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 XXXVII. OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE TWO MESSENGERS AND THE DAMSEL; AND OF THEIR MEETING WITH MORDREYNS, NASCIENS, AND CELIDOYNE [The heading of the illustration to this Chapter (fol. 48 b. col. 2), in the Additional MS. 10,292, is 'Ensi que li noirs hons en .j. nef fu deuant le maison Ypocras qui estoit tout depechies.' On the two side-planks of the black man's boat is written 'fautifie sui apelles, et de nus bons ne sui ames.'] .

How the Messengers and the Damsel are much cast down (p. 39, 40), and how she declares she must die for hunger (p. 41). They see the sea on fire, and a flaming ship comes to the Island (p. 41, 42); but the flame dies out, and they find a loathly man on board, as black as any shoe (p. 42), who says he is come to take them from the island if they will do homage to him (p. 43). The messengers ask who he is, and what his name is (p. 43, 44). He answers, The Wise Serpent, and renews his offer of saving them (p. 44). The damsel refuses it, for which he reproaches her as both 'fool and caytyf' (p. 44), and tells them they shall die on the rock (p. 45). One of the messengers declares they will trust in Jesus (p. 46), and the black man departs. They go up to Ypocras's house, talk over the matter, and conclude that their tempter was the devil (p. 46, 47). After sleeping, they pray Christ for help (p. 47, 48), and see a vessel coming with 'a fair old man' on board; whom they greet (p. 48), and tell him they trust in God to help them. He confirms them in their faith (p. 49). The damsel assents, but suggests that they have 'susten∣ance non, but the eyr, the see, and rock of ston' (p. 49). One of them tells the old man of 'The Wise Serpent,' and

asks who he was (p. 50). The old man tells them that he was 'The verray serpent of helle,' and that if they had trusted his ship, it would have drowned them, as it was one of his 'Mynistres whereupon that enemy rode' (p. 50, 51). The old man assures the damsel that she shall be taken from the island (p. 51), and then vanishes, leaving 'a swetnesse, as thowh alle worldly spycerye amongs hem hadde ben trewelye' (p. 51). The damsel believes he was Christ, or one of His servants (p. 52). They mount the rock to sleep again, but the damsel ponders on the means of deliverance (p. 52-3). She thinks she hears a cry, goes higher up the rock, and sees a great light on the sea (p. 53). She wakes the messengers, and they all go down, and find a lighted ship with 'a fayr damysele' on board (p. 53-4), who offers to take them away if they will do her bidding (p. 54). She is the 'Lady of Atenys Londe,' 'the wisest creature' in the world, and the helper of all who do her homage (p. 54-5). They agree to worship her if she is of their faith; but on hearing that she is a 'Paynyme' they refuse (p. 55-6). She becomes angry, and asks them what good they've got from their new faith,—nothing but 'peyne and travaille' (p. 56-7). They answer, Christ had travail for them, and so they reck not of it (p. 57). She threatens them with death, and then vanishes (p. 57). They sleep in Ypocras's house, and next morning pray to Christ (p. 58). The ship, the old man, and the lion, that had been with Celidoyne, come to them (p. 58-9). He promises to take them to king Mordreins 'and sire Nasciens' (p. 59). They rejoice, but are afraid of the lion (p. 59-60). He urges them to enter his ship; and they do so (p. 60-1). The old man speaks 'ful swete wordis to the maiden,' and remains himself on the rock (p. 61). The messengers and the maiden sail away, till on the third day they meet 'Mordrayns, Nasciens, and Celidoyne' (p. 61), whose ship they go on board of, and the lion-ship goes 'as fast away as evere flew swalwe in the someris day' (p. 62). The Messengers and Damsel relate their adventures to Nasciens (p. 62).

Now procedith forthere this Storye, and Openly scheweth to Owre Memorye of the Messengeris, And the damysele [The messensers, and the damsel,] That with hem was, bothe fayr and lele. [ 4] whanne Ypocras hous they hadden longe beholde, [examine Ypo∣cras's house.] bothe his tombe and the bed Manyfolde, and there knewen they be the scrypture In what Maner his deth he gan to Endure, [ 8] be the fals Coniettyng Of his wyf that so falsly Reved hym his lyf.

where-offen they spoken ful pleyn, And seiden that sche was fals in Certeyn; [ 12] For Aȝens A wykked wommans wyle [and agree that no man can resist a wicked woman's wile.] May there non Man withstonden non while. And whanne thus Alle they hadden do, Vp to the heygthe of the Roch wenten they tho; [ 16] this was Abowtes the Owr of Mydday that Alle these thinges thus they say. thanne gonnen they loken Into the se Al Abowtes there In Eche parte, [ 20] ȝif Owther Schipe Other Galey myhten they sen there [They watch for a ship,] that hem Myhten Comforten In Ony Manere. And thus Alday Abiden they On the Roche An hy, As peple that was sore Abascht & ful sory, [ 24] [and are much downcast,] For nowher Syen they non Comfort that to hem be Ony Weye dide Resort. Atte laste Cam the Nyht vppon tho that they ne myhten sen whider to go; [ 28] And bare weren they of Al Maner of chere, For mete ne drynk hadden they non there; [for they have nothing to eat.] And Also ful ferre from Eche Contre Wherby thei myhten sosteyned be, [ 32] For Other grace there knew they non but there Ryht forto dyen Anon, But ȝif it be bi helpe of þ^e holy gost, Elles supposen they there to ben lost. [ 36] The damysele that ȝong was, & tendre of Age, Of hy kyn born, and of gret parage, wel faste sche gan hire to Compleyne, and thus to the Messengeris Gan sche seyne, [ 40] "Lordynges, ȝe taken non kep Of Me [The damsel is much distresst.] that thus In distresse Am, as ȝe moune se. And thus to my deth han ȝe me browht; For In ȝow Comfort fynde I Ryht nowht, [ 44] Nethyr be thyke god that ȝe Serve, Owt of owre peynes ne doth not swerve;

and but ȝif oþer Cownseil ȝe conne me seyn, for honger here schal I deyen In Certeyn, [ 48] [and expects to die of hunger.] Evene to forn ȝow, In ȝowre syht, here schal I deyen Anon ful Ryht; For it is thre dayes ful Agon that Mete ne drynk hadde I non." [ 52] And whanne they herde hire thus to maken hire Mone, Certeynly they Nyste what forto done; [The Messengers know not what to do for King Label's daughter,] but they Answeryd Anon Agayn, and seyden, "damysele, In Certayn [ 56] beleveth the Makyng of ȝowre Mone, For Oþerwyse ȝe Mosten done; bothe with ȝoure herte & ȝoure Mowthe [but advise her to pray.] Ȝe mosten don As we seyn nowthe, [ 60] Clepeth to hym that Of Alle Comfort he is, That of ȝowre peynes he may ȝow lys." thanne seide the damysele Anon tho, "there is non Man leveng myht suffren so, [ 64] [She says, she wouldn't care who helpt her now.] half so gret peyne As I do here, there-fore helpe wolde I han In som Manere; Of what side that Evere it be I ne Rowhte, and helpe were Comen to Me." [ 68] And whiles thei weren thus In talkyng, Into the See weren they beholdyng, where they Syen A gret flawme of fyr, And Al the see brenning hem thowhte there; [ 72] [The sea seems to burn;] Ek Al the see On gret tempest was, lyk As the devel hadde ben In that plas. thanne seide On of the Messengeris two "Sy ȝe now Owht that I here do, [ 76] Methinketh the Se On fyre it is, And As bryht fer it brenneth I-wys." "In the name of Cryst," quod this Othir tho, In ȝone fyr A schipe me semeth doth go, [ 80] [a flaming ship appears.] And that gret peple with-Inne there is, As me Semeth with-owten Mys;

and ȝit me Semeth More verralye that faste hiderward the schip doth hye." [ 84] "Now, par ma fey," quod this damysele tho, "Som Maner tydynges Comen Us Unto." Thanne Anon In this Mene while, Not fulliche the space of half A Myle, [ 88] the schipe Al flawmeng to þ^e Roche Cam [The flaming ship] wheche that these thre persones weren vppon. and whanne they syen it was so Ny, down Of the Roche they dyden hem hy; [ 92] [comes to the rock.] "Lordynges," quod this damysele tho, "down to this schipe now let vs go, And to beholden what it may be, for this is the same that we gonne se." [ 96] down Of the Roche thanne Comen they Anon, [They go down to it, and the flames vanish.] And thus sone al the flawme was Owt don that in thike schipe was to fore, Al was A-qweynt whanne they comen thore. [ 100] And whanne to the Roches poynt they weren gon, A Schipe they fownden there riht Anon, And with-Innen A man of dispetous stature, [They find a loathly,] And lothly to beholde, I ȝow Ensure; [ 104] Ful gret and large be was therto, And therto As blak As Ony Scho, [black, man in the ship,] And his Eyen brenneng In his hed As thowh it were flawmes of fir so Red. [ 108] and whanne this damysele he gan beholde, he hire grette many folde; and sche ȝald hym his gretyng Agayn, and so dyden the Messengeris In Certein; [ 112] but of him ful sore Abascht they were, For that he loked so spetously there. Thanne Axede he of hem there 'how thider they Comen, and In what Manere, [ 116] [who asks them how they got there?] that so fer from þ^e peple it was, And Ek from the lond In Eche A plas.'

thanne Answerid that damysele Anon, "be persecucioun, hider ben we Gon; [ 120] and for hunger & thurst here scholen we deye but ȝif we han Socour hastelye, Owther hens that we Mown go, And som socour Come vs vnto." [ 124] thanne seide this Man to hem there, "hider Am I Comen In that Manere [The Black Man offers to take the Messengers and Damsel away, if they will do him homage.] Ȝow to bryngen Owt of this wrake, Ȝif that so be homage ȝe welen me make." [ 128] And whanne these Messengeris herden tho That of homage he spak hem vnto, Forto becomen his lige men, where-offen sore they Merveilled then, [ 132] And Axeden what Manere man þat he were that of hem homage Axede there, "for homage to ȝow scholen we non do tyl we weten whens ȝe Comen fro." [ 136] [They ask, whence he comes. He says he is of a far country,] "I Am A man Of fer Contre, but My lordschepe is In lond & In see, that the moste peple Of this world [but is obeyd all over the world,] Onylich Obeyen to my word, [ 140] And holden me for here Sovereyn lord, Of strenkthe, of myht, be here owne Acord; for there Nis no Mannes lordschepe lyvenge [and knows every∣thing that happens.] that lasteth So fer In Al Maner of thinge; [ 144] And therto I am of so gret powste, that non thing is don On lond ne see but Anon that I it do knowe, Alle swiche thinges vppon A rowe; [ 148] Now haven ȝe herd Every del Of my power, & what I kan don wel." "Sire," quod these Messengeris tho, "And it be As ȝe seyn vs vnto, [ 152] we knowen wel þat there is non man lyvynge that hath A qwarter so Mochel Of konnenge,

Sauf only oure lord Cryst, goddis sone, that In al the world pere hath he none; [ 156] but now of on thing to ȝow scholen we spelle, what is ȝowre Name, that ȝe vs now telle." [They ask his name.] "My name Gladliche now wyl I say; 'The wise Serpent' men me clepen Eche day." [ 160] [He is calld the Wise Serpent,] "Now Certes," quod thanne this Messengere, "It is þ^e most Merveillous Name þat euere herdeich Ere." [which they think very odd.] thanne seide this Man Aȝen tho, "Hyder Am I now ȝow comen vnto, [ 164] of ȝoure diseise owt forto brynge Ȝif ȝe welen don me homagynge, [He again offers to take them away.] And Into my Schipe ȝow for to take, And bringen ȝow owt of Al this wrake." [ 168] "Now Certes," quod this damysele tho, "Ȝowre Cowntenaunce, ȝowre Chere, doth me gret wo, That I Am so Aferd ful Sekerlye [The damsel is afraid,] To Comen In ȝowre Compenye; [ 172] for Rathere here we scholen Abyde, [and thinks they had better stay where they are.] And here Suffren deth At this tyde, And ȝit more grettere distorbaunce thanne to vs come ȝit be Ony chaunce, [ 176] Rathere thanne hens we scholen go Tyl God vs sende tydynge Mo." Whanne this Man vndirstood this tho, that thus this damysele spak hym vnto, [ 180] he Answerid here In dispit Ageyn, And thus to hire seide anon ful pleyn: "ha! thou womman, bothen fool and kaytyf, [Then the Black Man abuses her,] that Rekkest now so litel of thy lyf! [ 184] ha, dispitful Creature, Vnhappy Aȝens al good Aventure! What Eyleth the now In this Nede thine Owne lif forto forbede? [ 188] for it is semeng here now to me that bettere, Evel than good, louest þou sekirle.

Nedis mostest thou ben A womman, that ne lovest not ho þat the helpen kan; [ 192] and here thou Chesest thyn distroccioun, [for refusing her only chance,] And only Refusest here thyn savacioun: Now from ȝow wile I gon, And leven ȝow here Al Alon, [ 196] Where As ȝe scholen for honger deye, And In Myseise ful vtterlye; For aftyr this tyme Neuere non Ȝow to Refreschen hider schal gon, [ 200] Wherfor ȝe scholen Repenten ful sore that ȝe ne welen don Aftyr my lore; but ȝoure Repentyng ful late schal be, [and says, she'll repent it too late,] Sethen ȝe welen not Trosten on My seignoure; [ 204] and þerfore As Caytyves scholen ȝe dye, As schal this Caytyf womman here sodeinlie. For at the prykke of deth ben ȝe now here; Ȝe scholen it not sckapen In non Manere [ 208] [and she and her companions will die of hunger.] but that fer hunger Scholen ȝe deye, and vppon this Roche lyn openlye, and the fowles ȝowre flesch scholen Etc, For Other Sepulture non ȝe gete." [ 212] "Now, Sire," quod a Messenger Anon, [One Messenger declares that] "wel weten we þat to this Roche of ston Ȝe comen hydir vs forto Socoure, And therto A man of welthe & of honoure; [ 216] but In Certein we hadden levere to deye [they would rather die than go with him,] thanne forto gon In ȝoure Compenye; Ȝoure persone and Contenaunce it is so hydows, [he is so hideous and spiteful.] And ȝoure lokynge and wordis ben so dispetows; [ 220] For only, Sire, Confownded we ben Of the wordis that ȝe to vs here seyn, that here nedis Mosten we dye For Miseise & honger Otterlye; [ 224] And, for thy Compenye that we forsake, therfore to Mercy wilt þou vs not take:

but Only In his Mercy we vs affye [They will trust in the mercy of Christ,] that is Jesus the sone of Marye, [ 228] And to his Mercy only we vs take, For his Servauntes Nele he neuere forsake, [who will not forsake them.] but vs to Comforten In this straunge place there As non Creature Many day ne wase." [ 232] And whanne this Man herde here Answere, that to hym they wolden not concentyn there, Nethir graunten non of his Axkynge, Anon thens Made he his departynge, [ 236] [The Man goes away,] And took forth Riht In to the se there As to Fore tyme he hadde I-be. whanne they In the Roch syen al this, [leaf 49] hem thouhte the Game wente Al Amys; [ 240] thanne syen they to forn the schipe there, Grettere tempestes In divers Manere be Many fold thanne to forn it was, where offen they bascheden In that plas. [ 244] For hem thowhte Al the see A fyre hadde I-be, [in storm and flaming sea,] So thouhte it to hem tho ful Sekirle; And Also In the Se tho they herde A wondirful Noyse, and merveillously ferde, [ 248] [and a horrible noise, as of hell!] as thouhe it hadde ben A Noyse of helle, So gan it to Cryen And to ȝelle; where-offen gret drede they hadden Echon, And the Signe of the Croys they maden Anon, [ 252] whiche to hem was gret Comfort the sonnere to Joye to ben Resort. and whanne they hadden thus longe loked there, they ne Cowde Aspyen In non Manere, [ 256] Nethir In the Se Fer ne Ny As they cowden Aspyen trewely; thanne from the See with-drowen they tho, and Aȝen vp to the Roch Gonne they go; [ 260] [The Messengers and King Label's daughter go up again to the house of Ypocras,] To the hows where-As dwelde ypocras, Aȝen they wenten In to that plas,

And there they seten hem to Reste Evene As hem thre hym liked beiste, [ 264] and gonnen they to talken Anon [and talk.] Of hym þat from the Roche was gon: "be my trowthe," quod the damysele thanne, "I was Neuere so sore Aferd of Manne. [ 268] And, weteth wel, lordynges, In Certeyn, that nethir honger ne thurst haue I pleyn, but from me it is Al now A-go, that there offen ne fele I now no Mo." [ 272] Thanne seiden the tothir Messengers Ageyn, "It was non Erthly Man In Certeyn, [The messengers think their visitor was the Devil.] but that it was owre dedly Enemy that vs hyder Cam forto Aspye, [ 276] And vs to putten owt of Ryhtful Creaunce, Ȝif he it Cowde han don be his fals variaunce." whanne they hadden long Spoken of this thing, Thanne fillen they Alle In Slepyng, [ 280] what for travaille and for werynesse, and what for deseise and gret distresse. and whanne On Slepe that they were, Non power hadden they to waken there; [ 284] what for fastyng and for febelte, they weren so Ouercomen In Eche degre. So vppon the Morwen, whanne it was day, [They sleep till the hot sun awakes them,] and the Sonne schon, As Eche Man Say, [ 288] on hem the Sonne gan forto Schine there As they lyen thike same tyme, and þerto the sonne so hot Schon there vppon here faces that Naked were, [ 292] So that for the gret hete Anon there they wakened Everichon. and whanne Awaked fulliche they were, To Cryst they Maden here preyere, [ 296] [and they pray to Christ for mercy;] whiche that was kyng of alle kynges, to hym they maden there here Offrynges

with wepyng and with terys Sore, Evere Axeng Crist 'Mercy and Ore, [ 300] that he wolde, Of his specyal grace, [that he would send them some comfort.] Som Comfort to senden hem In that place where As that they weren In gret peryl, fer with-Inne the See In that Exyl.' [ 304] And whanne they hadden thus I-don, Into the Se they loked þere Anon; thanne Sien where that Cam In the See A Fair litel vessel, As thowhten thanne he, [ 308] [A fair little ship comes to the island,] And Evene to the Roches Poynt that vessel was Comen, and therto Ioynt; And this was Abowtes the Owr of pryme whanne this they Aspiden thike tyme; [ 312] and In the vessel was A fair Old Man, [with an old man in it,] As thei that tyme behelden than. "Now, behold," quod the Messenger tho, "I hope goode tydynges ben Comen vs to, [ 316] For here is Aryved An Old Man that som Comfort tellen vs kan." thanne Of the Roch down gonne they go, and this good Man Comen they vnto; [ 320] thanne whanne they gonne this good man Aspye, An Old Awncyel Man he was Otterlye; but ȝit Al this not withstondyng he was a fair Man with Owten lesyng. [ 324] [old, but fair,] And Anon As they hym Sye, they hym gretten ful Curteislye; And he hem ȝald here Gretyng Ryht ful Onestly and ful plesyng, [ 328] and hem Axede Ryht Anon [who asks how they came there.] 'how Into þat place they weren gon.' And they hym Answeryd Anon Ryht, 'that be adversite thedir weren they dyht, [ 332] Fer from Men, and from vytaille, that In poynt Of deth they weren saunȝ faille;

For but ȝif god do hem Som socour, [They tell him of their trouble.] we ben not Able to lyven On Owr; [ 336] And ȝif he wele to vs his Counseyl sende, thanne ben we seker of An Ende, that we scholen Asckapen heyl & Sownd As Evere we wenten on Ony grownd.' [ 340] Whanne the goode man herde hem thus seyn, "Forsothe, sires," quod he, "and In Certeyn And ȝe holden Alwey this Creawnce [He bids them hold fast their faith,] Stedfastly with-owten variaunce, [ 344] Owt of this yl I schal ȝow don brynge Ȝif ȝe In ȝowre feyth han non varyenge; For trosteth me wel verraylye, that he wil not ȝow forȝeten sekerlye; [ 348] [and they shall not be forgotten.] Ne non that hym don Ony Servyse he wil not forȝeten In non wyse." "Ha, Sire," quod this damysele tho, [The damsel says they have been a long time waiting for help.] "I beleve þat trowthe ȝe sein me vnto; [ 352] but, sire, and we longe dwellen here, we scholen thanne dyen Al In fere; For Sekir, oþer sustenaunce haven we non but the Eyr, the See, and Roch Of ston." [ 356] "Ȝe, damysele," quod this goode Man, "Ȝit have thou non drede not for than; For forȝeten scholen ȝe not be And ȝe welen han hym In Memore, [ 360] that non Maner of thing ne wil forgete, Nethir his Servauntes he Wil not lete." "Now, swete Sire," quod on of these men tho, "So telle vs on thyng Er that ȝe go." [ 364] "let se, sey on," quod this good Man, "And I schal tellen what that I kan." "Sire, Abowtes the hygh Mydnyht [Then they tell the old man] here hadden we a wondirful syht: [ 368] To vs here Cam A Merveillous wyht, and seide 'that he was a Man of Myht.'

and seide that for vs I-Comen he was, vs for to bryngen Owt of this plas, [ 372] and vs to Saven from Alle peryl, And Sownd to bryngen vs owt of þis Exyl, & therto A man Of gret power, and that his lordschepe lasted bothe fer & ner; [ 376] More Ouer therto, A wondirful Name, 'The wyse Serpent,' A Man of fame; [of the visit of the wise serpent,] therto he was the leythest Man that on Creature Myhte loke vppon; [ 380] And for that Cause we desiren wel sore [and they want to know who he was.] To weten what Man that it wore." "Of hym I kan ȝow ful wel telle, And of his Condiciouns I kan ȝow spelle: [ 384] vndirstondith what I schal Seye: It is Mannes disceyvour Sekerlye; ['It is the devil himself;] And with his coniettyng & his falsnesse Al day men bryngeth he In distresse; [ 388] that han goddis semblaunce & his kynde, hem forto Spillen, that is his Mynde. but, Seris, ȝit More I schal ȝow telle, It was the verray Serpent of helle [ 392] that Cam forto vysyten here ȝow, and seide that he cam for ȝowre prow; but feythfully now trosteth to Me, And ȝe In his vessel hadde I-be, [ 396] [and if you had gone with him, he would have drowned you,] In-to the Se he scholde ȝow han Cast, And there ȝow drenched Anon In hast; For ȝe wenden A schipe that it hadde be, [for the ship was one of his spirits,] but it nas not So ful Sekerle; [ 400] but Anothir schrewed Enemy it was, On of his Mynestres In that plas, where vppon that Enemy Rod [on which he rode;] Also longe As here with ȝow Abod; [ 404] therefore, and with hym hadden ȝe gon, [and if you had gone, you had all perisht.'] Ȝe hadde ben persched Everychon;

For he is of so fals beheste —As wel to the leste as to the Meste— [ 408] For ȝow Into peynes scholde he han browht, For oþer Socour Cowde he don ȝow nowht. Now I have ȝow told In Al degre Of that Enemy, & what is he; [ 412] therfore beth was In Alle Manere Ȝif ony More he Come to vysiten ȝow here; And beth war þat he disceyve ȝow nowht, Ne for non thing chonge not ȝowre thowht." [ 416] "Ha, Sire, ȝit," quod this damysele tho, [The damsel asks if they shall ever leave the rock?] "Telleth me on thing Er that ȝe go." "Gladlich, Sey on," quod this good Man, "I schal ȝow telle Al that I kan." [ 420] "Sire, owt of this Roche scholde we Euere go, Owther ony Man to helpen vs Comen vnto." "Ȝe," quod this good man ryht Anon, "Owt of this Roche scholen ȝe gon, [ 424] [He says, they shall, if they keep their faith.] and here not longe forto Abyde Ȝif ȝe ben stedfast In Eche tyde, and defenden ȝow from þ^e ferst Enemy That to ȝow wile Comen wel Sotely; [ 428] but beth Alweye of stedfast creaunce Inne hym that is non variaunce, And he hens will thanne ȝow brynge Ȝif ȝe dwellyn stille In good levenge." [ 432] Anon As he this word hadde Seyd, he was Agon with-Inne A breyd, [The old man and his ship vanish,] that Nether hym ne his vessel Ne Cowden they Sen neuere a del; [ 436] but the grettest swetnesse that Evere was, [leaving a perfume behind him.] with hem there lefte In that plas, As thowh Alle worldly Spycerye Amongs hem hadde ben trewelye. [ 440] Than gonne they to-gederis to speken Anon Of the good man that from hem was gon,

And seiden that greth Comforted they were thorwh the goode wordis that he spak there. [ 444] "In feith," quod the damysele tho, [The damsel says her hunger is all gone,] "Alle my Sorwe and kare it is a-go; and Of on thing I do ȝow behete, Thowgh In Al this world were there non Mete, [ 448] So with his wordis fulfild I am that he to me seide whanne he Cam; For Anon as I loked hym vppon, Myn hunger and thurst was A-gon, [ 452] and Al my deseise tho Everydel; And þerfore I beleve Ryht wel [and she thinks it must have been Jesus Christ,] that this Is he of whom ȝe spelle, Jesus Crist, kyng of Erthe and helle, [ 456] Other Elles On of his Seriaunȝe [or one of his ministers.] that hider Cam vs to Avaunce." thanne seiden the Messengeris tho, "they ne wiste how it myhte go, [ 460] but that it were goddis sonde To Maken hem fre that weren bonde; For now, aftyr this grete drede, Comfort we han In this Stede; [ 464] and as Mochel as of the ferste we weren Agast, this good man vs hath comforted In hast." Thus Al that dai they gonne to speke Of thike good Man So lowly & Meke, [ 468] and seiden hem was happed good Aventure Of tho tydynges that weren so sure; So that Al day Abyden they there Tyl it gan to dirken Everywhere. [ 472] and whanne to the Even it was comen Ageyn, Aȝen vpe to þ^e Roche they wenten Certeyn, [They go to rest in the house of Ypocras,] and wenten Aȝen to the same place There As Ipocras I-beryed wace: [ 476] So there Alle thre they gonnen hem Reste In swich place as that hem liked beste.

So whanne it was abowtes Midnyht, the Messengeres Slepten, I the plyht; [ 480] but the damysele Al wakyng was [but the damsel cannot sleep,] At theke tyme, so was hire gras; For Evere sche lay, & hire bethowhte how þat Alle this thing ben Mowhte [ 484] As towching here deliueraunce, In what Manere schold ben here chaunce. & as sche thus In thenkenge þere lay, hire þowhte sche herde A wondir fray [ 488] [and hears a fray, and a cry,] And A wondir despetows Cry, so þat sche was A-ferd ful Sekerly, for sche thowhte þat Cry was hire Ner. and Anon vpward sche dressede here ther, [ 492] and heyere on þ^e Roche gan sche to go, Forto weten ho there was tho; For owther man owþer wommanne It was that so ferde thanne. [ 496] and whanne vppon the Roch sche was An hy, thanne say sche Atte Roches banke trewly wondir gret lyht þere In the see, [sees a light in the sea,] where-offen sche wondred what it myhte be. [ 500] And whanne sche hadde thus I-do, and to the Messengeris gan sche to go, [and calls the messengers.] and faste vppon hem sche gan to Calle, and tolde hem what Aventure was befalle, [ 504] 'how that to hem was comen there Wondir gret lyht In qweynte Manere;' thanne down of the Roch wenten they Alle thre Forto weten what it myhte be. [ 508] and whanne down they weren comen Echon, [They go down the rock, and find a beautiful ship,] A wondir fair schip behelden they Anon, and In Maner as of Manye torches lyht, —Al thus it Semede there to here siht,— [ 512] and ful of Richesse hem thouhte it was, The worthiest that myhte ben In ony plas;

and there Inne was A fayr damysele [with a fair lady in it,] that to hem semede bothe swete & lele; [ 516] And gret lust they hadden hire to beholde, To hem semed sche so fair Many folde. [leaf 50] And whanne they hire Gonnen to Se, Anon they hire gretten Alle thre; [ 520] And sche hem ȝald here gretyng tho In swich A Manere As sche cowde do. thanne Axede sche of hem Anon, [who asks how they got there?] 'how In to that place that they weren gon.' [ 524] thanne answerid they sone A-geyn, 'be wondirful Aventures, In Certeyn; and here Abiden Nedis we Mote til som Aventure come, Oþer som bote.' [ 528] "Certes," quod the damysele of þ^e schipe tho, "hard Aventure is Comenge ȝow to, For hens be ȝe neuere lik to gon In helthe of body, of flesch, ne bon; [ 532] for ȝe ben so fer from Eche Contre, Supposing to non Man that here ȝe be; but Neuertheles ȝit not for than (In as moche that ȝe han semblaunce of Man,) [ 536] of ȝow I haue now ful gret pyte; [and offers to take them with her,] and ȝif ȝe welen, ȝe scholen gon with Me, and Into Sauf place with me scholen ȝe go Ȝif myn Comandement welen ȝe do; [ 540] [if they will do her commands.] and I wele Axen ȝow non Other thing but as Alle men to me don þat ben lyveng." and they seiden that 'with good wille [They say they will do anything reasonable.] hire Comandement wolden they fulfille [ 544] Ȝif it to hem semede thing Resonable, and that to hem it Myhte ben profitable. thanne spak þ^e damysele of the schip Anon, "I schal ȝow tellen what ȝe scholen don: [ 548] But ferst I do you to vndirstonde [She tells them she is the Lady of Athens,] that I am Lady of Atenys Londe,

And Myn is holiche al that Contre— bothe Castel & town, lond & See— [ 552] so that I knowe wel In Myn Entent, that In Al this world here present Nes non so Riche Man ne womman, Sekerly, As Reherse the now i Can. [ 556] therto I am the wisest Creature [the richest and wisest of creatures,] that In this world is, I the Ensure; For Alle thing that In the world is don, I hit knowe thanne Riht Anon; [ 560] And ȝif Ony peple In Angwisch be, I hem Owt brynge ful Certeinle; and whanne they ben In peryl of ded, thanne I hem socoure In that sted; [ 564] thus Alle that Evere that homage will me do, Riht Anon Socour I sende hem to. This thing I sey to ȝow now here,— Ȝif ȝe welen don In this Manere, [ 568] [and if they will do her homage,] And homage here me forto don, In to my schipe I schal ȝow taken Anon, [she will take them to a fair place.] and leden ȝow thanne In-to swich A place that is ful of ioye and ful of grace." [ 572] and whanne they herden hire thus speke, Eche to oþer here hertes gonnen breke, and Axeden Cownceyl of this thyng, [They take counsel together,] what were best fore here leveng. [ 576] "be my trowthe," quod the ton Messengere, "And it be As sche telleth vs here, and therto and sche be of oure lay, we scholen hire worschepen this ylke day; [ 580] and with here thanne wele we go Into what Contre she wele leden vs to; but ȝif of Anothir lay that sche be, we wilen hire forsaken Sekerle; [ 584] for owre Creaunce sche wolde don vs to reneye, and to beleven On hire fals feye;"

for that was the most thing In here thowht, that here Creaunce forsaken wolden they nowht. [ 588] thanne Axedon they hire In the schipe thanne, [and ask her what her faith is,] "Of what Creawnce ben ȝe," seiden they, "wommanne, and what with vs ȝe wolden don, [and what she would do with them.] and we to ȝoure homage consenten Anon?" [ 592] "that schal I ȝow seyn with-Inne wordis fewe, Al myn purpos vppon A rewe: Ferst I schal ȝow tellen At this tyme that I am Ryht A worthy Paynyme, [ 596] [She is a Paynim,] The Richest that is In Al that lond, As I do ȝow here to vndirstond; and ȝif that homage ȝe welen me do, [and wishes to take them to her coun∣try.] with me Into þat Contre scholen ȝe go." [ 600] "In feyth, damysele," quod the ton Messengere, "sethen we knowen so mochel of ȝow here, that ȝe be not of Oure Creaunce, we ȝow forsaken with Owten variaunce; [ 604] [They refuse to go with her] also we forsaken ȝoure Compenye, For ȝe mowun not socouren vs trewlye." "Thanne," quod þ^e damysele of þ^e schipe tho, Ȝif it so be that I from ȝow go, [ 608] Neuere geten ȝe helpe ne Socour Ȝow to bryngen owt of this langour; For ȝe ben so fer from Eche contre, that here for honger scholen deyen ȝe." [ 612] thanne answered they Anon Ageyn, "that lever they hadden to deyen certeyn [for they would rather die, than go in her company.] thanne to gon In hire compenye; here only god to wraththen Sekerlye, [ 616] hos lawe & hos Creaunce we welen kepen with Owten variaunce." "O, Cursed kaytyves," quod this damyscle tho, ['Oh cursed caitiffs,' says the damsel,] "what Ese doth ȝowre Creaunce ȝow to, [ 620] Oþer the Cristendom that ȝe han take? ['your faith has only brought you trouble.'] For sethen han ȝe ben In wo & wrake;

and sethen ȝe leften ȝoure ferst lay Ȝe han had Sorwen Inowh Eche day, [ 624] and In peyne & travaille han ȝe be, and so scholen ȝe Contenwen sikerle." "Of travaylle," quod the ton Messengere, "we taken non charge, non of vs here; [ 628] ['We do not mind that, following the example of Christ.'] For of Travaille Ensample han we Of Iesus that be-Cam Man Erthle, For he was nevere with owten travaille vs Aȝen to biggen Saunȝ faille; [ 632] for he travailled tyl he was ded, Man-kynde to byen from th^e qwed. Therefore, ȝif we his Servauntes wilen be, thanne neþer of peyne ne travaille ne rekken we; [ 636] In this world to suffren Alle Manere distresse, In hevene forto haven Joye that is Endelesse; And for this cause damysele, Sekerly, vs ne Rekketh to travaylle bodyly; [ 640] for travaille owre lord scheweth to vs, whiche that Maryes sone, Jesus." And whanne sche herde hem thus Answere, Anon to wraththen sche gan hire there; [ 644] "Ȝe cursed Caytyves, now wel I se [She says, 'if you like sorrow best.] that In sorwe it liketh ȝow forto be More thanne In Ese, Other In Reste, thus semeth Me it liketh ȝow beste; [ 648] therfore hens now wyle I go, And leven ȝow here In peyne & wo, [I leave you to die of hunger;'] For of non man here geten ȝe socour, So scholen ȝe deyen In wo and langour; [ 652] and thanne the bryddes of the Eyr To ȝoure bodyes scholen repeyr." So wente sche thens thanne Anon, and forth Into the see gan sche gon, [ 656] and they Aftir hire lokeden there, but sche was vansched I qweynt Manere. [then she vanishes.]

Thanne Anon torned they vp Ageyn To ypocras hows In Certeyn, [ 660] [They sleep in Ypocras's house.] And there slepten Alle thre with owten dowte Tyl on the Morwe they myhten sen hem Abowte. and on the Morwe, whan it was pryme, they Awoken Alle thre thanne In good tyme, [ 664] and thanne vpwardis they gonnen hem dresce, and In god they putten here Sekernesse, knelyng a-down vppon here kne Into the Estward ful Sekerle; [ 668] and there they Maden here preyere [The next day they again pray to Christ,] To Jesus Cryst so leef an dere, 'that he wolde of his grete Mercy hem Comfort to senden hastely, [ 672] and that he wolde not hem forgete [not to forget them.] there to dyen for fawt of Mete; but As the fadyr Socoureth the child, so do ȝe vs, goode lord, bothe mek & myld.' [ 676] and whanne they hadden Mad here preyere, Estward Aȝens the sonne lokeden they there Ful fer Abrod Into the Se; A lytel thing there thowhte thanne syen hee, [ 680] but from hem It was so fer that they ne Cowde knowen In non Maner What it was, ne what it Myhte be, Til Abowtes Midday Sekerle; [ 684] be that tyme it was to hem comen so ny, that they hadden knoweng sekerly that a lytel vessel thanne it was, [A little vessel comes to the rock,] whiche thedir was comen In to þat plas, [ 688] and to the Roche there it dyde Applye; and they hem down hyede ful hastelye forto Sen what thing it were And what thing þer Inne was there. [ 692] and whanne they weren tho comen Adown, Abowtes hem they loked In-virown,

And behelden this vessel Every del; and there Inne An Old man bothe fair & lel; [ 696] [with an old man,] and with hym browhte In Compenye A lyown that loked ful Egerlye,— [and a lion in it.] and it was the same lyown that to fore tyme was with Celidoine, [ 700] [being Celidoyne's old ship and lion.] and Also the Same vessel That celidoyne in wente Every del. and whanne they behelden this trewly, Eche on other lokede ful ferfully; [ 704] For gret wonder they hadden tho [They wonder how the man dares go with the lion.] how that faire man with þ^e lyown dorste go. thanne Axede hem this olde Man Anon, 'how they Into that contre weren gon.' [ 708] they hym Answerid Anon a-geyn, 'that be goddis wille it was, Certeyn; and whanne that Goddis wille it were, Owt of that Roche scholden they gon there." [ 712] "Certein," quod this old Man tho, "And ȝe with me welen now go [He offers to take them] In this vessel with this lyown, I schal ȝow socoure Al & Som. [ 716] For his love that ȝe Calangen ȝoure lord I schal ȝow socowren At on word, and ȝow leden Into Swich A place (thorwh helpe & thoruh goddis grase) [ 720] there as kyng Mordreins scholen ȝe fynde, [to find Mordreins and Nasciens.] and sire Nasciens that knyht so kynde, for whom ȝe forsoken ȝoure Own londe, hym forto seken, As I vndirstond." [ 724] whanne this word thanne they herde, As Ioyful Men thanne they ferde: [They are de∣lighted,] "A, Sire, now knowen we Ryht wel that bothe Owre lord & ȝowre ȝe knowen Eche del. [ 728] Now, goode sire, that ȝe welen vs telle In what Maner with owre lordis befelle,

sethen ȝe knowen where they be; Now, good sire, that ȝe wolen telle Me [ 732] [and ask where their master is?] whethir that they ben hol & Sownd, oþer owht lyveng Aboven the grownd." "I am swich a Man As ȝe se, but I trowe þat ȝe knowen not Me; [ 736] for I am other Wyse than ȝe suppose here, A Man Merveillous In other Manere; For I kan tellen ȝow Every del how with ȝoure lordis it stont ful wel. [ 740] the Kyng Mordreyns and Nascyens now be [King Mordreins and Nasciens are in a ship at sea, and they must go in this vessel to find them.] In a schipe A Myddis of the See; And ȝif that Evere ȝe welen hem speke, Into this vessel thanne Mosten ȝe Reke, [ 744] And I ȝow Sekerlye schal Cowndeye Tyl that ȝe to hem comen trewelye." "Syre, there offen we thanken ȝow hyly, with Alle Owre hertes ful stedfastly." [ 748] "this to ȝow thus schal I do," Seide this good man to hem tho. "thanne Entren, Sire, gladly scholde we, but ȝif for drede of the lyown it be, [ 752] [They are afraid of the lion,] which is so gret & so Merveylous, And to Owre lokyng so dispetous." "Thanne Sekerly, now Semeth me, but ȝif from this Roch that ȝe fle, [ 756] I suppose that ȝe don gret folye; For no More Into this partye Schal neuere man Comen ȝow to socoure, Nether ȝow to bryngen owt of langoure; [ 760] Therfore wolde I with good wille [but the old man says, if they go in the ship, he will stay in the island.] that ȝe this vessel Entred vntylle, and in this Roche that ȝe leven me. and ful wel weteth In Certeinte [ 764] that I have don More than this For Man to fore tyme with-owten Mis:

Now Entreth here Into my plas Anon, and for ȝow Into the Roche shal I gon." [ 768] Thanne Cam this good man Owt of þ^e vessel, and þ^e Messengeris Entred faire & wel; [They go into the ship,] and with hem there that faire May that Only god worschepyd Every day. [ 772] Thanne seide this goodman to that Mayde [and the old man says to the damsel,] Ful swete wordis; & thus he sayde, "Mayden, ȝif thou hast lost A kyng, ['If thou hast lost an earthly father and king,] And thy fadyr thorwh his begetyng; [ 776] Al thouh that he were here Kyng Erthly, Now hast þou to þi fadyr A kyng that is hevenly, [thou hast found a heavenly one.'] whiche that is kyng of alle kyngge, and owt of Alle Sorwes þ^e to brynge, [ 780] and Ek Owt of the develis powste where Inne þat thow hast longe I-be." "Sire," quod this Maide, "this schal I do, and Into port salw thou wilt bryngen me to." [ 784] thus Into the vessel Entred they Echon, And this good man to the Roch gan gon. So thanne Cam þere bothe wynd & wedrynge, [A wind sends the ship faster than the birds can fly,] and fer Into the See it gan hem brynge; [ 788] Ȝo that with Inne a lytel while they syen Neþer Roch, lond, ne ylle. Thus Al that day and Al that Nyht To forn þ^e wynd they seileden owt Ryht, [ 792] For there flewh neuere so swyftly bryd As thyke tyde was hem betyd; and Ek the secunde day Also, [for two days and nights,] And the Nyht folwenge Ek þerto. [ 796] and vpon the Morwe, the Owre pryme, They loked forth Into the see be tyme; and thanne In the See gonne they to kenne the same schipe that weren In these Menne: [ 800] [till they reach the ship of Mordreins, Nasciens, and Celidoyne,] Mordrayns, Nasciens, and Celidoyne in fere, Alle In that Schipe weren they there.

And whanne to-gederis they weren so Ny that Eche Myhte Other knowen trewly, [ 804] Faste to-gederis tho they grette Whanne bothe Schepis to gederis weren Mette. And whanne they weren Entred Echon, Ful faste to-gederis Ronnen they Anon, [ 808] [and go into it.] And Eche gan Other forto Embrace, and Faste to kyssen In that place. thanne Anon as that Entred they were, Bothen Messengeris and the damysele there, [ 812] the lytel vessel wente with þ^e lyown as faste Away [Then the little ship goes away.] As Evere flew swalwe In the someris day; So that with-Inne A lytel throwe Nethir vessel, ne lyow[n], myhten they knowe. [ 816] Thanne Axede Nasciens Of the Messengeris tho [Nasciens asks how they came from home,] what Cawsed hem from home forto go. Thanne tolden they hym Al In fere, 'In what manere that they persched were, [ 820] and how on a Roch they Aryven that stownde where As Ypocras tombe they fownde; and they wenden to han ben ded, Ne hadde an Olde Man ne ben In þat sted, [ 824] That Neuere to fore we ne hym Syen, ne knewe; So sore vppon vs thanne gan he to Rewe, That owt Of the Roch he dyde vs gon, and there he for vs lefte Al Alon. [ 828] and ȝit seide he that More for man hadde he do Thanne At that tyme to vs dyde he tho: Ȝit More tolde he vs In Certeyn [and they tell him their story.] where that we scholden fynden ȝow pleyn, [ 832] Alle thre In On Schipe In Compenye, Alle heyl & Sownd ful Sekerlye.' "Now sothly," quod sire Nasciens tho, "wel wiste þat good man what he hadde to do; [ 836] And to vs ful welcome ȝe be, [Nasciens makes them welcome,] For we ben glad of ȝoure Compenye:

Lo, Sethen that Alle departyd we were Into dyvers londes Every where, [ 840] And to fulfillen his Comandement Now Altogederis we ben present. lo, this is the grete lord Above, That vs hath schewed so moche love; [ 844] let vs hym thanken with Alle oure Myht, [and gives thanks to God.] That Glorious Lord, As it is Ryht." Thanne Axede he Of the damysele tho, 'Owt of what Contre that sche cam fro, [ 848] And how with the Messengeris she gan to Mete.' Al sche hym tolde Er sche wolde lete, [The damsel tells her story.] and of what lond sche was I-bore, and hos dowhter, As I Rehersed before. [ 852] Thanne gan Nasciens forto Refreyne Of thike Messengeris In Certeyne Of his Soster and Of his wyf, whethir they hadden helthe and lyf. [ 856] thanne Answerid the Messengeris tho, "Sire, In good hele ben they bothe two; But Abasched sore they be, For of ȝow they ne haven non Certeynte." [ 860] "ha, worthy Lord," quod Mordrayns the kyng, [Mordreins wishes to know where he is.] "It were to Me a Joyful tydyng and I wyste how fer In the Se I were, Owther Ny Ony lond In Ony Manere." [ 864] "Ȝe, Sire," quod Nasciens to the Kyng, [Nasciens says,] "Therefore Make ȝe non Morneng; For be his wille it Moste ben do As hit hath ben Al hiderto; [ 868] and whanne it is plesing to God Oure Kynge, [they will get home when it pleases God.] Into Owre Owne Contre he wele vs brynge; Therfore to hym let vs now preye, and leven that Mater that we of seye." [ 872] Thus to-gederis God his Servauntes browhte, that Nethir of Other ne wiste nowhte;

For Into diuers Contres departed they were, and, lo, thoruhe his Miht, Aȝen to-Gederis weren they þere. [ 876]