longe travayle is now in veyne,A-5547 They love, and but they be louyd ageyne . . . .A-5548
469
I haue boughte her loue to dere,A-5549 Me rewis the tyme, þat I come here, A-5550 So mot I borowed bene!"A-5551 Ipomadon sayd: "Syr, I praye the,A-5552 A thousand tyme recomaunde me,A-5553 [5554 to] om. ms. ] When thou comyste to the quene,A-5554 And all, that I haue done wyth ille, A-5555 It shall be amendid at hur will,A-5556 Thou say so to þat lady shene!"A-5557 In his sadull they hym sett,A-5558 Whome he rode, wyth outen lette,A-5559 [5560 moone ms.] There fewe men wold hym meene. A-5560
470
The quene was euer more lokyng oute,A-5561 But in hur herte euer had she dowte,A-5562 He shuld not come agayne.A-5563 So was she warre at the laste, A-5564 A-5565

Page 160

Where the steward come rydyng faste A-5565 Alone on the playne.A-5566 [5567 arme] danach harme, unr. ] His arme hyng waginge be his syde,A-5567 The blod ranne down fro his wondes wyde,A-5568 As hit was droppus off rayne.A-5569 "What, how now, syr?" quod the quene, A-5570 "Be your semblant it is sene,A-5571 Ye haue mett wyth drewlerayne!"A-5572
471
He sayd: "Certes, ye, madame!A-5573 [5574 homee ms. ] Mee had ben bytter, byne at hame,A-5574 That make I god avowe: [f. 279a.] A-5575 In a sory tyme for my behoveA-5576 Youde I, to juste for my ladyes love,A-5577 [5578 rewe ms. ] Euer more that will me rowe!A-5578 Fro me he ledus younder mayden bright:A-5579 So wold he do for any knyght, A-5580 That dwelland is wyth you,A-5581 So worthy a man, as he is one:A-5582 Brokyne he hathe my shulder bone,A-5583 Full sore that greuythe me nowe!"A-5584
472
Grette worship spake he off hym þare, A-5585 [5586 eyre ms. ] So dyd he neuer off no man are,A-5586 Syne he was borne to man;A-5587 To his chambyre sithen he went,A-5588 The quene in herte her sore repentA-5589 And wordes she began to banne, A-5590 Synne he was at her owne will,A-5591 [5592 ne] om. ms. ] That she ne had shewed hym þanne here will,A-5592 How will she louyd hym þanne;A-5593 Mornyng in hur hertte she bode.A-5594 [5595 was ms. frothe ms.] Ipomadon his way forthe rode A-5595 Wyth the worship, he wanne.A-5596
473
Home to Poylle he þynkes to ryde,A-5597 His cosyn ledynge be his syde,A-5598 Wyth outen anny tareynge; A-5599 A-5600

Page 161

On a day, it is not to lett, A-5600 Fowre barons off his land he mett,A-5601 Yche was a grett lordyng,A-5602 That many a day had hym soughtA-5603 And straunge tydynges to hym brought,A-5604 [5605 no th.] noughte ms. ] That lykyd hys hertte right no thinge; A-5605 A tale to hym they beganne, [f. 279b.] A-5606 That dede was his fadur þanne,A-5607 Ermogynes, thee kyng.A-5608
474
When they saw Ipomadon,A-5609 The barons were glad euery chone A-5610 And wyth hym turnes ageyne.A-5611 When he was comyn in to his londe,A-5612 Men send hym many a fayre presand,A-5613 And of hym they were full fayne;A-5614 Att Barlett, that riche citte, A-5615 Men brought hym omage & fewte,A-5616 The sothe is not to layne,A-5617 Right as they shuld do to þer lord;A-5618 He and his barons were sone acorde,A-5619 [5620 squere ms. ] Knyght, squyere and swayne. A-5620
475
Ipomadon thynkes, it is no witte,A-5621 [5622 yet ms. ] In worshipe is not he growon yit,A-5622 Be aught, that he couthe see;A-5623 Farther pinkes he for to goo,A-5624 Aventurs for to seke moo A-5625 In many dyueres contre.A-5626 He þought, þat tyme shuld come above,A-5627 That he wyth worshipe shuld wyne love,A-5628 When it myght better bee.A-5629 Att home he wold no lengur abyde; A-5630 For to kepe his londes wyde,A-5631 A warden ordeyns hee.A-5632
476
In Fraunce, hard he say, was werre,A-5633 [5634 redy] om. ms. geyre ms. ] Ipomadon dyd make redy his gere,A-5634 [5635 wynde ms.] Thedur for to wende. A-5635 A-5636

Page 162

His mayster toke he wyth hym thanne:A-5636 Was neuer knyght, sithe þis world beganne, [f. 280a.] A-5637 A more faythefull frend.A-5638 He badde his cosyne Egyone,A-5639 In to Callabre that he shuld goone, A-5640 [5641 hynde ms. ] To herkyne after that hende:A-5641 "In to Fraunce will I fare,A-5642 [5643 þere ms. ] Thus twelffemonythe shalt þou fynd me þare,A-5643 Yff any man will her shend!"A-5644
477
Egyon wyndes to Callaber, A-5645 Prevely after the fere to spere,A-5646 Ipomadon in to Fraunce,A-5647 Wythe hors & hernes grette plente,A-5648 And wyth hym went knyȝttes three,A-5649 [5650 retenewe ms. ] He toke no more retenaunce, A-5650 Neyther lyke kyng ne emperoure,A-5651 But he rydythe lyke a sodyoureA-5652 Wyth armore, shyld and lavnce.A-5653 Where any dede off armys were,A-5654 The gre he wynnes euery where; A-5655 Betyde hym many a chaunce.A-5656
478
Att home he wold no lengur abyde.A-5657 [5658 tyme ms. ] In Fraunce dwellyd a kyng that tyde,A-5658 [5659 catryeis ms. ] That callyd was Catryus;A-5659 [5660 youmger ms. thanne ms. ] A younger broþer hadde he thenne, A-5660 [5661 Lorayne ms. ] That lord was off Lorene,A-5661 The storye wettnes thus;A-5662 That tyme men callyd hym kyng Dayre,A-5663 Off Loreayne he had weddyd the ayre,A-5664 The doughttur off Dryseus. A-5665 Att hym his broþer hadde envye,A-5666 Grette werre betwene them was, trewlye,A-5667 [5668 hym bvs] he mvste ms. ] Defende hym nedes hym bvs. [f. 280b.] A-5668
479
She is dede, that was his wyff;A-5669 [5670 they] om. ms.] Thereffore stabuld they not þere stryffe, A-5670 But gadurd grette powere. A-5671 A-5672

Page 163

This Dayere was a noble manA-5672 And well his landes he gouerend þanne,A-5673 Bothe farre and nere;A-5674 His broþur wrought hym mekyll woo, A-5675 And grette parte off his landes alsoA-5676 [5677 Wyth] davor Thi, ausgestr. ] Wyth warre he wanne þat yere,A-5677 And off his castels II or threA-5678 [5679 stuppud ms. ] He stuffud & held it wyth grett plenteA-5679 Off men, that worthy were. A-5680
480
[5681 Parishees laye ms. ] The kyng off Fraunce, in Paris he laye,A-5681 Iþomadon that hard sayeA-5682 And thedur gan he ryde;A-5683 He made his dwellyng wyth þe kyng,A-5684 Gladder was he neuer of þinge A-5685 In all thys world so wyde.A-5686 [5687 there] om. ms. ] Wyth grette honoure there was hee,A-5687 The kyng beholdes his knyghttis threA-5688 [5689 att ms. ] And all his folke that tyde;A-5689 Many off them he hadde sene before, A-5690 But he knewe them neuer þe more;A-5691 The glader he was to byde.A-5692
481
The kyng sent after his barons boldA-5693 And bad them, counsell to hold,A-5694 To loke, how beste myghte bee A-5695 [5696 warred ms. ] For his brothere, þat on hym werred,A-5696 [5697 deyred ms. ] And all hys londys grettly dered [f. 281a.] A-5697 Wyth knyghttes off grette bovnte;A-5698 [5699 stand ms.] And as they at the covnsell standes,A-5699 To Catryus came new tydandes, A-5700 That chaungyd all his ble:A-5701 His brother wyth XXXti thousand knyghttes,A-5702 Welle armyd att all righttis,A-5703 Were come before the ryche citte.A-5704
482
The kyng had many a noble man, A-5705 But not halff so many, as he had þanne,A-5706 Therefore he was in dovte. A-5707 A-5708

Page 164

Euery man made hym redy faste,A-5708 Sethyne oute of the citte þey paste,A-5709 A full ryall rowte. A-5710 Ipomadon was full glad & blythe,A-5711 Hym self dyd hym aray swytheA-5712 Vppon a stede full stovte;A-5713 He was the fyrste, that toke feld,A-5714 Clenly couered vnder shyld, A-5715 [5716 bolde] danach h, ausgestr. ] And bolde men hym abowte.A-5716
483
A nobull knyght, wyth owten les,A-5717 To Ipomadon he hym chesse,A-5718 That was on Dayres syde;A-5719 Wythe a spere he to hym sought, A-5720 The sheld was good & faylyd novght,A-5721 There in the soket plyde.A-5722 Ipomadon strake to hym so faste,A-5723 The spere thorowe the sheld pasteA-5724 Wyth a stroke, was vnryde; A-5725 The hawberke vnder was good & sovnde,A-5726 He bare hym streyte to the grovnde [f. 281b.] A-5727 Wyth manly herte that tyde.A-5728
484
[5729 ys] om. ms. comeyn ms. ] Or any socur to hym ys comyn,A-5729 Ipomadon had his suravns nomyn, A-5730 Thow he grette rewthe hade;A-5731 Wyth owten reskew off any manA-5732 The knyght to hym yeldis hym thanne,A-5733 Where of he was full glade;A-5734 Ipomadon saythe to hym fayre, A-5735 Sethen he sent hym to kyng Dayre:A-5736 "Goo tell thy lord," he bade,A-5737 "The blake knyght now he maye se here,A-5738 That justyd in Calabyre for the fere,A-5739 That made hym onys vnglad!" A-5740
485
The kyng off Fraunce & all his menA-5741 [5742 þanne ms.] Trewly was awonderd þenne,A-5742 When they had sene that sight; A-5743 A-5744

Page 165

He sent his presonere to his enmye,A-5744 Off tresone dred they them than for thy, A-5745 Them thowght, he ded not righte:A-5746 There was neuer knyghte, sithe þis world began,A-5747 That better wrought, then he dyd than,A-5748 He forsyd hym so to fyghte.A-5749 The kyng off Fraunce, in armys clere A-5750 Ipomadon he heldythe hym nere,A-5751 He saw, he was so wyghte.A-5752
486
The kyng Dayre had mekill care,A-5753 When he wyste the blake knyghte þare,A-5754 Wyth sorow in hertte his he wovnde, A-5755 [5756 not—be] be not for he ms. ] For wele he thought, & it not for hym be,A-5756 He shuld off Fraunce have grette plenteA-5757 That day wyth sworde haue wonne. [f. 282a.] A-5758 [5759 stoure ms. ] Wonder-stronge was þat store,A-5759 [5760 a man] avam ms. ] There dyed many a man sore A-5760 Be rysynge of the sonne,A-5761 And gevyn was many a stroke vnryde:A-5762 What knyght off Dayres durste abyde,A-5763 He hathe his felowe founde.A-5764
487
Dayres was a noble man off werre, A-5765 [5766 geyre ms. ] He dyght hym lyghttly in his gereA-5766 And in to the pres gan pryke,A-5767 And wyth hym many a well good knyght,A-5768 The frenshe folke, wyth mekyll myghteA-5769 In thwerte wyles they were wyke. A-5770 Ipomadon so worthely wroughte,A-5771 That bothe sydys grett wondur þought,A-5772 So styff men gan he stryke;A-5773 Where he went on any syde,A-5774 Was none, that durst his dent abyde, A-5775 So was he wonder-wyke.A-5776
488
[5777 persyd ms. ] There was non, that peryd to Ipomadon,A-5777 [5778 man ms.] Inwerre he was so wyce a mon,A-5778 Todo hit euery deell; A-5779 A-5780

Page 166

His mayster had lornyd hym well þat were, A-5780 Bothe to ryde wyth shyld & spereA-5781 And to weld a swerde off stele.A-5782 So many off Dayres men he slowe,A-5783 That the kyng wepte & had sorow inoweA-5784 Wyth sykyng and vnsele; A-5785 He layde on faste on euery syde,A-5786 All his folke had fled that tyde,A-5787 But that he dyd so welle.A-5788
489
The kyng Dayre had þere be syde [f. 282b.] A-5789 A castell stovffed in Fraunce þat tyde, A-5790 And thedur he can hym drawe;A-5791 [5792 huvdyrd ms. yfounde ms. ] Two hundyrd knyghttes there fovnde oute,A-5792 Ipomadon met so wyth that rowte,A-5793 [5794 lowe ms. ] That many he layd full lawe.A-5794 This nobull knyght, as he well covthe, A-5795 An olywhantes horne he sett to mowtheA-5796 [5797 blowe ms. ] And lowde began to blawe;A-5797 The knyghttes, that were strowyd wyde,A-5798 To hym drawes on euery sydeA-5799 [5800 rowe ms. ] Redy and on a rawe. A-5800
490
Barons vnder stedys fettA-5801 Lay hevely gronynge on the grete,A-5802 And many there lyvys had lorne,A-5803 Ryche hawberkes all torente,A-5804 Barnys bledand on the bente, A-5805 There shuldurs on sovnder shorne;A-5806 [5807 rep.] a corr. aus e. ] They presud to gedyr so grette repayre,A-5807 That at the laste kyng DayreA-5808 Vnto the erthe was borne;A-5809 [5810 fette] sente ms. ] His stede agayne was to hym fette; A-5810 Tho he was in the sadull sette,A-5811 Wyght men hathe hym worne.A-5812
491
[5813 wrothe ms.] Ipomadon wroughte full worthely,A-5813 There at Dayre had grett envyeA-5814 And lyghttly to hym wanne; A-5815 A-5816

Page 167

He stroke hym so the myddyst þe backe,A-5816 That bothe plate & hawbrake brake,A-5817 By his syde the sokett ranne,A-5818 [5819 dede ms. ] But no harme in the fleshe it dyde, [f. 283a.] A-5819 God wold not, that it betydde. A-5820 So strettly he stroke hym þanne:A-5821 Ipomadon, to the grounde hym bare,A-5822 [5823 wors hap] worship ms. ] That wors hap betyde hym neuer yare,A-5823 Sethe he was fyrste a man.A-5824
492
That was no thynge long on hym, A-5825 Vp he sterte wyth hertte grymmeA-5826 [5827 drewe ms. ] And oute his swerd he drowghe,A-5827 [5828 Wyth the t.] The tothere ms. ] Wyth the tone hand his brydull he toke,A-5828 And wyth the tother hand, as tellyþe the boke,A-5829 He fendyd hym well inovghe. A-5830 The prese aboute hym come so faste,A-5831 His horse brake fro hym at the lasteA-5832 And goos vp on a clowgh;A-5833 [5834 there ms. ] The chyld, that shuld hym serue thare,A-5834 Therefore he had so mekyll care, A-5835 [5836 thoughte ms. ] That nere he fell in swoughe.A-5836
493
Ipomadon favghte so faste,A-5837 [5838 barste ms. ] The blode thorow the browes braste,A-5838 [5839 Off the riche of all the raye ms. ] Off all the riche raye,A-5839 [5840 wendes] presud ms. ] Knyghttes full thyke abowte hym wendes, A-5840 [5841 then ms. defendyd ms. ] And he grettly them defendes,A-5841 The sertayne sothe to say;A-5842 There was non, þat he hitt,A-5843 That longe myght in his sadull sitt,A-5844 He sterryd as bere at baye; A-5845 He smote so steffly hym abowte,A-5846 [5847 trokys ms.] Off his strokys they hadde suche dowete,A-5847 That many on fled away. [f. 283b.] A-5848
494
Grette sorow his chyld had,A-5849 That his mayster on foote was stade, A-5850 Fyghttand wonder-faste; A-5851 A-5852

Page 168

He hyed faste after his hors,A-5852 And in the feld wyth playne forsA-5853 He toke hym att the laste;A-5854 Glader was he neuer of dede, A-5855 To his mayster he dyd hym lede,A-5856 A lowde crye vp he caste.A-5857 Ipomadon drawys to hym warde,A-5858 He hew on there helmes harde,A-5859 [5860 barste ms. ] That the blod thorowe the browes braste. A-5860
495
[5861 Ipomandon ms. ] Ipomadon was neuer so fayne,A-5861 As when his stede was brought agayne,A-5862 Lyghtly vp he lepe.A-5863 [5864 gestellt in ms. ] Fresly fendes hym assayled now,A-5864 Off his steropus, as I trowe, A-5865 He toke but littull kepe:A-5866 [5867 vor ] Suche strokys þen he sette,A-5867 The moste myghtty as he mett,A-5868 He made there wyffes to wepe.A-5869 Knyghttes in the feld lay strewed, A-5870 There neke bonys in sundere hewedA-5871 Wyth many a wounde full depe.A-5872
496
His felowes was sory euery chone,A-5873 [5874 wend] danach euery, ausgestr.] That tyme they wend, Ipomadon,A-5874 He hadde byn loste them froo; A-5875 The presse aboute hym was so thyke,A-5876 There wend noo wyghte, he had byn quyke,A-5877 Therefore they were full woo. [f. 284a.] A-5878 The rowte, to reskewe hym, wolde ryde;A-5879 So stravnge was that stoure that tyde, A-5880 They myghte not to hym goo;A-5881 When they saw hym fyrste agayne,A-5882 The kyng of Fraunce was full fayneA-5883 And many othere moo.A-5884
497
Mervelys you not for thy, A-5885 Thow Ipomadon was wery,A-5886 So harde he gan hym to melle! A-5887 A-5888

Page 169

Was neuer knyght, borne of woman, eereA-5888 [5889 Harde, r ü. d. z. nachgetr., ms. ] Harder besette, then were thare,A-5889 That darre I trewly tell. A-5890 Many a man in feld laye slone,A-5891 But off them all IpomadonA-5892 Off bounte bare the bell.A-5893 Dayres blew an horne that tyde,A-5894 [5895 relevyd ms. ] His knyghttes relyd on euery syde, A-5895 That were bothe fers and fell.A-5896
498
There at Ipomadon was wrothe,A-5897 [5898 wery] om. ms. ] Thow he were wery, there he gothe,A-5898 He crakes many a crowne;A-5899 The inner syde euery dell A-5900 Was comfortyd of hym wonder-well,A-5901 As bere ay was he boune;A-5902 He hewe in sunder helme & scheldeA-5903 [5904 wrothy ms. ] And feld many worthy knyghttes in feld,A-5904 That were off grette renowne, A-5905 Many swonyd and lay in sweme;A-5906 [5907 that tyme hym selff ms. ] Kynge Dayre, hym selff that tyme [f. 284b.] A-5907 Efte sonys he was borne downe.A-5908
499
[5909 thyder] thye ms. ryde] d corr. aus s. ] Knyghttes, to reskew hym, wold thyder ryde,A-5909 They prekyd many a stede that tyde A-5910 Spetowsly wyth sporys;A-5911 Ther is no other þing to ax,A-5912 But he, that moste worthy waxeA-5913 [5914 beyres ms. ] And moste off bounte beres; . . . . . . . . .A-5914 [5915 wyste ms. ] Wyth mekyll woo wele they weste, A-5915 [5916 laste ms. ] To the kyng they socourde at þe lesteA-5916 [5917 deyris ms. ] Wyth strokes, that many a man deris.A-5917
500
Dayres folke wyth grette doloureA-5918 Were turnyd to dyscomfetture,A-5919 Oute of the feld they flede. A-5920 The kyng of Fraunce folowyd fasteA-5921 [5922 And] A ms.] And made many a man full gaste,A-5922 Before that day wer neuer adred. A-5923 A-5924

Page 170

Or they in to the castell wanne,A-5924 Slayne there was many a noble man, A-5925 [5926 Dyras ms. ] That Dayres thedyr ledde.A-5926 They speryd the gates, þat were wyth in,A-5927 [5928 Two segis ms. ] To sege wyth oute they begynne;A-5928 [5929 bredee ms. ] Thus Dayres men bale they brede.A-5929
501
They pyght pavelyons off pryde, A-5930 To kepe that hold on euery syde,A-5931 That non shuld essu oute;A-5932 Ipomadon wyth good chereA-5933 Sett his tent the kyng nere,A-5934 Well borderyd all abowte. A-5935 So worthely wrought he þat daye,A-5936 Dayres, that wyth in laye, [f. 285a.] A-5937 Off hym hade mekill dowte.A-5938 Righte wyse he was, wyth outen lesse,A-5939 [5940 mesengere ms. ] To be his mesengeres, he chesse A-5940 Stille men and not stovte,A-5941
502
Off his barons many one,A-5942 He sent them to Ipomadon,A-5943 As he, that wold be frende:A-5944 "And specyally ye shall hym praye, A-5945 He helpe, to brynge, as he, þat may,A-5946 This grette debate to ende;A-5947 And on that comnaunte I will hym gyffA-5948 Halff my kyngdome, while I leve,A-5949 [5950 hynde ms. ] My doughtter fayre & hende!" A-5950 The mesengers were full wyse,A-5951 [5952 the] danach kyng, unterpunktet. ] They waytyd, where the knyght lyse,A-5952 [5953 wente ms. ] And to his tent they wende.A-5953
503
They dyd there message welle & fayre,A-5954 They tolde hym all of the kyng Dayre, A-5955 That them thedyr sente;A-5956 They prayed hym, that he wold be frendA-5957 And sythen to the kyng of Fraunce wendA-5958 [5959 rightwys] righte whos ms.] Be rightwys jugementeA-5959 And helpe, to make a good acorde A-5960 A-5961

Page 171

Betwene the kyng & þere lord,A-5961 That no men were shent:A-5962 [5963 þe] om. ms. ] "On that comnaunte he hight þe þe fayre,A-5963 Here, that he thynkes to make his ayre,A-5964 His doughtter bothe fayre & gent." [f. 285b.] A-5965
504
Right wyse was Ipomadon;A-5966 He sayd to the barons ychone:A-5967 "His doughtter were me dere:A-5968 [5969 lordes ms. ] Syr, to yowre lorde graunt mercy,A-5969 That he wold shewe me þat curtessy, A-5970 Worthy yf that I were;A-5971 [5972 ageyne ms. ] But never the lesse say hym agene,A-5972 All Fraunce yf he wille quyte clene,A-5973 [5974 in fere] bedene ms. ] Bothe towne & castell in fere,A-5974 And to the kyng omage make, A-5975 This message I vndertakeA-5976 Wyth a noble chere.A-5977
505
His doughttur gladly have I wold,A-5978 Grette good of her I haue hard told:A-5979 That is to me but a trayne!" A-5980 [5981 Yes ms. mesengers ms. ] "Nay, syr," sayd the mesengere,A-5981 "That dare we boldely hight you here,A-5982 As we be sauyd frome payne,A-5983 On bookys & sawters for to swere,A-5984 [5985 Euer ms. deyre ms. ] Neuer after to do you dere, A-5985 Fro that they be frendes agayne!"A-5986 Ipomadon to the kyng gan wendA-5987 And told hym all þat tale to ende;A-5988 Thereof was he full fayne.A-5989
506
The mesengers was full glad A-5990 [5991 þey] ü. d. z. nachgetr., danach she, ausgestr. ] Off the answers, that þey hadde,A-5991 They foundyd on the felde;A-5992 When they come to the castellA-5993 And to there lord this tale can tell, [f. 286a.] A-5994 [5995 bolde ms. ] They sayd: "Syr, this berys you belde . . . . . A-5995 [5996 Dare ms.] Kyng Dayre, on the morne A-5996 A-5997

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The kyng of Fraunce he come beforneA-5997 And omage gan hym yelde.A-5998
507
Brode bokes were brought oute thanne,A-5999 To swere the kyng Dayre began A-6000 Wyth many a barone bolde,A-6001 That he shuld neuer stere ne stryve;A-6002 No more he dyd in all his lyve,A-6003 For the trouthe had he tolde.A-6004 This acorde is made fayre, A-6005 Ipomadon shuld wedde his eyreA-6006 Wyth halff his lond in wolde.A-6007 Joyefull was that maydon fre,A-6008 [6009 by] but ms. ] But I trowe, by my lewte,A-6009 That comnaunde will not holde. A-6010
508
Off hym the damysell was glade,A-6011 [6012 in] ü. d. z. geschr. ] For in the towre sene she hadde,A-6012 How dowȝttly he dydde.A-6013 [6014 stroke ms. ] He gaff so many a grette strake,A-6014 [6015 went ms. ] She wend, hit had byn for hyr sake, A-6015 [6016 he k.] dede ms. ] That suche maystres he kyde;A-6016 There by she thought, he louyd here well:A-6017 [6018 deall ms. ] To wedde hyr thought he neuer a dell,A-6018 [6019 hadde byn tydde ms. ] For oftyne tymes has bytyddeA-6019 And sayd off long tyme agoone, A-6020 That on the bushe bettes one,A-6021 [6022 byrde ms. ] A nothere man hathe the brydeA-6022
509
Then the kyng of Fraunce thankyd hym thanA-6023 Off the grette worshipe, þat he hym wanne,A-6024 And sayd: "Be god alonne, A-6025 Better, than ye dyd yestyrday, [f. 286b.] A-6026 Dydde neuer no man, I dare wel say,A-6027 That was made of blode & bonne!A-6028 In the reame of Fraunce I will the geveA-6029 Lond inowȝe, there on to leve, A-6030 [6031 of st.] and stowte ms.] And castels styff of ston,A-6031 For, as I haue happe or sell, A-6032 A-6033

Page 173

Ye haue seruyd hit full wele!"A-6033 Hym thankyd Ipomadon.A-6034
510
Sethe after, when they suppud hade A-6035 And euery man was blyth & glad,A-6036 The kyng began to spere,A-6037 Where he was borne & what he hatte:A-6038 "I wold right gladly witte that,A-6039 [6040 syr ms. ] I praye you, tell me, ser!" A-6040 "Sertes, that may I not do yet,A-6041 But here aftur shall you witte,A-6042 Synne ye this matter stere!"A-6043 The kyng saw, he began to layne,A-6044 He wold no farþer of hym frayne, A-6045 [6046 curtysoure ms. ] He was the curtysere.A-6046
511
[6047 What ms. ] Whan that the lordes leve hathe tane,A-6047 Ipomadon to his inne is gone;A-6048 The nyght comythe nere.A-6049 [6050 callyd ms. ] His mayster Thalamewe he callde A-6050 [6051 tolde ms. ] And all his matter he hym taldeA-6051 Wyth a full sympull chere:A-6052 [6053 kyng] om. ms. ] "Mayster, I haue hight the kyng Dayre,A-6053 To wedde his doughtter & his eyre . . . .A-6054 Be grette god, that hathe me wroughte, A-6055 Love be reysone may I noughte [f. 287a.] A-6056 No woman but the fere!A-6057
512
And þerfore, what so euer any man says,A-6058 Hors and harnes makes redy all weysA-6059 For goddes love, I you praye! A-6060 [6061 att] danach myghte, überpunktet. wynd ms. ] My waye att mydnyȝte will I wend:A-6061 [6062 But] om. ms. ] But yff I shuld bryng þis to an ende,A-6062 Hit wold me rewe for aye!"A-6063 His mayster dyd his comaundement;A-6064 Ipomadon his way is went A-6065 Beffore the sprynge of day,A-6066 [6067 he left] om. ms.] The kyng he left & all his folke bedene. A-6067 A-6068

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On the morowe, when the maryage shuld bene,A-6068 The knyght was clene awaye.A-6069
513
When this was told to the kyng, A-6070 So sorye was he neuer off thyngA-6071 Syne the tyme, that he was borne.A-6072 [6073 setheed ms. ] The mayden sighed & sayd alas . . . . . .A-6073 That she so hyr love had lorne;A-6074 This long day no tome I had, A-6075 [6076 they] she ms. ] To tell the sorow, that they made,A-6076 When they hym myssyd on þe morne;A-6077 Off all them moste mornyd the maye,A-6078 That Ipomadon was þus went awayA-6079 Bothe wyth hounde & wyth horne. A-6080
514
Thus tede hym þare a sely chaunce:A-6081 Att the essuynge oute of FraunceA-6082 He mettes wythe Egyon,A-6083 That come walkynge hym agayne,A-6084 His herte lepud vp for fayne, [f. 287b.] A-6085 When he sawe Ipomadon;A-6086 Well he thought, tydynges he brought,A-6087 [6088 he] þey ms. ] But what they were, it wyst he nouȝte,A-6088 Euyne to hym is he goone;A-6089 His mayster fayre haylyd hee: A-6090 "Welcome, cosyne, mot thou bee,A-6091 Be god, þat is but one!"A-6092
515
"Egyone, what saye ye, ser?A-6093 When come ye oute of Calebere?"A-6094 "There haue I byn to yere!" A-6095 "What tydynges þere, so mot þou goo?"A-6096 "Sum ar good & sum not soo!"A-6097 "Why, how faris the fere?A-6098 Telle me how it stondythe wyth here:A-6099 Hathe she an husbond?" "Nay, ser, A-6100 And she had, wrong it were!"A-6101 "I trow, she hathe!" "I say you, nay!"A-6102 [6103 it is ms.] "How is it thanne?" "I shall you saye!"A-6103 "Tell on good, now lett here!" A-6104

Page 175

516
[6105 quarte ms. ] "Off body she is in querte, A-6105 But grett sorowe she hathe in hertte,A-6106 I say you securlye!"A-6107 "Alas, cosyn, why is it soo?"A-6108 "For one is comyne, that workes hir woo,A-6109 [6110 companyee ms. ] Wyth a rewde companye: A-6110 Her barons grettly hathe byn noyede,A-6111 On euery syde her landes stroyedeA-6112 Wythe warre & wyth grette envye;A-6113 [6114 othee ms. ] He hathe suerly sworne his othe,A-6114 [6115 wylle] I corr. aus r. hyr] om. ms. ] He wylle hyr wedde, be hyr leff or lothe, A-6115 And haue that fayre ladye. [f. 288a.] A-6116
517
Before Candres, that riche towne,A-6117 There hathe he pyght his pavelyon,A-6118 And there he thynkes to byde,A-6119 Tille he haue wyth good or ille A-6120 Wonne that lady to his will,A-6121 [6122 londys w.] onys ms. ] Or waste he wille her londys wyde,A-6122 [6123 wherther ms. ] Or whether he may take in hand,A-6123 Sone to conquere all her lande,A-6124 So is his rowte vnryde; A-6125 [6126 in] om. ms. ] But so mekyll he truste hym selvyn in,A-6126 That man for man he will her wynne.A-6127 [6128 dyscryede ms.] Thus is on lowde dyscryde.A-6128
518
The knyght stode in a stody stille,A-6129 Men wyste nere hand noþur good ne ille, A-6130 So grette sygh on hym soughte.A-6131 A long while no worde he spake,A-6132 He thought, hys herte asonder brakeA-6133 For the tydynges, that were broughte.A-6134 Thow hit were wekely, at the laste A-6135 Wyth a worde oute he braste:A-6136 "Fro whens he come, wot þou ought?"A-6137 "Certes, syr, oute of Ynde Mayore,A-6138 He is the sonne of Alamadure,A-6139 That wonderffull werkes hathe wroght!" A-6140

Page 176

519
"Egyon, hard thow ought betold,A-6141 Whedur that he is young or old?"A-6142 [6143 yonge ms. ] "Nay, syr, he is but yinge!"A-6143 "Ys he fayre?" "Nay, certes, he,A-6144 A fowler man ther may non be [f. 288b.] A-6145 Ne more vncomely thyng:A-6146 Hys hed ys row wyth feltred here,A-6147 [6148 brysted ms. ] Blake brysteld as a bore,A-6148 His browys full they hyngeA-6149 Wyth longe tethe, I warand yow, A-6150 Euery lype, I dare avowe,A-6151 Hyngyth lyke a blode puddynge!A-6152
520
This dare I sauerly make a sethe,A-6153 His nose towchys on his tethe,A-6154 [6155 wayses ms. ] His mothe wrythis all way, A-6155 [6156 bleche ms. ] Blake as any peche hys face,A-6156 As two dobelers euery eye he hathe,A-6157 Wyth gorget gret & gray;A-6158 His berde as pyche ys blake,A-6159 His body hathe an euyll smake, A-6160 The vesnamy fovle, I saye,A-6161 Neke as an ape, nebe as an owle:A-6162 In all this worlde ys none so fovle,A-6163 [6164 say] swere ms. ] This dare I sauerly say!A-6164
521
Tyll he hyre haue, he will not fyne!" A-6165 "What it his name?" "Syr Lyolyne:A-6166 No man of myȝte ys more;A-6167 [6168 knyȝth ms. ] In all Calabyre is not a knyȝht,A-6168 [6169 hym] ü. d. z. nachgetr. fygth ms. ] That agayne hym onys dare fyght,A-6169 Grett sorow hathe sche therefore; A-6170 He hathe sworryn, so god hym saue,A-6171 That ouer wyth hym he will here haueA-6172 In to Ynde Maiore!"A-6173 [6174 I ms. ] "In faythe, than wolde I be full woo,A-6174 I truste to god, þat he schall goo, A-6175 [6176 Bakkere ms. then] om. ms.] Blakkere more then a bore.A-6176 [Ded I, grette wronge it were.] [f. 289a.] A-6177

Page 177

522
"But, Egyon, may I come be tyme?"A-6178 "Ye, syr, and ye wille nott lyne,A-6179 That wotte I well, ye maye!" A-6180 "Ye, dere cosyn, trowyst thou so?"A-6181 "Ye, syr, for betwene them twooA-6182 Ys sett a sartayne daye,A-6183 That other she mvste fynde a knyght,A-6184 To kepe hyr fro that cursyd wyght, A-6185 Or wyth hym goo her waye!"A-6186 Ipomadon askyd wyth egur wille:A-6187 "How longe, Egyon, is þer tille?"A-6188 "A monethe, syr, I saye!"A-6189
523
He callyd his mayster Thalamewe A-6190 And told hym all his tale for trewe:A-6191 "Hit is wars, thenne I wende!A-6192 Mayster, there is but one to chese,A-6193 My loue to wynne or to lesseA-6194 For euer wyth outen ende: A-6195 Glade be I neuer in my lyff,A-6196 Yeff he shuld wedde hyr to wyff;A-6197 But I there that fere defende,A-6198 Hit will turne me to ouer-mekill care;A-6199 But well were me, & I were thare, A-6200 That none in erthe me kend!A-6201
524
[6202 long] ü. d. z. nachgetr. justee ms. ] Hit is not long, sithe I there juste,A-6202 And wynde I thether, nedes I mvsteA-6203 Be knowen wyth the fere.A-6204 [6205 kynde ms. ] In Cesille, there byn nobull knyghtes be kende, A-6205 I wotte wele, they will thedyr send [f. 289b.] A-6206 To kyng Mellengere,A-6207 [6208 For] To ms.] For sum man to do this rayne:A-6208 Might I hit gett, I wold be fayne,A-6209 To saue that lady clere! A-6210 Agayne I will in to Cesille,A-6211 But we mvst cast vs of sum while,A-6212 That we ne knowen were!" A-6213

Page 178

525
"Syr, that were right good to doo!"A-6214 [6215 she ms. ] "Grette mystur of socoure hathe sho A-6215 And I wold helpe hur fayne!"A-6216 Wyth oute any more abodeA-6217 In to Cesille forthe þey rodeA-6218 The gates, þat moste were gayne.A-6219 Wyth oute the citte of Palerne A-6220 They lyght adowne in a dale so derne,A-6221 The sothe is not to layne.A-6222 Ipomadon sayd: "Be my lewte,A-6223 A fole may welle I be,A-6224 To begile them wyth a trayne!" A-6225
526
[6226 heyre ms. ] He made his mayster to cotte his hore,A-6226 Hye behynde & lowe before,A-6227 Wondyr-ille faringlye;A-6228 A blake, soty sheld he gate,A-6229 [6230 VII] danach b, ausgestr. ] VII yere before, I wott well þat, A-6230 Hit had hange vp to drye;A-6231 An old, rustye swerd he hadde,A-6232 His spere was a plowgh gade,A-6233 [6234 brande ms. ] A full vnbryght brynie;A-6234 Vpon the to legge a brokyn bote, A-6235 A rente hose on the other foote,A-6236 Two tatrys hangyng bye. [f. 290a.] A-6237
527
His helme was not worthe a bene,A-6238 [6239 hors] h corr. aus? ] His hors myght vnnethe goo for lene,A-6239 [6240 meyre ms. ] Hit was an old crokyd mere; A-6240 An vncomely sadull behynde seker.A-6241 His brydull was a wrethe wekyr,A-6242 Off othere rekkes he nere:A-6243 "Mayster, ye muste to the citte fareA-6244 And prevely take youre inne thare, A-6245 [6246 are ms. ] That no man wit, what ye ere!"A-6246 Thalamewe dyd his comaundement,A-6247 Ipomadon to the courte is went,A-6248 [6249 geyre ms.] Ille farand was hys gere. A-6249

Page 179

528
The kyng was newly sett to mette, A-6250 The quene and other ladyes gretteA-6251 And knyghttes many one;A-6252 Ipomadon amonge them allA-6253 Come rydyng in to the hallA-6254 His crokyd mere vppon; A-6255 [6256 were ms. ] So shortte his steroppus leddurs wore,A-6256 His knes stode halff a foote & moreA-6257 [6258 manee ms. ] Abovyn his horsis mane;A-6258 [6259 roode ms. ] Crokand wyth his backe he raade,A-6259 Off his attyre wonder they hade, A-6260 Knyghttes bigge off bonne.A-6261
529
[6262 sere ms. ] His horsse was wondyr-harde of lere,A-6262 Wyth sporres and wand he stroke the mere,A-6263 He beyttys on her bonys,A-6264 And euer the fastur that he dang, A-6265 The more softlye wold she gange,A-6266 She wold not stere on the stonys. [f. 290b.] A-6267 There knyves oute of there handes gan fall,A-6268 Wyth so good will lowȝe they all,A-6269 That were wyth in that wonis; A-6270 To lawȝing made he no semblande,A-6271 There was non, a coppe myght hold in hand,A-6272 So lowȝe they all att onys.A-6273
530
Abowte hem he began to stareA-6274 [6275 there ms. ] In euery hyrone here and thare, A-6275 Halff wood as he were;A-6276 Knyghttes att his attyre lowȝeA-6277 And sum off them was ferd inowgh,A-6278 Ladyes chaungyd þere chere.A-6279 Thowȝ it were long, yet at þe laste A-6280 [6281 fowle ms. ] A worde of fowlie oute he caste:A-6281 "God loke the, Mellengere!A-6282 I am the best knyght vnder shild,A-6283 [6284 better] om. ms.] There no man better comythe in the feld,A-6284 That bought þou onys full dere!" A-6285

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531
"When was that?" quod the kyng.A-6286 [6287 thyngee ms. ] "Wotte þou not?" "Naye, no thynge!"A-6287 "Syr, no more wott I!"A-6288 [6289 men] ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] Then all men vp a lavȝtter caste,A-6289 That nere there herttes asounder breste, A-6290 Bothe on benche & bye.A-6291 Ipomadon sayd after thateA-6292 To the quene, there she satte:A-6293 "God loke you, fayre lady!A-6294 Madame, that haue ye sene, A-6295 [6296 byne ms. ] That ye wold full blyth haue bene,A-6296 [6297 curteslyee ms. ] To kys vs curteslye!"A-6297
532
The quene wax rede for shame,A-6298 The kyng sayd: "Is it thus, madame?" [f. 291a.] A-6299 [6300 eyre ms. ] "Syr, I sawe hym neuer are! A-6300 "Foule," quod Cananeus thanne,A-6301 "I praye the, were was þat & whanne?"A-6302 "A, syr, are ye thare?A-6303 I can nott tell, verelye, what day,A-6304 But on the lond, I hope, ye laye A-6305 [6306 heyre ms. ] And loste your hors euery hare!"A-6306 [6307 I] om. ms. ] "When was that? I wott no why!"A-6307 "No, in faythe, no more wott I!"A-6308 Then lewgh bothe lesse & more.A-6309
533
"Syr kyng, yff it be thy wille, A-6310 [6311 folke] danach good, ausgestr. ] I praye the, make these folke be stille,A-6311 That janglys thus lyke a gaye!A-6312 So worthy, as I am one,A-6313 Vnder heyven, I trowe, is none,A-6314 Where freke men fleys awaye. A-6315 [6316 louythe ms. ] I hate pease and louye the werre:A-6316 [6317 geyre ms. ] Thou may see be my glyttrand gereA-6317 [6318 aryee ms. ] And be my riche araye!A-6318 So good, as I, maye no man bee,A-6319 And yff thou wylte wythhold mee, A-6320 [6321 seyee ms.] Herke, whatt I shall seye! A-6321

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534
Iff I dwell, wyth outen fayle,A-6322 Thow mvste graunte me the fyrste battayle,A-6323 That is askyde off thee,A-6324 And yff me lykys, I will fighte, A-6325 [6326 nach ] And yff me lykes not, be þus lyght,A-6326 [6327 gestellt, doch ist das versehen vom schreiber selbst angedeutet. ] Turne my bake & flee!"A-6327 [6328 fayne ms. ] The kynge to laughe myght not fyne:A-6328 "I shall the graunt the fyrste deryne,A-6329 And thow wylte byde and bee!" A-6330 [6331 lave ms. ] Ipomadon sayd: "Syr, it is but lawe!" [f. 291b.] A-6331 Then all men lewȝ & sayd þer sawe:A-6332 "A noble foule is he!"A-6333
535
[6334 inowthe ms. ] He faryd, as he were wrothe inowȝhe,A-6334 That they hym to skorne lewȝe, A-6335 And he sayd in that halle:A-6336 "I praye god, gyff you all myschaunce,A-6337 [6338 ye] danach any, unterpunktet. ] When ye makythe any destaunceA-6338 Or foule shuld me call,A-6339 But the kyng, wyth outen dowte; A-6340 In faythe I take no mo wyth oute,A-6341 Not one among you all,A-6342 But yff it be my lady, the quene,A-6343 For the grette love, that between vs hath bene!"A-6344 Then lowȝe bothe grette & small. A-6345
536
"Syr," quod Canoneus thanne,A-6346 "I redde, you wythhold this man,A-6347 I shall say you, for why:A-6348 [6349 is] om. ms. ] So noble a foule, as þus is,A-6349 Among men dothe good, iwys, A-6350 When herttes byne ofte hevye!A-6351 [6352 is] ben ms. myrthe ms. ] Att there wordes is mekyll merthe,A-6352 [6353 wrathe ms. ] Many tyme they slake the wrethe:A-6353 Wythhold hym for thye!"A-6354 [6355 so ms.] Ipomadon sore angurd was, A-6355 But neuer the lesse he lett it passe,A-6356 That none parsevyd there bye. A-6357

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537
"Cananeus, att my skole,A-6358 [6359 ye] he ms. ] In faythe, ye held me for no fole,A-6359 When ye laye on the lande!" A-6360 "When was þat, I yow praye?"A-6361 "I can not verely tell the daye,A-6362 Whedur hit were pul or pande! [f. 292a.] A-6363 That tyme the quene louyd me weleA-6364 [6365 deyle ms. ] And I agayne her neuer a dele, A-6365 [6366 In] om. ms. ] In faye, yff she me faunde!"A-6366 [6367 The ms. ] They lowȝe all, bothe lesse & more,A-6367 [6368 were ms. ] They sayd: "To wette, when þat it wore,A-6368 Ys righte a good demaunde!"A-6369
538
Syr Segamus sayd: "When was þat?" A-6370 "A, syr, when ye had a squate,A-6371 I am avysud nowe;A-6372 [6373 was] danach it was, unr. ] What day it was, I am not graythe!"A-6373 Segamus sayd: "Syr, no, in faythe,A-6374 [6375 trowee ms. ] No more am I, I trowe!" A-6375 "Syr kyng, where is Cabanus?A-6376 Serttes, I were not taryd thus,A-6377 Had he byn here wyth yowe:A-6378 [6379 were ms. ] And he wyste what I wore,A-6379 I trowe, it wold myrthe hym more, A-6380 [6381 cowee ms. ] Than oþere oxe or cowe.A-6381
539
[6382 hym] danach onys, unr. adrad ms. ] For onys I made hym adred,A-6382 That fro my handes faste he fled,A-6383 But I wott neuer, what daye!"A-6384 [6385 hygh ms. ] There all men lovghe on hee A-6385 And sayden: "In faythe, no more wot wee,A-6386 Savely darre we saye!"A-6387 [6388 Maunstas ms. ] "Good syr, when?" quod Maunstus;A-6388 [6389 mvste ms. ] "Sen me nedis tell you bvs:A-6389 On the lande when ye laye, A-6390 [6391 youre ms.] And I my sellff downe you bare!"A-6391 Then lowȝe bothe lesse and more,A-6392 They sayd: "That ys no naye!" [f. 292b.] A-6393

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540
Cabanus, the sothe to sey,A-6394 Was on huntyng all that daye A-6395 [6396 thus ms. ] And wyste no thyng off thys.A-6396 "Have done, syr kyng, I praye the,A-6397 Yff thou wilt wythhold mee,A-6398 Ellis I dwell not, iwis!A-6399 Wyste þou, what maystres I covthe make, A-6400 My service wold thou not forsake,A-6401 As haue I joye and blis!A-6402 Lordes, knyghttes, praythe for me nowe:A-6403 What deell, is þer no helpe at yowe?A-6404 [6405 yeis ms. ] Why sayes none off you yis?" A-6405
541
Lowde he cryde on the quene:A-6406 "In faythe, madame, that day hathe been,A-6407 Ye wold for me haue prayed,A-6408 And so I trow, ye wold doo yett,A-6409 [6410 far fro þe] frome, ro corr. aus ar, ms. ] But all a far fro þe am I flyte, A-6410 [6411 aferde ms. ] That makythe you all afrayde!"A-6411 At hym they all had joye inowȝe,A-6412 The quene at his wordes loughA-6413 And to the kynge she sayd:A-6414 [6415 hym] danach nedes, unr. mvste ms. ] "Syn I have louyd hym, I moste A-6415 Praye for hym nedes coste,A-6416 Yff ye wold hold you payde!"A-6417
542
All men prayes for hym so faste,A-6418 The kyng hym grauntyd at þe laste;A-6419 Then at the fyrste he lyghte: A-6420 "My hors my sellff kepe I will!"A-6421 He sayd: "Come hedyr to me, gille!"A-6422 Then loughe they all arighte.A-6423 [6424 arme] myghte ms. ] He shovyd the waykyr wyth his arme, [f. 293a.] A-6424 Euery man sayd: "It were grett harme, A-6425 And we had forgone this sighte!"A-6426 Emydys the floure he made his sete;A-6427 Wyth trenchours & wyth brokyne meteA-6428 [6429 sayd ms. noblee ms.] They sayld that noble knyghte! A-6429

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543
Thus is he kept, for his folye A-6430 More, then for his chevalrye,A-6431 [6432 bremne ms. ] Thowe he were breme as bore;A-6432 Were he neuer off hertte so bold,A-6433 [6434 they hym] hem ms. ] A foule amonge them they hym hold,A-6434 His plesure was the more. A-6435 But ofte is sayd be men of skole,A-6436 [6437 foule ms. ] Many man callys anoþer a foole,A-6437 [6438 were ms. ] Well sought yff it wore,A-6438 Hym sellff in suche a chaunce myȝte be,A-6439 He is twys so moche foule as hee: A-6440 [6441 there ms. ] In faythe, so fell it thore!"A-6441
544
Hee satte and fedde hym faste inowȝe,A-6442 Att his araye lowde they lowȝe,A-6443 [6444 beedenee ms. ] The knyghttes all beedene;A-6444 Syn that he was so noble a man, A-6445 [6446 he] om. ms. ] Wyth sobur hert suffyrd he thanne,A-6446 [6447 hys] thy ms. ] For loue hys care ys kene.A-6447 [6448 forgoone ms. ] Yff he shuld his love forgonge,A-6448 Me thynke, men dyd hym mekill wronge,A-6449 So mot I borowed been! A-6450 [6451 floure ms. ] As he satte etand in the floore,A-6451 Come rydyng in at the doreA-6452 A worthy wyghte, I wene.A-6453
545
Apon a palfreye white as mylke,A-6454 In a sadull all off sylke, A-6455 The sege off rewell bone, [f. 293b.] A-6456 [6457 þerefore ms. ] The trapoure well ordayned þere,A-6457 Frette aboute wyth gold so dere,A-6458 In the world was better non.A-6459 [6460 foote ms. ] Here gyte was velvet to her feete, A-6460 Hyr syrkote, syngell it was for heete,A-6461 Besett wyth many a stone;A-6462 Her mantell all of red sendell;A-6463 [6464 araye] das zweite a ü. d. z. nachgetr.] That araye become her well,A-6464 As the sonne hyr coloure shone. A-6465

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546
They thought, was non of ble so bryght,A-6466 Here beheld bothe kynge & knyght,A-6467 And in there herttes they þoughte,A-6468 That thay myghte have slepte her byeA-6469 The wynturs nyghte vtterlye, A-6470 Yff too in one were broughte.A-6471 The maydon wysse and witty was,A-6472 [6473 lord ms. goos ms. ] Before the hye bord she gaas,A-6473 To othere lyght she noughte;A-6474 A yard of gold in hand she bare. A-6475 As sone as she come thare,A-6476 Off socure she besoughte.A-6477
547
She sayd: "Þou worthy kyng of price,A-6478 [6479 lythe ms. ] In whome grette witte & wysdome lyse,A-6479 Herkyne, whate I shall saye: A-6480 Your nece of Calabyre, that lady clere,A-6481 Ys bovnden wyth a fendes fere,A-6482 [6483 here l. a.] all here wyte ms. ] That wastythe here landes all way;A-6483 She besekes you off youre grace,A-6484 That ye will helper in this casse A-6485 Wythe sum man, that maye . . . . . [f. 294a.] A-6486
548
Syr, she hathe not in her handA-6487 Wyth oute Candres a foote of land,A-6488 A fend it hathe dystroyed.A-6489 In all Calabere is knyght non, A-6490 That darre fyght wyth hym alonne,A-6491 So is the fende vnryde;A-6492 He hathe sworne, so god me save,A-6493 [6494 heere] he corr. aus? ] Till his wyff he will heere haue,A-6494 Soo hathe that sot porveyde; A-6495 [6496 kynde ms.] But she maye fynde a knyghte kende,A-6496 Fro that fende her to defende,A-6497 She is vtterly dystroyde.A-6498
549
The kyng sayde to þat mayden syne:A-6499 "What is his name?" "Syr Lyolyne, A-6500 A-6501

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That sittes my lady sore,A-6501 For he hathe sworne, so god hym save,A-6502 [6503 hom] on ms. ] That hom wyth hym he will her haueA-6503 In to Ynde Mayore.A-6504 A fortenyght hens the day is sette, A-6505 That she mvste fynde wyth owten letteA-6506 A man, to fyghte here fore!"A-6507 Off all them, that satt at the borde,A-6508 Was non, that answerd a word,A-6509 Nothere lesse ne more. A-6510
550
There off the kyng asorowed was,A-6511 The maydon syghed & sayd: "Alas,A-6512 Why says non off you novght?A-6513 So worthy knyghttes, as here ben manye,A-6514 Syr, shall I haue helpe off anye? A-6515 In bale ellys be we broughte!" [f. 294b.] A-6516 Was there none, a worde answerde þer till,A-6517 The mayden wepte and gaff hyr ille,A-6518 She sayd: "Nowe I se vnsoughte,A-6519 My travayle hedyr is all in vayne!" A-6520 Full well Ipomadon knew Imayne,A-6521 To helpe hur hathe he thoughte.A-6522
551
He stertte vp att the lasteA-6523 And wordis off foly forthe he caste:A-6524 "In faythe, now I am fayne! A-6525 Syr kyng, as I haue happe or selle,A-6526 My comyng hedyr me lykythe well,A-6527 [6528 bayne] tynee ms. ] For this is my denare bayne:A-6528 Thow graunte me before handeA-6529 The fyrste poynte, that fell in þat londe, A-6530 The sothe is not to layne;A-6531 [6532 leȝ] lye ms.] And syr, yf thou saye, I leȝ,A-6532 Have here my hand, to fyght wyth þe!"A-6533 Hym beholdys Imayne.A-6534
552
"Do away, foole, for god avowe, A-6535 It is no tyme, to jape, nowe, A-6536 A-6537

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Thereffore come I not hedyr!"A-6537 "No, damysell, goo forthe thy waye,A-6538 In faythe, I shall be there þat day,A-6539 How so euer I come thedur!" A-6540 [6541 turne—to] maye thow ms. ] "Alas, I turne," sche sayd to Melengere,A-6541 "Sertes, and I gette no helpe here,A-6542 To goo, I wot neuer, whedyre!"A-6543 [6544 moo ms. ] Thowȝe she made neuer so muche moone,A-6544 They satte all stille, as anny stone, A-6545 The kynge and all to gedur.A-6546
553
"Allas, syr kyng, why do ye thus? [f. 295a.] A-6547 Where is gentill Cabanus,A-6548 That is so mekill a knyght?A-6549 Hadde he byn here, so god me save, A-6550 Some helpe of hym yet shuld I have,A-6551 As he my lady hathe hight!"A-6552 There was non, a worde answerd agayne,A-6553 Here hors hedde turned ImayneA-6554 And wepand went þat wyght A-6555 Streghte oute off the hall dore;A-6556 [6557 floure ms. ] Ipomadon knelythe downe in the floreA-6557 Before them all in syght:A-6558
554
[6559 prayee ms. ] "Graunte me this reyne, I the praye!"A-6559 [6560 thy] they ms.] The kyng sayd: "Foule, goo forthe thy waye, A-6560 I se the holden no man!"A-6561 "Syr, haue her my hande, I will!"A-6562 He sayd: "Come heder to me, gyll!"A-6563 And lyghttly vpe he wanne;A-6564 To his inne is he goone, A-6565 A better coote he dyd vpone,A-6566 Thanne euer his dame hym spanne,A-6567 Better shyld & better spere,A-6568 An helme, his hedde wyth to were,A-6569 A stede he lepe on thanne. A-6570
555
A thredbare tabard full of raggis,A-6571 An old hoode revyn wyth jagges A-6572 A-6573

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[6573 caste ms. ] He on his armore keste,A-6573 For all men hym a fole shuld hold,A-6574 Thow he off hertt was neuer so bold, A-6575 Hym thought, hit was the best. [f. 295b.] A-6576 A sotye sheld on his shulder he bare,A-6577 His spere, as a raste it were,A-6578 There on a soket feste.A-6579 Vnder was he armyd well, A-6580 [6581 deall ms. ] Aboven ill farande euery dell,A-6581 As wyttenesse here be weste.A-6582
556
[6583 harnes ms. ] He sent his hors & harneysA-6583 To Calabyr another wayes,A-6584 His mayster and his page, A-6585 His knyghttes & all his oþer meyne:A-6586 "Goo, byde me, mayster, for charyte,A-6587 [6588 Emytage ms. ] Att the ermytage!A-6588 [6589 beyre ms. ] So prevely ye you bere,A-6589 That non other witte, whate ye were, A-6590 I dwell but littull stage!"A-6591 Right as he bad, his mayster dyd,A-6592 Wyth in the thyke wood they them hyde,A-6593 [6594 owte rage ms. ] Wyth oute any more owterage.A-6594
557
So faste hyes Ipomadon, A-6595 [6596 ouer tane ms. ] The maydon he hathe ouertone,A-6596 [6597 rode ms. ] Mornand euer she rade;A-6597 A dwarffe kepythe her in þe wayesA-6598 Bothe hyr hors & hur harneys,A-6599 Att the towne end hur bade, A-6600 And whan he saw, she wept so faste,A-6601 [6602 axte ms. ] Wyth sorofull countenaunce he her aste,A-6602 What answere that she hadde.A-6603 [6604 I ms. ] "In faythe, syr, helpe gett wee none here:A-6604 Allas, that euer kyng Mellengere A-6605 [6606 That my ms.] My ladye so mekyll of hathe made! [f. 296a.] A-6606
558
When I had all my tale told,A-6607 There was non, that answere wold, A-6608 A-6609

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Off his knyghttes bedene,A-6609 But an old naturall fole A-6610 [6611 sterte] e ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] Sterte vp, when he se me make suche dole,A-6611 And carpud wordes kene;A-6612 He sayd, thus battayle shuld be his:A-6613 So fayre a fole, so haue I blysse,A-6614 Haue I but seldone sene! A-6615 Loo, where he comys, now may ye see!"A-6616 [6617 gode] om. ms. ] The dwarff sayd: "For gode, yound he be?"A-6617 "Ye, the same, that I off mene!A-6618
559
I praye the, byd hym turne agayne!"A-6619 "Nay, in trowthe, Imayne, A-6620 Than fayle I curtassye!A-6621 Thow he be not all the wyseste wyght,A-6622 I wold, he myghte ouercome the knyghtA-6623 Bee his grette folye!A-6624 Lett hym come & hold his cowrsse, A-6625 [6626 awell ms. ] The waye is his as well as ours:A-6626 What grevythe vs, he ryde vs bye?A-6627 Why shuld I lett hym of his gate?"A-6628 The maydone began to chyde þer atA-6629 And wendyth forthe for thy. A-6630
560
[6631 drewe ms. ] Hur owne hors hedde agayne she droweA-6631 And cryde on hym long inowȝeA-6632 Wyth a sterne stevyne:A-6633 "Turne agayne, þou, belamye,A-6634 [6635 kepe] danach of, ausgestr., ms. ] I kepe not of thy companye, A-6635 [6636 to—levyn] evill nor fore good ms. ] Nothere for to deye nor to levyn!" [f. 296b.] A-6636 "Maydone," quod Ipomadon,A-6637 "I praye þe, lett thy wordes alonne,A-6638 [6639 For his] Ford, d ausgestr., ms. in h.] above ms. ] For his love, that sittes in hevyn,A-6639 For wele thou wottes, & þou wylt say, A-6640 The fere hathe louyd me many a day,A-6641 [6642 Evyn ms.] But that is not to nevyn!"A-6642
561
Imayne to the dwarffe sayd:A-6643 "Now may thou see, þou art payd A-6644 A-6645

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[6645 resone ms. ] Wyth a nyce folys resowne!" A-6645 [6646 then ms. ] "Ye, for to gette them losse & prise,A-6646 Men make them folys, that byn wyseA-6647 And off full grette renowene:A-6648 Lett hym come, he may do well!"A-6649 "Wyth me be god & sent Myghell, A-6650 He shall not truse of towne!A-6651 I wold be drowned in a pole,A-6652 Or I ouer land shuld ledde a fole,A-6653 [6654 above ms. ] Be god, that sittis abovne!"A-6654
562
"Well ye wot, damysell, A-6655 The fere of long hathe lovyd me well,A-6656 Thow it not knowen bee!"A-6657 [6658 hym] me ms. ] "I praye god, send hym sorowe vnsought,A-6658 That wot, whether she love þe or not;A-6659 Syr, I say for mee; A-6660 Well I trowe, fro she þe knowe,A-6661 Lyttill love she will the shewe!"A-6662 "Yes, damysell!" quod he,A-6663 "She lovythe me more, so mot I thryve,A-6664 Then all the men, that ar on lyve, A-6665 Synne the laste tyme she me see!" [f. 297a.] A-6666
563
[6667 prayee ms. ] "When was that, syr, I the praye!"A-6667 "I can not, verely, tell that day,A-6668 Madame meke & mylde!"A-6669 Wyth oute any more abode A-6670 [6671 slytand ms. ] To gedyr flytand forthe they rode,A-6671 [6672 feld ms. ] Bothe be fyrthe & fild,A-6672 Wounder-hoote shonne þe sonne,A-6673 [6674 fonne ms. ] Imayne hathe an while fondeA-6674 [6675 begylyd ms. ] And thought hym to haue begyld; A-6675 Fro hur palfray she lyght downe,A-6676 [6677 pavelyon ms. ] The dwarff pyght hyr pavelyoun,A-6677 [6678 smyled ms. ] Ipomadon hovyd & smyld.A-6678
564
Syne he lyght a littell þer bye,A-6679 [6680 dwarffe] w. corr. aus r.] The dwarffe cowthe of curtessye A-6680 A-6681

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[6681 youde ms. ] And lyghttly to hym yede:A-6681 [6682 inowthe ms. ] Therefore was Imayne wrothe inowȝhe;A-6682 A littell fro hym to a bovghA-6683 He raynd his stede;A-6684 His helme of for heet he toke A-6685 And as a fole his hedde he shokeA-6686 And sayd: "So mot I spede,A-6687 Iff me be happe, lyff to haue,A-6688 I shall the quyte, so god me save,A-6689 All this grette foredede!" A-6690
565
The dwarff prayes the maydon bryght,A-6691 That she wold to her calle the knyght,A-6692 [6693 to bold bene ms. ] That semys bold to bene;A-6693 "I praye god, fowle mot me befall,A-6694 Yf I a fole shuld to me calle, A-6695 Whatte! We dotte, I wene!"— [f. 297b.] A-6696 Go we now to Lyelyne,A-6697 That hathe a knyght to his cosyn,A-6698 That wyde is knowe for kene;A-6699 [6700 prayne ms. ] Many a tyme he gan hym payne, A-6700 To praye his lord for Imayne,A-6701 That maydon bright & shene.A-6702
566
He prayes so herttly & so faste,A-6703 He grauntes hym Imayn at the laste;A-6704 [6705 Mauges ms. ] Thus man, that hight Maugis, A-6705 Welle he wyste, that maydon clereA-6706 Off messavge was to Mellengere,A-6707 There on he hadde good spyes.A-6708 [6709 watyd ms.] He waytyd hyr homwardes the way,A-6709 And he come rydand, sothe to say, A-6710 Evyn where Imayne lyes;A-6711 The maydon was wery & slept faste,A-6712 But wyth a grett noyse at the lasteA-6713 She woke and vp gan ryse.A-6714
567
"Well fovnde, mayde Imayne, A-6715 Vpon your palffrey ye lepe agayne A-6716 A-6717

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Wyth oute wordes moo,A-6717 For, trewly, lady, ye are myne,A-6718 Gyvyn off my lord, syr Lyolyne!"A-6719 Than was Imayne woo: A-6720 [6721 oute rage ms. ] "Syr, that were grett outerage,A-6721 Gyff I were mayd of my message:A-6722 For goddes loue, lette me goo!"A-6723 "It nedes not, to make þis mone:A-6724 Whether ye lyke or none, A-6725 In faythe, it shall be soo!" [f. 298a.] A-6726
568
Then as an aspleff she quoke,A-6727 Vppon the dwarff gan she lokeA-6728 Wyth angur and syghyng syne;A-6729 Ipomadon sittes and lokes them two: A-6730 "Syr, what wylte thou wyth þat maydon doo?A-6731 In faythe, she bees not thyne!A-6732 Lette hyr sitte there by sydeA-6733 And home agayne, I rede the, rydeA-6734 To syr Lyolyne, A-6735 And byde that lord, in oþure wyseA-6736 Reward the for thy long seruyce,A-6737 [6738 shalt] danach not, unr. tene ms. ] For, in faythe, thou shalt here tyne!"A-6738
569
His brokyne wede behelde he fasteA-6739 And sayd full lygttly at the laste: A-6740 "Thou nyce fole, sitt stille!A-6741 Yff thou will foors, her to defende,A-6742 [6743 hande ms. ] For euer thou shalt fele my hende,A-6743 Have here my trough there till!"A-6744 "Syr, off a cause I cowpe thee, A-6745 A fole now thou calyste mee:A-6746 That shall thou lyke full ille!A-6747 The more foule of vs to shallA-6748 Wyth in a shorte whyle have a falle!"A-6749 His helme he takyth hym tille. A-6750
570
[6751 cavntell ms.] His shylde in cavtell kyst he þanA-6751 And lyghttly on his stede he wane, A-6752 A-6753

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In hande he toke a spere.A-6753 Wyth oute any more abodeA-6754 Thus II knyghttes to geddyr rode A-6755 Be worthenes of werre. [f. 298b.] A-6756 Maugis sett his stroke so faste,A-6757 The spere þorow the shyld paste,A-6758 But vnder it dede no dere;A-6759 So sternely stroke Ipomadon, A-6760 In two he stroke his shulder bone,A-6761 And downe he gan hym bere.A-6762
571
Ipomadon lefte not þat knyght,A-6763 Tille he hadde trewly his trovthe plyght,A-6764 [6765 hym] y corr. aus e. ] Though hym were lothe there too, A-6765 That he shuld ryde home to Lyolyne:A-6766 "And say, the mayden ys not thyne,A-6767 In peas for the may she goo,A-6768 Wyth joye they heldyn forthe þer jorneye!A-6769 And also, syr, thou shalt hym saye, A-6770 As thow haue reste or roo:A-6771 [6772 fayre ms. ] The fere wyth oute grette battayleA-6772 Shall not come to his spousayle,A-6773 For nought, that he can doo!A-6774
572
But, syr, so god of hevyn me spede, A-6775 Behynde the thow shalt leve thy stede,A-6776 I wyll the say, for why:A-6777 Wetly wondyd, I trow, thou bee,A-6778 But thou shall haue, to bere the,A-6779 [6780 Thuis ms. rouncy] powyse ms. ] Thus lyttill lowe rouncy!" A-6780 In his sadull they hym sett,A-6781 [6782 che ms. ] He rewes, that euer she wyth hym mette,A-6782 His arme hynge babelyng bye;A-6783 [6784 and ys] om. ms. ] Thus hathe he toke his leve and ys gone.A-6784 To the dwarff sayd Ipomadon: A-6785 "I have made grette maystrye, [f. 299a.] A-6786
573
Gevyn away thy littill hors,A-6787 [6788 mak] om. ms.] But neuer the lesse mak þerof no fors, A-6788 A-6789

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For thow shalt haue this stede!A-6789 I praye the, thow be not stravnge, A-6790 I gyff the this for the better chavnge,A-6791 So god of hevyn me spede!"A-6792 The dwarffe was neuer ere so fayne:A-6793 "Damysell," he sayd to Imayne,A-6794 "Have ye not sene this dede? A-6795 That man was neuer vnder þe mone,A-6796 That more dowtly myghte have done!"A-6797 [6798 ys he of] om. ms. ] "Ye, syr, well worthe ys he of mede!"A-6798
574
"Hade ye langeare agayn hym drevyn,A-6799 We shuld wyth this knyght have strevyn A-6800 Right nowe, this ys no naye!A-6801 [6802 Them ms. ] Then shulde ye not this VII yereA-6802 Have done this message to the fere:A-6803 That wolde have greuyd vs aye!"A-6804 [6805 To] om. ms. say she ms. ] To the dwarffe heft sonys sayd sho: A-6805 "I se well, gyftes may mekyll doo,A-6806 Be hym, that all welde maye! . . . . . . . .A-6807 He was full lyght, be my thryfte,A-6808 This dare I savely saye!A-6809
575
Trowest thou, be any grett prowes A-6810 He brought the knyghte to this destres?A-6811 We nay, be god, syr, he!A-6812 He dyd it be his grette folyeA-6813 And nothyng be his chevalrye,A-6814 Therefore this wordes lett bee!" A-6815 Thee hette was well ouercome þanne, [f. 299b.] A-6816 Agayn vpon þer hors they nameA-6817 And forthe they rode all thre;A-6818 Att evyn till an inne they came,A-6819 Ipomadon harboryd at the same, A-6820 [6821 The m. drew all awaye ms.] The mayde, all awaye drew she.A-6821
576
The dwarffe hym seruyd to fote & hande,A-6822 Imayne was wrothe, I vnderstonde, A-6823 A-6824

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But therefore lett he novght.A-6824 Att morowe they rose & went þer way, A-6825 There thorowe a forest þer way laye,A-6826 The mayde rode in a thoughte.A-6827 Att hye pryme they fonde a well,A-6828 Joyefull was that damysell,A-6829 Downe fro her hors she sovghte; A-6830 The dwarffe pyght her pavelyone,A-6831 Wyne and bakyne venysoneA-6832 Before that berde he brought.A-6833
577
[6834 allytell ms. ] Ipomadon lyght a lytell her fro,A-6834 The dwarffe to his hors gan goo A-6835 And raynd hym to a bougheA-6836 And prayd the mayde wyth good will,A-6837 The knyght she wold calle here till;A-6838 The wyth she was wrothe inowgh:A-6839 [6840 bede ms. yole] olde ms. ] "I praye god, I bide neuer yole, A-6840 [6841 foule ms. ] That I to me shuld calle a foole!"A-6841 Ipomadon satte and lovgh;A-6842 [6843 well] danach inowgh, unr. ] He lykyd hur wordes full well,A-6843 [6844 He sayd damysell þat day hathe ben ms. ] He sayd: "Þat day hathe ben, damysell,A-6844 [6845 drewe ms. ] We fro youre dalentes drowgh, A-6845
578
But I ne wotte, what tyme ne where!"A-6846 Imayne to the dwarff sayd there: [f. 300a.] A-6847 "Now thou may here take hede,A-6848 How younde foole begynnythe to rave,A-6849 And yet thou wold, so god me save, A-6850 Ouer land I shuld hym lede!"A-6851 As they satte spekyng alther beste,A-6852 A knyght come rydyng thorowe the foreste,A-6853 [6854 Rydand ms. ] Syttand on a stede.A-6854 [6855 sayd ms. ] Imayne say and syghed sore A-6855 [6856 And th. on] That ms.] And thought on the tother day before,A-6856 How she hadde byn in drede. A-6857

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579
That knyght was cosyn to Mawgis,A-6858 He mekill hathe wonne of losse & priseA-6859 In Ynde and Palestyne; A-6860 He was Lyolyne suster sonne;A-6861 When he had Imayne fovne,A-6862 He sayd: "Dere leman myne,A-6863 Vppon your palffraye leppe ye,A-6864 [6865 you] om. ms. ] For to reward hathe you gevyn mee A-6865 My cossyn, syr Lyolyne!"A-6866 Thereffore had Magis be full wrothe,A-6867 For he had gyffner to them bothe:A-6868 [6869 tane ms. ] As fayre a gyfte they tyne.A-6869
580
Toward the foole gan she loke A-6870 And as an aspenleff she shoke,A-6871 She was so sore aferde.A-6872 "Syr," than quod Ipomadon,A-6873 [6874 forthe] o ü. d. z. nachgetr. they ms. ] "Goo forthe thy wey & lett hure goone,A-6874 [6875 weryd ms. ] Fro wyghtes I have here werde: A-6875 Be my faythe, thow getyste here nowght,A-6876 But yff it be wyth bofetes bovghte, [f. 300b.] A-6877 Thowȝe thou byght on thy berde!"A-6878 His eye on his sheld he casteA-6879 [6880 deynely ms. ] And sayd deyrnely at the laste: A-6880 "Syt still, thow foole moserd!"A-6881
581
"Ye, yff I be a foole," quod hee,A-6882 "The sadder shall my strokes bee,A-6883 Right sone þat maye ye witte!A-6884 A fooll wott neuer, where he shall stryke, A-6885 But euer more lay on thyke,A-6886 Where he may lyghttly hytte:A-6887 So grette god of heyvyn me spede,A-6888 The mayde away thou shalt not lede,A-6889 I do the well to wytte, A-6890 But yff thou her in werre may wyne!"A-6891 This battayle boldely to begynne,A-6892 [6893 knett ms.] A cowenaunte have they knytt. A-6893

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582
Ipomadon of his spere toke hedeA-6894 And lyghttly gatte vppon his stede, A-6895 In cautell kyst his shylde.A-6896 The knyghttes name was Greon,A-6897 A worthyer knyght, then he was one,A-6898 Nede neuer be sene in feld.A-6899 That tyme they wold no lengur byde, A-6900 [6901 ryde] goo ms. ] On werre to geddur gan they ryde,A-6901 So worthely they them welde.A-6902 These knyghttes, þat were conyng of craftes,A-6903 To shevers wente bothe þere shaftes;A-6904 Imayene satt and behelde. A-6905
583
Ipomadon smot hym wyth his spere,A-6906 [6907 geyre ms. ] Thurghe shylde and all his oþer gere, [f. 301a.] A-6907 [6908 thyy ms. ] A lyttill above the thee;A-6908 Thereffore was Greon wrothe inovgh,A-6909 A noble swerd oute he drowgh A-6910 And att his hedde lette flee;A-6911 In his hand hit turnyd wyth thatA-6912 And on his hedde hit fell all flatte,A-6913 Ellys hadde he slayne that fre.A-6914 Imayene had full mekyll care, A-6915 [6916 sore ms. ] When she saw hym smytte so sare,A-6916 Nere swovned that lady fre.A-6917
584
Ipomadon was not thyng payde,A-6918 [6919 stonyed ms. ] That he was so sore stonayd,A-6919 He drew his swerd that stovnde; A-6920 Soo wyghttly he weldes hym in his geyre,A-6921 [6922 smythe] danach of, unr.] That off he smythe syr Greon eyre;A-6922 Wyth that he fell to grounde:A-6923 "Longe have ye callyd me but a foole,A-6924 Leve syr, now, how lyke ye my skole? A-6925 I holde you wyghttly wounde.A-6926 Ye may be orderde, when ye wille:A-6927 Syr, have here my trowthe þer tille,A-6928 Thow arte shavyne rownde!" A-6929

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585
He bade the dwarff: "Go take the stede, A-6930 The maydons harnes there on to leede,A-6931 Thy somere hors thow hym make!"A-6932 A chylde wyth hym Greon hade,A-6933 [6934 abode ms. ] That in the woode syde hym abade,A-6934 Ryghte sorye for his sake; A-6935 He saw his mayster woundyd ille, [f. 301b.] A-6936 Another hors he brought hym till,A-6937 Vp they gan hym take.A-6938 Alofte wettly wondyd was hee,A-6939 Ipomadon sayd: "I hope, ye be A-6940 [6941 stroke ms. ] Ill stonyd off a strake!A-6941
586
[6942 ye g.] Egett ms. ] Att this tyme ye gett not Imayne,A-6942 To Lyolyne ryde home agayneA-6943 [6944 faylee ms. ] And say, wyth outen fayle:A-6944 [6945 he] ye ms. ] Ye, for ought, that he can doo, A-6945 To his weddyng come not shoA-6946 Wyth oute grette battayll!"A-6947 [6948 home ms. ] Wyth sorowe hertt he hyed hym hame,A-6948 [6949 Magis] danach a, ausgestr. ] As Magis had told, he told the same,A-6949 How a man cled in mayle A-6950 Had ouercome them bothe in fyghte:A-6951 "In all this world is non so wyghteA-6952 Ne so sekyr to assayle!"A-6953
587
Imayne att hur deynere sattA-6954 And grettely mervelayd was off þat, A-6955 [6956 he] om. ms. dovghtly, t ü. d. z. geschr. ms. ] That he had done so dovghtily;A-6956 [6957 is ms. ] Her hertte a littill bowed es:A-6957 "Hade it be done be worthynes,A-6958 He were grette thanke worthy;A-6959 There is no man fro hens to Roome, A-6960 [6961 doone ms.] Mighte have done better, be my doome,A-6961 Ne yett hens to Normandye;A-6962 And he ne were right mekyll of myghte,A-6963 He hadde neuer ouercome this knyghte;A-6964 I se full well there bye, A-6965

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588
In battell can he well endure [f. 302a.] A-6966 Bothe be witte and be mesure,A-6967 [6968 seall ms. ] So haue I happe or sell;A-6968 How so he farithe wyth folye,A-6969 His dedis byn off grette chevalrye, A-6970 Be god and sent Myghell!A-6971 There is a Ml. knyghttes of skole,A-6972 That holdes this man but a foleA-6973 Wyth in the land off Cesile,A-6974 [6975 fyndes ms. ] That Mallenger fedes wyth honoure, A-6975 Halff so strong be not in stowre,A-6976 Cowde not haue done so well!A-6977
589
[6978 there ms. ] For a fole they hold hym thare,A-6978 And pure foly is all his fare,A-6979 [6980 deueres ms. ] But bold is his dereynes; A-6980 [6981 gos ms. ] As fole he comys, as folle he gas;A-6981 As fole all his matters masse,A-6982 As a fole he hym demeynes:A-6983 As a fole he lawghis, as a fole he lyes,A-6984 As a fole he sittes, as a fole he rysis, A-6985 [6986 he cont.] is his covntenaunse ms. ] As a fole all way he covnteynes,A-6986 Be god & sent Myghell,A-6987 He fyghttes so worthely & so well,A-6988 I hope, he dothe but faynes!"A-6989
590
She bad the dwarrfe prevely: A-6990 "Goo, byd yound knyght come sit me by,A-6991 [6992 wyth us] ofte ms. ] Loke, yf hym lyste wyth us to dyne!A-6992 Sethe þou haste so faste for hym prayed,A-6993 [6994 me] the, unterpunktet und me übergeschr. ] Lett hym come, I hold me payde!"A-6994 There of they novghte tyne: A-6995 [6996 goos ms.] The dwarffe was glad & to hym he gaasA-6996 And herttly prayed hym he has, [f. 302b.] A-6997 To come and drynke a drawȝt of wyne:A-6998 "And ye shall dyne of the wylde,A-6999 And wyth you shall younde maydon mylde A-7000 Make a sufficiante fyne!" A-7001

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591
As he were halff wood, he faris,A-7002 And on the dwarff sternly he staris,A-7003 [7004 quakys ms. ] That for feyre he quake:A-7004 "Nay, I praye to god, I lesse my witte, A-7005 [7006 sett ms. ] By none suche rapokys will I sitt,A-7006 For all the fare, ye make!A-7007 For hyr prowde wordes tooA-7008 Now wott I well, she will me sloo,A-7009 Downe for I theme strake. A-7010 For all your trappyng & your trayne,A-7011 There wyth shull ye bothe agayneA-7012 The devyll off hell you take!"A-7013
592
Then had the dwarff sorow inovgh,A-7014 [7015 drowee ms. ] Sorofully agayne he drowe, A-7015 So sore aferde was hee.A-7016 [7017 deale ms. ] Imayn harde euery dele,A-7017 She sayd: "Syr, so haue I sell,A-7018 [7019 For] But ms. ] For thou trowest nouȝte meA-7019 Off the tale, that I the tolde, A-7020 Be the grette god, thy selff I holdA-7021 A more fole then hee!A-7022 Hit farythe by the, as dothe be moo:A-7023 [7024 not] om. ms. ] Ye know not, that ye here also,A-7024 Ye beleve not, that ye see! A-7025
593
Men makythe them folis, þat ar wyse,A-7026 [7027 lyethe ms. ] And witte them, þat non in lyese, [f. 303a.] A-7027 So fayreth of them playne!"A-7028 The dwarff was angurd soreA-7029 [7030 hym ms. ] And wrothely spake to hyr þerfore: A-7030 "Lett be thy fare, Imayne!A-7031 [7032 byn ms. ] In poynte of dethe we bothe hathe ben,A-7032 He hathe vs savyd, and þat is sene,A-7033 [7034 laye ms.] The sothe is not to layne!A-7034 To spere hym self dyd hym orde, A-7035 Off you he myghte gette neuer a wordeA-7036 For his godenes agayne! A-7037

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594
Syne the fyrste tyme, þat ye mett,A-7038 A mery word myght he non gett,A-7039 Thereffore, wyth outen fayle, A-7040 He, that seruys thanke aye,A-7041 May thynke well set, I darre well say,A-7042 [7043 travell ms. ] Att the laste his longe travayll.A-7043 Right as ye say, hit farithe be you,A-7044 [7045 rewe ms. ] That ye se, ye will not trowe: A-7045 [7046 mayle] a corr. aus? ] This myghtty man vnder mayle,A-7046 Full worthely wrought hathe hee,A-7047 And þerof ye will not knowe bee,A-7048 [7049 ayell ms. ] What so euer ye aylle!"A-7049
595
The dwarff mett to hym bare, A-7050 [7051 eg.] danach e, ausgestr. ] Full egurly he ettes there;A-7051 Imayne on hym can loke.A-7052 When they had dyned, forthe they rode,A-7053 Right as a fole, wyth outen bode,A-7054 Euer more his hedde he shoke. A-7055 Hit drew to the nyghte faste,A-7056 They saw a towne at the laste [f. 303b.] A-7057 Stondyng on the syde of a broke.A-7058 Hit was but a meane velage,A-7059 So littill was the harburage, A-7060 That both one inne they toke.A-7061
596
The inne was so streyte, for thyA-7062 They bothe mvst in a chambur lye;A-7063 Imayne grogyd noughte,A-7064 In her hertte she thynkes sone, A-7065 Ouer-mekyll amys has she done,A-7066 To amend it, she hathe thought.A-7067 [7068 deyle ms.] He put of his armore euery dele,A-7068 The dwarffe hym seruyd wonder-well,A-7069 A mantill to hym he broughte, A-7070 Blake wyth in and red wyth oute;A-7071 He wrapud hym worthely abowte,A-7072 That richely was iwroughte. A-7073

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597
[7074 shorte ms. ] Off sylke he hade one a serkeA-7074 [7075 worke ms. ] Wrought of a wondyr werke, A-7075 Sowyde bothe well & clene,A-7076 A kyrtyll and a crochett fyne. . . . . . . .A-7077 [7078 id.] dánach well, unr. ] Full wele idyght all bedene.A-7078 Imayne hym behyldes on the face:A-7079 A fayrer knyght, thanne he was, A-7080 Her thought, she hade not sene:A-7081 "Ys this a fole? Nay, certes, hee!A-7082 In hertte sore forthynkes mee,A-7083 [7084 strounge ms. ] So straunge that I have been!"A-7084
598
Imayne repentes, that she hathe done, A-7085 And in her hertte she thynkes sone,A-7086 To amend hit mekyll more.A-7087 A womon is bothe warre & wyse, [f. 304a.] A-7088 [7089 lythe ms. ] Grette loue & lykyng in them lyse,A-7089 Who lyste, to lere at there lore; A-7090 There they haue byn most straunge,A-7091 All att onys then will they chaunge,A-7092 Yff they be not sought ouer-sore,A-7093 And love twyse so herttly syne:A-7094 Godes dere blessyng and myne A-7095 Muste they have therefore!A-7096
599
Imayne sayd: "So haue I blis,A-7097 That I so mekill have done amys,A-7098 Sore forthynkes mee:A-7099 Syr, forgyff me, that I haue done ille, A-7100 And I shall amend me at your will,A-7101 Be god & be my lewte!"A-7102 [7103 in h.] om. ms. ] The dwarff was neuer so glad in hertte,A-7103 Then lyghttly vp he stertteA-7104 And sayd: "Syr, for charyte, A-7105 [7106 hend] fre ms.] As ye be curtayse knyght & hend,A-7106 Eysythe you and be this maydes frend,A-7107 That desyrythe hit off thee! A-7108

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600
And I shall be hyr borowe, syr,A-7109 That ye shall fynde no more in hyr A-7110 Forfettynge vnto yowe!"A-7111 Ipomadon this sewraunce tokeA-7112 And as a fole his hedde he shokeA-7113 And kest downe wyth the browe.A-7114 Syne they were to supper sett, A-7115 Imayne may not hyr hert lett,A-7116 In love to dure nowe.A-7117 [7118 The] Than ms. ] The more she lokes on þat knyght, [f. 304b.] A-7118 The more hyr loue is on hym lyȝte,A-7119 [7120 bowe ms. ] This is she fayne to vowe. A-7120
601
When they had suppud, they went to bede,A-7121 Imayne was so streytly stedeA-7122 And prykyd wyth a payne;A-7123 Trobelyng too and fro she lyes,A-7124 Waltryng on a woofull wyse; A-7125 All syghyng sayd Imayne:A-7126 [7127 it w.] waste ms. ] "In a sory tyme it wase,A-7127 [7128 I d. p.] she paste ms. ] Oute of the chambyre when I did pase;A-7128 The sothe is not to layne:A-7129 [7130 I] om. ms. ] So wyse, as I was holden þerin, A-7130 Off me my lady shall haue synne,A-7131 Gyff I come neuer agayne!A-7132 [How hit is, I can not wytte,A-7133 But well I wott as yet:A-7134 In faythe, I haue grette payne!] A-7135
602
Alas, folle, why seyste thou soo?A-7136 She is not cause off thy woo,A-7137 That to bewitt, iwys:A-7138 Yff she the sent on her message,A-7139 [7140 no] ü. d. z. nachgetr.] She bade the do no suche outerage, A-7140 Thy body to ly be his!A-7141 Thou haste thyne owne hert to constreyne,A-7142 The blame ys thyne owne, Imayne, . . . . . A-7143

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603
That love dothe the so mekyll payne,A-7144 Woundes wyth outen spere! A-7145 [7146 turmament ms. ] Nay, it is turment, as men tellis!A-7146 Hit is love—what is hit ellys?—A-7147 [7148 warre ms. ] That peas hathe turnyd to werre!"A-7148 Vp she ryses and downe she fallis, [f. 305a.] A-7149 And on love playnly she callys: A-7150 [7151 dene ms. ] 'Why doste thou me this dere?'A-7151
604
[7152 deall ms. ] I wyght the it neuer a dell,A-7152 Though my lady loue hyr lemon well,A-7153 That is so good a knyght,A-7154 When I thus wyth a fole is taked, A-7155 That among all lordes is lakydA-7156 For on so vnresnable a wyght!A-7157 Nay, be my faythe, he is no fole,A-7158 He is a noble knyght of skole,A-7159 [7160 wyth] om. ms. ] Who so hade sene hym wyth syght. A-7160 [7161 I] om. ms. ] Thowgh I allther wyseste be,A-7161 His manlynes and gret bewteA-7162 Makyth my loue on hym to lyght!A-7163
605
Ye, wheder it turne to well or woo,A-7164 To know his will, I will goo!" A-7165 Her mantell she toke her tille,A-7166 [7167 youde ms. ] To his beddes syde she yode,A-7167 [7168 there] stile ms. ] Anoþer while there she stodeA-7168 In a stody full stylle;A-7169 She sayd: "Alas, fole, what is thy þought? A-7170 [7171 the] me ms. ] In bale for euer thou haste the broughte,A-7171 This foly yf thow fullfyll!A-7172 But yf thou of þis foly blynne,A-7173 Imayne, thou shamest all thy kynne,A-7174 In faythe, than dos thou ille!" A-7175
606
Stille lay Ipomadon,A-7176 And, how she made þis mekill mone,A-7177 [7178 deyll ms.] He hard euery dell; A-7178 A-7179

Page 205

[7179 kepee ms. ] To hyr wordys he toke no kepeA-7179 And lay right, as he dyd slepe, [f. 305b.] A-7180 What she mend, he wyst full wele,A-7181 [7182 hathe ms. ] That love full sore hyr bovndyn hase;A-7182 [7183 gos ms. ] To his bedde syde she gasA-7183 Wyth sighyng and vncele;A-7184 [7185 drewe ms. ] Softely at his clothes she drowe A-7185 And sayd: "Syr, ye haue slept inowe,A-7186 Be god and sent Myghell!A-7187
607
A wake a while and speke wyth me!"A-7188 Grewosly vp starte heeA-7189 And sayd: "What devill art þou?" A-7190 In his mowthe her hande he gate,A-7191 Right as he wolde haue eyton þat;A-7192 "Mercy!" she cryed nowe,A-7193 "For love I maye not lengur layne,A-7194 And, sertes, it is Imayne, A-7195 That is comyn to you,A-7196 Off all, þat I haue done wyth ille,A-7197 To make amendes at your wille:A-7198 Trewly, ye may me trowe!A-7199
608
Syr, I am a dukes doughttur dere, A-7200 As grette a lady, as the fere,A-7201 But neuer the lesse for thy,A-7202 [7203 will] danach der ansatz zu w oder v, ausgestr. ] Love will lett me haue no peas:A-7203 Syr, after my faders dysseaceA-7204 [7205 dyssice, i verklext, ms. ] Off Burgayne ayre am I; A-7205 Lett this alone, and goo we theder,A-7206 Ye shall be lord off all togeddyre,A-7207 Bothe of bowre and bye!A-7208 [7209 rowe ms. ] I shall you make, so haue I ro,A-7209 [7210 she ms.] As grett a lord, as euer myghte sho, A-7210 I say yow securlye!"A-7211
609
Ipomadon stille lay [f. 306a.] A-7212 And hard all þat she wold saye; A-7213 A-7214

Page 206

That she had care, he wyste:A-7214 "Damysell, so god me save, A-7215 To morow thy leyser þou may haue,A-7216 [7217 is] om. ms. ] To say, what is thy lyste;A-7217 To nyght thou gettes no more of me,A-7218 Goo to thy bedde, I comaunde the,A-7219 And lett me haue my reste!" A-7220 A, littill comforte þou haste, Imayne!A-7221 Vnto hyr bedde she went agayne,A-7222 But no thynge slepe she lyst.A-7223
610
[7224 rose] say ms. ] At morow they rose & went þer way;A-7224 There way thorow a forest lay, A-7225 [7226 meroly ms. ] The fowlys song merely & swette.A-7226 [7227 grettes ms. ] Off love, that is the grettest payne,A-7227 Soo mekyll then had Imayne,A-7228 [7229 forgatte ms. ] Hyr dynere she forgette.A-7229 [7230 the] danach si, ausgestr. ] The dwarff sayd to the damysell: A-7230 [7231 sydes ms. ] "Here be syde is a fayre well,A-7231 And þere I red you sitte:A-7232 A morsell to dyne, I wold, ye had!"A-7233 There of was the maydon glad,A-7234 She lyght adowne on hyr fete. A-7235
611
By syd hyr lyght Ipomadon,A-7236 [7237 gone Imayne ms. ] To hym streyght is Imayne goneA-7237 And sett her hym be syde;A-7238 Bakone venysone & wyneA-7239 [7240 brought f.] om. ms. ] The dwarff before them brought ful fyne, A-7240 In erthe is not to hyde.A-7241 As they at þere dyner satt,A-7242 [7243 rydyng ms.] A knyght come prykyng after þat,A-7243 As faste, as he myghte ryde.A-7244 Whan he saw the mayden there, [f. 306b.] A-7245 So joyefull was he neuer yereA-7246 In all þis world so wyde. A-7247

Page 207

612
[7248 syces ms. ] Ofte sythes had he done his payne,A-7248 To praye his lord for Imayne,A-7249 That maydyn fayre & clere; A-7250 He graunte hym lyghtly, & so he mowȝte,A-7251 The thyng, þat neuer coste hym nouȝte,A-7252 A fayre thyng in forty yere;A-7253 [7254 cesayle ms. ] Duke he was of grett TesayleA-7254 And Lyolynes broþer, wyth outen fayle, A-7255 [7256 ley vnder ms. ] His name was Leyvnder.A-7256 He rydythe streyght to the wellA-7257 And sayd: "Dereworthy damysell,A-7258 Well be you foundyn here!A-7259
613
Leppis on youre palffray & comyþe wyth me, A-7260 [7261 Turssayle ms. ] The duchesse off Tessayle I shall make þe,A-7261 I have covetyd the longe!"A-7262 Ipomadon, wyth hardy hertteA-7263 Lyghttly vpon his stede he sterteA-7264 [7265 fals] om. ms. ] And sayd: "Syr, fals ye sang: A-7265 [7266 gyftes ms. ] Yff thou so large gyff thy gyfte,A-7266 Thou gettes nan here, be my thryfte,A-7267 Me thynkes, than dydyste thou wronge!"A-7268 The tother sayd: "What arte thou,A-7269 That so nycely answeris nowe? A-7270 Sitt doune, the devill the hange!A-7271
614
Hold thy peas!" quod Lyvnder,A-7272 "Or, fole, thow shalt abye full dereA-7273 Thy foley wordes fell!"A-7274 Ipomadon sayd: "Be my lewte, A-7275 The moste fole here hold I the,A-7276 I make that no counsell!" [f. 307a.] A-7277 [7278 on] om. ms. ] The knyght houys & lokes hym onA-7278 And wenys, he is in poynte to fonne;A-7279 [7280 seyle ms. ] He sayd: "So haue I sele, A-7280 Yf thou be the fole onwyse,A-7281 That skomfyght Cryon & Magis,A-7282 [7283 deale ms.] Wyth the I have to dele!" A-7283

Page 208

615
"Certes, syr, ye may asaye!"A-7284 In werre to geddyr ryde they, A-7285 To lett them, non they fynde.A-7286 Ipomadon through þe body hym bareA-7287 [7288 By hyde ms. ] Byhynde his bake a fote and more,A-7288 The hedde lokyd oute behynde:A-7289 "Off Imayne, syr, now may ye fayle, A-7290 [7291 Trussayle ms. ] To make hyr duchesse of Tessayle,A-7291 Though ye be wrathe as wynde!"A-7292 When they had dynyd, forthe they rode,A-7293 [7294 the] danach no, ausgestr. ] The knyght on the lond abodeA-7294 [7295 lyne ms. ] Dedde vnder the lynde. A-7295
616
A squyer had syr Leyvnder,A-7296 That made grett sorowe & ill chere,A-7297 And lyghttly to hym he soughte;A-7298 "Alas," he sayd, "woo is mee,A-7299 That euer I shuld leve after the!" A-7300 A bere he had to hym brought;A-7301 Lordynges, beleve, it was no noþer:A-7302 They bare hym vnto his broþer,A-7303 [7304 was] danach a, unr. mowthe ms. ] He was wroughte as he mowghte.A-7304 [7305 wery ms. euerchone ms. ] The knyghttes were sory euery chone, A-7305 That Lyvnder was so slone;A-7306 [7307 has th. w.] waste ms. ] They sayd: "Good syr, who has that wrought?"A-7307
617
"I wott neuer, so god me spede, [f. 307b.] A-7308 But to the place I can yow lede,A-7309 There he was levand laste: A-7310 A folelyche knyght had hym slayn,A-7311 That ledes a mayde, þat hat Imayne,A-7312 And forthe he is way is paste!"A-7313 Now Lyolyne sayd: "I wott well,A-7314 [7315 fers ms. ] That is the feres damysell: A-7315 [7316 his ms. ] I know, what is her caste.A-7316
618
[7317 byne ms.] In massage, I wot, þat she hathe beneA-7317 And wyth hyr bryngyth a knyght kene, A-7318 A-7319

Page 209

Wyth me to do this rayne;A-7319 As a fole he is dyghte, A-7320 But he is a man of mekyll myght,A-7321 The sothe is not to layne:A-7322 He skomfett Magis & Cryon,A-7323 And now he hathe my brothere slone . . . .A-7324
619
In peas ye lett hym goo & come: A-7325 I wold not for this towne,A-7326 [7327 my.] om. ms. ] That no man myschef to hym dyde,A-7327 [7328 bat.] om. ms. ] In feld or wee come & batayle have!"A-7328 Leyvnder they leyd in graveA-7329 And for his soule dyd byde . . . . . . . . A-7330
620
She paste thorow a derne stye,A-7331 Ipomadon folowes prevelye,A-7332 That was so curteys & kynde . . . . . .A-7333
621
Hit drew faste to the nyghte,A-7334 Wyth his swerd a logge he dyght, A-7335 For forthere myght they nought.A-7336 [7337 toke ms. ] The dwarff downe his harnes tasA-7337 [7338 made ms. ] And to eche of them a bede he masA-7338 Wyth the clothes, that he had brought.A-7339 Onarmyd was Ipomadon, [f. 308a.] A-7340 And syne to supper ar they goone;A-7341 Imayne no davnger thoughte,A-7342 But wonder-nere the knyȝte she satte,A-7343 Grette lyste of loue makys that,A-7344 Whiche in hyr herte was wroughte. A-7345
622
Love is so mekyll off myghte,A-7346 That it will davnte bothe kyng and knyght,A-7347 [7348 barone ms. ] Erle and bold barowne;A-7348 They, that wyseste is of witte,A-7349 Fro tyme they be takyne wyth it, A-7350 [7351 reasone ms.] Hit takythe fro them there reasowne.A-7351 Love may save, love may spille, A-7352 A-7353

Page 210

Love may do, what þat he will,A-7353 And turne all vp and downe.A-7354 After, when they suppud had A-7355 [7356 were] om. ms. ] And they were all blythe & glad,A-7356 To bedde they made them bovne.A-7357
623
[7358 Imaye ms. ] Imayne hadde so mekyll thought,A-7358 That, for sothe, slepe she ne movȝteA-7359 For wrythyng & for woo; A-7360 On her lessone she thynkes more,A-7361 That she lernyd on the nyght before,A-7362 When she was turmentyd soo.A-7363 [7364 her] om. ms. ] Her mantell eft she toke her tille;A-7364 Another tyme to witte his will, A-7365 She makys her redy, to goo.A-7366 Vp she rosse and downe she sitt,A-7367 She sayd: 'Alas', that euer she wyth hym mett:A-7368 "A, looffe, I praye the, hoo!A-7369
624
In faythe, Imayne, thou was a fole, A-7370 That euer this thou enterde in lovys skole, [f. 308b.] A-7371 This dare I savely saye;A-7372 Willfully thow lesis thy witte,A-7373 That euer thou shuld so medull wyth hyt,A-7374 Full sore the tyme banne thou maye! A-7375 As folis we mette, as folys we goo,A-7376 As folys we are bothe two,A-7377 And as folys we werke all wey;A-7378 [7379 were ms. ] Folys we are and folys we ware,A-7379 Foly is owre bothes fare!— A-7380 Be god of heyven, naye!A-7381
625
[7382 is ms.] It is no folye, love it es,A-7382 That bryngis me to this dystresse,A-7383 I darre it say hardely;A-7384 But I of love sum bravnche haue, A-7385 Hit will me bryng in to my grave,A-7386 I fele full wele ther bye! A-7387 A-7388

Page 211

Love workis me ouer-mekyll woo,A-7388 For love yf I my selff sloo,A-7389 The cause of my dethe am I; A-7390 [7391 a] no ms. ] To me it were a grette reprove,A-7391 Wyth outen swettnes off my loveA-7392 This sodenly to dye . . . . .A-7393
626
Then in his armys two;A-7394 [7395 the] om. ms. a styte ms. ] And yff he worove the as tyte, A-7395 The thare not, but thy selff, it witt,A-7396 Serttes, Imayne, noo!A-7397 But fro he wet it a woman be,A-7398 Thane I hope, right sone that weA-7399 That shall softely settyll soo!" A-7400 Forthe she goos and turnythe agayne,A-7401 And at the laste sittes hyr downe ImayneA-7402 His bedde a littill froo.A-7403
627
A lyttyll she tovchyd his face thore; [f. 309a.] A-7404 He lep vp as bryme, as any bore, A-7405 And drew his swerd so kene:A-7406 [7407 high ms. ] "Be hym, that weldyth heyven on hight,A-7407 What in erthe that euer there be wyght,A-7408 That dothe me all this tene,A-7409 [7410 tyght ms. ] But yff thou hygh the hens tyt, A-7410 Have here my trowthe, I shall smyteA-7411 Thy hedde off quyte & clene!"A-7412 The mone shone wonder-lyght,A-7413 Away went that byrde so bryght,A-7414 [7415 byne ms. ] As she there neuer hadde bene. A-7415
628
[7416 But so wyth love ledys Im. ms.] But so love delys wyth Imayne,A-7416 That nedes mvst she go ageyne,A-7417 Therfore yff she shuld dye,A-7418 But tovche she durst hym neuer more,A-7419 But sett hyr downe his bedde before A-7420 And mercy can hym crye:A-7421 "But yff thou wake & speke wyth me, A-7422 A-7423

Page 212

Dye I mvste for loue off thee,A-7423 I say the securlye!A-7424 My hertte ys euer in poynte to breke; A-7425 But yf ye softlye wyth me speke,A-7426 No lengur leve maye I!"A-7427
629
Ipomadon laye full still,A-7428 [7429 was] om. ms. ] He wyste full well, she was grevyd yll,A-7429 That lygaunce mvste she have: A-7430 "What art thow, for thy lewte,A-7431 [7432 turnamentes ms. ] That on this wyse turmentes me,A-7432 As god off heyvyne me save?"A-7433 "A, syr, hit is Imayne, [f. 309b.] A-7434 That for the suffers muche payne, A-7435 Nere hand in poynt to rave:A-7436 I love the so, wyth outen fayle,A-7437 That, yff I lesse my travayle,A-7438 I shall be layde in grave!A-7439
630
To Burgone turnethe agayn wyth me A-7440 And lett this grett battayle be,A-7441 I rede the, so mot I spede!A-7442 [7443 Calabre. ] It ys worthe two off Calaber,A-7443 My lande and me ye shall have, ser,A-7444 Wyth oute battayle or dede!" A-7445 Mekley he answers there two:A-7446 "Imayne, that may I not dooA-7447 For all this world to mede!A-7448 Am I not comen hedyr to fyght?A-7449 And yf I leve, I nolde so lyght, A-7450 Thy lady were in drede.A-7451
631
Then myght all men savely say,A-7452 That I for ferde were fled away,A-7453 That wold me shame & shende!A-7454 VII yere after, be thow bolde, A-7455 Thy selff wold me a coward holde,A-7456 [7457 tened ms.] When thou ovghte at me tende!" A-7457 A-7458

Page 213

"Nay, so haue I mede off masse,A-7458 I shall love you neuer the lasseA-7459 And be a faythefull frende!" A-7460 "Well, Imayne, syster, that were rewthe,A-7461 But I shulde swer the be my trovthe,A-7462 Fro this be broughte to ende,A-7463
632
And grette god will me þat grace geve,A-7464 After this jurnaye þat I may leve, [f. 310a.] A-7465 And I have don this fyghte,A-7466 And thou and she have ovght knoven me,A-7467 At your bothe willis will I be,A-7468 For ye will do but right!"A-7469 "Dere syr, may I truste there too?" A-7470 "Ye, here my hand, loo,A-7471 To hold, that I have hight!"A-7472 Twyse kyst hym Imayne,A-7473 And to hyr bede she gos agayne,A-7474 Well comfortyd of that knyght. A-7475
633
In the mornyng vp he rose,A-7476 Ipomadon to Ymayne goos,A-7477 The dwarrf he callyd hym till:A-7478 "Ye two shall ryde home to the fereA-7479 And I behynde will byde here!" A-7480 Thane lykyd Imayne ill.A-7481 "Say no more, when ye come thedyre,A-7482 But a fole folowyd you hydder:A-7483 'He grettes you well be skyll,A-7484 And yff hym lyste, fyght will he, A-7485 And yf hym lyste not, turne will he!'A-7486 For, sertes, so I wille!"A-7487
634
Wyth his sporris he strake his stede,A-7488 In to the foreste fro hem he yedeA-7489 [7490 cov.] logys ms.] And coverys hym wyth a bovgh, A-7490 Till he come to the ermytage,A-7491 There his mayster and his page, A-7492 A-7493

Page 214

They were wyth blis inowȝe.A-7493 Imayne rydythe whome to the fere,A-7494 They mett hyr wyth a symple chere, A-7495 Nothere no thyng they lovgh: [f. 310b.] A-7496 "What tydynges, Imayne?" "Madame, full yll!"A-7497 "Why, sendes myne eyme non helpe me till?"A-7498 [7499 theredyr ms. ] "Me rewys now, I thedyr drovgh!"A-7499
635
"How so, systure, I wott neuer!" A-7500 "That I there come, me rewys euer!"A-7501 [7502 swore ms. ] Be allmyghtty god she swere.A-7502 "It was told me yestur day,A-7503 A knyght come wyth you be the way,A-7504 That was off grett powere; A-7505 He skomfyght Mawgis & Greon,A-7506 And Leyvnder he hathe slone,A-7507 Lyolyne brothere dere!"A-7508 "Madame, II C. knyghttes I sawe,A-7509 And mo, I trowe, sett on a rowe A-7510 In the howse of Mellengere.A-7511
636
When I hadde off my battayle tolde,A-7512 [7513 answerd ms. ] Was non, a word that answere wold,A-7513 But an fole vnwyse;A-7514 He stert vp among them all, iwis, A-7515 He sayd, this battayle shuld be his,A-7516 Before this knyghttes off pryce;A-7517 [7518 thereon ms. ] Was there non, a word answerd þer till,A-7518 He folowed forthe ageyne my wille,A-7519 Ther no man was amys. A-7520 He skomfete by his grette foly,A-7521 And no thyng by his chevalrye,A-7522 Bothe Greon and Mawgis;A-7523
637
[7524 lyondyre ms.] Be foly he slow Lyondere!"A-7524 Then wept that fayre lady clere A-7525 For that knyght so bolde: [f. 311a.] A-7526 "Where ys he, Imayne?" "What wot I? A-7527 A-7528

Page 215

Madame, I saye yow securlye,A-7528 Att hym is littill holde:A-7529 [7530 lofte ms. ] In the forest he is lefte behynde, A-7530 [7531 twyned ms. ] And, sertes, when he fro vs twynde,A-7531 A nyce tale he vs tolde;A-7532 He bade: 'say to the fere, when ye come home,A-7533 [7534 comee ms. ] Say, a fole wyth you hedyr come,A-7534 That a thousande folde A-7535
638
Grette well that lady bryght,A-7536 And yff he lyke, than will he fyght,A-7537 And yff he wolle nott, he will fle'.A-7538 [7539 chevalre ms. ] What wordes were this off chevalrye?A-7539 Madame, I saye yow, sekerlye, A-7540 No nothere wyse helpe will hee!"A-7541 "Allas, it is wors, thane I wende:A-7542 Will my eme no socoure me sende?"A-7543 "No, lady, be my lewtee!"A-7544 "Me hade leuer a Ml. folde, A-7545 Have yene traytur or I sholde,A-7546 Goo drowne me in the see!"A-7547
639
She bade, her men shuld botes takeA-7548 And on the sesyde redy make,A-7549 That Lyolyne not it wyste: A-7550 "Put me forthe in to the flode,A-7551 [7552 gode] moste ms. ] Lett god, that ys of myghtes gode,A-7552 Do wyth me, what hym lyste!A-7553 He may send me lande and lythe,A-7554 So have I leuere a thousand sythe, A-7555 His mowthe, onys ore I it kyste.A-7556 Now wott I wele, so god me spede, [f. 311b.] A-7557 My love is dede, wyth outen drede:A-7558 [7559 barste ms.] A, hartte, when wilte thou breste?A-7559
640
Este and weste, northe and sowthe A-7560 This werre is in euery mannys mowthe,A-7561 As I here, be my hoode! A-7562 A-7563

Page 216

Hadde my leman byn alyve,A-7563 [7564 Here as ms. ] He had byn here, so mot I thryue,A-7564 [7565 youde ms. ] Or all this to havoke yode!" A-7565 A C. bottes, wyth outen fayle,A-7566 They stuffyd well wyth good vetaylle,A-7567 [7568 That yff ms. be stedde ms. ] Yff that hyr nede bestodde,A-7568 Men, that were of semblent sade,A-7569 Shuld her put, or he her had, A-7570 Forthe in to the flode.A-7571
641
After this the day was come,A-7572 That Lyolyne had þe battayle nomme;A-7573 He wold no lengur byde,A-7574 But made araye hym all in blacke, A-7575 [7576 colour] om. ms. ] A stede off the same colour he dyd take,A-7576 He taryd not that tyde,A-7577 Blake pendavnt, shyld & spere,A-7578 [7579 geyre ms. ] Blake was all his oþur gere,A-7579 He rydes hym forthe in pryde, A-7580 Before the towne, to saye his stede;A-7581 The lady of hym hade grette drede,A-7582 [7583 cryede ms. ] And lowde on hyr he cryde.A-7583
642
After this IpomadonA-7584 Calde his cosyne Egyon: A-7585 "Goo, loke be lyve!" he sayde;A-7586 "Hyde the wyth the grene woode tre, [f. 312a.] A-7587 Lyolyne till thou may see,A-7588 [7589 is] ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] Off what wysse he is araydeA-7589 And whethur he be blake or white: A-7590 [7591 lyte] lyght ms.] Come agayne & tell me lyte!"A-7591 There on his lyff he layde,A-7592 Egyone, forthe he went,A-7593 To do his maysteris comaundement;A-7594 Then were he well payde. A-7595
643
He hyde hym wyth the grene holyne,A-7596 And att the laste he see Lyolyne, A-7597 A-7598

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Rydyng vp and downeA-7598 Before the citte boldly,A-7599 As all had byn his owne for thy, A-7600 Castell, towre and towne.A-7601 The lady in a cornere stodeA-7602 And wept as faste, as she were wood,A-7603 [7604 facyone ms. ] That fayre was of facyowne;A-7604 Hit was grette dulle, sekyrlye, A-7605 To here that hedovs noyse & cryeA-7606 [7607 barone ms. ] Off burgays & barowne.A-7607
644
Wedovs wept, þat men myght rewe,A-7608 Wyffes and maydons chavngyd þer hewe,A-7609 Laydes there coloure caste A-7610 And sayd: "Yf we shuld sodaynly hereA-7611 Yelde vs to younde fendes fere,A-7612 For euer oure joye is paste!"A-7613 They cursyd Lyolyne euery chone.A-7614 Grette sorow had Egyone, A-7615 He hard men wepe so faste.A-7616 To his mayster hyed hee,A-7617 And as sone, as he hym see, [f. 312b.] A-7618 [7619 axte ms. ] Egyrly he hym aste:A-7619
645
"What tydynges?" quod Ipomadon; A-7620 "Full febull, syr!" quod Egyon,A-7621 Be myghttifull god he swore:A-7622 [7623 beginnt unr. mit einer grossen initiale. ] "Syr Lyolyne rides vp and downeA-7623 Boldely before the towne,A-7624 [7625 were ms. ] As all his owne wore: A-7625 [7626 denne ms. ] It is grette doll, to here þat dynne,A-7626 The hedovs noyse, they make wyth inne,A-7627 So ar they syghand sore.A-7628 The lady is in so grett dystresse,A-7629 [7630 es] was ms. ] That nere to yeld her in poynt she es: A-7630 [7631 were ms.] God forbede, it wore!"A-7631
646
"Egyon, saw thou Lyolyne?" A-7632 A-7633

Page 218

"Ye, syr, be the trovthe myne,A-7633 Well harnessyd in the feld!"A-7634 "How is he arayd?" "All in blake!" A-7635 "The same will I my selff take,A-7636 [7637 sheld and spere ms. ] Pendavnte, spere and sheld!"A-7637 Ipomadon sayd: "I worke wrange,A-7638 Here may I dwell no lange,A-7639 My leman may hur yelde!" A-7640 [7641 there ms. ] In blake he arayde hym thore:A-7641 "Glade shall I be neuer more,A-7642 [7643 wedde ms. ] Yf he hur to wyff welde!"A-7643
647
A blake spere takythe Ipomadon,A-7644 A blake stede he leppus vpon, A-7645 [7646 bydes ms. ] To long, he thynkes, he byde;A-7646 He comaundyd, all his men for thyA-7647 Shuld be hym nere prevely,A-7648 [7649 betydes ms. ] What happe so hym betyde.A-7649 As he bade, his men dyde, [f. 313a.] A-7650 In the woode they them hydde,A-7651 [7652 dyd r.] rydes ms. ] Hym selff frome them dyd ryde.A-7652 When they saw this knyght come,A-7653 Joyefull they were all & sum,A-7654 All men prayed god hym spede. A-7655
648
Wyste non, what he was, sertayne,A-7656 [7657 Imaye ms. ] Allone but the maydon Imayne,A-7657 She knew hym by his stede,A-7658 That he hadde wone of Lyonder,A-7659 But she wold not tell the fere, A-7660 The dwarff she gan forbede,A-7661 What he was, he shuld not tell;A-7662 The dwarff sayd: "Nay, damysell!"A-7663 [7664 hur] danach s, ausgestr.] Off hur he hade suche dredeA-7664 And wyste not, wyth oute dowte, A-7665 To tell his name covde he novght,A-7666 The sothe to say in dede. A-7667

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649
"Imayne," sayd the lady bright,A-7668 "Syster, younder is a semely knyght,A-7669 Right bygge of blode and bone: A-7670 This is the same, I trowe,A-7671 That yester day folowyd you,A-7672 [7673 one] thoo ms. ] But no fole semys hym one!"A-7673 "Nay, madame, it is not hee,A-7674 For he, be god and my lewte, A-7675 Suche armore hadde he none!"A-7676 Imayne was to blame therfore,A-7677 She made hyr lady morne the moreA-7678 And terys to wepe goode woone.A-7679
650
[7680 deyll ms. ] Imayne parcevyd euery dell, [f. 313b.] A-7680 [7681 was] danach s, ausgestr. ] That it was he, she wyst it wele,A-7681 Yet tolde she not the fere.A-7682 He made hym aray all in blake,A-7683 That she no hedde to hym shuld take,A-7684 For chavngyng off no chere . . . . . A-7685 That he wold kepe and say younde knyght:A-7686 Be his owne will he comythe to fyght,A-7687 Fro harmes to kepe the fere.A-7688
651
[7689 payne ms. ] Thow he sufferd neuer so muche pyne,A-7689 [7690 tayne ms. ] He was lothe, his love to tyne, A-7690 And therefore dyd he soo;A-7691 He was armyd in blake harnes,A-7692 [7693 was ms. ] As Lyolyne hym selff wesA-7693 Evyn fro tope to tow,A-7694 [7695 strafe ms. ] In feld to gedur when they drafe, A-7695 That she shuld no knowlege haue,A-7696 [7697 þere ms. ] Whedyr of them were here foo:A-7697 Hit wold ouer-mekill sorowe haue brede,A-7698 [7699 strayde stade ms.] And she sawe hym strayte stede,A-7699 He wyst, she wold be woo. A-7700
652
Full well Imayne knew þat dere,A-7701 But ȝet she wold not tell the fere, A-7702 A-7703

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She was to blame the more.A-7703 Lyolyne hovyd as still as stone,A-7704 To hym rydes Ipomadon, A-7705 As breme as any bore;A-7706 Lyolyne sayd: "Thou, syr knyght,A-7707 Art thou come, wyth me to fyghte?"A-7708 "Ya!" "That shall thou sorow full sore:A-7709 As I be kepte frome carys colde, [f. 314a.] A-7710 Euer more I will the holdeA-7711 [7712 before ms. ] The more fole þerfore!"A-7712
653
"What devill of hell reke I?" quod he,A-7713 [7714 tho ms. ] "The more fole thou holdest me,A-7714 The sorer shalt thou sowe!" A-7715 "Why, of my kynrede art þou novght?"A-7716 "No, be god, that all hathe wrought,A-7717 Now sayste thou sothe, I trowe:A-7718 I ame of hight and þou arte lowe!"A-7719 Lyolyne answerd to that sawe: A-7720 "Why, off what kynne art thou?"A-7721 "My fadyr was a kyng, I saye!"A-7722 "Arte thou a bastarde?" "I sey the, nay,A-7723 But what were that for you?"A-7724
654
"For I wold witte all bedene!" A-7725 "In faythe, my moder was a quene,A-7726 In spousehode borne was I!"A-7727 [7728 I] in ms. ] "Ser, where had þou þat stede, I see?"A-7728 "What devill off hell is þat for the?A-7729 How thynkes the there by?" A-7730 "He was my brothers, I dare lay!"A-7731 "In faythe, sothe is, þat thou saye!"A-7732 Than hade he grette envye:A-7733 [7734 ye ms.] "Ouercome ye hym?" "Sertes, yo,A-7734 But wyth o stroke, I saw no moo, A-7735 And kepe thy self for thy!"A-7736
655
"Why, what thynkes thou to do?" A-7737 A-7738

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Ipomadon sayd: "Sertes, loo,A-7738 Nowe sone, syr, witte mowe ye:A-7739 For, as the grete god me save, [f. 314b.] A-7740 Hym, that þou on settis, I thynke to haue,A-7741 Do way, for thy lewte!"A-7742 "Thynkes thou, to haue my nobull stede?"A-7743 "Ye, so god of hevyne me spede!"A-7744 "Thow dottyst, I trowe!" quod hee; A-7745 "Ouer-mekill ado shuld be thynne,A-7746 Or thou gettes this stede of myne;A-7747 In fayth, that will not be!A-7748
656
But one thyng shall I tell the, frend,A-7749 Home agayne I rede the wende A-7750 [7751 haste ms. ] Wyth that thou wonne hase;A-7751 For, be god and my lewte,A-7752 To sle the, it were grette pitte,A-7753 Thow art so fayre of face!A-7754 That thou hast wrought agayne skill, A-7755 Slayne my brothere & done so ille,A-7756 [7757 graunte] g corr. aus? ] Yet shall I graunte the grace:A-7757 Wette thou well, that þe fereA-7758 Hathe me louyd many a yere,A-7759 [7760 goos ms. ] For me vnglad she gaas! A-7760
657
Full oftesythes she hath sent me till,A-7761 That I shuld come & have my will!"A-7762 "In faythe, that beleve I novght:A-7763 She hade wel leuer, as I the tell,A-7764 Se the at the devill of hell!" A-7765 "A, man, what is thy thoughte?"A-7766 "I myghte haue hade her long or nowe,A-7767 [7768 nowe ms.] But well I wyll, she hold her vowe,A-7768 Therefore I hedyre soughte,A-7769 To loke, yf any man durste so bold be, A-7770 That wold come and fyght wyth mee, [f. 315a.] A-7771 In erthe that euer was wrovghte." A-7772

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658
"Therefor a fole hold I the, syr,A-7773 Yff thou be come, to fyght for hyr,A-7774 Thou art in poynte to rave!" A-7775 Ipomadon sayd: "Wele I fynde,A-7776 That many wordes wastes wynde,A-7777 Inowȝe of them I have:A-7778 [7779 hovyd ms. ] Ye have hovynd youndere, I see,A-7779 Well too C. knyghtes or thre, A-7780 And, syr, so god me save,A-7781 I am here al alonne:A-7782 What worship is to all yonne,A-7783 To bere me to my grave?A-7784
659
They will the helpe, yf þou haue nede, A-7785 And, syr, soo god of heyuen me spede,A-7786 That is no curtessye,A-7787 [7788 warre ms. ] For ofte ys sayd be wyse of werre:A-7788 Tow ageynst one man here,A-7789 There in lyethe no chevalrye!" A-7790 "Hangyd be I on a tree,A-7791 [7792 þe] me ms. ] Yff any man shall fyght wyth þeA-7792 Of all my men, but I!"A-7793 Wyth oute any more abodeA-7794 To his men be lyve he roode A-7795 And comaundyd them for thy:A-7796
660
[7797 ȝe] they ms. ] "Ageyne to the wood ȝe fare:A-7797 [7798 there ms. ] Vpon lyffe & lyme ye hold you thare,A-7798 [7799 I] danach falle, unterpunktet. ] Whedyr I fare well or ille!"A-7799 [7800 hym ms. ] His knyghttis dyd, as he hem badde, A-7800 To come ageyne, grette haste he hadde, [f. 315b.] A-7801 [7802 he] hym ms.] Ipomadon spekes he tille:A-7802 "I redde the, ryde forth to the towne!"A-7803 "I was neuer at thy byddyng bowneA-7804 Ne hope not yet, I will: A-7805 I say, syr, wyth outen fayle,A-7806 Thow gettes not hyr wyth outen battayle,A-7807 Eyrste shall thou fight thy fylle!" A-7808

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661
[7809 ranke ms. ] Then euery knyght toke þer renke,A-7809 [7810 The ms. ] They maydon no semblent to blente, A-7810 [7811 caste ms. ] There speres in fewtur they keste;A-7811 [7812 stra∣kes ms. grounde] borde ms. ] There stedes so strake them on the grounde,A-7812 There speris in sheldes rebowndeA-7813 And braste, there they were feste.A-7814 [7815 so] danach mekyll, ausgestr. ] Yff they were neuer so sekyr of mayle, A-7815 Hedes made them breke and fayle,A-7816 As wyttnes her be weste;A-7817 Thorowe all there harnes be þere sydeA-7818 Euyne bothe her sperys dyd glydeA-7819 And brake, that sure was fest. A-7820
662
Thowȝe they were neuer so strounge þat stounde,A-7821 Bothe they tombled on the grounde,A-7822 [7823 were ms. ] But nothere woondyd wore.A-7823 This knyghtes, that hardy were of herte,A-7824 Agayne vp on there stedes they sterte, A-7825 As bryme as any bore.A-7826 [7827 geddur ms. ] Wyth speris eftesonys they met to gaddyr,A-7827 There strokes made there stedes to stakyre,A-7828 So were they sad & sore;A-7829 There speris all to peces breste, A-7830 They swang to geddyrs at the laste . . . .A-7831
663
So manly they to gedyr fyghte,A-7832 That battayle to deskrye no man myȝte, [f. 316a.] A-7833 [7834 stokes ms. ] The strokes, that were them be twene;A-7834 [7835 flewe ms. ] The sparkels frome the helmes flowe A-7835 [7836 for ms. ] As fer, that lemys in lowe,A-7836 [7837 grene] grounde ms. ] They share the gresse on the grene;A-7837 [7838 theym ms. ] The folke sayd, that beheld them,A-7838 [7839 grette ms. ] A gretter fight be twayne menA-7839 Before was neuer seene; A-7840 Might no man vnder the heyvyn lyghtA-7841 [7842 fyght] be ms.] Know, whiche shuld the better fyght,A-7842 So bygge men bothe they bene. A-7843

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664
[7844 man ms. ] Lyolyne was a nobull mon,A-7844 He strykis to Ipomadon, A-7845 That on his helmet hit lyght;A-7846 Nerehand he made hym fall,A-7847 His stede stakyrd there wyth all,A-7848 Was he neuer so wyghte;A-7849 He was so stonyed in þat stounde, A-7850 On knes he knelyd on the grounde,A-7851 Imayne cryed lowde on highteA-7852 And sayd wyth many a sighand sore:A-7853 "Thou, that has made bothe lesse & more,A-7854 Kepe and save younde knyghte!" A-7855
665
[7856 axe ms. ] The fere Imayne can asse:A-7856 "Why, wot ye, syster, what he was?"A-7857 "I say you: nay, madame,A-7858 [7859 is ms. ] I wott neuer, what he es,A-7859 But younde strokes of dystresse A-7860 Makes my herte full tame!"A-7861 Imayne wyste well, it was hee,A-7862 [7863 fre] fere ms. ] That wold she not tell the fre,A-7863 [7864 blamee ms. ] The more she was to blame;A-7864 [7865 hym] om. ms. seff ms. ] To love hym hath hyr selff thought, [f. 316b.] A-7865 That, in trought, it avayles her nouȝte,A-7866 As god me kepe frome shame!A-7867
666
Full wele hard Ipomadone,A-7868 How they dyd make þis mekill moneA-7869 And to hym drewe hertte; A-7870 Be that his stede wyth myght & mayneA-7871 Haue gotton his myghte right wele agayne,A-7872 Vpon his fete he sterte;A-7873 Grevossly in agayne he gett,A-7874 [7875 hitt] storyde ms. ] And in that stowre so he hym hitt A-7875 [7876 smarte ms. ] Wyth sterne strokes and smerte,A-7876 All, that lokyd on, þought grette skathe:A-7877 [7878 bothe ms. ] Thorow helme & browe batheA-7878 [7879 garte ms.] The blod oute braste he gerte. A-7879

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667
Ipomadon was a nobull knyght A-7880 And mekyll he cowde of fyght,A-7881 [7882 the ms. ] He stroke tho Lyolyne,A-7882 A quarter of his helme away,A-7883 Downe by his shulders, sothe to sey,A-7884 The nakyd swerd youde inne; A-7885 But wold to god, it had gone nere,A-7886 I trowe, hit shuld a hit hym there;A-7887 [7888 blod ms. fynde ms. ] The blow he cowde not fyne,A-7888 Tille hit had clovyn his sadull in two,A-7889 And of his noble stede also A-7890 Insonder smote the chyne.A-7891
668
[7892 The ms. ] Tho fell Lyolyne to the grounde,A-7892 He stert vp lyghttly in that stoundeA-7893 And sawe his owne blode;A-7894 [7895 tane ms. ] A swerd in hand hathe he tone A-7895 And rennethe toward Ipomadon,A-7896 As he were nerehand wood. [f. 317a.] A-7897 Ipomadon saw hym so fareA-7898 And wyth his hors he hym downe bare,A-7899 Though he were neuer so wood. A-7900 Vp he starte bothe pale & wanne,A-7901 To Ipomadon his stede thaneA-7902 [7903 youde ms. ] Eygurly he yode.A-7903
669
Betwene two rybbis he smote his stede,A-7904 The swerd in to his body yede A-7905 Evyn to his hertte;A-7906 [7907 youde ms. ] There wyth all to grounde he yode;A-7907 Ipomadon saw his stedis blode,A-7908 Oute of his sadull he sterte,A-7909 He swore be god and be sent Myghell: A-7910 "My stede shall be venged well,A-7911 [7912 quarte ms. ] And god will gyf me querte!"A-7912 So strong betwene them was the stowre,A-7913 [7914 indewre ms. ] Hit was grette wondyr, they myȝt indowre,A-7914 [7915 smarte ms.] Bothe þer strokes were so smerte. A-7915

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The fyght betwene them was so long,A-7916 [7917 gan ms. ] A while to rest bothe they gangA-7917 [7918 the kenys ms. ] And on there swerdes they lenys;A-7918 Lyolyne crabbyd spekes nowe:A-7919 "Hye devyll, what fole art thou, A-7920 [7921 demenyste. ms. ] That this thy dedys demenys?A-7921 [7922 goste ms. ] As fole thou comyst & fole þou gas,A-7922 [7923 makyste ms. ] As a fole all thy matters mas,A-7923 [7924 conteynes ms. ] As a fole thou contenes!A-7924 Wyth me thou may not deyle for thy: A-7925 Where is so bold a body, as I,A-7926 [7927 raynes ms. ] In all the world þat regnes?A-7927
671
So worthy a knyght, as I am one,A-7928 I say to the, that þere ys none, [f. 317b.] A-7929 [7930 world ms. ] Wonnand in all this werd, A-7930 Off body grette, of lymmes lyghte,A-7931 That may thy selff say, syr knyght,A-7932 [7933 fard ms. ] Thow knowest, how I haue ferdA-7933 Wyth many a knyght in dyueres lond,A-7934 A Ml. haue I hewen wyth my hand, A-7935 [7936 harde ms. ] That neuer worde after herde.A-7936 [7937 them] om. ms. ] There is none of them, that maye,A-7937 And sone so will thy selff saye,A-7938 [7939 Fro] corr. aus For. harde ms. ] Fro thow my lawys haue herde.A-7939
672
[7940 fel.] above ms. ] And thou art littill man, felawe, A-7940 [7941 vnderstondythe ms.] And vnderstondyste no lawe,A-7941 As I be sauyd frome payne;A-7942 In warre thou art warre & wyseA-7943 And of bewte mekyll of price:A-7944 Thou aught to be full fayne, A-7945 To yeld the, while thou may leve,A-7946 All thy gylte I shall forgeveA-7947 And be thy frend agayne,A-7948 And to the Ynde, syr, come wyth me,A-7949 Thre good castels I shall geve the A-7950 And to thy wyff Imayne!" A-7951

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673
The other sayd: "So mot I thryve,A-7952 [7953 gyff ms. ] I will non of thy gyfft to wyfe,A-7953 Thy castells I defye;A-7954 I sent the neuer, for me to wowe, A-7955 I cowde gette me wyffes inowe,A-7956 And thow were hangyd hye!A-7957 Yff thow in wronge be neuer so wyght,A-7958 God is euer more wyth the right,A-7959 I say the securlye: A-7960 Thorowe helpe of hym, þat made the mone,A-7961 [7962 has] om. ms. ] That thow to younde lady has done,A-7962 Full dere thou shalt hit bye! [f. 318a.] A-7963
674
But, syr, wyth outyn othe to swere,A-7964 [7965 are ms. ] Me thynkes in my herte, ye ere A-7965 Right ille avysud off this,A-7966 That this dystrowys þis fayre contre,A-7967 And ye thynke to wyffe, þat louys not the,A-7968 Ne neuer more will, iwis:A-7969 Be my faythe, she louythe þe nought, A-7970 She made no fors, what werke she wrought,A-7971 Thy mowthe or she wold kys:A-7972 [7973 kynde ms. ] Yff thou were all the devill be kende,A-7973 Agayne the I shall hyr defende,A-7974 As I haue joye and blis!" A-7975
675
Lyolyne then for angur shakes,A-7976 His swerd in hande he takesA-7977 And coueryd hym wyth his sheld;A-7978 Full wrothe was thanne Ipomadon,A-7979 [7980 tane ms.] His geyre to hym has he tone, A-7980 Right well he cowde hit weld;A-7981 So hard they hewe on helmus bright,A-7982 The fyre flew oute as candyll lyght,A-7983 Folke houyd and behelde:A-7984 There wold noþere a foote frome thens, A-7985 So harde a sawte and grette defensA-7986 Was fowndyn in that feld. A-7987

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[7988 The ms. ] They crasse mayles thrugh þer caste,A-7988 Blode oute of there browes braste,A-7989 [7990 hewe ms. ] So harde on helmus they hewed; A-7990 They shevyrd shaftes & sondurde shyldes,A-7991 [7992 weldythe ms. ] The helmus, that they on hedde weldes,A-7992 [7993 strowed ms. ] As flowres in feld they strewed;A-7993 So freshely they faught at þat tyde,A-7994 The blod ranne downe on euery syde; A-7995 Then sayde bothe leryd and lewede,A-7996 There was neuer a better battayle sene; [f. 318b.] A-7997 To hym selff sayd Lyolyne:A-7998 [7999 shrewe ms. ] "This is a skornyng shrewed!"A-7999
677
A mastry he thought to make: A-8000 Ipomadon on helme he strake,A-8001 Away a quarter clene;A-8002 [8003 he k.] hedid ms. ] So well he kid hym in that werkeA-8003 [8004 shyrte ms. ] Thorow all his harnes by his serkeA-8004 The stroke went downe bedene; A-8005 On the arme he stroke hym to the bone,A-8006 But harme wyth inne hit dyd hym none:A-8007 Godes forbode, that it hade ben!A-8008 As god gaff hym grace that tyde,A-8009 [8010 be s.] om. ms. ] The swerd in his hand turnethe be syde, A-8010 Or els he had be slayne, I wene.A-8011
678
[8012 angred] danach was, unr. ] Ipomadone was angred sore,A-8012 He was as wode as any bore,A-8013 When he had sene his blode.A-8014 On the ring can he loke, A-8015 That his moder hym toke,A-8016 [8017 youde ms. ] To dede when she yode;A-8017 He towchyd the wounde wyth the ston,A-8018 Off bledyng was he stavnchyd sone,A-8019 So was the vertu good, A-8020 The knyght was wonder-glad for thy;A-8021 Lyolyne spekes full skornefullye:A-8022 [8023 in] om. ms. mede ms.] "How lykes you in your mode? A-8023

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Ye ar wyttly wondyd, I trowe;A-8024 That ye come her, sore rewis yowe: A-8025 Will ye haue any more?A-8026 Lokes on youre arme and rede þat letter!A-8027 [8028 hade] danach byn, unr. ] I trowe full well, ye hade betterA-8028 [8029 Haue byn ms. langere ms. ] Byn in peas langore!A-8029 Thus grevos worde now shall þou graunt A-8030 And to me yeld the creaunte, [f. 319a.] A-8031 Thowe thow were wode as bore:A-8032 But yet, in peas and thou wilt beA-8033 And yeld the, I will rewe on the;A-8034 [8035 were ms. ] To sle the, synne it wore! A-8035
680
Thow haste noþer myght ne mayne,A-8036 To fyght no more me ageyne,A-8037 [8038 wotte ms. ] Thy selff now well may witte!"A-8038 Ipomadon sayd: "In fayth, syr knyght,A-8039 For non, that I se here in sight, A-8040 [8041 yett ms. ] I will not yeld me yitt!A-8041 As grette god of heyven me save,A-8042 For any hurte yet, that I haue,A-8043 Shall stroke for stroke be hit!A-8044 Or I shall yeld me this to the, A-8045 Slayne in the feld fyrste shall I beA-8046 And onys for aye be quyte!"A-8047
681
Ipomadon grette wondur hadde,A-8048 That he shuld be so streyttly bestaddeA-8049 Wyth o man euery dell: A-8050 [8051 hard] danach as, durchgestr. byn ms.] So hard sayd as he hathe ben,A-8051 That o man shuld do hym þat teneA-8052 Wyth a swerd off stele.A-8053 He bethoughte hym on the fere,A-8054 How he had louyde hyr many a yere; A-8055 He sayd: "So haue I sele,A-8056 I slepe not, or it youlden bee!"A-8057 His swerd in hand grypus heeA-8058 And thynkythe, to venge hym well. A-8059

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Thowe he were sore woundyd, I wene, A-8060 That tyme hit was forgotton clene;A-8061 As a bere thane was he bowne.A-8062 His strokes was so sadde & many,A-8063 The tother wyst not, when he myght gyf any,A-8064 So thyke came they downe; [f. 319b.] A-8065 Lyolyne begynethe to chasseA-8066 Vp and downe in the place;A-8067 That sawe they in the towne.A-8068 [8069 bo] bothe ms. ] But when they had slayn the stedes bo,A-8069 Wyst no man, whiche was oþeres foo, A-8070 That made them all knele downe.A-8071
683
[8072 ys ms. ] But, neuer the lesse, Lyolyne esA-8072 A man off grett worthynesA-8073 And manly faught ageyne;A-8074 Bothe there strokes were so good, A-8075 The erthe quakyd, as they stode,A-8076 The sothe is not to layne.A-8077 Att the last Ipomadon wex kene,A-8078 He strykes to syr LyolyneA-8079 A stroke of muche mayne; A-8080 His helme he clave in two,A-8081 Thrugh hate & heryne pan alsoA-8082 He slave hym to the brayne.A-8083
684
"Long, syr, haue ye skornyd me,A-8084 The worste, I trowe, your owne bee, A-8085 [8086 be] ü. d. z. nachgetr. woundyde ms. ] For you be grettly wounde;A-8086 A monke ye may be, when ye will,A-8087 For ye be shavynne wile þer till,A-8088 [8089 crownyde ms.] And right wele be ye crownde:A-8089 Goo take youre abbyte on be tyme A-8090 And helpe to syng bothe oure & pryme,A-8091 For ye be shavyne rownde!A-8092 But, be god and my lewte,A-8093 In erthe ther is no leche so sle,A-8094 I hope, maye make you sownde!" A-8095

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685
"No, in faythe," quod Lyolyne,A-8096 "All the moste greffe is myne, [f. 320a.] A-8097 My owne witte I wyte;A-8098 Therefore my swerd I yeld to thee,A-8099 The fere and all this fayre contre, A-8100 Here I make me quyte.A-8101 [8102 You] Here ms. ] You now right wele may she holdA-8102 Wyth worshipe, and ye wowe her wold;A-8103 She myght haue grett delyte,A-8104 To loue you wyth all hure myght: A-8105 In erthe there is non suche a knyght!"A-8106 Wyth that he sonyd astyte.A-8107
686
When he had getton myght & mayn,A-8108 [8109 vp] home, unterpunktet und vp übergeschr. ] Whittly he gettes hym vp agayneA-8109 And syghyng hym besought, A-8110 On lyve he wold lette hym gooA-8111 And wyth hym haue his knyghttes also,A-8112 That he hadde thedyr brought:A-8113 "And on this swerd I shall the swere,A-8114 Neuer after this land to dere, A-8115 Be hym, that all hathe wrought!"A-8116 Ipomadon sayd: "Syr, I assent,A-8117 And leve me no thyng but thy tent:A-8118 Off thyne more kepe I noughte!"A-8119
687
There off was Lyolyne fayne, A-8120 To his men he went agayneA-8121 [8122 the] om. ms. ] And toke the shippus that tyde;A-8122 A myle wyth in the Grekes seeA-8123 Swythely thane sweltes hee,A-8124 The sothe is not to hyde. A-8125 [8126 fervin ms.] On felde hovyd Thalamewe,A-8126 Be tokyns well he hym knewe,A-8127 On foote he saw hym byde;A-8128 A good stede he brought hym tille,A-8129 Vp he lepe wyth egur wille, [f. 320b.] A-8130 To the tent gan he ryde. A-8131

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Thalamewe had byn oftyn þat dayA-8132 Glad & sorowe bothe, in faye,A-8133 For syghttes, that he had sene,A-8134 For they wyste neuer, whiche better was; A-8135 Oute off the citte durste no man passeA-8136 For the knyght, syr Lyolyne.A-8137 In to the tent when they sawe hym rydeA-8138 And no man trubled hym that tyde,A-8139 There herttes brest nere for tene; A-8140 [8141 A] a, nachträglich am anfange der zeile hinzugefügt. there ms. ] A blake baner forthe toke he thore,A-8141 [8142 went ms. ] And there wend both lesse & more,A-8142 It had ther enemye been.A-8143
689
He wold no lengur byde,A-8144 [8145 the] om. ms. ] To the wallys gan he ryde A-8145 And cryed lowde on hight:A-8146 "Haue done and dight you, damysell,A-8147 Now maye ye se your selff full well,A-8148 That Lyolyne ys wyght!A-8149 Wete ye well, I am hee, A-8150 To morowe in to Yndde ye shall wyth me,A-8151 For I haue slayne youre knyght!"A-8152 [8153 were ms. ] All that wyth in the citte wore,A-8153 Wrang there handes & sighed sore,A-8154 Bothe lordes & ladyes brighte. A-8155
690
Ipomadon thynkes aye,A-8156 Prevely to wynd his waye,A-8157 [8158 knowe ms. ] That no man shuld hym knawe,A-8158 For euermore in his hert he thought:A-8159 [8160 vowe] v corr. aus n. woyde ms. ] "Till her vowe corde I novght, A-8160 Therefore I will wythdrawe!"A-8161 Lordes hade care and many a knyght, [f. 321a.] A-8162 In sownyng fell that layde bright,A-8163 [8164 in] ü. d. z. nachgetr. awee ms.] So stode they in mekyll aweA-8164 Off hym, that made wyth oute the crye; A-8165 To god she playns hyr petteweslyeA-8166 Wyth many a syghyng sawe: A-8167

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"Wyth Lyolyne yf I gangeA-8168 And loos, that I haue louyd so longe,A-8169 That wold me lyke full ille; A-8170 Then myghte I sighe & savely saye,A-8171 That I haue louyd many a day,A-8172 Were I in poynt to spyll!"A-8173 [8174 she ms. ] To hir burges sayd sho:A-8174 "Syr, that shall I neuer doo, A-8175 Haue here my trowth þer till!A-8176 I se, it may no better bee:A-8177 Make vs redy to the see,A-8178 Lett god do, what he will!"A-8179
692
Barons & burges were full woo, A-8180 Wyffes, weddows & maydons alsoA-8181 [8182 woo ms. ] Wept, as they were woode;A-8182 [8183 heyre ms. ] As fast the lady drewe hir hare,A-8183 For here was þer moste care,A-8184 Wyth Imayne hard it stode. A-8185 Euery man made them redy fastA-8186 And sythen oute of the posturne pasteA-8187 [8188 ship.] danach past, ausgestr. youde ms. ] And to there shippus yode.A-8188 The lady sayd wyth sighyng sore:A-8189 "Have good day, Calabere, for euer more!" A-8190 She flettes forthe in the flode.A-8191
693
Ipomadon, wyth outen any abodeA-8192 Agayne to the tente he rodeA-8193 [8194 bors ms. ] And off his hors he lyght, [f. 321b.] A-8194 [8195 deyle ms. ] Caste of his harnes euery dele, A-8195 Went hym selff and coled hym wellA-8196 And his woundes dyght.A-8197 When he had eyton & slept inowe,A-8198 [8199 drewe ms.] His harnes agayne to hym he drowe,A-8199 Bothe shyld & armowre bright. A-8200 Ipomadon leve we thusA-8201 And turne agayne to Cabanus,A-8202 That was so good a knyght. A-8203

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The tyme Imayne in Cesille was,A-8204 [8205 aske ms. ] At Melengere helpe to asse, A-8205 [8206 were ms. ] Thow sum men better ware,A-8206 Cabanus, the sothe to saye,A-8207 Was an huntyng all þat dayA-8208 [8209 wist] om. ms. ] And wist not of that fare,A-8209 Tille at evyn, that he come home; A-8210 Knyghttes told hym, when he come,A-8211 How Imayn had byn thareA-8212 After helpe att Melyngere,A-8213 To fight for that lady clere,A-8214 That was of blis full bare. A-8215
695
They told hym all, how Imayne sayde,A-8216 That a sege to here was laydeA-8217 Vppon a grette araye,A-8218 And how Imayne prayed for a knyght,A-8219 To fyght wyth that cursyd wyght, A-8220 That wastythe that lady awaye:A-8221 "Off all oure knyghttes were there none,A-8222 [8223 non ms. ] There to a worde answerde on,A-8223 Be god, that moste best maye,A-8224 But a fole, that than come inne A-8225 [8226 dene ms. ] And stonyd all men wyth his dyne,A-8226 Before vs can he saye,A-8227
696
That he hadde gevyn vs all a fall, [f. 322a.] A-8228 Cabanus there wyth all,A-8229 And them there levyd on the playne, A-8230 [8231 Manestas ms. ] Segamus and Manestus,A-8231 [8232 this ms.] And, trewely, syr, that fole is thusA-8232 Folowyd forthe Imayne.A-8233 Hadde ye se, how he was arayde,A-8234 Ye wold haue byn the better payd, A-8235 That is not to layne!"A-8236 The knyght stode in a stody still;A-8237 He sayd: "I darre lay my lyff þer till,A-8238 It was the drewlerayne!" A-8239

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Cabanus, wyth sory chere A-8240 He knelys downe to MellengereA-8241 Wyth wrythyng & wyth woo:A-8242 "My nesse off Calabyre, that fre,A-8243 Glade ne blythe shall I neuer be,A-8244 [8245 turned ms. ] And she be turmented soo: A-8245 To reskewe hyr I wold be glade!"A-8246 Thereoff the kyng grette joye hadeA-8247 And grauntyd hym leve to goo.A-8248 That tyme wyth inne Cessyle landeA-8249 Was sone sembled to his hand A-8250 V C. knyghttes and moo.A-8251
698
Cabanus, the sothe to saye,A-8252 In to Calabyr toke the waye,A-8253 [8254 there ms. ] No lenger bydys he thare;A-8254 Ryally this knyght roode A-8255 Wyth shaftes and wyth shyldes brodeA-8256 [8257 brevy ms. ] And breny burnysshed bare.A-8257 This they come be the see,A-8258 They sawyn shippus grett plente,A-8259 [8260 sore ms. ] And women wepte full sare; A-8260 [8261 seme ms. ] In hertte they hade grette sorowe to some, [f. 322b.] A-8261 When they sawe so many come,A-8262 All they had muche care.A-8263
699
Downe in sownyng fell the fere,A-8264 Well wend that lady clere, A-8265 It had byn Lyolyne,A-8266 That hade hur waytyd on the waye,A-8267 Here men to sloo, the sothe to saye,A-8268 [8269 thene ms.] And to sett hyr selff thine.A-8269 "Dere god, as thou arte lorde off peas, A-8270 Shall neuer this grette sorowe seas,A-8271 That hathe so long byne myne?A-8272 I wende haue lefte all care behynde,A-8273 Ille I fle & worse I fynde,A-8274 My lyff now mvste me tyne! A-8275

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I wende haue flede dede fro,A-8276 Dethe me folowythe, where I goo:A-8277 A, lord, what care I fele!A-8278 [8279 Of] Wyth ms. take c.] to take ms. wyth] danach on wyth, unr. ] Of me take care: wyth sempull chereA-8279 Ayens you, good god, I made no dere, A-8280 [8281 euer idell ms. ] In you lyethe eueri dell;A-8281 Ye nede but byde, and it woll bee . . . . .A-8282 My cursyd pryde will me forfare,A-8283 [8284 more ms. ] I am worthy mekyll mare,A-8284 As I haue happe or sell!" A-8285
701
[8286 abode ms. ] Cabanus on the banke abadeA-8286 And harde the mornyng, þat they made,A-8287 He sayde: "So mote ye spede,A-8288 What are ye the schepys wyth inne,A-8289 [8290 denne ms. ] That makythe this grette noyse & dynne? A-8290 It semys, ye be in drede!"A-8291 [8292 chekes] danach blake, unterpunktet. ] The teyres hade made þer chekes wete,A-8292 The lady stode vppon her fete [f. 323a.] A-8293 And wepte, as she wolde wede:A-8294 "I am a sympull woman, syr, A-8295 That yester day owght Calaber;A-8296 To day I am in drede;A-8297
702
For all the lond, that there was myne,A-8298 Is now in hand of Lyolyne,A-8299 [8300 And I] As ms.] And I well a way the while!" A-8300 Cabanus sight and sayd: 'alas';A-8301 When he wyst, what the lady was,A-8302 Hym lyst but littill to smylle:A-8303 "Dere cosyne of blode," quod hee,A-8304 "Come to land and speke wyth me, A-8305 Drede you for no gile:A-8306 I am your cosyne Cabanus,A-8307 That for socoure comythe thusA-8308 Oute of the lande of Cesille!" A-8309

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703
Then was the lady fayne inowgh, A-8310 There bottis to the lande they drowe,A-8311 Wyth mekill mone they mette;A-8312 [8313 axe ms. ] Cabanus began to asse;A-8313 When she had told hym, how it was,A-8314 [8315 wete was ms. ] Bothe there chekys was wete: A-8315 "Syr, all Calaber, my lande,A-8316 Now Lyolyne hathe in his hande,A-8317 For no man wille he lette,A-8318 Where hym lyst to ryde or goo:A-8319 [8320 And] Am ms. frendy flemyd ms. ] And I am, frend, yflemyd therefro, A-8320 Neuer foote there I gette!A-8321
704
Wythe Imayne heder come a knyght,A-8322 That for me vndertoke the righte,A-8323 [8324 bore ms. ] As gryme as any bare; [f. 323b.] A-8324 [8325 not ms. ] But whens he was, wot we nought, A-8325 There was neuer man, more worthely wrought,A-8326 [8327 eere ms. ] Boore of woman aare;A-8327 In battayle was he styf and stronge,A-8328 [8329 Dweryng ms. ] Weryng wonder-well and longeA-8329 [8330 sore ms. ] Wyth sade strokis and sare; A-8330 All way dyd he well inovgh,A-8331 But Lyolyone at the last hym slovgh:A-8332 That kyndelyd all my care!"A-8333
705
[8334 kyd ms. ] Cabanus sayd: "So byd I yole,A-8334 I haue herd speke of a fole, A-8335 Be god and be my lewte,A-8336 That frome vs folowyd Imayne!"A-8337 "Syr, as I be sauyd fro payne,A-8338 That very same was hee!"A-8339 Cabanus sayde: "Be godes myght, A-8340 In all this world I know no knyghtA-8341 [8342 hye ms.] Vnder heyvyn so hee,A-8342 That cowthe couer hym so, sertayne,A-8343 But yf it were the drewlerayne!"A-8344 "In fayth, syr, well may be!" A-8345

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706
"That thynke I now, be my lewte,A-8346 And, sertenly, yff it were hee,A-8347 [8348 were ms. ] Me thynke, grette harme it ware,A-8348 For more worthely, than he wrought,A-8349 [8350 sought ms. ] Dyd neuer no knyght, as me thought, A-8350 [8351 eyre ms. ] Borne of any woman are!"A-8351 Cabanus sayd: "Lady dere,A-8352 Your selff shall abyde here,A-8353 No forther shall ye fare!A-8354 Wheder it turne to good or ille, A-8355 In faythe, to the feld go I will,A-8356 To here tydyngis thare! [f. 324a.] A-8357
707
My folke shall wyth you byde;A-8358 To Lyolyne my selff will ryde,A-8359 [8360 hathe ms. ] To witt, what right he hase, A-8360 Here to werke so muche woo!"A-8361 Off V C. knyghtes and mooA-8362 [8363 toke ms. ] But ten he wyth hym tas;A-8363 Oute of the thyke woode gan he pas,A-8364 In to the feld, where the battayle was, A-8365 He come wyth in shorte space.A-8366 Be thane was IpomadonA-8367 A well good stede lepte vppon,A-8368 [8369 goothe ms. ] Awaywarde faste he gaase.A-8369
708
He rode downe thurgh a depe valey, A-8370 For non shuld know hym, soth to saye,A-8371 But yett sayd Cabanus,A-8372 Till his ten knyght sayd he syne:A-8373 [8374 Sorys ms. ] "Serys, younder lyethe Lyolyne,A-8374 I wott well, it is thus! A-8375 Awayward faste hyed hee,A-8376 And yf he shall ouertakyn be,A-8377 [8378 vs bvs] we mvste ms. ] Spede vs faste vs bvs!"A-8378 Wyth sporys they stroke there stedis aright,A-8379 Cabanus cryed: "Howe, syr knyght, A-8380 [8381 us] me ms.] Abyde and speke withe us! A-8381

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709
Where were ye borne & in what contre?"A-8382 The tother sayd: "What is that for the?"A-8383 He made, as he was tene:A-8384 "Wett thou well, I am Lyolyne: A-8385 I maye ryde here, the londe is myne,A-8386 The fere and all bedene;A-8387 I wanne her wyth my hand right nowe; [f. 324b.] A-8388 But tell me lighttly, what art thou,A-8389 That spekis this wordis kene A-8390 [8391 this ms. ] And of my way dystrobelyst me thus?"A-8391 "In fayth, my name is CabanusA-8392 And many a day hathe bene!"A-8393
710
[8394 yee ms. ] "Arte thou Cabanus?" "I say the, yaa!"A-8394 [8395 goo ms. ] "Syr, forthe thy way I rede the gaa, A-8395 For drede off mornyng more!"A-8396 "Nay, be god, that made the mone,A-8397 Sore shalt thou by, that þou hast done,A-8398 Wyth sade strokys and sore!"A-8399 Ipomadon wiste full wele, A-8400 That Cabanus was bolde vnder stele,A-8401 [8402 wonder ms. ] And he was wonded sore:A-8402 "And he were as lyght in lythe & lymme,A-8403 [8404 I] danach was, unterpunktet. ] Or that I were beknowen wyth hym,A-8404 [8405 were ms. ] To fight well leuer me wore!" A-8405
711
Cabanus sayd: "Syr, we shall preve here,A-8406 That thou hade neuer right to the fere,A-8407 Nother be nyght nor day!"A-8408 Ipomadon saw, that nedys hym mvste;A-8409 He made hym redy to juste A-8410 Wythe all the myght, þat he may.A-8411 [8412 foyned ms.] Eythere knyght on othere foundeA-8412 Wythe sperys, that were sharpe grovnde,A-8413 The sertayne sothe to saye.A-8414 There shaftis sheverd hevyn wyth that, A-8415 But stone-stille in there sadyll they satte,A-8416 So bygge men were they. A-8417

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Ipomadon was wovndyd sore,A-8418 Yett thowȝe he neuer so wery were,A-8419 [8420 that] danach of, unr. ] No thynge, that hym sterde, [f. 325a.] A-8420 [8421 eerthe] das zweite e mit dunklerer tinte geschr. ] In eerthe there myght non better be;A-8421 Then he hade wyth hym knyghtis thre,A-8422 [8423 fovrthe ms. ] Hym selff was the ferde.A-8423 Cabanus hade knyghttis X,A-8424 [8425 thanne ms. ] The elewenthe was hym self thenne, A-8425 And euery man drew his swerd.A-8426 Ipomadons knyghttes, wyth oute les,A-8427 Echone his felowe chesA-8428 And bare them to the erthe.A-8429
713
To them presud other moo, A-8430 And of Ipomadons knyghttis thooA-8431 Two was smerttly slayne;A-8432 Thanne was hym selff nere-hande woode,A-8433 Fowre of Cabanus knyghttis goodeA-8434 He claffe in to the brayne; A-8435 [8436 fyrste ms. ] The fyfte in to the forhedde stroke he so,A-8436 That to the grounde he made hym goo,A-8437 And sithe he ros agayne;A-8438 A swerd in hand he grypus thanA-8439 And to Ipomadons stede he ranne, A-8440 Bothe wyth myght and mayne.A-8441
714
He smot his stede, that was so wyght;A-8442 Ipomadon, on his foote he lyght,A-8443 Fighttyng wonder-faste;A-8444 [8445 were ms. ] Thow he neuer so wery wore, A-8445 His strokis were so sade & sore,A-8446 That blode, through mayle itt brast.A-8447 [8448 ben ms.] That in the stowre before hade bynA-8448 So harde bestadde wyth Lyolyne,A-8449 Wonder it was, that he myght last; A-8450 Ipomadon wyth hardy herte [f. 325b.] A-8451 Ouer a dyke fro them he sterte;A-8452 To rest hym, was his caste. A-8453

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[8454 anoke ms. ] He lenyd his bake till an okeA-8454 And gaff many a sory stroke, A-8455 That all had of hym dowght;A-8456 [8457 slayne ms. ] His thre knyghttis were thane slone,A-8457 All they presud to Ipomadon,A-8458 They weryd hym abowte;A-8459 And he had not be woundyd so sore, A-8460 He had them skomfete thore,A-8461 All that riall rowte . . . . . . . . . .A-8462
716
Helme & shyld he hewis in sounderA-8463 And othere harnes, that was þer vnder,A-8464 [8465 are] before ms. ] That right sekyr was are, A-8465 Was there neuer knyght, sethe this world began,A-8466 I trowe, that more worshipe wanne,A-8467 [8468 were ms. ] Werry yff that he ware.A-8468 [8469 smote ms. ] At the laste one away smateA-8469 [8470 of] danach the, ausgestr. ] The halfe of his glove of plate A-8470 And made his hande all bare;A-8471 [8472 ringe] danach of, ausgestr. ] A ringe on his fyngur shone,A-8472 [8473 Cab.] danach on, verklext. ] Cabanus lokyd on the stone,A-8473 [8474 sore ms.] He syghyd wonder-sare.A-8474
717
When Cabanus the ring sawe, A-8475 Hym thought, he shuld it knowe,A-8476 A littill he drew abake;A-8477 He comaundyd his men for thy,A-8478 They shuld them wythdraw a party,A-8479 And to the knyght he spake, A-8480 He sayd: "Syr, for thy lewte,A-8481 Abyde a while and speke wyth me,A-8482 For thow arte not to lake: [f. 326a.] A-8483 As thou be sauyd be heyven kyng,A-8484 On what wyse come thou to þat ring? A-8485 But to no greffe ye it take!"A-8486
718
When he hard hym speke of the ring,A-8487 Ipomadon, in a stodeynge A-8488 A-8489

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A long while he stode.A-8489 Wordis in his hert ranne, A-8490 That his moder had spokyn before þanne,A-8491 [8492 youde ms. ] To dethe when she yode,A-8492 What man dothe this ring know,A-8493 He shuld be his brother trowe;A-8494 [8495 menchyde ms. ] That grettly mengyde his mode. A-8495 Cabanus grette hast hadde,A-8496 To aske hym more, he was gladd;A-8497 He sayd: "Syr, for the love of god,A-8498
719
I aske the not for no reprove,A-8499 But for her sake, that ye best love, A-8500 What so euere she bee,A-8501 As where ye had that ring & howe:A-8502 I haue knowen hit or nowe,A-8503 Be aught, that I gan see!"A-8504 Ipomadon hard hym all in haste A-8505 [8506 moste ms. ] Speke of that thyng, þat he covytte maste,A-8506 [8507 lye ms. ] And he was lothe to lee,A-8507 [8508 To] om. ms. ] To the tother sayd: "Be this day,A-8508 Synne I shall the sothe saye,A-8509 My moder, she gaff hit mee!" A-8510
720
"Who was your moder, for your lewte?"A-8511 "The quene of Poyle, in faythe," quod hee,A-8512 [8513 counsayle ms. ] "I make hit no counsele!"A-8513 "And sayd she you ought, so god you save?"A-8514 "Ye, that I shuld a brother haue, [f. 326b.] A-8515 [8516 lele] a lye ms. ] I trowe that tale be lele!"A-8516 "But, sir, be the trought of thyne,A-8517 [8518 Saye] a ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Saye me, arte thou aught Lyolyne?"A-8518 "Nay, so haue I happe or selle!A-8519 I kepe no lengyr to layne wyth you: A-8520 I feld and skoumfett hym right nowe,A-8521 That wyth hym was moche to dell!"A-8522
721
"Dere syr," quod Cabanus, A-8523 A-8524

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"Tell me muche more ye bus,A-8524 In what lond was ye borne?" A-8525 Whens ye come & whedyr ye shall,A-8526 I praye you, good syr, tell me all:A-8527 Where haue ye dwellyd beforne?"A-8528 [8529 all ms. axe ms. ] "Syr, synne, als þou the sothe will asse,A-8529 The kyngis sone of Poylle I was, A-8530 That had grett welthe of corne;A-8531 Syn come I heder, so haue I sell,A-8532 To serve younde worthy damysell,A-8533 And there had I many a skorne!A-8534
722
[8535 me ms. drewe ms. ] When men to dede of armus drough, A-8535 I went to the grene wood bovgh,A-8536 [8537 were ms. ] A huntere as I ware;A-8537 Lordis and ladyes, lesse & more,A-8538 To skorne lowde loughe they me þerfore,A-8539 [8540 moree ms. ] My joye was mekill the mare. A-8540 Off a wowe I hard hyr speke,A-8541 That wold I nought, she shuld it breke,A-8542 That made me fro her fare.A-8543 Synne I dwellyd wyth your eyme, þe kyng,A-8544 [8545 younge ms. ] And seruyd the quene, my lady yinge; A-8545 [8546 there ms. ] That tyme I sawe you thare.A-8546
723
[8547 justy ms. ] Sethe just y here dayes thre,A-8547 In white, in rede, in blacke, parde, [f. 327a.] A-8548 I trowe, this knowe ye well!A-8549 [8550 went] danach ma, ausgestr. ] The thryd nyght I went my waye, A-8550 [8551 wan] corr. aus wene. ] And that I wan, the sothe to saye,A-8551 [8552 deall ms. ] I sent you euery dell;A-8552 Yf ye be aught avysyd of this?"A-8553 [8554 yees ms. ] "Sertes," Cabanus sayd, "yiis,A-8554 For me thynkis, yet I fele A-8555 Your strokis, that were bothe sade & sore,A-8556 [8557 there ms.] That I my selff that tyme was thore,A-8557 I know it, so haue I sell!" A-8558

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724
[8559 monethe] o corr. aus i. ] This twelffe monethe oute wyth spere & lawnseA-8559 I haue byn wythe the kyng of Fraunce, A-8560 [8561 kene] kynge ms. ] Catryus the kene;A-8561 There herde I tell all to gedder,A-8562 How she was bestadde, & I come hederA-8563 And haue slayne Lyolyne;A-8564 And euer more in my hert I thought, A-8565 To hyr vowe I corded nowghte,A-8566 Away I wold haue ben;A-8567 [8568 right] g corr. aus? ] Now am I spyed, right well I se,A-8568 And that sore forthynkes me,A-8569 My hertt nere brast for tene. A-8570
725
[8571 tynee ms. ] A longe tyme haue I louyd the fre,A-8571 And so, I trowe, she hathe done mee,A-8572 For no thyng wold she wette!A-8573 Syre, younde blythe of blode & bone,A-8574 Tille thre yere was comyn & gone, A-8575 I was hyr straunge valett!A-8576 I kepe no lengur to layne:A-8577 Syne I was the drewlerayne,A-8578 [8579 Yet ms. ] Ye wott, onys when we mett;A-8579 And as a fole now haue I been, [f. 327b.] A-8580 For no thyng ellys, wyth outen wene,A-8581 But the deroye to gette."A-8582
726
"Telle me, syr, what is your name?"A-8583 [8584 outen] danach j, ausgestr. ] "Ipomadon, wyth outen blame,A-8584 [8585 wronge ms. ] That no man hathe done wrangur!" A-8585 "Is this Ipomadon, my brother?"A-8586 "I trowe full well, it be non nothere,A-8587 [8588 lengur ms. ] I kepe hit to layne no langur!"A-8588 "Alas, brother," quod Cabanus,A-8589 "Why haue ye fare wyth vs thus? A-8590 [8591 strengere ms.] In stowre were neuer non strangere!A-8591 Be grette god, that owethe this day,A-8592 Had ye this wyse gone awaye,A-8593 It wold a wrought grette angure! A-8594

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727
Why, dere brother Ipomadon, A-8595 [8596 thou] om. ms. ] That thou thus prevely wold haue goone,A-8596 Grettly mervels mee:A-8597 [8598 eyre ms. ] Was neuer man borne of woman ere,A-8598 [8599 worde ms. ] Me thynkis, that bettur worthy were,A-8599 To haue younde bright of ble!" A-8600 [8601 Ip.] Cabanus ms. ] Ipomadon sayd wyth lawynge chere:A-8601 "Welcome be you, brother dere,A-8602 Be god and be my lewte!"A-8603 Then were they bothe glad & blythe,A-8604 [8605 to ms. ] Eyther toke other in armys swythe, A-8605 Hit was grette joye to see.A-8606
728
Be the ring of grette valeweA-8607 For brether ayther oþer knewe,A-8608 Her swerdes fell frome tham thane;A-8609 More joye was neuer eyre sene, A-8610 Then was the two brethryne betwene,A-8611 Syn gode this world began.A-8612 This herde & sawe syr Prynsyus, [f. 328a.] A-8613 One of the knyghttis of Cabanus,A-8614 And to a stede he ranne; A-8615 [8616 gan p.] paste ms. ] Thrugh the thyke wode he gan pas,A-8616 And to the lady, there she was,A-8617 Lyghttly he hym wanne.A-8618
729
The lady was full sore agaste.A-8619 When she sawe hym come so faste, A-8620 She hade mekyll drede:A-8621 "Lordynges, younder comythe a knyght,A-8622 That semys wele, he hath takyn flyght,A-8623 He hyes hym a grette spede!A-8624 [8625 this ms. ] I wotte well trewly, it is thus, A-8625 Slayne is my cosyne Cabanus!"A-8626 [8627 wold w.] woode were ms.] She wepte as she wold wede;A-8627 "Lordes and knyghttes, armes you,A-8628 Your mayster to socovre nowe,A-8629 As god of hevyne me spede! A-8630

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730
And he be slayne for my sake,A-8631 Here to god a vowe I make,A-8632 [8633 hye ms. ] That weldythe heyven on hee:A-8633 I shall neuer ette of lyues foodeA-8634 Ne drynke, that shall do me good, A-8635 But drowne me in the see!"A-8636 Euery man made hym redy thus;A-8637 Be then was comyn syr PryncyousA-8638 And knelys downe on his kne.A-8639 "What tydyngis?" quod that lady bright; A-8640 He sayd: "Madame, be goddis myghte,A-8641 There may no better bee!A-8642
731
Gladder tydynges, as I trowe,A-8643 Was neuer in this world brought youA-8644 [8645 here ms. ] Ne to no lady hore!" A-8645 "Then is dede syr Lyolyne?" [f. 328b.] A-8646 "Ye, lady, be trouthe myne,A-8647 He shall noye ye no more!"A-8648 "And lyves my cosyn Cabanus?"A-8649 [8650 Percyvs ms. ] "Ye, madame!" quod Pryncyvs, A-8650 [8651 were ms. ] "And ellis grette rewth it wore!"A-8651 "Now, dere syr, who hathe done þat dede?"A-8652 "He was, madame, so god me spede,A-8653 [8654 there ms. ] Slayne, or we come thore!"A-8654
732
[8655 slo ms. ] "Witt any man, who hym slow?" A-8655 [8656 Yee] danach a, ausgestr. ] "Yee, madame, well inowe,A-8656 Be god & be my lewte:A-8657 One of the preveyst knyght,A-8658 That euer was borne, be day or nyght;A-8659 When he had slayne that sle, A-8660 Awaywarde he hyed hym fast!"A-8661 Shee thought and trymblyd at þe last,A-8662 More prevely done hathe he;A-8663 She sayd wyth many a sighyng sore:A-8664 [8665 lemen were ms.] "Imayne, & yf that my lemon wore, A-8665 Lorde god, wele were mee! A-8666

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733
But, dere syr," quod the lady thanne,A-8667 "Telle me, yf thou can,A-8668 Whens come he, wot ye aught?"A-8669 [8670 He] davor Th, unterpunktet. ] "He is the kyngis sone of Poyle, A-8670 He traveld hathe thorowe many a soyle,A-8671 For your love aventurs sought:A-8672 [8673 heyre ms. ] For your love he made kytte his here,A-8673 [8674 fole] danach in, unr. ] For your love he made hym fole euery where,A-8674 For your love grette wonder wrought, A-8675 For your love hathe sufferd payneA-8676 And for your love Lyolyne hathe slayneA-8677 And to the grounde hym brought. [f. 329a.] A-8678
734
All your frendship myght be glade,A-8679 To wyffe and he you weddyd had, A-8680 For suche on is there none;A-8681 The blake baner hathe brought you blis!"A-8682 "O, what is his name?" "Madame, iwis,A-8683 He hight Ipomadone!A-8684 [8685 to knowen ms. ] He was so lothe, knowen to be, A-8685 That fought wyth vs all hath he,A-8686 [8687 slayne ms. ] Fowre of oure knyghttes slone;A-8687 He had made vs all to rewe,A-8688 But Cabanus be a ring hym knew,A-8689 [8690 mode ms. ] That mendyd bothe there mone." A-8690
735
[8691 is ms. sayd ms. ] "And is he saht to Cabanus?"A-8691 "Ye, madame," quod Pryncyous,A-8692 "Be god and be my lewte,A-8693 Was neuer two borne of woman yare,A-8694 [8695 done ms. ] To my dome, that louyd more, A-8695 Gladder thane may non bee,A-8696 Brother were they, when they mett.A-8697 [8698 was] om. ms. ] Madame, he was your straung valett,A-8698 Then goone is yeris thre,A-8699 [8700 drew leryne ms.] And thanne he was the drewlerayne!" A-8700 "Yes, I am loveles," quod Imayne,A-8701 "Be oughte, that I can see! A-8702

Page 248

736
[8703 Ya] a corr. aus e. ] Ya, no fors, so god me save,A-8703 She is more worthy, hym to haue,A-8704 Then euer were ye, Imayne! A-8705 For her love he hathe suffyrd woo,A-8706 And, sertus, she for hym also,A-8707 Bothe they hadde full mekyll payne.A-8708 A full nobull knyght is hee,A-8709 Blythe they may now bothe bee, A-8710 The sothe is not to layne! [f. 329b.] A-8711 Imayne, littill to do thou hadde,A-8712 This endurs day when thou badde,A-8713 So frowardely torne agayne!A-8714
737
[8715 me] hem ms. ] All when he folowyd me, A-8715 I cowde neuer wit, þat it was he,A-8716 Soo wonderly he wrought!A-8717 Madame, now dare I savely swere,A-8718 [8719 are ms. ] That mekyll beholdyne to god ye ere:A-8719 He sendythe you, that ye haue sought; A-8720 You now right wele may you holde!"A-8721 "Ya, Imayne, suster, hade I that bolde,A-8722 Of no thyng ellys I ravght!A-8723 God graunte, if that his will be,A-8724 That he will not forsake mee, A-8725 Whiche made vs bothe of nought!"A-8726
738
When Ipomadon and CabanusA-8727 [8728 þis ms. ] There fille to geddyr hade spokyne pus,A-8728 Vppon there steddis lepte they;A-8729 [8730 froth ms. ] To geddur lawȝing forth they rode; A-8730 To Cander, wythe oute bode,A-8731 They toke the redy waye.A-8732 When they were come in to the citte,A-8733 They sent after the bright of ble;A-8734 She come in good araye. A-8735 He spendithe well his long travayle,A-8736 That at the laste, wyth outen fayle,A-8737 [8738 mayee ms.] His love gette maye! A-8738

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739
[8739 youde ms. ] The fere in to the citte yede;A-8739 Ipomadon, when she come, toke hede A-8740 And met hyr curtesly;A-8741 The lady he full goodely grete,A-8742 Wyth kyssynge to geddyr ar they mett,A-8743 [8744 yree ms. ] They tremblyd bothe for gree,A-8744 As lovers maners hathe bene, [f. 330a.] A-8745 That long while no noþer hathe sene,A-8746 Ye maye well witt there by:A-8747 Wyth myrthe they ar mett ageyne,A-8748 There herttes will quake bothe for fayneA-8749 Be way off drewry. A-8750
740
A long while no worde he spake,A-8751 Bott at the last they both out brake,A-8752 [8753 wrothe ms. ] Thowȝ they were neuer so wrathe:A-8753 "God save you, damysell!" quod hee;A-8754 She sayd: "Syr, welcome mot ye be!" A-8755 [8756 The ms. bothe ms. ] Ther herttes quakyd bathe.A-8756 All the cowrte was full fayne,A-8757 That Lyolyne was so slayne,A-8758 [8759 wrothe ms. ] That hade theme wrought gret lathe.A-8759 When they had sene Ipomadon, A-8760 All they thankyd god alonne,A-8761 [8762 dethe ms. ] That he skapyd that skathe.A-8762
741
Cabanus, wyth good intentA-8763 Letturs to the kyng he sentA-8764 [8765 deyell ms. ] And told hym euery deell, A-8765 How hit was the drewlerayne,A-8766 That had Lyolyne so slayneA-8767 [8768 lel] gent ms. ] And wonne that lady lel.A-8768 Mellengere wold no lengur abyde,A-8769 [8770 riggud ms.] But thedyre he rayud hym to ryde A-8770 Wyth styff men vnder stele . . . . . . . . .A-8771
742
The kyng sayd: "Lordes, wyth outen wene,A-8772 Long wyth oute a kyng haue we bene, A-8773 A-8774

Page 250

[8774 haue ms. ] In sorow that has you brought.A-8774 [8775 hathe] danach hathe, unr. ] Now god hathe sent you here a knyght, A-8775 [8776 mayneteyme ms. ] That will you mayneteyne in youre right:A-8776 Was there neuer a better wroughte!"A-8777 All prayden the kyng: "For goddis sake [f. 330b.] A-8778 "Helpe ye, that maryage for to make,A-8779 That it be taryde noughte!" A-8780
743
Ipomadon sayd: "Securlye,A-8781 [8782 winne] om. ms. wotte ms. ] So mekill of price winne wolde I,A-8782 [8783 knowen ms. yet ms. ] That I am not krowened yit;A-8783 [8784 your n.] you ms. thryve] thee ms. ] I love your nece, so mot I thryve,A-8784 More, thanne all the women of lyve: A-8785 I reke nere, who it witte!A-8786 Will my love asent there tille,A-8787 [8788 will I ms. ] Home in to Poyle, ser, wend I willA-8788 And neuer more forther flytte,A-8789 Wyth worshipe crownyd for to be A-8790 And there to wedde my lady fre,A-8791 And ye will acorde to hitte!"A-8792
744
The kyng sayd: "So god me save,A-8793 Here of we grette lykyng haue,A-8794 Be hym, that owethe this daye!" A-8795 Euery man made them redy faste,A-8796 The waye in to Poyle they paste,A-8797 To Berlett comyn ar theye.A-8798 [8799 hynd ms. ] There hathe he weddyd that lady hendA-8799 And brought there long love to ende; A-8800 They crowyned them bothe, I saye,A-8801 [8802 Hym] He ms. ] Hym for kyng & hur for quene;A-8802 The seventhe day they toke there leyve bedene,A-8803 Bothe kyng and maye.A-8804
745
Ipomadon gave to Tholamewe, A-8805 That to hym was euer good & trewe,A-8806 To his wyff ImayneA-8807 [8808 brode ms.] Wyth landes, that was long & brade; A-8808 A-8809

Page 251

Duke of Burgayn he hym made,A-8809 [8810 laynee ms. ] The sothe is not to layne; A-8810 [8811 Josane ms. ] And to Jasone he gaff the fayre, [f. 331a.] A-8811 The kynges doughttur of Lorayne & his eyre,A-8812 There of she was full fayne;A-8813 And to his cosyne Egyone . . . . . . . . .A-8814 Bothe castell & demayne A-8815
746
To geddyr ar this louers two,A-8816 Was there neuer non, that louyd so,A-8817 Borne of womon yett.A-8818 [8819 preffe ms. ] Betwene them to was neuer no proffe,A-8819 So wonder-grett delyte of love A-8820 In bothe there herttes was sett.A-8821 Fro the tyme, that they beganne,A-8822 Right wele they had rekynd tille thanne,A-8823 For no thyng wold they lett,A-8824 [8825 hoote ms. ] But euer there love alyke was haate, A-8825 Betwene them two was neuer no bate,A-8826 Fro the tyme, that they were mette.A-8827
747
[8828 fere] om. ms. eyre ms. ] All, that had seruyd the fere ore,A-8828 He warysound, both lesse & more,A-8829 Euery man in there degre. A-8830 To gedyr gan this louers dwell,A-8831 But, how long, I can not tell,A-8832 Be god and be my lewte!A-8833 So merely they ledde ther lyff,A-8834 [8835 then ms. ] Betwene them two was neuer stryff, A-8835 That man myght here or see.A-8836 In hyr tyme she bare hym sonys two,A-8837 The fayrest, that on ground myȝt goo,A-8838 [8839 been ms. ] No godelyer myght non bee.A-8839
748
[8840 borthere ms.] Cawnus was the oldest brothere, A-8840 Portusalus was the tothere,A-8841 That after hym was bryme & bold,A-8842 And aftur his fader, wyth oute lesynge, A-8843 A-8844

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Of Poyle was Cawnus crownyd kyng, [f. 331b.] A-8844 As herytage hit wolde. A-8845 And Portusalus of CalabereA-8846 Was crownyd, for why it come of hyr,A-8847 [8848 mode ms. ] The modere mylde of molde.A-8848 [8849 hym] hem ms. be] ü. d. z. nachgetr. ] She toke hit hym be heritage,A-8849 For hit was hyr in maryage, A-8850 [8851 fold ms. ] And nother hit was bought ne sold.A-8851
749
He was a full nobull kyng,A-8852 Lyke to his fader in all thynge,A-8853 That was so wonder-wighte,A-8854 [8855 and] nor ms. ] Of kyndnes and of curtessye, A-8855 [8856 and] nor ms. ] Off armvre and of chevalrye,A-8856 Off semelynes be sight.A-8857 Off the fader haue ye now harde:A-8858 At the citte off Tebes how so he farde,A-8859 There dyed that nobull knyght; A-8860 And when that to the fere was told,A-8861 Neuer aftur ette ne drynke she wold,A-8862 For pure love dyed that wight.A-8863
750
[8864 dysses] das zweite s corr. aus e. ] Aftur Mellengers dyssesA-8864 Cabanus, wyth outen lesse, A-8865 Off Cessyle crownyd was kyng;A-8866 He was a full nobull man,A-8867 His burgayes and his barons þanneA-8868 Off hym had grette lykyng;A-8869 A worthy lady he weddyd to wyff, A-8870 Wythe joye and blys they led ther lyff,A-8871 [8872 younge ms. ] He and that lady yinge.A-8872 They were full good at all degre,A-8873 But wyth his brothere dyed hee,A-8874 They bothe had one endynge. A-8875
751
Ipomadon hathe sent his sondeA-8876 To lovers, that leve in londe, [f. 332a.] A-8877 [8878 mensyngere ms.] His messyngere makythe he me; A-8878 A-8879

Page 253

He commaundythe on goddis behalue,A-8879 [8880 salle ms. ] To lovys wounde ye lay no salue, A-8880 But poynttis of grette pette.A-8881 [8882 right] danach in, unr. ] Where right loue was in herte brought,A-8882 That for a littill lette ye noughte:A-8883 Sertes, no more dyd hee.A-8884 This endythe Ipomadon, iwis. A-8885 That good lorde bringe vs to his blis,A-8886 That bought vs on the rode tre!A-8887 [8888 prayce ms.] And that ye shall for louers prayA-8888 To hym, that made bothe nyght & day.A-8889 [To brynge vs to the blysse, that lestis aye.] A-8890
AMEN for charyte.
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