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.

KING HORN.

Cambr. Univ. MS. Gg. 4. 27. 2.

Alle beon he bliþe Þat to my song lyþe, A sang ihc schal ȝou singe Of Murry þe kinge. [ 4] King he was biweste So longe so hit laste. Godhild het his quen; Faire ne miȝte non ben. [ 8] He hadde a sone þat het horn; Fairer ne miste non beo born, Ne no rein vpon birine, Ne sunne vpon bischine. [ 12] Fairer nis non þane he was; He was briȝt so þe glas. He was whit so þe flur, Rose red was his colur. [ 16] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

In none kinge riche Nas non his iliche. [ 20] Twelf feren he hadde Þat alle wiþ him ladde, Alle riche mannes sones, And alle hi were faire gomes, [ 24] Wiþ him for to pleie. And mest he luuede tweie; Þat on him het haþulf child, And þat oþer ffikenild. [ 28] Aþulf was þe beste And fikenylde þe werste. Hit was vpon a someres day, Also ihc ȝou telle may, [ 32] Murri þe gode king Rod on his pleing Bi þe se side, Ase he was woned ride. [ 36] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] He fond bi þe stronde, Ariued on his londe, [ 40] Schipes fiftene, Wiþ sarazins kene.

He axede what isoȝte Oþer to londe broȝte. [ 44] A Payn hit of herde And hym wel sone answarede, "Þi lond folk we schulle slon And alle þat Crist luueþ vpon, [ 48] And þe selue riȝt anon; Ne schaltu todai henne gon." Þe kyng aliȝte of his stede, For þo he hauede nede, [ 52] And his gode kniȝtes two; Al to fewe he hadde þo. Swerd hi gunne gripe And to gadere smite. [ 56] Hy smyten vnder schelde Þat sume hit yfelde. Þe king hadde al to fewe Toȝenes so vele schrewe. [ 60] So fele miȝten yþe Bringe hem þre to diþe. ¶ Þe pains come to londe And neme hit in here honde. [ 64] Þat folc hi gunne quelle And churchen for to felle.

Þer ne moste libbe Þe fremde ne þe sibbe, [ 68] Bute hi here laȝe asoke And to here toke. Of alle wymmanne Wurst was godhild þanne. [ 72] For Murri heo weop sore And for horn ȝute more. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 76] He wenten vt of halle, Fram hire Maidenes alle, Vnder a roche of stone. Þer heo liuede alone. [ 80] Þer heo seruede gode, Aȝenes þe paynes forbode. Þer he seruede criste, Þat no payn hit ne wiste. [ 84] Euere heo bad for horn child, Þat Iesu crist him beo myld. Horn was in paynes honde Wiþ his feren of þe londe. [ 88] Muchel was his fairhede, For ihesu crist him makede.

Payns him wolde slen Oþer al quic flen. [ 92] Ȝef his fairnesse nere, Þe children alle aslaȝe were. Þanne spak on Admirad, Of wordes he was bald, [ 96] "Horn, þu art wel kene, And þat is wel isene; Þu art gret and strong, fair and euene long. [ 100] Þu schalt waxe more Bi fulle seue ȝere. Ȝef þu mote to liue go, And þine feren also, [ 104] Ȝef hit so bi falle, Ȝe scholde slen vs alle. Þaruore þu most to stere, Þu and þine ifere. [ 108] To schupe schulle ȝe funde And sinke to þe grunde. Þe se ȝou schal adrenche; Ne schal hit us noȝt of þinche. [ 112] For if þu were aliue, Wiþ swerd oþer wiþ kniue

We scholden alle deie, And þi fader deþ abeie." [ 116] Þe children hi broȝte to stronde, Wringinde here honde, Into schupes borde At þe furste worde. [ 120] Ofte hadde horn beo wo, At neure wurs þan him was þo. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 124] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Þe se bigan to flowe And hornchild to rowe. [ 128] Þe se þat schup so faste drof, Þe children dradde þer of. Hi wenden to wisse Of here lif to misse, [ 132] Al þe day and al þe niȝt, Til hit sprang dai liȝt. ¶ Til horn saȝ on þe stronde Men gon in þe londe. [ 136] "Feren," quaþ he, "ȝonge, Ihc telle ȝou tiþinge.

Ihc here foȝeles singe And þat gras him springe. [ 140] Bliþe beo we on lyue, Vre schup is on ryue." Of schup hi gunne funde And setten fout to grunde. [ 144] Bi þe se side Hi leten þat schup ride. Þanne spak him child horn, In suddene he was iborn, [ 148] "Schup, bi þe se flode, Daies haue þu gode; Bi þe se brinke No water þe na drinke. [ 152] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . .] Ȝef þu cume to Suddenne, Gret þu wel of myne kenne; [ 156] Gret þu wel my moder, Godhild, quen þe gode. And seie þe paene kyng, Iesucristes wiþering, [ 160] Þat ihc am hol and fer On þis lond ariued her.

And seie þat hei schal fonde Þe dent of myne honde." [ 164] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ./] Þe children ȝede to Tune Bi dales and bi dune. [ 168] Hy metten wiþ almair king, Crist ȝeuen him his blessing, King of Westernesse, Crist ȝiue him Muchel blisse. [ 172] He him spac to horn child Wordes þat were Mild, "Whannes beo ȝe, faire gumes, Þat her to londe beoþ icume, [ 176] Alle þrottene Of bodie swiþe kene? Bigod þat me makede, A swihc fair verade [ 180] Ne sauȝ ihc in none stunde Bi westene londe. Seie me wat ȝe seche." Horn spak here speche, [ 184] He spak for hem alle, Vor so hit moste biualle.

He was þe faireste And of wit þe beste. [ 188] ¶ "We beoþ of Suddenne, Icome of gode kenne, Of Cristene blode And kynges suþe gode. [ 192] Payns þer gunne ariue And duden hem of lyue. Hi sloȝen and to droȝe Cristenemen inoȝe. [ 196] So crist me mote rede, Vs he dude lede In to a galeie, Wiþ þe se to pleie. [ 200] Dai hit is igon and oþer Wiþute sail and roþer. Vre schip bigan to swymme To þis londes brymme. [ 204] Nu þu miȝt vs slen, and binde Vre honde bihynde. Bute ȝef hit beo þi wille, Helpe þat we ne spille." [ 208] ¶ Þanne spak þe gode kyng, I wis he nas no Niþing,

"Seie me, child, what is þi name? Ne schaltu haue bute game." [ 212] Þe child him answerde, Sone so he hit herde, "Horn ihc am ihote, Icomen vt of þe bote, [ 216] Fram þe se side, Kyng, wel mote þe tide." Þanne hym spak þe gode king, "Wel bruc þu þin euening. [ 220] Horn, þu go wel schulle Bi dales and bi hulle. Horn, þu lude sune Bi dales and bi dune. [ 224] So schal þi name springe Fram kynge to kynge, And þi fairnesse Abute Westernesse, [ 228] Þe strengþe of þine honde Into Eurech londe. Horn, þu art so swete Ne may ihc þe forlete." [ 232] Hom rod Aylmar þe kyng, And horn mid him his fundyng

And alle his ifere, Þat were him so dere. [ 236] ¶ Þe kyng com in to halle Among his kniȝtes alle; Forþ he clupede aþelbrus, Þat was stiward of his hus. [ 240] "Stiwarde, tak nu here Mi fundlyng for to lere Of þine mestere, Of wude and of riuere, [ 244] [No gap in MS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] And tech him to harpe Wiþ his nayles scharpe, [ 248] Biuore me to kerue And of þe cupe serue. Þu tech him of alle þe liste Þat þu eure of wiste. [ 252] In his feiren þou wise In to oþere seruise. Horn þu vnderuonge [ 255] And tech him of harpe and songe." ¶ Ailbrus gan lere Horn and his yfere.

Horn in herte laȝte Al þat he him taȝte. [ 260] In þe curt and vte, And elles al abute, Luuede men horn child; [ 263] And mest him louede Rymenhild, Þe kynges oȝene dofter. He was mest in þoȝte. Heo louede so horn child, Þat neȝ heo gan wexe wild; [ 268] For heo ne miȝte at borde Wiþ him speke no worde, Ne noȝt in þe halle Among þe kniȝtes alle, [ 272] Ne nowhar in non oþere stede, Of folk heo hadde drede, Bi daie ne bi niȝte, Wiþ him speke ne miȝte. [ 276] Hire soreȝe ne hire pine Ne miȝte neure fine. In heorte heo hadde wo, And þus hire biþoȝte þo. [ 280] Heo sende hire sonde Aþelbrus to honde,

Þat he come hire to, And also scholde horn do [ 284] Al in to bure, ffor heo gan to lure. And þe sonde seide Þat sik lai þat maide, [ 288] And bad him come swiþe For heo nas noþing bliþe. Þe stuard was in herte wo, For he nuste what to do. [ 292] Wat Rymenhild hure þoȝte, Gret wunder him þuȝte. Abute horn þe ȝonge To bure for to bringe, [ 296] He þoȝte upon his mode Hit nas for none gode. He tok him anoþer, Athulf, hornes broþer. [ 300] ¶ "Aþulf," he sede, "riȝt anon Þu schalt wiþ me to bure gon, To speke wiþ Rymenhild stille And witen hure wille. [ 304] In hornes ilike Þu schalt hure biswike.

Sore ihc me ofdrede He wolde horn misrede." [ 308] Aþelbrus gan Aþulf lede And in to bure wiþ him ȝede. Anon vpon Aþulf child Rymenhild gan wexe wild. [ 312] He wende þat horn hit were Þat heo hauede þere. Heo sette him on bedde, Wiþ Aþulf child he wedde. [ 316] On hire armes tweie Aþulf heo gan leie. "Horn," quaþ heo, "wel longe Ihc habbe þe luued stronge. [ 320] Þu schalt þi trewþe pliȝte On myn hond her riȝte, Me to spuse holde, And ihc þe lord to wolde." [ 324] ¶ Aþulf sede on hire ire, So stille so hit were, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 328] "Þi tale nu þu lynne, For horn nis noȝt her inne.

Ne beo we noȝt iliche, Horn is fairer and riche, [ 332] Fairer bi one ribbe Þane eni Man þat libbe. Þeȝ horn were vnder Molde, Oþer elles wher he wolde, [ 336] Oþer henne a þusend Mile, Ihc nolde him ne þe bigile." ¶ Rymenhild hire biwente, And Aþelbrus fule heo schente. [ 340] "Hennes þu go, þu fule þeof, Ne wurstu me neure more leof. Went vt of my bur, Wiþ muchel mesauenteur. [ 344] Schame mote þu fonge And on hiȝe rode anhonge. Ne spek ihc noȝt wiþ horn, Nis he noȝt so vnorn. [ 348] Hor[n] is fairer þane beo he, Wiþ muchel schame mote þu deie." ¶ Aþelbrus in a stunde Fel anon to grunde. [ 352] "Lefdi, Min oȝe, Liþe me a litel þroȝe.

Lust whi ihc wonde Bringe þe horn to honde. [ 356] For horn is fair and riche, Nis no whar his iliche. Aylmar, þe gode kyng, Dude him on mi lokyng. [ 360] Ȝef horn were her abute, Sore y me dute Wiþ him ȝe wolden pleie Bitwex ȝou selue tweie. [ 364] Þanne scholde wiþuten oþe Þe kyng maken vs wroþe. Rymenhild, forȝef me þi tene, Lefdi, my quene, [ 368] And horn ihc schal þe fecche, Wham so hit recche." ¶ Rymenhild, ȝef he cuþe, Gan lynne wiþ hire Muþe. [ 372] Heo makede hire wel bliþe Wel was hire þat siþe. "Go nu," quaþ heo, "sone, And send him after none [ 376] Whane þe kyng arise, On a squieres wise.

To wude for to pleie. Nis non þat him biwreie; [ 380] He schal wiþ me bileue Til hit beo nir eue, To hauen of him mi wille. [ 383] After ne recchecche what me telle." ¶ Aylbrus wende hire fro; Horn in halle fond he þo, Bifore þe kyng on benche, Wyn for to schenche. [ 388] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] "Horn," quaþ he, "so hende, To bure nu þu wende, [ 392] After mete stille, Wiþ Rymenhild to duelle. Wordes suþe bolde In herte þu hem holde. [ 396] Horn, beo me wel trewe; Ne schal hit þe neure rewe." Horn in herte leide Al þat he him seide. [ 400] He ȝeode in wel riȝte To Rymenhild þe briȝte.

On knes he him sette, And sweteliche hure grette. [ 404] Of his feire siȝte Al þe bur gan liȝte. He spac faire speche; Ne dorte him noman teche. [ 408] "Wel þu sitte and softe, Rymenhild þe briȝte, Wiþ þine Maidenes sixe Þat þe sitteþ nixte. [ 412] Kinges stuard vre Sende me in to bure. Wiþ þe speke ihc scholde; Seie me what þu woldest. [ 416] Seie, and ich schal here, What þi wille were." ¶ Rymenhild vp gan stonde And tok him bi þe honde. [ 420] Heo sette him on pelle, Of wyn to drinke his fulle. Heo makede him faire chere And tok him abute þe swere. [ 424] Ofte heo him custe, So wel so hire luste.

[No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 428] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 432] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 436] "Horn," heo sede, "wiþute strif Þu schalt haue me to þi wif. Horn, haue of me rewþe, And plist me þi trewþe." [ 440] ¶ Horn þo him biþoȝte What he speke miȝte. "Crist," quaþ he, "þe wisse, And ȝiue þe heuene blisse [ 444] Of þine husebonde, Wher he beo in londe; Ihc am ibore to lowe Such wimman to knowe. [ 448] Ihc am icome of þralle, And fundling bifalle.

Ne feolle hit þe of cunde To spuse beo me bunde. [ 452] Hit nere no fair wedding Bitwexe a þral and a king." ¶ Þo gan Rymenhild mis lyke, And sore gan to sike. [ 456] Armes heo gan buȝe; Adun he feol iswoȝe. ¶ Horn in herte was ful wo, And tok hire on his armes two. [ 460] He gan hire for to kesse, Wel ofte mid ywisse. "Lemman," he sede, "dere, Þin herte nu þu stere. [ 464] Help me to kniȝte, Bi al þine miȝte To my lord þe king, Þat he me ȝiue dubbing. [ 468] Þanne is mi þralhod Iwent in to kniȝthod, And i schal wexe more, And do, lemman, þi lore." [ 472] ¶ Rymenhild, þat swete þing, Wakede of hire swoȝning.

"Horn," quaþ heo, "vel sone Þat schal beon idone. [ 476] Þu schalt beo dubbed kniȝt Are come seue niȝt. Haue her þis cuppe, And þis Ring þer vppe, [ 480] To Aylbrus and stuard, And se he holde foreward. Seie ich him biseche, Wiþ loueliche speche, [ 484] Þat he adun falle Bifore þe king in halle, And bidde þe king ariȝte Dubbe þe to kniȝte. [ 488] Wiþ seluer and wiþ golde Hit wurþ him wel iȝolde. Crist him lene spede Þin erende to bede." [ 492] ¶ Horn tok his leue, For hit was neȝ eue. Aþelbrus he soȝte And ȝaf him þat he broȝte, [ 496] And tolde him ful ȝare Hu he hadde ifare,

And sede him his nede, And bihet him his mede. [ 500] ¶ Aþelbrus also swiþe Wente to halle bliue. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 504] "Kyng," he sede, "þu leste A tale mid þe beste. Þu schalt bere crune Tomoreȝe in þis tune. [ 508] Tomoreȝe is þi feste; Þer bihoueþ geste. Hit nere noȝt for loren For to kniȝti child horn [ 512] Þine armes for to welde; God kniȝt he schal ȝelde." ¶ Þe king sede sone, "Þat is wel idone. [ 516] Horn me wel iquemeþ; God kniȝt him bisemeþ. He schal haue mi dubbing And afterward mi derling. [ 520] And alle his feren twelf He schal kniȝten him self.

Alle he schal hem kniȝte Bifore me þis niȝte." [ 524] Til þe liȝt of day sprang Ailmar him þuȝte lang. Þe day bigan to springe, Horn com biuore þe kinge, [ 528] Mid his twelf yfere; Sume hi were luþere. Horn he dubbede to kniȝte Wiþ swerd and spures briȝte. [ 532] He sette him on a stede whit; Þernas no kniȝt hym ilik. He smot him alitel wiȝt And bed him beon a god kniȝt. [ 536] ¶ Aþulf fel a knes þar Biuore þe king Aylmar. "King," he sede, "so kene, Grante me a bene. [ 540] Nu is kniȝ[t] sire horn Þat in suddenne was iboren. Lord he is of londe, Ouer us þat bi him stonde. [ 544] Þin armes he haþ and scheld, To fiȝte wiþ vpon þe feld.

Let him vs alle kniȝte, For þat is vre riȝte." [ 548] ¶ Aylmar sede sone ywis, "Do nu þat þi wille is." Horn adun liȝte And makede hem alle kniȝtes. [ 552] Murie was þe feste, Al of faire gestes. Ac Rymenhild nas noȝt þer, And þat hire þuȝte seue ȝer. [ 556] After horn heo sente, And he to bure wente. Nolde he noȝt go one; Aþulf was his mone. [ 560] Rymenhild on flore stod, Hornes come hire þuȝte god, And sede, "Welcome, sire horn, And Aþulf, kniȝt þe biforn. [ 564] Kniȝt, nu is þi time For to sitte bi me. Do nu þat þu er of spake, To þi wif þume take. [ 568] Ef þu art trewe of dedes, Do nu ase þu sedes.

Nu þu hast wille þine, Vnbind me of my pine." [ 572] ¶ "Rymenhild," quaþ he, "beo stille; Ihc wulle don al þi wille. Also hit mot bitide, Mid spere ischal furst ride, [ 576] And mi kniȝthod proue, Ar ihc þe ginne to woȝe. We beþ kniȝtes ȝonge, Of o dai al isprunge, [ 580] And of vre mestere So is þe manere, Wiþ sume oþere kniȝte Wel for his lemman fiȝte, [ 584] Or he eni wif take; For þi me stondeþ þe more rape. Today, so crist me blesse, Ihc wulle do pruesse [ 588] For þi luue in þe felde, Mid spere and mid schelde. If ihc come te lyue, Ihc schal þe take to wyue." [ 592] ¶ "Kniȝt," quaþ heo, "trewe, Ihc wene ihc mai þe leue.

Tak nu her þis gold ring, God him is þe dubbing. [ 596] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Þer is vpon þe ringe Igraue, 'Rymenhild þe ȝonge.' [ 600] Þer nis non betere anonder sunne, Þat eni man of telle cunne. For my luue þu hit were, And on þi finger þu him bere. [ 604] Þe stones beoþ of suche grace, Þat þu ne schalt in none place Of none duntes beon ofdrad, Ne on bataille beon amad, [ 608] Ef þu loke þeran And þenke vpon þi lemman. ¶ And sire Aþulf, þi broþer, He schal haue anoþer. [ 612] Horn ihc þe biseche Wiþ loueliche speche, Crist ȝeue god erndinge, Þe aȝen to bringe." [ 616] ¶ Þe kniȝt hire gan kesse, And heo him to blesse.

Leue at hire he nam And in to halle cam. [ 620] Þe kniȝtes ȝeden to table, And horne ȝede to stable. Þar he tok his gode fole, Also blak so eny cole. [ 624] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Þe fole schok þe brunie, Þat al þe curt gan denie. [ 628] Þe fole bigan to springe, And horn murie to singe. Horn rod in a while More þan a myle. [ 632] He fond o schup stonde Wiþ heþene honde. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 636] He axede what hi soȝte, Oþer to londe broȝte. ¶ An hund him gan bihelde Þat spac wordes belde, [ 640] "Þis lond we wulleȝ wynne, And sle þat þer is inne."

Horn gan his swerd gripe And on his arme wype. [ 644] Þe sarazins he smatte, Þat his blod hatte. At eureche dunte Þe heued of wente. [ 648] Þo genne þe hundes gone, Abute horn al one. He lokede on þe ringe, And þoȝte on rimenilde. [ 652] He sloȝ þer on haste On hundred bi þe laste. Ne miȝte noman telle Þat folc þat he gan quelle. [ 656] Of alle þat were aliue Ne miȝte þer non þriue. Horn tok þe maisteres heued, Þat he hadde him bireued, [ 660] And sette hit on his swerde, Anouen at þan orde. He verde hom in to halle, Among þe kniȝtes alle. [ 664] "Kyng," he sede, "wel þu sitte, And alle þine kniȝtes mitte.

To day, after mi dubbing, So irod on mi pleing, [ 668] I fond o schup Rowe, Þo hit gan to flowe, Al wiþ sarazines kyn, And none londisse Men. [ 672] To dai, for to pine Þe and alle þine. Hi gonne me assaille. Mi swerd me nolde faille; [ 676] I smot hem alle to grunde, Oþer ȝaf hem diþes wunde. Þat heued iþe bringe Of þe maister kinge. [ 680] Nu is þi wile iȝolde, King, þat þu me kniȝti woldest." A Moreȝe þo þe day gan springe, Þe king him rod an huntinge. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] At hom lefte ffikenhild, Þat was þe wurste moder child. [ 688] Heo ferde in to bure, To sen auenture.

Heo saȝ Rymenild sitte Also he were of witte. [ 692] Heo sat on þe sunne, Wiþ tieres al birunne. Horn sede, "lef þinore, Wi wepestu so sore?" [ 696] Heo sede, "noȝt ine wepe; Bute ase ilay aslepe, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 700] To þe se my net icaste, And hit nolde noȝt ilaste. A gret fiss at þe furste, Mi net he gan to berste. [ 704] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Ihc wene þat ihc schal leose Þe fiss þat ihc wolde cheose." [ 708] ¶ "Crist," quaþ horn, "and seint steuene, Turne þine sweuene. Ne schal iþe biswike, Ne do þat þe mislike. [ 712] I schal me make þinowe, To holden and to knowe,

For eurech oþere wiȝte; And þarto mi treuþe iþe pliȝte." [ 716] Muchel was þe ruþe Þat was at þare truþe, For Rymenhild weop ille, And horn let þe tires stille. [ 720] "Lemman," quaþ he, "dere, Þu schalt more ihere. Þi sweuen schal wende, Oþer sum Man schal vs schende. [ 724] Þe fiss þat brak þe lyne, Ywis he doþ us pine. Þat schal don vs tene And wurþ wel sone isene." [ 728] ¶ Aylmar rod bi sture, And horn lai in bure. Fykenhild hadde enuye And sede þes folye:— [ 732] "Aylmar, ihc þe warne, Horn þe wule berne. Ihc herde whar he sede, And his swerd forþ leide, [ 736] To bringe þe of lyue, And take Rymenhild to wyue.

He liþ in bure, Vnder couerture, [ 740] By Rymenhild, þi doȝter; And so he doþ wel ofte. And þider þu go al riȝt; Þer þu him finde miȝt. [ 744] Þu do him vt of londe, Oþer he doþ þe schonde." ¶ Aylmar aȝen gan turne, Wel Modi and wel Murne. [ 748] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] He fond horn in arme, On Rymenhilde barme. [ 752] "Awei vt," he sede, "fule þeof, Ne wurstu me neuremore leof. Wend vt of my bure, Wiþ muchel messauenture. [ 756] Wel sone bute þu flitte, Wiþ swerde ihc þe anhitte. Wend ut of my londe, Oþer þu schalt haue schonde." [ 760] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

¶ Horn sadelede his stede, And his armes he gan sprede. [ 764] His brunie he gan lace, So he scholde, in to place. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 768] His swerd he gan fonge; Nabod he noȝt to longe. He ȝede forþ bliue To Rymenhild his wyue. [ 772] He sede, "lemman, derling, Nu hauestu þi sweuening. Þe fiss þat þi net rente, Fram þe he me sente. [ 776] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Rymenhild, haue wel godne day, No leng abiden ine may. [ 780] In to vncuþe londe, Wel more for to fonde. I schal wune þere Fulle seue ȝere. [ 784] At seue ȝeres ende, Ȝef ine come ne sende,

Tak þe husebonde, ffor me þu ne wonde. [ 788] In armes þu me fonge, And kes me wel longe." He custe him wel a stunde, And Rymenhild feol to grunde. [ 792] Horn tok his leue; Ne miȝte he no leng bileue. He tok Aþulf, his fere, Al abute þe swere, [ 796] And sede, "kniȝt so trewe, Kep wel mi luue newe. Þu neure me ne forsoke, Rymenhild þu kep and loke." [ 800] His stede he gan bistride, And forþ he gan ride. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 804] To þe hauene he ferde, And a god schup he hurede, Þat him scholde londe In westene londe. [ 808] ¶ Aþulf weop wiþ iȝe, And al þat him isiȝe.

To lond he him sette, And fot on stirop sette. [ 812] He fond bi þe weie, Kynges sones tweie; Þat on him het harild, And þat oþer berild. [ 816] Berild gan him preie Þat he scholde him seie What his name were, And what he wolde þere. [ 820] "Cutberd," he sede, "ihc hote, Icomen vt of þe bote, Wel feor fram biweste, To seche mine beste." [ 824] Berild gan him nier ride, And tok him bi þe bridel. "Wel beo þu, kniȝt, ifounde; Wiþ me þu lef a stunde. [ 828] Also mote i sterue, Þe king þu schalt serue. Ne saȝ i neure my lyue So fair kniȝt aryue." [ 832] Cutberd heo ladde in to halle, And he a kne gan falle.

He sette him a knewelyng, And grette wel þe gode kyng. [ 836] Þanne sede Berild sone, "Sire king, of him þu hast to done. Bitak him þi lond to werie; Ne schat hit noman derie, [ 840] For he is þe faireste man Þat eureȝut on þi londe cam." ¶ Þanne sede þe king so dere, "Welcome beo þu here. [ 844] Go nu, Berild, swiþe, And make him ful bliþe. And whan þu farst to woȝe, Tak him þine gloue. [ 848] Iment þu hauest to wyue, Awai he schal þe dryue; For Cutberdes fairhede Ne schal þe neure wel spede." [ 852] HIt was at Cristesmasse, Neiþer more ne lasse, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 856] Þer cam in at none, A Geaunt suþe sone,

Iarmed fram paynyme, And seide þes ryme:— [ 860] "Site stille, sire kyng, And herkne þis tyþyng. Her buþ paens ariued, Wel mo þane fiue. [ 864] Her beoþ on þe sonde, King, vpon þi londe. On of hem wile fiȝte Aȝen þre kniȝtes. [ 868] Ȝef oþer þre slen vre, Al þis lond beo ȝoure; Ȝef vre on ouercomeþ ȝour þreo, Al þis lond schal vre beo. [ 872] Tomoreȝe be þe fiȝtinge, Whan þe liȝt of daye springe." ¶ Þanne sede þe kyng þurston, "Cutberd schal beo þat on; [ 876] Berild schal beo þat oþer; Þe þridde, Alrid, his broþer. For hi beoþ þe strengeste, And of armes þe beste. [ 880] Bute what schal vs to rede? Ihc wene we beþ alle dede."

¶ Cutberd sat at borde, And sede þes wordes:— [ 884] "Sire king, hit nis no riȝte, On wiþ þre to fiȝte; Aȝen one hunde, Þre cristen men to fonde. [ 888] Sire, ischal al one, Wiþute more ymone, Wiþ mi swerd wel eþe Bringe hem þre to deþe." [ 892] ¶ Þe kyng aros amoreȝe, Þat hadde muchel sorȝe; And Cutberd ros of bedde, Wiþ armes he him schredde. [ 896] Horn his brunie gan on caste, And lacede hit wel faste, And cam to þe kinge, At his vp risinge. [ 900] "King," he sede, "cum to fel[de], For to bihelde Hu we fiȝte schulle, And togare go wulle." [ 904] Riȝt at prime tide, Hi gunnen ut ride,

And funden on a grene, A geaunt suþe kene, [ 908] His feren him biside, Hore deþ to abide. ¶ Þeilke bataille Cutberd gan assaille. [ 912] He ȝaf dentes inoȝe; Þe kniȝtes felle iswoȝe. His dent he gan wiþdraȝe, For hi were neȝ aslaȝe. [ 916] And sede, "kniȝtes, nu ȝe reste One while, ef ȝou leste." Hi sede, "hi neure nadde Of kniȝte dentes so harde. [ 920] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] He was of hornes kunne, Iborn in suddenne." [ 924] ¶ Horn him gan to agrise, And his blod arise. Biuo him saȝ he stonde Þat driuen him of londe, [ 928] And þat his fader sloȝ. To him his swerd he droȝ.

He lokede on his rynge, And þoȝte on Rymenhilde. [ 932] He smot him þureȝ þe herte, Þat sore him gan to smerte. Þe paens þat er were to sturne, Hi gunne awei vrne. [ 936] Horn and his compaynye Gunne after hem wel swiþe hiȝe, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 940] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 944] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 948] And sloȝen alle þe hundes, Er hi here schipes funde. To deþe he hem alle broȝte; His fader deþ wel dere hi boȝte. [ 952] Of alle þe kynges kniȝtes, Ne scapede þer no wiȝte.

Bute his sones tweie Bifore him he saȝ deie. [ 956] Þe king bigan to grete, And teres for to lete. Me leiden hem in bare, And burden hem ful ȝare. [ 960] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] ¶ Þe king com in to halle, Among his kniȝtes alle. [ 964] "Horn," he sede, "i seie þe, Do as i schal rede þe. Aslaȝen beþ mine heirs, And þu art kniȝt of muchel pris, [ 968] And of grete strengþe, And fair o bodie lengþe. MiRengne þu schalt welde, And to spuse helde [ 972] Reynild, mi doȝter, Þat sitteþ on þe lofte." ¶ "O sire king, wiþ wronge Scholte ihc hit vnderfonge. [ 976] Þi doȝter þat ȝe me bede, Ower rengne for to lede.

Welmore ihc schal þe serue, Sire kyng, or þu sterue. [ 980] Þi sorwe schal wende Or seue ȝeres ende. Wanne hit is wente, Sire king, ȝef me mi rente. [ 984] Whanne i þi doȝter ȝerne, Ne schaltu me hire werne." Cutberd wonede þere Fulle seue ȝere, [ 988] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Þat to Rymenild he ne sente, Ne him self ne wente. [ 992] Rymenild was in Westernesse, Wiþ wel muchel sorinesse. ¶ A king þer gan ariue Þat wolde hire haue to wyue. [ 996] Aton he was wiþ þe king, Of þat ilke wedding. Þe daies were schorte, Þat Riminhild ne dorste [ 1000] Leten in none wise. A writ he dude deuise;

Aþulf hit dude write, Þat horn ne luuede noȝt lite. [ 1004] Heo sende hire sonde To euereche londe, To seche horn, þe kniȝt, Þer me him finde miȝte. [ 1008] Horn noȝt þer of ne herde, Til, o dai þat he ferde To wude for to schete, A knaue he gan imete. [ 1012] Horn seden, "Leue fere, Wat sechestu here?" "Kniȝt, if beo þi wille, I mai þe sone telle. [ 1016] I seche fram biweste, Horn of westernesse, For a Maiden Rymenhild Þat for him gan wexe wild. [ 1020] A king hire wile wedde, And bringe to his bedde, King Modi of Reynes, On of hornes enemis. [ 1024] Ihc habbe walke wide Bi þe se side,

[No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1028] Nis he no war ifunde, Walawai þe stunde. Wailaway þe while, Nu wurþ Rymenild bigiled." [ 1032] Horn iherde wiþ his ires, And spak wiþ bidere tires, "Knaue, wel þe bitide, Horn stondeþ þe biside. [ 1036] Aȝen to hure þu turne, And seie þat heo ne murne, For ischal beo þer bitime, A soneday bi pryme." [ 1040] Þe knaue was wel bliþe, And hiȝede aȝen bliue. Þe se bigan to þroȝe Vnder hire woȝe. [ 1044] Þe knaue þer gan adrinke; Rymenhild hit miȝte of þinke. Rymenhild vndude þe dure pin Of þe hus þer heo was in, [ 1048] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

To loke wiþ hire iȝe, If heo oȝt of horn isiȝe. [ 1052] Þo fond heo þe knaue adrent Þat he hadde for horn isent, And þat scholde horn bringe; Hire fingres he gan wringe. [ 1056] ¶ Horn cam to þurston þe kyng, And tolde him þis tiþing. Þo he was iknowe Þat Rimenh[ild] was hise oȝe, [ 1060] Of his gode kenne, Þe king of suddenne, And hu he sloȝ in felde Þat his fader quelde, [ 1064] And seide, "king þe wise, Ȝeld me mi seruise. Rymenhild help me winne; Þat þu noȝt ne linne, [ 1068] And ischal do to spuse Þi doȝter wel to huse. Heo schal to spuse haue Aþulf, mi gode felaȝe, [ 1072] God kniȝt mid þe beste, And þe treweste."

Þe king sede so stille, "Horn, haue nu þi wille." [ 1076] He dude writes sende Into yrlonde, After kniȝtes liȝte, Irisse men to fiȝte. [ 1080] To horn come inoȝe, Þat to schupe droȝe. Horn dude him in þe weie, On a god Galeie. [ 1084] Þe him gan to blowe In alitel þroȝe. Þe se bigan to posse Riȝt in to Westernesse. [ 1088] Hi strike seil and maste, And Ankere gunne caste, Or eny day was sprunge Oþer belle irunge. [ 1092] Þe word bigan to springe Of Rymenhilde weddinge. Horn was in þe watere; Ne miȝte he come no latere. [ 1096] He let his schup stonde, And ȝede to londe.

His folk he dude abide Vnder wude side. [ 1100] Hor[n] him ȝede alone, also he sprunge of stone. A palmere he þar mette, And faire hine grette. [ 1104] "Palmere, þu schalt me telle Al of þine spelle." [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1108] He sede vpon his tale, "I come fram o brudale, Ihc was at o wedding Of a Maide Rymenhild. [ 1112] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Ne miȝte heo adriȝe Þat heo ne weop wiþ iȝe. [ 1116] Heo sede þat 'heo nolde Ben ispused wiþ golde; Heo hadde on husebonde, Þeȝ he were vt of londe.' [ 1120] And in strong halle, Biþinne castel walle,

Þer iwas atte ȝate; Nolde hi me in late. [ 1124] Modi ihote hadde To bure þat me hire ladde. Awai igan glide; Þat deol inolde abide. [ 1128] Þe bride wepeþ sore, And þat is muche deole!" ¶ Quaþ horn, "So crist me rede, We schulle chaungi wede. [ 1132] Haue her cloþes myne, And tak me þi sclauyne. Today i schal þer drinke, Þat some hit schulle ofþinke." [ 1136] His sclauyn he dude dun legge, And tok hit on his rigge. He tok horn his cloþes, Þat nere him noȝt loþe. [ 1140] Horn tok burdon and scrippe, And wrong his lippe. He makede him a ful chere, And al bicolmede his swere. [ 1144] He makede him vn bicomelich; Hes he nas neuremore ilich.

¶ He com to þe gateward, Þat him answerede hard. [ 1148] Horn bad undo softe, Mani tyme and ofte. Ne miȝte he awynne Þat he come þerinne. [ 1152] Horn gan to þe ȝate turne, And þat wiket vnspurne. Þe boye hit scholde abugge; Horn þreu him ouer þe brigge, [ 1156] Þat his ribbes him to brake; And suþþe com in atte gate. He sette him wel loȝe, In beggeres rowe. [ 1160] He lokede him abute, Wiþ his colmie snute. He seȝ Rymenhild sitte Ase heo were of witte, [ 1164] Sore wepinge and ȝerne; Ne miȝte hure noman wurne. He lokede in eche halke; Ne seȝ he nowhar walke [ 1168] Aþulf his felawe, Þat he cuþe knowe.

Aþulf was in þe ture, Abute for to pure [ 1172] After his comynge, Ȝef schup him wolde bringe. He seȝ þe se flowe, And horn nowar rowe. [ 1176] He sede vpon his songe, "Horn, nu þu ert wel longe. Rymenhild þu me toke, Þat i scholde loke. [ 1180] Ihc habbe kept hure eure; Com nu oþer neure. I ne may no leng hure kepe; For soreȝe nu y wepe." [ 1184] ¶ Rymenhild Ros of benche, Wyn for to schenche, After mete in sale, Boþe wyn and ale. [ 1188] On horn he bar anhonde, So laȝe was in londe. Kniȝtes and squier Alle dronken of þe ber; [ 1192] Bute horn al one Nadde þerof no mone.

Horn sat vpon þe grunde; Him þuȝte he was ibunde. [ 1196] He sede, "quen so hende, To meward þu wende. Þu ȝef vs wiþ þe furste; Þe beggeres beoþ of þurste." [ 1200] ¶ Hure horn heo leide adun, And fulde him of a brun, His bolle of a galun, For heo wende he were a glotoun. He seide, "haue þis cuppe, And þis þing þer vppe. Ne saȝ ihc neure, so ihc wene, Beggere þat were so kene." [ 1208] Horn tok hit his ifere, And sede, "quen so dere, Wyn nelle ihc, Muche ne lite, Bute of cuppe white. [ 1212] Þu wenest i beo a beggere, And ihc am a fissere, Wel feor icome bi este, For fissen at þi feste. [ 1216] Mi net liþ her bi honde, Bi a wel fair stronde.

Hit haþ ileie þere Fulle seue ȝere. [ 1220] Ihc am icome to loke Ef eni fiss hit toke. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1224] Ihc am icome to fisse; Drink to me of disse. Drink to horn of horne, Feor ihc am i orne." [ 1228] Rymenhild him gan bihelde; Hire heorte bigan to chelde. Ne kneu heo noȝt his fissing, Ne horn hymselue noþing; [ 1232] Ac wunder hire gan þinke, Whi he bad to horn drinke. Heo fulde hire horn wiþ wyn, And dronk to þe pilegrym. [ 1236] Heo sede, "drink þi fulle, And suþþe þu me telle If þu eure isiȝe Horn vnder wude liȝe." [ 1240] Horn dronk of horn a stunde, And þreu þe ring to grunde.

[No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1244] Þe quen ȝede to bure, Wiþ hire maidenes foure. Þo fond heo what heo wolde, A ring igrauen of golde, [ 1248] Þat horn of hure hadde. Sore hure dradde Þat horn isteue were, For þe Ring was þere. [ 1252] Þo sente heo a damesele After þe palmere. "Palmere," quaþ heo, "trewe, Þe ring þat þu þrewe, [ 1256] Þu seie whar þu hit nome, And whi þu hider come." He sede, "bi seint gile, Ihc habbe go mani Mile, [ 1260] Wel feor bi ȝonde weste, To seche my beste. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1264] I fond horn child stonde, To schupeward in londe.

He sede he wolde agesse to ariue in westernesse. [ 1268] Þe schip nam to þe flode, Wiþ me and horn þe gode. Horn was sik and deide, And faire he me preide, [ 1272] 'Go wiþ þe ringe, To Rymenhild þe ȝonge.' Ofte he hit custe, God ȝeue his saule reste." [ 1276] ¶ Rymenhild sede at þe furste, "Herte, nu þu berste, For horn nastu namore, Þat þe haþ pined þe so sore." [ 1280] Heo feol on hire bedde Þer heo knif hudde, To sle wiþ king loþe, And hure selue boþe, [ 1284] In þat vlke niȝte, If horn come ne miȝte. To herte knif he sette; Ac horn anon hire kepte. [ 1288] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

He wipede þat blake of his swere, And sede, "Quen so swete and dere, Ihc am horn þinoȝe; Ne canstu me noȝt knowe? Ihc am horn of westernesse; In armes þu me cusse." [ 1296] Hi custe hem mid ywisse, And makeden Muche blisse. ¶ "Rymenhild," he sede, "ywende Adun to þe wudes ende. [ 1300] Þer beþ myne kniȝtes, Redi to fiȝte, Iarmed vnder cloþe. Hi schulle make wroþe [ 1304] Þe king and his geste Þat come to þe feste. Today i schal hem teche, And sore hem areche." [ 1308] ¶ Horn sprong ut of halle, And let his sclauin falle. Þe quen ȝede to bure, And fond Aþulf in ture. [ 1312] "Aþulf," heo sede, "be bliþe, And to horn þu go wel swiþe.

He is vnder wude boȝe, And wiþ him kniȝtes Inoȝe." [ 1316] ¶ Aþulf bigan to springe For þe tiþinge. After horn he arnde anon, Also þat hors miȝte gon. [ 1320] He him ouertok ywis; Hi makede suiþe Muchel blis. Horn tok his preie, And dude him in þe weie. [ 1324] He com in wel sone, Þe ȝates were vndone, Iarmed ful þikke Fram fote to þe nekke. [ 1328] Alle þat were þerin, Biþute his twelf ferin And þe king Aylmare, He dude hem alle to kare [ 1332] Þat at þe feste were. Here lif hi lete þere. Horn ne dude no wunder Of ffikenhildes false tunge. [ 1336] Hi sworen oþes holde, Þat neure ne scholde

Horn neure bitraie, Þeȝ he at diþe laie. [ 1340] Hi Runge þe belle, Þe wedlak for to felle. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 1344] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Horn him ȝede with his, To þe kinges palais. [ 1348] Þer was brid and ale suete, For riche men þer ete. Telle ne miȝte tunge Þat gle þat þer was sunge. [ 1352] ¶ Horn sat on chaere, And bad hem alle ihere. "King," he sede, "þu luste A tale mid þe beste. [ 1356] I ne seie hit for no blame, Horn is mi name. Þu me to kniȝt houe, And kniȝthod haue proued. [ 1360] To þe king men seide Þat iþe bitraide;

Þu makedest me fleme, And þi lond to reme. [ 1364] Þu wendest þat iwroȝte Þat y neure ne þoȝte, Bi Rymenhild for to ligge, And þat i wiþsegge. [ 1368] Ne schal ihc hit biginne, Til i suddene winne. Þu kep hure a stunde, Þe while þat i funde [ 1372] In to min heritage And to mi baronage. Þat lond i schal ofreche, And do mi fader wreche. [ 1376] I schal beo king of tune, And bere kinges crune. Þanne schal Rymenhilde Ligge bi þe kinge." [ 1380] ¶ Horn gan to schupe draȝe, Wiþ his yrisse felaȝes. Aþulf wiþ him his broþer; Nolde he non oþer. [ 1384] Þat schup bigan to crude, Þe wind him bleu lude.

Biþinne daies fiue Þat schup gan ariue, [ 1388] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Abute middelniȝte. Horn him ȝede wel riȝte. [ 1392] He tok aþulf bi honde, And vp he ȝede to londe. Hi founde vnder schelde, A kniȝt hende in felde. [ 1396] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Þe kniȝt him aslepe lay Al biside þe way. [ 1400] Horn him gan to take, And sede, "kniȝt, awake. Seie what þu kepest, And whi þu her slepest. [ 1404] Me þinkþ, biþine crois liȝte, Þat þu longest to vre driȝte. Bute þu wule me schewe, I schal þe to hewe." [ 1408] Þe gode kniȝt vp aros; Of þe wordes him gros.

He sede, "ihc haue, aȝenes my wille, Payns ful ylle. [ 1412] Ihc was cristene a while, Þo i com to þis ille Sarazins blake, Þat dude me forsake. [ 1416] On Crist ihc wolde bileue; On him hi makede me reue, To kepe þis passage Fram horn þat is of age, [ 1420] Þat wunieþ bieste, Kniȝt wiþ þe beste. Hi sloȝe wiþ here honde, Þe king of þis londe, [ 1424] And wiþ him fele hundred. And þerof is wunder Þat he ne comeþ to fiȝte; God sende him þe riȝte, [ 1428] And wind him hider driue, To bringe hem of liue. Hi sloȝen kyng Murry, Hornes fader, king hendy. [ 1432] Horn hi vt of londe sente; Tuelf felaȝes wiþ him wente,

Among hem aþulf þe gode, Min oȝene child, my leue fode. [ 1436] Ef horn child is hol and sund, And Aþulf biþute wund, He luueþ him so dere, And is him so stere, [ 1440] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Miȝte iseon hem tueie, For ioie i scholde deie." [ 1444] ¶ "Kniȝt, beo þanne bliþe, Mest of alle siþe. Horn and Aþulf his fere, Boþe hi ben here." [ 1448] To horn he gan gon, And grette him anon. Muche ioie hi makede þere, Þe while hi togadere were. [ 1452] "Childre," he sede, "hu habbe ȝe fare? Þat ihc ȝou seȝ hit is ful ȝare. Wulle ȝe þis londe winne, And sle þat þeris inne?" [ 1456] He sede, "leue horn child, Ȝitt lyueþ þi moder Godhild.

Of ioie heo miste, If heo þe aliue wiste." [ 1460] ¶ Horn sede on his rime, "Iblessed beo þe time I com to suddenne, Wiþ mine irisse menne. [ 1464] We schulle þe hundes teche To speken vre speche. Alle we hem schulle sle, And al quic hem fle." [ 1468] Horn gan his horn to blowe; His folk hit gan iknowe. Hi comen vt of stere, Fram hornes banere. [ 1472] Hi sloȝen and fuȝten, Þe niȝt and þe vȝten. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 1476] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Þe Sarazins cunde, Ne lefde þer non in þende. [ 1480] Horn let wurche Chapeles and chirche;

He let belles ringe, And Masses let singe. [ 1484] He com to his Moder halle, In a roche walle. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1488] Corn he let serie, And makede feste merie. Murie lif he wroȝte; Rymenhild hit dere boȝte. [ 1492] ¶ Fikenhild was prut on herte, And þat him dude smerte. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 1496] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Ȝonge he ȝaf and elde, Mid him for to helde. [ 1500] Ston he dude lede, Þer he hopede spede. Strong castel he let sette, Mid see him biflette. [ 1504] Þer ne miȝte liȝte Bute foȝel wiþ fliȝte;

Bute whanne þe see wiþ droȝe, Miȝte come men ynoȝe. [ 1508] Fikenhild gan wende Rymenhild to schende. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 1512] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1516] To woȝe he gan hure ȝerne; Þe kyng ne dorste him werne. Rymenhild was ful of mode; He wep teres of blode. [ 1520] Þat niȝt horn gan swete, And heuie for to mete Of Rymenhild his make, Into schupe was itake. [ 1524] Þe schup bigan to blenche; His lemman scholde adrenche. Rymenhild wiþ hire honde Wolde vp to londe. [ 1528] Fikenhild aȝen hire pelte Wiþ his swerdes hilte.

¶ Horn him wok of slape, So a man þat hadde rape. [ 1532] "Aþulf," he sede, "felaȝe, To schupe we mote draȝe. Fikenhild me haþ idon vnder, And Rymenhild to do wunder. [ 1536] Crist, for his wundes fiue, To niȝt me þuder driue." Horn gan to schupe Ride, His feren him biside. [ 1540] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Fikenhild, or þe dai gan springe, Al riȝt he ferde to þe kinge, [ 1544] After Rymenhild þe briȝte, To wedden hire biniȝte. He ladde hure bi þe derke, Into his nywe werke. [ 1548] Þe feste hi bigunne, Er þat ros þe sunne. Er þane horn hit wiste, To fore þe sunne vpriste. [ 1552] His schup stod vnder ture, At Rymenhilde bure.

Rymenhild, litel weneþ heo Þat Horn þanne aliue beo. [ 1556] Þe castel þei ne knewe, For he was so nywe. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1560] Horn fond sittinde Arnoldin, Þat was Aþulfes cosin, Þat þer was in þat tide, Horn for tabide. [ 1564] "Horn kniȝt," he sede, "kinges sone, Wel beo þu to londe icome. Today haþ y wedde fikenhild, Þi swete lemman, Rymenhild. [ 1568] Ne schal i þe lie; He haþ giled þe twie. Þis tur he let make Al for þine sake. [ 1572] Ne mai þer come inne Noman wiþ none ginne. Horn, nu crist þe wisse, Of Rymenhild þat þu ne misse." ¶ Horn cuþe al þe liste [ 1577] Þat eni man of wiste.

Harpe he gan schewe, And tok felaȝes fewe, [ 1580] Of kniȝtes suiþe snelle, Þat schrudde hem at wille. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1584] Hi ȝeden bi þe grauel, Toward þe castel. Hi gunne murie singe, And makede here gleowinge. [ 1588] ¶ Rymenhild hit gan ihere, And axede what hi were. Hi sede hi weren harpurs, And sume were gigours. [ 1592] He dude horn in late, Riȝt at halle gate. He sette him on þe benche, His harpe for to clenche. [ 1596] He makede Rymenhilde lay, And heo makede walaway. Rymenhild feol yswoȝe; Ne was þer non þat louȝe. [ 1600] Hit smot to hornes herte So bitere þat hit smerte.

He lokede on þe ringe, And þoȝte on Rymenhilde. [ 1604] He ȝede vp to borde, Wiþ gode suerdes orde. Fikenhildes crune Þer ifulde adune, [ 1608] And al his men arowe Hi dude adum þrowe! Whanne hi weren aslaȝe, Fikenhild hi dude to draȝe. [ 1612] Horn makede Arnoldin þare King, after king Aylmare, Of al westernesse, For his meoknesse. [ 1616] Þe king and his homage Ȝeuen Arnoldin trewage. ¶ Horn tok Rymenhild bi þe honde, And ladde hure to þe stronde, [ 1620] And ladde wiþ him Aþelbrus, Þe gode stuard of his hus. Þe se bigan to flowe, And horn gan to Rowe. [ 1624] Hi gunne for ariue Þer king modi was sire.

Aþelfrus he makede þer king, For his gode teching. [ 1628] He ȝaf alle þe kniȝtes ore, For horn kniȝtes lore. Horn gan for to ride; Þe wind him bleu wel wide. [ 1632] He ariuede in yrlonde, Þer he wo fondede. Þer he dude Aþulf child Wedden maide Reynild. [ 1636] Horn com to suddenne, Among al his kenne. Rymenhild he makede his quene, So hit miȝte wel beon. [ 1640] Alfolk hem miȝte rewe, Þat loueden hem so trewe; Nu ben hi boþe dede; Crist to heuene hem lede. [ 1644] Her endeþ þe tale of horn Þat fair was and noȝt vnorn. Make we vs glade Eure among, For þus him endeþ hornes song. [ 1648] Jesus þat is of heuene king, Ȝeue vs alle his suete blessing.

EX—PLI—CIT.

Amen.

Laud Misc. MS. 108, fol. 219 b.

Alle ben he bliþe Þat to me wilen liþe, A song ich wille you singe Of morye þe kinge. [ 4] King he was bi westen Wel þat hise dayes lesten, And godild hise gode quene; Feyrer non micte bene. [ 8] Here sone hauede to name horn; Feyrer child ne micte ben born. Ne reyn ne micte upon reyne, Ne no sonne by schine. [ 12] Fayrer child þanne he was, Brict so euere any glas, Whit so any lili flour, So rose red was hys colur. [ 16] He was fayr and eke bold And of fiftene winter hold.

Was noman him yliche Bi none kinges riche. [ 20] xij feren he hadde Þat he mid him ladde, And alle rich kinges sones, And alle swiþe fayre gomes, [ 24] Mid hym forto pleye. But mest he louede tueye; Þat on was hoten ayol child, And þat oþer fokenild. [ 28] Ayol was þe beste And fokenild þe werste. Hit was sone someres day, Also ich nou tellen may, [ 32] Þat moye þe gode kinge Rod on his pleyhinge Bi þe se syde, Þer he was woned to ryde. [ 36] With him riden bote tvo; Al to fewe ware þo. He fond bi þe stronde, Ariued on his londe, [ 40] Schipes XV, Of sarazines kene.

He acsede wat he sowte Oþer to londe broucte. [ 44] A peynym it yherde And sone answerede, "Þi lond fole we wilen slon And al þat god leuet on; [ 48] And þe we solen sone anon; Sald þou neuere henne gon." Þe king licte adoun of his stede, For þo he hauede nede, [ 52] And hise gode knictes ij, But ywis hem was ful wo. Swerdes þe gonne gripe And to gydere smyte. [ 56] He fouten an onder selde Some of hem he felde. He weren al to fewe Ayen so fele srewe. [ 60] Sone micten atteþ Bringen þre deþe. Þe paynimes comen to londe And nomen hyt al to honde. [ 64] Cherches he gonnen felle, And fole he gonne quelle.

Þer ne micte libbe Þe fremde ne þe sibbe, [ 68] Bote he here ley forsoken And to here token. Of alle wimmenne Verst was godyld onne. [ 72] For moy he wep sore And for horn wel more. Godild hauede so michel sore Micte no wimman habbe more. [ 76] Þe vente hout of halle, Fram hire maydenes alle, In to a roche of stone. Þar he wonede allone. [ 80] Þer he seruede god, Ayenes þe houndes forbod. Þer he seruede criste, Þat paynimes ne wiste, [ 84] And euere bed for horn child, Þat ihesu crist him were mild. Horn was in peynims honde, Mid his feren of þe londe. [ 88] Miche was his fayrhede, So ihesu him hauede made.

Þo hundes wolde slon, And some him wolde flon. [ 92] Ȝif hornes fayrede nere, Þe child yslawe ware. Uan bi spek him amyraud, [ 95] Of wordes he was swiþe baud, "Horn, þou art swiþe scene, And follyche swiþe kene; Þou art fayr and eke strong, Þou art eueneliche long. [ 100] Þou scald more wexe In þis fif yere þe nexte. Ȝif þu to liue mictest go, An þine feren also, [ 104] Þat micte so bifalle Þou suldes slen us alle. Þe for þou scald to stron go And þine feren also. [ 108] To schip ye schulen stounde A sinken to þe grunde. Þe se þe sal adrinke; Ne sal hit us of þinke. [ 112] For yf þou come to liue, With suerdes or with cniue

We sholde alle deye, Þi faderes det abeye." [ 116] Þe childre yede to stronde, Wringende here honde. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 120] Ofte hauede horn child be wo, Bute neuere werse þan þo. Horns yede in to þe shipes bord Sone at þe firste word, [ 124] And alle hise feren, Þat ware him lef and dere. Þe se bigan to flowen And horn faste to rowen. [ 128] And here schip swiþe drof; Þe children adred þer of. Þei wenden alle wel ywis Of here lif haued ymis, [ 132] Al þe day and al þe nict, Til him sprong þe day lyt. Til horn bi þe stronde Seth men gon alonde. [ 136] "Feren," he seyde, "singe, Y telle ȝou a tidinge.

Ych here foules singe And so þe gras him springe. [ 140] Bliþe be we o liue, Houre schip hys come ryue." Of schip þe gon fonde An sette fot on grunde. [ 144] Bi þe se side Here schip bigan to glide. Þanne spek þe chid horn, In sodenne he was yborn, [ 148] "Go nou, schip, by flode, And haue dawes gode. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 152] Softe mote þou stirie, No water þe derie. Wanne þou comes to sodenne, Gret wel al mi kinne, [ 156] And grete wel þe gode Quen godild, my moder. And sey þat heþene king, Ihesu cristes wiþerling, [ 160] Þat ichc lef and dere, On londe am riued here.

And sei þat he shal fonge Þe deth of mine honde." [ 164] Þe schip bigan to flete And horn child forto wepe. Þe children yede to towne Bi dales and bi downe. [ 168] Metten he with aylmer king, God him yeue god timing, King of westnesse, God him yeue blisse. [ 172] For he spek to horn child Wordes wel swiþe mild, "Wenne be ye, fayre grome, Þat here to londe ben ycome, [ 176] Alle xiij Of bodi swiþe schene? Bi ihesu þat me made, So fayre on ereþ clade, [ 180] Ne say neuere stonde In al westnesse londe. Sey me wat ye seche." Horn spak here speche, [ 184] Hor spak for hem alle, So hit moste by falle,

For þat he was fayrest And of witte wisest. [ 188] "We ben of sodenne, ycomen of godemenne, Of cristene blode And of swiþe gode. [ 192] Paynims þer were riued And broucten men of liue. He slowe and to drowe Cristene men hy nowe. [ 196] So god me mote rede. Vs he deden lede In to salyley, Wit þe se to pleye. [ 200] Day igo and oþer Wit uten seyl and roþer. And hure schip swemme gan, And he to londe it wan. [ 204] Nou men us binde Oure honden us bi hinden, And yf it be þi wille, Help us þat we ne spille." [ 208] Þo bispac aylmer king, Was he neuere nyþing,

"Sey me, child, wat is þi name, Ne schal þe tide bote game." [ 212] Þat child him answerede, Sone so hit herde, "Hor hich am hote, Ycome out of þe bote, [ 216] Fram þe se syde, King, wel þe bityde." "Hon child," qwad þe king, "Wel brouke þou þi naming. Horn him goth snille [ 221] Bi dales an bi hulle; And þoruuth eche toune Horn him shilleþ soune. [ 224] So shal þi name springe Fram kinge to kinge, And þi fayrnesse Þoru out westnesse, [ 228] And stregþe of þine honde Þoruouth euerich londe. Horn þu art so swete No schal yþe for lete." [ 232] Hom rod him aylmer king, And wit horn þe sweting

And alle hyse feren, Þat weren lef and dere. [ 236] Þe king com in to halle Among hise kinctes alle. He bad clepen aybrous, Þe heye stiward of his hous. [ 240] "Stiward, haue þou here Horn chil for to lere Of þine mestere, [No gap in MS. . . . .] Of wode and of felde [ 244] To riden wel wit shelde. Tech him of þe harpe, Wit his nayles sharpe [ 248] Biforn me for to harpen, And of þe cuppe seruen, And of alle þe listes Þat þou on erþe vistes. [ 252] His feren deuise Of oþer seruise. Horn child þou vnderfonge; [ 255] Tech him of harpe and songe." And aylbrous gan leren Horn and hise feren.

Horn in herte laucte Al þat men him taucte. [ 260] Wit hine þe curt and wit oute, And alle veie aboute, Men loueden alle horn child, And mest him louede rimenild, [ 264] Þe kinge owne douter. He was euere in þoute. So hye louede horn child, Þat hye wex al wild. [ 268] Hye ne micte on borde Wit horn speken no worde, Noþer in þe halle Among þe kinctes alle, [ 272] Ne nower in no stede, For for folc þer was so meche. Hire sorwe and hire pyne Nolde he neuere fine. [ 276] Bi day ne bi nicte Wit him speke ne micte. In herte hye haue kare and wo; Þus he hire bi þoucte þo. [ 280] He sende hire sonde Aylbrous to honde.

And be, he schold hire comen to, And also scholde horn do [ 284] In to hire boure, For hye gan to loure. And ysonde seyde Wel riche was þe mede, [ 288] And bed him comen swiþe, For hye nas naut bliþ. Þe stiward was in herte wo, He ne wiste wat he micte do. [ 292] Wat reymnyld wroute, Mikel wonder him þoute. Abote horn þe ȝenge To boure for to bringe, [ 296] He þoucte on his mode Hit nas for none gode. He tok wit him anoþer, Þat was hornes wed broþer. [ 300] "Ayol," he seyde, "ryt anon Þou shalt wit me to boure gon, To speke wit reymyld stille And witen al hire wille. [ 304] In hornes ylyche Þou schalt hire bi swike.

Wel sore y me of drede Þat hye wile horn mis rede." [ 308] Aylbrous, and ayol him myde, Boþe he to boure ȝede. Opon ayol childe Reymyld was naut wilde. [ 312] Hye wende horn hit were Þat hye hadde þere. Hye sette him on bedde, With ayol he gan wedde. [ 316] In hire armes tweye Ayol he gan leye. "Horn," hye seyde, "so longe Ich habbe yloued þe stronge. [ 320] Þou schalt me treuþe plyȝte In mine honde wel ryhcte, Me to spouse welde, And ich þe louerd to helde." [ 324] And seyde in hire here, So stille so it were, "Ne te þou more speche, Sum man þe wile bi keche. [ 328] Þi tale bi gyn to lynne, For horn nis nouth herinne.

Horn his fayr and riche, Be we naut yliche, [ 332] Fayror honder ribbe Þan onyman þat libbe. Þei horn were honder molde, Oþer elles qwere e wolde, [ 336] Hanne ouer a þousond mile, Ne schulde ich him bigile." Reymyld hire bi wende, Þe stiward sone he schende. [ 340] "Aylbrous, þu foule þef, Ne worstu me neuere lef. Wend out of mi boure, Wyt muchel mesauenture. [ 344] Heuele ded mote þou fonge And on heuele rode on honge. Spak ich nou with horn, His he nowt me biforn. [ 348] He his fayror of liue; Wend out henne bilyue." Þo aylbrous a stounde On kneus fel to grunde. [ 352] "A, leuedy, min howe, Lyþe a litel þrowe.

[No gap in MS. . . . .] To bringe þe horn to honde. [ 356] Horn hys fayr and riche, His no man hys liche, And aylmer, þe gode king, Dede him in Mi loking. [ 360] Ȝyf horn þe were aboute, Wel sore ich me doute Þat ye schulden pleye Bitwen hou one tweye. [ 364] Þan scholde wit outen oþe Þe king hus maken wroþe. For ȝyf me þi tene, My leuedi and my quene, [ 368] And horn ich wolle feche, Wam so hit euere reche." Reymyld, ȝyf hye cowþe, Gan leyhe wyt hire mouþe. [ 372] Hye lowe and makede blyþe Wel was hire swiþe. "Go," hye seyde, "sone, And bring him after none, [ 376] In a squieres wise, Wan þe king aryse.

He wende forþ to horne; Ne wolde sche him werne. [ 380] "He schal mid me bi leue Til hyt be ner heue. Had ich of hym my wille, Ne reche y wat men telle." [ 384] Aylbrous fram boure wende, Horn in halle he fonde, Bi forn þe king abenche, Red win to schenche, [ 388] And after mete stale, Boþe win and ale. "Horn," he seyde, "so hende, To boure þo most wende, [ 392] After mete stille, wit With reymild to dwelle. Wordes swiþe bolde In herte gon þu holde. [ 396] Hor, be me wel trewe; Ne schal it þe nouth rewe." [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 400] Horn him wende forþricte To reymyld þe brycte.

Hon kneus he him sette And rimyld fayre grette. [ 404] Of þat fayre wihcte Al þe halle gan licte. He spak fayre speche; Ne þar him no ma teche. [ 408] "Wel þou sitte and softe, Reymyld, kinges douter, With þine maydnes syxe Þat sittet þe nexte. [ 412] Þe kinges stiward and houre Sente me to boure. With þe hy speke schulde; Sey me wat þou wolde. [ 416] Sey, and ich schal here, Wat þi wille were." Reymild up gan stonde And tok him bi þe honde. [ 420] Sette he him on palle; Wyn hye dide fulle, Makede fayre chere, And tok him bi þe swere. [ 424] Often hye him kiste, So wel hire luste.

"Wel come, horn," hye seyde, "So fayr so god þe makede. [ 428] An heue and amorwe For þe ich habbe sorwe. Haue ich none reste; Slepe me ne liste. [ 432] Leste me þis sorwe, Lyue hy nawt to morwe. Horn, þou schalt wel swiþe My longe sorwe liþe; [ 436] Þou schalt, wit uten striue, Habben me to wiue. Horn, haue on me rewþe, And plyct þou me þi trewþe." [ 440] Horn child him bi þoute Wat he speke myȝte. "God," qwad horn, "þe wisse, And ȝyue þe ioye and blisse [ 444] Of þine hosebonde, Whare he be in londe. Ich am hy born to lowe Such a wyf to owe. [ 448] Ich am born þralle, And fundlynge am bi falle.

Ich am nawt of kende Þe to spouse welde. [ 452] Hit were no fayr wedding Bituene a þral and þe king." Reymyld gan to mys lyke, And sore forto syke. [ 456] Armes hye nam boþe, And doune he fel yswowe. Hor hire ofte wende, And in hys armes trende. [ 460] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] "Lemman," qwat he, "dere, þin herte gyn þou to stere, [ 464] And hep þou me to knicte, Oppe þine myȝte To my louerd þe kinge, Þat he me ȝyue dobbinge. [ 468] And þanne hys my þralhede yterned in knyt hede, And þenne hy schal wite more, And don after þi lore." [ 472] Þo reymyl þe ȝenge Com of hire swohinge,

And seyde, "horn, wel ricte, Þou art so fayr and briycte, [ 476] Þou schalt worþe to knyte, hyt comeȝ sone nyȝte. Nym þou here þis coppe, And þis ryng þer oppe, [ 480] And beryt houre styward, And bid helde foreward. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 484] Bid hym for þe falle To kinges fot in halle, Þat he dubbe þe to knicte Wyt hys swerde so bricte. [ 488] Wyt siluer and wit golde Hyt worþ him wel hyȝolde. Horn, god lene þe wel spede Þi herdne forto bede." [ 492] Horn tok hys leue, For it was ney eue. Aylbrous he sowte And tok him þat he browte. [ 496] He talede to him þere hou he hauede hy fare.

He telde him of his nede, And bi het him his mede. [ 500] Aylbrous wel bliþe To halle he ȝede wel swiþe, And sette him on kneuling, And grette wel þe king. [ 504] "Syre," he seyde, "wiltu luste Ane tale wit þe beste? Þou schalt bere corune In þis hulke toune. [ 508] To morwe worþe þi festes; Me by houed gestes. Ich þe wolde rede ate lest Þat þou horn knict makedest. [ 512] Þi armes to him welde; God knict he schal ben helde." Þe king seyde sone, "Þat hys wel to done. [ 516] Horn me wole ben queme, To be knict him by seme. He schal habbe my dubbing And be my nowne derling. [ 520] And his feren xij Ich schal dobbe My selue.

Alle ich hem schal knicte Bi for me to fyte." [ 524] Amorwe her þe dey spronge Aylmer king þoute wel longe. Þe day by gan to springe, Horn cam bi forn þe kinge. [ 528] Wit swerde horn he girde Rit honder hys herte. He sette him on stede Red so any glede, [ 532] And sette on his fotes Boþe spores and botes, And smot alitel with, And bed him ben god knict. [ 536] Ayol fel on knes þere By forn þe king aylmere, And seyde, "king so kene, Graunte me my bene. [ 540] Þou hast knicted sire horn Þat in sodenne was hy born. Louerd he hys in londe, Of vs þat bi him stonde, [ 544] Mid spere and wit scelde To fyten in þe felde.

Let him os alle knicte, So hyt hys hise ricte." [ 548] Þo seyde þe king wel sone wis, "Do horn as hys wil hys." Horn adown gan lycte And makede hem to knicte. [ 552] Comen were þe gestes, Amorwe was þe feste. Reymyld was nowt þere, Hire þoute seue yere. [ 556] After horn hye sende; Hor to boure wende. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 560] He nam his felawe in hys honde, And fonde Reymyld in boure stonde. "Welcome art þou, sire horn, And ayol chil þe bi forn. [ 564] Knict, nou it his tyme Þat þo sitte by me. Yf þou be trewe of dedes, Do þat þou arre seydes. [ 568] Do nou þat we speke, To wif þou schalt me take."

[No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 572] "Reymyld," qwat horn, "be stille; Hy schal don al þi wille. Hat first hyt mote by tyde Mid spere þat ich ride, [ 576] Mi knicthede for to proue, Herst, here ich þe wowe. We beþ kinctes yonge, Alto day hy spronge; [ 580] Of þe mestere Hyt hys þe manere, Wyt som oþer knicte For hys leman to fycte, [ 584] Her ich eny wif take. Þer fore ne haue ich þe forsake. To day, so god me blisse, Ich sal do pruesce, [ 588] For þe lef wyt schelde, In mideward þe felde. And hy come to liue Ich take þe wiue." [ 592] Knict," qwat reymyl, þe trewe, "Yich wene ich may þe leue.

Haue nou here þis gold ring, He his god to þi dobbing. [ 596] Ne hys none swilk vnder sonne, Þat man may offe konne. Hy graue hys on þe Ringe, 'Rymyld þi lef þe yenge'; [ 600] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 604] Þe ston him hys of swiche grace, Þat þou ne schal in none place Of none donte fayle, Þer þou biginnes batayle. [ 608] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . .] And sire ayol, þi broþer, He sal haue anoþer. [ 612] Horn, god hy þe bi teche, Wit morninde speche. God þe ȝyeue god endynge, An hol þe aȝen bringe." [ 616] Þe knict hyre gan to kusse, And reymyld him blisse.

Leue at hire he nom, And in to halle com. [ 620] Þe knictes ȝyede to table, And horn in to stable. He tok forþ his gode fole, So blac so eny cole. [ 624] In armes he him schredde, And hys fole he fedde. Hys fole schok hys brenye, Þat al þe court gan denye. [ 628] Hys fole gan forþ springe, And horn merie to synge. He rod one wile Wel more þan a mile. [ 632] He sey a schip rowe, Mid wat alby flowe, Of out londisse manne, Of sarazine kenne. [ 636] Hem askede qwat he hadde, Oþer to londe ladde. A geant him gan by holde, And spek wordes bolde. [ 640] "Þis lond we wile winne, And slen al þat þer ben hinne."

Horn gan hys swerd gripe, And on his arm hyt wipe. [ 644] Þe sarazin so he smot, Þat al hys blod was hot. At þe furste dunte Hys heued of gan wente. [ 648] Þo gonnen þo hundes gon Aȝenes horn alon. He lokede on his gode ringe, And þoute on reymild þe yenge. [ 652] He slow þer on haste An hundred at þe leste. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 656] Of þat þe were aryue, Fewe he leued on liue. Þe meyster kinges heued He haddit him by reued. [ 660] He settit on hys swerde, Anoven on þe horde, Til he com to halle, Among þe knictes alle. [ 664] He seyde, "king, wel mote þou sitte, An þine knictes mitte.

Þer y rod on my pleying, Sone hafter my dobbing, [ 668] Y say a schip rowe Mid watere al by flowe, Of none londische menne, Bote sarazines kenne, [ 672] To deye, for to pyne Þe and alle þine. He gonnen me asaylen. My swerd me ne wolde fayle; [ 676] Ich broute hem alto grunde In one lite stounde. Þe heued ich þe bringe Of þe meyster kinge. [ 680] Nou ich haue þe yolde, Þat þu me knicten wolde." Þe day bi gan to springe, Þe king rod on huntingge. [ 684] To wode he gan wende, For to lacchen þe heynde. Wyt hym rod fokenild, Þat alþe werste moder child. [ 688] And horn wente in to boure, To sen auenture.

He fond Reymild sittende, Sore wepende, [ 692] Whit so eny sonne, Wit teres albi ronne. He seyde, "lemman, þin ore, Wy wepes þou so sore?" [ 696] Hye seyde, "ich nawt ne wepe, Bote ich schal her ich slepe. Me þoute in my metynge, Þat ich rod on fischinge. [ 700] To se my net ich keste; Ne Mict ich nowt lache. A gret fys ate furste Mi net he makede berste. [ 704] Þe fys me so by laucte, Þat ich nawt ne kaucte. Ich wene ich schal forlese Þe fys þat ich wolde chese." [ 708] "God and seynte steuene," Qwad horn, "terne þi sweuene. Ne shal ich neuere swike, Ne do þat þe mis like. [ 712] Ich nime þe to my nowe, To habben and to howe,

For euerich wyȝte; Þarto my treuwþe ich plicte." [ 716] Miche was þat rewþe Þat was at here trewþe. Reymyld wel stille, And horn let teres spille. [ 720] He seyde, "lemman dere, Þou schalt more here. Þy sweuene ich schal schende. [ 724] [No gap in MS. . . . .] Þe fis þat brac þi seyne, Hy wis hyt was som ble[y]ne Þat schal us do som tene; Hy wis hyt worþ hy sene." [ 728] Þe king rod bi his toure, And horn was in þe boure. Fykenyld hadde envie, An seyde hise folye:— [ 732] "Aylmere, king, ich wole warne, Horn chil þe wile berne. Ich herde qware he seyde, And his swerd leyde, [ 736] To bringe þe of liue, And take rimenyld to wiue.

Nou he hys in boure, Al honder couerture, [ 740] By reymyld, þi douter; And so he hys wel ofter. Ich rede þat þu wende; Þer þu myct him schende. [ 744] Do him out of þi londe, Her do more schonde." Aylmer king him gan torne, Vel mody and wel Mourne. [ 748] To boure he gan ȝerne, Durst hym noman werne. He fond horn wit arme, In rimenyldes barme. [ 752] "Henne out," qwad aylmer king, "Henne, þou foule wendling, Out of boure flore, Fram Reymyld, þi hore. [ 756] Sone bote þe flecte, Wit swerd hy wole þe hette. Hout of londe sone, Here hauest þou nowt to done." [ 760] Horn cam in to stable, Wel modi for þe fable.

He sette sadel on stede, With armes he hym gan schrede. [ 764] Hys brenye he gan lace, So he scholde, in to place. Þo hyt þer to gan ten, Ne durst him noman sen. [ 768] Swerd he gan fonge; Ne stod he nowt to longe, And ȝyede forþ ricte To reymyld þe bricte. [ 772] He seyde, "leman, derling, Now hauestu þi meting. Þe fys þi net to rente, Fram þe he me sente. [ 776] Þe king gynneþ wiht me striue; Awey he wole me driue. Reymyld, haue god day, For nov ich founde awey, [ 780] In to onekuþ londe, Wel more forto fonde. Ich schal wony þere Fulle seve ȝere. [ 784] Ate vij ȝeres hende, Bot ȝyf hy come oþer sende,

Tac þou hosebonde, For me þat þou wonde. [ 788] I armes þou me fonge, An kusse swiþe longe." He kusten one stunde, And reymyld fel to grunde. [ 792] Horn tok his leue, For hyt was ney heue. He nam ayol, trewe fere, Al aboute þe swete, [ 796] And seyt, "knict so trewe, Kep Mi leue wiue. So þou me neuere forsoke, Reymyl kep and loke." [ 800] Horn gan stede by stride, And forþ he gan ride. Ayol wep wit heye, And alle þat hym seye. [ 804] Horn chil forþ hym ferde; A god schip he him herde, Þat hym scholde wisse Out of westnisse. [ 808] Þe whyȝt him gan stonde, And drof tyl hirelonde.

To londe he gan flette, And out of schip him sette. [ 812] He mette by þe weye, Kingges sones tweye; Þat on was hoten ayld, And þat oþer byrild. [ 816] Byrild him gan preye Þat he scholde seye Wat hys name were, And qwat he wolde þere. [ 820] "Cuberd," he seyde, "ich hote, Comen fram þe bote, Fer fram bi weste, To chesen mine beste." [ 824] Byryld him gan ryde, And tok hym by þe bridel. "Wel be þou, knict, here founde; Whyt me bileuest a stounde. [ 828] So ich ne mote sterue, Þe kyng þou schal serue. Ne sey ich neuere on lyue So fayr knyt aryue." [ 832] Cubert he ledde to halle, And adoun gan falle.

He sette hym on knewlyng, And grette wel þe gode king. [ 836] Þo seyde byrild wel sone, "Whit hym hauen to done. Tak hym þi lond to werye; Ne schal hym noman derye. [ 840] He hys þe fayreste man Þat euere in þis londe cam." Þo seyde þe king so dere, "Wel come be he here. [ 844] Go nov, byryld, swyþe, An mak him glad and blyþe. Wan þou farest awowen, Tak hym þine glouen. [ 848] Þer þou hauest Mynt to wyue, Awey he schal þe dryue." [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 852] Hyt was at Cristesmesse, Naþer more ne lesse. Þe king hym makede a feste, Wyt hyse knyctes beste. [ 856] Þer com ate none, A geaunt swiþe sone,

Armed of paynime, And seyde in hys rime, [ 860] "Syte, knytes, by þe king, And lusteþ to my tydyng. Here beþ paynyms aryued, Wel mo þanne fyue. [ 864] By þe se stronde, Kyng, on þine londe. One þer of wille ich fyȝte Aȝen þi þre knyctes. [ 868] Ȝyf þat houre felle þyne þre, Al þis lond schal vre be; Ȝyf þyne þre fellen houre, Al þys lond þanne be ȝyure. [ 872] To morwe schal be þe fyȝtyng, At þe sonne op rysyng." Þo seyde þe king þurston, "Cubert he schal be þat on, [ 876] Ayld chyld þat oþer, Þe þrydde, byryld, hyse broþer. Hye þre beþ þe strengeste, And in armes þe beste. [ 880] At wat schal do to rede? Ich wene we ben alle dede."

Cubert set on borde, And seyde þis worde:— [ 884] "Syre kyȝeking, hyt no ryȝcte, On wiþ þre to fyȝcte. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 888] At wille ich alone, With outen mannes mone, Mid my swerd wel heþe Bringen hem alle to deþe." [ 892] Þe kyng ros a morwe, And hadde meche sorwe. Cubert ros of bedde; Wyt armes he hym schredde. [ 896] Hys brenye on he caste, Lacede hyt wel faste. He cam biforn þe godeking, At hyse op rysyng. [ 900] He seyde, "king, com to felde, Me for to by helde, Hou we scholen fyȝte And to gydere hus dyȝcte." [ 904] Ryȝt at prime tyde, He gonne hem out ryde.

He founden in a grene, A geant swyþe kene, [ 908] Armed with swerd by side, Þe day for to abyde. Cubert him gan asayle; Wolde he nawt fayle. [ 912] He keyte duntes ynowe; Þe geant fel hy swowe. Hys feren gonnen hem wyt drawe, Þo here mayster wa slawe. [ 916] He seyden, "knyct þo reste Awile ȝyf þe luste. We neuere ne hente Of man 1 so harde dunte, [ 920] Bute of þe king Mory, Þat was so swyþe stordy. He was of hornes kinne; We slowe hym in sodenne." [ 924] Cuberd gan agrise, And hys blod aryse. By for hym he sey stonde Þat drof hym out of londe, [ 928] And hys fader aquelde. He smot hym honder schelde.

He lokede on hys gode ringe, And þoute on reymyld þe ȝonge. [ 932] Myd gode dunt ate furste, He smot hym to þe herte. Þe hondes gonnen at erne In to þe schypes sterne. [ 936] To schip he wolden ȝerne, And cubert hem gan werne, And seyde, "kyng, so þou haue reste, Clep nou forþ ofi þi beste, [ 940] And sle we þyse hounden, Here we henne founden." Þe houndes hye of laucte, An strokes hye þere kaute. [ 944] Faste aȝen hye stode, Aȝen duntes gode. Help nawht here wonder; Cubert hem broute al honder. [ 948] He schedde of here blode, And makede hem al wode. To deþe he hem browte, Hys fader deþ he bowten. [ 952] Of al þe kinges rowe, Þer nas bute fewe slawe.

Bote hys sones tweye By fore he sey deye. [ 956] Þe king bi gan to grete, And teres for to lete. Men leyden hem on bere, And ledde hem wel þere [ 960] In to holy kyrke, So man scholde werke. Þe king cam hom to halle, Among þe kniyctes alle. [ 964] "Do, cubert," he seyde, "As ich þe wolle rede. Dede beþ myn heyres, And þou þe boneyres, [ 968] And of grete strengþe, Swete and fayr of lengþe. Mi reaume þou schalt helde, And to spuse welde [ 972] Hermenyl, my douter, Þat syt in boure softe." He seyde, "king, wit wronge Scholde ich hire honder fonge, [ 976] Þing þat þou me bede, And þy reaume lede.

At more ich wile þe serue, And fro sorwe þe berwe. [ 980] Þy sorwe hyt schal wende Her þis seue ȝeres hende. And wanne he beþ wente, Kyng, ȝyf þou me my rente. [ 984] Wan ich þi douter herne, Ne schalt þou hire me werne." Horn child wonede þere fulle sixe yere. [ 988] Þe seuenþe, þat cam þe nexte After þe sexte, 1 To reymyld he ne wende, Ne to hyre sende. [ 992] Reymyld was in westnesse, Myd michel sorwenesse. A kyng þer was aryuede Þat wolde hyre habbe to wyue. [ 996] At sone ware þe kynges Of hyre weddinges. Þe dawes weren schorte, And reymyld ne dorste [ 1000] Lette in none wise. A writ he dede deuise;

Ayol hyt dide write, Þat horn ne louede nawt lite. [ 1004] And to eueryche londe, For horn hym was so longe, After horn þe knycte, For þat he ne Myȝte. [ 1008] Horn þer of ne þoute, Tyl, on a day þat he ferde To wode for to seche, A page he gan mete. [ 1012] He seyde, "leue fere, Wat sekest þou here?" "Knyt, feyr of felle," Qwat þe page, "y wole þe telle. [ 1016] Ich seke fram westnesse, Horn, knyt of estnesse, For þe mayde reymyld, Þat for hym ney waxeþ wild. [ 1020] A kyng hire schal wedde, A soneday to bedde, Kyng mody of reny, Þat was hornes enemy. [ 1024] Ich haue walked wide By þe se syde.

Ich neuere myȝt of reche Whit no londisse speche. [ 1028] Nis he nower founde, A weylawey þe stounde. Reymyld worþ by gile, Weylawey þe wile." [ 1032] Horn hyt herde with eren, And wep with blody teren. "So wel þe, grom, by tide, Horn stant by þy syde. [ 1036] Aȝen to reymyld turne, And sey þat he ne morne. Ich schal ben þer by tyime, A soneday by prime." [ 1040] Þe page was blyþe, And schepede wel swyþe. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1044] Þe se hym gan to drenche; Reymyld hyt Myȝt of þinche. Þe se hym gan op þrowe, Honder hire boures wowe. [ 1048] Reymyld gan dore vn pynne, Of boure þat he was ynne,

And lokede forþ riȝete After horn þe knyte. [ 1052] Þo fond hye hire sonde Drenched by þe stronde, Þat scholde horn bringe; Hyre fingres hye gan wringe. [ 1056] Horn cam to þurston þe kinge, And telde hym hys tydinge. So he was by cnowe Þat reymyld was his owe. [ 1060] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1064] He seyde, "kyng so wise, ȝeld me my seruyse. Reymyld me help to winne; Þat þou ich nowt ne lynne, [ 1068] And hy schal to house Þy douter do wel spuse. He schal to spuse haue Ayol, My trewe felawe, [ 1072] He hys knyt wyt þe beste, And on of þe treweste."

Þo seyde þe kyng so stille, "Horn, do þine wille." [ 1076] Horn sente hys sonde In to eueryche londe, After men to fyȝte, Hyrische men so wyȝte, [ 1080] To hym were come hy nowe, Þat in to schipe drowe. Horn tok hys preye. And dude him in hys weye. [ 1084] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Here scyp gan forþ seyle, Þe wynd hym nolde fayle. [ 1088] He striken seyl of maste, And anker he gonne kaste. Þe soneday was hy sp[ronge], And þe messe hy songe, [ 1092] Of reymylde þe ȝonge, And of mody þe kinge; And horn was in watere; Myȝt he come no latere. [ 1096] He let scyp stonde, And ȝede hym op to londe.

Hys folc he dide abyde Honder þe wode syde. [ 1100] He wende forþ alone, So he were spronge of stone. A palmere he mette; Wyt worde he hym grette, [ 1104] "Palmere, þou schalt me telle," He seyde, "on þine spelle, So brouke þou þi croune, Wi comest þou fram toune?" [ 1108] Þe palmere seyde on hys tale, "Hy com fram on bridale. Ich com fram brode hylde Of Mayden reymylde. [ 1112] Fram honder chyrche wowe, Þe gan louerd owe, Ne miyȝte hye hyt dreye Þat hye wep wyt eye. [ 1116] He seyde þat 'hye nolde Be spoused Myd golde; Hye hadde hosebonde, Þey be nere nawt in londe.' [ 1120] Mody Myd strencþe hyre hadde, And in to toure ladde,

Into a stronge halle, Whit inne kastel walle. [ 1124] Þer ich was attegate; Moste ich nawt in rake. Awey ich gan glyde; Þe deþ ich nolde abyde. [ 1128] Þer worþ a rewlich dole, Þer þe bryd wepeþ sore." "Palmere," qwad horn, "so god me rede Ich and þou willen chaungen wede. Tac þou me þi sclauyne, And haue þou cloþes myne. To day ich schal þere drynke; Som man hyt schal of þinke." [ 1136] Þe sclavyn he gan doun legge, And horn hyt dide on rigge. Þe palmere tok hys cloþes, Þat ne weren hym nowt loþe. [ 1140] Horn toc burdoun and scrippe, And gan wringe hys lippe. He makede a foul chere, And kewede hys swere. [ 1144] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

He cam to þe gateward, Þat hym answered hard. [ 1148] He bed on do wel softe, Fele syþe and ofte. Myȝte he nowt wynne For to come þerinne. [ 1152] Horn gan to þe yate turne, And þe wyket op spurne. Þe porter hyt scholde abygge; He pugde hym ofer þe brigge, [ 1156] Þat hys ribbes gonnen krake; And horn into halle rake. He sette hym wel lowe, In beggeres rowe. [ 1160] He loked al aboute, Mid hys kelwe snowte. He sey Reymyld sytte Al so hy were of witte, [ 1164] Wyt droupnynde chere, Þat was hys lemman dere. He lokede in eche halke; Sey he nowere stalke [ 1168] Ayol hys trewe felawe, Þat trewe was and ful of lawe.

Ayol was op in toure, Aboute for to poure [ 1172] After hornes cominge, Ȝyf water hym wolde bringe. Þe se he sey flowe, And horn nower rowe. [ 1176] He seyde in hys songe, "Horn, þou art to longe. Reymyld þou me by toke, Þat ich hyre scholde loke. [ 1180] Ich haue hire yloked euere, And þou ne comest neuere." [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1184] Reymyld ros of benche, Þe knyȝtes for to schenche. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1188] An horn hye ber on honde, As hyt was lawe of londe. Hye drank of þebere, To knyt and to squiere. [ 1192] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

And horn set on þe grunde; Hym þoute he was bounde. [ 1196] He seyde, "quen so hende, To meward gyn þou wende. Schenk hus Myd þe furste; Þe beggeres beþ of þerste." [ 1200] Þe horn hye leyde adoune, And fulde hem of þe broune, A bolle of one galun; Hye wende he were a glotoun. [ 1204] "Nym þou þe coppe, And drinkyt al oppe. Sey ich neuere, ich wene, Beggere so bold and kene." [ 1208] Horn tok þe coppe hys fere, And seyde, "quen so dere, No drynk nel ich bite, Bote of one coppe wite. [ 1212] Þou wenst ich be a beggere; For gode ich am a fyȝssere, Hy come fram by weste, To fyȝen an þi feste. [ 1216] My net hys ney honde, In a wel fayr ponde.

Hyt hat hy be here Al þis seueȝere. [ 1220] Hyc am hy come to loke Ȝif any he toke. Ȝyf any fyȝs hys þerynne, Þer of þou winne. [ 1224] Ich am hy come to fyȝsse, Drink to me of þy disse; Drynk to horn of horn, For ich habbe hy ȝouren." [ 1228] Reymyld hym gan by holde, And hyre herte to kolde. Neyȝ he nowt hys fyssing, Ne hym selue no þyng. [ 1232] Wonder hyre gan þynke, Wy he hyre bed drynke. He fulde horn þe wyn, And dronk to þe pylegrim. [ 1236] "Palmere, þou drinke þy fulle, And syþe þou schalt telle, Ȝyf þou horn awt seye Honder wode leye." [ 1240] Horn drank of horn a stounde, And þrew hys ryng to þe grounde.

He seyde, "quen, nou seche Qwat hys in þy drenche." [ 1244] Reymild ȝede to boure, Wyt hyre maydenes foure. He fond þat he wolde, A ryng hy grauen of golde, [ 1248] Þat horn of hyre hadde. Wel sore hyre of dradde Þat horn child ded were, For þe ryng was þere. [ 1252] Þo sende hye a damysele Adoun after þe palmere. "Palmere," hye seyde, "so trewe, Þe ryng þou here þrewe, [ 1256] Sey war þou ith nome, And hyder wi þou come." He seyde, "bi seynt gyle, Ich aue hy go mani amyle, [ 1260] Wel fer her by weste, To seche my beste, My mete for to bidde, So hyt me by tidde. [ 1264] Þat fond ich horn child stonde, To scyppeward on stronde.

He seyde he wolde agesce To ryuen in westnesse. [ 1268] Þat scyp hym ȝede to flode, Myd me and horn þe gode. Horn was sech and ded, And for his loue me bed, [ 1272] 'To schipe with me þe ring To Reymyld quene þe ȝeng.' Ofte he me kuste, God ȝyue hys soule reste." [ 1276] Reymyld seyde ate ferste, "Herte, nou to berste; Horn ne worþ me na more, For wam hy pyne sore." [ 1280] Hye fel adoun on þe bed Þer hye hauede knyues leyd, To slen hire louerd loþe, And hyre selue boþe, [ 1284] In þat hulke [nyȝte], Bote horn come myȝte. Knyf to hyre herte hye sette, And horn hire gan lette. [ 1288] Hys schirt lappe he gan take, And wiped awey þat blake

Þat was on hys swere, And seyde, "quene so dere, [ 1292] Canst þou me nawt knowe? Ne am ich al þyn owe? Ich am horn of estnesse; In þyn armes þou me kusse." [ 1296] Hye clepten and hye kuste Þe wile þat hem luste. "Reymyld," qwad horn, "ich moste [wende To þe wodes hende, [ 1300] After mine knyȝtes, Hyrische men so wyȝte, Armed honder cloþe. He scholen maken wroþe [ 1304] Þe kyng and hyse gestes Þat sytten atte feste. To day we schole hem keche, Ryȝt nou ich wolle hem teche." [ 1308] HOrn sprong out of halle; Þe sclavyn he let falle. And Reymyld wente to toure, And fond ayol lure. [ 1312] "Ayol, be wel blyþe, And go to horn swyþe.

He hys honder wode bowe, And Myd hym felawe ynowe." [ 1316] Ayol forþ gan springe, Wel glad for þat tydyngge. Faste after horn he rende; Hym þoute hys herte brende. [ 1320] Of tok he horn hy wys, And kuste hym wit blys. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1324] He com aȝen wel sone, Þe gates weren ondone. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1328] Hye þat ate feste heten, Here lyue he gonnen þer leten. And þe kyng mody Hym he made blody. [ 1332] And þe king aylmere Þo hauede myche fere. Horn no wonder ne makede Of fykenildes falsede. [ 1336] He sworen alle and seyde Þat here non hym by wreyde.

And ofte he sworen hoþes holde, Þat þere non ne scholde [ 1340] No ware horn by wreyen, Þou he to deþe leyen. He rongen þe bellen, Þe wedding for to fullen, [ 1344] Of hor þat was so hende, And of reymyld þe ȝonge. Horn ledde hyre hom wit heyse, To hyre fader paleyse. [ 1348] Þer was brydale swete; Riche men þer hete. Tellen ne Myȝte no tonge Þe joye þat þer was songe. [ 1352] Horn set on hys cheyere, And bed he scholden alle here. He seyde, "kyng so longe, My tale þou honderstonde. [ 1356] Hy was born in sodenne; Kyng was My fader of kunne. Þo me to knyȝte þou ȝoue; My knyȝthede ich haue proued. [ 1360] To þe of me men seyde War for þi herte creyde.

Þou makedest me to rewe, Þo þou bote me fleme. [ 1364] Þou wendes þat ich wroute Þat hy neuere ne þoute, Wyt Reymyld for ligge. I wys ich hyt wyt sigge. [ 1368] Ich ne schal neuere a gynne, Er ich sodenne wynne. Kep hire me a stounde, Þe wille ich hennes founde [ 1372] In to myn heritage, Mid myn hirysce page. Þat lond ich schal of reche, And do my fader wreche. [ 1376] Ich schal be kyng of tune, And wite of kynges r[?]owne. Þenne schal Reymyld þe ȝonge Lyggen by horn þe kynge." [ 1380] Hor gan to schipe ryde, And hys knyȝtes bi side. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1384] Here schip gan to croude, Þe wynd hym bleu wel loude.

Honder sodenne syde Here schip bi gan to glide, [ 1388] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Abowte myd niȝte. Horn hym yede wel ryȝte, [ 1392] Nam ayol on hys honde, And yeden op hon londe. Hye found honder schelde, A knyt liggen in felde. [ 1396] Op þe scheld was drawe A crowch of ihesu cristes lawe. Þe knyt hy lay on slepe, In armes wel ymete. [ 1400] Horn hym gan take, And seyde, "knyt, awake. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1404] Me þynkeþ, by þe crowches lyste, Þat þou leuest on criste. Bote þou hit raþe schewe, Wyt Mi swerd ich schal þe hewe." Þe gode knyt op aros; Of hornes wordes hym agros.

He seyde, "hy serue ylle Paynyms, aȝen My wille. [ 1412] Ich was cristene som wyle, And þo were come into þis yle Sarazyns lodlike and blake, And dide me god forsake. [ 1416] Bi god on wam yleue, Þo he makeden me reue, To loke þis passage For horn þat hys of age. [ 1420] He woneþ alby weste, God knyt myd þe beste. He slow Mid hys honde Þe kyng of þise londe, [ 1424] And wyt hym men an hundred. Þer fore me þinkeþ wonder Þat he comeþ fiȝþcte. God yeue hym þe miyȝte, [ 1428] Þat wynde hym driue To bringen hem of liue. He slowen þe kyng mory, Hornes fader so stordy. [ 1432] Horn to water he sente, xij children myd hym wente.

Þer mong was ayol þe gode, Myn owe child, myn owe fode. [ 1436] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] He louede horn wel derne, And horn hym also ȝerne. [ 1440] Ȝyf horn hys hol and sounde, Ayol ne tyt no wounde. Bote ich nou se hem tweye, I wys ich wolle deye." [ 1444] "Knyt, be swiþe blyþe, Mest of alle syþe. Ayol and horn yfere Boþe he ben here." [ 1448] Þe knyt to hem gan steppe, And in armes cleppe. Þe joie þat he made, Myȝte no man rede. [ 1452] He seyde wit steuene ȝare, "Children, hou abbe ȝe fare? Wolle ȝe þis lond winne, And wonye þer inne?" [ 1456] He seyde, "leue horn child, Ȝet liueþ þy moder godild."

[No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1460] Horn seyde on hys rime, "Hyblessed be þe tyme Ich am ycome to sodenne, Wyt Myn hyrysce menne. [ 1464] Þis lond we schollen winne And fle at þat þere ben inne. And so we scholen hem teche To speken oure speche." [ 1468] Horn gan hys horn blowe, Þat hys folc it gan knowe. He comen out of scyp sterne, To horn ward wel ȝerne. [ 1472] He smyten and he fouten, Þe nyȝt and eke þe ouȝten. Myd speres hord he stonge, Þe held and eke þe ȝonge. [ 1476] Þat lond he þoru sowten; To deþe he hus brouten Sarazines kende, Þe leuede on þe fende. [ 1480] Horn let sone werchen Chapeles and cherchen;

Bellen he dide ryngen, And prestes messe syngen. [ 1484] He sowte hys moder oueralle, Wit inne eueriche walle. He custen and hye cleten, And in to halle wenten. [ 1488] Croune he gonnen werie, And makede festes merye. Murye he þere wroute; Reymyld hyt aboute. [ 1492] Wile þat horn was oute, Fikenyld ferde aboute. To wiue he gan hire ȝerne; Þe kyng ne dorst him werne. [ 1496] Muche was hys prede; Þe ryche he ȝaf mede, Ȝonge and eke þe helde, Þat Mid hym scholde helde. [ 1500] Ston he dede lede, And hym þerto he made. A kastel he dude feste Wit water alby sette. [ 1504] Miȝt no man hon on legge, By paþe ne by brigge;

Bote wan þe wit drowe, Þer munthe come. [ 1508] Þis fykenild ganto wende Reynyld for to wende. Þe day by gan to wexe, Þat hem was by twexe. [ 1512] Fekenyld, her þe day gan springe, Ferde to aylmer þe kynge, After reynyld þe bryȝte, And spousede hire by niȝte. [ 1516] He ledde hyre hom in derke, To his newe werke. Þe festes he by gonne, Here aryse þe sonne. [ 1520] Þat nyȝt gan horn swete, And harde forto mete Of Reymyld hys make, Þat in to schype was take. [ 1524] Þat schip scholde on hire blenche; Hys leman scholde adrenche. Reymyld wit hire honde Wolde suemme to londe. [ 1528] Fykenyld hire ȝen pulte Wit his swerd hylte.

[No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1532] "Ayol," qwat horn, "trewe felawe, Into schip gonne we drawe. Fykenyld haueþ gon onder, And don Reynyld som wonder. [ 1536] God, for his wordes fiue, To nyȝt us þyder driue." Horn gan to Scype Ride, And his knyȝtes by side. [ 1540] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 1544] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 1548] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Here schip bigan to terne By þe wateres sterne. [ 1552] Hys schip stod in store, Honder fikenildes boure.

Ne wiste horn on liue Whar he was a Ryue. [ 1556] Þe kestel he ne knewe, For he was so newe. Þe sond by gan to drye, And hyt hym makede weye. [ 1560] He fond stonde arnoldyn, Þat was ayolles cosyn, Þat was þere in tyde, Horn for to abyde. [ 1564] He seyde, "horn, kynges sone, Wel be þou here to londe come. Nou hat wedded fikenyld Þy nowe lemman, Reymyld. [ 1568] Nele ich þe nowt lye; He haueþ þe gyled twye. Þis castel he dude make For Reymyldes sake. [ 1572] Þer may mo man on legge, By paþe neby brigge. Horn, nou crist þe wisse, Of Reymyld þat þou ne misse." [ 1576] Horn her kenede al þe lyste Þat any man of wiste.

To herpe he gan drawe, And wyȝt hys tweye felawe, [ 1580] Knyȝtes swyþe felle, And schurde hem in pelle. Wyt swerdes he hem gyrte Anouen here schirte. [ 1584] He wenden on þe grauel Toward þe castel. He gonne murye synge, And makede here glewinge. [ 1588] Þat fykenyld myȝt yhere; Hearkede wat hye were. Men seyde hyt harperes, Iogelours and fiþeleres. [ 1592] He dude hem in lete; At halle dore he sete. Horn set on þe benche; Hys harpe he gan clenche. [ 1596] He makede Reymyld a lay, And reynyld makede weylawey. Reymyld fel yswowe; Þo was þer non þat lowe. [ 1600] Hyt ȝede to hornes herte; Sore hym gan smerte.

Hey lokede on hys gode Ryng, And Reymyld þe ȝonge. [ 1604] Hey ȝede op to borde, Mid hys gode swerde. Fykenyldes crowne He leyde þere adowne; [ 1608] And alle hys men arewe He dide adoun þrewe. Þo he weren alle yslawe, Fykenyld he dide to drawe. [ 1612] He makede arnoldyn kyng þere, After þe kyng aylmere, [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1616] Þe knytes and þe barnage Dude hym alle utrage. Horn tok rymyld by þe hond, And ledde hire by þe se strond. [ 1620] He tok hym syre aylbrous, Stiward of þe kynges hous. He riuede in a reaume, In a wel fayr streume, [ 1624] Þer kyng mody was syre, Þat horn slow wyt yre.

Aybrous he makede þer kyng, For hys gode tydyng; [ 1628] For syre hornes lore, He was kyng þore. [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] [ 1632] Horn ariuede in hyre londe, Þer he hadde woned so longe. Þer he dude ayol childe Wedden mayden hermenylde. [ 1636] Horn wente to sodenne, To hys owe kunne. Reymyld he makede quene, So ich Miyȝte wel bene. [ 1640] Alle folc hyt knewe Þat he hem louede trewe. Nou ben he alle dede; God hem to heuene lede. [ 1644] [No gap in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 1648] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Am . . . e . . . n.

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

• [after þ a letter erased]
• 1

  MS. adds 'nes honde' underdotted as a mistake.
• 1

  MS. adds 'yeres hende' underdotted as a mistake.
• Between vv. 1399 and 1400 stands in the MS. Laud the incomplete line Horn hym gan m, underdotted to indicate that it is due to a mistake of the scribe.
• This line repeated in the MS.
• Written wēnde
• 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.'