Torrent of Portyngale. Re-edited from the unique ms. in the Chetham Library, Manchester, by E. Adam, PH. D.

Torrent of Portyngale.

Here bygynneth a good tale [f. 76a.] Of Torrente of Portyngale.

(1)

GOD, that ys worthy and Bold, [leaf 1] [May God give] Heuen̄ and Erthe haue In hold, Fyld, watyr, and wynde, Yeve vse grace hevyn̄ to wyne, [us grace to win Heaven!] And brynge vs owt off Dedly synne [ 5] And In thy seruyse to Ende! A stounde and ye wołł lyst be-Dene, Ale dowghtty men̄ þat Euyr hathe ben̄, [8. byn MS.] Wher So that they lende, I Schałł yow tełł, ore I hense pase, [ 10] [I'll tell you of a doughty knight.] Off a knyght, þat Dowghtty wase, In Rome ase clarkys ffynde.

(2)

In Portynggałł, that Ryche londe, [He dwelt in Portugal,] An Erełł that wase wonande, That curtese wase and wyght; [ 15] [15. wyght] Dowghtty MS.] Sone aftyr he had a sone, The feyerest þat on fot myght gon, Tyrrant, men seyd, he hyght. Be tyme he wase XVIII yer old, [and fought well when 18.] Of deddes of armys he wase bold, [ 20] To felle bothe kyng and knyght; [21. felle] first l above the line MS.] And now commythe dethe appon a day And takythe hys father, ase I yow sey, For God ys most of myght.

(3)

The kyng of Portynggałł wase fayne, [ 25] [The King] To-warde hym he takythe Torrayne, That Dowghtty ys in̄ dedde; And ther he fesomnyd in̄ hys hond [gives Torrent an earldom,] A good Eyrldom in̄ that lond, Bothe forest and fede. [f. 76b.] [ 30] [30. fede] Downe MS.] The kyng hathe a dowghttyr whyte ase fame, [31. whyte ase fame] feyer ase flowyr MS.] Dysonell wase her name, [32. Dyscenys, MS.] Worthyest in wede. When Torrent had of her a syght, [and he falls in love with the King's daughter Deso∣nell,] More he lovyd that swete wyght [ 35] [35. swete] swet, MS. wyght] wyte MS.] Than̄ ałł ys fathyrys lede. [36. lede] londe MS.]

(4)

For love of thys lady Deyr [and for her,] In dede of armys far and nere Aventorres gan he take [39. A ventorres MS.] With heve tymbyr and ovyr-Ryde, [ 40] Ther myght no man̄ hys dent a-bydde, But to the Erthe he them strake. [unhorses many knights.] [42. stroke MS.] Her father and other knyghttes mo Had farly, how he Ryd soo, And on a day to hyme spake, [ 45] He Seyd: 'Torrent, howe may thys byne, That thow Dyspisyst thes knyghttes kene [47. dysplesyst MS.] And ordurres non wołł take?'

(5)

Torrent sayd: 'So mvt I the, An other sayment wołł I see, [ 50] [50. And MS. see] bee MS.] Ore I take ordor of knyght.' Tho he sware be hevyn kyng, [The King] Ther wase told hym a wondyr-thyng In hys chambyr to nyght:

'For the love of my doughter dere [ 55] [knows that Tor∣rent loves his daughter,] Thow makyst good far and nere In̄ Dedde of armys bryght; And wyt thow wyłł, so god me saue, Thow schalt her wyne, yf thow her haue, Be thow neuyr so wyght!' [ 60] [60. wyght] wyttht MS.]

(6)

Torrent sayd: 'Be Marry dere, [61. Marry] e corrected into y.] And I were off armyse clere, [f. 77a.] Yowr Dowghttyr me leve were.' The kyng seyd: 'Yf yt be soo, Ore VII yere be a-go, [ 65] [65. a-go] a gone, ne struck out, MS.] More schałł we here: Durst thow, for my dowghttyr sake, [and asks him if, for her sake, he'll fight] A poynt of armys for to take With-owt helpe of fere?' Than seyd Torrant: 'So god me sped, [ 70] With anny man̄ that syttythe on stede Other far ore nere!'

(7)

Ther-of the kyng for tene wax wode: 'Yf thow wylt make thy body good, Be trew and hold thy contenance . . . . . . . [ 75] [75. contnnce MS.] Tho seyd Torrant: 'So god me sped ere! And I wyst, in̄ what sted they were, Fore no man̄ wold I chaunce.' [78. chaunce] corrected out of change MS.]

(8)

'In to the Grekes see a mylle [a Giant in the Greek sea.] Ther lyvythe a gyant in an yle, [ 80] [80. lyvythe] lyghttythe MS. in an yle] mauyle MS.] Fułł Euyłł thow dourst hyme stond. My fayer forestes fellythe downe he And Ryche castelles in̄ that contre, No ston lettythe he stond.'

(9)

Terrent sayd: 'Be Marre bryght, [ 85] [Torrent] Yt ys gret sorrow that he hathe syght, [86. he] written above the line, MS.] The devyłł of hełł hym blynd!' The kyng sayd: 'Par la-more de dewe, [88. kyng] knyght MS.] Thow darryst fułł evyłł with thy Ey hym sewe, He wold fełł the with hys wynde.' [ 90] 'Now, be my trowthe,' seyd Torrent than̄, [agrees to fight] 'Ase I ame a jentylman̄, Yf I may hym fynd, Won fot wołł I not fro hym pase, Thow he be stronger than Samson̄ wase, [f. 77b.] [ 95] Or anny man̄ of hys kynd!' [96. hys] om. MS.]

(10)

Hys squyerys, they mornyd sare, [97. sore MS.] With-owt fere that he schold fare To that gret iorney, With the gyant heygh for to fyght. [ 100] [the Giant Begon∣mese,] Be-gon̄-mese that gyant hyght, That fynddes fere for aye. [102. fare MS.] To arme hyme Torrant gas, [103. gas] goos MS.] Hys good stede with hym he tas, [104. tas] takythe MS.] With owt squyer that Day. [ 105] He takythe leve at lorddys hend, And on hys wey gan he wynd, [and sets out.] For hym ałł they pray. [108. pray] prayd MS.]

(11)

Lytyłł wyst Desonełł that jente, [Desonell knows not that it is for love of her.] For whos love that he went [ 110] To fyght with that knave.

Now god, that Dyed appon a Rode, [God give Torrent victory!] Strengithe hym bothe bone and blod, The fyld for to haue! He that schałł wend soche a wey, [ 115] Yt were nede for hym to pray, That Iesu hym schuld saue. Yt ys in̄ the boke of Rome, Ther was no knyght of kyrstendome, That jorney Durst crave. [ 120]

(12)

VI days Rydythe he [After 6 days' ride] By the cost of the feyer see, To seke the gyant kene. [123. seke] ches, struck out, seke written over with paler ink.] By the cost as he Rode, [f. 78a.] In a forest longe and brode [ 125] And symly wase to sene, [126. see MS.] Hey sperrys ther he fonde And gret olyvys growonde Coverd in̄ levys grene. [129. grene] smale MS.] Sone wase he ware, ase y yow say, [ 130] [he sees the Giant asleep.] Vppon a movnteyn̄ ther he laye On slepe, ase I wene.

(13)

Torrent, on kne knelyd he And be-sowght Jesu so fre, That bowght hym with hys blod: [ 135] 'Lord, ase thow dyd ryght for Mary, [He prays for Christ's help.] [136. ryght] lyght written above the line with paler ink. mare MS.] Let me never take velony And gef me of thy fode! Serttes, yf I hym slepyng slone, Manfułł Ded were yt none [ 140] For my body, be the Rode.'

Tho Terrant blewe hys bugełł bold, To loke that he a-wake wold, And sythe ner hyme Rode.

(14)

So fast a-slepe he wase browght, [ 145] [As Torrent can't wake the Giant with his bugle,] Hys hornys blast a-woke hyme nowght, He swellyd ase dothe the see. Torrent saw, he wołł not wake, He Reynyd hys sted vnto a stake, Ase a jentyłł man̄ so fre. [ 150] [150. so fre] in fere MS.] So hy, he say, wase the movnteyne, [151. say] sayd MS.] Ther myght no horse wynd hym̄ a-geyn̄ [152. mygh(!) MS.] But yf he nowyd wold be; [f. 78b.] Thowe the wey neuyr so wykkyd ware, [154. were MS.] On hys wey gan he fare, [ 155] In̄ gret perayłł went hee.

(15)

Torent went to that movnteyn̄, [157. movnten MS.] He put hys spere hyme a-geyne, [he stirs him up with his spear,] 'A-Ryse, fellow!' gan he saye; 'Who made the so bold here to dwełł, [ 160] My lordes frethe thus to fełł? A-mendes the be-hovythe to pay.' The gyant Rysythe, ase he had byn̄ wod, [and makes him wild.] And Redyly by hyme stode, Be-syd hyme on a lay, [ 165] And seyd: 'Sertes, yf I leve, Soche a wed I wołł the geff, To meve the Euyr and ay.'

(16)

Thow the chyld were neuyr so yinge, [169. yonge MS.] The fyndes spere sparrythe hyme no-thyng [ 170] In the holttes haree; [171. In] Ihū(!) MS. horee MS.]

Who had fare and nere byne, And neuer had of fytyng syn̄, [173. seyn MS.] He myght a lernyd thare. [174. there MS.] The gyant, the fyrst stroke to hym he cast, [ 175] [The fight begins.] [175. to hym] written above the line.] His good schyld ałł to-brast, In schevyres spred wase yare; [177. there MS.] Tho covd he no bettur Red, [178. he no] not he MS. Ryd MS.] But stond styłł, tyłł one were ded; The gyant lefte hym thar. [ 180] [180. ther MS.]

(17)

Torrent vndyr hys spryt he sprent [Torrent grips the Giant;] [181. sprent] spred MS.] And a-bowght the body he hyme hente, [f. 79a.] As far as he myght last. 'A! fellow, wylt thow so?' And to the grownd gan they goo, [ 185] [they both fall, and roll down the mountain.] Of the movnteyn̄ bothe downe they past. [186. they past] gan they pase MS.] Ase the boke of Rome tellys, They tornyd XXXII ellys, [188. ellys] tymys MS.] In armys walloyng fast. Yt tellythe in̄ the boke of Rome, [ 190] Euyr ase the gyant a-boue come, Hys guttes owt of hys body brast. [The Giant bursts] [192. brast] Rane MS.]

(18)

At the fot of the movnteyn̄ Ther lay a gret Ragyd ston̄, serteyn̄, [open against a big stone.] Yt nyhed ys schuldyr bon̄ [ 195] And also hys Ryght syd, Ther to that gyant fełł that tyd, [197. put before 196. MS.] Ase I herd in̄ Rome . . . [198. I] he MS.]

(19)

Thorrow hyme, that mad man̄, [Torrent stabs the Giant,] [199. after Thorrow, of has been scraped out.] Torrent sone a-bovyn̄ wane [ 200] And fast he gan him quelle [201. him quelle] warke MS.] With a knyffe feyer and bryght; Torrent, with ałł hys myght [203. hys] h corrected out of m MS.] Ther-with he gard hyme dwełł.

(20)

Torent knelyd on hys kne, [ 205] To Iesu Cryst prayd he, That hathe thys world to wyld: 'Lord, lovyd, evyr lovyd thowe be, [and then thanks Christ.] The feyer fyld thow hast lent Me,' —Vpp bothe hys handes he held— [f. 79b.] [ 210] [210. he] om. MS.] 'Ałł onely with-owt any knaue Of the fynd the maystry to haue, Of hym to wyn the fyld.' [213. wyn] wynd, d erased MS.] Now ys ther none other to say, [214. to written above the line, MS.] Of hyme he wane the fyld þat day; [ 215] [215. Now ys ther non other say Of hyme to wyne the fyld þat day add.(!) MS.] I pray God hyme schyld.

(21)

Torrent went vppe a-geyne To the movnt, ase I gan sayne, The londes to se far and nere; [219. to se written above the line.] In the see a myle, hyme thoȝt, [ 220] [He sees the sea,] An hold wase Rychyly wrowt, In that lond wase not here perre. The see wase Ebbyd, I yow sey, Torrent thether toke the way, [and goes to it.] Werry ałł thow he were; [ 225]

And ther he fownd Ryche wonys, [Torrent finds the Giant's castle,] [226. wonys] wayes MS.] Towrres Endentyd with presyos stonys, Schynyng ase crystałł clere.

(22)

Two gattys off yron̄ ther he fond, [229. Two] The MS.] Ther in̄ Torrent gan wonde, [ 230] A nyghtes Rest there in̄ to ta; [231. to ta] he take MS.] And at the hale dore ther wase [guarded by a lion and lioness.] A lyon̄ & a lyonasse, Ther men be-twene them twa [234. twa] twayne MS.] Fast Etyng, ase ye may here; [ 235] Crystyn̄ man thow he were, [236. man] thow(!) MS. he] they MS.] Hys browys wexe bla, [f. 80a.] [237. wexe bla] be gan to blowe MS.] And wit yow wiłł, lord god yt wote, He durst goo no fote, Lest they wold hyme sla. [ 240] [240. sle MS.]

(23)

Torrant stod and be-held, And prayd to god, that ale may wyld, To send hyme harborrow good. Sone hard he within a whalle [He hears a lady sighing within.] [244. whalle] with paler ink corrected from whyle.] The syghyng of a lady smalle, [ 245] [245. syghyng] with paler ink corrected from syngyng.] Sche weppte, as sche were wod; Sche mornyd sore and sayd: 'Alas, That Euyr kynges dowghttyr wase Ouer-come of so jentyłł blod, For now ame I holdyn̄ here [ 250] In lond with a fyndes fere!' Torrent hard, wher he stod.

(24)

Dere god,' seyd Torrant than̄, 'Yff ther be anny crystyn̄ man̄ In thys hold of ston̄, [ 255] That wołł, for the love of god of myght, [Torrent asks for a night's lodging in the Castle.] Harbourrow a jentylman̄ thys nyght, For I ame but on̄!' 'Seynt Marry,' seyd that lady clere, [259. clere] e corrected out of r MS.] 'What crystyn̄ man̄ axithe harburrow here?' [ 260] Nere hym sche gothe a-non. [261. sche gothe anon] a non sche gothe MS.] 'I wold harburrow the fułł fayne, But a gyant wyłł the slayne.' To hym sche mad here mone.

(25)

'Say me now, fayer lady, belyve, [f. 80b.] [ 265] [265. bel.] om. MS.] Who owte of thys plase schałł me dryve, [266. of] om. MS. me dryve] hyght MS.] Thes tourres, that are so bryght?' [267. so] feyer and add. MS.] Ther sche Seyd: 'Be hevyn̄ kyng, [The Lady says] Here ys a gyant Dwellyng, That meche ys of myght. [ 270] Be my trowthe, and he the see, [271. the] thow, w erased and e changed into o, MS.] Were ther XX lyvys in̄ the, Thy dethe than wyłł he dyght. [the Giant will kill him.] [273. They(!) MS.] Iesu cryst yef me grace To hyd the in̄ some preve plase [ 275] [275. hyd] corrected from hyde.] Owt of the fyndes syght! . . . . .

(26)

'Euyr me thynkythe be thy tale, [277. thy] my erased and thy written above the line.] The song of the burdes smale On slepe hathe hyme browght.'

'Ye,' seyd Torrent, 'ore he be wakyn̄, [ 280] I schałł the tełł soche a tokyn̄, Of hym thow haue no thowght! But wolddes thow for thy gentry [283. thy] th corrected from m. gentry] gentre, e corrected from y.] Do the lyonnys downe lye, That they nyee me nowght?' [ 285] [285. nyee] first e above the line.] By the hande sche ganne hym ta [The Lady takes Torrent past the Lions, into the Castle.] [286. hande] d corrected from c. tane MS.] And led hyme in̄ betwe them twa; [287. bewte MS. twayne MS.] Ryght ase sche wold, they wrowght.

(27)

The lady wase neuyr so a-drad, In to the hale sche hym lad, [ 290] That lemyred ase gold bryght; Sche byrlyd whyt wyne and Rede: [f. 81a.] 'Make vse myrre a-geyne owre Dedd, I wot wiłł, yt ys so dyght!' 'Be my trowthe!' seyd Torrent, [ 295] [He tells her he has kild the Giant.] 'I wole be thy warrant, He comythe not here thys nyght. On soche a slepe he ys browght, Ałł men of lyve wakythe hym nowght, But onely godes myght.' [ 300] [300. godes myght] gode a lone MS.]

(28)

Blythe then wase that lady jent, For to on-harnes Torrent, That dowghtty wase and bold; 'For sothe,' sche seyd, 'I wot wher ys [She tells him of Prince Ver∣downys,] The kynges sone Verdownys, [ 305] [305. Verdownys] of pvense MS.] Fast put in hold

In a dongon̄, that ys dym; [and 4 Earls' sons in the Giant's prison.] Fowyre good Erylles sonnys be with hyme Ys fet in̄ fere and fold. The gyant wan theme in̄ a tyde, [ 310] Ase they Rane be the watyr syd, And put them in̄ preson̄ cold.

(29)

'In an yron̄ cage he hathe them done.' Torrent went thether sone: 'Are ye yet levand?' [ 315] The kynges sone askyd than̄, Yf ther were anny crysten man̄, 'Wold bryng vse owt of bond?' [318. owt] ow. (!) MS.] 'Lord,' he seyd, 'god ałłmyght, I had levyr on a Day to fyght, [f. 81b.] [ 320] Than ałł my fathyrys lond.' With an iryn̄ małł styff and strong [Torrent breaks open the prison,] He brake vpe an yron̄ dore or longe, [323. or longe] added in paler ink.] And sone the keyes he fond.

(30)

Owt he toke thys chyldyryn̄ fyve, [ 325] [and frees the 5 youths.] [325. chyld.] a v struck out, follows.] The feyrest that were on lyve, I-hold in̄ anny sted. The lady wase fułł gled, [328. glad MS.] Sche byrlyd whyt wyn̄ and Redd, And sethyn̄ to soper sone they yed. [ 330] [They sup.] 'Lordes,' he seyd, 'syn yow are her, I Red yow make Ryght good cher, For now ys ałł thy nede.' Thus he covyrd owt of care. God, that sofryd wonddes sare, [ 335] [335. sore MS.] Grante vse wełł to sped! [336. welle to sped] to sped welle MS.]

(31)

Lorddes, and ye wol lythe, [337. after wol, be struck out MS.] The chyldyr namys I wołł tełł blythe, Here kyn, how they were me told; The kynges sone, that dowghtty ys, [ 340] [Torrent freed Prince Ver∣downys, Lords] [340. ys] wase MS.] Wase clepyd Verdownys, That dowghtty wase and bold, And an Erylles son, that hyght Torren̄, [Torren, Jakys, and Amyas,] A nother Iakys of Berweyne, The forthe was Amyas bold. [f. 82a.] [ 345] The kynges dowghttyr of Gales lond, [and Princess Eleanor.] Elyoner, I vndyrstond, That worthy wase in hold, [346-348 put before 343-345, MS.]

(32)

In to hys chambyr sche hyme led, [She takes Torrent to his chamber,] Ther gold and syluyr wase spred, [ 350] And asur, that wase blo; [351. blo] blewe MS.] In yron ther he gan stond, Body and armys al schynand, [353. al sch.] lygand (!) MS.] In̄ powynt to trusse and goo. [354. trusse] corrected from truste.] In to a stabyłł sche hym led, [ 355] [and then all of them to the stable, where each chooses a horse.] Eche toke a fułł feyer sted, They were redy to goo; [357. redy] om. MS.] And wote ye wełł and vndyrstond, [358. wote] with paler ink corrected from what.] Had the gyant be levand, [359. Had] corrected out of han. byn follows, almost entirely erased. gyant] t corrected from d.] They had not partyd soo. [ 360]

(33)

They wołł not to bed gange, [361. gange] gan MS. lle on the struck out, follows.] Tyłł on the morrow the Day spronge, Thus a wey to ffare.

Torrant sperryd the gattys, i-wyse, Ałł that he lyst he clepyd hys, [ 365] The keys and thyng he bare. [366. keys] e written with paler ink above the line.] The lyons that was at the dore [Torrent feeds the lions on the Giant's body,] [367. lyons that was] lyone MS.] Wase led to her mayster that wase befor, On hym thay fed them yare, [369. Vn(!) MS. hym] y corrected out of e MS. thay] cor∣rected from that. yare] ther MS.] Vpp won of the horse, that wase ther levyd, [ 370] On hym thei trussyd the gyanttes heved. [and puts his head on a horse.] [371. Vn (!) MS. thei] i written above the line. hed MS.] Thus helpt hym god thar. [372. ther MS.]

(34)

But ore III wekes wer commyn̄ to End, [373. were] ther, struck out, and were written over.] To Portynggałł gan he wend, [He goes back to Portugal.] Ther ase the kyng gan lend; [ 375] [375. lend] lye MS.] The porter sawe hym ther he stood, He fled a wey, ase he were wod, Flyngyng ase a fynd. [f. 82b.] 'Syr kyng,' he seyd, 'be goddes dede, Torrant bryngythe a devyłł ys hed, [ 380] Ther with he wołł yow present.' Desonełł seyd: 'Porter, be styłł!' . . . In hys walke ther ase he went.

(35)

The kyng to the gatys gan pase, Gret lordes that ther wase, [ 385] Bothe knyghtes and squyerre, [386. squyerres MS.] Lordes wase fułł sore a-dred [The King and his Lords are afraid of the lions.] Fore the lyonys, þat he had, They durst not come hyme ner.

The kyng seyd: 'I wyłł the kysse, [ 390] [390. the] hym MS.] Durst I for thy bestes, Iwysse.' Torrent dyd them ly ther, And kyssyd the kyng with joy and blyse; [Torrent kisses the King of Portugal.] And aftyr, other lordes of hys, And aftyr, ladys clere. [ 395] [395. aftyr] other add. (!) MS. clere] jent MS.]

(36)

Messengyres went the weye, [396. went] to (!) MS.] To the kyng of Provyns to sey, [The King of Provyns is glad] [397. after Provyns I MS.] Hys sone ys owt of hold: 'Yyng Torrent of Portynggałł [399. Yoyng MS.] Hathe browght hym owt of balle [ 400] And slayne the jeyant bold.' Lytyłł and mykyłł þat ther wer, Ałł they mad good cher [f. 83a.] Her prynse fayne se wold. The kyng seyd: 'So mot I the, [ 405] [of his son Ver∣downys's safety] [405. kyng seyd] kynges messengere MS.] I wołł geff the towynnys thre For the talles thow hast me told.' [405-7 put before 402-4.]

(37)

Than seyd they, that to Gales yede, [408. Than—that] That they than MS. Gales] with paler ink corrected from Calles. yede] corrected from went.] Yeftys to take were hem no ned, [409. take] om. MS. hym MS.] Then Verdownys had they. [ 410] [410. Then Downys MS.] Ase they seylyd on a tyde, At Perrown̄ on the see syd . . . . . . . . . . . The kyng of Provynse seyd: 'So mot I the, Yftles schałł they not be, [ 415] [and promises Torrent gifts.] That dare I sothely sey.'

The kyng of Gales proferd hym feyer: [The King of Gales offers Torrent his daughter.] [417. gales] g with paler ink corrected from c.] 'Wed my dowghttyr and myn Eyer, When so euyr thow may! . . . . .

(38)

The kyng of Pervense seyd: 'So mot I the, [ 420] Thys seson̄ yeftles schałł thow not be, Iaue here my Ryng of gold, My sword, that so wyłł ys wrowyt; [The King of Provyns gives Torrent his Sword] A better than̄ yt know I nowght With in̄ crystyn̄ mold; [ 425] Yt ys ase glemyrryng ase the glase, Thorrow Velond wroght yt wase, [made by Weland,] Bettyr ys non̄ to hold. I have syne sum tyme in̄ lond, [429. Loke thou hold yt with fulle hond, add. MS.] Whoso had yt of myn̄ hond, [ 430] Fawe they were I-told.' [431. I fawght therfore I told MS.]

(39)

Tho wase Torrent blythe and glad, The good swerd ther he had, The name wase Adolake. [and named Ado∣lake.] A gret maynerey let he make ryght [ 435] [435. mayn.] mayne let, with paler ink corrected into mayney. ryght] om. MS.] That lest ałł a fortnyght, [A fortnight's Feast is held.] Who so wiłł hys met take. [f. 83b.] Euyry man toke ys leve, ase I yow say, [438. I] om. MS.] Hom-ward to wend ther wey, Euery man ys Rest to take. [ 440] [440. to take ys Rest MS.] Tyłł yt be-fełł vppon a day, Ase they went be the wey, The kyng to hys dowghttyr spake:

(40)

'Ye schałł take hed of a jeentyłł man̄, [The King of Portugal tells Desonell] A feyer poynt for yow he wane, [ 445] Desonełł, at the last.' Syr,' sche seyd, 'be hevyn kyng, Tyłł ye me told, I knewe no thyng, For who ys love yt wase.' 'Desonełł, so mvt I the, [ 450] Yt wase for the lowe of the, [that Torrent kild the Giant for love of her.] That he trovylld so fast. I warne yow, dowghttyr, be the Rode, Yt ys for yow bothe good, Ther to I Red yow trast.' [ 455] [455. trust MS.]

(41)

Forthe sche browght a whyt sted, [She gives Torrent a white steed] As whyt as the flowyr in̄ med, Ys fytte blac ase slon. [458. slo MS.] 'Leman̄, haue here thys fole, That dethe ys dynt schalt þou not thole, [ 460] [460. thole] haue MS.] Whyłł thow settyste hyme appon̄, [461. settythe MS.] And yf thow had persewyd be [462. p'revyd (!) MS.] And hadyst ned fore to fle, Fast for to gone. The kyng of Nazareth sent hym me, [ 465] [which the King of Nazareth had sent her.] [465. So Fragm. I (F. I); The kyng of Portynggalle seyd: 'So mot I the MS.] Torrent, I wet-saffe hym on the, [466. hym on] so F. I; of MS.] For better love may I none.' [f. 84a.]

(42)

Aftyr-ward vppon a tyd, Ase the went be the watyres syd, The kyng and yong Torrent, [ 470]

The kyng wold fayne, that he ded wer, [The King] [471. ded were] so F. I; were ded MS.] And he wyst, in̄ what maner, [472. he] so F. I; hym MS.] How he schuld be schent; A false lettyr mad the kyng [treacherously] And dyd messengyres forthe yt bryng, [ 475] On the Rever, ase they went, To Torrent, that was trew ase styłł, [asks Torrent to get Desonell a Falcon] [477. that was] so F. I; om. MS.] Yf he love Desonełł wyłł, Get her a facon̄ jent.

(43)

Torrent the letter be-gan̄ to Red, [ 480] The kyng lestyned & nere yed, Ase he yt nevyr ad sene. [482. syne MS.] 'Syr,' he seyd, 'what may thys be, Loo, lord, come ner and see, A-bowght a facon̄ schene? [ 485] I ne wot, so god me sped, In what lond that they bred.' [487. that] so F. I; om. MS. they] ne add. (!) MS.] The kyng answerd: 'I wene, In the forrest of Mavdeleyn̄, [from the Forest of Magdalen.] [489. Mavd.] so F. I; Mavdlen MS.] Ther be hawkes, ase I herd seyne, [ 490] That byn of lenage clen̄.' [491. clen̄] gene MS.]

(44)

And than seyd the kyng on-trew: 'Yf thow get hawkys of gret valew, Bryng on of them to me!' Torrent Seyd: 'So god me saue, [f. 84b.] [ 495] Yf yt be-tyd, that I may haue, [He agrees to do it.] At yowr wyłł they schal be.' Hys squyere bode he thar, [498. squyere] so F. II; squyeres MS. there MS.] Aftyr hys armor for to far, In the fyld byddythe he. [ 500]

They armyd hym in̄ hys wed, [Torrent rides] Tho he be-strod a noble sted, [502. noble] so F. II; nothere MS.] And forthe than Rod hee.

(45)

Torrent toke the wey a-geyn̄ In to the forest of Mawdleyn̄, [ 505] [to the Forest of Magdalen,] In the wyld-some way; Berys and apes there founde he, And wylde bestys great plente, And lyons where they lay. [507-509. so F. II:

Berrys he sawe stondyng And wyld bestes ther goyng, Gret lyonys ther he fond. MS.

] In a wod that wase tyght, [ 510] [510. tyght] so F. II; thyke MS.] Yt Drew nere-hand nyght By dymmynge of the Day, [512. By d.] so F. II; And inc the Dawnyng MS.] Harkyn, lordes, to them came wo, [513. to—wo] so F. II; to] of F. II. what I schalle sey MS.] He and hys squyer partyd in two, [gets separated from his Squire,] [514. in two] so F. II; they MS.] Carfułł men then were they. [ 515] [515. men—they] so F. II; they were that Day MS.]

(46)

At the schedyng of a Rome Eche partyd other frome, For sothe, ase I vndyrstond. Torrent toke a dulful wey Downe in̄ a depe valey [ 520] Be-syd a wełł strong. A lytyłł be fore mydnyght Of a dragon he had syght, [and comes on a Dragon.] That grysly wase to fond; [524. fond] syght MS.] He had hym nowght to were, [ 525] But hys schyld and hys spere, [f. 85a.] That wase in̄ hys squyeres hond.

(47)

Torrent knelyd on hys kne, To Iesu Cryst prayd he: [Torrent prays to Christ] 'Lord, mykyłł of myght, [ 530] Syne I wase in̄ meche care, Let me nevuyr owt of thys world far, [532. thys] hys (!) MS.] Tyłł I haue take order of knyght. [533. haue] or add. (!) MS. order] othere (!) MS.] Ase I ame falsely hether sent, Wyld-som weyes haue I went, [ 535] With fyndes for to fyght. Now, Iesu, for thy holy name, Ase I ame but man̄ a-lone, Than̄ be my helpe to nyght!' [to be his help.]

(48)

Ase Torrent Iesu gan̄ pray, [ 540] He herd the dragon̄, ther he lay Vndyr-nethe a clow; [542. clow] colod or colvd, l corrected from d, MS.] Of and on he wase stronge, [543. and] an MS.] Hys tayle wase VII yerdes long, [The Dragon's tail is 7 yards long,] That aftyr hyme he drowe; [ 545] [545. drewe MS.] Hys wyngges wase long and wyght, To the chyld he toke a flyght With an howge swowe; [548. swowe] swayne (!) MS.] Had he nether schyld ne spere, But prayd to god, he schold hyme were, [ 550] For he wase in dred i-nowe. [551. inowthe MS.]

(49)

On the tayle an hed ther wase, [and has a fiery head on it.] That byrnyd Bryght as anny glase, [fol. 85b.] In fyer whan yt was dyght; [554. yt] he MS.]

A-bowght the schyld he lappyd yt ther, [ 555] Torrent the bowght a-sondyr schere Thurrow the grace of god almyght. As the boke of Rome tellys, [558. Tellys] tellythe MS.] Of hys taylle he cut IIII elles [Torrent cuts 4 ells off the Dragon's tail;] With hys swerd so bryght. [ 560] Than cryed the lothely thyng, That ałł the dałł be-gan to Ryng, That hard the gyant wyght. [563. That the gyant hard wyght MS.]

(50)

The gyant seyd: 'I vndyrstond, There ys sum crystyn̄ man̄ nere hond, [ 565] My dragon here I cry. By hym, that schope bothe watyr and lond, [and while its Giant-owner is getting ready to help it,] Ałł that I can se be-fore me stond, Dere schałł they a-bye! Me thynkythe, I here my dragon̄ schowt, [ 570] I deme, ther be svme dowghtty man̄ hym a-bowght, I trow, to long I ly. Yf I dwełł in my pyłł of ston̄, And my cheff-foster were gone, [574. foster] st corr. out of t.] A false mayster were I!' [ 575]

(51)

Be the gyant wase Redy dyght, Torrent had slayne the dragon̄ Ryght; [Torrent kills it.] Thus gan god hyme scheld. To the mownteyne he toke the wey To Rest hyme, ałł that day, [ 580] He had myster, to be kyld. [581. kyllyd MS.] Tyłł the day be-gan to spryng, [f. 87a.] [There is no f. 86 in the paging of the MS.] Fowllys gan myrre to syng Bothe in̄ frethe and in feld.

Leve we now of Torrent thore [ 585] [585. there MS.] And speke we of thys squyer more: [Torrent's Squire] Iesu hys sole fro hełł shyld!

(52)

Hys squyer Rod ałł nyght [rides all night in a wood,] In a wod, that wase fułł tyght, With meche care and gret fare, [ 590] For to seke hys lord Torrent, That wyghtly wase frome hyme sent, [592. wysly MS.] And he wyst nevyr whethyr ne whar. [593. wher MS.] He Durst neuyr cry ne schuot, For wyld bestes were hym a-bowght [ 595] [595. wyld] wyd MS.] In̄ the holttes hare; [596. hore MS.] A lytyl whyłł be-fore the day [597. lyty MS.] He toke in̄ to a Ryde-wey Hyme self to meche care.

(53)

Forthe he Rod, I vndyrstond, [ 600] Tyłł he an hey wey ford, [till he finds a highway,] With-owtyn̄ any Delite, [602. Delite] delay MS.] Also fast ase he myght fare, Fore berrys and apys, þat ther ware, [604. were MS.] Lest they wold hym byght. [ 605] The sone a-Rose and schone bryght, Of a castyłł he had a syght, That wase bothe feyer and whyte . . . .

(54)

The gyant him se, & ny yed, [and is met by a Giant.] [609. hom MS.] And seyd: 'Fellow, so god me sped, [ 610] Thow art welcom to me: [f. 87b.] What dost thow here in my forest?' 'Lord, to seke an hawkys nest, Yff yt yowr wyl be.'

'The be-hovythe to ley a wede.' [ 615] To an oke he hym led: Gret Ruthe yt wase to se. In III quarteres he hym drowe, [The Giant cuts Torrent's Squire into 4 quarters.] [618. drewe MS.] And euery quarter vppon a bowe; Lord, soche weys toke hee! [ 620]

(55)

Ase Torrent in̄ the movnteyn̄ dyd ly, Hym thowght, he hard a Reufułł cry; Gret fere ther hyme thowght. 'Seynt Marre,' seyd the chyld so fre, [624. frc] fer MS.] 'Wher euyr my jentyłł squyer myght be, [ 625] That I with me to wod browght? On he dyd hys harnes a-geyne And worthe on hys sted, serteyne, And thetherward he sowght. And wot yow wyłł, I vndyrstond, [ 630] [630. wot] w add. (!) MS.] In fowre quartyres he hym fownd, [Torrent finds these,] For other wyse wase yt nowght.

(56)

The gyant lenyd to a tre And be-hyld Torrent so free, For sothe, ase I yow seye. [ 635] [635. I] om. MS.] Thys fend wase ferly to fyght, Rochense, seythe the boke, he hyght, Ther wase a dredfułł fraye. To the chyld than̄ gan he smyght: [and is attackt by this giant Rochense.] 'A theff, yeld the asttyt, [ 640] As fast as thow may!' [f. 88a.] 'What,' seyd Torrent, 'art thow wood? God, that Dyed on the Rood, Geff the evyłł happe thys day!'

(57)

He Rawght Torrent soche a Rowght, [ 645] Hys steddes brayne he smot owte, [Torrent's steed is kild.] So mykyłł he be-gan̄. Torrent tho a good sped Ase fast a-bowte an eche yede; [649. yede] went MS.] Ase swefte ase he myght, he Ran. [ 650] [650. he Ran] Ryne MS.] He gathyred svm of hys gere, Bothe hys schyld and hys spere; Nere hym yod he than̄. Bacward than be a browȝ [He drives the Giant back] Twenty fote he gard hyme goo, [ 655] Thus erthe on hym he wane.

(58)

Yt solasyd Torrant then̄, [657. than MS.] When he sawe hyme bacward ren [658. ren] Rond (!) MS.] Downe be a movnteyn̄ of Perowne, Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen̄, [ 660] Tyłł he com to a depe glen, [into a deep glen,] [661. glen] thorne MS.] Ther myght non hym stere. [662. stere] schere MS.] Torrent wase glad and folowyd fast, And hys spere on hyme he brast, Good Adyloke yed hyme nere. [ 665] The fynd in̄ the watyr stod, [where he stands in water.] He fawte a-geyn, ase he were wod, Ałł þe day in̄ fere. [668. þe] the add. (!) MS.]

(59)

Tho nere hond wase the day gone, [f. 88b.] Torrent wase so werry than̄ [ 670] That on hys kne he kneld: [671. knelyd hc MS.] 'Helpe, god, that ałł may! [Torrent prays God for help.] Dosonełł, haue good day!' Fro hym he cest hys schyld.

Iesu wold not, he were slayne, [ 675] To hym he sent a schowyr of Rayne, [Jesus freshens up Torrent.] Torrent fułł wyłł yt keld. [677. kelyd MS.] The fynd saw, he wase ny mate, Owt of the watyr he toke the gate, He thowght to wyne the fyld. [ 680]

(60)

Thoo wase Torrent ffresse and good; Nere the fynd sore he stod, Cryst hym saue and see! The fynd fawt with an yron̄ staff, [The Giant attacks again.] The fyrst stroke, to hym he gaffe, [ 685] He brast hys schyld on thre. Torrent vndyr hys staff Rane, To the hart he baryd hym than̄, [Torrent runs him thro' the heart,] And lothely cry gane he. To the grownd he fełł ase tyght, [ 690] [690. gownd MS.] And Torrent gan hys hed of-smyght, [cuts his head off,] And thus he wynnythe the gre.

(61)

Torrent knelyd on the grownd And thankyd god þat ylke stownd, That soche grace hyme send. [ 695] Thus II journeys in thys woo With hys handes slow he gyantys too, [697. he] II MS.] That meny a man̄ hathe schent. [f. 89a.] Torrent forthe frome hyme þan yod, And met hyme XXIIII fotte, [ 700] [finds him 24 ft.] Ther he lay on the bent. Hedles he left hym there, Howt of the fyld the hed he bare And to the castełł he went. [long, and goes to his Castle.]

(62)

To thys castełł he gan far; [ 705] [Torrent goes to the Giant's] Ther fond he armor and other gare, [706. gere MS.] A swerd, that wase bryght. To the towre he toke the wey, Ther the gyantes bed lay, That Rychyly wase dyght. [ 710] At the beddes hed he fond A swerd, worthe an Erllys lond, [Castle, and finds a splendid sword,] That meche wase of myght. On the pomełł yt wase wret, Fro a prynce yt wase get, [ 715] Mownpolyardnus he hyght.

(63)

The sarten to sey with-owt lese, [717. to sey] om. MS.] A scheff-chambyr he hym ches, [718. he] sche MS. chesys (!) MS.] Tyłł on the morrow day. To the stabułł tho he yed, [ 720] [720. yod MS.] There he fond a nobyłł sted, [and a noble white steed.] Wase comely whyt and grey. The gyanttes hed gan he take, [With the heads of the Giant and Dragon, Torrent] And the dragonnys wold he not forsake, And went forthe on hys wey. [ 725] He left mor good in that sale Than wase with in̄ ałł Portynggałł, [f. 89b.] Ther ase the gyant laye.

(64)

Tho he Rod bothe Day and nyght, [rides back to Portugal.] Tyłł he come to a castełł bryght, [ 730] Ther ys lord gan dwełł. The kyng ys gone to the gate, Torrent on kne he fond ther at, Schort tałł for to tełł.

'Haue thow thys in̄ thyn̄ hond: [ 735] [Torrent gives the King the Giant's and Dragon's heads instead of a Falcon,] No nother hawkys ther I fond At Mawdlenys wełł.' The kyng quod: 'Ase so haue I blyse, [738. quod] om. (!) MS.] Torrent, I trow, sybbe ys [739. sybbe] sylke MS.] To the dewełł of hełł! . . . . [ 740]

(65)

'Here be syd dwellythe won on lond, Ther ys no knyght, hys dynt may stond, [742. knyght hys] knyghtes MS.] So stronge he ys in dede!' [743. in d.] on grond MS.] 'Syr,' he sayd, 'fore sen Iame, What ys the gyantes name, [ 745] So Euyr good me sped?' 'Syr,' he seyd, 'so mvt I the, [and says the Giant Rochense was Slogus of Fuolles.] Slogus of Fuolles, thus hyte hee, That wyt ys vndyr wede.' . . . . . .

(66)

Lytyłł and mykyłł, lese and more, [ 750] Wondyr on the heddes thore, That Torrent had browght whome. [752. browght] ho add. (!) MS.] The Lordes seyd 'Be sen Myhełł! [753. The] om. MS. seyd] he add. MS. Myhelle] my her, r corrected to lle with paler ink.] Syr kyng, but ye love hyme wyłł, To yow yt ys gret schame!' [ 755] Torent ordeynyd prystes fyve, [f. 90a.] [756. prystes] V add. (!) MS.] To syng for hys squyerys lyve, And menythe hym by name. Therfor the lady whyt ase swane To Torrant, here lord, sche went than̄, [ 760] [Desonell gives her heart to Torrent.] Here hert wase to hyme tane.

(67)

Lettyrres come ther withalle [762. ther withalle] hetherward MS.] To the kyng of Portynggałł, To ax hys dowghttyr Derre, [The King of Aragon asks for Desonell for his youngest Son.] Fro the kyng of Eragon̄, [ 765] To wed her to hys yongeest son̄, The lady, that ys so clere. For Torrent schuld not her haue, For hyme fyrst he here gafe, [769. For] To MS.] To the messenger, [ 770] And hys way fast ageyn dyd pase, [771. way] om. MS.] Whyle Torrent an huntyng wase, Ther of schuld he not be were. [773. ware MS.]

(68)

On a mornyng, ther ase he lay, The kyng to the quene gan sey: [ 775] [The Queen of Portugal wishes] [775. The (quene to the) kyng to the quene gan sey MS.] 'Madame, for cherryte, Thow art oftyn̄ hold wyse; Now wołł ye tełł me yowr deuyce, How I may governe me: [779. That how MS.] The Ryche kyng hathe to me sent, [ 780] For to aske my dowghttyr gente [781. aske] ascke MS.] That ys so feyer and fre.' 'Syr,' sche Seyd, 'so god me saue, I Red yow let Torent her haue, [f. 90b.] [Torrent to have her.] For best worthy ys he.' [ 785]

(69)

He sayd: 'Madame, were that feyer, To make an erlles sone myn Eyer? I wiłł not, by sen Iame! [The King refuses.] There he hathe done maystres thre, Yt ys hys swerd, yt ys not he, [ 790] [790. hys] om. MS.] For Hatheloke ys ys name.'

'Lord, he myght fułł wyłł sped, A knyghtes dowghttyr wase hyme bed, Ase whyt ase walles bane; [794. swalles (!) MS. bone MS.] And yf ye warne hyme Desonełł, [ 795] All that ther of here tełł, [796. All] And MS.] Ther of wyłł speke schame.'

(70)

'Madam, vnto thys tyd [The false King of Portugal] There lythe a gyant here be-syd, That many a man̄ hathe slayne. [ 800] I schałł hyght hym my dowghttyr dere, [plots to have Torrent kild by another Giant.] To fyght with that fyndes fere, Thus he holdythe hyme in̄ trayne. But I schałł make myn commnant so, That there schałł non with hyme go, [ 805] Neyther squyer ne swayne.' [806. Neyther] om. MS.] 'Syr,' sche seyd, 'so mvt I the, So sore be-stad hathe he be, And wyłł commyn̄ a-geyne!'

(71)

Tho the belles be-gan to Ryng, [ 810] Vpe Rose that Ryche kyng, And the lady so fre, [812. so fre] in feree MS.] And aftyr-ward they went to mase, [f. 91a.] [He and his Queen go to Mass.] Ase the law of holy chyrge wase, With notes and solemnyte. [ 815] [815. nettes (!) MS.] Trompettys on the wałł gan blowe, Knyghtes semlyd on a Rowe, Gret joy wase to see. Torrent a syd bord began̄, [Torrent sits at the head of a side table.] The squyeres nexte hym than, [ 820] That good knyghtes schuld be.

(72)

Ase they sat a-myddes the mete, [The King asks Torrent if he'll] [822. a] so F. III; the MS.] The kyng wold not foreget; To Torrent the kyng gan sey, He seyd: 'Torrent, so god me saue, [ 825] [825. saue] so F. III; sped MS.] Thow woldes fayne my dowghttyr haue And hast lovyd her many a day.' 'Ye, be trouthe,' seyd Torrent than̄, 'And yf þat I were a Ryche man̄, Ryght gladly, par ma fay!' [ 830] [830. gladly] so F. III; glad MS.] 'Yf thow durst for her sake [do a deed of arms for Desonell.] [831. for h. s.] so F. III; par ma fay MS.] A poynt of armys vndyrtake, Thow broke her wełł fore ay!' [833. broke] so F. III; breke MS.]

(73)

'Ye,' seyd Torrent, 'ar I ga, ['Yes,' says Tor∣rent.] [834. go F. III; gan Rage MS.] Sekyrnes ye schałł me ma [ 835] [835. make MS.] Of yowr dowghttyr hend, And aftyrward my ryghtys, Be-fore XXVII knyghtes.' . . . . . . And ałł were Torrentes frende. [839. frenddes MS.] 'Now, good seris,' gan Torrant sey, [f. 91b.] [ 840] 'Bere wittnes her of som Daye, A-geyne yf god me send!'

(74)

Torrent seyd: 'So mvt I the Wyst I, where my jorney schold be, [844. be] om. MS.] Thether I wolde me dyght.' [ 845] [845. wolde] so F. III; om. MS.] The kyng gaff hyme an answere: 'In the lond of Calabur ther ['Then go to Calabria,] Wonnythe a gyant wyhte, [848. wyhte] so F. III; whyte MS.]

And he ys bothe strong and bold, Slochys he hyght, I the told, [ 850] God send the that waye Ryght!' [and fight the Giant Slochys.'] [851. that w.] so F. III; ways MS.] Than quod Torrent: 'Haue good day, [852. good] goo MS.] And, or I come a-geyn̄, I schałł asay, [853. Space left here for an initial letter of the largest size in MS.] Whether the fynd can fyght.'

(75)

Tho wold he no lenger a-byde, [ 855] He toke ys wey for to Ryde [856. Ryde] ryght MS.] On a sted of gret valewe. In to a chambyr he gas, [858. gas] gothe MS.] Hys leue of Desonełł he tas, [Torrent takes leave of Desonell,] [859. tas] toke MS.] Sche wepte, ałł men myght Rewe; [ 860] He seyd: 'Lady, be styłł! I schałł come a-geyn the tyłł, [862. the] than MS.] Thurrow helpe of Marry trewe.' Thus he worthe on a stede. [starts,] In hys wey Cryst hyme sped, [ 865] Fore he yt no thyng knewe!

(76)

He toke hym a Redy wey, Thurrow Pervyns he toke the wey, [868. pvys MS.] As hys Iorney fełł. [f. 91a.] [There are two folios 91 in the MS.] Tyłł the castełł Be the See, [ 870] [and rides to the Castle of the King of Provyns.] An hy stret heldythe hee, [871. And MS.] Ther the kyng dyd dwelle. [872. dyd dw.] dwellyd MS.] To the porter he gan seye: 'Wynd in̄, fellow, I the pray, And thy lord than tełł, [ 875] [875. tyll MS.]

Pray hym, on won nyght in̄ hys sale To harburrow Torrent of Portynggałł, Yf yt Bee ys wiłł!' [878. Yf ys wille to Bee MS.]

(77)

The porter Dyd hys commandment, To the kynge he ys wente [ 880] [The King of Provyns] And knelyd vppon̄ ys kne: 'God blyse þe, lord, In thy sale! Torrent of Portynggale Thus sendythe me to the; He praythe yow, yf ye myght, [ 885] To harburrow hym thys won̄ nyght, Yf yowr wiłł yt bee.' The kyng swere be hym, þat dyed on tre: 'There ys no man̄ in̄ crystyante [welcomes Torrent, and] More welcome to me!' [ 890]

(78)

The kyng a-Rose and to the gat yod, Lordes and other knyghtes good, [892. knyges MS.] That were glad of hys commyng. In to the hale he hyme browght, Ryche met spare they nowght, [ 895] [feeds him.] Be-fore Torrent fore to bryng. 'Syr,' sayd the kyng, 'I pray the, [f. 91b.] Where be thy men off armys free, That with the schuld leng?' [899. leng] wynd MS.] 'Syr, to a lord I mvst Ryde, [ 900] My squyer hongythe be my syde, [Torrent's sword is his only Squire.] No man schałł with me wend.'

(79)

'Syr,' seyd the kyng, 'I pray the, Where schałł thy ded of armys bee, Yf yt be thy wyłł?' [ 905]

'Syr,' he seyd, 'vttyrly, [Torrent says he has to fight in Calabria.] At Calabur, sekyrly, I ame ałł Redy ther tyłł With a squyer, þat wiłł can Ryde; Fast be the see Sydde [ 910] Schuld we pley owur fyle; And wot ye wyłł and vndyrstond, Ther schałł no knyght come nere hond Fore dred of denttes yłł.'

(80)

The kynge seyd: 'Be goddes ore, [ 915] [The King of Provyns warns] [915. kynges (!) MS.] I Rede, þat þou come not thore, [916. there MS.] Fore why, I wyłł the seye: Meche folke of that contre Come hether for sokor of me, Bothe be nyght and day; [ 920] There ys a gyant of gret Renowne, [him against the terrible Giant there,] He dystrowythe bothe sete and towyn̄ [922. sete] second e corr. out of a MS.] And ałł þat euyr he may; And ase the boke of Rome dothe tełł, He wase get of the dewełł of hełł, [ 925] As hys moder on slepe lay.'

(81)

The kyng Seyd: 'Be seynt Adryan̄, [f. 92a.] I Rede, a nother Jentyłł mane Be there and haue the gre: [929. the] so F. IV; om. MS. degre MS.] I haue a dowghttyr, þat ys me dere, [ 930] Thow schalt here wed to thy fere, [and offers him his Daughter and 2 Duchies instead.] And, yf yt thy wyll be, [932. So F. IV; om. (!) MS.] Two duchyes in londe [933. londe] honde F. IV; om. MS.] I wille geve here in̄ hande.' 'Gramarcy, syr,' sayd he, [ 935] [935. syr s. h.] so F. IV; seyd he thane MS.]

'With my tonge so haue I wrowght, [Torrent says he must keep his troth.] To breke my day than wiłł I nowght, Nedys me behovythe ther to bee.'

(82)

'In goddes name,' the kyng gane sayne, 'Iesu send the wiłł a-geyne, [ 940] Lord so mekyłł of myghte!' Menstrelles was them a-monge, Trompettes, harpys, and myrre songe, Delycyous nottis on hyght. When tyme was, to bed they wente; [ 945] On the morrow Rose Torrente And toke leve of kyng and knyght [947. of] so F. IV; on MS.] And toke a Redy weyye, [He starts,] [948. toke] so F. IV; to MS.] Be a see syd as yt laye, God send hym gattes Ryght! [ 950]

(83)

A hye stret hathe he nome, [951. nome] so F. V; none MS.] In to Calabur he ys come [reaches Calabria,] [952. come] so F. V; gone MS.] With in̄ to days ore III; Soo come ther folkes hym a-geyne, Fast folloyng with cart and wayne, [ 955] Fro-ward the sytte. 'Dere god!' seyd Torrent nowe, 'Leve folkes, what Eyllythe yow, [958. yow] nowe add. (!) MS.] Soo fast fore to flee?' 'There ys a gyante here be-syde, [ 960] [and hears of the Giant.] In ale thys covntre fare and wyde No mane on lyve levythe hee.' [f. 92b.]

(84)

'Dere god,' sayd Torrant thane, 'Where schałł I fynd that lothly man̄?' [964. lothly] so Hall.; lovely MS.] Ther they answerd hym anone: [ 965] [965. anone] so F. V; a geyne MS.]

'In a castyłł be-syd the see, Slongus, soo hyght hee, Many a man had he slone. [968. slone] so F. V; slayne (!) MS.] We wot wiłł wher he doth ly: [The Giant Slongus is in Hungary;] [969. doth ly] so F. V; ys MS.] Be-fore the cyte of Hungry; [ 970] [970. cyte] so F. V; knyghthod MS. Hungry] so F. V; Hongrys MS.] He wiłł not thens gone, [971. thens] thus MS.] Tyłł he haue the Ryche kyng To hys presone for to bryngg, To be lord of hyme self a-lone.'

(85)

Tho wold he no lenger a-byd, [ 975] But to the sytte gan he Ryde, As fast as he myght fare; Here barys fełł and broke downe, [he has broken the City gates,] And the gattes of gret Renowne Stondyng ałł baree. [ 980] Men of armys stond hyme a-geyne, Mo than fyfty had he slayne [and slain 50 men.] With gryme wounddes and sare. When Torrent of hym had a syght, Thowe Desonełł be neuyr so bryght, [ 985] He will Reue hym hys chaffar. [986. hym] m corr. out of s. MS. chaffer MS.]

(86)

Torrent in̄ the storrope stod And prayd to god, þat dyed on Rode: 'Lord, ase thow schalt ale wyld at wyle, [Torrent prays to Christ for help.] Gyff me grace to wyn the fyld, [ 990] [990. wynd (!) MS. vndyr nethe spere and schyld add. (!) MS.] That thys lothly fynd hym yeld [991. lothly] om. MS.] A-non to me tyłł!

A man schałł But onnys Dyee, [f. 93a.] I wiłł fyght, whiłł I may Dryee.' He mad cher nobyłł. [ 995] [995. nobill chere MS.] When he had Iesu prayd of grace, He wyscheyd hyme a battełł plase, Ther as hym lyst welle. [998. welle] were MS.]

(87)

Torrent hys spere a-say be-gane, Bothe schyld and spere than̄, [ 1000] That they were sekyr and good. Aftyr þat, with in a throwe, [Torrent blows his horn.] Hys good horne gane he blowe. The gyant sawe, wher he stodde: Slonges of Flonthus staryd than̄; [ 1005] [The Giant Slongus, of Flonthus,] Quod Torrent: 'Yf thow be a gentyłł man̄ Or come of gentyłł blod, Let thy beytyng and thy Ermyght be, [1008. Let be thy b. a. t. erm. MS.] And come prove thy strenghe on me, Therfor I sowght the, be the Rodde.' [ 1010]

(88)

The gyant sayd: 'Be the Roode, [1011. sayd] written above the line.] Dewełł of hełł send the fode, Hether to seche me: By the nose I schałł the wryng, [says he'll wring Torrent's nose.] Thow berdles gadlyng, [ 1015] That ałł hełł schałł thow see!' The wey than to hym he toke [1017. he] so F. VI; om. MS.] And on hys bake he bare a croke, [1018. he] her MS. croke] so F. VI; creke (!) MS.] Wase X fot long and thre; [His Crook is 13 ft. long.] And thow he neuer so gret war, [ 1020] [1020. were MS.] Torrent thowght not fare to fare, Tyłł wone of them ded bee. [f. 93b.]

(89)

Thoo wold Torrent no lenger byd, Tyłł the theff gan he Ryde, [Torrent charges,] [1024. the] f add. (!) MS.] Ase fast ase euyr he may. [ 1025] The theff had non ey but on̄, Soche sawe I neuer none, Neyther be nyght nor be day. [1028. Blyther (!) MS. nor] so F. VI; and MS.] Thurrow goddes helpe and sent Awsden̄ The spere throw ye and herne gan ren. [ 1030] [pierces the Giant's eye,] [1030. throw— ren] anon he toke to hym MS.] God send hym the Ryght wey; Than the theff be-gane to Rore. Ałł that in̄ the sytte wore, [1033. wore] so F. VI; were MS.] Ouyr the wallys they laye.

(90)

Thow the fyndes ey were owte, [ 1035] Fast he leyd hym a-bowte Ałł þat somyrres nyght; He set ys backe to an hyłł, That Torrent schuld not come hym tyłł, So meche þat theff covd of fyght. [ 1040] [1040. þat] þ^e add. MS.] He bled so sore, I vndyrstond, Hys croke fełł owt of hys hond, Hys dethe to hyme ys dyght. Torrent to hyme Rane with a spere, [then spears him thro' the body,] Thurrow the body he gan hym bere, [ 1045] Thus helpe hym god of myght.

(91)

Ałł that in̄ the sytte were, [1047. That alle MS.] Mad fułł nobiłł chere, That thys fynd wase Dedde. [and kills him.]

Forthe they Ran with stavys of tre, [f. 94a.] [ 1050] Torrent seyd: 'So mvt I the, Kepe hole hys hed! [Torrent preserves the Giant's head.] Yf yt be broke, so god me sped, Yt ys wyłł the worse to lede'. [1054. lede] Rede, struck out and lede added in paler ink.] They dyd ase he hem bede, [ 1055] [1055. That seson they MS. he hem] hyme (!) MS. bede] bad MS.] Mo than thre hunderd on a throng Yt ys solas Euyr a-mong Whan that he was dede. [1057 put before 1056 MS.]

(92)

Than̄ the kyng of Calaber ayen̄ hym went, [The King of Calabria] Torrent be the hond he hent, [ 1060] To the hałł he gan̄ hym lede And comaundid squiers two, [1062. two] tho MS.] Of hys harnes for to do [1063. hys] her MS.] And cloth hym̄ in another wede. Waytes on the wałł gan blowe, [ 1065] Knyghtis assemled on a Rowe, And sith to the deyse they yede; [feasts him,] 'Sir,' quod the kyng, 'of whens are ye?' 'Of Portingale, sir,' said he, 'I com heder, to sech my dede.' [ 1070] [1070. deth MS.]

(93)

Fułł curtesly the kyng gan say To Torrent on the oþure day: [1072. To T.] Torrent said MS.] 'Wyłł ye wend with me A litułł here be-side to passe, There as the Geauntes dwelling was [ 1075] His maner now for to see?' To the castełł gan̄ they gone, [and takes him to the Giant's Castle.] Richer saw they never none, Better myght none be.

'Sir,' he said, 'be god ałł-myȝt, [ 1080] [The King of Calabria gives Torrent the Giant's castle,] For thou hym̄ slew, þat it dight, [1081. it] is MS.] I vouche it saue on the,

(94)

'I yeve yt the, sir, of my hond, [f. 94b.] [1083. yt] om. MS. of] alle add. MS. hond] lond MS.] And there-to, an erledome of my lond, [and an Earldom.] [1084. my] om. MS.] For soth, ye shałł it haue; [ 1085] Omage thou shalte none nor ffyne, [1086. nor] om. MS.] But euer more to the and thyne, Frely, so god me saue!' Lordys, and ye liston wold, What was clepud the riche hold: [ 1090] [The Castle's name is Cardon.] The castełł of Cardon̄, by sawe. [1091. by s.] om. MS.] Two days or thre dwellith he thare [1092. there MS.] And sith he takythe leve to ffare, [1093. leve] the way MS.] Both at knyght and knave.

(95)

By the kyng of Pervens he gan gane, [ 1095] That he had oute of preson i-tane [1096. of preson] om. MS.] His son vppon a day. Gentilmen were blith and ffayn̄, That he in helth was comyn̄ agayn̄, That they myght with hym̄ play. [ 1100] There of herd he, sertaynle, [Torrent hears that Desonell is to marry a strange King.] [1101. sertayn MS.] That Desonełł wedid shold be With an vncouth Ray. [1103. vnc.] a add. MS.] And listonyth, lordis, of a chaunce, Howe he lefte his countenaunce [ 1105] And takyth hym̄ armes gay!

(96)

By-fore the kyng he fełł on kne: [The King of Provyns knights Torrent.] 'Good lord,' he said, 'for charite, Yeve me order of knyght! I wott wełł, leryd are ye, [ 1110] [1110. ye are leryd MS.] My lordys doughter shałł wed be [1111. be wed MS.] To a man̄ off myght.' 'Sir,' he said, 'I trow, she mone [f. 95a.] To the prynce off Aragon̄, By this day sevynnyght. [ 1115] [1115 and 1118 have changed their place in the MS.] Swith,' he seith, 'that this be done, That thou be there and wyn̄ thy shone, Gete the armes bryght.'

(97)

Sir Torrent ordenyth hym a sheld, [Torrent has] It was ryche in euery ffeld, [ 1120] Listonyth, what he bare: On aȝure a squier off gold, [an azure shield with a gold squire on it;] [1122. On] of MS.] Richely bett on mold; Listonyth, what he ware: A dragon̄ lying hym be-syde, [ 1125] [and a grinning dragon of gold on the crest of his helmet.] His mouth grennyng fułł wyde, Ałł ffyghtyng as they were; The creste, that on his hede shold stond, Hit was ałł gold shynand, Thus previd he hym̄ there. [ 1130]

(98)

Lordys assembelid in sale, Wełł mo than I haue in tale, Or ellis gret wonder were. There herd he tełł ffor certan̄, [He hears that Desonell's marriage is certain.] [1134. he] I MS.] That Desonełł wed shold be than̄, [ 1135] That was hym selfe ffułł dere.

And whan̄ he herd of that ffare, Wors tydingis than were thare, Might he none gladly here . . . . . . .

(99)

He wold not in passe, [ 1140] Tiłł at the myd mete was [1141. at] om. MS.] The kyng and meny a knyght; As they satt at theyre mete glade, [1143. mete] om. MS.] In at the hałł dur he rade [Torrent rides into the Hall where Desonell is,] [1144. he] they MS.] In armes ffeyre and bryght, [f. 95b.] [ 1145] With a squier, that is ffre; Vp to the lady ryduth he, That rychely was i-dight. 'Lordys,' he said, 'among you ałł [and challenges any one to fight him for her.] I chalenge thre coursus in the hałł, [ 1150] Or Delyuer her me with right!' [1151. Delyuer it me MS.]

(100)

The kyng of Aragon̄ sett her bye, And he defendid her nobely: 'I wyłł none delyuer the.' His son said: 'So muste I thryve, [ 1155] [The Prince of Aragon accepts,] There shałł no man just for my wiffe; But yf youre wyłł it be, For her love did I never no dede, I shałł to day, so god me spede: Be-hold and ye shałł se.' [ 1160] 'Alas!' said Desonełł the dere, 'Fułł longe may I sitt here, Or Torrent chalenge me.'

(101)

Trumpettes blew in the prese, [and the lists are made ready.] Lordys stond on the grese, [ 1165] [1165. the grese] reugis or rengis MS.] Ladyes lay ouer and be-held.

The prynce and Torrent then [Torrent] [1167. than MS.] Eyther to other gan ren̄, Smertely in that ffeld; Torrent sett on hym̄ so sore, [ 1170] That hors and man down̄ he bore, [unhorses the Prince of Aragon,] And ałł to-sheverd his sheld. So they tombelid ałł in ffere, That afterward of VII yere The prynce none armes myght weld. [ 1175]

(102)

Torrent said: 'So god me saue, Other two coursus wyłł I haue, [f. 96a.] Yf ye do me law of lond.' Gret lordys stond styłł, They said nether good ne yłł [ 1180] For tynding of his hond. The prynce of Aragon̄ in they barr [and he is carried indoors.] With litułł worshipp and sydes sare, He had no fote on ffor to stond. Thus thes lordys justid aye; [ 1185] Better they had to haue be away, [1186. they] he MS.] Suche comffort there he ffond. [1187. ffound MS.]

(103)

He wold not in passe, Tiłł they at myd mete was, [At dinner,] On the other day at none. [ 1190] His squiers habite he had, Whan̄ he to the deyse yad, With oute couped shone, And the hede on̄ the bord he laid: [Torrent lays Slongus's head on the table.] 'Lo, sir kyng, hold this,' he said, [ 1195] 'Or ellis wroth we anon̄!'

They sett stiłł at the bord, None of hem spake one word, [1198. They spake nether ylle ne good add. (!) MS.] But ryght that he had done.

(104)

Torrent at the syde bord stode: [ 1200] 'Lystonyth, lordynges, gentiłł of blood, [Torrent proclaims the promise of the King of Portugal] For the love of god ałł-myght: The kyng heyght me his doughter dere, [to give him Desonell, and half Portugal, if he slew Slongus.] To ffyght with a ffendys ffere, That wekyd was and wight, [ 1205] To wed her to my wyffe, And halffe his kyngdome be his liffe, And after his days ałł his ryght. [ 1209] Lokyth, lordys, you among, [f. 96b.] Whether he do me ryght or wrong!' [ 1210] Tho waried hym̄ both kyng & knyght. [1211. &] ky, struck out, add. MS.]

(105)

Tho said the kyng of Aragon, i-wys: [The King of Aragon] 'Torrent, I wiste no thing of thys, A gret maister arte thou!' The kyng sware be seynt Gryffen̄: [ 1215] 'With a sword thou shalte her wynne, Or thou haue her nowe: For why, my son to her was wed, [says his son has wedded Desonell.] Gret lordys to churche her led, [ 1220] I take wittnes of ałł you.' [ 1220] [1220. you alle MS.] 'Kyng Calamond, haue good day, Thou shalt i-bye it, and I may, [He will be revenged on the King of Portugal.] To god I make avowe.'

(106)

The Emperoure of Rome ther was, Be-twene thes kynges gan̄ he passe [ 1225] And said: 'Lordys, as sone,

This squier, that hath brought this hede, [To settle the quarrel,] The kyng had wend he had be dede, And a-venturly gan̄ he gone: [ 1230] I rede you take a day of ryghtes, [ 1230] [the Emperor suggests a fight between 2 Champions.] [1230. ryghtes] Restys MS.] And do it vppon̄ two knyghtes, And let no man̄ be slon̄!' [1232. slayn MS.] Gret lordys, that were thare, This talis lovid at that fare And ordenyd that anon̄. [ 1235] [1235. that] than MS.]

(107)

To the kyng the thoght com̄ was, [The King of Aragon sends to the giant Cate] [1236. the thoght om. MS.] To send vnto Sathanas For a geaunt, that hight Cate, For to make hym̄ knyght to his hond [ 1240] And sease hym̄ in ałł his lond; [ 1240] The messingere toke the gate. [f. 97a.] Gret othes he sware hym than̄, That he shold ffyght but with one man̄, And purvey hym he bad Iryn stavis two or thre, [ 1245] For to ffyght with Torent ffre, [to fight Torrent] Though he there of ne watt. [1247. wott MS.]

(108)

Than take counsełł kyng and knyght, [1248. couns.] of add. MS.] On lond that he shold not ffyght, [ 1250] But ffar oute in the see, [ 1250] In an yle long and brad; [on an island] [1251. brod MS.] A gret payn̄ there was made, That holdyn̄ shold it be. Yf Cate slow Torent, that ffre ys, Halfe Portyngale shold be his, [ 1255] [for half Portugal.] To spend with dedys ffre;

And yf sir Torrent myght hym ouer-com̄, He shold haue halfe Aragon̄, Was better than suche thre. [ 1260]

(109)

The Gyaunt shipped in a while [ 1260] [The Giant Cate comes to an Island.] And sett hym̄ oute in an yle, That was grow both grene and gay. Sir Torrent com̄ prekand on a stede, Richely armed in his wede; 'Lordyngys,' gan he say, [ 1265] 'It is semely ffor a knyght, Vppon a stede ffor to ffyght.' They said sone: 'Nay, He is so hevy, he can not ryde. [ 1270] Torrent said: 'Eviłł mut he be-tyde, [ 1270] Falshode, woo worth it aye!'

(110)

'Sir, takyth housełł and shrefte!' [f. 97b.] To god he did his hondys lifte, And thankid hym of his sond: 'Iesu Cryste, I the praye, [ 1275] [Torrent prays for Christ's help,] Send me myght and strengith this day A-yen̄ the ffend to stond!' To the shipp sir Torent went, [1278. This line begins with a big initial letter. Torent] yode, struck out, add. MS.] With the grace, god had hym sent, [ 1280] That was never ffayland; [ 1280] Ałł the lordys of that contre, Frome Rome vnto the Grekys se, Stode and be-held on lond. [1283. On lond stode and be held MS.]

(111)

Whan sir Torrent in to the Ile was brought, [and lands in the Island too.] The shipmen̄ lenger wold tary nought, [ 1285] But hied hem sone ageyn̄;

The Giaunt said: 'So must I the, [The Giant] Sir, thou art welcom to me, Thy deth is not to layn̄!' [ 1290] The ffirste stroke to hym he yaue, [ 1290] [knocks Torrent's staff out of his hand,] Oute of his hand flew his staff: That thefe was fułł fayn̄. Tho sir Torent went nere Cate, . . . . . He thought, he wold hym̄ haue slayn̄.

(112)

The theff couth no better wonne, [ 1295] In to the see rennyth he sone, [and runs into the sea.] As faste as he myght ffare. Sir Torrent gaderid cobled stonys, [ 1300] [1298. gad.] good add. MS.] Good and handsom ffor the nonys, That good and round ware; [ 1300] [1300. were MS.] Meny of them to hym̄ he caste, [Torrent shies cobble-stones at him,] He threw stonys on hym so faste, That he was sad and sare. [1303. sore MS.] To the ground he did hym fełł, [f. 98a.] [kills him,] Men̄ myght here the fend yełł [ 1305] Halfe a myle and mare. [1306. more MS.]

(113)

Sir Torent said, as he was wonne, He thankid Iesu, Maryes son̄, [ 1310] That kyng, that sent hym myȝt; He said: 'Lordys, for charite, [ 1310] A bote that ye send to me, It is nere hand nyght!' They Reysed a gale with a sayłł, The Geaunt to lond for to trayłł, [and he is towd ashore.] Ałł men wonderid on that wight. [ 1315] Whan that they had so done, They went to sir Torent fułł sone [Torrent is shipt to the mainland.] And shipped that comly knyght. [ 1320]

(114)

The emperoure of Rome was there, The kynges of Pervens and of Calabere yare, [ 1320] [1320. The kynges] om. MS.] And other two or thre. [1321. other] kynges add. MS. or] the add. MS.] They yaue sir Torent, that he wan, [Torrent is awarded Desonell, territory,] Both the Erth and the woman̄, And said, wełł worthy was he. Sir Torent had in Aragon̄ [ 1325] The riche Cite of Cargon̄ [and the City of Cargon.] And ałł that riche contre; Archbeshoppes, as the law fełł, [ 1330] [Desonell is divorst from the Prince of Aragon.] Departid the prynce and Dissonełł With gret solempnite. [ 1330]

(115)

For sir Torent the fend did fałł, Gret lordys honoured hym̄ ałł And for a doughty knyght hym̄ tase; The kyng said: 'I vnderstond, [The King of Portugal acknowledges Torrent,] Thou hast fought ffor my doughter & my lond, [f. 98b.] And wełł wonne her thou hase.' [ 1336] He gaue to saint Nycholas de Barr [1337. saint] sir MS.] A grett Erldome and a simarr [ 1340] [1338. simarre] marr MS.] That abbey of hym tas [1339. tas] redith MS.] For Iesus love, moch of myght, [ 1340] That hym helpith day & nyght, Whan̄ he to the battełł gas. [1342. gas] yode MS.]

(116)

Lordys than̄ at the laste, Echone on theyre way paste, And euery man̄ to his. [ 1345] The quene of Portingale was ffayn̄, [and the Queen is glad.] That sir Torent was com agayn̄ And thankyd god of this. [ 1350]

Than said the kyng: 'I vnderstond, [The King of Portugal bids Torrent] Thou hast fought for my doughter & my lond, [ 1350] And art my ward, i-wys, And I wyłł not ageyn̄ the say; But abyde halfe yere and a day, [wait 6 months and a day for Desonell.] And broke her wełł with blis!'

(117)

Torent said: 'So muste I the, [ 1355] Sith it wyłł no better be, I cord with that assent!' After mete, as I you tełł, [ 1360] To speke with mayden̄ Desonełł, To her chamber he went. [ 1360] [Torrent] The damysełł so moche of pride Set hym on̄ her bed-syde, And said: 'Welcom̄, verament!' Such gestenyng he a-right, That there he dwellid ałł nyȝt [ 1365] [passes a night with Desonell.] With that lady gent. [f. 99a.]

(118)

Sir Torent dwellid thare Twelffe wekys and mare, [ 1370] Tiłł letters com hym tiłł Fro the kyng of Norway; [ 1370] [The King of Norway begs] For Iesus love he did hym praye, Yf it were his wyłł, He shold com as a doughty knyght, [him to come and fight a giant there.] With a Geaunt for to ffyght, That wyłł his londys spyłł; [ 1375] He wold hym yeve his doughter dere And halfe Norway ffar and nere, Both be hold and be hyłł. [ 1380]

(119)

Sir Torent said: 'So god me saue, [Torrent] I-nough to lyve vppon I haue, [ 1380] I wyłł desire no more; But it be, for Iesu is sake A poynt of armes for to take, That hath helpid me be-ffore. I yeve the here oute of my hond [ 1385] [gives all his land to the King for Desonell;] To thy doughter ałł my lond, Yf that I end thore.' [1387. there MS.] And whan̄ he toke his way to passe, [ 1390] Mo than ffyfty with hym was, That fals to hym̄ wore. [ 1390] [1390. were MS.]

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Syr Torent to the lady went, Fułł curtesly and gent: . . . . . 'Desonełł, haue good day! [1393. Denoselle MS.] I muste now on my jurnay, A kyngis lond for to fend. [ 1395] Thes gold rynges I shałł yeve the, [leaves 2 gold rings with her,] Kepe them wełł, my lady ffre, [1397. them] om. MS.] Yf god a child vs send!' [ 1400] She toke the ryngis with moche care, [f. 99b.] Thries in sownyng fełł she thare, [ 1400] Whan she saw, that he wold wend.

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Shipp and takyłł they dight, [and goes on board ship with his steed and armour.] Stede and armour ffor to ffyght To the bote they bare. Gentilmen̄, that were hend, [ 1405] Toke her leve at theyre frend, With hym ffor to fare.

Kyng Colomond, is not to layn̄, [ 1410] He wold, that he cam nevure agayn̄; There fore god yeff hym̄ care! [ 1410] So within the ffyfty dayes He Come in to the lond of Norways, [Torrent gets to Norway.] Hard Contre ffound he thare.

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Thus sir Torrent, for soth, is fare, A noble wynd droffe hym̄ thare, [ 1415] Was blowyng oute of the weste. Of the Coste of Norway they had a sight . . . [ 1419] Of sayling they were ałł preste. So ffeyre a wynd had the knyght, A litułł be-ffore the mydnyght [ 1420] He Rode be a foreste. The shipmen said: 'We be shent; [The shipmen tell him of a Giant.] Here dwellith a geaunt, verament, On his lond are we kest!' [1424. kest] sett MS.]

(123)

The maistershipmon̄ said: 'Nowe [ 1425] [1425. maistershipmen MS.] I Rede, we take down̄ sayle & Rowe, While we haue this tyde. [ 1430] Sir,' he said, 'be god ałłmyght, The giant lieth euery nyght [1429. lieth] here add. MS.] On̄ the mowntayn̄ here be-syde; [ 1430] My lord the kyng wyłł not ffyght, [f. 100a.] Tiłł he of you haue a sight, On you ys ałł his pryde!' Sir Torrent said: 'Here my hond! [Torrent resolves to land.] [1434. Torrent MS.] Sith we be ryven on this lond, [ 1435] To nyght wyłł I ryde.'

(124)

Sir Torent armyd hym̄ anon [ 1440] [Torrent and his knights arm.] And his knyghtes euerychone With sheld and spere in hond. The shipmen̄ said: 'As mut I thryve, [ 1440] I Rede, that euery man̄ other shryve, Or that we go to the lond.' Sir Torent said: 'As god me spede, We wiłł firste se that ffede, My lord was never failand! [ 1445] [1445. fleand MS.] Gentilmen, make chere good, [1446. make] made MS.] For Iesu love, that died on Rood, [ 1450] He wiłł be oure waraunt!' [1451. bowes] browes MS.]

(125)

In a forest can̄ they passe, [They reach the Forest of Brasill.] [1452. ffound MS.] Of Brasiłł, saith the boke, it was, [ 1450] With bowes brod and wyde. Lyons and berys there they ffand And wyld bestes aboute goand, Reysing on euery side. Thes men̄ of armes, with trayn̄ [ 1455] [The coward knights flee to the ship,] To the shipp they flew agayn̄ In to the see at that tyde; [ 1460] Fast from land row they be-gan̄, A-bove they left that gentilman̄, [and leave Torrent alone.] With wyld beestis to haue kyde. [ 1460] [1460. k corrected out of r.]

(126)

The shipmen̄ of the same lond Ryved vp, I vnderstond, In another lond off hold. [f. 100b.] To the chamber they toke the way, [False tales of Torrent are told to the King of Norway.] There the kyng hym̄ selfe lay, [ 1465] [1465 put before 1464 MS.] And fals talis hym̄ told . . . . . .

For he wold not the geaunt abyde, [ 1470] For ałł this contrey feyre and wyde, Thouȝ he yeff it hym wold.

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'Sir kyng, ye haue youre selfe [ 1470] Erlis doughty be ten̄ or twelfe, [1471. doughty be] om. MS.] Better know I none: Send youre messingeris ffar and wyde, For to ffełł the geauntes pride, That youre doughter hath tane.' [ 1475] 'I had lever to haue that knyght; [The King of Norway wants Torrent to come.] [1476. that] ky, struck out, add. MS.] With hym̄ is grace of god ałłmyȝt, To be here at his bane.' [ 1480] Fułł litułł wist that riche kyng Of sir Torrentes ryding [ 1480] In the forest ałł alone.

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Thorouȝ helpe of god that with hym was, Fro the wyld bestis gan̄ he passe To an hye hyłł. A litułł while be-fore the day [ 1485] He herd in a valey A dynnyng and a yełł. [ 1490] Theder than̄ riduth he, [Torrent rides up to 2 Dragons.] To loke, what thing it myȝt be, What adventure thare be-fełł. [ 1490] [1490. thare] that MS.] It were two dragons stiff and strong, Vppon̄ theyre lay they sat and song, Be-side a depe wełł.

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Sir Torent said thanne To god, that made man̄ [f. 101a.] [ 1495] And died vppon̄ a tree:

'Lord, as thou mayst ałł weld, [ 1500] [Torrent prays to Christ,] Yeve me grace, to wyn̄ the feld Of thes ffendys onfre!' [1499. onfre] ontrewe MS.] Whan he had his prayers made, [ 1500] Pertely to hem̄ he Rade And one thorouȝ oute bare he. [spears the first Dragon;] [1502. he bare MS.] Thus sped the knyght at his comyng Thorough the helpe of hevyn̄ kyng: Lord, lovid muste thou be! [ 1505]

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The other dragon wold not flee, . . . . . But showith ałł his myght; [ 1510] [1507. shotith MS.] He smote ffire, that lothely thing, As it were the lightnyng, Vppon̄ that comly knyght. [ 1510] There fore sir Torent wold nto lett, But on̄ the dragon̄ fast he bett And over-come that foule wight. [and then kills the second.] Tho anon the day sprong, Fowles Rose, mery they song, [ 1515] The sonne a-Rose on hyȝt. [1516. hyȝe MS.]

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Torent of the day was fułł blithe, [ 1520] And of the valey he did hym̄ swith, As fast as euer he may. To a mowntayn̄ he rode ryght, [ 1520] Of a castełł he had a sight [He sees a Castle.] With towrys hyȝe and gay . . . . . . He come in to an hyȝe strete, Few folke gan̄ he mete, To wis hym̄ the way. [ 1525] [1525. wish MS.]

(132)

To the gatys tho he Rade; [Torrent rides to the Norse Giant's castle gates.] [1526. rode MS.] Fułł craftely they were made [f. 101b.] Of Irun̄ and eke of tree. [ 1531] One tre stonding there he ffond: [1529. ffound MS.] Nyne oxen̄ of that lond [ 1530] Shold not drawe the tre. The Giaunt wrought vp his wałł [1532. welle MS.] And laid stonys gret and smałł: A lothely man̄ was he. 'Now,' quod Torrent, 'I not, whare, [ 1535] [1535. wot MS.] My squiers be ffro me to fare, Euer waried they be! [ 1540] [1537. they] thou MS.]

(133)

'Lord god, what is beste, [He considers what he shall do,] So Iesu me helpe, Est or Weste, I Can not Rede to say. [ 1540] [1540. say] done MS.] Yf I to the shipp fare, No shipmen̄ ffynd I thare; [1542. And no MS. I] om. MS.] It is long, sith they were away. Other wayes yf I wend, Wyld bestis wyłł me shend: [ 1545] Falshede, woo worth it aye! I ffyght here, Iesu, for thy sake; [ 1560] [and resolves to fight.] Lord, to me kepe thou take, As thou best may!'

(134)

Down̄ light this gentiłł knyght, [ 1550] To Rest hym̄ a litułł wight, And vnbrydelid his stede And let hym̄ bayte on̄ the ground, [He baits his steed.] [1553. bayte] hym add. MS.] And aventid hym̄ in̄ that stound, There of he had gret nede. [ 1555]

The Gyaunt yode and gaderid stone [The Norse Giant prepares to fight.] And sye, where the knyght gan̄ gone, [ 1570] Ałł armed in dede; [f. 102a.] And wot ye wełł and not wene, Whan eyther of hem had other sene, [ 1560] Smertely they rerid her dede. [1561. they] om. MS.]

(135)

For that sir Torent had hym sene, Hw worth vppon his stede, I wene, And Iesu prayde he tiłł: 'Mary son̄, thou here my bone, [ 1565] [Torrent prays to Christ,] As I am̄ in venturus stad come, [1566. sad MS.] My jurnay to fułł-ffyłł!' [ 1580] [1567. to] than MS.] A voys was fro hevyn̄ sent And said: 'Be blith, sir Torent, [and is cheerd by a voice from Heaven.] And yeve the no thing yłł, [ 1570] To ffyght with my lordys enemy: Whether that thou lyve or dye, Thy mede the quyte he wyłł!' [1573. He wylle quyte the thy mede MS.]

(136)

Be that the giaunt had hym dight, Cam̄ ageyn̄ that gentiłł knyght, [ 1575] [The Giant advances against Torrent.] As bold as eny bore; He bare on̄ his nek a croke, [ 1590] Woo were the man̄, that he ouertoke, It was twelfe ffote and more. 'Sir,' he said, 'ffor charite, [ 1580] Loke, curtes man̄ that thou be, Yf thy wyłł ware: I haue so fought ałł this nyght With thy II dragons wekyd and wight, They haue bett me fułł sore.' [ 1585]

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The Geaunt said: 'Be my fay, [The Giant says he'll punish] Wors tydinges to me this day [ 1600] I myght not goodly here. Thorough the valey as thou cam̄, My two dragons hast thou slan̄, [ 1590] [Torrent for kill∣ing his 2 Dragons] [1590. slayne MS.] My solempnite they were. [f. 102b.] To the I haue fułł good gate; For thou slow my brother Cate, [and his Brother Cate.] That thou shalte by fułł dere!' Be-twene the giaunt and the knyght [ 1595] Men myght se buffettes right, Who so had be there. [ 1610]

(138)

Sir Torent yaue to hym̄ a brayd; He levid that the aungełł said, Of deth yaue he nought. [ 1600] [1600. nought] no dynt MS.] In to the brest he hym̄ bare, His spere hede lefte he thare, So eviłł was hitt bythought. [1603. byth.] mynt MS.] The Giaunt hym ayen̄ smate [The Giant's crook cuts through Torrent's shield to his flesh,] Thorough his sheld and his plate, [ 1605] In to the flesh it sought; And sith he pullith at his croke, [ 1620] So fast in to the flesh it toke, [and sticks there.] That oute myȝt he gete it nought.

(139)

On hym̄ he hath it broke, [ 1610] Glad pluckys there he toke, Set sadly and sare. [1612. sore MS.]

Sir Torent stalworth satt, Oute of his handys he it gatt, No lenger dwellid he thare. [ 1615] [1615. there MS.] In to the water he cast his sheld, [Torrent throws his shield and the Giant's crook into the water.] Croke and ałł to-geders it held, [ 1630] Fare after, how so euer it ffare. The Geaunt folowid with ałł his mayn̄, [The Giant goes in after them and is drowned.] And he come never quyk agayn̄: [ 1620] God wold, that so it ware.

(140)

Sir Torent bet hym̄ there, [f. 103a.] Tiłł that this fend did were, Or he thens wend. On hym had he hurt but ane, [ 1625] Lesse myght be a mannus bane, [1626. But lesse MS.] But god is fułł hend: [ 1640] Thorough grace of hym, that ałł shałł weld, There the knyght had the feld, Such grace god did hym̄ send. [ 1630] [Torrent rides to the Giant's castle,] Be than it nyed nere hand nyȝt, To a castełł he Rode right, Ałł nyght there to lend.

(141)

In the castełł found he nought, That god on the Rode bought; [ 1635] High vppon̄ a toure, As he caste a side lokyng, [ 1650] He saw a lady in her bed syttyng, [and finds a fair Lady there.] White as lylye ffloure; Vp a-Rose that lady bryght, [ 1640] And said: 'Welcom̄, sir knyght, That fast art in stoure!'

'Damysełł, welcom̄ mut thou be! Graunt thou me, for charite, [Torrent asks for a night's lodging.] Of one nyghtis soioure!' [ 1645] [1645. socoure MS.]

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'By Mary,' said that lady clere, 'Me for-thinkith, that thou com̄ here, [ 1660] Thy deth now is dight; [The Lady says the Giant Weraunt will kill him.] For here dwellith a geaunt, He is clepud Weraunt, [ 1650] [1650. Weraunt] weraumt (?) MS.] He is to the deviłł be-taught. [1651. to] of MS.] To day at morn̄ he toke his croke, Forth at the yates the way he toke, And said, he wold haue a draught; [f. 103b.] And here be chambers two or thre, [ 1655] In one of hem I shałł hide the, God the saue ffrome harmes right!' [ 1670]

(143)

'Certayn̄,' tho said the knyght, 'That theffe I saw to nyght, Here be-side a slade. [ 1660] [1660. slate or flate MS.] He was a ferly freke in ffyght, [Torrent tells her to] With hym faught a yong knyght, Ech on other laid good lade; [1663. lode MS.] Me thought wełł, as he stode, He was of the fendus blood, [ 1665] So Rude was he made. Dame, yf thou leve not me, [ 1680] Com̄ nere, and thou shalt se, [come and see the Giant.] Which of hem abade.' [1669. abode MS.]

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Blith was that lady bryght [ 1670] For to se that selly sight: [1671. selly] om. MS.] With the knyght went she.

Whan she cam, where the Geaunt lay, [The Norwegian Princess sees the Giant's corpse,] 'Sir,' she said, 'parmaffay I wott wełł, it is he. [ 1675] Other he was of god ałł-myght Or seynt George, oure lady knyȝt, [ 1690] That there his bane hath be. Yf eny cryston̄ man smyte hym down̄, He is worthy to haue renown̄ [ 1680] [and praises his slayer.] Thorough oute ałł crystiaunte.'

(145)

'I haue wonder,' said the knyght, 'How he gate the, lady bryght, Fro my lord the kyng.' 'Sir,' she said, 'verament, [f. 104a.] [ 1685] [She tells Torrent] As my fader on huntyng went Erly in a mornyng, [ 1700] Fore his men pursued a dere, [1688. For MS.] To his castełł, that stondith here, That doth my hondys wryng, [ 1690] This Giaunt hym toke, wo he be! [that her Father gave her, as his ransom, to the Giant.] For his love he gevith hym̄ me, He wold none other thinge.'

(146)

Forth she brought bred and wyne, Fayn̄ he was for to dyne . . . . . . [ 1695] This knyght made noble chere, Though that he woundid were [ 1710] With the Geaunt strong.

(147)

Sir Torrent dwellid no lenger thare, Than̄ he myȝt away fare [ 1700] [Torrent takes her away.] With that lady bryght.

'Now, Iesu, that made hełł, [Torrent longs for Desonell.] Send me on lyve to Desonełł, That I my trouth to plight!' Tho sye they be a forest syde [ 1705] Men̄ of armes ffaste ride On coursers comly dight. [ 1720] The lady said: 'So mvst I thee, It is my fader, is com for me, [The Norwegian Princess sees her Father.] With the Geaunt to ffyght.' [ 1710]

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An harood said anon̄ right: 'Yon I se an armed knyght, And no squier, but hym̄ one: He is so big of bone & blood, [1714. big] long MS.] He is the Geaunt, be the Rode!' [ 1715] Som̄ seith, he riduth vppon̄. 'Nay,' said the kyng, 'verament, [f. 104b.] [ 1820] It is the knyght, that I after sent, [Torrent is recognised] I thanke god and seynt Iohn̄, For the Geaunt slayn̄ hath he [ 1720] And wonne my doughter, wełł is me! Ałł his men are atone!' [1722. at.] tanc MS.]

(149)

Wott ye wełł, with Ioy and blis Sir Torent there recevid ys, As doughty man̄ of dede. [ 1725] The kyng and other lordys gent [and welcomd by the King of Norway.] Said, 'Welcom̄, sir Torent, [ 1830] In to this vncouth thede!' [1728. thede] lond MS.] In to a state they hym̄ brought, Lechis sone his woundis sought; [ 1730] [His wounds are drest.] They said, so god hem spede,

Were there no lyve but ane, His liffe they wyłł not vndertane, For no gold ne ffor mede.

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The lady wist not or than̄, [ 1735] [The Princess] That he was hurt, that gentilman̄, And sith she went hym tyłł; [ 1840] She sought his woundus and said thare: 'Thou shalte lyve and welfare, Yf the no-thing evyłł! [ 1740] My lord the kyng hath me hight, [claims Torrent as her husband.] That thou shalt wed me, sir knyght, The fforward ye to fulle ffyłł.' 'Damysełł, loo here my hond: And I take eny wyffe in this lond, [ 1745] It shałł be at thy wyłł!'

(151)

Gendres was that ladyes name. [ 1850] [Her name is Gendres.] The Geauntes hede he brought hame, And the dragons he brought. [f. 105a.] [1749. he br.] also MS.] Mene myght here a myle aboute, [ 1750] How on the dede hedys they did shoute, For the shame, that they hem̄ wrought, [1752. they] had add. MS.] Both with dede and with tong Fyfte on the hedys dong, That to the ground they sought. [ 1755] Sir Torrent dwellid thare [Torrent stays 12 months in Norway.] Twelfe monythis and mare, [ 1860] That ffurther myȝt he nought.

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The kyng of Norway said: 'Nowe, Fals thevis, woo worth you, [ 1760] Ferly sotełł were ye:

Ye said, the knyght wold not com̄: Swith oute of my kyngdome, Or hangid shałł ye be!' His squiers, that fro hym̄ fled, [ 1765] [The King of Norway sends Torrent's false Squires to sea,] With sore strokys are they spred Vppon the wanne see, [ 1870] And there they drenchid euery man̄, [where all drown, save one.] Saue one knave, that to lond cam̄, And woo be-gone is he. [ 1770]

(153)

The child, to lond that god sent, In Portyngale he is lent, In a riche town̄, That hath hight be her day, [1774. hatt (!) MS.] And euer shałł, as I you say, [ 1775] The town̄ of Peron̄. By-fore the kyng he hym sett, [ 1880] [He takes the news to the King of Portugal,] 'Fułł wełł thy men̄, lord, the grett, [1778. the] they MS.] And in the see did they drown.' [1779. did] are MS. drowned MS.] Desonełł said: 'Where is Torent?' [ 1780] 'In Norway, lady, verament.' [f. 105b.] [and tells Desonell that Torrent is in Norway.] On sownyng fełł she down̄.

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As she sownyd, this lady myld, [She swoons, and folk see she is big with child.] Men myȝt se tokenyng of her child, Steryng on̄ her right syde. [ 1785] Gret Ruth it was to tełł, How her maydens on̄ her fełł, [ 1890] Her to Couer and to hide. Tho the kyng said: 'My doughter, do way! By god, thy myrth is gone for aye, [ 1790] Spousage wyłł thou none bide! [1791. bide] lede MS.]

There fore thou shalt in to the see [The King of Portugal declares he'll send Desonell and her Bastard to sea.] And that Bastard with-in the, To lerne you ffor to ride.'

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Erlis and Barons, that were good, [ 1795] [His Earls] By-fore the kyng knelid and stode For that lady free. [ 1900] The quene, her moder, on knees fełł, [and the Queen] 'For Iesu is love, that harood hełł, Lord, haue mercy on̄ me! [ 1800] That ylke dede, that she hath done, It was with an Erlis sonne, Riche man̄ i-nough is he; And yf ye wyłł not let her lyve, [pray for mercy for Desonell.] Right of lond ye her yeve, [ 1805] Tiłł she delyuerd be!'

(156)

Thus the lady dwellith there, [ 1910] [1807. Thus the] so F. VII; This MS.] Tyll that she delyuerd were [She is delivered of 2 male children] [1808. Tyll] so F. VII; om. MS.] Of men̄ children̄ two; In all poyntes they were gent, [ 1810] [1810. all] so F. VII; om. MS.] And like they were to sir Torent; [like Torrent.] For his love they sufferid woo. [f. 106a.] The kyng said: 'So mut I thee, Thou shalte in-to the see [Her Father says she shall be sent out to sea.] With oute wordys moo. [ 1815] Euery kyngis doughter ffer and nere, At the shałł they lere, [ 1920] Ayen̄ the law to do.'

(157)

Gret ruth it was to se, [She is led from his land.] Whan they led that lady ffree [ 1820] Oute of her faders lond.

The quene wexid tho nere wood [The Queen bewails her daughter's fate.] For her doughter, that gentiłł ffode, And knyghtis stode wepand; A cloth of silke gan they ta [ 1825] And partyd it be-twene hem twa, Therin they were wonde. [1827. so F. VII; om. MS.] Whan̄ they had shypped that lady ying, [ 1930] [Desonell is sent to sea.] [1828. had sh.] so F. VII; clepud MS. yeng MS.] An hunderid fełł in sownyng At Peron̄ on̄ the sond. [ 1830]

(158)

Whan that lady was downe fall, [1831 f.] so F. VII; om. MS.] On Iesu Cryste dyd she call; Down̄ knelid that lady clene: [1833. clene] clere MS.] 'Rightfull god, ye me sende [She prays to Christ for her children.] [1834 f.] so F. VII;

Iesu Cryste, that com vp here On this strond, as I wenyd MS.

] Some good londe, on to lende, [ 1835] That my chyldren may crystonyd bene!' [1836. my ch.] so F. VII; we MS.] She said, 'Knyghtis and ladyes gent, Grete wełł my lord, sir Torrent, Yeff ye hym̄ euer sene!' The wynd Rose ayen̄ the nyght, [ 1840] Fro lond it blew that lady bryght [ 1941] Vppon the see so grene.

(159)

Wyndes and weders haue her drevyn̄, Þat in a forest she is revyn̄, [1844. forest] so F. VII; ftrest MS. she is] so F. VII; be they MS.] There wyld beestis were; [ 1845] The see was eb, and went her ffroo, [She and they reach land.] And lefte her and her children̄ two [f. 106b.] Alone with-oute ffere.

Her one child woke and be-gan̄ to wepe, The lady a-woke oute of her slepe [ 1850] And said: 'Be stiłł, my dere, [ 1951] [Desonell stills her crying child,] Iesu Cryst hath sent vs lond; Yf there be any cryston man̄ nere hond, We shałł haue som socoure here.'

(160)

The carefułł lady was fułł blith, [ 1855] Vp to lond she went swith, As fast as euer she myght. Tho the day be-gan̄ to spryng, Foules a-Rose and mery gan syng Delicious notys on̄ hight. [ 1860] To a mowntayn went that lady ffree: [ 1961] [goes up a mountain,] Sone was she warr of a Cite With towrus ffeyre and bryght. There fore, i-wys, she was fułł fayn̄, She sett her down̄, as I herd sayn̄, [ 1865] Her two children̄ ffor to dight.

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Vppon̄ the low the lady ffound [and finds an Arbour there.] An Erber wrought with mannus hond, With herbis, that were good. A Grype was in̄ the mowntayn̄ wonne, [ 1870] A way he bare her yong son̄ [ 1971] [A Griffin carries off one of her boys.] Ouer a water fflood, Over in to a wyldernes, There seynt Antony ermet wes, [1874. was MS.] There as his chapełł stode. [ 1875] The other child down̄ gan̄ she ly, [She puts the other down,] And on the ffoule did shoute & crye, [f. 107a.] [1876. ly] lay MS.] That she was nere hond wood.

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Vp she rose ageyn̄ the rougħ, With sorofułł hert and care Inougħ, [ 1880] [and sorrows.] Carefułł of blood and bone . . . . . . . [ 1981] She sye, it myght no better be, She knelid down̄ vppon̄ her kne, And thankid god and seynt Iohn̄.

(163)

There come a libard vppon̄ his pray, [ 1885] [A leopard takes her other boy away.] And her other child bare away, She thankid god there And his moder Mary bryght. This lady is lefte alone ryght: The sorow she made there . . . . . [ 1890]

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That she myght no further ffare: [ 1991] 'Of one poynt,' she sayd, 'is my care, [1892. she s.] om. MS.] As I do now vnderstond, So my children̄ crystenyd were, Though they be with beestes there, [ 1895] Theyre liffe is in goddus hond.' The kyng of Ierusalem̄ had bene [The King of Jerusalem sees the leopard and child.] At his brothers weddyng, I wene, That was lord of ałł that lond. As he com homward on his way, [ 1900] He saw where the liberd lay [ 2001] With a child pleyand.

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Torrent had yeve her ringes two, [1903. her] his lady MS.] And euery child had one of tho, [Each child has one of Torrent's rings.] Hym̄ with ałł to saue. [ 1905]

The kyng said: 'Be Mary myld, Yonder is a liberd with a child, A mayden̄ or a knave.' Tho men̄ of armes theder went, [f. 107b.] [The King's men] Anon̄ they had theyre hors spent, [ 1910] Her guttys oute she Rave. [ 2011] For no stroke wold she stynt; Tiłł they her slew with speris dynt, [kill the Leopard,] The child myght they not haue.

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Vp they toke the child ying [ 1915] [and take the Child to the King,] [1915. yong MS.] And brought it be-ffore the kyng And vndid the swathing band, As his moder be-ffore had done, A gold ryng they ffound sone, Was closud in his hond. [ 1920] Tho said the kyng of Ierusalem̄: [ 2021] 'This child is come of gentiłł teme, Where euer this beest hym̄ ffond. [1923. ffound MS.] The boke of Rome berith wytnes, The kyng hym̄ namyd Leobertus, [ 1925] [who christens him 'Leobertus,'] That was hent in hethyn̄ lond.

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Two squiers to the town̄ gan̄ flyng, And a noryse to the child did bryng, Hym̄ to kepe ffrome greme. [1929. grame MS.] He led it in̄ to his own̄ lond [ 1930] [and takes him to Jerusalem.] And told the quene, how he it ffond [ 2031] By a water streme. Whan̄ the lady saw the ryng, She said, with-oute lettyng: 'This child is com̄ of gentiłł teme: [ 1935]

Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take, For Iesu love thou sholdist hym̄ make [1937. woldist MS.] Prynce of Ierusalem̄.'

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Now, in boke as we rede, As seynt Antony aboute yede, [ 1940] [St. Anthony] Byddyng his orysoun̄, [ 2041] Of the gripe he had a sight, [f. 108a.] [sees the Griffin] How she flew in a fflight, To her birdus was she boun̄. Be-twene her clawes she bare a child: [ 1945] [and Desonell's first boy,] He prayed to god and Mary myld, On lyve to send it down̄. That man was wełł with god ałł-myȝt, At his fote gan̄ she light, [whom the bird lays at his feet.] That foule of gret renown̄. [ 1950]

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Vp he toke the child there, [ 2051] [1951. thare MS.] To his auter he did it bere, There his chapełł stode. A knave child there he ffond, [1954. ffound MS.] There was closud in his hond [ 1955] A gold ryng riche and good. He bare it to the Cite grett, [St. Antony takes the boy to his Father, the King of Greece.] There the kyng his fader sett [1958. sett] lett MS.] As a lord of jentiłł blood, For he wold saue it ffro dede; [ 1960] A grype flew a-bove his hede [ 2061] And cryed, as he were wood.

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This holy man̄ hied hym̄ tyte To a Cite with touris white, As fast as he may. [ 1965]

The kyng at the yate stode [The King sees] And other knyghtes and lordys good To se the squiers play. The kyng said: 'Be Mary myld, Yonder comyth Antony, my child, [ 1970] [his son Antony,] With a gryffon̄ gay. [ 2071] Som̄ of his byrdus take hath he, And bryngith hem̄ heder to me!' Gret ferly had thaye.

(171)

The kyng there of toke good hede, [f. 108b.] [ 1975] And a-geyn̄ his sonne he yede And said: 'Welcom̄ ye be!' 'Fader,' he said, 'god you saue! A knave child ffound I haue, Loke, that it be dere to the! [ 1980] [who asks him to adopt Desonell's boy as] Frome a greffon̄ he was refte, [ 2081] Of what lond that he is lefte, Of gentiłł blood was he: Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take, For Iesu love thy sonne hym̄ make, [ 1985] [his heir.] As in the stede of me!'

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The kyng said: 'Yf I may lyve, [The King of Greece agrees,] Helpe and hold I shałł hym yeve And receyve hym as my son̄. Sith thou hast this lond forsake, [ 1990] My riche londys I shałł hym̄ take, [ 2091] Whan he kepe them̄ con̄.' [1992. can MS.] To a ffont they hym yaue, [and has the Boy baptized.] And crystonyd this yong knave; Fro care he is wonne. [ 1995]

The holy man yaue hym̄ name, [The Boy is christend Antony Fitzgriffin.] That Iesu shild hym̄ ffrome shame: Antony fice greffoun̄.

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'Fader, than̄ haue thou this ryng, I ffound it on̄ this swete thing, [ 2000] Kepe it, yf thou may: [ 2101] It is good in euery fight, [2002. fight] sight MS. ?] Yf god yeve grace, that he be knyght, Be nyght and be day.' [2004. Other be MS. and] or forme of (!) MS.] Let we now this children̄ dwełł, [ 2005] And speke we more of Desonełł: Her song was welaway. [f. 109a.] [Desonell laments,] God, that died vppon̄ the Rode, Yff grace, that she mete with good! Thus disparplid are thay. [ 2010] [2010. disparlid MS.]

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This lady walkyd ałł alone [ 2111] [wanders among wild beasts,] Amonge wyld bestis meny one, Ne wanted she no Woo; Anon̄ the day be-gan to spryng, And the ffoules gan to syng, [ 2015] With blis on euery bowȝe . . . . . . .

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'Byrdus and bestis, aye woo ye be! Alone ye haue lefte me, [2018. haue] a corrected out of e MS.] My children̄ ye have slone.' [and bewails her lost children.] [2019. have sl.] slough MS.] As she walkid than̄ a-lone, [ 2020] She sye lordis on̄ huntyng gone, [ 2121] Nere hem̄ she yede fułł sone.

This carfułł lady cried faste, Than she herd this hornes blaste By the yatis gone, [ 2025] But ran in to a wildernes, [Desonell flees from some hunters] [2026. ran] om. MS.] Amongist beests that wyld wes, [2027. was MS.] For drede, she shold be slone.

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Tiłł it were vnder of the Day, She went fro that wilsom̄ way, [ 2030] [2030. fro] in MS.] In to a lond playn̄. [ 2131] The kyng of Naȝareth huntid there, [into the land of Nazareth.] Among the hertes, that gentiłł were; There of she was fułł ffayn̄ . . . . . . . . .

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They had ferly, kyng and knyght, [ 2035] Whens she come, that lady bryght, Dwelling here a-lone. She said to a squier, that there stode: 'Who is lord of most jentiłł blood?' And he answerid her anon̄: [f. 109b.] [ 2040] 'This ys the lond of Naȝareth, [ 2141] Se, where the kyng gethe, [She sees the King,] Of speche he is ffułł bone; Ałł in gold couerid is he.' 'Gramercy, sir,' said she, [ 2045] And nere hym̄ gan̄ she gone.

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Lordys anon ageyn̄ her yode, For she was com̄ of gentiłł blood, In her lond had they bene: 'God loke the, lady ffree, [ 2050] [whose Lords greet her.] What makist thou in this contre?' [ 2151] 'Sir,' she said, 'I wene,

Seynt Katryn̄ I shold haue sought, Wekyd weders me heder hath brought In to this fforest grene, [ 2055] And ałł is dede, I vnderstond, [Desonell says that her boys are dead, and she is left alone.] Saue my selfe, that com̄ to lond With wyld beestis and kene.'

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'Welcom,' he said, 'Desonełł, By a tokyn̄ I shałł the tełł: [ 2060] Onys a stede I the sent. [ 2161] Lady gent, ffeyre and ffree, To the shold I haue wedid be, My love was on̄ the lent.' Knyghtis and squiers, that there were, [ 2065] They horsid the lady there, And to the Cite they went. [She is taken to Nazareth,] The quene was curtes of that lond And toke the lady be the hond [and welcomd by the Queen,] And said: 'Welcom, my lady gent! [ 2070]

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'Lady, thou art welcom̄ here, [ 2171] As it ałł thyn̄ own̄ were, [f. 110a.] Ałł this ffeyre contree!' 'Of one poynt was my care, And my two children̄ crystonyd ware, [ 2075] That in wood were reft ffro me.' [2076. in] the add. MS.] Welcom art thou, Desonełł, In my chamber for to dwełł, [with whom she stays.] Inough there in shałł ye see!' Leve we now that lady gent, [ 2080] And speke we of sir Torrent, [ 2181] That was gentiłł and ffre.

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The kyng of Norway is fułł woo, [Sir Torrent won't stop in Norway,] That sir Torent wold wend hym ffro, That doughty was and bold: [ 2085] 'Sir,' he said, 'abyde here And wed my doughter, that is me dere!' He said, in no wise he wold. He shipped oute of the kynges sale And Ryved vp in̄ Portingale [ 2090] [but goes back to Portugal.] At another hold. [ 2191] Whan̄ he herd tełł of Desonełł, Swith on sownyng there he fełł To the ground so cold.

(182)

The fals kyng of Portingale, [ 2095] [The false King Calamond of Portugal] Sparid the yatis of his sale For Torent the ffree; He said: 'Be Mary clere, [tells him that Desonell and her 2 Boys were sent out to sea.] Thou shalt no wyfe haue here, Go sech her in̄ the see! [ 2100] With her she toke whelpis two, [ 2201] To lerne to row wold she go.' 'By god, thou liest,' quod he, 'Kyng Colomand, here my hond! And I be knyght levand, [f. 110b.] [ 2105] I-quytt shałł it be!'

(183)

Torent wold no lenger byde, But sent letters on euery side With fforce theder to hye. Theder com oute of Aragon̄ [ 2110] [Torrent gathers an army.] Noble knyghtes of gret renown̄ [ 2211] With grett chevalrye.

Of Pervyns and Calaber also [Torrent's knights] [2113. Calaber] Cababer (!) MS.] Were doughty knyghtes meny moo, They come ałł to that crye. [ 2115] Kyng Calomond had no knyght, That with sir Torent wold fyght, Of ałł that satt hym̄ bye.

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There wold none the yatis deffend, But lett sir Torent in wend [ 2120] [and he are let into the chief City of Portugal,] With his men̄ euerychone. [ 2221] Swith a counsełł yede they to, To what deth they wold hym do, [2123. To] om. MS.] For he his lady had slone. 'Lordis,' he said, 'he is a kyng, [ 2125] Men may hym̄ nether hede ne hing.' [2126. hing] heng MS.] Thus said they euerychone. They ordenyd a shipp ałł of tree [and resolve to send the false King to sea] And sett hym̄ oute in̄ to the see, Among the wawes to gone. [ 2130]

(185)

Gret lordis of that lond [ 2231] Assentid to that comnand, [2132. comland MS.] That hold shold it be. In the havyn̄ of Portyngale, There stode shippes of hede vale [ 2135] Of Irun and of tree. [f. 111a.] A bote of tre they brought hym be-fforn̄, [in a boat full of holes.] Fułł of holis it was born̄, [2138. boryn MS.] Howsełł and shryfte wold he. [2139. wold] had MS.] Sir Torent said: 'Be seynt Iohn̄, [ 2140] Seth thou gaue my lady none, [ 2241] No more men̄ shałł do the!'

(186)

The shipp-men̄ brought sir Colomond [The false king Calamond is drownd,] And sent hym fforth within̄ a stound As ffar as it were. [ 2145] Wott ye wełł and vnderstond, He come never ayen to lond, Such stormes ffound he there. Gret lordys of renown̄ [and Torrent is made King of Portugal,] Be-toke sir Torent the crown̄ [ 2150] To reioyse it there. [ 2251] Loo, lordys of euery lond: Falshode wyłł haue a foule end, And wyłł haue euermore.

(187)

Sir Torent dwellid thare [ 2155] Fourty days in moche care, Season̄ for to hold; Sith he takith two knyghtes, To kepe his lond and his rightes, That doughty were and bold. [ 2160] 'Madam̄,' he said to the quene, [ 2261] [but he gives the land up to the Queen,] [2161. He said madam MS.] 'Here than shałł ye lady bene, To worth as ye wold.' He purveyd hym̄ anon̄, [and resolves to go to the Holy-Land.] To wend ouer the see fome, [ 2165] There god was bought and sold.

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And ye now wiłł liston̄ a stound, How he toke armes of kyng Calomond, [f. 111b.] Listonyth, what he bare. On asure, as ye may see, [ 2170] [His arms are 3 silver ships on an azure field.] [2170. This line begins with a big initial letter. Off MS.] With syluer shippes thre, [ 2271] Who so had be thare.

For Desonełł is love so bryght, [For love of Desonell,] His londis he takyth to a knyght, And sith he is boun to fare. [ 2175] [2175. boun] home MS.] 'Portyngale, haue good day [Torrent leaves Portugal.] For Sevyn̄ yere, parmaffay, Par aventure som̄ dele mare!' [2178. more MS.]

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Sir Torent passid the Grekys flood In to a lond both riche and good, [ 2180] Fułł evyn̄ he toke the way [ 2281] To the cite of Quarełł, [He besieges the City of Quarell] [2182. cite] see MS.] As the boke of Rome doth tełł, There a soudan̄ lay. There he smote and set adown̄ [ 2185] And yaue asaute in to the town, That wiłł the storye say. [2187. well MS. says MS.] So wełł they vetelid were, That he lay there two yere, [for 2 years, and then takes it.] Sith in̄ the town̄ went they. [ 2190] [2190. And sith in to MS.]

(190)

And tho sir Torent ffound on̄ lyve, [ 2291] [He has its inhabitants kild,] He comaundid with spere and knyffe Smertely dede to be; He said: 'We haue be here Moche of this two yere [ 2195] And onward on̄ the thre.' [2196. thrid MS.] Ałł the good, that sir Torent wan̄, [and shares its booty among his men.] He partid it among his man̄, [2198. men MS.] Syluer, gold and ffee; And sith he is boun to ride [f. 112a.] [ 2200] To a Cite there be-syde, [ 2301] That was worth such thre.

(191)

There he stode and smote adown̄ [Torrent then besieges another heathen City for 6 years.] And leyd sege to the town̄, Six yere there he lay. [ 2205] By the VI yere were ałł done, With honger they were ałł slone, [All its folk die of hunger.] That in the Cite lay. The Soudan sent to sir Torent than̄, [2209. The] A MS.] With honger that thes people be slan, [ 2210] [2210. slayn MS.] Ałł the folke of this Cite; [ 2311] [2211. thes MS.] 'Yf ye thinke here to lye, Ye shałł haue wyne and spycery, I-nough is in this contre.' [2209-14 put before 2203-8 MS.]

(192)

Now god do his soule mede! [ 2215] On the soudan̄ he had a dede Vppon̄ euery good ffryday. Iesu sent hym strengith I-nougħ, With dynt of sword he hym slougħ, [Torrent kills the Sultan,] There went none quyk away. [ 2220] Down knelid that knyght [ 2321] And thankid god with ałł his myȝt: So ought he wełł to say. The Cite, that sir Torent was yn̄, Worldely goodis he left ther yn̄, [ 2225] To kepe it nyght and day.

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Sith he buskyd hym̄ to ride [goes to Antioch,] In to a lond there be-syde, [f. 112b.] Antioche it hight. Sevyn̄ yere at the Cite he lay [ 2230] And had batełł euery good ffryday, [ 2331] [and fights every good Friday.] Vppon̄ the Sarȝins bryght; [2230-32 put before 2227-29 MS.]

And be the VII yere were gone, The child, that the liberd had tane, Found hym his fiłł off ffyght . . . . . . [ 2235]

(194)

The kyng of Ierusalem̄ herd tełł [The King of Jerusalem] Of this lord good and fełł, How doughtyly he hym bare. Vppon̄ his knyghtes can he całł, 'Ordeyn̄ swith among you ałł, [ 2240] For no thing that ye spare!' [ 2341] They buskyd hem oute of the land, The nombre off ffyfty thousand, [sends 50,000 knights,] [2243. thousaid MS.] Ageyn Torent ffor to ffare . . . .

(195)

The kyng of Ierusalem said thus: [ 2245] 'My dere son, Liobertus, [and his adopted son Leobertus (Torrent's second boy)] [2246. Liobertious MS.] That thou be bold and wight! Thou shalt be here and defend the lond From that fals traytors hond And take the ordre of a knyght.' [ 2250] He yaue hym armes, or he did passe: [ 2351] Right as he ffound was, On gold he bare bryght [2253. On] Of MS.] A liberd of asure bla [2254. blay (!) MS.] A child be-twene his armes twa: [ 2255] [2255. tway MS.] Woo was her, that se it myght! [2256. ffulle woo MS. sc it m.] it ought MS.]

(196)

Sir Torent wold no lenger abyde, But thederward gan̄ he ride; And to the feld were brought Two knyghtes, that were there in stede; [f. 113a.] [ 2260] [against Torrent.] Many a man did they to blede, [ 2361] Such woundis they wrought.

There durst no man com̄ Torent nere, [Torrent's son Leobertus] But his son, as ye may here, Though he knew hym nought. [ 2265] Ałł to nought he bet his shild, But he toke his fader in the feld, [captures him.] Though he there of eviłł thought.

(197)

Whan̄ sir Torent was takyn̄ than̄, [Torrent] His men fled than̄, euery man̄, [ 2270] They durst no lenger abyde. [ 2371] Gret ruth it was to be hold, How his sword he did vp-hold To his son̄ that tyde. To Ierusalem̄ he did hym̄ lede, [ 2275] [is taken to Jerusalem] His actone and his other wede, Ałł be the kyngis side; 'Sir,' he said, 'haue no care, Thou shalte lyve and welfare, But lower ys thy pryde!' [ 2280]

(198)

Fro that sir Torent was hom brought, [ 2381] [2381. hom] hem MS.] Doughty men̄ vppon̄ hym̄ sought, And in preson̄ they hym̄ thronge. [and thrust into prison,] [2283. And and (!) MS. throuȝe MS.] His son above his hede lay, To kepe hym̄ both nyȝt and day, [ 2285] He wist wełł, that he was strong. Thus in preson as he was, [where his son Leobertus hears him lament a whole year.] Sore he siȝed and said alas, He couth none other songe. Thus in bondys they held hym thare [f. 113b.] [ 2290] A twelfmonyth and som dele mare, [ 2391] The knyght thought ffułł long.

(199)

In a mornyng as he lay, [Torrent] To hym selfe gan̄ he say: 'Why lye I thus alone? [ 2295] God, hast thou forsakyn̄ me? [appeals to God] Ałł my truste was in the, In lond where I haue gone! Thou gave me myȝt ffor to slee [who once enabled him to kill Dragons and Giants.] [2299. flee MS.?] Dragons two other thre [ 2300] And giauntes meny one, [ 2401] And now a man̄ in wekid lond Hath myn̄ armour and stede in̄ hond: I wold, my liffe were done!'

(200)

His son herd hym̄ say soo [ 2305] [His son Leobertus hears him,] And in his hert was fułł woo, In chamber there he lay; 'Sir,' he said, 'I haue thy wede, There shałł no man reioyse thy stede, Yf so be, that I may. [ 2310] By oure lady seynt Mary, [ 2411] Here shalt thou no lenger lye, [and promises to get him freed.] Nether be nyȝt ne be day; [2213. Nether be day ne be nyȝt MS.] As I am̄ Curtesse and hend, To the kyng I shałł wend, [ 2315] And ffor thy love hym pray!' [2316. ffor thy love and pray this nyȝt MS.]

(201)

On̄ the morow whan̄ he Rose, The prynce to the kyng gose And knelid vppon̄ his knee; 'Sir,' he said, 'ffor goddus sonne, [f. 114a.] [ 2320] [Leobertus asks the King of Jerusalem for Torrent.] The knyght, that lieth in the dungeon̄, [ 2421] Ye wold graunt hym̄ me!

I hard hym say be hym̄ alone, Many Geauntes had he slone And dragons II or thre.' [ 2325] The kyng said: 'Be my ffay, [The King of Jerusalem grants Torrent to his elder son,] Be warr, he scape not away; I vouch hym saue on the!'

(202)

The prynce in to the preson went, [who frees him from prison,] Torent by the hond he hent [ 2330] Oute of his bondys cold; [ 2431] [2331. And toke hym oute MS.] To the castełł he brought hym sone And light ffettouris did hym̄ vppon̄, [tho' still fettering him.] For brekyng oute off hold. The kyng said: 'Be my ffaye, [ 2335] And he euer scape away, Fułł dere he shałł be sold!' 'Sir,' he said, 'parmaffay, We wyłł hym̄ kepe, and we may: There of be ye bold!' [ 2340]

(203)

For he was curtes knyght & free, [ 2441] At the mete sett was he [Torrent dines with the King,] By the kyng at the deyse. 'Sir, thou haste i-bene At Iustis and at tornementes kene, [ 2345] Both in warr and in peas: Sith thy dwelling shałł be here, I pray, that thou woldist my son̄ lere, [2348. I pray] om. MS.] Hys Tymber ffor to asay.' 'Sir,' he said, 'I vnderstond, [ 2350] [and promises to teach his son Leobertus speareraft.] Affter the maner off my lond [f. 114b.] [ 2451] I shałł, with outen delay.' [2352. delay] lese MS.]

(204)

The castełł court was large with in̄, [The jousts at Jerusalem.] They made ryngis ffor to Ren̄, None but they alone. [ 2355] Euery of hem to oþure Rade: [2356. Rode MS.] Feyrer Turnamentes than they made, [2357. Turmentes MS.] Men sye never none. The prynce in armes was fułł preste, Thre shaftys on̄ his fader he breste, [ 2360] [Torrent's son Leobertus breaks 3 shafts on his Father.] In shevers they gan gone. [ 2461] Sir Torent said: 'So mvt I thee, A man of armes shałł thou be, Stalworth of blood and bone!'

(205)

Harroldys of armes cryed on̄ hight, [ 2365] The prynce and that other knyght No more juste shałł thay; But lordys of other lond, Euery one to other ffond, And sith went theyre way. [ 2370] Sixe wekys he dwellid there, [ 2471] [The jousts last 6 weeks.] Tiłł that ałł delyuerd were, That in the Cite lay. [2373. lay] were MS.] Tho they held a gestonye, [A Feast is held.] With ałł maner of mynstralsye, [ 2375] Tyłł the Sevynth day.

(206)

Lordis with ałł other thing Toke leve at the kyng, Home theyre ways to passe. That tyme they yaue Torent the floure [ 2380] [Torrent is declared victor.] And the gre with moch honowre, [f. 115a.] [ 2481] As he wełł worthy was.

The kyng said: 'I shałł the yeve [The King of Jerusalem promises to support Torrent.] Liffe and lyvelode, whiłł I lyve, Thyn armour, as it was.' [ 2385] Whan he sye ffeyre ladyes wend, He thought on her, that was so hend, And sighed and said: 'Alas!'

(207)

The kyng of Naȝareth home went, [The King of Nazareth] There that his lady lent, [ 2390] In his own̄ lede. [ 2491] 'Sir,' she said, 'ffor goddus pite, What gentilman̄ wan̄ the gre?' He said, 'So god me spede, One of the ffeyrest knyghtis [ 2395] That slepith on̄ somer nyghtes Or walkyd in wede; He is so large of lym̄ and lith, Ałł the world he hath justid with, That come to that dede.' [ 2400]

(208)

'Good lord,' said Desonełł, [ 2501] 'For goddus love ye me tełł, What armes that he bare!' [2403. he] ye MS.] 'Damysełł, also muste I the, [tells Desonell that the Victor (Torrent) has an armd Giant as his crest.] Syluer and asure beryth he, [ 2405] That wott I wełł thare. His Creste is a noble lond, A Gyaunt with an̄ hoke in̄ hond, This wott I wełł he bare. He is so stiff at euery stoure, [ 2410] He is prynce and victoure, [ 2511] He wynneth the gree aye where. [f. 115b.]

(209)

Of Portyngale a knyght he ys, [The Victor is a Knight of Portugal.] He wanne the town̄ of Raynes And the Cite of Quarelle; [ 2415] [2415. Quarellis MS.] At the last jurney that was sett, [2416. that] he add. MS.] The prynce, my broders son̄ he mett, [2417. he m.] was gatt MS.] And in his hond he ffełł. The prynce of Grece leth nere There may no juster be his pere, [ 2420] For soth as I you tełł: [ 2521] A dede of armes I shałł do crye [The King of Nazareth proclaims a Jousting.] And send after hym̄ in hye.' Blith was Desonełł.

(210)

This dede was cried ffar and nere, [ 2425] The kyng of Ierusalem did it here, In what lond that it shold be. He said: 'Sone, anon right [The King of Jerusalem sends Torrent and his elder son Leo∣bertus to it.] Dight the and thy cryston̄ knyght, For sothe, theder wiłł we.' [ 2430] Gret lordys, that herith this crye, [ 2531] Theder come richely, Everyman̄ in his degre. The kyng of Grece did make hym boun, [The King of Greece brings the yonger son, An∣tony Fitzgriffin.] [2434. make hym b.] assigne MS.] With hym̄ come Antony ffyȝ greffon̄, [ 2435] With moche solempnite . . . . . . .

(211)

'The kyng of Naȝareth sent me, That there shold a justynge be Of meny a cryston̄ knyght, And ałł is ffor a lady clere, [ 2440] [The Jousting is for a lady.] That the justyng is cryed ffar and nere, [f. 116a.] [ 2541] Of men̄ of armes bryght.'

Gret joye it was to here tełł, How thes kynges with the knyghtis fełł Come and semled to that ffyght. [ 2445] [2445. semlend MS.]

(212)

There come meny another mon̄, [Many folk come to the jousts.] [2446. man MS.] That thought there to haue to done, And than̄ to wend her way. Whan̄ they come to the castełł gent, A Roałł ffyght, verament, [ 2450] There was, the sothe to say. [ 2551] Trompes resyn̄ on the wałł, Lordys assembled in the hałł, And sith to souper yede thay. [They sup] They were recevid with rialte, [ 2455] Euery man̄ in his degre, And to her logyng went her way. [and sleep,]

(213)

The lordys Rosyn ałł be-dene [rise,] On the morow, as I wene, And went masse ffor to here. [ 2460] [hear Mass,] And ffurthermore with-oute lent [ 2561] They wesh and to mete went, [and dine,] For to the ffeld they wold there. After mete anon̄ right They axid hors and armes bryght, [ 2465] To hors-bak went thay in ffere. [then mount,] Knyghtis and lordys reuelid ałł, And ladyes lay ouer the castełł wałł, That semely to se were.

(214)

Than̄ eueryman toke spere in̄ hond, [ 2470] [and begin to joust.] And euerych to other ffond, [ 2571] [2471. ffound MS.] Smert boffettes there they yeld. [f. 116b.] [2472. there th. y.] they yeldyd there MS.]

The prynce of Ierusalem̄ and his brother, [Torrent's 2 Sons joust.] Eueriche of hem̄ Ran to other Smertely in the feld . . . . . . . . [ 2475] Thougħ Antony ffygryffon̄ yonger were, [The younger, Antony, unhorses his brother Leobertus.] His brother Leobertus he can down̄ bere; Sir Torent stode and be-held.

(215)

'Be my trouth,' said Torent thanne, 'As I am̄ a cryston̄ man [ 2480] I-quytt shałł it be.' [ 2581] Torent be-strode a stede strong And hent a tymber gret and long, [2483 put before 2482 MS.] And to hym̄ rode he.

(216)

Torrent to hym rode so sore, [ 2485] [Torrent rides down his younger son.] [2485 f.:

Torrent so sore to hym rode, That he bare hym to the ground MS.

] That he to the ground hym̄ bare, And let hym̄ lye in̄ the bent. [2487. bent] ffeld MS.] There was no man̄ hyȝe ne lowe, That myght make Torent to bowe Ne his bak to bend. [ 2490] They justyd and turneyd there, [ 2591] And eueryman̄ ffound his pere, There was caught no dethis dent. [2493. dynt MS.] Of ałł the Justis, that there ware, [He and his sons are the best jousters.] Torent the floure a way bare [ 2495] And his sonnys, verament. [2496. ver.] in that tyde MS.]

(217)

And on̄ the morow, whan̄ it was day, Amonge ałł the lordys gay, That worthy were, par de, [2499. par de] in wede MS.]

Desonełł wold no lenger lend, [ 2500] But to sir Torent gan̄ she wend [ 2601] And knelid on her kne. [2502. And on her kne she knelid MS.] She said: 'Welcom̄, my lord sir Torent!' [Desonell greets Torrent,] 'And so be ye, my lady gent!' [f. 117a.] In sownyng than fełł she. [ 2505] [and swoons.] Vp they coueryd that lady hend, And to mete did they wend With joye and solempnite.

(218)

Dame Desonełł be-sought the kyng, That she myght, with oute lesyng, [ 2510] Sytt with Torent alone. [ 2611] 'Yes, lady, be hevyn̄ kyng, There shałł be no lettyng; Worthy is he, be seynt Iohn̄!' [2514. ffor welle worthy MS.] Tho they washid and went to mete, [ 2515] [All go to Dinner.] And rially they were sett And seruid worthely, echone. [2517. echone] verament MS.] Euery lord in̄ the hałł, As his state wold be-ffałł, Were couplid with ladyes schone. [ 2520] [2520. schone] gent MS.]

(219)

But of ałł ladyes, that were there sene, [ 2621] [Desonell is the fairest lady.] So ffeire myght there none bene As was dame Desonełł. . . . . . . . Thes two kyngis, that doughty ys, [The Kings of Jerusalem and Greece go to the] To the Cite come, i-wys, [ 2525] With moche meyne emell. [2526. emell] om. MS.]

(220)

To the castełł they toke the way, [King of Nazareth's Castle.] There the kyng of Naȝareth lay, With hym̄ to speke on higħ.

At none the quene ete in̄ the hałł, [ 2530] Amongist the ladyes ouer ałł, [ 2631] That couth moche curtesye. Desonełł wold not lett, By sir Torent she her sett, [Desonell sits by Torrent.] There of they had envye . . . . . . [ 2535] [2535 envye] wonder MS.]

(221)

Whan̄ eyther of hem other be-held, Off care no thyng they ffeld, [f. 117b.] Bothe her hertes were blithe. Gret lordys told she sone, [She tells the Lords how her] What poyntes he had for her done, [ 2540] They be-gan to be blithe; [ 2641] And how her fader in the see did her do, [Father sent her and her 2 Boys to sea;] [2542 fader] om. MS.] With her she had men̄ childre two; They waried hym̄ fełł sithe. 'Sir kyng, in this wildernes, [ 2545] My two children̄ fro me revid wes, [2546 was MS.] I may no lenger hem̄ hide.

(222)

The knyght yaue me rynges two, Euerich of hem̄ had one of thoo, Better saw I never none. [ 2550] A Gryffon̄ bare the one away, [ 2651] [and how one was carried off by a Griffin, and the other by a Leopard.] A liberd the other, parmaffay, Down̄ by a Roche of stone.' Than̄ said the kyng of Ierusalem̄: 'I ffound one by a water streme, [ 2555] He levith with blood & bone.' [2556. levith] yet add. MS.] The kyng of Grece said: 'My brother, [Leobertus and Antony are these boys.] Antony my son̄ brought me anoþure.' She saith: 'Soth, be seynt Iohn̄?'

(223)

The kyng said: 'Sith it is so, [ 2560] Kys ye youre fader bo, [ 2661] [2561. bothe MS.] And axe hym̄ his blessyng!' Down̄ they knelid on̄ her knee: [Torrent's 2 Sons kneel and ask his blessing.] 'Thy blessing, ffader, for charite!' 'Welcom̄, children̄ ying!' [ 2565] [2565 yong MS.] Thus in armes he hem̄ hent, A blither man̄ than̄ sir Torent Was there none levyng; [f. 118a.] It was no wonder, thouȝe it so were; [He rejoices in them and their Mother,] He had his wiffe and his children̄ there, [ 2570] His joye be-gan̄ to spryng. [ 2671]

(224)

Of ałł the justis, that were thare, A way the gre his sonnys bare, That doughty were in dede. Torent knelid vppon̄ his knee [ 2575] [and thanks the Kings for taking care of them.] And said: 'God yeld you, lordys ffree, Thes children̄ that ye haue ffed: Euer we wiłł be at youre wiłł, What jurney ye wiłł put vs tyłł, So Iesu be oure spede, [ 2580] With that the kyng thre [ 2681] [He asks the Kings to Portugal.] In to my lond wiłł wend with me, For to wreke oure stede.'

(225)

They graunted that there was, [All agree to go.] Gret lordys more and lesse, [ 2585] Bothe knyght and squiere; And with Desonełł went Al the ladyes, that were gent, That of valew were.

Shippis had they stiff and strong, [ 2590] Maistis gret and sayles long, [ 2691] Hend, as ye may here, And markyd in to Portingale, [Their ships arrive at Portugal.] Whan̄ they had pullid vp her sayłł, With a wynd so clere. [ 2595]

(226)

The riche quene of that lond In her castełł toure gan stond And be-held in̄-to the see. 'Sone,' she said to a knyght, 'Yonder of shippis I haue a sight, [f. 118b.] [ 2600] For sothe, a grett meyne.' [ 2701] The quene said: 'Verament, [The Queen] I se the armes of sir Torent, I wott wełł, it is he.' He answerid and said tho: [ 2605] 'Madam, I wiłł, that it be so, God gefe grace, that it so be!' [2605-7 put before 2602-4 MS.]

(227)

A blither lady myȝt none be, [welcomes] She went ageyn hym̄ to the see With armed knyghtes kene. [ 2610] Torent she toke by the hond: [ 2711] [Torrent and his friends,] 'Lordys of vncouth lond, Welcom muste ye bene!' Whan she sye Desonełł, [and swoons when she sees her daughter Desonell.] Swith in̄ sownyng she fełł [ 2615] To the ground so grene. [2616. grene] kene MS.] Torent gan̄ her vp ta: 'Here bene her children̄ twa, On lyve thou shalt hem seene!' [2619. see MS.]

(228)

In the Castełł of Portyngale [ 2620] A-Rose trumpes of hede vale, [ 2721] [2621. of] om. MS.] To mete they went on̄ hye. He sent letters ffar and nere; [Torrent holds a great feast,] The lordys, that of valew were, They come to that gestonye. [ 2625] The Emperoure of Rome, To that gestonye he come, A noble knyght on̄ hyȝe. Whan̄ ałł thes lordys com were, [2629. ware MS.] Torrent weddid that lady clere, [ 2630] [and weds Desonell.] A justyng did he crye. [ 2731]

(229)

So it ffełł vppon a day, [f. 119a.] The kyng of Ierusalem̄ gan say: 'Sir, thy sonne I ffound Lying in a libertes mouth, [ 2635] And no good he ne couth, Dede he was nere hond: Wold thou, that he dwellid with me, Tiłł that I dede be, And sith reioyse my lond?' . . . . . . [ 2640]

(230)

Be fore lordys of gret renown̄, [ 2741] [He gives his son Leobertus as heir to the King of Jerusalem;] Torent gaue hym̄ his son̄ . . . . . . . . The kyng of Grece said: 'Sir knyght, I yeff thy son ałł my right To the Grekys flood: [ 2645] [and his son Antony as heir to the King of Greece.] [2645. flood] I plight add. MS.] Wouch thou saue, he dwełł with me?' 'Yea, Lord, so mut I thee, God yeld you ałł this good!'

For sir Torent was stiff in stoure, They chose hym ffor Emperoure, [ 2650] [Torrent is elected Emperor.] Beste of bone and blood. [ 2751]

(231)

Gret lordys, that there were, Fourty days dwellith there, And sith they yode her way; [2654. And sith her way they yode MS.] He yaue his sonnys, as ye may here, [ 2655] [Torrent gives his 2 Sons a Sword each.] Two swerdys, that were hym̄ dere, Ech of hem̄ one had they. Sith he did make vp-tyed Chirchus and abbeys wyde, For hym̄ and his to praye. [ 2660] In Rome this Romans berith the crown̄ [ 2761] Of ałł kerpyng of Renown̄: He leyth in a feire abbey. [He lies in a fair Abbey.] [2663. leyth] in Rome add. MS.]

(232)

Now Iesu Cryst, that ałł hath wrought, As he on the Rode vs bought, [f. 119b.] [ 2665] He geve hvs his blessing, And as he died for you and me, [May Christ grant us Heaven!] He graunt vs in blis to be, Lesse and mare, both old and ying! [2669. Oute of this world whan̄ we shalle wend MS.]

Amen.

Explicit Torent of Portyngale.