Libeaus Desconus : die mittelenglische Romanze vom Schönen Unbekannten / nach sechs Handschriften kritisch hrsg. von Max Kaluza.

1 [1-216^c fehlen in I.]

Ihesu Crist, our saviour, [Strophe 1. 1 our s.] Christen Kinge P.] And his modir, þat swete flour, [2 fl.] thing P.] Helpe hem at her nede, [3 Spede L; They sp. A—us N—in A—our N.] Þat harkeneþ of a conquerour, [4 lysteneth LNA—That will listen to my tale P.] Wis of witte and wiȝt werrour [5 W. of w.] That was wis witty N; Wytty knyght A—and a w. L; and gode A—Of a knight I will you tell P.] Line 5 And douȝty man in dede. [6 A.] A .. (rasur) L; A NP—of LNAP.] His name was called Gingelein; [7 cleped P; hote N; sir L—Geynleyn C; Gyngelayne LN; Gyngelyne A; Ginglaine P.] Beȝete he was of sir Gawein [8 Ygete N; Getyn A; Gotten LP.] Be a forest side. [9 Vnder LP—forestus N.] Of stouter kniȝt and profitable [10 Of a betir N; A better LAP—ne pr. N; was neuer pr. L; ne more pr. A; without ffable P.] Line 10 Wiþ Arthour of þe rounde table [11 at LNAP—rountable L.] Ne herde ȝe never rede. [12 Yee heard neuer of r. P; Herde I neuer of nor (om. A) redde LA; Hurd never yet man r. N.]

2

Gingelein was fair of siȝt, [2. 13 þys Gynleyn C—of s.] and briȝt NAP.] Gentill of body, of face briȝt, [14 b.] face A—and of f. br. L; and feire of siȝt N; and body ryght A—An hardye man and a wight P.] All bastard ȝef he were. [R 15] [15 A.] om. LNAP—ȝ.] thouȝe NAP; though that L.] Line 15 His modir him kepte wiþ her miȝt, [16-21 fehlen C. 16 And h. N—kepit him NP—w. all h. m. AP; w. m. N.]

Þat he scholde se no kniȝt [17 Ffor he shold not of noe armed Knight P.] Y-armed in no manere, [18 Ar∣myd A; Haue a sight P—on A.] For he was full savage [19 F. that he N; But he P—f.] so NAP—savage in sawge geändert L.] And gladly wolde do outrage [20 blitheli N; lyghtly AP—do] om. A; do in not geändert L—oute rage L.] Line 20 To his felawes in fere. And all for doute of wikked loos [22 A. a.] om. CNAP—dred LP—wycke L.] [22 und 23 umgestellt CP.] [R 17] [P 23] His modir kepte him in clos [23 m. alwey k. L—in] om. LAP.] [R 16] [P 22] As douȝty child and dere. [24 douȝty] worthy A; hend P.]

3

And for love of his fair vis [3. 25 A.] om. NAP—For he was so (feire of vise NL (f. and wyse AP) NLAP.] Line 25 His modir cleped him Beaufis [26 callid N; named A—Bewfys CN; Bewfiz L; beufise P; Benys A.] [R 20] And non oþir name; And him selve was full nis; [28 A. he him s. N; A. this childe L—w. n. N; w. so n. LA; w. not soe wise P.] He ne axed nouȝt y-wis, [29 That he NP; That A—ne] om. LAP—nouȝt] neuer LNA.] What he hiȝt, at his dame. [30 he] om. L—of NAP; off in onys geändert L.] Line 30 As hit befell upon a day, [31 Soe P; Tyll LNA.] To wode he wente on his play, [32 The childe wente him forthe (om. N) to playe LN; Gyngeleyn (wolde hym (went P) to pley AP.] Of dere to have his game; [33 his] som L—To se wyld dere be name A; Wild deere to hunt ffor game P.] He fond a kniȝt, wher he lay, [34 þere L—And as he went ouer the Lay P.] In armes, þat wer stout and gay, [35 On N—armour A—þ. w.] om. L; th. was NA—He spyed a knight was st. a. g. P.] Line 35 Y-slain and made full tame. [36 Sl. a. LNA; That soone he P.] [R 30]

4

Þat child dede of þe kniȝtes wede [4. 37 The ch. N; He LA; Then he P—toke L; drowe N—on P—that LAP.] And anon he gan him schrede [38 Hym sylffe þer in well fayre gan shr. L; And him silue ther in he schr. N; And þer in he gane he gann (!) hym schr. A; And himselfe therin yeede P.] In þat riche armour. [39 All in L; Into P—bryght L.] Whan he hadde do þat dede, [40 And wh. NAP—th. in d. L.] Line 40 To Glastinbery he ȝede, [41 Anone to N; Than to A—Glastyngbery C; Glastynbury L; Glastonbury N; Glascunbery A; Glasenbury P—he] swithe he P; þe childe him L.] Þer ley þe king Arthour. [42 And þer A—was N—þe] om. LNAP.] He knelde in þe halle [43 He kn.] And whan he came LP; When he was A; As he sate N—within A; into P; to L—his N; Arthurs L.] Before þe kniȝtes alle [44 Amonge NAP; He fond him there and L—his kn. N; his lordis L; the (om. A) Lords and Ladyes PA.] And grette hem wiþ honour [45 He NAP—This childe knelyd downe on his kne L.] Line 45 And seide: 'Arthour, my lord, [46 kyng A. CP—Kyng Arthure, Criste þe saue and see L.] [R 40] Graunte me to speke a word; [47 Sofer AP—I am come oute of fer contre L.] I pray þe par amour. [48 yow NAP—My mone to make to the L.] [R 42]

5

I am a child uncouþe [5. 49-54 fehlen C. 49 vnknowe N.] And com out of þe souþe [50 I c. N; Come I am P.] Line 50 And wolde be made a kniȝt. [51 I A—wol N.] Lord, I pray þe nouþe: [52 you N—X (14 P) ȝere olde I ame AP.] Wiþ þy mery mouþe [53 And w. your N—(And of warre (Off werres A) well I cann PA.] Graunte me anon riȝt!' [54 To gr. L; Therfore gr. P—a.] that a. N; a A; my P.] Þan seide Arthour þe king: [55 the King strong P.] [R 43] Line 55 'Anoon, wiþ oute dwelling, [56 A.] To (Tell A) me childe LA—dw.] any dw. C; lesyng NA—To the child that was soe younge P.]

Tell me þy name apliȝt! [57 T. me] Whate is LA—þi n. I plyght A; what thou hight P.] For seþen I was y-bore, [58 s.] neuer s. LP; senne þat A—born LNAP.] Ne fond I me before [59 Ne say N; Sawe LAP—me] neuer me L; n. here AP; n. N.] Non so fair of siȝt.' [60 No chyld AP—of s.] a wight N—So semely to my sight L.] Line 60

6

Þat child seide: 'Be seint Jame! [6. 61 The ch. s. NAP; Sayde Gyngelayn L.] I not, what is my name; [62 ne wote LA; wott not P.] [R 50] I am þe more nis; [63 vnwise P.] But while I was at hame, [64 whan NP—w.] dwelled P; was tame N.] My modir in her game [65 on LA.] Line 65 Cleped me Beaufis.' [66 Callid NA—Beaufyz C; Bewfice L; Beaufice N; beaufise P; Benys A.] Þan seide Arthour þe king: 'Þis is a wonder þing, [68 And said this P; That A—wonderous P.] Be god and seint Denis! [69 a. by St. D. P.] Whan he, þat wolde be kniȝt, [70 Wo one þat (auf rasur) L; Wh. he N; That þou AP—woldyst A; wol N—be a kn. CNP; be made a kn. LA.] Line 70 Ne wot nouȝt, what he hiȝt, [71 And LNAP—wotyst A—neuer N—þou AP; his name L.] And is so fair of vis. [72 is] om. A; art P; hathe L—of v.] a v. L; and wyse AP.] [R 60]

7

Nou will I ȝeve him a name [7. 73 N. I w. P; Y wol N; I shall LA—him yeue NA; g. thee P.] Before ȝou alle in same, [74 Amonge LA; Heere am. P—all you P—same in fame geändert L.] For he is so fair and fre. [75 thou art P—so] om. L.] Line 75 Be God and be seint Jame, [76 I say by P.] So cleped him never his dame, [77 callid NA—thee n. thy P; n. A.]

What woman so hit be. [78 Who wom. N—þat so h. C; that euer shec P; so she L; so euer scho NA.] Nou clepeþ him alle in us: [79 N.] om. LAP—callith NA; Call yee P—h. in your vse LA; h. alle thus NP.] "Libeaus Desconus" [80 Lybeau (später Lybeaus oder Lybeauus) Desconus C; Lybeus Disconeus L; [Libeus Desco∣nuz I 307;] Lybeus Dysconius N; Lybeus Disconyus A; Lybius Disconius P.] Line 80 For þe love of me! Þan may ȝe wite a rowe: [82 mowe L—on a r. LN—Loke ȝe calle hym (in same (this name P) AP.] [R 70] "þe faire unknowe" [83 The feire on thatte y knowe N; That the better ye mowe knowe L; Both (om. A) in ernest and in game PA.] Certes, so hatte he!' [84 For sertys A—hight L; hyght schall AP.]

8

King Arthour anon riȝtLine 85 Made him þo a kniȝt [8. 86-89 umgestellt: 89. 87. 86. 88 P. 86 Gon (Gan him to N; Lete A) make LNA; Dubbed P—h. þo] om. N; him L; þe (that P) chyld AP.] [P 88] In þat selve day [P 87] [87 On A; Vppon N; Trulye P—the N—ilke A; same P.] [Statt 88-96 hat L 6 abweichende verse:

'Now kyng Arthure haþe made me knyght, I thanke him with all my myght, Bothe by day and nyght. With my fomen I will fight, Them to say with strokes of myghtLine 87e And to juste in feer.' L.

88 He A—armour NA.] And ȝaf him armes briȝt, [P 89] Him gerde wiþ swerde of miȝt, [89 H. g.] om. NAP—With a suerd AP; And w. a sw. bright N—of m.] ffaire and bright P.] [P 86] For soþe as I ȝou say; [90 He gurde him sothe to say NA.] Line 90 And heng on him a scheld [91-93 und 94-96 umgestellt N.] [91 He NA—hongid N; caste A—a sch] in a pylte A—Hee gaue to him in that ilke P.] Riche and overgeld, [92 A ryche scheld (all add. P) o. AP; With gresons o. N.] [R 80] Wiþ a griffoun of say; [93 gryffyn A—of s.] gay A; soe gay P—Ipeyntid of lengthe ful gay N.]

And him betok Gawein, [94 A. h. b. hys fadyr G. C; He (And P) toke hym to ser G. AP; Aftur him taught G. N.] To teche him on þe plain [95 For to CP—vpon A—With strenghe in the pl. N.] Line 95 Of ech kniȝtes play. [96 Poynt of kn. N; Off euery prinsys AP.]

9

Whan he was kniȝt y-made, [9. 97 w. a kn. L—made LA—Wh. hee w. made a kn. P.] Anon a bone he bad [98 A.] Off Arthure L; Ful sone þe kyng A—b. þer he C—O. the boone he asked right P.] And seide: 'My lord so fre! [99 so] om. LN.] In herte I were riȝt glad, [100 In my h. P—were y N; I wold be P—r.] om. NP; full LA.] Line 100 Þat ferste fiȝt ȝif I had, [101 The LNAP—fyst A—fyghtinge LN; battell P—ȝ.] þat LA—ye L] Þat ony man askeþ þe.' [102 a. m.] men LNAP—axen N; asked P; will (do A) aske LA—of the LNP.] [R 90] Þan seide Arthour þe king: 'I graunte þe þin asking, What bataile so hit be; [105 bone N—þat so C; that euer P; so euer A.] Line 105 But me þinkeþ, þou art to ȝing [106 B. euer me NAP—þyngeþ) C—þou to A; the ful N.] To don a good fiȝtinge, [107 For to CNP.] Be auȝt þat I can se.' [108 Be a.] For eny thing N.]

10

Wiþ oute more resoun [10. 109 Ryght w. A—m.] om. A; eny m. LN—When he had him thus told P.] Duk, erl and baroun [110 Dukes Erles and Barons bold P.] Line 110 Wesch and ȝede to mete. [111 The w. N—went LNAP.] Of all manere fusoun, [112 Volatyle (Of wilde fowlis N; Of w. ffoule P; Off w. dere A) and venyson LNAP.] [R 100] As lordes of renoun, [113 of grete r. LNAP.] Y-nouȝ þey hadde to ete. [114 to] om. C.] Nadde Arthour bot a while, [115 Ne hadde A. (sete mit verweisungszeichen am rande beigefügt) C; Nade A. syt L; N. they y-sette N; They hade (not add. P) setyn AP—b. a wh.] not a stoure P.] Line 115

Þe mountaunce of a mile, [116 The montenys N; Bot þe space A—Well the space of halfe an hower P.] At his table y-sete: [117 hare N; þe A—y-s.] as þei sytte A—Talking att their meate P.] Þer com a maide in ride [118 Tho con L—damsell P; dwerffe A—in r.] r. C; att that tyde P.] And a dwerȝ be her side, [119 A.] om. N—dwerk C; dwerffe L; dwarffe P; dwarfe rode N; damsell A—his A.] All beswette for hete. [120 b.] sweating P.] Line 120

11

Þat maide was cleped Elene, [11. 121 The LNP—may L; Maidens P—was yhote N; hight LA; name was P—Ellene L; Elyne N; hendy Elyn A; Hellen P.] Gentill, briȝt and schene, [122 an N—Bryght sche was a. sch. A; Sent shee was vnto the King P.] [R 110] A lady messenger. [123 ladyes P; lady is N; lady as A; lovely L.] Þer nas countesse ne quene [124 was neuer NA—nor L—The maiden was ware and wise P.] So semelich on to sene, [125 That was so A—And cold doe her message att device P.] Line 125 Þat miȝte be her pere. [126 Bot sche m. A; Ther m. none N—Shee was not to ffere P.] Sche was cloþed in tars, [127 Sche] The maiden N—clodeþ C—tarfis N—The may þat was so schen A; The maid was ffaire and sheene P.] Roume and no þing scars, [128 Rownd L—nodyng C—Sche was clothyd (clad all P) in gren AP.] Pelured wiþ blaunner. [129 Ipured w. L; And furred w. AP; With pelour N—blawndenere L; blaudere N; blaundyner A; Blaundemere P.] Her sadell was overgeld [130 H. s. and her brydell yn fere C.] Line 130 And wiþ diamaundis fulfeld; [131 A.] om. N—fyllt L—Full of dyamandys were C; And wele hernest (bordered P) with sylke AP.] Melk whit was her destrere. [132 And white P; Whyte A; Melk C.] [R 120]

12

Þe dwerȝ was cloþed in inde, [12. 133 clodeþ C; cladd P—in hynd N; with scarlett ffine P.] Before and ek behinde [134 e.] all A—And ffured well with good Ermine P.] Stout he was and pert. [135 For he was stout N—p.] keene P.] Line 135 Among alle cristene kinde [136 Amonges L—a.] a A—kyng (!) L.] Swich on schold no man finde; [137 on] om. L; another P—ne sch. C; might P.] His surcote was overt. [138 Hir L—ov.] so ryche bete L; of greene P—He was so stoute in herte A.] His berd was ȝelow as wax, [139 b.] haire P; sercote A—w. as yel. N—as ony w. C; as floure A; as ffl. on mold P.] To his gerdell heng his fax; [140 þe plex C; the plax N; shining as gold P—And with in of an oþer colour A.] Line 140 I dar well say in certe. [141 The sothe to say (tell P) in sertente (veretye P) LP; For sothe to se with sight N; Wele furryd aboute wiþ merte A.] His schon wiþ gold wer diȝt [142 All h. P—wer wiþ g. ydyȝt C—Off (With NA) g. his sh. w. (was A) d. LNA.] [R 130] And coped as a kniȝt; [143 kopeþ C; c. wer A—All as gay as any knight P.] Þat semed no poverte. [144 Tho N; Ther AP—signyfied L; semyth of N.]

13

Teodelain was his name; [13. 145 Teandelayn C; Theodeley L; Deodelyne N; Wyn∣deleyn A; Teddelyne P.] Line 145 Wide sprong his fame [146 Well swyde (= swyþe) C; Wyde were L—h. name C; of him the same (lies: fame) P.] Be norþ and ek be souþe. [147 Be] Bothe N; Est west AP—a. be s. C; a. s. AP.]

[Statt 148-153 hat P 9 verse (= P 148-156):

Much he cold of game and glee: Ffiddle, crowde and sowtrye; He was a merry man of mouth. [P 150] Harpe, ribble and sautrye; He cold much of Minstrelsye; He was a good Jestoure. There was none such in noe country; A Jolly man fforsooth was hee With Ladyes in their bower. P.

148 couthe he N.] Miche he couþe of game: Citole, sautrie in same, [149 Wiþ syt. C; Sotill LNA—sautyre C; swithe N.] Harpe, fiþele and crouþe. [150 Of h. N—fydele C—a. cr.] þan wele he couthe A.] [P 151] Line 150 He was a noble disour [151-153 fehlen N. 151 gentill boourdour L; gode gestoure A.] [P 153] Wiþ ladies in her bour, [152 Amonge L—in b. L; of valour C.] [R 140] [P 156] A mery man of mouþe. [P 150] He spak to þe maide hende: [154 seyd A—þat CN—h.] I wene A—Then he bade maid Hellen P.] [P 157] 'To telle þin erende [155 For to L—Damesel telle me þ. e. N; (To t. þe (Ffor to t. her P) tale bedene AP.] Line 155 Time hit were nouþe.' [156 T. it is for sothe A; And kneele before the King P.]

14

Þat maide knelde in halle [14. 157 The LNAP—kn.] kene N—in the h. P.] [P 160] Before þe kniȝtes alle [158 Among NAP—knyȝte C: lordes A; l. and lordlinges N; L. a. Ladyes P.] And seide: 'My lord Arthour! [159 Arth.] without Leasing P—And greette hem wiþ honour C.] A cas þer is befalle, [160 And seyde a C—þ. is] is nowe L; þ. is now A—yfalle C; towerd A—There is a strong case toward P.] Line 160 Worse wiþinne walle [161 A w. L—the walle N—Was þer neuer non so herd A; There none such nor soe hard P.] Was never non of dolour. [162 non] yitt L—Y note nouȝt suche of d. N; Nour of so grete (much P) d. AP.] [R 150] My lady of Sinadoune Is brouȝt in strong prisoun, [164 to P—gret A.] Þat was of greet valour. [165 ys greet of C—honour N.] Line 165 Sche praiþ þe sende her a kniȝt [166 And LNA—prayd CN; pray L—you LNAP—s. h.] of AP.] Wiþ herte good and liȝt, [167 That is of wer wyse and wight L; In warra that were wys and bright N; That in werre ware wyght A; Ffor to win her in ffight P.] [P 170] To winne her wiþ honour.' [168 With ioy and much honor P.]

15

Up start þe ȝinge kniȝt, [15. 169 Than stert up N; Vp rose P—that LP; a N.] His herte was good and liȝt, [170 In (his add. P) hert that (he AP) was NAP; With her (!) L—mery a. l. L; lefe a. wight N; full lyght AP.] Line 170 And seide: 'Arthour, my lord! [171 A. s. my l. Arth. NP.] I schall do þat fiȝt [172 þo C—My couenant is to haue th. f. P.] [R 160] And winne þat lady briȝt, [173 Ffor to w. P—br.] with myght L.] Ȝef þou art trewe of word.' [174 ye LN—be LNAP.] Þan seide Arthour: 'Þat is soþ! [175 Quod Arth. A—The King said without othe P.] Line 175 Certain, wiþ outen oþ, [176 Certis NA—Thereof thou saiest soothe P.] Þer to I bere record: [P 180] God graunte þe grace and miȝt, [178 And seid god N—yeue the NAL; thee giue P—grace] strenthe LNAP.] To helde up þat lady riȝt [179 up] om. L—ladies L—To (Ffor to P) wynne the (that AP) lady bright NAP.] Wiþ dente of spere and sword!' [180 Thorow A—spore a. sw. L; þy sw. C—With sheeld and with speare dint P.] Line 180

16

Þan gan Elene to chide [16. 181 The mayde (may A) began to ch. LA; Then be∣gan the maid to say P.] And seide: 'Alas þat tide, [182 Alas scho seide N—t.] ilke day P.] [R 170] Þat I was hider y-sent! [183 sende AP.] Þis word schall springe wide: [184 Shee said this P; Thy L—w.] om. A; wordis N—wyll AP—spyng C.] Lore, king, is þy pride, [185 Lord k. now ys C; Forlorne is L; K. loste is N; And lorne is k. A; Sir K. lost is P—all thy P—pr.] þrede (!) C.] Line 185 And þy manhod y-schent, [186 A. all thy AP—lose LN; lordes A; deeds P—shentt L; is sch. AP.] Whan þou wilt sende a child, [187 That A; Now N—wold s. A; woldist s. N; schalt s. C; sendest P.] [P 190] Þat is witles and wilde, To dele douȝty dent, [189 poȝty C; eny doughty L; doughtilie with P; mannes A.] Line 190

And hast kniȝtes of main, [190 Thou P; Whan thou N—of mickle m. P; of renoun L.] Line 190 Perceval and Gawein, [191 Syr Pers. LP; Launcelet Perc. C—ser Gaw. LNAP.] Pris in ech turnement.' [192 That bene price (abled L) NL; Full wyse AP—ech] om. LAP; euery N—turment LN.] [R 180]

17 [17. fehlt in C.]

Þe dwerȝ wiþ greet errour [193 Tho the P—erront N.] Wente to king Arthour [194 Stert NA—vnto P.] And seide: 'Kinde king! [195 thou gentil king N; þou konyng k. A; Sir verament P.] Line 195 Þis child to be werrour [196 bene a w. NAP.] And do swich a labour [197 A.] om. N; Or P—to do LNAP—suche l. L; a good l. N.] [P 200] Is nouȝt worþ a ferþing. [198 He is N; Itt is P—worthe nouȝt N—one P.] Er he þat lady se, [199 Or that he L; Er that euer he N—se] may see P.] He schall do batailes þre [200 He sch. do] om. NA; He sh. haue P—Bataile N—þre] V othir thre NP; two or thre A.] Line 200 Wiþ oute any lesing. [201 Trulye w. P—He dothe (must do A) w. ou. l. NA.] At þe point perilous, [202 þe] om. LN—Att the bridge of perill P.] Be þe chapell auntrous, [203 Besyde LNAP—ch. of awntrous (auentours N) LNA; aduenturous chappell P.] Schall be his beginning.' [204 Ther sch. A—Ther schalle he bigynne N; There is the ffirst begining P.]

18

Libeaus Desconus answerde: [18. 205 Syr L. LNAP—D.] than LNA; anon P.] [R 181] Line 205 'Ȝet was I never aferd [206 Ȝ. neuer was I A; And said I was n. P.] For doute of mannis awe. [207 dred LNA—m.] wordys L—sawe NA—Ffor no mans threatninge P.] [P 210] To fiȝte wiþ spere or swerd [208 und 209 umgestellt NAP.] [208 or] and L—To (Ffor to P) pley with a swerd AP; Bothe with spere and with schild N.] [P 212]

Som dell I have y-lerd, [209 Sum whate NAP—haue I LNAP—lerid NP; lernyd A; lernde in leerde geändert L.] [P 211] Þer many men were y-slawe. [210 m. man L; men NP—hathe be LNP—slawe L; slowe P—And hath had many a blaw A.] Line 210 [Statt 211-213 hat L 6 verse:

That man that fleyth by wey or strete, I wolde the devyll had broke his nek, Wher euer he hym take. Also I wolde, he were to-drawe And with the wyn[d]e to-wawe, Till the devill him take. L.

211 He] The man NP; A man A—dr.] a threte AP.] He þat fleþ for drede, I wolde, be way or strete [212 Other (om. N) by way or by str. PNA.] His body wer to-drawe. [213 Y wolde he w. to-dr. NAP.] I will þat bataile take [214 the P—vndertake P—The (This N) b. I vndirtake LNA.] [R 190] And never on forsake, [215 none L; non of them A—I ne will neuer fforsake P.] Line 215 As hit is Arthours lawe.' [216 For suche is NAP—Arth.] londes L.] [P 219]

[18^a von (I) NAP hinzugefügt (= P 220-231):

The may answerid fulle snelle: [216^a meyd A; made P—f.] alsoe P.] [P 220] 'That semyth the right welle, [216^b And said that P—besemyth AP—r.] om. P.] Who so lokith on the. [216^c þe] may know add. P Mit 216^d beginnt das erste fragment von I,] þow ne durst for al þy word [216^d—429. 216^d ne d.] dorstest nouȝt I—al] om. P—þe A; this N—world NA; berde P.] Abyde þeo wynd of a sweord, [216^e a] my P.] Line 216e By ouȝt þat y can seo.' [216^f For N.] þanne þeo dwery seyde in þat stounde: [216^g Than seid the (that P) dw. NAP—in] om. N.] 'þeo dede men in grounde [216^h That N—in (on N) þe gr. AN—Dead men that lyen on the gr. P.] Of þe aferd may beo. [216ⁱ affrayd P.] Y rede þe in game: [216^k Nowe y NA—But betweene ernest and game P.] Line 216k Go hom and souk þy dame [216^l I counsell thee goe souke thy d. P.] [P 230] And wynne þer þy gre!' [216^m A. þer thou w. A—þy] þe AP—degre NP.]

]

19

Quoþ Arthour anon riȝt: [19. 217 þan seyde A. C; The kynge said (answered P) LINAP.] [P 232] 'Þou getest non oþer kniȝt [218 And said thou g. P; Thou g. here L; Here (He A) g. thou NA.] Be god, þat bouȝte me dere! [219 g.] him LINA—By g. that sitteth in Trinitye P.] Ȝef he þinkiþ þe nouȝt wiȝt, [220 he þyngyþ C; ye thinke L; þow þ. INAP—þe n.] the childe n. L; him n. IN; n. him A; he bee not P.] Line 220 Go get ȝe on, wher ȝou miȝt, [221 Goe and g. P; Get LIN; Ge (!) A—þe] om. I—anoþer LINAP—wh. þ. m.] Knight P.] Þat be of more powere!' [222 is LINAP.] Þat maide for wreþþe and hete [223 The LNAP—may IA—wr.] ire LIAP; noye N—a. h.] styll sate (did thinke P) AP.] Nolde neiþir drinke ne ete [224 Wolde LIN; Sche w. AP—neydyr C; nouȝt N—eate nor d[r]inke P.] [R 200] For alle þo, þat þer were, [225 a. þat INAP; none that L—þer w.] thei myȝt do N.] [P 240] Line 225 But set doun all dismaid, [226 Sche LAP; Heo I—sate hur d. N; sate still P—all þys maid C; dismaysed L; sore amaied I; as careful maide N; euyll payd A; without ffable P.] Till þe table was unlaid, [227 Vntil I—bord A; cloþ I—weore I—ylayd C; laid I; raysed L; vpbrayd A—Till they had vncouered the table P.] Sche and þe dwerȝin fere.

20

King Arthour in þat stounde Het of þe table rounde [20. 230 Comaunded LINAP—that N.] Line 230 Four þe beste kniȝtes [231 F. of the b. kn. LINA; 4 knights in ffere P.] In armes hole and sounde, [232 und 233 umgestellt P.] [232 In armour A; To army him N.] [P 248] Þe beste, þat miȝte be founde, [233 fehlt L—Of the NP—b. armour that N—may A.] [P 247] Army him anoon riȝtes, [234 To a. LINAP—h.] Lyb. C; the (that P) childe NAP—an.] to I; at NA; ffull P—right P.] [R 210] Line 235

And seide: 'Þorȝ helpe of Crist, [235 He INA—th. þe helpe L; th. (in I; with A) the grace NIA; th. the might P.] [P 250] Line 235 Þat in flome was baptist, [236 in þe fl. CLI; in the (om. P) fl. Jourdan NP—w.] tok C.] He schall helde all his hiȝtes [237 That he schuld A—holde uppe L—a. h.] his A; oure I—hightL; hestes CI—That he schulde haue myght N; He shold doe that he hight P.] And be good champioun [238 bicome NAP—g.] a P; a g. INA.] To þe lady of Sinadoun [239 Vnto þat I.] And fille her fon in fiȝtes.' [240 To N—sle INA—his A—foo IN; ffoemen P—fyght LNP—And holde vp alle her ryȝtes C.] Line 240

21

To army him wer þey fain: [21. 241 und 242 umgestellt A.] [241 h.] om. C—þei wer AP; þer (þe LN) knyȝtes wer CLN—full f. A.] Þe ferste was sir Gawein, [242 þe f. w.] Sir Percevale and NAP.] Þat oþer sir Percevale, [243 þeo toþir I—In that semely sale (= 249) NA; And arrayed him like a knight P.] Þe þirde was sir Iwein, [244 þyrþe C—w.] om. C—s.] om. I—Eweyn CINA; Agrauaine P.] [R 220] Þe ferþe sir Agrafain; [245 And the P—ferþde C—was s. CNAP; highte L—Agra∣frayn C; Agfayne L; Egrefayn I; Griffayn N; Geffreyn A; Ewaine P.] [P 260] Line 245 So seiþ þe frensche tale. [246 Thus LIN—telleth LINA—fr. in t. A—Them right ffor to behold P.] Þey caste on him of selk [247 h.] om. A—of s.] right good s. P; a scherte of s. C.] A gipell whit as melk [248 At N—griffown I; gippon N;ryppon A; sorkett L; sercote P—as wh. CNP—as any m. P.] In þat semely sale, [249 a N—That s. was in s. LI; Emong þem chosyn som (!) fayle A; That was worth 20: of golde P.] And an hauberk briȝt, [250 A.] A. syȝt C; There on L; þat oþir I; Alsoe P—hambreke A—br.] ffaire and br. P.] Line 250 Þat richely was adiȝt [251 That ful riche (rychely A) w. NA; Which was ffull richelye P—ydyȝt IN; dyght LAP.] Wiþ mailes þikke and smale. [252 maile N; nayles AP—grete a. sm. INA; good a. ffine P.]

22

Gawein, his owene sire, [22. 253 Syr G. LP—s.] fere A; ffather P.] Heng aboute his swire [254 sw.] necke there P.] [R 290] A scheld wiþ a griffoun, [255 one LN—gryffyn A; chefferoun L. 256-258 folgen nach 259-264 C. Die anfänge von 256-264 unvollständig (ein stück pergament abgerissen) I.] [P 270] Line 255 An helm of riche atire, [256 And an CLNP—of r. entere A; that was ffull rich P—... helm of r. entyre I.] [R 238] Þat was stele and noon ire, [257 þ.] om. N—In all the Land there was none such P; ... was st. a. n. irne I.] Percevale sette on his croun; [258 Sir P. LNP—on cr. A—.. wal s. on h. cr. I.] [R 240] Launcelet him brouȝt a sper, [259 And L. C; Gefferen A; Sir Agrauaine P—br. h. LP; br. with h. A—A griffon he brouȝt with him N; .. elot br. h. a sp. I.] [R 232] In werre him wiþ to were, [260 In armes L—In w. wiþ hym well to w. C; That was gode (in euery were (euery where P) AP; .. wiþ him to beore I.] Line 260 And a fell fauchoun; [261 A. also a C—A. of a ffell ffashion P; ... fawchoun I.] Iwein him brouȝt a stede, [262 Ew. NA; And syr Oweyn C; Sir Ew. P—br. h. LP;br. with h. NA—.. ȝt him a st. I.] Þat was good at nede [263 at euerych n. CA; in euery n. NP—... at n. I.] And egre as lioun. [264 As e. N; And as ffeirce P—as eny l. LNAP—... ny lyoun I.] [R 237]

23

Þe kniȝt to hors gan spring [23. 265 The yong kn. N; The knyghtes A—Sir L. on his steede g. spr. P.] [P 280] Line 265 And rod to Arthour þe king [266 r. fforth vnto P—Arth.] om. IP.] And seide: 'My lord hende, [267 He I—my l. so h. N; my l. wiþ crowne A; L. of renowne P.] Ȝef me þy blessinge! [268 your P.] Anoon, wiþ oute dwellinge [269 Withoute eny (more I) dw. (lettyng NP; lesing A) LINAP.] My will is forþ to wende.' [270 f.] om. N; for CI; nowe L; fforth me P; gode A—w.] fone A.] Line 270

Arthour his hond up haf [271 The King h. h. vpp did lifft P.] And his blessinge him ȝaf, [272 bl. he hym CNA; bl. to him P—gaue right P.] As corteis king and kende, [273 And N—k. a. hende C; hende kyng I—As a king full kynd A; As a Knight courteour and hende P.] [P 288] [Statt 274-276 stehen in P 6 verse (= P 289-294):

And said: 'god, that is of might, And his mother Marry bright, [P 290] That is fflowre of all women, Giue thee gracce ffor to gone, Ffor to gett the ouerhand of thy fone And speed thee in thy iourney!' Amen. P

274 He I—ȝeue ILNA—space I.] And seide: 'God graunte þe grace [R 250] And of spede space, [275 Off sp. a. eke of sp. L; (And yeue the (To haue IA) sp. a. sp. (grace I) NIA.] Line 275 To bringe þat birde of bende!' [276 borow A—þe C—lady CA—out of b. CLN; hend A.]

24

Þe maide stout and gay [24. 277 may I; messangere L—was st. a. LIN; þat was so A—Sir Lyb. now rideth on his way P.] [P 295] Lep on her palfray; [278 And l. LIN—to N—And soe did that ffaire may P.] Þe dwerȝ rod hir be side. [279 dw. alsoe r. P—them bes. P; by hir s. LIN.] Till þe þirde day [280 And tyll C: Vntil N; T. on LI; T. vpon A; T. itt beffell vpon P.] Line 280 Upon þe kniȝt alwey [281 Apon I; Sone vpon A; On L—that kn. L; him I—a.] om. A; all the way P.] Faste sche gan to chide [282 Euer CN—he L; they P, than A—began C—to] om. CI; þei A.] [P 300] And seide: 'Lorell caitif! [283 l. and k. CP; thou wrecche thou c. N.] Þauȝ þou wer worþ swich five, [284 Iff A—worþ] om. NP; worthy A—swyw f. C; so stife N.] [R 260] Y-tint nou is þy pride: [285 Yt. n.] Lorne L; Lost P; Sone l. IN; Lorn þan A—weore I—all thy pr. P] Line 285 Þis pase kepeþ a kniȝt, [286 p.] p. before C; place beforne L; place N; wey AP.]

Þat wiþ ech man will fiȝt; [287 þ.] om. N—eueri NAP—m. he wol N.] His name is spronge wide: [288 n. spryngeþ INP; wordes spryngen L—full w. LN.]

25

William Salebraunche; [25. 289 He hat ser W. L; He hyȝht W. IA; His name is W. P—Celebronche C; Celabronche N; de la ravnche L; de la brawunche I; de la Braunche P; Dolebraunche A.] His fiȝt may no man staunche; [290 fighting N; wraþþe I; warre A; warres P.] Line 290 He is werrour out of witte. [291 is a w. LP—out of w.] of w. I; so wyth C; of great pride P.] Þoruȝ herte oþer þoruȝ haunche [P 310] [292 Boþe þ. IAP; But thr. N—o. þ.] and INAP.] Wiþ his sper he will launche [293 His sp. he w. throwe l. L; Sone wol he heom l. I; (Full sone (Swithe P) he wyll þe l. AP.] All þat aȝens him rit.' [R 270] [294 Who so L—to P—ryȝtte C; rides P; sytt L; set I; mete N—All þat he may hytte A.] Quoþ Libeaus Desconus: [295 þan seyd CP—L. D.] Sir Lyb. P.] Line 295 'Is his fiȝtinge of swich us? [296 fyght L—of sw. us] sw. vys C—Y sweore by swete Ihesus I; That wey wyll we aventour vs A; I will not Lett this nor thus P.] Was he never y-hitte? [297 And w. N—þat he w. n. ȝet hut I; Iff we may hym mete A; To play with him a ffitt P.] For auȝt, þat may betide, [298 any thing P—þ.] om. A—What so euer me betyde C; Tide so whate bitide N.] To him I will ride [299 Ayenes LIA—will I LIA; schalle y N—I will against h. r. P.] And loke, hou he sit.' [300 To LAP—se LI—hou] if A; if that P; h. fast IN—set I; can s. P; will s. LA (sytte in fytte geändert L).] Line 300

26

Þey ride forþ all þre [26. 301 The r. f. A; Forþ þey r. C; Than r. they f. N; The r. on then P.] Upon a faire cause [302 Apon I; On A—that LN—Wiþ merþe and greet solempnyte C.] [P 320] Be þe chapell auntrous. [303 Biside NAP; Ryght to L—þe] om. L; a C; þat I—ch. of a. NA; castell au. C; aduen∣turous chappell P.]

Þe kniȝt þey gonne y-se [304 And þe C; þat IN; A AP—g. þay IA; anon they can P—see LINAP.] [R 280] In armes briȝt of ble [305 With a. P; In armour NA; I armeþ C.] Line 305 Upon þe point perilous. [306 Apon I—pont I; bridge P; vale C—of perrill P.] He bar a scheld of grene [307 þeo I—all of P.] Wiþ þre liouns of gold schene, [308 sch.] I wene A.] Well proude and precious; [309 W.] om. INA—Right rich and precyous P.] Of swich lengell and trappes; [310 Of wych C; To suche N; Of sute L—lengels N; lynnell L—Wiþ sotil gyse of trappes I; Wele (was armed (a. w. P) þat knyȝht AP.] Line 310 To delen ech man rappes [311 e. m.] men IN; strokys and L—For soth at all ryght A; As he shold goe to ffight P.] Ever he was fous. [312 That knyght was (evyr vyous (irows I) LI; E. hath bene his vse N; As it was his vse AP.] [P 330]

27

Whan he hadde of hem siȝt, [27. 313 And wh. C—had of Lib. a siȝt N; sawe L. (ser L. AP) with (in A) syght LIAP.] To hem he rod full riȝt [314 Agayne L—him LI—cam I—f.] om. LI—He r. to him f. r. NA; Anon he went to him arright P.] [R 290] And seide: 'Welcome, beaufrere! [315 w. boon frere I; w. bew∣fere L; w. beaupere N; þou my bewpere A; to him there P.] Line 315 Who so rit her day oþer niȝt, [316 Ho þat rydyȝt C—Who passeth here by d. or n. P; Whate man that he furth riȝt N.] Wiþ me he mot fiȝt [317 mot take f. C—Certer (!) w. me m. f. P; He most nedys (om. N) with me f. LN.] Oþer leve his armes her.' [318 hir N—armure INA; harnesse P.] Quoþ Libeaus Desconus: [319 Well seyde C; Than seid N; Then answered P—sir L. IP—D.] om. P.] 'For love of swete Jhesus, [320 For (And said ffor P) the l. LINAP—of Jh. LIAP.] Line 320 Nou let us passe skere! [321 Lett vs nowe (om. IA) p. LIA; Lete vs p. n. NP—sk.] here LNAP; sure I.]

We haveþ forþ to wende [322 und 323 umgestellt LIAP.] [322 For we N; And LIAP—for C; fer NA; fer for IP; wylde wey L.] [P 341] And beþ fer from our frende, [323 We LIAP—our] om. A; any L—freondis I.] [P 340] I and þis meide in fere.' [324 mey A—This may and ich in f. NI.] [R 300]

28

William answerde þo: [28. 325 Sir W. IAP—Than seid W. tho N.] Line 325 'Þou schalt nouȝt scapy so, [326 And said thou P—myȝt C—ascape N; scape me A.] So god ȝeve me good reste! [327 me rest LN.] We willeþ, er þou go, [328 For we N; Thow and I P—shall LINA—our we go AP; bothe twoo LN.] Fiȝte boþe two [329 F. (Deale stroakes P) betweone (betwyx A) ows to (two AP) IAP; F. or than (that N) we goo LN.] A forlang her be weste.' [330 f.] litle P.] Line 330 Quoþ Libeaus: 'Nou I se, [331 þan seyde L. CN; Sir L. sayd P.] Hit nell non oþer be; [332 þat hyt CP; That N—will LAP; may IN—no betir be N.] [P 350] In haste do þy beste! [333 I h. L; In h. go I; Go forth and AP—þo dy C.] Tak þy cours wiþ schafte, [334 þou t. C; And t. IA—w. thin sh. LNAP.] [R 310] Ȝef þou art kniȝt of crafte, [335 be man (connyng N) of cr. AN; conne (well add. P) thy cr. LIP.] Line 335 For her is min all preste.' [336 myn is here IA; I ame here P.]

29

No lenger þey nolde abide; [29. 337 Then noe P—they wold P; wolde thei N—They wolde no l. ab. (byde A) LA; þanne wold þey nouȝt a. I.] Togeder þey gonne ride [338 But tog. LN—g. þei ANL—But the one to the other gan ryde P.] Wiþ well greet raundoun. [339 w.] om. NP; ful I; full a A—renowne N.] Libeaus Desconus þat tide [340 (And L. (Sir L. N; Sir L. there P) in þ. t. IANP.] Line 340

Smitte William in þe side [341 vnder L—Sm. Sir w. on his s. P.] Wiþ a sper feloun; [342 f.] so longe A.] But William set so faste, [343 B. Sir w. P; And W. C.] Þat his stiropes to-braste [344 Th. bothe h. L—styrap I; spere A—all tobr. AP.] [R 320] And his hinder arsoun. [345 A. (He leaned on P) his a. NP; Be God and be seynt Jhon A.] Line 345 William gan to stoupe, [346 That he begann LI; Than he b. A—Sir L. made him st.P.] Over his horses croupe [347 And o. N; And felle o. A; He smote him o. P; Mydde C—þat I; the P.] Þat he fell adoun. [348 In that N—And in the felde fell downe L; Into (In P) þe feld adoun IAP.]

30

His stede ran away; [30. 349 His horsse ran ffrom him a. P.] William nouȝt longe lay, [350 But W. LN; Sir W. P—ne naȝt C.] Line 350 But start up anoon riȝt [351 st.] om. I—anon vpright P.] And seide:'Be my fay! [352 He I—lay C—A. s. Sir by myin ff. P.] [P 370] Before þis ilke day [353 Bi this N—Never beffore (afore L; tofore I; or A) this day PLIA.] Ne fond I non so wiȝt: [354 Fonde I A; Y founde NP—neuer none N.] [R 330] Nou my stede is ago, [355 But nowe my st. is N; My st. is nowe LI; Now is my horsse P—go N; away IA; gone away P.] Line 355 Fiȝt a fote also, [356 Now f. I; Sir f. L, F. ye N; F. we C—on fote LINA; on P—also] y say I; I þe pray AP.] As þou art hendy kniȝt!' [357 Yff L—ye N—be LN—gentil kn. IA; a g. kn. LN; a Kn. worthye P.] Quoþ Libeaus Desconus: [358 Sayde L; þo s. C; Than s. NP—L. D.] Sir L. P.] 'Be þe love of swete Jhesus, [359 For A—leaue P—of Jh. CLI.] Þer to I am full liȝt!' [360 f.] riȝt N—Therto ffull ready I am P; Ther to þan wyll I lyȝht A.] Line 360

31

Togeder þey gonne spring [31. 361 g. þei ALI—dynge L; flyng I—Then tog. they went as tyte P; Swerdis thei drowe bothe N.] And fauchouns out to fling [362 Fauchouns hy gonn out fl. C; Wiþ f. (suerdes A) on to dyng IA; And with their swords they gan smite P; As men that were wrothe N.] [P 380] And fouȝte ferly faste. [363 A.] þey IP; The A—frely L; furthe N; wonderous P; fell and C—f.] Longe P.] So harde þey gonne dinge, [364 h.] fast N—drynge C—Dyntis con they d. LA; Suche dyntes lette þey slyng I; Stroakes together they lett fflinge P.] [R 340] Þat fier wiþ oute lesinge [365 The NA—That they ffyer out gan springe P. Die anfänge von 366-372 unvollständig (ein stück pergament weggerissen) I.] Line 365 Out of har helmes braste. [366 helme N—Ffrom of their h. strong P; From helme and basnett oute braste L;. . t of þat h. b. I.] But William Salebraunche [367 B. sir W. NP;.. W. I—Sele∣braunche C; Sellabraunche L; Celabronche N; de la braunche I; do la braunche P; Dolebraunce A.] Libeaus Desconus gan launche [368 L. D.] To L. LNA; To Sir L. P—gan he l. P—.. beus con he l. I.] Þorȝ out his scheld in haste; [369 þ. out] Through LNA; And smote on P—h.] þat C—in h.] on highe L; soe ffast P—.. his sch. in h. I.] A cantell fell to grounde; [370-372 fehlen L. 370 That one AP—quarter N—to the gr. P—.. l feol to gr. I.] Line 370 Libeaus þat ilke stounde [371 Sir (And A) Lib. in that st. NA; And Sir L. att that sonde P;. . s in þat st. I.] In herte was agast. [372 In hys h. CP—he w. a. N; hyt kaste C—. . was ag. I.] [P 390]

32

Þan Libeaus, wis and wiȝt, [32. 373 L. anone ryght L; Sire L. wiþ myȝt I; Sir L. al with myȝt NA; Then Sir L. with all his might P.] Defende him as a kniȝt, [374 He def. N; Before C—as a noble kn. C; with myght L; anone riȝt NAP.] [R 350] As werrour queinte and sliȝ. [375 Was P—qu.] wyȝt IAP; good N—slyȝt N.] Line 375 Barbel and crest in siȝt [376 Barbe LA; Hawberk C; Vesour N; Coyfe P—in s.] doun riȝt NAP.]

He made fle doun riȝt [377 lete N—to fle LP—d. r.] with (great add. P) myght NAP.] Of Williams helm on hiȝ [378 On A—Sir W. P—an C; in N.] And wiþ þe point of his swerd [379 A. w.] om. A; þanne IN—p. þan of A—the LN.] He schaved Williams berd [380 He] om. NA; Hit I—He cut of Sir w. b. P.] Line 380 And com þe flesch riȝt niȝ. [381 þe] hy (lies: hys) C—r.] not LIA; to N—A. touched him ffull nye P.] William smitte to him þo [382 Sir W. P—to Lib. L; Lib. INA; Sir Lyb. P—soo LA.] [P 400] Þat his sword brast a two, [383 As that P—is N—brake N—in two IAP.] Þat many man hit siȝ. [384 m. a man LIA; m. men N—s.] om. A—That many men might see with eye P.] [R 360]

33

Þo gan William to crie: [33. 385 Than g. W. mercy to cr. N; Then Sir W. began to cr. P; þus W. con crye IA.] Line 385 'For love of seint Marie, [386 For (And sayd ffor P) the l. LINAP—of M. LIAP.] A live let me passe! [387 On lyue IAP; On l. now L—p.] weelde P—Lete me on l. pas N.] Hit wer greet vilanie, [388 a gr. L.] To do a kniȝt to diȝe [389 Ffor to P—þo C; make AP—a] om. A—to] om. P; for to A.] Wepenles in place.' [390 in a pl. L; in þe pl. A; in the feeld P.] Line 390 Quoþ Libeaus Desconus: [391 þan seyde CN; Then spake P—L. D.] Sir L. P.] 'For love of swete Jhesus! [392 For the l. A; By the l. LIN; And sayd by the leaue P—of Jh. LIAP.] [P 410] Of live getest þou no grace, [393 g.] hast C—space IAP—Thou getist of me no gr. N.] But ȝef þou swere an oþ, [394 ȝ.] om. LIN—wilt sw. P; sw. me LN; sw. to me A—an oþ] anon IAP.] [R 370] Er þan we hennes goþ, [395 that we N; than ye L; þat thou A; thou P—h.] asondir N; out of the ffelld P; two C—gon AP—Apon my sweord broun I.] Line 395 Riȝt her before my face. [396 R.] om. INAP—h.] om. L—tofore I.]

34

In haste knele adoun [34. 397 In h.] Fast A; And on knees P—kn. þou L; thowe kn. NA—downe LP.] And swer on my fauchoun, [398 apon N; by P—f.] sweord broun INAP.] Þou schalt to Arthour wende [399 That thou P.] And sey: "Lord of renoun! [400 seid N—of great r. P.] Line 400 As overcome and prisoun [401 a.] om. LA—persoun L—I am come to your prisoun N; I am in battell ouerthrowne P.] A kniȝt me hider gan sende, [402 g.] om. IA; doth P.] [P 420] Þat is y-cleped in us: [403 is] ye L; men INAP—clepith NLI; cleped P; calys A—in your vse LN; þus AP.] Libeaus Desconus, [404 Sire L. IAP.] [R 380] Unknowe of keþ and kende." [405 Vnkothe LI; Unkough N—of kynde a. kithe N; of right a. keende L; knyght a. hend AP.] Line 405 William on knees doun set [406 kne A—d.] him LNA—sat C—Sir W. mett him on his knee P.] And swor, as he him het, [407 hat C; bede A—And the othe there made hee P.] Her forward, ord and ende. [408 H.] om. I—word CLI—Furthe (And f. A; And fforward P) gan he (he gan A) wynde NAP.]

35

Þus departe þey alle; [35. 409 parten (partid NA) þay alle INA; they dep. a. L; dep. all the rout P.] William to Arthours halle [410 Sir w. P; W. wente I; Home A—court P.] Line 410 Tok þe riȝte way. [411 He t. IAP—ready P.] A cas þer gan befalle: [412 As kas C; A sorry c. P—þ.] hyt C—began CA—falle CP; to f. A.] [P 430] Þre kniȝtes proud in palle [413 þre] om. C—prynces L—proude and tall P.] He mette þat selve day; [414 Sir w. m. P; Met he N—þ. ilke d. ILA; the same d. N; that d. P.] [R 390] His suster sones þre [415 þre] he mette there N—The knyghtis all thre LI; The thre knyȝhtes (all add. P) in fere AP.] Line 415 Wer þe kniȝtes fre, [416 Wher C—Feire knyȝtis and fre N; Weren his syster sonnes free L; Williams emessonis weoren heo I; Were his emyssones dere AP.]

Þat were so stout and gay. [417 so] om. INA—Stout they were a. g. P.] Whan þey siȝe William blede, [418 the say N—Sir w. P.] As men, þat wolde awede, [419 As wolfe th. N; As þay I—wede L; to wede I—Ther come to hym with dred A; And alway hanged downe his head P.] Þey made greet deray [420 And m. full gr. d. A; The mede of gr. d. N; They rode to him with gr. array P.] Line 420

36

And seide: 'Eem William! [36. 421 A.] þay IA—Cozen P; to N.] Who haþ do þe þis scham? [422 wrought L—to you P—þis] om. I—grame IA.] [P 440] Why bledest þou so ȝerne?' [423 And why bl. thou P; þat þou bl. C—soe long P.] He seide: 'Be seint Jame! [424 He s. Sirs by P; He s. bi god and bi N; By g. a. be L.] [R 400] On, þat is nouȝt to blame, [425 Of on þat N; Of that he L—is] om. C.] Line 425 A kniȝt stout and sterne; [426 stout] well st. L; þat is ful st. N—A stout (strong A) kn. and a (om. A) sturne (stronge P) IAP.] [R 402] Libeaus Desconus he hiȝt; [427-429 fehlen C. 427 Sir L. P.] To fille his fon in fiȝt [428 falle IN—foo N; enemyes P.] He nis nouȝt to lerne. [429 is INAP—noþinge L; nouȝt now I; not ffar P. Mit 429 schliesst das erste fragment von I.] A dwerȝ rit him before, [430-555 fehlen I. 430 ryȝt her bef. C; hym rode bef. A; rydeth with him in fere P.] [R 403] Line 430 His squier as he wore, [431 As he was his squier P.] And ek a well fair berne. [432 b.] wyȝt C; schene N—The (They P) rydyn forth (away P) full ȝerne AP.] [P 450]

37

But o þing greviþ me sore, [37. 433 greuyd A—more N.] Þat he haþ made me swore [434 m.] do C—He made me to sw. A.] Upon his fanchoun briȝt, [435 On AP; By L—bronde N; suerd AP—soe br. P.] Line 435 Þat I ne schall neuer more, [436 ne] om. LNAP—shold P.]

Till I come Arthour before, [437 c.] be L—A. b.] to (King add. P) A. AP.] [R 410] Sojourne day ne niȝt. [438 Stynte LNAP—by d. P—nor LP.] To him I mot me ȝeld [439 And alsoe to h. P; For pri∣soner C—I ame yeelde P.] As overcome in feld [440 in (into P) þe f. AP.] Line 440 Of his owene kniȝt [441 Bi power of h. kn. (might P) NAP.] And never aȝens him bere [442 Neuer A; Nor P; I shall neuer L—to b. A; ffor to b. P.] [P 460] Noþer scheld ne spere; [443 ne] noþer L; nor P.] All þus I have him hiȝt.' [444 All] om. LAP; And N—haue y L—bihiȝt N.]

38

Þan seide þe kniȝtes fre: [38. 445 fre] þre CNAP.] Line 445 'Þou schalt awreke be, [446 awr.] full well awr. C; wel ywreke N; wele avengyd A—Well auenged sh. thou bee P.] For soþe, wiþ oute faile! [447 F. s.] Sertys LNP; Serteyn A.] [R 420] He on aȝens us þre [448 He alone CN; Ffor he one P; Hym L—us] om. N.] Nis nouȝt worþ a stre, [449 Ys LA; He is NP—flc AP.] For to helde bataile. [450 To bide b. N.] Line 450 Wende forþ and do þin oþe, [451 Goe ff. P; Go A; Go f. William N; Wende thedyr L; W. f. eem C—keepe P.] And þauȝ þe traitour be wroþ, [452 thefe A—A. þe traytour be þe roþe (= rode) C; Though thou be neuer soe wroth P.] [P 470] We schull him asaile: [453 will P. 453^a (= R. 427) Ryȝt be godes grace add. C.] [R 426] Er he þis forest passe, [R 428] His hauberk we will to-rasse, [455 fehlt C. We schall (will P) his hamberke (armour P) vnlace (of bras N) ANP.] Line 455 Þauȝ hit be þikke of maile.' [R 429] ; [456 he C—were P—dykke of C; doubull AP—nayle A.] [P 474]

39 [39 fehlt in L (I) NAP.]

Nou lete we William be, [R 430] Þat wente in his jorne Toward Arthour þe king. Line 460

Of þese kniȝtes þreLine 460 Harkeneþ, lordinges fre, A ferly fair fiȝtinge! Þey armed hem full well In iren and in stel, Wiþ oute ony dwelling,Line 465 And lepe on stedes sterne And after gonne y-erne, [R 440] To sle þat kniȝt so ȝinge.

40

Her of wiste no wiȝt [40. 469 not (nothing P) þat wyght AP.] [P 475] Libeaus, þe ȝinge kniȝt, [470 Syr L. LP; Ne L. N—that LAP—gentil NAP.] Line 470 But rod forþ pas be pas. [471 He A—But rode a well good pace P.] He and þat maide briȝt [472 þ.] om. A.] Made togider all niȝt [473 Tog. m. C—a.] that LNAP.] Game and greet solas. [P 480] Mercy sche gan him crie, [475 And m. A—hy C—Shee cryed him mercye P.] Line 475 Þat sche spak vilanie; [476 For LNAP—hy C—sp. (had spoken LAP) him vil. NLAP.] He forȝaf her þat trespas. [477 And he NA—þ.] om. A; hur N—Shee prayed him to fforgiue her that tyde P.] [R 450] Þe dwerȝ was her squier [478 De C—hir L; hys A.] And served hem fer and ner [479 h.] om. A; her C—A. s. h. bothe in fere LP.] Of all, þat nede was. [480 myster w. A; worthi w. LN; they had need P.] Line 480

41

A morwe, whan hit was day, [41. 481 A morn C; On (þe add. AP) morowe LNAP—wh. þat hyt C.] Þey wente in har jornay [482 They rode NL; Fforthe the r. P; They r. furth A—on LNAP—wey AP.] Toward Sinadoune; Þan siȝe þey in þe way [484 þei se AP; met they L—in their w. PA; in w. N; knyȝtes þre C.] [P 490] Line 485

Þre kniȝtes stout and gay [485 In armes bryȝt of ble C.] Line 485 Ride out of Carlioune, [486 Rydynge L; Come (Came P) ridyng NAP—out of] from LNAP—Karlowne C; Carboun (!) L; Skarlyon A.] [P 492] All y-armed into þe teþ; [487-489 fehlen LNAP.] [R 460] Everich swor his deþ, On stedes baie and broune. [489 An C—and] om. C.] To him þey cride ariȝt: [490 sayd P—anone riȝt NAP—And cryde to hym full ryȝt C.] [P 493] Line 490 'Þef, turne aȝain and fiȝt, [491 Traytor LNP—aȝ.] thowe N—Turne aȝene tratoure and fyght A.] [492 Or els lete thi r. N; For þou schall leue thy r. A; Thou shalt lose thy r. P; Wiþ þe we denkeþ (= þenkeþ) roune C. 492^a^-^c:

For here we westward wende; Thyne haubrek we schall rende; Ther to we bethe full bounde. add. L And that maide (om. A) briȝt, That is so feire (of siȝt (in fyght A), (Lede we wolle to (We schall lede to þe A) toune. add. NA And that maide ffaire and bright [P 496] Wee will her lead att night. Herby vnto a towne. add. P [P 498]

] Or leve her þy renoun!' [P 495]

42

Libeaus Desconus þo cride: [42. 493 Syr L. (to hem (þan he A) cr. (gan crye P) LNAP.] [P 499] 'I am redy to ride [P 500] [494 Ffor to ffight I am all readye P.] Aȝens ȝou alle in same.' [495 y s. C.] Line 495 He priked, as prince in pride, [496 As (A P) prince (princis N) prouude in (of P) pride LNAP.] His stede in boþe side, [R 470] [497 He prekyd h. st. LNA—on eche s. L; that tide NA—He rode against them that tyde P. 497^a And to them stoutly con ryde add. L.] In ernest and nouȝt in game. [498 Al in N; On L—and yn g. C—With mirth sport and game P.] Þe eldest broþer gan bere [499 g.] than NP.] To sir Libeaus a spere; [500 with a Sp. P.] Line 500 Sir Gower was his name. [501 S.] om. L—Gawer N; Banerere A; Baner P—is N.]

Libeaus rod him so niȝ, [502 But L. C; Sir L. NAP—r.] om. C—to h. NA; att h. P; Gower L—so n.] anone NAP.] Þat he brak his þiȝ, [503 fehlt A. þ. he] And NP—tobr. L; br. in tow P—his] Go∣wers L—thigh bone P; rigge bone N.] And ever eft he was lame. [P 510] [504 And e. after w. l. L; And lete (lefte A) him ligge (l. there P; þer as A) lame NAP.]

43

þe kniȝt groned for paine; [43. 505 The kn. (hym add. A) merci gan crye NAP.] Line 505 Libeaus wiþ miȝt and maine [506 Sir L. than (om. A) sicurlye NA; When S. L. certainely P.] Felde him flat adoun. [R 480] [507 Held h. fast ad. LNA; Had smitten him downe P.] Þe dwerȝ Teodolein [508 Teon∣deleyn C; Deodolyne N; of Theodoleyn L; mayster Wyndeloyn A; that hight Teodline P.] Tok þe stede be þe raine [509 his horsse P] And lep into þe arsoun [510 He P—l. up LN—in the LA—sadyll aboune A.] Line 510 And rod forþ also sket, [511 f.] hym C—He rode than (anon P) with that NAP.] Þer þe maide set, [512 þer þat þe C—m. Elyne s. L—To (Vnto P) the maide (mey A) ther (where P) scho sate NAP.] Þat fair was of fasoun. [513 was fayr C.—So f. off f. AP; Of so feire face N.] Þo lonȝ þat maide briȝt [P 520] [514 Than LNAP—this L; þe A—mey A.] And seide: 'Þis ȝinge kniȝt [515 s. that this L; s. fforssooth th. P.] Line 515 Is chose for champioun.' [R 489] [516 Was well y-ch. ch. N; Is a (ffull add. P) gode ch. AP.]

44 [44 fehlt in C.]

Þe middell broþer beheld, [(Der Schreiber ist von broþer 517 auf broþer 529 übergesprungen).] [517 medyllest LA; 2^d P—br. stode and b. N; br. he b. P.] Hou his broþer in þe feld [518 H.] om. NA—br. lay in P.] Hadde lore main and miȝt. [519 And had P; And A—bothe m. a. m. L; strenght a. m.P.] He smitte, as hit is teld, [520 so NA—He sm. Sir L. in that tyde P.] Line 520

Sir Libeaus in þe scheld [521 Unto sir Libious is sch. N; On the sheeld with much pride P.] Wiþ his spere full riȝt. [P 528] [522 a NA—f.] anone NA.] Þe schaft a two did braste; [523-525 fehlen NAP.] Þe hede stiked faste In place, þer hit was piȝt.Line 525 Libeaus þan gan bere [P 529] [526 Sir L. NP—þ.] awey NAP.] Wiþ þe point of his spere [P 530] [527 of a sp. N—W. his good speare P.] Þe helm awey of þe kniȝt. [528 The h. of þat kn. AP.]

45

Þe ȝingest com y-erne [R 490] [45. 529 ȝ.] myddell (cf. 517) broþer C; ȝong br. A; yon∣gest br. LNP—c. y.] full yerne L; gan furth ride NA; then gan ride P.] Upon a stede sterne, [530 st. full st. L—And prekid his stede that tide NA; And hitt Sir L. in that tyde P.] Line 530 Egre as lioun. [P 534] [531 As e. as eny l. L; E. as l. wiȝt NA; As a man of much might P.] [Statt 532-534 stehen in NAP 6 verse:

He (And P) seide to (sir Libious (him then P) anone: [P 535] '(Sir knyȝt (Sir thou art P), bi seint John, (Thou art (om. P) a fel champioun (and liȝt (om. AP). Bi god, that (deide on tre (sitteth in trinitye P), Fight (Just A) y schalle (wyll AP) with the, Y trowe (hope P), and (to AP) bere the doun.' NAP [P 540]

532 w.] can L.] Him þouȝte, his body wold berne, But he miȝt also ȝerne Fille Libeaus adoun. [P 540] [534 Bere L—downe L.] As werrour out of witte [P 541] Line 535 Libeaus on þe helm he smitte [536 þe] om. C—sm.] hit L—On Lib. (Sir L P) gan (then P) he hitte NAP.] Wiþ a fell fauchoun. His strok so harde he sette; [538 So styffe (stifflye P) a (his NAP) stroke (strokes AP) he set LNAP.] Þorȝ helm and basnet [R 500] [539 That through P.] Þat sword toched his croun. [540 Hit clave in Lyb. crowne L; He carue Lib. (ser Lyb. AP) croun NAP.] Line 540

46

Þo was Libeaus agreved, [46. 541 Than A; That N—wax L—ser L. A—Sir L. was served in that stead P.] Whan he feld on his heved [542 f.] frede N—on hedde C.] Þat sword wiþ egre mode. [543 The LA; A N—of NA—That the sword had drawen blood P.] His brond aboute he weved; [P 550] [544 swerde NA—ab. hym he A; ab. him N—wende LN; heuyd A—About his head the sword he waued P.] All þat he hitte, he cleved [545 he h.] him toke N—fforsoothe he cl. P; he shende L.] Line 545 As werrour wild and wode. [546 vnwyse a. wode A; wight a. good P.] 'Allas!', he seide þo, [547 Full fast men saide tho L; Than seide Lib. tho N; Than he seyd so A; Sir L. said swithe thoe P.] 'Oon aȝeines two [548 Oon] A man L; One to ffight P.] To fiȝte, þat is nouȝt good.' [R 510] [549 To f.] om. P.—þat ys g. C; is nothinge g. LP; it is nouȝt g. NA.] Well faste þey smitte to him, [550 Fast NAP; Harde L—he LN—hewe LNA; hewed then P—on LNAP.] Line 550 And he wiþ strokes grim [551 he] om. A—W. grete str. and gr. N; W. str. great a. gr. P.] Well harde aȝens hem stod. [R 513] [552 W. h.] Styfly LA; And stife N—him L—Against them he stifflye stood P.]

47

But þorȝ godes grace [47. 553-558 fehlen C. 553 And P.] Þat oþer broþer he gan brace [P 560] [554 He smote the myddelist (eldest P) in þe (þat AP) place NAP.] Under his riȝt arm þo. [555 Vppon NP—the NAP—so A.] Line 555 He þrew him in þat place, [Mit 556 beginnt das zweite fragment von I: 556-792. 556 þr.] fledde N; feld A; hitt P—h.] om. N; h. soe P—in luytel space I; in that caas N.] And in þat ilke space [557 A.] om. IA—selfe L—place I—To see itt was a wonderous case P.] His left arm brast a two. [558 þat his I; The N—riȝt NAP—br. a two] fel him fro INAP.] Þe ȝingest siȝ þat siȝt; [R 514] [559 s. with s. L; s. in s. A—þo sawe þese knyȝtes C.] Line 560

He nadde main ne miȝt, [560 That he LA; And thought hee P—ne had L; hadde no INP; h. noþer A—m. no m. I; might P—þey ne hadde no myȝtes C.] Line 560 To fiȝte aȝens his fo. [561 her C.] To Libeaus up he ȝelde [562 To syr L. CP; Tho N—he gan (did P) vp ȝ. AP; þey gon vp ȝ. C; heo yeold I; vp he helde L.] His spere and ek his schelde [563 His good Sp. P; Bothe his sp. N; B. har sperys C—a. his INA; a. har C; and P.] And mercy cride him þo. [P 570] [564 A.] om. AP—m. he cr. NAP—h.] om. NA.]

48

Libeaus answerde: 'Nay! [R 520] [48. 565 Sir L. IN; Anon S. L. P—seyd AP.] Line 565 Þou scapest nouȝt so away, [566 Thou asc. n. L; þe ne askapeþ C; þow schalt n. INAP—so go a. N; go so a. A; a. I; passe this a. P.] Be god, þat schop mankende! [567 g.] hym LINAP—holpe L; bouȝt INAP—m.] vs bothe N.] Þou and þy breþeren tway [568 But thou P—brederen C—twayne CLP.] Schull pliȝt her ȝour fay, [569 Ȝe sch. INA—pl.] sicour N—h.] om. I; me LNA—fayne L—Plight your trothes without Layine P.] To king Arthour to wende [570 Ye shullen to A. w. LINA; That yee will to King A. w. P.] Line 570 And sey: "Lord of renoun! [571 So ȝe schall sey A—lordis N—of great r. P; of renounes C. 571^a To yelde you towre and towne add. N.] As overcome and prisoun [572 a.] om. NA; rasur L—prysouns C; presond N; persoune L—In battaill wee be ouer∣come P.] A kniȝt us hider gan sende, [573 me LI—g.] om. IA; hath P 574 und umge∣stellt C.] To ȝelde ȝou tour and toun [R 530] [P 580] [574 Ffor to P; And C—thee P.] And dwelle in ȝour bandoun [R 529] [575 To C; And to P—beon I; be NAP—undir N; at AP—thy P—re∣noun A.] Line 575 Ay, wiþ outen ende." [576 Ever LIA; Euermore P—To oure lyuys ende N.]

49

And but ȝe will do so, [49. 577 Bot I; B. if A; And b. if P—þo so C; so doo L.] Certes, I schall ȝou slo, [578 I] om. A—will LIP—sle you two N.]

Long er hit be niȝt.' [579 Er þan h. C—As I am true Knight P.] Þe kniȝtes swere þo, [580 The knyght A; Anon they P—sw. (to add. NP) him þoo INP; sw. two L; sw. it schuld be so A.] Line 580 Þey wolde to Arthour go; [581 That thei NP—shulde LINA.] Her treuþes þer þey pliȝt. [R 537] [582 And CN—trewes C; trowythe L; trewthe NA—þ. þ.] to him thei NA; anon the P; connon heo I. 582^a (= R 538) þus departede day (= þay) add. C.] Libeaus and þat may [R 539] [583 Sir L. a. that ffaire M. P.] Wente in her jornay, [P 590] [584 fehlt C. Ryd∣den L; Rode fforth P—on IAP—heo I; the P—way NP.] As þey hadde tiȝt. [R 540] [585 Thyder as AP; Ther L; þider I—wer A—yheȝt N; hight P.] Line 585 Till þe þirde day [586 T. that the L; T. on þe A; T. itt beffell on the P; Vnto þe I—therday L.] Þey ride in game and play, [587 The ffell together in P.] He and þat maide briȝt. [588 burde INA.]

50

Þey riden ever west [50. 589 even L; ay A; fforthe on P—And euer þ. r. w. C.] In þat wilde forest, [590 Into a INAP; Into the L—wyde P; grene N.] Line 590 Toward Sinadoune. [591 And myȝt not (om. P) come to (noe add. P) toun (= 594) NAP.] Þey niste, what ham was best; [592 The P—ne wist NP; wyst not A—h.] om. NAP—w.] way P—Nyȝt on heom com fast I.] Take þey wolde reste [593 w. fayne r. L—Nedis (For nede A; Ffor there P) thei must (needs add P) rest NAP; In þat wilde forest I.] And miȝt nouȝt come to toun. [P 600] [594 towe L—And ther they (he A) liȝte adoun (cf. 591) NAP.] In þe grene greves [R 551] [595 Amonge P—eues P.] [595 und 596 umge∣stellt C.] Line 595 Þey diȝte a logge of leves [R 550] [596 They (The N) made a l. PN; A l. þey d. C; þay logged (byged A) heom IA—with l. IA; with bower and l. P.] Wiþ swordes briȝt and broune: [597 suerd A—briȝt] om. I—browe L.]

Þer inne þey dwelde all niȝt, [P 605] [598 Dwelled there all n. P.] [598 und 599 umgestellt P.] He and þat maide briȝt, [P 604] [599 He] Sir Lyb. P—burde INA.] Þat was of fair fasoun. [600 Þ. w. so f. of f. CP; So f. of f. INA.] Line 600

51

And ever þe dwerȝ gan wake, [51. 601 A. þe C; Then the P; A. e. þat I—began to P. Die anfänge von 602-609 unvollständig (ein stück pergament weggerissen) I.] For noo þef schuld take [602-604 fehlen N. 602 That LA—noe theeues P; nothinge L—ne sch. t. C; sh. be t. L.—. . . no th. sch. t. I.] Har hors away wiþ gile. [603 Awey þer hors (horsses P) w. g. AP; . . . heore hors w. g. I.] For drede he gan to quake; [P 610] [604 Then ffor feare he began P—to] om. LA—. . rede he g. to qu. I.] Greet fier he siȝ make [R 560] [605 For gr. f. C; A gr. f. AP; A f. N—. . he s. m. I.] Line 605 Þannes half a mile. [606 Fro him (them P) nouȝt (but P) halfe (om. AP) a m. NAP—. . ennes h. a. m. I.] 'Aris!' he seide, 'sir kniȝt, [607 Rise A; Ar. Sir L—sir] om. L; yong C; worthy P—. . saide s. kn. I.] To horse þat þou wer diȝt, [608 ye L; we AP—ydyȝt C—. . þat þ. w. d. I.] For doute of more perile. [609 dred LN—of p. CA—. . e of any gyle I.] For, certes, I here greet bost [610 Certis I LNAP; For I C—gr.] om. L; a gr. P.] Line 610 And fele a smelle of rost, [611 A. f. grete sm. L; Y haue a sm. N; A. (I add. A) haue sauowr IA; Alsoe I smell a savor P—A. fer smelle r. C.] Be god and be seint Gile! [612 be] om. CI.]

52

Libeaus was stout and fer [52. 613 Sir L. NAP—fayre L; frechs I; gay NAP.] And lep on his destrer, [P 620] [614 vpon LP—desteyre L; destres l; palfrey NAP.] Hente scheld and spere [R 570] [615 And h. LIAP; He h. N—tooke his sh. P. 616 steht nach 617 L, nach 618 I.] Line 615

And rod toward þe fier, [616 A.] As he LNA; Whan he I—com I; went NA—to þeo f. I; furthe (ffull add. P) fast NAP.] And whan he niȝed ner, [617 wh. that he L—As he com heom neore I; II jeyauntis he founde at the (om. P) last NAP.] Two geauntes he siȝ þer, [618 syȝh he I—Whan that he come there N; When he com to þe fyr A; [That] strong and stout were P.] Þat on red and loþlich, [619 The one AP—was r. a. l. CL; was blak as pych (any sole P) INAP.] Þat oþer swart as pich, [620 And þat C; The AP—black as eny p. L; red and lodlych IN; was r. a. l. A; as red as ffyerye cole P.] Line 620 Grisly boþe of chere. [621 Fowle (Ful fowle NA) þay weoren of ch. INA; And ffoule bothe they were P.] Þe blak held in his barme [622 þeo bl. geawnt IAP; þat oon C—gan holde N—in b. IN; in his arme LAP.] A maide y-clipped in arme, [623 yn hys a. (barme L) CL—A faire maide by þeo arme (barme P) INAP.] As briȝt as blosme on brere. [P 630] [624 So br. L; Br. INAP—so N—blosle C; rose INAP—in N.]

53

þe rede geaunt sterne [R 580] [53. 625 st.] full yerne LIAP; so yorne N.] Line 625 A wilde boor gan terne [626 On a spitte a bore N; Aboute he A; Swythe about P. 627-629 fehlen N.] Aboute upon a spite. [627 Ab.] A wyld bore AP—apon L; on LAP.] Þat fier briȝt gan berne; [628 The LINA—br.] fast A—Ffaire the ff. g. b. P.] Þe maide cride ȝerne, [629 þat may I—full ȝ. AP; as ȝ. I.] Þat som man schuld her wite, [630 For LNAP—s. m.] men P—h.] it LNAP; her þer C—wete CN.] Line 630 And seide: 'Wailaway! [631 Heo I; Sho NAP—W.] euer wayle a waye L; wely wey A; alas þis daye I; alas and euer away P.] Þat ever I bod þis day, [632 abode P; abede N; shulde bide L.] Wiþ two fendes to sitte. [633 Bitwene N—devylles LINAP—for to P—sette C.]

Nou help, Marie milde, [P 640] [634 H. now A; H. me LN; H. I—H. M. that is soe m. P.] For love of þy childe, [R 590] [635 For the l. NP—the P.] Line 635 Þat I be nouȝt forȝite!'

54

Quoþ Libeaus: 'Be seint Jame! [54. 637 Q. sir L. I; þan seyde L C; Than L. L; Sir L. said P.] To save þis maide fro schame, [638 Ffor to P—wynne I; bring NAP—that P—may IA—out of N.] Hit wer a fair aprise: [639 H.] þat I—a f. apryse C; en∣pure enprise L; a (om. A; ffull P) gret prys IAP. 640-642 stehen nach 643-645 NA.] To fiȝte wiþ boþe in same, [640 But for to LP—b.] heom I; them A; ham bothe N—in shame P.] Line 640 Hit is no childes game; [641 wer C; was A.] Þey beþ so grimme and grise.' [642 þ.] þat C—so] fulle N.] He tok his cours wiþ schafte [643 w. a. sh. L; w. his sch. NAP.] As kniȝt of kende crafte [P 650] [644 As a kn. L; As a man P; As man NA—of k.] þat couþe his INAP.] And rod be riȝt asise. [R 600] [645 A. he r. P—at the r. a. N; both ryȝht and wyse A.] Line 645 Þe blak he smitte smert [646 þe bl. geaunt CLA; þat on I—he sm. all soe sm. P; can to sm. L.] Þorȝ liver, longe and herte, [647 þ. þe l. CP—longe] om. A; longen N—Th. lounge and eke thorought h. L; þ. þeo breost in to þeo hert I.] Þat never he miȝte arise. [648 he m. n. P; n. m. he A; he no m. I; neuer after cann L—ryse AP; rysse L.]

55

Þo fliȝ þat maide schene [55 649 Than AP; And than N—the L.] And þonked hevene quene, [650 A. th. tho (Marye P) h. qu. LP. Nach 650 And by þeo hond hire hente wieder ausgestrichen I.] Line 650 Þat swich socour her sente. [651 That soc. (had add. P) hur s. NP; Such soc. (grace A) god (sche A) had h. s. IA.] Þo com þat maide Elene, [652 þan IAP; That N—þ.] om. NP; the LI—may I; medyn A.] Sche and þe dwerȝ bedene, [653 Heo I—her dw. y mene C—And by the dw. dene P.] And be þe hond her hente [P 660] Line 655

And ladde her into þe greves, [R 610] [655 A.] þay INA—l. h.] went NP; w. þan A—to þe gr. AN; into lewes I.] Line 655 Into þat logge of leves, [656 the LN—of grene l. N; of grewes I—And leyd (lodged P) them in (vnder P) þe leuys AP.] Wiþ well good entent [657 In P—full A; ryȝt I; a P—talent C.] And praide swete Jhesus, [658 A. (shee add. P) be∣sought LNP; þanne þay b. I; They than b. A—sw.] om. INAP.] Helpe Libeaus Desconus, [659 To h. A; Ffor to h. P; That he wolde h. N; For to spede I—L. D.] sire L. IP.] Þat he wer nouȝt y-schent. [660 beo n. IN; ne n. L; was n. P; schuld n. be A—shent LAP.] Line 660

56

Þe rede geaunt smitte þore [56. 661 sm.] om. C.—þer A; sore I.] To Libeaus wiþ þe bore, [662 Smot to C; Att P—sir L. LIAP—the wilde b. N; a b. A.] As man, þat wold awede. [663 As (a add. P) wolfe LINAP—þ. w. wede I; th. w. of wede N; þ. wer full (om. P) wode AP; oute off wede L.] His strokes he sette so sore, [P 670] [664 H.] þe C—strok I; dynnte LN: dyntes AP—smote L—so] om. N.] Þat Libeaus stede þerfore [R 620] [665 sir L. NAP; hys C—cursere C; horsse P—tofore I.] Line 665 Deed to grounde ȝede. [666 Downe LINAP—to þe gr. AP—he yode NA.] Libeaus was redy boun [667 bounde L—Sir L. than ful smert NA; Then S. L. with ffeirce hart P.] And lep out of þe arsoun, [668 l. of þeo I; l. on his L—Out of his sadille (swythe he add. P) stert NAP.] As sperk doþ out of glede, [669 sparkyll LIN; sperkyls A; spartle P—þoȝ (lies: doþ) C—out of] of IN; on LA—gl.] fyer P.] And egre as a lioun [670 As e. N; With hartt e. L; Egre IA; Feir[c]ely P—any INAP] Line 670 He fauȝt wiþ his fauchoun, [671 smote A—a I—tronchoun I; swerde broun NA.] To quite þe geaunt his mede. [P 678] [672 ȝelde N—geauntes CIN—m.] hyer P.]

[56^a von NAP (= P 679-690) hinzugefügt:

The giaunt with the spit ȝaue a stroke, [672^a The Gyants spitt sickerlye PA.] But the butte of a yong oke, [P 680] [672^b Was mour than a coltre (cowle tree P) AP.] That he had on the bore. [672^c had] rosted P.] He leide on Libeous fast, [672^d on Sir L. P.] While the spit wolde last, [672^e All the while P—sper A—w.] did P.] Line 672e Euer more and more. [682^g f.] soe P.] The bore was ful hote than; [672^h That on P—The grece on Lyb. ran A.] On sir Libeons the grece ran [672ⁱ Right ff. th. P; And þat greuyd hym sore A.] Swithe fast thore. The giaunt was stife and strong;Line 672k XV fote he was longe [672^l And XV A.] And smote Libeous sore. [P 690] [672^m He sm. Sir L. ffull s. P; He sm. fast wiþ þe bore A.]

]

57

Þe geaunt ever fauȝt, [P 691] [57. 673 Euer (Bote e. I; And e. NA; E. still P) the g. f. (om. N; smote AP) LINAP.] And at þe seconde drauȝt [674 But L—To (Att Sir P) Lib. wel y wote NAP.] His spite brak atwo. [R 630] [675 Tille his NA; Till the P—sp.] om. A; spere L—barst LP—in two IAP; on two N; evyn a twoo L.] Line 675 As man, þat wer unsauȝt, [R 632] [676 und 677 umgestellt C.] [676 Then as m. P; As a m. CN—was LNAP—vpsawȝt C; wrath P.] A tre in honde he cauȝt, [R 631] [677 Ffor a P—tronchon LINAP—in h. he] vp he IN; he vp A; oute he L; fforth he P—lauȝt IL; goth P.] To fiȝte aȝens his fo, And wiþ þe ende of þe tre [679 A.] om. INA—þat I—e.] hede L; tronchoun I—of treo I; of a tre N; of that spitt P.] He smitte his scheld a þre; [680 h.] Libeaus CLINA—in thre LA; on þreo I—Sir Lyb. sword in 3 he hitt P.] Line 680 Þo was Libeaus well wo. [681 And þo C; Than LINAP—wax I; waxid N—Sir L. P—well] om. L; ful INA; wonderous P.] Er he hit eft up haf, [P 700] [682 And er he C; As he L—h. e.] eft (om. N) þe tre CN; his tronchon L; his schaft A; againe his staffe P—vp caught PA.]

Libeaus a strok him ȝaf; [683 Sir L. a str. LNP; A str. Lyb. C—rauȝht AP.] His riȝt arm fell him fro. [684 þat his IAP; That the N.]

58

Þe geaunt fell to grounde; [R 640] [58. 685 þat I—to the gr. P.] Line 685 Libeaus þat ilke stounde [686 Sir (And INA; And Sir P) Lyb. in that stownde LINAP.] Smitte of his hedde riȝt. [R 642] [687 his hed of I—full r. LNA; thoe P.] In frensche as hit is y-founde, [688 fehlt C. In a ffr. booke P; In fr. (freche A) bok IA; In fr. tale N—as] om. IP—founde INP; in found A.] Him, þat he ȝaf er wounde, [R 643] [689 He L—er] the fyrste L—To þat oþir he wende I; Tille (To AP) that (the P) othir he went (in add. P) that stound NAP. 689^a (= R 644) In þat ylke stounde add. C.] He served so, apliȝt. [R 645] [690 And INAP—so] hym (right add. P) so LIAP; him N—apl.] om. P.] Line 690 He tok þe heddes two [691 þanne he IA; The he N; And then L—tooke vp P—þe] om. N—twaye INA; then P.] And ȝaf hem þe maide þo, [P 710] [692 ȝ. h.] bare L—And ber heom to þat (þe feyre A; that ffaire P) may (maiden P) INAP.] For whom he made þat fiȝt. [693 þat he hadde fore þat fyȝt C; þat he wan (had woone P) in (þe add. A) fyȝt INAP.] Þe maide was glad and bliþe [694 þanne þat I—may INA.] And þonked god fele siþe, [R 650] [695 f.] often P—syde C.] Line 695 Þat ever he was made kniȝt. [696 was he C—m.] om. I.—a Kn. P.]

59

Quoþ Libeaus: 'Gentill dame, [59. 697 þan seyde L. C; Tho s. L. N; Sir L. s. P.] Tell me, what is þy name, [698 T. me now P—your NAP.] And wher þou wer y-bore!' [699 wher þat AP—ye LNA; you P—born IAP.] Sche seide: 'Be seint Jame! [700 Heo I; Syr she LP—John L.] Line 700 My fader is of riche fame [701 is mon of I—name C.] And woneþ her before: [P 720] [702 A.] om. C—dwelleth P—h.] yonder L—beforne LAP; bi forme N; toforn I.]

An erl, an old, hore kniȝt, [P 722] [703 und 704 umgestellt P.] [703 hold C—An e. ykidde (and AP) a (om. A) noble (wyde knaw A) kn. NAP.] Þat haþ be man of miȝt; [P 721] [704 He P—is NAP—a man CNA; a Lord P—of moche m. NP.] His name is sir Antore. [R 660] [705 is s. Auctour L; is Antory I; is Antere A; is S[ir] Arthore P; is furre ytolde N.] Line 705 Men clepeþ me Violette; [706 They cl. me L; My (And my AP) name is INAP—Vylett P.] For me þese geauntes besette [707 The gyauntes had me (for me I) besett LI; That the giaunt had (hath A) b. NAP.] Our castell full ȝore. [708 Aboute our L; Undir our N—f.] om. L—þeo castel al abowte I; For the Castle ore P; That was of so grete power A.]

60

Ȝesterday in þe eveninge [P 728] [60. 709 und 710 umgestellt P.] [709 To-night P—mornynge CN.] I wente on my playinge [P 727] [710 As y INAP—in N—demeaning P.] Line 710 And noon evell ne þouȝte. [711 None harme y ne th. L; N. e. þat (om. N; þan AP) y þ. INAP.] Þe geauntes, wiþ oute lesinge, [P 730] [712 gyaunte LNP; gyant þan A.] Out of a cave gonne springe [713 a busche NA; the busshes L; bush P; þeo leues I—he gan P—flyng I.] And to þis fier me brouȝt. [714 þeo IAP; his N.] Of hem I hadde be schent, [R 670] [715 him NAP; h . m (riss im pergament) I—yschent CN.] Line 715 Nadde god me socour sent, [716 Ne g. C; Ne g. had N; Had not g. A; But that g. P—me] om. N—ysent N; hadde ys. C; . . dde he s. s. I.] [Die anfänge von 716-723 unvollständig (ein stück pergament weggerissen) I.] Þat all þis world wrouȝt: [717 the LA—hath wr. P—. . þis w. wr. I.] He ȝelde þe þy mede, [718 He] Sir Knight god P—quyte L—He ȝelde de (= þe) þys good dede C; . . þe þy m. I.] Þat for us gan blede [719 f. us] on þe rode A—Ffor vs that on the roode did bleed P; . . is con blede I.] And wiþ his blod us bouȝt!' [720 body L—. . s blod vs b. I.] Line 720

61

Wiþ oute more talkinge [61. 721 m.] ony m. CP—. . n more t. I.] To horse þey gonne springe [P 740] [722 To their horsses P—g. thei NAL—. . onne þay spr. I.] And ride forþ all in same [723 . . forþ in s. I.] And telde þe erl tidinge, [724 He C—þat I—tid.] in euery thing P.] Hou he wan in fiȝtinge [R 680] [725 sauyd with f. A.] Line 725 His child from wo and schame. [726 doughter LNAP; towȝter I.] Þe heddes wer y-sent [727 þe two h. C—Than (þo I) were the (these P) hedes sent (ysent N) LINAP.] King Arthour to present [728 To k. A. LNA; Vnto K. A. P; To A. I; A. þe k. C—to] in LINA; ffor a P.] Wiþ moche gle and game: [729 gle] mirth P.] Þan ferst in court aros [730 þo I; And tho L; That P—f.] om. LINAP—in Arthouris c. NAP—ros I; fast roose L; dyd rys A.] Line 730 Libeaus Desconus los [731 (Syr L. D. (L. D. is N) noble l. LN; Of Sir L. great Losse P; How ser Lib. was of price A.] And his gentill fame. [P 750] [732 A all h. L; A. of A—gode I; worthy A—And a right good name P.]

62 [62. fehlt in LINAP.]

Þe erl Antore also blive Profred him to wive [734 Prof. hys doftyr h. to w. C.] Violette, þat may, [R 690] Line 735 And casteles ten and five, And all after his live His lond to have for ay. Quoþ Libeaus Desconus: [739 þan seyde L. Desconois C.] 'Be þe love of swete Jhesus!Line 740 Nouȝt wive ȝet I ne may. I have forþ to wende [742 for C.] Wiþ þis maide so hende, And þerfore have good day!'

63

Line 745

Þe erl for his good dede [R 700] [P 751] [63. 745 that P.] Line 745 Ȝaf him riche mede: [746 h.] Lib. IA; sir L. NP—full r. m. L; to m. INA; for his m. P; r. wede C.] Scheld and armes briȝt [747 armour NAP.] And also a noble stede, [748 A. eke n. st. I.] Þat was good at nede, [749 in euerye n. P—þat douȝty was of dede C.] In bataile and in fiȝt. [750 b.] turnament L; trawayle INAP.] Line 750 Libeaus and þat may [751 Sir L. INA; Now S. L. P—his P—þey ryde forþ all þre C.] Ride in her jornay, [752 R. forthe A—on IA—wey A—Tooke their leaue and rode their way P; Toward þe fayre cyte C.] As þey hadde tiȝt. [753 Thedir as NAP; Ther L; þider I—h.] logen (!) L—yhiȝt N; hight P—Kardeuyle for soþ hyt hyȝt C.] Þan siȝe þey in a park [P 760] [754 thei s. NAP.] A Castell stout and stark, [R 710] [755 stout] store L; safe N; styff AP.] Line 755 Þat rially was adiȝt. [756 richely LI; grysly A; wondir wel N—ydight LI; diȝt NA—That was ffull marue∣louslye dight P.]

64

Y-walled hit was wiþ ston; [R 713] [64. 757 und 758 umgestellt C.] [757 W. IA; Faire w. L; Wrought P—h.] om. N—w. lime and st. P—Imade of lyme and ston C.] Swich siȝ þey never non, [R 712] [758 Such a one P—he LNP; I A.] Wiþ carneles stiffe and stoute. [759 c.] towres INAP—Ikarneled all abowte C.] Quoþ Libeaus: 'Be seint John! [760 Sayd L; Oo seyde C—Sir L. said soe haue I blis P.] Line 760 Her wer a worþly won [761 This LIA; Hit N—is A—wordly C; worthy LIA; feire N—Worthy dwelling here itt is P.] For man, þat wer in doute.' [762 Who so had grete d. N; To hym þat hath grete d. A; To them that stood in d. P; To whom þat hit ouȝt I; Who had hit wonne with dyntt L.] Þo louȝ þat maide briȝt [763 Than LINAP—the N—may IA; byrd L.]

And seide: 'Hit owiþ a kniȝt, [P 770] [764 þis owiþ INA; alwey L; here dwelleth P.] Þe beste her aboute; [R 720] [765 h. all ab. L; that here is ab. P.] Line 765 Who so will wiþ him fiȝt, [766 Ho þat C.] Be hit be day oþer niȝt, [767 be] om. I—By d. or by n. L; Be he baron (be he (or A; or be he P) knyȝt NAP.] He doþ him lowe loute. [768 maketh P—heom I—l. to loute INA; to lowte P—Lowe he maketh him loute L.]

65

For love of his lemman, [65. 769 For þeo l. INA—Soe well he loueth his Lem. P.] Þat is so fair woman, [770 so] om. N—f. a w. CLINAP.] Line 770 He haþ do crie and grede: [771 had N—And worthyest (worthely A; a worthy P) in wede IAP.] Who so bringeþ a fairir oon, [772 Ho þat C—feire N—on] then P.] A gerfaucoun, whit as swan, [773 joly faucon AP—as wh. NP; whyȝt I—so I—fome A.] He schall have to mede. [P 780] [774 Schal he I—to his m. LNP.] Ȝef sche is nouȝt so briȝt, [R 730] [775 And yf LP; And A—heo I—be NIAP—so feire in (of A) siȝt NA.] Line 775 Wiþ Giffroun he mot fiȝt, [776 Greffroun N; Sir Gefferon P.] And ȝef he may nouȝt spede, [777 A.] om. IA—ȝ. he] ye C.] His heed schall him be raft [778 hym sch. be r. A; sch. of be r. C; His shall be ffrom him take P.] And sette upon a schaft, [779 ysette N—apon IN; hye on A; ffull hye vpon P—a sper sch. C; a stake P.] To sen in lengþe and brede, [780 schewe I—In l. a. in br. A; To seyn longe a. brode N: Trulye withouten dread P.] Line 780

66

And þat þou maist se well: [66. 781 A. þ.] The sothe LINAP—you m. P; þou myȝt I; to L—se full w. C; see and heere P.] Þer stant in ech carnell [782 fehlt L. There is P; That A—yn ech a C; on ilke a A; on euery NP—corner P.] An heed oþer two upriȝt.' [783 tweyne I—ryght A; ffull right P.]

Quoþ Libeaus also snell: [P 790] [784 Saide L. L; þan seyde L. C; Sir L. sayd P—als sn. L; al soe soone P.] 'Be god and seint Michell! [R 740] [785 and bi s. NAP—John P.] Line 785 Wiþ Giffroun I schall fiȝt [786 W. Sir G. P—y will L; wol y IAP; I mote N.] And chalaunge þe gerfaucoun [787 To ch. I—that LA—faukon L; joly f. AP.] And sey, I have in toun [788 Y I—þat y h. C; that I h. one P—yn þus t. C; in the t. P.] A lemman two so briȝt, [789 twys A; to C; al P.] And ȝef he will her se, [790 A.] om. I—ȝ.] when L—her wyll C—a-see L; y-seo I.] Line 790 I will him schewy þe, [791 I shalle L; For sothe y N; F. s. I w. A; Then I w. P—shewe him L; h. brynge I; bringe NAP.] Be daies oȝer be niȝt.' [792 day CL—(Beo hit day or (by add. P) n. INAP. Mit 792 schliesst das zweite fragment von I; 793—906 fehlen I.]

67

Þe dwerȝ seide: 'Be Jhesus! [67. 793 by Sweete J. P; Jh. A.] Gentill Libeaus Desconus, [P 800] [794 G. Sir L. D. P.] Þou puttest þe in greet perile: [R 750] [795 þat wer a gr. p. C.] Line 795 Sir Griffroun le fludus [796 S.] om. LNA—le flowdous C; le frendous L; Ile ffredicus N; le frondeus A; La ffraudeus P.] In fiȝting haȝ an us, [797 In his f. N; In syght L—he haþ CNP—a queynte vse L; defens (!) N.] Kniȝtes to begile.' [798 ffor to P.] Libeaus answerde þar: [799 Sir L. AP—þ.] and sware P.] 'Þer of have þou no car, [800 And said therof P; Therfore N—haue I LA; I h. P.] Line 800 Be god and be seint Gile! I will y-se his face, [802 shall LNA—see LNAP—him in the ff. P.] Er I westward passe [803 esteward L; hens N—Or þat (om. P) I passe (out of add. P) thys place AP.] From þis cite a mile.' [P 810] [804 c.] stede N—Ffor all his sub∣tulle wile P.]

68

Line 805

Wiþ oute more resoune [R 760] [68. 805 m.] a m. C; any m. P—renowen L; questyon P.] Line 805 Þey dwelde stille in toune [806 The P—leftin st. N; bode st. A; tok har yn C—in þe t. CNAP.] All þat niȝt in pese. [807 All n. there in p. P; And dwellede stylle in p. C.] A morwe Libeaus was boun, [808 A morn C; On (the add. NAP) morowe LNAP—he made him readie P.] For to winne renoun, [809 To (For to AP) w. him (his A)renoun (the Masterye P) LNAP.] And ros wiþ oute les [810 A. r.] Certis NA; Certer P.] Line 810 And armed him full sure [811 He NAP—f. s.] right sever L.] In þat selve armure, [812 th. ilke NA; th. noble L; the sayd P.] Þat erl Antores wes; [813 er Aunctours L; the erle of Auntouris N; kyng Arthours AP.] His stede he gan bestride; [P 820] [814 And h. P; A NA—horsse P—gan he bistr. N; he began str. C; he began to str. A; began he to str. P; ganne to str. L.] Þe dwerȝ rod him beside [R 770] [815 bi his side NP.] Line 815 Toward þat proude pales. [816 To NP; Vnto A—the L—strong P—place N; place in palace geändert A; palace P.]

69

Sir Giffroun le fludus [69. 817 S.] om. LNA—le fludous C; le frendys L; le ffredicus N; le frendous A; la ffraudeus P.] Aros, as was his us, [818 Rose N; R. vp P—as it w. NAP—He rose and was with vs L.] In þe morwe tide, [819 that L.] To honoure swete Jhesus, [820 For to NP—And whan he com out of hys hous C.] Line 820 And siȝ Libeaus Desconus [821 He s. C; Ther come N; And A—Then he was ware of Sir Lybius P.] Com prike as prince in pride. [822 C. prikyng NA; C. prykyde C—C. prickande with pryde L; As a pr. of much pr. P.] Wiþ oute more abood [823 m.] a m. C; any L—Ffast he rode into that place P.]

Aȝens Libeaus he rod [P 830] [824 And aȝ. hym he r. C; Sir Jeffron maruailed att that case P.] And þus to him he cride [R 780] [825 þ.] lowde LNAP—he cr.] can (did P) crye LP.] Line 825 Wiþ voice scharp and schille: [826 vaise L—sch. a. skryll A; loud a. shrill P; þat was schylle C.] 'Comist þou for good oþer ille? [827 o. for ylle C.] Tell me and nouȝt ne hide!' [828 a. n. þou h. A; anone in hiȝe L; now on hye P.]

70

Quoþ Libeaus also tite: [70. 829 þan seyde L. C; Sir L. said P—all A—tide N.] 'I have greet delite, [830 For y C; Certes I P.] Line 830 Wiþ þe for to fiȝt: Þou seist greet despite, [832 For þou C—hast P—gr.] a foule LA; in N.] Þat woman half so whit [833 Ther is no w. so wh. L; No w. is so wh. A; (That w. is (Thou hast a Leman P) none so wh. NP.] As þy lemman be ne miȝt, [P 840] [834 As thy l. be lighte L; And as thyne is bi day and nyȝte N; As thyn be day our nyght A; By day or by night P.] And I have on in toune, [R 790] [835 A.] om. A; As P—on] om. N—in þe t. AP.] Line 835 Fairir of fasoune, [836 Well fayre L; That is ryght feyr A.] In cloþes whan sche is diȝt. [837 clothe N—wh.] and NA—were NA—Ffor to see with sight P.] Þerfore þy gerfaucoun [838 the LNA—joly f. AP.] To Arthour, þe king wiþ croun, [839 To A. k. LNA; To King A. P—w. the cr. P; of cr. N.] Bring I schall wiþ riȝt!' [840 wolle NP—by P—For to br. w. r A.] Line 840

71

Quoþ Giffroun: 'Gentill kniȝt, [71. 841 þan seyde C—Jeffrey L—þat g. kn. A—Sir Geffron said al soe right P.] Hou schull we preve þis siȝt, [842 Where sch. we NAP; We shull L—pr. aright L; pr. apliȝt NA; see that sight P.] Wheþer fairer be?' [843-845 fehlen N. 843 Wh. the f. be LNP; Whych of hem f. be C.]

Libeaus answerde, apliȝt: [P 850] [844 Quod L. (anone right (with all my myȝht A) LA; Syr L. said wee will ffull right P.] 'In Cardevile cite riȝt, [R 800] [845 Cordile L; Cardull A—r.] with sight L; with ryght A—In Cardigan see that sight P.] Line 845 Þer ech man may hem se; [846 That LA—all men AP; nowe men N—mowe N—hem] om. NA; hir L; itt P.] Amiddes þe market [R 803] [847 And am. L—In the (om. A) myddille (myddes AP) of the (that P) m. NAP.] [847 und 848 umgestellt C.] Boþe þei schull be sette, [R 802] [848 And b. þey sch. C; Ther thei sch. NA; There sh. they b. P.] To loke on bond and fre. [849 on boþe b. a. C; on them so AP.] Ȝif my lemman is broun, [850 And ȝ. AP; And N—be NAP.] Line 850 To winne þe gerfaucoun [851 To w. þi joly f. A; Ffor thy Jolly ff. P.] Fiȝ te I will wiþ þe!' [852 Juste LNAP.]

72

Quoþ Giffroun also snell: [72. 853 þann seyde C—Jeffrounse L—Sir G. said alsoe then P.] 'All þis I graunte well; [P 860] [854 To a. þ. C; A. thus N; Forsothe L—g[r]aunt y N; I gr. it L—Hold þe grant I wyll A; I wold ffaine as any man (cf. 856) P.] Þis day at underne tide, [R 810] [855 To dey AP—bi N—yondertyde P.] Line 855 Be god and seint Michell, [856 a. be s. CLNA; All this I grant thee well (= 854) P.] Out of þis castell [857 And out of P; Oute atte L] To Cardevile I schall ride.' [858 Karlof C; Karlylle N; Cardyle L; Kardell A; Cardigan P—we sh. L; I will P; wolle y NA.] Har gloves up þey helde [859 vp thay yolde N; were there vp yold P.] In forward, as I teld, [860 That forward for (om. AP) to holde (be fullfyllyd A) NAP; Ther right in the felde L.] Line 860 As princes proude in pride. [861 prynce LN.] Sir Libeaus also snell [862 S.] om. L—S. L. er he wolde blynne (lynne A) NA; S. L. wold no longer blim P.]

Rod hom to his ostell, [863 castell C—He rode into his inne NA; But rode againe to his inn P.] No leng be nolde abide, [P 870] [864 He n. no lenger ab. L; And wolde no lengir ab. (byde A) NAP.]

73

And comaunde maide Elene, [R 820] [73. 865 He AP—c.] hit the L; seide to NAP.] Line 865 Þat semely was to sene, [866 As semelekest on to s. C; That (briȝt was (was soe br. P) and schene NAP.] Buske and make her boun, [867 To b. L; B. her C—bownde L—Loke that (om. AP) thou m. the b. NAP.] And seide: 'Be hevene quene, [868 He s. A; I (thee add. P) say CP—by St. Quintin P.] Giffrouns lemman schene [869 Sir G. P—the shene L; y wene N; as I wen A; I will winn P.] Þis day schall come to toun, [870 To day LNAP—she will P.] Line 870 Amidward þe cite, [R 827] [871 und 872 umgestellt C.] [871 In the myddis of the (this P) c. NAP.] Þat boþe men ȝou schull se, [R 826] [872 Ther N; And C—b.] om. NAP; all L—sh. you LN; may ȝ. AP—yse C.] Body and fasoun. [873 Boþ b. C—Off wede a. f. L; Faire of f. N; Both toge∣der in f. A; And of you bothe the ff. P.] Ȝef þou be nouȝt so briȝt, [P 880] [874 And yef NAP—arte L.] Wiþ Giffroun I mot fiȝt, [R 830] [875 W. Sir G. P—wol NA; shall P.] Line 875 To winne þe gerfaucoun.' [R 831] [876 þe joly f. AP.]

74 [74 fehlt in C.]

Þe dwerȝ answerde and sede: [877 a. s.] forthy P.] 'Þou dost a savage dede, [878 That thou d. P; Thou d. than A; Nowe is this N—a wondir d. N; a herdy d. A; a deed hardye P.] For any man y-bore. [879 borne P—F. euery m. þat euer was b. A.] Þou wilt nouȝt do be rede, [880 Thou doste (wilt doe P) bi no man is rede NAP.] Line 880 But farist wiþ þy madhede [881 B. þou f. A; For thou ff. P; B. first N—in thi childehede NAP.] As lord, þat will be lore. [882 man NA; a man P—wolde NAP—ylore N.]

For his love forþ we wende, [883 Therfore (And th. P) y the pray NAP.] Þat diȝed for all mankende [P 890] [884 Wandir we smothe in our way N; (Wend we (To wend P) forth oure (on thy P) wey AP.] And in Bedlem was bore.' [885 (That we ne come (Th. we c. not A; And c. not P) him bifore NAP.] Line 885 Libeaus seide: 'þat were schame! [886 Sir L. P—grete sch. AP.] I hadde lever, be seint Jame, [887 l. he seyd be A—Jeme L—I h. l. with great grame P.] Wiþ wild hors to be tore!' [888 horsses P—to] om. N—ytore N.]

75

Maide Elene also tite [R 832] [75. 889 The m. E. L; That m. N; The m. A—a. t.] feire and fre NAP.] In a robe of samite [890 sanyte L—Hied hur certeyne to be N; Hyȝed hyr sykerly A; Made hast sickerlye P.] Line 890 Anoon sche gan her tire, [891 Gaylie ganne hir atyre L; Fast in hur atyre N; That sche were atyred A; Her ffor to attyre P.] To do Libeaus profite, [P 899] [892 und 893 umgestellt P.] [892 For to NAP—þo C—L.] his NA; all his P—delight P.] In kevercheves whit, [P 898] [893 In k. fayre and wh. LNA; In K. that were wh. P.] Araide wiþ gold wire. [P 900] [894 A.] om. P; Aryved L—With good gold wyer P.] A velwet mantill gay, [895 A vyolet m. AP; Ifelwet a m. N—ful gay NA; the sooth to say P.] Line 895 Pelured wiþ gris and gray, [896 Purfild L; I-furrid N; Furred A; Ffurred well P—gr. ful gray N; gryse gay P; gr. soth to sey A.] Sche caste aboute her swire; [R 840] [897 did L—Lyer P.] A cercle upon her molde [898 The L—Stonys (The st. A; The st. shee had P) abowte h. m. NAP.] Of stones and of golde, [899 Off precious st. a. g. L—Were precious cndentid (and sett P) with golde NAP.] Þe best in þat empire. [900 of LNA—þ. e.] all (om. P) þat schyre AP.] Line 900

76

Libeaus sette þat may [R 845] [76. 901 und 902 umgestellt C.] [901 Sir NAP—that ffaire May P—L. sate that daye L.] Upon a good palfray, [R 844] [902 On P—a right g. P; a pomely C.] And ride forþ all þre. [903 Thei NA.] Þan ech man gan to say: [P 910] [904 Eche (Ilke a N; Euery AP) man to other g. saye LNAP.] 'Her comeþ a lady gay [905 H. c. a full (om. P) feyr mey AP.] Line 905 And semelich on to se.' [906 A s. A; Is s. L; And louelye P—vnto see L; ffor to see P. Mit 907 beginnt das dritte fragment von I, 908—1125.] Into þe market þey ride [R 850] [907 markeke L; merket place A.—sche C; he IAP—rode CLINAP.] And beldly þer abide, [908 A. þer b. he A; A. þer fully I; A. houede and C—abode CLINAP.] Amidward þe cite: [909 In (the add. P) myddes (of add. NAP) þat (ilke add. N) sete INAP.] Þey siȝ Giffroun come ride, [910 Than thei say NA; þan syȝ þey CL; Anon the saw P.] Line 910 And two squieres be his side, [911 A.] om. IN; With A.] Wiþ oute more maine. [912 W. out a m. C; And (Wiþ I) no m. LINP; And with no mo A.]

77

He bar þe scheld of goules, [77. 913 a NAP—g.] grene NAP.] Of silver þre white oules, [P 920] [914 That diȝt was wel y wene N; That wele was dyȝht I wene A; Richelye itt was to be seene P.] Of gold was þe bordure. [915 And of g. the L—bordere ryng flour N.] Line 915 Of þe selve colours [P 923] [916 und 917 umgestellt P.] [916 And of LINA—that L—same LNA—colour N—And alsoe with rich colours P.] And of non oþer floures [R 860] [P 922] [917 non] that L—Dyȝt al wiþ fl. I; Ydiȝte (Dyȝht A) with othir fl. NA; Dight itt was with ffl. P.] Was lingell and trappure. [918 l.] fyne golde L—Was gayer than eny crompoure (trumpour A) NA; Like as itt were an Emperour P.] Two squiers wiþ him ride: [919 rood I; rede N; gan ryde A—The squiers that by him rode L; The squiers did with him ryde P; Hys squyer gan lede C.] Line 920

Þat on bar him mid [920 The ton A; The one P; III speris N—h. m.] shaftis gode L; bi his side NAP—Before hym vpon a stede C.] Line 920 Þre schaftes good and sure; [921 sewre L; stoure P—That good were and sure N.] Þat oþer bar redy boun [922 The AP—lade L—r. bownde L; his head vpon P.] Þe white gerfaucoun, [923 A P—gentil girf. IN; gentyll joly f. AP; joly jentill jerf. L.] Þat leid was to wajure. [P 930] [924 was laid P—to] the N—The two lades waygewr A; The two ladyes were there L.]

78

After him com ride [78. 925 And a. h. L; And a. P; That a. N; Ther a. A; þer as þey I—conne I; gan N; did a Lady P.] Line 925 A lady, proud in pride, [926 A l. ful of pride NA; Ffaire and bright of Much pryde P.] Was cloþed in purpel pall. [R 870] [927 W.] om. LINAP—clodeþ C; Iclothed LN; Cladd P.] Þe folk com fer and wide, [928 þat C—pepull AP—were come N; was gederyd A—f. a.] ful NA.] To se her bak and side, [929 them LI; boþe A; that Ladye P—backes a. s. L; in that tyde P.] Hou gent sche was and small. [930 gentyll C; gentle P—þey weore I—Sho was so gent a. sm. N; So gentyll w. a. sm. A.] Line 930 Her mantill was rosine, [931 ruffyne N; of reyfyen A; of purple ffine P; ryght fyne L.] Pelured wiþ ermine, [932 Ipowderd L; I-furrid (Furred A) wel NA—Well ffurred w. good Armine P.] Well riche and reall; [933 W.] om. NA; Boþe I; Itt was P—royall P; rially N.] A cercle upon her molde [P 940] [934 The sercle LI; The bond A; And a bende N—on LI; about NA—A sercotte sett about her necke soe sweete P.] Of stones and of golde, [935 Of precious st. N; Of perles A—a.] om. N—With dya∣mond and with Margarett P.] Line 935 Wiþ many a rich amall. [936 And LP—r.] om. C—iuall C; jewell A; Emerall P.]

79

As rose her rode was red; [R 880] [79. 937 As þe r. C—Her colour was as the rose red P.] Þe her schon on hir heed, [938 Her h. PN; Ther A—sch.] that was P—in N.] As gold wire schineþ briȝt. [939 sch.] om. I; shynynge LN; itt shone P—As g. þat wer full br. A.] Her browes as selke þrede, [940 Ayder (= Ayþer) browe C—also blacke as s. thr. L—Her br. were al soe silke spread P.] Line 940 Y-bent in lengþe and brede; [941 Bent IA; Ffaire b. P; Abowte C—and yn br. C.] Hir nose was streiȝt and riȝt, [942 strath C; ffaire P—Sho was ful feire in sight (cf. 945) NA.] Her iȝen gray as glas; [943 were gr. NA—as any gl. P; so gl. N.] Melk whit was her face, [P 950] [944 M.] om. IA—were N—he (!) C.] So seide, þat siȝ þat siȝt; [945 The s. P; So s. they L—þat her sygh wiþ s. C—Hur nose (was strauȝt and (it was A) riȝt (= 942) NA.] Line 945 Her swere long and small: [946 was l. NA—Her body gentle a. sm. P.] Her beaute tellen all [R 890] [947 to tellen LINA; ffor to t. P.] No man wiþ mouþe ne miȝt. [948 tounge P—ne] om. LP—No mowþ neo myȝt I; For sotht no man myght A.]

80

Boþe men gonne hem bring [80. 949 B.] But tho L; Unto the Markett P; To∣gedere C—did L—h.] om. IP—Than sho made (mayde A) to br. NA.] Two chaiers into þe cheping, [950 To chayer I—into ch. IN—2 ch. ffor to sitt in P; Amydward þe chepyng C.] Line 950 Har beaute to descrie. [951 bewtees LA—ffor to P.] Þan seiden eld. and ȝinge, [952 þ.] þey C—s. bothe olde LAP.] For soþ, wiþ oute lesing, [953 Forthe w. ou. l. L.] Betwene hem was partie. [P 960] [954 Betwyx A—is A; lay I—p.] grete part N.] 'Giffrouns lemman is clere, [955 Geffroune L—was ffaire and cl. P. Bei] Line 955 As rose in erbere, [956 As ys þe r. C; As bryght as r. A; As euer was any r. P; . . s rose I; As rose on rise or L—in one e. N; on brere AP.] [956 und 957 ein stück pergament weggerissen I.]

For soþ and nouȝt to lie. [R 900] [957 For] . . I—Ff. s. without Lye P.] Elene, þe messengere, [958 And E. C; Maid E. P.] Semeþ but a lavendere [959 Seemed to her b. P; Ne were b. L; Nere b. I; Nas b. N; Wer worthy to be A.] Of her norserie.' [960 In NP—lauendrye N—Off hir no loose make I L.] Line 960

81

Quoþ Giffroun le fludus: [81. 961 þan seide CP—Geffrounde L; Sir G. P—be (!) fludous C; ly ffroundes L; le froudous I; Ile ffredus N; le frendeus A; la ffraudeus P.] 'Sir kniȝt, be swete Jhesus, [962 Syr Lybeaus Desconus C; By þe loue of (swete add. N) Jhesus INA.] Þis hauk þou hast forlore.' [963 þeo IA; That N; Thy P—haukys L; faukon A; head P—hast þou A—lore LA.] Quoþ Libeaus Desconus: [P 970] [964 þan seyde C—Nay, said Sir Lybius P.] 'Nay, swich nas never min us; [965 N. sw.] Suche LI; That NAP—was LINAP.] Line 965 Justy I will þerfore, [966 we A.] And ȝef þou berest me doun, [R 910] [967 A.] om. LI—ȝ.] om. A—ye N—beare P; falle N; fell A.] Tak min heed and þe faucoun, [968 a.] om. C; on P—that N; thy AP—ffawchyon P.] As forward was before; [969 couenaunt NA—b.] thore L; ȝore I—And home with thee itt lead P.] And ȝif I bere doun þe, [970 fille N.] Line 970 Þe hauk schall wende wiþ me [971 haukis L; fawcon INA; Jerffaucon P—go AP.] Maugre þin heved hore.' [972 berd I—hore] indeed P—Thouȝ thow be wrothe therfore NA.]

82

What help mo tales teld? [82. 973 What needeth vs more to chyde P; Withoute more tale to telle L; No more tale (talis N) þey tolde INA.] Þey ride into þe feld, [P 980] [974 Bote IA—went NA—to I; downe in L—But into the saddle let vs glyde P.] And wiþ ham greet partie. [975 A.] om. INA—h.] welle N; full A—To proue our mastery P.] Line 975

Wiþ coronals stif and stelde [P 983] [976 cornal I; strokis NA—and (in N; on A) shelde LINA—With crownackles that were of steele P.] [976 und 977 umgestellt P.] Eiþer smitte oþer in þe scheld [R 920] [P 982] [977 Either smote on others sheeld the while P—Eythir (Euery N) agayne (to A) othir (in the felde (heold INA) LINA.] Wiþ well greet envie. [978 And w. I—well] om. CIP; full A.] Har schaftes breke asonder; [979 H.] om. I; Then their P—saftes C; sperys AP—brosten L; þay barstyn I—in son∣dur INA.] Har dentes ferde as þonder, [980 The AP—strokes A—ferþe C—as the th. P; as dondir N.] Line 980 Þat comeþ out of þe skie. [981 com A—eyre A.] Tabours and trompours, [982 Munstrals INA—Trumpetts and tabours P.] Heraudes and gode disours [983 Harpours NA—a.] om. C—g.] om. LINA—descouerous C; gestours NA.] Har strokes gonne descrie. [P 990] [984 þeo I—g.] ffor to P—askrye I.]

83

Þo gan Giffroun to speke: [83. 985 Than g. G. NA; G. then began P; Syr G. gan C—to] om. INA—sp.] lepe L.] Line 985 'Bring a schaft, þat nell nouȝt breke, [986 Br. me a sch. N; Br. me a spere P; Tak me oon I; Gyff me one A; And said gyve me L—will LINAP.] A schaft wiþ a cornall! [R 930] [987 a] one IP; oute L—(A schefte good (A g. sch. þer A) with alle NA.] Þis ȝinge, ferly frek [988 Ffor th. P—frely L; ffeley P—Seo (So N) now (om. NA) þis ȝ. freke INA.] Sit in his sadell steke [989 S.] Ys C—in s. N—ysteke N; streke A; sete L. 991-993 stehen nach, 994-996 C.] As ston in castell wall. [R 933] Line 990 I schall do him stoupe [R 937] [991 wyll C—him do I; make him NAP—to st. IP.] Over his horses croupe [992 And o. N; Swithe o. P—hor∣ses] saddle P.] And ȝeve him evell fall, [R 939] [993 an e. f. LNA; a great ff. P.] Þauȝ he wer wiȝt werrour [R 934] [P 1000] [994 be L—as wyȝt w. IN; as w. a w. P; as wise w. L; wyghter A.] Line 995

As Alisaunder oþer Arthour, [995 Than A—or kyng A. LN.] Line 995 Launcelot oþer Percevall!' [R 936] [996 Sir L. P; Launselake N—or syr Perc. LP.]

84

Þe kniȝtes boþe two [R 940] [84 997 þanne þeo IP.] Ride togider þo [998 pay r. I—tog. swithe thoe P—Tog. þey r. þo C.] Wiþ well greet raundoun. [999 W. gr. IP; W. fulle gr. NA—renoune NP.] Libeaus smitte Griffroun so, [1000 Sir L. NP—Sir G. P—þo IN.] Line 1000 Þat his scheld fell him fro [1001 f.] smote L.] Into þe feld adoun. [1002 In þat C—anone A; againe P.] Þo louȝ all, þat þer wes, [1003 Then LINP; They A—lauȝght A—a.] om. I—was there P.] And seide, wiþ oute les, [P 1010] [1004 l.] more P—A. s. bothe more and las N.] Duke, erl and baroun, [1005 or P.] Line 1005 Þat never ȝet þey ne siȝ [1006 ȝet neuer C; neuer N; n. are A—ne] om. LIA—That the saw neuer a Knight P.] Man, þat miȝte driȝ [R 950] [1007 A m. LIN; That m. A—durye LN—Ne noe man abide might P.] A cours of sir Griffroun. [1008 stroke NA—To justy wiþ G. C.]

85

Giffroun his cours out rit; [85. 1009 G. toke h. L—c.] hors C—ryd I; ryght L—Another course gan the ryde P; G. rode to him swithe NA.] Him greved out of wit, [1010 H. gr.] And was wode C; A. w. nyghe L—oute of his w. L—Sir G. was aggreeued that tyde P; For sothe (full add. A) fele sithe NA.] Line 1010 For he miȝte nouȝt spede. [1011 F. he] And ȝit N.] He rod aȝain as tit [1012 And L—aȝens A—as tyd C; alsoe t. P; ful t. N; als tighte L; hym a gode A.] And Libeaus so he smitte, [1013 A. L. on the (om. I) helme he hitte LIN—And Sir L. he gam smite P; He leyd at hym as he wer wode A.] As man, þat wold awede. [P 1020] [1014 As a m. N; As wolfe LI—wolde wede I; w. at wede L; w. of wede N; had grete nede A—As a doughtye man of deed P.] Line 1015

But Libeaus set so faste, [1015 B. sire L. I; Sir L. P—smote N; smote him P.] Line 1015 Þat Giffroun doun he caste, [1016 Th. Sir G. P—d.] þer A; soone P—he] om. L.] Boþe him and his stede. [R 960] [1017 Him and his horsse adowne P.] Giffrounis regge tobrak, [1018 Sir J. P; That G. N; So þat hys A—regge (legge Ritson) C; backe LIA; backe bone P—he brake AP.] Þat men herde þe crak [1019 þ.] om. N—m.] the ffolkes P—h.] myȝhte here INA—þe] itt P.] Aboute in lengþe and brede. [1020 Ab.] om. I; Both A; Fer N—of N—a. in br. I—Lost was his renowne P.] Line 1020

86

Þo seide alle, þat þer wore, [86. 1021 Than s. a. L; þat s. I; Alle s. NA—þat] þo þat C—Then they all said lesse and more P.] Þat Giffroun hadde forlore [1022 Th. Sir G. P—ilorne L; lorn IAP.] Þe white gerfaucoun. [1023 gentill LINA—joly faukon NA.] To Libeaus þey him bore [P 1030] [1024 Wiþ A—þ. h.] was hit I; w. he N; he w. A—ybore N—The people came Sir L. before P.] And wente, lasse and more, [1025 A.] þay IA; Al N—bothe l. LA; with him l. P.] Line 1025 Wiþ him into þe toune. [1026 W. h.] Anon P.] Sir Giffroun from þe feld [R 970] [1027 S.] om. LINA; And S. P—f. þe f.] oute of the (om. I) f. LI; vpon (in N; and A) hys scheld CNA.] Was bore hom on his scheld [1028 With A—ybore CN—hom] om. NA—on h. sch.] fram (out of NA) þe feld CNA.] Wiþ care and rufull roun. [1029 reuthefull LI—rowme L; mone P—With many (a add. A) bolde baroune NA.] Þe gerfaucoun sent was [1030 gentil faukon NA—ysent CL; ybore N.] Line 1030 Be a kniȝt, þat hiȝt Claudas, [1031 Caudas I; Chaudas P; Cadas L; Gludas C; Clewdas N; Lucas A.] To Arthour, þe king wiþ croun. [1032 Vnto I; To bring to P—þe k.] om. IP; k. CLNA—w. the cr. P; of cr. N.]

87

And writen all þe dede [87. 1033 A.] þay I—wr.] rote to him P—þat IP—The knyȝt (him furthe (fer fourth he A) yede NA.] Wiþ him he gan to lede, [P 1040] [1034 And w. P—h. than he A—g. hit l. I; g. l. CNA.] Þe hauk hou þat he wan. [1035 The haukes tho Lyb. wan L; þe hawk (faukon NAP) þat Lib. (Sir L. P) wan INAP.] Line 1035 Þo Arthour herde hit rede, [1036 þo A.] When the King had P—hit herde—I—To Arthour he him bare NA.] To his kniȝtes he sede: [R 980] [1037 To alle h. I—He said to his knights in that stead P; That (Than A) the kynge (he add. A) sware NA.] 'Libeaus well werry can! [1038 Syr L. AP; That L. N—w. w.] of wer wele A.] He haþ me sent þe valour [1039 Now he A—sent me LN—þe v.] with honour LINAP.] Of faire fiȝtes four, [1040 faire f.] foure fightis L; faire bataile N; dyuerse batels A; noble dedes C—four] the floure L—That he hath done battells 4 P.] Line 1040 Seþe he ferst began. [1041 Sen þat he A—Since that he beg. P.] I will him sende tresour, [1042 h.] om. A—s. of my tr. P—Now wyll y sende hym tr. C.] To spendy wiþ honour, [1043 For to INAP—to his h. P.] As falleþ for swich a man.' [P 1050] [1044 to A.]

88

An hundred pound honest [88. 1045 And C—h.] C A; 100 P—p.]^li: P; ħ N—hon.] ready prest P.] Line 1045 Of florins wiþ þe best [1046 w.] of INA—Of ffl. to spend w. the b. P.] He sente to Cardevile toun. [R 990] [1047 Cardelof C; Kardill L; Cardoyle I; Karlille N; Cardull A; Cardigan P—t.] þan C.] Þo Libeaus held a feste, [1048 Ther L; Sir INA; Then Sir P—made LINA—a] hys C.] Þat fourty daies leste, [1049 fur∣tenyȝt N—it l. LN; con l. I—That lasted 40 dayes att Least P.] Wiþ lordes of renoun. [R 993] [1050 Of l. C; As lord L—of grete r. LIA—W. gr. r. N.] Line 1050 And at þe six wekes ende [1051 fehlt C. A.] om. IN—sixt N; 6: P—weeke P.]

Þey toke her leve to wende [R 997] [1052. 1052^a. 1053 stehen nach 1054-1056 C. 1052 He NP—t. his l. P; t. l. IN—for to IP—And fayre her leue token pay C. 1052^a (= R. 998) To wende yn to anoþer contray add. C.] Of duk, erl and baroun. [R 999] [1053 Of] om. LIA.] Libeaus and þat may [R 994] [P 1060] [1054 Syr L. LINAP; þan L. C—þ.] his ffaire P.] Toke her riȝte way [1055 hyr C—þeo I—Rode (fforth add. P) on hare way (jorney A) NAP.] Line 1055 Toward Sinadoune. [R 996]

89

As þey ride on a lowe, [R 1000] [89. 1057 Then as P—he rode N—an C; by LIN; in P—þe A—row A; throwe P.] Hornes herde þey blowe [R 1001] [1058 they herd A; he h. N—lowd bl. P. 1058^a (= R 1002) þer vnþer (= vnder) þe doune add. C.] And houndes grete of gale. [R 1003] [1059 h.] h. ronne C; huntynge L—gr. of gile L; on gr. gale A; of gr. game P; gr. and smale C; make rebound N. 1059^a (= R 1004) Hontes grette yn þe vale add. C.] Þe dwerȝ seide in þat þrowe: [R 1005] [1060 in] om. CI—a LNA—drowe C. 1060^a (= R 1006) For to telle soþ my tale add. C.] Line 1060 'Þat horn well I knowe [R 1008] [1061 und 1062 umgestellt C.] [1061 This N; The A—hornys N—I w. P; riȝt w. I N; w. y þede (=dede) C.] For ȝeres ferly fale: [R 1007] [1062 Fele C—Fer yere ferly falle N; For youre frely sale L; Many yeeres agone P; To sey wiþ outen feyle A.] Hit blowiþ sir Otes de Lile, [R 1009] [1063 Hym C; Thatt horne P—Ortes P—S. O. hit bloweþ (blewe NA) (de Lyle (de a Ile N; so wele A) INA; H. bl. motis jolelye L.] Þat served my lady while [R 1010] [P 1070] [1064 seruith N—som wh. CINA; a wh. P—Th. servid some tyme my lady L.] In her semily sale. [1065 Semely (So sem. N) in hir sale (hall P) LINAP.] Line 1065 Whan sche was take wiþ gile, [1066 And wh. P—heo I; he C—wyle A.] He fliȝ for greet perile [1067 fledd LIP—for dowt (drede N) of p. INA; from that p. P.] West into Wirhale.' [1068 Into west I—Wyralle L; worrall P; þe vayle A.]

90

As þey ride talkinge, [90. 1069 But as P—stode IA—on hare t. N.] Þey siȝe a rach come flinge [1070 c.] om. P—fl.] renynge LP—þer com a r. flyng (rennyng NA) INA; A r. þer com flyngynge C.] Line 1070 Overþwert þe way. [1071 Ouertwert C; Riȝt into IA.] Þan seiden eld and ȝinge, [1072 both old P—þay saide wiþ owte lesyng INA.] From her ferst ginninge [1073 Sith NA—the P; þei wer A—bygynnyng ILNAP.] Þey ne siȝe never non so gay. [R 1020] [P 1080] [1074 Thay s. LIP; Saw þei A; None say thei N; þey ne sawe hond C—nev.] om. IA—non] om. CN.] He was of all colours, [1075 For he NA—c.] col. gay N.] Line 1075 Þat man may sen of flours [1076 fehlt N. men IAP—may] om. IA—on IP; on þe A.] Betwene midsomer and may. [1077 Betwyx A.] Þe maide saide also snell: [1078 þat CIN—may IN—alse L; al I; ful NA—sone NAP.] 'Ne siȝ I never no juell [1079 Sawe I L; Y saw INA—j.] om. NA; so wel I—Soe faire a ratch I neuer saw none P.] So likinge to my pay. [1080 So] om. I; Nor P; So welle N—l.] mekill A; pleasanter P.] Line 1080

91

God wold, þat I him auȝte!' [91. 1081 Wold to god P; W. crist N; So L—hit LN—G. leue hit weore myn I; W. g. sche seyd that he myn wer A.] Libeaus anoon him cauȝte [1082 Sir L. NP—a.] om. N; as tight L—it LN—Lib. him tok wiþ hondis twayn I; Syr L. toke þe hunde þer A.] And ȝaf him to maide Elene. [1083 toke L—hit LN—to] om. INA; the L—E.] clene (!) L] Þey ride forþ all sauȝt [R 1030] [P 1090] [1084 The A—soffte LN; yn saȝt C; rightes P.] And telde, hou kniȝtes fauȝt [1085 kem∣pys A—A. t. of ffighting with Knights P.] Line 1085 For ladies briȝt and schene. [1086 birdis LINA.] Nadde þey ride but a while, [1087 Ne hadde þ. CL; They had P; þay INA.] Þe mountaunce of a mile, [1088 Not the P—space INAP—a] om. P.]

In þat forest grene: [1089 Into P.] Þey siȝe an hinde com strike [1090 Then they P—c.] om. P—styke C; sterke P; rennyng N.] Line 1090 And two greyhoundes y-like [1091 grewndis L—like LI; that were l. P; euyn l. A; hir folowyng N.] Þe rach, þat I of mene. [1092 Be þat rech þ. y er of m. C; þe r. bigan to m. N.]

92

Þey hoved under a linde, [92. 1093 vnþer C—lyne L—The hunted still vnder the Lind P.] To se þe cours of þe hinde, [R 1040] [P 1100] [1094 And sawe LN—of þat h. IP.] [1095 Sir L. NA—a. sho in f. N; that was so fre LI—Vnder the fforrest side P. 1095^a^-^c (= P 1102-1104):

There beside dwelled that Knight, That Sir Otes de lile hight, A man of much pride. add. P.

] Libeaus and his fere. [P 1101] Line 1095 Þan siȝ þey come bihinde [P 1106] [1096 und 1097 umgestellt P. 1096 b.] he hynde L—þay s. c. b. I; Than came (ther aftir bihynde (after þe hynde A) NA; And ffast pursued after the hind P.] A kniȝt y-cloþed in inde [P 1105] [1097 A kn.] He was P—i-clodeþ C; cloþid IA; cladd all P—yC.] Upon a bay destrere. [P 1107] [1098 Apon IN—destre L.] His bugle he gan to blowe, [1099 gan he NAL—to] om. INA—Loude he g. his horne bl. P.] For huntes schuld him knowe, [1100 F.] om. N—the hunters P; houndis L; hys folk C; þat his men AN; sir Otes I—sh. itt P; hyt sch. C; sch. IA.] Line 1100 [1101 he] that he LN; þat they A—And know where he w. P. 1101^a^-ⁱ (= P 1111-1119):

As he rode by that woode right, There he saw that younge Knight And alsoe that ffaire May; They dwarffe rode by his side. Sir Otes bade, they shold abyde; [P 1115] Line 1101e They Ledd his ratch away. 'Ffreinds', he said, 'why doe you soe? Let my ratch ffrom you goe; Good for you itt were. add. P.

] In what stede he wer. [P 1110]

He seide to hem þat þrowe: [P 1120] [1102 in a þr. I—And (He A) seid: By seint Martyne NA; I say to you without Lye P.] 'þat rach was min owe, [1103 Syr, þat C; The N; This P; That ilke A—w. m. o.] do I owe L; w. onys (om. A) myne NA; has beene my P.] Y-go for seve ȝere. [R 1050] [P 1122] [1104 Agone is VIII yere L; All out this 7 yeere P; Nouȝt ago ful ȝore I; Nouȝt fully gone a yere NA.]

93

Frendes, leteþ him go!' [93. 1105 fehlt P. Gode freond INA—let INA—it N; þe hund A.] Line 1105 Libeaus answerde þo: [P 1123] [1106 Sir L. NAP—a. him þo I; said anon tho P.] 'þat schall never betide! [1107 fehlt P. sch. it n. N.] Wiþ min hondes two [P 1124] [1108 For w. CNA; I tooke him w. P. 1108^a (= P 1125) And with me shall he abyde add. P.] I ȝaf him þat maide me fro, [P 1126] [1109 hym yaf C; toke hym A; gave it LIN—the LINA; to this P—may I; damesel N—me fro] to A; hend P.] Þat hoveþ me beside.' [P 1127] [1110 stondes A—me] her INA—That with me dothe wend P. 1110^a (= P 1128) Riding by my side add. P.] Line 1110 Quoþ sir Otes de Lile: [P 1129] [1111 þo (Then P) seyde CP—Delile L; de la Ile N; de la byle A.] 'Þou puttest þe in greet perile, [P 1130] [1112 gr.] om. INA—þan artow yn p. C.] Biker ȝef þou abide.' [1113 To b. L; By (om. N) Peter IN; Seertes A; To be slaine P—ȝ.] and LINA.] Libeaus seide: 'Be seint Gile! [R 1060] [1114 Syr L. s. A; þo seyde L. C; Sir L. an∣swerid N—Sir L. s. in that while P.] I ne ȝeve nouȝt of þy gile, [1115 ne] om. INAP—while N; wile P; peryle I.] Line 1115 Cherl, þauȝ þou chide.'

94

Quoþ Sir Otes de Lile: [94. 1117 þan seyde (spake P) CP—de la Ile N; in þat while A.] 'Sir, þy wordes beþ file; [1118 S.] . . s (rasur) I; Sertes A; And said P—þis A—ar L—wile L; riȝt f. N.] Cherl was never my name: [1119 Ch. nas (was A) y neuer none NA.] Line 1120

My fader an erl was while; [1120 My f.] . . dir (rasur) I—An erle my fadir was NA—a wh. L; sum wh. IN; welle A—I say to thee without ffayle P.] Line 1120 Þe countesse of Carlile, [1121 And the c. L; . . ontasse (rasur) I—Carlehille LA; Carlel I.] Certes, was my dame. [P 1140] [1122 C.] . . yr (rasur) I; For sothe L—scho w. NA.] Wer ich y-armed nou, [1123 Yff (And if P) I were armed nowe LINAP.] Redy, as art þou, [R 1070] [1124 So r. I; Als r. A; As well P—as thow A.] We wolde fiȝte in same. [1125 For sothe we N—shulden LIN—playe I—Fyght we w. in s. A Mit 1125 schliesst das dritte fragment von I; 1126—1461 fehlt I.] Line 1125 But þou þe rach me leve, [1126 But yf thou L; Or thou P—that NA; my P—me] om. LNA; ffrom me P—bileue N; reue P.] Þou pleiist, er hit be eve, [1127 Thou schall pley A; We wold play P—ere itt were eue P; or eue A; longe or evyn L.] A wonder wilde game.' [1128 A wonderous strong g. P.]

95

Quoþ Libeaus also prest: [95. 1129 þo seyde L. C; Sir L. said P—Q. L. do thi best NA.] 'Þer of do þy best: [1130 Ther of sir do L; þer of þo C; Goe fforth and doe P—Here y am alle prest N; In hast yff (þou thinke beste unterpunktet) lyste A.] Line 1130 Þis rach wiþ me schall wende!' [1131 The L; Thy P—sch. w. me (vs N) CN—wynde than N.] Þey tok har way riȝt west [P 1150] [1132 the NA—r.] om. NA; evyn L—They rode on r. w. P.] In þat wilde forest, [1133 Into LNA; Througe P—the NA; a P—faire L; deepe P.] As þe dwerȝ hem kende. [R 1080] [1134 Ryȝt as C; Then as P.] Sir Otes wiþ greet errour [1135 S. O.] þe lord C—Sir Otes de lile in that stower P.] Line 1135 Rod hom to his tour [1136 into h. T. P; in that schour (stowre A) NA.] And after his frendes gan sende [1137 ffor P—g.] om. CAP; did L.]

And telde hem anon riȝtes, [1138 right LA.] Hou on of Arthouris kniȝtes [1139 H.] om. N; þat C—Off Arthours halle is a knyȝht A.] Schamelich gan him schende [1140 So (om. A) shamefully LA—g.] had AP.] Line 1140

96

And hadde his rach y-nome. [96. 1141 r. away Inome P—A. his r. (was i-nome (had n. N; refte hym A) LNA.] Þan seiden alle and some: [P 1160] [1142 Then the s. P; They s. A; Than sware they L—and sone P; a somme N.] 'Þat traitour schall be take [1143 þe C—theese (lies: theefe) P—shulde LA; shall soone P—be] y N—i-take L; tane P.] And neuer aȝen hom come, [R 1090] [1144 A. n. home shall hee c. P; Thei seid he (þei A) schulde be (hym A) honge (hyng. A) NA.] Þauȝ he wer grimmer gome [1145 the gr. L; as grim a P; þoȝtyer (= doȝtyer) C—grome LP—Thouȝ he were also (als A) stronge NA.] Line 1145 Þan Launcelet du Lake!' [1146 As NA—de LN; þe A—As euer was Sir Gawaine P.] Þey diȝten hem to armes [1147 þo d. þey hem all to a. C; They d. h. (full add. A) wele NA.] Wiþ swerdes and gisarmes, [1148 gleaues P—a. wiþ g. C—Bothe (om. A) in iren and in stele NA.] As werre schold awake. [1149 w. that sh. L—aw.] the wake N—As they wold warr on take P.] Kniȝtes and squieres [1150 Bothe kn. NA.] Line 1150 Lepe on her destreris [1151 desters L; palfrars N.] For har lordes sake [P 1170]

97

Upon an hell well hiȝe [97. 1153 Fer vpon (on N) AN—full h. LN; so h. A; trulye P.] Libeaus þer þey siȝe [R 1100] [1154 Syr L. LNAP—ther he L; sone thei N; þei gon AP—espye P.] Ridinge pas be pas. [1155 R. forthe LA; He rod C—p. for p. N; hys p. A; a well good p. P.] Line 1155 To him þey gonne crie: [1156 gan thei NAP—loud crye P; ride N.]

'Traitour! þou schalt die [1157 Tr.] And said P—d.] abide N; abyȝe A.] For þy wikked trespas!' [1158 w.] great P—To daye for thye (this N) tr. LNA.] Libeaus aȝen beheld, [1159 Syr L. CP—L. stode and b. NA.] Hou full was þe feld; [1160 ful∣felde CN.] Line 1160 So moche folk þer was. [1161 For P—mekyll L; many P; greet C—peple CP—þ.] that ther L.] He seide: 'Maide Elene, [P 1180] [1162 s. to m. NAP.] For þis rach, I wene, [1163 thi N; our C.] Us comeþ a carfull cas. [R 1110] [1164 To vs P; Me LN; Here A—is come N—sory A.]

98

I rede, þat ȝe wiþdrawe [98. 1165 þ. ȝe] ye you L; yow N—wiþdr.] drawe C.] Line 1165 Into þe wode schawe, [1166 To L; Vndir NA—Yonder into the woods wawe P.] Ȝour heddes for to hide, [1167 hede N.] For I am swiþe fawe, [1168 swyde f. C; frely fayne L—For (The A)sothe for to sayne NA; Ffor here vpon this plaine P.] Þauȝ I schulde be slawe, [1169 schall A—slayne LNAP.] Biker of hem to abide.' [1170 B. with hem L; The battell P; Ham alle NA—to] y woll CP; y schalle NA.] Line 1170 Into þe forest þey rode, [1171 wode C—he LNA.] And Libeaus þer abod [P 1190] [1172 A. Sir L. P—þer out aboþe C—A. ther he boldly ab. L; A. boldely ther (he add. A) ab. NA.] As aunterous kniȝt in pride. [1173 kn.] proude L—As prince prowd in pr. A; Sir L. rode in pr. N; Of him what may betyde P.] Wiþ bowes and wiþ arblaste [R 1120] [1174 bowe CA—and arbl. L—Then the smote at him with crossebowes P.] To him þey schote faste [1175 They shot∣ten to him L—full faste A—With speare and with bowes turkoys P.] Line 1175 And made him woundes wide. [1176 That P.]

99

Libeaus stede ran [99. 1177 Syr L. LNA—st. so r. NA—S. L. with his horsse r. P.] And bar doun hors and man; [1178 He NA.] For no þing nolde he spare. [1179 wolde LNAP—her (!) C.] Ech man seide þan: [1180 Euery man P; All (þe add. A) men LA; Al the folke N; þat peple C.] Line 1180 'Þis is þe fend Satan, [1181 That hee was P; Here comyth N—þe] om. C—devyll LN.] Þat mankende will forfare.' [P 1200] [1182 That wold mankind P; Oure kynd he wyll A—That makith wilde fire fare N.] For, whom Libeaus arauȝte, [1183 F.] om. NA—whom so L; Who so N; Whom þat A; he that P—ser L. AP—rauȝt NAP.] After his ferste drauȝte [R 1130] [1184 At L—He cleuith (slew A) with his drauȝt NA; His death wound there he caught P.] He slep for evermare. [1185 And slowe NA—And smote them downe bydeene P.] Line 1185 But sone he was besette, [1186 And (þus add. A) s. NA; B. anon P.] As deer is in a nette, [1187 As þeer C; As fisch is N; As þe fysche A; As a ffish P—the LA.] Wiþ grimly woundes sare, [1188 greuely N—W. gr. gromys there A; With groomes ffell and keene P.]

100

For twelf kniȝtes all prest [100. 1189 F.] om. CNA—a. pr.] pr. N; verelye P.] He siȝ come out of þe west [1190 He s.] om. A; Ther N—out of the forest NA; yn þe forest C; ryding redylye P.] Line 1190 In armes cler and briȝt. [1191 armour NA—bryght a. clere L; ffaire a. br. P.] Al day þey hadde y-rest [P 1210] [1192 A. the d. P; A. that d. NA—had þei A—reste AP.] And pouȝt in þat forest [1193 A.] For the P—þouȝ C, abode N; byden A—the NAP.] To sle Libeaus þat kniȝt. [R 1140] [1194 To see Sir L. P—þe CA.] Of a sute þey were all twelve; [1195 Of s. CL; In a sweate P; In armour NA—þ.] om. C; ther N—a.] om. NA.] Line 1195

Þat on was þe lord him self, [1196 þat] om. AP—þe l.] Otys NA.] In rime to rede ariȝt. [1197 In they rime P; In romans A—ryght AP.] Þey smitte to him at ones [1198 That N—to] att P—all at o. CP.] And þouȝte to breke his bones [1199 They NA; Ffor they P.] And fille him doun in fiȝt. [1200 A. to f. L; A. sle NA—d.] om. LNA—in that f. N; in that tyde A.] Line 1200

101

Þo miȝte men here dinge [101. 1201 Ther A—d.] ryȝht A—Then men myȝt se ariȝt N; Ffast together can the ding P.] And rounde rappes ringe [P 1220] [1202 A. swordes lowde rynge C; A. round they stroakes he gan fflinge P; Strokis sadly pliȝt (lyght A) NA.] Among hem all in fere. [1203 alle ham N.] For soþ, wiþ oute lesinge, [R 1150] [1204 und 1205 umgestellt L.] [1204 F. s.] Forthe L—So harde þey gonne þrynge C.] Þe sparkes gonne out springe [1205 sparkylles LNAP—out gan NAP; conne to L.] Line 1205 From scheld and helmes clere. [1206 Throwe NA; Of P—sch.] helme NA—h.] basnet NA; harnesse P—cl.] there NA.] Libeaus slouȝ of hem þre; [1207 fehlt N. Sir L. P—Syr L. slew and þe knyȝht thre A.] Þe four gonne to fle [1208 And þe C—fourthe begon L—And IIII awey gan fle NAP.] And dorst nouȝt niȝe him nere. [1209 þorst C; wold P—come P—(Thei durst (Ne d. þei A) come him no (om. A) nere NA.] Þe lord dwelde in þat stour [1210 lefte L; abode P; fauȝt NA—the L—schour C.] Line 1210 And his sones four, [1211 With A—And soe did his sonnes 4 P.] To selle har lives dere. [P 1230] [1212 d.] þere C—To helpe them in fere A.]

102

Þo ronne rappes rive; [102. 1213 þo r.] Then they gaue P; Thei (Syr Lib. A) leide on NA—strokis NAP—þer ronne þo r. r. C.]

He on aȝens hem five [R 1160] [1214 on] om. C; al one N—h.] om. LNA.] Fauȝt, as he were wod. [1215 He f. N; And ff. P—they P.] Line 1215 Niȝ doun þey gonne him drive; [1216 dr.] bring P—Togadir gan they dryue NA.] As water doþ of clive, [1217 So L—the w. P—of the skythe L; of a Spring P—As bene (beys A) abowte an hyve NA.] Of him ran þe blod. [1218 ham N.] As he was niȝ y-spilt, [P 1238] [1219 Then was he P; Wh. (sir add. NA) Lib. was LNA—nere NP—spilte LNAP.] [1219 und 1220 umgestellt P.] His swerd brast in þe hilt: [P 1237] [1220 brake NAP—bi NP.] Line 1220 Þo was he mad of mode. [1221 Than w. he LNA; He w. full P—mode] rede A.] Þe lord a strok him sette [P 1240] [1222 on him s. P; he sete L.] Þoruȝ helm and basnet, [1223 þouȝ C.] Þat in þe skulle hit stod. [R 1170] [1224 þat om. P—at N; to A—sk.] scheld C; flesch A—h.] with N—bode A.]

103

A swouȝ he fell adoun [103. 1225 In swounynge LN; Then in a swoone P; He swonyd A—he] and A—lowted P—downe LN; lowe P.] Line 1225 On his hinder arsoun, [1226 An C; Vpon L; Ouer NA; He leaned on P—ferther a. L; hors cropoune NA; saddle bow P.] As man, þat was all mate. [1227 As a m. P—wer A—all m.] a m. A; m. CN; nye slake P.] His fomen wer well boun, [1228 fone L; 4 sonnes P—well] om. N; full L; all AP—bownde L; a bowne P.] To perce his acketoun, [1229 Ffor to P—persyue L; perische NP; pare of A—a.] crowne A.] Gipell, maile and plate. [1230 G.] Bothe L; Double P—Throwe helme (and basnet (b. a. A) plate NA.] Line 1230 As he gan sore smerte, [1231 But as P; When LNA—sore ganne A; gan P—to sm. LP.] He pulled up his herte [P 1250] [1232 Againe he P—plukkid NAP—Vp he pullede h. h. C.] And kevered of his state. [1233 He A—sterryd L—of] om. N; vp L; vpon A—As the Kinde of his estate P.]

An ax he hente all boun, [R 1180] [1234 ex C—a. b.] him nyghe L—And hent (He h. an ax A) that was (hong A) him nye NA; And soone he h. in his ffist P.] Þat heng at his arsoun; [1235 by L; doune bi N—thighe LN—At hys hynder arsoun C; An axe that hanged on his sadle crest P; He smote þe knyght doun be þe kne A.] Line 1235 Allmest him þouȝte to late. [1236 A.he th. N; A. itt was P—Thorow habergon and plate A.]

104

He stered him as a kniȝt: [104. 1237 Tho he st. h. L; þan besterede he h. C; He sterith h. N; He st. h. there A; Then he ffought P.] Þre stedes heddes doun riȝt [1238 þre st. h.] Thre st. L; Hare st. N; That III knyghtes A; Their horsses ffell P—adowne L.] He slouȝ at strokes þre. [1239 smot C—dyntis NA.] Þe lord siȝ þat siȝt [1240 When þe A; And when the P—that in s L; the ffight P.] Line 1240 And of his hors aliȝt; [1241 A.] om. AP—on C—courser C; stede L—lyȝt C; he al. L; he gan lyȝht A; adowne gan light P.] Awey he gan to fle. [P 1260] [1242 And (om. A) aweyward NA—he ffast g. P; he began L; gan he N—to] om. NAP.] Libeaus no lenger abod, [1243 Sir Lib. NAP.] But aftir him he rod [R 1190] [1244 he] om. N; ffast he P—Faste as he wer wode A.] And under a chestein tre [1245 A.] om. LN—vnþer C—chest of tree P—After hym rode he A.] Line 1245 Þer he hadde him quelde, [1246 þ.] Vnder a cheston tre A—quelþe C; killed P; yquelde N.] But þe lord him ȝeld, [1247 B. that the L; B. as the N—Had he not to hym aȝelde A.] At his wille to be, [1248 for to LAP.]

105

And be certaine extente [105. 1249 bi a c. NA—stente LN; entent A—And ffor to yeeld his stent P.] Tresour, lond and rente, [1250 londes A.] Line 1250 Castell, halle and bour. [1251 Castellus A—tower P.]

Libeaus þer to consente [P 1270] [1252 Therto Lib. NA—assente LNA—Sir L. consented therto P.] In forward, þat he wente [1253 By f. so that L—Him fforward that he wold goe P.] To þe king Arthour [R 1200] [1254 Vnto þe A; Vnto LP; On to N.] And seye: "Lord of renoun, [1255 sayde L—of great r. P.] Line 1255 As overcome and prisoun [1256 and] om. NA—In battell I am ouerthrowne P.] I am to þin honour." [1257 And sent thee to honor P.] Þe lord graunte his wille [1258 gr. to h. w. C; gr. it at h. w. N; gr. theretill P.] Boþe loude and stille [1259 lowþe C—Ffor to doe all his will P.] And ledde him to his tour. [1260 A. l. h. home to N; They went home to P—bour C.] Line 1260

106

Anoon þat maide Elene [106. 1261 the L—The dworfe and m. E. NA; And anon M. E. P.] Wiþ gentill men fiftene [P 1280] [1262 g. m.] knights P—Went with sir (om. A) Lib. y wene NA.] Was fet to þat castell. [1263 i-fett L; ffeitched P—into P—the LP—To (Vnto A) sir Otys castelle NA.] Sche and þe dwerȝ bidene [R 1210] Telde dedes kene [1265 T. all the d. L; T. of the d. N; T. of his d. P; T. of ser Lib. d. A.] Line 1265 Of Libeaus, hou hit fell, [1266 befell LN—And how that itt befell P.] And which presentes four [1267 A. wh.] Swyche C; And of the NA; That hee had P—persones L; prisoneres A.] He sente to king Arthour, [1268 He] om. P; That he NA—hadde ysent C—to] om. C; vnto P—k] om. A.] Þat he wan fair and well. [1269 had woone P—f. a.] so N; ryght A; ffull P.] Þe lord was glad and bliþe [1270-1272 fehlen N. 1270 gl. a.] well L.] Line 1270 And þonked fele siþe [1271 þonkeþ C—f.] god a C A; god often P—syde C.] God and seint Michell, [R 1218] [P 1290] [1272 G. a.] And also AP.]

107 [107 fehlt in C.]

Þat swich a noble kniȝt [1273 douȝti N; herdy A.] Schulde winne in fiȝt [1274 His ladi sch. N—w. in] with werre in L; ffor that Ladye P.] His lady fair and hende. [1275 Wynne his l. free L; That was soe ffaire and ffree P.] Line 1275 To cover main and miȝt [1276 c. with m. L—In the towne dwelled a Knight P.] Libeaus a fourteniȝt [1277 Att the ffull ffortnight P; Furti daies with the knyȝt NA.] Þer wiþ him gan lende. [1278 Ther than he gon l. A; Ther than g. he sende N; Sir L. there g. bee P.] He dede him helen his wounde, [1279 And NAP—d. heale him P; d. helen L; helyd hym A—of his wounds P; euery wonde A.] Þat he was hol and sound [1280 þ. he w.] And made hym L; Bothe P—hold L—sounne A.] Line 1280 Be þe fourteniȝt ende. [1281 þe] that day N—f.] XL deys A; six wokis NP.] Þan Libeaus and þat may [P 1300] [1282 Th. Sir L. P—the N; his P.] Toke her riȝte way, [1283 the NA—redy A—Rode fforthe on their way P.] To Sinadoun to wende.

108 [108 fehlt in C.]

Þe lord wiþ oute dwellinge [1285 That N—lettyng NA—And alsoe the Lord of that tower P.] Line 1285 Wente to Arthour þe king [1286 W. vnto K. A. P.] And for prisoun him ȝeld [1287 f.] om. P—prisoner NAP—h. did y. P.] And telde, hou a kniȝt ȝing [1288 He A—h. a kn. ȝ.] him the begynnynge L; to (vnto A) the kyng NA.] Hadde wonne him in fiȝtinge [1289 H. w. h.] Howe (suche a (aventours N) knyght LNA—in f.] yonge NA—In ff. had him woone P.] [1290 A. o.] A. o. him P; Wan hym LNA—in the f. LAP. 1290^a^-^c (= P1309-1311):

And said: 'Lord of great renowne! I am in battell brought adowne With a Knight soe bolde. add. P.

] And overcome in felde. [P 1308] Line 1290

King Arthour hadde god game, [P 1312] And so hadde alle in same, [1292 so h. they a. P; the (hys A) knyȝtis NA.] Þat herde þat tale y-telde, [P 1314] [1293 soe told P.] And chosen him profitable [1294-1296 fehlen P. 1294 A. (A. þer A) thei ch. NA—h.] for N.] Kniȝt of þe rounde table, [1295 By kn. L; The kn. N; A kn. A.] Line 1295 To fiȝte wiþ spere and scheld.

109

Nou reste we her a while [R 1219] [P 1315] [109. 1297 h.] om. A—Rest we nowe a wh. N; Now let vs r. a wh. P.] Of sir Otes de Lile [R 1220] [1298 de la Ile N; de la byle A.] And telle we oþer tales. [1299 of other N; forthe oure LA.] Libeaus rod many a mile [1300 Sir L. NAP; Howe Lyb. L.] Line 1300 And siȝ aventurs file [1301 Sawe P; Among C; In NA—f.] many and vile P; the while L; and in (om. A) perile NA.] In Irland and in Wales. [P 1320] [1302 And L—Irl.] England P; Cornewaile NA.] Hit fell in þe monþ of June, [1303 Till itt P—befell CLNAP—in June y wene L.] Whan þe fenell hongeþ in toun [1304 þe] om. L—in the t. P; al grene L—Whan leuys and buskid (lies: buskis) ben grene N;When þe leuys wex grene A.] Grene in semely sales; [1305 All greene P; Abowte L; And flowris NA—saale LN; manner P.] Line 1305 Þe someris day is long, [1306 þys C—midsummer P—is ffaire and l. P.] Mery is þe foules song [1307 M. (is thanne (th. is A) the songe NA.] And notes of þe niȝtingales: [R 1230] [1308 A. n.] om. NA; A n. C—nygh∣tyngale LN—The notes of birds on bryar P.]

110

Þat time Libeaus gan ride [110. 1309 Than th. N—gan Lib. NA; L. com C—Sir L. then g. r. P.] Be a river side [1310 Along by P—reueres L; ryuer is N.] Line 1310

And siȝ a fair cite [1311 He N—greet C.] Wiþ paleis proud in pride [P 1330] [1312 W. a p. N—W. pauillyons of much pride P.] And castelles hiȝ and wide [1313 A castelle h. N; And a castle ffaire P.] And ȝates greet plente. [1314 Wiþ C.] He axed, what hit hiȝt; [1315 a. ffast wh. P.] Line 1315 Þe maide seide anon riȝt: [1316 mey A.] 'Sir, I will telle þe! [1317 S.] om. NA—w. gladly t. A; t. hyt C—to the N.] Men clepeþ hit Ile d'or; [R 1240] [1318 calys A—h.] this LA—II- deore L; Ildore NA.] Her haþ be fiȝtinge mor, [1319 Ther NP—h. y-be N; be L; is A—fightis L; slaine Knights P.] Þan owher in any countre. [1320 owh.] euer was N; is A; beene P—a.] many A; this P—Ther is werr in euery countre L.] Line 1320

111

For a lady of pris, [111. 1321 l. ful of N; l. that is of P.] Roddy as rose on rise, [P 1340] [1322 R.] Wiþ rode reed C; Hir rode (coulour P) is rede (reder A) NAP—as r. on] þan þe A.] Þis countre is in doute. [1323 All th. P—is al in NA.] A geaunt, þat hatte Maugis, [1324 Ffor a P—þ.] om. C—hight PLA—Mangus N; Magus A; Man∣gys P; Maungys C.] Nowher his per þer nis, [1325 þ. n.] is L—His pere nouȝt yfounde (fownd A) is NA; There is no more such theeues P] Line 1325 Her haþ beleide aboute. [1326 H. h. besett L; He hath (bisette hur (her bes. A) NA; That Ladye hee lyeth P.] He is as blak as pich; [1327 is bl. CNA; is heathen as bl. P—as (so N) ony p. CAN.] Nowher þer is non swich [R 1250] [1328 þ.] om. L—Now there be no more such P; In al this worlde is him none liche N; In al þe lond is non so stoute A.] Of dedes sterne and stoute. [1329 fehlt A. dede C—sterne] so st. N; strong P.] Line 1330

What kniȝt, þat passeþ þe bregge, [1330 The kn. A; Ho C—þat] so L—this NAP.] Line 1330 His armes he mot doun legge [1331 armour A—he mot l. C; must he l. N.] And to þe geaunt aloute. [R 1254] [P 1350] [1332 Or A—þe g.] him N—alowty N; loute AP.]

112 [112 fehlt in C.]

He is þritty fote of lengþe [1333 is of th. A; is 20 P; is furti N—on l. L; longe NA.] And miche more of strengþe, [1334 (And also swithe (For sothe also A) stronge NA.] Þan oþer kniȝtes five: [1335 As o. kn. fifte NA.] Line 1335 Sir Libeaus, well beþenk þe, [1336 w.] om. NA; now P—b. þe] thinke on thy suete A.] Þat þou wiþ him ne meng þe; [1337 not with h. A—m. þe] mete A; macched bee L—With suche one to melle N; He is more grimmner ffor to see P.] He is grim to descrive. [1338 He is wondir grisly N; For he is full grymly A; Then any one aliue P.] He bereþ on everich browe [1339 He b. haires on his br. P; Eche (The A) here of his browyn (berd gryme A) NA.] As bristelles of a sowe, [1340 As it were br. L; Like the br. P—Is (Be A) liche the here (brystelles A) of a swyn NA.] Line 1340 His heed greet as an hive; [1341 H. h. is gr. and stout P; (For it is sothe (Forsoth A) wittirly NA.] His armes þe lengþe of an elle; [P 1360] [1342 H. a.] Eche arme is P—H. a. bith wondir long N; H. bonys are full long A.] His fistes beþ full felle, [1343 arne L—full] great and P—And him silue also (full A) strong NA.] Dintes wiþ to drive.' [1344 D. ffor to dr. about P; He (And A) sleyth al that comyth him by NA.]

[112^a von NA hinzugefügt:

And so is he grymly, [1344^a For soth he is as gr. A] As y telle the wittirly, [1344^b w.] vereley A] He is also grete, [1344^c And also perdye A.] As is an ox or a kowe, [1344^d As any ox or cow A.] For sothe, as y sey nowe, [1344^e n.] ȝow A.] Line 1344e Or as grete as eny nete. [1344^f An asse our any n. A.] A carte stife and good [1344^g With A.] Vnnethe, bi the rode, [1344ⁱ hir N; hym and hys A.] May his gere lede. He is ful stife and sture; [1344^k f.] om. A—sture] stronge N.] Line 1344k Ther may no man his dynt dure; For sothe, so bith thei grete. [1344^m So than are þei gr. A.]

]

113

Line 1345

Quoþ Libeaus: 'Maide hende, [R 1255] [113. 1345 þo seyde L. C; Sir L. said P.] Line 1345 My way nou will I wende [1346 On our w. P—n.] om. NAP—we will P—Schold y wonde to wende C.] For alle his strokis ille. [1347 F. h. dentys ylle C.] Ȝif god me grace sende, [1348 g. will me LAP; g. wol N.] Er þis day come to ende, [1349 c. to an e. P; be at þe e. A.] Wiþ fiȝt I hope him spille: [R 1260] [P 1368] [1350 W. f.] om. P—hope] schall CNA—fell L; ffor to sp. P.] Line 1350 I have y-sein grete okes [1351-1353 fehlen P. 1351 sene LA.] Falle for windes strokes [1352 with wynde strokis NA; with wyndes and str. L.] And smale stonde full stille. [1353 A. the lytell st. L; In litille stunde N—þe smale han stonde stylle C.] Þauȝ I be ȝing and lite, [P 1369] [1354 fehlt A. Thoughe that y be litell L.] To him will I smite; [P 1370] [1355 schalle N; ȝyt wyll C—I will him sore smyte P; I sett no by hym a myte A.] Line 1355 [1356 And l. AP—Do g. all h. w. C. 1356^a^-^c (= P 1372-1374):

I beseech god almight, That I may soe with him ffight, That grant (lies: giant) ffor to kill. add. P.

] Let god do his wille!' [P 1371]

114

Þey ride forþ all þre [P 1375] [114. 1357 The A; Then they P.] Toward þat faire cite, [1358 To NA; Vnto P.] Men clepeþ hit Ile d'or. [1359 That men LNA; Me C—calleth L; callyd A; call P—h.] om. LNA—ylledore C; Ile dolour L.] Line 1360

Maugis þey gonne y-se [R 1270] [1360 Maun∣geys C; Maugus N; Than Magus A; Anon Mangy P—gan thei NAP—see LNAP.] Line 1360 Upon a bregge of tre, [1361 þe CA.] Beld as wilde bore. [P 1380] [1362 B.] Loke N; As grimm P—as a w. b. LN; as any b. AP.] His scheld was blak as pich, [1363 w.] as C—p.] ter P.] Lingell, armes, trappure swich; [1364 tr. was sw. C—His paytrill, his crouper P; And all his armour suche L; Lib. say neuer none suche NA.] Þre maumettes þer inne wore, [1365 IIII N; Fowre A—was N.] Line 1365 [1366-1368 lauten in NA:

For no while he stode, But to Libeous ȝode And seid to him with wowe; N. Ther no while he stode; To Lybeaus sone he rode; He was blake as any bere. A

1366 gilte L—The were gaylye gilt with gold P.] Of gold gailich y-geld; A spere in honde he held [1367 schafte an h. C—And a sp. in his h. he did hold P.] And his scheld him before. [1368 his] oo C—childe (!) L—And alsoe his sword in ffere P.]

115

He cride to him in spite: [115. 1369-1371 fehlen NA. 1369 despyte CP.] 'Say, þou felaw in whit, [R 1290] [1370 And said' ffellow I thee quite P.] Line 1370 Tell me, what art þou? [1371 Now what thou art mee tell P.] Torne hom aȝain als tit [P 1390] [1372 And t. P—h.] om. NAP—als] om. L; as N; all so CAP.] For þin owe profit, [1374 louede C; lovyst L—pr.] selfe well P. 1374^a^-^c:

Whan he say Libeous with siȝt, He seyde (to hym add. A)anone riȝt: 'Telle me, whate art thowe!' add. NA.

] Ȝef þou love þy prou!' Line 1375

Libeaus seide anoon riȝt: [1375 Sir L. NAP—a. r.] apliȝt N; I plyght A.] Line 1375 'King Arthour made me kniȝt; [1376 K.] om. C—a Kn. P.] To him I made avou, [1377 And to A; Vnto P—av.] my vow P; myne avowe N.] Þat I ne schulde never turne bak; [1378 ne] om. LAP—never] om. N—t. my b. NP.] Þer fore, þou devell in blak, [1379 For þe thow A; Ffor noe such P—fend A—in] om. LA; so N.] Make þe redy nou!' [1380 Goe make P.] Line 1380

116

Sir Libeaus and Maugis [116. 1381 Now S. P—Maugus on fote (forth add. A) yode NA.] On stedes proude of pris [P 1400] [1382 Of horsses P—in L—And Libeous rode to him (with his (on A) stede NA.] Togeder ride full riȝt. [1383 T. they r. P—For sothe than ful riȝt NA.] Boþe lordes and ladis [1384 B.] om. NA—lad. briȝt N; Lad. there P.] Leyn out in pount tournis, [1385 Laynen (Lay N) in LN; L. on P; Rode in A—pomet tours C; pount tornere P; her toures L; þer curryculis A; hare korvelle N.] Line 1385 To se þat selly siȝt, [1386 For to L—biholde NA—s.] om. LNA; seemlye P—fyȝt CNA.] And praide god loude and still, [1387 Thei NA—g.] om. C; to g. LNP—bothe l. a. st. L; wiþ good wyll C; of his wille NA.] Ȝif hit were his will, [1388 If that itt P—his swete w. L—Boþe lode and styll CNA.] Helpe þat cristen kniȝt, [1389 To h. P; Save L; To save NA—H. Lyb. þe kn. C.] And þat file geaunt, [R 1300] [1390 the P—That schulde yeve grace þat jeaunt N; And gyff grace þat þe gyant A.] Line 1390 Þat leved in Termagaunt, [1391 leuyth NA; beleeueth P—on LN; of þe A—Turnemagaunte L; Tormagaunt N; Termegaunt A.] Þat day to diȝe in fiȝt. [P 1410] [1392 This d. LA; That he P—to d.] schulde d. N; might d. P; be sleyn A.]

117

Har schaftes breke asonder, [117. 1393 Ther hare N—scheldes C; speres P—bor∣sten L—on sonder LN; in s. A.] Har dentes ferd as þonder, [1394 Ther strokes AP; Eueri stroke N—as the th. P; as donder C; as doundir N.] Þe peces gonne out springe. [1395 þ.] sperkyllus A—of L.] Line 1395 Ech man hadde wonder, [1396-1398 stehen nach 1399-1401 NA. 1396 Eueri NAP—h. great w. P; h. w. þo A.] Þat Libeaus nadde be under [1397 Th. Sir L. P—ne hadde ybe C; ne had gon L; nad go N; had not beene P—vnþer C—Ne þat ser Lib. was smyte in two A.] At Þe ferst ginning. [1398 begynnynge LNAP.] Þey drouȝe swordes boþe [1399 Anon they dr. P; þanne drouȝ dey C.] As men, þat were wroþe, [R 1310] [1400 w. ffull wr. P.] Line 1400 And gonne togeder dinge. [1401 Tog. gan they d. P.] Libeaus smitte Maugis so, [P 1420] [1402 Sir L. LNAP—tho NAP.] Þat his scheld fell him fro [1403 swerde NA—flyȝe A.] And in þe feld gan flinge. [1404 A.] om. P—ynto C—g.] he gan itt P—And fro hym it gan swyng A; Without eny lesyng N.]

118

Maugis was queinte and quede [118. 1405 Maugus cowthe moche qu. N; Syr Magus dyde quyte hym the A; Mangyes gan smite in that stead P.] Line 1405 And smitte his stede on þe heed [1406 A. hit N—his] Lyb. LNA—on þe h.] so A—And smot of þe stedes heed C; Sir Lyb. horse on the h. P.] And dasched out þe braine. [1407 A. smote N; þat all fell C; That he sched A—out] om. A—hys AP.] Þe stede fell doune deed; [1408 fehlt NA. His horsse f. d. dyinge P.] Libeaus no þing ne sede, [1409 Syr L. LAP—noth. saide N; noth. he s. A; nought s. L; s. noth. P.] Bot start him up aȝain. [R 1320] [1410 st. vp NP; vp he st. A—aȝ.] on (in A) a braide NA. 1410^a Riȝt ful sone ayaine add. NA.] Line 1410 An ax he hente boun, [1411 And an L—he] om. L—ybowne L; ful sone NA—An axe in his hand he h. anon P.]

Þat heng at his arsoun, [P 1430] [1412 þ. h.] And hewe N—by LNA; on P—sadle arson P; croupon A; hekke (?) bone N.] And smitte a strok of main [1413 sm.] stroke L—a str. of] to (om. A) hym with LNA.] Þoruȝ Maugis stedes swire [1414 stede L; horsse P—That (happid to (a pese of A) his schilde NA.] And forcarf bon and lire; [1415 He L—Carued him throug long and liuer P; Hit flye fro him into the fielde N; Fell doune in þe feld A.] Line 1415 Þat heed fell in þe plain. [P 1434] [1416 That the h. L—And fille (riȝt into (doune on A) the playne NA; And quitt him well againe P.]

119

A fote boþe þey fouȝte; [R 1327] [119. 1417 fehlt P. On fote LN; Togyder onne f. A—b.] om. CA—fyghte L; gonne to (om. A) fyȝte CA.] Descrive no man ne mouȝte [R 1330] [P 1435] [1418 That no man dyskryue A; No man bitwene ham N—ne m.] myght LNA—D. the stroakes cold no man P; As men þat wer of myȝte (cf. 1420) C.] Þe strokes betwene hem two. [R 1329] [P 1436] [1419 betwis L; betwyx A—That were giuen betwene them then P. 1419^a (= P 1437) To bedd peace was no bote thoe add. P.] Depe woundes þey lauȝte, [P 1438] [1420 und 1421 umgestellt A.] [1420 D.] Bothe L—w. there they P—caught P; rauȝt NA—Descryue no man ne myȝte (= 1418) C.] Line 1420 For þey were unsauȝte [R 1331] [1421 w. vnsyȝt C; both sore ffought P.] And eiþer oþres fo. [P 1440] [1422 eyder C; either was P; eueri of ham N—other is LN—Ayther oþer to slo A.] From þe our of prime, [1423 of the pr. N.] Till hit was evesong time, [1424 T. h. were L; Vnto þe A.] To fiȝte þey wer þro. [1425 Of fiȝting N; In fyght A—were thei NA—well þro C; there N; tho A—They ffought together thoe P.] Line 1425 Sir Libeaus þursted sore [1426 durstede C; thrested L; athurstyd A; was athurst N, thirsted then P.] And seide: 'Maugis, þin ore, [1428 dr. thou l. LNA.] To drinke let me go,

120

And I schall graunte þe, [120. 1429 A.] om. N—will gr. to thee P.] What bone þou biddest me, [R 1430] [1430 b.] loue P—þ.] so þ. A; so euer thou N—aske A; axi N; aske of L.] Line 1430 Swich cas ȝef þe betit. [1431 happe P—þe] þat C—betide LP—S. grace may betide NA.] Greet schame hit wolde be, [P 1450] [1432 For gr. L—w. be] were for the N; wer þe to A.] A kniȝt for þurst to sle [1433 For durste a kn. C—to slo A; shold dye P.] And no more profit.' [1434 no maner L; full lytell A—parfyte L—And to thee litle pryde P.] Maugis graunte his will, [1435 gr. him h. w. P; gr. it welle N.] Line 1435 To drinken all his fill, [1436 For to dr. h. f. NAP.] Wiþ oute more despite. [1437 m.] any more P—delyte A—Wiþ any desp. C; With more delite N.] As Libeaus ley on þe bank [1438 Whan N—Sir L. P; he L—ouer P—the wateris b. N.] And þoruȝ his helm he drank, [1439 A.] om. P—thrught A—hes C—he] om. L.] Maugis a strok him smitte, [1440 a str.] smertly L; gan NAP.] Line 1440

121

Þat in þe river he fell; [121. 1441 þat] om. NA—Into NAP—f.] goes P.] His armure ech a dell [P 1462] [1442 und 1444 mit einander vertauscht P.] [1442 With h. P—armes C—euery d. LAP—Armour and eueri d. N.] Was weet and evell adiȝt; [P 1461] [1443 W.] om. NA—Ywette N—ydight LN; dyght A—Wonderfful he was dight P.] But up he starte snell [P 1460] [1444 B.] om. NA—st. as (also N; full A) sn. LNA—But vp anon he rose P.] And seide: 'Be seint Michell, [P 1463] [1445 A. swere N; Now P.] Line 1445 Nou am I two so liȝt! [1446 two so] to þe A—I am twise as light P.] What? wenest þou fendes fere, [1447 Wh.] om. LNA—wendest þou CN.] Uncristened þat I were, [1448 I] om. C—That I vnch. w. P.] Till I siȝ þe wiþ siȝt? [1449 Or thou s. itt w. s. P; To the my trewthe y pliȝt NA.] Line 1450

I schal for þis baptise [R 1360] [1450 thi NAP.] Line 1450 Well quite þy servise, [1451 Ryȝt w. qu. C; Qu. w. L; W. qu. þe AP.] Þoruȝ grace of god almiȝt.' [P 1470] [1452 Th. the gr. N; By the gr. P; Th. helpe A.]

122

Þan a newe fiȝt began; [122. 1453 þ.] om. P—a] om. CL—battel P—þey beg. C; there beg. P.] Eiþer to oþer ran [1454 And ayther A; And eueri N; Either ffast P—tyll C.] And delde dentes strong. [1455 del.] ȝaue ther NA—And stroakes gaue with might P.] Line 1455 Many a gentilman [1456 Well m. L; There was m. P.] And ladies, whit as swan, [1457 A. alsoe L. P—as wh. as LNP.] For Libeaus hondes wrong; [1458 L.] him N—her h. LNA—They prayed all ffor the Knight P.] For Maugis in þe feld [1459 But M. anon in the ff. P.] Forcarf Libeaus scheld [R 1370] [1460 Claue atwo N; Cleft A; Car∣ued assunder P—ser L. AP; his N.] Line 1460 Wiþ dente of armes long. [1461 Thorough LNA—dyntis N; stroakes P—strong A; great P.] Þan Libeaus ran away, [P 1480] [Mit 1462 beginnt das vierte fragment von I, 1462-1578. 1462 þ. sir L. IP.] Þer Maugis scheld lay, [1463 þer þat M. C; Thither were M. P.] And up he gan hit fonge [1464 fynge N; gett P.]

123

And ran aȝain to him; [123. 1465 Fast (Than N; And A) he (Lib. NA) ran to him aȝeyn INA.] Line 1465 Wiþ strokes stout and grim [1466 strout C; sharpe L; great P—And smot (to add. N) him wiþ mayn INA.] Togider þey gonne asaile. [1467 T. þ.] Eyther (Eueri of ham N; And I) other LINA—gan NA; did P—asaye I.] Beside þe water brim, [1468 und 1469 umgestellt LINA.] [1468 There bes. P; Vpon L—þat ryuer C—Af[t]er passid euensonge N.]

Till hit derked dim, [1469 Vnto IN; To A—h. d.] it waxed wonderous P; the day was LINA—dim] done N.] Betwene hem was bataile. [R 1380] [1470 w.] lasted that P—þeo knyȝtis heold b. INA.] Line 1470 Libeaus was werrour wiȝt [1471 Sir Lib. NAP.] And smitte a strok of miȝt [P 1490] [1472 ȝaf INA—a str.] strokes A—of much m. P.] Þoruȝ gipell, plate and maile. [1473 g.] om. A; gepoun IL; splete N; hawberke P.] Forþ wiþ þe scholder bon [1474 F. w.] Thorowe LI; And throwe NA—þe] his INA—Hee smote of by the shoolder bone P.] His riȝt arm fell anoon [1475 That h, r. LINA; Maugys C—f.] om. LINA; f. of C; soone and P.] Line 1475 Into þe feld, saunz faile. [1476 Fille into N; Fell in LIA—with oute AP.]

124

Þe geaunt þis gan se, [124. 1477 When the P; þat I; Tho A—geaunt I—þis] om. INA; that P—yseo I; to se NA.] Þat he schulde slawe be; [1478 slayne LP; þer slayne N—That sleyn sch. be A; Islawe þat he sch. be C.] He fliȝ wiþ miȝt and main. [1479 And C—fledde LP; feol I—m. a.] much P—He stode defens (to fense A) aȝayne NA.] Libeaus after gan te; [R 1390] [1480 Syr Lyb. a. L; Sir L. after him P; After sir Lib. I—tee I; fle C; hye P—Sir Lib. so to him smote N; And at þe secund stroke A.] Line 1480 Wiþ sterne strokes þre [1481 And w. strokes þreo I; A. w. strong stroakes mightye P; That at þe secunde stroke N; Syr Lyb. to hym smote A.] He smitte his bak atweyn. [P 1500] [1482 He] om. P; And CA—barst I; brake NA—arme A—on twayne L; in tweyn AP; in two I.] Þe geaunt þer beleved, [1483 beleueþ C; he leuyd A—Thus was the Gyant dead P.] Libeaus smitte of his heved: [1484 Syr Lyb. LP.] Þer of he was fain. [1485 ful fayne NA—And of þe batayle was f. C; Then was the people ff. P.] Line 1485 He bar þe heed into þe toun; [1486 He] Sir Lyb. P—his IN—heed] unleserlich I—to the t. P; to t. IN—He wente ynto þe t. C.]

Wiþ a fair processioun [1487 a] om. C—pro∣cessioun I—The mett him w. a. ff. pr. P.] Þe folk com him aȝain. [1488 Þat C—people P—com him aȝeyn I.]

125

A lady, whit as flour, [125. 1489 fehlt N. A l.] That lady was A—bright L; bryȝt I—as the Lyllye ffl. P; so fl. I.] Þat hiȝte la dame d'amour, [R 1400] [1490 þ.] om. P—h.] men calleth L; men callyd A; men clepith N—la d. da∣more C; la dame Amoure L; Madam de Armoroure P; Diamour N; Denamowre A—þat men clepen Denamour I.] Line 1490 Afeng him fair and well [1491 Res∣seyved LAP; Reseyvid I; Restreynyd N—him w. a. f. L; h. ryȝt (fulle N) wel IN; h. full sone A; that gentle Knight P.] And þonked him wiþ honour, [P 1510] [1492 A.] The ladi N—him] om. CI—w. h.] hys h. C; in that stoure P.] Þat he was her socour [1493 was] wold P.] Aȝens þat geaunt fell. [1494 Aȝeyn I—þe CNA—g.] feend P—so fell CA; file L; to ffight P.] To chaumbre sche gan him lede [1495 To] unleserlich I; To a A; Til a N; Into the P—chaumber I—g.] om. LP—lede I; ledys L; ledd P.] Line 1495 And dede of all his wede [1496 And .. de of I; A. chaungid ther NA—a.] om. N—wedis L—And in purple and pall shee him cledd P.] And cloþed him in pell [1497 cloþid I; clodede C—In palle sho clothid him welle NA; And in rich royall weede P.] And profered him wiþ word, [1498 Heo I; Sho NA—at a word A; with honor P.] For to be her lord [1499 Euer IN; Euer mour A—h. l.] lord of towne and to∣wer P.] In cite and castell. [R 1410] [1500 Of ILNA—and of c. A—And her owne selfe to meede P.] Line 1500

126

Libeaus graunte in haste [126. 1501 Sir Lib. INP—gr. hir LA; gr. it N; ffrened her P.] And love to her he caste, [P 1520] [1502 he] om. IN; anon he P; ganne L.] For sche was briȝt and schene. [1503 und]

Alas! he nadde be chast; [1504 fehlen A. 1503 br.] ffaire P. 1504 she L; that sho N; that hee P—ne hadde CI; hadde L; had not P—ybe C—ychastid N.] For aftirward, at þe last, [1505-1518 riss im pergament I. 1505 after∣wards P; euer LNA; . . er I—at last C; at the latist N.] Line 1505 Sche dede him traie and tene; [1506 dede] . . de I—trayne (betray P) a. t. NP; greet tene C.] For twelf monþe and more [1507 F. tw.] . . . I] 12 P—monthes LP—Fully (om. N) thre wekes a. m. AN.] Libeaus dwelde þore [1508 As Lyb. dw. L; Sir L. tarryed P; Sho made him (to add. A) dwelle NA; . . de him dwelle I.] And þe maide Elene, [1509 A. þe] . . þe I; And his P; And C; And also NA; He forgate L—may I—E.] with renowne P.] Þat never he miȝte out breke, [R 1420] [1510 That he m. neuer P; . . . m. n. I; That he ne myȝt NA—out scape P.] Line 1510 For to helpe awreke [1511 F. to h.] . . pe I; To h. N—to awr. L; and awr. N; ne wr. A; no to wr. I; and ffor to wr. P.] Of Sinadoune þe quene; [P 1530] [1512 Of S.] . . doun I—The lady of Synadowne AP.]

127

For þis fair lady [127. 1513 F. þ.] . . . I; F. the L; F. that NAP.] Couþe more of sorcery, [1514 C.] . . I; Told (lies: Cold) P—moch C; muche I.] Þen oþer swiche five. [1515 More þen C—such other P; oþer wycches CN—. . yches fyue I.] Line 1515 Sche made him melodie [1516 h. suche mel. L; h. great mel. P—Off many a dyuerse mel. A; . . muche mel. I.] Of all maner menstralsy, [1517 With N—m. of m. NP—Sche mad hym mynstralsy A; . . er munstrassye I.] Þat any man miȝte descrive. [1518 a.] om. C—cowthe N; cold P—That myght no man d. A; . . (unleserlich) dyscrye I.] Whan he siȝ her face, [1519 For when A; What time I—he] om. A—looked on P.] Him þouȝte, þat he was [R 1430] [1520 He N—th. certainlye th. P—H. þouȝ he w. C.] Line 1520 In paradis a live. [1521 In] unleserlich I—on lyve LIA.]

Wiþ fantasme and fairie [P 1540] [1522 Wiþ] unleserlich I—fantime I; fantasy NAP—W. false lies a. faire L.] Þus sche blered his iȝe, [1523 þ.] om. A; This L; Euer N; And P.] Þat evell mot sche þrive! [1524 þ.] om. L; Therfore N—preue A—With ffalse sorcerye P.]

128

Till hit fell on a day, [128. 1525 befell LINAP—vpon LP; apon N.] Line 1525 He mette Elene, þat may, [1526 The N—m. with E. P—þe IA; that feire N.] Beside þe castell tour. [1527 Bi NA; Betwene P; Wiþinne C—that L; a IA—C. and the t. P.] To him sche gan to say: [1528 Til h. N; Then vnto h. P; To h. than L—ganne she LIN—to] om. LINAP.] 'Sir kniȝt, þou art fals of fay [1529 Kn. thou a. f. L; Thou a. ff. P; þow f. kn. I; Kn. f. is N; Kn. take hede A—of thy ffay P; in (to A) thi laye LINA.] Aȝens þe king Arthour. [R 1440] [1530 Vnto P—þe] om. LINAP.] Line 1530 For love of a woman, [1531 F. the l. LAP—a w.] that Ladye P.] Þat moch of sorcery can, [P 1550] [1532 m.] om. C—That can soe much curtesye P.] Þou doost greet dishonour. [1533 d. the gr. d. L; d. þe d. INAP.] My lady of Sinadoune [1534 þe C; þeo l; That A.] May longe ligge in prisoun, [1535 M.] om. C;. ay I—ligge] lyȝt C.] Line 1535 And þat is greet dolour!' [1536 A.] om. NA; And I—ful gr. NA.]

129

Libeaus herd her so speke; [129. 1537 Syr L. LP; Whan L. IN; When þat A—so] om. LINAP.] Him pouȝt, his hert wold breke [1538 þouȝ C—wold wold A; gan L.] For sorow and for schame. [1539-1541 fehlen INA.] At a posterne unsteke [R 1450] [1540 And at C—isteke L; there beside P.] Line 1540 Libeaus gan out breke [1541 L.] There he L—By night they gan out ryde P.] From þat gentill dame [P 1560] [1542 For INA.]

And tok wiþ him his stede, [1543 He INAP—his good st. P.] His scheld, his riche wede, [1544 H.] om. I—sch.] armour A—h.] and I; and hys CNAP—r.] best P; iren L; oþir INA.] And ride forþ all in same. [1545 all] om. INA—y C.] Line 1545 Her stiward stout and fer [1546 And the P; That ladi is N; The ladys A—st. a. ffayre L; st. a. sterne C; st. in ffere P; fer and neor I; hynde NA.] He made his squiere: [1547 He m. him his Sq. P; He m. with hym to wynde NA.] [1548 Jurflete L; Jefflot I; Sir Jeffelot N; Syr Gesloke A; Sir Geffe∣lett P. 1548^a^-^c:

Thei rode furthe talkyng And (also fast (so þei dyde A) syngyng, Lauȝe (And l. A) and made good (gret A) game. add. NA.

] Gifflet was his name.

130

Þey ride faste, as þey may, [130. 1549 And r. as f. C—They r. fforth on their way P; Sir Lib. and that may NA.] Forþ in her jornay [R 1460] [1550. F.] om. I; Rode f. N; Rode A; But lightly P—on LINAP—h.] þat old I.] Line 1550 On stedes bay and broune, [1551 On bay horsses a. br. P.] Till on þe þirde day [P 1570] [1552 T. on] Vpon C; Tyll A—þay C—Till itt beffell vpon a day P.] Þey siȝ a cite gay, [1553 þ.] unleserlich I—c. ffaire and g. P.] Men clepeþ hit Sinadoune, [1554 Me CN; unleserlich, I—callyd A; call P—h.] om. IN.] Wiþ castell hiȝ and wide [1555 W. a c. NP; W. castelles LA.] Line 1555 And paleis proud in pride, [1556 palysed L; palyd A; pauillyons P—preoued in pr. I; of much pr. P.] Work of fair fasoune. [1557 And w. INA; That were P.]

[1558-1560 lauten in NA:

Sir Libeous axkid that feire (om. A) may, Whos was that cite (castell A) gay, That stode ther in that towne. NA.

1558 B. ser L. I—Then said Sir Lybius P.] But Libeaus Desconus Hadde wonder of an us, [1559 He h. C; I haue great P—meruaille I—an] that L.] Þat he siȝ do in toune, [R 1470] [1560 he s. men do L; men dude I; he saw P—in þe t. IP.] Line 1560

131 [131 fehlt in NA.]

For gore and fen ful faste, [1561 F.] om. L; Boþe I—Cor L—fen faste I; fen and full wast C—They gathered dirt and mire ffull ffast P.] Þat er was out y-cast, [P 1580] [1562 Which P—beffore w. P; þer w. C; men hade ere L; hadde I—caste LP; beo c. I.] Þey gadered in y-wis. [1563 þey I—Togydere þey g. yw. C.] Libeaus axed in hast: [1564 Syr L. LP; S . . L. I—saide IP.] 'Tell me, maide chast, [1565 T. me] (unleserlich) . . e I; T. me now P.] Line 1565 What betokeneþ þis? [1566 What I—amounteþ C.] Þey takeþ in all þat hore, [1567 in] om. C—all their h. P; mok and h. I; the goore L.] Þat er was out y-bore; [1568 out] om. I—That was cast out beffore P.] Me þinkeþ, þey doþ amis.' [1569 þyngeþ C.] Þan seide maide Elene: [R 1480] [1570 m.] þeo may I.] Line 1570 'Sir kniȝt, wiþ oute wene, [1571 kn.] om. C; Lyb. P—Leasing P.] I telle þe, hou hit is. [P 1590] [1572 I will t. thee P; I schall þe t. C—why IP; whate L.]

132

No kniȝt for nesche ne hard, [132. 1573 nyche I—There is no King soe well arrayed P.] Þauȝ he schold be forfard, [1574 f.] out barred I—Tho he had before payd P.] Ne geteþ her non ostell [1575 Ne] om. LI—h.] yn I—hosteill I—That there shold take ostell P.] Line 1575 For doute of a stiward, [1576 Ffor a dread P; For loue C—the L; þat I—st.] styw .. (unleserlich) I.] Þat men clepeþ sir Lambard, [1577 call P—Men cl. hym s. L. C; That hight s. Lanwarde L.] Constable of þis castell. [1578 He is the const. P—that L; the P. Mit 1578 schliesst das vierte fragment von I;] Rid in to þe castell ȝate [1579-1695 fehlen I. 1579 Go r. L; But r. P—R. to þat est gate C.] And axe þin inn þer ate, [R 1490] [1580 axede (lies: axe þe) C.] Line 1580 Boþe faire and well; And er he bete þy nede, [P 1600] [1582 bidd P; do L—thee P.] Justes he will þe bede, [1583 Off j. L; Justing P.] Be god and seint Michell, [1584 a. be s. LP.]

[132 lautet in NA völlig abweichend:

And scho him tolde anon: 'Sir', sho seid, 'bi seint John, That (It A) is my lady is (ladys A) fre. (And in one (In ȝon feyre A) castelle Woneth a giaunt felle, For sothe, witturly. His name is clepid (callyd A) Lambert; Of alle this lond is (om. A) steward, Sothe (Sertes A), as y telle the. And who so comyth (to the (into þat A) yate, (For to axi (To aske A) herborowe ther ate, Justi with him wol he.' NA.

]

133

And ȝif he beriþ þe doun,Line 1585 His trompis schull be boun, [133. 1586 trumpetes LP.] Har bemes for to blowe. [1587 beaugles P—f.] high L]

Þan over all Sinadoune [1588 S.] this towne P—And poruȝ out S. C.] Boþe maiden and garsoun [1589 maydenes C.] Foul fen on þe schull þrowe. [R 1500] [1590 This fen L; But dirt P—sch.] to L—Fowyll fen sch. on þe þr. C.] Line 1590 In what stede þat þou wende, [R 1502] [1591 und 1592 umgestellt C.] [1591 To whiche lond L—yowe L—And but thou thither wend P.] Þan to þy lives ende [R 1501] [P 1610] [1592 And þanne to C; Euer to L; Vnto P—youre L.] For coward þou worþ knowe, [1593 F.] om. P—werst þou C; thou schalt be P.] And þus may king Arthour [1594 soe P.] Lesen his honour [1595 L. all his great h. P.] Line 1595 For þy dedes slowe.' [1596 þornȝ þy dede sl. C.]

[133 in NA völlig abweichend:

Quod Libeous: 'Bi mi lewte! That wolde y blitheli se, For auȝt, þat may betide. (And be he (Thof he be A) neuer so stout, Y (For soth I A) schal make him (to add. A) lowte, So schalle y to him ride. For thi (Therfor A), maide Elyne, Thowe (Ȝe A) and the dwarf bidene, In the towne ye (mey add. A) me abide (byd A)!' Furthe than the maide rode; The dwarf than (om. A) nouȝt abode; He rode (hur side bi side (nyȝe be hyr syde A) NA.

]

134

Quoþ Libeaus also tit: [134. 1597 þan seyde Lyb. C; Syr L. seyd AP—als t. L; to Ieffelet (Gesloke A) t. NA; that were despite P.] 'Þat wer a greet dispit, [1598 To me it w. NA—a foule d. L; gr. d. A; a spite N—Thither I will goe ffull tyte P.] For any man a live. [1599 To lete for NA—a.] om. N—knyght L—on lyue LN; of l. A—If I be man on l. P.] To do Arthour profit [R 1510] [1600 Ffor to P—þo C—kyng A. A; Arthur is N; Arthurs P—delight P.] Line 1600 And make þat lady quit, [1601 A. to AP—maketh L; wynne NA—þe C—white N; bryȝht A.] To him I will drive. [P 1620] [1602 Thedyr will y dryve LNA.] Sir Gifflet, make þe ȝare! [1603 Gyrflete L; Jeffelot N; Gesloke A—ready P.] Þider we williþ fare [1604 To juste with þe will not spare L; With me for to fare NA; And lett vs now goe hastilye P.] Hastely and blive.' [1605 blithe N—Anon that wee were bowne P.] Line 1605 Þey ride forþ on her gate [1606 f. at the g. L; f. al g. N; f. al hate A; þe ryȝt g. C.] To þe castell ȝate [1607 Right to (into N) LN; Euen to C; Till they came to P.] Wiþ faire schaftes five [1608 faire] fewe N—That was of great renowne P.]

135

And axed her ostell [R 1520] [135. 1609 und 1610 umgestellt C.] [1609 A.] þey C—h.] ther LNA—A. there they asked Ostell P.] At þat fair castell [R 1519] [1610 And at C; Of N; In P—þe CA.] Line 1610 For aunterouse kniȝtes. [1611 a venturous P; two of (Arthour is (Arthorus A) NA—knight P.] Þe porter faire and well [P 1630] [1612 portelle N.] Let ham in full snell [1613 hym L—in also sn. C; into the castelle NA.] And axed anon riȝtes: [1614 a. him a. L; a. ham a. NA—right NP.] 'Who is ȝoure governoure?' [1615 was here LA.] Line 1615 Þey seide: 'King Arthour, [1616 And they LNA.] Man of moste miȝtes, [1617 A man P; þat ys m. C—most of CN; of much P—myght LNP.] Welle of curtesie [1618 And w. C; He is a kynge N; Kyng A—of all c. A—To be a king he is worthye P.] And flour of chivalrie, [1619 A.] om. NA; He is the P—fl.] Chief N—of all ch. A.] To fille his fon in fiȝtes.' [R 1530] [1620 Hys foo (fomen A; ffone P) to f. NAP—fight LNP.] Line 1620

136

Þe porter profitable [136. 1621 Than þe A—pr.] prestabelle N; went with∣out ffable P.] To his lord, þe constable, [P 1640] [1622 Vnto h. I. c. A.] Sone þis tale tolde [1623 S.] þus C; And P—hys C—t. him t. P—This tale sone he t. NA.] And seide: 'Wiþ oute fable, [1624 He s. NA; And C; Sir P—w. ou. any ff. P.] Sir, of þe rounde table [1625 S.] om. P; Thei bene N; Ther be A—þe] Arthurs P—rowne L.] Line 1625 Beþ come two kniȝtes bolde. [1626 Ar L—two] om. C—Two kn. faire (fers A) and b. NA.] Þat on is armed sure [1627 The one is AP; þat beþ C—a. full s. LP.] In rose reed armure [1628 In ful riche a. NA; With rich and royall a. P.] Wiþ þre liouns of gold.' [1629 loxus A.] Line 1630

Þe lord was glad and bliþe [R 1540] [1630 Lambard þer of was fayn C.] Line 1630 And seide also swiþe, [1631 a.] to them ffull P—And swore oþ sertayn C.] Juste wiþ hem he wolde, [P 1650] [1632 Wiþ hem (hym A) juste he w. CNA.]

137

And bad hem make hem ȝare, [137. 1633-1638 fehlen A. 1633. He b. N; Bidd P—made N—h. ȝ.] yare C.] Into þe feld to fare, [1634 for to NP.] Wiþ oute þe castell ȝate.Line 1635 Þe porter nold nouȝt spare, [1636 wolde LNP—stent P.] As greyhound doþ þe hare, [1637 As a geyhounde L; So as the gr. N . d. to an h. L; aftir the h. N—But euen anon went P.] To ham he ran full whate [1638 To hem r. L; To them lightlye P; Ayen he toke N—f. wh.] to (om. NA; att P) the gate LNAP.] And seide anon riȝtes: [1639 riȝt N—The porter went aȝen ryȝht A.] 'Ȝe aunterouse kniȝtes, [R 1550] [1640 One is come to the auentours knyȝt N; And seyd to þe gentyll knyght A.] Line 1640 For no þing ȝe ne late! [1641 ȝe] that yee P; þat thow A—ne] om. LAP.] Lokeþ ȝour scheldes be strong, [P 1660] [1642 be good and str. P.] Ȝour schaftes good and long, [1643 And your LNAP—sperys AP—g. a.] om. LNA.] Ȝour saket and vaunplate, [1644 Ȝ. s.] Soketys L—Sheild plate and Basnett P; (Othir els (Or A) your dethe is (ȝe A) gete NA.]

138

And rideþ into þe feld! [138. 1645 ride you P.] Line 1645 My lord wiþ sper and scheld [1646 shafte L.] Will wiþ ȝou play.' [1647 Comeþ wiþ yow to pl. C; Anon with you will pl. P; With you he wol pl. NA.] Libeaus spak wordes beld: [1648 Sir L. LNAP.] Þat is a tale y-teld, [1649 This (wordis bith (be wordes A) wel ytolde (told A) NA; And said' this tale is well told P.] Likinge to my pay.' [R 1560] [1650 Well l. C; And l. NAP—pleasant P—vnto C.] Line 1650

Into þe feld þey ride And beldly þer abide, [P 1670] [1652 ther boldely NA; houede and C.] As bestes brouȝt to bay. [1653 best C—And (om. A) went thei nouȝt away NA; In their best array P.] Lambard ofsente his stede, [1654 L.] þe lord C—ofs.] sent L; s. aftir NA—Sir Lamb, ar∣med ffull weele P.] His scheld, his iren wede; [1655 and his A; and N—i.] ryche C; othir NA—Both in Iron and in steele P.] Line 1655 His tire was stout and gay. [1656 atyre CA—st. a.] ful NA—That w. both st. a. g. P.]

139

His scheld was asur fin, [139. 1657 as.] sure and P; of gold C—A sch. he bare (full add. A) fyne NA.] Þre bores heddes þer inne, [1658 beer L—þ.] ydentid th. N; wer dynt þ. A; was th. P.] As blak as brond y-brent, [1659 As] om. NA—br. brent PA; bround bronde N.] Þe bordure of ermine, [R 1570] [1660 b. was of NP; broþeres wer of A—rich armin P.] Line 1660 Nas non so queinte of gin [1661 Was L; There w. P—of] a LP—He say neuer no suche a gyne N; Saw he neuer so queynt a gynne A.] From Carlile into Kent, [P 1680] [1662-1664 fehlen NA. 1662 Karlell C.] And of þe same painture [1663 that silfe L.] Was lingell and trappure, [1664 l.] surcott L—Was his paytrell and his armoure P.] In worlde wher so he went. [1665 londis N; londe AP—so] om. N; euer P; in A—Iwroȝt well fayre and gent C.] Line 1665 Two squiers be him ride; [1666 Thre L; Than II A—with him did ryde P; rode (went A) bi his side NA—Hys schaft was strong wiþ all C.] Two schaftes þey bere him mid, [1667 h. m.] that tide NA—And bare 3 speares by his side P; þer on a stef coronall C.] [1668 dely C—w.] om. CNA. 1668^a^-^e:

He was wondir gay And also large of pay, In warre and in turnement. add. NA.

] To dele wiþ douȝty dent.

140

Þo þat stout stiward, [140. 1669 Then P; Thoff A; And whane C.] Þat hiȝte sir Lambard, [R 1580] [1670 Lancharde L.] Line 1670 Was armed at all riȝtes, [1671 yarmyd N—at a.] to the L—riȝt N—Armed him ffull well and bright P.] He rod to þe felde ward, [P 1690] [1672 And P—into AP.] Liȝt as a libard, [1673 L.] om. L; Prowte NA; Ffeircely P—As it were a l. L; as any l. AP; as eny lombard N.] Þer him abide þe kniȝtes. [1674 There ab. him P; And ther ab. L; To ab. NA—thes L; that P—knight P; fiȝtis N.] He smitte his schaft in grate; [1675 sette L—shelde L—Him tooke a speare of great shape P; He sie Libeous that tide NA.] Line 1675 Almest him þouȝt to late, [1676 þouȝ C—He th. he came to Late P; And first (fast A) to him gan ride NA.] Whan he hem siȝ wiþ siȝtes. [1677 hym s. LNAP; s. hem C—in A—syȝte CLAP; iee N.] Libeaus rod to him þare [1678 L.] Soone he P—þ.] that stond P—He than to him bare NA.] Wiþ a schaft all square, [1679 W.] om. NA—scheld A; speare P—all] that was NAP—round P.] As man of moste miȝtes. [R 1590] [1680 As a m. P—most of C; of moche NAP—myȝte CLNAP.] Line 1680

141

Eiþer smitte oþer in þe scheld, [141. 1681 Eueri of ham N—sm. on others sh. P.] Þat þe peces fell in þe feld [P 1700] [1682 þat] om. CN—flowen LA—ynto CN.] Of her schaftes schene. [1683 Of theire speares long P; Sothe with oute wene L; With hare strokis bidene NA.] All þo, þat hit beheld, [1684 fehlt LNAP.] Ech man to oþer teld: [1685 Eueriche NAP. 1685^a Bothe yonge and olde add. LNA.] Line 1685 'Þis ȝinge kniȝt is kene.' [1686 That P; þe C—k.] ffull bold P. 1686^a To him with a speare he fflounge add. P.] Lambard his cours out rit, [1687 out] om. A—right L; rode NA—Sir Lamb. did stifflye ssitt P; Lamb. was aschamed sore C.]

As werrour out of wit [1688 He was wrath out of his witt P; As man that were wode N; And grynned as he wer wode A; So nas he neuer yn feld before C.] For ire and for tene [1689 for] herte L; ful of NA—To wyte and naȝt to wene C.] And saide: 'Bring me a schaft! [R 1600] [1690 He A—speare P—He cryde do come a stranger schaft C.] Line 1690 Ȝif þis kniȝt can craft, [1691 Ȝ. Artours kn. C; And yef he NA—c. his cr. LNA—Ffor this Knight is not to Lere P.] Sone hit schall be sene.' [P 1710] [1692 Right sone L; Now C—ysene N.]

142

Þo toke þey schaftes rounde [142. 1693 Than NAP—they t. P; he t. C; t. the L—a schaft C.] Wiþ cornals scharp y-grounde [1694 cornall C; hedis NA—ygr.] gr. P; wele gr. A.] And ride wiþ greet raundoun. [1695 w. gr. renoune N; be ryȝt resoun C—And ffast together did run P. Mit 1696 beginnt das fünftc fragment von I, 1696-1935.] Line 1695 Aiþer proved in þat stounde, [1696 Ayder C; Thei NA; þanne þay I—pr.] pr. other P; prekid NA—in] om. LI.] To ȝeve oþer deþis wounde [1697 And yeuen N; To dele A—oþer] om. INA; either theire P—dedys C; depe A.] Wiþ fell herte as lioun. [1698 W. h. eger as a]. L; W. harts as ffeirce as any L. P; Egre (As e. N) as any]. INA.] Lambard smitte Libeaus so, [1699 Lamb. sm. Sir Lyb. thoe P—Lyb. (Sir L. NA) smot Lamb. þo (so A) INA.] Þat his scheld fell him fro [R 1610] Line 1700 Into þe feld adoun; [1701 And in the f. fell ad. L.] So harde he him hitte, [P 1720] [1702 he h.] on him he IA; haue and N—Sir Lamb. him soe hitt P.] Þat unneþe he miȝte sitte [1703 Vnn. þat C—sett P—þat he m. nouȝt s. INA.] Upriȝt in his arsoun. [1704 Vp in I; Of this was he yboune N; Off hys hors he was bowne A.]

143

His schaft brak wiþ greet power; [143. 1705 scheld IN—gr.] om. LIN—Hys scheld he smote so herd A.] Line 1705 Libeaus hitte him in þe lainer [1706 And L. N; Sir L. P; Syr A—smote LINA—him] Lambard CNA—in þe l.] om. NA; in the laynore L; on þe lainer I; yn þe launcer C; on the visor P.] Of his helm so briȝt, [1707 On LNA; That of went P—so] om. P.] Þat pisaine, ventaile and gorgere [1708 þ.] om. LIA; The NP—pysane C; pesyn N; pesanye P; Pesawe L; Pysayne I; Peyȝen A—auentayle C; wynteyn A—an N.] Fliȝe forþ wiþ þe helm in fer, [1709 With the h. ffl. ff. P; Fl. w. (the add. NA) h. INA—in f.] so clere L—Fell yn to þe felld fer C.] And sir Lambard upriȝt [R 1620] [1710 s.] om. N—A. Lamb. flew vpr. A.] Line 1710 Set and rokked in his sadell, [1711-1716 fehlen A. 1711 He seet I; That he sate N—a. r.] rokkyng INP.] As a child doþ in a cradell, [P 1730] [1712 As ch. C; As þeo ch. I—d.] om. LIP—in cr. N; in his or. L.] Wiþ oute main and miȝt. [1713 W. ou. m. or m. I; W. ou. mannys myȝt C.] Ech man tok oþer be þe lappe [1714 Euery LNP—m.] om. I—þe hod C.] And louȝe and gonne her hondes clappe, [1715 couthe L—Fast gon þey lawȝ and clappe I; And fast gan with hondes clap N; And gonne for to herye god C.] Line 1715 Baroun, borgais and kniȝt. [1716 Barons N—Borgays, baronn and kn. C.]

144

Sir Lambard þouȝt to juste bet; [144. 1717 þ] fond N; he th. P—figt N; sitt P—Ayen to ryde Lamb, pouȝt C.] Anoþer helm him was y-fet [1718 yf.] brouȝt C—An. h. he made to ff. P; A neowe (helm add. NA) per was fet (yfette N) INA.] And a schaft unmete, [1719 fehlt A. A. scheftis N—ffull meete P.] And whan þey togider mette, [R 1630] [1720 fehlt NA. A.] om. CI.] Line 1720 Aiþer in oþres scheld sette [1721 Ayder C; Euery N—to other his sh. L; yn oþer sch. C; on oþir schaftes I; onne oþer A; to othir N; other on their helmes P—hytte C.] Strokes grim and grete. [P 1740] [1722 Wiþ str. I—grymly gr. C; grysly a. gr. L.]

Sir Lambardis schaft tobrast, [1723-1725 fehlen INA. 1723 Then S. L. speare brast P.] And sir Libeaus set so faste, [1724 A. Lyb. shoved soo f. L.] In sadelis þer þey sete, [1725 In the saddle P—þer] as C—þey setten C; he sett P.] Line 1725 Þat þe stiward sir Lambard [1726 þat] om. I; Than NA—þe] they P—constable LINAP.] Fell of his stede bakward; [1727 Felte L—ouer LINA—hors LAP.] [1728 g. m] met∣ten C—Soe sore they there mett P; Withoute more beyete LIN; With owtyn any lete A. 1728^a^-^c:

Sir Lambart sware ful sone: 'Bi him, that schope (made A) sonne and mone, He schalle my lady gete. add. NA.

] So harde þey two gonne mete.

145

Sir Lambard was aschamed sore. [145. 1729 S.] Ther N—sore] om. NA—L. was sore agramed I.] Quoþ sir Libeaus: 'Wilton more?' [R 1640] [1730 Q. L. N; þan seyde L. C; Sir L. saide I; Syr seyd A; Sir L. asked P—if he wold more P; beo nouȝt aschamed (agramyd A; agreuyd N) INA.] Line 1730 And he answerde: 'Nay! [1731 He answered and said nay P.] For seþe þe time, þat I was bore, [P 1750] [1732 F.] om. LI—s. þat t. þat A; s. that N; s. that euer P—Neuer seþe y was ybore C.] Ne siȝ I never kniȝt before [1733 Ne] om. LINAP—Y say N—n.] come C—kn.] her CP; me L; knyȝht me A—tofore I.] So ridinge to my pay: [1734 So r.] So redy a knyȝt C; None ryde soe P—So strong bi this day NA.] Be þe þouȝt, min herte is inne, [1735 Be thoȝht A; A th. y haue C; Be my trouthe L; By the faith P—myn h. wiþ inne C; that my h. is yn N; that I am (was A) in PA; my h. is thine L.] Line 1735 Þou art com of Gaweinis kinne, [1736 þat þou C; Ȝyff thou A—wer A—c.] om. LINA—Sir G. LINP.] Þat is so stout and gay. [1737 Thou art P—so] om. I.] Ȝef þou schalt for my lady fiȝt, [1738-1740 fehlen A. 1738 wolt IP—ffight ffor my Ladye P—Thou art ful stoute in fiȝt N.]

Wellcome be þou to me, sir kniȝt, [1739 W. c. to me syr þou kn. C; W. c. beo þou gentil kn. I; W. c. to me this nyght L; And also stronge a kn. N; W. c. thou art to mee P.] In trouþe and sikir fay!' [R 1650] [1740 In loue a. s. f. C; In sekyr a. trouthe in f. L; Siker a. in good f. I; Ful sikir bi my f. N; By my troth I say P.] Line 1740

[145^a von NA hinzugefügt:

'Whate (om. A) art thou (he add. A)', seid Libeous tho, 'That dothe (hath don A) so mochil wo To the quene of Synadowne? Telle (þou add. A) me, er thou (we A) hens gone; Or y (the telle (suere A), bi seint John,Line 1740e Y (That I A) schal pare of (om. A) thi crowne.' The steward answerid and seide: 'Sir, be thow (om. A) nouȝt evil apaide; For scho is my lady. Sho is quene of (all add. A) this lond,Line 1740k And y hur steward, y vndirstond, For sothe sicurly (wytterly A)!'

]

146

Libeaus saide: 'Sikirly, [1741 Sir L. INP—answerede CN—S.] in hast N.] Fiȝte I schall for þy lady [P 1760] [1742 I will ffight P—my L. P; a l. CI; that l. chast N.] [1743 Be h. of] As y hight N; I promised soe to P. 1743^a^-^c:

No man schal make me agast, The while the life on me may last, To wynne hur with honour, add. N.

] Be heste of king Arthour; But I not, wher fore ne why, [1744 ne wote LINP—wh. f.] where I; how P.] Ne who her doþ þat vilany, [1745 Ne] om. P—do∣the hyr LP; doþ I—þ.] om. IN; swych C—tormentrye LI.] Line 1745 Ne what is her dolour. [1746 (To brynge (And bringith NI) hir in dolour LIN. 1747-1749 fehlen N.]

A maide, þat is her messengere, [1747 But this m. P—þ.] om. I—was LI.] And a dwerȝ brouȝt me her, [1748 And a dw.] Certes has P—me br. C.] Her to do socour.' [1749 H. to. s. L; H. ffor to s. P.] Lambard seide in þat stounde: [R 1660] [1750 Sir Lamb. P; þe constable C—at that st. L; well founde C.] Line 1750 'Welcome, kniȝt of þe table rounde! [1751 W. c. Sir Kn. P; Noble kn. C.] Y-blessed be seint saviour!' [P 1770] [1752 Be god and s. s. LI; Bi god oure sauiour N; Into my strong tower P.]

[146. Statt dieser strophe stehen in A nur 6 abweichende verse (1740ⁿ^-^s):

Syr Lybeus ansuerd tho: 'I wold feyne wyte, who Hath brouȝht hyr in dolour?'Line 1740p Syr Lambert seyd tho: 'They ben clerkes two, That do þat dyshonour.' A.

]

147

Anon þat maide Elene [147. 1753 And L—þ.] om. NA; the L—may I—Then mayd Ellen anon rightes P.] Was fet wiþ kniȝtes ten [1754 ffeitched fforth P; sen[t] for L; of sent I; ysend N; sent after A—bi N—5 Knights P; kn. Kene LINA.] Before sir Lambard. [1755 To come to s. L. I.] Line 1755 Sche and þe dwerȝ bedene [1756 þat I—b.] ymene C; I wene A.] Telde of six dedes kene, [1757 of] om. CA—seuen C; the LINA—battels P—bedene A.] Þat he dede þidirward, [1758 he had done P; þay hadde INA—dydyrward C.] And hou þat sir Libewe [1759 A. told h. NA—þ.] om. INA—Lybeauus C; Lybeous L; Libeus I; Libeous N; Lybeus A—The sayd that Sir Lybius then P.] Fauȝt wiþ fele schrewe [R 1670] [1760 Mette I—mony INA—schrewys CLIA; aventours N—Had ffought with strong men P.] Line 1760 And for no deþ ne spard. [1761 A. hem nothinge sp. L; A. him dered (greuyd AN) no þyng INA; A. beene in stowers hardye P.] Þan were þey glad and bliþe [P 1780] [1762 Tho (And then N) w. they LN; Then they w. P; Lam∣bard was C—gl. a.] all LINA.] And þonked fele siþe [1763 th. god f. LA; th. god alsoe P—syde C.] God and seint Edward. [1764 Leonarde L; Jame I—Jhesus heuyn kynge NA; That he were so mightye P.]

148

Line 1765

Anon wiþ milde chere [148. 1765 A.] They welcomed him P.] Line 1765 Þey sette hem to sopere [1766 And P—sett hym L; sete C; wer sett A—to þe s. C.] Wiþ moche gle and game. [1767 gle] mirth P.] Libeaus and Lambard in fere [1768 Sir Lyb. a. Sir Lamb. P; Lamb. a. Lyb. C—y fere LI.] Of aventurs, þat per wer, [1769 av.] ancyents P—þat w. A; th. beffore w. P; th. thei in w. N; þer þay w. I.] Talked boþe in same. [R 1680] [1770 They told A.] Line 1770 Libeaus seide: 'Wiþ oute fable, [1771 Sir L. INAP—s.] om. L—þan seyde Lyb. syr constable C.] Tell me, sir constable, [P 1790] [1772 T. me] Seyd L; T. me now P—To sir Lamb. þeo const. INA; Tell me wiþ out fable C.] What is þe kniȝtes name, Þat heldeþ in prisoune [1774-1776 fehlen A. 1774 halt so C; hath put P.] Þe lady of Sinadoune, [1775 That L; My P.] Line 1775 Þat is so gent a dame?' [1776 so] om. L—gen∣tyll CLNP.]

149

Quoþ Lambard: 'Be seint John, [R 1688] [149. 1777 und 1778 umgestellt C.] [1777 Sir Lamb, seid NP; Syr he seyd A; Be god and C—Be s. J.] soe mote I gone P.] Kniȝt, sir, nis þer non, [R 1687] [1778 Nay syr kn. C; Kn. A—is ther L; þer is A; ys be CN—Knights there beene none P.] Þat dorst away her lede: [1779 dare P—hir away LNAP.] Two clerkes beþ her fon, [R 1690] [1780 h.] þer A.] Line 1780 Well fals of flesch and bon, [1781 Ffull ffalse P; Fals INA; Fekyll L—in P—fl.] body P; bloode LINA—a. in b. P.] Þat haveþ y-do þis dede. [P 1800] [1782 don IAP—þat INA.] Hit beþ men of maistrie, [1783 They LAP—ar L—mynstrye L.] Clerkes of nigremauncie, [P 1805] [1784 steht nach 1787 P.] Har artes for to rede. [P 1802] [1785 Hire I—arte L; han I—reade of Sorcerye P—Sertis riȝt to rede NA.] Line 1785

Maboun is þat on broþer [1786 Irayne is (þat on (þe o A; than one is N) broþir ILNA; Syr Maboun hatte þat oþer C; Mabam the hight one in deede P.] And Irain hiȝt þat oþer, [P 1804] [1787 And (om. A) Maboun is that (þe A) other LINA; And syr Irayn hys broþer C; And Iron hight the other verelye P. Nach 1787 folgt 1784 P.] For whom we beþ in drede. [P 1806] [1788 For heom INA; Of them P—ar L—we haue great dr. P.]

150

Þis Irain and Maboun [150. 1789 þ.] om. LINA—a. that M. L; a. Maunbaut I—This Mabam a. Irowne P.] Haveþ made of our toun [R 1700] [1790 imade C—in the P; in this L—Maden an hows of gret (om. A) avaunt (name N; ston A) INA.] Line 1790 A paleis queinte of ginne. [1791 place INA—of quent P.] Þer nis erl ne baroun, [P 1810] [1792 is no P; neþer A—e.] knyȝt C—ny I; nor L.] Þat bereþ herte as lioun, [1793 Th. has (had an N) h. PN; Wiþ herte harde C—as a l. LNA.] Þat dorste come þer inne. [1794 þ.] That ons d. A—þorste C; dare P. 1795-1797 fehlen A.] Hit is be nigremauncie [1795 Hys C—is] is made N; was mad I—wiþ n. I; all of the ffaierye P.] Line 1795 Y-maked of fairie, [1796 Ymakeþ C; Iwrought (it was add. N) LN; Wrought P; And wr. I—with (þe add. I) f. LIN; by Nigromancye P.] Þat wonder is to winne. [1797 w. hit is LP—Noman may hyt wynne C.] Þer inne lieþ in prisoun [1798 þer ynne ys CA; There they keepe P—a prisoun IA.] My lady of Sinadoune, [1799 þe CN; And þe A.] Þat is of kniȝtes kinne. [R 1710] [1800 þ. is] Ys come C; Comyn N—kynges IN—Ther within is dyȝht A.] Line 1800

151

Ofte we hereþ her crie, [151. 1801 Oftentimes P; Of I—hire we heriþ I; wee her P.] But her to se wiþ iȝe, [P 1820] [1802 B.] om. L; Ffor P—to seo hire ILNAP—w. Oure eyȝe I; w. none eye L.] Þer to have we no miȝt. [P 1821] [1803 we han IP—syght A. 1804-1806 fehlen AP.]

Þey doþ her turmentrie And all maner vilanie [1805 Of I—m.] om. C; the L.] Line 1805 Be daies and be niȝt. [1806 Bothe bi day a. n. N; And dreche (deriþ I) hir day a. n. LI.] Þis Maboun and Irain [P 1822] [1807 þ.] om. I; Thus N—Iron trulye P.] Haveþ swore her deþ, certain; [1808 d.] othe LIN; othys A—Had sw. to death trulye P.] To deþe þey will her diȝte, [1809 Hire d. (þ. w. (ffor to P) d. IP.] But sche graunte hem till, [R 1720] [1810 B. if shee gr. vntill P.] Line 1810 To do Mabounis wille [1811 Ffor to P—M.] all þer A.] And ȝeve him all her riȝt. [1812 graunti N—hem CA—a. h.] his L.]

152

Of all þis dukdom feir [152. 1813 that P—kyngdome LIA; lond N.] Þan is my lady eir, [1814 Ther of P—þat ylke lady ys eyr C; That my lady of is eire N.] To welde al wiþ winne. [P 1830] [1815 To wele L—To wynne a. w. wille N; And come of knyȝtes kenne C; That is soe much of might P. 1816-1818 fehlen A.] Line 1815 Sche is meke and boneire; [1816 And scho N—is soe m. P—bonoure L; soe ffaire P; stille N.] Þer fore we beþ in speire, [1817 þer we I; For thei we N—ar L—despeyre CINP.] Þat sche be diȝt to sinne.' [1818 Luste they done hir s. L; þat þay bryngeþ hire in s. I; Lest that thei bring hur in s. N; Ffor the dolour that shees in P.] Quoþ Libeaus Desconus: [1819 Seide I; þan seyde CP—L. D.] Sir Lyb. P.] 'Þourȝ help of swete Jhesus [R 1730] [1820 Th. the h. P; Be þe grace C; By (For A) the love LINA—of Jh. CLIAP.] Line 1820 Þat lady schall I winne [1821 y schall C; I will P; wol y INA. 1822-1824 fehlen A.] And Maboun and Irain [1822 Of C; Bothe LN—Iron P.]

Hewen in þe plain [1823 To hewen I; I shall h. LN—Smite of there anon P; Schame y schall certayne C.] [1824 Hare N—hed I—of] om. LA—Theire heads in that stoure P; Hem boþe wiþ out and wiþ inne C. 1824^a^-^c (= P 1840-1842):

And wine that Lady bright, [P 1840] And bring her to her right With ioy and much honor.' add. P. [R 1734] [P 1839]

] Þe heddes of be þe chinne!'

153 [153 fehlt in C.]

Þo was no more tale [P 1843] [1825 Ther NA; Then there P—tales to tell P.] Line 1825 In þe castell greet and smale [1826 I L—of gr. A—a.] ne NA—In that strong Castle P.] But souped and made bliþe. [1827 stouped L; singith N—m. hym bl. L; makiþ ham bl. N—B. s. þan belyue A; To supp and make good cheere P.] Barouns and borgeis fale [1828 The B. P—f.] all P; fele in fay A.] Come to þat semely sale, [1829 hall P; say A.] For to liste and liþe, [1830 For that to N—liþe] heare P.] Line 1830 Hou sir Lambard had wrouȝt, [1831 Lybius P—Howe that proude steward N; Whe þat the prowde stewerd A.] And ȝif þe kniȝt wer ouȝt, [P 1850] [1832 þeo ȝonge kn. I—That men clepith (call A) sir Lambert NA.] His craftes for to kiþe. [1833 crafte L—f.] om. I—His talking for to harke P; With Lib. his craft (case A) gan kithe (lythe A) NA.] Þey founde hem sitte in fere, [1834 founde] fedde N—sette (sitting P) in f. LP; at þeo (om. NA) soper INA.] Talkinge at her sopere [1835 And t. L—Many mon and faire I; And bade ham be blithe of chere N; And made þem nobull cher A.] Line 1835 Of kniȝtes stout and stiþe. [1836 Of] om. INA—Kn. bothe st. NA—stiþe] starke P.]

154

Þo toke þey har reste [R 1735] [154. 1837 h.] ease and L; ro and I—And after they went to rest P; Ther than gan thei dwelle NA.]

And likinge, as hem leste, [1838 And tooke their l. P; In l. C; A. lykynges L—as h. l.] of the beste LI—In that same (ilke. A) castelle NA.] In þe castell þat niȝt. [1839 þe] þat IP—þat] all P—Alle that (om. A) longe niȝt NA.] A morwe Libeaus was prest [1840 On (þe add. AP) morowe LINAP—Lyb. hym pr. C; was Lyb. pr. L; anon right P.] Line 1840 In armes of þe best; [1841 Off L—armour NA—of þe] þat wer C—Sir Lyb. was armed bright P.] Fresch he was to fiȝt. [1842 And fr. C; So fr. I; Full fr. LNA.] [R 1740] [P 1860] Lambard ladde him þe gate [1843 Sir L. NAP—h.] in A—þe g.] to the g. N; that g. L; algate P; forþ well whate C.] To þe castell ȝate [1844 And to N; Ryȝht vnto AP; And broȝte hym at C—þat I.] And fond hit open riȝt. [1845 o.] full vp L—þat stod vp ful ryȝt INA; Open they were ffull right P.] Line 1845 No ferþer ne dorste him bringe, [1846 Further durste hym none br. L; þay dorst him nouȝt bet br. I; Furþer durst (thei nouȝt him (he hym not A) br. NA; No man durst him neere br. P.] For soþ, wiþ oute lesinge, Baroun, borgeis ne kniȝt, [1848 Erll baroun ne kn. C.]

155

But turned hom aȝain, [155. 1849 And A—ham N; hym A.] Save sir Gifflet, his swain, [1850 Save] om. NAP—Gylet C; Jerflete L; Jefflot I; Geffelot N; Gesloke A; Gefflet P—h.] L. is N; Lybeus A; h. owne P.] Line 1850 Wolde wiþ him ride. [1851 He w. I—With him fayne wolde (haue add. A) ride NA.] Libeaus swor, certein, [1852 Sir Lib. NA; He CI—c.] in s. A; hys oþ s. CIN—But Sir L. ffor certaine P.] [R 1750] [P 1870] He wolde se his brain, [1853 That he L—hare C; ser Geslokes A—That he schulde Jeffelot slayne N; Sayd he shold backe againe P.] Ȝif he wold abide. [1854 he þer w. IN; he w. þer A; he w. lenger L þey hym w. C—And att home abyde P.] Line 1855

To þe castell he rod [1855 To c. I—Vnto (On to A) the c. ayeyne he r. NA; Sir Gefflett againe gan ryde P.] Line 1855 And wiþ Lambard abod; [1856 A. w.] Bote I; With P—sir L. INAP—ab.] ther he bode N; ffor to abyde P—A. houede and abod C.] To Jhesu þan þey cride, [1857 And to P—þan] faste INA; christ P—he N—To Jhesus bad and tolde C.] To sende hem tidinges glad [1858 Ffor to s. them P; That (om. LI) he schulde send (hem s. L; s. them A) NALI; To s. hym C—tydynge CIN.] Of ham, þat longe had [1859 him NA.] Destroied her welþes wide. [1860 þat lady yn prysoun holde C; And heom þat dude þe dede I; Thedir ysouȝt (sought A) fulle wide NA.] Line 1860

156

Sir Libeaus, kniȝt corteis, [156. 1861 kn. c.] reyȝt his corcis (?) N.] Rod into þe paleis [1862 And r. N—that proud p. P.] [R 1760] [P 1880] And at þe halle aliȝte. [1863 he al. L; he lyȝt IAP. 1864-1866 fehlen I.] Trompes, hornes, schalmeis [1864 h.] om. C; pipis and NA—schalmys N; schalmes A; schalmuses C; sarvysse L—Trumpetts, hornes and shaumes ywis P.] Before þe hiȝe deis [1865 He seyȝ bef. C; He hurde bef. NA; He ffound beff. P; Right byf. L—that L—h.] om. A.] Line 1865 He herd and siȝ wiþ siȝt [1866 And sawe ham w. s. NA; Stonde yn hys syȝte C.] Amidde þe halle flore [P 1886] [1867 And am. L; On mydde I; In myddis (of add. A) NA—In the midds of the fl. P.] [1867 und 1868 umgestellt P.] A fier stark and store, [P 1885] [1868 He sawe a f. NA; A f. well L; A f. was I; A ffayre f. there was P—stark] stowt IP.] Was liȝt and brende briȝt. [1869 W. l.] W. tend A; That tente LI—full br. A—Brening ffaire and bright P.] Þan ferþer in he ȝede [1870 þ.] om. L; And NA—furthe N—he in I—Ner þe dore he ȝede C.] Line 1870 And tok wiþ him his stede, [1871 A. ladde CN—w. h.] yn C.] Þat halp him in fiȝt. [1872 helpith h. N; helped h. P; wont was helpe h. C; was full goode A—in his f. L; to f. P.] [R 1770] [P 1890]

157

Libeaus inner gan passe, [157. 1873 ynward I; furthe NA—Ffurthermore he be∣gan to passe P.] To behelde ech place, [1874 For to I—se CI—ech a pl. C; that pl. LI—Furthe into the plac NA; And beheld then euerye place P.] Þe hales in þe halle. [1875 þe hales] Ther the fire was NA—in h. A; in þat h. I—All about the h. P.] Line 1875 Of maine more ne lasse [1876 Of men L; Of lyue I; Of nothing P; Somme of N; Neþer of A—nor L; and N.] Ne siȝ he body ne face, [1877 nor L—He syȝh nouȝt in þat place I; He ne sye in the plas (face A) NA; He saw no body that there was P.] But menstrales cloþed in palle; [1878 mynstrell N—yclodeþ C; cladde LP. 1879/80 mit 1882/83 vertauscht NA.] Wiþ harpe, fiþele and rote [1879 W.] om. INA—fydele C; lute L; pype INA—note P.] And wiþ organes note [1880 And alsoe with Organ n. P; Or∣genes and mery n. C; Organs mery of n. NA; And orgone noyse of n. L; Orgoyns vois wiþ n. I.] Line 1880 Greet gle þey maden alle, [1881 Gr. mirth P; Well mery C—made þay IA.] Wiþ citole and sautrie; [1882 W.] And alsoe P—sotill L; fydell AP—a. with s. NA.] [R 1780] [P 1900] So moche menstralsie [1883 So m.] And (om. L) such (euery N; ilke A) maner ILNA—of m. AP;melodye C.] Was never wiþ inne walle. [1884 Was w. in þe w. A; W. n. wyȝht in wold I; W. wrete in that walle N; Ne say he neuer in hall P.]

158

Before ech menstrale stod [158. 1885 Tofore I; Bi N—euery NP—man P—st.] gode A.] A torche fair and good, [1886 t. bothe f. L—A t. brynand þer stode A.] Brenninge faire and briȝt. [1887 f. a.] ffull P—Itende (They were yliȝtid N) and brente br. LN; Was tend and byrnand brynand br. A; And made muche lyȝt I.] Inner more he ȝode, [1888 ȝede C—Sir Lyb. inner (in NA; firþer I; Euermore P) yode (he ȝ. A; stode I) LINAP.] To wite wiþ egre mode, [1889 Ffor to P.] Who scholde wiþ him fiȝte.Line 1890

He ȝede in to þe corneres [1891 wente IAP—into all the c. P; aboute into (in A) the hall NA.] And beheld þe pilers, [1892 To LINA—beh.] lokede on C—þe p. alle A; the pelours all N.] [R 1790] [P 1910] Þat semely wer of siȝte, [1893 selcouþ C—was L—to P—þat weore so faire of (in N) s. INA.] Of jasper and fin cristall, [1894 a. f.] ffine and P; a. of f. CLN; a. of I—coralle I.] Y-flourished wiþ amall, [1895 w. ryche a. I—All was fflourished in the hall P; Swych was pylers and wall C; Were thei (om. A) ywrouȝt alle NA.] Line 1895 Þat was of moche miȝt. [1896 wer A—Th. w. so moche of m. N—No rychere be ne myȝte C; Itt was ffull ffaire and bright P.]

159

Þe dores wer of bras; [159. 1897 þores C—was N; þei were A—all of P.] Þe windowes wer of glas, [1898 wyndew A—wer] all L—And the w. of ffaire gl. P.] Wrouȝt wiþ imagerie. [1899 Ywr. N; Florysseþ C—That ymagyrye itt was driue P.] Þe halle y-painted was; [1900 paynted I; so p. A; well p. P.] Line 1900 Nowher non fairer nas, [1901 Nowhere such nas I; In this worlde a feirer nas N; That neuer non feyrer was A; Noe fairer in noe place P; No rychere neuer þer nas C.] Þat he hadde seie wiþ iȝe. [1902 That euer man sawe w. ie N; Maruelous ffor to descriue P.] [R 1800] [P 1920] He sette him on þe deis; [1903 an C; at I—þat C; the hye P.] Þe menstrales wer in pes, [1904 Then the P.] Þat were so good and trie. [1905 so tryste a. tr. L; so god entray I; so stourdy NA—That made the mirth soe gay P.] Line 1905 Þe torches, þat brende briȝt, [1906 þe] om. N—þ. ware (so add. NP) br. INAP.] Quenched anon riȝt; [1907 Were quenched P; They queynte L; þay went out INA.] Þe menstrales wer awey. [1908 And the m. w. all a. P.]

160

Þe dores and windowes alle [160. 1909 þe] om. C—a. the w. NAP.] Beten in þe halle, [1910 They b. L; þay clapped I; They hytt A; The b. together P—into A—þat I.] Line 1910 As hit wer dent of þunder. [1911 As were N—dyntis N; strokes P; voys C—dondur N—As h. w. þeo þ. I.] Þe stones of þe walle [1912 in NAP—þat I—the Castle w. P.] [R 1810] [P 1930] Over him gonne falle; [1913 On LINA; About P—h.] his hede N—g. þay f. ILA; downe g. f. P.] Þer of he hadde wonder. [1914 And þ. IL—had he LN—grete w. AP—þat þouȝt hym mych wonþer C.] Þe deis began to schake; [P 1934] [1915 And the P; þat C—doris N—b.] ffor P.] [1915 und 1916 umgestellt NAP.] Line 1915 Þe erþe began to quake, [P 1933] As he set þer under. [1917 þ.] hym C—That was him there vnnder P.] Þe halle rof unlek [1918 vnlyke L—þe rof abone u. C; The h. r. also NA; The h. began for to breake P.] And þe faunsere ek, [1919 þe] om. I—faunsere C; fasoure I: vasure L—And soe did the wall eke P; Him thouȝt (it claue atwo (wold cleue in two A) NA.] As hit wolde asonue.. [1920 h.] they P—scholde INAP—in sonder A; all in s. L; ffall assunder P.] Line 1920

[160^a von N hinzugefügt:

Sir Libeous ther of had mervaile And seide withouten faile: 'This is a wondur [thing]! Y trowe, the devill of helle Be in this castelleLine 1920e And hath here his resting. Thouȝ the devil and his dame Come with his brothir in same, To dethe y schalle him dynge. Y schalle neuer enis fle,Line 1920k Er that y se, what he be Aboute this biggyng.'

]

161

As he set þus dismaide [161. 1921 þ.] om. I—amayed I; and saide NA.] And held himself betraide, [1922 He LIP—dysseyved L—Him (He A) thouȝt he was betr. NA.] [R 1820] [P 1940] Stedes herd he naie. [1923 Sertis L; Then horses P.] Þan was he bet apaid [P 1943] [1924 Thoo he w. L; Now I am the P—better LNAP—ypayd C; payd A.] [1924 und 1925 umgestellt P.] And to himself he saide: [P 1942] [1925 A.] om. P—he] om. LN; then he P.] Line 1925 'Ȝet I hope to plaie.' [1926 For yett P.] He loked into þe feld [1927 As he NA—l. forth into P—a C.] And siȝ wiþ sper and scheld [1928 He s. NA; þer he s. C; Saw there P—scheft N; schaftes A.] Men in armes tweie. [1929 of a. AP; yar∣myd N—twayne L—Come ryde knytes tweye C.] Of purpur inde armure [1930 In purple and pale a. P; In pured pure a. L; Ryȝt (In r. N; In full A) good a. INA.] Line 1930 Was lingell and trappure, [1931 Was legud with trapor A; Was couerid with colour N; Well harnished in that stoure P.] Wiþ gold garlandis gay. [1932 gult I; gylden A; great P—garlond IA—W. g. gaylye dight L.] [R 1830] [P 1950]

162

Þat on rod into þe halle [162. 1933 The one AP; Thei N—r.] come ride (ryding P) NP—into h. I.] And began to calle: [1934 A. lowde big. (he gan A) NA; A. þer he gan C; A. to him thus g. P; A. sone g. he I—to] om. IP; for to L.] 'Sir kniȝt aunterous! [1935 On (undeutlich) sir I—of auen∣tours N. Mit 1935 schliesst das fünfte fragment von I; 1936-2166 fehlen I.] Line 1935 Swich cas þer is befalle, [1936 S. a. c. NAP—þ. is] is nowe L.] Þauȝ þou be proud in palle, [1937 Yef N—pr.] knyght L.] Fiȝte þou most wiþ us. [1938 ye N.] I held þe queinte of ginne, [1939 Queynte þou art of g. C; I h. þe man of kyn N.] Line 1940

Ȝif þou þat lady winne, [1940 And L—my P.] Line 1940 Þat is so precious.' [1941 Th. is in prison P.] Quoþ Libeaus anon riȝt: [1942 þo seyd Lyb. C; Sir L. sayd P.] [R 1840] [P 1960] 'All fresch I am to fiȝt [1943 A. fr.] Fr. L; Redy NA—ffor to P.] Þoruȝ help of swete Jhesus.' [1944 With the h. P; By the h. L; Bi the loue (leue A) NA—of Jh. LNA; of goddes sonne P.]

163

Libeaus wiþ good will [163. 1945 Syr L. LNAP—w. a g. A—hert NAP.] Line 1945 Into his sadell gan skill, [1946 And i. L; Ffast i. P—þe AP—g. sk.] he stert NAP.] A launce in hond he hente. [1947 And a C—spere NA—on N—In his hand a speare he h. P.] Quik he rod hem till; [1948 And ffeircely he P; Smertly he N; And smertly A; A. titely L—hym AP.] His fomen for to fill, [1949 enemyes P—kylle A; spill P—In feld hys fon to f. C.] Þer to was his talent. [1950 Suche w. L; Ffor that w. P—entent P—He herd (lies: had) grete talente A.] Line 1950 Whan þey togeder mette, [1951 But when they had tog. P; Tog. whan þey C—smete L; smote N; smyte A.] Upon har scheldes þey sette [1952 schelde L—þ.] hit L—(Eueri on othir (On þer A) schildis (þey add. A) hit NA; Either on others helme sett P.] [R 1850] [P 1970] Wiþ speres douȝty dent. [1953 d. of d. N; and d. d. A; doughtely of d. L—Strokes of þouȝty d. C.] Mabounis schaft tobrast: [1954 Mabon his NP—launce L; spere NP—braste A; all tobr. P.] Þo was he sore agast [1955 Than AP; Ther of N—he s.] Mabam euill P.] Line 1955 And held him schamely schent. [1956 shamefully sh. P; self ysch. C.]

164

And wiþ þat strok feloun [164. 1957 A. w. his sterk fauchon N; With hys spere felon A.] Libeaus bar him doun [1958 Syr L. LP—h. adoun C; Maboune L; Mab. doun N.]

Over his horses taile; [1959 vndir N.] For his hinder arsoun [1960 F. Mabams saddle a. P; That hors he bare to ground NA.] Line 1960 Tobrak and fell adoun [1961 Brake L; Br. there∣with P—downe P—And Mabon fille that stound NA.] Into þe feld, saunz faile, [1962 In þat C—without P.] [R 1860] [P 1980] And niȝ he hadde him slain; [1963 Well nye P; Nere (Nyȝh A) hond NA—him] be N.] But þan com ride Irain [1964 B. there L; Wiþ þat C—r.] om. NA; ryding P; sir L.] In helm and hauberk of maile. [1965 a.] om. L—In a good haw∣berke of m. P; Wiþ h. h. and m. CNA.] Line 1965 All fresch he was to fiȝt; [1966 So L; Ful NA.] He þouȝt anon riȝt, [1967 He þ.] And thought he wold P; Sir Lib. NA—a. r.] wiþ mayn and myȝt C.] Sir Libeaus to asaile. [1968 S. L.] Thouȝt him NA—to] om. P; for to CN.]

165

Libeaus of him was war; [165. 1969 Syr L. was of hym LNAP—yware N.] A sper to him he bar [1970 And CP; And his NA—he to hym A; to (vnto P) him NP.] Line 1970 And lefte his broþer stille. [1971 lette C; lest NA.] Swich dentes he ȝaf þar, [1972 Sw. a LP—dent CL; stroke P—thei N—smot C; g. him P—dar C.] [R 1870] [P 1990] Þat his hauberk totar; [1973 hare N; Iramus A—hauberkes N—all tot. P; he tere A.] Þat liked Irain ille. [1974 And þ. CN; And þan he A—like N—I.] om. A; him NP—ffull ill P.] Har launces breke atwo; [1975 und 1976 umgestellt A.] [1975 speris NP—þey br. C; they borsten L—in 2 P; on two N—And brake þer suerdes in two A.] Line 1975 Swerdes þei drouȝe þo [1976 Her sw. LNA—dr. thei NA; gan they draw P; þey þrouȝ out C.] Wiþ herte grim and grille [1977 hertis NA.]

And gonne togeder fiȝte; [1978 They L—tog.] for to C—Tog. gan thei f. NA; A. stifflye gan to other ff. P.] Eiþer preved his miȝt, [1979 Eyder C; Either on Other P; Euery of othir N—har NAP—h. m.] with right L.] Oþer for to spille. [1980 Eche other P—kille N.] Line 1980

166

As þey togeder hewe, [166. 1981 tog. gan h. LNA—Then tog. gan thei h. P.] Maboun, þe more schrewe, [R 1880] [P 2000] In felde up aros. [1983 In the f. ar. N; Than full sone he ros A; Vp he rose againe P.] He herde and well knew, [1984 sawe C—w.] alsoe P.] Irain ȝaf dentis fewe; [1985 þat Ir. CLNA—smot C—strokis NP.] Line 1985 Þer of him grim agros. [1986 þerfore CA—h. sore agr. L; his hart aros NA; Therof he was not ffaine P.] To him he went full riȝt, [1987 But to P—they A—To Yrayn he ran ryȝt C.] To helpe fille in fiȝt [1988 sle C; to fellen L; to falle him N; and to fell A—Ffor to helpe Iron to ffight P.] Libeaus of noble los, [1989 Syr L. A; L. þat was of C—gentil N—And auenge him on his enemye P.] But Libeaus fauȝt wiþ boþe, [P 2009] [1990 B.] om. A; Sir P—w. hem b. CNA; against them b. P.] [1990 und 1991 umgestellt P.] Line 1990 Þauȝ þey wer never so wroþe [P 2008] [1991 fehlt A. he P—n. so] om. L—As he were wode and wrothe N.] And kepte himself in clos. [1992 hims.] him N; þem A—in cl.] cl. L; manlye P.] [R 1890] [P 2010]

167

Whan Irain siȝ Maboun, [167. 1993 Tho L—Wh. Mabam saw Iron P.] He smitte a strok feloun [1994 sm. strokys L—f.] of male f. N—He ffought as a Lyon P.] To sir Libeaus wiþ ire. [1995 The Knight to slay with wreake P.] Line 1995

Before his forþer arsoun [1996 und 1997 umgestellt LNA.] [1996 h.] om. C—With his swerde broune NA.] Als sket he carf adoun [1997 A. sk.] That evyn LNA; Soone P—claue N; cleft A; carued then P—doune NAP.] Libeaus stedes swire. [1998 Syr L. AP; Of L. C—necke P—Sir Libeous is stede is sw. N.] Libeaus was werrour sliȝ [1999 But Lyb. C; Sir L. NP—was wondir sl. N; was a worthy warryour P.] And smitte a two his þiȝ, [2000 a two] of C; evyn to L—his thye in that stoure P.] Line 2000 Fell and bone and lire. [2001 fehlt N. F. a.] Skime (lies: Skine) P; He karfe L; And kerfe boþe A—l.] blood P.] Þo halp him nouȝt his armis, [2002 Then P; Ther NA; Ne L—n. h.] none N—armour LNA; clergye P.] [R 1900] [P 2020] His chauntement ne his charmis; [2003 H. chawntementes L; H. acton N; Acuton A—noþer A—chambur L; charmour AN—Neither his ffalse Sorcerye P.] Doun fell þat sory sire. [2004 Dowe L; Adoun C—But downe he fell with sorry moode P; He (So he A) quitid wel (hym A) his hire NA.]

168

Libeaus of his hors aliȝt, [168. 2005 Sir L. P—of his h.] of hert N; adoun C—lyȝt C; was liȝt NA.] Line 2005 Wiþ Maboun for to fiȝt, [2006 W. M.] A fote C.] In felde boþe in fere. [2007 In the f. b. P; Maboun and he C.] Swich strokes þey gonne diȝte, [2008 Strong P—g. thei d. N; they d. LA; they gaue with might P.] Þat sparkes spronge out briȝt [2009 sparkelys LP; the fuyre NA—out] down L—ffull bright P; right LNA.] From scheld and helmes clere. [2010 Of NA—sch.] helme P—helme NA; harnesse P.] Line 2010 As þey togeder sette, [2011 they bothe tog. L—smytte L; smette N; streke A—As either ffast on other bett P.] Har boþe swerdes mette, [2012 Both their sw. m. P; Har sw. (strokis N) togedere m. CNA.] [R 1910] [P 2030] As ȝe may liþe and lere. [2013 lysten a. l. NA; now heare P; se hem here L.]

Maboun þe more schrewe [2014 þat C; that was the P—shreweos L—M. smote to Lib. blyþe (full swythe A) NA.] Tocarf þe sworde of Libewe [2015 Forkarffe L—þat C—Lybeawe C; Sir Lybeous L—And brake Libeous swerde (ful swithe (þat was stythe A) NA; The sword of S. L. he did hew P. 2016-2024 fehlen A.] Line 2015 Atwinne quit and skere. [2016 Atweyne L; Atwo N; In 2 P—sk.] clene N; cleare P.]

169

Libeaus was sore aschamed [169. (2016-2024 fehlen A). 2017 Tho w. L. asch. L; Then S. L. w. ash. P; Than w. L. ful wo N.] And in his herte agramed, [2018 agr.] sore agr. L; euis (lies: euil) agr. P—For he had lorne so N.] For he hadde lore his sworde, [2019 ylore C—For sothe his good swerde there N.] And his stede was lamed, [2020 lane N.] Line 2020 And he schulde be defamed [2021 He had wende to haue come with schame N.] To Arthour king, his lord. [2022 k. A. NP.] [R 1920] [P 2040] To Irain swiþe he ran [2023 lithelye P; fast N; þo C.] And hente his sword up þan, [2024 vp his sw. P; h. sw. N—Hys sw. he drouȝ out þan C.] Was scharp of egge and ord, [2025 W. sh. on eche a syde L; That sharpe edge had and hard P; Of loue (ther was (w. þ. A) no worde (= 2028) NA.] Line 2025 And ran to Maboun riȝt; [2026 He NA—To M. he ran ryȝt C.] Faste he gan to fiȝt; [2027 And f. LP; Well f. C; Ful f. NA—they gonne L; gan þei A; than gan he N; on him gan P—to] om. NAP.] Of love þer nas no word. [2028 was ther L—And like a madman he ffared P; As jestours tellith in (at A) borde (cf. 2025) NA.]

170

And ever fauȝt Maboun, [170. 2029 But CLP—e. then ff. P.] As hit were a lioun, [2030 As a wod l. C; As he had beene a wyld man P.] Line 2030 Libeaus for to slo. [2031 Sir L. LNAP.]

But Libeaus carf adoun [2032 sir L. NP—claue N—downe P.] [R 1930] [P 2050] His scheld wiþ his fauchoun, [2033 h. swerd browne A; that ff. P.] Þat he tok Irain fro. [2034 Ir.] his (om. A) brothir NA.] In þe riȝt tale y-teld, [2035 In r. t. (as add. A) it is tolde NA; True tale ffor to be told P; Wiþ out more tale teld C.] Line 2035 Þe left arm wiþ þe scheld [2036 His N—riȝt NA—hand P.] Awey he smitte þo. [2037 þo] alsoo LN—Well euene he sm. of þo C; He bare awey also A.] Þo spak Maboun him till: [2038 Than LNAP—said NAP; cryed L.] 'Þy strokes beþ full ille, [2039 Sir thy P—arne L—f.] om. P—Of þyne dentys ylle C.] Gentill kniȝt, now ho!Line 2040

171

And I will ȝelde me [171. 2041 A.] om. NA; A L—yelde me to the LP; me ȝ. to the NA.] In love and leaute [2042 In trewþe C—a. grete l. L; a. in Loyaltye P—With bodi and catelle (castellus A) fre NA.] [R 1940] [P 2060] At þin owene wille [2043 (And take alle (Take I will A) the tille (= 2046) NA.] And þat lady fre, [2044 A. alsoe th. P.] Þat is in my pouste,Line 2045 Take I will þe till; [2046 T. her IP—I wyll þe take tylle C; Schalle be atte thi wille (= 2043) NA.] For þoruȝ þat swordes dint [2047 the L; thi NA—sw.] shueed P.] Min hond I have y-tint; [2048 M. one h. A—haue I A; is N—tynte AP; yschent C; schent N.] Þe venim will me spille: [2049 þat femyn C; That wounde (well nyȝe A) NA.] I venimed hem boþe, [P 2069] [2050 femynede C—Therfore thowe sauy my life NA.] [2050 und 2051 umgestellt P.] Line 2050 Certain, wiþ outen oþe, [P 2068] [2051 C.] Fforsooth P—And euer with outen strife NA.] Our fomen for to fille.' [2052 In feld our C; Therwith oure L—fon CL; enemyes P—ffor to kill P; to f. CL—Y schalle at thi wille N; At þi wyll I schall be A.] [R 1950] [P 2070]

172

Quoþ Libeaus: 'Be my þrifte, [172. 2053 Nay qu. L. NA; Seyde L. C; Sir L. sayd P.] I nell nouȝt of þy ȝifte, [2054 will LNAP—nouȝt] riȝt n. N; n. haue P.] All þis world to winne; [2055 For a. LNAP—the N—to wilde N.] Line 2055 But ley on strokes swifte; [2056 Therfore P—swythe P—Turne þe yef thowe myght N; Turne þe thefe and fyght A.] Our on schall oþer lifte [2057 One of vs L—The one sh. cut the other blythe P; For y schalle as I hight NA.] Þe hedde of be þe chinne.' [2058 þat C; Hewe thi NA—of] om. L—be þe] þi A—skynne C.] Þo Maboun and Libewe [2059 þo] om. C; Than NA—Lybeauus C; Lybeous L; sir L. N; ser Lybeus A—Then Sir Lybius and Mabam P.] Faste togeder hewe [2060 Ful fast A—hewes CL; hewus A—Ffought together ffast then P.] Line 2060 And stente for no sinne. [2061 A. slaked not f. L; They left it f. N; They let not f. A—And lett ffor nothing againe P.] Libeaus was more of miȝt [2062 Sir L. NA—That S. L. that good Knight P.] [R 1960] [P 2080] And carf his helm doun riȝt [2063 A.] om. P—clove LN; clefft A—hed A—adoune r. N; bryȝt C.] And his hedde atwinne. [2064 h. h.] smot it off A—in twayne P; bi the chynne NA.]

173

Þo Maboun was y-slain, [173. 2065 Than NA—slayne LA—Now is Mabam sl. P.] Line 2065 He ran, þer was Irain, [2066 þer he lefte Yr. C; towarde Ir. NA—And to Irom he went againe P.] Wiþ fauchoun in his fist; [2067 W. a f. L; W. his swerde NA—in fist N; in fyght A—With sword drawne to ffight P.] For to cleve his brain, [2068 haue Cloven P; se NA.] I tell ȝou for certain, [2069 þer of he was sertayn C.] Trewly was his trist. [2070 And tr. C—To (For to NA) fight more hym lyste (= 2076) LNA; He went to him ffull right P.] Line 2070

But whan he com þore, [2071 And CNA—he] om. A.] Away he was y-bore, [2072 bore AP.] [R 1970] [P 2090] Whiderward he niste. [2073 Wh.] Into whate stede (place P) LP; To whiche st. N; To some place þat A—ne wist NA; list P.] He souȝte him for þe nones [2074 He softe C; Tho sought he L—Than he swet f. þe n. A.] Wide in alle þe wones; [2075 Fulle wide N—in many w. P; in that w. N—Both in flesch and in bonus A.] Line 2075 To fiȝte more him liste; [P 2094] [2076 In (On N) trewthe (ful add. NA) well he truste (= 2070) LNA.]

174

And whan he ne fond him nouȝt, [174. 2077-2079 fehlen P. 2077 ne] om. LNA—A. wh. he myȝt not fynde Iran NA.] He held himself becauȝt [2078 He (went aȝen ful (ȝede aȝ. A) serteyne NA.] And gan to sike sare [2079 byganne to s. L; souȝt (he syghed A) ful NA.] And seide in word and þouȝt: [P 2095] [2080 w.] dede NA—As he stood and him be∣thought P.] Line 2080 'Þis will be dere abouȝt, [2081 It A; That itt P—wold P—sore C—ybouȝt N; bought LAP.] Þat he is fro me y-fare: [R 1980] [2082 was P; ys þus C—him P—fare LAP.] [Statt 2083-2088 stehen in C 3 abweichende verse (= R 1981-1983):

On kne hym sette þat gentyll knyȝt And prayde to Marie bryȝt, Keuere hym of hys care. C.

2083 For he NAP—wold P.] He will wiþ sorcerie Do me turmentrie; [2084 Doe much t. P; Do me grete t. NA.] [2085 And that NA—And th. was much c. P. Nach 2085 sind in P 24 verse hinzugefügt (= P 2101-2124):

He tooke his sword hastilye And rode vpon a hill hye, And looked round about. Then he was ware of [a] valley; Thitherward he tooke the way, [P 2105] Line 2085e As a sterne Knight and stout.

As he rode by a riuer side, He was ware of him that tyde Vpon the riuer brimm. He rode to him ffull hott [P 2110] Line 2085k And of his head he smote, Ffast by the Chinn.

And when he had him slaine, Ffast hee tooke the way againe, For to haue that lady gent. [P 2115] Line 2085p As soone as he did thither come, Of his horsse he light downe And into the hall hee went

And sought that ladye ffaire and hend; But he cold her not find, [P 2120] Line 2085u Therfor he sighed ffull sore, Still he sate mourni[n]g Ffor that Ladye ffaire and young; For her was all his care.

] Þat is my moste care.' [P 2100] Line 2085

He set and sore he siȝte; [P 2126] [2086 und 2087 umgestellt P.] [2086 But still he s. P; Sore he s. L—and sighte L; a. ful fast he thouȝt N; full styll and thouȝht A.] He niste, what he do miȝte; [P 2125] [2087 ne wist P—do he L—Whate he best do mouȝt NA.] Of bliss he was all bare. [2088 He w. of bl. all b. L; Of bl. than was he b. N; Off bl. (Ioy P) he w. full b. AP.]

175

As he set þus in halle, [R 1984] [175. 2089 But as P—prayde C—þ.] om. NP—in the h. NA; in that h. P.] Out of þe stone walle [2090 Oute at a L—He heard a window in the wall P.] Line 2090 A window faire unfelde. [P 2130] [2091 A w. doun fyll þare C; Ffaire itt gan vnheld P.] Greet wonder wiþ all [2092 And a gr. C—wonder] there P.] In his herte gan fall, As he set and beheld: [2094 And he L; And A; He N—a. gan b. NA.] A worm þer out gan passe [R 1990] [2095 ther g. oute p. L; out g. p. P; come out a pace C.] Line 2095

Wiþ a womannes face, [2096 woman is N.] Was ȝing and no þing eld. [2097 That was young P; Yonge NA; Yonge y am L.] Hir body and hir winge [2098 H. b.] The wormes tayle P—wyngys CLNAP.] Schine in alle þinge, [2099 Schy∣nede C; Sh. ffayre P—in] om. A—þynges CNAP; pynchis (!) L.] As small gay and geld. [2100 gilte L—As gold gaylyche ygyld were C; As it were betyn (gletering A) golde NA; And gay ffor to beholde P.] Line 2100

176

Her taile was miche unmete; [P 2140] [176. 2101 w. vnm. NA; w. m. vnnethe L—Grislye great was her taile P.] Hir pawes grim and grete, [2102 peynis L; palmys A; pennys were N—grymly grete C—The clawes large without ffayle P.] As ȝe may liþe and lere. [2103 listen LNA—Lothelye was her bodye P.] Libeaus swette for hete, [2104 Syr L. LNAP—swelt f. swete L; began to swete C.] Þer he set in his sete, [R 2000] [2105 As A—he] om. P.] Line 2105 As all hadde ben a fere. [2106 all] he NA—a f.] in fyre LA; in werre N; a ffire him by P—Maad as he were (cf. 2109) C.] So sore he was agast, [2107 Then was S. L. euill agast P; So s. hym gan agryse C.] Him þouȝte, his herte tobrast, [2108 brast A—And thought his body wold brast P; þat he ne myȝte aryse C.] As sche neȝed him nere; [2109 Then P—þauȝ hyt hadde ybene all a fere (= 2106) C.] And er Libeaus hit wiste, [2110 ere that L—sir L. NAP—h.] om. LA.] Line 2110 Þe worm wiþ mouþ him kiste [P 2150] And colled aboute his swere; [2112 A. clypped L; A. hynge NA; All C—the L—lyre P.]

177

And after þat kissinge [177. 2113 this L.] Þe wormis taile and winge [2114 Off the worme (bothe add. N) LN; Both þe A—a. her w. P.] Swiftly felle her fro. [R 2010] [2115 Sone they f. NA; Ffell away P—Anon hyt fell fro hyre C.] Line 2115

So fair in alle þinge [2116 steht doppelt in A. She was ff. P—of L—thinke L.] Woman, wiþ oute lesing, [2117 A w. P.] Ne siȝ he never er þo; [2118 Sawe he LNA; Fairer he saw P—er] om. A.] But sche stod al naked, [2119 B.] om. P—st. vpp P; was LNA—al] alsoe P; moder L; before hym C.] As god hadde her maked; [2120 christ P; the clerkis NA—hadde] om. NA—shaped P—And all her body quaked C.] Line 2120 Þerfore was Libeaus wo. [P 2160] [2121 Then P—Lib. was NA; w. Sir L. P.] Sche seide: 'Kniȝt gentill, [2122 g. kn. N; god that on the rood gan bleed P.] God ȝelde þe þy will, [2123 dy C—whyle C; fiȝt N—Sir Knight quitt thee thy meede P.] My fon þat þou wold slo. [2124 þat my C; Ffor thou my P—fomen NA—þ. þ.] om. P; þou CLA—woldest CL.]

178

Þou hast y-slawe nouþe [R 2020] [178. 2125 ysley N; slayne LAP—n.] forsothe NA; now ffull right P.] Line 2125 Two clerkes couþe, [2126 The A—couþe] that (well add. A) c. NA; wicked of might P.] Þat wrouȝte be þe fende. [2127 And wr. N; Off sorcery A—To deeþ þey wold me haue ydo C.] Est, west, norþ and souþe, [2128 E. w.] Be est C—Bi northe and bi sowthe N.] Be maistris of har mouþe [2129 With LA; They were P—maystres L; masters P; maistry NA; wordes C.] Many man couþ þey schende. [2130 Well many C—men NA; a man P—con they L; þei AN; they haue P.] Line 2130 Þourȝ har chauntement [P 2170] [2131 Wiþ C—inchantment P; conjurment A.] [2131 und 2132 fehlen N.] To worme þey hadde me went, [2132 To a w. LAP—me hadde þey C—yw. C; schent A; meant P.] In wo to welde and wende, [2133 In] Ne P—to leven and lende L; to wrapp me in P—Euer in wo to wynde (wende A) NA.]

Till I hadde kist Gawein, [2134 ykissid N—Sir G. P.] Þat is douȝty kniȝt, certain, [R 2030] [2135 d. kn.] ful d. NA; a noble Kn. P—Eyþer som oþer knyȝt sertayn C.] Line 2135 Oþer som of his kende. [2136 Or some man of P; þat wer of C—kynne NAP.]

179

And for þou saved my lif, [179. 2137 A.] om. AP; Syr L—f.] om. N; F. þat A—sauyst CL; sauedist N; hast sauyd AP.] Casteles fifty and fif [2138 ten a. fyf C; LX a. fyue N.] Take I will þe till, [2139 Take to thee I will P; I ȝeue þe wiþ outen ende C.] And myselve to be þy wif, [2140 mys.] y C—to w. NA.] Line 2140 Still, wiþ oute strif, [P 2180] [2141 Stilly N; Right P; Ay C—w. ou. any str. L.] Ȝif hit be Arthours wille.' [2142 And L; Ȝiff þat A—ys C—A.] ȝour AP; thi N.] [Statt 2143-2148 stehen in P 18 abweichende verse (= P 2182-2199):

Then was he glad and blythe And thanked god often sythe, That him that grace had sent. And sayd: 'My Lord, faire and ffree, [P 2185] All my loue I leaue with thee,Line 2142e By god omnipotent!

I will goe, my Ladye bright, To the castle gate ffull right, Thither ffor to wend, [P 2190] Ffor to feitch your geere,Line 2142k That yee were wont to weare, And them I will you send.

Alsoe, if itt be your will, I pray you, to abyde still, [P 2195] Till I come againe.'Line 2142p 'Sir', shee said,'I you pray, Wend fforth on your way, Therof I am ffaine.'

P.

] Libeaus was glad and bliþe [P 2181]

And lep to horse swiþe [2144 onne hys sted A—also sw. N.] And lefte þat lady stille; [R 2040] [2145 lefte] om. L.] Line 2145 But ever he dradde Irain, [2146 And NA—e.] sore LN; seyd A—he] om. N.] For he was nouȝt y-slain, [2147 That he (nad nouȝt him (had hym not A) slayn NA.] Wiþ speche he wold him spille. [2148 spere N; spyte A—he w.] he thouȝt NA; lyste he do L—to sp. A.]

[179^a von AN hinzugefügt:

Syr Lybeus, þe (that N) knyȝht gode, Into þe castell (sadil he N) ȝode, To seke (loke N) after Iram. He lokyd into þe (a N) chambur (chambir N), (Ther he was in (That was in an hie N) towr,Line 2148e And þer (sone he hym wanne. He went into þe towre, And in þat ilke chambour (sone—chamb.] om. N), He saw Iram (þat man (om. N). He drew hys suerd with myȝht,Line 2148k And smote off hys hede with (a N) ryȝht, Ffor soth, of Iram than. add. AN.

]

180

To þe castell Libeaus rod, [P 2200] [180. 2149 Fro A—c. gate he r. C; c. than he r. NA—Sir L. to the castle r. P.] Þer þe folk him abod: [2150 Therfor L; Ther all A—people P—h.] om. L—And houede and ab. C.] Line 2150 To Jhesu gonne þey crie, [2151 J.chr[i]st P—And beganne to crye L; To Jhesu he bad wiþ good wylle C.] Sende hem tidingis glad [2152-2154 fehlen LNA. 2152 Ffor to s. P—hym C.] Of ham, þat longe hadde Þat lady do vilanie. [2154 Done them tormentrye P.] Libeaus to Lambard telde [R 2050] [2155 Syr L. L; For L. N—to] om. C—Sir L. is to the Castle come P.] Line 2155 And oþre kniȝtes belde, [2156 A. to oþ. L; A. two oþ. A—And to Sir Lamberd he told anon P.] Hou he hem þer gan gie, [2157 he h.] bym G—þ.] thre L—agye C—And also the Barronye P; (This tale ther (Hys tale A) ful pertly NA.]

And hou Maboun was slain, [2158 A.] om. NAP—Sir M. P—ysl. C.] And wounded was Irain [P 2210] [2159 And sir Iron both twayine P.] Þoruȝ grace of seint Marie, [P 2211] [2160 Th. myght LNA; By the helpe P—of mild M. P; of god and of M. A; of M. LN.] Line 2160

181 [181. fehlt in P.]

And hou þat lady briȝt [2161 A. þat A; That the N; A. howe her L.] To a worm was diȝt [2162 Til N—dragon LNA—ydight L.] Þoruȝ craft of charmure, [2163 myȝt of NA; her L—chaunterye CL; sorserye NA.] And þoruȝ þe coss of a kniȝt [2164 A. with a c. NA; A. how þoruȝ kus C.] Woman sche was, apliȝt, [R 2260] [2165 A wom. sche w. pyght A.] Line 2165 A semily creature. [2166 And a s. C; A comly LNA. Mit 2167 beginnt das sechste fragment von I, 2167-2232.] 'But sche stod me before [2167 st. bef. L; me st. bef. IA; him st. byf. N.] Naked, as sche was bore, [2168 Nakeþ C; As n. LN—ybore C.] And seide: "Nou I am sure! [2169 am y LNA.] My fomen þou hast slain, [2170 fone LI—My f. beþ yslayn C.] Line 2170 Maboun and Irain; [2171 Bothe M. a. I. A.] In pes nou may we dure." [2172 In p. thou dost me brynge L; Yn reste we may ende I; Therfore (god joy (joy god A) the send NA.]

182

Whan Libeaus kniȝt of pris [P 2212] [182. 2173 And wh. N—syr L. CN—kn. of pr.] Dis∣conyous L; al (in þat NA) forward INA—When that Knight soe keene P.] Hadde teld þe stiward, ywis, [2174 ytolde C—ywis] thus L—H. t. (ytolde it N) to sir Lambard INA; H. t. how itt had beene P.] Boþe ord and endinge, [R 2070] [2175 worde LINA—ende INA—All þys aventure C; To them all bydeene P.] Line 2175

A robe of purpure bis, [2176 b.] pris NA; riche L—A rich robe good and ffine P.] Pelurid wiþ purid gris, [2177 Ypel. C; Pel. wel I; Furred wele A; Well ffurred P; Yfurrid wes N—pure gr. L; gr. INA; good Er∣mine P.] He sente her on hiȝinge. [2178 her] om. I—in hyenge I; to bigynnyng NA—He s. that Ladye sheene P; Anon he lette forþ brynge C.] Keverchefs and garlandes riche [2179 Kerches I; Kerchers P; Suche riches (?) N—garlond I—Calles and keuerchefs r. C.] He sente her priviliche; [2180 s. to her P.] Line 2180 A birde gan hit bringe. [P 2220] [2181 maide NA—g. them A; hit g. her L; ham g. hur N—That mayd ho wold home bring P; Anon wiþ out dwellynge C.] Whan sche was redy diȝt, [2182 And wh. CNP; And A.] Sche wente wiþ main and miȝt [2183 rod C—w. men of myȝht A; w. many a knyght L—Thither they went anon right P.] To her owne woninge. [2184 Til N—duellyng A—And wiþ her anoþer kyng C; Both old and young P.]

183

All þe folk of Sinadoune [R 2080] [183. 2185 und 2186 umgestellt I.] [2185 And all CP; Than alle NA—peple C—S.] þe toune C.] Line 2185 Wiþ a fair processioun [2186 a well f. L.] Her lady hom þey fette. [2187 The P—Her (That NA) lady conne home brynge LINA; þyder þey gonne þrynge C.] Whan sche was come to toune, [2188 And wh. P—they P; þe lady C—w.] om. N; were P.] Of gold and stones a croune [2189 Of g. a. ryche (presyous A) st. CA; Of g. a precious N; Of gode st. I—Of precyous gold a rich cr. P.] Upon her heed was sette. [2190 On INA; There on P—w.] the P.] Line 2190 Þey were glad and bliþe [P 2230] [2191 Ther they N; And CL.] And þonked god fele siþe, [2192 f.] often P—syde C.] Þat her bales bette. [2193 b. were b. LINA—That ffrom woe them had brought P.]

All þe lordes of dignite [2194 Than all LINA—l. of d.] knyȝtis thrytte (douȝty A) NA.] Dede her omage and feaute, [R 2090] [2195 Sente INA—her] om. A; him P—a. f.] to þat lady A.] Line 2195 [2196 d. d.] lawe in lond (londus A) NA—As of right they ought P. 2196^a-^c von C (= R 2092-2094)—L—N hin∣zugefügt:

Þus Lybeauus, wys and wyȝt, Wan þat ylke lady bryȝt Out of þe deueles nette. add. C. And euche lord in his degre Gave hir yeftes grete plente, When they with hir mett. add. L. And whan thei had this ydone, Thei toke hare leue and went sone; Alle men bowid to hur honde. add. N.

] As hit was due dette. [R 2091]

184

Seve daies þey made sojour [R 2095] [184. 2197 nyȝt C—m. hare s. N; m. þer s. A; dide s. L—They dwelled 7 dayes in the tower P.] [2198 W. sir L. LINA—There Sir L. was gouernor P. 2198^a^-^c von I—A hinzugefügt:

Þat weore heore byȝete. Whan þey hadde doun, Þay toke leue at vchon add. I. All men bowyd to hyr hondes; And when þei had þus don, They toke leue and went son. add. A.

] Wiþ Lambard in þe tour And all þe peple in same. [2199 A.] om. A—folke NA—With mirth, Joy and game (= 2202) P.] Þo wente þey wiþ honour [2200 And þo C; Than NA—And then they rode w. h. P.] Line 2200 To þe king Arthour [P 2240] [2201 To þe noble k. C; Taward k. L; Vnto k. INAP.] Wiþ moche gle and game [R 2100] [P 2241] [2202 The Knights all in same (cf. 2199) ffins P. Mit 2202 schliesst P.] And þonked god almiȝt, [2203 A.] They LIA—g. of his myȝt (myȝhtes A) NA); godes myȝtes C; god with al his myghtes L.]

Arthour and his kniȝt, [2204 Kynge A. NA; Boþe A. I—a. all h. L—knyȝtes CLNA.] Þat sche ne hadde no schame. [2205 heo I; he CL—ne] om. LINA—no] om. I.] Line 2205 Arthour ȝaf also blive [2206 A. he gaue N; A. ȝ. her C—a.] om. NA; als L; as I.] Libeaus þat lady to wive, [2207 Syr L. A—may INA—Lyb. to be hys w. C.] Þat was so gent a dame. [2208 gen∣tyll CLNA.]

185

Þe joie of þat bredale [185. 2209 murthe INA; myrrour (!) L—þeo I.] Nis nouȝt teld in tale [2210 No man myght tell L; May no man tel NA; No mon con I—with LIA.] Line 2210 Ne rekened in no gest. [2211 Ne sey NA; Telle hit I—In ryme nor in geste L.] In þat semily sale [R 2111] [2212 und 2213 umgestellt C.] [2212 In] Come to C—halle N.] Were lordes many and fale [R 2110] [2213 W. l. (brydes A) gret and smalle NA; Barons and lordynges fale C.] And ladies well honeste. [2214 full LNA.] Þer was riche servise [2215 r. s.] wel sertayne N; many a man A.] Line 2215 To lordes and ladies, [2216 Bothe to lorde a. ladyes L; Boþe to fool and wyse I; Of all þat men kouþ deuyse C; (Servise fulle (And serv. A) good wone NA.] To lest and ek to mest. [2217 a. to I—Bothe (to add. A) most and lest NA.] Þer wonne þey riche ȝiftes, [2218 Th. were gevyn r. g. L; þe menstrales yn bour and halle C; For sothe the myn∣strals alle NA.] Ech menstral ariȝtes [2219 ar.] her thriftes L—Hadde ryche yftes wiþ alle C; That were in the (þat A) halle NA.] And þey, þat were unwrest. [2220 þey] some LI—vnbrest L; vnprest I—Had ȝiftis at that fest N; And ȝyftes of þe beste A.] Line 2220

[

185^a von NA hinzugefügt:

Sir Libeous modir so fre Ȝede (Come A) to that maungere; Hur rode was rede so (as A) rys. Sho knewe Libeous wel bi siȝt And wist welle anone riȝt,Line 2220e That he was of moche pris. Sho went to sir Gaweyne And seid with outen delayne (leyn A): 'This is our childe so fre. That (Than A) was he glad and blitheLine 2220k And kissid (hur fele (hym many a A) sithe And seid: 'That likith me.'

185^b von INA hinzugefügt:

Sir Gawayn, knyȝt of renoun, Saide to þeo lady of Synaydoun: 'Madame treowely!Line 2220p He that weddid þe wiþ pruyde, [2220^q þ. hath þe w. A; th. wanne the N.] Y gat hym by a forest syde [2220^r g.] wanne N vnd[er] A—forestis N.] On a gentil lady.' [2220^s Off A; And gate him of N—g.] giantis N.] Þanne þat lady blyþe was [2220^t þ] om. N—was blithe NA. 2220^u And thonkid him many a sithe NA.] And ful ofte kyssed his fas, [2220^u And thonkid him many a sithe NA.] Line 2220u And haylsed him sykyrly. [2220^v haylsel I; kissid NA.] Sir Libeus þan wolde kyþe; [2220^w Than Libeous to him ranne (wan A) NA 2220^x And ever (þer he A) kissid that manne NA.] He wente to his fader swyþe And kyssed him tymes monye. [2220^y For sothe trewly NA.]

185^c von INA hinzugefügt:

He kneoled in þat stounde [2220^z He fille on kneis (in add. A) th. st. NA.] Line 2220z And saide kneoland on grounde: [2220^aa (And sate knelyng (Lybeus knelyd A) on the gr. NA.] 'For godis loue al weldand, [2220^bb And seid: For god alleweldond (allwelding A) NA.] Þat made þeo world so round, [2220^cc þeo] this N—so] om. NA.] Fayre fadir, or y fonde, [2220^dd or y] wel he ye NA.] Blesse me wiþ þyn hond!' [2220^ee Ȝe blis N—your NA—h.] blyssyng A.] Line 2220ee Þat hynde knyȝt Gawayn [2220^ff The hyndy N.] Blessyd þeo child wiþ mayn [2220^gg his sonne NA.] And made him seoþþe vp Stande. [2220^hh h. up to st.NA.] He comaundyd knyȝt and sweyn, [2220ⁱⁱ And NA—knyȝtis N.] To clepe Libeus Gengelayne, [2220^kk calle NA—L.] hym A—Gyn∣gelyan A.] Line 2220kk Þat was 'lord of lond'. [2220^ll of that lond N.]

]

186

Fourty daies þey dwelde [186. 2221 þer þeidw. A; thei dw. there N.]

And har feste helde [R 2120] [2222 A. thar h. f. L; A grete f. A—þei held A; thei h. yfere N; faire h. I.] Wiþ Arthour þe king. As þe frensche tale teld, [2224 As þeo gest IA; As in Romaunce N—vs tolde LI; hath t. A; it is t. N.] Arthour wiþ kniȝtes beld [2225 A. kyng w. his kn. b. L.] Line 2225 Hom he gan hem bringe. [2226 At hom g. hem C; Home g. hym A; Hom gonne þay I.] Fele ȝer þey lived in same [2227 Sevyn L; Twenty I; X NA—in] om. L.] Wiþ moche gle and game, [2228 gle] joye L.] He and þat swete þing. [2229 He] Lybeauus C.] Jhesu Crist, our saviour, [2230 Nowe J. L.] Line 2230 And his moder, þat swete flour, Graunte us good endinge! Amen. [R 2130] [2232 vs alle g. C—Spede vs at oure nede I; To (blys he vs alle (heuen blys vs A) bryng NA. Amen] om. IA.]

[

186^a in A hinzugefügt:

Here endes þe lyfe, I tell ȝow, with outen stryfe, Off gentyll Libeus Disconeus. For his saule now byd ȝe A pater noster and an aue, For þe l[o]ue off Jhesus, That he of hys sawle haue pyte And of owrys, iff hys wyll be, When we schall wend þer to. And ȝe, þat haue herd þis talkyng, Ȝe schall haue þe blyssing Of Jhesu Cryst all so.

Amen

quod Rate.

In N heisst es am schluss:

Qui scripsit carmen, sit benedictus Amen!

Hic explicit Libeus Disconyus.

He, that lovyth welle to fare, Euer to spend and neuer spare, But he have the more good, His here wol grow throw his hood.

Quod More.

Hic pennam fixi: penitet me, si male scripsi.

]

Explicit Libeaus Desconus.