King Horn ; Floriz and Blauncheflur ; The assumption of Our Lady / first edited in 1866 by J. Rawson Lumby ; and now re-edited from the MSS. with introduction notes, and glossary, by George H. McKnight.

Harl. MS. 2253.

The | corresponds to a sign used in the MS. to mark the divisions between the lines.

Her bygynneþ þe geste of kyng Horn. [leaf 83] ¶ Alle heo ben blyþe | þat to my song ylyþe, a song ychulle ou singe | of Allof þe gode kynge. kyng he wes by weste | þe whiles hit yleste, ant godylt his gode quene; | no feyrore myhte bene. [ 8] ant huere sone hihte horn; | feyrore child ne myhte be born. for reyn ne myhte by ryne | ne sonne myhte shyne. feyrore child þen he was, | bryht so euer eny glas, so whit so eny lylye flour, | so rose red wes his colour. [ 16] He wes feyr ant eke bold | ant of fyftene wynter old.

Nis non his yliche | in none kinges ryche. [leaf 83, back] tueye feren he hadde | þat he wiþ him ladde, alle richemenne sones, | ant alle suyþe feyre gomes, [ 24] wyþ him forte pleye. | mest he louede tueye; Þat on wes hoten Athulf chyld, | ant þat oþer Fykenyld. Athulf wes þe beste | ant fykenyld þe werste. Hyt was vpon a someres day, | also ich ou telle may, [ 32] Allof þe gode kyng | rod vpon ys pleyȝyng bi þe see side, | þer he was woned to ryde. wiþ him ne ryde bote tuo; | al to fewe hue were þo. he fond by þe stronde, | aryued on is londe, [ 40] shipes fyftene, | of sarazynes kene.

he askede whet hue sohten | oþer on is lond brohten. a payen hit yherde | ant sone him onsuerede, "þy lond folk we wolleþ slon | þat euer crist leueþ on; [ 48] ant þe we wolleþ ryht anon; | shalt þou neuer henne gon." þe kyng lyhte of his stede, | for þo he heuede nede, ant his gode feren tuo; | mid ywis huem wes ful wo. swerd hy gonne griþe | ant to gedere smyte. [ 56] hy smyten under shelde, | þat hy somme yfelde. ¶ þe kyng hade to fewe | aȝeyn so monie schrewe. so fele myhten eþe | bringe þre to deþe. þe payns come to londe | ant nomen hit an honde. [ 64] þe folk hy gonne quelle | ant sarazyns to felle.

þer ne myhte libbe | þe fremede ne þe sibbe, bote he is lawe forsoke | ant to huere toke. of alle wymmanne | werst wes godyld þanne. [ 72] for Allof hy wepeþ sore | ant for horn ȝet more. Godild hade so muche sore | þat habbe myhte hue na more. hue wente out of halle, | from hire maidnes alle, vnder a roche of stone. | þer hue wonede al one. [ 80] þer hue seruede gode, | aȝeyn þe payenes forbode. þer hue seruede crist, | þat þe payenes hit nust. ant euer hue bad for horn child, | þat crist him wrþe myld. ¶ Horn wes in payenes hond, | mid is feren of þe lond. [ 88] muche wes þe feyrhade | þat ihesu crist him made.

payenes him wolde slo | ant summe him wolde flo. ȝyf hornes feyrnesse nere, | yslawe þis children were. þo spec on Admyrold, | of wordes he wes swyþe bold, [ 96] "horn, þou art swyþe kene, | bryht of hewe ant shene; þou art fayr ant eke strong | ant eke eueneliche long. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . .] ȝef þou to lyue mote go, | ant þyne feren also, [ 104] þat ymay byfalle | þat ȝe shule slen vs alle. þare fore þou shalt to streme go, | þou ant þy feren also. [leaf 84] to shipe ȝe shule founde | ant sinke to þe grounde. þe see þe shal adrenche; | ne shal hit vs of þenche. [ 112] for ȝef þou were alyue, | wiþ suerd oþer wiþ knyue

we shulden alle deȝe, | þy fader deþ to beye." þe children ede to þe stronde, | wryngynde huere honde, ant in to shipes borde | at þe furste worde. [ 120] ofte hade horn be wo, | ah neuer wors þen him wes þo. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] ¶ þe see bygon to flowen | ant horn faste to rowen [ 128] ant þat ship wel suyþe drof, | ant horn wes adred þer of, hue wenden mid ywisse | of huere lyue to misse. al þe day ant al þe nyht, | o þat sprong þe day lyht, Flotterede horn by þe stronde, | er he seye eny londe. [ 136] "feren," quoþ horn þe ȝynge, | "y telle ou tydynge.

Ich here foules singe, | ant se þe grases springe. blyþe be ȝe alyue, | vr ship is come to ryue." of shipe hy gonne founde | ant sette fot to grounde. [ 144] by þe see syde | hure ship bigon to ryde. þenne spec him child horn, | in sudenne he was yborn, "nou, ship, by þe flode, | haue dayes gode, by þe see brynke | no water þe adrynke. [ 152] softe mote þou sterye, | þat water þe ne derye. þef þou comest to sudenne, | gret hem þat me kenne. gret wel þe gode | quene godild, mi moder. ant sey þene heþene kyng, | ihesu cristes wytherlyng, [ 160] þat ich hol ant fere, | in londe aryuede here.

ant say þat he shal fonde | þen deþ of myne honde." ¶ Þe ship bigon to fleoten | ant horn child to weopen. by dales ant by dounes | þe children eoden to tounes. [ 168] metten hue Eylmer, þe kyng, | crist him ȝeue god tymyng, kyng of westnesse, | c[ri]st him myhte blesse. he spec to horn child | wordes suyþe myld, "whenne be ȝe gomen, | þat bueþ her a londe ycomen, [ 176] alle þrettene | of bodye suyþe kene? by god þat me made, | so feyr a felaurade ne seh y neuer stonde | in westnesse Londe. say me whet ȝe seche." | horn spec huere speche. [ 184] ¶ Horn spac for huem alle, | for so hit moste byfalle;

he wes þe wyseste | ant of wytte þe beste. "we bueþ of sudenne, | ycome of gode kenne, of cristene blode, | of cunne swyþe gode. [ 192] payenes þer connen aryue | ant cristine brohten of lyue, slowen ant to drowe | cristinemen ynowe. so crist me mote rede, | ous hy duden lede In to a galeye, | wiþ þe see to pleye. [leaf 84, back] [ 200] day is gon ant oþer | wiþ oute seyl ant roþer. vre ship flet forþ ylome, | ant her to londe hit ys ycome. Nou þou myht vs slen, ant bynde | oure honde vs bihynde. ah ȝef hit is þi wille, | help vs þat we ne spille." [ 208] ¶ Þo spac þe gode kyng, | he nes neuer nyþyng,

"sey, child, whet is þy name, | shal þe tide bote game." þe child him onsuerede, | so sone he hit yherde, "Horn ycham yhote, | ycome out of þis bote, [ 216] from þe see side, | kyng, wel þe bitide." "horn child," quoþ þe kyng, | "wel brouc þou þy nome ȝyng. horn him goþ so stille | bi dales ant by hulles. horn haþ loude soune | þurh out vch a toune. [ 224] so shal þi nome springe | from kynge to kynge, ant þi feirnesse | aboute westnesse. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] horn þou art so suete, | ne shal y þe forlete." [ 232] Hom rod Aylmer þe kyng, | ant horn wiþ him, his fundlyng,

ant alle his yfere, | þat him were so duere. þe kyng com in to halle | among his knyhtes alle. forþ he clepeþ Aþelbrus, | his stiward, ant him seide þus, [ 240] "stiward, tac þou here | my fundlyng, forto lere of þine mestere, | of wode ant of ryuere, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] and toggen o þe harpe | wiþ is nayles sharpe; [ 248] and tech him alle þe listes | þat þou euer wystest, byfore me to keruen | ant of my coupe to seruen. ant his feren deuyse | wiþ ous oþer seruise. horn child þou vnderstond, | tech him of harpe ant of song." ¶ Aþelbrus gon leren, | horn ant hyse feren. [ 258]

horn mid herte lahte | al þat mon him tahte. wiþ inne court ant wiþ oute | ant oueral aboute, Louede men horn child; | ant most him louede rymenyld, [ 264] Þe kynges oune dohter, | for he wes in hire þohte. hue louede him in hire mod, | for he wes feir ant eke god. ant þah hue ne dorste at bord | mid him speke ner a word, ne in þe halle | among þe knyhtes alle, [ 272] hyre sorewe ant hire pyne | nolde neuer fyne bi daye ne by nyhte, | for hue speke ne myhte wiþ horn þat wes so feir ant fre, | þo hue ne myhte wiþ him be. In herte hue hade care ant wo, | ant þus hue biþohte hire þo. Hue sende hyre sonde | Athelbrus to honde,

þat he come hue to, | ant also shulde horn do [leaf 85] in to hire boure, | for hue bigon to loure. ant þe sonde sayde | þat seek wes þe mayde, [ 288] ant bed him come suyþe, | for hue nis nout blyþe. ¶ Þe stiward wes in huerte wo, | for he nuste whet he shulde do. what rymenild bysohte, | gret wonder him þohte, aboute horn þe ȝinge | to boure forte bringe. [ 296] he þohte on is mode | hit nes for none gode. he tok wiþ him an oþer, | aþulf, hornes broþer. "Athulf," quoþ he, "ryht anon | þou shalt wiþ me to boure gon, to speke wiþ rymenild stille, | to wyte hyre wille. [ 304] þou art hornes yliche, | þou shalt hire by suyke;

sore me adrede | þat hue wole horn mys rede." Athelbrus ant Athulf bo | to hire boure beþ ygo. vpon Athulf childe | rymenild con waxe wilde. [ 312] hue wende horn it were | þat hue hade þere. hue seten adoun stille | ant seyden hure wille. In hire armes tueye | Athulf he con leye. "horn," quoþ he, "wel longe | y haue loued þe stronge; [ 320] þou shalt þy treuþe plyhte | in myn hond wiþ ryhte, me to spouse welde, | ant ich þe louerd to helde." so stille so hit were | athulf seyde in hire eere, "ne tel þou no more speche, | may, y þe by seche. [ 328] þi tale gyn þou lynne, | for horn nis nout her ynne.

ne be we nout yliche, | for horn is fayr ant ryche, fayrore by one ribbe | þen ani mon þat libbe. þah horn were vnder molde, | ant oþer elle wher he sholde, [ 336] hennes a þousent milen, | y nulle him bigilen." ¶ rymenild hire by wente, | ant Athelbrus þus heo shende, "Aþelbrus, þou foule þef, | ne worþest þou me neuer lef. went out of my boure, | shame þe mote by shoure, [ 344] ant euel hap to vnderfonge | ant euele rode on to honge. Ne speke y nout wiþ horne, | nis he nout so vnorne. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] ¶ Þo Athelbrus astounde | fel aknen to grounde. [ 352] "ha, leuedy, myn owe, | me lyþe a lutel þrowe,

ant list were fore ych wonde | to bringen horn to honde. for horn is fayr ant riche, | nis non his ylyche. Aylmer þe gode kyng | dude him me in lokyng. [ 360] Ȝif horn þe were aboute, | sore ich myhte doute wiþ him þou woldest pleye | bituene ou seluen tueye. þenne shulde wiþ outen oþe | þe kyng vs make wroþe. [ 366] Ah, forȝef me þi teone, | my leuedy Ant my quene. [leaf 85, back] Horn y shal þe fecche, | wham so hit yrecche." rymenild, ȝef heo couþe, | con lyþe wiþ hyre mouþe. heo loh ant made hire blyþe, | for wel wes hyre olyue. "go þon," quoþ heo, "sone, | ant send him after none, [ 376] a skuyeres wyse, | when þe king aryse.

[No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] he shal myd me bileue | þat hit be ner eue. haue ich of him mi wille, | ne recchi whet men telle." [ 384] ¶ Athelbrus goþ wiþ alle; | horn he fond in halle, bifore þe kyng o benche, | wyn forte shenche. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] "Horn," quoþ he, "þou hende, | to boure gyn þou wende, [ 392] to speke wiþ rymenild þe ȝynge, | dohter oure kynge, wordes suyþe bolde; | þin horte gyn þou holde. Horn, be þou me trewe, | shal þe nout arewe." [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 400] He eode forþ to ryhte | to rymenild þe bryhte.

a knewes he him sette | ant suetliche hire grette. of is fayre syhte | al þat bour gan lyhte. he spac faire is speche; | ne durþ non him teche. [ 408] "wel þou sitte ant soþte, | rymenild, kinges dohter, ant þy maydnes here | þat sitteþ þyne yfere. Kynges styward oure | sende me to boure, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 416] forte y here, leuedy myn, | whet be wille þyn." rymenild vp gon stonde | ant tok him by þe honde. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] heo made feyre chere | ant tok him bi þe suere. [ 424] ofte heo him custe, | so wel hyre luste.

"Wel come, horn," þus sayde | rymenild, þat mayde, "an euen ant a morewe | for þe ich habbe sorewe, þat y haue no reste, | ne slepe me ne lyste. [ 432] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] Horn, þou shalt wel swyþe | mi longe serewe lyþe; þou shalt wyþ-oute striue | habbe me to wyue. horn, haue of me reuþe, | ant plyht me þi treuþe." [ 440] ¶ horn þo him byþohte | whet he speken ohte. "crist," quoþ horn, "þe wisse, | ant ȝeue þe heuene blisse of þine hosebonde, | who he be a londe. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 448] ich am ybore þral, | þy fader fundlyng wiþ-al.

of kunde me ne felde | þe to spouse welde. Hit nere no fair weddyng | bituene a þral ant þe kyng." þo gon rymenild mis lyken, | ant sore 1 bigon to syken. [ 456] armes bigon vnbowe, | ant doun heo fel y swowe. Horn hire vp hente | ant in is armes trente. he gon hire to cusse, | ant feyre forte wisse. "rymenild," quoþ he, "duere, | help me þat ych were [ 464] Ydobbed to be knyhte, | suete, bi al þi myhte [leaf 86] to mi louerd þe kyng, | þat he me ȝeue dobbyng. þenne is my þralhede | al wend in to knyhthede. y shal waxe more | ant do, rymenild, þi lore." [ 472] Þo rymenild þe ȝynge | a-ros of hire swowenynge.

"Nou, horn, to soþe, | y leue þe by þyn oþe, þou shalt be maked knyht | er þen þis fourteniht. ber þou her þes coppe, | ant þes ringes þer vppe, [ 480] to Athelbrus þe styward, | ant say him he holde foreward. Sey ich him biseche, | wiþ loueliche speche, þat he for þe falle | to þe kynges fet in halle, þat he wiþ is worde | þe knyhty wiþ sworde. [ 488] wiþ seluer ant wiþ golde | hit worþ him wel yȝolde. nou crist him lene spede | þin erndyng do bede." ¶ Horn tok is leue, | for hit wes neh eue. Athelbrus he sohte | ant tok him þat he brohte, [ 496] ant tolde him þare | hou he hede yfare.

he seide him is nede, | ant him bihet is mede. Athelbrus so blyþe | eode in to halle swyþe, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 504] ant seide, "kyng, nou leste | o tale mid þe beste. þou shalt bere coroune | to marewe in þis toune. to marewe is þi feste; | þe bihoueþ geste. Ich þe rede mid al my myht | þat þou make horn knyht. [ 512] þin armes do him welde; | god knyht he shal þe ȝelde." þe kyng seide wel sone, | "hit is wel to done. Horn me wel quemeþ; | knyht him wel bysemeþ. He shal haue mi dobbyng | ant be myn oþer derlyng. [ 520] ant hise feren tuelue | he shal dobbe him selue.

alle y shal hem knyhte | byfore me to fyhte." al þat þe lyhte day sprong | aylmere þohte long. þe day bigon to springe; | horn com byfore þe kynge, [ 528] wiþ his tuelf fere; | alle þer ywere. Horn knyht made he | wiþ ful gret solempnite, Sette him on a stede | red so eny glede, Smot him a lute wiht, | ant bed him buen a god knyht. [ 536] Athulf vel a kne þer | ant þonkede kyng Aylmer. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] ¶ "Nou is knyht sire horn | þat in Sudenne wes yborn. Lord he is of londe | ant of vs þat by him stonde. [ 544] þin armes he haueþ ant þy sheld, | forte fyhte in þe feld.

Let him vs alle knyhte, | so hit is his ryhte." Aylmer seide ful ywis, | "nou do þat þi wille ys." Horn adoun con lyhte | ant made hem alle to knyhte, [ 552] for muchel wes þe geste | ant more wes þe feste. [leaf 86, back] þat rymenild nes nout þere | hire þohte seue ȝere. efter horn hue sende; | horn in to boure wende. He nolde gon is one; | Athulf wes hys ymone. [ 560] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] ¶ rymenild welcomeþ sire horn, | ant aþulf knyht him biforn. "knyht, nou is tyme | forto sitte byme. do nou þat we spake; | to þi wyf þou me take. [ 568] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .]

Nou þou hast wille þyne, | vnbynd me of þis pyne." "rymenild, nou be stille, | ichulle don al þy wille. ah her hit so bitide, | mid spere ichulle ryde [ 576] ant my knyhthod proue, | er þen ich þe wowe. we bueþ nou knyhtes ȝonge, | alle to day yspronge, ant of þe mestere | hit is þe manere, wiþ sum oþer knyhte | for his lemmon to fyþte, [ 584] er ne he eny wyf take | oþer wyþ wymmon forewart make. to day, so crist me blesse, | y shal do pruesse, for þi loue mid shelde | amiddewart þe felde. ȝef ich come to lyue | ychul þe take to wyue." [ 592] "knyht, y may yleue þe, | why aut þou trewe be.

¶ Haue her þis goldring; | hit is ful god to þi dobbyng. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] ygraued is on þe rynge, | 'rymenild þy luef þe ȝynge.' [ 600] nis non betere vnder sonne | þat enymon of conne. For mi loue þou hit were, | ant on þy fynger þou hit bere. þe ston haueþ suche grace, | ne shalt þou in none place deþ vnderfonge, | ne buen yslaye wiþ wronge, [ 608] ȝef þou lokest þeran | ant þenchest o þi lemman. ant sire aþulf, þi broþer, | he shal han en oþer. Horn, crist y þe byteche, | mid mourninde speche. crist þe ȝeue god endyng, | ant sound aȝeyn þe brynge." [ 616] þe knyht hire gan to cusse, | ant rymenild him to blesse.

leue at hyre he nom, | ant in to halle he com. knyhtes eode to table, | ant horn eode to stable, þer he toc his gode fole, | blac so euer eny cole. [ 624] wiþ armes he him sredde, | ant is fole he fedde. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] þe fole bigon to springe | ant horn murie to synge. Horn rod one whyle | wel more þen a myle. [ 632] he seh a shyp at grounde, | wiþ heþene hounde. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] He askede wet hue hadden, | oþer to londe ladden. an hound him gan biholde, | ant spek wordes bolde. [ 640] "þis land we wolleþ wynne, | ant sle þat þer bueþ inne."

Horn gan is swerd gripe, | ant on is arm hit wype. þe sarazyn he hitte so, | þat is hed fel to ys to. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 648] þo gonne þe houndes gone | aȝeynes horn ys one. He Lokede on is rynge, | ant þohte o rymenyld þe ȝynge. [leaf 87] he sloh þer of þe beste | an houndred at þe leste. ne mihte no mon telle | alle þat he gon quelle. [ 656] of þat þer were o ryue | he lafte lut o lyue. ¶ Horn tok þe maister heued, | þat he him hade byreued, ant sette on is suerde, | abouen o þen orde. he ferde hom to halle, | among þe knyhtes alle, [ 664] "Kyng," quoþ he, "wel þou sitte, | ant þine knyhtes mitte.

to day ich rod o my pleyyng, | after my dobbyng, y fond a ship rowen, | in þe sound byflowen, Mid vnlondisshe menne, | of sarazynes kenne, [ 672] to deþe forte pyne | þe ant alle þyne. hy gonne me asayly. | swerd me nolde fayly; y smot hem alle to grounde | in a lutel stounde. þe heued ich þe bringe | of þe maister kynge. [ 680] nou haue ich þe ȝolde | þat þou me knyhten woldest." þe day bigon to springe, | þe kyng rod on hontynge to þe wode wyde, | ant Fykenyld bi is syde, þa fals wes ant vntrewe, | whose him wel yknewe. [ 688] ¶ Horn ne þohte nout him on, | ant to boure wes ygon.

he fond rymenild sittynde | ant wel sore wepynde, so whyt so þe sonne, | mid terres al byronne. Horn seide, "luef, þyn ore, | why wepest þou so sore?" [ 696] Hue seide, "ich nout ne wepe, | ah y shal er y slepe. me þohte o my metyng, | þat ich rod ofysshyng. to see my net ycaste, | ant wel fer hit laste. a gret fyssħ at þe ferste | my net made berste. [ 704] þat fyssħ me so bycahte, | þat y nout ne lahte. y wene y shal forleose | þe fyssħ þat y wolde cheose." ¶ "Crist ant seinte steuene," | quoþ horn, "areche þy sweuene. no shal y þe byswyke, | ne do þat þe mis lyke. [ 712] ich take þe myn owe, | to holde ant eke to knowe,

for eueruch oþer wyhte; | þerto my trouþe y plyhte." wel muche was þe reuþe | þat wes at þilke treuþe. rymenild wep wel ylle, | ant horn let terres stille. [ 720] "Lemmon," quoþ he, "dere, | þou shalt more yhere. þy sweuen shal wende; | summon vs wole shende. þat fyssħ þat brac þy net, | ywis it is sumwet þat wol vs do sum teone; | ywys hit worþ ysene." [ 728] ¶ Aylmer rod by stoure, | ant horn wes yne boure. Fykenild hade enuye | ant seyde þeose folye:— "Aylmer, ich þe werne, | horn þe wole forberne. Ich herde wher he seyde, | ant his suerd he leyde, [ 736] to brynge þe of lyue | ant take rymenyld to wyue.

He Lyht nou in Boure, | vnder couertoure, [leaf 87, back] by rymenyld, þy dohter; | ant so he doþ wel ofte. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 744] do him out of londe, | er he do more shonde." ¶ Aylmer gan hom turne, | wel mody ant wel sturne. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] he fond horn vnder arme, | in rymenyldes barme. [ 752] "go out," quoþ aylmer, þe kyng, | "Horn, þou foule fundlyng. forþ out of boures flore, | for rymenild, þin hore. wend out of londe sone; | her nast þou nout to done. [ 760] wel sone bote þou flette, | myd suert y shal þe sette." [ 758] Horn eode to stable, | wel modi for þat fable.

he sette sadel on stede, | wiþ armes he gon him shrede. his brunie he con lace, | so he shulde, in to place. [ 766] his suerd he gon fonge; | ne stod he nout to longe. [ 770] to is suerd he gon teon; | ne durste non wel him seon. [ 768] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] He seide, "lemmon, derlyng, | nou þou hauest þy sweuenyng. þe fyssħ þat þyn net rende, | from þe me he sende. [ 776] þe kyng wiþ me gynneþ striue; | a wey he wole me dryue. þare fore haue nou godneday; | nou y mot fonnde ant fare away In to vncouþe londe, | wel more forte fonde. y shal wonie þere | fulle seue ȝere. [ 784] at þe seueȝeres ende, | ȝyf y ne come ne sende,

tac þou hosebonde, | for me þat þou no wonde. In armes þou me fonge, | ant cus me swyþe longe." hy custen hem a stounde, | ant rymenyld fel to grounde. [ 792] ¶ Horn toc his leue; | he myhte nout byleue. He toc Aþulf, is fere, | aboute þe swere, ant seide, "knyht so trewe, | kep wel loue newe. þou neuer ne forsoke | rymenild to kepe ant loke." [ 800] his stede he bigan stryde, | ant forþ he con hym ryde. Aþulf wep wiþ eyȝen, | ant alle þat hit yseyȝen. Horn forþ him ferde; | a god ship he him herde, Þat him shulde passe | out of westnesse. [ 808] Þe wynd bigon to stonde, | ant drof hem vp o londe.

to londe þat hy fletten; | fot out of ship hy setten. he fond bi þe weye, | kynges sones tueye; Þat on wes hoten Aþyld, | ant þat oþer beryld. [ 816] beryld hym con preye | þat he shulde seye what he wolde þere, | ant what ys nome were. ¶ "Godmod," he seid, "ich hote, | ycomen out of þis bote, wel fer from by weste, | to seche myne beste." [ 824] beryld con ner him ryde, | ant toc him bi þe bridel. "wel be þou, knyht, yfounde; | wiþ me þou lef a stounde. also ich mote sterue, | þe kyng þou shalt serue. ne seh y neuer a lyue | so feir knyht her aryue." [ 832] godmod he ladde to halle, | ant he adoun gan falle,

Ant sette him a knelyng, | ant grette þene gode kyng. [leaf 88] þo saide beryld wel sone, | "kyng, wiþ him þou ast done. þi lond tac him to werie; | ne shal þe nomon derye, [ 840] for he is þe feyreste man | þat euer in þis londe cam." ¶ þo seide þe kyng wel dere, | "welcome þe þou here. go, beryld, wel swyþe, | ant make hym wel blyþe, ant when þou farest to wowen, | tac him þine glouen. [ 848] þer þou hast munt to wyue, | a wey he shal þe dryue; for godmodes feyrhede | shalt þou no wer spede." hit wes at cristesmasse, | nouþer more ne lasse. þe kyng made feste, | of his knyhtes beste. [ 856] þer com in at none, | a geaunt suyþe sone,

y-armed of paynyme, | ant seide þise ryme:— "Site, kyng, bi kynge, | ant herkne my tidynge. her bueþ paynes aryue, | wel more þen fyue. [ 864] her beþ vpon honde, | kyng, in þine londe. on þer of wol fyhte | to ȝeynes þre knyhtes. ȝef oure þre sleh oure on, | we shulen of ore londe gon; ȝef vre on sleh oure þre, | al þis lond shal vre be. [ 872] to morewe shal be þe fyhtynge, | at þe sonne vpspringe." ¶ þo seyde þe kyng þurston, | "godmod shal be þat on; beryld shal be þat oþer; | þe þridde, Aþyld, is broþer. for hue bueþ strongeste, | ant in armes þe beste. [ 880] ah, wat shal vs to rede? | y wene we bueþ dede."

Godmod set at borde, | ant seide þeose wordes:— "sire kyng, nis no ryhte, | on wiþ þre fyhte, aȝeynes one hounde, | þre cristene to founde. [ 888] ah, kyng, y shal alone, | wiþ-oute more ymone, wiþ my suerd ful eþe | bringen hem alle to deþe." þe kyng aros amorewe; | he hade muche sorewe. godmod ros of bedde; | wiþ armes he him shredde. [ 896] his brunye he on caste, | ant knutte hit wel faste, ant com him to þe kynge, | at his vp rysynge. "kyng," quoþ he, "com to felde, | me forte byhelde, hou we shule flyten | ant to gedere smiten." [ 904] ¶ riht at prime tide, | hy gonnen out to ryde.

hy fonnden in a grene, | a geaunt swyþe kene, his feren him biside, | þat day forto abyde. Godmod hem gon asaylen; | nolde he nout faylen. [ 912] he ȝef duntes ynowe; | þe payen fel y swowe. [leaf 88, back] ys feren gonnen hem wiþ drawe, | for huere maister wes neh slawe. he seide, "knyht, þou reste | a whyle, ȝef þe leste. [ 918] y ne heuede ner of monnes hond | so harde duntes in non lond, bote of þe kyng Murry, | þat wes swiþe sturdy. he wes of hornes kenne; | y sloh him in sudenne." ¶ Godmod him gon agryse, | ant his blod aryse. byforen him he seh stonde | þat drof him out of londe, [ 928] ant fader his a-quelde; | he smot him vnder shelde.

he lokede on is rynge, | ant þohte o rymenild þe ȝynge. mid god suerd at þe furste, | he smot him þourh þe huerte. þe payns bigonne to fleon, | ant to huere shype teon. [ 936] to ship hue wolden erne; | godmod hem con werne. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] þe kynges sones tweyne | þe paiens slowe beyne. [ 944] þo wes Godmod swyþe wo, | ant þe payens he smot so, þat in a lutel stounde | þe paiens hy felle to grounde. godmod ant is men | slowe þe payenes eueruchen. his fader deþ ant ys lond | awrek godmod wiþ his hond. [ 952] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] þe kyng wiþ reuþful chere | lette leggen is sones on bere, ant bringen hom to halle; | muche sorewe hue maden alle. [ 960] in a chirche of lym ant ston | me buriede hem wiþ ryche won. ¶ Þe kyng lette forþ calle | hise knyhtes alle, ant seide, "godmod, ȝef þou nere, | alle ded we were, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . [ 968] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] þou art boþe god ant feyr; | her y make þe myn heyr; for my sones bueþ yflawe, | ant ybroht of lyfdawe. [ 976] dohter ich habbe one; | nys non so feyr of blod ant bone.

2 (Ermenild, þat feyre may, | bryht so eny someres day,) hire wolle ich ȝeue þe, | ant her kyng shalt þou be." he seyde, "more ichul þe serue, | kyng, er þen þou sterue. [ 984] when y þy dohter ȝerne, | heo ne shal me noþyng werne." ¶ godmod wonede þere | fulle six ȝere; [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] ant þe seueþe ȝer bygon; | to rymynyld, sonde ne sende he non. rymenyld wes in westnesse, | wiþ muchel sorewenesse. [ 994] a kyng þer wes aryue, | ant wolde hyre han to wyue. at one were þe kynges, | of þat weddynge. þe dayes were so sherte, | ant rymenild ne derste [ 1000] latten on none wyse. | a wryt hue dude deuyse;

Aþulf hit dude wryte, | þat horn ne louede nout lyte. hue sende hire sonde | in to eueruche londe, to sechen horn knyhte, | whe so er me myhte. [ 1008] Horn þer of nout herde, | til, o day þat he ferde to wode forte shete, | a page he gan mete. Horn seide, "leue fere, | whet dest þou nou here?" "Sire, in lutel spelle | y may þe sone telle. [leaf 89] [ 1016] Ich seche from westnesse, | horn, knyht, of estnesse, For rymenild, þat feyre may, | soreweþ for him nyht ant day. A kyng hire shal wedde, | a sonneday to bedde, Kyng Mody of reynis, | þat is hornes enimis. [ 1024] ich habbe walked wyde | by þe see side.

ne mihte ich him neuer cleche, | wiþ nones kunnes speche, ne may ich of him here | in londe fer no nere. weylawey þe while, | him may hente gyle." [ 1032] ¶ Horn hit herde wiþ earen, | ant spec wiþ wete tearen, "So wel, grom, þe bitide, | horn stond by þi syde, aȝeyn to rymenild turne, | ant sey þat hue ne murne. y shal be þer bi time, | a sonneday er prime." [ 1040] þe page wes wel blyþe | ant shipede wel suyþe. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] þe see him gon adrynke; | þat rymenil may of þinke. þe [see] him con ded þrowe | vnder hire chambre wowe. [ 1048] rymenild lokede wide | by þe see syde,

ȝef heo seȝe horn come, | oþer tidynge of eny gome. þo fond hue hire sonde | adronque by þe stronde, þat shulde horn brynge; | hire hondes gon hue wrynge. [ 1056] ¶ Horn com to þurston þe kynge, | ant tolde him þes tidynge. ant þo he was biknowe, | þat rymenild wes ys owe, ant of his gode kenne, | þe kyng of sudenne, ant hou he sloh afelde | him þat is fader aquelde, [ 1064] ant seide, "kyng so wyse, | ȝeld me my seruice. rymenild, help me to wynne, | swyþe þat þou ne blynne, ant y shal do to house | þy dohter wel to spouse, for hue shal to spouse haue | Aþulf, my gode felawe. [ 1072] he is knyht mid þe beste, | ant on of þe treweste."

þe kyng seide so stille, | "horn, do al þi wille." he sende þo by sonde, | ȝend al is londe, after knyhtes to fyhte, | þat were men so lyhte. [ 1080] to him come ynowe, | þat in to shipe drowe. ¶ Horn dude him in þe weye, | in a gret galeye. þe wynd bigon to blowe | in a lutel þrowe. þe see bi-gan wiþ ship to gon, | to westnesse hem brohte anon. hue striken seyl of maste, | ant ancre gonnen caste. [ 1090] matynes were yronge | ant þe masse ysonge, of rymenild þe ȝynge | ant of Mody þe kynge, ant horn wes in watere; | ne mihte he come no latere. [ 1096] He let is ship stonde, | ant com him vp to londe.

His folk he made abyde | vnder a wode syde. ¶ Horn eode forh al one, | so he sprong of þe stone. [leaf 89, back] on palmere he y-mette, | ant wiþ wordes hyne grette, [ 1104] "palmere, þou shalt me telle," | he seyde, "of þine spelle, so brouke þou þi croune, | why comest þou from toune?" ant he seide on is tale, | "y come from a brudale, from brudale wylde | of maide remenylde. [ 1112] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] ne mihte hue nout dreȝe | þat hue ne wep wiþ eȝe. hue seide, 'þat hue nolde | be spoused wiþ golde; hue hade hosebonde | þah he were out of londe.' [ 1120] ich wes in þe halle, | wiþ-inne þe castel walle.

[No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] a wey y gon glide; | þe dole y nolde abyde. [ 1128] þer worþ a dole reuly; | þe brude wepeþ bitterly." quoþ horn, "so crist me rede, | we wolleþ chaunge wede. tac þou robe myne, | ant ȝe sclaueyn þyne. to day y shal þer drynke, | þat summe hit shal of-þynke." [ 1136] sclaueyn he gon doun legge, | ant horn hit dude on rugge, ant toc hornes cloþes, | þat nout him were loþe. ¶ Horn toc bordoun ant scrippe, | ant gan to wrynge is lippe. he made foule chere, | ant bicollede is swere. [ 1144] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .]

he com to þe ȝateward, | þat him onsuerede froward. horn bed vn-do wel softe, | moni tyme ant ofte. ne myhte he ywynne | forto come þer-ynne. [ 1152] horn þe wyket puste, | þat hit open fluste. þe porter shulde abugge; | he þrew him a-doun þe brugge, þat þre ribbes crakede. | horn to halle rakede, ant sette him doun wel lowe, | in þe beggeres rowe. [ 1160] he lokede aboute, | myd is collede snoute. þer seh he rymenild sitte | ase hue were out of wytte, wepinde sore; | ah he seh nower þore [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1168] Aþulf is gode felawe, | þat trewe wes in vch plawe.

¶ Aþulf wes o tour ful heh, | to loke fer ant eke neh after hornes comynge, | ȝef water him wolde brynge. þe see he seh flowe, | ah horn nower rowe. [ 1176] he seyde on is songe, | "horn, þou art to longe. rymenild þou me bitoke, | þat ich hire shulde loke. Ich haue yloked euere, | ant þou ne comest neuere." [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1184] Rymenild ros of benche, | þe beer al forte shenche, after mete in sale, | boþe wyn ant ale. an horn hue ber an honde, | for þat wes lawe of londe. hue dronc of þe beere, | to knyht ant skyere. [ 1192] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .]

horn set at grounde; | him þohte he wes y-bounde. [ 1196] ¶ he seide, "quene so hende, | to me hydeward þou wende. þou shenh vs wiþ þe vurste; | þe beggares bueþ afurste." [leaf 90] hyre horn hue leyde a doune, | ant fulde him of þe broune, [ 1202] a bolle of a galoun; | hue wende he were a glotoun. hue seide, "tac þe coppe, | ant drync þis ber al vppe. ne seh y neuer, y wene, | beggare so kene." [ 1208] horn toc hit hise yfere, | ant seide, "quene so dere, no beer nullich i bite, | bote of coppe white. þou wenest ich be a beggere; | ywis icham a fysshere, wel fer come by weste, | to seche mine bestee. [ 1216] Min net lyht her wel hende, | wiþ-inne a wel feyr pende.

Ich haue leye þere, | nou is þis þe seueþe ȝere. Icham icome to loke | ȝef eny fyssħ hit toke. ȝef eny fyssħ is þer-inne, | þer-of þou shalt wynne. For icham come to fyssħ, | drynke nully of dyssħ. drynke to horn of horne; | wel fer ich haue y-orne." [ 1228] ¶ Rymenild him gan bihelde; | hire herte fel to kelde. ne kneu hue noht is fysshyng, | ne him selue noþyng. ah wonder hyre gan þynke, | why for horn he bed drynke. hue fulde þe horn of wyne, | ant dronk to þat pelryne. [ 1236] hue seide, "drync þi felle, | ant seþþen þou me telle ȝef þou horn euer seȝe | vnder wode leȝe." ¶ Horn dronc of horn a stounde, | ant þreu is ryng to grounde,

ant seide, "quene, þou þench | what y þreu in þe drench." [ 1244] þe quene eode to boure, | mid hire maidnes foure. hue fond þat hue wolde, | þe ryng ygraued of golde, þat horn of hyre hedde. | fol sore hyre adredde þat horn ded were, | for his ryng was þere. [ 1252] þo sende hue a damoisele | after þilke palmere. "palmere," quoþ hue, "so trewe, | þe ryng þat þou yn þrewe, þou sey wer þou hit nome, | ant hyder hou þou come." he seyde, "by seint gyle, | ich eode mony a myle, [ 1260] wel fer ȝent by weste, | to seche myne beste, Mi mete forte bydde, | for so me þo bitidde. ich fond horn knyht stonde, | to shipeward at stronde.

he seide he wolde gesse | to aryue at westnesse. [ 1268] þe ship nom in to flode, | wiþ me ant horn þe gode. Horn by-gan be sek ant deȝe, | ant for his loue me preȝe to gon wiþ þe rynge, | to rymenild þe ȝynge. wel ofte he hyne keste, | crist ȝeue is soule reste." [ 1276] ¶ Rymenild seide at þe firste, | "herte, nou to berste. horn worþ þe no more, | þat haueþ þe pyned sore." Hue fel adoun a bedde, | ant after knyues gredde, [leaf 90, back] to slein mide hire kyng loþe, | ant hire selue boþe. [ 1284] wiþ-inne þilke nyhte, | come ȝef horn ne myhte. to herte knyf hue sette, | horn in is armes hire kepte. his shurte lappe he gan take, | ant wypede a wey þe foule blake

Þat wes opon his suere, | ant seide, "luef so dere, [ 1292] ne const þou me yknowe? | ne am ich horn þyn owe? Ich, horn of westnesse; | in armes þou me kesse." yclupten ant kyste | so longe so hem lyste. [ 1295] "Rymenild," quoþ he, "ich wende | doun to þe wodes ende, for þer bueþ myne knyhte, | worþi men ant lyhte, armed vnder cloþe; | hue shule make wroþe þe kyng ant hise gestes | þat bueþ at þise festes. to day ychulle huem cacche, | nou ichulle huem vacche." [ 1308] ¶ Horn sprong out of halle; | ys brunie he let falle. rymenild eode of boure; | aþulf hue fond loure. "aþulf, be wel blyþe, | ant to horn go swyþe.

he is vnder wode bowe, | wiþ felawes ynowe." [ 1316] Aþulf gon froth springe, | for þat ilke tydynge. efter horn he ernde; | him þohte is herte bernde. he oftok him ywisse, | ant custe him wiþ blysse. horn tok is preye | ant dude him in þe weye. [ 1324] hue comen in wel sone, | þe ȝates weren vndone; y-armed suiþe þicke | from fote to þe nycke. alle þat þer euere weren, | wiþ-oute is trewe feren ant þe kyng aylmare, | ywis he hade muche care. [ 1332] monie þat þer sete, | hure lyf hy gonne lete. Horn vnderstondyng ne hede | of Fykeles falssede. Hue suoren alle, ant seyde, | þat hure non him wreyede

ant suore oþes holde | þat huere non ne sholde [ 1340] Horn neuer bytreye, | þah he on deþe leye. þer hy ronge þe belle, | þat wedlake to fulfulle. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] hue wenden hom wiþ eyse, | to þe kynges paleyse. [ 1348] þer wes þe brudale suete, | for richemen þer ete. telle ne mihte no tonge | þe gle þat þer was songe. ¶ Horn set in chayere, | ant bed hem alle yhere. he seyde, "kyng of londe, | mi tale þou vnderstonde. [ 1356] Ich wes ybore in sudenne; | kyng wes mi fader of kenne. þou me to knyhte houe; | of knythod habbe y proue. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .]

þou dryue me out of þi lond, | ant seydest ich wes traytour strong. þou wendest þat ich wrohte | þat y ner ne þohte, by rymenild forte lygge; | ywys ich hit wiþsugge. Ne shal ich hit ner agynne, | er ich sudenne wynne. [leaf 91] þou kep hyre me a stounde, | þe while þat ich founde [ 1372] In to myn heritage, | wiþ þis yrisshe page. þat lond ichulle þorhreche, | ant do mi fader wreche. ychul be kyng of toune, | ant lerne kynges roune. þenne shal rymenild þe ȝynge | ligge by horn þe kynge." [ 1380] ¶ Horn gan to shipe drawe, | wiþ hyse yrisshe felawe. Aþulf wiþ him, his broþer, | he nolde habbe non oþer. þe ship by-gan to croude; | þe wynd bleu wel loude.

wyþ-inne dawes fyue | þe ship began aryue. [ 1388] vnder sudennes side | huere ship by-gon to ryde, aboute þe midnyhte. | horn eode wel rihte; he nom aþulf by honde, | ant ede vp to londe. hue fonden vnder shelde, | a knyht liggynde on felde. [ 1396] o þe shelde wes ydrawe | a croyz of ihesu cristes lawe. þe knyht him lay on slape, | in armes wel yshape. ¶ Horn him gan ytake, | ant seide, "knyht, awake. þou sei me whet þou kepest, | ant here whi þou slepest! [ 1404] me þuncheþ, by crois liste, | þat þou leuest on criste; bote þou hit wolle shewe, | my suerd shal þe to-hewe." þe gode knyht vp aros; | of hornes wordes him agros.

he seide, "ich seruy ille | paynes, toȝeynes mi wille. [ 1412] Ich was cristene sum while; | y come in to þis yle. Sarazyns loþe ant blake | me made ihesu forsake, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] to loke þis passage | for horn þat is of age, [ 1420] þat woneþ her by weste, | god knyht mid þe beste. hue slowe mid huere honde, | þe kyng of þisse londe, ant wiþ him mony honder. | þer fore me þuncheþ wonder þat he ne comeþ to fyhte; | god ȝeue him þe myhte, [ 1428] þat wynd him hider dryue, | to don hem alle of lyue. ant slowen kyng mury | hornes cunesmon hardy. Horn, of londe hue senten; | tuelf children wiþ him wenten.

wiþ hem wes aþulf þe gode, | mi child, myn oune fode. [ 1436] ȝef horn is hol ant sounde, | aþulf tit no wounde. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] he louede horn wiþ mihte, | ant he him wiþ ryhte. ȝef y myhte se hem tueye, | þenne ne rohti forte deye." [ 1444] ¶ "knyht, be þenne blyþe, | mest of alle syþe. Aþulf, ant horn is fere, | boþe·we beþ here." þe knyht to horn gan skippe, | ant in his armes clippe. Muche ioye hue maden yfere, | þo hue to gedere y-come were." 1 He saide wiþ steuene þare, | "ȝungemen, hou habbe ȝe ȝore yfare? wolle ȝe þis lond wynne, | ant wonie þer ynne?" [ 1456] he seide, "suete horn child, | ȝet lyueþ þy moder godyld.

of ioie hue ne miste, | o lyue ȝef hue þe wiste." [ 1460] Horn seide on is ryme, | "yblessed be þe time Icham icome in to sudenne, | wiþ fele yrisshemenne. we shule þe houndes kecche, | ant to þe deȝe vecche. ánt so we shulen hem teche | to speken oure speche." [ 1468] ¶ Horn gon is horn blowe; | is folc hit con yknowe. hue comen out of hurne, | to horn swyþe ȝurne. hue smiten ant hue fyhten, | þe niht ant eke þe ohtoun. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1476] þe sarazyns hue slowe, | ant summe quike to drowe. mid speres ord hue stonge | þe olde ant eke þe ȝonge. ¶ Horn lette sone wurche | boþe chapel ant chyrche.

He made belle rynge, | ant prestes masse synge. [ 1484] He sohte is moder halle, | in þe roche walle. He custe hire ant grette, | ant in to þe castel fette. Croune he gan werie, | ant make feste merye. Murie he þer wrohte, | ah rymenild hit abohte. [ 1492] ¶ Þe whiles horn wes oute, | Fikenild ferde aboute. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] þe betere forte spede, | þe riche he ȝef mede, boþe ȝonge ant olde, | wiþ him forte holde. [ 1500] Ston he dude lade, | ant lym þerto he made. Castel he made sette, | wiþ water by flette. þat þer yn come ne myhte | bote foul wiþ flyhte;

bote when þe see wiþ-drowe, | þer mihte come ynowe. [ 1508] þus fykenild gon by-wende | Rymenild forte shende. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] to wyue he gan hire ȝerne; | þe kyng ne durst him werne. ant habbeþ set þe day, | Fykenild to wedde þe may. [ 1516] wo was rymenild of mode; | terres hue wepte of blode. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] þilke nyht horn suete | con wel harde mete of rymenild his make, | þat in to shipe wes take. [ 1524] þe ship gon ouerblenche; | is lemmon shulde adrenche. ¶ Rymenild mid hire honde, | swymme wolde to londe. Fykenild aȝeyn hire pylte, | mid his suerdes hylte.

Horn awek in is bed; | of his lemmon he wes adred. [ 1532] "Aþulf," he seide, "felawe, | to shipe nou we drawe. Fykenild me haþ gon vnder, | ant do rymenild sum wonder. Crist, for his wondes fyue, | to nyht þider vs dryue!" ¶ Horn gon to shipe ride, | his knyhtes bi his side. [leaf 92] [ 1540] þe ship bigon to sture, | wiþ wynd god of cure. ant fykenild her þe day springe, | seide to þe kynge, After rymenild þe brhyte, | ant spousede hyre by nyhte. he ladde hire by derke, | in to is newe werke. [ 1548] þe feste hue bigonne, | er þen aryse þe sonne. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] Hornes ship atstod in stoure, | vnder fykenildes boure.

Nuste horn a-lyue | wher he wes aryue. [ 1556] þene castel hue ne knewe, | for he was so newe. þe see bigon to wiþ drawe; | þo seh horn his felawe, þe feyre knyht arnoldyn, | þat wes aþulfes cosyn, þat þer set in þat tyde, | kyng horn to abide. [ 1564] he seide, "kyng horn, kyngessone, | hider þou art welcome. to day haþ sire Fykenild | yweddeþ þi wif, rymenild. white þe nou þis while; | he haueþ do þe gyle. þis tour he dude make | al for rymenildes sake. [ 1572] ne may þer comen ynne | no mon wiþ no gynne. ¶ Horn, nou crist þe wisse, | rymenild þat þou ne misse." Horn couþe alle þe listes | þat eni mon of wiste.

harpe he gon shewe, | ant toc 1 him to felawe, [ 1580] knyhtes of þe beste | þat he euer hede of weste. ouen o þe sherte | hue gurden huem wiþ suerde. hue eoden on þe grauele, | towart þe castele. hue gonne murie singe, | ant makeden huere gleynge, [ 1588] þat fykenild mihte y-here; | he axede who hit were. men seide hit were harpeirs, | iogelers ant fyþelers. hem me dude in lete; | at halle dore hue sete. horn sette him a benche; | is harpe he gan clenche. [ 1596] he made rymenild a lay, | ant hue seide weylawey. ¶ Rymenild fel y swowe; | þo nes þer non þat lowe. hit smot horn to herte; | sore con him smerte.

he lokede on is rynge, | ant o rymenild þe ȝynge. [ 1604] he eode vp to borde, | mid his gode suorde. Fykenildes croune | he fel þer adoune; ant alle is men arowe | he dude adoun þrowe. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1612] ant made arnoldyn kyng þere, | after kyng aylmere, to be kyng of westnesse, | for his mildenesse. þe kyng ant is baronage | ȝeuen him truage. ¶ Horn toc rymenild by honde, | ant ladde hire to stronde, Ant toc wiþ him Aþelbrus, | þe gode stiward of hire fader hous. þe see bigan to flowen, | ant hy faste to rowen. [leaf 92, back] [ 1622] hue aryueden vnder reme, | in a wel feyr streme.

kyng Mody wes kyng in þat lond; | þat horn sloh wiþ is hond. Aþelbrus he made þer kyng, | for his gode techyng; [ 1628] for sire hornes lore | he wes mad kyng þore. ¶ Horn eode to ryue; | þe wynd him con wel dryue. he aryuede in yrlonde, | þer horn wo couþe er fonde. He made þer Aþulf chyld | wedde mayden ermenyld, [ 1636] ant horn com to sudenne, | to is oune kenne. Rymenild he made þer is quene, | so hit myhte bene. [ 1640] In trewe loue hue lyueden ay, | ant wel hue loueden godes lay. Nou hue beoþ boþe dede, | crist to heouene vs lede. AmeN!

Notes

• King Murry and his queen, God∣hild, have a son named Horn.
• He is mar∣vellously fair and fifteen years old.
• Horn has twelve com∣panions.
• Athulf the best, and Fikenhild the worst.
• King Murry while riding, finds fifteen ships arrived on the strand.
• After a brave defence, the king and his two compan∣ions are slain,
• and the Sara∣cens begin to waste the land.
• Godhild grieves much,
• but retires alone to a cave, where she continues to observe the Christian religion.
• The pagans save Horn and his com∣panions on account of Horn's fair∣ness,
• at the same time with forebodings that if Horn lives, he will take revenge.
• Grieving sorely, the children are put aboard the boat,
• and the fol∣lowing morn∣ing see land.
• Horn an∣nounces land to his com∣panions.
• All disem∣bark, and Horn bids the boat a touching farewell, wishing it 'dayes gode,'
• and charging it with mes∣sages to his mother and friends.
• The children set out from the shore and meet King Aylmer,
• who greets them kindly and asks their history.
• Horn tells the king about their adventures,
• and bids him do his will with them.
• Aylmer asks Horn's name,
• and learning it, puns upon it,
• predicting that Horn's fame shall spread like the sound of a horn.
• He then leads Horn home.
• The king en∣trusts Horn to Athelbrus, the steward, charging the latter to give Horn full instruction in hunting, fish∣ing, playing the harp, and in serving with the cup.
• Horn learns readily and becomes a general favourite.
• Rymenhild falls passion∣ately in love with him,
• and sends to Athelbrus.
• Rymenhild bids Athel∣brus bring Horn to her bower,
• but he, fear∣ing some evil consequence, akes Athult nstead.
• Athelbrus and Athulf go to Rymen∣hild's bower, and Rymen∣hild, mistak∣ing Athulf for Horn, embraces him and declares her love.
• Athulf dis∣closes his identity, and bids her desist.
• Athulf de∣clares himself in every way inferior to Horn, and his unwillingness to deceive.
• Rymenhild storms at Athelbrus, and drives him from the bower.
• Athelbrus explains his fears,
• but asks Rymenhild's forgiveness, and promises to bring Horn in all events. Rymenhild is glad, and bids him bring Horn as a squire.
• Athelbrus finds Horn in hall, serving the king.
• He bids him go to Rymen∣hild's bower, at the same time urging him to be discreet.
• Horn greets Rymenhild with fair words.
• She takes Horn by the hand and em∣braces him.
• Rymenhild tells Horn of her love for him, and bids him plight her his troth.
• Horn urges his low birth and foundling state in ob∣jection.
• 1

  to syken crossed out after sore.
• Rymenhild swoons when she hears Horn's reply.
• Horn caresses her, and pro∣mises that if she will help him to be∣come dubbed knight, he will do her will.
• Rymenhild promises Horn that he shall be made knight within a fortnight,
• and tells him to bid Athel∣brus fall on his knees be∣fore the king, in his behalf.
• Horn seeks out Athelbrus and tells his errand.
• Athelbrus goes before the king in hall, and urges him to knight Horn at the feast the following day.
• The king accedes to the request, and promises that Horn and his twelve com∣panions shall be knighted.
• On the mor∣row, Horn with his twelve com∣panions pre∣sents himself before king Aylmer, and the king sets him on a red steed and dubs him knight. Athulf falls on his knees, and asks that Horn may dub him and the other companions.
• Horn knights his twelve companions.
• Rymenhild becomes im∣patient and sends for Horn. He takes Athulf as companion.
• Rymenhild bids Horn fulfil his share of the compact by marrying her.
• Horn replies that it is the custom for a knight to fight for his leman with some other knight,
• and promises that after he has accom∣plished an act of prowess, he will make her his wife.
• Rymenhild gives Horn a ring, which she bids him wear for her love,
• and which will protect him if he will look on it and think of her.
• She then mournfully prays for Christ's bless∣ing on Horn's undertaking.
• Horn takes leave, arms himself, mounts his black steed, and sets out in search of adventure.
• He finds at the seashore a ship filled with Sara∣cens, and asks their purpose.
• Horn slays the Saracen leader, and then, after
• looking on his ring, slays a hun∣dred more.
• Horn fixes the leader's head on the point of his sword, and bears it before the king.
• Horn relates his adven∣ture.
• King Aylmar goes hunting.
• Horn pro∣ceeds to Ry∣menhild's bower, and finds her weeping.
• She tells him her dream, how a great fish broke her net.
• Horn com∣forts her.
• Horn plights his troth to Rymenhild, but both weep and forebode evil from the dream.
• Fykenhild tells the king that Horn is plotting to kill him and to marry Rymenhild.
• Aylmar finds Horn in Ry∣menhild's embrace, and bids him leave the land at once.
• Horn saddles his horse, arms himself, and then visits Rymen∣hild.
• He tells her that her dream has come true,
• that he is going to an unknown country for seven years.
• He bids her not to await him longer than seven years.
• Rymenhild faints.
• Horn en∣trusts his 'new love' to Athulf.
• He sets sail.
• Horn reaches land.
• He meets two princes, Harild and Berild.
• He gives his name as Cut∣berd (God∣mod),
• and is con∣ducted by the princes before the king.
• Cutberd greets the king.
• Berild asks that he be taken into the king's service.
• The king welcomes Cutberd.
• At the Christ∣mas feast a giant ap∣pears.
• The giant proclaims a challenge.
• One pagan will fight any three in the land, the combat to determine who shall possess the land. King Thur∣ston names Cutberd (God∣mod), Harild and Berild as the three defenders.
• Cutberd says that it were shame for three Chris∣tians to fight against one pagan, and offers to fight alone.
• He arms himself,
• visits the king,
• and with him rides to the combat.
• Cutberd strikes so hard, that the giant asks for a breath∣ing spell, and says he has never before experi∣enced such blows, save at the hand of King Murry.
• Horn is en∣raged, and renews the fight.
• Cutberd looks on his ring, then smites the glant through the heart.
• The pagans flee to their ship.
• The king's sons are slain, but Cutherd annihilates the pagan host,
• thus aveng∣ing his fa∣ther's death.
• The king mourns.
• He offers to make Horn (Cutberd) his heir, and to give him his daughter Reynild.
• 2

  This line was at first left out by the scribe, and then written in the margin of the MS.
• Cutberd de∣clines, but offers to continue in the king's service.
• During seven years he does not commu∣nicate with Rymenhild.
• A king sues for Rymen∣hild.
• Athulf writes a letter to Horn.
• Horn, while hunting, meets a page, who says that he is seeking Horn,
• and that Ry∣menhild is to marry King Mody of Reynes, on Sunday.
• The messen∣ger laments that he can∣not find Horn.
• Horn dis∣closes his identity, and sends word to Ry∣menhild that he will come Sunday be∣fore 'prime.'
• The mes∣senger is drowned, and Rymen∣hild looks for him in vain.
• Rymenhild grieves when she finds the drowned messenger.
• Horn dis∣closes his identity to King Thur∣ston
• and asks his pay and also aid to win Rymenhild.
• He promises that Athulf shall marry Thurston's daughter.
• The king consents.
• Horn levies men, and sets sail.
• He arrives after the bells for the wed∣ding have been rung.
• He leaves his ship, and comes to land.
• Horn sets forth alone, and meets a palmer,
• who tells him of the wed∣ding
• and of Ry∣menhild's grief.
• Horn changes clothes with the palmer,
• and blackens his face and neck with coal.
• The gate∣keeper for∣bids Horn entrance.
• Horn breaks through the wicket, after having thrown the gate-keeper over the bridge.
• He sees Rymenhild weeping, but looks in vain for Athulf.
• Athulf from the tower watches in vain for Horn.
• In his solio∣quy he says that Horn will be too late.
• Rymenhild bears wine and beer to the guests.
• Horn asks Rymenhild to serve the beggars.
• Rymenhild fills a gallon bowl with brown beer, and offers it to Horn.
• He refuses it, saying that he will have nothing 'bote of coppe white,' and that he is no beggar, but a fisher.
• Horn further alludes to her dream of the fish net, and bids her 'drynke to horn of horne.' Rymenhild looks at him and trembles, not fully com∣prehending his meaning. She fills the horn with wine and bids him drink his fill, and then tell her if he knows aught of Horn. Horn drinks, then throws the ring in the horn.
• Rymenhild goes to her bower, and finds the ring.
• She sends for the palmer, and inquires where he got the ring.
• He continues to relate how Horn, on ship board, fell ill and died, and how Horn charged him to bear the ring to Ry∣menhild. The princess raves with grief, and at∣tempts to slay herself with a knife, but is prevented by Horn, who then wipes away the black from his face.
• Horn tells who he is, and bids Rymenhild kiss him.
• After fond embraces, he tells he that he has armed men by the 'wodes ende,' who will prevent the wedding.
• He leaves the bower, and Rymen∣hild sets out in search of Athulf.
• Athulf goes to find Horn, and embraces him.
• Horn, with his armed men, breaks into the hall and slays many of the guests,
• but he does not under∣stand Fiken∣hild's treach∣ery, for all deny the treason.
• All swear that they have not betrayed Horn.
• The wedding is celebrated in the king's palace.
• Horn ad∣dresses the king, and begins to recount his history.
• Horn ex∣plains to the king his inno∣cence,
• and says that he will not take Rymen∣hild to wife until he has regained his kingdom of Sudenne.
• He sets sail with Athulf and his Irish companions, and has a favouring wind.
• They reach Sudenne within five days.
• Horn and Athulf land, and find a goodly knight sleeping by the wayside.
• Horn bids him tell his business, under pain of death.
• The knight says that he serves the Saracens against his will, and tells how the Saracens invaded the land and slew King Murry.
• He wonders that Horn does not re∣turn to avenge his fa∣ther's death.
• He continues to tell how his son, Ath∣ulf, is Horn's faithful com∣panion.
• The two make themselves known, and a joyful scene of recognition follows. The old knight in∣forms Horn that his mo∣ther, the queen God∣hild, still lives.
• 1

  [lf. 91, bk.]
• Horn in∣forms the old knight that he has with him many Irish com∣panions.
• Horn blows his horn, and his men arrive; and they at∣tack and slay the Saracens, old and young. Then Horn causes cha∣pels and churches to be built.
• Horn causes the bells to be rung and masses to be celebrated.
• Then he seeks his mo∣ther, and all make merry.
• In the mean∣time Fiken∣hild, by gifts, wins power∣ful support,
• and builds a castle entirely surrounded by the water.
• Fikenhild then plots to wed Rymen∣hild, and sets the day for the wedding.
• Rymenhild weeps tears of blood.
• Horn dreams that Rymen∣hild is ship∣wrecked, that she tries to swim to land, but that Fikenhild prevents her with his sword hilt.
• Horn awakes, and tells Ath∣ulf his dream.
• He immedi∣ately sets sail, with a good wind. Fikenhild espouses Ry∣menhild by night, and leads her to his castle. They begin the feast be∣fore sunrise. Horn's ship arrives under the castle.
• Horn does not recognize the new castle, but meets Arnol∣din, who is awaiting him,
• and who tells him that Fikenhild that day has wedded Ry∣menhild.
• 1

  [MS. tot]
• Horn, and some com∣panions, disguise themselves as harpers, hiding their swords under their gar∣ments.
• Fikenhild hears their singing, and bids bring them in.
• Horn makes a lay to Ry∣menhild, and she falls in a swoon.
• Horn looks on his ring and thinks of Rymenhild, then with his good sword slays Fiken∣hild and all his men.
• He makes Arnoldin king there, after Aylmer,
• and taking with him Athulf and Rymenhild, sets out for King Modi's kingdom.
• Horn slays King Modi, and makes Athelbrus king in his place. He then pro∣ceeds to Ire∣land, and causes Athulf to marry the princess Rey∣nild. Then he returns to Sudenne, and makes Rymenhild his queen. They live in true love, and cherish God's law. 'Nu ben hi boþe dede.'