A royal historie of the excellent knight Generides. Ed. from the unique ms. of John Tollemache ... by Frederick J. Furnivall. Roxburghe club.

CHAPTER X.

How the Soudon and the King of Kinges encountren with both here oostes; And how Generides discomfited Amalek the traitour; And how than aftre Generides and the King of Kinges faght to gedre, hand to hand, forto determyn the batełł.

NOw wendeth this ost in wardes ten, [The host of the King of Kings] [Fol. 122] [col. 1.] Ful wel araied with noble men; [ 3772] The dust a-rose, the contre had wonder, The erthe doned like the thonder; Forth thei ride with po[m]pe & pride, That neuer stil thei wold abide [ 3776] Til thei to the Soudanes ost came. [marches close to the Sowdon's,] The Soudon wel perceiued hem; Tho no lenger he abode, But among his ost ful fast he rode, [ 3780] And chered his knightes, the soth to tel, And preid hem al to bere hem wel. His ost he made holie to abide, And made thre knightes out to ride [ 3784] [who sends three knights to spy it out.] That ost without forto aspie; Right as thei were al redie They highed hem ageyn hastilie, For eche ost might othir see. [ 3788] [When each host sees the other,] Than was ther noon abide abide, [[sic.]] But who that might goo or ride,

Here Palfreys tho thei forsoke, And to here stedes thei hem toke; [ 3792] Here sheldes thei gan redi dight, [all prepare,] And here launces, for to fight; The trompettes gan to blow lowde, Euery man to doo what he cowde. [ 3796] Whan the batelles to-gedre toke, [and attack.] It semed that the erth quoke; The king of kinges cam formest of ał, [the King of Kings first jousts] He thoght to Just first, what so befal. [ 3800] At the first cours that he ther ran̄, He brake his spere, that both hors and man̄ [and breaks his spear.] Ouer threw, and cried "com on my feres, And spareth not in noo maneres." [ 3804] Of that braide Abel was war, [Abel, the Persian banner-bearer,] That the baner of Perse bare; He ran to a knight with sheld and spere, And from his hors can him bere, [ 3808] Thurgħ the bodie the spere ran̄, [spears a knight,] The life there he lost than, His spirit from his bodie can hie; Abel began loude to crie, [ 3812] And seid vnto the king of kinges, [and taunts the King of Kings,] "Hou liketh thou thes tithinges? Nou to turn ageyn̄ is myn advise; Here haue ye won litle price." [ 3816] Than was the king woode for woo That Abel had scorned him soo; With his launce grete and square [who thereupon] To Sir Abel grymlie he bare, [ 3820] That he made him low stoupe [cuts him backward on to his horse's crupper,] Bakward ouer his hors croupe. Abel a-shamed began to be, And recouered his sadil hastilie; [ 3824]

But thurgh that stroke, vnder his fete [making him drop the banner of Perse,] The banere of Perse fall he lete. [Fol. 122] [col. 2.] King Nayme his fadre saw that, The baner of Perse ageyn he gat: [ 3828] Tho began̄ the batel strong and hard With the king of kinges in the vaward; He com frushing, and leid on̄, And sleugh ther many a worthie mon̄ [ 3832] [and then slays many men.] On both sides in that case. But the Soudanes side, hou so it was, [The Sowdon's men grow weary] Of here fighting were wery That thei might no lenger dry; [ 3836] Ageyn̄ thei gan hem to withdraw. [and begin to draw back,] When Anazare and his felows that saw, And [Generides] in that grete nede, [when Generides rides up,] Thei went to hem a goode spede. [ 3840] [Generides] than on al wise To Just had grete couetise; Justed had he neuer to than̄, But, blessed be god, wel he began̄; [ 3844] That craft lerned he right soone, Of kind it com him so to doone. [Generides] went out thoo treulie, The king of kinges son̄e gan he spie, [ 3848] [and seeing Gwy∣nan, the King of Kings' son, ready,] Gwynam, al redie to Justing. [Generides] without letting Fewtred his spere, and to him ran̄; [charges at him.] Ageyns him ther com Gwynan̄,— [ 3852] [Gwynan] Of Justing he coud wel the craft,— Thurgh [Generides] shelde with the shaft [drives right through Gene∣rides's shield to] He smote it in to the sokett, That the Iren̄ with the hawberk met [ 3856] Right ageyn the self brest; [his breast;] Wel nigh it had ben his prest.

But [Generides] ageyn̄ ward, [but Generides] As a yong knight and noo coward, [ 3860] Gwynānes shelde perced with his spere, And out of his sadle gan him bere [unhorses Gwynan,] That ouer the crop he fel in that moode; He saw the stede was goode,— [ 3864] In al the ost noon such, doutles, His fadre gaf it him for goodnes,— [Generides] the stede hent [takes away his splendid steed, (Blanchard)] By the bridel, and forth went; [ 3868] To his felows he gan to rape, Vnethes he might a-way scape For folowing of his enmyes To gete ageyn̄ the stede of price. [ 3872] Ther was a felow hight Segryn̄e,— [and gets] Al langages he couth wel and fyne,— Whan [Generides] of him had a sight, He called him to him anoon right, [ 3876] "Swete Segryne, leef fere, Take this sadil fro this hors here, [his own saddle put] And sett it on̄ that fare stede; Take you my courser to your mede." [ 3880] Segryne was curtes and wel taght, [Fol. 122b] [col. 1.] And sone he hath the sadil caght, And on his bak the sadel set, [on Gwynan's steed,] And gird him fast without let; [ 3884] The stirop in his hond he kept [mounts it,] The while [Generides] vpon̄ him lept; And so he had for his mede [Generides] own stede. [ 3888] From that tyme Segryne began To loue [Generides] afor any man̄. [Generides] than gan him pray That he wold wete, and doo him say, [ 3892] [and asks where]

Wher Amalek were, that fals traitoure [Amalek is.] That doo him such dishonoure. "Ay, Sir," he seid, "by seint Jame, [Segryne says] Such oon ther is that bereth that name; [ 3896] But not whoo youre fadre is, But Amalek I knov wel I-wis; [that Amalek is] But in the kinges ost of kinges He is; I can tel you thoo tithinges; [ 3900] In the first batel saue oon̄ [in the second bat∣talion.] I saw him not long agoon̄." "Ay, swete Sir," seid [Generides] [Generides tells Se∣gryne] "Whoo is my fadre, without les [ 3904] Ther is no man that I wold tell, But to you wil I discouer my counsel; Aufreus, som tyme of ynde king, [that Aufreus in his father,] Was my fadre without lesing, [ 3908] And nov, as I vndrestond, He is king of Tharse lond; Mi fadre he is, I dar wel say; I pray you ye me noght bewray." [ 3912] "King Aufreus, as I you tel, [and Segryne says that Aufreus is in the host of the King of Kings.] I saw him late, I know him wel; To the king of kinges now He cometh in ost ageyns you." [ 3916] Tho gan [Generides] him beseche To Amalek he wold him teche, "Segryne, tel me as ye trow [Segryne tells Gene∣rides how to recog∣nize Amalek.] Hou I may best Amalek know." [ 3920] Segryne seid, "by this day He rideth on a stede gray; Armes he bereth riche and clene With bendes of gold wel besene; [ 3924] The champe, of goules red and bright, With riche stoones bordred a-right;

A proude knight he is of his atire, And therto as fers as any fire." [ 3928] Segryne went forth that tide [Segryne] And saw wher Amalek gan ride, [sees Amalek] Oute of his ost with a page alloon̄ From al his knightes euerichoon̄, [ 3932] [retire alone to a valley;] Forto rest him in a valey: Segryne had euer on him his eye. To [Generides] Segryne went thoo, "Sir," he seid, "se yonder youre foo. [ 3936] [Fol. 122b] [col. 2.] [he tells Generides,] Sir Amalek, youre fadres traitoure, Is there aloon from al socoure." [Generides] spored tho his stede, And toward him fast he yede; [ 3940] [who at once spurs towards Amalek,] Amalek closed him with his shelde, His spere in his hond fast he helde, And ageyn [Generides] fast he ran̄, [and they charge.] For he was a doghti man̄; [ 3944] He perced [Generides] shelde, [Amalek pierces Generides' shield,] And brake his harneys in the felde. [Generides] was in hert thral; [and he beats Ama∣lek's out of his hold.] His shelde he made from him to fall [ 3948] With that strok he gaf him ageyn̄; Ther was strong fight betwix hem tweyn̄; Amalek wex agreued sore For his shelde, and for shame more, [ 3952] His cowardise he al withdrogħ, He waxed hardie and bold ynogħ. [Generides] hated him vttirlie, His swerd he drogh out egrelie, [ 3956] [They draw their swords,] And Sir Amalek drogh his alsoo; Many strokes thei yaue to-gedre thoo, [and deal full par∣lous strokes;] And ful parlous that day wer delt; Neuer til than Amalek felt [ 3960]

His strenght so moch as he than wist, Hardier to smyte he then̄ list; Out of here helmes the fire sprong Of strokes that wer delt hem̄ among. [ 3964] Amalek was strong and hardie, [Amalek smites Generides so hard] His swerd was kerving and hevie; [Generides] in his turnyng He smote so without lesing [ 3968] That many nales of his hauberk [that his hauberk breaks.] Al to-brast, with othir werk; Ageyn̄s his brest the stroke cam̄. That stroke [Generides] to yuel nam̄,— [ 3972] Therfor he was som del affrayed, Such oon had he neuer assayed,— His bane that stroke was ful nigħ; Than spake Amalek on high, [ 3976] [Amalek offers him peace if he will dismount and give him his shield.] And seid, "knight, who so thou art, Nou thou haddest almost thi part, For such a stroke I gaf the now That al astoned therof art thow; [ 3980] Light, and bring me my sheld, I rede, And peace I graunt the to thi mede." Than wex [Generides] right wrooth, [[Generides gets angry,] To goo a-wey he was ful looth; [ 3984] To Amalek he seid this reason̄, "Thou fals traitour and thou felon̄, [calls him traitor, and says he will take vengeance for all Amalek's wrongs to his fa∣ther and himself.] Thou betraied my fadre from his lond, And me thou smotest with thin hond [ 3988] Euen̄ befor my faders sight; To quite it, than I the behight. My step moder thou hast to wive; [Fol. 123] [col. 1.] With wrong she did with me strive; [ 3992] She seid of loue I hir besoght; God knoweth it come neuer in my thoght.

But vilanye it is to me to say, Treulie of loue she gan me pray; [ 3996] And for I wold not, she wroth was; Thou shuldest haue sleyn̄ me for that case. Therfor me nov awreke I shal." Without more wordes therwithal [ 4000] [Generides then cuts off half Ama∣lek's helm,] Amalek he smote on the crovn̄ That twoo quarters he feld a-doun̄ Of his helme with his bright brond; That stroke come from a ful goode hond; [ 4004] To the face the swerd doun̄ gloode That it neuer stynt ne aboode Til nose and lip it had of shorn̄ [and his nose and lip to the bare teeth.] Vnto the bare tethe ał beforn̄. [ 4008] Amalek fel a swoune to ground, For he had a grislie wound; Than seid [Generides,] "thef, feloun̄! [Generides taunts him,] Right now thou bad me light a-doun̄ [ 4012] And bring the thi sheld to hond; Nov is noo nede, I vndrestond, To bring sheld, swerd, ne spere, That shuld nov thi bodie were." [ 4016] That word made Amalek to stert, [and on his trying to rise,] And as a woode man with grete hert; But [Generides] with his hors fete Hurteled him doun̄, I you behete; [ 4020] [rides him down.] Ther he had him sleyn or nome, But his folkes of ynde come [Then his people come to the rescue,] Amalek her lord to reskew. Than gan [Generides] to remew, [ 4024] [and Generides re∣treats, carrying off Amalek's steed and shield.] The goode stede and the sheld also That Amalekes wer, he toke him froo, And, for any drede, hem with him led, And to his felows his wey he sped. [ 4028]

Whan the lordes of ynde him found, Here king so hurt liyng on ground, Thei set him on an ambling palfray, And so led him fro the feld away [ 4032] [Amalek is taken back to Ynde,] Ageyn to ynde ther he cam fro: Of that chaunce he was ful woo. Whan [Generides] was come to his feres, [and Generides] Aftir Segryne he fast enqueres [ 4036] Til that he found him at the last; To doo his erand he praied him fast; "Segryne," he seid, "take this stede, [sends Amalek's steed to his father Aufreus,] And to my fadre ye him lede, [ 4040] And sey him it was Amalekes That hath doōn him so foule chekkes; Sey him, the booldre that he bee, To day shal he not Amalek see, [ 4044] Nor bere armes in this ost, [with news how he has felled Amalek's pride] For I haue so felled his boost. [Fol. 123] [col. 2.] And if he aske oght of you 'Who sent him this stede nov;' [ 4048] Sey him without les It was his son̄ [Generides;] He smote me before him at his mete; [because of the blow he gave him at supper.] Yet haue I noght that forgete, [ 4052] And hou my fadre for that harme Smote Amalek thurgh the arme With a knife that he to him threw; This token̄, he knoweth it is trew." [ 4056] "Nov treuly, Sir," seid Segryne, [Segryne] "This erand shal I doo wel and fyne." He toke the stede, and furth he went, [takes the steed to Aufreus, and tells him all about the fight.] King Aufreus therwith he gan present, [ 4060] And al the batel euery dele To king Aufreus gan he tel.

Aufreus was glad of that present [Aufreus is glad of the present,] That his son̄ had to him sent; [ 4064] It was to him grete gladnes That he might here of [Generides]: "Segryne," he seid, "bi what maner [and asks how he may know Gene∣rides again.] May I know my sone dere, [ 4068] His armes, his stede, in al thing That I of him may haue knowing." "His stede is gray, without fable, ["By his gray steed, and arms, field or in a border, with bends of gules,] He is both goode and profitable; [ 4072] Armes he bereth ful wel besene, With bendes of goules bright and clene; The champe of gold, I you ensure, With riche stoones in the bourdure; [ 4076] He wan̄ thes armes—I him behelde— [won from Sir Amalek."] From Sir Amalek in the felde." Aufreus al this vndrestoode; He rewarded Segryne with mede fuł goode. [ 4080] Segryne departed, his wey he yede, To the Soudanes he gan him spede. Of [Generides] nov speke we That wex a knight of grete bountie: [ 4084] [Generide's men are nearly discom∣fited,] His felows wer nigh discomfite, And in that wer thei not to wite, For al day had thei foght hard, And thei wer les folk in here ward [ 4088] Than in heres that ageyns hem were Be .ii. Mł, I dar wel swere. But [Generides] was of goode wiłł, [but he cheers them on,] And his felows al(:) lowde and stiłł [ 4092] He comforted as he might; Than̄ began thei fast to figħt. Ther men̄ might se hard medle, Many feire knightes at grete pitie [ 4096] [and the mellay is fierce,]

Slayne vndre here hors fete, The ground of bloode was al wete. [the ground all wet with blood.] [Generides] bestered him egrelie, [Generides deals blows right and left,] Grete strokes he dalt ther by and by; [ 4100] Many he felled, and many he slogħ [Fol. 123b] [col. 1.] That wold haue doon him sorov ynogħ; That day he preued wel his might, And shewed ther was noon such a knight; [ 4104] For of whom he might ley hond, [unhorsing all he lays hold of.] Wightlie out of the sadil he wond. That saw the king of kinges wele, [The King of Kings sees this,] Dismayed he held him som dele; [ 4108] He saw Segryne, and called him anoon̄, Out of the ost thei gan goon̄; "Segryne, frend," seid the king, [and asks Segryne] "I prey the tel me oon thing; [ 4112] Wottest thou euer what knight is yon̄ [who that is on his son Gwynan's steed.] That rideth of Gwynanes stede, my son̄? That stede I gaf him for grete deyntie; Me reweth that I him yonder see; [ 4116] For treulie, hou so that man him wan̄, He is a right doghti man̄, And a wel faring king, And wel he bereth him in fight; [ 4120] God graunt it he wold dwel with me, I wold gyve him lond and fee." "A," seid Segryne, "wote ye what; [Segryne says it is one] Speke no mo wordes of that, [ 4124] For he is come of high linage And loketh aftre grete heritage; For lond nor fee, treulie to tel, I wot wel he wil not with you dwel; [ 4128] [Clarionas [This and many following Clarionas-es and Generides-es are written in a later hand, which I have dis∣regarded because Generides is generally spelt Gerenedes.] ] and he be so lef, [dear to Clarionas.]

To part from hir it wold him gref." "Doo way," quod the king to Segryne, [The king says that Clarionas is his,] "For [Clarionas,] I tel hir myne; [ 4132] That knight of hir shal haue noo part And I may him mete with spere or dart." And forth he yede without letting For loue of this new tithing; [ 4136] Anoon he spored his goode stede, [and spurs to seek Generides;] Seching [Generides [Gerenedes,] ] fast he yede, But Segryne hasted him beforn̄,— He wer looth Clarionas shuld be lorn̄,— [ 4140] And to [Generides [Gerinodes, in the later hand.] ] tithinges broght Hou the king of kinges him soght. Then the grete king [Generides [Gerenedes,] ] sey, [soon sees him,] And streight to him he toke the wey, [ 4144] And seid, "Sir knight, turn̄ hiderward; Thou ridest on my stede Blaunchard." Here speres both in hond thei hent, And either ageyn̄ other went; [ 4148] [and they charge one another] Strokes thei gaf hard and fełł,— Here stedes wer goode, the soth to tełł,— So hard thei smote than to-gedre, [so hard that both slip out of their saddles;] Out of here sadils thei gan to slidre,— [ 4152] Both the king and [Generides,]— Here speres wer hole neuer the les; Both thei wer stern̄ and light, Thei caght here stedes as thei best might. [ 4156] [Fol. 123b] [col. 2.] [but they catch their steeds,] To tell the trouth without lesing, Ashamed was Bellyns the king; Generides also him with-drowe, To Justen eftsones wold he now. [ 4160] An othir cours to-gedre thei met, [fight again,] And herd strokes there thei set,

So that broken both here launces; [and break their lances.] Than must thei nede for al chaunces [ 4164] Swerdes draw; and so thei did. [Then they draw their swords, and] [? ] Thoo no lenger thei abide, Egrelie to-gedre thei ride; [ 4168] Aftre noo loue daies thei ne soghten̄, [fight fiercely] [But as bitir enmyes foghte.] The sparkes and the light fire Out of here helmes sprong for ire; [ 4172] Helmes and hauberkes began to faile [till their armour gives way,] In many stedes, both plate and male, Of strokes that wer vndrefong,— For eithir hated othir strong;— [ 4176] Yuel hurtes both thei caght, [and both are wounded.] It was ful hard to make hem saght; Thei wer not sondred til at the last The ostes nighed to-gedre fast, [ 4180] [At length the two hosts separate them,] Tho went thei twoo in sondre; If thei wer wrotħ, it was no wondre; Ther was many a pitous sight, [and then] For therto put thei al here might; [ 4184] Many a knight ther lost his life [was many a knight slain,] That neuer aftir spak with child ne wife; Many a feir and riche pensel With horses wer trode in the grauel; [ 4188] Many a feir helme and shelde Lay al to-frushed in the felde; Many a feire stede went a-stray [many a steed made masterless,] Mastirles that same day; [ 4192] Men might see, and grete crie here Of knightes that hirt and wounded were; [and many men wounded; the ground was all be∣gone with blood.] The ground was al begoon with bloode, In som place like as a floode. [ 4196]

Than come the good knight Sir Lucas [Sir Lucas] That lord of al ynde was; He made a noble Justing Ageyn̄ Manassen the goode king, [ 4200] That thurgh shelde, hauberk, and doublet, The launce perced ouer the soket, [drives his lance right through Ma∣nassen,] Euen thurghout the bodie That the ende shewed al bloodie; [ 4204] Right befor the king of kinges Manassen fel deid doun̄ sidelinges. [who falls down dead,] Than seid Lucas to the king bliue, "Take this present: yuel mot thou thriue! [ 4208] [and then he taunts the King of Kings.] I shal assay, or I goo, Right soone to send the such moo." The king of kinges herd that scorn̄; He closed with his shelde beforn̄; [ 4212] He rode to Sir Lucas; with his spere [Fol. 124] [col. 1.] [The king rides at him, and unhorses him,] Out of his sadel he gan him bere; Right ther he had ful nigh his pees. That gan aspie Generides, [ 4216] [but Generides] That Lucas fal to the ground; He reskewed him son in that stound, [rescues Sir Lucas,] He smote the king of kinges thoo [and smites the king on his helm,] On high vpon his helme soo [ 4220] With his swerd that the oon corner [cuts off a corner of it,] Fel nigh a-doun̄ bi his coler; Laces and stringes he kerue on twoo, And the girding of the shelde also [ 4224] [the fastening of the shield,] So that the shelde to fal he lett; Dovnermore the stroke went yet To the brest before the hauberk, [opens the king's chest armour,] That mych failed of that strong werk,— [ 4228] But to the bare come it noght,— It was harme it wanted oght:

The swerd glaced ferther doun̄, And clove a twoo the stedes crovn̄. [ 4232] [and splitshissteed's skull in two.] The king was astooned thoo; [The king] His goode stede he did forgoo, And him self to ground fel,— [falls to the ground,] What day it was he wist not wel,— [ 4236] And ouer him rode Sir [Generides] [and Generides rides over him,] Twies or thries or he wold cese: His life had he lost almost, Ne had socour be of his ost. [ 4240] [but his host rescue him,] Generides than forth he shoke, Vnto his felows the wey he toke. The kinges knightes a feir stede broght,— Here lord to worship was here thoght,— [ 4244] He toke the stede with fel hert, [remount him,] And in grete ire vp he stert; His horne he blew ful hidouslie [and he blows his horn] That al the ost might here the crye, [ 4248] That he was wroth that did it know. Ageyn him A M^ł on a row [for his 1000 best men,] To-gedre riden tho hastilie, Ech man to prove his maistrie. [ 4252] Than come the folk of high ynde, [of High Ynde,] Strong men, And of wonder kynde, With here maces of iren̄ and of stele, [with maces like mattocks,] Mattokes hem semed to be ful wele. [ 4256] Whan thei cam to the route Thei leiden fast on aboute; The grete pres thei parted on sondre,— Of here strokes men thoght wondre,— [ 4260] Many a goode knight thei ouerthrew. Whan thei of Perse here strokes knew, [who soon terrify the men of Perse.] Thei durst hem noght abide, Thei shonned hem on eche a side. [ 4264]

That saw the Soudan, and was woo [The Sowdon] That his folk wer scomfited soo, He seid to hem with mild speche "Lordes al, I you beseche, [ 4268] [Fol. 124] [col. 2.] [appeals to his lords for help,] Oure honour fond we forto saue As euer hiderward yet we haue, For oft ye haue goten̄ me loos And grete worship ageyn̄ my foos; [ 4272] And if I youre help not had, Certanly my state were bad; So grete nede had I neuer noon̄ As I haue to day, ye see echoon̄." [ 4276] Than Answered Sir Geridon̄, [but Sir Geridon says that] Darel fadre, to the Soudon̄, "Suffre we may vs noght to stere [they cannot fight] Ageyns this boistous ost here; [ 4280] Thei be develles, and noo men̄, [against devils;] Oon̄ of hem is worth othir ten̄; But neuer the les we may not flee [they must retreat slowly,] To hasteli that thei may it see, [ 4284] For than thei shuld vs confound, And hastelie bring vs to the ground; But softlie we shal withdraw, And defend vs that we be not slaw, [ 4288] And kepe vs to-gedre on a throm̄, [keeping close, so that the mattock∣men may not break through them.] Within vs that thei ne com̄." Whan the Soudon̄ herd that skil, Nedes he must consent thertil; [ 4292] He blew a mote stern and stoute, His folkes gadred him round aboute, [This they do,] And gan to flee softlie, And oft turned ageyn̄ boldlie, [ 4296] [turning oft on their pursuers,] And defended hem̄ egrelie As thei with-drew hem wittilie;

Thei nighed nigħ at the last Toward the Citie in al hast; [ 4300] [and get to the city,] The Soudanes folk entred in,— Wel was him might gete within,— Many a bold knight and hardie [though many are slain,] Were slayn on the Soudanes partie, [ 4304] And an hundreth or moo wer nome [and 100 captured,] Or thei to the Citie might come; Or thei might gete within the palace A thousand stedes won ther was. [ 4308] [also 1000 steeds;] Whan the Soudon wist of this [at which the Sow∣don and his men are discouraged.] That thei lost such an̄ entrepris, Than wer thei all sore dismayed Of that shoure thei had assayed. [ 4312] The Soudon did the gates shet, Here enmyes without to let; The brigge he drogh hastelie; Of his lose he was sorie. [ 4316] Generides and Sir Anazaree [Generides and Anazaree, and their men, know nothing of this retreat,] Wist not of here fleeyng trewlie, Nor of the Soudanes awey-fleyng Into the tovn wist thei nothing, [ 4320] For with here men grete and smale Thei were benethe in a dale [but are fighting in a dale.] Where was strong and hard fighting; [Fol. 124b] [col. 1.] And thider cometh the stoute king [ 4324] [The King of Assirie attacks them,] Of Assirie and al his route, Bold men withouten doute. Moo than twoo M^ł were feld and slaw; Here folk gan fast to withdraw [ 4328] [and the Persians begin to lose.] And lese in that strong batel, For of an hundred saunz faile Ther were but few in al here route. Therof Anazaree had grete doute, [ 4332] [Anazaree]

And seid, "[Generides,] I you rede, [advises a retreat to the host;] Draw we vs to oure felourede, For oure men begyn̄ to lese; Toward oure ost I rede we drese." [ 4336] [Generides] seid, "nov graunt I me." [Generides agrees;] To-gedre thei gedred here meigne; Thei trowed to here ost to haue went, [but on beginning it] But thei had almost be shent; [ 4340] Tho perceiued thei redilie [they find that the host has fled to the city,] Here ost was fled into the Citie; Thei gan to ride thider-ward, Wel sone thei had encountre herd, [ 4344] For thei wened to haue passed clene Thurgh the medo feire and grene. [and that it is now surrounded by their enemies' tents.] A M^ł pavilons ther by and by [Generides [Anazaree seems to suit l. 4354 better than Generides, which is written in a later hand.] ] told ful redilie [ 4348] Of his enmyes, ful bold barouns, With riche pensels and gonfanons, And al aboute that grete Citie Tentes in making thei might see, [ 4352] Passing thik in medow and felde. Whan Anazaree al this behelde, [Anazaree advises that] And saw at euery gate thoo A M^ł pavilon̄s and moo, [ 4356] Anazaree was wrooth on his maner, And seid, "[Generides] my leef fere, Nou me thinketh best rede in this: [they make for a postern in the tower] Ayenst the toure A postern̄ ther is,— [ 4360] This ost perceiueth it noght yet— There is right A privey wiket; Draw we thidre or we blyn̄, That our frendes may se vs within, [ 4364]

To let vs yn̄ without letting [at which they can be let in.] Whan they perceiue oure comyng; Suffre vs must nede oure chaunce." [Generides] seid, "Sir, without greuaunce [ 4368] [Generides agrees,] Boldly I rede wende we; But first send we before oure meygne, And kepe vs behinde hem we twey [so that they two go last.] To guyde hem al that we may, [ 4372] And defende hem at oure power Til we may come the postern̄ nere." The Soudan made sorow certeyn̄ [The Sowdon sor∣rows for his lost knights.] For his knightes that wer sleyn̄. [ 4376] SIr Darel wept for grete pitie [Darel] [Fol. 124b] [col. 2.] Whan he [Generides] might nat see, And Anazaree in certeyn̄; He dred thei had both ben sleyn̄, [ 4380] And seid weping to the Soudon̄, [weeps for] "Certes I wene we haue forgoon̄ Twoo the best knightes of all oure side, Such twoo shal neuer vs betide. [ 4384] Ay, [Generides,] my felow! allas! [Generides,] Such a noble knight thou was." Darel anoon armed him wełł, And went out of that Castełł [ 4388] [and goes out] Priuelie with a page aloone, For [Generides] making grete moone; Quik or deid, he wold him haue, [to find him, dead or alive.] Or die for his sake, so god him saue. [ 4392] Ouer al the Citie, the folk among, [The news spreads] Of [Generides] the word sprōng That he was sleyn̄ or elles take; [that he is slain or captured,] Grete sorow for him thei ałł gan make. [ 4396] That tithinges so aboute ferd That [Clarionas] therof herd; [and Clarionas hears it.]

Such sorow hir hert about did cast, Hir liue daies wer wel nigh past. [ 4400] [Clarionas is nearly killed by it,] Mirabel with hert entier [but Mirabel] Euer comforted hir ladie dere, And seid, "[Generides] ye shal sene, I may noon othir wise beleuen̄; [ 4404] Wherfor I counsełł you, madame, [advises her] Goo we vp in goddes name [to go up to a corner of the tower,] Vnto a corner of the toure, Ther while god may send socoure." [ 4408] Vp to the toure she yede at last, [which she does,] All day she had wept fast; Weping she loked ouer the [wal, [[wal is in the later hand, like Generides and Clarionas.] ] And loked about ouer all. [ 4412] By that tyme come was Dareł To [Generides] out of the Castełł; Than at last [Clarionas] [and at last sees Anazaree.] Of Anazaree perceiued was, [ 4416] Hou he toward the toure drogħ; His armes she knew wel y-nogħ; Of [Generides] was she not ware, For Amalekes sheld that he bare. [ 4420] Anazaree and Sir [Generides] [He and Generides] Thurghout thei russhed a-mong the pres Toward the toure a wel goode pas; [are getting towards the tower,] Here gooing wel perceiued was [ 4424] [and are seen by the hostile king's mar∣shal, Anfris.] Of the kinges marshal Anfris, A doughti man of mich price. To king Aufreus in the ost [He rides to Au∣freus, who] He prikked fast with grete bost,— [ 4428] And than was Aufreus paviloun̄ Next to that side of the tovn̄,— [is nearest the tower,] And his knightes Aboute him euericħoon̄ Here stedes lete bring forth anoon̄, [ 4432] [and his knights rush to the attack.] [Fol. 125] [col. 1.]

Riding than̄ who so ride might— Ismael was the formast knight,— [Ismael] Vnto the companye of his enmies; He was son to king Aufrys, [ 4436] And Generides own brodre; [(Generides's own brother)] But oon̄ of hem knew not an othre. Ismael saw Generides come, And redilie a shaft he hath y-nome; [ 4440] Egrelie to-gedre thei met; [charges him] Ismael so Generides smet Euen in the middes of his shelde That Generides began to helde; [ 4444] Welnigh he had goon̄ to ground, [and nearly throws him.] It fortuned he kept him saue and sound; Blaunchard, his stede, fel on̄ knees; He was ashamed; neuerthe-les [ 4448] Generides his stroke lost noght,— [Generides] Welnigh it had him ouer-thoght,— For, with his spere strong and herd, Ismaels shelde in the midward [ 4452] [splits Ismael's shield] He to-rofe and al to-brast; Ismael was som del agast. As god wold, I trow wel, than̄ The havberk to riue tho began̄, [ 4456] [and hauberk,] The helm went of also, [and knocks off his helm,] The laces brast even a twoo; Ful litle wanted the soket That with the throte it had y-met; [ 4460] The tronchon̄ yede al fro the bodie; As god wold, it passed for by, And bare his helme into the felde; [so that he stands all bare in the field.] Al bare Ismael he behelde. [ 4464] God be thanked, wound had he noon̄; Saued was skyn̄, flesh, and boon̄.

Whan Generides saw his visage, [Generides seeing that he is young and handsome,] And saw he was yong of age, [ 4468] And perceiued his grete beautie, And of his bodie also the bountie, And the strenght he bare than̄, He thoght he shuld be a noble man̄. [ 4472] Generides than gan him pray The sothe that he wold him say Of what contre and kyn̄ he were. [asks him who he is.] Than Ismael gafe him answere, [ 4476] "Mi fadre neuer his name forsoke, Nomore wol I for noo mannes loke; Bor̄n I am of kinges bloode, Mi fadre is called Aufreus the goode, [ 4480] ["Son of Aufreus, King of Tharse;] Lord and king of Tharse he is, And ther was I born̄ I-wis, Mi name is Ismael de Savage." [and my name is Ismael de Savage."] Generides loked in his visage; [ 4484] [Generides] For ioye he noo word spake, But cast his sheld at his bak; With his armes spred on brode [Fol. 125] [col. 2.] To Ismael his brodre he rode, [ 4488] And in his armes gan̄ him enbrace, [embraces his bro∣ther] And his helme began vnlace, And kyssed his brothre swetelie. [and kisses him.] Ismael beheld him wiselie; [ 4492] He thoght thei were of oon bloode, But how, he yet not vndrestoode; Til Generides aftre his kyssing He seid, "Sir, without lesing [ 4496] [Ismael says they are both one man's sons,] Bothe we be oon mannes begete, Treulie therof I right wel lete; Sir, brethre we ar, both ye and I; I am right glad of youre company." [ 4500]

Grete chere thei made aithir to othre; [and they make much of one an∣other.] Generides seid, "nov, swete brothre, I trust we shal at more leysere Speke to-gedre without daungere." [ 4504] At here departing was grete routhe; Bothe thei wept, to say trouthe. Than thei of the ost without come, And grete hede of Generides thei nome, [ 4508] And gon̄ to draw hem right nere; Generides spored his hors with glad chere [Generides rides away to his com∣panions,] And drogh him to his felourede, For than he saw he had nede; [ 4512] For oon man as he ne might Stand ageyns an hundred to fight. Toward the wal of the Citie The ost gan draw grete plentie, [ 4516] [whose entry into the city the host of the enemy are opposing.] Generides and his feres to lete, And here entre to withsett. Generides was sory among, And saw the ost doo hem such wrong; [ 4520] He spored his stede to a knight, [He charges a knight,] That othre cam with grete might; Generides smote him than soo [and runs him right through shield and body.] That his shelde cleef on twoo; [ 4524] Thurgħ hauberk and thurgh Acton̄ The spere with the gonffanoon̄ Ran̄ thurgh the bodie a large span̄; The knight of his stede fel than̄ [ 4528] From his sadle, deid as a stoon̄. Generides wold noo ferthir goon̄, But his spere ageyn̄ to him toke. Clarionas that iusting gan̄ on loke, [ 4532] [Clarionas sees this,] And vnto Mirabel she seid, "Yondre is a knight to ground y-leid;

Sawe ye it as wel as did I?" "Yea, ma dame," she seid, "sekirlie [ 4536] [and Mirabel too,] I saw the Justing, and it beheld, Hou he with the bended sheld Smote the othre thurgh the bodie; Swete ma dame, that saw I: [ 4540] Nou saw I neuer, to say the sothe, [who says she never saw men joust so well.] Man̄ iust so wel as he dootħ; [Fol. 125b] [col. 1.] He loueth paramoures som wight That he to-day preueth so his might." [ 4544] Clarionas seid, "by his making [Clarionas thinks the knight is like her darling.] He is ful like to my derling." "Ma dame," seid tho Mirabełł, [Mirabel thinks that his red favour is Clarionas's.] Euer me semeth by the reid pensełł [ 4548] That he bereth on his heid aboue, Oones ye made it for his loue, And sent him it in certeyn̄ By Gwynet your ovn chambreleyn̄." [ 4552] Clarionas seid, "I fele grete smert, [Clarionas is anxious about him,] I care for him sore in myn hert; For sore assailed thei al ben, As we may with oure eȳen seen̄." [ 4556] Clarionas had grete drede Of Generides hou he shuld spede, But he perceiued hir noo thing [but he does not perceive her,] From the toure of hir wayting; [ 4560] Thogh she were gretelie in his thoght, So besie he was that he ne roght; Many tymes he turned his face [though he turns often on his ene∣mies.] Vpon̄ his enmyes forto chace; [ 4564] What with swerd and with launce Many oon he gafe myschaunce; Neuer knight, the soth to say, Bare him bettre than he did that day; [ 4568]

Clarionas therof bare witnes, She saw his dedes both more and les. She ost gan̄ folow on him fast; Ismael gan his eye wel cast [ 4572] [Ismael attacks Darel,] Toward Darel, and to him rode, And he to him without any aboode; Mirabel seid to Clarionas, "Ma dame, loo yondre Darel, allas, [ 4576] Among his foos al aloon̄, And oure men scateren̄ euerichoon̄." At the same Justing, Darel On the sheld smote Ismael, [ 4580] [who smites off half his shield,] That al the oon side of the shelde The spere bare into the felde; With that stroke welnigh he fełł; [and nearly throws him,] But he was yong, wight, and snełł, [ 4584] [but he recovers himself,] In his sadle he held him stiłł, And smote Darel with so goode wiłł [and hits Darel so hard] In middes of the sheld ful butt That Darel fell doun̄ with that putt; [ 4588] [that Darel falls down,] Ne had his shelde holpen̄ thore, He had be lost for euermore. Whan Ismael saw Darel doun̄, [and Ismael rides over him.] Ouer him he rode his stede broun̄ [ 4592] And wounded him ful wikkedlie, And bad him yeld him hastelie. Generides right than befełł, [Generides comes to near where Darel lies,] Cam and saw wher lay Darełł, [ 4596] And saw aboute him pres grete; [Fol. 125b] [col. 2.] Into the thikkest anōōn he shet Ful redilie with his swerd draw To make wey for his felow; [ 4600] Aboute him fast he gan̄ lay [clears a road to him,] Til he made so large a way

That twoo cartes ther might mete,— Many oon̄ therfore his life gan lete,— [ 4604] [(killing many men)] Ne fond he noon armure so goode That the dint of his swerd withstoode; For Darel loue he shewed his stenght, Noon durst abide bi his swerd lenght. [ 4608] And at the last he fond Darel [finds Darel all befouled,] Al befouled in the grauel; A knight his armure from him wold take, [and a knight trying to take away his armour.] But Generides such shift gan̄ make, [ 4612] The same knight so sore he smet That the swerd with the bare met, And bare doun̄ chek & chyn̄ with ałł; [Generides cuts the knight down,] From his hors doun gan̄ he fałł [ 4616] Al flat in swonyng to the ground; That hors was ful feire and round, Generides bad Darel lepe oon̄, [and Darel leaps on his horse.] Magre his enmyes euerichoon̄. [ 4620] All his auenture saw Clarionas, [Clarionas sees this rescue,] And to Mirabel told al the case, "Saw ye not this mervellous chaunce? Treulie betwix this and Fraunce, [ 4624] Nor in the world, I trow I-wis Is such a knight as the yondre is That Darel so wel hath rescued, Ouer al he oweth to be allowed; [ 4628] Mi loue it is al wey me thinkes, [and thinks the rescuer is her love.] Of al his felows most he drinkes." Mirabel seid, "treuli, ma dame, Generides is that knightes name." [ 4632] Darel was shamed of his falling, [Darel, ashamed at his fall,] Be wroke he wold of sum thing; King Aufreus he saw ther houe, [charges Aufreue,] His maistries on him wold he proue; [ 4636]

Darel with his swerd ran him too, And on the helme smote him soo [and knocks him on to his horse's mane.] That he stouped on his hors mayne; That stroke had almost be his bayne. [ 4640] King Aufreus beheld Darel [Aufreus] With egre chere and hert fel, And smote him with his goode brond That he bare drawen in his hond, [ 4644] And seid, "felow," al a-lowde, "Wenest thou that art so proude [asks him if he thinks old men cannot smite.] That old men can not smyte? Yet perchaunce here strokes may bite [ 4648] Thogh thou and such felows yong That to knightes be late sprong." Generides herd al this Reason̄, [Hearing this, Generides knows his father's voice,] He knew his fadre by the soun̄, [ 4652] [Fol. 126] [col. 1.] And bi that feire stede Grisel That he rode on̄, he knew him wel,— Him self of Amalek it wan̄, And sent it to his fadre or than̄,— [ 4656] By his speche and by his stede; To his fadre streight he yede, [rides to him,] And seid, "Sir, ne smyte me nogħt Til I haue told you al my thoght." [ 4660] Aufreus meruelled of his speche, And seid, "Sir, I you beseche, Wher were ye born̄, and in what contre?" "In Surre, Sir," tho answerd he, [ 4664] [tells him that his name is Generides,] "And [Generides] my name is." Awey he rode with that I-wis [and rushes back to the fight.] In to the pres there he was beforn̄; Thus sone his fadre had him lorn̄; [ 4668] Therfor he taried not in that case, For wel he wist his son̄ he was.

For this letted thei not the batełł, But euerich began̄ othre tassaile; [ 4672] Darel roode wel wrothe and yłł, [Darel charges] For he had not wroken̄ his fiłł; With A knight that Aptisma hight [Aptisma,] He met, and gan̄ with him to fight, [ 4676] And smote him on the helme on hight ThAt it rofe And al to-fligh; The swerd was of egge kerving, And glaced to the hede falling, [ 4680] Into the brayne it cleef the crovn̄, [cleaves him to the brain,] That of his hors deid fel he dovn̄, Ne shal he neuer ride wele: The same hors thoo toke Darełł, [ 4684] [and takes his horse.] And ledeth him forth for his pray. Right as he turned than, he say [Clarionas] in a toure stand, [Seeing Clarionas,] Outward lenyng with hir hand, [ 4688] And Mirabel stoode fast by. Than̄ wax he som dele angri, And wend [Generides] it wist, [he thinks that Generides is delay∣ing there so long to show off his prowess before her,] And for hir loue the bettir list [ 4692] His grete doghtynes before hir sight Forto preve with strength of migħt; That so long he wold ther dwełł, Darel thoght it yuel counsel, [ 4696] And come to him in grete haste [and therefore rides to him,] And seid, "Sir, grete tyme we waste; Goo we nov hens, my lefe fere; Youre maistries that ye make here [ 4700] Is for loue of youre ladie [and reproaches him with] That ye [[? for ys.]] yondre in the toure on̄ hie. Al to lon̄g here we dwell; Therfor, frend, as I you tełł, [ 4704]

Oure lives we be in point to spiłł [risking their lives] If we folow lenger youre wiłł. Wene ye that hir louely looking [for his lady's lovely looking.] [Fol. 126] [col. 2.] Pleaseth vs any maner thing [ 4708] As it dooth you(:) nay, bi seint Gile, I pray you leue such loking a while, And to the gates draw we, And fond to gete sum̄ entre [ 4712] If we mow; but I me drede To long we dwel wełł to spede." [Generides] him held yuel apaied, [Generides cannot understand him,] Of Darel spech he was dismaied, [ 4716] And seid, "dere felow, mercy, What haue I greued you, and whi? Me thinketh I doo al that I may [says he has done all he can to bear him well,] Forto bere me wel this day; [ 4720] Ye se me feyne neuer a dele, No more doo ye, I se it wele; But, felow, ye may say as ye list, Put me in noo blame, as I you trist; [ 4724] For there as ye speke of looking,— Bi Ihesu that is heuen king, Toward the ost of the yendre kinges [and has cast no lovely lookings on his foes.] Ne made I neuer louely lookinges." [ 4728] "So meane I not," seid Darel, [Darel explains] "I mene vpward to yondre tourełł. There standeth [Clarionas [Clariones and Gerenedes in the later hand.] ] your ladie dere, [that Clarionas is in the tower;] And beholdeth what we doo here; [ 4732] I speke of loking vp to hir." [Generides [Clariones and Gerenedes in the later hand.] ] beheld, and seid, "Sir, [Generides looks, sees her,] Bi the feith I ow to god and you, This is the first tyme I saw hir now; [ 4736] But, leue frend, now I hir see,

Oones to Just, graunt ye me, [and asks for one more joust.] Elles shal I neuer be glad nor mery." "I am redy," quod Darel, "doo on hardely." [ 4740] Nathanael this vndrestoode; [Nathanael hands him a strong spear;] A strong spere he toke him, and a goode; [Generides [Gerenedes in the later hand, here and elsewhere.] ] this goode spere hent, Out of the ost waloping he went; [ 4744] Agayn̄ him come riding Ruben, [Ruben attacks him,] The noble kinges son̄ Manassen̄, On a goode stede of Arragon̄ With armes of Rial fasceon̄; [ 4748] A moch man he was, and long, And therto right hardie and strong; He smote [Generides [Gerenedes in the later hand, here and elsewhere.] ] stronglie thoo That he clafe his shelde in twoo; [ 4752] [splits his shield in two,] Ny the bokels, vnto the sokett, The spere passed bi, that was so grete, A fadom bi [Generides [Gerenedes in the later hand, here and elsewhere.] ] right side; [and just misses his right side.] As good wold, he had no wound that tide, [ 4756] But that stroke was so harde, His sheld it turned bakward Al fer behind his bak boon̄; Welnigh his sheld he had forgoon̄. [ 4760] [Generides [Gerenedes in the later hand, here and elsewhere.] ] smote Ruben thoo, [Generides drives through Ruben's shield,] Thurgħ his shelde the stroke did goo— [Fol. 126b] [col. 1.] The pensel al hole with the spere,— That stroke passed yet forther, [ 4764] Thurgh hauberk and doublet, And thurgh the shuldre, It shet, [hauberk, doublet, and shoulder,] So that Ruben and his stede [throwing him to the ground.] Both at oones to ground yede. [ 4768] [Generides [Gerenedes in the later hand, here and elsewhere.] ] toke the stede thoo To Nathanael, and bad him goo— [Generides sends Ruben's steed]

Because it was so feire and wight— "Lede it to [Clarionas], my ladie bright; [ 4772] Fro me take hir this present, [as a present to Clarionas,] And sey that I it to hir sent." So he did without letting, No man him let of his gooing [ 4776] That he ne entred feire and wełł Into the Citie and eke the Castełł. He toke to [Clarionas] his present; She it receued with glad entent; [ 4780] [and she receives it gladly.] Nathanael toke his leue thoo, And went thidre as he cam fro; The sight of [Clarionas] so comforted [Comforted by the sight of her, Generides] [Generides] hert that he resorted [ 4784] In to the oste euer in grete auenture That no man might his strokes endure; His swerd he bare drawn̄ on hight, [[for high.]] — Euen vp to the hiltes it was blodi— [ 4786] That, whethir so thei wold or noon̄, From the gates he made hem goon̄. [drives his enemies from the gate.] In his tent was Bellyns the king, [Bellyns, King of Kings,] Of al this werk he wist noo thing [ 4792] Til at the last outward he drogħ, [at last hears the noise of this fight,] He herd cry and noyse ynogħ; His hors he ashed, to him he cam, Vp he stert, his wey he nam [ 4796] [and rouses his host to go and cut off Generides.] Vnto his ost, and bad hem hie, And sone thei gan to blow and crye; Thei found the king of kinges Criyng and making thretinges [ 4800] To the Soudan̄ and his forto mate. Darel houed before the gate: Whan thei of the Citie that noyse herd, [The people of the city] Vnto [Generides] anoon thei ferd, [ 4804]

And praied him for Charitie [pray Generides to come in,] That he wold entre into the Citie; "See, the hole ost cometħ on vs here." [Generides] seid, "let hem come nere! [ 4808] [but he says, "Let them come on;] Oure trauel hath to-day be grete, But al to smal is oure begete; Moche tyme wasted we haue; Oure self if we wil saue, [ 4812] With hem we scarmysh, and we shal sene; [we will skirmish with them,] Right sone I hope to se hem fleen̄, And than oure honour shał arise; And if we see in al wise [ 4816] That al the grete ost cometh hollie, [Fol. 126b] [col. 2.] [and withdraw into the town if the whole host does come."] We may withdraw vs lightlie Til that we be within the tovn̄." "Yea," seid Darel, "if that we movn̄; [ 4820] [Darel agrees,] But I ne wot if it may be soo; But and ye wil, I graunt tħerto." [Generides] his horn̄ thoo gan blow, His felous gadred on a row; [ 4824] [Generides gathers his companions,] Blaunchard he spored, his goode stede, That as the winde vndre him yede; The first knight that he there mete, [and runs a knight right through.] Thurghout with his spere he him smet. [ 4828] Darel went to an othre knight, [Darel kills a second,] That thurgh the bodie he smote him right; Anazaree rode vnto the third, [[? for thrid.]] [Anazaree a third,] And so to smyte him he betid, [ 4832] From the throte vnto the crovn̄ The spere glode, and he fel dovn̄; Al the knightes of [Generides] companye, [and the rest fight well,] So thei bare hem by and by [ 4836] That the host without began to fleen̄; [so that the enemy flee.] Al thei in the Citie might it seen̄.

Than thei armed here men̄ ful stoute, Fourti men thei sent out [ 4840] [Forty issue from the city to help Generides,] Forto help goode [Generides]; Thei russhed furtħ in the pres. Whan [Generides] saw here comyng, Without any more tariyng [ 4844] Ful loud tho he blew his horn̄, And gadred his felous him beforn̄ [who gathers his men together,] That wide were in sondri sprad; Whan he hem al to-gedre had, [ 4848] To the gates he turned his company, And entred al into the Citie; [and withdraws into the city,] Thei broght of stedes moo than ahundred [[MS. .C.]] ,— Therof the Soudon was al a-wondred,— [ 4852] In the Citie al lordes and kinges Made grete ioye of here comynges, [where great joy is made over him,] Al spoken of [Generides] hardines, Thei made songes of him, both more and les; [ 4856] The Soudon made mery chere; [especially by the Sowdon.] [Generides] he called him nere, And thanked him of his grete trauaile, And swore he wold him neuer faile. [ 4860] Than seid Darel somdele on yll, [Darel tells the Sowdon he must not hang Generides this year,] "Sir, had ye som tyme had youre wiłł, And haue hanged him as ye wold, To haue thanked him ye ne shold; [ 4864] If ye bi counsel wil ought lere, Ye shal not hang him of al this yere." The Soudon gan a litle to smyle, [at which the Sow∣don smiles,] "Darel, ye say trouth, bi seint Gile; [ 4868] For now I wot ye sey me sotħ; Oft avisement micħ goode dootħ." In both ostes was ther noon̄ [and Generides is held the doughtiest man of all,] Holden so doughtie so Generides was oon̄— [ 4872] [Fol. 127] [col. 1.]

ThAt wittnesseth the king of kinges Amonges al his grete lordinges,— As was Generides, ne noon so stoute, Saue him self, that euer he toke oute; [ 4876] [though the King of Kings excepts himself.] For so doughtie of flesħ and boon̄ As him self was, him thoght was non̄.