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Amis and Amiloun
.... .... .... ere of hem bliþe, {f.48vb}
 .... .... .... . ere of mode
.... .... seuen Šere old, ywis,
.... .... .... de of hem blis
5000 .... .... .... ..... fode
.... .... ere twelue winter old
.... .... .... was þer non hold
.... .... .... ..... no blode.
.... .... e, ich vnderstond,
1000 .... .... lord of þat lond
.... .... .... & tour
.... .... .... sende his sond
.... .... .... fre & bond
.... .... ..... in bour
1500 .... .... .... e wald make
.... .... .... tes sake
.... .... .... ueour
.... .... .... w soþe to say,
.... .... .... opon a day
2000 .... .... .... et honour.
.... .... .... s þat wer so bold
.... .... .... [þ]at y of told
.... .... .... om ful Šare
.... .... .... samned, Šong & old
2500 .... .... .... gan bihold
.... .... .... at þer ware
.... .... .... þai were apliŠt
.... .... .... yliche of siŠt
.... .... .... of lare
3000 .... .... .... wiþouten les
.... .... .... also þai wes
.... .... .... þai nare.
.... .... .... was þer no wiŠt
.... .... .... in no kniŠt
3500 .... .... .... oþe
.... .... .... n boþe of siŠt
.... .... .... ing, ypliŠt,
.... .... .... for soþe
.... .... .... were so liche
4000 .... .... .... þer pouer no riche
.... .... .... em boþe,
.... .... .... der þat couþe sain
.... .... .... endi children tvain
.... .... .... f her cloþe.
4500 ¶ Þat riche douke
his fest gan hold {f.49ra}
Wiþ erls & wiþ barouns bold,
As Še may listen & liþe,
FourtenniŠt, as me was told,
Wiþ erls & wiþ barouns bold
5000 To glad þe bernes bliþe.
Þer was mirþe & melodye
& al maner of menstracie
Her craftes for to kiþe;
Opon þe fiftenday ful Šare
5500 Þai token her leue for to fare
& þonked him mani a siþe.
¶ Þan þe lordinges schuld forþ wende
Þat riche douke comly of kende
Cleped to him þat tide
6000 Þo tvay barouns þat were so hende
& prayd hem also his frende
In court þai schuld abide,
& lete her tvay sones fre
In his seruise wiþ him to be,
6500 Semly to fare bi his side;
& he wald dubbe hem kniŠtes to
& susten hem for euermo
As lordinges proude in pride.
¶ Þe riche barouns answerd ogain
7000 & her leuedis gan to sain
To þat douke ful Šare
Þat þai were boþe glad & fain
Þat her leuely children tvain
In seruise wiþ him ware.
7500 Þai Šaue her childer her blisceing
& bisouŠt Ihesu heuen-king
He schuld scheld hem fro care,
& oft þai þonked þe douke þat day
& token her leue & went oway,
8000 To her owen cuntres þai gun fare.
Þus war þo hende childer, ywis,
Child Amiloun & child Amis,
In court frely to fede,
To ride an hunting vnder riis.
8500 Ouer al þe lond þan were þai priis
& worþliest in wede.
So wele þo children loued hem þo
Nas neuer children loued hem so
Noiþer in word no in dede; {f.49rb}
9000 Bitvix hem tvai of blod & bon
Trewer loue nas neuer non
In gest as-so we rede.
¶ On a day þe childer war & wiŠt
Treweþes togider þai gun pliŠt:
9500 While þai miŠt liue & stond
Þat boþe bi day & bi niŠt,
In wele & wo, in wrong & riŠt,
Þat þai schuld frely fond
To hold togider at eueri nede,
1000 In word, in werk, in wille, in dede,
Where þat þai were in lond,
Fro þat day forward neuer mo
Failen oþer for wele no wo;
Þerto þai held vp her hond.
1050 ¶ Þus in gest as Še may here Þo hende childer in cuntre were
Wiþ þat douke for to abide;
Þe douke was bliþe & glad of chere,
Þai were him boþe leue & dere,
1100 Semly to fare bi his side.
Þo þai were fiften winter old
He dubbed boþe þo bernes bold
To kniŠtes in þat tide
& fond hem al þat hem was nede,
1150 Hors & wepen & worþly wede,
As princes prout in pride.
¶ Þat riche douke he loued hem so
Al þat þai wald he fond hem þo,
Boþe stedes white & broun,
1200 Þat in what stede þai gun go,
Alle þe lond spac of hem þo,
Boþe intour & toun;
Into what stede þat þai went,
To iustes oþer to turnament,
1250 Sir Amis & sir Amiloun
For douhtiest in eueri dede,
Wiþ scheld & spere to ride on stede,
Þai gat hem gret renoun.
¶ Þat riche douke hadde of hem pris
1300 For þat þai were so war & wiis
& holden of gret bounte.
Sir Amiloun & sir Amis,
[H]e sett hem boþe in gret office {f.49va}
In his court for to be;
1350 Sir Amis as Še may here
He made his chef botelere,
In his court for to be,
& sir Amiloun of hem alle
He made chef steward in halle
1400 To diŠt al his meine.
¶ Into her seruise when þai were brouŠt
To geten hem los þam spared nouŠt,
Wel hendeliche þai bigan;
Wiþ riche & pouer so wele þai wrouŠt,
1450 Al þat hem seiŠe wiþ word & þouŠt,
Hem loued mani a man;
For þai were so bliþe of chere,
Ouer al þe lond fer & nere
Þe los of loue þai wan
1500 & þe riche douke, wiþouten les,
Of alle þe men þat oliue wes
Mest he loued hem þan.
¶ Þan hadde þe douke, ich vnderstond,
A chef steward of alle his lond,
1550 A douhti kniŠt at crie,
Þat euer he proued wiþ niþe & ond
For to haue brouŠt hem boþe to schond
Wiþ gile & trecherie.
For þai were so gode & hende
1600 & for þe douke was so wele her frende
He hadde þerof gret envie;
To þe douke wiþ wordes grame
Euer he proued to don hem schame
Wiþ wel gret felonie.
1650 ¶ So wiþin þo Šeres to A messanger þer com þo
To sir Amiloun, hende on hond,
& seyd hou deþ hadde fet him fro
His fader & his moder also
1700 Þurth þe grace of Godes sond.
Þan was þat kniŠt a careful man,
To þat douke he went him þan
& dede him to vnderstond
His fader & his moder hende
1750 War ded & he most hom wende
For to resaiue his lond.
¶ Þat riche douke comly of kende {f.49vb}
Answerd oŠain wiþ wordes hende
& seyd ‘so God me spede,
1800 Sir Amiloun, now þou schalt wende
Me nas neuer so wo for frende
Þat of mi court out Šede.
Ac Šif euer it bifalle so
Þat þou art in wer & wo
1850 & of min help hast nede
Saueliche com or send þi sond
& wiþ al mi powere of mi lond
Y schal wreke þe of þat dede.
¶ Þan was sir Amiloun ferli wo
1900 For to wende sir Amis fro,
On him was al his þouŠt.
To a goldsmitþe he gan go
& lete make gold coupes to –
For þre hundred pounde he hem bouŠt –
1950 Þat boþe were of o wiŠt
& boþe of o michel, y pliŠt;
Ful richeliche þai were wrouŠt
& boþe þai weren as liche, ywis,
As was Sir Amiloun & sir Amis,
2000 Þer no failed riŠt nouŠt.
¶ When þat sir Amiloun was al Šare
He tok his leue for to fare
To wende in his iorne.
Sir Amis was so ful of care
2050 For sorwe & wo & sikeing sare
Almest swoned þat fre.
To þe douke he went wiþ dreri mode
& praid him fair þer he stode
& seyd ‘sir, par charite,
2100 Šif me leue to wende þe fro,
Bot Šif y may wiþ mi broþer go
Mine hert, it brekeþ of þre.’
Þat riche douke comly of kende
Answerd oŠain wiþ wordes hende
2150 & seyd wiþouten delay
‘Sir Amis, mi gode frende,
Wold Še boþe now fro me wende?’
‘Certes’ he seyd ‘nay.’
‘Were Še boþe went me fro
2200 Þan schuld me waken al mi wo,
Mi ioie were went oway. {f.50ra}
Þi broþer schal into his cuntre;
Wende wiþ him in his iurne
& com oŠain þis day.’
2250 ¶ When þai were redi forto ride Þo bold bernes for to abide
Busked hem redy boun.
Hende, herkneþ, is nouŠt to hide,
So douhti kniŠtes in þat tide
2300 Þat ferd out of þat toun,
Al þat day as þai rade
Gret morning boþe þai made,
Sir Amis & Amiloun,
& when þai schuld wende otvain,
2350 Wel fair togider opon a plain,
Of hors þai liŠt adoun.
¶ When þai were boþe afot liŠt,
Sir Amiloun, þat hendi kniŠt,
Was riŠtwise man of rede
2400 & seyd to sir Amis ful riŠt
‘Broþer, as we er trewþe-pliŠt,
Boþe wiþ word & dede,
Fro þis day forward neuer mo
To faily oþer for wele no wo
2450 To help him at his nede,
Broþer, be now trewe to me
& y schal ben as trewe to þe,
Also God me spede.
¶ Ac broþer, ich warn þe biforn,
2500 For his loue þat bar þe croun of þorn
To saue al mankende,
Be nouŠt oŠain þi lord forsworn
& Šif þou dost þou art forlorn
Euer more wiþouten ende.
2550 Bot euer do trewþe & no tresoun
& þenk on me, sir Amiloun,
Now we asondri schal wende.
&, broþer, Šete y þe forbede
Þe fals steward felawerede;
2600 Certes he wil þe schende.’
¶ As þai stode so, þo breþeren bold,
Sir Amiloun drouŠ forþ tvay coupes of gold –
Ware liche in al þing –
& bad sir Amis þat he schold
2650 Chese wheþer he
haue wold {f.50rb}
Wiþouten more duelling,
& seyd to him ‘mi leue broþer,
Kepe þou þat on & y þat oþer;
For Godes loue, heuen-king,
2700 Lete neuer þis coupe fro þe
Bot loke heron & þenk on me;
It tokneþ our parting.’
¶ Gret sorwe þai made at her parting
& kisten hem wiþ eiŠen wepeing,
2750 Þo kniŠtes hende & fre.
Aiþer bitauŠt oþer heuen-king
& on her stedes þai gun spring
& went in her iurne.
Sir Amiloun went hom to his lond
2800 & sesed it al into his hond
Þat his elders hadde be
& spoused a leuedy briŠt in bour
& brouŠt hir hom wiþ gret honour
& miche solempnete.
2850 Lete we sir Amiloun stille be Wiþ his wiif in his cuntre –
God leue hem wele to fare –
& of sir Amis telle we;
When he com hom to court oŠe
2900 Ful bliþe of him þai ware;
For þat he was so hende & gode
Men blisced him, boþe bon & blod,
Þat euer him gat & bare,
Saue þe steward of þat lond,
2950 Euer he proued wiþ niþe & ond
To bring him into care.
¶ Þan on a day bifel it so
Wiþ þe steward he met þo,
Ful fair he gret þat fre.
3000 ‘Sir Amis,’ he seyd, ‘þe is ful wo
For þat þi broþer is went þe fro
& certes so is me.
Ac of his wendeing haue þou no care
Šif þou wilt leue opon mi lare
3050 & lete þi morning be,
& þou wil be to me kende,
Y schal þe be a better frende
Þan euer Šete was he.
¶ ‘Sir Amis’ he seyd ‘do bi mi red {f.50va}
3100 & swere ous boþe broþerhed
& pliŠt we our trewþes to;
Be trewe to me in word & dede
& y schal, so God me spede,
Be trewe to þe also.’
3150 Sir Amis answerd ‘mi
treuþe y pliŠt
To sir Amiloun þe gentil kniŠt,
Þei he be went me fro,
Whiles þat y may gon & speke,
Y no schal neuer mi treuþe breke,
3200 Noiþer for wele no wo.
¶ For bi þe treuþe þat God me sende
Ichaue him founde so gode & kende,
Seþþen þat y first him knewe,
For ones y pliŠt him treuþe, þat hende,
3250 Whereso he in warld wende,
Y schal be to him trewe;
& Šif y were now forsworn
& breke mi treuþe y were forlorn,
Wel sore it schuld me rewe.
3300 Gete me frendes whare y may,
Y no schal neuer bi niŠt no day
Chaunge him for no newe.’
¶ Þe steward þan was egre of mode,
Almest for wretþe he wex ner wode
3350 & seyd wiþouten delay
& swore bi him þat dyed on rode
‘Þou traitour, vnkinde blod,
Þou schalt abigge þis nay.
Y warn þe wele’ he seyd þan
3400 ‘Þat y schal be þi strong foman
Euer after þis day.’
Sir Amis answerd þo
‘Sir, þerof Šiue y nouŠt a slo;
Do al þat þou may.’
3450 ¶ Al þus þe wrake gan biginne & wiþ wretþe þai went atvinne,
Þo bold bernes to.
Þe steward nold neuer blinne
To schende þat douhti kniŠt of kinne,
3500 Euer he proued þo.
Þus in court togider þai were
Wiþ wretþe & wiþ loureand chere
Wele half a Šere & mo, {f.50vb}
& afterward opon a while
3550 Þe steward wiþ tresoun & gile
WrouŠt him ful michel wo.
So in a time as we tel in gest
Þe riche douke lete make a fest,
Semly in somers tide;
3600 Þer was mani a gentil gest
Wiþ mete & drink ful onest
To serui by ich a side.
Miche semly folk was samned þare,
Erls, barouns, lasse & mare,
3650 & leuedis proude in pride.
More ioie no miŠt be non
Þan þer was in þat worþly won
Wiþ blisse in borwe to bide.
¶ Þat riche douke þat y of told
3700 He hadde a douhter fair & bold,
Curteise, hende & fre.
When sche was fiften winter old
In al þat lond nas þer non yhold
So semly on to se;
3750 For sche was gentil & auenaunt
Hir name was cleped Belisaunt,
As Še may liþe at me.
Wiþ leuedis & maidens briŠt in bour
Kept sche was wiþ honour
3800 & gret solempnite.
¶ Þat fest lasted fourten niŠt
Of barouns & of birddes briŠt
& lordinges mani & fale.
Þer was mani a gentil kniŠt
3850 & mani a seriaunt wise & wiŠt
To serue þo hende in halle.
Þan was þe boteler, sir Amis,
Ouer al yholden flour & priis,
Trewely to telle in tale,
3900 & douhtiest in eueri dede
& worþliest in ich a wede
& semliest in sale.
¶ Þan þe lordinges schulden al gon
& wende out of þat worþli won,
3950 In boke as-so we rede,
Þat mirie maide gan aske anon
Of hir maidens euerichon {f.51ra}
& seyd ‘so God Šou spede,
Who was hold þe douŠtiest kniŠt
4000 & semlyest in ich a siŠt
& worþliest in wede?
& who was þe fairest man
Þat was yholden in lond þan
& douŠtiest of dede?’
4050 ¶ Her maidens gan answere ogain & seyd ‘madame, we schul þe sain
Þat soþe bi seyn Sauour,
Of erls, barouns, kniŠt & swain
Þe fairest man & mest of main
4100 & man of mest honour
It is sir Amis, þe kinges boteler;
In al þis warld nis his per,
Noiþer in toun no tour.
He is douhtiest in dede
4150 & worþliest in eueri wede
& chosen for priis & flour.’
¶ Belisaunt þat birdde briŠt,
When þai hadde þus seyd, y pliŠt,
As Še may listen & liþe,
4200 On sir Amis þat gentil kniŠt,
Ywis, hir loue was al aliŠt
Þat no man miŠt it kiþe.
Wher þat sche seiŠe him ride or go
Hir þouŠt hir hert brac atvo
4250 Þat hye no spac nouŠt wiþ þat bliþe;
For hye no miŠt (wiþ him) niŠt no day
Speke wiþ him, þat fair may,
Sche wepe wel mani a siþe.
¶ Þus þat miri maiden Šing
4300 Lay in care & loue-morning
Boþe bi niŠt & day;
As y Šou tel in mi talking
For sorwe sche spac wiþ him no þing,
Sike in bed sche lay.
4350 Hir moder come to hir þo
& gan to frain hir of hir wo,
Help hir Šif hye may;
& sche answerd wiþouten wrong
Hir pines were so hard & strong
4400 Sche wald be loken in clay.
¶ Þat riche douk in o morning {f.51rb}
& wiþ him mani a gret lording
As prince prout in pride,
Þai diŠt hem wiþouten dueling,
4450 For to wende on dere-hunting
& busked hem for to ride.
When þe lordinges euerichon
Were went out of þat worþli won –
In herd is nouŠt to hide –
4500 Sir Amis, wiþouten les,
For a malady þat on him wes
At hom he gan to abide.
¶ When þo lordinges were out ywent
Wiþ her men hende & bowes bent
4550 To hunte on holtes hare,
Þan sir Amis, verrament,
He bileft at hom in present
To kepe al þat þer ware.
Þat hendi kniŠt biþouŠt him þo
4600 Into þe gardin he wold go
For to solas him þare.
Vnder a bouŠ as he gan bide
To here þe foules song þat tide
Him þouŠt a blisseful fare.
4650 Now hende herkneþ & Še may here Hou þat þe doukes douhter dere
Sike in hir bed lay.
Hir moder com wiþ diolful chere
& al þe leuedis þat þer were
4700 For to solas þat may.
‘Arise vp’ sche seyd ‘douhter min
& go play þe into þe gardin
Þis semly somers day.
¶ Þer may þou here þe foules song
4750 Wiþ ioie & miche blis among,
Þi care schal wende oway.’
Vp hir ros þat swete wiŠt,
Into þe gardine sche went ful riŠt
Wiþ maidens hende & fre.
4800 Þe somers day was fair & briŠt,
Þe sonne him schon þurth lem of liŠt
Þat semly was on to se.
Sche herd þe foules gret & smale,
Þe swete note of þe niŠtingale
4850 Ful mirily sing on tre;
{f.51va}
Ac hir hert was so hard ibrouŠt
On loue-longing was al hir þouŠt,
No miŠt hir gamen no gle.
¶ & so þat mirie may wiþ pride
4900 Went into þe orchard þat tide
To slake hir of hir care.
Þan seyŠe sche sir Amis biside,
Vnder a bouŠ he gan abide,
To here þo mirþes mare.
4950 Þan was sche boþe glad & bliþe,
Hir ioie couþe sche noman kiþe
When þat sche seiŠe him þare;
& þouŠt sche wold for noman wond
Þat sche no wold to him fond
5000 & tel him of hir fare.
¶ Þan was þat may so bliþe o mode
When sche seiŠe were he stode
To him sche went, þat swete,
& þouŠt for alle þis warldes gode
5050 Bot Šif hye spac þat frely fode,
Þat time no wold sche lete.
& as tite as þat gentil kniŠt
SeiŠe þat bird in bour so briŠt
Com wiþ him for to mete
5100 OŠaines hir he gan wende,
Wiþ worde boþe fre & hende
Ful fair he gan hir grete.
¶ Þat mirie maiden sone anon
Bad hir maidens fram hir gon
5150 & wiþdrawe hem oway;
& when þai were togider alon,
To sir Amis sche made hir mon
& seyd opon hir play
‘Sir kniŠt, on þe mine hert is brouŠt,
5200 Þe to loue is al mi þouŠt
Boþe bi niŠt & day;
Þat bot þou wolt mi leman be,
Ywis, min hert brekeþ a þre,
No lenger libben y no may.’
5250 ¶ ‘Þou art’ sche seyd ‘a gentil kniŠt & icham a bird in bour briŠt,
Of wel heiŠe kin ycorn,
& boþe bi day & bi niŠt
Mine hert so hard is on þe liŠt {f.51vb}
5300 Mi ioie is al forlorn;
PliŠt me þi trewþe þou schalt be trewe
& chaunge me for no newe
Þat in þis world is born,
& y pliŠt þe mi treuþe also,
5350 Til God & deþ dele ous ato
Y schal neuer be forsworn.’
¶ Þat hende kniŠt stille he stode
& al for þouŠt chaunged his mode
& seyd wiþ hert fre
5400 ‘Madame, for him þat dyed on rode,
Astow art comen of gentil blode
& air of þis lond schal be,
Biþenke þe of þi michel honour;
Kinges sones & emperour
5450 Nar non to gode to þe.
Certes þan were it michel vnriŠt
Þi loue to lain opon a kniŠt
Þat naþ noiþer lond no fe.’
¶ ‘& Šif we schuld þat game biginne
5500 & ani wiŠt of al þi kinne
MiŠt it vndergo,
Al our ioie & worldes winne
We schuld lese, & for þat sinne
Wretþi God þerto.
5550 & y dede mi lord þis deshonour,
Þan were ich an iuel traitour;
Ywis, it may nouŠt be so.
Leue madame, do bi mi red
& þenk what wil com of þis dede:
5600 Certes, noþing bot wo.’
Þat mirie maiden of gret renoun
Answerd ‘sir kniŠt, þou nast no croun;
For God þat bouŠt þe dere,
Wheþer artow prest oþer persoun
5650 Oþer þou art monk oþer canoun
Þat prechest me þus here?
Þou no schust haue ben no kniŠt
To gon among maidens briŠt;
Þou schust haue ben a frere.
5700 He þat lerd þe þus to preche,
Þe deuel of helle ichim biteche,
Mi broþer þei he were.’
¶ ‘Ac’ sche seyd ‘bi him þat ous wrouŠt, {f.52ra}
Al þi precheing helpeþ nouŠt
5750 No stond þou neuer so long.
Bot Šif þou wilt graunt me mi þouŠt
Mi loue schal be ful dere abouŠt
Wiþ pines hard & strong.
Mi kerchef & mi cloþes anon
5800 Y schal torende doun ichon
& say wiþ michel wrong,
Wiþ strengþe þou hast me todrawe;
Ytake þou schalt be þurth londes lawe
& dempt heiŠe to hong.’
5850 ¶ Þan stode þat hendy kniŠt ful stille & in his hert him liked ille,
No word no spac he þo;
He þouŠt ‘bot y graunt hir wille,
Wiþ hir speche sche wil me spille,
5900 Er þan y passe hir fro;
& Šif y do mi lord þis wrong
Wiþ wilde hors & wiþ strong
Y schal be drawe also.’
Loþ him was þat dede to don
5950 & wele loþer his liif forgon;
Was him neuer so wo.
¶ & þan he þouŠt, wiþouten lesing,
Better were to graunt hir asking
Þan his liif for to spille.
6000 Þan seyd he to þat maiden Šing
‘For Godes loue, heuen-king,
Vnderstond to mi skille.
Astow art maiden gode & trewe
Biþenk hou oft rape wil rewe
6050 & turn to grame wel grille
& abide we al þis seuenniŠt;
As icham trewe gentil kniŠt
Y schal graunt þe þi wille.’
¶ Þan answerd þat bird briŠt
6100 & swore ‘bi Ihesu ful of miŠt,
Þou scapest nouŠt so oway.
Þi treuþe anon þou schalt me pliŠt,
Astow art trewe gentil kniŠt
Þou schalt hold þat day.’
6150 He graunted hir hir wil þo,
& pliŠt hem trewþes boþe to,
& seþþen kist þo tvai. {f.52rb}
Into hir chaumber sche went ogain,
Þan was sche so glad & fain
6200 Hir ioie sche couþe
no man sai.
Sir Amis þan wiþouten duelling
For to kepe his lordes coming
Into halle he went anon.
When þai were comen fram dere-hunting,
6250 & wiþ him mani an heiŠe lording,
Into þat worþly won,
After his douhter he asked swiþe;
Men seyd þat sche was glad & bliþe,
Hir care was al agon.
6300 To eten in halle þai brouŠt þat may,
Ful bliþe & glad þai were þat day
& þonked God ichon.
¶ When þe lordinges, wiþouten les,
Hendelich were brouŠt on des
6350 Wiþ leuedis briŠt & swete,
As princes þat were proude in pres
Ful richeliche serued he wes
Wiþ menske & mirþe to mete.
When þat maiden þat y of told
6400 Among þe birdes þat were bold,
Þer sche sat in her sete,
On sir Amis, þat gentil kniŠt,
An hundred time sche cast hir siŠt,
For noþing wald sche lete.
6450 ¶ On sir Amis, þat kniŠt hendy, Euer more sche cast hir eyŠe,
For noþing wold sche spare.
Þe steward ful of felonie
Wel fast he gan hem aspie
6500 Til he wist of her fare,
& bi her siŠt he parceiued þo
Þat gret loue was bitvix hem to,
& was agreued ful sare
& þouŠt he schuld in a while
6550 Boþe wiþ tresoun & wiþ gile
Bring hem into care.
¶ Þus, ywis, þat miri may
Ete in halle wiþ gamen & play
Wele four days oþer fiue,
6600 Þat euer when sche sir Amis say
Al hir care was went oway, {f.52va}
Wele was hir o liue.
Wher þat he sat or stode
Sche biheld opon þat frely fode,
6650 No stint sche for no striue;
& þe steward for wretþe sake
BrouŠt hem boþe in ten & wrake –
Wel iuel mot he þriue!
Þat riche douke opon a day
6700 On dere-hunting went him to play
& wiþ him wel mani a man;
& Belisaunt, þat miri may,
To chaumber þer sir Amis lay
Sche went as sche wele kan;
6750 & þe steward, wiþouten les,
In a chaumber bisiden he wes
& seiŠe þe maiden þan,
Into chaumber hou sche gan glide;
For to aspie hem boþe þat tide,
6800 After swiþe he ran.
¶ When þat may com into þat won
Sche fond sir Amis þer alon,
‘Hail’ sche seyd, þat leuedi briŠt.
‘Sir Amis’ sche sayd anon
6850 ‘Þis day a seuenniŠt it is gon
Þat trewþe we ous pliŠt.
Þerfore icham comen to þe
To wite, astow art hende & fre
& holden a gentil kniŠt,
6900 Wheþer wiltow me forsake
Or þou wilt trewely to me take
& hold as þou bihiŠt.’
¶ ‘Madame’ seyd þe kniŠt ogain
‘Y wold þe spouse now ful fain
6950 & hold þe to mi wiue;
Ac Šif þi fader herd it sain
Þat ich hadde his douhter forlain
Of lond he wald me driue.
Ac Šif ich were king of þis lond
7000 & hadde more gode in min hond
Þan oþer kinges fiue
Wel fain y wald spouse þe þan;
Ac certes icham a pouer man,
Wel wo is me o liue.’
7050 ‘Sir kniŠt,’
seyd þat maiden kinde, {f.52vb} ‘For loue of seyn Tomas of Ynde,
Whi seystow euer nay?
No be þou neuer so pouer of kinde,
Riches anouŠ y may þe finde
7100 Boþe bi niŠt & day.’
Þat hende kniŠt biþouŠt him þan
& in his armes he hir nam
& kist þat miri may;
& so þai plaid in word & dede
7150 Þat he wan hir maidenhede
Er þat he went oway.
¶ & euer þat steward gan abide
Alon vnder þat chaumber side
Hem for to here.
7200 In at an hole was nouŠt to wide
He seiŠe hem boþe in þat tide
Hou þai seten yfere.
& when he seyŠe hem boþe wiþ siŠt,
Sir Amis & þat bird briŠt,
7250 Þe doukes douhter dere,
Ful wroþ he was & egre of mode
& went oway, as he were wode
Her conseil to vnskere.
¶ When þe douke com into þat won
7300 Þe steward oŠain him gan gon
Her conseyl forto vnwrain.
‘Mi lord þe douke’ he seyd anon
‘Of þine harm, bi seyn Jon,
Ichil þe warn ful fain;
7350 In þi court þou hast a þef
Þat haþ don min hert gref,
Schame it is to sain,
For certes he is a traitour strong
When he wiþ tresoun & wiþ wrong
7400 Þi douhter haþ forlain.’
¶ Þe riche donke gan sore agrame
‘Who haþ’ he seyd ‘don me þat schame?
Tel me, y þe pray.’
‘Sir’ seyd þe steward ‘bi seyn Jame,
7450 Ful wele y can þe tel his name,
Þou do him hong þis day;
It is þi boteler, sir Amis,
Euer he haþ ben traitour, ywis,
He haþ forlain þat may. {f.53ra}
7500 Y seiŠe it me self for soþe
& wil aproue biforn hem boþe
Þat þai can nouŠt say nay.’
¶ Þan was þe douke egre of mode,
He ran to halle as he were wode,
7550 For no þing he nold abide.
Wiþ a fauchoun scharp & gode
He smot to sir Amis þer he stode
& failed of him biside.
Into a chaumber sir Amis ran þo
7600 & schet þe dore bitven hem to
For drede his heued to hide.
Þe douke strok after swiche a dent
Þat þurth þe dore þat fauchon went
So egre he was þat tide.
7650 ¶ Al þat euer about him stode BisouŠt þe douke to slake his mode,
Boþe erl, baroun & swain;
& he swore bi him þat dyed on rode
He nold for al þis worldes gode
7700 Bot þat traitour were slain.
‘Ich haue him don gret honour
& he haþ as a vile traitour
Mi douhter forlain.
Y nold for al þis worldes won
7750 Bot y miŠt þe traitour slon
Wiþ min hondes tvain.’
¶ ‘Sir’ seyd sir Amis anon,
‘Lete þi wretþe first ouergon,
Y pray þe par charite.
7800 & Šif þou may proue, bi Sein Jon,
Þat ichaue swiche a dede don
Do me to hong on tre.
Ac Šif ani wiþ gret wrong
Haþ lowe on ous þat lesing strong,
7850 What bern þat he be,
He leiŠþ on ous wiþouten fail,
Ichil aproue it in bataile
To make ous quite & fre.’
¶ ‘Ša’ seyd þe douke ‘wiltow so?
7900 Darstow into bataile go,
Al quite & skere Šou make?’
‘Ša, certes, sir’ he seyd þo
‘& here mi gloue y Šiue þerto. {f.53rb}
He leiŠe on ous wiþ wrake.’
7950 Þe steward stirt to him þan
& seyd ‘traitour, fals man,
Ataint þou schalt be take;
Y seiŠe it me self þis ich day
Where þat sche in þi chaumber lay;
8000 Šour noiþer it may forsake.’
¶ Þus þe steward euer gan say
& euer sir Amis seyd ‘nay,
Ywis, it nas nouŠt so.’
Þan dede þe douke com forþ þat may,
8050 & þe steward wiþstode alway
& vouwed þe dede þo.
Þe maiden wepe, hir hondes wrong
& euer swore hir moder among
‘Certain, it was nouŠt so.’
8100 Þan seyd þe douke ‘wiþouten fail,
It schal be proued in batail
& sen bitven hem to.
¶ Þan was atvix hem take þe fiŠt
& sett þe day a fourtenniŠt
8150 Þat mani man schuld it sen.
Þe steward was michel of miŠt,
In al þe court was þer no wiŠt
Sir Amis borwe durst ben.
Bot for þe steward was so strong
8200 Borwes anowe he fond among,
Tventi al bidene.
Þan seyd þai alle wiþ resoun
Sir Amis schuld ben in prisoun
For he no schuld nowhar flen.
8250 ¶ Þan answerd þat maiden briŠt & swore bi Ihesu ful of miŠt
Þat were michel wrong,
‘Takeþ mi bodi for þat kniŠt
Til þat his day com of fiŠt
8300 & put me in prisoun strong.
Šif þat þe kniŠt wil flen oway
& dar nouŠt holden vp his day
Bataile of him to fong,
Do me þan londes lawe
8350 For his loue to be todrawe
& heiŠe on galwes hong.’
¶ Hir moder seyd wiþ wordes bold {f.53va}
Þat wiþ gode wil als sche wold
Ben his borwe also,
8400 His day of bataile vp to hold
Þat he as gode kniŠt schold
FiŠt oŠain his fo.
Þus þo leuedis fair & briŠt
Boden for þat gentil kniŠt
8450 To lain her bodis to.
Þan seyd þe lordinges euerichon
Þat oþer borwes wold þai non
Bot graunt it schuld be so.
When þai had don as y Šou say
8500 & borwes founde wiþouten delay
& graunted al þat þer ware,
Sir Amis sorwed niŠt & day,
Al his ioie was went oway
& comen was al his care,
8550 For þat þe steward was so strong
& hadde þe riŠt & he þe wrong
Of þat he opon him bare.
Of his liif Šaf he nouŠt
Bot of þe maiden so michel he þouŠt
8600 MiŠt noman morn mare.
¶ For he þouŠt þat he most nede
Ar þat he to bataile Šede
Swere an oþ biforn
Þat also God schuld him spede,
8650 As he was giltles of þat dede,
Þat þer was on him born;
& þan þouŠt he wiþouten wrong
He hadde leuer to ben anhong
Þan to be forsworn.
8700 Ac oft he bisouŠt Ihesu þo
He schuld saue hem boþe to
Þat þai ner nouŠt forlorn.
¶ So it bifel opon a day
He mett þe leuedi & þat may
8750 Vnder an orchard side.
‘Sir Amis’ þe leuedy gan say
‘Whi mornestow so wiþouten play?
Tel me þat soþe þis tide.
No drede þe nouŠt’ sche seyd þan
8800 ‘For to fiŠt wiþ þi foman,
Wheþer þou wilt go or ride; {f.53vb}
So richeliche y schal þe schrede
Þarf þe neuer haue of him drede
Þi bataile to abide.’
8850 ¶ ‘Madame’ seyd þat gentil kniŠt, ‘For Ihesus loue ful of miŠt
Be nouŠt wrorþ for þis dede.
Ich haue þat wrong & he þe riŠt,
Þerfore icham aferd to fiŠt,
8900 Also God me spede;
For y mot swere, wiþouten faile,
Also God me spede in bataile,
His speche is falshede;
& Šif y swere icham forsworn,
8950 Þan liif & soule icham forlorn;
Certes, y can no rede.’
¶ Þan seyd þat leuedi in a while
‘No mai þer go non oþer gile
To bring þat traitour doun?’
9000 ‘Šis dame’ he seyd ‘bi seyn Gile.
Her woneþ hennes mani a mile
Mi broþer, sir Amiloun,
& Šif y dorst to him gon
Y dorst wele swere bi seyn Jon,
9050 So trewe is þat baroun,
His owhen liif to lese to mede
He wold help me at þis nede
To fiŠt wiþ þat feloun.’
¶ ‘Sir Amis’ þe leuedi gan to say
9100 ‘Take leue tomorwe at day
& wende in þi iurne.
Y schal say þou schalt in þi way
Hom into þine owhen cuntray,
Þi fader, þi moder to se;
9150 & when þou comes to þi broþer riŠt,
Pray him, as he is hendi kniŠt
& of gret bounte,
Þat he þe batail for ous fong
OŠain þe steward þat wiþ wrong
9200 Wil stroie ous alle þre.’
Amorwe sir Amis made him Šare
& toke his leue for to fare
& went in his iurnay.
For noþing nold he spare,
9250 He priked þe stede
þat him bare {f.54ra}
Boþe niŠt & day.
So long he priked wiþouten abod
Þe stede þat he on rode
In a fer cuntray
9300 Was ouercomen & fel doun ded;
Þo couþe he no better red,
His song was ‘Waileway!’
¶ & when it was bifallen so
Nedes afot he most go,
9350 Ful careful was þat kniŠt.
He stiked vp his lappes þo,
In his way he gan to go
To hold þat he bihiŠt;
& al þat day so long he ran,
9400 Into a wilde forest he cam
Bitven þe day & þe niŠt.
So strong slepe Šede him on
To win al þis warldes won
No ferþer he no miŠt.
9450 ¶ Þe kniŠt, þat was so hende & fre Wel fair he layd him vnder a tre
& fel in slepe þat tide.
Al þat niŠt stille lay he
Til amorwe men miŠt yse
9500 Þe day bi ich a side.
Þan was his broþer, sir Amiloun,
Holden a lord of gret renoun
Ouer al þat cuntre wide,
& woned fro þennes þat he lay
9550 Bot half a iorne of a day,
Noiþer to go no ride.
As sir Amiloun, þat hendi kniŠt,
In his slepe he lay þat niŠt,
In sweuen he mett anon
9600 Þat he seiŠe sir Amis bi siŠt,
His broþer þat was treweþe-pliŠt,
Bilapped among his fon;
Þurth a bere wilde & wode
& oþer bestes þat bi him stode,
9650 Bisett he was to slon;
& he alon among hem stode
As a man þat couþe no gode;
Wel wo was him bigon.
¶ When sir Amiloun was awake {f.54rb}
9700 Gret sorwe he gan for him make
& told his wiif ful Šare
Hou him þouŠt he seiŠe bestes blake
About his broþer wiþ wrake
To sle wiþ sorwe & care.
9750 ‘Certes’ he seyd ‘wiþ sum wrong
He is in peril gret & strong,
Of blis he is ful bare.’
& þan seyd he ‘for soþe, ywis,
Y no schal neuer haue ioie no blis
9800 Til y wite hou he fare.’
¶ As swiþe he stirt vp in þat tide,
Þer nold he no leng abide,
Bot diŠt him forþ anon,
& al his meine bi ich a side
9850 Busked hem redi to ride
Wiþ her lord for to gon;
& he bad al þat þer wes,
For Godes loue held hem stille in pes,
He bad hem so ich-chon,
9900 & swore bi him þat schop mankende
Þer schuld no man wiþ him wende
Bot himself alon.
¶ Ful richeliche he gan him schrede
& lepe astite opon his stede,
9950 For noþing he nold abide.
Al his folk he gan forbede
Þat non so hardi were of dede
After him noiþer go no ride.
So al þat niŠt he rode til day,
1000 Til he com þer sir Amis lay
Vp in þat forest wide.
Þan seiŠe he a weri kniŠt forgon
Vnder a tre slepeand alon;
To him he went þat tide.
1005 ¶ He cleped to him anonriŠt ‘Arise vp, felawe, it is liŠt
& time for to go.’
Sir Amis biheld vp wiþ his siŠt
& knewe anon þat gentil kniŠt
1010 & he knewe him also.
Þat hendi kniŠt, sir Amiloun,
Of his stede liŠt adoun,
& kist hem boþe to. {f.54va}
‘Broþer’ he seyd ‘whi listow here
1015 Wiþ þus mornand chere?
Who haþ wrouŠt þe þis wo?’
¶ ‘Broþer,’ seyd sir Amis þo,
‘Ywis me nas neuer so wo
Seþþen þat y was born;
1020 For seþþen þat þou was went me fro
Wiþ ioie & michel blis also
Y serued mi lord biforn.
Ac þe steward ful of envie
Wiþ gile & wiþ trecherie
1025 He haþ me wrouŠt swiche sorn.
Bot þou help me at þis nede
Certes y can no noþer rede,
Mi liif it is forlorn.’
¶ ‘Broþer,’ seyd sir Amiloun,
1030 ‘Whi haþ þe steward, þat feloun,
Ydon þe al þis schame?’
‘Certes’ he seyd ‘wiþ gret tresoun
He wald me driuen al adoun
& haþ me brouŠt in blame.’
1035 Þan told sir Amis al þat cas
Hou he & þat maiden was
Boþe togider ysame
& hou þe steward gan hem wrain
& hou þe douke wald him haue slain
1040 Wiþ wretþe & michel grame.
¶ & also he seyd, y pliŠt,
Hou he had boden on him fiŠt,
Batail of him to fong,
& hou in court was þer no wiŠt
1045 To saue þo tvay leuedis briŠt
Durst ben his borwe among,
& hou he most, wiþouten faile,
Swere ar he went to bataile
It war a lesing ful strong;
1050 ‘& forsworn man schal neuer spede;
Certes þerfore y can no rede,
Allas may be mi song.’
When þat sir Amis had al told
Hou þat þe fals steward wold
1055 Bring him doun wiþ mode,
Sir Amiloun wiþ wordes bold
Swore ‘bi him þat Judas sold {f.54vb}
& died opon þe rode,
Of his hope he schal now faile
1060 & y schal for þe take bataile
Þei þat he wer wode;
Šif y may mete him ariŠt
Wiþ mi brond þat is so briŠt,
Y schal sen his hert-blode.’
1065 ¶ ‘Ac broþer’ he seyd ‘haue al mi wede & in þi robe y schal me schrede,
RiŠt as þe self it ware;
& y schal swere so God me spede
As icham giltles of þat dede
1070 Þat he opon þe bare.’
Anon þo hendi kniŠtes to
Alle her wede chaunged þo,
& when þai were al Šare,
Þan seyd sir Amiloun ‘bi seyn Gile,
1075 Þus man schal þe schrewe bigile
Þat wald þe forfare.’
¶ ‘Broþer’ he seyd ‘wende hom now riŠt
To mi leuedi þat is so briŠt
& do as y schal þe sain;
1080 & as þou art a gentil kniŠt,
Þou ly bi hir in bed ich niŠt
Til þat y com ogain,
& sai þou hast sent þi stede ywis
To þi broþer, sir Amis,
1085 Þan wil þai be ful fain,
Þai wil wene þat ich it be;
Þer is non þat schal knowe þe,
So liche we be boþe tvain.’
And when he hadde þus sayd, y pliŠt,
1090 Sir Amiloun þat gentil kniŠt
Went in his iurnay,
& sir Amis went hom anonriŠt
To his broþer leuedi so briŠt
Wiþouten more delay,
1095 & seyd hou he hadde sent his stede
To his broþer to riche mede
Bi a kniŠt of þat cuntray;
& al þai wende of sir Amis
It had ben her lord, ywis,
1100 So liche were þo tvay.
¶ When þat sir Amis hadde ful Šare {f.55ra}
Told hem al of his care
Ful wele he wend þo,
Litel & michel, lasse & mare,
1105 Al þat euer in court ware,
Þai þouŠt it hadde ben so.
& when it was comen to þe niŠt
Sir Amis & þat leuedi briŠt
To bed þai gun go;
1110 & when þai were togider ylayd
Sir Amis his swerd out braid
& layd bitvix hem tvo.
¶ Þe leuedi loked opon him þo
Wroþlich wiþ her eiŠen tvo,
1115 Sche wend hir lord were wode.
‘Sir’ sche seyd ‘whi farstow so?
Þus were þou nouŠt won to do.
Who haþ changed þi mode?’
‘Dame’ he seyd ‘sikerly
1120 Ich haue swiche a malady
Þat mengeþ al mi blod
& al min bones be so sare
Y nold nouŠt touche þi bodi bare
For al þis warldes gode.’
1125 ¶ Þus, ywis, þat hendy kniŠt Was holden in þat fourtenniŠt
As lord & prince in pride;
Ac he forŠat him neuer a niŠt
Bitvix him & þat leuedi briŠt
1130 His swerd he layd biside.
Þe leuedi þouŠt in hir resoun
It hadde ben hir lord, sir Amiloun,
Þat hadde ben sike þat tide;
Þerfore sche held hir stille þo
1135 & wold speke wordes no mo,
Bot þouŠt his wille to abide.
Now hende herkneþ & y schal say
Hou þat sir Amiloun went his way;
For noþing wold he spare,
1140 He priked his stede niŠt & day,
As a gentil kniŠt stout & gay,
To court he com ful Šare
Þat selue day, wiþouten fail,
Þat was ysett of batail,
1145 & sir Amis was nouŠt þare. {f.55rb}
Þan were þo leuedis taken bi hond
Her iuggement to vnderstond
Wiþ sorwe & sikeing sare.
¶ Þe steward houed opon a stede
1150 Wiþ scheld & spere bataile to bede,
Gret bost he gan to blawe;
Bifor þe douke anon he Šede
& seyd ‘sir, so God þe spede,
Herken to mi sawe.
1155 Þis traitour is out of lond ywent;
Šif he were herein present
He schuld ben hong & drawe;
Þerefore ich aske iugement
Þat his borwes be tobrent
1160 As it is londes lawe.’
¶ Þat riche douke wiþ wretþe & wrake
He bad men schuld þo leuedis take
& lede hem forþ biside;
A strong fer þer was don make
1165 & a tonne for her sake,
To bren hem in þat tide.
Þan þai loked into þe feld
& seiŠe a kniŠt wiþ spere & scheld
Com prikeand þer wiþ pride.
1170 Þan seyd þai euerichon, ywis,
‘Šonder comeþ prikeand sir Amis.’
& bad þai schuld abide.
¶ Sir Amiloun gan stint at no ston,
He priked among hem euerichon,
1175 To þat douke he gan wende.
‘Mi lord þe douke’ he seyd anon
‘For schame lete þo leuedis gon
Þat er boþe gode & hende,
For ich am comen hider today
1180 For to sauen hem Šiue y may
& bring hem out of bende,
For certes it were michel vnriŠt
To make roste of leuedis briŠt;
Ywis Še eren vnkende.’
1185 ¶ Þan ware þo leuedis glad & bliþe, Her ioie couþe þai noman kiþe,
Her care was al oway;
& seþþen as Še may list & liþe
Into þe chaunber þai went aswiþe {f.55va}
1190 Wiþouten more delay,
& richeliche þai schred þat kniŠt
Wiþ helme & plate & brini briŠt,
His tire it was ful gay.
& when he was opon his stede,
1195 Þat God him schuld saue & spede
Mani man bad þat day.
As he com prikand out of toun,
Com a voice fram heuen adoun,
Þat noman herd bot he,
1200 Say ‘þou kniŠt, sir Amiloun,
God þat suffred passioun,
Sent þe bode bi me;
Šif þou þis bataile vnderfong
Þou schalt haue an euentour strong
1205 Wiþin þis Šeres þre;
& or þis þre Šere ben al gon
Fouler mesel nas neuer non
In þe world þan þou schal be.
¶ Ac for þou art so hende & fre
1210 Ihesu sent þe bode bi me
To warn þe anon;
So foule a wreche þou schalt be,
Wiþ sorwe & care & pouerte
Nas neuer non wers bigon.
1215 Ouer al þis world, fer & hende,
Þo þat be þine best frende
Schal be þi most fon
& þi wiif & alle þi kinne
Schul fle þe stede þatow art inne
1220 & forsake þe ichon.’
¶ Þat kniŠt gan houe stille so ston
& herd þo wordes euerichon
Þat were so gret & grille.
He nist what him was best to don,
1225 To flen oþer to fiŠting gon,
In hert him liked ille.
He þouŠt ‘Šif y beknowe mi name
Þan schal mi broþer go to schame,
Wiþ sorwe þai schul him spille.’
1230 ‘Certes’ he seyd ‘for drede of care
To hold mi treuþe schal y nouŠt spare,
Lete God don alle his wille.’
¶ Al þe folk þer was, ywis, {f.55vb}
Þai wend it had ben sir Amis
1235 Þat bataile schuld bede;
He and þe steward of pris
Were brouŠt bifor þe iustise
To swere for þat dede.
Þe steward swore þe pople among,
1240 As wis as he seyd no wrong,
God help him at his nede;
& sir Amiloun swore & gan to say,
As wis as he neuer kist þat may,
Our leuedi schuld him spede.
1245 When þai hadde sworn as y Šou told To biker þo bernes were ful bold
& busked hem for to ride.
Al þat þer was, Šong & old,
BisouŠt God Šif þat he wold
1250 Help sir Amis þat tide.
On stedes þat were stiþe & strong
Þai riden togider wiþ schaftes long
Til þai toschiuerd bi ich a side;
& þan drouŠ þai swerdes gode
1255 & hewe togider as þai were wode,
For noþing þai nold abide.
¶ Þo gomes þat were egre of siŠt
Wiþ fauchouns felle þai gun to fiŠt
& ferd as þai were wode.
1260 So hard þai hewe on helmes briŠt
Wiþ strong strokes of michel miŠt
Þat fer biforn out stode;
So hard þai hewe on helme & side
Þurth dent of grimly woundes wide
1265 Þat þai sprad al of blod.
Fram morwe to none, wiþouten faile,
Bitvixen hem last þe bataile,
So egre þai were of mode.
¶ Sir Amiloun as fer of flint
1270 Wiþ wretþe anon to him he wint
& smot a stroke wiþ main;
Ac he failed of his dint,
Þe stede in þe heued he hint
& smot out al his brain.
1275 Þe stede fel ded doun to grounde;
Þo was þe steward þat stounde
Ful ferd he schuld be slain. {f.56ra}
Sir Amiloun liŠt adoun of his stede,
To þe steward afot he Šede
1280 & halp him vp ogain.
¶ ‘Arise vp steward’ he seyd anon,
‘To fiŠt þou schalt afot gon
For þou hast lorn þi stede;
For it were gret vilani, bi seyn Jon,
1285 A liggeand man for to slon
Þat were yfallen in nede.’
Þat kniŠt was ful fre to fond
& tok þe steward bi þe hond
& seyd ‘so God me spede,
1290 Now þou schalt afot go
Y schal fiŠt afot also
& elles were gret falshed.’
¶ Þe steward & þat douhti man
Anon togider þai fiŠt gan
1295 Wiþ brondes briŠt & bare;
So hard togider þai fiŠt þan
Til al her armour o blod ran,
For noþing nold þai spare.
Þe steward smot to him þat stounde
1300 On his schulder a gret wounde
Wiþ his grimly gare
Þat þurth þat wounde, as Še may here,
He was knowen wiþ reweli chere
When he was fallen in care.
1305 ¶ Þan was sir Amiloun wroþ & wode Whan al his armour ran o blode
Þat ere was white so swan;
Wiþ a fauchoun scharp & gode
He smot to him wiþ egre mode
1310 Also a douhti man
Þat euen fro þe schulder-blade
Into þe brest þe brond gan wade,
Þurthout his hert it ran.
Þe steward fel adoun ded,
1315 Sir Amiloun strok of his hed
& God he þonked it þan.
¶ Alle þe lordinges þat þer ware,
Litel & michel, lasse & mare,
Ful glad þai were þat tide.
1320 Þe heued opon a spere þai bare;
To toun þai diŠt hem ful Šare, {f.56rb}
For noþing þai nold abide;
Þai com oŠaines him out of toun
Wiþ a fair processioun
1325 Semliche bi ich a side.
Anon þai ladde him to þe tour
Wiþ ioie & ful michel honour
As prince proude in pride.
¶ Into þe palais when þai were gon
1330 Al þat was in þat worþli won
Wende sir Amis it ware.
‘Sir Amis,’ seyd þe douke anon,
‘Bifor þis lordinges euerichon
Y graunt þe ful Šare,
1335 For Belisent þat miri may
Þou hast bouŠt hir ful dere to day
Wiþ grimli woundes sare;
Þerfore y graunt þe now here
Mi lond & mi douhter dere
1340 To hald for euer mare.’
¶ Ful bliþe was þat hendi kniŠt
& þonked him wiþ al his miŠt,
Glad he was & fain;
In alle þe court was þer no wiŠt
1345 Þat wist wat his name it hiŠt,
To saue þo leuedis tvain;
Leches swiþe þai han yfounde,
Þat gun to tasty his wounde
& made him hole ogain.
1350 Þan were þai al glad & bliþe
& þonked God a þousand siþe
Þat þe steward was slain.
¶ On a day sir Amiloun diŠt him Šare
& seyd þat he wold fare
1355 Hom into his cuntray
To telle his frendes, lasse & mare,
& oþer lordinges þat þere ware,
Hou he had sped þat day.
Þe douke graunted him þat tide
1360 & bede him kniŠtes & miche pride
& he answerd ‘nay.’
Þer schuld noman wiþ him gon,
Bot as swiþe him diŠt anon
& went forþ in his way.
1365 ¶ In his way he went alone, {f.56va}
Most þer noman wiþ him gon,
Noiþer kniŠt no swain.
Þat douhti kniŠt of blod & bon
No stint he neuer at no ston
1370 Til he com hom ogain;
& sir Amis as y Šou say
Waited his coming eueri day
Vp in þe forest plain;
& so þai mett togider same
1375 & he teld him wiþ ioie & game
Hou he hadde þe steward slain
¶ & hou he schuld spousy to mede
Þat ich maide worþli in wede
Þat was so comly corn.
1380 Sir Amiloun liŠt of his stede
& gan to chaungy her wede
As þai hadde don biforn.
‘Broþer,’ he seyd ‘wende hom ogain.’
& tauŠt him hou he schuld sain
1385 When he com þer þai worn.
Þan was sir Amis glad & bliþe
& þanked him a þousand siþe
Þe time þat he was born.
¶ & when þai schuld wende ato
1390 Sir Amis oft þonked him þo
His cost & his gode dede.
‘Broþer,’ he seyd ‘ Šif it bitide so
Þat þe bitide care oþer wo
& of min help hast nede,
1395 Sauelich com oþer sende þi sond
& y schal neuer lenger wiþstond,
Also God me spede;
Be it in periil neuer so strong
Y schal þe help in riŠt & wrong,
1400 Mi liif to lese to mede.’
Asonder þan þai gun wende.
Sir Amiloun þat kniŠt so hende
Went hom in þat tide
To his leuedi þat was vnkende,
1405 & was ful welcome to his frende
As prince proude in pride;
& when it was comen to þe niŠt
Sir Amiloun & þat leuedi briŠt
In bedde were layd biside; {f.56vb}
1410 In his armes he gan hir kis
& made hir ioie & michel blis,
For noþing he nold abide.
¶ Þe leuedi astite asked him þo
Whi þat he hadde farn so
1415 Al þat fourtenniŠt,
Laid his swerd bitven hem to
Þat sche no durst nouŠt for wele no wo
Touche his bodi ariŠt.
Sir Amiloun biþouŠt him þan
1420 His broþer was a trewe man
Þat hadde so done, apliŠt.
‘Dame,’ he seyd ‘ichil þe sain
& telle þe þat soþe ful fain,
Ac wray me to no wiŠt.’
1425 ¶ Þe leuedi astite him frain gan, For his loue þat þis warld wan,
Telle hir whi it ware.
Þan astite þat hendy man
Al þe soþe he teld hir þan,
1430 To court hou he gan fare,
& hou he slouŠ þe steward strong
Þat wiþ tresoun & wiþ wrong
Wold haue his broþer forfare,
& hou his broþer þat hendy kniŠt
1435 Lay wiþ hir in bed ich niŠt
While þat he was þare.
¶ Þe leuedi was ful wroþ, y pliŠt,
& oft missayd hir lord þat niŠt
Wiþ speche bitvix hem to,
1440 & seyd ‘wiþ wrong & michel vnriŠt
Þou slouŠ þer a gentil kniŠt;
Ywis, it was iuel ydo.’
‘Dame,’ he seyd ‘bi heuen-king,
Y no dede it for non oþer þing
1445 Bot to saue mi broþer fro wo,
& ich hope Šif ich hadde nede
His owhen liif to lesse to mede
He wald help me also.’
Al þus in gest as we sain
1450 Sir Amis was ful glad & fain,
To court he gan to wende;
& when he com to court oŠain
Wiþ erl, baroun, kniŠt & swain, {f.57ra}
Honourd he was þat hende.
1455 Þat riche douke tok him bi hond
& sesed him in alle his lond
To held wiþouten ende;
& seþþen wiþ ioie opon a day
He spoused Belisent, þat may
1460 Þat was so trewe & kende.
¶ Miche was þat semly folk in sale
Þat was samned at þat bridale
When he hadde spoused þat flour,
Of erls, barouns, mani & fale,
1465 & oþer lordinges gret & smale
& leuedis briŠt in bour.
A real fest þai gan to hold
Of erls & of barouns bold
Wiþ ioie & michel honour;
1470 Ouer al þat lond est & west
Þan was sir Amis helden þe best
& chosen for priis in tour.
So wiþin þo Šeres to
A wel fair grace fel hem þo,
1475 As God almiŠti wold;
Þe riche douke dyed hem fro
& his leuedi dede also
& grauen in grete so cold.
Þan was sir Amis hende & fre
1480 Douke & lord of gret pouste
Ouer al þat lond yhold.
Tvai childer he biŠat bi his wiue,
Þe fairest þat miŠt bere liue,
In gest as it is told.
1485 ¶ Þan was þat kniŠt of gret renoun & lord of mani a tour & toun
& douke of gret pouste;
& his broþer, Sir Amiloun,
Wiþ sorwe & care was driuen adoun,
1490 Þat ere was hende & fre;
Also þat angel hadde him told
Fouler messel þar nas non hold
In world þan was he.
In gest to rede it is gret rewþe
1495 What sorwe he hadde for his treuþe
Wiþin þo Šeres þre.
¶ & er þo þre Šere com to þende {f.57rb}
He no wist whider he miŠt wende,
So wo was him bigon;
1500 For al þat were his best frende,
& nameliche al his riche kende,
Bicom his most fon;
& his wiif for soþe to say
WrouŠt him wers boþe niŠt & day
1505 Þan þai dede euerichon.
When him was fallen þat hard cas,
A frendeleser man þan he was
Men nist nowhar non.
¶ So wicked & schrewed was his wiif
1510 Sche brac his hert wiþouten kniif
Wiþ wordes hard & kene,
& seyd to him ‘þou wreche chaitif,
Wiþ wrong þe steward les his liif
& þat is on þe sene;
1515 Þerfore, bi seyn Denis of Fraunce,
Þe is bitid þis hard chaunce,
Daþet who þe bimene.’
Wel oft times his honden he wrong
As man þat þenkeþ his liif to long
1520 Þat liueþ in treye & tene.
Allas, allas! þat gentil kniŠt
Þat whilom was so wise & wiŠt,
Þat þan was wrouŠt so wo,
Þat fram his leuedi fair & briŠt
1525 Out of his owhen chaumber aniŠt
He was yhote to go,
& in his owhen halle oday
Fram þe heiŠe bord oway
He was ycharged also
1530 To eten at þe tables ende;
Wald þer no man sit him hende,
Wel careful was he þo.
¶ Bi þan þat half Šere was ago
Þat he hadde eten in halle so
1535 Wiþ gode mete & wiþ drink,
His leuedi wax ful wroþ & wo
& þouŠt he liued to long þo,
Wiþouten ani lesing.
‘In þis lond springeþ þis word:
1540 Y fede a mesel at mi bord,
He is so foule a þing; {f.57va}
It is gret spite to al mi kende,
He schal no more sitt me so hende,
Bi Ihesus, heuen-king.’
1545 ¶ On a day sche gan him calle & seyd ‘sir, it is so bifalle,
For soþe y telle it te,
Þat þou etest so long in halle
It is gret spite to ous alle,
1550 Mi kende is wroþ wiþ me.’
Þe kniŠt gan wepe & seyd ful stille
‘Do me where it is þi wille,
Þer noman may me se;
Of no more ichil þe praye
1555 Bot of a meles mete ich day
For seynt charite.’
¶ Þat leuedi for hir lordes sake
Anon sche dede men timber take,
For noþing wold sche wond,
1560 & half a mile fram þe gate
A litel loge sche lete make
Biside þe way to stond.
& when þe loge was al wrouŠt
Of his gode no wold he noŠt
1565 Bot his gold coupe an hond.
When he was in his loge alon
To God of heuen he made his mon
& þonked him of al his sond.
¶ Into þat loge when he was diŠt
1570 In al þe court was þer no wiŠt
Þat wold serue him þare
To saue a gentil child, y pliŠt,
Child Owaines his name it hiŠt,
For him he wepe ful sare.
1575 Þat child was trewe & of his kende,
His soster sone he was ful hende;
He sayd to hem ful Šare,
Ywis, he no schuld neuer wond
To seruen him fro fot to hond
1580 While he oliues ware.
Þat child þat was so fair & bold
Owaines was his name ytold,
Wel fair he was of blode.
When he was of tvelue Šere old
1585 Amoraunt þan was he cald, {f.57vb}
Wel curteys, hende & gode.
Bi his lord ich niŠt he lay
& feched her liuere euer[i] day
To her liues fode.
1590 When ich man made gle & song,
Euer for his lord among
He made dreri mode.
¶ Þus Amoraunt as y Šou say
Com to court ich day,
1595 No stint he for no striue.
Al þat þer was gan him pray
To com fro þat lazer oway,
Þan schuld he the & þriue.
& he answerd wiþ milde mode
1600 & swore bi him þat dyed on rode
& þoled woundes fiue,
For al þis worldes gode to take
His lord nold he neuer forsake
Whiles he ware oliue.
1605 ¶ Bi þan þe tvelmoneþ was al gon Amorant went into þat won
For his lordes liueray;
Þe leuedi was ful wroþ anon
& comaunde hir men euerichon
1610 To driue þat child oway,
& swore bi him þat Judas sold
Þei his lord for hunger & cold
Dyed þer he lay
He schuld haue noiþer mete no drink
1615 No socour of non oþer þing
For hir after þat day.
¶ Þat child wrong his honden tvain
& weping went hom ogain
Wiþ sorwe & sikeing sare.
1620 Þat gode man gan him frain
& bad him þat he schuld him sain
& telle him whi it ware.
& he answerd & seyd þo
‘Ywis, no wonder þei me be wo,
1625 Mine hert, it brekeþ for care;
Þi wiif haþ sworn wiþ gret mode
Þat sche no schal neuer don ous gode;
Allas, hou schal we fare?’
¶ ‘A, God help!’ seyd þat gentil kniŠt, {f.58ra}
1630 Whilom y was man of miŠt
To dele mete & cloþ
& now icham so foule a wiŠt
Þat al þat seþ on me bi siŠt,
Mi liif is hem ful loþ.
1635 ‘Sone,’ he seyd ‘lete þi wepeing,
For þis is now a strong tiding,
Þat may we se for soþ;
For certes y can non oþer red,
Ous bihoueþ to bid our brede,
1640 Now y wot hou it goþ.’
¶ Amorwe astite as it was liŠt
Þe child & þat gentil kniŠt
DiŠt hem for to gon,
& in her way þai went ful riŠt
1645 To begge her brede as þai hadde tiŠt,
For mete no hadde þai none.
So long þai went vp & doun
Til þai com to a chepeing-toun
Fiue mile out of þat won,
1650 & sore wepeand fro dore to dore,
& bad her mete for Godes loue,
Ful iuel couþe þai þeron.
¶ So in þat time ich vnderstond
Gret plente was in þat lond
1655 Boþe of mete & drink
Þat folk was ful fre to fond
& brouŠt hem anouŠ to hond
Of al kines þing;
For þe gode man was so messais þo,
1660 & for þe child was so fair also,
Hem loued old & Šing,
& brouŠt hem anouŠ of al gode;
Þan was þe child bliþe of mode
& lete be his wepeing.
1665 ¶ Þan wex þe gode man fete so sare Þat he no miŠt no forþer fare
For al þis worldes gode;
To þe tounes ende þat child him bare
& a loge he bilt him þare
1670 As folk to chepeing Šode;
& as þat folk of þat cuntray
Com to chepeing eueri day,
Þai gat hem liues fode; {f.58rb}
& Amoraunt oft to toun gan go
1675 & begged hem mete & drink also
When hem most nede atstode.
¶ Þus in gest rede we
Þai duelled þere Šeres þre,
Þat child & he also,
1680 & liued in care & pouerte
Bi þe folk of þat cuntre
As þai com to & fro;
So þat in þe ferþ Šere
Corn bigan to wex dere
1685 Þat hunger bigan to go,
Þat þer was noiþer eld no Šing
Þat wald Šif hem mete no drink,
Wel careful were þai þo.
¶ Amorant oft to toun gan gon
1690 Ac mete no drink no gat he non,
Noiþer at man no wiue.
When þai were togider alon
Reweliche þai gan maken her mon,
Wo was hem o liue;
1695 & his leuedi for soþe to say
Woned þer in þat cuntray
NouŠt þennes miles fiue,
& liued in ioie boþe niŠt & day
Whiles he in sorwe & care lay –
1700 Wel iuel mot sche þriue.
¶ On a day as þai sete alon
Þat hendi kniŠt gan meken his mon
& seyd to þe child þat tide
‘Sone,’ he seyd ‘þou most gon
1705 To mi leuedi swiþe anon
Þat woneþ here biside,
Bid hir for him þat died on rode
Sende me so michel of al mi gode,
An asse on to ride,
1710 & out of lond we wil fare
To begge our mete wiþ sorwe & care,
No lenger we nil abide.’
¶ Amoraunt to court is went
Bifor þat leuedi fair & gent,
1715 Wel hendeliche seyd hir anon,
‘Madame,’ he seyd ‘verrament,
As mensanger mi lord me sent {f.58va}
For himself may nouŠt gon,
& praieste wiþ milde mode
1720 Sende him so michel of al his gode
As an asse to riden opon,
& out of lond we schulen yfere,
No schal we neuer com eft here
Þei hunger ous schuld slon.’
1725 ¶ Þe leuedi seyd sche wald ful fain Sende him gode asses tvain
Wiþ þi he wald oway go
So fer þat he neuer eft com ogain.
‘Nay certes, dame,’ þe child gan sain
1730 ‘Þou sest ous neuer eft mo.’
Þan was þe leuedi glad & bliþe
& comaund him an asse as swiþe
& seyd wiþ wretþe þo
‘Now Še schul out of lond fare
1735 God leue Šou neuer to com here mare,
& graunt þat it be so.’
¶ Þat child no lenger nold abide,
His asse astite he gan bistride
& went him hom ogain
1740 & told his lord in þat tide
Hou his leuedi proude in pride
Schameliche gan to sain.
Opon þe asse he sett þat kniŠt so hende
& out of þe cite þai gun wende;
1745 Þerof þai were ful fain.
Þurth mani a cuntre vp an doun
Þai begged her mete fram toun to toun
Boþe in winde & rain.
¶ Ouer al þat lond þurth Godes wille
1750 Þat hunger wex so gret & g[r]ille
As wide as þai gun go;
Almest for hunger þai gan to spille,
Of brede þai no hadde nouŠt half her fille,
Ful careful were þai þo.
1755 Þan seyd þe kniŠt opon a day
‘Ous bihoueþ selle our asse oway
For we no haue gode no mo,
Saue mi riche coupe of gold,
Ac certes þat schal neuer be sold,
1760 Þei hunger schuld me slo.’
¶ Þan Amoraunt & sir Amiloun {f.58vb}
Wiþ sorwe & care & reweful roun
Erliche in a mor[n]ing
Þai went hem til a chepeing-toun,
1765 & when þe kniŠt was liŠt adoun,
Wiþouten ani duelling
Amoraunt went to toun þo,
His asse he ladde wiþ him also
& sold it for fiue schilling.
1770 & while þat derþ was so strong,
Þerwiþ þai bouŠt hem mete among,
When þai miŠt gete no þing.
¶ & when her asse was ysold
For fiue schilling as y Šou told
1775 Þai duelled þer dayes þre;
Amoraunt wex strong & bold,
Of fiftene winter was he old,
Curtays, hende & fre.
For his lord he hadde grete care
1780 & at his rigge he diŠt him Šare
& bare him out of þat cite;
& half a Šere & sum del mare
About his mete he him bare –
Yblisced mot he be.
1785 ¶ Þus Amoraunt, wiþouten wrong, Bar his lord about so long,
As y Šou tel may,
Þat winter com so hard & strong,
Oft ‘Allas!’ it was his song,
1790 So depe was þat cuntray;
Þe way was so depe & slider,
Oft times boþe togider
Þai fel doun in þe clay.
Ful trewe he was & kinde of blod
1795 & serued his lord wiþ mild mode,
Wald he nouŠt wende oway.
¶ Þus Amoraunt, as y Šou say,
Serued his lord boþe niŠt & day
& at his rigge him bare.
1800 Oft his song was ‘Waileway!’
So depe was þat cuntray
His bones wex ful sare.
Al her catel þan was spent,
Saue tvelf pans, verrament,
1805 Þerwiþ þai went ful Šare {f.59ra}
& bouŠt hem a gode croude-wain,
His lord he gan þerin to lain,
He no miŠt him bere namare.
¶ Þan Amoraunt crud sir Amiloun
1810 Þurth mani a cuntre vp & doun,
As Še may vnderstond;
So he com to a cite-toun,
Þer sir Amis þe bold baroun
Was douke & lord in lond.
1815 Þan seyd þe kniŠt in þat tide
‘To þe doukes court here biside
To bring me þider þou fond;
He is a man of milde mode,
We schul gete ous þer sum gode
1820 Þurth grace of Godes sond.
¶ ‘Ac leue sone,’ he seyd þan
‘For his loue þat þis world wan,
Astow art hende & fre,
Þou be aknowe to no man
1825 Whider y schal no whenes y cam
No what mi name it be.’
He answerd & seyd ‘nay.’
To court he went in his way,
As Še may listen at me,
1830 & bifor al oþer pouer men
He crud his wain into þe fen;
Gret diol it was to se.
¶ So it bifel þat selue day,
Wiþ tong as y Šou tel may,
1835 It was midwinter tide,
Þat riche douke wiþ gamen & play
Fram chirche com þe riŠt way
As lord & prince wiþ pride.
When he com to þe castel gate
1840 Þe pouer men þat stode þerate
WiþdrouŠ hem þer beside.
Wiþ kniŠtes & wiþ seriaunce fale
He went into þat semly sale
Wiþ ioie & blis to abide.
1845 ¶ In kinges court, as it is lawe, Trumpes in halle to mete gan blawe,
To benche went þo bold.
When þai were semly set on rowe
Serued þai were opon a þrowe, {f.59rb}
1850 As men miriest on mold.
Þat riche douke, wiþouten les,
As a prince serued he wes
Wiþ riche coupes of gold,
& he þat brouŠt him to þat state
1855 Stode bischet wiþouten þe gate
Wel sore ofhungred & cold.
¶ Out at þe gate com a kniŠt
& a seriaunt wise & wiŠt,
To plain hem boþe yfere,
1860 & þurth þe grace of God almiŠt
On sir Amiloun he cast a siŠt,
Hou laiþ he was of chere.
& seþþen biheld on Amoraunt
Hou gentil he was & of fair semblaunt,
1865 In gest as Še may here.
Þan seyd þai boþe, bi seyn Jon,
In al þe court was þer non
Of fairehed half his pere.
¶ Þe gode man gan to him go
1870 & hendeliche he asked him þo,
As Še may vnderstond,
Fram wat lond þat he com fro
& whi þat he stode þer þo
& whom he serued in lond.
1875 ‘Sir,’ he seyd ‘so God me saue,
Icham here mi lordes knaue
Þat liþ in Godes bond;
& þou art gentil kniŠt of blode,
Bere our erand of sum gode
1880 Þurth grace of Godes sond.’
¶ Þe gode man asked him anon,
Šif he wald fro þat lazer gon
& trewelich to him take;
& he seyd he schuld, bi seyn Jon,
1885 Serue þat riche douke in þat won
& richeman he wald him make.
& he answerd wiþ mild mode
& swore bi him þat dyed on rode
Whiles he miŠt walk & wake,
1890 For to winne al þis warldes gode
His hende lord þat bi him stode
Schuld he neuer forsake.
¶ Þe gode man wende he hadde ben rage {f.59va}
Or he hadde ben a fole-sage
1895 Þat hadde his witt forlorn,
Oþer he þouŠt þat his lord wiþ þe foule visage
Hadde ben a man of heiŠe parage
& of heiŠe kinde ycorn.
Þerfore he nold no more sain
1900 Bot went him into þe halle ogain
Þe riche douke biforn.
‘Mi lord,’ he seyd ‘listen to me,
Þe best bourd, bi mi leute,
Þou herdest seþþen þou were born.’
1905 Þe riche douke badde him anon To telle biforn hem euerichon
Wiþouten more duelling.
‘Now sir’ he seyd ‘bi seyn Jon,
Ich was out atte gate ygon
1910 RiŠt now on mi playing;
Pouer men y seiŠe mani þare,
Litel & michel, lasse & mare,
Boþe old & Šing,
& a lazer þer y fond;
1915 Herdestow neuer in no lond
Telle of so foule a þing.’
¶ ‘Þe lazer liþ vp in a wain,
& is so pouer of miŠt & main
O fot no may he gon;
1920 & ouer him stode a naked swain,
A gentiler child for soþe to sain,
In world no wot y non.
He is þe fairest gome
Þat euer Crist Šaf Cristendome
1925 Or layd liif opon,
& on of þe most fole he is
Þat euer þou herdest speke, ywis,
In þis worldes won.’
¶ Þan seyd þe riche douke ogain
1930 ‘What foly’ he seyd ‘can he sain?
Is he madde of mode?’
‘Sir,’ he seyd ‘y bad him fain
Forsake þe lazer in þe wain
Þat he so ouer stode,
1935 & in þi seruise he schuld be,
Y bihete him boþe lond & fe,
AnouŠ of warldes gode; {f.59vb}
& he answerd & seyd þo
He nold neuer gon him fro;
1940 Þerfore ich hold him wode.’
¶ Þan seyd þe douke ‘þei his lord be lorn,
Par auentour þe gode man haþ biforn
Holpen him at his nede,
Oþer þe child is of his blod yborn,
1945 Oþer he haþ him oþes sworn
His liif wiþ him to lede.
Wheþer he be fremd or of his blod
Þe child’ he seyd ‘is trewe & gode,
Also God me spede.
1950 Šif ichim speke er he wende,
For þat he is so trewe & kende
Y schal quite him his mede.’
¶ Þat douke astite, as y Šou told,
Cleped to him a squier bold
1955 & hendelich gan him sain
‘Take’ he sayd ‘mi coupe of gold
As ful of wine astow miŠt hold
In þine hondes tvain
& bere it to þe castel Šate,
1960 A lazer þou schalt finde þerate
Liggeand in a wain.
Bid him for þe loue of seyn Martin
He and his page drink þis win
& bring me þe coupe ogain.’
1965 ¶ Þe squier þo þe coupe hent & to þe castel gat he went
& ful of win he it bare.
To þe lazer he seyd verrament
‘Þis coupe ful of win mi lord þe sent;
1970 Drink it Šiue þou dare.’
Þe lazer tok forþ his coupe of gold,
Boþe were Šoten in o mold,
RiŠt as þat selue it ware,
Þerin he pourd þat win so riche;
1975 Þan were þai boþe ful yliche
& noiþer lesse no mare.
¶ Þe squier biheld þe coupes þo,
First his & his lordes also,
Whiles he stode hem biforn,
1980 Ac he no couþe neuer mo
Chese þe better of hem to, {f.60ra}
So liche boþe þai worn.
Into halle he ran ogain
‘Certes sir,’ he gan to sain
1985 ‘Mani gode dede þou hast lorn,
& so þou hast lorn þis dede now;
He is a richer man þan þou,
Bi þe time þat God was born.’
¶ Þe riche douke answerd ‘nay.
1990 Þat worþ neuer bi niŠt no day;
It were oŠaines þe lawe.’
‘Šis sir,’ he gan to say
‘He is a traitour, bi mi fay,
& were wele worþ to drawe.
1995 For when y brouŠt him þe win
He drouŠ forþ a gold coupe fin,
RiŠt as it ware þi nawe;
In þis world, bi seyn Jon,
So wise a man is þer non
2000 Asundri schuld hem knawe.’
‘Now certes’ seyd sir Amis þo
‘In al þis world were coupes nomo
So liche in al þing
Saue min & mi broþers also
2005 Þat was sett bitvix ous to,
Token of our parting;
& Šif it be so wiþ tresoun
Mine hende broþer, sir Amiloun,
Is slain, wiþouten lesing.
2010 & Šif he haue stollen his coupe oway,
Y schal him sle me self þis day,
Bi Ihesu heuen-king.’
¶ Fram þe bord he resed þan
& hent his swerd as a wode man
2015 & drouŠ it out wiþ wrake
& to þe castel gat he ran;
In al þe court was þer no man
Þat him miŠt atake.
To þe lazer he stirt in þe wain
2020 & hent him in his honden tvain
& sleynt him in þe lake,
& layd on as he were wode,
& al þat euer about him stode
Gret diol gan make.
2025 ¶ ‘Traitour,’ seyd þe douke so
bold {f.60rb} ‘Where haddestow þis coupe of gold
& hou com þou þerto?
For bi him þat Judas sold,
Amiloun mi broþer it hadde in wold
2030 When þat he went me fro.’
‘Ša, certes, sir,’ he gan to say
‘It was his in his cuntray
& now it is fallen so;
Bot certes now þat icham here
2035 Þe coupe is mine, y bouŠt it dere,
Wiþ riŠt y com þer to.’
¶ Þan was þe douke ful egre of mod;
Was noman þat about him stode
Þat durst legge on him hond;
2040 He spurned him wiþ his fot
& laid on as he wer wode
Wiþ his naked brond,
& bi þe fet þe lazer he drouŠ
& drad on him in þe slouŠ,
2045 For no þing wald he wond;
& seyd ‘þef, þou schalt be slawe,
Bot þou wilt be þe soþe aknawe
Where þou þe coupe fond.’
Child Amoraunt stode þe pople among
2050 & seye his lord wiþ wouŠ & wrong
Hou reweliche he was diŠt.
He was boþe hardi & strong,
Þe douke in his armes he fong
& held him stille vpriŠt.
2055 ‘Sir,’ he seyd ‘þou art vnhende
& of þi werkes vnkende
To sle þat gentil kniŠt.
Wel sore may him rewe þat stounde
Þat euer for þe toke he wounde
2060 To saue þi liif in fiŠt.’
{ Stanza supplied from Bodleian Douce 326 }
[¶ "And ys thi brother, sir Amylioun,
Þat whilom was a noble baroun
Bothe to ryde and go,
And now with sorwe ys dreue adoun;
Nowe God þat suffred passioun
Breng him oute of his wo!
For the of blysse he ys bare,
And thou yeldyst him all with care
And brekest his bones a two;
Þat he halp the at thi nede,
Well euell aquitest thou his mede,
Alas, whi farest thou so?"]
¶ When sir Amis herd him so sain,
He stirt to þe kniŠt ogain
Wiþouten more delay
& biclept him in his armes tvain
2065 & oft ‘allas!’ he gan sain;
His song was ‘waileway!’
He loked opon his scholder bare
& seiŠe his grimly wounde þare,
As Amoraunt gan him say. {f.60va}
2070 He fel aswon to þe grounde
& oft he seyd ‘allas þat stounde
Þat euer he bode þat þat day.’
¶ ‘Allas’ he seyd ‘mi ioie is lorn,
Vnkender blod nas neuer born,
2075 Y not wat y may do;
For he saued mi liif biforn
Ichaue him Šolden wiþ wo & sorn
& wrouŠt him michel wo.
‘O broþer,’ he seyd ‘par charite
2080 Þis rewely dede forŠif þou me
Þat ichaue smiten þe so.’
& he forŠaue it him also swiþe
& kist him wel mani a siþe,
Wepeand wiþ eiŠen tvo.
2085 ¶ Þan was sir Amis glad & fain, For ioie he wepe wiþ his ain
& hent his broþer þan,
& tok him in his armes tvain
RiŠt til he com into þe halle oŠain,
2090 No bar him non oþer man.
Þe leuedi þo in þe halle stode
& wend hir lord hadde ben wode,
OŠaines him hye ran.
‘Sir,’ sche seyd ‘wat is þi þouŠt?
2095 Whi hastow him into halle ybrouŠt,
For him þat þis world wan?’
¶ ‘O dame,’ he seyd ‘bi seyn Jon,
Me nas neuer so wo bigon,
Šif þou it wost vnderstond,
2100 For better kniŠt in world is non,
Bot almost now ichaue him slon
& schamely driuen to schond;
For it is mi broþer, sir Amiloun,
Wiþ sorwe & care is dreuen adoun
2105 Þat er was fre to fond.’
Þe leuedi fel aswon to grounde
& wepe & seyd ‘allas þat stounde!’
Wel sore wrengand hir hond.
¶ As foule a lazer as he was,
2110 Þe leuedi kist him in þat plas,
For noþing wold sche spare
& oft time sche seyd ‘allas!’
Þat him was fallen so hard a cas, {f.60vb}
To liue in sorwe & care.
2115 Into hir chaumber sche gan him lede
& kest of al his pouer wede
& baþed his bodi al bare,
& to a bedde swiþe him brouŠt
Wiþ cloþes riche & wele ywrouŠt;
2120 Ful bliþe of him þai ware.
¶ & þus in gest as we say
Tvelmoneþ in her chaumber he lay,
Ful trewe þai ware & kinde.
No wold þai nick him wiþ no nay:
2125 What so euer he asked niŠt or day
It nas neuer bihinde;
Of euerich mete & eueri drink
Þai had hemselue, wiþouten lesing,
Þai were him boþe ful minde.
2130 & bi þan þe tvelmo[n]þ was ago,
A ful fair grace fel hem þo,
In gest as we finde.
So it bifel opon a niŠt,
As sir Amis þat gentil kniŠt
2135 In slepe þouŠt as he lay,
An angel com fram heuen briŠt
& stode biforn his bed ful riŠt
& to him þus gan say:
Šif he wald rise on Cristes morn,
2140 Swiche time as Ihesu Crist was born,
& slen his children tvay
& alien his broþer wiþ þe blode,
Þurth Godes grace þat is so gode
His wo schuld wende oway.
2145 ¶ Þus him þouŠt al þo þre niŠt An angel out of heuen briŠt
Warned him euer more
Šif he wald do as he him hiŠt,
His broþer schuld ben as fair a kniŠt
2150 As euer he was biforn.
Ful bliþe was sir Amis þo,
Ac for his childer him was ful wo,
For fairer ner non born.
Wel loþ him was his childer to slo
2155 & wele loþer his broþer forgo
Þat is so kinde ycorn.
¶ Sir Amiloun met þat niŠt also {f.61ra}
Þat an angel warned him þo
& seyd to him ful Šare
2160 Šif his broþer wald his childer slo,
Þe hert-blod of hem to
MiŠt bring him out of care.
Amorwe sir Amis was ful hende
& to his broþer he gan wende
2165 & asked him of his fare;
& he him answerd oŠain ful stille
‘Broþer, ich abide her Godes wille,
For y may do na mare.’
¶ Also þai sete togider þare
2170 & speke of auentours as it ware,
Þo kniŠtes hende & fre,
Þan seyd sir Amiloun ful Šare
‘Broþer, y nil nouŠt spare
To tel þe in priuite
2175 Me þouŠt toniŠt in mi sweuen
Þat an angel com fram heuen;
For soþe he told me
Þat þurth þe blod of þin children to
Y miŠt aschape out of mi wo
2180 Al hayl & hole to be.’
¶ Þan þouŠt þe douk, wiþouten lesing,
For to slen his childer so Šing,
It were a dedli sinne;
& þan þouŠt he, bi heuen-king,
2185 His broþer out of sorwe bring
For þat nold he nouŠt blinne.
So it bifel on Cristes niŠt,
Swiche time as Ihesu ful of miŠt
Was born to saue mankunne,
2190 To chirche to wende al þat þer wes
Þai diŠten hem, wiþouten les,
Wiþ ioie & worldes winne.
¶ Þan þai were redi for to fare
Þe douke bad al þat þer ware
2195 To chirche þai schuld wende,
Litel & michel, lasse & mare,
Þat non bileft in chaumber þare,
As þai wald ben his frende,
& seyd he wald himselue þat niŠt
2200 Kepe his broþer þat gentil kniŠt
Þat was so god & hende. {f.61rb}
Þan was þer non þat durst say nay;
To chirche þai went in her way,
At hom bileft þo hende.
2205 ¶ Þe douke wel fast gan aspie Þe kays of þe noricerie
Er þan þai schuld gon,
& priueliche he cast his eiŠe
& aparceiued ful witterlye
2210 Where þat þai hadde hem don.
& when þai were to chirche went
Þan sir Amis, verrament,
Was bileft alon.
He tok a candel fair & briŠt
2215 & to þe kays he went ful riŠt
& tok hem oway ichon.
¶ Alon him self, wiþouten mo,
Into þe chaumber he gan to go
Þer þat his childer were
2220 & biheld hem boþe to,
Hou fair þai lay togider þo
& slepe boþe yfere.
Þan seyd himselue ‘bi seyn Jon,
It were gret reweþe Šou to slon
2225 Þat God haþ bouŠt so dere.’
His kniif he had drawen þat tide,
For sorwe he sleyntt oway biside
& wepe wiþ reweful chere.
¶ Þan he hadde wopen þer he stode,
2230 Anon he turned oŠain his mode
& sayd wiþouten delay
‘Mi broþer was so kinde & gode,
Wiþ grimly wounde he schad his blod
For mi loue opon a day;
2235 Whi schuld y þan mi childer spare,
To bring mi broþer out of care?
O, certes’ he seyd ‘nay.
To help mi broþer now at þis nede
God graunt me þerto wele to spede
2240 & Mari þat best may.’
¶ No lenger stint he no stode
Bot hent his kniif wiþ dreri mode
& tok his children þo;
For he nold nouŠt spille her blode,
2245 Ouer a bacine fair & gode {f.61va}
Her þrotes he schar atvo.
& when he hadde hem boþe slain
He laid hem in her bed ogain –
No wonder þei him wer wo –
2250 & hilde hem þat no wiŠt schuld se
As noman hadde at hem be;
Out of chaumber he gan go.
¶ & when he was out of chaumber gon
Þe dore he steked stille anon
2255 As fast as it was biforn;
Þe kays he hidde vnder a ston
& þouŠt þai schuld wene ichon
Þat þai hadde ben forlorn.
To his broþer he went him þan
2260 & seyd to þat careful man
‘Swiche time as God was born,
Ich haue þe brouŠt mi childer blod,
Ich hope it schal do þe gode
As þe angel seyd biforn.’
2265 ¶ ‘Broþer,’ sir Amiloun gan to say ‘Hastow slayn þine children tvay?
Allas, whi destow so?’
He wepe & seyd ‘waileway!
Ich had leuer til domesday
2270 Haue liued in care & wo.’
Þan seyd sir Amis ‘be now stille;
Ihesu, when it is his wille,
May send me childer mo.
For me of blis þou art al bare;
2275 Ywis, mi liif wil y nouŠt spare
To help þe now þerfro.’
¶ He tok þat blode þat was so briŠt
& alied þat gentil kniŠt,
Þat er was hende in hale,
2280 & seþþen in a bed him diŠt
& wreiŠe him wel warm, apliŠt,
Wiþ cloþes riche & fale.
‘Broþer,’ he seyd ‘ly now stille
& falle on slepe þurth Godes wille
2285 As þe angel told in tale;
& ich hope wele, wiþouten lesing,
Ihesu þat is heuen-king
Schal bote þe of þi bale.’
¶ Sir Amis let him ly alon {f.61vb}
2290 & into his chapel he went anon,
In gest as Še may here,
& for his childer þat he hadde slon
To God of heuen he made his mon
& preyd wiþ rewely chere
2295 Schuld saue him fram schame þat day,
& Mari his moder þat best may,
Þat was him leue & dere;
& Ihesu Crist in þat stede
Ful wele he herd þat kniŠtes bede
2300 & graunt him his praiere.
Amorwe astite as it was day
Þe leuedi com home al wiþ play
Wiþ kniŠtes ten & fiue;
Þai souŠt þe kays þer þai lay;
2305 Þai founde hem nouŠt, þai were oway,
Wel wo was hem oliue.
Þe douk bad al þat þer wes
Þai schuld hold hem still in pes
& stint of her striue,
2310 & seyd he hadde þe keys nome,
Schuld noman in þe chaumber come
Bot him self & his wiue.
¶ Anon he tok his leuedi þan
& seyd to hir ‘leue leman,
2315 Be bliþe & glad of mode;
For bi him þat þis warld wan
Boþe mi childer ich haue slan
Þat were so hende & gode;
For me þouŠt in mi sweuen
2320 Þat an angel com fram heuen
& seyd me þurth her blode
Mi broþer schuld passe out of his wo;
Þerfore y slouŠ hem boþe to,
To hele þat frely fode.’
2325 ¶ Þan was þe leuedi ferly wo & seiŠe hir lord was also;
Sche comfort him ful Šare
‘O lef liif,’ sche seyd þo
‘God may sende ous childer mo,
2330 Of hem haue þou no care.
Šif it ware at min hert rote
For to bring þi broþer bote,
.... .... .... .... {stub f.061r_a}
.... .... .... .... {stub f.061v_a}
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