Of Arthour & of Merlin

Ihesus Crist Heuen-king {f.201rb}

& leue ous wele to spede

leue: first e superscript.

Mani .................. {f.201va}

4000 A.....................

Was cleped Vter Pendragoun.

Pendragoun: MS reads Pendradoun.

Ac þe eldest sone Costentine

Erasure between þe and eldest.

& holdeþ him for Šour lord euer mo.’ {f.201vb}

To gouerny hem wiþ al his miŠt –

gouerny: MS reads goruerny

& made Costaunce her king

MS: biforþ struck through; her superscript.

Þat Angys bi water brouŠt; {f.202ra}

To Winchester þai flowen þo

Winchester: MS reads Wincherster.

1650 Šif Fortiger her prince ware {f.202rb}

& þai him seyd tidinges ille:

þai superscript.

He no can conseil to no gode {f.202va}

Þat we forlorn at þis asaut

Second r of forlorn is superscript.

Anon þai Šauen hem dintes hard,

hem corrected from him.

NouŠt fele nar þeroŠen {f.202vb}

¶ ‘Now gramerci’ quaþ Fortiger

Now: MS reads Mow.

Þo Fortiger it vnderstode {f.203ra}

Þus our folk hadden þe priis {f.203rb}

Þus þai wenten to þe strond

strond: r is superscript.

3550 Fortiger & his ost

3850 Mani kniŠt & baroun hende {f.203va}

Þurth tresoun þat he hadde yspeken,

he: MS reads þai.

& he schuld haue half his fe;

his: s is superscript.

OŠaines his men & help him were {f.203vb}

& bi conseyl of Angys {f.204ra}

Þat Šif me comeþ ani nede {f.204rb}

¶ Foundement & werk þai founde

Foundement: MS reads Foundernement.

Ligge vp so doun op þe grounde

so is superscript.

Ac wite no miŠt lewed no clerk {f.204va}

Bot ich Šou sigge verrament

verrament: first e is superscript.

6050 Šiue þai him our finde miŠt {f.204vb}

Her liif were at þe ending.

MS: line copied at the foot of column, its position marked with a-b.

Y nil Šou telle her priuete {f.205ra}

6750 Bi þat day was a riche man

Lo what wo & diol & dere {f.205rb}

Þat þider com þis to visite,

visite: MS reads viseite.

¶ Þis eld wiif – þat iuel sche þe – {f.205va}

For ribaudye gret haras {f.205vb}

& hir broþer yslawe also

& added before rubricated h; broþer inserted superscript.

7900 & hir soster quic doluen þo

quic is superscript.

8200 Þat hir to gile wold he fond

to is superscript.

Þurth hir soster ich Šou telle

hir: MS reads his.

8250 & to hir soster sche gan sigge {f.206ra}

‘Ich leue wele’ quaþ he ‘saun faile. {f.206rb}

Þi tale soþe no miŠt be {f.206va}

Þei sche haue serued to be spilt

spilt: i is superscript.

Tvo Šer & an half þan sche mot {f.206vb}

Þat child spac wiþ gret den {f.207ra}

1045 Þe iustise biheld þat childe, {f.207rb}

‘Now ich jse sir iustise {f.207va}

& forsoþe þat ich niŠt {f.207vb}

Merlin him teld ende & ord {f.208ra}

1195 On a day as ich Šou telle

For to han min hert-blod, {f.208rb}

Why his werk mai nouŠt stond

mai: MS reads mani.

1265 Al þre þai spoken þo {f.208va}

His wreche liif he schal forlate {f.208vb}

& bad hir be hir leman {f.209ra}

Þat þurth fors hir chaumberlain

fors: MS reads forþ.

Bot Še him wiman finde {f.209rb}

& al he teld þer þe king

MS: lines 1413-6 positioned at the foot of the column, their position marked by .+.

Fortiger spac to Merlin {f.209va}

Þat ware boþe long & brode,

ware: MS reads water.

1485 Þo þe stones weren ywent {f.209vb}

1495 He hadde a bodi as a whal;

Erasure after as.

Ich vnderstond so long a while {f.210ra}

‘We seiŠen’ he seyd ‘heraboue {f.210rb}

Ac þei þou haddest nome an hond {f.210va}

Þe rede riŠt to þe plain

rede: MS reads white.

& into þi castel driue; {f.210vb}

Þat sone þer fel þerafterward

þer: er underdotted; superscript t above.

1705 For it is alle þester þing {f.211ra}

Foules miri in wode gredeþ,

gredeþ: r is superscript.

Amirayls & doukes heiŠe {f.211rb}

Fortiger þat comend was {f.211va}

For Fortiger & eke Angys {f.211vb}

He hadde of some sone þe heued

þe heued: MS reads y weued.

1865 Ac þei Fortiger were gode kniŠt

Fortiger: ger added by another hand.

Into a castel of lime & ston {f.212ra}

Wiþ his folk went anon

folk: written twice, the second crossed through.

1925 Herof awondred Vter Pendragon {f.212rb}

Þat Angys no miŠt oway {f.212va}

Al his folk so was schilt {f.212vb}

& þo þe oþ was ymade

Erasure after þe.

& loued better his litel to {f.213ra}

Þerfore no fors no makeþ

fors: MS reads forþ.

As he hem bad þai deden so, {f.213rb}

2145 Of our wer slawe þan anon {f.213va}

King Ban hadde to his demeyne {f.213vb}

2190 Þe cite of Benoit of lasse Breteyne

Second of is superscript.

Ac it to ende hade he no miŠt

hade: MS reads haue.

& euerich wiþ him schuld bring {f.214ra}

On his knewe he him sett {f.214rb}

Say y nil nouŠt it take at o word

nouŠt: MS reads nouit.

Þat sche schold ben his lef, {f.214va}

2365 Þe douke, þe leuedi & his kniŠt. {f.214vb}

Armed went anonriŠt

catchword: þe douke tintagel.

Þe douke Tintagel to nime {f.215ra}

After frendes & souders sleiŠe,

The letter r in both frendes and souders is superscript.

2435 In a castel, a roche of ston –

a roche: MS reads of roche.

& al þat miŠt armes bere

armes: r is superscript.

For Godes loue þat bad him gode, {f.215rb}

Do me to haue swete Ygerne.’

me: at the end of line in darker ink; point of insertion marked.

Ar it day were Merlin hete {f.215va}

Þer was biŠeten hem bitven {f.215vb}

2585 & seþþen he wesche hem boþe to {f.216ra}

& seyd he hadde do þe dede {f.216rb}

In þis lond nis swiche blode

Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979) places lines 2651-2 after 2454.

Þou hast biŠeten a noble stren

Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979) amends to: Þat haþ biŠeten a noble quen.

Þe milke he Šiue to þi childe

he: originally sche, sc underdotted.

Do wiþ me what þi wille is; {f.216va}

& lete souke Artouret. {f.216vb}

Þi sone after worþ king

worþ: r is superscript.

After his enterement {f.217ra}

2805 & þo þe seruise don was {f.217rb}

Þis Kay it was þat nas nouŠt late {f.217va}

2855 Þat he it hadde in nortoure

it written superscript.

& seyd ‘haue þis swerd, sir Kay, {f.217vb}

Seþþen þou were born verrament {f.218ra}

Amorwe þai went to turnament {f.218rb}

3025 Wharof Vlfin wittnes bar {f.218va}

& seyd certes þat he was þar

certes: r is superscript.

3030 Sir Arthour wiþ hert lel

Arthour: r is superscript.

Þar þai biheten þat non nold

biheten: i is altered from e.

Foules make miri song.

Foules: MS reads Fouleþ.

He held þe lond of Lyoneis {f.218vb}

Þo þe seruise ydon was {f.219ra}

Þe barouns seyd to Merlin

barouns: s is superscript.

No schal neuer no hores stren {f.219rb}

¶ Merlin made enchauntement {f.219va}

Into þe pauilouns, wild fer

pauilouns: MS seems to read pauilonis.

3245 A stef launce he bar an hond; {f.219vb}

Þai & her feren four {f.220ra}

& þo he was opon his stede {f.220rb}

Þis fest last fourteniŠt {f.220va}

Še mot hem sigge verrament {f.220vb}

3465 Opon a stede stef & strong, {f.221ra}

‘Ihesus Crist heuen-king {f.221rb}

& bad þe & þi broþer gent

þi: MS reads his.

Þat in lond eueri strete

in: MS reads ir.

In þe sterres he was þe best deuine {f.221va}

Placides & eke Driens, {f.221vb}

Þere Še mot help him were {f.222ra}

We no haue no folk of our lond.’

haue: MS has hane with suspension mark over an.

Mani pauilouns & telt

telt: corrected from teld.

3685 Fourti þousand þat were teld {f.222rb}

¶ King Brangores þat held Strangore {f.222va}

Swiþe hardi & stronge in fiŠtes.

stronge: r is superscript.

Wiþ sex þousende kniŠtes, beld

beld: MS perhaps corrected from bold.

He brouŠt wiþ him þousandes fiue, {f.222vb}

3785 Þe ferþ niŠt after her soiour

Ac Merlin cast enchauntment

catchword: þat her pauilouns.

Þat her pauilouns on and alle {f.223ra}

Ten þousende kniŠtes bi þe morwe

bi: i is superscript.

Strong kniŠt & doinde wel,

MS: kniŠt misplaced, follows doinde.

King Lot, king Nanters & king Vrien {f.223rb}

3905 Arthour wiþ his miŠti hand {f.223va}

Wiþ tvelf þousand of strong men

þousand: s is superscript.

Also swiþe þan Ban þe king {f.223vb}

Went hem forþ hardiliche;

Went: MS reads When.

Also þai maden þis sailing

sailing: MS reads wailing.

King of þe hundred kniŠtes & king Vrien {f.224ra}

4035 He seyd ‘sir listneþ alle, {f.224rb}

E[r] þan com þe Trinite {f.224va}

4115 Þe douke Do wiþouten fable

Do: MS reads þo.

Wiþ her ost þe lond to loke, {f.224vb}

Bretel & Vlfin him vnderstode {f.225ra}

Norham was þat time y wene {f.225rb}

A kniŠt of gret vertu,

A: MS reads &.

4255 Ich of hem seyd, allas {f.225va}

Of þe greal be don saun faile,

faile: MS reads saile.

Y haue seyd wherfore it is {f.225vb}

No may ous com no solas

ous: MS reads hem.

Of him no haueþ non drede {f.226ra}

Þat yslawe no were nouŠt

MS repeats no were.

& to his strong cite Nante

his: MS reads þis.

Þer he was at þe bataile {f.226rb}

& of þe Sarrains hem reme

hem: MS reads him.

Wiþ þre þousand of his kniŠtes {f.226va}

Wiþouten Arthours soster abast –

soster: MS reads sone.

4475 Ac þe king of Hungri & of Blaske {f.226vb}

& hadde him sent fro Costentinenoble

fro: MS reads to.

Wiþ him he hadde þre þousand kniŠt

þousand: MS reads souand.

On hem schoten bi wayes & paþes {f.227ra}

4535 Now Še schul vnderstond

4555 Of Ygerne þat ich er of spake

A fair Šong man Galathin {f.227rb}

Þat Šif he hadde liif of manne {f.227va}

Wiþ gret wrong Še blamen me

wrong: r is superscript.

Þerafter sone bi Godes sond {f.227vb}

4675 Mirie is þentre of May:

Þe foules make miri play,

miri: spelling uncertain, with extra minim.

4680 In þe grene mede floures springeþ.

floures: MS reads foules.

4695 Hir sone Galathin {f.228ra}

& blisced him wiþ hir hond,

hir: MS reads his.

Þai were Londen swiþe neiŠe,

neiŠe: MS nere.

Þe folk schirsten so heiŠe & loude {f.228rb}

Bitven auensong & niŠt {f.228va}

He & his hors fram heued to taile

fram: r is superscript.

¶ Þe Šongest broþer Gaheriet, {f.228vb}

4840 Non no miŠt kiþe his main

his: s is superscript.

Alle þe cartes & somers {f.229ra}

4880 Noblicher so fele wiþstond.

fele: MS reads fewe.

4915 He kidde ner as miche main {f.229rb}

Of mani he smot þe nek ato

nek: originally neck, c underdotted.

Þer þai þrewen on him anon {f.229va}

Anoþer hiŠt Medalan {f.229vb}

His armes he tok vp anon {f.230ra}

5075 Listneþ now gret & smale

Þat SarraŠins seuen þousinde {f.230rb}

5135 & no hadde bot four score kniŠtes {f.230va}

Ac þai him þrewe wiþ swerd & spere {f.230vb}

& Wawain smot on þe scheld

smot: MS reads somt.

& þat Še schul Šete today proue.’

catchword: he slouŠ to grounde al.

& slouŠ to grounde al doun riŠt {f.231ra}

For he him tok aboue þe scheld

MS: aboue tok.

Al fiue togider þai Šede {f.231rb}

What he com to þe brest – {f.231va}

Noiþer deri bi day no niŠt,

Noiþer: i is superscript.

Arthour went fro Brekingho

fro: MS reads to.

5355 & her feren þritti & niŠe, {f.231vb}

niŠe: MS reads fiue.

Was þer no more compainie

Bot in alle fourti & to

Alle chosen, so mot y go,

Bi clerk Merlines conseyl,

5360 Þe wiŠtest þat he wist saun fail.

Forþ þai wenten al in paise

What þai com to Carohaise

A riche cite of al þing

Þer was Leodegan þe king

5365 Þat was king of al þat lond

& hadde Carmelide in his hond

& made swiþe gret pite

For he was bilayn in þat cite

Of king Rion & kinges fiftene

5370 Þat al born corounes schene

Þat hadden him & al his man

Ouercomen bifor þan.

No he no hadde men þat miŠt

Him to awreke, y Šou pliŠt,

5375 & conseild him þat ich stounde

At kniŠtes of þe table rounde

& at barouns of þe lond

Hou þai miŠt hem were fro schond.

Amid þe strete in þat cite

5380 Þe king þer stode wiþ his meine

On a Palmesonnes-aue

Sum conseil of hem to haue.

¶ RiŠt þo entred king Arthour

& Ban & Bohort & sir Antour

5385 & her feren wiþouten doute

Al þai comen in on route,

Alle it were Šong man

Bot it were þe king Ban

& Bohort & Vlfin þe bel

5390 & sir Antour & Sir Bretel;

Þis were noble kniŠtes fiue

& alle of midel liue.

Þe oþer al were bachelers

Sittand on heiŠe destrers.

5395 ¶ Merlin seyd ‘þe king is Šounde

LiŠteþ al to þe grounde

Še schullen wende on on ring

Šour hors schul þe gromes bring,

& þou sir Ban þe king {f.232ra}

5400 To Leodegan so Šeue greteing

& sey þe wordes him to

Þat we bispeke at Brekenho.’

Hou þai went & on swiche maner

Now Še may al yhere,

5405 Of swiche bodis noble & wiŠt

Tofor men me þink it riŠt

Her names to tellen Šou in sawe

Hou þai wenten al on rawe:

First wenten þre wiþ gret honour

5410 Ban & Bohort & king Arthour.

King Arthour Šede bitven, apliŠt,

& king Ban him ledde bi þe hond riŠt,

Bohort him ladde nobleliche

Bi þe left hond sikerliche;

5415 Alle þe oþer com after þo

Ioinand bi hond to & to.

Þe ferþ so was Antour,

Kayes fader of gret valour,

On his hond Šede sir Vlfin

5420 At euerich nede gode & fin.

Þe sext kniŠt so was Bretel,

Of gret noblay strong & lel,

On his hond Šede þe steward Kay,

Þe seuend kniŠt of gret noblay.

5425 Þe viii Lucan þe boteler,

A gode kniŠt of gret power,

Erl Does sone þat loked Lounde

Þe ix was ich vnderstonde.

Grifles so was tiþe

5430 WiŠt he was & noble swiþe

Marec so Šede on his hond

On of þe best of al þat lond.

Þe xii Drians of þe forest sauage

A strong kniŠt of heiŠe parage,

5435 Belias þe lord of Maiden Castel

On his hond Šede fair & wel.

Þe xiiii so was Flaundrin,

A noble kniŠt of gentil lin,

On his hond Šede Laninas

5440 An hardi kniŠt, þe fiftend was.

Þe xvi was Amores þe broun,

A stalworþ kniŠt vnder hauberioun,

Aucales þe rede Šede him bi, {f.232rb}

Þe xvii kniŠt, strong & hardi.

5445 Þe xviii was Bliobel,

A kniŠt doand swiþe wel,

Þe xix was Bleoberiis,

Of gret los & michel priis.

Canode þe xx was,

5450 He no fleiŠe neuer for no cas,

Aladanc þe crispe was xx & on,

Non better bodi no miŠt gon.

Þe xxii was Jslacides,

WiŠt & strong in eueri pres,

5455 Lampades was xx & þre,

A noble kniŠt gent & fre.

Þe xxiiii kniŠt was

A noble kniŠt yhote Ieroas,

Cristofer of þe roche norþ

5460 Þe xxv was forsoþ.

Þe xxvi was Aigilin,

A wiŠt kniŠt of gentil lin,

Þe xxvii was Calogreuand

A gentil kniŠt of noble hand.

5465 Þe xxviij was Augusale,

Of no man no held he tale,

WiŠt Agrauel was xx & niŠe

Ful of wiŠtschip & curteisie.

Þe xxx was Cleades þe fondling,

5470 Man seiŠe neuer better Šongling,

Þe gode kniŠt Gimires of Lambale

Þe on & þritti was bi tale.

Þe xxxii was Kehedin,

Fair & wiŠt & gentil fin,

5475 Þe þre & þritti was Meraugis,

A gode kniŠt of noble priis.

Þe xxxiiii was Gornain,

An hardi kniŠt of michel main,

Þe xxxv was Craddoc,

5480 An hardi kniŠt in ich floc.

Þe xxxvi was Claries,

He was ful wiŠt in eueri pres,

Þe xxxvii was Blehartis,

Bold of dede of speche wiis.

5485 Þe xxxviii was Amadan orgulous,

A kniŠt of dede vertuous,

Þe xxxix Osoman, cert {f.232va}

His surname was ‘hardi of hert.’

Þe xl was Galescounde,

5490 Þer nas no kniŠt of more mounde,

Þe xli was Bleherris

King Bohortes godsone, ywis.

Þe xlij Merlin was þar,

Bifor Arthour þe Šerd bar -

5495 Þis alle Šede hand in hand

As y Šou seyd bifornhand.

¶ Leodegan & al his ginge

Gret wonder had of her cominge,

KniŠtes, swaines, leuedis beld

5500 Maden crud hem to biheld,

Wonder þai hadden euerichon

For non no knewe her non.

¶ OŠain hem Šede king Leodegan

& him gret þe king Ban,

5505 Leodegan seid ‘Šou blisse þe rode

Šif Še beþ ycomen for gode.’

Quaþ king [Ban] ‘so Crist me spede

Com we nouŠt hider for þi qued

No for þi schame ac for þi gode

5510 So ous help þe gode rode.

We beþ souders of fer lond,

Men doþ ous to vnderstond

Þat þou to socour haddest nede

Þerfore we com fram our þede

5515 Þat is fer hennes saun faile

Þe to help in þi bataile

& to serue on swiche maner

So þou schalt now yher.

We aske þe on Godes name

5520 Noiþer to þine harm no þi schame

Ac þat þou graunt ous now a þing

& þerof no make werning:

Þou no schalt aske name our,

No wo we beþ, no non of our,

5525 No apose ous of our being

What we þe wil make scheweing,

& Šif þe likeþ so our seruise

Telle it ous now in al wise

& bot þou like we seruen þe

5530 We wille Šern fram þe te

To sum oþer & serue swiþe {f.232vb}

Þat of our come wil be bliþe.’

Leue toke Leodegan

To asky conseil of his man,

5535 Alle his barouns him seyd, ywis,

It sembled men of gret priis;

Her semblaunt hem bar witnisse,

He schuld of hem nim sikernisse

& afong her seruise

5540 & nouŠt hem lete o non wise.

OŠain com king Leodegan

& þus seyd to Arthour & to Ban

‘Bewe seygnours, me þenkeþ schame

Þat Še me heleþ Šour name

5545 For ich vnderstond wele þat Še

Ben of more power þan ich be

Ac Še semble so wiŠt & fre

Þat Še beþ welcome to me

& Šour seruise Šeld y schal

5550 Šif he me saueþ þat welt al;

Ac arst Še schul me make siker

Wiþ me held in eueri biker

& Šour names telle Še me

When Še seþ þat time be.’

5555 His treuþe þerto þe king Ban,

& þerto Šaf Leodegan.

Þerwhiles þe clerk Merlin

Hem hadde ypuruaid a riche in

& ledde hem þider al faire.

5560 Her ost was ycleped Blaire,

Leonele hete his wiif,

A fair buriays & ioliif,

Boþe þai wenten oŠain Arthour

& him welcomed wiþ gret honour.

5565 Arthour & his feren wiŠt

Soiournde þer seuen niŠt,

In her in & wiþ þe king

Þai maden oft solausing.

¶ Þe king þo sent his messangers

5570 Oueralle to her souders

& sent oueralle in his lond

Euerich gentil man his sond

Þat þai comen to him alle

To Carohaise into his halle

5575 Atte last bi Holy Þorsday {f.233ra}

To help him in his medlay;

& who so nold to him come

As traitour he schuld ben ynome

So ich in boke writen finde

5580 & him hing bi þe winde.

For so long trewes bitven Rion

Weren & þe king Leodegan -

Ac listneþ now swiche traisoun

Hem come ar þe Assensioun.

5585 In Estre on þe Tewisday

Þe euen of seint Philip in May

Four kinges gret geaun[ts]

5587-8: line-ends smudged and partly illegible.

Þat were vnder þe king [Ri]ounŠ

Went hem out in iren & stiel

5590 Wiþ sexti þousand armed wel;

Þe first king hiŠt Roulyons,

Þe oþer hete king Clarions,

Þe þridde king hete Sonegrens,

Sonegrens: r is superscript.

Þe ferþ hete king Sorhens,

5595 Þise went fram þe gret ost

To Carohaise wiþ gret bost

& robbeden al þe cuntray

Boþe in doun & in valaye,

Man & wiman al þat þai founde

5600 Þai slowen doun into þe grounde,

Þe cuntre wiþ wild fer

Oueral þai set on fer;

Ten hundred cartes on on route

Biforn hem brout saun doute

5605 Charged wiþ mete & wiþ drink

Þat ani man miŠt of þink

& vc kniŠtes þe pray toke

For to condue hem & loke.

To Carohaise þe kinges wente

5610 & at þe gates wolden entre

Ac þe gateward þe gates schetten,

Ac þeroŠain anon þai stetten,

Boþe wiþ launce & wiþ sword

Þai dusched & hewen on þe bord,

5615 & wenten to þe plaines oŠan

To quellen wiif child & man -

Men miŠt hem here schriche

So fer þat it was ferliche.

Þo in þe cite seiŠe þis harmes {f.233rb}

5620 Manliche þai grad ‘As armes!’

Þai went & armed hem euerichon

& to þe gates comen anon,

Opon gode stede hem rest

For to abide þe kinges hest,

5625 & þe kniŠtes of þe table rounde

Of al þe warld of mest mounde

Wiche hadde made Vter Pendragon,

Ac king Arthour no knewe her non.

Tvo hundred & to score & ten

5630 Verrament þer weren of hem;

Herui de Riuel & Malot þe broun

de: MS reads þe.

Were maisters of þe gomfainoun

So ich in þe brut finde;

Her gomfainoun was of cendel ynde

5635 Of gold þer were on þre coroune,

Þo it bar Malot þe broune.

Of þe cite four þousand were þar,

Her maister gomfainoun so bar

Þe kinges steward Cleodalis,

5640 A kniŠt he was of gret priis,

His pensel hadde riche colour

Alle he was couched wiþ aŠur

aŠur: MS reads ?ascur. Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979) proposes long s corrected to that form of r which follows an o.

Of gold þer were four bore-heuedes ybete.

bore-heuedes: erasure after bo, with re he in darker ink and uedes awkwardly superscript in same ink.

Þese houed al in þe strete.

5645 Þo com king Arthour, Bohort & Ban

Wiþ her feren eueri man

So y in boke telle can,

Non nere armed hem oŠan,

A queintise þai hadden riche

5650 Þat non nas hem yliche;

On stedes þai lopen euerichon

In þe world nar better non.

Merlin rode biforn ichil avowe

& bad hem alle swiþe him suwe,

5655 So þai deden wiþouten faintise

On hors in fair queintise.

Merlin bar her gomfanoun,

Opon þe top stode a dragoun

Swiþe griseliche, a litel croume,

5660 Fast him biheld al þo in þe toune

For þe mouþe he had grininge

& þe tong out flattinge

Þat out kest spa[r]kes of fer {f.233va}

Into þe skies þat flowen cler.

5665 Þis dragoun hadde a long taile

Þat was wiþþerhoked saun faile.

Merlin com to þe gate

& bad þe porter him out late,

Þe porter seyd he schuld rest

5670 What he hadde of his lord hest

‘Certes’ quaþ Merlin ‘y þe telle

No lenger resten here y nille.’

He toke þe gate bi þe legge

& slong hem vp at his rigge,

5675 Þo he was out & his feren eke

Fast oŠain þe gate he leke

Wiþ lockes haspes & mani pin

Wiþ mani bar & mani gin,

Þus fast loken he hem fand

5680 & as fast after him lete hem stand -

Alle þat seiŠen þis saun faile

Of him hadde gret meruaile,

Boþe þo of þe cite

& eke his feren bi mi leute.

5685 ¶ Þo bad Merlin his compainie

Her stedes priken & swiþe hiŠe,

Wiþ þe baner dast Merlins

Among to þousand SarraŠins

Þat ledden a wel gret pray

5690 Toward king Rion y say,

Ich of hem so dede bere

Þurth a Sarrain wiþ his spere,

Afterward her swerdes drowe

& Þe SarraŠins to grounde slowe;

5695 Sum þai cleued to þe brest,

Sum þai binomen fot & fest,

Of mani þai hadde helme & heued

Sone fro þe bodi weued.

Þe to & fourti weren Šep -

5700 Þai leten þer hors gode chep

Boþe wiþ sadel & wiþ bridel

For nouŠt to haue & oway ride -

Þe to þousand todriuen & slawe

Þai hadden in a litel þrawe

5705 So man wold in a mile-way

Ouergon his jurnay,

& þat priis ladde at aise

aise: i is superscript.

Toward þe cite of Caroaise.

Ac so þai comen bi þe way

5710 Eft þai metten michel pray,

A þousand cartes almast

Comand wel swiþe on hast,

Swiche þre kinges wiþ xvi þousinde

Comen & condid, hem bihinde,

5715 & Merlin seyd wiþ griseli chere

‘Now suweþ me gode fere.’

Forþ he flang & þai after anon

So swiþe so þe stedes miŠt gon;

Þo þai com þe kinges neiŠe

5720 Merlin hef his heued on heiŠe

& kest on hem enchauntement

Þat he hem alle almest blent

Þat non oþer sen no miŠt

A grete while, y Šou pliŠt,

5725 & our fourti smiten hem on

& slowen of hem mani on

& mani c of painems hewe

Ar ani þer oþer knewe.

¶ Þo of þe cite seiŠen þis,

5730 Þai seyden it were men of priis.

Þo were vp vndon þe gate,

Cleodalis rode out þerate,

Þe steward wiþ fiue þousinde

Opon þe painems gun to winde;

5735 Þer was din, þer was cri,

Mani schaft broken sikerly,

For in þe coming of Cleodalis

Þe paiens miŠt sen, ywis,

Þer was swiche contek & wonder

5740 Þat it dined so þe þonder.

Þis ich heþen kinges þre

Ato parted her meine

Seuen þousand to ben þer riŠt

OŠain þe fiue þousand to fiŠt,

5745 & setten þer þousandes eiŠte

OŠain king Leodegan to fiŠt

Þat hem toward [com] in þat stounde

Wiþ þridde half hundred of þe table rounde.

Ac bi hemself þe rounde table wes -

5750 Þe king Leodegan naþeles

Wiþ him brouŠt þousandes to – {f.234ra}

& to þe bataile flongen þo.

Þe viij þousand hem com oŠain,

Þer was meting of men o main

5755 Wiþ spere & wiþ scharp sword,

Þer les mani man his lord,

Þer was sched so michel blod

Þat it ran as a flod.

Leodegan wiþ his fewe

5760 Noble main he gan to shewe;

He slouŠ þre oŠaines anne

& craked mani hern-panne.

Þe kniŠtes of þe table rounde

Mani þer slouŠ in litel stounde

5765 & bilimeden & feld of hors

Mani heþen orped cors,

Ac þei her swerdes wele þer bite

& to ded mani smite,

It was swiþe litel sene

5770 For oŠaines on þer wer tene,

Ac so sarre was þe þrang

Þat non miŠt com hem omang.

Þe SarraŠins hadde gret despite

Þat so hem schent swiche popel lite,

5775 He swore bi Mahoun & Dagon

Hem no schuld ascape non

& drouŠ hem wel fer aroume -

Þat Crist hem Šeue confusioun -

& baren doun in þat stounde

5780 Šete fourti of þe table rounde

& were abouten hem to dere

Ac her feren hem gun were

Line 5782: copied at the foot of the column.

Þat he no hadde power non

Non of hem for to slon.

5785 Þat time was Leodegan

Feld adoun & his man

Šete an hundred oþer mo;

Leodegan þai nomen þo

& beten him sore & Šeuen him wounde

5790 & to an hors fast him bounde

& token fif hundred kniŠtes

To lade him forþ anonriŠtes,

& so þai deden sikerliche

Defuiland vilanliche

5795 Toward þe riche king Rion {f.234rb}

& wenden her bataile were ydon.

& þo þe king Leodegan

Him seiŠe fer fram al his man

& him aboute socour non

5800 & him loþeliche lade to king Rion

‘Allas,’ he seyd ‘þat y was bore,

Mi liif & priis so is forlore

& Gvenoure mi dohter gent

Of vile paiems worþ yschent

5805 & alle min noble kniŠtes

Worþ yslawe adoun riŠtes

& þe leuedis of mi lond

Alle ynomen in payems hond.’

For riŠt gret sorwe & care

5810 Aswon he fel as he ded ware;

To gret mile fram þe bataile

Þo he was, wiþouten faile.

¶ His douhter stode on þe cite wal

& biheld þis misauentour al,

5815 Hir hondes sche sett on hir here

& hir fair tresses al totere;

Sche hir totar to hir smok

& on þe wal hir heued gan knok

& swoned oft & seyd allas

5820 Þat hir socour lorn was;

So deden al þo of þe cite

Maden endeles pite.

Þe kniŠtes of þe table rounde

Kedden þai were men of mounde,

5825 Bitven hem þai wolden speke,

Leodegan þai wolden awreke

Oþer steruen þai wolden alle

& renged hem oŠain þe walle

For þai no seiŠen no socour

5830 & schewed þo her vigour -

Þridde half hundred oŠain .m. seuen

Me þenkeþ certes þat was vneuen.

Ac þer þai fouŠten vnder þe toun

& mani SarraŠin leyd adoun;

5835 Hem þai tohewen & hors also,

Þay þoled michel pine & wo.

Þe citisains þat yseiŠe

& sore wepen wiþ her eiŠe.

Now lete we hem fiŠtand here {f.234va}

5840 & speke we of Arthour & his fere.

Now seyt our tale saun faile

Þat orible is þe bataile,

Of gret crie & swiþe strong,

Almest þennes fiue forlong,

5845 Þat Arthour held wiþ fourti & to

& Cleodalis wiþ four þousand & mo,

OŠaines hem Sornegreons & king Sapharen

Þat seuen þousand hadd wiþ hem;

So fele paiems þer lay slawe

5850 Þat fele hepes þer lay on rawe

Of armed men of fatt stede

Þat her liif þer les to mede.

¶ Þo seyd Merlin to his ferrede

‘Now me suweþ alle ich rede.’

5855 Forþ riden þe fourti & to

So swiþe so þe hors miŠt go,

Þer bileued Cleodalis

Wele fiŠtand & al his;

Þo Merlin hadde riden a while

5860 Þe mountaunce of to mile

He seyd to king Arthour & Ban

‘Lo Šond men ledeþ Leodegan

Ybounden toward king Rion

On hard dede for to slon;

5865 After hem now dasseþ swiþe

& oftakeþ hem biliue,

Šif Šou ascapeþ of hem ten

Schal I Šou neuer held men.’

Þai stirten forþ & ouertoke hes

5870 & dassed hem amid þe pres.

Þe first slouŠ Merlin verrament

To Šeuen þe oþer gode talent,

Arthour smot on hem saun faile

So on þe singel doþe þe haile

5875 So we finden on þe bok;

Al he slouŠ þat he oftok,

So dede Ban þe gode kniŠt

He clef mani on doun riŠt,

So dede king Bohors

5880 He slouŠ þer mani heþen cors,

So deden al þo gentil feren

Her swerdes þai dede in blod steren,

Alle þai laiden doun riŠt {f.234vb}

& made þer swiche a sleiŠt

5885 Þat man seiŠe neuer in so litel stounde

So fewe bring so fele to grounde,

For þer no schaped fram hem oliue

Of fiue hundred vnneþe fiue.

Þer men miŠtten haue frely

5890 Four c steden for gramerci

gramerci: r is superscript. c: altered from e.

Þat Šede drawend her bridel brod

To þe fitlokes in þe blod.

Þus Arthour & his felawered

Deliuerd Leodegan fram þe dede,

5895 Michel wonder had Leodegan

Þat swiche a litel poine of man

So fele in so litel þrawe

So manliche had yslawe,

Bi þe dragon þat kest fer

5900 He wist it were þe newe souders,

Þat he was deliuerd fram his fon

He þonked Ihesu Crist anon.

¶ Þo liŠt þe clerk Merlin

& sir Bretel & sir Vlfin

5905 & þe king Leodegan vnbounde

& sett him on a stede of mounde

& armed him fineliche wel

& dede on his heued an helm of stiel,

About his nek a scheld strong

5910 & toke him a launce long

& sett him vp as a king

Þat er lay as a breþeling,

He joined his honden ioe vus di

& Šalt hem þank & gramerci.

5915 On his stede þo lepe Merlin,

So dede Bretel & sir Vlfin,

¶ Þo seyd Merlin ‘mine kniŠtes fre,

Prikeþ Šour stedes & folweþ me.’

So þai deden wiþouten abod,

5920 So aruwe of bowe ich forþ glod.

¶ Ac þo Gvenoure opon þe walle

Þis to & fourti seiŠe com alle

Bi þe dragon þat cast fer

Þat fleiŠe into þe skies cler

5925 Sche wist it were þe fourti & to,

Hir fader sche seiŠe com also

On hors y-armed & wele atired {f.235ra}

& fram his fon þurth hem deliuerd -

No ask no man of þe gret blisse

5930 Þat sche made þan, ywis,

& al þe men þat it seiŠen

For ioie þai wepe wiþ her eiŠen.

Þis þre & fourti com on hast

Wiþ norþþen winde so doþ tempast,

5935 Þe kniŠtes of þe table rounde

Þai founden alle felled to grounde

Þat stoden afot & wered hem

OŠain on euer xx & ten,

Bot xx of hem openliche

5940 On hors fouŠten nobliche

& ouercarked weren þo

Her liif þat was neiŠe ago.

Þis xliii of gret mounde

So dassed on þe heþen hounde

5945 Þat ich of hem who so mett

Hastiliche þe heued of grett

& slowen hem doun into þe grounde

Mani geaunt in litel stounde,

Euerich dede swiþe wel

5950 Wiþ scharpe swerd of gode stiel,

Mani þai smiten þurth saun faile

Fram þe top to þe taile,

Of sum þe side, God it wot,

Wiþ scheld & arme eueri grot,

5955 Of sum þe midel euen ato,

Of sum þei & legge also;

Auberk, aketoun & scheld

Was mani tobroken in þat feld

& mani paiem wiþ deþes wounde

5960 & mani stede coruen to grounde.

Þe king himself þer Leodegan

Wele him wrake of his foman,

OŠain þe þre & fourti of our

Non armour no miŠt dour,

miŠt: i is superscript.

5965 No hors of priis, no heþen kniŠt

Þat he nas dede anonriŠt.

Þer was an heþen king hiŠt Canlang

Fiftene fet he was lang.

He & anoþer þat strengest were

5970 Of alle þe paiems þat were þere.

Þis dede his miŠt saun fable {f.235rb}

To stroie þe kniŠtes of þe rounde table.

¶ King Arthour mett Canlang,

Togider þai made fiŠting strang

5975 & so strong was Canlang verrament

Þat king Arthour miŠt fest no dent

To him haue bot bihinde,

Bot ones he him hitt, kerueinde

Vnder þe scheld, þe scholder on

5980 Þurthout armes & flesche & bon,

Vnto þe nouel he him carf,

Þe misbileueand paiem starf,

A boþe half his hors he hing

Þat ernne forþ crudand in þat þring.

crudand: MS reads arudand.

5985 Þe paiems seiŠe Canlang so hit

Agrisen of þat dint out of wit;

Gvenour þat dint of Arthour seye

& þonked Ihesu Crist on heiŠe

& ‘Šeue þat he mi lord were

5990 Þat Šong þat fiŠteþ so þere.’

Anon seyden al her men

‘So were it me dame, amen.

For we no seiŠe neuer of his power,

Noiþer eld man no bacheler.’

5995 ¶ King Ban þo mett Clarion

Þat oþer strongest of euerichon,

He was gret xiiii fet long

& swiþe gret & swiþe strong,

He hadde mani of our yslawe;

6000 King Ban him mett wiþouten awe

So we finden in þe boke

& ouer þe ere he him toke,

Þe cheke he carf, þe schulder also,

To þe girdel þe dint gan go.

6005 His ribbes & scholder fel adoun,

Men miŠt se þe liuer abandoun.

King Bohort of gent power

Met Sarmedon þe gomfanoun-bere,

On þe schulder he him hit

6010 Þat arm & scholder of he kit;

His scheld & his gomfanoun

& himself þer fel adoun.

King Leodegan þo gan crie

‘For loue of þe quen Marie

6015 Bistireþ Šou min gentil kniŠtes {f.235va}

& leggeþ doun þis paiems riŠtes.’

Þe kniŠtes of þe table rounde

Alle lopen on hors o mounde

& hewen on þe SarraŠin

6020 Wiþ gode wille & hert fin.

¶ Þe paiems seiŠe ded Canlang

& Clarion þat was so strang

& þe baneour Sormedon,

Þo þai nist what to don

6025 Ac so swiþe so þai miŠt

Oway flowen anonriŠt.

To þousand com out of þe cite

& feld hem doun wiþouten pite

Wiþ kniŠtes of þe table rounde

6030 Þai hewen hem doun vnto þe grounde.

¶ King Arthour & king Ban

King Bohort & king Leodegan

& þe fourti liŠt & wiþstode

& gerten her stedes gode

6035 Þurth conseil of Merlin, ywis,

& went & holpen Cleodalis

Þe king[es] steward Leodegan

Þat fauŠt oŠain seuen m man

Wiþ four þousand & namore

6040 So Še herden herebifore.

Þis fourti & to & on

Opon þis seuen þousand smiten anon

& hewen on wiþ gret powers

On schides so doþ þis carpenters -

6045 It was nede for Cleodalis

Stode on fot, & mani of his

Aboute him stode sarreliche

Fram deþ to were sikerliche.

¶ Þer king Arthour & Bohort & Ban

6050 & þe king Leodegan

Paiems wiþouten tale slouwe,

A þousand stedes her bridels drowe,

Þis þre & fourti fouŠten so

ForŠeten miŠt it be neuer mo;

6055 For þe blod of kniŠtes dede

& of destre[r]s & of stede

Ran hem after al day so Šerne

So water out of wel-streme,

Þurth þe pouwer & miŠt of þos {f.235vb}

6060 Cleodalis þat kniŠt of los

Was ybrouŠt on hors, ywis,

& kniŠtes oþer fele of pris.

¶ Þe kinges of þo heþen man

Heten Sornegrex & Saphiran,

6065 Aiþer of hem was xiiii fot lang

& swiþe hardi & swiþe strang

& hadden swiþe gret despite

Þat hem schent pople so lite.

A schille horn þai gun blawe,

6070 Togider þai gader her felawe.

¶ Kay & Vlfin, þe buteler,

& Grifles þat was of gret power,

Ich of hem tok a launce long

& dassed þe SarraŠins among;

6075 Kay king Sornigrex hitt

& kest him to grounde in þat flit

& rode on him wiþ his hors

& defoiled his cursed cors

& had him slawe wiþouten letting

6080 Ac mani com to þis rideing,

Wiþ his launce dan Lucan

Þe hert þurth smot of Abadan,

Ac on hors in þis toiling

Was brouŠt Sornigrex þe king.

6085 Þo aros gret batail & strif

For of þe SarraŠins Šete m fif

Were ouercomen vnder þe wal,

Þider were flowen alle,

Þerfore so fel þer were

6090 Þat litel was sene her sleiŠster þer.

¶ King Sornigrex þat was yfeld,

His bodi tobrussed, tobroken his scheld,

For schame he was out of wit.

Our folk he þouŠt for to hit

6095 & gred to alle þo Sarains

Þat for loue of Apolins

Þai schuld of al his fon

Him awreke sone anon,

Of SaraŠins gret þreng

6100 About our Cristen made reng

& hem biclepten in þat place

& leyden on wiþ swerd & mace

& wiþ axes & wiþ gisharm {f.236ra}

Our folk þai deden michel harm;

6105 Ac in þis ich self stounde

KniŠtes of þe table rounde

Þat folweden þe paiems fleinde

Al on hors com flinginde

& seiŠe þe pensel of fourti & to

6110 Þat day þat hadde hem holpen so,

Into bataile to hem þai drowen,

Alle þat þai met þai doun slowen

Boþe wiþ launce & swerd briŠt,

Þo þai metten þai slouŠ doun riŠt

6115 & þurth miŠt þai keuerden so

Þat þai com to fourti & to

& þo so gret sleiŠt made

Þat y no may it fulrade.

¶ At þe oþer half Cleodalis

6120 FauŠt wiþ SarraŠins of priis

Þat wiþ gret iniquite

BrouŠt hem oŠain to þe cite;

Þe strong king Saphiran

It was þat fauŠt him oŠan

6125 Wiþ neiŠen þousand verrament

& dede him gret encumbrement.

Ac þo ich to þousinde

Þat folwed þe oþer fleinde

To help þer com Cleodalis

6130 & on þe paiems smot, ywis,

In her coming & smiten to grounde

A þousand paiems in þat stounde

& þurth þe help of our driŠt

help: MS reads lelp.

Cleodalis halp wele to fiŠt

6135 & helden gode contre oŠan

Saphiran & al his man.

Þo nar þo wiþ king Arthour

Bot to & fourti of valour

& of þe rounde table kniŠtes

6140 To hundred & fifti wiŠte

No more þer ner so y finde

& fouŠten oŠain viij þousinde,

Sornegrex hete her king.

An hardi paiem þurth al þing.

6145 Þer hadde ben miche mischef

No had Merlin seyd a conseil bihef

‘Bieu seygnours y nil nouŠt hele {f.236rb}

Of þis paiems beþ so fele

Þat we no may oŠain hem doure,

6150 Bot to mi conseil nimeþ coure.

Her ben among þis SarraŠins

Ten geauntes wel strong afins,

& þai were of dawe ydon

Þe bataile were passed sone.’

6155 Þai asked him wiche þai were

& he hem tauŠt anonriŠt þere.

¶ King Ban þat was gode & strong

Tok his swerd in his hond,

His stede he smot & forþ glod,

6160 OŠain king Sornegrex he rode,

His helme he smot bi þe side,

Þurth helme & palet it gan glide,

Fram þe cheke þe neb he bar

Þe scheld fram þe schulder þar

6165 & þe left arme & þe hond;

arme: r is superscript.

Ich vnderstond he dede him schond.

Þe SarraŠins kest a gret cri

& fleiŠe oway wiþ gret hy.

¶ Bohort met Marganan

6170 & smot þat vnsely man

On þe helme, ichot forsoþ,

Þat he him cleued to þe toþ.

¶ King Arthour so dieu me saut

Met wiþ [an] amiral was hoten Sinalaut,

6175 On þe helme he him hitt

& a quarter þerof kitt,

On þe schulder slod þe dent

& kitt it of verrament

& þerwiþ ribbes four,

6180 Þe painem starf wiþ misantour.

¶ Sir Vlfin slouŠ þo Sabalant

¶ & Bretel þe douk Cordant,

¶ Þe steward Kay slouŠ dan Deriard

¶ & Lucan þe boteler slouŠ Malard

6185 ¶ & Grifles so slouŠ Menadap

¶ & Meragys slouŠ þe douke Sadap

¶ & Gornenis slouŠ þe douke Maupas

¶ & Craddok slouŠ Darrilas.

Þese were þe geauntes ten

6190 & princes of þe heþen men,

Þo þe paiems hem ded seiŠe {f.236va}

A cri þai gun areren heiŠe

& seyd it were deuelen þat þai wiþ fouŠten,

Sikerliche so hem þouŠten,

6195 Þai flowen oway wiþouten abode.

Our folk swiþe after hem rode

& to grounde slouŠ doun riŠt

Al þat þai oftake miŠt,

Þre þousend þai slowen of þe eiŠtte.

6200 Þe oþer ascaped anonriŠt

oþer: r is superscript.

To þe riche king Saphiran.

Þo were þai xiiii þousand of man

& smiten on Cleodalis

Þat had bot four þousand, ywis,

6205 & þe to þat comen out of þe cite.

Þer men seiŠe wel gret pite,

Hou þe painems & king Saphiran

Defoiled our Cristen men,

A þousand & mo þai slowen,

6210 Þe remanant of hors drowen;

Oft Cleodalis was wo

Ac neuer wers þan him was þo.

Ydriuen he was vnder þe toun

& loked after þe dragoun

6215 Þat Merlin bar, ac he no miŠt

Nowhar of him han a siŠt,

No þe kniŠtes of þe rounde table

MiŠt he nowhar se, saun fable;

He wende þat dede þai hadden ben.

6220 Þer miŠt men gret pite sen

Now he flowe, now he wiþstode,

For drede he was neiŠe wode.

Þe citaisins þan seiŠe þis

& reweliche cri maden, ywis.

6225 Ac þurth Merlin so ich finde

Arthour was bileued bihinde

& þe oþer wiþouten fable,

Þe kniŠtes of þe rounde table,

& adden alle adoun aliŠt,

6230 Her stedes girt þe sadels riŠt

þe: MS reads he.

& soft & sarre saun faile

Com to þis reweful bataile;

Com: MS reads Tom.

Þo on þe walles of þe toun

SeiŠe comand þe dragoun,

6235 Þo seyd þe fair leuedis {f.236vb}

To þe steward Cleodalis

‘Cleodalis þou gentil kniŠt

Bistir þe & hardiliche fiŠt

For Šonder doun in þe valaie

6240 Šou comeþ socour of gret noblay.

We seþ þe dragoun þat casteþ fer

& after þe newe souders

& Le[o]degan wiþ hem saun fable

& þe kniŠtes of þe rounde table,

6245 Alle þai comen Šerne, apliŠt;

Now kiþe þou art a noble kniŠt.’

Cleodalis in alle his liue

Nas neuer Šete so bliþe

Þo he & his kniŠten

6250 So wele fouŠten so þai miŠten.

¶ Arthour & Ban & king Bohort

Þer hem com to gret comfort

Wiþ her folk of gret mounde,

Þre hundred þai bar to grounde,

6255 Ac a left half & a riŠt

King Arthour slouŠ doun riŠt

Wiþ Esclabor his swerd so gode,

Þat day he schad so michel blode;

Also dede þe king Ban

6260 Þer slouŠ mani heþen man,

Bohort his broþer & eke he

Spard noiþer þral no fre

Of stiel no yren armes nan

No miŠt doure hem oŠan,

6265 No may y noiþer telle no rede

Hou wele þai deden, her ferrede.

Ac þe leuedis on þe tour

Šerne biheld king Arthour

& hadde wonder of his Šingþe

6270 Þat þer kidde swiche stre(r)ngþe.

Þe heþen king Saphiran

Despite hadde of so fewe men

So miche folk þat slowen þo,

Mani geaunce þai cleued ato.

6275 He cleped to him Sortibran

& Senebant & Engredan

Molore & eke Frelent

& Clariel, a geaunt gent,

Landon & ek Moras {f.237ra}

6280 & Randel þat noble was,

To hem alou(n)de he gan to speke

Wiþ launce his anoie to wreke.

¶ Forþ dassed þe king Saphiran,

Þat vnsely hoge man,

hoge: h is superscript.

6285 Hervi Riuel & his hors gent

He frust doun at o dent

Þat hors & man astuned lay,

Šete forþ he dassed par ma fay

& þrewe sir Antor of his hors

6290 Þat al þat day him was þe wors,

Šete forþer he gan ride

& smot Grifles bi þe side

& kest him to þe grounde,

His launce brac in his wounde.

6295 & Sortibran wiþ justing cler

Feld Luca[n]s þe buteler,

Clariel feld Meraugys

& sore hirt him, ywis,

Engredan feld Gor[n]ains & Craddoc

6300 & sore agreued our floc,

Senebant þrewe doun Bleoberis

& his hors vnder him, ywis,

Þus þe geauntes our kniŠtes þrewe;

Our men gun it sore rewe

6305 Non of hem had dedeli wounde

Ac sone stirt vp in þat stounde

& wiþ scharpe swerdes of stiel

Wered hem manliche wel.

Our folk abuten hem gan þrest

6310 & socourd hem wiþ þe best.

¶ & Šete in þis strong rideing

Com Saphiran þe heþen king

& in his hond a launce strong

Þat was boþe gret & long,

6315 Leodegan on þe scheld he hitt

& wiþ strengþe it þurth slit.

His hond he bar heiŠe ferly,

Þe launce glod þe king forby

Þat ran þurth þe hors bihinde,

6320 King & hors adoun gan winde;

‘Allas,’ þai seyd on þe tounes wal

‘Now we han ylorn al.’

Þai wende þe king yslawe ware {f.237rb}

& maden diol & sorweful fare.

6325 Gvenour made gret diol, ywis

& so dede al þo leuedis

Þat þat ich dint ysawe;

Þai wende þe king were yslawe.

So he hadde forsoþ yben

6330 No hadde oþer stirt bitven

& him halp in þat rideing.

Þo spac Arthour þe king

‘Certes’ he seyd ‘þis nis no game,

Þe paiems doþ ous swiche schame.’

6335 & swore