Arthour and Merlin, nach der Auchinleck-hs. Nebst zwei beilagen / hrsg. von Eugen Kölbing.

Of Arthour & of Merlin. [f. 201 b.]

Jesu Crist, heuen king, Al ous graunt gode ending, & seynt Marie, þat swete þing, So be at our bigining & help ous at our nede, [ 5] & leue ous, wele to spede, [6) leue] e ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Þat we habbeþ euer to don, & scheld ous fram our fon! Childer, þat ben to boke ysett, In age hem is miche þe bett, [ 10] For þai mo witen & se Miche of godes priuete, Hem to kepe & to ware Fram sinne & fram warldes care, & wele ysen, ȝif þai willen, [ 15] Þat hem no þarf neuer spillen; Auauntages þai hauen þare, Freynsch & Latin euer ay whare. Of Freynsch no Latin nil y tel more, [19) Freynsch] y aus n corr.] Ac on Inglisch ichil tel þer fore; [ 20] [20) Inglisch]. g verklext, n fehlt.] Riȝt is, þat Inglische vnderstond, [21) Iglische ms.] Þat was born in Inglond; [Die überschrift z. th. überklebt.]

Freynsche vse þis gentilman, Ac euerich Inglische Inglische can; Mani noble ich haue yseiȝe, [ 25] [25) yseiȝe] ei ganz verklext.] Þat no Freynsche couþe seye: Biginne ichil for her loue, Bi Iesus leue, þat sitt aboue, On Inglische tel mi tale: God ous sende soule hale! [ 30]

Now ich ȝou telle þis romaunce: A king hiȝt while sir Costaunce, Þat regned in Inglond, [f. 201c.] [33) Inglond] ond halb ver∣klebt.] Mani . . . . . . . . . . . H . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 35] O . . . . . . . . . . . . . H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 40] Þ . . . . . . . . . . . . . N . . . . . . . . . . . . .

H . . . . . . . . . . Costaunce . . . . . . . . [34-44) Das fehlende stand auf der rückseite des heraus∣geschnittenen bildes.] Þat oþer broþer name was [ 45] Sir Aurilisbrosias, Þe þridde broþer of gret renoun Was cleped Vter Pendragoun, [48) Pendradoun ms.] Ac þe eldest sone, Costentine, [49) þe] danach zwei buchst. ausradirt.] Was noble clerk & wise afine; [ 50] He loued god & holy chirche, & holy werkes forto wirche, For þi he bisouȝt his fader dere,

Þat him graunted his prayer, Þat he most monke be [ 55] At Vinchester, in þat gode cite, & maki Brosias, his broþer, Or Pendragoun king, & no noþer. Þe king was loþ graunti þer tille, Ac noþeles, to ȝain his owen wille, [ 60] At Winchester he was monke ymade, Wiþ outen his fader, þe kinges, rade.

Sone after, as ich finde in boke, A gret sikenes þe king him toke, Þat out of þis warld he most wende; [ 65] After his barouns he gan sende, & when þai were ycomen ichon, Þe king seyd to hem anon: "Lordinges," he seyd, "lesse & mare. Out of þis warld y most fare; [ 70] Þer fore y pray, for loue o me, For godes loue & for charite, When ich am dede & roten in clay, Helpeþ mi childer þat ȝe may, & takeþ Costaunt, mi neldest sone, [ 75] & ȝif him boþe ring & crone, & holdeþ him for ȝour lord euer mo!" [f. 201d.] Al þay graunt, it schuld be so.

Þan hadde þis king, as ȝe may here, A steward, þat hiȝt Fortiger; [ 80] Strong he was & wiȝt, ywis, Fals & ful of couaitise; Þe king he hadde yserued long, & for he was so wiȝt & strong, In him was al his trust at nede, [ 85] & ȝaue him boþe lond & lede, To help his childer after his day, & oftsiþes he gan him pray, To goruerny hem wiþ al his miȝt; His treuþe he dede him forto pliȝt. [ 90] & when þe king hadde his liif forlore,

Sone þat traitour was forswore & wiþ gret tresoun brak his treuþe & dede hem wrong, & þat was reuþe.

Out of þis world þe king went [ 95] & was ybiried, verrament; At Winchester, wiþ outen les, Þer þat king bigrauen wes.

Erls & barouns euerichon Token hem to red anon [ 100] Wiþ outen ani more duelling, & made Costaunce her king, [102) Cost.] danach biforþ, durchgestr. her] mit späterer hand und dunklerer tinte ü. d. z. nachgetr.] & for þat he was monke þore, King Moyne men cleped him euer more. Ac þe steward, sir Fortiger, [ 105] Was wel wroþ in his maner & wiþ al his miȝt was þer oȝain, As fer forþ, as he durst sayn.

King Angys sone herd it telle; He gadred him folk wel felle [ 110] Of Danmark & of Sessoyne, Forto wer oȝaines Moyne; He filled ful mani dromouns Of kinges, erls & barouns; Vp þai sett sail & mast [ 115] & in to Inglond com an hast; Ac Inglond was yhoten þo Michel Breteyne, wiþ outen no. Þe Bretouns, þat beþ Inglisse nov, Herd telle, when he com & hou, [ 120] [120) &] mit dunklerer tinte ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Þat Angys bi water brouȝt. [f. 202a.] Þe king Fortiger bisouȝt, He schuld afong his pouwer & be steward, as he was er,

& help him bi day & niȝt, [ 125] Oȝain his fomen forto fiȝt. He it forsoke & seyd, he nold, Noiþer for siluer no for gold, & feined him, þat he no miȝt At batayle com, forto fiȝt, [ 130] & al he it dede for traisoun: King to be was his achesoun.

Angys was riued wiþ mani a man, King Moyne went him oȝan; Þo he come þider, wiþ outen faile, [ 135] Sone was smiten þe batayle; Þer was broken spere & scheld & mani a kniȝt of hors yfeld; Ac our men & king Moyne Were ouercomen, wiþ outen asoine; [ 140] To Wincherster þai flowen þo Wiþ mani siȝhing & walewo, Þat swiche a sleiȝster wiþ hond Was fallen in to Inglond. Þer was mani kniȝt yslawe [ 145] & mani swain ybrouȝt of dawe; Angis tok in a þrowe Mani castels & tounes arowe & put þer in his men, For to stonden our oȝen, [ 150] & sent after eld & ȝing, For to help in his fiȝting.

Þo were fel kinges in lond, Þat Costaunce wan vnder his hond; Mani of hem so weren þare, [ 155] Of þat descomfite hadden care, & oft Iesu Crist hye bisouȝt, He schuld hem help, as he hem bouȝt, & hem bring out of her care, After þat þai worþi ware. [ 160]

On a day, as y ȝou telle, [161) On] n später nachgetr.] Our princes speken wordes felle & seyd, þat her king Nas bot a breþeling; Ȝif Fortiger her prince ware, [f. 202b.] [ 165] "No hadde we nouȝt hadde so miche care!" Þai hadden leuer þan ani þing, Þat he were chosen to her king; In her witt þai vnderstode, Þat it were so in his mode, [ 170] [170) his] i corr. aus e.] Her king to ben him selue; To him þer fore þai sent tvelue, Wisest þai chosen of þat lond, Þat schuld wele his hert fond, Why he nold wiþ hem come, [ 175] So he tofore was ywone.

Þis tvelue to him come, So þe conseil was ynome, Wiþ grete honour & him gret, & he hem badde bi him site; [ 180] What he desired forto ben, Bi his answere þai schuld ysen. He asked hem, wat was her wille, & þai him seyd tidinges ille: [184) þai] mit dunklere tinte später ü. d. z. nachgetr. him] mit dunklerer tinte aus e corr.] Angys hem hadde ouercome [ 185] & michel of her lond binome, & mani barouns & kniȝt yslawe, & her kin brouȝt of dawe: Þer fore þe conseyl of þe lond Bad, he schuld don to his hond. [ 190] [190) to] om. ms.] Þis ich wo amende raþe, Þat þai no hadde no more scaþe.

Þo bispak him Fortiger: "Gode kniȝt, hardi & pautener,

Y nam noiþer ȝour douke no king: [ 195] Whi aske ȝe me conseiling? King Costauns y was to swore, Euer y was ȝou þo tofore & wered ȝou wiþ mi power, Wide & side, fer & ner: [ 200] Wiþ me nis it nouȝt nov so, Þer fore to ȝour king ȝe go, Biseche him, he ȝou socour, & ȝe wil him þan honour!"

Þan bispac to him a baroun: [ 205] "Sir, our king is bot a coujoun; Þo he seiȝe swerdes drawe, To fle sone he was wel fawe: He no can conseil to no gode; [f. 202c.] He is so adrad, he is neiȝe wode. [ 210] Whiles þou were in our þrome, No were we neuer ouercome; Þat we forlorn at þis asaut, [213) forlorn] das zweite r ü. d. z. geschr.] Al we wite it þi defaut: So siggeþ al our pers!" [ 215] "I leue wele," quaþ Fortigers, "Nil ich me noþing auentour, To purchas a fole gret honour; Ȝif Moyne, ȝour king, ded ware, Ich wald ȝou help out of care!" [ 220] "Sir," þai seyd to him þo, "Wiltow, þat we Moyne slo?"

"Nay, ac goþ fro me bliue! While ich wot, he is oliue, Conseyl worþ ȝou of me non!" [ 225] Þe barouns þennes gan gon, To take her king, þai wenten alle & founden king Moyne in his halle, Þer he sat at his mete; On him þai schoten wiþ gret hete [ 230]

& smiten of his heued wiþ a sword, Er þai spoken ani word, & who so struted oȝainward, Anon þai ȝauen hem dintes hard. [234) hem] him, i unterpunktet und e übergeschr.] Out atte þe dore þai flowen anon [ 235] & ascaped euerichon. Þer fore was contek & striif, & mani it abouȝt wiþ þe liif; Ac seþþen þe king yslawe was & opon hem fallen swiche a cas, [ 240] A king þai mosten haue swiþe, Al her sorwe for to liþe, & þat he miȝt hem were þan Oȝain Angys, þat douhti man.

& þan Vter Pendragon [ 245] Armes miȝt bere non, No Aurilisbrosias, is broþer, Þan þai most chese anoþer; Where þurch, þai seyd, in þat nede, Wele no miȝt þai nouȝt spede, [ 250] Bot ȝiue þai wold Fortiger Chese to her king þere; Nouȝt fele nar þer oȝen, [f. 202d.] Ac seyden, þat it most ben; What for loue, what for ay, [ 255] Non no durst oȝain say; Ac þer þai chosen, old & ȝing, Fortiger, to ben her king.

Mirie time is Auerille, Þan scheweth michel of our wille; [ 260] In feld & mede floures springeþ, In grene wode foules singeþ; Ȝong man wereþ jolif, & þan proudeþ man & wiif.

Þe barouns com to Fortiger [ 265] & gretten him wiþ glad cher & seyd, þat her solas Þurch wicked men ylorn was, Þat was Moyne, her king; & his breþer were to ȝing: [ 270] "& for we ȝou witeþ wiȝt & trest, Of al men ȝe mowen best Vs kepen oȝain our fon, So ȝe han er þis ydon; We haue ȝou chosen our king [ 275] & ȝouen ȝou boþe croun & ring: Þe heiȝe siggeþ & þe lowe also, It miȝt no better ben ydo!"

"Now gramerci!" quaþ Fortiger [279) Mow ms.] & was made king, wiþouten daunger. [ 280] Ac at his coronument To barouns þer weren gent, Þat þis tresoun vnderstode, & sore hem rewe þe kinges blod, Þat it schuld be spilt so, [ 285] & tok rede bi tvixen hem to, Þe to childer ouer þe se bring, & went hem forþ, wiþ outen lesing; Noman wist of her conseyle, Bot þai al on, wiþ outen faile. [ 290]

Þe king held fest noble & gent & afterward his parlement, In wiche parlement he hete, Men schuld him bring þe children skete. Þai were souȝt, & founde hem nouȝt; [ 295] Þo he held him iuel bicouȝt; Þo Fortiger it vnderstode, [f. 203a.] [297) it] ü. d. z. nachgetr.] For wreþe he wex neiȝe wode; It was no wonder, for soþe to say, For þai dede him after gret tray. [ 300]

Fortiger al þis forlete, Princes, doukes, al so skete, Fre & bond, swain & kniȝt, Alle graiþed hem to fiȝt, Þat þai miȝten flemen Angys [ 305] & al her dedlich enemis. So þai deden, wiþ outen no, & were al redi, forþ to go Oȝaines her foman Angys, Sum on gode hors of priis, [ 310] Sum on palfray & on stede & sum on fot, ful gode at nede, Wiþ arwe & bowe & alblast, Her fomen forto agast.

Þai wenten forþ & met Angys [ 315] Wiþ mani Sarrazin of priis. Þer was mani arwe yschote & mani quarel þurch þe þrote, Schaft tobroken & cleued scheld, Mani a kniȝt feld in þe feld, [ 320] Helme tobroken, hauberk torent, Mani noble hors yschent. Ac our men þer dede ful wel Wiþ broun swerd of grounden stiel: Mani a riche Sarrazin [ 325] Þai brouȝten in to helle pin.

Angys seiȝe his del þe wors & gan to fle wel swiþe on hors To a castel wel strong about, [329) wel] w corr. aus t.] Where was michel of his rout. [ 330] Þo, þat he left bihinden him, Hadde chaunce hard & grim; No halp hem noiþer pes no crie, No fiȝting no criing merci. Al men maden her acord [ 335] Wiþ axes, speres, kniif & sword.

Al, þat were bihinde yfounde, Anon þai were leyd to grounde; No miȝt þer askape neuer on, Þat he nas to deþ ydon. [ 340] Þus our folk hadden þe priis [f. 203b.] & went þo, to bisege Angys. Þo þai hadde him long bilay, Angys sent hem þan to say, Ȝif he in pays wende most, [ 345] He wold taken al his ost & leden hem to his cuntraye & neuer eft don hem traye. Fortiger bi his conseyle Lete hem wende hole & hayle; [ 350] Ac ferst þai sworen him an oþ, [351) anoþ ms.] Þai schuld him neuer waite loþ. Þus þai wenten to þe strond [353) strond] r ü. d. z. geschr.] & ferden ouer to her lond.

Fortiger & his ost [ 355] Oȝain com wiþ gret bost & held fest mani a day Of gret delite & noble play. When þis fest was don & held, Þe .xii. traitours, þat y of teld, [ 360] Þat hadde yslawe Moyne, þe king, Biþouȝt hem of a selcouþe þing: Þai wold go to Fortiger & asken him her lower Of þe king, þat was yslawe [ 365] Wiþ tresoun, oȝain þe lawe, & seyden: "King, þou art aboue, Þenke, what we dede for þi loue: We slouȝ our lord kende; Nov be sen, ȝif þou art hende! [ 370] Þurch ous þou art in þi power: Ȝif ous now our lower!"

Þan bispac him Fortiger Anon to hem wiþ loureand chere: "Bi þe lower, þat god made, [ 375] [375) þe] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Ȝe schul haue þat ȝe bade: So ich euer mot ythe, So no schul ȝe nouȝt serue me; For ȝe han ȝour lord yslawe, Ȝe schul ben honged & todrawe!" [ 380] He dede feche hors wel sket & teyed hem to her fet & dede hem drawe on þe pauement [383) on þe p.] auf rasur geschr.] & hong hem after, verrament. Mani kniȝt & baroun hende [ 385] [f. 203c.] Seiȝen þis of her kende, Opon þe king þai ourn anon As his dedliche fon; Ac bitven hem stode his men Stedfastliche oȝaines hem. [ 390] Þer was mani heued ofhitt, Þer was mani þrote ykitt, Mani hert forles his blod & mani þe bal vp in þe hod. Vnneþe þat ich day [ 395] Þe king ascaped oway.

Þe barouns went þat ich niȝt Toward her frendes ful riȝt & her gref anon hem teld, Hou Fortiger her king aqueld [ 400] Þurch tresoun, þat þai hadde yspeken; Of him þai wald ben awreken; Ich his frendes so bisouȝt, Þat opon Fortiger þai brouȝt Mani erl, baroun & kniȝt, [ 405] Hardy & kene forto fiȝt. Þai fouȝten wiþ Fortiger Mani moneþ & mani a ȝere,

Wher þurch mani a leuedi fre Her lord les & fair meyne. [ 410]

Fortiger nam gode coure, Þat he no miȝt oȝain hem doure, [412) doure] d corr. aus t.] For þai wexen mo & mo, & his men lassed al way þo. Letters he made to Angys, þe welp, [ 415] & bad, he schuld cum, him to help Oȝaines his men, þat wald him sle, & he schuld haue half his fe. [418) his] i mit dunklerer tinte aufgefrischt, s. ü. d. z. geschr.] Angys þer of was bliþe, His message he dede swiþe. [ 420] Mani þousand he tok wiþ him, Þat were boþe stout & grim, & comen ouer to Fortiger, & he hem welcomed wiþ glad chere; Of his couenaunt he was biknawe [ 425] & made Angys half felawe, Þat he hadde or haue miȝt, Wiþ þat he schuld him help in fiȝt Oȝaines his men, & help him were, [f. 203d.] Þat were abouten, him to dere. [ 430] Þis couenaunt was made stedfast, & hem grayþed sone on hast, To batayle forto wende; For þe barouns were hende Bi Salesbiri biside a lite [ 435] Al redi, bataile to smite & abiden her fomen, Þat þider comen hem oȝen. Þer was sone leyd adoun Mani wel briȝt gonfaynoun, [ 440] Þe schaftes tobroken & cloþ torent & mani a gret lording yschent. Mani kniȝt oþer slouȝ, Mani hors her guttes drouȝ.

Ich ȝou sigge riȝt treuþe: [ 445] Non of oþer hadde reuþe; Swerdes on helmes gan driue, Mani schaft þer gan riue, Mani hauberk was torent & mani þurch þe bodi schent. [ 450] Þer was slawe & brouȝt to grounde Mani man in litel stounde; A boþe half lay mani on, Þe heued fro þe nek bon; Wombe & side þurch out dast [ 455] Wiþ launce, quarel & alblast, Þat mani leuedi & damisele Biwepe it seþþen wit teres fele. Ac Fortiger hade euer four Oȝain on, for soþe, of our; [ 460] For whi þe barouns no miȝt Wiþstond in þat fiȝt, Ac gun fle wel fast þenne, Sum ouer se to her kenne, Sum for gret ayȝe & dout [ 465] To oþer kinges flowen about. Al so we finden in þe bok, Al þat Fortiger atok, He let todrawe & anhong, Were it wiþ riȝt oþer wiþ wrong. [ 470] Þe oþer he devoided alle Of lond & tour, castel & halle, & bi conseyl of Angys [f. 204a.] Ȝaue it to Sarrazins of pris. Þer was loue of hert cler [ 475] Bitven Angys & Fortiger; Angys hadde, verrament, A douhter, boþe fair & gent, Ac sche was heþen Sarrazin; & Fortiger for loue fin [ 480] Hir tok to fere & to wiue & was curssed in al his liue, For he lete cristen wedde haþen & meynt our blod, as flesche & matþen.

Mani þousand was swiche in weddeloc, [ 485] As we finde writen in bok; Þer was wel neiȝe al þis lond To þe deuel gon an hond. Festes he made gret & fele, & hadden al warldes wele [ 490] & held no better lawe, Þan þe hounde wiþ his felawe. Þis last wel fel ȝere. On a day sat Fortiger & biþouȝt him of þe children to, [ 495] Þat ouer see weren ygo, & of mani noble he nam ȝeme, Þat he hadde yboden flem. Of afterclap he hadde care, Þat he schuld forfare. [ 500]

He hete chese carpenters Ouer al in his powers & masouns, þat þai no lete, To him þai schuld comen sket. His hest was sone ydon: [ 505] Þousandes þer were anon Wiþ her tole swiþe prest, For to do þe kinges hest. Þe king hem gan fair to calle, & þus he seyd to hem alle: [ 510]

"Listneþ now, heiȝe & lawe, & vnderstond to mi sawe! In mi witt ich haue yþouȝt, Ichil a castel han ywrouȝt Of wode & lime, morter & ston, [ 515] Þat swiche be in þis world non, Þat, ȝif me comeþ ani nede, [f. 204b.] Ich may me þere were & hede Fro min fon, þat aires hem claim; At Salesbiri, opon þe plain, [ 520]

Þat ȝe schul yfond To maken wiþ ȝour hond! [522) maken] danach hī, ausgestr.] Loke, þat tre & ston be riche, [523) tre] danach drei buchst. ausrad.] Þe tour largge & depe þe diche! Mi deuise ich haue ysade: [ 525] Now heiȝeþ ȝou, þat it war made, [526) ȝou] aus ȝen corr.] & ȝe schullen haue hire, Al þat ȝe wil desire!"

Þis werkemen þider went þo, Þre þousand þer were & mo, [ 530] Hewen schides & coruen ston & laiden foundement anon; Sum rammed & doluen snel [533) snel] auf rasur geschr.] & gun þat castel fair & wel. Þat folk was boþe swift & sleiȝe, [ 535] Þat werk was arered brest-heiȝe Þat ich day alle aboute, So it is writen in þe Brout, & wenten hom, þo it was niȝt, So it is werkmennes riȝt, [ 540] & comen al oȝain amorwe & seiȝen þing of gret sorwe:

Foundement & werk Þai founde [543) Foundemement ms.] Ligge vp so & doun op þe grounde; [544) so] ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Sprad it was al abrod; [ 545] For wonder þai were neiȝe wode, [546) wode] d aus t corr.] Ac her werk þai bigonne, So long so þai seiȝen þe sonne, & als wele spedden, par ma fay, So þai deden þat oþer day. [ 550] Ac þo þai come þider eft, Her werk was al vp aleft & yschatred here & þere. Þus it ferd wele half a ȝer:

Al þat euer þai wrouȝt o day, [ 555] Amorwe it ouerþrowe lay. Þe king herd telle þis & gret wonder hadde, ywis; He dede aspie bi day & niȝt, What þing hem lett miȝt; [ 560] Ac wite no miȝt lewed no clerk, [f. 204c.] What þing felled her werk. [562) þing] g corr. aus?]

Fortiger sat in his halle Among his kniȝtes & barouns alle; He bat his fest & his elbowe [ 565] & seyd to hem wiþ michel howe, Wretþefulliche þere he hete, Clerkes biforn him bring skete, Þe best, þat were in þis lond. Sone was don þe kinges sond; [ 570] Mani clerk was ful wide ysouȝt & biforn him sone ybrouȝt; Hem he aposed, on & alle, Whi his werk was so yfalle; Her non no couþe him telle. [ 575] Þe king swore, he wold hem quelle, Bot ȝif þai wold him telle an hond, Whi þat his werk miȝt nouȝt stond.

Ten þer were of hem ynome, Wisest clerkes of þe þrome, [ 580] & in o chaumber ydo, Þat no man most hem com to For þe hest of þe king, Bot vnneþe her mete bring; Astronomiens þese weren, [ 585] [585) Astromiens ms.] Wiser neuer non neren. Þai were .ix. days bischet, Ac ȝete þai couþe litel þe bet; Bot ich ȝou sigge, verrament, [589) verr.] ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Þai seyȝen in þe firmament, [ 590]

A child in erþe biȝeten wes Wiþ outen ani mannes fles. [592) flesches ms.]

& þo þai com þe king bifore, Þai seyd, a child on erþe was bore Wiþ outen mannes biȝeteing, [ 595] Þat wist wel neiȝe al þing: "Do him sle wel sodanliche, Þe blod to þe is tresore riche; Were ȝour werk ysmerd þer wiþ, Euer it wold stond in griþ!" [ 600] Þe king was of þis tale bliþe & dede priueliche .xii. swiþe, Þat were departed, þre & þre, To wende about, þat childe to sle; Ȝiue þai him ouwher finde miȝt, [ 605] [f. 204d.] [605) our ms.] Þai no schuld lete for wrong no riȝt, Þat þai schuld sodeinliche Smite of his heued hastiliche & no word no speke him to: Þus bad him þis clerkes do, [ 610] For þai wende, it were to her lere, Ȝif þat child ȝeue answere. Þis men on þe kinges sond Went a four half Inglond, Þre & þre bi four way, [ 615] Þat child to finde, y ȝou say. Þis clerkes, of whom ich told, Wiþ þe king weren atheld, For to wite, ȝif it soþe were, Þat þai hadde him seyd þere: [ 620] Ȝif he founde wiþ hem lesing, Her liif were at þe ending. [622) mit verweisungs∣zeichen unten auf der seite nachgetr.] Lete we þis clerkes bihinde; [623) clerk ms.] Þis .xii. went, þe child to finde; & are ich telle more ȝou [ 625] Of þis romaunce, y wil now,

Þat ȝe vnderstond & wite, Hou þis child was biȝete On swiche maner, & what he hete; Now y pray ȝou listen skete! [ 630]

He, þat was & is & ay schal ben, Chese him here a swete quen, In whom he nam flesche & blod, [633) blod] bld ms.] Wiþ wiche he bouȝt ous on þe rode, Whare þurch we ben to heuen ycorn [ 635] & þe deuel his miȝt forlorn: Blisced be he in euerich song & Mari, of whom he sprong!

Listneþ wele to mi steuen: Þe deuels, þat fel out of heuen [ 640] Wiþ her pride Lucifer, Sum fel to helle fer, Sum in water, sum in lond, Sum in þe aire gan wiþstond; Al fort our driȝt seyd: 'ho!', [ 645] So þai bileued euer mo; [646) So] verklext und unsicher.] &, for soþe, þai han power, Man to dere þere & here. Y nil ȝou telle her priuete, [f. 205a.] Bot þat longeþ now to me: [ 650] Þe deuelen, þat houen abouen ous, Euer be luxsorius & oþer while makeþ hem body Of þe aire, wel gent and rody, & hauen miȝt & power, [ 655] Doun to liȝt & derien her Al þo, þat nillen wirche Godes comandment in chirche, Ac whilom more þan now, For þurch þe miȝt of swete Jesu [ 660]

Mani of hem yfelled is, Al hou, y no may nouȝt tellen, ywis, Mi matery wer to long & þe tale to ȝou wel strong. As þe deuelen, of whom y said, [ 665] [665) Ac ms.] Seiȝe, hou Jesu of a maide þurch his milce was ybore & bouȝt al, þat was forlore, Þer to þai hadden gret ond & sayd, þat þai wolden fond, [ 670] To ligge bi a maidekin [671) maiden kin ms.] & biȝeten a child her in: Swiche schuld acomber also fele, So þat oþer had brouȝt to wele.

Bi þat day was a riche man, [ 675] Þat hadde to wiue a fair wiman, Bi whom he hadde a sone fre & wel fair douhtren þre. A forseyd deuel liȝt adoun & of þat wiif made a couioun, [ 680] To don alle his volunte, Whar þurch in her he had entre [682) hem ms.] & brouȝt her in chideing & fiȝt [683) hem ms.] & made her oft wroþ, y pliȝt, [684) hem ms.] So þat on an euen late [ 685] [685) aneuen ms.] Þe deuel sche tauȝt hir biȝate; Þat ich niȝt þe deuel com & strangled hir owhen grom. Þe wiif hir sone seiȝe ded amorwe, Anon sche heng hir self for sorwe. [ 690] Þo þat þe bounde yseiȝe þis, Anon he starf for diol, ywis. Lo, what wo & diol & dere [f. 205b.] Dede wretþe & foule answere! Al þe men, ich ȝou say, [ 695] Þat woned in þat cuntray,

Here of hadden gret pite, Boþe vp lond & in cite, For þat man & eke his wiif Were yholden of gode liif. [ 700] Biside þer woned an ermite, Þat þider com, þis to visite, [702) visite] nach s steht e, unterpunktet.] Blasy, ywis, his name was; Þo he seiȝe þis, he seyd: 'allas!' & seyd, it was, verrament, [ 705] Þe deuels foule encumbrement.

Þre douhtern he fonde oliue, & he hem dede ȝern schriue Of alle, þat he couþe enserche, Þurch þe lore of holy chirche, [ 710] & penaunce on hem layd, For þat þai hadde god ytrayd, & tauȝt hem, to serue god almiȝt; & þo he went hom ful riȝt. Þis fair maidens þre [ 715] Serued god wiþ hert fre, In grete drede & loue. Þe deuel, þat com fro aboue, He, þat was fram heuen yfalle, Of whom y spac tofor ȝou alle, [ 720]

Þo he nam lickenisse of man & com him to an old wiman & bihete hir ȝiftes & grete fe, To wende to þis sostren þre & þe heldest to bichaunte, [ 725] Ȝong mannes loue for to haunte. In þis lond was þo vsage, Who so dede wiþ man vtrage, Bot it were in wedloc, In þilke time men hem tok [ 730]

Wiþ iuggement, wiþ outen les, & al so quic doluen hes, Bot sche hir knewe for liȝt woman & comoun hore to alle men; Þan was it riȝt & lawe, [ 735] Þat sche no schuld ben yslawe.

Þis eld wiif—þat iuel sche þe!— [f. 205c.] Com to þis sostren þre & made wailing & michel fare For þis þre maidens care; [ 740] To þe eldest soster sche seyd: "Wolewo, mi swete maide, Þou hast fair fot & hond & gentil viis, bi godes sond, White hond & long arm: [ 745] Certes, it were michel harm, Bot þi bodi most asay, Wiþ som gentil ȝongman to play, Þat þe miȝt in þis cas Finde ioie & solas!" [ 750] [750) Finde] danach þe, unr.] Þe maiden seyd: "Ȝiue so dede ic, [751) ic] iche, he ausradirt.] Y schuld be doluen al so quic!"

"Nay, certes," quaþ þat eld quen, "Þou miȝt it do wiþ outen den Ȝer & oþer in þi bedde, [ 755] & þan þe wil þat ȝong man wedde!" Þurch þis quen, verrament, & þe fendes enticement Þe eldest soster, y ȝou say, A yongman lete wiþ hir play; [ 760] Ac þo hir liked alder best, Hir gamen com al to chest, For sche was nome & forþ ydrawe, & of hir dede sche was biknowe. Þurch juggement doluen sche was; [ 765] Mani man seyd: 'allas! allas!'

For her & for her elderlinges Men made gret diol & wepeinges.

Ȝete wald þe deuel ful of ond Þe midel soster a gile fond [ 770] & brouȝt hir vp a ȝong man, Wiche þat wowen hir bigan; Al his wille don him sche lete, & it was aperceiued skete. Sche was brouȝt bifor iustise. [ 775] Deþ to þoly in al wise; Sche seyd, sche was a liȝt woman & comoun hore to alle man. Of þat chaunce mani nam kepe & wiþ eiȝen sore wepe; [ 780] For ribaudye gret haras [f. 205d.] Tok folwe hir bod. Allas, [782) To ms.] Þat þe fende haþ swiche pouwer, To deri, þat god bouȝt so dere! Þe þridde soster was so wo, [ 785] Hir þouȝt, hir hert brast atvo: Hir moder was ded acurssedliche, & hir fader starf reuliche, & hir broþer yslawe al so, [789) broþer] mit jüngerer hand und dunk∣lerer tinte ü. d. z. nachgetr.] & hir soster quic doluen þo, [ 790] [790) quic] ü. d. z. geschr.] Hir oþer soster hore strong, Þat al harlotes ȝede among.

In wanhope sche fel neiȝe, Ac þurch godes help an heiȝe Sche hir biþouȝt of þermite, [ 795] Þat hem com to visite; To him sche went þo bliue & hir schrof of hir liue & alle þe chaunces teld al so, Þat hir kin were comen to. [ 800]

Þis hermite hadde wonder gret & hir tauȝt boþe & hete: "Haue euer Crist in mende & lete þe lores of þe fende!" Pride, wratþe & glotonie, [ 805] Niþe, sleuþe & lecherie, Couaitise & trecherie, Bacbiteing & envie, Swiche þinges he bad hir flen & gode & bonair for to ben; [ 810] Alle þe werkes, þat gode ware, To don, he hir tauȝt þare, & þat sche nere so michel ape, Þat sche hir laid doun to slape, Ar hir dore & hir fenester [ 815] Hadde yblisced, & ich ester Þus he tauȝt hir to done, & þo sche went hir hom sone. Þe deuel here of hadde ond, Hir to gile wold he fond [ 820] [820) Þat he hir, þat he durchgestr. ms. to] mit dunklerer tinte ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Þurch hir soster, ich ȝou telle, [821) his ms.] Þat was his in flesche & felle. Þis hore com opon a day To hir soster, par ma fay, & to hir soster sche gan sigge, [ 825] [f. 206a.] Þat sche it schuld dere abigge, Þat sche hadde hir hiritage, & ran to hir in gret rage Wiþ herlotes, þat wiþ hir ware, & sore bete þat wenche þare. [ 830] In to a chaumber sche ran hir þo & fast schett þe dore hir to. Out sche gradde, & neiȝebours come & driuen oway þis wreches sone.

Þis sely þing was alday wroþ, [ 835] Hir owen liif was hir loþ;

On hir bed, þo it was niȝt, Al ycloþed sche fel doun riȝt, & sche forȝat hir vnblisced, So þe hermite hir hadde ywissed; [ 840] For wretþe sche þouȝt of blisseing non & fel on slepe sone anon.

Þe fende her of was ful bliþe, To hir he com þan swiþe; Ouer alle hir chaumber in he miȝt, [ 845] For þer nas no merk of our driȝt. To þis maiden, sikerliche, He com þo & lay flescheliche. Þis maiden, sone þat hye awaked, Feld hir legges al naked [ 850] & feled al so bi her þi, Þat sche was yleyen bi; Sche ros & fond hir dore loke, & no þing no was tobroke; Sche þouȝt, it was þe foule wiȝt þo, [ 855] Sche was aferd, sche nist, wat to do, Hir selue sche bete & gan to tere Wiþ boþe honden hir ȝalu here & wepe al niȝt wiþ gret sorwe. To þermite sche went a morwe [ 860] & told him al þe cas; He was sori & seyd: 'allas': For sche no held nouȝt hir penance, Sche was fallen in encombraunce. "Allas, sir," sche seyd þo, [ 865] "Certes, sir, men wil me slo, Sone so þai it may wite, Þat on me is a child biȝete!" "Ich leue wele," quaþ he, "saunfaile, [f. 206b.] Ich haue of þi tale gret meruaile; [ 870] Siker, douhter, & y finde & se, Þat þou so wiþ child be, I schal þe help wiþ al mi miȝt! Til ich haue þer of a siȝt,

Go now hom, douhter min, [ 875] & haue Crist in hert þin, Do penaunce day & niȝt, Serue Jesu wiþ al þi miȝt: He may, ȝif his wille be, Out of anoye bring þe!" [ 880] Hom sche went wiþ dreri mod & serued god wiþ hert gode; & euerich day þat biȝete In hir wombe bigan to grete. Hir no gett it nouȝt to hide, [ 885] For hir wombe wex vnride; Þer sone after sche was ynome & yladde to hir dome; Sore miȝt hir agrise, Þo sche stode bifor þe iustise. [ 890]

Þermite herd tellen þis, [891) Þermite] mite auf rasur geschr.] & þider he com anon, ywis; Þe iustise him gan biþenche & þus aposed þat wenche: "O maiden, bi mi treuþe, [ 895] Of þe ich haue gret reuþe; Whi noldestow vnderstonde, Hou þi kin is brouȝt to schond & ben out of þis world ywent? & now þou hast þi seluen yschent, [ 900] Þat hast mannes flesche yknawe & vnderfong oȝaines þe lawe: Þis ich day þou schalt be slawe, For þat wil now þe lawe!"

"Certes, sir," sche seyd, "nay, [ 905] No dede ich neuer oȝain þe lay: Bi him, þat þoled ded on tre, Man no lay neuer bi me, No, bi his moder, seynt Marie, Mannes mouþe kist in vilanie!" [ 910]

"Ey," quaþ þe iustise, "swiche meruaile! Þou lext, damisel, saun faile; Þi tale soþe no miȝt be, [f. 206c.] Seþþen wiþ child y þe se!" "Certes," sche sayd, "wiþ child icham [ 915] Wiþ outen companie of man: So y slepe þis ender niȝt, Bi me lay a selcouþe wiȝt; Y nist neuer, wat is was, Ac now ich hold to godes gras; [ 920] Ac wele ich wot, bi þis day, Þat noman neuer bi me lay!"

Þe iustise swore bi seynt Albon, Swiche meruail herd he neuer non: "Þine tale ich no leue, [ 925] For, seþþen þat Adam was & Eue, Child biȝeten wiþ outen man Herd y neuer bot of an, Þat was Jesu, our driȝt, Þurch god þe fadres miȝt; [ 930] &, for þou seyst, wiþ child þou art & haddest neuer of man part, Ar ani man þe quic delue, [933) delue] e corr. aus?] Telle schul wiues tvelue, Ȝif ani child may be made [ 935] Wiþ outen knoweing of mannes sade!" Opon tvelve wiues it was ydo, & þai com & seyden þo, Þat neuer child biȝeten was, Bot Iesu þurch godes gras, [ 940] Wiþ outen mannes flesche, for soþ, & þer to þai sworen her oþ. Þo spac Blasy, þermite: "Iustise, listen me a lite: Hir tale no may sche avowe, [ 945] Vnder ous alle se we mowe;

Ich haue hir schriuen & tauȝt þe lawe: To me no was sche neuer biknawe, Þat ani man to hir cam, Þat euer knewe hir licham; [ 950] Þei sche haue serued, to be spilt, [951) spilt] i ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Þe child þer of haþ no gilt; It were gret vnriȝt, to to slon, [953) gret] danach re, unter∣punktet.] & reuþe, for þe gilt of on. Ac lete hir in ward don, [ 955] Sche schal her after child son; Tvo ȝer & an half þan sche mot [f. 206d.] Þe child loke, god it wot; When þe child can go & speke, Þan ȝe may ben of hir awreke!" [ 960] "A, min dieu," seyd the justise, "Þine tales ben gode & wise; [962) tales] s ü. d. z. geschr.] Þer after now wirche ichille: To day no schal hir noman spille!" In a tour þai han hir do, [ 965] Þat noman miȝt hir com to, Bot an eld midwiif, [967) aneld ms.] Þat schuld ȝemen hir liif. Þer in sche was don on hast & þer in bischet ful. fast; [ 970] Þilke tour was swiþe heiȝe, Noman miȝt comen hem neiȝe; A windowe was þer in & a cabel made bi gin, Forto drawen vp al þing, [ 975] Þat nede was to her libbeing. Sone to hir time come, Sche childed a selcouþe grome: So ich bi bok telle can, It hadde fourm after a man, [ 980] Bot it was blacker, [981) it] danach it, ausgestr.] Þan anoþer, & wel rower.

Þo þat child was ybore, Blasi stode þe hole bifore; Bi þe rope þai it adoun let, [ 985] & he it cristned al so sket; He clept it Merlin a godes name; Þe fende þer of hadde grame, For þai lese þer þe miȝt, Þat þai wende to haue bi riȝt. [ 990] Þo þat child ycristned was, Blasi turned oȝain his pas & in þe rope anon it knitt, Þe howe wiif anon it fett & ȝede & held it bi þe fer, [ 995] Biheld his face & eke his cher: "Away, þou foule þing, Þat þi moder swiche ending For þi sake haue schal, For þou art loþlich ouer al!" [ 1000] Þat child spac wiþ gret den: [f. 207a.] "Þou lext," he seyd, "þou eld quen: Mi moder quelle no may noman, While þat ich oliues am!" Þe wif agros of þis answere [ 1005] & seyd: "Haue þou no power, me to dere: Ich þe hals a godes name!" On þat maner seyd his dame & halsed him also þare, He schuld telle, wat he ware; [ 1010] Ac þei þai it hadde al yswore, Þai no miȝt do him speke nomore; & y ȝou telle anon, saunfayl, Þai hadden þer of gret meruail, & alle men, þat herden it, [ 1015] Wonder hadde in her wit.

Þer afterward ȝete half a ȝer His moder held him bi þe fer & swiþe bitter ters lete & seyd: "Allas, mi sone swete, [ 1020]

For þe misbiȝeten stren Quic y schal now doluen ben!" Þe child seyd: "Dame, nay, Ich þe swere, par ma fay, No schal þer neuer no iustise [ 1025] Þe bidelue o non wise No in erþe þi bodi reke, Þer whiles y may gon & speke!"

His moder wex a bliþe wiman; Fram þat ich day after þan [ 1030] [1030) þat] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] He teld hir, vnder sonne Al þat sche wald conne.

Þo þat child couþe go, Þe iustise com þider þo & dede feche þat wiman [ 1035] Bifor þe pople riȝt onan & swore, ded sche schuld ben Riȝt anon, bi heuen quen.

Þo bispac Merlin childe To þe iustise wordes milde: [ 1040] "Man, wele wot, þat ani gode kan, Oȝain chaunce no may no man; Þurch chaunce & eke þurch gras In hir, for soþe, pelt y was!" Þe iustise biheld þat childe; [ 1045] [f. 207b.] For Merlin he was neiȝe wilde & seyd, ydoluen most sche ben. Þo quaþ Merlin: "So mot y þen, For al þat euer kanestow do, Schaltow it neuer bring þer to, [ 1050] Þat þou mi moder delue mow; Bi resoun ichil wele avowe:

A fende it was, þat me biȝat & pelt me in an holy fat; He wende haue hadde an iuel fode, [ 1055] [1055) aniuel ms.] Ac al icham turned to gode; Ac þurch kende of hem y can bo, Telle of þing, þat is ago, & al þing, þat is now, Whi it is & what & how; [ 1060] Of oþer þing, þat is to come, Telle y can nouȝt al, ac some; Ich wot wele, who mi fader is, Ac þou no knowest nouȝt þine, ywis, Whar þurch y tel moder þine [ 1065] Digner, to be ded, þan moder mine!" [1066) Dingner, n unterpunktet.]

Hou noblelich þat child answerd, Wonder hadde, þat it herd, Þat so couþe speke & go & was bot of ȝeres tvo. [ 1070] Þe iustise seyd: "þou gabbest, couioun: Mi fader was an heiȝe baroun, Mi moder is a leuedi fre, Oliue ȝete þou miȝt hir se; Ich wene, bi þe quen Marie, [ 1075] Men dede neuer bi hir folie!"

Þe child seyd: "Justise, held þi mouþe, Oþer y schal make it wide couþe, Of hir folis mani on; Do hir after som man gon: [ 1080] Bot ȝif y do hir it ben aknawe, Wiþ wild hors do me todrawe!" Þe justise, anon raþe & skete His moder þider feche he hete; Bifor him sche com wel sone; [ 1085] Þe justise seyd mid ydone: "Say, Merlin, þat þou seydest arst. Bifor mi moder, ȝif þou darst!"

"Now ich ise, sir iustise, [f. 207c.] Þine ordinaunce no be nouȝt wise: [ 1090] Ȝif ich telt þis men bifore, Hou þou were biȝeten & bore, Þi moder most ydoluen be, & þat were alle þurch þe!" Þo þe iustise þis vnderstode, [ 1095] He þouȝt, þat child couþe gode; In to a chaumber sone anon Al þre þai gun to gon, & þe iustise seyd þo: "Child Merlin, forþ þou go: [ 1100] Telle now bitven ous þre, What man it was, þat biȝat me!" Þe child swore: "Bi seyn Symoun, It was þe persone of her toun, Haþ ypleyd wiþ þi dame [ 1105] & biȝat þe al a game!" Þat leuedy seyd: "Þou misbiȝeten þing, Þou hast ylowe a gret lesing: His fader was a fair baroun; Y telle þat man a couioun, [ 1110] Þat to þe ȝiueþ ani listening, For þou art a cursed þing, Misbiȝeten oȝaines þe lawe: Þou schust wiþ riȝt ben yslawe, Þat þou no leiȝe no lesinges mo, [ 1115] Men forto wirchen wo!" Þe child seyd: "Dame, be stille! [1117) be] vor und hinter diesem worte ist ein buchst. ausradirt.] Wiþ riȝt may me no man spille, For icham a ferly sond, Born to gode to al þis lond, [ 1120] Ac þou art digne, doluen to ben: Þi sone schal þe soþe ysen!

Þo þi lord com fro Cardoil, In hert þou haddest gret diol;

Bi niȝt it was, ar þe day, [ 1125] Þe persone in þine armes lay; On þi dore þi lord gan knoke, & þou stirtest vp in þi smoke, Wel neiȝe wode for dred & howe; Vp þou schotest a windowe, [ 1130] & þe persone þou out lete, & afterward þou schet it sket; &, for soþe, þat ich niȝt [f. 207d.] [1133) Þat] danach zwei buchst. ausradirt.] He biȝat þis ich kniȝt. Hou seistow, dame, seystow auȝt?" [ 1135] & sche no spac oȝain riȝt nauȝt, Ac so gretliche sche awondred was, Þat hir chaunged blod & fas. Þe justise seyd: "Dame, what seystow?" "Sir," he seyt, "soþe bi Crist Iesu, [ 1140] Þei ȝe me hong bi a cord, He no leiȝeþ neuer a word!" Þe justise þo hadde no game, Ac neiȝe wode he was for schame. Merlin him cleped to an herne [ 1145] & to him told tales derne: "Sir," he seyd, "listen to me: For soþe, ichil now tellen þe: Lete þi moder wende hom & sende þou after a litel grom, [ 1150] Þat hir cun wele aspie, For homward sche wil an heiȝe & to þe persone sone say, Hou ichaue hem boþe biwray! When þe persone haþ herd þis, [ 1155] Sore he worþ adrad, ywis, Of schameful deþ to haue of þe; To a brigge he wil fle, In to þe water scippe he wille, & so he schal him seluen spille. [ 1160] Bot it be soþ, þat y þe telle, Wiþ þine honden þou me aquelle!"

Þe iustise dede, saunfail, Al bi þat childes conseyl; He it aspide bi on hewe, [ 1165] Þe childes tale he fond al trewe; & seþþen he legged hir fore, Þe childes moder nas nouȝt forlore; & al quite he lete hir go, Wiþ outen pain, wiþ outen wo. [ 1170]

Seþþen Blasy, þermite, Merlin com to visite & halsed him a godes name, Þat wiþ outen harm & schame He schuld him telle al þe cas, [ 1175] Hou he euer biȝeten was. Merlin him teld ende & ord [f. 208a.] Of his biȝeteing, euery word, & seþþen seyd to Blasy after: "To kinges foure y worþ maister; [ 1180] Hem y mot ȝete alle rade, & þou schalt write her dade; Þou schalt write, þat y say, Mani man for to averray!" Þere he teld of mani a þing, [ 1185] Þat Blasi made of writeing, Bi was bok we vnderstond Al, þat Merlin wrouȝt in lond.

Þo Merlin was fif winter eld, He was michel, broun & beld; [ 1190] So we in boke finde conne, His moder he dede make a nonne, Þat Iesu Crist wiþ hert gent Serued ay wiþ gode entent.

On a day, as ich ȝou telle, [ 1195] Þo ich þre sechers snelle, Þat were ysent fram þe king, To hauen of þis child findeing,

Comen al þre bi cas In to þe toun, þer Merlin was. [ 1200] Merlin in þe strete þo pleyd, & on of his felawes him trayd, [1202) him] hit ms.?] Þat him seyd loude to: "Foule schrewe, fram ous go: Þou art al biȝeten amis, [ 1205] Þou nost, who þi fader is, Ac some deuel, as ich wene, Þe biȝat, ous euer to tene!"

Merlin seiȝe þis, & vnderstode, Þo þre it were, þat souȝt his blod, [ 1210] Þat þo riden þer forbi, Þat of þis child herden cri; He seiȝe, þat ich his hors wiþdrouȝ; Merlin schoke his heued & louȝ, He was of fiue winter eld, [ 1215] & he spac wordes swiþe beld: "Yuel þe bifalle, þou couioun, Þou hast yseyd to loude þi roun! Her comeþ þe kinges messanger, Þat haþ me souȝt al þis ȝer, [ 1220] For to han min hert blod, [f. 208b.] & it no may don hem no gode; Hast þai haue, me to slen, Ac bi þat þai me wiþ eiȝen sen, Þer to worþ hem no talent, [ 1225] & ȝif þai deden, þai weren schent!" Messangers to him gan terne, & he oȝaines hem fast gan erne, & on hem Merlin louȝ, for soþe, & seyd to hem: "Wel comeþ boþe! [ 1230] Now ȝe haue yfounden me, Þat ȝou was hoten forto sle, Ar ȝe wiþ me spak auȝt, Þus ȝo was bihoten & tauȝt,

Mi blod to haue to þat werk, [ 1235] Þat schuld be so strong & sterk: [1236) &] om. ms.] For mi blod no worþ it þe bet, Neuer more þe bet yset; Ichil proue, leiȝers þai beþ, Þat so bispoken mi deþ; [ 1240] Ac, certes, ȝiue ich were ded, Þe king no worþ þer of no red!"

"Seynt Marie," quaþ her on, "Swiche wonder haue we herd of non! Hou wostow, þat we it ben, [ 1245] Þat þe seche forto slen, & þe kinges priuete, So ȝong þou art? Telle it me!" Merlin seyd: "Wele y wot Þe kinges conseyl eueri grot, [ 1250] & al þat on erþe worþ ydo, & al þat schal be don þer to!" Þis men hadde wonder gret, Him to sle, it were vnnet. Þe child seyd: "Nouȝt me no sleþ, [ 1255] For y schal scheld ȝou fram þe deþ Bifor þe king, ich ȝou pliȝt, & telle & schewe þe soþe riȝt, Why his werk mai nouȝt stond, [1259) mai] mani ms.] & of þe clerkes, þat ben in bond, [ 1260] Hou þai han ylowen on me, Þe king þat soþe schal yse! Ȝif it ȝour willes is, Wiþ ȝou ichil wende ywis!" Al þre þai spoken þo: [ 1265] [f. 208c.] "Certes, child, we wil, it be so! Telle ous now, what is þi name, Oþer what wiman was þi dame, Þat we se sum witnesseing Of þi dede: þou art so ȝing!" [ 1270]

Merlin, anon he hem sede: "Comeþ þider, þer ich ȝou lede: Mi moder ȝe schullen se & wiþ þe soþe finde me!" Þer he ledde hem bi heiȝe sonne [ 1275] To his moder, þer sche was nonne, Þat al þat soþe was biknawe, & euerich word hem teld a rawe, Hou þat child before þe justise [1279) bef.] fram ms.] Fram deþ hir saued wiþ wordes wise; [ 1280] Of þis sche told hem þus, saunfayl; Þe kniȝtes hadden gret meruail, & seþþen in gret quiet & pays He ledde hem to his maister Blays, Þat hem told & wittnes bar [ 1285] Of al þing, þat he seyd þar. Merlin to Blasi þer meche seyd, [1287) Blasi] si sehr verkratzt.] Þat Blasi al in writt leyd. Þat niȝt al þe messangers, Þai bileften to þe sopers; [ 1290] Amorwe, so we seþ in boke, Al fiue þer her leue toke At þe nonne & at Blays & went hem forþ, wele at aise, Toward þe king, þer he lay, [ 1295] So þat þai comen on a day Þurch a toun, was chepeing, & to selle mani a þing; Þer Merlin houed & louȝ stille & seiȝe, hou men loued schon to selle. [ 1300] Þe messanger made anon asking, Whi he made swiche leiȝeing; Merlin seyd: "No se ȝe nouȝt: Newe schon þat man haþ bouȝt & strong clout leþer, hem to clout, [ 1305] & smere, to smere hem al about; He wenes, to liue & hem tere, Ac, bi mi soule y ȝou swere,

His wreche liif he schal forlate, [f. 208d.] Her he com to his owhen gate!" [ 1310] Þe messangers herden þis & wonder hadde þer of, ywis, For sone þer afterward þai founde Þat man ded opon a stounde. Rest þai token þat ich niȝt, [ 1315] Amorwe her way þai went forþ riȝt & comen bi a chirche ȝerd & metten a bere to chirche werd; His bridel þer Merlin wiþdrouȝ, & swiþe schille & loude he louȝ; [ 1320] Þe messangers bad him þo telle, Whi it was, he louȝ so snelle. He seyd, he seiȝe wepe, þat schuld sing, & sing, þat schuld make wepeing: "For þe prest, þat singeþ þare, [ 1325] Biȝat þat child, þat liþ on bare, He ouȝt for his sinne sori ben; & þe bond, þat ȝe ȝond sen, Þat so loude & sore ginneþ wepe, For blis he ouȝt to sing & lepe, [ 1330] For þe prestes sone is ded, Þat euer schuld haue don him qued!" To þe moder þai gun gon & þat soþe atoken anon; Alle þe soþe sche gan hem say [ 1335] & bad hem nouȝt hir biwray, For sche were þan schent ay; "Verrament," þai seyd, "nay!" Forþ þai went in her way Þiderward, þe king him lay; [ 1340] So ich ȝou segge in mi rime, Þo louȝ Merlin þe þridde time; Eft him asked al his fere, Whi he maked swiche chere; "Ȝis," he sayd, "listen now, [ 1345] Þe soþe ichil tel you: Þe quen, mi lordes wiif at hom, [1347) wiif] ii corr. aus?]

Haþ puruayd a wrongful dom: Hir chaumberlain is a wiman, Þat goþ in gise of a man; [ 1350] For he is louely & of fair hewe, Our quen, þat is vntrewe, Bad hir be hir leman, [f. 209a.] [1353) & bad ms.] For sche wend, sche were a man. Þis chaumberlain seyd, þat he nold [ 1355] Tresou ndo for no gold, Whar þurch þe quen pleint made To mi lord, þe king, & sade, Þat þurch fors hir chaumberlain [1359) fors] s corr. aus þ.] Wald haue hir forlain. [ 1360]

Þe king for þis was swiþe wroþ wraþfulliche swore his oþ: & Ȝif y may atake þis wrong, 'He worþ to drawe & to hong!' Now wendeþ to forn, on of ȝou, [ 1365] & tel anon þe king, hou Y haue ȝou teld of þe fals loue; Bid him, þat he þe soþe proue!" Forþ him went a messanger Swiftlich on a gode destrer; [ 1370] Til þan he com to þe king, Made he no whar no targeing. Þe king he fond in his halle; On þis maner he gan him calle:

"Hail þou be, king Fortiger, [ 1375] & god þe loke in þi power, Saue & kepe þi miȝti hond! Whe han went in to al þis lond, To seche a child, bi hest þine, Wiche men clepeþ Merlin; [ 1380] Y wot, he is now fine ȝer eld, Wise of speche, of dede beld; He can telle al þing

On erþe vnder heuen king, Þat is go, & now is, [ 1385] & michel, þat to comen is. Þe ten clerkes on him lowe, Aforn ȝou he wil avowe; He wil ȝou teche swiþe wel, What destourbes ȝour castel, [ 1390] Þat it may stond on þe pleyn, [1391) pleyn] p corr. aus?] & al so of ȝour chaumberlain, Þat ȝe no schul sle no hong, For it were al wiþ wrong, To sle a woman for a man, [ 1395] Þat mannes cloþes haþ opan; Bot ȝe him wiman finde, [f. 209b.] Ȝe schuld him hong bi þe winde!" Fortiger awondred was & al þo, þat herd þis cas; [ 1400] Þe chaumberleyn he ofsent anon, Þat in strong prisoun was ydon; He was despuled fram heued to grounde, Marked woman & maiden founde. Þe king was wondred out of witt [ 1405] & toke þe messanger bi þe slit & seyd: "Telle me, ȝif þou can, Who þe teld, sche was wiman!" "Child Merlin it gan ous say, As we went hiderward in our way, [ 1410] For he can telle & gabbe nouȝt, Of al þing, þat haþ ben wrouȝt." & al he teld þer þe king Of his biȝete, of his bereing, & whiche þinges he gan say, [ 1415] As he com bi þe way. [1413-16) am fuss der seite mit verweisungszeichen nachgetragen.] Þan seyd Fortiger þe bold: "& it be soþe, þat þou me told, Ichil þe ȝiue lond & plouȝ & make þi felawes riche ynouȝ!" [ 1420]

He dede comand anon riȝt Douke, erl, baroun & kniȝt, To diȝt her hors & make hem ȝare, Wiþ him oȝain Merlin to fare. & when it was wele wiþ in niȝt, [ 1425] Wiþ Merlin he mett, apliȝt; & when þe king wiþ Merlin mett, Wel hendelich he him gret; & þe king welcomed þat child Wiþ fair wordes & wiþ mild. [ 1430] Mani worde þai spoken sone, Þat y no haue nouȝt of to done, No al siggen y no may, Þei y sete al þis day, Bot þat longeþ to þis nede: [ 1435] Wel schortliche ich wil me spede. Þai were at ese þat ich niȝt, Amorwe þai went forþ ful riȝt & to þe stede gun ten, Þer þe castel schuld ben. [ 1440] Fortiger spac to Merlin: [f. 209c.] "Tel me now, sone mine, Whi noman no may founde [1443) may] her add. ms. unr.] Castel here opon þis grounde, & whi it is ybrouȝt to nouȝt, [ 1445] Þat is here o day ywrouȝt?" Merlin seyd: "Certes, sir king, Þer of nis no selcouþe þing: Her vnder is a ȝerde depe A water, boþe swift & stepe: [ 1450] Vnder þat water ligge stones to, Brod & long þai ben bo; Vnder þo stones beþ depe in mold To dragouns fast yfold; Þat on is white so milkes rem, [ 1455] Þat oþer is red, so fer is lem; Wiþ in þai brinneþ boþe & beþ to gider swiþe wroþe.

When þe sonne is doun euery niȝt, To gider þai fond forto fiȝt, [ 1460] & þurch þe strengþe of her blast Al þi werk is doun ycast. Þat iche þe say, now it serche, & þan mow þi werkmen werche Castel & tour after þi wille: [ 1465] Þai mow stond long stille!" Þe king was wondred of þis cas & al, þat euer mid him was. Werkmen he dede anon Þider feche, mani on, [ 1470] Þat þer doluen in þe grounde & sone þer after a water founde, In whiche sone, vnder hem alle, Þai maden to þicke walles, Þe water vp loden þo, [ 1475] Al way bi to & to; Þo þai comen to þe grounde, To stones þicke þai founde Vnder þat water, boþe long & brode, [1479) Vnder] om. ms.] Hem bitven a gret schode [ 1480] Of grauel & erþe al so, Þat hem hadde schifted ato. Mani on, for soþe, þer were, Þo to stonnes for to arere. Þo þe stones weren ywent, [ 1485] [f. 209d.] To dragouns þer layen ybent; Þe tail vnder hem fel feld, As so Merlin hadde yteld; Þat on was rede so þe fer, Þe eiȝen so a bacine cler, [ 1490] Euerich powe a span long, Þe fer out of his mouþe sprong, [1492) moþe ms.] His tail was boþe long & gret; A gastlich best he was to mete; He hadde a bodi as a whal. [ 1495] [1495) as] danach ausradirt.] Þat oþer dragoun was al

Nouȝt so michel, so þe rede, & clowes he hadde qued, Hoked tail & mouþe wide, Tong so a brenand glede, [ 1500] A rugged taile so a fende, & an heued at þe nende. [1502) nede ms.] Boþe þai gun arise; Al þat hem seiȝe, gun agrise; Þer nas noiþer king no erl, [ 1505] Baroun, kniȝt, fre no cherl, Þat þer durst abide leng, Alle þai flowen on o reng; No man nome ȝeme, who þer was he, Ac ich tofore oþer gan fle; [ 1510] Þe dragouns arisen of her den & no folwed neuer on þe men, Ac to gider smiten anon: Swiche batayl nas neuer non. Þai kest fer on swiche maner, [ 1515] As al þe cuntre were a fer; Wiþ mouþe, wiþ clowes & wiþ tayl Þer þai maden a gret batail; Þe erþe quaked vnder hem þo, Þe weder chaunged abouen al so; [ 1520] Þai biten & smiten & fer cast, Þai fellen & risen & fouȝten fast; Al mest a day þis fiȝting Last, wiþ outen ani resting; & þo þis more rede dragoun [ 1525] Drof þis white fer adoun, Til þai com in to a valaye, & þer þai gun to rest baye, Ich vnderstond, so long a while, [f. 210a.] While men miȝt gon a mile. [ 1530] Þe white þere arered him wiþ miȝt [1531) him wiþ] om. ms.] & gan eft wiþ þe rede fiȝt, & þe rede he drof oȝain, Til þai com to þe playn;

Þe white dragoun wiþ gret main [ 1535] Þe rede drof, þat men it sayn, & þe rede adoun cast, Þat wiþ strengþe of his blast Þe white brent þan rede, Þat of him nas founden a schrede, [ 1540] Bot dust, for soþe ich saye, & þe white fleiȝe oway; Nist neuer seþþen man, Whiderwardes he bicam. Alle, þat euer seiȝe þis, [ 1545] Wonder hadde gret, ywis, Of þe dragouns, þat fouȝten þo, & of child Merlin al so, Þat he couþe so priue þing Soþe schewen to þe king. [ 1550]

Þo spac Merlin to Fortiger: "Sir, þou sest, þis þing is cler, Þat ich haue yschewed þe; Þe clerkes do bring bifor me, Þat to þe, mi lord, þe king, [ 1555] On me lowe swiche lesing, & y schal asken hem, whare fore Mi blod þai wold haue forlore!" "Certes," quaþ king Fortiger, "It schal be don wiþ outen danger; [ 1560] Y schal þe don after mi miȝt Al þi wille, & þat is riȝt!" Þe king anon, wiþ his men [1563) wiþ] auf rasur geschr.] Sent after þis clerkes ten; Þo þai com bifor Merlin, [ 1565] He asked hem al on Latyn, Þurch wiche þing þai vnderstode, Þat þurch þe vertu of his blode Þe kinges castel schuld on hast Haue ben gode & stedefast. [ 1570]

Þe clerkes spoken to þe child Dradefullich, wiþ wordes milde: "We seiȝen," he seyd, "her aboue [f. 210b.] Ouer ous a sky houe, Þat ous schewed þe biȝate [ 1575] Of swiche a þing on erþe late, [1576) swiche] iche verkratzt und unlesbar.] Þurch was blod þe castel Schuld stond fair & wel; Þis we wenden, verrament: Do wiþ ous al þi talent!" [ 1580] "Ow," quaþ Merlin, "sikerlike, Now ȝe sen, ȝe ben biswike: Þe sky, þat ȝou schewed þat, It was þe fader, þat me biȝat; For he me hadde nouȝt to his wille, [ 1585] Þurch ȝou he wald do me spille; Ac for he haþ biswike ȝou, Y pray mi lord, þe king, nov, Þat he graunt ȝou to liue, For al þis gilt y ȝou forȝiue!" [ 1590] Þe king it al hem graunted raþe, & hye him al merci quaþe. [1592) hye] auf rasur geschr.]

Þo þe king & child Merlin & euerich went vnto his in. Merlin bileft wiþ Fortiger, [ 1595] Ich vnderstond, al þat ȝere, Bi whos conseyl & rede & witt Þe castel was maked in a fit, Heiȝe & strong, of trewe & ston; Swiche nas in þis lond non. [ 1600] Þo þe castel was ymade, Men ȝeue þe king sone rade, Þat he schuld at Merlin wite, Whi þe dragouns batail smite: "It bitokneþ," þai seyden alle, [ 1605] "Sum tokening, þer after schuld falle."

Merlin com tofor þe king, & al þai asked him of þat þing, Whi þe dragouns to gider fouȝt: It bitokned sumwhat, hem þouȝt. [ 1610] Merlin made sumdel danger & þo bispac him Fortiger: "Merlin, bot þou it me telle, Ichil þe do anon quelle!" Quaþ Merlin: "Y sigge, apliȝt, [ 1615] Ȝif þou me slouȝ, it were vnriȝt; Ac þer þou haddest nome an hond, [f. 210c.] Me to sle or don in bond, Þou miȝtest fayle, verrament, So doþ mani of his talent; [ 1620] For, certes, sir Fortiger, Y no ȝiue nouȝt of þi power; Ac ȝif þou wilt finde me borwes, Þat þou no schalt me waite sorwes, Y wil þe telle, & no þing lyȝe, [ 1625] What þe dragouns signifie!" [1626) þe dragouns] þe dr auf rasur geschr.] Þat gentil folk & eke þe king Awondred of his answering.

Þe king swore opon a boke, Þat he nold him neuer harm loke, [ 1630] & seþþen he fond him sikerliche To borwe tvo doukes riche. [1632) tvo] danach bor, unterpunktet.] Þo him spac an heye Merlin: "Now herken, king, to tale min: Þe red dragoun, so strong in fiȝt, [ 1635] [1635) Þe] e auf rasur geschr.] Bitokneþ þe & al þi miȝt, Bi whiche þou hast procourd fro fer [1637) Bi] om. ms.] Þe ded of Moyne, þe riȝt air. Þat þe rede þe white drof To a valay bi side a grof, [ 1640]

Token, þou hast made flem Þe riȝt aires out of þe rem, In cite, toun & in feld, & al þe men, þat wiþ hem held.

Þe white dragoun doþ signifie [ 1645] [1645) doþ] om. ms.] Þe riȝt air, þat haþ envie To þe, þat heldeþ al his lond Wiþ gret wrong vnder þine hond; Þat he fleiȝe in to þe valaye & recouerd, miȝt y say, [ 1650] Bitokneþ þe air, þe se biȝounde, Þat haþ gret socour yfounde & is hiderward wiþ mani kniȝt, Diȝt, oȝaines þe to fiȝt. Þat þe white drof oȝain [ 1655] Þe rede riȝt to þe plain [1656) rede] white ms.] & him þere adoun cast & al tofrust him wiþ his blast, Bitokneþ þe air of þis lond, Þat schal þe keuer in to his hond [ 1660] & in to þi castel driue [f. 210d.] Wiþ þine children and þi wiue; & mani noble of þine mene He schal wiþ þe þer in brenne. Þe tayle of þe dragoun rede, [ 1665] Þat is so long & so vnrede, Signifieþe þe wicke stren, Þat schal com out of þi kin & of þi wiues fader, Angys, Þat schal be ded & lesen his pris; [ 1670] His kin & eke þin Schal don wo to Bretouns kin. Þe heued of þe white dragouns tayle [1673) drag.] om. ms.] Signifieþ gret conseyle, Þat schul held be wiþ þe kinges blod [ 1675] [1675) be] om. ms.] Of þe gentil men & gode.

Sir, for soþe, þis is þe tokening Of þe dragouns fiȝting. Puruay þe now, ich þe rede: "Þer is comen gret ferrede!" [ 1680] Þo agros sir Fortiger, Bot his lippe & hong his cher & to Merlin seyd anon: "Þou most ous teche, hou to don, Oȝaines our fomen for to ware, [ 1685] Oþer of þi liif þou art al bare!" Anon þai wold him han ynome, Ac þai nist, where he was bicome. Þe king & his folk al so Þer fore made michel wo; [ 1690] Þai him souȝt & nouȝt him founde, He was oway in a stounde Vnto his maister Blasy, & þer he told him, sikerly, Of þe dragouns rede & white, [ 1695] & Blasy dede it al in write; He told him of þe rede dragoun Swiþe michel confusyoun, [1698) confusyoun] u auf rasur geschr.] Of him & of his fals stren, In Inglond þat schuld ben, [ 1700] Mani sori chaunce & hard, Þat sone fel þer afterward; [1702) sone] danach þter, er unterpunktet.] Sum fel now late al so, & sum beþ nouȝt ȝete ago. For it is alle þester þing, [ 1705] [f. 211a.] [1705) alle] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Nil ich make þer of no telling, Ac forþ ichil wiþ mi tale: Listneþ now, gret & smale!

Miri time it is in May, Þan wexeþ along þe day, [ 1710]

Floures schewen her borioun, Miri it is in feld & toun, Foules miri in wode gredeþ, [1713) gredeþ] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Damisels carols ledeþ. A baroun com to Fortiger, [ 1715] Þer he sat at his diner, & seyd: "Allas, mi lord, þe king, Y sigge þe an hard tiding: Orpedlich þou þe bistere & þi lond þou fond to were! [ 1720] Vterpendragoun & mani anoþer, & Aurilisbrosias, his broþer, Pople boþe gret & smale Wiþ hem is comen, wiþ outen tale; At Winchester þai ben al mast. [ 1725] Sir, þine help now on hast: [1726) þine] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Socour about now after sende, Þai ben here neiȝe at þine hende, Þat þou miȝtest oȝain hem fiȝt & hem to sle anon doun riȝt!" [ 1730]

Vp him stirt sir Fortiger & ofcleped his chaunceler, Þat letters fele him made, ywis, Vnto his eldfader, sir Angys, To erls, doukes & to kniȝtes, [ 1735] Þat were of swiþe gret miȝtes; Þe buriays of Winchester he gret & bad, þai schuld þe gates schet & helden wele her leute & to him loke þat cite, [ 1740] Ȝif þai wold his loue winne, Þat his fon no com þer inne, & seyd, he wald hem com to As swiþe, as he miȝt it do.

To Fortiger þai comen anon, [ 1745] Erls, barouns, euerichon;

Angys, his eldfader, cam & wiþ him wel mani a man, Amirayls & doukes heiȝe, [f. 211b.] Þat in batayle were sleiȝe; [ 1750] Mani þousand þer were bi tale, Boþe of gret & of smale; Þo þai to gider weren ycome, Her conseyl was sone ynome, Wiþ outen let forþ to wende, [ 1755] Her fomen for to schende, Þat þai no entred in þe lond, Harm to don oþer schond.

Vp þai lift gomfaynoun & went to Winchester toun. [ 1760] Vterpendragoun & his ferrede, To Winchester þai gun spede Wiþ so michel pople of men, Þat þai wreȝen doun & den, Þat come boþe bi water & lond, [ 1765] For to winnen Inglond. Þai vndede her gomfaynoun Wiþ a briȝt gliderand lyoun, Þat her faders hadde yben; Þe buriays it gun ysen, [ 1770] Þe gomfaynoun sone þai knewe: Costaunce ded þo gun hem rewe, Þat hadde her noble lord yben, & Moynes ded, þat was his stren, & wist wele, þat king wiþ wrong [ 1775] Sir Fortiger hadde ben long, Þat cursed was in liif & dede, & al, þat held to his ferrede. [1778) to] am. ms. frrede ms.] Þer þai spoken hem bitvene, For liif, for dede no for tene [ 1780] & þei þai alle hong schold, Wiþ Fortiger be þai nold,

& turned hem al bi on acord To Vterpendragoun, her lord; Þe gates al þai deden vp wide [ 1785] & lete al þe folk in ride; Hem & al her ferrade Þai welcomed wiþ chere glade & hem deliuerd þe toun als snel [1789) deluerd ms.] & hem selue & þe castel; [ 1790] Whar þurch þanke & frende gret [1791) What ms.] Þai wonnen þer, þat hem was net. Fortiger, þat comend was, [f. 211c.] [1793) comend] d ü. d. z. geschr.] Sone was told him þat cas; He was neiȝe wode out of wit [ 1795] & seyd, it schuld hem iuel atsit; Swiþe he heiȝed wiþ al his men, & Vterpendragoun hem oȝen & desplayd his gomfaynoun A litel wiþ outen Winchester toun, [ 1800] Þat ich oþer folk yseyȝe, Þai were neiȝed so neiȝe. [1802) neiȝtȝe, sehr verlöscht, ms.] Of þis lond baroun & kniȝt Of þe lyoun hadden a siȝt, King Costaunce þat hadde yben, [ 1805] & Vterpendragoun was his stren; Anon turned her mode To Vterpendragounes riȝt blod.

Þer was þousandes mani on, Opon Fortiger þai turned anon [ 1810] & seyd to him: "Wicke traytour, Þou schald abigge þine errour!" Fortiger his swerd out drouȝ, & mani of hem þer he slouȝ; Wiþ gret ire þai run him on, [ 1815] For he hem wende al his men; [1816) wende] n corr. aus?] Ac oȝain him þai were al went, Where þurch he was al yschent.

Fortiger was noble kniȝt, He fauȝt & slouȝ adoun riȝt; [ 1820] To his help þer com Angys Wiþ mani Sarrazin of priis, Þat wise wordes couþe speke, Stedes prike & launces breke; Þe barouns þai bisett anon, [ 1825] For to sle hem euerichon. Þer was a baroun, a noble man, Þat brac hem al fram; He dede his stede swiþe gon, Til he com to Vterpendragon, [ 1830] & seyd: "Welcome, air of þis lond, No duelle her nouȝt, for Cristes hond! For loue of þi fader fre & for drede eke of þe Þe barouns ben to þe went [ 1835] & for þi loue al mest yschent; For Fortiger & eke Angys [f. 211d.] Hem han al biloken, ywis, & þenke hem sle to grounde, Ȝif þou duellest ani stounde!" [ 1840] "Owe," quaþ Vterpendragoun, "bi god aboue, Now y schal se, who me wil loue; No schal ich neuer worþ bliþe, Bot ȝiue ȝe al heiȝen swiþe!" Princes, doukes, erl & kniȝt [ 1845] Priked her stedes ariȝt; It was no nede, hem to hast, Ac so quarel of alblast Þai flowen þider riȝt anon Wiþ her lord Vterpendragon. [ 1850] Þer was sone, verrament Ȝouen mani noble dent, Schaft tobroken & swerd ydrawe, Mani noble kniȝt yslawe, & þer fauȝt sir Vterpendragon, [ 1855] As he were a wode lyoun, [1856) As he were] Fauȝt þer as ms.]

& his broþer nouȝt forȝat, He leyd on mani a sori flat; Sum he cleue to þe bacin, Til þat he com to þe chin; [ 1860] He hadde of some þe heued [1861) þe h.] yweued ms.] Fram þe nekbon yweued; [1862) yreued ms.] Þer was slayn mani men, Sum on hille & sum in den. Ac þei Fortiger were gode kniȝt [ 1865] [1865) Fortiger] ger von späterer hand hinzugefügt.] & wele him couþe helpen in fiȝt, Þurch þe barouns of þe lond & oþer men miȝti of hond He was þere ydriuen so neiȝe, Wiþ his men oway he fleiȝe [ 1870] Vnto his newe castel ymade, Of whom ich toforn sade. Aurilisbrosias þer anon & his broþer Vterpendragon Þere hem wroken swiþe wel [ 1875] Wiþ her brondes of ful gode stiel; Mani hundred of Sarrazin Þai sent þer to helle pine. Þo Angys al þis sleiȝster seiȝe, Wiþ al his miȝt anon he fleiȝe [ 1880] Into a castel of lime & ston, [f. 212a.] Þat man no miȝt him dery non. Þat bihinde was yfounde, Anon was ybrouȝt to grounde. Þan Vterpendragoun þere [ 1885] Folwed after Fortiger; Þo þai to þe castel ȝates come, Wilde fer anon þai nome; Opon þe gates þai kesten it & hem brend in litel fit. [ 1890] Fortiger & wiif & child Brent þer in þat fer wild, & al, þat þer was yfounde, Was ybrent in to þe grounde.

Men seyt, ȝere & oþer to [ 1895] Wrong wil an hond go, & euer at þe nende Wrong wil wende: Þus ended sir Fortiger, [1899) ended s. F.] auf rasur geschr.] Þat misbileued, a fewe ȝer; [ 1900] Þei he wer strong of miȝt, To nouȝt him brouȝt his vnriȝt. Sir Vterpendragoun Wiþ his folk went anon, [1904) folk] danach folk, von späterer hand druchgestr.] For to bisege þe king Angis; [ 1905] Ac in a castel he lay of priis, Þat wiþ no gin, y ȝou pliȝt, Noman þer in com miȝt. Al so þai in þe sege lay, Fiue barouns com on a day, [ 1910] Þat hadde ben wiþ Fortiger, & seyd to Vterpendragoun þer Al, hou Merlin was ybore [1913) Merlim ms.] & hou messangers him ȝede fore, Hou he was brouȝt bifor þe king [ 1915] & hou he couþe tellen al þing, Hou þe dragouns vnder mold Ben þe kinges deþ, it schold, & hou Fortiger him wold haue nome, Ac he nist, where he was bicome, [ 1920] & seyd: "Sir, verrament, Ȝif he were here in present, Bi his conseyl ȝe schuld anon Angys ouercomen & slon!" Her of awondred Vterpendragon [ 1925] [f. 212b.] & sent messangers anon, For to finde Merlin swiþe; Þai wenten forþ wiþ chere bliþe.

On a day þis messanger Sett hem alle to þe diner; [ 1930]

A begger þer com in Wiþ a long berd on his chin; A staf in his hond he hadde & schon on his fet badde; Wiþ his scholder he gan roue [ 1935] & bad gode, for godes loue. Þai seyd, he schuld nouȝt haue, Bot strokes & bismare Þe eld man seyd anon: "Ȝe be nice, euerichon, [ 1940] Þat sitten here & scorn me, In þe kinges nedes þat schuld be, For to finde Merlin child; Þe barouns ben witles & wilde, Þat senten men him seche, [ 1945] Þat nouȝt no couþe knoweleche; To day he haþ ȝou oft mett, No knewe ȝe him neuer þe bet; Wendeþ hom, bi mi rede, For him to finde no schul ȝe spede! [ 1950] Biddeþ him & þe barouns fiue, Þai comen & speke wiþ him bliue, & siggeþ, Merlin wil hem abide In þe forest here biside!" Þo he hadde seyd hem þis, [ 1955] Þai nist, where he bicom, ywis. Þus telleþ þe letters blak: It was Merlin, wiþ hem spak. Þe messangers were abobbed þo, Þai nisten, what þai miȝten do; [ 1960] Hom þai went anon riȝt & to þe prince þai teld þer siȝt. Vterpendragoun had meruaile & al, þat herden it, saunfaile, Þai hadden wille & talent fin, [ 1965] To sen & speke wiþ Merlin. He bad Aurilisbrosias gent, To þe sege take entent, Þat Angys no miȝt oway, [f. 212c.] Noþer bi niȝt no bi day, [ 1970]

Ar he war of him awreke, For he wald wiþ Merlin speke. Aurilisbrosias bileft stille, To kepe Angys in þe castil, & sir Vterpendragon [ 1975] To þe forest went anon, Where þat Merlin dede him se In o day in þre ble: In o day an hogges herd, Þat þe prince þe way lerd, [ 1980] [1980) priue ms.] & eft a chapman, þat bar his pac & long wiþ þe prince spac [1982) priue ms.] & seyd, of Merlin openliche He wald him telle neweliche, & afterward a fair swain, [ 1985] Þat þe king com ogain & seyd him, þat ich niȝt He schuld of Merlin han a siȝt.

Þo it was wel fer in niȝt, Merlin com to him, y pliȝt, [ 1990] In þe gise of a swain, Þat he hadde arst ysain, & seyd, so we finde in boke, To þe prince: "God þe loke! Icham Merlin, leue sire, [ 1995] Wiþ whom to speke þou hast desire!" Vp stirt Vterpendragon & biclept Merlin anon & bad, he schuld wiþ him bilaue, & al his wille he schuld haue. [ 2000] Merlin seyd, were so he ware, To his wil he war al ȝare.

Merlin teld him in þat cas: "Y com fram Aurilisbrosias: Bi mi conseyl he haþ þis niȝt [ 2005] Angys slayn, y þe pliȝt!"

Vterpendragon made joie þan, So doþ þe foule, when it dawy gan; Al þat þer was, so made blis & amorwe went hom, ywis, [ 2010] & founden Angys yslawe, His heued vp set, his bodi todrawe. Al his folk so was schilt, [f. 212d.] & neuer on þer nas spilt. Sir Vterpendragon þere [ 2015] Asked Aurilisbrosias, hou it were. "Certes," seyd Aurilisbrosias, "to niȝt A swain com to me ful riȝt & hastiliche warned me, Þat Angys com, me to sle; [ 2020] Vp ich stirt & him met, & to þe grounde ichim stet; Y not, who him on brouȝt No what deuel he here souȝt, Ac wiþ mi swerd scharp of egge [ 2025] His liif y dede him þere legge!" Þo spac Vterpendragon To his broþer swiþe anon: "Broþer," he seyd, "þat was Merlin, Þat so þe halp in nede þin, [ 2030] Þat here stont now bi me!" & he him þonked wiþ hert fre & proferd him, al his þing To ben vnder his ȝemeing. Al so þai spac wiþ Merlin, [ 2035] A bod com fram þe Sarrazin, Þai wold ȝeld þe castel, Ȝif þai mosten wenden wel To her lond wiþ outen dere; Merlin ȝaf hem answere, [ 2040] Þat þai schuld wende anon Bi þe princes leue, ichon; & so þai deden, bi godes sond Alle þai wenten to her lond, & alle þe lond þo com anon [ 2045] & maked her oþ to Vnderpendragon.

& þo þe oþ was ymade [2047) þe] danach zwei buchst. ausradirt.] Bi comoun dome, bi comoun rade, Vterpendragon coroun nam & king of Inglond bicam. [ 2050] Þe fest of þe corounment In Winchester was, verrament, & held it ful seuen niȝt, Þe fest noble, a pliȝt. Ac ich ȝou telle, þat Merlin [ 2055] To Aurilisbrosias hadde hert fin [2056) Aur.—fin] auf rasur geschr.] & loued better his litel to, [f. 213a.] Þan al þat oþer bodi þo; Ac ich ȝou telle, naþeles, A swiþe gode kniȝt he wes: [ 2060] He forsoke scheld no spere Neuer, oȝaines kniȝt to bere; Wiþ swerd he couþe kerue wel, Boþe in yren & in stiel. Ac, for soþe, afterward [ 2065] Vp him com a chaunce hard, Of Danmark Sarrazins, Þat were of Angys lins, Þat hem souȝt gret helping About hem of mani king; [ 2070] So michel pople wiþ hem com, Þat it no miȝt telle no man; Wiþ fele schippes & gret ynowe Vp þai comen at Bristowe. Merlin þis wist anon [ 2075] & seyd to Vterpendragon & to his broþer al so, & teld to hem boþe to: "Y ȝou telle, saunfayle, Vp ȝou is comen a strong batayle [ 2080] Of Sarrazins of michel priss, For to awreke þe douke Angys; In þis lond bi our day So michel folk nas neuer, y say;

Ac ȝour on, wiþ outen les, [ 2085] Worþ yslawe in þat pres; Ac ich ȝou telle, who so it is, Schal wende in to heuen blis; Þer fore no fors no makeþ, [2089) fors] forth ms.] Ac gode hert to ȝou takeþ! [ 2090]

Ȝour folk departeþ atvo, Oȝaines hem ȝe gin to go! Vterpendragon hem schal asayle On þe lond half, saunfayle; Aurilisbrosias, y telle þe, [ 2095] Þou schalt wende bi þe se, & þer þou þe conteyn so, Þat þou hem wirche deþes wo!" For no þing he nold say, Whiche of hem schuld day. [ 2100] As he hem bad, þai deden so, [f. 213b.] Her folk departed atvo; Vterpendragon wiþ mani man Anon þe Sarrazins ȝede oȝan, & al so sone, so he hem mett, [ 2105] Wiþ swerd & launce he hem gret; Mani haþen þer was, for soþ, Þe heued cleued to þe toþ, Þe nekbon dassed atvo, Þe arm þe bodi smiten fro, [ 2110] Wiþ swerd þe body atvo ydast, Þe bodi out of þe sadel cast. [2112) þe sadel] þe stark ausradirt.] Þe boke it seyt, nouȝt y no lye: Þer was don swiche cheualrie, Þat no tong telle no miȝt [ 2115] Þe haluendel wiþ tale riȝt. Aurilisbrosias to þe se went, To whom Merlin hadde gode talent. [2118) gode talent] auf rasur geschr.]

Merlin sent þan anon To sir Vterpendragon [ 2120]

& bad him, orpedliche he schuld keþe, For he no schuld þere þoly deþe. Þo Vterpendragon herd þis, His hert bicome ful of blis; Wiþ wretþe & wiþ talent fin [ 2125] He smot opon a Sarrazin; He & al his felawered, Þer þai deden noble dede. Al þat euer wald ariue, Þai binomen þat day oliue; [ 2130] [2130) þat] om. ms.] Vterpendragon so hard hem held, Þat þai wiþ strengþe lete þe feld, & Aurilisbrosias hem held so hard, Þat he hem brouȝt oȝanward; & þo þai noure fle miȝt, [ 2135] Wiþ Aurilisbrosias þai gun fiȝt, [2136) Wiþ] i verklext.] & so fele about him were, His liif þai binomen him þere. Ac þo Vterpendragon vnderstode His broþer deþ, he wex ner wode; [ 2140] Þo he bisouȝt his doukes fiȝt & him bistired þo as a kniȝt, Þat of þritti þousand & mo No lete þai fiue oway go. Of our wer slawe þan anon [ 2145] [f. 213c.] Þre þousend & ten & on; Þre mile wayes oþer to No miȝt no man step no go, Noiþer on hille no in den, Bot he steped on ded men. [ 2150] Þe blod ouerran þe cuntraye Ouer al in þe valaye. So it fel to þe niȝt: Vterpendragon com fram þe fiȝt, Doukes, kinges & barouns, [ 2155] Orped squiers & garsouns Hom went to her in. Bi rede amorwe of Merlin

Aurilisbrosias out þai souȝt & richelich in erþe him brouȝt. [ 2160] Þan he was helden a douhti kniȝt [2161) helden] e aus o corr. oder umgekehrt.] & ful wele held his lond to riȝt. Here he liued seþþen ȝeres fele In miche pride & gret wele; Fer & neiȝe, wide & side [ 2165] His fomen durst him nouȝt abide; Bi Merlins red euer he wrouȝt, Þat in to gret power him brouȝt; He ouercom king Claudas, Þat so strong & stern was; [ 2170] Þurch his miȝt al so he wan Þe douhti king Harman, & of him he badde first Gascoyne, & Normondye & Boloyne & al þe marche to Paito [ 2175] & Chaumpeine & eke Ango. Þis ich king Harman To wiue had a fair wiman; Sche hiȝt Ygerne, wiþ outen no, Þe fairest lif, þat liued þo; [ 2180] Þe douke Hoel of Cornewaile Spoused hir after him, saunfayl, Þurch whom seþþen his liif he les: Ȝe schul seþþen here in pes.

Ȝete hadde Vterpendragon [ 2185] Wonne to him þe king Ban & Bohort, his broþer, al so: Better bodis no miȝt non go. King Ban hadded to his demeyne [f. 213d.] Þe cite of Beuoit of lasse Breteyne, [ 2190] [2190) of lasse] of ü. d. z. geschr.] Wiþ cites & borwes, castels & pleyns, & Bohort hadde þe cite of Gaines Wiþ al þe riȝt, þat longed þer to, & þus þai hadde schift atvo.

& afterward, wiþ outen fable, [ 2195] Our king bigan þe rounde table, Þat was þurch Merlines hest, Of kniȝtes, þat men wist best In þis warld þurch out, Þat table schuld sitte about; [ 2200] At þat table non sitt miȝt, Bot he were noble & douhti kniȝt, Strong & hende, hardi & wise, Certes & trewe wiþ outen feyntise; Her non oþer schuld faile [ 2205] No neuer fle out of bataile, Whiles he on fot stond miȝt, Bot ȝif hem departed þe niȝt. At bataile & at bord al so Bi hem selue þai schuld go, [ 2210] So monkes don in her celle; Bi hem selue þai eten, ich telle; Wher wer were alder mast, Þai were þider sent on hast. Þis table gan Vter, þe wiȝt, [ 2215] Ac it to ende haue he no miȝt, For þei alle þe kniȝtes vnder our lord Hadde ysiten at þat bord, Kniȝt bi kniȝt, ich ȝou telle, Þe table no miȝt nouȝt fulfille, [ 2220] Til he wer born, þat schuld do al, Fulfille þe meruails of þe greal.

It was opon þe pentecost, In time, þat þe holy gost Among þe tvelue apostles cam, [ 2225] So sparc of fer, & in hem ran, Our king Vterpendragon, Lete bede wel mani a man, Doukes, kniȝtes, erls & king, To Cardoil to his gestening; [ 2230] Swiche was his won, a pliȝt, To helden ful seuenniȝt;

& euerich wiþ him schuld bring [f. 214a.] His leuedi to þat gestening. Fram Kent to Norþ-Humber-lond, [ 2235] Fram Wales & fram Scotlond Baroun, erl, douke, & kniȝt To þat fest com, a pliȝt.

In þat time was ded Hoel, & þe noble baroun Tintagel, [ 2240] Þat was douke of Cornwayle, Hadde spoused Ygerne, saunfaile, Þat fair wiman, þat swete liif, Þat hadde ben Holes wiif. Þese to Cardoil boþe come, [ 2245] Men hem bi þe hond ynome & ledden hem bifor þe king; He made hem fair welcoming, Ac þo he seiȝe þat leuedi briȝt, His hert was chaunged, a pliȝt, [ 2250] He was nomen wiþ loue las, Þat he no wist, were he was. Naþeles, Ygerne anon, Was wiþ leuedis to chaumber gon, Whar sche was for hir beaute [ 2255] Fair onourd in leaute. Þe king þe douke sett aboue Toforn al oþer for her loue; Alder next his side he sat, & of his dische & plater at. [ 2260] Þis ich douke Tintagel Hadde a boteler, hiȝt Bretel, Þat him serued day & niȝt At his bord, so it was riȝt. Ygerne hadde a chaumberlains, [ 2265] A gentil man, þat hiȝt Jurdains. Þe king at his mete sat, Michel he þouȝt & litel he at; He tok a coupe in his hond, Þat was worþ a schire of lond, [ 2270]

& seyd: "Bretel, þou com me ner, Þis to Ygerne, þi leuedi, ber. Bid hir drink þis licour & do þe coupe in hir tresour!" Bretel tok þe coupe anon, [ 2275] Bifor his leuedi he gan gon; On his knewe he him sett & on þe kinges halue hir gret & seyd: "Dame, þe king þe sent, & drinkeþ to þe, a fair present, [ 2280] To þe he drinkeþ þis licour, Þe coupe he ȝeueþ to þi tresour!" Wel sore gan þis present rewe Dam Ygerne, þat leuedi trewe; Sche seyd: "Go oȝain anon [ 2285] To þe king Vterpendragon, Say, y nil it take, at o word, [2287) nil] danach nomt, unterpunktet.] Wiþ outen leue of mi lord, Þat ich þis present vndersong: Ȝif ich dede, it were wrong!" [ 2290] Bretel went oȝain anon & seyd to Vterpendragon; Þo he hadde it yseyd, Þe king sore was amayd; Ac after sche it nam on hast [ 2295] Þurch hir owhen lordes hest; Ulfin þer of was messanger, He was þe kinges conseyler. Vnneþe sche it nim wold, Ac þo sche algat schold, [ 2300] Swiþe sore sche gan to grete; [2301) wepe ms.] Wonder hem þouȝt, þat bi hir sete. Þo alle þe cloþes weren ydrawe, After mete, fo it was lawe, Þe king ȝaue fair ȝiftes [ 2305] To douk, baroun, & to kniȝtes; Ac non no had swiche, saunfaile, So þe douke of Cornwaile,

For þe loue of Ygerne, In whas loue he dede berne. [ 2310] Anon after þo leuedis alle Were ofsent in to þe halle; Þe king toke Ygerne bi þe hond, Þe fairest leuedi of þis lond, & sett hir bi him on þe benche, [ 2315] Win & piment he dede senche. Oþer kinges & doukes heiȝe Token oþer leuedis sleiȝe, To gider hem set & made solas. Þe king bisouȝt Ygerne of gras, [ 2320] Þat sche schold ben his lef; [f. 214c.] Þe leuedi seyd: "I nam no þef, To breke mi treuþe oȝain mi lord; Raþer ich wald hing bi a cord; No schal y neuer, for loue no ȝift, [ 2325] Wiþ mi bodi don vnriȝt!" Oþer wise for no preier Þe king nold sche yhere. Þe king spac no more þo, Sumwat elles he þouȝt to do; [ 2330] Þo þai were al at aise, Ich went to his in a paise; [2332) in] danach at aise, t aise unterpunktet.] Ac ich ȝou telle þo at arst, Þe king neiȝe for loue brast; Ac no man nist of his pin, [ 2335] Bot his conseyler Vlfin, Þat bad him, nouȝt care biginne: He schuld wele hir loue winne. Tintagel & eke Ygerne To her in went ful ȝerne; [ 2340] Þe leuedi toke þan þe kniȝt & in to chaumber went ful riȝt; Toforn him a knewes sche fel & seyd: "Lord, ȝif it be þi wille, I pray, þat þou wost hennes wende: [ 2345] [2345) I pray] om. ms.] Þe king is about, me to schende;

Þe worþschip, þat he doþ to þe, Al is forto schende me; He haþ me of vilanie bisouȝt, Me to aforce, is in his þouȝt!" [ 2350] Þo þe douke þis vnderstode, For wretþe he wex neiȝe wode; He hadde in toun .v. hundred kniȝtes, [2353) .v.] auf rasur geschr.] He hem ofsent anon riȝtes & told hem þis vilainie [ 2355] [2355) vilainie] das dritte i corr. aus e.] & seyd, he wald hom an heiȝe; He bad hem trosse & make ȝare, Ar day he wold homward fare, For he hadde leuer dye in fiȝt, Þan schond þoli & vnriȝt. [ 2360] His kniȝtes to him ȝeuen asent [2361) asent] a corr. aus?] & trossed swiþe, verrament; Bi þat it was liȝt o day, Þai weren al ywent oway, Þe douke, þe leuedi & his kniȝt. [ 2365] [f. 214d.] Þe king seye þe day liȝt, Þat niȝt he hadde litel yslape; He stirt vp al in rape, His chaumberlain him com to, His cloþes on for to do; [ 2370] Þo he was cloþed, he com adoun, Sikeende & romende vp & doun. Afterward com in anon Barouns & leuedis, mani on; To chirche þai ȝede, more & lasse, [ 3375] For to heren þer her messe; Ac al þai loked swiþe ȝerne After Tintagel & Ygerne. Þo þe messe was ysonge, Þe king spac wiþ his tonge: [ 2380] "Where is þe douke Tintagel? Icham adrad, him is nouȝt wel!"

"Certes, sir," quaþ a kniȝt, "He is went homward to niȝt Wiþ wiif & kniȝtes to his lond!" [ 2385] "Eye," quaþ þe king, "þat is me schond: [2386) schond] n corr. aus?] Þef! he haþ broken mi statout! He schal abigge, wiþ outen dout!" His statout was & his lawe, Þat non no schuld in seuen dawe, [ 2390] Þat were of priis oþer of noblay, Fram þat fest wende oway, Bot it were bi þe kinges wille; & who so dede, he schuld spille. Þo þe king vnderstode [ 2395] Þe douke ywent, he was neiȝe wode; Of þat despite pleynt he made & to his folk seþþen he sade, Þat he was digne, to dye anon, Þat swiche despite hadde ydon. [ 2400] Þe king him diȝt in a stounde & þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde; Þe noblest men, þat were oliue, & riche kinges tvo & fiue, Noble kinges of þis lond, [ 2405] [2405) kinges] danach VII, unterpunktet.] Al wonnen vnder his hond, Wiþ mani erl, baroun & kniȝt Armed went anon riȝt, Þe douke Tintagel to nime, [f. 215a.] [2409) to] ü. d. z. geschr.] So þe kinges wiþþerwine. [ 2410] Ac þe douke Tintagel Þis, bifore wist it wel; He hadde sent fer & neiȝe After frendes & sondes sleiȝe, [2414) frendes] r ü. d. z. mit dunklerer tinte nachgetr. sondes] nach e ein r mit dunklerer tinte ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Fiftene þousand kniȝtes hende, [ 2415] [2415) hende] wahr∣scheinlich später hinzugef.] Þat schuld his lond help to defende.

Neþeles, oȝain þe king Þai no hadde power in fiȝting. At cite, borwe & castel Þai were astored swiþe wel. [ 2420] [2420) astored] re sehr verkratzt.]

Þe king com wiþ his barnage & tounes brent in gret rage; He bilay him swiþe long & men slouȝ; it was wiþ wrong. Þe douke him selue, Tintagel, [ 2425] Lay in a swiþe strong castel; Our king Vterpendragon Him asailed & ek his men Wiþ heweing & wiþ mineinge & wiþ mangunels casteinge. [ 2430] Ac Tintagel, þat hende kniȝt, His castel wered wele, a pliȝt; & þennes ouer miles þre Lay Ygerne so fair & fre In a castel of roche of ston; [ 2435] Man no miȝt hir dery non. Jurdains & eke Bretel, Boþe were wiþ Tintagel, & al, þat miȝt armes bere, [2439) armes] r ü. d. z. geschr.] To helpen him, his castel to were. [ 2440] Þe king him hadde wel long ylay & was ful of wretþe & tray, Þat he no miȝt him nim anon, & sike he was in euerich bon For loue of þe cuntasse; [ 2445] Gode he no couþe more no lasse. On a day it bifel so, Vterpendragon was swiþe wo; Vlfin he tok, his chaumberlain, & went, to plaien him on þe plain. [ 2450] An beggere þere he mett, Þat þe king wel fair gret,

For godes loue þat bad him gode. [f. 215b.] Þe king answerd wiþ dreri mode: "Beggere," he seyd, "so mot y liue, [ 2455] Y no haue here nouȝt þe to ȝiue!" "Sir," quaþ þe beggere þo, "Tel me þan of þi wo, Whi þou makest swiche chere?" Þe king seyd: "Vlfin, no miȝtow here [ 2460] Of þis begger aposeing, [2461) aposseing, das zweite s unterpunktet, ms.] Þat dar so speke to a king?" Vlfin þe begger biheld on & him knewe wel sone anon Bi his semblaunt & winking, [ 2465] Þat he made opon þe king, & seyd: "Sir, par ma fay, Þis is a begger of noblay; Þou miȝt be þer of ful fawe: It is Merlin, þat þou schalt knawe!" [ 2470] His semblaunt turned anon Merlin, Þe king þo hadde joie fin; Of his hors sone he liȝt & kist Merlin anon riȝt, So dede Vlfin al so; [ 2475] Michel ioie he made þo. Merlin seyd to þe king: "Al y knowe þi glosing: Y wot, þou louest par amour Ygerne, þat swete flour; [ 2480] What wiltow ȝeue me? Ar to morwe Y schal þe lese out of þi sorwe!" "Merlin," quaþ þo þe king, "Help me now in þis þing, & þou schalt haue, whatow wilt ȝerne: [ 2485] Do me to haue swete Ygerne!" [2486) Do] d aus t corr. me] mit dunklerer tinte und verweisungszeichen am rande nachgetr.] "Wiltow me ȝiue," quaþ Merlin, "Al þe biȝete, þat schal be þine,

& þou hir haue ar day?" "Ȝa," quaþ þe king, "par ma fay!" [ 2490] "Now," quaþ Merlin, "þi pais þou held, & ar day þou schalt hir weld!" Þe king was swiþe bliþe þo, To his pauiloun he gan go; At þe soper þai were glade, [ 2495] Michel ioie & mirþe þai made. Ar it day were, Merlin hete [f. 215c.] Þe kinges men arm hem skete & bisett þat castel, Where þe douke was, Tintagel, [ 2500] & tauȝt hem gin & eke way, Þe castel to win ar ani day. Þai went al to þis asailing, Bot Vlfin & Merlin & þe king At hom bileued & bispake, [ 2505] Hou þai miȝt of loue take. Merlin bad Vlfin & þe king, Riden wiþ him, wiþ outen duelling; So þai deden & riden ȝerne Toward þe castel, þer was Ygerne. [ 2510] Þo þai þe castel were neiȝe, Merlin kidde, þat he was sleiȝe: Herbes he souȝt & fond & gnidded hem bitvix his hond; Þe king he smerd viis & liche [ 2515] & made þe king Tintagel liche; Him seluen he made like Jurdains, Þat was þe lordes chaumberlains; Vlfin he made liche Bretel & went þo to þe castel; [ 2520] On þe gate loude þai bete, Seriaunce com & hem in lete; Þai wende, it were her seygnour, & ladde him in wiþ gret honour, For swiche was cloþ, bodi & fas; [ 2525] To hir chaumber he nam his pas; Þe king ȝede after þo wel swiþe, Was he neuer are so bliþe.

To þe king þo spac Merlin: "Spede þe now on nedes þine: [ 2530] Ar þou arise of hir bed, Þou worþ swiþe sore adred!"

Þe king þer of nouȝt no schrof, Ac to Ygerne bed he drof; Ygerne wende, it were her lord, [ 2535] & him afenge wiþ fair acord. Þe king no made nouȝt long soiour, Þat he no plaid wiþ þat flour So oft, so his wil was, Þat ich niȝt, bi godes grace; [ 2540] Þer was biȝeten hem bitven [f. 215d.] King Arthour, þat noble stren. Þer after in a litel þrawe A cri þer com, her lord was slawe; Þo com Merlin to his bed: [ 2545] "Arise vp, for it is nede, & þine men þou schewe þe to: Men seyt, þou art to deþ ydo!" Vt strit þo þe king, He no made þer no duelling. [ 2550] So we finden on þe boke, He kist þe leuedi & leue he toke; In to halle he com wel swiþe, Al þat folk of him was bliþe, For þai wende, for soþe, þere, [ 2555] Þair owhen lord þat it were; Þe messanger was foule yschent, Þat to hem brouȝt þat present, & oft ycleped foule leiȝer. Wiþ gret oþes he gan him swere [ 2560] & seyd, he was in þe plas, Þo þe castel ynomen was, & al þat folk he herd waile For þat erl of Cornwaile.

Þe king asked his destrer red [ 2565] & seyd, he wold kiþe, he nas nouȝt ded.

He priked him forþ out atte gate: For soþe, it was al most to late, For of þe way litel þai ware, Þo þai herd, wiþ gret care [ 2570] Þe doukes man Tintagel Com fleinde fram þe castel. Þo þe leuedi herd þis, Wo was hir liif, ywis, For hir lord Tintagel: [ 2575] Sche was bigiled, sche wist wel; In hir þouȝt wele it ran, On hir was biȝeten a barn: What for sorwe, wat for schame, Wers was neuer gentil dame! [ 2580]

So we finde in our boke: Merlin þo went to a broke; Þe king wiþ water þer he wesche, His owhen stat he hadde, ywis; & seþþen he wesche hem boþe to, [ 2585] [f. 216a.] Her owen stat þai hadden al so. Þo þai wenten al þre To þe kinges meyne. Riȝt so þe day bigan dawe, Þai fond Tintagel yslawe; [ 2590] Þer of, for soþe, our king Joie made, wiþ outen lesing. Long þer afterward, verrament, Was ymade acordement Bitvene Ygerne & þe king [ 2595] Þurch heiȝe mennes conseyling; An þo was iugged, wiþouten faile, Bi heiȝe mennes conseyl, Þe king was iugged, Ygerne to spouse; Þer of Ygerne was ioiouse. [ 2600]

King Nanters of Garlot [2601) Garlot] e, unterpunktet und a übergeschr.] Þer nam Blasine, god it wot,

Ygerns douhter bi Hoel; Hir lord was bifor Tintagel, In whom he biȝat Galaas, [ 2605] Þat strong & hardi & noble was.

King Lot þer nam Belisent, Al so Ygerns douhter gent, In whom be seþþe biȝat Wawein & Guerehes & Agreuein [ 2610] & Gaheriet, þat was so fre, For better kniȝtes no miȝt non be. King Vriens þe þridde nam, Þat was king of Schorham, In whom he biȝat Ywayns, [ 2615] Hende & noble & kniȝt certeyns. Þese þre sustren were bi Hoel [2617) Nach diesem verse steht ein abschnittszeichen, unr.] & oþer mo bi Tintagel, Þat elles where were to loke, So we finde writen in boke. [ 2620] Al four made spouseing To gider & swiþe fair gestening; Þer was justes & turnamens Swiþe noble, verramens. Þe fest lasted fourtenniȝt [ 2625] To al, þat euer come, y pliȝt.

Þo þe fest was ydo, Merlin com þe king to & seyd, he hadde do þe dede [f. 216b.] Of gode conseyl & wise rede, [ 2630] [2630) wise] danach of, unterpunktet.] & seyd: "Sir, biþenke þou þe, What þou next ȝeue me: Þe child, biȝeten in þi quen, Ichil þe telle, hou it mot ben: Hir wombe greteþ, þou miȝt to niȝt [ 2635] Fele, hou it stireþ þat litel wiȝt.

When þou it felest in hir wawe, [2637) feleþ ms.] Bid hir, sche be biknawe, Who so haþ bi hir lay: Þe soþe sche wil sone say. [ 2640] Þat schaltow hir hot, ywis, So sone so it born is, It be yborn to þe gate [2643) yborn] zwischen y und born ein buchstabe ausradirt.] & ȝouen, whom men findeþ þer at; Þer man schal yfinde me, [ 2645] To fong þat child, þat is so fre. Þou hast a baroun in þi lond Of gentil blod & miȝti hond; Þat is Antour, þi baroun heye; Þat is a man of gret noblay, . . . . [ 2650] In þis lond nis swiche blode [2651) swiche] danach b, unterpunktet.] No milk þat haþ half so gode. Þou hast biȝeten a noble stren, & sche is wiþ child, so is þe quen: Pray Antour wiþ wordes milde, [ 2655] Þe milke he ȝiue to þi childe; [2656) he] sche, sc unterpunktet, ms.] & ȝif he þer of ȝiue graunt, Our lord y take to waraunt, Þi child worþ þe noblest man Of al þis world an for an, [ 2660] Ac to þi quen be nouȝt biknawe, Þat þat child be þine awe!" Þe king swore bi Crist, his sire, He nold neuer tel it hire; Al he dede, so Merlin bad. [ 2665] Þe quen agros & was adrad & seyd: "Lord, wiþ child ich am: Not ich neuer, who is þe man; Biȝeten it was þat ich þrawe, Þat mi lord was yslawe: [ 2670] So mot ich proue, & y the, Y wend, mi lord it hadde ybe;

Do wiþ me, what þi wille is, [f. 216c.] Þe soþe ich haue yseyd, ywis!" "Dame," he seyd, "no drede nouȝt þe. [ 2675] Al þe gilt y forȝiue þe Wiþ þat, at, when þou child hast. Þou do nim þat child on hast, Do bere it to þe gate & ȝiue it, whom þou findest þer at. [ 2680] [2680) findeþ ms.] Þat y no here þer of tidinge Neuer eft more, wiþ outen lesing!" "Sir," sche seyd, "bleþeliche It schal be don, sikerliche!"

Þe king þer after amorwe aros [ 2685] & osent sir Antour of gret los; Þo he was comen, þe king him nam & al his men ladde him fram & gan his priuete vnhele, & bad, þat he it schuld hele; [ 2690] [2690) bad] om. ms.] He seyd, he hadde biȝeten a child, & teld him, hou, wiþ tale milde; "Late," he seyd, "þi wiif it loke Of hir milk & ȝiue it souke, & þou schalt haue riche mede, [ 2695] Brod londes & heiȝe stede!" Þe king vnneþe al þis biȝat; Þe quen childed after þat A fair knaue, a gentil biȝate, Þat was born to þe gate; [ 2700] An old hore man it was bitake, [2701) Anold ms.] So we finden in þe blake: It was Merlin, þat him afeng, [2703) Merlin] sehr verlöscht.] Forþ he ȝede wiþ outen lesing, To a chirche he went wiþ honour [ 2705] & dede þat child cristen Arthour. After he went swiþe & bar it to sir Antoris wiue;

A child bed he hir fond & tok it hir in þe hond [ 2710] & bad it hir loke wiþ mild mode: "Þi mede schal be riche & gode!" [2712) &] ü. d. z. geschr.]

Merlin went anon oway, No seiȝe noman him after mani a day; Antors wiif child hete Cay, [ 2715] Sche dede it fram hir oway [2716) oway] auf rasur von späterer hand geschr.] & lete souke Artouret: [f. 216d.] Þat milk was wel bisett, He wex fair & wele yþei & was a child of gret noblay; [ 2720] He was curteys, hende & gent & wiȝt & hardi, verrament, Curteyslich & fair he spac, Wiþ him was non iuel lac; His fader he miȝt oft ysen, [ 2725] Ac him no knewe neuer þe quen, No Artour no miȝt neuer wite, [2727) N ms.] Þat þe king him hadde biȝete, While þe king was libbeing, So ich in þe Brout yfinde; [ 2730] Ac his fader, wele he wende, Were Antour, þe kniȝt hende. His moder starf, so god wold, & richeliche was brouȝt in mold; [2734) richeliche] hel auf rasur geschr.] Afterward long þe king [ 2735] In bedde fel in gret sekeling & was ycomen riȝt to his fin; Riȝt þo bifor him stode Merlin; Þe king quiked anon riȝt, [2739) king] in sehr verlöscht.] Þo he had of Merlin siȝt; [ 2740] He asked, where he hadde yben, [2741) where] r auf rasur geschr.] Þat he no miȝt him fer ysen;

He seyd: "Fer hennes, saunfail, Now is to comen mi trauail: Þou schal be dede sone, ywis, [ 2745] & wenden in to heuen blis; Þi sone after worþ king [2747) worþ] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Bi godes grace & min helping, Bi wos day worþ don alle Þe meruails of þe sen greal." [ 2750] Þe king her of lete ful gode & þonked god wiþ mild mode.

Merlin fram him went oway, Þe king starf þat ich day; For him wepen lowe & heiȝe [ 2755] Swiþe sore wiþ her eiȝe; Þe holy bischop, þat hiȝt Brice, For him dede þe office; In erþe he was, sikerliche, Layd swiþe nobeliche. [ 2760] After his enterement [f. 217a.] Þai gan make a parlement, To whiche parlement was yfet Al, þat hadde power gret, Of þis lond al about; [ 2765] Þider com wel gret rout Of kinges, erls, baroun & kniȝt, [2767) erls] s verklext.] Princes, doukes, mani, y pliȝt. Non no wist hem among, Þat Arthour of þe king sprong, [ 2770] Bot sir Antor & sir Vlfin & þe gode clerk Merlin; Ac for in spoushade he nas biȝete, [2773) spouse ms.] No man no most it wite. Þis parlement last mani a day, [ 2775] To chese a king of gret noblay To þe heiȝe & to þe lawe, To gouern hem in her lawe;

Ac þai no miȝt nouȝt acord, For ich of hem wold be lord. [ 2780] Þis last half ȝer so, Þat þai no miȝt comen at on þo.

On Cristenmesse euen þe bischop Brice Kid, þat he nas nouȝt nice; Þer he was among hem alle, [ 2785] Þis wise he gan hem calle: [2786) gan] danach hem, unterpunktet.] "Lordinges," he seyd, "ȝe no may acord, For to chese ȝou a lord; Þer fore y pray for loue of Crist, Wircheþ now bi gin & list! [ 2790] It is a wel gode time, a pliȝt, To chirche goþ al to niȝt & pray to Crist so gode & fre, A king ous sende, þat bihouesum be To þe riȝt oȝains þe wrong, [ 2795] He graunt to chesen ous among, & þat we haue þer of tokening To morwe at our seruise ending!" & þat it so miȝt ben, Euerichon seyden: 'amen!' [ 2800] [2800) &] hinzugef. unr., ms.] Þus þer ȝede more & lasse A niȝt to chirche, amorwe to masse, & maden solempne bisecheinge, For to haue a riȝtful kinge, & þo þe seruise don was, [ 2805] [f. 217b.] Outward þai wenten her pas; Tofor þe chirche dore þai founde A ston stonden on þe grounde, Long & heiȝe, for soþe to say, Þer in a swerd of gret noblay. [ 2810] King & douke, baroun & kniȝt, Ich hadde wonder of þat siȝt; Þe bischop com & it seyȝe & þonked Jesu Crist on heiȝe.

Ichil wele, þat ȝe it wite, [ 2815] [2815) Ichil] danach wil, unterpunktet.] On þe pomel was ywrite: [2816) pomel] o verklext.] 'Icham yhot Estalibore, Vnto a king fair tresore.' On Inglis is þis writeing [2819) þis] danach þis, ausgestr. writeing] r mit dunklerer tinte ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Kerue, stiel & iren al þing. [ 2820] [2820) iren] danach &, unr. ms.] Þe bischop seyd to hem anon: "Þis swerd who drawe of þe ston, He schal be our king ymade Bi godes wille & our rade!" Þai ȝaue al her to concentement. [ 2825] King Lot proued, verrament, Out it to drawe anon riȝt, Ac he no miȝt for alle his miȝt; King Nanters no king Clarion No miȝt it drawe out of þe ston. [ 2830] No no gentil man of priis No miȝt it ones stiren, ywis. Þider com ich noble blod, & to candelmesse þer it stode; Al þat was born in Inglond, [ 2835] On þis swerd cast his hond, Ac, for liif no for deþe, Þai no miȝt it stir vnneþe. Þer it stode til ester tide; Þider to comen men ful wide [ 2840] [2840) Þider] ide auf rasur geschr.] Fram þis half se & eke biȝonde, & nouȝt þai sped, bi godes sond. & ȝete it stode to pentecost, Þer com þider mani an ost, [2844) anost ms.] To turnaien in þat tide [ 2845] [2845) in þat] auf rasur geschr.] Al most fast þer bi side. Kay, his sone, sir Antour Him made kniȝt wiþ gret honour; Þis Kay it was, þat nas nouȝt late, [f. 217c.] For to souken his moder tate, [ 2850]

Ac Arturet, for soþe, it seke, Þat bicom mild & meke. Kay was swiþe noble kniȝt, Ac he stamered a litel wiȝt, Þat, he it hadde in nortoure [ 2855] [2855) it] ü. d. z. geschr.] Þurch þe norices coure. Arthour had serued Lot Swiþe long, wele y wot.

Ac þo Cay was kniȝt ymade, Sir Antor ȝaf to Kay rade, [ 2860] For to ofsende Arthour oȝein, For to make of him his swain, For he was hardi, trewe & trest, [2863] trewe] das zweite e auf rasur geschr.] Of al þis lond & ȝong man best. Kay was swiþe wele ypaid; [ 2865] Al was don, þat Antor seyd. Arthour com hom & was wiþ Kay, & went hem to þat turnay; Þer Kay contend him, a pliȝt, So a wele doinde kniȝt; [ 2870] [2870) doinde] de auf rasur geschr.] Boþe at side & at ende He feld kniȝtes swiþe hende.

Þo he com amidward, About he leyd on so hard, Þat his swerd brast atvo, [ 2875] Anon he bad Arthour þo: "To mi leuedi swiþe wende, [2877) wende] hende ms.] Anoþer swerd bid hir me sende!" & so he dede wiþ outen abode, Swiftliche hom he rode; [ 2880] His leuedi finde he no miȝt, Oȝain he went anon riȝt.

& to þe swerd in þe ston Wel riȝt he gan for to gon,

Noman was þer, verrament, [ 2885] Ac alle weren at þe turnament. Arthour tok þe hilt bi hond, Þe swerd out drawe he gan fond, Ac for nouȝt out it cam; In his hond he it nam, [ 2890] His hors he lepe vp anon, To þe turnay he com son & seyd: "Haue þis swerd, sir Kay! [f. 217d.] Þi leuedi finden y no may!" Kay þis swerd wele knewe, ywis, [ 2895] To Arthour he seyd: "Where hadestow þis?" "Certes," quaþ Arthour, "her biȝonde In a ston ich it fond!" Arthour no seiȝe it neuer ar No wist neuer, why it stode þar. [ 2900] Sir Kay seyd þo to Arthour: "Telle it to no man, par amour, Þat þou þis swerd out drouȝ, & þou schal haue gode ynouȝ!" Arthour seyd: "Certes, nay!" [ 2905] Forþ went anon sir Kay & ledde his fader, sir Antour, To þe chirche of seyn sauour & seyd: "Ichaue þis swerd out drawe: Þat ich be king, it is lawe!" [ 2910] Sir Antor biheld þat sword & seyd at þe first word: "Þou gabbest me, bi god aboue: Ȝif þou say soþ, eft þou it proue! For bifor þis heiȝe men [ 2915] [2915) þis] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Þou most it pelt in oȝen, & bot þou miȝtest drawe it out, Þe wold schame berd & snout!"

Þai wenten boþe to þe ston & Kay pelt it in anon, [ 2920]

Ac þei he war strong & wiȝt, [2921) þei he] auf rasur geschr.] Drawe it out he no miȝt. Þo bispac him sir Antour: "Telle me, sone, par amour, Who it was, þis swerd out drouȝ?" [ 2925] & þo stode sir Kay & louȝ: "Sir," he seyd, "bi godes sond: Arthour toke it me in hond!" Antor cleped Arthour þo & dede him to þe ston go, [ 2930] & boþe swiþe & eke soft [2931) boþe] danach ein buchstabe ausradirt.] In & out he pelt it oft. Antor was her of ful bliþe & drouȝ Arthour to chirche swiþe & seyd to him priueliche þo: [ 2935] "Arthour, listen now me to! Seþþen þou were born, verrament, [f. 218a.] Ich haue ȝouen þe norisement." & þer he teld him al þe cas, Hou he biȝeten & born was, [ 2940] Hou his fader was þe king, & hou, þurch his bisecheing, "Kay, mi sone, a norice y toke, & þou mi wiues tate soke." Þo seyd Antor: "Min coure, [ 2945] Mi sone þou art þurch norture; [2946) norture] nach t o, unterpunktet.] It nis no riȝt, þat þou me werne, Riȝtfulliche þat y wil ȝerne, Ich pray þe, graunt me a bone, Þat ich þe wil axi sone: [ 2950] [2950) axi a sehr verlöscht; nach axi ein buchst. ausradirt.] Ich þe wil help, sone Arthour, King to ben wiþ michel honour!" Þo bispac Arthour, þe hende: "Crist of heuen me defende, Þat ich þe wern ani þing, [ 2955] Of what þou makest axing!"

"God þe forȝeld!" seyd sir Antour; "Now y þe pray par amour: Þi steward make mi sone Kay, So long so þou liue may! [ 2960] In nesse, in hard, y pray þe nowe, In al stedes þou him avowe, & y schal þe help in þis nede, [2963) þe] e mit dunklerer tinte auf rasur geschr., danach zwei buchst. ausradirt.] Þurch godes help þat þou schalt spede!"

Þo bispac him sir Arthour: [ 2965] "Y graunt þi wil, sir Antour, Þat Kay, þi sone, be mi steward; Y schal him avowe in nesse & hard! When ich euer faile Kay, Crist me forȝete þat day!" [ 2970] Forþ ȝede Antor anon riȝt & sir Arthour made kniȝt; First he fond him cloþ & cradel, Þo he fond him stede & sadel, Helme & brini & hauberioun, [ 2975] Saumbers, quissers & aketoun, Quarre scheld, gode swerd of stiel & launce stef, biteand wel. Þer he ȝaue him anon riȝtes To his seruise fourti kniȝtes. [ 2980] A morwe þai went to turnament, [f. 218b.] & so þer dede, verrament, Þat ich day sir Arthour, Þe los he bar & þe honour. A morwe Antor, þat was nouȝt nice, [ 2985] Went to þe bischop Brice & teld him, he wist a kniȝt, Boþe gent & noble, a pliȝt: "Þat schuld be our king wiþ lawe, For he may þat swerd out drawe!" [ 2990]

Þe bischop was her of bliþe & sent after Arthour swiþe;

Toforn al þe heiȝe of þe lond Arthour tok þe swerd in hond; He drouȝ it out & pelt oȝen: [ 2995] Wonder hadde mani men, For no man stiren it no miȝt, [2997) stiren] e auf rasur geschr.] Bot he on, y ȝou pliȝt. King & erls, wiþ outen dout, Þer gun him anon rebout, [ 3000] For to prouen his maner; Ac euer he was of milde chere, No couþe her non better deuise, Þan he hem answerd in al wise. Sir Antor him halp al so, [ 3005] Þat he was king chosen þo; & þer was boden to his gestening Mani prince & mani king; Al, þat euer com wold, At seyn Jon tide com schold. [ 3010]

Merlin com hem bitven, Sir Arthour, þe prince, to sen, Of whos come miche blis Sir Arthour made, ywis. Swiþe anon hete Merlin, [ 3015] Men schuld ofsende þe douke Vlfin, Sir Jordains & sir Bretel, Þat hadde yben wiþ Tintagel. Al þre þai comen swiþe, Merlin was þer of wel bliþe; [ 3020] Merlin seyd: "Y wil, ȝe wite, Hou þat Arthour was biȝete!" Þer he told hem ende & ord, Of his biȝete eueri word, Whar of Vlfin wittnes bar [ 3025] [f. 218c.] [3025) wittnes] u corr. aus?] & seyd, certes, þat he was þar, [3026) certes] r ü. d. z. geschr.] & Antor bar witnesse þer to & seyd, þe king him seyd so.

Þo loued Jordains & sir Bretel Sir Arthour wiþ hert lel [ 3030] [3030) Arthour] r ü. d. z. geschr.] For loue of Ygerne fre, Her leuedi þat hadde ybe; His men þo þai bicomen swiþe, To help him vp deþe & liue. Þis barouns & eke Merlin [ 3035] Wenten to þe bischopes in & al him teld fair & ȝerne, Hou Arthour was biȝeten of Ygerne; Þe bischop þonked god so gode, Þat he was of þe kinges blode. [ 3040]

Merlin seyd: "Listen meruaile: Ȝou is comand strong bataile; [3042) strong] o corr. aus?] Kinges sex at þis fest Þer schul arere michel chest, Whare fore ȝe schul þan wite wel [ 3045] Boþe in iren & in stiel & loke, þat ichon held wiþ oþer, As ich man schal wiþ his broþer; For ich ȝou bihot, al þe honour Schal bileue wiþ ȝou & wiþ Arthour." [ 3050] Þar þai biheten, þat non nold [3051) biheten] bi, e corr. in i oder umgekehrt.] Oþer fail for no gold; Þe bischop seyd, his helping He schuld haue in al þing. What helpeþ it make tale long? [ 3055] Þai hem poruaid alle among Swiþe redi alle þing, Þat schuld to þat coroning.

Mirie it is in time of June, When fenel hongeþ abrod in toun; [ 3060] [3060) toun] tou auf rasur geschr.]

Violet & rose flour Woneþ þan in maidens bour. Þe sonne is hot, þe day is long, Foules make miri song. [3064) Fouleth ms.] King Arthour bar coroun [ 3065] In Cardoile, þat noble toun. King Lot, þat spoused Belisent, Com to þis coronment, He held þe lond of Lyoneis, [f. 218d.] Man wel strong & curteys, [ 3070] Wiþ fiue hundred noble kniȝtes, Hardi & strong & leue to fiȝtes. King Nanters com, god it wot, Þat held þe lond of Garlot, Swiþe noble man & wiȝt, [ 3075] & wele couþe fende him in fiȝt; He hadde yspoused Blasine, Arthours soster fair & fine; [3078) dine ms.] Seuen hundred kniȝtes, y telle þe, He brouȝt wiþ him of meyne, [ 3080] Of noble destrers & stede, [3081) noble] danach st, unterpunktet. destres ms.] Þat swiþe gode were at nede.

King Vrien com þer to, Þe þridde suster hadde, al so; Þe lond of Gorre he held, ywis, [ 3085] He was ȝong man of noble pris, .xx. þousand he brouȝt & fiue, [3087) þousand] danach &, unterpunktet.] No better kniȝtes nere oliue. [3088) kniȝtes] t ü. d. z. geschr.]

Þer com ȝete king Carodas; Þe king of Strangore he was, [ 3090] A swiþe miȝti man of mounde [3091) miȝti] das zweite i spät mit schwärzerer tinte nachgetr.] & kniȝt of þe tabel rounde; [3092) tabel] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Þei he fer hadde yride, .vi. hundred kniȝtes he brouȝt him mide,

Þat wele couþe juste in feld [ 3095] Wiþ stef launce vnder scheld.

Ȝete þer com king Yder, King of þe marche, of gret pouwer, Wiþ him he brouȝt þritti score Wiȝt kniȝtes him bifore. [ 3100]

Þer com king Angvisant, King he was of Scotlant; Of al þe sex he was richest, Of grete power & ȝongest; .v. hundred he brouȝt wiþ him, ywis, [ 3105] Wiȝt & strong kniȝtes & al Scottis; & mani oþer bi souþe & bi est Þider com to þat fest. King & baroun, y ȝou say, Welcomed hem wiþ gret noblay; [ 3110] Biforn hem al þe bischop Brice Arthour crouned & dede þe office. Þo þe seruise ydon was, [f. 219a.] To mete þai turned her pas; [3114) hir pas, hir p auf rasur geschr.] Þai founde al redi cloþ & bord, [ 3115] Vp first ȝede þe heiȝest lord; Men hem serued of gret plente, Mete & drink of gret deynte. Þer was venisoun of hert & bors, Swannes, pecokes & botors; [ 3120] Of fesaunce, pertris & of crane Þer was plente & no wane; Þer was piment & clare To heiȝe lordinges & to meyne; Þai hadden al so noble seruise, [ 3125] So ani man couþe devise. Þo þai hadde yeten alle, Heiȝe & lowe in þe halle, To ȝeuen ȝiftes, sir Arthour aros, To heiȝe men of grete los, [ 3130]

& to haue of hem vmage, So it was riȝt & her vssage. As he was fair doinde þis, King Lot, king Nanters & oþer of priss Of his ȝiftes spite hadden [ 3135] & his coroun anon wiþradden.

Vp þai sterten wiþ gret bost, Euerich king wiþ al his ost, & seyd, an herlot for no þing No schuld neuer ben her king, [ 3140] & þouȝt wiþ gret deshonour For to misdo sir Arthour. Ac Arthour men bitven þrest, Forþ com Merlin in þat chest & seyd, he nas harlot non, [ 3145] Ac nobler þan her ani on; Þer he teld al hem bifore, [3147) he] e auf rasur geschr.] Hou Arthour was biȝeten & bore; Þe wisemen of þat lond [3149) of þat lond] auf rasur geschr.] Þonked Iesu Cristes sond, [ 3150] Þat her king schuld ben Of Vterpendragouns stren. Þe barouns seyd to Merlin: [3153) barouns] s ü. d. z. geschr.] "He was founde þurch wiching þin: Traitour," þai seyd, "verrament, [ 3155] For al þine enchauntement No schal neuer no hores stren [f. 219b.] Our king no heued ben, Ac he schal sterue riȝt anon!" Toward þe king & gun gon. [ 3160] Þe king was armed swiþe wel, & alle his frende in iren & stiel [3162) &] om. ms.] Oȝain wiþstonden nobliche & al out driuen, sikerliche, Wiþ swerdes & kniues sone anon [ 3165] Out of halle þe kinges fon;

Þe sex kinges were wel wroþe & al her barouns sworen her oþe, No schuld þai neuer tviis eten, Er þai of Arthour were awreken, [ 3170] & swiþe telt her pauiloun A litel wiþ outen Cardoil toun.

Þe bischop stode on þe castel wal & gan to preche to hem alle & seyd, Arthour was kinges stren, [ 3175] Of king biȝeten & born of quen; Þe king it wist in his liue, Blisced his child & bad him þriue & tok him to sir Antour To norice wiþ gret honour; [ 3180] Ȝif þai wisten neiȝer blod, To make him king, it nar nouȝt gode; "Ac, for he is king & kinges sone, Y cors al mididone His enemis wiþ Cristes mouþe [ 3185] Bi est, bi west, bi norþ & souþe!" & 'prut!' þai seyden euerichon. [3187) &] t (!) ms.] Merlin went adoun anon & Arthours frende anon riȝt He told, heiȝe & lowe, y pliȝt; [ 3190] Four þousand among hem he fond, Hardi & noble & wiȝt of hond, Ac alle it were, for soþe, fotmen, Bot fiftene score & ten; Þe oþer were so gret rout, [ 3195] Þat þai wreiȝe þe cuntre about. Merlin bad hem no þing drede: "Bot alle doþ bi mi rede!" Wiþ him þai went to þe gate anon, Wele atired euerichon. [ 3200]

Merlin made enchauntement [f. 219c.] & kest gret encumberment

Into þe pauilonis, wild fer, Þat brent briȝt so candel cler, & seyd to hem euerichon: [ 3205] "Now sle swiþe ȝour fon!" Forþ þai went on hors gode To þe pauilouns, þat on fer stode, & on her fomen smiten anon; O liue þai reften mani on; [ 3210] Wiþ scharpe speres & swerdes kene [3211) swedes ms.] Tventi score & fiftene O liue dawe þai brouȝten þere, Er þai wist, where þai were, For her witt was o way go [ 3215] For þe fer, þat brent so, & þe oþer her wit binam fulliche, Þat com on hem so sodanliche; Þer were so fele, naþeles, Þat litel sen þe slauȝter wes; [ 3220] Ac þurch his encumbrement Þai flowen alle, verrament, Til þai com fer oway, A mile þennes in o valay; Þer wiþstode þis sex kinges [ 3225] Oȝain Arthour wiþ fiȝtinges; & her folke wenten oȝen, Mo þan ten þousand of men, Fram þis contek þat were ascaped, Sore adrad & awaped. [ 3230]

Þe kinges gadred hem to gider alle & seyd, gret schame hem was bifalle, Þat Arthour wiþ a litel punay Hadde ydriuen hem oway. Euerich to oþer þus made his mon, [ 3235] Ȝif þai were of Arthour on Awreken, alle þai hadde wonne; Alle þai swore bi mone & sonne,

Hye schulden abigge þat ich striif, & went oȝain als biliif. [ 3240]

Nanter, þe king of Garlot, Biforn he went, god it wot; He was a wele limed kniȝt, Hardi & strong & wise in fiȝt; A stef launce he bar an hand, [ 3245] [f. 219d.] Wiþ spores he smot his stede strong; Arthour seiȝe, where he cam, A stef launce anon he nam, His fet in þe stiropes he streiȝt, Þe stirop tobent, þe hors aqueiȝt; [ 3250] Þe stede he smot & he forþ glode, Oȝaines þe king Nanters he rode; Nanters him mett amid þe feld & hitt Arthour on þe schelde, Þat his launce gan to riue [ 3255] & tobrast on peces fiue.

Arthour smot so Nanters þo, Þat his scheld brak atvo, & of his hors so him cast, Þat al mast his nek tobrast; [ 3260] Þo king Lot seiȝe þis, Hou his nevou was feld, ywis, —He was on of þe strongest man Of al þis lond an for an— A launce he tok of gret valour [ 3265] & smot his stede oȝain Arthour; Euerich gan oþer wiþ launces take, Þat al to peces þai gun crake; Wiþ so gret ire to gider þai mett, Þat her bodis to gider stet. [ 3270]

So astoned was king Lot, He lese his sadel, god it wot, & ouer þe croupe of his stede To grounde he fel, þat he gan blede;

Arthour aforced him to dere, [ 3275] Ac michel folk com him to were; Þer come swiþe michel route, To slen Arthour, al aboute; Arthour drouȝ his swerd anon, Þat he drouȝ out of þe ston; [ 3280] A kniȝt he toke wiþ þe egge, Þat him clef heued & rigge Into þe sadel, so seyt þe bok. Al he hirt, þat he toke; So sore he leyd on al aboute, [ 3285] Þat þai his dintes gun doute. Þis to kinges weren arisen, Þat were first of him agrisen; Þai & her feren four [f. 220a.] Wiþ four launces smiten Arthour [ 3290] Al at ones, þat was no glewe, & Arthour stede adoun þrewe, Þe king bi neþen, þe stede aboue: For soþe, sir Arthour was a swowe. Sir Antour al þis ysay, [ 3295] Bretel, Vlfin & sir Kay; [3296) Vlfim ms.] Þai com swiþe to þis rideing, Forto helpen her king; Kay ful riȝt bigan to bere To king Angvisaunt a spere; [ 3300] He smot him þurch out þe scheld & his hauberk felefeld, [3302) hauber ms.] & þurch his scholder an ellen long, & of his hors to grounde he þrong, & ȝete he feld, verrament, [ 3305] King Carodas wiþ þat dent: Þat was a dint of gret mounde, Þat tvay kinges þrewe to grounde! Vlfin & Nanters met þo, Þat her launces brosten atvo; [ 3310] To gider wiþ bodis þai metten, Þat boþe to grounde þai stetten;

Þe hors hem lay anoward, Þat hem þouȝt chaunce hard. Antor wiþ launce þe king Yder [ 3315] To grounde bar of his destrer; Bretel & king Vrien Her launces brust hem bitven. Þer whiles king Lot wiþ gret rout, To sle Arthour he was about. [ 3320] Kay, his steward, yseiȝe þis; He was neiȝe of his witt, ywis; Wiþ his swerd he gan him stere, His ȝong lord for to were; Wiþ pure strengþe of swerdes dint [ 3325] King Lot he feld, verrament, & was about, him to slen, Ac oþer stirt hem bitven. Þer kidde Kay, þat he was wiȝt, For he no feined neuer of fiȝt, [ 3330] Til þat Arthour, y ȝou pliȝt, Was opon his stede diȝt; & þo he was opon his stede, [f. 220b.] Wiþ swerd he gan about rede; Sum he binam scholder & arm [ 3335] & sum þe liif, it nas non harm; Non no durst abide more His stroke, for he smot so sore. Her ȝe schul vnderstond, Þat men o fot of þis lond [ 3340] [3340) þis] þ von auffallender form, corr. aus?] Helden wiþ king Arthour & dede him wel gret honour, Wiþ axes, staues, & wiþ bowe Dede so, þat alle þe oþer flowe, & þis kinges flowen also; [ 3345] Arthour after hem gan to go, & so he rode, wel fele he feld, Þat no more no tale teld. He ouertok þe king Yder & wold him heued wiþ his swerd cler; [ 3350] [3350) him] i corr. aus e.]

Ac a litel forbi he smot, His hors he hit, god it wot, Þe nek he karf adoun to grounde: Doun fel Yder, bi godes mounde. Oȝain turned þo kinges fiue [ 3355] & halp him oway wiþ þe liue; Ac ich ȝou swere, in þat rideing Þai lauȝt woundes wel sore biteing. Yder þai keuerd, naþeles, & þo he brouȝt on hors wes, [ 3360] Þai flowen al so swiþe anon, As her steden miȝten gon, & swore al wiþ wordes flegge, King Arthour it schuld abigge. King Arthour þo went oȝen, [ 3365] To gider he gadred al his men & departede wiþ hem þe tresour, [3367) deparde ms.] Þat he wan wiþ gret honour; & þo he þonked þe king of glorie, Þat him hadde ȝouen þe victorie, [ 3370] To ouercomen his fomen. In to Cardoil he went oȝen & held fest noble & gent Wiþ his meyne, verrament; Al, þat euer wald þider gon, [ 3375] [3375) Of al ms.] Curteyseliche were ressaiued anon; Þis fest last fourteniȝt, [f. 220c.] Þat was riche & noble, a pliȝt.

Þo þe fest was ydo, Merlin com þe king to; [ 3380] To Londen he bad him heiȝe & þer schewe his curteisie, [3382) curteisie] auf rasur geschr.] & when he com þer, saunfayl, He wold him schewe gret conseil, Ac nouȝt, ar he had fest ymade [ 3385] To al þe lond & made ful glade.

King Arthour dede his conseyl & went to Londen, saunfail, Where þe king, sir Arthour, Was afong wiþ gret honour. [ 3390] [3390) gre ms.]

Sone after seyn Jones misse Þe king lete bidden more & lesse Into Londen to his fest; [3393) to] danach londei, unterpunktet.] Swiche he made & held onest Þurch þe conseyl of Merlin; [ 3395] His seriauntes þo þurch him, [3396) He seriaunted ms.] Merlin tok to ich mester, [3397) tok] danach þo, unr., ms.] Þat sleiȝe were & of power. Þo drouȝ bi half þe clerk Merlin [3399) clerk] cle verklext.] Þe king Arthour & eke Vlfin [ 3400] [3400) Arthour] auf rasur geschr.] & Bretel & sir Antour & Kay, þe steward of valour, & seyd: "Listen to me now, For soþe, ichil telle ȝou: .xi. kinges & doukes on [ 3405] Han ysworn, Arthour to slon; Swiche is her parlement [3407) is] danach now, unr., ms.] Now in þe marche, verrament; Oȝaines hem ȝe no haue no miȝt, Bot ȝe hauen help to fiȝt; [ 3410] Y wil ȝou telle, what do ȝe mote, Ȝif ȝe wil finden bote: Mi lord Vterpendragon Wan vnder him þe king Ban & his broþer Bohort al so; [ 3415] No better bodis no mowe go, Þai were sworn to Vter, mi lord: To hem ich rede sende word, To lesse Breteine, for it is nede, Þat Vterpendragon is dede; [ 3420]

Ȝe mot hem sigge, verrament, [f. 220d.] Þat he vnto þis parlement Wiþ outen abod wel swiþe come, To don vmage Arthour, his sone; Þai wil comen anon, y wot, [ 3425] & help þe oȝain king Lot & elles where wiþ her power, [3427) elles] e corr. aus? wiþ] om. ms.] Ȝou worþ to hem wel gret mister Her afterward, par ma fay, Ichil ȝou tel som day. [ 3430] Þis message, sir Vlfin, Þou most bere bi conseil min, & þi fere schal be sir Bretel; Loke, ȝe ben atired wel Wiþ gode armes, on gode stede, [ 3435] Þer to ȝou worþ a litel nede, Ar ȝe comen oȝain to ous: Now heiȝeþ ȝou for loue of Jesus!" Al þis hem liked wel, & sir Vlfin & sir Bretel [ 3440] Wele hem atired, sikerliche, & went forþ wel hastiliche. Þo þai com þe se biȝounde, A gret wildernisse þai founde Bitven Fraunce & Breteyne, [ 3445] Þai seiȝe mani mounteyn & pleine. Þo þai seiȝe a litel hem abone Seuen kniȝtes yarmed come, Of wiche to her steden smiten & to hem ward gun priken [ 3450] Wiþ loude cri, & bad hem ȝeld; Bretel tok his launce & scheld, Þat o kniȝt sone he mett & wiþ his scharp launce him gret; He bar him þurch þe þrote anon, [ 3455] Þat doun he fel ded so ston. [3456) doun] ded ms.]

Þat oþer he mett oȝainward, [3457) mett] auf rasur geschr.; danach t, unterpunktet.] A dint he ȝaf him so hard, Þe launce ran þe brini þurch, Þe kniȝt fel ded in a forwe; [ 3460] In his falling brast þe spere, Bretel bar it no ferþere. [3462) it] auf rasur geschr.] Oþer to þer come glide, Vlfin gan oȝain hem ride Opon a stede stef & strong [ 3465] [f. 221a.] Wiþ a launce gret & long; Þat on he bar þurch scheld & hat, Þat neuer seþþen mete no at; Þe oþer oȝain Vlfin brac his spere, Ac he no miȝt Vlfin dere; [ 3470] Vlfin him ȝaue a dint of wo [3471) din ms.] Þurch out þe membre & sadel also; Stede & kniȝt ouerþrewe anon; Þe kniȝt brast his nek bon, Vlfines launce tobrac. [ 3475] Þe þre come þo gret rac; Þe oþer foure, forto wreken Þe þre, gun her launces breken & her noiþer hirt nouȝt; Bretel kidde, þat he was auȝt, [ 3480] His swerd he drouȝ, þat on he hit, His heued fram þe bodi he kit. Þat oþer oftoke sir Vlfin & so him hit on þe bacin, Þat he him cleue to þe toþ, [ 3485] So ous seyt þe Brout, for soþ. Þe oþer kniȝt, her lord þat was, Wel swiþe went oȝain his pas; Ȝif he abod ani longere, Wele he seiȝe, it was his lere. [ 3490] Þis ich kniȝtes four & þre Wiþ Claudas hadde ybe,

Wiþ Claudas hadde werred oȝan Þe king Bohort & þe king Ban; Claudas was þo ouercome [ 3495] Priueliche & went to Rome, Him to puruay sum socour, To wreke him of his deshonour. Þer while þo kniȝtes, cert, Were ywent in to desert, [ 3500] To libben bi her robrie; Ac þer hem fel gret vilanie. Þer after Vlfin forþ him rode & eke Bretel, wiþ outen abod; No lete þai neuer jornaying, [ 3505] Til þai com to Ban, þe king; & þo he com bifor Ban, Þus his wordes he bigan:

"Jesus Crist, heuen king, [f. 221b.] [3509) Shus(!) ms.] Þe loke, sir Ban, þe king, [ 3510] & þi meine so gent & fre, Þat ich here about þe se! Þe barouns of Breteine þe more Tiding þe sent, þat reweþ hem sore: Vterpendragon, þi lord, is ded [ 3515] & is departed þurch godes red; King is made his sone Arthour & þe greteþ wiþ gret honour & bad þe & þi broþer gent [3519) þi] his ms.] Com to his parlement, [ 3520] For to wite & vnderstond Of þe lawes of his lond!"

King Ban wiþ noble cher Welcomed þo messanger & seyd, her wil do he wold [ 3525] & his broþer al so schold.

Þe messangers þo he made Wele at ese; wiþ gret ferrade Bohort þer after swiþe he sent Bi on asent, & swiþe went [ 3530] In to þis lond wiþ mani fair, Forto se þe kinges air. In euerich toun fram Portesmouþe To Londen of gret valoure Men made song & hopinges [ 3535] Oȝain þe come of þis kinges. No was wonded for drie no wete, Þat in lond eueri strete [3538) in lond] irlond ms.] Was bihonged, ich say for soþ, Wiþ mani pal & riche cloþ; [ 3540] Euerich man of ich mester Hem riden oȝain wiþ fair ater; In euerich strete damisels Karols ledden fair & fels. Þo þai were to court ycome, [ 3545] Þai were hendeliche welcome; Him selue þe king Arthour Hem com oȝain wiþ gret honour, Curteiseliche & hem gan calle & anon ledde hem to halle [ 3550] Wiþ her broþer Gvinbaut, Noble clerk, so dieu me saut; In þe sterres he was þe best deuine [f. 221c.] In al þe warld, wiþ outen Merlin. Þer atwot þe clerk Merlin [ 3555] At þe fest þe douke Vlfin & Bretel, þat was his felawe, Hou þai hadde þe kniȝtes yslawe; Ac al þat euer herden þis, Wonder hadde þer of, ywis, [ 3560] Þat he told her bataile, & þer no com nouȝt, saunfaile, & namliche Bohort & Ban & Gvinbaut, þe þridde man.

Þere þo men miȝt yhere [ 3565] Þe queintise of þe spere, Of þe sonne, of mone & ster, When þe welken turned of herre, & of mani priue werk Bitven Merlin & Gvimbaut, þe clerk. [ 3570] Her after sone Merlin swore & sir Vlfin & sir Antore & sir Kay & sir Bretel Tofore þe king on o messel, Þat Arthour was Vter stren [ 3575] Bi Ygerne, þat was his quen. Þer afterward sone, for soþ, Þe kinges swore Arthour hold oþ & deden him also swiþe omage, So it was riȝt & vsage; [ 3580] & þo held Arthour fest, a pliȝt, Þat last ful fourtenniȝt; Of ich riches & deinte, Certes, þer was gret plente; Þo was þer made a turnament, [ 3585] Þat was swiþe noble & gent, Of bacheler & ȝong kniȝt, Swiþe strong & swiþe wiȝt. Þo, þat were of ȝond half, Oȝain þo weren of þis half. [ 3590] Þe best was Lucan, þe boteler, A ȝong kniȝt of grete power, Wiþ outen þe steward Kay, He was a kniȝt of gret noblay; Grimfles, Maruc & Gumas, [ 3595] Ich of hem wel noble was; Placides & eke Driens, [f. 221d.] Holias & Graciens, Marlians & Flaundrius, Sir Meliard & eke Drukius, [ 3600] & al so Breoberuis, Þese born oway þe priis; Noman no herd of fairer [3603) herd] h corr. aus?]

Turnament no nobler. Þo al þis mirþe was ydo, [ 3605] Merlin com þe king to & to hem seyd: "Bieu segnours, [3607) sengours ms.] Ȝe ben yswore to king Arthours, Ȝe mot boþe wiþ him ride To Leodegan of Carmalide; [ 3610] For bi mi rede he schal spouse Gvenour, his douhter precious; Sche is boþe fair & wise, Of al þe lond sche berþ þe priis; Hir fader Leodegan [ 3615] Is a swiþe noble man, Ac king Rion, wiþ outen lesinges, Him werreþ opon wiþ tventi kinges: Þere ȝe mot him help, ywis, [3619) ȝe] auf rasur geschr.] Forto win los & pris!" [ 3620] "Certes," quaþ king Ban, þe gent, [3621) king] g auf rasur geschr.] "Þer to we han gret talent, Ȝif king Claudas in our lond Þer whiles nold ous wait no schond; For he ous haþ werred long [ 3625] Wiþ vnriȝt & michel wrong." "Nay," quaþ Merlin, "drede ȝou nouȝt: Ȝif þou lesest þer fore ouȝt, For þe mountaunce of pani on Þou schalt han hundred oȝan!" [ 3630] "To þat couenaunt," quaþ Ban, þe king, "We beþ redi in al þing, Anon to go wiþ king Arthour, To his manschipe & his honour!"

Merlin seyd: "Bi seyn Jon, [ 3635] Arst ȝe mot anoþer don: .xi. kinges & a douke Beþ hiderward, wiþ outen dout, To slen Arthour & his man, In þe forest of Rokeingham; [ 3640]

Þere ȝe mot help him were [f. 222a.] Vnder scheld wiþ swerd & spere!" "Allas!" quaþ Ban, "for Cristes sond, We no haue no folk of our lond!" Quaþ Merlin: "So god me spede, [ 3645] No schal ȝou faile non at nede!" Þer it was forboden anon, Ich man bi way for to gon, Noiþer mile tene no fiue, Opon pain of her liue; [ 3650] Þis was don for non oþer þing, Bot for a spies andwaiteing, Where þurch alle weren yhent, Þat fram þe barouns weren ysent, & non com oȝain, verrament, [ 3655] To wray þe kinges parlement. Ȝete Merlin went to Rokingham, [3657) Rokingham] zwischen a und m ü. d. z. ein abkürzungs∣zeichen für a oder ar, unr.] Vlfin & oþer wiþ him he nam, Mani pauilouns & telt, & dede þer in flesches & selt [ 3660] & oþer store of mele & win, & tok it to lok Sir Vlfin & bad, he no schuld lete passe Noiþer þe more no þe lasse, Þat miȝt bere ani tiding [ 3665] To þe barouns of her king No of his parlement, No þai no deden, verrament. Þo ȝede Merlin to Ban, þe king, & tok of him his kinges ring, [ 3670] & to king Bohort al so; To lasse Breteine he ȝede þo Ouer þe se in on niȝt, Fele iurnes, y ȝou pliȝt, For in þe Brut ich it lerne, [ 3675] To Leonce of Paerne, Þat was kinges Banes steward, A wiseman wiþ hore bard,

& to Farien, wel noble kniȝt, Bohortes steward þat was, a pliȝt, [ 3680] & schewed hem her lordes ring & bad, þai schuld him socour bring. Leonce and eke Farien To gider brouȝten her men, Fourti þousand þat were teld, [ 3685] [f. 222b.] On stede in armes swiþe beld. .xv. þousende þai leten þere, Her lond to kepen & to were, And .xxv. þousend wiþ him toke, So we finden in þe boke, [ 3690] Wiche ouer se þe clerk Merlin Brouȝt & loged bi Vlfin. To kinges court he gan þo fare & asked, ȝif þai weren ȝare, For her fomen were neiȝehond. [ 3695] King Ban seyd: "For godes sond, [3696) King] g corr. aus?] Whi no hastow brouȝt me socour?" Merlin seyd: "Al rady to ȝour honour!" Þo þai diȝt hem, swain & kniȝt, & wenten þider þat ich niȝt. [ 3700]

Þo þai þider weren ycome, Þai ordeind & teld her þrome; [3702) Þai] om. ms.] Fourti þousand men þai founde, To batail men of gret mounde. Michel ioie made king Ban [ 3705] & Bohort al so of her man; For þai deden þere finde .xxv. þousinde. Arthour hadde þousandes fiftene & na mo, al so y wene, [ 3710] For al þe barouns & þe kinges Were in þe marche, wiþ outen lesinges, Wiþ al þe men, y ȝou say, Þat þai miȝt hem puruay.

To slen Arthour, lasse & more, [ 3715] Al þai hadde to gider swore; Ac, for soþe, non of hem No wist of Arthoures men; Ac we finden in þe boke, Þat þai hadde þer bispoke, [ 3720] On Arthour wiþ her route Þai wold happen al aboute & hem to taken in þe forest, When þai seiȝen time best.

To þis tresoun for to don [ 3725] Com þe king Clarion, Þat was king of Norþ-Humberlond, Wiþ seuen þousand kniȝtes strong.

King Brangores, þat held Strangore, [f. 222c.] [3729) Brangores] b, mit schwärzerer tinte auf rasur geschr.] Þider com, bi godes ore, [ 3730] & brouȝt wiþ him fiue þousand kniȝt, In bataile þat were strong & wiȝt.

Cradelman, king of Norþ-Wales, Hardi man & wise of tales, Sex þousend þider he brouȝt, [ 3735] Of liue or deþe þat litel rouȝt.

A king þer com of an hundred kniȝtes, His name was cleped bi riȝtes, For he no ladde neuer lasse rout, Þan an hundred kniȝtes, about; [ 3740] He was king wel fer bi norþ, A wel strong man & michel worþ; Kniȝtes he brouȝt four þousinde, Men no miȝt non better finde.

King Lot, þat held londes tvo, [ 3745] Leonis & Dorkaine al so, [3746) Leonis] nach e i, unterpunktet.]

He brouȝt seuen þousend kniȝtes, Swiþe hardi & stronge in fiȝtes. [3748) stronge] r ü. d. z. geschr.]

Ȝete þer com king Carodas, Þat of þe rounde table was; [ 3750] Seuen þousand he brouȝt also; No better kniȝtes no miȝt go.

Nanters, þe king of Garlot, Þider com, god it wot, [3754) wot] wo auf rasur geschr.] Vp Arthour, þat was wroþ & grim, [ 3755] Sex þousinde he brouȝt wiþ him, Stronge kniȝtes & noble, saunfaile, Þat wise & hardi were in bataile.

Ȝete þer come king Vrien Wiþ sex þousand of wiȝt men, [ 3760] Wele atired on gode destrers, Wiþ outen fotmen & squiers.

Ȝete þer com king Yder Wiþ fiue þousand of gret power.

Ȝete þer com king Angvisaunt, [ 3765] Þe riche king of Scotlaunt, Wiþ sex þousende kniȝtes beld Boþe in toun & eke in feld.

Ȝete þer come þe douc Sestas, Erl of Canbernic he was; [ 3770] Arundel was hoten þo Cambernic, wiþ outen no; He brouȝt wiþ him þousandes fiue, [f. 222d.] Non better nere oliue. Alle þese priueliche [ 3775] To Rokingham com, sikerliche, & loged hem in þe forest, Stille, wiþ outen ani chest,

Wiþ al, þat þai procoure miȝt, Boþe of baroun & of kniȝt. [ 3780] Ac Arthour was wel stilly Wiþ his folk neiȝe hem bi; Noiþer baroun no king Nist nouȝt of his being.

Þe ferþ niȝt after her soiour [ 3785] Merlin bad þe king Arthour & Bohort & king Ban, Hem atiren & her man & com wiþ him anon riȝtes & kiþe, ȝif þai were noble kniȝtes. [ 3790] Boþe in iren & in stiel Þai hem armed swiþe wel & wiþ Merlin went, y say, [3793) f. umgestellt im ms.] Ar day þre mile way.

In þis time Lot, þe king, [ 3795] In bed was in gret meteing; Him þouȝt, water, winde & rain In her teld was hem oȝain, [3798) teþ ms.] Her pauilouns ouerþrewe þe þonder. He ofwoke & had wonder; [ 3800] [3800) ofwoke] nach of he, ausradirt.] His sweuen he teld his feren hard, Þai him axed, whiderward Him þouȝt, þat his sweuen bar; Þe soþe anon he teld þar. Þiderward wel swiþe an hye [ 3805] Þai senten spies, forto aspie. Þis spies anon forþ stetten & wiþ Merlin sone metten & wiþ Arthour, king of los; Of þat meteing hem agros. [ 3810] Merlin hem seiȝe & bad hem bide; Fleand oway þai gun ride

& euer grad: "Traisoun, traisoun!" Þe oþer her of herd þe soun & hem atired, verrament; [ 3815] Ac Merlin cast enchauntment, Þat her pauilouns, on & alle, [f. 223a.] To þe grounde gun to falle, [3818) gun] auf rasur geschr.] &, so ich in þe boke yfinde, Þe mest part he made blinde. [ 3820] King Arthour & Bohort & Ban Opon hem smiten onan, & eke alle her ferrede Wiþ hors fete on hem trede, Wiþ speres stong, wiþ swerdes korwe [ 3825] Ten þousende kniȝtes bi þe morwe, [3826) bi] i ü. d. z. geschr.] Ar ani of hem miȝt hem stere Oþer sen abouten, hem to were. Ac, naþeles, þis .xi. kinges Flowen o way wiþ michel genge [ 3830] A litel þennes in til a lowe; [3831) þenntes ms.] A loude horn þai gun blowe, Of her kniȝtes & gaderd hem so To gider þritti þousende & mo.

Ich king had to his dale [ 3835] [3835) had] xv ms.] Þre þousand gret & smale, Her hors girten & sadels riȝt & made hem redi forto fiȝt. On þe hille þai gun ten, Arthour & his folk to sen; [ 3840] Þo seiȝe þai seuen baners, [3841) Þo] o mit dunklerer tinte aufgefrischt.]

Of whiche Lucan, þe boteler, Of þe first maister was, For swiþe hardi man he was.

Grifles ladde þe secounde, [ 3845] A wiȝt man of gret mounde;

Þe þridde folc ladde Bretel, Strong kniȝt & doinde wel. [3848) Strong & doinde kniȝt wel ms.]

Þe ferþ baner ladde Kay, Þe kinges steward of noblay. [ 3850]

Þe fift baner ladde Vlfin, A noble baroun gode afin. Ich hadde of þis to his baner Þre þousand of gret power. Arthour on hors sat stef so stok [ 3855] & gouerned þe seuend flok & ladde wiþ him four þousinde Wiȝt men & wel doinde. Þe oþer no miȝt ben ykidde, Bi hinden hem þai weren yhidde; [ 3860] King Lot, king Nanters & king Vrien [f. 223b.] & king Carodas wiþ his men, Þis foure bi hinde were & lete þe oþer al forþ fare, & in þe sonnes vpriseing [ 3865] [3865) Þe] þ corr. aus?] Bigan, certes, þis rideing. Þer miȝt men se þe baners roten, Þe stedes forþ wel ȝern schoten; Þo þai first oþer metten, Ich oþer wiþ launces gretten; [ 3870] Mani in sadles held hem stille, & mani al so of hors felle; Mani brac his spere þare, Mani oþer þurch out bar. Kai þan felled þe king Yder [ 3875] Wiþ his spere of his destrer; Þe king of hundred kniȝtes Kay doun feld anon riȝtes.

Kay vp stirt & king Yder, A fot fouȝten wiþ swerdes cler; [ 3880]

On boþe half so com her men & swiþe stirten hem bitven. Þer come Lucan, þe boteler, & bar Eustas of his destrer; Eustas, þe douke of Arundel, [ 3885] Bi Yder stode & werd him wel.

Grifles feld þe king Clarion; Þe king of hundred kniȝtes com & hit Grifles bi þe side; Of his stede he gan doun glide; [ 3890] Vp strit Grifles & stode bi Kay & fauȝt so a kniȝt of noblay. [3892) kniȝt] iȝ auf rasur geschr.] Forþ com Vlfin & eke Lucan & feld king Cradelman, & wiþ oþer kniȝtes mo [ 3895] Riden he þese kniȝtes to, [3896) þese] om. ms.] Þe douke Grifles & þe steward Kay On hors þai brouȝt, par ma fay; Þo þai were mounted, y sigge, a pliȝt, Þai kedden her noble miȝt: [ 3900] Þan þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes Kay doun feld anon riȝtes, & þre kniȝtes al a rawe He binam þer her liif dawe. [3904) her] er auf rasur geschr.] Arthour wiþ his miȝti hand [ 3905] [f. 223c.] Feld king Brangors & king Anguisaunt. Þo were a fot seuen kinges, Gret slauȝter was at her rideinges, Þat þai no miȝt nouȝt keuer her destrers For her alder powers. [ 3910]

King Lot & king Carodas & Nanters, þat bi hinde was, & eke þe king Vrien Wiþ tvelf þousand of strong men, [3914) þousand] s ü. d. z. nachgetr.]

Þe hors of baundoun lete þai frem [ 3915] [3915) frem] r corr. aus e.] & come flingand wiþ al her men; So Arthours folk þai metten & of her steden mani stetten; In þat ich hard meteinges Al þai socourd her kinges [ 3920] & brouȝten hem on her steden; Þe better þo þai miȝt speden. Þer wer fele of hors yfeld & kniȝtes yslawe vnder scheld; Ac þer schewed king Arthour [ 3925] At þat batayl gret vigour; Of his men mani feld ware, Now he was here, now he was tare, & chalanged his men bi riȝt & wiȝtlich bigan, for hem to fiȝt; [ 3930] Wiþ his swerd of gode egge Sum he clef to þe rigge, & sum he smot þe nek atvo, & sum he smot þe schulder fro.

Þe oþer kinges were wiȝt also, [ 3935] Arthours folk þai deden wo; .xxx. þousand, for soþe y wene, Fouȝten þer oȝain sextene; Lucan, Grifles & king Arthour, Vlfin, Bretel & sir Antour, [ 3940] Þis ich seuen, saunfail, Þe cark hadde of þe batayl. Þe folk descomfit hadde men sen, No hadde her miȝt þe better ben; Ac in al þis surcarking [ 3945] Merlin com to Ban, þe king, & seyd: "Sir, time it is, Þou help king Arthour, ywis!" Al so swiþe þan Ban, þe king, [f. 223d.] Went forþ wiþ outen letting. [ 3950]

Farien, a kniȝt of gret power, He was douke of þe first baner; [3952) bane ms.] Maruc loked þe secounde, A kniȝt of swiþe gret mounde; Of þe þridde maister was [ 3955] Þe noble king Belias; Þe ferþ ledde Bleoberiis, A baroun of wel noble pris; Þe fif ladde Gracian, Strong baroun & noble man; [ 3960] Þes fiue, so y finde, Led of men fiftene þousinde; Þer ich of hem hastiliche Went hem forþ, hardiliche. [3964) When ms.] Bohort afterward cam [ 3965] Wiþ four þousand of noble man; In þis world wele to fiȝt No were yhelden non better kniȝt. Al so þai maden þis wailing, Þe oþer com on hem smiteing [ 3970] Wiþ her speres & feld to grounde Mani, þat þai þere founde.

In þis time king Lot Went out of þe plas, god it wot, & king Nanters & king Vrien [ 3975] Wiþ mani noble of her men, & king Carodas, þe wiȝt, & king of þe hundred kniȝt. Þese so michel pite seiȝen, Þat þai wepe wiþ her eiȝen [ 3980] For þe sleȝster of her man & sore þe dede of king Ban, & Bohort al so, his broþer: Þere no schuld go no noþer; Adoun þai liȝt & her hors girten, [ 3985] Wiþ outen stirop þer in stirten;

Euerich of hem nome in his hond A launce boþe stef & strong; King Nanters, king Lot, king Karodas, Þis men armed wiþ gret ras; [ 3990] King Ban þai hitten alle at ones, Adoun þai þrewe him on þe stones; King of þe hundred kniȝtes & king Vrien, [f. 224a.] King Bohort þai riden oȝen & hitten him boþe at a dent [ 3995] & feld his stede, verrament; Ac Ban vp stirt & Bohort al so & wele hem wered o fot bo; Þe oþer hem were about to dere, Ac manliche þai gun hem were. [ 4000] King Arthour seiȝe doun king Ban, Swiþe wo him was for þan; His stede he smot þider anon, A kniȝt, þat was about, king Ban to slon, On þe helme he smot, for soþ, [ 4005] Þurch helme & palet to þe toþ & pelt doun þat bodi dede & tok þat stede gode at nede. King Ban þan þurch fine miȝt On þat stede lepe, a pliȝt; [ 4010] Þo he þe stede was opon, He ȝaue a nedel of his fon. Anoþer king Arthour hitte, Þe bodi to þe nauel he kitte Fro þe scholder, y tel ȝou; [ 4015] It was a dint of gret vertu; Arthour pelt adoun þat buke, Þat hors he lad Bohort, þe douke; Þo þai on hors seten boþe, Þai were aschamed & eke wroþ; [ 4020] So we finden on þe boke: Who þat ani of hem oftoke, Of liue no hadde þai no bote, Ac to þe deþ went, god it wot. What gette it, al to tellen here? [ 4025] Arthur & Ban & her fere

So michel pople toforn hem slowe, Þat her enemis hem wiþdrowe & gun to fle to on brigge, Þat þai toforn dede ligge. [ 4030] Þer spac Morganor on hast, King Vriens sone o bast, —He was on of þe best kniȝt, Þat miȝt held swerd in fiȝt— [4034) danach folgende zwei verse: He was on of þe best kniȝt. Þat miȝt weld swerd in fiȝt ms.] He seyd: "Sir, listneþ alle: [ 4035] [f. 224b.] O our folk we moten calle Bi on horn, þat y schal blawe, Oþer þai worþ alle yslawe & destroied of our fon!" Þe kinges seyd: "Þat is wele don!" [ 4040]

Morganor þo gan to blowe, Þat folk so gun his horn knowe, Swiftlich al þai gunnen flen & to þe kinges socour ten. Þo þai comen to þe brigge, [ 4045] Ich on oþer gan to legge; Ac, al so wolf þe schip gan driue, Arthour smot hem after swiþe, & king Ban & her men Slouȝ of hem þousendes ten. [ 4050] Þer þai hadde mani slawe, Ac Merlin gan hem wiþdrawe & seyd, oȝain wende þai schold, Þe siluer to part & þe gold & mani oþer riche þinges, [ 4055] Þat þer hadde left þe riche kinges. Arthour þouȝt gode afin Þe riche conseyl of Merlin: Þe oþer oway þai leten flen & gan oȝain wiþ his folk ten. [ 4060] Of gold, of siluer & noblesse Þai founden grete riches;

Arthour it ȝaf Bohort & Ban & bad it part among her man; So þai deden wiþ gret honour [ 4065] To hem & to þe king Arthour.

After þat gentil parting To Londen went Arthour, þe king, & king Bohort & king Ban & alle her noble man; [ 4070] Fourten niȝt Arthour held fest Swiþe noble & swiþe onest. [4072) onest] davor wiȝt, unterpunktet.] Þo þe fest ydon was, Merlin teld Arthour þat cas; "Arthour," he seyd þis þinges, [ 4075] "No drede þe nomore of þis kinges; Now þai han ymade it touȝ, Sone hem worþ to don ynouȝ, Er þan com þe trinite. [f. 224c.] [4079) E ms.] Ich wald ȝiuen o cite, [ 4080] Wiþ þat þai hadde made acord & þat þou were made her lord, For here is comand to þis lond Gret hunger, & here gong Sex hundred Sarrazins, [ 4085] Forto awreke þe douke Angis; Þis lond þai comen al about, Of hem no þarf þe noþing dout; Her schal com a bachelrie, Of þe to haue cheualrie [ 4090] & of þe to ben made kniȝt, & for þi lond þai wil fiȝt; Þai schul don mani agrise, Of hem þi los schal arise, Þou schalt hem alle knowe wel [ 4095] & of þe kinges wite eueridel. [4096 wite] danach wel, unterpunktet.]

Þai schullen hauen in her lond Of wer to don ful her hond; & ich ȝou sigge, Bohort & Ban, Sendeþ hom al ȝour man, [ 4100] [4100) & sendeþ ms.] Ȝour lond to loke & ouersen, Bot it swiþe fewe ben. Arthour schal alle his tounes Astore wiþ flesche & venisouns, Wiþ corn & mele & men strong, [ 4105] Oȝain her fon to werre long; & þou, Arthour, me schalt abide Bitven Inglond & Carmelide In þe toun of Brekenho, Til ich me self þe com to!" [ 4110] Þis was do, wiþ outen doute: Arthour his tounes stored aboute [4112) his] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Wiþ corn, mele, flesche & fische [4113) Der hs. zufolge wäre diese zeile einzurücken.] & wiþ men strong, ywis. Þe douke þo, wiþ outen fable, [ 4115] Of Cardoil hadde ben constable; Of Londen, bi Merlines rade, He was þo constable ymade.

Leonce he sent hom of Paerne, Ban & Bohort swiþe ȝerne [ 4120] [4120) Desgl.] & þe douke al so Pharien & þe baroun Gracien, Wiþ her ost þe lond to loke, [f. 224d.] So we finden on þe boke. King Arthour, Bohort & Ban [ 4125] Wele wiþ sex score of her man Went hem to Brekenho, So Merlin hem seyd to, Bitven Inglond & Carmelide, Merlines com forto abide, [ 4130] Þat þo fro hem was ywent, Þai nist whider, verrament.

Þo þai hadde þere a while abiden, On a day out þai riden & seiȝe com bi on lowe [ 4135] An eld cherl wiþ aruwe & bowe; [4136) Aneld ms. bowe] b corr. aus d.] Þe cherl bent his bowe sone & smot a doke mididone, & wiþ a bolt afterward Anon he hitt a maulard. [ 4140]

Þis foules he nam þo, Oȝain þe king he gan go; Arthour him asked, as y ȝou telle, Ȝif he wold þo foules selle. Þis old man seyd, par ma fay, [ 4145] He wold hem ȝiue for monay; Þe king him axed, so most he liue, Hou he wold þe foules ȝiue; Þeld man seyd: "Sir king, Nouȝt þou schust make hucking, [ 4150] Ac þou schust hote hem bere forþ & tviis ȝiue me þe worþ, For ich þe wold soner ȝiue [4153) Fo ms.] Þis to foules, so mot y liue, Þan þou a pani of þi gold, [ 4155] Þat liþ bidoluen depe in mold!" Wiþ þis word, þe foules to, Sir Kay he tok hem bo.

To þat eld seyd Arthour: "Who teld þe of mi tresour?" [ 4160] "Certes," he seyd, "þe clerk Merlin, For swiþe late y spac wiþ him!" Þe king nold him leue nouȝt, Þeld man seyd, him no rouȝt, "For, king," he seyd, "þou hast of me, [ 4165] & y no haue nouȝt of þe!" Bretel & Vlfin him vnderstode [f. 225a.] & seyd anon wiþ milde mode:

"Sir, god þe ȝeld þis foules to: Ȝiftes þou hast him ȝeuen mo, [ 4170] & ȝete þou schalt wiþ godes miȝt Mo presantes & ȝiftes him diȝt!" Þer þai wisten bi Vlfin, Þat þis eld was Merlin.

Merlin him schewed to king Arthour, [ 4175] & he him kist wiþ gret honour, & Bohort & Ban & oþer swiþe Of his come weren bliþe. A damisel of gret valour Was þo comen to king Arthour, [ 4180] To knowe him lord & don omage, Þat sche no hadde afterward damage; & alle hir kniȝtes deden al so, Þat wiþ hir were comen þo; Liȝanor þat may was hot, [ 4185] Erl Siweinis douhter, god it wot. Þo Arthour hir hadde yseiȝe, Bi hir he wald haue yleiȝe; So he dede þurch Merlin, A child he biȝat hir in, [ 4190] Þat wex seþþen of gret mounde & kniȝt of þe table rounde. Þere þai soiournud euerichon, Til þat lenten were half agon.

Lete we hem þer stille be [ 4195] & of þe kinges telle we, .xi., þat flowen are, Hou þai bicomen & whare.

In time of winter alange it is: Þe foules lesen her blis, [ 4200] Þe leues fallen of þe tre, Rein alangeþ þe cuntre; Maidens leseþ here hewe, Ac euer hye louieþ, þat be trewe.

Þe kinges, þat descomfit ware, [ 4205] Al day & al niȝt hadde yfare On hors, armed, wiþ gret hete, Wiþ outen drink, wiþ outen mete, Til þai com to Norhant, A fair cite of gode waraunt. [ 4210] Norham was þat time, y wene, [f. 225b.] A prout cite & strong & kene; Ich ȝou telle at on word: King Vriens was þerof lord. Þis kinges alle þider comen ware [ 4215] & hadden sorwe & gret care, [4216) care] a corr. aus?] For her kniȝtes were so yslawe & her kin brouȝt o liue dawe; Swiche diol þai hadden dayes to, Nold þai mete to mirþe do. [ 4220] Vp him stirt Bandamagu, A kniȝt of gret vertu, & seyd: "Kinges, leteþ ben: Ȝour diole is rewþe for to sen; Ȝe habbeþ frendes fer & wide, [ 4225] To hem ȝe schulleþ nouþe ride & ȝour diol to hem speke, Þurch whom ȝe worþ awreke!" Þurch his speche comfort þai nome, Þe þridde day & to gider come, [ 4230] & euerich oþer ȝaue swiche solas, So þai miȝten in þas cas; Þat day þai maden hem at aise, To bed aniȝt þai ȝeden in paise.

Þe ferþ day euerich aros, [ 4235] & sone days hem agros, For to hem com a messanger & gret hem wiþ rewelich chere & seyd, in to Cornnewaile Sarrazins were comen, saunfaile, [ 4240]

& hadde neiȝe strued al þat lond Wiþ wilde fere & wiþ brond & þe lond of Dorkaine also Ystroied & don michel wo; Nambires þai hadde bilay [ 4245] & destrued al þe cuntray Boþe wiþ fer & wiþ sword; Spard þai noiþer knaue no lord. Þer was so michel pople of hem, Þat tellen hem no miȝt men. [ 4250] Þo þe kinges yherd þis, In her hertes nas no blis; Al her flesche bigan to quake. So þe feuer hem had ytake; Ich of hem seyd: 'allas!' [ 4255] [f. 225c.] Þat ani of hem ybore was. Þe wailing, þat þai made, To day no miȝt ich ful rade, Ac swiche sorwe made, a pliȝt, Ich of hem fourtenniȝt, [ 4260] Þat litel mete com hem among, Bot waileway & wepeing strong. At þe fourtenniȝtes ende King Brangore wiȝt & hende Com him forþ in to þe halle [ 4265] & ofsent his feren alle; To hem alle þan spak Brangori: "Yblisced be þe king of glorie Of his grace & of his sending! What helpeþ ous swiche morning? [ 4270] Fond we ous to bistere & our lond sum del to were: We no haue pouer Arthour oȝen For king Bohort & king Ban No for Merlin, þe gode clerk, [ 4275] Þat can so michel schandliche werk; We no haue deserued, of Arthour To haue nonskinnes socour, To helpen ous oȝain Angys kende. Þat þenkeþ ous forto schende, [ 4280]

& we haue ylorn our miȝt, Nouȝt wiþ wrong, ac al wiþ riȝt, Þat wold haue our lord kende Yslawe þurch lore of þe fende.

Of king Leodegan help worþ ous non, [ 4285] For of Yrlond þe king Rion Him haþ awerred to ȝer & more Wiþ tventi kinges, bi godes ore, No of king Pelles of Listonei No worþ ous help, par ma fay, [ 4290] For þe ward of Pelleore, His broþer, liþ sike & sore & schel be seke, fort þe meruaile Of þe greal be don, saunfaile, [4294) saunsaile(!) ms.] No forþer of þe king Alain [ 4295] No worþ ous noiþer help no main, For he liþ sike & sike schal ben For þe best kniȝt of stren: Y haue seyd, wherfore it is, [f. 225d.] Þat he bicom sike, ywis— [ 4300] No of þe king of þe Marais Nor Maga of Sorailes No may þer com help to ous, For him awerreþ Galaous, No of þe king Bremeins [ 4305] No of þe king Adameins No of þe king Clamadas No may ous com no solas, [4308) ous] hem ms.] For alle hem werreþ Galeus, Þe riche king so vertouous. [ 4310] Lokeþ now, hou we may spede, For we habbeþ wel gret nede!"

Þo bispac Cradelman, King of Norþ-Wales, a wise man: "Þe best conseil, þat y can: [ 4315] Part we alle our man,

& hire we alle þo, Þat we wiþ catel may ago, & ich man wende to his cite. Þat we wene strangest be, [ 4320] & kepe we þe strait wais Ouer alle in þe cuntrays & robben hem her sustenaunce Wiþ skec, & don hem combraunce & waiten hem al þe qued, [ 4325] Þat we mowe, bi mi red!" Þo bispac sir Lot, þe king: "Gode ware al þis conseiling, Ac ich wot, when Arthour seþ, Þat we of þe payens awerred beþ, [ 4330] Anoþer half he wil ous anoie & wiþ schond ous destroie!" Þe king of þe hundred kniȝt Seyd: "Drede ȝou nouȝt, y ȝou pliȝt: Arthour wiþ Bohort & Ban [ 4335] Beþ toward Leodegan & help him oȝain Rion & hem warnisen euerichon Boþe cite & castel Wiþ mete & men swiþe wel, [ 4340] Þat hem no stondeþ no doute Of þe payens no of her route; Of him no haueþ non drede, [f. 226a.] For it is soþe, þat ich ȝou sede; Mi conseyl is, ȝe don anon, [ 4345] So þou seydest, king Cradelman!" Þis conseyl þai deden þo & senten after mani mo, Kniȝtes, swaines, man, þat wold [4349) swaines] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Winnen siluer oþer gold, [ 4350] For to loke, wiþ outen asoine, Al þe marches of Galoine & of Cornwaile þe pleines & eke þe place of Dorkains

& of Gorre al so, ich say, [ 4355] & eke þe entres of Galeway. Alder first Yder, þe king, Þre þousand hadde of bileueing, Þat yslawe no were nouȝt, [4359) were] danach no were unr., ms.] Oȝaines Arthour þan þai fouȝt, [ 4360] & .viii. þousand of purchas He hadde al so, bi godes gras, & to þis strong cite Nante, Wiþ alle þis men he wante, & ȝete he hadde þousandes þre [ 4365] Of þe cite, bi mi leute.

Þis Ider loked wele þe wayes Wiþ his folk in þat cuntreys, & payens he ouercam Oft & her mete binam [ 4370] & so wele in armes dede, Þat men him blisced in eueri stede. [4372) him] hem ms.]

King Nanters, þe wiȝt man, So went forþ in to Hussidan, His owhen cite, þat was of priis, [ 4375] Wiþ þre þousand, him bileued, ywis, In þe bataile, þer he was, Wiþ seuen þousand of purchas, & fif þousand in toun he fond, Orped men & gode of hond. [ 4380] Þis loked wele þe paþes & þe paiens oft deden scaþes, Boþe o lif & eke tresour Þai dede þe paiens misauentour.

King Lot went to Dorkaine [ 4385] Wiþ þre þousand bileued wiþ paine, Þer he was at þe bataile, [f. 226b.] & wiþ fiue þousand of purchas, saunfaile,

& four þousand he fond in his toun, Wiȝt men & of grete renoun; [ 4390] & ȝete for his wiȝt pruesse & hendeschip & largesse Þre þousand after him come, Gode bataile forto done.

.viii. þousand þo hadde Lot, [ 4395] Þat wele him holpe, god it wot, Þe waies & þe paþes ȝeme & of þe Sarrains hem reme, [4398) him ms.] & often deden hem gret greuaunce & robbed hem her sustenaunce. [ 4400]

Þo went king Clarion To Norþ-Humberlond anon, To his cite, þat hete Arlende, Wiþ þre þousand, þat were hende, Þat him bileued at þat fiȝt [ 4405] Oȝain Arthour, þe gode kniȝt. .viii. þousand he hadde of purchas, Þat wele deden in eueri plas; [4408) Arlende] a sehr verloschen.] Þe wayes þai deden wele awayt & þe paþes, þat were strait, [ 4410] & oft deden þe Sarrazins Grete schame & grete pines.

After went anon riȝtes, Þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes, Aguigines was his name, [ 4415] He was a kniȝt of gret fame; He went him to Malaot, A riche cite, god it wot; Þe cite on leuedis was & stode in a wel gret pas, [ 4420] Where þe Sarrazins com & ride; Þre þousand he brouȝt him mide, Ascaped from deþes hond, Þat leuedi marched on his lond;

Þer fore sche com to his socour [ 4425] & fond kniȝtes of grete valour, Ynouȝ to loken her lond, & so þai deden wiþ miȝti hond. After went Cradelman, To Norþ-Wales þat he cam [ 4430] Wiþ þre þousand of his kniȝtes, [f. 226c.] Þat were ascaped fram þe fiȝtes; He purchast seuen þousinde, So ich in þe boke yfinde; Four þousand he fond at hom, [ 4435] Þat were bliþe of his com, For vnneþe fram hem fiue mile Woned a wiche, hete Carmile; Hir broþer hiȝt Hardogabran, A swiþe riche soudan; [ 4440] Of wichecraft & vilainie [4441) vileine ms.] & eke of nigramancie [4442) nigramace ms.] Of þis warld sche couþe mast, Wiþ outen Arthours sone a bast; Morgein, for soþe, was hir name, [ 4445] & woned wiþ outen Niniame, Þat wiþ hir queint gin Bigiled þe gode clerk Merlin.

Þis Carmile in þat cuntray Hadde a castel of gret noblay; [ 4450] Of þat castel hadde socour Þe Sarrazins & gret recour, Whar þurch þe king Cradelman Was soure carked & alle his man; Ac swiþe wele, noþelas, [ 4455] Þe marche he loked & eke þe pas; Ac Carmile, par ma fay, Bi Merlines liif day No miȝt do wiþ hir wicheing In Inglond non anoiing. [ 4460]

King Brangore þo went forþ To Estrangore, wel fer bi norþ, & woned þat wiche bi side: Þe more noiȝe him gan bitide; Þre þousinde wiþ him he nam, [ 4465] Þe sleiȝt þat were ascaped fram; Sex þousinde he hadde of purchas & fiue, of his cite þat was, Þat loked þe cuntray & often dede þe panimes tray. [ 4470] Þis Brangores of valour Ludranef douhter þemperour [4472) douster ms.] Bi þat time hadde yspoused, A leuedi gent & preciouse; Ac þe king of Hungri & of Blaske [ 4475] [f. 226d.] Hir hadde first to wiue ytake; Bi hir form husbounde Sche hadde a child of gret mounde, Þat was yhoten Sagremor, In ward wiþ þemperour; [ 4480] Þat was air of þemperie [4481) þempire ms.] & of Blaske & of Hungrie. Ȝe schul here afterward, hou Segremor Com to kniȝt of king Arthour, Where þurch þemperour, sikerliche, [ 4485] Him hadde ygraiþed richeliche & hadde him sent to Costentinenoble, To Inglond ward wiþ mani noble.

Ȝete went forþ king Carodas, Þat of þe rounde table was, [ 4490] To Galence, his cite, A cite riche of gret plente; Wiþ him he hadde þre þousand kniȝt, [4493) sonand ms.] Þat were ascaped fram þat fiȝt, & þer he fond foure þousinde [ 4495] Noble kniȝtes, so ich finde, & seuen þousand of gret powers He purchasced, on heiȝe destrers,

Þat wiþ swerd & launce & kniif Binomen mani painems her liif [ 4500] & wiþ skekes & wiþ fiȝt Þe wayes loked wele, a pliȝt. Þer after þe king Anguisaunt Went to Coranges in Scotland Wiþ fiue þousand gode kniȝtes [ 4505] [4505) þouand ms.] Alle ascaped fram þe fiȝtes; Of purchas he hadde þousendes ten, Swiþe wele fiȝtand men, Wiþ outen mani, þat he fond In his cite & in his lond. [ 4510] He nas bot tventi mile way Fram Nambire, þat was bilay Of mani þousand Sarrain, Where of he hadde mister fin, To fele kniȝtes, him to helpe, [ 4515] [4515) him] der letzte m-strich später zugef.] To fiȝt oȝain þe Sarrazin welpe; So þai deden wiþ chere bliþe Swiþe oft & mani siþe, On hem schoten bi wayes & paþes [f. 227a.] & dede þe Sarrains gret scaþes. [ 4520] [4520) sarrins ms.]

Þo went Eustas to Arundel Wiþ þre þousand armed wel, Þat were ascaped fram þe batayle, Wiþ seuen þousand, sanfaile, Þat wele loked paþ & way [ 4525] Ouer al in þat cuntray. [4526) cumtray ms.]

King Vriens bileued stille In Norham, sori & eke ille For depart of his felawes & for her men, þat weren yslawe; [ 4530] He hadde in alle þousandes ten, Boþe wiȝt & hardy men, Þat anoied bi al her miȝt Þe Sarrazins bi day & niȝt.

Now ȝe schul vnderstond: [ 4535] Fif ȝer þis last in Inglond, Þat no corn no was ysowe, Noiþer on doun no on lowe. Alle þis ich ȝeres fiue Þis kinges þus ladde her liue [ 4540] Wiþ þat þai miȝt reue & robbe Of Sarrazins wiþ swerd & clobbe; Þe lowe folk in þe cuntray Were yslawe for nouȝt al day, & alle yslawe hadde yben, [ 4545] No hadde sir Wawain to hem sen; Þat was þo a bacheler, Jolif & of strong power. Ac ar ich ȝou more þing Of paiems telle oþer king, [ 4550] [4550) tellen ms.] Of Nanters sones & of his feren Noble þing ȝe schullen yheren; His sone was hoten Galathin.

Now listneþ wele for loue min [4554) Das abschnittszeichen stcht, statt hier, bei v. 4555.] Of Ygerne, þat ich er of spake, [ 4555] Hou Hoel hir hadde spoused to make; On hir he biȝat Blasine gent, & so he dede Belisent. King Nanters hadde spoused Blasine & Lot Belisent fair & dine. [ 4560] Y wil wele, þat ȝe it wite: Nanters in Blasine hadde biȝete A fair ȝong man, Galathin, [f. 227b.] Wiȝt, hende & gentil afin. Lot biȝat in Belisent [ 4565] Four sones swiþe gent, Gveheres & eke Wawain, Gaheriet & Agreuein.

Galathin in þis time Com to his moder Blasine [ 4570] [4570) Blasine] auf rasur geschr.] & asked, ȝif it were soþ, Þat men seyd souþe & norþ: "Ȝif mi nem be king Arthour, Telle me, dame, paramour!" Blasine þo bigan to wepe [ 4575] & seyd: "Sone, so god me kepe, Mi broþer king Arthour is, In on wombe we weren, ywis; [4578) wombe] b corr. aus?] Bot he is Vterpendragons stren, Þer fore þi fader him wold slen, [ 4580] & nere þi fader was slawe in fiȝt, Nouȝt wiþ wrong, bot al wiþ riȝt." Þer sche him teld anon Arthours biȝete of Vterpendragon & alle þe destaunce, whi & whar fore [ 4585] Arthours deþ þai hadden yswore, & seyd: "Sone, were þou wiis, Or so þou þe heldest of priis, Þou scholdest bi day & bi niȝt Wiþ queyntise & al þi miȝt [ 4590] Fond, for to maken acord Bitven Arthour & þi lord!" Galathin swore wiþ wordes bold, He nold neuer oȝain hold, [4594) hold] om. ms.] & seyd, he wold of him afong [ 4595] Helme & swerd & launce strong & of him be dubbed kniȝt & wiþ him be in pays & fiȝt. A messanger he sent anon & badde him, swiþe to Wawain gon [ 4600] & sigge him wiþ wordes bonaire, He com to þe newe faire Of Brocklond, to speke him wiþ Mani word of loue & griþ. Þis erand bar þe messanger; [ 4605] Wawain answerd wiþ glad chere,

Þat, ȝif he hadde liif of manne, [f. 227c.] He wold speke wiþ him þanne. In time, þat þis sond cam, Gawinet fram hunting nam; [ 4610] Þre grehoundes he ledde on hond & þre raches in on bond.

His moder biheld him & wepe sore & seyd: "Sone, now þi nore, Þou lest þi time wiþ vnriȝt, [ 4615] Þou hast age to ben kniȝt; Þou schust leten þi folye, Þi rage & þi ribaudye; Þenke on þi nem Arthour, Kniȝt þat is of mest valour, [ 4620] & fond, to make gode acord Bitven him & Lot, þi lord!" Þer sche told him bifore, Hou Arthour was biȝeten & bore. His brethere seyd, he hadde wrong, [ 4625] For it was al on him ylong, Þat þai here time lorn so, & bot he wald wiþ hem go, Þai wolden fare to king Arthour & him seruen wiþ honour. [ 4630]

Þo bispac him child Wawain, Whom Crist ȝaf boþe miȝt & main: "Swete dame & breþern þre, Wiþ gret wrong ȝe blamen me: [4634) wrong] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Seþþen ich euer born was, [ 4635] Nist y neuer are þis cas, Ac, seþþen þus fer comen it is, Y bihote þe king of blis, No schal y neuer armes afong, Bot of king Arthours hond!" [ 4640] His þre breþer on hast [4641) breþer] danach þer, unr., ms.] Þer biheten anon þat hast.

Þo bispac Wawain curteys: "Madame, purvaieþ ous harnais, & we nil neuer blinne, [ 4645] What we may þe acord winne!" "Sone," sche seyd, "sikerliche, "Ȝe schullen haue neweliche Hors & armes & alle þing, Þat bihoueþ to ȝour dubbeing!" [ 4650] Þer after sone, bi godes sond, [f. 227d.] Galathin went to Brocklond; Oȝain him com Wawain, þe fre, Wiþ his gentil breþer þre, & in her to gider coming [ 4655] Þai maden ioie & gret kisseing.

Þo seyd Wawain to Galathin: "Certes, gentil nevou min, No hadde it be for loue þine, Ich & al breþer mine [ 4660] Were ywent to our em Arthour, To seruen him & make amour Our fader & him bitven, Þurch help of heuen quen!"

"Yherd be Crist," quaþ Galathin, [ 4665] "Þat is desire & wil min: For þat ich selue þing Ich made after þe sending; To gider, y pray þe, wende we!" "Bleþeliche!" quaþ Wawain, þe fre. [ 4670] Þer þai setten ioifulliche Day, to wende, sikerliche; & ȝif þai no hadde to gider ywent, Inglond hadde ben yschent.

Mirie is þentre of May, [ 4675] Þe foules make muri play; Maidens singgeþ & makeþ play, Þe time is hot & long þe day;

Þe iolif niȝtingale singeþ, In þe grene mede floures springeþ. [ 4680] [4680) foules ms.]

King Lot & þe leuedi Belisent Hadde puruayd her sone gent Fif hundred on hors wel, In armour of iren & stiel, Erls sones & barouns boþe, [ 4685] Alle in sout of o cloþe; Ac of hem, bot neiȝen, kniȝt [4687) bot] t corr. aus?] Þer no ware, y ȝou pliȝt. He blisced Gawaynet & Gueheres & Gaheriet [ 4690] & Agreuein, þat was so hende, & on godes name bad hem wende.

On þis maner dede Blasine, King Nanters leuedi dine: Hir sone Galathin [ 4695] [f. 228a.] Sche graiþed in atire fin; To hundred feren sche him fond & blisced him wiþ hir hond; [4698) hir] his ms.] Of þis to hundred were .xx. kniȝtes. Swiþe noble & gode in fiȝtes. [ 4700] Galathin & Gawainet To gider com, þer þai hadde sett, & wenten forþ in her way Toward Londen, for soþe to say; Þai wenden haue king Arthour founde [ 4705] In þe noble toun of Lounde; Þe þridde day in her jurneie Þai were Londen swiþe neie.

Þai seiȝen hem com swiþe ner Seuen hundred charged somer [ 4710] & seuen hundred cartes al so, & fiue hundred waines after go,

Ycharged alle wiþ ale & bred, Wiþ fische & flesche & win red, Robbed of men of þe cuntray, [ 4715] To leden to her ost oway; For þe poudre of þis charging No miȝt men se sonne schining.

Þre þousand, seyt our boke, Þat robberie went to loke. [ 4720] Þis robberie þan hadde ydon A king, hiȝt Leodebron, & þe king Semgran, [4723) Semgram ms.] Swiþe fel & wicke man, & þe king Mandelec, [ 4725] Þat euer waited scaþe & skec, & þe king Seruagare; Of Yrlond al þai ware; Þis four heþen kinges Went, to loken þis robbeinges, [ 4730] & were so wroþ, þat king Arthour Hadde ywarnist toun & tour, Þat þai þe cuntre aboute Lounde [4733) þai] om. ms.] Slowen & brent to þe grounde; Men seiȝe þe fer fer away [ 4735] Þennes ouer a iurnay; Man & wiif & children bo No hadde þai no pite to slo; Þe folk schriȝten so heiȝe & loude, [f. 228b.] [4739) schirsten ms.] Þat it schilled in to þe cloude. [ 4740] [4740) it] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Wawain seiȝe & herd þis fare & asked men, what it ware, & þai him teld sone anon, So ich toforn haue ydon. Wawain asked, where was þe king; [ 4745] Þai seyd, þurch Merlins conseiling He was went to king Leodegon, To help him wer oȝain king Rion.

Quaþ Wawayn: "Bi mi leute, [4749) waway ms.] We nil suffre now þis pite! [ 4750] Seþþen king Arthour is out of lond, We wil þe painemes wiþstond & saue his lond, we beþ his men, Til þat he com hider oȝen!" Þat folk abouten him gan ten [ 4755] & asked, wat folk it miȝt ben; Þai seyden, whos sones þai were & wherefore þai comen þere; Þe folk, þat was of þis lond, Þonked Iesu Cristes sond. [ 4760] Chasteleins sones & vauasours Seþþen wele deden wiþ king Arthours, & fele men of þis lond Þer fellen to þis children hond, Fif hundred of wiȝt man. [ 4765] Wawain hete on hast þan Euerich man him arme wel Boþe in yren & in stiel, & suwen him, for her sleiȝt [4769) her] our ms.] He wald awreke anon riȝt. [ 4770] Now hadde he a þousand & hundred to, Of wiche four score & no mo Hardi & wele doinde kniȝtes, Þat him suwed anon riȝtes In four parties, so y finde, [ 4775] & dede hem oȝain þre þousinde & acontred þat carroy. It was passed þe midday & þo fel fro Wawain Sumdel of his miȝt & main. [ 4780]

For of his strengþe þe maner Sumdel ȝe may lern & here: Bitven auensong & niȝt [f. 228c.] He no hadde bot o mannes miȝt,

& þat strengþe him last [ 4785] Fort arnemorwe bi þe last; & fram arnemorwe to þe midday He hadde strengþe of kniȝtes tvay; Fram midday fort afternone He nadde strengþe bot of one; [ 4790] Fram afternone to auensong So to kniȝtes he was strong; Þis was þe manere of Wawain, Of his strengþe & of his main. In þe time of midday [ 4795] On þe paiens he smot, par fay, Wiþ an ex scharp & strong, Þe bite was to fot long; Whom he miȝt take & hitt, Þe heued he clef oþer of kitt; [ 4800] He hem tohewe, ich ȝou swer, So flesche doþ þe flesche heweere; He & his hors fram heued to taile [4803) fram] r über a geschr.] Blodi weren al, saunfayl, Of þe paiems, þat he slouȝ [ 4805] Wiþ gode riȝt & no wouȝ.

Alder next him was Galathin, [4807) him] i aus e corr.] Þat him halp wiþ miȝt fin; What Sarrazin so he mett, Wel soriliche he hem grett, [ 4810] Þat, wom euer þat he hitt, Þe heued to þe chinne he slitt, Oþer þe scholder oþer þe heued Fro þe bodi was bireued, Oþer legge oþer fest [ 4815] Oþer what he miȝt take best; Who so euer he atrauȝt, Tombel of hors he him tauȝt.

Wawaines broþer Agreuein Þer him kidde a noble mayn, [ 4820]

For .xx. kniȝtes al a rawe Þer he brouȝt o liue dawe.

Þe þridde broþer, Gueheres, Smot him in amid þe pres, On alle half about he smot [ 4825] & mani slouȝ, god it wot.

Þe ȝongest broþer, Gaheriet, [f. 228d.] No child no miȝt fiȝt bet, Þan he dede, verrament; [4829) þan] n mit dunklerer tinte aufgefrischt.] Þer he bisett mani a dent; [ 4830] Þurch armes out euerichon He clef þurch flesche & bon; Fourti Sarrazins & mo Þer he dede to helle go; Oþer men, þat mid him were, [ 4835] Deden nobleliche þere; Þai slouȝwen & brouȝt to grounde Mani paien in litel stounde.

Ac, certes, oȝain Wawain Non no miȝt kiþe his main, [ 4840] [4840) his] s ü. d. z. geschr.] For armes non, ywrouȝt wiþ hond, [4841) arme ms.] Oȝain his dent no miȝt stond; Þat he tok, he al torof, So dust in winde & aboute drof; Þer he him contende so manliche, [ 4845] Þat in litel while, sikerliche, Child Wawain & his felawe Þis þre þousand brouȝten of dawe, Bot tventi paiems, þat gun ascape, Fleand oway wiþ gret rape, [ 4850] [4850) & fleand ms.] Of wiche ten com bihinde [4851) wiche] danach þe, unr., ms.] To on ost of seuen þousinde, Wiþ loude voice & to hem gradde: "Harou, painems, ȝe ben to badde:

Cartes & somers ous beþ binome [ 4855] & alle our folk is ouercome & yslawe euerich man, Bot we & oþer ten, Þat here bineþe fram ous ȝede, More socour to bring hem midde!" [ 4860] Euerich payem þo was sori & criden a grisely crie: "As armes, for Mahouns sake, Þat þis traitour were ytake!" Þat armes hadde, ron þer to, [ 4865] Ac som no hadde non þo, Ac þai hem hadde laid for hot In þe cartes, god it wot, Wiche þe children hadde sent To Londen, verrament; [ 4870] Alle þe cartes & somers [f. 229a.] Were sent þider wiþ men of powers. Þis paiens, wiþ outen let, Oȝains þis children set; Oȝain a þousand come seuen, [ 4875] Þat was no þing delt euen, Ac þe help of our driȝt Wiþ Wawain & his gan aliȝt; No herd men neuer so fewe in lond Noblicher so fele wiþstond. [ 4880] [4880) fele] fewe ms.] Þer aros noble bataile A boþe half, wiþ outen faile, Ac Wawain swiþe noble was, For þer he met king Thoas, A wiȝt geaunt, gret & strong, [ 4885] Of fet fourtene he was long, [4886) of] danach þo, unr., ms.] A king he was of Yrlond; Wawain his ax left an hond, On þe helme he him hitt, Þat to þe brest he him slit. [ 4890]

Galathin mett king Samgran, An vnsely hoge man;

Wiþ his swerd he him hitt, Þat his heued of he kitt; Wawain broþer Agreuain [ 4895] Amid þe pres kidde his main, For a left half & a riȝt He leyd on & slouȝ doun riȝt.

Þer com þe king Gvinbat & ȝaf Gueheres swiche a flat, [ 4900] [4900) flat] t ausradirt.] Þat he fel adoun to grounde; Ac he stirt vp in a stounde & so smot a Sarrazin, Þat he clef his bacin & eke his heued to þe toþ, [ 4905] & on his hors lepe, for soþ. Gaheriet seiȝe Gvinbat, Þat his broþer ȝaue swiche a flat, & Gvinbat him com seiȝe & gan to fleiȝe swiþe oway, [ 4910] For þe strokes, he seiȝe him ȝeue, He no durst abide, so mot y liue, For, þo Gaheriet was ymade kniȝt, In euerich place & eueri fiȝt He kidde ner as miche main, [ 4915] [f. 229b.] So dede his broþer Wawain. Gvinbat fleiȝe out of þe place, Gaheriet on hors his trace Folwed out fram þat ost Wele þe schote of an alblast; [ 4920] So we finden on þe bok, In o valay he him oftok, In wiche valay þe oþer ten, Þat scaped Wawain & our men, Hadden brouȝt þousandes eiȝt, [ 4925] Of our men to make sleiȝt. Gaheriet no lete nouȝt for þat, Þat he no folwed king Gvinbat,

& folwed him, wiþ outen doute, Al on amidward þe route [ 4930] & smot him so on þe helme cler & þer of carf a quarter, & þe scheld þurch ato Wiþ þe scholder & arme al so.

King Gvinbat in þat stounde [ 4935] A swon fel adoun to grounde; Gaheriet þo turned his bridel & swiþe wald oȝain ride, Ac þe paiems about him come & wold him han ynome, [ 4940] Ac þer he carf wiþ swerd & smot Mani to þe deþ, god it wot. He nas nouȝt tventi winter eld, Ac in armes he was beld; Sum wiþ swerd so he hitt, [ 4945] Þat to þe chin he him slitt; Of mani he smot þe neck ato & wounded & dede michel wo; Non durst him neiȝe, verrament, For doute of his hard dent. [ 4950] Þo þai him dede gret vilanie, His hors slouȝ biforn his eiȝe; Gaheriet a fot stode & werd him wiþ hert gode, Boþe he slouȝ hors & man [ 4955] Him aboute fiue & ten; So sore he hitt, so sore he smot, Non durst him neiȝe, god it wot: Þer þai þrewen on him anon [f. 229c.] Stones & kniues mani on, [ 4960] Swerdes, staues & launces long & wounded him swiþe strong & tviies feld him on þe ston: Allas, help no hadde he non! On him þai schoten attelast [ 4965] & deden of his armes on hast,

For to haue anon yreued His bodi fram his gentil heued. In þat time a gentil swain Wel gode scour com to Wawain: [ 4970] "Wawain," he seyd, "þi broþer y say Riden ȝonder to ȝon valay, Folwand on heþen king; Me þenkeþ, he makeþ long duelling; Go we þider, for our leudi, [ 4975] Y herd þer gret noise & cri: Y dar legge heued min, Þat þer ben mo Sarrazin, Þat beþ comand hiderward & han þi broþer in hondling hard!" [ 4980] "Allas!" he seyd, "icham yschent, Be mi broþer so yhent: As lef me were, to ben of dawe, As mi broþer were yslawe!" & seyd to Galathin: [ 4985] "Gode nevou, broþer min, Ȝond bineþen, icham adred, Þurch his folye he is misled!" Quaþ Galathin: "Lete be þi striff, & wende we þiderward bi liif: [ 4990] While we speki & makeþ tale, He may lachi deþes bale!" Þer þai smiten al about, Þai four dassed out of þe rout.

Galathin & eke Wawain, [ 4995] Gveheres & Agreuein, Sum oþer of þe best After þese four þrest; Þo þai seiȝen, ich ȝou say, .viii. þousand in o valay, [ 5000] Of wiche her maister king, Was yhoten Gvinbating, Anoþer hiȝt Medalan, [f. 229d.] Boþe wiȝt & hoge man;

Wawain swiþe among hem smot, [ 5005] His broþer to seche, god it wot; His ex he houe swiþe heiȝe, Galathin was him wel neiȝe; Þai laiden on hem about & toschiften al þat rout; [ 5010] Sum þe scholder & som þe regge He cleued wiþ swerdes egge, Of sum þe midel ato he girt, Mani he slouȝ & mani he hirt; Abouten hem swiche sleiȝst þai made, [ 5015] Þat y no may it nouȝt al ful rade.

Gveheres & Agrevein Schewed al so her main; Mani þai hitten & smiten þurch, Þat fellen ded in þe furch; [ 5020] No fined þai neuer swiche a sleiȝt, What þai to Gaheriet com riȝt & pitouseliche him ligge founde Deueling opon þe grounde; Mani on about him were, [ 5025] His armour of þai gun to tere.

Þo was Wawain so wroþ, His owhen liif was him loþ; Þer he smot sore, a pliȝt, Boþe a left half & a riȝt; [ 5030] On he smot, þat þe dent þrest Þurch helme & heued to þe brest; Anoþer on þe schulder he hitt, Þat to þe ribbes he him slitt; [5034) þe] danach bi, ausgestr.] Anoþer he toke aboue þe scheld, [ 5035] Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld: Þus he serued mani a rawe; Al so dede his felawen, So fele þai slowen, hors & man, Þat tellen alle y no can. [ 5040]

Þos, þat Gaheriet held þo, Alle hem bifel sorwe & wo; No durst no abide lenge, Ac flowen oway all on renge. [5044) all] II auffallend kurz, corrigirt aus?] Þo Gaheriet seiȝe Wawain, [ 5045] He lepe vp wiþ al his main; His armes he tok vp anon [f. 230a.] & swiftliche dede hem opon & toke a swerd in his hond gode; A fot mani he schadde blode. [ 5050] [5050) he] danach zwei buchst. ausradirt.] A destrer þo ladde Agreuein & toke it Gaheriet bi þe rein & seyd: "Worþ her on hastiliche!" & seyd: "Þou dedest foliliche, [5054) dest ms.] Þo þou folwedest hunting [ 5055] Ani man in þis gret þring!" Vp on þe stede Gaheriet Lepe anon, wiþ outen let; Alle his felawes weren bliþe, Out of þe route dasten swiþe, [ 5060] Anon þai gun hem wiþdrawe, What þai com to her felawe.

Þese Sarrazins þo gun vnplie [5063) Das ab∣schnittszeichen steht, statt hier, bei v. 5065.] Her baners & after heiȝe; To nimen þis children anon, [ 5065] [5065) þis] auf rasur geschr.] Mahoun þai sworen euerichon; Vnder hem alle so was, y finde, Almest fiften þousinde; Our was litel more þan on, Ac Crist hem halp, wele to don, [ 5070] Our were gode bodis alle, Þe Sarrazins þai gun to talle; A boþe half þai laiden on, [5073) laiden] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] So fast so þai miȝten don. [5074) so] þo ms.]

Listneþ now, gret & smale, [ 5075] Hou ȝou seiþ here þis tale! Þe vplondismen, þat hadden ladde Cartes & somers, so Wawain badde, To Londen wel safe þai come; [5079) safe] wele ms.] Þe citisains fair in hem nome [ 5080] & asked hem, for heuen king, Whennes com þat noble þing. Alle þai telden, hou Wawain & his feren þurch noble main Hadden met toward Lounde [ 5085] & þre þousand leyd to grounde & þe Sarrazins hadde yschent & to Londen þat catel sent, & seyden to þe constable þo, Þat was yhoten sir Do, [ 5090] Þat Sarrazins seuen þousinde [f. 230b.] Hadde asailed hem bihinde.

Sir Do went to Algate & dede blowe an horn þer ate; Of þat cite þe alderman, [ 5095] Ich wiþ his ward cam; Þo þai were þider ycome, Seuen þousand were in her trome. Þo spac sir Do, þat was kniȝt Trewe, hardi & eke wiȝt: [ 5100] "Loke," he seyd, "leue frende: Her bisiden ben childer hende, Þat han þis ich dawe Mani cursed painem slawe, Þat hadden robbed þis cuntray [ 5105] Of al þis ich fair pray; Þis children han hem yschent & þis present hider sent: We were coward & vnhende, Bot we holpen þo children kende; [ 5110]

It beþ Galathin & eke Wawain, Gveheres, Gaheriet & Agreuein; Þurch þe grace of Crist Jesu & þis children, y telle ȝou, Bitvene Arthour & þe .xi. king [ 5115] May be pes & acording. As armes," he seyd, "paramour, & dasse we to her socour!" Wiþ outen abod sone anon Her armes þai deden on; [ 5120] Euerich of þe alderman His baner biforn him nam, & þe constable, sir Do, His baner toke al so. Of þe seuen þousand to þai lete, [ 5125] For alle chaunce Londen to kepe, & wiþ hem toke þousandes fiue, Swiþe gode in fiȝt & striue; Her steden swiþe þai bistriden & toward þe children swiþe riden. [ 5130] Lete we now ben her cominge & speke we of þe children fiȝting; Þis children fouȝten, so y finde, Oȝain fiftene þousinde & no hadde bot four score kniȝtes [ 5135] [f. 230c.] & fif hundred of squiers wiȝt & tventi al so, þat schulden ben Kniȝtes, when þai miȝt her time sen, & þre hundred of þe cuntray, [5139) þre] þere ms.] Boþe on fot & hors, y say; [ 5140] Þat was a þousand an hundred las; Nas þer namore in þat cas. Ac Gvinbating & Medelan, To vnsely hardi man, Wiþ .viii. þousand in a þrome [ 5145] On our folk dasseand come Wiþ strong cours & gret hete, So þai hem wald nim & þrete.

Gvinbating, an hoge spere Oȝain Wawain he gan to bere; [ 5150] Wawain it seiȝe sone on hast, His scheld þer oȝein gan cast, [5152) oȝin ms.] His scheld perced Gvinbating, Ac his strong hauberk no þing; Þe launce brac atvo, a pliȝt, [ 5155] Wawain nouȝt stired, ac sat vpriȝt, His ax he hef wiþ boþe his hond, To hit Gvinbating, ich vnderstond; On his helme he him smot, Þe ax glod, god it wot; [ 5160] Of þe gode ax þe scharpe egge Fel doun on þe hors rigge & tocarf it euen ato, & to þe grounde, wiþ outen no, Þe kniȝt donward gan butten [ 5165] Amidward þe hors gutten, &, no hadde Wawain þer o fot ylawe, He hadde þer þe king yslawe. Þo þe Sarrazin yseiȝe þis, [5169) sarrazin] a corr. aus?] Þer com man hundred, ywis, [ 5170] Her lord to ben bitven & Wawain to nimen or slen. Þe Sarrazin her lord vpnome & on hors sett him sone, & sir Wawain þai asailed strong, [ 5175] His hors þai slowen wiþ wrong; Him to nim þai deden strengþe, & non durst him neiȝe his ax lengþe, Ac þai him þrewe wiþ swerd & spere, [f. 230d.] Him to nimen & him to dere. [ 5180] At þat rideing slouȝ Galathin Swiþe mani Sarrazin; So dede al so Gveheres, Mani heuded in þat pres; Agreuein dede al so, [ 5185] Mani slouȝ & deden wo;

So dede þe child Gaheriet, Noman no miȝt fiȝt bet. Miday passed & none cam, Wawain strengþe double gan; [ 5190] Þo he seyd & swore: "Parde, To day no schul ȝe nimen me!" Wiþ boþe his honden his ax he hef & fele he slouȝ in stounde bref; In blod he stode, ichil avowe, [ 5195] Of hors & man in to þe anclowe, Þat he hadde him selue yslawe Wiþ outen sleiȝt of his felawe. Þo seiȝe he, wiþ gret main A paiem smot to Agreuein, [ 5200] Þat he fel on his hors nek, Him to heueden he gan to bek; Wawain wiþ his ax helue Lepe þo fet ten & tvelue & ouer al, þat bitven hem was, [ 5205] To help his broþer in þat cas; Þat ich painem wele he knewe, Þat on his broþer nek hewe; Þe paiem seye, he miȝt nouȝt flen, His scheld he kest him bitvene, [ 5210] & Wawain smot on þe scheld, [5211) smot] somt ms.] Þat it clef & fel in þe feld; Ȝete decended þat ich dent Þurch þe armes, verrament, & þurch out flesche & bon & blode, [ 5215] Þat at þe girdel stede it stode; Þat dede bodi he put adoun & lepe anon in þe arsoun & seyd: "To day ich ȝeld ȝour rentes Wiþ hard woundes & deþ dentes; [ 5220] Mi strengþe is dubled, bi god aboue, & þat ȝe schul ȝete to day proue!" & slouȝ to grounde al doun riȝt [f. 231a.] Boþe a left half & a riȝt;

So he smot in al þat route, [ 5225] Þat grete hepes him lay about Of mani paiem miscreaunt: Þe Brut þer of is mi waraunt.

Agreuein al so wiþ his sword Of Sesox smot þe nek ford; [ 5230] Þat seiȝe Gvinbating, þe qued, Þat Sesox, his nevou, was ded, Wreken him he wold fond; A strong launce he tok on hond & smot Agreuein, so god it wold, [ 5235] Þurch þe hauberk fele fold & þurch þern hel vnder þe arm, [5237) þern] danach c ausradirt.] He hadde neiȝe ȝouen him deþes harm, [5238) neiȝe] n corr. aus R.] Þat Agreuein & his destrer To grounde he kest wiþ gret power. [ 5240] Gaheriet, Gveheres & Galathin Þo bicome sori afin, [5242) afin] danach e, unterpunktet.] For ich of hem wende, certein, Þat dede were Agreuein, & wenten swiþe to þat rideing; [ 5245] Galathin smot first Guinbating Wiþ his sword ful but, Þat on his arsoun dounward he lut. [5248) dounward] n om. ms.] Gveheres him dede more harm, For he smot of his riȝt arm; [ 5250] Forþ com swiþe Gaheriet, He him þouȝt to hit bet, For he him tok aboue þe scheld, [5253) aboue tok ms.] Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld.

Galathin wit fot him stett, [ 5255] [5255) wit] i corr. aus?] Out of his sadel he him pett, & Agreuein tok þat destrer & fleiȝe þer on so a speruer,

& abouten hem þai redden & her noble strengþe kedden; [ 5260] Þo non of hem no wist þere, Whare Wawain was bicomen no where. Al þe ost of Guinbating Flowen to Medelan, þe king, & þo wiþdrouȝ him Agreuein, [ 5265] What he seiȝe child Wawain; Al fiue, to gider þai ȝede, [f. 231b.] & our folk þo ȝede hem mide.

Þo þai loked hem bi side, & sir Do þai seiȝe com ride, [ 5270] Whom þai knewe bi þe vplondismen, Þat bifore were went hem fram; Hastiliche þo þai aliȝt & on her stedes her sadles diȝt. Þis fiue þousand fram Lounde [ 5275] To hem com in a stounde.

Þe children were of socour bliþe, Opon her hors þai lopen swiþe Wiþ hem & riden sarreliche Her fon toward, sikerliche; [ 5280] Oȝain hem com þe paiems fling For þe deþ of Guinbating; Launces þai broken mani on, Afterward drouȝ her swerdes anon; For pouder, þat ros hem bitven, [ 5285] Non no miȝt oþer ysen. Þer was noble contenaunce In bataile of remembraunce; Wawain him conteind þan so, Þat men of Londen & sir Do [ 5290] Wonder hadde, hou man on Swiche pruesse miȝt don. So mani paiems, saunfaile, Were yslawe at þat bataile, Þat þe blod ran in þe valaie, [ 5295] So water out of a laie.

Þer com þe strong king Medlan & feld Do, þat gentil man, Þe helme hadde him bireued, For to smite of his heued; [ 5300] No man no miȝt him binim, Þat vnsely wiþþerwin, Bot Wawain, þat bi him cam, & he him of his tolling nam; Þat he was gode kniȝt, he kidde, [ 5305] Biforn him þe way he ridde, What he com to Medelan, Þat vnsely hoge man; Wawain on þe helme him smot, Þe ax sank depe, god it wot, [ 5310] What he com to þe brest; [f. 231c.] Þe paiem fel wiþ iuel rest. Þe Sarrazins seiȝen þis & gun fle wel swiþe, ywis; Wawain þan & his nevou [ 5315] & his broþer, y telle ȝou, & her feren & sir Do & þe gode men of Londen al so, [5318) men] om. ms.] Driuen hem fiue mile way, & mani of hem, for soþe y say, [ 5320] Þai slouȝ, þousandes þrettene, [5321) Of hem þai ms.] Þat nold no more don hem tene, Wiþ outen al þe oþer heþen man, Þat þai slouȝwen tofor þan. Þo þis sleiȝt was ydo, [ 5325] To Lunden al þai comen þo; Men hem oȝain comen of þe toun Wiþ wel fair processioun; [5328) wel] e aus i corr.] Of þe cartes alle þe priis Bifor Wawain þai brouȝt, ywis, [ 5330] & sir Do him bisouȝt, cert, So he wald, he schuld it part.

Wawain seyd to sir Do: "Wo worþ me þan, wo! Ac to hem, þat habben nede mast, [ 5335] Departeþ it now on hast!" Wawain was þe better ay Þer fore ypraised, par ma fay; Þis þing was deled & diȝt So hem þouȝt best, a pliȝt. [ 5340] Þer after þis children of mounde Soiournd wel long in Lounde, Þat no Sarrazin hem miȝt Noiþer deri bi day no niȝt. [5344) Noiþer] i ü. d. z. geschr.] Sir Do made hem gret solas [ 5345] & alle, þat euer in Londen was. [5346) Bei diesem verse ist ein abschnittszeichen.] Lete we hem þer soiour & wende oȝain to king Arthour!

Marche is hot, miri & long, Foules singen her song; [ 5350] Buriouns springeþ, mede greneþ, Of euerich þing þe hert keneþ. Arthour went to Brekingho, Merlin, Ban, Bohort al so, & her feren fiue & þritti; [ 5355] [f. 231d.] [5355) þritti & fiue ms.] Was þer no more compainie, Bot in alle fourti & to, Alle chosen, so mot y go, Bi clerk Merlines conseyl, Þe wiȝtest, þat he wist, saunfail. [ 5360] Forþ þai wenten al in paise, What þai com to Carohaise, A riche cite of al þing; Þer was Leodegan, þe king, Þat was king of al þat lond [ 5365] & hadde Carmelide in his hond,

& made swiþe gret pite, For he was bilayn in þat cite Of king Rion & kinges fiftene, Þat al born corounes schene, [ 5370] Þat hadden him & al his man Ouercomen bifor þan, No he no hadde men, þat miȝt Him to awreke, y ȝou pliȝt, & conseild him þat ich stounde [ 5375] At kniȝtes of þe table rounde & at barouns of þe lond, Hou þai miȝt hem were fro schond. Amid þe strete in þat cite Þe king þer stode wiþ his meine [ 5380] On a palmesonnes aue, Sum conseil of hem to haue.

Riȝt þo entred king Arthour & Ban & Bohort & sir Antour & her feren, wiþ outen doute, [ 5385] Al þai comen in on route; Alle it were ȝong man, Bot it were þe king Ban & Bohort & Vlfin þe bel [5389) vilfin ms.] & sir Antour & sir Bretel; [ 5390] Þis were noble kniȝtes fiue & alle of midel liue; Þe oþer al were bachelers, Sittand on heiȝe destrers.

Merlin seyd: "Þe king is ȝounde: [ 5395] Liȝteþ al to þe grounde, Ȝe schullen wende on on ring, Ȝour hors schul þe gromes bring; & þou, sir Ban, þe king, [f. 232a.] To Leodegan so ȝeue greteing [ 5400] & sey þe wordes him to, Þat we bispeke at Brekenho!"

Hou þai went & on wiche maner, [5403) swiche ms.] Now ȝe may al yhere; Of swiche bodis noble & wiȝt [ 5405] [5405) bodis] is corr. aus?] Tofor men me þink it riȝt, Her names to tellen ȝou in sawe, Hou þai wenten al on rawe. First wenten þre wiþ gret honour: Ban & Bohort & king Arthour; [ 5410] King Arthour ȝede bitven, a pliȝt, & king Ban him ledde bi þe hond riȝt; Bohort him ladde nobleliche Bi þe left hond, sikerliche; Alle þe oþer com after þo, [ 5415] Joinand bi hond to & to; Þe ferþ so was Antour, Kayes fader of gret valour; On his hond ȝede sir Vlfin, At euerich nede gode & fin; [ 5420] Þe sext kniȝt so was Bretel, Of gret noblay, strong & lel; On his hond ȝede þe steward Kay, Þe seuend kniȝt of gret noblay; Þe .viii. Lucan, þe boteler, [ 5425] A gode kniȝt of gret power; Erl Does sone, þat loked Lounde, Þe .ix. was, ich vnderstonde; Grifles so was tiþe, Wiȝt he was & noble swiþe; [ 5430] Marec so ȝede on his hond, On of þe best of al þat lond; Þe .xii. Drians of þe Forest sauage, A strong kniȝt of heiȝe parage; Belias, þe lord of Maiden castel, [ 5435] On his hond ȝede fair & wel; The .xiiii. so was Flaundrin, A noble kniȝt of gentil lin; On his hond ȝede Lamuas, An hardi kniȝt, þe fiftend was; [ 5440]

Þe .xvi. was Amores þe broun, A stalworþ kniȝt vnder hauberioun; Ancales þe rede ȝede him bi, [f. 232b] Þe .xvii. kniȝt strong & hardi; Þe .xviii. was Bliobel, [ 5445] [5445) bliovel ms.?] A kniȝt doand swiþe wel; Þe .xix. was Bleoberiis, Of gret los & michel priis; Canode þe .xx. was, He no fleiȝe neuer for no cas; [ 5450] Aladanc þe crispe was .xx. & on, Non better bodi no miȝt gon; Þe .xxii. was Islacides, Wiȝt & strong in eueri pres; Lampades was .xx. & þre, [ 5455] A noble kniȝt, gent & fre; Þe .xxiiii. kniȝt was A noble kniȝt, yhote Ierias; Cristofer of þe roche norþ Þe .xxv. was, for soþ; [ 5460] [5460) xxv] x corr. aus v.] Þe .xxvi. was Aigilin, A wiȝt kniȝt of gentil lin; Þe .xxvii. was Calogreuand, A gentil kniȝt of noble hand; Þe .xxviii. was Angusale, [ 5465] Of no man no held he tale; Wiȝt Agrauel was .xx. & niȝe, Ful of wiȝtschip & curteisie; Þe .xxx. was Cleades, þe fondling, Man seiȝe neuer better ȝongling; [ 5470] Þe gode kniȝt Gimires of Lambale Þe on & þritti was bi tale; Þe .xxxii. was Kehedin, Fair & wiȝt & gentil fin; Þe þre & þritti was Merangis, [ 5475] A gode kniȝt of noble priis; Þe .xxxiiii. was Goruain, An hardi kniȝt of michel main;

Þe .xxxv. was Craddoc, An hardi kniȝt in ich floc; [ 5480] Þe .xxxvi. was Claries, He was ful wiȝt in eueri pres; Þe .xxxvii. was Blehartis, Bold of dede, of speche wiis; Þe .xxxviii. was Amandauorgulous, [ 5485] A kniȝt of dede vertuous; Þe .xxxix. Osoman, cert, [f. 232c.] His surname was: hardi of hert; Þe .xl. was Galescounde, Þer nas no kniȝt of more mounde; [ 5490] Þe .xli. was Bleherris, [5491) Bleherris] i corr. aus e.] King Bohortes godsone, ywis; Þe .xlii. Merlin was þar, Bifor Arthour þe ȝerd bar; Þis alle ȝede hand in hand, [ 5495] As y ȝou seyd bifornhand.

Leodegan & al his ginge Gret wonder had of her cominge; Kniȝtes, swaines, leuedis beld Maden crud, hem to biheld; [ 5500] Wonder þai hadden euerichon, For non no knewe her non.

Oȝain hem ȝede king Leodegan, & him gret þe king Ban; Leodegan seid: "Ȝou blisse þe rode, [ 5505] [5505) seid] auf rasur geschr.] Ȝif ȝe beþ ycomen for gode!" Quaþ king Ban: "So Crist me spede, [5507) Ban] om. ms.] Com we nouȝt hider for þi qued No for þi schame, ac for þi gode, So ous help þe gode rode! [ 5510] We beþ souders of fer lond; Men doþ ous to vnderstond, Þat þou to socour haddest nede, Þer fore we com fram our þede,

Þat is fer hennes, saunfaile, [ 5515] Þe to help in þi bataile [5516) to] t corr. aus þ.] & to serue on swiche maner, So þou schalt now yher: We aske þe on godes name, Noiþer to þine harm no þi schame, [ 5520] Ac þat þou graunt ous now a þing, & þer of no make werning: Þou no schalt aske name our [5523) aske] s, mit dunklerer tinte aus l corr.] No wo we beþ no non of our, No apose ous of our being, [ 5525] What we þe wil make scheweing; & ȝif þe likeþ so our seruise, Telle it ous now in al wise, & bot þou like, we seruen þe, We wille ȝern fram þe te [ 5530] To sum oþer & serue swiþe, [f. 232d.] Þat of our come wil be bliþe!" Leue toke Leodegan, To asky conseil of his man; Alle his barouns him seyd, ywis, [ 5535] It sembled men of gret priis, Her semblaunt hem bar witnisse; He schuld of hem nim sikernisse & afong her seruise & nouȝt hem lete o non wise. [ 5540] Oȝain com king Leodegan & þus seyd to Arthour & to Ban: "Bewe seygnours, me þenkeþ schame, Þat ȝe me heleþ ȝour name, For ich vnderstond wele, þat ȝe [ 5545] [5545) þat] danach be, unterpunktet.] Ben of more power, þan ich be; Ac ȝe semble so wiȝt & fre, Þat ȝe beþ welcome to me, & ȝour seruise ȝeld y schal, Ȝif he me saueþ, þat welt al. [ 5550] Ac arst ȝe schul me make siker, Wiþ me held in eueri biker,

& ȝour names telle ȝe me, When ȝe seþ, þat time be!" His treuþe þer tok þe king Ban [ 5555] [5555) tok] to ms.] & þer to ȝaf Leodegan. Þer whiles þe clerk Merlin Hem hadde ypuruaid a riche in & ledde hem þider al faire. Her ost was ycleped Blaire, [ 5560] Leonele hete his wiif, A fair buriays & joliif. Boþe þai wenten oȝain Arthour & him welcomed wiþ gret honour. Arthour & his feren wiȝt [ 5565] Soiournde þer seuen niȝt In her in, & wiþ þe king Þai maden oft solausing.

Þe king þo sent his messangers Ouer alle to her souders [ 5570] & sent ouer alle in his lond Euerich gentil man his sond, Þat þai comen to him alle To Carohaise into his halle Attelast bi holy þorsday, [ 5575] [f. 233a.] [5575) þorsday] s corr. aus þ.] To help him in his medlay, & who so nold to him come, As traitour he schuld ben ynome, So ich in boke writen finde, & him hing bi þe winde; [ 5580] For so long trewes bitven Rion [5581) For] r auf rasur geschr.] Weren & þe king Leodegan. Ac listneþ now: swiche traisoun Hem come ar þe assensioun!

In estre on þe tewisday, [ 5585] Þe euen of seint Philip in May,

Four kinges, gret geauntz, [5587) geauntz] z sehr verlöscht.] Þat were vnder þe king Riounz, Went hem out in iren & stiel Wiþ sexti þousand armed wel; [ 5590] Þe first king hiȝt Roulyous; Þe oþer hete king Clarious; Þe þridde king hete Sonegurens; [5593) Sonegurens] gur sehr verkratzt und unsicher.] Þe ferþ hete king Sorhens; Þise went fram þe gret ost [ 5595] To Carohaise wiþ gret bost & robbeden al þe cuntray Boþe in doun & in valaye; Man & wiman, al þat þai founde, Þai slowen doun in to þe grounde; [ 5600] Þe cuntre wiþ wild fer Ouer al þai set on fer, Ten hundred cartes on on route Biforn hem brouȝt, saun doute, Charged wiþ mete & wiþ drink, [ 5605] Þat ani man miȝt of þink; & .vc. kniȝtes þe pray toke, [5607) vc] nach v eine rasur.] For to condue hem & loke. To Carohaise þe kinges wente & at þe gates wolden entre, [ 5610] Ac þe gateward þe gates schetten, Ac þer oȝain anon þai stetten; Boþe wiþ launce & wiþ sword Þai dusched & hewen on þe bord & wenten to þe plaines oȝan, [ 5615] To quellen wiif, child & man; Men miȝt hem here schriche So fer, þat it was ferliche. Þo in þe cite seiȝe þis harmes, [f. 233b.] Manliche þai grad: 'As armes!' [ 5620] Þai went & armed hem euerichon & to þe gates comen anon, [5622) gates] ga auf rasur geschr.]

Opon gode stede hem rest, For to abide þe kinges hest, & þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde, [ 5625] Of al þe warld of mest mounde, Wiche hadde made Vterpendragon, [5627) Vterpendragon] das zweite r ü. d. z. geschr.] Ac king Arthour no knewe her non; Tvo hundred & to score & ten, Verrament, þer weren of hem. [ 5630] Herui þe riuel & Malot þe broun Were maisters of þe gomfainoun; So ich in þe Brut finde, Her gomfainoun was of cendel Ynde, Of gold þer were on þre coroune; [ 5635] Þo it bar Malot þe broune. Of þe cite four þousand were þar; Her maister gomfainoun so bar Þe kinges steward, Cleodalis, A kniȝt he was of gret priis; [ 5640] His pensel hadde riche colour, [5641) pensel] e, urspr. o, von späterer hand und mit dunklerer tinte in e verwandelt.] Alle he was couched wiþ azur, [5642) azur] z corr. aus?] Of gold þer were four bore heuedes ybete; [5643) bore h.] re heuedes mit dunk∣lerer tinte auf rasur etwas über der zeile nachgetr.] Þese houed al in þe strete. Þo com king Arthour, Bohort & Ban [ 5645] Wiþ her feren, eueri man; So y in boke telle can, Non nere armed hem oȝan; A queintise þai hadden riche, Þat non nas hem yliche: [ 5650] On stedes þai lopen euerichon, In þe world nar better non; Merlin rode biforn, ichil avowe, & bad hem alle swiþe him suwe; So þai deden, wiþ outen faintise, [ 5655] On hors in fair queintise. Merlin bar her gomfanoun, Opon þe top stode a dragoun,

Swiþe griseliche, a litel croume; Fast him biheld al þo in þe toune, [ 5660] For þe mouþe he had grininge & þe tong out flattinge, Þat out kest sparkes of fer, [f. 233c.] [5663) spakes ms.] Into þe skies þat flowen cler; Þis dragoun hadde a long taile, [ 5665] Þat was wiþþerhoked, saunfaile. Merlin com to þe gate & bad þe porter him out late; Þe porter seyd, he schuld rest, What he hadde of his lord hest. [ 5670] "Certes," quaþ Merlin, "y þe tell: No lenger resten here y nille!" He toke þe gate bi þe legge & slong hem vp at his rigge; Þo he was out & his feren eke, [ 5675] Fast oȝain þe gate he leke Wiþ lockes, haspes & mani pin, Wiþ mani bar & mani gin; Þus fast loken he hem fand & as fast after him lete hem stand. [ 5680] Alle, þat seiȝen þis, saunfaile, Of him hadde gret meruaile, Boþe þo of þe cite & eke his feren, bi mi leute!

Þo bad Merlin his compainie, [ 5685] Her stedes priken & swiþe hiȝe; Wiþ þe baner dast Merlins Among to þousand Sarrazins, Þat ledden a wel gret pray Toward king Rion, y say. [ 5690] Ich of hem so dede bere Þurch a Sarrain wiþ his spere, Afterward her swerdes drowe & þe Sarrazins to grounde slowe;

Sum þai cleued to þe brest, [ 5695] Sum þai binomen fot & fest; Of mani þai hadde helme & heued Sone fro þe bodi weued; Þe to & fourti weren ȝep, Þai leten þer hors gode chep, [ 5700] Boþe wiþ sadel & wiþ bridel For nouȝt to haue & oway ride. Þe to þousand todriuen & slawe Þai hadden in a litel þrawe, So man wold in a mile way [ 5705] Ouergon his jurnay, & þat priis ladde at aise [f. 233d.] [5707) aise] i ü. d. z. geschr.] Toward þe cite of Caroaise. Ac so þai comen bi þe way, Eft þai metten michel pray: [ 5710] A þousand cartes al mast Comand wel swiþe on hast, Swiche þre kinges wiþ .xvi. þousinde Comen & condid hem bihinde, & Merlin seyd wiþ griseli chere: [ 5715] "Now suweþ me, gode fere!" Forþ he flang & þai after anon, So swiþe so þe stedes miȝt gon; Þo þai com þe kinges neiȝe, Merlin hef his heued on heiȝe [ 5720] & kest on hem enchauntement, Þat he hem alle al mest blent, Þat non oþer sen no miȝt A grete while, y ȝou pliȝt, & our fourti smiten hem on [ 5725] & slowen of hem mani on & mani .c. of painems hewe, Ar ani þer oþer knewe.

Þo of þe cite seiȝen þis; Þai seyden, it were men of priis; [ 5730]

Þo were vp vndon þe gate, Cleodalis rode out þer ate; Þe steward wiþ fiue þousinde Opon þe painems gun to winde; Þer was din, þer was cri, [ 5735] Mani schaft broken, sikerly; For in þe coming of Cleodalis, Þe paiens miȝt sen, ywis, Þer was swiche contek & wonder, Þat it dined so þe þonder. [ 5740] Þis ich heþen kinges þre Ato parted her meine, Seuen þousand to ben þer riȝt, Oȝain þe fiue þousand to fiȝt, & setten þer þousandes eiȝte, [ 5745] Oȝain king Leodegan to fiȝt, Þat hem toward com in þat stounde [5747) com] om. ms.] Wiþ þridde half hundred of þe table rounde, Ac bi hem self þe rounde table wes, [5749) rounde] d corr. aus e.] Þe king Leodegan, naþeles, [ 5750] Wiþ him brouȝt þousandes to [f. 234a.] & to þe bataile flongen þo. Þe .viii. þousand hem com oȝain; Þer was meting of men o main Wiþ spere & wiþ scharp sword; [ 5755] Þer les mani man his lord, Þer was sched so michel bold, Þat it ran as a flod. Leodegan wiþ his fewe, Noble main he gan to shewe; [ 5760] He slouȝ þre oȝaines anne & craked mani hern panne. [5762) craked] k corr. aus?] Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde Mani þer slouȝ in litel stounde & bilimeden & feld of hors [ 5765] Mani heþen orped cors; Ac þei her swerdes wele þer bite & to ded mani smite,

It was swiþe litel sene, For oȝaines on þer wer tene; [ 5770] Ac so sarre was þe þrang, Þat non miȝt com hem omang. Þe Sarrazins hadde gret despite, Þat so hem schent swiche popel lite; He swore bi Mahoun & Dagon, [ 5775] Hem no schuld ascape non, & drouȝ hem wel fer aroume— Þat Crist hem ȝeue confusioun!— & baren doun in þat stounde Ȝete fourti of þe table rounde, [ 5780] & were abouten, hem to dere, Ac her feren hem gun were, [5782) unten auf der seite nachgetragen.] Þat he no hadde power non, Non of hem for to slon. Þat time was Leodegan [ 5785] Feld adoun & his man; Ȝete an hundred oþer mo, Leodegan þai nomen þo & beten him sore & ȝeuen him wounde & to an hors fast him bounde [ 5790] & token fif hundred kniȝtes, To lade him forþ anon riȝtes, & so þai deden, sikerliche, Defuiland vilanliche, Toward þe riche king Rion, [ 5795] [f. 234b.] & wenden, her bataile were ydon. & þo þe king Leodegan Him seiȝe fer fram al his man & him aboute socour non & him loþeliche lade to king Rion: [ 5800] "Allas!" he seyd, "þat y was bore: Mi liif & priis so is forlore, & Gvenoure, mi dohter gent, Of vile paiems worþ yschent, & alle min noble kniȝtes [ 5805] Worþ yslawe adoun riȝtes,

& þe leuedis of mi lond Alle ynomen in payems hond!" For riȝt gret sorwe & care A swon he fel, as he ded ware, [ 5810] To gret mile fram þe bataile Þo he was, wiþ outen faile.

His douhter stode on þe cite wal & biheld þis misauentour al; Hir hondes sche sett on hir here [ 5815] & hir fair tresses al totere; Sche hir totar to hir smok & on þe wal hir heued gan knok & swoned oft & seyd: 'allas!', Þat hir socour lorn was; [ 5820] So deden al þo of þe cite, Maden endeles pite. Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde Kedden, þai were men of mounde: Bitven hem þai wolden speke, [ 5825] Leodegan þai wolden awreke, Oþer steruen þai wolden alle & renged hem oȝain þe walle, For þai no seiȝen no socour, & schewed þo her vigour; [ 5830] Þridde half hundred oȝain .M. seuen, Me þenkeþ, certes, þat was vneuen; Ac þer þai fouȝten vnder þe toun & mani Sarrazin leyd adoun; Hem þai tohewen & hors al so, [ 5835] Þay þoled michel pine & wo; [5836) þay] y aus t corr.] Þe citisains þat yseiȝe & sore wepen wiþ her eiȝe. Now lete we hem fiȝtand here, [f. 234c.] & speke we of Arthour & his fere! [ 5840]

Now seyt our tale, saunfaile, Þat orible is þe bataile

Of gret crie & swiþe strong, Almest þennes fiue forlong, Þat Arthour held wiþ fourti & to, [ 5845] & Cleodalis wiþ four þousand & mo, Oȝaines hem Sornegreons & king Sapharem, Þat seuen þousand hadd wiþ hem. So fele paiems þer lay slawe, Þat fele hepes þer lay on rawe [ 5850] Of armed men, of fatt stede, Þat her liif þer les to mede.

Þo seyd Merlin to his ferrede: "Now me suweþ alle, ich rede!" Forþ riden þe fourti & to, [ 5855] So swiþe so þe hors miȝt go; Þer bileued Cleodalis Wele fiȝtand, & al his. [5858) Wele] danach y, ausradirt.] Þo Merlin hadde riden a while, Þe mountaunce of to mile, [ 5860] He seyd to king Arthour & Ban: "Lo, ȝond men ledeþ Leodegan Ybounden toward king Rion, On hard dede for to slon: After hem now dasseþ swiþe [ 5865] & oftakeþ hem biliue! Ȝif ȝou ascapeþ of hem ten, Schal i ȝou neuer held men!" [5868) i] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Þai stirten forþ & ouertoke hes & dassed hem amid þe pres; [ 5870] Þe first slouȝ Merlin, verrament, To ȝeuen þe oþer gode talent; Arthour smot on hem, saunfaile, So on þe singel doþe þe haile; So we finden on þe bok, [ 5875] Al he slouȝ, þat he oftok; So dede Ban, þe gode kniȝt, He clef mani on doun riȝt;

So dede king Bohors, He slouȝ þer mani heþen cors; [ 5880] So deden al þo gentil feren, Her swerdes þai dede in blod steren; Alle þai laiden doun riȝt [f. 234d.] & made þer swiche a sleiȝt, Þat man seiȝe neuer in so litel stounde [ 5885] So fewe bring so fele to grounde, For þer no schaped fram hem oliue Of fiue hundred vnneþe fiue; Þer men miȝtten haue frely Four .c. steden for gramerci, [ 5890] [5890) gramerci] das zweite r ü. d. z. geschr.] Þat ȝede, drawend her bridel brod To þe fitlokes in þe blod. Þus Arthour & his felawered Deliuerd Leodegan fram þe dede. Michel wonder had Leodegan, [ 5895] Þat swiche a litel poine of man So fele in so litel þrawe So manliche had yslawe: Bi þe dragon, þat kest fer, He wist, it were þe newe souders. [ 5900] Þat he was deliuerd fram his fon, He þonked Iesu Crist anon.

Þo liȝt þe clerk Merlin & sir Bretel & sir Vlfin & þe king Leodegan vnbounde [ 5905] & sett him on a stede of mounde & armed him fineliche wel & dede on his heued an helm of stiel, About his nek a scheld strong, & toke him a launce long [ 5910] & sett him vp as a king, Þat er lay as a breþeling; He joined his honden, ioe vus di, & ȝalt hem þank & gramerci.

On his stede þo lepe Merlin, [ 5915] So dede Bretel & sir Vlfin.

Þo seyd Merlin: "Mine kniȝtes fre, Prikeþ ȝour stedes & folweþ me!" So þai deden, wiþ outen abod, So aruwe of bowe ich forþ glod. [ 5920]

Ac þo Gvenoure opon þe walle Þis to & fourti seiȝe com alle, Bi þe dragon, þat cast fer, Þat fleiȝe in to þe skies cler, Sche wist, it were þe fourti & to; [ 5925] Hir fader sche seiȝe com al so, On hors, yarmed & wele atired [f. 235a.] & fram his fon þurch hem deliuerd. [5928) fon] n von späterer hand und mit dunklerer tinte nachgetr.] No ask no man of þe gret blisse, Þat sche made þan, ywis, [ 5930] & al þe men, þat it seiȝen, For ioie þai wepe wiþ her eiȝen. Þis þre & fourti com on hast, Wiþ norþþen winde so doþ tempast; Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde, [ 5935] Þai founden alle felled to grounde, Þat stoden a fot & wered hem Oȝain on euer .xx. & ten. Bot .xx. of hem openliche On hors fouȝten nobliche [ 5940] & ouercarked weren þo; Her liif, þat was neiȝe ago. Þis .xliii. of gret mounde So dassed on þe heþen hounde, Þat ich of hem who so mett, [ 5945] Hastiliche þe heued ofgrett, & slowen hem doun in to þe grounde, Mani geaunt in litel stounde. Euerich dede swiþe wel Wiþ scharpe swerd of gode stiel; [ 5950]

Mani þai smiten þurch, saunfaile, Fram þe top to þe taile, Of sum þe side, god it wot, Wiþ scheld & arme, eueri grot, Of sum þe midel euen ato, [ 5955] Of sum þei & legge al so; Auberk, aketoun & scheld [5957) aketoun] k corr. aus?] Was mani tobroken in þat feld & mani paiem wiþ deþes wounde & mani stede coruen to grounde. [ 5960] Þe king him self þer, Leodegan, Wele him wrake of his foman. Oȝain þe þre & fourti of our Non armour no miȝt dour, [5964) miȝt] i ü. d. z. geschr.] No hors of priis no heþen kniȝt, [ 5965] Þat he nas dede anon riȝt. Þer was an heþen king, hiȝt Canlang, Fiftene fet he was lang; He & anoþer, þat strengest were Of alle þe paiems, þat were þere, [ 5970] Þis dede his miȝt, saunfable, [f. 235b.] To stroie þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table.

King Arthour mett Canlang, Togider þai made fiȝting strang, [5974) Togider] g corr. aus d.] & so strong was Canlang, verrament, [ 5975] Þat king Arthour miȝt fest no dent To him haue, bot bihinde, Bot ones he him hitt kerueinde Vnder þe scheld þe scholder on, Þurch out armes & flesche & bon, [ 5980] Vnto þe nouel he him carf, Þe misbileueand paiem starf; A boþe half his hors he hing, Þat ernne forþ arudand in þat þring. Þe paiems seiȝe Canlang so hit, [ 5985] Agrisen of þat dint out of wit.

Gvenour þat dint of Arthour seye & þonked Iesu Crist on heiȝe & seyd: "God ȝeue, þat he mi lord were, [5989) seyd god] om. ms.] Þat ȝong, þat fiȝteþ so þere!" [ 5990] Anon seyden al her men: "So were it me, dame, amen! For we no seiȝe neuer of his power Noiþer eld man no bacheler!"

King Ban þo mett Clarion, [ 5995] Þat oþer strongest of euerichon; He was of .xiiii. fet long [5997) of] gret ms.] & swiþe gret & swiþe strong; He hadde mani of our yslawe: King Ban him mett wiþ outen awe, [ 6000] So we finden in þe boke, & ouer þe ere he him toke, Þe cheke he carf, þe schulder al so, To þe girdel þe dint gan go; His ribbes & scholder fel adoun, [ 6005] Men miȝt se þe liuer abandoun. King Bohort of gent power Met Sarmedon, þe gomfanoun bere; On þe schulder he him hit, Þat arm & scholder of he kit; [ 6010] His scheld & his gomfanoun & him self þer fel adoun. King Leodegan þo gan crie: "For loue of þe quen Marie, Bistireþ ȝou, min gentil kniȝtes, [ 6015] [f. 235c.] & leggeþ doun þis paiems riȝtes!" Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde Alle lopen on hors o mounde & hewen on þe Sarrazin Wiþ gode wille & hert fin. [ 6020]

Þe paiems seiȝe ded Canlang & Clarion, þat was so strang,

& þe baneour Sormedon; Þo þai nist, what to don, Ac, so swiþe so þai miȝt, [ 6025] Oway flowen anon riȝt. To þousand com out of þe cite & feld hem doun wiþ outen pite, Wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde Þai hewen hem doun vnto þe grounde. [ 6030] [6030) hen ms.]

King Arthour & king Ban, King Bohort & king Leodegan & þe fourti liȝt & wiþstode & gerten her stedes gode Þurch conseil of Merlin, ywis, [ 6035] & went & holpen Cleodalis, Þe king steward Leodegan, Þat fauȝt oȝain seuen .M. man Wiþ four þousand & namore, So ȝe herden here bifore. [ 6040] Þis fourti & to & on Opon þis seuen þousand smiten anon & hewen on wiþ gret powers, On schides so doþ þis carpenters; It was nede, for Cleodalis [ 6045] Stode on fot, & mani of his Aboute him stode sarreliche, Fram deþ to were, sikerliche.

Þer king Arthour & Bohort & Ban & þe king Leodegan [ 6050] Paiems wiþ outen tale slouwe, [6051) Paiems] s corr. aus e.] A þousand stedes her bridels drowe. Þis þre & fourti fouȝten so, Forȝeten miȝt it be neuer mo, For þe blod of kniȝtes dede [ 6055] & of destrers & of stede [6056) destres ms.] Ran hem after al day so ȝerne, So water out of wel streme.

Þurch þe pouwer & miȝt of þos [f. 235d] Cleodalis, þat kniȝt of los, [ 6060] Was ybrouȝt on hors, ywis, & kniȝtes oþer fele of pris.

Þe kinges of þo heþen man Heten Sornegrex & Saphiran; Aiþer of hem was .xiiii. fot lang [ 6065] & swiþe hardi & swiþe strang, & hadden swiþe gret despite, Þat hem schent pople so lite; A schille horn þai gun blawe, To gider þai gader her felawe. [ 6070]

Kay & Vlfin, þe buteler, & Grifles, þat was of gret power, Ich of hem tok a launce long & dassed þe Sarrazins among; Kay king Sornigrex hitt [ 6075] & kest him to grounde in þat flit & rode on him wiþ his hors & defoiled his cursed cors, & had him slawe, wiþ outen letting; Ac mani com to þis rideing: [ 6080] Wiþ his launce dan Lucan Þe hert þurch smot of Abadan, Ac on hors in þis toiling Was brouȝt Sornigrex, þe king. Þo aros gret batail & strif, [ 6085] For of þe Sarrazins ȝete .M. fif Were ouercomen vnder þe wal, Þider were flowen alle; Þer fore so fel þer were, Þat litel was sene her sleiȝster þer. [ 6090]

King Sornigrex, þat was yfeld, His bodi tobrussed, tobroken his scheld, For schame he was out of wit; Our folk he þouȝt for to hit

& gred to alle þo Sarains, [ 6095] [6095) gred] d aus t corr. oder umgekehrt.] Þat for loue of Apolins Þai schuld of al his fon Him awreke sone anon. Of Sarazins gret þreng About our Cristen made reng [ 6100] & hem biclepten in þat place & leyden on wiþ swerd & mace, & wiþ axes & wiþ gisharm [f. 236a.] Our folk þai deden michel harm; Ac in þis ich self stounde [ 6105] [6105) ich] danach ich, ausgestr.] Kniȝtes of þe table rounde, Þat folweden þe paiems fleinde, Al on hors com flinginde & seiȝe þe pensel of fourti & to, Þat day þat hadde hem holpen so; [ 6110] In to bataile to hem þai drowen, Alle þat þai met, þai doun slowen, Boþe wiþ launce & swerd briȝt Þo þai metten, þai slouȝ doun riȝt, & þurch miȝt þai keuerden so, [ 6115] Þat þai com to fourti & to & þo so gret sleiȝt made, Þat y no may it ful rade.

At þe oþer half Cleodalis Fauȝt wiþ Sarrazins of priis, [ 6120] Þat wiþ gret iniquite Brouȝt hem oȝain to þe cite. [6122) hem] h corr. aus?] Þe strong king Saphiran It was, þat fauȝt him oȝan Wiþ neiȝen þousand, verrament, [ 6125] & dede him gret encumbrement; Ac þo ich to þousinde, Þat folwed þe oþer fleinde, To help þer com Cleodalis & on þe paiems smot, ywis, [ 6130]

In her coming & smiten to grounde A þousand paiems in þat stounde, & þurch þe help of our driȝt [6133) help] lelp(!) ms.] Cleodalis halp wele to fiȝt & helden gode contre oȝan [ 6135] Saphiran & al his man. Þo nar þo wiþ king Arthour Bot to & fourti of valour, [6138) of] danach anour, unter∣punktet.] & of þe rounde table kniȝtes To hundred & fifti wiȝte; [ 6140] No more þer ner, so y finde, & fouȝten oȝain .viii. þousinde; Sornegrex hete her king, An hardi paiem þurch al þing. Þer hadde ben miche mischef, [ 6145] No had Merlin seyd a conseil bi hef: "Bieu seygnours, y nil nouȝt hele, [f. 236b.] Of þis paiems beþ so fele, Þat we no may oȝain hem doure; Bot to mi conseil nimeþ coure: [ 6150] Her ben among þis Sarrazins Ten geauntes wel strong afins; & þai were of dawe ydon, Þe bataile were passed sone." Þai asked him, wiche þai were, [ 6155] & he hem tauȝt anon riȝt þere.

King Ban, þat was gode & strong, Tok his swerd in his hond, His stede he smot & forþ glod, Oȝain king Sornegrex he rode; [ 6160] His helme he smot bi þe side, Þurch helme & palet it gan glide, Fram þe cheke þe neb he bar, Þe scheld fram þe schulder þar & þe left arme & þe hond; [ 6165] [6165) arme] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Ich vnderstond, he dede him schond. [6166) schond] o urspr. e, mit dunklerer tinte in o verwandelt.]

Þe Sarrazins kest a gret cri & fleiȝe oway wiþ gret hy.

Bohort met Marganan & smot þat vnsely man [ 6170] On þe helme, ichot for soþ, Þat he him cleued to þe toþ.

King Arthour, so dieu me saut, Met wiþ amiral, was hoten Sinalaut; On þe helme he him hitt [ 6175] & a quarter þer of kitt; On þe schulder slod þe dent & kitt it of, verrament, & þer wiþ ribbes four; Þe painem starf wiþ misantour. [ 6180]

Sir Vlfin slouȝ þo Sabalant & Bretel þe douk Cordant; Þe steward Kay slouȝ Danderiard, & Lucan þe boteler slouȝ, Malard, & Grifles so slouȝ Menadap, [ 6185] & Meragys slouȝ þe douke Sadap, & Gorueins slouȝ þe douke Maupas, & Craddok slouȝ Darrilas; [6181-88) Vor jedem dieser verse ist ein abschnittszeichen.] Þese were þe geauntes ten & princes of þe heþen men. [ 6190] Þo þe paiems hem ded seiȝe, [f. 236c.] A cri þai gun areren heiȝe & seyd, it were deuelen, þat þai wiþ fouȝten, Sikerliche, so hem þouȝten. Þai flowen oway wiþ outen abode, [ 6195] Our folk swiþe after hem rode & to grounde slouȝ doun riȝt Al, þat þai oftake miȝt; Þre þousend þai slowen of þe eiȝtte; Þe oþer ascaped anon riȝt [ 6200] [6200) oþer] r ü. d. z. von späterer hand mit dunklerer tinte nachgetr.]

To þe riche king Saphiran; Þo were þai .xiiii. þousand of man & smiten on Cleodalis, Þat had bot four þousand, ywis, & þe to, þat comen out of þe cite; [ 6205] Þer men seiȝe wel gret pite, Hou þe painems & king Saphiran Defoiled our cristenmen; A þousand & mo þai slowen, Þe remanant of hors drowen. [ 6210] Oft Cleodalis was wo, Ac neuer wers, þan him was þo; Ydriuen he was vnder þe toun & loked after þe dragoun, Þat Merlin bar, ac he no miȝt [ 6215] Nowhar of him han a siȝt, No þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table Miȝt he no whar se, saunfable; He wende, þat dede þai hadden ben; Þer miȝt men gret pite sen: [ 6220] Now he flowe, now he wiþstode, For drede he was neiȝe wode. Þe citaisins þan seiȝe þis & reweliche cri maden, ywis; Ac þurch Merlin, so ich finde, [ 6225] Arthour was bileued bihinde & þe oþer, wiþ outen fable, Þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table, & adden alle adoun aliȝt, Her stedes girt, her sadels riȝt, [ 6230] [6230) her] he ms.] & soft & sarre, saunfaile, Com to þis reweful bataile. Þo on þe walles of þe toun [6233) on] n ganz ausradirt.] Seiȝe comand þe dragoun; Þo seyd þe fair leuedis [ 6235] [f. 236d.] To þe steward Cleodalis: "Cleodalis, þou gentil kniȝt, Bistir þe & hardiliche fiȝt,

For ȝonder doun in þe valaie Ȝou comeþ socour of gret noblay: [ 6240] We seþ þe dragoun, þat casteþ fer, & after þe newe souders & Ledegan wiþ hem, saunfable, & þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table; Alle þai comen ȝerne, a pliȝt: [ 6245] Now kiþe, þou art a noble kniȝt!" Cleodalis in alle his liue Nas neuer ȝete so bliþe; Þo he & his kniȝten So wele fouȝten, so þai miȝten. [ 6250] [6250) so] s aus þ corr.]

Arthour & Ban & king Bohort, Þer hem com to gret comfort; Wiþ her folk of gret mounde Þre hundred þai bar to grounde; Ac a left half & a riȝt [ 6255] King Arthour slouȝ doun riȝt, Wiþ Esclabor, his swerd so gode, Þat day he schad so michel blode: Al so dede þe king Ban, Þer slouȝ mani heþen man; [ 6260] Bohort, his broþer, & eke he Spard noiþer þral no fre; Of stiel no yren armes nan No miȝt doure hem oȝan, No may y noiþer telle no rede, [ 6265] Hou wele þai deden her ferrede. Ac þe leuedis on þe tour Ȝerne biheld king Arthour & hadde wonder of his ȝingþe, Þat þer kidde swiche strengþe. [ 6270] [6270) strengþe] strerngþe ms.] Þe heþen king Saphiran Despite hadde of so fewe men, So miche folk þat slowen þo, Mani geaunce þai cleued ato.

He cleped to him Sortibran [ 6275] & Senebant & Eugredan, Molore & eke Frelent & Clariel, a geaunt gent, Landon & ek Moras [f. 237a.] & Randel, þat noble was; [ 6280] To hem aloude he gan to speke, [6281) aloude] nach u u, unterpunktet.] Wiþ launce his anoie to wreke.

Forþ dassed þe king Saphiran, Þat vnsely hoge man, [6284) hoge] h ü. d. z. geschr.] Herui Riuel & his hors gent [ 6285] He frust doun at o dent, Þat hors & man astuned lay; Ȝete forþ he dassed, par ma fay, & þrewe sir Antor of his hors, Þat al þat day him was þe wors; [ 6290] Ȝete forþer he gan ride & smot Grifles bi þe side & kest him to þe grounde, His launce brac in his wounde, & Sortibran wiþ justing cler [ 6295] Feld Lucas, þe buteler; Clariel feld Merangys & sore hirt him, ywis; Eugredan feld Gorains & Craddoc & sore agreued our floc; [ 6300] Senebant þrewe doun Bleoberis & his hors vnder him, ywis. Þus þe geauntes our kniȝtes þrewe; Our men gun it sore rewe, Non of hem had dedeli wounde, [ 6305] Ac sone stirt vp in þat stounde & wiþ scharpe swerdes of stiel Wered hem manliche wel; Our folk abuten hem gan þrest & socourd hem wiþ þe best. [ 6310]

& ȝete in þis strong rideing Com Saphiran, þe heþen king, & in his hond a launce strong, Þat was boþe gret & long; Leodegan on þe scheld he hitt [ 6315] & wiþ strengþe it þurch slit; His hond he bar heiȝe ferly, [6317) bar] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Þe launce glod þe king forby, Þat ran þurch þe hors bihinde; King & hors adoun gan winde. [ 6320] "Allas!" þai seyd on þe tounes wal, "Now we han ylorn al!" [6322) we] w corr. aus h.] Þai wende, þe king yslawe ware, [f. 237b.] & maden diol & sorweful fare; Gvenour made gret diol, ywis, [ 6325] & so dede al þo leuedis, Þat þat ich dint ysawe; Þai wende, þe king were yslawe: So he hadde for soþ yben, No hadde oþer stirt bitven [ 6330] & him halp in þat rideing. Þo spac Arthour, þe king: "Certes," he seyd, "þis nis no game, Þe paiems doþ ous swiche schame!" & swore, he wold sterue anon [ 6335] Oþer him awreke of his fon, & namlich on Saphiran. "Nay, lete me," quaþ king Ban, "For þou art to ȝong & ek to lite, Oȝain swiche a deuel to smite!" [ 6340] Þo seyd Merlin to Arthour A word of gret deshonour: "Wat abidestow, coward king? [6343) coward king] auf rasur geschr.] Þe paiem ȝif anon meteing!" For schame Arthour was neiȝe wode, [ 6345] In wratþe brent al his blod; His hors he smiteþ & he forþ glod, Oȝain king Saphiran he rode.

Saphiran seiȝe, war he cam, A strong launce in hond he nam, [ 6350] Toforn him his scheld he grope, Stef he streiȝt his stirope, His stede he smot of gret valour & rode oȝain king Arthour: A deuel rod oȝain a child. [ 6355] King Ban for drede was nei wilde & rode after king Arthour, To helpen him par auentour. Saphiran wiþ king Arthour mett, Wiþ miȝt gret on him stett, [ 6360] His scharp launce gan to glide Þurch Arthour scheld & his side; Þe speres schaft al torof, Arthour nam no ȝeme þer of, Ac in sadel sat vp riȝt, [ 6365] To mete Saphiran, a pliȝt; His launce he bar þurch out his scheld [f. 237c.] & þurch þe hauberk fele feld, Þurch þe wombe & þurch þe chine Þe spere ȝede euen bi line. [ 6370] Quaþ Arthour: "Þou heþen cokin, Wende to þi deuel Apolin!" Þe paiem fel ded to grounde, His soule lauȝt helle hounde. Gveneoure sat on þe cite walle [ 6375] [6375) Geneoure ms.] & þe oþer leuedis alle, Of Arthour seiȝe justing þis, On him þai laiden al þe priis. Anon after þe king Ban Met þe geaunt Sortibran [ 6380] & on þe scholder so him hit, Þe side fram þe bodi kitt. Þo com Malore & Frelent & nomen Ban, þat king so gent, Bi þe helme wiþ her hond; [ 6385] To smite of his heued þai gun fond.

Þis yseiȝe þe king Arthour & smot his stede to þat socour; Malore in þe heued he hitt, Þe heued fram þe bodi he kitt. [ 6390]

Þo þouȝt þe paiem Frelent Awreke his cosyn of þat dent; To Arthour wiþ main he smot, His scheld he clef, god it wot, & of his hauberk a gore [ 6395] & of his aketoun a fot & more, Ac he no tok nouȝt his flesche; Her of Arthour anoid wes; A dint he smot anon to him & cleue his helme & eke bacin [ 6400] & al þe heued to þe brest; Þe paien fel wiþ iuel rest. Þe paiens schirt & made dol, For þai no hadde þo bot Randol, A geaunt, þat bar þe gomfanoun; [ 6405] [6405) þe] he(!) ms.] Alle þe oþer were leyd adoun. Þe paiens of deþ hadden doute & alle wenten Randol aboute; Ac Ban no leued for no doute, Þat he no dassed hem þurch out [ 6410] & Randoil on þe schulder he smot [f. 237d.] Wiþ his swerd, þat wele bot, Þurch out hauberk & aketoun To þe midel al adoun; Þe pensel fel & eke Randol. [ 6415] [6415) Randoil ms.] Þe paiens þer of hadden diol & gun rere a wel foule crie, So dorren don & flesche fleiȝen, & for sorwe & drede & eiȝe Þai flowen euerich his weiȝe. [ 6420] King Arthour, wiþ outen abade, & alle þe oþer, of whom y tofore sade,

After þis paiens fling & mani of hem to deþ sting; Wiþ scharp swerd of gode egge [ 6425] Þe liif þai dede mani on legge. Of .xiiii. þousand, boten fiue, No aschaped to king Rion oliue, Wiþ michel sorwe & michel care, & þat al forwounded ware; [ 6430] King Rion al þai teld, Hou her feren weren aqueld. Wel wroþ was king Rion þo & made diol & michel wo, & swiftliche he sent his sond [ 6435] Ouer al in to Irlond & in to Danmark al so; Þe messangers forþ gun go, Þat bere letters & tidinges To on & .xx. strong kinges, [ 6440] To hundred .M. þat schulden bring, & .L. .M. of heþen genge & for to ȝer her spending, & so þai dede, wiþ outen lesing. After þis bataile & scumfite [ 6445] Our men, boþe gret & lite, To gider gaderd hem comonliche & comen hom nobleliche & biforn hem driuen al þe pray Of .XX. .C. cartes, y say, [ 6450] & com to Carohaise, þat riche toun. Wiþ ioie & wiþ processioun. King Leodegan þo hete His men nimen þat pray skete, Þat in þe tventi .C. cartes was, [ 6455] [f. 238a.] Taken it Arthour more & las. So deden þe kinges kniȝtes; Arthour nome it anon riȝtes & parted it wel curtaisliche Bi Merlins conseil, sikerliche, [ 6460] [6458-60) auf rasur geschr.]

& so miche ȝaf his ost Blaise, Þat riche him made & wele at aise; [6462) hem ms.] Ac Arthour no Ban no forþ his host No lenge wiþ Blasie soiourne most, Ac to court þai were yfeched raþe [ 6465] [6465) rare ms.] & ydon in riche baþe; Gveneour wesche þe king Arthour & Ban & Bohort wiþ honour; Gvenore, anoþer damisel, & oþer maiden fair & fel [ 6470] Weschen alle her gentil feren. Here ȝe schul now yheren, Hou þe oþer Gvenour was biȝete: Y wil, þat ȝe it alle wite.

Þo Leodegan spoused his quene, [ 6475] A burmaiden sche hadde fair & schene, [6476) sche] he ms.] On fair maner & gentil wise, Þat serued þe leuedi of heiȝe prise; Þe kinges steward, Cleodalis, Seiȝe þis maiden of gret prise [ 6480] & spac so fair to þe king, Þat he wedded þat swete þing. After a ȝer oþer to, ywis, Þat gentil kniȝt Cleodalis Went, þer him hete þe king, [ 6485] & left his wiif in þe quenes ȝeming, & ich ȝou sigge, par ma fay: In þe quenes chaumber sche lay. Ich niȝt it was þe quenes maner, To chirche gon & matins here; [ 6490] Al so þe quen herd matines, Þe king aros bi wrongful lines &, what bi loue & what bi striif, He forlay þe stewardes .wiif & biȝat a maide of gret mounde, [ 6495] Þat was Gvenour þe secounde;

& fram þat time al afterward, He binam þe wif his steward & hadde hir fer in on castel trist, [f. 238b.] [6499) castel] om. ms.] Whiderward, þe steward nist. [ 6500] Naþeles, Cleodalis, Þat gentil kniȝt of michel priis, Noiþer in seruise no in bataile No feined oȝain þe king, saunfaile. Þis Gvenour was þe oþer so liche, [ 6505] So pani is oþer, sikerliche. Þese weschen þis gentil man & leyd tables after þan; Leodegan nam ȝeme wiþ onour, Alle þe oþer born king Arthour. [ 6510] King Arthour sat, wiþ outen fable, Midelest at þe heiȝe table; King Ban at his riȝt half sat, Ac þe oþer half king Bohort at; Afterward her compeinie [ 6515] Was yset, þritti & neie, & next hem, wiþ outen fable, Sat þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table; After þat ysett were þere [6519) were] auf rasur geschr.] Al þo oþer, after þai were. [ 6520] [6520) þo] danach cin buchst. ausradirt.] In halle þai hadden riche seruise: Where to schuld y þat deuise? Ac Gveneour, wiþ outen les, Serued Arthour of þe first mes; Leodegan, þat wele y say, [ 6525] Biheld his douhter & Arthour noblay; So michel on hem he þouȝt, Þat of mete no drink he no rouȝt. A noble kniȝt, Herui de Riuel, Vndernam his semblaunt wel [ 6530] & seyd: "Sir, þi þouȝt lete be & make þine ostes gamen & gle: [6532) &] om. ms.] Eten & drink men schal on benche & after mete in chaumber þenche!"

Þe king þis tale vnderstode [ 6535] & made his gestes semblaunt gode, Ac on Gveneour biheld Arthour & was al nomen in hir amour, Ac he tempred so his blod, Þat non oþer it vnderstode. [ 6540] Gvenoure on knewes oft gan stoupe, To serue king Arthour wiþ þe coupe, & he seyd to hir, saunfaile: [f. 238c.] "Crist lete me ȝeld þe þi trauaile!" & sche seyd to him: "Sir, gramerci, [ 6545] It nis nouȝt to ȝeld, sir, ie vus dy, Ac swiche a þousand, so y be, Sir, no miȝt it ȝeld þe, Þe help & þe trauail & þe honour, Þat ȝe han don to mi lord, & ȝour socour: [ 6550] Yherd be Iesus Cristes sond, Þat ȝou sent in to þis lond!" Gveneour was euer tofor Arthour & serued him wiþ gret honour, & bifor eueri gentil man was [ 6555] Maidens, to serue wiþ gret solas; Þer were trumpes & fiþelers & stiuours & tabourers; [6558) stinours ms.?] Þai eten & dronken & made hem glade; [6559) droken ms.] & þo þai were al glad made, [ 6560] Þe cloþes weren vp ydrawe & þai weschen, so it was lawe. After mete asked king Ban To þe king Leodegan, Whi Gvenour, his douhter precious, [ 6565] To sum gentil man nere yspouse, [6566) were ms.] Seþþen he no hadde non airs. "Certes, sir," quaþ Leodegan, "vairs, Ȝif were ner, so mot y liue, Sche were mani day yȝeue; [ 6570] Wist ich owhar ani bacheler, Vigrous & of miȝt cler,

& he were of gode linage, Þei he nadde non hirritage, Mi douhter ich wald him ȝiue [ 6575] & al mi þing, wiþ to liue!" For king Arthour þat he seyd; Merlin þo toforn hem pleyd & cleped vp king Arthour & Ban & her feren fram Leodegan, [ 6580] So þat Leodegan miȝt of no þing More wite of her being; Þer seyd Merlin anon riȝt To king Arthour al þe sleiȝt, Þat Wawain & his feren of mounde [ 6585] Hadde ydon biside Lounde, & al, þat þer whiles schuld falle, [f. 238d.] He teld þer biforn hem alle, Wher þurch bliþe in þat toun Þai bileft til þe assensioun. [ 6590] Lete we now here king Arthour & his feren wiþ gret honour, & hereþ of þe chaunces ille, Þer whiles in Inglond bifelle!

Listneþ now, fele & fewe: [ 6595] In May þe sonne felleþ dewe; Þe day is miri & draweþ along, Þe lark arereþ her song, To mede goþ þis damisele & fair floures gadreþ fele. [ 6600]

King Arthour is leued at Carohaise & alle his frendes, wele at aise, & euerich cite, þat was his owe, Castels, tours, heiȝe & lowe, He dede warnise wiþ store þan, [ 6605] Þat he no douted non haþen man. Ac swiþe gret confussiouns [6607) gre ms.] Bifel þer whiles to our barouns,

Þat were ywent ato wel wide, Euerich to loke his owen side. [ 6610]

In þis time a messanger cam To þe king, sir Cradelman, & seyd, so ich writen finde: "Of paiens .xx. þousinde Comeþ a boþe half Arundel, [ 6615] Yarmed swiþe wel!" Swiftliche þe king Cradelman Nam .x. þousand armed man; Haluendel tok Pollidamas, His nevou, þat gode kniȝt was, [ 6620] Þe oþer del him seluen he tok, So we finden on þe boke. Þai riden forþ anon riȝt, Til þai com to hem, a pliȝt, & founden hem on a grene plas, [ 6625] Ich of hem slepeand was; Al abouten þai biclept hes & smiten on, wiþ outen les, Wiþ hors fete þai riden hem on & þurch stongen mani on; [ 6630] Þurch swerd & ax, spere & kniif [f. 239a.] Þer les mani a man þe liif; Non hadde miȝt, hem to were, Noiþer wiþ swerd no wiþ spere, Ac alle, þat euer miȝt flen, [ 6635] Swiþe gun oway ten To a castel, wiche held Cramile, [6637) wiche h. C.] auf rasur geschr.] Þennes ouer þre mile, Heiȝe & strong, a roche opon; Hir broþer hiȝt Bordogabron: [ 6640] Þer was in wiþ hir þo .xx. þousand paiems & mo; .xv. þousand king Cradelman Slouȝ of þat heþen man;

Þe fiue þousand flowen oway, [ 6645] Our folk hem suwed, par ma fay.

Þe paiens, þat wiþ Cramile were, [6647) wiþ] danach zwei buchst. ausradirt.] Her feren þai seiȝe misfare; 'As armes!' gred alle, þat þer was, Boþe þe more & þe lasse. [ 6650] .xiiii. þousand lopen on stede, Armed alle in riche wede, & smiten on king Cradelman; Þer was miche sleiȝt of man. Þer whiles þe gentil men of Arundel [ 6655] Wenten out & seseden wel [6656) deden ms.] Gold & siluer & purpel pelles, Mete & drink & mani þing elles, Þat þe paiens þer hadden late, Þai went to Arundel & schet þe gate [ 6660] & stowen vp heiȝe on þe walle, To sen, what miȝt to our bifalle. Bi þat þai com on þe wal on heiȝe, Cradelman was scomfite neiȝe; [6664) neiȝe] eiȝ sehr verkratzt.] Doun þai lepen of þe walle, [ 6665] & 'as armes!' þai gredden alle; On gode hors þai lepen of priis, Fiue hundred þer were, ywis, To socour & comen anon & halp wele Cradelman, [ 6670] Þat hadde lorn of ten þousinde Þe þre þousand, so y finde. Þe paiens of þousindes fourten Þe four hadden lorn, so y wen. Ac þer swiche bataile aros, [ 6675] [f. 239b.] A boþe half þat hem agros; Ac our had hadde þer more wo, No hadde a chaunce ben, þat bifel þo; For þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes Com hem vp þo forþ riȝtes, [ 6680]

Þat hadde yherd bifore teld, Hou paiens þe cuntre hadde aqueld, & come priueliche, paiens to aspie, To binimen hem her robrie; .x. þousand he hadde gode kniȝten, [ 6685] [6685) kniȝten] t aus e corr.] Þe haluendel he dede diȝten To Morganor, his steward, In armes stalworþ & hard. Þis dasched on þe Sarrazins Wiþ gode wille & hert fins; [ 6690] Eueriche wiþ his strong spere Þurch a Sarrazin gan it bere; .v. forlong he dede hem recoile & vnder hors fete defoile; Ich on oþer fast hewe. [ 6695] Ac þe Sarrazins þo it sewe, Hou þat men her folk hit & hou fele fel in litel fit, Þai arered a cri of more wonder Þan tempest o fer or þonder; [ 6700] [6700) o] sehr verkratzt.] Alle, þat euer fle miȝt, Oway flowen anon riȝt. Ac our kniȝtes & our barouns Hem tauȝt so her lessouns, Þat of fourten þousand fram deþ [ 6705] No ascaped bot þre vnneþ; Of hem ran as michel blod, So in riuer, when it is flod; Þer lay of paiens mani tasse, Wide & side, more & lasse; [ 6710] Mani fair stede dede þer lay & mani wiþ blodi sadel ȝede astray, For seþþen first in on þrawe, Fiftene þousand þer were yslawe, & er weren, al so ich finde, [ 6715] Afor yslawe þritten þousinde. Þus fele þai slouȝ of hatþen, Þat schuld hem no more waite scaþen;

It þouȝt hem a fair praie, [f. 239c.] Ac þo at arst agan her joie, [ 6720] For euerich oþer knewe sone & þonked god midydone Of þe help & þe socour, Þat eueriche dede oþer wiþ vigour, & anon wiþ outen onde [ 6725] Went in to Arundel, ich vnderstond, & dede biri þat ich day Þe cristen in chirche hay; Of þe paiens, þat were in lond, Gret conseil þai held, ich vnderstond. [ 6730]

Þo seyd þe king Angvigenes, Þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes wes: "Ich rede, we sende our sond To alle our peres of þis lond, Þat we ous geder to gider alle [ 6735] & on þe paiens at ones falle & fonden bi fine miȝt, To slen hem alle doun riȝt!" "Certes," quaþ Cradelman, "Me þink, þat nere nouȝt wele don, [ 6740] For oȝain on of our men Beþ mo þan þritti & ten; Ȝete is better for ich cas, Þat eueriche baroun loke his pas & aspie hem bi tropie [ 6745] & so fond hem to astroie. No schal ich no non of mine Ben bihinde for deþ no pine!" Þo þai hadden seyd þis word, Ich bitauȝt oþer our lord; [ 6750] Anon hom ich of hem went, cert, Of þat pray ich hadde his part, [6752) part] a, urspr. e, unterpunktet und a mit dunklerer tinte übergeschr.] Where þurch þai miȝten after long Þe better hem ȝeme fram wer & wrong.

Lete we now þes bileuen here [ 6755] & speke we now of her fere!

Þer comen vp fer bi norþ Ten riche soudans of gret worþ. Þe first king hete Oriens; Þe oþer hete Pongerrens; [ 6760] Þe þridde hete Mangloires; Þe ferþ het Gondeffles; Þe fift soudan het Sorbars [f. 239d.] & þe sext het Pincenars; [6764) Pincenars] i aus e corr. oder umgekehrt.] Þe seuend soudan het Fraidons [ 6765] & þe heiȝte Salbrons; Þe neiȝd het Maliaduc, Þe tenþ Bargon, an heþen douc. [6759-68) Vor jedem dieser verse ist ein abschnittszeichen.] [6768) tenþ] þ später nachgetr.] Þes comen vp, so ich finde, [6769) þes] s aus i corr.] Wiþ fiften .c. þousinde [ 6770] & wiþ þe stouer of to ȝare: Þer wiþ þai miȝt wele fare. Ac þo þai comen vp on lond, Þai senten her folk, ich vnderstond, Bi seuen þousand & bi heiȝte, [ 6775] Vplondismen to sle doun riȝt; [6776) Vpl.] is stark ausradirt.] Bi niȝen þousand & bi ten Þai senten about, to slen our men. In þis sorweful time & lange In to þe cite of Coruanges [ 6780] Messangers com to Angvisaunt, þe king, & teld him reweful tiding: "Sir," he seyd, "bitven þis cite & Lauernv Fiftene þousand be comen nov, Sarrains, þat wiþ fire wilde [ 6785] Brennen man, wiif & childe;

Bot þou hem socourest anon, [6787) socoureþ ms.] Þai be forlorn, euerichon!"

Þe king was sori & no þing bliþe: "As armes!" he grad swiþe; [ 6790] .xv. þousand al armed, ywis, Þer lopen on gode hors of priis [6792) lopen] e corr. aus o.] To on hille & gun hem heiȝe, Þis mesauentour for to aspie. [6794) mesauen∣tour] a corr. aus s.] Þo seiȝe þai al þe cuntray [ 6795] Stonden brenand on rede leiȝe, Man & woman vrn so dere Ouer al for dout of þe fer; Mani man for drede lete his wiif, Þe wiif hir child, þe child his liif. [ 6800] Quaþ king Angvisaunt: "Woleway, Þat ich euer bot þis day, & þat ich euer schuld sen Þus miche rewþe on erþe ben!" His men þer he schift ato, [ 6805] Half he tok him self & mo, & haluendel he toke Gaudin, [f. 240a.] Þat was a kniȝt hardi & fin, Þat seþþen wiþ his miȝti hand Wan þat maiden of þe douke Brauland; [ 6810] Þese smiten þe hors of priis & deden hem gon gode scour, ywis; Þurch mani bodi haþen Her launces þai dede baþen; After þat her swerdes þai drowen [ 6815] & sexti þousand to grounde slowen, Els who seyt, it is al for nouȝt, [6817) Als ms. it is] om. ms.] For þai wer abrod ydreyȝt; [6818) wer] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Ac sone þer after, nouȝt for þan, Fourti þousand after hem cam, [ 6820] Ac our þurch godes miȝt Wele hem stode oȝain to fiȝt

& cleued mani heþen hounde Fram þe toþ to þe grounde & deden al forþ manliche, [ 6825] For leuer hem were be ded, sikerliche, In manschippe & in trewþe, [6827) trewþe] nach w e, unterpunktet.] Þan euer more liue in rewþe, & so nobliche her dint bisett, Þat neuer men no deden bet. [ 6830] Allas! allas! gret pite Sone fel on þis gent meine: Lenger douren þai no miȝt, For opon hem com anon riȝt Þe forseyd soudans ten [ 6835] Wiþ alle þe cuntre wreiȝen of men & biclept al about Our litel cristen rout & slouȝ of our compainie, Verament, þousandes niȝe. [ 6840] Þo was þer of .xv. þousand Yleued bot sex bihinde & þe oþer flowen al so ȝerne, [6843) ȝerne] r ü. d. z. geschr.] So her stedes miȝt erne; Ac þer no hadde non scaped oway, [ 6845] Nadde chaunce comen fram Crist on heiȝe. Vriens, þe king of Schorham, [6847) Vnriens ms.] Þe Sarrazins bihinde cam & his nevou Baldemagu, A strong kniȝt of gret vertu, [ 6850] Wham Vriens ȝaf half his lond [f. 240b.] Out of Owains, his sones, hond; Þese wiþ hem .xii. þousinde brouȝt, Þat of dede litel rouȝt. Men hem teld of michel sorwe, [ 6855] Þer fore þai went out bi þe morwe & þouȝt, to don sum alegaunce Pouer men of her greuaunce, & comen hem sodanliche Opon alle þe paiens, sikerliche. [ 6860]

Þese weren alle gode kniȝt & flongen opon þe paiens anon riȝt; Wiþ strong launce, god it wot, Euerich a paiem þurch smot, & sum wiþ o launce schaft, [ 6865] What þurch miȝt & godes craft, Four oþer fiue slowe; Þer after ich his swerd drowe, & ich ȝou telle for soþe & siker: Þer bigan a stern biker, [ 6870] For þe Sarrazins turned oȝen On king Vrien & his men. Þer was mani heued ofweued & mani to þe midel cleued & mani of his hors ylust; [ 6875] For soþe, þer ros so michel dust, Þat of þe sonne schineand briȝt No man miȝt haue no siȝt; Here & þer crie & honteye, Men miȝt hem heren þre mile way. [ 6880] King Anguisaunt & meine his Was yflowen a fer weys; Socour com, þat he vnderstode, & turned oȝain wiþ hardi mode On þe Sarrazins & smite [ 6885] Wiþ swerdes, þat wele bite, & a þousand on a rawe [6887) rawe] a ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Þai haden sone brouȝt o dawe. Þat was bataile of mende Bitven deuelen & kniȝtes hende; [ 6890] Þe Sarrazins ost & pray Last fele mile way.

Vriens at þat o nende fauȝt [6893) at] a corr. aus?] & his kniȝtes, þat spared nauȝt. Angvisant fauȝt at þe oþer ende, [ 6895] [f. 240c.] Non no miȝt com oþer hende

No bi fele wayes sen, So fele deuelen hem were bitven. Our folk wiȝtliche hem gan were Wiþ ex & swerd & scharpe spere; [ 6900] Ȝete hadde þai lorn gret lore & sleiȝst, Ȝif on hem no hadde comen þe niȝt, Þat þai ne seiȝe miche no lite, Ani to oþer ariȝt to smite. Ich wot, for soþe, of þe heþen men [ 6905] Were yslawe swiche ten, Þan were of our cristiens; Ac swiþe anon þo wiþþerwins Her pauilouns þo telten riȝt, For to bileue al þat niȝt. [ 6910]

King Aguisaunt went hom To Coranges riȝt anon; Niȝen þousinde hem were yslawe. Þo þe citeseines it sawe, Þer was mani leuedi, [ 6915] Þat sore biwepe her ami, & mani gentil damisele Hir fader biwepe wiþ teres fele; Þe soster biwepe her broþer & euerich frende biwepe oþer. [ 6920]

Þis time went king Vrien To þe cite wiþ alle his men; Al so he com bi þe way, He fond cartes & michel praye & loges & pauilouns [ 6925] Telt on a swiþe grene roum. [6926) grene swiþe ms.] Þo asked king Vrien, Wiþ whom þai weren & wos men. Þai seyd, wiþ king Brangore & Wandlesbiri, & lay þore; [ 6930] Of Sessoine þis heiȝe king was & hadde made al þis purchas

Opon our men, ywis, For þe sibred of douke Angis. King Vriens, wiþ outen abode, [ 6935] & al his folk on hem rode, On her heueden, & feld adoun Boþe loges & pauiloun. To mete þai weren alle yset; [f. 240d.] For soþe, hem was litel þe bet, [ 6940] For on hem were stet þe hors & defoiled her foule cors. Tables, cloþes, bred & wine, Plater, disse, cop & maseline Was vnder hors fete totoiled [ 6945] & mani riche þing defoiled. Vnarmed were þe paiens alle, Our folk hem gun to talle; Wiþ swerd & ax, spere & kniif, Þai binome þe paiens her liif [ 6950] & so hem tohewe anon riȝt, Þat þai nadde power, oȝein to fiȝt, Bot were al yslawe in litel stounde, Euerichon vnto þe grounde, Bot fourti paiens vnneþe, [ 6955] Þat hem ascaped fram þe deþe, [6956) dere ms.] Wiche þat niȝt vnderfenge Oriens, þat riche king, [6958) Oriens] s auf rasur geschr.] & miche biment, þat he no miȝt Awreken hem þat ich niȝt, [ 6960] Ac amorwe he wold fond Brennen & spillen al þis lond. Amonges men it were ille, Ȝif eueriche vnwrest hadde his wille.

King Vriens & his kniȝtes, siker, [ 6965] After þis ich noble biker Token al þis riche praie, Pelles, purper, gold & monaye;

.v. hundred somers, wiþ outen lesing, Þer were charged wiþ riche þing, [ 6970] & sex hundred cartes, so y biþenke, Ful of flesche & mete & drinke; Alle þai ladden wiþ hem þis In to þe cite wiþ ioie & blis. Þe heiȝe boþe & þe lawe [ 6975] Þe bet ferd gret þrawe. Lete we now be þis soiourne & speke we of Oriens wroþ & morne For þis ich .viii. þousinde, Þat were yslawe him bihinde. [ 6980] Amorwe aros king Oriens & hete castels bren & touns, & alle þe houses, þat þai founde, [f. 241a.] Þai schulden bren in to þe grounde, Man & hounde, wiif & child, [ 6985] Þai schuld bren wiþ fer wilde; & so þai deden, wiþ outen pite, & spredden abrod in þe cuntre & setten on rede laite Al þat euer þai miȝten awaite. [ 6990]

Saigremor, a child noble, Was comen fram Costentine noble, In þis time, þat ȝe heren, Wiþ seuen hundred gentil feren, Of king Arthour kniȝtes to ben, [ 6995] Ȝif þai miȝt so yþen; Þes metten children & wiues, & men, to sauen her liues, Vrn & stirten þer & her, For houndes so doþ þe wilde der. [ 7000] Segremor hem asked, whi Þai vrn & made swiche cri; Þai seyd, for drede of þe haþen, Þat hem brent & dede scaþen; Þai asked, where was þe king Arthour, [ 7005] & þai him swore, bi seyn sauour,

To Carmalide he was ygan, To help king Leodegan.

"Certes," quaþ Sagremoret, "Oþer we schul sterue in þis flet [ 7010] Oþer doun leggen of þis haþen, Þat in þis lond doþ swiche scaþen!" Þer þai hem armed swiþe wel, Boþe in iren & in stiel, & .v. hundred of vplond [ 7015] Com to hem, ich vnderstond, & dasched on þe paiens wiþ hert gode, Þat were sprad þo abrode, Þat .v. hundred in litel stounde Þai laiden doun wiþ deþes wounde; [ 7020] Ac sone afterward hem bihinde Come ȝete fourti þousinde, Þat were wiþ Oriens, þe king, & afterward, wiþ outen lesing, Sexti þousand & mo [ 7025] [7025) þousand] s ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Come wiþ king Oriens al so; Þus fele þer comen & no las, [f. 241b.] Wiþ outen þe cuntre, þat ful was. Ac in þis time an eld man [7029) aneld ms.] As messanger to Wawayn cam [ 7030] In to þe cite of Lounde & him gret in þat stounde & seyd: "Wele yfounden, child Wawayn, Crist saue þi miȝt & þi mayn & alle þi compaynie fre, [ 7035] [7035) comp.] pa auf rasur geschr.] Þat ich here about Þe se! Sagremor, a ȝongman noble, [7037) a] mit dunklerer tinte auf rasur geschr.] Is ycomen fram Costantine noble & seuenhundred ȝongman gent, To sechen king Arthour, verrament, [ 7040] Of him to afong swerd of stiel & to seruen him swiþe wel;

In Souþesex þai ben ariue In strong periil of her liue; Þis letters þai senten þe: [ 7045] Her nede þou schalt yse!" Wawain þis letters redde anon & seyd to his feren ichon: "As armes, feren, nede it is! Y nold for þis cite, ywis, [ 7050] Þer þat Segremor were ded, Bot we him holpen & deden red!" To þeld cherl he ȝaue a stede, Þat hem brouȝt þat message at nede, & he hem tauȝt þan way [ 7055] Toward Segremor þat ich day. Þai no hadde no desturbing No of paiens no meteing; Þis ich eld messanger Hem ledde boþe swiþe & ner, [ 7060] Þat al bitimes, saunfaile, Þai miȝten com to þat bataile.

Wawain hadde wiþ him, so y wene, Of orped boies þousandes fiftene, &, as he rode bi þe way, [ 7065] Euer he gadred mo, y say.

Comand þese lete we & speke of Segremore so fre! Fourti þousand smiten him on & he oȝaines hem anon; [ 7070] .xii. hundred oȝain fourti þousinde [f. 241c.] Ferd, so smoke oȝain þe winde; Naþeles, y telle it ȝou, Seigremor & his hadde swiche vertu, Þat on of his, ȝif þe oþer was feld, [ 7075] [7075) was] a ms.] Þer oȝaines tventi he queld.

Ac þis was teld Oriens bihinde, Þat was cominde wiþ sexti þousinde,

& he for þe lore & for þe anoie, Þat he hadde þat oþer day, [ 7080] Hete, men schuld abouten hem gon & hem nimen, euerichon. Abrode þai ȝeden, wiþ outen doute, & þe children comen about; Þe cuntre was ich way [ 7085] Of armed paiens ful, þai say; [7086) fel ms.] Segremor no his fer No miȝt flen in non maner & hadden ment, hem to ȝeld, Ac fer fram hem þo hye biheld, [ 7090] [7090) fer] nach f ein buchst. ausradirt. fram] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Fele baners þai seiȝen com & after hem gret trom; Þo seyd child Sagremoret: "Ȝif we wel gunne, do we now bet, [7094) we] om. ms. wel] danach e, ausradirt.] For, yherd be our saueour, [ 7095] Y se ȝond com gret socour!" Þan þai werd hem wiþ swerd naked, Þat, so fer so þai miȝten take, Non neiȝe hem com no miȝt, Þat þai no slowen doun riȝt. [ 7100]

In þis time com Wawain & his feren wiþ gret main; Euerich of hem gan to bere Þurch a Sarrazin wiþ his spere; Afterward swerdes þai drowe [ 7105] & sexten þousinde to grounde slowe; Mani mouþe þe gres bot & griseliche ȝened, god it wot; [7108) ȝened] n auf rasur geschr.] Paiens floted in her blod: Euer is Cristes miȝt gode. [ 7110] Wawain to Sagremor com þan, & king Oriens werd him fram;

Wawain ȝaue Oriens swiche a flat, Boþe on helme & ysen hat, Þat he to grounde fel plat þere, [ 7115] [f. 241d.] [7115) fel] om. ms.] Al so he stef & stan-ded were. His folk abouten him pres made, Euerich gan to crie & grade For her lord, & vp him toke, So we finden on þe boke. [ 7120] To Wawain þer com a kniȝt & bad him wende anon riȝt Toward Camalot wiþ his felawe; & so he dede in þat þrawe, & al his feren, god it wot, [ 7125] Went toward Camalot. Þer whiles þe paiens aboute were, Her soudan for to arere, Ac þer after a litel while, Wele þe mountaunce of a mile, [ 7130] Oriens his limes drouȝ & gan arise of his swouȝ & seie þe diol sorweful & grim, Þat his folk made for him. Vp he lepe wiþ chaufed blod, [ 7135] So him no were nouȝt bot god, & asked anon, ywis, Newe armes & newe hors of priis & newe swerd & newe launce, To nimen of his fon veniaunce. [ 7140] Þat he asked was him founde, & he went forþ in þat stounde; Sexti þousand paiens & mo Her steden after smiten þo. Wawain seiȝe her coming coue [ 7145] & dede þe best wiþ hem houe, Wele an tventi oþer mo, & al þe oþer toforn hem go To Camalot, þat cite, To keueren wiþ his meine, [ 7150] & he bihinde to ben bi cas,

To susten þe paiems ras. Þe paiens token ouer our men & fast leyd opon hem þen, [7154) opon leyd, die umstellung ist durch striche angedeutet, ms.] Ac Galathin & eke Wawain [ 7155] & Gveheres & Agreuain, Gaheriet & Sagremore & þe oþer, y teld bifore, Bihinde þat bileued were, [f. 242a.] Euer were here & tere [ 7160] & wiþ swerd & scheld & spere Her folk toforn wele gun were. Þo com Oriens to Wawain rideinde Wiþ a spere gode scoure bihinde, & wende Wawain hit þurch out, [ 7165] Ac he failed, wiþ outen dout, For he smot him forbi, & Wawain for gret heiȝe Hitt him wiþ his swerd a plat Amidward þe ysen hat, [ 7170] Þat he tombled in þat stounde Stef aswon to þe grounde. [7172) Stef] Stif ms.?] Segremore smot Orian russel On his schulder bi þe haterel, Þat schulder & arm & ribbes alle [ 7175] He doun kitt wiþ liuer & ȝalle. Galathin smot Placidan Amidward al his man, Þat þe heued fleiȝe fram þe bouke, Þe soule nam þe helle pouke. [ 7180] Agreuain toke a launce long & rode oȝain a geant strong, Guinat þat hete, god it wot, [7183) hete] danach zwei buchst. ausradirt.] & þurch þe hert he him smot. Gveheres turned his pas [ 7185] Oȝain a geaunt, þat hete Tauras, & bare him þurch wombe & rigge, His liif he dede him þere legge.

Gaheriet mett þe douke Fannel [7189) Fannel] l. Fauuel?] Wiþ a launce, þe soket of stiel, [ 7190] & smot him þurch rigge & brest bon; [7191) rigge] das zweite g corr. aus?] Þe geaunt fel ded anon. Ȝete þai smiten forþ on hast & þre oþer of hors cast & wiþ her meine euerigrot [ 7195] Smiten in to Camalot. Bot Wawain & Galathin & Sagremore of gentil lin, Þat riden wiþ her hors Amid Oriens cors, [ 7200] Him for to sle, wiþ outen doute, Ac mani þousinde com him aboute, Þat Oriens binomen hem; [f. 242b.] [7203) hem] he m ms.] Ac Oriens slouȝ bi fiue & ten; Bi fiue miȝt þai breken hem fro [ 7205] & in to Camalahot wenten þo; Ac Wawaines breþer, for soþe to sain, In Camalahot misten Wawain; & þe þre deden hem oȝan, Wiþ hem went anoþer man; [ 7210] Out at þe gate þis þre stetten & on his stede þat cherl metten, To Wawain þat þe letters brouȝt, & swiþe fair þai him bisouȝt, He schuld hem tel, fer or neiȝe [ 7215] Ȝif he owar Wawain seiȝe; He seyd anon to hem oȝan: "Certes, ȝe be nice men: Whiderward were ȝe ycrope? In ȝou is ful litel hope, [ 7220] Þat ȝour broþer lete among his fon, & ȝe to herberwe gun gon; For ȝou he may now ligge yslawe: No telle y ȝou nouȝt worþ an hawe!" Þese were aschamed & anoid [ 7225] Of þat þe cherl hem hadde seyd,

For stoutelich he haþ hem chidde; Þe hors þai smiten þe spurs mide & sone þer after her broþer metten [7229) broþer] feren ms.] Wiþ his to feren & hem gretten [ 7230] & asked, hou it wiþ hem was, & þai seyd: "Wele, þurch godes gras!" Towarde þe toun anon þai stetten & þe cherles stede metten, Þe arsouns blodi, bibled þe hors, [ 7235] Ac hye no seiȝe nouȝt þe cherls cors; "Allas!" quaþ Wawain, "allas! allas! Verrament, þis stede it was, Þat ich ȝaue þat eld man, Wiþ letters to Londen þat to me cam!" [ 7240] "Ȝa, who rett?" his breþer quaþe, "Heiȝe we to toun raþe!" For he hadde arst seyd hem schame, Þai lowen þer of & hadde gode game. Wawain souȝt him here & þer, [ 7245] Ac he no fond him no where; It nas no wonder, sikerliche: [f. 242c.] Merlin him turned flesche & liche & was bicomen a garsoun, In hond berand a tronsoun, [ 7250] & ȝede hem alle þo among. Þo Wawain hadde souȝt him long, To Camalahot þai wenten on hast & schetten after þe gates fast, Drowen brigge & eueri pin, [ 7255] In pais & held hem þer in. Ac þo Wawain seiȝe Sagremor, Þer was ioie, bi godes or, Fair clepeing & welcominge & to Iesu Crist þonkeinge, [ 7260] Þat ich oþer hadde ydon, & destroied her fon. Þer þai soiournd mani day, Wiþ outen ani kin anoy,

& seiȝen paiens, seriaunce of helle, [ 7265] Þat no tong no miȝt telle, Al day passen hem forbi Wiþ howe & noise & grete cri. Lete we hem here soioiuringe & speke of þe oþer kinge. [ 7270]

Now telleþ þis romaunce, cert, Oriens was sore yhert Tofore Camalahot in þe pleyn & wounded of child Wawain. For his hurtinge & his damage [ 7275] He was neiȝe wode & eke rage; He wald him wreke anon riȝt, Ac it was almost þo niȝt, Ac to eke, þat fele of our Were wiþ inne walle & bour [ 7280] & ouer alle stert him fro, Þat he no miȝt comen hem to; Als so fer, al so he miȝt, His folk & he went þat niȝt & her pauilouns telt [ 7285] & made hem at aise wiþ flesche & selt. [7286) fresche ms.] A morwe king Oriens aros; Wele mani men þer of agros; Bi ten þousand & bi fiftene He sent about, to do men tene; [ 7290] He hete bern in to þe grounde [f. 242d.] [7291) bern] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Man & hous, al þat he founde, & so he dede þre jurneie Ouer al bi ich way; [7294) Ouer al] auf rasur geschr.] Man & hous þai brent & bredden [ 7295] & her godes oway ledden, Wiþ outen nombre, cartes fele Þai ledden o way wiþ alle wele & setten þe cuntre a fer wilde [7299) a fer] after ms.] Wiþ man & wiif & wiþ childe; [ 7300]

Ac mani ascaped, sikerlik, Into þe lond of Camberuic & comen to þe douke Estas, [7303) douke] danach esta, ausgestr.] Douke of Arundel þat was, Biforn him & fel on croice [ 7305] & grad on him wiþ pitous voice & seyd: "Sir, for godes gras, Þine help, þine ore in þis cas! Sarrazins wiþ griseli chere Þis cuntre haþ sett a fere, [ 7310] [7310) sett] tt verklext.] In vplond & in toun [7311) in toun] in to auf rasur geschr.] Euerich hous han brent adoun, Of child & man & eke of wiif, Alle, þat þai mai nimen, þai reue þe liif; Sir, help ous at þis nede, [ 7315] Oþer we ben euerichon dede!" [7316) dede] das zweite e von späterer hand mit dunklerer tintc nachgetr.] "Now, lord," quaþ þe douke Estas, "Help ous for þine holy gras!" For þe pite, þat he seiȝe, Sore he wepe wiþ his eiȝe. [ 7320] Wiþ him was þe lord of Paerne; He gred: 'As armes!' swiþe ȝerne; Ten þousand wiþ him he toke, Þe oþer left, þe cite to loke; Forþ he went swiþe anon, [ 7325] What he com to king Clarion, Þat woned fram him bot litel swiþe; Þe king of his cominge was bliþe, & seyd him, so ich tofore teld, Hou þe paiens his folk aqueld. [ 7330] "What rede," quaþ king Clarion, "Waldestow ȝeuen ous, to don? Ȝif þai pas ous bitven, [7333) þai] ai mit dunklerer tinte auf rasur geschr.] We are lorn, so mot y þen; [7334) are] a ü. d. z. mit d. t. geschr. y] danach & hen, ausgestr.]

Man & best in þis cuntray [f. 243a.] [ 7335] Were destroid & alle away!" [7336) &] danach zwei buchst. ausradirt.]

"Certes," quaþ þe douke Estas, "We schul laten in þis pas Of our men a parti & nim wiþ ous fair compainie [ 7340] & wenden ous wel swiþe on hast To Brekenham, to þe forest, In þe wode & hide ous; & þurch þe grace of swete Jesus So we schul wele aspie [ 7345] [7345) & so ms.] Þe paiens doinde robberie & smiten on hem & sle hem doun [7347) sle] she ms.?] & þe pray bring in to our toun!" Quaþ king Clarion: "God, merci, [7349) merici ms.] What conseil seistow, gode ami? [ 7350] Hou schuld we oȝain hem fiȝt? Y dar þe mi treuþe now pliȝt, Þei our folk tohewen waren To smale morsels, so beþ taren, To ich of hem, vnneþe men miȝt [ 7355] A morsel of ous to hem diȝt!" "A, sir," quaþ þe douke Estas, "Wiþ ous schal be godes gras: His grace is better in to afie, Þan armour oþer compeinie; [ 7360] & þai be spred wide here & tere, & we ben al to gider here: Ich hope þurch Iesu Crist, We schul hem driue, so sonne doþ mist!" [7364) We—driue] auf rasur geschr.] "Certes," quaþ Clarion, þe king, [ 7365] [7365) Certes] ertes auf rasur geschr.] "Þer oȝain am y no þing, Ac alle hem to asaily, Forþ to wende, icham redi, Ȝif ȝe so reden, þis pouermen." "Ȝis," quaþ þai euerichon, [ 7370]

"Sir, par seynt charite, Rewe on ous & haue pite! We han leuer sterue ariȝt Wiþ manschip & in fiȝt, Þan sen kin & wiif & child [ 7375] & ous forbren in fer wilde!" Þe king for pite wepe, a pliȝt, & seyd: "Certes, ȝe han riȝt!" Þo schosen þai, so dieu me saut, [f. 243b.] A noble kniȝt, lord of Nohaut, [ 7380] & þe lord of þe toun sori, Brandris, a kniȝt hardi, & Brehus saun pite al so, A feller kniȝt miȝt non go; Þese bileft þer riȝtes [ 7385] Wiþ a þousand orped kniȝtes, Þe cuntre to loke & þe paþe Fram Sarrain, þat wald hem scaþe. Þe lord of Paerne, so ich finde, Þer toke seuen þousinde; [ 7390] In to þe forest of Rokingham [7391) Rokingham] h ü. d. z. geschr.] Wiþ hem alle forþ he nam. Þe douke Eustas & Clarion, þe king, Bi anoþer way went, wiþ outen lesing, & helden hem a litel bi hest [ 7395] Vnder þe selue forest.

In May is miri time swiþe, Foules in wode hem make bliþe; In euerich lond arist song; Iesus Crist be ous among! [ 7400] In þe forest of Rokingham Hidden hem our cristen man; Þer was a launde of noblay, Where come to gider seuen way; Þai hem hidden a litel þer bi, [ 7405] For to aspien, sikerli,

Þe route of þe Sarrazins & þe pray, Þat miȝten comen of selcouþe cuntray, [7408 vor 7407 gestellt; die umstellung ist durch striche angedeutet.] For to skecken on hem on hest, When þai seiȝe time best. [ 7410] Al so þai were þere soiourninge, Abouten vndren com gret cartinge [7412) cartinge] e corr. aus?] Bi ich of þis seuen way, Ful of ich maner pray, Of venisoun & flesche & brede, [ 7415] Of broun ale & win white & red, Of baudekines & purpelpelle, Of gold & siluer & cendel; Sum þai brouȝt fram her lond & robbed sum in Inglond. [ 7420] Þis carting lest mile ways, For soþe, hou fele, no can y say. Fif þousand ȝede, þe cartes to loke, [f. 243c.] So we finden on þe boke; To hem dassed þe lord of Paerne [ 7425] Wiþ seuen þousand al so ȝerne & þe carters euerichon Of liif days þai brouȝten anon, & her lokers, anon riȝtes, Fif þousand heþen kniȝtes, [ 7430] Þai metten wiþ swerd & kniif, Þat non ascaped wiþ þe liif, [7432) ascaped] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] & nomen swiftlich al þat pray & ladde it þennes to mile way In to þe toun of Arundel [ 7435] & þer it token to ȝeme wel, & went hem oȝain anon To þe king Clarion. Riȝt also þai comen ware, Fiftene þousande þer comen fare, [ 7440] Sarrazins yarmed wel, On gode hors, in yren & stiel;

Our kniȝtes were, so y finde, Gode kniȝtes tventi þousinde, Þai smiten þe hors & lete þe rain [ 7445] & metten þe paiens wiþ gret main. King Clarion mett king Guifas, Sexten fet o lengþe he was; He hit him wiþ þe speres ord Þurch & þurch scheldes bord, [ 7450] Þurch out hauberk & aketoun, & bar him of his hors adoun; His schaft tobrast, þe geaunt fel, [7453) tobrast] r ü. d. z. nachgetr.] His nek bon he brac þer til. Þe douke Estas of Arundel [ 7455] Mett a king, sir Mirabel; Þe paien on him brac his schaft & hitt him on þe side laft; Þe douke him hit in þe brest & wiþ his dint hard þrest [ 7460] An ellen long þurch þe bouke; Þe soule went to þe pouke. Þe gode kniȝtes, þat wiþ hem ware, Þe oþer to þe grounde bare; Wiþ dint of spere & of swerde egge [ 7465] Þe paiens þai made to deþ legge; Bitven vndren & none, so y finde, [f. 243d.] Of hem þai slowen ten þousinde; Þer lay mani paien þurchþrest, Heued of smiten & fot & fist; [ 7470] Bi þe blod of hors & man A mile men miȝt haue ygan; Of hem fiue þousand, þat wald scape, Toward king Oriens gan rape; [7474) Oriens] danach wold, ausgestr.] Our cristen hem suwed at þe rigge [ 7475] & spared nouȝt, on to ligge, What king Oriens þai saye Wiþ folk wreien al þe cuntraye;

Oȝain þai wiþdrouȝ hem þo & conseil toke, what to do. [ 7480] Doun of her destrers þai liȝten, Her stedes to rest, her armes riȝten, & afterward made a renge Of hem alle þe launde alenge, For þai nold for no gode, [ 7485] Þat paiens binomen hem þat wode. Þo asked Oriens an hast His folk, were of þai weren agast; "Sir," þai seyd, "here tofore Beþ tventi þousand oþer more [ 7490] Cristen men, þat ȝour kniȝtes Han yslawe doun riȝtes, & sodanliche þai com ous on, Er we seiȝe of hem on, & no hadde we þe better be, [ 7495] Hem ofscaped nadde we!" "A, Mahoun!" seyd Oriens þo, "Þou nart no god worþ a slo; [7498) worþ] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Þer fore þi folk þou dost no gode, So for cristen doþ her lord! [ 7500] [7500) doþ] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.]

Com forþ," he seyd, "wiþ outen letting, King Eliedus, min owhen derling: Nim wiþ þe fourti þousinde & sle, bifore þat þou miȝt finde!" "It schal be don," he seyd, "bi Dandagon!" [ 7505] Euerich lepe his stede opon & fond our men alle at a tasse, Þat þe paiens no miȝt passe; Þer ich oþer sone mett & wiþ scharp launce grett; [ 7510] Þer tumbled mani paien haþen [f. 244a.] & mani cristen, þat was scaþe; Ac þo, þat ware ded of our, To heuen brouȝt soule pure,

& þe slawen Sarrazine [ 7515] Went in to helle pine. Þe cristen fond þe heþen dere, So þe lioun doþ þe bere; Euerich on oþer leyd wiþ, So on þe yren doþ þe smiþ; [ 7520] Þer ouerþrewe in litel stounde Mani orped kniȝt to grounde, Sum was ycleued to þe brest, [7523) was] om. ms.] Sum ofsmiten arm & fest, Sum hors smiten & sum astray; [ 7525] Þis fiȝt last fram þe midday, What it were euen al mast; Þo com Oriens driueand on hast Wiþ an hundred þousand & mo & þouȝt our men alle slo. [ 7530] Ac on hem þo com þe niȝt; Our to wode deden hem þo riȝt, Þurch godes help & his pite & so ascaped to her cite.

Bitven king Clarion & douke Escas [ 7535] Þer was parted alle þe purchas, Þat þai hadde ywonne þat day: Long hem was þe bett, parfay! Of cristen were slawe, y finde, Þe mountaunce of four þousinde; [ 7540] Ac þere were slawe of þe heþen men Wele mo þan þousendes ten. Wroþ was Oriens, þe king, Of þis sleiȝt & þis scapeing; Þai telt her pauiloun þer þat niȝt; [ 7545] A morwe was souȝt anon riȝt [7546) was] were ms.] In wode & doun & in fen After our cristen men; Ac þai no founde þer of non, For nouȝt, þat euer couþe þai don. [ 7550]

Oriens þo was so wroþ, His owen liif was him loþ; For wretþe he cleped an amirail, Napin þat hete, faunfail, Wiþ fiften þousand wreyen kniȝtes, [f. 244b.] [ 7555] & bad him, þe cuntre sle doun riȝtes, & toke him ribaudes þre þousinde, Þe cuntre to brenne bifore & hinde. Waines & cartes & somers al so Fif hundred he dede after go, [ 7560] Charged wiþ ale & win red, [7561) alle ms.] Wiþ fische & flesche & corn & bred, Wiþ cloþes & wiþ armerie; Sum þai hadde of robberie & sum brouȝt fram her cuntray. [ 7565] Ȝete dede Oriens more, y say; Wiþ ten þousinde Rapas, a king, He dede loke þat carting; He sett king Eliteus at her hele Wiþ .xv. þousand in on eschele; [ 7570] Him self Oriens com bihinde Wiþ Sarrazins .xx. þousinde. Þis ribaus þus, þousandes þre, Ofersett þe cuntre & brent & slouȝ man & wiif, [ 7575] O child no leten þai o liif; Þe cri & sorwe, y say, Men herd fele mile way. Þe douke Escas yseiȝe al þis: Wo was him oliue, ywis; [ 7580] He tok kniȝtes þousandes to [7581) tok] om. (!) ms.] & out of his cite dassed him þo; Among þe ribaus anon he dast & sum þe heued of he laist. Þis þre þousand he slouȝ anon, [ 7585] Bot fourti, þat hem fro were agon, Þurch þe miȝt & help of Crist, Ar Napin ouȝt þer of wist. In to her cite þay wenten oȝan [7589) þay] y aus n corr.]

Wiþ outen letting of ani man. [ 7590] To Napin com a ribaud þo & seyd: "Sir, where bileuestow so? Þou no dost nouȝt as þe wise, For þurch þi targinge & þi faintise Alle our feren yslawe beþ [ 7595] & we vnneþe ascaped deþ!" "Held þi pes," quaþ þe douke Napin, "Or þou art ded, bi Apolin! A worde speke if y þe more here, [f. 244c.] [7599) if] om. ms.] Þou art dede & al þine fere!" [ 7600] For al, þat is vnder Crist, He nold, Oriens it hadde wist. Forþ þai passeþ þis lond acost To Clarence wiþ alle her ost; King Bardogaban of gret mounde [ 7605] [7605) King Bardo auf rasur geschr.] Wiþ tventi kinges þer he founde, [7606) kinges] g corr. aus?] Þat bilay þat cite & slouȝ þe cuntre wiþ outen pite. [7608) cuntre] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Oriens was welcome swiþe, For wonderliche þai weren bliþe [ 7610] Of þe eiȝtte & stouers, Þat þai brouȝt, þo pauteners; Þere þai bileft wiþ þat king. Lete we hem now at þis segeing & schewe werres & wo, [ 7615] In þis lond þat weren þo! Who so wille ȝiue lest, Mai now here noble gest! [7618) Mai] danach í, ausradirt.]

Mirie it is in somers tide: Foules sing in forest wide, [ 7620] Swaines gin on iustinge ride, Maidens tiffen hem in pride. Los sprong of Wawaines dede, [7623) of] auf rasur mit dunklerer tinte nachgetragen.] Of his breþer & of his ferrede;

Vriens, þat was of Schorham king. [ 7625] Of whom y made bifore scheweing, Hadde spoused Hermesent, Blasine suster & Belisent; Þai hadde a ȝongman hem bitven, Michel Ywain, a noble stren; [ 7630] He was ycleped michel Ywain, For he hadde a broþer kniȝt, certein, Bast Ywain he was yhote, For he was biȝeten o bast, god it wot; Vriens bi anoþer quen [ 7635] Ȝete had biȝeten a gentil stren, Þat was hoten Morganor, A gode kniȝt, bi godes or; He had made him in al air To þe lond, þat of hem com veir; [ 7640] Þe lond, þat com of Hermesente, Was Ywains þurch riȝt decente. To Hermisent com child Ywain [f. 244d.] & seyd: "Dame, of child Wawain, Þat is mi nevou, spekeþ al þis lond; [ 7645] Allas, madame, it is me schond, Þat y no com in non werre, When schal y come, los to conquerre?" [7648) schal] om. ms. los] om. ms.] Þo seyd Hermesent, him to proue: "Whider wostow, Ywain, for mi loue?" [ 7650] "Dame, to seche min em Arthour, Of him to afong þe anour Of wiȝtschippe & cheualrie, & leren manschippe & curteisie!" "What?" sche seyd, "for wiche biȝete [ 7655] Wostow oþer seruise & þi faders lete?" "Dame," he seyd, "þine owen land Mi fader haþ laten me on hand; His owen lond he ȝaue anoþer, Morganor, mine halue broþer, [ 7660] & þei he schuld me al bireue, Ȝete ichil bi ȝour leue Wende & serue mi nem Arthour:

It schal falle to our honour!" "Sone," sche seyd, "icham wele paid [ 7665] Of þat þou hast to me seyd; Þi nem is Arthour, verrament: Serue him wiþ hert gent & fond for to make acord Bitven Arthour & þi lord!" [ 7670] Þer sche him puruaid anon riȝtes To felawes an hundred kniȝtes & þre hundred ȝong men, Þat wiþ him kniȝtes schuld ben, & fond hem armour & stede, [ 7675] [7675) armour] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Boþe soure & gode at nede; In þe name of heuen king Sche him ȝaf hir blisseing & lete him forþ wende in þe name of Crist, Þat his fader þer of nist; [ 7680] Ywain bastard wiþ him went & four hundred of feren gent. Now com þai fram Schorham Al bi þe forest of Bedingham [7684) Bed.] ham auf rasur mit dunklerer tinte geschr.] Toward Arundel in Cornwaile, [ 7685] Ac þider þai no miȝt, saunfaile, Bot þai wolden passen þurch oute [f. 245a.] .xx. .M. Sarrazins wiþ rowe snoute; Þo com þer forþ wiþ miȝti hond Wiþ king Soriendos, to stroie þis lond; [ 7690] [7690) stroiþe (!) ms.] He dede ribaudes ten þousinde [7691) de (!) ms.] Bren þat þai miȝtten finde; So he dede michel rewþe, Þis was on Yders lond, in trewþe. Ac to Gawaynet ful of priis [ 7695] Sone men telden al þis; Þo he & his gentil feren Al þis reuþe deden heren, He toke wiþ him þritti þousinde, Gode felawes, so y finde, [ 7700] Þat wenten alle wiþ Wawain

For his largesse & his main. Out of Londen þe way þai nome, Al what þay to Cardoil come; Fro Cardoil þai wenten souþe west [ 7705] To Bedingham al þurch þe forest, Where welcominge þai hadde onest Wiþ gret ioie & gret fest.

Þis fiȝtinge vnder Cornwaile Was fer ȝete, saunfaile; [ 7710] Yder, in whos lond it was & bifel, to kepe þat pas, Of his men herd þe pleinte, Sum forbrent & sum fordreinte, For diol he topped of his hare [ 7715] & him self tobete & tare & acurssed oft þe time grim, Þat Arthour was wroþ wiþ him.

King Yder was, sikerli, A noble kniȝt & an hardi, [ 7720] Þat wiþ him ledde .xiiii. .M. kniȝt, Boþe hardi & eke wiȝt. 'As armes!' he gradde wiþ tonge, & on gode stedes þai flonge. King Soriandes, þat soudan was [ 7725] To a king, þat hiȝt Bilas, He hadde taken fiften þousinde, Bifore þat went, so y finde, & passed along ouer a brigge; Þo þai ouer com, ich ȝou sigge, [ 7730] [7730) sigge] ge auf rasur geschr.] Þai rested hem a litel wiȝt [f. 245b.] & þo forþ went anon riȝt. King Soriandes after cam Wiþ fourti þousand haþen man; To Morgalant, his steward, [ 7735] He bitoke þe afterward

& .xxv. .M. Sarrazins, Þat schuld him help wiþ miȝt fines. Ten mile ways lest þis route, Icham siker, wiþ outen doute, [ 7740] & bitven euerich floc, naþeles, To mile oþer þre þer wes. Þis ich folk, þat was bihinde Wiþ fiue & tventi þousinde, King Yder & his ouertoke [ 7745] Opon a cauci bi a broke; Þai seiȝe him come & wiþstette, Wiþ scharpe spere ich oþer gret; Our cristen þurch out hem þrust & out of þe sadel mani lust, [ 7750] Amirail & heþen kniȝt; Mani þrewe doun deueling riȝt, & gnowen boþe gras & ston, [7753) growen ms.] Þo þat deþ her hert chon. Sum lay wiþ outen arme & þi [ 7755] & sum cleued in to þe fi; Our men þer in litel stounde Ten þousand slouȝ to grounde. Þis seiȝe þe steward Morgalant, Hardi & strong & gret geant; [ 7760] .xv. kniȝtes he slouȝ of our, Al arawe & to & four, & þo he mett wiþ Yder king, Ac þat was bataile ofþincheing, For ich smot oþers scheld ato, [ 7765] Helmes tokoruen & brini al so. Þis herd Soriandes, þe soudan, Of fourti þousand þe tventi he nam & sodanliche on our smot & alle hem slouȝ ner, god it wot; [ 7770] Ac king Yder fram þe deþe Scaped wiþ a fewe vnneþe, Wiþ wepeing & wiþ gret wailing; Ac he no hadde ascaped, bi heuen king, Ȝif anoþer cuntek no hadde ybe, [f. 245c.] [ 7775]

Þat þe soudan dede ferst yse, Whar fore he no durst him suwe for doute, Ac went oȝain wiþ al his route.

Now þe childer, y spac of bifore, Ywain þe hende & Ywain bastard ybore, [ 7780] & Ates, an orped kniȝt, Wiþ four þousand ȝongmen wiȝt Weren passed þe forest Toward Arundel souþe west & wenden ben alle soure & siker, [ 7785] & þo metten wiþ a sori biker Wiþ Soriondes formward, Þat Bilas ladde, a kniȝt hard, .xv. þousand oȝain four hunder; Þis was a meteing of wonder; [ 7790] Four mile out of Arundel, Allas, þis ich meting fel; Al so þis bachelers hadden a bregge Ypassed, for soþe y sigge, Þe children fle nouȝt no miȝt [ 7795] For þe brigge, y ȝou pliȝt; [7796) nach angabe des hs. einzurücken.] Her scheldes þai gropen & scharp spere, Ich a Sarrazin gan doun bere; [7798) gan] g corr. aus d.] Swerdes þai drouȝ & ȝeuen dintes & paid paiens deþ rentes. [ 7800] Þis ȝongmen, of whom y say, [7801) ȝongmen] m corr. aus?] Tocoruen in þre mile ways Fiue þousinde Sarrains to grounde & ȝete were hem self hole & sounde. At þe hindeward king Yder [ 7805] Fauȝt al at ones & þis children her. Soriandes þat wele yherd & lete Yder & oȝain ferd, For to taken quiclike Þe children ded oþer quic. [ 7810]

Ac riȝt now a litel knape To Bedingam com wiþ rape & toke a letter to Wawain On his nevou half, hende Ywain; Ac Ywain wist nouȝt þer of; [ 7815] Wawain hem toke þe knaue of; Þe letters he red anon & grad: "As armes, euerichon! Armeþ ȝou al wiþ main, [f. 245d.] [7819) Ariueþ (!) ms.] For mi nevou, hende Ywain, [ 7820] Haueþ nede, &, bot we heiȝe, He is ded & his compeinie; Ded me were leuer, bi Iesus, Þan he starf for faut of ous!" Agreuein & Gaheret, [ 7825] Gveheres & Sagremoret [7826) Sagremoret] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Armed hem wiþ hardi cher, & ich lepe on his destrer; Swerd þai tok & launce & scheld & forþ priked on þe feld; [ 7830] Þai toke wiþ hem .xx. þousinde, Þe oþer þai leten hem bihinde; A sex þai schift her compainie.

Agreuein schuld þe first gie, Þat was of noble þre þousinde. [ 7835]

Gveheres al so, y finde, Þre þousand bodis gied al so; Non better no miȝten go.

Þe þridde ferd ledde Gaheriet & þe ferþ Sagremoret. [ 7840]

Þe fift ladde Galathin, & eueriche þre þousand wiþ him. Wawain ladde þe sext bihinde & hadde wiþ him eiȝte þousinde.

Þe knaue tauȝt her way, sikerliche, [ 7845] Þai riden wel sarreliche; [7846) þa ms.] Þair gilt pensel wiþ þe winde Mirie ratled of cendel Ynde; Þe steden so noble & so wiȝt Lopen & neiȝed wiþ þe kniȝt. [ 7850] Þese beþ al so fast cominge, Þe children þer whiles were fiȝting Oȝain ten þousand for first ten & fiue, [7853) ten &] om. ms.] Þat þai had wiȝtliche brouȝt oliue; [7854) þai] om. ms.] Þai defended hem so wel [ 7855] Wiþ scharp swerd of gode stiel, Þat þe four hundred hadde driuen oȝan Þo ten þousand of heþen man. King Soriandes herd al þis & sexten þousand he sant of priis [ 7860] Biforn him, hem to nim; & after com þat wiþþerwin Wiþ .xx. þousind al mast, [f. 246a.] For to taken hem on hast. Þis forseyd .xvi. þousinde [ 7865] Our folk comen bihinde & passed þe brigge Drian & smiten on our ȝongman & mani þer of þrewe to grounde & ȝauen hem bitter & hard wounde. [ 7870] Þe ten þousand at þe oþer half al so Deden hem swiþe miche wo; [7872) Dededen (!) ms.] At on half & at oþer, so y finde, Were sex & tventi þousinde & wiþ a fewe children fouȝt, [ 7875] Ac Iesu Crist on hem þouȝt, For he ȝaue hem strengþe & miȝt, Oȝain þo deuelen for to fiȝt; When ani were falle adoun, Þe oþer hem lift to arsoun; [ 7880] Euerich oþer wiþ scheld biclept & fro oþer dentes kept,

& mani of þo heþenhoundes Þai koruen doun in to þe grounde. Ac al þai were so forfouȝten, [ 7885] Of her liif þat þai no rouȝten, & ȝelden hem þai hadden ment. "Nay," quaþ Ywayns, "verrament: Whiles our ani liueþ in feld, Our þonkes nil we ous ȝeld! [ 7890] Ac do we now bi mi red, Prike we at onnes in to þe mede, & ȝif we may owhar abreke, Fle we hem wiþ gret reke!" Al at ones her main þai kedde [ 7895] & large roume about hem redde; In to þe mede þai smiten wiþ rape, Ȝif þai miȝt ouer þe water scape. Þe water was swiþe depe, Þe brink heiȝe, þe strem stepe; [ 7900] Þai loked ouer in to þe londes & seye come king Soriandes; Fele mile wais, wiþ outen doute, Lest þe tail of his route. Ates þe wiȝt þo seyd: "Allas, [ 7905] We mot ous ȝeld in þis cas, For we no mow no whar oway, [f. 246b.] So ful of deuelen is þis cuntray!" Al þai were in gret desmay; Þo loked Ywain & saye [ 7910] Fram Bedingham on her side Baners & pople com ride; To his felawes he seyd on hast: "Beþ now bliþe & nouȝt agast: Y se ȝond com gret socour, [ 7915] For þai han þe signe of our saueour, Wher þurch," he seyd, "ich vnderstonde, It is socour of þis lond!" [7918) socour] o corr. aus?] "Yherd be Crist!" quaþ lasse Ywain. "Her is conseil certain: [ 7920]

Ȝif we here leueþ in a þrome, We worþ nomen, ar þai come; Ac þei we han pople lite, Þurch out hem we mot smite & slen al þat mowe we, [ 7925] Þurch out hem & swiþe fle, Fleand euer wereand ous, [7927) Fleand] Fle & ms.] Til help ous haue sent Iesus!" Bi þis rede þai deden ȝerne, [7929) þis] om. ms.] Her stedes þai gun terne; [ 7930] On þe sexten .M. þai com flinge, So hail doþ on þe singel. In þat coming, god it wot, Þai slouȝ þre hundred fot hot, [7934) fot hot] auf rasur mit dunklerer tinte geschr.] & wiþ gode hert & main fin [ 7935] Þai þurchperced þo Sarrazin; Ac Bilas wiþ his ten þousinde Hem oftoke anon bihinde & metten hem in a mede Wiþ an hundred of her ferrede [ 7940] & ȝauen hem wel bitter wounde, For þai hem wold haue nomen & bounde: [7942) &] ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Ac þai vp stirt & wered hem siker, Wiþ swerd þai maden dedeli biker. Agreuein, wiþ þis bikering, [ 7945] Wiþ þre þousand com on hem flinge, Þat wiþ spere þo ten þousinde Beren oȝain, so y finde, Þe schote of an alblast; Þer was mani þurch out dast, [ 7950] Heued ofkoruen, smiten of arm, [f. 246c.] Bodi cleued in to þe barm; On boþe halue was swiche a cri, Men miȝt it here into þe sky. Þis seiȝen þe sexten þousinde [ 7955] & comen swiþe on our winde & wiþ miȝt oȝain hem bar To þe stede, þer þai wer ar;

Þer was mani wombe þurchschoue & mani heued cleued aboue. [ 7960] Þat ich time Agreuein In sleiȝt kid so michel main, Þat his feren wondred euerichon & token ensaumple, wele to don; For he seyd, þei he dede schuld ben, [ 7965] Of þe stede he nold flen, Ac wiþ swerd he wald delite, On þe paiens to don it bite.

Ywain þan & alle his floc On steden sat so stef so stok [ 7970] & dasched hem amid þe pres, So lyoun doþ on dere in gres, & cleued boþe man & hors Of þe foule heþen cors. Ich of hem so wiȝtliche fauȝt, [ 7975] Þat tong no may it telle nauȝt; Ac Sarrazins were, bi mi panne, Euer fourti oȝaines anne; Wher fore our litel folk kene No miȝt amonges hem ben ysen. [ 7980] Þis was in time of May, Riȝt aboute midmorwe day.

Þo com Gueheres, Wawaines broþer, Wiþ þre þousand flok oþer, [7984) þousand] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] & smiten on þis heþen hounde, [ 7985] Þat euerich of hem fel to grounde, & þe oþer rekeuerd oȝain wiþ main, Whider first hem brouȝt Agreuein. Þer was fiȝting, þer was toile, & vnder hors kniȝtes defoile; [ 7990] Þo þonked Ywain þe wiȝt Of þat socour god almiȝt & desired to wite, who it were, Þat him dede swiche socour þere.

Þo seyd Ates: "Sir Ywain, [f. 246d.] [ 7995] Smite þi stede wiþ miȝt & main & of þi greuaunce þe awreke, Þat oþer it sen & þer of speke: Bi her pruesse þou schalt hem knawe & bi þine be her felawe; [ 8000] Y þe rede, now lay on fast, Our fomen for to agast!" Þer Ywain & eke his broþer, Ates, & mani gentil oþer, Tokoruen þis Sarrazins [ 8005] Wiþ gret miȝt & wille fins; Y. wene, þat Ywain & his broþer Þer slouȝ an hundred & anoþer, So þat Gveheres & Agreuein Hadde gret wonder of her main. [ 8010] As Ates com rideinde hem bitven, He asked hem, who it miȝt ben. "Certes," quaþ Ates, "of ȝour ken, Þe kinges sones Vrien, Ywain þe hende & Ywain bastard, [ 8015] Þat þus com hiderward, To ben kniȝtes of ȝour em Arthour & seruen him wiþ gret honour; Al þat han white on riȝte armes [8019) armes] a corr. aus?] & red on left half on her armes, [ 8020] [8020) on her] ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Beþ erls & barouns sones, Þat ben wiþ him hider come, Þat metten here þis deuelen felle, Þat ben ysprongen out of helle, Þat hadde hem slain wiþ deshonour, [ 8025] No hadde ben ȝour socour." "Yherd be Crist," þe children quaþe, "Þat we to hem com þus raþe!" To hem þai smiten þe stedes swiþe & welcomed hem wiþ chere bliþe; [ 8030] Þo her ich oþer knewe, Ich ouer oþer armes þrewe;

Gret ioie, wiþ outen les, Þai made amidward þat pres & made couenaunt, in al þat fiȝt [ 8035] To gider þai wald riden, a pliȝt. As þai þus togider spake, Fresche paiens on hem com rake, .xv. þousinde, þat hadden born hem oȝan [f. 247a.] [8039) hem] om. ms.] Parfors in to Bedingham, [ 8040] [8040) Bedingham] a durch a und ab∣kürzung bez.] Wiþ þre þousand ne hadde bet On hem smiten Gaheriet, Wawaines broþer, sikerliche, Oȝain hem held sarreliche. Þer was broken mani spere [ 8045] Wiþ deþes dint & liues lere, & mani paien to deþ ysmite Wiþ swerdes of stiel, þat wele bite. Margalaunt, þe steward, & king Pinogres To þe brigge were comen wiþ gret pres [ 8050] Of Sarrazins, .xx. þousinde & wele mo, al so y finde; Al þai seiȝen þis ich biker, At þat half þe brigge hem þouȝt siker, On þat ich fair roume [ 8055] To aloge her pauiloun, To kepe wele her charrois, Her astore & her harnois, & to help at tide & time At þe oþer half her cursed lin; [ 8060] Þe brigge, þat was hem bitven, Þai þouȝt, schuld her socour ben.

Soriondes, her heiȝe king, Com sone after, wiþ outen lesing, Wiþ so mani þousand Sarrazins, [ 8065] Þat no man þer of couþe þe fins, [8066) auf rasur mit dunklerer tinte geschr.] & loged on þat riuer, Fram Morgalant nouȝt wel fer,

Of bataile to sen þe fin Of cristen & of Sarrazin, [ 8070] Þer at þe oþer half þe brigge Wiþ scharppe swerd gun on legge, Wiþ fauchouns, axes & battes [8073) fauch.] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Ich ȝaue oþer sori flappes; [8074) sori] r schlecht ausgeprägt, so dass sich für ri auch n lesen liesse.] Of Sarrazin þer fouȝten ten & ten [ 8075] Oȝain on of our men, Wher þurch þe feld oȝain þai bare Mani of our children þare. In þis toil wiþ þre þousand skete Sagremor hem com mete; [ 8080] Mest what euerich wiþ his spere A paien gan to grounde bere, & in þis ich coming [f. 247b.] Þer were slawe four heþen king, In þe feld of our bachelers [ 8085] Were brouȝt on her destrers. [8086) destres ms.] Þe paiens were to fel & kene, Þe sleiȝt of hem nas nouȝt sen, & eke þer ourne stremes of blod, Al so it were a wel gret flod. [ 8090] Now, wiþ outen more dueling, Galathin com swiþe flinge [8092) Galathin] das zweite a corr. aus?] Wiþ þre þousand wiȝtling & smot oȝain þat heþen king. Ich of hem wiþ stef launce [ 8095] A Sarrazin smot, wiþ outen balaunce, & wiþ her feren brouȝten oȝain Al her feren to þe brigge drein, In þe water hem driuen, so y finde, Of þe heþen & slouȝ seuen þousinde, [ 8100] Ac al our childer toforn & þo Hadde hem contened so, Þat of .M. .X. & sextene No hadde þai leued bot þrittene,

& of our, so y finde, [ 8105] Nas nouȝt slain a þousinde. Now hadde al þo þeues heþen Ben tofrust doun riȝt to maþen, Ȝif Morgalent & Pinogres Nadden brouȝt ouer her pres, [ 8110] [8110) Hadden ms.] .xx. þousand oȝain our; Of our wer þousandes ten & four, &, certes, nouȝt an hundred mo, & þai were þre & þritti þousand & mo. Þer was batail of mende, [ 8115] Hou our wiȝtlinges so hende On þe heþen wiþ swordes losten & mani tocleued & tofrusten: Ac Morgalant & his ferrede Were strong & fers to þe dede [ 8120] & hadde don our harm wel gret, Ȝif Wawain no hadde don þe bet, Þat wiþ eiȝte þousand & swerdes egge Brouȝt hem to þentre of þe brigge, & mani þousand ouerþrewe, saunfail, [ 8125] Into þe water top & tail, Þat þai adreint, wiþ outen les. [f. 247c.] Wawain smot in to þat pres; It was sum del after none, Wawain strengþe duble gan; [ 8130] His ax in his hond he lift, Durarls heued of he smit; King Malgar on þe heued he gert, Þat þe dent stode at þe hert; Segor on þe heued he smot, [ 8135] Þe ax in to þe sadel bot; King Malan al so he hit & wiþ his ax þe heued ofslit. A left he smot & a riȝt, Non his dent asit miȝt; [ 8140] Stel & yren his ax þurchcarf, Wher þurch mani heþen starf.

He met þat geaunt Pinogres Amidward al his pres, Þat cleued Wawaines scheld, [ 8145] Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld; Wawain him ȝaue a dent of howe & cleued him to þe sadel bowe. Y no miȝt it nouȝt ful rede, Þe pruaunce of Wawaines dede. [ 8150] After him hende Ywain Best, y wene, kidde his main, For king Sesox he cleue ato & Baldas, an amiral, al so; Minardes heued of he smot [ 8155] & Bilaces al so, god it wot, & Morgalant, þe steward, Dedliche wounde he ȝaf him hard, & mo kniȝtes, þan y can telle, Wawain & he sent to helle, [ 8160] [8160) &] ü. d. z. geschr.] For y neuen now, saun faile, Bot kinges, doukes & amiraile. Ȝete no wist nouȝt Wawain, Þat it was his felawe Ywain; He hadde wonder of his pruesse, [ 8165] Þat so leyd doun hard & nesse. After hem Galathin Kidde in dede miȝt afin; Wiþ swerd he hit Farasan, A geaunt & an hoge man, [ 8170] Þat ere & cheke & scholder al so [f. 247d.] Wiþ his swerd he carf atvo. King Creon he cleued þurch & king Beas doun in a furch; Darian & king Fulgin, [ 8175] Boþe he cleue to þe chin. No child no miȝt do þer bet, Þan dede al so Gaheriet; Of þe king Briollo Þe midel he smot ato; [ 8180]

Pinnas & ek Douadord He biheueded wiþ his sword; Pamadas he cleued doun riȝt.

Sagremor þer schewed his miȝt, For he biheueded Linodas, [ 8185] Of fourtene fet þat was; Fauel he cleued to þe brest & Guindard he made heuedles prest.

Gueheres dede al so wel, Of Guos he carf þe hatrel; [ 8190] Goweir he cleued to þe ribbe, Þat he no miȝt no lenger libbe. Agreuein dede al so, Þre kinges he slouȝ & mani mo.

Ates & lesse Ywain & her route [ 8195] To grounde laiden, wiþ outen doute, Whom so þai hitten wiþ ful dent, Keuerd he neuer, verrament. Ac, verrament, oȝain Wawain No man no miȝt kiþe main, [ 8200] For he carf man & stiel & ire, So flesche hewer doþ flesches lire. [8202) hewer] nach w e, unterpunktet.] Niȝt com hem on, þai miȝt nouȝt sen, Ich to his kiþ gan to ten; Þo Gawainet knewe Ywain, [ 8205] Þer was ioie & blis, certain; He & al her compeinie To Bedingham went on heiȝe & þer token aise & rest Wiþ gamen & gle & solas mest. [ 8210] Soriandes seiȝe of his ferred Of four score .M. þe fourti ded, His hert was sore, his cher murne, Lenger nold he þer soiourne; He trussed his armes anon riȝt [f. 248a.] [ 8215] [8215) He] e corr. aus?] & went oway al bi niȝt

To her heiȝe ost to Wandlesbiri, Þer þai made hem joie & miri For store & tresor, þat þai brouȝt. Wawain amorn him souȝt [ 8220] [8220) hem ms.] & fond, he was ascaped oway; Þat him oþouȝt, par ma fay; Þat hie þer founden, þai ladde hem wiþ & left þer stille in pais & griþ Mani day at Bedinham. [ 8225] Now listneþ, what after bicam!

Now seiþ þis romaunce, hou Wawain Of þis letters asked Ywain; Ywain seyd, he wist of non, Where þurch þai wonderd euerichon. [ 8230] Þo herd þai telle of Sarrazins, Deden wo & michel pins Þe ȝong men of Arundel; Wawain þer of hadde diol; Ten þousand, þe best, he toke, [ 8235] Þe oþer he tok, þe toun to loke, & went hem Arundel toward. In þis time fel chaunce hard, For Kay Destran & Kehedin, Tvo gentil swaines of wiȝt lin, [ 8240] Erles sones of Strangore, Of þe marche come hem bifore Wiþ seuen & tventi sweines of gentil stren, Comen alle, kniȝtes for to ben & to serue king Arthour, [ 8245] Ȝif þai miȝt, wiþ gret honour. Þese no hadde nouȝt are ysaye, Hou Arundel was bilay Of king Harans & ek Daril, Bramagues sones, þe Eteuild, [ 8250] Wiþ so mani heþen þousinde, Þat þe noumbre y no can finde.

Þese squiers on hem come & þe paiens al so sone; Sone þai hem seiȝe, on hem þai last; [ 8255] Þe squiers were armed & on hem dast, & in þe first of þat seylinge Þai slowen michel heþen genge. [8258) genge] auf rasur geschr.] Ac heþen mani þousand þo [f. 248b.] On our flongen & dede hem wo [ 8260] & biclept hem al about, For to nim þat litel rout. Ȝongmen of Arundel Seiȝen it out of þe castel, Wiȝt ȝonglinges, þre hundred, ich vnderstonde; [ 8265] Þe first was Ywain wiþ þe white hond, Þe oþer Ywain of Lyonel, Þe þridde Ywain Desclauis le bel & Ywain of Strangore of heiȝe parage; Þe .v. was Dedinet, þe saueage; [ 8270] Alle þai were wiȝt & hende & neiȝe of Wawaines kende. Þese wiþ þre hundred com þere & on þe paiens smiten wiþ gode chere; Ich dede his launce go [ 8275] þurch out a paien oþer to & redden hem wiþ miȝt fin, Til what þai come to Kehedin; To gider þai cleued in þat werre, [8279) werre] das zweite r aus e corr.] So wiþ oþer doþ þe burre, [ 8280] & leyden þer Sarrazins doun riȝt, [8281) þer] r auf rasur mit dunklerer tinte geschr.] Boþe a left half & a riȝt. Þe paiens an horn gun blowe, & hem come socour in litel þrawe, .xx. þousand, þat smite on our [ 8285] & bar hem doun bi þre & four, & hadde hem slawe & do miche wo, No hadde Wawain vp comen þo Wiþ .x. þousand, þat doun stett Alle, þat þai wiþ launce mett, [ 8290]

& after her swerdes drowe & .xv. þousand heþen slowe & holpen so þo oþer squiers, Þat þai were brouȝt on destrers. Þe oþer paiens wiþdrouȝ hem þo, [ 8295] Sarrazins to feche hem mo. Þer whiles Wawain knewe þis Ywains Alle four & þe oþer swaines; Þer was ioie, bi godes ore, Y wene, þer miȝt be no more, [ 8300] Þan was þer of þat socouringe; Þer whiles com an eld kniȝt flinge [8302) aneld ms.] & seyd to Wawain conseil: [f. 248c.] Ȝif he & his feren wald ben hayl, Þai schuld swiþe to Arundel te, [ 8305] & þan he schuld more yse. Bi his conseil þai deden anon & went in to Arundel ichon; Alle þe gates þai schetten fast & lete falle port colice on hast; [ 8310] On walles þai steiȝen heiȝe [8311) On] n auf rasur geschr. walles] s ü. d. z. geschr.; danach s, ausradirt.] & seiȝen of heþen ful þe cuntreie:

King Harans wiþ sexti þousinde & Daril wiþ fourti him bihinde, .xii. hundred cartes after come [ 8315] Wiþ gode & store, þat was binome In þe cuntre men & wiues, Al sori in her liues. [8318) in] ī, corr. und radirt aus?] After hem come .xx. þousinde Of fel robours, so y finde, [ 8320] Þat so hadde robed & brent þe cuntre, Þat þer aboute four jurne No schuld man finde man no childe, Bot wildernesse & desert wilde. Wawain & his felawes [ 8325] Þer soiournd seuen dawes. [8326) soiourn̄d ms.]

Þer lete we hem soiurne & speke we of chaunces hard & murne!

King Harans & his harnoys Went toward þe lond of Leoneis [ 8330] & brent in to þe grounde Al, þat þai biforn hem founde, Man & child þai brent þo & dede hem al michel wo; Sum ascaped wiþ gret paine [ 8335] In to þe cite of Dorkeine & reweliche gun o king Lot For þis lere, god it wot. Lot tok .xx. þousand kniȝtes & went him out anon riȝtes; [ 8340] A ferd of .xxx. þousinde He smot on al, so y finde; .v. þousinde in his cominge He slouȝ wiþ speres meteinge; Egreliche her swerdes drowe [ 8345] [8345) Egreliche] nach E ein buchst. ausradirt.] & .ix. þousinde þer toslouwe Wiþ so noble swerdes dent, [f. 248d.] Þat hem astint, verament, & hadde hem alle sone yslawe, Ȝif Harans, þat þe deuel todrawe, [ 8350] Nadde wiþ .lx. þousand þo [8351) Nadde] om. ms.] Com on our to michel wo, Þat our biclept & wiþ fouȝt, & slowen our gentil men & duȝt, [8354) duȝt] duȝst, ȝ ü. d. z. geschr.] Þat Lot vnneþe wiþ þre þousinde [ 8355] Scaped at euen, so y finde, In to þe cite of Dorkeine, Sore ywounded wiþ michel peine. Þe king Lot seiȝe þis lere, Him selue he gan here tere [ 8360]

& bad þe time mesauenture, Þat he cunteked wiþ king Arthour, & his kniȝtes, þat leued were, & leuedis & children maden care, For her faders, lordes & frende [ 8365] Were so slawe wiþ helle fende. Harans biseged & dede his peine, Þe cite to winne of Dorkeine. Lot þouȝt to saue Belisent, Arthours suster, his quen gent [ 8370] & Wawains moder, saunfail; His kniȝtes he asked conseil; Conseil he tok & went bi niȝt Toward Glocedoine ful riȝt, His strong castel, to don in his wiif, [ 8375] For chaunce, þat miȝt be, oþer striif, Wiþ Modred, his sone beld, Þat nas ȝete bot to ȝer eld; .v. hundred kniȝtes on gode stede Wiþ him he tok for al nede [ 8380] & went toward his castel swiþe; He was þer of seþþen vnbliþe.

In þis time child Wawain Wiþ mani feren & eke Ywain, On Arundels wal þai gun leue; [ 8385] A kniȝt com arnand wiþ gret reue, Yarmed in armes alle, Þat to Wawain þus gan calle: "Wawain," he seyd, "Crist þe se & alle þine feren fre! [ 8390] Durst ȝe gon wiþ me, siker, [f. 249a.] Y wold ȝou schewe a selcouþe biker, Whar ȝe schul win wining, Ȝe nold it ȝeue for no þing!" "Þan schaltow," quaþ Wawain, "swere, [ 8395] Þou no schalt ous wiþ tresoun dere!" "Bleþeliche!" he seyd, & swore anon, He no schuld hem qued no traisoun don.

Wawain him armed swiþe & tok wiþ him .x. þousand biliue; [ 8400] Þis kniȝt seiȝe hem com & dassed forþ, & hye him after swiþe norþ; So þai wenten, þai metten a kniȝt Arnand wiþ al his miȝt; Wawain nam to þis kniȝt hede, [ 8405] Þat he ladde wiþ him Modrede; He rode him to & asked him, whi He ladde his broþer so suiftli. "Wawain," he seyd, "par ma fay, Al þis niȝt & al þis day [ 8410] Þi lord haþ fouȝt oȝain king Taurus, Þre þousand oȝain fiue hundred of ous; Þi lord is wounded, his men be dede, Modred, þi broþer, y tok for drede & wiþ him þus oway drawe, [ 8415] Þat he no ware of hem yslawe!" "Allas," quaþ Wawain, "allas, allas, Þat ich euer born was! Who schuld euer of me ȝelp? Now sterue mi frende wiþ outen help! [ 8420] Frende," quaþ Wawain, "þou here abide, In on busse þou þe hide, What þou se al þe fulle, Wiche socour don we schulle!" Wawain wiþ his folk forþ drof [ 8425] Hastiliche vnder a grof, Þo he herd a reuly cri, A wiman euer cri merci; He dasched forþ biforn hem alle & seiȝe a leuedi þries doun falle [ 8430] Fram Taurus stede to þe grounde, Þat heþen king, þat vnwrast hounde, Þat feloun rage in his wodenesse Pliȝt hir vp bi þe tresse, & sche gred: "Seint Marie, [f. 249b.] [ 8435] Help me, leuedi, Cristes drurie!" & he went vp anon his fest & buffeyt hir vnder þe lest;

So oft so sche crid: "Marie!" Sche was buffeit of him þrie; [ 8440] Sche fel doun of his hors rigge & he gan anon his hondes legge On hir tresse & forþ hir drouȝ; Þe leuedi vp riȝt stode a swouȝ; [8444) as wouȝ ms.] He laid on wiþ schourge & bad hir go, [ 8445] & sche no miȝt a fot for wo No for hir cloþes long; Bi hir tresse he gan hir hong, Sche wiþ braid & fel vp riȝt; Taurus aliȝt anon riȝt [ 8450] & knett hir to his hors tail Bi her tresse, saunfayl; So he drouȝ hir him bihinde, Euer, "Mari, help!" criinde; What for sorwe & eke for paine, [ 8455] Sche les winde & ek alaine, Hir eiȝen turned, hir voice wiþsat, At point of dede was hir stat.

Þo seyd to Wawain þat kniȝt, [8459) Wawain to ms.] Þat hadde him brouȝt þider ful riȝt: [ 8460] "Knawestow ouȝt þat leuedi, Þat þoleþ al þat vilanie? Wawain," he seyd, "verrament, Hir name is hote Belisent: Þou ouȝtest amende hir stat, [ 8465] For þou souke of hir tat!"

Wawain was oft wele & wo, Ac neuer wers, þan him was þo; Neiȝe aswon he sat vp riȝt, Þo nist he, war bicome þat kniȝt, [ 8470] He miȝt long loke after him, He was oway, it was Merlin. Wawain wiþ spors his stede smot, & he forþ stirt, god it wot;

He grad aloude to king Taurus; [ 8475] "Abide, þou þef malicious! Biche sone, þou drawest amis, Þou schalt abigge it, ywis!" Þe heþen swain sone doun stett, [f. 249c.] [8479) Þe] An ms.] Þe leuedis tresse sone vnknett. [ 8480] King Taurus was .xiiii. fet long, An vnrede geaunt & a strong; He seiȝe to him com Wawain, He toke a launce wiþ gret main [8484) main] nnain ms.] & smot þe stede, þat he bistrode; [ 8485] Aiþer to oþer wiþ wretþe rode. Taurus hit Wawain arst, Þat his launce al tobrast; Wawain him hit wiþ main & schof, Þe launce þurch þe scheld drof, [ 8490] Þurch out hauberk & hert polk, & ded him cast among his folk. Wawains breþer on & oþer Smiten euerich liþ fram oþer, & of .v. hundred heþen ichon [ 8495] [8495) of] om. ms.] No leten ascape neuer on. Wawain oȝain went, so seyt þe bok, & his moder in his armes tok & wiped hir mouþe, eiȝen & viis; [8499) wiped] w corr. aus ȝ.] For hir he wepe ful sore, ywis. [ 8500] He kist hir mouþe & hir eiȝen, [8501) eiȝem ms.] & his breþer þat yseiȝen [8502) y seiȝem ms.] & com to him & gret diol made, No miȝt hem noþing glade, & for loue of hem alle her fere [ 8505] Made wepeing & reuly chere. In al þis diol makeing, Belisent, wiþ outen lesing, Acouerd & vndede her eyin: Þo her sones it yseyn, [ 8510]

Þai made joie swiþe gret; Hir eiȝen þo sche vndede bet & þonked Iesu, our saueour, Of hir sones gentil socour. Þo teld sche Wawain & his feren, [ 8515] So þat þai it miȝt yheren, Hou Lot wiþ þre hundred kniȝt Dede oȝain þre þousand fiȝt, & of þe þre þousand he lete oliue, Certes, bot hundredes fiue: [ 8520] "Ac of mi lordes meine, Certes, no scaped oliue nouȝt þre; Þo mi lord most chese, [f. 249d.] Me forgon oþer his liif forlese, Al on he fauȝt a mile way [ 8525] Wiþ þo .v. hundred, y say, What he hadde woundes ten & fiue; Vnneþe he ascaped wiþ þe liue, Makand so reuli bere, [8529) Makeand, e ausradirt, ms.] Þat it was pite for to here. [ 8530] Þe heþen me tok & totoiled, Tobeten, todrawe & defoiled; Now haue ich mi lord ylore & Modred, mi sone, þat wo me is fore!" Aswon þo sche ouerþrewe, [ 8535] Wawain sone hir ablewe & seyd: "Dame, Modred, þi sone, Y schal þe don anon come!" & him ofsent; þo sche him say, Sche akeuered, par ma fay, [ 8540] & was yleyd in liter, Al mast liche an hors bere, & to London toke þe way Wiþ alle Taurus korray, [8544) korray] ko auf rasur mit dunklerer tinte nachgetr.] Sex hundred cartes, bi godes ore, [ 8545] Al charged wiþ mete & store. Þo þai to Londen weren ycome, Hendeliche þai were welcome;

Do deliuerd þe heiȝe palays To sir Wawain, þe curteys; [ 8550] Þer in he dede his leuedi & swore bi þe quen Marie, Schuld her neuer sen his lord, [8553) her] he ms.] What Arthour & he were acord. [8554) What] a corr. aus?] Þo he teld al sir Do, [ 8555] Of chaunce þat hem was comen to, Hou he dede Sagremor socour, Þurch an eld vauasour; [8558) aneld ms.] "& seþþen Ywain, mi cosyn, Þurch leters writen in Latin, [ 8560] Þurch a page al so riȝt, & mi moder þurch a kniȝt, & y no couþe non of þo þre Neuer seþþen after yse." "O Wawain," quaþ Do anon, [ 8565] "Al þre it was on, Merlin, þe gode felawe; [f. 250a.] Ȝete sum day þou schalt him knawe!" Here of þai hadde wonder & game. Lete we þis rest, in godes name, [ 8570] & telle forþ in gode pays, Hou Merlin doþ his maister Blays In boke writen, saunfaile, Of Inglond þis meruaile & profecies & oþer þing, [ 8575] Þat sum beþ passed & sum coming!

Þo went he fram his maister Blais To Arthour, to Carohaise, & teld him & his conseil Of Inglond al þe meruail, [ 8580] Hou Wawain dede & his ferrede & eueriche king in his þede. King Arthour & his ferrade Of þis tidinge were wel glade.

Now seiþ our romaunce here, [ 8585] Leodegan sent his messanger To Arthour, Ban & ek Bohort, Þai schuld com to his court, Wiþ him won & soiourne, & seyd, he was sori & murne, [ 8590] Þat he no wist of her beinge, For he vnderstode soþ þing, Þat þai were of power more, Þan he, & heiȝer ybore; Þat þai hadde wele yked, [ 8595] Fram deþ when þai him hadde red. He sent hem, to come, bi kniȝtes fiue, So þe ȝemers of his liue, For al he wald don him, saunfail, In her rede & her conseyl; [ 8600] Wiþ outen bileueing ani more Þai went to him, Merlin bifore. Þo þai comen in to þe halle, Þe king vp stode & his men alle & welcomed hem wiþ bliþeful chere; [ 8605] Þo spac Merlin, so ȝe may here: "King, wostow wite our being?" "Ȝa," quaþ Leodegan, "opon al þing!" "To þis," he seyd & schewed Arthour, "We sechen a wiif of gret valour!" [ 8610] "A, seynt Marie!" quaþ Leodegan, [f. 250b.] "& haue ich a douhter, a fair wiman, Fairer not y non, veir, [8613) veir] e auf rasur mit dunklerer tinte geschr.] Wise & hende & of mi lond air, & ich ȝou sigge vterliche, [ 8615] Þei in þis warld war non oþer swiche, Þei he no hadde doun no lowe, On him y told hir wele bitowe: So ful y knawe him of worþschipe, Of nortour & of hendeschippe!" [ 8620]

He fet his douhter him selue al on —In þis world nas fairer non— & proferd hir to king Arthour, & to ben his air wiþ gret honour; & Arthour hir nome, saunfail, [ 8625] For Merlin him ȝaf swiche conseil.

Now quaþ Merlin to Leodegan: "Wostow now wite, to what man Þou hast yȝouen douhter þin?" "Ȝa, þat were wil & joie min!" [ 8630] Þer he was of Arthour biknawe & of his feren al bi rawe, & seyd, he was her lord bi hirritage, Þai most al don him vmage. Leodegan was þo wel bliþe [ 8635] & to Arthour dede omage swiþe & þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table & al þat oþer folk, saun fable. Þer treuþed Arthour Gwenore, his quen, [8639) Gwen.] w auf rasur mit dunklerer tinte geschr.] Þe fairest leuedi, þat miȝt ben. [ 8640]

King Leodegan lete maken a fest Of alle, þat come, swiþe onest; Ich, þat was of cristen lay, Fond þer fest of gret noblay. Þe fest last seuen niȝt [ 8645] Of al deinte, y sigge, a pliȝt, & lenger it hadde ylast, Bot her terme was comen al mast, Þat þai most smite batail Oȝain þe Sarrazins, saunfail. [ 8650] Wide & side, ner & fer, Baroun, kniȝt & ek souder, Sum bi fe, sum for wining, [8653) for] f mit dunklerer tinte später nachgetr.] To Leodegan þe king [8654) Were comen to ms.] Were comen to his fiȝt [ 8655] [f. 250c.] & soiournd a fewe niȝt.

Mirie is June, þat scheweþ flour; Þe meden ben of swete odour, Lilye & rose of fair colour, Þe riuer cler wiþ outen sour; [ 8660] Boþe kniȝtes & vauasour Þis damisels loue paramour. On Mononday in þe pentecost Leodegan & alle his ost Armed hem in aketouns, [ 8665] Hauberkes, plates & hauberiouns, Boþe wiþ bacin & eke palet, & helme on her heued yset; Stones precious & ȝimmes, Gold & siluer þer were inne; [ 8670] Þai hadde aboue riche queintise Of beten gold of mani a sise; [8672) sise] e corr. aus i.] After þat þai her armes bar, [8673) þai] om. ms.] Mani was diuers to oþer þar; Mani riche sadel on hast [ 8675] Was on riche destrer cast.

Þat ich day paramour Guenore armed king Arthour; At ich armour, þe gest seit þisse, Arthour þe maiden gan kisse. [ 8680] [8680) maden ms.]

Merlin bad Arthour, þe king, Þenche on þat ich kisseing, When he com in to bataile; "Ȝis," he seyd, "Merlin, saunfaile!" Þo bad king Leodegan [ 8685] Merlin, ordeine al his man; "Bleþeliche!" he seyd, & ches Arthour & Ban & Bohort of gret vigour [8688) &] om. ms.] & her feren, wiþ outen fable, & kniȝtes of þe rounde table, [ 8690] & oþer kniȝtes, so y finde, In alle he nam seuen þousinde

& made þe first compainie, Him self he wald hem gye.

Leodegans nevou, Gogenar, [ 8695] A noble kniȝt & wise & war, Merlin toke anoþer ferrede Of seuen þousand forto lede. [8698) þousand] þou auf rasur geschr.]

Þe þridde ledde Elmadas, [f. 250d.] A ȝong kniȝt, þat fin & stalworþ was; [ 8700] [8700) &] om. ms.] He was þe wise leuedis nevou Of þe forest Saunzretour.

Þe ferþe led a baroun, hiȝt Blias, Þat was lord of Bliodas.

Þe fift ledde Andalas, [ 8705] A kniȝt of meruailus los he was.

Þe .vi. ledde Beliche þe blounde, A kniȝt he was of gret mounde.

Þe .vii. ledde Yder of Norþlond, Fel & hardi & strong in hond. [ 8710]

Þe .viii. ledde Landon, ful of vertu, He was Cleodais nevou.

Þe .ix. ledde Gremporemole, Hardi kniȝt & wiȝt & fre; No kniȝt better on stede sat, [ 8715] Ac he hadde a nose as a cat. Ich of þese ladde seuen þousinde.

Leodegan so com bihinde Wiþ ten þousinde of þe best. Þo bad hem al Merlin lest: [ 8720] "King," he said, "nouȝt þe amay, For king Rion schal wische þis day, He hadde ȝeue þe tounes fiue,

He war in his lond wiþ his liue. Fele hundred Sarrazins [ 8725] He haþ wiþ him of biches lins; We schul hem sle & noþing doute, For it is al a curssed route. We han al mast, so y finde, Four score þousinde, [ 8730] & Cristes grace, þat schal ous helpe, To kerue doun riȝt þe heþen welpes. Þenke on ȝour childer & wiues & ek on ȝour owen liues & of ȝour londes, wiþ vnriȝt [ 8735] Þai þenke to winne wiþ strengþe & miȝt, Ȝou to slen & to exile; Leggeþ on þe traitours vile, Spareþ nouȝt, ac sle doun riȝt: Ȝou schal help god almiȝt! [ 8740] Þai han filled þe michel forest & walled hem bi norþ & west, Þat þer forþ no man no may [f. 251a.] Comen hem to, par ma fay, & a souþe half walled, certes, [ 8745] Wiþ mani þousand waines & cartes; Ac on þat est half, ich wot, We schul comen opon hem, god it wot, & finde hem slepeand & sle doun riȝt, For þai were al dronken to niȝt!" [ 8750] Þer he ches kniȝtes ten & sent biforn her men, For to take & slen & binde Þe spies, þat þai miȝten finde, Þat so deden & hem bifore [ 8755] Nomen herlotes ten score, & so hem bistirden, þat no tiding Spie no brouȝt to þat heþen king.

Merlin come bifore wiþ outen þe toun & vnspennid his dragoun, [ 8760] [8760) vnspaid ms.]

Fer þat kest of þe mouþe, vair, So it liȝted in þe air. Arthour alder next him cam & Ban & Bohort, þat gentil man, & al þat oþer ferred, [ 8765] Ordeind, so ich ere sede. Of armes þat was gret schining, Þe stedes maden gret naying; [8768) gret] auf rasur geschr.] Þai wenten forþ al so stilly, [8769) wenten] w corr. aus?] So þai miȝten, wiþ outen cri. [ 8770] Þo Merlin com neiȝe king Rion, Enchauntement he kest him on, Þat mani of her pauiloun Opon her heuedes fel adoun. Merlin & his feren was, y say, [ 8775] Biforn al þe oþer to mile way; In a Tiwesday in þe daweing He kest þis enchaunteing; Bitven a riuer & a grof He com hem on, þat þai nouȝt schrof, [ 8780] & Merlin loude gan to cri: "Help ous now þe quen Marie!" Our folk on þe heþen lusten & vnder hors fet hem frusten & tohewen hem to deþ & ongerten; [ 8785] Þe heþen þeues vp sterten, Four .c. þousand & mani mo [f. 251b.] To king Rion ascaped þo & armed hem swiftlich vnder his tent; To slen al our, was her entent; [ 8790] Ac our slouȝ þousandes mani, Ar of hem were armed ani. Ac þo þai hadde keuered armes, Wiþ launces, maces & gisarmes Bi þousandes mani a man [ 8795] Þe heþen smiten our oȝan & gun on of þe grest bataile, [8797) bat.] b corr. aus d.] Þat euer was smiten, saunfaile.

Passed was þe day springing, Þe hote sonne was schininge, [ 8800] Þo bigan kniȝtes rideing, Trumpes beten, tabours dassing, Þer was fleinge & wiþstonding, Tireing, togging and ouerþroweinge; Of Sarrazins in litel stounde [ 8805] Mani þousand was frust to grounde. Þat seiȝe Rion, þat vile hounde, He cleped Salmas, þat kniȝt of mounde, Whiche Salmas was his nevou, A stalworþ man & ful of vertu; [ 8810] He tok him an hundred þousand kniȝtes & hete him wende anon riȝtes His folk forto socour & awreke his deshonour. Þis Salmas & his wiþ gret vigour [ 8815] Com oȝain king Arthour Wiþ his to & fourti of mounde & wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde & wiþ oþer, in al, y finde, Þe mountaunce of seuen þousinde. [ 8820] Þo seyd Merlin to king Arthour: "Þenke now of þi newe amour: For loue of þi last kissing Among þis heþen houndes fling!" At þat word king Arthour [ 8825] Smot his stede of gret valour & hit a Sarrazin þurch þe scheld & his hauberk fele feld, Þat þurch þe hert þat ysen cheld Pased, & kest him in þe feld. [ 8830] King Ban biseiȝe riȝt so anoþer, [f. 251c.] & king Bohort, þe þridde, his broþer, Neiȝe ichon of her felawe In þe entring brouȝt a paien of dawe. [8834) paien] e corr. aus n.] Þer was mani stede yfeld, [ 8835] Mani kniȝt slawen vnder scheld,

Ich kniȝt hewe on his per, On schide so doþ þe carpenter. Þer dede so our kniȝtes of los, Þat mani paien þer of agros. [ 8840] Arthour was þat day biheld, Hou manliche þat he paiens aqueld, He hem tokarf, he hem tohewe, Mani wiþ ded his dintes knewe.

King Jonap, a paien kene, [ 8845] Lengþe he hadde o fet fiftene, He seiȝe, hou Arthour ded hem damage; He tok a launce in gret rage & biforn him grop his scheld: Arthour he þouȝt his harm to ȝeld. [ 8850]

Arthour seiȝe, wher he cam, [8851) he] h corr. aus c.] A stef launce in hond he nam: He no sembled no more him oȝan, Þan doþ a child oȝain a man. Aiþer gan his stede dresse [ 8855] Oȝain oþer in þat presse; Jonapes schaft bigan to glide Riȝt bi king Arthour left side Þurch out armes & þurch out schert & in þe side nouȝt sore him hert. [ 8860]

& Arthour smot him wiþ his launce Þurch out his scheld, wiþ outen balaunce, & þurch out hauberk & aketoun & þurch out þe scholder fer aroum. [8864) þe] ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Jonap was so proude & sterne, [ 8865] No ȝaf he þer of nouȝt a ferne: Wiþ þe brestes so þai metten, Þat to þe grounde boþe þai stetten. Of cristen & heþen þer was toiling, [8869) &] om. ms.] For to help þis to king; [ 8870]

Þer was mani swerd ydrawe, Mani kniȝt hirt & mani slawe; What wiþ wristling, wat wiþ togging, What wiþ smiteing & wiþ skirminge, On boþe half so þai wrouȝten, [f. 251d.] [ 8875] Her kinges on hors þai brouȝten. Þo Arthour & his fourti & to & his kniȝtes of þe rounde table also So korwen & hewen wiþ mani hond, Þat non armour miȝt hem astond, [ 8880] & so slowen, þat Salmas Fleiȝe & al, þat wiþ him was. Among þe wele doinde of our men Was on wele fiȝtand, hete Nacien, Perciuales cosyn þe fri [ 8885] On his moder half, þat fair leuedi; In þis warld of more noblay Nas non bi Vterpendragones day, No forþ bi þe kinges day Arthour Nas þer non of more vigour; [ 8890] Hauingnes his moder was, Josepes suster, a kniȝt of gras, Whom Ebron hadde spouse, A kniȝt of dede vertuous, Þat on hur ȝat kniȝtes seuentene, [ 8895] Hardi & strong, wiȝt & kene, In whom seþþen in mani fiȝt Al Inglond so was aliȝt. Þis was Celidoines cosyn þe rike, [8899) Colidoines ms.] Naciens sone of Betike, [ 8900] [8900) Betike] ke auf rasur geschr.] Whiche Celidoine seiȝe first, saunfail, Of þe holi graal þe meruail; Ȝete þis Nacien, þe curteis, [8903) Nacien] danach ein buchst. ausradirt.] Was sibbe king Pelles of Listoneis & al his breþer, god it wot, [ 8905] & seþþen hadde Launcelot In his ward al mest a ȝer, So þe romaunce seyt elles wher.

Þis Naciens, of whom y write, Seþþen bicom ermite [ 8910] & lete kniȝtschippe & al þing & bicome prest, messe to sing; Virgine of his bodi he was, Whom seþþen þe holi godes gras Rauist in to þe þridde heuen, [ 8915] Where he herd angels steuen & seiȝe fader & sone & holi gost In on substance, in on acost. Þis ȝaf seþþen þe riche conseil [f. 252a.] To þe king Arthour, saunfail, [ 8920] Þo he was in gret periil, To lese his londes & ben exil, Oȝaines þe king Galahos, Þe geauntes sone of gret los, Þat ȝaf king Arthour bataileinge [ 8925] Wiþ þe power of þritti king. Þis Naciens & Adragenis þe broun Þe heþen kniȝtes leyden adoun, Tohewe hem & togert, Y ȝou sigge for soþe, cert. [ 8930] Þe gret strengþe of king Arthour Þes to folweden in alle þe stour [8932) folw.] über o ein wol bedeutungsloser punkt.] So fer, þat he no miȝt se no knowe Neuer on of her felawe. Bifor þes þre Merlin went [ 8935] & bar þe dragoun, þat fer out sent; Þes þre deden michel wo, Hors & man þai coruen ato; Boþe a left half & a riȝt Þai felden kniȝtes & slouȝ doun riȝt [ 8940] & forced hem wiþ mani dent hard, What þai come to king Riones standard, Þat on four castels olifaunce [8943) on] om.] Bar toforn king Riouns; [8944) Riouns] o corr. aus?] Her feren þo misten hem [ 8945] & smiten after bi .xii. & ten;

Wiþ newe grounden fauchoun & sword Mani heued þai smiten ford; Þai schouen wiþ schulder & smiten wiþ arm & deden þe paiens dedliche harm; [ 8950] Ac þai no miȝt keuer to king Arthour Wiþ sleiȝt no wiþ vigour, Bot Ban & Bohort, so seiþ þe bok, Laiden doun al þat þai tok; Sum in to þe sadel þai smiten, [ 8955] Her swerdes þai dede ful wele biten & so fouȝten & slowen, par ma fay, Þat þai redden & maden way, Maugre þo paiens, þurch fin vigour, What þai com to king Arthour. [ 8960] & þo þai were to gider fiue, Þai binomen mani on her liue; An hundred haþen in litel fitt [f. 252b.] Þe fiue þurchkoruen & heued ofslit; In ich half was gret fiȝting, [ 8965] Gret sleiȝt, gret criing, Socouring & wiþstonding; Of kniȝtes, barouns, erls & kinge Lay mani heuedeles on þe grounde, On þe gras wiþ dedli wounde, [ 8970] Sum lay wiþ outen fet & armes, Ato ygirt into þe þarmes.

Among þis toil seiȝe king Rion Our fiue so his men slon; He was seuenten fet long [ 8975] & in þis warld no man so strong; In his riȝt hond & in his left [8977) riȝt h und left] auf rasur geschr.] A mace he gan vp lift, Þat no man no schuld bere [8979) no] o corr. aus e.] No vnneþe fram þe grounde stere. [ 8980] In þis time king Fansaron, so mot y liue, Hadde on iuel dent yȝeue; Bohort him gan after prike,

Curagus, to ben awreke; [8984) Cur.] danach zwei buchst. ausradirt.] Fram his feren he folwed him al mast [ 8985] Þe cast of an alblast & hit him þan a dint wel iuel, Þat he fel on his hors a diuel; [8988) hors] ü. d. z. nachgetr. diuel] i corr. aus e.] He wold his nek smiten eft, & þe dint a litel gleft, [ 8990] Þe stedes nek he smot atvo, King Fansaron fel to grounde þo; Bohort him hadde slawe anon, Ac opon hem com king Rion Wiþ þe power of .xviii. kinge, [ 8995] [8995) kinge] ge auf rasur geschr.] On king Bohort loude gredinge, [8996) Bohort] nach bo drei buchst. ausradirt.] Þe mace arered in his hond, & said: "Fiz a putain, wiþstonde: [8998) seyd] om. ms.?] Þou schalt abigge, þat þou þer come: Lo here in mine hond þi dome!" [ 9000] [9000) Mine] auf rasur geschr.] Bohort of þe gretnesse hadde meruail & of him was adred, saunfail; Leuer he hadde þer ben yhent, Þan fleand ynomen oþer yschent; He set on him þe crouche verray [ 9005] & him vnder his scheld wray. Rion on þat scheld so smot, [f. 252c.] Þat it tobrast, god it wot, & king Bohort so smot oȝan O þe helme þat hoge man, [ 9010] Þat he sat astoned vp riȝt & nist, wheþer it was dai or niȝt; Þe hors he dast him for bi, & com vp a chaunce, sikerly, Where king Arostus, a geaunt fel, [ 9015] [9015) Aroftus ms.?] Hadde felled Herui de Riuel, [9016) felled] f corr. aus?] & held him so bi þe code, Þat mouþe & nose him ran a blod,

& hadde þer of his heued ysmite, Nadde Adragenis to him stite [ 9020] Wiþ swerd oȝain fourti & mo, King Bohort com rideinde þo & ȝaue Aroans wiþ þe swerd a flat, Þat he þrewe of his hors aplat. [9024) hors] ho corr. aus?] Herui seiȝe legge þe kinges cors, [ 9025] Anon he lepe vp to his hors, & smiten hem amid þe pres, So grehound doþ out of les, & so hewen & laiden on, Þat non miȝt better don. [ 9030]

Now is king Leodegan wiþ his folk hard [9031) Leod.] Rion (!) ms.] Smiten on kinge Riones standard & doþ gret power, ich ȝou telle, Riones baner forto felle; Ac Rion com & his mace left [ 9035] & slouȝ a riȝt half & a left; [9036) a] danach left, ausgestr. half] hals (!) ms.] Rion smot to king Bohors & wende, to daschen al his cors, & he failed of him & hit his stede; Þe dent was gret & vnrede, [ 9040] Þe hors chine he dassed ato; Bohort lepe a fot þo & wiþ his swerd, y ȝou pliȝt, Wered him anon riȝt. Ac Rion was him about, [ 9045] To nimen & slen wiþ michel rout & dede him tviis knely arawe, & al mast hadde him yslawe. Herui Riuel þis iknewe, King Bohortes harm him gan rewe, [ 9050] [9050) gan] a verklext.] Þe stede he smot, þat it queiȝte; [f. 252d.] Of a geaunt a launce he pliȝt;

To king Rion he gan ride [9053) danach & to king rion he gan ride, ausgestr.] & smot him þurch out þe side; King Rion wiþsat þat dent [ 9055] & smot to Herui, verrament, So þat a quarter of his scheld [9057) þat] ü. d. z. nachgetr. quater (!) ms.] He bar oway in to þe feld, & eft wald so a deuel wiȝt, Ac Herui, þat was vigrous & liȝt, [ 9060] On þe scheld him hit a dint hard & cleued it to þe midward, & Rion smot & gan faile & Heruies hors slouȝ, saunfaile. Þo stode Herui bi Bohort, [ 9065] Boþe in periil of mort, Oȝaines fele score, y pliȝt, & þai hem wered as noble kniȝt. Þis seiȝe Adregein þe broun; [9069) Adr.] d corr. aus?] "Now helpe," he seyd, "seyn Symoun!" [ 9070] He rode to Rion & so him smot, Þat he fel plat, god it wot, [9072) fel] om. ms.] Aswon on his hors swere, Miȝt he noiþer se no here; Þe heued he hadde him þer binome, [ 9075] Nadde þe proude king ycome, Rion nevou, Solmas, Þat honged worþ bi þeues las, [9078) þenes ms.] Bihinde Adrageins com wiþ a spere & to þe grounde gan him bere [ 9080] & bitven þe schulders him hirt; Adragein anon vp stirt On fot & halp his compainoun, So it were a wode lyoun, & so hem wered wiþ steles egge, [ 9085] Þat non no durst on hem hond legge; Ac þai hem þrewe wiþ spere & kniif & oþer armes, to reuen her liif, & wounded hem sore swiþe

Þurch out þe armes mani siþe; [ 9090] So þai were ouerriden in a þrawe, Þat neiȝe þai hadde ben yslawe, Ȝif Nacien no had ysein þis, Þat þider smot his stede of pris; Þo, þat in his way he met, [f. 253a.] [ 9095] Doun riȝt of hors he hem stett; Rion he smot on þe side riȝt & bar him of his hors vp riȝt & rod him on & ouer þries; His hors was slain bitven his þies; [ 9100] [9100) þies] nach i s, unterpunktet.] Gode & wiȝt kniȝtes of our Þo stode on fet four, So þai gun fiȝt more & lasse, [9103) more] om. ms.] Þat þai made grete tasse; Abouten hem þer þai stode [ 9105] [9105) stode] st auf rasur geschr.] & depe woden in þe blod & made swiche defense & sleiȝt, Þat y no may telle it ariȝt. Ac Rion, þat wiþþerwinne, Dede gret power, hem to nime, [ 9110] [9110) nime] e auf rasur geschr.] & hadde hem nomen, wiþ outen let, No hadde Merlin riden þe bet To king Arthour & to king Ban & seyd: "What do ȝe, man? King Bohort & Nacien [ 9115] Beþ ȝond biloke wiþ mani men, & Herui & Agreuein, Ȝond þai ben on þe plein; Bot ȝe hem soner socour, Þai ben ded al four!" [ 9120] "Allas, allas!" quaþ king Ban, "Lade me þider riȝt onan, For, be mi broþer þer mislad, Worþ y neuer þer after glad!" Merlin smot forþ, þai after dasse [ 9125] On aiþer half, so grehounde of lasse,

& her feren after hem come, Þat mani paien ȝaf her dome & sent hem wiþ scharp sword [9129) sent] soȝut, oȝ auf rasur später nachgetr., ms.] To þe deuel, her lord. [ 9130] & þo þai comen & seiȝen hes, Þai dasched forþ amid þe pres; Euerich hit a paien þo, Þat þai arisen neuer mo; Kniȝtes wiȝt þai hem kedden [ 9135] & roume to þe four þai redden. Geauntes strong þer weren to, Þe four þat deden michel wo, Minap hete þat on, veires, [f. 253b.] Þat oþer was hoten Malgleires. [ 9140] King Ban ȝaf to king Minape On þe helme swiche a clappe, Þat he him cleued to þe toþ; King Arthour smot after, for soþ, [9144) for] auf rasur geschr.] So Malgleires hit on þe scheld, [ 9145] Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld. Þes four seiȝen her socour & lepen ouer wiþ gret vigour Gret hepes of hors & men, Þat slain lay hem bitven; [ 9150] Hors wel gode chepe þai founde & anon in þe sadel wounde & conteined hem so wiȝtliche, cert, So þai nere nouȝt yhert. Þo at arst bigan þe bataile, [ 9155] Þat last al day, wiþ outen faile; Ich on oþer so leyd, veir, Þat it dined in to þe air; Also þicke þe aruwe schoten, In sonne bem so doþ þe moten; [ 9160] Gauelokes also þicke flowe So gnattes, ichil avowe; Þer was so michel dust riseing, Þat sen þer nas sonne schineing;

Þe trumpeing & þe tabouringe [ 9165] Dede to gider þe kniȝtes flinge; Þe kniȝtes broken her speren, On þre þai smiten & toteren; Kniȝtes & stedes þer laien aboute, Þe heuedes ofsmiten, þe guttes out; [ 9170] Heueden, fet & armes þer Lay strewed eueri wher Vnder stede fet so þicke, In crowes nest so doþe þe sticke; Sum storuen & sum gras gnowe, [ 9175] Þe gode steden her guttes drowe Wiþ blodi sadels in þat pres; Of swiche bataile nas no ses To þe niȝt fram arnemorwe, [9179) þe] e verklext.] It was a bataile of gret sorwe. [ 9180] Þer was swiche cark & swiche defoil, Þat al Leodeganes folk made recoil To Denebleise vnder þe wal, [f. 253c.] Bot Arthour & his folk al, Þat helden hem in þe bataile, [ 9185] Of armes þat dede wonder meruaile.

So Leodegan, saunfail, [9187) saunf.] i auf rasur geschr.] Houed vnder þe cites wal. Sadones seyd, an hardi man, To his em Leodegan: [ 9190] "Listneþ me now, mi lord þe king, & ȝe oþer lordinge: What do we here, whi & war fore? Ȝif we fle, þis lond is lore, & wif & child & al our blisse, [ 9195] Al is forlorn, mid ywis; Better is, to sterue worþschipliche, Þan long to liuen schandfulliche; Ȝif we be desirite, Our cowardschippe we may it wite; [ 9200]

O þing ouȝt ous comfort wel: Our newe lord ȝong naturel, Þat so wiȝtliche fiȝteþ for ous, Helpe we him, for Crist Iesus! Ȝif he were hunist at þis asaut, [ 9205] [9205) asaut] as aūt (!) ms.] He miȝt wite it our defaut, [9206) defaunt (!) ms.] & bot we him help at þis nede, We beþ forswore, so Crist me rede, & ȝete sle þat folk Sarrazine Is our soule medicine!" [ 9210] Riȝt so king Leodegan Gan to crien hem opan; Þo seyd Goionar þe hende: "He naþ non heued, þat nil it defende: Lete be, sir, þi precheing [ 9215] & oȝain þo houndes fling!" Alle þai were at on asent & forþ dassed, verrament; .X. .M. paiens of þos, þai metten, Þurch out hem bar, to grounde he stetten. [ 9220] Þo bigan bataile newe, Ich on oþer wiþ swerd hewe, Wiþ mace & ex & fauchoun Mani kniȝt laide oþer adoun.

Þer whiles Merlin, so y finde, [ 9225] Dede his out wende, to take þe winde, Gert her steden & ek resten, [f. 253d.] What þe Sarrazins þresten [9228) Sarr.] danach oȝain, unr.] Our cristen par fors oȝan; Þo mounted Arthour, Bohort & Ban [ 9230] Wiþ alle her wiȝt compainie, Oȝain to bataile þai gun heiȝe; Merlin tofore, so seyt þe boke, Wiþ baner feld al, þat he tok.

Arthour smot þe king Clarel [ 9235] Bitven þe schulder & þe hatrel, [9236) hatrel] t aus r corr.]

Þat schulder & side & flaunke also Wiþ his swerd he smot ato. He was wroþ, ȝe schul here wite, [9239) wroþ] r corr. aus?] For Merlin hadde him atwite, [ 9240] He hadde iuel ȝolden þe kisseinge, Þat Gvenour him ȝaf at his arminge; Þer fore he tohewe þat route Tofore, biside & al about; Al wondred, þat him seiȝe an, [ 9245] & seyd: "He worþ a noble man!"

Þo knewe he þurch mani on, Wher þat rod þe king Rion; Þurch corouns & berdes, þat were his armes, He made him way wiþ strengþe of armes, [ 9250] His stede him bar to him anon; Arthour smot to king Rion, A quarter of his helme out hitt & his scheld ato ykitt, & alle his armes, verrament, [ 9255] To þe purpoint of o serpent, Next his schert þat sat þo; Elles he hadde him coruen ato. Rion fel doun wiþ þat dent, So he dede were, verrament. [ 9260] Mani geauntes gret & long About Rion þer were, & strong, Þat on Arthour at ones last & wiþ his hors to grounde him dast; [9264) wiþ] i corr. aus e. his] her ms.] Ac Arthour lepe vp a fot anon [ 9265] & werd him oȝain euerichon. Merlin wist of þis dede & hete al Arthours felawered Wenden swiþe to þis rideing; Tofore dassed Ban, þe king, [ 9270] Al, þat in his way stode, [f. 254a.] He bihoueded hem & lete hem blode, So þat þurch his miȝt gode Þider he com, þer Arthour stode;

"Arthour," he seyd, "þi kinde it nis, [ 9275] [9275) Arth.] danach he, ausgestr.] To stond o fot, for soþe ywis!" An geaunt he tok anon & cleued him to þe brest bon & brouȝt on hors Arthour, ywis, Par fors among his enemis, [ 9280] [9280) forþ (!) ms.] Þat so þo dede, verrament, Þat non no miȝt stond his dent.

Þo Arthour was vp, so y finde, Comen his felawes, .vi. þousinde, & ich of hem on þer hitt, [ 9285] Oþer heued ofsmot or bodi þurch kitt. Þer was defoiled king Rion Vnder stedes fet mani on & drawe & totore vilainliche, Ac he him defended orpedliche; [ 9290] Wiþ gret pine, naþelas, Vp to hors couered he was & smot wiþ mace al about & mani slouȝ of our rout. Ac an fewe of our best [ 9295] In al þat pres to gider þrest: Arthour & Ban & Bohort, his amis, Naciens & Agraueins & Heruis, Lucans, Griflet, Vlfin & Kay & her feren so fouȝten þat day, [ 9300] Þat in þe cuntre ran heþen blod, So in þe riuer doþ þe flod, & so fouȝten wiþ dintes hard, Þat felled was king Rion standard & þe four olyfaunce yslawe, [ 9305] Baners & castels adoun yþrawe. Þo fleiȝe Riones folk here & ter, Non durst leue no wher; Ac king Rion þan was so wo, Þat he nist, what he miȝt do; [ 9310] [9310) hs] om. ms.] Wiþ his swerd scharp & briȝt

.xx. cristen he slouȝ doun riȝt; Ac his men, þat were him midde, Wiþ strengþe oway wiþ him ride, Ac fram his men he dassed sone [f. 254b.] [ 9315] Bi a wode oway al one, Makeand, ful sikerly, Swiþe michel diol & cri. Swiche noyse ros in þe bataile, [9319) Swiche] che auf rasur von späterer hand geschrieben.] Þat, þei it hadde þondred, saunfaile, [ 9320] No schuld men it yhere, Þe paiens made so rewely bere, & our gred: "Sle, lay on, Kepe þere, kepe here, lete passe non!" Þus þai slouȝ in litel stounde [ 9325] Mani þousand to þe grounde, & euer þai ben tohewe & smite, So schepe, þat were wiþ wolues ybite.

Leodegan & Cleodalis, his steward, Folwed al on Goionard, [ 9330] Riones nevou, þat hadde wiþ him Fele Sarrazins wroþ & grim. Ban & Bohort vertuous, Þai todriuen four kinges orgulous, Þat hete Gloiant & Minados, [ 9335] [9335) Gloiant] über o eine rasur.] Calufer & Sinargos; Þe oþer & þo of þe table rounde Bi .v., bi .vi. of gret mounde Were departed her & tar, To folwe þe paiens euer ay whar; [ 9340] Naciens, Adrageins & ek Herui .VI. heþen kinges driuen hardi, Þat hete Mautaile & Fernicans, [9343) mantaile ms.] Bantrines & Kehamans, Forcoars & Troimadac, [ 9345] For to ȝeuen hem her mat. Alone, certes, king Arthour Drof king Rion wiþ gret vigour;

Arthour otok him wiþ drawe sward & seyd: "Aȝeld þe now, traitour coward!" [ 9350] Arthour on þe helme him smot, Þe dent sanke þurch, god it wot, Þurch þe pelet to þe panne; Ac dedli dent no hadde he nanne. Rion oȝain smot a dent, [ 9355] Ac Arthour him couered, verrament; Of his scheld he carf a corner [9357) corner] r ü. d. z. geschr.] & of his helme a quarter; Þe dint swarf & flei for bi, [f. 254c.] Þer fore was non sori; [ 9360] Arthour smot oȝainward Vnder Riones scheld a dint hard & smot Rion þurch armes alle, Þurch þe side neiȝe to þe ȝalle; King Rion so feld him hert [ 9365] & gan fle ful swiþe, cert; Arthour wald after sue, [9367) after] r mit dunklerer tinte nachgetr.] Ac sex king gun on him hewe, [9368) him] danach hne, ausgestr.] Wiche y nemde tofore ȝou to, Þat Herui drof & his feren al so; [ 9370] Þai grad: "Abide, traitour, on heiȝe, Wroþer hole þou Rion seiȝe!" Þo lete Arthour Rion scape; Kehenans com wiþ gret rape & ȝaf king Arthour swiche a las, [ 9375] Þat Arthour al astoned was; Arthour smot þat geant oȝan A dint, þat fro main cam, He smot his schulder wiþ arm & scheld, Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld. [ 9380] Kehenans dede his stede forþ steppe & king Arthour wald bicleppe About his swere wiþ his riȝt arm, Þat þe oþer miȝt don him harm; Ac bitven his hond & elbowe [ 9385] Arthour him ȝaue a dint of howe

Wiþ his swerd, þat his hond Amidward þe feld wond. Þe stede him bar here & tere, Criand, so wode he were, [ 9390] Ac sone þer after ded doun he þrewe, His soule to þe deuel blewe. Þe oþer dasched on Arthour al fiue, For to reuen him his liue, Ac Arthour king Ferican smot [ 9395] To þe hert, god it wot; Forcoars bi þe side he hitt, Þat ribbes & þi he ofslit. Þo com Naciens, Herui & Adragein, Rideand to Arthour wiþ gret main, [ 9400] Wiþ his to feren king Mautaile [9401) mantaile ms.] Fram Arthour gan swiþe fle; Arthour wiþ his feren þo liȝt, [f. 254d.] Her hors girten & sadles riȝt.

Now seiþ here þis romans [ 9405] Of king Bohort & king Bans, So driuen king Minados [9407) Minados] os auf rasur geschr.] Wiþ his þre feren of proude los; Þai metten wiþ ten heþen kniȝtes, Strong geauntes fel & wiȝt, [ 9410] Alle þritten þai smiten þo On our cristen kinges to & perced boþe scheld & armes & dede hem wel gret harmes.

Ac Ban hit king Calufer [ 9415] & cleued his heued in to þe swere, After he tok so Sinargos, His heued fram þe bodi was los.

Bohort hit king Glorion His riȝt schulder anouen on, [ 9420] Þat al þe schulder & ek þe scheld Wiþ þe ribbes fleiȝe in þe feld.

Sornigrens & Pinnogras, Gaidon & king Margaras Wiþ .vii. heþen, sikerliche, [ 9425] Ban asailed wodeliche. Ac Ban, so noble kniȝt & hende, Wiȝtliche gan him defende; Pinogras he feld of hors & foiled al his cursed cors; [ 9430] Sornigrens he smot wiþ main Þurch out helme in to þe brain. King Bohort seiȝe his broþer fiȝt Al on oȝain ten kniȝt; Þe stede wiþ þe spors he dust, [ 9435] To þe grounde a paien he frust, Anoþer, þurch helme & bacin Þurch out he clef him to þe chin. Þo þre paiens wiþ wiȝt bones On þe helme him smiten at ones, [ 9440] Þat he nei hadde, wiþ outen balaunce, Ylorn hors & contenaunce; Ac he akeuered wiþ hert liȝt & smite hem on wiþ main wiȝt; [9444) smiten (!) ms.] Ac in þat ich toilinge [ 9445] Fram Arthour com Rion þe king, Fleand, his swerde drain . . . . . . . [f. 254A a.] [9447) Fleand his sw lautet der custos. Ein blatt ist ausgefallen.] & Kay & Griflet & Lucan [f. 255a.] & Merangis & Craddoc & Geruan & Belchin þe broun & Bleoberiis [ 9625] & Galescounde & Lectargis, [ 9460] Kalogrenant & Kehedins, Folweden & slowen þe Sarrazins Her & ter, so seyt þe boke, & a compeinie oftoke, [ 9630] To hundred paiens, ful of grame, For her ler & for her schame & for king Rion was oway, Her hert was ful of ten & tray;

Ich on oþer þer gan smite [ 9635] Wiþ swerdes egge, þat sore gan bite; [ 9470] Þai weren arwe & our hardy & hem todriuen, sikerly, & wenten oȝain to Danbleys, & wiþ outen þe gates, iuel at ayse, [ 9640] Bileueden þer for her king, [9641) Bil.] d. corr. aus i.] For to han of him tiding; Þai no hadde of Merlin no conseiling, For he was went, wiþ outen lesing, After king Galat of miȝti hond, [ 9645] Lord ouer Herdene lond, [ 9480] [9646) ouer] danach of, unr., ms.] Wiþ ten þousand, þat was aschape Sarrazins, wiþ gret rape, For to make enchauntement, Hem tofore, verrament. [ 9650] He made alle a valaye Al so it were a brod leye, Þat Galaþ no non of his Þat niȝt no miȝt oway, ywis: Her after sone in þis write, [ 9655] Whi he it dede, ȝe schul it wite. [ 9490]

Now telleþ þis romaunce, þat king Arthour Com driueand gode scour & bar Marandois in his hond, Worþ al þe swerdes of Inglond, [ 9660] Þat he hadde of Rion wonne; He bad þe king, þat made sonne, For his swete moder loue, He most þat niȝt his swerd proue. Auentours to seke, his stede he smot, [ 9665] King Ban rode after, god it wot, [ 9500] Bohort al so & Nacien, [f. 255b.] Herui de Riuel & Adragein, [9668) agragein ms.] & com dasseand al bi cas, [9669) al] a corr. aus?] Whar Goionar & Salinas [ 9670]

Wiþ a kniȝt of þe table rounde To .lix. bataile founde. Þese four smot on hem, certes, So þe lyoun doþ on þe hertes; Arthour tauȝt on a lessoun of howe [ 9675] & cleued him to þe sadel bowe; [ 9510] Anoþer he biheueded, þe þridde he hit, [9677) þridde] r ü. d. z. geschr.] Vnto þe girdel he him slit; Þe ferþ he tok on þe chine & carf him ato, biliue; [ 9680] Ten, for soþe, in litel þrawe Þer he brouȝt o liue dawe Wiþ his swerd Marandoise, Þat carf doun riȝt wiþ outen noise. King Ban smot about al so [ 9685] & cleued a geant atvo; [ 9520] Anoþer he schare of al þe side, Þe þridde he dede of þe heued glide & biheueded þre oþer þer to, & þe seuend he smot ato; [ 9690] & Bohort boþe þi & arm Schare on of & dede him harm; [9692) on] om. ms.] Anoþer he cleued to þe toþ, Þe þridde he biheueded, for soþ; Þe ferþ & fift al so, [ 9695] To helle grounde he dede hem go; [ 9530] [9696) he dede] hede (!) ms.] Þe gode kniȝt Adragein Þurch smot on wiþ gret main; [9698) þurch] danach hem, unr. on] ü. d. z. nachgetr.] Anoþer he cleued to þe brest & of þe þridde þe heued he daste; [ 9700] Þus he binam þer fiue Al arowe day o liue. Nacien dede ful wel: Wiþ scharp swerd of broun stiel On he cleued doun riȝt [ 9705] & anoþer þer to, a pliȝt; [ 9540] Þe þridde to þe brest he cleued & of þe ferþe þe heued ofweued,

& þre al so þer to he slouȝ. Herui al so it made touȝ, [ 9710] To þe chine he on slitt [f. 255c.] & of to þe heued ofkitt.

Goiomar & Balinas & þe þridde, þat wiþ hem was, Seiȝen her noble socour [ 9715] & leyden on wiþ gret vigour; [ 9550] Ich of hem þo orpedeliche Four slouȝ, sikerliche; [9718) Four] danach ti, unterpunktet.] Þo þan leued þer bot niȝe Of al þat iche companie, [ 9720] & þo flowen anon riȝt, Al so swiþe so þai miȝt, Gredeand, it ner non men, Ac deuelen, þat þai fouȝten oȝen; Our hem suwed as men kene, [ 9725] Til þai herden michel dene; [ 9560] Boþe on helmes & ysen hatten Þe dintes of swordes flatten. Þo seyd Ban: "We moten heye Al niȝt & wiþ swerd die!" [ 9730] [9730) duie (!) ms.] Quaþ king Arthour: "Þat haue y loued, Al what ichaue mi swerd proued!" Quaþ Ban: "Ȝe no haue it nouȝt deleid, Þat ȝe no haue it wele aseyd!" "Nay, sir," quaþ Arthour, "þat folk was lite, [ 9735] [9735) was] s ü. d. z. geschr.] Þat y no miȝt to wille smite, [ 9570] & to ek þat ȝe slouȝ so fele, Þat half no miȝt y me bistere." Þo seyden our oþer hem bitvene: "Most he libben & ythen, [ 9740] Bitvene Breteine & Costentinenoble No worþ anoþer kniȝt so noble!"

Now seyt þe boke, þat sir Antore Wiþ his feren, y nemd bifore,

At Danebleise Arthour þai no founde; [ 9745] Oȝain þai went in þat stounde [ 9580] Wiþ drawen swerd, to sechen him; An hundred geauntes wroþ & grim Wiþ fauchouns & wiþ swerdes stett, [9749) unten auf der seite mit verweisungszeichen nachgetragen.] Ich oþer sone mett; [ 9750] Antore was feld among þat floc [9751) floc] oc verklext.] & Goruain & Gales þe calu & Craddoc & Blioberis & Blichardis, Þat hem defended a fot, ywis, & bi help of her feren seuen [f. 255d.] [ 9755] Oȝain an hundred: þat was vneuen. [ 9590]

Arthour com rideinde in þis cas, For sir Antour desmaied was; He smot amidward þe pres, So grehounde doþ out of les; [ 9760] A geaunt sone he tok anne [9761) geaunt] au corr. aus?] Þurch out helme & heued panne & þurch þe side & þe hert; [9763) f. umgestellt, aber durch zeichen richtig angeordnet.] Of anoþer þe heued he girt; Ȝete he tok þe þridde [ 9765] & cleued him to þe midde; [ 9600] In þe swere he toke þe ferþ, Þat þe heued fleiȝe to þe erþe. Fiue & sex, seuen & eiȝte, Orawe he biseiȝe so riȝt. [ 9770] Þo gan king Arthour Marmidois, His swerd, to king Ban praise & seyd, it carf so wel, men miȝt delite, Þat witeþ þe geaunce of þis smite. Hem fiue a fot on hors he lift. [ 9775] King Ban aside glift, [ 9610] On a paien wiþ main he girt Þurch out þe heued in to þe hert; Anoþer he schar þe side of; Þe þridde þe heued he al todrof; [ 9780]

Þus her & tar he leyd adoun, [9781) tar] danach þai, ausgestr.] So it were a wode lyoun.

Bohort als a geaunt laiste & þe heued al todaiste; Anoþer to þe chine he karf; [ 9785] Þe þridde he hit, þat he starf; [ 9620] Al abouten he leyd on & slouȝ to grounde mani on.

Adragein wiþ wille fre Arawe biheueded geauntes þre [ 9790] & oþer mo feld to grounde, Þat neuer more ner sounde.

Þe gode kniȝt also, Herui, Slouȝ so fele, it was ferly. Nacien, so seyt þe boke, [ 9795] Of a geaunt þat heued he tok; [ 9630] Anoþer to þe chine he luȝste; Þe schulder of þe þridde he duȝste. Þus þai laiden her & tar [f. 256a.] & her heuedes fram þe bodi schar. [ 9800] [9800) bodi] d verklext.] Þe .xii. feren, þat hye þer founde, Non no hadde dedli wounde, Ac þo þai seiȝen þis fair socour, Þai laiden on wiþ gret vigour; Ich of hem þre oþer to [ 9805] Of þe paiens biheueded þo; [ 9640] Þer was noble main ysene; Of an hundred, wiþ outen wene, No leued paiens bot fourtene, Þe oþer lay dede opon þe grene, [ 9810] & þe .xiiii. flowen swiþe, So her stedes miȝten driue; Our sueden wiþ wille fin & metten þe clerk Merlin, Þat hem wiþstode & dede hem liȝt, [ 9815] Her stedes girten, her sadles riȝt; [ 9650]

So þai dede & blisse made, Ich of oþers helpe was glade. Whiles hye hem graiþeþ, resteþ & riȝteþ, [9819) hem] e verklext.] Listneþ, hou Leodegan fiȝteþ! [ 9820]

Hou Leodegan now vnder an oke [9821) anoke ms.] Fiȝteþ, so seiþ þis boke, Wiþ his steward Cleodalis, Gentil kniȝt & trewe, ywis, Oȝain seuen & tventi fouȝten hye to, [ 9825] Certes, þat was michel wo. [ 9660] On fot was Cleodalis, So ich ȝou seyd er þis; Leodegan on his hors was, Cleodalis fauȝt on þe gras; [ 9830] Wiþ michel sorwe & gret pine Þai werd hem oȝain þo Sarrazine. Colocaulnus, an hoge man, Smot so to Leodegan, Þat he aplat fel of his stede; [ 9835] Boþe mouþe & nose gan blede, [ 9670] For feblenis oþer wounde [9837) febl.] danach of, unr.] Streiȝt he lay on þe grounde; Þe Sarrazins to him come & þo him wold han ynome, [ 9840] Ac Cleodalis her of nam kepe, He bistride his lord & wepe; Abouten he leyd wiþ his sword [f. 256b.] & defended his lord, So he smot to his wiþþerwine, [ 9845] Þat non miȝt his lord winne; [ 9680] Þai him þrewe wiþ kniues & stones [9847) &] corr. aus s.] & ȝauen him woundes for þe nones. Vp stirt Leodegan, þe king, Þo passed was his swoninge; [ 9850] His steward miȝt stond vnneþe, For he him forfauȝt al to deþe; He seiȝe his steward so ful of treuþe,

His hert was ful of sorwe & reuþe; He biþouȝt him, wiþ wrong [ 9855] His wiif he hadde helden long [ 9690] Oȝaines riȝt þurch iniquite; A word he seyd of gret pite: "Hay," he seyd, "Cleodalis, Trewe kniȝt wiþ outen feintis, [ 9860] Þurch mi sinne & mi desray Icham comen to mi last day: Haue on me pite, gentil man, & rewe on me, Leodegan! Ich was þi lord, now am y knaue, [ 9865] On me pite & merci haue, [ 9700] Forȝiue me now þe trespas, [9867) tresppas ms.] Þat y þe haue don, allas! Y pray þe, þat neuer mi misdede Mi soule in to helle lede!" [ 9870] A knowe he sat & seyd: "Merci, Mine owen swerd take, bel ami, Mine heued smite of for mi misdede, Crist me wil þe better rede!" Cleodalis wepe for pite, [ 9875] He seiȝe his lord humilite, [ 9710] He lift him vp in his arm & forȝaf him al þat harm, Þat he him hadde don, & schame, & bad him fiȝt, on godes name; [ 9880] So þai deden & fouȝten boþe, Þe paiens þer of weren wroþe; Þo com rideand a geaunt, ywis, & smot to grounde Cleodalis; Þer he lay streiȝt along, [ 9885] Leodegan to him sprong [ 9720] & him wered al about [f. 256c.] Fram al þat ich curssed route; So long he fauȝt, he was weri & fel adoun wel dreri. [ 9890] Cleodalis þo vp made a stert, As he nere nouȝt yhert,

& wiþ main fair & hende His lord, þe king, he gan defende. [9894) þe] om. ms.] Þus þai ferd oft, when fel þat on, [ 9895] Þe oþer vp stert þo anon [ 9730] & him defended wiþ alle his miȝt; Þus þai fouȝten til midniȝt; Þo were þai wounded so strong, Þat þai no miȝt doure long. [ 9900] To Cleodalis þo seyd Leodegan: "Help now þe self, gentilman, For, to lese & winne al þis lond, Y no may lenger stond!" Often þai made dounfalleing, [ 9905] & when þai miȝt, vpriseing, [ 9740] & halp Cleodalis him, to were & fiȝt, Al so wele so he miȝt.

In þis time hadde Merlin To Arthour & Ban teld her pine, [ 9910] & þo hadde Leodegan ben ynome, Ȝif Arthour no had ycome Wiþ his sextene, þat on hem plat, & euerich a paien to deþ flat. Merlin rode out in a stounde [ 9915] & þider brouȝt .vii. of þe table rounde, [ 9750] Þat dede wiþ strengþe her swerd baþen In bodi & blod of þe haþen. King Arthour & Bohort & Ban Keuered on hors Leodegan, [ 9920] & Nacien, þat kniȝt of pris, On hors keuered Cleodalis, Þat al so wele yfouȝten, cert, So þai ner þat day yhert. Merlin, he tauȝt to four geauntes, saun ail, [ 9925] Þat sustend þat bataile; [ 9760] Naciens rod Ancalnus to, Þe side he schar his bodi fro; Arthour cleued king Maulas, & Ban ato girt king Ridras; [ 9930]

Bohort biheueded king Dorilan, [f. 256d.] [9931) bih.] eded fast verloschen.] & ich of þe oþer slouȝ a paien þan. Þe oþer paiens flowe swiþe, & our went oȝain biliue In to þe cite of Carohaise, [ 9935] Wiþ her feren hem made at aise; [ 9770] Þai maden gret blis & fest & after ȝeden hem to rest.