The history of the Holy Grail, Englisht, ab. 1450 A.D., by Herry Lonelich, skynner, from the French prose (ab. 1180-1200 A. D.) of Sires Robiers de Borron. Re-edited from the unique paper ms. in Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, by Fredk. J. Furnivall ...

CHAPTER XXXVI. THE HISTORY OF THE PHYSICIAN YPOCRAS. [The Additional MS. 10,292 heads the Chapter: 'Ensi que Ypocras fu pendus en le tour de rome, & tous les gens li rewardoient.']

How he was the most learned physician living; but was once 'reproved be clergies dome,' on this wise:—when he came to Rome in Augustus's time, all men were mourn∣ing for the supposed death of the Emperor's nephew (p. 20). Ypocras goes to the corpse, finds life in it, puts the juice of a herb into its mouth, and up it gets alive, whole

and sound (p. 21). The Empress, to honour Ypocras, puts up an image of gold of him, and another of her son, in the highest place of Rome, with a tabernacle and in∣scription over (p. 22). Ypocras cures many people, and is counted half a god, and his 'fygure' is worshipped (p. 23). Then a fair lady comes from the parts of Galilee, and, when she sees these golden images, she smiles, and says she'll soon prove Ypocras a fool (p. 24). The Em∣peror appoints a meeting for them at the temple, and the fair lady looks hard at Ypocras, and he at her, till he falls in love with her, and is 'clene browht in a letargye' for desire of her (p. 24-5). The Emperor and Queen come to see him, and so does the fair lady (p. 25). His heart is glad at this, and he tells her his love (p. 26). She beguiles him, saying she loves him too, and will be at his will (p. 26). This cures him, and he returns to Court (p. 27). The fair lady shows him her bower at the top of a tower, and tells him that the son of the King of Babylon is there (p. 27); she proposes that he shall get into a vessel, [The French text explains that great criminals were put into the vessel, and slung up on the side of the tower a night and a day for all the people to see them, after which the criminals were killed.] and she shall draaw him up and let him talk to her. Ypocras consents (p. 28). He sleeps at the Emperor's, goes out at night (p. 28), and finds the vessel ready. The lady and her cousin draw him up to the middle of the tower (p. 28), and there he hangs in his basket all day, with the people staring at him (p. 29). When the Emperor sees him at night he orders him to be let down, but Ypocras will not explain how he came there (p. 30) [The French text adds that the lady had a picture painted of herself and cousin pulling up Ypocras. This she put up before the images, and then told the Emperor all about it. Ypocras has to confess it is true, and then insists that the images shall be taken down.] ; so the Emperor has the images of his own nephew and Ypocras broken (p. 30). Ypocras stays at Rome till a knight comes and tells the Emperor of Christ's miracles, when Ypocras says he must go and see Christ (p. 31), and accordingly starts for Galilee (p. 32). He comes to Persia, and raises the king's dead son to life (p. 33). After a time, the king marries him [The French text takes him to Giant's Island and the City of Corinth, where he marries the daughter of the King of Sur.] to his daughter (p. 33), and Ypocras tries to find out the most 'temperable' isle to live in (p. 33). A master∣shipman tells him of it, and he, and his, sail there (p. 34). Ypocras has a beautiful house built (p. 34); and makes a wonderful bed, in which if a sick man lies he is cured (p. 34). He also makes a wonderful cup, in which any poison will lose its strength, and not hurt a man if he drinks it (p. 35). But Ypocras's wife is very proud of her rank, and hates her husband (p. 35). She mixes some poison

in bread, finds it will kill dogs, and then puts some of it into Ypocras's cup with his wine (p. 35). The cup deprives it of its strength, and it doesn't hurt him (p. 35). His wife is sorry for this, and throws the cup into the sea, to her husband's great distress (p. 36). One day, Ypocras tells her that any one will die who eats the flesh of a wild sow at heat, that is under their window (p. 36). She tells her cook to kill the sow, and send it up for supper (p. 37). Ypocras eats it, and says he shall die unless he can get some of the liquor the pork was boiled in (p. 37). None can be got, so he reproaches his wife and dies (p. 37). His friends bury him in a gorgeous tomb (p. 37), and the King of Babylon comes and destroys the whole place (p. 38).

FUL trewly Recordeth here this Storye [Here follows the story of Ypocras,] Of the worthynesse of ypocras Sekerlye, For the worthiest Fecyscian that was [the wisest phy∣sician] Evere Acompted In Ony plas; [ 4] For of that Scyense More Coude he that ony Man leveng In Cristiente; [in Christendom.] but [for] On thyng that he dyde At Rome, [He gets into trouble at Rome.] Reproved he was be Clergies dome;— [ 8] For the worthiest Clerk he was told, Passenge Al Erthly men Many fold;— And what Aventure that hym befylle, I schal ȝow schewe, & herkene me vntylle. [ 12] This was the trowthe and the veryte: Whanne Augustus Cesar Emperour was he, The same Our that ypocras to Rome Cam, Mochel Morneng & Sorwe Made Every Man [ 16] [He finds all the Romans mourn∣ing,] As thowh here Fadrys hadden ben ded To forn hem lyggeng In that Sted. thanne ypocras Abascht hym wondir sore Of the Morneng that he Sawh thore, [ 20] So that he preyde A lytel Child that to forn hym was bothe Meke and Myld, that he wolde tellen hym the Cawse why Wherfore the peple there was so sory. [ 24] "Now, Certes," quod this Child thanne, "Why that thus Mornen Alle these Menne,— [asks the reason.]

It was for A Nevew of the Emperour [The Emperor's nephew is dead.] (Whiche was A persone of gret honour) [ 28] that ful longe Syk hath be, and now they seyn that ded Is he: and therto he was so fayr and so good That Every man hym lovede with his Mood. [ 32] And this is the Enchesown Sekerlye Alle the hevynesse of þ^e peple trewelye." "and where is the Body," quod ypocras tho. "Sire, In the Emperowres halle it is I-do." [ 36] And whanne this word tho he herde, Toward themperoures halle faste he ferde; [Ypocras goes to see the body.] And ȝif Ony breth In his body be founde, he hopede hym to A-Reren that ilke stownde, [ 40] and Onlyche to helthe to bryngen hym Aȝen— that Alle the peple there it scholde sen— Be his Medicyn And his Craft; thus wolde he don Er that he laft. [ 44] Thanne to the paleys gan he gon, And to that he presede Anon; but so mochel peple there was, Onnethis he myhte Entren In to þ^e plas. [ 48] and whanne he was Comen to the Cors, [He reaches the corpse,] Anon he tasted with gret fors In what partie he myhte fynden Ony lyf: Thys Merveilled themperowr and his wyf. [ 52] Anon as he there thus hadde I-do, lyf In his Body thanne felte he tho; [feels life in it, and puts the juice of a herb into its mouth,] And Gan to Openen his Mowth Anon, And þ^e Iews Of An Erbe he gan þere-Inne don, [ 56] That of so gret vertu was there, Of his Siknesse he dide him Arere, And there he A-Ros with strengthe & Myht [which restores the dead to life.] Openly there In Alle Mennes Syht, [ 60] Also hol and Also Sownd As Evere he Was In Ony stownd.

And whanne he hadde thus I-do, the Emperesse to hym gan to go, [ 64] and Seide, "Sire, ful wel thou be! A glad womman hast thou Maked me! What Manere of Gwerdon that þou wilt Crave, Ful Sekerly, Sere, ȝe scholen it have." [ 68] thanne Axede the Emperesse what he hyhte. [The Empress asks his name,] he Seyde "ypocras, lady," Anon Ryhte. "Now know I wel be ȝoure Connenge that ȝe ben the worthyest fecyscyan levenge: [ 72] A Man from deth to lyve Aȝen Arere, Thus dyde Neuere feciscyan, I trowe, Ere. Therefore þ^e Moste worschepe I schal the do [leaf 46] that Evere to Feciscian was don vnto." [ 76] An Ymage of Gold Anon let sche Make, [erects a gold statue in his honour,] Ryaliche I-dyht, for ypocras his sake. And Another ymage thanne let sche maken tho [and another of the restored child,] Aftyr that Child þat from Siknesse he rerid so. [ 80] And theke ymages bothe In fere In the heȝghest place of Rome set weren they there, So that hos Evere Comen, Other wente, thike ymages myhten they Sen veramente; [ 84] and Aboven thike ymages two A Ryal Tabernacle Made sche tho, [with a roof, to protect them from the rain.] that non Reyn ne scholde Comen therny, So wel was it Made, and So Sotely. [ 88] And Aboven ypocras themperesse lettres let do, [Above Ypocras's image was in∣scribed,] That In this Manere wyse Seyden tho: 'Lo, this ymage is ypocras, ['This is Ypocras, the greatest of physicians.'] 'the worthiest Phelesophre þat Evere was, [ 92] 'that In Rome Arerid In Certeine 'A man to lyve Owt of gret peyne 'that ful Ny Was to Augustus Cesar, 'hos ymage stont by him thar.' [ 96] and whanne this was Al I-do, thanne seyde th'emperesse Anon tho,

'that For non Manere In no degre thike ymages Remeved scholde be.' [ 100] thanne seiden they to themperesse Anon 'that hire Comandement scholde be don.' Anon Mochel made [[MS. mad he]] Abowtes Al Rome where he dyde go, [ 104] So that Manye Sike Men Keuered he [He cures so many people] as he Abowtes wente In Eche Contre, So that for his grete konnenge they Cleped hym half A god with-Owten lesynge, [ 108] [that they think him a demigod,] And the moste Sovereyn of Alle Clergye, Thus they hym Clepyd ful Certeinlye: And As Moche worschepe to his fygure gonnen they do [and worship his image.] As to Ony of here goddis dyden they tho. [ 112] And so scholden they han don for Evere More, Ne hadde on thyng At Rome behapped thore: What it was, I schal now telle, Swich An Aventure hym befelle. [ 116] Thike tyme whanne ypocras At Rome was, [While he is at Rome,] and worschepyd he was In Every plas, It happed so there be Aventure that A fair lady, I the Ensure, [ 120] [a fair lady comes from Galilee,] Of the partyes of Galele, to the Emperour thedir Cam sche. Sche was holden the fairest womman That Ony creature discryven Cowde than, [ 124] And Also Ryaliche sche was A-dyht As belonged to swich A lady of Myht. Whanne this Emperesse Say this lady bryht, [whom the Empress entertaius.] Of hire sche Axede Anon Ryht [ 128] 'Whens sche Cam, & of what kende.' And sche hire Answerid As good & hende: Sche seide that 'Sche was Comen of hy degre, Of kynges and qwene ful Certeinle.' [ 132] Thanne ladyes and damyselis sche Comanded hire there, hire to don Servyse In alle Manere,

as that belonged to hyre Astat, hire forto worschepen bothe Erly & lat. [ 136] and whanne fulliche A monthe hadde sche þere be, thanne Atte laste these ymages beheld sche, [The lady sees the images,] And Anon Axede with-Owten taryenge 'What theke ymages weren to signefyeng.' [ 140] thanne tolden they hyre with-Inne a whyle; And Anon this lady Gan forto smyle, and seide, 'that phelesophre was not bore, [disbelievos the story,] From deth to lyve A man to Reren thore:' [ 144] "for I dar wel seyn with-Inne a schort day [and undertakes to make a fool of Ypocras.] hym A Fool to preven, So scholen ȝe say; For of this that ȝe sein to me here, It may not be trewe In non Manere; [ 148] Ne neuere beleven it In my thowht For non Man that Evere was wrowht." This tale was told to forn themperowr, that thus be ypocras was seid dishonour; [ 152] So that it was spoken bothe to & fro Tyl atte laste ypocras þere-offen herde tho; [Ypocras hears of it,] Where offen he hadde ful gret disdeyn, As I ȝow Seye now In Certeyn, [ 156] And seide 'þat he scholde neuere glad ne be tyl that damysele he myhte se, [wants to see the lady,] that hym A fool wolde make.' thanne themperour this word gan take, [ 160] And seyde that to forn him scholde sche be. "Whanne, sire," quod ypocras, "I preye the?" "In the temple to morwe, Atte Owr of pryme, thanne scholen we [[? ye]] Meten Al In good tyme." [ 164] Al Nyht lay ypocras, and thowhte how that this thing Ony weye ben Mowhte; and On þ^e Morwe, Er the Owr of pryme, [goes to see her, at the temple.] ypocras at the temple was be tyme. [ 168] thanne Cam þere thedyr this lady gent With A gret Compenyei Of ladyes present,

And Axede 'wheche was Ypocras, of Alle the Meyne þat there was.' [ 172] And sche beheld hym wondirly sore [She gazes at him,] A-forn Alle the wommen that weren thore; and ypocras was A fair ȝong Man; thus beheld sche In hym than. [ 176] And ypocras of hire, good Reward took tho, [and he at her.] More thanne of Alle Remnant þat with hire gonne go; For sche hadde the moste passyng Bewte Aforn Alle womman that Evere Sawh he, [ 180] Whiche Made hym falle In foly thowht that hym there-Owt no man Myht bringe nowht; and ȝit Into Anothir place wente he hire bettere to beholde, ȝif it wolde be. [ 184] And the More that he hire beheld tho, [He falls deeply in love with her,] the More Angwich his herte Cam vnto; that So Sore he fyl In a folye thowht, So þat hym selve [[MS. selvel]] helpen Myhte he nowht. [ 188] Whanne this lady was from the temple gon, Ypocras homward he torned Anon, And becam So Syk And Evel At Ese [so that he becomes very ill,] So that þere myhte nothing hym plese. [ 192] So sore lovede ypocras this fair ladye, That Clene browht was he In A letargye For that his wyl he ne Myhte not have, And for schame he dorst it not Crave. [ 196] that so harde & so syk he lay, that Othere Feciscians wenden Eche day that Sekyr ded he Scholde han be; [and nearly dies.] but they knew not fulliche his Malade. [ 200] So that th'emperour Cam to his plas [The court come to see him,] To weten howh þat it with hym was; and so dyde the qwene, & ladyes mo. And Amongs Alle, this lady gan forth go, [ 204] for whom that he was so Evel At Ese. and whanne he hire say, his herte gan to plese:

thanne In his herte hadde he gret thowht howh this Mater Abowtes Scholde ben browht, [ 208] So that he made hem voiden Everichon Except this lady Only Alon, and tolde hire his herte ful pleyn, [and he tells his love to the lady.] 'how, for hire, ded scholde he ben In Certeyn [ 212] but ȝif hire love he Myhte have, For Othirwise Mihte he not be save.' "Whanne that sche hadde herd Al his Compleynt, Thanne hire wordys Gan sche to peynt, [ 216] As sche that thouhte thorwh a fals wyle [The lady means to deceive him,] holyche ypocras forto be-gyle; and swiche wordis ȝaf hym tho that Into A strengere letargye Mad hym to go, [ 220] "Now, Certes, sire ypocras," quod sche, "So worthy A man as that ȝe be, that Only wolde for My sake Swich diseyse to ȝow now take, [ 224] Whiche fayn I wolde Amended were be me, and I wyste In Ony Manere. For ȝe Conne Not loven Me so wel [professes much love for him,] That I do to ȝow Aȝen Everydel; [ 228] but I ne may not In non Manere wyse Ȝowre wil to fulfille be non Gyse; For so gret warde is set On Me that I ne may not Comen withouten gret Meyne; [ 232] [but she may not see him alone,] and Ek with-Owten leve of the Emperour I ne may nowher gon, day ne Owr; but Rathere than deyen ȝe scholde for me, At ȝowre owne wille wolde I be; [ 236] [yet will do his will.] For gret pite it were of ȝoure ded, Forto Many A Man ȝe don good Red." Whanne ypocras herde hire wordis tho, that this lady Concentyn wolde hym vnto, [ 240] gret Ioye to his herte was tho dyht [Ypocras gets well immediately.] Whanne sche hym kyste with Al hire Myht;

Supposyng to ypocras with herte goodlye; but Al was falshod and Trecherye. [ 244] Lo, behold, the same day tho Whanne this lady from hym was go, vp of his Cowche he gan to Ryse, & to hym took Comfort In oþerwyse, [ 248] And to the Cowrt he gan to go. bothe ladyes & gentel wommen Aȝens hym comen tho, and gret Ioye of hym Alle they Made; [Ypocras is wel∣comd at court.] but there nas non that Myhte hym glade [ 252] Sauf only that lady So fre Wheche falsly mente In Al degre; Sche made hym loken vpe to the towr vppon whiche that was hire Bowr, [ 256] and schewed hym where heng A-down be þ^e wal [The lady shows him a cord hanging down the wall of a tower.] A strong Corde and A long with-Al. "lo, sire," quod this lady thanne, "Now Mown ȝe ben A Merye Manne; [ 260] For In ȝone towr ȝondir an hy Is the kynges sone of Babyloyne trewly, and there In presown Is he do; and be that Corde his mete Cometh hym to, [ 264] In a vessel is I-knyt therby [A vessel is tied to it.] to hym it is vpe drawen trewely, and therfore now I schal ȝow say A noble while this Selvë day: [ 268] the Corde and the vessel down schal I lete, [She says, 'Get into the vessel, and I will pull you up to me,] and þere-Inne þat ȝe dressen ȝow ful Mete, an vp to Me I schal ȝow drawe,— this sey I to ȝow In prevy sawe;— [ 272] thanne prevyly Mown ȝe with me speke, and Al ȝowre herte thanne to me breke; and whanne the day gynneth to neyghen Nye, [and let you down before day, and you may do it often.'] down scholen we ȝow leten þat non Man schal Aspye, and thus mown ȝe often Sithes do." [ 277] thanne ypocras concented wel therto.

That same day this ypocras [Ypocras consents.] at themperours table Iset he was, [ 280] and there disported hym al that day As a man that In letargye lay. and whanne it drowhe toward þ^e Nyht, To his hows his men wolden hym han dyht; [ 284] he hym Excused As hym thowhte beste, and seide that Al Nyht he wolde þere Reste; and for he was not wel at Ese, his Men weren fayn hym forto plese, [ 288] and Ordeyned hym A chambre of honour there as the lady was to forn that tour. and whanne his Meyne weren leyd Echon, [When his men are asleep, he goes out,] Owt of his chambre gan he to gon, [ 292] and beheld that the lady was Redy at that towr ful Certeynly, and let there the Corde down to gon [and the lady lets down the cord.] Into the Erthe there Riht Anon. [ 296] and Riht Anon this Ypocras tho [Ypocras gets into the vessel,] a strong vessel he fastenid therto, and sette hym self there with-Inne,— Now here was toward A schrewed gynne!— [ 300] and to that lady he made A signe, [the lady and her cousin draw him nearly up,] and they vpe hym drowh with gret pyne, this lady and hire Owne Cosyn be whom was wrowht this fals Engyn. [ 304] and whanne thys was drawen ny vpe An hy, the Corde they fastened ful Craftyly [and then fasten the cord,] that heyhere ne lowhere ne myhte he gon, but there heng Ypocras Al A lon. [ 308] thanne seide this lady to ypocras Anon "let se what ȝoure phelesophie Can don [and ask him, if his philosophy can get him up or down.] Owther vpe to brynge, outher down Agayn; Ȝe scholen it now preven In Certein." [ 312] And whanne that ypocras beheld Al this that thus sche hadde hym deceyved I-wys,

he ne wiste what forto do, [Ypocras doesn't know what to do, (being unable to swarm up a rope,)] Nethir howh down þat he myhte go; [ 316] for ȝif to the Erthe he fyl A down. thanne were it fully his Confuciown: So Al Nyht thus Ypocras lefte there ful sore I-Angred In divers Manere. [ 320] [and is very angry.] And on the Morwe whanne it was day, themperesse Owt At the ȝate toke hire way hire to disporte and forto pleye (as I sey ȝow now certeynlye) [ 324] and with hire a gret Meyne, but of Al this ȝit wiste not sche. and whanne the peple of Rome town Erly vp Rysen al In vyrown, [ 328] And beheld to this towr An hy, thanne sien they there ful veraylly [All the people see him hanging,] A man that there heng In a vessel— they myhten him sen Everydel,— [ 332] and they supposide Everychon that be themperours Comaundement was it don, and supposid that it hadde be sum Malfetour [and suppose him to be a malefactor,] that was for-Iogged vppon that towr; [ 336] So that non of themperowrs Men Nygh that vessel dorste Comen then. thanne so ful of schame this Ypocras was that Men so vppon him wondrid In that plas, [ 340] So that word dorste he speken non To the peple that hym loked vppon, and Evere wende the peple Everichon that themperour it hadde I-don, [ 344] [hung up by the Emperor's orders.] and for-Iuged hym to his ded be asent of alle the Cowrtes Red. Thus Alle the leve longe day Ypocras there heng with-owten delay. [ 348] and at Even whanne themperour Cam hom and his Meyne Everychon,

And whanne that he was down Alyht, Of that vessel he hadde Anon A syht, [ 352] And Axede 'who that ther-Inne was.' [The Emperor asks who it is, and is told it is Ypocras.] "Sire," they Seiden, "it is ypocras whom ȝe han don so Mochel honour, and now he hangeth vppon ȝone tour. [ 356] and, Sire, we ne weten what he hath Misdo that vppon ȝone towr is fordemed so." "let him down," quod the Emperour anon, [The Emperor says, 'Take him down,] "and I wile wete how this doth gon; [ 360] And ȝif Othere felesophres this han do, [leaf 47] with-owten My leven hym demen so, [and if other philosophers have done this, they shall repent it.'] they scholen forthenken it Everychon So that of hem Schal Skapen Neuere on." [ 364] So wenten they Into the towr Anon, The Emperours Comaundement forto don, and leten hym down ful Softelye. thanne themperour Axede hym In hye; [ 368] but for non thyng that he Cowde seyn, Ypocras Nolde hym tellen In Certein, [Ypocras won't tell how he got there.] "wel Sire," thanne quod the Emperour, "Sethen I may not Knowen of ȝoure langour [ 372]

[See note ², p. 19. The lady shows-up Ypocras, and he says he'll leave Rome if the images are not taken away.]

[then] themperour forth wente Anon, and Into his Chambre gan to gon. [ 376] thanne Anon The Emperour tho Comanded the Ymages to ben broken en two [The two images are broken.] Whiche þat there he Made for Ypocras and for his Nevew In that plas; [ 380] but ȝit to-broken ne hadden they not ben Ne hadde þ^e damyseles speche ben as I wen. Thus dwelled ypocras In Rome Stylle, [Ypocras stays in Rome.] and Every man was fayn to fulfillen his wille, [ 384] that a knyht to Rome Cam perthat a knyht to Rome Cam perfay

Forto sen there the Emperowr, Whiche that was A man of gret honour. [ 388] and whanne this knyht hadde I-Ete, [A knight arrives from] Anon with the Emperowr gan he Mete; And themperour Axede hym Anon 'Owt of what Contre he was gon.' [ 392] and the knyht hym Answerid Answerid ful softely "Sire, from Ierusalem ful trewely; [Jerusalem,] And ȝit Sire More Certeynle I have ben In þ^e lond of Galele." [ 396] "what tydynges, Sire, bryngen ȝe thenne, that ȝe welen vs tellen lik as ȝe kenne." "Sire, I schal ȝow tellen the Moste Merveillous thyng [and tells the Emperor of a marvel.] that Evere was herd of Ony Man leveng." [ 400] "what Merveilles ben they," quod themperour tho: "Sire, I schal ȝow telle er that I go. ['There is a poor man in that country, who works many miracles,] A pore Man there is In that Contre that manye wondir Merveilles werketh he, [ 404] For he is of so gret strengthe and Myht that blynde men he maketh to sen ful bryht; the dombe to speke, the lame forto go, the woode man he Maketh tame Also, [ 408] the def to heren, the dede vpe Ryse: [and raises the dead.'] Al thus doth he, sire, In Merveillous wyse." "Alle these," quod ypocras Anon tho, [Ypocras thinks he could do as much,] "As wel as he I schal hem alle do." [ 412] "Nay Sikerly, sire," quod the knyht, [but the knight tells him he couldn't.] "that schal neuere lyn In ȝoure Myht; For a man blynd born doth he Maken se, and, sire, grettere thinges I telle it the; [ 416] For laȝarus that was there ded— [The poor Jew raisd Lazarus after being 3 days in the grave.] thre dayes & thre Nyht he lay In þat sted— and Owt of his tombe he dyde hym gon to forn Alle the peple there Anon, [ 420] And this doth he be his Owne Myht And by his wordis Openly In Mennys siht."

"Thanne," quod ypocras, "sethen it is so that so manye Merveilles he Can do, [ 424] he passeth alle Erthly Creature Of Clennesse of wit so good & pure; I hym wile gon Forto Se [Ypocras will go to see him.] And he be Swich as ȝe tellen Me." [ 428] "Sire Knyht," quod themperour than, "What is his Name tellen me thou kan?" "Ȝe Sekerly, Sire," quod the knyht, "Iesus of Naȝareth his Name is Ryht, [ 432] [His name is Jesus of Nazareth] and they holden hym A verray prophete, Certeynly, Sire, As I ȝow here be-hete." "Now Certes," quod Ypocras tho, [Ypocras will go and know the truth about him,] "Streyht to Galyle now wil I go, [ 436] to knowen of his wit & his powere Ȝif that it be as ȝe seyn now here, and there the sothe schal I knowe Of hym & of me, with-Inne A throwe. [ 440] and ȝif he konne don More thanne I, I wele ben his disciple trewely; [and be his disciple, if he finds him really wiser.] and ȝif I Conne don More thanne he, Myn discyple I wele that he be." [ 444] and for this same Enchesowne wente Ypocras owt of Rome, and with hym A ful gret Meyne, Tyl that he Cam vnto the See. [ 448] and whanne to the see they weren I-gon, the kyng of perse there fownden they Anon [Ypocras meets Antony, the king of Persia,] with gret Compenye of Chevalrye, but Moche Mone they Maden trewelye, [ 452] [grieving for his son Dardanides who is just dead.] [[in French MS.],] and it was only for the kynges Awntonyes sone that Owt of this world they wenden hadde ben gone. whanne Ypocras beheld al this Matere, Of his Mule he Alyht A-down there, [ 456] and dressed hym Into that partye where that theke Cors lay Sekerlye;

and In gret sorwe fond he there the kynge, and Alle his Meyne ful sore Mornenge. [ 460] and whanne this body he hadde beholde, Anon the Clothes he dyde On-folde, And took there A letwarye ful good [Ypocras cures Dardanides,] that thike Maladye there with-stood, [ 464] and Into his Mouth he putte [it] Anon. And Er he Evere thens gan gon, With A lowd voys the Child gan to Crye that Al the peple it herde Sekerlye. [ 468] thanne Ronne they Alle Abowtes Ypocras, and seiden that this A fair Miracle was. [and the people think it a miracle,] Thanne seide Ypocras to the kyng, "and þou wilt graunten me my ferste Askyng, [ 472] be to-Morwen thi sone schal hol be In Al degres, As thow Schalt se." thanne swor the kyng be his Creaunce Anon 'that Alle his peticions scholden ben don.' [ 476] So thanne wrowht this Ypocras that on the Morewen the Child Al hol it was. thanne seide the peple there Abowte that he to god Aperede with-Owten dowte. [ 480] [and take him for a god.] thanne there Abod he ful longe In londe with the kyng Of perse, as I vndirstonde, [He stays with the king of Persia,] Tyl Atte laste be the kynges wille [[See note 3, p. 19.]] the kyng ȝaf his dowhter hym vntylle; [ 484] [and marries his daughter.] And there Mad he ful Ryal Maryage As longed to A lady Of hyre parage, and As gret worschepe, I vndirstond, as he hadde ben kyng of Ony lond, [ 488] Thanne Sente ypocras forth anon [Ypocras sends for his parents and friends,] Messengeris As faste As they Cowde gon Aftyr his fadir & Moder Certeyn tho With his Oþer frendis to Comen vnto, [ 492] Forto Axen hem Consaille [to counsel him, where to go and Live.] Into what Contre it myht best Avaylle

that he myhte beste herberwed to be, Into Most temperable place Abowtes þ^e see, [ 496] Owther In ony yl that were delitable be þ^e see oþer be lond with-owten fable. thanne A Maister Schipman gan forth to gon, And told hym of An yl In the Se Anon [ 500] [He hears of an island in the west,] that More temperable than Othere it was, Fer be west, and In what plas. Thanne Schepyd ypocras Al his good Anon, And thedirward gan faste forto gon, [ 504] and with him his frendes & his wif Also, To this same Yl Alle gonnen they to go. and whanne Sawf that he was there, [and goes there with all his belongings.] his wyf, his frendes, and Al his good In fere, [ 508] and Alle Sauf weren thedyr gon, Ful Mochel Ioye they Maden Anon. thanne werkmen let he Ordeynen Anon, And Made A Castel Of lym & ston; [ 512] [He builds a castle, with a splendid hall,] and with-Inne that Castel An halle he Made, þere-Inne his frendes forto glade; the dore there-offen it was red goold, As Any Man there it Myhte be-hoold, [ 516] and ful I-pyht with precyous stones; And Ek the pyler with-Inne for þ^e Nones was of Marbyl, I-kouered with gold & Asure ful Richely wrowht, I ȝow Ensure. [ 520] and there-Inne A bed he let dyhte, [and a magic bed,] the Moste wondirful that Ony man Myhte; For there weren In so manye stones of vertwe whiche that weren bothe good & trewe; [ 524] For Ony man that Syk þer onne lith [This word is added above the line by a later hand.] , Sekerlye [which cures everybody who is laid on it.] he Schal be keuered of Alle Maladye. Lo this hows made ypocras be this Enchesoun, That his wyf scholde don hym non distroccioun, [ 528]

Nethir be poysown ne be non venym, [He is afraid that his wife may poison him; so he] that non Maladye Scholde Comen to hym. Ȝit Also More there let he tho Make [makes a magic cup,] A Cowpe to drynken In for his Owne Sake, [ 532] that ȝif Ony poysown there Inne were don, [which destroys poison.] Al the Strengthe it scholde lesen Anon. but Evere his wyf was prowd In herte, And of hire hosbonde sche hadde gret smerte, [ 536] For that sche was so hygh I-bore, And sche thowhte On hym sche was but lore; Therfore sche hated hym ful dedly, [His wife hates him, and] and purposed hym to Slen Al prevyly. [ 540] Ful strong poysown sche gan to Make, Only Al for hire lordis Sake, and took bred, & In the poysown it putte, [makes poison for him,] And took A dogge for to Eten Itte, [ 544] So that the dogge thanne deyde Anon, and ded lay Stylle As ony Ston. And whanne his wyf hadde prevyd Al thys, thanne was hire herte ful of Blys; [ 548] And took it to hire lord Ypocras As he At his Sopere was, And In his Cowpe was it put tho: [but his cup takes away its strength.] but Al the strengthe Anon was Ago. [ 552] thanne ypocras took þ^e Cowpe Anon and drank þeroffen Amongs hem Echon, but þere offen hadde he non disseise; Wherfore his wyf gan there to mysplese, [ 556] And took the Cuppe In hire hond Anon, and Ryht faste gan loken there vppon. thanne Axed Sire Ypocras Anon there 'Why sche it beheld In Swich Manere.' [ 560] "Sire, for it is So Riche A thyng, therfore I have þer offen so gret Merveilleng." "Certes, dame," quod Ypocras tho, [He tells her the power of the cup.] "In Al this world ben Swiche no mo; [ 564]

For what poysown þat there-Inne be done, It leseth al the strengthe Ryht Anone, For Neuere Man schal Empeyred be, That here-Offen drynketh, Siker mown ȝe be." [ 568] And whanne sche beheld Al this Cas, how that he from deth A-sckaped was; wherfore sche Made ful gret Morneng [She is very vext.] that hire Craft ne hadde non Oþer werkyng; [ 572] For As longe As he the Cowpe hadde with-owten faille, wel wyste sche hire werkyng nolde not Availle. So that sche Aspyde vppon A day [One day she throws the cup far into the sea.] whanne non of hire Meyne was In þ^e way, [ 576] And Caste this Cowpe In to See Also fer As sche myht don it fle. and whanne ypocras his Cowpe dyde Mysse, thanne was his herte In gret distresse; [ 580] and faste he Axede 'where it was don,' but of hem Alle ne wyste neuere on [[The French text sends him to visit the King of Persia in the Castle of Mastic.]] . "So Aftyr it happed vppon A day that ypocras In his Chambere wyndowe lay, [ 584] and his wyf be hym Also Lyggeng And talkyng, bothe two. And As he loked toward the grownde, he Sawh A wylde Sowe In that stownde; [ 588] [Ypocras shows his wife a wild sow,] "dame," he seide, "sy ȝe this beste here that walketh benethe In this Manere?" "Ȝe, Sire," sche seide ful Sekerly, "what Meneth that beste, I ȝow prey?" [ 592] "dame," he Seide, "I schal the telle: that beste wolde now Ony man qwelle [and says any one would die, who ate of its flesh.] that there-offen Ete, it is so vnkynde, And þerto so hot as I have In Mynde." [ 596] "Now, is that trewe, Sire," thanne quod sche. "Ȝe, dame," he seide thanne, "ful Sykerlye." Anon A-down sche gan hire to dresse, and to hire Cook wente with Owten Misse. [ 600] [She goes to her cook,]

"Sixt thou," sche seide, "this beste here that walkyth thus In this Manere?" "ȝe, lady," he Seyde "that wel I do." "thanne faste Anon that thou hym slo, [ 604] [and orders him to kill the sow, and cook its flesh for supper.] and that to Sopere that he be dyht, for my lord it loveth with Al his Myht." Anon he dyde hire Comandement, and to the Soper was born present. [ 608] and whanne ypocras þeroffen hadde Ete, [Ypocras eats it,] Ful faste for peyne he gan to swete, and seide, "dame, I may not be save [and says nothing can save him, but the water it was boild in,] but ȝif of the water that I have [ 612] That this flesch was Soden Inne. dame, I Am ded, neþer more ne Mynne." thanne Cowntenaunce Made sche Anon That the water Al a wey was don. [ 616] Thanne Anon the Cook let he Calle, Of þ^e water to geten hym, what myhte be falle, "Owther bringe me there it is Cast, Outher ellis I deye, And that In hast." [ 620] thanne to thike place was he browht, but of the water ne myhte he geten nowht. [but that is all thrown away.] And whanne Ipocras say that it was so, And that Al the water was A-go, [ 624] "dame," he seide, "thow hast me Slayn Ful falsly here In Certayn. for that man Is born In non londe (As In My wit I vndirstonde) [ 628] that Kan be war of wommens wyle, [He says no man is proof against women's wiles.] So ful they ben of qweyntise & Gyle." thus falsly was here Ypocras ded [He dies,] thorwh his wyves false Red. [ 632] Thanne his frendis there Anon leten write vppon his tombe ston, [and is buried.] In what Manere that he was ded [leaf 48] Thorwh his false wyves Red; [ 636]

whiche tombe was so Ryaly dyht, [Ypocras's royal tomb.] that neuere myht Comprehende In Mannes Miht Swich Anothir tombe to Make As there was don for Ypocras sake. [ 640] thanne the Kyng of Babyloyne Cam tho, [The king of Babylon destroys Ypocras's castle.] & gret distroccion gan there do [pour ypocras, que il auoit hai trop mortelement.] ; and thus In this Maner As I ȝow say Swich Richesse was þere be thike day, [ 644] and swich Strengthe & swich Bewte As here to fore ȝe han herd seyn me.