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 LV. HOW CASTLE CORBENIE IS BUILT FOR THE HOLY GRAAL, AND VENGEANCE IS DONE FOR DESPITE TO IT AND SOLOMON'S SWORD.

Josephes, before his death, gives the Holy Graal in charge to Aleyn (p. 326), and with it he and his brethren journey from Galafors through strange lands, till they come to a foolish (nise) people, who know nothing but land-tilling, in the land of Foreygne, the king of which, Galafres, is a leper in his city Malce (p. 326-7). The king has Aleyn brought before him, and asks him if he can cure him (p. 328). Aleyn says, Yes, if he will turn Christian, and destroy all his idols (p. 328). Galafres then breaks them all to pieces (p. 329), is christend (p. 330), and Josephes shows him the Graal, which cures him instantly (p. 330). In honour of this, Galafres beheads all his people who will not turn Christians, so that the land is converted within a month (p. 330). He then offers to give his daughter in marriage to Aleyn's brother Joswe, and build a Castle for the Graal (p. 331). The castle is built, and is miracul∣ously directed to be calld Corbenie, or Treasure of the Holy Vessel (p. 331-2). The Graal is deposited there, Joswe crownd there, and marrid to Alphanye, on whom he be∣gets an heir, Amynadappe (p. 332-3). At night, King Alphasan (formerly Galafres) sees a Vision,—the Graal on a silver table, a priest before it, and the sound of a thou∣sand voices, and of the beating of birds' wings (p. 333). Then a flaming man tells him that he shall suffer for being in that holy place, and stabs him through both thighs (p. 333-4). The king gets his barons to carry him out of Corbenie, which he names "The Palace of Ad∣venture" (p. 334-5), and in which no knight but one ever slept without meeting his death (p. 335). In ten days Alphasan dies, and is burid with Aleyn in St Mary's at Corbenie (p. 335-6). After Joswe's death, his son Amyna∣dappe reignd in his stead (p. 336). And Amynadappe

begat Carcelois, and Carcelois Mangel, and Mangel Lambor (p. 336). Now, Lambor fought with his old cousin Varlans, who was a paynim, and discomfited him (p. 336-7), and Varlans went on board the ship which Nasciens enterd at the Yl Tornaunt (vol. i. p. 356, &c.), and found a sword—Solomon's—with which he, Varlans, killd king Lambor (p. 337); whence came great tribulation to both lands, for in neither did tree bear fruit, or fish live, and they were calld the Wastable Land (p. 337-8). On going back for the Scabbard, King Varlans falls dead (p. 338). Now after Lambor, his son Pellean reigns, who is wounded through both thighs, is calld King Mayham (p. 338), and is heald by Galahad. Pellean's son is Pelles, whose daughter Pelle passes all women in Britain for beauty, save Gon∣nore, Arthur's wife (p. 339); and on Pelle, Launcelot begets Galahad, the blessed knight, who ends all the Adventures of Britain (p. 339).

Now this Storye furthere doth telle bothe Of Iosephes and Aleyn ful snelle; whanne that to the deth he drowhe so Ny, [When Josephes is dying, he sees Aleyn weeping,] thanne behelde he Aleyn ful witterly, [ 4] and sawgh that he wepe so faste; thanne he hym Axede Atte laste, "Aleyn, why wepyst thow so sore? [and asks what is the matter?] telle me thy Cause why and wherfore." [ 8] "Sire, I May wepen Ryht wel, [Aleyn says he weeps because Josephes is leaving him alone,] and ȝe it knewen Every del, For A schepe that Alone left Is With-Owten pastour Oþer herdeman I-wys; [ 12] Anon Cometh the wilde lyown, And it distroieth Al & Som. Sire, this Mater I telle by the that Art my pastour Sykerle, [ 16] And I ȝowre schepe as [ȝe] wel knowe [Ilke a sheep that has lost its shepherd.] that thus from Me scholen deye nowe. ho schal thanne My pastour be? Now, good sire, thot ȝe welen tellen Me." [ 20] "Ȝe scholen ȝoure self been A good pastour, [Josephes bids Aleyn be shepherd after him,] and Aftyr me ȝe wil werken Eche Owr. but loke that ȝe non Marchant pastour be, that Fychcheth his Eyen [[Fr. qui laisse ses oelles (sheep) au leu]] In Eche degre; [ 24]

but torne ȝoure Eyen from Idelnesse, and Ocupie ȝow In good Besynesse [and be faithful and active.] that schal kepen ȝoure body from Alle torment, and to Endeles blysse ȝow Represent; [ 28] therfore loke that ȝe kepe ȝow wel that the Enemy In ȝow haue part non del." Thanne dyde Iosephes Anon to-forn hym brynge the holy vessel with-Owten lesynge, [ 32] and seide to Aleyn In this Manere; "lo, this holy vessel I betake the here [He sends for the Graal, and gives it to Aleyn,] wiche Iesu Crist my fadyr be-took;"— Aleyn it Resceyvede, & not forsook;— [ 36] "and whanne Owt Of this world þat ȝe schole pase, [and bids him take care at his own death that the vessel may still stay in the land.] loke that ȝe it Ordeyne In to swich A place that In this Rem It mot stille dwelle, And be ȝow I-Sesed, As I ȝow telle." [ 40] So Aleyn Of this worschepful ȝifte there he was ful Ioyful In Alle Manere. Whanne that Iosephes to God past was, [When Josephes is dead, Aleyn leaves Galafort with his brothers,] Aleyn Remevede from that plas, [ 44] Owt from the Contre Of Galefors; and his bretheren with hym gonnen Resort, For Wedded weren they Everychon, [who all are marrid except one,] Alle his bretheryn Except On [ 48] wiche that Ioswe I-Clepyd was, [Joswe.] that tho was vn-Maryed, so was his grace; and the beste knyht he was be Est Oþer West, and Of Alle his Bretheren Aleyn loved hym best. [ 52] Whanne that from Galafort he Gan gon, thanne Axeden him his bretheryn Everichon, 'Into what Contre that he wolde Go.' and he hem Answerede, 'he Niste not tho, [ 56] but as God And Aventure [They go where God ad∣venture lead them.] vs wile Cowndeye, I ȝow Ensure.' So wente he forth, And his bretherin Alle, As be Aventure to hem gan falle; [ 60]

And An hundred Mo Of his kynrede [A hundred of his kindred go with Josephes to replenish some vacant country.] Forth with hym than gan he lede, and seide 'that Som voide Contre with that kynrede Repleynsched scholde be, [ 64] So that with Al his power he worschepid & Servid god Everywher. Thus wente he Forth In his Iorne, as was his Aventure and destyne, [ 68] tyl he Cam In to A strounge land [He comes to strange land where foolish people dwell, who know nothing but tilling land.] where As Nise peple he fond, That ne CoWden but Of Lond tylyng, Swich was here labour and here werkyng; [ 72] and that Rem was Clepid Foraygne, [The country is calld Forayne, and the king is a leper] Of Wheche the kyng was A lepre Certaygne, and so Orible he was to Mannes Eye that Eche Man schoned his Compenye; [ 76] And his Name was Clepyd Galafres, [namd Galafres,] Somtyme A worthy knyht In pres, [who has been a worthy knight. He dwells in his city of Malace, and is a paynim.] and dwellyd In his Owne Cyte That Malce was Clepyd, As I telle the: [ 80] and the Same kyng A paynem was, And Ek Al his peple In Every plas. Whanne Aleyn Into the Cyte Entren began, On hym there loked Many a Man, [ 84] and wondred what peple what they were [The people of the city wonder at Aleyn and his company,] That Into the Cyte Entrede so there, alle Barefoot, And In powre vesture, Of wheche the kyng herde, I ȝow Ensure. [ 88] and thus sone Comanded the kyng hem to-forn hym bringe with-Owten taryeng, So that Openly he Myhte hem Se, And whens they comen and [of] what contre. [ 92] and whanne he hem Sawh In his Syht, thanne Axede he hem Anon Ryht 'Of what Contre that they were.' [and the king asks whence they come?] thanne Answerid they Anon In fere, [ 96]

"Sire, Of Ierusalem boren we be, [They say 'from Jerusalem.'] Eche Man that Is In this Compeyne." and whanne the kyng herde this, he Axede, "whiche Of ȝow Mayster Is?" [ 100] A-Non that Compenye Alle On Rewe there gonne the kyng Aleyn to schewe. thanne seide the kyng, "Aleyn, I ȝow pray, [The king asks Aleyn if he can cure his disease.] Conne ȝe me Owht Cownseillen In Ony way [ 104] to koueren me Of my Maladye?" "Ȝe, sire kyng, quod Aleyn trewelye, Ȝif ȝe wil don As I ȝow teche, Of this Maladye I schal ben ȝoure leche [ 108] [Aleyn says he will cure the king in three days, if he will follow his advice.] with-Inne thre dayes with-Owten Mo." "Ȝe, quod the kyng, May I troste therto?" "Sire, quod Aleyn, And ȝe welen Me leve, with-Inne iij dayes ȝoure helthe I schal preve." [ 112] thanne kyng Galafers Answerid tho, "What ȝe me Comaunden I schal do." [Galafres promises to do whatever he is told;] "how May I this beleve?" quod Aleyn. "Ȝis sewrly, quod the kyng, In Certeyn, [ 116] For there nys non Manere Of thing Erthly [for he would do anything to recover his health.] that I Nolde do to haven helthe Of Body." "thanne, quod Aleyn, I schal ȝow Say, what ȝe mosten don with-Owten Nay; [ 120] and ȝif ȝe don not myn Comaundement, Ȝe Geten neuere helthe verament." "Now, seith Onne, quod the kyng thanne, and I it schal don As I am trewe Manne." [ 124] "Sire kyng, and helyd thou wilt be, [Aleyn says he must forsake the Sarrasins' law,] Sarrasynes lawe forsake thou Sykerle, and Alle thin ydoles to breken In fay, [break his idols,] that thou hast beleved Onne Many a day; [ 128] and whanne thou hast the devel Forsake, thanne to Goddis lawe thou schalt þ^e take; and Aftyr, I-Cristened thou schalt be, [and become a Christian.] And thanne Othir thinges schalt thou se, [ 132]

Myn holy vessel, beleve this wele, [Then he shall be heald by the holy vessel,] be whiche thou schalt haue Al thin hele, and I-clensed, Sire kyng, to be Of Al thy Maladye, Sire, certeinle; [ 136] And ȝif I do not this Ilke Dede, I ȝeve the leve to smyten of myn hede, [or Aleyn engages to forfeit his life, and those of his companions.] And Of Al myn hol Compenye, Sire kyng, I the Enswre trewelye." [ 140] This kyng that so moche desired his hele, lystenede what Aleyn seyd ful wele, and Merveyllede Mochel Of his promys that Of his beheste he was so Nys, [ 144] and seide, "Aleyn, I wyle gladly do [Galafres says he will do as Aleyn says,] Al that ȝe Comaunden Me vnto; and but ȝe holden ȝoure promys, On ȝow I schal don ful hard Iewys; [ 148] and therfore loke that ȝe seye me non thing, [and warns him not to fall in his share of the bargain.] but ȝif that to ende ȝe Connen it bryng." thanne to him Answerede Aleyn Anon, "doth by me, Sire, what ȝe lyst don, [ 152] but ȝif the same day Of ȝoure Crestenenge, helthe & bote I schal to ȝow brynge." the kyng Anon the temples dide down throwe, [Galafres destroys all his temples, idols,] And Ek Alle his ydoles vppon A Rowe; [ 156] and whanne he hadde I-don Al this, [and every thing belonging to the paynim law.] & distroyed Alle his Mawmetis I-wys that Evere belongede to paynem lawe, he hath hem to-borsten and to-drawe; [ 160] & thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho, "wylt þou Ony more ȝit that I do?" "Ȝis, quod Aleyn, with-Owten faille [Then Aleyn says he must be christend,] thou Most be Crestened from toppe to taile." [ 164] thanne let he Fyllen A ston in hye Ful Of water ful trewelye, and blessid it was, and halwed Also, and Anon he let the kyng þer-Inne do. [ 168]

and þere kyng Galafers Cristened was than [which is done by a priest namd Alphazan (after whom Galafres is namd Alphasem. Fr.).] Of An holy prest that hyhte Alphazan. & whanne that thus I-cristened was he, and Owt Of the water Comen Certainle, [ 172] thanne browhte Aleyn this holy vessel Anon, [Then the holy vessel is showd to the king,] and to kyng Galafors gan he gon, & there it discouerede & schewed it þ^e kyng, whiche was to hym A ferly thyng. [ 176] and whanne the kyng beheld that Syht, Anon was he Clensyd thorwgh goddis Myht [and he is cur'd of all his leprosv by the sight.] As Clene Also fayr as Evere he was; and thus was he keveryd be goodis gras, [ 180] So that neuere Man On hym Cowde Aspye that Evere he hadde poynt of Meselrye. and whanne he beheld this worthy Cure, that he was Mad so Clene and pure [ 184] thorwgh that Ilke Gloryous vessel, he seide it was holy Every del, that so be this Aventure & this Myracle [He becomes a good man at once, and has all his people beheaded who will not turn Christians.] he wax A goodman with-Owten Ony Obstacle, [ 188] and let to beheveden Al his Meyne that Cristene peple ne wolden not be, So that theke Rem to Cristendom torned was [So all the land is converted in a month.] with-Inne lesse thanne A Mownthe, be goddis gras; So that for the Miracle, with-Owten dowte, [ 193] Al that Lond was Cristened Abowte. Whanne this Lond thus Convertyd was, Onlich thorwgh helpe Of Goddis Gras, [ 196] thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho, [The king asks Aleyn to do one thing for him,] "Now, dere frend, On thing ȝe welen for me do." "Seith on, quod Aleyn, what It schal be, And I schal it don, Sire, ful Sykerle." [ 200] "Aleyn, of this that I schal ȝoW preye, that ȝe it Me denyen In Non Weye, So that this holy vessel that here I se, [which is, not to take the Graal away.] Owt of this place neuere Remeved to be; [ 204]

And ȝif it like ȝow that It be so, Ȝit More for ȝow thanne wile I do, I schal don Maken A strong Castel [King Galafres proposes to build a castle for the Graal.] That holy vessel to kepen In ful wel, [ 208] And for ȝow also there-Inne to dwelle. And to ȝow More ȝit schal I now spelle, To ȝowre Owne brothir that Is so dere, [and to marry his daughter to Aleyn's brother Joswe, who is also to be heir to the kingdom,] My dowhter I schal ȝeven to his fere, [ 212] and Corowne hym kyng be My levenge, & Of Alle My londis to ȝeven him sesenynge be this Condiscion, As I ȝow telle, that this holy vessel Abyde here stylle." [ 216] [if the Graal stays there.] Thanne Answerede Aleyn to hym Ageyn, "I Concente wel therto In Certeyn; [Aleyn consents.] For My purpos it hath Evere I-be That Onliche My dere brothir Ioswe [ 220] Aftyr my deth hyt schold have, that For to Governen, to kepen, & save." Anon the king, with-Owten More, let fechchen his dowhter hem before, [ 224] [Joswe and the princess are betrothd,] and knytte Ioswe and hire In fere, wheche that to hym weren both leef & dere. thus sone thanne vppon A watyr side, A Castel he Ordeyned that Ilke tyde, [ 228] [and the castle of the Graal is built.] that strong & Merveillous it was to se, With A ful fair paleys Certeinle; And Manye Riche howses there weren dyht, Ful Riche And Ryal to Alle Mennes syht. [ 232] and whanne this Castel thus Ordeyned was, [When it is finisht, they find written on one gate,] they it behelden In Eche A plas, And vppon the ton ȝate In that sted, they fownden lettres wreten with Red; [ 236] [in red letters, that this castle should be calld Corbenie.] and thus the lettres Gonnen specefye, 'that this Castel scholde ben Clepid Corbenie [Compare the corban of the Gospel.] ;' And In Caldev was this scripture,

whiche Is to vndirstonde As be lettrure, [ 240] ['Corbenie' means Treasure of the Holy Vessel.] as this place frely schal be, Trosour Of þ^e holy vessel ful Sykerle. thanne gonnen they seyn to Alle Anon, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ 244] that it ne was Goddis wylle Non Othir Name to ȝyven vntille. Thus was that Castel Cleped Corbenye Of Everych Aftyr ful Sekerlye. [ 248] And whanne Fenyscht was this Castel In eche degre bothe faire and wel, They browhten the vessel thedir with-Inne, [Then the Graal is put into the castle in a fair chamber. On the next Sunday] Into a fair Chambre, and qweynte Of gynne. [ 252] and vppon the Sonday next Sewenge Aftyr that holy vesselis Entringe, The kyng Comaunded there Anon That thike Mariage scholde be don [ 256] [Joswe is to be marrid to King Galafres's daugh∣ter.] be-twixen Ioswe and his dowhter dere, and therto Asemblede the peple In fere; So that this Mariage thus was I-do, and Alle the Royalles Comen hem vnto, [ 260] [All the princes do homage to him,] and there to Ioswe diden they homage; and thike day was Crowned with hygh baronage [and he is crownd,] As verray kyng Of Al that lond, In Corbenie was Crowned, I vndirstond; [ 264] and Ek he wedded there his wyf [and marrid to Alphanye.] That highte Alphanye With-Owten stryf. & Al the peple that there Ete thyke day, [All the company is fed by the Graal.] they weren Repleynsched with-Owten Nay— [ 268] be the grace Of that holy vessel of pris— with alle Maner Metes and delecasyes; and what that Evere they Onne thowhte, To-forn here Eyen It was hem browhte. [ 272] that Nyht Ioswe with-Owten lettynge be-twixen hym and his was Conceyvenge; and be-gat An Eyr bothe fayr & fre [Joswe begets an heir,]

that kyng Regnede Aftyr Ioswe; [ 276] and A-Mynadape was that kynges Name, [afterwards calld Amynadap.] kyng Of Foraigne, & a Man of fame. As the kyng [[i. e. Galafres, or Alphasan.]] and his Wyf lyen that Nyht [That night king Alphasan has a vision in bed.] In A bed ful Richely I-dyht, [ 280] abowtes Mydnyht whanne he Awook, Thanne Aboutes hym Gan he to look, and there sawh he with-Owten fable [of the Graal standing on a table of silver,] the holy vessel stonden vppon A table, [ 284] the wheche, Clene Syluer him thoughte it was; and A man standyng therby In that plas, [and a man ministering as a priest at mass,] wheche he ne knew nethir More ne lasse, and Reuersed as A prest toward his Masse; [ 288] & Abowtes him he thowhte þat he herde there A thowsend voyses, but he Nyste where; [and a thousand voices giving thanks to God;] and Alle to God ȝoven they thankynge; that was the Noyse Of here Sownenge; [ 292] but for nowht that he Cowde do, he myhte not Sen whens it cam fro; and ȝit Al this not withstondynge, he herd Abowtes hym A wondir thinge: [ 296] betyng Of Bryddes Wynges In fere, [then there is a great beating of birds' wings,] as they Alle they in the world hadde ben there. and As sone As this Noyse I-left was, the vessel was Remeved Owt Of that plas. [ 300] [and the vessel vanishes. Then a flaming man appears,] thus sone to hym Aperede there A man As it were In flawmes Of Fere, and seide to this kyng there As he lay, hos Name to Alphasan was torned that day, [ 304] and seide, "Sire kyng, I warne the [and tells Alphasan it is not safe for him to be there,] here behoveth non Resteng forto be, Nethir for the, ne for non Oþer this tyde; here ben ȝe not worthy to Abyde; [ 308] but ȝif A Man Of Clene lif he were, [as nobody who is not clean of life may enter where the Graal is worshipt.] this place scholde he not Entren here where as the holy vessel worschepid schal be,

As with thin Eyen thou hast here se. [ 312] therfore hast thou don An hardy dede that dorstest here lyggen In this Stede; Wherfore Crist wil taken veniaunce; & that schalt thou knowen with-Owten variaunce." [ 316] Thanne with a swerd he Owt Braste, [The flaming man strikes Alphasan through both thighs with a sword,] that In his hond he held wel faste, and him smot ful harde and smerte that thorwgh bothe thyes the swerd Owt sterte, [ 320] So that On the tothir Side it was sene, & seyde thanne to this kyng be-dene, "Now it is Good that Alle Oþere war be, and that they taken Ensample by the; [ 324] For ho-so Entreth In to this place, [as a warning to others that no one may enter the Graal chamber] he may ben Siker Of Sory Grace, that Owther ded schal he be, Oþer schamfully departen sikerle, [ 328] But ȝif it be that Worthy knyht [but the one worthy knight.] That here to Entren is grauntyd Myht." thanne thus sone his swerd Owt he drowgh, [Then he draws out his sword and vanishes.] and vanschede Awey, and Nystë howgh. [ 332] thanne Fyl this kyng In Swownenge [King Alphasan faints] thorwgh thike strok and his hurtynge, For the Grete peyne he suffrede thore [and nearly dies of pain.] he wende han lyved Neuere more, [ 336] but sykerly wende han deyd Er day, So sore hit hym grevede, þ^e sothe t[o say.] On the Morwen, whanne It was lyht, [His barons and knights are astonisht when they find him in the morning.] to the kynges Chambre drowgh baroun & knyht, [ 340] and Fownden the kyng I-wounded ful sore, where-offen they Merveillede, Al that was thore. thanne Axede they him Everichon how that this Aventure Cam hym vppon. [ 344] "Ha! for the love Of god, quod the kyng; with me non longere haue talkyng, but helpeth me hens Owt Anon, [He begs them to take him away,]

that Owt Of this Chambre I were gon; [ 348] For this place So holy it Is, [as the place has become too holy for any one to stay in.] and þerto so ful Of Ioye and Blis, be Entreing Of this vessel This paleys is Sanctefyed Everydel, [ 352] So that non Man here Resten Schal In place there As Is this Sank Ryal; And thys paleys hath the moste wondir Name that Evere I herde Of of Ony fame." [ 356] thanne Axeden these barowns Certeinle "What Maner of Name that Myhte be." thanne seide the kyng to hem Ageyn, "The Paleys Of Aventure" It is Certein; [ 360] [He calls it the "Palace of Adventure."] For Mo Merveilles here scholen ȝe Sene thanne in Alle this world Aftyr, I wene." And thus this kyng ȝaf It the Name 'the paleys of Aventure,' And Of gret fame; [ 364] and so was it Clepid for Evere More, [and it keeps the name for ever.] 'the paleys Of Aventure,' as I Rehersid before; and for thike Selve Aventure that to the kyng Cam, I ȝow Ensure, [ 368] Thider Cam Many A dowhty knyht [Many knights attempt to sleep there afterwards,] In that paleys to slepen On Nyht; but Sekerly there lay non In that stede [but they are always dead in the morning,] that On the Morwen he was fownden ded, [ 372] Tyl that On Cam that was A knyht [except one of King Arthur's knights who did the deed, but sufferd for it.] Of kyng Arthures, A Man of Myht; Algates there he wolde hym Reste, but he fond it Not for the beste; [ 376] For Althowgh that ded he nere, Ȝit moche duresse and schame hadde he there, that he ne wolde for Al the worldes honour Abyden In Non place swich A schowr. [ 380] Thus thanne this kyng Alphasan [Ten days later King Alphasan dies,] ten dayes lyvede After than that he was there wownded sore;

For lenger not Aftyr lyvede he no More. [ 384] and with-Inne fowre dayes In Ceyteyn [and within four days Aleyn dies also,] Aleyn and he weren buryed ful pleyn, And I-beryed bothe At Corbenie [and they are both burid at Corbenie.] In a Chirche Of Seint Marye; [ 388] and þere the ton besides the tother liggen to-gederis As brothyr and brother. And thus lefte this holy bodi At Corbenie As I ȝow telle with-Owten lye; [ 392] and Aftyr him Regned his sone Amynadape, [Amynadap succeeds; marries Kyng Lucye's daughter,] And wedded kyng lucyes dowhter be hape, whiche was kyng Of gret Breteygne, As I seye ȝow, Sires, In Certeyne. [ 396] And of that damysele Cam forth Isswe [and is succeeded by Carcelois,] kyng Carcelois bothe good and trewe, A worthy knyht And Ek An hardy, To god & to the world bothe good and lowly. [ 400] Of Carcelois Isswede kyng Mangel, [and he by Mangel,] That In his tyme was worthy & lel; and Of Mangel Isswede kyng lambor, [whose son is King Lambor,] the wheche A worthy Man was holden thor; [ 404] whiche Alle worthy kynges were, And As Goddis fyscheris were holden there. This lambors was A worthy knyht, And lovede God with Al his Myht; [ 408] [who is a good man, the best in Britain.] For Men supposed that In Al Bretaygne, Nethir In Religiown In Certayne, To God A better Man thanne he was On, and thus they beleveden Everichon. [ 412] It happede he hadde An Olde Cosin, [He has a cousin, King Varlans, with whom he is at war.] and vppon him Marchede, & was Sarrasyn, but that Cristened nowe he was; and to-Gederis sore werreden In eche plas. [ 416] It behappede that kyng Lambors And this kyng Varlans with gret fors bothe here Ostes Assembled were

vigerously to fyhten In fere; [ 420] [They fight a battle,] and thus the bataille be-gonnen was be-twene bothe partyes In that plas, that so ferforth, as I ȝow telle, kyng varlans discomfit was, as befelle, [ 424] [and King Varlans is defeated.] and Alle his Meyne I-slayn Echon; So that kyng varlans fledde Anon [He flies to the seaside,] Tyl that he Cam to the Se side, where As he say A fair schype that tyde [ 428] [and sees a fair ship there which had just arrivd,] wheche that nowe there Aryved was; So faire A schipe say he neuer in non plas, Nethyr So Riche In Al his Age Sawh neuere kyng, knyht, ne page; [ 432] And ȝif Ony Man Axede whens it was, they with-Innes Answerede In that plas, "to tellen yow, Sires, we scholen ȝow graunt: this is the Schipe that At the yl tornaunt [ 436] [the same which Nasciens enterd at the Yl Tornaunt.] Nasciens Entrede with grete drede; but thike tyme thens myht it not hym lede." Thus sone kyng varlans Entrede Anon, [Varlans goes on board, finds a sword,] and there fond he A swerd thus son, [ 440] and Owt Of the schethe it drowh As faste. [draws it,] thanne Aȝen to Londe he gan hym haste, And Amyddis his weye As he wente, [and goes back to meet Lambors,] he Mette kyng lambors veramente. [ 444] Whanne kyng varlans him beheld, To hym he prekede In that Feld, and smot kyng lambors so velenowsly [whom he smites down with it.] that to Erthe wente hors and Man trewly,— [ 448] Swich was the scharpnesse Of the swerd,— Of whiche Many Men was Aftyr ferd; but Sethen Cam there gret persecucioun [But great troubles come to both lands from that sword,] To bothe Rewmes, & Moche Tribulacioun,— [ 452] bothen to the ReAwn Of Forraigne [leaf 86] and Ek to the toþer ReAwm In Certaigne,— For veniaunce Of kyng lambors Sekirle

that God so wel lovede In Alle degre, [ 456] So ferforth that non lond proved there, [and the ground becomes barren.] Nether trees froyt beren In non Manere, Nether In Non water fysch myhte be fownde, Swich veniaunce god schewede In that stownde; [ 460] So that be thike gret Enchesown It was Clepyd 'the wastable lond' be Resown. [It is calld the Wastable land.] whanne vrlans Sawgh that the swerd so bot, he Retorned Aȝen Anon foot hot [ 464] the Skawberk forto haue had therto, but þat God wolde it scholde not be so; So that to the Schip he Cam Ageyn, and the Swerd Into þ^e sckawberk put it pleyn; [ 468] [Varlans takes the sword back to its sheath in the ship, and as soon as he sheathes it he sheathes it he falls dead.] And as sone As he hadde I-do, down Anon Ryht ded fyl he tho. thanne they seiden Alle tho it sye, that it was for veniaunce Sekerlye; [ 472] For there Stylle it scholde Abyde [The sword remains sheathd till a girl draws it out.] tyl A mayde it Owt took At On tyde; For In that Contre was non Man there that Into the Schipe dorste Entre for fere, [ 476] For the lettres vppon the bord that weren there wreten At On word. Be this selve same Aventure [Both the kingdoms are ruind by this adventure.] bothe ReAwmes weren lost, I ȝow Ensure; [ 480] lik as they Marchede bothe In fere, Ryht so bothe londis Ilost they were. Tho Anon Aftyr kyng lambors thanne [After Lambors, reigns Pellean,] Reignede Pellean his sone, A worthy Manne, [ 484] that thorwgh bothe hypes I-Maymed was [who is wounded in both hips,] atte bataylle Of Rome, swich was his gras. and for that he so was maymed there, they cleped him kyng Mayham Euery Where; [ 488] [and is known as the maimd king.] For thorwgh bothe thyes Maymed was he, this Ilke Pellean ful Sekerle; Of wheche wowndes hol myhte he not be

tyl that worthy knyht Galas Cam hym to se, [ 492] and that tyme helthe schal he haue, And Of his wowndes to ben Alle Save. thanne Aftyr Of this kyng PelleAn discendid Anothir ful worthy Man, [ 496] his Owne Sone, and was Called Pelles, [Pellean has a son and daughter, Pelles and Pelle.] a worthi knyht, and An hardy In pres; and A dowhter hadde, that hiht pelle Sikerle, that pasten Alle wommen Of Bewte [ 500] [Pelle was the fairest of women,] whiche that weren In grete Bretaigne, Sauf Gonnore, Arthures wyf, In Certaygne. [except Arthur's wife Gonnore. And was the mother of the blessed knight Galahad,] vppon this damysele that was so fair, Engendered Lawncelot, Galas his Eyr, [ 504] that ilke same blessid knyht Certaigne whiche Endede Alle the Aventures of gret bretaigne. [who ended the adventures of Britain,] Not with-stondyng thowgh he were begeten In Synne, Ȝit oure lord Of his Goodnesse wolde not blynne, [ 508] but that for the Brawnches and for the Bownte Of þ^e goodmen that he Cam of Sekerle, and took Reward to his Good lyf that Evere Chast was, and with-Owten wyf, [ 512] [by the virtues of his ancestors and his own pure and holy life.] And ek for the grete purpos and beheste that God him hadde promysed Aforn lest and Meste, So that, thorwgh his holy leveng, Alle the Aventures to an Ende schal he bryng [ 516] Wheche Alle Othere faillede Of Echon, alle Browhte he to An Ende Alon. Now hath this Storye Ended Certayn [Now this story has finisht the line of Aleyn,] Of declaracioun Of the Brawnch Of Aleyn, [ 520] For it hath Schewed here Ryht wel Al Aleyns kynrede Evere Ilke A del, and Retorneth Aȝen to Celydoigne, [and goes back to Celidoyne and others.] and to Othir lygnages In Certaygne. [ 524]